Keith’s rides, Part 1: My first ‘status symbol’ was a Jeep Commando

[This is the first of several blog entries on the cars and other vehicles I have driven so far in my life. It may or may not be of interest to anyone other than myself. Enjoy. Or not. It’s your choice. – KM]

Far too often a car is seen as a status symbol, a measure of the total man or woman driving the car.

An expensive car denotes success. Or, at least, it symbolizes money, whether it be old money or new.

A compact car, economy car or one that is broken down denotes failure, hard times, a lack of resources, when perhaps it really should symbolize a concern for the environment or thriftiness.

An expensive car denotes confidence and financial freedom.

A compact or economy car denotes insecurity and frugality.

An expensive car denotes virility.

A compact car … well, doesn’t.

Far too much weight is put on the type of car or vehicle a person drives.

I have had a couple of cars and other vehicles since the time I took driver’s education at Ashland Community High School in the late 1970s. None are particularly spectacular and most were either hand-me-downs or used vehicles.

But they are the rides I have had over the years.

Here’s a multi-part drive down the memory lane that are the rides of my past.

Jeep Commando

The first vehicle I was able to claim as mine was a Jeep Commando. So, I suppose the Jeep Commando – descendant of the vehicle that helped the Allies win World War II and took generations of woodsmen into the backcountry – is my first status symbol. I’m not sure what that says about me, but there it is.

OK, I really couldn’t “claim” the Commando since it belonged to my parents. It was used for plowing the driveway in the winter and woodland excursions in the spring, summer and fall.

Living in the Deep Dark Woods of Northern Maine means long, dark, cold, snowy winters. The driveway to my family’s home was a fairly long piece of gravel and shale, especially if you were using a shovel or snow scope to clear it after a significant snowfall.

Add to that, fairly steep front and back stairs from the house to the driveway, and you have some pretty significant snow removal going on.

You can imagine how pleased I was when my father brought home the Commando, complete with a small plow on front. I don’t recall where he purchased it or even if my mother had a say in it. All I know is that seeing that rig meant a little less work for me and my aching back.

It also meant I had a ride to various extracurricular activities – soccer, baseball and basketball practices and games, mostly. It is about 11 miles from Portage to Ashland and trying to catch the activity bus was a large hassle, so I was allowed to use the Commando from time to time.

I don’t recall the model year of the Commando, but it had a removable hardtop – in other words, it was a convertible – and pretty fun to drive around. I recall that my Dad ended up getting a broken down Commando for parts for the one we actually used, which he painted a metallic gray and added a blue softcover for the summer. He also added a rollbar, which was pretty cool.

According to Jeep-Commando.com – yes, there is a website – the Commando was manufactured from 1966 to 1971. Here’s a bit of what can be found at http://www.jeep-commando.com/.

Because of the short time of production, the Jeep Commando is a rare, hard to find Jeep. A lot of people say the Jeep Commando looks a lot like the International Scout and the Ford Bronco.

In 1966, Jeep, then owned by Kaiser, launched the Jeepster Commando to compete with the Bronco and Land Cruiser. The Jeepster Commando was available only in three models: a convertible, pickup truck, and a wagon (like the Jeepster, this was a really cool looking vehicle in my opinion). The (Kaiser) Jeepster Commando stayed in production until 1969. In 1970 AMC bought Jeep from Kaiser, and then in 1972 AMC shortened the name to just Commando and changed the grill design to look more like that of a Bronco, but it didn’t catch on. The Jeep Commando was taken out of production in 1973. Check out The American Jeepster Club for more on these cool Jeep spin-offs.

I don’t recall when or how or why my parents got rid of the Commando. All I know is that I enjoyed driving that thing.

Rides of My Life … so far

Part 1: Jeep Commando

Part 2: VW Bug

Part 3: Dodge Duster

Part 4: Chevrolet Caprice Classic

Part 5: Nissan pickup

Part 6: Suzuki Sidekick

Part 7: Isuzu Rodeo

Part 8: Honda CRV

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

209. keep it rollin'

well, i don’t know how to start or where to start with.

it’s been a while since i last drive my car out. it feels great to keep it rollin’ on the road again since friday

i don’t know if some of you guys notice if the fuel usage is much more worse with RON95 compare to RON97 as well as the lack of power. i noticed that on my car, abit sluggish and lack of response while driving in town… car seems to be a bit heavier than normal. so far i only fed my car with RON97 since the introduction of RON95 on malaysian market. did use RON95 twice or thrice till i switched back to RON97.

but since i’ve been driving my car from friday till today, i noticed my car is getting heavier. so i used v-power today. and it feels good that the car starts running smooth again. ada OMPH! perhaps i’ve been keeping my car for so long, almost two months in the porch so my ECU sleeps

v-power RULES! hehehe… 30+ liters of fuel of around RM80. definitely i’m not gonna use v-power all the time, once a while should be enough to clean up the engine.

oh okay, late evening after work, i head down to NZ curry house to have a quick drink. while drinking, i heard this song being played on air from lite fm;

boney m – sunny

it feels great when there’s no one around you (being alone) while you get to do your own thing without much bothered from the others maybe if there’s a friend(s) around, they would say “you’re soooo ol’ skool” hahaha…

keep it rollin’! evergreen songs last forever!

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

An all electric car - Great for British jobs

Great fanfare has welcomed the announcement of the New Nissan Leaf. An all electric car – Great for British jobs as the European version of the car is to be manufactured in Sunderland. Many other major manufacturers have announced electric cars in recent years e.g. Peugeot (rebadged Mitsubishi) GM Volt, Smart EV etc but the truth is they’ve all been held back awaiting government incentives which finally arrive in Jan 2011. A figure of ‘up to’ £5000 for purchasing a qualifying electric car has been proposed although full details of the scheme are yet to be published. So how else can the government encourage the take up of these emission free vehicles? A recent article posted on www.parkingnottingham.com  suggests that parking incentives on urban centres would help create demand. The article discusses the idea that city councils could make available free parking and free charging points in their owned car parks for electric cars thereby helping to promote the idea of electric car ownership an creating a national city based charging ( power) infrastructure. Makes a lot of sense doesn’t it but council bosses are worried about falling revenues and so far have not taken up the idea outside of London. What fo you think. Have your say.

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

Lefthand Wank-mo-tron

Done preaching, back to reality.

I heard back from someone I used to know. We haven’t spoken in a long time. Lots of bad blood there. Same old argument started, but I tried not to get dragged in again. Nothing ever gets resolved. Depressing as all hell.

I planted a whole bunch of food plants. I got a cherry tomato now, and a whole row of strawberries. And I bought a few new flowers and things; most of the south staircase is covered in plants now. I can’t wait for the harvest in a few months. Gardens going well!

On the downside, I think my lavender is dead. It was planted in too thick a soil, and I didn’t re plant it in time. I might use the pot it’s in for a houseplant that has most of its roots grown in. I still want lavender though, but I don’t want to take anymore of Uncle G’s. He’s already given me so many things.

Work was slow this week, and my check next week will show it. But I’ve got a job, so I don’t want to complain. I also have the whole weekend off. I’m trying to use it to finally buy a car. But it’s hard to find people who will drive me around to look at them. If only I had a car, it would be much easier to buy one.

That’s pretty much it I think. Life goes on.

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

NIGHT TIME DRIVING SAFETY TIPS

NIGHT TIME DRIVING SAFETY TIPS

Driving at night is quiet dangerous. Follow these safety tips at night driving which are as under,

• Reduce your car speed and increase your following distance at night time.
• Follow a well lighted area route at night driving.
• Keep your car windshield screen and lights clean.
• Keep clean your car headlights.
• Keep headlights, taillights, signal lights, and back lights clean.
• Keep your car windows and doors clean.
• Avoid from eating, drinking, and smoking at night drive.
• Keep turn on your car headlights.
• Keep the headlights in a low beam.
• Avoid from drowsy driving.
• Adjust your car right side and left side mirrors.
• Be alert while drive.
• Check your car exterior lights conditions.
• Driving at fast speed can be more dangerous at night time.
• Stop at signs and at red lights.
• Buckle up nicely.
• Avoid parking near the buildings, streets, and under the trees.
• Drive very carefully and slowly and watch on the road and speedometer.
• Be patience while drive.
• Keep in your lane.
• Don’t use car horn un-necessarily.
• Keep your car all lights clean and clear.
• Check your car tire air pressure regularly.
• Plan out your route.
• Must wear comfortable clothes for driving.
• Follow the traffic rules and regulations.
• Clean your car windshield screen from inside and outside carefully.
• Ignore the drunk drivers.
• Use the high beam headlights at night.
• Be sure you are fit for driving.
• Avoid from any glare or halos.
• Always maintain a proper insurance.
• Drive at comfortable speed.
• Drive carefully in a wet weather.
• Align your car headlights correctly.
• Prevent from fatigue driving.

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

Get High Within The Law With Divinorum Salvia And Legal Bud

Salvia Divinorum is a legal way to obtain and use a product can be hallucinogenic high.場合は高いのと同じタイプにする通りの薬からも得ることができるリスクがない場合には、あなたにとっては完全に合法で探している中の、変更された状態を与える法的な蕾のようHow involved can get a legal high. With these legal highs, and airline tickets being caught by the police, please do not run the risk of getting or writing.

Most people are not aware that the legal limits, which are obtained online. These are substances which are not regulated by the state and are illegal. It is the same as lying with substances such as bath salts in the car when stopped by the police. Since agents such as legal buds are not prohibited by law can not, they stop you for carrying them around. The same is true with Salvia divinorum. You can use to get themselves into ecstasy as a state without the danger of arrest for carrying prohibited substances.

While some substances be strictly controlled and are considered illegal in the U.S. and other countries, there are other substances that someone the same desired effect, which can not control under the same. These substances are legal highs and legally buy and use. As is the case with any kind of drug or product that you an altered state of being, you should not drive or any type of vehicle, if you do so you will not endanger themselves and others. However, if you caught the legal bud in the car, you will not get a ticket or in difficulty. The same applies to Salvia divinorum. This is because they are mandated legal substances that are easily acquired and are not under the federal drug laws.

Most people are unaware of how the drug laws work. They figure that the only way that they can feel the effects of drugs like marijuana, ecstasy, LSD and cocaine is to buy these illegal drugs. Not only does this cost money, a lot of money but it also incurs substantial risk on the part of the person buying them. When buying legal bud or Divinorum Salvia, however, there is no such risk involved mainly because these products are considered legal substances and carrying them around is the same as carrying around allergy medication or other products that are not prohibited.

All drugs that are similar to legal or otherwise, if the public should be aware that any act, or driving. When in a comfortable place, behind the wheel, please use these legal substances. To obtain or Divinorum legal buds can be used to achieve the hallucinogenic effects of Salvia are looking for a high. For now, if not mandated by federal drug laws can be arrested for those that do not matter.

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

Too Much Green Beer?

Should you over-do it with the beer and Irish car bombs, AAA is offering a free ride home for you AND your car!

It is called “Tipsy Tow.”

Keep this number handy:  1-800-AAA-HELP

http://www.csaa.com/portal/site/CSAA?zip=95815&wosid=fl1JfiOyRlGIZJeq7Kddcw

[Via http://kymx.radio.com]