It’s been a week–literally.  Still awaiting the suspenseful climax of this stupid story.  At least it coincided with the arctic blast from frozen hell that I was not about to slog it out with.

It’s supposed to reach all of 39º today, a heat wave!  I’m considering leaving Mr. Maintenance to it, whenever he shows up, and venturing back to the Avdi’s.  I need to reassure myself reality, however challenging, is still out there.  Not the deranged insanity in the news feeds, or the disturbing war dreams I’ve been having, but regular familiar mayhem.

“But soft!  What light from yonder window breaks?  It is the East, and…” methinks forsooth it is the Sun!  It’s time I broke out, too.

I know you can’t wait to hear the next boring development in the Sewage Saga.  After I waited most of the day, the guy shows up, pokes and prods a couple of things, and announces that the brand new disposal unit he just installed is broken and must be replaced.  Tomorrow.  When he’ll undoubtedly discover another cause and drag this out to what amounts to a week!  Or have to call in an actual electrician.  The joys of “cheap” apt living.

I’ve been stuck at home for days.  Outside is a wintry mess and inside is the Sewage Saga, ongoing.  The latest episode features an added electrical circuit problem involving the (new) disposal unit and (never-used) dishwasher full of backed-up disposal water.  Still waiting for maintenance to get back to it.  I guess this is as good an excuse as any to be snowed-in.  It could be worse.

Out the window everything is gray and white, including the sky.  It’s like a B&W TV with one channel…The Twilight Zone.  I keep the shades drawn to keep it less cold in here, with the heat turned way down.  I still have a few basic provisions so I’m not starving, but also not getting the usual exercise.  I pretty much live on my laptop or phone so I’m not totally out of touch.  I “window shop” the online cyber sales for a few Chanukah gifts I can afford.  My jungle keeps me company.  I can get the sleep I need, when the Bigfoots (feet?) above me aren’t crashing and banging.  Not a bad existence while in solitary.

The weather turned to “hell-frozen-over”, and my dead disposal backed up into the never-used dishwasher and onto the floor, (maintenance is supposedly now coming today, if he ever gets the landlord to sign off on it), so just another day in paradise.  Can’t complain.  I’m fine hibernating in here for the duration.

Yesterday was S’s 11th birthday, so that was fun.  He had a friend over, and the requested “dirt cake” with a zero candle, and got his beloved “switch” for gaming, so he was in his element.  He seems a lot calmer and self-regulated than before.  He and I spent a lot of time together.