Sunny season is just around the corner - for those of us in the northern hemisphere, that is – and so are the summer movies.

Here’s a list of 11 upcoming action movies that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This summer is going to be hot in theaters…

May 2013

1.Fast & Furious 6

In this sequel to Fast Five, Dom (Vin Diesel), Brian (Paul Walker) and their crew are left with $100 million after a previous heist but, still on the run, they’re unable to return home to their families. Agent Hobbs needs Dom’s team in order to rival an international organization of lethal drivers. In return, Dom’s crew will get full pardon for their past actions. In Fast & Furious 6 director Justin Lin has taken the action, stunts and narrative to a whole new level.

2.The East

“We are The East.
We don’t care how rich you are.
We want all those who are guilty to experience the terror of their crimes…”
Ex-FBI agent Sarah Moss (Brit Marling) goes undercover to infiltrate elusive anarchist group The East, whose main target is corporations guilty of covering up criminal activity. As Sarah gets deeply involved with the group she falls in love with anarchist Benji and faces moral contradictions in her own life.

June 2013

3.Man of Steel

“In time, they will join you in the sun. In time, you will help them accomplish wonders…”
Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) has directed this latest Superman film. Going back to the origins of the DC Comics superhero, Man of Steel tells the story of a young boy who discovers that he has supernatural powers. He goes on a journey to find out where he came from but he must unleash the hero within him to save mankind. Starring Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner and Russell Crowe, this movie can be enjoyed by Superman fans and ordinary people alike.

4.World War Z

A zombie pandemic takes over the globe, and United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) is called to the rescue. Leaving his family behind, Lane traverses the world, racing against time, in attempt to save humanity from extinction. Based on a book by Max Brooks and directed by Marc Foster, World War Z is an apocalyptic horror film packed with action. Not for the faint of heart…

July 2013

5.The Lone Ranger

“If we ride together,
we ride for justice…”
First appeared in an American radio show back in 1933, the Lone Ranger has become an enduring icon of American culture. Now the team behind Pirates of the Caribbean, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski, are bringing the legendary Old West masked hero to life through new eyes, using humor and friction. Starring Armie Hammer in the title role and Johnnie Depp as Tonto, The Lone Ranger tells the tale of John Reid, a man of the law, and his transformation into a legend of justice, fighting against greed and corruption.

6.RED 2

A sequel to the 2010 action-comedy hit RED, RED 2 sees retired black-ops agent Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) reuniting his team of elite fighters. The current mission: To track down a missing portable nuclear device. Starring John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lee Byung-hun, Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren, this high octane film will take you to Paris, London and Moscow.

7.The Wolverine

If you’re a fan of the X-men movies, you’ll be in for a treat! Two years in the making, Wolverine takes the most iconic character of the X-men universe to modern day Japan. With so many deadly enemies to confront, it’s hard to know who to trust any longer. But Wolverine also has an internal war to fight, struggling with his own immortality. Starring Hugh Jackman, the latest installment of the X-men series is also the most action peaked. Focusing on Wolverine’s character, it brings a fresh perspective to the movie.

August 2013

8.300: Rise of an Empire

The year is 480 BC. The Persian forces, led by king Xerxes I of Persia (Rodrigo Santoro), and Artemisia (Eva Green), vengeful commander of the Persian navy, march towards the major Greek city states. First in line is Athens. Heavily outnumbered in ships, admiral Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton) attempts to unite all Greece in a naval engagement that will change the course of the war. The backstory of Xerxes and how he became the God King will also be covered. 300: Rise of an Empire is a follow-up to Zack Snyder’s 300.

9.Elysium

Moving into Canada at 18, after growing up in Apartheid South Africa, District 9 director Neill Blomkamp witnessed the polarities of the Third vs. First World. In Elysium, Blomkamp takes this reality to the most logical extreme. In the year 2154 the wealthy live on a state of the art man-made space station called Elysium while the rest live on a ruined planet: Earth has gone completely Third World where crime, war and poverty are rampant. His life at stake, Max (Matt Damon), an ordinary man on Earth is on a dangerous, urgent mission to get to Elysium. Should he succeed, he could save millions of other people on Earth as well.

10.Kick-Ass 2

Highschool hero Kick-Ass returns, inspiring a group of self made masked crusaders. As Hit-Girl Mindy is forced to retire, Kick-Ass joins Colonel Stars and Stripes (Jim Carrey) and his team, in attempt to bring down supervillain Red Mist, reborn as The Mother F****r. Based on a comic book of the same name and Hit-Girl (both by Mark Millar and John Romiota, Jr.), Kick-Ass 2 is a sequel to the 2010 action comedy film Kick-Ass.

11.Getaway

In this action thriller film The wife of Brent Magna (Ethan Hawke), a burned out race car driver, is kidnapped. There’s only one hope for Brent to save his wife’s life: With his only ally, a hacker kid (Selena Gomez), Brent has to stay behind the wheel, following the orders of a mysterious voice who watches every move of his through overhead cameras.

Summer Films: 11 Hot Action Movies You Don’t Want to Miss this Summer is a post from: Lifed

Though we all experience them on a nightly basis, dreams are mysterious occurrences; even scientists who study the brain have not been able to determine exactly why we dream. There are many different theories of dream interpretation, but most generally agree that dreams symbolize hidden aspects of our lives;

dreams are a way for us to recognize and process our unconscious fears, desires, and beliefs. Some people also believe that dreams can be omens that can warn us of upcoming changes or threats in our lives. At the most basic level, dreams are composed of images, symbols that come from our unconscious minds. As follows are the most popular interpretations for 50 common dream images, drawing on mythological and Jungian archetypes, folk wisdom, and a little bit of psychology (note that most images have multiple possible interpretations). What are your dreams trying to tell you?

Angel

An omen of good luck, prosperity, or protection

Delivery of an important message – Pay attention to what the angel or angels have to say.

Divinity, spirituality – Seeing three angels is considered especially holy and meaningful.

Animal

Habits, instincts – Animals are simplistic creatures and therefore represent the most basic drives and urges that are key to our survival.

Depends on animal size and tameness – Small, tame animals can represent children or siblings, while large, wild animals can represent exciting, sexy people.

Depends on animal type – See below entries for common dream animal images Cat, Dog, Horse, and Snake.

Baby

Purity and rebirth

Good luck – Could predict success or good news.

Vulnerability – You are feeling vulnerable or are anxious about taking care of a needy person.

Barrier (or Wall)

Feeling stuck, limited, or restricted – Could relate to your love life, work, or another area of your life where you feel trapped

An obstacle to success or progress that you need to confront

Dream Symbols: 50 Common Dream Images Decoded is a post from: Lifed

Even the dumbest people can be right some of the time, and we’ve got these Homer Simpson Quotes, unfortunately true, to prove our point.

On Ambition

Bart, with $10,000, we’d be millionaires! We could buy all kinds of useful things like…love!

What’s the point of going out, we’re just going to end up back here anyway?

Son, if you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now quiet! They’re about to announce the lottery numbers.

That’s it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I’m going to clown college!

Why They’re True: These quotes from Homer Simpson represent the misguided and misdirected importance we place on things like money, staying active, and wastefulness. From money mismanagement to laziness to ridiculous dreams, the man symbolizes a certain section of society that isn’t that much of an exaggeration. And that’s just sad.

On Work Ethic

Lisa, if you don’t like your job you don’t strike. You just go in every day and do it really half-assed. That’s the American way.

If something goes wrong at the plant, blame the guy who can’t speak English.

I think Smithers picked me because of my motivational skills. Everyone says they have to work a lot harder when I’m around.

If something’s hard to do, then it’s not worth doing.

Bart, you’re saying butt-kisser like it’s a bad thing!

Trying is the first step towards failure.

Why They’re True: Passive aggressiveness on the job. Blaming others for your own short-comings. Slacking off and creating a burden to co-workers for the same level of reward. Laziness (again). Brown-nosing to get ahead. Defeatist attitudes. Unfortunately, these philosophies from The Simpsons all too often reflect the American work ethic. Funny on TV, sad in real life.

On Truth

Getting out of jury duty is easy. The trick is to say you’re prejudiced against all races.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that’s even remotely true!

Why They’re True: The presidential election of 2012 was one of the most bitter in the history of the United States. Stirring the pot was a partisan-divided media represented in factions like MSNBC and FOX News. These days the truth is wherever you want to find it, and it’s something that can be shaped to meet your own ends.

On Family

Marriage is like a coffin and each kid is another nail.

It’s not easy to juggle a pregnant wife and a troubled child, but somehow I managed to fit in eight hours of TV a day.

We’re gonna get a new TV. Twenty-one inch screen, realistic flesh tones, and a little cart so we can wheel it into the dining room on holidays.

Why They’re True: Hate to be a buzz-kill here, but too often, marriages and families are entered in to lightly by people not ready for the responsibility. They begin to look at their lifestyle choices as burdens instead of blessings. Abuse, neglect, and indifference, arise as a result. They use the time they do have to complain or take part in destructive, brain-sucking activities instead of enriching ones. Then, they wonder why their kids are failing or getting in trouble at school.

On Education

How is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain. Remember when I took that home winemaking course, and I forgot how to drive?

Beer: The cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.

I’m in no condition to drive…wait! I shouldn’t listen to myself, I’m drunk!

All right, brain. You don’t like me and I don’t like you, but let’s just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.

All right, let’s not panic. I’ll make the money by selling one of my livers. I can get by with one.

Bart, a woman is like beer. They look good, they smell good, and you’d step over your own mother just to get one!

Why They’re True: Homer Simpson and Duff Beer should have never met, but together they have resulted in some of the show’s best moments. What else is there to say here? Yes, beer bad. Yes, beer good. Another round for everyone.

On Healthcare

America’s health care system is second only to Japan… Canada, Sweden, Great Britain… well, all of Europe. But you can thank your lucky stars we don’t live in Paraguay!

Why It’s True: Until you can get a mole removed without paying $1,000 or more, this is one of those Homer Simpson Quotesthat’ll always be true.

On The Past

I know what you’re saying, Bart. When I was young, I wanted an electric football machine more than anything else in the world, and my parents bought it for me, and it was the happiest day of my life. Well, goodnight.

I saw this movie about a bus that had to SPEED around a city, keeping its SPEED over fifty, and if its SPEED dropped, it would explode! I think it was called, “The Bus That Couldn’t Slow Down.”

Why They’re True: The older you get, the harder it is to remember things about your past. Can’t tell you how many times we’ve walked into a room to get something only to forget why we stood up in the first place. These quotes are sobering reminders.

On Manners

I wonder where Bart is, his dinner’s getting all cold, and eaten.

Why It’s True: It seems no one has the common courtesy to wait on others to get their food before eating anymore. We want what we want, and we want it now.

On Race

I’m a white male, age 18 to 49. Everyone listens to me, no matter how dumb my suggestions are.

Why It’s True: Well, it’s becoming less true, that’s for sure. But it still happens. More than 200 years of US Presidents will attest to it. And since the Great Depression, we haven’t exactly been batting 1,000.

On Relationships

Marge, it takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen.

Why It’s True: Whenever someone gets caught lying, they rationalize in any way they can to keep from making a full apology, even if that means taking others down with them. Again, we refer you to the US political scene.

On Reasoning

Shut up, Brain, or I’ll stab you with a Q-tip!

Why It’s True: “I couldn’t help myself” is a comment that gets thrown around a lot in infidelity, embezzlement, [insert crime or immoral action here]. We know better; we just don’t want to listen.

On Parenting

OK, son. Just remember to have fun out there today, and if you lose, I’LL KILL YOU!

Son, being popular is the most important thing in the whole world.

Just because I don’t care doesn’t mean I don’t understand.

Yeah Moe that team sure did suck last night. They just plain sucked! I’ve seen teams suck before, but they were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked! Oh, I gotta go, my damn weiner kids are listening.

You know, my kids think you’re the greatest. And thanks to your gloomy music, they’ve finally stopped dreaming of a future I can’t possibly provide.

Why They’re True: These quotes all represent Homer Simpson in his finest moments — being a terrible parent. Nevertheless, how often do you see parents driving their kids to win at all costs, not listening or spending quality time with their children, or teaching them to lower their expectations for life either on purpose or inadvertently through words or actions?

On Sexuality And Gender Roles

Marge, you being a cop makes you the man! Which makes me the woman — and I have no interest in that, besides occasionally wearing the underwear, which as we discussed, is strictly a comfort thing.

Why It’s True: Yep, women’s underwear. Surprisingly comfortable. Um, wait, I didn’t just — d’oh!

The Simpsons has long been one of the finest satires in entertainment history. Through this small collection of Homer Simpson Quotes, we’ve shown you some uncomfortable truths the series has revealed in hopes that, maybe, it’ll help you make your world a better place.

36 Homer Simpson Quotes That Are Unfortunately True is a post from: Lifed

These Stars And Their Hollywood Deaths Sent Ripple Effects Through The Nation And, In Some Cases, Remain Mysteries Today.

1. Fatty Arbuckle – Maybe the First Hollywood Death Scandal

One of the first deaths that shook Hollywood came in 1921 involving Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle. The talented comedian of the silent movie era was at a party with bit player Virginia Rappe, who turned up at a sanitarium a few days later deathly ill. Rappe had become intoxicated at the party, and an area madam accused Arbuckle of raping the actress while she was in an inebriated state. Rappe’s manager elaborated and stated that Arbuckle had used a piece of ice to cause the injuries, which would lead to Rappe’s death. Evidence against Arbuckle was scant, and he was eventually acquitted, but not before a promising career had derailed. For a long time, his films were banned outright. He would eventually win a new contract with Warner Brothers to do a feature film, but on the same day he signed it in 1933, Fatty Arbuckle dropped dead of a heart attack.

2. George Reeves - Death by Suicide or Hollywood  Murder?

As Tinseltown controversies go, George Reeves is one of the more baffling because of the numerous conflicting stories from those who were at his house when the Superman actor allegedly shot himself while sitting on the bed in his room. Some reports have blamed Toni Mannix, a former showgirl, and her husband Eddie Mannix, then MGM general manager. Reeves and Toni were having an affair. Meanwhile, Reeves was engaged to Leonore Lemmon, who in some accounts, was upstairs at the time of the gunshot that took Reeves’ life. Some stories claim Lemmon ran down the stairs yelling to the guests, “Tell them [police] I was down here, tell them I was down here!” Officially, Reeves’ death was ruled a suicide brought on by depression at not getting the parts he desired. All three scenarios were dramatized in the Ben Affleck joint Hollywoodland.

 3. Johnny Stompanato – Stabbed to Death by Hollywood Starlet’s Daughter

By most accounts, Johnny Stompanato was a POS criminal with a bad temper and a penchant for beating women. Sort of the Chris Brown of his time, you might say, except that he was more mobster and less singer. The fact anyone would want to stab Stompanato to death, especially with rumors persisting that he was beating on his wife, the beloved actress Lana Turner, wouldn’t normally be cause for alarm. But when you consider the perpetrator of the crime was Turner’s teenage daughter Cheryl Crane, the murder is a little more surprising. Not surprising was the reason she did it. “Johnny Stomp” was sparring with Turner when the young girl finally had enough and put a knife in him.

4. Natalie Wood – Accidental Hollywood Drowning Death or Murder?

For years, the accidental death of Natalie Wood has been questioned by conspiracy theorists and law enforcement officials alike. Recently, Los Angeles County rescue boat captain accused Wood’s husband Robert Wagner of ignoring Wood’s screams for help and allowing her to drown. Of course, he made those comments to The National Enquirer, so instantly you’ve got to question the authenticity of his claims. Nevertheless, the mystery stands and likely will live on well beyond the deaths of those who were on the boat the night Wood fell overboard and slipped into her watery grave.

 5. Thomas Ince – Scandal, Death, Big money and Hollywood

Perhaps the biggest cover-up in Hollywood history — rumored, anyway — is the death of Thomas Ince. If you believe the legend, he was just an unlucky schmuck, who got between the gun of media magnate William Randolph Hearst and actor Charlie Chaplin. (Chaplin was apparently sleeping with Hearst’s wife, presumably while on the same boat. Talk about nuts. Officially, Ince’s death was ruled a heart attack, but keep in mind that Hearst pretty much controlled the national media in those days, and it’s easy to see how such a betrayal could push one into crime of passion territory. Perhaps the shock of accidentally killing Ince instead made Hearst forget about his rage long enough to concoct the heart attack angle. We’ll never know. What we do know is that the initial reports were that Ince was shot, though the exact circumstances were kept mum. The story was later revised to heart attack. Or so the scandal says.

6. David Carradine – Choked to Death in Classic Hollywood Style

The last thing anyone wants when they die is for their demise to be used as an illustration for terms like “auto-erotic asphyxiation.” Alas, that’s the burden David Carradine’s entry in this list of Hollywood deaths must carry. While the usual conspiracy theories are unavoidable in a case like this — Carradine was found alone apparently choked to death while, ahem, pleasuring himself — two former wives agreed that he had an affinity for self bondage and “dark” behavior. In an earlier divorce filing, ex-wife Marina Anderson said, “it was the continuation of abhorrent and deviant sexual behavior which was potentially deadly,” that led her to file.

7. Brandon Lee – Shot to Death on Hollywood Set

Brandon Lee’s shooting death on the set of The Crow is one of the biggest tragedies in Hollywood history. Scandal grew naturally from that with the question of how an actor could be killed in a scene with a firearm in the late 20th Century, but that’s exactly what happened. Lee’s uber-healthy dad Bruce Lee also puzzled fans when he died at the age of 32 from an apparent cerebral edema, but for Brandon to have been gunned down while shooting a scene in a movie — well, the curse proponents certainly had something to work with. The Crow was a huge commercial success, in part because people wanted to see if they could spot the scene; but mostly, it did well because it’s a great movie with a terrific final performance from its lead star.

8. Vic Morrow – Death by Hollywood Helicopter

The death of actor Vic Morrow while filming a scene for Twilight Zone: The Movie was one of the most gut-wrenching ever, made worse by the fact that two small children were also victims of the helicopter accident that claimed Morrow’s life. On the morning of July 23, 1982, director John Landis made the unconscionable decision to film a scene that required a low-flying helicopter in turbulent weather conditions. The helicopter pilot lost control and the machine crashed down on the three actors. Unfortunately, video footage for Morrow’s death still exists. While you won’t find any clean copies of the carnage itself — the propeller decapitated Morrow and one of the children — what you will find is disturbing enough. Which Hollywood deaths did you find the most shocking?

8 Hollywood Deaths That Shook The Nation is a post from: Lifed

Do you often daydream about flying off into the deep blue yonder, but don’t think you have the funds to make your aviation dreams come true?

Sure, you could get airborne by taking a helicopter tour or hot air balloon ride for a few hundred dollars, but it’s not the same as piloting your own aircraft.
Well, it might just be cheaper to take that solo flight than you think. Whether you’re most interested in ultralight aviation, unpowered gliding, or flying an actual airplane, you can read on to learn some of the best ways to fly high without letting your bank balance drop too low.

Gliding

Hang gliding, paragliding and powered gliding are all relatively inexpensive ways to experience the freedom of personal flight. Let’s break down the features and costs associated with each.

So what are the differences between these three types of gliding? A hang glider is a non-motorized aircraft whose structure consists of a triangular-shaped aluminum alloy frame with a wing made of parachute fabric. The aircraft must be foot-launched from a hill or tow system. Still, you can sail for hours on a hang glider. A paraglider more closely resembles a parachute, as it has no rigid structure. These ultra-portable flyers (one can fit into a backpack) are also non-motorized, requiring a foot or tow launch. Powered paragliding is a type of ultralight aviation in which the pilot is propelled by a motor on his back, without requiring any foot-launch. There are also powered hang gliders, though the propeller is not very strong and these are mostly popular only among experienced hang glider pilots.

Depending on environmental conditions, altitude, and technique, most gliding experiences, powered or otherwise, will allow you to soar at speeds ranging from about 20 MPH up to 50 MPH at a typical launch altitude of 2,000 to 2,500 feet. However, some experienced “speed gliders” can “dive” their hang glider at speeds as high as 80 MPH.

When it comes to cost calculation, the first thing you should know is that in the United States, you do not need a pilot license to operate any of these gliders. Training, however, is highly recommended for obvious safety reasons, and licenses may be required to glide solo in certain areas. Depending on how much training you want to get, it may consist of a few hours to a few days’ worth of instruction and may cost anywhere from a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars. However, you should be able to get sufficient training on each technique without paying more than about $1,200.

If you want to go on to purchase your own glider after taking lessons, you will typically pay the following for each:

Hang glider: $2,500 to $5,000 new; $1,000 or less used
Paraglider: $5,000 new; $2,500 used
Powered paraglider (complete package including wing, harnesses, and motor): $6,000 to $9,500

As you can see, you can become a regular recreational hang glider for under $2,500, a paraglider for under $5,000, and a powered paraglider for under $10,000 – or pay a fraction of these prices if you just want to try it and don’t end up purchasing your own glider.

Powered Parachute

A powered parachute (PPC) is a motorized parachute with wheels that can travel between 25 and 35 MPH at altitudes between 500 and 1,500 feet. With a relatively slow, low-altitude ride, powered parachutes are great for sightseeing and photography. No airport is required to take off or land – if you live out in the country, you could theoretically fly from your backyard! The engine size allows about three hours of flying time. As with powered gliders, most of these stable, simple aircrafts fall into the “ultralight” aviation category, which means that no license is required to fly one – however, this only applies to one-seaters. If you want to fly a two-seater PPC, which is considered a light sport aircraft, you will need to get a sport pilot license.

The total cost to own a single-seat PPC, including the paramotor and the parachute, ranges from about $7,000 to $9,000 (or as little as half those prices if purchased used), so including the cost of instruction, you could easily become a PPC pilot and owner for less than $10,000.

Ultralight Trike

Maybe you want something a little closer to a real airplane experience. While it might look more like a cross between a hang glider and an airplane, an ultralight trike is a special type of low-cost aircraft that you could fly across the ocean, and into your backyard landing strip. Trikes consist of a flexible, high-performance Rogallo wing, a cockpit, a propeller, and three-wheeled landing gear. The pilot sits comfortably in an open cockpit, steering the aircraft using weight-shift flight control. Some have described the ultralight trike as a “flying motorcycle.” The average speed for an ultralight trike is 75 MPH and it can fly as high as 10,000 feet. And as long as the trike falls into the ultralight, single-seater category, no license is required to fly one. Private training costs are comparable to that for other types of ultralight aviation (typically less than $2,000).

You can purchase a new ultralight trike for as little as $5,000 and trike enthusiasts claim you can build one yourself for as cheap as $2,000!

Hot air balloon

While it’s not for everyone and is one of the more expensive of these options, for some people, hot air ballooning is the ultimate airborne experience. Hot air balloons are the oldest flight technology and with average speeds of 15 MPH, they make for a relaxed, even therapeutic flights. Pilots typically use them to sail over scenic areas, such as forests and fields, and even across deserts and mountains. Carried by heated air, hot air balloons can fly at very high altitudes, though oxygen is needed for flights exceeding 15,000 feet and most flights do not exceed 3,000 feet. A typical flight is one to two hours, but it is possible to take days-long trips on a hot air balloon.

Pilots navigate using wind currents, and while you can plan flights to some extent, the landing destination may not be exact – balloon aviation is for the type of person who prefers to travel “wherever the wind takes you.”

Like the other aircrafts discussed here, hot air balloons do not require a license to operate if their weight puts them in the ultralight aircraft category. However, some hot air balloons belong to the “lighter-than-air” or “lightweight” categories, which require licensing, as do balloons that carry more than one person. Hot air balloons must also be annually FAA-inspected as to their airworthiness.

While new hot air balloons can range from $20,000 upwards, you can find a smaller used balloon for as little as $5,000. Keep in mind that maintenance, regulatory, insurance, and fuel expenses will cost between hundreds and thousands of dollars per year as well – fuel costs, of course, depend on flight length and frequency (most sport pilots fly only between 35 and 75 hours a year). You’ll also need a “chaser” crew to help inflate and deflate the balloon and assist with take offs and landings. Theoretically, though, you could become a recreational hot air balloon pilot and owner for an initial cost of well under $10,000.

Single-engine plane

For some aspiring pilots, nothing but a real airplane will do. And while you might assume that all planes carry price tags of six-figures and upward (as most, indeed, do), it is possible to get a simple, single-engine plane for far less than that. Basic recreational airplanes like the Cessna 150, the Piper Colt, and the Cessna 120/140 can be purchased for around $15,000, and other respectable models, like the Taylorcraft BC-12, and the Ercoupe 415 might be available for as little as $12,000. On eBay, you can even find some all-metal ultralight planes listed at under $10,000. Of course, you should be very informed about what type of plane you are buying and shouldn’t just buy the cheapest plane you can find. You want the make sure that the plane has good maintenance records — most of the above-mentioned planes are 1940s and ’50s-era models — as well as good safety specs, and no damage history (and also consider the costs for upkeep, insurance, fuel, etc.).

You’ll also need a pilot’s license to fly lightweight planes, though a sport pilot license to fly lightweight planes should not cost much more than $3,500.

All in all, if you are dedicated to becoming an airplane pilot and owner, you can do so for under $20,000 – and you can become a certified pilot for less than $5,000 if you (quite understandably) don’t have enough spare cash right now to spring for your own plane just yet. But hey, we all need a lofty goal to strive for!

5 Cheap Ways to Get Airborne is a post from: Lifed

What makes a tune stand out amongst so many others, or enables it to stand the test of time and span of generations? Most importantly, how does a song become dubbed as “one of the greatest of all time”, seemingly immortalized? Maybe it’s the duration that it dominates the U.S. Billboard charts. Maybe it’s how the song helps define our culture. Perhaps it’s the millions of memories it’s help shape. Then again, maybe it’s as simple as the length of time it’s withstood without being drowned out by every other artist, or it comes to symbolize–to millions of folks–monumental people, places, and/or events in time. Who knows.

100 different people will come up with 100 different lists. So, while we aim for objectivity as much as possible, much of this list (and virtually any “top” list, for that matter) will inevitably be subjective. Inasmuch, it would prove nearly impossible to definitively rank the very “best songs”; therefore, our team set four realistic standards:

1. There should be inclusion of songs from each of the last eight (or so) decades.
2. No single artist, past or present, shall be awarded more than four spots on the list.
3. Most genres of music, or to the most reasonable extent, shall be represented on the list.
4. To avoid assembling “just another ho-hum laundry list of the best songs”, each song will include a brief intro and other relevant, interesting information.
5. These songs are listed in no particular order.

*Key Abbreviations: RR/HoF (Denotes that the song is on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs That Shaped Rock chart), RS/500 (denotes the song’s inclusion on Rolling Stones‘s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time chart, proceeded by its rank—i.e. “No. 23″).

1. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones)

An anti-establishment, sexually suggestive song that was released in June of 1965 (August in the U.K.), “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” was an almost-instant, global hit. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote the legendary song, which helped launch the Stone’s unparalleled success in the music industry. And perhaps one of biggest reasons that “Satisfaction” topped the charts and was so phenomenally successful was because it represented a huge departure from societal norms and values and stirred up plenty of controversy among older Americans.

“Satisfaction” was the British group’s first American hit and their forth in their home country. It knocked “I Can’t Help Myself“ and “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch“ off the top of the charts when it released, riding them (including the Billboard Hot 100) for over four weeks (remaining there for 14 weeks) before being surpassed by Herman’s Hermits classic “I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am.” “Satisfaction” also has a permanent home in the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs That Shaped Rock compilation and boasts dozens of other major awards and honorable mentions from across the music industry.

Meaning of the Song: “Satisfaction” denoted unbridled rage, about the then-hugely-popular anti-establishment, anti-commercialism scene, as well as sex and sexual innuendo.

Accolades: RR/HoF; RS/500, No. 2; carried the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 consecutive weeks.

2. Jailhouse Rock (Elvis Presley)

Released in 1957 to coincide with Presley’s movie of the same name, where Elvis performed a highly elaborate dance rendition of the song among a jailhouse backdrop, “Jailhouse Rock” (with “Treat Me Nice” on the B-side) was and always will be one of the most famous, powerful and influential songs (particularly of its genre) of all time. In fact, it became so popular, that even iconic musicians and bands like The Residents, Merle Haggard, ZZ TOP, Motley Crue, John Couger Mellencamp, and Abba (and several other prominent musicians) have covered and even put their own spin on the song.

Meaning of the Song: Although never officially substantiated, “Jailhouse Rock” bore an almost uncanny resemblance to the theme and rendition of “Rock Around the Rockpile”, a song from the previously-released movie The Girl Can’t Help It.

Accolades: RS/500, No. 67; RR/HoF induction; seven consecutive weeks at the top of Billboard‘s Top 100 Number One Singles; over four million records sold; two double-platinum RIAA certifications.

3. The Twist (Chubby Checker)

Although originally conceived of, produced, and sung by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters in 1959, Chubby Checker became the person who turned this “twelve bars”, blues-esque song into a smash hit and dance craze. After debuting on Dick Clark’s Bandstand with the song that Ballard was originally scheduled to perform, it took the coveted No. 1 spot on the 1960 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart. Two years later, still wildly popular across the U.S., it reclaimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962 (No. 4 on the R&B Singles chart). Checker since recorded other versions of “The Twist”, including a rap variety in concert with the Fat Boys (1988) and a country version in the ’90s. “The Twist” was featured on Billboard‘s Hot 100 50th Anniversary, All-Time 100 Top Songs list at No. 1 (2008).

Meaning of the Song: According to Hank Ballard’s guitarist, “The Twist” was inspired by The Sensational Nightinggales (a ’50s gospel group) and Ballard’s “Is Your Love for Real” song—of which was inspired by The Drifter’s 1955 “What’cha Gonna Do”. Unfortunately for Ballard, though, The Twist skyrocketed on the charts (and is largely remembered) because of Chubby Checker’s breakthrough performances of it on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand.

Accolades: Features at No. 1 on Billboard’s 2008 “Hot 100 50th Anniversary” All Time Tops Songs; RS/500, No. 451; RR/HoF induction; peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (1960) (1962); made the Billboard Top R&B Singles chart at No. 2 in 1960 and No. 4 in 1962.

4. Hey Jude (The Beatles)

“Hey Jude”—a song by Paul McCartney and the first one ever to be released on Apple Records–is a 1968 song by The Beatles, with “Revolution” on its flip-side. The Beatles longest single at 7:11, and the longest-ever single at the time, “Hey Jude” was the also one of the first mainstream long songs to get significant airplay, as radio stations of that time generally preferred shorter ones. Commercially, “Hey Jude” knocked “I Can’t Help Myself” and “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch” (The Four Tops) off the top of the charts when it released, topping them (including the Billboard Hot 100) for over four weeks and remaining in the Hot 100 for 14 weeks before being surpassed by Herman’s Hermits “I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am“.

In addition to its No.2 spot on Rolling Stone’s (magazine) 500 Greatest Songs of All Time chart, “Satisfaction” secured a permanent spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Meaning of the Song: Although unsubstantiated, it’s rumored that it was a tribute to John Lennon’s son, Julian, and was initially dubbed “Hey Jules”.

Accolades: RR/HoF induction; RS/500, No. 8 ; 4x platinum cert.; Grammy nomination for Record of the Year (1969); longest single at the top of U.S. charts for nine weeks; Billboard’s Hot 100 No. 1 song of 1968; one of the top-selling singles of all time (over eight-million copies sold worldwide).

5. Like a Rolling Stone (Bob Dylan)

Arguably one of the top 10–perhaps even top 3–songs ever put on vinyl, Bob Dylan’s Like a Rolling Stone (1965), despite critics initial, lukewarm reviews of it, almost instantly became a global hit and tremendously helped cement Dylan’s status as one the most iconic figures of music ever. Recorded as a single for the then yet-to-be-released Highway 61 Revisited album, “Like a Rolling Stone” is over six minutes long (unprecedented at the time) and its lyrics were described as confrontational, vengeful, and even revolutionary. It was initially shunned by the record company that produced it, Columbia Records, but once a DJ at a swanky disco known as Arthur discovered it, disc jockeys and other musical figures insisted that it be released.

Meaning of the Song: A few key adjectives give listeners the overall gist of the song’s meaning: Anarchism, confrontation, vengeance, and revolution. Indeed, Dylan made it clear that “Like a Rolling Stone” was no mushy love song.

Accolades: RR/HoF induction; RS/500, No. 1; No. 4 on Pitchfork Media‘s 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s chart; topped several U.S. Billboard charts for 12 consecutive weeks.

6. Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry)

Before Charles Edward Anderson “Chuck” Berry put forth “Johnny”, he’d previously seen successes with songs like “Beethoven” (1956) and “Rock and Roll Music“ (1957). But Berry was in for one helluva shock after Johnny B. Goode was released. Almost instantly, it became a smash hit, topping Billboard’s Hot R&B Sides (No. 2) and the Hot 100 at No. 8. Chuck Berry once admitted that the song was partially about his early life in St. Louis, and subsequently used the character Johnny B. Goode in “Bye Bye Johnny”, “Go Go Go”, and “Johnny B. Blues”; Berry also created the album Concerto in B. Goode.

Meaning of the Song: ‘Goode’ was meant as, at least in part, a sort of ‘musical autobiography’ on Berry’s life, specifically of part of his childhood growing up in St. Louis.

Accolades: Billboard Hot 100, No. 8; Billboard Hot R&B Singles, No. 2; Q magazine’s 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks, No. 42; Rolling Stone‘s 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time, No. 1.

7. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)

To deny grunge rock (or Kurt Cobain for that matter) a place on this type of list would show, at best, clear misjudgment. Released September 10, 1991 in the U.S. and subsequently in dozens of other countries, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (from the album Nevermind) is often heralded as the single greatest hit by Nirvana. The platinum hit was later deemed “an anthem for apathetic kids”, referring to Generation X, and was admittedly a tip of the hat (or rip-off of, one) to the band, The Pixies—a band that heavily influenced both Cobain and Nirvana.

Meaning of the Song: Deodorant. Yes, deodorant. See, a friend of Cobain’s allegedly spray painted “smells like teen spirit” on a wall. And ‘Teen Spirit’ was, unknown to Kurt, the name of a deodorant. So, while that may be, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” means so much more to its fans and rock overall: Chiefly, symbolizing rebellion and the then-fledgling grunge movement.

Accolades: RS/500, No. 9; RR/HoF 500 induction; two Video Music Awards; two Grammy nominations for Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocal and Best Rock Song; Billboard Hot 100, No. 6 (1992).

8. Wonderwall (Oasis)

“Wonderall”, released on October 30, 1995 by Creation Records for the album Morning Glory, was undoubtedly one of Oasis’s hugest hits–if not its hugest. Guitarist Noel Gallagher originally told New Musical Express (NME, a British music magazine) that “It’s about my girlfriend, Meg Matthews.” But when the couple split up in 2001, Gallagher walked back the comment and instead went with “the song was about an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself.”

Meaning of the Song: According to Noel Gallagher, the band’s songwriter and lead guitarist, “Wonderwall” describes “an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself.” The title itself was taken from George Harrison’s first solo album, dubbed Wonderwall Music.

Accolades: Certified platinum (BPI); certified gold (RIAA); on the top ten of 13 influential charts, including topping Billboard‘s Alternative Songs chart for 10 weeks and peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 (1997); two 1997 Grammy nominations; No. 27 on NME (U.K.) magazine’s “50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever” publication.

9. Time to Say Goodbye (Andrea Bocelli & Sara Brightman)

Originally ‘Con te partiro’ (‘With You I Will Leave’), Bocelli and Brightman’s duo performance of the song made shock-waves throughout the musical scene in much of Europe. Ironically, while it wasn’t nearly as popular in Italy (where the song was born and originally performed), it became one of the biggest hits in history in the U.K, Germany, Belgium, and France.

Meaning of the Song: “Time to Say Goodbye” was initially performed by Bocelli for his album ‘Bocelli’; later, in 1996, Bocelli teamed up with Brightman perform to perform for International Boxing Federation light-heavyweight champion, Henry Maske,’s final match (against American Virgil Hill). Likely one of the most romantic songs ever produced and or written, it’s about two lovers (a war veteran and a widow) who meet, and after the man returns from war, they depart on a new life together to explore the world outside of their respective homelands. Allegedly, it’s named as such due to the man’s temporary separation from his lover when he went to war.

Accolades: 11× Gold in Germany (2,750,000 records sold); Gold in the U.K. (400k records); one of the best-selling singles ever in Germany, France, and Belgium; spent a record 12-consecutive weeks on Belgian top-singles charts; more than 12-million copies sold globally.

10. Smooth (Carlos Santana ft. Rob Thomas)

A collaboration by Santana and Rob Thomas, “Smooth” was written by Thomas and produced by Itaal Shur (who also produced Matchbox 20′s album Yourself or Someone Like You), sung by Thomas, who re-wrote the lyrics and melody and re-titled it “Smooth”, then recorded the song as a demo to play for Santana. After hearing the song, Carlos Santana tapped Thomas to record the final version of “Smooth”, which was released from Santana’s album, ‘Supernatural’. One fascinating aspect about the song, in addition to its long list of accolades, is that it’ll be remembered as the final No. 1 hit of the 1990s and 20th-century.

Meaning of the Song: According to Rob Thomas, “Smooth” was written for his wife, Marisol Maldonado. Thomas also claims that the line “My Spanish Harlem Mona Lisa” was inspired by Elton John’s “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” (1972), itself a spinoff of Ben E. King’s “Spanish Harlem”.

Accolades: Three Grammys, including Record of the Year, Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, and Song of the Year; 12 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot 100; Carlos Santana’s biggest-ever hit single; Billboard‘s No. 1 rock song of the past 50 years; spent 10 consecutive weeks at the top of VH1‘s “Top 20 Video Countdown”.

Top 200: Greatest Songs (of All-Time) is a post from: Lifed

On the eve of Oscar Night, the Golden Raspberry Awards, or the Razzies as they are more commonly known, celebrate (?) the worst movies of the year. It’s a tradition going on its 33rd year, and Life’d now recognizes the Top, er, Bottom 20 Worst Picture Razzies of All Time. (Note: No. 20 is the least worst; No. 1, the crap de la crap.)

20. Shining Through (1992)

Plot: A woman with a mix of German and Jewish descent goes behind enemy lines in WWII Germany.

Why It Sucked: Okay, so sucked is a little harsh in this case, but it is a drab romantic thriller, and we’re not buying Melanie Griffith as the intelligent woman. Michael Douglas phones in his performance as well. Props to the setting and costume design, though.

Budget: $30 million

Box office: $43.838 million

IMDB Rating: 6.1 / 10

Trailer:

19. Color of Night (1994)

Plot: A psychiatrist becomes the target of a killer when he takes over for a murdered colleague.

Why It Sucked: A slick killer and a cool plot are overshadowed by gratuitous sex in an empty effort to keep up with what came naturally for Basic Instinct two years earlier. Add the fact that Willis is severely out of place in the role of psychiatrist, and you’ve got a missed opportunity.

Budget: $40 million

Box office: $19.75 million

IMDB Rating: 4.9 / 10

Trailer:

18. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Plot: Megatron, the Decepticons and a new villain, the Fallen, cause havoc for Earth once more. Autobots to the rescue.

Why It Sucked: Excellent as the first film was, this thing had a high bar to reach, and boy did it fail miserably. Beyond a few cool-looking fight scenes, nothing works. The humor falls flat. Characters aren’t developed in the slightest. Really stupid final act that involves robot heaven. All style and zero substance.

Budget: $200 million

Box office: $836.303 million

IMDB Rating: 5.9 / 10

Trailer:

17. Striptease (1996)

Plot: A single mom takes up stripping to support herself and provide a better life for her daughter but encounters a lowlife Congressman along the way.

Why It Sucked: Based on the Carl Hiaasen novel, this should have been an incredible exercise in comedy and suspense, but instead it’s a very watered-down misinterpretation of the book. That being said, Demi Moore never looked finer. Just fast-forward through the story parts.

Budget: $40 million

Box office: $113.309 million

IMDB Rating: 4.1 / 10

Trailer:

16. The Last Airbender (2010)

Plot: A young Avatar is the only hope against the Fire Kingdom in this adaptation of the Nickelodeon animated series.

Why It Sucked: Beyond Unbreakable and, to a lesser degree, The Sixth Sense and Signs, pretty much every film M. Night Shyamalan has made sucks, so no surprise here. This one doesn’t suck in the same way as The Happening, The Village, or Lady in the Water, though. It’s not an exercise in attempting to trick the audience by leaving no stupid-stone unturned. It’s just a bad movie.

Budget: $150 million

Box office: $319.713 million

IMDB Rating: 4.5 / 10

Trailer:

15. Basic Instinct 2 (2006)

Plot: Ruthless novelist Catherine Tramell once again wrecks a man’s life and is implicated in murder.

Why It Sucked: As erotic thrillers go, the first Basic Instinct is one of the very best. Yes, it pushed the envelope, but it didn’t do it at the expense of story. This one did. The public largely ignored BI2 with total U.S. gate not even hitting the $10 million mark. Considering what a hit the first film was, that’s a disaster of biblical proportions.

Budget: $70 million

Box office: $38.629 million

IMDB Rating: 4.0 / 10

Trailer:

14. The Love Guru (2008)

Plot: Love guru Maurice Pitka is enlisted to help a struggling hockey star overcome his humiliating breakup.

Why It Sucked: Mike Myers wowed audiences with Austin Powers 1 and 2, but then forgot how to make any film other than Austin Powers 1 and 2. By the time his humor showed up in The Love Guru, every single joke was so played out, you had to be embarrassed for the guy. Creatively, anyway. The paychecks are still a nice consolation.

Budget: $62 million

Box office: $40.863 million

IMDB Rating: 3.8 / 10

Trailer:

13. Gigli (2003)

Plot: Gigli, a good-hearted hitman, kidnaps a mentally handicapped man for his bosses, falls for Ricki, and then goes on the run with his two new buddies in tow.

Why It Sucked: Huge step back here for director Martin Brest, whose Midnight Run, Beverly Hills Cop, and Scent of a Woman, are among our favorite flicks ever. He didn’t get a lot of help from his cast with Ben Affleck in the title role and Jennifer Lopez as the sometimes-lesbian killer, who falls in love with him. The chemistry is way-off. Life later agreed as the real-life relationship that blossomed on-set soon disintegrated.

Budget: $75.6 million

Box office: $7.266 million

IMDB Rating: 2.4 / 10

Trailer:

12. Jack and Jill (2011)

Plot: A family man dreads a holiday visit from his obnoxious sister.

Why It Sucked: Movies where one actor plays multiple characters rarely work. That’s the rule, and that rule holds firm here. Sandler is way over-the-top, and it doesn’t help. Jokes will bounce off you here like bullets off Superman. And as the tagline says, “It ain’t pretty.”

Budget: $79 million

Box office: $149.673 million

IMDB Rating: 3.5 / 10

Trailer:

11. Inchon (1981)

Plot: The Battle of Inchon during the Korean War unfolds in crap-tastic color.

Why It Sucked: It shouldn’t have. Directed by Terence Young (From Russia with Love). Starring Laurence Olivier, Jacqueline Bisset, Toshiro Mifune, and Richard Roundtree. Seriously, how do you screw this up? Beats me, but they managed it. While not the worst film ever made, it’s certainly one of the dullest. Megaforce, The Pirate Movie, Butterfly, and Annie(!?) were also nominated.

Budget: $46 million

Box office: $5.2 million

IMDB Rating: 2.9 / 10

Trailer:

Top, er, Bottom 20 Worst Picture Razzies of All Time is a post from: Lifed

St. Patrick’s Day…
Green Parades, rivers and fountains dyed green… And alcohol, heavily consumed. And no, not only Guiness or green beer. The following 12 gadgets will take your drinking and bartending skills to the next level. (Prices don’t include shipping).

1.The Bar10Der ($49.99)
(Also available on Amazon for $45.99 – 49.99)
So you want to make a mojito…
Easy! All you need is a muddler, a reamer, a stirrer,
and… a strainer of course, so you don’t get ice bits floating in your glass.What a headache!

Armed with Bar10Der these problems will become a thing of the past! This 10-in-1 Swiss Army knife style tool boasts ten essential bartending tools, which will make you look like a pro the next time you invite friends over for a drink. The Bar10Der includes a muddler, a stirrer, a zester, a reamer and six other handy cocktail making tools. The compact design makes it easy to use and store.

2.Outset Cocktail Muddler ($11.95)
So, again, you were going to make a mojito, right?
Even if your home kitchen is well equipped, the chances are you’re still missing a proper muddler. You need this tool to, well, muddle the mint leaves, crushed ice, lime and rum which make the perfect mojito. Outset’s stainless steel Chillware Muddler has a grooved head and it can finely mash and crush citrus fruits, herbs and spices. Very little effort is needed and it’s easy to clean.

3.Fred Bombed Beerbands, Set of 12 ($7.18 – 18.11)
Having downed a few beers, you’re probably too drunk to tell which bottle is yours. And then there’s always that guy who shouts: “Hey, this beer is mine!” Fred Bombed Beerbands will put an end to those ‘which beer is which’ brawls. With funny, witty words or sayings printed on them (e.g. loaded, tanked, bombed..) these stretchy molded rings are designed to fit beer bottles, beer cans and wrists and identify their legal owner.

4.The Meh. Flask ($7.99)
Everybody’s saying you’re apathetic…
Now is the time to reclaim your honor by showing off the Meh. Flask and saying proudly: “I’ll toast for that! Meh.” Made of stainless still, the Meh. Flask can hold six ounces of your favorite beverage coupled with unlimited apathy.

5.Bad Drinking Jokes Coaster Set ($4.99, Limited Availability)
If you’re like me, you hate bad jokes. The only time a bad joke cracks people up is when they’re completely drunk, isn’t it? The jokes on these coasters are, well, bad… They are kind of tacky and kitschy, but then that’s what makes them so great! And they’re also accurate. The round coasters come in various colors with retro style graphics. Each coaster measures about 4-inch in diameter.

6.Suck UK Bottle Opener Fridge Magnet, Stainless Steel ($17.99 – 20.00)
(Also available in white & red)
You know those moments when you’re craving for a lager but can’t find the bottle opener?
With the Suck UK Bottle Opener you will never have to fish around for it again. The stainless bottle opener has a strong magnet that conveniently sticks to your fridge. With a simple and elegant design, opening bottles is simple and elegant.

7.Menu Cool Coat ($29.95)
As most of us wine lovers know, white wine needs to be served chilled… While ice buckets normally do the job, they are messy and bulky. Enter the Cool Coat. This stylish wine chiller consists of two layers of textile and a removable inner coat filled with cooling gel. Once frozen, the inner coat fits back into the Cool Coat, ready to wrap up your favorite drink. Now you can enjoy about an hour of cool wine!

8.Fred Cool Jazz Ice Cube Tray ($8.71 – 9.95)
Jazz up your favorite beverages with these groovy ice cubes. These guitar inspired ice cube makers will bring about lots of fun and giggles. Each food grade silicone ice maker contains three stir sticks resembling the arm of a guitar. Once frozen, the stir sticks complete the guitar look and you can use them to stir your favorite drinks.

9.Fred & Friends Half Full Glass ($12.76 – 21.56)
Is there a pessimist in your life?
You know what we mean. The downer, the one who never smiles and drains the energy wherever he/she goes. The one who never misses the evening news just to tell you about the latest earthquake or plane crash. The pessimist always sees the glass half empty. Fred & Friends Half Full Glass will put an end to the downer’s agony. Since the bottom of the glass only starts halfway up, the drink always starts half full. Bliss!

10.The Handy House Stainless Steel Drinking Straws ($10.99)
If you like preparing cocktails and shakes but also love the planet, you can now wave goodbye to those wasteful, non ecological plastic straws. Packed in sets of four 18/10 angled straws, the Handy House Stainless Steel drinking straws will add an elegant touch to the next mojito or piña colada you serve. The straws are made of FDA food safe materials and come with a handy straw cleaner.

11.The Original Slush Mug (Set of two) ($16.97)
(Or buy a single mug for $9.97 – 13.95)
Slush, slurpees, Popsicles…
Boy, do these frozen delights bring back childhood memories!
With the Original Slush Mug these sweet, ice cold memories can be brought back into your life. This patented mug will turn almost any sugary beverage into a delicious slush. Simply keep the mug in the freezer and when you’re ready, pour your favorite drink in, stir and watch the magic happen…

12.Schott Zwiesel Basic Bar Selection by Charles Schumann Boston Shaker ($25.22 – 34.99)
While beers and wine would make most guests happy, if you want to take your bartending skills to the next level, a shaker is a must! And the Basic Bar by Charles Schumann Boston Shaker is a great option to choose from. Solidly built of high grade stainless steel and thick glass, it is functional, easy to clean, ergonomic and beautiful. When used correctly (Check the 5 star Amazon reviews for clear directions), the metal part will form a perfect seal, unlike many other shakers that will leave your sleeve dripping whiskey sour…

12 Awesome Drinking & Bartending Gadgets for St. Patrick’s Day is a post from: Lifed

Have you ever seen Catwoman?

It’s an arguably cheesy 2004 spin-off of the Batman film series featuring Halle Berry playing an ordinary woman who gains cat-like powers after running into some trouble. At one point, Halle Berry’s character, who has probably never ridden a motorcycle before in her life, jumps on a random Ducati Monster and immediately rips through the streets, maneuvering the bike like a pro. Her instant mastery of the motorcycle may seem normal to viewers who have never been on a motorcycle, but any experienced rider would scoff at the absurdity of this very inaccurate portrayal.

As much as Hollywood movies would like us to believe otherwise, motorcycle riding is not as easy as you think. It requires a lot of knowledge, preparation, and concentration. You have to know what you’re doing, prepare your bike before each trip, and ride with the utmost alertness. When it comes to motorcycle riding, safety is always number one. Motorcycle riding is a high-risk activity where a small accident could cost you your life, so it would be wise to ensure your own safety as much as possible on the road.

We’re here to clue you in on the basics of handling a motorcycle and protecting yourself on the road. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced rider, the following crash course will teach you all about motorcycle riding or refresh your memory on safety tips, respectively.

What to wear
Before you go for a ride, be sure to put on the following safety gear and articles of clothing that will protect you on the road:

A helmet
Did you know that motorcyclists not wearing a helmet are 40% more likely to die in a crash than those who wear head protection? If there’s something that can save your life during a spill, it’s a helmet. Actually, it is so useful that some states have implemented laws requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets at all times.

A jacket with padding and reflectors
What you wear while riding matters a lot. Have you ever wondered why a lot of motorcyclists wear leather jackets or mesh jackets? It’s because leather and mesh are very sturdy and wind-resistant materials that will protect your skin when they come in contact with asphalt in the case of a spill. Natural fibers like cotton and wool will be more likely to rip and subject your skin to cuts and asphalt burns.

While a padded jacket or body armor won’t keep you completely safe, it will add protection in case of a crash. If your jacket has reflectors (or at least reflective tape or patches), other motorists will be able to see you better at nighttime.

Sturdy over-the-ankle boots
You want to wear boots that cover your ankles. Your ankles are fragile, so you need to protect them as much as possible in case of a crash. While your boots have to be sturdy, they have to be comfortable as well. You’re going to be using your feet while motorcycle riding, so it’s important for you to be able to move them around.

Jeans or leather pants
When you ride a standard motorcycle, your right calf will be situated very close to the exhaust pipe. If you’re wearing shorts or even pants made out of thin fabric, the exhaust pipe can burn your skin. You want to wear jeans or leather pants. If the weather’s too cold for your liking, consider wearing chaps as well.

A pair of glasses
It’s nearly impossible to ride without wearing glasses! All the wind would get into your eyes, and you wouldn’t be able to see anything. During the day, you can wear sunglasses. At nighttime, you can wear clear glasses. A pair of safety glasses from a hardware store would do the trick.

Safety precautions
The last thing you want is to get stranded on the road, or even worse, take a spill just because you didn’t take five minutes to perform a pre-check before taking your bike out on the road. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation came up with the acronym T-CLOCK to help you remember what to check: tires, controls, lights, oil, chassis, and kickstand.

With that in mind, here are the steps you need to take during your pre-check:

Check the tire pressure.
Even the smallest change in the tire pressure can cause drastic changes in the handling and riding quality of the motorcycle. Look at your owner’s manual or call the tire manufacturer’s hotline to find out the recommended PSI levels. Also, always check the tire pressure when the tires are cool in temperature.

Ensure that the tires don’t have any dry rot.
When the bike is in motion, its tires warm up, which will change the density and pressure of the air inside. If there’s any dry rot, the tires will blow up after being subjected to the changes. Wondering what dry rot looks like? Take a look at this picture:

If you have spokes, make sure none of them are loose.
A loose spoke leads to an unbalanced tire, which can blow up over time. Tap each spoke with a wrench and listen to the sound it makes. If it makes a ping sound, it’s tight. If there’s no ping sound, the spoke is probably loose. Tighten any loose spokes until they all make a similar sound when tapped.

Test the brakes, clutch, and throttle.
Without properly functioning controls, you can end up on the side of the road. Prevent this from happening simply by ensuring that the levers and cables are in good shape. Press the front brake and move your bike forward. If the brake feels firm and if the front wheel doesn’t move, it’s good. Repeat with the rear brake. Squeeze the clutch and if it feels smooth, it’s fine. Repeat with the throttle.

Test the turn signals, brake lights, and headlights.
You want to make sure all the lights are working so you can communicate with other motorists on the road if needed. This step is imperative to your safety, so don’t skip it.

Check the oil and fuel.
If your bike is low on oil, your engine can blow up. If there’s not enough oil, add some more. Next, look at the gas level in the tank and ensure that your fuel petcock isn’t on “reserve”.

Look for any loose debris in the chain and/or the belt.
Make sure there’s no loose debris (like rocks, sticks, or anything that can get stuck in there). Anything that gets caught in the chain or the belt can wreck the wheels and/or the transmission… and set you back a pretty penny!

Ensure that the chain and/or belt aren’t too loose or too tight.
Put your hand under the chain or belt and gently push it upwards. If it doesn’t move at all, it’s too tight. If it moves more than an inch, it’s too loose. If it’s too loose or too tight, it can blow your transmission. Make the necessary adjustments before putting the motorcycle into motion.

Make sure nothing is leaking.
If something is leaking, fix the problem or have it looked at by a mechanic before taking the motorcycle out for a spin.

Check the kickstand.
The kickstand is what keeps your motorcycle off the ground. Make sure it’s not bent or cracked.

Once you have everything checked (and adjusted if necessary), you’ll have the peace of mind that your motorcycle is in tip-top shape and is safe to ride.

Starting your motorcycle
Motorcycles are not like cars at all. You can’t just get on, turn the ignition, and then zoom off. Starting a motorcycle requires a series of steps. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation came up with the acronym FINE-C to help you remember the proper steps to start your motorcycle: fuel, ignition, neutral, engine, and choke/clutch.

1. Turn the FUEL valve on.
2. Turn the IGNITION.
3. Make sure the motorcycle is in NEUTRAL (check if the neutral light is on).
4. Run the ENGINE (put the switch in the run/on position).
5. Adjust the CHOKE until the engine is running smoothly.
6. Squeeze the CLUTCH before putting your motorcycle into first gear.

… And now you’re good to go!

Shifting gears
Motorcycles are not scooters. They are manual transmission vehicles that require a lot of shifting. A lot of novice riders find shifting gears to be one of the most challenging aspects of motorcycle riding. However, once you have it down pat, you’ll be able to do it effortlessly.

You see that lever by your left foot? That’s the gear selector. You use it to shift gears. If you push it all the way down with your foot, your motorcycle goes into first gear. From that point, gently lifting the lever with your foot will put your bike into neutral. From neutral, lifting the lever again (which will produce a clicking sound) puts your bike into second gear. Repeat, and you’re in third gear. Repeat, and you’re in fourth gear. If you’re on the road and if you want to get from first to second gear, firmly lift the lever. Doing it too gently will put your bike in neutral.

When to shift gears
Listen to the motorcycle, and feel the engine. A smooth and purring engine means you’re going the right speed in the right gear. If the engine starts grinding and emitting a whining sound, it’s time to shift up to make your engine accommodate the increased speed. If your engine starts to give off a low, rumbling sound and if your motorcycle starts to jerk forward a little bit, you’re going too slow for the gear you’ve selected. Immediately shift down to avoid stalling your engine.

What happens if you don’t shift gears?
If you constantly over-rev your engine (which basically means going faster than your engine can handle) the engine will eventually blow up. If you ride too slow for the gear you’ve selected, your engine will stall and possibly put you in danger, especially if you’re on a busy street.

How to shift gears
Here’s how to shift gears when your motorcycle’s already in full motion on the road:

1. Push the throttle forward until the engine stops revving.
2. Squeeze the clutch to disengage the engine.
3. Downshift or upshift with your left foot.
4. Let go of the clutch and slowly accelerate the throttle until you reach a comfortable speed.

The only exception to this is when you’re moving from a complete stop in first gear. Let’s say you’re sitting at a stoplight (with your motorcycle in neutral). Once the light turns green, do the following:

1. Squeeze the clutch.
2. Put your bike in first gear.
3. Slowly loosen your grip on the clutch until your motorcycle moves on its own (this is called the friction zone). NEVER completely let go of your clutch when doing this.
4. Rev the throttle while releasing the clutch. Keep it smooth and gradual; don’t completely release the clutch until the throttle is fully revved.

This takes a lot of practice to master, so be patient and don’t become frustrated every time your engine stalls! You can practice this move in a parking lot or someplace without many cars around.

Turning
Another tricky aspect of motorcycle riding is turning. Everything your driver’s ed teacher in high school ever taught you about steering does not apply here. Instead, you use your weight to turn the motorcycle, so you always have to keep your handlebars straight while turning. If you’re going left, slightly push your left grip in order to keep your motorcycle straight. If you’re going right, slightly push your right grip. Rather than watching the road right in front of you, always keep your eye on where your motorcycle will end up after the turn is completed. It may seem awkward for you to do at first, but it really helps ensure a smooth turn.

Taking a turn on your motorcycle requires a lot of practice. Don’t rush into it; always start slow and gradually ease into the harder turns whenever you feel confident enough.

Additional motorcycle riding tips

• If you run out of gas, put your fuel valve in reserve. It should give you enough gas to last another 20 miles.
• If you have to come to a quick stop, make sure your bike is straight.
• Don’t trust any other motorists on the road. They’re not looking out for you. Sometimes they can’t see you or hear you. You’re the only one who can ensure your own safety.
• Reset the tripmeter every time you fill up your gas tank.

Most of all, always remember that safety is number one!

A Crash Course in Motorcycle Riding is a post from: Lifed

It’s amazing how a certain song or band can take you back to a simpler time. A time of fewer wrinkles, firmer bodies, and a greater sense of clarity in what you wanted out of life. If you’re not sure what we’re talking about, give it 10 years and you will. Well, maybe revisiting that time in your life isn’t possible, but it’s sure worth a try. Here are 5 Bands that Need a Reunion Tour, if for nothing else, just to give us another crack at days gone by.

1. En Vogue

Who They Are: En Vogue launched in July 1989. Cindy Herron, Dawn Robinson, Terry Ellis, and Maxine Jones were the original vocalists in this all-girl R&B act. Their freshman album Born to Sing produced hits like “Don’t Go,” “Hold On,” and “Lies,” but their biggest successes were yet to come. “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It),” “Free Your Mind,” and “Giving Him Something He Can Feel” scored big, but nothing like “Don’t Let Go (Love)” from the Set It Off soundtrack in 1996. Arguably the act’s best song, this track picked up platinum certification and climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 (and No. 1 as a single on the R&B chart).

Likelihood of a Reunion: En Vogue never enjoyed the same level of success they did through the Nineties, in spite of efforts to keep the act together. Robinson departed (twice), and now she and Jones have their own offshoot En Vogue while Herron and Ellis are touring under the name as well. A lawsuit over who has rights to the name is ongoing. Clearly, the house of En Vogue is not in order, and we don’t expect to see a reconciliation any time soon.

2. Spin Doctors

Who They Are: You probably know the Spin Doctors as the party group behind two major hits of the Nineties: “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” and “Two Princes.” If you’re not careful, it’s easy to dismiss them as two-hit wonders, but doing so would be a mistake. The Doctors began as NYC-based band Trucking Company. Chris Barron – that zany guy who sings lead on the two hits we just mentioned – was joined by John Popper (Blues Traveler, anyone?) and Eric Schenkman for the act. Popper would soon leave on amicable terms to perform more with Blues Traveler, leaving Barron and Schenkman to pick up Aaron Comess and Mark White to form the band you know and (maybe) love. The Spin Doctors toured with Blues Traveler and earned quite the rep as a live act, but the world wouldn’t know them until Pocket Full of Kryptonite hit music stores in 1991.

Likelihood of a Reunion: Since Kryptonite, which sold more than 5 million copies by the way, the band has remained relatively active, though not always with the original lineup. Barron, Schenkman, Comess and White did reunite briefly in 2011, and there are rumors of a new album in 2013, but nothing confirmed. However, we do like the chances of seeing the Spin Doctors together again soon.

3. R.E.M.

Who They Are: Who knew a little band from Athens, Ga., could impact an entire decade on such a global scale? R.E.M., in many ways, were the sound of the Nineties, though their roots go all the way back to 1980, and many of the more enlightened music listeners knew who they were long before “Stand” or “Losing My Religion” put them on the map. As big as those two hits were for Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Bill Berry, our personal favorites would have to be “End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)” and “Man on the Moon.”

Likelihood of a Reunion: Bad news. In 2011, the band announced they were “calling it a day” from their website. This was four years after having been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Since that fateful announcement, band members have stuck to their guns. Let’s hope they’re just waiting for inspiration to grab them again.

4. Talking Heads

Who They Are: “Life During Wartime,” “Take Me to the River,” “Burning Down the House,” “Psycho Killer,” “Once in a Lifetime,” “And She Was,” “Wild Wild Life” – the music was created in the Seventies and Eighties by bandmates Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, David Byrne, and Jerry Harrison, but it has aged extremely well. In 2002, Talking Heads were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Likelihood of a Reunion: Since reuniting in 2002 to celebrate their Hall of Fame induction, Talking Heads have gone separate ways, and it doesn’t look like a reconciliation will be possible. Weymouth, Frantz and Harrison had a stint as The Heads and Weymouth and Frantz continue to make music as Tom Tom Club, a side project to Talking Heads that they formed in 1981. In 2005, Byrne told Australian publication The Age, “We did have a lot of Bad Blood go down. That’s one reason (for no reunion), and another is that musically we’re just miles apart.” Looks like this reunion tour’s on the road to nowhere, but that doesn’t mean the world couldn’t use one.

5. The White Stripes

Who They Are: Jack Gillis and Meg White were a husband-and-wife act better known as The White Stripes. Their years of official activity began in 1997 and ended in 2011. While TWS didn’t roll out a gauntlet of number one singles, their talent and performance capabilities were undeniable, and they did produce hits, such as “Icky Thump” and “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground.” But when a White Stripes song was a hit, it wasn’t because they “went mainstream.” It was because “mainstream” came to them.

Likelihood: Gillis and White divorced, though it has proven to be an amicable one. Still, Gillis, who in an unusual move took White’s surname and never gave it up after parting ways, hasn’t altogether ruled out the possibility. However, in 2011, there was a bit of bad news when Jack White, as Gillis is now known, announced with Meg that they would no longer record for “a myriad of reasons…mostly to preserve what is beautiful and special about the band.”

Well, those are our picks. What acts would you like to see back in action? Share your picks below.

5 Bands that Need a Reunion Tour is a post from: Lifed