Progress Report

 May 1-6 , 2006 // CONSTRUCTION LOG #82

Contact phone numbers

Internet Phone:
New York: 315-279-6711
Toronto: 416-907-5758 // 416-461-2203

Costa Rica:
Cell: 506-305-3965
Land: 506-282-4142 Ext. 101

NOTE: the New York and Toronto numbers are "local calls" for people in the area codes; calls from outside the area code will be billed at the normal rate from the caller's area code to either the "315" or the "416" area code.

Pictures: house 101. lockers, and mosaic mural,

The Story: Sale of 124 and 125 and NO PROBLEMS.

CONSTRUCTION

Weather: calm, substantial over cast —no rain and— hot for us.

Units 101 / 102: Floor slab was to be poured on Saturday but for some reason the cement company’s trucks got tied up.

Lockers and Houses: Collar tie forming is finished and 2nd. floor was poured on late Saturday afternoon. The truck which was suppose to show at 10am showed at 3:30. At 6:30 and in pitch darkness, they were finishing off the concrete. Rain began at 5:30 —the only rain we’ve had all week and just when the wet concrete was fully exposed. This is construction so why should I expect anything different. If we had poured concrete on Tuesday, it probably would have rained then!!!!

Landscaping: We continue to devote extra manpower to this. We continue to have plants to relocate —this seems like a never ending process. All the slate sidewalks have been acid washed and finished with three coats of color enhancing sealer. The tile walkways are being acid washed as well to remove the grout film.

Electrical System Upgrade: The saga (nightmare) continues. It now appears that the main switch to the transformer is defective. We are having it checked out. The transformer company acknowledges having sold it (so it didn’t drop off the back of a truck) but whether they will honor any warranty is another issue, and I feel a doubtful issue.

Mosaic Mural: This is now finished and WHAT A PIECE OF WORKMANSHIP!!! See the photo. It turned out much better than we had anticipated and I believe, it makes us want to feature this type of thing in our next project. It cost maybe $800. Paul speculated that it would be $10-$15K in Canada. I don’t know about that figure since I’ve never dared to consider a similar feature. Who will really care about this mural? Perhaps no one as much as the artist, Paul and I but it was a fun project and if I had it to do again (and I do on my own house and that design I already have in mind)...it features a large parrot and a very contented cat surrounded by green parrot feathers...

Transition: another week of NO problems —business, mechanical as well as telecommunications systems worked flawlessly— and that IS progress!

Internet: Rock Solid!!

Dog: His training continues. He hasn’t graduated…

Marketing: We sold 124 and 125 —the two 610sf, 2nd. story, 1 bedroom houses. We had some activity on 109. That now leaves us with three investment units (109 / 110 / 112), and one owner occupiable unit (115—1450 sf, 2 bedroom/2 bathroom, $165,000) available in July.

Next Project: Paul and I will review my draft pro forma. We’ve set a meeting with the vendor for Monday, May 15. We’ll vet the pro forma and do any revisions which are necessary. I expect we will speak with two potential investors this next week. It is time for declarations. Paul and I will close the doors such that we can move forward.

OUR LIVES

Busy but tranquil —except for parrot screeching and budgie chatter— I prefer fish and cats!!!! The week was mostly dominated by communications re. the sale of the two small units and an active interest in 109. I started the medical tests associated with my general physical. Next will see more of these.

Lita continues her exercise program —it’s become a way of life for her. I’m glad— I wish I could do that. I’ve commissioned a picture by a local artist of her and the parrot. This is my 50th. birthday present to her. Hopefully, it will be a well appreciated present.

I had occasion to go to the airport twice this week. On Tuesday I saw the police conducting a raid on a shanty town located near by. It’s called “la Candela” and is occupied by mostly Nicaraguans. It’s a sorry sight and even though it has grown considerably over the past several years, it continued to be a sorry sight. I understand the land is owned by Banex—a large bank. On Thursday, I saw that it had been largely raised and all the residents disbursed. To where? I have no idea—anyone living there had few resources. While I believe in the sanctity of private property I only hope that Banex needs that land and puts it to use... I don’t know if any of our workers were living there; I’ll find out. I don’t know what I’ll do with that information but...

Paul returned on Thursday and got right back into the thick of things.

Brian, Lita, Hugo and irreverent Vicka, the pigeon toed parrot.

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