Ending Badly

I am not much of a fan of Tom Cruise, I think he is bat-ass crazy actually.  But I used to really dig him (oh gawd, did I just say that?) back when he made  movies like The Outsiders, Taps, Risky Business and of course Cocktail.  I think it was one of the first adult films I got to see at the theatre as an adult, it was probably a date.  Tom Cruise is a bartender who aspires to own a business and finds love with Elisabeth Shue while working in a bar in Jamaica.  However, before the big happy ending comes, Tom Cruise gives one of my favorite quotes;

All things end badly, otherwise they wouldn't end. 

Jamie's Painting & Design officially ended their rental agreement today with Property Management company that owns our space, or what was our space.  Today being the last day of the month and all I scheduled a walk-though at 1:00 p.m.  I was seriously done discussing the move....then this happened:

I Just Wanted Closure

I know this is not the end,but it feels like an ending.  On the last day of the month I wanted to walk through my office one last time.  I wanted to just look around, take a mental note or photograph of where we were.  I am one that needs closure, I do not do well without it.  I like TV shows or movies that wrap up every loose end tie a big ol' bow on it and hand it to me.  That is what I like.

We don't always get what we want though.But I could not do that.  Nope, did not happen like that. This past Monday (February 28, 2011) I went to my office and the locks had been already changed. Let that sink in for a minute - my last day, under contract.  The. Locks. Had. Been. Changed.

Nail in the Coffin

When I marched down to the Property Management Office I was told a number of things:

1. "The locksmith was here so we just figured he could change your locks."
2. "I looked in your window and it seemed you had moved everything out."
3. "We just were trying to save money too you know?"
4. "Well, we have been very good to you."
5. "You owe us for March."
6. "I can walk you through the office."

Ah....WHAT?  How could I rent for March?  I had to correct the landlord and tell her that I was not staying through March....especially since they changed the locks already!  She changed her tune quickly, but still had a lot more due than I thought we owed her.  Apparently when we paid rent late, we got a stiff fine....we paid rent late a lot.

Keep the Good News Coming

So, my slow waltz down memory lane would not be.  I would be followed around my office space with the Property Manager firing questions at me while she looked, sniffed and poked around my office space.

The walk through took a long time and was uncomfortable to say the least.  I had to go in and collect what few possessions I had left there.  I had to keep juggling some paper towels, a sponge,a water and hand soap.  I was Steve Martin in the movie The Jerk, carrying his lamp down the street.  This was not the look was after at all.  I was already a bit frazzled and now I looked like a bag lady clinging to her last worldly possessions.

The End of Our Agreement

The worst part of the exit interview/walk through were the questions the Property Manager kept firing at me.  I felt like I had gotten in trouble at school or something;

"Did you turn off the electricity?"

Yes....as of March 1st

"Did you forward the mail?"  

Yes....again, we were supposed to be out March 1st

"What about the phones?"  

I am not sure why that is relative, since there is no phone....uh, yes anyway we did.

"The garbage? Did you cancel that?"

 March 1st

"What is this shelving unit doing out here behind your office? Is this yours? Why is it out here!?"

Well, I was paying it forward you see and I gave Calvin our neighbor next door all of our large industrial shelves.  They can be quite expensive.  Did you know they cost a lot?  Anyway....sorry I am rambling.  So,  he took them out of here this morning, I gave him a key...before you changed the locks.  It looks like he is dismantling it......"

"But it is on your side of the property?  See the shelves are on your side.  This has to be moved.  You will be fined."

Let me get Calvin and make sure he drags his shelving unit over so I don't get fined.

Another Beginning

So.....instead of taking a quiet walk my rental space, quickly turned into me defending myself and badgering my neighbor about my/his shelving unit.  While, I should be congratulating myself for being smart and downsizing while times are tough - I was instead looking around nervously to make sure things are all in order. 

If I was religious I suppose I would be able to quote something about needing to go through the darkness to come out into the light.   Or if I was a better writer I could come up with something poetic and profound.  Maybe I just need something uplifting and spiritual that I could chant over and over till I believed it.   Instead I think I am going to end with a song that I have been singing over and over in my head the last few days.

Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end

                                                                   ~Semisonic, Closing Time Lyrics

 

Comments

[London Edwards]

What was it you told me last night???? Just be...........

Well, my landlord charged me rent for 6 days after my lease ended, since my kiln was sitting in the big ole' empty warehouse. So my deposit was sucked dry. Never mind the new sink I installed (and left for him) to replace the nasty one that must have been 20 years old, or the fact that he never did clean the carpets like he was supposed to. Hey, not to mention the fact that for the first 4 days of our lease in mid summer, we had no air conditioning and couldn't move in. When he told me I still owed him above and beyond my deposit, I basically told him to bite me.

Okay....well not in those words. But I did just point out these minor things to him and kindly dropped his key in his drop box sans a check for more rent!

[Krysta B]

Here's a quote that has carried me through many hard times in the past few years. I hope it helps you too, Jamie.
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us (Helen Keller)
You have to believe that this is all happening for a reason and will lead you to bigger and greater things.

[Tanisha Sanson]

Aww, so sorry to hear about your office. It's really kinda hard to leave a place where you spent years of your life there. My sister was also emotional when she realized she needs to move to another space in Charlotte. Anyway, I do hope you find a better place somewhere. The tenant isn't so friendly, is she? This chapter of your career/life is just the beginning. Good luck, Jamie.

[Office Furniture Kent]

Great post! Thank you so much for sharing in here such valuable information. It's worth the read!

[gao]

Yes,maybe it can help me a lot for I like this and now in learning.

[travel for women]

But my experience says that All things End Happily when start is Good! :)