Have you seen the price of automobile fuel? When I started driving, I could buy three gallons of gasoline and some candy with one dollar.

Folks are asking me what they can do to minimize the cost of driving. I tell them it is all in their hands and feet.The greatest impact that they can have is to change the way they drive.

Fuel efficiency is more about the driver than it is about the car.

Accelerating hard, weaving erratically, or grinding to a halt all waste fuel.

WE THROW FUEL AWAY WHEN WE:

Accelerate fast

Turn on the air conditioning

Leave heavy stuff in the trunk

Drive with the moon roof open

Roll down the windows

Speed

Idle

Brake

Your brakes change the momentum that you paid fuel dollars for into wasted heat. Try stopping without braking. At least use your brakes as little as possible.

Learn to coast as much as possible. When you see that the traffic light ahead is red, take your foot off the gas and coast toward the light. If you can avoid coming to a full stop you save fuel.

Accelerate slowly and obey the speed limit. Try driving as if you don't have brakes.

Jackrabbit starts may be fun but they are a major fuel waster. If you drive an automatic, accelerate moderately so the transmission can shift up into the higher gears as soon as possible. Stick-shifters should shift early to keep the revs down, with out lugging the engine. Your goal should be to get into overdrive as soon as possible.

Keep an eye well down the road for potential slowdowns. If you accelerate to full speed then have to brake right away, you are throwing fuel away.

The best way to learn to drive economically is to have a fuel consumption display, which shows mpg in real time. I test-drove a Cadillac that had one and learned that I was not as efficient a driver as I thought I was.

Instead of a fuel consumption display, some folks call them game gauges. They use them just like the score on video games. Keep trying to beat your best score in miles per gallon.

OTHER TIPS

Drive with the truckers. Have you ever notice how, in traffic jams, cars seem to constantly speed up and slow down. Trucks tend to roll along at the same leisurely pace. A constant speed keeps shifting gears to a minimum, important to those who have those ten-speed transmissions, but it also aids economy. It takes much more fuel to get a vehicle moving than it does to keep it moving. Rolling with the big rigs saves fuel.

The defroster/heater fan and AC use energy that subtracts from your mileage. Use them as little as possible.

For the best fuel economy drive with all four windows closed. This is especially important at highway speeds.

Try parking at the highest spot in a parking lot. That way, you rely on gravity to get you rolling rather than the accelerator peddle.

At the mall, pick a parking spot that you can drive in and drive out with out changing directions. You may need to walk a little farther. If you drive through one spot and park in the facing spot, you will be headed out. When you park this way, you are ready to leave without backing and changing directions.

Dont use cruise control when driving in hilly roads. Most cruise controls accelerate excessively going up hill. You can do a better job yourself.

Do use cruise control on flat level roads. Your cruise control will maintain an even speed and reduce acceleration/deceleration.

Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip.

With a little planning, you can avoid retracing your route and reduce the distance you travel. Good trip planning ensures that you drive when the engine is warmed-up and efficient. You will not only save fuel, but also reduce wear and tear on your car.

The secret to your fuel economy is in how you use the foot pedals.

You can save money on your energy bills at home at work by visiting the ENERGY BOOMER blog at http://energyboomer.com

I am a Baby Boom Vintage Energy Engineer with a mission to help folks save money on their energy bills.

I am building on my work experience, or rather trying to put it to work for my readers.

Trying to save the planet from global climate change or delaying the economic collapse that using peak oil is expected to cause are good motives. But, saving some cash right now is better.

I just want to help folks save a buck, both at home and at work.

If it helps promote energy independence, I can support that too.

When we each shave a little off our energy bills, it is good for the environment and good for our economy.

It is nice to have good side effects while keeping cash in your pocket.

I graduated from Michigan State University with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1971 and have had a long career saving energy in a variety of industries.

By the 1920s, the Tour de France was a fierce competition. Belgium was leading the way with four victories and French morale was low.

The Tour de France had become the toughest sport in the world. When non -cyclist journalist, Albert Lourdes, covered the event in 1924, he found that the riders had a startlingly low morale, acting much like men he had written about who were imprisoned in French penal colonies. He referred to the riders as Les Forcats de la Route- convicts of the road. The race seemed to be run only to sell newspapers. Morale was low and it wasn't helped by the lack of a French winner. The first four races after the world were won by Belgians. Finally, in 1923, Henri Pelissier won, the host country's only win between 1910 and 1930. Thus began the host country's love/hate affair with the race. This attitude continues today. For example, during the doping scandals of the 1990s, many French had sympathy rather than disgust for it.

The Yellow Jersey

The famous yellow jersey was worn for the first time following World War I. Although it is now the most coveted garment in cycling, the first rider who was ever offered it, rejected it. He didn't want to become a moving target for his rivals.

The Winners:

* 1919 Firmin Lambot (Bel)

* 1920 Philippe Thys (Bel)

* 1921 Leon Scieur (Bel)

* 1922 Firmin Lambot (Bel)

* 1923 Henri Pelissier (Fra)

* 1924 Ottavio Bottecchia (Ita)

* 1925 Ottavio Bottecchia (Ita)

* 1926 Lucien Buysse (Bel)

* 1927 Nicolas Frantz (Lux)

* 1928 Nicolas Frantz (Lux)

* 1929 Maurice De Waele (Bel)

By 1920, the race was now 5,500 kilometers in length, with long overnight stages and crazy, draconian rules. For example, riders were still restricted from getting outside technical assistance and they couldn't change bicycles or even clothes. Riders must finish each stage with everything they had started with. The defending champion of 1924, Henri Pelissier, and his brothers quit the race. Their issue was clothing. Races started very early in the day, when it was still cool but the race continued into the heat of the day. Little wonder that riders stripped in layers. Pelissier quit in disgust.

Races during the 1920s said a lot about the Europe of the day. In 1924 and again a year later, Ottavio Bottecchia of Italy won. He became one of his country's major sports figure. Then, in 1927, he was murdered while on a training ride. It became obvious that not everyone appreciated his success. Some even feared it. A deathbed confession years later confirmed what many had long suspected. He had been murdered by Fascists.

The 1920s were overshadowed by the overt commercialism of the race. It also didn't help that the French had only won once, in 1923. Team time trials and national squads were experimented with. Substitute riders could come off the bench if a rider was injured. Everyone had to ride identical bikes. The tour's popularity had begin to waiver. All of these changes were short-lived but they did have one major benefit. They allowed France to build a strong force. France won the first five tours of the 1930s.

Technological Advances

In 1937, the derailleur system was introduced. This allowed riders to change gears without having to remove wheels. Previously, riders would have to dismount in order to change their wheel from downhill to uphill mode. The Tour de France had proven it could adapt in order to survive. It had gained back national appeal and respect.

Mitch Mueller writes on a variety of web topics, always trying to make it easy for folks to use the web to better their lives.

http://www.2007-tour-de-france.com/

http://www.tour-de--france.com/

http://www.keepandshare.com/htm/calendars/printable_tour_de_france_schedule.php

Are you new to the gay online dating scene and perhaps feeling a little intimidated about using an online gay dating service or responding to gay personals? Let me tell you why this evolution into the online dating environment has become so popular not only with the gay singles community but with all other singles seeking love!

Gay dating and personal sites are available everyday, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the comfort of your own home, on the train, in cafes and even in the officeyou can check out new gay guys for dating at any time you want!

Dont feel like hitting the clubs this weekend to find your next boyfriend? Join a gay dating siteyou can meet gay singles from any town, city or country. The choice is endless, why would you ever limit your dating options again?

Gay personal pics and photo profiles are one of the greatest online dating inventions ever! You can see what your chosen gay guy looks like even before you meet him in person. No more embarrassing blind dates for you, only date the gay singles you are actually interested in meeting.

Most gay dating services offer continuous access to facilities such as gay chat rooms, web chat, picture galleries and other tools to help make your dating experience more interactive and personal. With all these tools, you can move your relationship as fast or as slow as you like.

Is dating getting a little expensive for you? Gay dating sites offer a cheap and effective way to enjoy the dating life. For the cost of one dinner, you could be meeting hundreds of single gay guys for over a year!

If you still have some doubts about using these online services, why not think of it as meeting new friends and expanding your social circle? It may be an online site for gay men seeking dating, but who says you cant make friends in the process? Get to know as many single gay men as you can, who knows what could happen. You know the sayingthe best lovers are also your best friends!

By http://www.GayCupid.com - a gay dating and personals site for gay singles seeking love. Visit GayCupid.com to find more interesting tips on using gay dating services.

The term "healing" conjures up images of fixing something that is viewed as broken or unhealthy. Sexual healing would be needed to heal a physical illness or to correct behavior that is sexually dysfunctional or deviant. Pedophilia, sex addiction, impotence, and frigidity are some examples of conditions for which sexual healing through the aid of a medical or mental health professional would be most appropriate.

Tantra is not a method of sexual healing so much as it is a useful tool for bringing about a change of negative or uncomfortable attitudes towards sexuality and becoming more open, relaxed and sexually whole. Tantric practices, among many other things, help to dispel the most common myths and misconceptions about sexuality to establish an intelligent, rational setting for a natural, healthy, more enjoyable sex life. Tantric practices are useful in enhancing sensitivity to simple sensual pleasures, realigning unbalanced energies, and liberating us from unhealthy cultural beliefs regarding sex and sexual pleasure.

Sensual Enhancement
A major part of tantric practice is to pay close attention to what we see, hear, smell, feel, and taste without analysis or judgment. The more focused attention given to the senses and sensual stimuli, the more sensitive they become, and it takes less to arouse them. Because sex is a highly sensual activity, the enhancement of all sensual perceptions has a direct positive effect on libido and the ability to sustain sexual excitement. More pleasure is enjoyed from less and less effort, and without overindulgence. Tantra helps to take us back to a time when a simple touch brought a rush of warm feelings of joy and ecstasy, and this way, the pleasure of touch is greatly extended far beyond the mere moment of physical orgasm.

Energy Balance
Within every one of us are differing energies. Among them are Shiva, the masculine, calm and dynamic; and Shakti, the feminine, earthy, creative, and intuitive. When these internal polarities are balanced and integrated, we are able to take full advantage of the qualities of both such as clarity and intuitiveness, peace, and power. The result is a dynamic whole, the interplay of yin and yang, each capable of giving and receiving (sharing equally) pleasure with a partner. Encounters with others, both sexual and nonsexual feel more egalitarian when there is the lack of competition and constant worry and fear about unfair advantage. Fear and worry block the flow of energies, particular the energies needed for relaxation and fulfillment. Tantric relationships generally promote more cooperation and freedom to experience the joys of sexual playfulness.

Cultural beliefs
Sexuality is a natural and healthy part of life. Without it, life would cease to exist. Tantra is a discipline that originated in India and the east, where sexuality has at times been less repressed than in the west. The western current shame-based attitudes towards sexuality have led to the abuse of sex so much that it is exploited to manipulate and to sell virtually any and every product ever marketed. What a confusing concept! Tantra takes us away from the falsity that sex is nasty, evil, disgusting, or sinful. In fact, sex is considered sacred because it is associated with the supreme life force. When viewed in a way that is perfectly logical and rational, the possibility of a happy healthy sex life without being doomed to the depths of hellfire becomes all so real. Tantra empowers us to view sexuality in a way like any other, without negative or positive connotations, and devoid of guilt, disgust, and shame.

Equally damaging is the idea that only skinny people are sexy, or that there is any such physical standard requirement that must be met in order to be sexually desirable or to be permitted to enjoy the basic and normal joys of the body. All this is as if sexual satisfaction is a scarce commodity, to be enjoyed only by a select few. This all-pervasive fallacy is the root of many an eating disorder, and self esteem issue. When we consider that a majority of Americans are overweight, we see the widespread result of poor sexual relations and demeaning sexual attitudes. Tantra practitioners dismiss such beauty standards as a form of discrimination, which is discouraged, and a problem of separation. The tantric ideal is that people are all connected, all beautiful, and all divine. Therefore, any sort of physical requirement is absolutely absurd. Tantric practices require that we befriend, love, care for, and respect the body as a divine gift. To be sexy is a state of mind--being open, connected, and receptive to loving touch, no matter what weight, height, age, color, or shape.

Conclusion
Sex and sexuality are but a very small part of Tantra. However, almost all exposure to tantra by westerners derives from misrepresentations and misunderstandings of the practice through some well-meaning so-called healers and some not so well meaning profiteers. Most often they make easy money by claiming that tantra is limited to sacred sex and a neurotic quest to live out bodily passions. This hyperbolic emphasis on sex positions, prolonged orgasms, sexual healing, controlling ejaculation, etc. simply preys upon the western aversion to sexuality, the unhealthy western fascination with sex and everything sexy, or both and has very little to do with authentic tantra. Tantra is actually a very simple, deep, subtle spiritual practice in which adherents learn to use sensuality, creative energies, and breath to become completely present to reality, with an open heart, in order to simultaneously experience a greatly expanded state of love-based consciousness.

Lisa D. Branscomb, J.D. is the founder of LifeBliss Solutions. LifeBliss offers workshops, retreats, celebrations, and individual coaching on ways to use sensuality and tantric arts to create a richer, healthier, happier, more delicious lifestyle. For more information see LifeBliss Solutions