these cow sculptures, known as "the pasture" created by the sculptor Joe Fafard, sit in the courtyard of TD Centre, a cluster of six buildings and a pavillion in the heart of the financial district of downtown toronto. in fine weather, this lawn would be teeming with office workers especially during weekday lunch hours.
the building on the right used to be known as the 'commercial union tower'. in 1993, a young lawyer fell to his death from the 24th floor of this building (word had it at the time) when, during an office reception, he demonstrated how strong the glass walls of the buildings were by charging the glass wall. apparently, the young lawyer had, on previous occasions, done the same thing and that on that fateful afternoon, he charged at the wall a second time whereupon the wall popped out of its frame and the unfortunate accident occurred.
the law firm i worked at at the time had offices in the adjacent building, and one of our young partners, who was coming from a meeting at another building, was passing by when it happened.
-o0o-
it's like doomsday in toronto with everyone worrying about the snow storm that's supposed to assault us overnight. everyone was asking me today if i was going to be in tomorrow. i said unless there's a thermonuclear explosion yes, i will be in. come on, people, it's just snow!
@northy - have you never learned to walk like a penguin? that's how i walk on ice. well, it's probably because i'm a senior citizen that's why i don't care if people find me weird or funny walking like a penguin. thanks, kiddo!
Great shot. I can imagine this must be a popular spot during lunch breaks in summer.
@northy - don't you have ice cleats or crampons you can put on your shoes? I use some cheap, small ones when I'm out hiking and I never have any problems walking on ice. They attach to the shoes with an elastic band and work equally great in town on icy pavements ;-)
so paradoxical - a pasture in the middle of the city! thanks, as always, for the fascinating back story! i also love your no-nonsense attitude toward snow!!
@helstor well - can't say that occurred to me... what happens once you're inside? because a good portion of my commute is in the subway... and of course ice isn't everywhere... but i must look into ice cleats for hiking since i'm still hurting from a spill i took while out with the camera sunday morning... tx for the idea!
The tree little words you NEVER hear in the south...."it's just snow!" Haha! That is so weird when people go through the glass windows. That happened to some people in a high rise hotel in Atlanta a while back... They were rough housing or dancing and one girl/lady went through the window/wall.
@northy - don't you have ice cleats or crampons you can put on your shoes? I use some cheap, small ones when I'm out hiking and I never have any problems walking on ice. They attach to the shoes with an elastic band and work equally great in town on icy pavements ;-)