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TORONTO SPORTS TOUR

New Year’s Eve 2016 and I’m sitting on a cold bench in the south end of BMO Field with my wife watching the Toronto Maple Leafs’ alumni outdoor hockey game. Taking in the spectacle of the event reminiscing about former fan favourites. Goalie Mike Palmateer, injured making a save on a penalty shot, forced to leave the game. Tie Domi, scoring to tie the game late in the third period against original six rivals Detroit Red Wings. Gary Roberts, who got into a heated shoving match with the Wings’ Kris Draper.

The Wings would win in overtime on a goal by Leafs’ current president Brendan Shanahan. But the score was hardly the point in this old timer’s game of shinny. Being part of a live sports event reminded me the enjoyment of watching the game not glued to my couch. With several of Toronto’s professional teams so close to home and with a new one coming in the new year – rugby’s Toronto Wolfpack – I decided that chilly afternoon to attend all eight of Toronto’s sports teams in 2017. Rock, Marlies, Toronto FC, Argonauts, Wolfpack, Blue Jays, Raptors and Maple Leafs. Here is my recap of my 2017 Toronto sports tour.

Vancouver Stealth vs Toronto Rock

Saturday, March 25, 7 pm – Air Canada Centre

My first Toronto sport outing featured the Toronto Rock hosting the Vancouver Stealth in National Lacrosse League action at the Air Canada Centre in downtown Toronto. The Rock dominate the first half and held an 8-2 advantage on their way to 13-7 victory, led by Dan Lintner’s hat-trick and Brett Hickey’s six-point night.

I’d been to only one previous Toronto Rock lacrosse game years ago and am not well versed in the sport, despite it being Canada’s national summer sport. (Hockey is the winter counterpart). I went alone to the game and purchased a ticket for $23 in the upper bowl at the box office before the game.

The Rock were founded in 1998 as the Ontario Raiders in Hamilton before moving the following year to Toronto and renamed the Rock. They have won six championships in their history. Lacrosse may look like hockey, but its fast-paced tempo resembles basketball.

A good vocal crowd was on hand.  Attendance announced at 9,266; the lower bowl of the ACC full, with a mostly sparse crowd in the upper section around me. Music played while the game was on, like basketball, but the public address announcer added commentary. When Rock goalie Nick Rose made a save, the announcer would say “Nick” and the crowd would add “Rose-eee” A fun bit of fan interaction that you don’t witness at other Toronto sporting events.

Lacrosse has a shot clock, which allows for non-stop action. Like hockey it has face-offs and a physical element to the sport. Despite the rough and tumble nature of the game there is respect among players. Perhaps because the players also have full-time jobs in the off-season.

Plenty of offence in the game as both teams battle back and forth. The crowd is entertained throughout with in-game promotions, including the always popular t-shirt cannon. People love free stuff.

Some fans wore Rock jerseys. Rose is named first star of the game. “Rose-eee!”

The game was done in just over two hours. A lively, energetic crowd and an entertaining fan experience for an affordable price.

Toronto Rock finished the regular season 9-9, losing to Georgia Swarm two games to none in the East division final.

Syracuse Crunch vs Toronto Marlies

Sunday, March 26, 5 pm – Ricoh Coliseum

Another day, another game. I took the short walk from my home in Liberty Village to Ricoh Coliseum to watch the Toronto Marlies and the Syracuse Crunch face off in American Hockey League action. Another walk-up ticket, a luxury in this often-crowded Toronto sports scene, and affordable at around $35 for a seat 11 rows up.

The Marlies shutout the Crunch 4-0 on this Sunday afternoon. The Marlies are the Maple Leafs’ minor league affiliate, the Crunch the Tampa Bay Lightning’s farm team. An odd descriptor as there is no farming whatsoever in hockey.

Former NHLer Colin Greening opens the scoring for the Marlies in the first. No scoring in the second period, but a couple of fights break out. Sorting out the ensuing penalties takes a considerable amount of time, stopping the flow of the game.

The Marlies add a pair of goals in the third to pull away and would add an empty netter to round out the scoring.

An energetic, good-sized crowd on hand, many of them kids from minor hockey teams sporting their team sweaters. Attendance was 6,420 in this nearly 8,000 seat arena.

The facility opened in 1922 on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition. It was renovated in 2003 and the Marlies started playing there in 2005.

Promotions during intermissions included, a Hungry Hippo game and puck toss, where fans threw rubber pucks at targets laid out on the ice. During breaks in action (TV timeouts) there were more promotions to help keep fans entertained. Mascot Duke the Dog is a constant presence throughout the game getting the crowd engaged with “Let’s go Marlies” chants and posing for pictures with kids.

A few Marlies’ sweaters dotted the crowd, but mostly Leafs’ sweaters donned by spectators.

Goals, fights and a save by Marlies’ goalie Garret Sparks early in the third elicited the biggest cheers. As did a thundering hit by Marlies defenceman Steve Olesky late in the game.

A fun and family friendly atmosphere. At the conclusion of the game, a man sitting next to me high-fived me celebrating the Marlies victory. Nice to have a shared experience with strangers at a sporting event.

Marlies finished the regular season 40-27-15 and would lose in the second round of the playoffs in seven games to the same Syracuse Crunch.

Marlies would go on to win the Calder Cup in 2018.

Toronto FC vs Colorado Rapids

Saturday, July 22 – 7 pm – BMO Field

After a few months, I ventured out to see the third of eight Toronto sports teams. Toronto FC taking on the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer action down by the lake at BMO Field. The teams played to a 1-1 draw in front of a sell-out crowd of 28,060.

On a warm Saturday evening in late July, I made the short walk from home with my friend Jamie. The game was nearly sold out so we only managed standing room tickets in the north end for $39 each. This would be only my second TFC game live and first in quite awhile. It was challenging to see over other standing spectators in our section, but my taller friend didn’t seem to have the same concern.

TFC joined MLS in 2007 and finally made the playoffs in 2015.

Toronto opened the scoring in the fifth minute, Jay Chapman notching his first-ever MLS goal. TFC controlled the balance of play in the first half but couldn’t add to their lead.

The crowd was loud and enthusiastic throughout the game, a trait I notice when watching games on TV. Particularly the south end fans who bang drums, sing and dance and stand for the entire game.

Both teams were without key players as they were playing for their respective national teams. TFC were minus stars Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley. Several fans wore both of those player’s jerseys, but the majority were sporting the number 10 of Sebastian Giovinco, the diminutive Italian striker.

At half time, we ventured to some empty club seats in the south end with beautiful views of Lake Ontario and a pleasant breeze on this muggy summer night. As expected, we were kicked out by an usher before the start of the second half. We stood in the south end concourse to take in the action admiring the rabid south end fans.

We managed to find some recently vacated seats for the final 15 minutes of the game.  People had left early to probably beat traffic. Good seats and nice to finally sit down.

The Rapids would spoil the crowd’s vibe by scoring in the 76th minute to tie the game. The final few minutes were filled with penalties, injuries and yellow cards handed out to both sides. In the final five minutes, the entire stadium stood and cheered as TFC valiantly tried to retake the lead to no avail.

Other than announcing the two goals and yellow cards you don’t hear the PA announcer: a stark contrast to other sports.

An excellent atmosphere and outing with a friend. A few alcoholic beverages helped too.

Toronto FC finished the regular season 20-9-5 and would capture their first MLS Cup on December 9, defeating the Seattle Sounders 2-0 at BMO Field.

Ottawa Redblacks vs Toronto Argonauts

Monday, July 24 – 7:30 pm – BMO Field

Two days later, back at BMO Field with the same friend to watch Ottawa Redblacks take on the Toronto Argonauts in Canadian Football League action. This time the tickets were free. Thanks, Jamie.

Another warm July evening to watch some live Toronto sports. A sparse crowd of just over 15,000 on this rare Monday night game. It was the 1996/97 alumni game, honouring some players at halftime of the back-to-back Grey Cup winning teams. It was also Flutie bobblehead giveaway, but we arrived too late to score a pair.

The Argonauts are Toronto’s oldest professional sports teams. Founded in 1873 as part of the Argonaut Rowing Club.

A decent game with plenty of offense, which saw the home side lead early before the visiting squad tied it. Toronto would prevail against their provincial rivals 27-24 with a field goal on the last play of the game. The fans present were vocal and cheered on the double blue. But with the stadium only half full there was a definite lack of energy and crowd noise. Quite the contrast to the TFC game just 48 hours prior.

Most jerseys in the crowd were of Flutie and another Argonaut great Mike “Pinball” Clemons, the current team president, who drew cheers when he was running the sidelines with his 100-watt smile.

Cheerleaders along the players side of the field added some much-needed pep to the game.

A fun game albeit a lacklustre crowd on this Monday night. Outside the stadium some people were selling the bobbleheads for $25 each.

Argonauts finished the regular season 9-9 and won their 17th Grey Cup on November 26 in Ottawa. Defeating the Calgary Stampeders by the same score as this game, 27-24.

Newcastle Thunder vs Toronto Wolfpack

Saturday, August 19 – 4:30 pm

The Toronto Wolfpack are the newest addition to the Toronto sports landscape and became the first transatlantic team to enter play in the Kingstone Press League 1; Rugby league’s third division.

Despite being a fan of many sports, rugby is not one of them, so it was with added interest when I ventured out to see the Wolfpack play in their inaugural season.

Another short walk this time to Lamport Stadium accompanied by my wife. “How come I haven’t gone to any of the games with you?” she playfully asked. We purchased two tickets at the box office prior to the game for $25, using a two-for-one coupon. The ticket read TBD for who the Wolfpack would be playing. On the stadium scoreboard, it indicated “Home” and “Guest” so, the Wolfpack’s opponent was a mystery to me until I got home.

It was a lopsided game as the Wolfpack demolished the Newcastle Thunder 50-0. I was not informed on rugby league rules (there is also rugby union which has different rules).

Each team consists of 13 players and four reserves on the bench. The game is divided into two 40-minute halves. The clock only stops for injury timeouts in the mostly non-stop action of this physical sport. Scoring system is four points for a try, like a touchdown in football. A conversion following a try is worth two. I could overhear spectators inquiring about the rules; I wasn’t the only one at a loss.

Attendance was 8,500 in the 9,600-stadium named after former mayor of Toronto Allan A. Lamport, located on King St. W. just north of the CNE grounds. A couple of times kicks sent the ball sailing over the fence onto King St., no doubt to the shock of cars and pedestrians passing by. Lamport only features bench seating so not as comfortable as regular seats at Toronto’s other sport venues.

The outcome of the game was never in doubt as the Wolfpack led 22-0 at halftime. Players wear no padding and the sounds of bodies colliding at full force elicited several gasps from the appreciative crowd. A yellow card for a penalty was handed near the end of the game as things got a bit testy in this blowout.

Watching my first live rugby game was a unique experience. The bench seating and antiquated scoreboard had more of minor league feel, but the crowd was into the one-sided contest adding to the fun atmosphere.

Wolfpack finish with a 20-1-1 record and won their division, promoting them to the second tier RFL Championship.

Boston Red Sox vs Toronto Blue Jays

Tuesday, August 29 – 7 pm – Rogers Centre

Tuesday evening in late August and this time a baseball game on the 2017 Toronto sports calendar. I attended with my wife once again to watch the last place Toronto Blue Jays against the first place Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre in Major League Baseball action.

The Red Sox led by ace Chris Sale blank the Jays 3-0. Sale pitched 7-plus innings, striking out 11 and allowing only three hits. Little for the crowd to get excited about.

The Rogers Centre, formerly Skydome, had the roof closed which dampened the atmosphere. We sat in the 500 section behind home plate, tickets costing $35 a piece.

The Blue Jays entered the league in 1977 and won back-to-back World Series Championships in 1992/93. The glory years.

Despite an announced crowd of 34,674, with the Jays playoff hopes out of reach there was a definite lack of energy for this weekday game. A meek attempt at a wave stalled before it could even get started late in the game.

My unscientific jersey survey showed that Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson and Marcus Stroman were the most popular donned by fans.

A few promotions throughout the game tried to add some much-needed buzz to this lacklustre game. The jumbotron played some videos and the reoccurring promotion to see which section is loudest. Do fans think this is real; how can the much smaller 200 section possibly compete with the larger 100 level?

With Jays mired in last place and generating no runs it was not as fun a game as can be. Especially in comparison to when the dome is open, and the Jays are a competitive team.

Blue Jays finished with a record of 76-86 and missed the playoffs.

Brooklyn Nets vs Toronto Raptors

Friday, December 15 – 7:30 pm – Air Canada Centre

It had been over three months since my last sports outing. With just two weeks left in the year I still had two more games to attend: Raptors and Leafs. The two most expensive tickets. Probably why I left it to last. Also, my dad passed away suddenly at the end of November, so completing my sports-watching goal obviously wasn’t top of mind.

Still grieving I decided to complete my goal of attending all eight Toronto sport’s teams. I’m sure there are other professional teams in TO but for me, eight is enough.

On a Friday night, 10 days before Christmas, along with my wifey once again – “see I went to three games with you” – we headed to the ACC to catch the Toronto Raptors take on the Brooklyn Nets in a National Basketball Association game. The Raptors joined the NBA in 1995 and had yet make it to the Finals.

The Raps led by 10 after the first quarter. The Nets took a short-lived lead in the second, but Toronto dominated the rest of the way, cruising to a 120-87 victory.

Our seats were in the reds at $122.50 a seat. Unlike TFC and Wolfpack I had been to several Raptors games. It’s always a fun, fast-paced environment. From opening tip to the final horn in about two hours. With the theatrics of player introductions, the in-house DJ it has more of a concert or night club feel. Loud, hip and high energy.

Stoppages in play are filled with pulsating music and the Raptors Dance Pack, and the always entertaining mascot, Raptor. Best mascot on the Toronto sports scene.

The Raptors were led by star point guard Kyle Lowry. With the victory all but secured, Lowry stayed in the game in the fourth to register a rebound to complete the triple-double: double digits in points, rebounds and assists. Lowry immediately fouled a Brooklyn player so he could be substituted and left the game to an appreciative sold out crowd of 19,800.

Toronto FC star Giovinco, sitting courtside, was introduced. TFC had recently captured the team’s first MLS Cup and was treated to a standing ovation for helping bring a championship back to a Toronto-starved fan base.

My jersey check revealed that #7 Lowry and #10 DeMar DeRozan led the way. A few vintage #15 Vince Carters dotted the crowd as well.

An easy victory for the home side and a fun atmosphere as usual for the pre-holiday crowd on a Friday night.

Raptors finish regular season 59-23 and lose in the Conference semifinals 4-0 to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Raptors would win their first NBA championship a year later in 2019.

Carolina Hurricanes vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Tuesday, December 19 – 2 pm – Air Canada Centre

With just 12 days till the end of the year, I attended the eighth and final game. The Toronto Maple Leafs versus the Carolina Hurricanes in the Next Century game, celebrating 100 years of the National Hockey League.

The Maple Leafs donned their original Toronto Arenas sweaters dating back to 1917. The rare afternoon start time mid-week was to encourage younger fans to attend and help usher in the next century. The Leafs’ franchise has won 13 Stanley Cup titles but haven’t won in over half a century.

The Leafs dominated the entire game, crushing the Canes 8-1. I purchased a single ticket at face value for $233.50 in the reds. That total was nearly the entire cost for the other seven games combined.

Prior to the game, the video monitor above centre ice played a montage of Leafs’ highlights from the past century. With a younger audience and celebratory atmosphere, it was a more vocal crowd then the usual button-down affair of most games, starting with the singing of the Canadian national anthem. A boisterous “Go Leafs Go” chant commenced just two minutes into the game.

Leafs jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead and were up 4-1 after one. A couple of fights also got the crowd excited during the first period of action. No scoring in the second then the floodgates opened in the third as the Leafs scored four to the delight of another sell out crowd of 19,288.

In-game promotions included “Super fan” pumping up the fans by ripping off Toronto Arena t-shirts and throwing them into the hyped-up audience. The always popular t-shirt cannon made an appearance. Always a fan favourite.

The most common Leafs’ sweater was #34 Auston Matthews, out with an upper body injury. Unofficially, #16 Mitch Marner followed by #29 William Nylander as the most popular sweaters.

During the second intermission, I noticed I was sitting one seat over from Marner’s parents. Marner would record a career-high four-point game and be credited with the game winning goal. After the game I shook their hands (pre COVID-19) and congratulated them on their son’s great game. Dad shrugged, “not bad for about 12 minutes of ice time.”

When Leafs’ Leo Komarov scored in the third, I thought of my great nephew, Leo, who was born earlier in January – a new addition to the De Sousa family in 2017 – and then to the loss of my dad weeks earlier. Birth and death, this is life.

A convincing win. Energetic and loud crowd. A perfect cap to my tour of Toronto sports teams.

Maple Leafs would finish regular season 49-26-7 and lose in the first round of the playoffs in seven games to the Boston Bruins.

With my tour of the eight professional Toronto teams complete, a moment for some reflection.

As a fan attending a live sporting event you never know what will transpire on the ice, court or field; it is unscripted drama. But as far as the crowd and non-game action goes, I would have to say, in my humble opinion, that the best atmosphere was at the Toronto FC outing. Followed closely by the Toronto Raptors.

TFC crowds, particularly the south end section, are loud and engaged the entire game. Regardless of what is happening on the pitch.

Raptor game was a close second. The energy by fans and in-game promotions help elevate the event to an entertaining experience.

The Leafs’ game was excellent. The fact that it was the Next Century game with a younger audience and a lopsided score helped to bring the normally sedate crowd to another level.

As with the Blue Jays’ game, the fact the Jays were in last place and the dome was closed made it dull. A better product on the field and the dome open helps drastically increase the buzz.

The Rock, Marlies and Wolfpack all provide a fun atmosphere at reasonable ticket prices.

The Argonauts struggling for attendance was the least energetic crowd. My ticket was free, so you get what you pay for.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Amidst this coronavirus pandemic the world is feeling a lot of anxiety and stress. People are feeling a range of emotions. The people who have lost their lives and their loved ones being the hardest affected. Those suffering with the virus not knowing if they will fully recover. The thousands of people around the world in a 14-day isolation. Millions more in countries that have issued lockdowns or “stay-at-home” directives. Basically, everyone on earth, the seven billion-plus people are going through this viral outbreak. Together.

The unknown of how long this will last adds to the uncertainty. Medical professionals the world over stating it will get worse before it gets better. The death toll and number of cases rising every hour. Hardest hit nations like US, UK, Brazil, Italy, France and Spain are experiencing catastrophic death tolls. Sadly, with more to come. Hospitals in Italy at one point far past capacity. Doctors deciding who to treat in some cases with hospitals running out of critical supplies.

The saying goes, “tough times don’t build character, it reveals it.” On one side there are people – mostly the younger generation who feel a sense of invincibility – that are not taking this pandemic seriously enough. Ignoring social distancing rules. Going about their daily lives. Travelling to the beach on spring break. Hanging out with friends. Going out to buy that all important video game.

The other side, which thankfully appears to be the majority, are following the advice and guidelines of health professionals and governments. Washing their hands; staying at home other than trips to the grocery store, pharmacy or going to work, for those who can’t work from home and still have a job to go to.

While health concerns are the priority, the global economic downturn is another major impact. Thousands of businesses shutting down. Millions of employees being laid off. Not knowing when they will be able to return to work. Unsure how they will pay their bills if they have enough money for food. A global recession a certainty as predicted by financial experts. Over a trillion dollars lost in the stock market in a matter of days earlier on.

So much heartache. The onslaught of news overwhelming. Mental health being tested, daily. Despite the horrific circumstances and those who downplay this as media hype and ignore the guidelines there are stories of people supporting one another.

In these politically toxic times with hyper-partisanship and social media breeding further hostilities, dividing people further, people do see us as one giant collective. Strangers helping neighbours who can’t get groceries. Messages of thanks to front line workers in the battle against this invisible threat.

You wonder what lessons society will learn once this pandemic drifts away in the rear-view mirror. Will governments see the need to be better prepared for the next virus outbreak? Hospitals, supply chains, staffing. Will leaders not ignore the warnings and be honest with citizens instead of downplaying the potential threats? Will social distancing, rigorous handwashing be as common as brushing your teeth? Will fear be heightened causing people to avoid large gatherings and to live in isolation even more than they are now? Will people see the importance of coming together to combat things like climate change, intolerance, hate and misinformation?

Or as the memory of this time fades away will people forget this dark patch in history? Will people just be glad to return to a routine: Going to work, getting together with family and friends? Not think twice about shaking hands or hugging? Not obsessively disinfecting your hands every time you touch something.

All these questions remain unanswered as we are still in the eye of the viral storm, but once a new normal emerges will COVID-19 be a turning point, a watershed moment for our fractured world or just a blip in time as we all just go back to the way it was?

NO GOING BACK

Back in the late 90s, I drove a car with no reverse. For one year. I didn’t plan to. It just kind of happened and I let it.

It was the Monday after Superbowl Sunday 1998. Early morning and I was driving my 1987 Honda Prelude to the Clarkson GO station. Just a couple of minutes after I left home, I was making a left turn onto Upper Middle Rd in Oakville when I heard a loud popping sound emanating from the engine. I could still drive, but the engine was now revving much higher.

After driving a short distance, as the engine wailed, I realized, “this isn’t good,” so, I turned right off the next street and decided to head back; unsure if the car would even make it home. Attempting to make a three-point turn proved impossible because I discovered that the car did not have reverse.

I cursed out loud, “fuckin’ damn shit!” Never one to be mechanically inclined, even I could conclude I had tranny problems. Not problems with transvestites, but my transmission was pooched. All I could think of on the short ride home was, “please car don’t die in the middle of the road” and “how much is the going to cost to fix?”.

I still lived at home, but was attending university full time, working only part-time; with little savings and car dependant living in the suburbs.

The following day, I drove to a mechanic to get it checked, bracing for the worst. Obviously, a car is not your health, but being so reliant on one I felt the nerves of someone awaiting test results. The diagnosis was bad. The fourth gear on my automatic transmission was gone along with reverse.

The cost to replace the transmission was in the thousands of dollars; far more than this 11-year-old car with high mileage was worth. Between driving to school, work and socializing, public transit wasn’t even on my radar. I decided to shop for a used car. In the meantime, I could still drive this car. Afterall, it still went forward, and they say in life to always look forward.

I searched for used cars in the newspaper (it was still early days of the internet) and I picked up a copy of the Auto Trader magazine which came out on Thursdays. I quickly realized that anything decent was out of my price range and was reluctant to get into debt since I was still months away from graduating. Any car that was only a couple of thousand dollars was old, had high clicks and bound to have problems sooner or later. The fear of buying a lemon soured me.

So, I decided to drive this no reverse automobile as long as I could figuring it would probably die soon forcing my hand to find a reasonable replacement. Little did I think I’d be driving like this for nearly an entire year. But I did and lived to tell the story.

Aside from the car revving super high, oh, and the no reverse thing, it was safe and got me from point A to point B reliably. Surprisingly, having a car with no ability to back up wasn’t as difficult as you might think. I only found myself in a bind maybe half a dozen to 10 times throughout the whole year.

First, my mom’s house has a driveway with a gentle slope. Backing up involved putting the car in neutral, coasting down backwards and then promptly putting it in drive. At the school parking lot, I would look for a spot that I didn’t need to reverse out of, even if it meant parking further away. The odd time I would find a spot that had a car in front of me and just hoped it would be gone once I was done with classes. Luckily it usually was. Other times it wasn’t. I would have to put the car in neutral and push the car a few feet until I had clearance to drive away.

When the school year was done, I worked full-time downtown at a hotel. I would take the GO train on weekdays following the same parking lot protocol. On weekends I’d drive to work using the right lane on the highway. The engine would sound like a sewing machine about to blow because of the lack of a higher gear. Ah, fun memories.

There was the time we had a substantial snowfall and backing out of the driveway was not possible. My brother helped by finding a fallen tree branch, as I sat in the car, he shoved the piece of wood under the front bumper and hoisted it up until the car got some traction and slowly slide backwards.

On another occasion, I was on a first date and we went to a watch a movie near Bloor and Runnymede in Toronto. I didn’t dare mention to her that my automobile had no reverse. I pulled into the crowded parking lot and could not find any spots that I could drive into without another car blocking my exit. I nervously drove around as she pointed out, “there’s a spot, there’s another one.” I finally had no choice but to park, hoping the car in front would be gone once the movie was over. I don’t recall the movie because I was too busy worrying that the car in front of mine would still be there and I would have to embarrassingly explain my no reverse ride on a first date. Quite the impression. Mercifully, there was no car in front, and I was able to drive away. Phew!

One time on a Friday night, I was driving to Toronto with a friend, searching for parking on a side street. I realized too late that it was dead end. As it dawned on my friend that we had no way to turnaround the look on his face was priceless as he yelled out, “ahhh, fuck!” Knowing that he’d be getting out to help me push the car. We had a good laugh. Thanks, buddy.

Months dragged on and the mileage racked up on the Honda, which was otherwise driving fine. Other than changing the oil I didn’t spend a dollar on maintenance. Just waiting for it die.

Once when I was washing the care. Not sure why, I guess I still had some pride. My nephew, Mathew, who was seven at the time was riding his bike around. When he returned to the house, he started to lose his balance and his handlebar dragged the entire length of the passenger side leaving a huge scratch. I looked up to see his little face horrified at the damage he accidentally caused. He thought I’d be mad. I took one look at the scratch and shrugged, “Oh, whatever. I don’t care. Don’t worry about it.” Then we laughed.

Another no reverse setback was in a parking lot across from Sheridan College in Oakville, which I was attending. Unable to park in my usual manner, I pulled in and crossed my fingers that the car in front would be gone when I returned. Not this time. But I was wasn’t fazed. I had become a pro at minor setbacks. Except this time the car was on a slight incline and I could not push it over the hump to leave. After several minutes of trying in vain I had no choice but to wait till the car left. I sat in my car cursing myself for my stupidity for driving a vehicle with no fucking reverse, telling myself that I had to buy another car. It was about 30 minutes before the offending car finally left.

But then I would go about my life, driving and not needing to back up the car most of the time.

Seasons changed and the car eventually developed other ailments. Going though a drive thru in the winter, I put down the power window to collect my food, but then it wouldn’t go back up. I drove home freezing with the window down the whole way. It did go back up when I got home, but I was hesitant to put it down ever again.

The problems kept mounting. On Christmas Eve, while having dinner with family at my mom’s house, the car’s horn went off involuntarily. Just one loud continuous wail. We went outside in a panic and took the fuse out to stop the incessant blaring and put the fuse back thinking we had solved the problem.

Later, in the middle of the night there was a knock on the door. From the police. The horn had gone off again and a neighbour had called the cops. I went outside in my robe in the dark and still groggy from just being awoken and I couldn’t find the fuse to pull out. I explained the situation to the officer, and he said I had to do something. I decided to drive to a high school a block away and just leave it there. The cruisier followed me to drop of the crying beast and drove me back home. If neighbours had been looking out their window, they would have saw me get out the back of a cruiser in my robe at three o’clock early Christmas morning. What a site.

The next morning, I retrieved my car; the horn still blaring like a wounded animal. In the light of day, I was finally able to find the fuse and make the horn stop. In a cruel twist, the fuse that operated the horn was the same one for the rear brake lights. Fearful the horn would go off again I weighed my options and decided I need brake lights more, so days later got my brother to use bolt cutters to remove the horn.

Now driving with no horn even I realized this was unsafe. The final straw was when the front brakes started deteriorating; to the point of metal on metal grinding when I applied the brakes.

Approaching one year of this driving predicament I finally had some money saved and for my own safety and the safety of others I shopped for a used car, buying a 1994 Ford Probe GT, picking it up on the Friday before Superbowl Sunday. That’s when I started the habit of always reversing the car when I park. Amazingly, I got $100 for the beat-up Honda from a junkyard.

Driving the Probe felt like driving a brand-new car to me. Proper brakes, power windows that worked, a functioning horn and an automatic transmission with all the gears. Including reverse.