"And I thought it was outrageous that I have to petitition my local homeowners' association to get permission to build a deck."

It is outrageous. Reminds me of an incident a few years ago - I was visiting a gay couple in Minneapolis, dragged there by a friend who thought I'd be interested in gold trimmed ornamental flowery plates... as we sat about drinking tea, they began to complain about the pickup truck in their neighbor's driveway.

As I was rendered temporarily speechless, they went on to extoll the virtues of planned communities.. and how such indignities would never be permitted...

I wasn't speechless for long. I think I said something to the effect of "It will be a cold day in hell when a neighbor tells me what I can park in a driveway I f*cking paid for."

They gave up on selling me plates at that point.

Good for you, Kate.

It is most bizarre. I understand that a townhouse is somewhat different from a single family home, in that what I do more directly impacts my neighbors. But even people who live in their own homes have to go through the drill. What's even more annoying is that they already legislate very strictly what deck designs are permissible and still make us go through the drill.

A friend signed me up for service on the local covenants committee. I'll be reporting from the other side of the proverbial fence... (which requires aproval by the way).

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