My dream of buying a condo is coming closer to reality. I had a conditional offer on a condo accepted earlier this week. It’s close to Lake Ontario and a slightly shorter commute to work. I’ll have to find out if there is a public tennis club I can join in the area. The deal is scheduled to close in mid-July.

This is actually the second time I have put an offer in on a condo in this building. The first go-round had the potential to become a bidding war. My agent warned me that there were multiple offers. But my gut (and common sense) told me that the market in Toronto isn’t so hot that I needed to do something crazy. The person who bought that unit did. They went in with no conditions, which in my mind is crazy. They also outbid me by a significant amount. Given what other condos are selling for in the area, they overpaid.

The condo I am buying is smaller than the other one, but as a bonus has a partial water view. I am going to meet with a space planner to see how I can furnish it and maximize the space and ensure the best use of storage. My new favourite website is apartmenttherapy.com. They run a Smallest Coolest Home Contest each year and I have already gotten lots of decorating ideas.

One of the cool things for me about the building is Douglas Coupland’s monument to the War of 1812 in front. MANY years ago, (coincidentally when Coupland and I lived in the same building in Vancouver’s Gastown) I had an encounter with an American tourist that upset my polite Canadian nature. She came into the bank I was working at as a teller and said, “I don’t know why I need to change my money, we’re all American.” Being a polite and good host I tried to explain to her that she was in Canada now and it would be a good idea to have some of our currency during her visit. But she persisted with her we’re all American argument.

Having grown up near Ottawa I am a very patriotic Canadian and eventually reached my breaking point. I suggested that when she got back to where ever she was from see look up the War of 1812. She looked at me dumbfounded and said, “the war of what?” I told her if she did her research she would find out that in June of 1812 the US invaded Canada (then a British Colony) we fought back and even burned Washington, including the White House. I little flummoxed she took her Canadian currency and continued her vacation.

I think it’s going to be great living in Fort York.

Photo Credit: wyliepoon

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Did I hear correct? In the Throne Speech the Conservative government announced it wants to review the words to O Canada to make it gender neutral? Really? Now, I am all for political correctness, equal rights and everything that entails but seriously, is anyone really offended by the words to our national anthem?

Honestly, as far as distractions go it’s not a bad move by the government not wanting to face the real issues that are challenging the country. Who will want to discuss the treatment of detainees in Afghanistan, a six week proroguement of parliament, the deletion of gay rights from the citizenship guide, the massive budget deficit or anything else when you can discuss the hot button issue of changing the national anthem?

For the last two weeks O Canada was sung 14 times using the lyrics in all they sons command when our athletes won gold medals at the Vancouver 2010 olympic games. Men and women spontaneously broke out into song several times during the two week period and I didn’t hear one person complain when they were done.

And the proposed change doesn’t make sense to return to the original poem version of true patriot love thou dost in us command. They had people try to sing it on the CBC News tonight and everyone stumbled. But then again, why should I be surprised. This government wants to turn back time on many things, right Jason Kenney.

Photo Credit: Ian Muttoo