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2004-02-21 Landlady Issues As mentioned earlier this week in my weblog, my landlady had called to let me and my parents know that she planned to come upstairs to discuss the rent with us. Today happened to be the day. She's raising the rent from $620 to $650 (I'm not sure when this will go into effect). I wasn't actually out in the kitchen when this was mentioned, because I was afraid steam would start coming out my ears. I realize that some of you may be sitting there with your mouths hanging open, wondering what the hell I'm growling about when rent in most other places (Montreal included) is much higher than that. Especially given the fact that heat is included and we have a heated garage. Yes, that's true. But keep in mind that my mother works for a call center, which doesn't pay a whole lot, and my dad is on a government disability pension, which also isn't high-paying. My parents have enough trouble paying all their bills as it is. What got me was her first question, the moment she walked in the door: LANDLADY: So, are you moving? MY MOM: Uh, no, I hope not. Uh, yeah. My parents have lived here for... 29 (?) years. I really don't think they're suddenly going to pack up and leave. Later, after I realized from eavesdropping that the conversation had moved onto other things, I went out to the kitchen. My landlady turned to me. LANDLADY: So, Amanda, do you have a job? (keep in mind that she's at home, downstairs, all day, so she knows damn well that I don't.) ME: No, I'm still job-hunting. But I went to a new placement agency that I've heard is much better than the one I've been with. LANDLADY: I'm so surprised! The newspaper is full of ads! What are your skills? ME: Well, I'm comfortable on the computer, I'm bilingual, and I worked for two years at McGill while studying. Unfortunately, a lot of these potential employers don't consider that enough experience. LANDLADY: Well, no, they're not looking for school experience. They want office and business experience (which you don't have, she continued on in implication) ME: Actually, I do. I worked for two years. I'm 24, I can't exactly have 10 years experience! LANDLADY: You should get a job in a store for now, while you're looking. I'm always seeing signs in the boutiques. ME: Yes, except that they will only hire if I can work weekends, and I have to drive my parents up north to my grandmother's. LANDLADY (looking very disapproving): Well, you have to get something. You may have to give up your weekends (blah-blah-blah) ME (trying very hard not to explode at her): My grandmother is 89 years old! (My argument would've continued, except that true to form, she continued rambling on about something or other). Sigh. I think I should get a medal every time I don't yell in her face and tell her to fuck off and mind her own business. * Now I'm off to go rent a movie for tonight, and then I'm going to try to actually get some writing-related work done. Yesterday saw nothing much being accomplished as far as my books are concerned, and all morning and afternoon I was busy doing housework. My landlady graduated from the Martha Stewart School of Housecleaning Tyrants Who Because They Have a Broom Handle Stuck Up Their Ass, Like To Point Out to Everyone How Their Home Fails to Meet the Divine Housecleaning Standards. Since I wanted to try really hard not to get into a huge argument with her that would result in us not speaking to each other for months, I figured I'd do a very good job. And since she didn't comment, I guess I succeeded. |
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