what's that smell?

I’m pretty sure I’m gonna have to move. I just moved into this apartment a couple of months ago, and I like it here, except for one thing.

These apartments each share a kitchen with a neighbor. That’s no big deal. My kitchen-mate never cooks, and I only rarely see her in there. It also shares the AC and heat, and we split the electric bill. That’s also fine. The neighbor likes it cooler than I do, but that’s okay.

The problem is that we’re breathing the same air…and she smokes. I am allergic to cigarette smoke. When I was a teen, I was sick a lot. I went to several doctors, and finally to a neurologist who diagnosed me with migraines. I had a lot of headaches and then would get sick. I missed a lot of school. So the neurologist gave me 2 medicines which really kinda made things worse. Maybe that’s another blog.

Anyway…it turns out I wasn’t really having migraines. I was just allergic to everything: dust, grass, pets, several common foods—seriously…beef, eggs, lettuce, corn—and cigarettes. I wasn’t extremely allergic to any one thing, just a little allergic to lots of things. But cigarette smoke was the thing I was most allergic to. I took shots for a while—5 a week to start. Eventually I stopped them. The food allergies aren’t that bad, and I just avoid the other stuff as much as possible.

But I can’t avoid it my neighbor smoking inside her apartment when we share the ventilation. I’ve talked to her twice about it, most recently a couple of days ago. After the first time we talked it got better for a few weeks, but then got really bad again. And after the other day’s brief talk, I smelled smoke that evening and yesterday afternoon and night and right now at 5am. A couple of times a friend, Julia, came over and mentioned the smell right away.So it's not just me being sensitive.

I told the neighbor that if she keeps smoking inside I’d have to move. I don’t want to move. I like the apartment; it’s a good location; the rent is cheap; and my stuff is already here. Finding an apartment is a pain. I should know: I’ve done it every year or 2 lately. But I just can’t live here like this. I can confront people when it’s needed, but I don’t want to be the annoying neighbor who keeps banging on the wall to get you to stop doing that annoying thing you do.

She’s been living here for 11 years, and she’s not the brightest person around. Despite her reassurance that she’s been doing and will do better, it’s not happening.

I mentioned it to the landlord about a month ago, so he’s aware that there’s an issue. Later today (after I’ve slept some) I’m going to have to call the landlord and see what he has to say. Hopefully, I can get out the lease without paying extra. . The lease does not prohibit smoking inside the apartment. There is a clause about not doing anything to “disturb, endanger, or interfere with other tenants” so maybe he’ll be cool about it.

Now’s the time to do it. It’s early-to-mid August, and there may still be some apartments available in walking distance from the university where I’m expecting to pick up a lot of accompanying work, maybe even something closer. And not too much more expensive. It’ll be a pain to move all my stuff, and I’ll have to find a bed. I’m sleeping on one the landlord bought. And frankly, I’d rather feel absolutely free to walk into my kitchen without putting any clothes on without worrying that my “neighbor” won’t see me and freak out.