Christopher M. Burke
Kaleidoscope Realty Inc. N1T 2H5 Cambridge, ON, Canada

In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, Water like stone; Snow had fallen, Snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, Long ago Christina Rossetti Groundhog Day occurs on February 2 every year and coincides with astronomy’s cross-quarter day, marking the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox, midwinter. Thinking of this event brings to mind images of fun (who can forget winter games at school as a child), winter spo...rts - professional and Olympic, and of course traditions of groundhogs popping their heads out of little holes to make their prognostications. However, for most Canadians, the day marks a distinct perspective, one I believe is truly our own: that of hope. With the arrival of midwinter, we collectively hold our breath in anticipation of an early spring, and the renewal of life. Although Nature’s clock is somewhat unpredictable, nonetheless, she finds a way to breath new life into our planet, and we start again. The unbreakable arrow of time across billions of years. We feel it in our souls; we are a species that has endured for millennia. This year we must turn off the politicians’ clock, and the news media feed and trust in our collective hope. Nature will find a way, as it has for time immortal. Spring will come and Winter will end, there simply is no other way. We will not let a few extra weeks take away our hope and a new beginning. The kaleidoscope of colours will lead us down the garden path and mark the beginning of the end. 'Tis a certainty. Kaleidoscope, Full Spectrum Real Estate Services. Changing symmetrical optics for a changing world. Call Christopher directly or text 519-716-4068. Somehow it does seem like I have been living the same day over and over and over, and over and over. https://youtu.be/6VF5P7qLaEQ

Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear a path Unknown I have been trying to gain some perspective on this last year. However, perspective is a funny thing. Use it, it is your best friend, ignore it and perspective becomes your worst enemy. I am now coming up to the time when this roller coaster ride we call Co-vid began in earnest. It was March last year when my wife and I headed to California, hopped on a boat, and took a cruise down to Mexico, (Go...d I miss Mexico). Then we rented a car, headed down the coast to San Diego for week. What an amazing trip, we are two very lucky people. By the time the trip was over and we were back home, everyone’s life had been turned upside down. That was a little under twelve months ago. What a difference a year makes. Without perspective, our lives become empty shells filled with anger, frustration, fear, and hatred. But this storm has cleared our path. We see things much clearer in our lives than ever before. Ask yourself this, how many changes to the way you think have occurred in the past year? How many decisions have changed? How many things became important, and how many became unimportant in this last year? What are you going to do different once this storm is over? For me, things have sharpened to a laser focus. I see clearly the way things are, and the way they should be. I see time as both my best friend and my worst enemy. I see what is important to folks, and what their passion has become. I see that some things will never change. And I see that some things must change. I see that it is almost over, and I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I see the path has cleared. Kaleidoscope, Full Spectrum Real Estate Services. Changing symmetrical optics for a changing world. Call Christopher direct or text 519-716-4068. My American perspective. I sure would like it if my perspective could head back to Puerto Rico soon, ..or Manhattan https://youtu.be/_e2igZexpMs

She believed she could, so she did. Unknown Well, my Dearest Reader, I am back, and the Emperor has new clothes. I missed you terribly, (my single reader). You have no idea what good listeners these walls are; they seem to never tire of me prattling on, and on, and on. Anyway, to the business at hand - this week’s first post as a new company. Melody Beattie said that, Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Good wo...rds. So, if you will bear with me this week, I need to express some gratitude. (Feels a little like an Oscar Speech, but we will raise our virtual Statue, and give a nice round of applause to those that deserve it, and I thank you for your patience). From the early days, I would like to thank Ron Woynarski (at Woynarski Law) who often chatted more about fishing than any deal we put before him. Bob Mair (at C21, retired) one of the nicest, most passionate real estate folks I know. Leslie Morris, and Dad (at Dominion Lending) for keeping the engine running though the early years. Finally, to Linda Ripley (at KWAR) who never seem to tire of me showing up at her training and seminars with dumb questions. To the present days, Eric Muetz (at RECO) Debra Kucharyshen and Cindy Meincke (at KWAR), Miguel Lameiro (at Humber College) who gave me the opportunity to lecture at Humber until COVID ended our run. And now, to the future, and the inner circle. Edward Saxon (at Saxon Sustainable Solutions), Tsitsi Bimha (at Shine to Dine cleaners), Mark Hamulecki (at BFI Print and Promo Solutions), Robert Dorey (at Picture yourself), Noah Jensen (at Racolta Jensen LLP Accountants), Maxwell Shiffman (at Matlow Miller Cummins Thrasher LLP Barristers and Solicitors), and Tracy Bennett (at Bennett Capital Groups, Mortgage Architects). A round of applause for all these folks, if you please. Wow, almost done. Many thanks to all our clients over the years, especially to the many who came back around for round two, three and four. That's the best compliment we could ever receive. To our friends, family and facebookers, thanks for tuning in once a week; your inspiration is my inspiration. To Kitha Tam, Darlene Burke, and Cathy Burke, who loves ya baby? Mother, Daughter, and the Holy Ghost, the three women I admire most. Without you three, Tiger and Kaleidoscope would not be possible. Thank you! To all, I humbly say thank you. Elaine Lau-Burke, there is no Hogwarts without you Hagrid. Remember, she believed she couldso she did. Kaleidoscope, Full Spectrum Real Estate Services. Changing symmetrical optics for a changing world. Call Christopher directly or text 519-716-4068. Now to work we go, this is going to be a lot of fun, see you next week. https://youtu.be/ZrwxIypQisY

Adding to the Team.

The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. Chinese Proverb Normally my New Year’s Post recaps the events from the previous year, highlighting the highs and the lows, usually with my tainted sense of humour, (or twisted sense, if you know me better). At first I thought, my God, what could possibly be considered good about this past year? How much optimism do I have left to spin? What won’t fall on deaf ears? It would have been easier to write ab...out what has been shitty about 2020, believe me. But we won’t move mountains by complaining that they are there. So, My Dear Reader, we need to start somewhere. Remember when we were kids and something didn’t go right, we got what was called a do-over? We would simply try again. We will roll over tonight, and we will get our do-over. We will pick the stones up and carry them away one by one. We will start with the small ones, and when we get to the big ones, I will help you, and so will others. We will not look back in anguish, but look forward with positivity. And if we hit a heavy load and can’t get through, we will find a way around. We will look for open doors, and not concern ourselves with the ones that have closed. We will not hide in fear anymore because 2021 will be a great year. We won’t wait any longer, life is too damned short. Dear Reader, this will be my last post in this forum. I have terminated my contract with Century 21. After more than a decade in the Real Estate Business, Elaine and I have formed our own brokerage, Kaleidoscope Realty Inc. Along with Tiger PMI we will continue to serve our clients with distinction, and we thank you for your patronage over the years. I hope to have the new FB Business Page up and running soon in the new year. I will send out invites, but in the meantime, I shall miss you Dear Reader. Happy New Year, everyone. Wishing you Good Health, Prosperity, and Good Fortune in 2021. Remember, nothing is impossible! Help is always Here. For all things Real Estate call directly or text Christopher at 519-716-4068. Until we meet again, get low, and go with the Flo in 2021. Party on. https://youtu.be/ckKFxMw6z0c

Nobody’s walking out on this fun old-fashioned family Christmas Clark Griswold This year’s final Christmas post was a little bit more challenging to write than it normally has been over the years. It has been really tough this year to remember why we do this every year, why we celebrate. I’m not talking about the obvious Christian Holiday per se, but rather more about the true meaning of Christmas, family. It started with a small family, guest came bearing gifts, and they c...elebrated the day as family over two millennia ago. Since then not much has changed. However over the course of History there has been numerous interruptions. Some of the older folks will remember a few Christmas’s interrupted by WWll I dare say? So to the business at hand, this years final Christmas post. It is my honor and my privilege to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I will pray for those that need prayers, I will tell jokes to those that need a laugh, and yes I will hug those that need a hug. I will a raise a glass (of Kool-Aid, you know I don’t drink) to those I salute, and I will help those that need help. I will not forget the kindness you have shown me this year Dear Reader, and I will continue to write for those that need a small distraction once per week, (very small, almost imperceptible really). Last but certainly not least, I will turn the page on this Christmas, flash it the bird, and pin my hope on next year. Until then. Help is Always Here. For all things Real Estate call direct or text Chris(tmas)topher at 519-716-4068. I love you all, and to all a good night. Merry Christmas https://youtu.be/GxGkcC1VrhU

You always gain by giving love Reese Witherspoon Every Christmas I am blessed by three events. No not the Ghost of Christmas past, present and future, though I am sure a quick phone call to Zak Baggins, and the Ghost Adventures would be a modern day solution to handle that one, (everybody get out your ‘spirit box’, and lets talk). Rather two of my kids have late December Birthdays, and it seems only fitting as such that I celebrate a Wedding Anniversary with my beautiful ...Wife in December every year. Now, as you do every year Dear Reader, you will allow me a few personal indulgences, for the countless Micro-Seconds of entertainment that I provide you with all year long, (I was going to write ‘minutes’ but I thought that might be pushing it seconds to long). This year marks our twenty second Wedding Anniversary, (and yes, you can applaude now, though in the case of an anniversary only, where ‘quantity’ out guns ‘quality’ as a measurement tool; in the case of love, note the reverse please). In those twenty-two years I have a learned a few important pearls of wisdom that I shall now impart to you, Merry Christmas, and you are welcome. First, one lifetime with this Woman is not nearly enough. It seems almost cruel and absurd to consider the idea of once around. For there is enough love for ten thousand lifetimes, were it mine to give her. Second, what we have built together, a life, is the greatest gift two people can give one another. I honestly don’t know anymore where she ends and I begin . But I do know I am not me without her, for she is the past, present, and future. We are one, as it should be. Last, because of her, I understand what love is. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. Help is Always Here. For all things Real Estate call direct or text Christopher at 519-716-4068. Happy Anniversary Mrs. Lau-Burke, the best is yet to come. https://youtu.be/v_I-z_AJ_4Q

I pray my wish will come true, for my child, and your child too. David Bowie Of all the times throughout the year, Christmas is when I wish the most for miracles. For it is at this time that we seem to need it the most. I must admit, it gets a little harder to believe every year. So many troubles in the world, so much pain, so much suffering. Too much cynicism, too many years of disappointment, and far too many tears have gone unchecked, and unanswered. Each year I have... to dig a little deeper to find the heart of the matter. For it is the heart, your heart, that matters the most to me. It is easy to be cynical, it is easy to give in, it is very easy to not care. These things don’t require your heart or your soul, they ask no price, they make no sacrifice. Walk along this path, you will be untouched, unhurt, and unloved. Forgotten entirely by those that should matter the most. A memory vanquished in the darkness. Nothing left to hope for, nothing left to care about. But me, I still believe in miracles, no matter how steep the road, no matter how difficult the path. The world needs believers. I don’t care if it costs my whole heart, because it is mine to give to whomever I choose. It's my Christmas gift to you. I pray my wish will come true, for my child, and your child, too. Help is Always Here. For all things Real Estate call direct or text Christopher at 519-716-4068. https://youtu.be/n9kfdEyV3RQ