Jessica's lack-of-power struggle, Sunday

NOTE: This harrowing tale was originally recorded using the ancient methods of a pencil and paper. It was transcribed Monday night in a format easily readable by others (because no one can read my handwriting) and set to autopost throughout the week.

Translation: Jessica was unable to watch “My Name is Earl” reruns on Netflix after a nasty windstorm knocked out power for several days, so she continued to blog on paper. She watches too many apocalyptic movies, so the second she has access to Netflix you will find her motionless on the couch rewatching “The Stand”, because that’s what she’s been comparing her experiences to all weekend (even though they didn’t have smart phones or iPods). Oh, and also the #Anniesmove episode of Community.

See all parts here.

PART 4

Sunday's paper.

Sunday, 1ish: This situation sucks. No getting around it. It’s not funny anymore. The “te-he time to live like the Amish” jokes are old.

I didn’t feel truly stressed about all this until I turned into the Newark Meijer today.

There were long lines waiting for the gas pumps. Inside, people wandered aimlessly, looking frazzled with full carts, as if they weren’t quite sure what they wanted, other than to drag the shopping trip out as much as possible. The parking lot was a zoo. Apparently, when the power goes out, all the common rules of courtesy in a parking lot are voided. Miraculously my Fit made it out unscathed.

Meijer gas pumps.

The store was filled with rude, stressed out people. “America, the Beautiful” was playing over the speakers.

They didn’t have any battery alarm clocks. I thought about a pint of ice cream, but it wasn’t worth the massive lines. I had to get out of there.

Now I’m listening to the country station again. I hate country music. I’d like to plug in my iPod instead. But I have no Internet access so the radio station is my only source of current news, so I’m bearing with the terrible music. There have been more reports of ice and generators delivered to local stores, they keep announcing the hours and locations for people in need, but no word on any progress. There’s going to be a press conference at 3 p.m. The Advocate did a great job at covering the storm. I stopped in the office today and heard that if they can get the hospital back online it might be a tipping point for the whole city. 

Could it really be a whole week?

Sunday, 7 p.m.: Went to Easton for a reprieve from the heat, a burger, sweet potato fries and some ice cream.

I’m feeling a little better.

At the press conference, local officials said they were working hard, but did not give an indication of when the power might be back on. Their first priorities are the hospitals and the elderly, of course.

Sunday, 9 p.m.: Brandie just texted me. She has power! Time to see what’s salvageable in my freezer and head over to her house.

Part 5 will autopost at 8 a.m. tomorrow. 

 

Jessica's lack-of-power struggle, Saturday evening

NOTE: This harrowing tale was originally recorded using the ancient methods of a pencil and paper. It was transcribed Monday night in a format easily readable by others (because no one can read my handwriting) and set to autopost throughout the week.

Translation: Jessica was unable to watch “My Name is Earl” reruns on Netflix after a nasty windstorm knocked out power for several days, so she continued to blog on paper. She watches too many apocalyptic movies, so the second she has access to Netflix you will find her motionless on the couch rewatching “The Stand”, because that’s what she’s been comparing her experiences to all weekend (even though they didn’t have smart phones or iPods). Oh, and also the #Anniesmove episode of Community. 

See all parts here.

PART 3

Saturday's paper.

The Lancaster Meijer had flashlights left.

Saturday 9:30 p.m.: Normally I’d be feeling really bad for Lizzie right now, but she’s not here. I’m sitting outside and there are fireworks going off in every direction. They don’t bother me. I like the smell.

I’ve had a good meal, a chicken bowl at Chipotle, and I’m a little more prepared, so I’m feeling better. But there are still no lights, and might not be for quite some time…

JESSICA’S lack-of-power struggle, Saturday morning/afternoon

NOTE: This harrowing tale was originally recorded using the ancient methods of a pencil and paper. It was transcribed Monday night in a format easily readable by others (because no one can read my handwriting) and set to autopost throughout the week.

Translation: Jessica was unable to watch “My Name is Earl” reruns on Netflix after a nasty windstorm knocked out power for several days, so she continued to blog on paper. She watches too many apocalyptic movies, so the second she has access to Netflix you will find her motionless on the couch rewatching “The Stand”, because that’s what she’s been comparing her experiences to all weekend (even though they didn’t have smart phones or iPods). Oh, and also the #Anniesmove episode of Community.

See all parts here.

PART 2

Neighbor's house

Saturday, 7:30 a.m.: I wake up, and this isn’t funny anymore.

I survey the damage. Things are scattered about my kitchen, a result of me blindly digging through my cabinets by a weak candlelight to find a snack. Things are knocked over in my living room and bedroom because my windows were open during the storm.

The next door neighbor’s house’s power line is down, crushed by a tree. The tree across the street has fallen into the road. I’ll operate to the soundtrack of chainsaws today because of all this.

I don’t have a clue what time it is until I get my phone back to my car for more charge. Every clock I have is digital.

And then I realize there’s a downside to a diet where nearly everything you eat is a perishable…

Everything you eat is a perishable. 

I have my almond butter, preserves and the gluten free bread I pulled from the freezer. I have a ton of frozen meats and veggies that are probably going to go bad. I think about rushing them up to Cleveland, but they’re probably worth about a tank of gas, plus I need this time to pack for the move to Rochester. I’m going to get some packing done while it’s still cool inside. I may head to Cleveland if the temps spike again. I miss Lizzie, but I’m so glad she’s with my parents.

I really want some eggs, spinach and feta. Dissatisfied, I eat a protein bar. 

Saturday, 2:30 p.m.: Power is still out. It’s comfortable in my apartment but hot as H-E-double-hockey-sticks outside. I really want to know how my buddies are doing, but no access to Facebook. At least I can call and text. Phone is charging in my car. Back to packing up the living room.

Part 3 will autopost at 8 a.m. tomorrow. 

Jessica's lack-of-power struggle, Friday night

NOTE: This harrowing tale was originally written using the ancient methods of a pencil and paper. It was transcribed Monday night in a format easily readable by others (because no one can read my handwriting) and set to autopost throughout the week.

Translation: Jessica was unable to watch “My Name is Earl” reruns on Netflix after a nasty windstorm knocked out power for several days, so she continued to blog on paper. She watches too many apocalyptic movies, so the second she has access to Netflix you will find her motionless on the couch rewatching “The Stand”, because that’s what she’s been comparing her experiences to all weekend (even though they didn’t have smart phones or iPods). Oh, and also the #Anniesmove episode of Community.

See all parts here.

PART 1

Storm damage on Church Street.

FRIDAY, 9 p.m.: Earlier tonight I was in a New Albany Panera Bread, picking at a strawberry salad and writing two stories, and BAM! The sky turns dark, thunder claps and the wind starts howling. It seems all the trees are about to topple over in a domino effect. I had been up since 6 covering the tea party convention in Columbus. This happens at about 4:45 p.m.

The lights flicker, then Hamilton Road goes dark.

There begins a harrowing tale where I’m thrust back to the stone ages, yet the technology-dependent me manages to turn in two stories and plop down on my couch with a bottle of wine in my hand.

Not long after the lights go out while I’m sitting in Panera, it’s pouring rain and I realize my other set of notes are in my car. I check in with the bosses in Newark. Storm of the Century hasn’t hit there yet.

The rain stops 15 minutes later. All is dark. Panera is closing, so once I’ve written all I could from the notes I did have I followed the rain clouds down 161.

Midweek updates

I've promised to keep everyone updated on the move and my (currently nonexistent) training. Lots of little things to report :)

I spent Friday and Saturday in Rochester, New York with my dad, and I found an apartment! I went to bed Friday mulling over what I thought would be a tough decision. Do I want to live 15 minutes away from work, renting out a room in a huge house with a pool and a fenced in yard? Or do I want to rent a (really big) studio apartment in a nice area of downtown in an awesome trendy building?

Drive-bys nixed all but one of our Saturday appointments, so that morning at 11 a.m. we rolled up to a lovely brick building in a neighborhood called Corn Hill, a half mile from my new office and a half mile from a bike path that goes along the Genessee River.

Corn Hill landing, just a half mile away from my new home.

It was an instant "a-ha" moment. It's a lovely, well-kept one bedroom place on the first floor. If you're friends with me on Facebook you can see a photo.

For some perspective, I have become a bit spoiled during my time in Newark. I live in a huge two-bedroom, all for me, with a dishwasher and my own washer and dryer. The new place is much smaller with no dishwasher and a shared washer and dryer.

Comparing moving companies

(Off-topic post for the day, since Google really likes it when I review things.)

I'm beginning the harrowing task of packing up all my worldly belongings to ship them across state lines yet again. Read on for my initial reviews of the moving companies I dealt with.

But first I can't figure out how to use the embed code so just click here for a lovely interactive map of everywhere I've lived.

I've lived a lot of places in 10 years. 

Here's the code. Yep, I've moved a lot.

(Keep reading for moving company reviews)

Craigslist scammers Part Deux

Yea, buddy, I'm going to rent the house after doing just a drive-by and call you in Africa if I have any problems.

Again, the Craigslist posting looked normal and had photos. I think I'm going to stay away from postings without phone numbers from now on!

CL text read: "Two Bedroom back apartment. Rent is $450/mo. utilities are included. A cash security deposit of $300 is required. Nice backyard with driveway. appliances are included". The address given was 27 Bloomingdale St, Rochester, NY 14621.

The email contact was mankowski_david@yahoo.com. Here is the email I got from him. I emailed him back asking a few basic questions, and all he did was send me the rental application again.

UPDATE: I got a little curious, so I looked up the property owner in the county's property database. Looks like this David Mankowski did own the home (for about 20 days in 2009), then sold it to someone else. Very weird!

ANOTHER UPDATE: According to a Google search, the home was once rented by a seemingly legit property management company. It's not on their current list of vacant properties. I emailed them to see if they knew what the deal was.

Craigslist scammers get smarter

The joys of apartment hunting! I figured I'd post a PSA on my blog about the latest Craigslist scam I encountered.

I'm looking in Rochester, NY. I don't know if it's happening elsewhere, please respond in the comments if it has. Please also include the email address and name that you got in the email.

UPDATE 9/10: Yowzas, I can't believe this scam is still going on. I've gotten comments from all over the country. If you've found this post you've probably Googled the text or email in a Craigslist post. I've found that the email wording changes slightly and the name it comes from does to. I can't keep up with all of them in the main post but if you comment with the name, email and test of the Craigslist posting and/or the text of the text of the email you received. 

It seems in late August/September most people are getting a scam response from MARY VANG, maryvang8483@live.com. IF YOU GET AN EMAIL BACK FROM HER AFTER RESPONDING TO A CRAIGSLIST POST DO NOT RESPOND. IT IS A SCAM!!!!

PREVIOUS UPDATE: A colleague tells me she's also gotten similar emails for properties in the Jersey Shore area. 

PREVIOUS UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who has commented in the past few days! This scam has been reported in Charlotte, N.C.; Des Moines, Iowa; Utah; Atlanta, Georgia; Portland, Ore.; Boston, Mass.; and San Diego, Calif.

ORIGINAL POST: I've gotten this email back from at least 10 properties I've inquired about on Craigslist. It's the same email from a number of different email addresses, so I'm convinced it's a scam. The property owners will not give out the address, and the ones I emailed at least initially did not respond when I asked for a general location. The email directs you to a website that asks for a bunch of personal information.

It's a clever scam. The apartments are cheaper than the neighborhood advertised but not by so much that it's a red flag. They include a detailed description and sometimes photos. There is no phone number.

If you get one of the following emails back do not respond, it is a scam! They've had slightly different wording so I'll paste all in hopes that they'll come up if people Google the text. They have come from the following names and email addresses: