Arriving in Chicago

I flew in, and then headed to see my dermatologist. Following my doctor's appointment, I headed down to Wicker Park, found an ATM machine, and withdrew enough cash to pay for the apartment.

I found my way to 1125 North Damen, found the parking in the back, and lugged my suitcase up the three flights.

The apartment was decent enough. Not fabulous or anything - one of those city rehabs where most of the money goes into the granite countertop since they think people will be impressed with that, but then the shower head is cheap and shakes around, because they cut corners on everything else they could. The mattress in the bedroom was sort of cheap, just sitting on one of those university-issue metal frames and covered in some sort of crinkly-sounding plastic. But it was clean, and would be fine.

The loveseat she was being so precious about already had some stains on it. I chuckled out loud.

The place was advertised as having Wifi, but for the life of me, I couldn't connect to the network. I hung out for awhile because I was told a friend was coming to collect the money from me.

In the meanwhile I finally got my email via roaming on my overseas phone and saw that Lisa had emailed me again:

Today u will be coming from Division. Turn left onto Damen and directly across from the Rainbo and your right is the alley way, turn left. Once in alley turn right into other alley way. After 4-5 garages, you will see an open space on your right. ANd a set of wood stairs that is 3 stories high. This is my building. Please pull in all the way to the left. Be careful when pulling in and out.

I doubt my neighbors say anything, but I always have people say they are a friend of mine. That would be helpful.

Can you please meet my friend Anjali tomorrow at 5-5:30pm in front of the building with the money and deposit check? Her cell # to confirm with her is (773) 577-3907.

There is a chance my friend Kathlene will be around tonight. SHe lives 2 blocks away. Her cell is (773) 771-0939. If you can reach her on your way to the apartment, that would be best. You would then turn right on Damen from Division and she is 2 blocks away. She can give you the address. She's very close.

So the important points to remember were that I was supposed to lie to the neighbours if questioned, and that now there was some question about who I was supposed to meet and when to pay the money.

Also, there was this:

Also, if you don't mind, when you are not here, can you please turn the heat off? It heats up very quickly, but they raised the rates in Chicago by 40% this winter. It's on auto so just put it down to 60. When you get home you can out it on 70 and it will warm up quickly. ANd when you leave in between your stays, can you put it down to 57? That would be so helpful and also when you leave on the 11th.

I called Kathlene and headed out to do an errand and meet a friend for dinner whilst I waited for her to call back.

I headed back to the apartment and went to bed quite late (jet lag). Got woken up at 9am by a blaring clock-radio obviously turned up to its loudest setting. It startled me and I jumped out of bed and ran around trying to figure out where the damn thing was, so I could shut it off. I finally located it behind a door I hadn't noticed the previous night - it had a big padlock on it, and I realised it was the owner/tenant's bedroom. There was no way to get into the room, and so the thing kept screeching some loud radio station. Finally at 11am it turned itself off. Thankfully.

Finally got to speak to Kathlene, and I was supposed to bring her the money a couple of blocks away. When I turned up she told me that she spoke to Lisa and that the only key to the room with the blaring radio was in Los Angeles, with Lisa. So I was basically stuck with the blaring every single morning from 9am - 11am.

People Are Basically Good

I have always been one of those people who thinks that at their core, people are essentially good. How I managed to keep this attitude intact after working in law for such a long time seems a bit of a question, but nonetheless I always expect that people are going to treat me fairly.

Last year I was planning a trip to Chicago to see friends and run errands, and at the last minute I decided not to stay with friends and instead to see if I could find a little apartment that would do for a couple of days. I was going to fly to upstate NY to see friends there as well, and so I wasn't sure if I would be able to work it.

I looked at sublet.com and also at craigslist, and sent out a couple of emails to places that looked like they would work.

One of the first people who got back to me ended up being someone who would challenge my ideas about the inherent goodness of people.