Don't Make 'em Like...Part Deux

Another example of thoughtful architecture from a bygone age.

This time a high school. Central Technical High School.

The style is called "Collegiate Gothic" and I'm guessing this was built about 1910.

There are several Collegiate Gothic style schools throughout Toronto.

And although a bit severe, the style is head and shoulders above today's designs.

Which brings me to a correction (I don't like that word) from yesterday's post.

But certainly supports today's post.

I said this was a perfect example of current public building design from Toronto Hydro, circa 1970.

Well wrong on both counts.

It was actually 1967.

[Nice the way the area around the Date Stone it is kept so clean and tidy...]

And it isn't a Toronto Hydro building - but an addition to a Toronto High School - the very same Central Technical School.

Uhhh....circa 1967.

I'll let you make your own decision on which style ("Collegiate Gothic" or "Concrete Slab") better embodies the ideals of higher learning...

Although I do remember seeing a lovely shot of the "entrance" to North Bay's Canadore College on another fellow's blog a few weeks back.

The disease is widespread indeed.

Don't Make 'em Like They Used To....

Out for a stroll in a new neighbourhood and came across a very interesting building.

Now what could this be?

A private estate home?

A school?

Church?

Nope......
A Toronto Hydro substation.

A public utility building!

A recent one....?

Ha. Built in 1930.

Attention to detail is outstanding.

Even the "garage door" side for their maintenance trucks looks amazing.

Oh, and today's civic buildings...?

Here's another Hydro building.

Circa 1970.

You're welcome.

Well, at least it's not just a metal box.

Now We're Talking!

I think I just found a new, favourite pub.



And, just next door, I think I also found a new nickname.

Hmmm...well, one out of two ain't bad....

Hey, What's With Those Kooky Liberals?

In this week's papers, it was reported that "Moody's Investors Services dealt the deficit-plagued Ontario government a blow Thursday, putting the province on a so-called credit watch."

"The change is due to concerns about the province's ability...to stop accumulating debt."

That's a nice way of saying the Liberals can't stop spending.

And, of course, some of my favourite communists columnists in The Toronto Star say this is exactly correct - you can't stop spending! This is the absolute wrong thing to do!

[I didn't type this part in all capitals, as they usually do.]

Now is the time to prime the pump, to stimulate the economy. Invest in infrastructure projects. Spend our way out this problem. It's what governments do!

Yeah, governments in Europe - if that isn't enough of a sober reminder - and 2) governments that could never afford these infrastructure projects in the good times, can now magically afford them when on the brink of disaster.

Good plan!

I suspect most people will be hoping they soon lose their jobs, so they can finally afford that European vacation!

Whoo hoo! We're all winners!

Hey, What's Up With Those Kooky North Koreans?
Although condolences are in order as their ruler, Dear Leader, Kim Jong-il died this week, you really have to wonder what is next for this isolated, communist nation.

They have just lost one, very eccentric leader.

One, who with a fondness for bouffant hairdos, Charlie's Angel sunglasses and jump suits, looked to never get beyond the 70's.

[Ed. note: You should talk.]

Anyway, just when you think things couldn't get any worse, it looks like they are moving to another potentially, equally eccentric leader, in his son, Kim Jong-un.

Although, here he is seen cracking a joke as he greets the North Korean generals.

So perhaps there is hope things will be loosening up.

However, if you find there are no more posts on this blog, I could be wrong...

Holy Flying Crappers!

And I thought that was just a figure of speech.

Imagine my surprize when I looked out my window and saw this jaunty fellow heading right for me.

Especially when I didn't know where he was going or when he would stop.

Once I got my bearings, I had a pretty good idea. But with something as potent as that, you don't want to take any chances. That it might just coming flying loose.

For a re-enactment, click below...

He's swaying pretty good - where's he going to stop?

Riverwalk

Took a hike through the local ravines and wound up at The Evergreen Brickworks.

Always amazed that this ravine system exists only steps from the tall skyscrapers and condos of downtown Toronto.

The Evergreen Brickworks, formerly the Don Valley Brickworks, sit on a flood plain at the confluence of Mud Creek and the Don River (shown here).

Thousands of years ago this was the mouth of a glacial river, which explains the presence of so much clay.

So The Don Valley Brickworks was the source for virtually all the bricks used for 20th Century Toronto's buildings.

Anyway, The Evergreen Brickworks is now home to different conservation efforts (restoring The Don River, children's education programmes, blah blah blah) and various artisans.

One of the most interesting pieces of artwork is a model of all the rivers flowing through Toronto. This model shows the five major rivers.

For those not in-the-know, I've labelled the three major ones, below.

And it shows all the tributaries that feed into the main rivers. Water actually flows through tubes and empties into "Lake Ontario", across the bottom.

To give you the scale, the tributaries start about 30 feet up the side of the building.

You can watch it for hours.

At least you can if you're retired.

4 AM?

Aw, c'mon!

I'm just starting to jiggy with it about then.....

Fine Dining...?

Out for a night of fun and fine dining.

Or so I thought.......

But first, some fine looking fermented beverages. It's amazing what you'll drink when it's on special.

So getting ready for a nice meal.

And decided to check out the art work on the wall over our shoulders.

Probably will compliment the menu suggestions nicely.

The one on the left looks to have a first ministers/last supper theme going. Okay. [But don't look at it too closely....]

Now let's take a closer look at the one beside it....


.....Yak!

If that don't make you choke on your cheeseburger....

Are there any children here?

I go outside to check on the name of this place. Is it owned by Caligula? After he'd gone blind, maybe?

Okay, it's actually The Loose Moose, in beautiful downtown TO.

But not all is lost; at least she's sporting a Blue Jays tattoo on her wobbly wazoo. And the amorous moose is wearing a Jays cap.

So I guess all is okay.

Alright, back for a another bite of that burger.....

Good To Their Word

A while back, I posted/blogged/ranted.....(you know the routine) about an old, but seedy, building that looked to be only moments away from the wrecker's ball.

See "Demo By Neglect" for a refresher.

In case you are too lazy too busy to click that link, here is an old picture of it.

So even though they were promising to renovate this former "budget hotel", I had my doubts.

I walked by there the other day, and couldn't believe what I saw.

Actually, I couldn't believe I had the right building. I had to search around to make sure there was not some other eyesore on a nearby corner.

So although they are not finished, they are certainly giving this place a new lease (maybe even literally as well as figuratively) on life.


I can't really tell if they put on a new façade or whether they just scrapped off all the crappy white paint.

Regardless, a good start anyway.....

When You Have Absolutely Run Out Of Good Ideas

Like me.....



Oh, this is a ball in our exercise room.

It's the smallest one.

Okay.

More tomorrow.

Maybe....it will be about the grey exercise ball....

What Chew Lookin' At Willis?

A slow day at the old retirement home. But even slower for the guys in this tank.

So when someone starts looking at them, well, they start looking back.

Somebody's Gotta Do It...

Getting The Evil Stink Eye...

I'm (Still) lookin' At You...WillisRelax dude....

Hey, You Are Really Pissing Me Off...Boy, for a bunch of little guys, they really have big attitude.

The two blue guys seems to be the most interested checking out who was checking them out. Everybody else just swam around 'til they bonked their nose, looked surprised, then swam back.

Ha Ha, Jim, You Crack Me Up..I guess they're not all bad. Unless this is some sort of rude, fish gesture.

"He thinks you're laughing."

Relax, But, Uhhh...I Wouldn't Touch Anything...

Yeah, Not Like The Regular Crap We Use

Time For A New Image?

Ja, maybe a makeover for the old UC would be a good idea.





Mmmmm....Not Bad...

But, Ahhh....Perfect....Really captures the true meaning of the essential UC.

Now, time for some beer and wings. Urp....

Did You Try A Plastic Bag Over Your Head?

Oh come on, like you didn't think of it, too.

You didn't?

Oh....so I'm the bad guy here....

I guess I am. With all the talk of bullying lately and kids taking their own lives, this is not a joking matter.

So if this got your attention - good.

[Ed. note: nice try at a last minute bail-out of a tasteless situation....]

Time Flies.....

This is a time lapse sequence - a very slow time lapse sequence - showing the leaves changing over the last couple of months.

An attempt was made to snap them all from the same spot.

Nowhere does it say a good attempt was made.

Looks like I started too late, as the colours had already started to change with the first photo.

Okay, so this ain't no National Geographic. So sue me.