Saturday 30 November 2013

The Bond Late November 2013





Lifetime Developments Lack of Customer Service

In what I can only describe as a bold act of defiance Lifetime Developments refuses to return my emails. They refuse to communicate with me. They cashed over $100k of my money but will not answer any of my questions. If you think I'm harassing them your are incorrect. I am not peppering them with questions, the reason I sent a half dozen emails is because I was looking for a single response. I even emailed a senior executive of the company to solicit even an acknowledgement. I was greeted with silence.

If you are considering investing in one of their projects I am providing you with my experience with the company. Ultimately it is your call.

I live downtown so as a service to people that have invested in The Bond I continue to provide updated construction photos. If you have had similar experiences with Lifetime let me know and I will publish your responses.  

Tuesday 26 November 2013

Notre Dame Stadium

BYU Cheerleaders

Golden Dome

The Merger Has D'Arcy Stressed Out


Random Thoughts

I have shutdown my BBM account. The majority of people of a certain age grew up where their daily movements were not tracked in minute detail. It is like carrying a camera on vacation and taking endless photographs rather than enjoying yourself. I don't need to give out my weekend plans and countless updates. I'm trying to enjoy myself and find that I'm providing constant updates from enquiring minds. I've never once started a conversation with BBM. I've shut my account down and I'm now free of intrusive interruptions. "where are you?" "who are you with?" "what are you doing next?"

I attended Notre Dame Stadium this past Saturday in frigid conditions to watch ND play BYU. We sat in a section of the stadium between fans of the Fighting Irish and BYU Cougars. Mormons don't drink alcohol and if they ever needed proof of the sensible nature of their prohibition it was on display in our section. A group of inebriated Irish fans embarrassed themselves. They weren't students and if lack of intellectual evidence was apparent, were not graduates. They clearly lived in the area. The one woman  was so drunk, flask in hand, that she managed to "watch" the entire first half of the game with her back to the field. She blocked the view of interested spectators while conversing with her equally drunk boyfriend. I've been to many sporting events with drunk fans but what I found appalling was the insults directed at the Mormon fans of BYU sitting quietly nearby. Joking about polygamy and gold plates was  classless. I'm sure their behaviour reinforced stereotypes about drunken Irish, no proof of ethnicity evident, in the BYU fans.

We had a good time in South Bend, Indiana at the ND game. We met a group from St. Louis that drove about the same 7-hour distance that we drove. They partied a little bit harder than we did and were paying the price on game day. That was the coldest I have ever felt at a sporting event. One person called it the coldest game ever at Notre Dame.

I have held off reporting on my Dermatology experience. I have found a new dermatology group at Toronto Women's College Hospital. They have been very supportive. I was waiting to see of my body was able to tolerate the drugs. They pack a bit of a punch. I am coping well and the drugs are starting to work. I have been to the hospital before for phototherapy treatments. I'm hoping the drugs continue to work and clear my skin. I'm very pleased with the care I'm getting at this facility.

I have been to the hospital several times for various tests making sure my body would tolerate the drugs. In doing so I have noticed that staff have to put up with extremely rude people. Even though I was mistreated at my previous clinic I never made a public display rudeness with staff.  I expressed my displeasure in my blog. There is constant selfish, despicable behaviour at the hospital by patients. I don't know if it is the stress of illness or just plain bad manners. In my opinion it is not acceptable.

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Frank Gehry Toronto Condos

Take a look at the renderings of Frank Gehry's 3- 80+ story condos planned for King Street West in Toronto. Stunning extraordinary renderings! These buildings are iconic and from the mind of the world's foremost architect, Toronto native Gehry.

Incredibly and without consultation of the citizens of the city, the planning department recommended rejecting the privately funded buildings in order to preserve ordinary box like, uninspired structures.

These Gehry buildings are world class and stunning architectural masterpieces. We are fortunate that the city council committee rejected the planning department recommendation and referred the matter to full city council.

World class cities have to stand out and take chances with architectural genius, not lop off stories on drawings as too high, or protect ordinary box like structures because they are old and uninspired.

Greatness in a city requires people with vision and boldness, not staid, bland conservative people who lack vision and are afraid of change. If you are too scared to embrace genius and progress then lock yourself in your home and leave city building to people that want their city to be a world leader.

Anyone that thinks that 6-story box structures, or a 20-year old ordinary arts venue should be saved to prevent these Gehry structures from being built should move to a rural town in middle Canada and let bold innovators lead this city into greatness.  

Frank Gehry King West Condos oronto


Tuesday 19 November 2013

Modern Religions Founded in America

This may seem like an odd area of study but I have become an Internet expert on modern religions founded in America. My interest is primarily focused on Scientology and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints commonly known as Mormons.

I'm fascinated by the lack of archaeological evidence for the creatures, coins, linguistic and ethnic ancestry of claims made in The Book of Mormon. Horses, cows, elephants, silk, crops and metals that did not exist in the America's in pre-Colombian times. The epic journey of  Lehi and Nephi from Jerusalem to the New World. Joseph Smith Jr., Brigham Young, polygamy and the ever  evolving church doctrine. The Book of Abraham translated by Joseph Smith from Egyptian papyri that has since been discredited.

I have an equal fascination with Scientology. L. Ron Hubbard the founder of the religion and current head David Miscavige. The biggest critics of Scientology appear to be ex-members, many of them former senior members of the church hierarchy and close to Miscavige. I'm not going to criticise Scientology in this forum as they do not take criticism well. It is more difficult to study Scientology as you have to pay to take courses and auditing sessions to advance in the faith.

I do not consider these religions to be cults as their origins are no less credible than older more established religions. These religions have taken root in America and spread throughout the world.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Warning Mayor Ford By-Law Boy is Back in Business


Office Visit

I spent Monday and Tuesday of this week visiting the suburban offices of the company my employer purchased with some other Canadian and US co-workers. They have offices west and north of the city. Both offices are inaccessible by public transit which is not good for a person like me without a car. At least my American bosses got a chance to see how far away from the core the offices are located.

I have worked for my employer for more than 12-years so it has been some time since I had that first day experience that one gets when they join a new office. You can sense their disappointment when you walk in. "I thought it might be bad, but not like this". I give a bad first impression. If I was the company I wouldn't send me as the company rep unless you were trying to send a message. I would send someone more attractive and enthusiastic.

After the initial uncomfortable moments I was able to build up some level of rapport with the "new people" as they are collectively known. I can't imagine what they call us. It is reminiscent of the British show The Office when the two offices merge. At least the company is run by two Irish people which can't be all bad.

I was also able to taunt my current co-workers by exaggerating my relationship with the new people, giving the impression that I have a built in advantage. It helps when the "new people" ask about my co-workers and my response is "oh! you don't want to meet them". When I return to my double-wide cube this morning I will be on the defencive, shooing away inquisitors trying to get an inside scoop. I have no intention of giving up my advantage. I will give my standard line "there is a reason why the company sent me and not you". "why did they send D'Arcy, it doesn't make any sense?" Exactly! it doesn't make any sense which is why it was a brilliant move. It will keep you on your toes, make you more productive.

Lifetime Developments Toronto

A friend of mine invested in a condo with Lifetime Developments. They called them and asked them for an update on their building. This person was told that they would send out one construction notice and let them know when there was a delay. They had no intention of sending out regular updates.

This is a company that would not respond to any of my 4 requests for an update into the project I invested in. They have an attitude that could be described as, we have your deposit money and signature on a contract that is all we need. They do not want to waste resources coddling nervous, or curious investors. It probably saves them money but can't be good for referral business. I have given people interested in investing in Toronto real estate my opinion of the company based on their non existent customer service.

Sunday 10 November 2013

Tax Me Some More

My calculation is that less than 5% of taxes collected directly from me are collected by the city of Toronto where I live. My income taxes and HST are paid to the federal and provincial governments. While some of that money makes it back to the city the vast majority of transfers are spent in rural and less well off regions. The last calculation I read was that Toronto recovered $10B less than it paid in income taxes alone.

This is the crux of the problem. We pay enough taxes but it directed away from the city for political reasons. Only a tiny portion of the taxes we pay are spent in the place where we live and work. The city does not have the ability to collect money other than through property taxes and user fees. If it was up to me 50% of the taxes I paid would be spent on the city, building transit and parkland. The city cannot collect an income tax by law.

You can listen to the right-wing pundits that say that there is plenty of money to fund projects if they find efficiencies, or you can be realistic and acknowledge that new revenues streams need to be found to fund transit projects.

Our premier, Wynne, who has no mandate to lead, has proposed Green Bond issues. Can't just propose bonds as that would not fit in with her far left agenda, She is trying to out flank the NDP on the left. She has abandoned the middle ground. The federal government has abandoned urban areas. Their base lives in rural and suburban Canada, urban transit is not a priority.

In an ideal world we would see a shift of tax collection from the federal and provincial governments to municipal levels, but they would never give up the tax collection revenue. Our only choice is new revenue streams for the city. A gas tax, road tolls, increase the HST by 1% and direct it to municipalities. A hotel room tax and tax on 905 Go transit tickets to fund urban transit. Let the suburbanites pay a small amount to the city where they work and play.

We have to greatly expand our transit system in Toronto and there is no other way than to increase revenues.
 

Thursday 7 November 2013

What Would Rob Ford Do?

I want credit Steve Fitzgerald of St. John's with coming up with the idea of using infamous Toronto mayor Rob Ford as a moral compass. When cornered and facing a moral dilemma, ask yourself what would Rob Ford do in this situation?

I would think at first deny, deny again until confronted with irrefutable evidence then admit guilt and promise not to do it again. When caught committing the same act again start with a denial and repeat steps above.

Sunday 3 November 2013

Senate Expense Claims

The unelected, unaccountable senate is dithering on holding their fellow senators accountable. Due process and lack of criminal charges is the defence. The real reason is that they do not want to be held accountable when their expenses are audited.

I've known at least half a dozen co-workers fired by my current and former employers over irregular financial transactions. None were criminally charged. None involved the amount of money involved in this senate scandal. You file a false expense claim you get fired in the private sector.

I travel for business and have never filed a false expense claim. Twice in 25-years I've had expenses rejected. One for a $7 bottle of water that the hotel put by my bedside in Old Montreal. I never know if those bottles are free, or if they charge for them. Since that date I always buy water and bring it back to the hotel. The second rejection was when I was in Edmonton for 5-days, used the gym and had the hotel launder my gym gear. That too was rejected. That is the extent of my extravagance, both times rejected by number crunchers. You can see why I want these entitled elitists prosecuted and suspended without pay.

For all the impassioned defence put up by Senator Duffy we still have not heard an explanation for hiring his friend for $65,000 for no apparent services rendered.

Senator Hugh Segal wants RCMP to give Senator Wallin a pass as she is an Elite Friend of Hugh Segal


Mayor Rob Ford

A serial liar so unfit for public office that he become an international joke. Toronto's mayor lies to the press, the police and the citizen's of his city. In my entire life I have never had a reason to call the police, Rob Ford as late as yesterday called the police twice. He has called the police dozens of times like a small petulant child calls his mother. That of course doesn't count the time his mother-in-law called the police on him.

He lied about the existence of the "crack pipe" video. Lied about his drug use and episodes of drunkenness so frequently that fervent supporters look like fools for their unquestioning loyalty. You can't trust anything he has to say.

Ford bungled then transit file so badly that he has set back transit 20-years of planning. He is building a subway through wasteful suburban sprawl, ignoring under serviced areas with massive concentrations of density. This subway built for political gain at the expense of common sense will be destructive to the long term economic well being of Toronto.

When is it acceptable for the mayor of a major city to swear racist expletives at a cab driver while tossing business cards at him? Ford's idiotic habit of leaving his business cards at the scene of his drunken episodes has to be proof of his limited intellect.

Rob Ford's loyal staff have quit or been fired by the manic mayor of destruction. One by one they have left the building after urging the out of control Ford to seek professional help for his addictions.

Mayor Ford is right that Toronto's economy is doing well, but that is in spite of his chaotic leadership. Cutting programs and refusing to seek new areas of revenue will result in a perpetually underfunded transit system that will cost the economy $Billions. When Ford champion Toronto Sun and the Board of Trade call for your resignation you know the jig is up.

Mayor Ford is a train wreck headed for a bad ending. His bad behaviour so sordid and frequent that I made a bet 3-months ago that he would not complete his term as mayor. I may still lose that bet, but only because there is no mechanism short of his own resignation to remove him from office. Yet it is still a good bet.    

Paul Garvey

Our long time co-worker and friend Paul Garvey passed away last week at the age of 46. Paul had left our company 3-years ago to work at Zurich Insurance. I attended his funeral yesterday with an over flowing crowd of family and friends.

Paul was a manager at my company for many years. I worked in the same department as Paul but never worked directly for him. Paul had quite a profound effect on the people at Zurich over a short period of time. He also brought many of the people he worked with at my company with him to Zurich.

Paul had a keen eye for talented people. He recruited very good people and they developed an unwavering loyalty to him. He took a chance on young talent and started the careers of many young adjusters. He was also a great teacher both in the field and the classroom. A great sense of humour and desire to create a fun place to work resulted in an intense loyalty to him. It is not  a surprise people wanted to go with him when he left our company.

After the initial shock of Paul's death early last week I received many emails from lawyers and claims people that worked with him from across Canada. It is clear that his death hit people hard. Our company is based in the US and Paul frequently travelled to our Head Office. Ironically due to the turnover of personnel in Canada, of which he contributed to I might add, Paul was best remembered by our American coworkers. I received emails and phone calls from our American staff that showed a heartfelt and deep sense of loss. Paul had made a real connection with them. I even received copies of team photos with Paul.

If I ever got to know Paul it was when we travelled together in Western Canada or to our US Head Office. I have never met anyone with a greater connection to their family. It was clear that his wife Bonnie was his best friend. He rarely went out after work as he headed straight for home. For this reason it was when we travelled together that I really got to know him. I once saw him grab the microphone in a group of senior claims leaders from across North America, Ireland and the UK. The guy was a gifted speaker, he would have the room in his hands. Sometimes it is tough to impress the Americans but Paul was like a TV talk show host.

Paul's greatest contribution from a work standpoint was creating a work environment that attracted top talent. He mentored people and fostered a sense of loyalty while emphasising that while work was important it should not be the focus of your priorities in life. Paul's greatest legacy will be his family but he also touched the lives countless young people in the insurance claims industry. It must be very satisfying to choose, teach and mentor young people in the business and then watch them succeed. He did that numerous times.

All of us that knew him received the comforting statement from Paul "I've got your back" on numerous occasions. With Paul he really meant it. He will be greatly missed in our industry both in Canada and the US.