My Advice for YouTube Success

If becoming successful on YouTube was easy, we wouldn't need advice on hwo to be better. YouTube, like life, is imperfect. So we all need some advice. Please note that my advice is not about how to become the next YouTube heavyweight. It's more about how you can feel more confident in the videos that you do and make. Success comes over time. So now, here is my advice on how to be successful on...


^ from: erikbosgraaf.com

--- My Advice to Becoming a YouTube Success ---

I have divided this section up into a number of different talking points. So this is a blog version of not necessarily how to become a success on YouTube, but rather what factors lead to being successful on YouTube. These are things that can help you towards being better respected.


Know Your Audience.
When you do a video, it's best to know what audience you're dealing with. Most videos are most appropriate for people 13 and older. Videos that reach out to as broad of an audience usually do better than those focused on a certain specific audience.

Believe in Yourself.
If you don't believe in yourself when doing videos, how will anyone else believe in you? Make each video with the intent that people will watch and care about your material.

Challenge to Aim for a World Audience.
It's best to try to go for an international audience. YouTube is, after all, an international website with many people from around the world trying to make all kinds of videos for all kinds of people. Consider yourself a citizen of the world and try to make something many people the world over can appreciate (in addition to your own people).

Don't Give Up!
Success takes time. There may be videos that help elevate one's popularity temporarily, but greatness takes continued and persistent great videos.

Entertain, Educate, and/or Inspire.
Those are basically the three primary ways to become a success with your video. Offer something entertaining, educational, or inspirational. Aim to ENTERTAIN by coming up with something funny or make some great music. Try to EDUCATE to provide advice or help, or to try to expose something to people in a provoking way. INSPIRATIONAL videos can come in the form of talking about something in a way that has people thinking and talking. It doesn't have to be something thought-provoking or philosophical- it can be something entertaining that has other people wanting to emulate what you discuss or do.

Involve Yourself With Other Channels.
Involve yourself with other channels. Of course, there's a difference between involvement and involvement in a negative way. Don't just randomly hate on somebody's channel (like what has happened to me ever since joining YouTube) just because you feel like it. People make channels and videos to share things with others. You're not helping any cause by just being an insensitive jerk. Check out other peoples' channels and respond kindly and accordingly to others. Make decent video responses to be sent to channels. Throwing out any insensitive, racist, sexist, or otherwise demeaning content will only HURT you in trying to become better respected on YouTube. So involve yourself with other channels to make yourself uesful.

Pick a Trade and Utilize It.
It's best to utilize whatever trade you're most interested in. For example, channels like fafinettex3 and MichellePhan specialize in beauty. hotforwords specializes in the origin of words. VenetianPrincess does lots of parodies and spoofs of songs. Channels such as communitychannel, kevjumba, and HappySlip all specialize in comedy. So find a genre you are most comfortable with and make videos accordingly. In addition to this, switch up your content a bit and try some new things every once in a while.

Express Your Talent.
Anyone can make a video on any topic. However, talent and personality are what sells videos. So always try to incorporate your own style as best as you can. Have confidence in everything you do and don't be afraid to express yourself in a way only you can best express yourself.

Work Around Limitations.
I don't have a job. I don't make my own money. I don't have a car or a license. I essentially have a 2005 PC. I admit that I have a monotonous voice and stutter often. I don't have a green screen. I don't have my own production firm. Whatever limitations you have, try to find ways to work around them. Be creative. It's okay to be cheap, but always take advantage of your flaws and limitations and try to make the best possible content for people to enjoy.

Sell Your Product to Others.
Your channel, your videos, your personality... all collectively are your product. How do you sell all these things to get as much support from the global YouTube community? Think of hotforwords. If she only told you the origin of words in a way that wasn't fun and original, then her channel and her website wouldn't have garnered as much as attention as she's gotten. If you're serious about becoming a hit on YouTube, SERIOUSLY consider trying to sell your material as best as you can to the whole of YouTube.

Do What You Love, Love What You Do!
Have fun and try to remain upbeat. Give yourself that vote of confidence and try to work to become a star. YouTube should be about broadcasting yourself and offering your own twist on things. So love what you do and do it well.

--- Other Considerations ---

Here are some other things I've found helpful in exposing your YouTube content online to others...

Start Accounts on Social Networking Sites (Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
Set up accounts to various popular social networking sites to market your channel. Myspace is no doubt the most popular where you can really expose yourself. Personally, I've had better luck connecting with fans via Facebook than Myspace. Twitter is always good for keeping up with other people. You can even set up certain services to allow YouTube updates to be distributed around the web for all to see.

People Care.
YouTube has its fair share of idiots. However, always remember that there are people who are open to try newer channels and meet newer people. So don't feel like your work is going towards nothing. Try surrounding yourself on YouTube who care about your work and who care about you. Try making friends and getting supporters. There are people whom have seen my channel, given my videos aa chance, and subscribed to me.

Give Shoutouts to People.
Making sure to send your respects to people on YouTube shows that people care about your work. You have no idea what mentioning someone in a positive light can do for people. It helps them to be and feel respected. Plus, people feel happier knowing that they can lend you their compliments, and that you can offer your own thanks in return. Establishing a better bond with viewers and subscribers help to make your channel and reputation better in return. See? You don't have to be a hater on YouTube to be noticed! It pays to be respectful to others on YouTube instead of being a racist or sexist jerk.

Don't [insert term here]roll!
You know what I'm talking about here. If not, it's when you make a video about something or on a certain topic, but you post a video of something outside of the topic just to get people's attention. It's cheap attention and really just stupid. If I wanted to see a video of something completely fun or something, I expect to see that, not see a video of Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" or "Chocolate Rain" in the background. Do you REALLY want to hurt the credibility of your viewers and channel by doing this?

Don't Spam Up Your Tags.
Don't include all kinds of terms just to get your video to be viewed. Post as many relevant labels and tags as possible without having to use inappropriate/irrelevant tags. It's just desperation to have more people view your video. Why would you tag (for example) "Hannah Montana" to a video about doing Cossack dances?

Have Fun!
Enjoy making videos. Enjoy blogging about your work. Have fun! Doesn't mean you have to always smile or anything, but at least show that you have a love of making videos and not at all shy or passive on doing videos.


Now on to one danger...

Be Careful About Topics You Select.
Depending on the video's subject, you may be liable for getting uncomfortable and demeaning comments on a topic. It's why I had planned doing videos on the Gilbert Arenas gun incident and Tiger Woods' sex scandal. I cancelled those projects because I feared that I'd get a lot of racist comments directed either towards me or my people.





YouTube should be about having fun and expressing yourself; not hating on people just because they are what mainstream society considers immoral. So be sure to do your best and have fun! You can see my video material by visiting my YouTube channel at youtube.com/JohnMarineTube. Subscribe if you love my videos and content If you subscribe just to hate on me, you WILL be reported and blocked.

So have a nice day, ya? :-) Here is a YouTube video I made on this topic:

Motorsports Style - The Panoz Esperante GTR-1

Before their LMP Roadster, Panoz had this beauty as its racing weapon. This lovely car boasted an unusual front-engine layout. It was the work of Braselton, Georgia-based Panoz Motorsports and Reynard. It was unusual since most other prototypes were mid-engined, rear-wheel drive. The GTR-1 was a truly unique prototype race car as there were few, if any, front-engined prototypes. This was a car powered by a lovely-sounding Roush V8. The model I know best is the Visteon-liveried silver Panoz GTR-1. Now it's time I talk about how I think this car looks as a whole.

--- Motorsports Style: The Panoz Esperante GTR-1 ---

This is the car I'll be describing style-wise:


^ from: gt-racing.co.uk

After taking a look at this car, how can you NOT fall in love with it? This is a car with a fierce fastback appearance for a GT1-spec car. The cues are there of the road-going Panoz Esperante. The GTR-1 is primarily a super-evolved version of the road-going Esperante. Think of this car more like taking Pikachu and having him evolve into Raichu. Only thing is that this car isn't a cutesy car made cuter. It's more an elegant road car evolved into a Hell-spawned beast. The light encasings feature two big headlights and and a signal/hazard light on each side of the car. Three big vents are shown up front with the center one being the smallest. The front features some small winglets, as well as a long and wide front air opening. The opening is divided with a centerpiece that bears the Professional Sports Car Racing logo. From the sides, the car's aggressive character gives way to elegance. Graciously large fenders acentuate the sides of the car, giving it some extra muscle. The actual canopy of this car is styled beautifully and aerodynamically. There is no windshield at the back of this race car. As a result, looking at this car from a chase view up top makes this car look a little flat at the rear. The car kind of looks more aerodynamic than it really is. The rear wing is massive and flamboyant. But, it is in no way any boy racer (I hate using this term). A wide strip of lights at the back are also styled nicely along with the brake lights and hazard lights.

Overall, I don't think we'll ever see a car this dynamic and aggressive ever again. We are a society that loves different. This car was CERTAINLY different for what it was a pretty competitive race car in its day. There will certainly be prototype race cars, but what about winning prototype race cars? This car never won Le Mans, but it has been successful in a variety of races this car has competed in.

There was a hybrid-electric version of the Panoz Esperante GTR-1 called the Panoz Q9. This car is basically the same as the GTR-1 in design, but was powered by lots of batteries. It was given a purple primary color and little yellow bolts. Here is a picture of that car:


^ imageshack.us, by way of forocoches.com




Thank you for reading my blog entry talking about how I think this car looks! As a bonus for you rFactor gamers, you can download this mod for rFactor, featuring four different Panoz models. Get this mod if you haven't already: Panoz Esperante 1.0, for rFactor.

Motorsports Style - The Toyota GT-One

(UPDATED: February 25, 2012)

The Toyota GT-One (or TS020) was one of the most radical prototypes of the 1990s. Toyota could have been the only other Japanese manufacturer to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans outright. Their Le Mans weapon was the Toyota GT-One. Late-race troubles in 1999 led to BMW taking the outright win. While the GT-One didn't win Le Mans, it was still one of the coolest and most popular Le Mans race cars ever. It's certainly one of my favorite race cars of all time.

LATEST UPDATE(S)/REVISION(S):

FEB 25 2012 - post updated and renovated

--- Motorsports Style: The Toyota GT-One ---

This car was built by Toyota Team Europe. It roars beautifully and can go pretty fast. I like the 1999 livery more than I do the 1998 livery. Both models could be found in Gran Turismo 2, including the road car. Here are as many pictures as I can use to describe this car:


^ from: mitsuru-1029.cocolog-nifty.com The 1999 Toyota GT-One.


^ from speedhunters.com 1998 Toyota GT-One.


^ from www.ae92gts.com - Toyota GT-One Road Car. You know you want one. :)


The car has lovely character up front. A set of four small headlights on either side join together to provide the lighting for this car. Small vents under the headlights help feed some extra air into the car. Along the front, you note this F1-like design up front followed by two extra vents near the canopy of the car. With this being a right-hand drive car, the side mirror on the driver's right (from inside the car) is closer to the driver while the left side mirror is above the left-front tire. The areas around the front tires are opened up a bit from up front. Up top on the canopy is the big roof scoop feeding air into the Turbo V6 engine. Huge openings on the sides gives for better ability to cut through the wind. Up top is a wide and narrow hood scoop to feed air into that twin-turbo V6 engine. This car from the sides is gorgeous. Lots of swoopy lines and beautiful curves accentuate the car's design as it cuts through the air during a race. Big side ducts only added to the aggressive stance of this. The rear wing assembly is nothing overaggressive or flamboyant. It does, however, get the job done keeping the back end of this car weighed down. From the back, its elegance and charm is undeniable and graceful.



According to totalmotorsport.com, did you know that this car was created entirely on CAD drawings? The site says it was not made with any drawing boards. That alone (for its time) was pretty impressive for a car like this. I'm still sure Toyota would love to re-do Le Mans 1999 and win it. I'm sure they'll want to be the second-only Japanese make to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans since Mazda's triumph in 1991 with the Mazda 787B (that I blogged about). This is a car that can honestly and truly perform. It didn't win Le Mans (it almost did in 1999), but it's still one of my all-time favorite race cars. And yes, I enjoy driving the heck out of this car in Gran Turismo games.

Since Toyota's failures in F1, it makes me wonder if Toyota wants to try sportscar racing again. Maybe they can develop a car that can compete with the best prototypes from Europe (though the Toyota GT-One) was developed by Toyota Team Europe). I think it would just be different to see more non-European prototypes compete in high-level sportscar racing again. Formula 1 didn't work. Care to return to sportscar racing, Toyota?


(ADDED: May 29, 2011)
This video gives you an idea of how this car performs in its natural habitat. Sadly, it also features its untimely demise at Le Mans 1999:



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Clogs and Mules

NOTE: This blog post is in the process of being made over. If you want to shop for clogs and/or mules on Amazon, visit my John's Shop Space link posted later in this blog post.

Clogs and mules are tough to differentiate. I've always known both shoes to be backless slip-on closed-toe shoes. Those will be the kinds of shoes that will mostly comprise the shoes I'll be discussing here. I've always known clogs to be these slip-on mostly casual shoes, while mules are a bit more chic shoes without backs to them. The only kind of heel support for most clogs is usually a strap or something that secures the back of the foot. While I don't believe in fashion trends, some say that these could be shoes worth looking into for this season. If you're seeking a pair of clogs or mules yourself, I'll try to find some clogs and mules on Amazon and Endless for you later in this blog post (read "An Important Amazon Note" for information on all Amazon and Endless items).

You can call this your clog blog! :)

--- Why Clogs and Mules? ---

People have hated on clogs and mules simply because they look ugly on feet. Wearing these are comfortable for their slip-on charm. A pair of straight-leg jeans/pants or flared jeans/pants with clogs or mules can offer the illusion of tall boots or larger shoes. Of course, these days, it's all about tall boots and skinny jeans- wearing boots over jeans/pants. And if you scoff at clogs and mules, think of it this way... at least they are VERY decent alternatives to flip-flops or Vans-style slip-on sneakers.

--- Clogs and Mules at a Glance ---

The ones I will mostly discuss are the backless shoes. There are other kinds of clogs and mules, as you will see in this section. Please remember that the definitions of clogs and mules are completely interchangeable for most people.

Backless Mules and Clogs.

Why don't we take a look at some clogs and mules? This is to help you to know exactly what is being discussed.


^ from: fooyoh.com - These are Vera Wang mules with plenty of style to them.


^ from: kaboodle.com - Clogs with rivets or studs along the sidewall is a popular styling touch for clogs.


And then, maybe the world's most popular/notorious clogs:


^ from: bodypunks.com, by way of tuscondresscode.com - Yes... these are not only clogs, but also clogs worn by females and males. Crocs (and Crocs knockoffs) make these familiar clogs among other shoes. If you're seeking Crocs-style clogs, I'll have more for you towards the conclusion of this blog entry.


Most of these clogs can be worn in two ways. You can either wear these with the strap forward, or move the strap to the back to have the clogs stay on your feet better. As for mules, enjoy the slipper style of these shoes. These are shoes better left for full-length pants with voluminous legs. However, clogs and mules with cropped pants are still pretty wearable. Clogs come in fashionable models as well as work-appropriate clogs (like rubber clogs for those in the medical and dental industries).


Closed-Back Clogs and Mules.
Closed-back mules are comfortable slip-on shoes. The appeal remains the same. There are even work-appropriate closed-back clogs, such as these from Dansko (do not confuse with Danskin):


^ from: shoestoboots.com - These are some clogs that are comfortable for females to wear at the office. Not so much a good idea to wear with any cute casual outfit, though.


^ from: clogs-online.com - Believe it or not, these are actually clogs. These mary jane clogs have kind of the same appearance as the other Dansko clogs. It's still the same easy comfort for your feet.


Now that you have some inspiration, you now know about the shoes that lots of people are saying will be the trendiest shoe for warm weather. Let's move on and see if I can direct you to some clogs and mules (in case you're interested in getting your own). If you don't want to shop for clogs and mules that I've found online, I'd like for you to find some Crocs clogs, in case you're interested:

--- Clogs and Mules On Amazon ---

NOTE: This section contains links to Amazon and products. You are welcome to click on images and links to learn more about each item. You are free to order any items featured in this section or in any widget if you choose. Please see "An Important Amazon Note" in my blog's sidebar to see more information on any Amazon items shown.

Time to see if I can find you a pair of clogs or mules if you like these shoes. Please remember- you are free to click on each graphic to check out more images, the shoe sizes available, shoe colors available, and things like that. You are also free to order a pair you like. If you appreciate my blog work to where you want to buy anything I mention in my blog, I want you to please be able to show your support by purchasing anything I feature that you like. The reason why I go to this length in some of my blog entries is because I want people to visit my blog and actually be able to find things they like that I feature. If I just show off a bunch of shoes that you can't buy, then I'm not doing my part to talk about fashions and then be able to let you purchase something if you like. I would appreciate it if you order anything you see that you like. It would help me to know that my efforts mean something.

Having said this, let's find some clogs and mules! Remember to click on and order anything you like here! If you DON'T see something I feature that you like, I will include a widget with many more clogs and mules for you to check out. So let's go!

NOTE: All shoes are Women's sizes and for women, unless otherwise specified.


Backless Clogs.
These can be clogs that either are fashionable, casual, work-appropriate, or whatever. These shoes are more comfortable than anything super-chic. It isn't likely a pair of clogs will stand among high-heel peep-toe pumps as far as women's shoes to lust over. Clogs are all about comfort both walking and wearing. So here are some backless clogs I've found on Amazon. I will even include those that have slingback designs to them in this section. Remember- if you see anything you like here, please click on each graphic to learn more about it. You are also encouraged to order items on Amazon of anything you like that you see here.

I'll begin with a pair of clogs that you might have seen before.




^ (UNISEX ITEM) Love them or loathe them, crocs clogs are every bit an alternative to flip-flops/thong sandals. Over 18 different colors and various sizes for both men and women compliment these clogs. Many consider these to ONLY be for children or only be for gardening... NOT for wearing with casual outfits. Like these or not, these are perhaps the world's most famous and most worn clogs, even with various crocs knockoffs. Please click on the image to see all sizes available for both men and women.

Done reading? Find some more Crocs clogs below. Want to see many more clogs on Amazon you might like? Read on after the page break!

I am making over my blog entries to link to my secondary blog to show many more clogs and mules. Most of the material after this Jump Break is featured on my secondary blog. Click on the image below to shop or buy clogs and mules. I've found many more clogs and mules on Amazon including some from crocs and swedish hasbeens among others. So click on the image below to see my secondary blog, featuring many more clogs and mules than what you will see after this Jump Break:





^ Consider getting comfortable clogs like these Dansko shoes to wear at the office or with some casual outfits. A good pair of straight-leg career pants or some flared jeans or pants will go nicely with these. They'll provide that kind of appearance of boots hiding under pants, just like things used to be until monsterous boots were worn over jeans and pants. They can even be worn with black tights (with feet, mind you) or stockings while wearing a skirt or dress. Check the image for all the available sizes and all seven colors these clogs come in.


^ I can already imagine these clogs being paired with straight-leg pants or flared-leg pants. This is a wedge clog with a kitten heel. For a tough touch, perhaps try some beige wide-leg cargo pants or some tan corduroy pants with flap pockets with these clogs. Sizes range from 6 B(M) US to 10 B(M) US, and they come either in brown or black.


^ Since these clogs are from Dr. Scholl's, you know what you're getting- great comfort for your feet as you walk. These shoes have that '70s vibe to them with the platform and the chunky heel. People may say these are unfathomably ugly. But to me, they're pretty cute. It's slip-on comfort from perhaps the world leader in comfortable footwear. They come in over ten different colors and come in five different sizes, ranging from 5 B(M) US to 11 B(M) US.


^ Bearpaw makes these clogs, the Jasmine. Think of these as the clog relative to the ever-popular sheepskin boots. These are more designed to be worn with a pair of jeans and with comfortable looks than anything chic or stylish.


^ Half mary jane, half clog, Dansko's Solitaire clogs combines the cute and girly appeal of mary janes with a comfortable slip-on clog. Another kitten-heel pair of clogs, these shoes can go with a lot of different looks for some comfortable appeal. They do come at a large price, but are probably worth it if you want something stylish and comfortable at the same time.


^ Jaanis is the name of these clogs from Steve Madden's Madden Girl line. This Madden Girl is one who speaks style with a slip-on style and a chunky high heel. Best to wear with full-length pants. Or if you feel like wearing skirts, then tights or stockings will work too. They come in either a black or brown color. Sizes range from 6 B(M) US to 10 B(M) US.


^ These are PUMA clogs that are sporty as a whole. They're more like sneakers for those who don't want to wear any lace-up sneakers. They only come in black and white/black, and in sizes ranging from 5.5 B(M) US to 12 (B)M US.


^ Swedish hasbeens makes these clogs. While they are pretty nice in black, they also come in two different colors guaranteed to give your feet some vintage appeal. The shoes also come in Orange and Apple Green. Almost as if these clogs beg for some flared or bell-bottom jeans than skinny jeans. Of course, don't overlook wearing a cute flared skirt with some tights, either.


^ Discontent with any ho-hum clogs or mules? Try these Marc by Marc Jacobs clogs for size! They come in two different colors (Amber and Navy) and have some lacing up top to finish off the look. These are more like platform sandals to me than a proper pair of clogs or mules. But if these are clogs, then I'll refer to them as clogs. Sizes are in American and European. American sizes for these clogs range from 6 B(M) US (or 36 M Europe) to 10 B(M) US (or 40 M Europe). So if you fancy a premium pair of clogs and don't like Swedish Hasbeens, these may be your dream clogs.


^ Stuart Weitzman's Apron clogs come in three different colors. The heel comes in at about five inches tall as the shoe sits on a 1.5-inch platform. The soles are rubber while most of the rest of the clogs are leather. There are 14 sizes for these clogs, ranging from 4.5 B(M) US to 11 B(M) US. A groovy girl would go for some bell bottom jeans with these.


^ Despite the fact that these clogs don't look as the $594 USD price tag implies, these Robert Clergerie "Valence" clogs have a platform to them. These clogs cost many times more than your average pair of clogs. Cafe is the only color they come in, and there are three available sizes. Not afraid to spend money on clogs? Help yourself with these!


That concludes this section. Now let's move on to closed-back clogs.


Closed-Back Clogs.
These are clogs that support the back of the shoes with a full base. So have a look at what I have to show you here. And remember- click on anything that you're interested in or want to purchase.



^ If you walk around a lot at the office, wearing something like these clogs can be more comfortable than going with some classy pumps.


^ No women's shoe is more stylish and timeless than the mary jane. All the stitching and details give these a sneaker-like look to them. These can be every bit as comfortable and fun and cute as any other mary jane.


^ These are another pair of Dansko mary jane clogs. They are sneaker-like without bearing anything really indicative of sneakers. Cute. Comfortable. Professional. Can you really go wrong with these? There are eight different colors and various sizes. So click on the graphic above to learn more about the available sizes and colors for these shoes if you want them.


Many more will be featured in my widget featuring lots of clogs.


Mules.
All along, I've defined clogs mostly as comfortable slip-on shoes with or without backs. Now meet the more attractive cousin of clogs- mules. Mules encompass greater varieties in design than clogs. You're going to find LOTS of mules here, and many more when I share with my widget showing off more mules. So let's find some mules!

NOTE: All sizes are Women's sizes unless otherwise specified.



^ These mules are a slip-on alternative to a proper pair of pumps. These mules have pointed toes and are styled and designed quite nicely. They are beautiful in appearance for these BCBGirls Corrine Mule. They are a happy medium between pumps and sandals. They either come in this almond color or in a teal color. Sizes range from 6 B(M) US to 10 B(M) US.


^ Skechers is a shoe maker I've discussed a great deal of in my fashion blog entries. In what can only be described as slip-on sneakers, these Orbit sneaker mules only come in white/silver and range in size from 5 B(M) US to 11 B(M) US. There are shoe laces, but you need not have to lace them up all the time.


^ Only available in white/silver with sizes at 7.5 B(M) US and 9 B(M), these Volatile sneaker mules are fashion sneakers with a cute platform base.


^ Care to Dance? Care To Dance is the name of these shoes from Seychelles. They are a combination of leather and rubber in design. They come in black or brown. Sizes range from 6 B(M) US to 11 B(M) US.


^ A wedge heel and lots of studs gives these mules the cute personality it needs. These Rocket Dog mules, called Riley, only come in black. They also come in 6 B(M) US, 9 B(M) US, and 10 B(M) US sizes.


^ From ALDO, these Dillenburg wedge mules have studs around the toe and a very high heel at the back. The heels are about 2.5 inches tall. Turn some heads with these shoes, ladies. They come in either black or dark brown. Sizes range from 5 B(M) US to 11 B(M) US.


^ These Fergalicious Kikapu clogs from Fergie are very rugged. It's an attempt at adding toughness to a basic pair of mules. Sizes range from 6 B(M) US to 10 B(M) US and come in either black or brown.


^ Let your inner cowgirl shine with these mules. Texas' own Lucchese makes these mules. They come in Mahogany/Black with sizes ranging from 6.5 B(M) US to 9.5 B(M) US.


^ Issac Mizrahi's Bow mules come in two different colors- Black and Horse Hair. The slip-on appeal is stylish for these pumps. They have a wooden high heel at the back measuring four inches off the ground. Sizes are in American and European sizes. They range from 6 B(M) US (or 36 M Europe) to 10.5 B(M) US (or 40.5 M Europe).





And that's it! If you couldn't find the clogs or mules you were looking for or want, you can find many more in my two widgets. Share them, browse them, look for the clogs or mules you most want to get. Have a look and also have a great day!

For clogs (including those for men, children, and babies):

For mules:

UPDATE: I forgot to mention Crocs clogs.

For clogs from the ever famous crocs brand:

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Double Chocolate Chip Mocha Frappuccino

Starbucks' delicious chocolate chip frappuccino offers up a sweet-tasting chocolaty drink. You can somewhat taste little chocolate chip bits as you drink it. It's topped off with blended cream with swirls of chocolate on top. This is my personal favorite drink from Starbucks. What you're getting out of this drink is a very sweet-tasting, icy chocolate drink. And as the name suggests, there's chocolate... then MORE chocolate to this drink. There's so much chocolate to this drink that you almost swear you're addicted to the rich taste of this drink. It's really worth a try if you've never tried it before. Here is what this drink looks like:


^ from: s1.causes.com

This is my first-ever drink for my "Food and Drink" label. For nutrition information on the Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino from Starbucks, please click for Nutrition Information on this drink.





Thank you for reading!

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Car Style - The Aston Martin Rapide

Aston Martin's Rapide is a four-door luxury-type sports car. Most Aston Martins since the DB7 have been nothing short of beautiful. There are a lot of people who hate the idea of a four-door sports car. Maybe since sports cars were NOT designed for putting multiple people inside. As much as I like a car that's sexy and fast, there's no need to hate on it just because you can't put extra people inside. Even I'd prefer something like an Aston Martin V12 Vanquish over something like a four-door Bentley, but there's no reason to hate on this car, if you do.

This blog entry concerns how I feel about the style of the Aston Martin Rapide. Don't expect a review on performance or anything. Welcome to another Car Style blog entry of mine!

--- Car Style: The Aston Martin Rapide ---

Here is the car:


For what it's worth, the Aston Martin Rapide has as much of the bold sex appeal of recent Aston Martins as any other. The front of the car boasts the same lovely grill designs of most recent Aston Martins. Long, yet bold headlights light up the darkness. The hood of the car is beautifully aggressive. While an Aston Martin coupe is sexy as it is, this sedan offers exceptional and exquisite style. Its side profile literally exudes executive level charm. It has a four-door appearance while also looking more like a stretched coupe. Evidence of this can be found in how the side pillars are designed in relation to the rest of the car. A lovely set of nine double spoke wheels accentuate the tires. The four-door design is pretty lovely, even if it isn't a Maserati or Mercedes-Benz (though I'm not really a Maserati fan). It has the same kind of gas cap design and placement as an Aston Martin V12 Vanquish. While the Rapide may not have the bold fenders of the V12 Vanquish or any of the Aston Martin coupes, this car does not lack character. The rear of the car features lovely rear lights, a subtle rear spoiler, and a pair of nice mufflers.

From within, this car has a beautiful instrument panel and lovely center console. Beautiful and comfortable seating compliments the front row and 2nd row.



Really, this car can be thought of as a four-door V12 Vanquish, though not exactly with the bulging fenders and appeal of a sports coupe. It's a beautiful car whether you fancy this sporty sedan or not. Great car! Thank you for reading!

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Short Shorts

(UPDATED: January 16, 2012)

Nothing says warm weather like short shorts. Whether you fancy trouser-like short shorts or a good pair of denim short shorts, this thread is all about those short shorts and those who wear them proudly. There won't be any Bermuda shorts or any long shorts here. This blog entry is all about those short shorts. Why? Why short shorts? Short shorts can be every bit as sexy as a mini skirt, only that you can wear short shorts more confidently than mini skirts. The coverage and the overall appeal make these shorts shine.

Let's set the mood with a few pictures of short shorts. Here you go:


^ from: djpremium.com, by way of buytag.net - a creamy white pair of short shorts.


^ from: chicisimo.com - Really short shorts (often called "shorty shorts") can be hot to wear.


Let's get crackin'!

--- Get Shorty! ---

What are referred to as "shorty shorts" are these super-short shorts commonly worn on hot days. There are females who want to look hot by wearing these shorty shorts along with a certain style of shoes or sandals. The majority of what you will see in this blog entry are short shorts. Call them short shorts or shorty shorts... if you like these shorts, I hope not to disappoint you as you read this blog entry.

--- Short Shorts at a Glance ---

You've probably seen the Nair commercials with the old "who wears short shorts?" song. Short shorts are either representative of warm weather or beach chic. A nice pair of short shorts can be cute and also comfortable. If you're confident baring your legs, then wearing some short shorts can go a long way to you looking your best.

Denim Short Shorts.

^ from: kaboodle.com - cuffed denim short shorts.

Denim short shorts are the most prevalent short shorts. Doesn't matter if they are really short, are cut off short shorts, cuffed denim short shorts, or whatever... nothing like a pair of denim short shorts that fit on the hips and backside as any decent pair of jeans. Almost any kind of tops go with short shorts. One common look is pairing a tunic with short shorts (especially denim ones).

Anything from an average pair of sneakers to flip-flops to various other sandals will work just fine with denim short shorts. I'm starting to appreciate the look of trashy denim short shorts with cowboy boots. That would be style Miley Cyrus would appreciate.

Beach/Surf Shorts Shorts.

^ from: dogfunk.com - Sometimes, you will see some teen girls wearing short board shorts or running shorts. These above are from Volcom.

Rather than denim short shorts, you have your fair share of beach-appropriate shorts. Just because these are mostly shorts from surf-inspired companies like Hollister or Pacsun doesn't mean they are ONLY for the beach. They are still plenty comfortable even if not heading to the beach, or even if there isn't a beach in front of you for miles.

Footwear varies. Just about any kind of shoes would go well with most beach/surf shorts. I'd avoid tall boots, though for most beach and surf shorts. I've even seen a few girls wear boat shoes with short-shorts. That can be a very cute look and a nice diversion from sandals or sneakers.

Chic Short Shorts.

^ from: chicagonow.com (this was the best I could find) - Wearing a chic pair of shorts with tights, leggings, or stockings can be sexy for a night out. That is, IF you think shorts can be worn for a night out on the town.

Going for a night out on the town wearing short shorts? It's very possible to find a chic pair of shorts appropriate for a hot night out. More on this topic will be covered in the next section. But as you can see from the picture I selected, a cute pair of short shorts can be combined with tights or stockings and worn with boots. (or any other stylish shoes). Some people have criticized that one should NEVER head for a night out on the town wearing short shorts. Really, short shorts can be a lovely alternative to a mini skirt.

Active/Gym Short Shorts.

^ from: belaforma.com - Running short shorts can be a common sight on warm days. Rather than sneakers (even fashion sneakers), some teen girls and adolescent girls wear flip-flop/thong sandals with these sporty short shorts.

For active types, there are active short shorts that are both functional and fashionable. I won't really discuss active short shorts in this blog entry. However, if you want to find some active short shorts, please visit my blog entry, "Sporty Cute!".

--- Short Shorts for the Night Out? ---

There are short shorts for juniors and women that can be wearable for a night out on the town. I usually have seen girls go to the nightclub wearing some short shorts. One such look is pairing short shorts with a hot pair of heels. Either that, or wear short shorts with tights and either some high-heels or some booties or shooties. Some short shorts are so classy that they COULD be worn for a night out with friends or at the club or someplace. Want some inspiration on short shorts as evening clothes? Check this picture out:


^ from: divinecaroline.com - It is possible that some short shorts can be worn for a night out. Some people, however, think shorts (let alone short shorts (or shorty shorts)) should ever be acceptable for a night out.

As you can see, a great pair of short shorts coupled with some sexy high heels can make for a great evening look. You could try wearing full foot tights or really tall stockings if you want to mix up style a bit. Rather than high-heel sandals, you can try going with other dressy high-heel shoes, sandals, and boots.

To show how versatile short-shorts can be, here is a video from WhoWhatWear showcasing what you can do with a simple pair of short-shorts:


^ "How to Wear Shorts," by WhoWhatWear

Now that you've read about short shorts as night out fashions, I invite you to check out my blog entry called "Party Time!" which features some classy shorts to wear for a night out. The blog entry also includes a link to John's Shop Space where you can find more night out shorts. Click on either of these two links to visit either Party Time! or Party Time! on John's Shop Space.





Saying "short shorts" conjures images of almost ANY kind of shorts. Remember- we are NOT talking about Bermuda shorts here! If you want Bermuda shorts, maybe I'll do a future blog entry on them (though I don't like them very much to be honest). I want to thank you for reading my blog entry. You are always invited to click on each item in my other blog to learn more about them and even order that item if you like it. If you see something you like, PLEASE feel free to click on it to learn more about the item and also to purchase that item if you want to get it. To shop for short shorts online, please check out my secondary blog to shop for more short shorts:

NOTE: This section contains links to Amazon products. You are welcome to click on images and links to learn more about each item. You are free to order any items featured in this section or in any widget if you choose. Please see "An Important Amazon Note" in my blog's sidebar to see more information on any Amazon items shown.



NOTE: All sizes are US Women's or US Juniors' sizes unless otherwise specified.

Again, I thank you for reading my material. Please be sure to subscribe to my blog if you love my material. I've worked as best as I could to expose you to some short shorts. If you see any that you like, you're encouraged to learn more on each item and purchase them if you want to get the item in question. So did you find any short shorts you like? No? My widget below features many more items in the same category. If you appreciate my blog entry but didn't find anything you liked, I encourage you to find the short shorts you're looking for in my widget below. Take care and thank you for reading!

Short shorts for Juniors (may also include Women's sizes):



Short shorts for women (may also be worn by Junior sizes):





Wear your short shorts (or shorty shorts) with pride! :) Thank you for reading!

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Motorsports Style - The Dallara F308

Perhaps the most prevalent brand in Formula 3 today, Dallara's F308 is one of many wonderful F3 cars made by Dallara Automobili. The Dallara F3 cars feature elegant and well-designed body styles along with a big side air intake. Formula 3 has long been known as one of the major stepping stones to becoming a Formula 1 race car driver. This

--- Motorsports Style: The Dallara F308 ---

^ from: flickr.com (I'm careful in using certain pictures for my blog entries. I'll find a different picture if this doesn't work)


The Dallara F308 is a very nicely-designed single-seat race car. An aggressive front wing provides the front-end downforce to make this F3 car rule any circuit it races. The front nose is big and a bit blunt-edged. It's also a bit long ranging from where the driver sits all the way to the front of the car. The side pods are about a few inches shorter compared to where the driver sits, and those side pods have a little undertray to aid in downforce, which also looks pretty cool. It has a nice little roll hoop similar to an Indy car. The side air intake is usually on the car's left side. The air intake looks like a laser cannon. It's almost as if this car was designed to have a laser cannon set to shoot at any cars it's trailing. But... it's purpose is to feed air into the engine of whatever engine powers these F3 cars. The rear wing is nothing outrageous or overaggressive. Instead, it's a merely simple, yet effective rear wing assembly. A nice set of tires and wheels help get this car going.





I think the Dallara F308 is a truly beautiful race car. I sometimes wonder why we don't have a Formula 3 championship in the United States, though we do have cars like in Star Mazda or Formula BMW USA. In rFactor, you race in the rF3 championship with cars styled similarly to the Dallara F308. Great little race car. You also race these cars in ToCA Race Driver 3. You race the Dallara F3 cars, but I'm not sure if it is the F308 or not. Anyhow, that's another Motorsports Style blog entry of mine. Thanks for reading!

Motorcycle Style - Suzuki Hayabusa (Second Generation)

Suzuki's ultimate sporty motorcycle is the Hayabusa (or the GSX1300R). Its top speed can reach and exceed 185 mph. This is the ultimate motorcycle as far as horsepower and speed are concerned. Since its birth in 1999, the Suzuki Hayabusa is basically a speed demon on just two wheels. There have been two generations of the Hayabusa. The current generation model is the 2nd-Gen model. The wet dreams of many a two-wheeled speed demon has been the motorcycle who desires to burn up the road and go super fast. You can carve corners pretty well with the Hayabusa if you're a good road racer. This bike is both fast and powerful (even for a motorcycle), making it atop the hyper sport segment of sportbikes for many fans of this bike. This bike has even become a favorite for tuners turn into their own insane Suzuki beast.

Please note that my Car Style and Motorcycle Style blog entries pertains to how I think things LOOK rather than any kind of reviews. I simply talk about how I think something looks. Here is Suzuki's angelic devil here:


^ from: nitrobahn.com

--- Motorcycle Style: The Suzuki Hayabusa (2nd Generation) ---

The Suzuki Hayabusa is intensely fast. However, it's also very beautiful while being such an open road beast. I personally like this motorcycle in blue or that blue/silver combination. Not sure if the blue/silver combination is for the latest model or not, though.

The front of the big has a lovely presence. It presents the same kind of Suzuki sharpness in design up front. The sides of the bike show just how much of a speed demon this hyper sportbike is. The big side vents show that this is a fire-breathing machine. from the sides. Especially considering this bike can do speeds north of 185 miles per hour, at least you know this is a bike that looks the part while also devastating all in its wake. The rear features a big hard tail to it, as well as two signal lights on the sides and a tall brake light between the two signal lights. On your right is the big muffler.

When you're ready to ride, you have a lot of analog gauges in the instrument panel and some kind of digital display between the tachometer and speedometer. The tachometer suggests a redline of 11000 rpm before needing to upshift, and it also suggests that it maxes out at 13000 rpm. The analog speedometer suggests this bike's 185+ mph top speed. This bike doesn't play. Grippy handle bars are there for you to unleash this beast full song.



Overall, I think the Suzuki Hayabusa is a fantastic-looking sportbike. This bike is long and wide. It has the same ferocious character as any of the most aggressive sports cars. But while it has a beastly appearance and persona, it is also a beautiful-looking motorcycle. Fast never looked so good.


If you would like to find some motorcycle parts and gear, I invite you to click on this graphic below to find Motorcycle and ATV gear from Amazon. I appreciate your support if you do want to look for motorcycle and ATV products from Amazon (see "An Important Amazon Note" for more info on Amazon products in my blog). Visit:




Thank you for reading!

Hair Bows and Headbands

(UPDATED: May 19, 2012)

I saw an adolescent girl at a Walmart with a cute hair bow around the back of her hair. That gave me the motivation to blog about hair bows and headbands. Those of you females wanting to go with some hair bows or headbands will find a number of headbands and hair bows in this blog entry. I always hope my blog entries mean something to you and that you can always find something you like, not only in my blog's content, but also with any Amazon material for those of you who want to shop for things you see in my blog entries.

NOTE: This blog entry contains links to Amazon products. You are welcome to click on images and links to learn more about each item. You are free to order any items featured in this section or in any widget if you choose. Please see "An Important Amazon Note" in my blog's sidebar to see more information on any Amazon items shown.

--- Hair Bows and Headbands at a Glance ---

Lovely hair can be made lovelier with a nice headband or hair bow. One way to dress up hair is with either a hair bow or a headband. The right kind of hair bow can add cute, childish charm. It's rather unlikely either of these items will equal sexy or chic. Let's look at some of these in pictures...

Hair Bows.

Hair bows in pictures...


^ from: buzzle.com - a very cute hair bow worn by a young girl.

Take note at how lovely this hair bow is tied on this lady's hair. A nice hair bow will only add to the appeal of one's looks. Think about it- cute face, lovely hair, cute hair bow tied at the back = lovely! Some people may complain that hair bows are too cutesy and too childish. But really, there's a unique charm to being older while wearing something stylish and childish.

Headbands.

^ from: primped.com.au - Taylor Swift sporting a headband with a big flower on it.

Taylor Swift is the lady in the picture above. I've seen a few pictures of Taylor wearing these lovely headbands to accompany her outfits. As if Taylor Swift isn't beautiful enough, the headbands only enhance her already beautiful style. Big floral headbands can be just as lovely as any other headband.

Artificial Hair Bows?

^ from: becomegorgeous.com - Lady Gaga makes a hair bow using her own hair.

This young lady is someone you might have heard of before- Lady Gaga. Artificial hair bows can be pretty hard to pull off. I'd probably imagine you need a sufficient amount of hair to make a dazzling one.



Now that you've seen hair bows and headbands, it's time to see if I can show you some hair bows and headbands on Amazon. This is a special part of my fashion blog entries because it's my way of giving back to people as well as being able to get certain people into finding items relevant to, and based on, my blog entry material. So I hope you can find a hair bow or headband that you can proudly wear.


Please note that while there are also sports headbands, this blog entry ONLY concerns fashion headbands.

--- Hair Bows on Amazon ---

You saw my example earlier. Now it's time to see if I can find some hair bows you might like. Actually... I can't find many good individual ones to share with you all. So I'm going to do something different. Rather than give you a widget with many more items to find later in the post, I'm going to share with you a widget now. Please use my widget to find hair bows that interest you most:




My intent was on larger hair bows like from the hair bow picture I've used earlier. With my search widgets scattered in my blog, please click on the arrows to find more items if you don't see something you like from the initial page of the widget.

--- Headbands on Amazon ---

Another disappointment for me in trying to find individual headbands. So here is another widget:








Thank you for reading. And again, I'm sorry I couldn't give you a proper kind of fashion blog entry on these items. The majority of hair bows and headbands are mostly for baby girls and children. That's fine if you have a daughter and want to give her some hair bows. But for my audience 13 and older, I've disappointed (at least from Amazon). I hope you enjoyed my blog entry.

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Learning Foreign Languages

I have actually expressed some interest in learning Vietnamese. It used to be that I was pretty acceptable with Spanish. Efforts to try to self-teach French and Japanese have failed for me (especially French). Although I haven't done it in a while, I've actually tried to self-teach writing in hiragana.

--- Motivation to Learn New Langauges ---

Living here in Houston, I've known lots of people from around the world. I was pretty good attempting to speak Spanish. I actually took about two years of high school Spanish. I actually wanted to learn Spanish and French. When my hopes of learning French died down, I've basically stuck with Spanish. I do still have a fairly decent understanding of the phonetics of Spanish. I do also try to have a fairly decent understanding of phonetics with Japanese.


Learning Vietnamese.
Recently, I've had some interest in learning Vietnamese. Reason why is because Houston has one of the largest Vietnamese populations in the United States, and the largest Vietnamese population in Texas. My Vietnamese is terrible. If was to visit a Vietnamese website, watch a Vietnamese TV show, or listen to a Vietnamese song, I'd have a terrible time trying to understand what is being said. A few people whom I've known from Vietnam are not very good with English. So in a way to be a bit more transparent, I've expressed some interest in learning Vietnamese. Or look at it this way- I've known people who only speak Spanish or mostly speak Spanish. So to try to comunicate with them better, I've tried to learn Spanish. I even speak English while mixing in a little Spanish.

Learning Filipino and Tagalog.
My interest in Filipino and Tagalog comes mostly from seeing Filipino and Filipina (pinoys and pinays in common speak) folk online. Part of wanting to know about these languages come from coming across people like YouTube's NDTitanLady and singer Tey Punsalan.

Learning Japanese.
My Japanese is still very poor. I know only so many terms and expressions. A way of being hard on myself would be to say that I love Japan so much, but can't speak Japanese fluently even if my life depended on it. I have a Japanese handbook as well as a big book on learning Japanese.

Learning Other Languages.
Meeting people from around the world both in person and online has me wondering about certain languages. With friends of mine from many countries and various continents, I often wonder about certain languages of other people. One of the joys of having an international audience is that meeting more people from around the world exposes you to many different languages of many different people. I have a number of friends online from around the world including Finland, Sweden, Spain, Moldova, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and various other places. I guess I've been interested so much in better connecting with other people who speak various languages. That even includes native languages of folks. I'm even a little interested in Portuguese.


My quest to better understand people the world over continues...

--- Why Learn Other Languages? ---

If you were to ask me this question, I'd give you two responses. And here they are:

Transparency.
If you want to communicate better with people, that's a key reason to try to learn new languages.

Some Jobs Require Foreign Language Skills.
Especially if you come down here to Houston, you'll have to know both English and Spanish. It helps to know various languages. And if you're going to do some travel, it's not a bad idea to at least learn (or have a proper understanding) the native language of the place you're visiting.

--- Challenges in Learning New Languages ---

The biggest challenge is basically just trying to learn all the nuances of a given language. You have to understand the phonetics of a certain language and be able to speak it proficiently. I can think of a number of times in which people from various nations whom I encounter are learning certain words for the first time. A Vietnamese friend of mine was new to the word "Geography." That's after her and I had a little chat on my interests in geography.

Another challenge basically involves exposing yourself to the language for practice. For example, I used to watch a lot of telenovelas on Univision and a number of different programs to stay connected with the language I wanted to remain fresh on. I even had to watch a few Spanish TV programs for my Spanish class. In case you're interested, here are shows I've seen just to try to keep my Spanish skills up:

EXAMPLE: Spanish Programs I've Watched to Keep my Spanish Skills Intact...
* "Soñadoras"
* "Rubi"
* "Amarte es mi Pecado"
* "Corazones al Limite"
* "El Gordo y la Flaca"
* "Rebelde"
* "Caliente"
* "No Manches"
* "Sabado Gigante"
* "La Hora Pico" (mostly for the super-hot Sabrina Sabrok :))
* (various soccer/football games, including Futbol Liga Mexicana games, the 2006 World Cup matches in Germany, Copa Oro, and Copa America)

So I've had to expose myself to the language to better understand it. I had to practice a language constantly to remain fresh. That can be tough when you're not in some environment where you can keep pace with a certain language. Constant practice and exposure can go a long way towards learning languages.

It also helps to purchase some products to help you to better understand languages. Just be sure to work at your own pace and keep working to enhance your skills.





If you're trying to learn some new languages, I wish you the very best in your efforts. If you are looking to build your skills by purchasing things, here are some widgets I'd like for you to use. Please be sure to see these items to find things you may be looking for in trying to learn new languages. Of course, read "An Important Amazon Note" for more information on any items you will see in my widgets below. If you enjoyed this blog entry, checking out these items would be a great way to show some support for my efforts to discuss learning newer languages. I blog to talk about things, but also to help out other people. PLEASE don't be afraid to show some support and love for my material. One way to help is to check out the items in my widgets and order anything if you see something you like. I'd be most happy if I one day make a blog entry and feature something on Amazon that can be of great help or of great enjoyment. So please show some support for my topics if you see something you like in my widgets in ANY of my blog posts.

Now here are the widgets. Thank you for reading! Happy shopping (if you plan on doing any)!


For foreign language books:



For foreign dictionaries (on-the-go translation of words):



For foreign language software (even including child-friendly translations):



For foreign language devices (such as translators):



Finally, if you happen to be somebody who happens to own a Kindle and want some foreign language material, here's my gift to you (some items offered as Kindle downloads):



But if you don't have one and want a Kindle, here is another widget of mine you can use:





Thank you again for reading.

Real Cities in Gran Turismo History

NOTE - April 15, 2011: You can visit official websites (if offered) of each location featured inthis blog post. Click on the headings of each featured city to do so.

Gran Turismo has had a host of real-world cities featured in GT games. While many people debate whether or not there should be more city courses. This is just a nice look at GT courses in history in real-world cities in preparation for some of the upcoming locales for Gran Turismo 5.

--- Cities in Gran Turismo History ---

Here are all [or as many] of the various city courses in Gran Turismo history.

Seattle, Washington, USA.

^ from: hotels.uptake.com - The Emerald City of the Emerald State

The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful locale in the United States. The city of Seattle has been featured since Gran Turismo 2 and even makes an appearance in Tourist Trophy (but not as a raceable venue (at least, against other riders)). Gran Turismo 2 featured this track in the afternoon hours. Since Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec, the course is in a sunset setting. When racing in reverse in GT3, the sunset is vibrant, but almost looks like it's about to rain heavily with the thick dark clouds in the distance. Only Gran Turismo 2 features the Short Course.

Rome, Italy.

^ from: romanlife-romeitaly.com - Rome was one of the first cities featured in Gran Turismo games. It was featured in a Gran Turismo 2 demo.

The streets of Rome will return for Gran Turismo 5, but its appearances in Gran Turismos 2 and 3 are lovely. The course is very competitive. This city has the most variations of any city in Gran Turismo history. There was the Short Course (only in GT2), the full circuit (GT2 and GT3), and the highly disused Rome-Night. YouTube videos below give you your first looks at each course if you've never seen them before:


^ Rome Short Course (GT2)


^ Rome Circuit (GT3 version)


^ Rome-Night (GT2)

UPDATED 6/16/2010: Gran Turismo 5's Rome Circuit is much different from the Rome we're used to in GT2 and GT3. It looks great, but I still want to see the old course make a return.

Grindelwald, Switzerland.

^ from: isvcs.org - Grindelwald was a different kind of street course in Gran Turismo 2. If anything, Grindelwald felt more like a semi-permanent race course than a traditional street course that usually has concrete-lined walls.

Rather than some race course weaving around city streets in a major city, Grindelwald takes you to a lovely and scenic race course. Lots of lush greens and beautiful mountainous scenery await you within Grindelwald. You even race this place as a Super License venue.

Tokyo, Japan.

^ from: photos4travel.com - Tokyo made its Gran Turismo debut in Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec.

Let this be said... I LOVE Tokyo. I'd love to go there. Tokyo Route 246 (or Tokyo R246 for short) is based on a bus route in Japan. It is a fairly long Grand Prix-style course. It's a high-speed thrill ride with some rather tough corners. It's a unique and exclusive course as you could see the Sony Computer Entertainment building on the front stretch heading into the Start/Finish line. I LOVE racing this course. It has been a Gran Turismo fixture since Gran Turismo 3 and has even been in "Gran Turismo Concept" and "Tourist Trophy." Parts of Tokyo even can be used in Gran Turismo 4's Photo Mode.

Monte Carlo, Monaco.

^ from: tripadvisor.com - Côte d'Azur was the first real-world actual street course in Gran Turismo history.

Known as Côte d'Azur in GT, the streets of Monte Carlo plays host to one of the most spectacular city street courses in the world. This is the first city-state featured in Gran Turismo history, as well as the only street course in Gran Turismo history that is not available in reverse. It's also the only World Circuit that's in the City Course lineup in GT4.

New York City, New York, USA.

^ from: giantbomb.com - The city so nice, they named it twice. Welcome to the urban jungle known as New York City.

I would love to go to New York City one day. This street course is a high-speed (at least the first half of it) that takes you on a wild ride through Times Square. You even visit the outer edges of Central Park. Forza Motorsport even had their own version of this course. This track can be raced on in Tourist Trophy against other riders. You can even take some pictures in Photo Mode here.

Paris, France.

^ from: francehousing.net - Paris will mystify you with its loveliness. You can even race around the streets here on two different courses!

Two different courses are available in Gran Turismo 4. Opera Paris is the narrow and slow daytime street course, and George V Paris is the nighttime rally-type street course. George V Paris gives you a lovely look at the Arc de Triomphe. By the way, I would LOVE to go to Paris. It's one of my favorite cities in the world.

Hong Kong; or Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, China.

^ from: uoregon.edu - Hong Kong is one of the liveliest cities in all of Asia. It is often considered the New York City of the Far East.

To most people, Hong Kong conjures images of insane martial arts fights in movies and games. What happens when you build a race track around it? You get the narrow street course with absolutely no high-speed corners. I'm actually a bit disappointed with this course. This track would have been better if held deep at night rather than the evening setting. It's just not as interesting of a track setting-wise. Hong Kong is more of a futuristic-looking city to me.

Seoul, South Korea.

^ from: southkoreapictures.files.wordpress.com - Seoul disappointed many gamers in Gran Turismo 4 since it was such a short, yet very fast street course.

Many people were disappointed at how short and uninteresting Seoul's street course is. What this track lacks in length makes up for with wide streets and high speeds. Only one road is a two-lane road. This could be a track that would be not bad for featuring with NASCAR in GT5 if Seoul returns in its current configuration.

Assisi, Italy.

^ from: travelpod.com

Citta d'Aria is narrow and treacherous, but is also very beautiful. Lots of Old World charm accentuate this lovely course. I've found this course more fun to race on a motorcycle in Tourist Trophy than in a car in GT4.

Amalfi, Italy.

^ from: nature.wallpaperme.com - Costa di Amalfi offers a beautiful coastal environment with a fun hillclimb course on narrow roads.

On the island of Capri, this fun tarmac rally-type hillclimb course is held on mostly one and two-lane roads. Speeds are much higher here as well as it being a bit more fun to race than Citta d'Aria.

Kleine Scheidegg, Switzerland.

^ from: travelpod.com - Eiger Nordwand is waiting for you either in road racing or in rally racing.

The only track in Gran Turismo HD was Eiger Nordwand, a mountain pass in Switzerland. I didn't know what real city (if any) was featured, so I included this. It's pretty tough for a drift course.

London, England.

^ from: wallpaperme.com

There has never been a true British venue in the 10+ year history of Gran Turismo until the streets of London were featured. I have no experience with this course because I've never played GT5 nor GT5 Prologue.

Madrid, Spain.

^ from: photos4travel.com - Spain is a very beautiful country, and one of my favorite cities in Spain (among many others) is Spain's capital city- Madrid.

The recent E3 2010 trailer of Gran Turismo 5 features Madrid. From the look of things from a YouTube video I've seen, Madrid is going to feel more like Opera Paris. There is still no denying, however, that Madrid is an absolutely gorgeous city.


Tuscany (or Toscana), Italy.

^ from: thegrandcrew.files.wordpress.com - Tuscany (or Toscana) will make its debut in Gran Turismo 5 with a rally course.

While part of me was disappointed (somewhat) that there wasn't a traditional point-to-point rally stage for Gran Turismo 5, I do still think Toscana will be a lovely course. The big bopper for this track is the demonstration of day-to-night transitions. A trailer from E3 showcases the day-to-night transitions as shown from E3. Have a look:



Needless to say, still plenty of reason to be excited to race a course like this.





I've only featured real-world CITIES in this blog entry. So I didn't include things like Eiger Nordwand. Madrid will be featured for the first time ever in Gran Turismo when GT5 is released. I'll be looking forward to that because Madrid is a beautiful city. Thank you for reading!

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