Frustration...
Sorry I haven't been in touch for awhile. I think it could be therapeutic to talk to you folks.
My immediate frustration for the past few days is that our Internet connection has been fleeting. As I recently got "addicted" to Scrabble in Facebook, "Scrabulous", it was aggravating to start games (several games at once) and then lose my "link" to the online community!
At first we blamed the problems on the weather, as that has often caused problems with the signal from the tower on the mountain across the river. I don't actually know WHY wind will cause the loss of the signal, as there are no trees in the way at any point. Maybe the tower sways!
This afternoon I finally phoned our service provider. I'm intimidated by the owner of the business, and am almost in tears at the very idea that I'll have to discuss our problems with connectivity with him. Now, as it turns out, I've talked to both the owner and his technician about the trouble, with NO trouble. Neither were sarcastic or otherwise unkind, and at first they suggested the problem was with some upgrading that they had done on the tower, and then, when I lost my connection again and the usual steps didn't restore it, they suggested that the whole problem was a mystery. I hope, then, that our Internet doesn't mysteriously disappear again.
I've had a weepy day, and nothing that is happening is really worth crying over, but some dreams and schemes are not working out for me. I simply might have to scale back something that my original idea about purchasing a house in town had "morphed" into.
I had considered another building in my small town as a "rental" property, but thought that the whole structure wasn't good for what I wanted. It is an office building, not too old, that is already wheelchair accessible on the main level, and has some potential on an upstairs level as well. The "partly finished basement", which includes the boiler room/furnace, could not be considered suitable as residence (but great for storage). Previously, I thought it would be a "stretch" to think I could rent out rooms, laundry facilities, maybe Internet/computer service, and as a facility the structure has limitations in that it has neither a bathtub/shower NOR a kitchen! Therefore, it would take plenty of work and money to use as a commercial kitchen or living space.
So... on Monday night I attended a meeting that was a fact finding mission and a presentation about housing needs for seniors in our town. As I listened, I decided (firmly, in my mind!) that the office building would have GREAT potential for meeting the needs of at least four residents, possibly seniors. On Thursday, I found the time to "view" the building, and then I thought that it "had my name on it", and then I went to see a business counsellor who thought my vision was a sound one.
Today I was trying to do some fact finding of my own, which resulted in about ZERO encouragement from several sources, resources and bureaucrats. Even B.C. Housing Authority, which is purpurted to OWN the building, denied that they own any "office building in McBride", and said that there was currently "no call for proposals for Supportive Living facilities in McBride. Instead, he gave me a number for the Regional District Director, and he gave me the WRONG name and number. The Robson Valley Home Support Society person who I talked to was extraordinarily discouraging (she was assuming that I could not afford to build a kitchen and bathroom in the "house"), though that Society had once tried to buy the same building.
I finally got a return phone call from the very person who had done the presentation about senior housing needs in McBride and she did promise to give this some more thought. I told her that I was not seeking government funding and had already BEEN told that there were no "calls for proposals". I'm also aware that only "non-profit societies" are eligible for funds. She said, "But that building is on three levels!", though when I asked, she said that she had not seen the structure. I explained that there were at least four "bedrooms" on the one level, and that the upstairs level had potential as a separate rental unit (keeping in mind that not all seniors have trouble with stairs, and also there are other folks seeking rental units). This gal, a private "housing consultant", proceeded to explain a model of housing that was almost exactly what I'd envisioned, except that this model of housing contained more than four, and up to twelve rental bed/sitting rooms, with common dining and activity areas. Okay, so WHERE in McBride could I find any such OTHER facility for under $100,000 anyway? There isn't one.
I was seeking encouragement today, and found none, after yesterday's consultation with the business advisor being so positive. I think that if a person just "jumped in" with the "If I build it, they will come." mentality which has served me well in the past, the government would find a way to regulate the hell out of one's project in the interest of "protection for seniors", or public protection or whatever.
I've dried my tears for the moment, and am thinking of procuring the fucking building to rent to sledders.
I must run along for now, and I'm so pleased that our Internet connection is still, well.... connected. It's time for supper, which is a veritable smorgasbord of great dishes from days past.
Love you! ~ Ann
My immediate frustration for the past few days is that our Internet connection has been fleeting. As I recently got "addicted" to Scrabble in Facebook, "Scrabulous", it was aggravating to start games (several games at once) and then lose my "link" to the online community!
At first we blamed the problems on the weather, as that has often caused problems with the signal from the tower on the mountain across the river. I don't actually know WHY wind will cause the loss of the signal, as there are no trees in the way at any point. Maybe the tower sways!
This afternoon I finally phoned our service provider. I'm intimidated by the owner of the business, and am almost in tears at the very idea that I'll have to discuss our problems with connectivity with him. Now, as it turns out, I've talked to both the owner and his technician about the trouble, with NO trouble. Neither were sarcastic or otherwise unkind, and at first they suggested the problem was with some upgrading that they had done on the tower, and then, when I lost my connection again and the usual steps didn't restore it, they suggested that the whole problem was a mystery. I hope, then, that our Internet doesn't mysteriously disappear again.
I've had a weepy day, and nothing that is happening is really worth crying over, but some dreams and schemes are not working out for me. I simply might have to scale back something that my original idea about purchasing a house in town had "morphed" into.
I had considered another building in my small town as a "rental" property, but thought that the whole structure wasn't good for what I wanted. It is an office building, not too old, that is already wheelchair accessible on the main level, and has some potential on an upstairs level as well. The "partly finished basement", which includes the boiler room/furnace, could not be considered suitable as residence (but great for storage). Previously, I thought it would be a "stretch" to think I could rent out rooms, laundry facilities, maybe Internet/computer service, and as a facility the structure has limitations in that it has neither a bathtub/shower NOR a kitchen! Therefore, it would take plenty of work and money to use as a commercial kitchen or living space.
So... on Monday night I attended a meeting that was a fact finding mission and a presentation about housing needs for seniors in our town. As I listened, I decided (firmly, in my mind!) that the office building would have GREAT potential for meeting the needs of at least four residents, possibly seniors. On Thursday, I found the time to "view" the building, and then I thought that it "had my name on it", and then I went to see a business counsellor who thought my vision was a sound one.
Today I was trying to do some fact finding of my own, which resulted in about ZERO encouragement from several sources, resources and bureaucrats. Even B.C. Housing Authority, which is purpurted to OWN the building, denied that they own any "office building in McBride", and said that there was currently "no call for proposals for Supportive Living facilities in McBride. Instead, he gave me a number for the Regional District Director, and he gave me the WRONG name and number. The Robson Valley Home Support Society person who I talked to was extraordinarily discouraging (she was assuming that I could not afford to build a kitchen and bathroom in the "house"), though that Society had once tried to buy the same building.
I finally got a return phone call from the very person who had done the presentation about senior housing needs in McBride and she did promise to give this some more thought. I told her that I was not seeking government funding and had already BEEN told that there were no "calls for proposals". I'm also aware that only "non-profit societies" are eligible for funds. She said, "But that building is on three levels!", though when I asked, she said that she had not seen the structure. I explained that there were at least four "bedrooms" on the one level, and that the upstairs level had potential as a separate rental unit (keeping in mind that not all seniors have trouble with stairs, and also there are other folks seeking rental units). This gal, a private "housing consultant", proceeded to explain a model of housing that was almost exactly what I'd envisioned, except that this model of housing contained more than four, and up to twelve rental bed/sitting rooms, with common dining and activity areas. Okay, so WHERE in McBride could I find any such OTHER facility for under $100,000 anyway? There isn't one.
I was seeking encouragement today, and found none, after yesterday's consultation with the business advisor being so positive. I think that if a person just "jumped in" with the "If I build it, they will come." mentality which has served me well in the past, the government would find a way to regulate the hell out of one's project in the interest of "protection for seniors", or public protection or whatever.
I've dried my tears for the moment, and am thinking of procuring the fucking building to rent to sledders.
I must run along for now, and I'm so pleased that our Internet connection is still, well.... connected. It's time for supper, which is a veritable smorgasbord of great dishes from days past.
Love you! ~ Ann
