The Chronic Consumer

I want to start getting more real productivity out of my iPad instead of just using it as a fancy notebook or web browser. Towards that end, I’ve been buying apps that let me use the device more like I would my desktop computer. My latest purchase was Pages, the iWork version of word processing.

Here’s the description from Apple:

Pages lets you create great-looking letters, reports, flyers, invitations, and more on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. And the story gets even better. Now iCloud keeps your documents up to date across all your iOS devices — automatically. So whatever device you’re on, your projects are ready for you to pick up right where you left off. Words have never come so easily.

I don’t need quite that much functionality, since I only have an iPad at the time. In fact, I don’t even know how to access iCloud (is it automatic??) or anything like that. But from the little bit that I’ve used Pages thus far, I have to say that the rest of the info from the description is right on.

Pages comes with a number of pre-loaded templates (formal letter, letter, resume, poster, visual presentation, etc.) so creating those kinds of things is a breeze. You just select a template, and then replace the existing text and/or graphics with whatever you want.

Creating new documents is even easier, and I love how there are quite a bit of options for fonts, sizes, and headings. This makes me feel like I’m using a powerful program, even if I do just select Times New Roman, 12-pt every time.

Another great thing about Pages is the ease with which I can add, edit, and otherwise manipulate photos and other objects in the document. I just grab photos right from my iPad, scale them down, wrap the text, and I’m good to go. This makes creating newsletters and similar photo-heavy documents easy.

And finally, I can open and edit Word documents, and export my own work as Word or PDF files so others can open/read what I’ve done. Oh, and did I mention that all my work is automatically saved as I type? No more worries about losing text if I get interrupted and have to shut down quickly.

All in all, I think Pages was a very smart purchase. It costs $9.99, which is expensive for an app, but I believe the product is worth even more than that. If this cost $19.99, for example, I wouldn’t blink an eye about paying that.

Anyway, if you want some true word processing functionality on your iPad, then you simply must get Pages. I wasn’t all that impressed with Numbers, but Pages is a great app!

I like to jog outside even in winter, so I was looking for a product that could keep me warm without making me too hot. Under Armour, while far more expensive than most other brands, usually does the trick, so I decided to give their Armour Fleece Full-Zip Hoody a try.

This is a loose-fitting product that I use as an outer layer over my SubZero base layer and another long-sleeved shirt (non-UA). The Armour Fleece Hoody has a soft, brushed inside and a smooth, quick-drying outside. The fabric on the inside is designed to retain warmth and wick moisture, while the fabric on the outside dissipates the moisture. It also comes with a 3-panel hood, and 4-way stretch construction for mobility.

I’ve had my hoody for a couple months now, and really love it. I was a bit skeptical at first because the wind usually cuts right through hoodies like they’re nothing, but this UA product really does keep me warm. The sizing is great, as it’s big enough for layering but not overly bulky (which is the problem I have with using regular sweatshirts for jogging).

If there’s one complaint I have about my Armour Fleece Full Zip Hoody (besides the $65 price tag), it’s that the zipper is very hard to operate! Maybe mine got damaged somehow without me realizing it, but I often have to yank and struggle quite a bit to get the thing going. Once the zipper is engaged and starts moving, it’s fine. But engaging it in the first place takes much longer than it should.

Overall, though, this sweatshirt has quickly become my favorite. I’m even thinking about buying another one so I can reserve one for jogging (where it gets sweaty and stinky) and another for lounging around the house on weekends.

My son has been getting into floor hockey and soccer at school, so I decided to buy him this Mylec All-Purpose Steel Goal to use in our basement during the winter and in the driveway during the summer. The goal can be used for hockey, soccer (obviously a LOT smaller than regulation, but better than nothing), lacrosse, handball, field hockey, etc. which is pretty cool.

After reading some product reviews, I decided to go with a steel goal rather than one made of plastic or PVC tubing. Those models, while definitely lighter and cheaper than the steel version, tend to break easily according to other customers. I figured I should just get the best product I could afford rather than getting something that would need to be replaced several times.

The Mylec goal was fairly easy to assemble. It comes with about 10 pieces of numbered steel tubing that snap together and lock into place. The net is quadruple stitched onto canvas sleeves that the tubes then slide into. The quadruple stitching ensures that the net will hold up even against the toughest slapshots — and so far, that has been the case. The goal is 52x43x28, which is actually pretty darn big. But that’s a good thing as long as you have the room for it.

Overall, I have to say that I think this was a great purchase. We’ve had the goal for a month now and my son has spent at least an hour a day taking shots at it in the basement. It has stood up to everything so far (granted, we’re just using a plastic floor hockey puck or plastic street hockey balls) and still looks like new. I have no regrets about spending $50 on this heavy-duty goal. I’m sure it will last for years and years, which is exactly what we want!

If you’re in your late 30s like I am, then your Saturday mornings were probably remarkably similar to mine. You likely woke up early to watch cartoons, and between cartoons, there would occasionally be more educational fare in the form of Schoolhouse Rock videos. I loved those videos, so when I saw this 30th anniversary DVD, I just had to have it.

The two DVDs in the box feature all the Schoolhouse Rock videos that were ever made, plus a couple of bonus songs (I’m Gonna Send Your Vote to College and The Weather Song). I honestly had no idea there were 46 songs because I only remembered a handful of the most famous ones (I’m Just a Bill, Conjunction Junction, Electricity, Get Your Adverbs Here, etc.), so it was GREAT to have all this music on the DVDs.

You can play the DVDs straight through, play a specific category (Grammar Rock, Science Rock, etc.) or shuffle the songs which was kinda nice. There’s also some hidden artwork and photos to look at.

Overall, I’m very pleased with this purchase. For $15, I was able to relive a significant part of my childhood and share these songs with my own son. Even though he doesn’t appreciate them nearly as much as I did/do, it was still fun to watch them together!

We always try to save money on our winter heating bills, so we keep a bunch of throw blankets on our couches and chairs in the living room. That way, when we’re just relaxing in front of the TV or with a book, we can warm up with a blanket instead of feeling the need to turn the thermostat up. This approach actually works pretty well!

Anyway, we periodically have to replace the blankets because of wear and tear (and because the dogs get to them), so this time around I decided to buy a Missouri plush blanket. It measures 48″ x 60″ (which is a great size for me, but might be small for other people) and is made from some kind of ultra-soft plush material. It is predominantly black, but has gold trim along two edges as well as two tigerhead logos, one in the middle and one in the corner.

This blanket is VERY warm and comfortable, and has quickly become my favorite. It’s the one I reach for immediately whenever I sit in the living room, and by now the rest of the family knows that I’ve got dibs on it! I LOVE this blanket!

I jog outside even in the winter, which means I have to wear something to keep my ears warm. I don’t like beanies or caps because those types of full head coverings cause too much sweat to accumulate on my forehead, which in turn can cause acne outbreaks (which I’m always susceptible to). That’s why I prefer behind-the-head ear warmers.

I recently needed a new pair after somehow losing my old ones. I found these Tahoe ear warmers from a brand called 180s while I was at Dick’s Sporting Goods. I liked that they had different sizes for men and women (rather than the dreaded one-size-fits-all) and that the headband is adjustable. I decided to give them a try even though they were pretty expensive at $20 a pop.

So far, I really like them! They fit well, don’t slip too much when I’m jogging, and are collapsible so I can put them in my pocket or wear them around my forearm if I start to get too hot while out on a run.

The only thing I’m worried about with these is the white sherpa fleece lining. Surely that lining will get dingy and dirty after a while…yuck!

Anyway, if you want a behind-the-head ear warmer that will keep you warm while playing outdoor sports or that won’t mess up your hairstyle as you go to work or school, then I recommend giving 180s a try. They have several different styles, including ones that easily accommodate headphones for your MP3 player.

Along with my new Kindle 3 with keyboard, I bought a leather lighted cover. This is the Amazon brand cover, and is way better than the cheap faux thing they distributed for free with the first generation models. The cover is made of a genuine leather exterior and has soft microfiber suede on the inside for added protection for the device.

The best part about it, IMO, is the built-in LED light. It is retractable, and pulls out from the back of the cover when needed. It doesn’t take any batteries, either, as it draws power from the Kindle itself when the unit is turned on (The cover has two gold plated “hinge points” that conduct electricity from the Kindle to the light when the light is pulled out). The light provides great coverage for about 90% of the screen only, though. It used to be frustrating as hell to have a bit of a dark patch on the screen, but I’ve gotten used to it by now.

Anyway, I really love this Kindle lighted cover. It’s far more convenient to use than the separate Mighty Bright Book Light that I was carrying around with my first generation Kindle, and I think it’s great that I never have to think about batteries.

The only thing I don’t like about this cover is its price. $49.99 is VERY steep, and boosted my total outlay to nearly $200. Oh, well… If I get three good years out of both products, I’ll be happy!

When my first generation Kindle gave out several months ago, I decided not to replace it. I figured I could still read ebooks on my Sony Reader or my iPad, so there was no sense in getting another device. But actually, those devices just don’t compare to the Kindle’s size, comfort, and e-ink display, so I ended up buying a Kindle 3 Wifi with keyboard a couple weeks ago.

I went with the Kindle 3 despite knowing that the new line of touchscreen models is coming out next month because I liked the dimensions of the Kindle 3. I don’t want my e-reader to be either too small (the newer Kindles are all more compact) or too big (it’s impossible for me to get comfortable reading an iPad while lying on my side in bed (my preferred reading position).

I’m happy to report that the Kindle 3 is everything I hoped it would be. It’s comfortable to hold, easy to “turn” the pages, and the keyboard is light years better than in the first generation. I am also very impressed by the improvements in the e-ink technology. The “print” is noticeably clearer and crisper than on the first generation unit.

Another improvement, IMO, is the placement of the power/sleep switch. That’s now at the bottom of the unit instead of on the back panel, making it much easier to turn the device on and off even when it’s housed in a carrying case.

Overall, I have to say that I’m in love with my Kindle. Forget about other e-book readers; they just can’t compare to the Kindle!!!