FROZEN FIEFDOM

"Something's Up" In America's Big Berg

featuring

Selected Poems from The Alaska Mystery Collection

and The Tree Series
by Paula Marie Rose

Sensational Southwest Weather! and the Hunt for Housing in the Valley of the Sun

As the Autumnal Solstice appeared on my calender in September, I decided that moving to Phoenix, AZ, was in the cards for this old Bird. Having lived in Charlotte, NC, for a year or so, I knew another winter with cold weather was not for me! I'd had enough snow, sleet, rain, and gloomy weather living in Alaska for much of my life, and the idea of being a permanent resident in the sunny desert climate of Phoenix made my aging limbs and joints creak with relief at the very idea of less arthritic pain.

I loaded up my Chariot in early October, stepped on the gas, and headed West on I 40. Arriving in PHX several days later, and after staying in a few sketchy motels that had the name of a major chain on the building and the signs, but when I checked in, the explanation was that they were transitioning to another chain, or a private entity. A dump by any other name is still a dump! First night in PHX, it was same story, different city; I should have known better when the desk attendant answered the phone with a name different than the one of the major chain on the sign and building. That evening is chronicled under the chapter of: Timeless Travel Tips... on the left sidebar.

The following AM was sunny and warm, as I cruised around and thought about what areas of the city I might want to live in. Craigslist has been an excellent resource for finding places to rent; I had some great results when I was living in L.A., and the folks I shared living space with were all honest and tidy. The listings for guest houses/casitas here in far fewer than in L.A., and they are quickly rented.

I knew what to expect, and nothing is ever perfect. The first place I looked at was in an area undergoing urban renewal, and had wonderful outdoor spaces. I thought it would be workable, and paid a cash deposit and a check for the first month of rent, as the owner and I signed the rental agreement. Things change, including the minds of most women, (just ask any guy!,) and I decided it wasn't going to be my new address. The owner cheerfully returned my deposit and check, and that gracious gesture was proof that nice folks do live in the Valley of the Sun.

Back to the Motel 6, and back to Craigs for more New Nest possibilities. Scheduled a viewing of another charming and small unit, but it wasn't ready for occupancy, and I knew it wouldn't be on the schedule stated. I headed up the road a piece, and checked out a complex that offered weekly studio apartment rentals. The ad was incorrect, as the studio wasn't available for occupancy, and smelled strongly of chemicals; presumably from cleaning and pest control products. I climbed back into the dusty Chariot and back to the Motel 6, which was beginning to feel very homelike.

Another batch of new ads were on Craigs, including a guest house which sounded ideal. I scheduled a looksee, and noted that the address given to me over the phone was incorrect, as was the zip code provided, when I went to check the directions online, and who was the recorded owner of the property on the Maricopa County Assessor's Office website.

We all make mistakes, and transpose numbers occasionally, but since the guy I was speaking with said he lived in the front house, and when I asked if he were the owner, he acknowledged in the affirmative; it seemed unlikely that he'd misspeak his own address and zipcode. Immediately, my highly tuned ears knew they'd heard ElfSpeak.

I'm always scouting for more dirt for the database, or fodder for fueling the pages of Frozen Fiefdom, and this outing didn't disappoint. I was in the neigborhood, at or before our scheduled appointment, but being a Map Tard, and someone who can get lost in a parking lot, or even a small room, I was late for the scheduled viewing. I parked on the other side of a street with the same name, and placed a few calls to the number he'd given me, which my carrier seemed to drop. My GPS unit wasn't exactly working well either. and that's not unheard of; those eyes in the skies can only pinpoint so much, at times. Finally, he phoned me, and provided detailed instructions and waved me down the street.

It was a charming place, with delightful green spaces, and a handy man with a nice smile was busy tidying up things on the back patio. Mama Bear soon arrived, as expected, and in a nice ride. She was sorta dressed for the work she said she did, and we all took notice of every move made by both the younger man signing the paperwork and then I did, and the cash deposit I handed to her, as she initialed the acceptance of it on the piece of paper. I had asked to see her ID, as I knew a woman was the actual owner of the property parcel, and not the person who was signing the rental agreement, and he didn't volunteer to show his ID to me. The lone steak knife in the magnetic rack in the kitchenette told me everything I needed to know. And the mention of it by Cecil wasn't for my benefit; it was for that of many others to note, but I had not yet had the one in my face, experience.

Re: What is the purpose of your repeatedly mentioning a steak knife?

CecilMad
Oct 1

Paula Rose

i dont know what to say or what you mean by nuetral or elves or any other crap im sure you all know each other thats pretty easy to piece together,
--------------------------------------------
On Wed, 10/1/14, Paula Rose <paularoseimages@yahoo.com> wrote:

Subject: What is the purpose of your repeatedly mentioning a steak knife?
To: "Cecil Mad
Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 5:36 AM

And who's the big
Italian fish you've mentioned a few times, and also said
they know me?
It's a known fact that the Mob and the CIA tend to hold hands, so
what does any of this have to do with
me?
I have a busy day of coloring my hair and giving the Chariot a
wash and wax, and loading it with stuff I probably don't
need, so you'd best reply quickly.

Long story short, I went back the next day to pay for the first month of rent, and to collect the key, after I had phoned the male after the initial viewing, that I would need both his and his Mother's ID's photocopied on the rental agreement, and I would also give mine. Whoa, Nelly!

If I'm renting a property from someone, I want to know who they are, and it works both ways.

Some wishywashy whatever, and I knew what to expect, but I went anyway. He refused to show me the rental agreement, and tore it up, and then shouted at me to follow him to the bank to get my deposit back, as he was trying to disinegrate it into mush in the to go cup of coffee in his vehicle.

I asked him to sign a piece of paper saying there was no binding rental agreement, and he refused. He wrote out something about refunding my deposit, which never happened, and he refused to sign that also, as he then stated; "I'm not the owner." Not news to me! But as I again asked him to sign a release of the bogus agreement or to give me a copy of what I had signed, he shouted at me to "get off my property!" so I did. I'm $100 lighter, and happy to be so.

Next stop was a rental I'd looked at a week or so back, and noted, with disappointment, that it still wasn't ready and not really as advertised. No surprise, but the pets seemed to like me, and the folks were pleasant, if still vague as to when occupancy would be available. Ho Hum, and I know how most rentals work, and those how own them are worked. They have mortgages to meet, and so on...

Next place was ideal, in a kinda sorta way, and the owner seemed to be who he said he was, and made several mistakes. The other viewers who looked at the rental while I was there were fascinating to watch, and I only exchanged a few sentences with one. Funny how she knew more about me than I told her... email to another about that doohickey below.

Re: How about some photos of your travels?

Paula Rose
Today at 5:42 AM

To JR Me

The gal who was looking at a guest house Monday at the same time I was there gave herself away. She said she was an adult dancer, and an artist. Ballet was not the kind of dance she was talking about, and she spent an inordinate amount of time in the small bathroom, without actually closing the door so she wasn't test driving the toilet. Might very well have been leaving a calling card, of sorts.

And her smartphone did something really stupid....

She also asked me about working for the TSA, as she and I were both getting items from our cars, and said: "Wow! Think of all the stuff you must find."

I said I was in the pipeline for a position, but not working there yet. And commented, dryly: "Yeah, like people's dirty underwear."

What was odd was; she was supposedly on her way out to her car to retrieve something, and the street is at least 400 feet away, with the main house in between, when I mentioned the TSA as a possible job opportunity to the owner.

Just another person with radar ears! Or somehow, she was told in advance by an Elf?

All in a day's adventure for me, and more material for Frozen Fiefdom.

Gotta love her words about a having a Bipolar Mother and the way her mudflaps dragged over speedbumps. I didn't inspect, but most AZ rides don't have a need for mudflaps, as she'd photoed my Chariot, and noted.

Good thing I have a secret built in Horseshit detector. I always found it to be odd that XXXXXX (name removed) introduced herself as a Bipolar person. Most folks wanna put their medical issues and personal proclivities aside, and let others make their own assertations of who is actually what.

That gal was kinda skinny for a stripper, but some like 'em small...

From: JR Mey

To: Paula Rose <paularoseimages@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2014 6:04 PM
Subject: Re: How about some photos of your travels?

What q's

And, when does the elf attack end?…..

Sent from Windows Mail

Once again, I'm back at the Motel 6. The laundry area could have use a housekeeping sweep up, and I was informed my room would be receiving a new A/C unit, and I might be moved. i'd brought up clothes and snacks, so I didn't want to haul stuff, and this is the largest property in their chain. If I don't move to another room until tomorrow, it won't be a problem.

The one installed and I'm currently operating is fantastic! Perhaps not as green as a newer, but it has horsepower.

Another day, and the message light was blinking on my cell phone. It was the owner of the guest house I had looked at on Monday, and his message said he wanted to rent to me. I would have been excited, but I knew better; the Elves were up to something, and I had an idea of what it would be. I wasn't disappointed, and that incident became its own chapter: "IF THE INK ISN'T DRY...." located on the left sidebar.

November 2, 2014. Another day of looking at places to rent on both Craigslist and Zillow, and there's always a scam or shady deal somewhere! I've emailed a reply to several, and haven't heard back from any. One ad in particular was of interest, as there were at least 2 ads describing more or less the same downtown PHX home to share situation, but when I called the number the message was something about "all incoming calls to this number are blocked."

There's a red flag right there!

___________________________________________

I decided that a short term lease in an apartment complex might be a better route, and went into a leasing office at a complex which advertised all utilities included, and had a move in special. (AUTHOR'S NOTE: The following event is also under the chapter entitled "Identity Theft, Misinformation, and Getting the Infamous Runaround," located on the left sidebar.)

November 6, 2014. Motel living is getting expensive, but it has been a priceless educational experience in the study of human behavior. I decided that a short term lease in an apartment complex might be a less expensive route, and went into a leasing office at a complex which advertised all utilities included, and had a move in special. I'd viewed the complex online, and had driven by it several times, the grass wasn't as lush and green as in the photos, but that's not a deal breaker.

I entered the leasing office and a woman was on the phone behind the office window. A man soon entered, introduced himself, and explained the units that would soon be available and the prices,
etc. He showed me the one bedroom model unit, and when I asked to see the studio, he explained that the policy was not to show a unit until it had been cleaned. That's understandable, and we returned to the office.

He had explained how the complex was working with the Phoenix Police Department to keep the property a safer place by adhereing to some guidelines, and that a security person walked the property from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am several nights per week. It was also stated that he received an email from the police whenever they responded to a call on the property. A few other folks were in an out of the office as he and I chatted, as he gave me the application to review, and a copy of the brochure with the pricing information. There was a $40 application fee (money order required) with the authorization to have the office run a credit check and a criminal background check. I explained that I had put a security freeze on
my credit report, due to some recent odd happenings, and had a very recent printed copy that I would provide their
office. He agreed that would be acceptable, and after a few more minutes, I left to do a few errands and purchase a money order at the USPO.

About an hour later, I returned to the leasing office, and the man I had spoken with was engaged in a conversation with another man. For some odd reason, the man I had recently spoken with approximatley an hour before didn't seem to recognize me; so I explained I was there to give him the $40 money order and the forms he'd given me. The other party left, and the same woman who was present previously was also in and out of the office, assisting others.

Long story, shortened: I filled out the money order and the multi page rental application, and gave the man my full credit report to photocopy, along with my most recent retirement check stub. He agreed that a copy of my brokerage account would be acceptable proof of income, as my stub amount didn't meet their income requirements. $40 for a criminal background check seemed a bit pricey, but I wanted to see what it would buy, as he said they used an online service. I didn't like the sounds of that, as I don't like my SSN floating around in cyberspace, but this is the age of modern
technology, as he stated he should have the results by Friday afternoon.

Friday afternoon, zero contact. Saturday and Sunday, no contact, but I presumed the leasing office was closed, according to the hours posted. Monday morning, November 10, zero contact. I arrived on Monday afternoon after 1:00 pm to see what the status was of my application.

As expected, there was CONfusion between the same two office staff who had been present during my previous visits, and
the woman said they were unable to retrieve my credit information. I explained my credit score and report was already in
their file, when the same man walked in and said yes, but they couldn't do a criminal background check on me because my
credit file is locked down, and I would need to open it for them. He also stated they were waiting on me to provide my
brokerage account information for their files.

I knew that what I was hearing was what my Mom called "Getting the Runaround," and when I had asked when would the unit be ready for occupancy, he said, "Maybe Wednesday."

Into the Future, once again! There certainly seem to be many housing units which are advertised as "available now," or "now leasing," etc., here in Phoenix, but aren't. The studio unit I wanted to view was supposedly placed on the cleaning schedule by the female office staffer for Friday, November 7, 2014. Even if the previous occupants had trashed the unit, it shouldn't take days to throughly clean, and repair any damage to a studio apartment. The staff had said they have a professional housekeeping staff to clean after a move out. By the looks of the model unit, I'm almost certain that repainting and recarpenting weren't part of the plan for the studio.

I didn't like what I was hearing, and I know that criminal background checks are separate from credit checks; one is not needed to run the other, and their office already had plenty of personal information on me, my credit information, and my $40 money order. I explained that I wanted to withdraw my application, and wanted all the papers they had.

The man didn't appear to like my request, and I explained that my identity may have been compromised recently, which he and I had
discussed on my previous visit, and that I'm currently not prepared to sign a lease. He said they would keep my paperwork and the $40. I explained that I was not their tenant, there was no unit available to occupy, and the $40 had apparently been used to only generate information from a reporting bureau, when they already had the pertinent information on file, as provided by me.

Again I asked what the $40 fee was for, and he said something about time and paperwork. I agreed they could keep the $40 and saw it was still attached to some papers.

He put the application thru the copier, and handed me a pile of papers. I stated a thank you, and he said "Good Luck."

Another day, and more material for Frozen Fiefdom!

November 16, 2014. I had posted more content under this section, but somehow it has disappeared. Plenty of solar activity with major flares lately, so it might have been zapped on the way to the big server in the Ether. Zillow has emailed a few PHX area rental listings, but I'm not in the market for signing a lease, as it is very possible that my indentity has been stolen, and that possibility has morphed into another chapter about Identity Theft, located on the left sidebar. A few Craigslists folks have replied, but there's a distinct pattern, which is interesting. The latest possibility for a house share situation seems promising, and I'm always up for dissecting another antithesis in advertising, and getting to the meat of the matter.

The Sunday afternoon looksee for a room rental/ house share situation was noteworthy, offered by a pleasant and interesting owner who had a taste for eclectic art. On the surface, everything appeared as advertised, and the home was neat and tidy. The tour of the home was conducted, and we discussed the outdoor landscaping, and artwork, with a final stop in his combination bedroom/office to review the rental agreement. He was side tracked by showing me photos on his phone of himself in his Halloween costume as some sort of Blue Man, during the New Orleans celebration; then he handed me a copy of the agreement for another property he said he owns, and then decided to print one for the property we were in.

I asked about acceptable forms of payment for the $550 rent and the deposit which he said could be $450, and he said cash or cashier's check. I pointed out the part about personal checks being accepted on the agreement, and he hemmed and hawed and said that would be OK.

RED FLAG ALERT! If a legitimate owner won't accept a personal check on a local or major bank, which they can immediately verify, they're hiding something, or don't want to claim the rental income on their tax return, etc.

While on the driveway, and he pointed out the van parked across the street with a bashed in side and a broken window or 2, as he told a story of how the owner had lent the van to another, etc., and how much he disliked seeing it parked on the street. A bit more chitchat, as he and I exchanged cards; his for his remodeling business and mine for Frozen Fiefdom. Overall, it was time well spent, but too many things didn't quite add up, so I knew it wouldn't be my New Nest.

_____________________________________________________________________

Jeff and I exchanged a few emails about my search for housing, and in true ElfSpeak style, a bunch of other topics were woven into the thread. I had received an email from a woman named Julie about a room rental, but when I phoned her back, another party had already expressed an interest, and once again, it was ready to be viewed, but not to occupy until a date in the future.

_____________________

Nov 19 at 8:25 AM

and of course, the place isn't ready to occupy for a few more days, and another party is interested.

The woman who had it for rent wasn't to organized, and who wants to view a place in the evening?

More material, another delightful day in PHX. *;;) batting eyelashes

Nov 19 at 8:52 AM

What do you make of our civil liberties lawyer president these days?..

Another Nobel peace prize on the way??????

What about the g20 summit....

I had a time in Austria flying through.......

Sent from Windows Mail

Nov 19 at 9:38 AM

Most news isn't to me, and I don't see much of it online with limited access.

Much of it is a crock anyway.

I'd go out an look for another place to rent, but they'll all be some version of the same old ElfSpeak song with a side of scam.

How that leaking nuke plant in Japan doing? I've eaten so many cans of tuna in the last month, I'm probably glowing like an LED by now.

Nov 19 at 1:45 PM

You've loaded up this email, but the camper idea crossed my mind. Problem is: they are expensive to maintain, campground fees are expensive also, and can you see me toolin' down the highways and byways driving one? OMG! Folks would be pulling over just to stay outta my way. I always seem to get the shopping cart with the loud wheel and one that doesn't roll the correct direction.

Nov 19 at 11:41 AM

U could get a camper or truck topper....

You a pretend me and the big open....

Sent from Windows Mail

Nov 19 at 12:28 PM

I used to get the WiFi to work by keeping it negative or hiring the person be’ing it.....

Sent from Windows Mail

Nov 19 at 12:54 PM

Let me know if u want to meet in Mexico or Sa or ca......

I cant live here it's just too inhumane.....

Sent from Windows Mail

JR Mey

Today at 5:39 AM

im about broke so no home

Would not kill u but some might try even though I doubt it..

They say that stuff to me as well...

Sent from Windows Mail

From: Paula
Sent: ‎Wednesday‎, ‎November‎ ‎19‎, ‎2014 ‎1‎:‎08‎ ‎PM
To: JR Mey

Why are you always trying to get me to go somewhere? And you've said you don't like Canucks, for some odd reason.

If I leave the US, the only way I'd be returned is in a body bag or an urn. I've heard that word more than once.

You could buy a place here in PHX, and I could fix it up and rent it from you. And then the Elves can come by with their flame throwers and molitovs and you'd collect on fire insurance, and Claire will have an early inheritance while there's still something left to inherit.

Gee! Why didn't those Tools think of that before!

Step on the gas and get over here; you know I'm pretty handy with a fixerupper.

I'm sure you're really roughing it at the PIPP. *8-| rolling eyes

On Wednesday, November 19, 2014 2:00 PM, Paula

I'm trying to keep the vibe positive, and it's a gigantic inCONvenience to have to go to MDC's, etc., I've learned a bit more about network and traffic and connectivity, etc. As far as I can see, their net work is fully functional; the driving lanes are simply in gridlock. I'm sure their techies know where the problems lie; if Tech Tard can see the issue, so can those who are being paid to maintain the network.

JR Mey

Today at 5:44 AM

Have it be the store Droid body then be peoples ears.....

Sent from Windows Mail

Today at 7:50 AM

Since this message thread is all jumbled (by design, I'm sure!), here's a copy of your email from this AM, and a copy from July where you used more ElfSpeak and deliberate misspellings to talk about Canadians.

Whatever happened with that recent shooting in Canada, in their Parliament building or something?

Notice how all the instant experts are trotted out, and everyone with a camera on them or a mic near their mouth is an shrink wrap with a sofa?

Speaking of sofa, I'd better get busy and scout out a new place to live. The last place would have been suitable but the Gargoyle in the living room was offputting, and the headless male mannequin lying on the patio sofa was a bit over the top, as the apparent owner did mention that he and the other share were both gay.

I don't care what their sexual orientation is, but Headless Fred isn't exactly the kind of statuary I want to share living space with, or what purpose it was serving for the occupants.

_______________

JR Mey

Today at 5:54 AM

Odd what would I have against Canadians......???

Maybe u could buy a place and protect that harp thingy....

Or bee your way too.......

Sent from Windows Mail

and ________________________________________

On Monday, July 7, 2014 5:31 PM, JR Mey> wrote:

the last few groups of canuks i have been around have been rather rude and obnoxious

now that im changing almost changing becoming brain dead daily i have to stay in places

where they will bring me back. and Canada has proved to be retarded in that sector

fuck i was helping as much as i could its not my fault some other jack ass was heating it up

and bet said all that was left was environmentalist but he thought he would come back

as a tree, and maybe he was......

Sent from Windows Mail

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