Trying To Rent In Seattle? Good Luck

I've been stalking craigslist.com for a place to live. I don't make much money now, which means there isn't a lot I can afford, so when a place comes up I jump right on it. Such is the case this morning:

8:50 am.
boot right on up.
go straight to craigslist.
Look in the apartment section... OOH a studio in Eastlake for $650. AND ITS CUTE!
Pick up phone: call. Leave message. This is all by 9 AM. The ad was posted by 8:16 AM.

I kept looking at the pictures cause I was so excited about it. A neighborhood I've always wanted to live in and a price I could afford! So what if its small? I'm only sleeping and slothing there anyway.

9:45 AM. Decide to send an email also, in case the landlord is more of an email type. Describe myself as quiet, responsible, full time professional job, good credit. I'm a landlord's dream!

10:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
12:00 PM
12:30 PM
(you see the pattern.)

check phone and email for a response. Keep telling myself they probably won't respond until after work hours.

3:30 PM. Look on Craigslist again to see the pics. Wait. What's this? HEY! Where's the studio?!?!?! You have GOT to be mf'in kidding me.

No response by phone. No response by email. No ad on craigslist. NO STUDIO FOR ME.

Welcome to Seattle's rental market! Where you show up for an open house along with all 40 other people who are trying to get that place too. It's no longer a first come first serve its a lets make them work for it.

Why not just have Survivor or Fear Factor type tryouts. Should I show you my artistic/outdoorsy/computer skills? Oh right. Everyone has those here. How about my karaoke skills. Or my singing while in the car skills. Or my ability to listen and look like I'm paying attention when I'm really not.

Good time to take that paycut.