Editor's Notes 2012 - Miguel and Once Upon a Time, West Coast Midnight Run™

me and told me "these are all yours" and he loaded me with the boxes as I trudged a few inches from where he was sitting and sat on the floor and didn't know how or where to start. I was dizzy from the excitement and the unexpected turn. A few minutes ago I thought I was going to be punished and lectured and now I was enjoying presents beyond my wildest expectations. And most of all … they were beautiful cars, trucks and all kind of matchbox wheels. The next batch included a beautiful red Camaro, a Batman and Robin classic 60s BatCruiser, Formula One race cars, a Lamborghini Muira …and many more.

For the next hour, my dad and mom kept pulling small boxes for me and all told there were almost 100 Matchbox wheels and toys for me and I was blown away over the insane amount of cars I was being bestowed with. I could not for one moment believe these were all mine to play and have fun with.

And finally, my mom asked me if I had a place to store all of my beautiful cars. I looked at her not realizing what she was driving at. I said I did not really understand what she was asking me. Then she smiled, turned around and pulled up a huge box made of cardboard and plywood and wrapped in thick vinyl decorative tape. It was a large scaled building with doors and a ramp, all handmade. My mom and dad informed me this is a garage for me to store my cars when I am done playing with them.

I didn't know what to say or think. I was now the proud owner of more small cars than any kid (and possibly all of the kids combined) on the block and I had a huge garage to boot which nobody did have. Many of the cars in my collection were the most recent models, shiny and beautiful. I really could not believe what just had happened and did not know how to thank my parents, ever, for this

Christmas,knowing well there was no Santa Claus and it was all their hard earned money they were sacrificing for us and for the holidays.

And this my dear readers is one of the best days I have ever had, in memory, to this date that I wanted to share with you and one of the principal reasons “West Coast Midnight Run™” is all about automotive themes and not one of many other motifs we could have selected for the magazine, such as sailing, consumer electronics, science fiction or architecture and urban development.

There are many other reasons to be sure, however for me, this is my favorite memory that I always associate with the reason we gave the magazine a heavy motoring and driving tilt.

Some of my staff covering the Middle East, from various industry backgrounds, informed me that in the exotic, and completely foreign to me, language of the region, driving is the colloquial word for marketing.

Driving and to drive is synonymous with taking to market, merchandising and marketing.

Driving is also the local word for leadership or leading.

Soo I guess I have my reasons and they can tell me theirs all
they want. I have never
ventured into that region.

Seeing is believing, my guess one of these days I may pack up for a trip to the lands of the Pyramids, drift in
a cruise on the Nile and learn all
of the interesting intersections
between our culture and theirs.

For now, a trip to Acapulco, Madrid, or Paris, a shining beacon in Europe, would be a grand vacation - if only my schedule could allow such luxury.

Happy Holidays to all of our readers and hope to host you all next year.