A Classic (Sports Car) Tale

Classic Sports Cars - Photo: Pxhere

Classic sports cars

 Those three words come up together to form an image of grandeur, speed, and extravagance. For who can afford classic sports cars? Only the affluent of course! But for the average “Joe” who dreams of having his own classic sports car and hopes to know more about it, this article is meant to provide information on this amazing “king of the road”.

First, know the foremost brands of classic sports cars. 

1. Lotus

Lotus is famous for coming up with the Lotus Elise 11S, Lotus Elise Motorsport, Lotus Elan, Lotus Europa Twin Cam, Lotus Super Seven S4, Lotus Elan SE Turbo and Lotus Super Seven Replica by Birkin.

2. Austin Healey Sprite

Only Austin Healey Sprite can come up with the Bugeye Sprite Race Car with an outstanding 250 horsepower! The 1960 Speedwell Sprite Vintage Race Car is another force to reckon with, as well as the 1962 Austin Healey Sprite MK.

3. Austin Mini

Austin Mini boasts of the Mini Cooper that comes in excellent colors and for $13,000, it is quite a steal!

4. TVR

The TVR has this elite collection of classic sports cars like the TVR Tuscan Challenge Race Car, TVR S2 Roadster, TVR Taimar Coupe and TVR 2500M.

5. Birkin

A classic sports car is almost synonymous to the brand Birkin, as it is made famous with Louts Super Seven replicas and offers Birkin S3, Birkin C-S3 Street, among other roadsters that come with the Ford ZETEC engine, four-wheeled disc brakes and a heavy-duty aluminum body.

6. Jaguar

Jaguar is the ‘mighty’ classic sports car that men cannot get enough of. With the Jaguar E-type Coupe, Jaguar X-Type Track Car and Jaguar C-Type replica, this is the brand that really pushes classic sports cars several ‘to the limit’.

7. Triumph

Jaguar-engined Triumph roars just as a classic sports car is expected to do. Classic models like the 1969 Triumph Spitfire MK III and 1960 Triumph TR3A stand for what Triumph is all about - sophistication and power. 

Here are some books that inform the reader on how to keep the classic sports cars in tiptop shape: "Classic Car Restorer's Handbook," "Fun and Profit Buying, Showing and Selling Vintage and Classic Cars," "Restoration of Antique and Classic Cars," "Budget Auto Restoration: Low Cost, Step-By-Step Tricks" and "How to Rebuild and Modify Your Muscle Car."

This list is from 2006. It may be that many of these books are no longer available.

The classic sports car exudes action and nobility. No wonder, it never goes out of style.

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Pool Safety: Proper Care and Maintenance

Swimming Pool - Photo: Pixabay

When many of us think of pool dangers, drowning is often the first thought that comes to mind.  Yes, it is important to protect your pool to reduce drowning-related accidents and deaths, but there are other steps that you will want to take as well.  One of those steps involves practicing proper pool care and maintenance.

For starters, it is important to keep pool water clean, clear, and debris free.  Large debris, such as a small tree branch, should be removed immediately.  This does pose a risk of drowning, as swimmers may become entangled.  Even small debris, such as leaves and insects, should be removed promptly.  The good news is that it is very easy to remove debris from a swimming pool.

As for how debris can be removed, a pool skimmer can be used.  What you may like are the choices that you have.  Did you know that there are automatic pool skimmers available for sale?  These are pretty neat, but keep in mind that they only remove debris from the surface of the water.  For that reason, even automatic pool skimmers should be accompanied by the traditional skimmers on a pole.

Next, pool filters should be regularly checked and cleaned.  Every summer, the filtration system is one of the first things that should be checked.  Why?  Because it works to keep the pool’s water healthy and clean.  Filters work to remove debris, even debris that can’t always be seen by the human eye, such as small dirt particles and tiny skin flakes.  Be sure to check all drains to ensure their covers are intact.  Damaged or faulty pool drains do pose a significant safety hazard.  

All aboveground and inground pools should be treated with chlorine.  Chlorine helps to keep a pool clean and germ-free.  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, otherwise known as the CDC, this isn’t a process that happens right away, which many are surprised to learn.  That is why all pool owners are asked to check and monitor their chlorine levels.  Levels should be kept at the levels recommended by either the pool manufacturer or the health department.

As previously stated, it is important to make sure that your swimming pool has enough chlorine in it, but you don’t want to have too much.  Increased levels of chlorine can have a negative impact on swimmers.  Symptoms or signs of too much chlorine include skin and eye irritation.  Typically, you can tell right away if your pool has too much chlorine, as it has a strong order.  Testing can also be performed.  To treat this, dilute the water or give the sun time to do its job.

In addition to aboveground and inground pools, proper care and maintenance are also important for small pools, also commonly known as kiddie pools.  In fact, proper care and maintenance may be even more important.  This is because these pools are rarely sold with filtration and drainage systems.  Whenever the water becomes cloudy or dirty, change it.  Cover the pool with a plastic sheet or a pool cover that is designed specifically for kiddie pools.

As an important reminder, the best way to practice pool safety this summer is to outfit your swimming pool with a safety fence, cover, and pool alarm.  Although don’t discount the benefits of having a clean and germ-free pool.

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Loft and Attic Renovation Tips, Ideas and Tricks

Loft Renovation - Photo: Flickr

Loft refers to the utmost part of the storey or can also be called as the attic of a building. This is because this room is directly beneath the roof. Lofts are usually commercial establishments that are turned into residential buildings so it contains an ample space and large windows. Loft and attic renovation can easily be done with the proper planning and right budget.

Loft and Attic Conversions

In converting this part of the building into something useful and functional, you need to have first, the proper documentation that proves that you own it. Consult with your local government as to the needed permit, allowing a period of six to nine weeks for the permit to be approved before you can start on the construction. Your local councils also have a say regarding such matters so you need an expert to measure the property to make sure that you are free to do the planned changes in it.

Size Matters

With an expert's help in measuring the area, you would have an idea as to what can be done in the place, if you still need to expand its roofing and other structures in it before you can do any remodelling. 

What Can Be Done?

When converting lofts, two of the popular forms that are being done these days are the dormer and the Velux.

Velux is actually the name of the window being used in this type of conversion. It maximizes the available space of the loft and there is no need to have an external alteration. 

In creating such, the first step is insulating the roof, after which the Velux windows are installed and reinforcements are done on the floor. This is easier to do than the second type of loft conversion and this also costs less.

The other form of this type of modification is called dormer conversions. This is much harder to do because it requires the extension of the roof along with vertical protrusions. This is to increase the space available and will allow you to have typical kinds of rooms built on it.

This type is harder to do and will require you to shell out more money for the project. But with the ample space to be created, you'll have more option about what to do with the rooms. 

Ideas

The converted lofts are a great venue for parties because of space. You can do a lot with such rooms, plus it adds to your property's appeal. If you plan to sell the house, later on, this is definitely an add-on. 

As with any modifications, make sure that the area has proper ventilation. It is also advisable that there should be a source for natural light to come in. Safety exits should also be planned ahead of time as this would also be a factor when you are getting your permit for construction.

Loft and attic renovation is actually done in many places today. Conversions are being made to this part of the house that was not so much utilized in the past.

Thanks to home designers who have paved the way for such renovations, attics will no longer be associated with cobwebs and darkness as it used to be in the old days. But instead, this innovation would surely place a trendy tag in this part of the dwelling.

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History Of The American Flag Explained

American Flag

It was on January 1, 1776, that the Continental army was restructured and adjusted according to a Congressional resolution which heralded American forces to the command of George Washington. On that day, the American Continental Army was blockading Boston which had been taken over by the British army. It has been said that the first American flag was made in May of 1776 by Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress who was actually a friend of George Washington and acquainted with other prominent and high-ranking Philadelphians.

Ross suggested that the five-pointed star is used instead of the star with six points. This is because the five-pointed star can be cut off easily with a few trims of the scissors. It is also said that Betsy Ross was the one who made the flags for the Pennsylvanian navy. However, the first unofficial flag of America was called the Grand Union Flag, also known as the Continental Colors. It was raised at the order and command of General Washington close to his headquarters outside Boston January 1, 1776. This first unofficial flag was composed of thirteen alternating white and red horizontal stripes, with the British Union Flag in the canton. However, the first official American flag was accepted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. This flag was also known as the Stars and Stripes for it consisted of 13 stars which represented the first 13 colonies. However, there is no assurance of who actually designed and made this flag. It is said that it was Francis Hopkinson, a Continental Congress member, designed the flag.

However, between 1777 and 1960, the Congress implemented procedures that varied its shape, design, and structure of the flag. And it was decided that there was a need for additional starts to represent all the states of America. It was on January 3, 1959, that President Eisenhower issued an executive order which states that the arrangement of the stars should be in six horizontal rows of eight, every single point of every star directed upward. In 1791 and 1792, after Kentucky and Vermont were added to the Union, two stars and two stripes were added during 1795.

This brought inspiration to lawyer Francis Scott Key to write and compose a poem which later became the U.S. National Anthem. It was in 1818 that five more states had been added and declared and the Congress decided to pass legislation that fixes the number of stars and stripes. The stars would have equal numbers as the states. On July 4, 1960, the last new star was added after Hawaii became a state, which gives a total number of fifty stars. The American Flag has been the emblem of the nation’s power and harmony for more than 200 years. It serves as the binding material that brings millions of citizens together in attaining one goal.

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A Number Game Guide! Sudoku Answers

Photo: Wikipedia

Are you bored? 

Do you wish to be entertained? 

One way to divert you from boredom is to take up a hobby. A good suggestion is to try answering puzzles. It does not just keep you from world-weariness; it also sharpens your mind. 

A puzzle is a problem-solving game to challenge the different mind strategies that you know of. There are different kinds of a puzzle – some are easy to deal with, however, others are highly crucial as if you are solving Math or Logic problems. 

An example of a puzzle that is more likely related to logic is Number Place or sometimes referred to as Sudoku. 

Sudoku has the aim to complete a nine by nine (9 x 9) grid from three by three   (3 x 3) regions by entering the numbers 1 to 9 in each cell of the grid. The tricky part is that no single number should be repeated in the 9 x 9 grid. 

At first glance, the Number Place seems to be a fun and easy game. However, in the long run, it requires the player to be in deep thought of what strategies to formulate to solve the puzzle. 

There are three suggested ways to answer Sudoku. One can choose to use scanning as his method of solving the puzzle. Others can prefer marking up to come up with a solved puzzle. For some, they can be comfortable with the analysis method of puzzle solving. 

Scanning is a method wherein the process of elimination reigns. Under the scanning method, one can either choose cross-hatching or counting. Cross-hatching requires a systematic course of action wherein to scan rows or columns in a particular region can give you hints of the possibility where numbers can or cannot be repeated. On the other hand, counting requires the basic counting where the player would count numerals 1 to 9 in rows, columns, and regions to find the missing numeral.  

To answer your next Sudoku game, try the marking up method. This method is normally used when you exhaust all the possibilities of solving the puzzle from scanning. To mark, you should be able to use notations. Commonly, what is being used as a notation to markup are dots and subscript. However, it is best to use notation wherein you will be comfortable using such as lines, shapes or other codes. It is also good to assign which notation would be used for candidate numerals that are most likely to repeat and notation that is likely to be in the said grid. One drawback of using notations is when Sudoku is being played from newspaper or magazine pages where grids are usually small to note into. 

Third suggested way to solve Sudoku puzzles is through analysis. There are two main tactics to use the analysis method – the candidate elimination and what-if method.  Through the word itself, the candidate elimination method does away with candidate numerals from the grids to set aside just one option. Scanning can also be utilized together with the candidate elimination. Another way to answer Number Place with the analysis method is the what-if technique. With the use of this approach the player will guess which is which from the two remaining numbers. 

If for instance, you will be seeking answers to Sudoku via a computer program there are also recommended ways to finish the puzzle.  

First, try to act and be like a human when solving. You can still use the suggested solving procedures given above. Additionally, with the use of a computer program, you will be able to devise the level of difficulty for each puzzle game. 

Secondly, plan or search for a good computation that will help you solve the puzzle more rapidly. 

You as the player can use a combination of the methods or can even formulate new solutions that will work best for you and other people. Take things one step at a time. Learn the basics of the game. Let go of line of attacks that are boggling your mind. Pick the pieces of information where you think you succeed, learn from where you fall apart. It is a game; you must learn to take risks. 

Just thinking of how Sudoku will work, boredom just fades.

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Adobe Architecture

Bam Citadel -  Photo: Wikipedia

Some of the earliest structures were Adobe architecture. Adobe is a material made from sand, clay and straw, dung or other fibrous materials.

The adobe is then formed into bricks using frames and dried in the sun. Similar to cob or mud bricks, the structures become extremely durable. They are used mainly in hot, arid climates because they remain cool in the summer and release

heat very slowly in the winter.

The same mixture, without the straw, is used for mortar in placing the dried adobe bricks together to form a structure. Some cultures even figured out they could utilize lime-based cement for the plaster to protect against the wet months.

The thickness of the adobe bricks is key in the architecture. It is what essentially keeps the structures cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

The largest structure ever erected from Adobe was the Bam Citadel. But it suffered serious damage from an earthquake in 2003.

The Huaca del Sol in Peru is another grand adobe structure that was created from over 100 million signed bricks.

The world’s largest adobe architecture structure is the citadel of Arg-e Bam, erected as late as 500BCE, possibly earlier.

The area of Bam Citadel is 180,000 square meters and is surrounded by walls 6-7 meters high and 1815 meters in length, all out of Adobe. When the gates to the city were closed, no human or animal could enter. The city was self-contained with well access, gardens and cattle all within the walls.

The adobe architecture was a little different when it came to putting a roof on the structure. Typically roofs were assembled from lengths of wood or metal. Then rows of dried adobe bricks are laid over the top of a support structure and plastered into place with more adobe.

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Hottest Sports Car Brands

Photo: Pxhere

There are many tops of the line sports cars in the car market that are available in different price ranges. The prices range from $20,000 for a compact car up to the $1,250,000 price of the Bugatti Veyron that can perform as a luxury car or for racing as well.

Since the sports car was introduced to the world of automobiles, the sports car has become one of the best sellers of every car manufacturer that produces any version of its kind. The sports car is still the hottest seller and one that many car enthusiasts want to own. The desirable appearance and extravagance it portrays make every sports car stunning in the eyes of any driver. Here are some models that are ‘top of the line’ in the category of sports cars:

1. The Aston Martin DB9 Volante has features similar to the Jaguar, especially their external appearance. There are some similarities between the cars but the DB9 is more classical and the Jaguar XKR can be more handsome if you look at the details very closely. The DB9 comes with a 6-liter and 450-hp V12 engine that can satisfy every driver’s need for speed.

2. The Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is capable of reaching 400-hp with smooth steering wheels and track-ready handling. It is affordable at its price of $50,000. The pricing is low compared to other sports cars that have similar features and performance. The current release of the Corvette is still the fastest in its class and to previous Corvettes that were released. 

3. The Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Roadster comes with a power ignition hardtop, which is a modification from the previous SL design. It is probably the most extravagant aspect of the design. However, the most awesome feature in this car is its mechanical features that come with a V12 engine and produces 604-hp. The car can blast you away in a glimpse because of its speed.

4. The Jaguar XKR Convertible is a ‘looker’ with its external appearance. Its awesome look does not end there. The mechanical features resemble the other great features of the car. Compared to other versions of the Jaguar, the XKR is highly tuned and has a 390-hp V8 engine that generates the great performance of the sports car.

There are far more sports cars that can be categorized as ‘top of the line’ in their class and in their price categories. Other sports cars that can be classified as super exotic cars include the Ferrari F430, Porsche Carrera GT, Cadillac XLR Star Black Limited, BMW 645Cic, and the Lexus SC 430.  

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