PROGRESS... beyond sound

The noise isn’t over but greatly reduced. The bing bong of the amazing staircase is not so ongoing and we inch closer to it’s completion. Here’s a sneak peak — feeling more like home everyday.

At the base of these new stairs we don’t have a traditional Newel post as originally was the case. The sweet twist is that the original Newel post, is being transitioned to the outside staircase as you enter the Pink House. Happily I’m sharing the result of my weekend activities. Yeah to the Newel:

Origin

late Middle English: from Old French nouel ‘knob’, from medieval Latin nodellus, diminutive of Latin nodus ‘knot’.

…and I was working on my Masters in Stripping those knobs and knots.

It’s not completely transformed but as close to 1898 as it ever was!

ART...getting over my fractured fibula

I’ve never thought about Chiropractic’s as being an art but you sure can’t deny this looks pretty visually bonus; talk about celebrating the line!

For 3 weeks I thought it was a sprain until Dr. Oliver Sanchez, I love saying that name Dr. OleeeevVer Sanchezzzz….., came onto the scene suspecting otherwise. Taking his medical knowledge and skills to the next level, he highly recommended getting an xray, as his instincts were telling him it was a fracture of the lateral malleolus. Dr. Oliver Sanchez (love that name) has mastered his profession, like an artist, he truly understands how the knowledge he’s attained works in the practical: this dude is the dude of masterclass diagnostics and taping treatment…

As disappointing as it is to find out a fracture means you’re in a restricted “boot” for 4 weeks, it also makes you realize slowing things down might not be the worst thing that can happen to you. Perhaps becoming one with the fragility is what is in order. Instead of feeling like the fragile late 1800’s crystal champagne coupe fill up that glass and slowly sip the libations.

Perhaps even wonder over to Gallery Jones to see an amazing art exhibition, by one of our pretty darn famous local artists; Artdog Koko (see her hashtag on instagram) says, “you watch this boy he’s going places”. That be Brendan Lee Satish Tang!

That dude takes ceramics to another level! Oh and speaking of ceramics we have some pretty cool things happening at the Octopus as well.

Enjoy the view, I’m off to have a libation or two or…

PEOPLE...stairs the collaborative effort (that just keeps giving over and over forever)

Like a diverse rose garden, there’s something special about the individual plants that make up the complete colourful picture of the entire garden.

There have been special roses that have come together to complete the construction of the metal stairs that are fate acommpli. It was a very big back and forth discussion and drawings along with quotes… before the trigger was pulled to say “we’re doin’ it”. Marianne on the design, Reece on the construction quoting and research, Dino the “man of templating”, Lindsey,Harley,Reece and Dino calculating and ongoing problem solving, Toby for feedback, Gary on treads and chatting, Hughie, Dewie and Lewie on fabrication (smile), Johnny, Monty with his patience as we visited his stairs many times, Colin onsite everyday, Calum aka Mr. Ireland… I know there are people that have been missed but I’ll track down those names before the celebration as they need to be included. Those roses have contributed to the final results that are exquisite.

This view of the “fractal” as I call it is the bouquet. Far left image, if you can’t tell is part metal and part plywood template that was necessary to create the final full metal result on the far left.

Here you can see the detail in the templates, god love you Dino!! On the far left the fabricators from Nortech working with Dino to get those pieces in place!!

Not steel magnolias, nor roses but steel steel… It’s a nod to my Dad, a machinist by trade and gave it up when he immigrated to Canada as they didn’t value the profession so he went into fishing. To my Grampa Marko who I discovered during this project too was a steelworker, but when he came to Canada became a contractor. To my Greatgrampa Piko who ,to my surprising discovery, was a blacksmith working with metals in the old country amongst many other talents such as a healer, quasi mayor of the village, travelled man of the day with medical training from France… Finally, these stairs are a nod to Mr. James Mason, machinist and the original owner of this house who created Ironworks foundry on Franklin St.

Oh ya we can’t forget the impetus of this crazy project (pink house and octopus) my steel purple rose!!

COMMUNITY...from haunted to loved

Go to a soccer game and learn about yourself…

Recently while at a Whitecaps game (we won by the way) I ended up engaged in a conversation about my life, my family and the community we come from; values and what makes us who we are. As I’ve stated in pervious posts, the impetus of Project 851 was my mother and taking the old house from a haunted place to a home(s) where there is love that shows. Everywhere I’ve lived I’ve left the “place” better than I found it — it’s just my thing. We all have inner inspiration, be what it may, that “thing”, that leaves us feeling better as a human being on the planet. Going to a happy place by doing one of my “things” is what makes my home my castle.

Project 851, the Pink House and the Octopus, is what I hope to contribute to this community. The community, I instinctively knew was for me the first day I landed here and have grown to love more and more every year. I want to leave LOVE in this community through this piece of property/land. What does that mean? Listening the the feedback from people touring through the project helps answer that question. They identify the choices made to make the pink house and octopus homes for me and people yet to come. I’ve heard comments regarding observations such as the valued workmanship, integrity of the build, respect for the creative choices, and concern regarding the energy required to “pull it off”. It hasn’t been easy, but rarely are the things we most value in life; there’s a difference between concept and execution.. So far people have had a variety of reactions; most admire it, some desire it, some fear it…

All of these responses are interesting. Intent on listening to the surprising ones helps me understand my fellow human tribe. . Part of the learning from the listen has created even more respect for the people involved; those who have helped achieve something special here at the Pink House and Octopus. At times when I think of the fear responders I have a chuckle, as these people strike me a flat liners; must have control, must have control… don’t ‘cause any waves… grey is my favourite color… types. Don’t get me wrong I’m not criticizing them, being a risk taker is not easy and I get the fear. It doesn’t come easy for many to push themselves that extra 25%, to step out of one’s comfort zone and grow as a person. Anyone can do it, it’s just not for everyone.

Here’s the secret to success when it comes to facing fear. When you start out on a project be sure of why you want to do it. What is the intent and driving force to taking it on? The motivation has to be pure, ‘cause when the going gets tough that’s what you have to fall back on and drives you through the slog, stress and energy drain. It’s been a roller coaster here and it easily could have gone the way of pointing fingers, firing people or even ending up in a looney bin (or some other public health facility) but it hasn’t because the team is amazing and the impetus was bang on. The balancing act has paid off. Cheers to living in love, making decisions based on that and being fearless — it’s much better than waiting ‘til you sell your place to finally fixing it up for someone who you don’t even know nor appreciate or want what you’ve done.

The message is honour yourself by making decisions that will inspire you everyday to be the best you can be in your “thing”, whatever that is. That’s love and that makes respect for others easy; hence the infinity sign.