"Setting off on the first day all were busy, and I got engaged in relevant work very early. My fellow sailors all seem friendly; however I have yet to be at a workplace where politics are not rife. Since then it has been an increasingly rough sea, with the Captain today reprimanding me for not wearing appropriate dress, so this evening did my best to assemble suitable clothing. I guess I’ll see/hear/feel tomorrow if I have hit the high mark we are all meant to aim for. Tasks have been farther and farther between, mainly of the well-known “you-don’t-really-need-to-know-so-much-to-do-this”-type. Captain says that work which requires more brain-work will soon come my way, that I will be back in three weeks complaining over the workload. We’ll see. Better be busy than be idle, I say (at least when just commencing a new job and you really want to make a good impression, and when you obviously are not doing so through your physical appearance).
I shan’t be writing much these days, I have no time. I hope all is well for my friends and family."
So wrote I 2 weeks ago, already a long time since.. I've been so busy lately I don't even know whether I am coming or going anymore. I have been struggling to find time to be just by myself. I just want to do too many things, and I don't have the time to do it all. Work is 9-5.30 every day, and basketball has taken over 3-4 nights a week and the saturday for games. Too much? I think so. But now the main stress of my new job is over - I mean now I know where to find tea, how to open the safe and who to talk to about projects, etc, etc.
I have been gettring attached to some interesting projects and have already had the opportunity to partake in 2 consultation events and several site visits. It's great - and I think I'm going to enjoy the consultation part of the job a whole lot!
Tomorrow I'm off to Letchworth Garden City to do a Town Centre Appraisal, and was actually supposed to go with a colleague. She is really busy, so now I'm doing it alone...It's a bit much, but also really cool. It's a chance to show them that I can think!
My parents were here the last 2 weekends - lovely to see them here! This weekend my two bestest friends from uni are coming over, before heading to Marrakesh, I think for a study tour. It'll be great to see them here - I really don't get to spend enough time with my friends based in Denmark. I think we're mainly going to talk, eat, drink, watch the English watch rugby and.. well, that's gotta be enough!
Thinking of you all.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Monday, October 01, 2007
The first day of the rest of my life
Today was my first day at work. It went well, people were nice and all's good.It's weird though. All of a sudden my days will be totally filled up with work and basketball. And the next while I'll be having a few visits, my parents will be here for a long weekend and two really good friends for another weekend. I'm really looking forward to it! There's just a lot of stuff to deal with - I need to get new clothes for work. What I have now simply doesn't cut it! I think I may make it through the week with what I have, but that is it!
I will be brief today, I'm really busy these days!
I will be brief today, I'm really busy these days!
Friday, September 28, 2007
The weather has changed
(Posted with a day's delay,I'm afraid)
Yesterday was cold - real cold. I have brought out my long, woollen sweaters, but am waiting a bit to unpack my winter coat. That would just be too much of a commitment..!
The last couple of days have been really exciting, even more than just the changing of the seasons, which in itself can be a thrilling ride of “oh no, it’s raining again” interspersed with those moments of clarity where you realise that you are part of something bigger, a system that keeps moving, no matter what goes on in your own little life.
Tuesday was challenging. I was preparing for my interview the day after (had to do a 10 minute presentation on what I can bring to the firm + several other tasks), and so actually had something to do. The rest of my course-mates were frantically completing their work on the exhibition that was to open at 6.30 that evening. I felt bad for not taking part in the preparations and had to keep reminding myself that what I was doing was equally important. I just really like to take part in common things like that. The exhibition was great, and all the hard work really paid off in the end. There were so many people there that one could hardly move – success! Most of the time I was just really happy for everybody, they were so happy to be done, and I genuinely smiled on the numerous photos being taken. At one point, however, I felt so alone. I was not done, did not have any relatives or friends there to see my work. I was not overjoyed to have completed the course, because I hadn’t! I wandered aimlessly around, taking in all the people looking in awe at the boards displayed, chattering away about how much work must go into the projects. My mind drifted to the interview the day after, but eventually I got to talking to some people again, which allowed me to enjoy the ret of my evening.
The day after I had my very first serious interview. I wasn’t sure how it had gone, but I did walk away with a positive feeling, yet I wasn’t entirely happy with my replies. I guess they were, since they called me today to offer me the job – starting Monday! I am terribly happy and confused at the same time. I have had no stable rhythm in my life all summer, and all of a sudden both basketball and a job commence simultaneously. I have been looking forward to this, but now I won’t have all that free time and be able to organise my days as I please. Part of growing up?
Have a list of about 25 points that I would like to have done before starting my job (!), it’ll be a busy weekend (and oh, the first basketball game is presumably on Saturday, too).
Wish me luck :.)
Yesterday was cold - real cold. I have brought out my long, woollen sweaters, but am waiting a bit to unpack my winter coat. That would just be too much of a commitment..!
The last couple of days have been really exciting, even more than just the changing of the seasons, which in itself can be a thrilling ride of “oh no, it’s raining again” interspersed with those moments of clarity where you realise that you are part of something bigger, a system that keeps moving, no matter what goes on in your own little life.
Tuesday was challenging. I was preparing for my interview the day after (had to do a 10 minute presentation on what I can bring to the firm + several other tasks), and so actually had something to do. The rest of my course-mates were frantically completing their work on the exhibition that was to open at 6.30 that evening. I felt bad for not taking part in the preparations and had to keep reminding myself that what I was doing was equally important. I just really like to take part in common things like that. The exhibition was great, and all the hard work really paid off in the end. There were so many people there that one could hardly move – success! Most of the time I was just really happy for everybody, they were so happy to be done, and I genuinely smiled on the numerous photos being taken. At one point, however, I felt so alone. I was not done, did not have any relatives or friends there to see my work. I was not overjoyed to have completed the course, because I hadn’t! I wandered aimlessly around, taking in all the people looking in awe at the boards displayed, chattering away about how much work must go into the projects. My mind drifted to the interview the day after, but eventually I got to talking to some people again, which allowed me to enjoy the ret of my evening.
The day after I had my very first serious interview. I wasn’t sure how it had gone, but I did walk away with a positive feeling, yet I wasn’t entirely happy with my replies. I guess they were, since they called me today to offer me the job – starting Monday! I am terribly happy and confused at the same time. I have had no stable rhythm in my life all summer, and all of a sudden both basketball and a job commence simultaneously. I have been looking forward to this, but now I won’t have all that free time and be able to organise my days as I please. Part of growing up?
Have a list of about 25 points that I would like to have done before starting my job (!), it’ll be a busy weekend (and oh, the first basketball game is presumably on Saturday, too).
Wish me luck :.)
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
fall has come
I was sitting in the park a few days ago when a small leaf landed on my bag. It is now an unavoidable fact: The seasons have turned, and what was a wet, confusing, painful, caring, tough, self-investigating summer is over. It is fall.
The new students have been arriving in the last couple of days, and it seems such a long and such a short while since we ourselves commenced this course. This evening my coursemates will be opening the exhibition of their work of the year. I will not have any work on show. It is odd, to have been a part of this group lke everyone else, and yet not to complete together with them. I chose it, and I accept my decision (and try my best to laud it, actually), but it is not easy at all times. Au contraire.
Tomorrow I have my first "real" job interview. Scary, thrilling and slightly disconcerting. There's a full programme of 2 hours (!) including me holding a 10-minute presentation on my skills, Q&A, showing project work examples and a written test. I think that it's really a lot! I just hope I get to walk out of that room with a good feeling's all.
Less than 45 minutes to the exhibition. Judging by how jittery I feel, they must be nervous wrecks.
Hopefully the new season will not just be an end to all that is known, but rather an opportunity to begin afresh and anew.
Rain also has its charms.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
short update
Sometimes your life just keeps on moving, and from one day to the next suddenly major changes have taken place - and actually, you yourself might even have initiated and performed them. Walking away from my new flat, after having unloaded and carried up two loads of stuff, (helped by my Danish friend who is permanently anchored in London) I had this feeling...
I have been so busy lately (I know, I know, not the conventional way, but somehow all my days get filled up with all sorts of stuff). I have expanded on my "freelancing", and this now includes nannying a couple of Danish boys. The first time I looked after them one of them managed to kick a football onto my face, breaking my glasses. I have had them glued, but perhaps this is a sign from above/below (!) to get a new pair. Perhaps these? Have been looking lately.
Time has gone fast, this last year being extremely eventful in both good and bad ways. London is my home now, although I am struggling to get that homey feeling in the new flat. I've lived there since Saturday and haven't yet cooked - so unlike me!
I don't have internet at home, so I won't really be online so much the next while (unless I come in to uni, which I have been doing the last couple of days.. who said internet junkie?).
I have been so busy lately (I know, I know, not the conventional way, but somehow all my days get filled up with all sorts of stuff). I have expanded on my "freelancing", and this now includes nannying a couple of Danish boys. The first time I looked after them one of them managed to kick a football onto my face, breaking my glasses. I have had them glued, but perhaps this is a sign from above/below (!) to get a new pair. Perhaps these? Have been looking lately.
Time has gone fast, this last year being extremely eventful in both good and bad ways. London is my home now, although I am struggling to get that homey feeling in the new flat. I've lived there since Saturday and haven't yet cooked - so unlike me!
I don't have internet at home, so I won't really be online so much the next while (unless I come in to uni, which I have been doing the last couple of days.. who said internet junkie?).
Monday, September 03, 2007
finally - a flat
Today I paid the deposit needed to secure my new residence in what's apparently a delightful place: Stoke Newington. I've only ever heard nice things about it, although some people have added a wry "..which the bourgeois upper-middle class people like" to the statement that there's a lovely organic farmer's market just around the corner. So far, I've seen tons of Turkish shops of all sorts (kiosks, fruits&vegs, cafées Turkish style, pizza places and kebab shops etc..). It's lively, which is nice.
My road is a nice residential road, not unlike the one I've lived on this last year. Ok, not AS nice, but it's the same lovely terraced houses, only with a higher percentage of unkempt and/or cemented front "gardens". Still, it has a nice feel to it, and I'm sure that I'll feel just fine coming home from baskebtall at night. The room is in a flat shared with one other, a Portuguese woman. It's about 3,5 squared, so there should be enough space for all my gear. We'll see.. I have, very slowly, begun thinking of and actually getting round to packing up my stuff. I have the room from tomorrow, so I can go there and get used to it, bringing some stuff there. I don't know if I'll fit all my things there, but, just for the record - YOU (as in: all my darling friends and family members contemplating visiting me!) are more than welcome to come and visit me, should you ever come to London! :.)
I'll throw on some pics when I've gone on recon one of these days.
My road is a nice residential road, not unlike the one I've lived on this last year. Ok, not AS nice, but it's the same lovely terraced houses, only with a higher percentage of unkempt and/or cemented front "gardens". Still, it has a nice feel to it, and I'm sure that I'll feel just fine coming home from baskebtall at night. The room is in a flat shared with one other, a Portuguese woman. It's about 3,5 squared, so there should be enough space for all my gear. We'll see.. I have, very slowly, begun thinking of and actually getting round to packing up my stuff. I have the room from tomorrow, so I can go there and get used to it, bringing some stuff there. I don't know if I'll fit all my things there, but, just for the record - YOU (as in: all my darling friends and family members contemplating visiting me!) are more than welcome to come and visit me, should you ever come to London! :.)
I'll throw on some pics when I've gone on recon one of these days.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
london
a bustling dream, aspirations and disillusions, hopes and intimacy, feelings and detachedness. making it and making do, creating the real life, just surviving. london's solitude and cosyness, lonesomeness, fear, feeling content, yet wondering what might pop up around the corner - actually anticipating this disruption...
it's being part of an unruly disorganised group, it's being truly on your own. it's a dream come true coupled with feeling all lost. i love london.
this evening i hung out with two couples (one very dear, loved and well-known to me) who are both getting married within the next while. it's not really fair to call them just "couples", since they are four very sincere, caring and diverse people; they are not just part of a "thing". i was alright with being single in this situation, even though the one girl at one point chatted about me being alone and us not "being six at the table", eyeballing the empty chair next to me. No harm done. Not even when they started talking about what they were each doing for their honeymoon, what sort of dresses it would be acceptable to wear at the wedding... i mean, i understand all these concerns. what got me down was walking home alone. i got on the bus and all around me were more or less drunk people, either in couples or with that restlessly wandering eye (which god forbid i have, yet i fear i might), indicating a person in search of someone. and not just anyone, rather that someone needed for intimacy, be it corporeal or emotional.
for some reason, the pattern created by the light of a lamp post filtering through the crown of a tree, the silent hush of the residential streets, the smell of neatly planted flowers in a bourgois neighborhood... it all makes me feel all single and alone. as in, just me, all alone, no one else. it's ok, it's good, it's the way i want it. i like it. but it's tough, not having that someone at home, waiting, anticipating your return. for now the freedom of being just me makes up for that. even though i feel alone, walking home from a night out.
it's being part of an unruly disorganised group, it's being truly on your own. it's a dream come true coupled with feeling all lost. i love london.
this evening i hung out with two couples (one very dear, loved and well-known to me) who are both getting married within the next while. it's not really fair to call them just "couples", since they are four very sincere, caring and diverse people; they are not just part of a "thing". i was alright with being single in this situation, even though the one girl at one point chatted about me being alone and us not "being six at the table", eyeballing the empty chair next to me. No harm done. Not even when they started talking about what they were each doing for their honeymoon, what sort of dresses it would be acceptable to wear at the wedding... i mean, i understand all these concerns. what got me down was walking home alone. i got on the bus and all around me were more or less drunk people, either in couples or with that restlessly wandering eye (which god forbid i have, yet i fear i might), indicating a person in search of someone. and not just anyone, rather that someone needed for intimacy, be it corporeal or emotional.
for some reason, the pattern created by the light of a lamp post filtering through the crown of a tree, the silent hush of the residential streets, the smell of neatly planted flowers in a bourgois neighborhood... it all makes me feel all single and alone. as in, just me, all alone, no one else. it's ok, it's good, it's the way i want it. i like it. but it's tough, not having that someone at home, waiting, anticipating your return. for now the freedom of being just me makes up for that. even though i feel alone, walking home from a night out.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
work, work, work, wo-ork...
Today has been a busy day: "freelance" jobbing in the morning, ever more flat viewings in the afternoon (2 nice ones in one day, imagine that!), an interview for my new nanny-job (I wonder why anyone would want to leave me their prize-children) and a gallery exhibition opening of.., well, a friend's, I guess. Yay - love your work!
Thursday and Friday next week I'll be nannying the two Danish boys, I hope that'll go smoothly.. we'll see, C. has told me enough stuff about them during this last year to make me fear the youngest just a tad.
And my darling friend who deserted me and left for Brussels when I came here to London is here for the weekend, so hopefully we can manage to hook up.
All's good.
Thursday and Friday next week I'll be nannying the two Danish boys, I hope that'll go smoothly.. we'll see, C. has told me enough stuff about them during this last year to make me fear the youngest just a tad.
And my darling friend who deserted me and left for Brussels when I came here to London is here for the weekend, so hopefully we can manage to hook up.
All's good.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
more carnival!
So, yeah, I went again, this time accompanied by a friend, which was great! Someone to marvel with about all the crazy stuff going on! There were definately more people today. We got caught in several backed up patches, but I didn't find it too much. Here's how many people were there:
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Sambaaaa!
Pumping samba rhythms, all smiles, red stripe Jamaican lager, Caribbean food, coconuts, red-yellow-green, dancing kids, Caribbean flags and whistles, feathers, sequins, laughter, reggae, dancing, movement, flirting, beer stalls, corn on the cob, kissing, sleeping tiger in a buggy, shaking body parts, djs, sound systems, blaring hiphop, breakdance, super heroes on scene, beautiful dancing women...
And tomorrow's supposed to be THE day to go :.) We'll see!
And tomorrow's supposed to be THE day to go :.) We'll see!
Friday, August 24, 2007
s***
"So, eh, hey!"
"Hi, Trev!"
"So, yeah, hey, I just called to let you know that my flatmate's friend wanted the room, so, eh.. sorry. Well, hey, good luck finding another room. I'm sorry 'bout it..."
"Oh, I'm real sorry to hear that.. But I understand, your roomie's friend, I get it, it's only fair, huh. What a shame.."
So I'm back to hunting.
And as if that's not enough, my dear, dear childhood friend has now also broken up with her boyfriend after several years living together. What IS up with this bloody year? It's like the bad stuff just keeps rolling in. I really hope something good will come of all this..
Untill then, I'm back to flathunting (and man, even on the weekend of the biggest carnival in Europe, in Notting Hill!).
S***.
"Hi, Trev!"
"So, yeah, hey, I just called to let you know that my flatmate's friend wanted the room, so, eh.. sorry. Well, hey, good luck finding another room. I'm sorry 'bout it..."
"Oh, I'm real sorry to hear that.. But I understand, your roomie's friend, I get it, it's only fair, huh. What a shame.."
So I'm back to hunting.
And as if that's not enough, my dear, dear childhood friend has now also broken up with her boyfriend after several years living together. What IS up with this bloody year? It's like the bad stuff just keeps rolling in. I really hope something good will come of all this..
Untill then, I'm back to flathunting (and man, even on the weekend of the biggest carnival in Europe, in Notting Hill!).
S***.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
more flats, more "job"
So, my freelance job is going just great! Today I learned to wiggle my big toe and ear on the right hand side of the body! Very educational, and something I didn't imagine they wouldn't actually study at a research university!
Tomorrow I've got two experiments lined up, one more brain wave one and one hand something-something. I'm digging this - it's really easy money, and actually a quite interesting look into some rather obscure research areas. Friday I've got 3 experiments! You can almost make a living off this!!!
More flathunting today. I saw THE place I want to live - if I have a choice, this is my new home! After walking around in very drizzly/half rainy weather for 20 minutes, I walked to far up the road, had to go back, then entered an estate on the wrong side of the road, then came into the courtyard but disorientedly wandered out again following a waving of the guy I was meant to meet, and finally fought my way back into the courtyard and into the apartment. All rather embarrassing, as I called the poor guy 3 times while trying to get to the place!!! Anyways, the room was really nice, plenty of space, bright flat, nice kitchen, even nicer bathroom and the price was just marvellous! At 380£ a month including everything, that's a really good deal. So now I'm just waiting for Trev to call me back and tell me it's mine.. I'm hoping anyways..! Please, please, please!
As I sit here it's just started to really pour down outside. I am really missing the sunshine and hot temperatures from Greece :.(
Tomorrow I've got two experiments lined up, one more brain wave one and one hand something-something. I'm digging this - it's really easy money, and actually a quite interesting look into some rather obscure research areas. Friday I've got 3 experiments! You can almost make a living off this!!!
More flathunting today. I saw THE place I want to live - if I have a choice, this is my new home! After walking around in very drizzly/half rainy weather for 20 minutes, I walked to far up the road, had to go back, then entered an estate on the wrong side of the road, then came into the courtyard but disorientedly wandered out again following a waving of the guy I was meant to meet, and finally fought my way back into the courtyard and into the apartment. All rather embarrassing, as I called the poor guy 3 times while trying to get to the place!!! Anyways, the room was really nice, plenty of space, bright flat, nice kitchen, even nicer bathroom and the price was just marvellous! At 380£ a month including everything, that's a really good deal. So now I'm just waiting for Trev to call me back and tell me it's mine.. I'm hoping anyways..! Please, please, please!
As I sit here it's just started to really pour down outside. I am really missing the sunshine and hot temperatures from Greece :.(
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
flats and "jobs"
Today's been rainy. Well actually drizzly, lovely word. I woke up late and decided to stay in bed to read the sunday newspaper, which lay nearly untouched on the lovely linoleum flooring of the flat.
So I got up late, baked a peach pie (improvised, based on 3 recipes and my imagination), which turned out to be less than excellent but still edible, and wrote a few emails, checked the market for new flats.. And then I went to see one of the flats that I like again. I haven't found a place yet.
Now that I've been looking for a new place to live, I've been thinking about how much stuff I have and what sort of a room I'll need and so forth. It has dawned on me that he probably took with him 70% of the stuff that we brought here a year ago. There's really not very much left: My clothes and shoes (a remarkable amount at that), a single shelf of books (yes really, that's it! I'm surprised too!), a number of smaller boxes containing.. stuff, 2 small desk lamps, 1 larger one, and very limited kitchen supplies (they were ALL his). And then of course the bloody futon.
I'm sure it'll be more than enough when I get round to actually moving it, but thinking about it doesn't intimidate me right now :.)
I've taken up a, shall we call it, freelance job. All year long I've been receiving mails from several testing units from the university, primarily psychologic, and the other day I signed up for a brain wave experiment - just for the hell of it and because they pay 7.50/hour cash. Basically I had a good experience, although it was not a total piece of cake. For an hour and a half I sat and read a newspaper I had brought and chatted to the Japanese researcher while he attached 4 electrodes to my face (!) and I don't know how many to my head, on a white hoodie sort of thing. Then I did several tests, probably for 2 and a half hours (had tea and biscuits too!) and finally a nice shampoo and conditioning treatment to get the ionic paste out of my hair. Altogether 4 and a half hours, and I walked out 35£ richer and with clean hair. Easy peasy! So tomorrow I'm doing another one, but this time it's a "wriggle your toes and ears"-experiment. I wonder how that's going to go down - very exciting and interesting, hehe. And they pay too ;.) I also have another of the brainwaves lined up for Thursday.
Gotta make money somehow, eh?
So I got up late, baked a peach pie (improvised, based on 3 recipes and my imagination), which turned out to be less than excellent but still edible, and wrote a few emails, checked the market for new flats.. And then I went to see one of the flats that I like again. I haven't found a place yet.
Now that I've been looking for a new place to live, I've been thinking about how much stuff I have and what sort of a room I'll need and so forth. It has dawned on me that he probably took with him 70% of the stuff that we brought here a year ago. There's really not very much left: My clothes and shoes (a remarkable amount at that), a single shelf of books (yes really, that's it! I'm surprised too!), a number of smaller boxes containing.. stuff, 2 small desk lamps, 1 larger one, and very limited kitchen supplies (they were ALL his). And then of course the bloody futon.
I'm sure it'll be more than enough when I get round to actually moving it, but thinking about it doesn't intimidate me right now :.)
I've taken up a, shall we call it, freelance job. All year long I've been receiving mails from several testing units from the university, primarily psychologic, and the other day I signed up for a brain wave experiment - just for the hell of it and because they pay 7.50/hour cash. Basically I had a good experience, although it was not a total piece of cake. For an hour and a half I sat and read a newspaper I had brought and chatted to the Japanese researcher while he attached 4 electrodes to my face (!) and I don't know how many to my head, on a white hoodie sort of thing. Then I did several tests, probably for 2 and a half hours (had tea and biscuits too!) and finally a nice shampoo and conditioning treatment to get the ionic paste out of my hair. Altogether 4 and a half hours, and I walked out 35£ richer and with clean hair. Easy peasy! So tomorrow I'm doing another one, but this time it's a "wriggle your toes and ears"-experiment. I wonder how that's going to go down - very exciting and interesting, hehe. And they pay too ;.) I also have another of the brainwaves lined up for Thursday.
Gotta make money somehow, eh?
Monday, August 20, 2007
flat hunting
I can't quite make up my mind who is in the stronger position: the flat hunter or the flat stayers.
I mean. The flat stayers want to make sure that the person moving in is nice, tidy, friendly and perhaps even up for socialising a bit. They want to make sure not to get any psychopaths in the door, and that the person they're offering to enter their flat is not going to nick stuff (foods or cash or jewellery or shampoo or..). And of course, that they'll pay rent on time.
Most of this stuff is pertinent both ways, but for the flat hunter there are more things to consider: for example whether the group of people in the flat are willing to open their potentially closed circle of flat mates to the newcomer, how the dynamics of the house is, and whether there are any skeletons in the closet, such as vermin, a s*** landlord or the like.
I've seen 8 flats now, each with pros and cons. One was an amazingly roomy flat, the room with a fantastic view from the 15th floor and with newly redone interior, but in a slightly nasty council estate. Another was a cheap room, but small and with young students (we're talking 20, 20 and 24!).. And yet another was a large, cheap room, with a garden, two showers and separate toilet, but in a, uhm.., slightly dilapidated condition.
So, what's the most important?
The size of the room (I want to be able to have firends over)
Whether there's a living room or not?
Are the people living there friend potential?
The total cost...?
I've been offered 3 or so of the ones I've seen (pretty good, I'd say, even the students wanted me!), and I'm not sure whether to take the more expensive one, which is in really good condition and where the people have friend potential, or the cheaper (by 100£/month), larger room, where I can't really have my bike and the people aren't as obviously great.. I think I'll chose one tomorrow.
I mean. The flat stayers want to make sure that the person moving in is nice, tidy, friendly and perhaps even up for socialising a bit. They want to make sure not to get any psychopaths in the door, and that the person they're offering to enter their flat is not going to nick stuff (foods or cash or jewellery or shampoo or..). And of course, that they'll pay rent on time.
Most of this stuff is pertinent both ways, but for the flat hunter there are more things to consider: for example whether the group of people in the flat are willing to open their potentially closed circle of flat mates to the newcomer, how the dynamics of the house is, and whether there are any skeletons in the closet, such as vermin, a s*** landlord or the like.
I've seen 8 flats now, each with pros and cons. One was an amazingly roomy flat, the room with a fantastic view from the 15th floor and with newly redone interior, but in a slightly nasty council estate. Another was a cheap room, but small and with young students (we're talking 20, 20 and 24!).. And yet another was a large, cheap room, with a garden, two showers and separate toilet, but in a, uhm.., slightly dilapidated condition.
So, what's the most important?
The size of the room (I want to be able to have firends over)
Whether there's a living room or not?
Are the people living there friend potential?
The total cost...?
I've been offered 3 or so of the ones I've seen (pretty good, I'd say, even the students wanted me!), and I'm not sure whether to take the more expensive one, which is in really good condition and where the people have friend potential, or the cheaper (by 100£/month), larger room, where I can't really have my bike and the people aren't as obviously great.. I think I'll chose one tomorrow.
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