This manual documents version 0.1 of the Mirrorland Communal Living Facilities, Inc.
Hey, it's a wiki! Feel free to edit. == Living Together == {{pictures/home/mirrorland/IMG_3874.JPG | Home Sweet Home | maxwidth=320 | class=thumbright }} * Our front, back and side doors need to be pulled until you hear a soft *click*, otherwise they won't lock properly. This is a safe neighborhood, but why increase the risk? * Try not to leave the windows of the ground floor unlocked: anyone can easily enter through them. * Neighbors are allowed to cross our yard to get to the park. Say hello if you see them! * The wall between us and our neighbor's unit is very thin; they can hear us clearly when we talk or even when someone climbs the stairs. Our neighbors are very nice, but they told us a few times that they have trouble sleeping because of us. After 10 PM, remember to keep your voice low and tell your guests to do the same.' * Some of us sleep late, so avoid yelling or running up the stairs while someone's still sleeping. == Cleaning == * Don't leave a mess in common areas. It's also your responsibility to clean after the people you invite. * Don't walk around with dirty shoes! Take them off near the entrance and remind your guests to do the same. * Professional cleaners come every two weeks, usually on Friday late morning. They will clean the whole house including our bedrooms. Please be respectful of their work and don't leave a mess on the floor. * There's already enough crap in the basement, so let's not add more! Feel free to take anything to your room, especially those ugly mirrors. == Trash == * Trash collection comes every Monday early in the morning. On Sunday nights, one of us should remember to take the trash bins out on the edge of the sidewalk for pickup, and on Monday morning we must put them. * Cambridge has strict recycling regulations: we'll be fined if they find greasy or dirty items in the recycle bin. Also, not all plastics are recyclable: when in doubt, put them in the landfill bin. == House Supplies == * We re-order consumables such as salt and paper every two weeks. * If you use the last box of something, drop the QR-code into the jar and it will be re-ordered. * Think about the environment! **Don't waste water, gas, electricity, paper, soap and food.** Try to reuse plastic bags and boxes and remember to switch the lights off. == Kitchen == * Label your food if you don't want others to assume it's for sharing. * **Don't be evil!** Try to maintain a neutral balance between the foods and drinks you take and those you contribute. * Please don't leave leftovers or stinky foods in the fridge for several days. We trash anything that looks spoiled. * After cooking, remember to wipe the kitchen table, clean the stove and the microwave, wash the dishes and put them back when they're dry. **Don't let your housemates clean after your mess!** * Smoke **will** trigger the smoke detectors! They're very loud and annoying, so if you burn something quickly open all windows and doors before it's too late. * The hot water tap is leaky, remember to close it tightly (as the tag clearly says in Italian :-). == Bathrooms == * Feel free to use either bathroom; leave the door open after use. * Tampons and other non-biodegradable solids **will** clog the pipes and cause a flood in the basement (it really happened). * If you run out of toilet paper, you can find more rolls under the microwave or in the basement. * Don't leave wet rugs or water on the floor after a shower. Use the fan or open the window if needed. == Guests ==
{{pictures/home/mirrorland/IMG_5041.JPG | maxwidth=320}}
* You MUST reserve couches and rooms in advance on the [[https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=d9ldj4obvhs85p23v4ds9pn66k%40group.calendar.google.com | house calendar]]. First-come, first-served. * Long-term guests (more than a few days) should contribute to the rent. * If you give your guests a copy of the front door key, remind them to return it (we keep loosing them) * This is really important: afrer your guests are gone, there must be no trace of their passage other than gifts. Wash any sheets and towels you gave them, tidy up the room/couch they used. Seriously! * You can throw parties in the house or in the backyard! Just let the others know and make sure you restore the house to its original splendor afterwards. It would be a good idea to notify the neighbors in advance. == Laundry == * Use it any time, but please wait until you have a reasonable amount of clothes to wash to avoid wasting energy and detergent. * Don't forget your clothes in the laundry for days. If you find someone else's clothes in the drier, you can make a pile over the drier. == Heating == * 70°F (21°C) is a reasonable default for the winter. Remember to turn the heat down to 60°F (or less) when leaving in the morning. * Don't turn the heat all the way up! It's just stupid, because the furnace can only burn at a single speed. * The thermostat is located in the master bedroom downstairs, which tends to remain colder than the rest of the house if the door is closed. * Keep the door to the basement stairs **open** in the winter to let the heat from the furnace flow by convection. Also leave the doors downstairs closed to avoid dissipating heat in the rest of the basement. * The rusty water in the pipes of the heating system needs to be purged every 1-2 months. Ask Bernie.