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My Gripe: The Pool That Nobody Can Use

Okay, here is my gripe.

I haven’t had one in some time, which is a gripe in itself because I actually enjoy finding things to complain about. It’s a talent. Some people collect stamps. I collect reasons to be annoyed.

This particular gripe has more to do with logic—or, more accurately, the complete lack of it.

In our building, we have a small pool on the top floor. It’s actually a great spot. You have a pool overlooking the city and the beach, and it’s a nice place to sit, relax, and enjoy the view.

Except you can’t use the pool.

It has been closed for months, and from what I’ve heard, it may remain closed until next year.

Apparently, there is some legal issue involved. I don’t know all the details, and frankly, I don’t really care. The legal argument seems to be about who is responsible for paying for the repairs.

If the pool has a leak and water is dripping into the unit below where people actually live, then fix the damn thing and argue about who’s paying for it afterward.

Seems pretty simple to me.

But that’s not even my gripe because, fortunately, it’s not our unit getting rained on from the ceiling.

My gripe is this:

The pool is closed because it leaks, but it is still filled with water.

And that water is still being cleaned and maintained.

Seriously?

For the love of God, if the pool is leaking, drain the damn pool.

Or—and this is just me thinking outside the box—let us sit in it.

I’m pretty sure sitting in the water isn’t going to make it leak any more than it’s already leaking. Unless I’ve suddenly developed the ability to make concrete spontaneously crack by floating around in it.

I go up there several times a week. The water level always seems to be exactly the same, and I’ve never actually seen anyone adding water.

So apparently we have discovered a new form of pool technology: the self-maintaining, permanently closed swimming pool.

Nobody can swim in it.

Nobody can use it.

Nobody can fix it.

But apparently everyone can maintain it.

That, my friends, is my gripe.

A pool I can’t use, full of water, sitting on top of my building, overlooking the beach, being cleaned and maintained, while everyone waits for someone to figure out who is going to pay for it.

I don’t know who designed this system.

But I’m pretty sure the pool isn’t the only thing leaking.

Logic is leaking too.