the conversation
| What you loved and loathed last month
Altered States
Readers reacted passionately to the subjects of our October cover package, who made life-changing decisions mid-pandemic. First, a few responses to the zoo supervisor who traded her basement apartment to live on a boat:
“I saved thousands living on a boat in Toronto when I was younger. Depending on the severity of the winter, it can be easy or frickin’ horrible. Tons of boats like the one in the article are out there. In fact, I know someone who is selling the same model for next to nothing. If you live on it, you will be far ahead financially in Toronto.”
—Ian Decoste, Facebook
“She bought that boat for $3,000?! That’s the same price as a paddleboard nowadays.”
—Leeann Shields, Facebook
“This should be interesting in January.”
—Cam Graham, Facebook
Then there was the spa coordinator who left the city to raise goats:
“This story is essentially how it happened with my wife and me in 1993. Still going strong and on our very own farm now. They can do it too.”
—William Horne, Facebook
“OMG: that woman is living the life I should be!!!”
—Louise Roberts-Riggi, Facebook
“This would make such a good TV show, please someone develop it !!!! ”
—@lbourgon, Twitter
“Inquiring minds want to know… was this a baaaaaad idea?”
—@urbaneer, Twitter
Finally, there was the lawyer, Vivian Hua, who moved into a new apartment, roommate-free, and boldly painted her white couch blue. She evoked the most animated response.
“How can anyone care about anything other than the fact that she is painting a couch? WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?!? My brain is exploding.”
—cshaheed, Instagram
“Are we not going to address the couch painting? WE NEED ANSWERS.”
—llorenae, Instagram
“You should have kept your roommate for one more month… then you could have purchased a new couch.”
—yyzyow, Instagram
On Facebook and Instagram, there were so many questions that Hua, the couch painter in question, jumped into the discussion. Yes, couch painting is a thing, she said. It cost her $120 for the supplies and it turned out pretty well, though not the softest: “It feels a bit like outdoor furniture.”
Dr. Feelgood
Response to Omar Mouallem’s feature on a Markham Stouffville pediatrician who contracted Covid and nearly died came from colleagues, former patients and total strangers who were blown away by what it takes to save a life.
“Thanks so much for this up-closeand-personal account of the amazing Larry Pancer’s battle against Covid-19. It’s not only touching but also a cautionary reminder of the severity of the virus.
“Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Pancer took on my newborn daughter as a patient. His exuberance and sunny disposition made going to the doctor fun, and she adored him. He’d put on this enormous birthday cake hat to celebrate your child’s special day. I was a first
time mother, and he was my hero, telling me that there were no stupid questions and taking my calls when I was being stupid.
“Not long ago, he recognized me in a waiting room at the hospital, despite the fact that I hadn’t seen him in 15 years. It took me a minute to do the same, though his dinosaurs scrubs should have been my first clue! That brief big-smile hello brightened a difficult day for me, and is just one example of why he’s special to so many.”
—Molly Billings
“This is such a painful and beautiful account of the multifaceted impact of Covid-19.”
—@sholzberg, Twitter
“In case you are a non-believer in Covid’s existence, read this lifeand-death account of a doctor who got it.”
—@ELewarne, Twitter
“Excellent article hits home to health care workers and all.
Have Kleenex.”
—@davidcarr333, Twitter
“I remember Dr. Pancer with fondness. Thirty years ago, my son was born at MSH. Nothing went well. But Dr. Pancer was amazing.”
—Laurie Morissette, Facebook
Dirty Shaun
“Holy hell,” “This is some Anna Delvey level deception,” and “W5—please get on this!” were just some of the reactions to Katherine Laidlaw’s profile of romance scammer Shaun Rootenberg.
A few meatier responses here:
“Such a crazy story, and this guy went to my high school. What really interests me is how the women stuck by him after they knew.”
—@leighh, Twitter
“Thoroughly enjoyed reading Katherine Laidlaw’s story about one very bad man’s very long con in this month’s @torontolife.”
—@erinjbernard, Twitter
“Profile of a romance scammer. For all you @DirtyJohnUSA fans out there, a #Toronto version.”
—@noahvanderhoff_, Twitter
“Wow, that reads like the plot of a movie.”
—Manhar Vashisht, Facebook