My Waring Pro waffle maker finally gave up the ghost about two months ago. I used the Waring extensively in the nearly five years that I owned it. In fact, it died because I used it so much The metal hinge screws completely stripped the plastic mounting holes.

I wanted a replacement, but I wasn’t willing to spend $70 to get another one online, or about $100 if I found one locally.

Amazon.com was there with the rescue, and in two days I had a Presto Flip Side for less than $40 delivered.
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Touchpads or multi-points are okay for navigating your laptop’s screen in a pinch, but any serious use is made easier by a mouse. My friend Bond uses a Logitech VX Nano wireless mouse, and it is really well made. However, it’s about $50 – $60 and getting harder to find as new Logitech models are hitting the streets. Since I’d need to buy two mice, I needed something that was both inexpensive and reliable.

As usual, I turned to NewEgg.com and started browsing.
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My living room entertainment center is a device nightmare. I have a Toshiba television, a Sony receiver, a digital cable set top box with DVR functionality, an original Xbox running XMBC, and an Xbox 360. That’s five remotes, and that’s after I got rid of the Sony PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube.

For example, if I want to watch video served from my home network I have to:

1. Turn on the television (Toshiba remote)
2. Turn on the Xbox
3. Turn on the receiver (Sony remote)
4. Find the program I want to watch on the Xbox (green wireless Xbox controller)
5. Adjust the volume on the receiver (Sony remote)

I’ve gotten used to it, but trying to explain how things work to new folks required literally pages of documentation. Until I can reduce the number of devices in my entertainment center, I needed a way to reduce the number of remotes necessary to do basic tasks.

Enter the Philips Prestigo SRU 8015 universal remote, which I purchased during a recent Woot-Off.
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One of the problems with motorcycle boots — particularly if you ride year ’round and have waterproof boots like my Sidi OnRoads — is that your feet get hot in a hurry. Even if it is cold while riding, walking around generates a lot of heat. And then you hop back on the bike and your feet get supercooled thanks to your foot perspiration. Summertime is a bit of the opposite problem: I don’t have to worry about getting cold, but regulating my foot temperature goes a long way in my overall comfort. I don’t even need to mention what a drag sopping wet cotton socks are when you’re caught in the rain.

My sock research pushed me to wool socks. They regulate heat and moisture better than cotton socks, but I was concerned about itching. When you’re riding mid-distance like I do, little things like an itch deep in a boot can really wear on you. I found a pair of midweight, calf-height socks by SmartWool, which features a blend of soft merino wool and other synthetic fibers. I wound up buying six of their snowboard socks at $6.95 each from Sierra Trading Post, and love them to pieces. Almost literally.
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If you know me at all, you know I buy a lot of stuff. Most of the stuff I buy comes in plastic packaging or cardboard boxes. I make short work out of the boxes with any number of blades, like the Gerber EAB pocket knife or X-Blades razor blade utility knife.

However, that damn clam shell, “blister” plastic packaging is another matter entirely. I have tried scissors, blades, and even the Open-X cutting tool, which is sort of like a pissed off Pac-Man knife with a razor blade in the “mouth.” Unfortunately none of these tools are perfect. Scissors torque and dull. Blades are unwieldy and dangerous on some blister packages. The Open-X is, well, a trip to the emergency room waiting to happen.

Stilts (who tried to kill me with the Open-X in the first place) provided a peace offering with the Zipit Opener. Powered by two AA batteries, the Zipit is an electric cutting instrument that is specially made to open blister / clam shell style packaging.

Would it be enough to redeem the Open-X debacle, or would I use the Zipit’s tiny tiny cutting discs to cut my 6′ 8″ friend down to size?
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I love my Rev’It motorcycling gear. I own the Cayenne Pro textile jacket and the Fahrenheit waterproof leather winter gloves. The Cayenne Pro did major duty as my primary commuting jacket during the fall, winter, and spring here in Virginia and also went with me down to Georgia in October. The Cayenne Pro has some innovated venting features, but the jacket’s sturdy construction and Virginia’s humidity meant I needed something more lightweight and vented for warmer temperatures.

The problem with lightweight textile or mesh jackets is that the fabric typically doesn’t hold up well in a crash. The abrasion of an accident quickly wears through most materials. Certain types of mesh, especially those used in less expensive jackets, can even melt to the skin.

So there’s a delicate balancing act with summer gear: comfort versus safety. I had written off getting a mesh jacket until I found the Turbine jacket by Rev’It. I put in an order with Dennis over at Beach Moto and as usual his service was top notch. Yes, you can buy Rev’It gear from a few other places, but none of them will offer you the customer service and elite product knowledge that Dennis can. The Turbine is $350 before shipping, and the SAS-TEC back protector is another $50.

Anyway, on to the review.

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