Saturday, April 28, 2007

The first time I lived in the world supporting myself, I had a roommate, Brad. Of the people in the 'rent's under $500 a month club' Brad seemed the least creepy and had a cool fish tank. What I didn't know was that Brad was a drug addict with a memory problem. I had two other roommates during that time. The first a girl, kept to herself and only was there a few months. The second was fresh out of prison. I moved out shortly thereafter.

There's a lot of little stories that paint a picture Brad being a terrible person to live with. He was messy and smelly, immature, and inept. Some of the creatures he brought home after dates were interesting, the way he treated them was too. I have a lot of unfinished writing about Brad. It just wasn't self-sustaining prose, and I never had much of a reason to get it out there.

The problem with Brad was not the illicit drug use, the debauchery of women, or the gross incompetence, but that I thought of him less of a roommate whom I share with, and more of a captor. It was my responsibility to stay in the room, keep quiet, and not upset him. Like I didn't feel privileged enough to use the kitchen because I might clean something wrong or not put something back in the right place, and that would be an inconvenience for him. It better served both of our purposes to just stay out of the way, I kept to myself. I paid for a room, that's all. I didn't use the living room. I didn't make a sound. And even though now my roommate is neither a drug addict or a slob, and actually a really cool guy. Our place isn't mine, I just have a room, and its no different. I avoid using the kitchen, I won't do laundry if he's home, If there are guests I'm shut in my room like a pet that isn't people trained.

Trying to be as insignificant as possible is no way to live a life. A while ago I resolved to move and I will be doing that this week. I need to be on equal footing with those I live with and I'm not ready for that, so I'm going out on my own. I have to believe that independence will lead to me more thoroughly exploring some of my interests.

Like Brad, I have a lot of untold stories about my current roommate, whom many of you know. This week, while I'm busy moving, I'm going to use those untold stories to count down the top roommate moments of the last two years, and then I'll fill you guys in on my new place.

#5 - Leftover Brad Stories
#4 - Brownie Points
#3 - People Who Live in Glass Houses
#2 - Madden, Money, and Meat-Lovers
#1 - Dollar, Dollar Bill Y'All