Top 10 Pop Songs for Spring

Spring is a great season to celebrate rebirth and new life. Pop music is the perfect accompaniment. This is an admittedly idiosyncratic list of spring favorites as few pop songs speak about spring directly. These are the songs that bring to mind for me the hope, joy, beauty, and carefree spirit of springtime.

1. Lovin' Spoonful - "Daydream" (1966)

 The simple joys of being in love on a spring day are the subject matter of this irresistible pop classic.


2. Simon and Garfunkel - "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" (1966)

 Perfect spring bliss that clocks in at under 2 minutes in its original version.


3. Hugh Masakela - "Grazing in the Grass" (1968)

 It's purely instrumental, but the horns and jazzy soulful vibe of this classic evoke visions of sunshine, green grass, and a beautiful world.


4. U2 - "Beautiful Day" (2000)

 U2's anthem to recognizing the beauty in the world around you is a perfect accompaniment to the new life and new spirit of spring.


5. Andy Grammer - "Keep Your Head Up" (2011)

 Singer-songwriter Andy Grammer delivers a song about persevering through the tough times. It is filled with sunny thoughts to bring us out of the doldrums of winter. This single brought him to the top 5 on the adult pop chart.


6. Cat Stevens - "Morning Has Broken" (1972)

 "Morning Has Broken" is one of the few overtly religious songs to make the pop top 10. Cat Stevens' version remains a spiritually affirming pop classic.


7. Dario G - "Sunchyme" (1998)

 Dario G's mostly instrumental ode to sunrise did not reach the pop singles chart, but it was a top 10 dance hit. This song includes a perfect use of a sample incorporating portions of Dream Academy's classic "Life in a Northern Town."


8. Patti LaBelle - "New Attitude" (1985)

 Spring is a time to make changes in life and head in new directions. Patti LaBelle's mid-80's hit "New Attitude" is the perfect theme song for these personal adjustments.


9. Smash Mouth - "All Star" (1999)

 Self-affirmation is fundamentally important for getting in the mood and mindset for spring and few recent hit songs are better for boosting self-esteem than this Smash Mouth hit.


10. Jason Mraz - "I'm Yours" (2008)

 Jason Mraz had a major pop singles chart breakthrough with this instant feel good classic.

(courtesy of About.com)

The Super Bowl is Almost Here!

Alright fans, the Super Bowl is only two days away, and this year's game promises to be a great match-up between two even opponents that won't disappoint! So today we want to know: who do you think will win the Super Bowl this year?

Who Do You Hope Wins Super Bowl XLVIII?

Denver Broncos

Seattle Seahawks

I'm just rooting for a good game

I could care less, really

It's all about the commercials!

Football is the devil

What's football

make a poll

Apple's Macintosh Computer Turns 30 Today

30 years ago today, Apple released the Macintosh computer to the public, changing technology (and society) forever in the process. Now in today's world of advanced technology, where we deal with iPhones, iPads, Bluetooth, and other electronic devices on a regular basis, the Macintosh seems like an ancient relic. But one can't underestimate what a watershed moment its release was, even being hailed as a "masterpiece" at the time of its debut. So we want to know: did you ever own a Macintosh? And what electronic device could you not live without today?

How You Can Avoid Unnecessary Auto Tickets

We all recognize the notorious red and blue flashing lights that symbolize a law being broken. We may not always agree with the reasoning behind a costly ticket, but here are a few ways you can not only avoid getting an unnecessary ticket, but maybe drive a little bit safer in the process.

1. Speeding   After all, the faster you are driving, the longer it takes to react to an unexpected situation.
2. Illegal cell phone use  One 'quick' text or call causes huge distractions for any driver.
3. Following too closely and improper lane changes
Following your neighbor too closely shortens a driver's reaction time.
4. Hazardous driving If you're too busy focusing on other things (touching up your make up, finishing breakfast or cleaning a stain from your spilled coffee) it's easy to violate stop signs and lights, take part in improper lane changes, make illegal U-turns, or fail to yield.
5. Equipment violations 
The tickets can easily pile up for heavily tinted windows, burned-out headlights, broken windshields, expired tags, lack of a front license plate and loud exhaust modifications.

Interesting Facts and the Science Behind Snow

1. The world’s largest snowflake: It was reported to be 15 inches across and 8 inches thick. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, this beast of a snowflake was found at Fort Keogh, Montana on January 28, 1887.

 Disclaimer: Not the largest snowflake in the world, but it sure is pretty!

2. Snow is not white: It is actually clear and colorless. As the National Snow and Ice Data Center so eloquently put it,

“The complex structure of snow crystals results in countless tiny surfaces from which visible light is efficiently reflected. What little sunlight is absorbed by snow is absorbed uniformly over the wavelengths of visible light thus giving snow its white appearance.”

3. World record snowfall: Mt. Baker ski area in Washington State has the world record for snowfall at 1,140 inches of snow in the 1998/1999 winter season.

You could've leaped out of an airplane and landed unharmed! Don't try that at home... 

4. Six sides or bust: All snowflakes must have 6 sides otherwise they are not considered snowflakes. In a nutshell,

"The laws of electronegativity and molecular bonding between oxygen and hydrogen atoms dictate that the formation of positive and negative dipoles causes H2O to have a V-shape. Intermolecular forces between the oppositely charged ends of different particles cause them to join together in a very specific three-dimensional pattern with a six-sided symmetry."

When Should You Put Your Winter Tires On?

Chaos ensues at local tire shops when the snow belt states get their first flurries of the season. Like an animal instinct, the first sign of fluffy white flakes has people running to the garage, stuffing the family hauler with dusty winter rubber and racing off to the installation shop. Problem is, by then it’s already too late.

Winter tires should be installed well in advance of the first snowfall. Regardless of whether they are snow tires, ice tires or winter performance tires, all cold weather rubber is designed for more than just messy weather. These tires feature rubber compound and tread designs that are created to help maintain traction in colder weather even if the roads are clear and dry.

So When is it Time for a Change?

Well there isn’t a simple answer; it depends on the type of tire installed on your car and the brand that made them. But as a general rule, all-season tires should be switched over when temperatures begin falling below the 45 degree mark. At this point, all-season tires begin the ‘harden’ up as the rubber compound they are made out of starts to lose its elasticity. The colder the temperature gets, the less pliable a tire gets and eventually becomes so hard it is more like a giant plastic circle than a rubber tire.

Consider the time of day you’re driving as well. While daily highs could be well above 50 degrees, the temperature could be below 45 in early morning and in the evening when you do your daily commute.

Tires Freeze

To understand how much grip is lost when a tire freezes, imagine walking around on a skating rink with rubber soled winter boots and then trying it again in a pair of tap shoes. Frozen tires also limit the amount of sidewall flex that can lead to unpredictable tire behavior on rough or snow-rutted roads. As well, when a tire freezes up, it’s more prone to faster tread wear.

Those using summer tires need to switch things over even earlier. The rubber compound in these performance orientated tires is designed to handle extremely hot temperatures, the flip side being a higher freezing point. Aim to change these tires over when temperatures begin to dip below 50 degrees consistently.

Mark it on Your Calendar

We understand that not everyone will be glued to a thermometer day in and day out waiting for the day when temperatures dip low enough to require a tire change. Many people pick a calendar date to perform a tire swap when temperatures usually hit the changeover zone for their region. But, installing winter tires too early when temperatures are too high can cause the tire to overheat and be just as detrimental to both tire life and vehicle drivability as driving on an all-season tire in the winter.

It is best to consult your local tire shop as to when they recommend swapping over your tires. But using the general guideline of 45 degrees for all-season tires and 50 degrees for summer tires should help keep you safe on the road and get the longest use out of your tires.

(courtesy of AutoGuide.com)

How to Decorate Christmas Lights on Your Car

Decorating your car with Christmas lights is a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays. Although decorating a car with lights may seem complicated or cumbersome, it is actually a simple and straightforward process. The tools you will need are readily available at most retailers, and the installation is fast and easy. Just be sure to take recommended safety measures to avoid accidents and serious injuries.


Things You'll Need

• Power inverter
• Christmas lights
• Star washer

Instructions

1. Check with local authorities whether installing Christmas lights on cars is permitted in your area. Local ordinances vary from area to area, and in some places decorating your car with Christmas lights may be considered illegal. This is because the lights might be considered a distraction for others on the road.

2. Buy a suitable inverter for your car. A 12v DC inverter, available at most hardware stores, changes12v DC electricity into 110v AC electricity, supplying usable power to the Christmas lights in the car. In other words, the inverter draws power from the car battery and changes it to a form the lights can use. Be careful not to confuse this device with a converter. A converter will do the opposite, changing 110v AC to 12v DC.
       
3. Install the inverter. You will need to draw at least 400 watts from the inverter, and therefore cannot use a standard inverter that supports loads of up to 150 watts. Because you are using a heavy duty inverter, you will have to connect it directly to the car battery, and not the lighter adapter as the standard inverter. To install, unscrew the nut from the positive terminal on the battery, and attach the power lead terminal over the bolt securing the terminal to the battery post. Replace the nut.
       
4. Ground the inverter. Choose a suitable small metal object, such as a screw or bolt, that is in direct contact with the metal body of the car and is near the inverter. Detach the screw or bolt and remove any surface deposits such as grime. Take the ground wire from the inverter, attach its end to a star washer, and slip it underneath the bolt or screw. Replace the screw, making sure the ground wire remains attached.
       
5. Buy Christmas lights. Once the inverter has been properly installed, you can choose virtually any type of lighting, from low budget standard Christmas lights, to elaborate electronically-controlled lighting that blinks different colors or lights that chase back and forth.
       
6. String the lights along the inside of your car. Some people prefer to string their lights on the outside of their car. If you choose to do this instead, be sure to string them on the outside of your car in dry weather only. Remove them if the weather forecast calls for rain, sleet, or snow.
       
7. Attach the lights to the inverter connector. When you string the lights, one end will have the input for power supply. Connect the inverter to the power input for the lights, and move the connecting wires so they are not exposed.

(courtesy of eHow)