Back to basics

Waiting, waiting, waiting... for the Building Permit. So, let's turn to other things.  A meeting on Thursday will let us evaluate what is needed to  satisfy the city powers that be as well as let us review what can actually be done while waiting for that to happen.

Looking towards  the green light,  we know that  abatement and demo will unfold.  What does this mean?  Well we don't want to destroy the Big House built in 1898 (see the history of this house under the BIG HOUSE section) but the truth is, that while  we honour the many people who came before us we also need to be realistic about the marks that have been left on the structure; marks of vinyl flooring, drywall taping, joint compound, paper duct taping, caulking, lead based paint etc.  Basically a 24 page report on conditions good and bad needing to be dealt with.  Anyone, who's gone through this knows what I'm talking about.  Those of you who have not, be thankful.

When you look at the pictures of the house, as I now do, along with the joy of this being a home for people for over 117 years there's also the ka-ching of the cash register to keep in mind.  I've heard from many that this is an insane overkill process, but what can you do?  ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching... :( 

FLOORING

FIXTURES

DUCTS & PIPES

WINDOWS  

PAINT

GEMS

Stress and Hardship...

As mentioned last week my thought on the building process is that  "the road to hell is paved with good intensions".  That road can lead to stress, ailments and financial hardship, especially when the property owner is new to the process.  This is particularly true when one is unfamiliar with the unnecessary delays and he or she can end up questioning if the city is on his or her side to move things forward?

Trying to stay positive and focus on win-win.  I am  very grateful to all involved and not involved for supporting us through this process.  The small things count, like an acquaintance in the "hood" asking you "when are things going to start moving?" and then encouraging you to keep at it and letting you know they too are looking forward to seeing things happen and change to take place.

In our case, we did background history on the house, (which you'll find in the BIG HOUSE section) hired the Landscape Architect, Architect and Contractor,  held a community meeting with our neighbours, posted the Development plan  (BLOG October 10, 2016), agreed with changes by the city and conceded a dwelling unit, attended many meetings and had many budget revisions, paid for City overtime all to make good decisions and  keep us moving forward.

 Here we are  in February without a Building Permit in hand, but I have faith is will come soon.  It feels like your spirit is being bent  before a shovel gets into the ground; this surely is not intentional. 

I can't help but ask the question why does it take so long to make something good happen? We've all heard that patience is a virtue, -- and like "the road to hell is paved with good intensions" I'm also reflecting on patience being a virtue.

The first known recording of this expression is in Piers Plowman, a narrative poem believed to have been written by William Langland between 1360 and 1387.  It is similar to the Latin expression, maxima enim, patientia virtus.  Not being the most patient person on the planet I feel this character trait is certainly being tested and stretched to GROW.

This week patience and honour to poetry and the song and dance of life... (and the desire to stay positive)

Tick Tock goes the clock...

What happened to last weeks post, you ask?  Well to be totally honest, I didn't want another post saying  yes, yes, yes we're still waiting and was a tad down about that situation.

This week, ironically, we're still waiting but at least we're closer.  Marianne, the architect, met with the city staff yet again, after e-mail exchanges and trying to get answers on moving forward that would be acceptable.  I have a whole new respect for Architects, Contractors and property owners now that the intimate understanding of the process is pulsing through my veins.

I'm not trying to point fingers but this really seems to be a case of  "the road to hell is paved with good intentions".  So what's the answer? Perhaps, the answer is to have a school program called "Decision making 101" that is implemented in the elementary school curriculum.  It could be a life skill class that continues onto high school, post-secondary and grad studies.    The focus of this program would be grounded in common sense, practical application and supportive win-win solutions.

Wouldn't that be awesome!  People being raised to come together and solve issues and challenges in a positive way, where everyone leaves the table feeling like they have a win-win situation.  I don't think it would be that difficult actually.  

In the case of this project, it would be the owner leaving with 5 homes for people to live in; architect proud of the design to make that happen; contractor happy to build these homes; city department approving and issuing permits to make a micro community happen.  All done efficiently, like over a few meetings, and not a 1-2 year process.  So why is this not the case?  Why does it take so long for this to become a possible reality?  Most importantly why doesn't the process feel good for everyone involved?

Answer:  we're missing that program described earlier.

So while we wait here's some more fun about ridiculous situations...

Supercalafragalisticexpialadoshus...supercalafragalisticexpialadoshus...

Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I.... yes, still waiting...

Yes, still loving the community I live in, even if not happy with the things going on in the city or the world.  This is not a direct slight but rather a reality of our time.

I recall a friend who was building in North Vancouver telling me about his building project and calling it "the house that will never be built".  I laughed, not only because he's a funny guy, but because it was a good humoured way of dealing with his situation.  At present, I'm really trying to channel that perspective on the local and global madness but most of all this project that is feeling like "the house that will never be built".

One thing is for sure, the waiting game provides time for lots of crazy behind the scenes stories to evolve.  Just so you know,  those cost extra and I await many entertaining dinners and coffee meetings to take place by anyone, and I mean anyone, who's brave enough to make the offer.

This week's front story is about "the project/house that will never be built" and the saga of it continuing to fall apart.  All along the tenants have been amazing and have been kept in the loop of progress, or lack of.  Now, I think the House itself is starting to put it's foot down and saying, "Hello, hello could you please get your permits so we can give me some love and company in the back!!"  This came through it's voice in the furnace.

When's the last time you've seen one of these?... the story of Airco.   It's a simple visual story of Airco deciding to not quite go kaput but making a kind of mild screeching sound; perhaps a small cry for help.  Willow, the Airco super cat, comes to the rescue sniffing out the scene and cessing out the situation. She takes a break, as all Super Cats do, then is right back in there solving the problem through some easy cost effective tweaks.  Ending, as with all good endings, leaving things well  in the world.  

Ahhhh, that's all folks,  and back to waiting...