Category: Life

The former Bata headquarters in Don Mills is still there (albeit with boarded up windows) but may not be for much longer. It’s slated for demolition.

It’s one of my favourite buildings in the city. (I have a bizarre fondness for corporate modernism).

There are some compelling arguments about why we should be willing to let in go in favour of better things — and I while I reluctantly think this argument has some merit — I’m much more inclined to agree with Christopher Hume on what’s happening to this fine building and our city as a whole.

It hurts whenever I drive up the Don Valley Parkway and see it sitting there unused and neglected. The architect, John C. Parkin, died in 1988 when the building looked much as it does above. I’m glad he never had to see it in its current state.

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…