Actually, it’s “Kansas City, there I was.” Doesn’t do much for the old Chuck Berry/Beatles tune. “They got some crazy little women there, and I’m gonna get me one.”
In answer to the many emails, yes, my website was crashed/hacked a week and a half ago. Sadly, this time the intruder so corrupted each file that my poor webmaster has been sweating blood trying to rebuild the old site line by line. This time we’ll make sure it’s mirrored in several places to keep us up and to keep this vandal frustrated. It’s rather wild, but I’ve learned that several other anti-HOA websites were trashed the exact same hour as mine. Of course, that’s only a coincidence, isn’t it?
On that same weekend my computer motherboard was fried and I had to make some quick, new purchases. The Geek Squad was here early on a Sunday morning to set it all up. Windows 8/Windows 12 is an impossible program for an old guy to learn <Ward, quit whining, wouldja?!?>.
The trip to Kansas City was actually a total surprise to me. It all started with a request for me to overnight a thousand pounds of books for a show that opened the next day. That was impossibly expensive and wouldn’t have made any economic sense. So, in a moment of questionable judgment, I was in the car within an hour. Fourteen hours, two ice storms, and five Red Bulls later I was lost and driving in circles through Kansas City and Overland Park. By some miracle, I finally got to my hotel. And yes, the back of my Blazer was full of boxes of books.
I met some great people at the Kansas City book event, tasted the best barbequed ribs in the world, and heard some war stories you would not believe. In fact, I gathered enough information for a full year’s worth of HOA horror story blogs. More to come on that subject. I thought the worst states in the country for HOA lunacy were Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. But nooooo. Homeowners Associations in Kansas and Missouri have a level of corruption, violence and fascism that could rival any of the other states. It all boils down to this: the absolute worst, most horrible HOA in the country happens to be…..wherever you are!
Another thing: I learned of a few really wild happenings/events/stories that have to be kept confidential for the time being, but they’ll ultimately appear on this blog. I’m an open book, of course, but I do respect a source’s request for confidentiality. It’s an old newsguy’s habit.
In any event, for new visitors to this blog, we are desperately trying to get everything working again. Thank you for buying my book. And please email me any links to HOA horror stories you think I might have missed. My email address is: Ward@NeighborsAtWar.com and I do read every single email. Since I’m a lifelong insomniac I also respond to as many emailers as I possibly can.
Ward,
The HOA activists in Kansas and Missouri are very thankful for your visit. We are sorry about the short notice, all night driving, snowstorms, being lost, and lack of sleep you suffered, but hoping our BBQ and “crazy little women” have left enough of a lasting impression for you come visit again! You certainly left a lot of homeowners far more knowledgeable about the HOA corruption that exists across the country…and the heartland is no exception. Could we “call it even” if you knew we are losing sleep because we can’t put your book down? Knowledge gives us power and we thank you for all your efforts to be at the Kansas City Home, Lawn and Garden Show!
Hi Nila! I think I had more fun there than anyone else. And I have a new respect for the people of Kansas. “We’re not in Denver anymore, are we Toto?”
Ward,
Didn’t you hear? Toto left here in a tornado to escape being sucked into one of our Kansas nightmare HOAs! Glad you had fun!
Very funny! Speaking of old movies, everyone should go back to “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner” with Sidney Poitier. The 1962 movie, as I recall, was the first to discuss ‘HOAs’ and racially restrictive covenants. It was two years ahead of its time.
Ward,
A blog watcher just called me wanting to be sure you know about “A Raisin In the Sun.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Raisin_in_the_Sun
It’s great we have people adding to the BIG picture. Now, we need thousands more spreading the word of “Neighbors At War.”
I might be confused about the old black-and-white movies. But Sidney Poitier was fantastic in every movie, in which he appeared. There are wonderful messages for racial harmony in all of them.