.
.
.
.

46.7 (Sunday) Chess at 118 During this Period, 2004 to 2006

46.7.1 Introduction

This section is one installment in a large thread on the subject of chess that runs throughout the chronicle. Click here to see a table which summarizes these threads.

46.7.2 Sunday Chess

Every Sunday, Bern would drive all the way from the Beaches area, and Frank would walk over from Keele and Bloor, to play chess with Lena and I.

.




46.8 Family During this Period: Mom at Ewit Angus, Then Meighan Manor 

    

.

46.8.1 Introduction

This section is one installment in a large thread on the subject of the Fletcher and Mackness families that runs throughout the chronicle. Click here to see a table which summarizes these threads.

46.8.2 Alive at this Time

Context of Generations V, W, and X
within Partial Family Tree

The generational position of the Fletchers alive at this time (during the period November 1987 to December 1988) are shown in bold. Their context amongst all of the other individuals and generations discussed in this chronicle can be summarized below: 
                   !
                   !
                   !
                  ___________________________________________
                   !                                         !
           H: ........  Fletcher                        Gilles Fletcher
                   !                                  "Ambassador to Russia"
                 (1550-1620)                             (1548-1630)
                   !                                         !
                   !                                         !
           I: ...... Fletcher                           Phineas Fletcher
                   !                                    "tutor in Russia"
                   !                                     (1582-1650)
                   !                                         !
                   !                                         !
           J:  ...... Fletcher                          A..... Fletcher
                (1573-1650)                             (1612-1680)
                   !                                         !
                   !                                         !
           K:   Andrew 
                "the Leveler"                         
                (1596-1650)
                   !
                   !
                Robert
           L:   (16.. - 1665)
                and Catherine Bruce
                   !
                   !
                   ____________________________________
                   !                                   !
                   !                                   !
            M:  Henry I                              Andrew 
                (1658 - 17..)                    ("the Patriot")     
                   !                              (1655 - 1715)
                   !
            N:  Henry II
               (1675-1730)
                   !
                   !
            O:  Archibald 
               (1697-1773)
                   !
                   !
            P:  William I
               (1721-1769)
                   !
                   !
            Q:  William II
              (1747-1778)
                   !          
                   !
                   _____________________________________________________
                   !                  !             !                   !
                   !                  !             !                   !
            R:   James I           Richard        David I             Job
               (1774 - 1854)      (17..-181.)    (1788-18..)       (17..-18)
                 see               see 3.4         see 3.7          see 3.8
                   !
                   !
                   !
                   _______________________________________________________
                   !           !               !           !             !
                   !           !               !           !             !
            S:   James II    John I       David II      Margaret   William
               "teacher"  "homesteader" "Donetsk founder"
               (1815-64)    (1809-73)     (1811-81)    (1815-85)  (1821-88)
               see 3.       see 3.10       see 3.12     see 3.13   see 3.14
                   !               
                   !
            T:   John II
               "the Communard"
               (1845-1943)
                see 3.15
                   !
                   !
            U:   James III
               "the inventor"
               (1878-1972)
                   !
                   !
            V:   John III
               "the musician"
               (1911-2002)
                see 11-19
                   !
            _______!______________________________________________ 
            !                        !                            !
       W: Ron                     Bernard                       David III
          Wayne                   Gordon                        Murray
          (1945-)                 (1949-)                       (1955-)
            !
            !
            !
       X: Laura
          (19..)




46.9 Fall, 2005:
Occational Teaching

46.9.1 Introduction

This section is one installment in a large thread on the subject of my teaching that runs throughout the chronicle. Click here to see a table which summarizes these threads.

46.9.2 Occational Teaching

46.9.3 Rosedale Heights

I taught often at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, especially in their "Developmentally Delayed" program.

46:10 My Art of the Period,
2004 to 2006

46.10.1 Introduction

This section is one installment in a large thread on the subject of my art that runs throughout the chronicle. Click here to see a table which summarizes these threads.

45.10.2 Manifesto




46:11 Zeitgeist: Politics and Society, 2004 to 2005

46.11.1 Introduction

This section is one installment in a large thread on the subject of my art that runs throughout the chronicle. Click here to see a table which summarizes these threads.

46.11.2 Conservatives Form Federal Government

In the election of March, 2006, the Conservatives won the most seats but were still a minority. They were able to form the government and Stephen Harper became the new Prime Minister.

46.11.1 Ongoing War on Terrorism

The Post-9/11 World of polarizing positions between the Western world (dominated by American hegemony) and the Muslum world (dominated in the eyes of many westerners by the small minority of fanatical Islamists) became even more polarized. Comedian Sach Cohan ("Borat") calls the war on terror, "war of terror". Hot spots continue to be Iraq and Afghanistan.

46.11.2 Hurricane Katrina Hits New Orleans

On 29 August, 2005, an unprepared New Orleans was hit by hurricane Katrina and the levies broke.

45:11.4 Failure of Orange Revolution (10 of 12)

There was much hope associated with the Orange Revolution and the new presidency of Victor Yushenko. Perhaps too much.



46.12 Culture, Books, Films, and TV: 2005 to 2006

46.12.1 Introduction

This section is one installment in a large thread on the subject of culture that runs throughout the chronicle. Click here to see a table which summarizes these threads.

46.12.2 Books Read

Amongst the books that I read during the period, the ones that in hindsight had a lasting impact on me were as follows:
  • "An Orange Revolution" by Askold Krushelnycky

46.12.3 Films Viewed

Amongst the films that I saw during the period, the ones that in hindsight had a lasting impact on me were as follows:
  • "Why We Fight"
  • "The Sentinel"
  • "Kingdom of Heaven"
  • "An Inconvenient Truth" (Al Gore)
  • "Lord of War" (CCCP arms sold from Ukraine to war zones in 1990s)
  • "Who Killed the Electric Car"

45.12.4 TV Viewed

Amongst the television programmes that I saw during the period, the ones that in hindsight had a lasting impact on me were as follows:
  • first season of "The Colbert Report" and "truthiness"
      Steven Colbert's "The Colbert Report" (pronounced "repor") premiered on 17 October, 2005. In this episode he coined the term "truthiness". Truthiness is a satirical term used in reference to the quality by which a person claims to know something intuitively, instinctively, or "from the gut" without regard to evidence, logic, intellectual examination, or actual facts. It was named as the "word of the year" by the American Dialect Society.

      By using the term as part of his satirical routine, Colbert sought to critique the tendency to rely upon "truthiness," and its use as an appeal to emotion and tool of rhetoric in contemporary socio-political discourse. He particularly applied it to President Bush's modus operandi in nominating Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court and in deciding to invade Iraq. Personally I could use truthiness to refer to the rationale behind Wikipedia, the sense of Wikiality, and even this chronicle.

  • "Daily Show" with Jon Stewart
  • first season of "Battlestar Galactica"

46.12.5 Music

45.12.6 Other Social / Cultural Influences

Amongst the television programmes that I saw during the period, the ones that in hindsight had a lasting impact on me were as follows:



46.13 Taking (Interim) Occupancy of Windermere Dec. 2005

46.13.1 Introduction

Back in October, 2003, I had purchased unit #34 of a condominium and townhouse complex called " Windermere by the Lake", located in the west end of the waterfront (see map below). It was during this period, 1 Dec. 2005, that the closing went through and I took occupancy.
My townhouse is diagonally across the Queensway from Grenadier Pond (see yellow dot in red site plan.

Toronto's Waterfront

. 
The site is a triangle:

    

  • to the lower left (north-east) Grenadier Pond;

  • to the top (south) the waterfront and lake;

  • below, the north border is the Queensway;

  • to the left, the east border is Ellis Avenue;

  • to the right, the west border in Windermere;

Windermere by the Lake


The project is being build by Cresford Developments. Their past projects have included the "Merchandise Building", the "Summit", and the "Empire" condominium developments.
The interiors were designed by Gluckstein Design Planning Inc.



46:14 Work on 485a Basement

46.14.1 Introduction

This section is one installment in a large thread on the subject of my house that runs throughout much of the chronicle. Click here to see a table which summarizes these threads.

46.14.2 New Bathroom




46:15 Renting Windermere Townhome, July, 2006

46.15.1 Introduction

Being so busy with 485 Manning, I basically simply used the townhome (Windermere condo TH34) as storage to get un-used furniture out of Manning. It was not until July that I put the townhome on the market using ViewIt.ca. As had been the case with renting out 485a and 485b I had no trouble renting out the condo that weekend in early July.



46.16 485 Work on Exterior and Clearing Garage

46.16.1 Introduction

This section is one installment in a large thread on the subject of my house that runs throughout the chronicle. Click here to see a table which summarizes these threads.

    Date:Tasks performed this period
    , 1979purchase, moving in
    April, 1980breaking concrete in backyard
    May, 1980digging hole
    26 May, 1980removing excavated soil, concrete
    31 May, 1980pouring footing
    4 June, 1980concrete block foundation wall
    20 June, 1980concrete columns on East side of garage
    3 July, 1980brick around garage columns
    7 July, 1980West concrete block wall on garage
    early August, 1982structure of addition and roof completed.
    August, 1982enclosure of addtion completed room.
    Fall, 1982upstairs apartment completed.
    1983major work on downstairs apartment.
    1984completion of grade-level living room and basement.
    1986Completion of the downstairs and moving upstairs.
    1995new roof, new skylights.
    1996new bathroom on second floor.
    2002new bathroom in basement.
    2005completion of basement bathroom
    30 July, 2005fire on roof
    Fall, 2005repairs by HOPE contracting
    2006covered workspace in backyard, studio in garage, finishing touch-up to whole house
    late August, 2006 showings, and sale 30 Aug.



46.17 Half a Century Old: My Failing Health

46.17.1 Introduction

This section is one installment in a large thread on the subject of my health that runs throughout the chronicle. Click here to see a table which summarizes these threads.

It seems to me that the two years of chapters 44 and 45 took a lot out of me physically and spiritually. First Subway Academy took its toll on my soul, and also on my physical finess. Not just broken toes but in many respects. Manning too took its toll. The year between the roof fire involved so many conflicts with tenants, building inspectors, neighbours, contractors, etc. that I was exhausted. It was also during this period that I found out the cause of the pain in my side.

46.17.2 Pain in Side Finally Diagnosed, May, 2006

Nobody could figure out the cause of the pain in my side which had plagued me for three years --neither the chiropractor, homeopath, neurologist, nor intestinal specialist. After having many X-rays, a colonoscopy on 25 May, 2006, the doctor finally called me in. She said: "first, the good news. You're going to have a disease named after you." No, actually the diagnosed was Crone's Disease. I used to say, "whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger". That was, until I developed Crone's Disease.




46.18 Sudden Decision to Sell and Final Prep for Sale

46.18.1 Introduction

This section is one installment in a large thread on the subject of my art that runs throughout the chronicle. Click here to see a table which summarizes these threads.

As the number of problems associated with the house grew, I felt less and less capable to deal with them. I came to a tipping point bifucation, when things just snapped. It dawned on me suddenly that this was a good time to sell, that the house looked great, and I could no longer go on as I had.

46.18.2 The Centre Cannot Hold

The mounting problems associated with 485 Manning included:
  • perceived risk that Susan and Kirk (487 Manning) would continue to complain about backyard building permit issues;
  • perceived risk that their complaints could broaden into wider building permit issues (including garage studio, party wall, basement bathroom, second floor glass blocks, roof deck too high, roof shading device too high;
  • risk that leakage problems developing in roof and basement would worsen.
  • general aging of all of the work I had done;
  • ongoing problem of poor water supply pressure;
  • problems with tenants as they became increasingly upset about work being done, and more demanding;
At the same time, my capacity to deal with these problems was lessening due to:
  • the pain in my side was worsening and it had just been diagnosed in April as incurable Crone's Disease;
  • my working on the house with employee Jamie had used up all my financial resources and I was going into debt;
By July, 2006, it became a good time to sell for several reasons:
  • the real estate market was hot (subsequently confirmed in hindsight);
  • I had just rented out the Windermere townhome and was now free of the need to worry about renting it out;
  • I had completed a lot of the work that I felt needed to be done before I sold. There was nothing more interesting architecturally I could do;
  • I had successfully moved out or gotten rid of a lot of the junk that had filled the garage, yard, and basement;
  • Frank was ready and available to market the house for me;
  • the house showed particularly well in the summer, especially late August, because the grade vine was fully grown but not yet loosing its grapes. The leaves were large and green, not yet brown. It also did not rain much in late August.

46.18.3 Decision to Sell, 21 July, 2006

On that day, 21 July I decided I would sell, and I first approached both sets of tenants. Darren was interested to buy privately, and so I gave him one month to make a formal offer.



46.19 Showings, Inspections,
and Sale, 22-30 August, 2006

46.19.1 Introduction and Context

This section is one installment in a large thread on the subject of my art that runs throughout the chronicle. Click here to see a table which summarizes these threads.

    Date:Tasks performed this period
    , 1979purchase, moving in
    April, 1980breaking concrete in backyard
    May, 1980digging hole
    26 May, 1980removing excavated soil, concrete
    31 May, 1980pouring footing
    4 June, 1980concrete block foundation wall
    20 June, 1980concrete columns on East side of garage
    3 July, 1980brick around garage columns
    7 July, 1980West concrete block wall on garage
    early August, 1982structure of addition and roof completed.
    August, 1982enclosure of addtion completed room.
    Fall, 1982upstairs apartment completed.
    1983major work on downstairs apartment.
    1984completion of grade-level living room and basement.
    1986Completion of the downstairs and moving upstairs.
    1995new roof, new skylights.
    1996new bathroom on second floor.
    2002new bathroom in basement.
    2005completion of basement bathroom
    30 July, 2005fire on roof
    Fall, 2005repairs by HOPE contracting
    2006covered workspace in backyard, studio in garage, finishing touch-up to whole house
    late August, 2006 showings, and sale 30 Aug.

46.19.2 Darren's One Month Expires 21 August

As mentioned above (see 46.16.3) Darren had expressed interest to buy the house privately. I offered to wait one month to give him time to do this, before placing it on the multiple listing service. Even though I ended up waiting the whole month, as I said I would, Darren seemed to not make any effort whatsoever to act on his stated desire to buy the house. No offer was forthcoming.

46.19.3 485 Manning Goes on the Market, 22 August

I signed with Frank Mackry who teamed up with Helene Baguley of RE/MAX. The sign went up the morning of the 22nd of August and that afternoon we showed real estate agents (only) through the house. The first day of showings for the public was 23 August. We had an open house on the weekend of 26-27 August.

Darren made as much trouble as he could, yelling at potential buyers, and even almost assaulting Frank over the issue of whether or not he, in fact, had any formal "right of first refusal". He threatened to put a claim on title and prevent me from closing.

Some potential buyers paid for inspections of the house, and it passed with flying colours. No major problems were identified, just as in my own inspection done a couple of weeks earlier.

46.19.4 Accepting Offers, 30 August, 2006

The big evening arrived at 7:00 pm, 30 August, 2006. Offers were not accepted before this time, and when Frank and I arrived at the RE/MAX office at 570 Bloor (just west of Bathurst above the Swiss Challet), there were already several agents and hopeful buyers waiting. Even Darren was there, but he did not put in an offer. There were multiple offers and a "bidding war" ensued. I sat down with Darren mid-way through and when he saw how high the bidding was going, he gave up and left. He never did put in any offer, saying only: "I don't have that kind of coin." By 9:30 I had signed off on the best offer from Julian Pinder and wife Alejandra de Miguel.

Frank and I were very happy, and Darren went away in frustration.




46.20 Summary, Conclusions,
Connections, Goals,
Omissions, and Regrets

46.20.1 Introduction

Perhaps like every end-of-chapter, the end of this chapter was associated with a crossroad. I decided to go this way and not that way. The starting point of the next chapter, and the rest of my life, will reflect the decision made at that crossroad. I am going on a certain path because I chose to go in that direction. I will never know what would have happened if I'd chosen another path.
In the case of this chapter 46, the decision I made in the summer of 2006 was to sell 485 Manning Ave. Would things have gone better with the tenants if I'd chosen instead to stick it out? Would I have had problems with the building inspector? Would physical problems with the house (leaks, racoons, etc.) continued and defied solution. Would I have ultimately received a higher selling price if I had waited longer? Of course, having made the decision to sell I will now never know. The actual sale date, 30 August, 2006, markds the end of the chapter. The next chapter, chapter 47, starts with this reality as the path I was now going down, a post-485 path.

46.20.2 Summary

This period for me was characterized by detoxifying after Subway Academy One, Repairing the damage done by the fire and completing the renovation at 485 Manning, taking occupancy and then renting the townhome condo at Windermere by the lake, and finally selling Manning.

46.20.3 Conclusions

The conclusions I can draw from this period are perhaps that I should of done this completion and sale of Manning earlier.

46.20.4 Connections

46.20.5 Goals

Any consideration of specific goals, should be seen in the light of my mission statements. I achieved successfully my major goals for this period:
  • 1. rest after Subway Academy One;
  • 2. occupy and rent out townhome condo;
  • 3. complete renovations and sell 485 Manning;

46.20.6 Omissions and Regrets

The bulk of this chronicle concerns things that actually happened. Things that were planned, experienced, written, won, acquired, painted, accomplished, etc. are documented, discussed, and analysed. This last section concerns those things which did not happen, things which were only desired, thought of, considered, not completed, lost, and perhaps regretted.

As I would find out in September, 2006, there was a problem with title. So in hindsight I regret that I did not discover and deal with this small problem earlier, to prevent it from becoming a large problem which threatened closing and had to be dealt with in a panic at the last minutes before closing on the 6th of October, 2006 (see 47:1).




Back to table
of contents
for navigation



Next chapter
Chapter 47:
2004 to 20__

1