Is this really happening!
As my Facebook friends know, the lease got signed on Tuesday. Halleluja! The property manager handed me the keys to my space on Wednesday. I let myself in and had a little wander around. The space has a great feel, it feels like Bikram Yoga.
Demolition Derby
On Thursday I met with the contractor at his office and again on Friday, at the site with the demolition company.
The demo started early on Saturday and the crew made short work of the offices. They expect to complete breaking stuff on Sunday, finishing with the bathrooms. They still have to haul away the mountains of twisted metal, broken drywall and yucky old carpeting and insulation material. This will take them a couple of evenings as they are not permitted to stop on Bank Street during the day.
Thanks!
Thanks to my dearest friend, Colleen Bean, who phoned me from Victoria at 1:00am in the morning when she knew I couldn't sleep. It was so good to hear your voice and have a good laugh with you.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Studio
The lease was the still the main concern this week, but now the wrinkles have been ironed out. It will be signed next week.
Thursday saw me at 71 Bank Street, 3rd floor, in a site meeting with the contractor, his site manager, the engineer, mechanical and electrical contractor, the dry-waller, electrician and the demolition guy. All had many, many questions ~ I think I'm going to be very busy in the next few weeks!
On Friday I had a meeting with the contractor and he has given me 'homework', that is choosing tiles, deciding on millwork and colours of materials they will be using in the space. Roy, the contractor, is great ~ he has offered to store anything I need to order, like yoga mats, at his place of work as he has a large storeroom.
Decor by St Vincent du Paul
Check out the corner of my living room! All bought for a song at SVDP. I love that store ~ it is always busy, and the stuff moves in and out very quickly. They have a lot of volunteers: 5 ladies on cash and to display the furniture as it comes on to the floor. The items get sold quickly so it is a never-ending job. There are 5 men to receive the goods, haul it up for sale and then haul it down again when it's sold!
Holy Moly!
In my explorations I have discovered that I am living in the midst of much spirituality ~ the Catholic church, Greek orthodox and Anglicans rub shoulders with the Bubble tea shops, Vietnamese restaurants and Chinese travel agents. A convent is a few doors down and there are a few Asian churches of which I've never heard.
Moo-dini
My beloved canine companion, Moo, has somehow worked out how to slip her harness off. I have no idea how she is doing it. She must have super flexible shoulder joints ~ maybe she practises Eagle pose when I'm not at home!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for all your support, advice, suggestions and interest in helping me realise my dream of opening Bikram Yoga Ottawa. Special thanks this week to Tim, Steph, Robert and John.
The lease was the still the main concern this week, but now the wrinkles have been ironed out. It will be signed next week.
Thursday saw me at 71 Bank Street, 3rd floor, in a site meeting with the contractor, his site manager, the engineer, mechanical and electrical contractor, the dry-waller, electrician and the demolition guy. All had many, many questions ~ I think I'm going to be very busy in the next few weeks!
On Friday I had a meeting with the contractor and he has given me 'homework', that is choosing tiles, deciding on millwork and colours of materials they will be using in the space. Roy, the contractor, is great ~ he has offered to store anything I need to order, like yoga mats, at his place of work as he has a large storeroom.
Decor by St Vincent du Paul
Check out the corner of my living room! All bought for a song at SVDP. I love that store ~ it is always busy, and the stuff moves in and out very quickly. They have a lot of volunteers: 5 ladies on cash and to display the furniture as it comes on to the floor. The items get sold quickly so it is a never-ending job. There are 5 men to receive the goods, haul it up for sale and then haul it down again when it's sold!
Holy Moly!
In my explorations I have discovered that I am living in the midst of much spirituality ~ the Catholic church, Greek orthodox and Anglicans rub shoulders with the Bubble tea shops, Vietnamese restaurants and Chinese travel agents. A convent is a few doors down and there are a few Asian churches of which I've never heard.
Moo-dini
My beloved canine companion, Moo, has somehow worked out how to slip her harness off. I have no idea how she is doing it. She must have super flexible shoulder joints ~ maybe she practises Eagle pose when I'm not at home!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for all your support, advice, suggestions and interest in helping me realise my dream of opening Bikram Yoga Ottawa. Special thanks this week to Tim, Steph, Robert and John.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
I have decided to blog as it is hard to keep up emailing everyone. I realise that as I email back each person, I only impart news of the day or few days before so each person is only getting part of the whole picture.
My week days are spent, laptop on lap, blackberry in hand, emailing and talking to all parties who are involved in the launch of Bikram Yoga Ottawa. There are a surprising number of people: realtors, lawyers, an architect and engineer, the landlord and property manager, the software/hardware supplier, the signage company, the website designer and her team, the bank manager, the contractor and all his sub-contractors! Most importantly, are my precious friends who are so supportive and I know are with me every step of the way.
All issues have been resolved regarding the lease and it remains for the lawyers to make sure everything agreed on is contained in the final document. The contractor has obtained stamped drawings from the architect and is submitting them to the City of Ottawa on Monday. I have had two reviews of the website ~ there are design changes to be made and we'll keep going until I'm happy (or rather, Andrew, is happy). My son, Andrew, is providing awesome feedback and I have more than a little faith in his artistic ability. The signage company has started the design work and I am in contact with the sales department of the software supplier whose program I will use to administer the studio.
Last week I met Leah, a young Bikram teacher from Hayley's training. It was great to talk 'Bikram' with her and I am thrilled she'll be teaching at BYO. Thanks, Halz, for connecting us!
On the personal side, my car finally arrived on Wednesday. Shipping time was estimated between 4 and 7 days. Two and half weeks later, I was still waiting! In the last 3 days, I have made up for lost time and am finally getting my apartment organised. My realtor, Ross, is the font of knowledge in all things Ottawa and directed me to St Vincent du Paul, a 2nd hand store run by the Catholic church. I was dubious at first but what a place full of treasures! It's clean, smells nice and every item for sale is gently used. I have picked up: a wrought iron/glass coffee table, 2 wooden end tables and a brass lamp complete with silk shade Other acquisitions include thick, fluffy towels, a heavy bottomed saucepan with glass lid and glassware. And all for next to nothing!
Another great find this week include an eyebrow threader who is literally, no kidding, one minute from my apartment. China town is one block down and she has a salon on the main street. She has a wicked sense of humour ~ I ventured an "Oweee", to which she retorted, "No pain, no gain!" with a big grin.
Also in China town stands an exquisitely reno'd home which houses a gift emporium called "A Twist of Fate", The owner is a young girl who travelled the Eastern world collecting treasures. She decided to share her stash and, now that she has to stay put, she imports her inventory from the many contacts she made on her travels. Her delightful cat wears a pink and green sweater with pearls.
I have only made it to two yoga classes so far but have signed up for a 20-class punch card. Now that I have my car it will be a lot easier. I really need the yoga ~ my bum is numb from sitting on the floor of my apartment for hours (still no chairs!) not to mention my back. I am walking a lot with Moo, though, as we explore our surroundings.
Signing off now ~ yoga @ 9am. Yes!
My week days are spent, laptop on lap, blackberry in hand, emailing and talking to all parties who are involved in the launch of Bikram Yoga Ottawa. There are a surprising number of people: realtors, lawyers, an architect and engineer, the landlord and property manager, the software/hardware supplier, the signage company, the website designer and her team, the bank manager, the contractor and all his sub-contractors! Most importantly, are my precious friends who are so supportive and I know are with me every step of the way.
All issues have been resolved regarding the lease and it remains for the lawyers to make sure everything agreed on is contained in the final document. The contractor has obtained stamped drawings from the architect and is submitting them to the City of Ottawa on Monday. I have had two reviews of the website ~ there are design changes to be made and we'll keep going until I'm happy (or rather, Andrew, is happy). My son, Andrew, is providing awesome feedback and I have more than a little faith in his artistic ability. The signage company has started the design work and I am in contact with the sales department of the software supplier whose program I will use to administer the studio.
Last week I met Leah, a young Bikram teacher from Hayley's training. It was great to talk 'Bikram' with her and I am thrilled she'll be teaching at BYO. Thanks, Halz, for connecting us!
On the personal side, my car finally arrived on Wednesday. Shipping time was estimated between 4 and 7 days. Two and half weeks later, I was still waiting! In the last 3 days, I have made up for lost time and am finally getting my apartment organised. My realtor, Ross, is the font of knowledge in all things Ottawa and directed me to St Vincent du Paul, a 2nd hand store run by the Catholic church. I was dubious at first but what a place full of treasures! It's clean, smells nice and every item for sale is gently used. I have picked up: a wrought iron/glass coffee table, 2 wooden end tables and a brass lamp complete with silk shade Other acquisitions include thick, fluffy towels, a heavy bottomed saucepan with glass lid and glassware. And all for next to nothing!
Another great find this week include an eyebrow threader who is literally, no kidding, one minute from my apartment. China town is one block down and she has a salon on the main street. She has a wicked sense of humour ~ I ventured an "Oweee", to which she retorted, "No pain, no gain!" with a big grin.
Also in China town stands an exquisitely reno'd home which houses a gift emporium called "A Twist of Fate", The owner is a young girl who travelled the Eastern world collecting treasures. She decided to share her stash and, now that she has to stay put, she imports her inventory from the many contacts she made on her travels. Her delightful cat wears a pink and green sweater with pearls.
I have only made it to two yoga classes so far but have signed up for a 20-class punch card. Now that I have my car it will be a lot easier. I really need the yoga ~ my bum is numb from sitting on the floor of my apartment for hours (still no chairs!) not to mention my back. I am walking a lot with Moo, though, as we explore our surroundings.
Signing off now ~ yoga @ 9am. Yes!
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