Dear PoPville

Photo by PoPville flickr user kristenstake

“Dear PoPville,

One of my neighbors has been consistently using my address to advertise stolen electronics on Craiglist. As a result, I’ve had strangers showing up at my house asking about the the phone/iPad/etc. that I’m selling. Each time my neighbor across the alley comes out of the basement and calls the buyer over. Usually the buyers are so sketched out that they leave immediately. Recently, the same neighbor has started using my address to order prostitutes who show up at my door at midnight with some big guys in idling SUVs.

So far I’ve unsuccessfully tried to deal with this problem by: (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user brunofish

“Dear PoPville,

I had this horrible interaction on airbnb this weekend, and I’m really bothered by it. I’ve shown it to a few friends and family, and they think I acted appropriately and am not the one in the wrong, but I can’t shake the feeling that the other person is also getting the same feedback from their support system. I ultimately want to be the best possible person I can be, recognizing that it’s always a work in progress, so I’d like to submit the transcript to PoPville for input. I’m looking for an honest evaluation of the interaction, and who/where/what could have been done differently. Of course, I’m hoping for validation on my end, but if I need to, I will eat a slice of humble pie and take it as an opportunity for growth.

I’m not going to identify if I’m the guest or host, at this point, because I don’t want to accidentally introduce any bias. I will if necessary in the comments, though. So, I removed identifying information.

Background:

Listing was for 2 bed/2 bath condo in DC, but the listing specified that the unit did not have a couch, or wifi/cable. Listing was reserved Jan 21 for a stay starting Mar 8 (Tuesday). Prior to the reservation, host and guest negotiated adding a couch and wifi/cable, with a nominal increase in the initially quoted price. (the “creature comforts” referenced at one point). The interactions prior to the reservation had been pleasant and fine. There were no further interactions until Friday, when the guest reached out to the host about how to gain access to the building. The host then asked if the guest needed parking.

GUEST: Awesome. And yes, we do need parking, please.

3/4/16 at 5:13 PM

HOST: Ok! For 5 days, the best we can do is $25 total for the parking spot in the underground garage connected to the building. Does that work for you? (more…)

“Dear PoPville,

I’m writing to see if other PoPville readers have dealt with a similar situation, and if so, what they recommend doing.

There’s been a lot of construction on North Cap and Seaton Pl NW, and it’s caused us Bloomingdale residents many different, varied types of bs. Today, I got into my car around 9:30 to go to work and thought it odd that a semi (yes, a giant truck) was face first up against my car especially because I was parked on the right side of the road. There were three construction workers in the semi, and another was outside trying to help me navigate out of a tight spot (of their creation). I didn’t think much of it until I got back into my car while leaving work, and noticed deep scratches on the hood of my car that could have only been left by the underside of a giant truck– not by the bumper of an SUV for instance. I took a few photos as soon as I noticed the scratches.

Fellow PoPville readers, what are my options here? My roommates suggest that I call the construction company, which I will do tomorrow. What has and hasn’t worked for those of you in a similar situation?”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Pablo Raw

“Dear PoPville,

I am just curious if anyone else if having issues with the DC fillable forms this year? I keep getting rejected for illogical reasons – most frustratingly is the rejection reason:

If FormD40, Line 17, ‘Exemptions’ is more than 1, Line 1 checkbox ‘Married filing jointly’ or ‘Registered domestic partner filing jointly’ or ‘Married filing separately on the same return’ or ‘Registered domestic partner filing separately on the same return’ or ‘Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child’ (element ‘DCFilingStatusType’ 2, 5, 7, 8 or 9), or if you or your spouse/registered domestic partner are over age 65 or blind, then Sch S, Calculation G must be completed and a Sch S attached

. . . yet I am “Married Filling Jointly” and only claiming 2 exemptions (one for self, and one for my spouse).

I can’t be the only MFJ filer in DC having this problem!
(and for what it’s worth, I work in the tax policy field and am 100% confident in my ability to compete the D-40).

Calling the DC OTR has proven less than helpful.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Ted Eytan

“Dear PoPville,

My boyfriend’s parents are visiting this weekend. On Saturday, my boyfriend is taking his dad to see the Tedeschi Trucks at Warner after we have dinner at the Hamilton, but then I’ll be left to entertain his mom for a couple of hours. She is lovely, don’t get me wrong!, but I’m drawing a blank for something appropriate to do. I’m open to uber-ing to another part of the city for a drink and/or desert somewhere relatively quiet – just not sure where! I was wondering if anyone would have any suggestions on places/activities?”

I have three words “Giant luminescent rabbits”.