FREE WHEELY

“Imagination,” said German born American physicist Albert Einstein, “is everything.” Yup. You read it right! EVERYTHING. He continued, “It is the preview of life’s coming attraction. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we know and understand while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”

I’ve come to assess my IQ lately. Imagination Quotient, that is, if such thing exists. And I was appalled to realize that I sank from being superior (I AM! Yeah, I am what I believe I am. However, that was before.) to below average. Sigh… I guess, now I have to agree with my friend when he said that the world can offer you many great and fantastic things but they never come without a price. Sadly, I’m at the verge of losing. Imagination—that spark of youth in my minds that allows me to marvel and say WOW at life was the cost of my stable life here in the real world. I’ve given up a few hours at the park or seashore for an urgent meeting at the office or to beat my articles’ deadline. I choked up my meal during lunch just to get back to work again after 15-30 minutes instead of spending some of that time for introspection. I have forgotten Robert Fulghum, one of my icons,’teachings that “Imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the cure for grief. And that love is stronger than death.”

That’s why this concept car from Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) really spurred me on. Yeah, so much. It inspired me to keep running the race of imagination. Why? For I am not alone. BMW somewhat assured me that there’ll be crowds cheering me on as I follow wherever my imagination may take me. Known as the Geometry and Functions in ‘N’ Adaptations (GINA) Light Visionary Model, this shape-shifting concept car was designed by Chris Bangle’s team. You may say, “Where’s imagination in that car? It even appears much like the Pininfarina Sintesi!“ But wait, look closer. See the difference? Yup. Instead of using aluminum, carbon fiber, and steel, BMW used fabric to cover this car. This is intended to allow this car’s driver to shift its shape as he or she desires.

Bangle said that this car paved the way for his team to “challenge existing principles and conventional processes.” BMW officials added, “It is in the nature of such visions that they do not necessarily claim to be suitable for series production. Rather, they are intended to steer creativity and research into new directions.”

The GINA Light Visionary Model incorporates a Z8 chassis as well as a 4. 4 –liter V8 engine. It also comes equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. Now, if you’re curious ‘bout the fabric cover of this concept car, it’s actually Lycra, polyurethane-coated to make it more durable and water-proof. It is fitted to a frame crafted from aluminum, which enables the driver to change the car’s shape. In addition, this concept car features only four panels unlike standard cars. It is composed of the front hood, the rear deck, and two sides. Are you familiar with jack-knife fashion? That’s exactly the way a GINA Light Visionary Model’s doors open. While it is closed, you’ll notice that these doors are completely closed. Moreover, a slit in its hood provides an access to its engine. I don’t know much ‘bout Lycra but according to my source, it is translucent thus, allowing automotive lights’ illumination to shine through.

Well, it must be true, imagination has the power to resurrect the soul. So I keep my hopes up.

“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease,” said Buddhism Founder Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta.

Well, not I.

Sure, I’ve heard thousands of words that spoke ‘bout health’s significance in human existence. Words like “He who has health, has hope. And he who has hope, has everything,” as said in Proverbs; “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver,” told by Mahatma Gandhi; and ”The first wealth is health,” according to Ralph Waldo Emerson. But I guess, I’m just too hard to convince. Besides, this is my life. Live and let live as nature does.

I’ve never really been health conscious in my entire life. Abstaining from sweets, pastries, and fatty foods is none in my vocabulary. Oh well, I still got this Zoroaster blood in me exclaiming, “Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you die!” My stubborn culture is actually one of the reasons why I and Lynda argue a lot, lately. She couldn’t stop me from eating ice cream (well, nobody, not even my mom succeeded on cutting off my addiction on ice cream). I know, she just cares ‘bout my health. She said I’ll get colds (whoa!) and increased blood sugar level. Uhm, quite valid reasons but is there anything more valid and true than the fact that I can’t live without a cone of ice cream a day?

Anyway, next time Lynda insists on stopping me from eating ice cream ‘coz she fears of waking up beside a diabetic, I’ll tell her something with regards to the newly-developed M-Powered Car. A product of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and launched at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, the M-powered Car is a Lincoln sedan that features a system capable of monitoring patients’ glucose via a dashboard. This is accessible for those who can drive for up to 120 to 60 mg/dl in just a few seconds.

“The M-Powered concept car would allow a person with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) device to receive readings of their blood sugar through both audio and visual cues from the car’s dashboard,” said engadget.com.

Oh, brilliant idea for health-conscious drivers out there. Nice one for drivers with health-conscious wives like me haha (Peace, Lynda, dear!).

Gotta go now. Before my sugar cone ice cream melt.

The world’s largest country. The “lungs of Europe.” A constitutionally socialist state—the world’s first, actually. These are just some of the titles attributed to one of the world’s superpowers—Russia. Home of ballet dancer, actor, and producer Mikhail Baryshnikov, tennis player, also model Anna Kurnikova, human rights activist Elens Bonner, publisher and American University in Moscow President Eduard Lozansky, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conductor Yury Temirkhanov, head of YUKOS company Semen Kukes, and famous Hollywood actor Yul Brinner.

Russia is also famous for its rich history and culture. Thus, unsurprisingly, many Russians are now acknowledged for their great contributions to United States’ education, technology, politics, education, science, and sports. Among them are Noble laureates Joseph Brodsky and Alexei Abrikosov. And did you know that Sergei Brin, Google search system developer, is also a Russian? ‘Coz of that I honestly believe that Russia’s greatest wealth is not its forest reserves or huge land area but its people who never ceased striving for progress.

Now, Russia is known as one of Europe’s biggest automobile market and the fastest-growing as well. According to revmonds.com, sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) are the best-selling cars in Russia, composing 20 percent of its share.

For that reason, Mazda has chosen Moscow, Russia’s capital city, as the venue for its latest concept car’s launching. Mazda’s newest crossover, designed based on its previous concept cars—Nagare, Hakaze, Ryuga, Furai, and Hakaze, will be unveiled this coming August 29 to September 7 during the 2008 Moscow International Automobile Salon. For some sort of Japanese lesson, Nagare is a Japanese term which means “flow.” My source said that it signifies Mazda’s hottest approach in expressing movements in its vehicle design. “Taking as inspiration the flow patterns of natural elements, such as the wind, “it said. No wonder, Mazda’s theme for the upcoming motor show has something to do with the wind. “Crosswinds,” that is.

See its sketch and see the wind come in full color!

Aerobolt. Just by its name, you’ll already know that it’s odd, extraordinary, weird and other adjectives synonymous to that. Petite frame. Bright yellow finish and lo! You got a spaceship, oh the 1997 ICVS Aerobolt 2.0 car, I mean! Basically, it is designed as an urban car meant to cope with extreme road traffic plaguing many of the world’s streets nowadays. Would you believe that according to reports coming from the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1.2 million people die each year due to road collision? And this figure is expected to rise up to 65 percent in the next 12 years. Tsk tsk… I smell tragedy.

But there’s hope with concept cars like the Aerobolt 2.0. Auto Motto said it’s guaranteed to reduce vehicle stance as well as footprints for an ultimately comfortable ride! In addition, since the driver will have to drive in an upright position, he’ll have the chance to gauge the exact traffic condition before making a move! Thanks to a huge top-hinged lexan window intended to work as a windshield as well as an access and exit point.

This all-electric concept car incorporates wheel fenders that are close to the ground as well as batteries kept underneath its passenger pod. What more? Its ability to judge traffic condition is computer-operated along with its innate ability to lower or raise its height.

This is gonna be one great colorful and safety-oriented future car!

The first time I’ve heard about Midnight Rider, (Oh, you better prepare your jaw this is gonna be a good laughing stock) what I imagined was a large truck (Who said ‘twas redundant? Toy trucks are small!) transforming itself to a robot! A superhero robot, that is! No, it wasn’t an after-effect of my posts regarding Transformers and Volvo’s chic distribution truck. There really is a super hero called Masked Rider! I couldn’t forget its characters—Dex Stewart, Ferbus, Hal Stewart, Barbara Stewart, Molly Stewart, Albee Stewart, Count Dregon, Nefaria, Commandoids, Diskey, and many more. Produced by Haim Saban and Shuky Levy, it stars T.J. Roberts, Rheannon J. Slover, Ashton McArn, Ken Ring, Jennifer Tung, Paul Pistore and other cast that complete the American adaptation of Kamen Rider Series, a Japanese television series.

But yeah, it was a silly idea, I know. For how come a limousine will turn into a robot? Yeah, right! Midnight Rider (not Masked Rider) is a limousine—and not just an ordinary limousine—the world’s largest and the most luxurious limousine! We all know that limos are almost synonymous to luxurious lifestyle, isn’t it? Just imagine yourself being in a hotel inside a limousine’s cabin. It’s as if you’re the king or queen of the world! Bright lights, bar, excellent entertainment system—it has everything of the finest label and quality you’ve ever dreamed of.

And Midnight Rider tops them all. Imagine that?! Three lounges (arranged separately) equipped with 1,800 watt Sony sound systems, large television sets, and would you believe this? Bathrooms?! Uhm, nice concept but (Oh, I’m sorry to say this) I think it’s a bit illogical for a passenger to take a bath inside a vehicle (Balance, my dear! How’ll that be?) Anyway, that’s their concept, don’t get me wrong, I just care. Midnight Rider stands 70 feet long. Inside, it features a bar along with two bartenders. This limo is now recognized as a “Tractor-Trailer Limousine” in its Presidential Pullman Car design. With superior aerodynamics and state-of-the-art air conditioning and heating, it’s guaranteed to provide you with a comfortable and convenient ride!

You’re really on to a magical ride in a Midnight Rider which is ran by a crew consist of a driver and his co-driver, a hostess, and as I’ve mentioned earlier, two bartenders. Midnight Rider integrates a lounge style seating which can accommodate more or less 40 people.

Can’t wait to experience that once in a lifetime Midnight Rider ride!

Many people are uncomfortable talking ‘bout their worst fears. Maybe because of man’s nature to pretend to be invincible when in fact, they’re but mere humans made complete by their strengths and weaknesses. Now, I begin to understand one of my close friends who told me that one of man’s greatest fears (worse than fear of public speaking, I suppose) is the fear of appearing weak. I guess so… But not I. I’m not ashamed to tell the whole world that I’m afraid to die in a road accident. Specifically, if it would be an 18-wheeler truck that will hit me. Whoa! That would be an extremely tragic death for me, if ever! Can’t imagine how Lynda would react when she sees me in that morbid situation. Imagine a 70-80 feet long vehicle, with a more or less 245 to 265 inches wheelbase weighing 80,000 pounds or equivalent to 40 tons, crunching my beautiful body? (Oh, pity on me!) Never wanted to die ugly.

Trucks just have that bad reputation of being “road killers” aren’t they? Though in fact, they’re the ones responsible for transporting the cargoes which keep us alive—food, garments, and other products necessary for our daily survival. Just imagine if trucks weren’t built for that purpose. Luxury vehicles carrying fruits, vegetables, and other market products, ain’t that nasty? It’s trucks’ intimidating features that’s to be blamed, I think.

But with the release of Volvo’s distribution truck concept, I believe many of us will learn to appreciate trucks a little bit more. Look, it’s so cute, much like a toy truck I had in childhood. According to Auto Motto, this vehicle, a brainchild of Tanguy Prevot, an industrial designer from Volvo, incorporates a fuel cell. It is also capable of holding several products at a controlled temperature. Yeah, high frequency delivery, that’s the term it uses! In fact, as what Auto Motto said, “This special design isn’t about motion but about loading and unloading material.”

In addition, this distribution truck features dock houses designed to manage loading and unloading. “Even a street side delivery is made easy as the largest part of the container is a multi-directional elevator,” said Auto Motto.

Hmm… What a wholesome way of trucking, isn’t it?

Autobots. Optimus Prime. Decepticons. Megatron. Who would ever forget these names? Directed by Michael Bay and starring Shia LaBeouf, Transformers is an action film released last year in theaters worldwide. It revolves around a planet called Cybertron—home of Transformers or robots divided into good and evil camps. The good ones led by Optimus Prime and the evil ones by Megatron—both capable of transforming themselves Optimus Prime into a red 18-wheeler truck and Megatron to a gun. This movie captivated the hearts of many moviegoers ‘coz of its fantastic concept, in which robots were made to disguise into airplanes, cars, boats and other objects in an excellently cinematographic way.

In wikipedia, Tom De Santo, one of Transformers’ producers expressed how proud he was ‘bout this project saying, “In all years of movie-making, I don’t think the image of a truck transforming into a twenty-foot tall robot has ever been captured on screen. I also want to make a film that’s a homage to 1980s movies and gets back to the sense of wonder that Hollywood has lost over the years. It will have those Spielberg-ian moments where you have the push-in on the wide-eyed kid and you feel like you’re ten years old even if you’re thirty-five.”

Well, for all Transformers fanatics, you gotta take note of this. Topspeed eyed a new concept car that’s rumored to be featured in the upcoming Transformers 2. Wanna know what this car is? (Drum roll) The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette XR1! Built by the world’s largest automaker, General Motors, this concept car is considered as the fastest and most powerful among GM vehicles with a topspeed of 320 kilometers per hour.

The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette XR1 features a LS9 V8 engine capable of producing 620 horsepower and 807 Nm torque. In addition, it incorporates a manual six-speed transmission as well as a twin-disc clutch. Its components were made out of alloy rims equipped with 20 spokes.

Oh well, I’ll watch out for that!

“A bizarre cross between a racer, a bobsleigh, and a car.” That’s how my source describes the Ad Tramontana (even it’s name sounds odd too), an in-line two-seater designed for car enthusiasts who want an IDENTITY in the vehicles they drive (If only they knew that identity lies in the depths of their hearts, whew!). Produced by Tamantana, an auto manufacturer based in Spain’s Catalonian region, somewhere in the North east coast, Ad Tramontana’s design is said to be taken from a Formula One as well as from aviation technology, a fighter aircraft, to be exact. As a matter of fact, it was already displayed in various auto shows worldwide, the first of which was during the 2005 Geneva International Motor Show.

So if that’s the case, for sure we’ll have much to expect from this car’s power, do you agree with me? Yeah, for sure! Ad Tramontana is ran by a twin-turbo V12 engine that generates 550 bhp. To those who are curious’ bout Ad Tramontana’s name, well, it simply means “the creative wind.” No wonder, it’s also a certified aerodynamic car having a top speed of 186 miles per hour (mph) or 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds.

This car is available at approximately $740,000 or £422,000 equivalent to €610,000, reasonable price for a car made from premium quality materials such as gold, carbon fibre, Japanese lacquer treated wood, aircraft grade aluminum, precious stones, crocodile and snake skin, leather, and camel leather (prepare yourself for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) members’ criticisms, though).

Only 12 Ad Tramontanas are built annually, making it a status symbol among many auto enthusiasts. Now, if you’re cynical ‘bout its safety, well, take Diseno-art’s words, “Despite its diminutive size the Ad Tramontana’s occupants are well protected should there be an accident, this is thanks to a non-deformable passenger area with eight impact-absorbing areas. All these give protection similar to a professional racing car.”

Generally, the Ad Tramontana is one cool car, isn’t it?

Quality time. So many families miss its importance nowadays. Are you aware that many homes are being wrecked everyday because of lack of this? Well, my friend must be right in saying that this is because one of the greatest expressions of love is giving time. It goes beyond words… It’s simply the gift of presence, seizing precious moments… understanding the truth that everything’s uncertain and nothing lasts forever. Quality time is essential in building relationships. In fact, according to my source, it develops security, comfort, as well as understanding—secret ingredients for a truly fruitful and long-lasting relationship.

But how many of us can honestly claim to spend quality time with our loved ones particularly when we’re already out in our own world, driving our own car? I, for example just get to see Lynda before and after work on weekdays. On weekends, she’d be fortunate not to see me in front of my laptop or the television (watching news or my fave DVDs). She must be really annoyed with my lifestyle, barely having time for her… But as I often tell her, despite everything, she’s in my heart always. (Whoa! Getting mushy again, Eli?!).

That’s why I appreciate this new concept from Dyson. See this yellow car which resembles neither a military truck or a toy car? This is Dyson’s Alias 3D CAD, a car designed for young families. Nice idea. As Auto Motto said, rarely do auto manufacturers respond to specific needs of its customer these days. It’s like giving them what they want not what they need.

The Alias 3D CAD, said Auto Motto, is guaranteed to enhance family relationships. “With technology hounding us like dogs and we not being able to help by falling prey to it, this car ensures that the driving time that families spend together is quality time. Efforts like face to face seating and the compact body for physical closeness are apparent,” they added, describing the Alias 3D CAD’s unique features.

Colorful and fun-looking, Dyson’s Alias 3D CAD is such an awesome concept for starting couples and their families. Great!

Wanna help preserve Mother Earth? Oh well, godsdirectcontact.com can help you with this tip: Choose daily necessities that are less harmful to the environment, less polluting, more energy saving, and more simply packaged. That entails you to be extra careful with the products you purchase. Most probably, you’d prefer these products it enumerated: energy-saving lighting and electrical switches, biodegradable diapers, nontoxic toys, cotton clothes, cosmetics made out of natural compounds, non-petroleum based detergents, natural detergents and nontoxic insect repellents, recyclable tools, and low radiation electronic appliances.

Godsdirectcontact also suggests that you install kitchen garbage disposal systems and make living environments green and beautiful, segregate garbage, and love organic vegetables and fruits.

Being an environment advocate is no joke, indeed. Neither is it an easy task. It requires FULL commitment and a TOTAL transformation of one’s lifestyle. Part of it is ensuring that the car you drive is a certified eco-friendly vehicle.

If you’re looking for a wonderful example of that, well, you need not look too far. Here comes the Solar City Tesla. Auto Motto said that this concept runs via solar panels and a motor capable of generating 248 horsepower and a maximum speed of 125 miles per hour (mph). In addition, the Solar City Tesla has the power to yield more or less 227 miles per cycle and 0-60 kilometers per hour in 6 seconds. You may also charge it for three and a half hours and it’s ready to hit the roads again.

Not a bad investment at $98,000, isn’t it?

Can’t wait to know a lot more ‘bout this car.