marking time

So a year ago, we arrived in the city of Chicago. We barely made the 6pm closing of the leasing office because of traffic. Then there was the whole car issue and the discovery of the bat cave. It was an interesting day to say the least.

We have 360 days left on our lease. Don't get me wrong, I like our apartment -- it is the largest space B and I have ever lived in together. It is the new management which bought the building shortly after our arrival, that I could do without.

One of the main problems is the elevators. When you live in a high rise, like it or not, elevators are a part of daily life. These are constantly not working. The guys come out and "fix" them, but within a few days, they break again. Doesn't sound like they get the concept of fix.

Actually I think the problem is that they won't spend the money to upgrade them. My best guess is that at the very least, "the brain" of the elevator needs to be replaced. Instead, they call out the repair guys who get them to work again, at least temporarily. Thankfully, I have only been stuck in the elevator once, and it was the garage elevator, which only services three levels. Fortunately I wasn't stuck for long, as when I pressed the "open doors" button, it did and I got out. Still, not something you want to have to worry about.

The only other major complaint I have is the noise level. There is a constant whirring of drills and hammering of nails, usually followed by the sound of falling plaster in the walls. Today it gave me a migraine and forced me to leave my apartment. There are very few days since we moved in (other than weekends) when we don't hear this all day long. It is tiring.

Then there are the memos. The latest informing us of yet another change in where to send the rent checks. It is crazy. The best one though was a rant about people paying their rent late. It included actual dollar amounts of how much the company was short. Seriously. And yes, it was sent to everyone where they paid their rent on time or not. Really the person who allowed that to be slipped under our doors should have been fired.

But it gets better. We learned that the woman who hails as the building manager went onto apartmentratings.com and essentially submitted false testimonials. And as if that wasn't bad enough, she not only made a letter flipping switcheroo, the likes of Runny Babbit, out of her name, but she was dumb enough to use her work email address -- like no one would notice. Apparently the rating for the building went from a 75% to something like 15% shortly after they took over. Can't blame her for trying, but still.

But back to the subject at hand. More than likely we will no longer live downtown this time next year (of course, never say never). That gives me 359 days to get busy. Hello, 43 Things. I have so much to do.