Reviews by MexicanJim

MexicanJim says "The Microsoft Zune 120GB is better than you think." about Microsoft - Zune (120GB) Media Player

MexicanJim — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:36:16 GMT

I only bought this Microsoft Zune 120GB MP3 Playerabout 4 weeks ago, I must admit that I was just as intimidated as I was excited. After all, I was moving from a 1GB SanDisk MP3 Player that I had been using for over a year to a giant black monster that called itself the Microsoft Zune 120GB MP3 Player. I couldn't even imagine what it could do, and Microsoft is of no help when you open the box because the only instructions that exist are to place a CD in your computer and how to plug in your Zune. Absolutely not a single word on what to do after that. I'm grateful for their faith in my knowledge of electronics, but a little hand book on the basics of what to do would have been nice.

The Microsoft Zune 120GB MP3Player software took quick control of my laptop and instantly recognized all the music stored inside. I decided to start off simple and download music from there. Mind you, a 1GB SanDisk takes about 30 to 45 seconds to download a song. The Zune ate an entire U2 CD in less than 15 seconds.......

MexicanJim says "It is possible to make a memorable event even more so." about Elexa Vibrating Ring Condoms

MexicanJim — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 10:35:41 GMT

Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door. Build a better condom, and you can charge over five bucks each for these puppies and people will buy them by the thousands. Five bucks? Honestly now, for five bucks I can get a room, a girl, some Saki and a duck in Jakarta. This thing better be good, otherwise it's back to the Costco brand that averages out to about twenty-one cents each. That's certainly more reasonable.

There are over thirty different types of condoms for sale at the local CVS Pharmacy where I live. They come ribbed, colored, thin, sheep skinned, extra long, glow in the dark, pleasure for her (whatever). You name it, they have it. Can I get the Trojan Elexa Vibrating Ring Condoms? No, I have to ask and get directed to the Pharmacy where I have to request them. Not only that, but I must also pay for them at the pharmacy window, which I can do right after old lady Spencer gets done asking sixteen questions about her gall bladder medication. I swear to...

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MexicanJim says "Revenge of the Swedes" about IKEA

MexicanJim — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 10:23:46 GMT

The pedestal of consumerism was for too many years simply known as WalMart. Ahh, but over the last ten years a giant Swede by the name of Ikea has slowly made their way across America from Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Burbank, California, and now the God known only by the little yellow smiley face suddenly finds himself being pushed off his perch. The owner of Ikea now makes more money than the family of the late Sam Walton who founded the famous, or infamous, WalMart superstore chain. Cowboys and cowgirls, there's a new Sheriff in town, and he wears an obnoxious yellow polo shirt.

To me Ikearepresents all the greatest developments in design and industrial technology all rolled up into a monumental showcase of plastic and pressed-wood gadgets that look original and cool, but rarely last longer than one to three years. This is the genius behind Ikea. You can furnish your entire apartment for less than two grand with lots of nifty looking stuff. Around the one year mark, one by one the nifty...

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MexicanJim says "'Tis ambition that creates such perils." about 300

MexicanJim — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 10:15:24 GMT

Friends, geeks, film lovers, lend me your ears;
I come to bury 300, not to praise it;
The evil that men do lives after them,
The good is oft interred with their bones,
So let it be with 300 ... The noble reviewers
Hath told you 300 was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath 300 answered it ...
Here, under leave of The Hollywood Reporter and the rest,
(For The Hollywood Reporteris an honorable site;
So are they all; all honorable reviewers)
Come I to speak of 300's stupidity ...
It was a stupid and mindless film to me:
But reviewers says it was ambitious;
And reviewers are honorable folks....
300 hath brought many near naked men to the screen,
Whose claim was that they were Greek:
Did this in 300 seem ambitious?
When that women have cried that adventure was boring?
Ambition should be made of manly stuff:
Yet reviewers say that 300 was ambitious;
And reviewers are honorable writers.
You all did see that on the screen
The story teller did talk like a pirate,
Which he did lose an eye......

MexicanJim says "A Stereo that can go anywhere with you." about Insten (Black) Folding Stereo Speaker Speaker System for iPod (DOTHXXXXSP03)

MexicanJim — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 11:30:23 GMT

This Thanksgiving, this little set of speakers was the hit of the kitchen crew. Small enough to not take up too much space, which was a premium this holiday, a simple plug into my Zune 120GB and the kitchen was dancin' as some great vittles were being made. After dinner, crank up some holiday tunes, and everyone was singing along as pots and pans were scrubbed, counters cleaned and the dishwasher packed. It's safe to say that the Insten (Black) Folding Stereo Speaker Speaker System was the hit of the kitchen half of the party.

That's the beauty in these tiny folding speakers. They open up to reveal a small stereo stand that works for iPods and Zunes. The Aluminum Speakers get their power from 4 AA batteries and a headphone jack simply snaps into the MP3 Player. The volume it puts out is surprisingly good, although the quality I can only rate as fair, but what can you expect from a pair of $7 speakers? All this and it folds up into something the size smaller than a softball.

I think the Insten......

MexicanJim says "Gaming with emotion with Gears of War 2." about Xbox 360 - Gears of War 2

MexicanJim — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 11:24:05 GMT

I'm not an Xbox kind of guy. I leave all that video game stuff to my kids. They love it, and my eldest is really quite good at it usually beating most games in just a few days without cheat codes. So last week I was strolling through the Mall on my way to Sears to get some tools when I saw a huge sign sitting out for "Gear of War 2". I remembered my sons talking about how excited they were about this game and the preview video they showed me on the Internet. Usually the kids buy their games with their own money, but I figured a surprise was in store so I walked in and purchased a copy.

Like I said, not being a gamer, I cannot review the in's and out's of playing "Gear's of War 2", but there is an aspect of the game of which I feel I am very qualified to make some comments. Most gamers won't get it, but this game is packed with emotion. I guess having served in the Marine Corps I could respect the characters, but it was weird how much in common their emotions during the game equaled the emotions......

MexicanJim says "There's a reason Samsung's not known for Cameras." about Samsung - S860 Digital Camera

MexicanJim — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 11:19:06 GMT

Samsung has never been known for making cameras, and there is probably a pretty good reason for that. Certainly the Samsung S860 8MP 2.4" LCD Digital Camera does absolutely nothing to shore up that poor reputation. With the exception of a large LCD screen on the back on this digital camera, it is safe to say that Samsung cameras deserve and have earned their position in the "Sucky" category of digital cameras.

The Samsung S860 8MP 2.4" LCD Digital Camera still runs off 2 AA batteries, which means you have to carry about twenty extras with you if you're going to Disneyland for the day. It also has a most unimpressive 3X zoom, which is just a little better than taking three steps closer to the object you're trying to photograph. Dim light? Forget it, unless you're trying to purposely take blurry pictures in which case this is a great camera for you.

Let's just all agree that the Samsung S860 8MP 2.4" LCD Digital Camera is bad. Not like Hitler bad, but more like fruitcake bad. After all, I'm......

MexicanJim says "There's a reason it's been around for over three thousand years." about Cold Steel Kukri Machete

MexicanJim — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 05:34:24 GMT

Kukri Machetes have been around for more than three thousand years. Most popular in the regions of Nepal and northern India, Greek traders brought several back during the times they controlled trade with the regions of India. Kukri Machete or knives were perhaps made most famous by the Gurkha Tribe during their service in the British Army. During the Indian Revolt at the end of the 19th Century, Gurkha's refused to turn on their English Officers and fought so fiercely to defend them as to earn the urban legend, "a Gurkha never sheaths his knife without first drawing blood". They retain this reputation even until this day with equal courage and skill in WWII and the Falklands Islands' War.

Cold Steel is a company in which you need to know exactly what you want when dealing with them. A true Kukri that will serve you well your entire life is tapered from the sharp to the blunt, with the blunt being a softer metal. Also the metal used should run the length of the knife, that is from the tip......

MexicanJim says "The little man's magazine." about Maxim Magazine

MexicanJim — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:17:59 GMT

Have you ever tried to buy a "Penthouse" or "Hustler" magazine at a mini-mart? This is, in itself, a work of art. First you must make sure that there are no women in the mini-mart so you don't look like a creepy porn fiend. Then you must be certain no one from work or your church is in the place. Next you must browse the mini-mart like you're casing the joint until absolutely no one is at the counter. Then, and only then, are you aloud to race forward and make your purchase after which you are required to leave the mini-mart quickly without making any eye contact.

This is the reason why men love "Maxim" magazine so much. You can buy "Maxim" anywhere with very little social brow beating involved in the process. Barnes & Nobles, Borders, the Gift Shop at the Hospital, they all sell "Maxim" without a single thought of social destruction or self abuse associated with "those other" magazines. So guys can strut into any of these places and chuck down some change for what is basically a soft porn......

MexicanJim says "The perfect gift for the Geek Jock in your life." about Forerunner 50 with Foot Pod

MexicanJim — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:15:00 GMT

When you're growing up in high school you come to believe that the world is neatly divided into two distinct categories. The first of which are the "Jocks" who are big, obnoxious, kick ass, get all the girls and have trouble reading. The second is the "Geeks" who always had weird hair, wore loud clothes, actually went to class and were going to one day rule the world. Life was as simple as that, and we could actually apply that rule to that rest of our lives as well.

Now GARMIN has gone and created a space for the "Jock Nerd" or "Geek Jock" with the GARMIN Forerunner 50 w/Foot Pod and USB ANT Stick. With this nifty device you can monitor your pulse while running or biking or just about any sport. Additionally, there is a Foot Pod that attaches to your shoe laces that records your speed, distance, rpms, etc. Then, when you get within range of your home, all of this data is automatically downloaded into your computer so you can track your progress, plan your workout or try to impress other......

MexicanJim says "The rock doesn't make the player, the player makes the rock." about Wilson Evolution Basketball

MexicanJim — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:10:24 GMT

The eternal argument between Hoop players all over the world is not scoring or fouls or money. The eternal argument is if the player is effected by the rock or is the rock effected by the player. Another words, is LeBron as good a player with a $12 rubber basketball as he is with the $120 leather NBA ball? Does the rock make the player?

Well the Wilson Evolution Game Ball kind of splits this argument down the middle. Made of composite leather, the Evolution has the nice slip and feel of a more expensive ball. At the same time, the Wilson Evolution has none of the hard rubber feeling of cheap playground balls. The Evolution will give you some play off the rim and backboard, where rubber will just brick out. However, the Evolution in no way stacks up to the T-1000 or NBA Game Balls, both of which make you feel like Larry Bird or Magic Johnson when you touch them.

My opinion is that a real player can play with any rock. His skill as a player will adapt to the characteristics of the ball in which......

MexicanJim says "An inexpensive way to stay in touch." about Uniden - DXI4286-2 2.4 GHz Twin 1-Line Cordless Phone

MexicanJim — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:06:43 GMT

You know who calls you on your home phone? People you don't want to talk to. People like telemarketers, your Doctor's office, bill collectors, the cable company and friends who are not really friends because you didn't give them your cell phone number. For this reason I really dislike home phones and for a long time never had one.

Then we moved into a gated apartment where visitors have to push buttons to make your home phone ring and you have to press 9 to let them in, so I had to buy a phone. The challenge is either they look really cheesy, or they come with a base and like 8 other units to place around my little two bedroom house. Like I need a phone on each side of my bed. Seriously, how many families in America need 6 to 8 phones in the same house?

Then I came across this Uniden DECT Packagefor $59 at Office Depot. Two cordless phones, that was perfect. One in the kitchen and one by my desk. The best thing is that these Unidens are great little phones with clear and loud sound. They......

MexicanJim says "Keep your shower clean the easy way." about Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower w/ 3 34oz Bottles Included

MexicanJim — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:00:49 GMT

My teenage boys have their own bathroom which I care not to ever go into because I was once a teenage boy. Every once in a while I will venture by it and glance inside only long enough to grimace and make a mental note to tell them to clean it up. Since I have the memory of a goldfish, the instructing them part usually doesn't happen. Kinda like an out of sight, out of mind thing.

Thank goodness the youngest of my two has a spot of decency in him. Enough decency anyway to recognize the downward spiral into eternal goo their bathroom was taking. Much to the non-interest of his brother, the younger entered into an odd phase of bathroom cleaning priority. It became essential that we obtain the proper tools for him to clean with, and then preventative measures be put into place. One such measure was the purchasing and installation of The Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner.

Oh what a wonder this is. Simply snap a bottle of the cleaner into the sprayer, hang it from the shower head and......

MexicanJim says "The Secrets of Lake Vagi Gard are Safe." about Lake Vagi Gard Cream Maximum 1.5 oz

MexicanJim — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:05:54 GMT

In the world of vaginal irritation, Lake Vagi Gard Cream is the Super Hero of itching and burning, the arch rival of bacterial irritation and the traffic cop to the spreading of these embarrassing irritations. Applied liberally, Lake Vagi Gard Cream is not oily or sticky, but soaks right into the skin to provide instant relief. The anti-bacterial medication also helps prevent small problems from developing into major problems. Lake Vagi Gard Cream also has a light wonderful smell to assist in an area where that can be a problem. Lake Vagi Gard Cream is the answer to so many vaginal problems.

All this begs the question as to exactly where is Lake Vagi Gard, and how did it come to have such healing powers in the areas of vaginal irritation. A Google search turns up no exact location of Lake Vagi Gard, but judging from the name we can assume it may be from the Scandinavian part of the world or New Mexico. If it is in Scandinavia, then one may understand why Sweden, Norway or Finland might want......

MexicanJim says "JVC Goes for It, and You Win!" about JVC - JVC GR-D850 Mini DV Camcorder

MexicanJim — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:02:21 GMT

This pass year JVC threw caution to the wind and decided to go for it. Hardly anyone was paying attention to their camcorders anymore, so in one fell swoop, JVC went and poured all of it's technological knowledge into a small but rugged camcorder called the JVC GR-D850 Mini DV Camcorder, and dumped it on the market for slightly more than $200. The result was not quite what JVC had in mind. The good news was that consumers had a kick-ass model camcorder for a cheap price at their fingertips. The bad news was that hardly anyone even noticed it was there. The result is that the price has been dropping and the kick-assness has remained high.

Like many camcorders and guys you meet in bars, the JVC GR-D850 Mini DV Camcorders can never last as long as you'd like them to. The battery max here is 115 minutes. However, JVC gives you a little readout on the screen to tell you how much time is left. This is cool. Cool too is the stick control on LCD which allows you to simply "press the four "compass......

MexicanJim says "You get what you pay for." about Polk Audio miDock Portfolio Black Portable iPod Speaker System (AM2205-A) Docking Station

MexicanJim — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:52:05 GMT

The one rule that Apple has set into the world market place is that you simply have to put an "i" in front of something and it instantly becomes a hot, trendy item, and you can jack the price up on it and people won't care. McDonalds sells it's Double Cheeseburgers for 99 cents. It's tasty and worth every penny of the 99 cents. However, if we were to slap the magical "i" in front of it, the "Double iCheeseburger", McDonalds could probably sell it for three bucks, get a ton of complaints, and see absolutely no drop in sales. It's crazy.

The folks at Polk Audio knows this rule so well that they make use of it twice when calling the pictured item the "Polk Audio miDock Portfolio Black Portable iPod Speaker System (AM2205-A) Docking Station". Tough to miss the "i" in that long of a name. So what does it do for such a long name? Not much. You can plug your iPod into the station and play your music on speakers that are about the same quality speakers they used to install in Datsun cars and trucks...

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MexicanJim says "Worst Designed Headset Ever! Ever! Ever! Ever!" about Ativa - Ativa AE-6000 Cordless/Mobile Headset With Microphone

MexicanJim — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:46:48 GMT

Since I work from home I picked up this Ativa AE-6000 Cordless/Mobile Headset thinking it would make my working life easier because I would no longer have to juggle the phone while writing something down or searching through my computer for information. See, the folks at Ativa, which is basically Office Depot's brand, promised me a snug fit to my ear and a freedom to do all these things. Oh what a time we live in when such promises are tossed about so freely without the will nor the knowledge in which to fulfill them.

To put it bluntly, I would have had better success hanging a frying pan more securely off my ear and writing than this Ativa AE-6000 Cordless/Mobile Headset. Folks, you might not be able to see me right now, at least I hope not. Anyway, I don't have small ears. I have those big ol' Dumbo whoopers kids used to poke fun at in grade school. If this Ativa AE-6000 Cordless/Mobile Headset cannot fit securely to my ear, I'd pay money to see the ear it can fit securely too, but I'm......

MexicanJim says "Not too manly, but warm." about Eargrips Eargrips Behind the Head Fleece Ear Warmer

MexicanJim — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:37:11 GMT

Although this Eargrips Behind the Head Fleece Ear Warmer is an excellent product for men to wear, I must admit that it does lack a certain sense or degree of manliness when worn in public. Although how you feel about yourself and your own comfort within your manhood is what is ultimately important, if that feeling is not quite as strong as you would like it to be then wearing the bright colored Eargrips Behind the Head Fleece Ear Warmer is probably not a good idea. Unless you're a masochist of course. Otherwise I suggest you stick with black. Black reminds people of pirates and pirates were very manly.

I suppose the time has come where we should address the value of the Eargrips Behind the Head Fleece Ear Warmer, eh? If you've ever tried on a pair, then this is quite an easy sell. If not, then here we go.

One of the worst things about winter is how the wind tends to select your ears as the first part of your body to extract pain from using cold air. Many things have been tried in the past.......

MexicanJim says "It's a miracle! I can hear!" about Microsoft JDA00001 Headphones

MexicanJim — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:30:52 GMT

In all my years wondering this planet, I thought I had heard it all, but boy was I wrong. These Microsoft Headphones, sold in electronic stores now as Zune Headphones, have shown me the light. Even with my old rock n roll damaged ears, listening to tunes, podcasts and videos is a whole new experience thanks to these Zune Headphones. Now I'm scrambling around looking for old recordings to listen to again to really hear the full mix this time.

Magnified to hold the wires in place, and headphones are sized to fit your ears for noise reduction. The Zune Headphones are as comfortable as they are powerful. With a volume control right on the cord, there's no need to keep grabbing your MP3 Player to adjust for sound. The cord isn't too long or too short, but just right for me at 5'11". It also comes with a handy little pouch for protective storage when not in use. Best of all, when plugging it into the Zune it snaps into place, so you're really going to have to do something drastic to accidentally......

MexicanJim says "R&B's most soulful voice at his best." about Luther Vandross - The Ultimate Luther Vandross

MexicanJim — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:16:16 GMT

My life is spent moving forward and rebuilding after some really tough times for myself and my kids. This is reflected in the music you'll find on my MP3 Player. Bands like Linkin Park, Lynyrd Skynyrd, U2, The Clash and Limp Biskit are join by rebel artist such as Johnny Cash, Bob Marley and others. You know what I'm talking about, songs that get your blood moving and inspire you to push forward and fight the good fight. The "Don't mess with me" songs.

However, no matter how hard I try, I cannot take Luther Vandross out of my collection. This album, "The Ultimate Luther Vandross" is the one soft touch I will allow myself on quiet nights when things are going well. In my opinion, no one has ever had a more soulful sound that Luther Vandross, and "The Ultimate Luther Vandross" captures him at his best. Beautifully mastered are such great classics like "Here and Now", "Wait for You", "The Closer I Get to You" with Beyonce and my personal favorite, "Dance With My Father". All flawless classics......