by edward | Apr 30, 2019 | Talents
Fr. Michael O’Donnell drives a Porsche 914 in the Talents Universe.
1971 Porsche 914 advertisement
Porsche 914
Porsche introduced the 914 model in 1969. The automaker partnered with Volkswagen on the 914. Porsche wanted an upgrade/update to their model 912. Volkswagen wanted something new to replace their Karmann Ghia. Production of the 914 ran from its introduction until 1976.
The Karmann Ghia
Karmann Ghia
Volkswagen introduced their Karmann Ghia coupe in 1955. They sought an update by the late 1960s. While their partnership with Porsche produced the 914 in 1969, Volkswagen continued production of the Karmann Ghia through 1974. Therefore, VW had (sort of) two coups in the 1970s
Personal experiences
I never rode in a Karmann Ghia, but my dad owned one for a brief time before I was born. So, he would see them go by later on and express his fondness for the sports car of his younger days. By the time I attended university, the Karmann Ghias were old news. They appealed to guys with an interest in older cars, but my friends with 2-seat sports cars opted for the Porsche, or the MGB. One friend even drove an Alfa Romeo
I had two direct encounters with the Porsche 914. The first was in my second and third years as an undergrad at University of New Orleans. A Student Government Association friend owned one. It was a fun little car. The center engine design took a bit of getting used to. As a kid, I found my dad’s rear-engine Beetle a curiosity. The vibration of the center-engine gave the 914 a different feel.
My second 914 encounter was as a student teacher in my fourth year at UNO. My supervising teacher at F. W. Gregory Junior High drove a Porsche 914. While I never got to drive either of those cars, the design, and the fun of riding in my friend’s car stayed with me.
After UNO, I bought a 1980 Plymouth Horizon, to get me to and from Redeemer High School. By all accounts, the Volkswagen transmission in that car behaved much like that of the Porsche 914.
Talents
Mike O’Donnell is a History professor. So, he naturally has an appreciation for older automobiles. While not an auto-repair type himself, Mike picked up the basic skills one needs when one owns an old car. He learned early on in his ownership of a 914 to network with people who can fix your old car. Mike’s Porsche 914 is white in Hidden Talents and Trusted Talents.
The Ad
This ad is from 1971. So, it’s a good representation of Mike’s car. I follow a number of folks on Tumblr who enjoy sharing older/vintage advertising. So, this one made me smile.
by edward | Apr 29, 2019 | Cyberpunk, Fantasy/Science Fiction Art, Patreon
Below is a sneak peek of this content!
French Quarter musings - Keoma Calandrini "The Flesh Market" offers me a connection to New Orleans Keoma Calandrini "The Flesh Market" Occasionally, I encounter artwork online that gives me a mental connection to my city. This image is very much one of these. Keoma Calandini is a Brazilian artist who features his work on ArtStation. Cyberpunk French Quarter So much cyberpunk imagery invokes urban feels in Asian settings. At first glance, "The Flesh Market" does this. As I looked beyond some of the obvious components, this started looking more and more like a futuristic version of Bourbon Street. The neon signs and basic architecture of the buildings give me that Bourbon Street feel, particularly on the right side. Those columns...
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by edward | Apr 27, 2019 | Blood Bound, Books, Uncategorized
Celebrating 2019 on a gorgeous spring day in New Orleans.
Authors Ryan Adam and Michael Murphy at an event at Blue Cypress Books on Oak Street.
Celebrating #IndependentBookstoreDay 2019
Blue Cypress sign from last hear!
A big hello, thank you, and shout-out to Elizabeth Ahlquist and her band of merry booksellers at Blue Cyp0ress Books, uptown at 8126 Oak Street, New Orleans.Elizabeth’s wonderful store is a must-visit as you ride the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line.
Blue Cypress Books
If you’re coming from downtown, tell the operator you want to get off on Oak Street. You’ll see two big buildings, both of which were bank branches, once upon a time. Walk up Oak a block and you’ll see the Blue Cypress Books sign. The store offers a wonderful mixture of new and used books. I find interesting treasures on the shelves. The new books jump out at you! Elizabeth sold me a copy of Pete Souza’s book of photos from his time as White House Photographer for Barack Obama. My son loves that birthday present.
The local authors shelves feature old classics and new gems. Emma Fick’s “Snippets of New Orleans” sold like crazy at Blue Cypress. So, since Elizabeth offers Dragon’s Danger and Dragon’s Discovery to her customers, we hereby and forthwith dub her, “Lady Bookseller.” That’s a bit more formal than “hot mermaid in purple and green.” 🙂
At Da Fair Grounds
Jazz Fest!
It’s fitting that Blue Cypress runs the Book Tent this year at Da Fest, on #IndependentBookstoreDay 2019. The selection there features history, music/music history books. Food is an important part of Da Fest, therefore the Book Tent usually has a good selection of cooking-related books and cookbooks. The book tent is a wonderful respite from the hustle bustle of the Fair Grounds infield. It’s worth checking it. So, since you’re going into the Book Tent, here’s a recommendation:
That’s my book, New Orleans Jazz, featuring the 1967 incarnation of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on the cover!
All this, and a shop cat, too!
by edward | Apr 27, 2019 | Patreon, Talents, Talents Universe, Writing
Below is a sneak peek of this content!
“Have a seat, Creole Princess. You’re an outlier,” her husband replied. “You want morning sex, Ren? It can be arranged,” Tara said, licking the rim of her cup....
