****** Images from the Salton Sea / California ******

Salton Sea

Salton Sea - Ghost Town Lake in the Desert

Situated in the Sonoran Desert in southeastern California is the Salton Sea, the largest lake in the state. The Salton Basin has held various waters over the last three million years as the Colorado River changed its course and spilled over, filling up the basin with fresh water lakes that would eventually evaporate. Then, the process would start all over again.

By the time European explorers came to the area in the 16th century, the Salton Basin was completely dry, though just a half a century before it had been some 26 times larger than the size of the current Salton Sea.
Over the decades, the lake continued to rise and fall until the last large infilling occurred in the early 1700s. However, by the time Don Juan Bautista de Anza led the first large European party through what is now known as the Imperial Valley, the Salton Basin was a salt-encrusted mud flat. In the 1800’s the Colorado River flooded the basin several times creating a number of lakes that came and went.
As early as 1815, salt mining began in the area and when the railroad came through the basin, large scale salt mining started in 1884, and the dry lakebed began to be referred to as Salton Sink or the Salton Basin.

In the late 19th century the California Development Company and its ambitious president, Charles R. Rockwood, determined to make the Imperial Valley into an agricultural oasis in the desert. A series of canals were constructed in 1900 to allow for irrigation and for a few years the river flowed peacefully, regulated by a wooden head gate, and watering the fields of fruits and vegetables. However, the flowing waters contained large amounts of silt, which soon blocked the head gate. To correct this problem, the California Development Company then cut a new channel a few miles south of the Mexican border. Unregulated by U.S. authorities, the new channel crossed an unstable river delta and when the Colorado River waters began to peak from heavy rainfalls and snowmelt in the summer of 1905, the dike broke and the Salton Basin began to fill at an alarming rate.
For two years, the Colorado River flooded the Salton Sink, destroying the town of Salton and the Southern Pacific Railroad siding. The railroad, having substantial business interests in the region, spent some three million dollars to stop the river's flow into the Salton Sink, finally succeeding in 1907. However, a "new” lake body had been created, which was called the Salton Sea.
The large sea, surrounded by desert terrain, was a natural site for fishermen, but without an outlet, the sea became more and more saline as fresh water was pumped out of the lake for irrigation and when the water returned through run-off it included dissolved salts from the soil, pesticides and fertilizer residue. As the saline levels increased, the fresh water fish died and over the years, officials began to experiment with bringing in various species of salt water fish, including salmon, halibut, bonefish, clams, oysters, and more. Unfortunately, these fish also died due to the high saline level.
However, in the early 1950s, certain species survived including gulf croaker, sargo, orange corvine and tilapia. As the fish began to thrive, it fueled a recreation boom in the 1950s and the inland desert sea became an inviting sport-fishing and vacation destination. In no time, its coastline developed numerous resorts and marinas catering to water skiers, boaters, and fishermen. Billed as "Palm Springs-by-the-Sea,” restaurants, shops, and nightclubs also sprang up along the shores. The lake enjoyed immense popularity, especially among the rich and famous as movie stars and recording artists flocked to the area. From Dean Martin, to Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra, and the Beach Boys, the lake became a speedboat playground.

However, Salton Sea’s bright lights would quickly fade in the 1970s when the sea’s water level began rising from several years of heavy rains and increasing agricultural drainage. Shorefront homes, businesses, resorts, and marinas flooded several times until the water stabilized in 1980 after a series of conservation measures to reduce field run-off. However, for the many resort areas, it was too late. The salt and fertilizers of the run-off had accumulated to such a degree that they had reached toxic levels, which began a cycle of decay. As algae fed on the toxins, it created massive amounts of rotten smelling matter floating upon the surface of the lake and suffocated many of the fish.

Within just a few years, the resorts had closed, the marinas were abandoned, and those who could afford to, had moved, leaving in their wake, abandoned businesses and homes, and scattered junk.
Today, Salton Sea continues to maintain itself, fed by the Alamo, Whitewater, and New Rivers, as well as continued agricultural runoff from irrigated farmland. Covering an average surface area of about 375 miles, it is the largest lake in California.

But, still the lake is in trouble. The salt in the Salton Sea is higher than that of the Pacific Ocean and numerous restoration plans have been developed over the years, the latest of which proposes to reduce the size of the lake to make it more manageable at a cost of billions of dollars and more than two decades to complete.
The lake is dotted with "signs” of more prosperous times and the area is much like a "ghost lake," surrounded by small "ghost towns," "ghost resorts," and "ghost trailer parks."

Towns:

Bombay Beach - Located on the east shore of the Salton Sea, Bombay Beach was first developed by R.E. Gilliagan in October, 1929 as a private community that quickly grew with weekend visitors and retirees. By the 1960s, the town sported numerous businesses and homes. However, the next decade would take its toll on the community as tropical storms and flooding destroyed parts of the town. Though this permanently affected Bombay's development, the small town still supports about 350 people and a few open businesses amongst a sunken trailer park and abandoned buildings. A dike now protects the west portion of of the small community that is located just south of the Salton Sea State Park. It is one of the lowest elevation communities in the U.S. sitting about 225 feet below sea level.


Desert Shores - This small community still supports more than 1000 people and has actually grown over the last several years. However, signs of its resort community heydays can still be seen a few abandoned businesses and fading billboards. One of the many communities that developed during the sea's heydays in the 1950's, the city was bustling in the 1960s with the Desert Shores Yacht Club, Marina Mobile Estates, a five-fingered marina, a fishing barge just offshore, and numerous businesses. However, in the 1970s the town was battered by a couple of tropical storms and the rising sea level flooded many of the shoreline resorts and homes. Desert Shores is located just north of Salton Sea Beach on the west side of the sea east

Niland - Another small town on the lake, Niland was once known as the "Tomato Capital of the World," and though not the agricultural center that it once was, it still sports an annual Tomato Festival, which has been held for more than 60 years. Like neighboring towns, it also developed into a fishing and hunting paradise during Salton Sea's heydays in the 1950s and 60s. Today, it still is called home to about 1,000 people, many of which work at the nearby Calipatria Prison. Another quirky addition just outside of town is Salvation Mountain, a colorful artificial religious folk-art mountain that draws numerous visitors each year.

North Shore - Developed in 1958 by Ray Ryan and Trav Rogers as yet another resort on the coastline of the Salton Sea, they began to sell lots in 1960 and to build the crown jewel of the area -- the North Shore Beach and Yacht Club, as well as the North Shore Motel.

The $2 million marine paradise opened in 1962 to much fanfare and was described as one of the largest largest marina in Southern California. Catering to the rich and famous, the resort soon claimed visitors such as Jerry Lewis, the Marx Brothers, and the Beach Boys who were frequent visitors or kept boats at the marina. The marina was a hotspot, especially when it featured speed boat races, parties and dances that drew hundreds of visitors. However, like most resorts on the Salton Sea, fluctuating water levels and flooding created problems in the 1970s. However, the yacht club hanged on until 1981 when it suffered a severe flood that wiped out the jetty and the marina, making it impossible for boats to dock there. The popular club closed to later be utilized as a rehab center and then a nursing home. However, the once glamorous resort it is entirely abandoned today. People still live in homes that dot the hills above the water, but North Shore's heydays are long gone. However North Shore is still notable as the home of the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, one of California's greatest birdwatching areas. Established in 1930, the refuge covers several thousand acres. North Shore is accessible via State Route 111 and the wildlife refuge and campground is just a short distance south of the town.

Salton City - The most ambitious of the Salton Sea developments, Salton city was developed in the late 1950's by M. Penn Phillips and the Holly Corporation, just shortly after Phillips had successfully developed the high desert community of Hesperia. The development plan called for 25,000 lots, 250 miles of paved roads, swimming pools, churches, parks, a golf course and a $500,000 luxury yacht club and hotel. Opening in 1958, the development was an immediate success as busloads of people were trucked in to view the new development. By 1964, some $20 million had already been spent developing the community and about 15,000 lots had been sold. Soon, a yacht club was built, and motels, restaurants, a championship golf course, airport and other amenities followed. It's brochures touted that the "Miracle Salton City by the Desert Sea" would be the most popular sea resort in all of Southern California. And for a time it was, as sailing regattas, powerboat races, Hawaiian luaus, and fishing tournaments derbies attracted thousands of people including the rich and famous such as Frank Sinatra, Dwight Eisenhower and Desi Arnaz.


However, though there were numerous lots sold, few homes were built as most people seemingly purchased the lots for investment purposes. And when the lake began to flood and the saline levels started killing off the fish, Salton City's plans were doomed. Today, the yacht club is closed, many businesses stand abandoned, and empty streets lined with dying palm trees feature hundreds of lots for sale, but no homes. Though its certainly no where close to its intended vision, the small town still boasts a population of about 1,000 people and several open businesses. "New" California developers and home builders are also working hard to attract new residents. Salton City is located on the SH 86 on west side of the Salton Sea.

In addition to the many ghostly relics to be seen in the area, there is still active fishing at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area, which also provides for camping, picnicking, and boating. Additionally, the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge is a bird-watchers paradise that features more than 375 species of birds, many of whom are endangered. The Salton Sea is located about 30 miles south of Indio, California on Highway 111.
(legendsofamerica.com)

"Plagues & Pleasures on the Salton Sea" - Trailer (John Waters)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhB2ZvHVFls

video shot at Salton Sea 2005
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJZ3F_Xkvk8

Abandoned apartment building /Salton Sea
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQj5LC-7Ssg&feature=related

Salton Sea - Abandoned North Shore Beach & Yacht Club

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF_ZfvCm8OE7feature=related

cool artwork I scanned and cropped

PRIVACY NOTICE: Warning - any person and/or institution and/or Agent and/or Agency of any governmental structure including but not limited to the United States Federal Government also using or monitoring/using this website or any of its associated websites, you do NOT have my permission to utilize any of my profile information nor any of the content contained herein including, but not limited to my photos, and/or the comments made about my photos or any other "picture" art posted on my profile.

You are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing, disseminating, or taking any other action against me with regard to this profile and the contents herein. The foregoing prohibitions also apply to your employee , agent , student or any personnel under your direction or control.

The contents of this profile are private and legally privileged and confidential information, and the violation of my personal privacy is punishable by law. UCC 1-103 1-308 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WITHOUT PREJUDICE

*******WORDS THAT SUCK*******

i just don't like these words. dunno why

* aka

* antiquing

* burgle

* cavort

* cervix

* caucus

* chortle

* cloister

* conversate

* corpuscle
* delightful

* deplane

* eatery

* extremities

* facilitate

* giddy

* glorious

* holistic

* hone

* kismet

* liason

* minted

* orientate

* peruse

* pick

* pittance

* prioritize

* query

* quintessential

* scrotum

* segue

* sibling

* thusly

* vulva

* task
* chore

100 movies you should see.

______________________
* Office space
* Idiocracy
* Titanic
* Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea
* Cleopatra
* Caligula
* Napolean dynamite
* The party
* Finding Nemo
* Fantastic Earth
---------------------
* Lost in translation
* Shaun of the dead
* Pleasantville
* Nude on the moon
* Clockwork orage
* Liquid sky
* Groundhog day
* American beauty
* Elf
* War of the roses
----------------------
* Glory
* Avatar
* Toy story 2
* Metropolis
* Fritz the cat
* 2001 A Space Oddity
* It's a wonderful life
* Schindlers list
* Citizen Kane
* Apocalypse Now
----------------------
* Wizard of OZ
* Goodfellas
* One flew over the cookoo's nest
* The Sound of Music
* Blue Velvet
* Capitalism: A love story
* Seven
* Trainspotting
* Streetcar named desire
* Monty Python and The holy Grail
------------------------------
* Midnight express
* Do the right thing
* 300
* Full metal jacket
* Saving Private Ryan
* As good as it gets
* Donnie Darko
* Beetlejuice
* The Godfather
* The Godfather Pt. 2
------------------------------
* A Hard days Night
* Invasion of the body snatchers
* Psycho
* Mommy Dearest
* Plan 9 from Outer Space
* Rocky Horror Picture Show
* Erasurehead
* Dazed and confused
* The Warriors
* In Cold blood
-----------------------------
* Rosemarys baby
* Harold and Kumar go to White Castle
* Deliverance
* West World
* Billy Jack
* Natural Born Killers
* Life and Times of Larry Flynt
* 300
* Twelve monkeys
* Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory
---------------------------------------
* Freaks
* Reefer Madness
* Clerks
* The meaning of life
* Forbidden planet
* Easy rider
* SAW
* Pink Flamingoes
* Sideways
* Little Miss Sunshine
---------------------------
* The Trip
* The Candidate
* Koyanisquatsi

* Hotel Rwanda
* The Brady Bunch Movie
* Blow
* Bully
* Friday
* The Birdcage
* Airplane !
--------------------------
* Ferris Buellers Day Off
* The Naked Gun
* Austin Powers ( Man of Mystery)
* The Nutty Professer (original)
* Meet the Parents
* Tropic Thunder
* Revolutionary Road
* Wild at Heart
* Mullholland Drive
* This is Spinal Tap

the things that bother me the most right now (april 13 2010)

1. Urban ( and suburban) youth ( yes maybe I am getting old) wearing their pants down around their knees...so we can all see their plaid boxers. Nobody wants to see your underwear kids...and boxers ? Really. Is that comfortable to walk holding your pants up by the crotch ? Hopefully you won't have to run, to say, catch a bus. Or someone giving out free L'il Wayne cd's. Try clothes that fit someday...they are quite comfortable. Those oversize tee shirts suck too..way way out of style. Don't be afraid to show the shape of your body. No one is asking you to show skin. But really. How much fabric does a tee shirt need.
2. Women at the grocery store ( yes women..not men) who wait until everything is scanned , then decide to pull out their checkbook and START writing the check. Didn't ya know you were gonna buy stuff ladies ? Ya couldn't have dug out that checkbook during the process ? Maybe even written out the store name. Anything ????Anything to spare the people in line behind you the 20 minute wait ?
3. Talking on your cellphone AND smokong a cigarette ??? did ya know you were driving and supposed to have at least ONE hand on the steering wheel ? Guess not.
4. I know you love your dog. But do you have to bring he/she/it everywhere ??? Its a driving hazard I tell you. And an annoyance to others, particularly if you bring said dog into stores and you are not blind. Just leave the damn dog home.
5. Girls, stop popping your chewing gum in my damn ear. I get it. Your chewing gum I don't want to have to hear it though.
6. No right turn on red ? but the intersection is void of cars except for mine...and it's been like that for a good several minutes now for christ sakes. Whats the hazard ? Who made this decision ??? Nobody that apparently lives around here or frequents this intersection.
7. Tired of the word 'shawty' in hip hop songs. Really tired of it.
8. People when are you gonna stop eating so much fast food and drinking so much soda ? Why is it that soda is everywhere, yet orange juice is hard to fing at a vending machine ?
9. Gas stations ...there is no .9 cents. ( $2.79.9 a gallon.) why is it that only gas stations can charge that .9 cents ???? it DOESNT EXIST!!
10. Stop reading on the toilet. Get in and get out.

my bucket list

things i need and or want to do b4 I die.

* Visit Suvarov........... I have wanted to go there since I was a kid. Specifically, since reading 'An island to myself' by Tom Neale...which i read after becoming enthralled by all things Pacific after seeing the movie The Blue Lagoon. That movie led me to discover Tahiti ( not physically...I just was fascinated by it. ) And since the movie was filmed in the Fiji Islands I became fascinated by that island nation. But the deserted island of Suvarov, where Tom Neale lived by himself for a couple of years alone, that is something I'd like to do before I kick the bucket. Providing its still deserted. ( i've read it's a bird sanctuary now. And boating fans who have read the Tom Neale book make pilgrimages there Ive read. So maybe if I visit I won;t be alone.

* Stay in an underwater hotel.........like Jules Undersea Lodge in Key Largo Florida, or Hydropolis in Dubai , or Poseiden Undersea Resort in the Fiji Islands . Its a fascinating idea whose time has come....I read Jules Vernes 20,000 leagues Under the Sea and saw the movie as a kid and I do love water. So , even though its more like a submarine in some cases, you cant get there without the water. http://hydropolis.com/

http://jul.com/

http://poseidonresorts.com/

* Go back to Benidorm Spain ..........( Pictured above, i took that picture from my towel on the beach.) I had the pleasure of visiting and DJing there in 2001, and I absolutely loved the place. The people, the food. The architecture is amazing, and the skyline is the second biggest in Europe. Who knew ? I had never even heard of it before going there. Right on the Mediterranian across the water from the popular tourist island of Ibiza , the place is swarming with nightlife. British tourists are everywhere, and the weather is fantastic. I truely didnt want to leave, but I would've had to change my citizenship and all to stay there, much more difficult than it sounds. Shopping galore, cheap rent. The best looking residents I have ever seen anywhere (and I live outside Miami) ......for some reason people have heard of Alicante 30 minutes drive to the south. But Benidorm is the place to be, a tad lower key than Barcelona. I just want to live there. I'd be happy just visiting once more.

.

* Go to Burning man ******Just once I'd love to go to this festival/event in the desert of California. Each year it grows, and I am sorry I haven't made it yet in all these years. It just seems so my style. http://www.burningman.com/ . Naked people, music, art. Sun. I mean, just click the link, it sells itself. If you have never heard of it than maybe it isn't for you.

.

* Attend the La Tomatina tomato throwing festival in Valencia Spain

http://latomatina.org/

Held on the last Wednesday of August of each year in Valencia Spain, tens of thousands of partyers pelt each other with tomatoes for this festival. Being italian and loving tomatoes, this sounds so much more fun than , say, running away from charging bulls.

.

*Publish a book. Because for all the writing I have done in my lifetime, including writing about 18 books in my teens; I have never had a real book published. Yet. I don't mean an article in some magazine, hell I used to write a column weekly in a music trade journal. I mean a full fledged book, one that you could walk into Borders and buy. A novel. A photography book. Anything. A cookbook. I just wantg 1 book published ( at least 1!) before I kick the bucket.

.

* Star in a porn movie ***** It doesnt have to be hardcore. In fact I can be in it by myself, if you know what I mean.( I'd probably rather.) Safe sex is after all pretty important. Sure I'd have to loose a few pounds. And shave. And just in general look at least somewhat sexy. I might be able to handle that. I could see me being seduced. Pleasured. I just don't want to have to work too hard, no pun intended.

.

* Sail across the Pacific ocean. ********** A raft would be cool. lets be serious, I'm probably not too good at sailing. Realistically speaking, I'd rather be on some yacht, with a refridgerator stocked with Sam Adams beer, a slew of Boston Market frozen dinners, and enough comedy dvd's to last me from Chile to China. I've actually even envisioned a submarine/yacht combo, so when the waves get real bad theres no chance of sinking. After reading about Thor Heyerdahls 1947 trip across the Pacific as a kid (Kon Tiki) i have been fascinated by the idea.
.

* Go to the Love Parade festival in Germany******http://www.loveparade.ro/

Not sure if this festival will continue much longer, last I saw it was moving to Duisburg Germany. One of the largest festivals in the world, its a must see on my list.

.

* Produce a # 1 worlwide pop record ****** Hey its not that far fetched ! I at least got to remix a worlwide #1 pop hit, Deep Forests ' Sweet Lullaby'. In fact I got a gold record for my work from the RIAA , and got to remix Deep Forests follow up tunes 'Deep Forest' and 'Forest Hymn'. But I'd really like to produce a great pop record. Not a club record mind you, though most certainly anything I produced would be dancefloor friendly. But I would want it to go pop, to reach a massive demographic. Like Macarena. Or Pump up the jam. I dont want an American Billboard magazine dance # 1 hit, I want something that you could hear on the radio in Spain, something Pete Tong might play, BBC would chart, and someone walking the deserted streets of Manila Phillipines at midnight would recognize. THAT kind of # 1 hit.

.

* Make a pilgrimage to the river Nile ********** thats right...the roots of Egypt. Big fan of Egyptian history I am, and Greek. And Roman. Ever since seeing the movie Ten Commandments starring Charlton Heston I have been fascinated by the Nile. The movie Cleopatra added to this fascination. Who wouldnt want to walk along the pyramids. And float on the Nile.

.

* Skydive naked ***** Yes this sounds like a once in a lifetime b4 deathtime thing. As long as I land where I'm supposed to land. Don't want to land in a pine tree forest. Or a schoolyard. Or a police union picnic. Though i could think of places I may want to land. I will keep these thoughts to myself. If it's not to late.http://nudist-resorts.org/gallery/014.html

.

* Take a ride in a submarine. ***** Doesnt have to be across the Atlantic ocean, but a few hundred miles off the east coast might be exhilarating...particularly if it rises to the top of the ocean and i could climb up on deck and look around.

.

* Learn either spanish or chineese ***** Yes, a lot of people know these languages obviously, but alas, I only speak english, it's the only language i have spoken since birth. With billions people in the world speaking chineese, and an incredible desire to visit Shanghai to see the 2,000 plus 20 story buildings there....a slight knowledge of the chineese language would be quite helpful on that journey. And spanish I should really know; since I live outside Miami now and the spanish speaking population around these parts is substantial. As it was around my old stomping grounds of Hartford Connecticut. And most of America lately, or so it seems. So I would like to learn a language other than the stale (to me) english language I have always spoke. (n).

.

* Live on a houseboat. ***** For a month, or a year. Any extended amount of time. I'd still probably want television. And some bare necessities aka luxuries that I have now. Cable, internet. Trash pickup. But ever since I saw the movie 'Houseboat' as a kid, I have always wanted to live on one.

* Suction cup climb up the Gateway Arch in St. Louis Missouri. ***** Been up to the top many times. Always on the inside in an elevator. Its pretty neat. I'd still like to put suction cups in my hands (like gloves) and climb up the side to the top. Nobody has done that, I dont think.

* See the end of AIDS**** Its taken far too long and far too many people. A whole generation lost.
* Visit Shanghai just to see all the skyrise buildings. There are so many of them!!
* See the Supreme Court swing if not to the left at least to the center. I am tired of living in a conservative country , its past 2010...science trumps religion. Sorry if that offends you....thats just how I feel. There is a balance, as there should be....but the religious right and the corporate rich have controlled the United States far too long. A middle ground we need...something that balances corporate interests and the welfare of the people. ...I mean...'We the people..."..............???     !!!

food to consider NOT eating.

Kidney beans
Saurkraut
Cranberry sauce
Circus peanuts (candy)
head cheese
beef toungue
rocky mountain oysters
Spam
Manhattan clam chowder
sardines
vienna sausage
corn flakes
veal
chicken gizzards
pork cracklings

roommate etiquette

ROOM-MATE ETIQUETTE


*** If you share a common washing machine/ dryer, follow thru when you do laundry. Don't throw a load in the washer then leave for the day , leaving your room-mate having to either wait for you or finish your work.
*** Do not eat loud food next to your room-mate if they are either watching TV , or working ( on the computer or otherwise) or on the phone, or reading, or....anything really. Raw celery, raw carrotts , potato chips , a bowl of crunchy cereal, all these are loud and it's kinda rude to eat thse right next to somebody, if you ask me.
*** Don't fill the refridgerator up with half eaten objects , bowls of leftovers etc. It's a shared refridgerator, not your own personal 'junk drawer'.
*** If your bedroom smells , either keep your door closed or air it out occasionally, or both! Particularly if you have a pet that sleeps with you, it probably smells even if you don't smell it. And if you don't bathe your pet it definitely smells. Trust me.
*** Empty the dishwasher occasionally , if you use dishes. Its everybodys job.
*** If your room-mate is going to work at , say, 9am as an example, and he/she showers before work, dont take your shower around the time they are. If you can wait, do so. Nothing worse than having to wait for the shower , particularly when the person showering has all the time in the world and you don't. And do not use all the hot water!!
*** If your room-mate is in the kitchen cooking, if at all possible try to stay out of the way. Dont start your project which takes counter space if they are in the middle of theirs. Just be patient......unless you share a large kitchen.
***Clean your hair out of the drains. Shower and/or sink. !
*** Room temperature should be acceptable to all/both parties. I like it warm . My room-mate likes it frigid. So it should be in the middle.
***Don't let your room-mate buy all the staples, like sugar, coffee, laundry detergent, stuff like that. Nor should you buy it all. But things like pickles...in a jar...i mean if y'all use your fingers to grab each one out, then by all means each jar should be for personal use.
*** You can't force your room-mate to be 'green.' . Unless its a law, you can't force someone to recycle, thats a personal choice.
*** Do not play your stereo or TV too loud ever....in particular at night or just in general while your room-mate is trying to sleep. If your TV is against a common wall to a room-mates room, I'm betting the rent they can hear it almost as loud as you, so if you are watching a particular loud movie or sport etc, please turn it down. Ditto the stereo.
***Somebody has to shovel when it snows. Not just the first one up....that is of course if you have a sidewalk/driveway....and live in a region of the country where it snows. The first one up shouldnt be the one to have to shovel always.
*** Don't eat your room-mates food. Or drink their soda. If you have to , replace. And if there is shared soda/juice/milk in the refridgerator, do not drink directly from the bottle. Use a glass...thats just not fair.
***If your sick, stay in your room a lot, dont lay on the living room couch coughing and queezing and sneezing and putting your room-mates heath at risk, minimize the chances of you passing your unfortunate cold or flu on to them. Blow, but in the bathroom or in your room, or at least be good at it. And toss the tissue away, don't leave it laying around. Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Be smart.
*** To my horror i saw my room-mate clipping his fingernails on the kitchen counter. Do not do this. Its disgusting...trust me.
*** Don't talk on the phone right next to your room-mate...unless they are somehow included in your two way/three way conversation. Go to another room, particularly if you are on speakerphone. Trust me, no-one want's to hear your conversation. By the same token, do not listen in on their conversation. It's rude. Disrespectful.
*** Don't go in a bedroom thats not yours. In fact don't touch the doorknob even. If you knock don't open the door unless they say come in. If there is no answer either there is nobody in the room or they don't want to be bothered. Go away. If your room-mate is not home don't go in there ever. Whatever is in there it's none of your business. You would want the same consideration.
*** Dont take your bandaids off in the kitchen. If your skin is peeling for whatever reason wear a shirt in the kitchen. If you have dandruff.....well. try to wear a hat. That may be hard...just be thoughtful of others.
*** Don't hog the common room television. In fact even though its a common area dont spend all your time in it. that may force your roommate to get their only 'quiet/alone time' in a biedroom. It sucks to have to go to your bedroom often just to be alone. There should be reasonable 'alone' time in even common areas.
*** the refridgerator/freezer and pantrys are shared areas. If you have more food that doesnt mean you get more space, in a perfect world. If there are two people it would seem fair to say each gets half the freezer...each gets half the shelf space. If there are three moom-mates you would think each gets a third of the space.
*** Don't pile up dishes in the sink, or next to the sink. If both or all roommates did that there would be kitchen chaos.
*** If you have a pet your room-mate shouldn't have to pay the price...in dog hair, cat hair. I don't want to clean up your dogs poo. I dont want to have to step in cat vomit...but if I do, and it's not my cat, i shouldnt have to clean it up. Nor should I have to wait too long for you to clean it up. If its a shared couch, dontcha think its only fair to keep your pet off it ? They dont wash their privates after they pee/shit. Then they're up on the sofa, where I might wanna sit. Do i need to explain?