Aamas 2004 blog

Archive for March, 2010

I had a Bissel that bit the dust. This has more vacuum and leaves the carpet almost dry. Can’t wait to use it on my car. Delivery was quick.
Retractable USB Cable for

This is one of those wonderful reads that consumes your days and life while you’re engrossed in it. I didn’t want it to end so I tried to savor each moment. I fell in love with Rosie and wanted to sit at the circus with Jacob just to see the expression on his face. Sara Gruen takes you back to the Great Depression and makes you feel a part of the act. It surpassed my expectations and I can’t wait to discuss it at my next book club meeting!
Wireless Wifi Pan Tilt

I have only had this pedometer for a few weeks but I love it. I have had many before that didn’t stay hooked to my belt so they fell off and broke, didn’t keep an accurate count of my steps, or reset themselves in the middle of the day. This one resets at midnight so I don’t accidentally have too many steps registered or double counted by my forgetfulness to reset it in the morning.
Complete Classical Music Library

I use it to track my running, biking, and canoeing. Does a great job. Locks in on satellites very quickly. The user interface on the device is a bit clunky, but does the job fine.

The data is the reason to have the 305. I’ve really switched my workouts over to more heart rate zone training and the watch is perfect for it. Heart rate function works perfectly. Speed function is almost always exactly what my bike speedo shows.

Overall I’m very pleased with the purchase.

Two possible improvements
1. I wish I could configure the settings from the Garmin software rather than having to use the 305 buttons. For example configuring the disply settings, clearing history, etc would be much nicer in a GUI on the computer rather than the buttons on the 305.
2. If I have the setting wrong for Running, Biking, Other, I can’t see how to change it once its downloaded into the Garmin software. So if you run when the 305 is set to Biking, your workout will show up in biking, calculate calories based on biking, etc.

One word of warning – although the device is called waterproof with an IPX7 rating, I know several people who have had water get in the device and ruin it. When I use mine in the ocean I keep it in a drybag.

Holy Light

Great vaccuum cleaner. So powerful it almost gave me a ride when I used it. Easy to put together.
Manta Ray 350 Watt

This software is everything it was advertised to be. It loaded up quickly and we were using it immediately.
2003 Deep Blue 27

garmin forerunner 305 remains the reference for GPS tracking of your heart rate monitored activities.
no extra sensors makes it suitable for all activites: running, biking, skiing, kayaking, trekking – you name it.
quite bulky, but nothing you cannot get used to – after all it is a tool, not an accessory.
garmin’s connect website is awesome with link directly to google earth and not least the player, which let’s you replay you route on a map, with indication of speed, heart rate and elevation – way cool.
Digital Concepts 2X AF

Machine is new. Have only done one whole house of carpet. My wife and I were both very pleased with the performance of the machine. The proof will be in the longevity of the unit. I did some online research, and this seemed to be one of the most reliable machines on the market, and a great value. time will tell, but so far we are very happy with it.
Home Button Apple iPod

I listened to this book on audio. The quality of the narration (it uses several narrators, so each of the main characters has a distinctive voice), and of the book itself, combined to make it the best of the many audiobooks I have listened to over the years. From the first chapter, I was hooked. This was one of those stories you disappear into for a while, and come out of on the other side a little bit changed.

The story of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi is full of tragedy and heartbreak, and this book is no exception. But there is such a message of hope here, that people can talk to each other, and things can change. As the book follows Scooter’s journey from naive blindness, to a fuller understanding of the often harsh and terrifying reality of the maids’ lives, we are taken along on her journey. The author really made me think about how hard it would be to go against my entire upbringing and change my views, if it meant losing family approval, friendship, and love, and finding out things I’d rather not know about my own family history. I also appreciated the complexity of most of the characters; they did not seem stereotyped either by race or by “character type.” There were horrible, selfish white employers, but also compassionate and fair ones. Nor were the black characters saints or fearless crusaders, but real people with different personalities, who gained strength and hope through their work on Scooter’s project.

A few of the characters could have been more developed: we saw glimpses of the strength and courage of the “white-trash” woman, but I wanted to see her learn and change so she could find happiness. Scooter herself was much less interesting than the other two main characters. But these are quibbles, in an overwhelmingly positive review. Great characters, great plot, and most of all, a completely engrossing story. One I will be listening to again.
The Ultimate Drummers Weekend

I wasn’t sure about how I would like this but it is awesome. If I don’t have my eyeglasses handy, no problem, just make the print larger. It remember’s where you left off. If someone tells me about a good book they read, I just go on and download it. Highly recommend it.
HP Wireless Laser Mini