California revisited
Took the Greyhound all the way from my hideout in Florida east-west across the United States and then north-south back some time ago. It was a trip to discover small town America. The real United States. It left me with a lifetime of great memories.
Skipped most of the cities, giving the noise and smog of places like Huston and Los Angeles a wide berth. San Francisco is different, though. It is unlike any other big city in the world. Big mentality, big attitude, but with friendly folksie people. At the Ferry Building Marketplace I drowned some oysters and dungeness crab properly with ample amounts of local Pinot Gris. The latter was not to my liking. Tried the local Marsanne. Frankly, I am still to acquire a palate for California wines. In the meantime, I gladly keep on practicing the taste buds.
The route that hugs the California coast, State Route 1, is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Particularly the Big Sur section. But before I get carried away, this post is not about the State of California. Instead, I’m revisiting the grand touring sports car that is the perfect complement to any road, scenic or not. The Ferrari California.
Launched in 2008, the California is Ferrari’s first front-engined V8, kicking 450 horses through the big fat rear wheels. Keep your foot down and you’ll quickly see 190 mph on the clock. Or so they say. I wouldn’t know, not having had the privilege to drive one yet. But I’ve had a chance to stroke the smooth body and feel the throbbing rhythm of the throaty purr. And, oh my goodness, what a lovely backside!
Ferrari California – beautiful!
She makes even bad news sound good
Andrea Catherwood is an anchor presenter on Bloomberg TV. She enlightens looking at the numbing numbers during bear markets. She makes even bad news sound good. Her husky Irish accent smooths any stock shock. Just watching her makes any man more bullish. And the big plus is that she is a professional; she knows what she is talking about.
Andrea has a honors degree in law (yack, a la Shakespeare) but she fortunately came to her senses and concentrated on media, sharing her lovely presentation style on ITV, Five News and, since October 2009, on Bloomberg TV.
The stunning Andrea Catherwood is the August 2010 Woman of the month.
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
Make more of every minute of your day. It’s easy. Smile more, drink more water, think more positively, alter your posture to reflect a good mood, and stop. Just stop for a minute. Take a breather. Think of something nice, something that makes you smile. Then think of something you can do that will make someone else (anyone) smile. Something that will make a difference. What have you done today to make you feel proud?
Proud is sung by Heather Small, one of the greatest voices in popular soul music. She co-wrote the song with Peter-John Vettese, once Jethro Tull keyboard player and co-writer. Read more
Jennifer Aniston – Yum Yum Yum!
Was browsing Huffington Post over a glass (disclosure: a bottle, actually) of Tenuta Belguardo when I came across pics of the topless Jennifer Aniston posing for her new Lovalie perfume. Almost swallowed the wine glass. Oh my goodness, Miss Aniston looks absolutely gorgeous! Started comparing the two:
Tenuta Belguardo is made from the Sangiovese varietal, the latter name which derives from the Latin sanguis Jovis, the blood of Jove, according to Wikipedia. Jove is the other name for Jupiter, the king of the mythological gods. Not much to compare there with sweet Jennifer. Sangiovese is also a much cloned wine variety. Also no comparison since sweet Jen is rather unique.
Sangiovese has fresh fruity flavors. Now we’re getting closer. It also is just a tad spicy. Now we’re hot. I poured another glass. Read more
Mandela: a man amongst men
Once in a lifetime the world is made a better place because of vision of a single man. Nelson Mandela is such a man. “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” – Nelson Mandela, Long Walk To Freedom.
Throughout his career – in fact, throughout his lifetime – two themes drove Mandela’s vision: Freedom and Education. Freedom, not because he longed for it so much himself during his 27 years in prison but because – so true to himself – he wishes it for everyone. Upon his release from prison in 1990 he stunned the world with his generosity by ignoring his own imprisonment and immediately setting to work on the freedom of all; political and personal freedom. And he insisted that much of freedom can be attained though education: Read more
Football World Cup surprises
Raise your glass. Raise another. And another. Blow your vuvuzela. Make a noise. Fall over. Tomorrow morning will bring another new surprise. That is the Football World Cup, otherwise known as the soccer world cup.
Whatever you call soccer – see why soccer is called football – the Football World Cup is a celebration to behold. There are few occasions in the world where cultures are more feverishly united in blind emotion. War comes to mind, when principles are thrown aside. Same with banking.
But we’re talking sports here. When millions of people have their eyes glued on a ball that is the same size as the head of any of their kids… but gets more attention.
By some unintended travel plan I happen to be in South Africa during the 2010 Football World Cup. While the union in support of the Cup locally is a fascination in itself – they have this thing called Fan Walks where thousands walk the road to the football stadiums even though they, the impoverished South Africans, can not afford tickets to attend the match – it is on the playing field (albeit via TV) where I discovered the greatest surprises about the Football World Cup: Read more
Guess who moved
Oil spills, floods, recession, unemployment, corrupt banks, bribery, car bombs, war…
The United States is going through a tough time. An old saying comes to mind:
“Seem far away from God? Guess who moved?”
