The Winter Park Concours d'Elegance Car Show

It  was a pleasant day for the 10th Annual Winter Park Concours d'Elegance until the rain threatened to put a damper on things, quite literally. Fortunately, it was short lived and the sun peeked out again to reveal another pleasant November day in Central Florida. In an impressive display of antique and modern cars, super cars and headturners on six blocks of the cobbled main drag Park Avenue, in downtown Winter Park.

For those of you interested in automobiles and the lifestyles associated with them, here is some eye candy for you. Have a great week!

Jamaica: The Jewel of the Caribbean

View from the back of the villa I stayed in at the SeaSand Eco Villas in Negril

I was recently on a trip to Jamaica for a series of work sessions artist management, licensing, royalties and copyright, but it is near impossible to go to Jamaica and not mix work with some R&R!

Jamaica is a beautiful island with beautiful people and a rich and diverse culture. Jamaica has also given the world reggae, dub and dancehall music as well as Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and Peter Tosh.

Negril has some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen, up there with some of the beaches I have seen in the Seychelles, Cyprus and the Bahamas. It is awesome to be up to your neck in water and still be able to see your toes. Inside the water looking at the horizon, it feels like a giant, humungous infinity pool. There are no big waves like the beaches on the Atlantic coast of Ghana, for example.

I went parasailing, which is one of my favorite things to do. It is a great spiritual experience for me. It is such a relaxing feeling to be up in the air, wrapped up in silence as you take in breathtaking views of the rugged landscape and the vast ocean and even see fish swimming in the water. You should try it if you ever get the chance!

Sunset in Negril

The sunsets are just amazing! They look like pictures out of a photographer's book - photoshopped and made almost unreal with hues of ochre, magenta, cobalt and a million others, painting an awe-inspiring picture. The waters turn a brilliant copper color reflecting  the residual ambient light.

The evenings are particularly romantic, with the warm breeze blowing, the afterglow of the day hinting at the promise of a wonderful evening. You can always go to Hedonism II for a more adult experience.

Just beware of the driving, though. With the narrow single-lane streets, it sometime becomes necessary to pass (overtake) in the oncoming lane and that can be a terrifying experience. Not unlike my experience with driving in Ghana (read that blog post).

But all in all, I loved Negril and I'll be visiting Kingston on my next trip for a different flavor of Jamaica.  If you're ever headed to Negril and would like to have a non-hotel experience and more of a home-away-from-home experience, check out the SeaSand Eco Villas. That's my plug of the day. Now if you have any ideas on things to do and places to go in Jamaica, feel free to share them with us right here on my blog or on Facebook.

Driving in Ghana - Ménage a beaucoup

Photo courtesy: 2bysea.blogspot.com

It never ceases to amaze me each time I visit Ghana, how intimate an activity as driving can be. With each visit I notice how badly the roads are deteriorating and how much closer is the dance between vehicles, pedestrians and animals as they pirouette around potholes and around each other.

I wince, grimace and squirm on occasion as vehicles skirt literally three inches around pedestrians in a way that would be considered an extreme invasion of personal space at the least, but more likely ‘reckless endangerment’ in other cultures. I watch incredulously as people sashay nonchalantly, three abreast, in the middle of the street, their arms swinging widely, yet languidly, around their ample hips, as drivers operate around them, totally nonplussed. But probably most terrifying are the disabled mendicants, without the use of their lower limbs, who zip and zap between cars on skateboards-turned-wheelchairs with jaw-dropping speed and dexterity. It would be very easy for a driver to miss one of these people, who typically weave between cars below eye level. It is as much a miracle of The Most High as it is a testament of their dexterity that these ‘dodging dervishes’ stay barely half an inch away from being run over by vehicles.

With each year that goes by, the roads in some parts of the city have eroded from dual-carriage lanes to single-carriage lanes riddled with potholes of varying sizes and depths, to slivers of asphalt holding on for dear life. On some stretches, the paved road seems to have completely disappeared; leaving in its wake swaths of ubiquitous red dirt that frequently give rise to mini sandstorms. Ones driving lane is determined not by a centerline, not by a dividing island, but by staking a claim to the less pockmarked side of the street and an impudent refusal to cower in the face of oncoming traffic.

As a driver, the top three priorities are: avoiding potholes and lost portions of road, avoiding other vehicles and finally avoiding pedestrians ­– in that order. As a pedestrian, one needs only concern oneself with picking one’s way through a minor obstacle course – the cars will maneuver around the human traffic. Or not. As an animal…well, all the world’s your living room: fait comme chez toi, as the French would say.

Also fascinating is the incessant, almost orchestral blaring of horns, which, to all intents and purposes, could almost qualify as a codified language in its own right. It is easy to pick out the various distinct messages that go something like this: One short tone followed by one long tone: “Get out of my way”, one long tone would be: “Don’t event think about crossing me, bitch!”. Several staccato bursts means: “I’m in your immediate surroundings – no fast moves, buster!”. A continuous string of staccato one-eighth notes says: “Taxi, anyone?” Two short bursts then a long one would mean: “Whatthafuckyoudothatfor?” Sometimes the horn message is “I just like the way this sounds to me – gotta problem with it?” and the sound of that is only limited by the creativity of the driver, but it’s like porn – you’ll recognize it when you hear it.

Now, while driving (or being driven) here in the land of Africa’s friendliest people might seem like dancing on a tightrope in a straightjacket while balancing an egg on your head, the intimacy almost ensures a lower rate of fatalities because the speed rates are much slower. That said, it doesn’t abate the terror of feeling like a deer in headlights when the car you’re in is in the lane of oncoming traffic hurtling down with all vim and alacrity towards what seems like a perfect head-on collision with an 18-wheeler. And it doesn’t lessen the relief you feel when you gasp because you feel like you just missed your death by the skin of your teeth and nearly pissed your pants.

As the Ghanaians are good at saying, “don’t worry, by happy”, as you feel the steam coming out of your ears. Life’s good.

10 Ways to Save Up for Your Fabulous Vacation

Doesn't it feel wonderful to go away on a vacation and be able to leave all the cares of the world behind for a while and just focus on enjoying the moment (if you can let yourself go)? In the word of the bard William Shakespeare, it might feel like "...to sleep, perchance, to dream..." Of course, getting back to reality and coming down from that high might often be the bittersweet aftertaste, but the pleasant - maybe exhilarating - experience mostly outweighs the pain of the readjustment.

In today's world, it is more expensive than ever to go on vacation and this is made worse by all the financial commitments we have with seemingly fewer and fewer resources. But where there's a will, there's a way!

Plan. This might seem like a no-brainer, but too often, many of us decide on a vacation too late or too close to the time. Not only are fares more expensive the later you purchase, but you also miss out on possible deals you could uncover with some research and the luxury of time. Besides, once you have an idea of how much it's going to cost you, you are better able to save up for it. With the benefit of time and planning, one can conduct an objective cost-benefit analysis and decide what kind of a vacation to have. In other words, make a budget.

Review. It also helps to review your spending habits to see where your money is going. And this is useful periodically whether you're planning a vacation or not. Sometimes we realize that we spend money on things that no longer give us as much benefit as we originally thought. Some people people are horrified when they hear I don't have cable. "So what do you do for television", they ask, incredulously, as though it would be impossible to breathe without cable. I have a digital antenna, an internet-enabled TV and BluRay player with access to Netflix, Hulu, Vudu...and an HDMI cable connected to my laptop...who needs cable? It saves me almost $800 a year - almost half the cost of a ticket to Australia!

Carry Forward. Take your dinner leftovers for lunch at work the next day. It often tastes better the next day, anyway. And you know you could make that favorite sandwich of yours for a fraction of the cost you buy it at. It will also be better for your waistline as well....(I'm just saying....)

Bulk up. Sometimes, buying in larger quantities can be cheaper, so buy non-perishable and easily storable items that you use regularly like toilet paper, detergents and stuff when they are on sale. I'm not a big fan of coupons because it requires more effort than I'd like to put in and there are only coupons for the items I don't use or need. However, if that can work for you, take advantage of it.

Drink up. I love meeting up with the gang for drinks after a day at work or, at the weekend, go out for a night on the town. But even with happy hour prices, the cost adds up. Better idea: have happy hour; goof off with your friends, but do it smart: host it at home. Have them bring some drinks, or alternatively, have them contribute the equivalent of of a drink or two. You'll all get more than a couple of watered-down drinks and have a lot more fun.

Automate. For most of us, consciously moving money into a savings account is one of the things that gets put off most often and most easily. When I set a budget goal for a vacation, I set up the transfer of a fixed amount each week from my checking account into my vacation savings account so I don't have to think about it. That way, I don't have to rationalize why I need it more urgently for something else. Neither do I have the option to promise myself that I'll replace the amount at a later date. What I don't see in my checking account, I can't spend.

Earn points. These days, there are many credit cards and some debit cards that you can earn points on everyday purchases and that are redeemable for travel miles. Rack up as many reward points as you can year-round towards your vacation. Caveat: I am in no way advocating for you to go get yourself yet another credit card! If you are already shopping for one, find one that earns you meaningful points. If you already have such a card, make use of it. That's all I'm saying.

Offload. Turn your stash into cash. Look through your hoard in the garage, the basement, your closet and offload the things you have accumulated over the years that you no longer use or have never used. If you haven't used it in a couple of years, chances are you won't. Hold a yard sale and put the cash you make into your vacation fund. As UK grocery giant Tesco's philosophy goes: "Every little helps".

Focus. If you really want to go on your great, fabulous vacation, you need to tend it. Check in frequently to make sure you're on track and make adjustments if necessary. The reward will be well worth it.

Be creative. Think outside the card. I'm sure if you put yourself to it, you would be able to find a great many ways to build your great, fabulous vacation slush fund without financing it on your credit card. Remember, it's not about living a boring life, but about living a smart life to enjoy it even more.

But as I sign off here, I'm curious: If you had one wish for a totally carefree, all expenses paid vacation anywhere in world, where would you like to go? Use the comments feature right below this blog or post it on my Facebook wall.

Also, if you think your friends might like to read this, share it with them on Twitter or Facebook using the buttons below.

So have a happy vacation this year, wherever you go, whatever you do!

The Lifestyle Maven™

What to do on a weekend

What a weekend it was! I was wondering what I'd do this past weekend when it started early for me on Thursday, and now, looking back, it was pretty interesting. I attended a lecture by Dr. Michael Eric Dyson at Valencia Community College, had dinner at Hue in Thornton Park, went browsing through antique and exotic stores and saw Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'....

Michael Eric Dyson Lecture

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson

Dr. Dyson is an accomplished academic, author, speaker and radio host who spoke on Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy at Valencia College. His books include April 4, 1968 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Death and How it Changed America, Holler if You Hear Me, Is Bill Cosby Right? and I May Not Get There With You: The True Martin Luther King Jr. He is such a dynamic speaker and would occasionally slip into the preacher's shoes or break into song or do a bit of stand up comedy. One thing he said that stayed with me was how we as humans, project our own limitations unto a limitless God....Very deep, and a statement I happen to agree with.

Dinner at Hue

I've been known to walk into a restaurant on a whim and try whatever epicurean delights they might proffer a curious gourmand, so Hue shows up at a street corner while I'm in the 'restaurant district' of the Thornton Park area and I find myself in the deep seats of its dining room. Their presentation was beautiful - the calamari came with pepperoncini, jalapenos, banana peppers, peppadews and chilli garlic mayo (awesome!) but could have been a tad bit more crispy, but it was still delicious. The heirloom tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella was fantastic and the presentation was simple and very elegant. The tomatoes were hollowed out and filled with the cheese and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. I love my life!

A Midsummer Night's Dream

I saw a performance of William Shakespeare's romantic comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream by the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre which was quite different. I did not expect a contemporary interpretation and it took a while for me to adjust to hearing Shakespeare in an American accent and in rather contemporary attire.... And Pink Floyd and Lady Gaga? Now, c'mon people! It threw me for a loop for a bit, but I must say it was a very entertaining performance; especially the second act - I thoroughly enjoyed the performance. A Midsummer Night's Dream plays January 26 - March 19, 2011 at the John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Theatre, 812 E. Rollins St., Orlando, FL 32803, www.orlandoshakes.org.

Unique Finds

I love discovering curios and nifty stuff. I went browsing through some exotic stores and antique shops and made some rather interesting discoveries. My favorite was Washburn Imports. I found these very unique items that I'd love to have. 

Dining table

Occasional table

Armoire

Lamp

Log Lamp

 It also turns out that this place doubles as a wine bar and beer garden after hours, featuring boutique wines and craft beers! Now, whodathunkit!! It's called The Imperial Wine Bar and Beer Garden.... Anyone want to meet up there Friday evening? Washburn Imports/The Imperial WIne Bar and Beer Garden is at 1800 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32804, www.washburnimports.com.

The Imperial Wine Bar & Beer Garden

And....I was spared by an enormous alligator with incredibly menacing jaws in a nearby store!

Where will next weekend find me? Stay tuned for more. Have a fabulous week whatever you do, wherever you are!

The Albin Polasek Museum

Hidden in Winter Park, Florida is the gem of the Polasek Museum, which memorializes world renowned Czech- American sculptor and artist Albin Polasek. Over the course of his life, he created some 400 pieces of art, 200 of which are on display at the museum, which he started as a gallery in his retirement home in Winter Park. It is amazing to note that he sculpted many of his later works while he was paralyzed on one side with a stroke!

His sculptures of the human form are breathtaking in their attention to detail, making them very lifelike. Guests are welcomed by his sculpture called "The Sower", an imposing male nude. Throughout his life, he made various forms of his famous work "Man Carving His Own Destiny". It was a rather personal concept, where he was the rock brought in to the US from his home of Czechoslovakia, and he was carving out a life for himself here.

The Sower

Man Carving Out His Destiny

Man Carving Out His Destiny 

Polasek also created many religious pieces. Perhaps most imposing is his depiction of the Victorious Christ - a unique piece which shows the Christ looking up instead of down. His series of The Stations of the Cross is found in the tranquil garden which ends in Lake Osceola.

Victorious Christ

Mother

The garden is a perfect place to relax and reflect or even for an intimate picnic. It is set up for just that sort of think with benches and tables, hidden sitting areas, or you can just sit on the lawn by Lake Osceola and soak in some sun.

Special thanks to Todd Ruopp for this experience! 

I highly recommend the Polasek Museum if you're in the Orlando area!

The Polasek Museum is at
633 Osceola Avenue
Winter Park, FL 32792
407.647.6294
www.polasek.org