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.

Christmas in condoland - the lights they do shine

Every year since moving to condoville, the buildings in our area go all out when it comes to Christmas decorations. Down the block at the senior's residence, nary a balcony is without glimmering, shimmering colored (and then some) lights in shades of dark blue, light blue, white, red, yellow... You name it, they're displaying it in geometrical shapes and garlands of electric. Let me put it this way: airplanes flying over our area could mistake all the lights as a landing strip and Las Vegas hotels could relate.

It's obviously important to everyone because professional Christmas hanger-uppers are hired to handle the task. It takes on average and without exaggeration, a whole day to string up the trees in our two twin condo buildings. Although nobody openly discusses or admits it, there is an underlying air of competition with more and more trees acting as artistic pallets. Still, it does make one wonder how the squirrels sleep at night.

This is all leading up to the decision by our condo association for whatever reason, to cut back on this year's display. The truck arrived as usual early in the morning and the team of men got out holding lengths of electrical wire, quickly setting to work stringing the lights around the tree trunks. Two hours later they were gone. The evening told the whole picture when a mere two bushes and four trees with lights constituted the holiday display. Perhaps our condo association is cutting back in light of economic conditions, in which case they are to be lauded. Meanwhile, we're waiting to see if and when the plastic Christmas tree garnished with elaborate decorations, will make its appearance. At least the squirrels will get some shuteye.

Space - the parking garage

Go figure that the parking garage would be a cause of friction. The front bumpers of our car have been dented three times now. Not badly mind you but visible none-the-less. Heaven forbid the "bumper" should leave a note of appology to the "bumpees" or pass along an anonymous hint that would point to the guilty car. It's like the condo residents take an oath of silence to ignore anything that could cause a verbal confrontation. Unlike TV shows which can narrow down potential perps by analyzing paint chips, a lot of the parked cars have bumps. Go know!

In order to narrow down the culprits, my husband deduced by the placement of the small dent(s) that it was the condo shopping cart used to transport grocery bags back to the apartments, which did the damage. When confronted with evidence the owner of the garage space on the left denied any culpability.

"I'm careful!" he responded maybe a little too quickly indicating some potential feelings of guilt. "How come you pick on me?" The owner of the other garage space on the other side not surprisingly, also denied any involvement.

Incensed with everyone's indifference, a hand-made sign was posted informing everyone who passing through the parking garage that our car had been the victim of a shopping cart-hit-and-run. It made my husband feel better but embarrassed the heck out of me! Never a dull moment.

Yesterday,somebody blatantly and openly smoked a cigarette,a no-no, in the parking garage, which is considered common area governed by condo rules. The one thing one learns quickly living in condoville is that there are rules governing...practically everything.

A condo is an apartment with lots of neighbors

Moving into a condo has been interesting from a life-changing perspective. Having lived in a house for umpteen years, the first adjustment was getting used to the idea that we're no longer alone. This means movement from the upstairs neighbors who I call "The Clickety-Clicks" since one of them sounds like they're wearing high heels. Actually, it could be both of them come to think of it.

It's particularly annoying when I'm attempting to focus on my writing or painting a canvas. Mentally, I find myself following their footsteps as they 'clickety-click' while moving around their apartment.

Clickety-click.... Clickety-click...back and forth, back and forth.

On occasion in utter frustration, I find myself screaming - okay not screaming, yelling softly, because neighbors won't like that - "shut-up...shut-up...shut-up!" I've threatened to physically confront the C-C's but have been restrained by my husband. I mean, what would I say?

"Hi there. I live downstairs. Your slippers or shoes or whatever you wear on your feet are driving me up the wall! Kindly exchange them for a quiet sole. There's some on sale at Walmart."
I suppose I could send them an anonymous letter but it wouldn't be difficult to narrow down the letter writer, which could prove embarrassing.

Anyway, it's quiet upstairs since they've left for Florida. At least I think they're gone. I could swear I heard footsteps yesterday. Meanwhile, Mr. Happiness who rarely cracks a smile, is leaving the condo shopping cart in the hall in front of his apartment, instead of returning it to its usual place in the garage. It's always something.