Oh, Deer Me

Did you know there are deer on UMD's campus?

A deer at least.

I saw it yesterday while taking a walk to the Comcast Center, just to stretch the legs a bit. In all my years here, I think this is the first time I've seen one.

This should also come as a warning for all those bikini-clad sunbathing coeds to start checking themselves for ticks...because I'm sure all of the bikini girls are reading this blog.

Speaking of wishful thinking...I called SMC to complain that my air conditioner has not been making my apartment any cooler than it is outside. The response: "Well, sir, your air conditioner is probably fine. It's probably only hot in your apartment because it's hot outside."

I guess coming from the humanities means that I just don't really understand air conditioning technology well enough. Apparently, there is a difference between conditioning the air and actually making it colder.

Comments

[Matt]

When I used to park in lot 6 (the Comcast garage) I saw deer there in the evening all the time. I do not know why they only frequent that part of campus, as suburban deer are generally desensitized to humans.

I'm trying to negotiate a lease right now, and since I have had serious landlord trouble in the past, I am insisting on these clauses I came up with:

8. The lessor is responsible for maintaining the services and fixtures defined in 6 (air conditioning is one of the "services and fixtures") in proper working order.

9. The lessee will immediately notify the lessor, by phone, of a defect or failure in any of the services and fixtures defined in 6.

10. The lessee will also notify the lessor of a defect or failure in any of the services and fixtures defined in 6 in writing, by certified mail. Upon receipt of the written notice, the lessor agrees to make a good-faith attempt to repair or replace said service or fixture within five calendar days. A good-faith attempt to repair or replace a service or fixture generally constitutes, but is not limited to: contacting a licensed contractor and scheduling an appointment for estimate of services; contracting a licensed contractor for repair or replacement; ordering and purchasing a replacement unit or device; installing or attempting to install a replacement unit or device. The lessee understands that reasonable circumstances may exist which prevent the lessor from repairing or replacing a damaged or failed service or fixture within five calendar days of notification. However, said circumstances do not exempt the lessor from making a good-faith attempt to repair or replace a failed service or fixture.

11. Failure on the part of the lessor to make a good-faith attempt to repair or replace a damaged or failed service or fixture within five calendar days of written notice by the lessee shall constitute a breach of this agreement. In event of a breach under this clause, the lessee is entitled to immediately vacate the premises and to the return of his security deposit in full. The lessee also retains all rights, privileges, recourse, and remedy provided by the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, the City of Hyattsville, and the Common Law.

I can't stand the language like "repair or replace a damaged or failed service or fixture," but how else am I supposed to word it?

[Peter Terp]

That's some pretty intense legalese right there.

I totally wimped out on a property pretty close to where I am going to work precisely because the private landlord seemed pretty sketchy... (almost as sketchy as the property itself). Thus, I opted for a corporate landlord and a fifteen minute commute to avoid the complications of private renting.
Ultimately, I think there is a law of conservation of inconvenience...you just have to decide what inconveniences you can most tolerate.