Phillip Hong
18 February, 2006

 

If I am ever reminded of an event that lets you feel and touch the product, let it not be a night at the strip club.

 

The aroma sprayed on the cars sickly seduced us into the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, on such a cold morning. Like last year, we were ready to continue this great convention of old and new, fragrant and smelling, and clunky and sleek. This is no Hong Kong on a weekend market, but it certainly was a little more exciting for us men.

 

When Mike and I (Phil) arrived in Union Station on the morning of our tenure, Brandon was a mad hatter, trying to reach us every station or so while I vainly try to answer his calls on a subway train; remember that I am talking about a person who drinks tea with calorie-free Splenda.

 

"You said 10 o'clock, what happened to you?!?" he screamed and our faces and our legacy tape recorder, as he sat in a Canadian-owned fast food establishment located within the station (which I will not name). He mustn't blame me for the subway delays, however, and the lack of on-time attendance was forgotten easily.

 

2006 has been a wonderful year so far, especially for Move Mania: We celebrated the countdown to New Years in Niagara Falls (which included me crossing the border into the US side to disappointment); and, Mike and I went to the Federal Government building in Toronto's North End so he could get himself a wonderful shiny passport.

 

This is also the first time Mike and Brandon have ever seen each other before in person, which might baffle you. This is THE FIRST TIME they have done something together IN PERSON, and however anxious you are it turned out to be a great time.

 

Security!

 

One of the differences that I could see in this year's Auto Show is that there was a much more pronounced police presence within the venues. It can be a scary experience or a securing thought, but as I mentioned that thought to either Mike or Brandon they both shrug it off and call this normal. There's something they have in common.

 

One thing that definitely did not change was the Alcohol truck from the Toronto Police Department that was sitting at the entrance into Rogers Centre. This was same venue that garnered much controversy after it was renamed the Rogers Centre from its former name; so controversial, Brandon and I were turned off by its new name. Anyways, the alcohol testing vehicle is still there.

 

It was, an overall, wonderful day. The vehicles have changed, but its charm hasn't. Brandon and I were definitely in awe with the new Hyundai Accent, just like we were last year. This time, I could actually fit my feet into the back of the car. So no matter what, driver or passenger, the road to life will include interesting rituals like visiting the Autoshow.

 

Oh, and did I mention? I didn't sleep a wink the night before so I spent all my time on the subway and bus ride home asleep. Thank god I'm used to commuter naps.