Technically, Mike in Boston only has two roommates, but roomie #2′s ever-present girlfriend has become the apartment’s de facto fourth resident…the non-rent-or-utilities-paying kind.
Explains Mike: “We only have one thermostat for the whole apartment, but our rooms are so tiny that we can typically keep the heat off and the place stays at 68-70 degrees.” Once winter came, however, the girlfriend wasn’t too pleased with this arrangement…and took to surreptitiously cranking up the heat into the mid-80s.
After one too many nights of waking up in a sauna, Mike and his allied roommate decided to fight back —in true passive-aggressive style — by removing the (detachable) thermostat from the wall. Drama, of course, ensued.
Mike’s roomie then posted a counter-attack:
![If your [sic] cold turn the heat on at YOUR APARTMENT! Otherwise...we took a vote 2 to 1 heat stays off. :)](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/2280316101_dcc7ddb7f5.jpg "If your [sic] cold turn the heat on at YOUR APARTMENT! Otherwise...we took a vote 2 to 1 heat stays off. :)")
Grammar aside, that one pretty much did the trick.
related: kill hamster too?
363 responses so far ↓
#1
Pooki
I can never get my thermostat to a perfect temperature. Either it’s too hot, or too cold. It only ever really works for me if I keep the heat cranked and the window open.
Sorry, Al Gore.
Nov 11, 2008 at 10:43 pm rating: 17
#2
Elbie
I have an ex-BF that kept the window open during an ice storm and still complained that he was hot. (Hence the ex part. I’ll be celibate before I get pneumonia.)
However, I also had the option of going to my own toasty bed, so Team 2 to 1 here…
Nov 11, 2008 at 10:51 pm rating: 18
#3
Martin Heidegger
I think the whole problem is that it’s “fucking freezing”, as the note says. It wouldn’t be freezing if the roommate and his girl weren’t fucking… so maybe it’s time to be passive-aggressive back and put some ice cubes in the sack. Or on the sack. Whatever.
Nov 11, 2008 at 10:55 pm rating: 3
#4
Wesley
Let her turn the heat on.
…and if the majority must rule (which doesn’t make much sense anyway), let her have a vote. 2:2 = tie.
She and their roommate are a package deal. They accept him, they accept her, and he does pay his share of the bills.
Nov 11, 2008 at 10:58 pm rating: 2
#5
John in IL
If you don’t know the name of the “Heat thing” you don’t deserve the fucking heat.
Nov 11, 2008 at 11:01 pm rating: 163
#6
Jenny in Winston Salem
As one who has lived with the “extra” roommate, I say they should turn the AC on. Don’t ever, EVER, tell someone what to do in a home you don’t pay rent in. And while you’re at it, pay for the food and drink you consume, and the toilet paper you use. BITCH!
Sorry, I feel better now. I hate “extra” roommates.
Nov 11, 2008 at 11:11 pm rating: 93
#7
Julia
Wow, the audacity of this bitch. Not only does she have the gall to adjust the temperature in an apartment that’s NOT HERS, she goes and posts a bitchy note about it!
I’m with the apartment-dwellers all the way. Tell her to buy a sweater or something. Or, you know, GTFO.
Nov 11, 2008 at 11:16 pm rating: 44
#8
booge
Put on a sweater and quit your bitchin. I once lived in a house with a shitload of roommates where the heat bill was $300 and that was Winter in motherfucking Santa Cruz, California, one of the most temperate climates there is. Seriously, why does the ambient indoor temperature have to be the perfect one for people to be happy? I never understand. Do you all go outside and shake your fists at the heavens every day when it isn’t 81 degrees? Heater and window? What the fuck? Put on a cardigan. It opens in the front! High clothing technology, at work for you.
Nov 11, 2008 at 11:19 pm rating: 65
#9
Walrus
“your” is not the same as “you’re”
Nov 11, 2008 at 11:24 pm rating: 8
#10
laurz
i too lived in a house with a billion roommates in santa cruz, and our heat bill was outrageous. also had something to do with the fact that our doors didn’t shut all the way to the outside because our house wasn’t built on a foundation and it sank down when the ground got muddy from the creek flooding. the gas heater was broken most of the time but once we got it fixed it would get so hot that i melted the bottom of a shoe on it, and also made a grilled cheese sandwich. all the heat just went straight out the crooked door anyway. team sweater/blanket/bottle of wine!
Nov 11, 2008 at 11:28 pm rating: 3
#11
Nicole
What a waste of money! Put on a sweater and have some soup.
My house is usually at 64, though I do not have any heat, besides a wood stove
I am lazy, and haven’t built a fire yet this winter. Now, I am just trying to see how far I can go until I break down and build one.
Nov 11, 2008 at 11:38 pm rating: 3
#12
aaa
Why not psychologically damage the girlfriend until she refuses to enter the apartment? Like take pictures of her when she isn’t looking and put up a buttload of copies all over the apartment.
(Although this orignally wasn’t my idea. Read it someplace on the internet.)
Nov 11, 2008 at 11:51 pm rating: 5
#13
stringyhair
But my boyfriend, your roommate, doesn’t like when my nipples are that hard! Consider the nipples and put the heat thingy back.
Nov 11, 2008 at 11:52 pm rating: 5
#14
MoxieHart
Team Janine Kishi. It makes more sense to put on a sweater than to try to adjust the environmental temperature.
Nov 12, 2008 at 12:07 am rating: 2
#15
Canadian Deadhead
Would it be too lowbrow to describe the notes as a ‘heated debate’?
Yep, it sure would!
Nov 12, 2008 at 12:24 am rating: 9
#16
biscuit
Democracy wins again!
Nov 12, 2008 at 12:50 am rating: 3
#17
Mudhooks
When I was in college in Toronto, I had room mates who (apart from keeping me and the neighbours up with their noisy lovemaking) insisted that the thermostat be turned down so low that you could see your breath. You had to wear a coat and hat in the house.
When I arrived home from classes, I would put the heat up for a few minutes to defrost my feet (while standing on the air vent) and turn it down. They would arrive home later and freak out because I had the audacity to not want frost-bite.
My room was so cold that if you touched the wall, you worried your skin would stick to it.
My room was the former upstairs kitchen and I used the pantry as a closet. I had tacked up a blanket in a vain attempt the keep some heat in. One day I noticed it was sort of rucked up in one corner and pulled on it to straighten it and discovered that it was being held up by a 1/4 inch of ice.
That was the day that I told my cheap room-mates that if they didn’t keep the heat turned up to at least 70 degrees, I would be taking up the matter with the health department.
I would have moved but I was on a lease. The problem was solved for me when one day early in Spring, I came home to find my bedroom ceiling on the floor. It seemed that because of the lack of insulation and the buildup of ice inside the ceiling from condensation that built up (because they wouldn’t put the heat on), the ceiling collapsed.
Had I been home at the time, I could have been killed.
Nov 12, 2008 at 1:24 am rating: 47
#18
mal
THAN is not the same as THEN either. I don’t think you can make fun of someone’s grammar if you suck at it too.
Nov 12, 2008 at 1:38 am rating: 2
#19
Canthz_B
If your cold go, then you’re healthy again.
Nov 12, 2008 at 2:28 am rating: 3
#20
secondsout
Makes me wonder just how cold it is at her apartment if even she won’t go there and braves the tundra of the boyfriend’s apartment.
Nov 12, 2008 at 3:00 am rating: 6
#21
WolfDog
You have been Dugg, prepare for a site failure.
Nov 12, 2008 at 3:26 am rating: 0
#22
Wade
Maybe the first note has nothing to do with the thermostat, but is instead a plea from the girlfriend for her vote-losing boyfriend to bring “the Heat”.
Nov 12, 2008 at 7:03 am rating: 26
#23
anglophile
Maybe she could turn on the cooking thing for a little extra heat.
Nov 12, 2008 at 7:11 am rating: 22
#24
Woman on the Verge
Hello? Mishee? Where are you? I’m here for All-Mishee-all-the-time….
Nov 12, 2008 at 7:31 am rating: 1
#25
ohREALLYfool
I had a roommate who weighed close to 300 pounds, but was somehow always freezing in the winter. She would get up in the middle of the night and crank the thermostat up into the 80s, but said she couldn’t sleep in a sweatshirt/sweatpants because they made her too hot. Our heat bill was always outrageous, but it was in her name so I just started giving her money for 1/3 of it instead of 1/2.
Nov 12, 2008 at 7:43 am rating: 8
#26
ohREALLYfool
Also, I like how the girlfriend had to point out that “it doesn’t get warmer without the heat.” Thanks for the 1st grade science lesson, genius…
Nov 12, 2008 at 7:45 am rating: 15
#27
GhostWriter
… Mike and his “allied” roommate? Come out of the closet, boys- you’re in Massachusetts, not Florida!
Nov 12, 2008 at 7:48 am rating: 10
#28
GhostWriter
A democracy can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves the content of the heating fund (while the minority freezes).
- author unknown
Nov 12, 2008 at 8:30 am rating: 0
#29
fantasy
Hey, Girlfriend, put your damn clothes on.
What do you expect if you run around naked just to make sure that everyone will know that “You have SEX!”
Quit being an attention whore and get dressed.
Nov 12, 2008 at 8:36 am rating: 7
#30
Team Unitard
That heat thing was fucking delicious.
I had to do it. The other posts just weren’t doing anything for me.
Nov 12, 2008 at 8:44 am rating: 17
#31
anglophile
If she’s that cold, she can always put on a hat.
Nov 12, 2008 at 9:22 am rating: 3
#32
thirty six red
I bet it is feck’in cold in the cumdumpster.
Nov 12, 2008 at 9:39 am rating: 2
#33
claw71
I wouldn’t have responded with a note. I would have taught this bitch a lesson by walking around the apartment naked. After seeing about four or five deep knee bends in the middle of the living room she would have taken the hint and moved her bony ass back to her place.
Nov 12, 2008 at 10:02 am rating: 20
#34
Goldie
I don’t understand this. Mid-70s is hot enough for me to feel uncomfortable; mid-80s in a small apartment probably would make me pass out. Who the heck can survive in this heat? The only reasonable explanation is… the girlfriend is not human at all. She is one of the Crab People. The girlfriend is used to living beneath the Earth core, where temperatures are high. She cannot operate properly at 68-70, hence her inability to do a 69. Do not give her back the heat thingy – if you do, she will regain her powers and take over the world.
Of course I may be overreacting and possibly the girl is just a cannibal who’s trying to fry Mike and his roommate in their own apartment, and eat them.
Nov 12, 2008 at 10:05 am rating: 10
#35
Agent Inspired
I’m team 2:1. Even as far as the girlfriend should be considered, couples get one vote.
Also, if she’s there that often, I’d up the boyfriend’s share of the rent and bills. She’s probably using a fair share of hot water and TP, too.
Nov 12, 2008 at 10:09 am rating: 1
#36
Dare
I’ve got to point out that the ultimate in Passive Agressiveness here is the Boyfriend of this chica (aka Roomie #2). What kind of douche let’s his girlfriend post a note about the temperature to HIS roommates. I mean seriously dude, grow a set and either ask your roommates to increase the temp yourself, or buy your GF a sweater for Xmas.
Nov 12, 2008 at 10:39 am rating: 12
#37
leftfoot
the boyfriend of the girl is to blame for this one. She doesn’t pay rent, she has no say. Apparently he’s vagina-whipped.
(And how freaking difficult is it to put on another blanket or a sweater and socks.)
Nov 12, 2008 at 11:18 am rating: 2
#38
MW
She sounds like a bitch. Plus, she clearly can’t spell, either. Dump her now!
Nov 12, 2008 at 11:31 am rating: 1
#39
Amber T
What I have always told people is that it’s easier to dress up then it is to dress down. You can pile on the layers of clothing until you get warm, without turning up the heat. But if you’re completely naked and you’re still hot, the only other solution I have is to turn on the AC. Hence the reason why in my place the heat rarely ever comes on and the AC is pretty much always going during the hot summers.
Nov 12, 2008 at 11:35 am rating: 1
#40
Andy
Everyone keeps assuming (roommates included) that the note was posted by the girlfriend. I think it just as easily could have been the 3rd roommate.
Listen, douche and girlfriend of said douche, if your ceiling isn’t collapsing on you, there’s no reason to touch the heat thing!
Nov 12, 2008 at 11:38 am rating: 5
#41
Jane
My ex-roommate’s boyfriend always complained about stuff and my response was always, “go to your own damn apartment”. I have zero tolerance for people who complain but don’t pay the bills.
Nov 12, 2008 at 11:39 am rating: 2
#42
secondsout
What these guys need to do is to find a sneaky way to get these two broken up. Like get the male roommate good and smashed and arrange for him to bang a tranny hooker. Take pictures, of course. And have them do it on the GF’s bed. You know she won’t be at home since she’s at the BF’s apt., looking for the “heat thing.”
Nov 12, 2008 at 12:04 pm rating: 10
#43
Mishee
I am just wondering about the welfare of the poor hamster.
Nov 12, 2008 at 12:48 pm rating: 1
#44
Wade
Well, after reading through this hot mess of a thread, one thing is for sure:
We are having an arguably heated dispute.
Nov 12, 2008 at 1:57 pm rating: 6
#45
Wade
Damn, MW. Did someone remove your heat thing? Cuz you are on full blast.
Oh. And a thought. When you complain about others “taking pot shots at everyone”, you might want to re-visit your first post on this thread. And check yourself.
Nov 12, 2008 at 2:23 pm rating: 5
#46
Wade
BTW- This is great.
I think this thread may give “cranky server” a run for its money.
And thanks to the “warmth” of the “discussion” today, I haven’t had to adjust the heat thing in my office.
Nov 12, 2008 at 2:29 pm rating: 2
#47
MW
Oops wrong thread
Nov 12, 2008 at 3:03 pm rating: 0
#48
anglophile
failure to gigglebrax (all hail unholyghost2003!)
my apologies.
Nov 12, 2008 at 3:05 pm rating: 0
#49
MW
Frankie, it was a JOKE in response to my comment about failure to lubricate and your comment about only doing it one time with your ex boyfriend. Christ, I was trying to lighten shit up a bit.
Nov 12, 2008 at 3:36 pm rating: 0
#50
MW
Fuck! Why isn’t this fucking site letting me REPLY where I want to?! I need a drink.
Nov 12, 2008 at 3:38 pm rating: 0
#51
mrs. pommelhorst
While I’m totally Team 2-to-1 here…
I do have to give mad props to my “unofficial roommate.”
My roommate’s girlfriend cooks, does dishes, and makes him pay rent on time. Plus the amount of time that the stupid PS3 is on in the living room has drastically been reduced now that he’s getting laid.
I’ll take the reduced counter space, and clogged up morning routine sharing anyday!
But if she touches my heat thing… she loses an eye.
(ps- let it be noted that I commented and didn’t hit on ANY of the lovely ladies here today.)
Nov 12, 2008 at 3:43 pm rating: 9
#52
MW
I love it when I make Jesus cry.
Nov 12, 2008 at 4:56 pm rating: 1
#53
jojo
How did we make it through these comments without talking about muffin butts?
Viva la muffin butt!
Nov 12, 2008 at 5:29 pm rating: 0
#54
Krys
heh i come here maybe once every few weeks.. Not because I have a life.. just too many damn websites to keep up with
anyway can’t we all just post whatever the hell we want… we can all post the same thing, be grammer nazis… Board police.. whatever… doesn’t even matter… maybe i’ll just post booobies over and over for awhile
Nov 12, 2008 at 7:00 pm rating: 4
#55
T.U.M.
I remember President Reagan coming on TV in a cardigan to tell us to keep the thermostat at 65.
(And then the ceiling of the Oval Office collapsed.)
Nov 12, 2008 at 7:03 pm rating: 5
#56
JoeInLA
Wow. WAY too much sugar in someone’s breakfast cereal today.
My vote would have been for splitting the rent four ways and making the roomie and his free-loading gf each pay a share (that or smothering her with a pillow in the middle of the night).
Nov 12, 2008 at 9:11 pm rating: 2
#57
Nunavut Guy
I live in a fourplex about 200 km south of the arctic circle.The only “heat thing” is in apt # 1, so they have sole control over the heat.e all try to get along but keeping a happy median temperature is near impossible.The two bottom units are usually pretty comfy,but upstairs gets smokin hot.The result is all upstairs windows open to get a cross breeze.When it’s -60 below out it looks like a Cheech and Chong movie.
Nov 13, 2008 at 1:11 am rating: 3
#58
snee
that smiley has a hole in its head.
poor little smiley.
Nov 13, 2008 at 1:22 am rating: 4
#59
mrs spanish
Porque demonios hay tanta gente quejando y armando broncas?
Shiz. Have people forgotten that this website is supposed to be funny?
I log on here pretty much every other day to amuse myself before I head out to work with the great unwashed. While the notes themselves are generally humorous, for me its the commentary that always cracks me up.
I can understand why some people are frustrated by the fact that there is a small group of people who have anointed themselves the Powers That Be and pick on some posters, but to be completely honest with you, most often those people deserve it. If there is anything I hate most in the world (besides Celine Dion and tuna fish) it’s people that are always telling useless anecdotes that have no point and aren’t funny.
This whole thing is like some sort of high school clique of misfits; we have our attention whores, our self-righteous bullies, our class clowns and our hangers-on. It’s the d*bags versus the a*holes.
D*bags – if you are that upset about the PTB than form your own army of posters and engage in a battle of wits; but if all you are going to do is complain and not be funny, then forget it.
A*holes – Stop being snarky on every repost or grammar mistake. Stop using “we” and “our.” It is kind of pathetic. Go back to telling funny stories about Mishee, a can of Ajax and garden gnomes.
Entertain me puppets.
You guys can feel free to rip me a new one, because I will probably enjoy it, since I am a sub. I’d be honored. Just make sure it’s funny.
I’ll probably just go back to lurking, or maybe I’ll post some Menudo lyrics every once in a while or something.
Nov 13, 2008 at 9:46 am rating: 16
#60
bullwinkle
Joel is better than Mike! The host segments haven’t been nearly as good since he left.
Nov 13, 2008 at 10:04 am rating: 0
#61
T.U.M.
Did the third roommate die in his bed or something, leaving her with nothing but a rapidly cooling corpse to keep her warm?
Men are usually like giant hot water bottles to sleep with.
Nov 13, 2008 at 4:27 pm rating: 2
#62
JoeyCee
I like turtles
Nov 13, 2008 at 5:11 pm rating: 1
#63
mrs spanish
I am currently drunk. I don’t like tuna fish because my parents were poor and I once was forced to eat bad tuna fish that made me sick. I am listening to Aquemini and kicking someones ass at Lexulous. As a Puerto Rican (100 %) I’m not sure if I am proud of or horribly ashamed of Ricky Martin, and stories about Mishee and her mom are always awesome. I love the reg’s too, (CB, Run Barbara, Anglophile, Claw!!, etc, they always make me laugh). I hate bitches that complains all the time.
Nov 14, 2008 at 10:09 pm rating: 1
#64
Mike From Boston
Mike from Boston here. I just wanted to clarify a few points.
First off, this occurred last February and it was in a college owned apartment (so was still considered a dorm). My roommate’s girlfriend by law shouldn’t of been staying there, so it was not a matter of her paying rent or being added to a lease. Myself, my roomate, and my other roomate were the 3 students living there.
Things escalated even more other the next month, so I contacted my colleges housing department and had her thrown out of our place. Harsh I know, but I needed an atmosphere were I could study.
Luckily I’ve graduated and moved into an actual apartment with some friends.
Thanks for all the comments and the heated disputes. I did not think there would be so many.
Nov 15, 2008 at 12:41 am rating: 4
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