Who I Am
Maybe you know me, maybe you don’t. Here in Vancouver, I’ve been performing poetry, writing, and editing for decades now. I also run Three Ocean Press, which publishes a number of unique book titles, and I produced interdisciplinary arts events like Bohemian Caress and Voice on Canvas. It was all working out until recently.
What’s Going On
Right now (since the pandemic), I’m on a private mortgage that jumped in payments when it came to renewal last year. I knew I had to sell my house. Currently, I’m being charged 10.99% on my mortgage. My payments are nearly double what they were last year. I’m trying to get ahead enough that I can get out, but I just can’t do it under these conditions.
The Plan
I’m looking for money to get me on the other side of things:
- Do repairs enough that the house can sell quicker.
- Move myself out so I’m not in the way for the repairs or viewings.
- Throw my remaining stuff into storage.
- Cover expenses while doing so.
The faster I can do this, the better. If I sell, I can move to a more sustainable living situation, a cheaper place outside Vancouver. But I’m losing more and more the longer I’m here and time is running out. My credit rating is destroyed. I can’t promote my services to bring in more money, so I’ve been charging less just to get work. Even just keeping up is no longer possible.
I have a real estate agent and she’s told me the hurdles to selling this place. I don’t expect to turn it into anything high-end, just something that people feel they can live in while they update things bit by bit.
How’m I Doing?
I’ve been holding on by my fingernails all too long and the cracks are beginning to show. The stress has shown in seborrheic dermatitis, a painful and itchy rash covering the back of my neck and scalp — I’m pretty much in pain all the time and I’m losing hair along with the skin that comes out in small clumps. I’ve sold my car, pawned (and lost) a family heirloom, and borrowed heavily from friends just to keep up, but I’m not getting ahead and I’m running out of options and time.
What About…?
Anti-house-flipping taxes here (which I support) mean that people aren’t interested in buying a place that needs work. Being self-employed and in a house on leasehold property means there aren’t many lenders willing to work with me. I’m not eligible for a reverse mortgage because CHIP changed the rules when I turned 55 and there has to be 75 years left on a landlease (mine has 54 left). I’ve worked with a number of mortgage brokers who spent weeks trying to work something out because they saw the potential, but reduced to the numbers, my life kept falling just short.
So, what happens after all this?
I change my life to something more sustainable. I’ve found places I can afford if I can sell this one before the high mortgage drains away all the value, places where I can work and that work will cover the costs reasonably.
Don’t get me wrong. I still have crazy, big plans to try and change the world, but only in my spare time. After I put on my own oxygen mask.
Perks
whispers of humanity combines my poetry with Wade Edwards' art. I can arrange multiple pick-up locations depending on who chooses this reward. Pick-up will be in the Lower Mainland and, if you can wait, on the Island (definitely Victoria, Nanaimo is possible).
Signed if requested. Wade's signature as well, if I can arrange it.
I will arrange a time with you to do a private reading via Zoom. There will be 30 minutes of poetry performance, followed by any discussion you'd like.
I will write a poem on a theme you select, with input from you. The piece will not be published or performed elsewhere for one year without your explicit permission.
I will go through a manuscript of up to 80,000 words and prepare a detailed report on issues, concerns, and strengths, assessing readiness for publication, marketability, legal concerns, and the like.
Longer manuscripts are possible, but reasonable limits will be put on them.
Highlights
See all activity27Activity
whispers of humanity combines my poetry with Wade Edwards' art. I can arrange multiple pick-up locations depending on who chooses this reward. Pick-up will be in the Lower Mainland and, if you can wait, on the Island (definitely Victoria, Nanaimo is possible).
Signed if requested. Wade's signature as well, if I can arrange it.
I will arrange a time with you to do a private reading via Zoom. There will be 30 minutes of poetry performance, followed by any discussion you'd like.
I will write a poem on a theme you select, with input from you. The piece will not be published or performed elsewhere for one year without your explicit permission.
I will go through a manuscript of up to 80,000 words and prepare a detailed report on issues, concerns, and strengths, assessing readiness for publication, marketability, legal concerns, and the like.
Longer manuscripts are possible, but reasonable limits will be put on them.
