Hello everyone and welcome to my first column posting. For those who do not know me, allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Marcus Langford, Founder of Langford Internetprises. I am also author of the 'Mind Of Marcus' blog and I am a connoiseur of fine automobiles. Erika initially approached me with this opportunity several months ago, but because of our individual endeavors we were unable to bring this column into fruition. The time has come and I look forward to sharing with you my love and knowledge of automobiles. Without further delay I want to present to you this weeks automobile, the Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG.
Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with luxury and the CL65 is no less than what you would expect from a luxury automobile with a nearly-$200,000 price tag. Now, the CL class is already a beautiful flagship vehicle for Mercedes-Benz, but they offer four different models giving enthusiasts an opportunity to more or less choose their automotive poison. However, I am focused on the CL65, which is the most powerful and aggressive of the group. Along with its performance-based sister company AMG [a synonym based on the last names of the founding fathers of the company], Mercedes-Benz created a V-12 monster. While the base model CL has an output of 382 horsepower, the CL65 pummels the street with a whopping 604 horsepower. As you would imagine, a car that harnesses this type of power is not too easy on the gas tank and the CL65 will only give you 11 mpg city and 17 mpg highway, so perhaps this may not the car for you if you are trying to watch your pennies at the local gas station. What the hey, if you are able afford this car, then money is not an object, so drive on baby!
The styling of this ride is aggressive, the engine accelerates like a fighter jet, yet very smooth, the active steering and steering is phenomenal on twisty roads, and the interior is plush and technologically light years ahead of the competition. However, exterior wise, the rear of the car is not as aggressive to match it's front and the sound system is lackluster for an automobile that costs more than most peoples homes and of course you have the poor gas mileage, but again, if you want better gas mileage, get yourself a Kia and not an AMG Mercedes-Benz.
Overall, the Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG has no glaring flaws. It is a beautiful luxury coupe with the heart of an exotic car and that is all you're concerned about from the city to the back roads of the country.
-Marcus Langford
Marcus' Motorcar Corner: '08 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG
Half Baked Ideas
They frighten me. I've lived around them all my life and have seen them from family, close friends and strangers. This came to me this morning after a conversation with someone extremely close to me. It made me think how important it is to follow through with my personal ideas to as close to perfection as possible, take advice from those with experience and realize that if someone else can tell you what to do and how to do it the right way, find out why they ain't rich yet.
I will also share with you that at the moment I am reading Russell Simmon's Do You!: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success
A Strong Leap of Faith
The journey to help keep Summerton, South Carolina beautiful has been a sanction in camouflage. Two years ago I wanted to come home, with a plan of having an optimistic impact on the environment and my city. Of course I left behind a sense of security but the Keep Summerton Beautiful Project has extra significance. If I don’t care, who will? That was and still is the question that moves my spirit. Of course during the development of this project, I have received more than I ever estimated. I have met some brilliant people and 
bonded closer to those I have already known. It amazes me to see how accommodating citizens if truth be told are. More importantly this city is growing. Since I have been back in Summerton I have been able to start taking yoga classes, I’ve had my first professional massage, eat too much Chinese food, have lunch at the local gourmet shop, get to know all of my community members better and buy daisies from Ms. Ardis just because.Summerton is a beautiful city and I want it to be even more striking. We still have eye sore spots of neglected areas in the city that need to be addressed. It will take time and effort to accomplish this. More importantly it will take effective planning, team work and dedication to the task at hand. On countless occasions the public asks me if I have obtained a financial compensation to execute this and I say, “Veto”. Of course they wonder why, sometimes I do too. Then those closest to me suggest I join a volunteer organization to help in a needy country or go work for a large corporation to for compensation. My response to those people is simple. This is my life journey and I have been fortunate enough to have the courage and support to follow my passion. Where life takes me from here I only hope it leaves me satisfied at the end of the day.
Of course, our standards for living can always be improved and there are some of us that are more privileged than others. We have the duty to be of assistance. This is just a sm
all gestures but it can create waves of wonderful events. Some other tiny gestures include but are not limited to recycling at home, putting our litter in trash receptacles, and asking for paper bags at the super market instead of plastic bags. If we keep continuing to do these things, these efforts will help increase the scenic value of Summerton for its residents and tourists who come frequently to visit. It will also help relieve some of the pressure from our Public Works Department, who works tirelessly for us and most importantly we will help improve the earth’s standard of living.The Keep Summerton Beautiful Project will continue to address other environmental issues. If you are interested in lending a helping hand please feel me to contact me at emivens(at)gmail(dot)com .
All Men are Pimps and Other Sorts
Have you ever really thought about it? Men, what do they want? The basics are always the same, sex, money, respect, power and control, unless they’ve got a small manhood, but hey that’s just me talking. Men definitely get boring after a while. Married women get my prompts. How do they do it? Ok, back to the men. A man wants a woman that will listen to everything he says, good or bad. Maybe afterwards you might have a man say he was wrong. This case scenario is highly unlikely. This is where communication is the key element. We can blame all of this on the economy and your dear President Bush. I support McCain, all the way baby. Go McCain!
The Drug Bust
This past Memorial Day weekend I had a blast. Somehow I ended up at the beach. It was fun. I shopped, had a few dirty Martinis and forgot all of life's problems, at least most of them. Unfortunately, the entire weekend wasn't perfect. I found out there was an undercover police task force in the area conducting an investigation called Operation Rehab. This investigation had been going on for 3 months and is still in effect. The guys that were caught were charged with several counts of crack cocaine.
Well this leaves me to think of only a few negative things but nothing out of the ordinary. Instead of dwelling on this I have chosen to spend my time on something that will impact the earth. Helping to make sure our environment is beautiful is a small but effective way of improving our standard of living. Also I've been working on Her Shoe Addiction. The sales have improved some. This site has so much potential. These are a few of the positive things that are apart of my life at the moment. Taking the time to dwell on these helps me keep my focus to stay driven and dedicated to my life's mission. What's your life mission?
A Black Man or White Woman for President?
Being Black American and female, I am torn.
- Strengthening the Middle Class
America's middle class is under siege and ready for change. People are working harder and longer for less and less. For six long years, America's middle class and working families have been invisible to our president. When Hillary is in the White House, no American will be invisible to the president of the United States. - Providing Affordable and Accessible Health Care
Nearly 47 million Americans -- including 9 million children -- don't have health insurance. America is ready for universal health care. Hillary has the vision and the experience to make it a reality. This is a battle Hillary has fought before -- and she has the scars to prove it. She knows better than anyone how to fight and build the political support to get the job done. - Ending the War in Iraq
America is ready for a leader who will end the war in Iraq. Hillary's roadmap out of Iraq, the Iraq Troop Protection and Reduction Act of 2007, is a plan to end the war before the next president takes the oath of office. But if the Bush administration won't end the war, as president and commander in chief, Hillary will. - Promoting Energy Independence and Fighting Global Warming
The choices we make about energy touch nearly every aspect of our lives. Our economy, our national security, our health, and the future of our planet are all at stake as we make a choice between energy independence and dependence on foreign sources of oil. Hillary has proposed an Apollo Project-like program dedicated to achieving energy independence. - Fulfilling Our Promises to Veterans
Hillary will ensure that all those who sacrifice on behalf of our country receive the help and care they need. They not only deserve our country's gratitude and support; they deserve the gold standard in health care and benefits when they return home. That is our most solemn obligation to those who have put their lives on the line for our country. - Supporting Parents and Caring for Children
America is ready for a president who fights for our children. From her first job out of law school at the Children's Defense Fund to her time as First Lady of Arkansas and of the United States to her service in the Senate, helping children has been at the center of Hillary's public life. - Restoring America's Standing in the World
The next president's most urgent task will be to restore America's standing in the world to promote our interests, ensure our security, and advance our values. America is stronger when we lead the world through alliances. As president, Hillary will lead by the words of the Declaration of Independence, which pledged "a decent respect to the opinions of mankind." - A Champion for Women
Hillary's historic statement in 1995 that "women's rights are human rights" still echoes worldwide. As a lawyer, advocate, First Lady, and senator, Hillary has fought for issues important to women here at home and around the world for decades. Hillary will continue her lifelong fight to ensure that all Americans are treated with respect and dignity. - Comprehensive Government Reform
Americans are ready for a government that puts competency ahead of cronyism. For the past six years, we've had an administration that has contempt for government. And because they view it with contempt, they treat it with contempt. We need a return to transparency and a system of checks and balances, and a 21st century government to meet our 21st century challenges. - Strengthening Our Democracy
Fair and honest elections are the bedrock of a successful democracy. Yet we have seen abuses in national elections since 2000 that have undermined our democracy and Americans' faith in our electoral system. Hillary is a leading champion of election reform. She has introduced the Count Every Vote Act to avoid repeating the problems of the past and ensure the integrity of our elections.
These are Obama's Issues:
From http://www.barackobama.com/
- Fighting Poverty
There are 37 million poor Americans. Most poor Americans are in the workforce, yet still cannot afford to make ends meet. And too many poor Americans are single mothers who are raising children. Barack Obama has been a lifelong advocate for the poor -- as a young college graduate, he rejected the high salaries of corporate America and moved to the South Side of Chicago to work as a community organizer. As an organizer, Obama worked with churches, Chicago residents and local government to set up job training programs for the unemployed and after school programs for kids. - Strengthening America Overseas
As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Obama has fought to strengthen America's position in the world. Reaching across the aisle, Obama has tackled problems such as preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction and stopping the genocide in Darfur. - Plan to End the Iraq War
Before the war in Iraq ever started, Senator Obama said that it was wrong in its conception. In 2002, then Illinois State Senator Obama said Saddam Hussein posed no imminent threat to the United States and that invasion would lead to an occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. Since then, Senator Obama has laid out a plan on the way forward in Iraq that has largely been affirmed by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group led by James Baker and Lee Hamilton. - Creating a Healthcare System that Works
"I...believe that every American has the right to affordable health care. I believe that the millions of Americans who can't take their children to a doctor when they get sick have that right...We now face an opportunity - and an obligation - to turn the page on the failed politics of yesterday's health care debates. It's time to bring together businesses, the medical community, and members of both parties around a comprehensive solution to this crisis, and it's time to let the drug and insurance industries know that while they'll get a seat at the table, they don't get to buy every chair." -Barack Obama, Speech in Iowa City, IA, 5/27/07 - Energy and the Environment
Senator Obama has been a leader in the Senate in pushing for a comprehensive national energy policy and has introduced a number of bills to get us closer to the goal of energy independence. By putting aside partisan battles, he has found common ground on CAFE, renewable fuels, and clean coal. - Improving Our Schools
We are failing too many of our children in public schools. Right now, six million middle and high school students read at levels significantly below their grade level. Unfortunately, the debate in Washington has been narrowed: either we need to pour more money into the system, or we need to reform it with more tests and standards. Senator Obama has worked on bills that cut through this false choice and recognize that good schools will require both structural reform and resources.
Protecting Our Homeland
Five years after 9/11, our country is still unprepared for a terrorist attack. From improving security for our transit systems and chemical plants, to increasing cargo screening in our airports and seaports, the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission have been underfunded and ignored. The 9/11 Commission gave the government five F's and 12 D's on the implementation of its recommendations. Senator Obama is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and has supported efforts to base homeland security spending on risk rather than pork-barrel politics. He has also introduced legislation to strengthen chemical plant and drinking water security and to enhance disaster preparedness.- Immigration and the Border
Barack Obama believes the immigration issue has been exploited by politicians to divide the nation rather than find real solutions. This divisiveness has allowed the illegal immigration problem to worsen, with borders that are less secure than ever and an economy that depends on millions of workers living in the shadows. - Protecting the Right to Vote
There is no more fundamental American right than the right to vote. Before the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act, barriers such as literacy tests, poll taxes and property requirements disenfranchised many Americans, especially minorities. More than 40 years later, there are still numerous obstacles to ensuring that every citizen has the ability to vote. - Honoring Our Veterans
As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Obama is committed to helping the heroes who defend our nation today and the veterans who fought in years past. A grandson of a World War II veteran who went to college on the G.I. Bill, Senator Obama has reached out to Republicans and Democrats in order to honor our commitment to America's veterans. - Cleaning Up Washington's Culture of Corruption
Throughout his political career, Barack Obama has been a leader in fighting for open and honest government. As a U.S. Senator, he has spearheaded the effort to clean up Washington in the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal. In a politically charged election year, Obama acknowledged that corruption was a problem that plagued both political parties. He subsequently enlisted the help of Republican allies to limit lobbyist influence, shine sunlight into the earmarks process and promote open government. - Strengthening Families and Communities
Strong families raise successful children and keep communities together. While Senator Obama does not believe that we can simply legislate healthy families, good parenting skills or economic success, he does believe we can eliminate roadblocks that parents face and provide tools to help them succeed. A husband and father of two, Senator Obama has promoted strong families in the Senate. - Reconciling Faith and Politics
In June of 2006, Senator Obama delivered what was called the most important speech on religion and politics in 40 years. Speaking before an evangelical audience, Senator Obama candidly discussed his own religious conversion and doubts, and the need for a deeper, more substantive discussion about the role of faith in American life.
I wonder who has raised the most money. Probably Hilary. I have my homework.
You know none of these things are impressive. I did notice that Barack has the immigration laws as an issue. Hiliary did not.
5 Questions from Erika?
Is Applebee's still anything like it used to be?
Are Serta Mattresses really that comfortable?
When are the next Olympic games?
Do companies recycle rain?
Erika's View Supports McCain
In this presidential campaign McCain is the one that talks sense. So Erika's View is an official supporter of John McCain.
Read more about McCain
My South France experience will be nothing like this
Watch the video. This is so awkward.
I must admist Flavor of Love is one of my guilty pleasures.
Is it prejudism or just horrible dresses?
"This nation is so prejudiced against us — they have a false image of what we are. "
KATHLEEN
who belongs to the polygamist sect's Texas ranch, after a group of women returned to the compound.
All I have to say is, who in the world picked these dresses???
The Refractory Period
During the stages of sexual intercourse occurs the resolution. This is the last phase of the Sexual Response Cycle and it only occurs in men. Males experience a refractory period, during which erection cannot be achieved (the duration of this period varies among individuals and increases with age). Women experience no refractory period—they can either enter the resolution stage or return to the excitement or plateau stage immediately following orgasm.
The cycle includes: Stage 1: Desire, Stage 2: Excitement (arousal), Stage 3: Plateau ,Stage 4: Orgasm, Stage 5: Resolution
Training Day
So, it's Friday night. I'm home watching Training Day on the Bravo Channel. This is the movie Denzel Washington won an Oscar for. So of course I'm on the internet too. Here is a clip from Youtube. Enjoy!
