The Blogerati Files: Days Go By

This week in the Blogerati Files, Christina Habberjam's Days Go By

Describe your blog in 10 words or less.
A personal experience of Toronto getting under my skin.

Why did you start your blog? Blogiversary?
I started my blog because I love to write, and I want more practice. I also wanted to use it as a way to keep in touch with clients and my family, all of which is overseas. Finally, moving to Toronto gave me so much to think and talk about, I wanted a way to document all the cool things that I do here. The blog's anniversary is April 19th, 2006, however some posts were brought over from a previously badly-managed version of my blog that used an overblown CMS, so the entries date back to June 2005.

How long have you lived in Toronto?
I moved to Toronto in September 2005. I'm a relative newbie, still...

What's the funniest/strangest thing that has happened to you in Toronto?
So, this one time, on the subway platform, a crazy man was yelling these offensive, prejudiced comments at another man. As the crazy man walked away, he kept yelling that he'd beat the other guy up. Then someone else came along and began whistling. The crazy guy started yelling about how our Canadian soldiers are over in other countries, dying so that this man could stand here whistling, how dare he, etc. The whistler just kept right on whistling louder.

What are some of the changes in Toronto that you have seen in your lifetime?
I remember when the Skydome didn't have that nasty, glaring "Rogers" logo attached to it. Also, the CN tower has got significantly more expensive and boring since the days when it held a relatively affordable arcade in its basement and it cost maybe $10 to go up to the top! That's pretty much all I remember from before, and I haven't lived downtown long enough to have noticed any significant differences since coming here.

What era, day or event in Toronto's history would you like to re-live and why?
I think I'd enjoy reliving the 1800s in Toronto. It was such an interesting time in history, and to see it being built would be really fascinating.

Who's your favourite Torontonian?
Without naming my friends, I think I'd like to point to Lori &Kevin of newmindspace.com. I love what they're doing with the socialscape of the city.

Can we believe everything you post on your blog?
Yes, unless I label it as "fictional".

Has blogging changed you or enhanced a personality trait?
I'd like to think my writing has improved, and will continue to do so, as a result of keeping up regular blogs and journals over the years.

Do you have a favourite post from your blog?
My favourite post from my blog is the importance of your website's content because I spent the most time composing it, mainly for my clients.

Have you had your 15 minutes yet?
Nah, still waiting. This could be it though! :) Oh wait, I did get to talk to Tom Green, before he became famous, on his radio show back in the day when he still lived in Ottawa. He was doing a spot making fun of stalkers, and I told him my stalker-related story that had happened that day with my best friend of the time. So yeah, I had Tom Green make fun of my situation on the air! Really cool.

Lose any friends or muck something up because of a post?
Nope. I'm being very careful these days about what goes public, what with Google 'n all.

Ever met a stranger who already knew you through your blog? How was that?
Yeah, actually. Bunnyhero! It was kind of odd - he recognized me on the street because I post a lot of photos of myself, and he seemed familiar to me too. But only having seen one or two photos of him, and seeing him on the street, I couldn't place him. As soon as he mentioned his alias though, I knew. So it was kind of strange, but really neat!

Fav bloggers?
I'm pleased to say one of them has been featured here before: Nancy Fielding of Neuroti.ca! Also, Christine Estima of the Spadina Monologues. Annnd the BlogTO team (not to suckup tooo much, but I do read this blog on a daily basis).

What's happening in Toronto right now that the rest of us should be watching?
The mayoral and city councilor elections coming up in November are definitely something to watch out for in Toronto. Probably also the changes to the waterfront, although I think that is a slower change.

If your blog were a food, what food would it be?
Something eclectic and hearty... hmm... a pizza from Pizza Pizza with garlic, broccoli, pepperoni, bacon bits and chicken slices. Hungry yet?

If you could gather all of the bloggers of the world together into one room and tell them one thing, what would it be?
Be careful what you put out there...

Anything else you'd like to add?
This place really does get under your skin...