#everything is rent

[ashleywool]

but getting older means more awkward situations

Turned 37 yesterday. The 34 guilty convictions were a very nice present. Probably the best present I've ever received, including last year, when my present was a literal Broadway contract (ok, technically we found out on June 22, but tomato/tomahto).

A less nice present was the letter from my building management informing me that if I renew my lease (which I won't), my rent will be raised to what would have been 33% of my net income if HTDIO was still running. It was about 29% before, which is still a lot, but worth it for the ability to have no roommates in a decent apartment.

And when I say "decent," I mean decent in that it checks most of the basic boxes amenable to a reasonable quality of life. That is, if you don't mind having a walkup with a perpetually dysfunctional kitchen ceiling light, a radiator that you can't turn on, water damage on the ceiling due to other people's radiator dysfunction, construction outside your window during the day, aggressively loud pedicabs in the evening, and squeaky garbage trucks at 1am. So basically, a decent quality of life for heavy sleepers (which I am not) with fully functional body temperature regulation (again, not me) and no mobility issues whatsoever (I do check that box, at least for now).

The plus sides are: it's right in Hell's Kitchen, and within walking distance to most of the places I regularly go, it's a reasonably sturdy and non-fire-hazardy building for its age (which means I feel comfortable leaving my cats there) with functional plumbing and electricity (except the kitchen ceiling light), never had a pest problem, the refrigerator and microwave are brand new and excellent quality, the oven is younger than me, although it's small, and only one of the burners doesn't work.

I'm no stranger to the horror stories of NYC apartment living. I know I'm still more privileged than most to live in a place that's decent.

But it's not "you need a six-figure income and perfect credit just to APPLY to live here" decent.

It's not "you owe $9K in deposits and broker fees before you even move in" decent.

It's not "you must have either consistent exorbitant wealth or significant supplementary generational wealth in order to stay here" decent.

"So just get a job. Just get a roommate. Just put up with more problems. Suck it up. Or move back in with one of your parents again."

Sure. Okay. I'd love to. But.

When the minimum wage is $16 an hour, this isn't a "just get a job" problem.

When you're a highly trained professional at the highest level of your field and you're unemployed because corporate landlords were mad that your show wasn't selling $800 tickets in the middle of January like your neighbors at Merrily, this isn't a "just leave the industry" problem.

When finding a new career that would pay anything near what you need to live in this city would require taking out a small fortune in student loans to get another degree just to qualify for entry-level jobs that still won't pay your bills until you significantly advance, this isn't a "you majored in theatre, what did you expect" problem.

When you're autistic and chronically fatigued, fastidious about cleanliness and clutter, and religiously adhere to schedules and routines and predictability in your own space, this isn't a "just get a roommate" problem.

When you are a more-famous-than-average individual whose autism is directly tied to the things you're best known for, and Reddit is full of nightmare stories about what it means to have an autistic roommate, and Reddit is also rife with lies and rumors about you specifically, this isn't a "just get a roommate" problem.

And while I love my parents and have great relationships with both of them and they are doing everything they can to support me...for complicated logistical and personal reasons that are none of the Internet's business, "just move back in with your parents" is not a super helpful solution either.

But if I don't find a miracle between now and the end of August, that's probably what I'll end up doing.

And the crazy thing is, the fact that that's even an option for me STILL makes me more privileged than MOST people.

Nobody should have to face the situation I'm facing, and yet millions of people--especially disabled people--face this and worse, with far less support than I have. A cornerstone of my advocacy has been pointing out this inequity as often as I can, and trying to use my privilege and platform to help and amplify people who don't have those resources.

At this point in my career, I am supposed to be throwing down the ladder. Instead, and in spite of everything, I'm clinging to the ladder for dear life while the rungs crack beneath my feet.

And it all comes down to the landlords.

Legislation that limits the acquisition power and earning power of property owners, and enacts strict rent caps for residential AND business buildings, would solve 98% of my problems and approximately 75% of everyone else's problems in this city. (Please don't quote me on these statistics, they are sourced directly from my ass and are for idealistic illustrative purposes only.)

Anyway. Um.

34 felony convictions is still a beautiful thing.

[imperatorium]

Shout(ish)out to that one kind of too much Rent BNF who came into my former Hot Topic in like 2007 and was like, "Oh, 'Just Here To The Left Of You' is about a blowjob!", revealing a layer of the song I - a person who immediately took it all as an emotional reaction to a weird relationship between Roger & Mark - had never considered but now can't unhear, lmao.

[singaroundelay]

It’s Gonna Be a Happy New Year

Reblog Pussy Galore on New Years Eve to make the next decade of the ���20s in the gayest years yet. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

[wishy3]

How to best start the new year...rewatch Rent for the 7472826381928373 time! 😇😇😇❤️😎

Cause' everything is RENT! ❤️

[thecitykeepsevolving]

Last night I saw @rentontour at the @statetheatrenj and it was amazing! RENT has officially become the show I've seen the most times. #RENT #20thanniversarytour #nodaybuttoday #everythingisrent (at State Theatre New Jersey)

[imperatorium]

Over Thanksgiving break, Nora and I had our usual tradition of watching our joint favourite movie in the whole world, obviously.  We had some conversations.  Today, she sent me this article which is simultaneously the best and worst because it’s almost exactly in line with the conversations we were having. “GET A JOB, HIPSTERS.”  (I shout at myself, wearing glasses and the scarf, in my mirror.) Also: Benny wanted to run a cyberstudio.  He wanted us all to be YouTube stars.  Discuss.

[singaroundelay]

It’s gonna be a happy new year...

Reblog Pussy Galore on New Years Eve to make 2018 the gayest year yet. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

[zoeharlen]

In the spirit of the season, I found myself recalling one of my favourite moments from a musical I was lucky enough to watch this year 💕🎁🎄

[drugs-and-drumsticks]

i really need to sleep but i’m only halfway though the rent obc

[thecitykeepsevolving]

So I guess I’m seeing RENT on tour on May 6th? okaaay then.

[the-singing-lark]

RENT movie on TV: Joanne: she cheated--- I'm defeated, I should give up right now Gotta love TV censoring

[moon-imeanstars]

Roger & Mark can't afford to pay the rent for last year, this year or next year but their candle budget is over the top

[namajague]

I really hate the opening of the RENT movie, and I've talked about this before but not on this blog, I don't think. In the play, Benny - former friend and current landlord - had promised them that they would not have to pay rent. For the past year, he has not collected rent from them.

"This last year's rent, which I let slide."

"Let slide? You said we were golden!"

This is the impetus for their anger at being made to pay rent. In the movie, it just looks like some bratty thirty-somethings are surprised that they're expected to pay for their living space. Their history with Benny isn't gone unto until after everyone has lit their eviction notices on fire. I hate it.

[sinistralcentaur]

THE MONEY GNOMES HAVE SMILED UPON ME:

Okay, so here I am taking on two jobs because I don't have enough money to pay next month's rent, or this month's utilities... Right? Right? I JUST GOT A CHECK IN THE MAIL FROM MY UNIVERSITY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T APPLY A PELL GRANT TO MY ACCOUNT THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE APPLIED AND HOLY FUCK I AM SO GRATEFUL AND HAPPY FOR THEIR FUCKUPPERY!!! EVERYTHING IS RENTTTTT!

[singaroundelay]

Them: Merry Christmas!

Me: Christmas bells are ringing. Christmas bells are ringing. Honest living, honest living. Can't you spare a dime or two? Here but for the grace of God go you. You'll be merry, I'll be merry, though merry ain't in my vocabulary.

Them: ...again?

Me: EVERYTHING IS RENT.

[sandcastlesxinxthexsand]

RENT changed my life in middle school and it changed my life in college. I couldn't be more grateful