Reviews by TheBard

TheBard says "Vampires Come in From The Cold" about Dead Until Dark

TheBard — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:53:29 GMT

Bottom-Line: Dead Until Dark brings to life in a new way one of the oldest myths in human existence, one that refuses to die an honored death.

Dead Until Dark revolves around the life of a small town waitress, Sookie Stackhouse, who makes her home in Bon Temps, Louisiana. The book and series is a first-person account of Sookie's life as a barmaid, who also happens to be a telepath, after she starts dating a local Vampire named Bill Compton.

In Dead Until Dark, Bill and the rest of the Vampire community have come out of the proverbial closet so-to-speak and into the light around the world seeking to become part of the human world. Though they can only come out at night, Vampires have made their presence felt throughout society and dating the "undead" has becomes almost fashionable. And drinking their blood can bestow super-human abilities, or drive the consumer mad.

My Viewpoint

Catherine Harris has woven together a pretty compelling story in Dead Until Dark. Sookie Stackhouse...

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TheBard says "An All Too Familiar Human Story" about Precious

TheBard — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:34:30 GMT

Life is hard. Life is short. Life is painful. Life is rich. Life is....Precious. Few movies have garnered as much attention, derision, and critical acclaim as the just released Precious the depressing (could be anyone) story of a 15-year-old African American girl growing up in Harlem during the latter part on the 1980's.

Story Line

Directed by Lee Daniels (Shadowboxer), and adapted from the novel Push by Sapphire, Precious centers around the life of Clarice "Precious" Joans portrayed by new-comer Gabourey Sidibe. Clarice is dark, obese, illiterate, unloved, unwanted, and pregnant with a second child sired by her father. She gave birth to her first child (also sired by her father) at age twelve and refers to the child, who has Down's syndrome and lives with her Grandmother, as Mogul.

Clarice lives with her verbally, physically, and sexually abusive mother, Mary, portrayed by Mo'Nique. Mary doesn't work and instead collects welfare checks and food stamps for Precious and her...

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TheBard says "Quick, Easy, and Good for Me, or so they say!" about Quaker Simple Harvest Instant Oatmeal Maple Brown Sugar with Pecans

TheBard — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:25:12 GMT

During the week I leave the house fairly early, so most mornings I don’t eat breakfast until I get to work. And then I want something filling, but quick, and oh it has to taste good and be good for me. A tall order indeed and Quaker Simple Harvest Instant Oatmeal – Maple Brown Sugar with Pecan certainly fit the bill.

Sold in 11.8oz boxes with eight 42g packages per box, Quaker Simple Harvest Instant Oatmeal – Maple Brown Sugar with Pecan is cost-effective winner. Checking in at $2.99 box, (at my local Super Target) one box can last a week (two packages per day)more than pays for itself.

Quaker, worry not it looks as though you have a hit on your collective corporate hands; the Simple Harvest/maple brown sugar with pecans instant multigrain hot oatmeal is a hit with me. According to Quaker Simple Harvest Instant Oatmeal – Maple Brown Sugar with Pecan "is a great tasting breakfast option you can feel good about. Made from only natural ingredients like whole oats, whole wheat...

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TheBard says "Small, lightweight, expandable; I'm In!" about Dell E-Port Plus Replicator

TheBard — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:26:32 GMT

Bottom-Line: All-n-all, I am very pleased with the E-Port Plus Replicator.

As I stated in my review of the Dell Latitude E6500 Notebook computer, it has been almost five years since I started my new job as a Senior IT Engineer running the messaging infrastructure (Microsoft Exchange 2007/BlackBerry Enterprise Server) installation for a mid-sized Mid-West financial company. And when I started the job I was issued a Dell Latitude D600 light weight notebook computer.

A good desktop replacement notebook computer deserves a good "unrestrained" port replicator to go along with it; we choose Dell's new E-Port Plus Replicator in slate black thank you.

The 411

The new E-Port Plus Replicator is optimized for dual digital monitors (two DVI ports (HDMI supported via adapter)), (1) VGA port, six USB and (1) eSATA, Serial, and parallel ports as well as (2) PS/2 ports. The E-Port Plus Replicator ships with a 130 watt power adapter.

The Dell E-Port Plus Replicator can be used with the following...

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TheBard says "My Lightweight & Powerful; Portable Desktop Computer" about Dell Latitude E6500 Laptop

TheBard — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:02:24 GMT

Bottom-Line: Hands down, the Dell Latitude E6500 is a performance winner.

Now that Windows 7 is finally on the street, it is time for another technology refresh in my company; this time the entire department traded up to the Dell Latitude E6500 Notebook computer. Dell constructed the business-class notebook of a magnesium alloy, rugged paint finish and tough metal hinges, which makes the Latitude E6500 more durable than older Dell portable offerings.

My slate black (it can also be had in red and blue) Latitude E6500 doesn't feel any heavier than the notebook it replaces, which makes carrying the portable desktop replacement everyday easy on the shoulders and back. But the Latitude E6500 is far more capable than the Latitude D820 checking in with 4GB of Ram, an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor and 15.4" Premium WXGA LED display.

The Laptop

The Latitude E6500 comes very close to being a full fledged, full feathered desktop replacement; the unit houses your choice of Intel Core 2...

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TheBard says "Love The Rise, the Price,and the Taste" about Krusteaz Honey Cornbread & Muffin Mix

TheBard — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:48:11 GMT

Nothing goes better with BBQ ribs and baked beans than freshly baked cornbread coated in rich, creamy butter. I sometimes make my own from scratch, sometimes whip up some Jiffy, but I recently discovered the 15oz. box of Krusteaz Honey Cornbread & Muffin Mix made with real honey.

My Viewpoint

The flavor of Krusteaz Honey Cornbread is not surprisingly, tasty. The honey flavor (honey powder is listed as an ingredient) is mild and not overpowering. The cornbread's texture is moist, not dry like cheaper brands, and almost cake-like. Of course I added my own ingredients to the mix: a teaspoon of nutmeg, and a hint of allspice.

Krusteaz Honey Cornbread is a simple cornbread mix making it easy to prepare. To make the basic recipe, add to the mix is 2/3 cups of milk, 1/3 cup of vegetable oil, and 1 Lg. egg. On the side and back of the box are two more recipes to spice up the cornbread and turn the mix into a full meal; Bacon & Cheddar Mini Corn Loaves anyone?

I highly recommend...

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TheBard says "These Are Seriously Delicious" about Pillsbury Grands Flaky Supreme Cinnamon Rolls

TheBard — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:58:54 GMT

It's the weekend and in the Bard's household that usually means some sort of decadent high calorie, high fat desert pastry for Saturday morning breakfast! Sometimes I pick up something fresh from the local supermarket, or sometimes I pop something into the oven. Today, that something was a fresh batch of Pillsbury Grand's Flaky Supreme Cinnamon Rolls, made with "Cinnabon" cinnamon and cream cheese icing.

My Viewpoint

I am pleased with my choice for this weekend's breakfast pasty; these cinnamon buns are seriously flaky and delicious! I prepared the cinnamon buns per package instructions; sixteen minutes in the oven at 350 degrees and they were ready to emerge; browned, hot, moist, and yummy.

The package contains a small container of cream cheese icing, which is just enough to cover the (5) cinnamon buns.

I highly recommend Pillsbury Grands Flaky Supreme Cinnamon Rolls; for about $3.79 a can (in the dairy section) they are a bargain compared to the $3.99 I would have...

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TheBard says "Delicious, not so nutritious, not so good for you, but..." about Kraft Deluxe Macaroni and Cheese Sharp Cheddar

TheBard — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:56:49 GMT

I love macaroni & cheese, but I don't always have the time to prepare a dish from scratch. In those times, when time is of the essence, I turn to Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner. Now this isn't the regular ole Kraft Mac & Cheese with the powered cheese, that tastes like it was made for children, or other without a discriminating palate, Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner comes complete with a package of real cheese, and elbow macaroni.

The Kraft brand has always been my favorite; I like the way it cooks up; fast and easy. Cut open the pouch with its four cheese blend sauce empty into the still steaming macaroni, mix and enjoy.

My Viewpoint

Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner makes a great side dish for almost any meat and vegetable, but I like to pair it with either fried of baked chicken, pork chops, or fried catfish. The 14oz package packs a fair amount of flavor, and serves up at least four.

While the product is good right out of the package I like to "doctor" it...

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TheBard says "The perfect side for almost any BBQ Meat" about Bush's Grillin' Baked Beans

TheBard — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:19:55 GMT

The side dish; what will it be tonight? That is the conundrum facing millions of cooks all over the country, nay the worlds tonight. Better still, what side will it be tonight with these fabulous BBQ ribs I just spent five hours slow-cooking? The answer: Bush's Grillin' Baked Beans.

My Viewpoint

I am pleased with Bush's Grillin' Baked Beans. There are a number of flavors (recipes) to choose from including Southern Pit Barbeque, Steakhouse Recipe, Smokehouse Tradition, and Bourbon and Brown Sugar. I have tried all four recipes and all have much to recommend them. The beans look and taste like they are made from fresh ingredients and each has a unique taste that goes well a variety of grilled meats. And each goes well with backed meats as well.

At $1.52 a can at my local Super Target (where else) I can afford to keep a can or two of Bush's Grillin' Baked Beans in the pantry ready for quick eating, no matter what is on the grill or in the oven. And the size of the can is...

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TheBard says "Another winner from Dymo!" about Dymo LabelWriter Turbo 330

TheBard — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:08:14 GMT

Bottom-Line: Over all, my users are very pleased with the performance of the Dymo LabelWriter Turbo 330; the label printer works, and works well.

Like the Dymo LabelWriter EL60 it replaces, the Dymo LabelWriter Turbo 330 is a small printer shaped like a half circle with a semi clear window in the front to view labels as they are printer. On the front of the printer is a horizontal slot from which labels are "ejected" once printed. Front panel controls are limited to one: the advance label button, used in case the label become jammed, or the printer will not print, but you need to advance the label. Also on the front of the Dymo LabelWriter Turbo 330 is a small oval yellow light indicating that the unit is powered on. On the back there is rocker switch for power, and two connections for serial and USB.

The primary differences between the Dymo LabelWriter Turbo 330 and Dymo LabelWriter EL60 is the dpi resolution (203 vs. 300); label printing speed (8 vs. 32 per minute); expanded...

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TheBard says "Not a Bad Little Smudge-Free Label Printer" about Dymo LabelWriter EL60

TheBard — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:45:00 GMT

Bottom-Line: If you are looking for a low cost, low maintenance, reliable label printer with above average output, look no further then the Dymo LabelWriter EL60.

In our current office environment, most users do not have desktop printers; that is by design. They are connected instead to series of networked black & white and color printers. But that poses its own set of problems since a fair majority of people have a need to mail vendors on a fairly consistent basis, and prefer printed mailing labels to do so. Printing labels via the network printers is problematic for obvious reasons. My desktop is sans a local printer as well and I have a pressing need to print labels to attach to workstations, network printers, servers, and other items, so I needed a label printer as well. Enter the Dymo LabelWriter EL60.

The Dymo LabelWriter EL60 is a small printer shaped like a half circle with a semi clear window in the front to view labels as they are printer. On the front of the printer...

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TheBard says "It's What For Breakfast This Weekend Anyway" about Duncan Hines Blueberry Streusel Muffins

TheBard — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:13:02 GMT

It's the weekend and in the Bard's household that usually means some sort of decadent high calorie, high fat desert pastry for Saturday morning breakfast! Sometimes I pick up something fresh from the local supermarket, or sometimes I pop something into the oven. Today, that something was a fresh batch of Duncan Hines (new) Blueberry Streusel Muffins, made with 100% whole grain and 0 grams (g) of trans fat.

My Viewpoint

I am pleased with my choice for this weekend's breakfast pasty. I prepared the muffins as I would any blueberry muffin mix. Sixteen minutes in the oven at 375 degrees and they were ready to emerge; browned, hot, moist, and yummy. But I have to say I could have done without the streusel topping. The fact that the muffins are made from whole grains is an added bonus.

I highly recommend Duncan Hines Blueberry Streusel Muffins; for about $1.79 a box they are a bargain compared to the $3.99 I would have to pay at the local Dominick's grocery store...

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TheBard says "Okay Taste, Something I Might Buy Again Even without a Coupon" about Kashi Heart to Heart Instant Oatmeal (Golden Brown Maple)

TheBard — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:50:39 GMT

Bottom-Line: Not my first choice, but I am willing to give the oatmeal another try, with coupon in hand of course.

Breakfast. When you keep strange hours like I do-up and out early-eating a nutrition-laden, none-fast-food-restaurant meal can be a challenge, especially when the stomach is grumbling that it wants food! So I usually eat breakfast once I get to work in the form of a couple of boiled eggs and oatmeal, most likely Quaker.

Recently, whilst shopping at my local Super Target, I gathered up coupons for Kashi Heart to Heart Instant Oatmeal (Golden Brown Maple) at a taste test stand, and decided to give it a try.

My Viewpoint

I like Kashi Heart to Heart Instant Oatmeal (Golden Brown Maple). It is not the best instant oatmeal I have eaten, nor is it the worst. Checking in at 160 calories, 5g of fiber, 2g of fat, 4g of protein, and 33g of carbohydrates per packet, Kashi Heart to Heart Instant Oatmeal (Golden Brown Maple) does make for a filling good-for-you breakfast.

Kashi...

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TheBard says "Just Okay, Not Something I Would Buy Again without a Coupon" about Kashi TLC granola bars

TheBard — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:59:49 GMT

Bottom-Line: Not my first choice, but I am willing to give them another try, with coupon in hand of course.

I like to snack; who doesn't? But lately I have been trying to snack more wisely and that means fruit or some form of granola bar that uses who grains and is relatively low in sugar. Recently, whilst shopping at my local Super Target, I gathered up coupons for Kashi TLC Chewy Granola Bars at a taste test stand, and decided to give them a try.

My Viewpoint

I like Kashi TLC Chewy Granola Bars, but just barely. Checking in at around 120 calories, around 4 grams of fiber, 5 grams of fat, and 5 grams of protein per bar, Kashi TLC Granola Bars do make for a light good-for-you snack, but the bars are somewhat lacking in taste. Unlike some of the varieties I have tasted from Quaker, the Kashi TLC Granola Bars failed to really satisfy my taste buds, or put a smile on my face.

The Kashi TLC Chewy Granola Bars do contain the company's trade mark "seven whole grains on a mission"...

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TheBard says "A Forgettable, Unfunny, Boring, Mess" about Sherri

TheBard — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:54:09 GMT

Sherri Shepherd (The View, Less Than Perfect) is Intellectually Challenged (stupid); no apologies it had to be said. Spend a week with the buxom nitwit on the View and you will not doubt come away with the same impression. To be fair she has her light bulb moments, but they the exception, not the rule; the woman just doesn't generate a lot of intellectual wattage! Need proof, read on:

Shepherd stated on the September 18, 2007 broadcast of The View, that she didn't "believe in evolution. Period." When Co-host Whoopi Goldberg asked her, "Is the world flat?", Shepherd first responded, "...I don't know" and expanded that she "never thought about it." Shepherd went on to explain that it was more important to her that she thought about how she was "going to feed [her] child," at which point Barbara Walters pointing out that, "You can do both." However, Shepherd then went on to quote scripture (she is deeply religious). Ms. Shepherd later referred to her shockingly ignorant statements as...

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TheBard says "It's Hard To Tear Yours Eyes Away" about Slumdog Millionaire

TheBard — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:20:18 GMT

Bottom-Line: Despite the depressing setting Slumdog Millionaire is strangely uplifting and hopeful and in the end is a movie the whole family can and most likely will enjoy.

Directed by Danny Boyle Marc Foster (The Beach, 28 Days Later, Sunshine) Slumdog Millionaire (winner of 8 Oscars including Best Picture) takes place in the world's most populace city, Mumbai (Bombay), the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Here young brothers Jamal and Salim Malik watch in horror as their mother, and scores of others, are set upon and killed for being Muslim, thus casting the brothers and another orphan, a girl named Latika adrift in the teaming slums of Mumbai.

Jamal and Latika form and instant attachment to one another that is to last throughout the film and form the basis for this love story.

My Viewpoint

Despite the brittle and often brutal edges of Slumdog Millionaire the movie is at its heart an enduring love story set against a backdrop of misery and despair. The movie was...

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TheBard says "A Very Refreshing Menthol Smell, But Still Some Ash" about Nivea for Men Cool Body Wash with Menthol

TheBard — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:00:15 GMT

Because of my dry skin, brought on in part by my diabetes my wife recently suggested that I try liquid gel soap because it is not as harsh on the skin as bar soap, even those infused with lotion and such. So I took her advice and purchased Irish Spring Body Wash with Aloe. But, I also purchased Nivea For Men Cool Body Wash as well, and I have to say I like it.

Not only does Nivea For Men Cool Body Wash-made with icy menthol-smell good and lather up richly, but it also washes away cleanly leaving my skin looking natural and feeling clean and smooth. However, although the marketing literature claims the soap contains "HydroBeads that instantly dissolve on your skin as you shower" thus helping your skin retain your skins natural moisture, there is a noticeable dryness on my skin after use.

Is it refreshing and invigorating? Not really, but then again I do not look for that sort of stimulation in my body wash I just want it to clean and perhaps moisturize a tad. I will keep...

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TheBard says "Cleans The Scalp and That's All I ask of It" about Suave Shampoo - All Varieties

TheBard — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:39:09 GMT

Bottom-Line: Suave Shampoo doesn't feel one way or another on my scalp, but it does get the area clean, and feeling fresh.

I am clean shaven, well my head anyway. It took me a while go get to this point, but after a lot of procrastination-far too much actually-I decided to start shaving my head. There were a number of reasons why I decide to start sporting a Gandhi dew, but first and foremost: I was tired of my unruly hair. So off it went and goes (about twice a week), but I still need to keep the area clean. For that I use Suave Shampoo.

I lean towards the Suave Shampoo for men, Deep Cleaning, however without hair it really doesn't matter all that much. What matters is getting my scalp clean and shinny, so I tend to use whatever Suave Shampoo happens to be on sale at my local CVS Drugs. I principally started using Suave Shampoo because, well it relatively inexpensive compared to the rest of the crop of shampoos; some time I can grab a bottle for as low as $.99 a bottle. ...

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TheBard says "A Single Roll Has Endless Possibilities" about 3M Scotch Magic Tape

TheBard — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:03:32 GMT

Bottom-Line: A roll of 3M Scotch Magic Transparent Tape is several tools in one lightweight package.

Transparent Tape, it is one of the household tools you never appreciate until you don't have it around, which is why we keep plenty of 3M Scotch Magic Transparent Tape in the home office.

Why 3M Scotch Magic Transparent Tape? Because we have tried the rest and found them lacking; 3M Scotch Magic Transparent Tape is the only take that adhere correctly to almost any surface I apply it to; the store branded transparent tape has been less than stellar in this most important arena.

When you say transparent tape the holidays and wrapping presents come most readily to mind, but 3M Scotch Magic Transparent Tape can be and is used for so much more. As a binding tool for children's project of all description the tape is invaluable. Need to clean pet hair off your favorite wool jacket in a pinch, reach for 3M Scotch Magic Transparent Tape. Need to mail a package; mend a sheet of paper,...

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TheBard says "I Like That (Clean Water) Peace of Mind" about Brita Faucet Water Filtration System

TheBard — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:32:26 GMT

Bottom-Line: I like the peace of mind that comes with knowing that Brita Faucet Water Filtration System is working in the background to protect me and mind.

The water that comes into our house from the local reservoir is some of the cleanest in the state, but there is always room for improvement. I mean the water tastes clean, that is there is not taste, which is the way water is supposed to, well taste, but you never know what might have been missed.

So what we bought our new house some eight years ago, we also bought our first Brita Faucet Water Filtration System for the kitchen faucet.

The 411

What is the Brita Faucet Water Filtration System? The Brita Faucet "Water-Filtration system is a base, adapters, and filter. The "system" installs without tools on household faucets to help eliminate nearly all foul tastes and odors from drinking water. Brita Faucet Water Filters do not purify unsafe drinking water, however the systems' activated charcoal filter cartridge does...

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