Country Enough?

I didn’t grow up listening to country music. My parents probably couldn’t name one Merle Haggard or Waylon Jennings song, and probably couldn’t even tell you who they are.  I never lived on a farm, and the only Ford I ever drove was a hand-me-down 1994 Explorer.  Which got me thinking, what’s country enough to be considered country?

It’s a popular debate that I run into anytime I claim, “I’m country…really!”  Most of the time people just look at me and say, “You’re from Connecticut, you’re not country.”  Well, let me tell you about Eastern Connecticut.  The University of Connecticut (where I go to school) used to be called the Connecticut Agricultural College.  It was founded for the purpose of educating sons and daughters of Connecticut farmers about new techniques to help flourish the state’s farms.  You’ll find rolling hills, open fields of land, and many stone walls if you take a drive around Eastern Connecticut.  What’s more country than that?

Here’s a pic overlooking UConn’s notable Horsebarn Hill:


Yes, we may be one of the most liberal states in the country, but we still appreciate good country music.  After a visit to the nation’s capital, country duo Brooks & Dunn were asked a similar question of Washington, D.C., which was my home for the last few summers.  

“It’s definitely a country town,” Kix Brooks told Politico.

The question came about over the band’s hit, “Only in America.”  The song was a popular tune on the Bush campaign tour and was also played at the end of President Obama’s convention speech in Denver.  Two men from opposite sides of the isle using the same song.  Brooks & Dunn, who consider themselves fairly conservative, had no problem allowing Democrats to use the song.  

“I was honored,” Brooks told Politico.

And so, I’ve decided that it’s not about where you are on a map, rather, it’s a way of life and being able to relate to the lyrics.  I may not be from the south but I am certainly country.

Listen to “Only in America.”

[Via http://mylifeisacountrysong.wordpress.com]

Shelby America and Scott Drake Split Ways

Shelby Performance Parts LLC, a joint venture between Shelby America and Mustang parts wholesaler Scott Drake has ended. Carroll Shelby known being as shrewd businessman nearly as much as he is for his world-renowned cars. Yet, stardom sometimes makes for a fickle business partner. In this case the joint venture between the two Ford icons has come to a close. The two had been in partnership since 2007.  Shelby is launching a wholly owned parts division: www.shelbystore.com.

“Effective 20 January 2010, Shelby Performance Parts will merge with the Shelby Store. Both merged sites will function under the ShelbyStore.com website for an interim periodand will be 100% owned and operated by Shelby American, Inc. in Las Vegas, Nevada.”

[Via http://motorcitymusclecars.wordpress.com]

Lamborghini's - Gas Pedals That Don't Stick

I’m so thrilled to be going to one of my favorite places today; Hollywood. West Hollywood and Beverly Hills border each other and I haven’t been in a while. And when I say a while I mean 2 months. I really enjoy people watching and seeing all the cars people only dream about. Lucky for me I’ve driven quite a few that I see on Sunset Blvd when eating at my favorite restaurant, 1950’s style Mel’s Drive-In.

I got to thinking about cars too. I never thought I’d see the day when Honda, Toyota and Nissan would go in the toilet. I also never thought I’d see the day when I started to actually like Ford and Chevy over the top Japanese companies, but I actually do. I really think the roles are reversing now. Sure your Cobalt or Focus may have had a little power steering hiccup, but you can still drive. With the onslaught of gas pedals sticking to the floor and driving the car by itself robot style, that’s when things can really get dangerous. For some it has even proved fatal. Most recently, a new Toyota Prius near San Diego, Ca was a runaway at 90mph and the California Highway Patrol had to intervene and stop it. What is wrong with these piles of crap?

I think companies with plants are just pumping out their product by the droves just to sell sell sell. You never hear these kinds of issues with hand made vehicles like Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari or Lamborghini. Which is why they’ve always been my favorite. Not that they don’t have their fair share of problems mind you, but none that would get a person or passenger killed. The only problem I have with them is the $2,999/mo lease price.

But let’s get real here. Only a select few can afford that so I say as an every day American, we should invest into our own economy and buy/lease American made vehicles. They really do blow me away now. The Cadillac Escalade is a given, and the Camaro, Corvette, Malibu and Impala are really great cars in the Chevy lineup. Ford has a great thing going with the new Taurus and other affordable models so I think things are really going to turn around for Ford and GM.

Ultimately I love exotic and super cars and there is nothing more of a thrill than shifting through the F1 gears and hearing the exhaust of a V10 or 12 cylinder behind you (or in some cases in front). The following videos were shot with my good friend Daniel and only wish I had more documented video of such fun experiences with supercars around Las Vegas. However many more will come I can guarantee that!

Anyone can drive a sports car. But only a someone drives a Lamborghini.

[Via http://geneforeman.com]

Super Video - Group B

Para fechar os artigos sobre os ralis disputados neste final de semana, eu escolhi dois videos que mostram os carros do chamado Group B em ação. O primeiro conta até um pouquinho da história do Grupo B.

O segundo video tem até algumas cenas do primeiro, mas este é sem música, só o som ambiente.

Aumente o som e bom divertimento.

Essa notícia nos dá a real velocidade dos carros que competiam no Grupo B.

Abraços

[Via http://formulatotal.wordpress.com]

What you should have read, but might have missed, last week.

Here are a few of the news stories we’ve been following in the past week:

• The PPNYC Action Fund has endorsed Jose Peralta in the March 16 special election in Queens! read about it in the Queens Gazette.




• I’m sure you know all about PPNYC’s fantastic We’re Going to the Principal’s Office campaign, to push for sex ed to be taught to NYC students. Well, parenting writer Lenore Skenazy has tweeted about it!




• Anti-choice candidate Harold Ford has dropped out of the NY Senate race.




• Ford had an op ed in the NY Times explaining why.




• A number of people (including the New Yorker) are calling for Governor Patterson to resign.




• There is a PAC targeting people in the New York State Legislature who voted against Marriage equality, particularly Hiram Monserrate.




• NY Magazine is accusing Monserrate of running on a platform of homophobia.




• Meanwhile, the ever fantastic Liz Benjamin breaks down the Peralta/Monserrate race in more detail.




• Obama’s health care bill is resting on anti-abortion votes again, apparently.


• Although he is trying to pass health care by focusing on cost and savings.




• And also by pushing for an “up or down” vote on health care.




• The NY Times has a helpful road map for passage of health care reform in the final weeks




• The NY Times ran several Letters to the Editor in response to the race and abortion article.




• Utah was considering legislation that would criminalize miscarriages, but withdrew it.




• And there’s a new public opinion poll out about abortion.

That’s all we’ve got. What have you been reading?

[Via http://unratedunfiltered.com]

Hear this Fender Jazz Bass recorded...

Listen to these three songs to hear my Fender Jazz Bass Deluxe at work.

For these three songs the treble knob was turned down to zero. This helps me create a clean sub-like sound and makes it easier to record and mix quickly. I have the treble down for most of the music I play except Big Band. The Big Band guys want to hear less “boom”. Basically they want to be tricked into thinking it’s a stand up bass. Don’t tell anyone I said that.

[Via http://mofojo.wordpress.com]

NEW MUSTANG V-6 WITH 305 HP CERTIFIED AT 31 MPG HIGHWAY; MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST CAR WITH 300+ HP AND 30+ MPG

• New 2011 Ford Mustang V-6 final fuel economy certified by EPA this week at 31 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city


• On sale this spring, Mustang with new 3.7-liter V-6 achieves 305 hp with available six-speed automatic transmission; first car ever to achieve 300-plus horsepower and 30-plus mpg


• New Mustang already has more than 11,000 orders, half for the new V-6

DEARBORN, Mich., March 4, 2010 – The 2011 Ford Mustang today breaks new ground, cracking the record books as not only the most fuel-efficient Mustang ever, but also the first production car in history to produce more than 300 horsepower and more than 30 mpg highway.

The Mustang’s official EPA ratings – completed this week – certify that models equipped with the 305-hp 3.7-liter V-6 and available six-speed automatic transmission achieve 31 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city. The standard six-speed manual transmission is rated at 30 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city.

“The Mustang engineering team aimed high and, through hard work, achieved fuel economy numbers that elevate Mustang into a class by itself,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development.

“At no other time in Mustang’s history – for that matter, in automotive history – have we been able to talk about 305 horsepower and 31 miles per gallon. The Mustang truly is a no-compromises sports car,” said Kuzak.

Mustang is powered by a lightweight, all-aluminum 3.7-liter dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) V-6 engine that uses advanced engineering to deliver its combination of power and economy. Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) adjusts the valvetrain in microseconds depending on driver inputs, further contributing to the engine’s overall efficiency.

The fact that Mustang achieves its top fuel economy rating with the convenience of an automatic transmission also marks a shift in conventional wisdom. Ford engineered a modern six-speed automatic transmission with carefully calibrated gear ratios and shift programs to maximize economy, while still delivering high-horsepower driving fun.

“Advanced powertrains like our Ti-VCT V-6 and six-speed automatic really speak to the future of Mustang,” says Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president of Global Powertrain Engineering. “We’ve proven that, using technology, Ford can deliver both power and fuel economy.”

In addition to engine improvements, upgrades to Mustang’s body, powertrain and chassis design contribute to the higher fuel economy numbers for 2011. Examples include:

New Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system eliminates the drag of an engine-operated hydraulic power steering pump

Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions allow lower cruising revs without sacrificing off-the-line performance

Aerodynamic changes include improvements like a new front fascia, tire spats on the rear wheels, modified underbody shields, a taller air dam and an added rear decklid seal

The new 2011 Mustang already has more than 11,000 orders. Half of all the nationwide orders are for the car’s fuel-efficient 3.7-liter V-6 engine. The 2011 Mustangs are also being equipped with record levels of technology, giving customers the option of choosing navigation, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and rearview cameras.

The new 2011 Mustang goes on sale this spring and will be built at the AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.

[Via http://autostyling1.wordpress.com]