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As an electrical engineer for forty years, I have used Fluke instruments many times and have always found them to be excellent in function and quality (although expensive) and even own some other Fluke instruments. Given this, I had high expectations for this toner and probe set, especially given the price. What a mistake! This thing would be overpriced at half the money and Fluke is taking advantage of their reputation to soak customers. As others have mentioned, the signals bleed into other lines and errors such as opens, shorts, cross connects are communicated in various tones, beeps, and flashing lights, which unless you devote your life to learning this thing, are completely indecipherable. Basically, they just tell you something is wrong. Performing sophisticated testing is useless unless the results are communicated in a quick and easy to understand manner so the necessary fixes can be performed quicky (time is money). Do not buy this unit. I'm sure the even high cost fluke testers are better, but now we are talking a lot of money for something easily lost on site or broken. I have found that I have to use other simpler testers and tracers. At two hundred dollars or so, any tester should have a graphic display not just some leds and an assortment of indecipherable tones with a useless manual (you can't describe complex tones sequences in one page). Basically, my view is that there are two levels of testers: ones that perform quick tests for the common wiring problems and the others, ones that do bandwidth and distortion measurement needed for high end sophisticated installations (which are typically of a commercial nature). Don't get sucked in by the Fluke name, for anything other than the latter type testing (which require higher end Fluke units), buy one of the lower cost unit which have a display which shows you exactly the problem, which pairs, etc. Also a function that shows you the location of problem by wire length is extremely useful for indicating which end of the wire has the problem rather than taking a 50-50 change and cutting off the wrong end. I am going to sell mine on ebay and buy one of the many other display testers (which may be of less "quality" but are quite sufficient for the need. If worried, you can buy three of them for the price of the Fluke.) Happy to argue these points... | 1 | neutral | [
"As an electrical engineer for forty years, I have used Fluke instruments many times and have always found them to be excellent in function and quality (although expensive) and even own some other Fluke instruments.",
"Given this, I had high expectations for this toner and probe set, especially given the price.",
"What a mistake!",
"This thing would be overpriced at half the money and Fluke is taking advantage of their reputation to soak customers.",
"As others have mentioned, the signals bleed into other lines and errors such as opens, shorts, cross connects are communicated in various tones, beeps, and flashing lights, which unless you devote your life to learning this thing, are completely indecipherable.",
"Basically, they just tell you something is wrong.",
"Performing sophisticated testing is useless unless the results are communicated in a quick and easy to understand manner so the necessary fixes can be performed quicky (time is money).",
"Do not buy this unit.",
"I'm sure the even high cost fluke testers are better, but now we are talking a lot of money for something easily lost on site or broken.",
"I have found that I have to use other simpler testers and tracers.",
"At two hundred dollars or so, any tester should have a graphic display not just some leds and an assortment of indecipherable tones with a useless manual (you can't describe complex tones sequences in one page).",
"Basically, my view is that there are two levels of testers: ones that perform quick tests for the common wiring problems and the others, ones that do bandwidth and distortion measurement needed for high end sophisticated installations (which are typically of a commercial nature).",
"Don't get sucked in by the Fluke name, for anything other than the latter type testing (which require higher end Fluke units), buy one of the lower cost unit which have a display which shows you exactly the problem, which pairs, etc.",
"Also a function that shows you the location of problem by wire length is extremely useful for indicating which end of the wire has the problem rather than taking a 50-50 change and cutting off the wrong end.",
"I am going to sell mine on ebay and buy one of the many other display testers (which may be of less \"quality\" but are quite sufficient for the need.",
"If worried, you can buy three of them for the price of the Fluke.",
") Happy to argue these points..."
] |
emm ... what is ... mmm ... what am i doing next haven't got any ... plans for anything in particular . the weekend ... i think ... i might go to see the ulster orchestra . emm ... an then ... it is my brothers thirtieth birthday in a couple of weeks as well . | 1 | neutral | [
"emm...",
"what is...",
"mmm...",
"what am i doing next haven't got any...",
"plans for anything in particular.",
"the weekend...",
"i think...",
"i might go to see the ulster orchestra.",
"emm...",
"an then...",
"it is my brothers thirtieth birthday in a couple of weeks as well."
] |
This is really a stage mic, don't get this for home recording. Very tinny/bright, and very directional. It is meant to cut thru the mix on stage, so the high end is boosted. And also to only capture the singer (not the band) so very sensitive to head movement and proximity of mouth to mic. VERY SENSITIVE. If you move an inch or so, the levels change dramatically. Tangent: You know what? Just get a SM57 and put a good pop filter on it. SM57 is a surprising good vocal mic for many voices. I like SM57 better than the SM7 (which sounds like cotton) and beware: the SM7 needs HUGE GAIN. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is really a stage mic, don't get this for home recording.",
"Very tinny/bright, and very directional.",
"It is meant to cut thru the mix on stage, so the high end is boosted.",
"And also to only capture the singer (not the band) so very sensitive to head movement and proximity of mouth to mic.",
"VERY SENSITIVE.",
"If you move an inch or so, the levels change dramatically.",
"Tangent: You know what?",
"Just get a SM57 and put a good pop filter on it.",
"SM57 is a surprising good vocal mic for many voices.",
"I like SM57 better than the SM7 (which sounds like cotton) and beware: the SM7 needs HUGE GAIN."
] |
I recently purchased both the 12 in Pro rule and the 12 inch Precision Marking rule. Actually I haven't as yet used either on a project though I did test them both a bit on some boards when they first arrived. Now that I have them and have played with them a bit I suspect that I will likelynot use them that often .... and will likely continue to use (at least for most situations) my old combination square and tape measures. However I am glad to have them ... if only for backup. If and when I do run into a situation where a combination square and/or a tape measure seems inadequate I'll break these out and see if they can't help.
I think it was the info-mercials for the INCRA rules on Utube that kind of seduced me into thinking these would be good to have ... the info-mercials are well made and enticing. But as a practical matter, after playing with them hands-on some, I doubt that I will give them a great amount of use. But if one had a particular use for them and was familiar with them and so knew what to expect from them then I don't doubt that they would be useful in that case. | 1 | neutral | [
"I recently purchased both the 12 in Pro rule and the 12 inch Precision Marking rule.",
"Actually I haven't as yet used either on a project though I did test them both a bit on some boards when they first arrived.",
"Now that I have them and have played with them a bit I suspect that I will likelynot use them that often....",
"and will likely continue to use (at least for most situations) my old combination square and tape measures.",
"However I am glad to have them...",
"if only for backup.",
"If and when I do run into a situation where a combination square and/or a tape measure seems inadequate I'll break these out and see if they can't help.",
"I think it was the info-mercials for the INCRA rules on Utube that kind of seduced me into thinking these would be good to have...",
"the info-mercials are well made and enticing.",
"But as a practical matter, after playing with them hands-on some, I doubt that I will give them a great amount of use.",
"But if one had a particular use for them and was familiar with them and so knew what to expect from them then I don't doubt that they would be useful in that case."
] |
I bought this on .co.uk because it's at least $100 cheaper (depending on the exchange rate you get). The box is a little larger than the size of an album but about six inches deep, with paper-magnetic tiles on top of the Achtung Baby cover that you can remove. You have to flip open the front panel and open the top to get at the vinyl and book. There's a drawer underneath that you have to pull open revealing a 4 block drawer holding the CD's, glasses, pins a magazine lays on top. The corner of the drawer was ripped when I got the set, indicating how cheap the box actually is constructed. The glasses come sewn in a bag that you have to rip open to get at (I haven't).
The CD's are what I wanted and the remastered sound is excellent. You get 6 cd's, a complete set of all of the Achtung Baby music including B sides and all of the mixes, plus you get Zooropa. The vinyl is 180g album plus 7" vinyl singles housed in individual sleeves and put in a slip case. I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet.
All in all, this set is not worth the price, it's probably not worth more than $200. You have to love U2 or love music (like me) in order to spring for this! | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought this on.",
"co.",
"uk because it's at least $100 cheaper (depending on the exchange rate you get).",
"The box is a little larger than the size of an album but about six inches deep, with paper-magnetic tiles on top of the Achtung Baby cover that you can remove.",
"You have to flip open the front panel and open the top to get at the vinyl and book.",
"There's a drawer underneath that you have to pull open revealing a 4 block drawer holding the CD's, glasses, pins a magazine lays on top.",
"The corner of the drawer was ripped when I got the set, indicating how cheap the box actually is constructed.",
"The glasses come sewn in a bag that you have to rip open to get at (I haven't).",
"The CD's are what I wanted and the remastered sound is excellent.",
"You get 6 cd's, a complete set of all of the Achtung Baby music including B sides and all of the mixes, plus you get Zooropa.",
"The vinyl is 180g album plus 7\" vinyl singles housed in individual sleeves and put in a slip case.",
"I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet.",
"All in all, this set is not worth the price, it's probably not worth more than $200.",
"You have to love U2 or love music (like me) in order to spring for this!"
] |
Many other reviewers have mentioned the historical innacuracies found in _The Other Boleyn Girl_. I noticed them as well. The changes in the Boleyn girls' birth order did not trouble me as much as the disputed parentage of Mary Boleyn's children (why would Henry, whose first illegitimate son he made a Duke, ignore his son by Mary Boleyn?) I also found it odd that the author seemed to give creedence not only to the charges of witchcraft against Ann Boleyn, but to the charge of incest between Ann and her brother George. These charges, which were ostensibly the reasons why Ann was beheaded, have been generally dismissed by every historian since they occurred.
So why, then, did Phillipa Gregory treat them as, if not fact, then at least possibilities?
This would not have bothered me at all had she included an author's note that explained her reasoning. I understand that the hints of Dark Doings and intrasibling sex make for a much more intriguing read, and if that was Ms. Gregory's intention, good for her.
But why, then, would you not include something to tell your readers what liberties you've taken with the facts, and why?
The fact that she did not do so is why I gave this book such a low rating.
As a story, it's pretty good. A bit heavy on the purple prose, but that didn't bother me too much. The detail about life at Henry's court was quite good and the portrayal of Katherine of Aragon and Mary's guilty affection for her was touching.
Is the book a tad too long? I think so. I didn't need page after page to remind me that Mary Boleyn loved farming and her children very, very much. Got it the first time. But it was an enjoyable story, and the characters were well-crafted and for the most part believable (though they veered towards charicature near the end).
All in all, it wasn't bad, and I would read another book by this author. I'm merely disappointed that she took such liberties with the facts (Mary's daughter in the Tower with Ann? Huh?) and did not explain to her readers why she did so or what the truth was. | 1 | neutral | [
"Many other reviewers have mentioned the historical innacuracies found in _The Other Boleyn Girl_.",
"I noticed them as well.",
"The changes in the Boleyn girls' birth order did not trouble me as much as the disputed parentage of Mary Boleyn's children (why would Henry, whose first illegitimate son he made a Duke, ignore his son by Mary Boleyn?",
") I also found it odd that the author seemed to give creedence not only to the charges of witchcraft against Ann Boleyn, but to the charge of incest between Ann and her brother George.",
"These charges, which were ostensibly the reasons why Ann was beheaded, have been generally dismissed by every historian since they occurred.",
"So why, then, did Phillipa Gregory treat them as, if not fact, then at least possibilities?",
"This would not have bothered me at all had she included an author's note that explained her reasoning.",
"I understand that the hints of Dark Doings and intrasibling sex make for a much more intriguing read, and if that was Ms.",
"Gregory's intention, good for her.",
"But why, then, would you not include something to tell your readers what liberties you've taken with the facts, and why?",
"The fact that she did not do so is why I gave this book such a low rating.",
"As a story, it's pretty good.",
"A bit heavy on the purple prose, but that didn't bother me too much.",
"The detail about life at Henry's court was quite good and the portrayal of Katherine of Aragon and Mary's guilty affection for her was touching.",
"Is the book a tad too long?",
"I think so.",
"I didn't need page after page to remind me that Mary Boleyn loved farming and her children very, very much.",
"Got it the first time.",
"But it was an enjoyable story, and the characters were well-crafted and for the most part believable (though they veered towards charicature near the end).",
"All in all, it wasn't bad, and I would read another book by this author.",
"I'm merely disappointed that she took such liberties with the facts (Mary's daughter in the Tower with Ann?",
"Huh?",
") and did not explain to her readers why she did so or what the truth was."
] |
Geist is a first person shooter (FPS), with lots of puzzles for the Nintendo Gamecube. In Geist, you play a government agent named John Raimi. You get captured and subjected to a top secret experiment being perfomed by a terrorist faction. The experiment seperates your spiritual energy from your physical body. You roam around the the levels in a ghost-like form which people cannot see or hear. While in this ghost-like form, you can actually possess people, animals or even objects in a room. By possessing people you can gain access to closed off areas or make them kill one of their own team mates. By possessing animals you can gain their special abilities, for example if you possess a dog, you can run fast, jump and bark. If you possess a mouse you can go into tiny spaces and squeek like a mouse. By possessing objects you can get a unique view of the object and even make it move or explode. Before you possess people or animals you must have them in a state of fear; otherwise possession is not possible. You get people and animals scared by when you possess objects; for example you can make a control panel explode, drop a ladder or make a can of paint burst, it might scare people and then you can possess them. Though this game is a first person shooter, it is too heavy with the puzzle elements. Most of the time you have to figure out how to get into the next locked room, what techniques are better to scare people and which person to scare. If you don't figure these things out, you'll not gain access into the next area/levels.
The game starts you off with an action scene shoot-out as you try to escape the underground laboratory complex. Then they take you into a very good interactive tutorial of how to possess living creatures and objects while in the spiritual state. The graphics are very nice and the animation are average, but I do not see them getting any awards. There are several guns and different weaponry to use in the game, but they all sound cheap and lack that heavy BOOM. The controls are solid and feel just about right though it can be tricky to learn at first. The real problem with, Geist is lack of excitement. A lot of that excitement is killed off by the tough puzzles in the game. You'll do more puzzles than shooting within the game, so keep that in-mind when purchasing. For this same reason I cannot recommend it for younger players as the puzzles will frustrate or even bore them, but at the same time the game has mature themes which adults may like. The game is very linear and allows no room to roam very far. I think the game concept is very good but the execution and presentation within Geist is poor in contrast. There are much better FPS and puzzle games in the market. If you want FPS I recommend the game called, Black. If you want puzzle horror, I recommend the, Resident Evil series. | 1 | neutral | [
"Geist is a first person shooter (FPS), with lots of puzzles for the Nintendo Gamecube.",
"In Geist, you play a government agent named John Raimi.",
"You get captured and subjected to a top secret experiment being perfomed by a terrorist faction.",
"The experiment seperates your spiritual energy from your physical body.",
"You roam around the the levels in a ghost-like form which people cannot see or hear.",
"While in this ghost-like form, you can actually possess people, animals or even objects in a room.",
"By possessing people you can gain access to closed off areas or make them kill one of their own team mates.",
"By possessing animals you can gain their special abilities, for example if you possess a dog, you can run fast, jump and bark.",
"If you possess a mouse you can go into tiny spaces and squeek like a mouse.",
"By possessing objects you can get a unique view of the object and even make it move or explode.",
"Before you possess people or animals you must have them in a state of fear; otherwise possession is not possible.",
"You get people and animals scared by when you possess objects; for example you can make a control panel explode, drop a ladder or make a can of paint burst, it might scare people and then you can possess them.",
"Though this game is a first person shooter, it is too heavy with the puzzle elements.",
"Most of the time you have to figure out how to get into the next locked room, what techniques are better to scare people and which person to scare.",
"If you don't figure these things out, you'll not gain access into the next area/levels.",
"The game starts you off with an action scene shoot-out as you try to escape the underground laboratory complex.",
"Then they take you into a very good interactive tutorial of how to possess living creatures and objects while in the spiritual state.",
"The graphics are very nice and the animation are average, but I do not see them getting any awards.",
"There are several guns and different weaponry to use in the game, but they all sound cheap and lack that heavy BOOM.",
"The controls are solid and feel just about right though it can be tricky to learn at first.",
"The real problem with, Geist is lack of excitement.",
"A lot of that excitement is killed off by the tough puzzles in the game.",
"You'll do more puzzles than shooting within the game, so keep that in-mind when purchasing.",
"For this same reason I cannot recommend it for younger players as the puzzles will frustrate or even bore them, but at the same time the game has mature themes which adults may like.",
"The game is very linear and allows no room to roam very far.",
"I think the game concept is very good but the execution and presentation within Geist is poor in contrast.",
"There are much better FPS and puzzle games in the market.",
"If you want FPS I recommend the game called, Black.",
"If you want puzzle horror, I recommend the, Resident Evil series."
] |
I never got it. They refunded me and said something about it being damaged in transit. I got the email and wasn’t sure because I could stick track the order. In tracking it said the delivery was delayed not refunded. So I kept tracking and even called Amazon when I didn’t get it in a week. It took two calls, one call said wait a little longer and the second representative I talked to reminded me it was refunded and not coming. I felt a bit stupid and mad. Stupid for forgetting that it was refunded and not checking my account to see the refund that processed days later. I was mad because I waited on that ball thing and I bought another one instead of this one. I don’t really like the other one. | 1 | neutral | [
"I never got it.",
"They refunded me and said something about it being damaged in transit.",
"I got the email and wasn’t sure because I could stick track the order.",
"In tracking it said the delivery was delayed not refunded.",
"So I kept tracking and even called Amazon when I didn’t get it in a week.",
"It took two calls, one call said wait a little longer and the second representative I talked to reminded me it was refunded and not coming.",
"I felt a bit stupid and mad.",
"Stupid for forgetting that it was refunded and not checking my account to see the refund that processed days later.",
"I was mad because I waited on that ball thing and I bought another one instead of this one.",
"I don’t really like the other one."
] |
I am going to eat all the candies in my little bag of Werther's Sugar Free Chewy Caramels, and I am going to enjoy them. However, I won't be purchasing them or recommending them due to all the warnings of possible side-effects listed on the back label of the package. The packaging states that these candies are sugar-free and gluten-free, and the calorie count is about 20 per piece. The caramels are soft and chewy and kind of sticky like salt water taffy. The taste is pretty good, with only a very slight aftertaste. What about those warnings? Sugar alcohols that may elevate blood glucose levels. Milk and soybeans that may cause allergic reactions. "Excess consumption may have a laxative effect". Is this Ex-Lax or Werther's Caramels? Don't leave these around where children can find them! Moral of these candies--be a label reader--and consume sweets in moderation. | 1 | neutral | [
"I am going to eat all the candies in my little bag of Werther's Sugar Free Chewy Caramels, and I am going to enjoy them.",
"However, I won't be purchasing them or recommending them due to all the warnings of possible side-effects listed on the back label of the package.",
"The packaging states that these candies are sugar-free and gluten-free, and the calorie count is about 20 per piece.",
"The caramels are soft and chewy and kind of sticky like salt water taffy.",
"The taste is pretty good, with only a very slight aftertaste.",
"What about those warnings?",
"Sugar alcohols that may elevate blood glucose levels.",
"Milk and soybeans that may cause allergic reactions.",
"\"Excess consumption may have a laxative effect\".",
"Is this Ex-Lax or Werther's Caramels?",
"Don't leave these around where children can find them!",
"Moral of these candies--be a label reader--and consume sweets in moderation."
] |
It's been said of Stephen King before that he could publish a grocery list and it would sell a million copies. The perception of Rockstar Games is very similar these days. From GTA3 forward, the Grand Theft Auto series have been instant classics. That Rockstar is promising to "blow people away" with the upcoming San Andreas title is a scary thought considering how far they pushed the envelope with Vice City. With titles like State of Emergency, Max Payne, and Manhunt, they further solidified an already stellar reputation. Here's a company who puts out games the way gamers want them. No compromises or shortcuts, this crew clearly lives and breathes gaming and it's evident that they enjoy what they do. These days that's something pretty special, as huge production houses churn out/rush out titles that feel like they were made by people who never played them.
The point of all of this is that many people (myself included) probably went out and bought Red Dead Revolver more because it's a Rockstar game than anything else. Sure, it hits shelves at a time where HBO's Deadwood might have rekindled some national interest in Western-style media. But if I'm honest, I don't know that I buy this title on the first day if it's coming from EA, UBI, or some other company.
In that light, Red Dead Revolver is going to be a bit of a disappointment in the long term with people who buy it before checking the reviews. Make no mistake, the game is fun, the storyline compelling, the characters fun and interesting. The game play is solid, the controls easy to get down, there are no major flaws with the game. Except that it's relatively shallow. It is as linear as games can get. There's nothing to be determined or decided, save your shot/hit ratio, the damage you take during a given chapter, and what little extras you unlock. My experience playing is going to be exactly like yours, and yours like anyone else's.
Not that this is a bad thing for everyone. Red Dead plays like an arcade shooter. You play as one of a few different characters, but mostly the main protagonist, Red. With a variety of weapons (which can be upgraded throughout the game) you take down waves of opposition in a number of gritty Western movie-style settings. A ghost town, a graveyard, up in the mountains, on a train, on a ranch, etc. Beyond the normal aim, shoot and run, you also make use of something called "Deadeye Mode", which is a familiar slow-time mode where you can make a series of precise shots against one or more enemies. The third mode of play is QuickDraw, which is just as it sounds. The screen comes up, you pull down on the right stick, push up, and try to line up a number of shots before a slow-time clock runs out. I would have liked to have seen this worked into the game a bit better.
The game as a whole is fun once you put aside what could have been, accept it for what it is and enjoy the experience. It is not a title I will keep long-term, once done with the single player mode, it will get traded in towards something else. There is a multiplayer mode, but it's limited, and doesn't add (in my opinion) anything to the long term playability of the title. I felt Rockstar could have done much more with this title. There are times where you run around town between chapters with no real purpose. Let me get myself in trouble at the Saloon with a bar brawl, or end up in a Quickdraw shootout because I hit on some saucy barmaid that some other tough unwashed thug is interested in. Without some of the freedoms and depths Rockstar has worked into its other titles, you do eventually feel like you're just pulling the trigger in one chapter after another, just going through the paces until the inevitable finale with the men who killed your parents.
I highly recommend renting this game before buying it. I'm glad I played it, and I enjoyed it, but when you're done, there's nothing drawing you back in. Even Western fanatics might not find this one worth keeping long term. Definitely worth playing, but you might be better served hanging on to that purchase money for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas if you're a fan of that series. Make no mistake, this isn't about Red Dead not being considered on its own merits. I'm not holding it up against Rockstar's previous home runs, despite that being what drove me to buy it blind. This game isn't a flop, and it's not going to ruin the image of Rockstar, but my opinion is that it's one of their weaker titles. This game was handed off a couple times, starting with Capcom, ending with Rockstar, perhaps that has something to do with the lack of depth.
Positives:
Graphically impressive, everything is convincingly gritty and bleak. Everything has a spaghetti Western-style feel to it visually.
Solid storyline.
Fun arcade-style gameplay.
Hard enough to be a challenge, easy enough to be fun.
Bull/horse riding, stagecoach driving and train-related opportunities really add to the fun factor.
Negatives:
Restrictively linear, no opportunity for playing outside the lines.
Shallow. I know I keep harping on this, but depth is a hallmark of Rockstar titles.
No real replay value.
Weak online aspect doesn't really add to the game.
After about half the chapters, you start to feel like you've been there and done that.
Wants to be both an action shooter and a story-based adventure game. Doesn't really grab onto either and is sort of missing a real identity.
Rent it. Play it. Enjoy it. Then move on to something else.
High end of the 3 star rating for me. | 1 | neutral | [
"It's been said of Stephen King before that he could publish a grocery list and it would sell a million copies.",
"The perception of Rockstar Games is very similar these days.",
"From GTA3 forward, the Grand Theft Auto series have been instant classics.",
"That Rockstar is promising to \"blow people away\" with the upcoming San Andreas title is a scary thought considering how far they pushed the envelope with Vice City.",
"With titles like State of Emergency, Max Payne, and Manhunt, they further solidified an already stellar reputation.",
"Here's a company who puts out games the way gamers want them.",
"No compromises or shortcuts, this crew clearly lives and breathes gaming and it's evident that they enjoy what they do.",
"These days that's something pretty special, as huge production houses churn out/rush out titles that feel like they were made by people who never played them.",
"The point of all of this is that many people (myself included) probably went out and bought Red Dead Revolver more because it's a Rockstar game than anything else.",
"Sure, it hits shelves at a time where HBO's Deadwood might have rekindled some national interest in Western-style media.",
"But if I'm honest, I don't know that I buy this title on the first day if it's coming from EA, UBI, or some other company.",
"In that light, Red Dead Revolver is going to be a bit of a disappointment in the long term with people who buy it before checking the reviews.",
"Make no mistake, the game is fun, the storyline compelling, the characters fun and interesting.",
"The game play is solid, the controls easy to get down, there are no major flaws with the game.",
"Except that it's relatively shallow.",
"It is as linear as games can get.",
"There's nothing to be determined or decided, save your shot/hit ratio, the damage you take during a given chapter, and what little extras you unlock.",
"My experience playing is going to be exactly like yours, and yours like anyone else's.",
"Not that this is a bad thing for everyone.",
"Red Dead plays like an arcade shooter.",
"You play as one of a few different characters, but mostly the main protagonist, Red.",
"With a variety of weapons (which can be upgraded throughout the game) you take down waves of opposition in a number of gritty Western movie-style settings.",
"A ghost town, a graveyard, up in the mountains, on a train, on a ranch, etc.",
"Beyond the normal aim, shoot and run, you also make use of something called \"Deadeye Mode\", which is a familiar slow-time mode where you can make a series of precise shots against one or more enemies.",
"The third mode of play is QuickDraw, which is just as it sounds.",
"The screen comes up, you pull down on the right stick, push up, and try to line up a number of shots before a slow-time clock runs out.",
"I would have liked to have seen this worked into the game a bit better.",
"The game as a whole is fun once you put aside what could have been, accept it for what it is and enjoy the experience.",
"It is not a title I will keep long-term, once done with the single player mode, it will get traded in towards something else.",
"There is a multiplayer mode, but it's limited, and doesn't add (in my opinion) anything to the long term playability of the title.",
"I felt Rockstar could have done much more with this title.",
"There are times where you run around town between chapters with no real purpose.",
"Let me get myself in trouble at the Saloon with a bar brawl, or end up in a Quickdraw shootout because I hit on some saucy barmaid that some other tough unwashed thug is interested in.",
"Without some of the freedoms and depths Rockstar has worked into its other titles, you do eventually feel like you're just pulling the trigger in one chapter after another, just going through the paces until the inevitable finale with the men who killed your parents.",
"I highly recommend renting this game before buying it.",
"I'm glad I played it, and I enjoyed it, but when you're done, there's nothing drawing you back in.",
"Even Western fanatics might not find this one worth keeping long term.",
"Definitely worth playing, but you might be better served hanging on to that purchase money for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas if you're a fan of that series.",
"Make no mistake, this isn't about Red Dead not being considered on its own merits.",
"I'm not holding it up against Rockstar's previous home runs, despite that being what drove me to buy it blind.",
"This game isn't a flop, and it's not going to ruin the image of Rockstar, but my opinion is that it's one of their weaker titles.",
"This game was handed off a couple times, starting with Capcom, ending with Rockstar, perhaps that has something to do with the lack of depth.",
"Positives:\nGraphically impressive, everything is convincingly gritty and bleak.",
"Everything has a spaghetti Western-style feel to it visually.",
"Solid storyline.",
"Fun arcade-style gameplay.",
"Hard enough to be a challenge, easy enough to be fun.",
"Bull/horse riding, stagecoach driving and train-related opportunities really add to the fun factor.",
"Negatives:\nRestrictively linear, no opportunity for playing outside the lines.",
"Shallow.",
"I know I keep harping on this, but depth is a hallmark of Rockstar titles.",
"No real replay value.",
"Weak online aspect doesn't really add to the game.",
"After about half the chapters, you start to feel like you've been there and done that.",
"Wants to be both an action shooter and a story-based adventure game.",
"Doesn't really grab onto either and is sort of missing a real identity.",
"Rent it.",
"Play it.",
"Enjoy it.",
"Then move on to something else.",
"High end of the 3 star rating for me."
] |
Honestly, I wanted to love this stuff, I really did. And while I noticed a slight difference, it wasn't at all extraordinary. That said, I will continue to use it. But the major drawback is the AWFUL, DREADFUL taste. Oh my goodness, it's almost unbearable. It's tastes like band-aids. It's absolutely gross. Would I recommend it? Honestly, I don't think I would, not to anyone I loved anyway. Such a bummer because I really had high hopes. | 1 | neutral | [
"Honestly, I wanted to love this stuff, I really did.",
"And while I noticed a slight difference, it wasn't at all extraordinary.",
"That said, I will continue to use it.",
"But the major drawback is the AWFUL, DREADFUL taste.",
"Oh my goodness, it's almost unbearable.",
"It's tastes like band-aids.",
"It's absolutely gross.",
"Would I recommend it?",
"Honestly, I don't think I would, not to anyone I loved anyway.",
"Such a bummer because I really had high hopes."
] |
Well, whenever someone sees "James Bond" on a game, its probably gonne be picked up. Well, I was walking around at blockbuster, and that exact same phenomenon happend to me. I took it home, popped it in, and began the first mission. I was at parts amazed, at parts extremely disapointed while playing "007: Agent Under Fire." (by EA Games).
1. Gameplay: Okay...but not very good in a lot of parts. First, it just feels too easy. You go around shooting people who don't usually shoot back. The game is based on AUTO-AIM, which really kills gameplay. The people don't look half as good as they should, and the missions overall are short and easy. There isn't much of a variety of guns. There is hardly any ammo, and for that case, what you come with isn't very much. The guns aren't very creative either. Just a handgun, maybe a rifle here or there.
Vehicles: You normally control just one or two every 5 levels. One time you get to control a car with a ton of weaponry, but it's gets old after awhile. The ability though, when you have an assistant in the car, to shoot from the headroof was extremely COOL. That was one of the few places you got all kinds of guns. Vehicles are here, they're just not that common.
Story: Pretty good; it actually has one at least. You must save a hostage, escape the terrorists, take out people in stealth, break into the room, etc... It actually went by a story line, but the crappy part was Jame's girlfriend gets...
2. Graphics: Decent, but not good. People's hands don't have 5 fingers, the backgrounds and guards and such don't have faces. Bullet marks disapear after going into the wall. No weather factors, collapsing buildings, etc... The graphics here were, once again, good, NOT GREAT!
3. Sound: Probably the best part of the game. The voice acting (while people's mouths don't move when they talk) is excellent. The sounds of gun shells falling to the floor after re-loading brings the gameplay alive! The cars squel when they start fast, explosions rock the screen. Overall, it's pretty good. The music in the background is...BOND, of course. The sound was the best part of the game in my opinion, that and:
Multiplayer: Very fun! The levels are fairly large, and the variety of weapons is huge! From jump packs, canons, bazukas, shot guns, snipers, handguns, etc...there are tons of guns. The game keeps score, and you can work as a team in 4-player; 2 on 2 combat! There are life vests to keep your health up, and the overall gameplay is good. I loved only one part of this game. it was the multiplayer!
This game, overall, is a good game in terms of how much is costs (a twenty should cover it at most stores). Persounally, I'd buy it for the multiplayer, not the story mode. Something to chill on the couch and play with yours buds in multiplayer, or even watch someone breeze through the story in a matter of an hour or two. This game is a blast in some ways, and a MAJOR disapointment in others. I plan on buying it...maybe (after renting it for a week).
Thx! | 1 | neutral | [
"Well, whenever someone sees \"James Bond\" on a game, its probably gonne be picked up.",
"Well, I was walking around at blockbuster, and that exact same phenomenon happend to me.",
"I took it home, popped it in, and began the first mission.",
"I was at parts amazed, at parts extremely disapointed while playing \"007: Agent Under Fire.",
"\" (by EA Games).",
"1.",
"Gameplay: Okay...",
"but not very good in a lot of parts.",
"First, it just feels too easy.",
"You go around shooting people who don't usually shoot back.",
"The game is based on AUTO-AIM, which really kills gameplay.",
"The people don't look half as good as they should, and the missions overall are short and easy.",
"There isn't much of a variety of guns.",
"There is hardly any ammo, and for that case, what you come with isn't very much.",
"The guns aren't very creative either.",
"Just a handgun, maybe a rifle here or there.",
"Vehicles: You normally control just one or two every 5 levels.",
"One time you get to control a car with a ton of weaponry, but it's gets old after awhile.",
"The ability though, when you have an assistant in the car, to shoot from the headroof was extremely COOL.",
"That was one of the few places you got all kinds of guns.",
"Vehicles are here, they're just not that common.",
"Story: Pretty good; it actually has one at least.",
"You must save a hostage, escape the terrorists, take out people in stealth, break into the room, etc...",
"It actually went by a story line, but the crappy part was Jame's girlfriend gets...",
"2.",
"Graphics: Decent, but not good.",
"People's hands don't have 5 fingers, the backgrounds and guards and such don't have faces.",
"Bullet marks disapear after going into the wall.",
"No weather factors, collapsing buildings, etc...",
"The graphics here were, once again, good, NOT GREAT!",
"3.",
"Sound: Probably the best part of the game.",
"The voice acting (while people's mouths don't move when they talk) is excellent.",
"The sounds of gun shells falling to the floor after re-loading brings the gameplay alive!",
"The cars squel when they start fast, explosions rock the screen.",
"Overall, it's pretty good.",
"The music in the background is...",
"BOND, of course.",
"The sound was the best part of the game in my opinion, that and:\nMultiplayer: Very fun!",
"The levels are fairly large, and the variety of weapons is huge!",
"From jump packs, canons, bazukas, shot guns, snipers, handguns, etc...",
"there are tons of guns.",
"The game keeps score, and you can work as a team in 4-player; 2 on 2 combat!",
"There are life vests to keep your health up, and the overall gameplay is good.",
"I loved only one part of this game.",
"it was the multiplayer!",
"This game, overall, is a good game in terms of how much is costs (a twenty should cover it at most stores).",
"Persounally, I'd buy it for the multiplayer, not the story mode.",
"Something to chill on the couch and play with yours buds in multiplayer, or even watch someone breeze through the story in a matter of an hour or two.",
"This game is a blast in some ways, and a MAJOR disapointment in others.",
"I plan on buying it...",
"maybe (after renting it for a week).",
"Thx!"
] |
Few philosophers are renowned for their guidance in military tactics or their competence as men of the battlefield. Considering that such men excel in the art of brutal killing, they seem an odd category of people to recommend to the masses the right methods of life. A large part of the population have for long wisdom of such men, Niccol Machiavelli and Sun Tzu springing readily to mind, as they are seen as playing the devil's advocate for the cruel rulers they guide. However demented or wise these men may be, they without doubt shaped the political and social structure of their government and their influence has carried on even to our era. Among such men, the case of the protagonist of Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto is an unusual one; a ronin-a samurai without a Lord or House to serve-as the political and military philosopher. His text on military strategy, The Book of Five Rings, is still being read and scrutinized in many areas, from philosophy to business.
A famed swordsman, Musashi Miyamoto, was an unbeatable warrior whose legacy carries on as one of the most rebellious and intriguing men of his time. Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto is the first segment of a trilogy of films depicting Musashi's life; as it is the first segment it focuses on his early exploits to become a samurai. Following the loss of his side at the Battle of Sekigahara, he takes refugee with his fellow friend, Honiden Matahachi, at the house of a widow and her daughter. The daughter and widow fall in love with Musashi due to his swordsmanship that kills, injures, and scares of a large portion of the ronin that demands favors such as money, food, jewelry-especially Gold-to leave them unharmed. He rejects both women while Matahachi attaches himself to the women, even though he has promised to return to his faithful fianc. Angered by this event, Musashi returns to his village to inform Matahachi's mother and fianc of his whereabouts.
As in many other classic Samurai films, Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto contains great acting, by the likes of no other than Toshiro Mifune, an able director, and carefully chosen settings. Even with all the good performances and genuinely fine screenplay, based on a contemporary Japanese novel of Musashi's life, the film is ultimately forgettable. Undeniably, the film simply aims at describing Musashi's earliest years, but in turn creates a work that could only interest fans of Musashi Myamoto rather than the average filmgoer. What really drains the film is the lack of comprehension of Musashi's true talent and vigor; on the surface he seems indistinguishable from countless samurai of other samurai flicks. Granted that he may be a shallow samurai, no insight or philosophy is assigned to character. It is quite unexplained why he hates the village and its inhabitants as much as he does. Without some insight about the true significance of Musashi, the audience of the film will be more confused at the significance of this character that seems to lack any significant characteristic worth caring for.
Strangely, the film succeeds in making Musashi look like a complete loon and fool, and not a believable one. In the hunt that ensues, he succeeds in overpowering nearly everyone, but surrenders himself to the Priest with no opposition; it is not the surrender that is strange, but the method of surrender which is so spiritless and uncharacteristic of the samurai character that Musashi so eagerly demands to achieve. If that wasn't enough, Musashi is deceived a second time by the Priest who caused him so much suffering and humiliation. Unfortunately, the story line may be believable and acceptable in the novel that the film is based on, but many of the film's developments seem to embarrassingly display the filmmaker's inability of giving the work an acceptable ending.
Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto is insignificant not because Musashi's himself is not interesting for the contemporary viewer, far from it, but because he is utterly identical to every other samurai you have seen. As it is shown, he is a great swordsman, but, then again, are not all samurai? As much as Toshiro Mifune attempts to show us the rebellious, and eventual moral character, of Musashi we are at a loss, because the script is so thinly developed that even the noblest efforts of the entire cast combined can not make the film the great picture that it truly deserves to be. Surprisingly, Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto was presented with Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 28th (1955) Oscars; however, odd a selection this may be, it is not nearly as strange why the following two segment of the trilogy were devoid of such honors. | 1 | neutral | [
"Few philosophers are renowned for their guidance in military tactics or their competence as men of the battlefield.",
"Considering that such men excel in the art of brutal killing, they seem an odd category of people to recommend to the masses the right methods of life.",
"A large part of the population have for long wisdom of such men, Niccol Machiavelli and Sun Tzu springing readily to mind, as they are seen as playing the devil's advocate for the cruel rulers they guide.",
"However demented or wise these men may be, they without doubt shaped the political and social structure of their government and their influence has carried on even to our era.",
"Among such men, the case of the protagonist of Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto is an unusual one; a ronin-a samurai without a Lord or House to serve-as the political and military philosopher.",
"His text on military strategy, The Book of Five Rings, is still being read and scrutinized in many areas, from philosophy to business.",
"A famed swordsman, Musashi Miyamoto, was an unbeatable warrior whose legacy carries on as one of the most rebellious and intriguing men of his time.",
"Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto is the first segment of a trilogy of films depicting Musashi's life; as it is the first segment it focuses on his early exploits to become a samurai.",
"Following the loss of his side at the Battle of Sekigahara, he takes refugee with his fellow friend, Honiden Matahachi, at the house of a widow and her daughter.",
"The daughter and widow fall in love with Musashi due to his swordsmanship that kills, injures, and scares of a large portion of the ronin that demands favors such as money, food, jewelry-especially Gold-to leave them unharmed.",
"He rejects both women while Matahachi attaches himself to the women, even though he has promised to return to his faithful fianc.",
"Angered by this event, Musashi returns to his village to inform Matahachi's mother and fianc of his whereabouts.",
"As in many other classic Samurai films, Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto contains great acting, by the likes of no other than Toshiro Mifune, an able director, and carefully chosen settings.",
"Even with all the good performances and genuinely fine screenplay, based on a contemporary Japanese novel of Musashi's life, the film is ultimately forgettable.",
"Undeniably, the film simply aims at describing Musashi's earliest years, but in turn creates a work that could only interest fans of Musashi Myamoto rather than the average filmgoer.",
"What really drains the film is the lack of comprehension of Musashi's true talent and vigor; on the surface he seems indistinguishable from countless samurai of other samurai flicks.",
"Granted that he may be a shallow samurai, no insight or philosophy is assigned to character.",
"It is quite unexplained why he hates the village and its inhabitants as much as he does.",
"Without some insight about the true significance of Musashi, the audience of the film will be more confused at the significance of this character that seems to lack any significant characteristic worth caring for.",
"Strangely, the film succeeds in making Musashi look like a complete loon and fool, and not a believable one.",
"In the hunt that ensues, he succeeds in overpowering nearly everyone, but surrenders himself to the Priest with no opposition; it is not the surrender that is strange, but the method of surrender which is so spiritless and uncharacteristic of the samurai character that Musashi so eagerly demands to achieve.",
"If that wasn't enough, Musashi is deceived a second time by the Priest who caused him so much suffering and humiliation.",
"Unfortunately, the story line may be believable and acceptable in the novel that the film is based on, but many of the film's developments seem to embarrassingly display the filmmaker's inability of giving the work an acceptable ending.",
"Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto is insignificant not because Musashi's himself is not interesting for the contemporary viewer, far from it, but because he is utterly identical to every other samurai you have seen.",
"As it is shown, he is a great swordsman, but, then again, are not all samurai?",
"As much as Toshiro Mifune attempts to show us the rebellious, and eventual moral character, of Musashi we are at a loss, because the script is so thinly developed that even the noblest efforts of the entire cast combined can not make the film the great picture that it truly deserves to be.",
"Surprisingly, Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto was presented with Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 28th (1955) Oscars; however, odd a selection this may be, it is not nearly as strange why the following two segment of the trilogy were devoid of such honors."
] |
Ill start with the good. I have had pretty decent luck with Beherenger pedals. I really like this for what it is, a 23 dollar pedal tuner. Its fast, accurate, and i love the strobe feature.
Now the bad. I have this hooked up with signal coming from the tuner output of my Ernie Ball VP JR Vol Pedal. That means that my signal starts at the vol pedal and the tuner works even when the pedal is down. There is no signal coming out of the tuner at all, the signal to the rest of my chain and to my amp comes out of the main out on the vol pedal.
The issue i am running into is that with the tuner on, my amp will buzz. When i click the tuner off, buzz goes away. What puzzles me is that there is no signal running through the tuner to the amp. My only guess is that i is causing electronic interference through the one spot daisy chain power adapter that powers ALL my pedals. If i put a battery in the tuner and unplug the power adapter there are NO ISSUES AT ALL. So in short if you are using a power adapter that powers all your pedals be careful because you might get some buzz. | 1 | neutral | [
"Ill start with the good.",
"I have had pretty decent luck with Beherenger pedals.",
"I really like this for what it is, a 23 dollar pedal tuner.",
"Its fast, accurate, and i love the strobe feature.",
"Now the bad.",
"I have this hooked up with signal coming from the tuner output of my Ernie Ball VP JR Vol Pedal.",
"That means that my signal starts at the vol pedal and the tuner works even when the pedal is down.",
"There is no signal coming out of the tuner at all, the signal to the rest of my chain and to my amp comes out of the main out on the vol pedal.",
"The issue i am running into is that with the tuner on, my amp will buzz.",
"When i click the tuner off, buzz goes away.",
"What puzzles me is that there is no signal running through the tuner to the amp.",
"My only guess is that i is causing electronic interference through the one spot daisy chain power adapter that powers ALL my pedals.",
"If i put a battery in the tuner and unplug the power adapter there are NO ISSUES AT ALL.",
"So in short if you are using a power adapter that powers all your pedals be careful because you might get some buzz."
] |
No one wants to drag around a hose and compressor. And, after working with a carpenter who uses 3 of these guns I was very impressed. Although the price was quite high the benefit seemed to outweigh the cost.
Upon receiving the gun it did not work and it was a lot of hazzle to return the defective product for another. So, Paslode repaired it free of charge. It then worked as advertised for perhaps 200 or so brads. Then it quit working again. I took the gun back to the repair shop where they told me the piston was bad! After about 2 weeks I got the gun back. It fired ONE brad perfectly and then stopped working again. Back to the repair shop where they told me it was a wiring issue. After this repair, I got the gun home, fired a few brads and the gun jammed (I was using the correct brads).
The repair shop told me these guns either work or they have lot's of problems. So, it seems I got one of the many duds.
I can't afford to experiment (gamble) with price heavy tools. Therefore, while the Paslode concept is excellent I highly recommed you save your money until someone develops a product that is high quality & dependable(which Paslode is NOT).
UPDATE - December 27, 2009:
I once again started using the gun installing baseboards for a friend. After about 2 racks of nails the gun quit working again. I took it apart for cleaning but this did not help. So, it's back to the repair shop.
There is simply no way I would ever recommend this nailer to anyone given it's high cost and exceptional maintenance needs.
UPDATE - August 3, 2012
(Rating changed from 1 to 3 stars.) In January of 2010 I finally sent the gun into Paslode for a complete 'overhaul'. I don't know what they did but the gun now works just fine ('Knock-on-Wood')! Since then I have remodeled 2 homes, installed baseboard and crown molding in 2 other homes, and trimed out the interior of more windows then I care to count. The gun has worked beautifully without a single problem! Would I recommend Paslode? Yes, if you immediately use the gun so it is under warranty if a problem arises. In other words, issues seem to occur in the early stages ... the gun either works beautifully or not. And, when it is working there is nothing better!! | 1 | neutral | [
"No one wants to drag around a hose and compressor.",
"And, after working with a carpenter who uses 3 of these guns I was very impressed.",
"Although the price was quite high the benefit seemed to outweigh the cost.",
"Upon receiving the gun it did not work and it was a lot of hazzle to return the defective product for another.",
"So, Paslode repaired it free of charge.",
"It then worked as advertised for perhaps 200 or so brads.",
"Then it quit working again.",
"I took the gun back to the repair shop where they told me the piston was bad!",
"After about 2 weeks I got the gun back.",
"It fired ONE brad perfectly and then stopped working again.",
"Back to the repair shop where they told me it was a wiring issue.",
"After this repair, I got the gun home, fired a few brads and the gun jammed (I was using the correct brads).",
"The repair shop told me these guns either work or they have lot's of problems.",
"So, it seems I got one of the many duds.",
"I can't afford to experiment (gamble) with price heavy tools.",
"Therefore, while the Paslode concept is excellent I highly recommed you save your money until someone develops a product that is high quality & dependable(which Paslode is NOT).",
"UPDATE - December 27, 2009:\nI once again started using the gun installing baseboards for a friend.",
"After about 2 racks of nails the gun quit working again.",
"I took it apart for cleaning but this did not help.",
"So, it's back to the repair shop.",
"There is simply no way I would ever recommend this nailer to anyone given it's high cost and exceptional maintenance needs.",
"UPDATE - August 3, 2012\n(Rating changed from 1 to 3 stars.",
") In January of 2010 I finally sent the gun into Paslode for a complete 'overhaul'.",
"I don't know what they did but the gun now works just fine ('Knock-on-Wood')!",
"Since then I have remodeled 2 homes, installed baseboard and crown molding in 2 other homes, and trimed out the interior of more windows then I care to count.",
"The gun has worked beautifully without a single problem!",
"Would I recommend Paslode?",
"Yes, if you immediately use the gun so it is under warranty if a problem arises.",
"In other words, issues seem to occur in the early stages...",
"the gun either works beautifully or not.",
"And, when it is working there is nothing better!!"
] |
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/QuickFlipCase-for-iPhone-4-and-NEW-iPhone-4S-AT-T-Verizon-Versions-Grantwood-Technology-s-Premium-Leather-Horizontal-Flip-Case-Black/dp/B001EXXFEK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">QuickFlipCase for iPhone 4 and NEW iPhone 4S (AT&T/Verizon Versions) Grantwood Technology's Premium Leather Horizontal Flip Case (Black)</a>
The Quick Flip Case is well made, reasonably priced, stylish, has a soft protective interior lining, and my iPhone 4S fits perfectly, even with the CDMA bumper attached. The plastic belt clip has a ratcheted pivot and the end of it is molded to securely attach to a belt. The case remains horizontal, rides close to your side, and the magnetic cover flap stays put, yet easily lifts out of the way. Grantwood Technology did a great job designing this case.
This holster is exactly what I was looking for. If there's anything negative about it, I haven't found it. Five stars all the way!
07/15/2012, Update
After the third plastic belt clip snapped off my Quick Flip Case, Grantwood Technology was nice enough to replace it with a more durable case sporting a metal clip. Grantwood said this replacement is an older version, but I like it just as much as the Quick Flip Case. The only real difference I can see is that the clip doesn't swivel, so the case stays in the horizontal position. Since this is my preferred carry position, this doesn't present a problem for me.
I do want to add that Grantwood Technology has been wonderful to deal with. They stand behing their products 100-percent, and their customer service is top notch ... Five stars all the way.
06/20/2012, Update
The bad news:
I'm now on my third Quick Flip Case. The plastic belt clip hinge broke off the first case; and the plastic belt clip assembly seperated from the back of the second replacement case.
The good news:
1) Grantwood Technology is excellent to do business with; they stand behind their products and guarantees completely. Grantwood immediately shipped no-cost replacements to me without requiring the return of the defective cases.
2) Before doing so they gave me the option of a full refund, a replacement, or an upgrade. I like this case so much, I chose the replacement over the refund.
3) Grantwood Technology had the manufacturer correct the problem on the newest release of this case, so the clip assembly shouldn't seperate from the case again.
Although I took one star away from the original five star rating, I still really like this case. And, if this one should become defective, I know Grantwood Technology will continue to do the right thing and offer a full refund. | 1 | neutral | [
"<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/QuickFlipCase-for-iPhone-4-and-NEW-iPhone-4S-AT-T-Verizon-Versions-Grantwood-Technology-s-Premium-Leather-Horizontal-Flip-Case-Black/dp/B001EXXFEK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">QuickFlipCase for iPhone 4 and NEW iPhone 4S (AT&T/Verizon Versions) Grantwood Technology's Premium Leather Horizontal Flip Case (Black)</a>\n\nThe Quick Flip Case is well made, reasonably priced, stylish, has a soft protective interior lining, and my iPhone 4S fits perfectly, even with the CDMA bumper attached.",
"The plastic belt clip has a ratcheted pivot and the end of it is molded to securely attach to a belt.",
"The case remains horizontal, rides close to your side, and the magnetic cover flap stays put, yet easily lifts out of the way.",
"Grantwood Technology did a great job designing this case.",
"This holster is exactly what I was looking for.",
"If there's anything negative about it, I haven't found it.",
"Five stars all the way!",
"07/15/2012, Update\n\nAfter the third plastic belt clip snapped off my Quick Flip Case, Grantwood Technology was nice enough to replace it with a more durable case sporting a metal clip.",
"Grantwood said this replacement is an older version, but I like it just as much as the Quick Flip Case.",
"The only real difference I can see is that the clip doesn't swivel, so the case stays in the horizontal position.",
"Since this is my preferred carry position, this doesn't present a problem for me.",
"I do want to add that Grantwood Technology has been wonderful to deal with.",
"They stand behing their products 100-percent, and their customer service is top notch...",
"Five stars all the way.",
"06/20/2012, Update\n\nThe bad news:\n\nI'm now on my third Quick Flip Case.",
"The plastic belt clip hinge broke off the first case; and the plastic belt clip assembly seperated from the back of the second replacement case.",
"The good news:\n\n1) Grantwood Technology is excellent to do business with; they stand behind their products and guarantees completely.",
"Grantwood immediately shipped no-cost replacements to me without requiring the return of the defective cases.",
"2) Before doing so they gave me the option of a full refund, a replacement, or an upgrade.",
"I like this case so much, I chose the replacement over the refund.",
"3) Grantwood Technology had the manufacturer correct the problem on the newest release of this case, so the clip assembly shouldn't seperate from the case again.",
"Although I took one star away from the original five star rating, I still really like this case.",
"And, if this one should become defective, I know Grantwood Technology will continue to do the right thing and offer a full refund."
] |
Cat Calls by Cynthia Leitich Smith
2.5 stars
Tiffany works at a carnival. Her grandmother is a fortune teller and she's leaving Tiffany on her to discover what she's capable of. Of course, fortune telling may not be the only thing in Tiffany's future. Well this one was rather a let down. Of course, I wasn't expecting much from something so short, but this one was just... weird. I don't mean the concept was weird. No the writing was completely weird. It felt stilled and forced. Just off. It made the story very un-enjoyable. I also had the strangest sense of deja vu when reading. It was just strangely similar to a short story I read in Foretold: 14 Tales of Prophecy and Prediction. At least at first it was and then it went in a good direction. I think this would've been better if it was longer and had more depth. More time to really flesh out and create a solid short story or novella.
The main female character is Tiffany. I don't really like her all that much. She calls herself a flirt and does stupid things to mess with the guys at the carnival. It's just weird and I don't think it really needed to be mentioned at all. I wanted to see where the story with her grandmother and father could've went. There was room at the end to have an explanation at some point by her grandmother about who her father was. Really Tiffany was just so underdeveloped that she didn't know who she was or where she came from and since it wasn't touched on, it made Tiffany seem like more a placeholder than an actual character.
Kick-Butt Heroine Scale: 5
Then there was just some random guy who looked like a cowboy named Trevor. He, like Tiffany, had a lot of potential of character development if this would've been longer.
Swoon Worthy Scale: 5
The Villain- kitty
you've read the story this makes total sense.
Villain Scale: 0
So overall it's a quick and easy read. It's free on Kindle Amazon and if you (like me) want to hurry up and complete your 2013 reading challenge this is a quick read that is under 30 minutes.
Cover Thoughts: It's simple and nothing special. Just a basic black cover with the title. | 1 | neutral | [
"Cat Calls by Cynthia Leitich Smith\n\n2.",
"5 stars\n\nTiffany works at a carnival.",
"Her grandmother is a fortune teller and she's leaving Tiffany on her to discover what she's capable of.",
"Of course, fortune telling may not be the only thing in Tiffany's future.",
"Well this one was rather a let down.",
"Of course, I wasn't expecting much from something so short, but this one was just...",
"weird.",
"I don't mean the concept was weird.",
"No the writing was completely weird.",
"It felt stilled and forced.",
"Just off.",
"It made the story very un-enjoyable.",
"I also had the strangest sense of deja vu when reading.",
"It was just strangely similar to a short story I read in Foretold: 14 Tales of Prophecy and Prediction.",
"At least at first it was and then it went in a good direction.",
"I think this would've been better if it was longer and had more depth.",
"More time to really flesh out and create a solid short story or novella.",
"The main female character is Tiffany.",
"I don't really like her all that much.",
"She calls herself a flirt and does stupid things to mess with the guys at the carnival.",
"It's just weird and I don't think it really needed to be mentioned at all.",
"I wanted to see where the story with her grandmother and father could've went.",
"There was room at the end to have an explanation at some point by her grandmother about who her father was.",
"Really Tiffany was just so underdeveloped that she didn't know who she was or where she came from and since it wasn't touched on, it made Tiffany seem like more a placeholder than an actual character.",
"Kick-Butt Heroine Scale: 5\n\nThen there was just some random guy who looked like a cowboy named Trevor.",
"He, like Tiffany, had a lot of potential of character development if this would've been longer.",
"Swoon Worthy Scale: 5\n\nThe Villain- kitty\n\nyou've read the story this makes total sense.",
"Villain Scale: 0\n\nSo overall it's a quick and easy read.",
"It's free on Kindle Amazon and if you (like me) want to hurry up and complete your 2013 reading challenge this is a quick read that is under 30 minutes.",
"Cover Thoughts: It's simple and nothing special.",
"Just a basic black cover with the title."
] |
I've gone through the French 1 DVD disk, and so far you can color me unimpressed. You are basically only getting 4 disks in an over-sized red cardboard box. For the price paid, I expected this thing to leap tall buildings in a single bound. They could have at least given me a few jewel cases to store the disks!
There isn't even a "back" button I can click to hear things repeated. You have to go back to the menu every time. If there is a simpler way, it is not intuitive.
The promised "pod casts" or whatever they are called don't work with iphone or blackberry. Huge disappointment! They only mention that in the very fine print on their web page.
The first 10 minutes of the disk is listening to someone drone on and on about how great Fluenz is, and how masterful they are at teaching. I already bought the package, so why use up my time with more self-indulgent back-patting?
I expected this to be fun, like they said. If watching someone talk to you with just a plain black background is fun for you, you'll be thrilled. In this day of CGI, and all the other tremendous tools there are out there for creating instructions, I was pretty disappointed by the lame graphics. Oh, occasionally they change the background, and put a photo-shopped person in to indicate who you hear talking. They don't move, they just stand there like a cardboard cut-out.
I was hoping to use this as a teaching aid for my middle-school aged kids also, but they were so bored by it I couldn't get them to sit through even one lesson with me.
The software claims it will teach in a totally different way than what you learned in school. I don't know where they went to school, but what I've seen so far is nearly identical to the way I learned foreign languages in school; learning to listen to conversations first, then going over the meaning, grammar and pronunciation afterward. | 1 | neutral | [
"I've gone through the French 1 DVD disk, and so far you can color me unimpressed.",
"You are basically only getting 4 disks in an over-sized red cardboard box.",
"For the price paid, I expected this thing to leap tall buildings in a single bound.",
"They could have at least given me a few jewel cases to store the disks!",
"There isn't even a \"back\" button I can click to hear things repeated.",
"You have to go back to the menu every time.",
"If there is a simpler way, it is not intuitive.",
"The promised \"pod casts\" or whatever they are called don't work with iphone or blackberry.",
"Huge disappointment!",
"They only mention that in the very fine print on their web page.",
"The first 10 minutes of the disk is listening to someone drone on and on about how great Fluenz is, and how masterful they are at teaching.",
"I already bought the package, so why use up my time with more self-indulgent back-patting?",
"I expected this to be fun, like they said.",
"If watching someone talk to you with just a plain black background is fun for you, you'll be thrilled.",
"In this day of CGI, and all the other tremendous tools there are out there for creating instructions, I was pretty disappointed by the lame graphics.",
"Oh, occasionally they change the background, and put a photo-shopped person in to indicate who you hear talking.",
"They don't move, they just stand there like a cardboard cut-out.",
"I was hoping to use this as a teaching aid for my middle-school aged kids also, but they were so bored by it I couldn't get them to sit through even one lesson with me.",
"The software claims it will teach in a totally different way than what you learned in school.",
"I don't know where they went to school, but what I've seen so far is nearly identical to the way I learned foreign languages in school; learning to listen to conversations first, then going over the meaning, grammar and pronunciation afterward."
] |
Edit: I am returning these speakers, the left speaker sounds quieter than the right speaker at low volume!
I bought this system for use with my Samsung smart tv. Since the tv has only a fixed audio out, these speakers get too loud even with very low volume levels. I had changed the Dolby digital compression mode in the tv to "Line mode" which reduces the loudness a bit for hearing in an apartment.
I am using these speakers after returning the Bose companion 20, which sounded so unnatural and boomy. The Klipsch didn't impress me either. The highs sound a bit harsh sometimes, with the musical instruments being muffled out from the satellites. The sub woofer doesn't have a punchy bass, rather soft sounding and get distorted easily even at lower levels.
The volume and sub woofer controls are stiff to turn, this makes it harder to get to the precise levels quickly. The speaker grilles look too cheap to be put on, they would drown out the already muffled mid level sounds. I just realized that one cannot expect great quality sound at this price point. The Klipsch are definitely better than the Bose companion 20, although the highs are not as crisp as the Bose speakers.
The Bose C20 drowned out the voices behind the music and the booming bass, I could hear the voices better with the Promedia. The sub woofer DIN plug looks fragile, so care should be taken to prevent it from breaking. Aside form the downfalls I will be keeping these speakers for a while. | 1 | neutral | [
"Edit: I am returning these speakers, the left speaker sounds quieter than the right speaker at low volume!",
"I bought this system for use with my Samsung smart tv.",
"Since the tv has only a fixed audio out, these speakers get too loud even with very low volume levels.",
"I had changed the Dolby digital compression mode in the tv to \"Line mode\" which reduces the loudness a bit for hearing in an apartment.",
"I am using these speakers after returning the Bose companion 20, which sounded so unnatural and boomy.",
"The Klipsch didn't impress me either.",
"The highs sound a bit harsh sometimes, with the musical instruments being muffled out from the satellites.",
"The sub woofer doesn't have a punchy bass, rather soft sounding and get distorted easily even at lower levels.",
"The volume and sub woofer controls are stiff to turn, this makes it harder to get to the precise levels quickly.",
"The speaker grilles look too cheap to be put on, they would drown out the already muffled mid level sounds.",
"I just realized that one cannot expect great quality sound at this price point.",
"The Klipsch are definitely better than the Bose companion 20, although the highs are not as crisp as the Bose speakers.",
"The Bose C20 drowned out the voices behind the music and the booming bass, I could hear the voices better with the Promedia.",
"The sub woofer DIN plug looks fragile, so care should be taken to prevent it from breaking.",
"Aside form the downfalls I will be keeping these speakers for a while."
] |
making an afghan I use 4 strands of yarn. it works up nice. but can only put up to 40 stitches on the needle. they are a bit too short.
I wish they were NOT in red. It is hard on my eyes to look at them. I do not like the color red. You need to pay attention when using 4 strands at a time that one is not dropped. Red is NOT a friendly color.
They are also a bit difficult to hold. I would not recommend these for a beginner. too unwieldy. I have been knitting for 50 years and would have given up if I had started with these. As it is I do a few rows and put it down till the next day.
they are nice for something different. | 1 | neutral | [
"making an afghan I use 4 strands of yarn.",
"it works up nice.",
"but can only put up to 40 stitches on the needle.",
"they are a bit too short.",
"I wish they were NOT in red.",
"It is hard on my eyes to look at them.",
"I do not like the color red.",
"You need to pay attention when using 4 strands at a time that one is not dropped.",
"Red is NOT a friendly color.",
"They are also a bit difficult to hold.",
"I would not recommend these for a beginner.",
"too unwieldy.",
"I have been knitting for 50 years and would have given up if I had started with these.",
"As it is I do a few rows and put it down till the next day.",
"they are nice for something different."
] |
Mr. Scott Brown (below) is exactly right. This 1986 release was the first substantially sized Supremes set put out in the CD-era. It exactly duplicated the 3-LP set of the same name from 1974 and, to take advantage of added room, it reached back further for "Your Heart Belongs to Me," then included a dozen obvious selections from the post-Diana Ross era. Certainly the '74 vinyl issuing was a big deal, but by '86 this was considerably less exciting. Some substitutions might have livened things: from "A Bit Liverpool," their sassy reading of "You Can't Do That" over "A Hard Day's Night," "Cupid" over "You Send Me" from "We Remember Sam Cooke," and the comic "Sadie Sadie" or "If a Girl Isn't Pretty" over "Greatest Star" from the "Funny Girl" album.
This set was subsequently reworked in 1995 and 2001 and, in my opinion the September 1995 version, if you can find it, is the best of the three CD versions. The 'outside' material was dropped for LP and B-side rarities: "Mother Dear," "He's All I Got," "Remove This Doubt," "Long Gone Lover" and the Phil Spector-produced "Things Are Changing," among them. Best of all, it was in mono and, for us 50-ish types, this took us back to the way we remember Supremes stuff when it was REALLY new. But I also bought the 2001 version even though it went back to stereo and restored the show tunes, because it also reached all the way backward to "I Want A Guy," and finally included "Whisper You Love Me Boy." Motown ain't stupid, and each re-working has included one or two new must-haves, so you shell out the money even though you've got 90% of the stuff already. (You bet, before it was a month old, the five-disc, crushed red velvet box set of 2000 got bought too, and "70s Anthology" awaits). Such is the lot of hard-core Supremes fans.
Classy guy that he is, Mr. Brown chooses understatement when referring to the included booklet. It's downright laughable to read contemporary Motown releases stubbornly perpetuating the party line that, in 1967, Florence Ballard "wearied of the groups hectic schedule and traveling, and bowed out to spend more time with her family." As if anyone, not yet even 25, would CHOOSE obscurity over placement in the number one female entertainment act of the time. Give it up already! | 1 | neutral | [
"Mr.",
"Scott Brown (below) is exactly right.",
"This 1986 release was the first substantially sized Supremes set put out in the CD-era.",
"It exactly duplicated the 3-LP set of the same name from 1974 and, to take advantage of added room, it reached back further for \"Your Heart Belongs to Me,\" then included a dozen obvious selections from the post-Diana Ross era.",
"Certainly the '74 vinyl issuing was a big deal, but by '86 this was considerably less exciting.",
"Some substitutions might have livened things: from \"A Bit Liverpool,\" their sassy reading of \"You Can't Do That\" over \"A Hard Day's Night,\" \"Cupid\" over \"You Send Me\" from \"We Remember Sam Cooke,\" and the comic \"Sadie Sadie\" or \"If a Girl Isn't Pretty\" over \"Greatest Star\" from the \"Funny Girl\" album.",
"This set was subsequently reworked in 1995 and 2001 and, in my opinion the September 1995 version, if you can find it, is the best of the three CD versions.",
"The 'outside' material was dropped for LP and B-side rarities: \"Mother Dear,\" \"He's All I Got,\" \"Remove This Doubt,\" \"Long Gone Lover\" and the Phil Spector-produced \"Things Are Changing,\" among them.",
"Best of all, it was in mono and, for us 50-ish types, this took us back to the way we remember Supremes stuff when it was REALLY new.",
"But I also bought the 2001 version even though it went back to stereo and restored the show tunes, because it also reached all the way backward to \"I Want A Guy,\" and finally included \"Whisper You Love Me Boy.",
"\" Motown ain't stupid, and each re-working has included one or two new must-haves, so you shell out the money even though you've got 90% of the stuff already.",
"(You bet, before it was a month old, the five-disc, crushed red velvet box set of 2000 got bought too, and \"70s Anthology\" awaits).",
"Such is the lot of hard-core Supremes fans.",
"Classy guy that he is, Mr.",
"Brown chooses understatement when referring to the included booklet.",
"It's downright laughable to read contemporary Motown releases stubbornly perpetuating the party line that, in 1967, Florence Ballard \"wearied of the groups hectic schedule and traveling, and bowed out to spend more time with her family.",
"\" As if anyone, not yet even 25, would CHOOSE obscurity over placement in the number one female entertainment act of the time.",
"Give it up already!"
] |
Inside the FBI: Anger worry work and fears of lasting damage
Wray's predecessor James Comey was fired by Trump in May amid the ratcheting tensions of a criminal probe into the president's former national security adviser Michael Flynn. At the time Trump called Comey a "showboat" and a "grandstander."
That approach though is a subtle rejection of some of Comey 's most controversial decisions. Comey famously held a news conference in July 2016 to announce he would not recommend any criminal charges in the probe of Clinton's use of a private email server when she was secretary of state. Then in October of that year less than two weeks before the presidential election he sent a letter to Congress informing them the FBI was investigating new emails in the case.
Both moves were significant departures from normal Justice Department procedure and Clinton and her supporters blame Comey for costing her the election.
Comey 's firing shocked the FBI's workforce. In the aftermath many employees posted pictures of him at their desks or other workspaces.
"In some offices you'd go in and it was just ' Comey Comey Comey' everywhere " said one law enforcement official. "There's still a lot of that but not as much." | 1 | neutral | [
"Inside the FBI: Anger worry work and fears of lasting damage\nWray's predecessor James Comey was fired by Trump in May amid the ratcheting tensions of a criminal probe into the president's former national security adviser Michael Flynn.",
"At the time Trump called Comey a \"showboat\" and a \"grandstander.",
"\"\nThat approach though is a subtle rejection of some of Comey 's most controversial decisions.",
"Comey famously held a news conference in July 2016 to announce he would not recommend any criminal charges in the probe of Clinton's use of a private email server when she was secretary of state.",
"Then in October of that year less than two weeks before the presidential election he sent a letter to Congress informing them the FBI was investigating new emails in the case.",
"Both moves were significant departures from normal Justice Department procedure and Clinton and her supporters blame Comey for costing her the election.",
"Comey 's firing shocked the FBI's workforce.",
"In the aftermath many employees posted pictures of him at their desks or other workspaces.",
"\"In some offices you'd go in and it was just ' Comey Comey Comey' everywhere \" said one law enforcement official.",
"\"There's still a lot of that but not as much.",
"\""
] |
Make no mistake, "Self Portrait" is pretty damn far from being one of Dylan's best, and is rightfully ranked in the lower echelons of his catalog. However, for all the vitriol lobbed at it over the years, it may be worth noting that "Self Portrait" is also at a comfortable distance from being Dylan's worst recording. For what it infamously set out to be - a quirky attempt to further distance fans who pined for Dylan to remain the rebellious voice of the 1960s' - it succeeds quite well, and while there are some truly awful moments to be found on the record, there are also quite a few charming and even excellent moments there, too.
Most of "Self Portrait" originates from around the time of the "Nashville Skyline" sessions, and that album's country influence is largely prevalent throughout the record. Most of the record is covers, some done well, some not so well. Among the better attempts are Gordon Lightfoot's "Early Morning Rain," The Everly Brothers' "Let It Be," and various folk ballads such as the gorgeous "Copper Kettle" (one of the best vocals of his career) and the obscure Celtic tune "Belle Isle." There are some misfires, such as a drab take on "I Forgot More Than You Ever Know" (done to much better effect in 1986 with Tom Petty), and a laughably awkward take on Simon & Garfunkel's "The Boxer" with a double tracked Dylan duetting himself in country crooner and traditional Dylan modes. Overall, while some tracks do not succeed as admirably as others, there's nothing on here inherently embarassing, and despite the 'outtake' quality nature of the recordings, Dylan sounds surprisingly engaged most of the time.
There are some oddball cuts on the record as well, such as the opening "All the Tired Horses, which does not feature Dylan but a chorus of singers repeating the title for three minutes over a rising string arrangement, and "Wigwam," whose weirdness cannot be defined in words. The worst tracks, surprisingly are the Dylan originals. "Livin' the Blues" is a pleasant enough number, and "The Mighty Quinn" is of course a classic but the version chosen here, done with The Band at the Isle of Wight, is abysmal. The same can be said for the disastrous versions of "Like a Rolling Stone" (Bob stumbles over every verse and the arrangement doesn't fit the song at all) and "She Belongs to Me." The Isle of Wight show was generally considered a success by most, so Bob must have deliberately chosen the worst performances from the show to further piss off fans.
Overall, "Self Portrait" is far from a great album and one of Dylan's overall weakest, but the total result is still an interesting listen that will surprise you in some instances. | 1 | neutral | [
"Make no mistake, \"Self Portrait\" is pretty damn far from being one of Dylan's best, and is rightfully ranked in the lower echelons of his catalog.",
"However, for all the vitriol lobbed at it over the years, it may be worth noting that \"Self Portrait\" is also at a comfortable distance from being Dylan's worst recording.",
"For what it infamously set out to be - a quirky attempt to further distance fans who pined for Dylan to remain the rebellious voice of the 1960s' - it succeeds quite well, and while there are some truly awful moments to be found on the record, there are also quite a few charming and even excellent moments there, too.",
"Most of \"Self Portrait\" originates from around the time of the \"Nashville Skyline\" sessions, and that album's country influence is largely prevalent throughout the record.",
"Most of the record is covers, some done well, some not so well.",
"Among the better attempts are Gordon Lightfoot's \"Early Morning Rain,\" The Everly Brothers' \"Let It Be,\" and various folk ballads such as the gorgeous \"Copper Kettle\" (one of the best vocals of his career) and the obscure Celtic tune \"Belle Isle.",
"\" There are some misfires, such as a drab take on \"I Forgot More Than You Ever Know\" (done to much better effect in 1986 with Tom Petty), and a laughably awkward take on Simon & Garfunkel's \"The Boxer\" with a double tracked Dylan duetting himself in country crooner and traditional Dylan modes.",
"Overall, while some tracks do not succeed as admirably as others, there's nothing on here inherently embarassing, and despite the 'outtake' quality nature of the recordings, Dylan sounds surprisingly engaged most of the time.",
"There are some oddball cuts on the record as well, such as the opening \"All the Tired Horses, which does not feature Dylan but a chorus of singers repeating the title for three minutes over a rising string arrangement, and \"Wigwam,\" whose weirdness cannot be defined in words.",
"The worst tracks, surprisingly are the Dylan originals.",
"\"Livin' the Blues\" is a pleasant enough number, and \"The Mighty Quinn\" is of course a classic but the version chosen here, done with The Band at the Isle of Wight, is abysmal.",
"The same can be said for the disastrous versions of \"Like a Rolling Stone\" (Bob stumbles over every verse and the arrangement doesn't fit the song at all) and \"She Belongs to Me.",
"\" The Isle of Wight show was generally considered a success by most, so Bob must have deliberately chosen the worst performances from the show to further piss off fans.",
"Overall, \"Self Portrait\" is far from a great album and one of Dylan's overall weakest, but the total result is still an interesting listen that will surprise you in some instances."
] |
Will update on durability after time passes. Dog didn't show much interest in it until I gave her treats when she fetched it. Now without treats its still her favorite. I like it because I don't have to dig in snow to find it. 65 lb pit does paw, bite, and pull on it, even though I stop her ASAP. No damage yet, but we ve only used a couple times. If it lasts a few months a great toy!
Update: Well third time did it in. She got a tooth through the fabric and then it was easily torn in half. However she still played with it for another month. Finally lost at dog park. May buy another despite durability issues if other brands all fail. | 1 | neutral | [
"Will update on durability after time passes.",
"Dog didn't show much interest in it until I gave her treats when she fetched it.",
"Now without treats its still her favorite.",
"I like it because I don't have to dig in snow to find it.",
"65 lb pit does paw, bite, and pull on it, even though I stop her ASAP.",
"No damage yet, but we ve only used a couple times.",
"If it lasts a few months a great toy!",
"Update: Well third time did it in.",
"She got a tooth through the fabric and then it was easily torn in half.",
"However she still played with it for another month.",
"Finally lost at dog park.",
"May buy another despite durability issues if other brands all fail."
] |
Brave New World By Aldous Huxley
3 Stars
Bernard and Lenina live in a Utopian London. London is where the Central Hatching and Conditioning Centre is located. Hatching, conditioning, cloning, brainwashing - Utopian speak right? The Director oversees all of this, everything is controlled percisely clones are produced according to a Greek class system consisting of Alphas, Betas, etc. Each hatchling is then conditioned according to their destiny to have certain talents and be repelled by others. Perfection! There is no wanting there is no needing it is all provided for. And if you can't handle something there is always SOMA in tablet form to take you away to blissful retreats.
Bernard and Lenina do not quite fit into the mold of perfection. Bernard as an Alpha isn't quite as strapping that he should be and there is talk of alcohol being supplied to him pre-hatching. Lenina has been in a longer term relationship with Henry, and that is unheard of. You are to copulate freely with no thought or care of any consequences because there are none, no babies are born there are no diseases. Lenina is pressured to try out others so she seeks our Bernard and they are off to the Savage Reservation. The Savage Reservation represents the stuff of pure nightmares the dystopian on the fringes society at least to the hatchlings. Which is better Utopia or Dystopia? Is it a matter of perception or reality?
When reading books such as this that were written so long ago but are still so relevant I am always amazed. Cloning, conditioning, morality questions, we as a modern society struggle with these daily. Should we or shouldn't we? To struggle or not to struggle. There is so much within these pages to think about, things you recognize and so much social commentary. That utopian society may be closer than you think. | 1 | neutral | [
"Brave New World By Aldous Huxley\n\n3 Stars\n\nBernard and Lenina live in a Utopian London.",
"London is where the Central Hatching and Conditioning Centre is located.",
"Hatching, conditioning, cloning, brainwashing - Utopian speak right?",
"The Director oversees all of this, everything is controlled percisely clones are produced according to a Greek class system consisting of Alphas, Betas, etc.",
"Each hatchling is then conditioned according to their destiny to have certain talents and be repelled by others.",
"Perfection!",
"There is no wanting there is no needing it is all provided for.",
"And if you can't handle something there is always SOMA in tablet form to take you away to blissful retreats.",
"Bernard and Lenina do not quite fit into the mold of perfection.",
"Bernard as an Alpha isn't quite as strapping that he should be and there is talk of alcohol being supplied to him pre-hatching.",
"Lenina has been in a longer term relationship with Henry, and that is unheard of.",
"You are to copulate freely with no thought or care of any consequences because there are none, no babies are born there are no diseases.",
"Lenina is pressured to try out others so she seeks our Bernard and they are off to the Savage Reservation.",
"The Savage Reservation represents the stuff of pure nightmares the dystopian on the fringes society at least to the hatchlings.",
"Which is better Utopia or Dystopia?",
"Is it a matter of perception or reality?",
"When reading books such as this that were written so long ago but are still so relevant I am always amazed.",
"Cloning, conditioning, morality questions, we as a modern society struggle with these daily.",
"Should we or shouldn't we?",
"To struggle or not to struggle.",
"There is so much within these pages to think about, things you recognize and so much social commentary.",
"That utopian society may be closer than you think."
] |
This heater adequately heats a 20L for our two sliders, but meets only the bare minimum. We will be looking for an alternate heater for this winter.
One thing about this product is when they say small, they really mean small. I was surprised by the size of the product when it first arrived since it looked like it could barely heat a 10 gallon let alone a 20+ gallon tank. However, since we only fill our tank halfway, that could explain how it was just enough. Keep in mind though that this heater does not have a set temperature so it will continue heating until it is unplugged so you do not want to up size and risk overheating. Which is another reason we will be looking for an alternate. If they added temperature control, it would have been perfect.
The heater is great for the short term. It is still working though we've moved twice and it's gotten banged around quite a bit.
The fact that it goes under the tank is nice since it saves space from our already crowded tank with basking ramps and the water filter. It does not harm the surface we put it on.
Lastly, the heater has an adhesive top that sticks to the tank so you cannot remove it easily. Once removed, I don't think it could be reused as well. It is also thin enough that it doesn't put our tank at an angle which is nice.
Overall, this product was just okay. I do recommend this if you are on a low budget and want a decent heating unit. Something decent is still better than nothing.
UPDATE***9/25/2011
I just bought the medium sized heater for the tank and threw away the small sized ones. Now their habitat's like a spa. I hardly see them bask for extended periods of time any longer. What a worthwhile investment! I'm ecstatic it saves so much room inside of the tank and transfers heat more efficiently than the in-tank heaters. Again, as I mentioned above, please be careful as these do not have temperature control. I carefully monitored my tank temperature for 2 days until I was sure it was safe to keep permanently on. | 1 | neutral | [
"This heater adequately heats a 20L for our two sliders, but meets only the bare minimum.",
"We will be looking for an alternate heater for this winter.",
"One thing about this product is when they say small, they really mean small.",
"I was surprised by the size of the product when it first arrived since it looked like it could barely heat a 10 gallon let alone a 20+ gallon tank.",
"However, since we only fill our tank halfway, that could explain how it was just enough.",
"Keep in mind though that this heater does not have a set temperature so it will continue heating until it is unplugged so you do not want to up size and risk overheating.",
"Which is another reason we will be looking for an alternate.",
"If they added temperature control, it would have been perfect.",
"The heater is great for the short term.",
"It is still working though we've moved twice and it's gotten banged around quite a bit.",
"The fact that it goes under the tank is nice since it saves space from our already crowded tank with basking ramps and the water filter.",
"It does not harm the surface we put it on.",
"Lastly, the heater has an adhesive top that sticks to the tank so you cannot remove it easily.",
"Once removed, I don't think it could be reused as well.",
"It is also thin enough that it doesn't put our tank at an angle which is nice.",
"Overall, this product was just okay.",
"I do recommend this if you are on a low budget and want a decent heating unit.",
"Something decent is still better than nothing.",
"UPDATE***9/25/2011\n\nI just bought the medium sized heater for the tank and threw away the small sized ones.",
"Now their habitat's like a spa.",
"I hardly see them bask for extended periods of time any longer.",
"What a worthwhile investment!",
"I'm ecstatic it saves so much room inside of the tank and transfers heat more efficiently than the in-tank heaters.",
"Again, as I mentioned above, please be careful as these do not have temperature control.",
"I carefully monitored my tank temperature for 2 days until I was sure it was safe to keep permanently on."
] |
I don't know what to say about this book. I really couldn't get into it. I finally turned my text to speech on its fasted setting rather than quit reading. That helped me get past the boring parts. I must admit that I almost quit reading it. The saving grace was the Washoe history. But ... still... I guess it just didn't grab me.
I do recommend it to my Nevada, Reno, Carson City, Las Vegas friends. Oh, and Virginia City. These are the settings for the history and current story lines. | 1 | neutral | [
"I don't know what to say about this book.",
"I really couldn't get into it.",
"I finally turned my text to speech on its fasted setting rather than quit reading.",
"That helped me get past the boring parts.",
"I must admit that I almost quit reading it.",
"The saving grace was the Washoe history.",
"But...",
"still...",
"I guess it just didn't grab me.",
"I do recommend it to my Nevada, Reno, Carson City, Las Vegas friends.",
"Oh, and Virginia City.",
"These are the settings for the history and current story lines."
] |
I still don't see why anyone thinks this is one of the best movies ever. This is a good movie, not a great one. The screenplay was simply ridiculous. It doesn't even look like the inside or outside of a ship. It actually LOOKS like a stage!
Leonardo was terrible. He made no attempt at playing a young punk. He simply played himself. He was magnificent in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, but hasn't done anything since worth watching. He's simply a pretty-boy who cannot play this type of role.
This film is filled with lots of good actors in pathetic roles. Kathy Bates is one of my favorites, but her character in this was horrible. It represented absolutely nothing, had no substance, and was completely fictional.
Fictional...that's what this movie was. From the start, the "foggy" appearance of the movie, which was supposed to give you the illusion of the early teens, just made the movie look like poorly-drawn animation. This was obviously an attempt at making a classic. This is a recipe for disaster. Classics were never meant to be classics. They were meant to be movies. Try making a good movie, and it might become a classic. Try making a classic, and its lack of substance will cause it to break apart into tiny little pieces.
The good thing about the movie was the final scene in the water. This was a marvelous job by DiCaprio and Winslet.
Unfortunately, this was just another example of the public being sucked into an extremely high-budget, over-publicized pathetic movie. | 1 | neutral | [
"I still don't see why anyone thinks this is one of the best movies ever.",
"This is a good movie, not a great one.",
"The screenplay was simply ridiculous.",
"It doesn't even look like the inside or outside of a ship.",
"It actually LOOKS like a stage!",
"Leonardo was terrible.",
"He made no attempt at playing a young punk.",
"He simply played himself.",
"He was magnificent in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, but hasn't done anything since worth watching.",
"He's simply a pretty-boy who cannot play this type of role.",
"This film is filled with lots of good actors in pathetic roles.",
"Kathy Bates is one of my favorites, but her character in this was horrible.",
"It represented absolutely nothing, had no substance, and was completely fictional.",
"Fictional...",
"that's what this movie was.",
"From the start, the \"foggy\" appearance of the movie, which was supposed to give you the illusion of the early teens, just made the movie look like poorly-drawn animation.",
"This was obviously an attempt at making a classic.",
"This is a recipe for disaster.",
"Classics were never meant to be classics.",
"They were meant to be movies.",
"Try making a good movie, and it might become a classic.",
"Try making a classic, and its lack of substance will cause it to break apart into tiny little pieces.",
"The good thing about the movie was the final scene in the water.",
"This was a marvelous job by DiCaprio and Winslet.",
"Unfortunately, this was just another example of the public being sucked into an extremely high-budget, over-publicized pathetic movie."
] |
BlueChart is good in many ways, but I just purchased update version 7.5 (region Hecate Strait South) and can find virtually no improvements over version 5.0 for this region. So I don't encourage buying update if you already have older version for this region. (Version 5 and higher have much more detail, however, than version 4.01).
Water passages, islands, and shore prominences are generally not labeled, giving significantly less information than if you buy paper charts. Shoreline character (rocky, sandy etc) has been deleted from the newer version.
Garmin's email support has been very good; quick and very helpful to me.
Addition 9/24/05-- I find some of the detail is not deleted, it is hidden in version 7.5. It does show if you select Medium or Low Detail onscreen instead of Highest Detail, to get rid of the new depth shading. | 1 | neutral | [
"BlueChart is good in many ways, but I just purchased update version 7.",
"5 (region Hecate Strait South) and can find virtually no improvements over version 5.",
"0 for this region.",
"So I don't encourage buying update if you already have older version for this region.",
"(Version 5 and higher have much more detail, however, than version 4.",
"01).",
"Water passages, islands, and shore prominences are generally not labeled, giving significantly less information than if you buy paper charts.",
"Shoreline character (rocky, sandy etc) has been deleted from the newer version.",
"Garmin's email support has been very good; quick and very helpful to me.",
"Addition 9/24/05-- I find some of the detail is not deleted, it is hidden in version 7.",
"5. It does show if you select Medium or Low Detail onscreen instead of Highest Detail, to get rid of the new depth shading."
] |
I was perfectly happy with my 2010 version of Quicken - I usually upgrade about every three to four years (since 1995). When I was notified that Intuit/Quicken would no longer support the 2010 version, I elected to upgrade.
There are several very handy modest changes in the reconciliation process, and a new way to close accounts that you no longer use. Instead of seeing the word "Update" in the upper right corner to use for downloading my investment info, there is a semi-circular arrow which performs the same function. Instead of an "Actions" button leading you to the reconciliation process and other functions, there is a small asterisk; works the same, just loooks different. OK, those are easy to get used to. All the functionality I lked and used in the 2010 version still works the same way. All my accounts were saved and transferred to the 2013 version without a problem. Having the "Return to Reconcile" button at the botom of the screen when you are going back and forth from the register and the reconciliation page is much handier than the old need to return to the actions pnae and re-select reconcile.
But I have an issue with the font used in the transaction register. It is substantially larger than that used in the 2010 version, thus you cannot see as many transactions on the screen simultaneously as in the 2010 version. The help selection does refer you to the register setup area, where you can select the font you want - but it only affects reports; there is no affect on the transaction register.
I don't use the cloud or mobile app capabilities, so I cannot actually evaluate them. Based on the reviews I have seen to date, I am unlikely to try them. | 1 | neutral | [
"I was perfectly happy with my 2010 version of Quicken - I usually upgrade about every three to four years (since 1995).",
"When I was notified that Intuit/Quicken would no longer support the 2010 version, I elected to upgrade.",
"There are several very handy modest changes in the reconciliation process, and a new way to close accounts that you no longer use.",
"Instead of seeing the word \"Update\" in the upper right corner to use for downloading my investment info, there is a semi-circular arrow which performs the same function.",
"Instead of an \"Actions\" button leading you to the reconciliation process and other functions, there is a small asterisk; works the same, just loooks different.",
"OK, those are easy to get used to.",
"All the functionality I lked and used in the 2010 version still works the same way.",
"All my accounts were saved and transferred to the 2013 version without a problem.",
"Having the \"Return to Reconcile\" button at the botom of the screen when you are going back and forth from the register and the reconciliation page is much handier than the old need to return to the actions pnae and re-select reconcile.",
"But I have an issue with the font used in the transaction register.",
"It is substantially larger than that used in the 2010 version, thus you cannot see as many transactions on the screen simultaneously as in the 2010 version.",
"The help selection does refer you to the register setup area, where you can select the font you want - but it only affects reports; there is no affect on the transaction register.",
"I don't use the cloud or mobile app capabilities, so I cannot actually evaluate them.",
"Based on the reviews I have seen to date, I am unlikely to try them."
] |
Purchased two iSkin, one breeze blue and one purple. I was disappointed in the material first of all, the advertisting gives it the appearance of being kind of a hard shell material but it is soft rubber, it is better than some that is on the market but not what I expected. The color did not "POP" as you see in the pictures. The breeze blue, once installed on a "Black" iPhone did not even look blue anymore because the cover is transparent and the black phone distorts the actual color. It is like mixing blue and black and you end up with "XX" color... It is still a pretty good cover, just not the glossy look as you see in the pictures. I would recommend only if you can get a decent "Amazon" price...these phone covers are SO ridiculously priced! Half the cost or more from Amazon vs. retail local store! | 1 | neutral | [
"Purchased two iSkin, one breeze blue and one purple.",
"I was disappointed in the material first of all, the advertisting gives it the appearance of being kind of a hard shell material but it is soft rubber, it is better than some that is on the market but not what I expected.",
"The color did not \"POP\" as you see in the pictures.",
"The breeze blue, once installed on a \"Black\" iPhone did not even look blue anymore because the cover is transparent and the black phone distorts the actual color.",
"It is like mixing blue and black and you end up with \"XX\" color...",
"It is still a pretty good cover, just not the glossy look as you see in the pictures.",
"I would recommend only if you can get a decent \"Amazon\" price...",
"these phone covers are SO ridiculously priced!",
"Half the cost or more from Amazon vs.",
"retail local store!"
] |
I originally purchased mine for toting up and down some scaffolding on a siding job, but in retrospect it's not worth the cost. I recently found the Makita 7.5" sliding miter saw which only weighs 28 lbs. Buy the Makita if you must have a lightweight saw. Also, the Hitachi mitering stop mechanism needs a serious rethinking and redesign. It's just way too sloppy to stay at zero. Mine has a little play which is annoying. Zero means Zero (90^deg)!!! I appreciate a stop mechanism that is sure and snaps into place with no bones about it, like the Dewalt. While the 8.5" may be the 'original' slider, you will be better served with a 10" that bevels left and right.... | 1 | neutral | [
"I originally purchased mine for toting up and down some scaffolding on a siding job, but in retrospect it's not worth the cost.",
"I recently found the Makita 7.",
"5\" sliding miter saw which only weighs 28 lbs.",
"Buy the Makita if you must have a lightweight saw.",
"Also, the Hitachi mitering stop mechanism needs a serious rethinking and redesign.",
"It's just way too sloppy to stay at zero.",
"Mine has a little play which is annoying.",
"Zero means Zero (90^deg)!!!",
"I appreciate a stop mechanism that is sure and snaps into place with no bones about it, like the Dewalt.",
"While the 8.",
"5\" may be the 'original' slider, you will be better served with a 10\" that bevels left and right...."
] |
Although this tale began as a trilogy (The Farseer Trilogy), an additional 3 books (The Tawny Man Trilogy) in the continuing story makes this a lengthier experience to cherish. I thoroughly enjoy Hobb's writing style. She has a knack for developing characters and relationships. Her writing style is well-paced and she provides gifts at steady intervals throughout the story, (mercifully at times when we may become distraught with the trials and tribulations of the protagonist). With a mathematician's skill she weaves together bits and pieces in a story like fine tapestry. This is one of the greatest stories of love, friendship and duty you could choose to read.
______________________________________________
SPOILERS *** Skip this review if you have not yet read the series. *** SPOILERS
SPOILERS *** Wait and read this after you finish the series. *** SPOILERS
Initially I read through the series to enjoy a great story. I suspended judgement. Having completed the series I was left with many experiences and lingering memories spanning a range of emotions as I followed the characters. I came to the Farseer story after the Farseer and Tawny Man trilogies had been completed so I was able to read each book and immediately continue on to the next. After the initial withdrawal adjusting to life without the story of Fitzchivalry I have some reservations about the author, Robin Hobb. I could accept the ending as written yet something definitely went wrong. The way she had carefully lead us in a direction was quickly undone in the last few chapters of Fool's Fate.
The direction the story took was significant enough that I wonder if Hobb suffered from an illness and either struggled to end it just to finish it off, or if she went through some form of major crisis that changed her whole outlook while completing this book. According to Hobb's preparations as laid out in the story Fitz was likely to inherit a royal seat, quite possibly alongside Kettricken as a mate.........a royal equal at the least.
Molly was only a childhood sweetheart. Fitz had acknowledged that already after a couple of other people made that point including Kettle. The relationship between Kettricken and Fitz was an adult relationship in which they both shared many things in common. Burrich and Molly had a large number of children together. This cannot be overlooked. As a plot device, its significance had no place in the ending as Hobb ultimately wrote it. The family represented the history, experiences and intimacy shared between Burrich and Molly that evinced their advanced relationship. Compare all of that with the adolescent courtship that Fitz hung onto. Molly would never have been able to set all of this aside to get back with Fitz. She would have grown through those experiences in ways Fitz could not understand. She would have been a different person by this time. Remember Burrich and Molly had fought for their lives together and got married for both practical and romantic reasons. The whole re-romancing by Fitz with the bee stinger and subsequent roll in the bushes was absurd. How could Molly do that after a life within a strong relationship with a man who died while they were still in love? Molly seemed to have forgotten Burrich when she would have remembered him the most. No one could have had sex with another person after all they had been through and not felt remorse. This would have been Molly's first time since being with the man she shared so much with. Fitz and Molly were kids together but they were only lovers for a couple of years at the most. She was with Burrich for 16 years and through 5+ children (Chivalry, Nim, Swift, Hearth, +2? others and Nettle).
Was Hobb injured or ill? Did she find or change religion or join a cult? What happened that caused her to veer off the course this series had been on?
Going by the momentum set in motion through the series up until the final chapters of Fool's Fate I suspect Fitz would have gotten together with Kettricken. He would have had a direct role as a king for some time, if not openly in secret. The Fool was meant to die and stay dead. I suspect Fitz was to find the rooster crown in his hands and eventually wear it. The Fool would have spoken to him with the minstrel group and instructed him to visit the valley of the skill dragons. There he would place the crown on Girl-on-a Dragon. At that moment she would reanimate, turn and kiss Fitz like she kissed the Fool and return his memories to him. Fitz would have the boost to return to Buckeep with a new lease on life leaving the Fool within Girl-on-a-Dragon. This ending would have left us sad for the loss of a great character (the Fool) and fulfilled as we witnessed Fitz receiving what we had always wanted for him, honor as Fitzchivalry Farseer. In that position as king/Sacrifice/Skill Master/Queen's mate, Fitz could be a father to his two children.
Burrich was never meant to be killed off. That seems to have only been orchestrated so Fitz could get back together with Molly. As originally intended Burrich would live on to a ripe old age with Molly. Because both would now be in adult relationships, the four could be friends in as much as royalty has friends. Burrich would have wanted Fitz to return to Buckeep. Yet he would want to retain his family including Nettle believing him to be her father and Molly wishing to stay with him because she recognized he was her true love not Fitz. The Fitz we were being cultivated to accept would have never revealed his identity to Nettle or Dutiful. That is Sacrifice. He would live on paired with another Sacrifice (Kettricken) and still be able to have a father's role in their lives.
It also seemed as though there would be more to come from Web. He knew so much it seemed as though he would have to reveal who and what he was. I doubt that just being an old soul of the Old Blood was all he was. And if that was all he was he still had something significant to contribute beyond random insight and confronting people with Truth.
I loved this series to the end in spite of it changing course. I would not discourage people from reading it and I would allow people to finish it before sharing my thoughts about the ending. Yet it is not right to give this a rating that does not reflect my reservations. It is not a blanket 5 star book. It is a flawed installment that does not truly fit together with the other pieces. Initially I rated all of the books in the series with 5 stars. I have since reconsidered and changed Fool's Fate to 3 stars. It is a great book as long as it followed its original course. Once it went in a direction inconsistent with everything plausible within the story's reality it dropped to a 3. | 1 | neutral | [
"Although this tale began as a trilogy (The Farseer Trilogy), an additional 3 books (The Tawny Man Trilogy) in the continuing story makes this a lengthier experience to cherish.",
"I thoroughly enjoy Hobb's writing style.",
"She has a knack for developing characters and relationships.",
"Her writing style is well-paced and she provides gifts at steady intervals throughout the story, (mercifully at times when we may become distraught with the trials and tribulations of the protagonist).",
"With a mathematician's skill she weaves together bits and pieces in a story like fine tapestry.",
"This is one of the greatest stories of love, friendship and duty you could choose to read.",
"______________________________________________\n\nSPOILERS *** Skip this review if you have not yet read the series.",
"*** SPOILERS\n\nSPOILERS *** Wait and read this after you finish the series.",
"*** SPOILERS\n\nInitially I read through the series to enjoy a great story.",
"I suspended judgement.",
"Having completed the series I was left with many experiences and lingering memories spanning a range of emotions as I followed the characters.",
"I came to the Farseer story after the Farseer and Tawny Man trilogies had been completed so I was able to read each book and immediately continue on to the next.",
"After the initial withdrawal adjusting to life without the story of Fitzchivalry I have some reservations about the author, Robin Hobb.",
"I could accept the ending as written yet something definitely went wrong.",
"The way she had carefully lead us in a direction was quickly undone in the last few chapters of Fool's Fate.",
"The direction the story took was significant enough that I wonder if Hobb suffered from an illness and either struggled to end it just to finish it off, or if she went through some form of major crisis that changed her whole outlook while completing this book.",
"According to Hobb's preparations as laid out in the story Fitz was likely to inherit a royal seat, quite possibly alongside Kettricken as a mate....",
"....",
".",
"a royal equal at the least.",
"Molly was only a childhood sweetheart.",
"Fitz had acknowledged that already after a couple of other people made that point including Kettle.",
"The relationship between Kettricken and Fitz was an adult relationship in which they both shared many things in common.",
"Burrich and Molly had a large number of children together.",
"This cannot be overlooked.",
"As a plot device, its significance had no place in the ending as Hobb ultimately wrote it.",
"The family represented the history, experiences and intimacy shared between Burrich and Molly that evinced their advanced relationship.",
"Compare all of that with the adolescent courtship that Fitz hung onto.",
"Molly would never have been able to set all of this aside to get back with Fitz.",
"She would have grown through those experiences in ways Fitz could not understand.",
"She would have been a different person by this time.",
"Remember Burrich and Molly had fought for their lives together and got married for both practical and romantic reasons.",
"The whole re-romancing by Fitz with the bee stinger and subsequent roll in the bushes was absurd.",
"How could Molly do that after a life within a strong relationship with a man who died while they were still in love?",
"Molly seemed to have forgotten Burrich when she would have remembered him the most.",
"No one could have had sex with another person after all they had been through and not felt remorse.",
"This would have been Molly's first time since being with the man she shared so much with.",
"Fitz and Molly were kids together but they were only lovers for a couple of years at the most.",
"She was with Burrich for 16 years and through 5+ children (Chivalry, Nim, Swift, Hearth, +2?",
"others and Nettle).",
"Was Hobb injured or ill?",
"Did she find or change religion or join a cult?",
"What happened that caused her to veer off the course this series had been on?",
"Going by the momentum set in motion through the series up until the final chapters of Fool's Fate I suspect Fitz would have gotten together with Kettricken.",
"He would have had a direct role as a king for some time, if not openly in secret.",
"The Fool was meant to die and stay dead.",
"I suspect Fitz was to find the rooster crown in his hands and eventually wear it.",
"The Fool would have spoken to him with the minstrel group and instructed him to visit the valley of the skill dragons.",
"There he would place the crown on Girl-on-a Dragon.",
"At that moment she would reanimate, turn and kiss Fitz like she kissed the Fool and return his memories to him.",
"Fitz would have the boost to return to Buckeep with a new lease on life leaving the Fool within Girl-on-a-Dragon.",
"This ending would have left us sad for the loss of a great character (the Fool) and fulfilled as we witnessed Fitz receiving what we had always wanted for him, honor as Fitzchivalry Farseer.",
"In that position as king/Sacrifice/Skill Master/Queen's mate, Fitz could be a father to his two children.",
"Burrich was never meant to be killed off.",
"That seems to have only been orchestrated so Fitz could get back together with Molly.",
"As originally intended Burrich would live on to a ripe old age with Molly.",
"Because both would now be in adult relationships, the four could be friends in as much as royalty has friends.",
"Burrich would have wanted Fitz to return to Buckeep.",
"Yet he would want to retain his family including Nettle believing him to be her father and Molly wishing to stay with him because she recognized he was her true love not Fitz.",
"The Fitz we were being cultivated to accept would have never revealed his identity to Nettle or Dutiful.",
"That is Sacrifice.",
"He would live on paired with another Sacrifice (Kettricken) and still be able to have a father's role in their lives.",
"It also seemed as though there would be more to come from Web.",
"He knew so much it seemed as though he would have to reveal who and what he was.",
"I doubt that just being an old soul of the Old Blood was all he was.",
"And if that was all he was he still had something significant to contribute beyond random insight and confronting people with Truth.",
"I loved this series to the end in spite of it changing course.",
"I would not discourage people from reading it and I would allow people to finish it before sharing my thoughts about the ending.",
"Yet it is not right to give this a rating that does not reflect my reservations.",
"It is not a blanket 5 star book.",
"It is a flawed installment that does not truly fit together with the other pieces.",
"Initially I rated all of the books in the series with 5 stars.",
"I have since reconsidered and changed Fool's Fate to 3 stars.",
"It is a great book as long as it followed its original course.",
"Once it went in a direction inconsistent with everything plausible within the story's reality it dropped to a 3."
] |
Maybe spoilers Wow...I am disappointed. Was so excited for this book but turned out to be the weakest. And shortest it seemed. Bishop and Loren were separated for most of the book. Yet once they meet, it's just so easy and rushed. I expected more fireworks and more fight I guess? Loren was sweet and pliable and I dunno. I wanted more sass. But I suppose that's not what the authors were aiming for with her character. I was also waiting in vain for this ferocious alpha leader Bishop to just snap. And go all crazy and claim his mate. But Bishop seemed so tamed and a complete gentlemen. Which was nice but eh. He was the oldest and on the brink of dying. I wanted and needed more savagery to be unleashed. Hell, Valen and even the evil guard Greg triggered a more visceral reaction in me. As for Gordon. Some badass villain he turned out to be. Blink and he was easily decimated. Even the showdown between him and Bishop was lackluster and just too simple. I wanted more bloodshed. And now... sigh. A new character is introduced but I kinda am just meh. | 1 | neutral | [
"Maybe spoilers Wow...",
"I am disappointed.",
"Was so excited for this book but turned out to be the weakest.",
"And shortest it seemed.",
"Bishop and Loren were separated for most of the book.",
"Yet once they meet, it's just so easy and rushed.",
"I expected more fireworks and more fight I guess?",
"Loren was sweet and pliable and I dunno.",
"I wanted more sass.",
"But I suppose that's not what the authors were aiming for with her character.",
"I was also waiting in vain for this ferocious alpha leader Bishop to just snap.",
"And go all crazy and claim his mate.",
"But Bishop seemed so tamed and a complete gentlemen.",
"Which was nice but eh.",
"He was the oldest and on the brink of dying.",
"I wanted and needed more savagery to be unleashed.",
"Hell, Valen and even the evil guard Greg triggered a more visceral reaction in me.",
"As for Gordon.",
"Some badass villain he turned out to be.",
"Blink and he was easily decimated.",
"Even the showdown between him and Bishop was lackluster and just too simple.",
"I wanted more bloodshed.",
"And now...",
"sigh.",
"A new character is introduced but I kinda am just meh."
] |
I have worn these for about a month now. This is mostly a strap system, much like what one uses to cinch down a load. There are two parts to the straps. The main (front) straps are simply solid, strong straps. The back straps (below the crossbar) are made of a stretch fabric. Thus, there is some "give" in the tension one chooses to apply to the length of the straps one uses. But, that tension adjustment is not as great in a pair of suspenders that has the stretch fabric through the whole strap. This means the suspenders are not as comfortable as some with the full stretch fabric system.
For the price, I think this is a good pair of suspenders to wear on labor jobs, where one might tend to get paint on the suspenders, or otherwise have spots appear that one would not want to wear for more dressy affairs. If maximum comfort is your desire, then a higher priced product may work better for you. | 1 | neutral | [
"I have worn these for about a month now.",
"This is mostly a strap system, much like what one uses to cinch down a load.",
"There are two parts to the straps.",
"The main (front) straps are simply solid, strong straps.",
"The back straps (below the crossbar) are made of a stretch fabric.",
"Thus, there is some \"give\" in the tension one chooses to apply to the length of the straps one uses.",
"But, that tension adjustment is not as great in a pair of suspenders that has the stretch fabric through the whole strap.",
"This means the suspenders are not as comfortable as some with the full stretch fabric system.",
"For the price, I think this is a good pair of suspenders to wear on labor jobs, where one might tend to get paint on the suspenders, or otherwise have spots appear that one would not want to wear for more dressy affairs.",
"If maximum comfort is your desire, then a higher priced product may work better for you."
] |
I bought this tent light for my first camping trip upon positive reviews on Amazon. At the time my choice was between this and a more traditional design lantern. This light is very well-built. But in retrospect, a lantern would have been more useful.
Pros:
1. Compact - about the size of a burrito. Much slimmer than most traditional lanterns.
2. Uses AA batteries. The large battery in most lanterns costs about $10 a pop. This one has slots for four AA batteries, but as the other reviewer noted 2 will work.
Cons:
1. Light is quite dim.
2. In case you are deciding between this one and a more tradtional lantern, consider this: This light is useless outside the tent. Well, it's not meant to be since it's a "tent light". But if plan to cook and eat after it's dark, and you want to pack just one light, get a lantern. I tried putting this light on the table, it simply doesn't light up enough space around it. For this light to be useful, it has to be installed in a higher up position. The chance of you finding a suitable object/surface to attach this light to, outdoor, is almost zero. | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought this tent light for my first camping trip upon positive reviews on Amazon.",
"At the time my choice was between this and a more traditional design lantern.",
"This light is very well-built.",
"But in retrospect, a lantern would have been more useful.",
"Pros:\n\n1.",
"Compact - about the size of a burrito.",
"Much slimmer than most traditional lanterns.",
"2.",
"Uses AA batteries.",
"The large battery in most lanterns costs about $10 a pop.",
"This one has slots for four AA batteries, but as the other reviewer noted 2 will work.",
"Cons:\n\n1.",
"Light is quite dim.",
"2.",
"In case you are deciding between this one and a more tradtional lantern, consider this: This light is useless outside the tent.",
"Well, it's not meant to be since it's a \"tent light\".",
"But if plan to cook and eat after it's dark, and you want to pack just one light, get a lantern.",
"I tried putting this light on the table, it simply doesn't light up enough space around it.",
"For this light to be useful, it has to be installed in a higher up position.",
"The chance of you finding a suitable object/surface to attach this light to, outdoor, is almost zero."
] |
I'm always torn about how to review an item like this. There is no question that this is a tremendous moisturizer. While it might be most effective over time, at least some of the results are instantaneous. It feels wonderful and if your face felt dry in any way whatsoever before, it won't after you use it. As a physical object, a consumer good, it would deserve five stars if anything did.
But after long and careful consideration I have decided to dock this two stars. First, it is simply too expensive. Partly this is a political decision on my part. Our society is not just marked by those who have and those who have not, but every sign indicates that that this is going to be even more true in the near future than in the past. It might, in fact, dramatically intensify. Not to get too nerdy, but we are at a point where robotics are shifting to a new level. It isn't just the Roomba and the Packbot, but an almost endless number of specialized robots. It is too early to tell for sure, but even conservative estimates are that this new level of roboticization, with an increasingly sophisticated A.I., is going to remove at least tens of millions of jobs off the market in the industrialized countries, with an extremely small number of new jobs created in response. Until our political institutions respond to this change in our economic reality, inequality is going to increase rather than decrease. To put it bluntly, apart from this review bottle of Vichy Aqualia, I will never own another. I can't afford it. So L'Oreal (the owner of Vichy Aqualia) has made a consumer good that I can't consume. Docking this one star is my protest at L'Oreal pricing this at a level that most people cannot afford. My gut tells me that they could easily have priced this at a fraction of what they have.
The second star if for the claim that this product was probably not tested on animals. Strictly speaking, L'Oreal's stated policy is to not test on animals unless required to do so by law. Since no countries that I am aware of require the testing of animals for cosmetics, there is something bogus in that qualification. Plenty of other cosmetic companies neither put animal products in their products nor test on animals. Take The Body Shop as an example. Are we supposed to believe that there are countries where L'Oreal is required to test on animals but that The Body Shop is not?
I would like to buy this product, but for me to do so the price needs to be cut sharply and we need absolute assurance that this has not been tested on animals. I will add that I'm fairly confident that this product never was tested on animals. So what is really being asked is for L'Oreal to boldly state that they are no longer going to test on animals and if a country demands by state regulation that they do so, to simply not sell in that country. In the meanwhile, I'll go see what The Body Shop has as a more affordable substitute. | 1 | neutral | [
"I'm always torn about how to review an item like this.",
"There is no question that this is a tremendous moisturizer.",
"While it might be most effective over time, at least some of the results are instantaneous.",
"It feels wonderful and if your face felt dry in any way whatsoever before, it won't after you use it.",
"As a physical object, a consumer good, it would deserve five stars if anything did.",
"But after long and careful consideration I have decided to dock this two stars.",
"First, it is simply too expensive.",
"Partly this is a political decision on my part.",
"Our society is not just marked by those who have and those who have not, but every sign indicates that that this is going to be even more true in the near future than in the past.",
"It might, in fact, dramatically intensify.",
"Not to get too nerdy, but we are at a point where robotics are shifting to a new level.",
"It isn't just the Roomba and the Packbot, but an almost endless number of specialized robots.",
"It is too early to tell for sure, but even conservative estimates are that this new level of roboticization, with an increasingly sophisticated A.",
"I., is going to remove at least tens of millions of jobs off the market in the industrialized countries, with an extremely small number of new jobs created in response.",
"Until our political institutions respond to this change in our economic reality, inequality is going to increase rather than decrease.",
"To put it bluntly, apart from this review bottle of Vichy Aqualia, I will never own another.",
"I can't afford it.",
"So L'Oreal (the owner of Vichy Aqualia) has made a consumer good that I can't consume.",
"Docking this one star is my protest at L'Oreal pricing this at a level that most people cannot afford.",
"My gut tells me that they could easily have priced this at a fraction of what they have.",
"The second star if for the claim that this product was probably not tested on animals.",
"Strictly speaking, L'Oreal's stated policy is to not test on animals unless required to do so by law.",
"Since no countries that I am aware of require the testing of animals for cosmetics, there is something bogus in that qualification.",
"Plenty of other cosmetic companies neither put animal products in their products nor test on animals.",
"Take The Body Shop as an example.",
"Are we supposed to believe that there are countries where L'Oreal is required to test on animals but that The Body Shop is not?",
"I would like to buy this product, but for me to do so the price needs to be cut sharply and we need absolute assurance that this has not been tested on animals.",
"I will add that I'm fairly confident that this product never was tested on animals.",
"So what is really being asked is for L'Oreal to boldly state that they are no longer going to test on animals and if a country demands by state regulation that they do so, to simply not sell in that country.",
"In the meanwhile, I'll go see what The Body Shop has as a more affordable substitute."
] |
Alright, if you already have a a 7 way connector hooked up to your Ford F series pickup and are buying this to just replace your existing one, don't bother with this Hopkins thing. The Fords use Pollak brand towing accessories and those will work ten times better, are cheaper ($14), and can be found at JCWhitney's website. This thing will not line up to the factory bracket (had to drill) and fits very loosely into the harness quick connector, the prongs are shorter than the Ford OEM and it's iffy if they contact the right and left blinker connections. Also, when I plugged mine in it just didn't feel like it fit right, and it pushed the blinker connectors out of the harnessquick connector. So, I ended up cutting off the quick connectors to the harness and just splicing it all in. At least that way I know for sure everything is connected and will stay connected. The trailer to pickup conector works great though, and this one actually holds may trailer cable in place, unlike the old one with the worn out springs. Lesson learned, would have been much simpler just using actual OEM (Pollak) parts. I would just have needed to plug it in and screw it in. The actual connector is still good quality. Although, the quick connector to your vehicles' harness is not. Stick to OEM or just get the one with the pig tail ends and splice it up. This thing is a waste of money. The only reason I ended up using it was because I lost the receipt and the actual connector is still good quality. I give it a 3 star rating, because the connector is good quality but, it will not work for every vehicle as advertised. But, then again I should have known better buying a one size fits all deal. I could have bought a better setup for cheaper. For Fords stick with Pollak brand or just buy a splice in setup. I would not recommend the Hopkins 40955 to any Ford F-series owners. I think this harness is geared more towards Chevys. | 1 | neutral | [
"Alright, if you already have a a 7 way connector hooked up to your Ford F series pickup and are buying this to just replace your existing one, don't bother with this Hopkins thing.",
"The Fords use Pollak brand towing accessories and those will work ten times better, are cheaper ($14), and can be found at JCWhitney's website.",
"This thing will not line up to the factory bracket (had to drill) and fits very loosely into the harness quick connector, the prongs are shorter than the Ford OEM and it's iffy if they contact the right and left blinker connections.",
"Also, when I plugged mine in it just didn't feel like it fit right, and it pushed the blinker connectors out of the harnessquick connector.",
"So, I ended up cutting off the quick connectors to the harness and just splicing it all in.",
"At least that way I know for sure everything is connected and will stay connected.",
"The trailer to pickup conector works great though, and this one actually holds may trailer cable in place, unlike the old one with the worn out springs.",
"Lesson learned, would have been much simpler just using actual OEM (Pollak) parts.",
"I would just have needed to plug it in and screw it in.",
"The actual connector is still good quality.",
"Although, the quick connector to your vehicles' harness is not.",
"Stick to OEM or just get the one with the pig tail ends and splice it up.",
"This thing is a waste of money.",
"The only reason I ended up using it was because I lost the receipt and the actual connector is still good quality.",
"I give it a 3 star rating, because the connector is good quality but, it will not work for every vehicle as advertised.",
"But, then again I should have known better buying a one size fits all deal.",
"I could have bought a better setup for cheaper.",
"For Fords stick with Pollak brand or just buy a splice in setup.",
"I would not recommend the Hopkins 40955 to any Ford F-series owners.",
"I think this harness is geared more towards Chevys."
] |
I may not be the best one to review this phone, since I am 'out of the loop'. I am a 38 yr old male. I use a cell for talking and texting 50/50, with an occasional use for random picture taking. For example, in the past two years, I have recently switched from my old reliable samsung sgh-x497 flip to a razr, now looking again since I gave my samsung to my mom, and the razr I bought on craigs started acting up (button not working). Anyway, on to the short 'review'. Keep in mind, I only used it a week.
PROS
-feels well-built, solid, metallic
-FM radio works well, easy to use
-gives 'conversation view' for texts, if you like that
-good speaker volume for conversations and radio, but low volume during calling someone
-picture quality average
CONS
-phone slows down while texting, and especially gets troublesome during text conversations with multiple parties. For instance, if u are in the process of typing a text and you get another one, it interrupts you and you have to stop and answer with 'reply' or 'ignore'. I think they should have omitted this. Then if you press 'reply' it auto-saves your message you were typing to drafts. Also, even though it displays the conv thread, you still have to actually click on each message, even tho you can read the whole thing-if you don't, the phone still shows you that you have unread msgs. Annoying.
-call quality was just ok
-touchscreen sometimes became unresponsive(I also figured out I don't like touchscreens at all)
-I didn't like the UI at times, for instance, it has a 'tap-n-drag' type contacts button, which is nice, but you better be careful, because you can easily call the wrong person unless you have (accurate) surgeons hands
-many misstypings, even after calibrating touchscreen
I am now looking at the Nokia E series phones for long-term, but I bought a used lg cu500 for the time being.
Thx | 1 | neutral | [
"I may not be the best one to review this phone, since I am 'out of the loop'.",
"I am a 38 yr old male.",
"I use a cell for talking and texting 50/50, with an occasional use for random picture taking.",
"For example, in the past two years, I have recently switched from my old reliable samsung sgh-x497 flip to a razr, now looking again since I gave my samsung to my mom, and the razr I bought on craigs started acting up (button not working).",
"Anyway, on to the short 'review'.",
"Keep in mind, I only used it a week.",
"PROS\n-feels well-built, solid, metallic\n-FM radio works well, easy to use\n-gives 'conversation view' for texts, if you like that\n-good speaker volume for conversations and radio, but low volume during calling someone\n-picture quality average\n\nCONS\n-phone slows down while texting, and especially gets troublesome during text conversations with multiple parties.",
"For instance, if u are in the process of typing a text and you get another one, it interrupts you and you have to stop and answer with 'reply' or 'ignore'.",
"I think they should have omitted this.",
"Then if you press 'reply' it auto-saves your message you were typing to drafts.",
"Also, even though it displays the conv thread, you still have to actually click on each message, even tho you can read the whole thing-if you don't, the phone still shows you that you have unread msgs.",
"Annoying.",
"-call quality was just ok\n-touchscreen sometimes became unresponsive(I also figured out I don't like touchscreens at all)\n-I didn't like the UI at times, for instance, it has a 'tap-n-drag' type contacts button, which is nice, but you better be careful, because you can easily call the wrong person unless you have (accurate) surgeons hands\n-many misstypings, even after calibrating touchscreen\n\nI am now looking at the Nokia E series phones for long-term, but I bought a used lg cu500 for the time being.",
"Thx"
] |
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this free book I downloaded for my Kindle. I'm glad I did. It was a little corny but it was entertaining.
I loved the back and forth with Roxy and Zayne's mom Kat. Those two cracked me up and reminded me of the strong willed women in my family. I also loved how Zayne respected both women but knew when to push them. It was good to see that in the story.
I also grew to love the secondary characters. They complimented everyone in the story and were very supportive of their friends and family. Scott set up the next stories in the series very well in this book. I look forward to reading the next couple books in this series. :) | 1 | neutral | [
"I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this free book I downloaded for my Kindle.",
"I'm glad I did.",
"It was a little corny but it was entertaining.",
"I loved the back and forth with Roxy and Zayne's mom Kat.",
"Those two cracked me up and reminded me of the strong willed women in my family.",
"I also loved how Zayne respected both women but knew when to push them.",
"It was good to see that in the story.",
"I also grew to love the secondary characters.",
"They complimented everyone in the story and were very supportive of their friends and family.",
"Scott set up the next stories in the series very well in this book.",
"I look forward to reading the next couple books in this series.",
":)"
] |
This game is just like the previous Mario Party games. If you are new to the series, this is a really fun multiplayer game, but its really boring as a single player. Anyways, this game is all about minigames, and there are plenty of it! You will have blast playing this game with friends/family members. The graphics are nice, music is Nintendo themed, and anyone can pickup a controller and play, its really simple. If you have Mario Party 4, stick with it, because there isn't anything new in Mario Party 5 (redesigned minigames). Dont let the "Kiddie" theme fool you..i am 22 yrs old and i had a fun playing (MP 4)aginst my 10 and 12 yr. old cousins! I would recommend this only if you are new to Mario Party, or just like playing games with friends and having a good time. I do not recommend this game if you plan to play as a single player, the A.I is terrible, and its just not as fun! | 1 | neutral | [
"This game is just like the previous Mario Party games.",
"If you are new to the series, this is a really fun multiplayer game, but its really boring as a single player.",
"Anyways, this game is all about minigames, and there are plenty of it!",
"You will have blast playing this game with friends/family members.",
"The graphics are nice, music is Nintendo themed, and anyone can pickup a controller and play, its really simple.",
"If you have Mario Party 4, stick with it, because there isn't anything new in Mario Party 5 (redesigned minigames).",
"Dont let the \"Kiddie\" theme fool you..",
"i am 22 yrs old and i had a fun playing (MP 4)aginst my 10 and 12 yr.",
"old cousins!",
"I would recommend this only if you are new to Mario Party, or just like playing games with friends and having a good time.",
"I do not recommend this game if you plan to play as a single player, the A.",
"I is terrible, and its just not as fun!"
] |
FYI: this is listed as part of a series. DON'T TELL is the first story with Steven Thatcher and his son Nicky introduced into the plot later in the storyline.
I am a big fan of romantic suspence. What I have learned after reading numerous stories within this genre is there needs to be a strong heroine. Dr. Jenna Marshall is just that. She has a PhD but teaches at the high school level for very personal reasons. Currently one of her brightest students is failing and she has noticed his declining mood; Brad Thatcher needs her help. She calls on his father, Special Agent Steven Thatcher, to see what can be done.
The second important issue that defines romantic suspense: the story is driven simultaneously by a threat of danger -and- the promise of romance. Steven is currently pursuing a killer that is hung up on brunette cheerleaders. There is also a secondary story, running concurrently, that has the high school quarterback and his father threatening Jenna. In the meantime, Steven is trying (and this is the keyword) to be a more active father with all three of his sons but it has not been easy. He is a widower. He is a basket of insecurities when it comes to women because of issues with his now-deceased wife. It affects his current mood and the ability to trust. Jenna brings a balance into their relationship if only Steven can let go.
The third complexity for a great romantic suspense is at least one of the protagonists is in trouble -or- someone she or he loves. With Steven and Jenna, you are left wondering whether it will be a family member that is affected or Jenna, herself. I skipped over most Ms. Rose's descriptions of when the killer was each of his victims. Call me a wimp but I wanted clues without a graphic sketch of what was happening.
The story finally reached its climax: the mystery was solved, evil defeated and the main characters earned their HEA. Ms. Rose's forte is to insert lots of twists and turns into the plot and she did a great job. My reasons for three stars rather than a higher rating? Steven's baggage and how it affected everyone close to him. I cared about everybody but I set the book aside too many times. I never felt a rush to read it and that is important when appraising great suspense.
I will try another story by this author but my guess is her style of writing is not for me. Still, I am not ready to give up on her just yet. | 1 | neutral | [
"FYI: this is listed as part of a series.",
"DON'T TELL is the first story with Steven Thatcher and his son Nicky introduced into the plot later in the storyline.",
"I am a big fan of romantic suspence.",
"What I have learned after reading numerous stories within this genre is there needs to be a strong heroine.",
"Dr.",
"Jenna Marshall is just that.",
"She has a PhD but teaches at the high school level for very personal reasons.",
"Currently one of her brightest students is failing and she has noticed his declining mood; Brad Thatcher needs her help.",
"She calls on his father, Special Agent Steven Thatcher, to see what can be done.",
"The second important issue that defines romantic suspense: the story is driven simultaneously by a threat of danger -and- the promise of romance.",
"Steven is currently pursuing a killer that is hung up on brunette cheerleaders.",
"There is also a secondary story, running concurrently, that has the high school quarterback and his father threatening Jenna.",
"In the meantime, Steven is trying (and this is the keyword) to be a more active father with all three of his sons but it has not been easy.",
"He is a widower.",
"He is a basket of insecurities when it comes to women because of issues with his now-deceased wife.",
"It affects his current mood and the ability to trust.",
"Jenna brings a balance into their relationship if only Steven can let go.",
"The third complexity for a great romantic suspense is at least one of the protagonists is in trouble -or- someone she or he loves.",
"With Steven and Jenna, you are left wondering whether it will be a family member that is affected or Jenna, herself.",
"I skipped over most Ms.",
"Rose's descriptions of when the killer was each of his victims.",
"Call me a wimp but I wanted clues without a graphic sketch of what was happening.",
"The story finally reached its climax: the mystery was solved, evil defeated and the main characters earned their HEA.",
"Ms.",
"Rose's forte is to insert lots of twists and turns into the plot and she did a great job.",
"My reasons for three stars rather than a higher rating?",
"Steven's baggage and how it affected everyone close to him.",
"I cared about everybody but I set the book aside too many times.",
"I never felt a rush to read it and that is important when appraising great suspense.",
"I will try another story by this author but my guess is her style of writing is not for me.",
"Still, I am not ready to give up on her just yet."
] |
This comment is for the Blu-ray copy. I was hoping for more from the audio/video presentation. The image at the very beginning is awful, but it soon shapes up to be mostly pleasing as long as I lower the black level and up the contrast on my calibrated display. The sound is an improvement over the DVD, but not by much. At least I can hear the dialogue clearly now, but the sound effects of the guns and explosions and thunder could have been updated. With the filmmakers still being alive, I would think that they'd be interested in advancing the presentation by updating the sound design a bit. I know if I had made this film and I had newer and better resources at my disposal today, I would certainly take advantage of the current technology and up the ante on this baby. An extreme, but perfect example is the recent Criterion release of Chungking Express. What Wong Kar Wai did was take a lackluster mono sound design and create an entirely new soundfield mix that really elevates the viewing experience. It's important to enhance the viewing experience when possible, especially since the way we watch films today has changed so drastically from the days of VHS, and I've no doubt that it will continue to advance in ways we may not envision at this time. There is no harm in giving films like this a boost, as long as it doesn't stray from the original intent of the sound's design.
Considering how cheap this film is on blu-ray, I would say it is worth the dough. | 1 | neutral | [
"This comment is for the Blu-ray copy.",
"I was hoping for more from the audio/video presentation.",
"The image at the very beginning is awful, but it soon shapes up to be mostly pleasing as long as I lower the black level and up the contrast on my calibrated display.",
"The sound is an improvement over the DVD, but not by much.",
"At least I can hear the dialogue clearly now, but the sound effects of the guns and explosions and thunder could have been updated.",
"With the filmmakers still being alive, I would think that they'd be interested in advancing the presentation by updating the sound design a bit.",
"I know if I had made this film and I had newer and better resources at my disposal today, I would certainly take advantage of the current technology and up the ante on this baby.",
"An extreme, but perfect example is the recent Criterion release of Chungking Express.",
"What Wong Kar Wai did was take a lackluster mono sound design and create an entirely new soundfield mix that really elevates the viewing experience.",
"It's important to enhance the viewing experience when possible, especially since the way we watch films today has changed so drastically from the days of VHS, and I've no doubt that it will continue to advance in ways we may not envision at this time.",
"There is no harm in giving films like this a boost, as long as it doesn't stray from the original intent of the sound's design.",
"Considering how cheap this film is on blu-ray, I would say it is worth the dough."
] |
I am giving this a 3 because my cat loves it. It is a great cat massage tool. It does not work well for me as a brush. It doesn't catch all of the hair. It loosens some of it and then it flutters onto the floor. I also find it difficult to remove the hair that it does catch from the rubber teeth. I have a medium-haired cat. His coat is very thick and he sheds a lot. I am still on the hunt for a brush that catches and holds all of his hair. Maybe it is just my cat's particular coat because this product does have excellent reviews. | 1 | neutral | [
"I am giving this a 3 because my cat loves it.",
"It is a great cat massage tool.",
"It does not work well for me as a brush.",
"It doesn't catch all of the hair.",
"It loosens some of it and then it flutters onto the floor.",
"I also find it difficult to remove the hair that it does catch from the rubber teeth.",
"I have a medium-haired cat.",
"His coat is very thick and he sheds a lot.",
"I am still on the hunt for a brush that catches and holds all of his hair.",
"Maybe it is just my cat's particular coat because this product does have excellent reviews."
] |
I'm quite disappointed with this product. I expected more but found myself wanting something different. First, if you make coffee on your stove I hope you use a very very large cauldron... because a normal coffee pot will not work on this product. I purchased the swaptop stove grate for this, but the burner is just too wide for smaller items (the heat will just go around it).
The portable propane tanks last enough time for making breakfast and maybe dinner (you'll go through a can a day... (i was only cooking for 1 person).
I wanted flexibility... to be able to grill and use my cast-iron... but I'm thinking it's better to just go with one of the small campstoves instead of using this grill.
Don't get me wrong.. works okay for some things... but the heat distribution is going to mess with your mind if you're a avid griller... | 1 | neutral | [
"I'm quite disappointed with this product.",
"I expected more but found myself wanting something different.",
"First, if you make coffee on your stove I hope you use a very very large cauldron...",
"because a normal coffee pot will not work on this product.",
"I purchased the swaptop stove grate for this, but the burner is just too wide for smaller items (the heat will just go around it).",
"The portable propane tanks last enough time for making breakfast and maybe dinner (you'll go through a can a day...",
"(i was only cooking for 1 person).",
"I wanted flexibility...",
"to be able to grill and use my cast-iron...",
"but I'm thinking it's better to just go with one of the small campstoves instead of using this grill.",
"Don't get me wrong..",
"works okay for some things...",
"but the heat distribution is going to mess with your mind if you're a avid griller..."
] |
Quick Story blurb: Guy dies and must go on trial to move on to the next world or be sent back to earth to try again, in the meantime he meets a woman in the afterlife.
Acting was alright. I felt the best work came from Meryl Streep as the love interest and also from Rip Torn as the defense attorney. I liked those characters. Albert Brooks was ok but I felt he lacked energy or something to really make his character pop. He did have pretty good chemistry with Meryl though.
Overall though, decent movie but nothing I want to tout to rush to watch. Interesting concepts about being judged in your life to move on and learning from your mistakes. There are some great moments in the trial scenes and some jokes every now and then. This movie also drives you to think about life outside the movie which is a plus, not all movies make you want to think beyond mindless stuff (sex drugs whatever) thrown on screen. I feel like the stakes for the movie storyline are too low, because if he is sent back to earth, he could try again anyway. Maybe just me though, I wonder if the stakes were higher such as going to hell, possibly would make this movie just a little better. I watched this movie on a recommendation from someone else and feel like this movie might be ok just to catch on tv or something but eh, I'm just not going to give a better rating than average.
POSSIBLE SPOILER: *just things I wanted to say about the outcome that I think don't work with the love angle*
I didn't think the love angle was strong enough stakes, because if they are sent back and forget everything that happened there, would they remember each other or find each other on earth? What if they both come back and and aren't physically attracted to each other? In the afterlife, they were the only two people who weren't old people, who else would have chosen it was all old people and them, so the stakes were pretty low for finding love in the afterlife. The movie sort of teased Meryl's defense attorney as someone she might be interested in but only briefly and not a serious threat to her and Albert Brooks relationship. | 1 | neutral | [
"Quick Story blurb: Guy dies and must go on trial to move on to the next world or be sent back to earth to try again, in the meantime he meets a woman in the afterlife.",
"Acting was alright.",
"I felt the best work came from Meryl Streep as the love interest and also from Rip Torn as the defense attorney.",
"I liked those characters.",
"Albert Brooks was ok but I felt he lacked energy or something to really make his character pop.",
"He did have pretty good chemistry with Meryl though.",
"Overall though, decent movie but nothing I want to tout to rush to watch.",
"Interesting concepts about being judged in your life to move on and learning from your mistakes.",
"There are some great moments in the trial scenes and some jokes every now and then.",
"This movie also drives you to think about life outside the movie which is a plus, not all movies make you want to think beyond mindless stuff (sex drugs whatever) thrown on screen.",
"I feel like the stakes for the movie storyline are too low, because if he is sent back to earth, he could try again anyway.",
"Maybe just me though, I wonder if the stakes were higher such as going to hell, possibly would make this movie just a little better.",
"I watched this movie on a recommendation from someone else and feel like this movie might be ok just to catch on tv or something but eh, I'm just not going to give a better rating than average.",
"POSSIBLE SPOILER: *just things I wanted to say about the outcome that I think don't work with the love angle*\nI didn't think the love angle was strong enough stakes, because if they are sent back and forget everything that happened there, would they remember each other or find each other on earth?",
"What if they both come back and and aren't physically attracted to each other?",
"In the afterlife, they were the only two people who weren't old people, who else would have chosen it was all old people and them, so the stakes were pretty low for finding love in the afterlife.",
"The movie sort of teased Meryl's defense attorney as someone she might be interested in but only briefly and not a serious threat to her and Albert Brooks relationship."
] |
I mentioned in my Ludacris review that I was wondering where 8Ball and MJG have been lately. Well, my question was answered after hearing their Bad Boy debut, Living Legends. I just finished listening to the album, and it's like this: if you're a hardcore fan of Ball and G, then you won't hesitate to pick this up. As for the rest of us...
Lyrically, Ball and G are still impressive for the most part. But since this a Bad Boy record, you can't really expect this to be like their other albums. You have to be ready for one or two radio-friendly joints. But sometimes songs like that are just blatant. This is especially evidenced by the song featuring Bun-B, which rides an obvious made-for-radio beat, yet is called "The Streets". And then there are some questionable songs for the ladies, "Forever" featuring Lloyd (note to those that still don't know: Lloyd and Lloyd Banks are NOT the same person) and "Trying to Get At You" featuring 112. Love-oriented rap songs featuring 112 usually aren't more than filler; ask Mobb Deep.
Another filler track is the obligatory song about cars, "Look At the Grillz" (featuring T.I. and Twista). It's hard to enjoy the first verse especially, because whoever is rapping (T.I. or MJG) is doing it so low that I can barely hear him. And as far the interludes go, note to Diddy: "Mad Rapper" still isn't funny. And does anyone have any idea what the guy in "Get a Kit" is talking about?
Like I said before, 8Ball and MJG still have it lyrically, except for maybe some of the choruses ("Don't Make", anyone?). But questionable production, dry subject matter, and lame guest stars damper the party. Other reviewers see it debatable as to whether they should be calling themselves living legends (but I don't agree with the person that said Onyx is a living legend), but as far as I'M concerned, it's like this: judging from this album, if one person says to another person, "Man, 8Ball and MJG are living legends!" the response wouldn't be, "And they're still making great music!" It would be more like, "O...K...Nice to know it."
Anthony Rupert | 1 | neutral | [
"I mentioned in my Ludacris review that I was wondering where 8Ball and MJG have been lately.",
"Well, my question was answered after hearing their Bad Boy debut, Living Legends.",
"I just finished listening to the album, and it's like this: if you're a hardcore fan of Ball and G, then you won't hesitate to pick this up.",
"As for the rest of us...",
"Lyrically, Ball and G are still impressive for the most part.",
"But since this a Bad Boy record, you can't really expect this to be like their other albums.",
"You have to be ready for one or two radio-friendly joints.",
"But sometimes songs like that are just blatant.",
"This is especially evidenced by the song featuring Bun-B, which rides an obvious made-for-radio beat, yet is called \"The Streets\".",
"And then there are some questionable songs for the ladies, \"Forever\" featuring Lloyd (note to those that still don't know: Lloyd and Lloyd Banks are NOT the same person) and \"Trying to Get At You\" featuring 112.",
"Love-oriented rap songs featuring 112 usually aren't more than filler; ask Mobb Deep.",
"Another filler track is the obligatory song about cars, \"Look At the Grillz\" (featuring T.",
"I. and Twista).",
"It's hard to enjoy the first verse especially, because whoever is rapping (T.",
"I. or MJG) is doing it so low that I can barely hear him.",
"And as far the interludes go, note to Diddy: \"Mad Rapper\" still isn't funny.",
"And does anyone have any idea what the guy in \"Get a Kit\" is talking about?",
"Like I said before, 8Ball and MJG still have it lyrically, except for maybe some of the choruses (\"Don't Make\", anyone?",
").",
"But questionable production, dry subject matter, and lame guest stars damper the party.",
"Other reviewers see it debatable as to whether they should be calling themselves living legends (but I don't agree with the person that said Onyx is a living legend), but as far as I'M concerned, it's like this: judging from this album, if one person says to another person, \"Man, 8Ball and MJG are living legends!",
"\" the response wouldn't be, \"And they're still making great music!",
"\" It would be more like, \"O...",
"K...",
"Nice to know it.",
"\"\n\nAnthony Rupert"
] |
I originally purchased the 24 pack of Jell-O cook n serve when there was a deal of $25.00 off a $50.00 order (I think) but anyway, the normal price amazon is selling at is .91 cents a box. At the grocery it retails for a little more than that so I thought with the $25.00 off thus saving another 33% it brought the price of each box down to .61 cents or so which is a great savings from the grocery store and with free shipping wow! couldn't beat that. It wasn't 2 weeks later I went to Meijer and they had the cook n serve 2/$1.00...ugh!! But the jell-o arrived as described, not expired (unlike other foods purchased from amazon) and no mice eaten boxes (unlike other foods purchased from amazon). So all in all it was an average deal. | 1 | neutral | [
"I originally purchased the 24 pack of Jell-O cook n serve when there was a deal of $25.",
"00 off a $50.",
"00 order (I think) but anyway, the normal price amazon is selling at is.",
"91 cents a box.",
"At the grocery it retails for a little more than that so I thought with the $25.",
"00 off thus saving another 33% it brought the price of each box down to.",
"61 cents or so which is a great savings from the grocery store and with free shipping wow!",
"couldn't beat that.",
"It wasn't 2 weeks later I went to Meijer and they had the cook n serve 2/$1.",
"00...",
"ugh!!",
"But the jell-o arrived as described, not expired (unlike other foods purchased from amazon) and no mice eaten boxes (unlike other foods purchased from amazon).",
"So all in all it was an average deal."
] |
I don't LOVE this CD, but I don't HATE it either. Anything by Barbra Streisand is usually better work than most of what is on the market...even when it's odd. This is not one of my favorite CD's, but song #4, "I Won't Last A Day Without You," is one of my all-time favorite individual tracks of Barbra Streisand's entire catalog. This is one of the most intimate, heartfelt, really- feeling-the-love-energy-go-right-through-you songs (and vocals, for that matter) ever recorded. This song alone is worth the CD purchase price. I also like the calypso "Guava Jelly." I can't help but think of Barbara Streisand singing this song dressed like Mary Ann from "Gilligan's Island." Incidentally, folks, don't forget the early 1970's were an experimental/growth time. Very little lasting/quality music, film, clothes, or interior decor came from this time. "Butterfly" is like that avocado lamp, harvest-gold rug or orange-and- brown bean bag chair you come across in the attic. Once you're through making jokes about it, you pay attention and begin to focus on what you liked about it at the time it caught your attention. | 1 | neutral | [
"I don't LOVE this CD, but I don't HATE it either.",
"Anything by Barbra Streisand is usually better work than most of what is on the market...",
"even when it's odd.",
"This is not one of my favorite CD's, but song #4, \"I Won't Last A Day Without You,\" is one of my all-time favorite individual tracks of Barbra Streisand's entire catalog.",
"This is one of the most intimate, heartfelt, really- feeling-the-love-energy-go-right-through-you songs (and vocals, for that matter) ever recorded.",
"This song alone is worth the CD purchase price.",
"I also like the calypso \"Guava Jelly.",
"\" I can't help but think of Barbara Streisand singing this song dressed like Mary Ann from \"Gilligan's Island.",
"\" Incidentally, folks, don't forget the early 1970's were an experimental/growth time.",
"Very little lasting/quality music, film, clothes, or interior decor came from this time.",
"\"Butterfly\" is like that avocado lamp, harvest-gold rug or orange-and- brown bean bag chair you come across in the attic.",
"Once you're through making jokes about it, you pay attention and begin to focus on what you liked about it at the time it caught your attention."
] |
I guess this would be better than receiving a syrup that can't be tasted at all. The flavor is definitely there. But this is just too much for me. It's also more bitter and less sweet than expected. I wanted to try this as an alternative flavor for my coffee rather than the norm like chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla, peppermint, etc. I wanted something different and reading prior reviews got me interested. I disliked it with my first cup. I feel I was conservative to how much I added (using less than a previous noted recipe) but it was just too much. I also don't like my coffee looking so red in color, kind of a turn off. But that's just me and my preferences. I will say, I certainly thought the idea was creative to whoever originated it!
So, I've decided to use this product for other uses. Mainly sauces and desserts. I made a strawberry compote, adding this to the recipe vs buying fresh raspberries which can be more expensive and this was a perfect substitution. It can also add great color, not just flavor. If you add this to the base ingredients of a cheesecake, it gives it a nice pink color to make a nice raspberry cheesecake. You can also add this to savory sauces such as Merlot, or a honey mustard glaze which can add a hint of sweetness and unique flavor to the sauce. I found after using it in several recipes, my suggestion to others is to use it as compliment and not as a main attraction to get the most of this product. I also think it is a fair price for a convenient product especially in comparison to the alternative which is buy fresh ingredients (expensive) and the time it takes to make it yourself. | 1 | neutral | [
"I guess this would be better than receiving a syrup that can't be tasted at all.",
"The flavor is definitely there.",
"But this is just too much for me.",
"It's also more bitter and less sweet than expected.",
"I wanted to try this as an alternative flavor for my coffee rather than the norm like chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla, peppermint, etc.",
"I wanted something different and reading prior reviews got me interested.",
"I disliked it with my first cup.",
"I feel I was conservative to how much I added (using less than a previous noted recipe) but it was just too much.",
"I also don't like my coffee looking so red in color, kind of a turn off.",
"But that's just me and my preferences.",
"I will say, I certainly thought the idea was creative to whoever originated it!",
"So, I've decided to use this product for other uses.",
"Mainly sauces and desserts.",
"I made a strawberry compote, adding this to the recipe vs buying fresh raspberries which can be more expensive and this was a perfect substitution.",
"It can also add great color, not just flavor.",
"If you add this to the base ingredients of a cheesecake, it gives it a nice pink color to make a nice raspberry cheesecake.",
"You can also add this to savory sauces such as Merlot, or a honey mustard glaze which can add a hint of sweetness and unique flavor to the sauce.",
"I found after using it in several recipes, my suggestion to others is to use it as compliment and not as a main attraction to get the most of this product.",
"I also think it is a fair price for a convenient product especially in comparison to the alternative which is buy fresh ingredients (expensive) and the time it takes to make it yourself."
] |
First, what this isn't: It isn't a moisturizer or a foundation. It goes on after moisturizer and before foundation, and promises to provide a "canvas" for your makeup, to fill in fine lines and pores.
It does feel wonderful and silky going on. I think that is probably due to the silica gel. It didn't fill in my "fine lines," but at my age, I think I probably need a smooth coat of Spackle. However, my foundation did go on nice and evenly, and didn't get blotchy. However, the difference it made seemed minimal compared to my normal make-up routine.
Water is the first ingredient, although the package calls it "microwater." There are several ingredients I cannot pronounce and that don't sound especially like things I want on my face. The tube contains only 0.88 ounce. At the over-40 price tag at the time I reviewed this product, it seems the markup is astronomical, and the product just isn't worth it to me. | 1 | neutral | [
"First, what this isn't: It isn't a moisturizer or a foundation.",
"It goes on after moisturizer and before foundation, and promises to provide a \"canvas\" for your makeup, to fill in fine lines and pores.",
"It does feel wonderful and silky going on.",
"I think that is probably due to the silica gel.",
"It didn't fill in my \"fine lines,\" but at my age, I think I probably need a smooth coat of Spackle.",
"However, my foundation did go on nice and evenly, and didn't get blotchy.",
"However, the difference it made seemed minimal compared to my normal make-up routine.",
"Water is the first ingredient, although the package calls it \"microwater.",
"\" There are several ingredients I cannot pronounce and that don't sound especially like things I want on my face.",
"The tube contains only 0.",
"88 ounce.",
"At the over-40 price tag at the time I reviewed this product, it seems the markup is astronomical, and the product just isn't worth it to me."
] |
I'm breaking a personal rule of mine with this review. I swore that I would never review anything before listening to it completely, with near-full attention - for at least two passes. The very existence of this disk scares such fear into me that I feel that I could never commit to two full listens without developing an intractable opinion, and I admit that my anticipation borders much more closely to fear than holiday cheer. This is Bob Dylan.... (pause required)... Old. Cranky. "Legendary." Impossibly inscrutable...(another pause required)... Bob Dylan. He's been with us - ALL of us - for over forty years. The guy's a Jew, fer Crissakes....(most of the time, anyway) and in the middle of a nearly miraculous career rebirth, he offers us a Christmas album?
The first track is "Here Comes Santa Claus." I haven't even started to play the CD yet, but if you were me, what would you expect? Do you need to think about it? As I already pointed out, this is Dylan. I haven't played a single note of this disk yet, but a) I'm showing an obvious tendency toward prejudgment, and b) I feel drawn in, like a moth circling a gas lamp. I can't help but wonder how relevant it would be if I were to actually `expose' some of the lyrics. Let's try it:
" Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus lane..."
Wow. (Another pause is DEFINITELY required now...). As I type this, I'm hearing it for the first time, and I'm dumbfounded. This album's very existence is as improbable as monkeys on the moon. OK, the heck with it. I admit it, I'm suckered in. "How would/could Dylan possibly sing this?", I ask myself. The answer, I'm feeling, is "Quite well". Maybe I'm enjoying WAY too much holiday cheer at this exact moment, but Dylan just sang "Winter Wonderland" and I felt like drinking egg nog. He sounds forced as he croaks/sings, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," but as I listen, I wonder if his interpretation may have value for breaking down religious barriers. Our culture has thoroughly analyzed every syllable that Bob has ever uttered, right? Maybe non-Christians will finally be able to "interpret" Christmas songs and apply totally new meanings to them. Or, maybe that's crazy. This album is simply too weird for me to predict how any individual person might react.
In terms of quantity, it's generous, with fifteen tracks. One of them is "Little Drummer Boy". Another is "Must Be Santa (!!), " but there's authentic stuff here, too, like "Adeste Fidelis" and "The First Noel." The packaging conveys the dichotomy as well as anything possibly could. The cover shot is pure Currier and Ives, but inside is a shot that looks like vintage pin-up girl Betty Page. The music walks the same crooked path. It teases me with flashes of relevance, but then succumbs to stereotypes that border on the psychopathic. "The Christmas Blues" is easy to appreciate. "O Little Town of Bethlehem," on the other hand, definitely is not. Once again, for the 50th time, we can't tell if Dylan is toying with us, or if he's simply following some extravagant muse. No Matter. Fifty years from now, my kids will try to capture the spirit of Christmas for their own grandkids. Doing so, they will be armed with Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Phil Spector....and perhaps Bob Dylan. Christmas albums come and Christmas albums go. Despite everything we throw at it, I believe that the spirit of Christmas will nevertheless survive. As Bob sings, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." `B'...or maybe `C', or maybe even `A'. You figure it out. Tom Ryan | 1 | neutral | [
"I'm breaking a personal rule of mine with this review.",
"I swore that I would never review anything before listening to it completely, with near-full attention - for at least two passes.",
"The very existence of this disk scares such fear into me that I feel that I could never commit to two full listens without developing an intractable opinion, and I admit that my anticipation borders much more closely to fear than holiday cheer.",
"This is Bob Dylan....",
"(pause required)...",
"Old.",
"Cranky.",
"\"Legendary.",
"\" Impossibly inscrutable...",
"(another pause required)...",
"Bob Dylan.",
"He's been with us - ALL of us - for over forty years.",
"The guy's a Jew, fer Crissakes....",
"(most of the time, anyway) and in the middle of a nearly miraculous career rebirth, he offers us a Christmas album?",
"The first track is \"Here Comes Santa Claus.",
"\" I haven't even started to play the CD yet, but if you were me, what would you expect?",
"Do you need to think about it?",
"As I already pointed out, this is Dylan.",
"I haven't played a single note of this disk yet, but a) I'm showing an obvious tendency toward prejudgment, and b) I feel drawn in, like a moth circling a gas lamp.",
"I can't help but wonder how relevant it would be if I were to actually `expose' some of the lyrics.",
"Let's try it:\n \" Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,\n Right down Santa Claus lane...",
"\"\n Wow.",
"(Another pause is DEFINITELY required now...",
").",
"As I type this, I'm hearing it for the first time, and I'm dumbfounded.",
"This album's very existence is as improbable as monkeys on the moon.",
"OK, the heck with it.",
"I admit it, I'm suckered in.",
"\"How would/could Dylan possibly sing this?",
"\", I ask myself.",
"The answer, I'm feeling, is \"Quite well\".",
"Maybe I'm enjoying WAY too much holiday cheer at this exact moment, but Dylan just sang \"Winter Wonderland\" and I felt like drinking egg nog.",
"He sounds forced as he croaks/sings, \"Hark!",
"The Herald Angels Sing,\" but as I listen, I wonder if his interpretation may have value for breaking down religious barriers.",
"Our culture has thoroughly analyzed every syllable that Bob has ever uttered, right?",
"Maybe non-Christians will finally be able to \"interpret\" Christmas songs and apply totally new meanings to them.",
"Or, maybe that's crazy.",
"This album is simply too weird for me to predict how any individual person might react.",
"In terms of quantity, it's generous, with fifteen tracks.",
"One of them is \"Little Drummer Boy\".",
"Another is \"Must Be Santa (!!",
"), \" but there's authentic stuff here, too, like \"Adeste Fidelis\" and \"The First Noel.",
"\" The packaging conveys the dichotomy as well as anything possibly could.",
"The cover shot is pure Currier and Ives, but inside is a shot that looks like vintage pin-up girl Betty Page.",
"The music walks the same crooked path.",
"It teases me with flashes of relevance, but then succumbs to stereotypes that border on the psychopathic.",
"\"The Christmas Blues\" is easy to appreciate.",
"\"O Little Town of Bethlehem,\" on the other hand, definitely is not.",
"Once again, for the 50th time, we can't tell if Dylan is toying with us, or if he's simply following some extravagant muse.",
"No Matter.",
"Fifty years from now, my kids will try to capture the spirit of Christmas for their own grandkids.",
"Doing so, they will be armed with Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Phil Spector....",
"and perhaps Bob Dylan.",
"Christmas albums come and Christmas albums go.",
"Despite everything we throw at it, I believe that the spirit of Christmas will nevertheless survive.",
"As Bob sings, \"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.",
"\" `B'...",
"or maybe `C', or maybe even `A'.",
"You figure it out.",
"Tom Ryan"
] |
I purchased these business cards as I am starting up my own business. I also purchased a Canon Pixma MG6120 printer along with these as my last HP Photosmart although good, was getting out dated and I wanted to make sure that I have a good printer to print a lot of my business documents on. I know it sounds like i'm going on and on about printers but that is a large part about printing these cards in quality fashion but enough about the printer and onto the actual review of the cards.
I've noticed the background picture on my package is slightly different from the picture on Amazon (Maybe out dated) but it gets confusing. My cards say exactly as followed as to avoid mixing up reviews. Avery Ink Jet 8869 Print to the edge, clean edge Extra sturdy business cards. White Matte finish 160 per package 8 per sheet 20 sheet count.
Card weight/quality: These cards say extra sturdy, suggesting that they would be professional quality. They are not. They are not bad but I held up my printed business card next to my wifes professionally made corporate card and it was significantly more flexible. I would imagine that over time these cards being stored in a wallet or anywhere else will take a beating and shrivel up considerably faster than a true extra sturdy card should. In Avery's defense, I think they are trying to appeal to a more "generalized" market as a lot of users printers would struggle to feed the heavier weight card thus creating jamming issues and doing more harm than good. I did not have jamming problems but one sheet refused to be "fed" into my printer for a while until I played with it a bit.
Print to the edge: Holds true, I was able to print to the edge however I printed past the edge using the 8373 template as suggested by Avery. It may not be a big deal for low volume printing but wasted ink will make an impact on your wallet should you print out several hundred of these. Not sure if I can fully blame Avery on this one or if my business card creation software was to blame here, just throwing it out there.
Clean Edge: I would say about 85% clean edge. You still have to fold and tear apart. I was really worried about this as I didn't want my cards "Looking" amateur made and shaggy. At first glance they came out looking professional until you look up close you can see little tears in the edges of the card. Not enough to be a deal breaker though.
Overall: I am starting a mobile automotive detailing business, I am not in the business of making ultra fancy professional quality business cards. I would recommend these to anyone that owns a small business that would benefit from having a business card. With that being said, if you are very specific about wanting a professional quality card the only thing I'd be able to suggest is go to someone in the profession of doing just that. If you're worried about all of the little details it's probably your best bet, but, these sure are nice for someone like me who would just like something to be able to hand out when the opportunity presents itself.
Personal Note: I will be trying Avery's "Glossy" business cards. I printed a background color on my cards and due to the paper type the ink sort of "faded" into the paper. When I mentioned that they weren't the sturdiest card I've ever felt and especially if you are doing a background color where the whole card is colored it shrivels the card just a bit. It didn't bleed through which I am glad. Being in automotive detailing the "Gloss effect" is sort of what i'm looking for, a shiny card for a shiny car. I will update my review when I give these cards a try and compare the two so that maybe someone can make a great decision from the start without having to experiment a bit like me.
Thanks for reading! | 1 | neutral | [
"I purchased these business cards as I am starting up my own business.",
"I also purchased a Canon Pixma MG6120 printer along with these as my last HP Photosmart although good, was getting out dated and I wanted to make sure that I have a good printer to print a lot of my business documents on.",
"I know it sounds like i'm going on and on about printers but that is a large part about printing these cards in quality fashion but enough about the printer and onto the actual review of the cards.",
"I've noticed the background picture on my package is slightly different from the picture on Amazon (Maybe out dated) but it gets confusing.",
"My cards say exactly as followed as to avoid mixing up reviews.",
"Avery Ink Jet 8869 Print to the edge, clean edge Extra sturdy business cards.",
"White Matte finish 160 per package 8 per sheet 20 sheet count.",
"Card weight/quality: These cards say extra sturdy, suggesting that they would be professional quality.",
"They are not.",
"They are not bad but I held up my printed business card next to my wifes professionally made corporate card and it was significantly more flexible.",
"I would imagine that over time these cards being stored in a wallet or anywhere else will take a beating and shrivel up considerably faster than a true extra sturdy card should.",
"In Avery's defense, I think they are trying to appeal to a more \"generalized\" market as a lot of users printers would struggle to feed the heavier weight card thus creating jamming issues and doing more harm than good.",
"I did not have jamming problems but one sheet refused to be \"fed\" into my printer for a while until I played with it a bit.",
"Print to the edge: Holds true, I was able to print to the edge however I printed past the edge using the 8373 template as suggested by Avery.",
"It may not be a big deal for low volume printing but wasted ink will make an impact on your wallet should you print out several hundred of these.",
"Not sure if I can fully blame Avery on this one or if my business card creation software was to blame here, just throwing it out there.",
"Clean Edge: I would say about 85% clean edge.",
"You still have to fold and tear apart.",
"I was really worried about this as I didn't want my cards \"Looking\" amateur made and shaggy.",
"At first glance they came out looking professional until you look up close you can see little tears in the edges of the card.",
"Not enough to be a deal breaker though.",
"Overall: I am starting a mobile automotive detailing business, I am not in the business of making ultra fancy professional quality business cards.",
"I would recommend these to anyone that owns a small business that would benefit from having a business card.",
"With that being said, if you are very specific about wanting a professional quality card the only thing I'd be able to suggest is go to someone in the profession of doing just that.",
"If you're worried about all of the little details it's probably your best bet, but, these sure are nice for someone like me who would just like something to be able to hand out when the opportunity presents itself.",
"Personal Note: I will be trying Avery's \"Glossy\" business cards.",
"I printed a background color on my cards and due to the paper type the ink sort of \"faded\" into the paper.",
"When I mentioned that they weren't the sturdiest card I've ever felt and especially if you are doing a background color where the whole card is colored it shrivels the card just a bit.",
"It didn't bleed through which I am glad.",
"Being in automotive detailing the \"Gloss effect\" is sort of what i'm looking for, a shiny card for a shiny car.",
"I will update my review when I give these cards a try and compare the two so that maybe someone can make a great decision from the start without having to experiment a bit like me.",
"Thanks for reading!"
] |
I was really hesitant to get this game after playing "Battlefront I". However, I got a good recommendation for it and praise that it was far superior to the first. That's pretty much exactly what I wanted to hear. "Battlefront I" is really cool in concept, but it was lacking a ton. Co-op was practically useless, too fast, and virtually no story. It was just boring! Luckily just about all these misgivings I had for "Battlefront I" were fixed in "Battlefront II".
I'm personally more into co-op based games than the online multiplayer scenarios and when it came to purchasing "Battlefront I" I felt like they forgot about the fans that play co-op. Not so with "Battlefront II". My friend and I spent quite a long time playing through this games campaign setting. It was absolutely awesome! Not to mention quite challenging at times. Basically you play as part of an elite squad of Storm Troopers called the 501st. You go with them on their campaigns as the growing empire sends them out to squash dissidents. It starts off around where "Episode III" leaves off and brings you into parts of "The Empire Strikes Back". It's really interesting because you get to see where the empire started to make a decisive stranglehold on the various systems we're all familiar with. My favorite part was being able to participate in the battle at Hoth from "The Empire Strikes Back". Yes! You get to drive an AT-AT, one of my favorite weapons of the Empire! My only disappointment is that I could not fly a Star Destroyer... although I imagine that would be clunky and I would've crashed it into all kinds of things... like planets.
Anyway, the missions are pretty fun to play. They're almost way too chaotic at times though. You have defined goals and points to conquer in each mission area and you have to complete all of them in order to move onto the next mission. So in mission one you could be asked to defend a location and they have a marker there for you to stand next to. When you succeed at that objective you get more orders to complete another task and so on until that particular mission/campaign is completed. In most cases you have a finite number of troops so if you keep dying and have to keep using bodies you will fail the mission. Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty fun. Usually at the start of any new area you're pretty confused until you map it out in your head what you're supposed to do and where you're supposed to go. One mission that was especially confusing was when you play the part in "A New Hope" as Darth Vader's storm troopers board Leia's ship. At the end you're supposed to find Leia, but there's no marker and enemies respawn infinitely, so my friend and I were insanely confused on that level for a little while. It was really fun to play as Darth Vader though. Anyway, aside from intense amounts of chaos it was really fun and the maps you get to explore are huge!
Now judging by my rating you can see there were some things that I didn't like about the game. The chaotic factor in the battles can get to you after a while, but I think that's a pretty realistic feature, so my gripe really isn't with that. The worst part of this was the space battles. Luckily it gives you the option to skip these, but I would have preferred not to, honestly. The space battles are simply the most confusing thing I've ever come across! They're absolutely insane and I found the ships fairly hard to control. I could rarely figure out where I was going half the time. Maybe I just have a natural aversion to flight simulator styled games, but I was very lost on these. For another perspective, my friend who actually does like flying games hated this part of the game too. He also got lost and incredibly confused, so I guess it doesn't work like other games of this nature. Other than that the only things I wish I had access to were more character options and more access to force powers when playing a Jedi. They do give you some options to play as different storm troopers, but I think it would've been cool to have the option to play as various aliens and so forth. Maybe the game was already too big with what little they had so they had to limit it.
Anyway, as you can see this is far superior to "Battlefront I". If you're thinking about getting a Star Wars game like this, definitely get this one. You won't be disappointed and if there are parts of the campaign you don't want to do the game allows you to skip them without it hindering your ability to complete the full campaign sequence. Of course if you skip it you don't get to see the story or cinematic sequences for that level. This is also really fun because you play entirely from the Dark Side! If you really liked that part of Star Wars you'll love this. All hail the Empire!
Overall Rating: 3.3 out of 5 | 1 | neutral | [
"I was really hesitant to get this game after playing \"Battlefront I\".",
"However, I got a good recommendation for it and praise that it was far superior to the first.",
"That's pretty much exactly what I wanted to hear.",
"\"Battlefront I\" is really cool in concept, but it was lacking a ton.",
"Co-op was practically useless, too fast, and virtually no story.",
"It was just boring!",
"Luckily just about all these misgivings I had for \"Battlefront I\" were fixed in \"Battlefront II\".",
"I'm personally more into co-op based games than the online multiplayer scenarios and when it came to purchasing \"Battlefront I\" I felt like they forgot about the fans that play co-op.",
"Not so with \"Battlefront II\".",
"My friend and I spent quite a long time playing through this games campaign setting.",
"It was absolutely awesome!",
"Not to mention quite challenging at times.",
"Basically you play as part of an elite squad of Storm Troopers called the 501st.",
"You go with them on their campaigns as the growing empire sends them out to squash dissidents.",
"It starts off around where \"Episode III\" leaves off and brings you into parts of \"The Empire Strikes Back\".",
"It's really interesting because you get to see where the empire started to make a decisive stranglehold on the various systems we're all familiar with.",
"My favorite part was being able to participate in the battle at Hoth from \"The Empire Strikes Back\".",
"Yes!",
"You get to drive an AT-AT, one of my favorite weapons of the Empire!",
"My only disappointment is that I could not fly a Star Destroyer...",
"although I imagine that would be clunky and I would've crashed it into all kinds of things...",
"like planets.",
"Anyway, the missions are pretty fun to play.",
"They're almost way too chaotic at times though.",
"You have defined goals and points to conquer in each mission area and you have to complete all of them in order to move onto the next mission.",
"So in mission one you could be asked to defend a location and they have a marker there for you to stand next to.",
"When you succeed at that objective you get more orders to complete another task and so on until that particular mission/campaign is completed.",
"In most cases you have a finite number of troops so if you keep dying and have to keep using bodies you will fail the mission.",
"Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty fun.",
"Usually at the start of any new area you're pretty confused until you map it out in your head what you're supposed to do and where you're supposed to go.",
"One mission that was especially confusing was when you play the part in \"A New Hope\" as Darth Vader's storm troopers board Leia's ship.",
"At the end you're supposed to find Leia, but there's no marker and enemies respawn infinitely, so my friend and I were insanely confused on that level for a little while.",
"It was really fun to play as Darth Vader though.",
"Anyway, aside from intense amounts of chaos it was really fun and the maps you get to explore are huge!",
"Now judging by my rating you can see there were some things that I didn't like about the game.",
"The chaotic factor in the battles can get to you after a while, but I think that's a pretty realistic feature, so my gripe really isn't with that.",
"The worst part of this was the space battles.",
"Luckily it gives you the option to skip these, but I would have preferred not to, honestly.",
"The space battles are simply the most confusing thing I've ever come across!",
"They're absolutely insane and I found the ships fairly hard to control.",
"I could rarely figure out where I was going half the time.",
"Maybe I just have a natural aversion to flight simulator styled games, but I was very lost on these.",
"For another perspective, my friend who actually does like flying games hated this part of the game too.",
"He also got lost and incredibly confused, so I guess it doesn't work like other games of this nature.",
"Other than that the only things I wish I had access to were more character options and more access to force powers when playing a Jedi.",
"They do give you some options to play as different storm troopers, but I think it would've been cool to have the option to play as various aliens and so forth.",
"Maybe the game was already too big with what little they had so they had to limit it.",
"Anyway, as you can see this is far superior to \"Battlefront I\".",
"If you're thinking about getting a Star Wars game like this, definitely get this one.",
"You won't be disappointed and if there are parts of the campaign you don't want to do the game allows you to skip them without it hindering your ability to complete the full campaign sequence.",
"Of course if you skip it you don't get to see the story or cinematic sequences for that level.",
"This is also really fun because you play entirely from the Dark Side!",
"If you really liked that part of Star Wars you'll love this.",
"All hail the Empire!",
"Overall Rating: 3.",
"3 out of 5"
] |
The delayed fifth novel in the maligned "A Song of Ice and Fire" saga "A Dance with Dragons" chronologically co-exists within the time period of the fourth book and beyond. The political maneuvering grows convoluted and much of the action occurs between chapters. A couple vague examples are where a fight or escape or other peril will begin at the end of a chapter to provide the clich cliff hanger. On the next character chapter, the fight or escape or peril is over and one reads the aftermath. At least we have a lengthy description of the delicacies and wine at the dinner table though.
The primary individual chapters are Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and Tyrion. Bran, Davos Seaworthy, and Theon Greyjoy compile the minor roles. Jon has probably the best progress in the overall plot, maybe the book should have been titled, "Snowed in with Snow". Daenery dispenses justice over her people while trying to maintain peace, disciplines dragons, meets diplomats, and dreams of sex. Tyrion, as crude and funny as he can be, is the most entertaining in a painfully prolonged journey. Theon's effectively captures his cruel environment, but very disturbing at times. Arya and Bran each have a couple potent chapters. Sansa and Rickon do not appear. As strange as it may sound, I found one of the uniquely fascinating scenes involve Arya's face.
After waiting 6 years for a novel supposedly near finished when "<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/A-Feast-for-Crows/dp/0553801503/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">A Feast for Crows</a>" was published, I'm very disappointed in the end product. Tolkien is the only Tolkien, I will never say otherwise. Martin has his own style with audacity and grittiness, something many appreciated in the first foundation building couple books. The series isn't for everyone, but those writing reviews are the ones who more often than not gave glowing reviews on the initial installments. I am one voice in a world where the author has made it clear many times he does not care what anyone thinks. I wonder if it applies to those who positively placate his ego. Reason I state it that way is because he does himself, his fans, and future fans a great disservice by not heeding any criticism by blinding himself like a nave prince. I think his initial potential is being squandered.
A greater assortment of major and minor characters, from lords to stable boys, requires a more detailed appendix, perhaps a section in alphabetical order. A small dictionary of important words would be valuable. Some portions of the map could have incorporated further detail especially the continents where the story relates.
I recommend this series to any fan of the fantasy genre.
Thank you. | 1 | neutral | [
"The delayed fifth novel in the maligned \"A Song of Ice and Fire\" saga \"A Dance with Dragons\" chronologically co-exists within the time period of the fourth book and beyond.",
"The political maneuvering grows convoluted and much of the action occurs between chapters.",
"A couple vague examples are where a fight or escape or other peril will begin at the end of a chapter to provide the clich cliff hanger.",
"On the next character chapter, the fight or escape or peril is over and one reads the aftermath.",
"At least we have a lengthy description of the delicacies and wine at the dinner table though.",
"The primary individual chapters are Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and Tyrion.",
"Bran, Davos Seaworthy, and Theon Greyjoy compile the minor roles.",
"Jon has probably the best progress in the overall plot, maybe the book should have been titled, \"Snowed in with Snow\".",
"Daenery dispenses justice over her people while trying to maintain peace, disciplines dragons, meets diplomats, and dreams of sex.",
"Tyrion, as crude and funny as he can be, is the most entertaining in a painfully prolonged journey.",
"Theon's effectively captures his cruel environment, but very disturbing at times.",
"Arya and Bran each have a couple potent chapters.",
"Sansa and Rickon do not appear.",
"As strange as it may sound, I found one of the uniquely fascinating scenes involve Arya's face.",
"After waiting 6 years for a novel supposedly near finished when \"<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/A-Feast-for-Crows/dp/0553801503/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">A Feast for Crows</a>\" was published, I'm very disappointed in the end product.",
"Tolkien is the only Tolkien, I will never say otherwise.",
"Martin has his own style with audacity and grittiness, something many appreciated in the first foundation building couple books.",
"The series isn't for everyone, but those writing reviews are the ones who more often than not gave glowing reviews on the initial installments.",
"I am one voice in a world where the author has made it clear many times he does not care what anyone thinks.",
"I wonder if it applies to those who positively placate his ego.",
"Reason I state it that way is because he does himself, his fans, and future fans a great disservice by not heeding any criticism by blinding himself like a nave prince.",
"I think his initial potential is being squandered.",
"A greater assortment of major and minor characters, from lords to stable boys, requires a more detailed appendix, perhaps a section in alphabetical order.",
"A small dictionary of important words would be valuable.",
"Some portions of the map could have incorporated further detail especially the continents where the story relates.",
"I recommend this series to any fan of the fantasy genre.",
"Thank you."
] |
PROS: Great gameplay, awesome new vehicles compared to the prev. gen of UT.
CONS: No one plays it.
FINAL VERDICT: Don't buy unless its less than $15. All you'll get is the single-player.
SUMMARY: Bought this game about a year ago, and gave up on it around then. The real key behind any of the UT series is multiplayer. For whatever reason, no one, and I mean no one seems to play this game. I played through the entire single player campaign and it was great, mind-thrashing fun. Then I fired up the multiplayer. I found tons of servers, but to my dismay, seemingly no players. Don't get me wrong, the servers were all partly full. Of bots. What a disappointment. | 1 | neutral | [
"PROS: Great gameplay, awesome new vehicles compared to the prev.",
"gen of UT.",
"CONS: No one plays it.",
"FINAL VERDICT: Don't buy unless its less than $15.",
"All you'll get is the single-player.",
"SUMMARY: Bought this game about a year ago, and gave up on it around then.",
"The real key behind any of the UT series is multiplayer.",
"For whatever reason, no one, and I mean no one seems to play this game.",
"I played through the entire single player campaign and it was great, mind-thrashing fun.",
"Then I fired up the multiplayer.",
"I found tons of servers, but to my dismay, seemingly no players.",
"Don't get me wrong, the servers were all partly full.",
"Of bots.",
"What a disappointment."
] |
Permanent Waves (1980) was the first CD where Rush seem to be reaching out to a wider audience. It seems designed to sound good on a small AM radio like one that would sit on a dresser or nightstand like a clock radio. It has a tinny (and tiny) high pitched sound and perhaps a 'cold' or 'clean' sound. For me, it's maybe just a little too radio friendly. Permanent Waves also predates, by a few of years, an era where many rock bands would add extra bass to their already heavy sound. Permanent Waves isn't one of my favorite Rush CDs. It's OK they reaching out to a larger audience, they would simply write and perform better on many later CDs.
Spirit of Radio - "bright antenna bristle with the energy" starts off Permanent Waves. Freewill a crunchier song which was also heavily played on AOR radio (album oriented rock), follows. Freewill seems as if it could be in part a reaction to the song Circumstances on their previous album. Rush grow environmentally conscious for Natural Science - "Science like nature, must also be tamed... the most endangered species, the honest man, will still survive annihilation". Some lines on Natural Science I don't understand, "In their own image/Their world is fashioned/No wonder they don't understand". With the ending (and after the 'Tidal Pools' introduction of the song) a bit apocalyptic, "Wave after wave will flow with the tide/And bury the world as it does/Tide after tide will flow and recede/ Leaving life to go on as it was...
At 35 minutes and 35 seconds running time, this is one of their shorter albums (if not the shortest album they've done). I'm not a huge fan of The Spirit of Radio or Freewill. Jacob's Ladder and Natural Science seem like poor versions of previous experimental songs they've done on their previous albums A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres. My favorite song on the CD is Entre Nous. It's difficult for me to listen to these songs objectively; it would be more interesting to see what first-time listeners would think of them.
I have to admit to listening to Xanadu the other day with the window to my apartment open. I couldn't tell the difference between the birds chirping outside and those on the record at the beginning of the song. Obviously, they were the same kind of birds. I wondered if the song might be related to the bird's song somehow. Listening to Natural Science, bird-calls also begin alongside the music to the song. It sounds like some kind of Seagull but I bet it's not. Natural Science is broken up into 3 parts. The Avante Garde 2 minute long introduction 'Tidal Pools'. The frantic 'Hyperspace' from 2:25 to, really, about 5:28, and then the final 'Permanent Waves' from 5:28 to 9:09. Listening, I thought the first two notes of 'Hyperspace' could be the call of a bird or the bird heard at the beginning of the song. While listening, however, it appears the song is so very frantic, it is unlikely it is related to a bird's call. Going outside after listening I could hear birds cawing, it definitely sounded like the notes to the song. I suppose the odds are against this being true, that this is where the song comes from, but it is possible. Critically acclaimed band Mercury Rev have claimed they watch the nature channel on TV while writing their songs (perhaps they were revealing half of the truth in regards to where their songs come from!). What is the line, "Respond, vibrate, feedback, resonate"? Now I have to play music for the birds every day, Jeez. They seem to like Xanadu. What is the line, 'A whole-wide-world, an endless universe, but we keep looking through the eyeglass in reverse'? | 1 | neutral | [
"Permanent Waves (1980) was the first CD where Rush seem to be reaching out to a wider audience.",
"It seems designed to sound good on a small AM radio like one that would sit on a dresser or nightstand like a clock radio.",
"It has a tinny (and tiny) high pitched sound and perhaps a 'cold' or 'clean' sound.",
"For me, it's maybe just a little too radio friendly.",
"Permanent Waves also predates, by a few of years, an era where many rock bands would add extra bass to their already heavy sound.",
"Permanent Waves isn't one of my favorite Rush CDs.",
"It's OK they reaching out to a larger audience, they would simply write and perform better on many later CDs.",
"Spirit of Radio - \"bright antenna bristle with the energy\" starts off Permanent Waves.",
"Freewill a crunchier song which was also heavily played on AOR radio (album oriented rock), follows.",
"Freewill seems as if it could be in part a reaction to the song Circumstances on their previous album.",
"Rush grow environmentally conscious for Natural Science - \"Science like nature, must also be tamed...",
"the most endangered species, the honest man, will still survive annihilation\".",
"Some lines on Natural Science I don't understand, \"In their own image/Their world is fashioned/No wonder they don't understand\".",
"With the ending (and after the 'Tidal Pools' introduction of the song) a bit apocalyptic, \"Wave after wave will flow with the tide/And bury the world as it does/Tide after tide will flow and recede/ Leaving life to go on as it was...",
"At 35 minutes and 35 seconds running time, this is one of their shorter albums (if not the shortest album they've done).",
"I'm not a huge fan of The Spirit of Radio or Freewill.",
"Jacob's Ladder and Natural Science seem like poor versions of previous experimental songs they've done on their previous albums A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres.",
"My favorite song on the CD is Entre Nous.",
"It's difficult for me to listen to these songs objectively; it would be more interesting to see what first-time listeners would think of them.",
"I have to admit to listening to Xanadu the other day with the window to my apartment open.",
"I couldn't tell the difference between the birds chirping outside and those on the record at the beginning of the song.",
"Obviously, they were the same kind of birds.",
"I wondered if the song might be related to the bird's song somehow.",
"Listening to Natural Science, bird-calls also begin alongside the music to the song.",
"It sounds like some kind of Seagull but I bet it's not.",
"Natural Science is broken up into 3 parts.",
"The Avante Garde 2 minute long introduction 'Tidal Pools'.",
"The frantic 'Hyperspace' from 2:25 to, really, about 5:28, and then the final 'Permanent Waves' from 5:28 to 9:09.",
"Listening, I thought the first two notes of 'Hyperspace' could be the call of a bird or the bird heard at the beginning of the song.",
"While listening, however, it appears the song is so very frantic, it is unlikely it is related to a bird's call.",
"Going outside after listening I could hear birds cawing, it definitely sounded like the notes to the song.",
"I suppose the odds are against this being true, that this is where the song comes from, but it is possible.",
"Critically acclaimed band Mercury Rev have claimed they watch the nature channel on TV while writing their songs (perhaps they were revealing half of the truth in regards to where their songs come from!",
").",
"What is the line, \"Respond, vibrate, feedback, resonate\"?",
"Now I have to play music for the birds every day, Jeez.",
"They seem to like Xanadu.",
"What is the line, 'A whole-wide-world, an endless universe, but we keep looking through the eyeglass in reverse'?"
] |
I must say I was expecting Better Quality from DeWalt especially given the price of this hole saw set.
The hole saws in this kit are good quality Bi-Metal saws and cut well in both wood and soft metals. The size of saws in this kit are perfect for electricians with the largest hole size 2 1/2 inches. The case is well made and nicely lays out the hole saws for easy access and organization.
My chief problem with this hole saw kit is the Small Quick Change Mandrel which on the surface looks great but is prone to jamming and sticking making it difficult to remove your hole saw sometimes. This was actually a short term problem because one day the small quick change mandrel rolled off the back end of my van and dropped 30 inches onto the concrete floor of my shop and the quick change mechanism shattered apart when it hit the floor. Springs, ball bearings, several machined metal parts and a retaining clip all went flying across the shop floor. I was able to gather up all the parts but despite several attempts I could not get the Quick Change gear assembly back together leaving the small mandrel un-useable along with two of the hole saws in this kit
I certainly don't expect tools to last forever but I do expect DeWalt branded tools to be able to take a fall of 30 inches and not break and shatter into twenty pieces.
Overall this hole saw kit is good with the exception of the Small Quick Change Mandrel which is poorly designed and as I discovered, not very robust.
I was expecting more from a DeWalt Branded Product | 1 | neutral | [
"I must say I was expecting Better Quality from DeWalt especially given the price of this hole saw set.",
"The hole saws in this kit are good quality Bi-Metal saws and cut well in both wood and soft metals.",
"The size of saws in this kit are perfect for electricians with the largest hole size 2 1/2 inches.",
"The case is well made and nicely lays out the hole saws for easy access and organization.",
"My chief problem with this hole saw kit is the Small Quick Change Mandrel which on the surface looks great but is prone to jamming and sticking making it difficult to remove your hole saw sometimes.",
"This was actually a short term problem because one day the small quick change mandrel rolled off the back end of my van and dropped 30 inches onto the concrete floor of my shop and the quick change mechanism shattered apart when it hit the floor.",
"Springs, ball bearings, several machined metal parts and a retaining clip all went flying across the shop floor.",
"I was able to gather up all the parts but despite several attempts I could not get the Quick Change gear assembly back together leaving the small mandrel un-useable along with two of the hole saws in this kit\n\nI certainly don't expect tools to last forever but I do expect DeWalt branded tools to be able to take a fall of 30 inches and not break and shatter into twenty pieces.",
"Overall this hole saw kit is good with the exception of the Small Quick Change Mandrel which is poorly designed and as I discovered, not very robust.",
"I was expecting more from a DeWalt Branded Product"
] |
UPSIDE: Glamour is a quick read, intriguing, and unique. Great characters, lot of action, myriad of supernatural creatures (I loved the vampire - you have no idea if he's a good guy or bad guy, and you don't find out.)
DOWNSIDE: Incomplete.
The book left me feeling almost cheated. As a standalone, it felt unfinished, but I'm sure if you download the rest in the series, the plot will thicken then leave you feeling satisfied when you read the last page of the last book. However, in my opinion, a book should FEEL complete in and of itself, not depend on subsequent material.
There are other series stories that feel complete, that have a beginning, middle, and an end. You feel like there's closure to each one - the silo stories from Wool, or the Hunger Games, for instance. There's a larger story if you want to read them all, but they feel complete when you finish the last page of each book in the series.
Glamour fails in that. It falls in with the kind of books I unknowingly stumble onto that run the same plot over a handful of books and doesn't feel complete until you get to the end of the series. I hate those. Vehemently.
MORE UPSIDE: It's free.
So go for it - download Glamour and see if it's something you like well enough to continue. Unfortunately, for me, it wasn't strong enough a story to send me racing to download the next book, although I will keep it in the back of my mind if I run out of things to read. After all, I really would like to know what happens with the vampire. | 1 | neutral | [
"UPSIDE: Glamour is a quick read, intriguing, and unique.",
"Great characters, lot of action, myriad of supernatural creatures (I loved the vampire - you have no idea if he's a good guy or bad guy, and you don't find out.",
")\n\nDOWNSIDE: Incomplete.",
"The book left me feeling almost cheated.",
"As a standalone, it felt unfinished, but I'm sure if you download the rest in the series, the plot will thicken then leave you feeling satisfied when you read the last page of the last book.",
"However, in my opinion, a book should FEEL complete in and of itself, not depend on subsequent material.",
"There are other series stories that feel complete, that have a beginning, middle, and an end.",
"You feel like there's closure to each one - the silo stories from Wool, or the Hunger Games, for instance.",
"There's a larger story if you want to read them all, but they feel complete when you finish the last page of each book in the series.",
"Glamour fails in that.",
"It falls in with the kind of books I unknowingly stumble onto that run the same plot over a handful of books and doesn't feel complete until you get to the end of the series.",
"I hate those.",
"Vehemently.",
"MORE UPSIDE: It's free.",
"So go for it - download Glamour and see if it's something you like well enough to continue.",
"Unfortunately, for me, it wasn't strong enough a story to send me racing to download the next book, although I will keep it in the back of my mind if I run out of things to read.",
"After all, I really would like to know what happens with the vampire."
] |
The narrator Veronica Hegarty's brother walks into the sea and she tries to link it to something unspeakable that happened in her grandmother's house some 30 years ago. With such a tasty morsel anchoring the story, there promises to be plenty of scope for an epic family drama, with 12 siblings each boasting various degrees of damage growing up in the Hegarty household and exhibiting them in flawed adult personalities.
However this premise does not quite follow through. Perhaps the problem lay in the fact that Enright chose to tell the story solely through Veronica's perspective, without any room for counter perspectives. It might also have worked if Veronica wasn't such a self-involved sex-obsessed/frustrated whiner who can't resist turning the focus on herself even as she tries to come to terms with her brother's suicide and the secret she thinks she holds which is responsible in some way for his untimely demise, and not just drink as was popularly believed.
Through it all, she shows her worst trying to deal with it, turning nasty to her loving husband and various other family members. One can't help but think of her as that irritating friend who loves an audience to her private drama, who relishes doling out unsavory morsels of her failings, and more importantly, how others' failings inevitably shaped hers. Even though she promises to tell her brother's story, she is more interested in how it affects her, in a case of 'enough about me, let's talk about ME!'
This continues in frustrating fashion so much so that by the time Veronica gets to the point some two-thirds of the novel, no one is particularly shocked or interested anyway, even as she edits and correct her version of what her saw to show how traumatised she is by the event.
Perhaps Enright intended for her protagonist to be unreliable and detestable, in order to drive home the point that family histories are rarely simple and never reliable, and that it is always being rewritten and always changeable.
To Enright's credit, her prose is exacting and she does delve into Veronica's psyche with some precision, and one inevitably walks away from the book feeling moved in some way | 1 | neutral | [
"The narrator Veronica Hegarty's brother walks into the sea and she tries to link it to something unspeakable that happened in her grandmother's house some 30 years ago.",
"With such a tasty morsel anchoring the story, there promises to be plenty of scope for an epic family drama, with 12 siblings each boasting various degrees of damage growing up in the Hegarty household and exhibiting them in flawed adult personalities.",
"However this premise does not quite follow through.",
"Perhaps the problem lay in the fact that Enright chose to tell the story solely through Veronica's perspective, without any room for counter perspectives.",
"It might also have worked if Veronica wasn't such a self-involved sex-obsessed/frustrated whiner who can't resist turning the focus on herself even as she tries to come to terms with her brother's suicide and the secret she thinks she holds which is responsible in some way for his untimely demise, and not just drink as was popularly believed.",
"Through it all, she shows her worst trying to deal with it, turning nasty to her loving husband and various other family members.",
"One can't help but think of her as that irritating friend who loves an audience to her private drama, who relishes doling out unsavory morsels of her failings, and more importantly, how others' failings inevitably shaped hers.",
"Even though she promises to tell her brother's story, she is more interested in how it affects her, in a case of 'enough about me, let's talk about ME!",
"'\n\nThis continues in frustrating fashion so much so that by the time Veronica gets to the point some two-thirds of the novel, no one is particularly shocked or interested anyway, even as she edits and correct her version of what her saw to show how traumatised she is by the event.",
"Perhaps Enright intended for her protagonist to be unreliable and detestable, in order to drive home the point that family histories are rarely simple and never reliable, and that it is always being rewritten and always changeable.",
"To Enright's credit, her prose is exacting and she does delve into Veronica's psyche with some precision, and one inevitably walks away from the book feeling moved in some way"
] |
This was a first for me. I've always been more of a foam mat or just the ground kind of camper, but age is creeping up on me. My back dislikes any sleeping scenario that isn't my own bed. I thought I'd give this a go to try and alleviate some of the post camping pain I've become familiar with.
This appears to be very well built and quite durable. In contrast to other mattresses my friends were using, I didn't have to re-air this up every day. The second night it needed just a couple more lungs-full.
The sleep on it was another matter. There was no centering it. It seemed to want to rock side to side. I'd made sure the ground was level and free of rocks and sticks prior to tent setup. It was firm enough, but just wouldn't hold still.
I ended up sleeping with my body from my ribs up on it and the rest of me on the floor of the tent.
If you're body isn't revolting against you like mine is, you might find this comfortable. For the price, you can't help but try it out. Had it not rocked back and forth, it kept me well above the hard ground. | 1 | neutral | [
"This was a first for me.",
"I've always been more of a foam mat or just the ground kind of camper, but age is creeping up on me.",
"My back dislikes any sleeping scenario that isn't my own bed.",
"I thought I'd give this a go to try and alleviate some of the post camping pain I've become familiar with.",
"This appears to be very well built and quite durable.",
"In contrast to other mattresses my friends were using, I didn't have to re-air this up every day.",
"The second night it needed just a couple more lungs-full.",
"The sleep on it was another matter.",
"There was no centering it.",
"It seemed to want to rock side to side.",
"I'd made sure the ground was level and free of rocks and sticks prior to tent setup.",
"It was firm enough, but just wouldn't hold still.",
"I ended up sleeping with my body from my ribs up on it and the rest of me on the floor of the tent.",
"If you're body isn't revolting against you like mine is, you might find this comfortable.",
"For the price, you can't help but try it out.",
"Had it not rocked back and forth, it kept me well above the hard ground."
] |
Metroid Prime is a huge achievement, justifiably praised. It's beautiful to look at, and for those who like a great Sci-Fi environment (lovingly rendered in almost photographic-quality), as well as having a taste for First-person-shooters (FPSes) you'll have a great time.
With that said, I am in a total minority here, but I just didn't love this game. I wanted too -- I couldn't wait to play! But I'm also definitely an adventure gamer, and not a FPS gamer at heart, so maybe that's why (for those of you screaming, "It's really an adventure game" I have to disagree -- I've played Halo, and this is definitely an FPS, although with a few adventure/scenery touches here and there).
But it's a gorgeous game and certainly worthwhile to many seeking a great game -- so, just in case it helps, here's my list of pros and cons to help those of you on the fence:
THE GOOD:
* The Heroine and Story -- It's intricate, cool, and intelligently presented -- and with a kick-butt heroine in Samus. There's a haunting quality to the atmosphere of this game -- you really get a sense of entering another world. And the story -- which you glean bit by bit, by scanning your environment, prepares you for a heroic destiny.
* The Beautiful Visuals -- This game is gorgeous to look at, and it's obvious that the makers created every aspect with a lot of care. Look up and watch the raindrops plop onto Samus's visor. Or run through a room of steam and watch the inside of your facemask bead up realistically. Each plant and animal is lovingly rendered, and each world -- from desert ruins to lush jungles, ghostly underwater environments, lava pits, and ice caps, is lovingly and gorgeously presented.
* Gameplay and environment -- There's a massive world to explore here, and much fun to be had. And learning to use Samus's many tools is surprisingly seamless (although it does get complex by the end). It's rich, fascinating, and really intelligent -- easily a game spanning dozens of hours for all but the fastest gamers (especially if you go after every additional module or weapon enhancement).
OK, now, THE BAD:
* The endless freaking RETRACING -- The world in Metroid Prime is beautiful, thank goodness, because you will be looking at it over and over again, as you retrace your steps to go back and forth for this or that item, task, or save station.
* The Save Station Format -- The spaces between save stations -- especially as the game progresses and the stakes go up -- seem to increase. They are often really hard to find, and located only after hours (yes, hours) of really tough fights, enemies, bosses, mini-bosses, you name it. I actually spent HOURS trying to get to the next save station in the Phazon Mines, and the game nearly had me throwing things after my seventh failed attempt to reach the next save station (I kept dying right before the door after over an hour of tough fighting, thanks to the diabolical invisible robot sentry on top of zillions of tough enemies).
* The constantly respawning enemies -- I can't tell you how tired I got of walking out of a room, walking back in, and having to face the same stupid enemies I just defeated all over again. Worse yet, as the game progresses, and you defeat more bosses, those same bosses also "respawn" in all those old areas you've already been to, so that you are constantly refighting enemies you already beat (and they get tougher and tougher and tougher). While others posting here say it's "just a few rooms," that's not really accurate -- the respawning applies to almost all rooms, with the exception of a few minor cubbyholes or corridors.
This took a lot of fun out of the game for me, felt repetitive, frustrating, and mean-spirited, and frankly just seemed like a transparent way for the game creators to add some mileage and playing-time to the game. I hated this. (And wait til you meet those annoying Chozo Ghosts -- who pop up over, and over, and over, and over again in rooms you must revisit -- sigh.)
* The controls -- they're superb, but also pretty complex (and in the heat of battle, finding, "oh, shoot, I swiveled the controller left-for-the-heat_weapon-when-I-meant-to-go-right-for-my-wave-weapon--!" etc can get pretty tiresome. By the end of the game, you'll use every single stick or button on your controller. In some battles, you're so busy switching visors, and switching beam types, while also trying to strafe, jump and look up (in an unusually clunky aspect of the gameplay, Samus cannot simply "look up" even at a towering enemy, so this also means that locking onto these enemies is sometimes a real challenge as well).
* The increasingly difficult boss battles -- At first, I really enjoyed the bosses in Metroid Prime, because they were hard but not impossible -- they took smarts as well as just mashing the old A button, really refreshing. But just after the halfway point, they begin to get so difficult they aren't fun. It took me an entire day to beat Thardus, the boulder-boss, for instance -- an incredibly frustrating boss to beat.
Also -- another major point of annoyance for me here is that so many of the bigger boss battles are essentially the same: Hit the creature/pirate etc with some specialized weapon, or wearing some specialized visor to that level, then do it over and over and over and over again. The boss loses a "piece" of armor, of rock, or of health -- and then you do it all over again. And again. With the boss getting quicker or nastier or tougher all the while. Until the boss is dead. I'm sorry, but this got really old with me. (I got all the way near the end of the game a few days ago, to the Omega Pirate Boss, before I quit after half a dozen attempts and very little forward success. I just wasn't having fun anymore. And because of the nature of the game, naturally if I ever go back to try to finish, I'll have to replay that whole final section all over again.)
My hope here isn't so much that people listen to my gripes, but that maybe they'll help you figure out if you'll enjoy the game or not. If you are more of an adventure gamer than a combat player, someone who enjoys story, character interaction, with less emphasis on battles, you might try renting Metroid Prime to see if it clicks.
But if you like the FPS viewpoint, lots of smart nimble battling, with the occasional stop for breath in a beautiful if rather lonely universe, then this game is definitely for you. | 1 | neutral | [
"Metroid Prime is a huge achievement, justifiably praised.",
"It's beautiful to look at, and for those who like a great Sci-Fi environment (lovingly rendered in almost photographic-quality), as well as having a taste for First-person-shooters (FPSes) you'll have a great time.",
"With that said, I am in a total minority here, but I just didn't love this game.",
"I wanted too -- I couldn't wait to play!",
"But I'm also definitely an adventure gamer, and not a FPS gamer at heart, so maybe that's why (for those of you screaming, \"It's really an adventure game\" I have to disagree -- I've played Halo, and this is definitely an FPS, although with a few adventure/scenery touches here and there).",
"But it's a gorgeous game and certainly worthwhile to many seeking a great game -- so, just in case it helps, here's my list of pros and cons to help those of you on the fence:\n\nTHE GOOD:\n\n* The Heroine and Story -- It's intricate, cool, and intelligently presented -- and with a kick-butt heroine in Samus.",
"There's a haunting quality to the atmosphere of this game -- you really get a sense of entering another world.",
"And the story -- which you glean bit by bit, by scanning your environment, prepares you for a heroic destiny.",
"* The Beautiful Visuals -- This game is gorgeous to look at, and it's obvious that the makers created every aspect with a lot of care.",
"Look up and watch the raindrops plop onto Samus's visor.",
"Or run through a room of steam and watch the inside of your facemask bead up realistically.",
"Each plant and animal is lovingly rendered, and each world -- from desert ruins to lush jungles, ghostly underwater environments, lava pits, and ice caps, is lovingly and gorgeously presented.",
"* Gameplay and environment -- There's a massive world to explore here, and much fun to be had.",
"And learning to use Samus's many tools is surprisingly seamless (although it does get complex by the end).",
"It's rich, fascinating, and really intelligent -- easily a game spanning dozens of hours for all but the fastest gamers (especially if you go after every additional module or weapon enhancement).",
"OK, now, THE BAD:\n\n* The endless freaking RETRACING -- The world in Metroid Prime is beautiful, thank goodness, because you will be looking at it over and over again, as you retrace your steps to go back and forth for this or that item, task, or save station.",
"* The Save Station Format -- The spaces between save stations -- especially as the game progresses and the stakes go up -- seem to increase.",
"They are often really hard to find, and located only after hours (yes, hours) of really tough fights, enemies, bosses, mini-bosses, you name it.",
"I actually spent HOURS trying to get to the next save station in the Phazon Mines, and the game nearly had me throwing things after my seventh failed attempt to reach the next save station (I kept dying right before the door after over an hour of tough fighting, thanks to the diabolical invisible robot sentry on top of zillions of tough enemies).",
"* The constantly respawning enemies -- I can't tell you how tired I got of walking out of a room, walking back in, and having to face the same stupid enemies I just defeated all over again.",
"Worse yet, as the game progresses, and you defeat more bosses, those same bosses also \"respawn\" in all those old areas you've already been to, so that you are constantly refighting enemies you already beat (and they get tougher and tougher and tougher).",
"While others posting here say it's \"just a few rooms,\" that's not really accurate -- the respawning applies to almost all rooms, with the exception of a few minor cubbyholes or corridors.",
"This took a lot of fun out of the game for me, felt repetitive, frustrating, and mean-spirited, and frankly just seemed like a transparent way for the game creators to add some mileage and playing-time to the game.",
"I hated this.",
"(And wait til you meet those annoying Chozo Ghosts -- who pop up over, and over, and over, and over again in rooms you must revisit -- sigh.",
")\n\n* The controls -- they're superb, but also pretty complex (and in the heat of battle, finding, \"oh, shoot, I swiveled the controller left-for-the-heat_weapon-when-I-meant-to-go-right-for-my-wave-weapon--!",
"\" etc can get pretty tiresome.",
"By the end of the game, you'll use every single stick or button on your controller.",
"In some battles, you're so busy switching visors, and switching beam types, while also trying to strafe, jump and look up (in an unusually clunky aspect of the gameplay, Samus cannot simply \"look up\" even at a towering enemy, so this also means that locking onto these enemies is sometimes a real challenge as well).",
"* The increasingly difficult boss battles -- At first, I really enjoyed the bosses in Metroid Prime, because they were hard but not impossible -- they took smarts as well as just mashing the old A button, really refreshing.",
"But just after the halfway point, they begin to get so difficult they aren't fun.",
"It took me an entire day to beat Thardus, the boulder-boss, for instance -- an incredibly frustrating boss to beat.",
"Also -- another major point of annoyance for me here is that so many of the bigger boss battles are essentially the same: Hit the creature/pirate etc with some specialized weapon, or wearing some specialized visor to that level, then do it over and over and over and over again.",
"The boss loses a \"piece\" of armor, of rock, or of health -- and then you do it all over again.",
"And again.",
"With the boss getting quicker or nastier or tougher all the while.",
"Until the boss is dead.",
"I'm sorry, but this got really old with me.",
"(I got all the way near the end of the game a few days ago, to the Omega Pirate Boss, before I quit after half a dozen attempts and very little forward success.",
"I just wasn't having fun anymore.",
"And because of the nature of the game, naturally if I ever go back to try to finish, I'll have to replay that whole final section all over again.",
")\n\nMy hope here isn't so much that people listen to my gripes, but that maybe they'll help you figure out if you'll enjoy the game or not.",
"If you are more of an adventure gamer than a combat player, someone who enjoys story, character interaction, with less emphasis on battles, you might try renting Metroid Prime to see if it clicks.",
"But if you like the FPS viewpoint, lots of smart nimble battling, with the occasional stop for breath in a beautiful if rather lonely universe, then this game is definitely for you."
] |
The puzzle itself is absolutely beautiful. I am planning to mount it for display along with a reference from Revelation to the horses and their meaning. The construction of the puzzle is frustrating. There are four basic pieces (aside from the outer frame) and they all lay in the exact same orientation throughout the puzzle. While there are some slight variances to each of the four basic pieces, many of them are very similar. This would not be a problem if not for the large black area in the middle-left of the puzzle. By the time I got to the black section I found it very difficult to complete construction. In fact, when I got down to the last 100 pieces that construction time was the greatest and the most frustrating. I got to the point at the end that I just wanted it done; not because I wanted to enjoy the completion of the puzzle or to admire it's beauty, only because I was 'DONE' with it. I do not like the way the pieces were cut and I think this type of cutting (utilizing four basic pieces oriented the same throughout the puzzle) is a terrible way to cut a puzzle. If this is the way this company cuts their puzzles, I will not be purchasing any more of them. I thoroughly enjoy working on puzzles, but not like this. | 1 | neutral | [
"The puzzle itself is absolutely beautiful.",
"I am planning to mount it for display along with a reference from Revelation to the horses and their meaning.",
"The construction of the puzzle is frustrating.",
"There are four basic pieces (aside from the outer frame) and they all lay in the exact same orientation throughout the puzzle.",
"While there are some slight variances to each of the four basic pieces, many of them are very similar.",
"This would not be a problem if not for the large black area in the middle-left of the puzzle.",
"By the time I got to the black section I found it very difficult to complete construction.",
"In fact, when I got down to the last 100 pieces that construction time was the greatest and the most frustrating.",
"I got to the point at the end that I just wanted it done; not because I wanted to enjoy the completion of the puzzle or to admire it's beauty, only because I was 'DONE' with it.",
"I do not like the way the pieces were cut and I think this type of cutting (utilizing four basic pieces oriented the same throughout the puzzle) is a terrible way to cut a puzzle.",
"If this is the way this company cuts their puzzles, I will not be purchasing any more of them.",
"I thoroughly enjoy working on puzzles, but not like this."
] |
I wanted more details. Is Bran going to continue to be a mushroom in a hole in the ground??? And did he try to contact Jon Snow through the crow? What in the world has happened to Rickon??? Did Sansa get married, again?? Is she giving up her heritage?? What happened when Breanne was hanged? Why isn't she dead? Where did she lead Jamie and why? Did the others that hung with her die?? How many people will come back to life? Is there a possibility that Lady Lisa will come back to life just as her sister Catelyn did?? And how could Ramsay Snow Bolton be requesting the return of his "wife", if he killed Stannis, that is where his wife and Reek went to?? Why did Theon become Reek? And why didn't he spill his guts about not killing off the Stark boys while he was being tortured? What happened to Samwell? What happens to Arya? And is all the vulgar language really needed? A story can be indepth and well crafted without all the cursing, that is a choice. Too many unanswered questions for me. Is Mr. Martin going to drag this out into 100 books? | 1 | neutral | [
"I wanted more details.",
"Is Bran going to continue to be a mushroom in a hole in the ground???",
"And did he try to contact Jon Snow through the crow?",
"What in the world has happened to Rickon???",
"Did Sansa get married, again??",
"Is she giving up her heritage??",
"What happened when Breanne was hanged?",
"Why isn't she dead?",
"Where did she lead Jamie and why?",
"Did the others that hung with her die??",
"How many people will come back to life?",
"Is there a possibility that Lady Lisa will come back to life just as her sister Catelyn did??",
"And how could Ramsay Snow Bolton be requesting the return of his \"wife\", if he killed Stannis, that is where his wife and Reek went to??",
"Why did Theon become Reek?",
"And why didn't he spill his guts about not killing off the Stark boys while he was being tortured?",
"What happened to Samwell?",
"What happens to Arya?",
"And is all the vulgar language really needed?",
"A story can be indepth and well crafted without all the cursing, that is a choice.",
"Too many unanswered questions for me.",
"Is Mr.",
"Martin going to drag this out into 100 books?"
] |
Great environments and boss fights. The boss fights are sorta typical of adventure games, it's a combination of both action and puzzle. What makes this game different is that the boss fights usually involve finding ways to climb large moving creatures and staying on them. All there is is 16 boss fights, and when you're not fighting them, then you're traveling around the environments searching for them. It's fun and innovative gameplay for the most part.
The down sides of the game (to me) are the graphics and narrative. Despite cool scenery the graphics themselves are kinda blurry. The biggest problem is the narrative. What's an adventure game without a cool plot? There's no voice acting and the story clips are only at the beginning and end, the actual story leaves a lot for the imagination. The game is always compared to ICO, I never played ICO but I'm guessing it's also something like a silent movie. That's the feeling Shadow of the Colossus gave me and it's probably the style the developer goes for. | 1 | neutral | [
"Great environments and boss fights.",
"The boss fights are sorta typical of adventure games, it's a combination of both action and puzzle.",
"What makes this game different is that the boss fights usually involve finding ways to climb large moving creatures and staying on them.",
"All there is is 16 boss fights, and when you're not fighting them, then you're traveling around the environments searching for them.",
"It's fun and innovative gameplay for the most part.",
"The down sides of the game (to me) are the graphics and narrative.",
"Despite cool scenery the graphics themselves are kinda blurry.",
"The biggest problem is the narrative.",
"What's an adventure game without a cool plot?",
"There's no voice acting and the story clips are only at the beginning and end, the actual story leaves a lot for the imagination.",
"The game is always compared to ICO, I never played ICO but I'm guessing it's also something like a silent movie.",
"That's the feeling Shadow of the Colossus gave me and it's probably the style the developer goes for."
] |
pros:
* the whole "fight-zombies-in-a-mall" concept is awesome as a gameplay venue. you can use a variety of items as weapons in the mall, from parasols, to excavators, to meat cleavers.
* you can mix various drinks together to get a wide-range of effects on your character, from speed boosts to damage increases.
* your character gains combat skills, health increases, inventory increases, and other improvements by accumulating "prestige points" (experience points in the classic rpg sense).
* you can save your character's level progression from playthrough to playthrough, as well.
* it's enough of an open world to let you run around and hack away at zombies with a katana for three game days, so it does have that going for it.
cons:
* even though the xbox 360 can run just fine on a standard definition tv using composite cables, YOU CAN'T VIEW THE GAME'S TEXT ON A STANDARD DEF TV. the geniuses at capcom even admitted as much, saying the game was optimized for high-def displays. since the game is heavily text-based, this is more than a hindrance...it's an absurdity wrapped around a slap in the face.
* too bad capcom totally ruined the whole game experience with poor game design and odd, uneven, and unbalanced, choices. you'll need that level progression between playthroughs, because the enemy ai is frustratingly hard and fast on most missions. dead rising's combat mechanics are spotty, its aiming mechanics alone making me take a point or two off. why can i move and aim with the camera, but i can't move at all when aiming with a pistol or aiming to throw something? why does the main character move like a gazelle when running and jumping at level 50, but when he aims he aims just as slowly and clunky, like an old rusty tank turret, as he did at level 1?
* for such an open-world type game, the story is incredibly linear, punishing you when you deviate from it in the slightest, forcing you to play through poorly controlled combat or "timed mission" sequences.
* the save system stifles experimentation, because there's only one save slot. if you want multiple saves, you better have some memory cards to swap in and out. further, the save system sometimes forces you to do several boss battles or tightly timed tasks in a row before getting any chance to save, all the while giving you an instant save opportunity for simply viewing a cut-scene.
* the pathing ai for escorting survivors is stupid, as survivors get stuck on walls or even the most trivial of objects in their way.
* the whole "time sensitive" aspect of everything is uneven and unbalanced as well. why should my chances to solve the mystery completely disappear when i'm in the middle of fighting a psychopath on day one just because time ran out for that fight?
* and simply put, backtracking sucks, and has no place in modern games.
* oh and finally, the transceiver frank has should be flushed down a toilet. not letting players turn that annoyance off is one of the bigger frustrations of the game. having otis call you on that thing, while you're running away from a psychopath, is annoying. being berated by him because you cut him off as you tried to fire your pistol at said psychopath, adds nothing but frustration.
dead rising really makes me wonder about capcom's "game sense" at times. "frustration" does not equal "tension", or "frightening", not one bit. a golden opportunity wasted by poor game design and controls. | 1 | neutral | [
"pros:\n\n* the whole \"fight-zombies-in-a-mall\" concept is awesome as a gameplay venue.",
"you can use a variety of items as weapons in the mall, from parasols, to excavators, to meat cleavers.",
"* you can mix various drinks together to get a wide-range of effects on your character, from speed boosts to damage increases.",
"* your character gains combat skills, health increases, inventory increases, and other improvements by accumulating \"prestige points\" (experience points in the classic rpg sense).",
"* you can save your character's level progression from playthrough to playthrough, as well.",
"* it's enough of an open world to let you run around and hack away at zombies with a katana for three game days, so it does have that going for it.",
"cons:\n\n* even though the xbox 360 can run just fine on a standard definition tv using composite cables, YOU CAN'T VIEW THE GAME'S TEXT ON A STANDARD DEF TV.",
"the geniuses at capcom even admitted as much, saying the game was optimized for high-def displays.",
"since the game is heavily text-based, this is more than a hindrance...",
"it's an absurdity wrapped around a slap in the face.",
"* too bad capcom totally ruined the whole game experience with poor game design and odd, uneven, and unbalanced, choices.",
"you'll need that level progression between playthroughs, because the enemy ai is frustratingly hard and fast on most missions.",
"dead rising's combat mechanics are spotty, its aiming mechanics alone making me take a point or two off.",
"why can i move and aim with the camera, but i can't move at all when aiming with a pistol or aiming to throw something?",
"why does the main character move like a gazelle when running and jumping at level 50, but when he aims he aims just as slowly and clunky, like an old rusty tank turret, as he did at level 1?",
"* for such an open-world type game, the story is incredibly linear, punishing you when you deviate from it in the slightest, forcing you to play through poorly controlled combat or \"timed mission\" sequences.",
"* the save system stifles experimentation, because there's only one save slot.",
"if you want multiple saves, you better have some memory cards to swap in and out.",
"further, the save system sometimes forces you to do several boss battles or tightly timed tasks in a row before getting any chance to save, all the while giving you an instant save opportunity for simply viewing a cut-scene.",
"* the pathing ai for escorting survivors is stupid, as survivors get stuck on walls or even the most trivial of objects in their way.",
"* the whole \"time sensitive\" aspect of everything is uneven and unbalanced as well.",
"why should my chances to solve the mystery completely disappear when i'm in the middle of fighting a psychopath on day one just because time ran out for that fight?",
"* and simply put, backtracking sucks, and has no place in modern games.",
"* oh and finally, the transceiver frank has should be flushed down a toilet.",
"not letting players turn that annoyance off is one of the bigger frustrations of the game.",
"having otis call you on that thing, while you're running away from a psychopath, is annoying.",
"being berated by him because you cut him off as you tried to fire your pistol at said psychopath, adds nothing but frustration.",
"dead rising really makes me wonder about capcom's \"game sense\" at times.",
"\"frustration\" does not equal \"tension\", or \"frightening\", not one bit.",
"a golden opportunity wasted by poor game design and controls."
] |
I had problems with 4 out of the 6 penlights. I was able to get all but one working by bending the clip around. The last one is just plain dead. The way these work is that you press in on the clip, which completes the circuit from the clip to a metal contact on the barrel of the penlight. So, that is why I had to bend the clip around a little bit. The dead one, I don't know, it is not obviously defective. The ones that work don't work that great. The light flickers and fades depending on how much force you use on the clip.
These should be considered as disposable and not for use in critical applications. I'm going to spread my little collection around the house and shop, just to keep around, but I'm going to buy something better for my first aid kit. These just don't work well enough. | 1 | neutral | [
"I had problems with 4 out of the 6 penlights.",
"I was able to get all but one working by bending the clip around.",
"The last one is just plain dead.",
"The way these work is that you press in on the clip, which completes the circuit from the clip to a metal contact on the barrel of the penlight.",
"So, that is why I had to bend the clip around a little bit.",
"The dead one, I don't know, it is not obviously defective.",
"The ones that work don't work that great.",
"The light flickers and fades depending on how much force you use on the clip.",
"These should be considered as disposable and not for use in critical applications.",
"I'm going to spread my little collection around the house and shop, just to keep around, but I'm going to buy something better for my first aid kit.",
"These just don't work well enough."
] |
UPDATE: This was damaged so I returned it. 3 stars is justified since it made it through Sandisk quality control. Be careful as there was a sticker on the package that said you only have 15 days to return(frys). I could have got another one, but just look at the prices for a 32GB it's 20-25 meaning this should be half of what it sells for. Wait 6 months and get it then!
I'm using android 2.3.4 with cynogen mod rooted. I copied my 32gb sd card to my pc, then tranfered all the files to this one then put it in the phone, "card is damaged or unsupported file system", even after formatting it on my phone it detects an error on it. I've tried a few of the various FAT32 formatters online, none makes a difference. Windows 7 will not format fat32 in drives bigger than 32GB unless you use the command prompt which I did and it still didn't work it says "too big for FAT32" AFTER it finishes formatting, a 2 hour process. After formatting it on my phone it will not connect to my PC and it still says it's damaged or unsupported file system. Guess I'll be taking this back to the store, if anyone here has some fix let me know. | 1 | neutral | [
"UPDATE: This was damaged so I returned it.",
"3 stars is justified since it made it through Sandisk quality control.",
"Be careful as there was a sticker on the package that said you only have 15 days to return(frys).",
"I could have got another one, but just look at the prices for a 32GB it's 20-25 meaning this should be half of what it sells for.",
"Wait 6 months and get it then!",
"I'm using android 2.",
"3.4 with cynogen mod rooted.",
"I copied my 32gb sd card to my pc, then tranfered all the files to this one then put it in the phone, \"card is damaged or unsupported file system\", even after formatting it on my phone it detects an error on it.",
"I've tried a few of the various FAT32 formatters online, none makes a difference.",
"Windows 7 will not format fat32 in drives bigger than 32GB unless you use the command prompt which I did and it still didn't work it says \"too big for FAT32\" AFTER it finishes formatting, a 2 hour process.",
"After formatting it on my phone it will not connect to my PC and it still says it's damaged or unsupported file system.",
"Guess I'll be taking this back to the store, if anyone here has some fix let me know."
] |
This is the 4th or 5th pair I've owned of the MDR V150's. I like them because they always had a flat but clear sound that helps when doing mixes for projects. If not these than its a set of [...] dollar headphones and after going through 2 sets of those these at 20 bucks a pop is what I go with.
The first thing I can say is that yes these head phones are tight but really so is any head set you get. It's like a baseball glove you have to work it in. I usually just leave mine over my computers tower so it can stretch out and feel good. Once you get them to where they are comfortable they feel great. I wear these headphones about 40-50 hours a week and I mean it's important that they are comfortable.
With all that aside I just wanted to get into the fact that I think Sony changed the mechanics of these phones up. The new pair I have doesn't sound nearly as good as my old pair of the same model I purchased maybe 1-2 years ago. These sound very very very flat to the point that they just aren't as attractive to listen to.
Flat is good but these are too flat if that makes any sense. They truly are "studio Monitors" and I think a lot of people don't understand that. They just think they are normal headphones but they are supposed to sound flat. I can however clearly hear the difference between my new set and my old set and I prefer the older batch of them better. These actually sound cheap now.
For twenty bucks It's hard to say if these are still worth it knowing they are not as good as the older ones. We'll see though.
Update: 1/28/2011
After breaking the set in they fit perfect now but what I want to bring to attention is that these new models are extremely base heavy. I mean they will hurt your ears. I constantly have to adjust the sound setting when using my computer. There's no way these are the same as the ones sold 2 years ago. They sound low quality flat and the bass is ear drum booming. Not a good combo.
Update: 3/28/2011
The set I based this review off of BROKE! the headphone jack snapped right out. These definitely are not the same as the ones before. They were much stronger. Luckily I went to a major retailer and asked if they had any more of these in stock. 10 minutes later the guy comes back from the stock room with 5 "dusty" headphone sets. YUP! he found old inventory of the MDR-V150's Big difference. They sound better than the newer MDRV150's and they fit better. The only difference to tell them apart is the packaging. So hopefully if you find a set it's the older version. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is the 4th or 5th pair I've owned of the MDR V150's.",
"I like them because they always had a flat but clear sound that helps when doing mixes for projects.",
"If not these than its a set of [...",
"] dollar headphones and after going through 2 sets of those these at 20 bucks a pop is what I go with.",
"The first thing I can say is that yes these head phones are tight but really so is any head set you get.",
"It's like a baseball glove you have to work it in.",
"I usually just leave mine over my computers tower so it can stretch out and feel good.",
"Once you get them to where they are comfortable they feel great.",
"I wear these headphones about 40-50 hours a week and I mean it's important that they are comfortable.",
"With all that aside I just wanted to get into the fact that I think Sony changed the mechanics of these phones up.",
"The new pair I have doesn't sound nearly as good as my old pair of the same model I purchased maybe 1-2 years ago.",
"These sound very very very flat to the point that they just aren't as attractive to listen to.",
"Flat is good but these are too flat if that makes any sense.",
"They truly are \"studio Monitors\" and I think a lot of people don't understand that.",
"They just think they are normal headphones but they are supposed to sound flat.",
"I can however clearly hear the difference between my new set and my old set and I prefer the older batch of them better.",
"These actually sound cheap now.",
"For twenty bucks It's hard to say if these are still worth it knowing they are not as good as the older ones.",
"We'll see though.",
"Update: 1/28/2011\n\nAfter breaking the set in they fit perfect now but what I want to bring to attention is that these new models are extremely base heavy.",
"I mean they will hurt your ears.",
"I constantly have to adjust the sound setting when using my computer.",
"There's no way these are the same as the ones sold 2 years ago.",
"They sound low quality flat and the bass is ear drum booming.",
"Not a good combo.",
"Update: 3/28/2011\n\nThe set I based this review off of BROKE!",
"the headphone jack snapped right out.",
"These definitely are not the same as the ones before.",
"They were much stronger.",
"Luckily I went to a major retailer and asked if they had any more of these in stock.",
"10 minutes later the guy comes back from the stock room with 5 \"dusty\" headphone sets.",
"YUP!",
"he found old inventory of the MDR-V150's Big difference.",
"They sound better than the newer MDRV150's and they fit better.",
"The only difference to tell them apart is the packaging.",
"So hopefully if you find a set it's the older version."
] |
The story of this movie was stupid and ridiculous.
But I watched the whole thing, and I enjoyed it.
I really cared about Daniel - - I think that a movie is good if I care about the characters - - Daniel was a likable character.
I was very curious as to how the movie would end and what would happen to Daniel.
I laughed - - and it takes a lot to make me laugh.
I enjoyed this movie because it kept me entertained and it was just a relaxing watch,
without having to think or figure anything out or pay attention at all - - it was just a movie to sit back and enjoy.
At the end, I was not left wondering about anything - - I have watched too many movies that left me with annoying questions and an uncertain hanging ending.
At the end, I felt exactly the same as I did at the beginning - - it did not touch me, it did not make me feel good or bad - - it was just over.
I think that most people wonder about what happens to us when we die, and this was an interesting idea.
This movie was very careful not to focus on any religion - - There is no mention of any God, only "The Universe."
There was no praying or repenting.
The only thing that you seemed to be judged against was living in fear and not being brave.
There was nothing about how good a person you were, how you treated others, how your life mattered or made a difference, etc.
Heaven is very briefly mentioned, and we are told that Hell does not exist.
We are told that you either "move on" which is not really explained, or you go back to Earth as a reincarnation - - there is even an interesting scene where the people get a glimpse of a few of their past lives.
So, the people have their lives judged, but there is no punishment or consequence - - either you go to Heaven or you get reincarnated.
There was no mention of Karma, about what kind of a life you would get reincarnated into based on your life.... in other words, this movie was very light and did not try to teach any lessons.
I thought that it was interesting that the people could eat unlimited food, but there was no alcohol at all, and not even a cigarette.
This movie needed more depth.
There were no scenes about Daniel's marriage - - how he fell in love or how his marriage broke up - - we never even know his wife's name.
There were no emotional scenes about Daniel's life - - nothing to make me cry or understand his character.
There was no mention of anyone important to Daniel in his life or of anyone that he would miss.
This movie needed some scenes from Daniel's life that would be really deep and touching or exciting or interesting, but there was nothing at all.
In other words, this movie felt like a cheap knock-off of "A Christmas Carol," but without anything for us to get to know and understand Scrooge/Daniel.
The ending didn't make sense.
It was very clear that Julia would "move on," and yet, she was on one of the trains going back to Earth.
Were we supposed to believe that Julia and Daniel would be reincarnated together, perhaps as twins?
I would recommend this movie if you just want to be entertained and not concentrate on the plot.
It isn't a thriller or a horror movie. Nothing scary or disgusting happens. There is no suspense at all.
It isn't a drama. There is nothing deep or emotional and you certainly won't cry.
I would call this movie a very light comedy. You may not laugh, but you will probably smile a few times.
If you want to enjoy this movie, then just watch it and do not "judge" it. | 1 | neutral | [
"The story of this movie was stupid and ridiculous.",
"But I watched the whole thing, and I enjoyed it.",
"I really cared about Daniel - - I think that a movie is good if I care about the characters - - Daniel was a likable character.",
"I was very curious as to how the movie would end and what would happen to Daniel.",
"I laughed - - and it takes a lot to make me laugh.",
"I enjoyed this movie because it kept me entertained and it was just a relaxing watch,\nwithout having to think or figure anything out or pay attention at all - - it was just a movie to sit back and enjoy.",
"At the end, I was not left wondering about anything - - I have watched too many movies that left me with annoying questions and an uncertain hanging ending.",
"At the end, I felt exactly the same as I did at the beginning - - it did not touch me, it did not make me feel good or bad - - it was just over.",
"I think that most people wonder about what happens to us when we die, and this was an interesting idea.",
"This movie was very careful not to focus on any religion - - There is no mention of any God, only \"The Universe.",
"\"\nThere was no praying or repenting.",
"The only thing that you seemed to be judged against was living in fear and not being brave.",
"There was nothing about how good a person you were, how you treated others, how your life mattered or made a difference, etc.",
"Heaven is very briefly mentioned, and we are told that Hell does not exist.",
"We are told that you either \"move on\" which is not really explained, or you go back to Earth as a reincarnation - - there is even an interesting scene where the people get a glimpse of a few of their past lives.",
"So, the people have their lives judged, but there is no punishment or consequence - - either you go to Heaven or you get reincarnated.",
"There was no mention of Karma, about what kind of a life you would get reincarnated into based on your life....",
"in other words, this movie was very light and did not try to teach any lessons.",
"I thought that it was interesting that the people could eat unlimited food, but there was no alcohol at all, and not even a cigarette.",
"This movie needed more depth.",
"There were no scenes about Daniel's marriage - - how he fell in love or how his marriage broke up - - we never even know his wife's name.",
"There were no emotional scenes about Daniel's life - - nothing to make me cry or understand his character.",
"There was no mention of anyone important to Daniel in his life or of anyone that he would miss.",
"This movie needed some scenes from Daniel's life that would be really deep and touching or exciting or interesting, but there was nothing at all.",
"In other words, this movie felt like a cheap knock-off of \"A Christmas Carol,\" but without anything for us to get to know and understand Scrooge/Daniel.",
"The ending didn't make sense.",
"It was very clear that Julia would \"move on,\" and yet, she was on one of the trains going back to Earth.",
"Were we supposed to believe that Julia and Daniel would be reincarnated together, perhaps as twins?",
"I would recommend this movie if you just want to be entertained and not concentrate on the plot.",
"It isn't a thriller or a horror movie.",
"Nothing scary or disgusting happens.",
"There is no suspense at all.",
"It isn't a drama.",
"There is nothing deep or emotional and you certainly won't cry.",
"I would call this movie a very light comedy.",
"You may not laugh, but you will probably smile a few times.",
"If you want to enjoy this movie, then just watch it and do not \"judge\" it."
] |
This is a box of 20 cards depicting clothing items. The English word is bolded and then the name of the item is written in 16 additional languages. There is a symbol key they you need to refer to; the languages are only specified by symbol on the cards. For some languages there is a pronounciation aid but not all.
This is an expensive set for 20 cards. They are not laminated so won't have much longevity. Our in-office day care has a few native Thai speaking children. The Thai language offerings have no pronounciation help. That means the teacher really has no use for these cards unless she/he speaks Thai.
The photos are clear and I like that they show clothes on a clothesline. That is how most of the world dries their clothing so it is culturally appropriate. Disappointed in the lack of pronunciation help for all the languages; it makes these less useful than they intended, | 1 | neutral | [
"This is a box of 20 cards depicting clothing items.",
"The English word is bolded and then the name of the item is written in 16 additional languages.",
"There is a symbol key they you need to refer to; the languages are only specified by symbol on the cards.",
"For some languages there is a pronounciation aid but not all.",
"This is an expensive set for 20 cards.",
"They are not laminated so won't have much longevity.",
"Our in-office day care has a few native Thai speaking children.",
"The Thai language offerings have no pronounciation help.",
"That means the teacher really has no use for these cards unless she/he speaks Thai.",
"The photos are clear and I like that they show clothes on a clothesline.",
"That is how most of the world dries their clothing so it is culturally appropriate.",
"Disappointed in the lack of pronunciation help for all the languages; it makes these less useful than they intended,"
] |
I'm not saying this is necessarily bad, I'm just saying this is an awkward CD. I like the punk music they did on this CD, because it's real stuff. When I told my mom that Smashmouth's first CD was Parental, she said "But they always sing about happy things." Not here! They sing about getting thrown out of their apartment, getting dumped and thrashed afterwards, living on the streets, and more. I like the song Heave Ho the most because it's probably the longest song on the CD, and has the most feeling. Why I call this CD awkward is because it follows a weird pattern: Every first track is punk, every second track is mellow rock. I go from Heave Ho, very hard punk music, to The Fonz, soft rock about wanting to be Fonzie, and then to Pet Names, more fast punk. Another thing that makes this CD unusual is its short length. The entire CD is only 37 minutes, strangely short. I've seen 12 track CD's with lengths of 67 minutes(Korn s/t). I was a little disappointed with this, but I still like it, because it's their true self, music before they went pop because this CD didn't get much attention, so they decided to sell out to make money. I say this is the good Smashmouth, the one that should have gotten the attention. It's a good buy. | 1 | neutral | [
"I'm not saying this is necessarily bad, I'm just saying this is an awkward CD.",
"I like the punk music they did on this CD, because it's real stuff.",
"When I told my mom that Smashmouth's first CD was Parental, she said \"But they always sing about happy things.",
"\" Not here!",
"They sing about getting thrown out of their apartment, getting dumped and thrashed afterwards, living on the streets, and more.",
"I like the song Heave Ho the most because it's probably the longest song on the CD, and has the most feeling.",
"Why I call this CD awkward is because it follows a weird pattern: Every first track is punk, every second track is mellow rock.",
"I go from Heave Ho, very hard punk music, to The Fonz, soft rock about wanting to be Fonzie, and then to Pet Names, more fast punk.",
"Another thing that makes this CD unusual is its short length.",
"The entire CD is only 37 minutes, strangely short.",
"I've seen 12 track CD's with lengths of 67 minutes(Korn s/t).",
"I was a little disappointed with this, but I still like it, because it's their true self, music before they went pop because this CD didn't get much attention, so they decided to sell out to make money.",
"I say this is the good Smashmouth, the one that should have gotten the attention.",
"It's a good buy."
] |
why does genetically almost perfect mean no laughs, eh? no one looked like they were having ANY fun, no way the future is gonna elim chuckle time, what about babies??? loved the gas station and the batman sounding cars, the 3 stories of steps Jude has to climb in a highly sophisticated architecturally futuristic, hmnmm sadistic apartment, those undetectable HUGE contact lenses, but nary a skin flake to evade exposure, and what is with the TWENTY MIN treadmill on level ZERO and VINCENT dying in the locker room BUT swimming 6miles with bro in tow for 3 is a no brainer... and why would you need TWELVE fingers to excel at piano, and well, the list is quite long and distinguised. I did not understand why they have the capability to extend ur height but the back injury, IMPOSSIBLE!! yikes, luved Jude as per usual in any form, but burn baby burn vs good drugs...nonsense! and what about that propulsion technology, they could only head to Titan every SEVENTY years, which translates to 1960's fuel restrictions, ack, didn't this bug anyone? whole premise of film is based on murder of NASA budget slasher type, sooooo.... anyhow, 3 stars for that bedroom wallpaper in Uma's room, soooo kewl, very creative, and am a sad gusher for Ethan's dreamy eyes... lotsa potential here, gackatha | 1 | neutral | [
"why does genetically almost perfect mean no laughs, eh?",
"no one looked like they were having ANY fun, no way the future is gonna elim chuckle time, what about babies???",
"loved the gas station and the batman sounding cars, the 3 stories of steps Jude has to climb in a highly sophisticated architecturally futuristic, hmnmm sadistic apartment, those undetectable HUGE contact lenses, but nary a skin flake to evade exposure, and what is with the TWENTY MIN treadmill on level ZERO and VINCENT dying in the locker room BUT swimming 6miles with bro in tow for 3 is a no brainer...",
"and why would you need TWELVE fingers to excel at piano, and well, the list is quite long and distinguised.",
"I did not understand why they have the capability to extend ur height but the back injury, IMPOSSIBLE!!",
"yikes, luved Jude as per usual in any form, but burn baby burn vs good drugs...",
"nonsense!",
"and what about that propulsion technology, they could only head to Titan every SEVENTY years, which translates to 1960's fuel restrictions, ack, didn't this bug anyone?",
"whole premise of film is based on murder of NASA budget slasher type, sooooo....",
"anyhow, 3 stars for that bedroom wallpaper in Uma's room, soooo kewl, very creative, and am a sad gusher for Ethan's dreamy eyes...",
"lotsa potential here, gackatha"
] |
I am a guitar player who travels a lot, and I was looking for something to take with me when I travel frequently to record ideas and to practice. I wanted portability, ease of use, and decent sounding guitar tones.
First, the cons. This Micro BR is very confusing to operate and not at all intuitive. This is the biggest complaint that I have about this product. You will spend way too long wasting your time reading the manual and figuring out how to use it, only to later forget how to perform a particular function. If you are a guitar player, I think you find the clean tones to sound very good and the distorted tones to sound very cheesy.
As far as the pros to this unit, I think the main advantage is its size. If you MUST have something this small to record ideas and want to have basic multi-track functions, and don't mind spending a long time learning how to use it, then you will probably be satisfied with it.
Otherwise, save your money and time and save up for something better! | 1 | neutral | [
"I am a guitar player who travels a lot, and I was looking for something to take with me when I travel frequently to record ideas and to practice.",
"I wanted portability, ease of use, and decent sounding guitar tones.",
"First, the cons.",
"This Micro BR is very confusing to operate and not at all intuitive.",
"This is the biggest complaint that I have about this product.",
"You will spend way too long wasting your time reading the manual and figuring out how to use it, only to later forget how to perform a particular function.",
"If you are a guitar player, I think you find the clean tones to sound very good and the distorted tones to sound very cheesy.",
"As far as the pros to this unit, I think the main advantage is its size.",
"If you MUST have something this small to record ideas and want to have basic multi-track functions, and don't mind spending a long time learning how to use it, then you will probably be satisfied with it.",
"Otherwise, save your money and time and save up for something better!"
] |
Like many other readers I really wanted to like this book but found it tough going. There was so much historical, nautical language that I was constantly using my kindle dictionary which was very distracting. Incidentally many of the words used were not listed in the dictionary either! This became very tedious after a while and for this reason alone I would recommend the film, which I thoroughly enjoyed, rather than the book. There was no great storyline, other than attacking every ship they encountered and I felt the crew of the Sophie were portrayed more like pirates than men of war. I too had trouble with the continuity, one moment Jack was on land, the next , in his cabin with no explanation of how he got there. I was constantly going back to see if I'd missed something. It also ended a bit suddenly though I must admit it was
a relief! On the plus side I believe it is historically very accurate and O'Brian is obviously very talented to be able to write a book in the 20th Century that could have been written two hundred years ago due to his use of language from that era and historical accuracy. Sadly, that wasn't enough to hold my attention and I'm not sure I would want to tackle another book from this series. | 1 | neutral | [
"Like many other readers I really wanted to like this book but found it tough going.",
"There was so much historical, nautical language that I was constantly using my kindle dictionary which was very distracting.",
"Incidentally many of the words used were not listed in the dictionary either!",
"This became very tedious after a while and for this reason alone I would recommend the film, which I thoroughly enjoyed, rather than the book.",
"There was no great storyline, other than attacking every ship they encountered and I felt the crew of the Sophie were portrayed more like pirates than men of war.",
"I too had trouble with the continuity, one moment Jack was on land, the next , in his cabin with no explanation of how he got there.",
"I was constantly going back to see if I'd missed something.",
"It also ended a bit suddenly though I must admit it was\na relief!",
"On the plus side I believe it is historically very accurate and O'Brian is obviously very talented to be able to write a book in the 20th Century that could have been written two hundred years ago due to his use of language from that era and historical accuracy.",
"Sadly, that wasn't enough to hold my attention and I'm not sure I would want to tackle another book from this series."
] |
First off I just want to say that after all the hype of this movie, I was dissapointed. I think it is a good movie but it did not live up to my expectations or the hype. I do wish that I had rented it before I bought it, but oh well. There is one scene that I liked and that was the scene with The Black Night and he gets all his limbs cut off. I did have to force myself to laugh at this scene and some others, so it wasn't that good. My advice is if you haven't seen it, and you want to see it, see if you can rent it first. If you like it then, by all means buy it. I didn't even like the extras that much except for the English subtitles. I have to have them on when I watch a DVD because the sound is sorta low on my DVD player even if I have the TV sound halfway up to the maximum. I doubt if I watch this anymore for awhile. The most questionable point about this whole thing is at the end and the police officer puts his hand on the screen and it stops. I was very confused about that part and I had to select that scene and watch it again before I understood that that was how it was supposed to end. Boy I tell you what, the British putting the credits at the beginning really mess you up. All in all this is a good movie, but PLEASEEEE rent it before you waste [money] on it. | 1 | neutral | [
"First off I just want to say that after all the hype of this movie, I was dissapointed.",
"I think it is a good movie but it did not live up to my expectations or the hype.",
"I do wish that I had rented it before I bought it, but oh well.",
"There is one scene that I liked and that was the scene with The Black Night and he gets all his limbs cut off.",
"I did have to force myself to laugh at this scene and some others, so it wasn't that good.",
"My advice is if you haven't seen it, and you want to see it, see if you can rent it first.",
"If you like it then, by all means buy it.",
"I didn't even like the extras that much except for the English subtitles.",
"I have to have them on when I watch a DVD because the sound is sorta low on my DVD player even if I have the TV sound halfway up to the maximum.",
"I doubt if I watch this anymore for awhile.",
"The most questionable point about this whole thing is at the end and the police officer puts his hand on the screen and it stops.",
"I was very confused about that part and I had to select that scene and watch it again before I understood that that was how it was supposed to end.",
"Boy I tell you what, the British putting the credits at the beginning really mess you up.",
"All in all this is a good movie, but PLEASEEEE rent it before you waste [money] on it."
] |
I like to snack on popcorn at work, mid-morning or so. You can eat a lot of popcorn without worrying about too many calories. (I lost 45 pounds last year counting calories and find that I need to continue counting to maintain my weight.) I am one of those people who seems to do better if I am constantly eating, and popcorn also counts as a whole grain.
Anyway, I've been trying the various microwave popcorn products that aren't loaded with "butter," and this one, while generally high quality, is kind of irritating. If you look at the nutrition information, although there are 112 calories per serving, there are 2.8 servings per bag. Not even a round number. So it is kind of difficult to measure out a precise amount unless you bring your food scale to work (or wherever you happen to be) or use a measuring cup (the food scale being more accurate in this instance). Plus, even then, if you only want one serving, you still have to pop the whole bag and the rest is left. You can give the rest away or just trash it. I find myself guesstimating that I've eaten half the bag, or about 1.4 servings.
Anyway, this is not the best product for portion control. As far as microwave popcorn goes, it is pretty average. If you are looking for great flavor and don't care about calories, go with the Quinn popcorn. If you are worried about counting calories, there are products from Act II, Jolly Time, and Pop Secret available here, where the entire bag is one serving. This is organic, so if that is important to you, it could still be worth your while to purchase.
Flavor-wise, this is OK. I guess because the butter is "light," it is not the most flavorful stuff in the world. Sodium in one serving is not so bad, but do keep in mind what I said about serving and portion size earlier. If you eat the whole bag, you're getting like 300 calories and close to 500 mg of sodium, which is quite a lot. It doesn't taste all that salty, or at least the salt flavor isn't overwhelming.
I do like other Newman's Own brand products, but I can take or leave this one. I have a whole case to get through (I've finished 3 boxes so far but thrown about half of each bag out for portion control reasons) but I probably won't buy it again. I don't hate it, but am looking for something where I don't have to do algebra to calculate calories. (You can see the full nutrition facts panel and ingredients list if you zoom in on the product images. Avoid if you have dairy or soy allergies or are vegan, FYI.) | 1 | neutral | [
"I like to snack on popcorn at work, mid-morning or so.",
"You can eat a lot of popcorn without worrying about too many calories.",
"(I lost 45 pounds last year counting calories and find that I need to continue counting to maintain my weight.",
") I am one of those people who seems to do better if I am constantly eating, and popcorn also counts as a whole grain.",
"Anyway, I've been trying the various microwave popcorn products that aren't loaded with \"butter,\" and this one, while generally high quality, is kind of irritating.",
"If you look at the nutrition information, although there are 112 calories per serving, there are 2.",
"8 servings per bag.",
"Not even a round number.",
"So it is kind of difficult to measure out a precise amount unless you bring your food scale to work (or wherever you happen to be) or use a measuring cup (the food scale being more accurate in this instance).",
"Plus, even then, if you only want one serving, you still have to pop the whole bag and the rest is left.",
"You can give the rest away or just trash it.",
"I find myself guesstimating that I've eaten half the bag, or about 1.",
"4 servings.",
"Anyway, this is not the best product for portion control.",
"As far as microwave popcorn goes, it is pretty average.",
"If you are looking for great flavor and don't care about calories, go with the Quinn popcorn.",
"If you are worried about counting calories, there are products from Act II, Jolly Time, and Pop Secret available here, where the entire bag is one serving.",
"This is organic, so if that is important to you, it could still be worth your while to purchase.",
"Flavor-wise, this is OK.",
"I guess because the butter is \"light,\" it is not the most flavorful stuff in the world.",
"Sodium in one serving is not so bad, but do keep in mind what I said about serving and portion size earlier.",
"If you eat the whole bag, you're getting like 300 calories and close to 500 mg of sodium, which is quite a lot.",
"It doesn't taste all that salty, or at least the salt flavor isn't overwhelming.",
"I do like other Newman's Own brand products, but I can take or leave this one.",
"I have a whole case to get through (I've finished 3 boxes so far but thrown about half of each bag out for portion control reasons) but I probably won't buy it again.",
"I don't hate it, but am looking for something where I don't have to do algebra to calculate calories.",
"(You can see the full nutrition facts panel and ingredients list if you zoom in on the product images.",
"Avoid if you have dairy or soy allergies or are vegan, FYI.",
")"
] |
As an upgrade to the Visor Deluxe it is obviously the same thing but faster. Noticeably faster than any other Palm device out there, but not really amazing. You will probably only see a big difference in computationally-intensive applications, or those with large databases, like Kanji Hanabi. The speed is the best thing about this product.
The worst thing about this product is the platinum case. Instead of the translucent plastic of the Deluxe model it is a painted gray plastic, and when that paint wears off (and it will) this thing is going to look like a cheap toy that's ready for the trash. The battery compartment cover doesn't fit properly - it rattles. I expect more in a... device.
The clip-on cover is still a problem. Whereas the Palm III series cover flips back on a hinge, leaving a hand free for the stylus, the Handspring cover comes off. You can turn the unit over and clip it on the back, or put it down somewhere, but you have to do something with it before you can write. A clumsy design.
The big thing with Visor is of course Springboard modules. I can forgive the cover for the ability to plug in GPS, Modem, MP3, software, extra memory or even a digital camera or a phone. Palm has nothing to rival this, and now a year after launch some really useful Springboards are appearing, although some are ridiculously priced -... for a 64M MP3 module!
Apart from that... the device is very light (I was surprised to open the shipping container and find it inside, it felt far too light to contain a Visor) and includes batteries, cradle, software CD, brief guide and a few product pamphlets. The feel of the screen is not as smooth or pleasant as that of my Palm IIIe but I expect it will get better with use.
The included software installed and performed a hotsync on my Windows 2000 USB/Office 2000 system without a single problem. USB hotsync is FAST.
Unfortunately Handspring politely declined to help when I asked if I could get a set of translucent plastic for my Platinum. It would be best to see one of these before buying, or be prepared to return it if unhappy. It REALLY feels cheap and nasty.
This will be an excellent travelling email/authoring package with the Targus folding keyboard, RhinoSkin Ti slider case and CardAccess Thinmodem - unless I decide Ihate this plastic so much that I return it for a Visor Deluxe instead. | 1 | neutral | [
"As an upgrade to the Visor Deluxe it is obviously the same thing but faster.",
"Noticeably faster than any other Palm device out there, but not really amazing.",
"You will probably only see a big difference in computationally-intensive applications, or those with large databases, like Kanji Hanabi.",
"The speed is the best thing about this product.",
"The worst thing about this product is the platinum case.",
"Instead of the translucent plastic of the Deluxe model it is a painted gray plastic, and when that paint wears off (and it will) this thing is going to look like a cheap toy that's ready for the trash.",
"The battery compartment cover doesn't fit properly - it rattles.",
"I expect more in a...",
"device.",
"The clip-on cover is still a problem.",
"Whereas the Palm III series cover flips back on a hinge, leaving a hand free for the stylus, the Handspring cover comes off.",
"You can turn the unit over and clip it on the back, or put it down somewhere, but you have to do something with it before you can write.",
"A clumsy design.",
"The big thing with Visor is of course Springboard modules.",
"I can forgive the cover for the ability to plug in GPS, Modem, MP3, software, extra memory or even a digital camera or a phone.",
"Palm has nothing to rival this, and now a year after launch some really useful Springboards are appearing, although some are ridiculously priced -...",
"for a 64M MP3 module!",
"Apart from that...",
"the device is very light (I was surprised to open the shipping container and find it inside, it felt far too light to contain a Visor) and includes batteries, cradle, software CD, brief guide and a few product pamphlets.",
"The feel of the screen is not as smooth or pleasant as that of my Palm IIIe but I expect it will get better with use.",
"The included software installed and performed a hotsync on my Windows 2000 USB/Office 2000 system without a single problem.",
"USB hotsync is FAST.",
"Unfortunately Handspring politely declined to help when I asked if I could get a set of translucent plastic for my Platinum.",
"It would be best to see one of these before buying, or be prepared to return it if unhappy.",
"It REALLY feels cheap and nasty.",
"This will be an excellent travelling email/authoring package with the Targus folding keyboard, RhinoSkin Ti slider case and CardAccess Thinmodem - unless I decide Ihate this plastic so much that I return it for a Visor Deluxe instead."
] |
This was a very quick and annoying read. Wait, let me explain. The writing itself was good. The story line great. The character, Charlie, is absolutely annoying. He is one of those socially awkward people who don't know when to shut up and keep talking about the same thing over and over and over and over you get the point. Even though Charlie is annoying its only a 15 page read so you don't have to commit to him that long.
Some of the reviews I read on Amazon contributed the annoying part as overkill on the authors part but if you have never truly known anyone like this than you just couldn't understand. I strongly believe that you shouldn't hate the author or give a bad review just because you do not like the character. I thought Vincent did a wonderful job on capturing this type of character in Charlie. I laughed a lot at Charlie's social issues and failure to pick up on clues that people just didn't want to talk to him.
The ending was interesting and the entire tale reminded me a lot like the Twilight Zone series from the 60s or Goosebumps from the 90s but with a modern twist. You don't realize it until the end and that may just be me because I am not used to these kinds of reads but it makes you stop to process what just happened. I love that!
Like I said this was a quick and entertaining read, you will get annoyed by Charlie but that makes it just so much more fun to read. I recommend this to anyone who likes short stories and were entertained by the twilight series. After all its a free book! | 1 | neutral | [
"This was a very quick and annoying read.",
"Wait, let me explain.",
"The writing itself was good.",
"The story line great.",
"The character, Charlie, is absolutely annoying.",
"He is one of those socially awkward people who don't know when to shut up and keep talking about the same thing over and over and over and over you get the point.",
"Even though Charlie is annoying its only a 15 page read so you don't have to commit to him that long.",
"Some of the reviews I read on Amazon contributed the annoying part as overkill on the authors part but if you have never truly known anyone like this than you just couldn't understand.",
"I strongly believe that you shouldn't hate the author or give a bad review just because you do not like the character.",
"I thought Vincent did a wonderful job on capturing this type of character in Charlie.",
"I laughed a lot at Charlie's social issues and failure to pick up on clues that people just didn't want to talk to him.",
"The ending was interesting and the entire tale reminded me a lot like the Twilight Zone series from the 60s or Goosebumps from the 90s but with a modern twist.",
"You don't realize it until the end and that may just be me because I am not used to these kinds of reads but it makes you stop to process what just happened.",
"I love that!",
"Like I said this was a quick and entertaining read, you will get annoyed by Charlie but that makes it just so much more fun to read.",
"I recommend this to anyone who likes short stories and were entertained by the twilight series.",
"After all its a free book!"
] |
I find this vacuum cumbersome when switching from floor mode to handheld. To use the wand for drapes, walls or sofas, you have to physically detach the tubing from the base of the vacuum, then connect it to your desired attachments. This sounds simple enough, but slows things down considerably, which discourages me from wanting to do it, which in turn, means I'm not doing as thorough a cleaning job. Additionally, it's not that easy to get the hose reconnected to the vacuum when finished with handheld mode. The whole thing is just plain awkward. I much prefer my Dirt Devil, which has an easy to remove wand that enables me to clean and go a lot faster.
The vacuum actually arrived broken; nothing serious, the cord storage tab broke, so I have no good way to wrap up the power cord when not in use. The vacuum seemed to be well packaged, and I'm hard pressed to see how that specific part broke in transit, but it happened somehow.
The vacuum is a little heavy, and doesn't transition well from hardwood to carpet, even when using the height adjustment dial. It also almost jams up entirely when vacuuming my plush bath mats; the sort of thing that will likely burn something out over time if not careful.
Bottom line, if I paid cash for this thing, I'd be sending it back for a refund. I'm just not impressed and will likely stick with my old Dirt Devil. | 1 | neutral | [
"I find this vacuum cumbersome when switching from floor mode to handheld.",
"To use the wand for drapes, walls or sofas, you have to physically detach the tubing from the base of the vacuum, then connect it to your desired attachments.",
"This sounds simple enough, but slows things down considerably, which discourages me from wanting to do it, which in turn, means I'm not doing as thorough a cleaning job.",
"Additionally, it's not that easy to get the hose reconnected to the vacuum when finished with handheld mode.",
"The whole thing is just plain awkward.",
"I much prefer my Dirt Devil, which has an easy to remove wand that enables me to clean and go a lot faster.",
"The vacuum actually arrived broken; nothing serious, the cord storage tab broke, so I have no good way to wrap up the power cord when not in use.",
"The vacuum seemed to be well packaged, and I'm hard pressed to see how that specific part broke in transit, but it happened somehow.",
"The vacuum is a little heavy, and doesn't transition well from hardwood to carpet, even when using the height adjustment dial.",
"It also almost jams up entirely when vacuuming my plush bath mats; the sort of thing that will likely burn something out over time if not careful.",
"Bottom line, if I paid cash for this thing, I'd be sending it back for a refund.",
"I'm just not impressed and will likely stick with my old Dirt Devil."
] |
...but way overpriced in my opinion. Jet 709207 28-Inch to 43-Inch Tall Roller Stand with 13-Inch Roller, sold by amazon, is $18 and some change and it's shipped free. It weighs the same as the Crawford, same height, same extention reach (sans one-half inch on each end). It even has the same clamp handle.
That being said, a workstand like this is like an extra set of hands. I use mine for all my shop machines. folds flatter than a pancake. I used a permanent marker to mark the height to set it on each machine. All I have to do is extend or lower it to the appropriate line mark and wha-la. It is also a safety factor when using a table saw. | 1 | neutral | [
"...",
"but way overpriced in my opinion.",
"Jet 709207 28-Inch to 43-Inch Tall Roller Stand with 13-Inch Roller, sold by amazon, is $18 and some change and it's shipped free.",
"It weighs the same as the Crawford, same height, same extention reach (sans one-half inch on each end).",
"It even has the same clamp handle.",
"That being said, a workstand like this is like an extra set of hands.",
"I use mine for all my shop machines.",
"folds flatter than a pancake.",
"I used a permanent marker to mark the height to set it on each machine.",
"All I have to do is extend or lower it to the appropriate line mark and wha-la.",
"It is also a safety factor when using a table saw."
] |
This is definitely a fun platformer and a good first attempt at the genre by Naughty Dog.
Graphics (8/10) - The environments look very lush and colorful. From what I've seen, the game has none of the typical warping PS1 games are known for. It still holds up well today.
Sound (6/10) - Mostly average tunes here. Nothing I'd demand to put on my iPod, but it gets the job done and fits the game well.
Gameplay (8/10) - The game controls well even though you have to use the D-pad, since the analog support didn't exist when the game came out. The game itself is a challenging, fast-paced platformer that moves fairly linearly. It's a lot of fun.
Overall (7/10) - This is a solid game by Naughty Dog, and a great start to an awesome series. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is definitely a fun platformer and a good first attempt at the genre by Naughty Dog.",
"Graphics (8/10) - The environments look very lush and colorful.",
"From what I've seen, the game has none of the typical warping PS1 games are known for.",
"It still holds up well today.",
"Sound (6/10) - Mostly average tunes here.",
"Nothing I'd demand to put on my iPod, but it gets the job done and fits the game well.",
"Gameplay (8/10) - The game controls well even though you have to use the D-pad, since the analog support didn't exist when the game came out.",
"The game itself is a challenging, fast-paced platformer that moves fairly linearly.",
"It's a lot of fun.",
"Overall (7/10) - This is a solid game by Naughty Dog, and a great start to an awesome series."
] |
R. Kelly is a master of taking a completely juvenile, sexual song title like "I Like the Crotch on You" and flipping it with his smooth voice into some kind of bizarre love song. "12 Play," his first album without the assistance of Public Announcement, proves that he could hold his own rolling solo. And while it isn't as polished or as popular as his later hit-making LPs, it's a solid release nonetheless.
The album kicks off with the smooth-groovin' "Your Body's Callin'." From there it's on the hit single "Bump-N-Grind," the hip-hop-inflected "Homie Lover Friend," and the first of many slow, sticky ballads, "It Seems Like You're Ready."
The back half of the album has most of the better songs. Tracks like the flossy "Summer Bunnies" and the uptempo "Back to the Hood of Things" are perfect for riding around on a hot summer's day, watchin' honeys. Also, "Sex Me, Pts. I & II" succeeds, despite the fact that it's one song followed IMMEDIATELY by a remix of the exact same song. That was kind of a bone-headed move on the part of the producer, but it works, nonetheless.
However, the pinnacle of the album comes in the form of a complete departure from the rest of the album. "Sadie," an ode to Kelly's mother, is a beautiful mid-tempo ballad that makes you forget that he spent the rest of the album trying to get in your woman's panties.
All in all, the sound of this album is a little dated. It's definitely early '90s R&B with some hip-hop thrown in for effect. But it was a step towards defining the R&B giant that would soon be R. "I Wish I Could Fly" Kelly. | 1 | neutral | [
"R.",
"Kelly is a master of taking a completely juvenile, sexual song title like \"I Like the Crotch on You\" and flipping it with his smooth voice into some kind of bizarre love song.",
"\"12 Play,\" his first album without the assistance of Public Announcement, proves that he could hold his own rolling solo.",
"And while it isn't as polished or as popular as his later hit-making LPs, it's a solid release nonetheless.",
"The album kicks off with the smooth-groovin' \"Your Body's Callin'.",
"\" From there it's on the hit single \"Bump-N-Grind,\" the hip-hop-inflected \"Homie Lover Friend,\" and the first of many slow, sticky ballads, \"It Seems Like You're Ready.",
"\"\nThe back half of the album has most of the better songs.",
"Tracks like the flossy \"Summer Bunnies\" and the uptempo \"Back to the Hood of Things\" are perfect for riding around on a hot summer's day, watchin' honeys.",
"Also, \"Sex Me, Pts.",
"I & II\" succeeds, despite the fact that it's one song followed IMMEDIATELY by a remix of the exact same song.",
"That was kind of a bone-headed move on the part of the producer, but it works, nonetheless.",
"However, the pinnacle of the album comes in the form of a complete departure from the rest of the album.",
"\"Sadie,\" an ode to Kelly's mother, is a beautiful mid-tempo ballad that makes you forget that he spent the rest of the album trying to get in your woman's panties.",
"All in all, the sound of this album is a little dated.",
"It's definitely early '90s R&B with some hip-hop thrown in for effect.",
"But it was a step towards defining the R&B giant that would soon be R.",
"\"I Wish I Could Fly\" Kelly."
] |
The Bosch hole saws last as long or wear out as quickly as those from any other company. One of our workers bought one of these kits based on the Bosch reputation. Bosch makes the best concrete drilling tools but for wood and OSB and other tough building materials the bi-metal are a very poor choice and death to cordless drill batteries.
The case is not the worst but not as well done as the Milwaukee cases. There is an extra compartment for extra drill bits which is helpful and better than having them rattling around in the case. It is not as strong as the cases for the Milwaukee and Blue Boar kits we have and not likely to survive a fall on concrete.
The kit is also limited on the largest size hole saw that it will hold. If you want a larger hole saw or want to add a couple sizes of carbide grit or diamond hole saws there is no space.
For the DIY homeowner wanting to have a variety of sizes at minimal cost and where the number of holes needed is very small and the 3-5 minutes to get the cut plug out is not a problem, this kit is worth considering. It costs about 50 cents to manufacture a bi-metal hole saw and they all use high speed steel so no benefits to buying any well made bi-metal hole saw, only to avoid the poorly made ones with a large weld seam on the side.
Personally I would instead buy a quality TCT large teeth hole cutter set and add one or two bi-metal for metal and carbide grit for wall tile on an as needed basis.
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Blue-Boar-Master-Combo-Kit-11-Sizes-MEGA-Nail-Tough-Deep-Cutting-Tungsten-Carbide-Hole-Saws-Cut-10x-Faster-3x-Larger-40x-more-holes-using-cordless-drills-Ideal-for-wood-MDF-Particle-board-Hardie-board-Deep-slots-for-fast-plug-removal/dp/B0088IF4O8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Blue Boar Master Combo Kit-11 Sizes MEGA Nail Tough Deep Cutting Tungsten Carbide Hole Saws. Cut 10x Faster, 3x Larger, 40x more holes using cordless drills. Ideal for wood, MDF, Particle board, Hardie board. Deep slots for fast plug removal</a> | 1 | neutral | [
"The Bosch hole saws last as long or wear out as quickly as those from any other company.",
"One of our workers bought one of these kits based on the Bosch reputation.",
"Bosch makes the best concrete drilling tools but for wood and OSB and other tough building materials the bi-metal are a very poor choice and death to cordless drill batteries.",
"The case is not the worst but not as well done as the Milwaukee cases.",
"There is an extra compartment for extra drill bits which is helpful and better than having them rattling around in the case.",
"It is not as strong as the cases for the Milwaukee and Blue Boar kits we have and not likely to survive a fall on concrete.",
"The kit is also limited on the largest size hole saw that it will hold.",
"If you want a larger hole saw or want to add a couple sizes of carbide grit or diamond hole saws there is no space.",
"For the DIY homeowner wanting to have a variety of sizes at minimal cost and where the number of holes needed is very small and the 3-5 minutes to get the cut plug out is not a problem, this kit is worth considering.",
"It costs about 50 cents to manufacture a bi-metal hole saw and they all use high speed steel so no benefits to buying any well made bi-metal hole saw, only to avoid the poorly made ones with a large weld seam on the side.",
"Personally I would instead buy a quality TCT large teeth hole cutter set and add one or two bi-metal for metal and carbide grit for wall tile on an as needed basis.",
"<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Blue-Boar-Master-Combo-Kit-11-Sizes-MEGA-Nail-Tough-Deep-Cutting-Tungsten-Carbide-Hole-Saws-Cut-10x-Faster-3x-Larger-40x-more-holes-using-cordless-drills-Ideal-for-wood-MDF-Particle-board-Hardie-board-Deep-slots-for-fast-plug-removal/dp/B0088IF4O8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Blue Boar Master Combo Kit-11 Sizes MEGA Nail Tough Deep Cutting Tungsten Carbide Hole Saws.",
"Cut 10x Faster, 3x Larger, 40x more holes using cordless drills.",
"Ideal for wood, MDF, Particle board, Hardie board.",
"Deep slots for fast plug removal</a>"
] |
I've read the other comments on this unit, and I have to say that they don't provide you prospective buyers with a very accurate view. I've used the Sony MZ-R55, owned a Sony MZ-R50, and own an Aiwa AM-F70 so I can easily compare this unit to others. The MZ-R55 may currently be the smallest unit in the US, but that's really all it is; what you do have is no battery life (4hrs) and a lack of features (more on that later). The Sony MZ0-R50 may have been large but at least it ran for more than twice the time of the R55, and the Aiwa AM-F70, may be slightly larger than the R55, but fully loaded it works for a whopping 30hrs. Now for the (lack of) features...no jog dial (very useful for titiling), no progammable play, and no backlighting on the unit itself. I'm sorry to bash this unit so badly, but those are the facts. On the upside, it is currently the smallest portable MD player/recorder (until something like March when the Sony MZ-R90 comes to the US) and hey, its made by Sony!
P.S. Both the Aiwa and the R50 have jog dials and longer play time. The Aiwa also has main unit backlighting (not only on the remote), and programmable play (true, this feature is somewhat useless on an MD). And guess what? Both players/recorders are much cheaper than the Sony. | 1 | neutral | [
"I've read the other comments on this unit, and I have to say that they don't provide you prospective buyers with a very accurate view.",
"I've used the Sony MZ-R55, owned a Sony MZ-R50, and own an Aiwa AM-F70 so I can easily compare this unit to others.",
"The MZ-R55 may currently be the smallest unit in the US, but that's really all it is; what you do have is no battery life (4hrs) and a lack of features (more on that later).",
"The Sony MZ0-R50 may have been large but at least it ran for more than twice the time of the R55, and the Aiwa AM-F70, may be slightly larger than the R55, but fully loaded it works for a whopping 30hrs.",
"Now for the (lack of) features...",
"no jog dial (very useful for titiling), no progammable play, and no backlighting on the unit itself.",
"I'm sorry to bash this unit so badly, but those are the facts.",
"On the upside, it is currently the smallest portable MD player/recorder (until something like March when the Sony MZ-R90 comes to the US) and hey, its made by Sony!",
"P.",
"S. Both the Aiwa and the R50 have jog dials and longer play time.",
"The Aiwa also has main unit backlighting (not only on the remote), and programmable play (true, this feature is somewhat useless on an MD).",
"And guess what?",
"Both players/recorders are much cheaper than the Sony."
] |
Well, you'd expect that on the GBA, the graphics and sound would be sub-par, but the voices in this game are more limited than in Metroid Fusion. Still, that doesn't take much away from the game itself. Most of this game's problems spring from the storyline and gameplay quality.
First off, this entire game is spent, not only in turn-based battles, but in turn-based movement from place-to-place, as well. For those who like to be able to move in something resembling real-time, you would be wise to look elsewhere.
The second problem with the gameplay is that it is uproariously difficult to gain experience once you reach a certain level, because after a while, the enemies only give you 1 experience each. I eventually had to force my characters to attack one another to get any sort of experience.
Now the story problems. Unlike most Final Fantasy games, which immerse you in the world, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance only slingshots around the upper atmosphere of the world before returning you forcibly to cold, hard reality. The chocobos, moogles, monsters, magic, castles and so forth are all fake. Illusions. They don't really exist, and because of that, this game feels more like you're playing someone else's Final Fantasy game, rather than living in a Final Fantasy world. The "real" world of the game is just like ours, and I find that to be most disappointing. What's worse, when you return to the "real" world, the fake Ivalice vanishes completely.
It just felt wrong that none of the strange things in the game should be real. It didn't feel like Final Fantasy. It felt more like Earthbound.
On top of that, the game suffers from a terminal case of Themaincharacterisanobnoxioushatefulbratitis. The character of Marche is a person who does things based on some unfounded moral belief, never once questioning that what he wants is right, and entirely willing to go directly through his friends and family to get it. That's the sort of thinking that brings about religious fanatics, and in my mind, it hurts a game to have a character whose attempts at soul-searching are limited to "I need to convince myself of this." Even the ending is bittersweet.
Still, it's Final Fantasy, and although it's possibly the worst Final Fantasy I've played so far, it's still far better than most of the games for a less lucky system like, for example, the Gamecube. | 1 | neutral | [
"Well, you'd expect that on the GBA, the graphics and sound would be sub-par, but the voices in this game are more limited than in Metroid Fusion.",
"Still, that doesn't take much away from the game itself.",
"Most of this game's problems spring from the storyline and gameplay quality.",
"First off, this entire game is spent, not only in turn-based battles, but in turn-based movement from place-to-place, as well.",
"For those who like to be able to move in something resembling real-time, you would be wise to look elsewhere.",
"The second problem with the gameplay is that it is uproariously difficult to gain experience once you reach a certain level, because after a while, the enemies only give you 1 experience each.",
"I eventually had to force my characters to attack one another to get any sort of experience.",
"Now the story problems.",
"Unlike most Final Fantasy games, which immerse you in the world, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance only slingshots around the upper atmosphere of the world before returning you forcibly to cold, hard reality.",
"The chocobos, moogles, monsters, magic, castles and so forth are all fake.",
"Illusions.",
"They don't really exist, and because of that, this game feels more like you're playing someone else's Final Fantasy game, rather than living in a Final Fantasy world.",
"The \"real\" world of the game is just like ours, and I find that to be most disappointing.",
"What's worse, when you return to the \"real\" world, the fake Ivalice vanishes completely.",
"It just felt wrong that none of the strange things in the game should be real.",
"It didn't feel like Final Fantasy.",
"It felt more like Earthbound.",
"On top of that, the game suffers from a terminal case of Themaincharacterisanobnoxioushatefulbratitis.",
"The character of Marche is a person who does things based on some unfounded moral belief, never once questioning that what he wants is right, and entirely willing to go directly through his friends and family to get it.",
"That's the sort of thinking that brings about religious fanatics, and in my mind, it hurts a game to have a character whose attempts at soul-searching are limited to \"I need to convince myself of this.",
"\" Even the ending is bittersweet.",
"Still, it's Final Fantasy, and although it's possibly the worst Final Fantasy I've played so far, it's still far better than most of the games for a less lucky system like, for example, the Gamecube."
] |
Bible Scholars Disagree With Jesus Mary Roy Moore Defense
(WASHINGTON) — An Alabama state official is citing the Bible to defend the Republican U.S. Senate candidate accused of sexual advances on girls. State auditor Jim Ziegler says “ Mary was a teenager and Joseph was an adult carpenter ” suggesting that Roy Moore acted in a divine tradition if he in fact made sexual advances toward a 14-year-old girl.
Theologians and pastors among others expressed revulsion that Mary and Joseph would be used to counter allegations of sexual misbehavior with a minor. They also said Ziegler got the facts wrong and ignored the cultural context of the time in which Jesus lived.
Moore a 70-year-old former state Supreme Court justice flatly denied allegations of decades-old sexual advances on girls published Thursday in a Washington Post story. The accounts by multiple women prompted Republican lawmakers to say he should end his candidacy for the Dec. 12 special election if the allegations are true. “I have never engaged in sexual misconduct ” Moore said Friday.
But Ziegler was dismissive about the fuss. “There’s just nothing immoral or illegal here ” he told the Washington Examiner. “Maybe just a little bit unusual.”
Rev. Jim Martin editor at large of the Jesuit magazine America tweeted Friday that “comparing the allegations against Roy Moore in any way to Joseph and Mary is disgusting.” Martin said: “We have no idea about the exact ages of either the Virgin Mary or St. Joseph at the time of their betrothal or marriage.”
She said the earliest text to mention Mary’s age is “The Infancy Gospel of James ” which she describes as “a clearly legendary text that is trying to expand on the gospel accounts.” That non-authoritative text placed Mary ’s age at 12 when she conceived and it cited supposed evidence of her enduring virginity to demonstrate she conceived Jesus without sexual intercourse.
Leigh Corfman told the Post she was 14 when Moore first approached her and took her to his home twice the second time touching her over her bra and panties and having her touch him over his underwear. The Post quoted three other women who said he pursued them when they were 16 to 18 and he was in his early 30s. He denies the women’s reports and says he won’t quit the race. | 1 | neutral | [
"Bible Scholars Disagree With Jesus Mary Roy Moore Defense\n(WASHINGTON) — An Alabama state official is citing the Bible to defend the Republican U.",
"S. Senate candidate accused of sexual advances on girls.",
"State auditor Jim Ziegler says “ Mary was a teenager and Joseph was an adult carpenter ” suggesting that Roy Moore acted in a divine tradition if he in fact made sexual advances toward a 14-year-old girl.",
"Theologians and pastors among others expressed revulsion that Mary and Joseph would be used to counter allegations of sexual misbehavior with a minor.",
"They also said Ziegler got the facts wrong and ignored the cultural context of the time in which Jesus lived.",
"Moore a 70-year-old former state Supreme Court justice flatly denied allegations of decades-old sexual advances on girls published Thursday in a Washington Post story.",
"The accounts by multiple women prompted Republican lawmakers to say he should end his candidacy for the Dec.",
"12 special election if the allegations are true.",
"“I have never engaged in sexual misconduct ” Moore said Friday.",
"But Ziegler was dismissive about the fuss.",
"“There’s just nothing immoral or illegal here ” he told the Washington Examiner.",
"“Maybe just a little bit unusual.",
"”\nRev.",
"Jim Martin editor at large of the Jesuit magazine America tweeted Friday that “comparing the allegations against Roy Moore in any way to Joseph and Mary is disgusting.",
"” Martin said: “We have no idea about the exact ages of either the Virgin Mary or St.",
"Joseph at the time of their betrothal or marriage.",
"”\nShe said the earliest text to mention Mary’s age is “The Infancy Gospel of James ” which she describes as “a clearly legendary text that is trying to expand on the gospel accounts.",
"” That non-authoritative text placed Mary ’s age at 12 when she conceived and it cited supposed evidence of her enduring virginity to demonstrate she conceived Jesus without sexual intercourse.",
"Leigh Corfman told the Post she was 14 when Moore first approached her and took her to his home twice the second time touching her over her bra and panties and having her touch him over his underwear.",
"The Post quoted three other women who said he pursued them when they were 16 to 18 and he was in his early 30s.",
"He denies the women’s reports and says he won’t quit the race."
] |
The first half of this album is made up of a set of variations on the Bo Diddley rock standard "Who Do You Love." Each band member has writing credits for one of the four variations here.
The first, third and fourth of these variations, respectively When, How and Which "Do You Love" are really good. The guitar solos really do expand on the original. The remaining variation, "Where Do You Love" is not up to the same standard. Of course, in the sixties, a Blues, Rock Guitar Band could indulge in prodigious quantities of illegal substances, get up on stage and get away with things like "Where DYL". If they were lucky, the audience would be in a similar state and everyone would be happy. Today, it's all a little embarrassing.
The second section of the album kicks off with Mona, another Diddley number that has been recorded by many bands. The version here is distinguished by the guitar work and the spaced out feel.
After, follow two songs, "Maiden of the Cancer Moon" and "Calvary" written by band member Gary Duncan and quite frankly they are the weakest part of the album. The latter in particular seems to wander all over the place without getting anywhere or saying anything much of musical interest.
The album rounds off with a rendition of Happy Trails, the theme song of Roy Rogers which was written by his wife Dale Evans. I suppose that it's there for a laugh.
I can only award this album three stars because, while some parts are very good, there is too much weak material cluttering up the good bits. | 1 | neutral | [
"The first half of this album is made up of a set of variations on the Bo Diddley rock standard \"Who Do You Love.",
"\" Each band member has writing credits for one of the four variations here.",
"The first, third and fourth of these variations, respectively When, How and Which \"Do You Love\" are really good.",
"The guitar solos really do expand on the original.",
"The remaining variation, \"Where Do You Love\" is not up to the same standard.",
"Of course, in the sixties, a Blues, Rock Guitar Band could indulge in prodigious quantities of illegal substances, get up on stage and get away with things like \"Where DYL\".",
"If they were lucky, the audience would be in a similar state and everyone would be happy.",
"Today, it's all a little embarrassing.",
"The second section of the album kicks off with Mona, another Diddley number that has been recorded by many bands.",
"The version here is distinguished by the guitar work and the spaced out feel.",
"After, follow two songs, \"Maiden of the Cancer Moon\" and \"Calvary\" written by band member Gary Duncan and quite frankly they are the weakest part of the album.",
"The latter in particular seems to wander all over the place without getting anywhere or saying anything much of musical interest.",
"The album rounds off with a rendition of Happy Trails, the theme song of Roy Rogers which was written by his wife Dale Evans.",
"I suppose that it's there for a laugh.",
"I can only award this album three stars because, while some parts are very good, there is too much weak material cluttering up the good bits."
] |
Demobilized W.R.N. Lynn Marchmont returns to her home village Warmsley Vale. Lynn has been much changed by World War II, somewhat missing the adrenaline of the war, and she returns to a much-changed prospects for the future. Her millionaire uncle, Gordon Cloade, died in London during the Blitz shortly after marrying a 25-year-old Irish widow, the erstwhile Rosaleen Underhay. At her irascible brother's direction, the new Mrs. Cloade begins to cut off the many Cloade relatives who were long encouraged to rely on generous Uncle Gordon -- the perfect invitation to murder in an Agatha Christie novel.
But death instead comes to a newly arrived stranger, Enoch Arden. He had attempted to blackmail Rosaleen's resentful and controlling brother David Hunter, claiming that Rosaleen's first husband isn't dead at all, making Rosaleen's second marriage -- and her claim to the Cloade fortune -- invalid. Such an eventuality would have saved the many Cloade relations who find themselves in dire financial circumstances. Needless to say, it would have sent Rosaleen and David packing without a penny. The police immediately finger David as Chief Suspect No. 1.
Initially sympathetic, Lynn becomes quite the whiner when she begins to have feelings for the loathsome David Hunter. About one-fourth of the way through the book, I really did start losing patience with her. The novel's denouement shows her up to be a silly, senseless girl, although I have to admit that I never imagined who the murderer was in Taken at the Flood's twist ending. And, like all of Christie's books where Poirot doesn't take center stage until late, the novel suffers for his absence.
Taken at the Flood is worth reading -- it's still Dame Agatha's, after all -- but it's certainly no <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Murder-of-Roger-Ackroyd/dp/0671777068/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Murder of Roger Ackroyd</a> or <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Body-in-the-Library-A-Miss-Marple-Mystery-Miss-Marple-Mysteries/dp/0062073613/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Body in the Library: A Miss Marple Mystery (Miss Marple Mysteries)</a>. | 1 | neutral | [
"Demobilized W.",
"R.N. Lynn Marchmont returns to her home village Warmsley Vale.",
"Lynn has been much changed by World War II, somewhat missing the adrenaline of the war, and she returns to a much-changed prospects for the future.",
"Her millionaire uncle, Gordon Cloade, died in London during the Blitz shortly after marrying a 25-year-old Irish widow, the erstwhile Rosaleen Underhay.",
"At her irascible brother's direction, the new Mrs.",
"Cloade begins to cut off the many Cloade relatives who were long encouraged to rely on generous Uncle Gordon -- the perfect invitation to murder in an Agatha Christie novel.",
"But death instead comes to a newly arrived stranger, Enoch Arden.",
"He had attempted to blackmail Rosaleen's resentful and controlling brother David Hunter, claiming that Rosaleen's first husband isn't dead at all, making Rosaleen's second marriage -- and her claim to the Cloade fortune -- invalid.",
"Such an eventuality would have saved the many Cloade relations who find themselves in dire financial circumstances.",
"Needless to say, it would have sent Rosaleen and David packing without a penny.",
"The police immediately finger David as Chief Suspect No.",
"1.",
"Initially sympathetic, Lynn becomes quite the whiner when she begins to have feelings for the loathsome David Hunter.",
"About one-fourth of the way through the book, I really did start losing patience with her.",
"The novel's denouement shows her up to be a silly, senseless girl, although I have to admit that I never imagined who the murderer was in Taken at the Flood's twist ending.",
"And, like all of Christie's books where Poirot doesn't take center stage until late, the novel suffers for his absence.",
"Taken at the Flood is worth reading -- it's still Dame Agatha's, after all -- but it's certainly no <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Murder-of-Roger-Ackroyd/dp/0671777068/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">The Murder of Roger Ackroyd</a> or <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/The-Body-in-the-Library-A-Miss-Marple-Mystery-Miss-Marple-Mysteries/dp/0062073613/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">The Body in the Library: A Miss Marple Mystery (Miss Marple Mysteries)</a>."
] |
This is a review of the magazine boy the Amazon subscription process.
Time in and of itself is a great magazine. It is definitely timely, current stuff fraud Ruth rush needs to be dealt with. That would and should give it 5 stars. Sadly, this magazine is chalkful of advertisements. Yes, I understand the magazine doesn't make money on the subscriptions and require advertising for revenue.
While the internet is a wonderful thing. There's nothing like holding a magazine in your hand. Time has always had a great reputation for good reporting. It's the advertising that's the downfall. There just seems to be way too much of it. Story, ad. Ad. Ad. Ad. Story. 15 of the 64 pages were full sized advertisements.
On the plus side is that MOST of the ads are clustered together and once past that you're good to go. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is a review of the magazine boy the Amazon subscription process.",
"Time in and of itself is a great magazine.",
"It is definitely timely, current stuff fraud Ruth rush needs to be dealt with.",
"That would and should give it 5 stars.",
"Sadly, this magazine is chalkful of advertisements.",
"Yes, I understand the magazine doesn't make money on the subscriptions and require advertising for revenue.",
"While the internet is a wonderful thing.",
"There's nothing like holding a magazine in your hand.",
"Time has always had a great reputation for good reporting.",
"It's the advertising that's the downfall.",
"There just seems to be way too much of it.",
"Story, ad.",
"Ad.",
"Ad.",
"Ad.",
"Story.",
"15 of the 64 pages were full sized advertisements.",
"On the plus side is that MOST of the ads are clustered together and once past that you're good to go."
] |
I went to a show on the Load tour, and I can surely say that the show I saw was 20 times better than this!!!! Anybody looking for great Metallica videos, check out the Live Shit series or Cliff 'em all...but what is this?...the first half of the video has Metallica doing half-assed jobs on some of their best songs...Sad But True is awful, Creeping Death James sings the chorus in a MAJOR key instead of minor like it's written, and 2 of the solos to "One" are screwed up by Kirk. But not only that, there is no fire in the band...not until the second half of the video...They rip in the second half of the video, esp[ecially on the "kill/ride" medley, NOthing Else Matters, Master of Puppets, Last Caress, Am I Evil, and many more.....But overall, this isn't one of their better efforts... | 1 | neutral | [
"I went to a show on the Load tour, and I can surely say that the show I saw was 20 times better than this!!!!",
"Anybody looking for great Metallica videos, check out the Live Shit series or Cliff 'em all...",
"but what is this?...",
"the first half of the video has Metallica doing half-assed jobs on some of their best songs...",
"Sad But True is awful, Creeping Death James sings the chorus in a MAJOR key instead of minor like it's written, and 2 of the solos to \"One\" are screwed up by Kirk.",
"But not only that, there is no fire in the band...",
"not until the second half of the video...",
"They rip in the second half of the video, esp[ecially on the \"kill/ride\" medley, NOthing Else Matters, Master of Puppets, Last Caress, Am I Evil, and many more....",
".",
"But overall, this isn't one of their better efforts..."
] |
This reviews goes to the long term health of the PS3 and if it is worth the investment. Ultimately the success of a system is determined by the size of the user base. It is the amount of software sales that drive the true profits of a system. My question is if Sony has committed a fatal error by assuming a base of 20 million plus people will spend 600.00 for a console. While the die hards will not have a problem, what about the fence sitters? I believe that question has been answered by simply going to your local Target. While there are no Wiis to be found, most Targets, Best Buys etc have several PS3s just sitting around. The fact that a system is so readily available so shortly after launch means that there is no longer the great demand and this is due to the price. Since the price includes a Blu Ray player and the PS3 games require Blu Ray discs, Sony has painted itself into a corner. It is already losing money and cannot create a non-blu ray version that will allow for a cut to 300 bucks. So, it appears that the decision to use the PS3 as a sort of trojan horse for Blu Ray may have doomed the PS3. I fear there wil not be the tens of millions willing to spend the big bucks when a simliar lower price system is already available. Had the PS3 not inlcuded Blu Ray and debuted at the same price as the XBOX 360, it would have been a huge success. | 1 | neutral | [
"This reviews goes to the long term health of the PS3 and if it is worth the investment.",
"Ultimately the success of a system is determined by the size of the user base.",
"It is the amount of software sales that drive the true profits of a system.",
"My question is if Sony has committed a fatal error by assuming a base of 20 million plus people will spend 600.",
"00 for a console.",
"While the die hards will not have a problem, what about the fence sitters?",
"I believe that question has been answered by simply going to your local Target.",
"While there are no Wiis to be found, most Targets, Best Buys etc have several PS3s just sitting around.",
"The fact that a system is so readily available so shortly after launch means that there is no longer the great demand and this is due to the price.",
"Since the price includes a Blu Ray player and the PS3 games require Blu Ray discs, Sony has painted itself into a corner.",
"It is already losing money and cannot create a non-blu ray version that will allow for a cut to 300 bucks.",
"So, it appears that the decision to use the PS3 as a sort of trojan horse for Blu Ray may have doomed the PS3.",
"I fear there wil not be the tens of millions willing to spend the big bucks when a simliar lower price system is already available.",
"Had the PS3 not inlcuded Blu Ray and debuted at the same price as the XBOX 360, it would have been a huge success."
] |
3 1/2 Stars
This is actually the first Star Fox game I've ever played. I just wasn't into flight games when I was younger.
I was excited to get this game for the multiplayer dogfights. But it turns out I was hoping for too much. To me, it seems like the multiplay was an afterthought (the opposite of Metroid PH where the multiplay is strong but the single player campaign is weak). The game doesn't include any settings to change besides shield strength and controls; no time limit options, level select, CPU vs., or teams. Just 2 - 6 player fights, which is still fun, but a letdown.
However, the single player game is really great. Drawing a path to determine battles adds some nice strategy elements. But the real fun is in the battles themselves which are never too challenging, but not exactly a walk in the park. You get to use many different characters also (including members of Star Wolf), which is fantastic because they each have their distinct strengths and weaknesses. The touch screen controls are intuitive and work well. The game is beautiful. The mountain landscapes you fly over are impressive graphically. And the story is serviceable.
In all, I can't help but feel like this game was rushed to be released. It's certainly a nice start for the series on the DS. I'd like to see a sequel so that they can offer a robust multiplayer mode and maybe co-op play. This game could have been so much more, but as it is now, it's a fun and solid game worth the lower $29.99 price (especially with the nine different endings which add lots of replay value). | 1 | neutral | [
"3 1/2 Stars\n\nThis is actually the first Star Fox game I've ever played.",
"I just wasn't into flight games when I was younger.",
"I was excited to get this game for the multiplayer dogfights.",
"But it turns out I was hoping for too much.",
"To me, it seems like the multiplay was an afterthought (the opposite of Metroid PH where the multiplay is strong but the single player campaign is weak).",
"The game doesn't include any settings to change besides shield strength and controls; no time limit options, level select, CPU vs.",
", or teams.",
"Just 2 - 6 player fights, which is still fun, but a letdown.",
"However, the single player game is really great.",
"Drawing a path to determine battles adds some nice strategy elements.",
"But the real fun is in the battles themselves which are never too challenging, but not exactly a walk in the park.",
"You get to use many different characters also (including members of Star Wolf), which is fantastic because they each have their distinct strengths and weaknesses.",
"The touch screen controls are intuitive and work well.",
"The game is beautiful.",
"The mountain landscapes you fly over are impressive graphically.",
"And the story is serviceable.",
"In all, I can't help but feel like this game was rushed to be released.",
"It's certainly a nice start for the series on the DS.",
"I'd like to see a sequel so that they can offer a robust multiplayer mode and maybe co-op play.",
"This game could have been so much more, but as it is now, it's a fun and solid game worth the lower $29.",
"99 price (especially with the nine different endings which add lots of replay value)."
] |
Smashes,Thrashes and Hits,KISS's 1988 compilation is good. It has two newly recorded songs. A new version of Beth with Eric Carr on vocals. It also has some great rocking '70's songs and a song from each of their first three Mercury albums.
The new songs are Let's Put The X In Sex and (You Make Me) Rock Hard. As you can tell by the titles,They are in the traditional KISS groove (i.e.sexual).The new version of Beth with Eric Carr on vocals sounds similar to the original. It sounds so similar that if you close your eyes,you might think it's Peter Criss instead of Eric Carr.
The songs from their first three Mercury albums represented here are Lick It Up,Heaven's On Fire and Tears Are Falling. The remainder of this compilation are their '70's rocking songs,including their anthems Rock and Roll All Nite and Shout It Out Loud. The only disappointment is the reissue of Strutter '78(It does not explicitly say so. But it is).The only difference is that 17 seconds of the introductory drum riff is edited out. The original version would've been better to include here.
Once again,this is a good compilation that delivers exactly what it promises. It's also a nice addition to any fans CD library. | 1 | neutral | [
"Smashes,Thrashes and Hits,KISS's 1988 compilation is good.",
"It has two newly recorded songs.",
"A new version of Beth with Eric Carr on vocals.",
"It also has some great rocking '70's songs and a song from each of their first three Mercury albums.",
"The new songs are Let's Put The X In Sex and (You Make Me) Rock Hard.",
"As you can tell by the titles,They are in the traditional KISS groove (i.",
"e.sexual).",
"The new version of Beth with Eric Carr on vocals sounds similar to the original.",
"It sounds so similar that if you close your eyes,you might think it's Peter Criss instead of Eric Carr.",
"The songs from their first three Mercury albums represented here are Lick It Up,Heaven's On Fire and Tears Are Falling.",
"The remainder of this compilation are their '70's rocking songs,including their anthems Rock and Roll All Nite and Shout It Out Loud.",
"The only disappointment is the reissue of Strutter '78(It does not explicitly say so.",
"But it is).",
"The only difference is that 17 seconds of the introductory drum riff is edited out.",
"The original version would've been better to include here.",
"Once again,this is a good compilation that delivers exactly what it promises.",
"It's also a nice addition to any fans CD library."
] |
As Anita Blake discovers more about her growing powers she becomes more uncertain about what life will hold for her. It is enough for now to draw her friends close and support those she loves who were once considered to be in the ranks of the enemy.
The vampire culture pre-dates her birth by many centuries, and it is no surprise that Anita's exploits and abilities have not escaped the attention of those outside her own city of St Louis. Even with her own vampire lover Jean-Claude being the Master of the City, Anita knows that this would not be protection enough if anyone were truly to wish her dead. Discovering the existence of the Harlequin, the ancient vampires that have policed their own kind for millennia is frightening, more so when she discovers the range of their influence. It seems, for now, that they wish to observe, as indicated by the delivery of a white mask. She learns that the Harlequin are required to act in certain manner, with any breaches being punishable by death. When fear and uncertainty strikes Anita, it's apparent that someone is abusing their powers. She has enough to deal with two sanctioned orders in her hands to execute rogue members of the newly formed Vampire church. Those that need her help are the ones least likely to ask, but this has never stopped Anita Blake before. It just requires a little more diplomacy and the help of some old and equally vicious friends.
No doubt about it, this series has moved far, far away from its beginnings. We've watched the character of Anita Blake evolve (if you accept this) from being the hunter of monsters to becoming one herself with few apologies offered for doing so. The reader can either accept this metamorphosis and continue to enjoy Ms Hamilton's very inventive fantasy writing or choke on the moral high ground with their cease and desist.
A strength of these novels has always been the well-established structure of Hamilton's alternate world with its rules and monster regulations. Accepting that vampires, werewolves and the like will act in a certain fashion and be governed by a certain set of rules is a given. THE HARLEQUIN, thankfully, spares the reader from as many multiple sex scenes as previous novels (which, in their gratuitous inclusion, bored more than entertained) and offers instead more a plot to delve into. Anita's character remains that of a survivor which while obviously having embraced some more of the dark side, remains strong and worthy of her own series. Pretty much all semblance of a normal life has been abandoned and there is very little "official" work being conducted by Anita or her various consorts. All thirteen previous Vampire Hunter novels have been read by this reviewer and it's something of a relief not to be barraged with an array of yet more beautiful young men that need to be catalogued into the memory. It's hard to bond with any of them when there's simply so many to remember. These novels required some serious trimming, and THE HARLEQUIN has managed to achieve this without any significant loss to the read.
There seems to be no end of possibilities to where this author can take her fantastical creations. It was once that Anita Blake represented the human element amongst the beautiful monsters but the shift from that to where she is placed in THE HARLEQUIN has killed that stance. Fans should continue to flock to these books for their vivid descriptions of all that's terribly beautiful and deliciously frightening.
Laurell K. Hamilton is the author of many best-selling works of fantasy including the urban faery series featuring Meredith Gentry. | 1 | neutral | [
"As Anita Blake discovers more about her growing powers she becomes more uncertain about what life will hold for her.",
"It is enough for now to draw her friends close and support those she loves who were once considered to be in the ranks of the enemy.",
"The vampire culture pre-dates her birth by many centuries, and it is no surprise that Anita's exploits and abilities have not escaped the attention of those outside her own city of St Louis.",
"Even with her own vampire lover Jean-Claude being the Master of the City, Anita knows that this would not be protection enough if anyone were truly to wish her dead.",
"Discovering the existence of the Harlequin, the ancient vampires that have policed their own kind for millennia is frightening, more so when she discovers the range of their influence.",
"It seems, for now, that they wish to observe, as indicated by the delivery of a white mask.",
"She learns that the Harlequin are required to act in certain manner, with any breaches being punishable by death.",
"When fear and uncertainty strikes Anita, it's apparent that someone is abusing their powers.",
"She has enough to deal with two sanctioned orders in her hands to execute rogue members of the newly formed Vampire church.",
"Those that need her help are the ones least likely to ask, but this has never stopped Anita Blake before.",
"It just requires a little more diplomacy and the help of some old and equally vicious friends.",
"No doubt about it, this series has moved far, far away from its beginnings.",
"We've watched the character of Anita Blake evolve (if you accept this) from being the hunter of monsters to becoming one herself with few apologies offered for doing so.",
"The reader can either accept this metamorphosis and continue to enjoy Ms Hamilton's very inventive fantasy writing or choke on the moral high ground with their cease and desist.",
"A strength of these novels has always been the well-established structure of Hamilton's alternate world with its rules and monster regulations.",
"Accepting that vampires, werewolves and the like will act in a certain fashion and be governed by a certain set of rules is a given.",
"THE HARLEQUIN, thankfully, spares the reader from as many multiple sex scenes as previous novels (which, in their gratuitous inclusion, bored more than entertained) and offers instead more a plot to delve into.",
"Anita's character remains that of a survivor which while obviously having embraced some more of the dark side, remains strong and worthy of her own series.",
"Pretty much all semblance of a normal life has been abandoned and there is very little \"official\" work being conducted by Anita or her various consorts.",
"All thirteen previous Vampire Hunter novels have been read by this reviewer and it's something of a relief not to be barraged with an array of yet more beautiful young men that need to be catalogued into the memory.",
"It's hard to bond with any of them when there's simply so many to remember.",
"These novels required some serious trimming, and THE HARLEQUIN has managed to achieve this without any significant loss to the read.",
"There seems to be no end of possibilities to where this author can take her fantastical creations.",
"It was once that Anita Blake represented the human element amongst the beautiful monsters but the shift from that to where she is placed in THE HARLEQUIN has killed that stance.",
"Fans should continue to flock to these books for their vivid descriptions of all that's terribly beautiful and deliciously frightening.",
"Laurell K.",
"Hamilton is the author of many best-selling works of fantasy including the urban faery series featuring Meredith Gentry."
] |
This is a remarkable dock cable for Apple 13 pin connection. I really like the moving LEDs in the cord which move fast until you device is recharged. At that point, the LEDs stop moving. This gives you a visual way to tell when your phone can be disconnected. Fantastic technology from China. BUT, the cords have a life of maybe 6 months before the LEDs do not light. I am on my third Dex brand cord. And Dex is a premium brand. Forget other brands. Like a lot of Chinese tech, the concept is brilliant. Execution is poor. The cable's connectors' halves ome apart and break. I actually am wrapping vinyl electrical tape around the USB cable end to prevent separation. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is a remarkable dock cable for Apple 13 pin connection.",
"I really like the moving LEDs in the cord which move fast until you device is recharged.",
"At that point, the LEDs stop moving.",
"This gives you a visual way to tell when your phone can be disconnected.",
"Fantastic technology from China.",
"BUT, the cords have a life of maybe 6 months before the LEDs do not light.",
"I am on my third Dex brand cord.",
"And Dex is a premium brand.",
"Forget other brands.",
"Like a lot of Chinese tech, the concept is brilliant.",
"Execution is poor.",
"The cable's connectors' halves ome apart and break.",
"I actually am wrapping vinyl electrical tape around the USB cable end to prevent separation."
] |
The package is nice, and each bottle is a good size. However, the bottles were taped into the box with double sided sticky pads that did not want to come off the bottles, because of this my bottles were always falling over. However, the package comes with 5 baby cleaning essentials. 1 The Foam Shampoo for Newborns, the pump sometimes sticks on the bottle, but it does come out in a nice puff of foam. Washes into the hair nicely and seems to leave the skin flake free and the hair clean and without tangles. 2. Gentle Cleansing Gel does a nice job cleaning the skin and making it soft but makes my bathtub floor slippery. My child has cried every time this soap has gotten in his eyes They say that it is supposed to be tear free, but he reacts as if it burns his eyes. Has a pleasant clean smell to it. Comes out like handsoap consistency. 3. No-Rinse Cleansing Water I have not had a need to use it. But it is to give the baby a bath when water is not near by. 4. Hydra Bébé Body Lotion, has a nice consistency to it, had a pleasing smell, and does make my babies skin soft. Doesn't feel tacky or oily when applying. 5. Diaper Rash Cream, I used it on my son who had a little mild redness from a pooh. I applied the diaper rash cream after his shower and before bedtime. The next morning the rash appeared to be the same. I used butt-cream, and it by the next diaper change the rash was almost gone. The products seem to be nice, and the fact that they are all natural and organic is nice. Each product doesn't have a perfume smell which is nice, but rather a soft clean scent. | 1 | neutral | [
"The package is nice, and each bottle is a good size.",
"However, the bottles were taped into the box with double sided sticky pads that did not want to come off the bottles, because of this my bottles were always falling over.",
"However, the package comes with 5 baby cleaning essentials.",
"1 The Foam Shampoo for Newborns, the pump sometimes sticks on the bottle, but it does come out in a nice puff of foam.",
"Washes into the hair nicely and seems to leave the skin flake free and the hair clean and without tangles.",
"2.",
"Gentle Cleansing Gel does a nice job cleaning the skin and making it soft but makes my bathtub floor slippery.",
"My child has cried every time this soap has gotten in his eyes They say that it is supposed to be tear free, but he reacts as if it burns his eyes.",
"Has a pleasant clean smell to it.",
"Comes out like handsoap consistency.",
"3.",
"No-Rinse Cleansing Water I have not had a need to use it.",
"But it is to give the baby a bath when water is not near by.",
"4.",
"Hydra Bébé Body Lotion, has a nice consistency to it, had a pleasing smell, and does make my babies skin soft.",
"Doesn't feel tacky or oily when applying.",
"5.",
"Diaper Rash Cream, I used it on my son who had a little mild redness from a pooh.",
"I applied the diaper rash cream after his shower and before bedtime.",
"The next morning the rash appeared to be the same.",
"I used butt-cream, and it by the next diaper change the rash was almost gone.",
"The products seem to be nice, and the fact that they are all natural and organic is nice.",
"Each product doesn't have a perfume smell which is nice, but rather a soft clean scent."
] |
All the momentum that Ice & Fire had at the end of A Clash of Kings has now been sapped from the story. The characters are getting spread so far and thin that I am starting to lose interest. The plot has likewise become too large and thin. I was looking forward to this book moving the serious forward, but few questions are addressed, almost none are resolved, and more are given. Everything is pretty much the same as it was at the end of A Clash of Kings, with few major plot developments. When you figure that A Feast for Crows and A Dance With Dragons are essentially one book, its hard to believe that so little could get accomplished in over 1500 pages. The characters are already developed, and they development little more. No one is moving anywhere, to fight or do anything. Out of three thousand pages, there are perhaps a half dozen major developments, and even those are somewhat minor in the big picture. Basically GRRM's last 1500 pages in this series equate to approximately half a novel worth of plot and character development. The other 1100 pages or so is just the characters acting in their continually cliche manners(cliche mostly in that we have read hundreds of pages about them, and they are already plenty well-developed)while going from point A to point B. | 1 | neutral | [
"All the momentum that Ice & Fire had at the end of A Clash of Kings has now been sapped from the story.",
"The characters are getting spread so far and thin that I am starting to lose interest.",
"The plot has likewise become too large and thin.",
"I was looking forward to this book moving the serious forward, but few questions are addressed, almost none are resolved, and more are given.",
"Everything is pretty much the same as it was at the end of A Clash of Kings, with few major plot developments.",
"When you figure that A Feast for Crows and A Dance With Dragons are essentially one book, its hard to believe that so little could get accomplished in over 1500 pages.",
"The characters are already developed, and they development little more.",
"No one is moving anywhere, to fight or do anything.",
"Out of three thousand pages, there are perhaps a half dozen major developments, and even those are somewhat minor in the big picture.",
"Basically GRRM's last 1500 pages in this series equate to approximately half a novel worth of plot and character development.",
"The other 1100 pages or so is just the characters acting in their continually cliche manners(cliche mostly in that we have read hundreds of pages about them, and they are already plenty well-developed)while going from point A to point B."
] |
September 20th, 2009
At first I'm not sure I liked this song that much. Even when I got the album it wasn't something I played over and over. In fact, I barely noticed it until the video came out. And for a while, that made me interested in the song.
The beat is pretty original compared to what's booming through our stereos on U.S. radio, and although the lyrics are a standard affair, this song holds up.
Beyonc co-wrote it with Wayne Wilkins, Rico Love & James Scheffer.
In my opinion, it doesn't compare to the other singles that have been released (save for the average "Diva") but like I said, it's not bad and is somewhat far from fodder.
3 stars
end note: 21 more posts before I hit review 800! :) | 1 | neutral | [
"September 20th, 2009\n\nAt first I'm not sure I liked this song that much.",
"Even when I got the album it wasn't something I played over and over.",
"In fact, I barely noticed it until the video came out.",
"And for a while, that made me interested in the song.",
"The beat is pretty original compared to what's booming through our stereos on U.",
"S. radio, and although the lyrics are a standard affair, this song holds up.",
"Beyonc co-wrote it with Wayne Wilkins, Rico Love & James Scheffer.",
"In my opinion, it doesn't compare to the other singles that have been released (save for the average \"Diva\") but like I said, it's not bad and is somewhat far from fodder.",
"3 stars\n\nend note: 21 more posts before I hit review 800!",
":)"
] |
Deducted two stars, because of the ludicrous price-tag.
I purch'd this Triad Stove because I don't own a dremel and was unsure as exactly how to construct the popular and ubiquitous "Coke-Can Penny Stove" (aka, Jet-Stove).
Well, now that I can see that a knife, and awl, and a push-pin could have accomlished the same thing, for less than a buck, I wish I had applied these funds toward an Emberlit Titanum Wood-Stove, and used a home-built penny stove, in conjunction with the Emberlit, whenever alchohol fuel is called-for (burn-bans and park rules).
The legs (and pot-stand extensions)on this stove *can* be useful (provide added utility, to be fair) but I find that they do not support my vessels (i.e. Kleen Kanteen 40 oz., etc.) with the required stability (but it can be done ... precariously).
All that said ... This burner DOES perform well, even with 90% (plus) rubbing alchoohol, but works perfectly with the recommended denatured alchohol (SLX or HEET) ... Enough burn-time for a liter-boil, with an improvised wind-screen.
it will work with my (round form) Esbit Integrated Cookset System (as an alternative, to Esbit fuel or wood) and will also work in conjunction with my Swiss Ranger Volcano (wood-burning) cook-system.
But, an aluminum soda-can penny burner will do all that, at least as well, for no money and with no appreciable weight-penalty.
This Triad stove is also better than it's "big brother" (The "EX") ... better burn-time and faster boil, according to one YT test and review so ... get THIS one, rather than the "EX", if you want one of these.
This little burner is VERY light-weight (less than one ounce?) ... VERY compact (smaller diameter than a coke can ... pretty sure ... certainly not bigger) ... and is VERY expensive ... like ~$30 ?! (Yikes!).
But, hey, it is lighter and more compact than any other boil-option and the design is as optimized as it really can possibly be (without being any larger or heavier) ... and, it really is VERY well constructed (however sinple) ... The main body would surely survive being stepped on, by a 250 Lb man, but the leggs and pot-stand prolly would not (no great loss, there) ... just the same ... It will hold a stainless-steel Goyot Designs 1 liter bottle, filled to the brim, and boil it, with one fill of de-natured alchohol (if you block the wind) without any issues ... even on a fairly cold day.
My EDC is a Maxpedition Sabercat Waist Pack that is loaded, to the gills and my Esbit Cook-Set, with this burner, nested inside, is part of my "light-mission" load-out ... my 72 hour boil kit. It will do "that" well. | 1 | neutral | [
"Deducted two stars, because of the ludicrous price-tag.",
"I purch'd this Triad Stove because I don't own a dremel and was unsure as exactly how to construct the popular and ubiquitous \"Coke-Can Penny Stove\" (aka, Jet-Stove).",
"Well, now that I can see that a knife, and awl, and a push-pin could have accomlished the same thing, for less than a buck, I wish I had applied these funds toward an Emberlit Titanum Wood-Stove, and used a home-built penny stove, in conjunction with the Emberlit, whenever alchohol fuel is called-for (burn-bans and park rules).",
"The legs (and pot-stand extensions)on this stove *can* be useful (provide added utility, to be fair) but I find that they do not support my vessels (i.",
"e. Kleen Kanteen 40 oz.",
", etc.",
") with the required stability (but it can be done...",
"precariously).",
"All that said...",
"This burner DOES perform well, even with 90% (plus) rubbing alchoohol, but works perfectly with the recommended denatured alchohol (SLX or HEET)...",
"Enough burn-time for a liter-boil, with an improvised wind-screen.",
"it will work with my (round form) Esbit Integrated Cookset System (as an alternative, to Esbit fuel or wood) and will also work in conjunction with my Swiss Ranger Volcano (wood-burning) cook-system.",
"But, an aluminum soda-can penny burner will do all that, at least as well, for no money and with no appreciable weight-penalty.",
"This Triad stove is also better than it's \"big brother\" (The \"EX\")...",
"better burn-time and faster boil, according to one YT test and review so...",
"get THIS one, rather than the \"EX\", if you want one of these.",
"This little burner is VERY light-weight (less than one ounce?",
")...",
"VERY compact (smaller diameter than a coke can...",
"pretty sure...",
"certainly not bigger)...",
"and is VERY expensive...",
"like ~$30?!",
"(Yikes!",
").",
"But, hey, it is lighter and more compact than any other boil-option and the design is as optimized as it really can possibly be (without being any larger or heavier)...",
"and, it really is VERY well constructed (however sinple)...",
"The main body would surely survive being stepped on, by a 250 Lb man, but the leggs and pot-stand prolly would not (no great loss, there)...",
"just the same...",
"It will hold a stainless-steel Goyot Designs 1 liter bottle, filled to the brim, and boil it, with one fill of de-natured alchohol (if you block the wind) without any issues...",
"even on a fairly cold day.",
"My EDC is a Maxpedition Sabercat Waist Pack that is loaded, to the gills and my Esbit Cook-Set, with this burner, nested inside, is part of my \"light-mission\" load-out...",
"my 72 hour boil kit.",
"It will do \"that\" well."
] |
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