Author: karan

So I post “Hello?”, and then manage to dodge turning up here myself for at least a couple of days. Hmmmmm.

Truth be told, I’m afraid of jinxing thing. I’m not usually superstitious or anything, but occasionally I make a connection and am terrified of tripping over the issue again. So I’ve avoided talking as much as I can about this new place I’ve got my hand up for. All things being equal I should be able to get it this time, but I put no store by it until I’m actually unpacking in there.

London’s not a kind city when it comes to real estate, it seems. Everyone’s got a story like mine. Last Sunday, in a strange twist of karma, one of the places I was looking at was offered to me along much the same conditions – if I was ready & willing to pay, I’d have the place. As average as the place was, it wasn’t a very pleasant idea to be on the other end of the stick – if only for the fact that I knew this person, who I’d have to live with for the next 6 months, would be so callous as to just go for money.

Suffice to say, I didn’t take the place – I just couldn’t. And not only that, I was re-offered the place I’m going for now, after it having been given to another who could offer a 12 month contract. This fragility is why I dare not speak of it.

The one thing I realised as I walked over to the place to hand over the money was that the weather had changed – the rain had finally broken, and the skies were clear. Maybe that’s what my luck was linked with – the summer that I was ultimately waiting for.

Sure that lasted for about an hour and a half, but hey! it was a good thought while it lasted :)

*taps* Is this thing on? Where did everybody go?

Place your bets! Which one is Sydney (Winter) and which one is London (Summer)?

Continue reading “Jury’s out on this one”

It’s approaching the end of the day, Friday. I’m getting ready to go to Option C to sign a contract or whatever – basically to finalise on the call I made the day before to say “yes.” When, ring ring…

Me: “Hello, Karan here.”

Caller: “Ah, hello Karan, this is Anna, from the…?”

Oh, it’s the Polish woman from the house. Checking to see when I’m coming I guess.

Me: “Oh hi Anna! How are you? I’m just about to head out now.”

Anna:  “Ah, I’m ok. Look, Karan, I have some bad news for you,”

Oh, maybe I’ll have to do this signing on the weekend…

Anna: “We’ve given the room to someone else, who put the money down right now.”

Fuck.

So it turns out I wasn’t clear enough that I was prepared to pay for the rent next week – naturally, when I’m living only 10 min walk from work, I’m going to stay there, so they assumed that I wouldn’t pay until next week. Whereas they needed the money now. So they called me less than an hour before I’m supposed to go meet them and told me they’ve given the place to someone who has put the money down now. Despite me saying yes the day before and them arranging for me to come tonight at 7:30 to sign.

Bastards.

Of course, there’s no real point trying to argue it – I’d have to live with these people for the next 6 months, and there’s no way that would be a healthy start to the relationship. It’s just this sense of impotent fury that I have at these people for screwing around with me. And while I haven’t turned down option A or B as yet, real estate apparently moves fast here so I’ve no idea if it’ll still be there come Monday. So some desperate searching for me this weekend.

Bloody assholes.

Police have defused a bomb in Central London – Haymarket, in the West End (more at the BBC and Sky)

I’m nowhere near it, but… shit. =/

Ed 1: One person has pointed out that “this was the location of a gay pride parade” scheduled for tomorrow. Another person points out that the car would likely be towed in two days =)

Ed 2: Another points out that the recent change of Prime Minister is far more likely to have been the prompt for this.

Ed 3: Err, ok, there appears to be exactly zero reaction to this here in London… >.>

Trying to pick where to live. I have three options – two by myself, one share.

Option A: Goldhawk Road

• Studio Apartment
• £180 per week
  • Doesn’t include anything – have to pay electricity, phone, internet, water, TV (have to pay for a “TV license” here) rates on top
• Decently spec’d kitchen (albeit old appliances, no cutlery etc)
• Average-to-small bathroom
• Futon-bed-thing
• 4th floor
• Good wardrobe
• Semi-suburban – quiet enough, not far from shops etc.
• 10 min walk from station
• Total 30 – 40 min commute
• Bright and airy

Option B: Fulham Palace Road

• Studio Apartment (in a big block – former doctor residence)
• £220 per week
  • Includes all expenses except laundry, phone (but does include internet)

  Somewhat small (barely room to swing a cat and all that)

• Modern kitchen with modern appliances & cutlery etc (though small)
• Small bathroom
• Futon-bed-thing
• Limited wardrobe
• Common room, courtyard part of premesis
• Dark – lights will need to be on 90% of the time I’m at home
• 5 – 10 min walk from station
• Total 30 – 40 min commute
• Busy road

Option C: Wolfe Crescent

• Share House
  • Large bedroom, average bathroom (ensuite), small yard/garden for me
• £200 per week (approx)
  • Includes bills
• House in suburban-ish area, medium density
• Sharing with 4 others
  • 3 Polish (married couple, guy) and 1 French (girl)
  • All professionals
  • Good English
• Shared kitchen/living area
• Proper bed
• 5 – 8 min walk to station
  • 15 – 20 min commute to work
• 3 min walk to bus stop
  • 20 – 25 min commute to work (bus stop directly outside work)

I’m leaning to Option C at this point. Help me decide! I need a decision by tomorrow morning!