This Sunday, May 27, has been an interesting one. Never a morning person, I managed to drag myself out of bed at 4:45 AM Pacific to watch the Monaco Grand Prix live. Normally I record these early morning GP's on DVD but the opportunity of viewing Monaco in High Definition on a 42" screen was impossible to resist. I'd I have done it just to view the Principality in all its glory, having seen the race live twice and on another occasion having spent a week there shooting commercials. The top three finishers did not change positions from beginning to end yet I enjoyed Monaco more than the Indy 500 with its multiple lead changes and 3-hour rain delay. Regardless, these are two historic motor races and I never miss either one if I can help it. Congratulations to Fernando Alonso on winning Monaco and Dario Franchitti for winning Indy. Fernando got a kiss from Princess Caroline, Dario a hug from wife ashley judd. Sadly I also spent time trying to decide how to answer an e-mail from a friend and car guy who's just been told he has six months to live. His philisophical acceptance puts me to shame, for I'd be scared-stiff. Not because of death itself but because there's still so much to live for.

Rather than end this day's blog on a low note, I'm including a shot of several Mercedes 300 SL's undergoing restoration in Rudi Koniczek's shop. Two days ago I added a feature article about Rudi, who is regarded as the world's foremost restorer of the legendary sports cars. Nowhere else will you see anything like this.