The Laundromat

You know it, you hate it, you don't want to use it.  It's the laundromat.  Now this writer won't deny that this is a useful building for those who don't have a wash and dryer.  Or perhaps your washer and/or dryer is broken and you're in a pinch.  But like the bus, if you don't have to use it, don't.

What's so bad about the laundromat?  Quite a few things.  First, you have the journey there.  You have to pack up all your laundry leave your house.  If you have a car, or at least a wagon, this is the easy part.  If you're like this writer and don't have a car, you're kind of up a creek.  You either have to hike up the road with a bag of clothes as heavy as you, like Christian from Pilgrim's Progess carrying his burden.  You get sweat and your body aches.  That doesn't include bleach and detergent, which might add another ten or so pounds to this 'burden'.  Your other option is to swallow your pride and (sigh) catch the bus.  This is the only time this writer will recommend the bus, so that you tell you something about how much these bags can weigh.

Then, after you get there, pray you can find a machine right away.  If not, you might have to wait as long as a half an hour.  Not good when you're sweat, hurting, and angry.  When it does upen up, you'd better be quick, becase you're likely, not the only one waiting.  If you're too slow, get ready to wait some more.

When you a machine, you'd better hope it's clean.  No joke.  This writer has seen a multitude of disgusting things in washer.  Candy, candy wrappers, hair or weave, combs, hair clip, and dried feces, among other things.  Then, the machine may not work right.  This writer has watched as quarters were eaten or machine stopping mid-wash.

The dryers aren't as dirty as the washers, but the wait can be excruciating.  This writer has literally seen five people using thirty dryers.  They'll have one dryer full, while another will have just a pair of socks.  If only this writer was exaggerating.  All this time, you'll be waiting.  Ugh!

Much like with the washers, you'd better hope you get a good machine.  Some machines will dry your clothes with just three quarters, others won't dry with any less than seven.  Get a bad dryer and you'll be pissing money right down the toilet.

Then, there are kids running around out of control.  They dart around, throw toys, screw with machines, and stare like morons.  Yeah, good times.

Once the clothes are dry, it's time to pack up your 'burden' and schlep it back home, unless buses are still running.  After you get you clothes back home, you do feel a sense of accomplishment, but was it worth it.  Give this writer a house with a washer and dryer any day.

Until next time...