“My hands are a little dirty,” says the ‘driver’ (Ryan Gosling) to the ‘business’ man (Albert Brooks). – “So are mine!” is his answer. – It’s a brilliant movie from 2011: very cool, violent, black, lonely. But ‘Drive’ is not just a movie. There is also a book. It’s by Daniel Pink, and its about motivation. In a way, it’s about An Saol.
Daniel H. Pink was a speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore from 1995 to 1997. In 2010 he published “Drive – The Surprising Truth about what motivates us”. It’s a short, easy read. Not subtle at all. Kind of in your face. It’s full of really great quotes, punch lines. Here are some.
“The capacity for logical thought is one of the things that makes us human. But in a world of ubiquitous information and advanced analytical tools, logic alone won’t do. What will distinguish those who thrive will be their ability to understand what makes their fellow woman or man tick, to forge relationships, and to care for others.”
― Daniel H. Pink
“Greatness and nearsightedness are incompatible. Meaningful achievement depends on lifting one’s sights and pushing toward the horizon.”
― Daniel H. Pink, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
I went on my own, long drive down to the ‘south’ (“südlich der Elbe fängt der Balkan an”), just for the night, to visit my mother and, at the same time, fix a few things with our Ferrari-red Kia Picanto. You wouldn’t believe it (that is: unless you are German), but you have to switch your tyres between winter and summer, by law. Tyre manufacturers must have a pretty good lobby here. Every German car now has at least two sets of tyres. And unless you have your own garage (which most Germans haven’t got) you have to ‘einlagern’ the set you are not using with your friendly Kia (or whatever different brand) garage. I am also going to visit the grave of my grandparents, which brings me to another German ‘custom’. You will only ever be able to ‘rent’ a grave site. And: you have to look after it or the City Council will remove it! Since my grandparents have been dead for many years, the initial rent is up and I now have to pay a yearly ‘lease’ if I want to keep the grave site. I also have to make sure that it looks respectable. No rent, no care will lead to the removal of the grave site. The gravestones of my grandparents would disappear and with them any physical evidence of their earthly existence. Germans!
Pádraig had another good day today. The speech therapist was so happy with his progress that she proposed to stimulate his taste buds with – well, with what? So she asked him: “Patrick, do you like chocolate?” And guess what? Up went his right foot! And then the left for ‘no’ and so on. His new ability to communicate spread and when his senior doctor today tried, she also got a ‘foot’-driven yes/no response. Again, he was sitting in the wheelchair for a few hours. And he was on the speech valve. Without additional oxygen for most of the day. Looks like there is something going on here!!!
Today’s German Music Tip
Beginner, City Blues. “Südlich von der Elbe da ist das Leben nicht dasselbe. Rot-weiß die Pommessoße. Alternativ die Flora. Hamburg!”
What’s hot
Hamburg
What’s cold
Südlich der Elbe
The German word/phrase/verse of the day
Freie Fahrt für freie Bürger.
Hospi-Tales 
I reckon a taste of the ‘black stuff’ would get a foot salute too!!!! X
Can’t believe how nobody thought about this before! It’s kind of a medicine anyway, isn’t it? 🙂 – I know that Eamonn, the owner of Paddy’s Bar in Hamburg, is following the blog. Maybe we can organise a session in Eilbek? 🙂 Or even better, bring Pádraig out for a bit of fresh air and a refreshment? 🙂
All jokes aside – it would be so wonderful to do this, and I am sure that day will come!
How wonderful that he can do that! Such incredible progress. The laws about changing tyres and storing them is very interesting.
Fingers crossed, Diane – Pádraig is the kind of person that won’t let go, once he sees that he’s on to something.
Something’s – eh – a – foot here Reinhard! A drop of Jäger’d go down a .. bomb!
Jägerbombs (or “jägerbuamaí” as Gaeilge) were his shot in the arm for getting high on the Craic in the Club & in Coppers.. Sounds like the Best Medicine. I hereby prescribe it! Go n-éirí leis!
Seos
T’would set his turbo-jets alight and then he’d take flight .. and lift us all up to the heights, in his wake, hiya and hiya, till we were on fiyaaaa !!
High-ly recommended!
S
I am so glad to hear that Pádraig understands and responds. Big step forward!
By the way, Reinhard, you can avoid the tyre law by using “Allwetterreifen”, a tyre which can be used in alle kinds of weather. That is what I have and it means no changing of tyres. Completely allowed and it makes sense if you don’t drive very much. The law however has become absolutely necessary. It had to be passed about two years ago because too many irresponsible people drove their cars with summer tyres on ice and snow causing long traffic jams and worse, serious accidents and victims. With different weather confitions in Ireland you may find it difficult to understand.
It is a big step forward, Gisela! – Got the tyres changed. €70 for changing tyres (2/year) and storage:)
Fantastic progress – well done Pádraig! A pint of plain might hit the spot – full of iron, purely medicinal!! Grá mór, Siobhán
Purely medicinal, Siobhán!