update: SOLD!

that condo i was looking at? the one in a great area, with an iffy balcony? the one mom and YB and i were going to go take a second look at this morning?

i found out yesterday afternoon that it sold on thursday night. i guess whoever was looking at when my agent and i arrived subsequently decided to buy.

ah well!

it just means that's not the condo i was meant to own. what the process did, though, was show me that there are really nice, rather affordable buildings in areas i'd assumed wouldn't have them.

so, this week, i'm going to meet with a mortgage broker to get myself pre-approved. that way, if another unit comes up in that building, or in one nearby, and i like it... i can pounce. :-)

how the mighty has fallen

back in 2006, when i was still gainfully employed and desperate to get out of hell house, i embarked on a condo hunt that lasted maybe two months (because my job disappeared and becoming a homeowner with no steady income suddenly seemed like a very unwise proposition).

at the time, my agent and i (and YB and my mom), went to look at some units in a low-rise apartment building that was being converted -- one unit at a time, as tenants moved out -- into a co-ownership building. we were very impressed with the suites we saw, all of which had been completely renovated and gussied up with brand new appliances, flooring and fixtures. i had some specific wants at the time, and none of the available units met them, so i decided to wait. and then my job ended, and so did the condo hunting.

cut to yesterday:

my agent and i went to see a unit in that same building. here's the website for the complex. looks pretty nice, huh?

the place is a DUMP! okay, maybe not a "dump," but not what you see on that site. and the occupied suites don't look anything like those photos anymore.

the unit i looked at had, in just six years (or fewer, depending on when it was renovated), fallen into disrepair. the laminate floors had separated and warped, the place was filthy, the door of combo washer/dryer had actually MELTED, and the once-pristine stainless-steel stove was a complete disaster. i don't even know how a person can destroy a stovetop as much as this one had been ruined -- i think you'd have to purposely let everything you ever cook on it boil over and burn... and then never ever ever clean it. there was dead food in the fridge and in the cupboards, and big piles of dust bunnies. (the unit was vacant.)

i couldn't believe i ever wanted to live there. the rest of the building was likewise a shadow of its former self (and, again, nothing close to what that website promises). the hallways smelled like urine and industrial cleaner. the front of the building had zero curb appeal, with broken screens and crappy window dressings and broken walkways. the unit we looked at had a view of the garbage area, which was filled with debris, broken furniture and grossness.

my agent looked out the window and said, "that's a disgrace. the super of this building isn't doing his job." she suspects a large number of units aren't owner-occupied, and the building's younger tenants have no pride of ownership. to be fair, there may very well be some units in the building that have been meticulously maintained... but who cares when the rest of the place looks (and smells) like it does?

as we left, a very creepy-looking old man in a wife-beater undershirt stood on his balcony and watched us go. he sealed the deal: i am never living there. and i am now SO SO GLAD i didn't buy there six years ago.

back on the horse!

today, i resumed my home hunting. i'd emailed my agent last week to let her know that i had some time off, so we booked a few condos to see this afternoon.

between that email and today, one of those units sold and one turned out not to have ensuite laundry, which is a non-negotiable for me -- i want my own washer and dryer. so, we were down to two places by the time i was picked up at a subway station.

we drove to condo #1 and took a circuitous route through some of the most spectacularly beautiful neighbourhoods in toronto and down quite a few stunning streets i'd never before seen. at one point, i actually had no idea where we were, or which direction was north, or anything. but, man, the houses! jaw-droppingly gorgeous and all suuuuuuuuper-expensive (we hit a stretch where my agent said every house was over $10 million).

there was a delay getting in to see condo #1 because another agent had arrived about four minutes before us, so he or she was busy showing it when we pulled in. (my agent has actually shown units in the building before, and she said the complex is great. that was a relief.) to kill time, we started to drive around the neighbourhood, which is charming and well-treed and upscale and safe and fully walkable. then, suddenly, my agent pulled the car over and said, "oh! we're stopping here!"

we were at a nondescript shop that turned out to be a gourmet bakery... the kind where you make an appointment, where every item is carefully handcrafted and where there aren't actually any baked goods on display because they're kept in the back. a jovial baker named bev emerged from the kitchen and my agent introduced me by saying, "this is vickie. she's moving into the neighbourhood!"... to which i immediately replied, "not so fast! we haven't even seen the place yet!"

then my agent said to the baker, "whatcha got in the oven?!"

turns out, they're pals and bev the baker always has treats at the ready. "oh, you two need some samples!" she said, and then disappeared back into the kitchen. when she returned, she had a plate of brownie pieces and chunks of a caramel-pecan bar. both were AMAZING.

"would you make two boxes with five of the brownies in each?" said my agent. then she turned to me and added, "i'm sending you home with treats!" (OMG.)

in the end, each of our boxes contained four brownies and five "ends" from the caramel-pecan bars... because she didn't have enough brownies for us both. we thanked her, i thanked my agent, and we headed back to condo #1.

the building itself was lovely. it's a little more than 20 years old, but really well-maintained and very clean. it was originally intended as a seniors' complex, but has since opened up to anyone (which explains the massive cage full of mountain bikes in the parking garage). it's a low-rise building with about 100 units, most of which are two- and three-bedrooms. the place i was seeing is a one-bedroom unit... and in need of extensive renovation.

it was vacant, which meant we could take as much time as we needed... and i needed time. i looked at every nook and cranny, and in every drawer and cupboard and closet. the place looked smaller than it did in the photos (understandable), and all i could see as i looked around were dollar signs.

as in: this is going to cost me money, this is going to cost me money, this is going to cost me money.

for starters, all the flooring would need to be replaced. right now, there's ugly green wall-to-wall carpet in the living room, dining room and bedroom; three different kinds of poorly laid linoleum floor in the kitchen, foyer and laundry room; and brown tiles in the bathroom.

"if you redid all the floors in the same material, it would really open this place up," said my agent when i pointed out the five different floors.

and that's when i started imagining.

the kitchen has a weird, tiny, pass-through window to the living/dining area... and that window is in what appears to be nothing more than a decorative wall. that is, the kitchen is completely, and needlessly, walled in. opening that window into an archway or losing the wall altogether would allow for much better flow and plenty of options. oh, and the appliances in the kitchen are older than the building itself, i'm sure of it.

there's an oddly shaped walk-in closet in the oddly shaped bedroom. and the bedroom has a big sliding door that opens onto the balcony (there's also a walkout from the living room). that might sound nice, but the balcony adjoins the neighbours' balcony... so it's a bit of safety/noise concern. and what if the neighbour is a smoker who likes to smoke on her balcony? in summer? when i have my windows and screen door open? *cough*

here's the thing, though: it has its own laundry room. a whole room. one that's big enough for a full-sized, extra-capacity washer and dryer. side by side, not stacked. PLUS storage. that is a huge plus in my books... even though i'd have to buy a new washer and dryer because the existing ones are even older than the kitchen relics.

after we'd spent about half an hour in the unit, we left to explore the building "amenities." and they could not have been more adorable: a woodworking shop that would make gepetto weep; a completely deserted indoor hot tub and lap pool (with extensive change areas and showers adjacent... all spotless); a gardening room; a long and large games room with a shuffleboard court painted onto the floor; and a "party room." everything was super-tidy and well-kept, which i found very appealing.

on our way back out to the parking garage, we encountered a building resident. she was in her 70s, but spry and fit. we asked about the building and how she liked living there, and she said, "oh, i love it. i feel privileged to live here."

the unit is overpriced. i know it. my agent knows it. and, we suspect, the listing agent knows it. i'm not willing to pay the current asking price, and my top price is about $27,000 below what they want right now. i know how much work the place needs, and a ballpark sense of how much that will cost (especially if i need to find a contractor for the kitchen-wall removal).

mom and YB will come with me to see the place again this weekend before i make any decisions about anything. for now, my curiosity has been duly piqued.

a few days of R&R

* i'm off for at least two weeks now, and i've spent the past three days doing nothing. i hung out chez mes parents, played with george, took photos, went shopping and ate meat for the first time in almost two months.

* speaking of shopping, i bought some new shoes and, in the process, found a new favourite footwear company: cushe! (pronounced: "cushy.") i stumbled upon this really cool looking pair of grey suede shoes on clearance at a big outdoor-adventure store, tried them on and fell in love instantly. these are them (right), and they are sooooooo comfy and cool-looking!

* mom is just back from a four-day trip to ottawa. dad finished his radiation treatment so, after eight weeks of shuttling him around, she needed a holiday. she took the train, stayed at what turned out to be a meh hotel and had what sounds like a great time.

* while i'm off,  i have a to-do list to tackle. among the items on it: resume home hunting by viewing properties; get website together; do a clothing purge to make room for new stuff; make a shopping list for an impending cross-border shopping trip; resume regular blogging; learn indesign; go on a few autumn walks with camera; take photos... of leaves and whatever else makes for a nice picture.

* the fall TV season has also begun. thus far, i am underwhelmed. i look forward to the returns of Scandal (thursday) and Once Upon a Time (sunday). i tried to watch the new season of Survivor because lisa whelchel is competing, but i was bored.

still here!

no, i haven't abandoned this blog. i've just been sorting through what i'm actually doing with it, and why, and what i want it to be, and those sorts of things.

work's been busy, but i'll be off for a couple of weeks starting on monday. our nightmare-client project wraps this friday, and we won't have another with them for at least a couple of months. the business magazine will also be between issues. so, i won't be needed in the office.

and i'm trying to figure out how i can make the most of my down time so it doesn't become Down Time.

where i am and what i'm doing

seeing movies and blogging about it here.

swing on over if you're so inclined! the festival ends on sunday.

the weekend, in a nutshell

* yesterday, i saw ewan mcgregor, naomi watts, woody harrelson and darren criss (Glee) out and about on my way home from my TIFF screening. of the four, it was the least famous one (criss) who blew off his fans -- ewan, en route to his own premiere!, stopped, chatted, took photos and was delightfully accommodating. i felt like yelling to criss, "you're not famous enough yet to snub the folks who like you!"

* i am fairly certain that what i thought was a pulled muscle under my breast is, in fact, a fractured rib. it's a week later, and the pain is the same. i looked up the symptoms of a fractured rib (mild to moderate pain, pain when inhaling/coughing/sneezing, pain with movement, etc.), and i have 'em. so, i'm calling dr. textbook's office tomorrow to see if i can get a same-day appointment. there's no actual treatment for a fractured rib -- it just has to heal on its own, and that usually takes six weeks -- but i'd like confirmation of my suspicion.

* today, YB, mom and i went down the waterfront for the annual vegetarian food festival. we enjoyed plenty of samples, including: fruit bars, nut bars (the kind you eat, not the kind you avoid on the subway), crackers, vegan cheese (ew), breads and spreads, vegan sausages, vegan teriyaki "chicken" (delicious!) and, my favourite, vegan coconut ice "cream" (also great).

* YB and mom had also stopped on the way to meet me and had picked me up a krispy kreme donut. mmmmmm.

* i have been doing a ton of walking these past few days. i need some new walking shoes.

what it's like...

the following scenario takes place day after day after day…

what the client asks: please craft a sentence about how cute puppies are.

what we deliver: puppies are really cute.

what the client says: it's not strong enough. revise with stronger imagery.

what we deliver: puppies are so cute you can't help but squeal when you see one.

what the client says: the word "squeal" sound negative. please replace with a word that better reflects puppies being a good thing.

what we deliver: puppies are so cute you can't help but smile when you see one.

what the client says: the word "smile" isn't strong enough. can we use a different word?

what we deliver: puppies are so cute you can't help but jump for joy when you see one.

what the client says: not all our customers can jump. please use a more inclusive reaction.

what we deliver: puppies are so cute you can't help but clap your hands in delight when you see one.

what the client says: please delete the word "can't." it sounds negative.

what we deliver: puppies are so cute you just clap your hands in delight when you see one.

what the client says: delete "just."

what we deliver: puppies are so cute you clap your hands in delight when you see one.

what the client says: we don't think "cute" is colourful enough. please replace with a more exciting word.

what we deliver: puppies are so adorable you clap your hands in delight when you see one.

what the client says: can we try "when you hold one"?

what we say: how can you hold a puppy AND clap your hands at the same time?

what the client says: can we just try it to see how it sounds?

what we deliver: puppies are so adorable you clap your hands in delight when you hold one.

what the client says: you can't really hold a puppy AND clap your hands at the same time. scenario makes no sense. please remove the clapping hands and replace with something else.

what we deliver: puppies are so adorable you want to hug them when you hold them.

what the client says: some customers may be allergic to puppies. please delete reference to holding them.

what we deliver: puppies are so adorable you want to hug them.

what the client says: is there any way to incorporate our toothpaste into this sentence?

what we say: not really, no.

what the client says: what about `puppies are so adorable you want to hug them. you'll smile, and your teeth will look whiter when you do if you use our toothpaste!'

what we say: seriously?

what the client says: please incorporate previous feedback into next wave of revisions.

what we deliver: puppies are so adorable you want to hug them. you'll smile, and your teeth will look whiter when you do if you use our toothpaste!

what the client says: please delete reference to toothpaste and replace with "throw pillow."

what we say: THROW PILLOW?

what the client says: try `puppies are so adorable you want to hug them. they're soft and cuddly, just like our throw pillows!'

what we deliver: puppies are so adorable you want to hug them. they're soft and cuddly, just like our throw pillows!

what the client says: delete reference to "throw pillows."

what we deliver: puppies are so adorable you want to hug them.

what the client says: please change "puppies" to "kittens."

what we deliver: kittens are so adorable you want to hug them.

what the client says: please insert toothpaste reference as previous.

what we deliver: kittens are so adorable you want to hug them. you'll smile, and your teeth will look whiter when you do if you use our toothpaste!

what the client says: can we change the kittens to a toaster?

what we deliver: toasters are so adorable you want to hug them. you'll smile, and your teeth will look whiter when you do if you use our toothpaste!

what the client says: toasters do not match the scenario. please delete the reference to hugging.

what we deliver: toasters are so adorable. you'll smile, and your teeth will look whiter when you do if you use our toothpaste!

what the client says: please delete "so adorable."

what we deliver: toasters are. you'll smile, and your teeth will look whiter when you do if you use our toothpaste!

what the client says: delete first sentence.

what we deliver: you'll smile, and your teeth will look whiter when you do if you use our toothpaste!

what the client says: delete "you'll smile, and."

what we deliver: your teeth will look whiter when you do if you use our toothpaste!

what the client says: delete "when you do."

what we deliver: your teeth will look whiter if you use our toothpaste!

what the client says: delete "your teeth will look whiter if."

what we deliver: use our toothpaste!

what the client says: approved.

life on labour day

* i have pulled or strained a muscle in my chest. i did it yesterday, while leaning over the fat arm of a chair to retrieve one of george's toys from the floor. when i reached down, i suddenly felt a "pop" and was hit with pain bad enough that i doubled over and rolled off the chair. though it feels a lot better today, everything is still very tight and quite sore.

* my dad has four days left of his radiation treatment. i hope he's planning a big thank-you gift for my mom -- she's spent the past seven weeks shuttling him to and from the hospital (about a 25-minute drive in each direction, plus an hour or more waiting each day) and she cannot WAIT to have her life back. i will not hold my breath for her to get that "thank you," however... and, neither will she. instead, i'm helping her plan a week's vacation for herself! she said she wants some alone time, so she'd like to go to ottawa on her own. i think i've found her a lovely inn -- she just has to look it over and book! (i already checked, and they have a room available on the dates she wants to go. :-))

* speaking of four days, it's a four-day work week this coming week, and then i'll be off for TIFF. though i'm not seeing that many films, i do want to take time off to just let my brain unwind and to top up my creative stores. writing promotional copy for difficult clients is really mentally exhausting, and i'm looking forward to theatre-hopping and movie-going for a while.

* in related news, i decided to calculate my year-to-date income this past weekend, and i was extremely pleased. yes, it's been a lot of work, but it's paid off. literally. and there are still fours months to go before the year is out.

* the home hunt will also resume shortly. hopefully, the impending autumn (omgyay!) will bring with it an abundance of properties for sale. or, really, just one -- the one i'm meant to buy.

* the online writing project i mentioned a few posts back is still in the works. stand by for an announcement in the coming weeks. (hopefully!)