Month: January 2007

My name is Christine. Like the Stephen King novel…

And the song by KISS…

My name is Christine. [Chris-TEEN]. Not an unusual name and I like it. It could’ve gone another way…

Today two people called me Christina. [Chris-TEENA].

Christina is a very nice name. In fact, I think it’s more beautiful than Christine — which is a bit more stiff and WASPy. As a short plump descendant of Balkan mountain people, I would never be mistaken for a mangiacake. But that’s my name. I didn’t anglicize it — that’s what my parents choose. My Macedonian parents named me Christine — really.

Christine! Christine! Christine!

The first person can be forgiven (this time) as she has only known me for a year or so and does not deal with me that often.

The second person in question has been calling me that other name for over seven years. I always correct this individual very good-naturedly but after seven years one can be forgiven for a bit of annoyance.

Maybe I should start strolling around with my new tote bag.

Or maybe I need to update my wardrobe…

Not that I’m looking for a new job but the Chicken Farmers of Canada are looking for a Bilingual Jr. Communications Officer. I know this because my professional association sends me email alerts about openings. Quite often I check out the employer websites just to see what’s going on in the PR world outside my area. This particular job is too junior for me and I don’t speak French but I checked them out online anyway.

Guess what? The CFC has a lot of excellent recipes on their site. For example, the Chicken Dhansack (Indian-style chicken with spinach and eggplant) sounds really tasty. I also would love to try the Chicken and Asparagus Lasagna.

Of course, now I’m wondering if they’ve ever produced a cookbook — and if so, how did they promote it. A PR mind is never still.

The Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA) is also looking for a Communications Specialist. Readers won’t believe this but I’m actually quite fascinated by aggregate yards, cement factories and rebar fabrication. I’m not sure why but I’ve always been drawn to construction and construction materials.

On road trips I’m always on the lookout for big aggregate yards and I’m always in awe of the sheet amount of raw material piled up — stuff just waiting to become highways, airports, hospital, houses and condos. Aggregate is at the start of everything. And it’s big business.

I’m also interested in the behind the scenes aspects of the TTC and airports…and factories…and water filtration plants…and…

Sometimes I wish I were a kid again just so I could go on class trips!