KATHY’S NEW LIFE

View from Kathy's apartment

 My friend Linda, whose head spins and she spits green soup when I write a mathematical blog, loves when I post a story about me.  This blog is for her.

I have lived a very luxurious life in a million dollar plus condominium on Michigan Ave.  I recently sold the condo because I did not need such a huge home with four bathrooms!  It is just me performing daily ablutions, so why did I need four different spots to squat?

I decided that I would now rent.  It is incredible how much less expensive renting is than owning, but that story would have to include mathematical equations which would only upset Linda.  So just trust me on that statement.

After only two days in my new apartment on Wacker Drive, which has a magnificent view of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, I am discovering how ”real people” live.  At my old building I think there were more service people than residents!  I did not have to do anything from changing a light bulb to putting away my Peapod groceries.  There was always someone who would do whatever I needed done.  I could pull my car up to the front of the building, get out, go upstairs and all my packages would magically appear at my condo door and my car would be parked for me.

In the real world, one has to pull their car up to the front of the building, get out, get a cart, put items on the cart, take them upstairs, return the cart and park the car.  I feel like a horrible elitist snob, but I don’t like doing that!  I need others to do that for me.  I am spoiled.

At the old place, there were 200 units and many of them were “in town” homes so the owners were rarely around.  I never saw anybody.  The new place has 500 units and I see people in the hallways, the elevators, the lobby, the mailroom and I don’t like that.  One has to smile and be polite to these strangers that I have no desire to make my friends.  The 103^rd episode of Seinfeld perfectly explains exactly how I feel.  Watch this video clip from the show.

I know my lifestyle in a high rise right off Michigan Avenue, with a doorman, a health club, a WiFi salon, an indoor park and other amenities would be considered luxurious.  But I don’t have what I need most and that is a personal staff.

I am sure after a few weeks I will ferret out the building’s maintenance people who will assist me for a hefty tip.  Until then, I will have to tie my own shoe laces.