I have often been asked the question "why did you buy a mustang tina?" or "everyone has a mustang, why would you want one." Well, let's take a trip back to seven-year old Tina to gain a better understanding. When I was seven years old I got a red mustang barbie car for Christmas. I think this is where the love for mustangs really started. That was the coolest car, you could even adjust the car to take just two people or four people. Surprisingly, Ken didn't drive the mustang, it was Barbie's car and she drove it. Wonder if that has any connection to my personality.
Another factor was my Dad and his dad. Both lovers of cars, my grandpa was a mechanic and taught my Dad. I found a connection to my Dad and also Grandfather through cars. At a young age I was able to name cars, and distinguish between different makes. There have been times where our whole conversation would revolve around cars and I loved it. My Dad is a incredibly smart guy and I have learned a lot from him. We both own mustangs now. I suppose it's a compliment, he bought on shortly after I bought mine. Guess he thought I had a really cool car, or I just wasn't allowed to have the fastest car in the family. His has the Shelby GT version.
History has always been so intriguing to me. Why are people the way they are? what makes them believe the way they do? how can I better understand this culture? I believe that the Ford Mustang is one of the most successful car ever. It has been around since 1964 1/2, it certainly has with stood the test of time. In an article this was stated "We embrace the Pony wars," said James Owens, Mustang marketing manager. "Mustang is the authentic American muscle car. In fact, Mustang is the only one of the original pony cars from the 1960s to live on into the 21st century with no interruption in production." 1. It is an American Dream car, the hard working, middle income individual can afford a mustang, a sports car. It represents America and freedom to me.
Technical details of my mustang. It can go 0-60mph in 6.6 seconds, and does a 15 second quarter mile. 2. Here's a little perspective the Chevy Corvette (C6 ZO6, this car is a V8) does the quarter mile in 12.2 seconds. The Mustang V8 does it in 13.5 seconds. 15 seconds is not to shabby for a v6 car. And I can get 30 miles to the gallon on the freeway :)
Interesting conversations have come from this topic. Many times I get the argument that the reason they would not buy a mustang is because "everyone has one." I thought about this comment and came to this conclusion. The reason for not wanting to get a mustang because "everyone has one" is so you don't appear to be influenced by popular culture. But isn't the underlining reason to make decisions not based on what others are doing? Not liking something because everyone has it is or likes it is doing the same thing, but the opposite. Instead of getting it, you are refusing to purchase. Either way, both actions are dependent on what others are doing. Whether you are choosing to follow or reject. Instead a decision not based on others is how a true independent decision is accomplished.
Giselle the 2007 Mustang
V6
210 horsepower
vista blue
manual
0-60 in 6.6 seconds
added billet grille :)
hooray for history, i totally sited the sources :)
1. http://media.ford.com/newsroom/feature_display.cfm?release=24065
2. http://www.modernracer.com/fordmustangv6.html
First Dates are like Job Interviews
You may wonder why I think first dates are like job interviews. I think that both persons are interviewing one another. There are lots of similarities between dates and job interviews.
#1 Shower
Yup.
#2 Wear something nice
Don't make girls feel awkward when you show up in some wrinkled t-shirt you found on your bedroom floor. I think that if girls are putting effort into getting ready for a date, boys should also put some effort in also. You don't have to dress up like you would for a job interview but they same concept is there. Dress to impress. Girls are usually more fashion conscience and will be able to tell if you wore your favorite old t-shirt and beat-up pair of shoes.
#3 Be on time
I've had personal experience with this one. Let me say it's not the best way to impress a girl. In fact I was thoroughly unimpressed. Make it feel like you prepared to go on a date with her. This is not a casual hang out type setting where you show up at your leisure. A date is planned.
#4 Have some conversation prepared.
Interview tips always suggest to have some conversation and questions prepared beforehand for a job interview. Think of some questions you would really like answered. What do you want to talk about on this date? What questions are going to help you get to know this girl better? Being prepared with conversation can help during those slightly awkward first date moments of silence.
#5 Do some research
If you are interested, do some research. While talking to her, make mental notes of favorites, things she enjoys doing, what she does not enjoy. Experiences that she has had, which are just more pieces to the puzzle. It is always good to research a company before you interview with them, usually reading their website and understanding what exactly the companies does along with their mission statement helps determine interest. However, that girl you are interested doesn't have a mission statement on the internet, (unless you know how to properly use facebook) getting to know her as a friend first can help determine if she is worth the effort.
Be prepared.
Both are seeing if there is a fit for both, and if the first interview went well, there will be a second interview (or date). Interviews with companies or "dates" are not one-sided. Companies are looking for the right fit, and so are people who are dating. Sometimes there are very good candidates that fulfill a lot of qualifications, but sometimes they are also not the best fit. Many times the timing may not be right. And the person that came for an interview is trying to apply for a position that is not open at the moment. Take the time to prepare physically and mentally.
After talking with a friend, this was suggested. That a screening process is also in place when dating. So even before an interview canadites are screened and not all applicants are choosen for an interview. This is especially effective if your position is in high demand.
Listen, and communicate back.
Are respectful. Not just of her, but of others.
Open doors whether it is car door or door to a building.
Are honest, no one wants to be lied to, don’t be so afraid to hurt her feelings that you lie. That is never the right way to go.
On a side note: If you are going to break up with a girl, don't put her through misery first by being mean, attempting to make her break up with you. Stop being a pansy, tell her how you feel. Breaking up is as much a part of dating as getting together. Express your feelings, and ya of course she'll be mad, no one likes to be dumped. But be kind and considerate of the situation.
Give Flowers! Find out her favorite flower. You don’t need a reason to give her flowers, sometimes it means even more when there is no reason.
Pay. Much is seen in a guy that pays.
Another side note: Guys ever wonder why girls don't like to pick where to eat... well maybe it is because you are the one paying. As girls we do not know where you feel comfortable eating. We do not know your financial situation. Options are always a good way to go. But don't try to escape responsibility by throwing it at us.
Kisses on the forehead are amazing. Way incredible amazing. At least my heart flutters.
Tell her she’s beautiful. Whether it's your wife, your sister, your mother, or your grandmother. Some days we just don't feel like we are beautiful, and hearing it on those days makes all the difference. But especially tell your wife/fiancee/girlfriend, we need to know that you think we are beautiful.
Side note:(Tell her she looks cute when she’s mad)
Do little things just because. Send a note because you were thinking of her. Pay attention notice things that she likes and surprise her with them. Take the initiative and be creative. This is the basic formula for being romantic.
Take time figure out what’s wrong don’t just walk away. A girl wants to know if you are a guy that is going to stick around through the good and bad. She is going to watch how you react.
Talk! Add to the conversation, girls love to talk, but they also like to listen. Show them you can carry an intelligent conversation.
Take the initiative, don’t always wait for her.
Dance with her, whether at a dance, a wedding, or in the middle of a street.
Tease, flirt with her, be playful. There is something about being playful and flirty.
(throw her in the water or pretend to throw her in.)
Take care of her. Give her your jacket when she’s cold. Give her soup when she is sick. Give her support when she is scared and sad.
Touch her arms softly, run you fingers through her hair.
Tell her how you feel. Whether it is a simple, “I enjoy spending time with you” to “I miss you” to “I love you”
Treats as an equal, girls are not dishwashers, instead help or do them for her without her asking.
Side note: Men and women are not the same, but should be equal in a relationship. Equal in the sense of one person does not control the relationship. But two people communicating and deciding together how to handle situations. Men and women are made for different purposes, one is not better than the other. Just different. It just makes sense for a man and women to be together, opposites compliment each other, and the missing pieces are filled in.
Girls spend time getting all dolled up for you, don’t make her feel all awkward when you show up in so old t-shirt and your favorite pair of beat up shoes.
You are a reflection of her taste and judgment. Be someone that they want to introduce to their friends and family. She does not want to worry about whether or not you will say or do something inappropriate or rude.
To be a good person is my goal in life. I feel it will bring the most happiness. I don’t feel that I need all the bling that the media presents as so necessary for happiness. The happiest people are those who are engaged with what they are passionate about. Those who serve others willingly and forget about themselves. Family is what should be desired and praised for it can bring the greatest joy.
I want to be an amazing companion. I have a desire to share my life with one man. I want to support and be supported. I believe that the person you marry is the most important decision that a person can make. It shouldn’t be taken lightly. You will spend everyday for fifty or so years with this person, it should be a person you want to see everyday when you wake up, someone you can’t wait to see when you come home. I want to love someone as much as they love me.
I want to be an amazing wife and mother. I feel that not enough importance is placed on the role that a mother plays in a family. Good families raise good children, who are good people. This is usually the pattern. There would be better people in the world if children were raised better. I do feel that a career is important. I feel that it could be very fulfilling. Work and motherhood have different kinds of satisfaction. Work satisfaction is usually visual or tangible and immediate. Many times satisfaction is seen in a bonus or promotion. Motherhood does not have a promotion period or extra bonus at the end of the year. But the satisfaction is through out your life with them and continues later on when you see that your child is a successful individual.
Balance
There are several principles about life that I believe. I believe that the key in life is balance. That your life is the best when it is balanced. Not too much of anything. For example, not to much work or you will miss the finer things in life. Not too much fun and play for you will become lazy and feel inadequate. Plus, when there is work to be done and it is ignored, it doesn't go away. Balance in what you put in your body. I do not believe in diets just eating correctly and being smart. A balance in a relationship. A balance of time spent with them. It is important that while in any relationship there is balance and space is available. One thing that I feel girls do not do enough in relationships is let their boyfriend have fun with his boys. Seriously, guys need that time to be silly, cause trouble, be loud and run around. Girls need their own time to, sometimes you just need to be with your own gender. The best relationships are when there is a balance. When each love each other the same amount. When one doesn't feel more benefited by the relationship than the other, but both feel their life is better with the other person in it. Balanced is needed or your life will be sideways. A lot of unhappiness can come from a life without balance. Set priorities on different aspects of your life and find a happy median.
Happiness
First, I think that many times unhappiness comes from being stagnant. The feeling of sitting in a row boat in the middle of the pond but not moving, and for a long time you are sitting there in the middle of the algae green pond, and the bugs begin to buzz around your head. And until you pick up that oar and starting rowing the bugs will continue to buzz. To be happy one needs to be constantly evolving and moving forward. Having that feeling of accomplishment and necessity. This can be a tricky situation, a person can be moving forward and still unhappy because of too high of expectations. Someone may never be satisfied. Yet moving forward and refining to be the best can bring a lot of happiness. I believe that part of this evolution and or growing is education, constantly striving to learn and broaden the spectrum of knowledge. To become a more aware person, to have the ability to think for oneself. Too many people rely on the opinions of others, not taking the time to put serious thought in their formed opinions of the world. I have seen far too many situations where people believe the media and their biases. Be your own person, think for yourself.
One of the ways that I find happiness is serving others, finding ways to help and serve. I feel the world becomes more and more selfish.
Time
Time is remarkable concept. It never seems to go at the speed that one desires. Time drags on when you are bored, anxious, upset, yet speeds by when times are the best. I believe that time does heal everything. And that at the moment of the episode all looks lost and hopeless. But as time moves forward both parties move on and the pain settles. I have experienced the bitterness and the darkness of depression. Not being able to see happiness. Feeling like I don't have the energy to move forward. But family and friends help you find that lost light. It takes time to forget, it takes time to heal. It takes time to completely understand why. And sometimes we never completely understand.
Carl Sandburg describes time as a coin, time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
And of course wise words from Gandalf "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us"