Reviews by Friends of D347H

awareness says " a playful wheat beer, both festive yet serious" about Lost Coast Brewery & Cafe Tangerine Wheat

awareness — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:08:01 GMT

Lost Coast Brewery's Tangerine Wheat is a well-made American wheat beer with a fun, tangerine flavor.

Tangerine Wheat is fun, accessible, and its refreshing light body makes it enjoyable just about any time you're in the mood for its tangerine character. It has a clean, pleasant finish without any unpleasant aftertaste, a pitfall which fruity beers must work to avoid. In fact, its strength—its tangerine flavor—while it may lead you to choose Tangerine Wheat for an occasion is also what will keep you from drinking it endlessly (until next time). There's only so much tangerine flavor one can down in an evening.

Unlike some fruity beers which mask poor craftsmanship with a cloying, sweet flavor, Tangerine Wheat is a quality wheat beer made with exacting craft beer standards. As with many wheat beers, it makes an excellent beer for folks who are not used to drinking beer or who are averse to overly hoppy, bitter beers. If you are into beer and want to introduce it to some of your friends...

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awareness says "cooks better than grills 5 times more expensive" about Weber One-Touch Silver 22.5

awareness — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:03:41 GMT

The Weber One-Touch® Silver is such an awesome charcoal grill that when I lost mine during a move after having enjoyed it for several years, I knew right away that I would buy another as soon as possible (and did).

My single favorite thing about this grill is how its perfect shape directs heat to the cooking surface, producing incredibly consistent cooking results, regardless what you're cooking. I've cooked just about everything on it: all cuts of steak, hamburgers, chicken, vegetables, all amazing. This basic grill lacks a lot of the fancy features of more expensive grills, such as starter aids (like a chimney starter or an auxiliary propane starter to get coals going), or accessory trays to put dishes. However, it does as well or better cooking and does a great job of distributing the heat from coals efficiently.

I recommend the 22.5-inch version over the 18.5-inch version, because even when you're cooking a small amount, the greater area to work with allows you to control the heat...

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awareness says "the best sound you'll ever hear in a stereo this size" about Bose - Wave music system

awareness — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:04:34 GMT

The Bose® Wave® music system delivers the largest, clearest sound you'll ever hear from a system this size. Pop in a CD of your choice, crank it up, and see for yourself. Its amplifier and speaker technology are just amazing.

The system is pretty expensive, starting at around US$500. This is definitely a case of "you get what you pay for" though. Once you hear how clearly it plays, you'll understand it's worth every penny. Its sound reproduction is super clear across a wide dynamic range; you'll feel its bass response in your chest.

It's an integrated stereo system which incorporates amplifier, speakers, CD player, AM/FM tuner, alarm clock, and an auxiliary input if you need it to play sound for another device. The basic unit is pretty much a full-featured stereo system about the size of a phone book.

Its small size makes it super versatile. You can place it on the kitchen counter, on your night stand, on a book shelf, or you can move it temporarily outside to enjoy its huge sound on...

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awareness says "sexy iPhone search app, useful and elegant" about Microsoft Bing

awareness — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:44:05 GMT

(This review is on Bing, the iPhone application by Microsoft which interfaces with its search service, not primarily on the search service itself.)

Versus Google — The Microsoft Bing app for the iPhone has about the same functionality as the Google app for the iPhone, including voice search (a key feature for a phone-based search app), plus some extra bells and whistles. Sometimes it pays to go second. While the Google search application for the iPhone set the standard, it may find itself getting some upgrades now that it has competition from the Bing app. (Both apps have features I will never use, many of which are specific to each app.)

Search Results — Bing differs in how it displays search results relative to the Google app analogously to how the two search services differ in their web site formats. Bing displays fewer results yet more tidily presented. While whether one likes one of the other will depend on personal preferences (I'm not picking a favorite here), the Bing format...

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awareness says "an addictive substance you'll crave fortnightly" about Post Alpha-Bits

awareness — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:29:19 GMT

If you occasionally enjoy sweetened breakfast cereal in milk, Alpha-Bits are for you.

I swear, Alpha-Bits are ten times more delicious than the last time I tried them several decades ago. Once the silly little sugar-coated letters of oat and corn hit the milk and then your tongue, it's like a seratonin drip straight into the pleasure centers of your brain.

Buy two boxes instead of one; you'll need them. Why? Because Alpha-Bits are ridiculously delicious in milk yet not filling. What that means is, once the flavor hits your tongue, you'll scarf down a bowl and find yourself filling the next bowl before you know what's happening. If you're fast enough, you may down a third bowl yet before you discover that your stomach is entirely full, mostly of milk.

Just about everything which might be counted against Alpha-Bits as a disadvantage can also be counted as an advantage. They're the prototypical two-edged sword of the breakfast cereal world.

The only reason I docked Alpha-Bits a star is because...

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awareness says "the best among Internet travel brokerage services" about Orbitz

awareness — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:03:54 GMT

Orbitz kicks butt. Quite simply, it provides the best experience among comparable Internet travel brokerage services, such as Travelocity, CheapTickets, or Priceline. The only way Orbitz could get any better than its competitors than it already is would be to steal William Shatner away from Priceline; man, that guy is such a spaz—what a riot.

Whenever I plan a trip, for years I would plug my trip parameters into each of 3 or 4 like services. Orbitz's air fares always come out competitive and generally offer more flight times and carrier options.

Using the Orbitz web site is a more pleasant experience than with those of any of its competitors. The look and feel of the site is generally more clean, and its easier to skim through large amounts of data when needed, such as when evaluating multiple flight options.

Frankly, I haven't had very much need to interact with Orbitz's customer service, because their automated services have done such a great job keeping me in sync with changes to...

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awareness says "beats any similar drink in the same price ballpark" about Glaceau - Vitamin Water 10

awareness — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:08:50 GMT

"I hope they never find out that lightning has a lot of vitamins in it, because do you hide from it or not?"—Jack Handey

Glacéau vitaminwater10 quite simply is the best choice in its category: it's yummy, not filling, and just about as cheap as normal water that rains from the sky or gurgles from the ground (cheaper, in fact, than the imported waters which actually taste interesting).

The fact it's supposed to be healthy is just icing on the cake (and who doesn't like cake).

I came across it entirely by accident one day in the grocery store, while on my lunch break. Like on most lunch breaks, I thought to myself, "what the heck am I going to eat today? I'm not even hungry", and concluded I should buy a snack and a drink just to tide me over until the end of the day. (The snack was some yuppie candy bar with protein and vitamins—but that's a different soap opera.)

At first I was turned off by the healthy-sounding label. On the one hand, I'm naturally suspicious of anything which purports...

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awareness says "play music from your computer to anywhere in your house!" about Linksys Wireless-G Music Bridge (WMB54G)

awareness — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:34:25 GMT

The Linksys® Wireless-G Music Bridge is like magic. It lets me play music from any computer in my house, wirelessly, to my stereo.

The Wireless-G Music Bridge provided me with the missing link: how to get the music back to my stereo. Setting up this device is super easy following the "quick start" instructions and provided software.

Configure the Wireless-G Music Bridge to be on your network.
Install drivers onto your computer to allow your computer to play music to it. (You can switch back and forth whether you want sound to come out of your computer speakers or be sent to the device.)
Plug it into your stereo (requires some kind of auxiliary port or "stereo in")
Play music on your computer and enjoy it coming out of your stereo.

A few years ago, after I broke 1000 music CDs (and an untold number of downloaded music purchases), I bought an external hard disk and started transferring all my albums to my PC. I use iTunes to organize and play the music as playlists. My computer has a great...

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awareness says "entry level stereo speakers with gorgeous sound" about Bose - 201 Direct / Reflecting speaker system

awareness — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:45:36 GMT

Fifteen-plus years ago, during a great party I threw out of my apartment at the time, the mid-range cone in one of my stereo speakers finally gave up the ghost. I made a nominal effort to repair it, but the cone's requirements were very specific, and a replacement part was not to be found.

Near despondent and on a limited budget, I set out looking for a new pair of speakers.

I found my Bose® 201® Direct / Reflecting® speakers, and I have been happy with them ever since. (At the time, they were at Series II; currently, Series V is being sold and is pictured in the primary photo of this review. I can only imagine how much better they must sound, given advances in technology.)

They're great for all kinds of music and for movies in stereo (beating the sound quality of most surround systems I've heard), featuring an incredible clarity of sound and an impressive dynamic range, from quiet passages in classical music to pounding rhythms in dance music cranked way up.

These speakers are considered...

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awareness says "absolutely unmatched for its forte: mineral deposits" about CLR Calcium Lime Rust Remover

awareness — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:17:21 GMT

CLR® Calcium, Lime, & Rust Remover (or more simply just "CLR") is so effective it spawned a company. Any time you have any kinds of mineral deposits, this stuff will take them off!

One time, I left my flatware in standing water, in rinsed dishes the sink before having left for vacation. When I returned, the water which evaporated left a line of mineral deposits (where the water line was originally) which I was hard pressed to remove. I tried scrubbing with a Scotch-Brite pad; I tried Bar Keeper's Friend. (I refrained from steel wool, since I didn't feel like marring the surface of the flatware.) Neither made a dent. Then, I applied CLR and waited a few minutes, and the marks rubbed right off. Kind of scary, really.

It works great on similar hard water mineral deposits in tubs, sinks, and toilets. Another spot it's invaluable for is sink spigots or shower heads. If you can remove the end of the spigot and soak it in CLR, all the build-up will come right off. If you can't (such as with a...

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awareness says "tough enough for bathtubs, gentle enough for countertops" about Soft Scrub Soft Scrub with Bleach

awareness — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:41:02 GMT

Soft Scrub® with Bleach is even more awesome than the original Soft Scrub® cleanser. Both feature a fine grit in the cleanser which abrades sediment without scratching the surface being cleaned.

Wet your tub; squirt generous amounts of Soft Scrub® with Bleach; scrub it down quickly with a brush; then rinse all the filth away. Soap scum doesn't stand a chance. It all comes off on the first scrub. If there is any discoloration due to mold or mildew, the bleach kills it.

Soft Scrub® with Bleach works great on stained grout between tiles as well. Once you wet the tiles, apply the cleanser, and scrub the surface lightly, leave it on for several minutes (15?) to let the bleach work. Then rinse it off, and voilà! Your tiles will look like new.

At some point I ran out of the other stuff I used to clean the rest of my bathroom and used Soft Scrub®, and now I just use Soft Scrub® with Bleach for everything except the mirrors and floors.

The only thing this stuff is not well suited to...

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awareness says "robust iron, perfect for 99% of all ironing needs" about Rowenta Powerglide 2

awareness — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:07:29 GMT

I despise ironing with the burning passion of a thousand suns. Nevertheless, it is sometimes unavoidable, and the Rowenta Powerglide 2 has gotten me through the worst.

The Rowenta Powerglide 2 is a steam iron which accepts ordinary tap water—no need to stop for distilled water to keep it happy. The steam it generates is adequate for the most wrinkled cotton shirts, though I'll often supplement it by misting garments with a spray bottle of water.

This iron glides smoothly, and its precision tip is versatile for accessing inconvenient corners, such as collars, cuffs, or pleats. (I have however tried fancier irons which seem to glide even more effortlessly over material though not enough to penalize this one by an entire star.)

The Rowenta Powerglide 2 is sturdy. More than once, I've set it precariously on the edge of the ironing board only to have it knocked off. It's still ticking without a dent after more than three years.

Once, I actually left the iron on (fortunately, with it standing...

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awareness says "sharply insightful interpersonal dynamics make this movie shine" about The Devil Wears Prada

awareness — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:22:42 GMT

The Devil Wears Prada is an awesome movie.

This movie attempts many things at once and accomplishes them brilliantly. Its central plot focuses on Andrea, a college graduate interested in writing, who takes a job as an executive secretary in the fashion industry. This is a Rocky movie with skirts and shoes instead of punches. The movie generates an inexhaustible source of situational humor from Andrea not being familiar with the culture of the fashion industry.

Meryl Streep's character, Miranda Priestly, gives "hard ass" a new meaning. She is self-righteously centered on her own definition of what is needed for business success and pursues it without regard for anyone's feelings. Two thumbs up for the attitude. Stanley Tucci's role as sidekick is brilliant, and he delivers a lot of editorial sideline comments to Andrea in her inauguration by fire. Many other bit parts are unremarkable yet adequate, such as Andrea's friends. Simon Baker does well enough as Christian Thompson, in fact so well...

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awareness says "the best Belgian white made in North America" about Avery Brewing White Rascal Belgian Style Wheat Ale

awareness — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:51:24 GMT

Avery White Rascal is an understated champion in the category of Belgian white beer (witbier). Quite simply, it's the best Belgian white I've tried which is made in North America.

White Rascal has all of the glorious citrus-y flavor which define this genre, yet at an understated level. Where White Rascal shines is in its finish; as the flavor fades off your tongue, it is as well defined as at the beginning of the sip. This is where other American witbiers tend to suffer: most lack depth in finish and in body—not the case with White Rascal.

The lovely unfiltered cloudiness belies its smooth, homogeneous consistency. In fact where one would expect to feel grit on the tongue instead is a delightful level of carbonation which endures through the entire glass, not presaged by an overly prominent head.

White Rascal is easily appreciated year-round, in any setting, with a meal or on its own. Enjoy it in a standard conical pint glass or in a chalice / goblet.

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awareness says "mismarketed family adventure, yet fun for all" about Old Dogs

awareness — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:17:54 GMT

Old Dogs is a fun-filled comedy suitable for the entire family. Yet it is confused—is it a kid's movie fun for adults or a movie for adults with kid-ok content? It is both and neither.

Having seen the preview, I thought, "hey! A new Disney kids' movie—the kids will love that! And, in fact they did (ages 3 through 11) as did I. However, most of the situational humor, while accessible to children was more fully appreciated from an adult perspective.

The heart of the plot is about a middle-aged man coming to terms with fatherhood, discovering that a short, impulsive marriage resulted in children and balancing this with career demands.

The acting was perfectly satsifactory yet unremarkable. Robin Williams' genius sparkles yet doesn't shine as it has. John Travolta also does a satsifactory job, yet I think his role could have been pulled off by many others. Surprisingly, Kelly Preston did a fantastic job of playing her character with an appropriate degree of joyful positivity to balance...

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awareness says "this barrel-aged sour ale is a unique work of art" about Avery Brewing Sui Generis

awareness — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:06:51 GMT

Sui Generis is, quite simply, a one-of-a-kind work of art.

The bottle proclaims it to be a "barrel-aged sour ale", number two in Avery's barrel-aged series, which does nothing to suggest the rich glory of balanced flavor. The sour quality pushes the leading edge of its flavor envelope, carrying a wave of complexity which suggests tart green apples and hints at the yeasts which created it. It'll make your mouth think about puckering yet doesn't quite take it that far. The pleasantly long finish entices you back for the next sip, trying to guess what else you taste. One would never guess it packs a punch of 10.2% alcohol by volume.

Sui Generis is tart and tangy, yet mellow. (Once you taste it, your tongue will reconcile the apparent contradiction.) Its medium body and tintillating fizz lets it go down smoothly while you enjoy the flavor. This beer is made to sip and to prolong the experience.

I feel uniquely privileged to enjoy this beer and am thankful for the selfless generosity of my friend...

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awareness says "a perfectly adequate Blu-ray player" about Sony - BDP-S300 DVD Player

awareness — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:15:55 GMT

The Sony BDP-S300 was an entry-level Blu-ray disc player when it appeared on shelves. It delivers Blu-ray functionality flawlessly and works well with my Sony Bravia TV. However its entry-level hardware takes unnecessarily long to power up.

I picked up this player looking for an affordable Blu-ray option, and at the time there were only a couple other options. I went with the Sony for a couple reasons: I have a Sony Bravia TV, and I figured that Sony might have a slight edge on Blu-ray technology, having pioneered the standard. In both of those respects, the BDP-S300 has delivered.

As mentioned, my biggest complaint with this player is how long it takes to power up. It used to frustrate the hell out of me, though I've become accustomed to it since. Now, I'll start it up by pressing the eject button and go serve a drink while it wakes up. In retrospect, I would have paid $100 more for the next model up (the BDP-S350) which starts up in about a third of the time.

Upgrading firmware is a painless...

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awareness says "Salvation is liquid gold, rich in flavor and texture" about Avery Brewing Salvation

awareness — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:51:55 GMT

Avery Salvation was one of my first serious beers and has remained a favorite since.

From the first sip, a whole world of flavor opens to your taste buds; complex only begins to describe it. A bit of sweetness (but not too much), a taste of hops (but not too much), and a suggestion of citrus and spices dance on your tongue vying for attention.

Salvation's medium-full body is pleasantly smooth. Its fizzy carbonation rounds out its glorious texture and makes each sip an experience to savor. Once you experience it, you'll understand how Salvation tastes just like it looks—liquid gold.

At 9% alcohol by volume, Salvation will sneak up on you if you focus entirely on its flavor. A large bottle pours 2 pint glasses making it a perfect accompaniment to any meal. A second or third bottle and you may want to find someone else to drive home.

Salvation's main limitation in my opinion is that its richness of flavor, fullness of body, and noticeable alcohol content make it difficult to enjoy day after...

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awareness says "if you love food / cooking movies, this one is a must-see" about Julie & Julia

awareness — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:04:59 GMT

Julie & Julia was a fun movie that revolves around cooking. Based on the book by Julie Powell, like the book the movie has the interesting attraction of being based on two real-life stories.

It is simultaneously about Julia Child as she learns French cooking and authors a cook book and about Julie Powell as she challenges herself to satisfactorily cook each recipe in Julia Child's cookbook (500+ recipes) within a year and authors a blog, keeping her readers up to date on her latest progress.

I was worried when I started watching it, since the movie starts out kind of slow. Once it hits the point where both women are cooking however, it picks up, and the food carries the momentum.

Meryl Streep's acting was excellent. I was skeptical before seeing this movie, because Julia Child's high sing-songy voice annoys the heck out of me. Meryl Streep made it work, however, and I might cut the real Julia a break if I come across her on a rerun.

Stanley Tucci's performance was surprisingly entertaining...

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awareness says "the most effective bib to combat messy spills" about BabyBjorn Bib

awareness — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:12:53 GMT

The BABYBJÖRN® Soft Bib does what other bibs with pockets only try to do: it catches just about anything that spills from your toddler's mouth (or on the way there).

The design of this bib is so simple, it's brilliant. Made of soft yet rigid plastic, the bib comfortably and flexibly adjusts around your child's neck and bends around to make a pocket which remains distended in front of your child. This pocket is large enough to catch more than an entire meal including several drinks, yet not so large as to impede your child's movement.

The bib's construction allows it to be rinsed quickly and used again immediately.

Together with a high chair with a plastic tray, a whole lot less food and drink end up on the floor! Of course there's a certain amount of spoon waving, food flinging, and dish knocking-over bound to thwart the best design! However, the BABYBJÖRN® Soft Bib will catch a whole lot of food and drink which used to fall into the zone between child and high chair tray.

Until bibs...

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