Two days ago, a Department of Buildings inspector taped a notice beside the elevator in my building. 

*Gasp* 

When I checked the complaint number online, my heart sank. It read, in all caps: “UNLICENSED CONTRACTOR : WORKING WITHOUT PERMIT”. 

Crap. My deal with my contractor requires him to verify all his subcontractors’ licenses. Did he miss one? Will we get a stop-work order? This could add months. 

Wait a tick. Someone reported it on July 21. I wasn’t even doing any work then. I only received my permits in early August. 

Hold up: the complaint only says my building address, not my specific unit. 

My phone number is also on the permit taped to my front door. If they had an issue, wouldn’t they have called? 

I phoned the Department of Buildings. Their answering machine sent me to their email. I emailed them. Turns out it’s a different unit on my floor. 

Well that’s nice! 

Games played: 

• For an amusing political anecdote, check out this one-minute-long NPR story, starting at 4:10. It’s rare that an American politician can confidently say, “The people might like me only as much as they like my opponent. But god clearly has a strong preference”.
  • Having played many card games, I can only imagine there has been at least one scenario in which a politician drawing cards to win political office argues: “But we both drew 3s. That means we draw again!” while the other politician argues about suit order. On more than one occasion, I have had to explain to a fellow poker player that no, there is no suit order in hand comparison. No one plays with the rules like politicians!