So, I went back to Pittsburgh today to see five rental properties. Here's the rundown:
Phone tag.
From three hours away.
Via cell phone on snowy, traffic-laden roads (Thanksgiving tomorrow).
Half way there I learn the agent must leave to take her germy child to the doctor.
She has no idea when she will be back and there is a huge winter storm heading in.
I get half-assed directions to her office, which she will not be at, so I can pick up maps and addresses she is preparing for me so I can look at the properties from the outside while I wait for her.
An hour and a half later, I find myself circling her office twice - no envelope, no paperwork.
Calling her, I learn she has it with her {enter spacey laugh here}.
Managing to get more half-assed directions over the phone, I drive past three of the locations.
When we finally actually meet, I learn that it is almost inconceivable that this person has managed to get dressed this morning, find her way anywhere, keep a job, and scarier yet... raise children. She made up almost every answer to every question I had. Vague was apparently the way to go. Loved one of the apartments but it needed some work and I didn't trust her answers and 'promises' to have it ready for me.
And I braved a snowstorm for this?
I hate relying on people. Absolutely hate it. So... here's my current plan...
Not sure if I should go with Hotel Camry or Chez Camri... suggestions? As I see it, here are the good points:
Available in any neighborhood, depending on the day.
Cats welcome.
Adjustable heating/air conditioning.
Windows all around.
Four separate entrances/exits. Five if you count the hidden trunk route.
Out of the way yet easily accessible storage (trunk).
Er, surround sound.
Sleeps two in flip down seats in soft, cozy comfort.
Additional, smaller room in back.
Cooking ammenities - wrap food in foil; place on engine to warm. Fill glove compartment with ice for cooling.
Whatd'ya think? Because I'm about to fucking panic here.
!
15 comments:
Geez, that sucks. I sure hope you don't have to resort to staying in your car till you find a place. I don't think your cats would be very pleased by it either. Best of luck to you and I hope you find a really nice place to live.
God, sorry the trip went so badly. But no matter what, don't panic! If you panic, you're done.
oh no. but i'm sure if you braved a snowstorm, better options will crop up. i'm crossing my fingers and toes here.
Hmmm... well first of all calm down LW! you know you'll make the best decision anyways :-)
As for me I have always enjoyed balconies. Also a good tub is always favorable for me.
But above all tranquility is the most important of all. It is very ignorant when one lays his/her head down to rest but the noise keep penetrating in...
P.S: your last post was one of your best ever. It was fantastic. For some odd reason the comment link didn work for me as many times I tried.
Oh God, you just reminded me of something that happened to me in 1986.
First of all, let me say that I’m so sorry that you had to go through this. It’s not fair at all!
Here is what I did:
December 1986, crazy snow every where… I’m moving to Toronto from Montreal… Downtown Toronto… Apartment deal was too good to be true… How about I sleep in the car?
- Bad idea! … You’re alone sleeping in the car all by yourself and picture the evil criminals keeping their eyes on you. Don’t do that. Don’t even think about! … [Especially you being a woman]
- What did I do? … I picked up the yellow pages and called all the motels/hotels that I could find. I was prepared to spend up to $600, since the rents where going through the roof those days in Toronto. I found a motel, which agreed to let me stay for a whole month and pay $600 for the whole deal.
- Did it work for me? … Yes it did. I had all the time that I needed to find a place to live and I finally did.
- Note: Like Jason said it up there; don’t panic! Give my experience a try and give us the good news.
You’ve been through worst than this and you know it. You’ll make it, and you know it.
Good luck dear.
Panic is neither a solution nor an option, I'll second Jason and Farzad. You'll find something, even if it's only temporary.
Chateau Chamris has a nice ring to it - a keyring.
Hey, you can't go wrong with Chez Camry or, even, Hotel Camry - according to the news last night, it's the most popular hotel, um, car in the US these days - there must be something good going for it! :-)
I hope you find something decent soon.
oh man!! I HATE when I have to rely on people - especially strangers!!
but it will all work out!! like everyone else said - you'll find SOMETHING even if it's only temporary until you find something better :)
you just have to ride out a little bad karma for abandoning Gram haaa
JUST KIDDING!!! hehehe
It's fun to stay at the Y W C A, it's fun to stay at the Y W C A....
Regardless the current crisis, hope you can enjoy something of the holiday.
I have to go with Chez Camri... the other option sounds like something from a ghost movie.
Only... doesn't that particular abode already have a gas leak?
LW, you'll find something. Fate found you the job when you needed it, she's unlikely to dump you now. The right place will come up and you'll know it when you see it.
Look on it as getting the terrible properties out of the way first. The odds have already now shifted towards there being more chance you'll find a good one next.
I'll be placing force-fields around the bad properties using my mind. No. Honest I will.
Fight through and you'll get the rewards. Here's shouting for your corner.
Anduin - I think my cats would object. But they always find the best places to strecth out anyway so I'd be crumpled on the floor somewhere!
Jason - I'm trying not to panic. I don't like to panic. I just hate deadlines breathing down my neck; makes me edgy and unpredictable.
Transience - Thanks for all the crossing... if I could cross my eyelashes, I would. =)
Dr O2 - Uh, this IS me calm... lol! I thoroughly agree about the tranquility; other things may be crazy but we all need a haven. And thank you for the comment about the last post - sorry it gave you a hard time about posting but I'm really glad you liked it.
Farzad - Yeah, it was not one of the most productive times I've experienced. I think the criminals might be able to tell that I'm a rather cranky woman and may leave me alone. =) I've been trying to find temporary housing but it is in even shorter supply than I thought with an even bigger price tag than I thought. I'm still looking, I'm stubborn, you know? You're right, I've been through worse. Thanks for the thoughts, I appreciate it.
Anne - But my car is temporary... are we sure that doesn't count?
eKapa - Yeah, it really leaves alot to be desired! Then all the boxes... Here's the way we should've worked it... if each blogger takes a box, we'll be done in no time!
Kyknoord - And just what it wrong with my keyring?! hehe!
Nomad - Hotel...Car... it's kind of interchangeable these days. The maid service pretty much sucks, though.
Kitty - OMG... it IS bad karma for leaving Gram behind! Damn I knew it would come back to bite me in the ass! Or in your case, even from beyond the grave....lol.
Tom - Sing that to me again and I'll commute from your house... =)
Sappho - I'd figure it would be the same for both. And I'm going for an apartment in a huge, old converted home so that always feels better than a plain box apartment. It'll get there, I'm just not known for my patience. Looking forward to your return.
Terri - Sometimes my life IS like a ghost movie...lol. Yeah, it does have a gas leak. And a wonky tie-rod end... loose engine mounts... no AC... oh damn, this isn't good, is it? Perhaps fate is sticking her tongue out at me for a moment?
Carpy - I'm going to be counting on you and your force fields. If I can guide my way between them, things should improve rapidly! Thank you for enlisting your special powers... =)
Livewire, there's no need to feel down.
I said, Livewire, pick yourself off the ground.
I said, Livewire, 'cause you're in a new town
there's no need to be unhappy.
Livewire, there's a place you can go.
I said, young man, when you're short on your dough.
You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find
Many ways to have a good time...
It's a bit of a drive but you're welcome to crash anytime. Helena will even keep it spider free for you.
Tom - Now that song is stuck in my head... =) Tell Helena I will definitely need her services!
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