Twilight

I'd been studiously avoiding anything to do with the Twilight books or movies. I'm not into vampires, teen heartthrobs, or anything set in high school unless it's a parody of the experience. However, my lovely spouse has gotten into the series. I observed that a number of my friends have accompanied their partners to these movies and that maybe I should man up and do the same-- I'm not scared of sparkly vampires, right? I volunteered to go to a showing of New Moon.

"Squeee!" went my lovely spouse, "but you need to see Twilight first!"

I poured a stiff drink and settled onto the couch expecting to grit my teeth through an ordeal. Actually... well, actually it wasn't too bad. It's an innocuous movie, tolerably plotted and moderately well acted. The CGI was not so great-- in particular, speedy-vampire Edward earnestly trucking up the mountain made me laugh out loud-- but generally not so bad as to be distracting.

That's not to say I don't have my issues with it. Oh, the angst! Oh, the smouldering glances-- but based on what, exactly? Bella seems not to be especially smart, witty, friendly, talented, or even all that hot and yet all she has to do to achieve instant popularity at her new high school (and a free truck!) is show up. Edward-- well, we understand he's troubled by the literal blood lust and all, but-- "I like to break into your bedroom and watch you sleep"? Really? Stalkeriffic. One is left wonder what exactly these two see in each other.

Windows 7

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/10/30/seventh-house/


At least according to Penny-Arcade (these days I run Mac OSX, so I have no idea).

D-Fuzz-It Sweater Comb

I've started building a collection of sweaters, and some of the well loved sweaters end up with little balls of fuzz that can't be simply picked away. Being into gadgets, I never quite bought into the sweater shaver, namely because it seems like a bother and doesn't solve the pre-pill fuzz mat, and I don't really like the idea of taking all the fuzziness away. Plus I'm cheap.

After a couple of months of spending a lot of time at fabric/yarn shops, I came across a few products that claim to solve the problem, I went for the sweater comb because it is the cheapest and simplest. It feels simply like sand paper, or some kind of metal sanding screen encased in a fake tortoise shell handle.

And by gods, it works (or else I wouldn't be posting about it in this blog).

It gets rid of the little balls of fuzz, detangles/pulls out the pre-pill fuzz mat, and still fluffs and combs the fibers so the sweater gets a complete face lift. I've only tried it on one sweater, but sometimes I get the urge to start de-fuzzing other people's pilly sweaters now that I am armed with the sweater comb.

Pros: It works, compact, needs no batteries, travels well.
Cons: Not sure what yet, possibly shorter lifespan, but at less than $5, most of us can afford to buy a new one every couple of years. Possibly too rough for some sweaters.

Here's a link so you know what to look for:



Here be crappy cam phone photos:

Before After (see ball of fuzz in background)