THE FUEL OF EXCELLENCE                                                              

By JESSICA GARVIN                                                           Photo By: ONYX

You may have seen him win endless trophies as a well respected and celebrated athlete on the Body Building stage. He has graced many magazine covers with his nostalgic heart warming good looks.  Who is this man behind a strong face with an endless list of success you may ask? He is none other than, Kevin Levrone, Holly Wood’s next Action Hero.

One would assume that after so many life trophies this man who stands at six foot with muscles more defined than Michelangelo’s statue of David would be a man who is consumed with self praises. This would hardly be the case with Kevin Levrone. During my interview with Levrone it was immediately apparent that the man sitting before me was a Man of Honor. He manifested a calm but strong spirit when he would speak with his deep Maryland roots randomly displaying through his vocal cords. Many of his fans believe that this is a man fueled with excellence mentally, physically and spiritually; more reasons to understand why he is crowned  “Maryland’s Muscle Machine.”  You may find yourself transported to a place where real men walk and are not emulated as he speaks about his road to success. 

“Through the loss of my parents at a very young age I learned the nature of the beast when it came to achieving success in life.” Levrone started off saying as he mentally prepared to take himself back in time to years of struggles and determination. “ It is discipline that breathes life into a dream and propels it to become success. It is commitment that separates desire from accomplishments. I acknowledged this at a very young age because it was discipline that got me out of bed when the pain of losing my father was too unbearable. A part of me wanted to throw in life’s towel. But there was this voice inside my soul that kept telling me to move forward with my life. I attribute this voice to being God. He was that flame embodied in my heart that would not allow me to quite. He taught me discipline. Through endless days of prayer and through God’s nurturing, that flame inside me became a beacon shining on my goals. That was the beginning of how I learned to achieve success and it was through adversity.”

 There was a long silence where I could see Levrone was trying to muster up his composure to open doors to his past. “There is a flame in every human being, and it is up to each individual to make that fire burn through out their life. It is that desire deep with in your soul that determines if you will cross the finish line. I often see people run a race and never even know where the finish line is. They had the right intentions but they lacked commitment; that is the main ingredient to obtain success, with out it goals fade just like grains of sands through an open hand.  Don’t be one of these people. Make a choice to be dedicated to your dreams.  There will be days you just don’t feel like following through, but you can’t allow feelings to navigate your drive because you will never make your destination. You must allow discipline to be your co pilot nothing else will do. With out a well-constructed plan backed by commitment your dreams in life will never manifest to its maturity. You must be dedicated to your goals to obtain greatness that is the fuel that will keep you on the road to success.”

 Through his direct but humble speech he takes you back in time when he was competing in a Body Building show. “ I remember when I took second in the Olympia, many people keep telling me, “ Why don’t you just quite they are not going to let you win?” I knew that I would never quite, because you don’t have to always take first to be the winner. It’s about the experience and if you become a better person in the process that is your trophy. Any time you become an improved person that itself is a larger reward than any prize you can display in a case. Trophies collect dust but a mans soul filled with honor will always shine. Remember that next time you don’t take first place. Set your goals to achieve excellence in your character because it is people like that who are the real winners in life.   Your trophy may have not been first place but in the eyes of God’s excellence it was. I have a strong religious affliction that is what got me through life and propelled me to achieve success.”

 I knew that our time with the interview was coming to a close but I had to reach out one more time for one last piece of advice. I was compelled to ask him what guidance he would give to someone trying to reach excellence but is faced with life’s roadblocks. He took a deep breath and displayed a humble confidence as he began to answer my question. “ Man is faced with adversity in all walks of life. Adversity is part of life and it does not discriminate against the rich or the poor who is weighed down from the afflictions of poverty. Life’s misfortunes is color blind and it effects everyone from all shapes and sizes and religious afflictions. Adversity enters everyone’s life like a thief in the night taking your most valuable possessions. When confronted with hardship you have to believe in yourself and stand strong.  Any body with a true drive inside is not secluded from achieving greatness even in the direct path of harsh conditions. Set some realistic goals for yourself and follow through with discipline just like I stressed earlier. We were all put on this earth to achieve greatness in our lives. Every man and woman has an extraordinary talent that needs to be cultivated and once it is, it should be shared and enjoyed with others. There is nothing sadder to me than wasted talent. Your goals and dreams are obtainable always know that and follow through with commitment. As my fans supported and believed in me through my whole career from Body Building to being an actor, I wish only the same blessings for you and your readers in their life. Follow through that is what fuels excellence and the world will see you at the finish line.”

When our interview came to a close I thanked Levrone who spoke of success through genuine humility. After reflecting on his advice about success I wanted nothing more than to put on a pair of running shoes and run with my dreams.

  GAME ON with VBLAZIN: Grid review!                                  

Somewhere between your run-of-the-mill brain dead arcade racer and that gearhead fetishists wet dream known as Gran Turismo, there is a magical place.  A place where people like you and me can learn to appreciate, and yes, even love automotive racing.  That place is Grid.

Welcome to the game Grid

Codemasters is no stranger to racing game and in Grid, the latest effort in their Racer Driver series. They have referenced every trick in their well worn book and written a few new pages to boot. Grid strikes a beautiful balance.  There’s challenge, but little frustration.  There’s a logical progression mixed with lots of variety.  It can be simple or it can be hardcore.  Go ahead and choose your poison.  The game doesn’t care as long as you’re having a good time.

The meat of the game is in the single-player “Grid World” where you enter various races from all over the world, collect cash, entertain sponsors, buy more cars, and hire a teammate.  The obvious end-goal here is to win each of the 50 events.  What keeps Grid fresh throughout is the variety of event types.  One minute you’re tooling through the streets of San Francisco (a Quinn Martin Production!) in your muscle car, the next you’re in an open wheel event in Germany, and the next you’re doing some drift tournament in Japan.

The Fast and the Furious

I’m not crazy about drift events, but if those don’t float your boat, there are plenty of other things to do including several grip racing styles like touring, GT, and pro muscle.  There are also several white knuckle Touge events, some awesome awesome awesome demolition derbies (which are awesome), and the Le Mans 24 endurance race. Whatever events you decide to compete in, placing well will earn you reputation points.  Each enough and you’ll unlock the next tier of events.

As you progress through the 3 tiers in each region, you’ll be able to plaster sponsor logos all over your cars.  These can help you earn serious cash should you achieve the objectives each sponsor requires.  Where you place the logos on your car has an effect on how much you can earn so as you gain more sponsors, it’s a good idea to juggle them around depending on your own personal racing strengths.

Racing games have long been the place to go when you want to show off just how cool the graphics are on your system. Grid does not disappoint.  These are some of the most convincing and beautiful racing visuals seen in a modern video game.  The clean, sharp, anti-aliased looks makes what goes on during the race all the more delicious.  The racing in Grid can be downright dirty at times.

Cars Smash!!  Cars Smash Good!

Grid has a very convincing visual damage model.  Smack into another car and you’ll be treated to bits and pieces of glass, metal, and rubber flying every which way.  Do enough damage to your car and you’ll see your speed, power, and handling decrease significantly.  Even crashing into a barricade can have a lasting effect on the race as any debris will remain on the track (and thus a potential hazard) for the remaining laps.

Should you crash (and you will), all is not lost. Grid employs a gameplay device they call flashback.  If your race suddenly takes a turn for the worse, simply rewind to the point just prior to when things went south and pick it up from there.  You only have a limited number of flashbacks per race, but they serve to mitigate well the frustration normally found in racing games.  Interestingly, using flashback doesn’t feel at all like a cheat.  It more like a tool devised to help players continue doing just what they’re supposed to be doing – racing.

The rest of the game’s features follow suit.  You don’t tweak your cars (sorry kids, this ain’t GT). Team management is simple and to the point.   The interface is downright elegant with the menu tree purposely streamlined so you spend less time clicking around and more time on the track.  For example, the act of purchasing a new car could have been located in completely separate part of the game menu.  But the developer wisely placed all purchasing decisions on the screen where you’re choosing what event to try next.  If you got the right car, you can just hop on into the race.  If you don’t, you automatically get taken to the purchase screen where you can choose from a selection of cars that match the event you’re interested in.  The only real misstep here is the inclusion of an eBay branded screen where you can purchase and sell used cars.  It doesn’t fit well and feels like really obvious product placement.

Pole Position

Sitting around comparing features between the big racing games is really a rather pointless endeavor.  In my mind, a good racing game is clear on the goals it wishes to achieve.  Grid obviously wants to offer the player lot of variety and it certainly succeeds.  Many will balk at the game because it doesn’t offer a million different models of car.  Those who do are missing the point. Grid is all about the fun and excitement of the race.  It’s racing with a capital ‘R’ minus the frustration.  You won’t find a more fun racing game this year.

Review by: Greg Bemis G4tv.com

 Why Green Cars Are Not Always Saving Machines 

By Lauren Tara LaCapra

Your Momey-Rushing to trade in your current car for a smaller, more fuel-efficient model will likely cost more money -- not save it -- according to an analysis by Consumer Reports.

What you'll spend on less-tangible costs like depreciation and interest will outweigh savings at the pump in most cases, even with gas prices approaching $4 a gallon, the publication, which is owned by the nonprofit Consumer Union, said.

If you've owned your current car for three years or less and haven't paid off the loan, it isn't worth downsizing, according to Consumer Reports' calculations. That's because the greatest depreciation occurs during the first three years, making the car less expensive to own after that point. Depreciation -- or the declining value of the car -- makes up about 48% of vehicle costs during the first five years of ownership, on average, compared with 21% for fuel.

"It's less expensive to tough out another year or two with a gas guzzler than trade in too early," says Rik Paul, automotive editor of the publication.

As an example, Consumer Reports compared the costs of holding onto a 2005 Ford (F) Five Hundred SEL v6 sedan with buying a 2008 Toyota (TM) Prius.

Even though the Prius can drive 23 more miles per gallon than the SEL, it still cost $3,000 more to own during the first year. (That assumes 12,000 miles of driving with an average gas price of $3.75 per gallon.)

Still, Paul warns, "if gas prices rise past $5 a gallon, large vehicles may see their depreciation accelerate and owners could face new challenges in selling their old model."

If you've got an old clunker or use a great deal of fuel, it might make sense to trade it in for a hybrid or more fuel-efficient model. However, timing is key if you've got a middle-of-the-road sedan and don't drive great distances.

You can check fuel efficiency and other metrics for your vehicle and other models at Consumer Reports' Web site.

The 2008 Channel Frederator Awards - The Winners

Channel Frederator - Watch Funny Cartoons Online -- The Channel Frederator Awards are Here!!! It was a hot, feverish, and fierce competition!!! Find out if your favorite cartoons claimed the Big, Red, Hunk of Burning Fred!!! Watch who won in categories like:The Sick Sick Sick Award The Bad Ass Bunny Award The Kiwi Award The So Cute It Hurts Award And many, many more! Watch all the nominees at channelfrederator.com
 

    VBLAZIN HELPS YOU: Dress for success                          

Men’s Interview Fashion Tips

by Lois Fenton

Men’s interview dressing has been fairly static over the years. In fact, it’s pretty much the same whether you’re applying for an entry-level position or for something higher up. The difference is that the entry-level guy isn’t expected to have as many -- or as expensive -- high-quality clothes. For a second or third interview, the new grad would wear different shirts and ties but might understandably trot out the same suit; someone applying for a managerial role or something more senior could not do the same.

So what are the overall dos and don’ts for men’s interview fashion? Check out this guide to colors, fabrics and presentation.

Suit Style

At a higher level, you need a minimum of two suits, starting with a solid navy and a solid dark gray. Unlike a swaggering pinstripe, a serious solid won’t turn anyone off. You don’t want to seem too showy, come on too strong or dress better than your interviewer. Your background, experience and personality should speak for you, not your clothes.

Avoid a double-breasted suit; a single-breasted one is not only more current but always safe. Either a two- or three-button cut is fine, although a two-button style is a shade more classic. Fabric must be seasonally appropriate and properly pressed. Crisp and neat are key when deciding what to wear.

Wear the navy suit for a first interview and the deep gray for a second interview. An important note: Even though a black suit and a tan suit are two great additions to a man’s wardrobe, neither is interview-appropriate unless you’re seeking a job in TV or some other glamour industry. Should you get to a third interview, you might go with a subtle shadow-stripe suit or return to one of the earlier choices. This is often a second meeting with someone you met in only one of the first interviews, so wear the suit that person did not see.

 

A blazer or sports jacket is almost always too casual for an interview. Still, a blazer and dress slacks does have its place. If you’re seeking a position in academia, where professors hardly even own a suit, or if your interview extends to an evening social invitation, you’ll want to show you are flexible enough to unwind and dress in a slightly different manner. But stay with what’s classic and traditional: navy blazer, gray dress pants, perhaps a blue or subtly striped shirt and a quiet tie. The location may be different, but the approach is the same.

Shirts, Accessories and Grooming

For the first interview, a white shirt, not blue or ecru, in a business style is best. Wear a simple shirt collar, such as a traditional straight point or a slightly less dressy button-down, avoiding tab collars, pins or wide English spreads. Also avoid monograms or jaunty contrasting white-collar-and-cuffs. And no French cuffs, which will help you avoid any cufflink mistakes.

Above all, go with 100 percent cotton, no blends. The shirt should be as crisp and white as possible. It might even be worth investing in a new shirt. Provided you choose a light shade, you might pair a blue shirt with the gray suit for your second interview.

The tie is extremely important, since it is the first thing someone notices in a man’s outfit. An all-over, neat pattern, a small dot or a classic stripe all work well. Avoid anything wild, overly bright or statement-making. For example, a bow tie is out of the question -- even if this is your style, save it for later. Forget pocket squares. And minimize jewelry. Certainly wear a watch, but not a sporty running watch or a Rolex.

To complete a professional image, black lace-up shoes are far better than casual penny loafers or anything gimmicky with buckles or straps. Never underestimate the importance of a good shoeshine. And black socks only, ones what are long enough to cover your ankles should you cross your legs but not bulky.

Clean nails, trimmed and freshly combed hair, well-knotted tie (ideally with a dimple), pressed pants and an ironed, neatly tucked-in shirt are as important as choosing the right clothes. Looking polished says positive things about your business judgment. Have a real pen handy as well as a clean handkerchief in your pocket.

A man can often adjust his wardrobe to express his personal style and individuality, but this almost never applies to job interviews. Here it is crucial to concentrate on your goal of getting the job. You are not trying to impress anyone with your distinctiveness or flair. That can come later -- after you get the job.

Don’t Hesitate to Ask

Finally, it never hurts -- and can help a great deal -- to ask during your preliminary phone-call discussion, “By the way, what should I be wearing?” or “What is your dress code?” If the answer is business casual, which is not likely, take that advice with a grain of salt. You never know if your face-to-face interviewer will have another meeting that day that requires him to be more formally dressed. If that happens and you’re dressed more casually, you are immediately at a disadvantage. Better to dress up than down is a good rule.

  The Incredible McCain Girl                                                

Barely Political - Funny Political Videos -- Barelypolitical.com presents The Incredible McCain Girl. Don't make her angry. You wouldn't like her when she's angry.

   The Importance of Vacation                                             

by Barbara Reinhold

So what's your vacation got to do with the bottom line? Everything, say industrial psychologists, but that fact doesn't seem to have penetrated very well in corporate America. The majority of people still take work with them on vacation in one form or another, and more than 25 percent of corporate people don't take any absolute downtime at all. So what's the problem?

Vacation Is as Important as Sleep

It's a little like sleep deprivation, according to physicians and psychotherapists. Just as lack of sleep impedes your ability to think clearly and act decisively, lack of playtime keeps you from taking in information effectively and seeing the totality of a situation. Lack of sleep and play both have a negative impact on your reflex time, general resilience and ability to ward off infection. Recreation deprivation also makes you cranky, and often more than a little critical of the people in your organization who do have the good sense to take care of themselves.

Every time I have clients who tell me their direct reports are slacking off, I respond with the question, "When did you have your last vacation?" Almost always, the answer is some variation of, "Well, I don't really do vacations that are about relaxing and rejuvenating. There's just too much to get done."

You're Hurting More Than Yourself

The bitter irony is that the vacation-deprived usually think they're doing everybody a favor by continuing to work themselves to the brink of exhaustion. But the reality is that they're costing everyone -- their coworkers, their direct reports, their organizations, their families and themselves. Work addiction is an insidious thing. Like other addictions, you usually have to bottom out before you can summon the courage to change.

And Finally... Let's Get Political!                                   

A round up of crazy brings a wet and wild protest, an ambitious Erector set project, and more nuttiness...

   Police: Man Wore Diaper Full Of Heroin                         

NEW ORLEANS -- A man wore a diaper full of heroin until police searched him, officers said.

According to a statement from New Orleans U.S. Attorney Jim Letten, Frank Keys Jr. has been charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, reported WDSU-TV in New Orleans.

According to court documents, St. John Parish deputies near Laplace, La., stopped a white Hyundai Sonata for a moving violation and searched it with a K-9 that gave a positive alert on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Officers said they patted down Keys and found he was wearing a diaper. When asked if there was anything in the diaper, officers said, Keys nodded his head.

Police said they discovered 257 grams of heroin in Keys’ diaper.

His case is under investigation by the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Letten’s office is prosecuting the case.