Howdy, readers,

I just finished watching “Standig in the Shadows of Motown”, the story of the musicians that created the brillant sound of Barry Gordy’s record label without ever getting any credit for it. I can’t remember the last time I felt that inspired and awed by a documentary. Not only where the stories these men told touching and inspiring, but more importantly, the music completely and utterly blew me away. Superbly recorded and produced and featuring an excellent set of musicians, these Motown songs lifted the spirits at chez Outhouse and got the place humming and dancing. Though what the vocally challenged Ben Harper did there I honestly don’t know, as he was easily outperformed by the amazing voices of Joan Osborne and Chaka Kahn. For 90 minutes I laughed and cried listening to the stories of the Funk Brothers and hummed, sung and danced to their music.

Utterly wonderful and the Soundtrack is now the latest addition to my collection.

Please honour these amazing guys by reading their amazing story of how one day a Best Buy shop in Manhattan  suddenly had an additional 80 staff in the aisles.

As it is now official and we are moving back to Europe in the next six weeks, we have small, cuddly problem: while Karl and Friedhelm already found a new home to spend the autumn of their lives, young Clara is still without a new home.

So, if anybody knows a good home for rabbits in North Otago, you know what to do.

Three days ago my trusty 1954 Morris Minor minced his gearbox on the way down the mountains from Dunedin. Thanks to Warrens Garage in Palmerston I was saved pretty quickly and given a new car to drive away with. So, let’s start:

1. Looks

vs

Ok, the Morris wins hands down. If you want to have a car to pick up women with, you would definitely want to choose the delicate and elegant lines of that Morris. The slashdot sticker alone makes it so much more desireable.

2. Economy

Er, ca 20 liter of diesel against 6 liter of petrol per 1oo km. Morris wins again.

3. Practicality

The nimbleness of the Morris wins in urban environments and on long trips on the highway. The Nissan Pickup can, on the other hand, drive up mountains almost vertically with two sheep, a dog and the kids in the back, but how often will you need that? I mean really, what should the kids do on a mountain. And your wife is bound to get bored up there. So again, Morris wins

4. Comfort

The Morris wins again due to the fact that 4 people can sit inside its compact cabin very close together and feel the love of their neighbours. You will also not need the heating when you’re that close. The huge inside of the pickup will disincentivise its inhabitants to socialise due to its cathedralic inside-space. If you want to have to yell at your neighbour because he’s so far away, pick the pickup.

5. Overall impression

1950’s design beats nineties bullyness hands down. Think about the environment and your loved ones the next time you choose a car.

Morris. You know it makes sense.

According to Salon.com, the Smart car is now gathering interest in the States. But please, let’s be realistic here:

The percentage of Americans who actually fit through the doors is far too low to make this venture profitable.