I go to work next Monday! I’m excited! And nervous–the first few months at any new job are stressful, and I feel like I have extra to learn, this time, somehow. But I have a crate of decorations (won’t the other Systems folks be surprised when I decorate for Halloween after work on my first day ) and mugs and tea and such, so I’ll be more moved in, my first week, than I was for probably the first six months at BAH.
Other things on my mind: I’m still not unpacked. It’s hard to get up the motivation to do it, after getting so close at the last apartment and having to pack it all back up again. Also, I need more hangers, so a Target trip is in order. I may go after I finish this post, actually; I haven’t left the apartment, yet, today.
I met the group I’ll be gaming with, over the next couple of months. It’s hard to know whether a new group is particularly pleased to meet you, but I was definitely super excited to meet them, anyway. A number of them remind me of people I know and like in Pittsburgh and DC, which is simultaneously really neat and really strange. Dale was impressed that I so quickly stumbled into a group that includes SCAers and [some of] the remnants of the now-defunct [at least, as far as I can tell from Internet research] Anchorage Camarilla. I’m pondering SCA as an activity, though I haven’t decided, by any stretch. (Comment and sway me one way or the other, if you’re so inclined. ) So I am getting Dale to email me Queen of Spades–a parlor larp [think "host a murder mystery"] by Shifting Forest Storyworks–and I’ll read it over a bunch of times and offer to run it, both because I think they’ll get a kick out of it, and because I feel like my gaming karma’s kind of weak, not being willing/able to run a real campaign of anything (at least not soon). Also, because Mirror Room is much too much for a first parlor larp–I know, because it was mine.
So, if you remember, there was what I thought was a broken garbage disposal; it was actually a very messed up set of kitchen pipes, which took the [very nice Cake fan of a] maintenance guy multiple days to fix. I celebrated having my kitchen back by making chili–and then I took a picture, to share with you; note Darth Vader’s head (that’s Dale’s) and my slowly regrowing spice collection. My Facebook friends will already have seen it, but I also carved a pumpkin. The pumpkin seeds came out awesome, and poor Mr. O’Lantern is already wilting pretty sadly; clearly, at least one more pumpkin will be needed. Maybe I can talk a few coworkers into having a pumpkin carving party, so I can make one for work and one for home?
I don’t think my solar-powered Christmas lights are quite going to cut it, in the winter. They’re already fading by 1am, now, when it’s light out until 8pm. I may have to supplement them with more conventionally-powered lights. (Anchorage recommends that everybody have white Christmas lights up during the winter, to help brighten things up a bit. It doesn’t look exactly universal, this early in the year, but I’m betting people leave them out after they put them up for Christmas, anyway.) Also, I hear the university rents out SAD lights and gives you those spiky things you strap to your shoes when you have to walk across ice–we’ll see whether that’s just a rumor, soon, though.
Summit Spice and Tea is going to bankrupt me. But I’ve started drinking echinacea tea (and eating vitamin C gummies) in preparation for going to work at the university. I’ve dealt with fewer people, over the last month, than I normally do, and I worry that it’s left me with less immune system than I’m used to, even as I live alone and would have to take care of myself. (Maybe I’ll buy some canned soup while I’m out, as a backup.) I haven’t taken the flu vaccine, but plan to do so this week, sometime. (I guess I should get on that.) And when the H1N1 vaccine comes out, I’m definitely doing that, if there’s no age limit. I don’t function well when I’m sick, and if it comes between going out for orange juice or staying home and doing without, I know which I’ll do.
It’s been getting cooler. I think I saw frost on the cars when I looked out last night, though it may just have been dew. If my weather widget is to be believed, it’ll stay above freezing for the next couple of days, but may dip down to 31 degrees on Thursday night. During the day it’s mostly been in the high 40s, though I swear it dipped down into the 30s when I was driving down to Portage.
My one really important and incomplete moving-related task is dealing with the car. I’m beginning to get a little concerned about it, honestly: I don’t have the Pennsylvania registration, because I left so soon after buying the car–and it never came to Dale, anyway. Sure, I have proof that I bought it, but the registration hasn’t come yet. So I can’t get an Alaska registration, bureaucracy being what it is. And, while I have 90 days, sort of, the PA tags expire tomorrow. The plan is for Dale to register it online and mail me the stickers when they come. I’ll print up the form they give you, to prove that the registration happened. And, as soon as the paper registration comes (Dale will overnight it), I’ll have to go to the DMV to get my AK driver’s license and tags. I could just wait until Dale gets up here, which is only a tad illegal, but I want an AK ID before the end of December, so I can apply for my Permanent Fund Dividend in 2010. Also, I need to call the insurance company, in case something happens, as it is wont to do in winter; I can’t go living in Alaska, when they think I’m in Pennsylvania.
So I’m a little stressed about that car thing. But I hope it’ll all work out.
Never did find my iPod. And I’ve unpacked enough that it’s pretty much a sure thing I lost it for real. :/ So I may go to the Mac Store (it’s not a proper Apple Store, as such, but it seems like nearly the same thing), sometime soon. After my first paycheck, if I can hold off that long.
I didn’t mean to include those photos in this gallery, but there’s no obvious delete tool, so you can see my army of knitted pumpkins, as well! And a not so good photo of my porch at night.
In mijn auto heb ik een on board camera hangen, voor het geval er wat gebeurd, of als ik wat leuks tegen kom. Deze heb ik al bijna een half jaar naar volle tevredenheid.
Zo heb ik al veel filmpjes gemaakt waaronder deze:
Dit was ook de test, want ik zie dat een video invoegen werkt
Als ik een leuk filmpje hebt komen ze er zeker op!
Meer informatie over de camera kun je vinden op http://www.carcam.nl
Wang Jumps 102 Spots To Head The Hurun Report’s “Rich List”; Now Worth $5.1 Billion
BYD's Wang Chuanfu is now worth over US $5 billion, putting him at the top of China's "Rich List"
Last week, we saw what the endorsement of a financial heavyweight like Warren Buffett can do for a little-known Chinese company, with the stock of Dayang Trands skyrocketing 71% following Buffett’s praises of the company’s bespoke suits. In the automotive sector, today China Herald (via Bloomberg) points out that Buffett’s investment in previously low-key Chinese battery and hybrid/electric car maker BYD has not only given the brand global visibility, it has made the company’s head, Wang Chuanfu, a very rich man and putting him at the top of the Hurun Report’s China Rich List – beating China’s longtime #1, Zhang Yin.
[Wang's] wealth jumped to $5.1 billion, exceeding Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd. founder Zhang Yin’s $4.9 billion, according to an e-mailed statement from the Hurun Report today.
Wang’s worth leapt from $880 million last year after a unit of Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. agreed to buy a 10 percent stake in BYD. The company’s F3 has also become China’s bestselling car this year, as BYD pushes beyond its traditional focus on making rechargeable batteries for mobile phones.
Buffett’s company announced a year ago it would buy 225 million new shares in BYD for HK$8 apiece. The shares, which have surged 387 percent this year, fell 7.5 percent to HK$61.85 in Hong Kong trading today.
The company has a market value of HK$140.7 billion ($18.2 billion), according to Bloomberg data. Wang, 43, owns 28 percent, according to the Hurun Report statement.
The number of known U.S. dollar billionaires in China has grown to 130 from 101 in 2008, according to the report. There may be a similar number of billionaires not yet found, added Rupert Hoogewerf, founder and compiler of the Hurun Rich List.
As Hurun Report founder Rupert Hoogewerf noted in a press release, Wang has benefitted greatly both from China’s so-called “Green Revolution” as well as from Warren Buffett’s “Midas Touch”:
“Wang Chuanfu has made it to Number One in China on the back of the 30% growth of the Chinese car industry, the Warren Buffett Midas touch and the recovery of the Chinese economy,” says Rupert Hoogewerf, founder and compiler of the Hurun Rich List. “BYD is leading the foray into the next generation of cars using clean technology.”
My son totaled his car on Friday night suffereing cracked ribs and a big headache. On Saturday my car broke down 30 miles from home. Last night my daughter’s boyfriend decides to buy her a boxer puppy as an early Christmas gift. Geez, I could do with a little less excitement here. Today I start dealing with phone calls from insurance companies and body shops and repair shops. And the cold north wind is blowing in.
Good news: The Bearcats and the Bengals won their football games! And Liz met Christopher Roll.
Sounds like there are some unintended consequences to the new ‘anti-texting in cars’ law that is set to come into effect soon:
Under the new law, that would be illegal, Transport Ministry spokesman John Summers confirmed. "The Road User Amendment Rule 2009 means drivers will not be able to look at a navigation aid on a mobile phone when driving, even if it is mounted on the dashboard.
"You can use a mobile phone held in a cradle while driving, but only to make, receive or terminate a phone call. You cannot use them in any other way, such as reading a GPS map, reading email or consulting an electronic diary."
The restriction does not apply to navigation systems that do not have a mobile phone function, he says.Mr Hertz expressed surprise at a media report that claimed the other vehicle involved in the accident had been a write-off and that its driver had suffered back injuries requiring weeks off work.
via Stuff
Before WiFi enabled phones I used to hold a map on the steering wheel and curve this way and that while I followed where the road curved. At least with a phone you can put it on a cradle (or even if you don’t have a cradle, some place you’ll be able to see it whilst keeping two hands on the wheel) and keep clicking next till you reach your destination (or in the case of a phone with GPS you can just follow it), your eyes don’t have to find the reference point on a large paper map. Since the old law of distracted driving still holds for everything else other than a mobile I’m assuming that it’s back to the wildly swerving days of the paper map…
And I also want to know whether this applies to netbooks or not (i.e. does mobile data without calling facility qualify as ‘mobile phone function’). If not it, sounds patently ridiculous that I’ll be able to legally use my netbook to Skype, MSN, & Twitter whilst driving but as soon as I pull out my iPhone for directions I’ll be breaking the law
PS Those people who forked out $100 for the TomTom iPhone App are going to be mighty pissed!
Managed to get to bed around 1:30am this morning. Woke up at 7 to the blaring alarm clock and quickly turned off the buzzing. I forgot to mention on my last post that I was surprised to find scraps of eggs shells around and under my car yesterday morning. I don’t think it was vandalism, but maybe a prankster or my dad’s theory, a raccoon was responsible for the mess. Whatever or whomever it was, I was not impressed. It made a mess, but luckily my car was not impacted as I didn’t see any signs of dry egg yolk anywhere on my car.
Currently, I’m blogging from an undisclosed location. Well… not really. Just at the bookstore and taking them up on their free Wi-Fi. I’m not sure if my computer will die on me as I’ve noticed there are no electric outlets here in the cafe. Oddly enough, my battery life meter is still indicating it is performing at 100% capacity. What a liar. Any other program that I run will trigger it to cough up the truth. Probably down to 50% now.
I think the reason for my lack of tiredness yesterday was probably due to hunger. I didn’t eat dinner last night because I wasn’t all that hungry. But I did notice my stomach growling while I tossed and turned.
Oh! Now it’s down to 47%. Ok. Post and then just read. Bye~
Am găsit o colecţie interesantă de fotografii cu logotipuri 3D de pe diverse branduri de maşini pe flickr.
Street Van - logotip de pe flickr. Sus detaliu 1:1 din foto, jos imaginea întreagă (micşorată). Aici am saturat puţin culorile.
Unele sunt foarte frumoase iar pe câteva le-am postat aici.
A fost o vreme când aceste logotipuri/litere erau create în mod special pentru fiecare model/brand.
Frumuseţea lor transcede timpul şi sunt o sursă de inspiraţie pentru unele din fonturile moderne.
O parte din colecţia de pe flickr.
Unul din membrii grupului a făcut şi un site cu logotipurile prezentate pe flickr.
Site-ul Chromeography
Au apărut multe fonturi inspirate din ele.
Fonturi pe FontShop.
Dacă vreţi să vedeţi mai multe, aveţi link-urile mai jos.
Spor!
Link-uri: http://www.flickr.com/groups/chromecharacters/ / Colecţia Chromeography pe flickr.
http://www.fontshop.com/fontlist/genres/connected_chrome/ / Fonturi inspirate din logotipuri auto.
http://chromeography.com/ / Site cu logotipurile prezentate pe flickr.
This year marked the 150th anniversary of the 1859 opening of the Port of Yokohama.
To commemorate this anniversary, Expo Y150, a grand exposition focusing on the history and attractions of the city, was held between April 28 to September 27, 2009.
Against Yokohama’s distinctive backdrop of the sea and the port, the Bayside Area was the focal point for the Y150 celebrations and was separated into several different zones.
Y150 Hajimarinomori (Forest of Beginnings)
The main attraction of the Y150 celebration was the French ENEOS La Machine, a massive spider approximately 12 meters tall. Watch out, it even spewed water!
The Yokohama Monogatari exhibit featured the history of Yokohama.
Y150 Tomorrow Park (Shinko District Block 7)
The Tomorrow Park Stage featured several different live performances, singing and dancing.
Highlighting global environmental issues, the giant earth balloon, about 20 meters in diameter, floated in the night sky above Yokohama, reflecting a dynamic display of light, sound and visuals.
Nissan Y150 Dream Front
Aiming to expand caring environmental activities on a worldwide scale, Nissan Motor Company sponsored a large interactive pavilion focusing on the theme of children and the environment.
PIVO 2 is an electric car born of concern for the earth built by Nissan.
Visitors were allowed to write caring messages in small paper leaves which were placed inside one of the earth balloons in Kotoba Park.
Red Brick Site
The Red Brick site offered lots of shopping and restaurants.
The official Tanemaru (Y150 mascot) store was also located here.
The much anticipated Tom-Tom iPhone car kit price was revealed today.
TomTom car kit for the iPhone will have a recommended retail price of EUR 99.99 or USD 119.95.
The TomTom car kit will be available this October and will be sold separately from the TomTom app. It will be compatible with the iPhone 2G, 3G and 3GS.
Now it does offer its own GPS, Loud speaker, charger and hands free calling, but 100 dollars for the app and 120 for the car kit your better off buying a standalone unit and using that. They need to come up with a discount option for customers. Anybody rushing out to buy that kit when its released?
Getting the right installation tools is critical in order to make a premium window film installation. Check out TintTools website. http://www.solarcontrolfilmsinc.com/tint_tool_list.html
to find the right tools such as olfa knives, scrapers, squeegees, blue max 3m Gold card, spray bottles and more tinting tools.
Installation tools are need for auto, commercial, residential window film installations. Solar Control Films offers all the right films for a premium installation along with the right tools. Life time warranty films are available for residential and automotive installations.
Solar Control also offers energy audits at no cost. Just fill out an energy audit form and send it in. Include the square footage of glass windows and which direction they face. If you know your kWh cost of energy, the estimate will include how much money you can save with premium solar films along with how many kWh you will conserve.
I’m no big fan of the ‘Need for Speed’ serie when it comes to racing games. I cant exlpain why, but it has never captured my attention.
These days the next game in the serie is presented to the world, the ‘Need for Speed – Shift’. I stumbled over a video on youtube for the game, and I’m almost ready to buy the game. The graphics since I saw it the last time is improved a lot, and it looked fun to play. I’m a sucker for Flatout 1 & 2 and the video gave me a little of that driver-feeling. I guess I’ll have to test the demo of the game to make up my mind.
CELTIC goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska has been hit with a fine for speeding near Edinburgh Zoo. A speed camera caught the 27 year-old Poland international hitting 41mph in a 30mph zone on the capital’s Corstorphine Road on January 21 this year.
This week he admitted that he had been driving a car over the speed limit.
The Parkhead number two managed to keep a clean sheet in his side’s 4-0 win over Falkirk in the Co-operative Insurance Cup on Wednesday night.
But yesterday (Thurs) he got three penalty points on his licence at Edinburgh’s Justice of the Peace Court.
Zaluska – who signed from Dundee United at the end of last season – was not in court but fiscal depute Dev Kapadia said he had received a letter from the Old-Firm stopper.
Mr Kapadia said: “There is a letter from the accused indicating that he wishes to plead guilty.
“He does have a clean driving licence and a copy has been produced.”
Mr Kapadia added that the offence “spoke for itself”.
Police clocked his car speeding at the East end of Balgreen Road, close to the city’s busy zoo.
Zaluska, of Partickhill Road, Glasgow, pled guilty by letter and was fined £60 by Justice Gari Donn.
She said: “Given the circumstances the court is restricting the fine to £60 and three penalty points.
Celtic FC declined to comment on the case.
See more of our pictures at our Flickr site and videos at our dedicated channel, Deadline TV.
I do not know what made me think of this song but yesterday in my car I started singing it in my head….I recorded on my VCR back in the day and watched it, a lot. Kimmi, please tell me you remember this!!!!
Now there are several things about this video that I am in love with,
1. I love the sweaters, I really want one
2. I love the random rollerskating
3. I love the really bad amazing graphics
4. I love the dance moves.
This video and song made my day, I hope you enjoyed it!
This is an absolutely true statement. I’ve joked with R that I feel like my sex drive is like that of a teenager. Maybe that is what is supposed to happen in your early 30’s. I’m not sure. But just a few months ago, the beast was awakened inside of me.
I went from “I’ll have sex if I have to”, which was about once a month when I needed it to “If I don’t have sex right now, I will go crazy”. It’s been a nice change. I’m awake now. I’m alive now. And, I’m as horny as fuck now.
This “sexual revolution” as I like to refer to my awakening, changed my whole perspective about sex. I once believed that a woman who gave oral sex to a man was allowing him to degrade her. (WTF? right?) Anal sex, no thank you. G-spot, doesn’t exist. Swallow a man’s cum- out of the question, “if you cum in my mouth I will bite it off” did come out of my mouth on one occasion. Seriously.
Repressed by the idea that I was the “good girl”, that I was above sexual desires and needs, that sex was really something you enjoyed at a young age and then well, not so much as an adult; my thinking was warped. I was so wrong. Now, I’m just thankful for whatever happened to me that made me wake up from this repressed no sex slumber before it was too late.
At first, I was forced out of my repression by someone who was extremely sexual. Once introduced to this way of thinking, talking, and well fucking, I was hooked. However, one night stands were not for me. Fun in the moment, a good sexual release, they left me feeling empty and unfulfilled in the morning.
I wanted something more. Perhaps, a friends with benefits type of situation. I wanted to get to know the person somewhat, talk about needs, desires, likes, and dislikes BEFORE fucking them. I also wanted the possibility of doing it again, without strings attached.
This led me to Craig’s List. I have no idea what gave me the idea. But I tried it and well, I was extremely successful. Read R’s perspective on our First Time s he talks about our Craig’s List encounter. Our First Time-His Perspective part one and Our First Time- Part Two.
R and I did not set out to find what we found in each other. Both of us had the plan for a no strings attached kind of situation. I had hopes for the friends part, he thought it was too good to be true.
Teenagers. That is what we feel like together. That is what we act like too. Perhaps that is the reason for our excitement over our sexual experiences. For one, we have never had the opportunity to do these things before. Things like public oral sex, oral sex in general (with me swallowing), road head, the use of sex toys, public orgasms, hotel rooms, sex in bathrooms, etc are all new for us.
We rarely have time alone away from the glances of curious bystanders. Sometimes, I hate this, I want to be naked and be fucked while screaming at the top of my lungs. Other times, I’m grateful. Why? Because we do get to act like teenagers. We appreciate the kisses that we share, because they are special and far and few between. We are willing to try new things and we don’t have the time or place to try them all at once, so we have to take our time, spread them out, and really enjoy them.
When alone together and naked, we spend the time exploring each others’ bodies. Foreplay, what’s foreplay? We use oral sex to stimulate each other before, during, and after sex. Our hands and mouths, massage, pinch, kiss, bite, suck, lick, grope from the moment we are in reaching distance of each other. This means in the park, bar, restaurant, car, wherever.
This is something that a one night stand could not give to either of us. This connection and understanding. This willingness to try new things and explore with each other. The honesty between us.
He has used the quote “life is what happens when you are making other plans” in reference to us. I couldn’t agree more.
Today, I set out with the intention of meeting him at our spot, a public place in a park. I won’t wear panties under my skirt. We will kiss and talk and if I’m lucky, I will get him to take his cock out of his pants as I put both of my legs on either side of his waist and I will scoot forward until he is inside of me.
It’s unlikely as it will be daylight and it’s a busy park. I will still try though. I think that if I can get him to try this in the dark, he will be more willing to try it during the day. Or, maybe it will rain and I’ll get to fuck him in his car because no one will be able to see through the windows.
I am much more the exhibitionist of the two of us. I don’t care if anyone is watching. I don’t care if they know what we are doing. He is cautious. He’s also probably right. But I won’t give up. : )
He’ll finger fuck me in the park and I’ll cum. It will be good and I’ll enjoy every minute that he is touching me. (this is part of the teenager stuff we enjoy to do) But what I’ll want is his cock. Every time he makes me cum without his cock, whether with his fingers, mouth, my fingers, or a vibrator; I only want his cock more. His cock is the missing piece to my puzzle.
Klein Honda has always run exciting specials for all our customers. And this month we have an amazing financing opportunity for all of YOU! Klein Honda is offering 0% APR on the remaining 2009 Honda models! Customers can avail of this offer till 30th September 2009.
So whether your choice is the Accord, the perfect family car, or the ever dependable Civic or if you are opting for a van like Odyssey, or if your choice runs to an SUV like the Pilot or even a truck like the Ridgeline , then the right time to buy your dream car is NOW!
Our extensive network of tie-ups with banks and credit unions makes it easier for you to secure the right Honda finance that suits your budget perfectly! Our friendly finance executives will assist YOU in helping secure the correct financing option.
So why wait? Your dream car is within your reach at super affordable prices. At Klein Honda you will get the right Honda at the right price!
Klein Honda is offering this exceptional financing offer on select 2009 Honda’s to well qualified buyers for limited terms. HURRY, offer expires 9/30/09.
OK, as everyone and their dog probably knows by now, the Dallas Cowboys lost their home-opener to the New York Giants… and just in case that wasn’t bad enough, they lost in their brand new $1.12 billion stadium! Talk about pain and humiliation!!!!
Oh, and I do want to make one thing clear for all the Cowboy-haters out there who think it would be so much fun to taunt a Cowboy’s fan right after a Dallas loss, at least have the balls to be out of your car when you start spewing out that shit! I have to say, I didn’t know there were so many New York fans in Waco, but the two pussies I happened to encounter did all their teasing from the security of their moving car!
With that off my chest, I also want to address all the Cowboy fans who won’t stop bitching about what a terrible team we have and how Romo should go. Now, Romo had a shitty game going 13/27, 127 yards, and three interceptions; there is no doubt that he is partly to blame over losing the game, but even then Dallas had a one-point lead with 3:40 left in the fourth quarter. Do we also need to place some blame on the defense, who didn’t even lay a finger on Eli, or the secondary, who couldn’t cover dirt? Yeah, eveyone is partly to blame for the loss… but it was one loss! THIS IS WEEK 2!!!! Chances are, the Cowboys will lose again, beacuse no team will have a perfect season, and anyone who is rational should know this.
We lost 33-31! We were not blown out, but the loss lies more with the mistakes we inflicted on ourselves rather than anything the Giants did. They simply took advantage when a situation was presented. I actually respect the Giants for what they were able to accomplish in 2007 and I think Eli is one hell of a quarterback (I do, however, wish someone would put a muzzle on Brandon Jacobs)… but I am glad that the Cowboys and the Giants will meet again on December 6. I want Eli on his back more often than not, and I want Marc Colombo or Flozell Adams to ram the football down Jacobs’ throat! I want vindication, and I know my team wants it to.
The Dallas Cowboys are my team, and although I am disappointed with the loss, I am not going to write them off. The season will be over when it’s over, and Dallas is still one of the best teams in the NFC. So come on Dallas fans, quit putting down the ‘Boys and actually show some encouragement! WE ARE NOT PHILADELPHIA!!!!! We support our team, we cheer them on, and we should know that anything is possible! After all, isn’t that what makes football so much damn fun!!!
So keep the chins up and show some love for America’s Team!!! Ciao!!!
After feeding Nathaniel his breakfast, I’m loading the dishwasher and my mind starts to wander. I think to myself, why is it so hard to move on and let go. I’m talking little things- not saying that I should move on past John… I don’t think that will ever happen. But simple things like packing up his clothes or putting a car up for sale or figuring out what I’m going to do with my horse numbers.
I started going through clothes a tiny bit a few days ago and stopped shortly after I started- in tears. Things like his black LiveStrong shirt
Me, John, & Nathaniel at the Miles for Melanoma Walk - September 2008. John wore his black LiveStrong t-shirt a lot and even more after he got sick. Just the words LiveStrong really embodied how John lived his life- even to the end.
or his flame boxers that I bought him back when we were still dating. Then the answer comes to me.
We as a people tend to like to hang onto things. It is easier to hang on to something than to let it go. We grieve over losses, regret mistakes, and can’t move on past broken hearts. We keep around things just in case we might need them again. We save baby clothes even though we know our childbearing days are past us. Often we let clutter fill our lives.
Maybe I should look at it in a different light… we collect things. But often what we collect will never become a valuable antique. Quite often what we collect is well… just junk.
I hope in time I’ll be able go through clothes and to some extent move on past the grief and just enjoy the many memories. I know that will take time and nobody knows how much time.
But for now, it’s easier just to hang on than to let go.
The search for missing Greymouth man Andrew David Lorimer is continuing today. It is focused on sections the Grey River.
The police National Dive Squad have been called in, and is being supported by local surf rescue. They will be checking several areas near where Mr. Lorimer is believed to have entered the water.
On the 20/09/09 an extensive search involving local LandSAR teams, four SAR Dog Handlers, two Inflatable Surf Rescue Boats, a kayak team, Coast Guard Personnel, the Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter, and Police has failed to locate any sign of the missing man.
Police have not ruled out that he may be avoiding police.
We are excited to announce we now have live offer on our site. It’s our first few and we can’t wait to help buyers land these great prices. We are working to get you guys the absolute lowest prices on new cars. Here’s the offers we have up now and the links to them if your interested:
From Car Pros Kia of Tacoma we have:
A 2009 Kia Rio base model. They have 5 vehicles available and are offering them at a Groupfu discount of $9,488. Here’s the link to our buying group on the Groupfu website: http://www.groupfu.org/dealer_group/landing/rio_100309_0011
And a 2009 Kia Sportage offer. They have 5 vehicles available and are offering them at a Groupfu discount of $18,285 each. Here’s the link to our buying group on the Groupfu website: http://www.groupfu.org/dealer_group/landing/sportage_100309_0010
And from Korums Nissan of Puyallup we have:
A 2009 Nissan Titan LE Crew Cab 4X2 LWB. They have 4 vehicles available and are offering them at a Groupfu discount of $26,933. Here’s the link to our buying group on the Groupfu website: http://www.groupfu.org/dealer_group/landing/titan_092609_0005
A 2009 Nissan Titan SE Crew Cab 4X4 SWB. They have 3 vehicles available and are offering them at a Groupfu discount of $32,495 each. Here’s the link to our buying group on the Groupfu website: http://www.groupfu.org/dealer_group/landing/titan_092709_0009
And a 2009 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL Sedan. They have 3 vehicles available and are offering them at a Groupfu discount of $18,341 each. Here’s the link to our buying group on the Groupfu website: http://www.groupfu.org/dealer_group/landing/versa_092609_0003
Wish us luck. These are amazing deals, we just gotta spread the word and get them out there.
A report released earlier today stated that a PE fund operated by Goldman Sachs is investing $250 million in Geely Holding Group’s Hong Kong-listed arm to fund the auto maker’s growth, which could include a bid for Ford’s Volvo unit.
Sources say that the Goldman Sachs’ fund is investing in convertible bonds and warrants that will give it a minority stake in the Chinese auto maker.
‘Scuse me whilst I kiss the sky!!! I’m still a bit overly happy! I’m sorry!
Goodwood Revival 2009 will go down in my history books as the day I reverted to being 9 years old….
It’s always great – no two ways about it, the Revival is the greatest motorsport weekend there is. All the famous and not so famous race cars from the many years of track racing. Jaguars, Ferraris, Mercedes, Alvis, Ford, Chevy, Lotus, I could go on….and on… all battling in very heated full pace battles. Not replicas – these are the real deal… 50 to 60 years old and they are still adding to their history.
Why was this one different?
Well, by now you will know of my love for the XJ13 – the most beautiful car in the World – FACT (Okay, opinion, but it should be fact). This 60’s supercar managed 206mph under the guidance of the great Norman Dewis. It was the 13th model for Jaguar, hence the XJ13 tag… a mystical number… some see it as unlucky…it just adds to the tale.
It was going to be a Le Mans entry to crush the Ford GT40’s and Ferraris of the day, but just before it was ready the race rules changed and the XJ13 wasn’t allowed to race. It was the test bed for the Jaguar V12 powerplant that went on to get fitted in later Jaguars – notably the E-Type. In fact to launch the E-Type a photo shoot was called up with the XJ13 to add heritage to the new V12 E-type. On this outing one of the magnesium wheels “let go” and Norman had an almighty crash.
The car was all but written off – and luckily Norman survived! Years later it was rebuilt and is now with the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Centre.
Named the thirteen…a still born racer that almost killed its test driver… a beautiful, powerful car that can still hold its own… those GT40’s got away lightly… the XJ13 would have eaten them alive.
I first saw the XJ13 many years ago at Beauleau Motor Museum and fell in love with it. Since then, on odd occasions we bump into each other. I eventually came to know of the TWR replica (Click here to link!) – the most accurate and faithful of the few replicas out there. At £105,000 it isn’t cheap – but then it is an XJ13….
It always stops me in my tracks, and today it did once more. As I rounded the corner as we walked through the Revival event I saw the TWR XJ13 sat there…. The engineer in charge of the project was there and we got chatting about “her”. It was the first time I had got a chance to talk about the 13 with people actually involved.
After a long chat I went off and caught up with Chris and Alex, where we all then took in the sights, sounds and action of the Revival. We met old and new friends on our walk about, and generally had a good time of it all.
Toward the end of the day (and this blog entry) I met the XJ13 again…but until then….
Carnaby in Goodwood
Alex getting into the spirit
Glam Cabs!
Spitfires, Messershmitt, Mustangs and a Vulcan took to the air, vintage racers blitzed the track… (Alex loved the Mini racing – which really was a nail bitter)… and we loved it. Fairground rides, Rockers, Dad’s Army, Laurel and Hardy, Hippies and Mods – static car displays the lot – Brilliant.
Dad’s Army
The ME109
Mad Mini’s going Hell for Leather
Huey – UH-1 with M-60
A pair of Aces? Mustangs down Low
Laurel and Hardy
The Italian Job
We caught up with my Father in Law as well, which Alex had been on about all day (he loves his Grandad!). Always great to catch up with him – although on race days he is obviously under a lot of stress and pressure with his job! I never really expect to see much of him on those days – so if we do manage to meet up it is always an added treat.
When we went to head home I decided to head back to the 13 to see if I could possible sit in her..it..her… I know it was a big ask, and pretty unlikely, bearing in mind the cost and “DO NOT TOUCH” labels on it..her…it…
As I rounded the corner again I reverted to being a kid once more, as stood chatting with the TWR engineer – and next to the 13 – was Norman Dewis…
I went to take a photo of the two of them and the camera started to misbehave. Norman suggested I was out of film…. I tried again to get a shot.
Thanks to the ice breaker I found myself talking to Norman Dewis… The TWR Replicas engineer then suggested I bought the Norman Dewis book (a huge tome about his life and key role in developing the Jaguar cars from C types to XJ saloons, XK’s and XJ’s…. his racing against other giants like Moss and Fangio…).
I’ve wanted it for a while…. It isn’t a cheap book, but it was 30% off for the Revival.. but still not cheap…. so I said I’d buy it as my Christmas present… as long as I could have a seat in the 13, and if Norman wouldn’t mind signing the book…..
Needless to say I ended up sat in the cockpit of the 13, with a signed book and several photo’s of me with Norman, the XJ13 and Alex, me and the 13….
I look a little mad in these pictures… but I was trying hard not to look too much like a kid in a candy shop!
Behind my head… 450hp of V12 in a 1200kg chassis…. SWEEEEET!
It was all over far too soon for my liking. As we wandered away I then spotted a golf cart heading towards me. It stopped… I recognised the driver and went over to shake hands and say “hello”….. Murray Walker! Yes, Mr Voice of Formula One himself! Murray Walker shook the hand that 1 minute earlier Norman Dewis and shaken… I may never wash it again! Two Legends!
How can I better this? Well…. unless I can raise the finances, the next step would be a trip out in a 13… (or THE 13….*shudder!*)… Better still would be some wheel time in the 13…. but hey! I’m still counting my lucky stars that I even managed to sit in this, one of the greatest cars to have ever existed.
So all that is left now, is for me to scour the marketplace to see who wants to buy a kidney…. one careful owner… only £105,000……
Yeah, I’m that cheesey, I made a video of the car. I plan on showing the parents! And yes, I did use Genuwine – Pony as the background music.
And of course, I had to take a cheesey “hey got a new car!” picture.
Finally starting to kind of look like him! I basically repainted his face cause he was starting to look stylized. This proj is taking longer than expected but stiiiill excited
Finally got our own car yesterday. Though it’s a used car, it smells and drives like new. Direct import from Japan, this 2002 Toyota Spacio (sold as Verso in Europe) has an economical and zippy 1500cc VVTi engine. As a compact MPV, it can also be easily converted into 7-seat people mover.
[Also known as Toyota Verso in Europe]
[The front]
[The rear]
[14" tyres]
[The all too familiar Toyota steering wheel]
[Pretty standard meters]
[The dashboard]
[Original CD, Tape, TV and GPS]
I’m getting audio when I switch to TV but very blurry or no image. I wonder if the antenna is busted. If only I can get it to work.
[Sound quality is pretty good]
[Err... wakarimasen desu!!?!]
Menus are all in Japanese.
[Ooo... PSP]
[Sunglass compartment]
[Armrest is a nice touch for the driver]
[Cup holders]
I counted at least 8 cup holders inside the car. That’s more than half a dozen can of beers. Japanese must really like to drink and drive.
[Second row is occupied by the kids]
[Very roomy back compartment]
[Pull out the 3rd row seat and you have an instant 7-seater]
[Warrant of Fitness, valid for another 6 months]
[The VVTi engine]
[Even the Japanese car manual looks new... if only I can understand anything in it]
I have been receiving loads of Aidilfitri wishes since last week. Some are creative and some are not. The best one by far was sent to me by a Subaru car enthusiast (like me). Below was his wish:
“Ya ALLAH, diakhir ramadan yang berkah ini, makburkan doa saudaraku yang sedang baca sms ini. Kurniakanlah beliau 1) Cosworth/Crawford engine lengkap dengan HKS GT turbo & wastegate 2) Sejukkan fmic (front mount intercooler) 3) Kuatkan piston Mahle nya 4) Berikan ratio gear & LSD yang terbiak 5) Suburkan benih ECUTEK dari overboost & fuel lean. Amin Ya Allah. Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir Batin from …..”
I love this! LOL. Very creative indeed. Being myself (not so creative in this department), I am going to wish you guys ol’ skool way -
Wishing Everybody Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri & Maaf Zahir Batin
Here’s a new spot on YouTube… thanks to the Creative Intensive Network on LinkedIn, for sharing it, and Alexander Bickov for posting it on YouTube.
I really love the storytelling that director Marcello Serpa of AlmapBBDO Brazil accomplished in only a minute seventeen seconds… but judging from the comments on LinkedIn, I’m in the minority. Most of the comments were critical of its relevance, amount of brand recognition, etc. “Creative for creative’s sake”, “Epic waste of a client’s money”, and an entertaining rant with no doubt an interesting backstory about sleek conference rooms and busty interns offering beverages in a big agency. Maybe they’re right. But I don’t think so.
This spot has everything an urbanite worried about the future could want: a smoking volcano threatening an idyllic way of life; a creative solution delivered in heroic fashion by young progressives, working together. Getting their hands and cars dirty in the process, and blessing the soccer players, the old, the young, the chickens, and the goats. A beginning, middle, and end all in just over a minute. Classic dramatic storytelling in the service of car advertising!
Here’s the spot.
Here’s what I said on LinkedIn:
I like it a lot. Well directed: good casting (the old man, the boy), amazing job of making a character statement about the people bringing the popcorn in just a few frames (attractive girl getting out of the car, cool-looking but not Abercrombie-esque shovelers.) Excellent editing… watch it 5 times and you can see how nicely the details support the message. Environmental/urban reinvention statement (Smoking volcano repurposed for human health — with cool factor like chickens & sheep) Great special effects that don’t detract from the story. Well-conceived branding elements as the line of identical cars come toward us (if you watch on YouTube at HQ).
Disagree with the linkage to the Beetle. This spot was clearly conceived to support some branding research somewhere that said “small, green, community, versatile, practical … and yet racy, daring, sporty, and fast.”
Come on, folks, lighten up. What do big horses have to do with Budweiser? Is there a meaningful difference between Huggies and Pampers? The whole thing is just another devilishly clever charade purporting to solve the challenges of life with a product that, in reality, is no better than any other vehicle in solving them. It’s art, and it’s artifice, and if we’re in advertising that’s what clients pay us for.
John Tran, retail sales professional, receives a perfect report card from a very satisfied customer.
Customer comment: “I have already recommended this dealership to my friends, family, and co-workers. This is probably the best experience I have had purchasing a new vehcile. Now that I have actually driven my Toyota Corolla for a month, I have discovered that it has a lot of great features. My last two cars were Hondas but not any more. I am a Toyota girl from here on out”.
John Tran serves as one of Elk Grove Toyota’s retail sales professionals and has been with Elk Grove Toyota now for several years.
Infiniti, Toyota, Land Rover, Mercedes, BMW…ეს მხოლოდ მცირედი ჩამონათვალია იმ ავტომწარმოებლებისა, რომლებიც ყველგანმავალის ტიპის ავოტმობილებს უშვებენ.
საქართველოში ნებისმიერი ბრენდის ყველგანმავალს “ჯიპი” ჰქვია, რაც სახელგანთქმული ავტომობილის “ჯიპის” სახელწოდებიდან დამკვიდრდა. პირველი დზერსკი ყველგანმავალი ხომ სწორედ ამ მწარმოებელმა შემოგვთავაზა და ამით დაჩრდილა მშობლიური “ნივა”. სასაცილოც იქნებოდა “ჯიპის” მაგივრად ნებისმიერი მარკის ყველგანმავლისთვის ხალხს “ნივა” რომ დაერთო ბოლოში. გვეყოლებოდა ინფინიტის ნივა, ტოიოტას ნივა და ა.შ…
დავუბრუნდეთ ისევ ე.წ. ჯიპებს. საერთოდ, საყოევლთაოდ ცნობილია და ფაქტია, რომ ჯიპს იყენებენ მსოფლიო ქვეყნების ისეთ ადგილებში სადაც ჩვეულებრივი მსუბუქი ავტომანქანები ვერ დადიან: მთებში, კლდოვან წარმონაქმნებში, ღრმა ტალახში და თოვლშიც. მასში ხომ თავს მთის, კლდის და ტალახის მეფედაც კი გრძნობ თავს, რადგანაც მწარმოებლებმა ისეთი კომფორტი შეუქმნედ ჯიპის მძღოლებს რომ გადმოსვლაც არ მოგინდება. 90 გრადუსითაც რომ იყო დახრილი, ამას ვერც იგრძნობ ჯიპში ჯდომისას!(რა თქმა უნდა ეს ყველაფერი ნივას არ ეხება, რა გასაკვირიც არ უნდა იყოს, ზოგჯერ ჯობნის კიდევაც ამ ბრენდებს გაუვალ ადგილებში გამავლობით)
ალბათ სწორედ მეფის როლი მოწონთ ქართველებს ამ ავტომობილებში. ქართელის ქედმაღლობა ხომ საქვეყნოდ ცნობილია. უმეტესობა, ჯიპში თუ სხედან, ყველა პრობლემა გადაწყვეტილი გონიათ. ისე იყურებიან ხოლმე საკუთარი ბრიყვული სახეებით, რომ შურის მაგივრად საცოდაობის გრძნობა გაგიჩნდება. არ იციან რა უნდათ ჭამის და სმის გარდა )) ჯიპში სხედან და ტვინში სიცარიელეა, ტვინის განძრევა ხომ ერთ ადგილის განძრევასავით დამღლელი და არაკომფორტულია. კომფორტის მოყვარულმა პროვინციელმა “ელიტამ” კი კომფორტი აირჩია. ერთი მიკვირს მარტო: ხალხი მთელი ცხოვრება მუშაობს და პურის საყიდელი ფული არ რჩება და ამ უტვინო და უინტელექტო ხალხს ამდენი ფული საიდან აქვთ? ჯიპი ხომ კომფორტულობასთან ერთად საკმაოდ ძვირი სიამოვნებაა! თქვენ გეგონათ ისე არიგებდნენ?
ყველაზე ცუდი ის არის რომ საქართველო ნიკოფსიიდან დარუბანდამდე გადაჭიმული კაი ხნის წინ იყო. ახლა კი მხოლოდ ორი ქალაქიღა დარჩა სადაც ნორმალურად შეიძლება არსებობა. ჯიპები კი ისედაც დაბინძურებულ გაერს კიდევ უფრო აბინძურებენ, ჯერ იმიტომ რომ ორჯერ მეტ საწვავს ხმარობენ, ვიდრე მსუბუქი ავტომანქანები და მეორეც, ყველამ იცის რომ ავტოგასამართ სადგურებზე სტანდარტი, რეგულარი და პრემიუმი მხოლოდ ფასებით განსხვავდება და სინამდვილეში კაცმა არ იცის რა ბენზინია და რა ხარისხის. თითონ ავტოგასამართი სადგურები კი ლას-ვეგასივით არის გადაჩახჩახებული. გამონაბოლქვის გარდა ქალაქის ქუჩები კატასტროფულად არის გადატვირთული. იმას ვერავინ ხვდება რომ ჯიპით იქ უნდა იარო სადაც ჯიპია საჭირო და არა შუა ქალაქში, მაგრამ ამაზე არავინ ფიქრობს…
რო იკითხო, საქართველო ევროპული სახელმწიფოა და მის ტრადიციებს იზიარებს. ევროპის ნებისმიერი ქვეყანა ავიღოთ, თუნდაც გერმანია. ამ ცოტა ხნის წინათ გახლდით ამ ქვეყნის ერთ-ერთ ქალაქში. ნაგვის არარსებობაზე რომ არაფერი ვთქვათ, სამი დღის განმავლობაში სულ ხუთიოდე მანქანა შეგვხვდა ქუჩებში, არადა მთელი დღე გარეთ ვიყავით და დავდიოდით, ქალაქს ვათვალიერებდით. ხალხის უმეტესობა ველოსიპედებით დადიოდა ყველგან. შემდეგ გავიგე, რომ გერმანიის კანონმდებლობით ქალაქის ქუჩებში ველოსიპედს უფრო მეტი უფლებები აქვს ვიდრე ავტომანქანას. აი ასეთი ტრადიციებია ევროპაში და რომელ ევროპას ბაძავს საქართველო, თქვენ განსაჯეთ…
ყველაზე საშინელი “ჯიპების” თაობაში ის არის რომ ამ ხალხს კაცობათ ძვირიანი ყველგანმავლის ქონა გონიათ და ამითი აბათილებენ ინტელექტის საჭიროებას.
ძალიან და გულწრფელად ვხალისობ ხოლმე ამ ჯიპების პატრონების ორიგინალურ ნომრებზე. ასოებს მნიშვნელობა არ აქვს მთავარია ბოლო სამი ციფრი ერთნაირი იყოს, პოპულარული ბრიყვი იქნები თუ ეს სამი ციფრი 777-ა. ეს მოდაში აქვთ. იმის შემდეგ რაც შესაძლებელი გახდა სანომრე დაფებზე საკუთარი სურვილისამებრ ასოების წერა, შეიძლება სიცილით დაიხოცოთ. ინფინიტის ბოლო მოდელში მჯდომი, ნინო ჩხეიძის ჰანგებით სახეგაბრწყინებული მელოტი ბიძა რომ ჩაგივლის გვერდზე და ნომერზე ჯონდი, ანზორი ან ალიკა აწერია არ შეიძლება ამას გულგრილად შეხედო, აუცილებლად გაგეცინება. უფრო კი იმაზე მეცინება საქართველოს დასახმარებლად ჩამოსულ ინვესტორებს რომ ვუყურებ იმ მძღოლივით სახე შეცვლილებს, როდესაც ღარიბი ქვეყნის ქუჩებში მავალი ბოლომოდელის ყველგანმავლების მარკების ყურებით თვალები უჭრელდებათ. ჯერ კიდევ შევარდნაძის დროს, როდესაც საქართველო განვითარებად “ბანანის” ქვეყანად ითვლებოდა, ჩვენს დასახმარებლად ჩამოსული უცხოელი ბიზნესმენები გიჟდებობდნენ, ასეთი მარკის ავტომობილები ჩვენს ქვეყანაში არ დადის და თქვენ ხართ განვითარებადი ქვეყანაო?
ყველაზე ცუდი ის არის რომ სწორედ ეს ჯიპის პატრონები ქმნიან ქვეყნის ყალბ იმიჯს, ხოლო დანარჩენ “ჯიპების” თაობის წარმომადგენლებს ჯიპის კიარა საჭმლის ფულიც არ აქვთ.
Silver ignites, the engine hums
Shivers sprout down arms
Deep breath never comes
Eyes piercing, my right
I’m down for a fight
“Let’s go, then,” say I
And his smile is wry
I shift machine into gear and we go.
My hands grip the wheel
Nerves dancing pechenkas
He begins his spiel
“Take the left, then a right”
The voice is tenory, light
I turn left and my
Voice says in reply
“Okay” a wavering strength that goes.
คุณคิดไปตลอดทางลงไปที่ New Jersey เพื่อร่วมงานแต่งงานของน้องสาวในรถเช่าหรือไม่ไม่ใช่! ฉันคิดว่านี่จะเป็นหนึ่งในสถานการณ์ที่น่าอับอายมากที่สุดสำหรับคุณเมื่อแขกอื่นๆจะให้ข้อคิดเห็นซึ่งเยาะเย้ย. แน่นอนดูเหมือนว่าอย่างน่ารังเกียจและไม่สมควรเห็นผู้จัดการของบริษัทใหญ่เช่ารถเดินทางลงไปยังสถานที่อื่นๆ. ทำไมไม่ซื้อรถ Infiniti ของใช้ส่วนตัวของคุณ
For vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html
Alfa Romeo
This model year tends to reflect the down nature of the economy with a few bright spots for those with dough and risk takes. For example, Alfa Romeo is back with three Italian beauties. The Alfa Romeo 159 Sedan is a BMW 3 Series fighter with a 260 horsepower 3.2-liter V6 engine stunning looks and standard all-wheel drive all for about $35,000. Adding to that Italian Flair is the Alfa Romeo Brera 2 plus 2 Coupe that is really attractive and carries the same drive train as the 150 sedan. As usually, you have to pay more for something beautiful so the sleek two door should run a couple of grand more. Of course, going topless is the sole purpose of the Alfa Romeo Spider which should cost over $40,000 probably with the same V6 engine. We suggest wait and see.
Acura
Aston Martin has more expensive eye candy for anyone still with a couple hundred thousand dollars to spend. The Rapide has four doors, a first, and 470 horsepower. For a hundred thousand more you can own a smaller vehicle, the DBS Volante 2+2 and sit on 510-horsepower. That is the same horsepower you can feast upon in a Jaguar sedan that costs $80,000. There is also the One-77 for two million, a V12 with 700 horsepower and it is built to the owner’s specifications, more or less. Oh, the name? They are only going to build 77 of them. Hurry. You can get a lot more for a lot less.
Audi
Whether Audi’s winning streak lasts is in the hands of four new Audi vehicles. The A5 Cabriolet does away with the A4 in appearance only as most of the drivetrain is the same. Look for some more technology and a price a little over forty grand. You can also order supercharged version for a few thousand dollars more. Finally, the Audi S4, at around $50,000, is going to have a 3.0-liter supercharged six-cylinder engine making about 335 horsepower and all wheel drive. A BMW with a softer image.
BMW
BMW continues its quest to build some pretty strange looking vehicles, but they continue to succeed. The Z4 well have a retractable hardtop and its excellent twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine as well as a base model sans the induction help starting in the mid-$40,000 range. For $80,000 you can harvest a large BMW 7-Series with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 400 horsepower. Again, less horsepower than the Jaguar sedan, but it has more backseat room. Back to strange looking BMWs and the X6 M. For nearly ninety thousand dollars you can drive a very fast SUV that can rival the Porsche Cayenne in everything, including deprecation. Look for 550 plus horsepower from a twin-turbocharged V8. The base 3 Series is still the best BMW.
Buick Lacrosse
We don’t recommend General Motors products at this time. The Lacrosse is priced at about $28,000 and for that you can get a slightly used Lexus RX still under warranty. Remember that General Motors only allows select people to test drive their vehicles so watch for bias.
Cadillac
We don’t recommend General Motors products at this time. Cadillac has a new sports wagon and more powerful engines in most of its products. The SRX and sports wagon cost nearly the same, about $34,000 and they both do essentially the same, with the wagon being more sprightly. We don’t get the pricing strategy, but we also don’t understand why GM hired back a leader who helped create the bankruptcy in the first place.
Ferrari
Ferrari California is offered at about $195,000. For that you get a retractable hardtop convertible, a 4.3-liter V8 that produces 460 horsepower, a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, and a Ferrari that makes the overpriced and poor riding Bentley look like yesterday.
Fiat 500
When it comes buy it. Pricing is fairly high for such a small machine, just below $20,000, but it is cute, rides well, and you can order it with a fuel sipping 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 100. We recommend you delay your gratification until the more powerful engine becomes available.
Ford Mustang
It isn’t getting old and it is getting better, The Mustang looks much sharper this year and the handling has been smoothed. A myriad of engine choices. For about $20,000 you can have a car that makes the weird looking Chevrolet Camaro and bulking Chrysler Challenger like bad styling exercises.
Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
Expensive, high riding, and expensive, the F-150 Raptor is meant to destroy off-road obstacles and pass most everything except a gas station. $39,000.
Ford Taurus
We highly recommend the Ford Fusion. If you need more leg and cargo space, the new Taurus is a darn good vehicle to consider, especially with a $26,000 asking price. Good fuel mileage, a six-speed automatic transmission and a 3.5 engine are standard. If you need more power and want to spend nearly $39,000 you can stuff your Taurus with the SHO turbocharged, 365 horsepower engine.
Ford Fusion
A bargain and fun to drive, the Fusion is now available as a hybrid that can easily get mid-30 mpg. Well priced at just over $20,000, the Fusion is just as good as the competition from Asia and the hybrid is one of the best family vehicles you can possess that offers exception fuel mileage.
Honda Insight
Priced below $20,000, the Insight is less expensive than the Toyota Insight, but you get a lot less. Fuel mileage in the low 40 mpg arena. Look for Toyota to offer a stripped Prius to offset the Honda’s price advantage. However, it won’t have the Honda handling.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Wow, for those who like a slick looking coupe that goes fairly well, the $23,000 Genesis coupe is a must drive. The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and the 3.8-liter V6 produce 210 and 306 horsepower respectively. Why pay more?
Jaguar XJ Series
This stunning sedan is available with an extended-wheelbase and potent powertrains from the base
5.0-liter V8 and its 385 horsepower to the .XJL Supercharged have 470 horsepower version to the Supersport’s
510 horsepower engine. Safety wise the Jaguar offers ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Add to that Jaguar’s Adaptive Dynamics adjustable air suspension and you have a sweet riding sedan. You can also add a dual-screen DVD entertainment system. The Supersport is a bargain for those who like their sedan to truly leap. One of our favorites.
Priced just under $70,000.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
As the much anticipated Chevrolet Volt is said to be the most important vehicle to General Motors, the Grand Cherokee is even more vital to Chrysler. To this end they are offering extended warranties on the drivetrain and a less ancient styling. Pricing is expected to be just over $30,000, but more importantly, you are going to own a vehicle with a nicer interior and better handling than any previous model. Well worth the late for those that need the Grand Cherokee’s legendary off-road ability.
Kia Soul
A real surprise, the Kia Soul can be bought for under $15,000 and you get a very useful and fun car to drive. It has a high seating position and both the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and 142 horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder get good gas mileage. The large tires give a sturdy ride, but that is the sole concern with the Soul. Another one of our favorites.
Kia Forte
Yet another bargain from Kia, the Forte is a sedan that has an available 173 horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and room for five all for under $15,000. Kia is on a roll, pun intended.
Kia Forte Koup
A two door version of the Forte for under $20,000.
Kia Sorrento
The Sorrento is leaner, but still not nearly competitive with the other crossovers at this time. However, Kia dealers are willing to deal and the new engine choices might make this a thrifty hauler. Well under $25,000 and look for good deals.
Lexus IS C
This convertible relies on the Lexus name and stunning interior to gather new customers. The base engine is barely adequate, and the larger engined IS 350C and its 3.5-liter, 306 horsepower V6 drives up the price thousands. Look to pay over $40,000 and for that you get a retractable hardtop and Lexus service. Watch for those bulging side panels in parking lots, though.
Lexus RX 450h
Another giant leap forward for the best crossover in the land, the Lexus RX. This time Lexus has improved the performance and offers a plethora of new technology treats for those who want the $42,000 smoothmobile. You can easily get over 30 mpg and there is plenty of pep, but the reality is that the base RX offers nearly the same mileage for much less. Drive them both.
Lexus HS 250h
Not the best Lexus when it comes to styling, the HS 250h is a larger Prius with the Camry hybrid’s 2.4-liter engine. Rides well and is pretty perky, but it is priced in the mid-$30,000 range and the fuel mileage isn’t that much better than the terrific Toyota Corolla.
Lincoln MKT
We like Lincoln, but we don’t always understand their attraction. They seldom are different than the base Ford they are based on, but that may all be in the past as the MKT comes online. A stunning interior, an attention getting exterior and ample power. Priced in the mid-$40,000 range. Our advise, buy the turbocharged engine with its 355 horsepower.
Mazda3
More versions of this poor man’s BMW, the Mazda3 in the form of a four and five door and a souped-up sizzler, this fun and frugal winner has seen its interior expanded, but not its powertrain. Prices start around $17,000. The Speed version threatens the pavement with a 2.3-liter engine creating 263 horsepower. Can you say torque steer?
Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid
For nearly $90,000 you can own the luxurious S Class Mercedes that combines the power of the base engine with that of electric motors to give a big push to a big car without sacrificing too much fuel. Personally, we think the Bluetec diesel is the best offering, but it does not come in the S model.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe
A very large coupe at a good price, the $54,000 E-Class is available with an optional 382-horsepower V8 to provide a lot of go in this attractive two door.
Mercedes-Benz GLK
An optical illusion, this SUV is actually small on the outside, but large on the inside. Available with the diesel, which would make it perfect, it also comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a potent 268 horses. Priced below $35,000. The best MB SUV.
Mercedes-Benz M-Class Hybrid
Priced around $50,000, this SUV combines a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a continuously variable transmission and two electric motors to make it seriously fast and still get fuel mileage above 20 mpg. In reality, this is better than the General Motors products in the form of the Cadillac Escalade hybrids, but lacks the polish of the Lexus RX 450h. Stick with the M-Class.
MINI Crossman
A MINI on steroids, the all wheel drive Crossman is a tall, stubby, attention getting version of the MINI that uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with 172 horsepower to push it through the considerable turbulence its design creates. For about $30,000 you can drive something different.
Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
Sporty in appearance and handling, this Lancer can be ordered with all wheel drive and the station wagon styling makes it very family friendly. The hot rod Ralliart version is also planned. Priced under $30,000, the Sportback is the most utilitarian of the Lancers, but look for dealers to offer some good pricing.
Nissan
The 370 Z convertible is here and this two-seater is a hoot to drive, especially considering its base pricing of just over $40,000 well equipped. For a lot less you can have the hard top version with the same engine, transmission, and suspension. With prices starting around $30,000, the 370Z comes with a 332 horsepower V6, six-speed manual transmission and the must have SynchroRev Match system that automatically matches engine speed to your selected gear on downshifts. A real bargain, but there is a lot of competition in the sporty car field now with the upgraded Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Chrysler Challenger, and Hyundai Genesis coupe.
Nissan’s Cube is a box with a little style and a lot of utility. The poster car for funky, the Cube has an asymmetrical rear glass and a side opening rear hatch. For about $14,000 this eye catcher can do your daily chores without much fuss thanks to the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 122 horsepower. There is a lot of competition in this niche once dominated by the Scion B and D. Now the pressure comes from the Kia Soul.
Porsche Panamera
This is a four door Porsche that comes in two forms, fast and faster. The 4400 pound sedan comes in either two or four wheel drive, but with engines pushing from 400 horsepower to 500 horsepower version. Certainly usable for a family, but at $125,000 plus it is best left to those who enjoy the status of owning this unusual vehicle.
Rolls-Royce Ghost
Why bother. Another Rolls gas hog that serves no purpose that a vehicle half its cost does not provide. A good way to spit in the face of environmentalists while getting the best parking spot at upscale restaurants.
Saab 9-5
Probably due much later in the model year, the new Saab 9-5 is a knockout. Nothing else much new from Saab due to its sale, but used Saabs are a bargain and the 2006 anniversary edition convertible remains one of the great automobile collector bargains with only 400 produced.
Smart fortwo ED
We love the Smart cars, except for the jerky transmissions. They are a hoot to drive and with this version you even get good gas mileage thanks to its electric motors. Another of our favorites.
Subaru Legacy
Bigger and sort of better, the $20,000 Legacy is larger and better looking, but the weak base engine still is challenged in mountain driving even with the new 6-speed manual transmission. We highly recommend the more expensive 3.6-liter flat-six engine option. Another one of our favorites.
Subaru Outback
Essentially the same as the Legacy, but with fancier exterior parts, the one to own is the
2.5 GT. Priced under $25,000
Suzuki Kizashi
The Kizashi is a totally new direction for Suzuki to grow with a appealing exterior, a 2.4-liter, dual overhead cam four-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT, all wheel drive option, and the promise of more power to come. Lots of promises from Suzuki such as upscale audio systems, lots of safety equipment, and a price not much over $20,000. If you are interested in smaller vehicle this is a must drive.
Toyota Prius
Another winner from Toyota. The new Prius is much superior to the previous generation in every way from better fuel mileage to improved cargo room. Prices start about $23,000. Awesome, but the tires are noisy and the handling is for the slow goers. Easily one of the best cars of 2010. Another one of our favorites.
Volkswagen GTI
It looks the same, but the GTI I much improved, although the powertrain remains virtually the same with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and 6-speed manual or dual-clutch gearbox. Not inexpensive at $26,000, the handling and versatility of this VW might just spark new interest.
Volkswagen Golf
A well priced Volkswagen; the Golf is essentially the old Rabbit with a 2.5-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine or the highly desirable 2.0-liter diesel pushing the wind aside. Excellent fuel mileage and a $17,000 price tag make this a good vehicle for those who like to drive, but still enjoy passing a gas station.
Volvo XC60
The Volvo wagon remains one of the best you can buy for safety and room, especially the XC 70. However, the pricing on these big wagons is steep and so Volvo is offering the XC60. This smaller, Volvo wagon has an abundance of safety features and the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with its 285 horsepower has just enough power to move this crossover. The all-wheel-drive unit and better handling make this a better choice than its longer brother. Look for prices around $38,000. This is the best Volvo.
For vehicle reviews go to http://www.motorists.org/carfamily/home/most-reliable-vehicles/
So it’s 9:38 according to the clock in the corner of my laptop, and I’m writing this post from work (WordPress is blocked by the NHS so I’m writing it now and will post it up this evening when I get home… by which time the future tense will be present) because I am conscious that as I’m staying with my grandmother so that on her return from Italy, she’s not immediately in an empty house, I wouldn’t be able to blog. I started work at 8:30, and less than an hour later, I’m already bored and without very much (read: nothing) to do. I have tweeted from my phone (Twitter is also blocked at work! Damn those pesky IT people) and texted Hannah; I am listening to Brandy (Never Say Never) on my iPod with Mariah Carey (Rainbow) queued up; I am going to gaze at my Gucci bracelet and possibly email a picture of it to my parents in Barcelona, because they taunted me over the phone by telling me how many designer boutiques they had been past. No need to rub it in!
So writing this blog post in advance is tantamount to me killing time, which seems to be a lot of what I do at work these days! (As I type, one of my colleagues is demonstrating his juggling skills, so it’s obviously not just me. ) It’s certainly a step up from my previous job, where there was always a sense of urgency for rarely a legitimate reason, but it dawns on me that often, what we do in life is kill time. Reading American Psycho on the bus, Patrick Bateman describes how he spent the majority of his summer “in a stupor, sitting either in my office or in new restaurants, in my apartment watching videotapes or in the backs of cabs, in nightclubs that just opened or in movie theatres or in new restaurants.” Basically, we distract ourselves by doing things which seem “special” to fill up the time, except we spend so much time socialising or going places to socialise or entertaining ourselves, it’s depressing when I start to think how little we actually accomplish that matters. What am I trying to do with my life? Well, I work to save up money so that I can buy jewellery – as much as looking good is important to me, and as much as making yourself feel special is something that cannot be underrated, it hardly matters in the scheme of making an impact on the world. I save up money so that I can have driving lessons to get a car so I can travel. Okay, that’s important in terms of job skills and life skills. I am starting university on Monday to gain a qualification in Careers Guidance, so that I can help younger people realise what their options are, both educational and vocational, in order to get to where they want to be. That does count as making an impact. In the meanwhile, the only other important thing I do that could potentially touch and enrich people’s lives is my music, writing and producing and singing songs, practising piano and guitar so that I can accompany myself, and lately completing my album booklet and taking pictures of myself and photoshopping moody dark/neon scapes to complement the whole mood of the album. I guess that I am trying to enrich my life at the same time as trying to touch other people’s lives and make a difference, and there is nothing wrong with that.
But it’s how much time we kill in between doing those things. I mean, nobody, not even Beyoncé, can work 24/7, and we all need some down time and some “us time” and we all have the right to enjoy our lives and have some fun. Not everything is so serious, and as I’m growing older I’m learning to realise that more and take things a little easier when it’s okay to do so. In between laundry and checking on my nan’s house and turning on the fridge and watering the plants yesterday, I watched a few dvds and ate Dominos pizza. But the amount of time we waste is just insane, because we don’t even realise that we’re doing it. And yet, talking to Ebony on Monday, I was talking about the unspoken pressure put on us by older generations that although I am 23 and she is 24, we should have managed university and got a steady job and be on the way to buy a house and drive and be looking to get married in the near future. The world is a different place now, and the economy means that jobs and money and affordable decent places to live aren’t as easy to come by as they once were. I consider myself lucky to have finally escaped retail and got a position in an office where I feel comfortable, am better paid and often do a lot less I also get to use my brain a lot more, and I feel more valued because of that. But there is a tension between it being okay to kill time, and then a sense of urgency that before we know it, we will be 30 and single and still living at home and a failure at life. Please! I have no intention of letting that happen, and although sometimes life happens beyond your control and deals you a bad hand, I’m determined to make a bid for independence and career success very soon. I am making moves towards that with my new university course and increase in money, which will hopefully get me a driving licence and a qualification with real job prospects come the end of the next academic year. But it’s hard to keep a sense of urgency in perspective when it’s also so easy just to kill time and do things which seem unavoidable but are semi-unnecessary. I don’t know where to find that balance or how to achieve it, but at least I know it needs to be done.
I’ve been thinking about travelling lately, as the summer is slowly fading away here (what there was of it, I’m pretty sure we’re going to see sunny christmas days at this rate).
While looking, I did find a pretty cool offer (one which I can’t take advantage of myself):
Guests will receive one complimentary night’s stay at the dusky pink, sleek Viva Marinha, as part of a last minute holiday deal.
Situated 29 kilometres from Lisbon with easy access to the beach, the luxury self-catering villas are contemporary in style and surrounded by forests and landscaped gardens.
Priced from £790 per person, based on two sharing, the deal includes seven nights’ accommodation, return flights to Lisbon (Heathrow or Gatwick) and car hire.
Regional departures available on request.
The offer is valid for bookings made before October 24th, with more information at Sunvil.
Sounds pretty cool, although I wouldn’t have time to book it myself. As you can see they include return flights to Lisbon and car hire Lisbon.
Japanese woman killed on Australian horror highway.
The deadly stretch of the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Marlborough claimed another life in the early hours of yesterday, marking the tenth fatality in nine months.
A Japanese woman believed to be in her early 20s died at the scene of the single-vehicle crash, when the Toyota Tarago in which she was travelling crashed at Tooloombah Creek, about 26km north of Marlborough.
Emergency services and police rushed to the scene at 3am yesterday, where three other Korean male occupants, two aged 28 and one 23, suffered non life-threatening injuries and were taken to the Rockhampton Base Hospital, a Queensland Police Media spokesman said.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the vehicle was being driven by a 28-year-old man and was travelling south along the Bruce Highway when it crashed,” the spokesman said.
“Investigations indicate that the vehicle rolled several times before coming to rest on its side. The four occupants of the vehicle are believed to be foreign nationals holidaying in Queensland.”
The southbound lane of the Bruce Highway was closed for three hours while the forensic crash unit began investigations.
Meanwhile, a 46-year-old Seaforth man is in a critical condition with life-threatening head injuries at the Mackay Base Hospital following a single-vehicle accident.
The motorcycle the man was riding crashed on Cape Hillsborough Road about 10pm on Saturday.
The name of a Victorian man who died last Tuesday afternoon, 5km north of Clairview on the Bruce Highway, has not been released.
Toyota’s plug-in hybrid Prius gets pictured, detailed further
Engadget
The future, kids — we’re living in it. Sensationalism aside, we are pretty jazzed to hear that Toyota’s long-awaited, much-teased plug-in Prius hybrid will be making its bona fide debut to the public next week. The image above is expected to be near-final, though we’re reserving judgment until we see if the actual model on stage is plastered with 80s era stick-on graphics. Of note, the Hybrid Synergy Drive system has been upgraded for this whip, enabling it to slowly rocket from 0 to 62 without using a drop of gasoline. Once there, it can cruise for up to 12.5 miles in electric mode, and should you need to juice it back up, it’ll take 1.5 hours when charged from a 230V source. Further details are expected to flow as Frankfurt heats up, though the whole “not shipping to retail until 2012″ kind of puts a damper on our excitement.
yesterday at the plus highway, near yong peng (heading north)
Sudah lama me hendak tangkap gambar kereta sukan yg laju-laju itu. Berdesup-desup gitu.
Ahad semalam masa dalam perjalanan ke batu pahat. Dan kebetulan kamera digital baru ixus me berada disisi (dicelah kelangkang saja).
Sempat juga me tangkap sekeping dua gambar kereta sukan berkelajuan tinggi dari negara liliput itu. Sungguh bermaharajalela di jalanraya kita. Menyampah kan.
Sembang petang isnin malam selasa. Salam sejahtera buat kawan-kawan me yg best-best itu.
When you ask someone “How are you?” or “How are things going?”, do you expect someone to answer truthfully? Or are you just asking out of form?
Are you taken aback when they answer “Things have not been so good…” or “I’ve been sick all summer”… or “I have cancer…”
I had the experience this weekend of being asked repeatedly “How was your summer?” and “How’s it going?” and then a glassy stare, and an uncomfortable “Oh dear… Well, gotta run.” when I answered truthfully…
In one case, I received a quizzical look and “Welll… Um… thanks for your honestly.” and then they looked for a quick exit. Now, I am not telling them that I have been abducted by aliens or that I have decided to become a sex-worker to support my crack-habit… I am simply explaining how things have been with my Mom sick and how Mom’s memory is. And these people were all members of our congregation, who I have known for years and, more importantly, have known Mom for years.
The “thanks for your honesty” one was from our minister.
Now, it isn’t as though I am going around unloading on everyone I meet… I’m talking about the people who supposedly “care”.
I sometimes feel like I am from some other planet. When I ask someone how are you? I certainly hope that they are going to say fine because they are. But when they tell me they haven’t “been fine” or that things have gone terribly wrong in their lives, I don’t take this as a personal affront. I stop and listen and offer my sincere wishes for improvement… Even offer to help, if I can.
On the very rare occasion when I encounter someone who I know just complains for the sake of complaining, I probably won’t ask “How are you?” because I know the answer. But why bother asking, especially someone you know well and supposedly care about if all you want to hear is “Great!”?
How about actually caring how someone is? How about that, for a change?
Or maybe I should just hand out a card that allows them to check off the answer they want to hear….
___ Absolutely peachy-keen
___ My life is complete, now that you asked me
___ If I was any happier, my head would fall off
___ Short of shitting bricks of gold, I couldn’t be happier
___ These are tears of pure, unadulterated, fucking joy….
And, while we are at it… Why the fuck is no one using their damn turn signals this week? Did I miss the memo?
My husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary yesterday so spent the day/evening at Linden Hall Hotel, where we held our wedding reception. The room, dinner and breakfast were complimentary as we’d had a few issues during the planning of the wedding with the venue, however all of that was forgotten and we had a great time. During the past few months we have had a lot of deal with for a newly married couple so the stay was a welcome break. We had a lovely meal in the Dobson Restaurant and a relaxing morning in the jacuzzi and pool. I was surprised with a lovely diamond and ruby ring (pic below) for our anniversary whilst we visited Morpeth on our away to Linden Hall. The ruby stones are particularly special for the both of us and its an eternity ring which means alot.
After lunch at the in-laws, I had a drive to our local beach (Blyth) with my mam and nephew. The council have spent a lot of money renovating the sea front and have installed lovely beach huts which I believe are leased (pics below).
Earlier in the week I completed a couple of memory albums for a couple of my friends who had recently been married.
Click on the individual pics for larger images.
We have also bought a new car as hubbies car qualifies for the new scrappage allowance and since his car is starting to make some very strange noises we thought we would take the plunge and get a brand new one. Mitsubishi Outlander, is what we eventually chose after about three full days visiting various dealers. We should have it in about three weeks. Its a good sized 4×4, has seven seats, massive boot space so it will last us a long time.
I missed the Great North Papercraft Extravaganza yesterday, which is held every March and September and I normally visit with my friend Sandra. Instead hubby and I are going to Glasgow hobbycrafts in October – I cant wait! I told Sandra yesterday and she’s very jealous, no doubt if its any good, Sandra and I will go again next year as I dont think hubby will make it a regular event! The visit this year is being combined with a short break to South Ayrshire.
Well I’m off to complete some samples for Christmas cards! Us crafters have got to start early.
Over a week ago now, we stopped at a place called Charbroil (a small burger joint) and got ourselves some ice cream. Mom got her chocolate and vanilla twist and I got my favorite chocolate peanut butter cup (I prefer hard ice cream) cone where I always forget that it has too much peanut butter in it before I order it.
We got back in the car where Jordan and Grady were waiting, and off we went again. They settled into the secluded driver and shotgun conversation, so I put Pandora in my ears and listened to something of my own. This whole time I was licking my ice cream and loving the extra peanut butter. I pet Grady, changed a song once or twice and licked my ice cream while staring out the window and admiring the vineyards rolling by.
I didn’t even realize that I had reached the cone until the automatic response to bite the cone overwhelmed me. That’s when I found out the sad truth. The girl who had scooped out the ice cream and placed it into my cone hadn’t shoved it down to the bottom of the cone. She just scooped it and put it on the top without bothering to push it down.
So, here I was, absolutely horrified that I had licked it leisurely thinking I still had the rest that was in the bottom of the cone to enjoy. I wolfed all of the scoops on top down because I was looking forward to what was in the bottom, which is my favorite part. Then, to find that it wasn’t there? It hit me hard. And, I realized that that is exactly how life is.
We’re all too busy living as fast as we can; trying to grow up before we actually have a chance to. We wish our lives away because, apparently, being older and responsible for ourselves is supposed to be more fun than having adult supervision all the time. The truth is, it’s not.
I ate the ice cream on top super fast because of my anxiousness to get to the bottom. But, I didn’t realize what I had until it was gone. I had to push what was left of the ice cream down to the bottom with my tongue, just so I wouldn’t be eating a dry waffle cone. My childhood went too fast…now I’m trying to push as much of it down to my waffle cone of life just to coat it enough so I can remember my childhood forever. It’s almost gone, and I’m just realizing how amazing it was.
