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2007-02-08 - 3:56 a.m. Home Improvement All of the tenants here have been working with a plumber all day and night, and have got six pipe breaks resolved. The building still smells from his fire-torch used to solder and repair the burst 1800's lead pipes with new copper replacements. The plumber says this has been happening all over the city and he's been on call constantly. He couldn't properly fix my pull-chain toilet, so no flushing - gotta use a bucket of water to flush it, unless I can figure out something on my own. We've fired up the boiler now that the pipe breaks seem to be fixed. The temp in my living room struggles at less than 40 degrees, and the three back rooms (including my bedroom) have been below freezing, so it will take time. I cuddled up under a mass of blankets last night and shivered uncontrollably for three hours before falling to sleep. I spoke to the Dead Slumlord's son who is in Florida where his wife is undergoing massive cancer kidney surgery, so he has his own sad problems. He sounded almost in tears. I had him speak on my cellphone to the plumber to arrange for payment. I felt really bad for him. Today the boiler will perhaps fire up enough hot water and finally we'll be able to bathe/wash hair/wash dishes/wash clothes. I will not be in today. Tomorrow!