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January 31, 2007
Am I on Mars ... or is this New York?
I often feel like my email doesn't work, or people's voice mail doesn't record my messages. In many cases, I want to GIVE THEM MONEY in exchange for goods and services. But they don't call me back.
Take California Closets, for example. I walked into their showroom two weeks ago, and said I wanted someone to come and design closet organizers for us. She says "How's a week today?". Sure, I guess, but that seems like a long wait. They came, half an hour late, and we agreed on a design. All I'd have to do is sign some paperwork. That was last week, and despite 6 emails and 7 voicemail messages, I only today got the word that the paperwork was ready. Installation? 2-3 weeks! We bolted.
New York Loft is the designer and supplier of our kitchen cabinets. I have called every day for the last 9 days asking for someone to give me a price on additional shelves. Nada. "Be persistent" says the developer.
I attempted to wire money between Chase and Wells Fargo. I could do it online, but first I had to register for wire transfers, then wait 5-7 business days for a special code by mail. When I was all set to do it, I got an error message "You have exceeded the maximum amount. Please try a smaller amount". I called Chase-by-Phone. I was on hold for 45 minutes while various call centre people attempted to find out the maximum amount. When they finally told me, I would have to send 7 wire transfers, each with a $25 fee. But I could go to the branch and send it in one lump for one $25 fee. You would think they would incent people to online banking, no?
Cooper Square is the property manager for our building. Starting about two weeks before our closing, I sent various emails with questions, left umpteen voice mails, and only just yesterday I got a return email, which only vaguely answered my questions.
We bought a wash/dryer from Bloom & Krup three weeks ago. "Abe" said he would deliver it the following week. When it hadn't arrived by Friday, I called Abe. Abe didn't call back. I called again and again, until finally he called to say they were backordered, and he couldn't tell me when they would be available. Yesterday, I told them to cancel the order and reverse the charges on my credit card. "I'll send your request to the office". Think I'll get my money back? Or better still get the washer/dryer?
Don't get me wrong. Not everyone in this town is like this. But more often than not, short of screaming at the top of my lungs in the middle of Sixth Avenue, I can't get people to do stuff, even if I offer to pay more. I must be on Mars!
Posted by dave at 01:34 PM | Comments (0)
January 30, 2007
O'Neill the Fish
Our building is still under construction, and the lobby is the epitome of chaos in New York. Beautiful dark wood semi-circle desk, beautiful semi-circle wall (behind which our mailboxes are hidden), offset by a plywood lean-to as an entrance, plywood floor covering the beautiful mosaic tile floor, and white drywall dust everywhere. It is stark, cold and uninviting. Bridgette, our concierge, tried to spruce things up a bit by buying a fish, and named it O'Neill. She put it in with the flowers that the superintendent bought for the lobby. Shortly after the flowers died, O'Neill found his way into a plastic tub. The vase was gone. The cranky super asked her to get rid of O'Neill because "the water will attract roaches". Never mind the garbage piling up in the trash room on our floor, which he should be removing. I snapped this photo of Bridgette with O'Neill shortly before she took him home. Farewell, O'Neill, and thank you Bridgette for bringing a little colour into our dreary lobby.
Posted by dave at 04:55 PM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2007
Flirting with Bagels
I was on my way from Whole Foods to Murray's Bagels and passed by the entrance of the New York Athletic Club on 8th Avenue. They had set up a table out on the sidewalk in an effort to sell memberships. As I walked passed a handsome young man, he said "Hey, do you want a free Starbuck's coffee?". I replied no thanks, I have no interest in a gym membership. He said "I didn't want you sell you a membership, I was looking for a date".
I may be 40, but I still got it.
Posted by dave at 03:29 PM | Comments (0)
January 19, 2007
Cue Art Foundation & the Art Crates
Our move has had its challenges, but a recent one has had me stumped, until today.
Our art collection was carefully stored in Toronto in custom made wooden crates. Built out of 1x4s and panelboard, they cost a small fortune, worth every penny. We truly love and enjoy our art.
I've been emptying the crates, all 10 of them, and piled them up along the wall in the hallway outside our door. At first, I had hoped the construction crews would find a use for them - as scrap. They didn't move, until the property manager knocked on the door and said they were becoming a serious safety hazard. Before I tell you my reaction to that one, you need to know that we are at the very end of the hallway, and nobody lives in the three apartments closest to us. So the only safety in jeopardy is Chis and mine.
But I digress (hmmm... I do that a lot).
I called dozens of galleries and museums in the city. I started with MoMA. Never got a call back. Then the Met. Nada. Then I started with the nearby Chelsea galleries. I finally hit an art director who clearly understood my plea, but couldn't help me out. She offered to make a few calls. I never heard back.
Yesterday, when the property manager asked me again, I said give me 24 hours. Today, after multiple phone calls to multiple galleries, I was beginning to give up hope that I could keep these things from being thrown into landfill. If someone decided to burn them, the resins in the panelboard would cause a stench that would put the recent maple syrup and rotten egg smells in New York to a test.
I returned from a kick-ass yoga practice late this afternoon, and found a message on my cell. Cue Art Foundation had decided, after determining whether their freight elevator was working or not, that they would graciously accept my generous offer. Yippee!
My mind is at ease.
Now I have to go see their exhibits!
Posted by dave at 07:34 PM | Comments (1)
January 13, 2007
Chaos
The windows are 9 feet tall! Today, we ordered window shades, because we feel like we live in a fish bowl.
Posted by dave at 07:01 PM | Comments (0)
The New Pad
Chis isn't too sure who I was talking to when he took this photo. It was either David & Marian (the buyers of Platina), or a furniture delivery. I am standing in our new kitchen, the crates to the right are our art collection.
Posted by dave at 06:57 PM | Comments (0)
January 03, 2007
We're In!
With everything scheduled so neatly and carefully for this day, all of it was bound to go horribly wrong. The elevator was booked from 1pm to 5pm, and the moving truck from Toronto, the Sleepy’s bed delivery, the Crate & Barrel furniture delivery, the Sound by Singer speaker delivery, and the Bloom & Krup washer/dryer delivery would all squeeze into this four hour window.
I awoke, restless, around 5am.
At about 8:15am, I was in a taxi with a trunk full of most of our things from the apartment up on 55th Street. The phone rang. “This is Jim, the moving truck driver. We can’t find the address.” First, you’re about five hours early. Second, you’re about five hours early. I’ll call you back.
I arrived at the building. They had torn the front door off. The one with the address on it. They were building a plywood lean-to so that the front entrance could be renovated. After 6 trips from the curb with our things from the cab (no help from the driver, despite a hefty tip), I asked Brigitte, the concierge, if the moving truck could start now. “Sure”. I called Jim back.
At 10;45am, the phone rang. “This is Crate & Barrel, we’ll be there within the half hour.” No problem.
At 11:15am, the phone rang. This time it was Jose, the building manager. He had just had a tooth pulled, and was livid that the movers were using the elevator. They’re like five hours early, and the construction guys are complaining about it. I was in no mood. I said they were about 20 minutes from finishing, and he was welcome to call me back with a solution, but no problems. I hung up.
At 11:45am, I hopped in the truck with the movers and headed over to our self-store locker. We tucked the remaining bits into the locker, and I sent them on their way. I descended into the basement to our second locker, and retrieved a load to take back to the apartment.
At 12:20pm, the phone rang. “This is Sleepy’s. We’re here with your bed”. You’re two hours early. I’ll be there in 10 minutes. I hopped in a cab and off I went. Five minutes later, the phone rang. “This is Jose. Sleepy’s is here.” I’ll be there is 5 minutes. While I was on the phone, Brigitte left me a message saying that Sleepy’s is here. Yah, I know.
At 12:40pm, it suddenly donned on me that the washer/dryer I ordered is 110V, and the wall receptacle is 220V. I called Bloom & Krup and postponed the order.
At 12:45pm, Sound by Singer called to say they would deliver the speakers after 2pm. Whew! This means I have an hour to myself. I went to Home Depot. I was in the checkout line, and the phone rang. It was the speaker guys. “We’re here”. Bugger! I ran out the door, setting of the alarm with my new cordless drill, and finally made it to the apartment. The guys were very understanding, having been up to the apartment on 55th Street, where the doorman suggested they deliver the speakers to our new address.
By 2pm, it was all done. Well, at least everything was in the apartment. I went to Whole Foods, picked up some vino at the Chelsea Wine Cellar, and got back to the apartment around 4:30. Now, the real work begins.
By about 6pm, I was done. Completely busted. Not a drop of energy left. And nowhere to sit and relax. I unwrapped a chair, made some tea, and sat for the first time today. I meditated, did some deep breathing exercises, and found a second wind coming on. The forced meditation drifted into lists of things we needed. A couple more errands, set up the bed, hung up some clothes, and made dinner. By 11pm, there was nothing left in me.
Nighty—night!
Posted by dave at 03:18 PM | Comments (1)
Home Sweet Home
In the flurry of pre-closing chaos yesterday, our attorney called the developer of the condo building and said she was standing out front. She demanded to see our crappy floors. She had a general contractor with her. She called me. I was at the bank paying RIDICULOUS fees to be issued a RIDICULOUSLY huge amount of cashier's cheques. I raced down to the subway, which of course took FOREVER to arrive, then crept through the tunnel at a snail's pace. When I'm not in a hurry, the train is right there, and goes a like a bullet.
The construction foreman took us through several apartments, and showed us that the issues were not just in our apartment. They had glued 6" solid walnut floors to concrete. No plywood sub-floor, no nails.
The contractor, the attorney, and I went across to Starbucks. I had water. The last thing I needed was caffeine. The contractor said it was bad product and bad workmanship. $12-13,000 to rip it out and replace it.
Our attorney gave us two options: (1) don't close, and sue the developer, or (2) ask for a credit to the purchase price. We opted for (2). We showed up to the closing. She asked for the credit. The developer said no. It went back and forth for 3 hours. We got zip. We closed.
We knew that if we didn't close, the developer would simply sell our apartment for way more than we paid. We were better off closing, and putting it up for sale, or living in it for 6 months, during which we would no doubt scratch the half-coat of sealant off the floor, then need to replace it anyway. Besides, it would cost us at least $15k to sue, and you don't win your costs in this country.
In the days leading up to the closing, we were told things by the developer. These things turned out to be bold-faced lies, and in some cases, according to our attorney, ILLEGAL. Today, she will send the developer a letter, recording these things and others, with a copy to the Attorney General.
We're unlikely to sue, because it's not in our nature. But I am going knocking on doors to see if anyone wants to launch a class action suit. This way, I'll get to meet our neighbours!
Posted by dave at 06:54 AM | Comments (0)
January 01, 2007
2006 New Year
I'm not really one to celebrate the new year. Each day is a celebration. In the past, we have spent virtually every New Year's Eve with our great friends, Jim & Luc. It usually involves a gourmet feast, far too much vino, and occassionally, when the grow-op supply warrants (Vancouver), a little herbal tea. Followed by excessive giggling. This year, with the chaos of closing on the condo and moving, it just wasn't meant to be.
Last year (2005) we were in George Town in the Bahamas, anchored neatly off Stocking Island across from the tiny village. We fell asleep at about 11.
The year before (2004) we were in Paris with Jim & Luc, on our way to fetch Platina. We went to the famous La Coupole for dinner, and returned to the flat we had rented to play eucre. Someone had to nudge someone else to say happy new year. I think it was 12:20.
Last night, Chis and I went to yoga, then watched 16 Blocks on bluray DVD, then went for a late dinner at our favourite restaurant, Il Corso. We left there around 11 and tried to make our way across 55th Street to Broadway to get a photo down toward Times Square. Not a chance. The police told us to go up to 59th Street, then across. We got about half way across 59th Street toward Broadway, and the crowds stopped moving. Time for Plan B.
Our Saturday yoga leader, Chrystine, told us that if you stand on the rocky knoll just west of Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, you can see the ball drop. Too, the fireworks in the park for the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run (a 4-mile fun run that we decided not to do) were the best in the city. We decided to hoof it up through the park to the bandshell, where they had great music and dancing. All the runners were decked out in sequins and costumes. A really fun night.
It's a great time for reflection, and our great friend DP said not so long ago that Chis and I have been on a whirlwind for quite some time. It really began in 1999.
November 1999 Sold the house in Toronto and moved to Vancouver. We drove out there with the dogs?
September 2001 Sold the house in Vancouver and moved to the Schoolhouse north of Toronto full-time. We flew back. (The vet gave us a prescription for sedatives for the dogs. When I asked why the bottle had six pills, but only to give each of the dogs one each before the flight, he said the rest were for me.)
2001-2004 Massive renovation of the Schoolhouse. Started my private corporate finance practice.
May 2004 Bought Platina in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. Told nobody.
September 2004 Sold the Schoolhouse. "We're moving to the city to downsize".
December 2004 Left Canada for London, Paris and La Rochelle, France to pick up the boat.
February 2005 - April 2006 Sailed over 10,500 nautical miles, crossed the Atlantic Ocean and visited 16 countries.
April 2006 Sold Platina to David & Marian Paul (who will return to the boat in Lisbon after the holidays). Moved to New York.
Wednesday Move into our New York condo.
I have no regrets, and I wouldn't do anything differently than we've done. We are blessed with an ability to embrace radical change, and the strength to face our struggles head-on. For this, I am greatful. I am also greatful for having the best shadow and life partner I could ever have expected to find. He is my life.
While modestly cliche, yet appropriate, we wish everyone the best for the new year! This is going to be great!
Posted by dave at 09:59 AM | Comments (0)