JenOni

Archives for May 2020

The Photograph, Quarantine Movie Binge on Prime Video

The Photograph

The Photograph is a romantic drama and I think being in quarantine gave me an opportunity to finally watch. Now it is available for rent on Prime Video. The movie stars Issa Rae(Mae) and LaKeith Stanfield(Michael). The first thing I noticed was the music as soon as the movie started. I love Al Green as it reminds me of my childhood.

Opening

The movie opens with a video of Mae’s mother talking about what she liked about living in New York. Mae is forced to discover her mother’s life after her passing. I found this was a source of pain for Mae because there were so many unanswered questions. It was obvious Mae’s father was a source of comfort. The passing of Mae’s mother allows her to unravel her mother’s past through the letters she left upon her death. New Orleans is the common thread that brings Michael and Mae together. Mae’s mother left New Orleans to pursue her dream of photography in New York City. This time left a lot of unanswered questions for Mae.

Michael and Mae

Michael is a reporter doing research on a New Orleans fisherman who provides a link to Mae’s mother and her photographs. When Michael returns to New York he finds Mae to continue his research and discovers more of the photographs. I think the chemistry was immediate between the two of them. One meeting leads to a movie screening and a first date. The impromptu first date was refreshing. There is something about a first date when everything is new, the conversation is interesting and engaging, and the first kiss is the best ending to the night. Fast forward through Al Green to Ari Lenoxx with Mae and Michael making the most of a stormy night. I love to see the softer side of our relationships on the screen. The stormy night introduces us to Michael’s brother played by Lil Rel(Kyle) and his wife, Teyonna Parris(Asia), and there two daughters. I loved the brother dynamic between Michael and Kyle. The storyline gets a bit complicated after Michael tells Mae he has applied for a job in London. For some reason, Michael decides to stop taking Mae’s calls. They unexpectedly meet in New Orleans. Mae is there to meet her biological father and Michael returns to finalize his research.

As the story unfolds I can see how Mae’s mother disconnected from her past in New Orleans to pursue a new life in New York. Yet, she allowed thirty years to go by and never revealed the truth about Mae’s father. Michael’s search for something more leads him to London. Why is communicating so difficult for us when feelings are involved? It wastes so much time and opportunity. Is real love meant to be difficult? or do we make it difficult? Can happy and comfortable co-exist? I think the ending shows love is about taking a chance, being vulnerable, and not letting too much time pass.

Black Love

The Photograph is another film on black love but with a unique storyline. I know there are comparisons to Love Jones and I can see some similarities. Photography was a focal point in both films and the other parallel was the main characters did not communicate well when it came to expressing feelings. It did feel easier for them to leave than to love. In both movies the characters were able to reconnect and finally express how they felt. I think the endings in both movies show love is about taking a chance, being vulnerable, and not letting too much time pass. Both movies had amazing soundtracks.

Renting and What You Need to Know? Questions to Ask?

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rentingspace

If you are deciding to rent, do thorough research. In the last twenty-plus years, I rented a very nice condo and two apartments before buying a home. I miss being a homeowner due to the investment aspect of owning vs. renting. In the last six years of renting, I can provide some valuable tips. I know now that a great landlord is a major factor in providing the best rental experience.

Renting Tips – Part 1

  1. Check reviews of the property if available and reach out to the reviewer with questions if possible.
  2. Who handles the management of the property? a private owner? or a property management company? If they own or manage other properties check those properties as well. This is a good indicator of how they function as a landlord.
  3. Do they require a background check required with the credit application? This is a safety factor when renting any property with multiple tenants. How long is the lease? Does the landlord offer month to month?
  4. Visit the property, pictures are nice, however, seeing the property in person allows for any questions you may have about the property.
  5. If it is a building with a shared entrance, check the entry and exit points. Does the building have secured doors? by key? or keypad? Are there security cameras? If a private entry, ask if you can install a security system?

Renting Tip -Part 2

  1. What is the condition of the entry and exit points? Does it feel inviting upon entry? Are the floors clean and vacuumed? If carpet, is it clean and updated?
  2. Is there a laundry room in a building? If no laundry room, where are the washer and dryer located? Are there enough units for the number of apartments on the floor? Who maintains washer and dryer? If they are not in the apartment, can you purchase and install them? If a private unit, is there a washer and dryer hookup? Can you purchase and install? Who is responsible for maintaining? Where is the closest laundromat?
  3. Does the floor have fire alarms visible? Are the exits visible? Is lighting functioning on the floor?
  4. Where do tenants discard trash? in a trash room? or trash chute? Where are trash dumpsters located outside?
  5. Are there issues with pests in the building? Ask about exterminating for the property? How often? Are tenants notified prior to treatment?

Renting Tips – Part 3

  1. Are air conditioners in the property, ask about maintenance? filters? cleaning? and who is responsible?
  2. Check if the unit has smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors?
  3. If there is a maintenance issue, how quickly is the turnaround for responding? Are tenants informed when maintenance is coming in? Does maintenance leave a note for tenants?
  4. What is the preferred method for paying rent? personal check? cashier’s check? Is online payment available?
  5. Do tenants have assigned parking per unit? Is there a monthly fee for covered parking? where do visitors park? Is there handicap parking if needed?

Renting Tips – Part 4

  1. Notice by tenants required to move out? 60 days? or 90 days? If more than 60 days negotiate 60 days on lease immediately.
  2. If smoking is an issue, check if the property is a no smoking building. This can be an irritant for those who do not smoke.
  3. Ask what is the best number and email address to contact management?
  4. Ask what utilities are tenants responsible for each month? Are there flat fees for certain utilities each month?
  5. Is painting permitted by the tenant? Is the property pet-friendly?

Websites for Rental Information

Some of the sites I used for researching properties for rent are Apartments.com and Zillow.com. The best way to check the accuracy of listings is to call or email the contact. Also, keep in mind what you can do as a renter?

Moving

Although we are in the midst of a pandemic, I was able to find a moving company. There are plenty of references for moving companies to use for a move. Check the references. Plan to budget a deposit plus the full cost of the move. It is a cost-saving if you can move out and move in on the same day.

Packing

renting

My go-to for packing supplies is Home Depot, they offer free pick-up and delivery of packaging supplies. This will be my fourth move in the last ten years. The best advice for preparing for a move is to purge all the items you are no longer using.

Save up to 20% on bedding, bath and more for home. Valid 05/17 – 05/20.

Quarantine is our New Normal and What it Means for Us

*this post contains affiiate link which means I will receive commission if you click and purchase”

The quarantine is a new lifestyle change. All the activities we were free to do are now restricted. I am trying to wrap my head around what returning to the old life means. New normal, what does this catchphrase mean? I am trying to come up with ways to make this work. In seven weeks we are adjusting to a new way of life. It includes working from home, online learning, and new ways of doing errands.

A trip to the grocery store has now become an episode of the early bird catches the worm. A few weeks ago I was totally oblivious to the way toilet paper was moving off the shelves. When I found a multipack I grabbed it with no clue on what was to come in the upcoming weeks. In a matter of weeks, it was evident that panic shopping was taking over in the grocery store and Target. I realized we were now living with the reality of a pandemic and how it has altered our daily behavior.

Lessons Learned in Seven Weeks

  1. Now that a trip to the grocery store may require waiting in line outside, using a delivery service is not a bad idea. The downside is trying to secure a delivery or pick-up time. One tip I found helpful is searching the delivery app in the wee hours of the morning to schedule. After two years, I went back to Instacart.
  2. If you are searching for cleaning supplies, try to get to retailers as soon as they open. My local drug stores gave me the days for deliveries to grab inventory. A larger Target has more inventory each week than a mini Target. The best time to get items off the shelf is as soon as they open at 8 AM. Mid-morning, afternoon, and evening shopping is disappointing with very little left on the shelves of high demand items. I rediscovered Walgreens so check in stores that are not usually on the list. If you have the cartwheel app, you can order items available for pick-up. This makes a Target run quicker.
  3. If you see toilet paper, paper towels, Lysol, gloves, sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes on the shelves grab it. Do not wait until you need it.
  4. If you need baking staples, grab it when you see it. Flour, sugar, and YEAST are in huge demand. Also, chocolate chips. I guess there is a lot of baking. We have done our share.
  5. Keep gloves in the car for pumping gas, my local gas station is now providing but this may be the case at each station.
  6. If you order masks from Amazon expect a two to three-week delivery. Just make sure you have other ways to cover nose and face when going to places for errands.

Working from Home During Quarantine

This is not my first time working remotely. It is an adjustment in terms of finding a space to work, organizing files, communicating more via email internally, and taking a break during the workday, I realized how much time a commute takes from the workday. Technology makes it easier to communicate remotely with a wifi account. Telecommuting allows more time after the day ends to plan for family time. I love hearing how the Zoom app keeps the workplace connected for both work activities and after-work meetings for colleagues.

What is Online Learning for My Teens During Quarantine

College Freshman

Quarantine Online Learning

My oldest teen started his freshman year in January. He was extremely excited to start his first college semester. My son’s two-week extension quickly moved to the end of the semester on campus. The real impact of the quarantine was obvious, I think. It is challenging for my son. One thing the school implemented was a pass/fail grading system. While it sounds like a clear solution to imposing restrictions it took a toll on his academic experience.

Middle School

Quarantine Middle School

The quarantine means my youngest teen is doing online learning for middle school. I think the transition to a new learning format is a challenge for the teachers and students. I realized it is a weekly test of endurance as we are adjusting to it all. The communication between school and parents is excellent. I am so glad parents’ feedback is important to make this process works for all students.

MY THOUGHTS….

Quarantine My Thoughts

What has the quarantine changed for us? There are more groceries and lots of dishes. I am trying to stick to grocery shopping every two weeks. We are planning meals together or at least agreeing on meals. Baking has become a past time from making zucchini bread, 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies to banana bread. Since the quarantine, my son has an interest in eating healthier and cooking. We are actually talking more and sharing feelings good, bad, or indifferent. I am conscious that teens need a mental break during this time as well as adults. My youngest is using screen time to decompress and my oldest likes to take walks on the local trail.

My Time

For me, the time means spending more time binge-watching what I find on Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. Also, packing, purging, and donating unused stuff we have accumulated over the last six years. This time is giving me time to organize. Adulting during this quarantine is a reminder to set aside time for physical and mental wellness. My hope is that we come through this healthier physically and mentally

Save up to 25% on furniture plus an extra 15% off select furniture with code HOME. Valid 05/17 – 05/25.