Unbelievable

Not sure where to start... the solitary apartment didn't work out. The morning my snowbird friends left, they gave me the keys. I was sitting, having my coffee, when I saw a short, plump woman knocking on the door of my soon-to-be apartment. I stood and said they left, but I also noticed that they were in the parking space, buckled up, and had the car in reverse. I caught their attention... turns out the plump chick is the owner who was supposed to be in Egypt looking for a bride for her 32 year old son...

We all get together to talk. Owner's having nothing to do with me living there for free, after all, she's losing 8K a month, and she needs to recoup. Ok, here are your keys, sorry it didn't work out. Then she's telling me she can hook me up, and don't worry about my landlord who subleases from her... I'm about to go along, then realize I told the guy I'd rent from him for 6 months. Sorry, my word is important. No harm, no foul.

Then my capitalist brain starts working... 8K in the red per month?!? I just happen to be a former operations manager for a very successful suites hotel, and I know all about selling suites, turning rooms, and maximizing revenue per available room (REVPAR). I lose sleep one night plotting my return... I wake up and think, "Am I nuts? Who wants to manage apartments for next to nothing?".

I have some more coffee, and I start thinking about it, sober. Really, I have a unique skill set that certainly qualifies me to manage several apartments on a one to six month and more basis... I know everything from daily upkeep to yearly budgeting. Marketing, advertising, sales, upgrades, network mainenance, you name it, I've done it...

I start thinking about how I could get control of 10 units, and how much profit I could make. I get excited, then I realize maybe the owner has her own dumpy plans for the place. I really don't feel like putting together a sales pitch, so I forget it, and concentrate on making money on my double shift. I figure if she needs help, she will find me.

I made really good money on my double shift. I'm at home, happy, drinking beer, and deciding what I'm going to clean, and what I'm going to buy tomorrow. I'm sitting on my stoop, as always, at 1:00 am, and who do I see walking up the sidewalk toward me? Short and plump. Do I know anyone who wants to rent? Actually, yes, I know two people. Do you know computers, and can you pass a drug test? Yes and yes...

She says she wants to turn part of her house into a hostel, and I can have 10% if I can make it work. She says I can start with the apartment that was supposed to be mine.  I say I will text her Tuesday, and we can talk about it...

Unbelievable. You want to talk about frieght trains?

So now I'm thinking about how much I need to make to pay my rent and save a respectable amount per month for my boat... I'm not quitting my day (night) job, but shit, this could actually work out to be something good. I was given a great recommendation, and I definetly have the skills...

It always turns out to be that third option, doesn't it? You make your plans, but you keep in mind that god has his own plans for you. I take care of myself to the best of my ability, but I try to never forget that I am in a canoe with god. I'm the one doing the paddeling, but he's the one steering.

Sorry, no picture, but stay tuned...