I'm so sorry I haven't been on for like ages. I am trying to hold on to my apartment. My blood pressure has gone way off; the new slumlord has been doing everything to try to evict me from my apartment, although I have done nothing wrong, paying my rent on time, letting his six-pack team of illegal aliens into my apartment, upon demand, without any warning (because you're like supposed to, according to law!) and having them destroyed much of my collectibles by the group of guys throwing things in a pile in the center of my living room, trashing glass-framed drawings I've had for like 40 years that I've had since I visited a penpall in Britain; I have hired a woman lawyer who is a noted tenant advocate in my neighborhood, known to be a "pittbull" in court against bully slumlords, and she has been so very supportive. She went to court today. My place of work has been also very supportive and will help me with her fees. I am still very nervous about being here. The slumlord has a homeless guy given a key to stay nextdoor to my apartment. He comes by late at night and makes sure to ask me if I want him to pick up a six-pack of beer and join him. I tell him I only drink the good stuff and no thank-you. He stays on Recycle (Saturday) nights and sneaks out Sunday morning. Right now there are open bags of garbage strewn from in front of this building to the curb, and it makes me feel terrible when people go by and have to take their children's hands and have to steer them around the mess. I am holding on because I have lived here for 30 years and I am rent-stabilized and all my neighbors know me, and I've been a perfect tenant, so he can't get rid of me! He already has my apartment space listed as for-rent medical offices, but, hey!!!! I live here!!! I don't *think* so! So, very stressed, yes. Gretta my long-haired German Shepherd Dog and I went for a walk tonight and had to dodge a giant rat in our path, that ran underneath a parked car. Gretta is stressed and peeing all around the apartment. I'm taking her to my vet on Wednesday. I am just holding on, here. Yeow, I'm surprised *I'm* not peeing all over the apartment! My sister says I am strong, yet I feel I am barely keeping the faith.
