It's A Helluva Town

I love Toronto. Have I mentioned this? I've been all over the world, and I have not liked one single place more than home.

Yesterday gave me a "I love this city" moment. I was walking through the Eaton Centre (big honking multi-floor mall in the middle of downtown), and in the doors walks Andrea Bargnani. 7 feet tall, 250 lbs, 21 years old... and the NBA #1 overall draft pick. He's been tearing it up the last few months for the Raptors, scoring consecutive Rookie of the Month honours and has become a force on the team.

Nobody noticed.

At first.

Then, a kid smacks another kid and whispers "Hey! That's Bargnani!" No shit Sherlock, you see any other 7-foot Italians walking around?

Andrea strolls down the hall a bit, and one or two heads turn as he passes. He stops, scratches his head and looks around, seemingly a bit lost. Then he continues on.

Not one person approached him in a full mall in the middle of a city of 3 million. No, "Hey! Great game last night!" or "Andrea Bargnani #1!" not even an "Italia!!" (trust me, you hear it here). No, it's not because Toronto is a hockey town. The Raps have developed a pretty solid following since they started, and they've got some serious buzz this year with their play. They're 1st in their division after all, and 4th in the conference. I've seen Mats Sundin, Doug Gilmour, Pinball Clemons, Carlos Delgado, Roy Halladay and tons of other sports stars walk the streets undisturbed. During the film festival, stars are wandering all over the place, and the most anyone does is look or take a picture from afar.

Is it because Torontonians are respectful? Naw, it's because we don't really give a shit who you are, just stop walking so damn slowly in front of me.

I love my city.