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Tuesday, April 26, 2005
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I told myself that I wouldn't get my hopes up, but of course I did. And so continues the saga of apartment hunting.
It's not that we haven't gotten the place. It's just that it's not looking as promising as I thought. We called tonight, because we wanted to make sure they got the application (mailed out yesterday, like we were told to do). The guy had just gotten home from work, and told us that he had other applications and had started making calls on them already. Oy. We don't even know how other people got applications in before us, as the place only went on the market at 4:00pm Saturday (and that's with the sign on the door, the craigslist posting wasn't until Sunday morning). Maybe they were able to fill them out then and there, I don't really know. But I'd think he would have told us that on Sunday. Argh. So it's not a no, but it's also not a yes. I seriously feel like I'm interviewing for jobs again, this is so stressful. At least I know my credit is good and I've always paid my landlords on time.
As for other options... we saw this cute place today. The kitchen is smaller but more modern, and the rooms are decent sized. It was pretty - not huge amounts of character but pretty on a pretty street, and the landlords live in the bottom apartment. Jamie and I both think we could be happy there, plus the rent is much much more affordable (not that we wouldn't make the awesome place work) - heat included.
We also met with a broker today who showed us a ton of places, but only one we really liked, and parking would be impossible, so it's not really an option. I'm done with impossible parking after Eddy Street.
I've begun to realize that the things I wanted from a college apartment and was willing to put up with for a year are very different from the things that I want in a place I hope to be in for a few years.
So we'll see. I'd really like to have this taken care of by the end of the week to guarantee my Ithaca trip (speaking of college things...).
- Lizzardie, at 10:12 PM
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Sunday, April 24, 2005
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I'm a sucker. So much of a sucker that I should get an award for it.
Two things happened today. One is that I told my roommates that I'm moving out at the end of May. They took it so much better than I thought they would. They seemed shocked but not mad at all. They even asked me who I was moving in with, laughed when they found out it's another Jamie, asked me where we were looking and made sure it was okay for them to show my room. This is why I'm a sucker - I apologized profusely for doing this, even though I don't think I'm doing anything wrong. I thought I'd feel so much less guilty than I do. But at least that part is out of the way.
The other thing that happened is that Jamie and I saw this fabulous apartment. I thought to look at apartments that are slightly above our maximum price, and this one fell into that area. So while it's more than we wanted to pay, there's no fee, so it would work out fine. I don't want to jinx our chances of getting it, but it's fabulous. No dishwasher, but everything else we could want - driveway parking, washer/dryer in the basement, HUGE rooms, living room, dining room... so much character Jamie and I both wanted to cry. One of the bedrooms has a window seat and two closets (making Jamie want to cry) and the other is huge - it's like the size of my parents' master bedroom and sitting room - it looks like two rooms - and has a walk-in closet, making me want to cry. Add in a built-in china cabinet in the dining room, bricked-in fireplace (but with mantel) and window detailing in the foyer.... the huge bedroom is up this awesome staircase... back yard... and seriously, it's DIRECTLY across the street from Tufts and no more than a 10 minute walk from Davis Square (we walked it today, so we know). I'm mailing in the applications tomorrow and Jamie and I are keeping are fingers crossed. You know how you feel when something is right? Well, that's how Jamie and I felt BEFORE we saw this place. It's amazing how much we wanted this particular place to work out - we were even talking about how great it would be if we had to cancel our upcoming appointments and Jamie wanted to make sure we had a checkbook with us when we went to see the place.
I hope we're not wrong about this, because for once maybe the pieces will fall into place for me.
- Lizzardie, at 11:05 PM
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I'm feeling so very tired after a very long day, but I am long overdue for an update I've promised people. So I'll write now, since my tired is the good kind, anyhow. :-) As a note, I WOULD have written on Thursday (soley to keep me up for a little longer, since I wasn't in a position to sleep) but Blogger was down. Bad Blogger.
Anyhow, let's start with some non-apartment type stuff. I spent last weekend in NYC with Amy. It was really nice to see her, and I gotta say, my luck was fabulous last weekend. When I decided to go, I did so thinking I wasn't going to be busy at work (my original reason for not going). That, of course, did not end up being true. :-( So, instead of leisurely training or bussing down to "The City," I decided it would be less stressful to drive. I'm not sure why 4 1/2 hours of traffic and aggressive drivers combined with finding a parking spot in Manhattan seems less stressful to me than getting to a bus or train on time, but it does. So be it. Anyhow, I left from work and it was indeed stressful. But I got there. Amy had this brilliant idea (sarcasm, or at least that's what I was thinking when she told me) for me to pick her up at a friend's and then we'd drive down to lower Manhattan together. I was not happy about the extra driving in inner Manhattan, but I did it without any problems. Amy and I then drove to her apartment, and as luck would have it (I don't think I've ever said those words before and meant them in a happy way - EVER), the city of New York that week had lifted some of the post-9/11 parking restrictions and yes, you could park on the streets on the weekends. I literally pulled into a parking spot 3 blocks from Amy's apartment - it was BEAUTIFUL. And there my car sat all weekend.
So... the actual weekend (can you tell just how excited I was about the parking) - there was lots of time with Amy and her friends. She threw a little gathering on Saturday night and I met some really cool people, including Jen (an actress), Terry (does animation for cool movies like Robots), Ann (designs clothing - shirts) and Vanessa (paralegal but still fun). I also got to see Amy's good friend Laura who is wonderful. And yummy Italian food. And yummy brunch. And discount clothing - none of which fit me, but that's okay. And I had Cuban food for lunch with Andrew Berman and it was so much fun. :-) I also bought a fabulous pink alligator print purse (leather looking, I'm sure it's fake) on the streets of Manhattan (the only place to buy purses, of course) - and I bartered for it! The guy wanted $25 and I got it for $18 - not a huge discount (Amy thinks I could have gotten a few more dollars off) but impressive still. The trip did not change my hatred for Manhattan/NYC, though, and I would not call it restful at all. By Sunday morning I was so burnt out - I hope Amy doesn't think I hate her, since I acted so antisocial all day until I left - I just needed to be antisocial. And I gotta say, compared to Boston or Chicago, NYC has no charm (at least for me). I spent at least a little bit of time in the Financial District, Chelsea, the Upper East Side and Tribeca (in that order), and they all look the same to me. Nothing like Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the Financial District, Brighton/Allston, the North End, etc... OR, the Loop, Wrigleyville, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, etc... character/charm, I tell you. Maybe it's just me.
All right, enough of that. Let's continue with the saga of my apartment woes. It's "official" - I'm moving out at the end of May. Though I haven't found a place yet and I haven't told my roommates (who do not have the URL for this - Amy asked me that). I'm pretty sure they're clueless. Still, things are looking up. I spent several nights this week meeting potential roommates, all who have places they're looking to fill. Nothing really struck me as "have to have," though. But something great did happen - Herb introduced me to his friend Jamie, from work (do I know enough Jamies or what). She needs a new apartment for June 1st as well, and is looking to move to Davis Square. So the decision is that we're going to find a place together. I'm getting really excited about living with her and moving into a new, empty place and only having one roommate. We started looking at places yesterday and then looked at some more today. Of the 5 we've seen, there was one place that stood out as amazing, but it's a 20 minute walk to the T (we timed it today), and we've decided that it's a "deal-breaker." At least for now, I guess. We spent nearly all day together - from 1pm until after 1opm, in which we saw apartments, timed the walk, had lunch and went to her current apartment (technically the West End, basically Beacon Hill) to look at the furniture she has (good thing, since I have none). I also met one of her current roommates (Sonja), her best friend since she was in the 4th grade, and her boyfriend, who also worked at E-Ink (where Jamie and Herb currently work) but never at the same time as Jamie or Herb. It's funny because before Herb started working there in December, I had never heard of E-Ink, and now I know 2 of their employees (out of 50), one guy who used to work there and I'm meeting a third guy because he's moving out of his apartment and it's a possible place for us to get. Jamie's a lot of fun and I'm glad we had a chance to bond today. She doesn't feel like a stranger anymore, and believe me, despite not looking forward to having this conversation with my roommates (it's gotta be tomorrow - yikes!) I'd rather disappoint them than Jamie at this point.
One thing that has made me really happy this week is the way that my friends have totally come through for me. I mean, all I wanted was a few ears to listen to me (and, as I've said many times, not to tell me that "everything will work out" - I hate that). My friends went above and beyond that, though. Herb of course put me in contact with this great person and I feel like I'm making new friends - FINALLY - but Jenn from work also put me in contact with her friend Rachel from high school who needs a new roommate, and Andrew put a call out to his friends in Boston who might know people in need of roommates. I mean, I guess it wasn't a lot of work for any of them, but it says how much I mean to these people if they're not only willing to help me out, but also to put their own reputations sort of on the line by saying, hey Liz is cool and I think she'd make a good roommate. Okay, maybe they don't see it that way, but I certainly do.
There are some people in this world that no matter how many times you're disappointed, they always come through for you in the exact right way. I'm not sure how they do it or if they even realize what they're doing. Let's hope it's not just accidental fate, I guess, because it would spoil that warm fuzzy feeling I get just by thinking of it and remembering how lucky I am. I forget that all too often and it's nice that despite this all being a stressful situation that sucks, I don't feel the need to mope. This place - Somerville/Boston - is still home to me even if I have a different address because I love living here so much. I have everything I need right now.
And by everything, please include "opportunity to get a good night's sleep RIGHT NOW." :-)
- Lizzardie, at 12:57 AM
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Wednesday, April 13, 2005
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My first thought when something goes "wrong" in my life is this: I'm so alone. I can't help it - there's always this nagging feeling that if I wasn't "alone" then I could deal with things better. And so what do I do: withdraw from the world. I sit in my room, alone, with mellow music (Garden State soundtrack right now, for example).... doing absolutely nothing to combat what I feel makes me feel worse than anything else possibly could. It's a perpetual cycle, driving me farther and farther downward... making me fall back from all the climbing and crawling I've done in the past several months.
The apartment situation of course permeates my thoughts constantly, at least for the last three days, since I found out. While I'd like to just forget about it, I can't, as there are decisions that have to be made now. I feel like I have three options....
1. Do as the roommates say. Sign the new lease with them for June, move out at the end of August. This is highly unappealing, because I feel like it lets them get away with something I think was not very nice and technically, not in their power to do.
2. Don't sign the lease, because I don't want to get myself in trouble for anything that happens after I move out. But stay until August. This would put my roommates on the spot a little bit to figure out how they are going to handle it, but they'd probably go along with it because they won't want to find a three month sublet. It also gives me more options as far as possibilities of moving in with friends go.
3. Don't sign the new lease, move out at the end of May. This requires the most work right now, as I'd have to find a new place (or commit to finding a new place) very soon. This is appealing, because one of my goals in finding an apartment last year was to find a place I could stay in for a few years, and that has not changed. I don't want to waste three more months than I have to in pursuit of not having to worry about moving. I hate it, and why not get it over with as soon as possible. On the other hand, I hate moving (and looking for apartments) a lot and the idea of getting to put it off for awhile is somewhat appealing.
Fun choices right? And none of them involve me getting to stay in an apartment that I really like and has lots of amenities that are extraordinarily pleasing (dishwasher, off-street parking, laundry in the basement, lots of storage, etc....). At this point, I think that I've come to the conclusion that it's either choice 2 or 3 - there will be no going along quietly with my roommates master plan - perhaps if they'd thought to involve me when the possibility came up and to think that maybe it would be good to think about my needs/abilities and work out a timetable that worked for all of us.... but no. As far as whether I'm moving out in May or August.... well, that's still up in the air (more important decision probably). I spent some time on craiglist today, and sent in replies to three postings - and two got back to me right away. I have appointments to see both places on Monday, so I think by then (or a few days later) I should have a better idea of where I stand and what I want to do. So, let's say that I make the decision by next Wednesday and tell my roommates then. I feel like I should tell them sooner (technically, we have to tell our landlord 45 days before the end of the lease what are intentions are as far as renewal, so I feel like I should have the same deadline) but since they just sprung this on me three days ago.... I think a 10 day turnaround is reasonable. Actually, I don't have to tell them anything if I decide to stay, because I doubt they know I'm contemplating this. Anyhow, if I decide to move out and they feel upset, all I will have to say is that they should have told me sooner. AND, I'll tell them what I'm thinking if they want me to sign anything before then.
Sometimes, it's quite nice to think outloud.
- Lizzardie, at 10:33 PM
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Monday, April 11, 2005
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I failed to acquire rooibos tea this weekend. And I'll be away next weekend.
Casablanca has been replaced.
Wouldn't it be nice if that was all of my weekend. I've said to so many people so many times that I like when it's quiet. That doesn't really lend itself to a "go-getter" personality, which I will be the first to admit I do not have. But ohh my, what I wouldn't give for things to just stand still once in awhile so that I may enjoy my life for what it is. Because if I can't enjoy my life, I don't know what else I have.
My roommates have informed me that they have a friend they want to move in with them. And the more I think about it, the more upset I become. For one thing, it was pretty clear that they've known about this for awhile and never gave me a head's up. And, this requires me signing the new lease (which starts June 1st) and then moving out September 1st. If they wanted that, it would have been good for them to consult with me about what the best option would be for all parties involved, instead of just telling me when to move. And I feel mislead. I've considered all day whether I should just not sign the lease and move at the end of May, but I don't think I'll do that. There are other options as far as people I know who are moving here for the end of the summer as opposed to the beginning of the summer.
I hate it SO MUCH. Every time I think about it, I think about how utterly horrible it was the first time around... the searching and finding the perfect apartment. And I love this place. And I keep trying to think of the sage advice and just not being upstet, but I can't help it.... where you live is part of who you are. I spend the largest portion of each day here, and I want it to be somewhere I feel totally comfortable. And I want to call someplace HOME, instead of feeling like I'm moving from place to place... to place... and now I feel like someone has turned everything I am upset down. Thoughts and thoughts and thoughts keep running through my head about what I want to do, where I want to live, who I want to live with.... and for now I keep returning to the thought that one of the things that usually easily calms me down is to step outside, day or night and just stare at my street.... and now it feels foreign and uneasy again. So instead of getting to stare here, which has just about everything I could want in an apartment (except, apparently, great roommates)... I have to start all over again with a process I was hoping to not have to deal with for quite awhile. I don't have a home anymore.
As much as this pretty much permeates every thought I have right now, I will not entirely complain about my weekend. Friday night, I went to Christopher's with Karen and Ian and Herb.... 4 gin and tonics did me in of course, resulting in a hangover for Saturday. Not that it stopped me.... I walked to Harvard Square with Ian and Karen to get ice cream at Herrell's (Kentucky bourbon vanilla with hot fudge, pecans, whipped cream and a cherry... yum). I gotta say, the beautiful weekend was quite nice. Sunday I meandered around Davis Square and then later took a walk to Harvard Square and back to run an errand. My feet hurt afterwards, but the time outside and the exercise sure felt nice. Of course, it was cold again today and I had to bring the basil plant inside (it's supposed to be below zero overnight), but it really does look like Spring is here.
This weekend I'm going to NYC. Amy is having a party, which I'm happy attend. I'll also get to stay at her schwank new lower Manhattan apartment and at the very least, see Andrew for lunch on Saturday. Anyone else in the area interested in getting together? Let me know.
But for now, it's bedtime, and hopefully less wallowing about the damn apartment.
- Lizzardie, at 10:34 PM
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Sunday, April 03, 2005
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I have become OBSESSED with the rooibos tea from Someday Cafe. Okay, maybe it doesn't deserve the caps, because it's not like I'm going there once a day (or more). It's more like once a week, and I don't feel bad about going for my 2 dollar tea, in that the walk to and from Davis Square is pleasant enough (particularly now that the weather is improving). Tonight, it was a very good excuse to get out of the house and get some fresh air. I've had a headache all weekend and it's the only thing that made me feel better.
Anyhow, so the tea. I couldn't put my finger on it, but it has this oh-so-delicious smell and taste that just makes me feel very happy. And I've had other rooibos before, so I know it's not JUST the rooibos. So today, while I was waiting for them to make my tea, I read the label on the container... it has hints of vanilla and orange in it. So of course it immediately hit me that what I love about it is that it's dreamsicle flavored! How exciting is that? I love those things, so of course, without knowing exactly what it was, I fell in love with the flavor. And I think that the fabulous Merlot I had a few weeks ago must have had some sort of vanilla and fruit flavor to it (it also had a mystery happy smell/taste), because it was the same sort of creamy goodness, except definitely not orange.
So, I of course want to buy this tea, because it's cheaper just to make it at home (or work, or for in the car, or...), but it doesn't appear that they sell their tea like 1369 does (I miss that place, but Someday's rooibos is better than theirs, and Someday also has Jasmine pearls, so there's nothing really to miss anymore - Someday is way better). But the tea container said where they get their tea from - which led me to googling it as soon as I got home. Mem Tea Imports - it's about a block from my apartment and I've never seen/heard of it until today! I'm going to figure out exactly where they are this week, and then probably go next Saturday (as I imagine they aren't open late, and I'll be getting home on the late side all week... all month really). Yay!
That literally was the most exciting part of my weekend. Well, okay, the Illini win was almost as good, but since it wasn't a close game, I can't say it tops this. But I do have to say that I love loving basketball again. :-) Now if only I could catch more Bulls games.
I also watched Garden State this weekend. FABULOUS. It was one of those movies that starts off a little strange and you're not sure where it's going, but it really comes together well at the end. And as I've heard, the soundtrack is amazing as well. This line from the movie really hit home with me, too:
"This hurts so much."
"Yeah, I know. But that is life. Nothing else, that's life, you know? It's real; sometimes it fucking hurts. But yeah, it's sort of all we have."
All right, that's all for the weekend. This week should be interesting... it's April, first month of the new quarter, which means I'll actually have to do stuff at work. Add to that the fact that Ian will be in town all week, so there should be some fun adventures with him and Karen. AND, my next Netflix selection is Sideways, which I've been dying to see (and everyone has told me I need to see) - hopefully I'll have that by the weekend so that I may watch!
- Lizzardie, at 8:20 PM
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Friday, April 01, 2005
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I tried to watch my new Casablanca DVD tonight and it wouldn't work. :-( Okay, it would work in the computer, but not on the "big screen" (if you can call my 27 inches a big screen). That makes me sad. :-(
I'm not sure what I'm doing this weekend. Tonight I've already spruced up my plants. They needed soil. I'm shocked that I've managed to keep 2 cacti, 2 aloe plants and a bamboo plant alive for... wow, 8 months on the bamboo and 6 1/2 on the others. Last weekend I started new seedlings. Hopefully they will be ready for bigger pots and the outdoors by mid to late May. I decided to go with mostly herbs this year... thyme, lavendar, mint and my personal favorite, purple basil. :-) I also chose to plant shasta daisies and riviera lilacs, for some flower fun. I considered planting baby's breath, but decided against it. I only have the six little containers, so maybe once these ones are ready to move into new homes, I'll plant different things, since I have quite a few more to chose from.... in addition to the baby's breath, I could plant blue mink ageratum, sweet pea or lemon basil. I wish I could grow a whole herb garden, because there's nothing like fresh herbs. Alas, that's a little difficult when you live in an apartment and move all the time. Hopefully the moving is over with for quite a while (well, at least another 14 months) so maybe my plants will live through the more quiet lifestyle this time.
Otherwise, I'm sure I'll find something to keep me busy (and not shopping) this weekend. If all else fails, there's always 18 more episodes of Alias, and then 88 episodes of The West Wing that could be watched... or lots of new movies! Yeah, yeah - I'm finally beefing up my DVD collection with movies I enjoy watching. In addition to Casablanca (which is defective and I'm going to exchange), I got The Wizard of Oz, The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban (I already have the second one), The Bourne Identity, and American History X (which I already have on tape but since I'd like to replace my pitiful VHS collection with DVDs, I started there). I also have Moulin Rouge and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on its way. And Garden State is my next Netflix movie. I've been told more times than I can count (and I like counting) that I haven't seen any movies, so I don't feel guilty about catching up.
Tonight there's a headache. Which sucks. So maybe I'll just finish my glass of wine (Irpinia) and head on to bed....
- Lizzardie, at 10:51 PM
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