Working for myself means the boss never gets a gift. But my trusty minion, Bartleby, gives me joy everyday, so I suppose it balances out.

I have a mini rant and a question for lawyerly, and/or renter's rights folk. The landlord that I have been bitching about for ever (burning lead paint in the building and lying about it, dumping gas on the first floor and leaving me to deal with it on a freezing night-and lying about it-never fixing things without threats and or months/years to 'think about it', etc.) has just raised my rent by $300 per month.

This, combined with another $300 increase a few years ago, constitutes a 100% increase in the 9 years I've lived here. I'm given to understand that in multi-unit biuldings, 45% would be generous.

I'm also given to understand that, since it is a one unit situation (over a liquor store), I am sol in terms of rights.

Is that the case? Is there anything I can do besides stick pins in a doll?

My first year at the press release place, our party was at the Computer Museum. Unfortunately, our clients were invited too, which made the editors irritated, since we didn't like schmoozing ANYWAY, much less at our party! That aside, it was a great place for a party. Sniff. RIP, Computer Museum.

I am extremely tempted to AT LEAST broach the topic of why it doubled in one year.

How many people are expected to contribute? How many of these are the instigators?

I find it REALLY hard to believe that you are the only person who is shocked by this at your office.

We get a nice Christmas party though. This year it's at the Museum of Science!

OK, that's pretty cool.

Ugh, I have to start Xmas shopping AND I have to get my car worked on (oil change and 60000 maintenance, the latter 8000 miles late) & inspected. So much for my savings.

First world problems, I know, but I'm so unmotivated.

The new other attorney I work for is a partner and notorious for cheap-ass gifts (when she remembers them at all). Like a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card.

I think that cheap-ass is different in upstate, because I usually receive $10 gift cards. $25 come from friends!

$25 is a perfectly lovely gift. But the norm around here from a partner or a couple of associates is for something a little shinier. Theater tickets, iPods, day spas... these are a little more the usual scale.

But, like I said, she's notorious. She forgets secretary's day, etc.

Beej, it varies a lot by state, but, probably, yes. The carve-outs for small-number-of-units are pretty weird and extensive. (I think on the logic that usually, few units means actually attached to the owner's residence.)

In my state, 4 units or fewer, attached to the owner's residence, and they can discriminate on almost any basis they want (including federally-protected groups) when deciding whom to rent to, and don't need to give a reason when asking the tenant to move out. Some of the stuff I heard prospective landlords say this summer was -- urk. (Mostly about single men, but some vague racial stuff too.)

There might be a set percentage that a landlord may raise rent per year (and that wouldn't vary based on number of units), but it's unlikely to cover multiple years. (So, it may be perfectly legal to double the rent in 10 years, by upping it 10% per year.) And, as long as he's not trying to do it in the middle of a signed lease, it's probably not illegal.

Last year, I gave my boss an extra Chicago picture book that I had and liked, but didn't really need to keep. It was a bargain book from when I worked at Waldenbooks, so it only cost me a few bucks to begin with, but she didn't know that!

This year, I'll be getting her some more bargain books, this time from my current bookstore employer, B&N. I don't usually spend more than $10-15 tops on her, and she usually gives me a $25 B&N or PetSmart gift card and something from Swedish Bakery in Andersonville (we're both part-Swedish, so it's a nice gesture to our shared ancestry).

How many people are expected to contribute? How many of these are the instigators?

there's a total of 15 of us if i include the warehouse guys, who also have to contribute. that's $300 per boss! instigators are three or four of them. two are the worst culprits.

I find it REALLY hard to believe that you are the only person who is shocked by this at your office.

i'm not. the co-worker i mentioned earlier is pissed off too. it's worse for her because she has three small children. at least i only have to take care of me.

First world problems, I know, but I'm so unmotivated.

word. i have no idea what to buy for people this year. i had most of my gifts figured out by this time last year.

ION i'm really beginning to suspect this place is hell because it's as hot as hell in here today. you shouldn't sweat sitting still. in the winter...

Thanks Nutty. I feared that.

I wouldn't feel so bad about it...given how much I love the location, the neighborhood, my 20x20 living room with gorgeous southern exposure and having my office in my home...it's just that he's such a clueless jerk with zero communication skills and a brain that is probably, actually impaired. After the lead paint burning incident, he huffed, "I've been burning paint my whole life..." Explains a lot, I suppose.

I had such hope when he went through Landmark and actually seemed somewhat self aware a couple of years ago. Tragically didn't last.

Worse though, is my anger with myself. After each of the dangerously stupid acts, I ought to have called the city inspectors on him straight away. But I didn't. My weakness, to be sure...which just fuels my anger with him.

::futile seething::

I find it REALLY hard to believe that you are the only person who is shocked by this at your office.

i'm not. the co-worker i mentioned earlier is pissed off too. it's worse for her because she has three small children. at least i only have to take care of me.

Goodness, I'd think it's time for the two of you to band together in rebellion. Because the mandatory gift-for-boss, and particularly the monetary amount (about which you had no input), is bullshit.

Seriously, what can they do to you if you just refuse to chip in?