Sunday 18 April 2010

Frugal Living - frugal living, budget


I am a mother of three trying to cope with cutbacks in our family income. I got wind of couponing from some of my friends and after browsing many coupon websites, decided I needed to read some books to learn more as quickly as possible! I read three books: The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half: The Strategic Shopping Method Proven to Slash Food and Drugstore Costs, Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey, & Shop Smart, Save More: Learn The Grocery Game and Save Hundreds of Dollars a Month. Each book was very different, so I thought I'd share my opinions- I hope they can help you!

Let me first say what each book had in common: they all promoted their own coupon websites and they all taught about how to get coupons, organize them and shop with them to save on your grocery bill. Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey as you might infer by its title, takes a sassy approach to couponing which, for me was totally refreshing. I flew through these 246 pages & laughed out loud along the way! This book is very visually appealing, with hilarious cartoons, including my favorite "You might be a Krazy Coupon Lady if. . . your idea of date night is casing the neighborhood dumpsters and recycling centers." The book effectively motivated me to print some coupons and try it out first hand, and I saved 71% on my first trip!

This book did the best job of explaining how to checkout with coupons. If you've never done it, you don't know how stressful it can be! Other favorite chapters included "Anatomy of a coupon", "building a stockpile to `beat the joneses!'", and learning the different kinds of coupons to indulge your "coupon fetish". The book stays focused through Chapter 12 of 15, the last few chapters talk about how to increase your income and get of debt, particularly for stay at home moms. Some good info mixed with some stating the obvious that I could have done without.



The Best reason to buy this book: It has clear focus and doesn't have too much fluff. The focus remains on saving with coupons and getting items for over 70% off or free! Plus it has great humor and is an easy read.



The best reason to pass on this book: If you're looking for lengthy info on organic deals or how to cook, or how to entertain, this book doesn't talk much about it. And this book costs more than the other two. Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey: Save Big Money & Make the Grocery Aisle your Catwalk!

"Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey" is everything you ever needed to know about using coupons to save big. I have to admit upfront I was skeptical at first that coupons could provide the kinds of savings the authors promise, but as I read through the secrets in this book, I was completely won over. These ladies know what they are doing with coupons--it's completely ethical, really not that "krazy" at all except when it comes to the gigantic savings, and some of the shrewdest business advice imaginable.



I'm not going to give away all the secrets here. I'll just say that these really aren't "secrets" and the Krazy Coupon Ladies are not selling anything other than this book--there are no gimmicks, no additional purchases necessary, no expensive special kits to buy, and no overpriced seminars to attend. Everything you need to know is in this book. And it's more than just advice on how to use coupons to save a couple of dollars on peanut butter, mayonnaise, or ketchup--it's practical financial advice on how to protect your wallet, how to stockpile for emergencies, how to prepare for your future, how to provide you with lasting financial security in times of adversity, and also how to have some extra money for fun--to take vacations or whatever you want to do with it. Coupons are vital for such times as when the economy is bad, or as the Krazy Coupon Ladies explain, when gas prices are high:

The price of oil directly affects the price of groceries. The more it costs to transport groceries, the more you'll have to pay to get them. The shipping and oil industries are often unpredictable, so it's comforting to have a stockpile. If truckers go on strike, if gasoline prices quadruple, you can insulate yourself from the effects by having a stockpile. It's nice to think that if gas prices jumped to $15 per gallon tomorrow, I wouldn't have to drive to the store twice a week for overpriced cereal. I could just walk out to my garage and congratulate myself for stocking up when boxes of cereal were $0.50 each.



What I didn't expect from this book was to find out that Coupons Are Fascinating!--really! I had no idea about the history of the coupon from its origins in the late 1800s to its Internet printable versions and the fraudulent scams they have engendered. Did you know there are coupon clearinghouses operated by prisoners? Did you know what all those numbers and symbols on a barcode mean? You will learn all this and more in "Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey."



And what about that title? It's funny. It describes how shoppers will have to wait a little longer while you use all those coupons, but so what? You'll be saving tons of money. The authors' many stories about their shopping and couponing adventures are equally priceless for their humor. And throughout are numerous wonderful cartoons depicting Krazy Coupon Ladies doing what they do best--savings tons of money.



Every step from finding great coupons, to how to use them to double and triple your savings, and what to do when checkout cashiers and store managers argue with you--how to educate them actually since you'll know far more than any store manager about coupons--is all provided here. And to top it all off, a lot of additional and completely free information is available on the Krazy Coupon Ladies' website.



This book may be the best financial investment you will ever make. You can easily earn back one hundred times the price of this book within one year--and if you follow all the advice in "Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey," you may even earn back five hundred times the price. So get ready to save, and even make money.



-- Tyler R. Tichelaar, Ph.D. and author of the award-winning Narrow Lives - Budget - Coupon Mom - Saving Money - Frugal Living'


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Frugal Living - frugal living, budget coupon mom Frugal Living - frugal living, budget

Sterling Silver Bracelet


Modern costume jewelry incorporates a wide range of materials. High end crystals, cubic zirconia simulated diamonds, and some semi-precious stones are used in place of precious stones. Metals include gold- or silver-plated brass, and sometimes vermeil or sterling silver. Lower-priced jewelry may still use gold plating over pewter, nickel or other metals.It looks like as if you are wearing real gold bracelet... Fashion Link Bracelets Jewelry India Gold Plated Metal with Cubic Zirconia (KB378)

a beautiful open-ended bracelet with typical Indian design. It looks charming with evening dresses and light casual wears (I sound sure because I am complemented each time I wear this with any of my outfits).'


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Sterling Silver Bracelet Sterling Silver Bracelet Sterling Silver Bracelet

High Heel Insoles


If you're like me you may have been wearing heels like forever! Getting older and gaining weight is not so comfortable for one's feet. Dr. Scholls for Her High Heel Insoles are, in a word, fabulous! Whether wearing them in sandals or closed high heels, they render every stiletto comfortable. They are definitely a 'FEET MUST HAVE' item. Luckily Amazon sells these delightful foot aids in a three pack at a phenomenal price point. Do your feet a favour: No matter your weight or age, if you are wearing heels 3 inches and beyond, buy this product! By the way, they work magnificently in heels 2 inches! Dr. Scholl's For Her Insoles, High Heel, Women's Sizes 6-10

I'm a person who doesn't wear heels often, but when I do, the ball of my foot really suffers, and I don't understand how others wear heels. I can't believe people wear them in pain all day. I've tried a lot of different insoles for high heels, and these are the best. I noticed an immediate relief. I highly recommend these, and make sure you buy several pair.

I have plantar fasciitis and wear custom orthotics regularly. Of course, they can't be worn with heels because they are too big and clunky. I don't wear heels often, but inevitably when I do my feet hurt. The balls of my feet and then my arch starts hurting. I bought these for some new heels and they were amazing! No part of my foot hurt. It provides a little bit of arch support which was fantastic for me. Of course, it's not meant to supply all the support I need, but for an evening out, these worked wonders. I will be buying these for each of my heels so I don't have to switch them from shoe to shoe.



One thing I did note when placing them in the shoe, it doesn't come shaped with enough of a curve to fit the way I thought it should in the shoe. I had to very slightly curve it in the arch area. The from of the insert did not reach the area of the ball of my foot that is under the big toe. I feel like that part should be wider.

Dr. Scholl's is amazing! I'm in heels all the time and was really starting to have some serious foot and back pain (I'm 23). I slipped these insoles into my shoes and I have never felt better. I don't even feel like like I'm wearing heels. I just wish more than one pair came in a package.

First of all, the other two reviewers are right. These are really good to have, a must-have!



i wear heels a lot, and it usually isn't a problem for me, but even so, these are simply a must-have. Even if you're like me and you don't have a problem wearing most heels, these just make things more comfy, sometimes MUCH more comfy!



The thing is, the higher the heels, the more of your body's weight is being supported by the ball of your foot. These gel inserts really cushion the ball of your foot against the sole of your shoes.



As we all know, some high heels have little, if any, padding on the sole at all, which i've always wondered about. Well, these make a very noticeable difference. i personally love wearing four and even five inch heels, i think they're very sexi and fabulous, and using these gel inserts always makes a big difference.

This may only apply to women with larger shoe sizes (I wear an 8 1/2 - 9) but I found that the arch support basically just created a lump in the middle of my foot. I tried to solve the problem by moving the insole a bit farther forward in the shoe. The instructions say to line up the back of the insole with the heel of the shoe, but I moved it forward about 1/2 an inch. The adjustment helped, but the arch support is still strange feeling to me. The part that is supposed to "massage" the ball of the foot also does very little, in my opinion. I've not given up hope and will keep working with them, but I can't say I would recommend them. I think next time I'll try the ones that are specifically for the ball of the foot and that say they work in any shoe. That's the part that really hurts when wearing heels anyway, right?

These are fabulous! I love how you can place them in different shoes if needed, and only replace every 6 months! I wear them with pumps, but they're clear and I would definitely place them in sandals as well. I don't know why I waited so long to buy this! ♥

I bought these (full price at CVS) to wear in my high heels for a stage show. After much deliberation on going cheaper, I decided to invest in my foot health. I would have been better off going with a less expensive brand, since I now have to throw these away and purchase another set.

After less than an hour of being on my feet, the ball of the foot area was as flat as a pancake...no...it was flatter. The arch cushion stayed full and comfy, but that didn't matter when the balls of my feet were screaming.



The adage 'you get what you pay for' did not apply here.

I received a free pair of these insoles as Bzz Agent. I tried them out in a pair of really high heels and while I did expect more comfort (which they delivered!) I did not expect a better fit. I guess it could be an issue if you have a tight fitting pair and wear a small size but for me them worked perfectly. Now, I always make sure my high heels are comfortable anyways because I refuse to torture my feet (even for fashion!!) but these insoles certainly made me even more comfortable. I love that they are clear so they don't take away from the shoe when you have to kick your heels off and the inside of the shoe looks almost as good as the outside. I'd certainly recommend them. Oh .. and being pregnant I don't wear heels on a daily basis at the moment but I will certainly stick these insoles in the pairs I do wear during the next coming months.

** I was given a pair of Dr. Scholl's high heal inserts as part of a Bzz Agent campaign. The complimentary product was provided to me in exchange for sharing my honest opinions about my experience using it. **





I wear high heel shoes 3 or 4 days a week, from 2" wedges to 5" stilettoes and everything in between. Depending on the particular shoe and my activity level that day, I may or may not have any foot pain at all. So, I took one pair of inserts and just started trying them in every heel I own to see what works and what doesn't.



What I found is that they didn't do much in the shoes that I don't already have major problems with. Say a 3" wedge sandal with wide straps - very little result and not worth the $8-10 MSRP. In fact, for some shoes it actually made them MORE uncomfortable because there is less room for your foot inside. Plus, for my size 8.5 feet they seem REALLY short. I match up the arch of the insole to the arch of my foot, but the heel of the insole comes nowhere near the heel of my foot, and the cushion part of the ball of the insole is only halfway under the ball of my foot.



I was actually about to give up on them, but as a last ditch effort I decided to try them in the least comfortable shoe I own - a 5" stiletto closed toe pump that's really about a quarter size too small for me. I wouldn't even own them except I got them at 95% off online and it wasn't even worth returning them for the price I paid. Now these shoes still hurt to wear, but the insole makes a noticeable difference. I didn't ask my husband to drop me at the front door of the restaurant, and managed to make the trek from the back of the parking lot to the dinner table and back with "tolerable discomfort". And, as a pleasant surprise, when I took them off at the end of the night, my feet felt fine rather than having any lingering aches.



In short, if you have a few trouble makers in your shoe closet, it's worth picking a pair of Dr. Scholl's high heel inserts and just testing them out to see if they can help in some cases. Just don't invest in a pair for every heel you own, and don't expect miracles. It's just silicone, after all. :)'


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Lighted Keyboard


The keyboard has the same feel as a laptop keyboard and very then profile. In the dark, the keys light up just enough to see the key assignments without over powering brightness. The quick keys are actually quite functional. The option of selecting red or blue is a plus also. It even comes with a PS2/usb adapter. Logisys KB208BK Two Color (Blue/Red) Character Illuminated Keyboard

WOW I love this keyboard, I bought this one to replace my older one, which started having keys stick, and getting dirty, plus, this has two light settings I like both, blue is good for lights on in the room red for off, IMO. It feels like a labtop keyboard alot, they keys could move more fluuid I think like a labtop keys do but its still awesome. I do wish it could be slightly brighter and theres a control wheel for setting brightness. I love the media buttons on it they are great for when in game I can select music and not have to ALT-TAB to pick another song, and adjust volume, start stop music, as well as the internet keys. SO I love this and its my first lighted keyboard, and now I can game with no lights on in the room becasue I can see my buttons!!! :)



UPDATE: I have bought stuff from logisys before(in good standing), and I like this keyboard but the control knob for the brightness is kind of wearing out and I dont use it often(lights come on and off when adjusting), and some of the keys could be easyer to press. I have now had it coming on a month.

I had this keyboard for a month then the dimmer knob seized up and eventually broke off. The space bar doesn't work without being pressed hard and the keys are loose and feel as if they don't press down correctly. Lastly, Logisys will not return email mails to request an RMA for this piece of junk. Save your money and buy elsewhere. This thing may look good but it's junk...'


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Lighted Keyboard Lighted Keyboard Lighted Keyboard

Elizabethan And Jacobean Drama - emma thompson, comedy


Since his Oscar-nominated "Henry V" adaptation, Kenneth Branagh has come up with a simple, effective recipe: Blend 3 parts English actors well-versed in all things "Bard" with 1 or 2 parts Hollywood, sprinkle the mixture liberally over one of Shakespeare's plays, lift the material out of its original temporal and local context to provide an updated meaning, and garnish it by casting yourself and, until the mid-1990s, (then-)wife Emma Thompson in opposite starring roles.



In "Much Ado About Nothing," that formula works to near-perfection. A comedy of errors possibly written in one of the Bard's busiest years (1599) - although as usual, dating is a minor guessing game - "Much Ado" lives primarily from its timeless characters, making it an ideal object for transformation a la Branagh. Thus, renaissance Sicily becomes 19th century Tuscany (although the location's name, Messina, remains unchanged); and the intrigues centering around the battle of the sexes between Signor Benedick of Padua (Branagh) and Lady Beatrice (Thompson), the niece of Messina's governor Don Leonato (Richard Briers), and their love's labors won - initially the play's intended title; Benedick and Beatrice are a more liberated version of the earlier "Love's Labor's Lost"'s Biron and Rosaline - as well as the schemes surrounding the play's other couple, Benedick's friend Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard) and Beatrice's cousin Hero (Kate Beckinsale) become a light-hearted counterpoint to the more serious, politically charged intrigues of novels such as Stendhal's "Charterhouse of Parma:" Indeed, the military campaign from which Benedick and Claudio are returning with Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon (Denzel Washington) at the story's beginning could easily be one associated with Italy's 19th century struggle for nationhood.



While according to the play's conception it is ostensibly the relationship between Hero and Claudio that drives the plot - as well as the plotting by Don Pedro's illegitimate brother, Don John (Keanu Reeves) - Beatrice and Benedick are the more interesting couple; both sworn enemies of love, they are not kept apart by a scheming villain but by their own conceit, and are brought *together* by a ruse of Don Pedro's (although even that wouldn't have worked against their will: "Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably," Benedick tells Beatrice.) And while Don John's machinations create much heartbreak and drama once they have come into fruition, the story's highlights are Benedick's and Beatrice's battles of wits; the sparks flying between them from their first scene to their last: even in front of the chapel, they still - although now primarily for their audience's benefit - respond to each other's question "Do not you love me?" with "No, no more than reason," and when Benedick finally tells Beatrice he will have her, but only "for pity," she tartly answers, "I would not deny you; - but ... I yield upon great persuasion; and partly to save your life, for I was told you were in a consumption" - whereupon Benedick, most uncharacteristically, stops her with a kiss.



Branagh's and Thompson's chemistry works to optimum effect here; and while every Kenneth Branagh movie is as much star vehicle for its creator as it is about the project itself, Benedick's conversion from a man determined not to let love "transform [him] into an oyster" into a married man (because after all, "the world must be peopled. When I said I would die a bachelor I did not think I should live - till I were married"!) is a pure joy to watch. Emma Thompson's Beatrice, similarly, is an incredibly modern, independent young woman; and scenes like her advice to Hero not to blindly follow her father's (Don Leonato's) wishes in marrying but, if necessary, "make another courtesy and say, Father, as it please *me*" only enhance the play's and her character's timeless quality.



Yet, while the leading couple's performances are the movie's shining anchor pieces, there is much to enjoy in the remaining cast as well: Richard Briers's Don Leonato, albeit more English country squire than Italian nobleman, is the kind of doting father that many a daughter would surely wish for; and what he may lack in Italian flavor is more than made up for in Brian Blessed's Don Antonio, Leonato's brother. Kate Beckinsale is a charming, innocent Hero and well-matched with Robert Sean Leonard's Claudio (who after "Dead Poets Society" seemed virtually guaranteed to show up in a Shakespeare adaptation sooner or later); as generally, leaving aside the appropriateness of American accents in a movie like this, the Hollywood contingent acquits itself well. Washington's, Leonard's and Brier's "Cupid" plot particularly is a delight (even if the former might occasionally have gained extra mileage enunciation-wise). Keanu Reeves, cast against stereotype as Don John, is a bit too busy looking sullen to realize the role's full sardonic potential: "melancholy," in Shakespeare's times, after all was a generic term encompassing everything from madness to various saner forms of ill humor; and I wonder what - but for the generational difference - someone like Sir Ian McKellen might have done with that role. But as a self-described "plain-dealing villain" Reeves is certainly appropriately menacing. Michael Keaton's Dogberry, finally, is partly brother-in-spirit to Beetlejuice, partly simply the eternal stupid officer; the play's boorish comic relief and as such spot-on, delivering his many malaproprisms with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek.



The cast is rounded out by several actors who might well have demanded larger roles but nevertheless look ideally matched for the parts they play, including Imelda Staunton and Phyllida Law as Hero's gentlewomen Margaret and Ursula, Gerard Horan and Richard Clifford as Don John's associates Borachio and Conrade, and Ben Elton as Dogberry's "neighbor" Verges. (In addition, score composer Patrick Doyle stands in as minstrel Balthazar.) With minimal editing of the play's original language, a set design making full use of the movie's Tuscan setting, and lavish production values overall, this is a feast for the senses and, on the whole, an adaptation of which even the Bard himself, I think, would have approved.



Also recommended:

The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition

Love's Labour's Lost

Henry V

William Shakespeare's Hamlet (Two-Disc Special Edition)

BBC Shakespeare Comedies DVD Giftbox

BBC Shakespeare Tragedies DVD Giftbox

Olivier's Shakespeare - Criterion Collection (Hamlet / Henry V / Richard III)

William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

Richard III

The Complete Arkangel Shakespeare: 38 Fully-Dramatized Plays Much Ado About Nothing - Comedy - Kenneth Branagh - Shakespeare Cinema - Emma Thompson'


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Elizabethan And Jacobean Drama - emma thompson, comedy shakespeare cinema Elizabethan And Jacobean Drama - emma thompson, comedy

Crime And Punishment


Part of the genius of Branagh's interpretation of Hamlet is in the use of the techniques of the cinema to enhance the production. Branagh has not condensed the acts like some mass market soup, as was done in Olivier's 1948 Oscar-winning production, or in, say, Zeffirelli's 1989 Hamlet lite starring Mel Gibson (both excellent, though, within their scope), but has kept every word while directing our understanding so that even those only casually familiar with the play might follow the intent and purpose with discernment. Recall that for Shakespeare--the ultimate actor's playwright who wrote with precious few stage directions--interpretation was left to the direction and the actors, an open invitation that Branagh rightly accepts.



The use of flashback scenes of things implied, such as the amorous union of Ophelia and her Lord Hamlet abed, or of a vast expanse of snow darkened with distant soldiers to represent the threat of Fortinbras' army from without, and especially the vivid remembrance in the mind's eye of the new king's dastardly deed of murder most foul, helps us all to more keenly appreciate just what it is that torments Hamlet's soul. I also liked the intense closeups. How they would have bemused and delighted an Elizabethan audience.



Branagh's ambitious Hamlet is also one of the most accessible and entertaining, yet without the faintest hint of any dumbing down or abbreviation. A play is to divert, to entertain, to allow us to identify with others whose trials and tribulations are so like our own. And so first the playwright seeks to engage his audience, and only then, by happenstance and indirection, to inspire and to inform. Shakespeare did this unconsciously, we might say. He wrote for the popular audience of his time, a broad audience, it should be noted, that included kings and queens as well as knaves and beggars, and he reached them, one and all. We are much removed from those times, and yet, this play, this singular achievement in theatre, still has the power to transcend mere entertainment, to fuse poetry and story, as well as the high and the low, and speak once again to a new audience twenty generations removed.



Branagh himself is a wonderful Hamlet, perhaps a bit of a ham at times (as I think was Shakespeare's intent), a prince who is the friend of itinerant players. He also lacks somewhat in stature (as we conceive our great heroes); nonetheless his interpretation of the great prince's torment and his singular obsession to avenge his father's murder speaks strongly to us all. Branagh, more than any other Hamlet, makes us understand the distracted, anguished and tortured prince, and guides us to not only an appreciation of his actions, wild and crazy as they sometimes are, but to an identification and an understanding of why (the eternal query) Hamlet is so long in assuming the name of action. In Branagh's production, this old quibble with Hamlet's character dissolves itself into a dew, and we realize that he was acting strongly, purposely all the while. He had to know the truth without doubt so that he might act in concert with it.



I was also very much impressed with Derek Jacobi's Claudius. One recalls that Jacobi played Hamlet in the only other full cinematic production of the play that I know of, produced in 1980 by the BBC with Claire Bloom as Gertrude; and he was an excellent Hamlet, although perhaps like Branagh something less than a massive presence. His Claudius combines second son ambition with a Machiavellian heart, whose words go up but whose thoughts remind below, as is the way of villains everywhere.



Kate Winslet is a remarkable Ophelia, lending an unusual strength to the role (strength of character is part of what Kate Winslet brings to any role), but with the poor, sweet girl's vulnerability intact. She does the mad scene with Claudius as well as I have seen it done, and of course her personal charisma and beauty embellishes the production.



Richard Briers as Polonius, proves that that officious fool is indeed that, and yet something more so that we can see why he was a counselor to the king. The famous speech he gives to Laertes as his son departs for France, is really ancient wisdom even though it comes from a fool.



Julie Christie was a delight as the besmirched and wretched queen. In the bedroom scene with Hamlet she becomes transparent to not only her son, but to us all, and we feel that the camera is reaching into her soul. She is outstanding.



The bit players had their time upon the stage and did middling well to very good. I liked Charlton Heston's player king (although I think he and John Gielgud might have switched roles to good effect) and Billy Crystal's gravedigger was finely etched. Only Jack Lemon's Marcellus really disappointed, but I think that was mainly because he was so poorly cast in such a role. Not once was he able to flash the Jack Lemon grin that we have come to know so well.



The idea of doing a Shakespearean play with nineteenth century dress in the late twentieth century worked wonderfully well, but I know not why. Perhaps the place and dress are just enough removed from our lives that they are somewhat strange but recognizable in a pleasing way. And perhaps it is just another tribute to the timeless nature of Shakespeare's play. The mirrors in the great hall added to the effect of a vast and indifferent castle environment, and in the scene with Ophelia and Laertes returned tended to magnify the focus.



There is so much more to say about this wonderful cinematic production. It is, all things considered, one of the best Hamlets ever done. Perhaps it is the best. See it, by all means, see it for yourself. Hamlet (1996)

There is a moment at the start of this film when Hamlet, until then holding himself rigidly erect through sheer force of will, seizes a moment of privacy and literally deflates with exhaustion and despair. In itself, this perfect gesture would mark Branagh's portrayal a masterful work. But what follows raises his performance to the sublime: He embarks on the "O that this too too sullied flesh would melt, /Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew..." soliloquy not with Burton's anger, Olivier's melancholy or Gibson's bitterness, but with an exhalation that embodies the emotion most genuine given the circumstances: overwhelming grief. This is a perfect note, and what follows shows an understanding of the play's mental and emotional landscape that puts other portrayals to shame.



I have seen many performances of Hamlet, but I have never seen one as perfectly pitched as this. Branagh's Hamlet is strong, resourceful, thoughtful and restrained. Branagh purposely rejects the psychological poses that other actors find so hard to resist. After all, Hamlet and Richard III are the two Shakespearean plays that afford actors the most range. It's hard playing the Dane on a leash when one can go wild with existential abandon and not only dodge the charge of overacting, but actually attribute such excess to the character. There are few meatier roles in the repertoire that simultaneously offer the actor such depth on the one hand and such leeway on the other.



For me, such moderation exemplifies Branagh's devotion to Shakespeare. It must have been tempting for a man of his talents to show off. But to forego such gestures, to offer in its stead restraint, is to put service before self.



For, of course, Hamlet is restrained. His very life depends on it. His whole course of action is based on it. His safety revolves around it. Hold off the will to strike, restrain the impulse for vengeance, apportion each action in only the most miserly measure. The walls have ears, conspiracies abound and death lurks around every corner. In such an environment, is it plausible that a man of Hamlet's intelligence would show his hand by indulging in excess? A restrained performance feels right because a restrained course of action is the only course possible for our hero.



This does not stop Hamlet from making bold gestures. But such gestures must always be made under cover, and here again, Branagh shows his creative mettle. The Player King scene provides a counterpoint. Branagh lets go here and shows his excitement when the occasion demands it. Likewise, his graveyard response to Ophelia's death: the cover of madness conflates with reality because Hamlet's act cannot be sustained forever. Branagh knows exactly when to allow the cracks to show.



Those used to earlier works may find Branagh's version overly long and laboured. Many directors have cut out scenes and soliloquies in a misguided attempt to "tighten up" the production. Branagh makes what I believe is the right decision: to leave them all in because every scene, every soliloquy adds texture and is indispensable to the whole.



The best Hamlet I have seen.'


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Facial Cleanser


I've used the Almay makeup remover pads (the ones in the small round container) for years. And they have slowly gotten more expensive. So for awhile I switched to gauze pads and an eye-makeup remover solution. Eh - it worked, but I didn't love it like I did the Almay pads. Then, I stumbled across the Neutrogena makeup remover cleansing towelettes. I'm hooked. They are big enough that you can wash your entire face with them and still have a section available to take off your eye makeup (waterproof liner and mascara!) They have a wonderful lavender smell. (I suppose if you don't like lavender you may not like these.) I gave one to my daughter one night because I wanted her to try a new eyeliner, and she came back later and said, "can I have some of those for Christmas?" I will admit they are not cheap. But, the 2 pack of 25 means it lasts me 2 months (there are usually at least a couple days I go without makeup), and I get them on the Subscribe & Save, so it's an even better deal. I like how soft these leave my face, without that sticky or greasy feeling many of the other facial cleaners have. I keep these sitting in my basket next to the couch, take off my makeup as I am finishing up work emails for the night, then rinse my face with water when I go to bed. Great item - very happy I found it. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, Refill Pack, 25 Count

These are very handy, and seem to take off the majority of my makeup, but not all. If you have normal to oily skin they are probably great. My skin is more on the dry side, and I found that after I used these for a few days my skin became even more dry and it began to sting when I used them. Now I keep them for airplane travel or camping, but I wouldn't use them on a daily basis with dry skin.

I chose the Neutrogena towelettes because they're alcohol and paraben-free and safe for eye makeup removal. They're great for cleansing on days when I don't wear makeup, but I find that there's a lot less tugging on the delicate eye area if I loosen mascara first with a cream-to-oil makeup remover and then use a towelette.



Pleasant scent, large enough to clean the whole face. Wish there was a more reliable way to re-seal the package, but the towelettes stayed moist despite sealing issues. Delivery from Amazon was prompt, well-packaged.

This is one of the better makeup remover towelettes I've tried. It gets my make-up off easily with the exception of my waterproof mascara. I also wear a gel eyeliner and it takes it off after several wipes which is better than most other towelettes. Overall, I recommend it.

So I am one of those women who love to fall asleep with my make-up on. My skin hate me for this. I tried these as a quick and easy solution for this. I wear a full face of make-up to work everyday along with waterproof mascara. This is the only cleansing wipe I have found that will take off waterproof mascara, gel blusher, and 18 hour lipstick with one wipe.



I use one side of the wipe for the face and flip is over to take off my eye make-up. After that I rinse my face with cool water and pat dry. You don't have to do this, it is my personal preference though.'


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Tool - Wookworking - measuring, tool - wookworking


If you haven't yet used an Incra Rule of one sort or the other, you are missing out on exceptional precision and well thought-out manufacturing. The Bend Rule is one of many different Incra Rules that meet specific requirements. This one is for precise measuring and marking along a 90-degree edge. Also available in 6-inch and 18-inch (both of which I own).



Quality is very high, and though on first look, the rules seem a little flexible, that is by design. The premium paid in the pricing of these rules is a little steep, but in my opinion, well worth it in spades.



An Incra 5mm mechanical pencil is included with each rule, and more of these precision marking pencils are available both on Amazon and elsewhere.



STRONG Recommendation! Incra BNDRUL12 12-Inch Incra Precision Bend Rule

I was impressed with the idea of a bend rule and, thus, ordered one. But I

received a flat one instead from Amazon. However, the Incra packaging is saying

that it is a 12" precision bend rule and shows such a photo! (I expected a bend

rule to be in 'L' shape with 90 degree angle.)



So I thought if I put some pressure then the rule bends easily in the middle

at 90 degree. When I did, it got bent but the end result was far from

satisfactory. I do not think such a bend rule should be bent by customers.



Unless I received a wrong bend rule by mistake, I do not recommend this rule

to anyone.



PS: I checked the rule once again carefully and found that what I received is

not the 12" bend rule but '12-Inch Incra Marking Rule'. I am not sure how a

marking rule is put inside a bend rule packaging. I sent an e-mail to Incra and

will let you know what happended when I hear from Incra.



PS #2: When I sent a complaint e-mail to Incra, I got a reply saying that Incra

will send me a bend rule as a replacement for free. I received it today. In addition,

Incra also sent me a metric version of Incra T-rule. What I originailly bought together

with the bend rule was an inch-based imperil T-rule which is almost useless for those

using metric measurement system like me.



I appreciate Incra customer support team's efforts and I am sure that I will use both

of them a lot! And that is why I change the star rating from one to five.

I bought this for my neighbor who is a little obsessive about being percise. He loves this ruler and uses it all the time. The only down side is, you have it be careful with it. Because of how thin it is and all the holes in it, it is easy to bend and throw off.

I like the idea of this ruler, but what you can't tell from the photos is that the metal is very thin and bends easily. If you can be careful with the ruler then it might be OK for you, but I don't think it would last long in a toolbox. - Tool - Wookworking - Measuring - Marking Rule - Layout Tools'


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Cordless Mouse - laptop mouse, cordless mouse


I used the V220 mouse in XP, Vista and Linux. All three systems recognized and installed the mouse in a few seconds. The mouse is a slightly small however the contours make it feel very comfortable in your hand. Response was smooth and the buttons and trackball have very nice feel while in use. So you wonder why I only gave it 3 stars. This is the problem. After some use the mouse causes my all of browser windows to scroll to the bottom. As soon as the mouse is over the browser window it immediately goes to the bottom of the page.This happens both in Firefox and Explorer. The only solution I have found is to turn off the mouse for a few seconds.



The software from Logitech is bloated and of little practical value. Logitech V220 Cordless Optical Mouse for Notebooks (Plum Purple)

I bought two of these at Christmas time, one as a gift for my wife for her Dell 4100 desktop PC and the other for my IBM ThinkPad laptop computer. We have struggled with a couple wired mice over the years and had enough of the dust balls invading the mice. The Logitech V220 had numerous good reviews and the price was reasonable, especially with free Amazon shipping. They arrived soon after ordering and were put into service on Christmas day. Installation was plug and play for the receiver into a USB port. There is a download available for adding additional features. The mouse can be configured for various buttons. The mice came with an alkaline AA battery for each. Some of the reviews indicated battery life of up to 6 months. One of the mice lasted about one month. The other is still working 2 months later. I was curious about the current consumption as a retired electrical engineer and was able to measure the current on each. It turned out the current draw was identical for the two so I concluded the supplied batteries were not equal when purchased new. The mouse draws about 100uA static and about 14mA when in use. If the USB receiver is piggybacked onto the mouse when not in use the mouse is shut off completely, it appears. The performance is great, no problems. The Dell desktop has the USB ports in the back and I was concerned that the location might affect the wireless path but it turned out it worked fine. I would recommend this unit to all. There is no need to spend more on laser units.

I usually don't write negative reviews, but the frustration from this mouse has added some extra motivation for me.



In the beginning everything was great, it worked wonderfully and seemed to serve its purpose very well. After a few months I starrted noticing some tracking problems, but quickly put it aside as a failing battery. After replacing the battery I still had problems, until one day it just stopped working.



Through some deduction I realized that problem is not with the mouse, but with the large clunky usb drive. The size, much larger than newer models, is such that it will get bumped occasionally, many times without notice.



The usb drive is so cheaply made ( as evidence I took it apart only to find a thin copper plate secured by a couple pieces of scotch tape tape) that even the occasional nudge will destroy this excessively fragile device. This is a problem. For desktop users, it may never be an issue, but for laptop owners there are better options.

The current version 4/2009 of the Logitech V220 mouse does not have the same accurate function as the version I purchased about three years ago. It does not release from left button functions and is often slow to move the cursor when not used for a few minutes.

I purchased the Logitech V220 notebook mouse a few weeks after buying my new notebook for college. I'm pleased with its performance so far; I've had it about one month.



The battery life is listed at 6 months, with regular usage. The mouse includes a useful on/off feature, however, which is manual or automatically done by inserting the USB receiver in the bottom of the mouse.

I was happy that the mouse included a AA battery, despite not listing this on the packaging. The battery life light, located on top, glows green for just a few seconds after turning the mouse on. Another useful feature, which I appreciate.



For ergonomics, know that this mouse is rather small, due to it being a notebook mouse. Dimensions are roughly 2.5-3 inches long, 1.5-2 inches wide, 1 inch tall. It fits my hand well, and I'm 6 feet tall with larger sized hands. The clicks are responsive, as is the scroll wheel, both forward/backward and side-to-side.



Software for the mouse can be obtained from [..]. The software (Logitech Setpoint) allows customization a bit further, such as mouse speed, left/right click settings, middle click settings, among other features.



Overall a great mouse, very accurate and with long lasting battery life (afaict). - Notebook Mouse - Logitech - Laptop Mouse - Cordless Mouse'


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Samsung Car Charger - charger, car charger


Considering Samsung's own website states that it had "quick charging technology", I expected at least an output of 950ma like the other more popular Motorola car charger.



I like to stream Pandora through my phone's Bluetooth and occasionally use the GPS as well, so I'd like to have a charger that can handle that as well as top off my battery. Unfortunately, this product doesn't fit that bill. At 700ma, its certainly enough if you just want to occasionally charge your phone, but definitely not for heavy usage.



I'd get the cheaper, sexier and more powerful to boot Motorola charger on Amazon. Theres absolutely no reason to get this charger over that one unless you absolutely have to have Samsung written on your charger. Samsung CAD300UBEB/STD Standard Car Power Charger

Works just like it should. Haven't had a single issue, and has the thinner plug for recessed USB port on the Samsung Captivate. If you need a car charger for your Galaxy S phone, this is the one to get.

As most have said about this item, it sure beats paying 30-40 bucks for the Sprint one. I just got the item today and after a twenty minute charge in my car, I am glad to say it never stopped charging. But I guess that should go without saying since this is a genuine Samsung product. Highly recommend anyone in need of a car charger for their Samsung Epic to buy this one. As a matter of fact I'm sure this will even work for the HTC Evo since my gf and I use the same home charger for our phones.

This charger works fantastic with my Samsung Vibrant. Oddly enough, unlike other chargers I've had on which the power light is on when the charger is receiving power from the lighter, this one does not turn on until power is getting to the phone. Works great and fits into the armrest socket in my vehicle. - Car Charger - Car Chargers - Samsung - Charger'


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Picture Hangers - picture hangers, hercules hooks


Love these hooks - I use them whenever I can't find a stud. I like to cover the wall with pictures and decorations. However, I don't believe the BS about how much weight they'll handle (neither does Consumer Reports) - but I've been able to hang everything I wanted to. I've never tried to hang anything over about 10-20 pounds.



Been using them for years (only on sheet rock) - the first pack I bought had a laser level included - it still works great for lining up multiple pictures. The hooks are easy to relocate or remove and you can fill in the little hole with putty or toothpaste (if you are a cheapskate like me)! A dab of matching paint covers it up like it was never there!



BTW - This is the best price I've found so far. Buy them in a store and pay three or four times as much (like I did the first time). Hang-It-Up Super Hooks (20 Hooks)

pros:

much easier and cheaper than using drywall anchors. they leave a smaller hole when removed. take up less storage space.



cons:

not adjustable without permanently altering. some pictures stick out too far. - Picture Hangers - Hooks - Hercules Hooks'


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Porter-cable - nail gun, nailer


I have plans to begin finishing out my basement in the near future. After researching several different brands of framing nailers, I decided on this one based on the overwhelming number of positive reviews it received. After only breaking it in, I can tell you that I can see why everyone has such good things to say about this nailer. It is without a doubt a quality, powerful, confidence-inspiring piece of equipment that anyone would be proud to own.



I bought it right after I purchased the Porter-Cable CFFN250N combo kit. After breaking in the compressor (very important I might add), I set the regulator at 100 psi, and connected and loaded the nailer with 3" .120 coated framing nails. I found a couple of scraps of 2x4, stacked them one on top of the other, and let her go. At 100 psi, and with no adjustment to the gun right out of the box, it went through both pieces and sank the first nail perfectly flush, no problem! After a few more test shots, I gave the depth adjustment on the gun a quarter turn just to see what difference it would make. At the same pressure, it put the head of the nail slightly below the surface of the wood, just as it should. As expected, there was quite a bit more recoil with a nailer this size, and I found that just a little more pressure on the board helped when firing a nail. After all, it is shooting a 3" nail in one shot! I also changed the trigger to the "contact actuation" mode, which shoots a nail every time you touch the tip to the wood. This is a great feature, but as one other reviewer noted, I would suggest using it with caution. In the hands of someone unfamiliar with it's operation, it could be very dangerous! Nevertheless, it worked flawlessly, and all initial indications are that this gun will serve me well for many years to come. It's amazing what having the right equipment can do for your confidence level, especially if you're an amateur like me!



On a side note, I was also very pleased to see that such an affordable and relatively small compressor (2HP, 6 gallons) could produce more than enough pressure to power this gun. The compressor will produce 135 psi, and the gun's operating range is from 70-120 psi. As noted above, I had no problem with 3" nails at 100 psi.



Also, I can't say enough about the deal I got here at Amazon on this nailer. I caught it on a good day at less than $200, ordered the 17-piece accessory kit with it, took advanatage of the $25 off and free shipping offer, and still came out almost $50 cheaper than I would've paid for the nailer alone at the big orange store!



Thanks Amazon. You are an asset to the online shopping community! Porter-Cable FR350A Round Head 2-Inch to 3-1/2-Inch Framing Nailer

Just finished house number 2 with this bad boy. You just can't beat Porter Cable. Stick with the 350A instead of buying the 350mag. It is only about a pound heavier, comes with a case and you save $40.Very Well Balanced Machine, little fatigue during the day. Great hands-free depth adjustment. Extremely easy to load, advance and clear. You can change from restrictive to sequential fire easily on the trigger.My Hitachi can now be retired, I will not go back, this is my framing nailer of choice. As another reviewer seems to have found out, this is not an appearance nailer, for something like siding you may want to try the Porter-Cable RN175A Coil. I have had no problems sinking 16D's in even engineered lumber. For everyday use the 350A is highly recommended.

Rough Framing is not for everyone or every nailer. We had three of these porter cable nailer because of the price on a framing crew. As time went on we had one nailer on the job because two were always in the shop. The guns do not have the duribility needed to stand up to driving a few thousand nails a day. We oil the guns every day and keep the compressor at 110 but still had problems. The guns jam at least twice a day and there is no easy way to fix them while hanging off the side of a house. I've used Dewalt, Hitachi, Bostich, and a few other and never had to wonder if they would fire each time I pulled the trigger. It is also tricky to change out a clip of nails once they are loaded.



The tool free adjustable muzzle and depth are nice features. I wish that the nailers were put together better. We chose to go to Hitachi and get a nailer worth the money.

I bought this based on a lot of positive reviews that I read while researching framing nailers on several different websites. I must say, I am VERY pleased.



First of all, this tool has copious amounts of power. I was able to sink 3.5" 8d nails with no problem, even while adding a work bench and shelving in my new/old garage which features some really tough dimensional lumber. Further, and in spite of what I had read, I thought that the recoil was minimal.



Some of the reviews I read gave this tool mediocre to above average reviews w.r.t. balance and weight. I'm not sure what inspired these comments. The only issue that I had with balance was when the air hose got caught on something and pulled on the nailer but let's face it, this is an issue with any air tool. In fact, after using it for residential framing for two days straight, I did not notice any fatigue in my forearm or wrist. When I first opened the case, I looked at the size of the thing and assumed that it would be heavy. Quite the contrary. I've had the opportunity to try a few other framing nailers (Senco, Hitachi) and I thought that this felt lighter. Just my opinion.



I live in Chicago, Illinois and have had absolutely no problems finding nails (Lowes and the Borg have multiple selections for this tool). A box of 2500 2-3/8" nails cost me $25.00. Strangely, this is perhaps one item that is cheaper to buy locally when you factor in shipping charges.



I had read somewhere that the exhaust was not tool free. I bought the nailer conceding this fact however I found that it is not true.



I've read a couple of gripes based on the fact that the nailer does not have a holder for the mar-free nose piece. To this I say "big deal." When you are doing framing work, do you really care if you leave toenail spike marks in the lumber when you are face-nailing??



I was suprised to note that, when the magazine is down to 2-3 nails, the gun no longer fires. I don't really see this as an issue though.



One other reviewer noted that it is difficult to remove nails from the chamber if for instance, you wish to change nail lengths/sizes. I own several different nailers including Bostich, Campbell Hausfeld and PC. To date, I haven't found any that are particularly easy w.r.t. removing nails that have already been loaded. On the other hand, loading nails in this gun is simple. You shove a set in the rear of the gun, pull the tensioner back beyond them and let it go. Voila!



To summarize, I am not a professional framer/carpenter. I do not use a tool like this for a living although as a woodworker and homeowner, I probably use my framing nailer more often than most. I think that it is a great product for the money. Can you buy a better nailer? Without even looking, I'm sure you can but at what cost? Finally, the quality of higher-end tools is quite subjective, much like a good pair of home stereo loudspeakers. I think that this particular product is a fantastic combination of quality and value.



Skeptical? Buy one from Home Depot and try it out. If you don't like it, all you have to lose is 35-45 minutes in line trying to return it! ;o) - Nail Gun - Nailer - Framing - Porter-cable'


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Tv-dvd Combinations - kitchen tv, undercabinet tv


My first impression of the Coby Under-The-Cabinet TV/DVD player is that it is flimsy and cheap. The screen is a bit loose and just doesn't feel like it's put together all that well. I'm afraid that one of these days when I'm putting the screen up or down that it's going to break so I have to be very gentle with it.



Now with that said, it has a pretty good picture when watching TV and an "OK" picture when watching a DVD. Don't know why it would be different, but it does seem to be. Maybe it's the DVD's optics. The sound is GREAT when watching TV, but I had to crank up the volume all of the way when I was watching a DVD. Oh, and there's no headphone jack on this. Yes, where I have this mounted I would like a headphone jack even though MOST people who buy one of these really wouldn't care.



OH, and it's REALLY a 10.2 inch, not 10. Amazon needs to change the description.



All in all it's a pretty decent unit. I'd recommend it. Coby KTFDVD1093SVR 10.2-Inch Under-the-Cabinet DVD/CD Player with Digital TV and Radio, Silver

I ordered this TV for my newly renovated kitchen and have used it for a month. So far I love it -- have not used the radio or DVD yet. The only thing I will say negative is that they did not supply any plastic mounting spacers that go between the TV and the underside of the cabinet to keep the TV mounted under the edge of the cabinet. I cut some 3/4" thick wood pieces to take us this space and it worked fine. Picture qulaity is very good using Verizon Fios cable.

After doing a lot of research on under cabinet TVs, the Coby 10.2 seemed to make sense. The company claimed to improve the technology with an ATSC tuner for homes with digital cable, however they did not resolve an ongoing problem that dates back two years, that I only learned of after buying this, running coax cable to the kitchen, installing it, and having the product fail. I will not explain it in detail, but warn buyers that if you plan to use this in LCD TV/DVD player ONLY for or as an AV in only source, it works well, So you can send an RCA cable output from your cable box in the other room to this device through it's AV inputs and watch only what the cable box is playing. If you want to use it to also tune in stations, even basic cable stations and you have digital or HDTV channels, the Coby TV is prone to failure. It gives you one shot to auto tune the channels. After it finds available channels, which it did well, if you power off the device and unplug, it will give you a "no database" error message and no longer display the channels. Once this error code appears, according to Coby, it can not be undone and the device's internal chip cannot re-tune channels. Restoring the device to factory settings fails. There is nothing in the manual about this problem, or warnings about it, and they just claim returning it is only option. They claim its a problem with the manufacturing. If you search the internet for this problem with the Coby LCD TV, you will find many postings about it. Buyers beware.

I liked the size of the screen, however adjusting the sound and color contrast are a problem. If the volume is at 2 it is too low, however if it is at a 3, then it is too loud. I tried adjusting the color contrast, but there didn't seem to be a happy medium. I also would prefer to have a separate button for TV, Radio, or CD/DVD player. I had never purchased a Coby product before, and I think before I purchase one in the future, I would do some research through Consumer Reports first. The price is affordable, but the quality was disappointing.

I love this little under the counter TV. It is connected to cable and operates fine. The radio isn't working very well only because I do not have the antenna high enough in the room. Hard to do in the cupboard.

With an antenna the picture would be good, then start to show a type of wavering in the background. Hard to explain the picture problem. Maybe it was just a defective set. Radio played very well, though. Returned this TV. Purchased the Venture from Amazon and it works great.

I love our new Coby undercabinet tv. It was easily installed in the kitchen with no problems. It is compact, convenient and the picture quality is excellent.

We previously owned a smaller screen, but the 10.2 is much better.



It's also a big plus to have the DVD/CD player included.

COBY undercabinet TV models are terrible quality. Pic is only viewable head-on.....speaker quality is so muddled it is hard to decipher words.....remote ONLY WORKS head-on......remote response is sometimes uncontrolable (channels selections are difficult to enter - may take up to 3 or 4 attempts).....clock is a joke!! Finally, features are very difficult to set-up.



We got so disgusted we threw our 1-year old product in the trash!!!

Due to family illness, we were not able to install the Coby 10" DVD/CD/FM/AM TV immediately. When we did, the tv didn't work at all. We tried different cable hook-ups, calling customer service, etc. Bottom line-we were told that it was an "internal" problem with the tv hook-up and there was nothing that could be done. We were told to enjoy the DVD and CD player-sorry about the tv problem!



Choose another brand if wanting an under-the counter tv and look closely at the 90 day warranty. It is very misleading-read the fine print! - Under Counter Tv - Undercabinet Tv - Drop Down Tv - Kitchen Tv'


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