Going back to work for Stonemark again- maybe

Yesterday, my former boss called and said our regional (or I should say, my former regional) had called and wanted her to find out if I was interested in working as a contractor on the marketing for our Austin properties. While I want to find out the rest of the details, I am pretty excited for this opportunity. I've left the property management field to pursue writing, but it's still in my blood. I've worked for Stonemark in two regions now, and worked, subbed, or helped out on seven different properties in three states. I'd love to continue my affiliation with the company, on a part time basis so I can continue working on my writing career. And the extra income would be nice too, since the freelance income can be kinda hit or miss, and never guaranteed.

Of course, that was two days ago, and no contact yet from my regional herself- so I don't quite know what's going on. However, even if things don't pan out, it's nice to have the validation of having been thought of for something like this. We'll see where it goes, I guess.

{Originally posted November 7th on my Wordpress blog}

Apparently, I am contactless- or close to it

So I've joined Linked In and Twitter, all excited about the networking potential of both sites.  I uploaded contacts from my mail email address, and . . .  apparently I don't know anyone.

Well that's not entirely true.  I had about 6 people on 'Linked In' who I actually knew.  On Twitter, however, only one of my contacts came up- some woman with a ridiculous name like Elvira Candyton or something.  I have no idea in what context I apparently emailed this woman at one time or another.  I did not request to follow her.

So now I am just Twittering to myself.  And that's really not any fun.  I find it hard to believe that I know NO ONE who uses Twitter.  So, friends, if you're reading this and you're on Twitter (or Linked In, for that matter) please do add me (my Twitter is, pretty predictably, SarahGuy).  I look forward to knowing your every move.
And if you aren't my friend- you've just stumbled upon this randomly- well go ahead and Twitter me too, I won't mind.  I want to network, especially with other writers.  Also, it's nice to have lots of small, quick distractions to look at when I'm experiencing a moment of writer's block.  In fact, perhaps I'll go follow Elvira Candyton afterall.  Maybe she's up to something interesting!

{Originally published November 6th, 2008 at Wordpress}

Linked In- or getting there

These last couple of weeks have opened up a whole new world of internet technology to me.  Prior to getting starting on this writing thing, I thought I was doing pretty good, internet-wise, by updating my Facebook status on a regular basis.  Now that I'm pursuing a career path in which it's vital to force internet networking connections, I've discovered all these cool things.
Linked In.
Entrecard.
Blogrush.
Digg.
Twitter.
Well, I actually haven't attempted Twitter quite yet.  It sounds a little confusing and time consuming.  I'm sure it won't be long before I'm sucked in, anyhow.  I DID join Linked In today, so I'm hoping that will help me make some connections with other freelance writers.  I don't think I've been 'Digg'ed' or de.li.ciou.sed. or however-the-heck-you-punctuate it yet- but I have gotten buzzed, which was an exhilerating feeling.  I've got a request in to be featured with Blogrush for my other blog, but I haven't heard back yet.  Fingers crossed!

{Originally posted November 3rd, 2008 at Wordpress}

My first #1 Google Spot!

Let me just start by saying, when you are starting out, the little things are very exciting.

Getting hits in the double digits in one day on my blog- very exciting!  For someone with an established blog or lots of experience, my hit counter probably looks dismal.  But for me, right now, it's huge.

Or how about my earnings from Google Adsense on my Hubpages account?  In about 3 weeks, I've made just over a dollar.  Not even a third world laborer would get excited about that return.  But when I see that dollar, it stands for all the future dollars that I could potentially make, if I keep working hard at posting hubs and driving traffic to them.  That is an EXCITING dollar for me.

Today, I hit a really big landmark- one that might be considered big even if you aren't an overly excited newbie!

Go open up Google and type in "military pumpkins."  Go on, open it in another tab and try it.  What page comes up first?  Unless I've been usurped since my writing this, the answer should be MY BLOG!  Yup, my most recent post on my today.com blog is, apparently, the number one choice for anyone searching for military pumpkins.  This is the coolest thing to happen to me since, I don't know . . . the last cool thing that happened to me.  (Oh, and while you're on that other tab, go ahead and click on the link for my blog . . . with your help maybe one of these days I could even get triple digit hits, and then I'll probably just pass out from delirious happiness).

Granted, if you pull back from all the excitement I'm currently feeling and really think about it, it's not quite so huge.  How many people out there are doing Google searches for "military pumpkins?"  I can't imagine there are many.  Still, at least one internet user out there was jonesing for an armed forces-themed gourd today, and I'm proud to have been the first suggestion Google made to them.

{Originally published on October 27th, 2008 at my Wordpress blog}

Rantings of a Former Property Management Professional

I've landed a writing gig that is pretty much perfect for me:  I'm writing neighborhood reviews for various areas of San Antonio for RentWiki.com.  I love this assignment because it allows me to write about something I have a passion for- the rental industry and neighborhood information.  No matter how long I am out of the business, I think I'll always think of myself as a property management professional in some way.  Of course I'm only two days out at this point- maybe that feeling will fade!

In the course of my research for the Oakwell Farms wiki, I was perusing ApartmentRatings.com to check out the reviews for the area's complexes.  This can be a very dangerous site for me to visit.  First of all, my feelings on this website are this:  no one really has any motivation to post on these sites unless they are disgruntled.  Happy with your service?  You might smile at your leasing professional, but you're not going to have a great bonfire lit under you to go sing their praises on the internet.  Generally it's only the folks who are pissed off at their complex who post.  And I'd say at least 50% of the time (and that's a very conservative estimate- it's probably more like 75%) those folks are pissed off about a situation where, if you knew the other party's side, you wouldn't feel so sorry for them.  On the flip side, I usually dismiss most of the positive posts as plants from the leasing staff, published anonymously.

Based on what I've just shared, I'm not sure why I even look at the site or try to use it as a reference in any way, even when taking with a gigantic grain of salt.  Maybe I just like getting all riled-up in a property-managementy-kind of way.  Whatever my underlying motivations, I found a post that really made me mad.  Buried within a bunch of other vitriol and a rant about having been charged a late fee (when he was late), this renter said, "All i can say is that is the RENTAL OFFICE of VILLAS AT OAKWELL FARMS is full of thieves and criminals who only know how to make money by stealing."

OH NO YOU DIDN'T.

I couldn't help myself.  Even though I've got a thousand and one other things I SHOULD have been doing, I had to fire back.  Here's how I answered:

I am in no way connected with these apartments- just browsing the site. However I have to comment when I see posts like this. I am a former property management professional (as of two days ago!) who worked in the NW part of SA. One of the reasons I quit my job is because of attitudes like this. If you want to express your anger at the management company's policies- by all means, have at it. Please don't launch personal attacks at the people who are just doing their job. 

When you bounce a check and you call the bank to discuss the NSF fee and they can't waive it, do you call the person on the other end of the line a thief?? When your credit card company charges you interest or late fees, do you accuse the customer service reps of being criminals?? Property management professionals are just doing their job just like in any other industry where there are deadlines for payments. 

Do you think that extra money from late fees is, in any way, shape, or form going to line the pockets of your office staff? TRUST ME it is not. Do you think they enjoy, or take any pleasure in charging you late fees? TRUST ME they don't. I always felt like I had an ulcer coming on when 'late day' rolled around. 

It's painful to have to charge a late fee, especially when you have a personal relationship with the person in question (and that's how many PM professionals feel about their residents). However you have to realize that apartment complexes are a business and as employees of that business, PM professionals have to follow the rules set down for them by corporate.
It pains me to read posts like this. Please think about what I have said. 

Take THAT renter jerk!!!

I am not going to miss attitudes like that.  I can't tell you how frustrating it is to have to enforce policies that you hate, and then catch a bunch of abuse for it, like you are just out to get your residents.  Don't get me wrong, I love my {now former} residents (most of them ; ) ).  A lot of them treated me well and were respectful if and when situations like this arose.  Still, you'd be surprised at the pure nastiness that gets spouted at property management professionals when they are just doing their best to balance the best interests of their residents and the demands of their corporate bosses.

{Originally published Oct 26th 2008 on my Wordpress Blog}

A "Married Day" and Bi-Partisan Pumpkin Carving

You know that scene in "Old School," where Frank the Tank can't says he can't drink because he has a big day planned with the wife the next day, and when questioned about his plans, responds,
"Well, um, actually a pretty nice little Saturday, we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time."
Justin and I like to quote that line.  The underlying joke behind that scene is how pedestrian and, well, boring everyday married life can sometimes be.  Like any good joke, there's truth behind it.  It's certainly a big lifestyle change from being single, and seriously, Home Depot is prime couple time when you're married!  Though we do like to joke, it's actually pretty fulfilling to do stereotypical, middle-class married folk stuff on occasion.
I had a very married day today.  Justin and I spent a lot of time together, but it mostly involves watching TV or being in the same room, working on separate projects (usually I'm writing, Justin's playing video games or reading news on the internet).  So it was a nice treat to get out and do, "you know, a little Home Depot- maybe some Bed Bath and Beyond."
Actually, we visited a pumpkin patch, drove around San Antonio a bit, checked to see if Linens'n'Things has slashed their prices any more (I know the liquidation sale prices are going to get better- I'm holding out), and had a delicious Panda Express dinner.  Afterwards, we came home and carved pumpkins.
The pumpkins were actually Justin's idea.  He found some templates online to carve the presidential candidates' faces onto pumpkins and he wanted to give them a try.  Knowing our lack of pumpkin carving experience or fine motor skills, I was afraid we were going to have $14 worth of wasted pumpkin.  But they actually turned out pretty great!

Yup, we did these ourselves!  Can you guess which one is Justin's?

It was really nice to take a few hours and just spend time with my husband.  I feel like the past few weeks, I have been so eager to get on with the freelancing that all my spare time outside of work was devoted to writing work.  I'm excited for all the things I'll be able to do around the house and with Justin now that I'll be working from home.  Even if I work a solid nine hours straight every day, I'll still have almost 2 extra hours that I used to spend in my commute every work day!

{Originally published on October 26th, 2008 on my Wordpress Blog}

An exciting day for this freelance writer

Today was pretty darn awesome for me.  I sold another article on Helium.  I received two direct orders on Textbroker (my first two ever!).  And, I'm only about 1 step away from getting started on what I think will be a really great paid writing assignment, writing about San Antonio neighborhoods and rentals for Rent Wiki.
I also enjoyed the best Vietnamese meal I've ever had (also, the only Vietnamese meal I've ever had) at lunch with my regional manager and manager, and a delicious Italian meal with a good friend for dinner.  I couldn't ask for a better day!

{Originally published on October 22nd, 2008 on my Wordpress blog}