A few days ago we walked by a condo in Oakland for sale (3904 Ruby Street, Oakland, California) that seemed very nice, but started asking around to people in the neighborhood and we found out all sorts of savory information! Turns out they ran out of money halfway through the building and let the scaffolding sit up over an entire rainy season so that all of the internal beams and boards got wet, and they weren’t even covered or protected from the elements! They also contracted the lowest paid construction workers, so there are a so many problems with the unit. Like, the water heater in the basement doesn’t work properly and you have to run the water for about 7 minutes before you can get hot water in the shower, washer or dish washer. They man said that the poor tenants can’t even do their dinner dishes without turning on the water ahead of time and letting it run forever! What a waste of water! It makes me sad.

I guess the heater was installed wrong too, and that they didn’t have heat for two months last winter. They didnt install it correctly, and couldn’t repair it right either because the pipes were the wrong kind? Then some of the windows don’t open or close, and if you look closely, the front door is falling off (the guy said the people who live there had to file the door jam down so that it would close but it doesn’t seal so it’s always cold around the door)!

Half of the power outlets don’t work in half of the house, and they don’t know why, and the phone lines don’t work either so they can’t have a phone except for cell phones. And there are silverfish infesting the upstairs! Ewwww! Gross!

I did some research and I guess it was built by the Ruby Street Development and they are trying to sell the condos so that they will get their money back. The building looks good on the outside but it sounds like it would be a money pit. Did  you ever see that movie the Money Pit from the 80s? Ha ha!

Let this be a warning to anyone else who considers buying it! Make sure you do your homework! Especially at 3904 Ruby Street in oakland!

Instead of a music post I thought I’d share with you some comedy! It’s the best medicine and let me tell you, Don Reed is fantastic! Multi-talented and a local (for me) comedian, you just can’t get entertainment like this anywhere else! I recently heard him talk about his one-man show “East 14th” on my fave radio show “Hard Knock Radio” on KPFA (www.kpfa.org) and was blown away! I love him! So I give to you some clips from his show and please, sit back, relax and watch this guy do his thing:

I know it’s just a taste, but you get the idea! While his Oakland shows have just past we will be doing more of this one soon and possibly a feature film! Oh yeah…can’t wait for that!

With the whole lapband thing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapband Note: no % of successes given) and of course the classic gastric surgery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_bypass_surgery mortality & infection rates are greatly underestimated on wiki), you’d think you’d be covered if you were looking for insane ways to fit into a thin-fantasy-centric society…but no! There’s a new way to hurt yourself:

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/life/tongue-patch-hard-to-swallow-85182722.html

Yes! They are sewing onto her actual tongue a polyethylene patch so that eating food is painful! Aren’t you stoked? (Totally sarcastic, of course!)

Still think there’s a thin person inside of you waiting to get out? WAKE UP! If you’ve considered any scary procedure then you’re probably fat and so fucking what?! 2 in 3 Americans are fat! So you have friends! You are worth more than what any thin-inspired marketing campaign tells you. You are a human being who deserves to live without being discriminated against or shamed!

STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP!

So, the other day I got this catalog in the mail that I had never heard of. It was called “Solutions: Products That Make Life Easier!” and it truly does have a lot of neat-o stuff that would help most people organize, clean, etc. around their house/garden, etc. Check ‘em out here: http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=0&itemType=HOME_PAGE

(Enter Coupon Code 13069 for 15% off! in the shopping bag)

I figured this “Solutions” deal was another of those “As Seen On TV” type catalogs, but no (though it did have a few items that have appeared on the telly, but they seem of slightly higher quality than most) it was mostly just cool products that I wanted. Ha-ha! But seriously folks, from rugs and shelf organizers to gadgets and travel helping thingies, this catalog had a lot to offer. I even went through it twice and kept it! (Mega-rare for me, it’s usually straight to the recycling bin!) They even have products for the office and for your pets! Sweet!

Now I tend to get a lot of random catalogs, but I (and you!) can manage which you receive or would like to no longer receive here: https://www.catalogchoice.org/login A fabulous site that allows you to decide what hits your mailbox! SWEET! I will say that if you choose to no longer receive a specific catalog, you’ll still get the next one, but it should stop after that. Also, if you order something from that company, you’re very likely to start getting their catalogs again. Just an FYI.

I wanted to share with you some of the fabulous products they had that I would personally love to get. But first I would like to show you a product I had thought I invented and was working on a couple of prototypes. Even the description for the item seemed to come straight from my brain, but honestly? I’m just super glad that this quality product is out there to help people like me: http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=15510&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C494%2C10020&iProductID=15510

Keep your car neat and organized! Hang your purse, shopping bags and jackets from this mini headrest hanger—they stay off the floor, won’t tip over, and won’t get scuffed or dirty in transit.

And this is super handy, I am going to have to buy a set of these: http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=15106&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C494%2C10020&iProductID=15106 This way you can just unscrew the valve cap, fill your tires and screw ‘em back on…no worrying about losing them! Remember, properly inflated tires give better gas mileage and more even wear on your tires!

An everlasting nail file? Yep! This round, ceramic nail file claims to never really need replacing. Sounds fab! And no worries about taking it on a place (no sharp point): http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=12921&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C489%2C10014&iProductID=12921

Okay, this one made me laugh, but only because of the picture. I mean, would you really keep a pocket with your “valuables” under your gauzy thin shawl? Ha-ha! But it is a cool idea. I would use it for concerts & clubs, but perhaps the senior centers aren’t as safe as they used to be! http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=15603&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C14%2C10005&iProductID=15603

I must admit, these look too good to pass up and I am considering purchasing them right now! Perfect for walking the dog or running to the mailbox or grocery store. These fleece slippers have a durable outsoles so your feet stay comfy and warm even if you’re not lounging around the house! http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=10927&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C14%2C10005&iProductID=10927

And possibly my fave item on their website, the Peephole viewer! It allows you to see who’s on the other side of your door without letting on that you’re home at all! http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=15421&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C26%2C10018&iProductID=15421 So cool! And I just got my first peephole in our new apartment! It’s a little pricey ($129), but if I could afford it I would totally buy this!

So, what do you think my darling-dears? Do you have a fave gadget? I’d love to hear about it!

First on this one instead of a nightstand: http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2010/02/toothbrush-cup-nightstand.html

Then I saw this incredibly amazing bench-hack: http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2009/12/bench-bag-and-snudda.html
Holy shit! It’s almost a breakfast nook…or anything! And it’s cheap! It’s all made using $7.99 Lack side tables: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40104270  and $13 Adel drawer fronts:http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90078674
Gorgeous!!!

Have you hacked something from Ikea or just have a fave from the blog? Tell me about it!!!