My apartment will be condemned.
At least that's the vague quip I got from my landlady this morning. She dropped the whole issue of paying rent on a building that may be a health hazard. Thank goodness.
I pressed her and asked exactly how long I have to get out, and she refused to tell me. She said she is offering up space in these small apartments about 10 miles from work. Considering I lived a 1/2 mile from work and gas is scarce and expensive, I'm not thrilled with it. And, there isn't exactly an abundance of apartment space available now considering about 1/3 of it in the area was destroyed.
She said I should just come on down to the office today around two. I reminded her that I am a reporter working 10-12 hour days and she just said, "Oh, right. Well you take care hon." Click.
Bad time to have a shifty landlady who doesn't choose to make herself available.
I may end up squatting on my place. The only real issues with that are when electricity and running water will come back. It'll take a long time, for sure. All the electical outlets downstairs are coroded and The only thing I really want back is safe running water. I can live without A/C and TV but not without a sink to brush my teeth in.
Work is getting a little less hectic. The out-of-town reporters are starting to trickle out. I'm no longer climbing over rubble and talking to grieving families.
Knight-Ridder continues to do an amazing job of keeping us fed, watered and our cars gassed.
Ironically I am working on a long term story about exhaustion now. I'm kind of an expert, you might say. Everyone in local gov't is getting burnt out and crabby. That's saying nothing about fire fighters and cops.
Alright, that's the update, diary style. Gotta go find some tired people.
Keller is out finding what's left of the shrimping industry. Plenty of bottom feeding fun to come.