This time every year for about the past gazillion I've headed down to the North American International Auto Show at Detroit's Cobo Hall with the Motoring TV gang. It's there that we've been witness to some of the most extravagant presentations and parties the automotive world has ever seen. As one of now somewhere around 5000 journalists who get accredited all of us have the same motive... grab the best spot to record and witness the unveiling of a new vehicle. Presentations have included trucks dropping from the ceiling, crashing through windows, leap frogging lily pads, torrential snow storms and even being escorted through downtown Detroit with a hundred head of long horned cattle. The launches are held at Cobo Hall which is probably as big as the field of Comerica Park. Something that has always alluded me is that there has never been a physical confrontation amongst journalists. I've certainly spoken up on occasion to drop the f bomb on lingering reporters and their microphones that sometimes sneak into our "exclusive" interviews. But ironically everyone seems to get along. Even if you can't speak the language of the journalist usually some hand signs go a long way. I could probably write a book on my experiences alone. Like this one.
Back in 2008 I'm set up waiting for a Mitsubishi premiere when another cameraman comes up to me a says that he just came in from out front of the hall having a smoke when all of a sudden a police car t-boned another car leaving the parking garage and apparently it's the cop's fault.
Well...thank God for timing as we had about twenty minutes before the presentation so I whipped out and grabbed half a dozen shots. At one point an officer asked me to stand back from the cruiser since it was still part of the crime scene. Looking back at the pictures I remember how eerie the sight was and the lack of people around the area of the wreck. It was like a Twilight Zone set. Very surreal.
Let's see what tomorrow brings. I'm guaranteed eye candy.
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