sleep with one eye open

Reviewer Comments: Thanks to the recent “two for one sale,” I got two John McCain fatheads, and I’ve put one of them up in my living room, and the other one in my bedroom. The living room McCain is a wonderful conversation piece; whenever friends come over we immediately engage in a spirited conversation about campaign finance reform, steroid use in baseball, and the fundamentals of our economy. The bedroom McCain is the real winner, though. Everywhere I go, whether clothed or naked, McCain’s eyes seem to follow me. Sleep with one eye open, friends. John McCain will be watching!

Originally posted at Fathead (legalese)

Unexpected benefits plus all I expected

Reviewer Comments: When people with the point and shoot cameras see you coming, they clear the way.
I was concerned about the weight but after using it for a while, it is not an issue- and I am 74 years old.
The image quality is outstanding. After 5 months I am still finding new features.

Originally posted at RitzCamera.com (legalese)

Great game for families

Reviewer Comments: This is a deceptively fun game. Clay you ask? Not a problem. Your sculpting ability is not on trial here, so no worries if you almost failed elementary school art class. In fact, that might actually help you.

Basically you get to sculpt poorly and then try to figure out everyone else’s poor sculpture while they figure out yours. This activity leads to some hilarious moments. I was on the floor crying with laughter on some occasions.

But more importantly, the game teaches abstract thought and deductive reasoning, so it doubles as a fun family and educational game. Highly recommended.

Originally posted at Back To Basics Toys (legalese)

MerWii Christmas ( I Wish)

Reviewer Comments: When I first opened up this Ho Ho hunk of junk I thought: “This could be a great gift to give all those Ho Ho wonderful families!” but I was terribly… TERRIBLY… Wrong. It may have been fun for the all elves and me, but… within 10 merry minutes the game was only useful for the little baby elves to learn how to shake their arms. It was easy!.. just… too easy… I mean TOO EASY!!! YOU GRADE YOURSELF ON HOW GOOD YOU DID! THEIR ARE NO NOTES EVERY THING YOU PLAY IS PERFECT! NO SKILL! NO FUN! But If you really want to give it a try I’d recommend you have small children that have never played ANY other game or be having a party with nothing else to do. Thank You for reading and have and Outstandingly Merry Christmas!
-Santa Claus

Originally posted at Toys R Us (legalese)

Pretty Cords

Reviewer Comments: I ordered 18T which is a size bigger than I normally wear to allow for shrinkage and found that they were a full size smaller than true. The length was great, however!!! As for the Hideous Bright Gold Embroidery on the back pockets….buy a sharpie and make it disappear!!! I assume it looks great on lighter colored cords but on black or dark cords it a veritable beacon in the night. Overall, embroidery not withstanding, these are pretty nice and I will buy another pair…..as soon as I check available sharpie colors.

Originally posted at Metrostyle (legalese)

Best of Times & Worst of Times

Reviewer Comments: This would have been an impeccable lens with the addition of AF-S. Focus speed is adequate on my D200, but in the low-light conditions of the golden hour when I often find myself shooting wildlife, this lens can sometimes be frustrating. I have missed some potentially great shots where focus hunts in these types of conditions, and often go to my 70-300 AF-S VR under those conditions.

On the upside, I love that Nikon made this lens so light and portable as compared to something like the Canon 100-400 USM IS. It is an ideal size for a lens of this focal length. It turns out great images when everything comes together.

Originally posted at RitzCamera.com (legalese)

Best on the market

Reviewer Comments: These poles saved my behind. I had fractured my ankle in June, reinjured it in August, and my ankle was still unstable during a November visit to Mist falls in Yosemite. When I slipped on a wet step while descending the trail, I fell, but my Black Diamond pole was solidly anchored and I found myself literally hanging by the arm that was gripping the pole. Had I not had these poles, I am certain I would have gotten seriously hurt. They supported my overweight frame, and are dependible. The store clerks recommended this flip lock system over the twist systems out there that degrade with exposure to grit and trail dust. I am a believer.The only thing I haven’t figured out is how to loosen the wrist strap since tightening it all the way.

Originally posted at REI (legalese)

the ugly duckling: beauty without looks

Reviewer Comments: I am a gigging musician and purchased this computer for live performance with Ableton, Native instruments and other applications.

Right out of the box I was struck by the super shinny mirror black cover surface with oodles the extra gloss silver trim, it gives the machine a cheesy pander’s look that goes beyond offense and places it in the realm of consciously in your face bad taste. Almost a satiric comment on Apple and Sony fashion statement machines (my girlfriend squirms at the look and I am somewhere between laughing and throwing up every time I close the lid).

Once we open the lid (and don’t have to look at it anymore) things get dramatically better, this is a very fast and powerful machine with a quality display and graphics. It handles allot of VST plugins without fatigue and can power usb driven outboard gear (a Novation SL controller, a Korg nano keyboard, NI Kore 2, and a jump drive) without going under - though I prefer to power the Novation with its own AC supply, one should never press one’s luck especially if we want to perform well).

It is useful, if you feel up to it, to get rid of much of the junk software that comes with the machine, do you really want to be part of an ASUS social network? The machine will run faster if you do. On the other hand the security software works well and is easy to configure.

A real negative is the keyboard, it is extremely clicky and needs to be beaten sternly so as not to drop letters (perhaps this goes with the look?). For a touch typer like me this is a real pain.

Battery life is ok, if you are a battery freak you will probably complain but for my one or two hours excursions away from real power this machine does perfectly well and does not let you down.

The bottom line is if you can get past the sheer tastelessness of its looks (or if you go for them) and if you hit the keys with passion, this is a powerhouse computer at what is a bargain price. The T9400 dual core processor and graphics with one gig of dedicated VRAM make this ugly duckling rock. Check it out.

Originally posted at J&R Electronics (legalese)

Sounds good but falls short.

Reviewer Comments: I enjoy chai tea every chance I get and have had several specially made to create an experience that I cannot find outside of an asian market in San Francisco (I have yet to travel abroad to India or South East Asia.)That essential chai taste of spice is supposed to be complex and spicy and even a bit strong. Chai should never be made to be palatable to everyone… spicy tea with milk and honey is a rich taste that should boldly declare its spices and not taste as if I could get the same from the Dunkin Donuts powered variety; which almost, but not quite, tastes entirely unlike chai. I find I usually have to spice a homemade mix up with some of my own seasonings to get that spice and indeed this one was really no different.

Originally posted at Boca Java (legalese)

Shoes for the long run

Reviewer Comments: I bought my first pair of these shoes from you four years ago. After a two week break in period (they rubbed in front of the ankle), I loved them, and have worn them most of the time through fall, winter and spring for those four years. About a year ago, they started to look a bit rough, so I started to watch for them again in your catalogue to buy another pair. Just when I thought they were no long available, you offered them again in your catalogue. This time I bought two pair, one pair of size 8 and one pair of size 8 1/2, although I usually wear a size 9. Break in time and irregular sizing aside, I love these shoes and was so happy to find them again. They are warm, comfortable, and wear like iron. I’m set for the decade! I might even put them in my will. Thanks!

Originally posted at Sierra Trading Post (legalese)