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Comment on Delta 25984LF-OB Porter Two Handle Centerset Lavatory, Oil Bronze by Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:20:14 +0000

modern look, October 25, 2011

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Delta 25984LF Porter Two Handle Centerset Lavatory, Chrome (Tools & Home Improvement)

good price, as I shopped around. easy to install. nice sleek modern look for remodeling a bath. I would reorder if needed

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Comment on Moen T6620ORB Brantford Two-Handle Low Arc Bathroom Faucet without Valve, Oil Rubbed Bronze by M. Crandall

M. Crandall — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:50:30 +0000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

We love it, January 6, 2012

M. Crandall (Pleasantville, USA) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Moen T6620ORB Brantford Two-Handle Low Arc Bathroom Faucet without Valve, Oil Rubbed Bronze (Tools & Home Improvement)

The directions were understandable, and the parts fit together in such a way that you really couldn't make any assembly mistakes that weren't immediatley obvious. The oil-rubbed bronze is a perfect match to our black and white granite countertop. My only complaint is that I couldn't get the drain-stopper to float perfectly level with the sink drain. Not a big deal, and has no effect on functionality, but little things like that bother me.

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Comment on Delta 25984LF-OB Porter Two Handle Centerset Lavatory, Oil Bronze by J. LaCroix

J. LaCroix — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:43:34 +0000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Great Price!, July 17, 2011

J. LaCroix -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Delta 25984LF Porter Two Handle Centerset Lavatory, Chrome (Tools & Home Improvement)

I really Like this Delta Faucet, I purchased "Chrome" to compliment my bathroom hardware. This faucet installed easily. It actually took longer to remove the old, cheap, broken faucet in our bathroom.

I only give this faucet 4 stars because when the handles turn the water on high, or when both handles increase the force of water, the faucet makes an annoying whistling noise.I don't know if others experienced this or if it is just my water pressure. I can live with it though.

It's a very practical and functional faucet and GREAT PRICE for a Delta. I will look at this brand again when I need to upgrade another faucet.

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Comment on Moen T6620ORB Brantford Two-Handle Low Arc Bathroom Faucet without Valve, Oil Rubbed Bronze by B. Nelson

B. Nelson — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:39:27 +0000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Looks great, but durability of ORB finish is unclear, January 18, 2012

B. Nelson -

This review is from: Moen T6620ORB Brantford Two-Handle Low Arc Bathroom Faucet without Valve, Oil Rubbed Bronze (Tools & Home Improvement)

We put this Moen faucet into two separate bathrooms - one oil-rubbed bronze and one brushed nickel. Yes, I would recommend a plumber, and yes, you'll need the inner workings beyond what's in this kit. That being said, this is a good set and looks great in either finish. I'd give a slight advantage to the brushed nickel option, only because we have some concerns about whether the oil-rubbed bronze finish may be lightening a little bit on top of the spout, after about 10 months of constant use. I would definitely be careful when cleaning it to avoid scuffing it. I still recommend it (would give it 3.5 stars if I could), you just need to be aware that the oil-rubbed bronze finish may be a bit more unforgiving if not cleaned gently.

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Comment on Case Logic LAPS-111 10 – 11.6 -Inch Netbook Sleeve (Black) by switterbug

switterbug — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:38:27 +0000

19 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

Sleek and secure, April 8, 2011

switterbug (Austin, Texas) -

This review is from: Case Logic LAPS-113 13.3-Inch Laptop / MacBook / MacBook Pro Sleeve (Black) (Personal Computers)

Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)

I was expecting a mere utilitarian sleeve to hold my 13" Mac Pro laptop. I am delighted that it also provides some aesthetic satisfaction. The color is a solid inky black, with no lighter threads in the design. The Case Logic logo on the front is small, with the yellow-orange square of half-sun that pops out stylishly and yet is unobtrusive. The woven webbing on the sides is a nice nifty touch.

The top-loading zipper--which is a primary feature for me in determining quality--is sturdy and smooth, and slides like buttah from one side to the other. It won't scratch your laptop because it has a protective lip. The 6 millimeter foam padding feels substantial and secure, and my laptop slips in easily, like a card in an envelope. It fits snugly but not too tightly, either.

External dimensions are 14 x 1.1 x 10" and internal dimensions are 13 x 1.1 x 9.1" The exterior and lining is made of 100% polyester.

The attached description card says "25 Years Quality Guarantee."

Highly recommended to protect your 13" laptop.

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Comment on Case Logic LAPS-111 10 – 11.6 -Inch Netbook Sleeve (Black) by techdad review

techdad review — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:07:21 +0000

53 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

Fantastic Protective Sleeve For Macbook Pro's & Google Chrome Cr-48, March 1, 2011

techdad review (San Francisco Bay Area) -

This review is from: Case Logic LAPS-113 13.3-Inch Laptop / MacBook / MacBook Pro Sleeve (Black) (Personal Computers)

Case Logic, Inc. has been around since 1984, which is probably right about the time I bought my first Case Logic case for my cassette tapes. Over the years, as they added items to their product line, so I added their products to my collection. As a sample, I believe I have owned at one point or another, Case Logic cassette cases, CD & DVD cases, CD player cases, Zip Drive cases, trunk organizers, and more. I'm looking around my home office and I can spot several of their products and I bet you do too. Case Logic's 13.3 Laptop Sleeve (LAPS-113) is one of many sleeves that Case Logic makes and it just might be the perfect protective, no frills sleeve for your 13.3-inch or smaller laptop.

PROS:
- No nonsense, sleek design
- 6mm EVA foam padding
- Smooth gliding zipper
- Protective lip prevents damage from zipper

CONS:
- Slight rubbery odor

I define my perfect laptop sleeve to be one that has no handles, pockets, zippers, or bulk. What I want out of a sleeve, is a relatively form-fitting sleeve that I can then toss into one of my other bags, like my Timbuk2 messenger bag or my JanSport backpack. The LAPS-113 hit each of my requirements perfectly, except for the inclusion of a zipper. Though, as you'll soon see, the zipper turned out to be a neutral feature for me, not a negative one.

PROTECTION
First and foremost, the LAPS-113 will protect your laptop from scratches. The exterior and interior materials are made out of 100% polyester. What makes the LAPS-113 stand out from many similar sleeves is the fact that it actually has some worthwhile padding to protect your laptop from impact. It is surrounded by a 6mm layer of EVA foam which feels a lot like memory foam. This thin layer provides enough protection that I feel very comfortable with it in my aforementioned bags. The sides also have a woven webbing that provides a protective texture as well as making it look attractive. As I mentioned before, I did not like the idea of a zipper on a laptop sleeve because I fear scratching my laptop with it. Fortunately, the Case Logic LAPS-113 has a protective lip around the zipper teeth. Essentially, when you begin to zip the the sleeve shut, the protective lip folds down over the laptop so that it is protected from coming in contact with the zipper teeth.

USAGE & SIZE
The smooth gliding zipper runs across the entire top of the sleeve and about an inch down the sides. It is very easy to insert and remove my laptop from the LAPS-113. When inside my messenger bag, I can remove my laptop without having to remove the entire sleeve from the bag. The Case Logic LAPS-113 laptop sleeve is listed as a 13.3-inch appropriate sleeve. The internal dimensions are 13in x 9.1in x 1.1in and weighs just 6 ounces. The new 13-inch Macbook Pro is listed as 12.78in x 8.94in x 0.95in, so the sleeve should be perfect. However, I have a 12.1-inch Google Chrome Cr-48 notebook and that too fit amazingly well. As my readers probably know already, I LOVE Timbuk2 products but I think the LAPS-113 just usurped my Timbuk2 sleeve as the sleeve my Cr-48 will live in. All you game developers who got their free Cr-48 from the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco might want to try the LAPS-113 for your brand new toy. To top it off, the LAPS-113 comes in three colors-black, red, and tannin (a sort of red wine, brown mixture). I also want to mention that the sleeve does give off a slight rubbery odor at first, but fades away after a few days. I know that some people are highly sensitive to smell so I just wanted to mention it for their sake.

CONCLUSION
There are plenty of folks out there who want a sleeve that has enough padding for better impact protection. The Case Logic LAPS-113 is able to do that without adding significant bulk in a simple and attractive design. I recommend it for 13-inch Macbook Pro users and Google Chrome Cr-48 users alike.

* Review sample courtesy of Case Logic, Inc.

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Comment on Stuck in the Middle (Thorndike Christian Fiction) by North

North — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:03:53 +0000

118 of 154 people found the following review helpful:

Beware : overly christian content, December 1, 2010

North (Canada) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Stuck in the Middle (Sister-to-Sister, Book 1) (Kindle Edition)

Joan, the middle sister, feels overshadowed by her two, more succesful sisters. She still lives with her grandmother and her mother, does a job that bores her and has been jilted by her fiance. Also, she still misses her father, gone since her parents' divorce.
The grandmother is getting old and there is talk of moving her to a assisted-living facility, something Joan is vehemently against.
A young doctor, Ken Fletcher, moves next door. Joan is interested in him but so is her younger sister. Who will he choose ?

I am sure that the christian content (some of the book is about Joan's seach for God) will be appreciated by some. For me, it was just too much of a good thing. I don't want to preached to when I'm reading romance novels.

But mainly, I found Joan really annoying. She spends most of the book complaining (about her name, the fact that she is quiet, her job, and even her relationship with God) and feeling sorry for herself. Ken is not much better. He almost rejects Joan because she does not seem religious enough. I found the scenes where the two sisters flirt and buy new clothes to attrack Ken corny and childish. You should'nt have to gilt the lily to be appreciated. I kept waiting for Joan to get a grip and grow-up.

I'm happy I got it free and would not pay for other novels by the same author.

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Comment on Moen T6620ORB Brantford Two-Handle Low Arc Bathroom Faucet without Valve, Oil Rubbed Bronze by SJK "nurse practitioner"

SJK "nurse practitioner" — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:00:50 +0000

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

Plumber recommended..., September 12, 2010

SJK "nurse practitioner" (Ohio) -

This review is from: Moen T6620ORB Brantford Two-Handle Low Arc Bathroom Faucet without Valve, Oil Rubbed Bronze (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have always had faucets installed professionally by plumbers... they *always* recommend Moen as a brand... for me, it is only the Moen brand faucets that last years without any need for repairs. This is a *TRIM KIT*... Many different plumbing manufacturers will make their items as two separate pieces, one piece is the trim kit and another piece is the valve or rough in valve. Some manufacturers may even sell the handle seperate. The trim kit is the finished piece that is mounted on top of the sink (faucet) or on the wall (shower kit).

Here's what else you will need...
http://www.amazon.com/Moen-9000-M-PACT-M-pact-rough/dp/B000T7Q6OI/ref=acc_glance_hi_ai_-2_t_1

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Comment on Case Logic LAPS-111 10 – 11.6 -Inch Netbook Sleeve (Black) by John Thompson

John Thompson — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:56:20 +0000

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

A quality product from a quality company, February 12, 2012

John Thompson -

This review is from: Case Logic LAPS-116 15 - 16-Inch Laptop Sleeve (Red) (Personal Computers)

This is a quality product from a quality company that has been around for a long time. I have been buying Case Logic products for several years now and am usually happy with the product. This is a good laptop sleeve that serves it's purpose. A laptop sleeve that I recently came across and really like is Laptop Sleeve 15 inch Neoprene Surf Art Style. This one is probably the best looking laptop sleeve I have come across yet. Plenty of storage and just as durable as other laptop sleeves out there, it just looks better.

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Comment on Great American Stories: Ten Unabridged Classics by 66coronet

66coronet — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:47:14 +0000

185 of 214 people found the following review helpful:

Great American Stories: Ten Unabridged Classics, November 16, 2005

66coronet (everett, wa USA) -

This review is from: Great American Stories: Ten Unabridged Classics (Audio CD)

Book Description
These ten classic stories from four of America's greatest authors of the 19th and early 20th century were selected for their literary importance as well as their dramatic oral qualities. The stories include Mark Twain's "The One-Million Pound Bank Note," "A Visit to Niagara," and "A Mysterious Visit;" Stephen Crane's "The Blue Hotel;" Ambrose Bierce's "The Eyes of the Panther;" and Jack London's "The Love of Life" and "To Build a Fire."

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Comment on Delta 25984LF-OB Porter Two Handle Centerset Lavatory, Oil Bronze by Kim C. Tesseneer

Kim C. Tesseneer — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:46:02 +0000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

A Very Good Decision To Purchase, August 25, 2011

Kim C. Tesseneer (North Carolina) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Delta 25984LF-BN Porter Two Handle Centerset Lavatory, Brushed Nickel (Tools & Home Improvement)

Looked around for a good while for a very good, dependable faucet to replace our old one. I wanted the brushed nickel to go with our new shower head. We have used other brands in the past and have become disappointed with all of them except for Delta. Even though I feel their products fall a bit short today from the exceptionally reliable Delta's of days gone by, this product more than met our expectations. It is sturdy, well built, very nice looking, very easy to install, and makes our old sink look very lovely. I would advise anyone to buy this product.

Upgrading bathroom in North Carolina!!!

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Comment on Apple iPod touch 8GB (4th Generation) – Black – Current Version by MDTenoso

MDTenoso — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:45:20 +0000

280 of 298 people found the following review helpful:

This thing rocks!, September 8, 2010

MDTenoso -

This review is from: Apple iPod touch 32GB (4th Generation) - Black - Current Version (Electronics)

*This review is from someone who never owned any Apple products before, married, healthcare professional, blackberry and palm TX owner (yeah I know, belongs in a museum), I was looking for a handheld internet browser by wifi, no monthly fees for 2 years, with camera, video, and apps that i can use for my work, and put in my pocket and it led me to this device. This is therefore a completely un-technical, layman's review.

1. Delivery time: I was supposed to receive this September 10-14 with the regular shipping, but I got it today, maybe because I ordered it as soon as Steve Jobs finished presenting, so this deserves more than 5 stars!

2. Dimensions/looks: I actually prefer the "handling" of the bigger and heavier 3rd gen that I borrowed, its all smudge now without any cover, but boy! this is the most beautiful handheld device that I ever held, 4 stars for being smaller and lighter and smudgy.

3. Display: The retina display is amazing! Like reading from a glossy magazine, and yes you cannot see the pixels! 5 stars!

4. Wifi: Sync with ATT wifi - no problem, wifi in gym - no problem, monthly fees - no problem! 5 stars!

5. Internet Browsing: Hard to type in the addresses initially, but pages loads super fast (the longest was within thress-onethousand - all news channels), surfed the web with no problems,make pages bigger or smaller... this gets 5 stars as well.

6. Speed (Processor): this thing is super fast, web pages load within 3 seconds, downloading apps within 30 secs, youtube in a flash, the email attachment that opened in 1 minute in my computer took only 10 seconds! 5 stars indeed!

7. Camera: very grainy, will not use it for any important event, only for quick-I-need-a-camera moments, it will not replace my dSLR, but since it wasnt there in the previous gen, and I only use my dSLR and nothing else, this camera is still a bonus it gets 4 stars.

8. Apps for work/"work": I already downloaded 4 very useful apps for work for free! plus 5 other free games for me and my 3 year old kid, the fact that I can now have apps without an iphone/ipad is great, the fact that its free is sweet! 5 stars!

8. Video: 720p HD! And I bought a Vado HD that does nothing else! Quality is up to par! 5 stars!

Overall, I have a device that surfs the net very very fast, manages my email, has a camera, great HD videocam, great free apps for work, that looks beautiful, and is great to look at, that I got 1 week early, what more can I ask for?!!! Worth every penny and deserves 5 stars!

And it stores and plays music too?! And has facetime?! And maps?! I feel like I paid for a Toyota and got a Lexus!

Will buy another one for my kid so she doesnt have to borrow mine!

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Comment on Dell Inspiron Mini Duo 3487FNT Convertible Laptop/Tablet (Foggy Night) by Kula

Kula — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:44:30 +0000

56 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

Little guy packs a lot of punch!, February 23, 2011

Kula (USA) -

This review is from: Dell Inspiron Mini Duo 3487FNT Convertible Laptop/Tablet (Foggy Night) (Personal Computers)

Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)

We got this computer Saturday and have not stopped playing with it. My first impressions were that the size was perfect and the flip screen was an excellent added bonus. Just the flip screen alone would make me buy this over other computers, and then the fact that it is a touchscreen sealed the deal. All in all this, is a wonderful mini computer with a few flaws, but nothing that is a deal breaker. This computer comes with all the features standard on Windows 7. Also comes with a trial version of Microsoft Office, but I do not find the need to buy the license since this is not my primary computer.

Touch Screen
-The thing I was most excited to try out, it is responsive and easy to use.
-when the screen is flipped a little slide out keyboard can be seen midway up on the left side, one touch and it slides out.
-here you can type with the keyboard, or you can draw letters with your fingers and it will automatically turn it into text
-the touchscreen takes a little bit to get used to in terms of learning where to touch to get the right letters hit, but what helps you to learn where you are actually touching the screen, is a little tiny diamond appears where your finder hits the screen, so you can see if you need to go more to the left or the right to get a precise touch.
-if the computer included a stylus that would be a much welcome addition.
-I love the fact that I can flip the screen and use it as an e-reader. Works will with the Kindle app as well, plus you get the bonus of a color screen when you're reading.

Camera
-We used google chat to test out the camera an it worked really well, no bells and whistles (there is a camera program that you can use to make different backgrounds, etc. But nothing special)
-the camera program takes a minute to load, but works well once it is loaded

Storage
-With a 320GB hard drive, it had more space than my first 4 computers did, combined! Need I say more?
-Immediately loaded over 4,000 songs onto the hard drive and this did not slow down the computer or even put a dent in the available space.

Keyboard
-I do not think the keyboard is small and the keys are just the right size
-the keys are reasonably spaced, like that of a MacBook and look nice

Battery
-The battery life isn't spectacular, but 3.5 hours and it runs a whole computer I think is pretty good.

Flash
-Love that it has flash (Sorry iPad)

Cons
-with only 2GB of RAM to run most programs, sometimes things load slowly (well, most of the time things run slowly). When next to a MacBook Pro, the MacBook took 2 seconds to load most web pages while the net book too about 10 seconds. But this isn't supposed to be a primary computer, and it has half the RAM that the MacBook has, so thats not a big deal.
-no card reader, but it has 2 usb ports which is nice for loading media
-I really wish it came with the dock, which has a card reader
-I wish it came with a stylus, but this can also be ordered separately
-sometimes the cursor gets lost on the screen while using the touchpad. The only way to bring it back is to touch the screen.

So long story short, this is definitely the best mini computer in its class because of the large hardrive (most are about $200 less and have 1GB RAM and a 250GB hardrive) with all the advances in technology, I think it is definitely worth the investment to get the bigger hard drive. This netbook is so portable, I cannot wait to travel with it, yet nothing is compromised or left behind because its large hard drive. Overall, I have to keep telling myself that this is a netbook, not a regular computer. As a netbook, this Dell does the job and does the job well. Dell hit the mark with the touchscreen, and I can't wait to see what they come out with next!

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Comment on Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) by kacunnin

kacunnin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:43:24 +0000

335 of 396 people found the following review helpful:

The Biggest Problem with Trilogies . . ., September 7, 2009

kacunnin (Bowie, MD USA) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) (Hardcover)

. . . is that darn book in the middle! You know how it goes - the first book is dynamite, because it's all new and there's so much to discover. The last book is explosive too, since we find out what happens "in the end." But the book in the middle . . . well, it's sort of like treading water. It's a place holder, filler maybe, a way to stall the reader until the good stuff can start.

Hunger Games was exiting and compelling; we found out about Katniss's world slowly, which drew us into it completely. My guess is, the final book will be equally engaging - after all, we'll learn all about District 13, we'll find out which of her two suitors Katniss will finally choose, and we'll get a glimpse of what lies in store for the Capitol and its totalitarian government. But Catching Fire is a disappointment. Nothing much happens. The plot can be summed up very succinctly - unrest grows slowly in the aftermath of Katniss and Peeta's Hunger Games victory. That's it. Katniss can't make her mind up about Peeta and Gale, she can't make her mind up about whether or not to rebel, and she can't make her mind up about who to really trust. In the end, not only is there no resolution, but little progress has been made toward one.

The biggest problem with Catching Fire is its pacing. The first third of the novel is really told in summary - Katniss explains what happened when she and Peeta came home, what happened on their tour of the Districts, what happened when she talked to Gale, etc. By telling it all in long paragraphs of summary, Collins removes the reader from the immediacy of the action - and it's both disappointing and disengaging. I wanted to experience Katniss's first meeting with Gale after she returned from the Games. I wanted be part of her trying to get her life together after her horrific experiences. But that's not the way this story is told. [***SPOILERS AHEAD***] Then, about midway through the novel, things start to feel very much like Hunger Games revisited. From the moment it's announced that Katniss will be thrown back into the arena it all starts to feel very much like a re-run. What was exciting and new in the first book, is expected and redundant in the second book. It's not that the final section isn't exciting - it is. There's plenty of action in the last chapters of the novel. But it just wasn't as gripping. I found myself reading to get to the end, rather than to find out what was going to happen. [***END SPOILERS***]

As with most "middle books," Catching Fire was written to set up the final part of its trilogy. There will be a rebellion. And there will be a love triangle. The sparks of the rebellion are there, although the reader is kept away from the actual embers. Collins put more time into Katniss's confusion over which boyfriend to pick - I found myself wishing for something, anything to happen to make that rather silly conflict moot. Katniss, as written by Collins, seems very, very young. It's hard to imagine her actually "torn between two lovers." Additionally, Gale plays such a peripheral role in this novel that it's hard to really know him. Peeta is present in almost every chapter - the sweet, loving, doting boyfriend who will be eternally true to Katniss. Gale, however, appears in only a few brief scenes, and never says more than a few words. Book 3 may give us a better picture of what these two young men really meant to Katniss; Catching Fire does not.

Actually, I think the title accurately reflects what this novel is all about - things in Katniss's world begin to catch fire. They don't actually CATCH fire - it just begins; it's "catching," so to speak. The conflict was set up in Hunger Games. The actual conflagration will play out in the third and final installment. Here, in Catching Fire, we just see the striking of the match. It's not a bad read, and fans of the first novel will enjoy this one. I just found myself wishing for more - more of an understanding of Katniss, Gale, and Peeta; more of an understanding of the totalitarian government they live under; and more of a connection to a story that won me over brilliantly in Hunger Games. This time, I felt a little lost.

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Comment on Apple iPod touch 8GB (4th Generation) – Black – Current Version by Scott Showalter "purefusion"

Scott Showalter "purefusion" — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:40:29 +0000

5,203 of 5,459 people found the following review helpful:

The Lines Between iPod Touch and iPhone Have Started to Blur, September 7, 2010

Scott Showalter "purefusion" (Ohio, USA) -

This review is from: Apple iPod touch 32GB (4th Generation) - Black - Current Version (Electronics)

Having had a chance to spend a little time with a review model gives me a chance to share the experience with you a bit early (before my own arrives). I'll take you hands-on with the new model, plus I'll share from my past two years of iPod touch ownership altogether, especially for those who haven't yet owned (or been owned by) one of these mobile gems.

I've also hidden a treasure trove of info on how you can legitimately download tons of quality apps for free. First though, let's quickly cover what's new.

+ Faster 1GHz A4 Processor - to keep up with the high demands of multitasking
+ Ultra high resolution "Retina display" - packs a 960 x 640 resolution at 326 pixels per inch
+ 15% larger battery - 3.44 Whr/930 mAh plays 7 hrs of video & 40 hrs of audio
+ Rear-facing camera - supports 960 x 720 sized photos (0.6 megapixels), plus 720p HD videos
+ Front-facing VGA-quality camera - VGA-quality is a resolution of 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
+ 3-Axis Gyroscope - allows for higher precision and more motion gestures
+ Wireless N - Connect faster and go farther than ever, with this WiFi device (requires a router with 802.11n)
+ Built in microphone - but Apple reverted back to using the remote- and mic-less earphones
+ Game Center - Apple's own social gaming platform
+ Sleep/Power Button - it's been moved to the right, but not improved beyond that
+ Thinner, lighter than ever
* Note - Memory remains at the same 256MB despite several unconfirmed sources touting 512MB. There's also no vibrate module.

Unlike last year's iPod touch update, this one's a complete overhaul to the entire line. Last year, the new models didn't change in appearance. On the inside, faster processors and double-memory were added to the 32GB & 64GB models, but the 8GB got left out. Not this time. Buying the new 8GB iPod touch indeed gets you all the new goodies. You'll also pay thirty bucks more than before, so consider buying the 32GB model instead. You'll get 400% of the storage capacity for only 23% more coin!

===== Background =====

I'm a mobile app developer who's created a few apps and games for the iPhone, iPod Touch and now iPad. I was initially drawn to the iPod touch because of the popularity and capabilities of its mobile Web browsing--I was primarily a Web developer at the time and no other device could surf the Web so well. After I got one, I was hooked. I racked up over a hundred bucks in app purchases within the first month, and before long, I found myself learning how do develop native apps for the device.

Indeed, if you have never had an iPod touch before, you're in for a real treat. Of course, if you have, then you know first hand: it's is worth its weight in gold--no, in platinum. And now, with the latest generation, it may even be worth its weight rare gem stones! I digress.

===== Out With the Old =====

The iPod touch is frequently called an iPhone without the phone. However, until now there have been several other features also missing in the iPod touch besides the phone: a camera, GPS, magnetometer (compass), and some newer amenities from the iPhone 4: front-facing camera, high resolution "Retina display" as it has been dubbed, and the powerful 1GHz A4 processor--indeed a necessity to keep up with multitasking.

That all changes, now. The 4th gen iPod touch brings with it some new features and amenities, some of which have been anticipated by iPod touch fans and developers alike, including myself, for several generations of the device. From a developer's perspective, the more hardware features we can get our hands on, the better and more innovative apps we can create, and the more users that can download, use and enjoy them.

===== In With the New =====

The striking new design of the latest iPod touch is definitely a looker. Apple has made it even thinner (and I thought it was already too thin before) complete with a beautiful chrome back. While the super thin design is certainly attractive, I've found it slightly difficult to keep it well-gripped in your hands. The usual chrome back looks great too, but it's scratch-insistent. Yes, it's incredibly easy to scratch it all up, even after the first few days. For these two reasons, definitely get yourself a silicone skin (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042GVG5G?tag=1pod-20&ie=UTF8) alongside your new touch!

For ages, the feature topping everyone's wishlist for the iPod touch has been a camera. Check! It handles HD video too--bonus! Granted, its not the 5 megapixel camera that the iPhone 4 sports, but again, the new iPod touch is thinner than ever, making it a miracle that we even got a camera in the first place, let alone two! Yes, Apple went the extra mile so we could make video calls with our iPhone toting friends, via... Read more

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Comment on Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) by Echo

Echo — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:32:47 +0000

206 of 232 people found the following review helpful:

I wish I could give it 10 stars!!!, July 9, 2009

Echo (Washington, DC) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) (Hardcover)

When I read the Hunger Games, I read it straight through the night, from 1AM til 5AM. Couldn't stop reading even though I had to pee badly. After I finished it, I was dying for the sequel. DYING!!!! When I found out the ARC would be available in the spring, I bribed everyone I could think of to get me one. And yes, I got it. The day I got it, I couldn't look at it until 1AM again. This time, I promised myself, I would only look at the first chapter and then put it down. Riiiiight. It was 4:30AM when I finished reading and immediately began plotting to find out when the next book ARC would be available.

I thought the first one was fantastic. In the back of my mind I felt that the sequel just couldn't be as good. How could it? Boy was I wrong! It was even better! My heart was racing the whole time I was reading it and I simply couldn't put it down. I believe Ms. Collins is the MASTER of the pageturner. Every chapter ends with almost a cliffhanger feeling. It compels you to keep reading. It physically traps you into the book so that you just can't put it down. If you can't read this book in one sitting, then I urge you not to even look at it until you can. Like the first one, you will not be able to put it down. The house could have been on fire and I doubt I would have noticed.

Since we got to know Peeta and Katniss so well from the first one, what the sequel does is invest us even more deeply into their emotional well being. I won't give any other spoilers than what has already been said. So the book starts with Katniss as the face of the rebellion because of her act of defiance in the first book. As rebellion grows, the President sets up his revenge - and when I found out what it was, I literally sat up in bed and shouted "Oh NO! I can't believe they are doing this to them!!!" Yes I was talking to my book. That's how deeply this book sucks you into this amazing and disturbing dystopian world. It makes you want to grab up a weapon and join the rebellion.

One thing I have to say, I was deeply satisfied with the ending of this book. The first book ended in such a way that I was bothered by it and itchy for the next book. With the end of Catching Fire, I felt it was absolutely right and thrilled with the conclusion. But I'm still DYING for the third and final book of this amazing book series.

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Comment on Home Improvement – The Complete First Season by Joshua Spaulding "Television God"

Joshua Spaulding "Television God" — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:29:02 +0000

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

Klaus, some music please, May 3, 2005

Joshua Spaulding "Television God" (Ossipee, New Hampshire) -

This review is from: Home Improvement - The Complete First Season (DVD)

Home Improvement was on the air at a time when sitcoms were a good source of bread and butter for network television. During its prime, Home Improvement made its share of money for ABC, as the show appealed to a broad audience, from kids to adults.

The complete first season of Home Improvement takes us back to the very beginning of the show. We meet Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, the host of a local cable home improvement show, his wife Jill and their three kids. While much of the show dealt with the television show, the prime focus was on the family aspect of Tim's life and how it affected his work and vice versa.

Stand-up comedian Tim Allen brought the character of Tim Taylor to life. His observations about everyday life, along with his penchant for getting himself into fine messes, usually involving "more power," made for some interesting situations. While Tim is by no means a stupid guy, he quite often misinterprets advice given to him by his neighbor Wilson, or the meaning of any number of things that his wife says. Somehow he always manages to get everything to work out the way it needs to. If only life were so easy.

Patricia Richardson stars as Tim's wife Jill. She is the perfect co-star for Allen. While she can stay in the background as he goes off on his antics, she is also quite capable of stepping into the spotlight with some great jokes of her own. As the only woman in a house full of males, she finds herself constantly outnumbered, but usually manages to get her way.

Zachery Ty Bryan, Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Taran Noah Smith star as the Taylors' three kids. Through the years viewers got to watch the kids grow and got to see how their parents influenced them as they grew up. Looking back, the kids look incredibly young in this very first season. It is amazing just how much older they look at the end of the show. The kids have some great moments, mainly with the older two picking on their younger brother, but the focus of the show is the family, and if the kids do something wrong, the parents are there to try to teach them right from wrong.

Richard Karn stars as Al, Tim's assistant and Earl Hindman stars as Wilson. Both characters provide some great supporting parts and it is interesting to see all the ways that the show's powers that be find to hide Wilson face, which is never fully visible. The show also started the career of Pamela Anderson, who was Lisa, the original Tool Time girl.

Two of the show's producers provide commentary on a number of episodes, and the commentary is quite interesting and a good addition to the set. This set is worth the purchase for anyone who remembers the good days of television sitcoms.

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Comment on Syba 145-Piece Computer Tool Kit SY-ACC65034 by Samy Ali-khodja

Samy Ali-khodja — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:24:02 +0000

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Can be used to open apple Mac systems, October 11, 2011

Samy Ali-khodja (Ypsilanti, MI United States) -

This review is from: Syba 145-Piece Computer Tool Kit SY-ACC65034 (Personal Computers)

I had this tool kit for more than 6 years when it used to be called Curtis, it was for an occasional repair time and not as an everyday professional set. it did it job and saved me few times while in a Jam!!
The most liked item in the set was the Apple Torx tools available in it, you know the one with a hole in the center you can notice it in the front right corner of the pictured item.
otherwise the vacuum, used it once and that was it and i believe that was the weakest link.

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Comment on X-Mini II Capsule Speaker (Black) by John D. Steere

John D. Steere — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:22:56 +0000

77 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

Best small speaker I've found, November 21, 2009

John D. Steere (Silver Spring, MD United States) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: X-Mini II Capsule Speaker (Black) (Electronics)

I bought this and the iHome rechargeable mini-speaker at the same time. The iHome mini-speaker is much louder, but the sound quality of the X-Mini II is better for music, at least in my opinion. You get more of the high and low tones with the X-Mini II, and I am surprised that it does not have a tinny sound. The iHome speaker is good for movies or if you need a loud but small speaker for parties. The X-Mini II is slightly larger than the iHome speaker, but not much. I recommend the X-Mini II for listening to music, and it works really well with my netbook or with an mp3 player.

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Comment on Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) by Season Balik

Season Balik — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:15:16 +0000

494 of 534 people found the following review helpful:

And you thought the Capitol couldn't get any more twisted..., July 7, 2009

Season Balik (Bellevue, WA) -

This review is from: Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) (Hardcover)

If you thought the Capitol couldn't get any more twisted... you were wrong.

The highly-anticipated sequel to The Hunger Games is the kind of novel that has you pulling back to take a breath and go, "How did the author think of this?" (if you can stop turning the pages long enough to breathe)

Catching Fire picks up right where Hunger Games left off. Unrest in the Districts is growing at an alarming pace and Katniss unwittingly finds herself the figurehead for the movement against the Capitol. The characters you loved return for the sequel and the reader must endure each indignity the Capitol inflicts upon them. It is painful, tortuous, imaginative and motivating. It is everything The Hunger Games was and more. It both answers your lingering questions and creates so many new ones. It challenges you to think and creates such feelings of empathy for the characters that whenever I had to put the book down, I was genuinely worried for leaving the characters hanging and couldn't wait to pick it back up just so they could continue fighting for their lives and freedoms.

Everything I loved about The Hunger Games is present in Catching Fire: the unique and engrossing storyline; characters so thoroughly and beautifully described they start to feel like friends; a fantastical setting that is both real and sad; and language that is easy to read and yet conveys such a profound meaning. It has action, romance, horror, hope, despair and, most of all, humanity. It has sci-fi and politics yet, unlike a lot of books on the market, they are not "in your face" and are completely approachable.

Due to elements of violence and some light romantic scenes, I would recommend it for 13+. That being said, I would recommend it for ANYONE 13+ of any reading taste or background: as a bookseller and a recent library school graduate, these are the books I find easiest to recommend to anyone I meet.

I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the third and final book to come out. After reading Catching Fire, I know you will be too.

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Comment on Apple iPod touch 8GB (4th Generation) – Black – Current Version by Sanjosemom

Sanjosemom — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:15:02 +0000

974 of 1,007 people found the following review helpful:

Senior Citizen Review of Ipod Touch, April 30, 2011

Sanjosemom -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Apple iPod touch 8GB (4th Generation) - Black - Current Version (Electronics)

I purchased my Ipod Touch 8G in January just for fun and to see what all the fuss was about. I use a laptop and have wireless connectivity in my home. But I don't store music on an Ipod and don't have "smart" cell phone. After using the Ipod Touch for a few months, all I can say is "WOW".

This device is like carrying a small computer in your pocket. I can connect to the internet wirelessly at home and anywhere I can find a public connection--library, cafe, etc. I check my email (read and compose), facebook, Meetups, Ravelry, take pictures and movies, and with the Skype App, can video call my kids. I have become hooked on the Angry Birds game, which is fun to do while waiting anywhere. I have also downloaded audio books from my library to take with me when I travel. I knit and have any pattern I am working on loaded on my Touch so I don't worry about losing it. All this in a 2x4 inch little device I can carry with me everywhere.

I considered getting a smart phone instead, but Verizon's additional mandatory monthly cost of $30/month turned me off. It would be nice to have internet access where ever I am, but I don't need it and don't want to pay $360/year for it. I like the fact that the Ipod Touch does not require any additional monthly costs.

I compared my Touch to my friends Ipad. It appears that my Touch does most everything the Ipad does, but the Touch is so much smaller.

My son has a Droid, which does what my Touch does plus it is his cell phone. But games wear his battery down quickly. I don't have to worry about that since my phone is separate from my Touch. And I think my screen is a little bigger and sharper.

If I needed to be connected to the internet at all times and have a cell phone too, I would probably stick with a smart phone and pay the extra $30/month. But if you want a very versatile tool in a small package to carry with you, I highly recommend the Ipod Touch.

So much fun!

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Comment on Stuck in the Middle (Thorndike Christian Fiction) by Keep Smiling "Smilie1"

Keep Smiling "Smilie1" — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:05:09 +0000

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

Characters Sparkle in "Stuck in the Middle", August 21, 2008

Keep Smiling "Smilie1" (Utah) -

This review is from: Stuck in the Middle (Sister-to-Sister, Book 1) (Paperback)

Viginia Smith does it again in "Stuck in the Middle". Her characters are realistic, artfully crafted, and endearingly flawed (aren't we all?) and will pull you right into the story from page 1. Here's a warning, though -- don't give the book as a gift unless you're prepared for trouble. Now I have several friends calling to complain that they're chomping at the bit to read the next installment in the series. Please bring us book 2 soon!!!

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Comment on Bessey VAS23 Vario Angle Strap Clamp by Bob Feeser "MillCrafters.com"

Bob Feeser "MillCrafters.com" — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:02:28 +0000

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

The more you use it, the more you use it., January 13, 2004

Bob Feeser "MillCrafters.com" (Springfield, PA USA) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Bessey VAS23 Vario Angle Strap Clamp (Tools & Home Improvement)

This is a nice strap clamp kit. The key is the adjusting system. At first I thought, why not just use a strapping tie down assembly available at the local home center, at a third of the price. After all, it is a nylon web strap and it has a tightening and releasing system. The problem is that it gives you tighteness in a racheting fashion. So you are either at one click or the next one. No fine adjustment. Additionally, without the corner braces that comes with the Vario kit, you would be catching the corners, and creating a less than equal pressure.
All told this Bessey kit is a very nice unit, and does a good job. For the money it would be hard to beat. Highly recommended.

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Comment on Dell Inspiron Mini Duo 3487FNT Convertible Laptop/Tablet (Foggy Night) by E. A. Montgomery

E. A. Montgomery — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:55:56 +0000

212 of 234 people found the following review helpful:

Epic Fail (to) Beautiful & Slow, February 24, 2011

E. A. Montgomery (Florida, USA) -

This review is from: Dell Inspiron Mini Duo 3487FNT Convertible Laptop/Tablet (Foggy Night) (Personal Computers)

Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)

I will be updating this review in about two weeks, but I think what has happened with the product so far warrants review as it's an experience I would want to know about when making my purchase.

I currently have an iPad but was given the opportunity to review the Dell Inspiron Mini Duo. My first impression out of the box was that this is an impressive product. The casing appeared to be high quality, with good button response and a firm swivel to the screen. The back was much nicer than my iPad, the grip is smooth and comfortable. Certainly on specs alone I was extremely interested in what this tablet / laptop combination had to offer. During set up I was also impressed with the the ease of using the touch pad. (Non-responsive lap top touch pads are a key issue for me.) All the signs were good. Setup took an extremely long time, with what seemed to be numerous unneeded 'I Agree' and set up screens. I expect that when working with Windows, so no points off there. Just as all of the set up was complete and it was time to configure the security software preinstalled, the screen went black. The system crashed completely, and the error beeps indicate a motherboard failure. Still no points off, while unfortunate, defective hardware can occur. I called the help line.

After 14 minutes on hold, I reached a person. She was extremely polite but it was very difficult for us to understand each other so a lot of repeating was involved. At 25 minutes into the call she had taken my name and we were discussing the problem. Despite telling her the screen had gone black she wanted to know what error code I saw. Nothing, the screen is black and the unit is beeping. (I can't turn it off either.) Despite telling her I had gotten the unit less than an hour ago, she went over the data loss I would be experiencing and explained that I needed to return the unit for repair, sans attachments. I explained I had no attachments and asked why I was sending a brand new unit in for repair. Why wouldn't it be exchanged? The answer was that it needs to be repaired. At 32 minutes into the call she had taken my address and explained it would be two weeks for the unit to come back to me. I let her know I had a review on the product due, was this the only option? It was.

If I had purchased this unit at retail price, I would be extremely upset with Dell. Here the points start coming off. She transferred me to a supervisor to rate her helpfulness. I said she was quite polite, and the supervisor asked if she had informed me there would be data loss. I told him there was no data to lose, the unit had arrived this afternoon and failed during set up. I explained I needed to review the product, was there an exchange option open? He assured me the unit would be back from repair in 8 to 10 days if I mailed the unit in promptly. I thanked him. I will update this review when the repaired unit arrives, but if I had purchased this product I would have refunded it. I am disappointed in the product so far and could not in good faith recommend it. Hopefully, my impression will be more favorable when I have the repaired unit to test.

UPDATED to 2 stars 2/26 - I was called by Dell technical support today and told not to send the unit in as this was a 'known issue'. Tech support said they found this problem could be solved by booting up in test function, and then ignoring the test. (In order to do this, I turned it on while holding down the FN key, then bypassed the screen when it did boot. I did not get a repeat of the black screen.) No explanation was offered or understood as to the cause of the black screen or not being able to turn the unit off, but the unit is working now. I am charging it overnight and should update the review again by the 28th. I still don't know the cause of the initial failures, and tech says if the problem becomes chronic (we weren't able to agree on a definition of chronic) that it should be sent in for repair. I spoke with two people at tech support today and they were as helpful in the phone call as they were unhelpful in the prior. Both apologized for the problem occurring and not being resolved prior, both urged me to contact them via an email they sent to me (received) for future need. A cynic would think they read the review, but I think it's more likely someone caught the work order and questioned it.

UPDATED to 3 stars 3/1 - I've been using the Inspiron Mini Duo for a few days. I have my reservations about it because of the CS experience and the lack of explanation for why it bricked, giving a false code for motherboard failure. Knowing that could happen again at any time means backups have to be religious and external. (A good idea, but not one the average netbook user is going to follow). Setting that aside, I do like the design of this unit. The touch screen was responsive even before I calibrated it for personal use. Flipping the screen from netbook to tablet... Read more

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Comment on X-Acto School Pro Heavy-Duty Electric Sharpener (1670) by Grade 1 Teacher

Grade 1 Teacher — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:53:46 +0000

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

Short Life-Span, August 26, 2006

Grade 1 Teacher (New Paltz, NY) -

This review is from: X-Acto School Pro Heavy-Duty Electric Sharpener (1670) (Office Product)

I have gone through three School-Pro Sharpeners in four years. When it works, this sharpener is wonderful. It accomodates several different pencil sizes, has a huge shavings receptacle and runs quietly. My first sharpener lasted through two school years. The second one lasted about a year and a half. The company replaced it for free after I complained. The replacement lasted only a few months. They all had the same problem. When a pencil was inserted the the blades would spin, but they didn't sharpen. I think there was a problem with the automatic pencil stop feature. If the company would address this design flaw, I would consider buying another School-Pro.

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Comment on Home Improvement – The Complete First Season by Ryan Anonymus "Ryan"

Ryan Anonymus "Ryan" — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:52:23 +0000

51 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

The Beginning, October 9, 2004

Ryan Anonymus "Ryan" (Olympia, WA) -

This review is from: Home Improvement - The Complete First Season (DVD)

I liked this show, but the family values issues did get on my nerves a lot, and how Jill (the wife) would always jump down Tim's back about the littlest things - it seemed.

The neighbor, Wilson, was pretty cool, always with some wise information for Tim and the others. And this first season, possibly the next one too, had Pamela Anderson in it as the Tool Time girl. Here's a description of the episodes on this set:

"Pilot" - Tim wrecks the dishwasher, while trying to give it more power; Jill gets a job interview
"Mow Better Blues" - Mark breaks a tool of Tim's, which Jill was told to stay away from
"Off Sides" - Tim hires a magician as a babysitter
"Satellite on a Hot Tim's Roof" - Tim installs a satellite dish; one of Jill's teachers visits
"Wild Kingdom" - Tim hears some weird noises in the basement
"Adventures in Fine Dining" - Tim bets Jill that he can teach their kids some table manners
"Nothing More Than Feelings" - Tim tells his Tool Time audience that his wife drove with the oil light on; the other guys say that their wives don't respect their tools
"Flying Sauces" - The K & B Construction guys show how to make hot gourmet meals while on the job, on Tool Time; Brad and Randy tell Mark that Brad, Randy, and their parents are aliens
"Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble" - Tim puts another sink in their bathroom
"Reach Out and Teach Someone" - Tim does a Tool Time episode for women to teach plumbing; Brad worries that he's going to do bad on a test at school
"Look Who's Not Talking" - At a presentation for the Library Association: Jill gets stage fright
"Yule Better Watch Out" - Tim competes in a neighborhood Christmas light competition; Brad and Randy tell Mark that Santa Claus is dead
"Up Your Alley" - Tim and Jill go bowling; the kids get in trouble at a local arcade
"For Whom the Belch Tolls" - Jill doesn't want an old college friend of Tim's to stay with them
"Forever Jung" - Karen comes to visit; Jill teaches Brad to dance
"Jill's Birthday" - Tim buys Jill a lifetime membership to a health club; after wasting all their money, Brad and Randy put together a scheme to get Mark's money
"What About Bob?" - Tim competes against Bob Vila in a trivia game; Randy pulls a prank on a nerd at school
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Tim's boss has Tim and Jill go camping to promote some new camping gear. The problem is that they had a romantic weekend planned instead
"Unchained Malady" - Tim throws away a chain letter; Randy gets dared to do a trick on his bike
"Birds of a Feather Flock to Taylor" - Jill tells Tim that he's a bad listener (happens to me all the time); Brad and Randy try to get Mark to eat a worm
"A Battle of Wheels" - Tim lets Al host Tool Time; Tim accidently breaks some of Jill's pottery
"Luck Be a Taylor Tonight" - Jill's sister and Al ruin Tim's poker night
"Al's Fair in Love and War" - Tim wants to read Jill's old diary; Al tries to ask a girl out
"Stereo-Typical" - Tim and Jill argue over stereo volume

So buy this set, my favorite segments were always the Tool Time scenes of the episodes. There should be an option of the DVDs to view only the Tool Time scenes, oh well.

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Comment on Stuck in the Middle (Thorndike Christian Fiction) by Susan Sleeman "Host of The Christian Suspense...

Susan Sleeman "Host of The Christian Suspense... — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:52:21 +0000

194 of 202 people found the following review helpful:

Virginia Smith lives up to her newly won title of Writer of the Year (Mount Herman Writer's Conference) in Stuck In The Middle, March 25, 2008

Susan Sleeman "Host of The Christian Suspense... -

This review is from: Stuck in the Middle (Sister-to-Sister, Book 1) (Paperback)

Stuck In The Middle is an aptly named book revolving around Joan Sanderson--whose life has been put on hold while she looks out for her Grandma, who is wedged between sisters that Joan thinks are far more gregarious and personable than she is, and who is stuck in a superficial relationship with God. Stuck, that is, until a handsome, single doctor with an intensely personal relationship with God rents the house next-door and involuntarily drags Joan out of her rut.

As Joan struggles to break free, the reader is blessed with the genuine interactions between sisters, and family as a whole that Smith has woven into the story line so well. The dialogue is strong and realistic, the situations true to life and sometimes quite comical, and Joan, though a dejected character in many ways, is likeable and one you cheer for right from the beginning.

This alone would have made the book an enjoyable read, but Smith along with entertaining the reader reinforces the need for a personal relationship with God. She takes Joan, a Christian who has had a superficial relationship with God into discovering how to connect on a deeper level. Smith also does an excellent job of portraying the fear that Joan's sisters have of the kind of Christian Joan wants to become simply because they don't understand it.

Stuck In The Middle is not different than many other Christian fiction titles in that is has a spiritual message, but often, that message is dealt with in heavy handed and stilted way. Not Stuck In The Middle. This is the sort of book that while you read it you find yourself pleasantly entertained, seriously not wanting to put the book down even when you should be doing other things, and in the end you are surprised when you come away with a strong spiritual message.

Stuck In The Middle has something for everyone--romance, shopping, dating advice, sibling rivalry, family and spiritual relationships, and real life issues like caring for elderly family members all wrapped up in an entertaining package. Pick it up, today. You won't be disappointed.

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