Thank goodness we have centralized air conditioning at home! A record breaking heat wave has turned Southwest British Columbia into a blazing oven.

Despite the hot weather, I would rather soak in the sun than suffer with chilly temperatures! The past winter feels like such a long time ago!

Thank goodness the summer is only halfway over!

Rock chips and bug splatter is a reality every vehicle owner must face. A driver can take all the necessary precautions to avoid these objects but sooner or later a nasty rock end up hitting the front-end. In the past, a leather or vinyl bra was commonly used for added protection. Unfortunately, this application is rather ghastly in terms of physical appearance.

I wanted a formidable means of protection while maintaining the natural lines of my vehicle. This is why I recently installed 3M Scotchgard Protective Film on our brand new 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara. It is a clear bra designed to shield surfaces from stone chips. Depending on the installation or color of a vehicle, it is practically invisible.

Here are some pictures of our Suzuki with the 3M Scotchgard Protective film. Protected sections on our vehicle include the hood, front bumper, fog lights, headlights, side mirrors and wheel fenders. A passerby won’t notice anything at all, unless they’re really close to the sheet metal.

The clear bra was professionally installed by 3M Certified specialists. Since I live near Vancouver, BC Canada, the kind folks at Vancouver Clear Bra utilized their services to apply the product. Their attention to detail, service and workmanship is excellent. There’s also a 5 year warranty by 3M.

It is possible to install this product by yourself or with a partner. A novice can save quite a bit of money by purchasing a pre-cut kit. But unless you’re a professional detailer, I’d highly suggest a certified specialist for a quality installation, especially on larger areas with complicated curves. In fact, I ordered a similar protective film (a few months ago) for my 17 inch laptop called the Invisible Shield. It was a real burden to install. I could have gotten into a lot of trouble if the clear bra was installed with my own hands.

How much did it cost me? Well, the total cost is less than a paint job for the front-end. It also saves me a lot of time from applying touch-up paint on a peppered bumper. If you care about the finish of a vehicle or would like to minimize stone chips, I would highly recommend 3M Scotchgard Paint Protection Film as a viable solution. The vehicle will thank you in the end!

I was really shocked when news agencies confirmed the passing of Michael Jackson. For a majority of people 25 years or older, his death is seen as a very big loss. After all, many of us grew up listening to his infectious tunes and wittnessed his sharp dancing moves.

Without a shadow of a doubt, at least for a short period of time, Michael Jackson was truly the “King of Pop”. He will always be remembered as a performer who peaked during the mid-1980’s thanks to his highly popular “Thriller” album. Unfortunately, as musical tastes change, Michael was never able to repeat his earlier successes with later albums.

Michael Jackson was no longer the King of Pop at the time of his passing. In fact, his glorious throne was already slipping away as the 1990’s approached. During the past 20 years, a decline in record sales, a lower demand for concert tickets and numerous cancelled dates was more than enough to prove his fading appeal.

Think about it. Most of his songs played in clubs these days are from the 1980’s; his glory years. If you really want to define a true King of Pop (a person who can change with the times), Madonna has become a definitive benchmark. In addition, Michael Jackson’s lifestyle was seen as a game of smoke and mirrors. A bizzare series of events that led to his downfall.

Whether he’s innocent or not, the world lost a pop culture icon. An eclectic superstar who’s adored by millions. A rare talent that was trapped by his very own fame, only to experience a sad ending at the twilight of his career. He was a musical icon that left us asking for more, while scratching our heads at the same time.

I’ve also posted a series of BBC documentaries (via YouTube) about Jackson. From his “Jackson 5″ beginings to the infamous child molesation trial(s), this was the very last documentary made before his death. Truth or Fiction? We’ll never really know.

Happy Father’s Day!

I don’t speak much about my family on this personal blog.  But yours truly has a huge appreciation for the most important man in his life.  My Dad is a simple man who grew up with humble beginnings.  His hard work and dedication continues to be a positive influence in my life.  His steady guidance has led me to become the man I am today.  With every success or reward I achieve, it has a lot do with the values instilled by my Dad.

I also hope you take the time to honor your Father or a significant male influence during this special day.  After all, time is Golden, and we should treat those memories of our Fathers with much appreciation.

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