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Monday, April 2, 2007

Nike Shox

So every now and again Footlocker comes out with their 30% off coupons which drives me to buy some new shoes. Lately, I've gone with some "fashionable" Pumas, but although they're quite flashy and cool they're wickedly uncomfortable.

As such, I'm thinking about getting a pair of Nike Shox. The ones I'm eyeing have a mesh shell (as opposed to the leather-ish type sneakers I have now) and are actually made to provide support and cushioning. After my two pairs of Pumas, I think its time to return to the good ol' swoosh. Hoping they'll come out with some better styles tho, as I'm not completely sold on the look. Seeing that my feet haven't been too comfy, I guess I'm willing to forgo the appearance for some feet pampering.

One Love,
Look

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Hands on with the Garmin Nuvi 350

So I plopped down $400 or so for Garmin's Nuvi 350 from Amazon.com for my dad's Christmas gift a while back. At that time, it was one of the better rated models and was a steal considering other big box retailers were selling it for $500+. Since then, the price has come down as the model will probably be discontinued for its bigger and "better" successor the 660.

Some quick notes. The actual device itself is very lightweight and pretty easy to use. I thought the screen would be a little too small and clumsy, but it actually works quite fine. Switching between maps is sometimes a pain and I haven't quite gotten it figured out yet. The device works well, using mostly main roads (so side street detours can prove troublesome), but unfortunately it doesn't have any construction information about detours, etc. So if you are off the suggested route, you'll hear endless directions to try and put you on something where you can't go.

So far, so good, however. Further review after continued use.

One Love,
Look

Monday, March 5, 2007

The Incredible Shrinking Interest Rate... Citibank eSavings


If you've been paying attention to interest rates in the past few months, you've noticed they've leveled off after the Fed stopped raising its rate. Banks have quietly reduced the APYs offered on their accounts, with Citibank being the sneakiest (to me) of them all.

So without warning I've noticed the rates they offer have freefalled. From a high of 5.5% it decreased to 5.0% then 4.75% and now 4.65%. Having so many different webpages and different ways to access the site, I didn't even notice the decrease to the recent 4.65% rate until recently. I think they should show the rate on the login screen or at least show you the eSavings details including interest rate/APY when you log into your account.

As such, I've moved most of my money in the Citibank eSavings account to Emigrant Direct and locked in a CD at 5.20% APY. With its current trajectory Citibank will fall to a level of ING at which point I will take most of my money there out. The only reason I leave money in there is for bills and such. O wells. Citi, kiss my $$$ goodbye.

One Love,
Look


Sunday, February 25, 2007

Getting TiVo/DVR


Well, seeing that I enjoy sitting down and watching some tube, makes sense that I should buy TiVo/DVR device. It's annoying to spend an hour watching a show that is only 30 mins sans commercials. Think of the time saved by getting rid of commercials!

Sadly, however, how much "quality" TV is available? A Look fav, The O.C. just ended its run forever. Grey's Anatomy is getting boring. Smallville is putting out repeats. The White Rapper Show (yes I'm a watcher) is almost done... Sigh. That leaves me with the endless Real Worlds/Challenges and other MTV nonsense.

So while TiVo is definitely something I'd think about getting, for now I'll put it on hold till more quality time-wasting TV comes on air. I've decided to start reading more and here's what I just ordered on Amazon:
  • The Tipping Point - Malcolm Gladwell









  • Freakonomics - Steven Levitt









  • When Genius Failed: The Rise & Fall of LTCM - Roger Lowenstein









Gotta start getting myself educated again. I know those books have been out a while, so I figure'd now is as good a time as ever to take a stab at em. Will let you know what I think. Till next time...

One Love,
Look

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Porsche 911 Turbo

Beautiful, simply beautiful. If I had the dollars to drop, this little dandy would be high on the list. MSRP of 123-126K, such beauty does cost a pretty penny.

So what do you get for this little (0r big) status symbol? 480 horses w/ a top track speed of 192.6 mph. All while going 0-60 in 3.4-3.7 seconds. Does it make sense for living in the burbs of NJ or the streets of NY? Probably not. You'd hardly be able to open it up without gettin' in trouble with the fuzz. But if you're a baller. This ride is definitely sweet.

One Love,
Look

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Washin' your clothes in style.


How do you wash your designer duds in ordinary washers? Pssh. Silly.
Enter Samsung's Hauzen washer. Designed by Andre Kim this washer features a stainless steel door door and is frosted in a unique pattern you can't find on just an ordinary washer. To top it off, as you watch your clothes in the spin cycle, you can admire the golden coat of arms adorning the center window.
Worth it? You decide. No word on price points or other features, but a designer washer? Now that just seems ridiculous.
One Love,
Look

Monday, January 8, 2007

Coke vs. Pepsi... Who Cares?

The debate over Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and Pepsi (NYSE: PEP) seems to never end. Just today, some co-workers of mine debated over the qualities of each and which was the superior cola beverage. A professed Pepsi drinker, I can say I do have a preference. However, its crazy to me when people launch tirades over which is the better beverage. To me, bubbly is bubbly. If Pepsi is available, I'll go for that. If it isn't, I won't cry about it I'll simply just go with a Coke. Sometimes if I'm feeling adventurous I'll just go for Coke to switch things up. Call me crazy.

Now there's taste tests and all that jazz on the drink people prefer. Now if you like Coke or Pepsi, so be it. But that doesn't mean you should go biblical on others and force your beverage of choice upon them. Yes they do taste different. I'm no expert, but I'd say Coke is a bit more bubbly and Pepsi is a bit more sweet. I don't know if anyone else notices this, but I'd definitely say that Coke/Pepsi in a can tastes different than Coke/Pepsi in a bottle and still more different than Coke/Pepsi from the tap. It also depends what type of glass you put it in (plastic/glass/etc.). I'm sure at restaurants you order one thing, but they give you whatever they have there. Also, I'm sure most people go with "I'll have a coke (not specifying brand)" rather than sounding like a tool and saying "Make mine a Pepsi." Well at least thats what I say. The restaurant could give me some third party brand (RC Cola anyone?) and I probably wouldn't know the difference. Truth is, fountain sodas are way too inconsistent on their syrup to whatever ratio and it never tastes the same.

Alas, no matter what your cola of choice is, I say if you feel so strongly about it you end up looking like a silly fool. Yes, thats right silly fool. I'm a silly fool for wasting the time to write this entry. Anyway, by being so brand-loyal you've fallen for their multi-million dollar marketing campaigns and have become enslaved to the corporation. Call me frugal/cheap or what you will, but if I'm in the grocery store I'd go with whatever costs less because at the end of the day, are those seconds you have the bubbly dancing on your tongue worth that extra dough just because its from a particular brand? To me it ain't.

So as you chug down your cola (you actually shouldn't it's bad for your teeth... wash it down with water after you're done or go brush your teeth) in the end it doesn't matter. There's plenty of room in this world for both of these outfits. As seen in the charts below, both Coca-Cola and Pepsi have done quite well for themselves. As poor chaps like me continue to drink the stuff even with all the health warnings (not unlike tobacco...), these stocks seem to have a solid customer base that keeps refreshing itself. So maybe you should just invest in these stocks instead of drinking them. This way you can stay brand loyal by choosing your company and have a brighter smile by avoiding the stains these colas bring.

The Coca-Cola Company (KO)


Pepsico (PEP)
One Love,
Look