The NFL Network vs. Comcast

The article listed below does a nice job of summarizing the current standoff between Comcast and The NFL Network. However, what David Cohen fails to mention in his synopsis is the fact that Comcast initially bundled The NFL Network for free if with new Digital Cable subscriptions about 2yrs. ago.

I was one of many who thought the $8.00 per month increase was well worth it. Then about 1yr later turned on the TV to watch NFL Total Access and was surprised to find that the channel was locked out. So I called Comcast to determine what happened and they informed me that in order to regain access to the NFL Network I needed to pay for the Sports & Entertainment access for another $5.00 per month. I wasn't happy about having to pay for access but I bit the bullet anyway. Comcast tries to sweeten this offering by layering in the College Sports Channel, NHL Network, NBA TV, FCS and THE TENNIS Channel (give me a break). None of these other channels seem to provide anything worth watching that you can't already find on the Basic Cable package sports channels.

So now that all Comcast Sports & Entertainment subscribers are on the cusp of getting the NFL Network yanked out from under them, I want to go on record to let Comcast know I'll be cancelling my subscription on April 30th.

Comcast...good luck convincing S&E subscribers to stay on board without the NFL Network.


http://blogs.usatoday.com/thehuddle/2009/04/comcast-nfl-network-ratchet-up-feud-tv-viewers-could-be-left-in-dark.html

The Shaker Redefined

The Metrokane Flip-Top Cocktail Shaker

When I first saw this shaker it caught my eye because of the innovative flip top design. In this case beauty is more than skin deep.

The canister is double-lined so it's more substantial than any other shaker I've owned, and this design makes it significantly more quiet when shaking an ice filled drink. The screw on cap with flip top is also a cleaner design than the typical 3-part shaker.

The look and feel of this shaker almost compels you to become a full time mixologist, and after one use I put the other two shakers I own in the storage closet never to be seen again.


Here's the best place to pick up one of these for yourself:
http://www.surlatable.com/product/kitchen+%26+bar+tools/bar+tools/cocktails/metrokane+flip-top+cocktail+shaker.do

HD Bliss with the Samsung 4665 LCD TV

Before I tell you how incredible the Samsung 4465 LCD TV is I'm going to summarize my buying process.









Buying Process:

1. Plasma vs. LCD - the easiest way to determine which technology best fits your needs is to go to a store and watch the same image on both screens simultaneously. When I did this LCD was the clear winner.
2. Screen Size - the distance you sit from the TV dictates the size panel you'll need. From 6-10 feet a 46" panel is ideal.
3. Resolution - 1080p with True HD is what you want
   
4. Selecting a Manufacturer - Consumer Reports (CR) is a great resource to determine brands offer the best ratings. The March 2008 issue of CR rated the Samsung 4661 ($2200) at a 79 which 1 rating point lower than the #1 rated Sony Bravia ($3600) with a score of 80. The 4665 model is the replacement for the 4661 and the appliance store I bought this TV from indicated that for the money the Samsung TVs were a better buy.
5. Sales Tax - If your State has a sales tax seek out an appliance store in an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) which typically charges HALF the normal Sales Tax. Example: The UEZs in New Jersey offer a 3.5% sales tax vs. the normal 7.0%.
6. Service Provider tips - If you have cable access for your TV you'll have to upgrade to digital service and subscribe to the HD channels offered by your provider in order to maximize usage of your new HD TV
7. HDMI Cable - Make sure you buy a high quality HDMI cable to connect your digital box to the TV in order to maximize the picture quality. You'll get a cable from your Service provider with the HD box, however more than likely it will only transmit data at 720i resolution. The higher grade cable will ensure you are watching true 1080P.
   

Now here's why I love the Samsung 4665 LCD TV:

• The jaw dropping vivid picture quality
  
• True 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution offers an incredibly clear panel
  
• Samsung's ultra-fast switching technology and 8-millisecond response time decrease blurring, so even high-speed sports remain fluid and easy to watch.
  
• 3 HDMI inputs allows greater flexibility for component support
• Menu operation is intuitive and easy to navigate
  

Bite Men's Voyager Golf and Travel Shoe

These are the first pair of Bite golf shoes I've ever purchased. Most recently I've been wearing Callaway shoes for colder weather, but I have been searching for a pair for summer play.

These golf shoes not only offer great breathability with the mesh upper, but they deliver great comfort and the black sole hide grass stains so the shoes will look newer longer.

The sole of the shoe does not have interchangeable cleats but it does have a durable tread that should hold up over many rounds of play.


Where to buy:
http://www.amazon.com/Bite-Voyager-Travel-Charc-Black/dp/B000E0TR5K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1199632639&sr=8-1

Festina - Official Watch of the Tour de France

Festina Sport Watch

Before I found this watch I had never heard of Festina. This is probably due to the fact that they seem to have limited distribution in the U.S. The company was founded in Switzerland in 1902 and is the top selling watch brand in Spain and one of the best selling mid-priced watches in Europe.

The styling is distinctive and I've been very happy with the performance of this watch. The multiple time zone feature comes in handy if you're traveling outside the U.S.

If you're not familiar with this watch brand I highly recommend you check out the link below to see the full line of stylish time pieces they offer.

http://www.festinausa.com/

Spyder Gloves Deliver

Spyder Facer WindStop Gloves

In short, these are the warmest and most comfortable gloves I've ever owned. I picked them up two weeks ago and they have performed superbly.


Key Specs:

• Body: 100% nylon Spylon™ water-repellent finish
• Lining: 100% polyester 3L microfleece with XT.L™ Windstop
• Silicone gripper on palm
• Pre-curved fit for immediate comfort
• Brushed lining welcomes hand
• Embroidered logo

Where to buy:
http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0040161960253a.shtml

A Recipe for Warmth on Cold Weather Rides

If your winters are cold like mine are in the Northeast but you still want to get outside and use your bike for some great exercise, here's my recommendation on gear to help you make it happen.


Step 1: Bell Sweep R Road Bike Helmet

This helmet is so light weight you'll forget you're wearing it but it does provide excellent protection. In fact this past summer I went on an evening ride through my neighborhood and took a spill going 25 mph making a left turn because I couldn't tell my front tire was flat. During the fall I hit the top left portion of my head and there is barely a scratch on the helmet. I wish I could say the same for my quad which now has a permanent road rash scar.



Step 2: Spy Optics Espada Sunglasses

Not only do these shades provide an element of unique style to differentiate yourself from all the Oakley supporters, but they deliver excellent sun and wind protection during your ride.






Step 3: Under Armour Driver mock Turtleneck

While this garment is really intended for my cold weather golfing, I find that the loose fit is more comfortable and provides a greater range of flexibility than the Under Armour Cold Gear mock-T I have.




Step 4: The Northface Apex Bionic Jacket

The soft shell structure of this jacket is almost like a thin wetsuit material that breaths well, wicks away moisture and keeps out wind and rain. The material also has some elasticity to allow for flexible motion. It delivers more warmth than a long-sleeve cycling jersey without feeling confining.







Step 5: Pearl Izumi Cyclone Gloves

These gloves provide a great barrier to the wind and chill. They provide maximum protection down to 32 degrees and they also offer padding on the palm for added comfort on the handlebars.




Sept 6: Bellwether Windfront Tight Cycling Pants

The front panel of the pants offers a wind stopping shell along with flexible material over the knees for pedaling comfort. The back half of the pants are constructed from a flexible spandex material which also provides for added comfort.









Step 7: Under Armour All Season socks

Great moisture wicking and comfort for any ride warm or cold.





Step 8: Sidi Road Zeta Shoes

The Zeta features three velcro straps and padded tongue for a secure and comfortable fit. Sidi’s Millennium 2 sole is outfitted with a replaceable heel pad for improved walkability. These are easily the most comfortable road shoes I've ever owned.


Now that you've got your gear warmth recipe locked and loaded, you'll need a bike to use it with and here's the bike I ride and love as a recommendation for you.

Trek 1500 (Recently replaced by the 1.5 model):

Declining Comfort for Nike

If you enjoy running I'm sure you've owned a pair of Nike running shoes at some point like I have. My favorite model has been the Air Pegasus and this past summer I picked up a new pair shown to the right. I felt these sneakers offered some great curb appeal with distinctive styling and they were comfortable for a little while.

After about 5 months of use the inner sole started to compress and become overly firm and less comfortable. Then one morning I was walking across my kitchen and noticed a small black rectangular object on the floor which turned out to be a piece of the tread from the sneakers that had become unglued and fallen off. This is not what I would expect from a $90+ pair of running shoes from Nike.

I've had the comfort issue happen to me before with Nike running shoes but I've never had the tread start falling off. If you've taken a look at most Nike shoes on the market today they seem to have a similar tread design my pair of Air Pegasus shoes shown above. So based on this negative experience on went on the hunt for a new brand offering higher quality and greater comfort.

After consulting with a few friends on the running shoes they use the most consistent response I got was "if you're looking for the most comfortable running shoes you'll ever own you need to consider Asics".


Enter the Asics Gel Platinum Series offered exclusively through Dick's Sporting Goods. The second these shoes touched my feet I fell in love. Not only did they offer great styling but they delivered on comfort better than any running shoe I've ever owned. I'm now officially an Asics convert and will probably never buy another pair of Nike's again.

Check out the Ascis Gel Platinum Series at Dick's:
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2809285&cp=2367454.2866814.2866815.2879032&parentPage=category

Taking the SmartPhone Plunge

I'm a long-time Palm user that is getting ready to migrate over to a Smartphone. I've purposely shied away from this move because I love the Palm desktop software and the ability to hotsync with my PC. However, the array of communication devices I'm carrying in my briefcase is getting ridiculous. I have a Motorola Razr cell phone, a Palm V and a company issued BlackBerry for corporate email. Unfortunately my company has chosen not to enable the phone capability on the BlackBerry, and I hate the Lotus calendar and contact software. So this is why I'm still stuck with the manual Treo.










My cell phone contract expires in a week so I've been researching the phones available through Verizon along with investigating the the enormously popular iPhone. Apple has done a fantastic job of pulling in new customers through the iPod movement. I've got (3) iPods at the moment and several of my co-workers have purchased the iPhone and claim to love but I've convinced myself that it's not for me.

Here are the key reasons why I'm not going to buy the iPhone:

1. Switching providers from Verizon to AT&T Wireless will drive up my minute usage because I currently get unlimited in-network minutes, and most of my frequent contacts are with Verizon.
   
2. I will not be able to import my Palm desktop information (calendar, contacts, notes, etc.) to the iTunes platform with the iPhone
   
3. Verizon continues to have the best network and my co-workers have complained about more frequent dropped calls with the AT&T Wireless
   
4. I'm used to the BlackBerry keyboard and the iPhone keyboard is more difficult to use and does not provide any sensory feedback when characters are selected from the touchscreen
5. With (3) iPods already do I really need a 4th device to manage my music with? I just don't see myself listening to music on my phone while I'm in work, and if I'm traveling I'll use my binder-clip size iPod Shuffle.
6. I will not be able to integrate my corporate email because my company owns the BlackBerry and monthly data agreement with Verizon
   

So now that I'm committed to stay with Verizon I researched the new Smartphones available on-line and found the Samsung SCH i760 which appears to be positioned as an iPhone alternative. After taking a look at it first-hand in a Verizon Wireless store first-hand I became hooked.

Here are the key reasons why I'm going to buy the Samsung SCH i760 and dump my Razr and Palm V:

1. The screen size is great and the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Professional Operating system will allow me to use Outlook on my desktop and wirelessly sync with the phone
2. The slide out keyboard is even easier to use than my BlackBerry because of its size
3. The touch-screen is very nice and the built-in stylus comes in handy for those of us with fat finger and can't correctly select the smaller icons within the start menu
4. Removable SDRAM memory for extra storage capacity
5. PocketCopy from Chapura gives me the ability to migrate my Palm Desktop information over to Microsoft Outlook enabling me to sync with the smartphone
6. Although I still have the same issue with my corporate email I will at least link to my home email account
   

Here are some related links for your reference:
http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/samsung-sch-i760-verizon/4505-6452_7-32177475.html
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2206128,00.asp
http://www.chapura.com/pocketcopy.php?source=google&group=PC&ad=2&gclid=CICCqOeS448CFRGCGgod6lUzCQ
http://forum.brighthand.com/showthread.php?t=250409