Old Or New - It's Your Choice

Here's a question that I've been hearing a lot lately, should I get an old corvette, or a new one, the answer depends mostly on you, what do you want from the car, are you looking for the kind of torque that would make you suck your teeth down your throat, or is it the precision handling and higher top end that you like, these are the first two questions that you need to ask yourself, and the next should be, how much do I want to spend, because an L88 corvette will coast a lot more then a new one, you could buy a custom Callaway corvette for what you'd pay for an L88, ZL1, or any of the old corvettes.

In the end you've got to ask yourself what do I like, as far as body style, do I like the new sleek European body style on the corvette, or the timeless lines of the stingray, do I like to stomp the pedal and go in to a furious tail spin, billowing smoke like a fire breathing dragon, or is it the smooth response of a fuel injected super sports car, that runs like no other, is the plush interior of the new corvette how I like to roll, or is the old style black leather bucket where I'd like to plant my ass.

There are a lot of differences between the old and the new, and one is really not better then the other, they are still both corvettes, and they both have their strong and there weak points, I'd suggest that the best way to figure out the answer to this question is to drive both cars, decide for your self if you like the lope of a high lift, and long duration solid lifter race cam with a carburetor delivering the life blood to the car, or if you like a smooth running modern corvette with a fuel injection system spraying perfectly metered fire to the cylinders of the new corvette, I won't tell you what to buy, but I will say this, I love the old corvettes, but I'd still love to have a brand new ZO6 corvette also.

I've been in the automotive business for about 20 or 25 years, I have worked in all facets of the industry, from parts to restoration, all different makes and models, I just want to keep people interested in the old cars because it's where my heart is.

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Car Washing: Spic and Span - Inside and Out

Regularly washing the exterior of your car will not only make it stand out as shiny and sleek, but it will also help ensure its longevity. A clean car protects against dirt, salt and other contaminants picked up from the road every day. Anyone who lives in an area with harsh winters can attest what the crud can do to a cars body- rust! Washing your car several times per month, or even once a week, can keep your cars body in tip-top shape. Here are some tips for washing your car inside and out.

While a warm, bright sunny day may make your car scream, Wash me! contrary to popular belief that really is not the best time to wash your car. Why not, you ask? If a car is not kept cool while suds up, the water can evaporate rather quickly, leaving soap spots. So, your best bet is to wash the car on a cloudy day, or at least in the shade on a sunny day.

Before you start washing your car, you will want to gather all the necessary supplies. Youll need access to water- usually through a garden hose or pressure washer, a bucket, soap, sponges or soft cloths, scrub brush, glass cleaner, paper towels (or newspapers) and any other cleaning materials you may wish to use. For example, polish, bug cleaner for headlines and windshields, tire cleaner or degreaser, etc. Once you have everything together, fill up the bucket with soap and water, making it really sudsy. Be sure to use a soap that is made to wash cars- shampoo and dish soap really wont do the job.

Begin with the wheels. It is important to have clean wheels because they are in constant contact with the road, and can be prone to corrosion caused by brake dust. You are riding on your tires, and your safety depends on them. Be sure they are clean! Youll want to use lots of soapy water and a scrub brush to get them clean. You may also need to use a degreaser. You may need to use some good ole elbow grease to get down deep in the tread to get all the dirt and debris. Once clean, rinse them good. Then, you can also use polish your tires and wheel covers to give a finishing touch.

Next, start on the car itself. Start by hosing down the car to get the surface wet. Then, start with small sections at a time so you can pay close attention to detail. For example, you may want to start on the back left, and clean that area from top to bottom. Then, rinse and move toward the center of your car, working your way all the way around. For the cars body, youll want to use something soft so that the paint job can be protected. This can be a range of materials from large sponges, soft chenille pads, wash mitts and even a sea sponge. During this process, you may alternate from the soft sponge to a scrub brush for the grill area to remove bugs. After you are done with all sides, give the car a final rinse.

Next, although the windshield and windows are all probably shining from the good washing, you may want to take another step to make them shine even more and use a glass polish to clean them. Paper towels work fine, but for a more polished look, try recycling your newspapers as a window cleaning rag. They work wonderfully, and leave no lint behind like some paper towels do!

Next, you can wax/polish your car. This will rally help protect your car from the elements like dirt, road salt, pollutions and other debris. You can actually wash your car with a pre-wax treatment to prepare for this step. Apply the wax to one panel section at a time using a dry cloth. After the wax dries, you can buff it with a towel. One coat is enough to make it shine- but heck, you can add another coat or two of you want to make it really shine! The wax job can last about two months.

While the interior really doesnt help maintain the car itself, its just nice to have a clean car inside out. After you are done washing and waxing, start by vacuuming the floors, mats and seats. You may need to use the attachments to be able to get in all the nooks and crannies. (Crumbs are everywhere!) If you have rubber mats, those can be washed along with the exterior and laid out to dry. Replace them after the car is cleaned inside. Next, wipe down all the interior surfaces with a damp cloth. Then, just like you did the outside windows, do the same for the inside. Some people like to use a polish to make the dashboard shine. Just dont polish the steering wheel! Itll make it slippery.

Michael Walker is a freelance author providing tips and hints on engine related topics such as JDM engines, used Honda engines and used Nissan engines. His articles are a valuable source of information for the auto enthusiast.

Robben Island, South Africa - Place Of Sorrows

Islands are normally associated with unrestricted freedom. If inhabited, islands represent a lazy lifestyle far removed from societys rules and regulations. Robben Island though, has a history of deep sorrow, drenched in the coldness that the human heart can bestow on others dissimilar to their own kind.

The story of Robben Island started in 1652 when Jan van Riebeeck landed in Cape Town on orders from the Dutch East Indian Company to establish a post where boats could harbour on way to the East. He almost immediately started to use the Island - which is only a few kilometers from the mainland - as a place where troublemakers could be kept away from the growing community.

The first political prisoner, Autshumato, was exiled in 1658, simply because he was taking back cattle that his people believed to have been unfairly confiscated by European settlers. Prisoners were also brought from other countries. Most of them strong-willed rebels that were removed from their societies before they could stir too much trouble.

They were soon joined by ordinary criminals, the mentally ill, lepers and even prostitutes who could spread diseases. Island life became very harsh with no kindness felt or offered. Robben Island had started its culture of alienation.

Long before its most famous prisoner, Nelson Mandela, another great indigenous leader, Makana, was held captive on Robben Island. He was a strong Xhosa leader who fought against the British over land issues during the early part of the eighteen hundreds, but surrendered in order to negotiate a meaningful peace. He was unceremoniously transported to the Island and died there far removed from his people.

During the reign of the Apartheid regime, discrimination against non-white people escalated and basic human rights became non-existent. Many fighters for freedom were imprisoned on Robben Island during those dark decades. They faced an iron hand and human interaction was kept to the minimum.

There is one heart-gripping story where the political prisoners where marched past the isolated house where Robert Sobukwe was kept in solitary confinement. At that moment he was in the garden and when he saw the other prisoners he got onto his knees, picked up a hand full of sand and let it filter through his fingers as a solitary gesture of communication.

Nelson Mandela, one of the worlds most revered leaders, spent 27 years in jail, most of that on Robben Island, for his participation in the cause for freedom. When the world community met this remarkable man after so many years in jail, they were amazed. Here was a man whose life had been effectively robbed from him and instead of an angry man, we all saw a generous man emerging with steady eyes and a mischievous smile.

Robben Island that should have killed the human spirit, had only succeeded in producing an emphatic healer of a divided country.

A visit to Cape Town cannot be concluded without getting on the boat from the Cape Town Waterfront and walking in and around the infamous and at the same time famous jail that kept many different kinds of people behind bars over the centuries.

Wim van der Walt writes for Worldcup-Accommodation.info where you can get to grips with the Rugby World Cup in 2007 and the Soccer World Cup in 2010 He also writes about property investment in South Africa

Mandeville Louisiana Real Estate Gets Enviable School District

St. Tammany Parish is, no doubt, counted amongst the best parishes in the United States, and the reasons are numerous and considerable. It offers great quality of life, booming economy, low living costs, great medical facilities and, to top it all off, an enviable school district. The cities of Covington, Mandeville, and Slidell are the jewels in the Parish crown.

The area boasts beautiful scenic locations, that place it among the top tourist destinations of the country and make Covington real estate, Mandeville Louisiana real estate, and Hammond real estate markets a prime hunting ground for people considering buying a house near New Orleans. The region is experiencing massive growth, both in population as well as businesses.

With diversity in the employment market, it is well worth considering a move to this beautiful area. One of the main features that sets the community apart and makes it even more desirable for families with school age children is the education average of the Parish. With 85% of its residents having graduated from high schools and more than 28% holding a Bachelors or higher degree, the parish surpasses both the state and national average.

The public school system of St. Tammany Parish is heralded as the largest single employer in the region. The Parish schools' scores excel against the state's average making them an important factor for families to consider when they think of buying a house in or around New Orleans. There are 49 public and 22 private or faith-based schools in the St. Tammany Parish.

The school district has been rated among the top 100 school systems of major metropolitan areas in the U.S. With almost 34,000 students studying in the Parish schools, seven schools have been named in National Schools of Excellence by the US Department of Education. The Parish schools average higher, on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, than the state and national norm in almost all grades as well as subjects.

The schools in the Parish have averagely smaller class sizes and around 95% of the teaching staff, teaching core subjects, is highly qualified. This, again, is higher than both the state and national average. The average on the American College Test for the students of the Parish was also higher than state and national average, standing at 21.5.

The state of Louisiana boasts a very innovative Tuition Opportunity Program for students. According to this program, a high school graduate who attains a 2.5-grade-point-average, finishes a college preparatory curriculum, and scores an ACT not less than 20, gets free college tuition. With the average of the Parish higher than 20, you are definitely giving your children a great opportunity to avail this incentive.

There are options available for students in all major subjects for higher education, with 12 colleges within commuting distance of the Parish. The average annual tuition fee for the state of Louisiana is considered among the most affordable in the country. Tulane University, ranked in the top 50 universities of the country, is one in the list of institutions in the area like Loyola, Xavier, Dillard, Southern University and University of New Orleans, to name a few.

With lower cost of living, higher per capita income, great facilities and attractive, as well as, abundant buying opportunities (building of 261 new homes permitted each month) in Mandeville Louisiana real estate and Covington Louisiana real estate markets, the time is right and ripe for serious buyers to head towards the area.

Some important things to be kept in mind while buying a house are:
* proper knowledge of the area and the market
* assessment of your resources and requirements before hand
* the ability to hunt the best bargain.

For this, it is always advisable to find yourself a good and reliable agent. Having professional is advisable when making such important and potentially life changing financial decisions.

With the enviable St. Tammany schools and the buying opportunities in Mandeville Louisiana real estate and Covington Louisiana real estate, it's time to look for your next home on the New Orleans North Shore with the experience of prudential gardner. http://www.greggtepper.com

How To Lose Extra Weight

Losing extra weight is tough when you don't know how. Most people fail at losing extra weight because they were taught wrong or they simply do not have the resources. There are simple steps to lose extra weight than will help you tremendously. Motivation helps you by keeping you in focus and not letting yourself down. Setting goals gives you something to strive for so you can be proud of what you achieved. And a high metabolism helps burn off the extra weight.

A high metabolism is one of the most important things when you want to lose extra weight. What metabolism does is it simply burns your food instead of storing it as extra weight. The last thing that you want to happen is to keep on gaining weight. Metabolisms correct that. How do you attain a high metabolism? Simple all you need to do is instead of eating three big meals a day eat five or six smaller meals. This will make your metabolism skyrocket.

Goal setting is another important method in losing extra weight. Most people simply do not know how to set goals when losing extra weight. They only set one goal, which eventually brings them down mentally because of the overbearing task that they would like to accomplish. Instead of just making one goal, try making multiple smaller goals that lead to your desired weight. This helps you by making you feel like you accomplish a goal and keeps you moving on toward your next one.

I cannot express this enough of how important motivation is when you want to lose extra weight. It is simply the number one thing you have to have when you want to lose extra weight. If you do not have motivation you have no desire to lose extra weight at all. Nothing keeps you going and there for you will ultimately fail your weight loss goal. What I would recommend to motivate yourself is to either look at yourself in the mirror or imagine what you want to look like or write down some goals on some cards and read them day in and day out.

You now have three simple rules to lose extra weight. If you apply these to your weight loss routine you are guaranteed to lose extra weight faster than you ever thought possible. Increase your metabolism high, make smaller goals for yourself and most importantly stay motivated.

Max Whitson began involved in learning about weight loss at the youthful age of 15. Now, Whitson is a weight loss guru and has helped hundreds of people lose weight safely and effectively.

For more information, visit http://www.loseyourextraweight.com

This Song Won't Be Turned Into a Dance

Earlier today I was driving behind a truck with one of those "How's my driving?" stickers posted on it. Underneath the sticker, of course, was a phone number so that people can call. I decided that I'd like one of these stickers so that people in cars behind mine can initiate conversations about my driving. That's because I'm an idiot and I think that most of the cars on the road have good drivers inside them...

Speaking of idiots, I've been tempted to call one of those dandelion-elimination companies I keep seeing commercials for on television. You know, the ones that sell some high-powered product that actually kills -- yes, kills -- all the dandelions on a lawn. My question is, are dandelions really that hard to kill without one of these products? I'm no powerhouse, but give me a few minutes to rip one out of the grass and I will do it like a real champion. In fact, rather than paying a company to do it, or buying a product, I think I might open my own solo business where I will come to people's houses and start ripping out dandelions like there was no tomorrow...

And if there is a tomorrow, then I'm really in luck because that means that I can keep ripping out dandelions and charging people money for it...

Eventually, I wonder if there will ever come a time when it is officially noted that tomorrow doesn't exist. At first that would be scary: most people would run all over trying to do things one final time, and saying goodbye to everyone before it is too late. I, on the other hand, would take at least an hour to make as many dinner reservations for tomorrow as possible. What's the worst that could happen? There is a tomorrow after all and I have to end up eating a lot of meals. I can deal with that...

I think we'll truly know there is no tomorrow when pop radio stations stop turning rock songs into dance tracks. This usually happens on the weekends, where I can't surf the airwaves without hearing a great song butchered by an added drumbeat and a changed tempo. The worst is that there is no safe song, it seems -- anything can be turned into dance. Until now. Here is a song I'd like to record for the sole reason of knowing it will never turn into a dance track or be played at proms:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, so this song stinks.

But it will never be a dance song.

Seriously, if you are listening to this and it's dance,

You will instantly die.

This is no joke.

This better not be a dance song right now,

Or you will die.

And so will everyone else.

It's a little sad, but the message is clear. That's the same statement I made about writing a book with ice cubes...

But I digress.

Greg Gagliardi is a teacher and writer. His stream-of-consciousness weekly humor column, "Progressive Revelations," has been ongoing since 1998. (http://www.ProgressiveRevelations.com)

Why Hasnt Your Doctor Told You About Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar has been around for a long time yet many doctors do not prescribe it for ailments that it is perfectly capable of treating. This wonder food is said to help with weight loss, acne, acid reflux, cholesterol, constipation and heartburn among others. it is also said to work wonders for your overall health and can even help fight diseases such as osteoporosis, cancer, memory problems and aging.

You might wonder, if apple cider vinegar is so great, why hasn't your doctor told you about it?

I think the simple reason might be that medical doctors are more apt to prescribe medicines than natural remedies. Pharmaceutical companies spend a lot of money getting their medicines and pills approved and they certainly wouldn't want you using the inexpensive, unpatentable alternative of apple cider vinegar instead of buying their expensive cures and treatments.

One big problem today that many people suffer from his acid reflux. Consequently, pharmaceutical companies have come up with a plethora of pills to treat this ailment. But before you take pills that may be harmful to you, you might want to consider treating your acid reflux or other stomach ailments with apple cider vinegar.

You see, your stomach needs acid to digest food and when you have digestive problems like acid reflux or heartburn if not because you have too much acid it's because there is too little. Most medications you would take for these aren antacids which diminish the amount of acid in your stomach but this may not be what you need. These antacids may treat the symptoms but they will not address the cause and therefore, will never cure your problem.

Apple cider vinegar will mimic the acid level of your stomach and help you digest food properly which can help to treat that burning sensation. In addition, you might also consider taking digestive enzymes that will help your stomach digest the food.

If you suffer from acid reflux, heartburn or nausea, try taking one tablespoon of Apple cider vinegar prior to each meal. You may see your symptoms go away in as little as three days. However, you'll want to continue this practice for three to nine months and you may see the problem disappear altogether.

You don't want to use just any kind of Apple Cider vinegar, though. What you need is organic apple cider vinegar that still has the enzymes in it (called the "mother"). This is where the healing properties are. The "mother" will show up inside the bottle as stringy globs floating around. To get the most out of your apple cider vinegar, shake it up each time you take a swig so that a mother can be dispersed throughout.

What's that you say? It tastes terrible?

Certainly most people do not take to the taste of Apple site of vinegar right away but it can be somewhat of an acquired taste and I know many people (including myself) that slug down a tablespoonful of the stuff all by itself. If you can't stomach this, space however, there are some things you can do to make it a little bit more palatable.

You might try making a tea from your Apple cider vinegar by heating a couple of water and then adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to that.

You might also time to clean It with natural organic honey and some even say that this helps to boost the power.

While it's best to take apple cider vinegar before each meal, you can also take it anytime your stomach feels a little upset and it will have immediately curative effects. Some people swear by it and drink it for everything including the onset of cold and flu. An additional benefit is that many people who have taken apple cider vinegar before each meal have seen a moderate weight loss as well.

You know what they say, an apple a day keeps the doctor away - well in this case it's a swig of apple cider vinegar today!

Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.herbs-home-remedies.com where you can find more natural and herbal remedies.

ESC - How "Stable" Is Your Car And How Safe?

You may be surprised to hear the news that new cars sold in the UK are less safe than those sold in other countries in Europe. I was certainly surprised to say the least. I had always imagined that, as a fairly developed country, we would be up there with the leaders of the latest developments in the car safety industry.

It has been reported by the RAC that only 55% of new cars sold have E.S.C fitted, otherwise known as Electronic Stability Control. (You will find that the vast majority of manufacturers refer to it as E.S.P, Electronic Stability Program). Figures from several other European countries, some youd be surprised at, are into the late 60s and 70s.

To give you an idea of what this safety feature does, imagine the following;

Youre driving too fast around a corner and the car begins to slip. This is the point where E.S.C comes into play. The system senses the wheels slipping and possible over/understeer, reduces the engine power output, controls the amount of power given to each wheel independently and helps give you back control. All of this is done in a fraction of a second, thus reacting far faster than the normal driver would be able to compensate.

After researching one popular French Supermini, I found that you are able to add this feature, at the time of purchase for a mere 400. Not a lot when you consider it could save your life!

The implications of these shocking figures do not end there. Because of this poor safety statistic, it is thought that it may begin to affect the price of the average car insurance policy. A shocking statistic shows that only 8% of Superminis have this as a standard feature.

Think of this simple equation; New drivers (under 25) + Supermini (car of choice for this age group) + variables (more likely to have accident, as under 25) = Big problem.

The important thing to remember is; In Theory, the safer your car, the more likely you are to save money on your car insurance (taking into account engine size, trim, etc). If you can buy a car that has received a good European NCAP score (New car assessment programme) you should be able to land yourself with a cheap car insurance policy. Of course if you do buy the 2.5 litre sport model, you might find it just a little more expensive.

Car safety standards in the UK are not as good as youd think, due to this, car insurance may start to rise. Be kind to your wallet (and your health) and try to buy a car with a high NCAP (see above) rating.

You might find this helps you to find a cheap car insurance deal.