Adventures in Flat Shopping; Episode 1

After a not necessarily long and arduous search process, I had my first response to come and check out a flat. As someone who had dealt with showing apartments for over a year, I know that I didn't get back to people right away. Sometimes not at all. I'm a jerk. So sue me. But darn it all, when I'm in a foreign country, currently staying in the equivalent of Okotoks to Calgary (though with a transportation system that actually works, meaning I can still get to Calgary... er... Glasgow... whatever, I get to take a train and that's cool), I want to get myself into a place I can call my own.

1st response. We'll call him "Alpha"  

*at this juncture I would like to point out that I hope this is a quick process and a happy ending comes along soon, as A) I really want to unpack my stuff and not have to pack it up again... maybe EVER; and B) I don't know very many Greek letters... *

Alpha posted an add for a flat share (Canadian equiv = roommate) in a "spacious flat, perfect for uni student." He's a 3rd year med student, living in a nice building in a quieter area, "close to the West End" which is the hip and happenin' student part of town. The message I got after responding was brief, but very helpful in that it gave me awfully specific directions on how to get there. Always appreciated. 

I haul my tuckus onto the train to downtown, then onto the train to Kelvindale, home of Alpha and his flat. Turns out it's the equivalent of Airdrie to Calgary. (if you're keeping up with me on my intended metaphors, this means that it's almost equally as far away, though in the opposite direction. Wicked) I check out the area. Uncharming, but with a canal I can theoretically run along. I step up to the front door of the building, my mind buzzing with what this Alpha guy is gonna look/sound/act/smell/laugh/cook like. Press buzzer. Voice comes through and my instant thought is "Oh, he must have a girl over."

I head into the building, up the first flight of stairs and turn left to the opening door, where Alpha is standing.  A cherubic, smiling, blonde, curly and bespectacled head is in front of me.... eye level with my boobies. Alpha is 5 feet tall. Maybe. This beautifully angelic voice greets me with a 'hello, so glad you found us' and all of my being is resisting the urge to ask where he's keeping his harp, how does he hide his wings, and isn't he supposed to be wearing only a diaper?  In less than five minutes I'm shown around the flat, followed and guided by the little giggles spilling out of possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen. The tour also includes Alpha's "my dad" sitting on the couch because "he's taking me to watch the football game *giggle giggle". The flat is lacking any kind of charm or energy or anything really, not that it would require anything when living with Alpha/Cupid I'm sure... just a code to know when he's working so to stay out of the way of the bow and heart-arrow thingy.

I said I had some places to look at. I'd send him a message soon.

I was very aware of the fact that, as cute and adorable as he was, I could not be the gigantor Emmazon living with the giggling angel. 

I just like beer way too much.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's episode including: Beta ("uh, picking up a car with my dad, can you call me back?"), Gamma (email: time, coordinates, will show flat), and Delta (text: "don't call before 11, cuz I'll be hungover").