On Time? In Toronto the Gods Conspire (almost every day)
It is a form of urban karma. No matter how hard one tries to be on time, the city conspires to get in the way. Friday morning. Breakfast in Yorkville. 8 am. Almost right on time. But no, access to Yorkville denied because the street is blocked off and filled with expensive cars. Movie shoot? Don't know but all the cars carried the words Gumball 3000.
By the time breakfast was over - 9.30 am, the cars were gone and the street was open. On my way to an important meeting. Toronto Star. University Avenue closed. Pharmacists on strike. No, my wife was working, but a few of her fellow pharmacists were doing their best to make me late. They succeeded.
Lunch time at Dundas Square, just prior to an Omni TV interview with a client. Nude TV decided to shoot the news in the square (female announcer takes off clothes while she reads the news) near the front door of the Omni / CITY TV building. Crowd gathered quickly. Had trouble making my way into the studio. Open space blocked by gawkers. Rest of square turned over to M&M Meats. Fundraiser for some worthy cause (never did find out what) all hot dogs and hamburgers $2.50.
Celebrity chefs in action. Didn't want my food cooked by Mike Holmes (probably enough sawdust in the food to begin with) so I opted to buy from mayoral candidate Giorgio Mammoliti. Didn't have the heart to make him give me a hot dog, out of pity I got a veggie burger instead.
Omni taping successful but long. How long? 6 minute interview took 2-hours. Got to hit rush hour traffic all the way up Yonge Street. Still a successful day (shoulda ordered the hot dog).
Back at home I checked on the Gumball 3000, turns out it is an annual 3,000 mile international road rally which takes place on public roads, with a different 3,000 mile route around the world each year. According to Wikipedia the Rally was "founded in 1999 by Maximillion Cooper, it sees an annual entry of 120 cars, which are mostly exotic and powerful sports cars. However, more unusual entries, such as police cars and campervans, have been seen."
CUTLINES: Two top photos. Yorkville streets in Toronto closed off to traffic so that the cars taking part in the Gumball 3000 rally could be parked for the night.
Middle. New OMNI TV host Ms. Surbhi Guleria talks on set to Upkar Arora, for the TV show Baddhai-Ho. Mr. Arora is being interviewed because he is the new chair at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg.
Bottom. Chef Giorgio Mammoliti
