dcp, that has been a wild ride! Wishing you a more sedate ride in the coming months. Also, thank you for the card!

I received a card from Erika, too! I love this time of year.

Zen, that is a pretty heavy year to cope with. Job~ma and/or school~ma for you.

Sophia, that is some major adulting. I need to do more of that around my condo. Especially my bedroom.

askye, sounds like this year has been challenging, but in a fairly good way. Goal~ma!

DCP, I hope that 2020 has far fewer surprises.

I've also received an Erika card—yay! I did all my cards yesterday, so they're hitting the post today.

I just want this year to be over. It's been ... trying. My office started a rule last year that if you had a "needs improvement" on your annual review you wouldn't get a raise. So, no raise last year ... and with one (down from multiple) "needs improvement" ratings, probably not this year. Also, the building I've been living in for 30+ years has been sold, I won't be able to afford the new rents - they're doing a major (supposedly) renovation and the monthly rent on a one-bedroom will be $3,990 ... which is about what I take home each month. I have to be out by the end of April, so I do have some time, but most of the building's residents are also moving out ... that's a little over 150 apartments, a number with children and it's been one of the few in town that allow dogs. I've been under rent control, so any apartment (unless it's a real dump) will be more expensive. In addition, I had the old owner fix my bathroom ceiling, since the damage from a water leak was pretty extensive. The leak's been there at least 10 years, but they've never actually fixed it. Then, over the weekend, sections of my living room ceiling started coming down ... I reported it Saturday but no one seems interested.

What with the constant barrage of bad news in the world in general, I am more than ready for this year to be over.

Good lord Toddson! Where do you live again, DC?

good god, Toddson! apt ~ma!

That is terrible, Toddson! I hope you find a much better and yet affordable living space than you expect.

Oh Toddson, how awful. I'm so sorry, and I hope something wonderful turns up, just made for you.

Todd, your apartment sounds like much in DC. I hope you have a much better 2020.

Toddson, contact the building inspector. They can fine the landlord for not doing repairs. Not sure if there is a time limit on that, though. Depends on your city code, I suspect. You might also be able to withhold rent until it's fixed. I went through something like that in Ann Arbor years ago and the building inspector gave really good advice.

Yeah and DC has pretty strong renters laws—there ought to be some folks out there who can help you at least know what all your rights are. Especially if you're considered a senior (I don't know how old you are but sometimes that designation starts at random ages for different things!)