Lifestyle13

AOL Personals finds that two thirds of the replies to a recent survey said they would date someone just because he or she drove an impressive car!

Really?

Most of us do it…I think.. Take the loose change out of our pockets and dump it into some kind of container.  A man from Indiana did it and saved up enough money to by a new truck - a 2008 Dodge Ram half-ton pick-up.  Not too bad for some pocket change!  No official word on how long he had been saving but the man had bought his previous truck the same way and that was 13 years ago. 

Here are some things that were actually said by flight attendants.

1. On a Southwest flight, passengers were apparently having a hard  time choosing their seats.  So a flight attendant announced, “People,  people we’re not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!”

2. On a Continental Flight the pilot said, “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve reached cruising altitude and will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the app earance of your flight attendants.”

3. On landing, a stewardess said, “Please be sure to take all of your belongings. If you’re going to leave anything, please make sure it’s something we’d like to have.”

4. There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane”

5. “Thank you for flying Delta Business Express. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride.”

6. As a plane landed and was coming to a stop at Ronald Reagan, a voice came over the loudspeaker: “Whoa, big fella. WHOA!”

7. From a Southwest Airlines employee: “Welcome aboard Southwest Flight 245 to Tampa. To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt and if you don’t know how to operate one, you probably shouldn’t be out in public unsupervised.”

8. “In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with more than one small child, pick your favorite.”

9. ”Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but we’ll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Southwest Airlines.”

10. “Your seat cushions can be used for flotation and in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments.” 11. “As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses.”

Have you ever heard this from your spouse, “Don’t keep turning the car off and on, it uses to much gas to start it!” Well now I have the answer for you. According to car makers the average car only uses about .004 gallons of gas to start the engine. So what this means is that it is actually cheaper to start the car then leave it running.

“Running car” Get it!!

Copyright 1996, Jim Loy

The four-way stop is a drivers’ IQ test, that many drivers fail. It would seem to be a maneuver of approximately Blue-Angel caliber. But, it is really very simple, if you follow these few rules.

Case I - one car

You are the only one at the intersection. This is the simplest case. First you stop [complete stop (in or out of the cross-walk), rolling stop, 25 mph stop, etc.], then you have only five options:

1. Go.
2. Hesitate, then go.
3. Wait for 3 more cars to come along.
4. Wait for 2 more cars.
5. Wait for 1 more car.

A true Driver (with a capital “D”, master of four-way stops) would choose option #3. After all, they do call this a four-way stop. Most drivers modify option #3 by adding a time limit, like 30 seconds: “Wait for 3 cars or 30 seconds, whichever comes first.” This 30-second wait has degenerated into option #2, “Hesitate, then go.”

Case II - 2 cars

There are a few permutations here:

1. You got there first. See below, “Complication #3, who got there first?” In this situation, just go, unless you are a disgustingly polite driver (Complication #1).

2. He or she is on your right and you’re turning right. Go.

3. He or she is on your right and you’re not turning right. Wait.

4. He or she is straight ahead; and he or she is going straight or turning right; and you’re going straight or turning right. Go.

5. He or she is straight ahead and he or she is turning left or you’re turning left. Wait.

6. He or she is on your left and he or she is turning right. Go.

7. He or she is on your left and he or she is not turning right. Wait.

Case III - 3 cars

If it’s your turn, go. If not, try to imagine what can go wrong if you do go, and then go if you didn’t just imagine your own death. Actually, this case is a simplification of case IV - 4 cars.

Case IV - 4 cars

There are hundreds of permutations here. But, actually, it’s pretty simple. Go it it’s your turn, or if you’re turning right and nobody else is headed for that lane.

I heard this great story from a friend the other day so I thought I would share it with you. Anyone who can come up with an idea like this, is alright in my book. Here’s how the story goes;

A very wealthy man from New York walks in to the New York Bank and Trust to get a loan. The man asks to speak to a loan specialist about getting a $2500 loan. The man sits down with the loan specialist and explains to him that he would like to take out a $2500 loan for 1 month and that he wanted to use his vehicle as collateral. The loan officer looked very puzzled because this man that was sitting in front of him had been into the bank many times before and never had any type of financial issues to where he would need a loan. The loan specialist asked the man what type of vehicle he wanted to put up for collateral. The man explained that it was a Bentley Azure valued at around $250,000. Now the loan officer was really confused. He said, ” Are you sure all you want is $2500 for your vehicle?” The man insisted that this was indeed correct. The loan specialist wrote up an agreement for 1 $250,000 Bentley in exchange of $2500 cash for 1 month with an interest rate of 1.75%. The loan specialist stated to the man that his vehicle was in good care and would be kept down in an secured underground parking lot until the man returned with the money. The wealthy man walked out very pleased.

The gentleman that had borrowed the money returned to the New York Bank and Trust 5 days later with the $2500 in his hand. He returned the money to the loan specialist and asked to be taken to his vehicle. As they walked to get his $250,000 Bentley the loan specialist looked at the very wealthy man and asked, “If you don’t mind me asking, why would you, a person of your stature take out a $2500 loan in exchange for a Bentley?” The man looked at him has he grabbed his keys from the loan officer and said, “Son, where else in New York city can you park a $250,000 car in a secured underground parking lot for 5 days while I go on a business trip for $43.75!”

I think the moral of this story is, “Not everything is what it seems!”

If you look closely you’ll see that there are actually 3 people on this bike.

There have been some bad designs when it comes to cars. A recent poll of 2,500 people who know cars published in Business Week have picked the worst of the worst.

• AMC PACER

• All models of the YUGO

• FORD PINTO

• PONTIAC AZTEK

•  CHEVY VEGA

 I knew some people who drove some of these!  Of course, Wayne and Garth of Wayne’s World drove a Pacer with a red rope licorice dispenser!  Now that’s good design!

If you have ever wanted a custom built Chopper, you have got to check out Copr Choppers.  A friend of mine, Tony Martinez, builds these amazing Choppers.  The name Copr is because he is a Sergeant with Denver PD.   I have known Tony for 6 years and in that time I have watched him build 8 different bikes. 

Tony started CoprChoppers in March of 2005 and has had incredible success since then.  He won the Biker Build Off Competition in 2007.  His most recent bike, the Ground Pounder,  began a six show streak of “Best of ” honors and has since won 1st place at the Denver Show and Swap Meet, and Best Of Show and Peoples Choice at Thunder Mountain.                                                               

At the Rat’s Hole Custom Show, his super-sized 10-foot-long chopper, Kong, won first-place in the Super Radical Class.                           

Another of his bikes, Blade, won the 2005 Red River New Mexico Bike Rally and the 2005 Thunder in the Rockies show.  What is most impressive about the bikes is that he builds them all in his garage.   

Check out his site for some incredible pictures!!!

If you’ve ever taken a cruise you know there is so much to do, but did you ever think that there are 158 different jobs on the ship.  From a Captain, fireman, hairdresser, to a photographer.  You dont realize how many people it takes to keep the ship running.   

The cruise staff department is responsible for all of the activities and entertainment on board and ashore.  Entertainers such as singers, dancers, and musicians are needed on ships along with shore excursion leaders, dive masters, and lecturers.  Also included, Social Hostess, DJ, Fitness Instructor, Trainer, Youth Activities Coordinator, Youth Counsellor, Scuba Diving, Water Sports Instructor, and Golf Instructor.

 Salons and spas on board most of the luxury cruise ships offer passengers full service treatments ranging from aroma and aqua-spas, body wraps and mud baths, to facials, massages and hair do’s.   Available positions are hair stylist, beauty therapist, cosmetologist, nail technician,  physiotherapist, massage therapist, and aerobic & fitness instructor. The salons are equipped with the latest in beauty technology.

The Casino department consists of the following cruise ship positions: casino manager, casino dealer, cashier and slot technician. In compliance with international custom laws, the casino is only allowed to open while in international waters; usually three miles out to sea. Subsequently the staff only work while at sea and have port days off.

All departments unrelated to navigation engine and entertainment, fall under the hotel division. This includes all concessionaires, housekeeping, food and beverage and pursers.   Jobs in the hotel department on a cruise ship are very similar to jobs you will find in a five-star hotel or resort.

Of course these are just a few of the many jobs available.  The highest paying, Captain.  Averaging around $150,000 per year. 

Jobs on a luxury cruise ship can offer numerous rewards.  You not only earn, but save a substantial amount of money.  All your expenses are taken care of by the cruise line.  Food, accommodation, medical care, airline ticket to the port of embarkation and back home.   Your family will love it too since you can get them discounted trips.

So now that your Vegas wedding is complete, you need to go see the town and do something fun to celebrate.  From roller coasters to theater shows, there is something for everyone.   For a list of attractions click on the following link.    http://www.vegas.com/attractions/

Lately I have had a lot of inquires about the Chrysler 300, so I thought that I would do a follow up with some more information;

The 300 has been in production since the 1950’s with the new body style coming out in 2005 and is still in production today. The Chrysler 300 coming out of Brampton, Ontario, Canada is jammed packed with options and features.
At 196 inches in length this is one of the longest luxury cars on the market. This 4 door sedan seats 5 comfortably. With engines ranging from 2.7L V6 to a 6.1L Hemi V8 to carry all of your friends and family around without an issue. This car packs a wheelbase of 120 inches no matter if you get a rear wheel or all wheel drive model.

This vehicle is sure to catch the eyes of anyone you drive by, and make you feel like a celebrity with it’s sleek curves and million dollar attitude. This vehicle can be yours for $25,000 to $37,000 depending on features and availability.

Check my previous post for more information on other new luxury cars under $30,000.

Everyone has the dream to have a luxury car with heated leather seats, wipers on your headlights, rims and automatic everything. Well now you can have all that and actually afford it. There are a few vehicles listed as luxury cars with a price tag under $30,000. Here are a few of them.

Saturn Vue- In this compact sport utility you will get 250 horse power, 6 air bags, all wheel drive, leather, chrome and even floor mats. ” No one ever gives floor mats anymore!”

Chrysler 300- At 4,000 pounds and 197 inches long this is one big car. The interior features leather, power, heated seats, wood trim and extremely roomy. This is the car that I want!!!! I will one day have one, I don’t need a Lamborghini, Ferrari or Bentley. Just a Chrysler 300

Pontiac G6 Convertible- A hard top fold away convertible that fits 4 people. 3.9l V6 with 240 horses, 33 mpg and 18” 5 spoke rims setting you back $29,400.

Hyundai Azera- For that price you get features such as, Mercedes dials, heated leather seats, wood trim, floor mats, 8 air bags, sun roof and six disc changer.

Toyota Camry- Seats 5, also available in hybrid, roomier than ever before, heated power leather seats, Bluetooth capability, push button start and a 3 year warranty.

Ford Fusion- Offers 221 horse power V6, 23mpg, side and seat mounted airbags, center console, 6 disc CD changer, heated leather seats.

Buick Lucerne- Seats 6, 18 inch wheels, plenty of legroom, headroom, and trunk space all in leather and chrome trim.