Saturday, July 15, 2006
I called a gentleman yesterday about his advertisement for an efficiency apartment a few blocks from campus. I walked over and, while it is definitely dumpy, the place would be livable for a Lauree. It has "Lauree Lair" potential, replete with weedy, overgrown yard.
The room is an attachment on a relatively old house- very plain (white) paint, but recently re-painted. The girl, who had to leave abruptly (both her parents had heart attacks within a month), left a nice, round wood table and chairs, plus the bottom to either a queen or a full-size mattress. Jim (the landlord) mentioned he would help me find a top mattress, and that he still had sheets from when he worked for a hotel, if I might be interested (I immediately envisioned stains, both visible and hidden, but we shall see).
The old sink has a few rust spots, which appear to be undergoing a covering-up process. On either side are a stove and a half-size refrigerator (with a small freezer portion). I saw no washer or dryer units and neglected to inquire about where to do laundry, but presumably a coin-op is located nearby. I might need to invest in a rusty Radio Flyer.
The bathroom and closet are narrow, but long. The bathroom has no tub, only a shower unit, about which Jim expressed initially some anxiety, but I assured him I only take showers, anyhow. Sitting in my own filth has never suited me. The girl left a sizable number of clothes hangers, which I consider an added bonus. All along one wall are closed cabinets reaching to the ceiling for further storage. I therefore should not need to purchase shelving, but I shall examine the upper-level doors for whether they might be safely removed (my books and suchlike could then be on display).
The place is old, but not dingy. The tile floor is, I expressed, "gorgeous"; Jim apparently had it replaced recently. This floor impressed me enough that I agreed to a deposit, with further arrangements to be made over the next several days/weeks. I assured Jim I would cover through at least December with funds from my savings account, which suited him well enough.
I hint not at Jim's personality, because that would consume the entirety of another post, and possibly then some.
[Lauree Frances Keith concluded this diatribe at 2:25 AM]