New Years: Good News - You Don't Die!

As the year comes to a close I sit here trying to look back at all my "1st"s (or new experiences) and see what I tried that scared the living sh$%t out of me but did it anyways and I've come up with this:

• Tried SnowBoarding (awful bruising on my right leg!)
• Took out a 2-seater boat on the TO harbour (being so close to water you can't see the bottom of, not the "funnest")
• Cut cheques against property I won't take possesion of until after I die (exaggeration; I'm in pre-contruction)
• First Stamp on my Passport (1st vacay; went to Barbados)
• First Submarine Ride (Atlantis Submarine - 142ft)
• Sat in a Concorde (and experienced the simulated Sonic Boom)
• Became a Mentor (never realized that I was actually in demand to give advice or guidance in business and personal life)

There are more I'm sure; small but monumental "victories" that I conquered this year but one is sticking out. Maybe it is because I just came back and it is fresh in my mind or that it still scares me to this minute....

I stood at the North-est Point (the North Point) of Barbados (the island) and watched the rough Atlantic Ocean crash against the rocks. Not realizing how high I actually was I looked across and saw the rock and watched the water crash against it. It was gorgeous and scary. Thoughts like someone falling over and dying instantly..are there sharks?...I am so high up...wow that rock is smooth..OMG the water is breaking holes...is this peice eventually going to break and fall in? I need to move back!!

Either way I survived and didn't fall in!

Funny Sign eh? You are the top though, nowhere to go from here: backwards or the water babe!

I guess that should go for the New Year also: Scary but I won't die! And neither will you :)

Over and Out...See you Next Year.

(Here are the links to my short videos of both sides of the North Point Right Side, Left Side . They may not do justice to see how high up you are but if you've been let me know your thoughts!)

Mission Complete: Promote the BMW i8

Christmas tradition is to watch a movie after all the festivities. This year: Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. I remember opening 75 copies (in 1 store) for rental on I think Mission Impossible 2 when it came on video. They all made money and it was a wise investment - thanks Paramount Studios and my customer base of course :)

I enjoyed all the previous installments so why not this one right? Oh, and I like Simon Pegg and I think Paula Patton is a good looking lady. So the cast and previous "pre-quels" did it for me so it was an easy sell....

Some cool things about the movie? They showed (I think) a clip of every scene in the beginning as like a countdown. Other cool thing? Tom Cruise - "Nice Jet. Wait 'til you see the Car". Of course at this point I had completely forgotten which car was supposed to be in this movie and I was thinking "What's the car??"

You see it at the entrance of the Dubai Hotel, the BMW i8. Pretty car is all I can say.

I'm thinking "pretty" may not cut it.

Paula with the i8



Love at First Sight

Interior Shot

Nice Front End


 Either way you're thinking "was it a good movie?" and the answer would be YES but I think I  wanted more crazy stunts. But I did love the Dubai hotel scene - don't worry you'll see it!
Have a great New Year all if you don't hear from me sooner..

Nice Girls CAN get Rich..

Interestingly enough I do read even though I am out of school. I have noticed the type of person I am and if I am not learning something, whether it's a new job or new software (whatever), I get bored. It is probably just something wrong in my make up! Anyways, I saw this book on the library shelf and being in sales, I am easily sold, and this title did it: Nice Girls Don't Get Rich (pic below)

It was an easy read and she makes you take a self-assessment test in the beginning to see where you might need some help and tells you to jump to those chapters. Interestingly, I scored pretty high in most catagories - guess I am just not one of those nice girls Lois is talking about. Never the less, I forged on to see if I could find some category where I was falling short in and maybe to gain some insight.

I really enjoyed it and now have the 1st book of hers on CD that I will do different this time and listen to: Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office...even though I'm not in a corporate setting...

Some cool things she noted was:

• Money can't buy you happiness and neither can poverty - sounds stupid and straightfoward but true
• Plant Some Seeds - ? What? She says there is no better way to learn patience than to nuture growth from seeds - something I will consider....maybe....
• Women Working at a Salary Less than we are worth - raises never materializing, maybe we don't ask or negotiate well, and trading pay for flexible hours
• Work on your "Sense of Entitlement" - CHECK!
• Women NOT charging for their services - stop it!
• Not succumbing to Sales Pressure - she recommends using a Car Broker for a an automobile purchase - thanks Lois, appreciate the plug :) :)

Anyways, I'm off to plug the cd into my car and hopefully I'll enjoy her previous work.

Have an awesome weekend all..

Manual Transmission-ly Illiterate

On any given Tuesday or any given day for that matter, I drive automatic. Heck, I  have tried my trip-tronic - brand new engine that is warrantied why the hell not right? So, it is a long story to tell how I ended up with a manual car to drive home but I did. Anyways, me not thinking, "wait: I have no one to drive back with in a car I do not know how to drive!" I said fine, just do it. Scared shitless I asked a friend to help me at night. So much yelling and I still could not take off from 1st gear let alone change gears. No joke, I'm that bad. STALL! Again! I think I may have scared a few pedestrians and their canine friends around my home but late at night they didn't recognize the driver, so thank god.

After 45 mins of braking, stalling, stalling, actually taking off, braking, stalling and so on I took a dinner break and got out there again. This time much better - I could take off from 1st - ACHIEVEMENT! I shifted to 2nd but most of the time forgot. I can still hearing the yelling "you need to hear it, when it's ready you need to change gears"...."2nd!!! 2nd already !!!".... "Smoother take off !!" ...."Gassssssssss, press the gas!!". I felt like a child, and a terrible learner. 


I ended up having an eventful night, terrible dreams and I drove to work alone in traffic...and on main roads!! (like Yonge Street). I have to say hats off to me for doing it and I still have much to learn but for all you trying to learn to drive automatic or manual hang in there! If I can do it so can you and in the words of Brian Tracy "Anything worth doing well is worth doing poorly at first, and it is often worth doing poorly several times until you master it.".


P.S. If there is anyone who wants to help me get to the ranks of Nascar driver or ...just regular manual driver let me know :)

The Fine Art of Friendly Automotive Devaluation

You're heading back to your car from a function and you've been pre-chosen as the designated driver. Scoping out the lot and there is a smorgasbord of choices. Line 2 has 4 black sedans and one could be mine only I parked in Line 5.


Having friends that are into cars and some not is a blessing but I must clarify: I do not own every black sedan. "Oh this isn't it?" No ! I'm thinking in the back of my mind: my friend just insulted my taste - thanks friend. So I feel for all you people trying to impress the automotive-uneducated. There is just no winning: your 70k suv could be mistaken for one priced at 24k. Ouch ! It's worse than the first year depreciation curse. Your ego is crushed; the car's not even worth it's monthly payment. Sorry folks, be happy that they remember your name at that point and get over it. Just remember the time when another friend got into your car or saw your ride and said 'damnnn' - ya, that's how you roll while you are rubbing your knuckles against your shirt! 

All I got to say is it might be time for new friends...

Ok, I got one more thing to say:

ROI on Getting Drunk

Just wanted to share a blog post I read. Thinking I should forward it to my Operations Manager as well to see if he'll cover my Friday Night...

Major Points that are worth mentioning:

• Alcohol Is Your Best Friend - serious?!
• The Best Deals Start Over Alcohol - True!
• Don't Get too Drunk - Say What?!
• Always Follow-up - Exactly how?! You're Drunk!

Why You Should Get Drunk - The ROI of Partying

Do you love your car?

Have you evey looked into the driveway and been proud of your car purchase? I know it's happened to me. Heck, it still happens to me. People love their cars; so why do I hear so many complaints all the time? And then when they trade the car in "Hey, you know what? That last car was damn awesome!" Go figure...

So if you're proud of your car and you know it, don't clap your hands but smile. You made a damn good purchase and I'm proud of you! Now go out there and enjoy it!

My pep talk for Tuesday AM....

Enjoy...

1 door on the Left Side, 2 doors on the Safe Side

Just checking out the Drive, She Said Blog (wondering if she ever watched the movie of the same name) and she posted a hilarious Hyundai Veloster Dutch commercial that was banned.

Check it out:

Who wants a luxury hatch with a 4 cylinder engine? 2012 BMW X1

Thank you to Sean at BMW who gave me the 2012 BMW X1 for the day to enjoy.

What's Nice?

Small engine and seemed pretty fuel efficient (2.0L TwinTurbo inline 4cyliner engine)
Had the Sport Package so the rims where nicer ($1500 option)
Didn't have the Harmon Kardon Sound System upgrade but sounded great anyways

Grill is aggressive so you don't feel like you are driving a "cheaper" BMW - is there such a thing?

Nice BIG lights!

XDrive BABY!



Gotta have the Nav!



In motion! Don't hit the truck!

I like the crease down the side - gives it character

New trademark lights from the new 5 and 7 series

X1, baby - what did you think we were looking at?

What's Not?

The features that you can tack on this baby add up! $15,000 worth!
Where was the wood trim package? ($585 option) Gotta love the wood, gives it that "classy" character.

Same room as the old bodystyle X3

Sport Package rims

Did you know that it is only available in Canada right now? Finally we get something first!

What do you think?

Mustang the New Cadi?

I'm driving down the 401 this morning and guess what I see? A pink Cadillac CTS! My first thought is: Is that one of those Mary Kay Cadillacs? Sure enough I increase my speed (to an undisclosed speed; I don't want a ticket here!). Sure enough it says Mary Kay on the side. I didn't know why but I suddenly felt proud of the woman driving it because I know you need to move up ranks to get that 2 year lease. I rolled down my window and sure enough she wasn't paying any attention to me so I drove past and went on my way. Watching the car in my rearview I was still smiling.

This is what the Cadi looks like

Mary Kay changing tradition?

Funny that I see this car when just yesterday I read in Autoweek that Mary Kay was going the Mustang way. What? Exactly! They are breaking tradition and now going to give away BLACK MUSTANGS! (with pink accessories no less). Now, what I read (through the lines) in the article was either Mary Kay upper-echelon has suddenly lost their minds and thought "hey, Mustang, ya, that's a sign of prestige". Again, what?!! OR, someone at Ford was "bribing" (nudging...you know) that they should have a "mutual" agreement. I can understand Lincoln, but a Ford Mustang?! I can understand maybe Mary Kay's new sales ladies are younger, more hip, but Mustang?!

Mustangs compliment Cadillacs?

Mary Kay did say that they will still loan the famous Cadillacs to sales directors who sell in the top tier of $100,000 a year or more. The Mustang though will go to independent beauty consultants who reach the level of sales director. "We think is a great complement to the pink Cadillac,” said Mary Kay's Sheryl Adkins.

In recent years mid level sales directors were offered their choice of the Toyota Camry and Chevy Equinox. Now these sales team members will be able to roll in style with the Mary Kay adding the Mustang as an option. The pink Cadillacs, which are reserved for the highest selling sales team members, will remain their ultimate rolling trophy.

Cadillac: Still the Ultimate Rolling Trophy?

Ok, I do understand the Mustang being better than the Camry and Equinox (sigh of relief). Cadillac is still the Ultimate "Prize" for Mary Kay. Thank you Mary Kay Cosmetics.

Best & Worst Cars

There are so many manufacturers and so many cars on the market. Sometimes it's hard to remember all the vehicles that are available in, say, the Luxury Sedan market or Best Low Cost vehicle. Here are some lists that may come handy in you narrowing down what's best for you this time around: Best/Worst Cars

New Hyundai Elantra

License Plate - Plate of Shame

Back in March, I read about Pakistan issuing "SX" and "XX" plates and how locals were refusing to put them on their vehicles because they would be subject to shame and ridicule.

Refusing Plate issues

One man, refused the issue because the vehicle was for his daughter and "boys would make a joke of her so it is not possible for him to" accept it. Another man contended that youngsters from wealthy families "might get those serials just to attract and irritate female citizens but an ordinary person cannot use those serials".

Pakistan Excise and Taxation Officer Abbas said he did not think there was anything "strange" about the new registration numbers though.

Superstitious 13? No, Number 39

Now in Afghanistan, drivers of cars with the number plates that contain 39, are taunted and mocked. Overnight the number has become synonymous with "pimp". It is unsure why but gossipers say in neighbouring Iran, a pimp was nicknamed "39" after the registration plate of his expensive car and the number of his apartment.

Plate of Shame

Vehicle registration plates incorporating the number are seen as so undesirable that vehicles and apartments bearing the numerals are said to be virtually unsellable in the capital, Kabul.

Car dealers making a killing

Kabul traffic department told the BBC: "According to law, we have to distribute plate number 39. It is people's ignorance that they go after superstition."

He accuses car dealers of trying to benefit from the situation (buying back cars with the plate at a large rate of depreciation) but others say traffic department officials are charging more than $300 (£185) as a bribe to issue plates with a different number.

Uneducated and Illiterate

Superstition is one thing. But to let people use your superstition and benefit from it is stupidity. I understand that majority of people may be uneducated and illiterate - but they should be street-smart. Are they seriously selling back cars and taking $5,000 hits on them just to get a new plate? It's just mind-boggling that they would let people get away with devaluing merchandise they bought with their hard-earned money. Shouldn't you be happy to have use of a vehicle? This maybe harsh, but I have nothing nice to say about the people who are adding fuel to the fire(s).

The Land Down Under & Road Signs

You've got to love Jim Kenzie of the Toronto Star. He posted some great road signs from the Land Down Under, Australia, on his blog in the beginning of the month. Yes, political correctness isn't top of their list of qualities. Check them out...

My Fave!

Ms. Lead-foot vs a 2012 Ford Focus Hatchback

I have spent one day with a car that isn't mine. I feel like I have been cheating! Thanks to Denys (the Menace) at Enterprise Car Rental I was driving a 2012 Ford Focus Hatchback to work for 1 day. Built on the Ford C1 platform and it uses the 2.0L inline 4 cylinder engine (and a 6-speed auto tranny).

Here is what I thought...


First Impression?

Is that a Ford? or a Volvo C30? It looks a lot like the C30 but with a Ford price tag - nice!
It is really cute - nice curves - aggressive front grill!
This car should sell well...

Who would I aim this car at?

Young, probably female driver.

What did I like the best?

Looks and options. The options were great. Heated Seats, sunglass holder, leather wrapped steering wheel, 8" touch screen.

What was it missing?

Sunroof!

What did I like least?

Power and acceleration. I tried to merge from a 50 km/hr ramp to 80 km/hr street and found it wouldn't climb fast enough. Later I tried to merge onto the 401 (HWY) at 60-70 and climbing tried to get in front of a Chevrolet Silverado to no avail. It was a slow climb to 100-110 km/hr but when it got there it was fine (no real noise from the engine).

Would I buy this car?

Not for my lead foot. For a younger sibling? For sure, and with Ford Canada offering Employee Pricing right now, it's a great time to do it.

Volvo C30

Check out the grill on this baby!

Nice BIG wrap around lights

So cute - but it's not small!

Back-end is like other hatch's - nice wide opening for maybe a TV Box, or an exercise machine.

Hopefully this gives you a feel for the length - which is close to Wagon-length

Extra Mirror in a Mirror - which I checked does help with cars in your side blindspot.

Large, good-looking tail-lights.

Titanium edition includes: 8" touch Screen, Sony 10 speakers, Satellite Radio, Heated Seats, Puddle Lights!

Comfy fabric seats. If you have kids I recommend fabric protection.

Seats at the back drop down in a 60/40 split. Also there is a "faux" lid that hides what's in your cargo space.

Photo of the "faux" lid



Sony, baby! Not Bose but Sony is pretty good.

Heated Seats??!! And yes, there is a 12V outlet.

8" Touch Screen - fun to customize !

Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel and the controls are all in reach. The Steering Wheel is a bit on the small size and gave me a "girly" feel.

Sunglass holder in the roof! Good thing they didn't forget this small but important thing.



Nice hard plastic on the doors - will take a good beating from shoes, etc.



Sources: Ford; Volvo

GM Camaro Plant Open House Photo Diary Part 3

Are you tired yet? Well Bridget wasn't....there are more pictures!

P.S. Any fun poked at either a GM Employee or GM in general, it was all in good fun. I appreciate the tour - Thanks again General Motors Oshawa.

Buick Baby!

Warning on the floor!

Map of the Plant Facilities

You are here !

3 guesses as to what this is!

This is the undercarriage of the Camaro

Tailpipes!

This is actually going to be inserted underneath the Camaro

Springs, Engine, all the front parts under the hood and around the wheels

Close-up!

Ok, these 2 are getting married (or so the GM ambassador put it)!

Closer...

Closer...

Almost there...

Almost...

One more snap and it should be in place..

There we go...

It's in!

Mufflers!

Using the Robotic Arm to lift it

Spin it around

And push it off!

Flying Camaro's!

Front Bumper/Skirt being put on

Back Bumper/Skirt being put on

Almost on!

Front again..

It fits!

Car is being driven to a test bay to check the rotation on the tires and to make sure the headlights are shining correctly

Checking the gauges - the HORN works!

I got to sign the THANK YOU GM! Board

There I am:  LUV YA - NISHA !



C'est Fini :)