Mild Reference Point

It used to be called the Crystal. Not to be confused with the Diamond on the east side of the city. A motel on the way to the Sunset Strip and certainly not a signpost of great significance. Just something a boy passes on the way out of town. Onto Derby township, past the Burger King and Woolco before heading up the hill to Springmount and onward to the farm.

But in a way.

It was the first place he saw weekly and monthly rates available, on the sign out front. Motels and hotels up to that point had been places for nights and holidays, not long term stays. Not everyone takes holidays he found out later, and those that do generally don’t stay at the Crystal.

Later, the name stayed but the sign changed. It lost its plastic gem approximation and gained the brand. The beer. Crystal. A beer he later discovered to be an Owen Sound, Grey and Bruce County favourite. Labatt would have ended the line years ago if it didn’t have this pocket of Ontario thirsty, or so the story goes and grows.

An older boy smiled at this development now knowing, according to provincial surveys, the regional reputation for drinking. A sign like a beer’s label. Monthly rates. He catches the drift and feels clever for it.

Today it’s the Knights Inn, part of a chain, freshly painted and looking spiffy. A new reputation to uphold.

The boy now knows what hourly rates mean, something he saw in a movie, but hasn’t seen any signs.

Back in OS CAN again

I really need to make sure I don't let time drift by without writing. There are many things of interest around regular life that I'm sure I can write about. So far all I have is the people I saw out the bus window at the Barrie bus station.

I'll work on something a bit more clever than that.