Can't take it anymore !!
My neighbour is doing his routine of yelling/singing/talking in other voices (general shit) until midnight each night. After a few phone calls were made (lawyer to one of the managing partners of Haslams).. Haslams has called to "follow-up" and are conveniently helping/allowing me to get out of the lease.
I love it when a network comes together.
Now I have to find something else and move - again. But that's just okay (not really, I'm lying) I need to get away from the crazy.
Gee, this is sounding familiar!
So my trials and tribulations have sparked a friendly debate/banter between a lovely couple that I know - J&A, I wish I could've spent some more time with you before leaving Ottawa - one being Canadian, the other being British.
I believe the gist of the discussion is regarding all of the stuff that I've been experiencing/going through - is this what you would call a typical British welcome? Is this what being/living here is going to be all about? Uber-Neurotic women? Mentally disturbed neighbours off of their meds? When an offer of helping someone do something in their house (plastering) turns into me doing it alone while said 'person' goes away for the weekend ... and while I'm at it, take care of the cat for me and make sure you clean up the place of all the dust from sanding the plaster? Is it a land of incredibly shy people (i'm hoping that it's not stand-offish) who look at me like I have two heads and a third breast growing out of my forehead(s) when I'm trying to be friendly and chat with them?
Hmmm ... food for thought.
Not fair to paint everyone with the same brush, now is it? There are going to be exceptions to every rule. Where there has been bad - there has been some good - so there is balance in the world.
Having said that, I certainly wouldn't label the overall experience as an incredibly 'warm' one. It wasn't supposed to be this difficult!
No worries folks, I am doing alright. I'm using this as an area to vent but these aren't complaints - they are more like a running commentary. I'm still managing to stay very positive since my initial reason for coming here has been work related and all of my positive experiences have been due to the people that I work with. In short, the team has been wonderful.
Thank Gawd!
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Friday, March 24, 2006
getting a routine & shameless promotions
So as the week has progressed, my mentally deranged neighbour is still mentally deranged. His verbal abuse continues but I've now noticed some different sides ... much to my chagrin. When he's having a good day he doesn't swear as much, he will burst into song with an opera-like voice (not a pleasant one to listen to unlike my brilliant ability to sing - lol), and he also talks in other voices ... Yeah, you thinking what I'm thinking?
Schizophrenia too?! Fucking Shit !!
Seems like there's no way out either. There are laws here that protect people who buy a property but the laws protecting someone who rents is not as clear. So, for at least the next six months (until I am able to break the lease if need be) - that neighbour ? - he's all mine!
Jealous, aren't you?
I'm hoping that my dear neighbour won't deter any potential visitors. As a matter of fact, I think that people should come and visit just to experience everything in all it's brilliant glory.
Sold? Notsomuch?
Well at least it's a good source of comedy. But don't think that I'm not suffering! Granted I can laugh at this but hey, I need a hug.
Second practice/scrimmage of ultimate last night. Great bunch of skilled players. I just don't think that they know what to make of me quite yet. They are very shy and also quite a young bunch ... yeesh. On the other hand, it might be fun having to chase all these young boys around the field! Oh c'mon, I'm just kidding, an old lady has to have her kicks too ya know :o)
However, my first tournament is next weekend and it's a women's tourney in Southampton. No boys to chase ... booooo.
So, a couple of people have asked about my profile picture. Here is when I shamelessly promote Byron. He needed some victi .. er, subjects, for his portfolio on his new website - I was just glad that I didn't break his camera by being in front of it! Check out his website and pass it on to anyone who might need a photographer - he's quite talented!
Same goes for anyone who might need a car because Fred rocks !! Any other advice ? Just drop me a line ...
End scene for 'shameless promotions'.
Weekends are always the toughest, it's when I miss everyone the most. So know that I'll be thinking of you all and missing you tremendously.
Love and Hugs
Schizophrenia too?! Fucking Shit !!
Seems like there's no way out either. There are laws here that protect people who buy a property but the laws protecting someone who rents is not as clear. So, for at least the next six months (until I am able to break the lease if need be) - that neighbour ? - he's all mine!
Jealous, aren't you?
I'm hoping that my dear neighbour won't deter any potential visitors. As a matter of fact, I think that people should come and visit just to experience everything in all it's brilliant glory.
Sold? Notsomuch?
Well at least it's a good source of comedy. But don't think that I'm not suffering! Granted I can laugh at this but hey, I need a hug.
Second practice/scrimmage of ultimate last night. Great bunch of skilled players. I just don't think that they know what to make of me quite yet. They are very shy and also quite a young bunch ... yeesh. On the other hand, it might be fun having to chase all these young boys around the field! Oh c'mon, I'm just kidding, an old lady has to have her kicks too ya know :o)
However, my first tournament is next weekend and it's a women's tourney in Southampton. No boys to chase ... booooo.
So, a couple of people have asked about my profile picture. Here is when I shamelessly promote Byron. He needed some victi .. er, subjects, for his portfolio on his new website - I was just glad that I didn't break his camera by being in front of it! Check out his website and pass it on to anyone who might need a photographer - he's quite talented!
Same goes for anyone who might need a car because Fred rocks !! Any other advice ? Just drop me a line ...
End scene for 'shameless promotions'.
Weekends are always the toughest, it's when I miss everyone the most. So know that I'll be thinking of you all and missing you tremendously.
Love and Hugs
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Readers Beware - Swearing Involved
So I moved in yesterday. Stuff arrived in fine (unbroken) form. Although the movers didn't quite know what to make of me when they were unloading my stuff ... with boxes labelled "sports equipement", my bike, golf clubs, skis etc etc.. Of course, the item that got the most attention was my kayak. They thought that I was absolutely mad (a.k.a crazy). One of the guys asked "and where do you intend on using that?!". I answered "well, believe it or not, you do have bodies of water around ... you might've heard about it - the ocean?".
Yeah notsomuch. A two hour drive for most of the locals is an eternity and no one typically ventures anywhere beyond an hour. Yet some ppl think nothing of a two hour commute into work but not to go anywhere else.
Hunh ?!
It's a 30 minute walk for me into work. That includes stopping off and grabbing a coffee along the way. I like the walk, it clears the head in the morning. But when I accepted the apartment, my colleagues were all confused ... "but how are you going to get into work ?! you don't have a car yet!" ... "ummm, in canada, we call it 'walking'."
Gawd, I can be such a smartass.
I digress .. onto the swearing ... So, as I'm unpacking my stuff in my new place I'm noticing the noise factor. Here, you can hear your neighbours. Even though there's this insane amount of plaster between you ... you can hear stuff if you don't have any music or background noise.
Then I decide to take a break and sit for a bit ... all of a sudden I hear "FUCK-KING SHIT!!!" ... eeeek !! I thought it was just one instance. But nooooo ... it's repetitive, and sporadic, and at all hours. Sounds like my neighbour is old man with a mental problem .... Grrrrreat.
So this morning I called the rental agent only to hear that they 'found out' last minute (whatever that is supposed to mean) about the neighbour. The landlord had mentioned to the rental agency that Tourettes Man had been quiet for at least the last few months.
Fucking Shit.
Of course the rental agency (Haslams) is saying that they don't have any responsibility - even though they are bound by law to inform the tenant of stuff like this - and now it's the landlord that needs to deal with it ... and my colleagues are advising another move. But the rental agency is claiming that the neighbour is harmless. That he just has a 'problem'.
Fucking Shit.
And how ridiculously funny it all is at the same time. The irony is not lost on me. I can certainly laugh at this situation. I can laugh at myself and don't take myself too seriously but I wasn't expecting this kind of predicament.
Now I'm going to try and be a major pain in the ass to the rental agency, landlord and neighbour ... Time for me to be aggressive. I really don't want to move again ! But can I live next to a demented old man with a serious problem ?! I dunno.
Fucking Shit.
It's now become my mantra ... it's contagious. You know the old saying "If you can't beat them, you might as well join them" ...
Say it with me ... "FUCK-KING SHIT!!!"
Yeah notsomuch. A two hour drive for most of the locals is an eternity and no one typically ventures anywhere beyond an hour. Yet some ppl think nothing of a two hour commute into work but not to go anywhere else.
Hunh ?!
It's a 30 minute walk for me into work. That includes stopping off and grabbing a coffee along the way. I like the walk, it clears the head in the morning. But when I accepted the apartment, my colleagues were all confused ... "but how are you going to get into work ?! you don't have a car yet!" ... "ummm, in canada, we call it 'walking'."
Gawd, I can be such a smartass.
I digress .. onto the swearing ... So, as I'm unpacking my stuff in my new place I'm noticing the noise factor. Here, you can hear your neighbours. Even though there's this insane amount of plaster between you ... you can hear stuff if you don't have any music or background noise.
Then I decide to take a break and sit for a bit ... all of a sudden I hear "FUCK-KING SHIT!!!" ... eeeek !! I thought it was just one instance. But nooooo ... it's repetitive, and sporadic, and at all hours. Sounds like my neighbour is old man with a mental problem .... Grrrrreat.
So this morning I called the rental agent only to hear that they 'found out' last minute (whatever that is supposed to mean) about the neighbour. The landlord had mentioned to the rental agency that Tourettes Man had been quiet for at least the last few months.
Fucking Shit.
Of course the rental agency (Haslams) is saying that they don't have any responsibility - even though they are bound by law to inform the tenant of stuff like this - and now it's the landlord that needs to deal with it ... and my colleagues are advising another move. But the rental agency is claiming that the neighbour is harmless. That he just has a 'problem'.
Fucking Shit.
And how ridiculously funny it all is at the same time. The irony is not lost on me. I can certainly laugh at this situation. I can laugh at myself and don't take myself too seriously but I wasn't expecting this kind of predicament.
Now I'm going to try and be a major pain in the ass to the rental agency, landlord and neighbour ... Time for me to be aggressive. I really don't want to move again ! But can I live next to a demented old man with a serious problem ?! I dunno.
Fucking Shit.
It's now become my mantra ... it's contagious. You know the old saying "If you can't beat them, you might as well join them" ...
Say it with me ... "FUCK-KING SHIT!!!"
Friday, March 17, 2006
lost in translation
always the case when going anywhere in this world, whether it’s to another city/town within your province or another country altogether, there are going to be sayings/terms that will differ from what you are used to.
and sometimes you just have to learn that the hard way …
british word ‘pants’ = canadian word for ‘underwear’
candian word ‘pants’ = british word for ‘trousers’
british word ‘snog’ = canadian translation for ‘kissing’ – tonnes of couples always snogging in the train/tube stations around here !
british phrase ‘doing a runner’ = canadian translation is leaving a place without paying rent/giving notice – midnight run
ottawa phrase ‘thanks for the ride’ = british translation ‘thanks for the shag’
british phrase ‘that’s quite moreish’ = translates in canadian ‘that’s quite addictive’
britsh phrase ‘dirty night out’ = translates in canadian to ‘night out of drinking’ it really doesn’t relate to the canadian phrase of ‘doing the walk of shame’.
there’s always more - but that’s it for now babies. going to p/up some stuff for my new flat. i'm moving in on monday !!!
peace out
and sometimes you just have to learn that the hard way …
british word ‘pants’ = canadian word for ‘underwear’
candian word ‘pants’ = british word for ‘trousers’
british word ‘snog’ = canadian translation for ‘kissing’ – tonnes of couples always snogging in the train/tube stations around here !
british phrase ‘doing a runner’ = canadian translation is leaving a place without paying rent/giving notice – midnight run
ottawa phrase ‘thanks for the ride’ = british translation ‘thanks for the shag’
british phrase ‘that’s quite moreish’ = translates in canadian ‘that’s quite addictive’
britsh phrase ‘dirty night out’ = translates in canadian to ‘night out of drinking’ it really doesn’t relate to the canadian phrase of ‘doing the walk of shame’.
there’s always more - but that’s it for now babies. going to p/up some stuff for my new flat. i'm moving in on monday !!!
peace out
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
what's in a name?
my gorgeous sister (Fran a.k.a purple) and good friend Lori have this thing in common. when they meet someone, they re-name them. you know, like their own little nickname for the person, or give them a different name because they feel that the person just doesn't fit their given name.
maybe we all do that to a certain extent, i dunno. but it tends to make me laugh every time when i speak to either of them because you totally know who they are talking about. anyone overhearing the conversation would be completely in the dark. it's almost become code.
well ... i've been re-named. or, have i? i'm not quite sure because what seems to be happening is that when people (mostly in the office so far) try to get my attention and say my name - they've been calling me Sam, Ann, or Pat. normally i wouldn't really care - the only person that cannot screw up my name (or if she does i get very angry), is Mom. i mean, she's supposed to be the one who really knows - she gave birth to me after all.
now if only she could get my name right - that would be GOLD Jerry - GOLD !!
i digress.
not saying that i have a complex but it's starting to creep in. last night i'm having a conversation with James (housemate) about this very topic. and he couldn't believe how people could actually get my name wrong ... it's a simple name. three letters. what's up with that?
until this morning.
i'm leaving the house saying goodbye - and he tells me to "have a great day Pat, see you later" ... and he didn't do that on purpose either. i know this because as i heard 'Pat', i froze in my tracks and slowly turned around about to throw out some sarcastic remark (witty of course). well the expression on his face was of pure surprise/shock at himself for the crucial slip of the tongue.
total comedy.
maybe we all do that to a certain extent, i dunno. but it tends to make me laugh every time when i speak to either of them because you totally know who they are talking about. anyone overhearing the conversation would be completely in the dark. it's almost become code.
well ... i've been re-named. or, have i? i'm not quite sure because what seems to be happening is that when people (mostly in the office so far) try to get my attention and say my name - they've been calling me Sam, Ann, or Pat. normally i wouldn't really care - the only person that cannot screw up my name (or if she does i get very angry), is Mom. i mean, she's supposed to be the one who really knows - she gave birth to me after all.
now if only she could get my name right - that would be GOLD Jerry - GOLD !!
i digress.
not saying that i have a complex but it's starting to creep in. last night i'm having a conversation with James (housemate) about this very topic. and he couldn't believe how people could actually get my name wrong ... it's a simple name. three letters. what's up with that?
until this morning.
i'm leaving the house saying goodbye - and he tells me to "have a great day Pat, see you later" ... and he didn't do that on purpose either. i know this because as i heard 'Pat', i froze in my tracks and slowly turned around about to throw out some sarcastic remark (witty of course). well the expression on his face was of pure surprise/shock at himself for the crucial slip of the tongue.
total comedy.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
on a school night?!
not bad for a monday night.
last night i was invited out by my housemate to dinner at a friend's house. which was such a lovely gesture to get me out to meet some people in the area. so, with wine bottles in hand, stomachs growling from a long day, we arrive at Tim's place.
like a warm embrace we are greeted by music, laughter, conversation, sounds of cooking, good cooking smells, and copius amounts of wine - all contained in this fabulously decorated home (S & B you two would be dangerous around this guy wrt your reno fetish).
we had great eats compliments of Sarah (head chef) and the kitchen assistants Simon and Christine ... all of who are Tim's housemates. although we did have to send Tim and James (my housemate) out for more wine and then all six of us ended the evening in the hot tub.
totally PG13 for those of you that tend to have dirty little minds - you know who you are !!
so as each week passes, the better things get. mind you, i've caught a cold. which, by the way, is slightly impressive that that is just happening to me now. i've been surrounded by a lot of people who have had nasty colds/flus since before i left home and since i've arrived here. me getting sick was bound to happen.
oh, and last week i found an apartment ! i had to put a deposit down in order for the rental agent to take it off of the rental market. which is apparently non-refundable should you be denied as a tenant. what i'm currently waiting on is the application process. actually, i'm waiting on Athon (previous landlord/friend/housemate) to respond to the rental agent's check so that i can arrange to move in ... so, chop chop Athon !! i need my own digs.
for those of you looking to travel over here for a visit ... you'll be happy to know that this apt has two bedrooms, with a fairly big living area (read couch space and floor space). you've got a place to land.
now i just need to get an air mattress.
last night i was invited out by my housemate to dinner at a friend's house. which was such a lovely gesture to get me out to meet some people in the area. so, with wine bottles in hand, stomachs growling from a long day, we arrive at Tim's place.
like a warm embrace we are greeted by music, laughter, conversation, sounds of cooking, good cooking smells, and copius amounts of wine - all contained in this fabulously decorated home (S & B you two would be dangerous around this guy wrt your reno fetish).
we had great eats compliments of Sarah (head chef) and the kitchen assistants Simon and Christine ... all of who are Tim's housemates. although we did have to send Tim and James (my housemate) out for more wine and then all six of us ended the evening in the hot tub.
totally PG13 for those of you that tend to have dirty little minds - you know who you are !!
so as each week passes, the better things get. mind you, i've caught a cold. which, by the way, is slightly impressive that that is just happening to me now. i've been surrounded by a lot of people who have had nasty colds/flus since before i left home and since i've arrived here. me getting sick was bound to happen.
oh, and last week i found an apartment ! i had to put a deposit down in order for the rental agent to take it off of the rental market. which is apparently non-refundable should you be denied as a tenant. what i'm currently waiting on is the application process. actually, i'm waiting on Athon (previous landlord/friend/housemate) to respond to the rental agent's check so that i can arrange to move in ... so, chop chop Athon !! i need my own digs.
for those of you looking to travel over here for a visit ... you'll be happy to know that this apt has two bedrooms, with a fairly big living area (read couch space and floor space). you've got a place to land.
now i just need to get an air mattress.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
getting sorted. sort of.
things are beginning to pick up after last week’s slump.
giddyup.
they are:
1. i’m going to be allowed to expense my two night stay in the hotel. this definitely helps out!
2.i’ve found a room to rent in the interim. walking distance to work and chilled out space/environment.
ahhhh. i’ve even been able to unpack most of my stuff but not all... i figure that there’s just something about unpacking it all in a place where i’m only going to be for a month or less. so it's my warped way of staying motivated in finding my own space. nonetheless i no longer have to toss shit out of my bag to get to the one thing that’s packed in the bottom corner. or at least, i swear it was there but really it's in another bag.
especially the bathroom stuff !! oh man, times like these i wish i wasn’t a chick that really liked her products. zeus ! do i ever have a lot of bathroom stuff – it takes up its own bloody duffel bag.
have i mentioned how much i hate (strong word and i mean it) to pack and unpack?!?
so i have three duffel bags of varying sizes since i initially packed enough for 4-6wks. you should’ve seen the looks on some ppl’s faces when i checked into the hotel for two nights with the amount of luggage i had. and the look on the face of the poor guy who tried to help me carry my luggage. it’s insanely heavy – like dead body in a bag kinda heavy.
not like i’d really know what that weighs – i’m just sayin’ !
all that is left is:
- get a place
- figure out if/should i re-take my drivers license. apparently i can transfer my license from Canada without taking a test but only allowed to drive an automatic. however, i will have to re-take my drivers test if i want to drive a car with a manual transmission.
- get a social security number which is required to get paid (akin to our SIN no.) but oddly enough i can't apply for one until i show a paystub. astounding logic!
- begin my search for a car or other alternatives (renting when i need one, leasing etc etc..)
- try and sort out possible storage for my kayak
- start playing some ultimate!!
oh yeah ... work !! i’ve got to get cracking on what i’ve been sent here to do in the first place. marketing plans, budgets, customer visits, prospecting for new customers/partners, forecasting and trying to achieve (over achieve of course) on that hefty quota that i’ve been given.
i'd better get crackin' !!
hope all is well in the land of OTown.
giddyup.
they are:
1. i’m going to be allowed to expense my two night stay in the hotel. this definitely helps out!
2.i’ve found a room to rent in the interim. walking distance to work and chilled out space/environment.
ahhhh. i’ve even been able to unpack most of my stuff but not all... i figure that there’s just something about unpacking it all in a place where i’m only going to be for a month or less. so it's my warped way of staying motivated in finding my own space. nonetheless i no longer have to toss shit out of my bag to get to the one thing that’s packed in the bottom corner. or at least, i swear it was there but really it's in another bag.
especially the bathroom stuff !! oh man, times like these i wish i wasn’t a chick that really liked her products. zeus ! do i ever have a lot of bathroom stuff – it takes up its own bloody duffel bag.
have i mentioned how much i hate (strong word and i mean it) to pack and unpack?!?
so i have three duffel bags of varying sizes since i initially packed enough for 4-6wks. you should’ve seen the looks on some ppl’s faces when i checked into the hotel for two nights with the amount of luggage i had. and the look on the face of the poor guy who tried to help me carry my luggage. it’s insanely heavy – like dead body in a bag kinda heavy.
not like i’d really know what that weighs – i’m just sayin’ !
all that is left is:
- get a place
- figure out if/should i re-take my drivers license. apparently i can transfer my license from Canada without taking a test but only allowed to drive an automatic. however, i will have to re-take my drivers test if i want to drive a car with a manual transmission.
- get a social security number which is required to get paid (akin to our SIN no.) but oddly enough i can't apply for one until i show a paystub. astounding logic!
- begin my search for a car or other alternatives (renting when i need one, leasing etc etc..)
- try and sort out possible storage for my kayak
- start playing some ultimate!!
oh yeah ... work !! i’ve got to get cracking on what i’ve been sent here to do in the first place. marketing plans, budgets, customer visits, prospecting for new customers/partners, forecasting and trying to achieve (over achieve of course) on that hefty quota that i’ve been given.
i'd better get crackin' !!
hope all is well in the land of OTown.
Monday, March 06, 2006
in case of emergency ...
break the glass.
i know that most things/situations that i tend to get myself into are of my own choice. that’s true for everyone. but little did i expect what has happened over the past week.
yes, i’m talking about my very bad choice in a potential roommate. i figured that it was a really good thing that we realized that we weren’t compatible to live with one another so early on. bygones. you know, being adults and all – there should really be no hard feelings. i then started looking for places to live and (of course) would pay her rent accordingly. no hard feelings. great thing was, she seemed really okay with it all.
that’s when I should’ve realized that the wheels were about to come off!
Marie initially comes across as the kind of person that can be quite fun, somewhat laidback and non-judgemental. all in all, fairly easy to get along with, so i thought. well, it turns out that Marie is a very lovely girl but incredibly neurotic, anal retentive to the nth degree, paranoid, slightly uptight/conservative, and a worrier like no other. simply put, she is the kind of person that just isn’t meant to live with anyone else.
as per usual, my timing sucks (what is up with that – it’s getting annoying), i’ve stepped into a tense situation. currently she just bought a house after selling her old one and is living a little beyond her means and really not ready to share her house with anyone. it's obvious that the stress of money has really gotten to her and she's acting out. granted, that is just my opinion/words. and it’s slightly understandable. but even a saint gets a little tired of being dumped on – and I’m no saint! within a week it’s happened three times – her starting off every time with ‘I’m rather upset with you’. it's like i'm five yrs old and have been caught doing something very bad.
long and short of it, she felt that I was taking advantage of her. never in my life have I ever been accused of that! even every child’s God given right of asking parents for money has never happened with me! i’m no mooch !!
i will completely admit that Yes, i was absolutely late in giving her money for rent – not something that was done on purpose since it hasn’t been the easiest thing (banking) to get sorted – but I got it to her – which wasn’t good enough. no matter what I said or did apparently it’s just wasn’t the right thing.
crikey, it felt like I was living with my oldest (23yr difference) sister again ...ick.
it’s bad enough doing a move like this (I realize that it is self inflicted) with an insane amount of details to organize, a new job/territory to start, new country, and no friends/family that i can turn to just for a shoulder to lean on or a hug (which i have desperately needed!!) … i honestly did not expect this kind of neurotic behaviour.
what a wonderful welcome to the UK!
this all really hit me when i was left alone in her house on saturday night. I couldn’t go anywhere since she took away the spare key and locked me in – I do realize that this was ultimately for safety reasons and probably not completely intentional - but i couldn’t even venture out to the backyard for some fresh air. i felt so trapped!
at a time like this i realize (so clichéd but true) what a fantastic group of friends – Fran (sister) too! - I have back home. this is what being all compulsive and adventurous gets me, eh? okay, lesson learned. huge kick in the ass felt and duly noted. i really miss and love you guys like you wouldn’t believe.
on the bright side, there’s no other direction than up from here. i know that it’ll only get better. if it doesn’t – i’ll be on the first plane back - it helps knowing that if/when it really gets rough there's always home.
until then ... i’ve checked into a hotel for a couple of nights until I can figure out what to do next.
i know that most things/situations that i tend to get myself into are of my own choice. that’s true for everyone. but little did i expect what has happened over the past week.
yes, i’m talking about my very bad choice in a potential roommate. i figured that it was a really good thing that we realized that we weren’t compatible to live with one another so early on. bygones. you know, being adults and all – there should really be no hard feelings. i then started looking for places to live and (of course) would pay her rent accordingly. no hard feelings. great thing was, she seemed really okay with it all.
that’s when I should’ve realized that the wheels were about to come off!
Marie initially comes across as the kind of person that can be quite fun, somewhat laidback and non-judgemental. all in all, fairly easy to get along with, so i thought. well, it turns out that Marie is a very lovely girl but incredibly neurotic, anal retentive to the nth degree, paranoid, slightly uptight/conservative, and a worrier like no other. simply put, she is the kind of person that just isn’t meant to live with anyone else.
as per usual, my timing sucks (what is up with that – it’s getting annoying), i’ve stepped into a tense situation. currently she just bought a house after selling her old one and is living a little beyond her means and really not ready to share her house with anyone. it's obvious that the stress of money has really gotten to her and she's acting out. granted, that is just my opinion/words. and it’s slightly understandable. but even a saint gets a little tired of being dumped on – and I’m no saint! within a week it’s happened three times – her starting off every time with ‘I’m rather upset with you’. it's like i'm five yrs old and have been caught doing something very bad.
long and short of it, she felt that I was taking advantage of her. never in my life have I ever been accused of that! even every child’s God given right of asking parents for money has never happened with me! i’m no mooch !!
i will completely admit that Yes, i was absolutely late in giving her money for rent – not something that was done on purpose since it hasn’t been the easiest thing (banking) to get sorted – but I got it to her – which wasn’t good enough. no matter what I said or did apparently it’s just wasn’t the right thing.
crikey, it felt like I was living with my oldest (23yr difference) sister again ...ick.
it’s bad enough doing a move like this (I realize that it is self inflicted) with an insane amount of details to organize, a new job/territory to start, new country, and no friends/family that i can turn to just for a shoulder to lean on or a hug (which i have desperately needed!!) … i honestly did not expect this kind of neurotic behaviour.
what a wonderful welcome to the UK!
this all really hit me when i was left alone in her house on saturday night. I couldn’t go anywhere since she took away the spare key and locked me in – I do realize that this was ultimately for safety reasons and probably not completely intentional - but i couldn’t even venture out to the backyard for some fresh air. i felt so trapped!
at a time like this i realize (so clichéd but true) what a fantastic group of friends – Fran (sister) too! - I have back home. this is what being all compulsive and adventurous gets me, eh? okay, lesson learned. huge kick in the ass felt and duly noted. i really miss and love you guys like you wouldn’t believe.
on the bright side, there’s no other direction than up from here. i know that it’ll only get better. if it doesn’t – i’ll be on the first plane back - it helps knowing that if/when it really gets rough there's always home.
until then ... i’ve checked into a hotel for a couple of nights until I can figure out what to do next.
Friday, March 03, 2006
nothing comes easy
living arrangements fell through. mostly due to not wanting to ruin a potential friendship, bad location, and uber-strict rental agreement.
for example:
3.6. That the Occupier will not give out the Landlord’s telephone number to anyone without prior consent
3.7. That the Occupier will not allow anyone to call for her on the Landlord’s telephone number after 22.00 hours in the evening
3.19. Not to receive paying guests, or carry on or, permit to be carried on, any business trade or profession on or from the Room or Property ... wha?!?!
3.23. Not to use the Room or Property for any illegal or immoral purposes ... according to who?
3.24. Not to invite any guests or visitors to the Room or Property without prior consent by the Landlord and advance notice of at least 48 hours
3.25. Not to invite guests or visitors to stay overnight in the Room or at the Property without prior written consent by the Landlord and without agreeing a similar pro-rata Rent payment for any such stays and without at least 7 days notice
3.26. Not to introduce into the Room or the Property any candles for burning without the Landlord’s prior written consent
great stuff if you're 14 yrs old, never lived away from home, and wanted an incredibly strict mother for a roommate.
so now i'm faced with finding a place on my own - looking foward to it! figuring out details like how to get a social security number - you have to register for the electoral vote. because apparently that makes sense. drivers license - i am able to get an automatic license but would not be licensed to drive a standard/manual car without taking a drivers test. bank account woes and oh yeah ...
my stuff that was shipped over - due to arrive within 4-6 weeks - yeah, that's arriving only 8 days after departure and will clear customs 2 days after that. and here i thought i'd have that time to find a place before my stuff arrived!
notsomuch.
ah well ... what doesn't kill me will make me just that much stronger. a lot of crap to wade through but i'm still excited about being here. i figure if all of this shit takes place now - it'll be over soon enough!
stay tuned for more mis-adventures of the canadian broad ...
peace out.
for example:
3.6. That the Occupier will not give out the Landlord’s telephone number to anyone without prior consent
3.7. That the Occupier will not allow anyone to call for her on the Landlord’s telephone number after 22.00 hours in the evening
3.19. Not to receive paying guests, or carry on or, permit to be carried on, any business trade or profession on or from the Room or Property ... wha?!?!
3.23. Not to use the Room or Property for any illegal or immoral purposes ... according to who?
3.24. Not to invite any guests or visitors to the Room or Property without prior consent by the Landlord and advance notice of at least 48 hours
3.25. Not to invite guests or visitors to stay overnight in the Room or at the Property without prior written consent by the Landlord and without agreeing a similar pro-rata Rent payment for any such stays and without at least 7 days notice
3.26. Not to introduce into the Room or the Property any candles for burning without the Landlord’s prior written consent
great stuff if you're 14 yrs old, never lived away from home, and wanted an incredibly strict mother for a roommate.
so now i'm faced with finding a place on my own - looking foward to it! figuring out details like how to get a social security number - you have to register for the electoral vote. because apparently that makes sense. drivers license - i am able to get an automatic license but would not be licensed to drive a standard/manual car without taking a drivers test. bank account woes and oh yeah ...
my stuff that was shipped over - due to arrive within 4-6 weeks - yeah, that's arriving only 8 days after departure and will clear customs 2 days after that. and here i thought i'd have that time to find a place before my stuff arrived!
notsomuch.
ah well ... what doesn't kill me will make me just that much stronger. a lot of crap to wade through but i'm still excited about being here. i figure if all of this shit takes place now - it'll be over soon enough!
stay tuned for more mis-adventures of the canadian broad ...
peace out.
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