First Big Trip of the Year

I'm heading out Thursday for my first big trip of the year. To a place called Vancouver Island which lies off the west coast of Canada. 

Vancouver Island is completely cut off from mainland Canada: there are no bridges or tunnels connecting it. The only ways to reach the island are seaplanes and ferries. The island is physically large but has only 800,000 inhabitants, half of which live in a city I'm visiting (Victoria). I'm told the natural beauty of the island is stunning.

As improbable as this sounds, I have two good friends who live there, Sheila and Darlene. The three of us will gather on Friday to meet and have fun. I'll keep you posted!

Super-Cars

Cars. They're not as exciting as motorcycles but I'm learning they do have some appeal. Especially if you take them to the racetrack.

I've picked out my next car: a McLaren 570S. Its bold styling give the beast an edge to my second-choice, the Porsche 911 GTS. Both can be driven on the street and the track. In fact, I'm heading down to Atlanta later this year to drive the Porsche at their famous private racetrack. That experience comes with an instructor who teaches you how to extract maximum performance from the vehicle.

Did you know there's a distinction between "sports cars" and "super-cars"? The former are fast vehicles; the latter are limited-production jewels hand-crafted by storied manufacturers. Super-cars are beyond the reach of most drivers: their least-expensive models run around half a million bucks.

What is the world's most expensive car? Probably the Bugatti Chiron with a price-tag of $3 Million. Despite the improbability of our ever owning one, it can be fun to admire the height of automotive art. I won't bore you with stats. Bugatti says they aren't focused on mere speed, they want to deliver an enjoyable overall experience. That said, the car can hit 261 mph before a limiter turns off power. The styling of the car is quite arresting. (See picture above.) The car doesn't come with a bodyguard but I would want one; who'd park this expensive masterpiece anywhere in public?

Bugatti has sold every Chiron it plans to build until late-2021. Who buys them? The profile is very sharp: self-made men who appreciate quality and uniqueness. The average customer already owns about 30 other cars. Obviously they are not like you and me. At least not yet...

Nina Simone

I just saw a terrific documentary about one of my favorite artists, Nina Simone. The movie ("What Happened, Miss Simone?") was nominated for an Oscar and accurately portrays a complex character. (It can be seen on Netflix.)

Nina Simone (1933-2003) was classically-trained in piano and became popular for soulful songs in the 1950's. Her life, however, was troubled and her career tumultuous. I've long been attracted to Simone's rare genius -- musical artistry at its highest level. Nina communicates emotion in her music with palpable heart and soul.

Born in the segregated South, Nina grew up poor and black. She climbed to commercial popularity with the help of a tough husband who, while steering her career toward success, physically beat her. Unfortunately Nina had bipolar disorder (manic depression) which disabled her from making smart choices. She stayed with her husband for years, despite being abused.

Nina dove into the civil rights movement in the 1960's where she found personal fulfillment. She learned from and developed friendships with many famous black leaders, writers and intellectuals, like Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry. She sang at political rallies (including the famous Selma march) and wrote inflammatory songs like "Mississippi Goddam." Nina's career later cratered, however, from her focus on racial politics; some in the music industry blacklisted her for the fervor of her politics.

Nina recorded 40 records and gave innumerable performances, including at Carnegie Hall. After disappearing for a while, she made a comeback with poignant performances.

If you've never heard Nina sing, you are in for a treat. My favorite song of hers ("Sinnerman") is used in the climactic scene of the film, "The Thomas Crown Affair" (1999). And check out the documentary of her life: you'll be moved.

Unusual Words

It seems the Germans have a word for everything. I just learned a new one.

You've probably heard the word "schadenfreude" which gets used a lot here. A German word meaning the converse just surfaced on my radar -- "gluckschmerz."

Schadenfreude means taking pleasure in the misfortune of others. Gluckschmerz means being sad at the good fortune of others.

Here's an example. Say you are a sensible person and hate the New York Yankees baseball team. When the Yankees fail to make the playoffs, you experience schadenfreude. Happy schadenfreude. When, however, the Yankees win the World Series because they unfairly buy the best talent on the market, you feel gluckschmerz. Serious gluckschmerz.

Got it?

Walking Around Town

Secret Attraction

I have a confession to make. I love skirt-suits, those pre-styled outfits that middle-aged women wear. Aesthetically I know they're a cliché but I can't help myself.

The attraction emerges from my deep-seated desire to be one of those women. I'd get to wear one of these suits. Inhabit that life, have those experiences. That'd bring me bliss.

When I saw an unusually attractive skirt-suit at a thrift-store yesterday I couldn't resist. I tried. I picked the suit up, put it down, walked around, came back, picked it up, put it down and finally said, "Geez! It's only $9. Being happy is worth more than that!"

This outfit brings me joy. In an uncaring world, that's justification enough. Right?

April Fool's Day

A few days ago I gave you some ideas for pranks. Today, I did some. I practice what I preach!

Every year I play a joke or two on my wife Robin. She'd be disappointed if I didn't. This year, I played two pranks. Robin laughed at the first one and gasped at the second.

First, I replaced an image of the two of us in a framed photo on her desk with a picture of Pee-Wee Herman. (See below.) We both love Pee-Wee, especially his first film ("Pee-Wee's Big Adventure") which was directed by Tim Burton. It's a masterpiece of cinematic art.

Second, I stuck a flat pillow with an image of a pug's head on it in our medical cabinet. When Robin opened the cabinet-door to get her toothbrush, she was surprised!