Day 12: A recent scary event

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Day 12: A recent scary event

It just dawned on me that I haven’t told you about a recent scary event.

While working for a North York company, I got into one of six elevators on my way down to get the mail, when the elevator suddenly violently shook and then came to a stop. Now what?

Don’t panic, I told myself, you’re perfectly fine. Still, I had to do something so I pressed the phone button. A few seconds later a crackly voice came on the line.

“Yes?”

“I’m stuck in the elevator.”

“Which car, ma’am?”

“Car number four.”

“Do you have any medical issues?”

“No.”

“Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

“Are you prone to panicking?”

“No.”

“Okay, ma’am, help is on the way.”

“Thank you.”

Ten minutes passed, then the voice echoed through the elevator car again.

“Hello ma’am, are you still there?”

“Yes.” (Where would I have gone?)

“Are you still okay?”

“Yes.”

“We’ve called for help and someone is on the way.”

“Thank you.”

Since this was obviously going to take a while I figured I might as well sit down.

I waited another fifteen minutes and decided to press the phone elevator button again.

“Yes?”

“I’ve been here half an hour. I thought you said someone is coming?”

“A technician is coming ma’am, but he’s stuck on the highway. Do you work in this building?”

“Yes.”

“Is there anyone we can call for you? The receptionist of the company for instance?”

“I am the receptionist.”

“Oh, well sit tight and the technician will be there as soon as he can.”

Great, I was stuck in an elevator and he was stuck in traffic. 

At that point I was getting rather bored. If this had happened on my way to work or on my way home, I would have had my bag with me, holding my book, my phone and glasses, but as I was on my way getting the mail, I had nothing. I had nothing to read, no phone to play some games on, and no glasses to follow the news on the elevator TV screen.

“Hello ma’am … are you still okay?”

There was the crackly voice again.

“Yes I’m fine, bored but fine.”

Silence ... she obviously didn’t know what to do with that.

“Well, the technician is almost here.”

“Great. Thanks.”

Another fifteen minutes later the door finally opened.

“Hello there, sorry it took so long, I had to come all the way from Kipling and there was a lot of traffic on the road.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Are you alright?”

“Other than bored I’m perfectly fine.”

“You didn’t panic.”

“Why should I? I’ve seen enough TV shows to know that there’s plenty of oxygen and an elevator is unlikely to fall unless there is a bomb.”

“Glad to hear TV is so educational. You should tell that to my wife.”

After that he extended a hand to help me up because I was rather stiff from sitting by now.

I was instructed by the technician to visit the concierge before heading up to my office. As I did so, the security guard asked my name, where I worked, what had happened, how I had reacted etc. etc. etc.

When I came home and told Dieter about this event, he said that whenever this happens in his building, the unfortunate person receives flowers from the building management.

I’m still waiting for my flowers.

Day 142: Management decided to turn off the A/C

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 142: Management decided to turn off the A/C

Even though the summer of 2018 will go down in history as the hottest year around the world, with heatwave after heatwave, the management of our condo building has seen fit to switch off the air-conditioning.

Never mind that yesterday’s temperature reached 32 degrees C (89.6 degrees F) and people are just about fainting in their units, according to some stupid bylaw the heat must be switched on by September 15th and that is the rule the manager of this building followed.

Technically, our building doesn’t have to follow that rule, because it is a condo building, not an apartment building and as such the government doesn’t have any say over us, but because the building holds approximately 10 rentals the bylaw gets enforced.

I’ve lived in this building for the past 18 years and this is the first time this rule has actually been enforced. Other years the building manager used common sense. If the temperature is still in the high 20s he waited with switching off the air-conditioning, after all, who needs heat when it’s still so hot.

However, this year we have a new building manager, a woman, and she goes by the book. When a notice was posted in the elevators that the air-conditioning would be switched off the next day, residents descended on the management office to complain about this decision. Some asked, some pleaded, some begged for the air-conditioning to stay on, but the manager could not be swayed. She said that some people might be cold and might need heat.

Some people might need heat!!! ... When it’s boiling hot outside!!! ... who are these people?

At first the lack of cool air was not such a problem, as the temperature remained below 25 degrees C (77 degrees F), but as from Thursday the temperature climbed and climbed, reaching 32 degrees yesterday. To say that it was uncomfortable inside would be an understatement. It went from warm, to hot, to stifling. Nobody had any energy and tempers flared.

If you live in a house, don’t think for a moment that this a the same as living in a condo. There’s a big difference between living in a brick and mortar house and a south facing, glass fronted condo on the 11th floor.

To bring some relief we have two fans going, but that only cools to air to a certain extent.  And if the days are difficult, the nights are even worse. Who can sleep in this heat?

Charlotte, Gabriel, Holly and Halley suffered too. In a way it’s worse for them then for us. While we could position ourselves in front of a fan or take a cold shower, the cats were laying flat on the hardwood floor, under the bed, or sought relief from the heat in the relatively cool walk in closet. After a while they figured out that though that the fan was nothing to be afraid of and sat in places where the wind of the fan lifted their fur.

Greyson was the only one who wasn’t bothered by the heat. For him it was business as usual. He ran around and played, but for once he couldn’t find anyone to play with. The others clearly were not in the mood.

Today it’s a little cooler than yesterday, and tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday will be cooler still, but on Friday temperatures are going up again. Well, technically it’s still summer until September 21st. Only the manager of our building seems to think it’s already fall.

Day 124: 2.5 million dollar project (1)

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 124: 2.5 million dollar project (1)

In addition to my own 365 creative writing prompts project, I would like to keep you up to date on another project. A $2.5 million project.

The works involve replacing the membrane of the parking garage of our condo building. Four members of the board of directors were in favor of this project, one was against it, so this was a no-brainer … with 4 to 1 the majority won.

The quotes that were presented for this project ranged from $2.5 million to $4 million, or so we were told. I contacted a construction company on my own and received a quote for $1.3 million. Why the difference? Who knows, draw your own conclusion.

Anyway, the works started last week by ripping up the asphalt.

While Charlotte and Gabriel couldn’t give a flying leap about what’s going on outside, for Holly and Halley this is great entertainment. The works usually start at 8:00 a.m. at which time one or both of them sit on my bedroom windowsill. Once I’m up and about and the balcony door is open, they move to the ledge and keep an eye on the workers from there.

 (Halley clearly has her doubts)

I should mention that this particular project is set to finish in November. Then next year phase two will start, followed by phase three.

In the meantime, I would like to keep you up to date on the progress by means of a weekly report. Since pictures are worth a 1,000 words, let the pictures do the talking …

 www.connymanero.weebly.com

Apartment hunting tips

Apartment hunting can be a headache if you hop in your car without a plan.  Doing your homework before you decide to drive around aimlessly can make the process less of a frustration.  Apartment living has some benefits over home ownership like never having to worry about a flooded basement or a leaky roof.   An apartment also offers security, safety and the company of other residents.

When looking for a place of your own, the following apartment hunting tips might come in handy.

Do Your Research

If there is an address in an apartment rental ad, research the address with a web browser.  Through pictures and satellite images you will see the property and surrounding area.  You can also find out the location of any nearby shops, schools and churches.  A visual might save you a disappointing trip.

If you do like the property and neighborhood, take a walk and get the feel of the area.  Does it offer you everything you are looking for in terms of shopping, transportation, and entertainment?

Get a Second Opinion

When going apartment hunting, it’s a good idea to bring a family member or friend along.  Two pairs of eyes see more than one.  A companion can function as a sounding board and can help prevent you from “settling” on an unsuitable apartment just because you are frustrated.

Is the Apartment Right for You?

If you have lived in a house all your life, living in an apartment will be quite a change.  Not only are the living quarters much smaller, but you won’t have a backyard anymore. 

Will your furniture fit into a smaller space?  Do you have pets?  Many apartment buildings will not allow pets, or if they do, they will charge a higher monthly rent and will ask for a larger deposit.

Can you Afford It?

Before you start apartment hunting, look at you budget and hunt within your price range.  When talking to a prospective landlord, ask about extra costs such as parking and utilities.  Also check the fine print of your lease for specifics about the conditions under which your deposit will be returned when you leave.

Pay Attention to Details

When hunting for a place, you might see ads such as “cozy apartment” or “newly renovated” apartment for rent.  Cozy usually means small, while renovated might be nothing more than a thin coat of paint on the walls.

When visiting an apartment, be on the lookout for mouse and cockroach droppings.  Check not only the walls and floor, but the kitchen cabinets and drawers.

Test if all the windows and doors open smoothly and can be locked. 

See if the toilet flushes properly, and if you’re not a fan of low flow, turn on the shower to test the strength of the water.  Look at the ceiling for water stains.  If there are marks this could mean that the apartment above you has leaky pipes and mold could be present in the apartment.

If you like a particular apartment and you’re thinking about signing the lease, make note of any damages and have the landlord sign the document.  You don’t want to be held responsible for existing damages before you move in.

Talk to Other Tenants

If you are lucky enough to find tenants in the apartment you’re thinking of renting, talk to them privately.  They might be able to warn you of possible flaws or disturbing noises in the building, and whether or not management responds quickly when there are problems.

These are just a few apartment hunting tips.  By doing your homework and paying attention to important details, it is possible to find the apartment of your dreams. 

Do you like my blog? 

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Take a cold shower

A few years ago, the chiller in our condo building packed up, and as a result we had no air-conditioning during a heat wave that had Toronto sweltering in a temperature of 45 degrees C (113 degrees F).

Tempers flared, residents were fainting in their units and a woman with heart problems came close to dying. 

When the temperature dropped to 35 degrees C (95 degrees F) everyone heaved a sigh of relief.  It was still hot, but noticeably cooler than the past three days.

All in all, the building was without air-conditioning for 18 days and when the cool air was finally restored, everyone was so happy they almost organized a party.

For the past four days we’ve had another problem … now the boiler is temperamental.  We have heat in our units, but no hot water.

What comes out of the taps is at best tepid water.  Doing the dishes is not such a problem, we can boil water in a pot and transfer it to the sink to get everything clean and grease free.  

The real problem is showering in the morning.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of cold showers.  Especially not now, in winter.  When that blast of cold water hit me yesterday, I nearly jumped out of my skin and the scream that echoed through the bathroom would have made a soprano jealous.

Later on I looked up if there are any health benefits to a cold shower.  Apparently there are quite a few, but I’ll give you my take on them.

Strengthens Immunity – My immune system is just fine thank you.  And if I get a cold or the flu once a year, that’s beneficial to my body as it gives me antibodies.

Better blood circulation – No problem there.  My blood goes round and round without stopping or even pausing.

Regulates temperature – This makes me feel like I should come with a thermostat.

Promotes Weight Loss / Increases Metabolism – If I lose any more weight, I’m going to resemble an ATM card.

Alleviates Depression – I’m not depressed.  I might feel down from time to time, but not to the point that I would call it a depression.

Deepens Breathing – Just exactly how deep do you want me to breath, down to my toes?

Keeps Skin and Hair Healthy – Washing my hair with cold water gave me a headache, and my skin looked like I was about to sprout feathers. 

Increases Energy and Wellbeing – Please, I have so much energy I resemble a ball in a pinball machine. 

Increases Hormone Production – the writer of the website writes “Cold water showers have the ability to increase hormone production and activity by giving the body’s glands a boost. For example, cold showers can be of great benefit to the reproductive system when trying to conceive a child”.

That’s it, I want my hot water back.  Should I find myself pregnant, this pinball machine is going to go tilt.