The Skinny On 12-12-12

It’s the last time the month, day and year will be the same until 1/1/2101

The number of weddings today will experience of jump of 1446% over other days of the year

Numerologists associate the number 12  with wealth. In fact, Indian numerologist Swetta Jumaani told CNN that today is “a fantastic day to start a new business venture or make a significant purchase”.

12 Random Facts About The Number 12

1. The word “twelve” is the largest number with a single-morpheme name in English.

2. One of the most math-friendly numbers we’ve got: 12

• 12″ in foot
• 12 oz in a troy pound
• 12 in a dozen
• 12 hours on a clock
• 24 hours in a day
• 144 in a gross (12×12)

3. Number of apostles associated with Jesus and number of tribes of Israel: 12

4. Number of months in a year in most calendar systems: 12

5. Number of zodiac signs in both Western and Chinese zodiac: 12

6. The basic units of time (60 seconds, 60 minutes, 24 hours) can all perfectly divide: 12

7. The maximum hurricane wind speed on the Beaufort wind force scale: 12

8. The number of function keys (i.e. F1) on most PC keyboards: 12

9. The number of keys on any standard digital phone: 12

10: Number of pairs of ribs in the human body: 12

11. Number of knights sitting around the table with King Arther: 12

12: Number of face cards in a deck: 12

Sources:

http://blogs.davidsbridal.com/?p=8590

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12_%28number%29:

http://biblemeanings.info/Words/Number/Twelve.htm

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/11/living/12-12-12/index.html

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I believe that traffic enforcement cameras are dangerous, invasive, error-prone, and unconstitutional.  So I decided to do something about it. -Jonathon Dandrow, NoPhoto Founder & President

What is noPhoto?

Meet the noPhoto. The made in USA, microprocessor controlled, smart license plate frame that prevents motorists from being captured on a red light or speed camera ticket. The noPhoto looks and works identically to a standard license plate frame, but it’s what’s inside that counts.

How Does It Work?

When the device detects the flash, the noPhoto will fire multiple high power Xenon flashes that are hidden from view (and, for safety sake, from following drivers).  The flashes will fire at precisely the right time to critically over-expose the picture, preventing whatever (or whoever) was trying to take your picture from capturing the image.

Watch this video on YouTube.

Directly from www.nophoto.com:

While the noPhoto is a highly advanced piece of equipment, the concept behind its operation is elegantly simple.  Here is how a typical traffic camera encounter would happen with the noPhoto installed on your car:

1. The traffic camera fires its flash to illuminate your car for a picture
2. The noPhoto detects the flash, analyzes it, and sends the proper firing sequence to its own xenon flashes
3. The noPhoto precisely times and fires the flash at the exact moment needed to overexpose the traffic camera
4. Since the traffic camera is not expecting the additional light from the noPhoto, all of its automated settings are incorrect and the image is completely overexposed.  Your license plate cannot be seen and you will not get a ticket in the mail.

So, Is The noPhoto Legal?

Well, maybe. Or maybe even for a small bleep in time. The noPhoto website inserted the standard zero-liability blurb to protect themselves, but had this to say in the FAQ area:  “Since there is nothing physically covering or obscuring the license plate, the noPhoto does not violate any license plate cover laws.  Quite literally, we are using the same light and the same bulbs that red light and speed cameras do.  The noPhoto does not cover any state names, and there are no laws in existence regulating how much light is cast onto the license plate.”

Why Do I Need One If I Don’t Run Red Lights?

noPhoto works for any situation where privacy is concerned. Celebrities, show cars and truck drivers can avoid violations of privacy or becoming ‘listed’ or targeted. According to noPhoto.com, one chief concern is the 3rd party manufacturer of the red light camera, an Australian company called Redflex. noPhoto claims that when a red light photo is taken, your personal information is stored along with the photograph and there is no explicit guarantee this information can’t be sold internationally for marketing purposes.

“To make matters worse, many newer cameras now record constantly, working day and night to compile as much information as possible.  About you.  Without your permission.” -noPhoto.com/pages/education

So How Much Does It Cost?

$350.00 bones, but it’s not available yet. The product is currently raising funds to take the idea to market. Interested in learning more about the NoPhoto or following its development? Visit their site: http://www.nophoto.com

Do you think this product will make it to market or is it dead on arrival? Tell us what you think in the comments below:

VIDEO: Jogger Says ‘Nay’ To Preparedness

One man votes ‘nay’ on reasonably prepping for the storm. Who needs water and food when you’ve sated yourself with 15 minutes of fame? We’ll all hope for the best for this man and pray he has no dependents.

Watch this video on YouTube.

How Deadly is a Full-Scale Hurricane?

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Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale (SSHS) does just what is sounds like: it classifies the severity of a hurricane by the intensity of its winds. The chart below details the five classifications of hurricanes and two additional classifications of tropical storms.

This scale gives researches and weather predictors a fairly

How to Prepare for a Hurricane

Many carriers are trying to get loads delivered by getting drivers in and out of the hurricane areas as quickly as possible before the chaos ensues. This is especially risky with maintenance considerations, break downs and hours of service.

You could be staying in your car or truck for a day or more. Make sure you’ve got enough food, water, blankets, flashlights and batteries to weather the storm.

Avoid Standing Water

Never Drive Near A Downed Electrical Line

Drive Safely

Hurricane Sandy will be the second major hurricane to strike the east coast and New York.

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If there is anyone, dead or undead, who can remember a storm comparable to Hurricane Sandy, it’s this 650-year-old zombie pirate from Alexandria, Virginia. D.C. Originally interviewed by Fox affiliate WTTG, the zombie pirate addressed America with concern, stating that in the 650 years he’s been undead, this is the worst storm he’ll experience. In fact, according to the special report, the zombie pirate actually met his end in a powerful storm.

Special thanks to WTTG and, of course, the zombie pirate. Without your help, we’d all be lost.

For the original interview, or in the event that your mobile device will not display a flash video, please visit deadspin.com

What do you think? Do off-beat news videos like this downplay the importance of the danger? Tell us in the comments below…

Stumbled across this video tonight and really wanted to give it a share. It was put on YouTube by Trucker Steve who seems to be a straight shooter and pretty darn good at putting helpful things out there for truckers.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a trucker for a month or a 30 years+, this industry changes constantly. How has trucking changed since you started? How are those changes affecting you, your family and your life? Is trucking different than you expected it to be?

On the CDL Life Facebook wall we get a lot of talk about how trucking isn’t what it used to be. Give these drivers a listen and tell us what you think.

The credits on the video say it was created by White Line Films out of Canada in 2008.

Watch this video on YouTube.

Truck Driver Tips: Save Money through Smart Fuel Economy.

Nearly everyone in transportation knows: truck operations are expensive. With the new EPA regulations set to roll out, things are going to get even more so (somewhere to the tune of nearly $20,000 per vehicle). What does this mean for truck drivers? It means that it’s never been more important for truck drivers to save money while operating their rigs. We’ve got some helpful truck driver tips to help keep you out of the red.

This is an ever-growing list of OTR truck driver tips that help to pinch pennies per mile

• Be fuel conscious but only use legal means to save fuel
• Change driving styles to see which saves you more fuel, then write it down for reference
• Maximize your truck’s aerodynamics by using tractor and trailer side skirts, nose cones, vortex generators, trailer tails and brackets for tractor mud flaps
• Practice the concept of timing “fresh” and “stale” red and green traffic lights so you don’t use extra fuel on starting from a stop
• Pay specific attention to make sure your company isn’t overriding the manufacturers’ factory settings on your tractor
• When climbing hills, let your truck’s cruise control work to keep the steady pace
• Don’t skip any preventive maintenance
• Consider changing your oil to a synthetic to lengthen the time between oil changes
• Shop for aerodynamic tire designs. They may be more expensive up front, but many of them will save lots of cash for you down the line
• Use rounded edge mirrors
• Use a trusted and proven fuel additive
• Reduce your carry on weight
• Maintain steady driving speeds as often as possible
• Gentle acceleration and braking will always be easier on your truck and your pocketbook

Got any other money-saving truck driver tips for long haul trips? Leave us a comment and we’ll update the list later!

Bored trucker? Apps can keep you entertained and resting easy. You’ve pulled into the rest stop at the end of the day, hoping for a little cheap R&R and a good free Wifi signal. In 2011, it’s not too much to expect a good Wifi network at Petro, Flying J, or Valero, is it? So which video apps are worth their weight for your hard-earned dollar?

Trucker Apps: Video (Free)

Crackle “ They claim it’s the only free movie app for the Android OS, but that might be a bit far-reaching. Crackle relies on a strong wifi connection, but will play over 10,000 titles to your phone or tablet computer. Get it!

TV.Com – This is a free app courtesy of the CBS network. They include plenty of programming from their sister networks like Showtime, CNET, CBS Sports, and more. Stay caught up on Dave Letterman, Dexter, Two & a Half Men, and other shows all for free. Get it!

YouTube.com “ The original internet video network finally made the jump to the mobile OS once Android adopted Adobe Flash. But the YouTube network is more than just short films of cats jumping into boxes and bike riders getting into wrecks “ the app will guide users to full movies and TV show episodes. Get it!

Trucker Apps: Video (Paid)

Netflix “ The undisputed king of streaming video entertainment, Netflix boasts more than 23 million subscribers. The Android app allows subscribers to access their streaming queue and watch titles on any mobile device tethered to a good Wifi signal. If you aren’t a Netflix member, the app features a free trial period. Regular streaming-only subscriptions can be had for only $8 a month. Get it! 

Hulu+ - This robust video app is second only to Netflix in how many TV and movie titles they offer. You can watch select titles on a laptop for free, or buy into Hulu+ for $8 a month and get the entire channel catalog streaming on mobile devices and tablets from nearly every network on earth. Track your favorite shows and stream with minimal advertisements (ads average only 20 seconds each). Get it!

Watch ESPN “ Get 24 hours of online play-by-play and sports coverage streamed right to your mobile device or tablet. Depending on who your telecom provider is, you may actually be able to get content from ESPN for free. Visit this link to see what kind of partnerships are available.

Google Video “ This is the app you use to view all of your Android movie rentals. It will work over both data networks and Wifi. Hey! No video watching while on the road! It does require a Google account, but that’s easy and free to start. Get it!

Related Service Apps

Redbox “ Sometimes when you’re on the road, it’s just easier to get a cheap DVD out of a kiosk placed at most McDonalds or Wal-Mart locations. This app lets you search for and reserve Redbox movies from any kiosk in North America. Redbox movies rent for only a buck a day. It’s a great value, the rental system is easy and there are hundreds of kiosks across the country. Get it!

Blockbuster Express “ Blockbuster Video emerged from near-extinction this last year with a revised model based on kiosk rental much like Redbox. They distinguish themselves by offering both DVDs and console games that may appeal to truckers who travel with Playstations and X-boxes in their cabins. This free mobile app lets members reserve and locate them at any kiosk in the USA. Get it!

IMDB “ Need extended information on movies? Internet Movie Database is where to go for everything from reviews, to recommended movie lists, to actor information to upcoming movie news instantly. Get the app and get in the know!

Flixster “ Get quick reviews from top film critics, high quality trailers, and read ratings from Rotten Tomatoes so you never have to endure a terrible movie again. This app also shows you where movies are showing in theaters near your rest stop, in case you feel like viewing the newest flick on the big silver. Get it!

What other free and paid video and movie trucker-friendly apps do you love to use? CDL Life wants to know! Drop a comment and we’ll get the word out to the community

The Senate EPW committee, chaired by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D- CA) with ranking conservative member Sen. James Inhofe (R- OK) created the Map-21 spending bill (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century) to help create highway and bridge construction jobs. Other functions it’s intended to serve are consolidation of some federal transportation offices, and leveraging money to states for loans and lines of credit to repair their assets. This means local, state and federal workforces will be able to repair a majority of the nation’s more derelict sections of freeways. The two year, 109 billion dollar spending bill is scheduled to be voted on Nov. 8th and expected to pass.

European Debt Stabilization Helps Temper Diesel Fuel Costs

The Dept. of Energy reports gasoline prices, which rose for 17 straight weeks, are finally falling. Yet diesel gasoline remains much higher in early November 2011 than it was in 2010, by around .55 cents a gallon. This week it’s averaging $3.88. Stabilizing oil demands as the Americas and Euro zone enters the colder seasons have forced oil prices slightly higher to a closing price of $95.50 on Nov. 7th.

Transportation Secretary LaHood Uses Tough Talk in Support of Fed Job Bill

“There’s no such thing as a Democratic or Republican bridge, and there’s no such thing as a Democratic or Republican job when it comes to rebuilding our aging infrastructure,” said Secretary LaHood during a visit to the Bridgeport-Norristown Viaduct outside Philadelphia. He went on to illustrate that all investment for infrastructure upgrades could be paid for without adding any significant burden to the growing federal deficit. Financial resources would come from a balanced deficit reduction plan based on closing corporate tax loopholes and establishing a higher, but progressive tax rate on the nation’s wealthiest class.

The transportation investments made under the Obama administration’s American Jobs Act include:

• $27 billion for rebuilding roads and bridges
• $9 billion for repairing bus and rail systems
• $5 billion in grants for innovative large-scale projects
• $4 billion for private high-speed rail networks
• $2 billion for improving airports
• $2 billion for upgrades to stations, equipment and rail cars owned by Amtrak
• $1 billion to put in place NextGen air traffic control system