My Unique Life in Windows Live Space: Hobbies

Automotive Design

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:37:34 GMT

Does an inexpensive car have to look cheap? This idea has been on my mind for quite some time and I just have to express my opinion on "Automotive Design", because I believe that if you're building a car and you want people to buy it the design or style of the car should look great and be seen as something that people want to own.

I am not a designer or an engineer but I do know what I want the car I drive and own to look like. I understand that it's a personal preference as to what looks good to you, but I am looking at it this way: You're using the same materials when you build a car steel, plastic, rubber, glass and etcetera...Then why is it that a cheap car has to look ugly? If a cheap car looked beautiful and had a great design it would make the manufacturer of that car a fortune in sales.

The best way to show you what I am talking about is with an example, and I don't mean to criticize the designers or the manufacturers of these vehicles I am just trying to make a point here in that how an automobile looks is very important to the person that owns and dives the vehicle. First example:

I know that this comparison is very far fetched and the similarities of these examples is really taking my point to the extreme, but how else can I show you exactly what it is that I am talking about without showing you? Second example:

Do you see any similarities at all in these two vehicles? I know that I am being very facetious with my examples here, but how else can I prove my point: That the design of an automobile doesn't have to look like a kid's toy to be practical. Don't get me wrong here either; I think that the Smart car is a step in the right direction to America's dependency on foreign oil. I just believe that there could be a more eye pleasing design for this vehicle that the designers just haven't quite figured out yet.

Just to show you that I am not entirely without sympathy for the automotive designers and manufacturers I am going to debut my attempt at building a Mazda dune buggy. I had a dream of turning my 1973 RX-2 Rotary powered vehicle into a dune buggy, although I am embarrassed by how it looks, I have spent many hours working on and trying to build my dream only to have it sit in the garage unfinished.

This is a picture of my Mazda dune buggy, a work in progress, which I have about given up on ever actually seeing it climb a sand hill:

Giving up on accomplishing my dreams when I can't seem to make them materialize into my life is not something that I want to do...Using my gifts and talents, which God has so graciously given me, to accomplish my dreams and desires is what I am striving for in life. Dealing with the inability to succeed is not what I want my mantra to be: Succeeding in my hearts desires is my mantra in life!

I was inspired to write this today because I feel that the big three are not giving the public what they want with the vehicles they are producing. I feel that just because a car is inexpensive and gets good gas mileage, or runs on electric, or Water Fuel doesn't mean it has to look ugly.

I think the big three have some great car designs for people who don't need to worry about the price of the car or gas. What I want to see from the big three is a great looking car that everyone wants to own and drive that is inexpensive and safe to drive; yet looks great!

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

My Writing Hobby!

Wed, 28 May 2008 15:07:21 GMT

I would have never thought that I would have writing as a hobby: definition: "enjoyable activity: an activity engaged in for pleasure and relaxation during spare time", but my wife and soul mate said to me on May 23, 2008, "You are a writer" and I consider it as "My Writing Hobby!" I have struggled in the past to even accept the thought that I might be a writer. I don't think of myself as a writer, only by default; because I am writing this and you're reading it, I guess that makes me a writer.

I don't feel like I fit the definition of a writer, in my mind though: "A writer is anyone who creates written work, although the word more usually designates those who write creatively or professionally, or those who have written in many different forms." I have made a commitment to myself to write every day, some days I feel like: Today I am a Writer! Then on other days I feel like whatever possessed me say such a thing?

A few of the reasons why I don't consider myself a writer are: I don't really enjoy reading that much and they say that all good writers like to read. I have never been good at English, and I don't have a very good vocabulary. Punctuation is just something that I try to do to make the words on the page more readable, not that I know where the correct punctuation goes. I can't diagram a sentence although I have tried; it's just something that I just don't understand.

The only reason that I keep trying to learn how to write is because of the way that it makes me feel when I write my thoughts on the page and get them out of my head. I suppose there're many other reasons why I try to write: like trying to learn something new, or to be heard, or to just communicate my thoughts and feelings to the world. I feel that writing is great therapy for me and I get great satisfaction from writing.

There is an element of excitement that I receive from writing my words in my Blog and publishing them on the Internet. If I was to just try and write in a Journal and no one would be able to read what I write about, I just wouldn't do it. I feel a connection with you the reader, even though I know that it's very unlikely that anyone will be reading this. But that's alright with me because I have still accomplished my challenge to myself, and that is to write something every day!

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:53:44 GMT

The CNBC "Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge" is getting ready to start and you can register now! I have already registered, and from what I can tell the game is going to start on May 12th. I referred some of my friends to play, and if you're reading this I am challenging you to play too, what have you got to lose? You might have a chance to win a piece of the $1,000,000.00 prize pool, and learn something about finance in the process.

I played the game last year and I thought it was a lot of fun. You can read the rules here and see if you're interested in playing the game. I think that's quite strange that the contest starts on the day I wrote The Secret Check, although the check is dated for May 13th. As I recall I think I did that because I like odd numbers, as if that means anything to you.

I like reading my previous Blog entries and last year on this date I wrote: My futile attempt to Communicate and I still feel that way today. This is what I had to say about CNBC contest last year: I can't Write Today and I think I have changed my outlook on life quite a bit since I wrote that entry. Learning about The Secret has changed my way of thinking...I have a more positive state of mind and it just makes me feel better.

Tammi's article: Time at the Write Stuff, has me questioning my writing, especially this question, "Can your thoughts significantly change your writing from moment to moment?" I would have to say my answer is an irrefutable YES!!!!!!! To me there doesn't seem to be anything more factual then writing in the moment. Everything changes; even the moment is gone!

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

My New Camera

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:39:54 GMT

Today I want to tell you about "My New Camera" and The Secret of the Law of Attraction. First I want to show you the new camera I was trying to visualize receiving in my life: The Pentax camera. This is from my Cell Phone Picture entry: "There's more to this picture, than just the picture though, and it has to do with The Secret and visualizing your desires. I have wanted a digital camera, how's the Universe going to know what it is that I desire, until I show it, and pick a camera!"

I use my Blog as my visualization board to let the Universe know what it is I desire, and I keep writing about it like in this entry: What You Desire. I think that I am sending mixed messages to the Universe in my visualization process because of writing things like this: "What do I really need a new camera for anyway?" The result of doing this, I feel, is why I have received this is new camera:

ViviCam 5299 Black

With its sliding front cover, the sleek black ViviCam 5299 lets you stay in control of your images.

5.0 Megapixel CMOS
2.4” TFT-LCD
4 x Digital Zoom
32 MB Flash Memory
PC Cam
Voice Memo
SD Card Support up to 1 MB

I am not going to look a gift horse in the mouth though, (the camera cost me nothing) because having this new camera is making it possible for me to show you pictures on my entries like these I took yesterday when I took my dog Amanda for a walk.

I am not use to using the camera, and it doesn't have a viewfinder to look through while you take the picture. So in the bright sunlight I couldn't see what the pictures were going to look like until I got home and loaded the them into the computer. I have many reasons for writing about my new camera...One is to feel the gratitude for receiving what I desired a digital camera. Another is to show you the pictures I took and fulfill the desire to share what I saw. Having the ability to take a picture and put it on my entry is a dream coming true.

I am always talking about finding new interests, and I feel like I am missing the things that I am already interested in like photograph. Although I don't have the fancy professional digital camera I would like to have...I need to accept what I do have, and that is the desire to take and show you the pictures of my life.

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Reseed My Lawn

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:59:26 GMT

After last years hot dry summer my lawn had a lot of bare spots and the grass died under the Maple tree so I had to "Reseed My Lawn!" I spent all last week raking, tilling, aerating, fertilizing, and planting new lawn seed. Now I am on watering detail everyday because the seeds need to be kept most. The temperatures here in Michigan have been about 10° above normal, according to the weatherman, and the April showers haven't shown up here yet either.

Tomorrow's Earth Day and I feel like I am doing my part by planting and trying to grow grass in a world that seems to be burning up with the temperatures going up and up, like they are out of control. In the winter when it was cold outside I would think, This sure doesn't feel like I have anything to worry about with global warming! What do I know about global warming?

It comes right down to who are you going to believe like in this article by John Stossel: Man vs. Nature, "The truth is, that while everyone agrees that the earth has warmed, lots of good scientists don't agree that it's mostly our fault, and don't agree that it's going to be a catastrophe. So when Gore says, "The debate is over," I say, "Give Me a Break!"" This Al Gore Debates Global Warming video leaves me feeling like I don't know who to believe?

This is my Horoscope for today: Scorpio "Your eyes might have good vision right now, but what about your heart? There is more to vision than just the optic nerve, you know. Sight is as much a question of perspective as anything else. What visions have you created lately that can stoke your ambition and feed your heart? Take some time today to think about what you want -- in your love life, your career, or your personal development. The universe is waiting for you to tell it what you want for yourself, so it can help put you on the right path."

It reminds me that my anniversary is coming up regarding hearing about The Secret. If the universe is waiting for me to tell it what I want in my life, I think I have made that perfectly clear with My Secret Check, don't you? I haven't said very much about the reseeding of my lawn, but I am just waiting for the grass to grow!

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Mazda Furai Concept

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:07:13 GMT


	Mazda Furai Concept I have been watching the Detroit Auto Show on T.V. and I want to show everyone the new Mazda Furai Concept: Mazda Shows Off Ethanol Concept "DETROIT -- Mazda is showing a sleek, ethanol-powered concept sports car that boasts 450 horsepower. Mazda Motor Corp. said Monday the rotary-powered Furai is designed to blur the lines between road cars and race cars. It looks as if its straight off the race track and features an "air fin" on top to help keep the engine cool. It runs on 100 percent ethanol." 2009 Mazda Furai Concept on Video I loved my 1973 Mazda RX-2 and seeing this new concept car has got me feeling like yelling, "ZOOM-ZOOM!!!" Thanks for Listening, Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

To whom it may Concern

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:27:46 GMT

I always like starting a letter this way, because sometimes you just don't know whose going to be reading it so, "To whom it may Concern" sounds like the perfect title for what I want to write about today. One of my New Year's Resolutions is to have a zest for life and I plan on achieving that goal by "Find New Interests!" I have talked many times about the therapeutic value I receive from writing in my Blog, Journal, Scarp Book, or whatever other name you want to call writing something in the Blogosphere.

I recently found a new site that I enjoy reading courtesy of the Write Stuff called: Change Therapy and yesterday there was a link to an article: How To Start A Healing Journal. I really liked reading it and wanted to write about some of the thoughts that it inspired in me. There are many reasons why I am writing here are just a few:

My Reasons: Why I Write

The therapeutic value I receive from writing
To record thoughts, events and Ideas
To find out Who I am
To find new interests
To meet new friends
For entertainment and the challenge I made to myself to write everyday
To learn something new; mainly to write, but it's not limited to just that

I could go on and on, but that gives you an idea of why, and the reason I am doing this in my Blog: Is because I wouldn't do it if I didn't publish it everyday, it's proof that I am accomplishing the challenge I made to myself. I really think that it would be more beneficial to keep it private, but I just don't think that I would write everyday.

That's enough of that: I have been watching the Detroit Auto Show on T.V. and I want to show everyone the new Mazda Furai Concept:

Mazda Shows Off Ethanol Concept

"DETROIT -- Mazda is showing a sleek, ethanol-powered concept sports car that boasts 450 horsepower.

Mazda Motor Corp. said Monday the rotary-powered Furai is designed to blur the lines between road cars and race cars.

It looks as if its straight off the race track and features an "air fin" on top to help keep the engine cool. It runs on 100 percent ethanol."

2009 Mazda Furai Concept on Video

I loved my 1973 Mazda RX-2 and seeing this new concept car has got me feeling like yelling, "ZOOM-ZOOM!!!"

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

A Mazda Dune Buggy

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 22:13:49 GMT

I wanted to write about "A Mazda Dune Buggy" today to see if writing about it would spark any interest, in me. At one time it was a dream of mine, to build one and like a lot of the things that I thought were important in my life; I have lost interest in accomplishing my goals. Scott has accomplished what I couldn't and here is the link to his Mazda Dune Buggy page. My hat is off to you Scott your dune buggy is an amazing piece of engineering and Thank you for sharing all that valuable information on your site.

The picture is from Berrien Buggy and this is the frame that I started building my buggy with. Writing about this today all started with an Internet search on Mazda dune buggies and I read this article: The Father of the Dune Buggy Rides Again - Features. What a great article and I especial liked this part: "Meyers replies, “I don’t know, but I’m having a lot of fun.” That, of course, was always the point." And maybe that's my problem? I have let the despair of not being able to accomplish my goal, take all the fun out of it. I think the desire is there but I lack the ability to accomplish the goal.

It's like this challenge that I have made to myself to write something in my Blog everyday; I am comparing what I write like to the professionals and talk about a set up for failure. I do that with everything that I try to accomplish in my life (Making things harder to accomplish with my Negative Thinking) and I am not giving myself a chance.

How can I expect myself to be able to accomplish anything just because I want to? That could be the lesson I need to learn; that you can accomplish your goals but it takes a lot of determination and perseverance to accomplish a goal, you have to work for success. I don't know if writing about building my dune buggy sparked any interest in me working on it again or not? I was interested in my Blog entry and my writing for today and that is definitely an improvement. Me thinking about my goal to build "A Mazda Dune Buggy."

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Cut River Bridge

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 20:11:59 GMT

I have a couple of pictures of this location the "Cut River Bridge " that I wanted to share with you today. I found this article on the location in Wikipedia but it doesn't have any pictures on it. I am trying to use the Live Search to show the location and I have saved it but I can't seem to find out where it saved it to and when I try to save it again it says that it is already saved.

For me, that is pretty typical whenever I try to "Learn Something New" I am always running into trouble and embarrassed by that fact. I think that being embarrassed by things that I don't understand is something that I need to get over, don't you? What I want to write about this location is how peaceful I felt when I was there, it seemed like the creek was talking to me in its own sort of language. What I heard was be at peace with the beauty of nature and enjoy this moment.

I am sure that there are a lot of locations like this around the world and my hope is that I will be able to enjoy many more scenic scenes like this one. When you think about the locations that have brought you the serenity of enjoying the moment it's like being there all over again. I am posting these pictures in my Blog in hopes that you too can enjoy the moment in these pictures but I know it's not the same as being there. Me showing my pictures of the "Cut River Bridge."

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

What's the Topic Today?

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 22:03:03 GMT

Where will my mind take me today? That's a good question, it has already taken me for quite a ride on several topics but which one do I want to write about today? My mind is always taken to you, the reader, but I don't know you or what's on your mind? So I am left with me, the person doing the writing and I never know what to say.

You may be thinking, then why do you do this? I can answer that question, "I do this because I have challenged myself to write in my Blog everyday." An after thought would be, "If I only know now what I didn't know then." Because it has been one of my most difficult challenges that I have every made to myself, besides building a Dune Buggy, that I have never talked about in my Blog.

Ok, I guess I should talk about my Dune Buggy; I had this dream of turning a 1973 Mazda RX-2 Rotary Engine car into a Dune Buggy. After spending a lot of time and money on this dream that I had, I have pretty much given up on that dream ever coming true. That challenge I had made to myself to complete the Dune Buggy still bothers me because it was something that I really wanted to accomplish and now it's almost gone.

That was troubling to write about, I hate giving up on challenges that I have made to myself but I don't think that it's over yet either. It's always around this time of year that I get the urge to start working on my Dune Buggy again. Me saying, "What's the Topic Today?"

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

Link to My Unique Life in Windows Live Space