Here we are, me and the TLATO in sunny Florida, taking our first vacation together in seven years.
Of course, as I write, Sheryl is nowhere to be found; out "shopping" and without her cell phone...
So here I sit at a laptop, catching up on some work and taking messages for Sheryl from people with strong Spanish accents. Our electrician, Wilson, is from Colombia (Bogota, not the school in NYC). I swear he saw "Cast Away" one time too many and decided his new "English" pseudonym would be derived from a beaten up volley ball...
Anyway, I digress.
A few months ago we were in the fortunate position to be able to purchase a condo in Deerfield Beach at a very good price (if you've been reading any newspapers or magazines these last few months you'll know that the real estate market in certain parts of the USA, Florida, specifically is a buyer's market).
Naturally, there was some work required - nothing too major, mostly cosmetic in nature, but work nonetheless. We "inherited" Wilson from a new friend and neighbour who used him and his compadre for electrical work when she completely gutted her unit.
Seems the place to find out about trades people is at the pool; everyone has a renovation/remodelling story and at least one recommendation for plumbers, electricians, et al.
In addition to tales of "mud", wiring, pipes, etc. the weather is way up there on the top five conversation topics. Yesterday was a record-breaking 90 degrees; the forecast for today was 80. I swear, it was as if this was to be considered a sign of the apocalypse. Heavy sweaters, coats and jackets were being hurriedly brought out of storage, supermarkets were being visited to stock up on provisions... you cannot imagine.
And all for a 10 degree change in temperature. To me, it's still damn hot!
Of course, as I write, Sheryl is nowhere to be found; out "shopping" and without her cell phone...
So here I sit at a laptop, catching up on some work and taking messages for Sheryl from people with strong Spanish accents. Our electrician, Wilson, is from Colombia (Bogota, not the school in NYC). I swear he saw "Cast Away" one time too many and decided his new "English" pseudonym would be derived from a beaten up volley ball...
Anyway, I digress.
A few months ago we were in the fortunate position to be able to purchase a condo in Deerfield Beach at a very good price (if you've been reading any newspapers or magazines these last few months you'll know that the real estate market in certain parts of the USA, Florida, specifically is a buyer's market).
Naturally, there was some work required - nothing too major, mostly cosmetic in nature, but work nonetheless. We "inherited" Wilson from a new friend and neighbour who used him and his compadre for electrical work when she completely gutted her unit.
Seems the place to find out about trades people is at the pool; everyone has a renovation/remodelling story and at least one recommendation for plumbers, electricians, et al.
In addition to tales of "mud", wiring, pipes, etc. the weather is way up there on the top five conversation topics. Yesterday was a record-breaking 90 degrees; the forecast for today was 80. I swear, it was as if this was to be considered a sign of the apocalypse. Heavy sweaters, coats and jackets were being hurriedly brought out of storage, supermarkets were being visited to stock up on provisions... you cannot imagine.
And all for a 10 degree change in temperature. To me, it's still damn hot!
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