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It was less than a month ago where I wrote an article about oil and why (based on analyst’s opinions) the price has increased so much, going up to $147 per barrel back in July.  You gotta love the stock market, including mutual funds and commodities, because they never cease to amaze or surprise anyone.  In just four short weeks, oil has come down to under $108 per barrel.  How in the world does oil spike up so quickly?  More importantly, how does it plummet so drastically?  Oil prices have decreased over 25% in the last four weeks, which makes me laugh when I think about all of those big shots from Goldman Sachs and such who predicted that oil will hit $200 by the end of summer.  If you want to find some of these articles, simply go to www.104oil.com and you’ll find hundreds of them and others that are related. 



The thing that I get tired of is the amount of speculation there is about oil, with “experts” giving their “expert opinions” on things.  There are many reasons (based on analyst’s opinions from articles I found on 104Oil.com) as to why the price of oil has decreased so much.  The economy of “powerful” countries, such as China, is weak and in jeopardy of a recession.  Demand for materials and other goods have decreased due to these countries having weak economies and reducing their output.  Furthermore, specifically with China, the currency there has increased in value, which obviously makes exports less desirable, hence, causing a decrease in the output of products.  Yet, the average person would conclude that if a county’s currency appreciates in value, why would it be having economical problems?  For that, stay tuned for another article…we’re talking about oil here. 



If that doesn’t make much sense, keep reading and you’ll get an idea of other “expert” speculation.  The demand for gasoline is weak, which makes oil less appealing to investors.  This further drives prices down, considering consumers of gasoline are finding other means of transportation, a phenomenon that is not all that phenomenal.  It was only a matter of time for people to start getting sick of paying over $4.50 at the pump for a gallon of gas.  Another reason why the price of oil has decreased is because of a stronger dollar in the last few weeks.  Our currency is on the rise (yippie!), and this is causing investors to pull out of commodities (such as oil).  Investors usually purchase commodities in order to hedge against inflation, and if the dollar is increasing in value, well, there isn’t as much hedging necessary.  You can find many articles relating to this by either going to 104Oil.com or www.104finance.com.



Okay, so even the stuff I just mentioned still sounds Greek to most of us.  There are many other factors involved, including hurricane Gustav not having the impact investors had anticipated for it to have.  Also, refineries are starting to slowly come back online after being shut down for various reasons.  So then, is it safe to say that the oil bubble has finally burst?  Or is it just leaking for now but getting ready to grow larger again?  Some analysts believe that prices can spike again due to unforeseen geopolitical events (could they be any more vague?) or OPEC deciding to cut back production (basically them saying,”We need to drive demand up, so we should decrease supply and drive prices up because this year I want to make $2 Billion instead of only $1 Billion”). 



I don’t necessarily care what reason there is for oil having dropped in value so much.  All I personally care about is that gas prices are decreasing, which they have gone down in the past month from a national average of $4.11 to $3.67 according to AAA, then I’m a happy camper.  Might I add that just because prices have gone down about $0.45 doesn’t mean I’m satisfied.  It wasn’t too long ago that I could fill up the gas tank of a gas guzzling Camaro for no more than $35.00.  I’d like to see those times again, very soon, so I can drive more like Jeff Gordon rather than Ms. Daisy.



There is no question that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of the top racers in Nascar. He has built up a reputable image through fine racing and countless wins. However, racing is not the only thing this incredible person brings to the sport.


As many are well aware of, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a third generation driver in a family that has been connected to the sport of stock car racing for years. He has a flare of charisma, originality, and character that have propelled him to become one of the most popular figures in sports today. Five times Nascar fans have selected him as the winner of the most popular driver award. Thousands of fans line up at every track at his merchandise trailer just to get something with his name on it. It is hard to see where he has time to meet with so many of his fans but he does. That is what makes him so popular.


His appeal certainly branches outside of just Nascar fans though. He has appeared many times on Harris Interactive’s annual polling for America’s Top 10 favorite athletes. This has put him in the company of such athletes as Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, and Tiger Woods. In 2002, Dale was named one of People magazine’s 50 Most Eligible Bachelors.


Outside of racing, he has become a role model for young ones with his business savvy as well. He has pursued the role of team owner and businessman while ascending in this too. In 2002 JR Motor sports consisted of just six employees and a street-stocked camaro was the only race car. Today, the company encompasses over 100 employees and a plethora of different vehicles that compete in the Nascar Racing Nationwide series.


If that were not enough, he has appeared on over 150 magazine covers and has been featured in high profiled publications such as Rolling Stones, GQ, Men’s Journal, Sports Illustrated and People Magazine. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has also made guest appearances on 60 minutes, the Late Show with David Letterman, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Today Show, Good Morning America, Larry King Live and many more talk shows. He has also appeared in numerous commercials for his sponsors.


But that was just not enough for this Nascar racing star either. He has played cameo roles in Talladega Nights and Cars, and was the subject of an episode of MTV’s Diary. To further add to his resume, in 2001 he became a best-selling author with Driver 8. This is a documentation of his rookie season in the Nascar Sprint Cup Series.


Dale Earnhardt Jr. has done tremendous things for the sport of Nascar. Through his countless victories and ambitious personality, he has become a true role model for people all over the world. He has shown that there is life outside of sports with cameos and his documentary book and has given kids a reason to strive for their goals. There really is no question why he is one of America’s Top 10 favorite athletes.

Each thing leaves impressions. The way you talk, walk and socialize tells something about you. Your choice of friends, clothes, and accessories point out something about your personality. Even your choice of cars conveys some details to the populace.



“You think your car is just transportation? You’re wrong! Whether you buy a red convertible or a pickup truck, a big minivan or a Beetle,” Dr. Charles Kenny said. He even adds, “That car says a lot about a person. It’s a reflection of who you are.” Kenny is a consumer psychologist who studies car buyers and their needs like power, status, control, independence, stability and intelligence.



Kevin Washington drives a BMW Z3. “The Z3 is a very smooth car, and the owner is a very smooth guy,” said Washington. Ilene Griff drives a Toyota Prius hybrid. “I think my car says that I am an intelligent consumer, that I care about the environment, and now that I am part of a cult, which is the Prius generation,” said Griff.



“The specific type or brand of vehicle that they buy is a way to fulfill an emotional need. People are emotionally committed to being, or to feeling like, they are rational decision-makers. Many of them want to seem ethical and smart,” said Kenny.



Monty Owens drives a Range Rover Sport model. “This car has everything. It’s got speed, it’s got power. It’s sporty, but it’s also classy. It’s somewhat grown and sexy,” declared Owens. Drivers who love driving adventures would stick to a sport utility vehicle (SUV). With their off-road prowess, enjoyment will not be jeopardized. Owens seeks out that tinge of adventure. “Even if you didn’t go off road, you still could do it, and it gave you that capability and that feeling of no boundaries,” said Kenny.



Pickup trucks also fulfill the need of an individual for control and power. Convertibles also offer a sense of freedom. Bernice Popa drives a 2002 PT Cruiser. “It’s perky, and I think that fits my personality really well!” said Popa. The PT Cruiser lets the driver feel refreshed and bubbly.



What a car means to people can change over time. Alison Nicks drives a red Volvo S40. “The beige Volvo was so safe before, but now, young people are driving them and enjoying them,” said Nicks, who gave a playful kiss to her car. Volvo S40 parts have evolved along with aficionado preferences.



Kenny also revealed that the newly released compacts like the Scion, Vibe and Fit lure eccentricity. “They just don’t want to be thought of as run of the mill. There’s a need to feel like they’re unique and to have other people recognize them as unique,” added Kenny.



Based on Kenny’s work, here are some of the things that your car is telling about you: minivan says that do need nurturance and escape; a two-door sedan for single women proclaims gender identity; the SUV tells people that you have that need for adventure; ultra-luxury brands show off your need for status and uniqueness; sports cars tell people about youthful exuberance, rejuvenation, and impulse control; a four-door sedan says practicality and nurturance; custom vans mean a need for uniqueness; muscle cars such as the old Camaro and Firebird tells people about impulse control; trucks show off a combination of power, control and gender identity; full-size trucks says more about power and control; compact trucks dwell more about gender identity; full-size four-door trucks for men show off power, control and gender identity as well as nurturance; full-size four-door trucks for women drivers tells about independence and gender identity; hybrids show off character, doing the right thing as well as having the fear of judgment; and compact cars tell people about your need for rationality and character.