The Hobart Chronicles III: On The Floorboards

“then I got tired of counting all of these blessings
and then I just got tired.”
- Magazine, A Song From Under The Floorboards (1980)

Week 3 ½. Here’s the score:
Houses viewed: IIIII IIIII IIIII III
Houses leased: I

After last week’s missive, I engaged in some Deep Thought, the result of which was realising that if I wish to live like a grown-up in Hobart, then I will have to pay rent like a grown-up. Accordingly, I revised my plan, girded my loins, and inspected some properties at the very top of my payment threshold. Lo and behold, two were actually liveable.

Time was ticking. The permanent residents of the house I’m minding return today (Friday), and back on Monday I was beginning to sweat. So I applied for both.

I am sad to say, the applications involved total abasement. I wrote shrill letters detailing my marvellous work history, excellent rental record, and enviable community involvement, and clipped them to the agents’ forms. I stapled my Tamworth business cards to the front. I spent considerable time with each agent, pleading my case. (Evidently I made some impression because when I bumped into one agent downtown some days later he did not cross the street but rather stopped for a chat.)

I am happy to report that my total loss of dignity resulted in two offers of a lease! I chose the smaller, slightly cheaper, more central-to-town townhouse.

Both offers were made on the Tuesday, and once I accepted one I immediately phoned my removalists. There’s a long weekend coming up in Hobart (I do not know what Regatta Day is, but if it’s good enough for a day off then it’s good enough for me). Naturally I had visions of unpacking, setting up and then settling in on the couch for three days of extended crap TV-viewing and reading the Saturday papers. What timing! I was so pleased with myself.

But you know what happens when you think, ‘look after today and tomorrow will take care of itself’, don’t you? It doesn’t.

Here’s an extract from the phone call.

“Nah love, we’re really chockablock at the moment. Can’t help you until next Wednesday.”

This is a large, national company I’m dealing with here! I was so flabbergasted, I fell into the local vernacular.

“Well, I move in this Friday, so I’m buggered, aren’t I? I suppose I’m gunna have to sit on the floor for the next five days.”

“Sorry,” she replied, not meaning it. “It’s a really busy time y’know. Some people have booked their moves three months ago.”

Bollocks, I nearly said. Who the hell is that organised??

However, it does not do to argue with the people who are currently holding all your worldly possessions. I remain grateful to whoever advised me to pack a quilt and a towel in the car. I wish I had left that beach chair in the car boot.

Score update:
Houses leased: I
House furnishings: 0

I would now like to thank the following people for their assistance:
· Lynn the Drive prod for lending me a small TV
· Louise the Drive pres for lending me a saucepan
· Various others for their offers, gratefully acknowledged, and
· Jim in TV for offering to rent me a tent plus camping space in his yard, amenities included, should I be unhoused this afternoon.

I have signed a 12 month lease. There are 2 bedrooms, so guests are welcome from next Thursday (1hr notice preferred, so I have enough time to fetch more beer).

Weather report for last Tuesday 7 February 2006:
Tamworth: 36 degrees, fine; (overnight low 24 degrees)
Melbourne: 21 degrees, fine
Hobart: SNOW on Mt Wellington behind the city.