http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/stactom Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:21:24 GMT Reviews by stactom http://www.viewpoints.com/Motion-Golf-Motion-Golf-review-9f0f2 Motion Golf is Better Golf Golf Preliminaries — Golfers are noted for their constant desire to improve.  Golf magazines are constantly touting cures to gain "a better swing."  But, it wasn't until technology joined with golf instructors to capture the problems with a golfer's swing that the golfer could see.  — First, it was video and it provided some analysis for a golfer but only after the swing was captured on tape.  The latest tool is a lot more than video-it's a three dimensional real-time computer analysis of a golfer's swing. — A New Methodology - 3D Imagining  — Motion Golf is a relatively new tool for the average golfer.  It's called Motion Golf Imaging (MGI), a kind of an MRI of your swing, and at the moment (March 2008) there are only three locations in the United States that offer this form of instant feedback.  One is in Syosset, New York, a second is located in Fairfield, New Jersey and the third one is in... Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:21:24 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Motion-Golf-Motion-Golf-review-9f0f2 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Minimalist-Cooks-at-Home-review-48dc0 Ever since I started reading Mark Bittman's column in The New York Times every Wednesday my cooking has not only improved but has become easier.  So I finally decided to buy this title and try out the recipes.  "More flavor from fewer ingredients" is the notation on the cover and it's true.  Many of the recipes have as few as four items. For example, the recipe for "Linguine With Garlic and Oil" says it all.  That's three items and the only other one is salt.  The recipe is on the left hand side of the page and additions are on the right hand side.  Under the column heading "Keys to Success" Bittman advises, for this recipe, that you use the best olive oil you can lay your hands on.  Under the column heading "With Minimal Effort" he suggests variations: add parsley, dried chilies, chickpeas, capers or olives.  One recipe multiples into a half dozen.  — The book has nine sections: soups, salads, pasta, fish, poultry, meat, vegetables,... Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:05:31 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Minimalist-Cooks-at-Home-review-48dc0 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Thats-Not-My-Tractor-review-1c361 I have read several books in this series published by Usborne (part of the Educational Development Corporation)  to my grandson since he was born more than two years ago and soon I will reread them to my second grandson.  My daughter bought several authored by Fiona Watts called the "That's Not My ‘Something'" where the "Something" is either toy or pet.  — This series is called "touchy-feely" because the book has textures which a child can feel and touch.  On the cover of "That's Not My Tractor" the grill of the tractor is rough silver foil compared to the hard cardboard of the cover and the sentence continues that "it's engine is too bumpy. — The child participates in the reading until the last page where the correct tractor will be found.  The criterion for rejecting each tractor is that a property of the tractor isn't the one the child recognizes.  Tractors in the book are rejected as being too rough, too smooth, too squashy (not an... Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:25:30 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Thats-Not-My-Tractor-review-1c361 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Year-of-Magical-Thinking--22562-review-b2a93 Joan Didion's memoir, The Year of Magical Thinking, is an insightful glimpse into her interior life after the sudden death of her husband John.  She begins "Life changes fast.  Life changes in the instant.  You sit down to dinner and life as you know it ends."  How many times have people paid lip service to these sentences and then be utterly surprised when it happens?  So it was with Ms. Didion.  She first wrote these shortly after her husband John dropped dead as they were eating dinner on December 30, 2003 but the memoir didn't take shape until nine months later.  Didion then steps back in time and reconstructs this event and the ones leading up to it. — As a professional writer Didion was comfortable with creating and explaining characters; now she had to understand the most difficult character of all-herself.  She reflects on what can only be called anti-rational behavior.  In the first several sections of the book she... Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:47:57 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Year-of-Magical-Thinking--22562-review-b2a93 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Trader-Joes-Ahwatukee-AZ-review-60bb0 Trader Joes describes itself as a grocery store and that's pretty much the truth.  It's certainly not a supermarket since many of its stores are quite small compared to supermarkets.  My comments will be specific to the three stores I've been in: Danbury, Connecticut, Mamaroneck, New York and Arlington, Massachusetts.  Maybe that seems like a lot of stores but it's not.  Trader Joes is in twenty-three states and has over 280 stores with more on the way.  The chain started in California in the 1950s and the majority of stores are in that state.  They expanded in the 1960s to the east coast and have just started making inroads to the middle of the country. — The stores are relatively small because they don't offer a full line of products.  Take dairy for example.  There's milk, yogurt and cheese (lots of cheese) but there's no ice cream.  To cut costs many of their products are sold under their own label but don't let that deter... Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:49:26 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Trader-Joes-Ahwatukee-AZ-review-60bb0 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Atonement--131540-review-48f11 Atonement, the film, is based on the lauded novel of the same name by British author Ian McEwan.  Lushly photographed and brilliantly directed by Joe Wright (Pride and Prejudice) and combined with superb performances, the film captures the essence of McEwan's novel, but unfortunately doesn't quite plumb the depth of the novel.  Perhaps this is the fault of the novel so meticulously constructed and brilliantly written.  Rare is the film that can encompass an entire literary novel.  The most recent film to come close is Michael Cunninghams's The Hours. As the film opens, Briony Tallis at age 13 (Saoirse Ronan) has just completed her first play.  She hustles around her rural mansion searching for her mother who's minding her migraine in her darkened bedroom.  Briony is prim, proper and, from her manner of walking, unwittingly compulsive.  In the kitchen she meets Grace Turner, a maid, and then immediately the maid's son Robbie Turner (James McEvoy), the... Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:32:03 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Atonement--131540-review-48f11 stactom 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Tween-Waters-Resort-Captiva-Island-FL-review-5167 Recently I visited Captiva Island in Florida and stayed at the Tween Waters Inn (see photo).  I recommend it highly.  Here's why.  Location, location, location.  Tween refers to the small barrier island itself between the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound.  The inn is located on thirteen acres located at the north end of the island.  The immaculate beach is a one minute walk from any place at the inn and the docks on the sound are equally close. Tween Waters Inn has been around since the 1926 when it started as a fishing village and if you are expecting a modern hotel this isn't it.  But, that's not a problem.  I stayed in a budget conscious guest room with two queen size beds and a screened-in porch that looked out on Pine Island Sound.  I think that the rooms that look out on the Gulf would be a bit more picturesque.  Nevertheless, it was quite spacious and clean with all the expected features: TV, coffee maker and a small... Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:10:53 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Tween-Waters-Resort-Captiva-Island-FL-review-5167 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Captiva-Island-review-b4b01 Preliminary Remarks The west coast of Florida is essentially one gigantic beach.  It's a mecca for sun worshippers and seashell collectors.  One fascinating place is Captiva Island, an intimate barrier island, about an hour's drive from Fort Myers. — One point that symbolizes Captiva Island, and its sister island Sanibel, is that there are no traffic lights.  Major intersections are four way stops and the maximum speed limit on Sanibel Island is 40MPH but that is only in a handful of locations.  The predominate speed limit is more like 25MPH.  If you want to slow down and relax consider Captiva Island.  — Getting There — Most major airlines fly into Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, one of the most efficient airports for travelers who must rent a car.  On arriving I looked for the usual rent-a-car counters and was surprised all the companies have their own "terminal."  In back of their private... Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:24:00 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Captiva-Island-review-b4b01 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Google-Maps-review-caec2 Men like maps and men that like maps like more maps.  Maybe women too, but despite the ease of using Google maps they're not perfect.  A recent analysis (New York Times, January 14, 2008) by Hitwise reports that twice as many people are using Google Maps now than a year ago (January 2007).  Here comes Google again. If you use Google as your search engine you may have noticed on the upper left hand portion of their page some other links: Web, Images, Maps, News, Shopping, Gmail, More.  Click on Maps and the map interface is loaded. — In this review I will assume you have never been to this page before.  If you have previously visited this page you will notice that the interface has recently changed (January 2008). — The default image is a map of the United States.  In each corner of the map there is either information or a tool to manipulate the map.  Starting at the lower left-hand corner is the legend indicating distances both in English... Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:29:09 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Google-Maps-review-caec2 stactom 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/West-Point-United-States-Military-Academy-review-cb651 You have been to New York City several times, visited the museums, enjoyed the Broadway shoes and on your next visit want a different experience.  Think outside the Big Apple-think West Point, the location of the United States Military Academy, about fifty miles north of Times Square.  Most of the grounds are open to the public including the parade grounds with views of the Hudson Highlands.  However, most of the buildings are closed to the general public.  The easiest and most scenic route is by car. Take the Hudson (River) Parkway (also known to New Yorkers as the West Side Drive) north to the George Washington Bridge (GWB) into New Jersey.  Use the UPPER level since it has the most direct connection to the Palisades Interstate Parkway (PIP).  At the southern end of the parkway there are three scenic outlooks.  If you have the time make a stop at one of these rest stops on the top of the Palisades where there are panoramic views of upper Manhattan,... Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:14:20 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/West-Point-United-States-Military-Academy-review-cb651 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/IKEA-review-1cbb0 The Swedish are coming! IKEA is coming!  If you haven't discovered IKEA yet just wait.  Their rate of expansion has increased and there might be one in your metropolitan area soon.  I've been a shopper at IKEA for years and have convinced my wife, son and son-in-law of its merits.  As I write this I am sitting at a desk bought at IKEA, with the lamp on the desk from IKEA, next to a table bought at IKEA and behind me two seven foot bookcases bought at IKEA.  For those who haven't experienced shopping at IKEA, and shopping at IKEA is an experience, here's a little primer. First, IKEA is essentially a supermarket for all kinds of furniture.  From the big ticket items (dining room, bedroom and living room) to the tiny stuff (knives, forks, spoons and cocktail napkins), its showrooms are loaded with well made and reasonably priced selections.   — Secondly, IKEA is not an American store.  Its origins are Swedish and so all the brand and... Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:09:29 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/IKEA-review-1cbb0 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Gmail-review-b7e00 I have three email addresses.  The first is what I call my personal address.  This is the address my friends and family use and the address that I supply to companies in which I have a financial relationship: banks, credit card and online stores. The second is my professional email address, the one my company supplies when I deal with clients, customers and internal affairs at work. — The third is what I call my social address.  I am mostly anonymous at this address which I give to companies that offer me coupons, travel discounts, online games, newsletters and sports information.  For this account I use Google Mail. — This has worked out quite well for one reason; the amount of spam I see is tiny compared to the amount of spam I receive.  Fortunately, my personal email address has no spam since I give only to trusted parties.  My second one is relatively free of span since my employer filters out most it and stores it separately just in case... Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:47:09 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Gmail-review-b7e00 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/New-York-City-review-976a2 The Big Apple has been praised and pilloried, beatified and condemned and written about endlessly.  There is no dearth of books about what to do in NYC.  What makes NYC easy to enjoy is to remember we natives call it "a town" but NYC is really lots of small towns that just happen to be across the street from each other.  But, from a person who was born and grew up here and has lived in and around NYC for most of his life, I'd like to suggest some tactics for enjoying New York, mainly Manhattan. You don't have to bring a suitcase full of money, it helps, New York is expensive but there are ways to enjoy it on the cheap.  Here are several. — Tours — Do you really need a guided tour of Manhattan?  Will you remember the myriad details spit out like machine gun fire by the guides?  Instead create your own tour on one of the city's many busses.  First, you'll meet real New Yorkers, especially the bus driver.  My father was a NYC bus driver... Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:34:40 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/New-York-City-review-976a2 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Blistex-Medicated-Lip-Ointment-review-b2660 Blistex is the all encompassing brand name for several over-the-counter products intended to heal and shield your lips from cold sores.  Several of them come packaged in what can best be called candy flavors.  This particular one is just plain white. — I take several products for the cold sores that develop on my lips each at the beginning of each winter.  Almost 20% of the population (according to the Blistex site) endures the same malady which is why this market has a lot of growth.  Using the product is merely soothing; it won't cure anything since the reason for cold sores is a virus.  But products like this make the condition easier to bear.  — I have one precaution if you use this product.  The tip is slanted so that the ointment is easily applied to the lips like lipstick.  Be sure you have one product per person or else the virus may get passed around.  — Active Ingredients — Dimethicone (1.1%) Essentially... Sun, 16 Dec 2007 18:43:39 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Blistex-Medicated-Lip-Ointment-review-b2660 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Jet-Blue-Airways-review-7b981 I don't fly that much (3 - 4) times a year but when I do I fly Jet Blue.  About a year ago they got a lot of bad press here in the Metro New York City (NYC) area with a storm.  Unlike most companies that make mistakes they issued an apology and inaugurated a flier's bill of rights which diluted most of the bad press. Here in the NYC area they fly from all four (that's four) major airports: JFK, LaGuardia, Newark and the latest airport now run the by the Port Authority of New York - Newburg but what most New Yorkers still refer to as Stewart from the time it was the Stewart Air Force Base.  It's listed as Newburg (SWF) on the Jet Blue web site.  — My own experience with them (mostly at JFK) has been great: on-line reservations, on-line selection of seats, quick check-ins and helpful staff.  The flights, for the most part, have been on time but actually sometimes they are early or if the flight leaves late the time is made up in the air.  Remember,... Sat, 15 Dec 2007 15:17:34 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Jet-Blue-Airways-review-7b981 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Wikipedia-com-review-b8ce1 Suggestions for using Wikipedia Intelligently — ... Fri, 14 Dec 2007 14:55:15 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Wikipedia-com-review-b8ce1 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Letters-From-Iwo-Jima-review-d549 Clint Eastwood keeps on climbing in the world of film directing.  Some more recent successes are Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby.  Letters From Iwo Jima follows Flags of Our Fathers and looks at the interior of Iwo Jima where the Japanese are holed up and they realize the holes will become their tombs. Eastwood decides that telling the story from the Japanese viewpoint requires a realistic approach so the majority of the film is in Japanese with English subtitles.  It works because the dialogue is simple-prepare to die.  Unfortunately this presumed foreign film aspect, may turn off many American viewers but maybe since Eastwood is doing it, it's okay.  Let's hope so. — As usual Eastwood gets a superb performance from his actors, notably from Kazunari Ninomiya who plays the boy soldier Saigo.  His innocence and vulnerability make his character especially attractive.  — Ken Watanabe as General Kuribayashi dominates both the Japanese... Fri, 14 Dec 2007 01:12:13 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Letters-From-Iwo-Jima-review-d549 stactom 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Good-Shepherd-review-11d10   The basic problem with the film "The Good Shepherd" is not the film itself but its advertisements.  Trailers imply that the film is another in the car-chasing genre.  Think Matt Damon is the Bourne film series.  How can there be any suspense in those films when you know the outcome, that is, Bourne must live so that there can be a sequel.  Most viewers see this film for the fun of it, to participate in the crashes and chases that would in the real world kill you instantly.    The Good Shepherd is more along the lines of the classic "Day of the Jackal" based on the novel by Frederick Forsythe and released in 1973.  Both these films analyze the personalities of the characters.  In Jackal there is a cat-and-mouse aspect as two characters try and outwit each other and in the finale of the film the ending relies on the simplicity of how the French greet each other.  In Shepherd the protagonist Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) is... Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:50:01 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Good-Shepherd-review-11d10 stactom 5