My Front Yard

[Jimd]

I've been pretty-well fed up with people of late. Those at work are on my last nerve (I'm "abrasive", remember?) with their oversensitivity and politically correct bullcrap.

I pull into my driveway today, of my modest house to see that the cable company has taken several feet of my yard and ripped it up in order to bury cable lines in my yard. They actually appeared to have driven through my flower garden in the process. In short, it's a muddy, horrible-looking mess that nearly made my eyes roll back into my head.

I asked one of them what the hell they were doing on my property and he cheerfully informed me that it's not my property because the cable company is paid taxes by my borough so that they can do this. I quickly corrected him, in that it's MY tax money that the borough gives them with which to rip up my yard.

I then addressed them driving through my flower garden and a few other issues. They told me how "lucky" I was, because they were using "direct drilling", rather than a backhoe. They said the backhoe would rip my sidewalks and driveway completely up and that I'd just have to deal with that. I said, "No, YOU are lucky you're not doing that, because then we'd have to summon the SWAT team to my house." They thought that was funny, and laughed. With a few choice words, I explained that I was even HALF-joking about that, because there really would be a very serious situation. I then bluntly (perhaps abrasively) told them that I did not want them on my property, and that they needed to get the (expletive deleted) off my property and fix what they destroyed.

They promised to fix everything. Wife promptly snapped some photos of the mayhem (God bless her). She saw that I was past the end of my rope, and she knows that I've been beyond stressed lately.

I just can't stand people's obnoxiousness lately. I believe the stress at work is mostly responsible, and it uses up the patience that God has supplied me with, and then some. Normally, I'm relatively cordial to most folks, but the more I'm pushed, the more blunt I become, until I turn off my cordiality and simply look people in the eyes and say what's on my mind. Which, at that point, usually isn't very nice.

I really try to conduct myself as a Christian all the time, and to do things that please God and to love my fellow man. But, as a human in a hellish environment, I realize I've been falling pretty damn short lately.

[Kaizen]

Sorry to read about the cable guys. I would've been beyond pissed even if I was having a normal day, especially with the attitude they were trying to give. I'm sure it'll all work out in the end.

[yablanowitz]

The big question is, is there a utility easement where they were working? If there is an easement, they were right. It stinks, but they have the right to go in and tear up an easement any time they need to, no permission needed (being an easement gives them permission). If there is no utility easement there, they were tresspassing and you could have them all arrested and jailed. If you were REALLY lucky, you'd get to guard them

[Jimd]

According to them, there's an easement. I still told them to get the hell of my property, that they weren't invited. Really ironic that my own tax money is being used to allow them to do it.

At this point, they get a chance to fix everything as it was before. If they don't, I will bill them, and they will most likely lose.

[tonydahose]

sorry to hear about the yard...i get pissed off when the damn squirrels dig up my yard let alone the damn cable company. check the records of when you bought the house, in IL we have to have a survey and it will show you exactly where your property ends and the easement starts.

[spydie fanatic]

The big question is, is there a utility easement where they were working? If there is an easement, they were right. It stinks, but they have the right to go in and tear up an easement any time they need to, no permission needed (being an easement gives them permission). If there is no utility easement there, they were tresspassing and you could have them all arrested and jailed. If you were REALLY lucky, you'd get to guard them

Hahaha...and restrict their already limited activities and etc! lol

By the way Mr. Inmate, there is an easement on your cell...I come in at random and toss things around and walk out without a word...hahaha lol

[Blackhair]

Hahaha...and restrict their already limited activities and etc! lol

By the way Mr. Inmate, there is an easement on your cell...I come in at random and toss things around and walk out without a word...hahaha lol

This made my day.

Just the mental image of that made me laugh so hard.

[Halfneck]

Sorry to hear this Jim, I hope things start looking up.

Holidays, finances, and crap at work has got me worn thin too.

[CopilotATS-55]

Sorry about that Jim
Hope you get less stressed bro

[clovisc]

that's ridiculous, jim. i have a lot of respect for what you -- and your coworkers -- do, and i think its really a shame that you have to endure such idiocy outside your home.

guess they're lucky you didn't fly off the handle on them anymore than you did!

[mrappraisit]

Jim,
That does suck, but most property in the USA has an easement of some kind. It sucks but they have to put those lines somewhere, I would definitely try to get them to pay for yard repairs, when they are done.
I know some homeowners here have had good luck by calling the local TV chanel for help , via news segments that are "pro-consumer", this sheds light on the subject and pisses off alot of people at once.

[Jimd]

Hahaha...and restrict their already limited activities and etc! lol

By the way Mr. Inmate, there is an easement on your cell...I come in at random and toss things around and walk out without a word...hahaha lol

You should have seen some of the cell searches I've done in my day. Normally, if the inmates are decent, don't run their mouth, and just chill, then the search is minimally invasive.

On the other hand, the best way to have the Cell Search From Hell is to tell the friendly ossifer, "Yo, you can't do that!" It's when the mayhem begins.

As I'm ripping, throwing, smashing, breaking, and otherwise defacing their earthly belongings, I'll narrate to them, "Sir, this is a cell search, and while we will take as much care as we can, some slight damage may occur to some of your belongings...." I talk just like a radio announcer, with my face the very picture of concern.