Progress Report

 May 15-20 , 2006 // CONSTRUCTION LOG #84

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, 124 / 125 and picture of a painting

The Story: Frustrations...

CONSTRUCTION

Weather: very little rain.

Units 101 / 102: This week has been devoted to strengthening the lower level to adequately support the 2nd floor and to adding the structural steel. This work will continue throughout next week.

I'm beginning to get a feel for the finishings of 102: I see this as being a high end unit so I'll have lots of matching cabinetry in the kitchen/dining/living/and office area -all of which are visually integrated. The steel perlins will be covered with wood to give the appearance of a beamed ceiling. The office will be fully featured as well with cabinets and built-ins. Granite will cover the entertainment unit in the living room, the display cabinet as well as the office. The terrace will have eye candy and will be connected to the orchid garden and rancho. The master bedroom is large and is next to the water fountain and occupants will hear the dripping of water. In total it is around 1,800 sf (175M). It wasn't my intention to build this large a unit at this location but it made best use of the space.

Lockers and 124 / 125 houses: All the form work has been removed and the clean up of the lower locker area is mostly complete. Lights have been added and the form work and walls are being prepared for their surface finishing (repella). All the structural framing has been completed and the tin roof is on-we are now dry. Exterior boarding has begun. This should be largely completed by the end of next week. We are beginning to form the stairs.

Landscaping: The garden is happy. We are still adding some plants and moving others.

Roadway: we are making preparations to finish off the east roadway with asphalt. Most of the concrete will have been poured when we finish the stairs to 124 /125. Asphalting will make a big and will allow us to get most of the parking arrangements in place as well as clean up that side of the property. We're all looking forward to this.

Electrical System Upgrade: The distributor of the transformer said the switch was abused. No one could find any mark on the outside of the transformer to indicate abuse. I feel we are getting shafted for $650; there's nothing we can do about it but deliver a message along with the check and vow to never use this company again.

Marketing: The closing of 109 is delayed a few days.

I'm working on completing the furnishings of 120 and some modifications to 10 which consists mainly of an electric hot water tank.

Next Project: We have asked the lawyer to draft the offer. In preparation for this offer, we found the land has some additional encumbrances which caused us to redraft the initial deal we outlined. The vendor's lawyer has a copy of the offer.

Frustrations: Scotiabank: As if setting up a new account wasn't frustrating enough (3 weeks and countless conversations and trips) now we add debit cards to the list! The first one issued to Paul didn't work. We took the branch manager to lunch and said that IF it didn't bloody well work, she was paying. It worked-she breathed a sigh of relief and admitted that the tweeking she had done prior to our luncheon seemed to have worked. Off I went to PriceSmart where I proceeded to spend a hour gathering cleaning products, basic furnishings, a washer/dryer as well as a dishwasher -probably around $1,800 worth. Rang it all through and the debit card wouldn't work. After 30 min. of phone calls and conversations with various PriceSmart people, I walked away and returned defeated to a stiff drink. Later we found out that the debit card has a limit of $1,000-for "our protection". I view "protection" as not walking around with $1,000 plus in my pocket!!!!. We tried to get the limit increased-no, that can't be done... (well two days later and numerous phone calls, we might get a special exemption). Why don't we get a credit card instead of a debit card? Scotiabank does not have corporate credit cards!!!!!! Only personal ones... We tried get two debit cards-each with a $1,000 limit. Yes, we could have two cards, but with a $500 limit each... and we are not getting one colone of interest on money in our savings account. Is this a client oriented bank?

Scotiabank is having their annual meeting on May 29 at the Marriott Hotel-a very fancy, elegant place. Paul and I -not our wives-were invited to a 2 hr. cocktail party. This involved dressing up-already a bummer (but I could understand)- and now that Lita couldn't go... I politely declined.

Furishings: For a client I'm trying to buy two sets which included a matched set of loveseat/sofa bed and two chairs. I can't get them. Chairs don't come in the same material... and the salesman was playing fast a loose with the price and the delivery. After the 2nd. trip I returned again empty handed and am asking the client for direction. If he tells me to shoot the bugger I'd be happy to.

OUR LIVES

Dentist: the cavity was filled expertly-$50. My crown will cost $250-it's way at the back and a bit tricky.

We've had some great meals this past week -some we've done and one Terry did, which as usual blew us all away and it was way too much- but there's always the next few nights for leftovers!!!!

Lita has come to the conclusion that Stilton cheese and port wine is the way to finish a meal-as long as the "meal" is only dinner, fine!

We got the picture I commissioned for her 50th birthday. It is as we order-a view of her with the parrot with some tropical background and a waterfall. All is great EXCEPT for some reason, she ended up with a "Jay Lenno jaw" which in no way is accurate and is not very becoming. We are not very happy and are deciding how to handle the situation. This $600 painting might become relegated to the closet the diamond bracelet will last forever!.

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

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