Samstag, 14. Februar 2015

A Man"s Overview of Buying Lingerie for his Woman

Most men know nothing regarding picking out lingerie, which is understandable due to the fact that it can be confusing. What kind of lingerie to acquire, what size, what color – exactly how is a guy to understand? Right here is a little guide to help you when choosing underwear for that unique an individual.


There are a few things to think about prior to you head out. Just what does she such as? Keep in mind that you will not be using this – she will and you need to go out with the bent on getting something she will certainly like. If she is not into lacey, little, see-through teddies, opportunities are if you purchase that, she will certainly not be in much of a mood to use it and you may never see it. So keep just what she suches as in mind.


If you do not know, visit her nightgown/lingerie cabinet just before you leave. Check for product kind (cotton, silk, and so on), shades, as well as most notably, dimension. She may be flattered if she uses a large and you acquire her a tiny, but if she wears a tiny and you acquire her a large, you may find yourself in trouble. Stay clear of anything that says “command” on the label. Those things are used to firm as well as squash bellies as well as rears as well as she would possibly dislike receiving them as a gift.


Another thing to bear in mind is if the establishment offers to cover the lingerie let them. Dainty underwear will look better in their covering than if you cover it in the paper left over from your cousin’s birthday. Presentation is part of the package deal with lingerie. Additionally, if you are awkward in the store, visit on-line stores that market underwear. You can constantly begin at Victoria’s Secret, but the majority of major department stores like Macys as well as Nordstroms also offer lingerie. Last note – keep in mind to keep your receipt merely in case it is the incorrect style, size, or shade.


Now, what kind of underwear is offered? Practically anything you could think about! Ask on your own exactly what the occasion is. Is this to permit her know you enjoy her? If so, something crotchless or see-through possibly will not send out that message. However, if it is for Valentine’s Day or your wedding anniversary, something a little bit much more provocative could be cherished. Bras alone have lots of various styles including raise, plunge, gel filled, padded, under cord, smooth, backless, strapless, open mug, and also unpadded.


If you are acquiring a bra and also panty set, constantly visit exactly what she has in her drawer ahead of time and also certainly make note of the dimension – of both the bra as well as underwears. Most areas sell at the very least one set of panties that match each bra, however some will offer a number of so you can blend as well as match. It will assist to know what type of panties she prefers to wear also – thongs, briefs, or high cut swimwear.


When it comes to sleepwear, it can be just as confusing. One kind of sleepwear is babydoll sleepwears. They usually have extremely thin bands, a diving V neck line, and also are really short with matching underwears. You will locate a lot of these constructed of silk or satin, materials that always make a woman really feel good regarding herself. Yet, if she feels her boobs are also huge or too little, or assumes her tummy is as well big, you may intend to prevent babydoll pyjamas.


There are slides as well as chemises. Similar to the babydoll sleepwears, these are a bit longer and also a little far better at hiding problem areas such as breasts, butt or tummy. They too are generally constructed from silk or satin.


Gowns are whole versions of the babydoll. Lots of are transparent or lacey as well as can help put your female in the state of mind. Babydolls, slides, chemisettes, as well as dress may also include a bathrobe.


A pajama set may not appear also sexy, however if it is silky, and also buttons up the front, it could make your lady feel quite attractive, specifically if she is a large size (size 18 or larger). Pugilist collections have come to be popular lately. The tops are strict, with slim straps as well as usually a V neckline, although there are pugilist sets with normal tee shirt tops.


If you are really trying to find lingerie to enliven your lovemaking, have a look at Frederick’s of Hollywood (readily available online). They have actually been selling attractive lingerie for over HALF A CENTURY. They have a variety of garter belts, bustiers, corsets, teddies (similar to the babydoll, but one piece), crotchless underwears, and fishnet stockings – products that may not be readily available at several stores that sell lingerie.


What sort of lingerie you ought to get your love depends a great deal on her self-worth. Many large woman love gorgeous little teddies, however some will certainly shy away from them, for concern of exposing way too much of themselves. Most stores sell lingerie in plus sizes, which are a little less unveiling. If she is really sports, a boxer set could be something she would like. Thin women will certainly look great in anything, however especially teddies, corsets, as well as babydolls.


When purchasing lingerie, try to keep in mind what she suches as. If you acquire something much like the lingerie she currently has as well as in colors you recognize she likes, it will most likely make her happy. Yet, keep the invoice merely in case!



A Man"s Overview of Buying Lingerie for his Woman

BUBM Portable Universal Electronics Accessories Travel Organizer / Hard Drive Case / Cable Organiser / Baby Healthcare & Grooming Kit-3 Size (Medium)

Keep your electronics accessories organised and easy to find with this Universal Electronics Accessories Travel Organiser from Damai Organise your electronics accessories the easy way. This Universal Electronics Accessories Travel Organiser provides a flexible organisation solution for your electronics and computer accessories. It helps make you better organised with all the small electronics items and gadgets. Measuring 8.8*6.1*1.4 in (225*155*35 mm) it is perfect for storing 2.5″ external hard drive, cables, adapters, chargers, memory cards, batteries, pen and styli, or anything else you might need with you. This organizer features 24 elastic loops of seven different sizes allowing for small accessories of various sizes and shapes. It can also serve as a travel checklist. Before you leave a place, just open the case and check if everything is there, preventing you from leaving things behind. Can be used for baby healthcare and feeding tools organizer, to organizer items like Nasal Aspirator, Digital Thermometer, Medicine Syringe, Nail Clippers, Medicine Spoon, Emergency Information Card, Brush and Comb, Emery Boards, as a baby healthcare kit that can be fit into diaper bags. It is a good organizer bag when you take baby out with your own cables and baby healthcare belongings.(This case without essentials) Dimensions 225 x 155 x 35 mm, or 8.8 x 6.1 x 1.4 in Weight 250g


Product Features


  • Versatile electronics accessories organiser specifically designed for well organised people

  • Simple and effective organiser to carry your cables and essential items for grooming baby around

  • 26 elastic loops to hold various items like cables, memory cards, hard drive, adapters, pens and etc

  • Spaces for 2.5 Inch external hard drive (HDD), SSD cards, CF cards, power bank and etc

  • Can be used for baby healthcare and feeding tools organizer, like items for grooming baby, spoon, as a baby healthcare kit that can be fit into diaper bag. It is a good organizer bag when you take baby out with your own cables and baby healthcare belongings.(without essentials)

Click Here For More Information



BUBM Portable Universal Electronics Accessories Travel Organizer / Hard Drive Case / Cable Organiser / Baby Healthcare & Grooming Kit-3 Size (Medium)

Freitag, 13. Februar 2015

ZINK: Redlands native Leah Pritchett driven to succeed in NHRA

Determined to be a successful woman in a man’s world, Redlands native Leah Pritchett has worked her way to the top of the drag racing world.


Born into a speed-loving family, Pritchett, who fell in love with drag racing as an 8-year-old, is a Top Fuel driver for Dote Racing.


At last weekend’s NHRA Mello Yello Series Winternationals in Pomona, Pritchett began her 2015 campaign by qualifying for eliminations, eventually losing to class winner Shawn Langdon of Jurupa Valley in the second round.


Pritchett, in her third season as a top fuel driver, is eighth in points with 52 heading into next weekend’s race in Phoenix. Through one race weekend, Pritchett is ahead of eight-time champion Tony Schumacher and fellow female driver Brittany Force.


Not bad for a woman most notice first for her supermodel looks, missing her competitive drive until she straps into a rail capable of going from 0 to 100 mph in less than a second.


“I really set out to be a ground-breaker,” said Pritchett, formerly Leah Pruett before she married Gary Pritchett, a mechanic for driver Steve Torrance and the Capco Contractors Top Fuel team. “I wanted to blaze a trail so that anybody (who) comes to these races and goes ‘man how do I do that’ or think that they could never be here.


“I’m here to say you can be here, it just takes a lot of hard work and dedication. You have to immerse yourself in the sport.”


Pritchett, who played volleyball for Redlands High, began racing with her father, entrepreneur and land speed driver Ron Pruitt.


“We decided to drag race in the junior drag racing league as a hobby and I grew it into a profession,” said the 26-year-old Pritchett, a tall, slender woman who paid her dues in drag racing, wrenching in Nitro Funny Car driver Brian Thiel’s pits for two years.


Pritchett left Thiel’s team to race Pro Mods for R2B2 racing in 2011-12, finishing her first professional season sixth in the NHRA Pro Mod Racing Series Championship. The following year, she entered the Top Fuel class with Dote Racing.


Pritchett said she found her inspiration from other women who have risen to the top levels of professional drag racing.


Courtney Force (Funny Car), Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Alexis DeJoria (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) all have motivated Pritchett to compete in a male-dominated sport.


Still, it was Melanie Troxel who was the biggest inspiration for Pritchett as she came up in NHRA. Troxel raced more than a decade in NHRA and was the first female driver to win in both Funny Car and Top Fuel, as well as becoming the first female to win in four different classes (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Modified, Top Alcohol Dragster).


Pritchett points out that although there are only 11 women drivers in the top four racing series (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycles), drag racing is light years ahead of other motor sports.


“We (the NHRA) are leaps and bounds ahead of any other professional motor sports,” Pritchett said. “When it comes to the diversity of male and female and the caliber of the women that race in it.”


Pritchett looked up to Troxel and thinks of her as a mentor. But, Pritchett still believes her mission is to be a ground-breaker.


And, Pritchett said she feels she, too, has earned her stripes in the drag racing world.


Pritchett said she’s grown in her three years in Top Fuel, developing in performance and on the marketing front. Currently, Pritchett has key sponsorships from Gumout, Sparkling Ice and Spectra Oils.


“We definitely have decreased our elapsed times and been a force to be reckoned with,” said Pritchett, who noted the team currently runs 18 races a year but has an ultimate goal of running in 24. “Now, I think, we are very much a viable contender.


“I don’t think the other teams take us lightly anymore.”


Contact the writer: dzink@pe.com



ZINK: Redlands native Leah Pritchett driven to succeed in NHRA

Member of motorcycle gang who treated Birmingham like a "race track" is caged

A member of a motorcycle gang who put others at risk by treating Birmingham “as a kind of race track” has been sent to a young offenders institution for eight months.


Jack Smith, 19, of Fulwell Mews, Marston Green, who admitted a charge of dangerous driving, was also banned from the roads for three years.


Smith and three others were captured on video taken from a police helicopter as they sped through streets and across green space park land in the Tile Cross area on a November afternoon last year, covering about six to seven miles.


Judge Nicholas Webb told Smith: “This kind of anti social dangerous behaviour needs to be discouraged by the courts.


“Nobody was injured and no damage to property was caused but it could have been very different.


“You were one of four, I assume all young men, treating part of the roads in this city as a kind or race track or circuit in which to show off your so called driving abilities.


“Wheelies were performed at some speed.


“Junctions were negotiated on numerous occasions without anyone slowing down, still less stopping.


“Overtaking manoeuvres were done which were very dangerous and, indeed, on one occasion one of the motorcycles concerned drove the other side of an on-coming vehicle.”


And he said that Smith, who had been riding without a helmet, had been “inciting the others” during the episode which lasted for about 20 minutes.


Patrick Sullivan, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said the gang had also overtook a car near a Pelican crossing and driven on the wrong side of the road on occasions.


Smith had to fall off his bike to avoid a collision with a vehicle and was caught by police pushing his motorcycle after it ran out of petrol.


Timothy Harrington, defending, said it had been a group of young men “messing around” on motorcycles.


He said: “He realises now that he needs to grow up and act more responsible can not go on acting in this juvenile way.”



Member of motorcycle gang who treated Birmingham like a "race track" is caged

Donnerstag, 12. Februar 2015

Hamilton Beach 25490A Dual Breakfast Sandwich Maker

Forget the fast food drive-through. With the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker, you can enjoy a hot, homemade breakfast sandwich in under 5 minutes. Simply place the ingredients inside, build the base of your sandwich in the bottom layer, place the egg on the cooking plate and close the lid. Slide the cooking plate out and your sandwich assembles itself. Open the lid and your hot breakfast sandwich is ready to eat. The included recipe book provides a variety of breakfast sandwich options, from the traditional egg, ham and cheese to the unique cheddar, apple, bacon and egg croissant sandwich.


Product Features


  • Cook delicious breakfast sandwiches in the comfort of your own home

  • Use your own fresh ingredients, including eggs, cheese, and much more

  • Makes 1 or 2 sandwiches

  • Quick and easy in 5 minutes

  • Timer with audible tone

  • Makes 1 to 2 sandwiches

  • Ready in 5 minutes

  • Use your own fresh ingredients, including eggs, cheese and much more

  • Timer with audible tone; Quick and easy recipes included; Easy cleanup – all removable parts are dishwasher safe

Click Here For More Information



Hamilton Beach 25490A Dual Breakfast Sandwich Maker

Unisex returns: 'Androgynous' colors, progressive design dominate upcoming fashion

It’s not 50 shades of gray quite yet. Just in time for New York Fashion Week comes this news from Pantone – the industry organization which sets professional color standards for all design industries: “The fall 2015 palette is rooted in multi-faceted, androgynous colors that can be worn to portray effortless sophistication across men’s and women’s fashion; it is the first time we are seeing a truly unisex color palette,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.


Curious? The top colors for both men’s and women’s fashion are as follows, according to the group: Desert Sage, Stormy Weather, Oak Buff, Dried Herb, Marsala, Biscay Bay, Cadmium Orange, Cashmere Rose, Reflecting Pond and Amethyst Orchid.


Designers will pay homage “to progressive moments in American history – from the seductive ‘20s to the bohemian hippie and modernists of the ‘60s and ‘70s – while stringing together an affection for colors and styling that are innately easy to wear by both men and women,” the organization advises.


It all emphasizes “poise and confidence on the runway,” says Ms. Eiseman.



Unisex returns: "Androgynous" colors, progressive design dominate upcoming fashion

Mittwoch, 11. Februar 2015

Men and mental illness: Let's talk

BRAMPTON – The Walnut Foundation took aim at facts, myths and stereotypes surrounding mental health at their annual symposium on men’s health last weekend and it seems many men just don’t want to talk about it.


The day-long event – hosted at Century Gardens Recreation Centre last Saturday by the men’s health support foundation – touched on many elements of the modern mental health landscape, but focused mostly on men’s mental health in a society where the do-it-yourself, ‘tough guy’ mentality remains prevalent.


“I think (men) like to believe they’re tough and not soft, and that hard exterior is one that we, as a culture, have really promoted and not made it easy for men to talk about their health,” said Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey, on hand to launch the event.


“It’s kind of like the old adage that they don’t like to ask for directions, they don’t like to ask for directions about their health either,” she added.


Stereotypes are rarely a good starting point but, in this case, The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) seems to agree, pointing out that, while 20 per cent of Canadians will suffer from mental health issues at some point in their lives, statistics say that women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression.


According to CMHA staff facilitator Alison Pryce, those numbers emphasize diagnosis and do not reflect the whole story.


While Pryce says that gender-specific issues such postpartum depression play a role in the figures, she says it’s not that men are naturally less inclined to depression, they’re simply less inclined to talk about their symptoms with others.


“Women are actually more likely to just go to their family doctors in general and get checked. And when they go to their family doctor they are more likely to disclose things like ‘I’m feeling stressed out’ or ‘I’m having trouble at work or with my kids,"” said Pryce.


“Men are more likely to just say everything is fine,” she added.


While postpartum depression is not something men experience, other known causes of depression such as genetics, physical and chemical factors, substance abuse, traumatic events, psychological and social factors are not gender-specific.


“There are a lot of (programs) focusing on women and children, but not necessarily on men,” said event organizer and Walnut Foundation founder Dr. Winston Isaac.


“Men do not demand enough of the healthcare system. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Women are not afraid to ask and demand more of the system and everybody has a soft spot for kids … So, men have to take responsibility and be more demanding so the system will look at them,” he added.


Isaac created the Walnut Foundation in 2007 with the aim of providing men a safe environment in which they could seek out healthcare information and support, in an effort to be responsible for their health and well-being.


“It can make it easier to open up when you are talking to other guys who have gone through the same things you have,” said Tony Bayer, who shared his experiences with mental illness at the event. “It’s pretty powerful when the guy sitting next to you is telling your story and you figure out you’re not the only one.”


Isaac believes that promoting men’s health needs to start with youth awareness.


“Many times when we’re young we (think we) are invincible and think nothing is going to happen to us. But, I think there are some things – like (the impact) of family history – that if we can make young people more aware of them, will make them more open and willing to talk about issues like screening and early detection,” said Isaac.


      


 


 


 


     



Men and mental illness: Let"s talk

Five Tips For Choosing The Right Motorcycle Helmet

Buying a new motorcycle helmet any time soon? There are a few things that you should know that might just keep you alive when you’re in the middle of the worst day of your life. The guys from Shark Helmets have shared a few tips with us that we wanted to pass along to you.


Motorcycle helmet image via Shutterstock


Most of these tips from Ficeda, the makers of Shark brain-protectors, are common sense, but it pays to actually have a serious sit down and think before you buy. The commonly held rule is that when you’re on a motorbike, you should buy the best tyre you can afford for your front wheel, and the best tyre at any price for your rear wheel. The same applies to helmets.


Think of your head like your bike’s rear wheel — don’t skimp and save a few dollars just because you don’t want to spend a bit more — it’s the little things that might mean the difference between a bit of a concussion and a serious long-term head injury. And above all, fashion isn’t nearly as important as safety.



Get The Right Shape And Size: Everyone has a different size and shaped head. Whether yours is a huge melon or of the smaller variety, you’ll need to get to know yours before choosing your helmet. Having a poorly fitted helmet is almost as bad as wearing nothing at all. If you’re inexperienced in helmet fitting, make sure you consult a member of your local motorcycle store to ensure you’ve sized up correctly.




Keep It Clear: The right helmet shouldn’t impair your vision. Make sure you can see clearly through your visor. To minimise visual impairment, look at choosing a helmet with an anti-fog coating like the Shark Speed R. Also consider buying a helmet with an internal sun-visor. Some states in Australia consider aftermarket-tinted visors to be illegal, which could mean a hefty fine if you get unlucky.




Make Sure It’s Safety Certified: All helmets sold in Australian motorcycles stores must legally be approved under the Australian Standards. When purchasing your helmet in store or online make sure it has a sticker quoting “AS/NZS 1698.2006”. If this number isn’t on the helmet, then the helmet is illegal to wear in Australia.




Know When To Replace Your Helmet: There are a lot of grey areas when it comes to knowing when to replace your helmet. As a general rule, the inner foam shell and lining of most helmets can degrade over time, so replacement after around 5 years or so is recommended. Even sooner if your helmet has ever been exposed to petrol fumes or excessive sweat. If you are ever involved in an accident and hit your head, your helmet should be replaced immediately. Similarly, if you ever drop your helmet, even from knee high, it should also be replaced. Even a small impact is enough to condense the foam underneath the outer shell and could leave you at risk of serious injury if you hit your head in that same location again.




Don’t Be Cheap: Thrift shopping may be all the rage, but leave that to picking your next pair of cut-off jeans. Helmets that have seen a crash or that you don’t 100% know for sure haven’t been dropped should be deemed unsafe, so spend an extra couple of dollars and make sure you buy a brand new lid and greater piece of mind. Also keep in mind that buying cheaper helmets from overseas or online also has its pitfalls. You can’t try them on before you buy and returns are also a real hassle, plus your new helmet may not be certified for use in Australia.



For more information on the Shark’s helmet range head to www.ficeda.com.au.



Have you subscribed to Gizmodo Australia’s YouTube.


Five Tips For Choosing The Right Motorcycle Helmet

Dienstag, 10. Februar 2015

Spider-Man swings into Marvel


Spider-Man is set to get some new superhero friends – in the form of our favourite Marvel characters.


Sony Pictures Entertainment and Marvel Studios have announced that the Marvel universe will cross over into Spider-Man’s world, and will first see Spidey appearing in a Marvel movie.



Marvel characters such as Iron Man, Thor and Captain America could show up in future Spider-Man films, including possibly The Amazing Spider-Man 3, which will be co-produced by Marvel head Kevin Feige and Sony Pictures’ Amy Pascal.


Kevin said: “I am thrilled to team with my friends at Sony Pictures along with Amy Pascal to produce the next Spider-Man movie. I am equally excited for the opportunity to have Spider-Man appear in the MCU (Marvel Comics Universe), something which both we at Marvel, and fans alike, have been looking forward to for years.”


Sony Pictures president Doug Belgrad added: “Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios share a love for the characters in the Spider-Man universe and have a long, successful history of working together. This new level of collaboration is the perfect way to take Peter Parker’s story into the future.”



The news about Spider-Man – Sony Pictures’ most successful franchise – comes as Marvel confirms the release of four new movies including Thor 3 and the Black Panther and Inhumans spin-offs.


Thor: Ragnarok will open in November 2017, with Black Panther following in July 2018 and Captain Marvel in November 2018. Inhumans will debut in cinemas in July 2019.


Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 will be released in May 2018, with the second instalment following in May 2019.



Spider-Man swings into Marvel

Couél Professional 4in1 Wine Opener - Screwpull Corkscrew with Pour Spout, Stopper, Foil Cutter


Make Your Wine Opening Experience Effortless


One of the easiest wine openers you will ever own. No pulling. No prying. No more broken corks!


4 Wine Accessories Conveniently Stored in 1 Wine Opener


Foil Cutter – 2 foil cutters cut a clean line into any foil.


Corkscrew – We intentionally made this screw long enough to cork a bottle without having to pull in most cases, greatly reducing any chance of broken corks.


Wine Pour Spout – Located in the handle, and removed with a gentle pull, the spout can help keep the drips at bay.


Wine Stopper – Keep wines 1-3 days depending on the wine. Located in the handle.


FULL LIFETIME WARRANTY


We stand firmly behind our Full Lifetime Warranty, ensuring each Couél customer is 100% satisfied with our products.


This Makes a Great Gift!


Wedding gift – Wonderful his and her wedding gift idea.


Housewarming gifts – A bottle of wine and a new opener is a thoughtful way to say congratulations.


Wine gifts for him – What man wouldn’t like all the gadgets attached to this all in one wine bottle opener?


Wine gifts for her – Replace the clunky wine opener with a beautiful easy to use opener.


Product Features


  • SIMPLE TO USE! It’s as easy as placing the wine opener on top of the bottle and turning with a slight squeeze. The screw slides the cork right out with little to no pulling needed. With our extra long screw worm, almost any size cork can be removed without pulling or prying which can lead to a broken cork.

  • THE CONVENIENCE OF ALL IN ONE. We love wine as much as you do, and we also love wine accessories, but where do you keep all of them? All 4 of our accessories are stored within the wine opener itself eliminating a cluttered drawer of additional cutters, bottle stoppers, or wine pour spouts..

  • WINE STOPPER THAT SEALS AIR TIGHT. A stopper can be fun, unique, beautiful, but it’s not worth it if it doesn’t seal air tight. Ours does! Bottle keeps an additional 1-3 days depending on wine.

  • 2 PRECISION SHARP FOIL CUTTERS are placed within the opener to make foil cutting effortless. With the correct alignment and a couple of twists, you will have a clean cut along any foil for easy removal.

  • WE LOVE HAPPY CUSTOMERS so much we’re almost obsessed. You break it, we’ll get it replaced, no questions, no charge, no kidding.

Click Here For More Information



Couél Professional 4in1 Wine Opener - Screwpull Corkscrew with Pour Spout, Stopper, Foil Cutter

Montag, 9. Februar 2015

Yamaha Motorcycles FZ-09 | DOIN' TIME

WRIST: Ari Henning
MSRP (2014): $7,990
MILES: 6,293
MPG: 43
MODS: Cortech tank bag, 
Dowco tail bag
UPDATE: 10


While my coworkers were confident in their long-term steeds’ suitability for the ride up to Monterey for World Superbike in July, I wasn’t so certain the Yamaha FZ-09 was a good choice. I’d done a half-day ride early in the bike’s development, and the herky-jerky throttle response and rough suspension left me mentally and physically fatigued.


I needn’t have worried. The work I’ve done to improve the Yamaha’s suspension and throttle response, as well as the new handlebar and flatter seat, make the FZ-09 a totally tolerable place to spend a few days. With the addition of some soft luggage, the FZ proved to be a fantastic sport-touring mount.



RELATED: 2015 Yamaha FZ-07 FIRST RIDE



For luggage I applied my go-to travel kit, which includes a magnetic Cortech Super 2.0 8-liter tank bag (cortechperformance.com; $85) and an expandable Dowco Fastrax Elite tail bag (dowcopowersports.com; $136). I’ve used these items many times on a variety of bikes, but they fit and look the best on the FZ-09. I’m still riding without passenger pegs, so I ran the tail pack’s forward strap under the seat. The arrangement is secure, looks clean, and is easy to remove while leaving the forward strap in place for easy reattachment.


I logged just shy of 1,000 miles in what was essentially two days of riding. The lower Renthal handlebar strikes a perfect equilibrium with onrushing air up to about 90 mph, and my shim job ( see Doin’ Time, October, MC here ) flattened the seat angle, allowing me to shift position when pressure points developed. Thankfully that was only a concern during the last few hours of the return trip, since the rest of the time was spent on delicious twisties that kept me moving around on the bike.


The 3.7-gallon tank isn’t ideal for touring, but the FZ-09 gets pretty good gas mileage. The dash showed an average of 42.9 mpg for the trip. My math worked out to 42.1 mpg—close enough to call the onboard computer accurate. And I definitely wasn’t easy on the throttle since I had to keep up with Zack on his ridiculously fast KTM 1290 Super Duke R. Even though I was riding hard, I got better mileage than usual. Chalk it up to not spending time idling at stoplights in the city.


I tend to short-shift the FZ-09’s torquey 847cc triple, but on this road trip I wound out the lower gears, in part to keep up with Zack but also because I was enjoying the howl of the Akrapovic pipe. This motor loves to rev, and it rips at higher rpm. In the twisty stuff, I was having a blast.


The 450-mile ride up to Monterey slipped by in a blur of curves, and I arrived feeling fine. I’d fully expected to have a sore back and backside and be eager to get off the bike, but that wasn’t the case. The ride south went fine, too, despite 150 miles on the superslab. I even ran through almost a full tank—135 miles—in one sitting.


I was worried that I was going to suffer for choosing the FZ-09 for such a long trip, but it was totally fine on the freeway and at home tearing up miles and miles of secluded two-lane. With a windscreen and saddlebags, the FZ-09 could be a mile-eater. I guess that’s why Yamaha is building the FJ-09.


CLICK HERE for more long-term reviews from the MC Garage



Yamaha Motorcycles FZ-09 | DOIN" TIME

Accoutrements Mr. Bacon"s 2.5 Oz Bacon Flavored Toothpaste

Brushing your teeth with a strip of fried bacon is tricky. If it’s too crisp it will break apart as you brush and if it’s too limp you won’t be able to remove any of the plaque. So when it’s time to brush your teeth, leave the bacon strips for breakfast and try this Bacon Toothpaste. It’s the perfect way to keep your teeth and gums healthy while coating your mouth with the delicious flavor of smoky meat!


Product Features


  • Bacon flavored toothpaste.

  • Great gag/novelty gift.

  • Each tube contains 2.5 oz (70 g) of potent paste.

Click Here For More Information



Accoutrements Mr. Bacon"s 2.5 Oz Bacon Flavored Toothpaste

Sonntag, 8. Februar 2015

Consumer security an emerging issue in new computerized cars

By JOAN LOWY
Associated Press


WASHINGTON (AP) – Automakers are cramming cars with wireless technology, but they have failed to adequately protect those features against the real possibility that hackers could take control of vehicles or steal personal data, according to an analysis of information that manufacturers provided to a senator.


Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., asked automakers a series of questions about the technologies and any safeguards against hackers built into their vehicles. He also asked about how the information that vehicle computers gather and often transmit wirelessly is protected.


Markey posed his questions after researchers showed how hackers can get into the controls of some popular cars and SUVs, causing them suddenly to accelerate, turn, sound the horn, turn headlights off or on and modify speedometer and gas-gauge readings.


The responses from 16 manufacturers “reveal there is a clear lack of appropriate security measures to protect drivers against hackers who may be able to take control of a vehicle or against those who may wish to collect and use personal driver information,” a report by Markey’s staff concludes.


Today’s cars and light trucks typically contain more than 50 electronic control units – effectively small computers – that are part of a network in the car. At the same time, nearly all new cars on the market today include at least some wireless entry points to these computers, such as tire pressure monitoring systems, Bluetooth, Internet access, keyless entry, remote start, navigation systems, WiFi, anti-theft systems and cellular-telematics, the report said. Only three automakers said they still have some models without wireless entry, but those models are a small and declining share of their fleets.


“Drivers have come to rely on these new technologies, but unfortunately the automakers haven’t done their part to protect us from cyberattacks or privacy invasions,” Markey said in a statement.


Among the report’s findings:


- Most manufacturers said they were unaware of or unable to report on past hacking incidents. Three automakers declined to answer the question. One automaker described an app designed by an outside company and released for Android devices that could access a vehicle’s computer network through the Bluetooth connection. A security analysis didn’t indicate any ability to introduce malicious code or steal data, but the automaker had the app removed from the Google Play store as a precautionary measure.


- Each manufacturer is handling the introduction of new technology in very different ways, and for the most part these actions are insufficient to ensure security. Hackers can get around most security protections cited by manufacturers, according to the security experts Markey consulted.


- Only one manufacturer appeared able to detect a hacking attempt while it was happening and only two described credible means of responding to such intrusions in real time. Information from most automakers indicated they wouldn’t know about a hacking attempt unless data from the vehicle’s computers was downloaded by a dealer or at a service center.


Most new cars are also capable of collecting large amounts of data on a vehicle’s driving history through an array of pre-installed technologies, including navigation systems, telematics, infotainment, emergency assistance systems and remote disabling devices that allow car dealers to track and disable vehicles whose drivers don’t keep up with their payments or that are reported stolen, the report said.


Half the manufacturers said they wirelessly transfer information on driving history from vehicles to another location, often using third-party companies, and most don’t describe “an effective means to secure the data,” the report said.


Manufacturers are also using personal vehicle data in various and often vague ways to “improve the customer experience,” the report said. Policies on how long they store drivers’ information vary considerably. Customers often are not made aware explicitly of the data collection and, when they are, they frequently cannot opt out without disabling valuable features like navigation.


Last November, 19 automakers accounting for most of the passenger cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. agreed on a set of principles to protect motorists’ privacy. The voluntary agreement was aimed in part at heading off possible legislation. Markey has said voluntary efforts don’t go far enough.


The auto industry is also in the early stages of establishing a voluntary information sharing and analysis center or other comparable program about existing or potential cyber-related threats. “But even as we explore ways to advance this type of industrywide effort, our members already are each taking on their own aggressive efforts to ensure that we are advancing safety,” the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said in a statement.


The Society of Automotive Engineers also has established a security committee that is evaluating the vulnerability of cars to hacking and is drafting “standards and best practices to help ensure electronic control system safety,” the alliance said.


The Association of Global Automakers, another trade association, said the responses provided to Markey are many months old and don’t reflect extensive discussions between the industry and federal technology experts aimed at improving the industry’s understanding of cyber threats.


The manufacturers who replied to Markey are BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen-Audi and Volvo. Three other automakers – Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Tesla – didn’t reply to his request for information.


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Consumer security an emerging issue in new computerized cars

Larry Kramer To Be Honoured By Gay Mens Health Crisis


The writer and gay activist LARRY KRAMER is to be honoured by Gay Men’s Health Crisis the volunteer AIDS Organisation he helped found in 1981.




Disagreement caused by Kramer’s confrontational style however led to his resignation, and he left to then help set up ACT UP as a more direct action alternative. The whole traumatic period was dramatized by Kramer in his award winning play THE NORMAL HEART that was adapted into a movie last year.


Mr Kramer, now in very frail health, has been named the first recipient of the LARRY KRAMER ACTIVISM AWARD which GMHC has established to recognise advocates who reflect Kramer’s ‘spirit, passion and fearlessness’. GMHC co-chair Roberta Kaplan also added that its also an attempt ‘to bring a sense of closure and healing’ between Kramer and the group.


80-year-old Mr Kramer is also the subject of the first ever documentary of his life ‘LARRY KRAMER : IN LOVE AND ANGER’ that premiered at Sundance recently, and will be screened on HBO in the US in June and on UK TV later this year. Here’s a clip of director Jean Carlomusto discussing the film and working with the great man.




Larry Kramer To Be Honoured By Gay Mens Health Crisis