Faking Sanity

Eep

Posted by mtlaise - 31/07/10 at 07:07:34 pm

Today has been the reality check day, and those are never as much fun as the “ooh, shiny!” days… I spent the morning speaking to rental property managers who didn’t understand how I could apply to rent an apartment if I had no employer and set wages/salary (even after I explained that the employer was myself because I just bought a business). Then, I recruited the partner’s mom and her car to get a few loads of boxes over to the shop so we can start getting books off the shelves and into the back so we can paint. We also went through the perishables in the fridge, and grabbed a few things that wouldn’t keep until I’m next cooking there. The afternoon was filled with a few long conversations with consignees and business contacts, and realizing that the last owner has lots of unfinished business to deal with before she’s done with the place, along with some research on paints and primers. After a little food, we headed out to check out the local options for paint, as well as measure the shop again, since the measurements provided weren’t accurate enough to figure out how much we would need. Looking at all the stuff to do in the next 2 weeks, it now seems incredibly daunting, especially given that I still don’t have contact information for all of the consignors yet.

It hasn’t been a bad day by any means, and I know once I get started, I will fall into a  rhythm, and everything will get done. Tonight, though, it just hit me how quickly everything  needs to happen. So, now it’s dinner time, and then there’s cheesecake for dessert, then it’s on to writing up consignment contracts. Tomorrow will be devoted to cleaning up the shop’s book side, and Monday will be dedicated to bc’s foodsafe course. Full steam ahead!

Mine! All Mine! Errr.. Ours! Half Mine!

Posted by mtlaise - 29/07/10 at 07:07:54 pm

It’s official! For a few hours today, I held a cheque within my grasp that I never could have forseen – a cheque from my bank account, to buy a business. Yup, you guessed it. Today, we signed the contracts and the business is officially paid for. It’s all ours! OMG! There’s so much to do! Wheeeeeee!

Shiny!!!

Posted by mtlaise - 28/07/10 at 06:07:53 pm

Well, our first setback to our business planning – my fall last week – is officially behind us. My stitches were removed today!

I’m also the proud 1/2 owner of a brand new set of keys to our new shop! Shiny!!!

And everyone with whom I waited at the emergency room today that decided to strike up some polite chit chat got to hear about us buying the shop and re-opening next month after repainting, and adding a line of european coffees and loose leaf teas, etc. And, I think we’ve chosen our paint colour scheme!

So exciting!

Let the party begin…

Posted by mtlaise - 27/07/10 at 12:07:24 pm

Let’s see… business plan meeting, bank meeting, foodsafe course… sounds like a part to me!

Well, despite my mishap last week, as well as problems with three separate buses causing a delayed departure last night, I finally made it to Dawson this morning. I had breakfast (real food I could chew!), unpacked, slept… ahh. then had a meeting with the partner to work on our business plan, which wasn’t complete yet due to the speed with which this all came together. I’m even heading out to the bank in a few minutes to start things there, and if I’m still feeling up to it, I may even go down to the shop for a bit; otherwise, I’ll work on consolidating the many sections of our business plan and/or  the foodsafe course this evening. All in all, I’m feeling it’s a fairly productive day!

Our first setback

Posted by perian - 25/07/10 at 07:07:39 am

Mtlaise was all set to head up to DC yesterday for her week of job shadowing/bank going/license getting/apartment hunting when we hit out first setback.  Namely, the pavement.

Friday afternoon she took a header in a parking lot and tore a really nasty gash just below her nose. It took three hours and three stitches to patch her up and she’s doing okay, though she’s really damn sore. Rather than spend 12 hours on the Greyhound while she’s feeling like crap, she postponed her trip until Monday night — hopefully she’ll be feeling much better by then!

Meanwhile, I’ve booked movers for August 5th and started panicking about how close that is!  So much to pack, so little time.

The fast track to moving up in the world…

Posted by mtlaise - 20/07/10 at 11:07:04 pm

Well, not quite, but we’re definitely on the fast track to moving up north! Like my partner, I’m finding it hard to focus, or shut off my brain to get to sleep right now (hence this midnight post). Even trying to give away stuff in order to downsize for the move is challenging when you only have a couple of evenings free when people can pick up their freebies, and coordinating times is becoming a chore despite the fact that it’s supposed to make the move easier. On the upside though, I’m nearly done packing my room. I should finish tonight or first thing tomorrow. I’m constantly reviewing what I’ve laid out because I’m worried I’ll pack something that I need to take up with me right away. Is it bizarre that I’m taking on this huge undertaking in buying a business, and yet it is the move that is stressful? Moving has always been a little stressful for me, to be honest, but doing it this quickly is… crazy. That being said, ready or not, I’m moving up north this Saturday, and after that I know my nerves will settle down a great deal. Which is pretty incredible really, considering it was only a week ago that we decided to buy the place!

And on a bookish note, I started to read Michael J. Fox’s Always Looking Up today. I don’t think I’ve read or knit a stitch in weeks because my mind has been racing too fast, but I’m actually really enjoying this one right now. He’s a great writer, and to see someone come through what he has and not get mired down by it all, but rather become an even stronger person, and take on new challenges, as well as keep such an amazing attitute is… mind boggling and inspiring.

Books!

Posted by perian - 20/07/10 at 11:07:45 am

I didn’t plan for this entire blog to be taken over by the business (unlike my life, which totally has!)  I’ve been having a hard time concentrating on reading lately, which is unlike me. I get about a chapter into a book and just drift off into la la land — worrying about everything I need to get done in the next 5 1/2 weeks, mainly.  I have approximately 17 books on the go right now (no exaggeration needed) but I do have a couple to talk about.

First off, one of my re-reads. Last night I needed something that would really catch my attention, so I went for an old reliable… Lois McMaster Bujold. Bujold is one of my favourite authors ever, and I’ve been listening to her Vorkosigan audiobooks in the car constantly for the past month, but last night I decided that I wanted to read about a “hero” that was just a normal guy (Miles Vorkosigan could not be labelled normal by anyone’s standards) so I picked up Falling Free.  I adore Leo Graf and the quaddies.  They’re just normal people, doing the extraordinary because it needs to be done.

I’m also reading Sunshine by Robin McKinley.  I’ve been putting this one off for ages because… well… vampires. I am so sick of the vampire craze.  But this was written long before Twilight and is amazingly good.  I’m only about a third into it, but I’m really enjoying her characters and world-building.  Possibly after I’m done this one, I’ll re-read a McKinley favourite – The Blue Sword.

Okay, off to deal with more business/moving stuff. Must go give our notice for the apartment!  Cross your fingers for me while I break a lease…

Last night’s laying-in-bed-awake freak out topic…

Posted by perian - 20/07/10 at 11:07:26 am

Are we absolutely stupid to be starting a used bookstore right when e-books are poised to take over the market?  When everyone and their dog is getting into the e-book business, when even major booksellers like Indigo are diversifying (ie. gift products, toys, e-book readers) to stay at the top of their game?

Also, why does “A used bookstore” look and sound better than “AN used bookstore” even though it’s against the rules of English?  (Okay, I looked that one up and apparently it’s because “used” starts with a consonant sound, even if it is a vowel.)

Knock Knock

Posted by perian - 19/07/10 at 11:07:10 am

You would be amazed how quickly all the little extras we need to buy for the store are adding up!  I had acknowledged how much the big stuff would cost — an espresso machine, coffee machines, a POS system — but the neverending list of little things is nuts. How much for a knock box? What the hell is a knock box?

Because, yes, this coffee-hater is going to have to learn how to make an espresso.  And a latte. And all those fifteen million other drinks that I’ve avoided for years. But on the flip side, I’m going to be making some really fucking fantastic hot chocolates!  Am I the only person who thinks a lime hot chocolate could be awesome?  (Could be disgusting as well, but I am definitely going to try it!)

If you’ll be in Dawson in the last half of August and are willing to be a guinea pig for my fumbling attempts at coffee drinks and my possibly strange-ass hot chocolates, let me know!

Books are taking over my universe

Posted by perian - 18/07/10 at 02:07:08 pm

Got 15 more boxes of books from an unknown knitter yesterday — my car is filled right to the top.  And they’re packed in liquor boxes, so really I just look like a complete lush driving around in my booze-mobile.  After I haul them all up to our 3rd floor apartment, I just might need some of the liquor that mtlaise was trying to give away last night.

My walk in closet — always a pretty wasted space for me, since I’m not exactly a fashion aficionado — is filling up very, very quickly with boxes of books.  I’ve sent off for quotes for moving companies and hopefully I’ll be able to find one that’s reasonable affordable. The more I haul boxes up the stairs, the more I’m willing to pay them!

We’ve also been trying to fit in last visits with friends that we won’t get to see again for a long time!

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