Vancouver had warmed up significantly, hovering at a warm seven degrees underneath a thick cloud layer. I had spent my Sunday morning grocery shopping, and ate a quick lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant a block away. Having put all of my groceries away and fed my cat MoMo, I now looked at the clock, wondering if there was anything else I needed to do right now other than do some light cleaning around the apartment. The clock read 1:46 pm – too early not to do some work. I made myself a cup of hot tea before looking around at the random stuff floating around my place. There were loose papers, cat toys, books, pens and pencils.
I walked around to the spare bedroom and was greeted by a large cardboard box standing in the corner, courtesy of my new TV that had arrived early last week. Right, I had forgotten about that. I smacked myself on the head. I had set up the television after it had arrived (which was easier than I thought, taking me only five minutes to read the set-up instructions, and another twenty minutes to plug in all of my cables – all without calling a guy for help).
All of the packaging cardboard was subsequently flattened, and placed into the spare bedroom for recycling disposal later – when I felt like taking it all downstairs. A full week later now, it was all still sitting there, since I hadn’t felt like taking it downstairs. I looked at the amount of carpet space that was being taken up in the spare bedroom and decided that I’d take it all down today. I took out the invoice/packing slip that was stuck on the outside of the box, and stacked it with the rest of my bills.
My stomach churned at the thought of paying those bills.
“Right, find a roommate. I still need to do that,” I said to myself. My head turned towards the computer. I guess I should go do some research.
I turned on my computer and launched my browser. Google.ca came up, and my fingers held poised on top of my keyboard, my brain thinking of the correct words to type into the search field.
I entered: “roommate” and up popped “roommates Vancouver” by Google’s autofill. I clicked on it and up came some results for roommate finder services. I browsed the ones that were relevant, and thought about placing an ad with them for an available room. But, I thought, stopping myself, I need some photos of the place first. And I need to know what I’m looking for in a roommate.
I brought up Google again. I typed in “roommate interview questions/questionaire” and found some sources. I looked through the list, deciding that I wanted a:
1.) Female
2.) Non-smoker
3.) No cat allergies
4.) Someone Quiet
5.) Preferably a Night Owl
Someone cool would be a bonus, I added mentally, before scoffing at myself. As if I could put that on an ad. Then I browsed Craigslist for info. I combed through rental listings, looking at photos and descriptions to see how much I could rent my room for. I finally decided that I could probably ask for $600 for my bedroom, utilities included, because I didn’t want to bother with potentially nickel and diming with my new roomie each month after the bills arrive.
I dug out my camera from the closet and moved out the empty TV cardboard box packaging into the hallway. With the spare room now empty, I opened the blinds and snapped some photos of it with the natural outdoor light flowing in. I shuffled all of the cardboard back into the spare room afterwards and looked at my living room area...which was not at all photogenic at this point in time. I put away a lot of the piles of papers and extra items that were floating about, placing them in the empty room for now, beside the cardboard.
Like an interior decorator, I fluffed my sofa cushions and adjusted the blinds and curtains. I desperately wished that I had a coffee table, because my living room looked a bit sparse without it. I moved my floor lamp over a bit, hoping that it would take up some of the empty floor space. Oh well, I thought, and I snapped some more photos. I cleaned up the kitchen space and took some more photos.
Satisfied with what I had, I uploaded my photos and posted my ad online:
Cute Bedroom for Rent Downtown - $600
- Unfurnished room available immediately
- Approx 150 sq. ft.
- Close to Skytrain, bus routes, and shopping
- Utilities, cable, internet included
I’m a working professional in my mid-20’s, and a cat owner. I enjoy having friends over sometimes, but typically spend my weeknights quietly. Tendency to be a night owl. Looking for a non-smoking female roommate with similar habits and personality who is not opposed to living with a friendly cat. I am generally a tidy person, looking for someone equally clean, who will share responsibilities for the two-bedroom apartment. Please email or call for additional details.
With the ad posted on both Craigslist and Kijiji, I then also printed off a hard copy to post in the building’s bulletin board. I turned off my computer, feeling pleased with myself. At least I’ve been productive today. Now, I can finally relax.
I sat on my sofa, and turned on my new television. I was so happy to finally have a working TV set, which looked good on my TV stand too. MoMo jumped up to sit beside me and I smiled, finally being able to enjoy watching TV with my cat again. MoMo purred, his mood reflecting my contentment. I lifted my eyes up to the screen, ready to enjoy whatever was on.
The screen showed a couple in an apartment hugging. I didn’t recognize the show. The man was apologizing for something that he had done, and the woman had obviously forgiven him. The man then lifted her chin gently and kissed her. Their kiss deepened and quickly turned into a full out make-out session. I frowned and flipped the channel. The screen showed an episode of Sex and the City. I watched as Mr. Big and Carrie cuddled in bed, both of them naked under the covers. Still frowning, I flipped the channel again. The screen showed a large diamond ring being slipped onto a woman’s finger.
“Make her yours this Valentine’s Day,” said the commercial’s voice-over.
I hit the power button. “Ugh, Valentine’s Day already,” I muttered.
And then I realized that this was the first year in a long time that I was actually single on Valentine’s Day. I had absolutely no plans, and no one to even buy a cheesy card for.
The thought was strangely liberating and depressing at the same time. Unwittingly, I wondered what David would be doing this Valentine’s day. Would he be alone like me, or….
My throat tightened. I didn’t want to finish my thought.
Thoroughly disenchanted, I got up to the fridge and whipped out my bucket of Breyers Double Churn ice cream. I filled up a big bowl and searched for the Women’s Health magazine that I had bought today at the grocery store. Carrying the ice-cream and magazine, I sat back on the sofa beside the now-sleeping MoMo and ate a large spoonful double-churned chocolate goodness. I let the smooth creamy blob melt on my palate, and started reading an article on heart health. Emotionally-speaking, I could totally handle this topic.
Halfway into reading the article, my phone buzzed. I checked my message.
Madison: I met a cute guy today ;)
I sighed. “Thanks, Miss Hotstuff. And why are you telling me for?” I grumbled out loud. I paused, realizing that maybe I was more bitter about being alone this Valentine’s Day than I cared to admit. Nevertheless, I replied to her text, putting aside my personal feelings for her sake.
Me: That’s great!
Madison: And we chatted…and I have his number ;)
Me: You’re crazy!
I hit send. Then my brow twitched. I typed out some more.
Me: But you already have Bryant. What are you trying to do?
My phone rang thirty seconds later.
“Oh my gosh, Ellie. I can’t believe you think I’m going to like, cheat on Bryant or something. I was talking about you! I totally picked up this guy for you. You know, now that you’re single.” Madison spoke, partly irritated, partly excited. “You have to meet him. He’s cute, he’s tall, he works at a law firm...”
I scrunched my face. “Geez, Madison. I’m not sure if I’m ready for that yet. I’m still kind of fresh from my breakup with David. It’s only been two months.”
“I’m not asking you to be serious or anything, Ellie. Just meet him. And if it’s something more, then you’ll naturally be ready for it.”
I groaned audibly, for Madison’s benefit. “I will think about it, okay?”
“Don’t think too long. This one’s a good one, trust me. If you don’t jump now, he’ll be snatched up soon. And probably by some bimbo with huge boobs.”
“Then that’s fine. It means it wasn’t meant to be,” I reasoned. “I wouldn’t want a guy who falls for a booby bimbo anyway.”
“You have to take matters into you own hands, Ellie!” Madison sighed loudly. “Okay fine, think about it, and let me know. But soon,” she emphasized. “I don’t want to call him a month later and have to explain who I am and how he met me.”
“Okay, okay. I will think about it and let you know soon, I promise.” I briefly looked heavenward. “And thanks,” I added, my voice softening, “for thinking of me.”
“You’re welcome,” Madison replied, her irritation leaving her. “You’re my bestie. You know I want the best for you.”
“I know,” I said. “And you are the best, Bestie.”
“Okay, I gotta go, Ells. Bryant’s here. We’ll chat about this later.”
I hung up the phone with Madison, smiling to myself. It was nice to have great friends who cared. I thought about Madison’s offer, and wondered if she was right – that if I did find a guy that I clicked with, I would just naturally be “ready”.
Ready? I asked myself. Who was I kidding? I couldn’t even watch TV without being reminded of David. What makes me think that I was ready to start dating?
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