Mood:  energetic

2004 Toyota Tundra Double Cab Beats Competitors, F-150 SuperCrew

The heat wave beats down on the Valley floor for a few weeks now. The asphalt becomes a hot cauldron which bounces back the rays of the sun. In this part of the Golden State, very few people venture out if they don't have to. They'll go to work and run necessary errands, but they'll always seek the comfort of a nicely ventilated area. The preceding factor caused me to postpone my test driving of the 2004 Toyota Tundra Double Cab pickup until last Saturday. Then, the conditions were livable or bearable.

My first glance at the Tundra came obviously from the car magazines I browsed through. Then, I had the opportunity to see it up close and personal at the World Ag Expo last February in Tulare, CA. The minute I hopped on one of these trucks, I was sold. My best friend who accompanied knew it. Between work and kids' duties, I was not left with much time to do any test-driving until this past week-end.

What do I really like about the 2004 Toyota Tundra? First things first, allow me to tell you what attracted me to the Double Cab pickup. If I am not mistaken then and now, it's one of the longest beds of any full-size four-door half-ton truck I have even seen in the marketplace. For sure, the Toyota engineers who came up with the concept and designed this truck wanted to take the competitors by the throat. There's no telling that Toyota vehicles fans and car enthusiasts are showing their appreciation by the number of sales and interest tests. The Double Cab truck is built on a ladder frame chassis that is longer than the chassis shared by the Tundra Regular Cab and Access Cab models. It also has a wheelbase that is longer than the Ford F-150 SuperCrew, the darling of the working men and women. There is no doubt that Toyota takes its competition seriously. When it has been doing so well in almost all the categories, one may remain astounded by the performance and level of workmanship that go into each single vehicle. Hey, folks, that's not all. Add 3 inches of overall height and more than 4 inches of overall width, then you have the perfect Double Cab's presence that rivals that of a big rig.

The Features are numerous on the Double Cab pickup. How about the ride?

The Double Cab is available in SR5 and Limited grades and two- or four-wheel-drive configurations. On this relatively cool Saturday afternoon, I took the Tundra for a ride on the freeway near the dealership. It was frankly a smooth, quiet and responsive. Once you are behind the wheel, you know you are in a truck, but you will not trade the comfort you have when driving a top Sedan. This is why I noticed that more and more women are purchasing these half-ton trucks. They are driving something that can protect. Maybe a Hummer would be safer but talk about the gas hikes, the thought is gone. On the Tundra, power is produced by 4.7L i-Force V-8 engine. As I was driving back to the dealership, I took a look at the cabin which reminded me of the legendary Honda Civic visibility display. I had a great view of the road. I have no complaints against the placement of the displays, controls and switches.

Inside the huge cabin, you'll find lots of nooks and crannies for storage. You'll find a change compartment and two-step storage bin appropriately located near the center console. Even when you seat in the rear, you'll feel comfortable. Tall guys like us won't mind riding in the back. Lots of leg-room space and comfort. The back seat is not like those you are used to on all the competitors.

Take this: The rear seating area is also a 60/40 split/fold/tumble bench design which allows all and part of the seat to fold flat or to flip up out of the way in order to provide a secure place for fragile cargo. If you are into features, you'll find out that the Double Cab offers more than you can remember.

What do I recommend? This is a great truck to own. Consider the length of cargo bed. It's deeper and longer than most trucks on the market. Consider all the comfort your kids and friends can have as passengers in the back seat. The truck is worth your investment.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 2:38 PM

Updated: Monday, 26 July 2004 2:42 PM

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Understanding the 9/11 Commission Report & Safety Assessments

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 3:15 AM

Updated: Friday, 23 July 2004 3:22 AM

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Mood:  celebratory

Listen to "If You Believe"

So many things to see and do beyond the borders of California! Now that you are 16 and are ready to hop on a plane to explore the medical fields, just open up to the world and embrace the good things that await you. Be like a sponge, learn everything that will help you become the professional (maybe a doctor) or anything you want to be. Always remember your roots, your grandparents and parents who bend over backwards to make you who you are today!

Congratulations and hats off to you! Have fun and tell us about it!
Listen to "Let The Good Times Roll"

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 1:43 PM

Updated: Thursday, 22 July 2004 3:57 PM

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How Much Did You Know About The Bible, Israel and Iraq?

Submitted by Selca

1.. The garden of Eden was in Iraq. (It sure doesn't look much like Paradise on earth today thanks to Saddam)

2. Mesopotamia which is now Iraq was the cradle of civilization!

3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.

4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq.

5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!

6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor which is in Iraq.

7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq.

8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq.

9. Assyria which is in Iraq conquered the ten tribes of Israel.

10. Amos cried out in Iraq!

11. Babylon which is in Iraq destroyed Jerusalem.

12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq!

13. The 3 Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (That's good news to know that JESUS has been in Iraq too as the 4th person in the fiery furnace!)

14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq.

15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq.

16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq.

17. The wise men were from Iraq. (where are the "wise" men today?)

18. Peter preached in Iraq.

19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon which was a city in Iraq!

And you have probably seen this one. Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq! However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land of Shinar, and Mesopotamia. The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The name Iraq, means country with deep roots. Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible. Here's why.

And also...

This is something to think about! Since America is typically represented by an eagle. Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages... The following verse is from the Quran, (the Islamic Bible)

Quran (9:11) -- For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; and there was peace. (Note the verse number...)

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 9:42 PM

Updated: Saturday, 23 October 2004 6:49 AM

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Mood:  celebratory

Let's give some credits to Kat: she prepared the chile and menudo. Everybody loves them. Great job!

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 1:16 PM

Updated: Thursday, 27 October 2005 2:50 PM

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If you know somebody who has a heightened sense of fashion, design and interior decor and who wants to show his/her work to the public, let us know. If you yourself want to give us your two cents on these topics, inform us. If you have any special ideas that should be featured on this blog, send us a query or submission.

In the meantime, visit Couples Dedication Page, Fashion Show & Catch of the Month

Listen to Boogie Boogie

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 3:07 PM

Updated: Sunday, 11 July 2004 2:28 AM

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Mood:  celebratory

Do you want to go for the XE, SE or LE? Whichever type you choose, you can only be a happy truck owner. Consider the following: Four (4) real doors in a car-like truck which comes with all the sturdiness and roughness of any truck on the road!

Are you wondering about whether you should trade in your current vehicle to be able to afford this new Nissan Titan Crew? Are you on the market for a new vehicle? Whatever your reasons to look at this great truck, once you've read this review, you may not hesitate to purchase one. I have long been a fan of the Nissan vehicles. Part of my loyalty to this brand comes from my childhood years. The Datsun brand was folded into Nissan. And I continue to like Nissan cars. When my wife bought her van a few years ago, I was there to cheer her on. If we could wait a few years, I would be more than willing to put that money toward a this all-new V-8 engine Titan. While we are still satisfied with the performance of our Nissan Quest, we may be asking whether the time to trade it in is just around the corner. So, it did not bother me to go car-testing this past week-end. My eyes converged on gray 2004 Titan parked right in front of the local dealership. After doing the essential walking around and asking a few questions, it was time for my wife, kids and me to explore the secrets of this great piece of moving technology.

What are some of the features that attracted me to this workhorse truck?

Specs and Features: This 4-door 4WD full-size crew cab can seat 6 passengers easily. It can tow 9,400 pounds, way more than most half-ton extended or crew cab can. (The competitors can't stand this heat right here!) It can haul up to 1,850 pounds. this 5-foot, 7-inch truck bed has a to-die-for tie-down system that provides comfort, flexibility as well as convenience in hauling cargo. You don't have to worry about your products, cargo being squeezed to the point of destruction.

This crew cab has an all-new V-8 engine with aluminum cylinder heads and block. Keep in mind that it's a 5.6 liter engine which can produce 305 horsepower and 379 lbs.-ft of torque. The truck sits high above the ground. Take it off-road and you will realize how easy it is on practically all types of terrain. What else does it come equipped with? Its five-speed automatic transmission is geared toward heavy-duty truck use and towing.

Gas-guzzler or what?

One of my main concerns had to do with its fuel economy. It's always the issue with a V-8 engine. I was somewhat relieved to find out that the crew cab does 14 mpg in the city and 18 on the highway. Actually, this is better than I expected for such a powerful truck. Who does not feel concerned by the recent high costs of gas. It's unfortunate that these vehicles are known to be gas-guzzlers. More and more, such vehicle types as the GMC Yukon XL, Yukon XI Denali and Chevrolet Suburban, F 150 are becoming very common on the road. We have to tell the truth about this vehicle here.

All throughout my testing, what I enjoyed the most was the smoothness and acceleration of the truck. The handling and performance were what I expected. As I am keen on safety features, I quickly checked them out in the booklet. The list of safety features is pretty long. It has front seat side-impact and curtain supplemental airbags with adjustable upper anchors. My wife quickly pointed to the LATCH child seat anchor system. My kids were kept busy by the movie they wanted to watch on the DVD Mobile Theatre System with fold-down 7-inch monitor and 350-watt 10-speaker Rockford Fosgage-powered sound system.

What else should be noted in the truck?

Remote keyless entry, remote down windows, tilt steering column, speed-sensitive wipers, front captain chair, six cup holders and bottle holders.

It's a great truck that you'll be proud to show to your friends.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 2:52 PM

Updated: Saturday, 23 October 2004 6:52 AM

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Mood:  bright

Scattered Nuggets of Policy, Wisdom But More Confessional Mode

It pays to be president of the Unitied States of America. We must quickly admit that while the salary of a sitting president may not be more than that--let's say- a baseball, basketball or Football player or a Hollywood/action star, Silicon Valley entrepreneur, any president stands to make lots of money once he leaves office. Now we are not talking about the ego boost that comes from being the top male, alpha male in the world. In a few terms, the office of the president does pay through special speeches, presentations, fund-raising events, book publications and memoirs. Such is the case for the brilliant mind, great speaker former President Bill Clinton.

How many people can receive a $12 million advance on a book way before anything is written? More interestingly is speed at which the same book is made a bestseller list from New York to San Francisco and anywhere else in between.

Clinton's presidency was greatly marked by many years of peace and prosperity. As we look back on the 1990s, we can say that his tenure benefitted from the collapse of the Soviet Union or the end of the Cold War, the economic wealth created by the computer and Internet and the various forms of businesses they spawned. With lots of pressures from his party members and Republicans, the Clinton administration managed to balance the budget and start the welfare reform.

If Clinton was not a politician, he could have been a good marketer. He knows how to gauge the public's needs. He appears to like numbers. Well, let's say with 957 pages, My Life covers lots of interesting topics and events that took place under his guard. One reader of the book even suggested that Clinton may have had time to watch the Oprah Winfrey Show. He knows what the readers want. Just like any American of these times, Clinton knows about the power of the confessional mode. It sells books especially if they are full with tidbits from his personal life indiscretion.

My Life is not a dry book: Clinton accepts the blame for his affair with Monica Lewinsky

(His joke is that the impeachment brought him closer to his wife who had initially sent him to the dog house -couch-). As I go through the various pages of this tome, I get to understand the President's greatness and weaknesses. Look, he'll tell you he's just like us. He can rise and fall all at once. He is not a fool who does not recognize his mistakes.

Clinton is too smart to have written a dry book about policies. He did not want the book to be about setting scores with his opponents in the "Right Wing Conspiracy." Ken Starr and his impeachers are on top of the list. He knew he had to come clean first to his wife and then to the nation. Didn't we see this type of emotional tragedies in the French and English literature and history? He will be greatly sorry for the rift he created in his own family. He admitted that his daughter and his wife became distant. He admitted to being pained by the sorrow and shame of his beloved daughter who was at a crucial time in her own life.

My Life shows Clinton loves himself. He uses the confessional mode to tell his story. It's a form of storytelling popularized mostly by the talk shows of which Oprah champions. He volunteers information that has been in the public domain for years. He also makes some revelations about his mother who was married five times to four men. To connect with the average reader in Middle America, he writes about his hardship growing up in Arkansas in a home where his stepfather and his mother did not always get along. He reveals that man had an alcohol problem. Clinton also writes about his tendency to hide things away from those who love him the most. A man with a good and bad side. A real man. A complete man. In the book, he wants to side with those who defend sexual privacy. He also becomes contrite writing about the details of the affair and its impact on his wife and daughter.

This time, Bill Clinton does not need a poll to tell him that Americans like reading about the intimate details of powerful and famous people. Even if they had heard the story from prosecutor Ken Star and his group, the average American readers want to read the story of the affair from the main actor, the most powerful man of his time.

My Life is an interesting book that will shed more light on the man who is Bill Clinton, his administration and his aspirations. If you thought you knew this intellectual, Bill Clinton, read this book. You'll find out that he does not like to be called "slick bill." Clinton is a survivor. He knows how to turn the misfortunes and defeats of his life into great stories of triumph.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 3:07 PM

Updated: Wednesday, 25 January 2006 8:10 PM

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