Internet Shopping Addiction?

Remember that day awhile back when Lady GaGa broke Amazon.com? When they had her album "born this way" on sale for $0.99? I just remembered that I, like many others bought that album that day. I'm not sure why I did, I just remember thinking, "an entire album for 99 cents, Hells yeah!"

I'm not sure how long ago that was, a month or so I'm thinking, and I have yet to listen to even one of the songs off her album, and frankly feel no real desire to right now. It makes me begin to wonder if this could be sign of some sort of internet shopping addiction??

A little labor in the backyard...

Too tired to really blog about anything today, I spent the afternoon in my backyard repairing the top step of our deck(finished product as seen above). It probably took me about five hours total, surprisingly though that time went by soooo fast! I don't have a "before" picture, didn't think to take one before I started demolishing the old step. It was caving in and had become a danger to anyone stepping out the back door.

All in all, I think I did a pretty good job, considering that the person who'd originally built it apparently had run out of resources, and or patience by the time they got around to the top step, which would have had to have been done last. It was neither properly squared, nor was it level. What I did, is at least level, and about as square as possible considering the pre-existing deck below it. It only needs to last for a couple of years anyway, by then I hope to be in a position to have someone else come in and demolish the whole thing and build me a new, better deck anyway!

The Toastees 1-cup coffee maker....

Just thought I'd post a quick review of a purchase I made awhile back. This is the Toastees 1 cup coffee maker. Let me just point out that if you're looking for a 1 cup coffee maker, there aren't too many choices out there in what I consider, "the reasonable range." Seems like most of your 1 cup coffee makers are of the expensive variety, I'm talking $100.00 or more! On the other hand, the Toastees 1 cup coffee maker is available through Amazon.com for the very reasonable price of $14.99.

Product Features
Personal-size coffeemaker quickly brews one cup at a time
Handy water-level indicator; brews directly into a variety of mug sizes
Illuminated "on/off" switch; permanent nylon filter; hot water for tea
Extra base for large mugs and 10-ounce ceramic mug included
Measures 5-2/7 by 6 by 8-2/7 inches; 2-year limited warranty

This coffee maker is incredibly simple to use. Simply fill the mug that comes with it, or any other similar sized mug with water, pour that into the water resevoir, fill the permanent nylon filter with the appropriate amount of coffee grounds for 1 cup, make sure the water nozzle that swings out of the way of the filter area is positioned over the coffee grounds, close the lid and press the on/off switch on the side to on.

In less than 5 minutes you'll have a cup of freshly brewed coffee! There are a couple of things to note about this coffee maker though. If you're one of those people who enjoy your coffee extremely hot, or like to take your time sipping it, this may not be the coffee maker for you. While the finished product is certainly hot, brewed coffee, it is not "steaming hot" coffee. This is no doubt due to the fact that the base your cup sits on is not heated. I'm usually drinking my coffee on the go, or downing it quickly before leaving for work in the morning, so the fact that it's hot, but not so hot that you have to sip it or let it cool works out great for me. If you plan on waiting to drink your coffee, or want to sip it over a slow breakfast, you might find that your coffee is a little too cool before you'd like it to be.

My only other complaint about the coffee maker is the lack of an auto-shutoff. When your cup is done brewing, you have to remember to manually shut the coffee maker back off, or risk it over-heating and burning up! There have been a couple of times where I've started wondering if I remembered to shut it off once I got to work, and called my wife to have her check and make sure. Each time, I had indeed shut it off, but it's one of those things that can gnaw on your mind. An auto-shutoff function would have been a no-brainer addition as far as I'm concerned. If that's not a problem for you though, this coffee maker is simple and easy to use and great for a household where only 1 person drinks coffee. I highly recommend it!

Creepy...huh?!

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it creepy, and a little sad for Jane Krakowski of "30 Rock" fame, that Weird-Al Yankovic looks so much like her when he's dressed up as Lady Ga-Ga in his latest parody video?

An E-book for your Kindle...by my wife

If you enjoy fantasy books with an adult appeal, my wife has published her first story on Amazon for the kindle, titled "The Lost Ones (1)" It's available for $0.99 Follow the link and enjoy a little light reading and help out a budding new author at the same time. I've already finished chapter 1 myself!

A close shave...

How many blades does a razor really need? They advertise these razor blades with 4, 5, even 6 blades, and moistening bars and comfort grip handles, yet they're worse than the twin-blade razors that I used to use twenty years ago and more. I used to be able to buy bic twin-blade razors for a decent price and only occasionally did I end up with a cut on my face or neck.

It doesn't seem to matter how much money I spend on a razor these days, I can cut my face or neck with them on the FIRST use! It doesn't even have to be the second or third time, but the first time I use a brand new razor, I end up cutting myself. I'd be happier if they'd just go back to having just 1 or 2 blades on a razor, and make them good blades again. I think they must have had to cut back on the quality of the blades in return for doubling and tripling the number of blades per razor!