Enjoying the benefits of living life on the edge

by
Play Video

(BPT) – It’s a simple question that’s difficult to answer: What makes you feel exhilarated every single day? For too many people the response is nothing. In fact, research shows that 81 percent of people worldwide said they fail to feel exhilarated on a daily basis.

Are you one of them?

From work and obligations to the daily grind, there are many reasons people go without feeling exhilarated each day. Fortunately, there are several solutions as well. A new hobby, job or adventure can do the trick – and the answer to adding exhilaration to your life doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s as simple as looking at your life in a new way and taking a chance you otherwise wouldn’t to live slightly on the edge.

Television and radio personality Adam Carolla did exactly that years ago and his monumental success since then all began with a willingness to take a chance and infuse his life with a whole lot of exhilaration.

From carpenter to stardom

On his own since age 18, Carolla left Los Angeles Valley College to work a series of jobs including carpentry, carpet cleaning and traffic and boxing instruction. In search of something more, he started studying improvisational comedy with the troupe known as The Groundlings to hone his performing chops. He then stepped out on the edge to form a lifetime bond when he volunteered to serve as a sparring partner for someone who would be influential in his life – Jimmy Kimmel.

After giving up his jobs and making new friendships, Carolla never looked back from those decisions to go against the grain and take chances few others would try. His partnership with Kimmel helped him grow his radio career and ultimately move on to host “Loveline” with Dr. Drew Pinsky.

Carolla didn’t stop there, however. He embraced reality television options and pioneered a new measure of success in podcasting with his Guinness Record-breaking podcast “The Adam Carolla Show,” which set records for downloads. Whatever chances appeared before him, he took them and in many cases benefited. Together it all makes for an impressive body of work and one that began because Carolla was willing to live on the edge and seize an opportunity when it came.

Taking a chance for an exhilarating performance

From radio and television to podcasting and book writing, Carolla lives an exhilarating life every single day. This attribute, as well as his time spent as an avid race car collector and avocational racer, makes him a natural fit to partner with Castrol EDGE – the motor oil that transforms to be stronger under pressure and unlock exhilarating performance – for its Live on the Edge project.

In the video, “Rain Starts Play,” he reflects on the events that have shaped his life and the moments when he truly lived life on the edge.

”Rain Starts Play’ sums up my attitude to life,’ Carolla says. ‘Why run for shelter when you can run into the rain and embrace the opportunity for an exciting experience? Running full steam towards opportunity is what life is all about for me.

‘I never excelled at school but I always knew how to grasp every single opportunity and my career has been long and varied and mostly fun as a result. Whether I’m on stage in front of a live audience or racing in one of my classic cars, I just go for it in the moment without knowing where it will lead. It turns out that this has been the key to my success and happiness in life.’

Carolla lives his life on the edge. What’s stopping you from doing the same?

To learn more about Castrol EDGE and how it can improve your car’s performance, visit castroledge.com.

An easy spring guide to a green, weed-free lawn

by
Play Video

(BPT) – The rich green color, the soft feel beneath your feet and the iconic fresh-cut smell – thriving grass enhances your property in countless ways. Spring is the ideal time to focus on your lawn, so by taking steps now, you can enjoy lush, green grass for many months to come.

These four areas will help you focus your efforts where they will make the biggest impact.

Equipment prep

The first step to a successful spring lawn-care routine is to properly prepare equipment. After sitting in storage during the cool months, equipment may need a tuneup or replacement.

The lawn mower is your go-to piece of equipment. If it’s gas-powered, make sure fuel hasn’t gone bad by starting it up and letting it run for a while. Add fresh fuel as needed. Additionally, consider bringing your mower in for a tuneup. For a modest fee, a trained mechanic will go over all the mower components and make sure everything is in tip-top shape, including blade sharpening so your mower can cut efficiently.

Lawn trimmers are another popular tool for maintaining a yard. Again, start this piece of equipment up and see how well it runs. Add fresh line to the trimmer head so you get a clean cut. Finally, gather all other lawn-care tools and designate a convenient spot in the garage or shed to store them for easy access.

Mowing advice

A great-looking, weed-free lawn requires proper mowing. Experts agree you should mow as soon as the grass starts to grow to remove any brown tips and encourage healthy growth.

Keep the grass mowed to 3-4 inches tall. At that height, grass shades out weeds, develops deeper roots and cools the soil. Some grasses – such as Kentucky bluegrass, fescues and perennial rye grass – grow faster in cool weather. That means you mow more frequently in spring and early summer to keep it in the 3-4 inch range, and less frequently in mid to late summer and into fall.

Want an insider tip to a great lawn? Leave clippings on the grass. As they break down, they return important trace nutrients to the soil. If the grass is tall when mowed, spread out any large, heavy clumps so the clippings don’t smother the lawn.

Essential treatments

Seek out combination lawn-care products to get better results with less work. For example, just one application of Preen One Lawncare provides three treatments, so you save time while laying the foundation for a thick, green, weed-free lawn.

First, the application prevents crabgrass seeds from sprouting and – unlike traditional weed and feed products – also kills crabgrass seedlings up to 4 weeks after germination. Second, it kills dandelions plus 250 types of tough broadleaf lawn weeds on contact, down to the roots. Finally, it feeds the lawn continuously with a slow-release 20-0-6 formula that promotes even greening and strong roots for maximum heat and drought resistance.

Preen One Lawncare is recommended for many popular cool-season and warm-season grasses. Learn more at https://one.preen.com.

Watering guidelines

Once your lawn starts growing, water becomes an essential component for it to thrive. A healthy lawn needs about an inch of water per week to stay strong. This can be a combination of rainwater and water you apply yourself. To reach the entire root structure, water should soak the soil 6 to 8 inches deep.

The morning is the best time to water grass. Temperatures and winds are typically lower in the morning, which means less evaporation. Strive to water grass before 10 a.m., but if you must do so later, wait until after 4 p.m., when the sun is less intense.

How do you know the amount of water your lawn is getting? Invest in a rain gauge to monitor precipitation. When using a sprinkler, set out a few empty tin cans in different places to measure water application. Unsure if you need to water? Try the footprinting test. Walk across your lawn and if your footprints are still visible after 30 seconds, it’s time to water. Healthy, well-watered grass will stand back up quickly after you walk on it.

Set the stage for great grass this spring with these four easy tasks. A little effort now will ensure a lush lawn through summer and beyond.

Renew an old concrete patio with pavers

by

(BPT) – Nearly 70 percent of homeowners spend more time outside after completing a landscaping project, according to a 2018 Houzz survey. While this is not a new trend, upgrading the backyard and the curb appeal of a home continues to be a smart invest…