Neighborhood Watch

We had some excitement in the neighborhood today! Early this morning, a man apparently shot at two police officers who were pulling into the police station just up the street from my house. The officers weren't seriously injured, but that didn't stop the police from locking down our neighborhood and conducting an all-out manhunt from 4:30 am until about 4:45 pm. 

Helicopters circled a 25 block radius, while armed SWAT team members marched up and down the street, searching every backyard with German Shepards. Check out the video that my security camera caught!

At least this time my yard didn't have a toilet in it!

With nothing else to do for twelve hours (daytime tv only holds one's attention for so long), we basically just sat in front of the big living room window and watched the big scary police vans roll by. 

Toward the end of the search, when the police seemed to be giving up all hope, Garrett and one of the neighbors spotted a man who matched the suspect's description enter the apartment building two doors down. Like ducks on a june bug, the coppers swarmed the street, walked everyone out of the building, and arrested the suspicious character.

Then they were gone, just as suddenly as they had come! People kept asking me if I was terrified, and I have to say, it wasn't nearly as scary as the last time. If nothing else, at least I was surrounded by police officers all day - it was probably the safest street in the city!

Still, I have to admit, the situation does beg the question. Is it time to move?

My Friendly Neighborhood Lowe's!

After a year and a half of trying to figure out which Home Depot is less painful to get to from Mid-City (jury is still out, though our most frequented location is Marina del Rey), a gigantic, brand-spanking new Lowe's store has opened about 4 blocks from my house! This is definitely cause for celebration!

You remember that commercial from ages ago, where the woman is tapping on Mervyn's door chanting "open open open"? That was totally me, at Lowe's this morning. I dragged my dad out of bed, and we went to discover the wonder that is a real home improvement store (sorry, OSH) within spitting distance of where you're doing ongoing renovations.

They might have thought I was strange for taking beauty shots of their store, but they were nice enough not to mention anything.

Ooooh yeah, cut that plywood!

Look at all the colors! 

The store did spark some local resentment, as the big cement walls blocked the city views of nearby homes. Believe me, I would have been pissed about that too. But the damage has been done - would it be fair for me to boycott Lowe's now that there is nothing that can be done about it? I think not!

They told me that they're having a special community outreach day next week, with activities and food and discounts - see you all there!

Happy House Warming! Er... demoing...

Those of you who know me personally, know how long I searched for a little fixer to call my very own. From South Central to Glendale and beyond, I left no reasonably-priced stone unturned for almost two years. My tireless efforts (and those of my steadfast Realtor) finally bore fruit last month! I am now the proud owner of a two bedroom, one bathroom, 936 sq ft cottage in Mid-City Los Angeles. Hurray for me! Now you KNOW there is work to be done before moving in. What fun would turn-key be? Check out the pics from the listing...

Not too terrible right? Well did you happen to notice there are some rooms missing? How about a kitchen, a bathroom, and maybe a bedroom or two? Here are some pics I took on the final walk through...

Unfortunately, I didn't get one without my dad standing right in the middle of the kitchen (look how distraught he looks. You can basically see him asking me, "what have you done?!"). But you can tell: a) there is NOT a lot of space b) it's basically been untouched since 1925 c) this is going to be expensive. What you CAN'T see in the pic, is that there is no refrigerator, nor is there room for one. Lord knows where the last owner put theirs, I'm guessing on the back porch. Keepin' it classy.

What a cute little bathroom, right? I don't know what I like better, the makeshift vanity that someone cobbled together from random pieces of particle board, or the electric that is run on the outside of the wall, conveniently next to a water source. Fun times! Still, this room has major potential and you have to love the original hexagon porcelain tile floor.

This is the master bedroom, measuring 11.5 x 11.5 feet. Not the Taj Mahal, but not terrible either. What you can't see from the picture, is that the popcorn ceiling is actually falling down. We tried to break off a little piece to get it tested for asbestos, and basically ended up with a whole-lotta ceiling on our heads. And yes, that carpeting is going to go, post haste. The bedroom will be my first project, as I can't (or won't) move in until I have a safe, sane place to sleep -- without a Chicken Little ceiling and vintage Mid-Century carpeting. Did you hear that bullhorn? Let the reno begin!