I am a motorcoach…

. . . a computer on wheels, which means I am freaky smart. I’m so smart I scare myself sometimes. A certain question often haunts me: How did I know that? It has something to do with the nature of electronics, of being computer driven and having massive memory capacity. Passengers plug their electronic stuff into my various electrical receptors and suddenly I know more, much more, voila! Still, I am bound to the limitations of my design, the functions of a motorcoach . . . nothing else. I can’t take all this information and get inventive with it. That is why – smarts and all – it is not me I am impressed with, but you, my passengers. I hope you appreciate how fabulous you are. Last week I mentioned my amazement over human ambition. Well, ingenuity is what really blows my circuits. As impressed as everyone seems to be with computers these days, I’ve searched my vast memory storage and have yet to discover one other original independent thought contributor on this planet. I, like dolphins, chimpanzees, mosquitos, and microchips can only continue behaving in the world as I was designed to do; I can’t change the world, improve it, bless or heal it. Only you can do that.

But I do think I can imitate a few of your more noted creators with my selfies. Check these out . . .

Selfies

(which by definition means I’m in them . . . though you might have to look for me)

Claude Monet . . . whatta ya think?

Camille Pissarro . . .

Wassily Kandinsky . . .

Pablo Picasso . . .

MEETING THE NEWS on the roadways of America, first-hand, real time, real world news—going out and discovering the news . . .

NEWS OF ROADS: A sculptural statement outside the beutiful riverfront Marriot in Covington, Kentucky pays tribute to road materials and technology (my interpretation). Art in rebar, stone, concrete, steel plating . . . but no dirt or wood. Those are what these materials replaced. In the beginnings of the travel revolution introduced by the automobile, a variety of material experiments attempted to solve the problems of rutted dirt/mud roads. New York City streets once were “paved” in wooden blocks, which had a short life due to expansion and contraction from precipitation and temperature extremes. Brick was a popular solution, but costly. Early in the 20 th century a section of street in Bellefontaine, Ohio became the focus of experimentation with concrete. By the mid-1920s millions of tons of coarse aggregate in the form of mining waste rock were used in creation of portland cement concrete for paving Route 66. The materials became the preferred replacement for unstable dirt roads and other less durable material options. They were also a catalyst for societal transformation.

NEWS OF ELVIS: Talk about creative . . . with a signature wave in his hair, wiggle of his britches, and warble in his vocals, Elvis became a brand recognized throughout the world. On Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee stands the sculpted iconic pose of the King of Rock n’ Roll. In 2015, nearly forty years after his death, Elvis earned $55 million, aided by the release of Elvis Presley Forever, the King’s 53 rd Top 40 album, released in conjunction with a U.S. Postal Service commemorative stamp.

NEWS OF TRUTH IN ADVERTIZING: Here’s a novel approach to marketing – a comic mascot displaying the liabilities of product consumption. And hour by hour this pudgy toothless fellow draws motorists off the highway by the hundreds and into his sweets galore candy store.

(Unlike selfies, these are not about me, but about travel discoveries I think you’d like to know about.)

Here are three completely different contributors to the societal aesthetic, wielders of ingenuity you will want to make room in your travels to celebrate.

According to a passenger review, “Cirque Du Soleil’s production, Ovo, is as playful as it is elegant . . . two hours of stunning choreographed artistry.” And from what I’ve heard, if it is anywhere near you, you won’t want to miss it. For the tour schedule check out www.cirquedusoleil.com/ovo

Naturally fed. Naturally crafted. Naturally good. Edgewood Creamery is where one day’s animal husbandry and bovine grass consumption become the next day’s stock of super creamy chocolate milk (something akin to the magic arts). If you are in the vicinity of Purdy, Missouri, do yourself a favor and stop in (5888 Farm road 1090). Or, check them out at www.edgewoodcreamery.com

Located in Kansas City (15518 Bales Rd) but doing business all over the world, the slogan at House of Boost says it all: “We make fast stuff faster.” It’s where engine science meets creative solutions in need for speed. Check ’em out at www.houseofboost.com

Quote Of The Day samples

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” ―Maya Angelou

“Creativity is seeing what everyone else has seen, and thinking what no one else has thought.” ―Albert Einstein

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