"Lectricity"

“Lectricity” By Ron Bernard


I had a couple of bad experiences with my previous landlord, Mike. I had purchased a new computer in January, he happened to see me bringing it in to the apartment, and the next day he raised my rent. ‘Lectricity costs money ya know’ he said. Ok, I had to agree and surrender to the $22 increase. A couple of months later I purchase an air conditioner, he saw it in the window and “Bang, another $15 rent increase”. It was at that moment, when he handed me the increase notice, I gave him mine. Notice to quit that is; I couldn’t stand it any longer, next thing ya know he would be charging me for the air I breathed. I decided to get another apartment. The one I had been living in was getting to small for me anyway. However, it probably wasn’t the best time to make that this of decision. I was angry and I had just started school again and probably wouldn’t need any excessive changes. Going to school after 30 years would prove to be enough for any man. It was the second best decision of the year, going back to school being the first. It’s turning out to be a wonderful choice. I was able to find beautiful apartment with lots of room, in a historic building with a great view and most importantly, you can hear the silence! Here’s the difference between the two.
My old place, in North Brewer, was on route #9. There the room was about 15’ X 12’. I had three big windows with a view of the dirt parking lot, blocked by a huge oak tree. The house being on route #9, the commercial truck traffic that was loud with vibrations that literally shook the place 24/7. I also had to share the two bathrooms and the kitchen that had two refrigerator’s with 9 other tenants, it turned out to be a strategic waiting game with security issues. Example: I had better be ready to hit the bathroom and shower between 6:30 to 7:00 am. Right after Jimmy and Charley because once Victor and Dianna got in there, well, I could end up going dirty that day. The kitchen and refrigerators were a nightmare. Sometimes the kitchen would be crowded, with two people using the top burners and someone else using the oven. A man could go hungry, and I had to stop buying my favorite garlic pickles, they would disappear faster than I could eat them. A bummer at $2.99 a jar. My new place the kitchen and bathroom is a non-issue. I can use them at my leisure and anything I put in the fridge at night was there when I opened the door in the morning. A great feeling.
Now the physical comparison of the two abodes is like night and day. As I mentioned the north brewer place was a small and drab room with obstructed view on the back parking lot that was noisy and vibrated 24/7. The new place on high street, well at night I could probably hear a pin drop if I didn’t have wall to wall carpeting. I have a large living room and bedroom, both with beautifully mantled working fireplaces. The bathroom and kitchen are mine alone. Instead of and obstructed view of the dirt parking lot, I have a panoramic view of the city of Bangor and the bridges over the Penobscot River. I can count six church steeples with their classical architecture and many colors; see Chick Hill off in the distance; Main St.; State St.; Broadway and Route #9. I can even see the top of my old apartment building in North Brewer. It dawned on me just morning that’s probably why they called it High Street. speaking of dawns and mornings, that’s when the sun peaks over the eastern mountains and fills the bedroom with it’s golden rays, as I sip the first morning coffee, while lying in my bed, drinking it all in!
As far as the electricity rates, I realize that they are very high. Whether or not my new computer merited a $22 rent increase is yet to be proven, mathematically that is. I can understand Mike’s concern with the new AC I suppose they do draw a lot of juice! But when I look back on it now, I wouldn’t have done it any other way. Though I pay for the electricity at my new place, I just say that’s ok, its worth it.
Well there you have it, the difference between the old and new apartments or night and day if you like. Life is good when I stop and appreciate it. I really enjoy my new place. The memory of the old apartment is fading quickly, and it’s all because “Lectricity costs money ya know”.