IPhone Game - Tilt to Live

I want to recommend a new IPhone game that I recently downloaded to you. "Tilt to Live" is one of those games that is so simple that it should not be so addictive. The object is to maneuver a small ship around a screen avoiding enemies and picking up "power-ups." Sounds boring. That's what I thought, but it is extremely challenging and, like I said, addictive. Another thing I like about it is that games only last a few minutes at the longest. This is great for those times when we want to sneak in a fast game on a train, waiting room, or staff meeting. :)

Take a look at the trailer. I think you will enjoy this.

Nuclear Sub Crash Occurred While Navigator Was Jamming to iPod

Nuclear Sub Crash Occurred While Navigator Was Jamming to iPod

Negative eBay Feedback Leads to $15,000 Lawsuit

Negative eBay Feedback Leads to $15,000 Lawsuit

The Best Blu-ray Disc Player

The next installment of my home theater reviews is Blu-ray players. Until recently this was a very controversial area of technology. Yes there were many Blu-ray players on the market, but most were inundated with problems ranging from unsupported formats to slow load times. Many would simply go with the most reliable Blu-ray player at the time...the Sony PlayStation 3. I also opted for the PlayStation as my Blu-ray player.

Then Oppo comes along and they have finally brought great quality and reliability into the Blu-ray player market.

The Best

Oppo BDP-83

This Blu-ray player is one of the best players out there. For the price, approximately $500-$600, it can't be beat. Its picture quality is top notch and its sound is second to none. It boasts extremely fast load times and supports every format you can think of including Super Audi CD (SACD). This player is known as the best up-converting player out there in this price range and it will make your traditional DVDs look spectacular. Additionally, it comes with a back lit remote. A very rare commodity in this price range. This player has won every award imaginable and its reviews are perfect. You can safely purchase this player knowing you are truly getting "The Best."

As a side note, Oppo recently released the BDP-83SE. This is an upgraded version of its original player and quite a bit more expensive. I urge you to save your money on this one unless you are a true audiophile who plays audio back in analog mode. If you are planning on running your video/sound through an HDMI cable, for example, you will see NO difference at all.

Teen Sues Facebook-Stalking Mother

Teen Sues Facebook-Stalking Mother

Colo. judge fired over teen arrest for overdue DVD

Colo. judge fired over teen arrest for overdue DVD

This looks cool - New IPhone App

The Best 60 inch and over Flat Screen Television

Recently I have begun shopping for some new home theater components and have been doing a lot of research into the individual items. Over the next week or so, I will post the results of my findings. Today, we start with TVs. As you know, technology moves very quickly in consumer electronics. Something that is "The Best" today, may be moot in a year. So please use these findings as a guide for shopping right now and maybe 6-12 months later. Always look at the manufacturers websites for the latest and greatest models.

The benchmark technology right now for over 60 inch flat screen televisions: 1080p (1920 x 1080p), plasma (LCD and LED are best for under 50 inches), at least 4 HDMI inputs, at least 240 mhz, and Internet connectivity with available widgets. Remember to get the best out of these televisions they should be connected to a HD cable or satellite box, a high-quality Bluray player, and a high quality surround sound system (more on these later). For full descriptions of the picks, click their titles to be taken to the manufacturer's websites. Here are my picks:

Panasonic 65" Class Viera V10 Series Plasma (TC-P65V10)

This television has all of the above features and is relatively inexpensive compared to my other choice. If you want a 65 inch television and don't want to spend an arm and a leg this should be your choice. Online it can be had for less than $3000. Brick and mortar stores sell it for less than $4000. One great feature of this television is its THX certification. The people at THX calibrated the television for picture and sound so out of the box quality is excellent. This has been confirmed by numerous reviewers. This is a great money-saving item as many of us have out televisions professionally calibrated (app. $400) to get the full benefits of the high-quality picture. This television has excellent ratings for use with cable/satellite, video games, and Bluray. This is my personal choice for my home theater television.




Pioneer 60" Elite Kuro (PRO-151FD)

If you have the means, then this should be your television. At msrp of $6500, this television has it all and "The Best" picture quality in the business. This plasma has pretty-much perfect reviews and its blacks cannot be matched by any other television out there. The downside is obviously the price and it is also pretty hard to find.

Mysterious 'Oriental Yeti' Trapped in China - AOL News

Mysterious 'Oriental Yeti' Trapped in China - AOL News

Mother, Daughter Arrested for Bringing Body to Airport - AOL News

Mother, Daughter Arrested for Bringing Body to Airport - AOL News

Job Seekers Changing Names to Hide Facebook Profiles

Job Seekers Changing Names to Hide Facebook Profiles

Using the Wii as a Tool to Prevent Alzheimer's

Using the Wii as a Tool to Prevent Alzheimer's

Cockroach of the Sea Wows the Web - AOL News

Cockroach of the Sea Wows the Web - AOL News

Best Films of the 1970s

Here is my last list of best movies of a decade. Hope you enjoy and find some gems.

1. The Godfather (The Best)
2. The Godfather Part II
3. Apocalypse Now
4. The Deer Hunter
5. Gates of Heaven
6. Star Wars
7. Jaws
8. Alien
9. Taxi Driver
10. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
11. Rocky
12. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
13. A Clockwork Orange
14. Manhattan
15. Dog Day Afternoon
16. The Sting
17. Being There
18. Chinatown
19. Annie Hall
20. Saturday Night Fever
21. Mean Streets
22. Network
23. Patton
24. The Exorcist
25. Kramer vs. Kramer
26. Midnight Express
27. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
28. The French Connection
29. MASH
30. Norma Rae
31. Paper Moon
32. Barry Lyndon
33. Deliverance
34. Breaking Away
35. Amarcord
36. Fiddler on the Roof
37. All the President's Men
38. Carrie
39. Heaven Can Wait
40. Serpico
41. Five Easy Pieces
42. Coming Home
43. Rosemary's Baby
44. Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
45. Seven Beauties
46. The Last Picture Show
47. Badlands
48. The Goodbye Girl
49. Marathon Man
50. Papillon

Superman's Debut Comic Sells for Record $1.5M - AOL News

Superman's Debut Comic Sells for Record $1.5M - AOL News

Tending to FarmVille Gets Bulgarian Councilman Booted From Committee - AOL News

Tending to FarmVille Gets Bulgarian Councilman Booted From Committee - AOL News

6 Space Oddities of The Year So Far - AOL News

6 Space Oddities of The Year So Far - AOL News

The Best Films of the 1980s

I know you've been waiting for this list :). Well here it is in all of its glory. My favorites of the 1980s. All great rental candidates. Please let me know your favorites or some I might have forgotten.

1. Raging Bull (The Best)
2. Ran
3. Das Boot
4. Gandhi
5. The Elephant Man
6. Full Metal Jacket
7. This is Spinal Tap
8. Ordinary People
9. A Christmas Story
10. Do the Right Thing
11. Once Upon a Time in America
12. Cinema Paradiso
13. The Color Purple
14. Tender Mercies
15. The Princess Bride
16. The Shining
17. The Empire Strikes Back
18. Raiders of the Lost Ark
19. The Last Emperor
20. Pink Floyd: The Wall
21. Platoon
22. Roger & Me
23. The Karate Kid
24. Kagemusha
25. Grave of the Fireflies
26. House of Games
27. El Norte
28. Matewan
29. Tootsie
30. E.T.
31. Poltergeist
32. Raising Arizona
33. The Right Stuff
34. Hannah & Her Sisters
35. Ferris Beuller's Day Off
36. Broadcast News
37. Chariots of Fire
38. The Untouchables
39. Terms of Endearment
40. A Soldier's Story
41. Moonstruck
42. Lost in America
43. Sixteen Candles
44. An Officer & A Gentleman
45. Silkwood
46. Amadeus
47. The Terminator
48. Rain Man
49. Crimes & Misdemeanors
50. The King of Comedy
51. The Little Mermaid
52. My Left Foot
53. The Killing Fields
54. A Fish Called Wanda
55. say anything....
56. Aliens
57. Stand By Me
58. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
59. Blood Simple
60. Glory
61. Caddyshack
62. Fanny & Alexander
63. Sophie's Choice
64. Hoosiers
65. The Thin Blue Line
66. The Dead Zone
67. Fitzcaraldo
68. The Accidental Tourist
69. Melvin & Howard
70. Field of Dreams
71. WarGames
72. On Golden Pond
73. National Lampoon's Vacation
74. Blade Runner
75. Vernon, Florida
76. Coal Miner's Daughter
77. A Cry in the Dark
78. Witness
79. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
80. The Natural
81. Parenthood
82. After Hours
83. Dead Poet's Society
84. Mississippi Burning
85. Born on the Fourth of July
86. Blue Velvet
87. Out of Africa
88. Tin Men
89. The Big Red One
90. A Trip to Bountiful
91. Places in the Heart
92. Blow Out
93. The Year of Living Dangerously
94. Breaker Morant
95. A Room with a View
96. Scarface
97. Eight Men Out
98. The Color of Money
99. The Dresser
100. Fatal Attraction

Police: Drunk Pa. man tried to revive dead opossum

Police: Drunk Pa. man tried to revive dead opossum

No bars at home? AT&T to offer $150 fix - DailyFinance

No bars at home? AT&T to offer $150 fix - DailyFinance

Chinese Gamers Allegedly Stab 'Counter Strike' Cheater - AOL News

Chinese Gamers Allegedly Stab 'Counter Strike' Cheater - AOL News

Check out the wild x-rays in this article!

Best Sports Cars Under 30K

There comes a time in all of our lives as drivers where we want to experience a little more fun with our driving. Not too many of us can afford a Porsche or an Aston Martin so this is my list of affordable sports cars that are fun to drive and have a bit of pep.

Honorable Mention

Mini Cooper S, Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart, Volkswagen GTI, Mazdaspeed3, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Chevy Cobalt SS, Nissan 370Z, Chevrolet Camaro

Good

Honda Civic Si (Coupe or Hatchback)

The Honda Civic Si is a fun car. The down-sides of this car is that is not as fast as some of the other choices and it only sells with a manual transmission. Otherwise, this car has the reliability of Honda and a wicked temperament. This car can be routinely driven at extremely high RPMs for maximum enjoyment. Another plus is this car's price. It is a steal at around $23000 fully loaded. As you know, I have owned many, many Hondas and you can never go wrong with their reliability, fit, finish, and value.

Better

Ford Mustang GT

The Mustang is the quintessential muscle car and it is only getting better with age. If you are in the market for a powerful V-8, rear-wheel drive car, this is the one for you. With a price tag of around $30K fully loaded, 0-60 times under 5 seconds, and 1/4 mile times in the low 13 second range, this would be a great choice.

The Best

Subaru Impreza WRX Premium SPT

The Subaru WRX is my choice for The Best in this category. This car is an all around beast on the road and can be driven in any climate due to its AWD. With a price tag around $28,000 and 0-60 times of 4.5 seconds and 1/4 mile at 13.3 seconds, you can't go wrong with this choice. Subaru is also a very reliable car
manufacturer so you won't have the worries you might with an American built muscle car. Many years ago, I had a Subaru WRX and to this day it remains my favorite car. It was such fun to drive and its performance specs could not rival the 2010 model!

Study: Last Supper paintings supersize the food

Study: Last Supper paintings supersize the food

Biden Drops F-Bomb at Health Care Signing - AOL News

See Video Here!

Biden Drops F-Bomb at Health Care Signing - AOL News

The Best Movies of the 1990's

Who can believe the 1990's are already 10 years away! Here is my list of the best films from that decade. I invite you to buy or rent any of these as they are all very well-made. Let me know what you think and if you have any favorites that I missed.

1. Schindler's List (The Best)
2. Fargo
3. Being John Malkovich
4. The Shawshank Redemption
5. Glengarry Glen Ross
6. Secrets & Lies
7. Saving Private Ryan
8. Goodfellas
9. Reservoir Dogs
10. Crumb
11. Hoop Dreams
12. Eat Drink Man Woman
13. The Piano
14. Sling Blade
15. Pulp Fiction
16. The Silence of the Lambs
17. Unforgiven
18. Toy Story
19. The Green Mile
20. Howard's End
21. The Nightmare Before Christmas
22. The Joy Luck Club
23. The Sixth Sense
24. Babe
25. The Remains of the Day
26. The Lion King
27. American Beauty
28. The Usual Suspects
29. Ed Wood
30. Welcome to the Dollhouse
31. My Neighbor Totoro
32. The Thin Red Line
33. The Colors Trilogy
34. A Bronx Tale
35. Fight Club
36. Breaking the Waves
37. Boys Don't Cry
38. Sense & Sensibility
39. Trainspotting
40. The English Patient
41. The Insider
42. Dances with Wolves
43. Toy Story 2
44. Seven
45. Princess Mononoke
46. Raise the Red Lantern
47. Once Were Warriors
48. Il Postino
49. Naked
50. Jackie Brown
51. Misery
52. The Age of Innocence
53. Beauty and the Beast
54. Jurrasic Park
55. To Die For
56. Malcolm X
57. Dead Man Walking
58. Heavenly Creatures
59. The Player
60. Chaplin
61. 12 Monkeys
62. Shakespeare in Love
63. A Bug's Life
64. Leaving Las Vegas
65. Donnie Brasco
66. The Last of the Mohicans
67. Election
68. In the Name of the Father
69. The Iron Giant
70. Heat
71. JFK
72. Magnolia
73. Short Cuts
74. The Talented Mr. Ripley
75. L.A. Confidential
76. Avalon
77. When We Were Warriors
78. Good Will Hunting
79. The Grifters
80. 4 Little Girls
81. A Simple Plan
82. Terminator 2: Judgment Day
83. Six Degrees of Separation
84. Scent of a Woman
85. What's Eating Gilbert Grape
86. Gods & Monsters
87. Edward Scissorhands
88. Elizabeth
89. The Matrix
90. Swimming with Sharks
91. Big Night
92. Strange Days
93. Mulan
94. Leon: The Professional
95. The Truman Show
96. Proof
97. Aladdin
98. The Crying Game
99. Braveheart
100. Titanic

The Best Video Game Console

Which home game console to get? This is such an ongoing debate, I thought it was a good time to address it. The big three players are the Sony Playstation 3, the Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii. Coincidentally :), I happen to own all three systems so I could give you a pretty good review and recommendations. Please do yourself a favor and purchase a high-def TV first as you will be amazed at the quality of games played in 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. If you have specific questions, please let me know.

Good

Sony Playstation 3 (Slim 120GB or 250GB)

This console features built-in Wi-Fi and a Blu-ray Disc Player. I have not been that happy with Playstation 3's selection of games or its Playstation Network. The Playstation Network is free, but it is not that great. Although a great console, I have found myself using this machine as a Blu-ray Disc player and not much else. For a pure gaming experience, I would look elsewhere.



Better

Nintendo Wii

Let me start with the caveat that this is the number one choice if you have young kids or you like interactive gaming. This is a fantastic system and your family will love it and can play games together. The Wii has innovative controllers and remotes that bring the gaming experience to a new level. Playing tennis, driving games, golfing, etc. are a totally new experience with the Wii. With Wii Fit, one can interactively exercise with on-screen instruction and progress. On the contrary, hardcore gamers will be extremely disappointed by the Wii as its hardcore game selection and visual quality are not up to the standards of its competitors.



The Best

Microsoft Xbox 360

For me, no other system comes close to matching the hardcore gaming experience of the Xbox 360. This system holds an edge over the Playstation 3 in visual quality and sound. It also have a more-extensive library of hardcore games. For example, the Halo games are only available of Xbox 360. This is reason enough, for me, to go with the Xbox 360. Microsoft's online marketplace, XBox Live is second to none in content, although it is a pay service ($50 per year for Gold Level Membership).




The answers are not perfectly clear, but to sum up, if you want hardcore gaming, go for the Xbox 360. if you are into family games or have children who will be playing a lot, go with the Ninetendo Wii.

Copy of Schindler's List for Sale for $2.2 Million - AOL News

Copy of Schindler's List for Sale for $2.2 Million - AOL News

Fisher-Price releases iPhone apps | iLounge News

Fisher-Price releases iPhone apps | iLounge News

Cops: Burglar logs into MySpace on store computer

Cops: Burglar logs into MySpace on store computer

UK library receives book overdue by 45 years

UK library receives book overdue by 45 years

Omar Ramos-Lopez is Accused of Using the Internet to Disable Cars - AOL News

Omar Ramos-Lopez is Accused of Using the Internet to Disable Cars - AOL News

Driving Blind? We May Live to See the Day - AOL News

Driving Blind? We May Live to See the Day - AOL News

Invisibility Cloak Edges Closer to Reality - AOL News

Invisibility Cloak Edges Closer to Reality - AOL News

Survey: Nearly 40% of BlackBerry users would switch to iPhone | iLounge News

Survey: Nearly 40% of BlackBerry users would switch to iPhone iLounge News

Apple bans protective screen film from Apple Store | iLounge News

Apple bans protective screen film from Apple Store iLounge News

In my opinion this is happening because either: 1. Apple doesn't want consumers to lengthen the life of their product and thus have to buy something new sooner or 2. Apple is going to be announcing a new Iphone/Ipod with a scratch/smudge proof face and will no longer need these films. Let's hope the reason is no. 2!

The Best Hybrid Cars

With the downfall of Toyota, it seems a good time to recommend some hybrids as I can no longer recommend the Prius or Camry hybrids. As soon as Toyota seriously addresses these acceleration issues, we can revisit the list, but for now here are my picks:

Good
2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Better
2010 Honda Civic Hybrid and 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid

The Best
2010 Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Hybrid
















Although I have never recommended a Ford car to anyone, it seems that this car have swept the reviews and awards as the best hybrid of the year. At the top end, this car will cost you around $27,000 which is a good price for a mid-sized hybrid sedan. Gas mileage comes in at 41 City and 36 Highway. According to the reviews, this car sets itself apart from the competition in the following ways:

• upscale interior made of high-quality materials.
• unique hybrid technology.
• engaging driving experience as opposed to the artificial driving experience of previous hybrid cars.

The Best Mainstream Heavy Metal Groups

In honor of Iron Maiden announcing their new tour, I thought I would list my top 10 founding fathers (groups) of heavy metal. I believe these are the most influential groups in music history. I am not including Ozzy because he is not a group and he was in Black Sabbath, but rest assured I believe he is probably the most influential individual in metal's history.

1. Black Sabbath (The Best)
2. Iron Maiden
3. Metallica
4. Judas Priest
5. Motorhead
6. Scorpions
7. Megadeath
8. Anthrax
9. Accept
10. Motley Crue (sorry about this one, but they really brought metal mainstream)

The Best Grunge Rock Bands

I consider myself a person who TRULY loves all kinds of music. I know everyone says this, but I really listen to all genres. On my IPOD you will find rock, dance, classical, R&B, etc. What I am lacking is some good rock from today's artists. I find the rock music today seriously lacking and it reminds me of the late 80's when we were in dire need of a rock music revolution. Int he early 90's some musicians from the Seattle, WA area revolutionized music and brought rock music back. They opened the door for and made it possible to listen to great rock music again based on serious lyrics and virtuoso music. I recommend any of the below bands to you, especially if you are a fan of good rock music.

1. Nirvana (The Best)
2. Alice in Chains
3. Pearl Jam
4. Stone Temple Pilots
5. Soundgarden
6. Temple of the Dog
7. Screaming Trees
8. Mother Love Bone

AG: Mass. dentist used paper clips in root canals

AG: Mass. dentist used paper clips in root canals

Shy-Bladder Expert to Help Russians Fight Bathroom 'Stage Fright' - AOL News

Shy-Bladder Expert to Help Russians Fight Bathroom 'Stage Fright' - AOL News

The 30 Best War Movies

This is my list of the 30 Best war movies I have seen. If there are omissions, I probably haven't seen them yet. I would highly recommend renting any of these great films.

1. Apocalypse Now (The Best)
2. The Deer Hunter
3. Schindler's List
4. Full Metal Jacket
5. Bridge on the River Kwai
6. Saving Private Ryan
7. Das Boot
8. Ran
9. The Great Escape
10. Gone with the Wind
11. Downfall
12. Lawrence of Arabia
13. Sergeant York
14. Platoon
15. Patton
16. Dr. Strangelove
17. Life is Beautiful
18. Von Ryan's Express
19. Inglourious Basterds
20. Grave of the Fireflies
21. The Caine Mutiny
22. Stalag 17
23. The Best Years of Our Lives
24. Letters from Iwo Jima
25. Glory
26. Born on the Fourth of July
27. The Big Red One
28. The Killing Fields
29. MASH
30. Breaker Morant

Plants vs. Zombies - IPhone Game

I recently purchased this app. It took me a while as I was very reluctant because of the name and that I generally hate tower defense games. In short, this game is AMAZING and for the price, a great bargain. It is SO much more than tower defense. it is actually one of the best apps I have purchased in the last 2 years. Go out (no run out) and purchase this. You won't be sorry.

New Medal of Honor Trailer - Looks Awesome

Swiss designer creates dinosaur dung watch

Swiss designer creates dinosaur dung watch

Artist Jan Vormann Uses Legos in Crumbling New York Buildings - AOL News

Artist Jan Vormann Uses Legos in Crumbling New York Buildings - AOL News

Full-Body Scanner Arrives at Chicago's O'Hare Airport - AOL News

Full-Body Scanner Arrives at Chicago's O'Hare Airport - AOL News

NYC funeral home van towed with body inside

NYC funeral home van towed with body inside

Anna Ayala, Who Planted Finger in Wendy's Chili, Is Banned From Restaurant - AOL News

Anna Ayala, Who Planted Finger in Wendy's Chili, Is Banned From Restaurant - AOL News

New 9/11 Attack Photos Released - AOL News

New 9/11 Attack Photos Released - AOL News

These are some NEW and amazing photos. The quality is superb as they were taken from a police helicopter. A horrible time in our country's history that, I hope, we never have to expereince again.

Woman Crashes Car While Shaving Bikini Area, Police Say - AOL News

Megan Mariah Barnes Crashes Car While Shaving Bikini Area, Police Say - AOL News

Now I've heard everything!

7-Year-Old Boy Calls 911, Saves Family From Attackers - AOL News

7-Year-Old Boy Calls 911, Saves Family From Attackers - AOL News

Have you heard this recording? This is scarey and proof that we MUST be allowed to protect ourselves in this predatory world. Why should we be victims?

Is There A Hypoallergenic Cat?

My family loves pets. Right now we have a Sphynx cat, a rabbit, 2 parrots, and an African Cichlid fish tank. We have had many other pets in the past such as more cats, lizards, snakes, saltwater fish, hamsters, rats, etc., etc. A few years ago, my wife, my daughter, and myself started developing hives as an allergic reaction to 2 kittens we just acquired. Unfortunately, the reactions were so severe that we had to return the little guys. The event, however, got me thinking about the existence of hypoallergenic or non-allergic cats. I did a little research and decided to purchase a Sphynx which are hairless. The breeder assured me that this breed still produces allergens, but they are much less due to the absence of hair. She was right and 2 years later we have still not shown any signs of allergies. 

As a side note, female cats are generally thought to have less allergen than male cats.  Pedigree cats like the ones below can cost an average of between $500 - $1500.

So what are the best choices in hypoallergenic cats? Here are my opinions:

Good

The Sphynx and Rex are good choices, but many people still show signs of allergies with them. The Sphynx is almost completely hairless and the Rex has a very short coat. Many people with cat allergies can live comfortably with these breeds. Make sure you find a breeder who will take the cat back if you develop allergies and find it a good home.



Better

The Siberian cat is a better choice.  This cat is said to be hypoallergenic and it produces less allergens than other breeds.  One Siberian breeder claims that she has never had someone return a cat to her because they were allergic.  This is a beautiful cat and for those of you who want the traditional look and feel of a cat, this is a good choice.


The Best

True 100% hypoallergenic cats do exist.  Two companies that I know of who sell them are Allerca Lifestyle Pets and Lifestyle Pets.  These cats are guaranteed to be hypoallergenic and the company's' claims are backed by scientific evidence.  The downside to the equation is that most of these cats have to be shipped to you at a local airport and they are extremely expensive.  Expect to pay a bare minimum of $6000 for one of these cats.  If you have the means, please look into this option.  Some of these companies are also starting to produce dogs as well so this could be the wave of the future in dog and cat breeding.

Samsung, Panasonic start selling 3-D TVs this week

Samsung, Panasonic start selling 3-D TVs this week

I don't know about these TVs. They would be great for kids (I know my kids love 3D movies), but will adults want to put on those silly glasses every time they want to watch something. I know I won't. I actually preferred Avatar in non-3D. The 3D was a distraction to me. I guess the TV manufacturers believe this is the wave of the future, but I believe the video game makers are not on board yet and that could be the nail in the coffin.

FCC Considers Free Wireless Internet for All of US - AOL News

FCC Considers Free Wireless Internet for All of US - AOL News

If the government wants to finally do something positive that will effect a lot of people, they should create a nationwide WiFi. This is something that is long overdue. With so many computers, PDAs, cell phones, blackberries, and Iphones that really need WiFi to function properly, this network is desperately needed. It is ridiculous that one has to find a Starbucks, etc. when out and about to access WiFi.

Thrilling Video From Oklahoma as Tornado Season Starts - AOL News

Thrilling Video From Oklahoma as Tornado Season Starts - AOL News

Please take a look at this article as it contains a fascinating close-up video of a tornado ripping a house apart. It is simply amazing how powerful these things are.

Prius Driver James Sikes on 911 Call: Brakes 'Almost Burned Out' - AOL News

Prius Driver James Sikes on 911 Call: Brakes 'Almost Burned Out' - AOL News

This is getting REALLY scary. There seems to be a serious problem that is NOT being addressed by Toyota. It seems to me, this is some type of computer design issue. I don't believe that the gas pedals are sticking, but that there might be a flaw in the accelerator computer design causing these problems. I hope things get fixed quickly before more people are injured or killed.

Interrupted Oscar Winner Gets 'Kanyed' By Larry King

The Back Story:

Interrupted Oscar Winner Gets 'Kanyed' By Larry King

Interrupted Oscar Winner Gets "Kanyed"

Read about the back story above.

New Zealand woman sells souls to highest bidder

New Zealand woman sells souls to highest bidder

New Wichester Gun Safe Review

This past weekend my new gun safe was delivered. I bought this safe over the Internet and paid extra for in-house delivery. All in all I am extremely happy with the safe and the entire Internet transaction.

The Winchester Silverado Series 90 (#S22) is a beautiful safe. I purchased it in charcoal with an optional dehumidifier.

The overall dimensions are 59"H x 30"W x 24"D and 680 lbs. It is rated at 90 minutes @ 1400 degree fire rating. Some of the features include 3 layers of 5/8" fireboard in the door, 4 layers of 1/2" fireboard in the body, Palusol heat expandable door seal, 12 gauge body construction, drill resistant hard pallet 60-61 Rc, auxiliary relocker to resist tool attack on the lock, 4-way active bolt work, 12 1-1/2" solid steel locking bolts, 180 degree swing external door hinges, 5 spoke vault handle, convertible interior, dehumidifier access hole, and pre-drilled bolt down holes for floor anchoring.

The safe feels extremely solid. It seems to be made much better than comparably priced safes that I have looked at at this price level.

Negative Impressions:

1. When the safe was being delivered, the delivery men had to remove it from a wooden pallet. In order to do so, interior bolts needed to be removed that were securing it to the pallet. Winchester provides a temporary combination and 1 temporary spoke handle to access the interior bolts. When the driver inserted the temporary spoke handle and turned it (after entering the temporary combination), the handle immediately broke off with little or no pressure exerted, causing half of the handle to remain in the thread hole. The driver said not to worry as this happens all of the time and he proceeded to drill it out. Couldn't Winchester provide a more durable temporary handle so this didn't happen "all of the time?"

2. The temporary bolts that affixed the safe to the pallet could not be removed from their holes. The driver loosened them, but could not get them out of the 2 inch or so holes. In order to do so, he said I would need a powerful magnet. These are the holes I would have to use to affix the safe to the floor which is HIGHLY recommended by Winchester. The safe is functioning fine without affixing it to the floor, but I assume the tip over quotient is much higher when it is not affixed. It seems pretty secure to me and I haven't seen any evidence of tipping, but it would be nice to have the option of bolting it down without getting a powerful magnet.

3. I purchased the dehumidifier option. This dehumidifier needs to be plugged in and for the life of me I cannot find the dehumidifier access hole. If anyone knows where this is, please let me know! Otherwise, I am planning on using temporary dehumidifiers like Damp Check.

4. The safe is advertised as holding 24 long guns. I discovered that the only way this would be possible is to not have ANYTHING else in the safe. With the full-length shelf and side shelves installed, I could probably only fit 4 long guns in this safe comfortably. Please keep this in mind when purchasing your gun safe as I suspect this is the case with other company's safes as well.

Everything else about this safe is great and I would highly recommend it. It is well-made and beautifully finished. I purchased the charcoal color and am very happy with it. My Internet transaction was done with gunsafes.com. I paid extra for gold level delivery which is in-house delivery, which was WELL WORTH IT. These safes are VERY heavy and when you see professionals moving them, you understand why they are professional. I really can't imagine moving this safe alone. It is way too big and way too heavy. Property damage and personal injury are definite possibilities. When I placed my order, I spoke on the telephone to a customer service representative. The rep was very knowledgeable about the safes and the shipping/delivery procedures. I received a shipping email within a few days. Within another week, I received a call from the delivery company to set up a delivery date. They gave me a 4 hour delivery window and arrived in a timely fashion. Ina ll, it was a bout 2 weeks from when I ordered the safe to when it was sitting in my house.

If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.

Are Today's Cars Too Smart for Their Own Good? - AOL News

Are Today's Cars Too Smart for Their Own Good? - AOL News

Starbucks and Gun Rights: The Coffee Chain Makes the Right Call on "Open Carry" - DailyFinance

Starbucks and Gun Rights: The Coffee Chain Makes the Right Call on "Open Carry" - DailyFinance

What is The Best Meat and Poultry to Buy

Basically, meat and poultry can be divided into 3 categories:

1. "Organic" (The Best)


2. "Naturally Grown" or "Without Antibiotics" (2nd Best Choice)


3. Everything Else

Let's start with the 3rd category: "Everything Else." In this category, you basically have no idea what you or your family is eating. You could be eating antibiotics, hormones, pesticides from feed, other drugs, etc., etc. I DO NOT recommend this category at all.

When shopping for meat and poultry, you may notice a label that says "Natural", "Naturally Grown", or WithoutAntibiotics." "Natural" meat and poultry may abide by organic farming practices, but they may not. The FDA does not restrict the use of the term "natural" except for added color, synthetic substances, and flavors. So, once again, although this category is much better than "Everything Else", I still can't recommend it as you or your family could be ingesting undesirable substances.

"Organic" is The Best for some very obvious reasons. Farmers do not sneak any type of drug or hormones into the animals. In fact, organic farming is very closely regulated by the federal government. Organic farmers are required to abide by the strict standards of the USDA National Organic Program:

• Organic farmers do not use antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones.


• Organic meat comes from animals that are given 100% organic, pesticide-free feed.


• Organic animals are given access to the outdoors and/or pastures.


• Organic farmers do not use most conventional pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, bioengineering, or ionizing radiation.


• Organic farms emphasize use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water.


• Organic farms are inspected by a government approved certifier to make sure the farm is following all USDA organic standards.

Whenever possible, buy your meat and poultry from organic or health food stores. Some national chains with very clear organic labeling are Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. Expect to pay more for this type of quality.

Learn to read labels. Look for "organic" stickers and labels. Pay special attention to what is fed the animal. Packages may say "wheat or corn fed beef." It is always best to get"grass fed" meats.

All poultry is hormone-free, but look for "organic", "cage-free", or "free-range." The same holds true for eggs. Look for "organic" milk.

I highly recommend renting the movie "Food, Inc." for a further discussion on these issues. It is very educational and eye-opening and is nominated for a "Best Documentary" Oscar this year.

The Best Television (TV) Shows of All-Time

Here is my list. These are my favorites and since TV is so subjective, instead of commenting on my list, just post your list. Sorry all of "The Wire" and "The West Wing" fans, I just wasn't into them. Hope you like it:

1. Six Feet Under (The Best)
2. Sopranos
3. Twin Peaks
4. Battlestar Gallactica
5. St. Elsewhere
6. Survivor
7. Seinfeld
8. Friday Night Lights
9. Tru Blood
10. My So Called Life
11. The King of Queens
12. All in the Family
13. The Wonder Years
14. Star Trek
15. The Honeymooners
16. Roseanne
17. Taxi
18. The Odd Couple
19. Cheers
20. The Mary Tyler Moore Show
21. Everybody Loves Raymond
22. M*A*S*H
23. L.A. Law
24. 24
25. E.R.
26. The Bachelor
27. Leave it to Beaver
28. The Simpsons
29. Saturday Night Live
30. Homicide: Life on the Streets

The Best Movies of the Last Decade

With the Oscars approaching and with this being the last Oscars of the decade, I thought it would be a good opportunity to give you my list of the 100 Best Movies of the 2000's. I think any of these movies would be a great Netflix choice and I highly recommend each one. Please let me know what you think of the list and any choices I left out that you would have included.

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (The Best)
2. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
3. Pan's Labyrinth
4. Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2
5. Spirited Away
6. City of God
7. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
8. Up
9. Minority Report
10. The Lives of Others
11. Adaptation
12. Once
13. Ratatouille
14. Gosford Park
15. King Kong
16. Downfall
17. Being John Malkovich
18. Adventureland
19. The Cove
20. Tsotsi
21. Planet B-Boy
22. Talk to Her
23. There Will Be Blood
24. Finding Nemo
25. O'Brother, Where Art Thou
26. Moolaade
27. Wall-E
28. Volver
29. Inglourious Basterds
30. Capturing the Friedmans
31. Coraline
32. Vera Drake
33. In the Bedroom
34. Chicago
35. Grizzly Man
36. The Counterfeiters
37. The Dark Knight
38. In Bruges
39. The Departed
40. Tyson
41. Amelie
42. Man on Wire
43. Far from heaven
44. Happy Go Lucky
45. Synecdoche, New York
46. Letters from Iwo Jima
47. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
48. The Bourne Trilogy
49. Revolutionary Road
50. Murderball
51. Slumdog Millionaire
52. Brokeback Mountain
53. Maria Full of Grace
54. Borat
55. Memento
56. Little Miss Sunshine
57. Children of Men
58. Into the Wild
59. Atonement
60. The Hurt Locker
61. American Splendor
62. The King of Kong
63. A History of Violence
64. La Vie En Rose
65. United 93
66. 25th Hour
67. (500) Days of Summer
68. Master & Commander
69. Shrek
70. Juno
71. Me and You and Everyone We Know
72. Almost Famous
73. Monster
74. The Wrestler
75. Let the Right One In
76. Mystic River
77. Traffic
78. The Fog of War
79. The Pianist
80. The Queen
81. Big Fish
82. Munich
83. The Diving Bell & the Butterfly
84. Iron Man
85. Eastern Promises
86. Million Dollar Baby
87. The Reader
88. Lost in Translation
89. In America
90. Catch Me if You Can
91. The Constant Gardener
92. Avatar
93. Born into Brothels
94. Babel
95. Sideways
96. Milk
97. Super Size Me
98. A Serious Man
99. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
100. Chop Shop

Homer Simpson with his IPhone

82nd Academy Awards Picks

Here is my list of who I think will win the Oscars this year and who I am pulling for. Cablevision is in yet ANOTHER dispute with one of its channels (this time ABC) so I might not even get to see them this year.

Best Picture

Who do I think will win - Avatar
Who am I pulling for - The Hurt Locker

Best Actor

Who do I think will win - Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
Who am I pulling for - Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker)

Best Supporting Actor

Who do I think will win - Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)
Who am I pulling for - Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)

Best Actress

Who do I think will win - Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)
Who am I pulling for - Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)

Best Supporting Actress

Who do I think will win - Mo'Nique (Precious)
Who am I pulling for - Mo'Nique (Precious)

Best Animated Feature

Who do I think will win - Up
Who am I pulling for - Up

Best Director

Who do I think will win - Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)
Who am I pulling for - Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds)

Best Documentary (Long)

Who do I think will win - The Cove
Who am I pulling for - The Cove

Best Adapted Screenplay

Who do I think will win - Up in the Air
Who am I pulling for - In the Loop

Best Original Screenplay

Who do I think will win - The Hurt Locker
Who am I pulling for - Inglourious Basterds

Would you Trade Your Collection?

Man Wants to Trade 50-Year Baseball Card Collection for House - AOL News

The Best Digital SLR Camera for a Beginner

Photography is a fun and fulfilling hobby and I highly recommend it. For those of you who are ready to abandon your digital point-and-shoot cameras for something a little more powerful, this article is for you. DSLR cameras provide greater control over your subject and opportunity to create those more artistic photographs that you see in print media.

I am going to recommend two cameras as The Best for beginners. These cameras are by no means "beginner" cameras and there are other choices that cost less, but that is not what this blog is about. I try to balance quality, fun, and price to give you The Best choice. Both cameras can be bought as a "kit" which simply means that the camera comes with a standard lens. You might also be able to find promotions where a bit more money, you can get an extra lens (a telephoto lens most commonly). I also recommend buying a book to go along with the camera such as a "Dummies" book or something similar. This is the best way to understand the capabilities of your new camera and experiment with different scenarios and subjects.

On to the recommendations. You will notice that one of the cameras has more mega pixels than the other. As a beginner, do not worry about that issue as, in this case, bigger is not necessarily better. Professional photographers worry about more mega pixels, but for beginners, either 12 or 15 mega pixels is more than enough for printing and posting photos on the Internet.

Canon EOS Rebel T1i  and Canon EOS Rebel T2i







These should be your choice if you want to shoot High definition video with your camera as well as pictures.


Canon EOS Rebel XSi EF-S Kit




This should be your choice is you do not want to shoot video with your camera.

As always, post your comments or let me know if you have any questions.

Disc Golf for Beginners

If you have never tried Disc golf, I highly recommend it! This is a sport that is relaxing, challenging, and can be played with the whole family. Basically, disc golf is like real golf except with Frisbees for golf balls and baskets for holes. The discs are smaller than Frisbees you might be used to, so it is important to at least pick up a couple before you start.

The first step is locating a disc golf course. There are some great search engines and course review websites out there. A search engine that I like to use is the PDGA course directory. A good course review website is the DG Course Review.

I recommend the following items to get started. These are the items that I consider The Best and ones that will give you the best chance to get started correctly and improve consistently. The two websites that I have had the best experiences buying supplies are Sun King Disc Sports and Clearwater Disc Golf Store.

Firstly, get a nice small disc bag and a disc golf towel. The bag is necessary so you don't have to carry your discs in your hands. You can also buy more discs later, carry your keys, wallet, etc., and a bottle of water. The towel is very important as you can dry sweaty hands with it as well as clean dirty discs which is very common especially in the spring and fall months.

Secondly, you need some discs. I am going to recommend you start with 3 discs. A putter (for shorter shots), a mid-range (for medium shots), and a fairway driver (for longer shots). It is very possible to play with only one disc to start (probably a mid-range), but what is the fun in that? You probably wouldn't be reading this blog if you didn't enjoy starting new hobbies and outfitting yourself with the best equipment. The two disc manufacturing companies that I prefer are Innova and Discraft. You can use either or a combination of these companies and you will be fine. Sometimes you can find a "starter set" with some of the below discs included, but I like to make my own.

Discraft

• Putter - Putt'r
• Mid - Comet
• Driver - Glide

Innova

• Putter - Aviar
• Mid - Shark
• Driver - Leopard

When you are shopping you will notice that many of the above choices come in different types, e.g. DX, Pro, etc. This generally refers to the type of plastic used to manufacture the discs. For now, as a beginner, you don't have to worry about this. Later on, as you progress, the types of plastic, whether a disc is overstable or understable (which way the disc tends to soar), and many other things will become important.

For now, just get yourself some discs and get out there in the sunshine and enjoy yourself.

**As a side note, when doing any outdoor activities, please remember to use sunscreen and bug spray. Lyme Disease is a very serious and common disease and we need to protect ourselves. Everyone knows the dangers of skin cancer.

The Best Pepper Spray

I am very interested in the idea of protecting ourselves from criminals and predators. Since, in my state, it is almost impossible to obtain a permit to carry a handgun for protection (even though the criminals seem to always have them), our next best bet is personal protection devices like pepper spray, whistles, and personal alarms. Devices like these can really help in a situation where you are targeted by a criminal or predator. Imagine walking through a dark parking lot. One never knows who is lurking behind a car or around the next corner. I will save whistles and personal alarms for another post, so we can focus on pepper spray today.

Pepper spray can be a great deterrent. If used properly, it can immobilize a predator so you have time to get away from the situation. My favorite (The Best) pepper spray is Kimber's PepperBlaster. This is a very powerful spray that launches 2 controlled bursts of spray at 90 mph. This spray can debilitate a predator for 45 minutes giving you plenty of time for you to leave the area. Please check out the video below and let me know if you have any questions.




Unfortunately, in some states, you cannot buy this product online and must go to a retailer. It is well worth a trip. The PepperBlaster site has a list of authorized retailers.

Killer Whales and Dolphins

Has anyone seen the movie "The Cove?" It is a heart wrenching film with an unbearable final scene. It is a "must-see" though. It has been nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Documentary category.

I was not surprised when I heard about the trainer being killed by the Killer Whale in Sea World. "The Cove" sheds a lot of light on the subject and I am actually surprised that captive dolphins and whales don't kill more. It is very curious to know that the world's leading dolphin activist was once the capturer and trainer of the original Flipper dolphins. He experienced a life-changing awakening while training Flipper and concluded that dolphins in captivity are stressed, unhappy, and even kill themselves. He believes that someday we might discover that dolphins and whales are as smart as humans and what we have been doing for all of these years is similar to internment camps.

Before blasting me with negative comments, please watch "The Cove" first. If this film does not change your mind, then blast away.

For those of you who would like to do your part in helping the struggle of ocean mammals and fish, please try to eat only farm-raised fish like tilapia or farm-raised salmon. Just this act alone can help a great deal.

For those of you who have already seen "The Cove" and want to see some similar-type documentaries that raise awareness of ongoing problems in the world, I recommend "Food, Inc." about the food and farming industry and also nominated for an Academy Award this year and "Under Our Skin" about the Lyme Disease cover-up going on in the world right now.

"The Cove" and "Food, Inc." are available on Netflix. "Under Our Skin" must be purchased, but it is well-worth the money. Please let me know what your thoughts are.

The Best Anime Movies for Adults and Kids

While creating my last movie list, the inclusion of Akira reminded me that so many people ignore Anime when choosing their Netflix rentals for their kids and themselves. This list can be watched by adults only, kids only (probably 8 years old or more unless noted), adults with kids. Hayao Miyazaki is a master at making anime films that appeal to the young and old alike so my list is heavy with his influence. These are my favorites in reverse order:

• Nausicaa
• The Castle of Cagliostro
• Porco Rosso
• Castle in the Sky
• Howl's Moving Castle
• Ponyo *
  
• Kiki's Delivery Service *
  
• My Neighbor Totoro *
• Princess Mononoke
• Grave of the Fireflies
• Spirited Away (The Best)
  

*Indicates that this film is OK for children under 8 years old

The Best Science Fiction Movies You Haven't Seen

One reader asks me to recommend The Best Sci Fi movies she has not seen yet. I hope there are a few gems here you have not seen. I have not seen all of these yet either, but I can guarantee you they are on my Netflix. Here is my list in reverse preference order:

• Akira
• Soylent Green
• Sunshine
• Strange Days
• Enemy Mine
• Equilibrium
• Gattaca
• Starman (The Best)
  

The Best Games for Game Night

So you want to have some friends or family over. Why not liven the party up with some board games. It is a great way to break the ice with new people or bond with old friends or family. Don't be surprised if you learn some new things about people as the competitive juices start flowing. Here are my top 7 choices in reverse order:

• Charades
• Scene It (the best versions are on games systems like Wii or XBox 360)
• Clue
• Apples to Apples
• Pictionary
• Scattergories
• Settlers of Catan (The Best)
  

Chocolate

The chocolate market has become very complicated lately. Everyone and their brother makes chocolate from the countless large chocolate companies to the small artisanal chocolate shops. Chocolate is the new wine, with organized tastings and complex flavors and aromas. Chocolate connoisseurs will tell you that dark chocolate is the only way to go and the higher percentage of cocoa the better, but I will leave those decisions up to you. I have organized my recommendations into 4 categories:

Corner Store Quality

In this category I recommend Lindt. Lindt has a surprising good quality, taste, and consistency for such a low-price chocolate. You can even buy Lindt on the check-out line at the supermarket!


Great Quality

In this category I recommend Green & Black Chocolate and Dagoba Organic (owned by Hershey). Both brands are very good, have complicated flavors, and are reasonably priced. These brands can easily be purchased online, at a chocolate shop, or at organic/health food stores.

Gourmet Quality

I have two recommendations in this category and both are pretty much perfect. They exceed all expectations of chocolate and send your taste buds into nirvana. My choices are Scharffen Berger and Valrohna, both made in France.

The Best

Amedei made in Tuscany, Italy is my choice for the best chocolate in the world. It has won countless awards worldwide and is recognized as the quintessential chocolate.

The Amedei website describes the reason why this chocolate is so good:

"Alessio and Cecilia had a dream, which in the late eighties, urged by passion and enthusiasm,they started to make a reality; they took their first steps toward discovering the routes of cocoa.

Together they experimented with new ideas, to give life to an exclusive chocolate, and launched it worldwide. They broke the homology of tastes, and became the artificers of true and proper Renaissance taste.

Since 1990, Alessio and Cecilia have devoted and committed themselves to the search of perfect harmonious tastes, becoming reality in the form of a linear balanced bars or a napolitain shape, and a soft roundness of a praline.

The entire production process is followed by dedication and artisan skills such as the selection of the seeds of cocoa, personally done by Alessio in the countries of origin to the manufacturing of the chocolate conducted in the laboratory of Pontedera, under the attentive supervision of Cecilia, Amedei’s maitre chocolatier".

Best IPhone Applications

I love my IPhone. I love the ability to get my gmail emails pushed to me, I love the look of it, I love how it is organized, I love being able to watch my movies and listen to my music, and most of all...I love APPS! I have had so many Apps over the last couple of years and most don't last on my IPHONE very long. Here is a list broken down by category of those Apps that have lasted and that I consider THE BEST:


Best Utility App - EWallet

Best Free App - Facebook

Best Music App - Pandora

Best Sports App - Sportacular

Best Financial App - Bloomberg

Best News App - USA Today

Best Religious App - Grace to You

Best Paid Game - Sword & Poker

Best Free Games - Poker Deluxe

What To Do If Your Gas Pedal Sticks (Video)

This video is a must watch, even if you don't own a Toyota.

Rebates

Who do they think they're kidding! We know rebates are a scam and the companies are gambling that most consumers will forget about the rebate they sent in and not follow-up. Did you ever get a follow-up letter from the rebate processor stating you forgot to include one or more of the laundry list of items needed for your rebate when you know you included it?

Here are my tips:

1. Carefully complete the rebate application. Use a checklist to make sure you fill out everything and include all pertinent items.
2. Make a copy of everything you send out and SAVE it.
3. Mark a date in your calendar 6-8 weeks down the line to follow-up with the company if you haven't heard anything.

It is terrible that we have to protect ourselves like this, but it is a war out there. Scammers come in all shapes and sizes and don't assume because a company is "reputable" and a recognizable name, that they are not trying to make an easy buck off of you.

Best Portable Automtive DVD Player Ideas

A reader asks what is the best portable DVD solution for her vehicle. Many of us have been in this situation. You don't want to park your kid in front of the TV every time he/she is acting up, but there are those times (emergencies)when we have no other choice. When all else fails TV and DVDs to the rescue.

I have 2 recommendations for portable DVD solutions for the car. Depending on if you already have or don't have your own traditional portable DVD player, one of these should fit the bill:

Durabrand 7'' Dual-Screen Car DVD Player w/ 25 Games
This is an all-in-one solution that attaches to the seat and includes the DVD Player (as a bonus has 25 games as well).

In-Car 7"-10" Inch Portable DVD Player Case Attaches to Rear or Front Seat
This is like a laptop case which hangs from the seats in which you use your own traditional, portable DVD player.

Men's Wrist Watches

I am a watch junkie as I know many of you are. There is just something about wearing a well-made, beautiful watch that makes you feel good. I have quite a few watches and a lot of experience shopping for and researching watches. My list are recommendations only. There are many others in each category to choose from, but hopefully I can save you some work shopping.

Lower End (under $200)



Skagen - Skagen makes some nice watches and I do recommend them if you like this kind of Scandinavian style. They are well-made and seem to last a while. Swiss Army (Victorinox) used to be a contender here, but recently it is difficult to find a Swiss Army watch that costs under $500.


Mid-Level (under $1000)


There are many strong contenders in this very popular category and you can't really go wrong with any of the below brands. This style of watch is usually more luxurious and well-made. They have that "heavy" feel that one starts to see as the quality of a watch increases. Some of the choices here are Seiko, Citizen, Movado, and Tissot. My recommendation for this level is Citizen. Citizen makes some fantastic watches with some great features. Their Eco-Drive models are especially nice since they are recharged by solar power with a battery back-up. A Citizen watch, if taken care of, should last you a lifetime. I have had one Citizen Eco-Drive watch (among others in this category) for quite a few years now and it still runs and looks like new.


Upper-Level ($1000-$5000)



This is that level that we all think about when we are younger and strive to have someday. These watches are seen as status symbols and examples of success in life. These are still a bit out of my price range, but I have looked at and tried on many of them. Choices here include Rolex, Omega, Breitling, Tag Heuer, and IWC. These are all beautiful and well-made watches, but my recommendation is Breitling. Breitling has been making watches since 1884. They are the creators of the first wrist watch chronograph and are famous for providing watches to aviators. they are extremely beautiful, well-made, and reliable.




Luxury-Level ($5000 & Up)


At this level of watch we are talking to those who don't care how much a watch costs and don't look at price tags. Watches in this category are generally hand-made in Switzerland or Germany and are flawless. The average price of watches in this category is around $15,000. Choices here include A. Lange & Sohne, Blancpain, and Glashutte. In this category my recommendation is Blancpain. Blancpain started hand making watches in Switzerland in 1735. They only make about 10,000 watches per year (compare that to Rolex who make approximately 2000 watches per day). Each Blancpain watch is made by a single watch maker. Simply put, I believe this is the best watch in the world.

Random Thought - Curling

It is 2010 Winter Olympics time. I hate to admit it, but I am really enjoying these Olympics. Like the last Winter Olympics in 2006, I have found myself strangely drawn to the curling competitions. The U.S. Men's and Women's teams are not that competitive, but that is to be expected. How many people in the U.S. have even heard of curling? But...I do love my target sports and this is like shuffleboard on ice. I told myself that if there happened to be a curling club within driving distance of my house, I would look further into it. Well, low and behold, there is a major curling club literally 5 minutes from house! My Dad said he knew about it, but I had no idea. More to come soon....and possibly some equipment to buy!

Sporting Clays Shotgun ... Beretta 391 Review

One thing you need to know about me before we go much further in this blog is that I love shooting targets. This could be anything from guns and archery to darts and Wii games. So I guess I can say, you will see on ongoing theme in some of my posts.

Let's talk about sporting clays. I didn't know what sporting clays was until 2 years ago myself. My brother-in-law, while living in California discovered it, and introduced it to me when he and my sister moved back to NY. Basically, sporting clays is like a cross between golf and skeet shooting. There are a set number of stations (holes), usually between 10 and 18, where clay targets are thrown in a manner that simulates different birds or animals. For example, a station that simulates pheasants might send the clays low and across the target area. A station that simulates rabbits, might send a clay bouncing across the ground. A station that simulates ducks could send the clays high above overhead. Like golf, the stations are different every time you play them (kind of like moving the hole position on greens). It is a great and challenging sport which I highly recommend to anyone.

I believe the Beretta Model AL391 is the best sporting clay shotgun. Unlike some other categories I might discuss later, the Beretta AL391 is a slam dunk across the board. This shotgun is great for beginners as well as experts, men as well as women. It is the perfect sporting clays shotgun. This is a semi-automatic shotgun, with great balance, accuracy, and a controlled recoil (the kick-back of the gun after firing). This shotgun is widely available from many gun stores as well as retail mega stores like Walmart and Dick's. If you are on a fixed budget, check out Walmart as they sell this shotgun for a great price around $600. For the ladies, I recommend the AL391 Urika 2 Parallel Target RL (reduced length) as it is a shorter shotgun and adjustable. For those of you who are a little more advanced or want a shotgun with a little more style (bling), I recommend the AL391 Teknys Gold Sporting (see above photo). It is made of beautiful walnut wood with accents. Please check these shotguns out. If you have a chance, take a look at Beretta USA website. Or even better, head on over to a Beretta Gallery Store. You will be treated like a king/queen and you can look at everything Beretta offers.

Small SUV Shopping ...CRV, RAV4, Forester Reviews

I have a car. It is German, impractical for me, and WAY too expensive. I am in the last year of an endless 3 year lease ad can't wait for it to be over. When I got the car (by the way it is a BMW 335xi Sedan with all of the bells and whistles), it was a present for my wife. Ok, ok, yes I shouldn't be getting my wife presents that cost almost as much as my apartment, but I love her very much and she had said it was always her dream to have a BMW. It was worth it to see her face when I surprised her with it, but 2 years later she is also ready to move on.

A little about my life. I live in NY so I prefer AWD. I need more space than the BMW sedan could deliver. Two of my many hobbies are golf and shotgun shooting sporting clays (more on this another time, but it's like skeet shooting). Both require either an SUV, pick-up truck or a car with a large trunk. The BMW's trunk is small. I mean really small. I could fit 2 golf bags and 2 golf pull carts in my father's Civic and I could barely fit one and one in my BMW. Really embarrassing.

So I've been researching small, inexpensive SUVs. Nothing German this time as I am sick of visiting the service department at BMW. Nothing too expensive. I have leased at least 7 Japanese vehicles in the past and I have never (honestly) taken one in for anything other than a scheduled service. It's Japanese this time all the way! Up until a few weeks ago, I had my search narrowed down to 3 small SUVs: Toyota RAV4 V6, Subaru Forrester XT, and the Honda CRV.

I recently took a look at the new Forester and the design changes are really sharp. The engine on the XT is powerful, and it costs around $30k optioned out. Subaru lost me again though on the cargo space. The wheel wells really stick in a lot in the trunk area on this model as they did in the last generation. For me, this was a deal breaker. I need space in the trunk for my stuff, not the car's stuff.

The RAV4 WAS the perfect choice for me. Great reviews, lots of space, cost around $30K, powerful V6 engine, etc. But...Toyotas are off of my list for a while. This recall is really scary and I have heard a few of those recordings where drivers have lost control and sometimes died. I just read that there are 24 confirmed fatalities due to bad brakes. God knows I don't need anything else to worry about.

So... that leaves me with the Honda CRV. The EX-L is around $30k with all options. Honda is good this way. Don't charge a lot of extra money for option packages and such. I get really upset when I like a car and it seems like it costs one price, but costs another $10K just to get it street legal. It seems a little underpowered with its 4 cylinder engine, but I rarely drive my BMW over the speed limit or accelerate faster than Hyundai. 0-60 in 4.9 seconds hasn't kept me out of the service center either. I've owned Hondas before and they were never flashy or glamorous, but they were reliable and well-made. I never felt like I was in a "plastic" car even though everything is plastic...if you know what I mean. In about 10 months, we'll see what the final decision is, but for now the verdict is in:

• Subaru Forester (good)
• Toyota RAV4 (better)
• Honda CRV (The BEST)
  

A New Beginning

Welcome friends. My name is Rob. I am your every day kind of guy, I work for the federal government, am married with a couple of kids, etc., etc. What makes me qualified to tell you what is the best printer, pencil sharpener, shotgun, computer, car, etc. to buy? Well I love to do research, I love to buy new gadgets, and I HATE to waste money on junk! Let me know what you want me to look into. I will be getting started soon so time is of the essence.