01/21/01: Car Color, Optimist Creed

Hi,

Happy Chinese New Year!

I had an awesome week. I was energized by the superb small group leaders'
training conference up in Palmdale. The training guide is called
"Community Through Small Group", written by Thom Corrigan, from the Pilgrim
Training team, part of Navpress. I would highly recommend this small group
leaders training if it's offered in your area. I'll be co-leading a new
small group starting in February at my place. If you know anyone who is
looking for a small group in the San Fernando valley, please let me know.

On the way back from Palmdale, we suddenly decided to stop at Vasquez Rocks
Natural Area Park to hike up the rock formations. It was awesome! (I love
rock climbing, without the equipment.) Too bad it was getting dark, so we
had to turn back before reaching the high summit. Here's more info about
this place:

http://www.calendarlive.com/top/1,1419,L-LATimes-Search-X!PlaceDetail-7079,0
0.html

I watched "Thirteen Days" and thought it was very exciting and gripping. I
was slightly disappointed by the Lord of the Rings trailer, but I still
think it was be a great movie.

I met Larissa Lam at the ICC Conference last fall. She has now recorded
and released her own CD. Please check it out at:
http://www.larissalam.com/. You can even hear samples!

Three people replied to last week's thought provoking question about one
restaurant to eat in for the rest of your life. The answers were: Happy
Family Restaurant in Monterey Park, Nobu in the Bay Area, and Little Tokyo
on University (in New York City). Happy dining!

This week's thought provoking question is: "If you could easily visit one
known planet, which one would you go to?"

Josephine Cheung and Kelly Chu forwarded the humor and inspirational
pieces, respectively.

Enjoy!

-Josh.
______________________________________________

Car color: What's it say about you?
by Lucille Treganowan

Ancient Egyptians believed in chromatherapy, the ability to heal with
colors: Red stimulates mental energy, yellow stimulates the nerves, blue
heals organic disorders such as colds and hay fever, etc.

Modern car manufacturers believe in a version of the same thing: the
ability to sell with colors. Psychiatrists analyzed car-color choices for
a survey reported on K-LOVE radio, and here's what your car color says
about you:

Black: First choice of ambitious drivers who want to project an image of
success.

Red: You're outgoing and impulsive with a youthful attitude, but easily
bored.

Silver: You have great style and are often successful, but you tend to be
pompous.

White: White is the first choice of doctors and drivers who are reliable
and methodical.

Gray: Expresses understated good taste and indicates a safe, cautious
driver.

Blue: A team player who's sociable and friendly, yet lacks imagination.

So, if that's how the colors break down, just which colors will you see
most frequently on the road? According to a 1999 report from Dupont
Herberts Automotive Systems, the top sellers in the following categories
were:

SUVs, trucks and vans
1. White
2. Black
3. Dark/medium green
4. Dark/medium blue
5. Silver

Full/intermediate-size cars
1. White
2. Silver
3. Light brown
4. Medium/dark green
5. Black

Sport or compact cars
1. Silver
2. Black
3. White
4. Medium/dark green
5. Medium/dark blue

"But wait," you cry, "where's red on those lists?"

You thrill-seekers know there's no other color choice for impact and
excitement, and rest assured, red did show up in the Top 10 in those
categories. Why not the Top Five? It takes a certain type of personality
(as opposed to gender or age) to commit to red, and not every driver is
bold enough to go with it.

Car-color trends follow the fashion and decorating world. Hunter green was
a popular upholstery and wall accent a few years back, and, big surprise,
out came a number of cars particularly rugged, woodsy wheels like SUVs in
hunter green. I, personally, think it's anal to match your automobile to
your wainscoting, but hey, Martha Stewart's a bazillionaire, so who am I to
judge?

When choosing a car color, however, be sure to consider more than its
ability to match your wardrobe. Certain colors require particular care.
Keep this list handy when you choose:

White: Although grime looks terrible on a white car, it's the easiest color
to care for.
Black (and other dark colors): These are most susceptible to sun damage
because of their heavy absorption of ultraviolet rays.
Red: This also shows sun damage, so keep your car in a garage or shady port
whenever possible.
Pearl colors: These are the most difficult to work with. If the paint needs
to be re-touched, it must be matched to look right from both the front- and
side-angle views.

FYI, bird droppings do a real job on your car's paint, no matter what the
color. Clean bird bombs immediately or live with a
near-impossible-to-remove stain.

And while we're talking about car color, rest assured that no insurance
company will cop to charging more for certain car colors although some
drivers of red cars staunchly maintain that they are pulled over for
traffic violations more frequently.

If you're in the market for a new car and you're thinking about trying a
new color, consider my personal favorites:

Luxury car: Any Mercedes in black.

Sports car: A Mazda Miata, and it must be red.

SUV: I'm a Blazer fan, and I like the trendy dark greens.

Family car: A Volvo in silver or tan says slick, but responsible.

Truck: A Dodge in dark blue, solid and strong.

Compact: A new VW Bug in yellow is fun, flirty and easy to find in a
parking lot. Whatever color you choose, wear it with style and keep it
clean. No car looks cool with "Wash Me" scrawled in grime on the side.
_________________________________

Optimist Creed

Every once in awhile our emotion rise and fall. I found an optimist creed
quiet helpful when thing does not go our way. So this new year promise
yourself.....

1. To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

2. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

3. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

4. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

5. To think only the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the
best.

6. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about
your own.

7. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater
achievements of the future.

8. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living
creature you meet a smile.

9. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no
time to criticize others.

10. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

With this said I wish everyone a great New Year. (And a Happy Chinese New
Year!)