Aeropress Review Recap


Posted on December 18th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Coffee, Gadgets.


1 comment.

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Fountain Pen TV Ad


Posted on December 8th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Art, Communication, Gadgets, Journaling.

JML Fountain Pen SetI just saw an interesting commercial on TV: it was for a Christmas Gift Pen Set – The only information I found on it was from Woolworth.UK website:

Description:

The classic pen set is an outstanding gift with six beautifully designed writing instruments, ideal for all occasions.

The classic fountain pen nib contains one of the toughest metals, Iridium, making it virtually indestructible.

The refill flow system ensures an even supply of ink whilst writing and eliminates blotting. As well as the fountain pen, a further five high quality writing instruments are included in the classic pen set.

All are suitable for left and right handed users.

Contents:
  Fountain Pen – Ball Pen – Roller Pen – Tow Colour Pen – Micro Pen – Propelling Pencil – 66 Piece Refill Set

 I just thought it interesting that in the ad they show throwing a fountain pen at a dart board (And Hitting a Bulls Eye none the less) and the pen still writes - Then they used the pen to stab a soda can and the pen still writes again.

My take of this ad is it is showing that fountain pens are not a flimsy pen but a sturdy rugged pen. They also show the pen being used for some "Fancy" writing. My take is that they noticed that people are starting to use fountain pens again and here is a quick way to get a quick buck from the people that don't know what to purchase. Now mind you I have not seen these pens and I am not against low cost fountain pens (I have several and love using them) I just hope these are somewhat reliable and nice to use as I feel this will be a easy way to introduce many people to the use of a "Fancy" fountain pen.  

The Ads here in Pittsburgh show this is available in Giant Eagle, Altmyers, Eckered Drugs, & CVS 

So whats your take? if any one can find a Google or YouTube Version of this ad let me know I will add it to the site.

Would you give this as a gift? 

 

Merlin – DigitalAlan 

TAGS: Fountain Pen Set Fountain+Pen inexpensive adult gift


13 comments.

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Free Printable Rulers


Posted on December 4th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Craft, Gadgets, GTD, Hack, Journaling, Miquelrius, Moleskine, Toy, Web Service, Weird Stuff.

Paper RulerHow many times have you been out and don’t have a Ruler to measure something you saw at the store or to see if it will fit an application you are working on at home.

Well I have found an easy solution for you. What you need to do is to keep with you is a paper ruler in your wallet/organizer. And Mitchell Charity’s Site he has placed several different versions that you can print out on your printer (as long as you don’t allow the printer software to resize it) that you can cut out and keep with you in your organizer.

I printed out the Metric and Inch Ruler. Hey you really never know when you need an exact measurement (well a pretty darn close measurement). I put these up against my nice metal ruler that I keep on my desk and these are really close.

This is a nice cheap  inexpensive way to add a measurement device to your organizer.

Here is the Link to Print out the Free Printable Rulers: FREE Printable Rulers

You Need to click on the PDF version and Download it to your Computer and Use Adobe PDF Viewer to print these to your InkJet or Laser Printer. The PS Version is the PostScript Version that can be used to edit. But not easy to do. The Following Rulers are available on Vendian.or:

One Foot – Metric – centimeter – Multiple on one page – etc…
Remember to Print these click on the above link and use ADOBE PDF Viewer to print to your own inkjet or laser printer.

 

 

UPDATE - – Check out this new Post on Top Free Productive Tools

 

 

TAGS: Analog paper ruler organizer hack gtd


17 comments.

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TSA Selling Surplus on Ebay


Posted on December 3rd, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Gadgets, Web Service, Weird Stuff.

TSA Ebay SalesWould you like to buy 10 pounds of tools? How about 25 pounds of stainless steel scissors? 15 pounds of Craftsman's tools? Well the TSA sends over all of the confiscated items to the PA Surplus Property to sell – And they sell it on ebay. You can find alot of interesting items for sale – Hey this might make a great place to purchase a few Christmas gifts. Give all your friends a nice multitool or a swiss army knife.

 

TAGS: TSA EBAY SURPLUS AUCTION CONFISCATED KNIFES TOOLS


0 comments.

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Storyville Coffee Time – Spreading the Buzz


Posted on November 26th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Coffee, Communication, Gadgets.


3 comments.

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New Levengers Product – Wallet Writers


Posted on November 19th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, Gadgets, GTD, Journaling, Leather, Notetaking.

Wallet Writer from Levenger'sThey have done it again – Another innovative product from Levengers. The Wallet Writer – It gives your wallet a place for you to write on. Basically it look like it is a mini version of the International Shirt Pocket Briefcase that now fits in your back pocket.

I really like this idea as there are times I don't carry my International Shirt Pocket Briefcase with me. It is rare but there are times that it is just not necessary to have with me. But then I need to take a few notes – Too hard to do on a napkin and way too easy to loose, Can't write on my business card as they are double sided and full color glossy. Now this products comes to the rescue. You are now guaranteed a place and means to write down the notes you needed to remember – Such as a book you wanted to read, a persons name and email, a street address or what ever strikes you at the moment of revelation. I know I find it much easier to use this analog way – Pencil / Pen and paper then taking notes or tidbits of info and putting it into an electronic device.

From what I read the cards are the same stock as their cards for the Shirt Pocket Briefcase – Which in my humble opinion are really nice quality and I use them all the time. These cards have a grid design on one side and rule lines on the other. I would prefer they were grid design on both sides. – The wallet comes with 50 cards and the refills are 300 cards for $18 dollars – again not a bad price for the quality of the cards.

Levenger's makes the wallet in three different styles – Billfod style for men, a compact snap style for women, and a business card holder for unisex. Of course these are made of their high quality soft full-grain leather in a range of different colors (Black, Red and Toffee). The prices for these range from $42 to $58 – $42 for the Card Wallet Writer, and $58 for either of the men's or women's wallet version. The Photo above is of the Card Wallet Writer.

If anyone is using one of these please use the comment section as I would love to hear what you think of yours.  Or if you have any other suggestions or ideas on this let me know.

Merlin

Tags:  Levenger wallet briefcase business+card Index+Card index card business note notetaking portable analog


0 comments.

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Trusty Old Zippo Lighter


Posted on November 17th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Gadgets.

I was doing some cleaning out of some old boxes I had and I can across my old zippo lighter I purchased aboard the USS Stark while it was doing a great lakes tour. I toured it sometime in the mid 1980's and from the markings on the zippo it would have been 1984 or 1985 – The Zippo lighter I have was made in 1984. This Lighter is one I have used for years but was put in a box of things from my old desk and I have not been in that box for quite some time. Pulling this lighter out really brought back some fond memories. This lighter was used for lighting many a firecrakers and bottle rockets, as well as many different campfires. In fact my family was camping in Erie at the time when I got this lighter. We used to camp at a campground near Presque Isle State park. 

Now this didn't surprise me – But I bought some zippo lighter fluid and filled it up and it lit on the first strike. Today too many lighter as disposable and this lighter works like a champ and is over 22 years old and looks almost brand new. Well there is some wear and tear on it but not that much. The lighter I have is a chrome lighter with black enamel glued on the sides. You can still make out a little of the Uss Stark ship on the side but is is mostly wore off. There are also a few chips on the black enamel on the edges but not really that much. Overall it really is a nice zippo lighter and has served me quite well for many years. And now that I have found it again, it will be one of my everyday carry items to light my pipe and occasional cigar.  

Tags: zippo stark cigar pipe lighter old


2 comments.

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