Friday, December 12, 2008

I Need a Fix

One of the benefits of not being a homeowner is that when something breaks, I am not responsible for fixing it. There's only so much responsibility one person can handle, after all. I'll gladly shoulder the responsibility for my 2 children, mumblemumblemumblethousands of dollars in student loan debt, and our matching Honda Civics (oh, you didn't know that Bert and I have matching cars? It's true. We're that cute), but I'm not eager to jump into bed with the concept of home ownership. Not because I have commitment issues. But because I don't want to be responsible for fixing anything. I can barely muster the strength to fix my hair, Una's hair, and Duet's hair each morning. I don't want the added pressure of fixing toilets, faucets, outlets, and anything else that will go wrong the moment I sign my (to borrow a phrase from "Santa Baby") "x on the line" on those mortgage papers. So for now I'm content to be a renter. I know this means my status as a verifiable grown-up is now debatable. But I can live with that, just as long as I don't have to live with the responsibility for fixing things.
So this morning when I discovered a trifecta of broken items (blinds, toilet, bathroom ceiling fan), I was pleased to pass the buck and call the maintenance department at our apartment complex. When the maintenance worker showed up we were about to venture out to the library (I know, we live the most exciting lives) but since Bert is out of town (yet again) and I'm starved for adult interaction, I figured I'd stick around and chat with her for a bit. She was quite lovely and in the end I gave her a 1/2 dozen Christmas cookies that I made (does that count as service? I'm saying yes). Rest assured, if it had been this guy, no Christmas cookies would have been offered. Period.
Too bad it's going to be awkward on Monday when I have to call them back to send someone out here to fix the fan again. I don't know what she did, but that thing is now turbo charged and shakes so violently that I'm fearful it will come flying right out of my ceiling. I don't like the sound or looks of it. Oh well, at least I'm not the one in charge of fixing it.

2 comments:

Angie said...

yeah I love being able to call to get stuff fixed. I had to deal with the plumbers a lot this week! However, my ceiling is still bowing and I still havce 3 huge walls in my ceiling. They were supposed to send people out, but so far that hasn't happened. Maybe it would be better just to be in charge of it all!

Mary Poppins said...

you do make a good point. sometimes if you want the job done right, you have to do it yourself.