As I get older I am starting to realize the importance of creature comforts. I’ve also mentioned before my new found fascination with shaving. Learning to shave correctly has really opened my eyes as to what I have been missing all these years. Convenience seems to have over taken the need to not tear your face up in these times. Which is weird to me because it is no less convenient to shave using a brush like this, than it is rub some foaming lather on your face out of a can, especially at home.

You can still use your favorite modern razor or go back to the old school is you so desire. You should never take a razor stroke on you face without there being fresh lather. The lather holds water and makes sure the facial hair is soft and compliant. hair is like spaghetti, and gets limp as its exposed to moisture. With a lathered up brush you can completely re-cover your face as soon as you make one pass over your face with the razor. Then pass 2 is pretty much the clean up run, getting everything you missed the first time.

I will admit that, at the moment I have a cheapo shave brush from the drug store, and it does an OK job. There is no doubt I will be getting a good badger hair brush soon though. Badger hair has split ends and makes a better lather, and it is high quality stuff that will last you a lifetime. So why not invest in having a comfortable shave for the rest of your life?

[tags]shaving, badger hair, shave brush[/tags]

This is on my “I have to get very damn quick” list. I always found those individual faucet filters, and the pitchers you have to fill a little silly. I like walking up to the sink, any sink, and getting a glass of water, and I don’t want it to take 30 seconds to fill my glass. At this price point, I just cant imagine not having all the water in the house filtered. Not only is the intial system inexpensive, the refill filters are too, and they last up to 3 months depending on your water usage.

This is just a sediment filter, it wont soften water, but from the reviews I have read, it apears to do a great job. The build quality might leave a little to be desired though. there seem to be some issues with changing the filter, and getting it all back together withought leaking. Overall though, it doesnt seem to be a widespread problem (quality control issue maybe?) so Im going to stick with the go get one call, at least you wont be out much if you get a bad one.

[tags]water filter[/tags]

I live in a 2nd story condo, and I like steak. So of course I need a grill. I bought one of these more than 2 years ago, and I got such a good deal on it that I bought it 6 months before I even moved into my new condo. Almost every meal cooked at my place has at least part of it cooked on Mr. Foreman’s retirement plan. It grills great, you even get the cool burn lines in your meat, and it gets plenty hot to cook anything that you would on a gas or charcoal grill. I can hear all the charcoal and gas fans screaming from here, but I can honestly say, given the choice of using one of the normal grills out on the deck, or doing the job right in the kitchen, the Foreman is gonna win.

Clean up is a breeze too, the cooking surface comes right off and straight into the sink. Its non stick covering sheds cooked on goop with a quick scrub. It might be nasty, but I have this superstition about cleaning the lid , or what has come to be known as the “flavor dome”. I just feel it makes things taste better if you don’t clean it, or I could just be lazy. I have to reiterate how lost I would be without this thing, it truly is the most valued thing in my kitchen.

I mentioned in an earlier post about me having gadgets all over my car. This is how I have them distributed all along my dash. The Proclip system comes in 2 parts, one that is car specific and mounts non destructively to pretty much any late model car in existence. The second part is gadget specific, and you would be hard pressed to find one they do not have a holder for.

I am convinced this is the ultimate solution for mounting things you need to get to, in your car. You can either get fixed mounts, or with ball and socket joints that give you some degree of movement. They are made from bomb proof heavy plastic, and are custom milled to fit your precious toys like a glove. You can even just get the gadget specific part (which comes with great, 2 sided tape on the back) and stick it to what ever open surface you have availible.

I will be up front though, these things are not especially cheap, but I really do believe they are the best product of its type I have seen. Another thing to be aware of, this puts your gadget right out in open site, great for while your using it, bad for when its parked in the city. Put your toys away when not in the vehicle, or like me you will end up with a broken window and a missing Ipod. the plastic is heavy enough though, that when you do get your Ipod stolen, you can modify it to fit your new GigaBeat. Look for them at ProClip

[tags]proclip, ipod, phone[/tags]

Music pretty much runs my world, and gadgets, and bikes, well damn, you get the point. Having that music with me is very important, and being able to do it in a convenient way just takes the cake. These little JVC pocket speakers are great. With a plastic cover that folds back and turns into a stand, and a standard miniplug, they can be taken anywhere and work with almost anything. There is an active and passive mode. In passive mode, you don’t even need batteries, your players headphone amp will power them. When you need some more umph, then throw in a couple of AAA batteries and flip the switch.

I just got mine this last weekend, and could not wait to write about them. Your not gonna be blown away by the sound quality, but for the price and convenience your not gonna be picky either. We were on a beach in 20mph winds, and never had a problem hearing them in active mode. The sound is a little tinny, but I feel that could be solved with a little EQ’ing on the MP3 player side.

[tags]ipod, speakers[/tags]

Have a camera, laptop and a handful of other cool things you like to bring with you when you travel? I do, and that’s why I got one of these bad boys. Lowepro is well known for making great bags for all types of situations, so once I saw they made one like this I jumped all over it. The AWII has 2 large compartments, one that holds another bag that your laptop goes into and then Velcros inside. Then a second one that has soft foam compartments for cameras and lenses. Not to mention several other little pockets on the front.

Cameras, Lenses, and Laptops are heavy, and being able to throw them on your back as you trek thru the airport is a huge bonus. You also get to keep all your valuables with you (no way I’m going to check this bag) . The separate laptop bag is nice in itself too, I find I use it constantly, nothing like killing 2 birds with one stone. I also have to say how comfortable it is, with cross straps to help take the load off of your shoulders.

Looks like there is a newer version, and I don’t have a bad word to say about the old one. So, take your pick.

[tags]backpack, camera bag, lowepro[/tags]

This would be one of those “get it while you can” items. The F series of the Toshiba Gigabeat was the first in the line of these great MP3 players. The Gigabeat eventually evolved into what is now the Microsoft Zune, but in this one of its earlier incarnations you can replace the firmware. The firmware of choice is Rockbox and there are great instructions on the website to help you thru the steps if you choose to go this route (read them all the way thru first).

I wish I could tell you how much better the Rockbox firmware is compared to the original, but mine didn’t get much past the initial charge before I hacked it. As far as I’m concerned, people would’nt take the time to write alternative firmwares unless there was something lacking from the original. The cross fade feature in Rockbox by its self is plenty enough reason to switch; It’s like having your own personal Dj with you where ever you go.

With the new 4-8 gig MP3 players in the 100$+ range it just seems silly not to get one. At 40 gigs (they don’t make the 40 gig size anymore) You will be hard pressed to even fill it up. I have been using mine for over a month and am not even close to hearing a song twice. I’m a little peeved too, cause I thought I got a bang up deal, and it appears you can get them even cheaper than what I paid You can check out the products history over at

Wikipedia

[tags]ipod, zune, mp3 player, music[/tags]

This one of the all time greatest things I have ever come across. With custom gadget holders in every availible space in my car, it was time for another mode of “stuff” localization. If you have a dashboard that will accommodate it, I highly recommend getting a Sticky Pad. Not even donuts in the parking lot (within reason) will shake its grip from almost anything you put on it. It does not leave a sticky film when you remove it, and just wipes off when it gets dirty. there is a great roundup of Sticky Pad product over at

Palm InfoCenter

[tags]sticky pad[/tags]

Over the last year or two I have been on a mission to achieve the perfect most comfortable shave. I guess it originates from high school when i first started shaving, and always came to school with a rash on my neck. It seems that in conversations with friends too, most fathers were less than forthcoming in their shaving knowledge (probably cause they didn’t they know any better themselves). TSS (Total Shaving Solution) Is a product that in most ways spits in the face of what i have learned makes a great shave, being that you don’t need a brush, thick lather, or lots of it. Just a 3 drops of this stuff and your golden, just grab your favorite razor and go for it. If you trust people who shave their heads then have a look at

Headshaver.org

and Cool Tools

[tags]shaving, total shaving solution,[/tags]

I can’t honestly say that I have tried this one yet, but I certainly intend to. I know that are plenty of natural solutions to home pest problems, and there is no reason what so ever to use poisons when you don’t have to. Artificial poisons have no place in a home or much of anywhere else for that matter. They just seem to upset the balance of the natural biosphere, and seem to end up causing more problems than they alleviate (they figure out what is happening to the bees yet?) Well since I don’t have any experience with it, I will let you read about it at

Cool Tools

[tags]bug spray, poison free[/tags]