Just yesterday my sister was wondering if I was going to go out and take pictures of or write about the changes at the A-1 Motel. I seem to be turning into the informal documenter of the changes made now that there is new ownership there.

“Nah,” I said. “I’m about to move. I need to stop fussing with it.”

But then, much to my delight, I got an email from an employee there who stumbled across I, Asshole and some of the pictures I have posted, while looking for historical pictures of the A-1. They read that I noticed it was being cleaned up, and that every light seemed to have a light bulb in it. I will make every attempt to keep them anonymous, because I wouldn’t want them in any kind of trouble with their boss, but this email is too good not to share.

“i was searching online for some old photos of this building back in the 50’s and came across your site. It’s nice to know that the peeps in da hood are seeing the changes. i spent the first night here in a motel room the night before the property changed hands.YA i was scared to say the least……but alas things have changed…….ill tell ya it was no small feat kickin out the freaks but i think weve done it!…….”

This email was signed “Diligent Lightbulb Replacer.” I replied and asked about the new orange color and got another reply:

“the place just looked scary. [The owner] said she didnt want scary anymore. plus i think it makes a statement…..what that statement is i dont really know. its a business that has to have attention drawn to it. i think its hypnotic! an easy landmark…….and can be seen from space!”

It is hypnotic. While I was out walking today I noticed it from the other side of Aurora.

Thanks for the email, Diligent Lightbulb Replacer! If you don’t want to protect your identity so much, you may leave a comment and your URL. (I found your domain with your photographs, through your email address. Very nice!)

The painters carefully wrapped the cars on the street below in plastic.

Behold the Orange-1!

In Other News

We are some moving motherfuckers. Finally, Strudel is well enough and unclingy enough for me to pack more and call utilities. The building managers here have been really wonderful for our whole tenancy, but now they are stressing us out a little. We have been getting calls to show the apartment at the last minute, with an hour or two’s notice, which often coincides with bedtime or naptime, or the house generally smelling funky because of diaper explosions.

I suspect that they don’t realize that in Seattle, tenants are entitled to a full twenty-four hour notice before your residence can be shown. They also gave us a not-so-helpful move out sheet, that itemizes all the cleaning we can be charged for, above and beyond our cleaning fee. Basically, the owners are pocketing the $125 cleaning fee, plus they will charge us for blind cleaning, if they are not clean ($12 a blind); general cleaning, $25 an hour; painting, $25 an hour; replacement of burner drip pans, $4 per.

I’m not sure about the drip pans, but this seems wrong to me. I don’t want to fight the man here. I just want our deposit back. I hate being a renter.

Update! 1:28 pm: Well, we just talked to the building managers. It turns out they know they law, and they…don’t care. Bummer.