The beginnings of a long and ruinous alcoholism


 Posted on November 9th, 2009

Oh who am I kidding?! There’s no way that last Friday’s post will make it online now! Guess I’ll have to call that the lost Friday. It really did swirl all the way down the black hole, to be completely honest.

In my defence, I was somewhat preoccupied with a perplexing new development. I mulled it over all weekend, only popping my head outside on Sunday afternoon to catch the dying gasps of fall. It was one of those staggeringly beautiful weekends that, if you miss them, you’re required to commit suicide. You just missed something that nice. So I had to.

tree, trees, sunlight, shadows, varsity arena, bloor street west, annex, unversity of toronto, toronto, city, life

Anyhow, it was a stark contrast to the development I mentioned, which has to do with my ex-wife and my ex-car. Okay, I know, it sounds whiny already, but I promise to keep that to a minimum. And the story gets a little unusual.

I figured I wouldn’t need the car while living downtown, so I let the ex drive it until the lease expired. I’ve been described both as a nice guy and a sucker. I’d probably stick myself somewhere in between. Besides, it shouldn’t have been a problem; car’s in my name and my folks guaranteed the lease. Whatever I chose to do at the end of it (this month), would’ve been to my advantage. Karma returning a favour, I thought.

tree, buildings, street, taxi, cars, bloor street west, toronto, city, life

Yeah, no.

Seems the dealership allowed my ex-wife to return the car without consent from anyone actually on the lease (I don’t think her name is anywhere on there). They didn’t even try to get in touch with anyone on the contract to verify if, you know, it was okay. I’m not saying I might not have made the same choice, but I would’ve liked to have been able to make that choice. I might’ve chosen to sell my lease … actually made some money instead of nothing. Instead, now I have no money and no car. Like a common beggar.

erhu, chinese, traditional, musical, instrument, ttc, bus, busker, street, audience, bay street, bloor street west, toronto, city, life

To add an extra wallop to this, they claim the car incurred substantial damages to the tune of four-thousand dollars. Yikes! The ex made a couple of contradictory claims about this amount so I’ll have to go on hard facts alone. The dealership’s damage report is coming (I’ve been promised), but verifying it may be made more difficult by the fact that the car is apparently now up for auction and may not even be around anymore. Yikes!

And this was the first I’d heard of it.

Yikes!

I think it would be prudent to seek some legal representation, or at least talk to someone with a degree. I mean, this just doesn’t seem right, does it?

rom, royal ontario museum, addition, bloor street west, queen's park, avenue road, sunlight, buildings, construction, toronto, city, life

By the way, how’re these photos working for you? Obviously they were taken on Sunday. I’d stopped screaming and punching random people by then so I quite managed to enjoy the outing. It was just a quick jaunt down Bloor Street but it was refreshing, cathartic, almost religious.

church, anglican diocese of toronto, bloor street west, queen's park, avenue road, cyclist, bicycle, taxi, convertible, intersection, buildings, sunset, pedestrians, toronto, city, life

Perhaps, somewhere down the road, this affair will prove to be a blessing in disguise; the silver lining on a dark November storm cloud. Or the beginnings of a long and ruinous alcoholism.

Cool!

14 Comments on “ The beginnings of a long and ruinous alcoholism ”

  • Kato
    November 9th, 2009 8:48 pm

    Sunday was a beautiful day, I quite enjoyed it myself :)

    Also, your pictures turn my love hate relationship with this city into one of blissful love


  • Patrick
    November 10th, 2009 7:53 am

    I'm very happy to hear that, Kato. I think people forget to lift their heads every now and again and miss some of the nice parts of the city. Eyes of the beholder and all that.


  • WillOaks Studio
    November 9th, 2009 9:17 pm

    What a difficult story! And what gorgeous photos! It feels a bit contrasty and confused…kinda' like life is sometimes!


  • Patrick
    November 10th, 2009 7:55 am

    You're right, WillOaks; I loves me some hardcore contrast. And obviously the point of it isn't lost on the astute reader :)


  • WillOaks Studio
    November 9th, 2009 10:25 pm

    Well, I'm back because I have chosen Toronto City Life as one of my recipients for a "Best Blog" award–
    http://willoaksstudio.blogspot.com/2009/11/best-b
    Keep up the great work!


  • Patrick
    November 10th, 2009 7:59 am

    Thanks for the award, WillOaks! My policy of severe procrastination usually prevents me from sharing the joy, but maybe one day I'll pass it on. There are definitely blogs out there that deserve it!


  • Stanya
    November 10th, 2009 6:22 am

    What a story, it remind me one part of my earlier years in Canada when "wonderful" citizens of Toronto robed me of the money and almost killed and still justice was "on their side" because of negligence of police officer who didn't bother to deliver me subpoena for the trial against them. How come that on some important posts – anywhere – are siting "privileged" people who don't even know what they are doing? It is the same with this dealership or yours. Are they really so stupid that they cannot even at least use a comon sense? You don't have to be highly educated to see the stupidity and also astudity of the dealership and your ex as well. Well some people have guts, but you know what? In our country we say that "God's mills are working slowly but surely" and I believe that all the people will get what they deserve. And good for them.


  • Patrick
    November 10th, 2009 8:00 am

    Absolutely, Stanya! I'm not too worried. If they're expecting me to pay for a car that they essentially stole, they have another thing coming. Another court of law thing :)


  • Grace
    November 10th, 2009 11:06 am

    I love cities and city pics – these are great.


  • Patrick
    November 10th, 2009 1:12 pm

    Thanks, Grace. :)


  • Renee
    November 10th, 2009 2:38 pm

    Ya, I think a trip to the lawyer is in order. Sorry you had to endure all that. There is a light at the end of the tunnel though…..if not yet in view, please consider me a drinking buddy. :)


  • Patrick
    November 10th, 2009 3:07 pm

    You got it, Renee! You're buying the drinks though, right?


  • Jennifer
    November 10th, 2009 10:18 pm

    Lovely photos. Terrible story — not terribly written, but terrible for you. Surely the car dealership and the ex can share liability for a few things.


  • Patrick
    November 11th, 2009 1:53 pm

    You're right, Jennifer, I think that the story doesn't add up from either side and might involve both parties. Right now I'm just gathering documents and getting myself good and angry! :D


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