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I love the Original Easy Mac because it tastes just like the boxed Kraft mac & cheese. So, I decided to try the Extreme Cheese variety thinking it would just have more of that same cheesy taste.
It doesn't. It tastes.... different. Unfortunately, I'm one of those people that generally doesn't like new foods. If I'm eating a food that I grew up on, it needs to be very similar to what I ate when I was growing up (for example, my mom's beef stew has a gravy-like consistency, so beef stew recipes I try now that has red wine in a brothy-type liquid, I'll end up not liking it, because it's not like Mom's!).
This Extreme Cheese variety tastes like a different cheese... a swiss-like flavor, maybe? I think that's best how to describe it, a strong bittersweet flavor of Swiss cheese that's been aged a long time. But I don't like Swiss cheese, because I was raised on cheddar. I've tried two packets of this Extreme Cheese stuff, and I simply cannot bring myself to eat it.
Oh, well, I gave it a shot. Those who aren't as picky as I am might very well like this variety, though. | 1 | neutral | [
"I love the Original Easy Mac because it tastes just like the boxed Kraft mac & cheese.",
"So, I decided to try the Extreme Cheese variety thinking it would just have more of that same cheesy taste.",
"It doesn't.",
"It tastes....",
"different.",
"Unfortunately, I'm one of those people that generally doesn't like new foods.",
"If I'm eating a food that I grew up on, it needs to be very similar to what I ate when I was growing up (for example, my mom's beef stew has a gravy-like consistency, so beef stew recipes I try now that has red wine in a brothy-type liquid, I'll end up not liking it, because it's not like Mom's!",
").",
"This Extreme Cheese variety tastes like a different cheese...",
"a swiss-like flavor, maybe?",
"I think that's best how to describe it, a strong bittersweet flavor of Swiss cheese that's been aged a long time.",
"But I don't like Swiss cheese, because I was raised on cheddar.",
"I've tried two packets of this Extreme Cheese stuff, and I simply cannot bring myself to eat it.",
"Oh, well, I gave it a shot.",
"Those who aren't as picky as I am might very well like this variety, though."
] |
I bought this on Amazon for $23 a couple of months ago, now it's $50+ ...? Hmm.
Needless to say Robocop 1 is awesome. This set of all three for $23 is still awesome, even though I basically hated #2 and #3. But now that it's above $50, i can't really recommend it... when you can get Robocop 1 on Blu-ray right here on Amazon for under ten bucks, why would you fork out another $40 for two garbage sequels...? I wonder if they are preparing a new "version" of this, making this Trilogy version tougher to find...? | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought this on Amazon for $23 a couple of months ago, now it's $50+...",
"?",
"Hmm.",
"Needless to say Robocop 1 is awesome.",
"This set of all three for $23 is still awesome, even though I basically hated #2 and #3.",
"But now that it's above $50, i can't really recommend it...",
"when you can get Robocop 1 on Blu-ray right here on Amazon for under ten bucks, why would you fork out another $40 for two garbage sequels...",
"?",
"I wonder if they are preparing a new \"version\" of this, making this Trilogy version tougher to find...",
"?"
] |
[...] Lately I've been complaining about pressure sensitive buttons, and their lack of responsiveness. This game is a prime example of that, as there have been many times when I am inputting the classic moves that I know by heart and nothing happens, or I'm pounding away at the controller and nothing happens. Its not that my controller is broken, is that a game meant for digital buttons should either be tweaked to handle analogue buttons, or not put on a system with a controller that has them. The biggest response problem is in the hyper combos, which require you to pull the left and right trigger together. On the DC I could pull the triggers once and pull it off, on the Xbox I have to pull the triggers repeatedly, and getting my butt kicked as a result. I was able to breeze through even the toughest battles on the DC, but the response was much much better for that system.
Don't get me wrong the game is still a blast, and definitely a worthy purchase if you don't already have the DC, or PS2 versions. This game is one of my all time favorite fighter games, and I still love it despite the response problems this game has with the standard Xbox controller. Although I have played with an S-Type controller I have yet to buy one, but I think I may finally do so in hopes that the controller will help be play this game better on the Xbox.
The sound is quite a bit better than the DC version; I can actually hear the taunts and "Ha-do-kens" without having additional volume like I had to have for the DC version of the game. Graphically, however, the game disappoints. Its sad to think that in two years the 3D polygon world has advanced so much that we have amazing pieces of work like Ninja Gained on Xbox, or the Resident Evils on GameCube, but when it comes to 2D sprites things still have jagged edges, and still animate stiffly, even if they are moving quickly. I'd think that Capcom could have easily tweaked the game graphically to enhance the experience, but they didn't. This game looks just like the DC version. I had high hopes for this port, but with no online play, and with no enhancements to the game over all I feel very strongly that getting rid of the DC version in anticipation for this version was a mistake. Definitely pick this up if you don't have the DC or PS2 version of the game though. It's still one of the most fun fighter games of all time, even if the standard Xbox controller isn't the most responsive. | 1 | neutral | [
"[...",
"] Lately I've been complaining about pressure sensitive buttons, and their lack of responsiveness.",
"This game is a prime example of that, as there have been many times when I am inputting the classic moves that I know by heart and nothing happens, or I'm pounding away at the controller and nothing happens.",
"Its not that my controller is broken, is that a game meant for digital buttons should either be tweaked to handle analogue buttons, or not put on a system with a controller that has them.",
"The biggest response problem is in the hyper combos, which require you to pull the left and right trigger together.",
"On the DC I could pull the triggers once and pull it off, on the Xbox I have to pull the triggers repeatedly, and getting my butt kicked as a result.",
"I was able to breeze through even the toughest battles on the DC, but the response was much much better for that system.",
"Don't get me wrong the game is still a blast, and definitely a worthy purchase if you don't already have the DC, or PS2 versions.",
"This game is one of my all time favorite fighter games, and I still love it despite the response problems this game has with the standard Xbox controller.",
"Although I have played with an S-Type controller I have yet to buy one, but I think I may finally do so in hopes that the controller will help be play this game better on the Xbox.",
"The sound is quite a bit better than the DC version; I can actually hear the taunts and \"Ha-do-kens\" without having additional volume like I had to have for the DC version of the game.",
"Graphically, however, the game disappoints.",
"Its sad to think that in two years the 3D polygon world has advanced so much that we have amazing pieces of work like Ninja Gained on Xbox, or the Resident Evils on GameCube, but when it comes to 2D sprites things still have jagged edges, and still animate stiffly, even if they are moving quickly.",
"I'd think that Capcom could have easily tweaked the game graphically to enhance the experience, but they didn't.",
"This game looks just like the DC version.",
"I had high hopes for this port, but with no online play, and with no enhancements to the game over all I feel very strongly that getting rid of the DC version in anticipation for this version was a mistake.",
"Definitely pick this up if you don't have the DC or PS2 version of the game though.",
"It's still one of the most fun fighter games of all time, even if the standard Xbox controller isn't the most responsive."
] |
Lil' Kim is the female rapper with super hyped up sex talk, a potty mouth, and a New York attitude. She has to be one of my favorite artists but her first CD was garbage!
Intro In A-Minor (10/10) - I give this a ten because it was so funny the first time I heard it.
Big Momma Thang (10/10) - I just love this song! This is one of the only songs I can stand to listen to on the album.
No Time (featuring P.Diddy) (10/10) - This is the other song that I love to listen to. P.Diddy adds his deep vocals on this track.
Spend A Little Doe (5/10) - Alright. Enough said.
Take It! - A boring interlude about messing around with Kim.
Crush On You (10/10) - I really do like this song. She chose the only good songs on her album as singles.
Drugs (6/10) - Pretty alright. Never really listen to it really. Seems more of an album filler.
Scheamin' - An interlude with the girls talking about setting a guy up.
Queen Bitch (2/10) - A boring album filler. When is the real music going to come? A few years later apparently.
Dreams (10/10) - A funny song about Kim having dreams about getting with an R&B singer.
M.A.F.I.A. Land (0/10) - Just a pointless album filler. Skip it all the time. Being hard on this CD doesn't make her any better.
We Don't Need It (3/10) - OK. But I never really listen to it.
Not Tonight (8/10) - A nice female anthem song. The remix is better.
Player Haters - A skit.
**** You (0/10) - Are you freaking kidding me? This is garbage!
I wouldn't buy this garbage, I would rather download "Big Momma Thang", "No Time", "Crush On You", "Dreams", and "Not Tonight". I'd rather spend my money on the real Lil' Kim. La Bella Mafia and Notorious K.I.M. are so much better.
Overall Grade : C+ | 1 | neutral | [
"Lil' Kim is the female rapper with super hyped up sex talk, a potty mouth, and a New York attitude.",
"She has to be one of my favorite artists but her first CD was garbage!",
"Intro In A-Minor (10/10) - I give this a ten because it was so funny the first time I heard it.",
"Big Momma Thang (10/10) - I just love this song!",
"This is one of the only songs I can stand to listen to on the album.",
"No Time (featuring P.",
"Diddy) (10/10) - This is the other song that I love to listen to.",
"P.",
"Diddy adds his deep vocals on this track.",
"Spend A Little Doe (5/10) - Alright.",
"Enough said.",
"Take It!",
"- A boring interlude about messing around with Kim.",
"Crush On You (10/10) - I really do like this song.",
"She chose the only good songs on her album as singles.",
"Drugs (6/10) - Pretty alright.",
"Never really listen to it really.",
"Seems more of an album filler.",
"Scheamin' - An interlude with the girls talking about setting a guy up.",
"Queen Bitch (2/10) - A boring album filler.",
"When is the real music going to come?",
"A few years later apparently.",
"Dreams (10/10) - A funny song about Kim having dreams about getting with an R&B singer.",
"M.",
"A.F.I.A. Land (0/10) - Just a pointless album filler.",
"Skip it all the time.",
"Being hard on this CD doesn't make her any better.",
"We Don't Need It (3/10) - OK.",
"But I never really listen to it.",
"Not Tonight (8/10) - A nice female anthem song.",
"The remix is better.",
"Player Haters - A skit.",
"**** You (0/10) - Are you freaking kidding me?",
"This is garbage!",
"I wouldn't buy this garbage, I would rather download \"Big Momma Thang\", \"No Time\", \"Crush On You\", \"Dreams\", and \"Not Tonight\".",
"I'd rather spend my money on the real Lil' Kim.",
"La Bella Mafia and Notorious K.",
"I.M. are so much better.",
"Overall Grade : C+"
] |
Unfortunately, I was one of those idiots who bought Gamecube over PS2. I bought SSB:M, Rogue Leader, THPS3, Spy Hunter, and Cel Damage. I will tell you about Star Wars Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron II in this review. This game is great! Well it is until you get to some missions where they they don't even tell you how to use your weapons and what the objectives are. Some people call this a strategy game. I call it a Piece of [garbage] game. It could really use a two player mode. Missions like Raid on Bespin are almost impossible! Unless you are really good at these types of games, save your money. | 1 | neutral | [
"Unfortunately, I was one of those idiots who bought Gamecube over PS2.",
"I bought SSB:M, Rogue Leader, THPS3, Spy Hunter, and Cel Damage.",
"I will tell you about Star Wars Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron II in this review.",
"This game is great!",
"Well it is until you get to some missions where they they don't even tell you how to use your weapons and what the objectives are.",
"Some people call this a strategy game.",
"I call it a Piece of [garbage] game.",
"It could really use a two player mode.",
"Missions like Raid on Bespin are almost impossible!",
"Unless you are really good at these types of games, save your money."
] |
I have to say that when I first saw the summary for this on goodreads that I thought it sounded like
something I would read, so I took a chance on it and saw that it was only 99cents, which is a bargain.
I also noticed that this is a part of a series that was written and self-pubbed by the author herself.
Even more of a plus! I'm always one to support indie authors more so than big-named ones, to be honest.
The end result was a quick, pretty okay read. However, I felt like it should have been a bit longer in length
so that the characters could have been developed more. I also felt like the storyline itself could have been
delved into a bit more deeply so that the reader can really learn about how the vamps and wolves came to be enemies
and a bit more explanation on their lore according to the author.
Overall, I would really rate this about 2.5 stars. Just okay for the first in a series. | 1 | neutral | [
"I have to say that when I first saw the summary for this on goodreads that I thought it sounded like\nsomething I would read, so I took a chance on it and saw that it was only 99cents, which is a bargain.",
"I also noticed that this is a part of a series that was written and self-pubbed by the author herself.",
"Even more of a plus!",
"I'm always one to support indie authors more so than big-named ones, to be honest.",
"The end result was a quick, pretty okay read.",
"However, I felt like it should have been a bit longer in length\nso that the characters could have been developed more.",
"I also felt like the storyline itself could have been\ndelved into a bit more deeply so that the reader can really learn about how the vamps and wolves came to be enemies\nand a bit more explanation on their lore according to the author.",
"Overall, I would really rate this about 2.",
"5 stars.",
"Just okay for the first in a series."
] |
I had high hopes for this game, and perhaps that was its downfall.
I had never played a game that gave you the chance to be good or evil, so that was an interesting gimmick for me. Once I got into the game, however, I was underwhelmed. My character aged so quickly it was ridiculous, and many of the examples of the AI component were, I fear, overexaggerated.
The biggest drawback to Fable, however, was its length. Just when I was starting to really enjoy myself, it was over. I played through it a second time (as evil), but it had lost much of the excitement for me. Even slaughtering whole towns...or even half a town, wasn't that great. There were some alignment-specific secrets (one demon door requires you to perform an act of great evil in front of it before it will open for you), but even the few alignment-specific parts of the game weren't that great.
It was still fun, don't get me wrong. I just found it to be less innovative than all the hype had claimed that it would be. Try Jade Empire instead...(see my review for that) | 1 | neutral | [
"I had high hopes for this game, and perhaps that was its downfall.",
"I had never played a game that gave you the chance to be good or evil, so that was an interesting gimmick for me.",
"Once I got into the game, however, I was underwhelmed.",
"My character aged so quickly it was ridiculous, and many of the examples of the AI component were, I fear, overexaggerated.",
"The biggest drawback to Fable, however, was its length.",
"Just when I was starting to really enjoy myself, it was over.",
"I played through it a second time (as evil), but it had lost much of the excitement for me.",
"Even slaughtering whole towns...",
"or even half a town, wasn't that great.",
"There were some alignment-specific secrets (one demon door requires you to perform an act of great evil in front of it before it will open for you), but even the few alignment-specific parts of the game weren't that great.",
"It was still fun, don't get me wrong.",
"I just found it to be less innovative than all the hype had claimed that it would be.",
"Try Jade Empire instead...",
"(see my review for that)"
] |
Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions below are entirely my own.
I can write this review in two sentences: If you love Westerns, you'll love this. If you don't, you won't.
The rest of this is dedicated to those still on the fence.
Calling this a typical Western would be an understatement. Morgan Kane is a purveyor of every trope and tradition of the genre, for better and for worse. It's got thrilling gun fights and enough testosterone for a whole MLB team (sorry guys!) but is sorely lacking for three-dimensional characters and a broad, engaging cast. As for the leading man, well, men would want to be him and women would want to- I'm not sure I can detail that on a family site, but you catch my drift.
To both the author's and the translator's credit, the writing is positively vivid - I could feel the great outdoors, smell the gunsmoke - it really felt like the old West.
So, it is what it is, and unapologetically so. If you long for the glory days of the likes of Eastwood and Wayne, Morgan Kane is your new literary best friend. If you just want to try out the genre and see if it's for you, this book will absolutely tell you. But if you're looking for plot twists and powerful women, I'm afraid you'll have to keep looking.
And as a side note, I won't even address the racism, as it's been covered very effectively by other reviewers. Just be aware that this book is over 50 years old, and while it cannot be defended for its caustic treatment of Mexican-Americans, it is not unexpected.
Questions? Comments? Leave one below, or feel free to contact me at SeanOnAmazon@gmail.com. | 1 | neutral | [
"Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes.",
"The opinions below are entirely my own.",
"I can write this review in two sentences: If you love Westerns, you'll love this.",
"If you don't, you won't.",
"The rest of this is dedicated to those still on the fence.",
"Calling this a typical Western would be an understatement.",
"Morgan Kane is a purveyor of every trope and tradition of the genre, for better and for worse.",
"It's got thrilling gun fights and enough testosterone for a whole MLB team (sorry guys!",
") but is sorely lacking for three-dimensional characters and a broad, engaging cast.",
"As for the leading man, well, men would want to be him and women would want to- I'm not sure I can detail that on a family site, but you catch my drift.",
"To both the author's and the translator's credit, the writing is positively vivid - I could feel the great outdoors, smell the gunsmoke - it really felt like the old West.",
"So, it is what it is, and unapologetically so.",
"If you long for the glory days of the likes of Eastwood and Wayne, Morgan Kane is your new literary best friend.",
"If you just want to try out the genre and see if it's for you, this book will absolutely tell you.",
"But if you're looking for plot twists and powerful women, I'm afraid you'll have to keep looking.",
"And as a side note, I won't even address the racism, as it's been covered very effectively by other reviewers.",
"Just be aware that this book is over 50 years old, and while it cannot be defended for its caustic treatment of Mexican-Americans, it is not unexpected.",
"Questions?",
"Comments?",
"Leave one below, or feel free to contact me at SeanOnAmazon@gmail.",
"com."
] |
I had read Michael Dobbs series on Winston Churchill and enjoyed them very much. Coincidentally, I had recently watched the US remake of 'House of Cards'. Perhaps it was time to read the original story now that my memory of the much earlier BBC version constituted only Urquhart's face and the climactic scene on the rooftop.
About half way through the book I realised how much the art of novel writing has matured, along with TV screenwriting, in the last few decades. The idea of the book remains clever, even brilliant, but the contrast between the original plot and the re-interpreting of it in the American series reveals the plot weaknesses of the original. Some measure of suspended belief is required. Rather too much in the case of the original. Could he really get away with it? Surely not.
But, for a while, it us fun to believe he did. | 1 | neutral | [
"I had read Michael Dobbs series on Winston Churchill and enjoyed them very much.",
"Coincidentally, I had recently watched the US remake of 'House of Cards'.",
"Perhaps it was time to read the original story now that my memory of the much earlier BBC version constituted only Urquhart's face and the climactic scene on the rooftop.",
"About half way through the book I realised how much the art of novel writing has matured, along with TV screenwriting, in the last few decades.",
"The idea of the book remains clever, even brilliant, but the contrast between the original plot and the re-interpreting of it in the American series reveals the plot weaknesses of the original.",
"Some measure of suspended belief is required.",
"Rather too much in the case of the original.",
"Could he really get away with it?",
"Surely not.",
"But, for a while, it us fun to believe he did."
] |
I got this for my medium sized pitbull/boxer mix who loves frisbee. I wanted to get him something he could pick up when it's flat on the ground and something that would be softer on his teeth than a regular frisbee. I was between this and a couple of the other chuckit frisbee options. For the price This is a good product however it does not always fly great. I have lots of experience with frisbees and sometimes this one will not fly level. I would not normally mind but because the area that I throw it in is bordered by a road, there have been a couple times it just curves off toward the road. I think part of the reason it doesn't always fly great is because it's constantly getting bent and folded when fetched. I have the small size and the larger sizes may hold their shape better. Sometimes it just doesn't go very far either, it really takes some time to throw it consistently and even then you're likely to have some bad throws in there.
Overall I would recommend it if this is what you're looking for but I think our next purchase will be chuckit's round disc. I assume it will fly better and I don't think that the raised edges on this actually make that much of a difference in our dog picking it up, I think as long as you have a soft disc they can scoop it up easier. | 1 | neutral | [
"I got this for my medium sized pitbull/boxer mix who loves frisbee.",
"I wanted to get him something he could pick up when it's flat on the ground and something that would be softer on his teeth than a regular frisbee.",
"I was between this and a couple of the other chuckit frisbee options.",
"For the price This is a good product however it does not always fly great.",
"I have lots of experience with frisbees and sometimes this one will not fly level.",
"I would not normally mind but because the area that I throw it in is bordered by a road, there have been a couple times it just curves off toward the road.",
"I think part of the reason it doesn't always fly great is because it's constantly getting bent and folded when fetched.",
"I have the small size and the larger sizes may hold their shape better.",
"Sometimes it just doesn't go very far either, it really takes some time to throw it consistently and even then you're likely to have some bad throws in there.",
"Overall I would recommend it if this is what you're looking for but I think our next purchase will be chuckit's round disc.",
"I assume it will fly better and I don't think that the raised edges on this actually make that much of a difference in our dog picking it up, I think as long as you have a soft disc they can scoop it up easier."
] |
"The Problem of Pain," by C.S. Lewis, is a non-fiction work that looks at the title phenomenon in a Christian theological context. The chapters in the book look at human pain, animal pain, divine omnipotence, human wickedness, and other theological/philosophical concepts.
I found "Problem" to be a curious book. Some parts are well-written and thought-provoking, some parts are dull. Some parts just seem self-indulgent and even silly; at its worst the book reads like an eggheaded parody of theology. The chapter on hell is particularly unsatisfying; I found it to sound patronizing and frustratingly vague at times. But the book as a whole is thankfully enlivened by delightful flashes of wit.
Theologically, Lewis seems to be at odds with strict biblical literalism; in chapter 5 he appears to endorse the idea of biological evolution, for example. Despite my reservations, I feel that this is a worthwhile book for both Christians and those of other belief traditions. | 1 | neutral | [
"\"The Problem of Pain,\" by C.",
"S. Lewis, is a non-fiction work that looks at the title phenomenon in a Christian theological context.",
"The chapters in the book look at human pain, animal pain, divine omnipotence, human wickedness, and other theological/philosophical concepts.",
"I found \"Problem\" to be a curious book.",
"Some parts are well-written and thought-provoking, some parts are dull.",
"Some parts just seem self-indulgent and even silly; at its worst the book reads like an eggheaded parody of theology.",
"The chapter on hell is particularly unsatisfying; I found it to sound patronizing and frustratingly vague at times.",
"But the book as a whole is thankfully enlivened by delightful flashes of wit.",
"Theologically, Lewis seems to be at odds with strict biblical literalism; in chapter 5 he appears to endorse the idea of biological evolution, for example.",
"Despite my reservations, I feel that this is a worthwhile book for both Christians and those of other belief traditions."
] |
I read this straight after the prequel <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Lorcan-s-Desire-Whispering-Pines-Ranch/dp/B0053GKSE4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Lorcan's Desire (Whispering Pines Ranch)</a> and am pleased with the smooth flow of the story. The writer has conveyed each man's inner turmoil well as they circle around each other. It is one emotional ride from beginning to end. What I don't get is Quinn's delving into the BDSM world, which just does not fit into the story. So Quinn needs an outlet to vent his anger and pain. But this excuse is pretty lame when Quinn easily gives up and even forgets about this new found kinkiness of his once he got his man. Also there is too much sex. One whole chapter devoted to the BDSM scene between Quinn and Ty is just overboard when BDSM is not even to be part of Quinn's future with Lorcan. It is as if the writer is trying to invigorate the erotic part of the story by forcing BDSM sex into the story. Then there are all those sexual innuendo/references scattered through the story. Gets to be tiring after awhile, especially in the midst of emotional pain. Can't two guys be in the same room without feeling aroused ? Yup I know this is MM romance but too much of these sexual references just "cheapen" the romance side. Still a pretty good story as these flawed characters stumbled, fell and picked themselves up in their love life. | 1 | neutral | [
"I read this straight after the prequel <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Lorcan-s-Desire-Whispering-Pines-Ranch/dp/B0053GKSE4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Lorcan's Desire (Whispering Pines Ranch)</a> and am pleased with the smooth flow of the story.",
"The writer has conveyed each man's inner turmoil well as they circle around each other.",
"It is one emotional ride from beginning to end.",
"What I don't get is Quinn's delving into the BDSM world, which just does not fit into the story.",
"So Quinn needs an outlet to vent his anger and pain.",
"But this excuse is pretty lame when Quinn easily gives up and even forgets about this new found kinkiness of his once he got his man.",
"Also there is too much sex.",
"One whole chapter devoted to the BDSM scene between Quinn and Ty is just overboard when BDSM is not even to be part of Quinn's future with Lorcan.",
"It is as if the writer is trying to invigorate the erotic part of the story by forcing BDSM sex into the story.",
"Then there are all those sexual innuendo/references scattered through the story.",
"Gets to be tiring after awhile, especially in the midst of emotional pain.",
"Can't two guys be in the same room without feeling aroused?",
"Yup I know this is MM romance but too much of these sexual references just \"cheapen\" the romance side.",
"Still a pretty good story as these flawed characters stumbled, fell and picked themselves up in their love life."
] |
This is probably the least favorite fisher I've ever owned. Go with black. This doesnt look like any other tan on any piece of gear I own. Usually thats ok, one company uses a little more brown, ones a little more coyote or dark earth. But this one is sorta yellow? Beige maybe? They should have made it darker and browner. The color is terrible and it gets marked up easy. In a pocket or bag, it doesnt matter it attracts marks. The writing is typical fisher... not the best writing experience in terms of flow, but it will work just about anywhere. I've used it in 110F+ temperatures, in the rain, in sand and it still writes. Still in a perfect world it would have been textured either metal or rubber in a nice dark color. Not this sorta watered down mustard. Oh well... at least it writes! | 1 | neutral | [
"This is probably the least favorite fisher I've ever owned.",
"Go with black.",
"This doesnt look like any other tan on any piece of gear I own.",
"Usually thats ok, one company uses a little more brown, ones a little more coyote or dark earth.",
"But this one is sorta yellow?",
"Beige maybe?",
"They should have made it darker and browner.",
"The color is terrible and it gets marked up easy.",
"In a pocket or bag, it doesnt matter it attracts marks.",
"The writing is typical fisher...",
"not the best writing experience in terms of flow, but it will work just about anywhere.",
"I've used it in 110F+ temperatures, in the rain, in sand and it still writes.",
"Still in a perfect world it would have been textured either metal or rubber in a nice dark color.",
"Not this sorta watered down mustard.",
"Oh well...",
"at least it writes!"
] |
This item took a while to figure out how to apply. I've looked online for suggestions on applying Snazaroo but once I got the product, it was a whole different ballpark. The best way to apply it is to dip the brush in a small puddle of water and start circling it into the paint. It should be pasty once you mix it, not watery. From there, you apply in big strokes. If your brush is too wet and/or drippy, the paint will look like water stains on a mirror, except on your face. The pastier, the more matted it looks on your skin. Unfortunately, you'll need to repeat this process a lot because it can dry very quickly. Hope this helps others! Other than that, it's easy to remove from skin and even cloth.
Note: This yellow can look greenish on olive skin tone. I recommend buying this with orange and mixing them together for a warmer tone on your face. | 1 | neutral | [
"This item took a while to figure out how to apply.",
"I've looked online for suggestions on applying Snazaroo but once I got the product, it was a whole different ballpark.",
"The best way to apply it is to dip the brush in a small puddle of water and start circling it into the paint.",
"It should be pasty once you mix it, not watery.",
"From there, you apply in big strokes.",
"If your brush is too wet and/or drippy, the paint will look like water stains on a mirror, except on your face.",
"The pastier, the more matted it looks on your skin.",
"Unfortunately, you'll need to repeat this process a lot because it can dry very quickly.",
"Hope this helps others!",
"Other than that, it's easy to remove from skin and even cloth.",
"Note: This yellow can look greenish on olive skin tone.",
"I recommend buying this with orange and mixing them together for a warmer tone on your face."
] |
The Nintendo DS could be a neat little gadget if Nintendo would stop screwing up the controls is every game for it. It seems only Konami knows (Dawn of Sorrow). Do you really need me to talk about the touch-screen when there are thousands of other reviews that are happy to go on and on about it? Didn't think so. I think the touchscreen is almost sensitive enough, but almost doesn't cut it. Be careful with the stylus or you WILL scratch the screen from trying to get a response. This isn't the first hand-held to have a touch-screen; I think that honor goes to Tiger's Game.com, which was black and white and had internet access. I'm not sure what else because I never owned one, but this is not a review of Game.com, it's a review of the NDS.
The backlit screen is bright enough until you turn it off, then then it's even darker than the original GBA. Nintendo's problem with the controls is that they treat A as the primary button and B as a secondary, X and Y to be used sparingly. That would be fine if it weren't for the placement of the A and B buttons. The set-up resembles the Super Nintendo controller: A is at the right, B at the bottom, Y at the left, and X at the top. This makes standard platform games with the AB set-up rather awkward and uncomfortable. With racing games, it just makes it painful. Mario Kart DS didn't have to be a bad game... well, not as bad as this anyway. But since the action buttons are so close to the edge of the controller, you have to pretty much squish the base of your thumb and forefinger together if you want on finger on the R trigger, which is vital since you will need to press and hold R a lot if you want to win the harder races. The controls would be much better if B was for accelloration and Y was for brakes, like in Super Mario Kart for Super Nintendo. The people involved in the SNES games must have left or something, because the standard, usually uneditable control set-up on the DS just plain sucks!
I got the DS for Super Princess Peach, but if that game is as hard to play because of of awkward controls as Mario Kart DS, I'm selling the unit and the games and looking towards the competator, even if I have to endure loading times and charge the battery every three hours. | 1 | neutral | [
"The Nintendo DS could be a neat little gadget if Nintendo would stop screwing up the controls is every game for it.",
"It seems only Konami knows (Dawn of Sorrow).",
"Do you really need me to talk about the touch-screen when there are thousands of other reviews that are happy to go on and on about it?",
"Didn't think so.",
"I think the touchscreen is almost sensitive enough, but almost doesn't cut it.",
"Be careful with the stylus or you WILL scratch the screen from trying to get a response.",
"This isn't the first hand-held to have a touch-screen; I think that honor goes to Tiger's Game.",
"com, which was black and white and had internet access.",
"I'm not sure what else because I never owned one, but this is not a review of Game.",
"com, it's a review of the NDS.",
"The backlit screen is bright enough until you turn it off, then then it's even darker than the original GBA.",
"Nintendo's problem with the controls is that they treat A as the primary button and B as a secondary, X and Y to be used sparingly.",
"That would be fine if it weren't for the placement of the A and B buttons.",
"The set-up resembles the Super Nintendo controller: A is at the right, B at the bottom, Y at the left, and X at the top.",
"This makes standard platform games with the AB set-up rather awkward and uncomfortable.",
"With racing games, it just makes it painful.",
"Mario Kart DS didn't have to be a bad game...",
"well, not as bad as this anyway.",
"But since the action buttons are so close to the edge of the controller, you have to pretty much squish the base of your thumb and forefinger together if you want on finger on the R trigger, which is vital since you will need to press and hold R a lot if you want to win the harder races.",
"The controls would be much better if B was for accelloration and Y was for brakes, like in Super Mario Kart for Super Nintendo.",
"The people involved in the SNES games must have left or something, because the standard, usually uneditable control set-up on the DS just plain sucks!",
"I got the DS for Super Princess Peach, but if that game is as hard to play because of of awkward controls as Mario Kart DS, I'm selling the unit and the games and looking towards the competator, even if I have to endure loading times and charge the battery every three hours."
] |
I just wish this game had more depth. The puzzles are fun but it made me wish there were more to it. The different levels and challanges were harder and looked different but the game style was the same, meaning you used the same strategy. Once you figure out how to best line up 4-5 in a row you start to find the auto pairing to be anoying because it clears out your perfect row before you can drag the 4th or 5th one to its destination. I purchased a used game and so when i played all the warehouses were open to me. I do not know if this is normal or not but perhaps the previous owner already passed and unlocked them all for me. This was a bonus for me if he did because I do not plan on playing this game for very long even as a puzzle game. This is ofcourse because I do not like these types of puzzles, most of the scoring happens because the right combo falls into the right slot and takes no effort on my end to plan out.
In summary, borrow from a friend or rent it. The first hour that you spend playing this game will determine if you like it or not because it will be the same from beginning to the end. If you must own a copy, then buy it for cheap and not at full price. Puzzles games in my opinion go down in price very quickly so you should find this game in the bargin bin very soon. | 1 | neutral | [
"I just wish this game had more depth.",
"The puzzles are fun but it made me wish there were more to it.",
"The different levels and challanges were harder and looked different but the game style was the same, meaning you used the same strategy.",
"Once you figure out how to best line up 4-5 in a row you start to find the auto pairing to be anoying because it clears out your perfect row before you can drag the 4th or 5th one to its destination.",
"I purchased a used game and so when i played all the warehouses were open to me.",
"I do not know if this is normal or not but perhaps the previous owner already passed and unlocked them all for me.",
"This was a bonus for me if he did because I do not plan on playing this game for very long even as a puzzle game.",
"This is ofcourse because I do not like these types of puzzles, most of the scoring happens because the right combo falls into the right slot and takes no effort on my end to plan out.",
"In summary, borrow from a friend or rent it.",
"The first hour that you spend playing this game will determine if you like it or not because it will be the same from beginning to the end.",
"If you must own a copy, then buy it for cheap and not at full price.",
"Puzzles games in my opinion go down in price very quickly so you should find this game in the bargin bin very soon."
] |
Well I think my title says it. I was very excited to play this game at first, then I was confused. Why am I not fighting anyone? That was the question I asked myself after a few hours playing the game. This game can be very dumb, like asking the same question over and over again. It's new to the people your asking in the game, but not for you. Then, of course, there is the constant wandering around, trying to find people. Then when you find them, they don't tell you anything. They just tell to go find some other shop and waste some more time. Dissapointed | 1 | neutral | [
"Well I think my title says it.",
"I was very excited to play this game at first, then I was confused.",
"Why am I not fighting anyone?",
"That was the question I asked myself after a few hours playing the game.",
"This game can be very dumb, like asking the same question over and over again.",
"It's new to the people your asking in the game, but not for you.",
"Then, of course, there is the constant wandering around, trying to find people.",
"Then when you find them, they don't tell you anything.",
"They just tell to go find some other shop and waste some more time.",
"Dissapointed"
] |
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 used to be a big linksys lover, but my experience with several of their products (both here and at work, where I'm the IT guy) makes me seriously think that their quality is suspect.
My experience at home is with the BEFSR41.
As far as featureset and stability, it's great! No problems and the functionality is excellent. I'm very happy in that regards (which is why I gave this a 3 instead of a 1).
As far as quality goes, though, I have a different experience.
I leave these on 24 hrs a day and have several computers hooked up to it.
My first one died, unexpectedly, after 13 months. They wouldn't replace it (out of warranty), but my credit card company did reimburse me (the credit card extended warranties DO work!) So, I went an bought another one. 6 months later, it started freezing up and required an unplug/replug. It started happening more and more. So, I saw that there was a firmware upgrade... I upgraded and it died.
So, it's under warranty and they offer a great exchange policy (I know, because I had to use it with their wireless router at work -- it too just died one day), so I will exchange it for another one.
BUT... after seeing 4 of their products die unexpectedly (I also purchased their VPN router at work and it stopped working after around 18 months), I can honestly say that I am no longer on the Linksys bandwagon (hence my foray into Netgear).
So... my opinion is that this is a great product... until it dies. | 1 | neutral | [
"I used to be a big linksys lover, but my experience with several of their products (both here and at work, where I'm the IT guy) makes me seriously think that their quality is suspect.",
"My experience at home is with the BEFSR41.",
"As far as featureset and stability, it's great!",
"No problems and the functionality is excellent.",
"I'm very happy in that regards (which is why I gave this a 3 instead of a 1).",
"As far as quality goes, though, I have a different experience.",
"I leave these on 24 hrs a day and have several computers hooked up to it.",
"My first one died, unexpectedly, after 13 months.",
"They wouldn't replace it (out of warranty), but my credit card company did reimburse me (the credit card extended warranties DO work!",
") So, I went an bought another one.",
"6 months later, it started freezing up and required an unplug/replug.",
"It started happening more and more.",
"So, I saw that there was a firmware upgrade...",
"I upgraded and it died.",
"So, it's under warranty and they offer a great exchange policy (I know, because I had to use it with their wireless router at work -- it too just died one day), so I will exchange it for another one.",
"BUT...",
"after seeing 4 of their products die unexpectedly (I also purchased their VPN router at work and it stopped working after around 18 months), I can honestly say that I am no longer on the Linksys bandwagon (hence my foray into Netgear).",
"So...",
"my opinion is that this is a great product...",
"until it dies."
] |
I was excited when I had the chance to review this. Being a graduate student, dark circles under the eyes are sometimes a frequent visitor, and this would have come in handy. When I received the product I tried it immediately. Sadly, it did not cover the circles without assistance. I used a pure yellow cover up stick over them and then retried it. Success! However, for the cost it should have worked better, I think. There The average non-dark-circle-blemishes were adequately covered up more or less. I did like the feel of the makeup on my skin, but coverage wise was a big ehhh for me, in general. I'm not sure that the extra price over drugstore brands is worth it - at least for me. | 1 | neutral | [
"I was excited when I had the chance to review this.",
"Being a graduate student, dark circles under the eyes are sometimes a frequent visitor, and this would have come in handy.",
"When I received the product I tried it immediately.",
"Sadly, it did not cover the circles without assistance.",
"I used a pure yellow cover up stick over them and then retried it.",
"Success!",
"However, for the cost it should have worked better, I think.",
"There The average non-dark-circle-blemishes were adequately covered up more or less.",
"I did like the feel of the makeup on my skin, but coverage wise was a big ehhh for me, in general.",
"I'm not sure that the extra price over drugstore brands is worth it - at least for me."
] |
I got the giant wheel for a hedgehog. The wheel is fairly quiet at first, it just makes a swooshing sound. You can hear your pets feet over the noise of the wheel.
These wheels are sturdy, but over time they do wear out in several places. The prong that holds the wheel on is the first to go, especially if your pet it heavy. I reinforced mine by heating up the plastic in the prong and using a long screw and a washer to make sure that the wheel would no longer detatch.
Since these wheels have a ribbed interior, they do get MESSY. Be prepared to scrub a lot of poop buildup out of this. I routinely have to take a toothbrush and hose to this wheel to get the filth out. From the abusive cleaning, the plastic will get worn also. I go through a new wheel for the hedgehog every year.
The plus side is that he is able to run at a decent speed in this wheel and the walls of the wheel are solid so it is much safer than a wire style wheel. | 1 | neutral | [
"I got the giant wheel for a hedgehog.",
"The wheel is fairly quiet at first, it just makes a swooshing sound.",
"You can hear your pets feet over the noise of the wheel.",
"These wheels are sturdy, but over time they do wear out in several places.",
"The prong that holds the wheel on is the first to go, especially if your pet it heavy.",
"I reinforced mine by heating up the plastic in the prong and using a long screw and a washer to make sure that the wheel would no longer detatch.",
"Since these wheels have a ribbed interior, they do get MESSY.",
"Be prepared to scrub a lot of poop buildup out of this.",
"I routinely have to take a toothbrush and hose to this wheel to get the filth out.",
"From the abusive cleaning, the plastic will get worn also.",
"I go through a new wheel for the hedgehog every year.",
"The plus side is that he is able to run at a decent speed in this wheel and the walls of the wheel are solid so it is much safer than a wire style wheel."
] |
George R.R. Martin's latest book, "A Feast for Crows", is not quite as compelling or as interesting as the 3 novels which preceded it. As most readers are aware, Martin decided to split his original Book 4 into two books. Thus, the Point-of-View chapters for major characters such as Tyrion do not appear in "A Feast for Crows." This, in and of itself, is not an issue. Mr. Martin, however, seems to suffer the disease that plagues many writers of major fantasy epics (most notably, Robert Jordan): the inability to keep the story tight and focused, and the attempted development of too many relatively minor (and relatively uninteresting) characters. As a result, the book slows to a snail's pace and has the feel of the later books in the Robert Jordan series (in which it can take a 100 pages for someone to break camp).
The highlights of the book are the POV chapters which focus on Brienne and Jaime. Jaime has moved from a relatively one-dimensional villain to a character with much greater depth and much greater inner conflict. Does he love his sister or hate her, or both? Is he forever to be remembered as "The Kingslayer" or can he recreate himself into something noble? Is he worth less as a man and a knight having lost his hand? Brienne, in turn, breaks the mold of female characters. Ugly and brutish, she is a conflicted woman who finds herself out of place in both the world of men and the world of women.
Where the story really drags and begins to lose focus is in the chapters dedicated to the events in Dorne and the Iron Isles. These storylines could easily have been edited out or cut back immensely without hurting the development of the plot. In fact, it would have made the book and overall storyline much more compelling and better paced. The POV chapters relating to Arya, Sansa and Sam do not greatly advance the story and could easily have benefited from better editing. Sometimes, you get the feeling that Martin confuses volume with quality (and that his editors no longer interfere with his writing given his stature in the field). Arya, Sansa and Sam are all great characters, but due to the current plot line really are not in need of so much exposition.
If you've read the first three books, certainly pick this one up and read it. Don't, however, expect it to be as tightly constructed as the previous three novels in the series. | 1 | neutral | [
"George R.",
"R. Martin's latest book, \"A Feast for Crows\", is not quite as compelling or as interesting as the 3 novels which preceded it.",
"As most readers are aware, Martin decided to split his original Book 4 into two books.",
"Thus, the Point-of-View chapters for major characters such as Tyrion do not appear in \"A Feast for Crows.",
"\" This, in and of itself, is not an issue.",
"Mr.",
"Martin, however, seems to suffer the disease that plagues many writers of major fantasy epics (most notably, Robert Jordan): the inability to keep the story tight and focused, and the attempted development of too many relatively minor (and relatively uninteresting) characters.",
"As a result, the book slows to a snail's pace and has the feel of the later books in the Robert Jordan series (in which it can take a 100 pages for someone to break camp).",
"The highlights of the book are the POV chapters which focus on Brienne and Jaime.",
"Jaime has moved from a relatively one-dimensional villain to a character with much greater depth and much greater inner conflict.",
"Does he love his sister or hate her, or both?",
"Is he forever to be remembered as \"The Kingslayer\" or can he recreate himself into something noble?",
"Is he worth less as a man and a knight having lost his hand?",
"Brienne, in turn, breaks the mold of female characters.",
"Ugly and brutish, she is a conflicted woman who finds herself out of place in both the world of men and the world of women.",
"Where the story really drags and begins to lose focus is in the chapters dedicated to the events in Dorne and the Iron Isles.",
"These storylines could easily have been edited out or cut back immensely without hurting the development of the plot.",
"In fact, it would have made the book and overall storyline much more compelling and better paced.",
"The POV chapters relating to Arya, Sansa and Sam do not greatly advance the story and could easily have benefited from better editing.",
"Sometimes, you get the feeling that Martin confuses volume with quality (and that his editors no longer interfere with his writing given his stature in the field).",
"Arya, Sansa and Sam are all great characters, but due to the current plot line really are not in need of so much exposition.",
"If you've read the first three books, certainly pick this one up and read it.",
"Don't, however, expect it to be as tightly constructed as the previous three novels in the series."
] |
UMK3 for the SNES is a hard game to make out. On one hand, the gameplay options are all intact and work like they should. Punches, kicks, pre-programmed combos and projectiles are here. The tournament modes, vs. matches and kombat kodes are present. Graphics are pretty spiffy too. From a pure gameplay perspective, UMK3 is what fans of the series expect.
But presentation-wise, things are looking very incomplete. While this game was essentially a full upgrade to the original Mortal Kombat 3 in arcades, here it feels like an expansion pack that can't interact with the original product. Missing are all the original backgrounds, and most of the announcer voices (like character names). Sheeva is no longer available, though a 'ghost' version of her remains in the code that causes the game to crash if used. Rain and Noob Saibot have no finishing moves, and many of the palette-swapped ninjas have recycled or modified animation to account for the SNES's limited memory. Some of the cuts are forgivable, some aren't, but in the end it feels like you bought 50% of a game instead of a full one.
There's really no reason to pick this up if you own MK Trilogy for Playstation or Nintendo 64. For Super Nintendo, I'd actually recommend the original MK3 over this one, as it feels like a more complete experience. | 1 | neutral | [
"UMK3 for the SNES is a hard game to make out.",
"On one hand, the gameplay options are all intact and work like they should.",
"Punches, kicks, pre-programmed combos and projectiles are here.",
"The tournament modes, vs.",
"matches and kombat kodes are present.",
"Graphics are pretty spiffy too.",
"From a pure gameplay perspective, UMK3 is what fans of the series expect.",
"But presentation-wise, things are looking very incomplete.",
"While this game was essentially a full upgrade to the original Mortal Kombat 3 in arcades, here it feels like an expansion pack that can't interact with the original product.",
"Missing are all the original backgrounds, and most of the announcer voices (like character names).",
"Sheeva is no longer available, though a 'ghost' version of her remains in the code that causes the game to crash if used.",
"Rain and Noob Saibot have no finishing moves, and many of the palette-swapped ninjas have recycled or modified animation to account for the SNES's limited memory.",
"Some of the cuts are forgivable, some aren't, but in the end it feels like you bought 50% of a game instead of a full one.",
"There's really no reason to pick this up if you own MK Trilogy for Playstation or Nintendo 64.",
"For Super Nintendo, I'd actually recommend the original MK3 over this one, as it feels like a more complete experience."
] |
Risk has always been a great, classic game, and thought its been quite some time since I sat down to play the board game, and being that I just picked up the Lord of the Rings Edition of the Risk board game, I needed practice and I figured I would give 'Risk II' a try.
Risk II is definitely fun. You can play alone, using computer AI to fill in where the other players would be, making for some great practice for when you play with your friends. There are many different AI opponents to choose from, and presumably these different opponents use different strategies when you play against them.
There is a Simultaneous Battle mode that has you coordinating attacks at the same time that your opponents are. It is easier to play with computer AI, since with human opponents it tends to take a while, or the game ends up ending in 3 minutes. However, it is a very interesting way to play Risk and I enjoy it. There are multiple options to choose from, such as setting the number of batallions you receive for controlling continents, how many territories are open(for example: Hawaii and some outlying islands are often closed, but may be set as territories), and how territories are distributed at the start of the game.
Battles are animated, which is a nice touch, and the graphics, while nothing impressive, are nice enough to look at for a while. I give the game only 3 stars however because of the AI issues. Sometimes, the AI opponents can be just absolutely stupid, barely putting up any challenge whatsoever. But being that you are playing against a computer, it seems that the computer is prone to cheating...or at least, having just a wee bit too much 'luck' with the roll of the dice. To this day, I will never know how my invasion force of 40 batallions lost to a defender force of 11...only 11 defending batallions! Its things like that which kind of diminish the fun in the game, because for any player, AI or not, to have that much luck when they're the last territory in the game is, for lack of a better word, completely unprecedented.
Regardless, the game is fun to play, and is of course always more fun when you have more than one person playing it. The computer AI serves as great practice and if you're just looking to waste time, and overall the game is a fine single player experience, even if the AI just happens to have unrealistic amounts of luck. I recommend this game to any Risk fan, as it should keep you entertained for hours on end. I'm already hooked, though when it comes to competing with other people, I prefer the board game. The AI just fluctuates too much between being stupid and skillful, often going to extremes in both cases. | 1 | neutral | [
"Risk has always been a great, classic game, and thought its been quite some time since I sat down to play the board game, and being that I just picked up the Lord of the Rings Edition of the Risk board game, I needed practice and I figured I would give 'Risk II' a try.",
"Risk II is definitely fun.",
"You can play alone, using computer AI to fill in where the other players would be, making for some great practice for when you play with your friends.",
"There are many different AI opponents to choose from, and presumably these different opponents use different strategies when you play against them.",
"There is a Simultaneous Battle mode that has you coordinating attacks at the same time that your opponents are.",
"It is easier to play with computer AI, since with human opponents it tends to take a while, or the game ends up ending in 3 minutes.",
"However, it is a very interesting way to play Risk and I enjoy it.",
"There are multiple options to choose from, such as setting the number of batallions you receive for controlling continents, how many territories are open(for example: Hawaii and some outlying islands are often closed, but may be set as territories), and how territories are distributed at the start of the game.",
"Battles are animated, which is a nice touch, and the graphics, while nothing impressive, are nice enough to look at for a while.",
"I give the game only 3 stars however because of the AI issues.",
"Sometimes, the AI opponents can be just absolutely stupid, barely putting up any challenge whatsoever.",
"But being that you are playing against a computer, it seems that the computer is prone to cheating...",
"or at least, having just a wee bit too much 'luck' with the roll of the dice.",
"To this day, I will never know how my invasion force of 40 batallions lost to a defender force of 11...",
"only 11 defending batallions!",
"Its things like that which kind of diminish the fun in the game, because for any player, AI or not, to have that much luck when they're the last territory in the game is, for lack of a better word, completely unprecedented.",
"Regardless, the game is fun to play, and is of course always more fun when you have more than one person playing it.",
"The computer AI serves as great practice and if you're just looking to waste time, and overall the game is a fine single player experience, even if the AI just happens to have unrealistic amounts of luck.",
"I recommend this game to any Risk fan, as it should keep you entertained for hours on end.",
"I'm already hooked, though when it comes to competing with other people, I prefer the board game.",
"The AI just fluctuates too much between being stupid and skillful, often going to extremes in both cases."
] |
Anyone that has a dust collector knows how much it sucks to empty the bottom bag. I can't afford a cyclone nor do I have enough ceiling height.
Pros:
1. It does separate the large pieces/particles very well. Works great with the planer and jointer. About 5% of the dust still makes it into the bag unless you let the can fill up. Then the bag gets really full. Don't ask
2. Easier to empty a can than a bag. I bought a 44gal rubbermaid trash can from Lowe's and it was a perfect fit and much larger than my bottom bag.
3. Prevents anything metal from getting into the impeller
Cons:
1. Hose threads in. I bought two of the Jet 4" couplers and gorilla glued them in. No more leaks.
2. No way to secure the lid to the can. Like everyone else, I just used a bungee cord.
3. I got something different than what was pictured. I think the design I received functions better. (I have one of the other ones at work)
Over all, works well after I glued in the 4" couplers. It leaked pretty bad before that. | 1 | neutral | [
"Anyone that has a dust collector knows how much it sucks to empty the bottom bag.",
"I can't afford a cyclone nor do I have enough ceiling height.",
"Pros:\n\n1.",
"It does separate the large pieces/particles very well.",
"Works great with the planer and jointer.",
"About 5% of the dust still makes it into the bag unless you let the can fill up.",
"Then the bag gets really full.",
"Don't ask\n\n2.",
"Easier to empty a can than a bag.",
"I bought a 44gal rubbermaid trash can from Lowe's and it was a perfect fit and much larger than my bottom bag.",
"3.",
"Prevents anything metal from getting into the impeller\n\nCons:\n\n1.",
"Hose threads in.",
"I bought two of the Jet 4\" couplers and gorilla glued them in.",
"No more leaks.",
"2.",
"No way to secure the lid to the can.",
"Like everyone else, I just used a bungee cord.",
"3.",
"I got something different than what was pictured.",
"I think the design I received functions better.",
"(I have one of the other ones at work)\n\nOver all, works well after I glued in the 4\" couplers.",
"It leaked pretty bad before that."
] |
First of all- I am a casual gamer. I do not know about technical things with graphics, so my comments are based purely on how a middle-aged woman (who enjoys mildly difficult games and marvels at stunning graphics) found Myst V.
The graphics were disappointing, to say the least. There wasn't enough color and detail- most scenes were tones of gray, browns, etc. I played the game using a Radeon x800 on a brand new tower, so it was not a matter of hardware. After Uru and Riven, I expected much better, especially since came with several discs to download.
There were no views giving us tantalizing glimpses of other worlds, no animals (except for a bird and a couple of stray butterflies), no people, no intricate details either static or moving. Esher's costume moving was nice, as was the grass and palm trees.
The first time I saw the Bahro (the creature who does your bidding), I thought something was wrong with the program- chunky body pieces and jerky movements. Pitiful considering it was from the company that set the standard.
Yeesha is still weird. Esher is about the only active, living thing in the whole game and I found myself liking him simply for that reason. I don't know how he and Yeesha were made, but surely there are better programs for animating people. A video clip would have been much preferable.
I do not like very hard puzzles and make good use of internet hints, so my opinion of the puzzles will not be helpful to most serious gamers. Sorry. A few made sense, but many did not. If you like difficult puzzles, you will be happily entertained for the most part.
I thoroughly enjoyed Myst, Riven, and Uru and will go back and play them again, just for the lovely graphics...but not this one.
Bottom line: there was no "WOW!" | 1 | neutral | [
"First of all- I am a casual gamer.",
"I do not know about technical things with graphics, so my comments are based purely on how a middle-aged woman (who enjoys mildly difficult games and marvels at stunning graphics) found Myst V.",
"The graphics were disappointing, to say the least.",
"There wasn't enough color and detail- most scenes were tones of gray, browns, etc.",
"I played the game using a Radeon x800 on a brand new tower, so it was not a matter of hardware.",
"After Uru and Riven, I expected much better, especially since came with several discs to download.",
"There were no views giving us tantalizing glimpses of other worlds, no animals (except for a bird and a couple of stray butterflies), no people, no intricate details either static or moving.",
"Esher's costume moving was nice, as was the grass and palm trees.",
"The first time I saw the Bahro (the creature who does your bidding), I thought something was wrong with the program- chunky body pieces and jerky movements.",
"Pitiful considering it was from the company that set the standard.",
"Yeesha is still weird.",
"Esher is about the only active, living thing in the whole game and I found myself liking him simply for that reason.",
"I don't know how he and Yeesha were made, but surely there are better programs for animating people.",
"A video clip would have been much preferable.",
"I do not like very hard puzzles and make good use of internet hints, so my opinion of the puzzles will not be helpful to most serious gamers.",
"Sorry.",
"A few made sense, but many did not.",
"If you like difficult puzzles, you will be happily entertained for the most part.",
"I thoroughly enjoyed Myst, Riven, and Uru and will go back and play them again, just for the lovely graphics...",
"but not this one.",
"Bottom line: there was no \"WOW!",
"\""
] |
Overall, this is a cheesy, predictable, but cute little romance/chick lit.
It's one of those books where the reader can figure out the general plot within a few pages. There are no surprises here! That said, other than the main character's total inability to figure out her flatmate's motives, these are likeable characters (Josh is practically saintly, which stretches suspension of belief to an extreme) and it's a fun, if rather far-fetched, plot.
However, it could so easily have been a good deal better. Romantic comedies, be they in films or books, are generally thoroughly predictable, but there's foreshadowing and then there's LOOK THIS IS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. A touch more subtlety would not have gone amiss! It is at least fairly short, or the plot would get even more contrived.
On top of that, it needs a good proofread to weed out the careless mistakes. Lots of capitalisation of speech tags, words missing out, misused/typo'd words (were for wear, for example), etc. Generally I don't expect perfection from self-pubbed efforts, but I do expect the writer to take a little more time to fix basic, easily corrected errors like this.
So... reasonably engaging characters, and the book is entertaining enough (with at least one laugh-out-loud moment), but if I'd paid list price for it, I'd feel pretty short-changed. | 1 | neutral | [
"Overall, this is a cheesy, predictable, but cute little romance/chick lit.",
"It's one of those books where the reader can figure out the general plot within a few pages.",
"There are no surprises here!",
"That said, other than the main character's total inability to figure out her flatmate's motives, these are likeable characters (Josh is practically saintly, which stretches suspension of belief to an extreme) and it's a fun, if rather far-fetched, plot.",
"However, it could so easily have been a good deal better.",
"Romantic comedies, be they in films or books, are generally thoroughly predictable, but there's foreshadowing and then there's LOOK THIS IS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.",
"A touch more subtlety would not have gone amiss!",
"It is at least fairly short, or the plot would get even more contrived.",
"On top of that, it needs a good proofread to weed out the careless mistakes.",
"Lots of capitalisation of speech tags, words missing out, misused/typo'd words (were for wear, for example), etc.",
"Generally I don't expect perfection from self-pubbed efforts, but I do expect the writer to take a little more time to fix basic, easily corrected errors like this.",
"So...",
"reasonably engaging characters, and the book is entertaining enough (with at least one laugh-out-loud moment), but if I'd paid list price for it, I'd feel pretty short-changed."
] |
It has been awhile since I've read a book in this series, but returning to it I felt like I had never taken a break. Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin have become my good friends, and O'Brian swept me away with their exploits instantly. Even thought the style is decidedly un-modern, O'Brian's narrative thrust is irresistible. In this, the third volume of the series, Jack is still in debt due to the Admiralty refusing to honor a war prize based on a technicality, thus putting his engagement to Sophie in danger. Maturin is in real danger as the new Lord governing the navy broadcasts his name in a public meeting, thus raising possible questions about his role as a spy. Stephen's heart is troubled as well; he still moons over Diana Villiers, from the events of the second book.
How can you possibly dislike a book that contains a line such as this: "Jack, you have debauched my sloth." Yes, O'Brian has a certain amount of levity, although it is often hidden underneath the layers of the manners of the time. His style is somewhat like that of Jane Austen, where the most cutting of phrases are being said in the nicest of ways. You either like this sort of thing or don't. I like it, when I catch it, but I yearn for annotations, just knowing that there are some subtleties that are escaping me. | 1 | neutral | [
"It has been awhile since I've read a book in this series, but returning to it I felt like I had never taken a break.",
"Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin have become my good friends, and O'Brian swept me away with their exploits instantly.",
"Even thought the style is decidedly un-modern, O'Brian's narrative thrust is irresistible.",
"In this, the third volume of the series, Jack is still in debt due to the Admiralty refusing to honor a war prize based on a technicality, thus putting his engagement to Sophie in danger.",
"Maturin is in real danger as the new Lord governing the navy broadcasts his name in a public meeting, thus raising possible questions about his role as a spy.",
"Stephen's heart is troubled as well; he still moons over Diana Villiers, from the events of the second book.",
"How can you possibly dislike a book that contains a line such as this: \"Jack, you have debauched my sloth.",
"\" Yes, O'Brian has a certain amount of levity, although it is often hidden underneath the layers of the manners of the time.",
"His style is somewhat like that of Jane Austen, where the most cutting of phrases are being said in the nicest of ways.",
"You either like this sort of thing or don't.",
"I like it, when I catch it, but I yearn for annotations, just knowing that there are some subtleties that are escaping me."
] |
Cons
- Multi-language instructions.
I get that these are sold worldwide and you want to make one universal instruction booklet but honestly it's a pain to go page by page and look for your little section for your language. The only plus is that when you have done it long enough you probably won't need the booklet unless to reference for corrections to the tests.
- Caps.
These do not seal firmly. You can't invert or shake these containers without the test liquid getting on your hand. Even if you wrap the top in a towel to prevent it from getting on your hands you are still absorbing the liquid. I don't know if this alters the test parameters but it doesn't scream accuracy.
- Hard to distinguish colors.
Do I have 0 ammonia or .25ppm ammonia? Sometimes it's incredibly difficult to distinguish because the increments in color are so close to one another that you almost have to guess.
- Doesn't include all the tests.
GH/KH test sold separately, and I'm sure there are others I'm missing. When it's called the "master" test kit, I would think it would have all the tests available. While I knew that it didn't include these tests I just want to make it known and this part doesn't reflect on my rating.
Pros
For the price you won't find another suitable kit and this is essential if you want a healthy aquarium, especially if you're just starting out where testing is important before adding livestock. | 1 | neutral | [
"Cons\n- Multi-language instructions.",
"I get that these are sold worldwide and you want to make one universal instruction booklet but honestly it's a pain to go page by page and look for your little section for your language.",
"The only plus is that when you have done it long enough you probably won't need the booklet unless to reference for corrections to the tests.",
"- Caps.",
"These do not seal firmly.",
"You can't invert or shake these containers without the test liquid getting on your hand.",
"Even if you wrap the top in a towel to prevent it from getting on your hands you are still absorbing the liquid.",
"I don't know if this alters the test parameters but it doesn't scream accuracy.",
"- Hard to distinguish colors.",
"Do I have 0 ammonia or.",
"25ppm ammonia?",
"Sometimes it's incredibly difficult to distinguish because the increments in color are so close to one another that you almost have to guess.",
"- Doesn't include all the tests.",
"GH/KH test sold separately, and I'm sure there are others I'm missing.",
"When it's called the \"master\" test kit, I would think it would have all the tests available.",
"While I knew that it didn't include these tests I just want to make it known and this part doesn't reflect on my rating.",
"Pros\n\nFor the price you won't find another suitable kit and this is essential if you want a healthy aquarium, especially if you're just starting out where testing is important before adding livestock."
] |
I remember when i was a kid, we used to make fun of this movie an sing the song.."Monster Club is Lame" (repeat like the song does)..lol..anywho, after many years i started to get to like the film cause by then i was used to it and knew when to get the snacks during the dull session of the film..for example, the music..which sucks and some of the stories were pretty good and not so good. I got this film because i am a Vincent Price fan, even though, this isn't one of his best films, you barely will ever see this film on TV and its great for that Halloween viewing when there is nothing on TV. If you can get through the music...you'll be find. Rental only! | 1 | neutral | [
"I remember when i was a kid, we used to make fun of this movie an sing the song..",
"\"Monster Club is Lame\" (repeat like the song does)..",
"lol..",
"anywho, after many years i started to get to like the film cause by then i was used to it and knew when to get the snacks during the dull session of the film..",
"for example, the music..",
"which sucks and some of the stories were pretty good and not so good.",
"I got this film because i am a Vincent Price fan, even though, this isn't one of his best films, you barely will ever see this film on TV and its great for that Halloween viewing when there is nothing on TV.",
"If you can get through the music...",
"you'll be find.",
"Rental only!"
] |
The first Dragonheart was fantastic in my eyes (don't believe me? Read my review). This one wasn't as good, but it wasn't horrible. It didn't (stink). Those things are not true. It just wasn't as good as the first. As you've read in other reviews, this story is about a stableboy who wants to become a knight, and in the midst of his quest, stumbles on a dragon living in a dungeon (I think). They become friends, and I don't clearly remember the details of the rest. Oh well, someone here can tell you. I thought Drake was very cute, but truthfully I prefer the older dragons like Draco. If Draco had been around in this movie we could have had Draco and Drake arguing, and that could have been really funny. Compliments on the humor, mostly on Geoffrey's (Chris Masterson) part. All in all, this was a good film, especially for younger kids, and I applaud the people behind the making of it (none of the names are instantly coming to mind). Go see this if you are on the young side, or didn't see the first one, or if you just like dragons and want something nice to watch. | 1 | neutral | [
"The first Dragonheart was fantastic in my eyes (don't believe me?",
"Read my review).",
"This one wasn't as good, but it wasn't horrible.",
"It didn't (stink).",
"Those things are not true.",
"It just wasn't as good as the first.",
"As you've read in other reviews, this story is about a stableboy who wants to become a knight, and in the midst of his quest, stumbles on a dragon living in a dungeon (I think).",
"They become friends, and I don't clearly remember the details of the rest.",
"Oh well, someone here can tell you.",
"I thought Drake was very cute, but truthfully I prefer the older dragons like Draco.",
"If Draco had been around in this movie we could have had Draco and Drake arguing, and that could have been really funny.",
"Compliments on the humor, mostly on Geoffrey's (Chris Masterson) part.",
"All in all, this was a good film, especially for younger kids, and I applaud the people behind the making of it (none of the names are instantly coming to mind).",
"Go see this if you are on the young side, or didn't see the first one, or if you just like dragons and want something nice to watch."
] |
This delivers a very fine, fine mist. It is in a aerosol type spray, and though it is loaded with chemicals, I really thought from the quality of the spray delivery that I would love it. It has a bit of an odor, but it is more like chemicals and alcohol than perfume. It quickly goes away, because this product dries quickly
It does not cause cosmetics to run or change color, and powder looks more natural.
It holds makeup on well for 3-4 hours. After 3 hours my face feels stiff and dry with this product. I can't stand it much longer myself so I remove it. It comes off with a soap based cleanser or Olay makeup remover towelettes. It leaves my face dry though, even in this humid, muggy weather.
I can't recommend it if needed for more than about 3 hours. It does prolong makeup wear on hot, sweaty days for a couple of hours, so it might work well for a photo shoot or short special event. I would never wear it daily. | 1 | neutral | [
"This delivers a very fine, fine mist.",
"It is in a aerosol type spray, and though it is loaded with chemicals, I really thought from the quality of the spray delivery that I would love it.",
"It has a bit of an odor, but it is more like chemicals and alcohol than perfume.",
"It quickly goes away, because this product dries quickly\n\nIt does not cause cosmetics to run or change color, and powder looks more natural.",
"It holds makeup on well for 3-4 hours.",
"After 3 hours my face feels stiff and dry with this product.",
"I can't stand it much longer myself so I remove it.",
"It comes off with a soap based cleanser or Olay makeup remover towelettes.",
"It leaves my face dry though, even in this humid, muggy weather.",
"I can't recommend it if needed for more than about 3 hours.",
"It does prolong makeup wear on hot, sweaty days for a couple of hours, so it might work well for a photo shoot or short special event.",
"I would never wear it daily."
] |
This is a fun game! It is recommended for 4 year old kids and up, but I bought it for my son who is 2 yrs and 9 months old. He loves this game. The first day we played, it was challenging for my boy to catch fish, and he kept trying to stop the toy from turning or to grab fish by hand. However, he did not get discouraged, he kept trying and eventually got a hang of it. The next day he asked to play again and had little problem catching fish. We mixed it up a little by assigning what color fish each one of us was after with the fifth color being the tie breaker. There are four fishing poles included with the game, so my wife decided to join us. Playing with three people made the game even more fun because the fishing rods collide and it makes it more challenging to catch a fish. I do not share the opinion of other reviewers who wrote that the game rotates too fast. I think it rotates sufficiently fast to make it challenging to catch fish, but not so fast as to make it impossible.
There are a few things that I thought could be improved.
First, it uses a C-size battery. I did not have any C batteries at home and did not want to buy them, so I folded a piece of paper towel in a long strip and wrapped a AA battery in it to make it as fat as a C size battery. It worked fine. I then found some AA-to-C adapters that came with the Eneloop batteries set I bought at Costco, so the battery problem is solved. However, I think it would be more appealing if the game was set up to use AAs or maybe even an AC adapter.
Second, there is no music. The description says "As the pond circles the base (to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")". Just like others have mentioned, the game has no music, no switch for music, no speaker.
Third, the motor is noisy. Besides plastic fishes making noise when they shut their mouths, there is also a constant background noise from the motor. It is not a problem for my child, but I wish the motor was quieter.
Overall, I am very glad I got this game and my child enjoys it. I think it is absolutely worth the six bucks I paid for it.
UPDATE 3 DAYS LATER: I have lowered my rating because one of the fish eye stickers came off and got lost. i checked other fish and noticed that the eye stickers are not completely adhered and curling. This is upsetting for a toy we used three times. It is still fun, but if you are getting one, you may want to check the eye stickers and make sure they are all fully adhered. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is a fun game!",
"It is recommended for 4 year old kids and up, but I bought it for my son who is 2 yrs and 9 months old.",
"He loves this game.",
"The first day we played, it was challenging for my boy to catch fish, and he kept trying to stop the toy from turning or to grab fish by hand.",
"However, he did not get discouraged, he kept trying and eventually got a hang of it.",
"The next day he asked to play again and had little problem catching fish.",
"We mixed it up a little by assigning what color fish each one of us was after with the fifth color being the tie breaker.",
"There are four fishing poles included with the game, so my wife decided to join us.",
"Playing with three people made the game even more fun because the fishing rods collide and it makes it more challenging to catch a fish.",
"I do not share the opinion of other reviewers who wrote that the game rotates too fast.",
"I think it rotates sufficiently fast to make it challenging to catch fish, but not so fast as to make it impossible.",
"There are a few things that I thought could be improved.",
"First, it uses a C-size battery.",
"I did not have any C batteries at home and did not want to buy them, so I folded a piece of paper towel in a long strip and wrapped a AA battery in it to make it as fat as a C size battery.",
"It worked fine.",
"I then found some AA-to-C adapters that came with the Eneloop batteries set I bought at Costco, so the battery problem is solved.",
"However, I think it would be more appealing if the game was set up to use AAs or maybe even an AC adapter.",
"Second, there is no music.",
"The description says \"As the pond circles the base (to the tune of \"Row, Row, Row Your Boat\")\".",
"Just like others have mentioned, the game has no music, no switch for music, no speaker.",
"Third, the motor is noisy.",
"Besides plastic fishes making noise when they shut their mouths, there is also a constant background noise from the motor.",
"It is not a problem for my child, but I wish the motor was quieter.",
"Overall, I am very glad I got this game and my child enjoys it.",
"I think it is absolutely worth the six bucks I paid for it.",
"UPDATE 3 DAYS LATER: I have lowered my rating because one of the fish eye stickers came off and got lost.",
"i checked other fish and noticed that the eye stickers are not completely adhered and curling.",
"This is upsetting for a toy we used three times.",
"It is still fun, but if you are getting one, you may want to check the eye stickers and make sure they are all fully adhered."
] |
What is the obsession game developers have with stealth these days. Like some of the other reviewers here, I agree that the gladiator/soldier fighting is great. The control system is very intuitive and easy to pick up. If it wasn't for the stupid stealth parts (Octavianus) this game would get a "five." I can only hope there is a sequel with fighting only and none of these REALLY LAME stealth missions. Because the stealth parts are SO BAD; this game is not worth buying for $50. Rent it first! I might go back and buy this one six to eight months from now when it's down to $20, but not now. GAME DEVELOPERS PLEASE STOP WITH THE STUPID STEALTH ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!! | 1 | neutral | [
"What is the obsession game developers have with stealth these days.",
"Like some of the other reviewers here, I agree that the gladiator/soldier fighting is great.",
"The control system is very intuitive and easy to pick up.",
"If it wasn't for the stupid stealth parts (Octavianus) this game would get a \"five.",
"\" I can only hope there is a sequel with fighting only and none of these REALLY LAME stealth missions.",
"Because the stealth parts are SO BAD; this game is not worth buying for $50.",
"Rent it first!",
"I might go back and buy this one six to eight months from now when it's down to $20, but not now.",
"GAME DEVELOPERS PLEASE STOP WITH THE STUPID STEALTH ALREADY!!!!",
"!!!!",
"!!!"
] |
While I have loved the other novels in this series - this one not as much.
Pros:
Strong willed female protagonist
Menage with three cowboys that would make you want to "round up some of your own"
Includes previous characters that you have come to know and care about
High "heat" factor
HEA - need and want my HEA
Good character development and plot line
Cons:
The ending was very abrupt - they all had sex together and "The End". It was almost like the author had gotten writer's block and could not think of a good way to end the novel.
Everything was wrapped up real quickly and seemed more contrived. Again, it seem that the author had all the elements going on and just could not think of a better way to end the novel or was just tired of it and wanted to bring it to a quick close to get it published.
At one point in the wrap up, I was totally confused as to who had been shot and killed - the sheriff who was one of the good guys or the bad guy? A couple of sentences later - I figured out it had to be the bad guy because the sheriff was expected to visit. Very confusing!
While I enjoyed the novel and am not sorry I purchased it, the ending was weak and not well developed. The novel is not one that I will reread again but it wasn't so bad that I won't purchase the next in the series. i just hope that this is not a trend. I know that the author can do so much better than this and I hope that she finds her "mojo" again for the next novel. | 1 | neutral | [
"While I have loved the other novels in this series - this one not as much.",
"Pros:\nStrong willed female protagonist\n\nMenage with three cowboys that would make you want to \"round up some of your own\"\n\nIncludes previous characters that you have come to know and care about\n\nHigh \"heat\" factor\n\nHEA - need and want my HEA\n\nGood character development and plot line\n\nCons:\nThe ending was very abrupt - they all had sex together and \"The End\".",
"It was almost like the author had gotten writer's block and could not think of a good way to end the novel.",
"Everything was wrapped up real quickly and seemed more contrived.",
"Again, it seem that the author had all the elements going on and just could not think of a better way to end the novel or was just tired of it and wanted to bring it to a quick close to get it published.",
"At one point in the wrap up, I was totally confused as to who had been shot and killed - the sheriff who was one of the good guys or the bad guy?",
"A couple of sentences later - I figured out it had to be the bad guy because the sheriff was expected to visit.",
"Very confusing!",
"While I enjoyed the novel and am not sorry I purchased it, the ending was weak and not well developed.",
"The novel is not one that I will reread again but it wasn't so bad that I won't purchase the next in the series.",
"i just hope that this is not a trend.",
"I know that the author can do so much better than this and I hope that she finds her \"mojo\" again for the next novel."
] |
I'm surprised to see so many good reviews for this. For Rubbermaid, I found the quality of this wanting. The price was good, and there aren't many alternatives for this size. But Rubbermaid's reputation is better than this.
The first thing I noticed is that my front panel was warped. Who knew plastic could warp? So there's a gap where it meets the side.
Also, the hinges are junk - this really surprised me. Then there's the straps that keep the lid from flopping all the way back. Held on by a tiny sheet metal screw. All it would take to ruin the hinges, is a couple of excited kids getting pool toys out.
I decided to cut the 'hinge pins' off and ran a 1/2 inch bolt through them.
So I give it 3 Stars. It's 'OK' for the money. It does hold a lot of stuff. But Rubbermaid didn't put their best engineers on this project. | 1 | neutral | [
"I'm surprised to see so many good reviews for this.",
"For Rubbermaid, I found the quality of this wanting.",
"The price was good, and there aren't many alternatives for this size.",
"But Rubbermaid's reputation is better than this.",
"The first thing I noticed is that my front panel was warped.",
"Who knew plastic could warp?",
"So there's a gap where it meets the side.",
"Also, the hinges are junk - this really surprised me.",
"Then there's the straps that keep the lid from flopping all the way back.",
"Held on by a tiny sheet metal screw.",
"All it would take to ruin the hinges, is a couple of excited kids getting pool toys out.",
"I decided to cut the 'hinge pins' off and ran a 1/2 inch bolt through them.",
"So I give it 3 Stars.",
"It's 'OK' for the money.",
"It does hold a lot of stuff.",
"But Rubbermaid didn't put their best engineers on this project."
] |
It dragged sometimes. I also didn't like how it went from present to past and back. The way it was done was slightly confusing and disorienting. Still, during it's best moments it was interesting. I can understand why someone with an mentally ill parent (and both math geniuses) worries that they will become like that too. But it was obvious to me she was just exhausted and suffering a nervous breakdown. Who wouldn't after dealing for five years with a father who is that difficult to deal with? And why shouldn't she be full of rage when you have a sister who was too selfish to help out? Being in her prime and taking care of her elderly father I can understand the rage, fear and love being so tied up together you feel crazy.
This is a story about family bonds and stratospheric genius. It's coming to grips of who you are. It's also letting go and paradoxically embracing who and what you are and who and what you can be. | 1 | neutral | [
"It dragged sometimes.",
"I also didn't like how it went from present to past and back.",
"The way it was done was slightly confusing and disorienting.",
"Still, during it's best moments it was interesting.",
"I can understand why someone with an mentally ill parent (and both math geniuses) worries that they will become like that too.",
"But it was obvious to me she was just exhausted and suffering a nervous breakdown.",
"Who wouldn't after dealing for five years with a father who is that difficult to deal with?",
"And why shouldn't she be full of rage when you have a sister who was too selfish to help out?",
"Being in her prime and taking care of her elderly father I can understand the rage, fear and love being so tied up together you feel crazy.",
"This is a story about family bonds and stratospheric genius.",
"It's coming to grips of who you are.",
"It's also letting go and paradoxically embracing who and what you are and who and what you can be."
] |
I was such a huge Rockpile fan. I had all of the Lowe and Edmunds LPs (that were essentially Rockpile LPs as the band played on these great late 70s LPs). I also saw the band twice during the late 70s and they were a great live band. However, although the performances on this LP were as strong as the performances on the aforementioned LPs, the material was just not as good. This might seem like nitpicking as the material on the solo LPs was outstanding. The material on this LP is good; just not up to the standards established by the solo LPs. They might have been running out of original tunes or they might have been compelled to save their better material for upcoming LPs. Who knows? Still, if you are a fan of this group you should have this in your collection. The Everly Brothers cuts are great as well as Edmunds ability to hit Phil Es high notes is very impressive. | 1 | neutral | [
"I was such a huge Rockpile fan.",
"I had all of the Lowe and Edmunds LPs (that were essentially Rockpile LPs as the band played on these great late 70s LPs).",
"I also saw the band twice during the late 70s and they were a great live band.",
"However, although the performances on this LP were as strong as the performances on the aforementioned LPs, the material was just not as good.",
"This might seem like nitpicking as the material on the solo LPs was outstanding.",
"The material on this LP is good; just not up to the standards established by the solo LPs.",
"They might have been running out of original tunes or they might have been compelled to save their better material for upcoming LPs.",
"Who knows?",
"Still, if you are a fan of this group you should have this in your collection.",
"The Everly Brothers cuts are great as well as Edmunds ability to hit Phil Es high notes is very impressive."
] |
I give it 3 stars only based on the soundtrack, the photography, and part of the plot.
The main premise is good: American student goes into a German dance academy, which in reality is a witch coven.
Strange things happen, so far, so good. The film falls WAY SHORT of delivering on the MEAT.
Any filmmaker can throw buckets of blood, show incredibly cruel scenes of torture and death, but what makes this film fail is basically, THE LOGIC. Make no mistake, when I go see a horror film, I make certain allowances - suspension of disbelief - but with this one in particular, it makes no sense for a group of witches to bring in a new student in order to.... what?
Maggots fall from the ceiling, the blind piano player is murdered in a public square, witches who would be wise to keep their society secret, throw open their doors to anyone who wants to apply, Miguel Bose in tights (yes, really!)... and a whole lot of nonsense that will challenge even the most tolerant horror fan. At one point, the director and writer Dario Argento, just gave up trying to write a decent script that would explain the logic of what was happening, preferring instead to shock through more buckets of blood than even in "Carrie". High praise for the soundtrack and the photography. As I understand it was the last film made in Technicolor (correct me if I got it wrong) before the last processing lab in Italy was dismantled and sold to China. The soundtrack by Goblin is superb. But after the first 15 minutes of the film, you see the story is really going nowhere, and it goes from what could have been a great movie, to something just downright stupid. In fact, if you turn off the sound, you can easily follow the film anyway. Watching other Argento films of the era, I see that this is the way he made them. A lot of blood and gore, but nothing interesting to take home. Lucio Fulci was a better director. Watch "Zombie", and you'll see why that film blows this one out of the water, hands down. There is also this crap about "The Three Sisters" trilogy supposedly existing, with "Suspiria" being the first one. Don't bother. I watched the other 2. More nonsense. If you want continuity, watch the SAW, Halloween , Nightmare On Elm Street, or Friday The 13th series. Not as beautifully photographed as "Suspiria", but at least the plots will make more sense. | 1 | neutral | [
"I give it 3 stars only based on the soundtrack, the photography, and part of the plot.",
"The main premise is good: American student goes into a German dance academy, which in reality is a witch coven.",
"Strange things happen, so far, so good.",
"The film falls WAY SHORT of delivering on the MEAT.",
"Any filmmaker can throw buckets of blood, show incredibly cruel scenes of torture and death, but what makes this film fail is basically, THE LOGIC.",
"Make no mistake, when I go see a horror film, I make certain allowances - suspension of disbelief - but with this one in particular, it makes no sense for a group of witches to bring in a new student in order to....",
"what?",
"Maggots fall from the ceiling, the blind piano player is murdered in a public square, witches who would be wise to keep their society secret, throw open their doors to anyone who wants to apply, Miguel Bose in tights (yes, really!",
")...",
"and a whole lot of nonsense that will challenge even the most tolerant horror fan.",
"At one point, the director and writer Dario Argento, just gave up trying to write a decent script that would explain the logic of what was happening, preferring instead to shock through more buckets of blood than even in \"Carrie\".",
"High praise for the soundtrack and the photography.",
"As I understand it was the last film made in Technicolor (correct me if I got it wrong) before the last processing lab in Italy was dismantled and sold to China.",
"The soundtrack by Goblin is superb.",
"But after the first 15 minutes of the film, you see the story is really going nowhere, and it goes from what could have been a great movie, to something just downright stupid.",
"In fact, if you turn off the sound, you can easily follow the film anyway.",
"Watching other Argento films of the era, I see that this is the way he made them.",
"A lot of blood and gore, but nothing interesting to take home.",
"Lucio Fulci was a better director.",
"Watch \"Zombie\", and you'll see why that film blows this one out of the water, hands down.",
"There is also this crap about \"The Three Sisters\" trilogy supposedly existing, with \"Suspiria\" being the first one.",
"Don't bother.",
"I watched the other 2.",
"More nonsense.",
"If you want continuity, watch the SAW, Halloween , Nightmare On Elm Street, or Friday The 13th series.",
"Not as beautifully photographed as \"Suspiria\", but at least the plots will make more sense."
] |
Installation was super-easy with my Windows Vista. The overall concept is good but McAfee can do better with the execution.
The user needs to first create a vault (secure file). Then, search through his/her files to identify those that need to go into a vault and then drag them into the vault. Finally, the user needs to delete any duplicate files. (I am guessing that the program only copies the sensitive file into the vault and thus leaving another copy in the original file.) Of course, one would need to purchase an additional shredder program to delete any duplicate programs. The failure to complete the last step will still expose the user to data theft as there is still a copy of the sensitive information in the unprotected original folder! It needs to have a cohesive wizard to guide the user through this entire process so that there is no missed step.
If you are like me and want software to SIMPLIFY your life rather than complicate it, then a software that automatically helps me identify likely sensitive files (for example, tax files or any files that has the word "social security number" or other user-defined terms), create a vault to secure them and shred any duplicate files would be a better program than the current disjointed version.
It's an overall good concept. The software engineers at McAfee just need to create a better and easier user-interface that minimizes the number of steps to achieve data security. | 1 | neutral | [
"Installation was super-easy with my Windows Vista.",
"The overall concept is good but McAfee can do better with the execution.",
"The user needs to first create a vault (secure file).",
"Then, search through his/her files to identify those that need to go into a vault and then drag them into the vault.",
"Finally, the user needs to delete any duplicate files.",
"(I am guessing that the program only copies the sensitive file into the vault and thus leaving another copy in the original file.",
") Of course, one would need to purchase an additional shredder program to delete any duplicate programs.",
"The failure to complete the last step will still expose the user to data theft as there is still a copy of the sensitive information in the unprotected original folder!",
"It needs to have a cohesive wizard to guide the user through this entire process so that there is no missed step.",
"If you are like me and want software to SIMPLIFY your life rather than complicate it, then a software that automatically helps me identify likely sensitive files (for example, tax files or any files that has the word \"social security number\" or other user-defined terms), create a vault to secure them and shred any duplicate files would be a better program than the current disjointed version.",
"It's an overall good concept.",
"The software engineers at McAfee just need to create a better and easier user-interface that minimizes the number of steps to achieve data security."
] |
When I first got this phone I really liked it but after a while I started to notice some of the problems with it.
1. I will go to open my gallery and it will freeze the phone and I will have to restart the phone.
2. While outside either texting or on a app. The phone will start acting weird and make it nearly impossible to text. This I notice only when it was sunny outside.
3. The phone will just freeze up and some times restart itself.
Here is a link to other problems and related issues.
[...] | 1 | neutral | [
"When I first got this phone I really liked it but after a while I started to notice some of the problems with it.",
"1.",
"I will go to open my gallery and it will freeze the phone and I will have to restart the phone.",
"2.",
"While outside either texting or on a app.",
"The phone will start acting weird and make it nearly impossible to text.",
"This I notice only when it was sunny outside.",
"3.",
"The phone will just freeze up and some times restart itself.",
"Here is a link to other problems and related issues.",
"[...",
"]"
] |
Update (Dec 17, 2016):
I have had this meter for almost two months now and am a bit disappointed. As I stated in the original review (below) I am new to these meters. So perhaps I can't speak to all its capabilities, but there are some things I can speak to. One of them is battery life. I was playing around with the meter last night and saw I was getting a "low battery" warning. Caught me by surprise because I have only used this meter sparingly since I wrote the original review. So I'm deducting a star (4 down to 3) because I don't care how could the meter is; if I have to keep a supply of batteries on hand to ensure I have a working meter when I pull it out of my tool bag, then it's not a meter really worth having. So while I like the meter (a great starter meter) I don't like this new development.
Original Review (Nov 15, 2016):
I must confess right up front that I'm new to this type of meter. So a) I don't know much about them and b) you're getting a review for a real newbie (something that might be helpful to a non-pro like me). For five decades I have been totally satisfied using cable leads & voltage meter. But I came across a requirement that wasn't so easily solved using my "get to" solution: measuring generator output. I didn't want to buy semi-permanent solutions such as <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/DROKAC-100-300V-100A-Digital-Voltage-Current-Multimeter-LCD-Volt-Amp-Meter-Gauge-Panel-Tester-Voltage-Amperage-Dual-Display-Power-Monitor-with-Blue-Back-light-and-Current-Transformer-CT-for-Car-Auto-Battery-Monitoring/dp/B00DVH64HW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">DROKAC 100-300V 100A Digital Voltage Current Multimeter LCD Volt Amp Meter Gauge Panel Tester Voltage Amperage Dual Display Power Monitor with Blue Back-light and Current Transformer CT for Car Auto Battery Monitoring</a>. But as I looked for ideas I saw these clamp meters.
So on to this clamp meter. I think Extech has done a nice job with this meter. It seems well-made, I like the accessories (storage bag & supplied batteries), and it comes in at a very reasonable price point.
I got it to use only as a clamp meter. But as I learned about this meter I found out you can check power at electrical outlets by holding the nose near the outlet. In both cases, I realize the measurements might not be spot-on accurate, but in the former case it is close enough and in the latter case what I really want to know is if there is power to the outlet. So I'm already finding it more handy and useful than I thought it would be.
One other benefit is that it is true RMS (root mean square) meaning you get a more accurate reading because it interprets the power sine curve more accurately. Pretty cool.
Very nice. Might even be a 5-star item. But at this point I don't know enough about them to say so. But I can say that I really like what I've been playing with and that means 4 stars. | 1 | neutral | [
"Update (Dec 17, 2016):\nI have had this meter for almost two months now and am a bit disappointed.",
"As I stated in the original review (below) I am new to these meters.",
"So perhaps I can't speak to all its capabilities, but there are some things I can speak to.",
"One of them is battery life.",
"I was playing around with the meter last night and saw I was getting a \"low battery\" warning.",
"Caught me by surprise because I have only used this meter sparingly since I wrote the original review.",
"So I'm deducting a star (4 down to 3) because I don't care how could the meter is; if I have to keep a supply of batteries on hand to ensure I have a working meter when I pull it out of my tool bag, then it's not a meter really worth having.",
"So while I like the meter (a great starter meter) I don't like this new development.",
"Original Review (Nov 15, 2016):\nI must confess right up front that I'm new to this type of meter.",
"So a) I don't know much about them and b) you're getting a review for a real newbie (something that might be helpful to a non-pro like me).",
"For five decades I have been totally satisfied using cable leads & voltage meter.",
"But I came across a requirement that wasn't so easily solved using my \"get to\" solution: measuring generator output.",
"I didn't want to buy semi-permanent solutions such as <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/DROKAC-100-300V-100A-Digital-Voltage-Current-Multimeter-LCD-Volt-Amp-Meter-Gauge-Panel-Tester-Voltage-Amperage-Dual-Display-Power-Monitor-with-Blue-Back-light-and-Current-Transformer-CT-for-Car-Auto-Battery-Monitoring/dp/B00DVH64HW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">DROKAC 100-300V 100A Digital Voltage Current Multimeter LCD Volt Amp Meter Gauge Panel Tester Voltage Amperage Dual Display Power Monitor with Blue Back-light and Current Transformer CT for Car Auto Battery Monitoring</a>.",
"But as I looked for ideas I saw these clamp meters.",
"So on to this clamp meter.",
"I think Extech has done a nice job with this meter.",
"It seems well-made, I like the accessories (storage bag & supplied batteries), and it comes in at a very reasonable price point.",
"I got it to use only as a clamp meter.",
"But as I learned about this meter I found out you can check power at electrical outlets by holding the nose near the outlet.",
"In both cases, I realize the measurements might not be spot-on accurate, but in the former case it is close enough and in the latter case what I really want to know is if there is power to the outlet.",
"So I'm already finding it more handy and useful than I thought it would be.",
"One other benefit is that it is true RMS (root mean square) meaning you get a more accurate reading because it interprets the power sine curve more accurately.",
"Pretty cool.",
"Very nice.",
"Might even be a 5-star item.",
"But at this point I don't know enough about them to say so.",
"But I can say that I really like what I've been playing with and that means 4 stars."
] |
This is a good light for reading in bed; VERY lightweight (the lightest book light I have seen), good light on both pages with very good positionability of the light; there is little spillover to disturb someone else and the shade keeps the light out of your eyes; and the clip works very well and the head gives you enough room to turn most pages without getting in the way. I have owned about 15 of these over the years because they fail after a while. Zelco has addressed many of the weaknesses of the original design and the current version is much more durable than the original; the warranty was limited to 1 year for a very good reason. (If you can solder, you can fix many of the failures yourself.) My main problem with this light is that if you fall asleep with the light on, the light can get hot enough to cause a serious burn. I recently got a small 3rd-degree burn from letting it fall on my arm and lay there while sleeping. I have constructed a guard around the shade from plastic canvas and am still using the light, but I would recommend using an LED light if you fall asleep while reading (<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Zelco-Max-5-Energy-Efficient-Booklight/dp/B0010EG7BQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Zelco Max 5 Energy Efficient Booklight</a>) and NEVER buy this light or any of the other incandescent bulb lights for your child. If you still want incandescent, look at the Volume 2 from this same company (<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Zelco-itty-bitty-Book-Light-Volume-2/dp/B00005R8TJ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Zelco "itty bitty" Book Light, Volume 2</a>); the shade is cooler so you are much less likely to get a burn, and the light distribution seems to be better.
If you don't get the AC adapter the batteries are used up quickly; the bulbs burn out and are expensive to replace. There is a cord that runs from the light to the battery pack or the AC adapter. Watch out that your adapter has plenty of air space around it; they tend to overheat without it. Inspect your adapter occasionally and if you see any signs of distortion in the outer cover, replace it immediately; you don't want to risk a fire. Don't avoid this booklight because I said this; this will be true of all AC adapters. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is a good light for reading in bed; VERY lightweight (the lightest book light I have seen), good light on both pages with very good positionability of the light; there is little spillover to disturb someone else and the shade keeps the light out of your eyes; and the clip works very well and the head gives you enough room to turn most pages without getting in the way.",
"I have owned about 15 of these over the years because they fail after a while.",
"Zelco has addressed many of the weaknesses of the original design and the current version is much more durable than the original; the warranty was limited to 1 year for a very good reason.",
"(If you can solder, you can fix many of the failures yourself.",
") My main problem with this light is that if you fall asleep with the light on, the light can get hot enough to cause a serious burn.",
"I recently got a small 3rd-degree burn from letting it fall on my arm and lay there while sleeping.",
"I have constructed a guard around the shade from plastic canvas and am still using the light, but I would recommend using an LED light if you fall asleep while reading (<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Zelco-Max-5-Energy-Efficient-Booklight/dp/B0010EG7BQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Zelco Max 5 Energy Efficient Booklight</a>) and NEVER buy this light or any of the other incandescent bulb lights for your child.",
"If you still want incandescent, look at the Volume 2 from this same company (<a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Zelco-itty-bitty-Book-Light-Volume-2/dp/B00005R8TJ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Zelco \"itty bitty\" Book Light, Volume 2</a>); the shade is cooler so you are much less likely to get a burn, and the light distribution seems to be better.",
"If you don't get the AC adapter the batteries are used up quickly; the bulbs burn out and are expensive to replace.",
"There is a cord that runs from the light to the battery pack or the AC adapter.",
"Watch out that your adapter has plenty of air space around it; they tend to overheat without it.",
"Inspect your adapter occasionally and if you see any signs of distortion in the outer cover, replace it immediately; you don't want to risk a fire.",
"Don't avoid this booklight because I said this; this will be true of all AC adapters."
] |
I got these cars for my twin boys who are 4 years old. They were SO excited to open these up for the first night of Hannukah! I put in the batteries and they started playing right away. Really cute... you try to hit the other "car" and then a little man pops out. The kids (and I) loved it. After about 5 or 10 minutes, though, the blue remote stopped working. I changed the batteries (even though I had just put new ones in). I took the batteries out of all the cars and then put them back in. Nothing... Then suddenly, it worked again for another 15 minutes. And again, the blue remote stopped working. I was so upset! I called and left a message for the manufacturer. They called me promptly the next day and said that sometimes the batteries are a drop too small and then it loses the connection. Didn't make much sense (aren't batteries all the same size??) She said she would send me another remote, but couldn't send until after the new year. So it's been 3 weeks so far and no new remote... sigh... I hope it comes soon and that it actually works when it arrives. | 1 | neutral | [
"I got these cars for my twin boys who are 4 years old.",
"They were SO excited to open these up for the first night of Hannukah!",
"I put in the batteries and they started playing right away.",
"Really cute...",
"you try to hit the other \"car\" and then a little man pops out.",
"The kids (and I) loved it.",
"After about 5 or 10 minutes, though, the blue remote stopped working.",
"I changed the batteries (even though I had just put new ones in).",
"I took the batteries out of all the cars and then put them back in.",
"Nothing...",
"Then suddenly, it worked again for another 15 minutes.",
"And again, the blue remote stopped working.",
"I was so upset!",
"I called and left a message for the manufacturer.",
"They called me promptly the next day and said that sometimes the batteries are a drop too small and then it loses the connection.",
"Didn't make much sense (aren't batteries all the same size??",
") She said she would send me another remote, but couldn't send until after the new year.",
"So it's been 3 weeks so far and no new remote...",
"sigh...",
"I hope it comes soon and that it actually works when it arrives."
] |
**See EDIT at end of this review**
I've owned quite a few air purifiers over the years and have become somewhat selective in the ones I keep.
All the HEPA air purifiers I've tried have been fairly effective at improving the air quality. And this one is no different in that regard. No one smokes in my home and there are no pets or other particularly onerous environmental factors present. However, I do have chronic sinusitis and a nasty post nasal drip. This is basically the only reason I use air filters and the only reason I gave this one a try.
This is a very sophisticated and well constructed machine. The automatic feature really works and is really the main reason to buy this particular unit. I'm not crazy about the UV light.
The highest speed is very loud, especially when it kicks in unexpectedly. Think of a small vacuum cleaner and you'll be close. The lowest setting is acceptably quiet, but still louder than other machines I've tried. No one has mentioned what bothers me the most. When activated, the UV bulb adds just enough heat to the outgoing air to make the room occasionally too stuffy and (surprisingly) sometimes seems to lower the humidity in the room to an uncomfortable level. Keep in mind I'm probably more sensitive than most, but this issue bothers me so much that I rarely use the UV feature. Also, while this model definitely filters the air, in my opinion it's not quite as effective as other HEPA air purifiers I've used.
Most people will love it, and I'll continue to use mine for a while, but for some reason which I cannot explain, it does not give the air that particular freshness and crispness that I've come to expect from other units, especially the older, smaller, and in my opinion more effective Holmes HAP-240 which is perfect for small bedrooms and offices.
This is not a bad machine, and as mentioned seems well put together and designed, and is chock full of bells and whistles. I just expected better performance. Would I recommend it? If the UV light is important to you, definitely yes. So long as you're not sensitive to the change in humidity I, at least, noticed. If you're looking for that nice, clean, crisp air quality, then I'd make another choice. If you have a small bedroom, try and find the older model Holmes HAP-240.
**EDIT**
Apparently my particular specimen required a "break-in" period, because the staleness and additional heat/humidity problems I mentioned suddenly disappeared one day about three weeks after I started using it. It's now working perfectly, and if it were possible I would change my rating to 4 (actually 4.5) stars, with a deduction only for noisy operation for a 200 square foot capacity model. The UV still adds a bit of extra heat, but not as much as when I first started using it. | 1 | neutral | [
"**See EDIT at end of this review**\n\nI've owned quite a few air purifiers over the years and have become somewhat selective in the ones I keep.",
"All the HEPA air purifiers I've tried have been fairly effective at improving the air quality.",
"And this one is no different in that regard.",
"No one smokes in my home and there are no pets or other particularly onerous environmental factors present.",
"However, I do have chronic sinusitis and a nasty post nasal drip.",
"This is basically the only reason I use air filters and the only reason I gave this one a try.",
"This is a very sophisticated and well constructed machine.",
"The automatic feature really works and is really the main reason to buy this particular unit.",
"I'm not crazy about the UV light.",
"The highest speed is very loud, especially when it kicks in unexpectedly.",
"Think of a small vacuum cleaner and you'll be close.",
"The lowest setting is acceptably quiet, but still louder than other machines I've tried.",
"No one has mentioned what bothers me the most.",
"When activated, the UV bulb adds just enough heat to the outgoing air to make the room occasionally too stuffy and (surprisingly) sometimes seems to lower the humidity in the room to an uncomfortable level.",
"Keep in mind I'm probably more sensitive than most, but this issue bothers me so much that I rarely use the UV feature.",
"Also, while this model definitely filters the air, in my opinion it's not quite as effective as other HEPA air purifiers I've used.",
"Most people will love it, and I'll continue to use mine for a while, but for some reason which I cannot explain, it does not give the air that particular freshness and crispness that I've come to expect from other units, especially the older, smaller, and in my opinion more effective Holmes HAP-240 which is perfect for small bedrooms and offices.",
"This is not a bad machine, and as mentioned seems well put together and designed, and is chock full of bells and whistles.",
"I just expected better performance.",
"Would I recommend it?",
"If the UV light is important to you, definitely yes.",
"So long as you're not sensitive to the change in humidity I, at least, noticed.",
"If you're looking for that nice, clean, crisp air quality, then I'd make another choice.",
"If you have a small bedroom, try and find the older model Holmes HAP-240.",
"**EDIT**\n\nApparently my particular specimen required a \"break-in\" period, because the staleness and additional heat/humidity problems I mentioned suddenly disappeared one day about three weeks after I started using it.",
"It's now working perfectly, and if it were possible I would change my rating to 4 (actually 4.",
"5) stars, with a deduction only for noisy operation for a 200 square foot capacity model.",
"The UV still adds a bit of extra heat, but not as much as when I first started using it."
] |
Alibaba takes control of logistics business pledges $15 billion to expand network
HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese e-commerce firm Alibaba Group (BABA.N) has taken control of logistics unit Cainiao and pledged to spend 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) over five years to build out a global logistics network underscoring aggressive expansion plans overseas.
Alibaba will invest 5.3 billion yuan to boost its stake in Cainiao Smart Logistics Network to 51 percent from 47 percent giving it direct control over the loss-making affiliate suggesting a rough valuation of Cainiao at around $20 billion.
âOur commitment to Cainiao and additional investment in logistics demonstrate Alibabaâs commitment to building the most-efficient logistic network in China and around the world â Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang said in a statement on Tuesday.
Cainiao was the focus of an investigation last year by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) into Alibabaâs accounting practices.
Alibaba which will gain an extra seat on Cainiaoâs board giving it four out of a total seven seats added that more shares were issued in the funding round to other investors. It did not give details about the other issuances which would impact Cainiaoâs valuation.
The investment also signals Alibabaâs intention to boost control over China âs domestic warehousing and delivery market increasingly competitive as firms seek to make use of troves of logistics data about the countryâs Internet-savvy shoppers.
In June major logistics company SF Holding cut ties with Cainiao which provides logistics support directly to Alibabaâs top e-commerce platform Taobao . SF Holding claimed Alibaba had requested data unrelated to an existing partnership agreement. Alibaba denied the claims.
A person close to Alibaba who asked not to be named said Cainiao was not currently considering an IPO.
Alibaba and Cainiao declined to comment.
Alibaba co-founded Cainiao in 2013 with partners including department store owner Intime Group conglomerate Fosun Group and a handful of logistics companies. It oversees roughly 57 million deliveries a day. | 1 | neutral | [
"Alibaba takes control of logistics business pledges $15 billion to expand network\nHONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese e-commerce firm Alibaba Group (BABA.",
"N) has taken control of logistics unit Cainiao and pledged to spend 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) over five years to build out a global logistics network underscoring aggressive expansion plans overseas.",
"Alibaba will invest 5.",
"3 billion yuan to boost its stake in Cainiao Smart Logistics Network to 51 percent from 47 percent giving it direct control over the loss-making affiliate suggesting a rough valuation of Cainiao at around $20 billion.",
"âOur commitment to Cainiao and additional investment in logistics demonstrate Alibabaâs commitment to building the most-efficient logistic network in China and around the world â Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang said in a statement on Tuesday.",
"Cainiao was the focus of an investigation last year by the U.",
"S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) into Alibabaâs accounting practices.",
"Alibaba which will gain an extra seat on Cainiaoâs board giving it four out of a total seven seats added that more shares were issued in the funding round to other investors.",
"It did not give details about the other issuances which would impact Cainiaoâs valuation.",
"The investment also signals Alibabaâs intention to boost control over China âs domestic warehousing and delivery market increasingly competitive as firms seek to make use of troves of logistics data about the countryâs Internet-savvy shoppers.",
"In June major logistics company SF Holding cut ties with Cainiao which provides logistics support directly to Alibabaâs top e-commerce platform Taobao.",
"SF Holding claimed Alibaba had requested data unrelated to an existing partnership agreement.",
"Alibaba denied the claims.",
"A person close to Alibaba who asked not to be named said Cainiao was not currently considering an IPO.",
"Alibaba and Cainiao declined to comment.",
"Alibaba co-founded Cainiao in 2013 with partners including department store owner Intime Group conglomerate Fosun Group and a handful of logistics companies.",
"It oversees roughly 57 million deliveries a day."
] |
If you're a paralegal or a legal assistance you've bought the Bluebook; you HAD to! You needed it for the course, you learned the way to cite cases and you probably have it sitting on your desk or in a drawer in case you need it, but let's face it: after a while you pretty much have it memorized! Do the new editions add much that's really relevant? No. Can you get by with an older edition that costs less? Yes. Is it essential and necessary? Yes, but like <a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Black-s-Law-Dictionary-Standard-Ninth-Edition-Black-s-Law-Dictionary-Standard-Edition/dp/0314199497/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Black's Law Dictionary, Standard Ninth Edition (Black's Law Dictionary (Standard Edition))</a> much of this is already available online so it begs the question if in our interconnected world if you really do need the Bluebook? So long as you have old-school teachers and attorney's you probably do primarily to pacify and reassure them. I certainly do use it from time to time on citing more esoteric and unusual sources, so I guess it does still have a place. | 1 | neutral | [
"If you're a paralegal or a legal assistance you've bought the Bluebook; you HAD to!",
"You needed it for the course, you learned the way to cite cases and you probably have it sitting on your desk or in a drawer in case you need it, but let's face it: after a while you pretty much have it memorized!",
"Do the new editions add much that's really relevant?",
"No.",
"Can you get by with an older edition that costs less?",
"Yes.",
"Is it essential and necessary?",
"Yes, but like <a data-hook=\"product-link-linked\" class=\"a-link-normal\" href=\"/Black-s-Law-Dictionary-Standard-Ninth-Edition-Black-s-Law-Dictionary-Standard-Edition/dp/0314199497/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?",
"ie=UTF8\">Black's Law Dictionary, Standard Ninth Edition (Black's Law Dictionary (Standard Edition))</a> much of this is already available online so it begs the question if in our interconnected world if you really do need the Bluebook?",
"So long as you have old-school teachers and attorney's you probably do primarily to pacify and reassure them.",
"I certainly do use it from time to time on citing more esoteric and unusual sources, so I guess it does still have a place."
] |
I have read a considerable amount of material on the life of the tragic Ludwig II of Bavaria. Enough to be totally captivated by the man and his dedication to a life of art and music. For sure, he had many flaws like other leaders, but he was a man made for a future era and was born before his time. This Visconti film had tremendous potential to bring out the truth about this famous eccentric who was in love with the night and was only interested in building castles to fill a romantic vision of Germanic mythology. Unfortunately it fails to communicate properly about the man to the audience. The actor chosen for the role, Helmut Berger, was good. The potential was there, but it falls short. I was much more intrigued by the scenes of Ludwig that were filmed for Richard Burton's "Wagner", and in those short glimpses we understood much more about Ludwig than you will discover in this long film. Especially helpful were the scenes that showed discussions between staffers under Ludwig's employ and the plotting of greedy people. "Wagner" came close but was limited because it was after all a movie about Wagner's whole life. This attempt from 1970 started on the right track with location scenery but appears to be disconnected regarding scenes of Ludwig's life leaving us out of the plot. So much so that to some it appears to be a lot of dark photography of a brooding Ludwig hiding in his castle until the guards come to place him under arrest. Someday I expect the King will be given the full film treatment that he deserves but until now that day has yet to arrive. | 1 | neutral | [
"I have read a considerable amount of material on the life of the tragic Ludwig II of Bavaria.",
"Enough to be totally captivated by the man and his dedication to a life of art and music.",
"For sure, he had many flaws like other leaders, but he was a man made for a future era and was born before his time.",
"This Visconti film had tremendous potential to bring out the truth about this famous eccentric who was in love with the night and was only interested in building castles to fill a romantic vision of Germanic mythology.",
"Unfortunately it fails to communicate properly about the man to the audience.",
"The actor chosen for the role, Helmut Berger, was good.",
"The potential was there, but it falls short.",
"I was much more intrigued by the scenes of Ludwig that were filmed for Richard Burton's \"Wagner\", and in those short glimpses we understood much more about Ludwig than you will discover in this long film.",
"Especially helpful were the scenes that showed discussions between staffers under Ludwig's employ and the plotting of greedy people.",
"\"Wagner\" came close but was limited because it was after all a movie about Wagner's whole life.",
"This attempt from 1970 started on the right track with location scenery but appears to be disconnected regarding scenes of Ludwig's life leaving us out of the plot.",
"So much so that to some it appears to be a lot of dark photography of a brooding Ludwig hiding in his castle until the guards come to place him under arrest.",
"Someday I expect the King will be given the full film treatment that he deserves but until now that day has yet to arrive."
] |
I obtained this for my TiVo, to replace the wireless receiver that sometimes doesn't work. Belkin claims that this is "Easy Setup - Plug and play installation" but I didn't find this to be true.
First, keep in mind that each adapter demands one-half of your two-receptacle electric outlet, and it won't permit you to use the second outlet for anything other than a fairly small plug--in other words, two bricks in one receptacle probably won't work. Also, you can't install this in an extension cord or power-strip. In most houses, the builder and electrician have teamed up to grant us exactly ONE receptacle with a total of TWO outlets for all of our AV equipment. So this little box creates a challenge. If you only had a TV, cable box and DVD player, you've already maxed out and have started using power-strips. Not all power-strip plugs will fit after the Belkin box takes over the outlet.
Second, the lights that tell you what it's doing (sort of), are tiny and will likely be hidden by all the equipment, so make sure the adapter is functioning well before you move all of your equipment back into place. I had several false starts where the lights appeared to be indicating a solid signal, when in fact there was no signal at all. Belkin's tiny manual fails to explain the situation I encountered, when the Ethernet LED continuously blinks. I wrote to Belkin and asked for an explanation, and they have been referring this question around for weeks with no clear answer.
Third, I wouldn't touch that little "secure link" push-button if I were you. Doing that set me back three days before I figured out how to undo it. And I couldn't think of why I needed security on a wired powerline link anyway.
Belkin makes some good products much of the time. I wish they would document their products better and respond to tech support requests in a more timely fashion. | 1 | neutral | [
"I obtained this for my TiVo, to replace the wireless receiver that sometimes doesn't work.",
"Belkin claims that this is \"Easy Setup - Plug and play installation\" but I didn't find this to be true.",
"First, keep in mind that each adapter demands one-half of your two-receptacle electric outlet, and it won't permit you to use the second outlet for anything other than a fairly small plug--in other words, two bricks in one receptacle probably won't work.",
"Also, you can't install this in an extension cord or power-strip.",
"In most houses, the builder and electrician have teamed up to grant us exactly ONE receptacle with a total of TWO outlets for all of our AV equipment.",
"So this little box creates a challenge.",
"If you only had a TV, cable box and DVD player, you've already maxed out and have started using power-strips.",
"Not all power-strip plugs will fit after the Belkin box takes over the outlet.",
"Second, the lights that tell you what it's doing (sort of), are tiny and will likely be hidden by all the equipment, so make sure the adapter is functioning well before you move all of your equipment back into place.",
"I had several false starts where the lights appeared to be indicating a solid signal, when in fact there was no signal at all.",
"Belkin's tiny manual fails to explain the situation I encountered, when the Ethernet LED continuously blinks.",
"I wrote to Belkin and asked for an explanation, and they have been referring this question around for weeks with no clear answer.",
"Third, I wouldn't touch that little \"secure link\" push-button if I were you.",
"Doing that set me back three days before I figured out how to undo it.",
"And I couldn't think of why I needed security on a wired powerline link anyway.",
"Belkin makes some good products much of the time.",
"I wish they would document their products better and respond to tech support requests in a more timely fashion."
] |
This case is ok, but not exceptional - a 3.5 or 4 max. The issue is there are fewer cases available for the Tab A 10.1 w S pen. Of those the Gumdrop is about the best, but it has some serious issues. The case rubber (silicone, whatever) is very smooth and slick, and doesn't give you a lot of confidence when hold the Tab with one hand. The Tab A is heavy so if your laying down watching a video the case slips in your hand so you have to make frequent adjustments. I had to remove the clear plastic shield that covers the screen because it impaired the touch screen operation. This affected the strength of the 1-piece plastic frame the surrounds the Tab A, so now the rubber outer cover feels really flexible and flimsy. Lastly, they made it difficult to get to the S pen. The S pen is in the back bottom right hand corner of the Tab A, and they made the little rubber flap that protects corner swing backwards for access to the S pen. This means in order to get the S pen out, the flap has to swing out 180 degrees. This is really awkward and hard to do with one hand. This case does a good job protecting my Tab A, but with these serious design flaws I can't recommend it unless you have an S pen, then you don't have much choice. | 1 | neutral | [
"This case is ok, but not exceptional - a 3.",
"5 or 4 max.",
"The issue is there are fewer cases available for the Tab A 10.",
"1 w S pen.",
"Of those the Gumdrop is about the best, but it has some serious issues.",
"The case rubber (silicone, whatever) is very smooth and slick, and doesn't give you a lot of confidence when hold the Tab with one hand.",
"The Tab A is heavy so if your laying down watching a video the case slips in your hand so you have to make frequent adjustments.",
"I had to remove the clear plastic shield that covers the screen because it impaired the touch screen operation.",
"This affected the strength of the 1-piece plastic frame the surrounds the Tab A, so now the rubber outer cover feels really flexible and flimsy.",
"Lastly, they made it difficult to get to the S pen.",
"The S pen is in the back bottom right hand corner of the Tab A, and they made the little rubber flap that protects corner swing backwards for access to the S pen.",
"This means in order to get the S pen out, the flap has to swing out 180 degrees.",
"This is really awkward and hard to do with one hand.",
"This case does a good job protecting my Tab A, but with these serious design flaws I can't recommend it unless you have an S pen, then you don't have much choice."
] |
If you have the $50+ to spend, this is worth purchasing for the expanded reissue's extra tracks, particularly the solid and extended version of Statesboro Blues on the first CD. Another reason to purchase this set is for the remastering of the 90+ minute "Ludlows Garage" on CD2 and CD3. The producers obviously used compression and took advantage of the bass-enhancing capabilities of today's CD technology. To my ears, and on an audiophile system (McIntosh system with ERC CD player with Polk tower speakers), the bass does sound a bit excessive. Berry Oakley was a brother and a fine player, but used a heavy pick, and I found his work better in the background behind Duane and Dicky. For what I believe is a better remastering job for the main album (minus the extras, obviously, added to CD1: Idlewild South itself), do yourself a favor and pick up the 1987 Polydor version of the Beginnings compilation remastered by Dennis Drake. The CD has a gray cover (i.e. NOT the Capricorn remaster) I picked it up for $3 on Ebay, and to me it sounds much better than the main tracks on this compilation. There the guitars are prominent, and the sound is in no way enhanced. This is quite remarkable due to the age of the media itself (nearly 30 years). All in all, I do not regret purchasing this package, although I will need to get a BlueRay player for CD4. | 1 | neutral | [
"If you have the $50+ to spend, this is worth purchasing for the expanded reissue's extra tracks, particularly the solid and extended version of Statesboro Blues on the first CD.",
"Another reason to purchase this set is for the remastering of the 90+ minute \"Ludlows Garage\" on CD2 and CD3.",
"The producers obviously used compression and took advantage of the bass-enhancing capabilities of today's CD technology.",
"To my ears, and on an audiophile system (McIntosh system with ERC CD player with Polk tower speakers), the bass does sound a bit excessive.",
"Berry Oakley was a brother and a fine player, but used a heavy pick, and I found his work better in the background behind Duane and Dicky.",
"For what I believe is a better remastering job for the main album (minus the extras, obviously, added to CD1: Idlewild South itself), do yourself a favor and pick up the 1987 Polydor version of the Beginnings compilation remastered by Dennis Drake.",
"The CD has a gray cover (i.",
"e. NOT the Capricorn remaster) I picked it up for $3 on Ebay, and to me it sounds much better than the main tracks on this compilation.",
"There the guitars are prominent, and the sound is in no way enhanced.",
"This is quite remarkable due to the age of the media itself (nearly 30 years).",
"All in all, I do not regret purchasing this package, although I will need to get a BlueRay player for CD4."
] |
Trump administration officials defend president's mental fitness
Trump administration officials came to the defense of President Donald Trump against claims in a salacious new book that people around the president question his mental fitness and intelligence.
âNo one questions the stability of the president â Haley said.
Stephanopoulos asked "So you're not concerned that those close to the president don't have his interests at heart?"
"I'm around them all the time " Haley said. "I see these people put everything they have got into their jobs and into respecting and trusting the president . If they didn't they wouldn't be there."
On "Fox News Sunday " CIA Director Mike Pompeo refuted claims that the president doesnât read and has trouble staying focused as âabsurdâ and âpure fantasy.â
When anchor Chris Wallace asked directly about the presidentâs fitness for office Pompeo paused briefly then explained his reason for doing so.
White House senior policy adviser Stephen Miller meanwhile squabbled with anchor Jake Tapper on CNN's "State of the Union" and echoed the president 's own characterization of Wolff's book as "fiction".
He added âThe betrayal of the president in this book is so contrary to the reality of those who work with him ." | 1 | neutral | [
"Trump administration officials defend president's mental fitness\nTrump administration officials came to the defense of President Donald Trump against claims in a salacious new book that people around the president question his mental fitness and intelligence.",
"âNo one questions the stability of the president â Haley said.",
"Stephanopoulos asked \"So you're not concerned that those close to the president don't have his interests at heart?",
"\"\n\"I'm around them all the time \" Haley said.",
"\"I see these people put everything they have got into their jobs and into respecting and trusting the president.",
"If they didn't they wouldn't be there.",
"\"\nOn \"Fox News Sunday \" CIA Director Mike Pompeo refuted claims that the president doesnât read and has trouble staying focused as âabsurdâ and âpure fantasy.",
"â\nWhen anchor Chris Wallace asked directly about the presidentâs fitness for office Pompeo paused briefly then explained his reason for doing so.",
"White House senior policy adviser Stephen Miller meanwhile squabbled with anchor Jake Tapper on CNN's \"State of the Union\" and echoed the president 's own characterization of Wolff's book as \"fiction\".",
"He added âThe betrayal of the president in this book is so contrary to the reality of those who work with him.",
"\""
] |
I installed about 500 feet of this product around my rose and vegetable garden in May and June 2011. Last summer was a joy. My roses grew tall! We had tulips! We got full yield from our vegetable garden and our bush bean plants had leaves all summer.
This morning I found three small mule deer does nibbling on my dormant roses. I don't know how they got in, but there is snow on the ground so I intend to walk the perimeter to see what I can see.
I DID see them leave, however. I approached slowly, hoping they would mosey back toward wherever they entered and leave peacefully. Instead, they startled, as I feared they would. Each went its own way. The first two jumped the fence. They were tripped by the top of the fence and landed upside down with a thud. Neither appeared injured, just embarrassed, and they got up and bounded off. Still this seems to me to border on cruelty.
The third was unsuccessful in its first two attempts. It frantically ran around inside the gardens, seeking better places to try. I backed off, but the panic continued. It finally got a good run and landed, upside down, in the neighbor's pasture. Also unhurt, as far as I can tell. The three regrouped outside the fence and appear to be waiting for me to go to work so they can come back to the smorgasbord.
I didn't see the 8' fence before I ordered this one, but I would suggest that anyone looking consider that instead of the 7' or 7.5' options.
Note: All three deer escaped over a section of the fence which did not have a wire strung to hold the fence up. They managed to catch the top of the fence, pull it down and roll over. The area with the wire is where the one deer failed. Also, they did not damage the fence material, which is very tough. I raised my rating to three stars after I reflected on this. I have hope and will raise my rating again if adding a wire to the rest of the fence cures the problem. | 1 | neutral | [
"I installed about 500 feet of this product around my rose and vegetable garden in May and June 2011.",
"Last summer was a joy.",
"My roses grew tall!",
"We had tulips!",
"We got full yield from our vegetable garden and our bush bean plants had leaves all summer.",
"This morning I found three small mule deer does nibbling on my dormant roses.",
"I don't know how they got in, but there is snow on the ground so I intend to walk the perimeter to see what I can see.",
"I DID see them leave, however.",
"I approached slowly, hoping they would mosey back toward wherever they entered and leave peacefully.",
"Instead, they startled, as I feared they would.",
"Each went its own way.",
"The first two jumped the fence.",
"They were tripped by the top of the fence and landed upside down with a thud.",
"Neither appeared injured, just embarrassed, and they got up and bounded off.",
"Still this seems to me to border on cruelty.",
"The third was unsuccessful in its first two attempts.",
"It frantically ran around inside the gardens, seeking better places to try.",
"I backed off, but the panic continued.",
"It finally got a good run and landed, upside down, in the neighbor's pasture.",
"Also unhurt, as far as I can tell.",
"The three regrouped outside the fence and appear to be waiting for me to go to work so they can come back to the smorgasbord.",
"I didn't see the 8' fence before I ordered this one, but I would suggest that anyone looking consider that instead of the 7' or 7.",
"5' options.",
"Note: All three deer escaped over a section of the fence which did not have a wire strung to hold the fence up.",
"They managed to catch the top of the fence, pull it down and roll over.",
"The area with the wire is where the one deer failed.",
"Also, they did not damage the fence material, which is very tough.",
"I raised my rating to three stars after I reflected on this.",
"I have hope and will raise my rating again if adding a wire to the rest of the fence cures the problem."
] |
I bought several brands of clay, I grew up using Sculpey and with my adult head to head test for my current needs I decided to try something new. I used a pasta machine to roll several thicknesses of each cut to the same size. 1 inch by 1 inch. I then baked them individually at the appropriate time and length. Sculpey and Premo brands have a reputation for brittleness, which was why I was testing. I ran a second test on burning the clay. Sculpey had the strongest smell, it burned the fastest and was the only one to char leaving a black film on the parchment cooking paper. Premo remained flexible, Fimo was flawless in this contest, and Sculpey III was brittle even when cooked properly.
When it came to molding and conditioning Sculpey was the easiest but the differences in time and effort were small. Sculpey was softer so fine details were harder to attain without letting the clay rest after you JUST got it soft enough to work with. Premo suffers this too. There are still places in my work space for each but there are better clays to work with. | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought several brands of clay, I grew up using Sculpey and with my adult head to head test for my current needs I decided to try something new.",
"I used a pasta machine to roll several thicknesses of each cut to the same size.",
"1 inch by 1 inch.",
"I then baked them individually at the appropriate time and length.",
"Sculpey and Premo brands have a reputation for brittleness, which was why I was testing.",
"I ran a second test on burning the clay.",
"Sculpey had the strongest smell, it burned the fastest and was the only one to char leaving a black film on the parchment cooking paper.",
"Premo remained flexible, Fimo was flawless in this contest, and Sculpey III was brittle even when cooked properly.",
"When it came to molding and conditioning Sculpey was the easiest but the differences in time and effort were small.",
"Sculpey was softer so fine details were harder to attain without letting the clay rest after you JUST got it soft enough to work with.",
"Premo suffers this too.",
"There are still places in my work space for each but there are better clays to work with."
] |
Ireland says unclear if EU UK can agree wording on border by Monday
DUBLIN (Reuters) - It is not yet clear if Britain and the European Union can agree on written assurances to avoid a hard Northern Ireland border by a Monday deadline Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said on Sunday.
Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney arrives to attend the Eastern Partnership summit at the European Council Headquarters in Brussels Belgium November 24 2017. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
But he said he was hopeful a meeting between British Prime Minister Theresa May and European Council President Donald Tusk on Monday would lead to a deal in time for a Dec. 14-15 EU summit. That would allow Britain to move on to talks on its future trading relations with the bloc.
Tusk said he had asked May to “put a final offer on the table” by Monday but Coveney suggested agreement on the wording of written reassurances may come later.
“The hope is that those [Monday] meetings will result in a momentum that can be carried into the leaders’ summit the week after ... and can allow this Brexit negotiation process to open up to phase two of discussions ” Coveney told RTE radio.
Asked if he expected an agreed text of written British assurances on the issue Monday morning Coveney said: “Let’s not run before we can walk here. Obviously we would like that to be the case.” | 1 | neutral | [
"Ireland says unclear if EU UK can agree wording on border by Monday\nDUBLIN (Reuters) - It is not yet clear if Britain and the European Union can agree on written assurances to avoid a hard Northern Ireland border by a Monday deadline Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said on Sunday.",
"Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney arrives to attend the Eastern Partnership summit at the European Council Headquarters in Brussels Belgium November 24 2017.",
"REUTERS/Christian Hartmann\nBut he said he was hopeful a meeting between British Prime Minister Theresa May and European Council President Donald Tusk on Monday would lead to a deal in time for a Dec.",
"14-15 EU summit.",
"That would allow Britain to move on to talks on its future trading relations with the bloc.",
"Tusk said he had asked May to “put a final offer on the table” by Monday but Coveney suggested agreement on the wording of written reassurances may come later.",
"“The hope is that those [Monday] meetings will result in a momentum that can be carried into the leaders’ summit the week after...",
"and can allow this Brexit negotiation process to open up to phase two of discussions ” Coveney told RTE radio.",
"Asked if he expected an agreed text of written British assurances on the issue Monday morning Coveney said: “Let’s not run before we can walk here.",
"Obviously we would like that to be the case.",
"”"
] |
What boneheads designed this? You cannot set the time for the second watering time. It is set on fixed intervals. The fixed intervals will not comply with my city's watering restrictions. None-the-less, this is still the best timer in spite of this deficiency that could be easily corrected with a firmware upgrade.
Other headaches... There is an internal battery on the Printed Circuit Board assembly, but you will find no mention of this in any documentation. I recently had to replace it since the clock kept resetting to "12:00". It is a major headache for the average user to access and replace this battery. You have to completely tear apart the unit to replace the PCB battery. Good thing I am an electrical engineer. Anyone else would have to simply throw the unit in the trash. | 1 | neutral | [
"What boneheads designed this?",
"You cannot set the time for the second watering time.",
"It is set on fixed intervals.",
"The fixed intervals will not comply with my city's watering restrictions.",
"None-the-less, this is still the best timer in spite of this deficiency that could be easily corrected with a firmware upgrade.",
"Other headaches...",
"There is an internal battery on the Printed Circuit Board assembly, but you will find no mention of this in any documentation.",
"I recently had to replace it since the clock kept resetting to \"12:00\".",
"It is a major headache for the average user to access and replace this battery.",
"You have to completely tear apart the unit to replace the PCB battery.",
"Good thing I am an electrical engineer.",
"Anyone else would have to simply throw the unit in the trash."
] |
I purchased this for my 2 year old son because he loves this kind of toy whenever he can play with it. Whenever we go to the doctor's office, the photo studio we use etc. It was shipped in just a flimsy card board box with no padding. The side which has the alphabet blocks was split and broken with the top row loose in the box. Screws has come off in several places. We sent it back and ordered another one. This one at least came inside another box. There were screws loose in the box again and it looks like the screws that hold the alphabet blocks into their rows are just to short. There was a little damage to the wood again. We put the screws back and glued them in. Hopefully that will do the trick. Our son LOVES to play with all sides of the cube. It was a pain to deal with the flimsy construction and damage issues...twice. But I think it's a great toy for this age range and helps build important motor skills. Hope they fix the issues for future purchases. | 1 | neutral | [
"I purchased this for my 2 year old son because he loves this kind of toy whenever he can play with it.",
"Whenever we go to the doctor's office, the photo studio we use etc.",
"It was shipped in just a flimsy card board box with no padding.",
"The side which has the alphabet blocks was split and broken with the top row loose in the box.",
"Screws has come off in several places.",
"We sent it back and ordered another one.",
"This one at least came inside another box.",
"There were screws loose in the box again and it looks like the screws that hold the alphabet blocks into their rows are just to short.",
"There was a little damage to the wood again.",
"We put the screws back and glued them in.",
"Hopefully that will do the trick.",
"Our son LOVES to play with all sides of the cube.",
"It was a pain to deal with the flimsy construction and damage issues...",
"twice.",
"But I think it's a great toy for this age range and helps build important motor skills.",
"Hope they fix the issues for future purchases."
] |
Well, I used a whole bottle and with my experience I still had to keep a very close eye on levels daily for any spikes... it never completely took ammonia down to 0 on a new tank... it would linger around 0.15 or 0.25 .... Thats not ok for me. I don't want any ammonia or Nitrite in the tank. Its not fair to the fish to have to deal with ANY ammonia or nitrite. I don't know if its done on purpose to feed the good bacteria with a low ammonia but still the fish are at risk of stress. IDK... I am still learning the science of water quality. Anyways my pet shop suggested a different product that will keep Ammonia and Nitrate to Complete Zero. I just had to use 5 cap full's every other day until my 50 gallon water garden pond was finished cycling. The product he gave me was Kordon AmQuel Plus the Plus gets ride of Nitrites too and is a water conditioner also.. That product works excellent at keeping ammonia AND nitrites neutralized to ZERO BUT it does not put in beneficial bacteria so I guess thats the difference in the two products. If I don't want worries I use Kordon AmQuel Plus with this product. they seem to work well together. I don't think the fish mind them both together but is the beneficial bacteria still living? by using both products together? I think so becuase the Kordon AmQuel Plus says it does not disturb or hurt the beneficial bacteria. I don't know but my pond is always at Zero Ammonia and Nitrite and fish are happy... so thats all I know for now until its completely cycled and how long it will take is another question since I keep it at Zero.. | 1 | neutral | [
"Well, I used a whole bottle and with my experience I still had to keep a very close eye on levels daily for any spikes...",
"it never completely took ammonia down to 0 on a new tank...",
"it would linger around 0.",
"15 or 0.",
"25....",
"Thats not ok for me.",
"I don't want any ammonia or Nitrite in the tank.",
"Its not fair to the fish to have to deal with ANY ammonia or nitrite.",
"I don't know if its done on purpose to feed the good bacteria with a low ammonia but still the fish are at risk of stress.",
"IDK...",
"I am still learning the science of water quality.",
"Anyways my pet shop suggested a different product that will keep Ammonia and Nitrate to Complete Zero.",
"I just had to use 5 cap full's every other day until my 50 gallon water garden pond was finished cycling.",
"The product he gave me was Kordon AmQuel Plus the Plus gets ride of Nitrites too and is a water conditioner also..",
"That product works excellent at keeping ammonia AND nitrites neutralized to ZERO BUT it does not put in beneficial bacteria so I guess thats the difference in the two products.",
"If I don't want worries I use Kordon AmQuel Plus with this product.",
"they seem to work well together.",
"I don't think the fish mind them both together but is the beneficial bacteria still living?",
"by using both products together?",
"I think so becuase the Kordon AmQuel Plus says it does not disturb or hurt the beneficial bacteria.",
"I don't know but my pond is always at Zero Ammonia and Nitrite and fish are happy...",
"so thats all I know for now until its completely cycled and how long it will take is another question since I keep it at Zero.."
] |
Ace is the guitarist of Kiss, of that there should be no doubt. Others have come and gone...but Ace will be remembered as the most influential. This CD demonstrates this point, cause the guitar work, although not the most technical etc, has blood running through its veins! Ace is the sound of Kiss, but he was not and never will be remembered as the songwriter of Kiss, or the singer of Kiss. Given his freedom here the songs are not important, its the lead breaks that launch out of those songs that impress. Case in point would be "Snow Blind" which lumbers along...then BANG this fantastic spirited solo comes from left field! "New York Groove" is Ace showing his eccentricity and seems to be what he was trying to recreate for years to come...when at the end of the day Ace is great and greatest as the lead guitarist for Kiss. So if you can remember any of the songs after the first listen you'll be doing well...but I'll guarantee you'll have the sounds of Ace's playing reverberating in your head for days to come thanks to the great guitar work he laid down on this his first and best solo album. | 1 | neutral | [
"Ace is the guitarist of Kiss, of that there should be no doubt.",
"Others have come and gone...",
"but Ace will be remembered as the most influential.",
"This CD demonstrates this point, cause the guitar work, although not the most technical etc, has blood running through its veins!",
"Ace is the sound of Kiss, but he was not and never will be remembered as the songwriter of Kiss, or the singer of Kiss.",
"Given his freedom here the songs are not important, its the lead breaks that launch out of those songs that impress.",
"Case in point would be \"Snow Blind\" which lumbers along...",
"then BANG this fantastic spirited solo comes from left field!",
"\"New York Groove\" is Ace showing his eccentricity and seems to be what he was trying to recreate for years to come...",
"when at the end of the day Ace is great and greatest as the lead guitarist for Kiss.",
"So if you can remember any of the songs after the first listen you'll be doing well...",
"but I'll guarantee you'll have the sounds of Ace's playing reverberating in your head for days to come thanks to the great guitar work he laid down on this his first and best solo album."
] |
I bought this Nook HD+ in the summer for $179 from BestBuy. It seemed like the best value at the time for a 32GB tablet.
I thought that it would be good for our trip to Spain. We ended up using it to watch a few movies on the plane and that was it.
Fast forward a few months of neglecting using the Nook and the device will not even turn on. I keep thinking that I am doing something wrong, but the next step is most likely going to be a trip to BestBuy after I confirm that I ordered the extended warranty (it's been a busy time for us!).
So needless to say I am not impressed....
UPDATE:
Well, the Nook decided to Power on again when I followed the instructions to turn on a "dead Nook". I don't have the instructions right here, but if you find them (has to do with pressing and holding two of the buttons at the same time), make sure to look at your screen very carefully because one of the options is to restore your Nook to factory settings - and you won't want to do that if you have anything stored on it.
I will just have to see how it goes.
Wish Amazon Instant Video would play on it, but RedBox now offers an $8 monthly subscription rate for 4 dvds at the kiosk and unlimited streaming.
That along with NetFlix give me two options for streaming video. | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought this Nook HD+ in the summer for $179 from BestBuy.",
"It seemed like the best value at the time for a 32GB tablet.",
"I thought that it would be good for our trip to Spain.",
"We ended up using it to watch a few movies on the plane and that was it.",
"Fast forward a few months of neglecting using the Nook and the device will not even turn on.",
"I keep thinking that I am doing something wrong, but the next step is most likely going to be a trip to BestBuy after I confirm that I ordered the extended warranty (it's been a busy time for us!",
").",
"So needless to say I am not impressed....",
"UPDATE:\nWell, the Nook decided to Power on again when I followed the instructions to turn on a \"dead Nook\".",
"I don't have the instructions right here, but if you find them (has to do with pressing and holding two of the buttons at the same time), make sure to look at your screen very carefully because one of the options is to restore your Nook to factory settings - and you won't want to do that if you have anything stored on it.",
"I will just have to see how it goes.",
"Wish Amazon Instant Video would play on it, but RedBox now offers an $8 monthly subscription rate for 4 dvds at the kiosk and unlimited streaming.",
"That along with NetFlix give me two options for streaming video."
] |
This book has 53 locations, so it takes only a few minutes to read. It contains 5 nice drawings and 4 stories; of these 2 have an unhappy ending.
(Spoiler alert!)
In the end of the story 'The Fox and the Goat' the goat is left in a waterwell (whithout a means to get out). In the story 'The fox and the Cat' the fox is killed.
Aesop lived around 600 BC in Greece and he probably only collected and compiled the fables, and did not write them himself. Some of the fables might even originate from Mesopotamia and be more than 4000 years old. The fables of Aesop are moralistic, didactic stories in which animals act like people. Each fable ends with a lesson, for example: the lesson of the story 'The Fox and the Goat' is: 'Never trust the advise of a man in difficulties'.
I believe the fables to be unsuitable for kids.
The complete fables are available on the web for free. | 1 | neutral | [
"This book has 53 locations, so it takes only a few minutes to read.",
"It contains 5 nice drawings and 4 stories; of these 2 have an unhappy ending.",
"(Spoiler alert!",
")\nIn the end of the story 'The Fox and the Goat' the goat is left in a waterwell (whithout a means to get out).",
"In the story 'The fox and the Cat' the fox is killed.",
"Aesop lived around 600 BC in Greece and he probably only collected and compiled the fables, and did not write them himself.",
"Some of the fables might even originate from Mesopotamia and be more than 4000 years old.",
"The fables of Aesop are moralistic, didactic stories in which animals act like people.",
"Each fable ends with a lesson, for example: the lesson of the story 'The Fox and the Goat' is: 'Never trust the advise of a man in difficulties'.",
"I believe the fables to be unsuitable for kids.",
"The complete fables are available on the web for free."
] |
Overall, considering the price tag and the name, I'm a little disappointed. Is it good? It's a very good wagon. That said, my two two-year-old boys who received this about nine months ago have put it to the test, and it hasn't exactly passed in every department. My only complaint is the gauge of the steel. It's simply not heavy enough. The corners of the mounting hardware underneath are pressing through the bed, so much so in fact, that it appears they'll in time break right through. The whole bottom is bent. It's very usable still, but for the price, and for two two-year-olds to be able to do this, I can't imagine what a ten-year-old could do, and I don't know how it will look in another year. (This is stored in a weather tight shed, so the elements have not affected this.)
I love that it's a Radio Flyer, that it's classic red, and I was about to say that it's made in the USA, but I guess it's not. From what I understand they're all made in China now, so I really don't understand the price tag. At the time much of my decision to buy was based on the belief I was supporting US workers. Next time I think I'll by a farm cart. For the same price you can get one rated for 1/2 a ton. Not as attractive, but it's a much tougher wagon, and the boys can beat on it all they want, and it'll endure through the years. | 1 | neutral | [
"Overall, considering the price tag and the name, I'm a little disappointed.",
"Is it good?",
"It's a very good wagon.",
"That said, my two two-year-old boys who received this about nine months ago have put it to the test, and it hasn't exactly passed in every department.",
"My only complaint is the gauge of the steel.",
"It's simply not heavy enough.",
"The corners of the mounting hardware underneath are pressing through the bed, so much so in fact, that it appears they'll in time break right through.",
"The whole bottom is bent.",
"It's very usable still, but for the price, and for two two-year-olds to be able to do this, I can't imagine what a ten-year-old could do, and I don't know how it will look in another year.",
"(This is stored in a weather tight shed, so the elements have not affected this.",
")\n\nI love that it's a Radio Flyer, that it's classic red, and I was about to say that it's made in the USA, but I guess it's not.",
"From what I understand they're all made in China now, so I really don't understand the price tag.",
"At the time much of my decision to buy was based on the belief I was supporting US workers.",
"Next time I think I'll by a farm cart.",
"For the same price you can get one rated for 1/2 a ton.",
"Not as attractive, but it's a much tougher wagon, and the boys can beat on it all they want, and it'll endure through the years."
] |
After playing the great X4, I was expecting another great addition to the series, but sadly, I didn't get it. Don't get me wrong, it's a decent game, but not up to par with many of the others in the series.
Gameplay: 7.1/10
The control is basically the same as X4, read my review of that one if you want the whole deal with that part of the game. It does add in a few things like: Zero's gun, the ability to duck, and a few other minor upgrades.
The levels here are what really disappointed me. I mean, you get some quality Megaman ones here, but then you get some pretty lame ones, too. I've never been a fan of the ones you have to ride a car-like vehicle through, and then there's the water one, which I don't like either. Add in a couple of other boring levels and overall it's not so good. There are a few bright spots here, though, like the Train, and Volcano levels. With a couple of other pretty good ones as well.
The bosses have always been a favorite part of the Megaman games for me. X5 has some of the best looking ones I've seen in the series, but they invole no strategy to beat, whatsoever. They basically just have you jumping around, hacking and slashing at them until they die. No challenger here, either, they die pretty easily, with a couple of exceptions. Atleast in X4, like Slash Beast for example: you had to slide or jump to avoid the green waves, slide under his lunging attacks, jump on the walls when he charges you, but most, if not all of the bosses here in X5 contain none of that sort of thing.
Abilities are nice in this game. You get the usual stuff seen in past games, and the chance to boost up your life, and weapon power up. Depending on the level of the boss you just defeated. Overall, I like the way they handled this, and it helps make the game overcome the bad parts a little.
I take off the 2.9 points for the poor-average levels, but it's not really low, because there's still four good, fun levels. I took off a little more because of Alia. She is the most annoying character ever, interrupting you a couple times a level with the annoying stuff. Bad idea on putting her blabber mouth in the game, Capcom. She does have some useful advice, but I'd rather discover it on my own; since when does the experienced X/Zero need advice? Then there's the weak, unimaginitive bosses. Just very poorly done in this game, but they do look really cool. I'm being a little generous here, I could have easily taken off even more points.
Replay Value: 6.5/10
The replay value takes a big drop off from X4. There's no different scenarios for each character, since you select whatever one you want for whatever level, the levels themselves are lacking, and overall, it's just not up to par in the fun department. Making it not very good in the Replay Value, either. Hardcore Megaman fans will probably play it more than once, that's the reason for the decent score, but it's not very good for the average fan. I will play through it a couple times, that's just because I am becoming a pretty big fan of these games.
Music: 8.8/10
This is a strong point in the game. The introduction is just brilliant; a slow melody starts, and then it roars into a speedy guitarish song. I love it! The level music is well done, as well. Good stuff all around. Not much to really say here, but you should enjoy it.
Graphics: 9.2/10
The usual Megaman stuff is here. Very nice looking 2D graphics. The level that impressed me the most was the Jungle level. It was very cool. Really just some great graphics through out the whole game. If you played a PSX Megaman game before, you know what to expect. If you're a fan of the 2D look like me, you will love it.
Overall(Not an average) 7.2/10
From reading this review, it might seem that I don't like this game that much, but really, it has some good things going for it. I was disappointed by the weak, unimaginite bosses, and some really lame levels the most, but if you can look past the bad, then you will find some really good stuff here, and some new stuff that hasn't been seen in the series. You might even like the levels I hated, making it an even better game for you. Don't pass this up if you're a Megman fan, or just a fan of good action games. At this price, you can't pass it up.
Note: If I could, I would give the game 3 and 1/2 stars, but Amazon doesn't allow that. | 1 | neutral | [
"After playing the great X4, I was expecting another great addition to the series, but sadly, I didn't get it.",
"Don't get me wrong, it's a decent game, but not up to par with many of the others in the series.",
"Gameplay: 7.",
"1/10\nThe control is basically the same as X4, read my review of that one if you want the whole deal with that part of the game.",
"It does add in a few things like: Zero's gun, the ability to duck, and a few other minor upgrades.",
"The levels here are what really disappointed me.",
"I mean, you get some quality Megaman ones here, but then you get some pretty lame ones, too.",
"I've never been a fan of the ones you have to ride a car-like vehicle through, and then there's the water one, which I don't like either.",
"Add in a couple of other boring levels and overall it's not so good.",
"There are a few bright spots here, though, like the Train, and Volcano levels.",
"With a couple of other pretty good ones as well.",
"The bosses have always been a favorite part of the Megaman games for me.",
"X5 has some of the best looking ones I've seen in the series, but they invole no strategy to beat, whatsoever.",
"They basically just have you jumping around, hacking and slashing at them until they die.",
"No challenger here, either, they die pretty easily, with a couple of exceptions.",
"Atleast in X4, like Slash Beast for example: you had to slide or jump to avoid the green waves, slide under his lunging attacks, jump on the walls when he charges you, but most, if not all of the bosses here in X5 contain none of that sort of thing.",
"Abilities are nice in this game.",
"You get the usual stuff seen in past games, and the chance to boost up your life, and weapon power up.",
"Depending on the level of the boss you just defeated.",
"Overall, I like the way they handled this, and it helps make the game overcome the bad parts a little.",
"I take off the 2.",
"9 points for the poor-average levels, but it's not really low, because there's still four good, fun levels.",
"I took off a little more because of Alia.",
"She is the most annoying character ever, interrupting you a couple times a level with the annoying stuff.",
"Bad idea on putting her blabber mouth in the game, Capcom.",
"She does have some useful advice, but I'd rather discover it on my own; since when does the experienced X/Zero need advice?",
"Then there's the weak, unimaginitive bosses.",
"Just very poorly done in this game, but they do look really cool.",
"I'm being a little generous here, I could have easily taken off even more points.",
"Replay Value: 6.",
"5/10\nThe replay value takes a big drop off from X4.",
"There's no different scenarios for each character, since you select whatever one you want for whatever level, the levels themselves are lacking, and overall, it's just not up to par in the fun department.",
"Making it not very good in the Replay Value, either.",
"Hardcore Megaman fans will probably play it more than once, that's the reason for the decent score, but it's not very good for the average fan.",
"I will play through it a couple times, that's just because I am becoming a pretty big fan of these games.",
"Music: 8.",
"8/10\nThis is a strong point in the game.",
"The introduction is just brilliant; a slow melody starts, and then it roars into a speedy guitarish song.",
"I love it!",
"The level music is well done, as well.",
"Good stuff all around.",
"Not much to really say here, but you should enjoy it.",
"Graphics: 9.",
"2/10\nThe usual Megaman stuff is here.",
"Very nice looking 2D graphics.",
"The level that impressed me the most was the Jungle level.",
"It was very cool.",
"Really just some great graphics through out the whole game.",
"If you played a PSX Megaman game before, you know what to expect.",
"If you're a fan of the 2D look like me, you will love it.",
"Overall(Not an average) 7.",
"2/10\nFrom reading this review, it might seem that I don't like this game that much, but really, it has some good things going for it.",
"I was disappointed by the weak, unimaginite bosses, and some really lame levels the most, but if you can look past the bad, then you will find some really good stuff here, and some new stuff that hasn't been seen in the series.",
"You might even like the levels I hated, making it an even better game for you.",
"Don't pass this up if you're a Megman fan, or just a fan of good action games.",
"At this price, you can't pass it up.",
"Note: If I could, I would give the game 3 and 1/2 stars, but Amazon doesn't allow that."
] |
This is a nice simplistic book. The plot is a bit absurd. Home schooled country girl from Iowa moves to California to live with her aunt. The mom is a Drama queen and a bit forced. The issues in the book are to quickly explained and fixed. A good story with an immature plot. Would enjoy reading this authors later works to see how she grows.
Details are a terrible thing. If you do something like change the name of Taco Tuesdays it gets noticed. Also at the start of the book Miss Iowa finished her sibling homeschooling for her mom. (Impression from what she said ) then mid book you find out she is the youngest? | 1 | neutral | [
"This is a nice simplistic book.",
"The plot is a bit absurd.",
"Home schooled country girl from Iowa moves to California to live with her aunt.",
"The mom is a Drama queen and a bit forced.",
"The issues in the book are to quickly explained and fixed.",
"A good story with an immature plot.",
"Would enjoy reading this authors later works to see how she grows.",
"Details are a terrible thing.",
"If you do something like change the name of Taco Tuesdays it gets noticed.",
"Also at the start of the book Miss Iowa finished her sibling homeschooling for her mom.",
"(Impression from what she said ) then mid book you find out she is the youngest?"
] |
Amoral. Senseless. Some laughs. Two beautiful young woman who show great teeth in fairly numerous closeups. Two semi-nude shots of one of the women or her body stand in. A henpecked dentist to serve as the klutzy but basically heroic good guy. Assorted third bananas only one of whom makes sufficient screen impact to be noticed (Michael Clarke Duncan).
Oh, yes, there is Bruce Willis, the only reason for the picture. He performs his patented cool tough guy character with nonchalance. Mix the ingredients without too much directorial skill and you have a movie which entertained many.
Frankly, I liked looking at the girls. | 1 | neutral | [
"Amoral.",
"Senseless.",
"Some laughs.",
"Two beautiful young woman who show great teeth in fairly numerous closeups.",
"Two semi-nude shots of one of the women or her body stand in.",
"A henpecked dentist to serve as the klutzy but basically heroic good guy.",
"Assorted third bananas only one of whom makes sufficient screen impact to be noticed (Michael Clarke Duncan).",
"Oh, yes, there is Bruce Willis, the only reason for the picture.",
"He performs his patented cool tough guy character with nonchalance.",
"Mix the ingredients without too much directorial skill and you have a movie which entertained many.",
"Frankly, I liked looking at the girls."
] |
First off let me say I'm a big KISS fan, but I'm a HUGE Ace fan. That said, here we go. This is yet again another greatest hits package put together by KISS. Why they would need this is beyond me. AT the time this came out they already had two ALIVE! albums, plus DOUBLE PLATINUM, and THE ORIGINALS. Maybe KISS had a contract agreement and had to get something out quickly. Eric Carr's version of Beth is very bland. I never cared for the song anyway, but that's just me. Maybe Hard Luck Woman would have been a better choice. Rock n Roll all nite sounds a lot like the original from 'Dressed to Kill', by that I mean there's no guitar solo, so there's no new ground broken there. The cheesy new ending to 'Shout it out Loud' leaves something to be desired as well. The only reason to buy this album would be the two new songs that start the album off. Well guess what, they suck. They are a couple of Paul's songs and you know what that means, a lot of struttin', prancing, and ah ah ah-ing. The songs are so predictable and fluffy, that they could have easily been recorded by the hair bands that were popular at the time. Let's Put the X in Sex, and You make me rock hard, are laughable and will make you wonder if Paul Stanley got a writing collaboration with Kip Winger over a weekend. The only way this album could have possibly been worse was if Gene gave Bruce Kulick the nod to do the lead vocals on 'I Love it Loud'. Do yourself a favor, buy any of their first three albums, ALIVE!, and Creatures of the Night. (Ace didn't play on that one I know, but it KICKS). See ya. | 1 | neutral | [
"First off let me say I'm a big KISS fan, but I'm a HUGE Ace fan.",
"That said, here we go.",
"This is yet again another greatest hits package put together by KISS.",
"Why they would need this is beyond me.",
"AT the time this came out they already had two ALIVE!",
"albums, plus DOUBLE PLATINUM, and THE ORIGINALS.",
"Maybe KISS had a contract agreement and had to get something out quickly.",
"Eric Carr's version of Beth is very bland.",
"I never cared for the song anyway, but that's just me.",
"Maybe Hard Luck Woman would have been a better choice.",
"Rock n Roll all nite sounds a lot like the original from 'Dressed to Kill', by that I mean there's no guitar solo, so there's no new ground broken there.",
"The cheesy new ending to 'Shout it out Loud' leaves something to be desired as well.",
"The only reason to buy this album would be the two new songs that start the album off.",
"Well guess what, they suck.",
"They are a couple of Paul's songs and you know what that means, a lot of struttin', prancing, and ah ah ah-ing.",
"The songs are so predictable and fluffy, that they could have easily been recorded by the hair bands that were popular at the time.",
"Let's Put the X in Sex, and You make me rock hard, are laughable and will make you wonder if Paul Stanley got a writing collaboration with Kip Winger over a weekend.",
"The only way this album could have possibly been worse was if Gene gave Bruce Kulick the nod to do the lead vocals on 'I Love it Loud'.",
"Do yourself a favor, buy any of their first three albums, ALIVE!",
", and Creatures of the Night.",
"(Ace didn't play on that one I know, but it KICKS).",
"See ya."
] |
A new Trump administration plan makes nuclear war likelier
The Trump administration’s wizards of Armageddon have locked down their vision of the nuclear future. It is by and large a rehash of old thinking from previous administrations but its one key departure is a doozy: It declares a newfound readiness to use U.S. nuclear weapons first and early in a confrontation with Russia and possibly others.
[No one can stop President Trump from using nuclear weapons. That’s by design.]
Russia developed this doctrine over the past five years partially to exploit growing infrastructure vulnerabilities stemming from growing Western dependencies on these networks and partially to reduce Russia’s own strategic reliance on first use of nuclear arms. By focusing on cyberwar and conventional forces Russia seeks to depend less on its 20-year-old doctrine of “escalate to de-escalate ” which calls for the early first use of small-yield Russian tactical nuclear weapons to counter Western conventional supremacy. (This Russian option is also cited by the Trump review as a reason for acquiring and using countervailing low-yield U.S. nuclear weapons.)
The West’s Achilles’ heel of infrastructure vulnerability may tempt other adversaries besides Russia to take aim at this weakness in wartime. Indeed the Trump administration’s document leaves the door ajar for possible U.S. nuclear first strikes against non-nuclear countries if they wreck our critical civilian infrastructure.
The burden of nuclear first use should remain on Russia and not be allowed to shift onto NATO. No American president wants to feel pressure to authorize the early first use of nuclear weapons. The correct approach is for the West to exploit its own cyber and conventional prowess to counter Russia on its own terms exploiting Western superiority in these areas and leaving the burden of nuclear first use on Russia’s shoulders. We need tighter not looser rules for using nukes first in a confrontation with Russia. President Trump should expunge this major new creative but misguided part of his nuclear review — and fire its authors.
How President Trump could tweet his way into nuclear war with North Korea
If Trump wants to use nuclear weapons whether it’s ‘legal’ won’t matter | 1 | neutral | [
"A new Trump administration plan makes nuclear war likelier\nThe Trump administration’s wizards of Armageddon have locked down their vision of the nuclear future.",
"It is by and large a rehash of old thinking from previous administrations but its one key departure is a doozy: It declares a newfound readiness to use U.",
"S. nuclear weapons first and early in a confrontation with Russia and possibly others.",
"[No one can stop President Trump from using nuclear weapons.",
"That’s by design.",
"]\nRussia developed this doctrine over the past five years partially to exploit growing infrastructure vulnerabilities stemming from growing Western dependencies on these networks and partially to reduce Russia’s own strategic reliance on first use of nuclear arms.",
"By focusing on cyberwar and conventional forces Russia seeks to depend less on its 20-year-old doctrine of “escalate to de-escalate ” which calls for the early first use of small-yield Russian tactical nuclear weapons to counter Western conventional supremacy.",
"(This Russian option is also cited by the Trump review as a reason for acquiring and using countervailing low-yield U.",
"S. nuclear weapons.",
")\nThe West’s Achilles’ heel of infrastructure vulnerability may tempt other adversaries besides Russia to take aim at this weakness in wartime.",
"Indeed the Trump administration’s document leaves the door ajar for possible U.",
"S. nuclear first strikes against non-nuclear countries if they wreck our critical civilian infrastructure.",
"The burden of nuclear first use should remain on Russia and not be allowed to shift onto NATO.",
"No American president wants to feel pressure to authorize the early first use of nuclear weapons.",
"The correct approach is for the West to exploit its own cyber and conventional prowess to counter Russia on its own terms exploiting Western superiority in these areas and leaving the burden of nuclear first use on Russia’s shoulders.",
"We need tighter not looser rules for using nukes first in a confrontation with Russia.",
"President Trump should expunge this major new creative but misguided part of his nuclear review — and fire its authors.",
"How President Trump could tweet his way into nuclear war with North Korea\nIf Trump wants to use nuclear weapons whether it’s ‘legal’ won’t matter"
] |
Not since the Lord of the Rings has an author written a series that has such amazing SCOPE as GRRM has pulled together with these books. While arguments will be made for YEARS about the contributions of Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind and others, it seems hard to place them in the same league simply because I consider those books good and entirely worth reading, but Martin has created one of the few Fantasy series that can also be considered true Literature. Again, some may disagree, but that is essentially how I consider it.
I finished this book quite a long time ago and while I normally post my reviews within a day or so of closing the last page, I kept putting this one off as I attempted to just figure out exactly what I thought of it. I believe the bulk of us Song of Ice & Fire readers have all heard that this book originally began as a single novel, and due to several unforseen circumstances, ended up being divided into two separate-but-equal parts of basically the same book. You can REALLY tell, too. The obvious omitting of several MAJOR POV's is the first and biggest obstacle against giving this a full 5 Stars. As MANY have also noted, even though there ARE some incredibly important issues brought up which help the plot move forward here, again it is nearly impossible NOT to notice how LITTLE forward the book takes us overall. Several reviewers have noted the possible absence of an editor with the stones to actually trim the fat, which this novel really needed. I would have rather waited an extra year and had what was cut out to make 'A Dance With Dragons' ADDED and then properly edited in order to seriously move the overall storyline AHEAD. There is little doubt that GRRM is likely the most talented Fantasy Author writing today (although the debate continues...), but if this series is expected to finish up before the end of the next century, I sincerely hope that GRRM steps up the pace--even if by just a little. Robert Jordan recently passed away, and so far (at least as I write this) the end of the Wheel of Time Series remains unfinished...now he may have finished writing the last novel before he passed away (gosh I hope so...) we can see what happens by doing this and dragging things out longer than necessary. While I honestly believe GRRM really DOES have a handle on where the story is going and he honestly does know the end from the beginning, I also hope that the end is in sight. Making us all wait what seems like decades in between these books is nothing short of torture and possibly against the Geneva Convention if I am not mistaken...
With that said, I STILL had a great time reading AFFC. Yes it dragged and lost momentum and I felt that my journey was basically 'Hurry Up And Wait', I have invested so much into these characters, (although through sad experience I have also discovered not to become TOO attached to any one character in particular) that even a SMALL glimpse into their world is better than none at all. I anxiously await the arrival of the 2nd half of this tale begun in 'A Feast For Crows', I also bite my nails wondering if part 2 isn't just more of the same here. I have learned to give the benefit of the doubt in a lot of instances, and because GRRM is so dang good at writing, I feel compelled to extend it here as well. But hopefully my patience won't have to be tested quite to this degree much longer... | 1 | neutral | [
"Not since the Lord of the Rings has an author written a series that has such amazing SCOPE as GRRM has pulled together with these books.",
"While arguments will be made for YEARS about the contributions of Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind and others, it seems hard to place them in the same league simply because I consider those books good and entirely worth reading, but Martin has created one of the few Fantasy series that can also be considered true Literature.",
"Again, some may disagree, but that is essentially how I consider it.",
"I finished this book quite a long time ago and while I normally post my reviews within a day or so of closing the last page, I kept putting this one off as I attempted to just figure out exactly what I thought of it.",
"I believe the bulk of us Song of Ice & Fire readers have all heard that this book originally began as a single novel, and due to several unforseen circumstances, ended up being divided into two separate-but-equal parts of basically the same book.",
"You can REALLY tell, too.",
"The obvious omitting of several MAJOR POV's is the first and biggest obstacle against giving this a full 5 Stars.",
"As MANY have also noted, even though there ARE some incredibly important issues brought up which help the plot move forward here, again it is nearly impossible NOT to notice how LITTLE forward the book takes us overall.",
"Several reviewers have noted the possible absence of an editor with the stones to actually trim the fat, which this novel really needed.",
"I would have rather waited an extra year and had what was cut out to make 'A Dance With Dragons' ADDED and then properly edited in order to seriously move the overall storyline AHEAD.",
"There is little doubt that GRRM is likely the most talented Fantasy Author writing today (although the debate continues...",
"), but if this series is expected to finish up before the end of the next century, I sincerely hope that GRRM steps up the pace--even if by just a little.",
"Robert Jordan recently passed away, and so far (at least as I write this) the end of the Wheel of Time Series remains unfinished...",
"now he may have finished writing the last novel before he passed away (gosh I hope so...",
") we can see what happens by doing this and dragging things out longer than necessary.",
"While I honestly believe GRRM really DOES have a handle on where the story is going and he honestly does know the end from the beginning, I also hope that the end is in sight.",
"Making us all wait what seems like decades in between these books is nothing short of torture and possibly against the Geneva Convention if I am not mistaken...",
"With that said, I STILL had a great time reading AFFC.",
"Yes it dragged and lost momentum and I felt that my journey was basically 'Hurry Up And Wait', I have invested so much into these characters, (although through sad experience I have also discovered not to become TOO attached to any one character in particular) that even a SMALL glimpse into their world is better than none at all.",
"I anxiously await the arrival of the 2nd half of this tale begun in 'A Feast For Crows', I also bite my nails wondering if part 2 isn't just more of the same here.",
"I have learned to give the benefit of the doubt in a lot of instances, and because GRRM is so dang good at writing, I feel compelled to extend it here as well.",
"But hopefully my patience won't have to be tested quite to this degree much longer..."
] |
This can opener opens cans with no fuss and flattens the sharp edge around the lip nicely (though the lid is still sharp, so be careful). It's nice that it opens all the way to a full 180 degrees, which makes cleaning easier. But neither of these are terribly unique features.
Meanwhile, the can opener itself has some sharp edges. I'm not talking about the cutting roller, which is sharp, of course. I mean the edges of the metal frame where it was punched out. See the photos for one of the places I'm talking about, but there are others. There are burrs there that I suspect might even be able to cut your finger. Not good! Whether they would cut you or not, this just screams "sloppy manufacturing."
Also, the card that served as its packaging, the one it comes zip-tied to, had oil or grease stains on it when it arrived. (Also labeled in the picture.) Ewww...
When it comes down to it, it does a decent job of opening cans. but I was not impressed overall. I'm sure you can find better. | 1 | neutral | [
"This can opener opens cans with no fuss and flattens the sharp edge around the lip nicely (though the lid is still sharp, so be careful).",
"It's nice that it opens all the way to a full 180 degrees, which makes cleaning easier.",
"But neither of these are terribly unique features.",
"Meanwhile, the can opener itself has some sharp edges.",
"I'm not talking about the cutting roller, which is sharp, of course.",
"I mean the edges of the metal frame where it was punched out.",
"See the photos for one of the places I'm talking about, but there are others.",
"There are burrs there that I suspect might even be able to cut your finger.",
"Not good!",
"Whether they would cut you or not, this just screams \"sloppy manufacturing.",
"\"\n\nAlso, the card that served as its packaging, the one it comes zip-tied to, had oil or grease stains on it when it arrived.",
"(Also labeled in the picture.",
") Ewww...",
"When it comes down to it, it does a decent job of opening cans.",
"but I was not impressed overall.",
"I'm sure you can find better."
] |
The story, in and of itself, is a bit dated; however, you should not allow that to deter you. If you are not old enough to remember that there were not women on the police force, then what you will read is a realistic (only to a point...it's never a good idea to engage in a potentially romantic episode with a superior officer...yikes! Today, the EEOC would be all over the plot line!) taste of what it was to be on the fore front of a major societal change.
The language in certain places in the book as spoken by Calico would not be considered PC in today's world. Again, don't let that deter you.
Take the story line at face value and you'll have a fine read.
What will deter you is the HORRIBLE formatting of the Kindle edition. The strange hyphenation in certain characters names and odd formatting will make you consider the option of not finishing the book. I can't decide if there is something that unique to converting text to Kindle's format that causes formatting intrusion into the storyline or just really sloppy editing. Whatever it is, it is distracting. A major no-no when reading.
I give it 3 stars. | 1 | neutral | [
"The story, in and of itself, is a bit dated; however, you should not allow that to deter you.",
"If you are not old enough to remember that there were not women on the police force, then what you will read is a realistic (only to a point...",
"it's never a good idea to engage in a potentially romantic episode with a superior officer...",
"yikes!",
"Today, the EEOC would be all over the plot line!",
") taste of what it was to be on the fore front of a major societal change.",
"The language in certain places in the book as spoken by Calico would not be considered PC in today's world.",
"Again, don't let that deter you.",
"Take the story line at face value and you'll have a fine read.",
"What will deter you is the HORRIBLE formatting of the Kindle edition.",
"The strange hyphenation in certain characters names and odd formatting will make you consider the option of not finishing the book.",
"I can't decide if there is something that unique to converting text to Kindle's format that causes formatting intrusion into the storyline or just really sloppy editing.",
"Whatever it is, it is distracting.",
"A major no-no when reading.",
"I give it 3 stars."
] |
I like the game, but I wish they'd stop cluttering up the entire screen during battles with a menue system. I'm sick and tired of... "FIGHTING IN THE MENUE SYSTEM" ...and having to CONSTANTLY access it in order to do something. It' takes away the fun of playing the game. I wish that Japanese rpg game developers would't "over complicate the game play" so much like this as games like Fable and Mass Effect have already figured out and are now doing.
Does this mean that I hate final fantasy? No, I own 6 of them. Does this mean that I think the gameplay should be dumbed down? No, I don't think the gameplay should be dumbed down to just simple "button mashing" so that a person with the attention span of a pineapple can enjoy playing it. What I do mean is this... I just wish that what I see on screen isn't blocked by too much "words & numbers." Visually, I wanna appreciate what I see on' screen without words and numbers getting in the way. Playing the game would be soo much more fun if they did this. | 1 | neutral | [
"I like the game, but I wish they'd stop cluttering up the entire screen during battles with a menue system.",
"I'm sick and tired of...",
"\"FIGHTING IN THE MENUE SYSTEM\"...",
"and having to CONSTANTLY access it in order to do something.",
"It' takes away the fun of playing the game.",
"I wish that Japanese rpg game developers would't \"over complicate the game play\" so much like this as games like Fable and Mass Effect have already figured out and are now doing.",
"Does this mean that I hate final fantasy?",
"No, I own 6 of them.",
"Does this mean that I think the gameplay should be dumbed down?",
"No, I don't think the gameplay should be dumbed down to just simple \"button mashing\" so that a person with the attention span of a pineapple can enjoy playing it.",
"What I do mean is this...",
"I just wish that what I see on screen isn't blocked by too much \"words & numbers.",
"\" Visually, I wanna appreciate what I see on' screen without words and numbers getting in the way.",
"Playing the game would be soo much more fun if they did this."
] |
Trump Treasury Secretary Wants Marijuana Money In Banks
"I assure you that we don't want bags of cash " Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin testified on Tuesday during an appearance before the House Financial Services Committee. "We want to make sure that we can collect our necessary taxes and other things."
Last week a top Treasury official wrote in a letter to lawmakers that the department is "consulting with law enforcement" about whether to maintain the guidance for depository institutions. Last month a Mnuchin deputy testified at a Senate hearing that the banking document remains in effect while the administration weighs whether to revoke it.
At the Tuesday hearing Mnuchin confirmed that the department is "reviewing the existing guidance." But he clarified that he doesn't want to rescind it without having an alternate policy in place to address public safety concerns.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) told Mnuchin that simply deleting the banking memo "would really make it better for armed robbers in my community because there'd be huge amounts of cash at the local marijuana dispensary."
"We specifically haven't taken it down " Mnuchin said of the 2014 memo. "We are looking at what Justice has done. And again as I said we're sensitive to the issue of dealing with the public safety issue and also making sure that the IRS and others have ways of collecting taxes without taking in cash." | 1 | neutral | [
"Trump Treasury Secretary Wants Marijuana Money In Banks\n\"I assure you that we don't want bags of cash \" Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin testified on Tuesday during an appearance before the House Financial Services Committee.",
"\"We want to make sure that we can collect our necessary taxes and other things.",
"\"\nLast week a top Treasury official wrote in a letter to lawmakers that the department is \"consulting with law enforcement\" about whether to maintain the guidance for depository institutions.",
"Last month a Mnuchin deputy testified at a Senate hearing that the banking document remains in effect while the administration weighs whether to revoke it.",
"At the Tuesday hearing Mnuchin confirmed that the department is \"reviewing the existing guidance.",
"\" But he clarified that he doesn't want to rescind it without having an alternate policy in place to address public safety concerns.",
"Rep.",
"Brad Sherman (D-CA) told Mnuchin that simply deleting the banking memo \"would really make it better for armed robbers in my community because there'd be huge amounts of cash at the local marijuana dispensary.",
"\"\n\"We specifically haven't taken it down \" Mnuchin said of the 2014 memo.",
"\"We are looking at what Justice has done.",
"And again as I said we're sensitive to the issue of dealing with the public safety issue and also making sure that the IRS and others have ways of collecting taxes without taking in cash.",
"\""
] |
Trump: LaVar Ball ungrateful for his help with UCLA basketball players
Now that the three basketball players are out of China and saved from years in jail LaVar Ball the father of LiAngelo is unaccepting of what I did for his son and that shoplifting is no big deal. I should have left them in jail! â Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19 2017
Shoplifting is a very big deal in China as it should be (5-10 years in jail) but not to father LaVar. Should have gotten his son out during my next trip to China instead. China told them why they were released. Very ungrateful! â Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19 2017
Last week Trump made sure everyone knew that he personally intervened in the matter after the playersâ arrest asking that they thank him for pleading their case to Chinese President Xi Jinping while on his Asia trip:
Do you think the three UCLA Basketball Players will say thank you President Trump ? They were headed for 10 years in jail! â Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15 2017
By midweek Ball Jalen Hill and Cody Riley lauded for the presidentâs efforts in their remarks after returning to the U.S. and he seemed appreciative telling them to âHAVE A GREAT LIFE!â on Twitter and warning them to be careful because âthere are many pitfalls on the long and winding road of life!â
To the three UCLA basketball players I say: You're welcome go out and give a big Thank You to President Xi Jinping of China who madeâ¦.. â Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16 2017
â¦.your release possible and HAVE A GREAT LIFE! Be careful there are many pitfalls on the long and winding road of life! â Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16 2017
Trump was piqued because he has pointed to his record of freeing Americans held overseas as evidence of his dealmaking prowess and as a contrast with predecessor Barack Obama. Before the three basketball players the Trump administration had successfully negotiated releases including American student Otto Warmbier from North Korea and charity worker Aya Hijazi from Egypt. Although those efforts earned bipartisan welcome the apparent grievance that he has not gotten more credit or thanks in the UCLA case drew criticism. | 1 | neutral | [
"Trump: LaVar Ball ungrateful for his help with UCLA basketball players\nNow that the three basketball players are out of China and saved from years in jail LaVar Ball the father of LiAngelo is unaccepting of what I did for his son and that shoplifting is no big deal.",
"I should have left them in jail!",
"â Donald J.",
"Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19 2017\nShoplifting is a very big deal in China as it should be (5-10 years in jail) but not to father LaVar.",
"Should have gotten his son out during my next trip to China instead.",
"China told them why they were released.",
"Very ungrateful!",
"â Donald J.",
"Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19 2017\n Last week Trump made sure everyone knew that he personally intervened in the matter after the playersâ arrest asking that they thank him for pleading their case to Chinese President Xi Jinping while on his Asia trip:\nDo you think the three UCLA Basketball Players will say thank you President Trump?",
"They were headed for 10 years in jail!",
"â Donald J.",
"Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15 2017\nBy midweek Ball Jalen Hill and Cody Riley lauded for the presidentâs efforts in their remarks after returning to the U.",
"S. and he seemed appreciative telling them to âHAVE A GREAT LIFE!",
"â on Twitter and warning them to be careful because âthere are many pitfalls on the long and winding road of life!",
"â\nTo the three UCLA basketball players I say: You're welcome go out and give a big Thank You to President Xi Jinping of China who madeâ¦..",
"â Donald J.",
"Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16 2017\nâ¦.",
"your release possible and HAVE A GREAT LIFE!",
"Be careful there are many pitfalls on the long and winding road of life!",
"â Donald J.",
"Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16 2017\n Trump was piqued because he has pointed to his record of freeing Americans held overseas as evidence of his dealmaking prowess and as a contrast with predecessor Barack Obama.",
"Before the three basketball players the Trump administration had successfully negotiated releases including American student Otto Warmbier from North Korea and charity worker Aya Hijazi from Egypt.",
"Although those efforts earned bipartisan welcome the apparent grievance that he has not gotten more credit or thanks in the UCLA case drew criticism."
] |
"Hot In The Shade" is a decent but uneven effort; there are lots of songs on it, but more doesn't necessarily mean better; at least half constitute as filler. The opening "Rise To It" is one such example; yes, it's got a catchy, sing-a-long chorus, but it sounds like a holdover from "Smashes, Thrashes & Hits"...another dumb sexual double-entendre song. From here, the material tends to be up and down, hit and miss.
The highlights of the album are the good but derivative "Silver Spoon", the single "Hide Your Heart" (again, a decent video), and Eric Carr's swan song "Little Caesar"; the 2nd single, "Forever" is another cut right from the mold power ballad that when performed live, never fails to get the lighters out and lit up. Incidentally, "Hide Your Heart" was also recorded at the same time by Ace Frehley on his "Trouble Walkin'" album; as much as I love Ace, I have to give the nod to Kiss here, as Ace's version lacks the punch. Sorry, Ace!
Gene Simmons once again becomes more involved on "Hot In The Shade", but his songs more than any of the others are "hit & miss"...the "hits" include "Betrayed" and "Cadillac Dreams", while the "misses" are the strange "Boomerang" and the unoriginal "The Street Giveth And The Street Taketh Away".
Despite the album's flaws, it will always be remembered as the last with Eric Carr, who passed away from cancer in 1991; in late 1990, I was fortunate enough to see Eric perform for the last time in Chicago during the "Hot In The Shade" tour. If you watched him play, you wouldn't have known that he was ill; even when he was in the video for "God Gave Rock & Roll To You II" shortly before his death, he gave the project everything he had despite his serious illness. Eric was truly one of a kind and is sorely missed! | 1 | neutral | [
"\"Hot In The Shade\" is a decent but uneven effort; there are lots of songs on it, but more doesn't necessarily mean better; at least half constitute as filler.",
"The opening \"Rise To It\" is one such example; yes, it's got a catchy, sing-a-long chorus, but it sounds like a holdover from \"Smashes, Thrashes & Hits\"...",
"another dumb sexual double-entendre song.",
"From here, the material tends to be up and down, hit and miss.",
"The highlights of the album are the good but derivative \"Silver Spoon\", the single \"Hide Your Heart\" (again, a decent video), and Eric Carr's swan song \"Little Caesar\"; the 2nd single, \"Forever\" is another cut right from the mold power ballad that when performed live, never fails to get the lighters out and lit up.",
"Incidentally, \"Hide Your Heart\" was also recorded at the same time by Ace Frehley on his \"Trouble Walkin'\" album; as much as I love Ace, I have to give the nod to Kiss here, as Ace's version lacks the punch.",
"Sorry, Ace!",
"Gene Simmons once again becomes more involved on \"Hot In The Shade\", but his songs more than any of the others are \"hit & miss\"...",
"the \"hits\" include \"Betrayed\" and \"Cadillac Dreams\", while the \"misses\" are the strange \"Boomerang\" and the unoriginal \"The Street Giveth And The Street Taketh Away\".",
"Despite the album's flaws, it will always be remembered as the last with Eric Carr, who passed away from cancer in 1991; in late 1990, I was fortunate enough to see Eric perform for the last time in Chicago during the \"Hot In The Shade\" tour.",
"If you watched him play, you wouldn't have known that he was ill; even when he was in the video for \"God Gave Rock & Roll To You II\" shortly before his death, he gave the project everything he had despite his serious illness.",
"Eric was truly one of a kind and is sorely missed!"
] |
I bought Mr. Bill and Lamb Chop for my 18 month old, 11 lb Shih Tzu. She spent a few minutes playing with Mr. Bill and making him say Ohhh nooooo!!, but the real star was Lamb Chop. She absolutely loved Lamb Chop from the minute I gave it to her. Unfortunately, she managed to rip apart Lamb Chop's back in under 15 minutes. I had to take out all the stuffing and sew the rip back up. I'm disappointed because she really loves it, but it's a very poorly made dog toy. We'll see if Mr Bill fares any better! | 1 | neutral | [
"I bought Mr.",
"Bill and Lamb Chop for my 18 month old, 11 lb Shih Tzu.",
"She spent a few minutes playing with Mr.",
"Bill and making him say Ohhh nooooo!!",
", but the real star was Lamb Chop.",
"She absolutely loved Lamb Chop from the minute I gave it to her.",
"Unfortunately, she managed to rip apart Lamb Chop's back in under 15 minutes.",
"I had to take out all the stuffing and sew the rip back up.",
"I'm disappointed because she really loves it, but it's a very poorly made dog toy.",
"We'll see if Mr Bill fares any better!"
] |
First off, when I checked this book's stats out on Goodreads, I saw a long line of 5 star rankings from friends of mine. They are all really good friends, whose reviews I love. I was amazed that my opinion about this little book differed so much, and a bit nervous that I might tread on a few toes because it seems to be such a sentimental favourite. Then I remembered that when I first read it many years ago, I might have ranked it higher too, so maybe they're cruising on memory to some extent (sorry if that's you).
The story begins so grim, there's got to be a HEA (happily ever after) implied, because it can't get any worse. So far so good. I don't mind the direction from horrible to good. It's the opposite movement which gets rough, especially for kids' books. It begins in India, where everyone dies a horrible, painful death of cholera, except for Mary Lennox, the neglected little girl who was ignored by her parents and basically brought up by slaves. She's found days later in the aftermath, and sent off to England to live under the roof of a cranky uncle, Mr Archibald Craven.
From a modern perspective, there is lots of pious author intrusion. Burnett never missed the opportunity to drop in moralistic comments, such as 'Mary really was a disagreeable, self-centered and imperial child'. Yeah thanks, I think we get that idea without being told, but that was how some authors did things back then. You whack readers over their heads with your theme, just to be certain they don't miss it.
Young Colin's plight is seriously disturbing. A boy who has basically nothing wrong with him is left lying in bed for his first ten years, conditioned into hypochondria and believing he's going to die, because that's the line he's always taken on board from the adults. In all that time, he's never even attempted to walk because he believes there's no point. He rarely, if ever, leaves his bedroom. And he's never been outside in his life. Yet they just mumble insulting things about him beneath their breath (which he overhears) and kowtow to his face because he's the master's son, and they have to observe their ridiculous social pecking order.
Burnett kept calling Mary a hard, unloving little girl, and Colin a cantankerous, sickly boy who believed he was going to die, as if this was all their own fault. Come on, they were ten-year-old kids, and the incompetent adults shaped them this way, by the way they treated them. Mary wasn't given an ounce of love by her parents in India, yet she's expected to show love and be a normal cheesy child in her new home. Where do they expect her to pull that from? And Colin is always told, 'Lie down and take it easy, my boy,' and never, 'Why don't you lean on my arm and come to the window seat for some sunshine?' Then they have the nerve to complain about him throwing the occasional tantrum.
When Mary and Colin end up proving that neither of them are really the monsters the adults turned them into, nobody thinks to say, 'Whoops, our bad.' I never expected to feel so angry reading this for the second time. Talk about indulging in forms of child abuse, then blaming the children for their own perceived shortcomings. It's a horror story, in a way.
Good on Mary and Colin, for taking matters into their own hands. I've come across people who have criticized kids' books for what they call 'glorifying disobedience', even when the young heroes end up saving the day (take Harry Potter stories, and other more modern ones). The same thing happens in The Secret Garden, from the moment Mary decides to investigate the strange sound of crying for herself. The adults deserved to have their authority flouted, because they consistently made the dumbest decisions. Why keep Mary and Colin apart from each other in the first place? And why the heck didn't anyone ever think to introduce Colin and boy wonder Dickon to each other earlier, since they lived in the same vicinity? The adults are the baddies here, and there's no two ways about it.
Another thing I must have overlooked during my first read through as a kid was Frances Hodgson Burnett's strong metaphysical agenda in the writing of the story. She has Colin deciding to chant, 'Magic is in me, magic is making me well.' When the children discuss this together, he says, 'Perhaps the beginning is just to say nice things are going to happen until you make them happen.' And there are several similar quotes, particularly thick toward the end. Some readers might throw around terms like white magic, spells, incantations, self-reliance and sorcery. Whether or not you buy into all that, it comes across as if she's elevating the human mind and giving kids the message that they're totally in control of their destiny. If they only think enough good thoughts, these will transform their life circumstances and make things wonderful. That's a bit dodgy and limited however you want to look at it.
There are a few nice, heartwarming parts about enjoying the garden, but not enough to make up for all that I just ranted about. The crocuses, snowdrops, lilies, jonquils, narcissus, jasmine and daffodils (or daffydowndillies) get good mentions. My favourite part is when Ben Weatherstaff, the gruff old gardener, chokes up with emotion when his friend, the robin (the real hero of the story in my opinion) decides to honour him by landing on the handle of his shovel. It's nice to see unlikely friendships, including a crusty old guy and a bright little bird.
So yeah, that's it overall, and I have to wonder whether my list of friends who have given the book 5 stars have rated that on a long forgotten, nostalgic read in their youth, rather than the sort of recent, no-frills read I just had. | 1 | neutral | [
"First off, when I checked this book's stats out on Goodreads, I saw a long line of 5 star rankings from friends of mine.",
"They are all really good friends, whose reviews I love.",
"I was amazed that my opinion about this little book differed so much, and a bit nervous that I might tread on a few toes because it seems to be such a sentimental favourite.",
"Then I remembered that when I first read it many years ago, I might have ranked it higher too, so maybe they're cruising on memory to some extent (sorry if that's you).",
"The story begins so grim, there's got to be a HEA (happily ever after) implied, because it can't get any worse.",
"So far so good.",
"I don't mind the direction from horrible to good.",
"It's the opposite movement which gets rough, especially for kids' books.",
"It begins in India, where everyone dies a horrible, painful death of cholera, except for Mary Lennox, the neglected little girl who was ignored by her parents and basically brought up by slaves.",
"She's found days later in the aftermath, and sent off to England to live under the roof of a cranky uncle, Mr Archibald Craven.",
"From a modern perspective, there is lots of pious author intrusion.",
"Burnett never missed the opportunity to drop in moralistic comments, such as 'Mary really was a disagreeable, self-centered and imperial child'.",
"Yeah thanks, I think we get that idea without being told, but that was how some authors did things back then.",
"You whack readers over their heads with your theme, just to be certain they don't miss it.",
"Young Colin's plight is seriously disturbing.",
"A boy who has basically nothing wrong with him is left lying in bed for his first ten years, conditioned into hypochondria and believing he's going to die, because that's the line he's always taken on board from the adults.",
"In all that time, he's never even attempted to walk because he believes there's no point.",
"He rarely, if ever, leaves his bedroom.",
"And he's never been outside in his life.",
"Yet they just mumble insulting things about him beneath their breath (which he overhears) and kowtow to his face because he's the master's son, and they have to observe their ridiculous social pecking order.",
"Burnett kept calling Mary a hard, unloving little girl, and Colin a cantankerous, sickly boy who believed he was going to die, as if this was all their own fault.",
"Come on, they were ten-year-old kids, and the incompetent adults shaped them this way, by the way they treated them.",
"Mary wasn't given an ounce of love by her parents in India, yet she's expected to show love and be a normal cheesy child in her new home.",
"Where do they expect her to pull that from?",
"And Colin is always told, 'Lie down and take it easy, my boy,' and never, 'Why don't you lean on my arm and come to the window seat for some sunshine?",
"' Then they have the nerve to complain about him throwing the occasional tantrum.",
"When Mary and Colin end up proving that neither of them are really the monsters the adults turned them into, nobody thinks to say, 'Whoops, our bad.",
"' I never expected to feel so angry reading this for the second time.",
"Talk about indulging in forms of child abuse, then blaming the children for their own perceived shortcomings.",
"It's a horror story, in a way.",
"Good on Mary and Colin, for taking matters into their own hands.",
"I've come across people who have criticized kids' books for what they call 'glorifying disobedience', even when the young heroes end up saving the day (take Harry Potter stories, and other more modern ones).",
"The same thing happens in The Secret Garden, from the moment Mary decides to investigate the strange sound of crying for herself.",
"The adults deserved to have their authority flouted, because they consistently made the dumbest decisions.",
"Why keep Mary and Colin apart from each other in the first place?",
"And why the heck didn't anyone ever think to introduce Colin and boy wonder Dickon to each other earlier, since they lived in the same vicinity?",
"The adults are the baddies here, and there's no two ways about it.",
"Another thing I must have overlooked during my first read through as a kid was Frances Hodgson Burnett's strong metaphysical agenda in the writing of the story.",
"She has Colin deciding to chant, 'Magic is in me, magic is making me well.",
"' When the children discuss this together, he says, 'Perhaps the beginning is just to say nice things are going to happen until you make them happen.",
"' And there are several similar quotes, particularly thick toward the end.",
"Some readers might throw around terms like white magic, spells, incantations, self-reliance and sorcery.",
"Whether or not you buy into all that, it comes across as if she's elevating the human mind and giving kids the message that they're totally in control of their destiny.",
"If they only think enough good thoughts, these will transform their life circumstances and make things wonderful.",
"That's a bit dodgy and limited however you want to look at it.",
"There are a few nice, heartwarming parts about enjoying the garden, but not enough to make up for all that I just ranted about.",
"The crocuses, snowdrops, lilies, jonquils, narcissus, jasmine and daffodils (or daffydowndillies) get good mentions.",
"My favourite part is when Ben Weatherstaff, the gruff old gardener, chokes up with emotion when his friend, the robin (the real hero of the story in my opinion) decides to honour him by landing on the handle of his shovel.",
"It's nice to see unlikely friendships, including a crusty old guy and a bright little bird.",
"So yeah, that's it overall, and I have to wonder whether my list of friends who have given the book 5 stars have rated that on a long forgotten, nostalgic read in their youth, rather than the sort of recent, no-frills read I just had."
] |
These are not dynamic cans. They are completely flat through all ends. I also own the PRO 550, both are tight and clear. Running @ 40 ohms, you can run Pro 750 on anything...but I would still recommend an amp. There is no bass that these can not handle. There are no cymbals that can't be heard, as if they are playing on a stage in front of you. The build is strong, the velvet pads cozy...the two detachable cables, flexible...these are what every headphone should aspire to be. Anything acoustic is ridiculous...just close your eyes and float on your waterbed of instruments.
NOW FOR THE AFTER BURN...
Updated:
I have really found myself liking these cans...2-3 issues now..or that I have been trying to wait out on...1) Jazz keyboards are just outright forward in comparison with other instruments... Distortion on guitars doesn't seem to have...I know...cleanness nor as much clarity among other instruments. Drums... separation is there, but, when I am at a jazz or rock performance...I want to feel the drums as well...with these and the pro 550, I can can hear them...just not "feel" them...
Comfort is still great...build is still great...anything classical...great...
The packaged CD...Almost entirely classical; that's where these absolutely shine...
These are not an "ALL GENRE" set of cans... | 1 | neutral | [
"These are not dynamic cans.",
"They are completely flat through all ends.",
"I also own the PRO 550, both are tight and clear.",
"Running @ 40 ohms, you can run Pro 750 on anything...",
"but I would still recommend an amp.",
"There is no bass that these can not handle.",
"There are no cymbals that can't be heard, as if they are playing on a stage in front of you.",
"The build is strong, the velvet pads cozy...",
"the two detachable cables, flexible...",
"these are what every headphone should aspire to be.",
"Anything acoustic is ridiculous...",
"just close your eyes and float on your waterbed of instruments.",
"NOW FOR THE AFTER BURN...",
"Updated:\nI have really found myself liking these cans...",
"2-3 issues now..",
"or that I have been trying to wait out on...",
"1) Jazz keyboards are just outright forward in comparison with other instruments...",
"Distortion on guitars doesn't seem to have...",
"I know...",
"cleanness nor as much clarity among other instruments.",
"Drums...",
"separation is there, but, when I am at a jazz or rock performance...",
"I want to feel the drums as well...",
"with these and the pro 550, I can can hear them...",
"just not \"feel\" them...",
"Comfort is still great...",
"build is still great...",
"anything classical...",
"great...",
"The packaged CD...",
"Almost entirely classical; that's where these absolutely shine...",
"These are not an \"ALL GENRE\" set of cans..."
] |
No Willie Parker Jesus Would Not Kill Babies In The Womb
In a recent New York Times article Dr. Willie Parker says he believes “that as an abortion provider [he is] doing God’s work.” It’s his Christian faith the author contends that drives him to abort babies. His “Life’s Work” (as his new book is ironically titled) is to end life for every preborn child that comes before him.
The Jewish people some of whom later became the first Christians were to avoid partaking in the practices of the surrounding peoples who sacrificed their children to appease their gods. Christians have long held that to abort one’s child as an act of worship to the gods of convenience is not permitted by the God of the Bible. But abortion advocates will attempt to play the “he’s a Christian” card by spinning opposition from Christians to imply Parker is persecuted within his own faith tradition.
The second thing abortion elites love about Parker is his skin color. Any opposition he faces from white pro-lifers not associated with Christianity can be easily dismissed as bigotry. Sweep under the rug for a minute that even black celebrities are accusing abortion providers in black communities of genocide. While Planned Parenthood’s media arm proclaims support of black lives its other arm is reaching for a pair of forceps to end life for hundreds of black babies each day.
In the tradition of the black slave owners in the Confederate South Parker makes his money by breaking the backs (or spines and what-have-you) of others many of whom share his skin color. He can’t admit that his work (some have called it his “ministry”) hurts his own people or it’d affect his bottom line. Abortion advocates want us all to simply accept that black lives only matter once they’ve had the privilege of being born. This brings us to the final contradiction of Parker ’s platform.
Parker considers himself a feminist. He believes he is bettering the future for females. Don’t think too long about the number of female lives he ’s ended before they’ve begun. This is nothing new to the insane logic of abortion advocacy. If they can successfully shift our attention off the rights of the life inside the womb to the perceived “rights” the pregnant woman has over her inhabited womb they’ve succeeded.
Parker ’s public persona is a farce. He parades the myth that he has a moral responsibility to “help women” while he strips them of their own responsibility to the children they’ve conceived. Christianity places value upon the lives of black women so much so that it envisions a world in which their lives aren’t ended in the womb. But maybe we’re the ones who are deceiving pregnant women? Perhaps we’re the ones getting rich by volunteering with crisis pregnancy centers and giving away free pregnancy tests ultrasounds and diapers. | 1 | neutral | [
"No Willie Parker Jesus Would Not Kill Babies In The Womb\nIn a recent New York Times article Dr.",
"Willie Parker says he believes “that as an abortion provider [he is] doing God’s work.",
"” It’s his Christian faith the author contends that drives him to abort babies.",
"His “Life’s Work” (as his new book is ironically titled) is to end life for every preborn child that comes before him.",
"The Jewish people some of whom later became the first Christians were to avoid partaking in the practices of the surrounding peoples who sacrificed their children to appease their gods.",
"Christians have long held that to abort one’s child as an act of worship to the gods of convenience is not permitted by the God of the Bible.",
"But abortion advocates will attempt to play the “he’s a Christian” card by spinning opposition from Christians to imply Parker is persecuted within his own faith tradition.",
"The second thing abortion elites love about Parker is his skin color.",
"Any opposition he faces from white pro-lifers not associated with Christianity can be easily dismissed as bigotry.",
"Sweep under the rug for a minute that even black celebrities are accusing abortion providers in black communities of genocide.",
"While Planned Parenthood’s media arm proclaims support of black lives its other arm is reaching for a pair of forceps to end life for hundreds of black babies each day.",
"In the tradition of the black slave owners in the Confederate South Parker makes his money by breaking the backs (or spines and what-have-you) of others many of whom share his skin color.",
"He can’t admit that his work (some have called it his “ministry”) hurts his own people or it’d affect his bottom line.",
"Abortion advocates want us all to simply accept that black lives only matter once they’ve had the privilege of being born.",
"This brings us to the final contradiction of Parker ’s platform.",
"Parker considers himself a feminist.",
"He believes he is bettering the future for females.",
"Don’t think too long about the number of female lives he ’s ended before they’ve begun.",
"This is nothing new to the insane logic of abortion advocacy.",
"If they can successfully shift our attention off the rights of the life inside the womb to the perceived “rights” the pregnant woman has over her inhabited womb they’ve succeeded.",
"Parker ’s public persona is a farce.",
"He parades the myth that he has a moral responsibility to “help women” while he strips them of their own responsibility to the children they’ve conceived.",
"Christianity places value upon the lives of black women so much so that it envisions a world in which their lives aren’t ended in the womb.",
"But maybe we’re the ones who are deceiving pregnant women?",
"Perhaps we’re the ones getting rich by volunteering with crisis pregnancy centers and giving away free pregnancy tests ultrasounds and diapers."
] |
I purchased these socks for PT because nowhere does the picture show a logo, and another review mentioned that they used them for PT and had no logo. The product must have changed because they do. There is a gray foot on the back ankle. The sock is a good sock, and use them for non-PT work outs, but was very disappointed when I opened my package. The seller did offer to refund if I shipped them back, however, I decided to keep them. I just can not use them for what they were intended. Beyond that, they really aren't that special. Many of the runner's socks on the market that come in crazy color options are superior in my opinion. I would have never ordered white socks for "civy" work outs. Decent sock, not revolutionary though. | 1 | neutral | [
"I purchased these socks for PT because nowhere does the picture show a logo, and another review mentioned that they used them for PT and had no logo.",
"The product must have changed because they do.",
"There is a gray foot on the back ankle.",
"The sock is a good sock, and use them for non-PT work outs, but was very disappointed when I opened my package.",
"The seller did offer to refund if I shipped them back, however, I decided to keep them.",
"I just can not use them for what they were intended.",
"Beyond that, they really aren't that special.",
"Many of the runner's socks on the market that come in crazy color options are superior in my opinion.",
"I would have never ordered white socks for \"civy\" work outs.",
"Decent sock, not revolutionary though."
] |
The game has 8 floors with 9 main levels each, a mini-game and a boss level. Plus 3 major boss levels. I found all of the main levels very enjoyable, and the 2 major boss levels fun too. The mini-games are cute, but if you've got the Mario 64 port or Super DS Mario it's basically variations of the whack a mole game.
Given that, 72 levels seems a lot. It isn't. Most of them I got at least one Mario through first time and they take about a minute each. So call it three hours of gameplay, being generous. There is some lasting appeal in that you can go back and get a higher score on levels (this is needed to unlock the major boss levels). But even that much isn't hard to do.
Also, the total use of the stylus can get annoying ... a lot of the game controls would have been much nicer (and not changed the game mechanics) with button usage.
You can't play multiplayer with one game and multiple DS. In fact I don't think there is a vs. mode at all, although you can swap levels with friends (assuming you both have games and one of you makes a level worth swapping :).
In summary, it's worth a rental but don't buy unless you and some friends are planning on making a lot of levels. | 1 | neutral | [
"The game has 8 floors with 9 main levels each, a mini-game and a boss level.",
"Plus 3 major boss levels.",
"I found all of the main levels very enjoyable, and the 2 major boss levels fun too.",
"The mini-games are cute, but if you've got the Mario 64 port or Super DS Mario it's basically variations of the whack a mole game.",
"Given that, 72 levels seems a lot.",
"It isn't.",
"Most of them I got at least one Mario through first time and they take about a minute each.",
"So call it three hours of gameplay, being generous.",
"There is some lasting appeal in that you can go back and get a higher score on levels (this is needed to unlock the major boss levels).",
"But even that much isn't hard to do.",
"Also, the total use of the stylus can get annoying...",
"a lot of the game controls would have been much nicer (and not changed the game mechanics) with button usage.",
"You can't play multiplayer with one game and multiple DS.",
"In fact I don't think there is a vs.",
"mode at all, although you can swap levels with friends (assuming you both have games and one of you makes a level worth swapping :).",
"In summary, it's worth a rental but don't buy unless you and some friends are planning on making a lot of levels."
] |
Setup was a breeeeze!!! Instructions were clear and exact and easy to follow. Keys were clearly marked and easy to press. Why the 3 stars...a little disappointed...item did not show times and I don't like the flip cover..
2016/02/09 - Update - after using this pedo 3 or 4 times I've found that you really have to pay attention to the instructions. It says to place the pedo as close to the hip bone as possible. Well, if you don't results are irradic. If you do place the pedo as close to the hip bone as possible it yields about the same results as my other 4 pedos that don't' require you to place them as close as possibel to the hip bone. | 1 | neutral | [
"Setup was a breeeeze!!!",
"Instructions were clear and exact and easy to follow.",
"Keys were clearly marked and easy to press.",
"Why the 3 stars...",
"a little disappointed...",
"item did not show times and I don't like the flip cover..",
"2016/02/09 - Update - after using this pedo 3 or 4 times I've found that you really have to pay attention to the instructions.",
"It says to place the pedo as close to the hip bone as possible.",
"Well, if you don't results are irradic.",
"If you do place the pedo as close to the hip bone as possible it yields about the same results as my other 4 pedos that don't' require you to place them as close as possibel to the hip bone."
] |
This 1982 soundtrack features several duets by the unlikely combination of Waits and Gayle ("Once Upon a Town" "The Wages of Love" "Picking Up After You" "This One's From the Heart"), as well as a few solo Gayle tracks ("Is There Any Way Out of This Dream", "Old Boyfriends", "Take Me Home") and several Waits tracks ("Broken Bicycles" "I Beg Your Pardon" "Little Boy Blue" "You Can't Unring a Bell"). Also included are a few instrumentals, both including Waits ("The Tango") and not ("Circus Girl" arranged by Waits, and "Presents").
Surprisingly the Waits/Gayle duets aren't nearly as strange as one might expect. But neither are they the hidden gems that one might hope to find. A few of them, such as the bluesy "Picking Up After You," are listenable, though Gayle's vocals aren't particularly compelling.
Waits' solo turns, however, are worth a spin. Though not nearly as innovative as some of his more recent recordings, there is some nice trio work here (Waits on vocals, Pete Jolly on piano and Greg Cohen on bass) with Waits' vocals way out front. Gayle's solo tracks seem flat. "Old Boyfriends" has nice trio backing from Dennis Budmir (g), Greg Cohen (b) and Shelly Manne (d), but is sung in a very schmaltzy style.
More of a novelty to the Tom Waits collector than an essential item for fans of either artist. | 1 | neutral | [
"This 1982 soundtrack features several duets by the unlikely combination of Waits and Gayle (\"Once Upon a Town\" \"The Wages of Love\" \"Picking Up After You\" \"This One's From the Heart\"), as well as a few solo Gayle tracks (\"Is There Any Way Out of This Dream\", \"Old Boyfriends\", \"Take Me Home\") and several Waits tracks (\"Broken Bicycles\" \"I Beg Your Pardon\" \"Little Boy Blue\" \"You Can't Unring a Bell\").",
"Also included are a few instrumentals, both including Waits (\"The Tango\") and not (\"Circus Girl\" arranged by Waits, and \"Presents\").",
"Surprisingly the Waits/Gayle duets aren't nearly as strange as one might expect.",
"But neither are they the hidden gems that one might hope to find.",
"A few of them, such as the bluesy \"Picking Up After You,\" are listenable, though Gayle's vocals aren't particularly compelling.",
"Waits' solo turns, however, are worth a spin.",
"Though not nearly as innovative as some of his more recent recordings, there is some nice trio work here (Waits on vocals, Pete Jolly on piano and Greg Cohen on bass) with Waits' vocals way out front.",
"Gayle's solo tracks seem flat.",
"\"Old Boyfriends\" has nice trio backing from Dennis Budmir (g), Greg Cohen (b) and Shelly Manne (d), but is sung in a very schmaltzy style.",
"More of a novelty to the Tom Waits collector than an essential item for fans of either artist."
] |
With Bosch being made in Mexico, and Porter Cable in Taiwan, I was left with two brands: Milwaukee and DeWalt. I chose the DeWalt because of the third gear. I got the unit home, charged it up, and placed a bit holder and bit in the chuck, pulled the trigger and noticed a considerable amount of wobble. If you are looking for an accurate drill to make clean holes, or drive screws without the bit slipping out of the head, this is not it, others have mentioned the same.
Second, the gear selector gets jammed, and is not as fluid as it should be. A minor quibble, but enough to make me return it for the Milwaukee 0516-22. Now that's a power tool! It has 10 less lbs of torque (negligible), but the chuck on this unit is beautiful. If you absolutely do not need the third gear on the DeWalt, the Milwaukee is a far better tool. It's made in Germany where precision is a top priority, which clearly shows. | 1 | neutral | [
"With Bosch being made in Mexico, and Porter Cable in Taiwan, I was left with two brands: Milwaukee and DeWalt.",
"I chose the DeWalt because of the third gear.",
"I got the unit home, charged it up, and placed a bit holder and bit in the chuck, pulled the trigger and noticed a considerable amount of wobble.",
"If you are looking for an accurate drill to make clean holes, or drive screws without the bit slipping out of the head, this is not it, others have mentioned the same.",
"Second, the gear selector gets jammed, and is not as fluid as it should be.",
"A minor quibble, but enough to make me return it for the Milwaukee 0516-22.",
"Now that's a power tool!",
"It has 10 less lbs of torque (negligible), but the chuck on this unit is beautiful.",
"If you absolutely do not need the third gear on the DeWalt, the Milwaukee is a far better tool.",
"It's made in Germany where precision is a top priority, which clearly shows."
] |
This Dirt Devil is a nice little vacuum but has some pro's and con's:
Pro: Seems to have a very powerful little motor when using the spinning brush.
Easy to switch from brush to suction hose.
The disposable dust bags are great to have.
Con: Suction of hose is pretty weak but does ok.
When using the brush on anything other than a hard surface the brush stops spinning. The motor still has plenty of power but the belt just stops spinning until lifted up. Dirt Devil has got to come up with a better belt system. One that takes advantage of what seems to be a pretty good little motor but stops spinning at the slightest resistance. Even when I place the beater brush on the open palm of my hand I can stop the brush from spinning with next to no pressure applied. This happened from the first use straight out of the box.
Good system that needs a much improved belt drive! | 1 | neutral | [
"This Dirt Devil is a nice little vacuum but has some pro's and con's:\nPro: Seems to have a very powerful little motor when using the spinning brush.",
"Easy to switch from brush to suction hose.",
"The disposable dust bags are great to have.",
"Con: Suction of hose is pretty weak but does ok.",
"When using the brush on anything other than a hard surface the brush stops spinning.",
"The motor still has plenty of power but the belt just stops spinning until lifted up.",
"Dirt Devil has got to come up with a better belt system.",
"One that takes advantage of what seems to be a pretty good little motor but stops spinning at the slightest resistance.",
"Even when I place the beater brush on the open palm of my hand I can stop the brush from spinning with next to no pressure applied.",
"This happened from the first use straight out of the box.",
"Good system that needs a much improved belt drive!"
] |
There is not much more I can add that others have not already said - this is a highly eccentric recording by an artist who had earned the right, by the time this record was made, to put his own unique stamp on this music.
Overall, Gould chooses much slower tempi on this recording than his wildly successful 1950s release. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But more often than not Gould achieves his aim: to reexamine these works afresh and discover new meaning in this great music.
Speaking of what "works" I can say with certainty what DOESN'T work: Gould's audible humming. I agree that Gould is a great artist, warts and all, but this is a distraction from his art. It mars what could have been a 5-star recording. What a shame that he couldn't find a way to record his art without the silly vocal tics that seem to pop-up in every one of the 30 variations.
For Gould completists, or for those who already own a set of the Goldberg Variations, I recommend. For those looking to explore these works for the first time, caveat emptor. | 1 | neutral | [
"There is not much more I can add that others have not already said - this is a highly eccentric recording by an artist who had earned the right, by the time this record was made, to put his own unique stamp on this music.",
"Overall, Gould chooses much slower tempi on this recording than his wildly successful 1950s release.",
"Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.",
"But more often than not Gould achieves his aim: to reexamine these works afresh and discover new meaning in this great music.",
"Speaking of what \"works\" I can say with certainty what DOESN'T work: Gould's audible humming.",
"I agree that Gould is a great artist, warts and all, but this is a distraction from his art.",
"It mars what could have been a 5-star recording.",
"What a shame that he couldn't find a way to record his art without the silly vocal tics that seem to pop-up in every one of the 30 variations.",
"For Gould completists, or for those who already own a set of the Goldberg Variations, I recommend.",
"For those looking to explore these works for the first time, caveat emptor."
] |
For getting information and e-mail on the go, you can't do better than this.
Too bad.
The i705 is a viable optoin for the business user or high-end (i.e. rich) home user. It sports always-on Internet, a battery that lasts a lot longer than most cell phones, and some text-based web access (although still limited by the small screen). The main advantage is that you know instantly when you receive an e-mail, with either a flashing light or a buzz signaling to you. I can imagine for a corporate exec, this would be particularly useful for trading messages with your mistress while sitting through another long, boring, inane meeting about network synergy from a high-priced, high-snooze factor consultant.
But there are some big drawbacks that have to be solved before Palm will be able to sell these en masse to the consumer market. Price, for starters. The Palm.net service costs about the same as my cell service or high-speed home internet, equalling the cost of the unit after about 15 months. This is just text, folks. A low-bandwidth solution. Prices must come down.
Because Palm needs to sell a bunch of these to convince investors to stay with its stock, expect the prices to come down, and fast. Mark my words, this product will be half what it is today by next January. They could even offer it for free with a two-year Palm.net commitment.
Second, for the price they are charging, you would expect at least some color. Nada.
Third, unless you are going to use the e-mail and Internet functions A LOT, you should consider the larger form factor of this device. It is significantly bulkier than the Palm Vx/Palm 500/505/515 family, yet unlike the Handspring Treo, it doesn't replace your cell phone.
Fourth, this device is essentially trying to keep up with the Blackberrys, but the i705 should have been released two years ago. It already looks and feels dated. All you have to do is head down to your local electronics store to see all of the fancy Palm OS/PHONE devices that are going to be far more useful for most people. Most of them are cheaper than this device (you can get some major deals from the cellular companies), include color, and save you major pocket space.
Also, don't be surprised if in about six months you start hearing about Palm's likely next promise to try and keep its long-suffering shareholders from jumping ship: A Handspring Treo-like device with a color screen, better battery, Palm/Phone that is smaller, sexier and sleeker than the i705, for probably the same price.
Do you really want to shell out major dough for a device that will be state of the art for zero months? If you do, more power to you. In a year or two, the i705 will join your collection of TI Sinclairs, Commodore 64s, Amigas, brick-phones from the 80s, and $20K plasma TVs (that are now $5K?).
And, to tell you the truth, there isn't much that's revolutionary here anyway. Palm already had the Palm VII (which you can find for, oh, about zero bucks used) and the Palm Vx/Phone solution, and Handspring will sell you a Visor Deluxe with phone attachment for a fraction of the I705's price. These are a bit less elegant, but who wants to pay several hundred bucks for elegance?
If the answer is you, more power to you. For the rest of us, we will just have to wait a while longer. | 1 | neutral | [
"For getting information and e-mail on the go, you can't do better than this.",
"Too bad.",
"The i705 is a viable optoin for the business user or high-end (i.",
"e. rich) home user.",
"It sports always-on Internet, a battery that lasts a lot longer than most cell phones, and some text-based web access (although still limited by the small screen).",
"The main advantage is that you know instantly when you receive an e-mail, with either a flashing light or a buzz signaling to you.",
"I can imagine for a corporate exec, this would be particularly useful for trading messages with your mistress while sitting through another long, boring, inane meeting about network synergy from a high-priced, high-snooze factor consultant.",
"But there are some big drawbacks that have to be solved before Palm will be able to sell these en masse to the consumer market.",
"Price, for starters.",
"The Palm.",
"net service costs about the same as my cell service or high-speed home internet, equalling the cost of the unit after about 15 months.",
"This is just text, folks.",
"A low-bandwidth solution.",
"Prices must come down.",
"Because Palm needs to sell a bunch of these to convince investors to stay with its stock, expect the prices to come down, and fast.",
"Mark my words, this product will be half what it is today by next January.",
"They could even offer it for free with a two-year Palm.",
"net commitment.",
"Second, for the price they are charging, you would expect at least some color.",
"Nada.",
"Third, unless you are going to use the e-mail and Internet functions A LOT, you should consider the larger form factor of this device.",
"It is significantly bulkier than the Palm Vx/Palm 500/505/515 family, yet unlike the Handspring Treo, it doesn't replace your cell phone.",
"Fourth, this device is essentially trying to keep up with the Blackberrys, but the i705 should have been released two years ago.",
"It already looks and feels dated.",
"All you have to do is head down to your local electronics store to see all of the fancy Palm OS/PHONE devices that are going to be far more useful for most people.",
"Most of them are cheaper than this device (you can get some major deals from the cellular companies), include color, and save you major pocket space.",
"Also, don't be surprised if in about six months you start hearing about Palm's likely next promise to try and keep its long-suffering shareholders from jumping ship: A Handspring Treo-like device with a color screen, better battery, Palm/Phone that is smaller, sexier and sleeker than the i705, for probably the same price.",
"Do you really want to shell out major dough for a device that will be state of the art for zero months?",
"If you do, more power to you.",
"In a year or two, the i705 will join your collection of TI Sinclairs, Commodore 64s, Amigas, brick-phones from the 80s, and $20K plasma TVs (that are now $5K?",
").",
"And, to tell you the truth, there isn't much that's revolutionary here anyway.",
"Palm already had the Palm VII (which you can find for, oh, about zero bucks used) and the Palm Vx/Phone solution, and Handspring will sell you a Visor Deluxe with phone attachment for a fraction of the I705's price.",
"These are a bit less elegant, but who wants to pay several hundred bucks for elegance?",
"If the answer is you, more power to you.",
"For the rest of us, we will just have to wait a while longer."
] |
I have 6 S&W spring assist and 2 M- teck in my collection. After reading all the good reviews on the SOG I thought I would give one a try.
First this knife is VERY sharp right out of the box.
But the plastic handle is a joke compared to the $30.00 S&W or the $15.00 M-teck.
For twice the price of the SOG it should be twice as nice RIGHT!! WRONG-O. The spring assist is no ware as nice as either of the two above mentioned knifes.
I will try a benchmade next to see if they are worth the price tag.
But for me this is a nice knife as far as a every day use knife. If I lose it or the cheap plastic handle breaks OH WELL I will throw it away and not loose any sleep over it.
I will never buy another to replace it. I could buy two S&W for the price of this. | 1 | neutral | [
"I have 6 S&W spring assist and 2 M- teck in my collection.",
"After reading all the good reviews on the SOG I thought I would give one a try.",
"First this knife is VERY sharp right out of the box.",
"But the plastic handle is a joke compared to the $30.",
"00 S&W or the $15.",
"00 M-teck.",
"For twice the price of the SOG it should be twice as nice RIGHT!!",
"WRONG-O.",
"The spring assist is no ware as nice as either of the two above mentioned knifes.",
"I will try a benchmade next to see if they are worth the price tag.",
"But for me this is a nice knife as far as a every day use knife.",
"If I lose it or the cheap plastic handle breaks OH WELL I will throw it away and not loose any sleep over it.",
"I will never buy another to replace it.",
"I could buy two S&W for the price of this."
] |
I felt as many of the reviewers pointed out that this novel does not really go anywhere or advance the overall story in any real way. You expect by now that the wheels and gears of the story would be turning and that the story would focus on the western hemisphere of the world. George RR Martin has added to many new characters many of which the readers know will be discarded which shortchanges the core characters that the series should be about.
You know that Daenarys has to get her army across the great sea back to the western continent to retake Kings Landing. Therefore you know the only reason for the Victarion Greyjoy character is to escort Daenarys army and then he is disposable which will probably happen in the next book. Dance of Dragons once again ends on another cliffhanger ending which whisks Daenarys away to another part of the east instead of going to her eventual destination in the west and sets up another battle for Meereen that does not happen in the book. John spends the book just restocking the wall and dies in a Julius Caesar fashion by his own troops. You know that from what happened at Hardhome to the Wildlings that the White Walkers are on the move and are going to attack the wall soon with full force someday maybe in the next book? Yes the dragons are getting bigger but seem uncontrollable. The book ends with having accomplished very little of anything which will infuriate fans and readers alike
.
I was not surprised at all about Aegon Targaryen being alive. I think most of us saw that one coming after the resurrection of lady Stark into a zombie Catelyn Stark and Frankenstein Gregor Clegane. Those are not shocking surprises just lazy writing by the author. I really think bringing lady Stark back really hurts the overall credibility of the story. I just think the resurrection stuff cheapens the story IMO. That is the type of thing Disney does because no one can ever actually die or stay dead. Whats next Eddard Stark coming back to life or Robb Stark. You know that Jon is not dead he is a central part of the whole story if indeed he is a Targaryen and eventually takes the crown and marries Daenarys. I think like other readers have point out that Melisandre probably comes to Jons rescue before he bleeds out to death lying in the snow. Just a possibility but it would make sense and fit in nicely with the story. Since it does not seem like she marched South with Stannis to attack Winterfell.
Eventually you know the Boltons will be defeated if not by the Stannis or the Wildlings, by the White Walkers for sure. I for one, cared a lot more about Devos Seaworth finding Rickon Stark much more than anything Cersei and the faith were doing in Kings Landing. I am sure those too will meet up and come into play somewhere in the next story. Asha Greyjoy is another character I am not really sure where the author is going with her. You get the feeling that Brienne will eventually hookup with Jamie Lannister, but you are left waiting for them to find each other.
That was the problem with the Dance of Dragons George RR Martin just has the world spread out to far with too many characters. He should be concentrating on the core characters and advance major elements in the story that we know are going to happen.
Overall the story should be rate at 2 stars. It is better than book 4 a Feast for Crows which was a real dud, but basically accomplishes very little. The TV show has surpassed the books in quality and with the author writing at a snails pace it is likely that he will pass away before the series is ever finished or the readers will stop caring and move on one or the other. | 1 | neutral | [
"I felt as many of the reviewers pointed out that this novel does not really go anywhere or advance the overall story in any real way.",
"You expect by now that the wheels and gears of the story would be turning and that the story would focus on the western hemisphere of the world.",
"George RR Martin has added to many new characters many of which the readers know will be discarded which shortchanges the core characters that the series should be about.",
"You know that Daenarys has to get her army across the great sea back to the western continent to retake Kings Landing.",
"Therefore you know the only reason for the Victarion Greyjoy character is to escort Daenarys army and then he is disposable which will probably happen in the next book.",
"Dance of Dragons once again ends on another cliffhanger ending which whisks Daenarys away to another part of the east instead of going to her eventual destination in the west and sets up another battle for Meereen that does not happen in the book.",
"John spends the book just restocking the wall and dies in a Julius Caesar fashion by his own troops.",
"You know that from what happened at Hardhome to the Wildlings that the White Walkers are on the move and are going to attack the wall soon with full force someday maybe in the next book?",
"Yes the dragons are getting bigger but seem uncontrollable.",
"The book ends with having accomplished very little of anything which will infuriate fans and readers alike.",
"I was not surprised at all about Aegon Targaryen being alive.",
"I think most of us saw that one coming after the resurrection of lady Stark into a zombie Catelyn Stark and Frankenstein Gregor Clegane.",
"Those are not shocking surprises just lazy writing by the author.",
"I really think bringing lady Stark back really hurts the overall credibility of the story.",
"I just think the resurrection stuff cheapens the story IMO.",
"That is the type of thing Disney does because no one can ever actually die or stay dead.",
"Whats next Eddard Stark coming back to life or Robb Stark.",
"You know that Jon is not dead he is a central part of the whole story if indeed he is a Targaryen and eventually takes the crown and marries Daenarys.",
"I think like other readers have point out that Melisandre probably comes to Jons rescue before he bleeds out to death lying in the snow.",
"Just a possibility but it would make sense and fit in nicely with the story.",
"Since it does not seem like she marched South with Stannis to attack Winterfell.",
"Eventually you know the Boltons will be defeated if not by the Stannis or the Wildlings, by the White Walkers for sure.",
"I for one, cared a lot more about Devos Seaworth finding Rickon Stark much more than anything Cersei and the faith were doing in Kings Landing.",
"I am sure those too will meet up and come into play somewhere in the next story.",
"Asha Greyjoy is another character I am not really sure where the author is going with her.",
"You get the feeling that Brienne will eventually hookup with Jamie Lannister, but you are left waiting for them to find each other.",
"That was the problem with the Dance of Dragons George RR Martin just has the world spread out to far with too many characters.",
"He should be concentrating on the core characters and advance major elements in the story that we know are going to happen.",
"Overall the story should be rate at 2 stars.",
"It is better than book 4 a Feast for Crows which was a real dud, but basically accomplishes very little.",
"The TV show has surpassed the books in quality and with the author writing at a snails pace it is likely that he will pass away before the series is ever finished or the readers will stop caring and move on one or the other."
] |
*** SPOILER in the 2nd paragraph ***
I'll be honest: I didn't expect a whole lot out of this save-the-president film; though I like Harrison Ford well enough, I won't say I'm exactly a fan, and the plot seemed really hackneyed. Why'd I watch it, then? I guess I was in the mood for this kind of techno-thriller, in which the President's plane is hijacked by terrorists, and our middle-aged President (Ford) who was formerly a Vietnam combat pilot gets to play hero and almost single-handedly take out the Russian bad guys headed up by nasty psycho Gary Oldman and prevent them from returning evil commie Jurgen Prochnow back to power in Kazakhstan. Complications include the President's wife and daughter being on board, and disagreements between principal cabinet members (chiefly Glenn Close as the VP and Dean Stockwell as the Secretary of Defense) on how best to handle the situation on the ground; the latter element never builds up to anything convincingly suspenseful.
Like a great many of these kinds of films, AIR FORCE ONE started out pretty well and went downhill both in believability and interest in the second half, but it never fell apart completely despite one really annoying plot hole that apparently the producers, screenwriter Andrew W. Marlowe and/or director Wolfgang Petersen thought we'd be too stupid to think about: namely that there's a spy on board in the form of a Secret Service agent, we know about him and the people on the ground know about him, but very little if any effort is made to clue the President in about him - and he basically gets ignored by both the terrorists and everyone else until the very end. And his motives are never mentioned at all - he just turns rogue because, uh, he thought it would be fun, perhaps? Not good enough, sorry.
Still, this was more lively and intelligent than it could have been; Ford is OK and the rest of the cast is game enough, if not quite enthusiastic except for the always manic Oldman - who is playing basically the same role he's played a dozen times now. Worth a watch if you like these sorts of things; better than DIE HARD 2 or 4, EXECUTIVE DECISION, or the UNDER SIEGE films, I'd say, to name some movies with comparable plots from the era. Petersen is never IMO less than a competent director, and he keeps things moving along OK. The ra-ra patriotic Jerry Goldsmith score got old and pretty overbearing after a half hour.
A time waster, then, but a reasonably enjoyable one. The standard DVD doesn't have too much in the way of extras, nothing really of substance besides the director's commentary, which I haven't listened to. | 1 | neutral | [
"*** SPOILER in the 2nd paragraph ***\n\nI'll be honest: I didn't expect a whole lot out of this save-the-president film; though I like Harrison Ford well enough, I won't say I'm exactly a fan, and the plot seemed really hackneyed.",
"Why'd I watch it, then?",
"I guess I was in the mood for this kind of techno-thriller, in which the President's plane is hijacked by terrorists, and our middle-aged President (Ford) who was formerly a Vietnam combat pilot gets to play hero and almost single-handedly take out the Russian bad guys headed up by nasty psycho Gary Oldman and prevent them from returning evil commie Jurgen Prochnow back to power in Kazakhstan.",
"Complications include the President's wife and daughter being on board, and disagreements between principal cabinet members (chiefly Glenn Close as the VP and Dean Stockwell as the Secretary of Defense) on how best to handle the situation on the ground; the latter element never builds up to anything convincingly suspenseful.",
"Like a great many of these kinds of films, AIR FORCE ONE started out pretty well and went downhill both in believability and interest in the second half, but it never fell apart completely despite one really annoying plot hole that apparently the producers, screenwriter Andrew W.",
"Marlowe and/or director Wolfgang Petersen thought we'd be too stupid to think about: namely that there's a spy on board in the form of a Secret Service agent, we know about him and the people on the ground know about him, but very little if any effort is made to clue the President in about him - and he basically gets ignored by both the terrorists and everyone else until the very end.",
"And his motives are never mentioned at all - he just turns rogue because, uh, he thought it would be fun, perhaps?",
"Not good enough, sorry.",
"Still, this was more lively and intelligent than it could have been; Ford is OK and the rest of the cast is game enough, if not quite enthusiastic except for the always manic Oldman - who is playing basically the same role he's played a dozen times now.",
"Worth a watch if you like these sorts of things; better than DIE HARD 2 or 4, EXECUTIVE DECISION, or the UNDER SIEGE films, I'd say, to name some movies with comparable plots from the era.",
"Petersen is never IMO less than a competent director, and he keeps things moving along OK.",
"The ra-ra patriotic Jerry Goldsmith score got old and pretty overbearing after a half hour.",
"A time waster, then, but a reasonably enjoyable one.",
"The standard DVD doesn't have too much in the way of extras, nothing really of substance besides the director's commentary, which I haven't listened to."
] |
The Good:
Hey--it's Star Wars! Very cool to play in terrains from the films. And there's something both beautiful and ominous about turning around to see a gigantic AT-AT walker, silouetted in the sun, bearing down on you. The aiming and firing controls are top-notch and when you aim right you hit (none of the horrendous "I'm shooting but not hitting him" problem that plagues Socom 2). A little icon pops up when lag sets in, allowing you to re-think your strategy. And the vehicles are cool (but require some skill to fly). The awards given out at the end of each round are a nice touch and add a sense of humor (maybe on par with the terrorist chef in Zipper's game). The gameplay is fast--much more of an adrenalin rush than Socom. Like Dodgeball with Blasters.
The Bad:
Clans don't exist. And there's really only one game--a "Domination"-type game which has the serious potential of getting old really soon. The game is much, much more in the vein of "Unreal Tournament" and "Tribes: Arial Assault" than it is "Socom 2". It's worth noting, by the way, that those games are three years or more old already. Gamers today expect more sophisticated stuff. The "open mike" concept may work for chat rooms and cocktail parties, but hardly anyone is using it here (it smells like a gimmick) and more times than not you wind up hearing the sounds of some anonymous player chomping on his crackers while he/she's playing.
The Dark Side:
When I first posted this review I spoke at length about the problem with the sparse number of available servers. I promsied that if things changed I would retract my statements. Well, the folks at Gamespy or Lucasarts heard (I'm hoping) this common complaint and responded. Tonight there were many, many servers from which to choose and logging into the game was a breeze. I've edited my post here as promised.
So what, then, is the game's Dark Side? Well, with the server problem fixed there really isn't a dark side. Obviously I've made a lot of comparisons to "Socom 2". But I came to realize that Socom 2 and Battlefront are really two different games. Apples and oranges. They both serve different purposes in the online gaming world.
Don't expect "Star Wars: Socom". It's not, will never be and isn't intended to be. Likewise, if you like Battlefront and are thinking about trying Socom, you'll soon realize what I mean here.
Will it appeal to all of the Socom loyalists? Well, tonight (Thursday, 09/23) the Socom servers were at half their capacity. That hasn't happened in months-- if ever. In other words, roughly 15,000 people went somewhere. Yeah--probably to Battlefront. Will they stay with Battlefront?
Only the Force knows... | 1 | neutral | [
"The Good:\n\nHey--it's Star Wars!",
"Very cool to play in terrains from the films.",
"And there's something both beautiful and ominous about turning around to see a gigantic AT-AT walker, silouetted in the sun, bearing down on you.",
"The aiming and firing controls are top-notch and when you aim right you hit (none of the horrendous \"I'm shooting but not hitting him\" problem that plagues Socom 2).",
"A little icon pops up when lag sets in, allowing you to re-think your strategy.",
"And the vehicles are cool (but require some skill to fly).",
"The awards given out at the end of each round are a nice touch and add a sense of humor (maybe on par with the terrorist chef in Zipper's game).",
"The gameplay is fast--much more of an adrenalin rush than Socom.",
"Like Dodgeball with Blasters.",
"The Bad:\n\nClans don't exist.",
"And there's really only one game--a \"Domination\"-type game which has the serious potential of getting old really soon.",
"The game is much, much more in the vein of \"Unreal Tournament\" and \"Tribes: Arial Assault\" than it is \"Socom 2\".",
"It's worth noting, by the way, that those games are three years or more old already.",
"Gamers today expect more sophisticated stuff.",
"The \"open mike\" concept may work for chat rooms and cocktail parties, but hardly anyone is using it here (it smells like a gimmick) and more times than not you wind up hearing the sounds of some anonymous player chomping on his crackers while he/she's playing.",
"The Dark Side:\n\nWhen I first posted this review I spoke at length about the problem with the sparse number of available servers.",
"I promsied that if things changed I would retract my statements.",
"Well, the folks at Gamespy or Lucasarts heard (I'm hoping) this common complaint and responded.",
"Tonight there were many, many servers from which to choose and logging into the game was a breeze.",
"I've edited my post here as promised.",
"So what, then, is the game's Dark Side?",
"Well, with the server problem fixed there really isn't a dark side.",
"Obviously I've made a lot of comparisons to \"Socom 2\".",
"But I came to realize that Socom 2 and Battlefront are really two different games.",
"Apples and oranges.",
"They both serve different purposes in the online gaming world.",
"Don't expect \"Star Wars: Socom\".",
"It's not, will never be and isn't intended to be.",
"Likewise, if you like Battlefront and are thinking about trying Socom, you'll soon realize what I mean here.",
"Will it appeal to all of the Socom loyalists?",
"Well, tonight (Thursday, 09/23) the Socom servers were at half their capacity.",
"That hasn't happened in months-- if ever.",
"In other words, roughly 15,000 people went somewhere.",
"Yeah--probably to Battlefront.",
"Will they stay with Battlefront?",
"Only the Force knows..."
] |
This Blu-ray disc is mostly a massive improvement visually on the DVD which I criticised as being poor in a previous review. The picture is for the most part as good as you could reasonably expect for a movie of this age. Three strip technicolor alignment is very good, the print is scratch and flicker free. The DVD's cropping of the image has been remedied. Bright objects are surrounded by glows, probably a lens artifact at the time of shooting. However, at 6 mins 40 seconds there is a short scene with a chroma keyed background which has been wrecked in the restoration with moving bright yellow glows surrounding everyone in the scene. This scene in previous releases isn't exactly convincing, but the yellow glows aren't visible.
The mono DTS HD soundtrack is bright and clear if a little thin. However, the modern fad of compressing audio is all too apparent on the opening song by the dock worker which crackles on the last line as the compressor turns up the quiet audio on this piece. This again isn't apparent on the DVD.
Despite these criticisms, the Blu-ray is a worthwhile upgrade.
The movie of course is a classic! | 1 | neutral | [
"This Blu-ray disc is mostly a massive improvement visually on the DVD which I criticised as being poor in a previous review.",
"The picture is for the most part as good as you could reasonably expect for a movie of this age.",
"Three strip technicolor alignment is very good, the print is scratch and flicker free.",
"The DVD's cropping of the image has been remedied.",
"Bright objects are surrounded by glows, probably a lens artifact at the time of shooting.",
"However, at 6 mins 40 seconds there is a short scene with a chroma keyed background which has been wrecked in the restoration with moving bright yellow glows surrounding everyone in the scene.",
"This scene in previous releases isn't exactly convincing, but the yellow glows aren't visible.",
"The mono DTS HD soundtrack is bright and clear if a little thin.",
"However, the modern fad of compressing audio is all too apparent on the opening song by the dock worker which crackles on the last line as the compressor turns up the quiet audio on this piece.",
"This again isn't apparent on the DVD.",
"Despite these criticisms, the Blu-ray is a worthwhile upgrade.",
"The movie of course is a classic!"
] |
The reason for only three stars really came down to two things: 1. It came with NO instructions. Thankfully I read the reviews to know that I needed a coffee stirrer size straw to blow the letters up. However, I didn't know anything else. I assumed you pulled the blue tabs at the bottom out because I thought it looked strange with them hanging out. Nope- do not do this. Your letters will deflate. So I had to blow each letter up again and then tape the bottoms to keep them from deflating. Would have been nice to get some instructions so I could have avoided all these extra steps. 2. It came with an extra C instead of a G. Thankfully it was still funny without the G but I would have been screwed if it were any other letter. Overall, with some extra time, it all worked out and my best friend loved it. But I feel like some instructions should definitely be included and they should be more careful about including all the right letters. | 1 | neutral | [
"The reason for only three stars really came down to two things: 1.",
"It came with NO instructions.",
"Thankfully I read the reviews to know that I needed a coffee stirrer size straw to blow the letters up.",
"However, I didn't know anything else.",
"I assumed you pulled the blue tabs at the bottom out because I thought it looked strange with them hanging out.",
"Nope- do not do this.",
"Your letters will deflate.",
"So I had to blow each letter up again and then tape the bottoms to keep them from deflating.",
"Would have been nice to get some instructions so I could have avoided all these extra steps.",
"2.",
"It came with an extra C instead of a G.",
"Thankfully it was still funny without the G but I would have been screwed if it were any other letter.",
"Overall, with some extra time, it all worked out and my best friend loved it.",
"But I feel like some instructions should definitely be included and they should be more careful about including all the right letters."
] |
siliconhillbilly here. I bought this book on Mamie's account. She doesn't mind ;-)
I finished the book and liked it. BUT, there are problems. In general I didn't mind the dropped story lines. That's the way life often is.
The science of protein folding and prions as "explained" is not correct, so far as I understand the subject. But only a few readers will notice or care. Virus, badly formed protein, what's the difference? It doesn't matter in the story line.
Yes, it was a bit "talky", but that greatly helped the character development in my opinion.
Recreating extinct animals is an old topic in SiFi, since Jurassic Park. This treatment was very light on the science but so what? I sure wouldn't understand any more depth. Few would. Best to leave it fuzzy.
The language usage and editing was well done. Sullivan is an actual writer. Always nice to run into with indie authors :-)
All in all, a decent story. I would read other work by the author. | 1 | neutral | [
"siliconhillbilly here.",
"I bought this book on Mamie's account.",
"She doesn't mind ;-)\n\n I finished the book and liked it.",
"BUT, there are problems.",
"In general I didn't mind the dropped story lines.",
"That's the way life often is.",
"The science of protein folding and prions as \"explained\" is not correct, so far as I understand the subject.",
"But only a few readers will notice or care.",
"Virus, badly formed protein, what's the difference?",
"It doesn't matter in the story line.",
"Yes, it was a bit \"talky\", but that greatly helped the character development in my opinion.",
"Recreating extinct animals is an old topic in SiFi, since Jurassic Park.",
"This treatment was very light on the science but so what?",
"I sure wouldn't understand any more depth.",
"Few would.",
"Best to leave it fuzzy.",
"The language usage and editing was well done.",
"Sullivan is an actual writer.",
"Always nice to run into with indie authors :-)\n\nAll in all, a decent story.",
"I would read other work by the author."
] |
Released in 1978, Siouxsie And The Banshees' debut is a dark, heavy slice of post-punk (and, for that matter, pre-goth). The songs are dark and heavy, propelled by snarling guitars, twisted lyrical poetry, and apocalyptic soundscapes. Lead singer Siouxsie Sioux lends these songs a heavy, doom-laden atmosphere- on the classic "Jigsaw Feeling," her bewitching declarations soar above crashing, biting guitars and a squirming bass line, while the epic "Switch" sees her building from an acidic croon to a deadly chant. Other highlights include "Carcass," which uses the image of torture and cannibalism as an extended metaphor for the psychological effects of unrequited love... over a ridiculously catchy surf-rock background. The handclaps in the final verse are nothing short of genius. "Suburban Relapse" is a harrowing portrait of insanity, wit an absolutely Wagnerian sense of drama. There's also a really catchy cover of the Beatles' "Helter Skelter" (not as raw as the original, but pretty dementedly catchy).
It isn't perfect, though. There are a few too many weak songs here. "Pure" is just under two minutes of uninspired goth-punk noodlings with annoying wordless vocals, while "Overground" drags on with a droning, uninteresting melody and repetitive vocals. "Nicotine Stain" suffers from a similar malady. In general, the band's lyrics are on the weaker side. Even the best songs here are marred by a few forced lines (listen to that hackneyed imagery spoiling the cathartic last verse of "Suburban Relapse"). Nonetheless, there's enough great stuff here to make this an excellent addition to any post-punk collection. | 1 | neutral | [
"Released in 1978, Siouxsie And The Banshees' debut is a dark, heavy slice of post-punk (and, for that matter, pre-goth).",
"The songs are dark and heavy, propelled by snarling guitars, twisted lyrical poetry, and apocalyptic soundscapes.",
"Lead singer Siouxsie Sioux lends these songs a heavy, doom-laden atmosphere- on the classic \"Jigsaw Feeling,\" her bewitching declarations soar above crashing, biting guitars and a squirming bass line, while the epic \"Switch\" sees her building from an acidic croon to a deadly chant.",
"Other highlights include \"Carcass,\" which uses the image of torture and cannibalism as an extended metaphor for the psychological effects of unrequited love...",
"over a ridiculously catchy surf-rock background.",
"The handclaps in the final verse are nothing short of genius.",
"\"Suburban Relapse\" is a harrowing portrait of insanity, wit an absolutely Wagnerian sense of drama.",
"There's also a really catchy cover of the Beatles' \"Helter Skelter\" (not as raw as the original, but pretty dementedly catchy).",
"It isn't perfect, though.",
"There are a few too many weak songs here.",
"\"Pure\" is just under two minutes of uninspired goth-punk noodlings with annoying wordless vocals, while \"Overground\" drags on with a droning, uninteresting melody and repetitive vocals.",
"\"Nicotine Stain\" suffers from a similar malady.",
"In general, the band's lyrics are on the weaker side.",
"Even the best songs here are marred by a few forced lines (listen to that hackneyed imagery spoiling the cathartic last verse of \"Suburban Relapse\").",
"Nonetheless, there's enough great stuff here to make this an excellent addition to any post-punk collection."
] |
This is a decent train table for the price. The plastic is sturdy, the assembly is simple, and the stickers you have to apply yourself are very forgiving and easy to apply to the plastic. There are no actual "tracks". It's all smooth surface with stickers that LOOK like tracks. It comes with a very simple, unimpressive train set which we discarded immediately.
The main issue I have with this train table is the fact that the tracks aren't really "linear". What I mean is, if you let the car go down the tracks on its own, it will "crash" into a wall or partition rather than continuing on to a different part of the track.
For a child who prefers to hold onto the car and roll it along the tracks by hand, this is a good table. But for a child who prefers to push cars down tracks, let them roll on their own and let gravity to the work, this table is more frustrating than impressive. The car will inevitably crash into something rather than roll to a stop. Which leads me to my final point:
This is NOT a good set for trains. There are too many areas on the track that allow for "crashes" and will cause trains to lose control, jacknife and turn over. This IS a suitable track for cars. Hot Wheels and a Matchbox cars work great. If the wheel base is much wider that hot wheels cars, it will not fit the track. | 1 | neutral | [
"This is a decent train table for the price.",
"The plastic is sturdy, the assembly is simple, and the stickers you have to apply yourself are very forgiving and easy to apply to the plastic.",
"There are no actual \"tracks\".",
"It's all smooth surface with stickers that LOOK like tracks.",
"It comes with a very simple, unimpressive train set which we discarded immediately.",
"The main issue I have with this train table is the fact that the tracks aren't really \"linear\".",
"What I mean is, if you let the car go down the tracks on its own, it will \"crash\" into a wall or partition rather than continuing on to a different part of the track.",
"For a child who prefers to hold onto the car and roll it along the tracks by hand, this is a good table.",
"But for a child who prefers to push cars down tracks, let them roll on their own and let gravity to the work, this table is more frustrating than impressive.",
"The car will inevitably crash into something rather than roll to a stop.",
"Which leads me to my final point:\n\nThis is NOT a good set for trains.",
"There are too many areas on the track that allow for \"crashes\" and will cause trains to lose control, jacknife and turn over.",
"This IS a suitable track for cars.",
"Hot Wheels and a Matchbox cars work great.",
"If the wheel base is much wider that hot wheels cars, it will not fit the track."
] |
This game should have could have been great. The graphics while not terrible could have been better as could have gameplay which seemed redundant through out the game. The game itself was pretty short and quite easy up until the last three levels which did present a challenge that should have been there through the entire game. There were times i felt as if i were playing a 2D game and a side scroller at that. I think they rushed production to coincide with the release of the movie and cut some corners. Perhaps The Return Of The King game will prove to be better but im not counting on it. Great movies? Yes. Great novels? Definitly. Not so with the game. | 1 | neutral | [
"This game should have could have been great.",
"The graphics while not terrible could have been better as could have gameplay which seemed redundant through out the game.",
"The game itself was pretty short and quite easy up until the last three levels which did present a challenge that should have been there through the entire game.",
"There were times i felt as if i were playing a 2D game and a side scroller at that.",
"I think they rushed production to coincide with the release of the movie and cut some corners.",
"Perhaps The Return Of The King game will prove to be better but im not counting on it.",
"Great movies?",
"Yes.",
"Great novels?",
"Definitly.",
"Not so with the game."
] |
Sound quality is great with the Q2, and pairing is a snap. I downloaded the Android app, but I'm not sure what it did for me; you can do everything you need without the app so it functions more like an on-phone manual. I also liked the voice commands although I'm not sure why you must say "phone commands" prior to placing a call. I'd prefer that it figured out that if I say "Call..." it means I want to access my phone's voice commands! That was a minor hassle, however.
Nonetheless, I'm returning the Q2 because I just could not get a consistent, comfortable fit in my small ears. The only success I had was to wear it without ANY ear bud on the tip, but that made it fairly unstable so it kept falling out as I walked the dog. I'm replacing it with the LG HBS-700 STEREO bluetooth headset, which seems great in my early usage. It doesn't have the noice cancellation or bells & whistles of the Q2, but it easily and COMFORTABLY fits in my ears and offers great sound for music and podcasts (which I use far more than the phone call function). Check out the product reviews there if you're in my situation. | 1 | neutral | [
"Sound quality is great with the Q2, and pairing is a snap.",
"I downloaded the Android app, but I'm not sure what it did for me; you can do everything you need without the app so it functions more like an on-phone manual.",
"I also liked the voice commands although I'm not sure why you must say \"phone commands\" prior to placing a call.",
"I'd prefer that it figured out that if I say \"Call...",
"\" it means I want to access my phone's voice commands!",
"That was a minor hassle, however.",
"Nonetheless, I'm returning the Q2 because I just could not get a consistent, comfortable fit in my small ears.",
"The only success I had was to wear it without ANY ear bud on the tip, but that made it fairly unstable so it kept falling out as I walked the dog.",
"I'm replacing it with the LG HBS-700 STEREO bluetooth headset, which seems great in my early usage.",
"It doesn't have the noice cancellation or bells & whistles of the Q2, but it easily and COMFORTABLY fits in my ears and offers great sound for music and podcasts (which I use far more than the phone call function).",
"Check out the product reviews there if you're in my situation."
] |
Too much filler, not enough action. It is as though books three & four (and perhaps #5) should have been one book. The tedium of detail became barely tolerable. I am in book 5 now & it seems all too similar in tedium.
Mr. Martin has created some very enjoyable characters showing their good and bad sides. Pull a Hemingway, Mr. Martin..."less is more." | 1 | neutral | [
"Too much filler, not enough action.",
"It is as though books three & four (and perhaps #5) should have been one book.",
"The tedium of detail became barely tolerable.",
"I am in book 5 now & it seems all too similar in tedium.",
"Mr.",
"Martin has created some very enjoyable characters showing their good and bad sides.",
"Pull a Hemingway, Mr.",
"Martin...",
"\"less is more.",
"\""
] |
hiatus from all of the tasks she's been given from the previous book. Now she's suppose to kill her old warden because they claim he is a traitor. But Secret knows he would never betray them especially her. Now she's having crazy dreams about him. And she's not getting along with Lucas once he has her brought back home.. So Secret has a whole lot going on in this book.
I really did liked this one. I loved the plot, and how awesome Secret is. But the thing that is making me dislike this series so far, and this book is the fact that Secret has so many "boyfriends." I mean seriously she's sleeping with one guy who she loves apparently, then she loves another guy who is his best friend but they aren't getting along, then she's making out with her warden, and last but not least she's snuggling with one of her vampire boss' so seriously I'm tired of her having all of these guys. She needs to just have ONE guy. Seriously Just ONE that she's with. That is my rant so far with this series. This book would have probably been a five star to me if not for that fact.
Ugh anyways now I'm on to the next book!
More reviews at Shooting Stars Reviews, [...] | 1 | neutral | [
"hiatus from all of the tasks she's been given from the previous book.",
"Now she's suppose to kill her old warden because they claim he is a traitor.",
"But Secret knows he would never betray them especially her.",
"Now she's having crazy dreams about him.",
"And she's not getting along with Lucas once he has her brought back home..",
"So Secret has a whole lot going on in this book.",
"I really did liked this one.",
"I loved the plot, and how awesome Secret is.",
"But the thing that is making me dislike this series so far, and this book is the fact that Secret has so many \"boyfriends.",
"\" I mean seriously she's sleeping with one guy who she loves apparently, then she loves another guy who is his best friend but they aren't getting along, then she's making out with her warden, and last but not least she's snuggling with one of her vampire boss' so seriously I'm tired of her having all of these guys.",
"She needs to just have ONE guy.",
"Seriously Just ONE that she's with.",
"That is my rant so far with this series.",
"This book would have probably been a five star to me if not for that fact.",
"Ugh anyways now I'm on to the next book!",
"More reviews at Shooting Stars Reviews, [...",
"]"
] |
I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERCECT, NOW CHANGE is a musical revue about love, dating, and marriage. The musical is composed of short scenes that begin with the creation of Adam & Eve, then fastforwards through history to the present day where a set of people are preparing to go on a date. The trials of dating and the single scene are explored, as well as what people loose when they get married. The second half of the show deals with married relationships as well as love among the elderly.
I know that there are many people who really like this show. It is a smaller show which is a nice switch from huge-casts and big production number musicals. There really isn't a storyline either, which makes for a different and somewhat interesting experience. However, I really don't like the show. There are some things I can relate to and there are some snippets that I find funny. Overall, though I found the show to basically be a bunch of stereotypical mishmashed scenes without any purpose. I like stories with a plot. I like stories with a purpose. If something has a plot and no purpose, I can deal with it. If it has a purpose, but little plot, I can deal with it. Take away the plot and the purpose and then I have trouble dealing with it.
There are some who would refer to the show as being wholesome. That's not true. The show is somewhat harmless, but it is not wholesome. It's not a show you can take a family to see. Much of the material is in the PG-13 range, though some definitely flies in R-rated territory. There's some minor foul language and lots and lots of sexual innuendo. The scenes are built upon a secular post-modern American worldview and if you don't share this worldview, some of the material is offensive.
The only song on the soundtrack that I thoroughly enjoyed is the song "Shouldn't I Be Less In Love With You?" The song is sung by a married man singing to his wife about his wonderment at how much he still loves her after all the years they've been married and all the things they've gone through. It's a wonderful, touching song. It's the only song that is memorable.
There are a few other tunes that are enjoyable, though not as memorable. These include:
"Why? `Cause I'm a Guy"
"On the Highway of Love"
I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE is an original musical revue. The lyrics are mostly funny and the cast members have great voices. However, the lack of plot and purpose make most of the material here forgettable. | 1 | neutral | [
"I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERCECT, NOW CHANGE is a musical revue about love, dating, and marriage.",
"The musical is composed of short scenes that begin with the creation of Adam & Eve, then fastforwards through history to the present day where a set of people are preparing to go on a date.",
"The trials of dating and the single scene are explored, as well as what people loose when they get married.",
"The second half of the show deals with married relationships as well as love among the elderly.",
"I know that there are many people who really like this show.",
"It is a smaller show which is a nice switch from huge-casts and big production number musicals.",
"There really isn't a storyline either, which makes for a different and somewhat interesting experience.",
"However, I really don't like the show.",
"There are some things I can relate to and there are some snippets that I find funny.",
"Overall, though I found the show to basically be a bunch of stereotypical mishmashed scenes without any purpose.",
"I like stories with a plot.",
"I like stories with a purpose.",
"If something has a plot and no purpose, I can deal with it.",
"If it has a purpose, but little plot, I can deal with it.",
"Take away the plot and the purpose and then I have trouble dealing with it.",
"There are some who would refer to the show as being wholesome.",
"That's not true.",
"The show is somewhat harmless, but it is not wholesome.",
"It's not a show you can take a family to see.",
"Much of the material is in the PG-13 range, though some definitely flies in R-rated territory.",
"There's some minor foul language and lots and lots of sexual innuendo.",
"The scenes are built upon a secular post-modern American worldview and if you don't share this worldview, some of the material is offensive.",
"The only song on the soundtrack that I thoroughly enjoyed is the song \"Shouldn't I Be Less In Love With You?",
"\" The song is sung by a married man singing to his wife about his wonderment at how much he still loves her after all the years they've been married and all the things they've gone through.",
"It's a wonderful, touching song.",
"It's the only song that is memorable.",
"There are a few other tunes that are enjoyable, though not as memorable.",
"These include:\n\n\"Why?",
"`Cause I'm a Guy\"\n\n\"On the Highway of Love\"\n\nI LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE is an original musical revue.",
"The lyrics are mostly funny and the cast members have great voices.",
"However, the lack of plot and purpose make most of the material here forgettable."
] |
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