People Suck

Well I'm going crazy.

I have an estimate now for my move - it will come to over $1,700 for my tiny apartment with not much furniture, and my piano, which will be moved from the house I shared with x, and delivered to my sister's place in the same city where I'll be moving. The horrendous cost is because of all the mileage. It's a journey of seven hours, including the ferry trip. I've phoned around, and this is the best price I can get. If not for my mother, who is loaning me the money, I would have to call off the move.

On top of that, I got a call today, from the building manager of the apartment I plan to rent. After assuring me a month ago that I would be guaranteed the suite if I filled out and faxed a rental agreement, and sent a cheque for $50, both of which I did, he told me today on the phone that he never said that. I faxed the rental agreement over a week ago, but he says he never received it. He told me I would have to meet him in person, because he can't rent to me based on a phonecall. He told me he has received the cheque, but won't cash it until he decides to rent to me. Obviously I can't afford to travel all the way over there just to meet with him. This is why my sister met with him in person, he'd said this would be enough. Now, suddenly, it wasn't.

"I have a list of ten criteria I must follow!" he barked "How can you expect me to rent to someone I've never met!" I tried to insert a word here and there, but only managed to say "Sir... excuse me sir ... sir?" Then I just stood there, pulling my own hair and trying not to scream into the phone. I finally managed to tell him I have the moving van all set up for the fifteenth (the date he had assured me I could move in, when he lied before). "I can't have you bringing a moving van here and blocking my driveway!" he exclaimed "Not unless you're a paying tenent!"

"I was under the impression I was going to be a paying tenent!"

"Don't get huffy with me! That won't wash!" His voice sounds like a mouth full of rocks. He reminds me of x and his friends. I took a deep breath. I can't afford to lose this apartment, no matter how crappy the landlord is, because it's a great deal, financial-wise. I tried to apologise for my frustration, but all I could get in was "I'm sor..." (he didn't hear over his barking) "I'm sor..." (he didn't hear over his barking) "Sir, I apol..." (he didn't hear over his barking). I gave up.

I sat down, and dug my fingernails into my leg. Finally he quieted, and I told him I had faxed him the rental agreement a week ago. He exploded again "I never got it! What do you mean you faxed it! I've never seen it! How can I rent to someone who hasn't even shown me a rental agreement!"

"I faxed it over a week ago."

"Miss! Are you accusing me of something here? We have a state of the art fax machine! Are you trying to tell me my fax machine is faulty? Are you saying I'm lying?"

"Sir I...." (he didn't hear me over his barking) "Sir..." (he didn't hear me over his barking) I raised my voice "I'M NOT ACCUSING YOU I MEANT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A MISTAKE OVER AT THIS END!" He calmed down. Then he got aggitated again as he repeated his spiel about how he couldn't rent to me unless I met him in person. How he had never said I could rent the apartment with just a faxed rental agreement. Blah blah blah.

I finally got a word in, I told him it's costing me nearly two thousand for this move, and I can't afford to make an extra trip just to meet him. I told him I'm at the end of my rope. I asked him to give me a break. My voice was breaking up because I was beginning to cry. That's exactly what he was waiting for. Suddenly his voice softened, and he was almost nice. "Christ, I have a daughter older than you!" he said (what that has to do with anything I don't know). Your sister said you're in your fourties, but you sound like a young girl! Good Lord! I understand what it's like to be at the end of your rope, Jesus! I've been between a rock and a hard place myself! Do you think I was born last night? (pause) I was born at night, but I wasn't born last night!" (I abhore that stupid, lame expession that unintelligent people seem to think is so clever).

I believe he simply wanted to hear me beg and plead. He was probably in a bad mood and he took it out on me. When I started to cry, he felt satisfied. I'm familiar with this kind of thing - x did it to me all the time. I Hate Bullies.

Suddenly, now that he felt he'd clobbered me into submission, he changed his tune. "All you need to do is fill out another copy of the rental agreement and mail it to me." he said. "After I confirm your character references, I will hold the suite for you." I fell all over myself thanking him, and apologised again for my frustration, which bugged me to do, since I feel he should have been apologising to me, but I need this apartment. I can't afford pride at the moment. He seemed quite happy when we ended the conversation. I'm sure I made an excellent punching bag.

Anyway, I have mailed off another copy of the rental agreement, and am hoping he doesn't lapse into another fit of forgetfullness before my moving day on September 15. September 15 is my birthday - hopefully that fact will bring me a bit of luck.

On top of all this, I can't get hold of my math teacher. I've been calling, and leaving emails all month. I have no idea what to do once I finish the three books. And I'm needing help in a couple of areas that leave me stumped and pulling at my hair, and wanting to kill someone. Yesterday I went over his head, and left a message with his supervisor, saying I can't get hold of the teacher, but she hasn't returned my call either.

A lot of people suck. Big time.

p.s. By the way, what's with the huge advertisement that some jerk left as a "comment" in my post below this one???