Doors Open Toronto 2007

May 28, 2007 - This month actually marks the City of Toronto's third annual month-long Festival of Architecture and Design. While events have been going on all month to celebrate and to promote Toronto's rich architecture, the grand finale of the festival was the annual Doors Open Toronto. Having gone in 2005 (and missing it last year for reasons that I cannot remember), I was pretty excited to check it out this year. So on a warm yet windy Saturday, I dragged Bernard, Jenny and Eric on a long trek around downtown Toronto.

While the list of buildings that I want to see is endless, the two that I really wanted to check out this year were Union Station and the infamous Lower Bay subway station. We ended up visiting both, along with the Empire Sandy sailboat (the largest in the world, and made famous by the Amazing Race), and the Zeidler architect partnership.

So first at Union Station, we went on a 60 minute tour of the Station - which I thought was fascinating, especially since we were allowed to go to areas that are normally closed to the public. Our tour was led by the David Jeanes, the president of Transport 2000. The highlight was walking along the catwalks that lined the perimeter of the Great Hall. The catwalks provided some really cool shots of the station - even though it really didn't look too safe (the floor looked like it could collapse any second). It was also interesting to hear stories about the Station during its heyday, when it was not just a commuter hub, but a place where Torontonians gathered to catch trains to all parts of the continent. Today, parts of the station look really worn out (especially the GO transit section) - would the City's plans to revitalize Union Station help turn it back into the City's crown transportation jewel?

The other highlight of the day was the Lower Bay Subway Station. A few months ago, I blogged about how the Bloor-Danforth trains were being rerouted through Lower Bay towards Museum Station during tunnel maintenance works. Unfortunately I missed the opportunity to see Lower Bay then. But yesterday, after more than 40 years, the platform at Lower Bay was finally opened once again to the public. The line up to go down to Lower Bay was insanely long (it stretched around the block) - but the wait was worth it (and it turned out to be only a 20 minute wait). Used mainly now as a movie set (often to replicate the New York subway system), we were greeted by several NYC MTA signs as we entered the station. A map of the New York subway system was also on display. The platform also has these early 20th century benches that still line the NYC stations today. I think what impressed me most was how organized the TTC folks were (for once). There were TTC officials throughout the platform and the station in general to answer questions. We even got a souvenir booklet that describes the history of the station and a tag to commemorate the event.

Unfortunately we ran out of time then and didn't get a chance to check out the new wing of the Science Centre or the Ontario Architect Association head office. I guess there's always next year.

Speaking of new architecture, next weekend, Bernard and I will be checking out the opening of the ROM Crystals - at midnight!! that should be really cool in itself - I mean, how often do you get to see a museum in the middle of the night?

Oh, big thanks to Jenny and Eric for putting up with us and our silliness for the whole day!

Wedding Weekend

May 22, 2007 - So after more than a year of planning, months of anticipation, and weeks of headaches, two of my very good friends from - wow - middle school - got married this weekend. It was deemed THE event of the year for my group of friends, mainly because they are the first in the group to get married, and also pretty much everyone from high school was invited - and many of us have not seen each other since graduation, which was - wow again - almost 8 years ago.

So when I was asked to not only be in the bridal party, but also be the m/c for the event, I had no idea how much work would be involved. Getting up on stage and talking to close to 300 people was pretty intimidating. Add to the fact that I had to do parts of it in Chinese - I knew I was in trouble. However, both the wedding ceremony and the reception went off without a hitch. Sure, there were some awkward moments, particularly the parts when I had to improvise (the worst was when I had to come up with a story of how I met the bride and the groom), but overall it went smoothly and I think both the bride/groom thought we did a good job.

I guess what I enjoyed most was seeing all these people that I haven't seen since high school. Towards the end of the evening, it felt more like a high school reunion than anything! Half of us got drunk (I was only semi-drunk) and some of us actually threw up on the way home, but hey, it was all good fun. Not to mention I can't remember the last time we were all dressed up (I think it was prom? which is kinda funny, since part of the wedding took place at the same hotel that held our prom!). And damn, I have to say, we looked pretty good =)

My friends dated for 8 years before finally tying the knot. 8 years - pretty amazing eh? I should really ask them for tips and advice. How do you continue to keep a relationship fresh and exciting after 8 years? or does it get to the point where you're just feeling comfortable and you don't want to change? Most importantly, how do you ensure that you're both happy - and continue to be happy? kinda ironic since I had to ask myself those same questions just 2 days later.

So yeah, they are now off to Italy and Greece for their honeymoon! and I think that's it for weddings this year for me (at least the ones that I'm actually involved with). Now it's on to the other anticipated events of the summer!

Banned from Facebook

May 6, 2007 - The Ontario government Facebook ban has been making headlines the past couple of days. Personally, I have no idea why this is considered front page news. I mean, with all the problems in the world, how is it possible that banning Facebook for all government employees is deemed as important news? Companies ban websites all the time - and no matter what you say about Facebook, it is still a social network first and foremost. I don't know anyone who uses Facebook as an educational tool or uses it for work purposes (writing on your colleagues' walls does not count!).

To make such a big deal about the Facebook ban makes us, the Ontario civil servants, look as if we just sit around all day and do nothing but use Facebook. The public already has a negative perception of us - why make it worse by public announcing such a silly non-news story?

Having said that, I know quite a few people who are upset about the ban. Well I guess there's always My Space for them...

[note: I am proud to say I have never logged on to Facebook at work! though I have been tempted many times. Too late for that now...]