This week’s post is a visual reflection: a nod to all the people involved with this project and getting it closer to the finish line.
Thank you to all the amazing people who have taken us from here:
to here!! (bless the reality!!)
These days I feel like my retirement plan has shifted into a survival plan: I’ve told my friend perhaps I’m too young to retire anyway. Doing things you love, for and with ones you love help you survive the eye of the storm. Remember this, remember this I keep telling myself.
This week there was a BIG accomplishment at the Octopus; cement poured and floors in. Those hard working cement guys had their trucks out there at 7 am (or whenever the permitted start time is) and poured concrete for 4 hours. My concrete hag soul was on fire with excitement. Once the pour was done they were trowelling until 8:30 pm!! I was around for the 12 + hour day but by no means was I doing any of the heavy lifting, or trowelling.
Watching these guys work I recalled a phone call I received from my Dad more than 20 years ago. He was asking me to do something or other and I said to him “oh, Dad I just worked 8 hours and got home I’m not into dealing with this right now”. His response was “ya, well what about the other 4 hours”. At the time I laughed, as I knew his request was not unreasonable by HIS standards; as he wouldn’t expect anything from others that he wasn’t prepared to do himself. The world has become softer and our expectations have changed. Watching this cement pour on Thursday I realized my Dad, and many like him, worked this hard every day. So kudos to those people then and know who are working this hard so their loved ones can have it easier.
Sooooo, when neighbours call me or e-mail me to complain that their green waste or recycling wasn’t picked up — I kind of feel like they’re me (omg I worked 8 hours…) and I’m my Dad (ya well what about…). One thing I think we’ll all agree on is look at how amazing the results are of those hard working guys on Thurdsay.
It is such a thing of beauty that only music can describe (or feel). When you touch these floors it is exquisite, so smooth and so even….
Who knew while the pour was happening the project would be getting recognition in the local Vancouver paper? Thanks to Pete Fry for referring to our project as one he sees a good example for densification; much appreciated Pete. It’s all in this article by Dan Fumano, who mentions that I say the process has been “frustrating”. That’s right Dan, you and I could write a book about the process but I’m delighted to get one or two lines.
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/feature-new-mayor-and-council-to-tackle-housing
I like to think this photo captures my spirit (smile, power to the M) — off to get my hardhat!
We’ve come a long way baby!
Looking back to 1898 when the house was originally built we can review and question the progress that’s happened in the world — one step forward two steps back, the dance of progressive movement. History reveals an onslaught of events that emerged during the time Kate and James Mason decided to build at 851 Union St. — ie. The Cuba Libra Story (Spaniards flag down and American flag up), India …viewed as the jewel in the British Empire (Indo-China developments), event leading up to the Second Anglo-Boer War, the birth of basketball was an apple in eye of James Naismith while things were cooking in the Philippines, Lenin was working on getting himself placed in the Russian scene, Austro-Hungarian negotiations were continuing and in Canada the Board of Management of the Marine Biological Station of Canada was established . There was a lot going on in the world — take a look at Netflix if you want to get a visual on all of theses global happenings for a deeper understanding (I know I did).
The Canadian reference is personally interesting, as my Dad who ended up providing for our family was only 17 when Prince, the father of what would become the DFO died, and I’m quite sure my father had no idea he would be dealing with that department and industry in the years ahead. Joe, my father, had been educated/trained as a machinist, like James Mason the original owner of 851 Union. The difference being that by the time Joe came to Canada, in his opinion, the trade was no longer valued and he needed to switch it up and find another path to earn a good living in this new country. The path he pursued lead him the fishing industry so I find it interesting as I stumble upon researching 1989 historical events to discover it to be the time that the fisheries research was born. The trades for a Machinist might not have been valued but fish have been very good to our family. Joe was a highliner and handled the stress of providing for his family with vigorous determination.
Posting about history and progress and the layered things that happen all at the same time applys to the present and happenings at Project 851. As we bring in the new progress such as windows and what I affectionately call the “engine room” it’s also important for me to mention the “subtle nods” to the past that are being tied in. It’s like a dance that is becoming a story: metaphors just keep blooming. For instance, the color of the Pink House, the engine room, the stairs and the Octopus name itself. It’s special to be aware of the story evolving while you’re in the eye of the storm — a magical feeling emotionally to realize the levels of meaning in a moment in time.
Here are some shots of metaphors blooming:
October 27th is the real TAKE FLIGHT event, an opportunity for art lovers of every level; professionals, collectors, appreciators, creatives and culture vultures (as Fred Lee named us all). Check it out and I look forward to toasting all things art with you.
As for Project 851 taking flight check this out. OMG can you say a thing of beauty? Personally, I can hardly wait to move in and sit in this amazing industrial landscape of exquisite yum!! Feel free to join me in the engine room.
right? — it’s like having my own steamship ocean liner engine room…
