0 0 0 26B - The Michigan Daily - Weekend, etc. Magazine - Thursday, April 6, 2000 I CAN RANT BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE The Michigan Daily - Weekend, etc. M THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE... The winner's of the 2000 Best of AnA I live under tyrannical rule. Every day, I'm made painfully aware of the black shroud that living in Ann Arbor has cast over my life. The dictatorship that governs my day- in-day-outdoes not go by the name of Lee C. Bollinger or make it's home in the Fleming Building. The prickly things on the back of my neck are not University affiliated. The fear I speak of is none other than my beloved landlord. For the sake of argument, let's call the guy that signed the other half of my year- long, overpriced lease "Jack." Jack, my "dear friend," according to that legally binding document, is contrac- tually bound to make right any wrongs not brought upon my humble abode by myself or my three non-destructive, uber neat-and-clean roomates. Then why is it thatthe never follows through on his end of the bargain unless I threaten legal action? Of course, some might wonder why I put myself in such an undesirable situa- tion in the first place - chosing to rent a complete and utter dump for an entire year and knowingly going into the deal willing to pay more than $400 per month. The fact is that I was, in a way, forced to live there. Basically kicked out of my sophomore year abode because my land- lord wanted to raise the rent on the place, I had to scramble to find a place for the this year. With most of the decent and egregiously overpriced places long since rented by the time I was forced to go house hunting, and I ended up signing on a house (my current shack) that had more than its fair share of major flaws. OK, so you can't stand up in the shower. I can deal with that, and do, every morning. But the place looked liveable when I decided to sign on the dotted line, Dr. Faustus style. Of course, after I moved in and realized that my landlord wasn't as "willing to serve" as I'd expected, my outlook on the new place changed faster than "Capital Critters" could get booted off the air. Jack's answer to my hundred or so complaints (all recorded on a gigantic "Repairs to be Completed" sheet) with the new place were astonishingly simple: Spend as little money as possible, and don't make any repairs until rent is with- held. And when you do make repairs, do a half-assed job. I'd like to believe my experience with the off- campus housing system here at the University is an unique one, but I'd have to be living under a very large boul- I I -i I Our spring and summer class sessions let you complete a course in cp atejust six weeks. They're short, sweet, and to the point so you can pick up that class you need and still have time to enjoy your summer break. Visit us at www.gvsu.edu for a schedule of courses in Grand Rapids, Allendale, Holland, and Muskegon. Then call 1-800-748-0246 to register by phone. Spring session starts May 8 and Summer session begins June 26. GRANDVALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY 616.895.2025 800.748.0246 * www.gvsu.edu GVSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. der to harbor such delusions. The fact is, lIm one of countless students who live under the thumb of their Ann Arbor-based land- lord, be his name Jack, Jill or Jack and Jill Properties. Kids come up to me on the street all the time and tell me about their prob- lems - how the Man, be he a big company or one A21 Gabe Fajuri Move to Acclimate Best Coffee: Cava Java Best Bagels: Brueggers Best Cookies: Mrs. Peabody's Best Ice Cream/Yogurt: Stucchi's Best Burgers: Blimpy Burger Best French Fries: McDonald's Best Hot Dogs: Red Hot Lovers Best Wings: Mr. Spot's Best Salads: Pizza House Best Chipatis: Pizza House Best Pizza: Pizza House Best Subs: Jimmy John's Best Deli: Zingerman's Best Take Out: Pizza House Best Late Night Munchies: Pizza House Best Lo-Cal Food: Seva Best Cheap Beer: Rick's Best Microbrew: Arbor Brewing Company Best Bar Drinks: Good Time Charley's Best Happy Hour: Good Time Best Restaurants Charley 's Best Sports Bar: Scorekeeper's Best Overall bar: Ashley's Best Italian food: Palio Best Indian food: Shalimar Best Mid-Eastern Food: Jerusalem Garden Best Chinese Food: China Gate Best Korean Food: Steve's Lunch Best Mexican food: Tio's Best BBQ: Mongolian BBQ Best Greek Food: Parthenon Best Vegetarian Food: Seva Best Seafood: Real Seafood Co. Best Greasy Spoon: Fleetwood Diner Best Outdoor Eatery: Dominick's Best Place For Folks to Treat: Gandy Dancer Best Romantic Evening: The Earle & Gandy Dancer (Tie) Best Restaurant Service: Gandy Dancer Best Breakfast: Angelo's Best Lunch: Amer's Best Dinner: Mongolian BBQ Best Overall: Mongolian BBQ of those supposedly more caring "inde- pendent" guys, is keeping them down. I feel your pain. And that's simply not the way it should be. Struggling students subjected to life under the rule of slum lords? I think not. We as tenants should expect, no, demand, nothing short of respect and first-rate service from the "landords" to whom we've basically signed our lives away. For my $415 per month, I expect a clean, fully-functioning place to live. Is that too much to ask'? -Gabe Fajuri can be reached at gfajuri@umich.edu. Politeness is recom- mended. 1A21 Best Compact Discs: Tower Records Best Used CDs: Record Exchange, Wazoo and Encore (3-way tie) Best Movie Theater: Quality 16 Best Video Store: Blockbuster Best Posters: Beyond the Wall Best Men's Clothing: Bivouac Best Women's Clothing: Urban Outfitters Best Outdoor Apparel: Bivouac Best Thrift Clothing: Value Village Best 'U' Fan Apparel: Steve & Barry's Best Shoe Store: Footprints Best Haircut: Noggin's Best Tanning Salon: Tanfastic Best Books: Borders Best Textbooks: Ulrich's Best Art Supplies: Ulrich's Best Photocopying: Kinko's Best Test Prep: Kaplan Best Magazines: Borders Best Groceries: Meijer's Best Liquor: Campus Corner Best Florists: University Flower Shop Best Sporting Goods: Dunham's Best Bicycle Sales/Repair: Student Bike Shop Best Cab Service: Yellow Cab Best Travel Agency: STA Best Bank: National City Best Landlord: NONE Best New Local Business: Campus Donut Cafe Best Businesses Borders Books & Music reigned supren Best Co-op: Joint House Best Frat to Party With: Pi Kapp Alpha Best Sorority to Party With: Deli Gamma Best Student Group: AIESEC Best MSA Member: Bram Elias Best Campus Tradition: Nake Mile Best Campus Event: Naked Mile Best Place to Study: Law Library Best Library: Grad Best Computing Center: Ange l a rr B 1A21 Best Entertainment Best Concert in the Past Year: Beck Best Dance Spot: Nectarine Best Local Band: Donkey Punch Best Local Festival: Art Fair Best Radio Station: WCBN and 89X Hall AZ Best of Dating A21 Best of the University T' i I :N P' Our beans and rice are prepared without lard or other animal products! Purchaseworth of food a r. regular price and get $1 < sp7I><>OO Best Athlete: Mike Comrie Best Sports Team: Football Best Place to Work Out: CCRB Best Speaker (Past Year): Jesse Jackson Best Professor: Ralph Williams Best Course: Psych Il1 Best Blow-off Course: Psych Il1 Lecture Hall: 1800 Chem Best Building: Angell Hall Best Bathroom: Angell Hall Best Residence Hall: South Quad Dorm Cafeteria: Bursley Best Date Movie: American Beaut Best Unusual Date Idea: Picnic Best Pickup Line: "I'm i AIESEC." Best Place to Break Up: The Diag Best Place for a First Date: Th Arb Best Place to Meet a Mate: Class Best Place for Rendezvous: Th Arb Best Public Place for Sex: The Ar Best Rejection Line: "No" F1A21 Best of the Web Best Online Notes: versity.com I 5 We provide good healthy food in a relaxed setting and at a good price- all in keeping with the spirit of authentic Mexican cuisine. All of our menu items can be prepared. to meet vegetarian standards. Enjoy! Visit our new location at: UI~ 1Ca9 un 1mI jq.5tof aim Wsfivs 2000 A special edition of Weekend, Etc. Magazine ALEX WOLK/Daily Weekend, Etc. Editors: Toyin Akinmusuru, Jeff Dru Contributing Editors: Arts Editors Christopher Cousino, Gabe Fajuri, Chris Kula All winners are determined by voting on The Michigan Daily's Web site. ' Writers: Matthew Barrett, Geoff Gagnon, Ben Goldstein, Erin Podolsky, Aaron I Photo Editors: Jessica Johnson, Dana Linnane. Photographers: Jessica Johnson, Louis Brown, Danny Kalick, David Katz, Jeremy Cover: Photo illustration by Photo Editor Jessica Johnson. Editor in Chief: Mike Spahn 623-0109 (call ahead for faster service) 3574 Plymouth Rd. (in the Plymouth Green Shopping Center) Mon - Sun 11:00 - 9:00 J&