Wednesday, December 12, 2007

my landlords can have my lease alright, when they pry it from my cold, dead hands...

Went down to help Johanna pick out her new eyeglass frames (and really had the chance to play the hero, as she was fixing on a pair that would have very much underscored her Jersey Girl roots). On the way back we stopped outside my apartment and Johanna said “I don’t want this to be an opportunity for you to go into total-stubbornness mode, but”a guarantee, of course, of total stubbornnessbefore continuing in her “intervention” voice to suggest that I need to move out of my apartment. We argued back and forth, me pointing out that as the leaseholder of a rent-stabilized unit, it will be near impossible to find half as much space as I have now at twice the price, and that would be in Crown Heights. Eventually we realized we were having the same argument, in just about the same geographic spot, that we’d been having for seven years. And now, just to spite her, I’m not going to move out of here for another two decades. Hah!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

reasonable practical arguments like rent control aside, i kinda think you should move, too. sorry.

Anonymous said...

Who wrote the previous comment, your landlord? Or, most likely, a chick. I, myself don't think there is anything wrong with Riv. Manor (with the possible exception of the bathroom sink situation and the growing party atmosphere of the LES). Moving is a horrible and traumatic experience and should be done minimally in one's lifetime. I can't think of any exigent circumstances that would necessitate an immediate change in your living situation. And just think, with all the money you are saving now by living in said rent-controlled man-pad, you will have that much more to spend in rent when circumstances require that you move into an over-priced, more socially acceptable space (i.e. when you get married or have a kid or both). What would be the point of paying that ridiculous amount of rent now? To satisfy those few who dislike your apt? Sounds like something only an insecure fool would do . . .

Anna San said...

Anon., as always, makes some great points. I say you stay at Chez Riv a while more too.

Anna San said...

was just thinking, how long have you been in your apt? maybe a move would be ok, if it's been like 10 or 11 years.

l.e.s.ter said...

Could the "instructor" settle on one image for her profile? Before asking questions she knows the answers to?

Anonymous said...

OMG, I just realized there was a link to a pic of the glasses Johanna was thinking of getting and I could not stop laughing. Oh, my sides hurt! Can anyone say "beadazzled"? She should be glad that you spoke up and prevented such a disaster from occurring on her face for all the world to see. It's a good thing you don't harbor any ill will towards her.

I feel like you are owed a token gift of thanks of some variety. Flowers? Chocolates? Mini chocolate souffle cupcakes from Kyotofu? Something. For being such a good and caring friend.

Anonymous said...

i believe you have a cheap place. i also believe your environment affects your state of mind. you never know, if you looked into moving, you might find a better place. or maybe you just need to fix the bathroom so girls can use it too.

Anonymous said...

Why can't girls use your bathroom? Is there only a urinal in it? If so, that begs the more interesting question of where do you do #2?

Bun restaurant (on Grand Street) only has urinals in the Men's bathroom, which seems very odd . . . as if men only need to do #1. Here's the link to the photo . . .
http://eater.com/archives/2007/10/eater_hownotto.php