Tony

What’s your name?
Tony Haugen

How old are you?
29.

How long have you lived here?
I’ve lived here since the beginning, but let’s say thirty days.

What was it like to move in here?
It was very chaotic, everybody was like
but as time has passed it feels like things have become more structured, and that’s a good feeling.

What’s it like living with all kinds of different people?
I’ve always really enjoyed that, that’s something I’ve been looking for. I’ve learned more these past two months than the past 29 years otherwise, in relation to how quickly the time has passed, so it’s only been positive!

What kinds of things have you learned, for example?
I’ve learned what it’s like to engage in a political struggle against a system that, you eventually realize, really couldn’t care less about you. We haven’t really had to struggle physically, but it was really fun to get in here, in a way.
So what has the struggle entailed?
Well it’s been a political struggle to keep a house that is on the one hand in such good shape, while on the other hand is for example lacking in fire safety for the people that live here. It’s just standing here, empty, we’re homeless, we need it. We want it, but you don’t get anything for free in today’s society.

How do you feel your living here improves fire safety for the elderly residents?
Well, many of the elderly aren’t able to hear the fire alarm. And even when you hear the alarm there’s a greater possibility that wheelchair users and those that use walkers still won’t be able to get out by themselves. It wasn’t exactly the world’s largest security firm that had taken the initiative to watch over the place before we moved in and found these problems and made them known!

Where did you live before you moved here?
I lived in the art studio of a friend of mine. He needed to do some repairs, so it was either this, or sleep on the sofa in the space where my band practices, for the whole winter. I chose to get involved here- seems more interesting!

What kind of flat did you get here?
Wow- you’ve probably heard that you get your own toilet? I’ve never had that before! That was a big deal. I hope I get to experience a summer here, among other things- because of the view of the river, it’s really idyllic
great
. And at the same time you’re free to basically do exactly what you want. And that’s just wonderful- it’s paradise.

When there are so many people living so close together, are you aware of being influenced by the others in the way you dress?
Hmmm
Yeas, I do, yeah. But I’ve always had my thing and they have their thing, and I accept that no matter what- as long as people accept me I’ll accept anyone, that’s the way I’ve always been. So, the fact that there are 40 different people in the same house , that’s just a good thing.

At home with Tony

When I first came in here I thought maybe a prostitute had lived here before- I found bubblegum
what’s it called
bubblegum toothpaste, like for kids, that tasted bubblegum- I just have this feeling- there were all sorts of disposable razors here, the kind you bring along with you when you in case something happens and you can’t make it home, and stuff. You never know- just the first impression I got when I moved in here- we’ll never know either.

What happened with the people that used to lived here, do you know?
No idea. But it’s possible there are ghosts here, because whenever I wake up after a night out drinking it always smells like something died in here.
You think maybe there are ghosts?
Sure. Could be. But as long as they don’t tear down my posters or bother me during the night it doesn’t matter to me. They’ll be welcome, as far as I’m concerned! I’m hospitable
So
I don’t know, some people say the place is haunted, but I’m not that spiritually inclined, so I don’t really pick up on stuff like that at all

Except that it smells like something died
?
Except that it smells like something died- but there’s a good chance it’s my own fault- you know how bad drunken farts can be! They smell like hell!
Are there really a lot of people who say the place is haunted?
I don’t know
I just heard it when I moved in , rumors that there were ghosts in the house.