Products That Work 2

Recently, I acquired an iPad 2. There are several cover options, but the one I've found to be not only the best product, but also the best value was: click me.

This cover, from monprice.com is a better designed, less expensive version of apple's own smart cover. This cover offers protection for the back of the device--whereas the apple smart cover only protects the front of the device. Also, this product clips on securely and stays on, unlike apple's version which with its flimsy magnetic clip on design, falls off constantly.

Just like apple's version, this cover offers a magnetic cover that turns the device on and off when it is opened and closed. It also folds to provide both an upright stand and gently angled keyboard stand.

Do yourself a favor. Buy the better product, and save yourself a few dollars. The monoprice version is about $10, while the apple version ranges from $30-$55.

Houston Texans

I feel pretty bad for the Houston Texans. With Peyton Manning likely out for the season, and the Colts off to a dreadful start, this was their big chance to win their division and make a little noise in the playoffs. All of a sudden, a "hurdle" in the road of their top wide receiver.--Now a tough, season-ending injury to Mario Williams, not only one of their best defensive players, but arguably one of the top 10 defensive players in all of the AFC, if not the NFL.
The AFC South now looks to be a two team race with the Titans, with Jacksonville down in the dumps, with no hope at all of getting rescued by a Hall of Fame quarterback in this season or the next.

Products That Work

It's been way too long since I've posted anything here, but I was so psyched by a new product I purchased that I just had to share. I have a Weber Genesis Gold B natural gas grill, circa 2005. This was the closest I got to finding it for you to see, so here goes. The grill does everything I need it to do, which goes well beyond the scope of this post, but let's just say, I really have this grill down, using a variety of cooking techniques.
On Friday, I was checking out a fairly local grill store, and came across the Weber Grill Out Handle Light. I purchased mine for $25--though it can be found online for $20.
I have to say, it assembled quite easily, and it provides a pretty solid light. I may consider adding a second, but that may be overkill, and it may crowd the handle which would make opening and closing the grill unnecessarily cumbersome.
The grill has a simple push button on/off control, and it can be moved and redirected with minimal effort. It also has a powersave feature. The light goes into a standby mode when the cover is closed. Apparently, there is some kind of level mechanism in the light so that it comes on when the lid is open, and dims when the lid is shut. The light does remain on slightly in standby mode, so the batteries (3 AAA) would drain if left on overnight. However, it does make using the light easier during an evening of cooking, without having to turn it on/off and not having to worry about draining the battery. Just remember that the last step in cleaning the grill at the end of the evening is to make sure that light is off. Problem solved.
The light seems to work so well, that I'll have very little need for my older grill light, which was solid, but had to be taken out and set up each time. With this new light, it's simply there whenever I need it.

Thoughts on the NFL

I have been reading about the NFL and the desire of ownership to move from a 16 to an 18 game season. Aside from the obvious risk to player safety and career longevity, which are in obvious contrast to the leagues public stand on making the game "safer," what Roger Goodell doesn't seem to realize is that fans aren't complaining about the 4 game preseason. We are complaining about being charged regular season prices for exhibition football.

I can only speak for myself, but I don't want to commit to more NFL games before Labor Day. One thing that's great about football is that it brings an excitement to the end of summer/beginning of fall and that carries us into winter. I don't want to cut short my summer BBQs or vacation plans because of the NFL.

Additionally, it's not the starters that benefit from the preseason. Teams need time to round out their rosters with 2nd and 3rd string players, and to establish special teams. The preseason is crucial for this. An 18 game season does not help with anything other than helping the owners justify lining their pockets with cash.

I can't fight the feeling that we're moving to our first NFL work stoppage in a very long time, as billionaires fight with millionaires over how to carve the golden goose.