Still Cruising?
I have been following the story about the Carnival Ship.
For all who do not know about it, there was a cruise going on and the Carnival that hosted it had an engine fire break out. As a result of this fire, the main power source was crippled along with the water and plumbing systems which left no electricity on the ship and NO PLUMBING SYSTEM. There were over 3500 passengers aboard on this cruise.
That is just the beginning of it.
Imagine being on a cruise. When I think of cruise, I think of luxury, beauty, relaxation……PURE HARMONY. Opposite of my imagination, this cruise on the Carnival Triumph was HORRIBLE.
Here is an idea of just how horrible conditions were: there was no electricity, toilets would not flush, only FIVE bathrooms were working (mind you there were over 3500 passengers), and there was no air conditioning; they underwent these conditions for a whole week.
So the passengers…….. Their harmonious cruise turned into a nightmare. They were forced to sleep outside due to the temperature. There were ridiculously long lines for food and for the restroom. The toilets began to overflow so the carpet reeked of urine and although there were lines for food, there wasn’t much food available. No electricity means they couldn’t cook and were surviving off of onion and cucumber sandwiches.
I COULD NOT IMAGINE……… my mouth dropped and stayed open from the first day I heard about it up until…………….well I’m still in utter shock about this so let’s just say, this is a Jaw Dropping story.
How would you react if this were to happen to you? What would you want to happen as a result of it?
The cruise line, Carnival, is giving all passengers 100% refund for the cruise expenses as well as gratuities. AND passengers that were boarded on the Carnival Triumph receive a DISCOUNT on future cruise trips.
I would really be interested in knowing how many of those passengers take advantage of that discount.
The Heads-Up Driving Quiz
So, you think you’re up on the risks of distracted driving? Take this quiz from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
1. Which of the following is NOT a distraction risk when driving?
a. Texting or reading email
b. Eating a hamburger
c. Programming a GPS device
d. Checking rear-view mirrors
2. Distracted driving is a factor in what percentage of fatal crashes annually?
a. 80%
b. 75%
c. 1%
d. 16%
3. Using a cell phone (handheld or hands-free) increases your crash risk by how much?
a. 10%
b. 50%
c. 100%
d. 400%
4. During the four seconds it takes to read a text message, how far will a car travel at 55 mph?
a. 50 feet
b. 10 miles
c. Four car lengths
d. Just over the length of a football field
5. What is the best way to manage your distracted driving risk?
a. Practice multi-tasking more
b. Roll down the window and play the radio loud
c. Buy a cell phone with more features
d. Put the devices away and zero-in on driving
Did you answer “D” for all the questions above? If so, you’re paying attention! Driving is a complex task that requires undivided attention and focus.
And if you really want to reduce your risk on the road, contact your state legislator and ask him or her to support legislation banning texting while driving in Oklahoma. House Bill 1503 by Rep. Curtis McDaniel will do just that, if it makes it through the legislature this session. Your help is needed right now. Thank you.
Insanity
So there is this workout video that has been the talk of a lot of people lately. The Insanity Workout is an insane workout that last only 30 minutes and is filled with hardcore aerobics, plyometric drills, nonstop intervals of strength, power and resistance, ab training moves, and core training moves.
OUCH!! Sounds pretty insane right?
So after hearing the stories and looking at the videos on YouTube of the workout, I think it really is kind of insane.
I heard a story of a lady’s body giving out on her after she participated in this workout, the dental assistant at my son’s dentist was having a horrible morning after a night of insanity, and my little sister is ready to back up on her goal to lose weight. LOL
I personally think that this is a pretty good workout, and it fits into all of the excuses that people give as to why they can’t work out.
• “I don’t have the time” — Well you don’t really need much time, these workouts last 30 minutes. If delegating 30 minutes of your time is not worth it to get in shape and lose weight, then … you probably aren’t really dedicated to the cause.
• “I’m too big, plus I am not fit nor am I in shape” — You can never be too big to work out, you just gradually do it and eventually you will be able to pick up the pace along the way. The more you work out, your body will began to get used to it and that begins the whole getting fit process.
• “I work out enough at work” — This has to be the funniest, just because you may be tired or exhausted … Doesn’t mean that you have necessarily worked out.
I am going to take a whack at the Insanity Workout and see how I do and if you are looking for alternative ways to tone and/or lose weight, then you should try it and share your experience. It’s like you’re insane if you do it and you’re insane if you don’t.
Are you insane?
Front Bench Seats Taking a Back Seat
By Chuck Mai, AAA
Steering column mounted gear shifters disappeared a long time ago, except on some pickups, and now front bench seats in passenger cars are about to also pass into automotive oblivion. Yes, they’re getting kicked by the bucket.
The 2014 Chevy Impala carries the distinction of being the last production car since the days of the horseless carriage to offer a front bench seat. Until recently, bench seats were also standard equipment on the Ford Crown Victoria and the Lincoln Town Car until those vehicles were both discontinued in 2011.
Will we miss the bench? Apparently not. During 2011/2012, only one in 10 Impala buyers chose the $195 option on the LS and LT models. General Motors says they expect the preference for front bucket seats to continue.
“A lot of people prefer bucket seats because they’re sporty, even in models that aren’t sports cars,” said Clay Dean, GM’s director of design. “Our customers also appreciate having the center console as a convenient place to store their phone and other personal use items.” Plus, it appears we’ve become used to those center console cup holders.
The first Chevrolet ever manufactured, the Series C Classic Six of 1911, featured a front seat bench and for decades, American cars were typically equipped with benches. In the days of larger families and one car families, they made sense because they allowed three passengers to sit comfortably albeit cozily in the front seat.
Bucket seats first came into vogue after World War II on small European imports. Not only did they do a better job of keeping passengers in place when making sharp or quick turns, they were necessary to accommodate floor-mounted shifters and parking brake levers in small cars.
By 1962, more than one million U.S.-built cars were factory equipped with bucket seats. Buckets really took off with the “pony cars” of the mid-sixties, cars such as the Ford Mustang and the Chevy Camaro.
Today, the need for six-passenger sedans is largely being met by SUVs or crossovers, which offer seating for up to eight. Chevy, for one, will continue to offer bench seats on pickup trucks and sport utilities.
But who knows? There’s a certain nostalgia for bench seats. Hard to snuggle up with your sweetie at the drive-in movie while sitting in bucket seats. Some experts say we may see bench seats re-emerge someday, possibly in very small cars like the EN-V urban mobility concept vehicle, in which the feeling of open space may be very desirable.
Oil Changes Have Changed
By Chuck Mai, AAA
Here in Oklahoma, we love our oil. So do our cars – especially fresh, clean oil. But knowing when to change your oil can be slippery business.
To get an idea, consult your owner’s manual, probably one of the least-read books ever printed. (Hint: it’s in your glove compartment.) The OM will tell you what’s best for your particular model vehicle. Bear in mind, those recommendations are for normal driving conditions. If you regularly drive in stop-and-go traffic, at prolonged higher speeds, in extreme temperatures or in dusty or muddy conditions, you may need to change your oil more frequently.
The motor oil lubricates the moving parts in your vehicle. Without it, these parts would rub together and eventually melt due to the friction. The oil also helps clean off the buildup that commonly occurs in a combustion engine and suspends contaminates and residue.
Oil viscosity is the extent to which oil resists the tendency to flow at different temperature ranges. This varies from vehicle to vehicle, so it’s important to use the correct oil viscosity to operate your engine at optimum efficiency.
Premium conventional motor oil is the industry standard with the typical recommendation for oil changes ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Synthetic blended oils are designed for vehicles driven in extreme conditions because it holds its viscosity better. While used most often in high-tech engines, synthetic oil can actually be used in any vehicle. It provides superior protection and contains additives that prevent the buildup of the sludge that accumulates after lots of severe driving.
Without a doubt, changing your oil is the single most important thing you can do for your engine.
