Partly because I spent ages typing up a post only to lose it somehow. But mostly cause of the freakin’ way things work in Greece.
Have I ever mentioned how much I hate this country?
How nothing seems to make sense here?
Please tell me… is there another country in the entire world where you don’t receive any kind of notification to pay your car registration? (Don’t answer that, I’m sure that some tiny deep dark forest country in the middle of nowhere doesn’t notify you either.)
Australia made sense.
I’d get a notice to pay my car registration. And I’d get a bill for my rates. A letter to remind me to register my dog’s with the council every year. A letter that it was time to do my taxes, and a letter that it was time to visit my dentist.
Here I get notification from my accountant to pay my self-employed insurance, do my taxes and pay my bill. I get notified to pay my rates. I get notified when my car is due for inspection.
But apparently I have to remember to pay my car registration every year, without any reminder notice.
Ok, maybe I’m a total idiot. Could very well be. I mean, I drive a car, shouldn’t I think of things like that? Well, frankly, no, cause I’m used to receiving notification that car ‘rego’ due!
As a result, I didn’t pay one year, so I had to pay double. Luckily my cousin Zefi told me about it today, so I was able to pay this year’s before December 31 and get fined again.
Seriously, it makes no sense to me. They have an online tax platform in Greece and they keep track of every single cent I make or spend. They have a projection of how much it costs for me to live and I have to show that I make at least that much or I’m in trouble, cause where am I getting the extra money?
Yet, this one thing, they figure I can take care of myself. Oh boy were they wrong. Then again, they were right. They got double out of me.
Zefi had to go through every single year to find where I’d missed a payment. Yes, you read that right. She did it for me cause I’m allergic to this crap.
How does anyone keep track of anything?
I’m really sick of how this country works.
I love living on Paros, but Greece is making me lose my hair.
So, Tuesday came, and went. It was the big day – the day the container got delivered to our land.
It was a cold, windy and wet day. Not the ideal day to be out in the weather, let alone trying to move five zillion kilo metal container from one place to another. But I’d been pressured by the person I bought it from to get it out of the lot, cause the owners of the lot were pressuring him to get it out cause they needed the space. Always remembering that I bought it and promptly went to Athens for a week, which meant I’d already put off having it delivered by a week.
During that time I’d also had to organise where the container would go, how it would be oriented, and organise the ground to be levelled and have gravel put down.
All that was finally finished on Monday last week, so Tuesday was the big day. Despite the fact that when the diggy-diggy man called me to tell me the ground was finally ready, he said he wasn’t sure the truck (with a crane on the back, henceforth referred to as the lifty-lifty man) could get onto the land without getting bogged.
I got the diggy-diggy man and the lifty-lifty man to talk to eachother and it was decided that it was ok to deliver on Tuesday… all systems are go.
The crane on the back of the truck getting ready to tackle the container.Strapping it up to lift it off the back of the trailer.And lifting… and scraping, and struggling, and general pushing and shoving to get it across.
It was hard work getting the container off its trailer and onto the truck. I’m sure the only reason swearing wasn’t involved was that I was there, watching the whole thing. Turns out the crane just wasn’t big or strong enough to lift my container. The lifty-lifty man said it was much heavier than most ‘normal’ containers. Yeah. Its 7.5m long, a bit wider and much taller than most. So, it IS heavier.
He’d visited the land to see if he could get in, after seeing the container, didn’t he wonder if the crane he’d brought would do the job?
I don’t know. I’m no expert. I’m just a woman…
After a slow and harrowing trip down the narrow slippery roads, we made it to the land. Turns out the gravel was not the kind of gravel in envisaged. In Australia when you say gravel you usually mean some kind of hard, very separate stones you can choose the size of. And in most cases we tend to use ‘blue metal’ – like this:
This stuff doesn’t hold water, its great for things like ditches and drains. I would have thought it would be the perfect base for a container. Nothing will grow in it, ensuring the container didn’t end up with a forest underneath, a haven for snakes, while keeping it as dry as possible in the wet.
Instead, I got this very dirty/muddy/soily crushed stone which will probably compact nicely, but… well, its not what I thought I was getting. My fault. I didn’t go see what my options were. I trusted in the fact that the diggy-diggy man knew what would be best for my purpose.
Whatever.
But the screw-ups don’t end there my friends. Take a look at the photo above and take note that the levelled, gravelled area is on this side of the truck.
When we got there and faced the area that had been prepared, I explained how I wanted the container to sit: I wanted it to sit about 1.5-2m from the bushy stuff you can see on the right of the photo, parallel to it, so that the side door would face this way, to the west, and the front doors would face north, towards the eventual studio.
So when he pulled up at a 90 degree angle to the spot I was concerned, but as always, being a woman*, I thought ‘he’s the expert here, he knows his machinery, he knows what he’s doing, I shouldn’t question him’.
I will never learn that I have to, I MUST question. Cause my opinion matters. I’m not stupid, I have a brain. Maybe if I’d said ‘hey, why not pull up alongside the spot I want it and just pick it up and plonk it down’, maybe he’d have taken my advice. Maybe not. Maybe he’d have said, ‘no, this is the best way.’ Or ‘No, its too soft there, I’ll get bogged.
Whatever. The result was this…
They began lifting the container up off the bed of the truck and it was scraping and complaining and the crane was cursing their mothers.
I can only presume that the plan had been to lift the container off the truck, then swing the crave over to the side and, with a bit of pushing and shoving, spin it around to sit at a 90 degree angle from the truck.
Don’t ask me how that was supposed to work, but I do believe that’s what they expected to happen.
But no matter how much they pushed and shoved, the container would not spin enough, it wouldn’t clear the ‘legs’ of the truck, and the crane couldn’t lift it any higher.
This was the result. The container is now sitting at a more or less 90 degree angle from where I wanted it. Nowhere near the gravelled area. Not on a levelled surface.
Its now sitting on a light downward slope with a slight angle to the right. They said ‘It’ll be fine. You must know a man with a jack, just get him to lift one corner at a time and put besser blocks under the corners to level it.’
Instead of looking out from my future studio to the front doors of the container (the narrow side) I will be looking at a big flat side.
And I paid for the levelling of the ground and the gravel!
And the back, where I planned to put an outhouse, which I wanted facing towards the hill, where its much more private and out of site of the building area, is now visible.
So I’m in a funk. I got back from what was supposed to be a very exciting day for me and fell into one of my ‘can’t do a thing’ moods. It was just wrong. I’d thought about the orientation a lot before deciding where it should go. I’d considered where the sun would rise and where it would set, where I’d put a grooming table and a bath for dogs, where I’d put a workbench, where I’d put a sail for shade, where I’d put a garden to be watered by my shower and the dog bath.
Suddenly it was all messed up.
Ok, so maybe this orientation will work… I don’t know. I have to think about it. maybe I can put a garden between the studio and the big flat side to sort of hide it. I will still have some morning shade on the other side and some afternoon shade on this side, but not where I pictured it. Maybe the front doors are better not straight into the north wind. I don’t know. I’m confused now.
I spoke to my engineer and he said he will come and we will look and evaluate the situation. If it needs fixing we will fix it. We’ll find a way.
But the gravel I paid for is now over there, instead of under the container.
sigh.
Stay tuned for the next installment or disaster. Whichever comes first.
z
So many times in my life I’ve let men decide things for me, tell me how things should be done, walk all over me. I am so capable of making decisions and thinking outside the box, and seeing things clearly and even for thinking of better or easier ways of doing things. Yet I persist in letting them push me around. Why?
Its been a hectic couple of weeks. I’ve been to Athens and back twice, but I’m finally back home… though just for another 3 weeks. Then I’m off again.
And to think I had promised myself that THIS winter I would stay put… but you know what they say – we make plans and the universe laughs.
So, the weather has been awful on Paros (and most of Greece for that matter) the last few days. I was lucky, I was in Athens while all hell was breaking loose on Paros.
This is normally a square where people walk, not paddle…
I got back at the tail end of crazy winds and storms. In fact, I wasn’t sure the airplane would be taking off as planned, but it did. However, when we arrived at Paros airport the pilot informed us that the conditions were too dangerous to land, so we’d circle over Antiparos for 15-20 minutes to see if the wind dropped and the runway dried. Otherwise we’d be flying back to Athens!
Ugh.
Luckily, the wind dropped, the runway dried and we landed with only minor bumps and a lot of crossed fingers. Do people all over the world applaud when the plane lands? There was a lot of whooping and clapping, let me tell you.
Soon as I got home I got busy putting away all my summer/autumn clothes and bringing out winter clothes. It was about time. The day before I left for Athens, November 19, I’d been swimming with a friend. I suspected our swimming days would be over by the time I got back… I think they very well might be, though we may still have a few days of 20 degrees C to look forward to. I kept out one bathing suit, just in case.
Anyway, thought I’d touch base so as not to do another disappearing act. While away I’ve been on the phone with the container guy, the diggy-diggy guy and the crane guy trying to organise the levelling of the ground, a load of gravel to be spread where the container would go, and finally, the delivery of the container.
Its been like trying to organise a barrel full of monkeys on red cordial.
Why on earth did I think this would be a good idea?
Oh yeah… if you don’t take chances you’ll never achieve your dreams. And I dream of a studio. And workshop space. And to no longer live so close to my neighbours I can hear them flush their toilet.
This week we broke ground on our land at Agia Irini on Paros. This is land dad bought and left to my brother and I, to one day build homes on Paros. Something he never got around to himself.
Its been a long time coming, this dream of building for ourselves. We applied for a building permit about 18 months ago, and we finally got it this month. Things in Greece tend to move lightning fast… like molasses in a snowstorm.
To be honest, I’d never really liked this land so much, its in a valley, with no view of the sea and pretty close to a small beach. I always dreamed of a house on a hillside with expansive views of surrounding islands and no neighbours…
Well, having dog-sat and groomed in places high up on hillsides, I’ve changed my mind. Being on level ground is so much easier than having to drive up steep hills on narrow (and often really bad) roads. And being close to the beach is ok, I guess (beaches tend to sprout loud beach bars and traffic, ugh.). Its not a particularly nice beach though, so here’s hoping…
But our land is only slightly inclined and, with about 4 acres, our neighbours are at a comfortable distance – which isn’t something I can say for my little apartment…
Here are some pics, though for now all there is to see is a lot of dirt, a shallow hole – and a LOT of rocks:
The rocks will come in really handy for rock gardens and pathways, and the soil is really good so I’ll be able to have a lovely garden again. Dad bought the land off one of mom’s cousins who used to grow hay for his animals. Don’t ask me how he plowed such rocky ground…
Since I moved to Paros I’ve really missed my garden in Tasmania, and my plant collection is getting a bit too big for my tiny place. I’ve been collecting plants for Agia Irini since I got here! Some bought, most from cuttings or from seeds. In pots and planters all over my small terrace and patio.
Since we don’t have the view, I can’t wait to create a garden paradise for us. It won’t be the same as the lush english garden jumble of plants I had in Tasmania, we don’t get enough rain here, but it will be pretty for sure! More succulents and herbs, plus at least a couple of gum trees (eucalyptus to you non-aussies!). And perhaps a few fruit trees. I already have 2 small fig trees waiting to go in the ground.
And just when I thought I had nothing more to share on my blog, here is something new! Lately I’ve been so busy with work and life in general that I haven’t been creating much to share. Or feeling like sharing my boring life…
Now I have something to be excited about. In fact, I have had a lot of trouble sleeping lately as my mind has been whirring and grinding with thoughts, decisions, stress, choices, worry, ideas, etc. However, I think I have finally started to sort things out.
Sort of.
Kinda.
Its not at all sorted really. I mean, I still have a ton on my plate and a long way to go, but I’ve made my first step.
Next to work out the rest… like how to afford to build more than a concrete frame… but thats something to worry about tomorrow.
For now I made one decision that I’m very pleased with. I’d agonised over this for a long time, but I finally made the leap. I bought a container.
Its an ex-refrigerated container with lined walls inside and a side door as well as the back doors. And a big hole where the refrigerator unit used to be – ie a window! (sort of. up high.)
Still, its a container and its mine. And once the spot is levelled, it will be delivered and plonked there.
Its going to be storage for the time being and later it will be my grooming room! I’m so excited. I won’t have to wash dogs in my poor destroyed bathtub any more and groom them under an umbrella in the back patio.
It will take a lot of work, but I’m looking forward to fixing it up and making it work. I am so looking forward to putting a garden around it and create an outdoor shady area.
I’ve had a dream of having a studio, grooming room and workshop for so long, and this is the first step in that direction. Now I’m putting it out there to make the money to make it all happen.
Since I never seem to find the time to paint lately, I figured I would go ahead and work on a commission.
A friend of mine ordered coat hanging racks for her two granddaughters.
Coat racks. Too plain, I thought. Not much scope for “zefiness”… So I started on the idea of a shelf with hooks.
I found some pallet table drawers online and they were just the thing!
In this pic, I have already removed the front drawer panel, leaving the finger pull hole.
I didn’t want a hole there, so I found some corks that fit and glued them in. Eventually, there will be pretty white knobs on the corks for hanging a scarf or cap. I ordered them but they haven’t arrived yet.
I began by painting the drawers pale pink. I then mixed up a lighter and a pinker batch to create an ombre.
I thought it was too pale, so I darkened the pink for the bottom slat. Now I wonder if it was better paler… oh well… It’s a process!
I also cut 2 bits of trim to act as a barrier to hold things safely on the narrow shelf. In the end I made the trims the palest pink to offset the brighter pink.
Once the paint was dry, and before putting on the shelf barriers, I added cute little critters to the slats. They are different but the same, if you know what I mean. They’re done in the different shades of pink with a black outline.
I added double under-shelf hooks to the bottom, I couldn’t find them in white, but they tie in nicely with the black outlines on the artwork.
Here they are with some of my recycled sock bunnies and one of my favourite shopping bags.
All in all, I’m pretty happy with how they turned out. Now I just need the cute, simple white flower knobs to arrive, and I can pack them up for shipping.
Yes, I know. I’ve gone and done another disappearing act. But as usual, I have great excuses.
I’ve been busy grooming dogs in the morning, working 5 hrs every afternoon/evening at a travel agency, and trying to get a swim, a rest and some food in between.
Unfortunately, art has gone by the wayside as is always the case… its always the first thing I sacrifice. Cause its easy to do. Jobs for money get 1st priority, then food, then rest. Even the dishes get more attention than art… as pitiful as that sounds.
This coming feom a woman who didn’t mop the floors for weeks…
So, for now I’m sharing the last 2 small pallet trays I painted. I found the trays and couldn’t resist them cause they seemed cute, and just added a few touches to make them cuter.
The first one got fish, cause, well, everything gets fish pretty much. The second got an octopus… just because.
Other than that, life is pretty much as always. The island is still full of people but its a lot quieter than last month. I yearn for winter and quiet. And time to myself, to be at home for whole days at a time where I don’t have to see anyone at all… or be anywhere.
Oh lockdown, where are you now?
Is it healthy to wish you could just be left alone to do your own thing?
I bought a tiny folding bluetooth keyboard which I’m trying out on the phone. It will take a little getting used to if I’m to use it to do stuff like this, but it sure will be handy for connecting to the TV for searches and other typing needs.
Whatever.
Hopefully I will find/make some time to do some art soon. I miss it.
I got sick last Sunday 23/7, and I’m still positive 7 days later.
This is not fun.
I managed to avoid the dreaded bug for 3 whole years… yet now, out of nowhere, I got it. I not only got it, but it got me good too.
Almost a full week of headaches, body aches, sore throat, chills, sweats, fevers, coughing, and just for a little added fun – some rather unpleasant bathroom excursions.
My tastebuds have gone on strike… All I can taste is salt, sugar and vinegar, nothing else. Water tastes foul so I’ve been drinking juice and watered down juice just so i can keep drinking fluids.
I’m feeling better today, the fever stopped yesterday, and the sore throat stopped today. I was feeling a little hopeful that I might be able to go see my brother, but no… I’m still testing positive.
Which sucks, cause Peter is only here for 2 weeks and I’ve been sick… and we have so much to organise and talk about… and frankly, I want to spent time with my brother before he goes back to Australia!
Anyway, I just thought I should send a quick heads up to let you know I’m not just being lazy this time.
Over the last week or so I’ve been working on some serving trays… They’re sort of a good filler project when I don’t feel like tackling something big, or when I just want to relax and paint while watching something on Netflix.
Plus, I get to do some retail therapy as well because I have to buy the trays I want to paint. I do love me some retail therapy! (In Tasmania, where I had a workshop, I would make my own trays… sigh. I miss having my own workshop…)
These are the first two of the new trays (not to be confused with the first trays I did which you can see here). They’re smaller than the first two, but not everyone wants a huge tray. I figured these can be used to serve on but also for display in the centre of a table.
Here is a closer up of the bigger one – a school of fish in a spiral. I’d once painted a marble with tiny fish flowing across it and a friend loved it. I gave it to him as a gift but thought I’d re-use the idea.
Wooden tray 40cm x 30cm, white washed, oil paint, varnish. 35 euros.
The second one is more ‘usual’ for me, being bigger fish. This time they are black, white and shades of grey. Unfortunately, the light reflection washed out the image in the photo a bit. It’s very contrasty, as it looks in the photo above.
Wooden tray 36cm x 26cm, white washed, acylic paint, varnish. 30 euros.
Now on to other work, then back to the next lot of trays… something totally different next time.
Meanwhile, it’s hot, and Greece is on fire. Literally. There are fires everywhere. I would never have thought it possible that Greece would have so many bush fires. Living in Australia you expect it every summer… but I never thought Greece would be so badly affected. It’s devastating.
And the heat continues. It feels like we didn’t get a proper summer for a long time, then it jumped from 23-degree days up to 30s plus in a week. At least that’s what it feels like. The mainland is having over 40-degree days and we are expecting to get some here too. Being by the sea, we are lucky. We can go dunk our heads in water when it gets too much. Cause even the wind is scorching hot.
Hopefully summer will be over soon enough. And with it the madness which is a Greek island during tourist season. Ugh.
This was a commission for an apartment. My friend wanted something in grey and white, not too dark, large in size, to go above the bed.
I worked on this for a while to get it right and I’m quite happy with how it turned out. Up close it has quite a bit of texture, but on this piece I only used acrylic paint, no added paper as I do for some of my art.
Here are some pics of the work in progress. You can see it changed quite a lot as I worked on it to achieve the look she wanted, starting with blocking in the basic shapes, then layering from dark to light.
Its a large piece as I mentioned, about 90cm square. On recycled canvas.
Over the last few days (lots of days) I’ve been working on some sea urchin ideas. First I finished a painting I’d started ages ago… then I made some clay fridge magnets.
Here is a closer up of the urchin painting… a mix of acrylic, watercolour and newsprint on canvas paper. As yet unframed.
And here is a closer up of the magnets. I’ll be selling these guys in sets of 3, I began by thinking I’d make them 3 of the same, then thought it might be more fun to sell them in sets of 3 different ones.
These were made by rolling out the clay and cutting the circles using a little plastic shot glass. Of course, as they dried they buckled a bit but hey… nothing in nature is perfect, right?
I added some great little magnets to the back (Neodymium magnets – the same type I used on the little fish stones I made a few years ago – you can see those holding up the paper).
I personally hate dislike weak magnets that can barely hold up a postcard, so I love these guys. Tiny but mighty.
Anyhow, the weather continues to be hot, but at least we have some wind today… The Cyclades are well known as being the ‘windy islands’, and the wind is both a blessing and a curse. On days like this it’s a blessing cause at least the air is moving around so you don’t just melt into a puddle.
The downside is that the beaches closest to me are in the face of the northern winds, which means the beaches are messy (the waves bring out seaweed and any plastic crap people throw into the sea) and rough. I don’t like rough beaches; I prefer to swim where the surface is like that of a swimming pool… spoilt rotten I am!
Still, at least the breeze going through my house means I don’t need the air-conditioning on today.
junk4joy 