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The idea of self-sufficiency is one that doesn’t come around often enough.  It seems to be a pattern that occurs every other generation, where young people decide that it’s time to start making things simpler, and this begins with learning some of the more elementary survival skills.  Of course, there are always going to be subcultures and hidden communities that try to live off the grid for one reason or another, and sometimes these communities have absolutely opposing political viewpoints.  On a more mainstream level, there are people who are exploring the idea of self-sufficiency in the way that Thoreau conceived of it.

The last time it happened on a more mass scale was over a generation ago, when the counter-cultures were at a peak level.  The generation of the 60s came of age in the early 70s, and publications like The Whole Earth Catalog became popular and prevalent.  Perhaps there really is no publication like that one, because it was one of the first and one of the last to try to encapsulate all the information on living a simple life in one place.  One can find very useful articles on things like gardening, home improvement, and auto repair.  The idea of learning these very basic skills has always appealed to people who take a more active role in their lives, and who are not afraid of hard work, even well after the workday is over.

For a generation who were born with computers already in the house, it’s a very different world.  It’s also one where some of the most hopeful dreams of the last generation can be realized.  Part of the idea behind the notion of self-sufficiency is that information is perhaps the most valuable resource.  If people have the information on how to do things, then they are free.  There is energy, momentum, and power in knowledge.  And today’s world has more free flow of information than ever before.

Twenty years ago, a car breakdown would mean one of three things:  one would have to wait by the side of the road for help, or one would have an education in auto repair already, or there would be a manual in the glovebox.  Today, there are those who are knowledgeable about cars, and some much more so than others, but anyone with access to an internet connection can get a gmc online repair manual, and this is essential.  A much higher percentage of the population now has access to information that was difficult to find before.  The dream of Thoreau may still be far off, but there are aspects of the dream that are being born for the very first time right now.

Heather Boone is a journalist and blogger who covers software, the internet, and how technology affects education and society. Her work can be found on blogs like blog.clickpointsoftware.com.

Imitations of reality are always on the verge of taking over the mundane world.  They become either easier to construct in mass culture, or they are harder to spot.  The original of anything is hard to find any more.  Things that are viral become the placeholder for the original.  It’s one thing to become singularly obsessed, but when things multiply, obsession can move forward in amazing geometric progressions.  In conversations about movies, a certain amount of knowledge really is power.  This is probably because knowledge has to reflect experience, when it comes to something as tangible as a car.

In terms of movie stars and movie cars, that’s not the worst thing that could happen.  Top ten car movies are the perfect kinds of lists that make everyone want to talk, revealing that this singular obsession has been haunting all of us for some time.  Movie cars are cool.  Almost everyone wishes they could drive one.  It’s also not impossible to get close, to drive something very much like a favorite car from a favorite film.

One of the more appealing things about a movie car, then,  is that it has an essence that is entirely original, like the Trans Am Burt Reynolds drove in “Smokey and the Bandit.”  But it is also one of many other Trans Ams, and part of the appeal for the viewer is that there is a possibility, even if it’s terrifically remote, of driving one someday.  Even if the version of the famous car is not exact, no one will know that the intro wheels may not match the ones from the film.  It isn’t necessary to make an exact copy, only a decent approximation.

This is why some car movies have more staying power than others.  There’s a kind of divide in the culture that keeps running tabs on favorite cars on film, and the divide is somewhere between Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Bullitt.  In the former, there is a dream of a fantasy machine, but in the latter, the fantasy is possible, because one can conceivably ride a mustang in this lifetime.  But there are also divides based on cost.  Most car fanatics understand that it is unlikely to drive a James Bond car without access to a very rich relative, but lots of relatives have owned a Dodge.  And it’s entirely possible to find an old version of a cool film car, get a friend to help with a new paint job, and find a match for the general tire, and suddenly an imitation of life becomes as good as the thing itself.

There are two main reasons that people spend more time working on their cars in the summer. The first is that the days are longer, giving people more hours to do the things they love. The second is that people love to make use of those hours to drive places , meaning that cars need more attention to keep them running properly. The two actually go hand in hand.

Now, somewhere along the line promoters realized the connection between summer and increased car activity. They started scheduling car shows during these months to capitalize on the longer days and the increased interest. Shows are a great place for drivers to see what’s new in car designs and accessories. They can purchase custom wheels , car care products, and just about anything associated with car ownership at these shows.

There is a second type of car show or rally. These are held by local car clubs and aren’t designed to sell products. Instead, they are an opportunity for drivers to show off their fancy cars. Owners will display their classic cars with american racing rims , their vintage and antique autos as well as later model cars that have been “pimped out” with custom paint jobs and all sorts of bells and whistles.

Either type of car show is a great way for a car lover to while away a few hours on a hot summer day.

To many people, the appeal of the open road can only be fully realized on the back of a motorcycle. If you are one of these people, you may have dreamed of being a biker since you were a little kid. Or maybe you caught the motorcycle bug when you were older, after being exposed to a classic biker movie like Easy Rider or when introduced to the thrill of riding two wheels by a friend or on a date.

Now that you’ve brought home your new cycle, you need to master a few basic maintenance skills. You’ll want to save the major repairs for the professionals, but part of the pride of being a biker is being able to take care of minor upkeep and diagnose minor problems all on your own. This means that you’ll want to invest in a good motorcycle repair manual along with a helmet, riding clothes, and other accessories.

There are a number of similarities between engines in cars and motorcycles. Both types of vehicles need regular oil changes, tire checks, and should have professional check ups on a prescribed schedule. Just don’t expect the steps to be exactly the same or for things to be in the exact same place. Keep that repair manual handy the first few times you do something and be sure that you take it on the road with you. Bikers tend to favor less traveled roads, which means if you break down, you’re likely to be far from a repair shop and will need to be able to get your bike working again on your own.

Anyone who has faced the prospect of buying a new car — a truly new car, not a “new to you” car — knows that the process can be overwhelming. Even before you start worrying about things like warranties, service agreements, and entertainment systems, you have to figure out what model of car best suits your needs. Car companies don’t make it any easier, offering new and different models every year so that a 2011 honda fit may be completely different than the 2010 model.

Start by identifying the basic type of vehicle you need. These generally fall into simple categories like SUV, truck, sports car, family sedan, economy car. This is where you consider the main use of the car and how many passengers and how much cargo you’ll be transporting on a regular basis.

Next, narrow down the features that matter most to you. For some this will be gas mileage or environmental impact , for others it will be off-road capabilities or high safety ratings. This will help you start to narrow down specific makes and models that match those needs.

Then it’s just a matter of winnowing down the models based on your own needs and preferences. Automatic or manual transmission ? How many airbags? Conversion seats? Regular four-door model or a hatchback?

Once you have your list of requirements you can either continue searching for specific vehicles in ads or online or you can head out to a car dealer and see what they can do to match your list. The right car is going to be the one that meets all or most of your listed items, fits your budget and financing needs, and feels “right” when you look at it and drive it.

So you have inspected the tread you notice that it worn down, the threads are poking through, and it is cracked…it is time to buy new tires.  How do you go about doing this, finding the right tires for your vehicle?  This is a daunting task for some people, but it does not need to be that difficult, nor too expensive.  If all four tires are out of your budget, two new ones may be purchased at a time, the first set to placed on the rear axle to ensure the best handling of your vehicle.

Used tires are also an option.  They will usually not have a warranty, however it is much better than driving around on worn out, and unsafe tires.  Now though, there are many options when it comes to buying discount tires, either at the local retail outlets, or online.  So the consumer has many more choices these days.  While it is possible to mount tires at home, your best bet is to take them to an experienced technician as they will not only do the dirty work, but make certain that the tires are balanced.  This will serve to affect the handling of the car, the gas mileage and will prevent uneven wear.

Also, a reminder, when you do purchase new tires, write down your odometer on your receipt and save it.  This will be necessary should you need to follow through on the warranty and replace a tire at some point.  It is also necessary to understand the size of tire that will be most appropriate for your truck or car.  This will not only save time at the tire distributor, but it will allow you to be well informed about your own purchase and the suggestions that are being made for the tire replacement.

You can find this information in the owners’ manual for your vehicle.  The wrong size will greatly affect not only your personal safety, but the future wear that could incur with tires of the wrong size.  Consider your own personal driving habits, how much you will be driving and the environmental conditions of the region in where you live.  Think about the best conditions, and the worst conditions.  This will help you answer questions asked of you by the sales associate, and again, you will be able to make and informed decision based on your own knowledge, and have no trouble finding the perfect tires for your vehicle.