Category: Life

bookmark_borderIt wasn’t me!

Posted on by Christine Elias

I have been advised I should not post this in my lobby. I won’t — instead I will tell you all about how I was unjustly accused.
Some passive-aggressive person left an UNSIGNED note under my door.

TO THE FELLOW OWNER WHO SUGGESTED THAT I AM THE PERSON LEAVING THE JUNKMAIL ON THE FLOOR.
I AM NOT BUT THERE IS A SOLUTION FOR THIS COMMON PROBLEM

It pains me to think that one of my fellow owners is concerned that I am the culprit who is tossing the junk mail on the floor. I learned of this suspicion via an admittedly polite note under my door. I will respond in kind. That’s just my way. Since I have no idea who my accuser is, I am reluctantly placing this note in the lobby.

I could protest my innocence — it’s not me, really! — but how would you know?

How do we as owners (and tenants) stop this for happening? Anonymous note shaming is one approach to be sure. Unfortunately for me the wrong person was shamed. And this hit and miss method does not seem to be working.

There is a camera in the lobby that videotapes the mailbox area. Typically, these cameras are installed to catch criminal activity — and I don’t think this litterbug’s behavior quite counts. Inconsiderate, yes. A crime, no.

But nonetheless, the management company might be persuaded to release the tapes so that the real culprit might be identified. (Not that I care to do this — sounds very heavy handed for a litterer. I don’t think this is the way to go…we’re a condo not a police state.)

A better solution — and one that I suggested to Maple Ridge some time ago myself — would be for a blue bin to be placed in the lobby. We had this in the last condo I owned and people used it. Let’s suggest this at the next condo meeting. Or let’s all email and ask Maple Ridge about it again. Perhaps if more of us asked they would add one. This would solve the problem without the need for more notes to be passed and paper to be wasted.

And, I like to sign my notes: My name is Christine Elias – I am your fellow owner. I’m also very friendly, I’ve probably said hello to you and — perhaps most importantly, given the nature of condo dwelling – quite considerate.

Thank you for your time – and send a note asking for a blue bin. That’s the real solution, isn’t it?

Christine

bookmark_borderSex on a Stick: Blue Shoes of Delight

Posted on by Christine Elias

There is an odd sticker on a signpost near my place. I see it every day on my way to work. I am not sure if “No Fun” is a comment on the affixer’s life or if it’s intended to be a directive for the passing pedestrians.

Well, not on this day, Mr. Affixer. Not for me.

That day – that bright and sunny day – was blue brogue day. A day filled with fun and frolic in the office. A day filled with skipping down the hall. (I do skip sometimes, and yeah, it is a bit incongruent.)

Brogue Backstory: I decided a few weeks ago that I needed a pair of brogues – or if push came to shove – a pair of saddle shoes. They’re in all the magazines. And on the feet of cool people everywhere – especially New York – where most of the cool people live. But most of the styles I saw online were too dainty. Too cutesy. Too delicate. Just not Christine.

I said hell no to the flowered ones, no to the patent ones with the silk ribbon lacing and nuh-uh to these babies.

Over the course of browsing during my lunch hour, I sent several shoe links (they were not all hell no’s) to my colleagues, J. and V. They’re young and stylish and I value their opinions on the hip, the cool and the now.

Oh sure, they liked some of the examples I sent, but nothing was doing it for them (or me) until I saw the shoe. Yes, I found the sexy shoe of smoldering delight.

I giddily sent them the link to my new beloved, which they disliked. (Actually I think the emotion was hatred but they struggled – oh, they struggled – to be polite with their comments.)

So I wore my shoes to work (after I brought them home and fondled them for a bit) and solicited opinions. (Which apparently is an odd thing to do about a fashion choice.) But I was so excited about them and I wanted to show them off.

They were not a hit with the under-40 crowd.

To wit:

  • “They might look better with bootleg pants”
  • “They make your feet look smaller.”
  • “If you like them, that’s the important thing.”
  • “How many outfits do you have that would go with blue shoes?”
  • “Did they come in any other colours?”
  • “They look like short cowboy boots.”

I though perhaps the shoe was just a tad mature for them and that my contemporaries would see the beauty of the shoe and, in fact, two did express a fondness for the shoe. But a third’s comment was…..”ummm….”

Oh, here’s the shoe, both on formal display and live and in a meeting…

 

Yes, Yes, Yes Shoe

Live and in a Meeting

Flowered No

Silk Ribbon No

Not Sure What to Call This No

Odd Sticker