The Freckled Diaries

Apartment Hunt (Again)

So I'm not for sure moving. But I did just find out that there were two more break-ins off our communal back alley/parking area. I kind of had a wee nervous breakdown about this at work on Tuesday (where I'd made the mistake of checking www.crimereports.com). Lots of tears, had to escape through the conference room (in which the Head Librarian was having a meeting), and make my way from Russell to Hart to see the Employee Assistance Program people) when a vote had been called. Which means that like the whole world was going to the Capitol--the other direction as me. So my mascara-stained blotchy red face and I made our way past all the Poobahs in the very crowded hallways with everyone staring at me (a certain former Vice Presidential candidate not only noticed the tears but stopped and looked like he was going to say something but didn't--it was obvious that I was in no mood for talking).

So that was a bad day. I had Wednesday off anyway (new work schedule to accommodate school) which is good for many reasons--but mainly because I would up getting extremely ill (I think it's swine flu, but it's probably not) Tuesday afternoon, and because I had time to go see apartments. I only went to one building but they had three available apartments.  It's not far from where I am now, but it's on Patrick Street which is less-than-quaint and quite busy and noisy on the traffic front. The property manager seemed to welcome the *idea* of helping me secure a place to keep the bikes but the reality of the situation looks kind of grim. And, truth be told, even without the less-than-desirable location, I wasn't wild about the apartments, and each of them is about $200/month more in rent than I think they're worth (if my opinion matters at all). They're just not as cute as mine is, and mine is less cute than the one I had before. So, with this non-cute trajectory, I may as well pack it in and move back to the Meridian. So this is probably a no-go. But I like looking at apartments, and I'm guessing that some people do as well, so here's the video (don't mind my funky voice, I'm sick).

Oh, and it's been called to my attention in the recent past that I've kind of stopped indexing (err, "tagging" for the non-librarians) my posts. Bad librarian, bad. I'll start back up again. With this post, even, and address all the old entries one boring day.

The mundane, or the sublime?

Updates from the Freckle household include:

• They delivered a refrigerator yesterday but it is too big, and no it's not my own bias against monster-fridges...the Lowes delivery guy said so himself.  I took video, I'll share it when I'm less under-the-gun assignment-wise.
• I am hurriedly finishing The Future of the Past, a great book that I'll be re-reading once I have a little more time to spend with it but as of now need to finish and write a report on it by this time tomorrow.
• Toby, my genius cat, is on the top shelf of my coat closet.  I'm not entirely sure how he got up there and he's not entirely sure how he will be getting down.  He has refused my offers of help, preferring instead to meow and look at the floor, where sits Penny who is, I'm sure, taunting him mercilessly.  

That's pretty much it.  Just another Monday, I suppose. 

Progress

The hole in the floor is as fixed as it's going to be, and I believe that a new refrigerator has been ordered.  I'm still a little miffed that I could have taken care of the fridge thing on my own, overnight and possibly for cheaper but was denied but...eh.  They can do what they want to do. My poor tummy is getting really ill from all the takeout (fridge is now blocking the stove with nowhere else to go as the floor settles into it's new fixed state) and it's really frustrating to not have cold anything.  

I sprang (sprung?) my wee minions from kitty prison and they spent the afternoon running around the apartment wide eyed and jumpy as hell.  They appear to understand that this is "home", thanks largely to the presence of their cat tree, where they are both currently perched and cleaning each other.  Toby, for all of his jumpiness (he honest to god jumps at the sight of his own shadow) has actually been quite bold.  He's led the charge whenever I've opened up a new room for exploration and was the first to perch on the front windowsill and watch life go by (Penny is a bit scared of it--the busses are quite loud). He spent ages up there and I can tell it will wind up being his second favorite spot (nothing will beat the top of the cat tree though). So if you're ever on the 800 block of Prince and see a Siamese in a window say hi to dear Toby.  They neither of them appreciate having someone living above us, and whenever the neighbor walks up there they run for cover.  They'll get used to it.

Also, the report from the vet is positive.  Besides Penny's few extra pounds and the need for them to have a teeth cleaning they are both in fine health and totally up to date with everything. Go me. This is also the first time they've spent more than that one day at this new vet (which doubles as a kennel).  The reports were entirely, and overwhelmingly positive--for Penny in particular.  They said that she was just a joy to have around, and so sweet and a pleasure etc, just exactly how she is with me at home. So to all you who think she's a bitch: pbbbbth, maybe you're just mean to her (or maybe you stepped on her tail once and she hates you forever now). I was fully expecting to hear that they were all in love with Toby and that Penny "had her moments" but no. They love her and want to keep her. They loved Toby, too and said that they spent a lot of the day "talking" to each other through their cell walls and playtime cleaning and cuddling each other and coming up to the vet tech for scratches and cuddles (and Penny apparently kept crawling into her lap for tummy rubs).

Unpacking hasn't happened for a few days because I had a huge workload for school (and still do actually) but my goal is to have it all done in 10 days time, and then paint, and then hang stuff so.....2 weeks from today to be done done done?  I don't know.  We'll see what happens.

Of Freezers and Floorboards

Dear Reader, 

I do believe that I am being tested.  My mother and aunt pulled the refrigerator (which, by the way, stopped working and defrosted itself leaving a puddle of water under itself) away from the wall to access the electrical outlet to plug in the microwave.  And then my mother's foot punched through the floorboard, nearly to the basement.

Years of defrosting freezers (between tenants the electricity is turned off) has rotted the wood beneath the fridge to such an extent that I personally am surprised it holds the weight of the fridge.  And it's moldy.

And because I can be...oh what's a nice word...I suppose there isn't one so let's stick with "a neurotic anxiety ridden freak", I somehow convinced myself that it was the Toxic Black Mold and not only was it going to get me sick but it was going to kill the kitties upon their return from kitty prison.  I tried calling the lady that my vacationing landlords put in charge and her response was that they'll be back on the 10th.  Immediately the panic spiral started, and calls to mold experts, tears and eventually stress induced vomit.  Fun times.  

I called her back reiterating just how bad it is, and that I couldn't stay there that night and to please, please do something.  So she's sending the handyman today and I spent the night at my Uncle Terry and Aunt Karen's house, where I remain this morning, doing schoolwork and waiting for the call saying that the handyman is on his way.

So that's that.  Hooray.

Update time!

Oops, it's been nearly a week since I've updated. And I'm going to stop whining. Even with all the packing/moving headaches and the Bastard Landlord this situation has really resolved beautifully and I got more or less exactly what I wanted anyway so....yeah. There's lots and lots to do and iI just want this DONE already (and that's been the recent overwhelming part) but I'm doing it and I'm just going to shutup about it and plod on.  At least that's the plan--no promises :). So, What's been happening besides housing freakout?

For starters, it would appear that almost everyone I've ever known was born in mid-September and I've had the accompanying rash of birthday parties to attend, which have all been great fun (one maybe a little too fun).

I've also been mentally decorating and redecorating the new apartment which is kind of giving me a headache (and is one of the reasons I just want to have this done with already so the fun can begin).

The kitties spent the day at the vet on Thursday because they needed shots and checkups and because I wanted to keep them away from potential open windows...the painters came on Friday anyway, go figure.  They woke us up at the crack of freaking dawn, too!  I spent the morning doing schoolwork in this room (the den?  the library?  I never really figured out what to call it) and kept the kits locked up in here with me.  They did not enjoy the presence of the painters one bit and kept running up to me with saucer-sized eyes whenever a loud noise happened.  Poor dears.  The vet sent me on a bit of a guilt trip over some feline health issues but it's nothing I haven't been aware of.  I'm just going to redouble my efforts on the feline front.

What else?  School.  Work.  Work is "eh", I need a new job.  Research assistantship is just so not my game.  I've applied to a few different things at National Archives, Library of Congress, Legislative Resource Center and American History Museum's Archives Center but those are all kind of random shot in the dark kind of applications.  They are all what appear to be lower-level Bachelor's only required positions, but who knows?  And also who knows if they'd be willing to hire a student who needs flextime to go to class?  I truly don't know if I'm way over or way under qualified for the positions and don't expect to hear back.  But it would be nice to be surprised :)

School in Scotland is on the back burner for now, as I've been reminded of the little deal I struck with my dad in exchange for tuition.  Bummer.  But the option remains, and hopefully I'll gain employment someplace that really wants me to go and get the degree at their expense.  A girl can dream, right?  But really, I may wind up there this summer for a class anyway (it's still in the works--my professor is still getting funding/permission) and I think I'll investigate the option of getting this certain kind of work visa for people getting professional training for after graduation.  I think it's largely a matter of finding a place to sponsor said professional training.  So here's hoping we get the funding for the museums and librarianship class in Scotland this summer.  Birds, meet stones :)   The end of this story is that I am determined to move to the UK, and specifically Edinburgh if I have my way, at some point in the midpoint future (5 year plan).

What else?  School in general rocks, readings, classes, field trips, assignments...all.  Just having fun with it all.  Blissful :)

Finally, the futon.  What can I say?  I now have like 20 swatches and none of them really "work".  I'm just waiting for the move, and until I pick out the new paint color. This whole futon thing really is taking on epic proportions. What I really want is this:

But that's just not going to happen anytime soon.

So, that's life.  And just in case I haven't said it enough, I cannot freaking wait for this move to be over.  Maybe I'll take video before I leave to show an old vs new apartment thing.  But be warned: I'm not going to be cleaning first and this place is moving mess spectacular now that the painters are gone!

I'm such a mess

So.

I woke up to a call from the landlord's office telling me that there is some general maintenance needed on the building (no kidding this place is starting to rot from the outside in) including painting the exterior window trim.  Part of me wonders if my mother ever did call the historical society and complain about the state of this place like she kept threatening to do, and I kept telling her NOT to because yes while I'm angry and I have a vindictive side to me (or well, ok, I am just a vindictive bitch), I'm not stupid and I just plain old can't afford to piss these people off any more than I already have.  Now, I don't know the historical society rules but if they include things like not allowing a building to crumble, I think they are probably in violation.  But I'm no fool.  Someone will figure it out eventually and it won't be because of me.

Anyway.

So.  Basically to be able to paint the window trim they need to come into my apartment, open the windows (by removing the air conditioners first, fun fun) and paint. 

This means that (a) landlord affiliated people in my apartment which no one ever likes under the best of circumstances and (b) open windows plus kitties. Even better is that they'll be here on "Thursday, Friday or Monday".

I've made arrangements for the kitties, I'm not taking any chances on my babies.  But now I have to clean and organize because I don't want them to have any satisfaction in the suspicion that they're well to get rid of me, the messy slob of a tenant I am.  Under normal circumstances, it's a moderately untidy, lived in apartment.  Under bi-weekly circumstances is an outright messy apartment which is eventually fixed. I could probably handle the thought of them seeing the moderately untidy or even the outright messy.  But this, this "moving mess" (combination of my pre-move organization efforts and my depression-induced apathy toward all things domestic) is just unacceptable. 

And so now, in a frenzy of cleaning I did two things:  I opened up the long term storage closet which doubles as a Christmas ornament repository and computer graveyard, and I finally, finally moved Mount St. Laundry (the whole shebang, baskets and all).  To illustrate how permanent of a fixture the never ending cycle of dreaded housework is...my cat spent about 30 seconds investigating the closet (which is opened maybe three times per year) but is still, nearly 5 minutes later, fascinated by the newly open space that was the laundry area.  I almost feel guilty for denying him a cozy corner all this time.

And honestly, WHY NOW on the painting?  Seriously, folks.  Can't this wait like, oh 12 days? I'm trying not to be suspicious but my more paranoid nature doesn't think so.  I moved in here 3 years ago Friday and this is the first time I've even heard of exterior maintenance on this place.  Grr.

Bad Day

I woke up with no water or electricity in the apartment.  This was because someone's dishwasher (people have dishwashers in this building?) was broken and seeing as how the appliances use both water and power, both were effected.  But that meant tooth brushing with no water which really is no fun when you use baking soda toothpaste.

Then the errands started and I wound up with a bag of (non perishable) groceries, a small stack of books and a large hamper of clean laundry in my "loaner vehicle" because my car was still in the shop since the Friday before Labor Day.  No joke on that one. 

About the car...it took a while because things needed to be ordered and that takes a bit but I got a call yesterday about it being ready and I said "ok, I'll go by the DMV to get the tags renewed and then come pick it up" (tags had expired while in the shop).  He said "oh you need new tags?  Did we do an emissions test?" and I said "...... that's part of why the car was there".  An involved conversation followed and basically it turns out that the car computer won't let you do an emissions test on a car until it's been driven for 50 miles after you do somethingoranother which, apparently, they had done.

So, I had a car that couldn't legally be driven that needed to be driven for 50 miles before it could be legally driven.  I don't know how they resolved it but they did, but it took a day.

So anyway, I was out erranding in my loaner vehicle, and I want to the doctor for a variety of things, one of which involved a Very Large Needle, which is never fun.  I had to do some work for work at Catholic, some homework and then attend class all in the 3 hours after Fun With Needles.

It's at that point the dealership decided to call saying that the car was now ready and to please come now, I'd had the loaner vehicle for 10 days and they need it back this afternoon.  So now I had three hours to get from Chevy Chase to Catholic and work for an hour, skip doing homework, go to the DMV (Alexandria) to get my tags, go to the dealership (Arlington) to get my car and get to class (Capitol Hill).  Not going to happen.

So, I just returned the loaner vehicle and was stuck dragging a stack of books (no bookbag) and a bag of groceries with me to class.  Luckily I was able to stash the large hamper of laundry in my fixed-but-undrivable car, otherwise I'd be the crazy lady bringing groceries and laundry into the Library of Congress (got there by cab, got back by cousin).

Class was awesome though.  This is a great class, I can't get enough of it (History of the Book). Tomorrow is DMV and getting my car back day, followed by more work at Catholic, and a preservation class field trip to the Library of Congress's Preservation Lab which should be great.

Futon issues, still

So I found a good replacement.  I called and specifically asked if it was in stock and whether it had been discontinued by the manufacturer and got the all-clear.  This was last Friday.  Today I get an email about an canceled order, a refund and no explanation.  I called and "unfortunately that's been discontinued".  What the hell?

So adding to the list of futon cover fabric that's been discontinued:

Grass Hut
Lush Olive

And on we go.

Just In Case There Was Ever Any Question...

The rooster will be moving with me.

Stanley and I are buddies, we have each other's backs. I cannot in good conscience leave him with these people. Fun and kind of strange house traditions don't mean anything when all the other house dwellers suck and will probably think you're nuts, and not play along or, worse, throw poor Stanley out with the trash.

To those who don't know Stanley, his origins are a mix of history, legend and half-truths.  Essentially, years ago (as many as 30, as few as 10) dear Stanley, a tacky ceramic rooster was brought to this apartment building.  As Old Town is kind of strange and quirky, and this building has only four apartments which used to be populated with friendly, neighborly sorts, some neighbors commented on this woman's rooster and it became a bit of an in-joke and for some reason or another when she moved out she left him behind with the neighbors, and he's been passed down from tenant to tenant through the years.  Just in the 3 years I've lived here he's gone from the 2nd floor, to the 1st, to the 3rd and finally, to me.  My acquisition of Stanley marked just about the last time anyone much worth talking to lived here (well, that's probably a bit harsh, the new #1s and the new #2s are probably really nice but after nearly 18 months of either being the sole tenant or living though hell on earth with nothing but jackasses in the building I have no motivation to find out).

So anyway, Stanley will come with me up the street where he will continue to be appreciated.

Reality

Bites.

I just called the new landlady to see if there's any news on the current tenants and their move date.  There is.  And now, the crushing weight of the reality of this move is upon me and I am thoroughly feeling sorry for myself.  Logistically, it's almost the worst-case scenario of needing to wait until the last second (Sept 30) to move.  They are moving out on the 27th and 28th, taking up not only just about the entire month but also the entire weekend.  I need to move on Monday the 29th.  33 days left in this place I adore so much.

I know that this really IS all for the best, I really do.  It is a better apartment (bigger, ground floor) in a nicer building that's not practically falling down (this place is slanted to the extreme and in only the 3 years I've been here has slanted more as evidenced by large cracks in the paint I put up and one instance of falling plaster).  It is also in an (arguably) better location (it's on the same block that the Old Town Theater is on--just one street over...so it's by all the more fun, less formal bars and restaurants).  Oh, also I have no reason to believe that my new neighbors are entitled jackasses unlike some other current and former residents of this place.

But still, I love it here, flaws and all.  I hope I love the new place just as much.

I have a mover coming in for an estimate sometime this week. I won't do what I did last time and get an estimate over the phone--that was a disaster.  I told the lady on the phone probably 20 times that I have a lot of stuff and a lot of furniture, more stuff and more furniture than you'd think for a young person moving out of and into a 4 room apartment.  Plus, I tried so hard to tell her, 4th floor walkup, narrow staircase, difficult turn at the top of the stairs because of the roofline.  At least a 3 man job.  What happens?  2 guys show up in the apartment that has an elevator and moving dock and comment on amount of stuff.  Then when I inform them that the moving out bit is the easy part, that we've got a 4th floor walkup (this, by the way, was in late summer) they couldn't believe it and called in a cousin or neighbor or someone to help.

This time, I want everyone involved to come into this with their eyes open.  This place SUCKS to move in or move out of.  That company I used actually gave me their card to pass onto friends but said (nicely and in a jocular fashion but obviously serious) to call someone else when I need to move out--down is harder than up.

The amazing girl who helped me organize and pack last time I've long since lost track of.  I called another organizer/packer for an estimate and she said that as long as I do the home office before she gets here (no problem) she can get me purged, organized and packed in 5 hours for $150 on the 28th.  I'm pretty sure I'm taking her up on that.

I found painters who have a by-the-room rate and I'm going to schedule them for after I move in but before I'm totally unpacked.

The kitties will be in a kennel from Saturday to at least Wednesday (or until the paint dries).

And then instead of being sad for the ending of this wee chapter, I'm going to be psyched for the new one!

Gotta run to class--History of the Book at the LoC!