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Sunday, March 25, 2018

Plant picture day!

I've been watching a flower open and close near my front door over the past few weeks. It's got just enough light that it's actually pretty. So with little to do this morning, I went out and took photos of it. Trouble is, the battery on my camera died, so I only got a handful of interesting shots.

What I used:


I've really got to get a calibrator for my laptop monitor if I keep expecting to edit (and post / share) photos. Using the TV as a monitor, my photos looked warm and welcoming, but checking them out on my iPhone (because I wanted to send them to someone), they're on a cold side. I'm not going back and editing them again, because then I'll start fussing too much. I guess it is what it is, and WYSIWYG. 

Let me know what you think!










Cheers;

Saturday, March 24, 2018

"Incense and peppermints, the color of thyme"

About two years ago, I went to an event at a local college's arena. Some readers may remember my post about a vendor selling a streaming device for almost six times the price you can buy it for. Well, at that same event, I put my name in to enter "a chance to win" a Rainbow Rainmate. A month or two later, I got a phone call: I won. When can I schedule a demo? I gave the person a few days to choose from, and a week later, two women appeared at my doorstep.

What they hauled in (and put together), I just about laughed.

I was about to be shown a demonstration of the (Rexair) (Rainbow) Vacuum System. I can't even find any listings on Amazon for it, as the retailer only sells the fragrance oils and spare parts. I don't know if it's a dead item, or Rexair has a hold on anyone selling their products. 

I take it back. I found something, but it doesn't look so great; it's on Amazon Marketplace and other people are selling the vacuum for a ton of money (the system will either be totally "refurbished" or "used".. scroll around this page to see why)... 

After telling me all about how great my life will be after using the product (because simply put, these things are beneficial to my health), I was told the price of the cleaning system. For several easy payments of (whatever it was; I don't remember because this was a couple years ago), it could be mine for as little as a few grand in total. I tried to put the stop to it once they kept trying to pressure me into working for / with them as well. Just show me what this can do and gimme my free gift. LOL.

I got half of a carpet vacuumed, a lamp shade dusted, and a tile square clean. There was no way I'd be buying this system when I wouldn't be using it every day of the rest of my life. I've got small area rugs that I throw into the washing machine. I've got a Hurricane Spin Mop to wash the tile floors. What's the advantage to this Rexair cleaning system besides a few grand and my house smelling like fragrance oils? "It deeply penetrates your carpets to remove dander and all other microbial nasties". The carpet under a marble table we own, did look nice, but a glorified hoover can't resolve next month's rent. 

What was nice (and somewhat better), was what I actually "won" - the Rainmate. Although they wouldn't let me keep the bottle of Air Freshener / Deodorizer, I immediately went out and bought knock off smellies. There was no way I was doling out over $35 for the deodorizer (seriously... it was not so cheap) or $25+ for a four pack multipack of oils. I got a six pack recently for a quarter of the price. "You need genuine essential oils that the company tested in Rainbow labs". Sure, ok, just like I have to use blank Hewlett Packard discs in my HP computer. Store brands write just as fine. Thankssomuch.

Why do I sound so negative about this product? I'm not trying to be. I think for what it's worth (and generally speaking), brands can be hella expensive if marketed to the right wrong certain people. They fall into a trap that they can't afford to get out of, simply because they're told the product will change their life and make everything so much better. Trust me, I can agree and admit that the Rainbow Rainmate makes my house smell amazing, but for the branded accessories, it's not worth the price of admission. Especially when you can find a similarly cheaper product elsewhere. I looked everywhere for what the women were hocking, in regards to the deodorizer, but no one sells a similar product out in the real world. So of course, I'd have to go online to find a compatible product. Will I get the liquid to make my house smell mountain fresh (with the promise that it kills the things that make me sick)? Doubtful, as I routinely change my air conditioner's air filters, and I purchase air fresheners when needed. Although, I did actually look into air filter fresheners but I've heard mixed reviews. I don't need it that desperately.

All in all, do your research. Price shop, price compare and read reviews. Don't fall victim to scammers and snake oil salesmen. If someone wants to come to your house and do a demonstration, choose your own adventure and decide for yourself whether or not you want them to come around (considering the ladies who visited me, kept marveling at how amazing my house was furnished... it was bordering on burglary marveling). 

I guess my rambling should come to a close, as there really isn't much more to say. I'll include some pictures of the Rainmate and let my readers make their own decisions.


Pictures or this post is for naught:























See Also (aka title of post):

Saturday, March 10, 2018

All I need is hash browns and bacon...

and I've got breakfast on the cheap!

I had bought a Joie Roundy Silicone Egg Ring what seems like twenty years ago, but I have not had opportunity to use it. Seeing how I have the day off and wanted something "new" for breakfast, I decided to try my luck at making an egg on an English Muffin.

The only things missing were hash browns (or patties) for my side and some sort of ham / bacon on the egg. Otherwise, I had a substantial meal for quick thinking.

The ingredients list:


I followed the "three minute egg" rule in each step:
  • Three minutes to preheat the pan
  • Three minutes to let the butter melt and stop bubbling
  • Three minutes to let the egg cook

The only challenge with the egg ring and the silicone lid is that the little egg guy is too tall to allow the lid to sit fully on the frying pan. So it technically can't steam cook the top of the egg like it should, however, there was enough of the lid on the pan to allow it to actually do its job. Also, I didn't center the egg in the pan correctly, so some of the egg had slipped out from underneath the ring when I cracked it. 

My challenge with the cheese was I actually let it melt too long on the egg while cooking, so cheese went everywhere in the pan - I had taken the egg ring off when it was fully formed, so that way the cheese could melt over the egg. Instead of letting it melt for 30-45 seconds, I had it on for a minute. Oops. So when it came time to put it on the muffin, it was a little messy. 

Once completed, it was a matter of minutes before the breakfast was over and the egg sandwich was in my stomach. Was it good? Yes. Do I regret not having the "extras" you get at diners or fast food places? Partially, but who needs all that food when all you want is a quick bite? Will I make this again? Hell yes.

Pictures or it didn't happen:

Egg in the ring








With The Cover On






Finished Product









Stay hungry.



Cheers;





See Also (aka links not on Amazon)
See Also (aka links on Amazon to other products):
  • Hash Browns choose your own adventure - make them or buy them!
  • Bacon choose your own adventure with what you want
  • Sliced Ham choose your own adventure with the ham