I make a mean landlord

I’m starting to feel as if I live in a boarding house. Let me explain. I live in a three-bedroom apartment (that totals 955 square feet). I also live with roommates, which is fine because humans are social animals, after all, and when I want to be anti-social I can lock myself away in the room and pretend I don’t hear any knocking if someone approaches my door. Currently, I live with my permanent roommate, L and myself. In the fall we have another permanent roommate moving in. L is home for the summer, which leaves two open rooms. We decided to sublease the extra rooms for the summer. I had the best roommate ever (future medical doctor, J) stay from June through July. Yesterday someone with a Russian accent moved in for August. There is also another gal who will be moving in for August in a few days. What happens at the end of August? Well, everyone moves out except me. L returns and our permanent roommate will move in. There should be no other changes for at least a year. Are you confused, yet? I know I am.

So, with everyone moving in and out I have to keep the apartment in squeaky-clean order. I also have to play “Welcome Guide” each time a new person arrives.

“This is where you can store your groceries…”

“This is the balcony, notice how it wraps around…”

“Feel free to use the TV whenever you feel like it… there are a few DVDs you can watch on the side…”

I’ve considered going to the extent of keeping fresh flowers out or tea, just to make the place a little more charming, but I’ve held back. This is a no-frills boarding house, after all, and each tenant is only temporary. Best not to get too attached.