H.O.A. (Home Owners' Assassination)

[Bobby Basham]

SouthernAlberta:

I bought this house in Summer, 2008, and the "Pit Bull Man" bought his house about six months later. He's just a young guy, military, maybe early 20's. I have met him out on the sidewalk several times while he was taking a stroll, but wouldn't get close enough to shake his hand. The first thing he did after moving in was to dress like a thug and parade the dog all through the neighborhood, and also hear some pounding Rapp music coming from his house.

My neighbors know me, or know of me, because they were out in their yards when they saw me taking a tour of the house. When the realtor left, they all came running over to me and we had a nice conversation. I told them all my credentials etc., to reassure them that I wasn't any kind of trash so they wouldn't say "welI, there goes the neighborhood." Even gave one neighbor an expensive $800 Ashley sofa (never used) and some beautiful glass-top end tables because my house is too full of furniture and Magnavox stereos.

My neighbors rarely see me because I work 6:00am to 2:30pm. One day, I came home late from work and they came running over because they haven't seen me in about 8 weeks. They thought something had happened to me. I usually come home and hit that garage door button on my sunvisor and stay "cooped up" for the rest of the evening.

Some people are still narrow minded and snooty, hinkty (back east term) these days, and being a black guy, it seems like I have to justify my existence. I walked into a Steinway piano store wearing jeans/t-shirt, and they completely ignored me. I went down the street to the Baldwin dealer and got a $60K 9-ft concert grand for a decent price. They even gave me $20K trade-in for my 7-ft grand. That's a whole nother subject and has no place in this forum.

Anyhoo, I work two jobs, have a credit score over 820, and (except for mortgage and utilities) debt free, and it's about time to spoil myself with some golden girls (maybe some Buffs, Barred Rocks and Delawares) and enjoy their company. The Randall Burkey has a small order special of five hens, and may consider them. Don't know if I wanna handle their regular 15-minimum order. I used to read chicken posts from way back in the 90's from older boards, but my enterest just recently flared up again from the back burner.

I've been an avid reader of Backyard Poultry for several years, just enjoying the wealth of knowledge, and just a few days ago, joining here. Many times, I just need a swift kick in the butt to get me moving. I'm a great planner (should have been an architect), but don't put my plans into action, so I'm hoping from the magazines and input from here will get me going and stop procrastinating so much.

Thanks to the Arizona and Tucson folks for chiming in. I'm out on the eastside in a newer development (2006) close to TTT Truck Stop. Habitat is currently building out there, too. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

 

[Bobby Basham]

I agree that the dog is bored. I can't really see much over the common wall, but I think he doesn't have any toys and things to keep him occupied. He did get out once, and the neighborhood kids were teasing him. I yelled at them to get away from him. The dog charged them twice, but he always ran past the kids, never at them directly. Maybe he thought it was a game, and his bark is worse than his bite. He might even be a scaredy cat, calling their bluff.

I think the owner spends most of his time on the Air Force Base, and I rarely see the wife/GF. Maybe if I remembered the dog's name and called it everytime I'm in the backyard, he would get to know me. After all, it's been four years since we've been neighbors.

I did mention the barking from three neighbors to the HOA, but did not want to file a formal complaint, because I want to stay in my neighbors' good graces, and it's not a critical situation, just a slight nuisance. If I can tolerate all the barking, surely they can tolerate the clucking from a small group of hens.

Just to reiterate, I'm not pitbull bashing. My neighbor can have an Alaska brown bear or Siberian tiger next door. I'm just alittle uncomfortable with any critter hanging its paws over the common wall and claiming its territory.

When I finally break down and get a digital camera, I'll take some pics of my back yard. Right now, it's just a blank slate with hard dirt. I would like to fill it with some matching gravel like the front/sides of the house and get some shrubbery and maybe a water feature out there. And of course, some nice solar lighting and possibly a sitting area/gazebo. Maybe some of you Tucson folks and come and checkout my backyard and give some input. Right now the possiblities are endless, with the exception of what is acceptable to the HOA.

I hope everyone has a Blessed week. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

 

[Crazy Mitch]

BB
Love the piano story. . . .GREAT! ! ! I had an same situation happen to me once. . . funny. They lost out on a sale.

I can't wait to see what you design. . . for your coop!

Get those ideas and designs posted. . .and pictures of your yard.

One new-bee to another.

Crazy Mitch

 

[oldrooster]

BB heard a similar story because of a white guy walked into a caddy dealer and he was a simple farmer and was dressed in a dirty shirt and overalls and drove a 20 or 25 year old rusted out car with running boards (this was mid to late 60's). He had made arrangements with the local rust proofing place to rust proof his car he was going to buy and the girl who worked there at the counter knew whom he was and that he was well off. So the dealer asked why there was a piece of (something) out in front of the building the man said it was his and he was told to move it out of sight so he left mad he called the girl at the rust proofing place to cancel the appt. she had him tell her what happened and she told him to go to a certain Olds dealer and they'd make him happy. so after she hung up she called a friend there whom was a salesman told him her friend was coming and what happened so the salesman greeted him at the door and the dirty old rich farmer bought 2 brand new Oldsmobiles.