Taken from AskMen.com

#7 Manual transmissions prove you can do more than one thing at a time

Some people have a hard time walking and sipping chai lattes at the same time. No one respects these people. We as a society respect those who can do more than one thing at a time — especially if they can do those things well. Men who excel at performing multiple, complex motor movements at one time, such as professional athletes, often enjoy an almost godlike status.

Shifting a car manually is really quite complex. The process of changing gears involves releasing the gas with the right foot, depressing the clutch with the left foot, using your right hand to select a different gear, then simultaneously releasing the clutch as you press down on the gas — hoping to engage the clutch and throttle at a very specific “sweet spot” that varies from car to car. The challenge only increases when trying to do things like start from a standstill on a hill. Being good at driving a manual car may not lead to a life showered in money and women, but we can bet that every professional racecar driver knows how to drive a stick.

#5 You can’t pull fancy moves in an automatic

The heel-toe maneuver is considered by many to be an elite driving technique that is crucial in the testosterone-filled world of motor racing. The heel-toe maneuver allows one to downshift, rev-match and brake all at the same time.

This technique will have the driver operate the clutch normally with the left foot. The ball of the right foot will be on the brake, slowing the car down, while at the same time the heel of the right foot will “blip” the throttle during the gear change, matching the engine speed to the wheel speed. Not only does this technique help keep the engine in the desired powerband, it reduces drivetrain jolt, greatly reducing wear and tear on the transmission.

#4 You get better fuel economy with a stick

We know that eco-warriordom at its core is the antitheses of manliness, but perhaps not all things eco-friendly are for wusses. Manual transmissions have historically been more energy efficient than traditional automatic transmissions, and a quick look at EPA numbers will show that a manual version of a car can get 1 to 2 more miles per gallon than its identical automatic-equipped sibling.

So on a brighter less sad note (though not saying we should be throwing a fiesta), GM has officially declared chapter 11 bankruptcy.  There’s plenty of news around for you to search up on but a quick update:

Hummer is now Chinese-owned!  Yes, this American icon and military vehicle was the first to be picked up and by a Chinese company of all.  Seeing as how China’s streets are already overpopulated with more than one billion, thirthy-three thousand individuals, not to mention the bikes and mopeds running around, I think it’s safe (or unsafe depending on how you look at it) to say that the Hummer brand will still be produced for the USA and other developed nations.

Saturn, one of the lower end but ever so popular and growing brand, is most likely going to be the next one to be picked up by one of 16 interested investors, one supposedly being Malcolm Bricklin (*cough Bricklin SV-1 cough*).  Yes, that Bricklin…

So who would win if an Escalade fought against a tC?

Well, since Transformers are probably never ever going to use a foreign car, here’s what the real life result would be…

gg tC… you looose!

In case you’re wondering, the little square thing near the back wheel is the towing hitch.  So yea, I basically have an ass indention… niceee

So today is Presidents’ Day.  There was little to no traffic going to school this morning!  I could already tell today was going to be great just cause of that—WRONG! 

So i get to school and I half way pulled into this parking spot.  I then realized this ginormous full size truck that was parked next to me had their wheels on the white lines.  I was way too lazy to move to another spot so I just parked closer to one side.  I sit there awhile listening to the Rod Ryan Show on 94.5 The Buzz for a bit then when after 10 minutes or so, I opened the door to get out.  Yep, tC’s doors are wayyy too long–I smacked that truck pretty hard.  Shizz…I looked inside, the lady was STILL in the truck!  I didn’t see her before!  She was sleeping and I was just thinking to myself, “Oh F!  Let’s hope she was having a dream and that noise just went along with something in her dream…”  Heh, so she woke up and I yelled out sorry and she just gave me a nod.

I think she’s gonna key my car later… (yea, again I was too lazy to move my car).  Oh and I parked my car to where my mirror are probably going to block her from getting out of her car… I’ll probably be missing a side mirror later…

Anyway, to the owner of the big gray truck, if you somehow manage to find this site and recognize my face/car, I’m really sorry; please don’t run me over.

While reading up on autoblog.com, I came across this article which is pretty interestingly funny.  Supposedly in Vietnam, the government is trying to pass a law that would ban small-chested people from riding motorcycles.  Yes, you read that correctly, only people passing a certain measurement will be able to travel around on two wheels.

Now, if this is true, I wonder what will happen.  As most of you know, Asians are not that big.  Well, they aren’t that small either; they are miniscule compared to the majority of the world.  To make it worse, Vietnamese are definitely not the taller/bigger portions of Asians; the average height is around 5′2″ and the average weight is around 110lbs.  The majority of the population (it looked like 99% to me when I visited back in 2001) rides motorcycles (mopeds rather, but to them it fits the same category).

Why are they trying to pass such a law?  Who knows…  According to AutoBlog, the Vietnamese government is saying for “safety”.  Interesting… so I guess, since regular cars have airbags, now boobs can serve as a dual purpose?  =P  heheheh…sorry sorry.

The past Labor Day weekend, I decided to drive up to Austin to hang out with a bunch of my friends who were smart enough to jump on the bandwagon and get out of Houston.  I, having different priorities back then, rejected the acceptance and decided to stay near home instead.  Man…what a mistake!  But anywho, that’s a different story…

I wanted to head out Friday but we had a family friend from Indiana come down to visit.  After spending some time with them, I decided to tell my parents just minutes (literally) before I left Houston.  I would have told them sooner, but they disappeared to Galveston without telling me anything and came back right before I left.  After picking up Kat, we headed off towards Austin, only getting lost one time because I was distracted by our very amusing conversation!  =)  Luckily I realized it before going past two-three miles.  We managed to find the entrance to Blue Bell Ice Cream factory because of this!  I am definitely going back there one day to take pictures of the infamous cows!

We arrived in Austin only to find a bunch of people wearing red running in a freaking square around the entire campus, blocking off any entrances into UT!  D@&% IT!  At first they looked cool but after driving for a freakin 30 minutes trying to get through them, (should have just GTA it and hope the cops don’t come), I parked in some back alley and we walked to the drag to meet up with KGin and Youn and went to Potbelly for dinner.

Man, Potbelly’s A’Wreak was pretty darn good.  The guy making my order dropped it on the floor and so he remade it but also said if I could sing the first part of “Fresh Prince of Bellaire” theme song, he would give it to me for free.  Errr…yea… if I knew the words, I would so do it, but unfortunately I didn’t and stumbled at too many parts.  I got a free drink for trying!  =)  Joel showed up after awhile!

After we finished, Youn was still hungry so we went to WhichWich.  The sandwiches there did not look good; Youn’s facial expression after eating it confirmed the taste quality compared to PotBelly.  Out of the blue, Hau and Ashish walked in.  So yea, rest of the night we went out and just walked here and there.  Kat’s friends showed up later in the night when we went to the Union to play some pool and bowling.  KGin is amazing!  She is god compared to the rest of us.  =)  Yea, so that day ended at 4am.

The next day started at 9am.  I had to do my business work… owned.  The rest of them woke up after 12:00PM.  Duy arrived and I took a shower with Kenny watching me… what a sick nasty boy.  We went to Madam Mam’s and ordered a couple of hella spicy entrees (though very delicious)!  I wanted to stay back to go eat at Kyoto’s and go see the bat’s on congress bridge but needed to take Kat back so we left and went to San Antonio!

I met her supposedly hot model roommate and her other friends, one of whom was at Austin with us the other night.  Not surprisingly, her roommate was pretty pretty.  I wouldn’t say hot though cause that’s more of a…Jessica Alba type of description, but yea.  And, she was hella tall.  Man I was like a dwarf and she Snow White.  -_-  LoL!  But yea, we went out to explore Downtown SA, but didn’t really go walking around anywhere.  It was basically a drive out there, drive around while Jackie talked korean (she’s viet) on the phone, and then drive back (i ran over an animal on the highway…).

So yea, 10PM and I was still in SA.  I called JT to see if school was canceled, knowing that it was only a 0.5% chance it would be.  The news of school being on normal schedule made me sad and so I decided to drop by downtown SA again just to go walking around and taking some night shots.  heheheh.  Then i left around 11PM driving an average 90MPH trying to keep up with the truck in front of me (though couldn’t) and made it home around 2AM.  Three hours of sleep and then cold shower, and back to school for a straight 12hours…

What a break, what a break!

So Wednesday night, Hau instant messages me that her and a couple friends are planning to go to the beach…the very next day!  That is such like Hau to surprise people last minute with plan.  =)  But anyhoo, I wouldn’t miss it for the world (since I’ve already ditched the karaoke due to a stomach virus even though I brought up the dang idea in the first place).

The next morning, I had to wake up at 6:00AM to head out to work (I quit the first job already, this one is just helping out my cousin) so that way I could leave early and go to the beach.  At around 10:30AM, we met up at IHOP to grab some breakfast/lunch since most of the group either just came from class or just woke up.  Kim and Kai were there along with Ashish and Hau of course.  Hau’s cousin also came with us that day.  I forgot her name…  She’s uber quiet!  Lastly, Youn and Min!  Grace had class until 2:30PM and we couldn’t persuade her to skip for just one day. =(

After IHOP, which Youn managed to eat 3-4 plates (he’s a BEAST), we started off to Galveston.  Youn, Min, and I stopped by a gas station to get some ice while the rest went ahead.  Throughout the whole trip, my goal was to catch up to them.  It was only when we reached Galveston when I called them while we were at 49th street and they said they were at 39th!  So, I raced ahead and coincidently, an old man was walking across the street slowly!  I thought he would pick up the pace, but NOOO, he just kept on crawling along with the walking stick to where I had to come to a complete stop!

So, I managed to catch up right behind them when they were approaching the Sea Wall.  YES!  I met my goal; we caught up to them BEFORE they reached the beach!  =)

The whole day was pretty cool.  We wasted minutes trying to figure out how to make our umbrella shade thing not tip over.  Then I sprayed sunblock right into my face.  It stung.  Probably not as much as the jellyfish sting that Hau’s cousin got within seconds upon going into the water.  Luckily, I had my awesome Scion first-aid kit in the car!  It had some insect sting rub and it supposedly helped.  I still think peeing on her would’ve helped even more…

Enjoy some pictures!  More to come once Hau stops being lazy and uploads her pictures!

So a couple months back, Scion invited a bunch of Scion owners from across the nation to come party in the desert at Scion United. Many people who have never seen each others faces, except on forums such as ScionLife.com, finally got a chance to meet and greet the other enthusiast on the other side of the nation. Well, the commercial which features real owners individually inspired and customized xA’s, xB’s, tC’s, and xD’s have been released!

It is that which makes us different, that brings us together!

Start paying attention to the billboards around the city.  Scion owners’ rides will be put on billboards in 22 different markets (not yet confirmed where) to show the world.  Two different TV commercials versions will be aired starting August 4th on Comedy Central, MTV, MTV2, Spike and other lifestyle-oriented networks.  More information about the Scion United commercials can be found here at AdWeek.

Well guys, it seems tons of other car forums are linking to this Scion Commercial.  Let me just say this:  Advertising is a part of any business; from little donut shops to major corporations.  In this case, Scion is marketting towards the younger generation, as always.  So think about, how would Scion sell if they did commercials were it’s like all the other car brands–a car sailing down an empty snake-like road with an old man detailing its specifications and glorious features.  Well, to inform you of the Scions, it’s not a luxery brand.  It’s not a brand that brings pure power.  It is, however, a brand that produces cars that are cheap on cash, but great on value for the price.  And, you gotta admit, it covers almost all areas of interest; the Scion xA and xD are for those who need a small compact vehicle, Scion xB are for those who need luggage space but still want to be unique, and the Scion tC are for those who just want a sporty looking car without having a hole in the pocket.  And of course, PRICE!  Some of you may think the commercial is “cheezy” (which yes, if I was older, I would too probably be on the same field), but it DOES grab the youth’s attention!  You can do whatever you want with a Scion, but still have cash to sleep on!  (and no, this statement is not exclusive)

Last Sunday was Scion Expo 08 held at the Armadillo Marketplace. As you guys probably already figured it out, Scion spoils their owners with tons of goodies year round. This year’s annual Expo opened with a dance off where the last man standing gets $300. A four year old ended up being one of the final two. The other guy was sweating like crazy trying to keep up with her! =)

After that, NST (Non Stop Tuning) did a drift show in the parking lot. This went on for about 30 minutes. Inside, the Syrup Shot contest began. Five contestants tried to down their shots of syrup as fast as they can. Only one person (the red xA guy…dunno his name), gave up half way through. The final round ended up being a chug the bottle of Aunt Jemima Original Syrup. Diarrhea tonight anyone?

The r/c cars race got canceled do to insufficient entries i think. Then they stared doing raffles. I was outside for the first half so I COULD have won something…but ended up with nothing. They gave away a lot of stuff such as wheels, diversion panels, spoilers, etc… Man I love Scion!

Finally, time for the Cruise…which turned out pretty poorly done. Even an accident occurred at the end where a Suburban ran into an RS4.0 xB. A relief fund was started right away to help her out. Stupid cops…

Anyway, enjoy these few pics. The full set can be found here.

stripper pole! now that should have won best ICE! =)

xB in flat black. love the flat paint jobs!

saw him at Exposed last year…

yellow xB

turbo tC

PS3 deck extends from the trunk

*drools*

this guy had a car full of scion toys. his interior had even more!

line up for the cruise

I’m new on the scene so if any of these cars are yours, or if you’re in the picture, comment below with your name so I can get to “meet” you guys and add your name under the pic!  haha and again, the full set can be found here.

So Nadal seems to have teamed up with Kia to produce commercials for their new cars. Check out the ad below…

The most odd advertisement ever made… and did anyone notice those little kids eyes turn into hearts when he sticks his foot in their …. ?! crazy asians…