Monday, 30 November 2009
Shirt Riggs Wrangler Denium Long Short - light blue denim, mens workwear
I find work shirts to provide comfort and durability for a wide range of activities and over the years have bought many from places like LL Bean, Lands End, and Penny's. For overall fit and quality of construction nothing beats these Wrangler shirts. Quality material, quality buttons, and quality stitching are on par with any other work shirt I have bought over the years and far better than most.
The shirts have a great cut that makes it easy to work overhead without pulling at the shirt. A nice detail is the hidden loop in the pocket.
Over the years the quality of the shirts from Lands end in particular has deteriorated and the material wears out faster and buttons break more often (and this is without the stress of dry cleaners and their aptly named mangle presses).
My only criticism is the very limited color choices available. RIGGS WORKWEAR by Wrangler Men's Logger Shirt, Navy, Large
I've worked outdoors in all kinds of weather; this is my new favorite winter shirt. Wrangler's Riggs shirts are very well constructed and warm; their soft thick fabric retains heat. The shirt is also quite good looking - even fellow Borgnines could feel quite dashing. The comfortable design allows for all kinds of motion without constriction, important for us hyper types, whether hard at work or reclining in our most comfy chair.
Wrangler Logger Shirt is rugged and well put together. Many types of clothing is advertised as "Logger Wear" but are just regular work shirts, as a Wildland Fire Fighter for nearly 20 years, I can tell you that this shirt will hold up to the demand of the job.
My husband swears by these shirts. We always had a tough time finding them but now thanks to online shopping that's no longer a problem. My husband gets the tall size which ensures that it stays tucked. The pockets have buttons to keep him from losing his glasses etc and the shirts are very comfortable to wear. One of the greatest things from my point of view is that they are wash and wear. I have never had to iron them and they look great. Also they last for years and years even with all the washings that I give them because of all of his shirts my husband wears these ones the most. - Button-downs - Mens Workwear - Light Blue Denim - Mens Casual Shirt'
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7 For All Mankind
I adore the Naughty Monkey brand. The shoes are comfortable and adorable, and these are no exception. They're perfect for me because I tend to have an alternative type style, so they let me convey that in my ultra conservative workplace. I highly reccommend ANY Naughty Monkey shoes. Naughty Monkey Women's Rugged Racey Platform Pump,Taupe,8.5 M US
For this shoe, you pay more for the style than comfort. These shoes are super sexy, but definitely not meant for long term wear. By the end of the night, after sporting these shoes, my feet were not happy with me.'
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Belly Band - pregnancy, pregnancy comfort
These are great! I was so excited to get these in the mail because my pants were literally falling off. I'm a size 20, and bought the size three, so was a little nervous that it would be too snug. I was pleasantly surprised that the size range was accurate, and that it just feels as if you're wearing a fitted tank. I also found that a bonus use for them post partum will be that they cover your whole torso as well as your breasts, so that you can hold in nursing pads at night without wearing a bra! My pants don't fall down anymore, and I'm really glad I got a three pack. Baby Be Mine Maternity Belly Band 3 Pack in Black, White and Stone Available in 3 Sizes (Size 2 ( Pre Pregn. Size 6-16))
I have found that the baby be mine maternity belly bands are very handy to have. I was getting to the point where I needed maternity pants, unfortunately money was tight and I could not afford any. I seen these tried them and they saved me time and money! I really recommend!
I picked the smallest size and since i was a size 6 before my pregnancy (the higher end of the size 1), i expected it to be nice and snug. It really wasnt. I tried folding in half and using the folded edge at the bottom and that helped a little but it just didnt work for me for what i had intended for it.
I highly recomend these belly bands. They were reasonably priced compared to other websites. They are so nice for covering your maternity pants or unbuttoned jeans. You get the picture. They have been a life saver for me so far. It helps so you don't have to buy ugly maternity shirts right away. Let's you utilize the clothes you have for a while longer.
I love how these belly bands grow with you and how they have saved my budget. From the moment I started to show until after my delivery I have worn these bands almost every day. I could still wear my skinny jeans and love the color choices and the price point. Very comfortable and washed great. I am 5.9 and was pre pregnancy size 4. I gained 40 pounds and ordered the size 1 bands.
I am currently nursing and use my bands to cover my little left over bump! Great investment and highly recommend
I was hoping that I could add life to my ever tightening jeans with these but, they aren't made to hold up unbuttoned pants. They do cover up the unbuttoned and unzipped stuff but, I had to jerryrig a way to still hold them up. I would say, save your money and just buy maternity pants.
If you just bought them to cover your belly when your shirts get a bit short then get them but, they are not what I was looking for.
Good quality though.
I wasn't sure whether to buy these early in my pregnancy or the more expensive Bella Bands. I decided to cheap out (after all, I'll only be wearing maternity clothes for a few months in my entire life!) and see what happened. Worked out great!
I'm a size 4-6 pre-pregnancy, so I got the smalls. They fit great! These bands, as well as others, state that their intention is NOT to hold pants up, but rather to just cover, but for the most part they seemed to do a great job of holding up my unzipped pants. If I'm doing a lot of walking/moving around (e.g., grocery shopping), they'd ride up - I was so self-conscious that my unzipped pants would be exposed - but as long as you pay attention it's fine. Also, I folded them over a lot at first to provide extra support, and I would recommend turning them inside out if you're going to double them - that way no one sees the seams and you don't have the brand name (sewn in on the inside) for everyone and their brother to see. The first few times I did it without thinking, and DH laughed at the upside down "Baby Be Mine" logo on my bottom. If I wore a short(er) shirt, you could sort of tell that my pants were unzipped underneath, but I think only DH and I would notice, and that's only because we knew they were unzipped!
I used these until about halfway through my pregnancy. Even then, the bands would have been fine, but since my pants were unzipped under the bands, the zipper would start digging into my growing belly and started getting uncomfortable, so that's when I switched to maternity pants. For the maternity pants that were too big, the bands helped hold them up, too. Of course, now I'm 7 months along and don't need them for the rest of the pregnancy, but I do plan to use them again once the baby's here, until my pre-pregnancy clothes fit again.
They wash easily and well - I've had no ripping or pulling of seams or anything like that.
I'd definitely buy them again...but these are holding up so well that I shouldn't need to, even when baby #2 comes along (whenever that may be).
Don't waste your money on the more expensive brands - these work just fine!
I like the belly bands. I am not that big yet so I think I will like them better in a few months. The bands can be a little restrictive if you are wearing a tight top over them. I liked them to cover the gap when you sit down. I would buy them again.
I am early in my pregnancy and just starting to grow out of my regular clothes. I heard mixed reviews on similar items and I really think it depends on the person. When standing up, they are very comfortable and keep my unbuttoned pants in place. When you go to sit down, the band lifts up in the back and you constantly have to readjust yourself.
I'll give them a couple more days to see if I can make it work. Otherwise I'll happily pass them along to other expectant mothers and just move right into maternity clothes.
These worked wonderfully for the transitional period of my pregnancy. It extended the time I was able to wear regular work clothes and jeans. I plan to use them later in pregnancy for belly support. I suggest the multi color pack for more versatility with your wardrobe. They were received quickly in the mail and the multi pack was the best value I could find on the internet. - Belly Band - Pregnancy - Pregnancy Comfort - Gifts For Pregnant Women'
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Inflatable Boat - inflatable boat, boating
I went camping recently up in Priest Lake Idaho. I was looking for something to do so I bought this boat, not really realizing that it was a children's toy. I'm 6'3" so it looks pretty funny when I get in this thing. Everyone thought it was hilarious, it was worth the price just to see my mother laugh so hard. Anyway, I ended up paddling this toy roughly 3 miles through rough water and against the wind and this little boat hung in there. I thought the rubber oar loops were going to rip out from the intense rowing but they never did. I went on to beat it up the next day rowing from one ilsand to the shore and it still held up. I got pulled over by the water sheriff too, he thought it was funny as well.Bottom line, this is a strong little rubber raft. I rowed this thing around until I couldn't life my arms. Intex Explorer 200 Boat Set
Great product. We had a smaller one that last over a year of the kids jumping and playing on it - which is great for our house. This model is larger and even comes with paddles and a pump. I didn't expect that - I was just replacing another one. ...you can't beat it.
I bought 2 of these boats for my kids (3 and 6) to take to the lake. They were a hit!!! The pump was a little slow for impatient young ones, but other than that they were fantastic. They fit 2 people - 10 and under, or 1 adult. I know this because I spent the morning laying in one and had a great time! I loved the fact that the oars couldn't slip out and get lost. The rope at the front made it super easy to pull onto the beach, or tie to the back of the boat. One piece of advice: DON'T pull these behind a motorized boat... the eye for the rope pulled right out, leaving a huge hole, a flat boat and a completely devastated child :( I will be buying 4 or 5 more since all the kids, and adults at the lake LOVED them!!!
This inflatable boat is a perfect toy for pools and shallow, calm lakes. It may also serve as a rescue boat for kids stranded too far out on a lake or pond.
The warnings on the boat will tell you not to use it as a flotation device, and rightly so. There are two good reasons for that.
First, the boat can slowly leak air. It won't sink with you in it, but the boat's structure is compromised with the loss of air, and this makes rowing difficult. If you're drifting away from shore and you need to row back, tough luck. You can do it, but it might take a while.
Second, it is very hard to keep the boat pointed straight. Think of it as a closed bottom inner tube. It has no rudder or stabilizing components. I can imagine the guy who rowed three miles in this thing must have come back pretty exhausted, because to row in a straight line you have to use a lot of hand strength and be willing to make quick corrections. He might have even had to blow a little extra air into the single chamber along the way to keep the structure intact. The only advantage I can think of is that it's wider than a kayak, so it's stable in boat wake.
Add this together and it's really more of a toy than a recreational boat.
I purchased this raft to have some fun in the pool and take it the Ocean in So cal. Its very nice for the price. Its held up great so far, ive done flips and jumps into it in the pool and no pop yet :) . I brought it with to the beach yesterday and we had three of us crammed in it, held us fine and we had lots of fun flipping and riding the waves.
My husband (200 pounds--about the limit of weight) used this boat to maneuver under his sailboat so that he could paint the bottom of the boat while it was on the lift. Worked wonderfully. Couldn't ask for a better boat for the price. - Boats - Cheap - Inflatable Boat - Boating'
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Led Backlight
This TV is absolutely stunning. I was actually waiting for the C9000 to come out, but that TV's price is way over the limit. I found out that this TV which is the next step down and actually has the exact same technology as the C9000 minus the touchscreen remote (which can be bought seperately) and the slim profile, not a big deal considering the TV already looks beautiful and is half the price or less then a C9000!
In all honesty, I think this TV has one of the nicest pictures I've ever seen. One example is the pin-point dimming, which has garnered a lot of criticsm and skeptisism. I have seen the production TV model live and I must tell you, I think it's better then local-dimming and I'll tell you why... Unless there is a new panel that is made to fix the local-dimming "halo affect", this is currently the only way to get outradgeous contrast levels without that problem. The pin-point dimming on this TV dramatically lowers the dark spots on the screen in certain area's without a halo affect and actually goes completely pitch black when watching movies with dark screens just like a local-dimming TV. I think this TV actually excels at the dimming part over a local-dimming TV because it creates supurb black levels without any halo affects. That's a huge deal for me. Next is the color accuracy of this panel, I think the whites and colors on this TV are probably better then I've ever seen. Sure Plasma's can sometimes have better color temperatures, but they will not pop out of the screen with ambience like this TV shows. This TV is sharp looking and beautiful and it displays wonderful 3D and High-definition like never before.
Last, but not least... this tv is LOADED with features, easily making it one of the most feature rich TV's there is on the market. It's completely wireless, has 4-hdmi conenctions, has internet applications and streaming capabilities and best yet, it does it well! I have done a lot of research and have compared this TV with it's newest competitors and this one is it. Don't just take my word for it, go see it for yourselves and you'll just see what I am talking about. Samsung UN46C8000 46-Inch 1080p 3D 240 Hz LED HDTV
I just got the TV a couple of weeks a go and decided to post my first review ever on Amazon, as well this is the largest purchase I've made. This is my first LCD purchase in a while, I've had a Pioneer Plasma that I've loved forever, but just moved to Boston and left the Pioneer back home. The picture is extremly clear, almost too clear, sometimes I feel like the TV shows are live action TV, which takes a bit to get used too. The features seem great. I read through some of the comments, I'm pretty sure the C8000 doesn't have WIFI, as it wasn't an option, but I had ethernet right behind the TV so I didn't dig super deep. The Internet options are great, can't wait to try netflix out. The Yahoo gadget bar is cool and the Internet TV seem great, first time I've had these options on a TV.
I watched the masters in 3D, pretty cool, but your eyes get tired pretty quick, active 3D makes your eyes work more than passive 3d IMHO. I'm stuck with crappy comcast in my new building, so no 1080P coming through for other channels. I did the 3D combo and got monsters vs aliens. Wife and I watched a bit of it to check out the 3D. Way better quality than the Masters in 3D, but to be honest when I remember watching HDTV for the first time versus Standard TV, that leap was way bigger than from HDTV to 3DTV, maybe when more content comes out. I was hoping to get Avatar 3D, but those jerks are going to wait a year before releasing it. But atleast Comcast has the 3D Channel, maybe they will do more events in the future.
TV is beautiful, nice and thin. One comment about the C9000 it won't support the pin-point dimming, so the C8000 is Samsungs best picture TV. That touchscreen remote can be purchased, but it won't allow you to watch TV on the remote with the C8000 like the C9000 does.
Setup was simple, haven't really dug deep into the features. Sound is OK, but then again I'm used to my home theatre. Does extremely well with the glare and I haven't mounted it on the wall and I'm using the standard stand, comes in handy to turn it slighty to get the glare from the sun out of the picture.
One more thing the 3D mode has some ghosting, I wonder if that will be fixed over time. I do think it is worse when your eyes get tired though. I don't mind the glasses, but I wouldn't wear them in public ;-)
If you are getting a new TV, go for this one, don't be put off by the 3D as a gimic, all TVs are going to ship with them, I don't think you are paying a premimum for the HD. I still love my Pioneer Plasma, the thing is 6 years old and still has a great picture, but this is way better than the two Sharp LCDs I own, espicially the one I dropped and broke the screen on.
Being an electronics buff, I hold a high standard to quality. This Samsung UN46C8000 is amazing. Picture quality is the best I have ever seen. From the quality remote to the stand this television is the set for you. After it was programmed and user preferences were set, the first HD channel was a golf tournament on Golf Channel HD. Truely breath taking!!! My other HD sets are Plasma ranging from 58 to 32 inches. This is the first LED television I have owned. Being one inch thick, weighing in at 55 lbs it was very easy to handle. The picture quality on non 3D broadcast makes it look like a modified 3D. I have never seen anything like it. My wife who could not care the least about technology, was very impressed with the picture quality.
Amazon made the purchasing experience painless with no sales tax and inside delivery. The delivery staff unbox your television, plug it in to make sure it works and are friendly to boot. Last but not least, you will be very impressed. I am very impressed with this next generation of quality. Samsung you definitely got this one right!!!!
Update:
All of the above comments are still true. I have watched my first 3D movie with the glasses and everything worked perfectly. 3D makes movie watching a whole different experience. Only one major problem...Other than the 3D movie that came with the free Samsung glasses, there are no other choices to purchase. 3D Blu-ray technology has not caught up with the 3D televisions. ESPN 3D debuts in June on Directv. The All Star game will be telecast in 3D and the College Football National Championship game will be in 3D. The television had software update available at the Samsung website. It was easy to update. The television was manufactured on March 30, 2010 and the software upgrade was available on April 15. The 3D Blu-ray DVD player also had an update. Not difficult to perform but a little surprised.'
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Gift For Grandchild - tools, construction tools
I recently purchased this toy for my son's 2nd birthday and he loves it!! He is obsessed with Bob the Builder and he loves having tools just like Bob. It comes with a 'power drill and power saw' and also a little bendy lamp that he loves. I also have a 4 year old girl who likes it just as much as my two year old. It does come with some small nuts which I don't let him have but he is fine with the bolts and screws which he can hammer and screw into place. He is too young to do the tool box project that comes with the set, but my husband assembled it and he likes to use it to carry his tools around. I paid $69 for my tool bench and I think it was well worth the money. It was easy to assemble and has been by far his favourite birthday gift. Black And Decker Junior Power Tool Workshop (Closed Box)
My 2 1/2 yo son enjoys the cause and effect aspects of the power tools. He also likes to hammer the nails into the table. I like the fact that he can grow into the toy and assemble the toolbox down the road. I also prefer the overall realistic look versus a juvenile style that will much better suit him throughout the years. - Tool Bench - Tools - Construction Tools - Gift For Grandchild'
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Aurorae Yoga Mat - mat, yoga mat
I ordered a different mat bag and had to return it because my slightly thicker than normal mat wouldn't fit. This one is great. I can fit my mat, yoga clothes easily in this bag, with room for a wallet, phone and bottle of water. It will also comfortably carry a regular thickness mat, two blocks and a strap - haven't tried the thicker mat/block combo yet.
The bag is made of a durable canvas and has a zipper that runs the full length of the bag so you don't have to worry about the mat getting caught or bound up as you're putting it away. It also has a small outside pocket - big enough for my gym card, padlock, or a drivers license and some money, or maybe a small cell phone, but not for a wallet. I love this bag! Bean Products Yoga Mat Bag Extra Large Easy Open Zipper 100% Cotton Made In USA Black
This bag does exactly what I wanted it to do. It holds my oversize mat with ease and the zipper is just the right length. There is additional room in the bag for a water bottle, towel, etc. I also like the zippered pocket to safely store my keys and jewelry during yoga class. The cotton material is simple and nice to touch - without all the fuss and expense of fancier bags. It's perfect!
The bag isn't horrible if you're a yoga beginner. I didn't find it to be all that big or sturdy. It's acurately described as cotton twill - like khaki pants. The zipper doesn't seem like it's up for heavy duty use. If you've just started yoga and don't go more than once a week or so then this bag is good for you. You don't need something too heavy duty. But if you're at the studio a few times a week and have an extra long mat and blanket (like me) this bag is neither large or sturdy enough.
That said, when I returned the bag my refund was prompt and polite. Although the product wasn't for me, the customer service was positive.
I bought this mat bag after getting Bean's non-toxic extra thick yoga mat which is great by the way Bean Products Yoga Mat 1/4" Extra Thick High Density 72" Length - Clean PVC (TM) Phthalate Free PER because the mat didn't fit in my old small mat bag. Its nice and big and easy to fit my extra thick mat and water bottle, towel etc. Well made, heavy cotton and finally something made in the USA!!!!!
Been using the bag for a couple months now and it's holding up well. The side pocket for wallet/keys is handy. I have a long, thicker mat that doesn't leave much room for anything else, other than a mat towel and a face towel, which in most cases is just enough.
I attend yoga every chance I have. I have to say that I love this mat bag! It was able to accommodate my large Jade mat easily, and the mat itself does not "stick" to the bag. The zippered pocket on the outside of the bag is an extra bonus.
This bag is sturdy and seems well-constructed. It's comfortable to carry and quite spacious. Getting my mat in and out is simple and doesn't result in frustration and fumbling like my old top-loader did. The pocket on the outside is especially nice; I can put my iPhone and keys and some cash in it and walk to class without lugging my purse or a tote.
I was looking for an inconspicious yoga bag without too many details but functional and attractive. This fit the bill. I ordered the purple one, which I wish was more eggplant color, but it's a pretty purple color nonetheless. The material feels nice, for the price of the bag, and seems durable. The bag fits my yoga bag perfectly and there's a small square pocket on the outside.
I had a problem with shipping of this bag. The first one was sent to the wrong address. However when I contacted customer service, they shipped out another one to the correct address without any problem. - Yoga Mat - Mat - Yoga Accessories - Yoga'
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Gnome
I bought this for my parents for Christmas. This products was just the right size, solid material, the paint job was very good, and my parents loved it! Definately recommend for someone who wants to put something small outside the house to display their team spirit! Forever Collectibles MLB New York Yankees Team Gnome'
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Fitness Furniture - balance ball, office chair
I purchased this Gaiam Balance Ball Chair in late December 2005.
It's an item you have to get used to if you've sat in regular office chairs for a long time (I've sat in padded-foam/plastic chairs for over 15 years, over 40 hours per week). I'm 6 feet tall, 155 lb., and practice Vinyasa Yoga every now-and-then, and I am no Yoga expert by any means.
1. The purpose of doing Yoga ball exercise is to align your body through training the core muscle in your torso--your abdominal muscle will help support your back. This practice, over time, will give you better posture. Also, "constant-centering" myself on the ball reminds me not to bend forward my shoulders or slouch.
2. My old office chair has a pneumatic height adjustment at 19"-20" This ball seat height (with the doughnut-shape base) is about 23" tall; sitting down on it, at my weight, brings it down to about 18"--of course, it will depend on your monitor/keyboard setup and on how much air you put in the ball. I raised the table height 3" higher and purchased an adjustable keyboard/mouse extension tray. I make the ball as firm as possible.
3. The back support is detachable (which I've done) and allows you to center yourself over it more. Don't lean on the back support for too long, or you may hurt your lower back.
4. You will experience some back pain for a few days, some shoulder pain if you're use to having an armrest, and neck pain if you had a headrest. Keeping my chest open and head up help my abs stay taut.
Minus half-star for the rolling wheels because they sometimes trip me over when I get up and stand. So, I spread my feet and use my leg muscles to stand upright. I recommend it still because it motivates me to get up and walk around. It's not healthy to allow the legs be pooled with blood (which causes veining) over two-three hours at a time. This item is at a decent price range, offered here on Amazon. Hope this helps! Gaiam Balance Ball Chair (Black)
The chair is surprisingly comfortable. I'm not sure how *much* it helps me with balance or toning, but I do actually feel like I'm using my muscles a little more than usual while sitting all day at the office, so I feel pretty good about it. And it looks really nice, too.
Overall I like the chair a lot, just one real complaint. There is no height adjustment. For me it's not much of an issue because my desk happens to be at around the right height. But this might be a problem for someone else. I suppose you could let some air out of the ball to make it a little lower, but that doesn't strike me as an ideal solution.
I do have one suggestion for anyone buying this chair. There are four wheels that you snap into the proper places onto the bottom of the chair when you're assembling it. Two of the four have locks you can flip down to prevent the wheels from rolling. I have found that with these two wheels attached on the front side of the chair, my feet keep accidentally hitting the locks and activating them so that it's difficult to roll the chair. I'd suggest putting these locks on the back side of the chair unless you plan to leave the locks activated most of the time.
I used one of these at my last job. This is a wonderful chair. The first time that I sat on it I fell off, but then once I learned how to sit on it, it was amazing. It kept my back straight, and kept me sitting upright, and I didn't feel so sleepy after 8 hours at the computer. I love this chair. It it worth the price.
I have been considering this purchase for a while, and decided to spring for it when the price dropped. I am a musician and am very conscious of body alignment -- I do yoga, Pilates and Alexander Technique to maintain my body for playing. My old desk chair was not allowing me to sit truly well, and this product does. Sitting on a ball is great by itself, but the wheeled base allows it to truly function as a desk chair -- for instance, to roll over a few inches towards the printer, or rotate around to the other part of my L-shaped desk. I don't miss the arms at all. I am usually typing or writing when sitting at my desk.
The chair is very comfortable and was very easy to assemble. You should know that the manufacturer cautions against leaning on the back rest, called the "support bar;" it is for "stability during the exercises." There is a booklet included that shows a series of exercises using the ball both on and off its roller base. There are locks on two of the casters for use in doing these exercises.
My caveat, which does not reflect on the quality of the product, is that the ball is too small for me to use off its base. I am 5'8", and use a 55 cm ball. I did not see the FitBall product, which uses the exact ball I like for exercise, and I probably would have purchased that if I had, so I could store my ball on the chair. I may yet; this chair is an acceptable height for my computer keyboard, but rather low for the other part of my desk.
I love my ball chair and sit on it continuously at work. It was easy to get used to and I can move around quickly and easily. My sitting posture has improved.
I do have one complaint. My pants were showing a lot of wear and tear in their bottoms. After sitting on a pillowcase on the ball for a while proved that the material the ball was made of was the source of the problem, My seamstress mother made a fabric cover for it and...no more problems!
I've been using just a plain gym ball as a chair instead. You don't really need or miss the back because the ball gets you to hold your spine in correct allignment. So I recommend just buying a ball (much cheaper) and using that alone.
After sitting on a true yoga ball for 3 years as my office chair the Balance Ball Chair sounded like a fancy upgrade for my new job, but I was disappointed. The quality of the product was fine, assembly was easy and it looked fine. But the base that the ball sits defeats the idea that you must use your abdominals to balance because it is completely stable. The rollers don't work very well on carpet and the wheels get locked very easy which makes motion even more awkward. I have returned the ball chair and am back to my yoga ball.
Also, if you are tall, I would not recommend the balance ball chair. It says that is good for people up to 6'-0" but I am 5'-10" and it is very short. The exercise book that comes along with the chair has exercises that are only possible if you are 5'-2" or shorter. - Back Relief - Balance Ball - Ball Chair - Office Chair'
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Sunday, 29 November 2009
Kate Beckinsale - war, romance
Why does Hollywood have to make a three hour movie about a terrible day in US history and turn it into 'As The World Turns'? I could not believe that I sat through this piece of junk. It was 2 1/2 hours of 'General Hospital' and 1/2 hour of reality. It's a shame that Hollywood feels that 99% of the films that come out today must contain some kind of soap opera setting to satisfy what they think the lady folks wish to see. I find that to be rather insulting to women and I am not a female. There is nothing romantic about December 7,1941. It gets 1 star for the actual attack sequence. I must mention that I highly doubt that while they flew over head, the Japanese pilots were signaling to the American children to take cover. Silliness. If you wish to see a great film on Pearl Harbor, seek out 'Tora! Tora! Tora!' and let this one rot. Pearl Harbor (Two-Disc 60th Anniversary Commemorative Edition)
The Vista Series has released the biggest and greatest DVD package ever assembled with "Pearl Harbor- The Director's Cut." The new 184 Minute cut is edited better. The attack sequence is more realistic and graphic, the reason for this cut's R-rating. And the four-disc set features hours of behind-the-scenes footage, two documentaries on the real attack and the Doolittle Raid, and commentary tracks from Michael Bay and Janine Basinger; Jerry Brucheimer, Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Alec Baldwin; The Director of Photography, Costume Designer, Visual Effects Supervisor and Composer. A great addition to the DVD collection. And if you think this is good, then get ready for the November release of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring- The Director's Edition" four-disc set! Movie Grade: A+; DVD Grade: A+
Lacking any kind of character development, this film falls far short of the bar set by other recent WWII movies, like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. Both Raf (Affleck) and Danny (Harnett) waltz through the film without any change in their demeanor, remaining young cocksure pilots, untouched by the events surrounding them. The enemy here is faceless and politically correct while death is Disney-fied and sterile. Also, strangely absent is the character's racial hatred of the Japanese, characteristic of the period. Micheal Bay's strong point has always been his fast and innovative cinematography, but it alone cannot fill the gap left by a sub par script. Like Titanic, this film is good for one thing only, visual effects. Written by the screenwriter of BRAVEHEART, another film with more good press than actual substance, the only reason PEARL HARBOR should be purchased by anyone is ILM's fantastic special effects work. The attack sequence alone is well worth the price of the DVD. And the great thing about DVD? You don't have to fast forward to the good part.
Let this be said at the outset, Touchstone Pictures' "Pearl Harbor" will not go down in cinematic history as the greatest film ever made. There are points of corny dialogue, as an actual history it is a disaster, and at some of its most crucial moments, the story suddenly goes oddly flat. Yet, in spite of its obvious shortcomings, it works reasonably well as an evocation of how the nation saw itself seeing itself, as well as providing some undeniably spectacular special effects and a love story that is better than the critics have made it out to be.The story is fairly straightforward. Two boys who grew up together as best friends fascinated by the daring-do of the World War I air aces, join the Army Air Corps on the eve of World War II. The older man, Rafe (Ben Affleck), is cocky, self-assured, and eager to be a hero. The younger man, Danny (Josh Hartnett), is sensitive, somewhat shy, and was presumably traumatized by his father's emotional breakdown after fighting in the trenches of France during the Great War. When Rafe joins the Eagle Squadron, a British unit for American volunteer pilots, and is subsequently presumed killed in action, Danny first comforts, and then falls in love with, Rafe's girlfriend, a Navy nurse named Evelyn - played by the lovely Kate Beckinsale. On the eve of the Pearl Harbor attack, Rafe returns - it transpires that he had been rescued by a French fishing boat and was hiding out in occupied France - causing a love triangle that is interrupted by the Japanese attack. In the end, Rafe and Danny reconcile just before both participate in the April, 1942 Dollittle raid on Tokyo, with Evelyn waiting back at Pearl to find out if her men will make it home from the mission.The critics have said that the portrayal of the attack is the strongest part of the film and that the love story is dispensable. Actually, the reverse is true. For a student of history, the "historical" aspects of the film are either inaccurate, incomplete, or simply false. Speaking as a Washington, DC area resident, it is unclear why the local audience did not break out in giggles when the Navy Department building that appears on screen is actually the House side of the U.S. Capitol. (One wag called it the Navy Department's House of Representatives annex.) The battle scenes, though indisputably gripping, are almost too glitzy, with Japanese and American warplanes performing tactics best suited to Star Wars X-wing fighters, and at least one shot with 1990's vintage aircraft carriers being included in a "fleet at sea" scene. This is mostly good visual stuff, but for anyone with a little historical knowledge, it is distracting. (One big exception - the sequence showing the capsizing of USS Oklahoma is very well done.)The love story, on the other hand, has all of the feel of a 1943 vintage romance and war movie. Somewhat hokey and a little overwought, but nevertheless compelling. The viewer gets a feel not so much for the times themseleves, but for the cinema at a time when Americans went to the movies both for entertainment and for reaffirmation. The movie evokes the world as it was in 1941 as viewed through the prism of moviegoers during the war and its immediate aftermath. It is a mixture of innocence, foreboding, nostalgia and cliche.To be certain, sometimes the story falls flat. Although Affleck, Beckinsale and Harnett all put in good performances, they do not have enough time - even in a three hour movie - to convey all the information that the viewer needs to be fully engaged with the characters. (The novel that came out with the movie fills in many gaps.) Also, the scene where Evelyn sees Rafe alive for the first time is oddly muted. Evelyn is shocked at first, but moves straight to confusion over her feelings for both Rafe and Danny. The expected intervening step - joy at seeing Rafe alive - never transpires, making the whole scene seem an anti-climax.Also, the movie never makes explicit that although Evelyn loves Danny, Rafe is her true love. Instead, she is made to seem that she is not making a choice, thereby draining some of the dramatic oxygen. Nor does it clearly explain on what basis Rafe and Danny seem to reconcile, instead there is a scene in which both characters seem to go from wary antagonism to renewed affection in a split second. (Again, the book clarifies much.)One other peculiar aspect of the movie is its rather grim tone - surprising in a summer movie. Although Wallace and Bay work tirelessly to bring out themes of pride and patriotism, they never fully succeed. It is just too hard to look at wrecked battleships and shattered corpses to feel all that good. Even the end sequences, which are emotionally the most powerful - and arguably the best dramatice scenes - in the movie, do not create feelings of patriotism so much as a sense of wistfulness. The audience feels happy for the characters, but it is mixed with a sense of loss. This will probably be effective with older audiences, but may lack the emotional lift that the under 30 crowd seems to require of its movies.Notwithstanding these weaknesses, the "period" feel of the movie works. The viewer gets a glimpse of movies circa 1943. Oddly, "Tora! Tora! Tora!," which is an outstanding and historically more accurate movie, fails to deliver in this category - the characters in that movie could as easily be in 2001 as 1941. (As to those critics who complain that "Pearl Harbor" is not about Pearl Harbor, you probably name your cats, Kitty, and your dogs, Spot.)As to the performances, almost all the cast perform well, if not always up to their finest earlier work. Affleck is convincing as the cocky pilot, and his sequences with Beckinsale demonstrate the same kind of restrained, and for that seemingly more authentic, emotion as he showed as the cocky ad agent in "Bounce." (Though, overall, he is better in "Bounce.") Beckinsale is gorgeous in 1940's vintage attire and hairstyle and brings off even the most cliched lines - and she gets her fair share - with a naturalness that makes them acceptable to 21st century audiences. Hartnett has the toughest job as the introspective Danny in a cast of very prominent characters, but pulls it off to remarkable effect.As to Cuba Gooding Jr., Dan Akroyd, Jon Voight, Alec Baldwin and the rest of the cast, all do creditable work. The one exception is the Japanese actor, Mako, whose Admiral Yamamoto is played without the subtlety that Soh Yamamura brought to the role in "Tora!, Tora!, Tora!." An occassional physical gesture, such as shaking his head with regret when he delivers the obligatory -for Pearl Harbor movies - "sleeping giant" line, might have made his character seem more real. Instead, each line is delivered as if Yamamoto was reading a cue card. (NOTE to the subtitle writer: It's "The rise OR fall of our empire..." not, "The rise AND fall of our empire...")Taken together, "Pearl Harbor" is not the strongest movie, but its feelings are real and it definitely taps into the anxiety, harshness,beauty, courage, and heroism that Americans equate with the movies of that period. That probably accounts for "Pearl Harbor's" bad reviews. The critics, and unfortunately probably most younger audiences, want an action story or a love story, and cannot relate very much to, or empathize with, evocations of a world long since past and that seems, in retrospect, pitiably naive. That is sad, but less for the talented and underapprecited cast and crew of "Pearl Harbor," than for the viewers who will see it. - Ben Affleck - Kate Beckinsale - Romance - War'
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Planers - planers, rigid
Planes boards to a perfectly smooth (nearly mirror) finish. Width of finished board is (as far as I can tell with my precision) dead on. I like the adjustments on the side for repetitive cuts (1/8,1/4, .. etc). The cut depth gague in the front is nice so I accidentally don't try to make it take too much board at once then it can handle. Powerful! This planer seemed to laugh at the 10 inch wide oak boards I sent through it. I cut the boards from a tree with a Alaskan chainsaw portable sawmill. Each board needed numerous passes to get it down to nice smooth usable lumber. The blades lasted quite a long time. Changed blades after 20 boards, 10' long, 10" wide, receiving around 5 (on average) passes per side, I just turned around the blades and continued planing. The double sided blades are nice. I had an old 12" delta and as I used to either have to get the blades re-sharpened or throw them out once the single side had dulled.
As always... love the lifetime warrenty
Cons:
The hex wrench that came with it for changing the blades stripped and was unusable almost immediately. It was stripped before I changed the first blade. I actually find it easier to use a standard hex wrench for the leverage. Just have to be careful....
Dust collection is "ok", but I don't expect perfection from my 5.5hp big box store shopvac... Ridgid R4330 Planer, 13-Inch Thickness
If your going to buy one of these units make sure it's the newer version three blade. At some point in the last year or so the design changed slightly and they added a third blade. Home Depot carries these in both the new three blade version and two blade version. Same model number and SKU#. The older vs has a tool box located on the left side of unit, looking at it from the entry side. The newer version the tool box is located under the exit tray. (Heads up)
We have had one of these for about four years. Only used on a couple of projects. The unit works great as long as you use dry wood. We bought some Premium 2x6's at Home Depot and on the third to fourth pass the motor on this unit fried. The so called Premium wood was still to wet for the two blade version Turns out that Ridgid won't honor the lifetime warranty.
Also the dust collection on the older version clogs too easily, even when your using a commercial shop vac system.
I purchased one of these about 3 1/2 years ago and can't stop emphasizing how good the peformance has been, especially at the price. I am a woodworker that builds just about everything I'm asked to. I've been using this planer consitantly, at least 3-4 hours a week for the last year...I cut my own lumber, joint it, resaw it, and plane it with this item.
I too have never changed the blades...not to say that they can't give better cuts if I did, but the fact that they have performed so well (for so long) to this point amazes me. I plane all kinds of woods...pine, douglas fir, oak, gum, persimmons (white ebony), hickory, and alot of cherry and black walnut. Alot of hardwoods listed!
Other reviews don't speak as high as they should due to processes they shouldn't be doing...wet wood is a no-no on any planer. When properly hooked up to a 4" dust collector system, it works great. Maybe a wrench that arrives to change the blades out is junk...but the planer itself is what this review is on. It may not be as powerful as some may have predicted, but for the cost it's awesome, just take lighter cuts.
Best Bang-for-Buck...and FYI, I'm not an employee of Rigid...I am a constant customer of Home Depot.
I've had my Ridgid 13" planer for several months now.. Run a lot of wood through and it works great. However, blade changing time comes along.. Most of the screws that hold the blades have welded in place.. Apparently, the cutter head is aluminum and the screws ( metric ) are steel. Dis-similar metals corrode and seize.. After ruining the cheap tool they send to remove the screws as well as another hardened wrench, slotting the top of the screw, chilling the screw with dry ice and several other methods, I'm probably going to have to grind the screw heads off, remove the blades and then attempt to get the threaded stud out of the hole.. If that doens't work, you replace the $140 cutterhead. From reading reviews, this seems to be a recurring problem..
I bought Ridgid's newest model thickness planer after I had beat the older model to death with daily use for over a decade. The brushes on the motor finally gave on the old one so I got the new one with plans to have the old one refurbished when I have time.
This newest model has plenty of power for me. I make historic window replicas and use this machine almost daily. I bought both machines, my old one and this new one at Home Depot so I wouldn't ever be without replacement blades, even on a Sunday.
So blade change time came and I went to Home Depot only to find out that my Home Depot only carries the blades for the old machine, even though they haven't sold it for years, and only stock the new machine. That leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
But the part that makes this particular machine not worth the money isn't that. It's the blade changing design. These machines are designed to have the blades changed. No big deal. But you have to be able to get the blades out.
The old model used hex head bolts to fix the blades in place. That was a good idea. The new model uses allen head bolts that are rounded over on top. You use an allen wrench to get the blades out. That was a bad idea. Bad idea because if one of the bolts strip out, like four have done on mine, they are impossible to get out and change your blades. I can't get a wrench around it to turn it or anything, not even needle nose vise grips. Such a shame.
Now I have to remove it from the stand and take it in to get serviced, which means serious down time. Oh well. You live and learn. I guess next time I know what else to look for when I buy one of these machines. - Rigid - Benchtop Planers - Planer - Planers'
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Scarves - hip scarf, belly dance hip scarf
I adore this hip scarf. It has a wonderful sound and nice feel. The weight is great for beginners because you can really feel where you are moving. I was rather disappointed that what I ordered was "navy blue" but is actually a bright (beautiful) royal blue. Shipping was very fast and it arrived a full day before amazon.com's tracking said it would be here.
*just a note for larger women*
As a large hipped woman (size 16), the beading will not go all the way around you; not that I expected it to as the model is rather small. Mine goes from about hip to hip. I plan on ordering another one and putting them together for full coverage. BellyLady Multi-Row Belly Dance Hip scarf, With Silver Coins And Black Beads BLACK
This hip scarf is adorable! It has a nice, heavy, weight to it so it hangs very nicely. It seems to be well made, and NOT like some of the cheaper scarves out there that are just that...CHEAP. Also, jingles and shimmers as you walk - I even wore it over a pair of black "beach" pants and a top while on a recent Caribbean vacation and received MANY compliments! I ordered that black and am VERY happy with my purchase!
I have several hip scarfs but this one is my favorite. mine is in blue. the craftmanship is excellent and it exceeded my expectations! you get alot of jingle with your shimmy's which makes this lots of fun to wear when dancing. I highly recomend this scarf, you will not be disapointed!
I plan to order a couple more of these. they are heavy, have a nice sound and the design is very fun and short. Sometimes it is nice to have a small scarf to use.
They are just perfect for class use.
I highly recommend this scarf for beginners and more advance dancers.
If you want to get more out of your Zumba workout get this hip scarf!!! It really makes you aware of your body movements as the lovely jingly silver coins just sing with the beat of the music. I am a size 18 and it fits me fine. There is a gap in coins... but not enough to keep me out of it. I look forward to the day when the coins come together!! Get it... you'll be glad you did.
I just love this hip scarf and have gotten so many compliments on it. I wear it to Zumba and I love hearing it jingle. I did not receive the tote bag that they are offering with it now. That is a shame because it would have been nice to have the bag to carry it with me to my Zumba class.
The one thing I didn't like was the high shipping rate. Not sure why it needs to be that high when it just comes in a letter size bubble envelope.
The scarf arrived quicker than expected. I love that the only embellishment on the ties are at the ends. Makes it possible to tie well, without worrying about beading or sequins. It is advertised for practice and is holding up well, but with the quality, I will be wearing this for performances also! The weight and sound, perfect. I chose this scarf because it looked to not be as long as many others. I was not disappointed. The length down the leg and coverage in back is as pictured. Great for a short dancer who doesn't want a scarf to reach the knees.
I received many compliments in class. Will be ordering a few other colors! - Belly Dance Hip Scarf - Bellydance Wear - Scarves - Hip Scarf'
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Play Table And Chair Set - kids furniture, childs table and chair set
I bought this set at ikea last year for $25, which is a steal for a table with 2 chairs. The surfaces are a white backer board type material, and the wood is all unfinished birch, so I painted the table and the chairs and put decals on it and I think it looks really cute. My 3 year old son uses it a lot, the chairs get dragged all over and stood on, and I haven't had problems with it so much as loosening at the bolts after a year of use. I don't think it would stand up to captain destructo and his crew of rowdy kids, but if you want a nice little table for your child to color on and sit at, this is a bargain. The above reviewer commented on how the table broke in after her daughter stood on it, I can see how it might not hold up to a kid standing on it regularly (though my kid uses the chairs to get at toys and the light switch frequently) but it does have 2 stabilizer bars under the table top, so I'm inclined to think that the table may not have been assembled properly for it to cave in after standing on it once. But, for kids that know not to stand on tabletops this is a nice little set. I should also mention, the table and chairs are a bit smaller than the usual ones you see, just shorter by an inch or two, but that makes it great for smaller kids and maybe not as ideal if you have a big kid. My son got it when he was 2 and it has grown with him nicely, he's now 3, but I can see that maybe in a year it will be too small for him. IKEA Children's Kids Table & 2 Chairs Set Furniture
I bought this set from local IKEA store for only $19.99. I don't understand why it costs more online. Anyway, it is very easy to assemble and looks very cute. The chair is smaller than other kids chairs. But that is perfect for little ones. Mine is 14 months and I know this is a perfect size for her. For this price, I would say this is a steal. But I am still concerned about the top which is made of cardboard. What if water spills or the little one tries to climb on it? Have not tested it yet. But I am thinking of returning them back to the store and buy another set made of solid wood. But of course, solid wood set costs much much more....
The table is very plain, which is fine! However I love that it is so easy to wipe down after we color or paint. The table is very sturdy, in addition to the chairs. I read that the table broke after someone's toddler stood on it, my child hasn't tested that out yet! Yet I am sure it would be fine. Great price, great product!
I ordered this for my 2 year old twins. The quality is horrible. I would assume if it was made for children, it would be kid tested and durable. My daughter sat on the table and the top fell in. Shortly after one of the legs on the chair broke. Needless to say, it only lasted a month in our house before all was broken.
It's an IKEA product so don't expect it to last more than a few years at best. A bit flimsy but aa fun first table and hairs for a toddler. Our 15 month old tends to want to stand on the table so this is NOT for unsupervised toddlers.
My daughter loves having her own little table & chairs set, she uses it for coloring, playing on her little 'laptop' & having snacks. I admit when I opened the box & began putting it together that I was not very optimistic at all about how this would hold up to a toddler; the white, cheap, board-type material arrived with a small crack in it already & seemed very flimsy. But the table has wooden boards placed underneath that give it some good strength, so I was much happier with that. I wish the chairs had the same kind of reinforcement in the seat, I think that I may have to rig them somehow in the future, or at the least take a bead of wood glue around the edges underneath. Its a pretty small set anyway and I can't see it fitting her much past 3 1/2 or so. Still after comparing prices on other kids tables so far I am very glad I purchased this set, you can't beat the price, so easy to put together, and I believe it will work fine for the few years we will have it around. - Play Table And Chair Set - Kids Furniture - Ikea - Childs Table And Chair Set'
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