I may be absent for awhile

You may not see me blogging or commenting on others blogs for a bit.  My way of living is so predictable, so routine that when life throws me a curveball, it’s hard for me to focus on typical, everyday things.

On Saturday, March 18 I was laying on my bed watching youtube videos on my tablet when I was assaulted by an offensive, oily smell wafting from the upper wall vent across from my bed. 

I didn’t have a clue what it could be—I’ve lived here for 6 years and I’ve never experienced anything like this. 

I opened a bedroom window to air things out, and went into the other room.  I could soon smell it coming from the livingroom vent too. 

I called my building’s maintenance and told them the issue.

Two men arrived Monday morning, both claimed they didn’t really smell anything “but you gotta understand, we’re in a lot of apartments every day doing a lot of sniffing”.  They suggested I try opening my windows and leaving them open for the day (which I did, even though it was only 28F outside).

At least the cold air was distracting; but when I got up Tuesday morning, and the smell was still coming in thru the ductwork, I called Steiner Realty again and reported no change.  When they suggested I try opening all my windows again, I raised a ruckus and said they better start looking at the heat/ac blower in my bathroom ceiling, for all I know it’s leaking oil.  Then I got dressed and headed to a doctor’s appointment.

I was happily surprised when I got home and found 3 men in my bathroom, with half of the ceiling removed.  They were replacing my apartment’s blower, and showed me the old motor and said it didn’t have a bad smell but was 15 years old and probably needing replaced soon anyway.  But there was no oil or anything.  The new motor rattles a bit (I’m hoping it calms down with time) but there’s no smells coming from it.  This smell wafting into my apartment thru the wall ducts only comes when the blower ISN’T running. 

For all I know, the young man who lives below me or the young couple directly above me are cooking or smoking meth, and I’m smelling it.  I don’t know what else this could be.  Steiner (my building’s management) certainly doesn’t have a clue.

My sister invited me to come down and stay with them for a bit.  I was thinking a couple days but she suggested longer.  That’s very generous of her (and it’s not like I have anything else going on) so we’ll see.  It will be nice seeing them.  And breathing some good air!

I hope everyone out there in Blogville is doing alright, and you can pardon my tardiness.  Thanks for listening (as always), take care.