Of Apartment Living

I’ve been in this apartment for 16 months or so. I actually really enjoy it here - it has very much become my “safe” place and a haven for working through all that I’ve been needing to address. However that have been a number of observations that I’ve made and dumb things that I’ve done which necessitate some sort of commentary.Fire Alarms:The other day at about 8am, I heard screaming sirens outside. The main road was blocked and two fire engines were parked outside our block. There were no fire alarms going off so I had no idea what was going on. I went back to clean my teeth. Oral hygiene is important after all.Suddenly, there was a bang bang bang on my door? Huh? I opened it to see the building manager and five firemen looking anxious. “your smoke alarm is going off!”. “Um. No it’s not”. This was apparent from the complete lack of smoke and alarm. My alarm HAD gone off for about 10 seconds, six days earlier, and I’d reset it. No problem. It just didn’t reset at the main warning box and some diligent member of the public had called it in. I’m just hoping I don’t get an invoice for the call-out..There have been two actual for real alarms in the last year. This generally involves being rudely awakened by an alarm and an automated voice instructing you to get the hell outside. So, everyone heads out onto the main road - and its usually at about 1:30am - looking horrendous. It’s pretty funny.Neighbours:When I moved in, I’d sort of expected a Melrose Place vibe. Many neighbours, *cough* interacting. Can’t go wrong, right?My reality is that of the hundreds of people living here, I’ve only seen perhaps three or four regularly - and they’re usually in the carpark or lift. There is NO meet and greet. Of course, a lot of that is due to me not getting out, but that will probably be different this year.My immediate neighbour set fire to his kitchen just before I arrived. Apparently the rest of the tenants here judge him.Upkeep and Cleaning:Apartments rock as far as keeping them clean. Even a ‘man-clean’ can suffice. Of course, nothing beats a ‘woman-clean’ - everything is so sparkly afterwards. Note: a ‘woman-clean’ doesn’t actually need to involve a woman. It is more a hat-tip to a higher standard of cleanliness.Music:Stereos are ok. Their frequency response is absorbed by the walls, floor and ceilings quite effectively. However, I am a bass player. Apparently it is never ok to drink a lot of wine and play your bass loudly along to Duran Duran’s greatest hits. Who knew? And who out there hates on Duran Duran?? Come on people - they were innovators and ahead of their time!Visitors:I haven’t had a lot. I have spent a lot of time here watching movies and gently rocking back-and-forth on the couch in the corner. I’m really enjoying having more and more people over for a meal or a movie. It’s taken a lot of personal growth to get to this point. I may come across confident in person but the reality is that I’ve worked through a lot of insecurities. I am hugely looking forward to this coming Summer.Kids:A lot of why I’m here is to do with providing a safe, homely place for my kids. They are absolutely my priority in life and the reason I have a PS3. And decent TV and Stereo. Really.Oh - and for the record, here is my Movember effort as at Day 20. I really am not comfortable with it and it scares people, so please donate.Simon.PS. I still have no idea where the sharp-cornered metal lid for my BBQ went. I’m on the 5th Floor. I really hope it didn’t maim anyone when it decided to leave me for another.