A Parlour for a Plague

I like your way of thinking Deb.

Oh yeah. Before I called a realtor I had done my research I what I would do if I hadn't found a house before this one sold and closed.

Expect the best, prepare for the worst. Don't be surprised at whatever happens.

#1, at this moment I believe I'll find something before I have to clear out.
#2, if I don't, I would put the few items I really don't want to part with in storage, then my cats and I would move into an airbnb room for however long it takes.
As long as I have a place to sleep, and space for a couple litter boxes in a bathroom, I'm cool.
All I need besides them is a toothbrush, underwear and a few changes of clothes.

I wouldn't want to go all out renting a new place because of expenses I would loose like 1st last security, moving my belongings yet another time.

An air bnb would be cheaper than renting?

Wow!!!!


I’m thinking of occasionally using my main bedroom as an air bnb type thing.

Someone else does it here with a similar set up...only one bathroom...and she is still living there.

Drawback with my place, the only one bathroom and the two cats. It’d have to be for cat lovers only!

And I’d have to check re viability with insurance etc.

Our first trip to NYC was done in an apartment in the West Village with only one bathroom....but the host was a draw in and of herself. Fascinating woman.


I have a neighbour who does it.

I’d like to use the Fairnb platform. They are actively discouraging rental of places in a way that drives residents out etc.

I’d like to turn my little bedroom into a study with a sofa bed so I can sleep there if I have paying guests and friends can still sleep over.

But an airbnb for 1 bedroom and bath in someones homes could be rented for exactly the amount of time I would need it. Even if it was only 3 nights or 2 weeks.
For an apartment, I'd have to sign a lease, and they don't like to do that for less than a year.
I'd have to pay first, last and security (total of 3 months rent) and would lose that if I broke the lease.
That could add up to a very expensive few weeks or month.

I had looked into what would be involved in operating an airbnb. Actually it was for considering if I wanted to do that for the Mexico place.

The more I looked into it, the more I thought, "no way would I want to do this"
Too much work, liability, and worry about who is ******* up your place.

Re work. Both here and San Miguel are popular tourist destinations. Not just for out of country tourists for a week or 2, but for Mexicans that want to just go there for the weekend. (I was warned by a number of people to not consider renting to anyone for a weekend. Think rock stars going crazy in their hotel suite)
In order to be competitive and attract quality boarders, your space must be in perfect pristine order. The list of amenities that should be provided sounded overwhelming. Not so much if you're providing a bedroom, but for an entire house people expect a lot.
Related to that, reviews will make or break you. One thing I've learned from selling on ebay is that people will lie like a rug, or complain about something that is either not even an issue, because they want something for free, or just because they have nothing better to do.

I do happen to know one woman who did this with her home, because she was going to spend several months at a time at her sons house in Colorado.
She said it was a lot of work, but for her, worth it. Before retiring she had actually worked in the hospitality industry at a manager level.

Not trying to turn you off to the idea.
You may be a natural at it.

Sorry, I'm on a jag.

I found when I stopped working that I had no interest in doing anything where I felt "responsible" That doesn't mean bad quality work. Just don't want to be the decision maker, or in charge of anything.


I did various really part time things over a few years. Even the best of them, a job where as long as I got the monthly billing in on time and correct, it was my business when I did it, got to be a drag. Not the work itself, but the freaking babysitting of others to get their stuff in on time, so they would get paid. These were professionals too! Therapists and whatnot.

I gotta be honest, this latest thing I was doing (and will go back to when able) has been the most fun, the easiest money, and totally up to me when I want to do it.

That's the food delivery thing.
I just looked, and it seems they have uber eats in Oz.

No schedules, work 1 hour or 10, once a week or 7 days a week.
Driving around, which I love (write mileage off on taxes). Seeing new stuff around town. People happy to see you. Brief positive interactions, Decent money as far as I'm concerned. Jeans and T shirt. Listening to pod casts, NPR, audio books, a bit of exercise. What could be better?

lol.
I would have a goal of how much I wanted to make a month.
What I liked was that when you wanted to stop for the day, it was like, "I'll take one more delivery if one comes in that's on my way home. I'm gonna get some barbeque with that money."
Like that traffic ticket you got? "I'll just do an extra day a week this month to help pay it off"

I got a legit offer to be an 'anonymous shopper' for a retail intel outfit. I briefly considered it for the same reasons, but nah, it wasn’t me.

My niece has suggested I get one of these and set it up in Jackson Hole or the Finger Lakes or both, as it's movable. Not tempted ... those are two of her favorite places to vacation, and now that she's retiring .... ? No Way!

Besides, I'm in quarantine.

https://youtu.be/dZ2cPAdreQU

Do you have to have a new, nice car to deliver for uber? Mines elderly and the shiny coat has come off the paint.

I disapprove of uber politically too.

My neighbour loves being a host. She’s in the house too so you’d want to rely on the reviews of guests though! But you can certainly make sure of no wild parties.

Re the reviews....we were more positive about our NYC apartment last time than it warranted because we didn’t want to get a negative review in return. I wonder if hosts are light on criticism for the same reason?


Meanwhile....a very bad vet visit for Sebastian today.

He was having his eye removal checked and I wanted new pussy Prozac supply.

Vet was distracted because they had tried to change my appointment while I was in the car on my way because two emergency surgery cases had come in. I didn’t get any alerts because my phone puts itself on mute a lot when it gets put into my bag, so she fitted everything in around caring for the emergencies.

Anyhoo, Viola has a known heart murmur that we have treated successfully so far for 9 years. This time she checked Sebastian’s heart and said the murmur was a bit worse. I pointed out he’s never had one before so this is a new problem for him.

It’s come on fast because he was checked not long ago and this vet is a murmur witch. She diagnosed viola after 4 vets had missed it.

So, what I think is a routine visit that will help Sebastian overcome the terror of vets he has had since his eye dramas and the house fire when he had to be there for months turns into an arterial blood test! I gather from humans I know who have had them that they are very painful, so I’m hearing my poor little guy, who starts screaming as soon as they touch him now, obviously fighting them as hard as he can and uttering blooped curdling screams.

They came out and asked if they could give him gas to put him out and I was very happy to agree. Nobody needed what was obviously going on.

So now I’m waiting to hear how bad his heart is and a vet visit I expected to cost under $100 is $450.

He settled quickly at home, thank heavens.

Poor little guy. He’s the most emotionally vulnerable cat I’ve ever had, even though he is generally incredibly happy and confident.

So...you DONT want to host your sister?

I'd host you anytime, Deb. But you'd have to wear a mask, except when eating. And, BTW, I only food shop at Mickey D's.

This is for food delivery, not ferrying people around. Doesn't matter what you drive.
There are lots of other food delivery things around.
I was doing Grub Hub for awhile, but switched to Uber because I thought their app was far superior, was kept busier and other reasons if you want me to list.

Honestly? We have to pick and choose what to get hot and bothered about, and I don't give a fig about politics when it comes to me making a few bucks delivering fajitas, sushi and burgers.
I just can't muster up enough energy to keep up with and be offended by everything.
Please don't take that as my arguing with you.
It's how I chose to prioritize the time I have left of this earth.

Being enraged, irate and offended is more of a young persons game. Let them protest over the world that is theirs now.
I'm just living on the outskirts of the land of protests and boycotts, having paid my dues into the world of "I'll do what the **** I want" Because all I want is food in my refrigerator, a comfy bed, and netflix.
To the people who want something else. Have at it.

How y'all doing?

Hotter than Hades here and a bad year for mosquitoes so far.

On the upside, my gardens look great and we stained the big deck out back. Replaced the retractable awning, and added some gorgeous planters and an outdoor carpet. I love it again.

Dinner at your place, then?

I'll bring some booze.

Cold and a bit rainy here.

Perfect. We're out back.

Pissing down again here.

Just got my massage cancelled. Waaaah. Masseur not well.

My rolfer just texted me.

I'm going in for a session tomorrow. Finally.
Before all this, I had saved up enough for about 10 of them.

She asked if I could pay cash.

I was like "Uh Yeah!"
She doesn't need any records of income right now.

I got called a widow for the first time today.

Like that’s my identity now.

Not.

Oof

That would piss me off.