Mayor Rob Ford was back in the media spotlight Thursday after more than a week out of sight and on vacation in Florida.

Ford turned up at the Ellesmere Community Centre in Scarborough to help stuff Christmas boxes (story here).

One member of the press asked Ford if he missed the media circus during his time away. Here’s the exchange:

Reporter: “You missed us right?”

Mayor Rob Ford: “No comment. Some things you miss, some things you don’t and you can figure out the other half.”

Ford also surprised a Toronto Star reporter by stopping and politely insisting he walk through the door first ahead of him.

“I’m turning over a new leaf,” Ford said before chuckling.