Aqua fitness is not necessary good for one's health

Picked up a sheet of paper dropped off at the front door announcing that aqua fitness is offered once again in the pool in the first week in June. At the top of the sheet is a photo of the group of participants, hands in air and big smiles on their faces. At least they resemble smiles. Actually, they look like they're having a good time but this could be because the session is over. Ask me about it - I know - having taken it two summers ago with Ms Aqua Fitness Cruella Deville. That's not her real name, obviously, but let's just say that she is a very avid, enthusiastic instructor who really enjoys barking out orders and leave it at that. Her workout includes the use of small weights on feet and hands plus other torturous twists, bends and jerks but for me it's either one or the other and not both, or pain is the result and I'm not into pain. Ms AQdeV, however, could be.

The pool is heated to a temperature ranging anywhere from 79-85 degrees fahrenheit, with emphasis on the higher end numbers. It all depends on whether people using the pool find the water on the coolish side and how many complaints are registered. It could be 95 degrees air tempeature in a blazing sun with no wind but the pool must be above 80 degrees or people complain. But I digress.


The aqua fitness participants seem to enjoy MAQdeV commands and she does count well in two languages, french and english. There is a lot of social chat and interaction between and during the actual exercising focusing on the temperature of the water, always good for a 10 minute opener to where people vacationed during the winter. Perhaps it's a means in which to ignore the pain. Who knows. The icing on the proverbial cake for me was working out in the rain. One would assume that the lessons would be cancelled in heavy rain but this wasn't a good enough reason to cancel. Twice I showed up for aqua under grey, threatening skies in the hope that the sun would emerge, only to have the sky open up with the end result being a torrential downpour. Even more dumb is that five of us stayed and exercised for the entire hour, even though we couldn't see MAQdeV's face. In retrospect, it was probably a blessing.

So I'm passing on her offer but the memory of our encounter remains whenever I hear those infamous words, "five...four...three...two...one." The pain has gone but the memory lingers on.

Bummer - no condo art exhibition this summer

Real downer. Found out there won't be an art exhibition (and sale as the case may be) this summer between our condo building and the one next door. Go know why.

A couple of years ago, a few of the condo-ites living in the building next to us showed off their artistic renderings outdoors. Some people stopped to look them over while on their way to the pool including me. Last year somebody took charge and the event was expanded to include artists or people who believe they're artists, including those in our building. Loved the idea especially since I paint and the most difficult problem was to select canvases to frame. In the end I chose five landscapes and two floral paintings. Truly amazing the degree in which frames enhance a canvas. But I digress.

We were about fifteen artists with varying degrees of talent (painting is subjective as they say) and we set up our displays outside around the two condo buildings. In spite of perfect weather conditions, there really weren't a lot of visitors but it was wonderful to have strangers comment and examine one's work. The surprise was that I sold my first canvas. I'm told this means that I can call myself a professional artist, now. Go figure!

However, as is the case in life, nothing lasts forever and in this instance, not even for one year. A phone call to the man in charge last year who lives in the building next door to find out the exhibition dates, indicated that it wasn't to be. He mumbled something to the effect that there wasn't enough interest and other stuff I couldn't make out. His response was very vague, which indicates to me that perhaps - just perhaps - the artists living in the building next door want to keep the show solely for themselves. We'll see next month if this is the case when the exhibit usually takes place. I mean - even if they do set up shop, not much I can do. I suppose I could boycott them or make snide remarks about their art work... Or a better idea would be to find out if there's any artists living in our building and if so, we can set up our own show. We'll show them!

Meanwhile, no work has started on cleaning out the pool. It's still filled with yucky, grey, murky water. Hard to believe that it will be ready for swimming in a month. I've already washed the beach towels in preparation.

There's dandelions growing everywhere in wild abandon, since it's forbidden to use harmful weed killer. Meanwhile, the multi-color tulip display in the park accross the road is magnificent.

And so it goes...

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?

Condo meeting and other stuff

The condo meeting held this week was not well attended, so I'm told since I wasn't there. It ended up being about the physical state of the building, which appears to be in okay shape. We'll see how this translates down the line into dollars.

Meanwhile, the signs are up to sell two apartments with real estate agents and potential clients a common sight. You know they're agents since they walk around with clip boards and papers supplying important details, which potential buyers need to know. The most desirable apartments, obviously, are those with balconies that overlook the river and are located on higher floors. This is also reflected in the asking price. Yesterday an agent brought someone to what I call the over-look, a small paved landscaped area overlooking a great view of the river and our pool. Problem is the pool is not lat its best since it still requires cleaning and the annual coat of paint. Still, the gardeners have been here and the landscaping is looking good. Always fun to see who buys, what.

Still haven't spotted any substantial numbers of ducks or geese and curious as to where or why they've disappeared. Normally at this time of the year, there would be loud ducky quacks and goosey honks heard everywhere. What has changed this year from last year? The water level is low but that should make the pickings easier. Is there an animal predator that is using them for supper? Very strange...

The Clickety-Clacks have returned from their Florida vacation. That would be our upstairs neighbors, one of whom wears shoes that tell us in which part of the house they're walking. Actually, we shouldn't even hear anything since there are rules indicating that owners are required to install soundproofing material to avoid this occurrence. Obviously, the Clickety-Clacks ignore this reality in the hope that nobody will notice. I notice! At some point in the near future, they will be advised.

And so life goes on in Condoville...

Filling in the spaces

Wow! Maybe this is something our local municipal government should consider implementing given the number of potholes we have.

A frustrated gardener and cyclist, Steve Wheen, has found a creative means in which to deal with potholes in an eye-appealing way. He drives around London, England on his bike and when he spots potholes, which aren't difficult to miss, he fills them in not with tar or cement but cyclamen, narcissus and polyanthus blooms among others. He chooses roads that are quiet with less traffic, which would be perfect for condoville.

Anyway, here is his site for anyone who wants to find out more information:
www.thepotholegardener.com

Speaking of Spring road clean-up, a year ago our municipality embarked on a project to replace one of the bridges that leads to our area. The job took longer than anticipated since there was some type of misunderstanding between the groups participating in the work and now work is about to begin on the other bridge. Actually, as a walker, I can attest to the necessity of a replacement since the surface of the sidewalks are badly cracked and I've tripped on jutting cement on numerous occasions.

A special meeting has been called for next week, topic unknown. Speculation and rumor has it that special building work is planned on the building and we're gonna be assessed to pay for the improvements. If so, we'll see what they plan to do.

The snowbirds have returneth home

Like something out of a sci-fi novel or movie, the mass disappearance of condo-ites that began in autumn ended in April with the return of the "snow birds." Evenly tanned skin announces to the "pale-ers" who stuck it out in winter weather: "look at us you poor, disadvantaged regular, pale people - we spent the winter in Florida!" This year mind you, the tan wasn't that marked due to the miserable weather they had to suffer.

So now they're back home and walking their fashionably dressed mini-sized pooches, who never bark at squirrels or cats or any of the normal temptations that bother most dogs. They are either extra-ordinary dogs with extra-ordinary, easy-going temperment or are rendered bark-less breeds with the help of human surgical intervention if you get my drift. Seems there are regulations set down by the condo board as size limitation of the dogs, hence the miniatures.

Their outfits are something out of a doggie designer catalogue and raincoats, hat and boots aren't unusual for the pampered set on wet Spring days, or heavy jackets, leggings and snow boots to deal with the cold, blustery winter temps. I mean, being normal is just not an acceptable word or option. Makes one wonder, though, given the number of people in parts of the world who go hungry and homeless.

There were signs posted throughout the building today announcing the condo annual general meeting next month. I'm actually toying with the idea of attending to make a point about pool regulations. Seems there is a rule, which is being followed to the letter that one cannot bring any type of toy i.e. floating basketball/volleyball sets, balls, sinkers or rings used by children to dive to the bottom of the pool for retrieval. Nothing. Nada whatsoever. This was discovered when I bought some of the above-mentioned watery diversions at the dollar store and was informed by one of the condo board directors that toys/games were forbidden. I can understand games that take up pool space but sinkers? You throw them, they sink to the bottom and are retrieved. I'm quite P.O.'d about it, actually, and just might express my opinion - or get my husband to do it for me. There are always people who find something negative when the kids are present. "Don"t splash!" is a common complaint uttered by many. I mean - c'mon - it's a pool filled with water for heaven's sake! Don't go in the pool if you don't want to get wet! Heaven forbid they should get their perfectly coiffed hair damp!

I've actually heard Mr. Guy Across the Hall communicating with some of the neighbors a few mornings ago, an indication that he stays there at some point although he sure makes himself scarce. I mean, he doesn't have to mix and mingle with others and he did say hello to somebody. At least he appears satisfied with his floor since there haven't been any work people visible.

Tomorrow I'm going to check out the path that runs along the river - and the ducks and hopefully, the Canada geese. Life in condoville is good.

Spring arrives/ed in condoville

The snow has disappeared for more than a month now and the warmer temps are bringing out the condoville regulars for daily promenades. Actually, the ducks never left if ducks fly off somewhere in winter. They lingered near the bridges where pedestrians stroll and waited for handouts to sustain them over the winter. They got them - and then some.

Around the building the outdoor pool still has the remnants of melted snow in the form of dirty water. Before it is filled with clean, sparkling water, it will require its usual maintenance and coat of paint. If this isn't performed before the really warm weather sets in, there will be grumbles from condo dwellers speculating as to if the pool will be ready for its June opening.

This winter the owners of the condo living next to the garbage chute on our floor complained that people were disposing their garbage too late in the evening, in addition to it making excessive noise allowing the chute door to slam. I can imagine that being a pain in the middle of the night when you're trying to sleep. The problem was solved by adding (I'm told) some type of magnetic device that prevents anyone from disposing trash after 9 p.m. Sounds reasonable to me.

Last year a new owner bought the condo apt. directly accross from ours. He completely renovated the entire interior and laid a new wood floor. For whatever reason he doesn't appear satisfied with the job since the floor guys have been back at least three times that I'm aware of. Actually, visually it looks gorgeous having seen peeks of it whenever the floor guys left the door open. I'm wondering what they could be doing since they're always measuring and there's noise from machinery obviously being used. The owner himself is an enigma. I'm not even sure he lives there. We've passed each other in the hall perhaps twice during the year and muttered the usual social niceties but somehow I get the feeling that he doesn't spend much time there. Perhaps he's planning to flip the apartment, which is his perogative. Weird...

There's an open house today indicating that we're going to have some new condovillers. There's definitely been a change of owners this winter. The best time to see all the newbies is when hanging out at the pool but that's later on. Meanwhile, I'm going to make a point of finding out about Mr. Accross-the-Hall.