Out of curiosity yesterday, I did a search on Google for the address of the old house_of_clocks. First I tried "1261 Mass Ave". Nothing. I tried "1261 Massachusetts Avenue" and found the building. Finally, trying a combination of both approaches with "1261 Massachusetts Ave" I found the old house_of_clocks being listed for sale as a condominium. Having passed by the old house_of_clocks in Arlington Heights many times recently, I knew that the old apartment was being sold as a condominium, however it was interesting to read the description given of the place:

Arlington – $409,900 Spectacular renovation in 2004. This top floor 3 bedroom unit features new kitchen with granite, stainless appliances, ceramic tile floor, and new baths with ceramic tile floor. Hardwood floors throughout, spacious living room, private W/d, rear porch, large storage area, and deeded parking for 2. Windows, heat and hot water systems new in 2004. Steps to the "t" & shops. Don't miss this one! Listing Information Amenities and Features Listing ID 70332410 Near Public Transportation Price $409,900 Swimming Pool Bedrooms 3 Tennis Court Type Condo Walk/jog Trails Sq. Ft. 1,256 Baths 2

The apartment I remember is quite different. It was billed as a 4 bedroom with 1 bathroom. It definitely didn't have anything like stainless appliances, ceramic tile floors, or a granite kitchen. The building had neither and still has neither tennis courts and swimming pools, I imagine that the references to those in the listing are meant as "nearby" as is with the bike trail and public transit.

When we lived there, the entire three decker was completely run down and neglected by an elderly landlord that was in over her head trying to manage her many properties. Due to the dilapidated condition, we used to jokingly refer to our place as "the Crackhouse of Clocks". purpleglitter is making arrangements for us to look at the place as "potential buyers". I'd really love to see the changes. I doubt I'll recognise it at all. Just from the times I've passed it, I can see how much it's changed. The white picket fence in the neatly trimmed front yard advertises the new nature of the place. Time moves on.

IN THE OLD HOUSE OF CLOCKS

photo by purpleglitter

Bebe spells her name "Beeb". I've just been using "Bebe" because that's how I got used to typing her name before I found out her spelling. However, I've decided to use another morph of her name when referring to her in the future. "Boob"

Boob hasn't paid her full share of the rent yet this month. This is a problem, because we can't afford to pay off the landlord until she does. I'd kick her out, but I just don't want the confrontation. I'm on the edge right now, and I don't think I could deal with a full-blown household conflict. I just wish she would go away, and grrldan could move in.

Bebe has been driving me nuts the past couple days. I hate her. She's so fucking smug. She can't put herself into other's shoes. She doesn't put a new roll in the bathroom after she uses the last of the toilet paper. She still hasn't paid back much of what she owes. She yells at me because Victor gets late night calls. She gripes at me because the landlord forgot to bring the trash to the curb this morning and it's building up. She expects me to fix these things. If they bother her so much why doesn't she bring them up. She's only paid half her rent this month, she's going to pay the other half next week. I'm not sure when she's getting to the bills. I don't have the energy to confront her. I really want to just kick her out. I just don't have the strength for a prolonged household conflict that kicking her out would cause. I just can't deal with that right now.

This doesn't even come close to how upset she really is about this.

Some guy is tearing up our front yard. We used to have pretty rose bushes - gone. The wonderful little evergreens - gone. Now we have dirt. Knowing our landlord, they're not going to be replaced. The guy has also pruned the fuck out of the remaining shrubs, so now they look like shit. The house is being uglified.

I think I have temporarily prevented the toilet from falling through the floor. The floor under the right side of the toilet has been sagging dramatically. It can't have too much time left. The toilet leans to the right because of the sag. I've propped the toilet up against the wall with some boards. Hopefully that will take some pressure off the floor.

I need to put more pressure on the landlady to actually do something about the problem. I've told her about it before, and it just continues to get worse. She isn't very big on maintenance unless it's an emergency. If something isn't done soon I think the toilet might just develop into an emergency.

Just had a visit from Mrs. Richardson, our landlady. We signed the new lease and she gave us the interest from our deposit (a much needed $25). Her husband just recently died. She's had a lot of deaths in her family lately. I gave her a wish pod for good luck. She's a little senile. She said we were her best tenants, and that she tells everyone how long we've been living in her buildings - "over ten years now". Ten years ago we were in high school in Missouri. I'm not going to correct her, if she wants to believe that then let her. We hugged when she left. She's a wonderful person, but she doesn't keep up her buildings very well.