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| February 28, 2006 |
Posted by Amazon Customer Reviews
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/themoneysit08-20
Bruce Stern reviewed:
A General Theory of Love
| 11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:  Love, Children and other important stuff of the good life, February 28, 2006 I loved this book, and have learned so much from it, both for my own personal use, simply for the knowledge and wisdom it imparts, and for what it can teach all of us about the value of love for individuals and for society. Disseminating recent scientific discoveries (as well as debunking many old accepted scientific beliefs) about the biological basis of love, and presenting love and its attendant qualities and manifestations as the most significant difference between the reptilian brain and the mammalian one. These three thoughtful and passionate men explain the ramifications and importance of the development of the mammalian brain, and its superiority to a truly successful human life because the heartbeat of love resides within its neuronal pathways. (They go so far as to argue that because the presence of a healthy appreciation for and proper education about love, that the mammalian brain is more important than the cognitive brain.) I recommend this book to those of you interested in the science of brain development, and recent discoveries about the brain and its evolution. Readers interested in a biologic basis of love, and what the authors forcefully argue as the most important quality a child, and therefore, an adult can learn during the earliest years of life when most permanent psychological and emotional learning are imprinted within the human brain, will eat up the material presented in this treatise. I could go on writing about this book, and my enthusiasm for it, but moving to some final words, the authors, in the first thorough explanation I've read, argue for the value of psychological/psychiatric and emotional therapy, and not the several weeks' kind most offered by the misdirected and economics-focused health care system in this country. They do not promote any specific technique, but state unequivocally the importance of finding the right type of therapy. There is so much packed into its 230 pages. I will read this book, at least once again. I hope as many people as possible learn from its wisdom, at least for the sake of our children, who are our future. |
| February 28, 2006 |
Posted by Amazon Customer Reviews
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/themoneysit08-20
J reviewed:
Exodus
| 4 of 6 people found the following review helpful: Dumbasses, February 27, 2006 |
| February 28, 2006 |
Posted by Amazon Customer Reviews
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/themoneysit08-20
Angela Ott reviewed:
Idea Village Finishing Touch Personal Hair Remover
| 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: I like it!, February 27, 2006 |
| February 27, 2006 |
Posted by Amazon Customer Reviews
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/themoneysit08-20
C. W. Fitch reviewed:
Gillette Fusion Manual Razor with Replacement Cartridge and Storage Case
| 11 of 14 people found the following review helpful: If you've gotta use a blade, use this one!, February 25, 2006 Gillette have been the masters of shaving comfort for several years now. Their introduction of the Mach 3 razor was a breakthrough, just like they said. A lot of you likely still use the Mach 3, but it's a good bet the Fusion will make you want to upgrade. I'll admit, I was a little wary about using a five-bladed razor. I felt the same way about the Mach 3; I envisioned pressing too hard and slicing into my jugular, or worse, going to work with an entire roll of toilet paper on my face. Thankfully, the opposite happened, and I used the Mach 3 and M3 Turbo for years. I even bought into the M3 Power when it came out, but found there wasn't much difference in closeness or comfort (which is why I chose the manual Fusion over the Fusion Power). Still a really good shave, though. Anyway, about the Fusion. First off, don't be intimidated by the five blades. They're close enough together that you really have to try to cut yourself. In fact, that's one of the beauties of this razor. Even a face like mine, which is very susceptible to cuts, accepted the Fusion's blades with very little irritation. The first couple of times I used it, I had to watch out for pressing too hard and suffered a couple minor nicks, but I quickly got the hang of it. The blades really do all the work. The head of the razor is bigger than the M3 as well, which actually does cut down on shaving time. I've always liked the "indicator" strip on the top of the M3 blade that lets me know when it's time to change the blade, and it's here on the Fusion as well. It's made with aloe, if you're interested in that sort of thing, which supposedly aids in shaving comfort. You'll get about a week's worth of good shaves before the blade wears out, which works out to a pack of cartridges a month (about the same as the M3). It's best to pick these up in bulk (packs of 8); if and when you switch to this razor, you'll need them anyway, and you'll save a little dough in the process. The extra blade on the back of the razor is rather neat indeed. It does help even out your sideburns and touches up those tricky spots right under your nose and above your chin. I wouldn't use it for beard sculpting or anything, but for tough areas it does a good job. Just be mindful of that blade when you're shaving near your ears. I accidentally nicked my earlobe shaving my jawline the first time I used it. Yeowch! Changing the blade out is just as easy as the M3 also. Just pop, slide, and click a new blade in. The "comfort guard" under the main blades is a slight improvement from the M3, but it's not really a "wow" factor. The "ergonomic" handle is pure gimmick; it does little more than make the Fusion look like a phaser from Star Trek. I would rather just buy the blades and have them fit on my Mach 3, but what kind of marketing savvy would that be? Oh well; the razor itself isn't exactly a bank-breaker, and you only have to buy it once. All told, this is the Porsche 911 of razors. It's a smooth ride, it's comfortable, it's fast, and yes, even though the blades are pricey, it's worth it to me. If I had my druthers, of course, I'd use an electric (they're much less expensive in the long run), but they're just not compatible with my face and Rocky Mountain-ish peaks and valleys of my neck. (Believe me; I've tried five different kinds.) The Fusion's the closest shave I've gotten with a blade yet. If you really saw the difference between the M3 and M3 Power on your face, you'll probably notice it with the Fusion Power as well, but I figure I'm paying enough for the one without the motor. I'm glad I made the switch, and after comparing with the Mach 3, I won't go back. Try it and see for yourself. |
| February 25, 2006 |
Posted by Amazon Customer Reviews
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/themoneysit08-20
C. W. Fitch reviewed:
King of Fighters 2002/2003
| 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:  The best...and last., February 25, 2006 Fun: I've been playing "The King of Fighters" series pretty regularly since its inception in 1994, and pound for pound, it is the best 2D fighting game series out there. The "Street Fighter" series may have pretty much started it all as far as fighting games go (and was pretty innovative at the time), but when you count depth, strategy, animation, and flat out fun factor, "Street Fighter" doesn't come close to KOF. The evolution of this series from 1994 until now has gained more fans worldwide every year, and innovation reaches its pinnacle with KOF 2002/2003 (mostly with 2003). KOF was the first fighting game in history to use the 3-person team concept, and no other fighting game (except "Marvel vs. Capcom 2") has duplicated it since. In 1994, all of the fighters were grouped into teams, and they featured several familiar faces from many different SNK games. Art of Fighting, Fatal Fury, and even Ikari Warriors was represented, and the fact that whole teams (with fighters having several different styles and moves) smacked down with one another offered unparalleled strategy. It evolved further in '95, with the option to put any 3 fighters in a team (as well as several new and original characters). The fight combinations were almost endless at this point. SNK also started experimenting with melding elements from their other fighting games into KOF, and it met with more success. Well, 10 years later, here we are. KOF is nowhere near the same game as 1994, and fans of the series couldn't be more thankful. It's hard to improve upon near perfection, but the folks at SNK/Playmore have done it. The evolution is complete, with the most gorgeous, in-depth, and just plain fun version of them all. This is actually a collection of two games (on two different discs), as you may have guessed from the title, and there are lots of things to like about both of them. Once you've played them both for a little while, though, the differences between the two are clear. The 2003 version is clearly superior to 2002, as 2002 is basically a thrown-together remix/slugfest combining elements from past KOF games, while 2003 introduces new characters, new gameplay elements, and an all-new storyline (what's that? A storyline in a FIGHTING GAME?). Both games have most of the same features: single-player, vs. play, survival mode (single or team); the usual fighting game features. But let's get to the important stuff: what will make you want to buy this collection? 2002: THE GOOD: --Lots of characters from which to choose (44 in all). All of the fighters in '02 are from the '96-'01 games, so veterans of the series will likely already be familiar with them. Even the end boss, Omega Rugal, is selectable from the get-go. There are 2 or 3 "secret" characters to unlock as well. This adds a great amount of strategy to an already challenging fighting game and makes for some interesting combinations. --The graphics. As far as hand-drawn 2D games go, it doesn't get any better. The fighters, backgrounds, and special move effects are all gorgeous and have amazing detail. THE BAD: --Control. The control in 2002 is a bit less responsive than 2003, which can lead to a little frustration. In order to execute special moves, you've got to be pretty deliberate with the D-Pad. Super moves can sometimes be torture to pull off, which is very annoying in a heated match. Highly recommend having a controller with an 8-way pad. --Sound/BGM. Considering every other home version of KOF uses an arranged soundtrack (with real musical instruments as opposed to MIDI files, making even listening to the game a joy), it's a real downer to hear such clunky background music in a PS2 game. I fail to see the reasoning behind that. The music is one of the best parts of the KOF series. Also, even in stereo, the sound effects seem to fade in and out from time to time. --NO ONLINE PLAY! What the heck is THAT all about? Talk about a game that screams to be online capable, and it's not. Disappointing, really; I was looking forward to having my rear end handed to me by Japanese 10-year-olds. THE UGLY: --Difficulty. In single-player mode, you will not find a cheesier end boss than Omega Rugal `02. On any difficulty setting above 4 (normal), forget beating him unless you're a champion-caliber player. The AI in the matches leading up to the end is crazy as well. Unless you just plan on smacking down with your friends, which is where the real fun is, you'd better know what you're doing before you even turn on the game. There are no "endings" to speak of in the game anyway, so there's almost no point in playing it through in single-player. 2003: THE GOOD: --Gorgeous graphics. This is the most well-drawn of the series. You almost feel as if you're watching anime when the fighters go at it. The fluidity of the animation is awesome. In normal graphics mode, the special moves' effects are also enhanced, and the backgrounds are even more detailed and unique. It's a true work of art. --Control. 2003 is a sheer joy to play control-wise. Even though the execution of several of a fighter's moves is similar (a KOF curse from '94 on), the controller knows the difference and you rarely miss a move. The most responsive control of any home version of KOF. --New storyline means multiple endings. 2003 marks the dawning of a new era for the tournament, as this year the bad guys (from a place called "His Distant Land", whatever that means) behind the scenes are starting something even more evil than NESTS or the Orochi. Each team has what's called a "good" ending, revealed after beating the "true" end boss, Mukai (have fun figuring out how to get it; it's easier than you think), that reveals just a bit about the developing story, adding replay value. Some of them are pretty hilarious, especially if you're familiar with the series. --Depth/Strategy. The "tag out" concept is very fresh for this series, and you can also pick a "leader" for your team, which enables that fighter to pull out an extra-devastating Super move. The team combinations alone make for great replay value for a fighting game. There are 35 different characters to master in all. THE BAD: --No online play. See 2002. Forget THE UGLY. There's nothing ugly about it, unless you want to consider the lack of online play ugly. For fighting game aficionados, there is no greater find than the KOF series. The depth, the longevity, and especially the intriguing characters make this series one of the most well-known and well-loved fighting game series in the world. SNK (now Playmore) saw something great in the Street Fighter series and basically said, "How can we make that better?". They did, and it's made for a great run. Sadly, 2003 marked the last time we'll see a 2D KOF game, probably ever. It's also very doubtful the next wave of 3D KOF games (if any more come down the pipe) will advance the potentially "chilling" storyline started in 2003. There's just not enough of a market for these types of games anymore, but there will always be old-school aficionados like me who've played `em for over 15 years now, and will continue to look out for them. If you share my passion, you'll not regret purchasing this game collection, despite the nuances. If you've never played a KOF game before, this would be the ultimate starting point. |
| February 25, 2006 |
Posted by Amazon Customer Reviews
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/themoneysit08-20
Lewis Moseley reviewed:
Black and Decker VP135 VersaPak 3.6-Volt 2-Port 3 Hour Stick Style Battery Charger with 2 VP100 Batteries
| 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: Works as expected, February 23, 2006 |
| February 23, 2006 |
Posted by Amazon Customer Reviews
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/themoneysit08-20
Rubin Carver reviewed:
Strait Up
| 7 of 7 people found the following review helpful: Snot's missing opus, February 21, 2006 There are really two ways to look at this album - as a tribute to Lynn from his friends and bandmates, and as a glimpse into the aborted second Snot album, which with Lynn's death was doomed never to happen. Obviously it is a very touching gesture and a testament to how many lives Lynn affected. However, Lynn's death was also the death of one of the best metal bands of the era and while the lyrics are in many cases a heartfelt send-off for a good friend, the music is a scrapbook providing a glimpse into what Snot could have become. First, lyrically, there are some very touching lyrics. What is interesting is how many different reactions Lynn's death incited - from Serj's poetic celebration of Lynn's virtues to Jonathan Davis's anger and feelings of betrayal and Corey Taylor's shock. Among the more disappointing deliveries is Fred Durst's inane ranting on "Forever"... on one hand, it can be seen as a reaction to the self-rightous a-hole DJ's and music critics who dismissed Lynn as just another worthless drug casualty, which is an honest enough reaction. But at the same time, why sully Lynn's memory by calling out his enemies on this tribute? Also, "Reaching Out" has mostly nonsense lyrics, even though the tune is one of the best on the album musically. Seen as a glimpse into Snot's aborted second album, Strait Up is both fascinating and massively frustrating. What is immediatly clear is that Snot's music was becoming significantly more dark and serious. These tunes don't even need the somber lyrics to be heavy-hearted, as the music is just a lot more brutal and angry than most of the punk/jazz-core found on Get Some. It should be pointed out that there are actually 15 tracks on this album. However, the band only wrote 9 new songs as of when Lynn passed away. So which songs constitute Snot's hypothetical second album? Well the 15th "hidden" track is a remixed soup of Snot songs and a few recordings of Lynn's spoken voice. Interesting, but not that listenable, and clearly not something that was written in the regular sense. The only performance by the full band Snot on this album is "Absent", probably the band's single most emotionally powerful song. However, while this version is remixed and cleaned up for Strait Up, it was originally released on the Strangeland soundtrack, and was not one of the 9 new songs. It may have landed on Snot's LP2 though, and it is a perfect example of how much more powerful and dark Snot's music was becoming at this time. The music to "Sad Air" was written by ex Snot guitarist Sonny Mayo in response to Lynn's passing. While it is a very emotional track, with what I assume is one of Lynn's last interviews, it wouldn't have existed without his death. "Ozzy Speaks" is a spoken word tribute from Ozzy Osbourne at the center of the album. "Angel's Son", on the other hand, is an absolutely beautiful ballad featuring singer Lajon Witherspoon from Sevendust. Actually, it features several other members of Sevendust, and was written by Sevendust guitarist Clint Lowerly. It is a great song but it is a Sevendust song and an alternate version can be found at the end of Sevendust's third album, Animosity. All the rest of the songs are Snot songs, but one of them had to be written explicitely for this tribute album, since there are 10 tracks left. Well "Starlit Eyes" is for certain one the songs, since a version of it exists with Lynn's vocals, under the name "Choose What?" This song is a frenzied, intense metal track that is passionate in either version (but especially in the version with Lynn.) Using "Absent" as an archetype for the overall vibe of new Snot songs (and using Get Some as a pallette of musical devices characteristic to this band,) several equally dynamic tracks can be assumed to be would-be LP2 songs. "I Know Where You're At" is a song that develops quite gradually and is musically a trip in a way old Snot wasn't. Granted, the hip-hop beat in the intro was probably added when M.C.U.D. was the confirmed as the guest vocalist, but the rest of the track is clearly Snot in origin. "Requiem" is even creepier than "Absent" and would probably have been one of my favorite Snot songs. I can only imagine what Lynn would have done with it. "Reaching Out" is of a slower pace than any previous Snot songs but has the same dark edge as the rest of the music on here, and the last minute and a half or so is ethereal. "Take It Back" is musically one of the lesser of these songs, being a bit heavy in a more 'cliche' nu metal way than the other songs, but maintains a similar style and was probably set for release on the next album. Snot also had a penchant for fun and fast punk songs, a description which can easily be applied to "Until Next Time" (which was written by Lynn himself) and "Funeral Flights." However, three tracks have almost no resemblance to anything else by Snot and one of these was probably written to accomodate the guest singer - "Forever,""Divided," and "Catch a Spirit." The first song actually does have some telltale Snot lead towards the end, so my money is either on the bubblegum-sweet "Divided" or the tribal "Catch a Spirit." They're just too tailored to their respective guest singers. Both are good songs, especially "Divided", although not standouts on the album. It is clear that Snot's second album was going to be amazing, and it is more than a little frustrating that we will never get it or any other future output from this band. Having not known Lynn personally, I'm not going to pretend I feel the pain these people felt from his passing, but it did make me pretty sad - this effort affected me strongly when it came out and I think I have more appreciation for their personal loss through it. It is a bit depressing to sit through this record once you know the lyrics, especially if you make it all the way to "Sad Air," but I recommend it strongly - musically it is an accomplishment and even if you don't care for one or more of the guest artists, there's a high likelihood you'll find at least a few songs on it that you like. It is a MUST for fans of the band, who where left wanting more after Get Some. |
| February 21, 2006 |
Posted by Amazon Customer Reviews
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/themoneysit08-20
Rubin Carver reviewed:
Geogaddi
| 3 of 4 people found the following review helpful: early morning activities, February 16, 2006 Geogaddi is sort of torn between two natures - psychadelic, otherwordly rhythms (see "Gyroscope") and warm, melodic progressions. This could turn a person off who is only looking for one or the other, but Boards of Canada does pull the sound off quite nicely. There is a very organic ring to Boards of Canada's music on this album that is difficult to explain. The warm synth tones and digitally distorted percussion along with the sampling of a number of instruments, mostly woodwinds, makes their sound instantly recognizable. With this sort of music, it is difficult to break it down to a song-by-song analysis - since the music is meant to drone, the overall experiance is the more important aspect, and the overall experiance of Geogaddi is a unique one if nothing else. It is rediculously easy to listen to for the most part. One of the only serious criticisms I can make is that the last handful of tracks are a bit weak, they seem to drift off aimlessly into la-la land. I can confidently recommend this to any IDM/ambient electronica fan, and I personally found it to be a good introduction to electronica for myself. Worst case scenario: it will probably make good background music for your early morning activities. |
| February 16, 2006 |
Posted by Amazon Customer Reviews
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/themoneysit08-20
Jeff Wiley reviewed:
The Very Best of Dokken
| 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: A Dokken compilation that is Heaven Sent, February 10, 2006 Dokken mapped out a perfect blueprint for melodic hard rock at the height of their popularity. The music recorded and produced by the original lineup could be classified in one of two ways : `good' and `better'. This CD is a great cross-section of their best material. From crushers like "Into the Fire" to a lost classic like "Heaven Sent" to a fantastic ballad in "Alone Again", this CD runs the gambit of Dokken's work. No `best of' collection is going to please every listener, but this one comes pretty close. |
| February 10, 2006 |
