Roommate Redux

I'm going to try this roommate thing again.

It always sounds like a good idea when it's rent-paying time. It always sounds like a bad idea most of the rest of the time, like when I'm up at 7 am and want to blare Lady Gaga as I clean and exercise.

Last roommate, who lasted just a few days before he moved out and into the room of a friend of mine who's not returning because she nearly died of malaria, was a young male with different interests and standards of cleanliness. He drank all my water, broke my lock, and woke me up at 3:30 a.m. I was relieved when he left, though he still hasn't given me money. Oh, I deserve money after the minor annoyances he wrought.

This roommate, who will move in next week, is an adult. Younger than me, but last year in Haiti and the year before that in Mexico City. In some ways, things will be easier because we have shared understandings. In other ways, things will be harder because I cannot simply censure her as though she's a puppy. There will be more giving up for me than simply having a lodger who blunders about.

But, I need to really keep the eye on the prize: $750 per month less per month that I'm spending. And that is good all month long, even when she breaks a plate. But the woman better step back away from my coffee grinder!