Thursday April 22, 2004
None of us. But I am most likely the most not amused of all. Us would be the residents of this abominably neglected older building.
I called my landlords this morning. First I told them the hot water was working very well. I wanted to be sure they knew that the heating system was not operational and that the weather predictions were for increasingly cold evenings (below freezing, in fact). They did know. And they had bad news: we won't have heat for another week.
So much for not angering the universe with negative thoughts last night.
I expressed my displeasure at this unacceptable situation and was assured that there were electric space heaters for our heating enjoyment in the utility room. (Yes, we tenants pay for electricity.) She didn't know all the details but apparently the installation of the correct - commercial size - water heater had created a complication. This required the boiler for the heating system to remain off until whatever it was that was needed was available and it was going to take a week for that. Her husband wasn't there, but he would call me to explain it all. Great.
I called Tyla and Michael to discuss my latest stresses. They were, as always very understanding and patient and helpful. Thanks again, kids.
The landlord showed up with a letter explaining that we couldn't have both heat and hot water until a change was made to the chimney so adequate air flow can be provide for both gas heaters, something the current setup could not handle. Which is the delay... the liner has to be custom made and it will take a week.
I was pleased to hear that he didn't want us to die in our sleep from CO poisoning - quite a nice change from the minimal maintenance and non-existent concern for tenant welfare that was the norm before his watch started, by the way. But I told him why I didn't think he'd want people runnning electric heaters for the next week anyway. I thought he should know.
When I said the wiring was not in good shape, he gestured at the meters and remarked that they looked pretty up to date. He didn't believe me about the wiring not being grounded, so I invited him to test the outlet in the utility room.
He didn't do it right then, but I have a feeling he'll be checking it out one of these days. We have a lot in common he and I.
I also told him that the previous management company knew about this problem because the Electrical Safety Authority had been called in about my apartment and sent them a report. I told him about the over fusing that was the cause of a blown fuse in one of the meters (very bad when that happens!) and that I knew only of two of the six units that had any work done to install GFI's and fuse rejectors: mine and the unit that blew the meter.
I was not impressed with the "what can I do?" response (about the heat being off) mainly because - as I explained - even when the heat was working, I was using a space heater to stay comfortable and the heaters he was providing were not going to be able to heat this apartment all by themselves. I know because I've been using the one he provided until the other day when I switched to my portable propane heater.
I was glad to see that his letter instructed everyone to take a bit off the next rent payment in compensation for the electricity used by the space heaters, though, so I compromised for now: I am going to keep using my excellent emergency propane heater and he will reimburse me for the cylinders.
I reminded him that I am ill, something of which I'd informed him in person and in my letter back when I paid the rent at the end of March, and I really don't need to be living in an unheated and uninsulated basement apartment right now.
And if the freaking universe is listening, that goes for you too...give me a break already.
On another topic, I have decided to try a new (well, to me) approach to gaining a measure of control over and relief from my physical and emotional stresses. The first step was contacting a gentleman I became acquainted with during my stint at the college. He is a hypnotherapist. (Actually, I am guessing on the actual terminology there.) Hypnotism as an aid in relaxation was the subject of his talk during one of the faculty 'support group' get togethers I attended.
I sent him email this afternoon and just got off the phone with him this evening. We'll be getting together early in May. I can hardly wait for an opportunity to gather more tools for staying healthy and sane - well as sane as I want to be - without incurring more systemic damage.
And a note to all of you who are about to remind me of the CO dangers regarding my choice of space heaters. I have a detector plugged in and ready to save me from this silent killer, but to tell you the truth, I suspect we (myself and the other basement dweller in particular) were in more danger of CO poisoning before the latest repairs to the propane appliances in the utility room than I will be from my Buddy.
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