Well, we made it. We are in the new place, more or less (it takes awhile to settle in, you know). The computers work, the DSL works, the stove works (though it is a real PITA to get a gas stove hooked up in Quebec; on the other hand, we have a gas stove again), …
Category Archives: Life
Skipping Ahead to the Ending. . . .
People keep asking us if we found a place, and since we’re in the midst of moving, perhaps it’s time to flip the novel to the end before getting there the old fashioned way. YES, we found a place. The full story will have to wait, but it’s a floor of an old calendar factory …
Real Estate Saga: Part II
In late June of 2006, we met our first love in the Montreal real estate market — after Luc, our realtor, that is — 6629 St. Andre, Apartment 3, listing for a mere $370,000. It was the 3rd floor of a 3-story (+basement) industrial building that had been converted to 3 condos. The 3rd floor …
Social Construction Holiday
Every year, the last two week of July are a “construction holiday” in Quebec, and lots of businesses close down. It’s a great idea once you get used to it, and it’s a good time to vacate yourself, that is, if you’re not trying to write a book, complete a real estate transaction, and are …
Real Estate Saga: Part I
In June of 2006, Carrie drove by a sign in our neighborhood that said “large loft for sale” (well, it probably said “A Vendre: Grande Loft” or somesuch) and had a phone number. She called the agent to inquire. It wasn’t very large by our midwestern standards. But the agent inquired — how big of …
“Not All Chairs are Boring”
I feel like every other entry on this blog begins with a variation of “I’ve been very busy lately” but this one ends the sentence differently: “I’ve been very busy lately with stuff I couldn’t talk about.” Around the middle of May, the chips fell and it became clear that I was to be the …
Back from DC — more family gossip
Wow. I don’t know if we’ll do that drive again. It was over 14 hours there because of traffic jams. When it’s already a long trip, a few traffic jams can really mess you up. I have a major gadget report coming your way, but in the meantime, the family history discovery of the year …