One day (not that) long, long ago, in a happy fit of energy, a two and half year-old boy named Miguelito threw a little green car into a garage piled high to the roof with boxes.  The volume of boxes made it impossible to look for, so the car was taken for lost and forgotten about.

Or at least until months and months later, when the garage was cleaned out, the little green car was found and given to me to deliver to Miguelito.  Instead, the little green car has come with me on my travels.  In my temporary custody, the little green car has begun traveling the world, and this blog exists to chronicle those travels for Miguelito, my nephew.  These have become The Ongoing Adventures of Miguelito’s Little Green Car.

When Miguelito turns 18 (in 2021), I’ll conclude the project by presenting him with a book of photos from the project.  The idea is that hundreds of people from around the world from all walks of life will be interconnected through the green car and the fact that Miguelito exists.

Special thanks to everyone who has agreed to let a stranger take photos of them posing with a toy car, the online society at Andrew’s Kitchen, certain employees at Air Miles and Westjet, and anyone who has encouraged me to continue with this project.  Thank you!  I appreciate your feedback, comments, and encouragement.

Enjoy!
Leroy Schulz

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q:  What kind of car is it?
A: It’s a 1972 Buick Riviera.  It was manufactured in 2005 by Johnny Lightning and was only sold in a set of five collectible cars called “Big Boats”.  The other cars in the set were a white 1959 Cadillac Eldorado convertible, a red and wood 1960 Ford Country Squire, an orange and yellow 1974 Royal Monaco Taxi, and a blue 1961 Lincoln Continental Convertible.  I bought the set at a Walmart in Edmonton, Canada as a Christmas present for Miguelito.

Q:  How often does the car get washed?
A: With apologies to germophobes and hypochondriacs, not very often.  But it does occasionally get dunked by participants into glasses of wine.

Q:  Does anyone get paid for being part of the project?
A: No.  One of the main themes in this project is the idea of good will between strangers.

Q:  Has anyone ever said “no” when you’ve asked them to be part of the project?
A: Yes, although most people are very accommodating to the request.  The first person was a police officer in Toronto who declined, citing dubitable reasons.  One high-profile decline was Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge. He very rapidly declined to hold the car, but you can see the moments after that interaction here. However, seconds later the Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton) agreed to hold the car. See here for that photo.

Q:  I’d like to get involved.  How can I?
A: You can start by signing the guestbook for Miguelito (coming soon).  If you’d like your portrait to be included in this project or know someone who would, please contact me.

Q:  I have an idea for this project.  Do you want to hear it?
A: Absolutely!  Please contact me.

AND A FEW WORDS OF THANKS

True to the theme of world-wide interconnection, this project would not have been possible without the assistance of a network of supporters from near and far. I owe much gratitude to the people who with an easy shrug and a curious smile are willing to let a stranger take a photo of them with a die-cast toy, to friends who have encouraged me to continue with this project, and to Miguelito, who has added such a rich dynamic to life. Regrettably, any attempt to thank every person who has helped me along the way would be bound to fail due to the inherent frailty of human memory. But the effort should be made so I would particularly like to note:

• Margo K for early and ongoing encouragement.
• The online society at Andrew’s Kitchen for sagacity and support.
• Omar Sachedina for opening doors.
• LouAnne Babcook for tremendous support, encouragement, generosity, guidance and idea generating.
• Mike Hanson for brainstorming, feedback and support.
• Joan Broughton for brainstorming and support.
• Maria Ospina for staggering enthusiasm and tireless support.
• Erin Clyde for explosive enthusiasm and brainstorming.
• Sergio Torres for support, moral and otherwise, and for being a perpetual idea machine.
• anyone who, despite the odds, took one of my seemingly outlandish requests for a photo with a die-cast toy car seriously.

You all have my heartfelt and eternal gratitude both for your support, the sprinkles of ideas and friendship.




Image zoom effect on certain images courtesty of Magic Toolbox.