Meet the one-off McLaren X-1

I love this design, reminds of old Citroen. I wish they would create this not just catering to the super rich.

The dramatic one-off supercar has just been unveiled in Pebble Beach, California, at a very exclusive event dubbed ‘The Quail'. Scratching your head? Settle down at the back, it's a long story...
It's the latest offering from McLaren's Special Operations, a division of the Woking company unveiled this time last year at Pebble Beach, and responsible for building completely bespoke creations for very special customers.
It was one of those very special customers - someone who already owns a McLaren F1, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and 12C - who began discussions with McLaren chief Ron Dennis three years ago to build something completely unique. Apparently the brief was to create something with the capability of the 12C, but wrapped up in something that reflected his "needs and personality".
The three hour discussion covered such noted automotive inspirational touch points as the Guggenheim museums in New York and Bilbao, a Jaeger LeCoultre art deco clock, an Airstream trailer, a Montblanc pen, a piano, an eggplant, and of course, the delightful Ms Hepburn. Mood books happened.
Said client wanted to draw potential designers of his Hepburn-mobile from inside and outside McLaren, with Korean-born RCA grad Hong Yeo's design being the final one you see before you. McLaren's Yeo referenced a 1961 Facel Vega, a '53 Chrysler D'Elegance Ghia, a 1959 Buick Electra, a 1939 Mercedes 540K and a 1971 Citroen SM.
As mentioned, underneath sits McLaren's Monocell - like in the 12C - surrounded by bespoke carbon panels and brightwork machined from solid aluminium, like the shoulder rails, the headlight ‘eyebrows' and even the McLaren Airbrake. Oh, and as you can see, those carbon panels cover the rear wheels too, accessed via - in McLaren's own words - "some of the most gorgeous hinges you've ever seen".
Despite being based on the 12C Monocell, the X-1 is wider and longer than the MP4 but weighs around the same (1,400kg), using the same interior architecture, albeit with some personalisation such as a titanium weave and tufted carpets.
Underneath, the same 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 remains, powering the rear wheels, replete with 621bhp and many torques. It's also been thoroughly homologated for road use (it was tested for 625 miles) and because it's been nailed together by McLaren, expect it to offer Space Station levels of build quality.
"To see the stars," notes Yeo, "sometimes you need the absence of that blinding light. Looking at a car from a different perspective is what X-1 stands for."

Manila - Philippines Motorist mauls MMDA Enforcer

Robert Blair Carabuena is the latest trending topic in social media for allegedly mauling MMDA traffic officer Saturnino Fabros. The show of arrogance as some of "his friends" claimed, happened only because the MMDA man slammed on his Volvo. Regardless if there is any truth to the cause of such volatile behavior, it is quite obvious who came out the better man in the end.

Zooming out, #Carabuena's attitude mirrored a society most have tolerated. For it is an epitome of a system where the reckless have's lord over the docile have-not's, worse it is also a reflection of how much respect our citizens have for our uniformed men whose names don't strike fear or awe.

In a system where the law tips in favor of those who can buy it, Carabuena is suddenly the name to vent the hate on, when in fact, incidents like this has happened many times over. Just check out any local queues, once a "V.I.P." comes in, they are led to a special lane or is exempted to fall in line regardless if they are not on official duty. Surely, the stinging slap that the MMDA officer got from Carabuena is as much painful as for all those who had been in any line patiently waiting for their turn only to be bullied by the arrogance of those who are privileged.

Again I say, Noblesse Oblige, PRIVILEGE ENTAILS RESPONSIBILITY.

Education should have instilled humility and the uniform should have commanded respect. Unfortunately, such is just not that easy in a society where education is merely a means to an end and a "uniform" is nothing but a reminder of corruption and abuse of power.

The cycle just goes on, no amount of hate pages can break the cycle until we all work on the cause and not at its symptoms.

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Things to Do This Summer

People take advantage of the warmer temperatures by spending more time outdoors during the summer. Activities such as traveling to the beach and picnics occur during summer months. Sports such as cricket, volleyball, skateboarding, baseball, softball, tennis and water polo are played. Water sports also occur. These include water skiing, wake boarding, and tubing. Water skiing is a uniquely summer sport, which is done when waters approach their warmest of the year.
If you’re wondering what to do this summer there are many activities planned across the district. The following list of activities will help your family take full advantage of summer and help spark your creativity to make the summer all that it should be.

• Have a picnic
• Visit another country
• Make dinner for your family
• Write a poem
• Take a boat ride
• Take a walk and record the sounds
• Go backpacking
• Create a web site
• Go camping
• Visit the zoo
• Have a family game night
• Go to a museum
• Visit a tourist spot near your home
• Donate some of the toys and clothes you no longer use
• Fly a kite
• Make a bird feeder
• Organize a bike safety clinic
• Spend time with your grandparents
• Take a dog for a walk
• Learn some new outdoor games
• Go swimming
• Start a collection
• Watch the birds

Celebrate the summer with our following list of  activities!  Whether you want to get out into the garden and learn about mini beasts or growing things, or stay in.
‘’A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.’’

summer activities

Five foods to beat the blues

 Often times, even most optimistic person can blue and feel depressed in his or her life. For those times here are few help to lift up your moods and find cheerful attitude to keep you going. Enjoy the motivational and healthy foods mood lifting.

Marmite

If you’re feeling anxious, stressed or depressed, a dose of B vitamins could help to lift your mood. B vitamins are important for normal brain function and producing mood-boosting serotonin, with vitamins B12 and B6 being particularly beneficial for regulating your mood.

To up your intake of B vitamins, try snacking on Marmite on wholegrain toast. As Marmite is fortified with vitamin B12, this is a particularly good choice of food for vegans and vegetarians who may struggle to get their recommended intake.

Oily fish

Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish are well known for being good for the heart. However, they are equally beneficial for our brain health and mood. A study by researchers from the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine found that participants who had lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood were more likely to be moderately depressed and have a negative outlook.

Furthermore, a study has found surprisingly low rates of seasonal affective disorder in Icelanders, where the diet is high in omega-3 rich fish. To follow in their footsteps and help ward off the blues, try eating two portions of oily fish a week, or up to four for men.

Chocolate

Many people find themselves reaching for chocolate to ease a bad mood, and this could in fact be no bad thing. Research has shown that chocolate contains many chemicals which can help beat the blues, including relaxing magnesium, calming anandamide and pleasure-inducing phenyl ethylamine.

To up the mood-boosting benefits further, try snacking on chocolate-dipped strawberries for a healthy treat. Strawberries are not only a good source of vitamin C, which helps in the production of endorphins, but they are high in mood-enhancing flavonoids too.

Bananas

Bananas are high in natural sugars, making them a great remedy for low energy levels which can leave you feeling down. On top of this they are packed with mood-lifting nutrients to help put a smile on your face.

Bananas are a great source of tryptophan, an essential amino acid which boosts serotonin levels, helping to regulate your mood. Furthermore, they are rich in magnesium, which can help you to relax and vitamin B6, which can help to relieve depression.

Nuts

Walnuts are the perfect good-mood food, offering the combined mood-boosting properties of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B6 and tryptophan. The nuts are also a good source of foliate (vitamin B9); the deficiency of which has been linked to depression.

As well as snacking on walnuts, another good nut to add into your diet is the Brazil. Brazil nuts are an extremely rich source of the mineral selenium, with research suggesting that just one Brazil nut a day can provide you with your recommended daily intake. As low levels of selenium can lead to depression, irritability and anxiety, snacking on Brazils could be the perfect healthy way to boost your mood.