-- written, directed, distributed by and starring the pioneer filmmaker Georges Mélies, is released in October of 1904.  It has a running time of 24 minutes, roughly five times the average for films of the era.

Detail.  Macy's window, Herald Square/Broadway and 34th Street entrance.

The many intriquing questions which naturally arise around the subject of Super Powers -- "Which super powers would I want to have?" "Is there a downside to being able to fly?"  "Do I really want to have radioactive hands?" -- bear a marked resemblance to the kinds of questions a Traveller will ask himself when taking a trip: "Where do I want to go first?"  "Is there a downside to changing planes in St. Louis?"  "Why can you go from the 6 to the F Train at Bleecker Street but not the reverse when you're coming from Brooklyn?"  A Venn Diagram where Circle A represents 'Super Powers' and Circle B represents 'Travel' will necessarily have an intersection point A-B -- the flying alone will guarantee that.  Plotting the convergence of all the tangentially related issues, however, results in a design of fractal-like complexity.  The possession of super powers begets all kinds of drama and adventures, as evidenced by the hit NBC series "Heroes," not to mention the aquisition of all kinds of new friends and relationships, and likewise does travel, Gentle Reader.  Likewise does travel offer all sorts of wondrous insights and challenges, rewards and unanticipated joys to the fearless and determined sojourner. 

Or so I reflected as I caught the last few minutes the other evening upon my return from my recent cross-country jaunt.  Milo Ventimiglia was using his super powers to open an intricately locked safe door, and as there has been a tendancy lately for Mr. Ventimiglia's clothing to be ripped from his flawless form, my hand lingered with remote in mid-air to see what came next as I pondered that, appearances aside, Milo's character and I share much in common, for I too have used my powers in the last few days to open doors even while wondering on some level what lay beyond.  I am happy to report that in both our cases, there was cause for much rejoicing.  The world was saved.  Again.  And I had a perfectly delightful time in New York!

Jet lag prevents me from going more fully at this moment into the details of my journey, the likes of which Marco Polo would envy -- in fact, if pressed, I could even add to Sheherezade's Thousand and One Arabian Nights, if she found herself coming up short.  For the nonce, however, may I direct you to The Daily Blague entry "Sailing to Byzantium" posted by my new dear acquaintance RJK in whom, through the miracle of technology, ("at last, technological advancement that benefits the humanities," as he put it) I have found a kindred spirit and someone who's not only read all my favorite books, but plenty more besides. 

Should I never hook up with my Redeemer, I can rest assured that through the serendiptiy of the Internet our paths have crossed so that in the flesh we might meet for coffee, as I also did with other dear and cherished old and new friends, about which there will be much much more to come in future installments. 



On the steps of the Plaza Hotel, 59th Street, in what the weather report called "a wintry mix," otherwise known as snow.  12/2/2007.

In the meantime,