Hyundai's Latest Babe - Genesis

The Korean automaker takes the wraps off of their luxurious concept car.

Hyundai sent a clear signal at today’s New York Auto Show that it is attempting to move its brand upscale in the automotive market. Once known primarily for economical, inexpensive cars, Hyundai debuted the Genesis luxury sedan concept, just a few weeks after the press introduction of the company’s Veracruz crossover SUV. The Veracruz tops out around US$38,000, making it the most expensive production Hyundai currently available.

Genesis is an elegant large sedan that rides on Hyundai’s first U.S. application of a rear-wheel-drive platform. The exterior dimensions were described by Hyundai as being larger than a BMW 5-Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which also exposes the brands being targeted with this car.

More than just a pretty face, the Genesis concept carries through the luxury car theme under its skin. Power comes from an all-new Tau 4.6-liter V8 engine expected to deliver “well over 300 horsepower.” The power is routed through a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. This powertrain combination is expected to move this car from standstill to 60 mph in “well under six seconds.”

In addition to offering an abundance of power, Genesis boasts a very rigid structure thanks to the use of ultra high-tensile steel in critical areas in the unibody. Features also include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), eight airbags, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), a sophisticated sport-tuned suspension and driver-selectable dynamic settings.

There are a few exterior styling treatments, such as the unique headlights, that show that this car is clearly still in concept form, however Hyundai plans to bring this car to market next year.

“Concept Genesis is a manifestation of Hyundai’s extraordinary desire to deliver world-class products across all model segments,” said John Krafcik, vice president, Product Development and Strategic Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “With Genesis, we’ve got a unique product position — an all-new, highly capable, rear-wheel-drive platform; a high-performance powertrain; and premium, progressive design — all at a price starting well under US$30,000.”

While the introduction of this new luxury concept indicates the direction Hyundai is taking with its new car lineup, Krafcik assured us that they don’t plan to abandon the market that made the company what it is today. This means that even when Hyundai is selling a high-performance luxury sedan, it will continue to invest in and sell high-quality inexpensive vehicles such as the Elantra and Accent.

The Four Pillars of a Man Part I

"A man's man is a godly man, and a godly man reflects the heart of his Father in who he is and what he does" wrote Gary Oliver, author of 'Real Men Have Feelings Too'.

I have read many books on the subject call "manhood". They all talk about what a man should do, but did not show us what a man can be. Being comes before doing, as I have said earlier.

As a man, I have got to build a family that outlive me. I have got to build a home that outlast me. I have got to build a heritage that stands strong and firm in the winds of time. I have got to build a civilization that does not fall apart with the passing years. I have got to build a legacy on pillars that will not lean or crumble.

What kind of man can accomplish that? What kind of man has shoulders broad enough to build upon? It is the man who learns to lay his foundation in Christ through the following 4 pillars. The 4-pillared man is:

1. A Man of Vision & Character...a King.
2. A Man of Strength & Power ... a Warrior.
3. A Man of Faith & Wisdom ... a Mentor.
4. A Man of Heart & Love ...a Friend.

It is upon these pillars of manhood that my small civilization call "home" will either stand or fall. It takes 4 pillars to hold up a building, a temple, or a home. It will take 4 pillars to make a man - a man who will bear the weight, stand against the elements, and hold one small civilization intact in a chaotic world heading towards destruction & judgement. I had a decision to make, NOW.

I believe it is impossible to be a man, fully masculine, apart from bowing to Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life and submitting to His Word as the ultimate life authority. A man's man is a godly man. A man's man got to do what a man got to do. And a man got to make some tough decisions. Especially this one.

- Stu Weber (from The Four Pillars of a Man's Heart)

Today. I did that, again. I commit myself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and I submit to His Word as the ultimate authority for my life.
I want to be a Man...a man's Man. God be my help, I pray.

A Paradigm Shift

When I was young, I was told the importance of getting organized in life. The management gurus of my days did that through a watchword called PRIORITY. Yes, one guru called this prioritising process First Thing First. How to go about your day? Prioritize.
The Focus is on doing what's important and urgent. A Valency-Ordering Model.

Later, when I was much older, the watchword seemed to shift to this term called BALANCE. It is a paradigm of holding two or more tensions of equal importance, without gravitating to any one force alone. The Focus is on doing the all the right thing the right way at the same time. An Extreme-Avoidance Model.

I humbly back to differ on the above two models as the only two platforms for ordering your world, public or private. There is, in my opinion, a third Model: A Relationship-Driven Model. The watchword is CENTREDNESS. The Focus is on the connectedness you exhibit with the surrounding. Don't forget about Priority and Balance, though. Just stop focusing so much on these overly used words. They are over-rated sometimes. Instead, Centredness got to do with three very important concept:

1. Congruence:
Everywhere you are - whether it be at work, with your partner or with friends - be your true self. When you compartmentalize yourself to be wildly different in different circumstances, you start to feel out of whack. Create a life that is congruent with who you truly are.
2. Connection:
Everywhere you go, be in the moment. Don’t spend a lot of time in your head, thinking about your past and future. Be fully engaged, so you feel alive, and not like you are sleepwalking through life.
3. Contribution:
Ask yourself how you can be the best you to the people around you. Make your heart your motivational center - not your ego. When you feel you have something to give and are giving it, you feel instantly happier and like life is in flow.

These then contribute to what I call CENTREDNESS - it centres on the relationship you have with the situation, the moment, and the people. You are drawn towards a relationship with the here and now, with the people. When we rub these 3 very important watchwords together, we will experience a change in perspective, a paradigm shift.

What are you centred upon today?

Love Letter

My Dear Wife,

You may not know that darling, but I actually look forward to coming home after a long day, because you refresh my spirit. Just to see our lovely home, and those little touches you have given that make it cozier and more comfortable, means so much to me. Most of all, I enjoy seeing your smiling face. It lights up my whole being. Everything else dims and pales in comparison.

I know your days aren't always easy, and sometimes it's hard for you to simply put on a smile. Let's try to understand each other in these moments and wait a bit before we bring out our expectations. But, darling, let's not waste too much time before we embrace and rejoice in our love, our marriage, our home, and our son.

Because I Love You,
Your Husband.

Sunday School - R(A)

The nun teaching Sunday School was speaking to her class one morning and she asked the question, "When you die and go to Heaven, which part of your body goes first?"
Susie raised her hand and said, "I think it's your hands."
"Why do you think it's your hands, Suzy?
Suzy replied, "Because when you pray, you hold your hands together in front of you and God just takes your hands first."
"What a wonderful answer!" the nun said.
Little Johnny raised his hand and said, "Sister, I think it's your feet."
The nun looked at him with the strangest look on her face.
"Now, little Johnny, why do you think it would be your feet?"
Little Johnny said, "Well, I walked into Mummy and Daddy's bedroom the other night Mummy had her legs straight up in the air and she was saying, "Oh God, I'm coming!"
"If Dad hadn't pinned her down, we'd have lost her."
The Nun fainted

Happy Old Young Man

A woman walks up to a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch
"I couldn't help noticing how happy you look," she said.
"What's your secret for a long happy life?"
"I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day, drink a case of whiskey a week, eat fatty foods, and never exercise."
"That's amazing," the woman said. "How old are you?'
"Twenty-six."

Mitch Hedberg Humor

Dogs are forever in the push up postion.
Every book is a children's book if the kid can read!
I had my palm read. I wrote something on it first, to see if she would read that too.
I have an underwater camera just in case I crash my car into a river, and at the last minute I see a photo opportunity of a fish that I have never seen.
I like to play blackjack. I'm not addicted to gambling. I'm addicted to sitting in a semi-circle.
I remixed a remix, it was back to normal.
- Mitch Hedberg

Be Prepared!

Chance favors the prepared mind.
Fortune favors the prepared mind.
In the fields of observation chance favors only the prepared mind.
- Louis Pasteur

The Rich and the Poor

About the only difference between the poor and the rich, is this, the poor suffer misery, while the rich have to enjoy it.
- Josh Billings

About Plagiarism

About the most originality that any writer can hope to achieve honestly is to steal with good judgment.
- Josh Billings

Copying from one source is plagiarism; copying from various sources is research.
- Unknown

Are You a Dictator?

Dictators ride to and fro upon tigers which they dare not dismount. And the tigers are getting hungry.
- Winston Churchill

Facing Difficulties and Danger?

Danger - if you meet it promptly and without flinching - you will reduce the danger by half. Never run away from anything. Never!

Difficulties mastered are opportunities won.

Everyone has his day and some days last longer than others.

- Winston Churchill