The Chronic Consumer

Oakley used to be known primarily for eyewear, but the company has branched out into producing a lot of other stuff, including snowboarding gear like the men’s jacket pictured here. This particular model is called The Goods, and comes with a bunch of cool features that you might not expect from a jacket.

First of all, this is a lightweight item with a waterproof shell. The specs on that are “10K mm waterproofing with 15K g/m2/24hrs breathability.” Honestly, I have no idea what to make of those numbers, but someone more knowledgeable can probably figure it out. The bottom line is that you’ll be dry and comfortable while wearing The Goods.

Another great feature are the two zipped chest vents at the front of the jacket. At first glance, they appear to be slash pockets, but when you lower the zipper, you reveal a mesh vent that allows air to flow in and cool you down. (Remember, this jacket is for skiing or snowboarding, so it’s possible you’d work up a sweat while wearing it.)

The rest of the details (as listed by Oakley), include:

• 100% polyester performance shell jacket
• Fully tape – welded seams
• Fixed hood with magnetic hold—down system
• Adjustable cuffs
• Fixed storm skirt system with snaps
• Pocket for your goggle
• Hand pockets with zips
• Double storm flap

What I particularly like about The Goods is that it is a very warm jacket without having all the bulk usually associated with warmth. I didn’t buy this for snowboarding or skiing, but it serves just as well as a regular, everyday winter coat. The waterproofing and extra features make this a great purchase — especially now that the 2011 models are on closeout at most places. You can find this thing for about $111 as opposed to the $160 I paid for it a few months ago! But nah, I’m not bitter

I’ve long wanted to try a bowel cleanse program as a supplement to my diet and exercise regimen to see if that would be the product to finally put me over the edge and help me lose these last few pounds. After browsing through many online sites and the nearest Whole Foods store, I decided to try something called Organic Bowel Cleanse by Renew Life.

This product is a powder that does not contain psyllium, senna, or cascara, which are very common ingredients in cleansers. Instead it has some kind of “triple fiber blend” that is supposed to help eliminate wastes and toxins without bloating, cramping, etc.

The directions say to take the product with juice or water in the morning, and then repeat in the evening as necessary. I found that once a day was all that I really required. The product worked as advertised, and though I wouldn’t exactly say that I’ve lost weight due to this cleanse, I do feel better.

After a couple weeks of daily use, I’m not sure that I need to continue at this pace. Maybe I’ll just keep it in the pantry and use it as a constipation remedy when needed. To be honest, it tastes pretty nasty and I can’t imagine having to choke this stuff down day after day after day. Why can’t these things ever taste, if not good, then at least neutral???

Anyway, if you’re looking for a safe, effective bowel/colon cleanse, give the Renew Life brand a try.

My cousin is still in high school, and made the wrestling team last year. That was the first time he had ever wrestled, so he wasn’t on varsity or anything. But he really trained hard over the summer and is getting serious about the sport. In fact, he has asked me to buy him a pair of Nike Inflict wrestling shoes for his birthday, which is coming up soon. I have been looking around for some cheap prices, and can get a pair for less than $75, so I think I’ll go ahead and buy them. I remember what it was like being on a high school team and wanting good equipment to help my performance. I just wish I’d had an accommodating aunt back then!

Now that were into Daylight Savings Time, summer is just around the corner. Part of gearing up for summer means making sure you have a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV light. My husband broke his last year, so he needs some new ones. I was looking around and saw this pair of ray ban RB3030 on sale for a decent price. My husband likes this style and even I think he would look good in them. Maybe I’ll buy these sunglasses soon and surprise him sometime!

Hmm, I think it’s safe to add this watch to the list of things I’ll never own in my lifetime! I was just reading an article about expensive timepieces and came across a note about a Patek Philippe platinum 5078 wristwatch, like the one pictured here, selling for more than $300,000 at auction. What??? I know the Patek Philippe is very sought after among collectors, but I have to wonder why. I mean, look at the watch… does it look like anything special from the outside? It’s got a leather band and no jewels or anything!! I’m all for nice timepieces, but it seems like kind of a waste to spend all that money just because something is handcrafted or because the unseen components are of top quality. Guess I’m not really a true connoisseur after all!

Do any of you know anything about Force Factor supplements? These are pre-workout pills that are supposed to really enhance performance and help you get the most out of your weightlifting sessions. Jerry is interested in using something like this to make his trips to the gym more effective, but he obviously doesn’t want to spend money on a product that is unsafe or doesn’t work. He’s going to read some force factor reviews first, of course, but it always helps to get as much input as possible. If you have experience with this product, drop me a line!

Do you think it’s worth it for men to buy a tuxedo? Or do you think renting is the best way to go?

I guess most of that depends on your lifestyle. Obviously, a Bruce Wayne type who has to attend a lot of black-tie functions and fundraisers would be better off buying. But if you just need a tux for the odd formal event, like a wedding, prom, or other special occasion, then renting would be fine. After all, what else can you really wear tuxedo shirts with? And it’s not as though those tuxedo pants, with the shiny satin stripe down the side, could double as regular suit pants.

Still… I’ve seen full tuxedos selling online for as little as $140 in some places (obviously not Armani). Since rentals can easily cost $75 or more, you might want to at least check out buying one instead.

Why am I suddenly posting about tuxedos? We have three weddings to go to between now and the end of the year — with my husband being a groomsman in all three!

A friend of mine who follows my blogs knows that I’ve been trying to find a weight loss supplement that actually works. I talked to her on the phone the other day, and she mentioned that she’s been using Leptorexin since the New Year as part of her resolution to slim down.

So far, she’s been amazed at the results she’s seen in just six weeks. In fact, she’s already so close to her target weight that she has offered to sell me the rest of her bottle of Leptorexin for a reduced price so I don’t have to spend a bunch of cash just to try it.

I think I’m going to do it. I’ve been hemming and hawing long enough now… it’s time to take some action. I’ve got nothing to lose but the weight!