My boyfriend and I were browsing for our first apartment. (At some point during the showing, I realized that looking was stupid because we’re not moving in together for almost another year, but that’s moot.)

Anyway, it was within price range, bi-level, with a wide, well-flowing space and an unorthodox design - things like rounded walls, both a spiral staircase and a curved staircase on opposite sides of the apartment leading between floors, a lounge pit in the living room, etc. The realtor kept bragging about how it was an architectural dream, non-traditional, with “strong lines” and “interesting angles.” I asked how big the place was and she said it was two bedroom, two-and-a-half bath. Then I spotted a metal cube, about 2½ feet to a side, that looked like a high-end dorm refrigerator. I asked what it was and and she said it was the half bath. I opened the door and it contained a toilet bowl. Only. No tank, no anything else. I remember staring at her in bewilderment, sharing a look with my boyfriend, looking back at her to see her complete earnestness, and laughing wildly while jokingly trying to stick my butt in the cube.

7/30/09