Tick Tock goes the clock...

What happened to last weeks post, you ask?  Well to be totally honest, I didn't want another post saying  yes, yes, yes we're still waiting and was a tad down about that situation.

This week, ironically, we're still waiting but at least we're closer.  Marianne, the architect, met with the city staff yet again, after e-mail exchanges and trying to get answers on moving forward that would be acceptable.  I have a whole new respect for Architects, Contractors and property owners now that the intimate understanding of the process is pulsing through my veins.

I'm not trying to point fingers but this really seems to be a case of  "the road to hell is paved with good intentions".  So what's the answer? Perhaps, the answer is to have a school program called "Decision making 101" that is implemented in the elementary school curriculum.  It could be a life skill class that continues onto high school, post-secondary and grad studies.    The focus of this program would be grounded in common sense, practical application and supportive win-win solutions.

Wouldn't that be awesome!  People being raised to come together and solve issues and challenges in a positive way, where everyone leaves the table feeling like they have a win-win situation.  I don't think it would be that difficult actually.  

In the case of this project, it would be the owner leaving with 5 homes for people to live in; architect proud of the design to make that happen; contractor happy to build these homes; city department approving and issuing permits to make a micro community happen.  All done efficiently, like over a few meetings, and not a 1-2 year process.  So why is this not the case?  Why does it take so long for this to become a possible reality?  Most importantly why doesn't the process feel good for everyone involved?

Answer:  we're missing that program described earlier.

So while we wait here's some more fun about ridiculous situations...

Supercalafragalisticexpialadoshus...supercalafragalisticexpialadoshus...

Um-dittle-ittl-um-dittle-I.... yes, still waiting...

Yes, still loving the community I live in, even if not happy with the things going on in the city or the world.  This is not a direct slight but rather a reality of our time.

I recall a friend who was building in North Vancouver telling me about his building project and calling it "the house that will never be built".  I laughed, not only because he's a funny guy, but because it was a good humoured way of dealing with his situation.  At present, I'm really trying to channel that perspective on the local and global madness but most of all this project that is feeling like "the house that will never be built".

One thing is for sure, the waiting game provides time for lots of crazy behind the scenes stories to evolve.  Just so you know,  those cost extra and I await many entertaining dinners and coffee meetings to take place by anyone, and I mean anyone, who's brave enough to make the offer.

This week's front story is about "the project/house that will never be built" and the saga of it continuing to fall apart.  All along the tenants have been amazing and have been kept in the loop of progress, or lack of.  Now, I think the House itself is starting to put it's foot down and saying, "Hello, hello could you please get your permits so we can give me some love and company in the back!!"  This came through it's voice in the furnace.

When's the last time you've seen one of these?... the story of Airco.   It's a simple visual story of Airco deciding to not quite go kaput but making a kind of mild screeching sound; perhaps a small cry for help.  Willow, the Airco super cat, comes to the rescue sniffing out the scene and cessing out the situation. She takes a break, as all Super Cats do, then is right back in there solving the problem through some easy cost effective tweaks.  Ending, as with all good endings, leaving things well  in the world.  

Ahhhh, that's all folks,  and back to waiting...

And the New Year begins...

Yes, and still waiting ...

Like an innocent climbing wacky stairs eating my greens and feeling like fish woman we still have not received the building permit.  Ahhhhhh...

So I imagine a surreal place where  the "to be or not to be? - Project" would actually take place. I think of cool things that could be possible, like working with elements of the old and making it new which has always appealed to me.

And since one can't put life on hold.  One can suspend it in thoughts of  texture or textile, weaving our way forward even it you're the lone wolf, or in this case a ceramic installation being the only one looking in the direction of the future, taking in the color and scent of reality.

Not afraid of the light, eating greens or the 7 deadly sins pinata makes for a hopeful path forward; always forward never back as they say.

The story continues with perspective; giving with pink splashes of layered street art references to a stunning way forward in the landscape of building something interesting.

One can't hold back when it comes to opening windows and looking into the garden and space.

The special ingredient to success is fun, especially when you have nature, an old lady swinging in the park, a few octopus tentacles and a flying happy face orb in the mix!

In close of this chapter I'd say we can't go wrong with some dots connecting into a pork fest.  If the back story leaves you curious, I suggest taking me out for dinner to ensure getting all the juicy permitting details.  After all, might as well make it worth my while and no doubt you'd be entertained.

Waiting and wishing, and waiting & wishing...

Yes still counting the sleeps until Christmas, just in case that Building Permit comes to me in a BIG red bow; I'd even be happy with a knot!  Keeping my fingers crossed and thinking I must have done something awfully good along the way so this project will unfold beautifully.  I keep being told that this is an example of an uncomplicated process and I just go hmmmm.......

Today's post is a little story to side track us, yet again, from the waiting.  As I stroll the hood and look closely at things I discover;  8 images unfolding; from the beauty of nature to the chaos of life in the Big House and back. Tap the image to keep the circle going.