Art show must go on...and other condoville stuff

The Art Show is a go!

After being in limbo for two weeks, there's good news regarding our annual art exhibition.
Actually found out this piece of information by accident when two of the artists living in the condo building next to ours posted a notice promoting merely their artistic output on our bulletin board. The person organizing the show for whatever reason, never bothered phoning or advising us one way or the other. Most likely the duo artistico took advantage of the opportunity, arranging to display their work. Upon realizing what occurred, the neighbor down the hall and myself who were justifiably livid, decided to create our own notice and hand-delivered it to all the buildings in our area. We'll show them! Anyway, who cares. The main thing is that the show will go on! Last year visitors were sparce but then perhaps Mr. Organizer didn't do his job in promoting the exhibition as he claims! In the end, it can be said that every effort was made this time to ensure that there would be people visiting the exhibition. The show is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Of course I'll report back...

I've also prepared an art portfolio with photos and information on all the paintings I've created so far. Not sure how many paintings I'm going to exhibit but most likely, as many as possible. Last year people actually showed their paintings on the grass but I have two easels and two table easels that could hold about nine canvases altogether.

Finally the contractors in charge of preparing the swimming pool actually showed up this past weekend. Seems that they claimed to be extremely busy according to the people in charge of the swimming pool portfolio of the condo board, who were most likely bombarded with condovillers asking when the pool was going to be filled. To date the pool has been spray-jet-cleaned and prepared for painting. Period. It still has yet to be painted and then filled for the opening day this Saturday. I don't think so. If not, the condo board better prepare for a mutiny.

The neighbor living in the condo opposite ours is still obsessing (my opinion) over his new floor. While discussing the art show dilemma last week with my neighbor down the hall in front of our apartment, his door suddenly flew open and with measuring tape in hand, he dropped to his knees and measured the wooden floor entrance to his apartment. Of course I glanced inside his apartment and its really sparsely furnished. I call it Extreme-Sparse-Modern.

Meanwhile, aqua fitness is scheduled to start next week. Of course they first need water in the pool...

UPDATE: THE POOL HAS BEEN PAINTED!!!
Today in late afternoon, the white truck with the painted picture of a swimming pool on the side, showed up and an hour later when it drove away, the swimming pool was a rich deep shade of blue. No water - yet - but at least it's one step closer. According to the powers-that-be a.k.a. the condo board, a new and supposedly more efficient pool company was hired to care for the pool this year. This new company claimed to be very busy and hence the reason for the delay. Just realized it's the first time I used the word "hence" in any of my blogs. Maybe I'll use it again in the future.

Summer state of mind

Summer has officially arrived in condoville. It's really not "official" until the summer party in the park in mid-June but flowers are appearing on the balconies and that's one of the first signs. Not wishing to be different because that's what condo living is about (insert smile here), we did our part and went out and bought some mixed yellow and black/yellow and red pansies, my husband's favorites, bright yellow nicotiana, my favorite, white impatiens and some hanging types for the urns. Very nice selection and the end result is a lot of eye appeal. Interestingly enough and for whatever reason - probably because everyone else does it - most condovillers use pink impatiens. Period. That's it. Pink, pink everywhere. I mean, there are so many other beautiful species and colors and mixes but pure pink is the favorite. We, of course, enjoy being different and choose shades and types that please us. Oh the scandal of it all!

In the end the condo meeting was uneventful, although the no-toys-or-objects-in-the-pool has now officially been entered into the rule book. How dummmb! What are visiting children supposed to do? This includes the "sinkers" that the kids love diving for in the deep end. How convenient that those styrofoam "noodles" are permitted because they're used extensively by the female condo-ites. Some toys are more equal than others one assumes. Also, there was no mention of the pool being closed earlier this summer due to the cost of heating the pool for a limited amount of users. According to directors, it will be closed in the first week of September for maintenance in the pool area.

Still no update on the art exhibition. The organizer was or is supposed to get back to me after contacting all the artists but it's looking more and more like it's not gonna happen, at least for a while if ever. How disappointing. Guess that the artists felt as I did that a mid-week optional date isn't viable.

The pool is supposed to be cleaned and painted this week, weather permitting. Good. That filthy, green/grey, blechy water is really getting disgusting although a lot of it has evaporated. Actually, there is no logical reason for the delay so far since the weather has been ideal for this type of work i.e. hot and dry.

The boaters are out in full force on the lake leaving wave-like ripples as they pass the pedallo boats crawling along near the shore. Life is good in condoville, at least for now. Looking forward to the pool people. Always good for people-watching - and writing material.

Of screens and barbeques

Every Spring the local window screen repairer sends around a notice that he will be making his yearly appearance. Somehow everybody has at least one screen that needs repairing or replacing. We're replacing the screen in our den. He's got a good thing going. People bring their screens to him since he sets up shop in the parking lot.

Today we're setting up the barbeque on the balcony. This is what summer is all about. Nothing like the flavor of barbequed steaks or chicken although it does have a tendency to make smoke. Some of the condo-ites feel it's below them to barbeque what with the smell of cooking food wafting in the air. To them I say: yummy!

The "in" thing now is to install striped canvas curtains around the balcony presumably for privacy. According to the condo regulations all the curtains have to be the same color. Condo living means that everyone is equal - and the same. Personally, this does not appeal to me whatsoever. Cuts the light and sunshine. Then again, that appeals to some people.

Heard from the man in the condo building next door who is in charge of the painting exhibition. The show showcases the work of artists living in our building and the condo bldg. next door. Amazing the number of people who paint in two buildings. Anyway, he informed me that he is checking into how many artists want to partipate again. Wanna bet they all do?