This is my 2,000th Blog Post

Tada!

Above isn’t me right now, to be clear. Things kicked off at 5:30 am to keep this dream alive. But it will be me later.

Having a blog is the best. I’d have forgotten so much of the nonsense I get myself into if I hadn’t documented it here. In 2014 I didn’t miss a day eh, not one. It’s gonna be so great when I’m 80 and click through the archives, “oh ya that, and oh that time awwww.”

My blog has: put me in millions of dollars of new cars, tons of track time, endless products, sent me around North America, and got me the best job in the world – auto journalist.

If you’ve been thinking to start a blog, DO IT. It’s constantly surprising what it can produce for you.

For your blogging inspiration:

– creating a blog posts looks like
– and sometimes feels like this
– when stuck for ideas, just make an animated gif 
– this will become the scariest sight to see

– you’ll have to learn a little code, it’s okay it’s not hard
– luxury blogging looks like this
– maintain 2 folders on your hard drive
– my blog makes it through bank filters #proud
– this is polishing a blog

– tips for taking a good profile pic
– blogging is a _lot_ of time alone at your computer
– what crushing a blog post looks like
– making headers and sidebar art is genuinely fun

Finally, build the blog IRL before building it online.

Plus, blogging and jogging pants are practically synonymous, can’t go wrong with that pairing!

Here’s to a great long weekend, that it doesn’t rain on us, and that you laugh a lot.

Thanks for always checking in,

xo Keri

 

 

Arty Mustang Photos

Last week’s car was a 2015 Mustang GT.  That was very yellow.

The Mustang engine note is one of the best out there, a good deep growl I’m surprised doesn’t get copied more often.

“Ground speed“… what else would it be?

Apparently it’s a reference to a movie I’ve never seen, still eye roll.

Although the Mustang has a reputation of a “guys car“, women have been behind its creation its whole 50 years. Wrote a column about it.

The toggle switches are neat eh.

Ford is bringing back hard buttons, gone is all that touch nonsense.

Blog tag = Mustang

 

 

Review the Reviewers

Before relying on the opinion in a car review, check the source. Like, why read about a minivan from someone who usually drives performance vehicles? I prefer minimal and don’t like autonomous aids, so if you do, you probably won’t like my stuff.

Read reviews by both genders, and all ages too.

Because auto journalism is a game of history (I’m at 2.7 years now, and am still considered the new kid.)

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

The nature of a car guy is to document, share, and debate; that’s why car forums remain one of the largest, most popular genres online. Don’t be shy about asking questions – car guys are an enthusiastic, gentlemanly group! Post precisely and concisely, and you’ll get back some great advice.

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Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

I am Fine with Child Labour

I put it out to tender a few weeks ago, “need yard work help, I pay cash day-of.” My yard was filled with kids, then the reliable ones weeded themselves out in the following weeks.

Kind’ve surprised they keep showing up, I’m not easy.  While we work they get lectured, grilled about school and good manners, yes you can work and tell me stories simultaneously, and before you get paid you must correctly do the math, including showing your work.

They’re teaching me stuff too.

I open my shed, “write this on our list: clean out shed.” They peer inside, then both heads snap over to me simultaneously all wide eyed, “Keri!”  A little hand reaches out, grabs the lighter fluid and hands it to me, “you can’t keep a flammable liquid in a metal shed.” Holy crap I had no idea guys.

Then they’re walking around the fire pit, “we need to build something around your pit, because an ember could fly out and light your lawn on fire, and what are you going to do then, Keri?!”

So I keep reminding them: I come from the city and am very ignorant, keep telling me.

I came home to find the below a few weeks ago; he’d come over after school, all on his own, and finished raking the yard.

Most adults I know aren’t this dependable. Lucky me eh.

I’ve had a job since I was 12.

Parents: if you think you’re protecting your kid by allowing him not to work, nope.

Because by the time they’re 21 and it’s real-job time, they’ve had 0 bosses to my 9, no sense of responsibility or how to work, and are probably bad at managing a paycheque. On your shift you could always spot these kids too, they were annoying because you’d have to cover for them.