There's a reason for product reviews...

... good and bad.

Lesson learned: Even though there may be a handful of reviews and less than 5 are one or two stars, doesn't mean you can ignore the situation.

I got the 2 Pack Neoprene Sleeve with Carrying Handle on Monday afternoon (after work). On Wednesday night (after work), I was contacting Amazon. The pink sleeve's handle fell apart. It started with a tear / hole in the middle of the handle (near the buckle), and by the time I got home, the stitching on the buckle completely came apart. I was in the middle of a hallway when I felt the handle give way; I almost dropped the cup because it took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting this sleeve to break after a full day of use.

Going back and checking the reviews, there are verified purchases where people said they had similar problems - within three days holes formed and the sleeve broke; it arrived broken (holes); one person even said they had it a day and was on vacation with it, when it broke. Although there's one 4 star review that says "handle had broken off at the seam", they countered that by saying they were able to fix the seam and reinforce the stitching, making it work better. This person is lucky, as they say they had a sewing machine and knew enough to fix it. I guess out of 20 reviews, seeing about 5 that say the handle fell apart, isn't too bad, considering it could be a lot worse (more reviews saying the same thing). But like I said in my last review, neoprene is susceptible to breaking - one sharp object catches it, it's gone in the wind before you know it. However, if nothing hurts it, why should it break immediately, especially if the description of the item says it's a "strong but lightweight tumbler carrier that also protects your tumbler from scratches and dents" as well as being "perfect for outdoor activities, such as walking, biking, hiking, picnic, camping, boating and international travels. The case can be easily attached to your backpack or can be carried alone". That right there says you can do a lot with it, and it should last more than a week. I can see if you're hiking or camping and you catch it on a twig and it rips, but not if you're just carrying it and nothing pokes it.

So contacting Amazon on Wednesday night, I had two options: Return the full package for a total refund, or return the full package and get a replacement. They need it back either way because they want to investigate the problem - how it broke, what it looks like, etc. My thinking about this is, if Amazon looks at the reviews, they'd see there are some reviews that say the same thing - the sleeve fell apart. Maybe that's why it's less than $10 (and less than $4.50 a sleeve, comparatively speaking) - because it doesn't hold up so easy? Who knows. But I chose to get a replacement. It arrived Friday afternoon, so I plan on trying it out on Monday when I go back to work. See if it breaks again, and if it does, I'll contact Amazon once more, and go with a total refund.

Fun fact: due to it breaking within a day of receiving it, I didn't have to pay any type of shipping - return shipping or replacement shipping. Not that I want these things to break; it was unexpected and warranted of a chat with Amazon, and I'm glad they stick by some of their services. If they charged me for the replacement or shipping, I would have really been upset.

Side note on why I'd be upset: We all know hindsight is 20/20. I ended up returning a set of LG replacement water filters for our fridge last year. We had bought a two pack on the site for a good price, and about two weeks after getting them, our fridge died. So we got a Whirlpool brand and couldn't use the LG filters. We returned them, and lo and behold, was charged a return fee. Instead of getting a full refund, we were given close to it. Amazon took off $6.82 or something like that, for shipping costs. Because it wasn't damaged and it wasn't open. We were returning it because we couldn't use it in a new refrigerator. More proof that you've got to do your research and figure out what return costs are, if it comes down to it.

Anyway, pictures of the sleeve or it didn't happen:

 

 

 



Have a good weekend!

Cheers;

Sleeve it!

I got the sleeves for my Yeti today.

Just as described, the pink is bright and the black is dark. Fits amazingly on the cup, too. I actually can't wait to use the pink one on my pink tumbler this week. It's funny; the clasp is a push button release and the sleeve is soft. I'd never think that neoprene would be considered "Soft" or I'd use that in a sentence to describe a cup holder, but it's "like buttah". Haha.

It's going to be really cool to carry this around campus and have people ask me where I got it, rather then be awkward and try to hold it. I'm excited. Now, if I only had the silver tumbler, I'd be set! =)

(Photos taken with an iPhone 6s. Don't mind the messy counter)

 

 


Emily and I were traveling around work today, because she's got to show me some things before she leaves for another job. Yes, sadly, she is moving on from our little job world, to a bigger and better place. As she's aspiring to get a master's degree in the not so distant future, this new job she will take on, starting Wednesday, will move her one step closer to acquiring the experience and certification she's looking for.

So... she had to show me around one of the newer buildings she's been working in.

Upon walking the halls, we smelled something oddly sugary sweet. Like, someone's baking vanilla sugar cookies or vanilla cupcakes. And there's a lot of them, and we're getting cavities and pre-diabetic just sniffing around. That's how sugary sweet we're talking. Come to find out, it is sugar cookie flavored, and both Emily and I aren't the most used crayons in the package.

Upon researching this fan machine and the whole base (because, where the hell is the outlet plug? This fan has an electrical tail, but nothing to use in the wall to make it work) looks like it goes into another machine. I can't find the product name on Amazon, but it looks like the higher end hotels use something similar, as there are branded fans online. See here. I remember when I worked for one of those higher end hotels, there'd be a fragrance fan in the main lobby. It was small enough that you didn't notice it, but fragrant enough that it over powered your nose hairs and you felt immediately hungry.

I really don't know how the one we found works, or what bigger machine it plugs into, but I'm intrigued as to why it's hanging out in an area where people aren't always in (it's a living area with a table and chairs, a couple counters and a view of the marsh land and road). Yes, people can come gawk at the cars and wish they were on the beach (which is seemingly far in the distance), but we are in a building known to have its residents primarily stay in just a few places, not bird watch.

The fan thing (taken on an iPhone 6S):

 

 


The view of the land, taken on an iPhone 6S, through a reflective glass. Don't mind the spots.

It's almost time to do something better with my night, so if anyone can find that scent thing on Amazon, lemme know; I'd be interested in seeing the full package.

Until then...



Cheers;

















edited to add: I found something that looks like the "Scentair" website, and found what the machine looks like. From some of the schematics, maybe the ScentHD Fragrance Machine and an upgraded version of it. Or so the outer shell looks like it could be...

But I still could be wrong.

If it's new and improved, what's the difference?

I got the Bohemian Rhapsody (The Original Soundtrack) out of the library today.

My window is open. I think I scared the crap out of the neighbor, because I heard her yell "hey!" when it started playing. Can't help it, lady; you and your husband are the snowbirds that come down twice a year for a week solid, and expect things to be okay. You're outside the shared (public) walkway, sunbathing in a beach chair. I can see your feet as I type this. Plus, how many times has your husband been standing outside my window at night, having a cigarette? Tough stuff. Let's talk when y'all are full time residents. 😆

I ordered a carrier pouch for my 30oz to freedom Yeti today. At $8.99 for two of them, it seems like a rather good deal, since it's neoprene and those suckers seem to last. Unless you take a sharp object to it and shred it up.

The reason for the two pack is quite simple: I was trolling the Amazon Giveaway page and clicked on 30 oz Tumbler tumbler with lid and straw. You never know about winning, until you try. Especially since this will be the 5th thing I've gotten in the giveaway section.

Why didn't I buy something "normal" for the tumblers (once I get the new one)? To price compare, and a general FYI, the plastic handles that you can find for Tervis cups can start at $10, for one. The Yeti can start at $9.99 for one. Yet, I'm finding the generic handles for all tumblers starting at $4.99, but the neoprene case still seems like a good deal; solely based on it's a two pack (essentially making it $4.495 a piece). I should be getting it on Monday and I hope it works, as it's supposed to fit all types of tumblers. I'm tired of having to carry my bright pink cup by its' rim everywhere. It makes things "Awkward AF" because I actually spilled my water one day last week. In slow motion, I saw the cup go tumbling down and when it crashed on the floor (carpet), the lid popped off and I lost a lemon and lime, plus all the ice and water. And this was at 8:30 in the morning; I still had 8 hours of work left. No, the cup wasn't damaged - I've taken my monster truck golf cart up a hill at a fast rate before, and the cup has flown off the cart and onto the grass, and nothing damaged it. Had I been on gravel, I don't want to think about it. Especially after what happened to my iPhone last year (long story and another post in its entirety).

So... Fingers crossed everything works.

Especially since another option was paracord, but they can start at $4.99 a piece. Which isn't bad, by any means, as some art fairs around here are selling them for $20 or more. One woman I work with, bought hers for $22 (from someone who was making them to raise money for the latest hurricane relief efforts up in the Florida Panhandle), while I went to a fair and someone is selling one for $25 or two for $45 (it was Christmas "sale". *rolls eyes*). It's nice, but if I can find the black center cord these people are using, I can be making my own. I've already got the paracord and make my own key chains, bracelets and such. My next step would be the handle if I could get it sorted out. I once sent a large necklace to a friend. I think her kid used it as a belt of sorts. LOL.

I've finished listening to the soundtrack and the neighbors are back inside. Must be an hour later, then. But it's taken me that long to research everything I'm writing and I also got sidetracked for 10 minutes, putting other things into my library queue online. This proves I can't be distracted by other means. Haha.

Anyway, the whole basis of wanting to write something (aka the title of the post) is because (in reference to the pouch I bought) I saw that the Echo Dot I bought in November has been discontinued.

Rather, it's "currently being sold, used, from $17.04" for the black and $19.99 for the white.

Don't believe me? Check out the screen grab.

Although... the header is still listing the 2nd generation as $24.99, but brings you to the "used" page.

Amazon is toting the 3rd generation Echo Dot right now, and it's on the "cheap" - $29.99. However, the charcoal is out of stock until February 10, the heather grey is out of stock until February 28, and the sandstone is out of stock until February 7. Which only raises the question: Are they planning for a 4th generation, and what will it look like? What will the upgrade be - how beneficial is it, since the "majorly minor" difference between the second and third generations were microphone placements and lack of microphones (2nd had seven 3rd has four). I haven't fully researched the differences between the two, as my mother loves her hockey puck and I'm still indifferent towards it. I think I'm the one using it most mornings, however, and finding little quirks with it.

Like the cooking playlist and the 90s grunge. Wonder what happens if I ask for something more obscure? Then again, I asked it to "play music inspired by the movie 'Some Like It Hot'" and Alexa had nofa king idea what I was asking about. How does a smart device not know the Billy Wilder film? Does she not even know the phrasing "Some Like It Hot"? By any other conditions, jazz has inspired a ton of sound within the last hundred years. Why does this not compute?

How about when Alexa told me that I can't listen to the Godsmack version of 'Come Together' in its' entirety? Will a new Dot allow me the opportunity, or will it automatically charge my credit card? Yes, the 2nd generation gives the option for voice purchases, which I disabled during installation, but there may be a day when I'd be re-ordering something, so I would enable it. Until that happens, no random spending!! Thanks 😁

I think that's it for now. I just wanted to point out that the streaming device I bought 3 months ago is discontinued. Chalk this up to "technology changes every ~6 months"?


Cheers;






See Also (aka tumbler handles - references):

• Tervis brand accessories
• Yeti brand accessories
• Generic tumbler handles
• Paracord handles

Take it to the limit

This morning, I said to Alexa, "Play Disturbed 'Sound Of Silence'" and she repeated "The Sound Of Silence, by Disturbed, on Amazon Music" and here comes the song (doo doo doo doo).

Then I said "Alexa, play Godsmack 'Come Together'". She didn't like that; it took her a second to realize we don't pay for Unlimited Music.

She said that "Come Together isn't included with Prime but is available with Amazon Music Unlimited". She asked me if I wanted to learn more, and when I said "no thank you" (because you have to be nice to these machines or bad things happen), she said "OK. You can sign up anytime by saying: 'Sign up for Amazon Music Unlimited'". She then played the 30 second sample of the song.

So; we reached the limit, or at least found out, what's available and what's not, for normal Prime membership.

I should have asked if it will play Godsmack 'Rocky Mountain Way' because I heard that on the radio the other day, on my way in to work (which is how I ended up finding 'Come Together'... by the power of research a day later). I bet Alexa will give me the same answer as 'Come Together' because it's on the same album.

I guess the end result is to be careful what you ask to play, and listen to the questions (or answers) back, so you don't inadvertently order something?



Oh, and fun fact for the Massholes: Betcha didn't know Godsmack hails from Lawrence!



Happy Sunday!


Cheers;

My watch is pregnant?

It officially took my Damusy Fitness Tracker nine months to have the band start breaking. As in, the snaps were starting to disintegrate.

Upon looking, and linking, to the tracker right now (starting this post at 6:00pm, January 7, 2019), the watch band is a regular band, plus it's $2.02 cheaper than what I purchased it for, almost a year ago. And, it comes in another color, which is $3.98 lower than what the black band currently is.

Would I trade it for the world? I don't know - maybe, but it's because I like the normal watch band better than the snap it came with. But, there's a stipulation: there has to be more bands readily available for future purchase. On top of the "minor" quirks being fixed (better opportunity to see outside, the ~2,000 step difference between my phone [in my pocket] and the watch on my wrist. It also should change the sleep settings - it currently senses "sleep" as staying sedimentary for 30 or more minutes, after 8pm. But some nights the watch thinks I've gone to bed at midnight, so it woulre record sleep from 12am to 6am - when I get up / start moving around. I sometimes am in bed and asleep by 9pm. So it misses up to 3 hours of time), I don't see this being completely horrendous.

I must point out, that I have talked to other people who own other trackers, but of similar shapes and color. They too, say the same thing - the white text on the black face is hard to read in direct sun light. I don't ask about the sleep cycle because that is not a big part of the conversation. They say they've tried their tracker everywhere - around their ankle, on their wrist... and (not) surprisingly, the ankle gets more tracks. I've seen people with these off market brands on ankles, and kind of wish there was a bracelet long enough to fit my ankle. Maybe I'd like it better? But then I'd need to go back to my normal watch. Can't win, but it's worth a try?

Anyway, I haven't contacted the company for a replacement band, only because I feel it's not a pure defect - the band falling apart on the snap is "normal wear and tear"; not something I purchased and it shipped to me that way. The watch functions like it should - I can set an alarm (and it goes off, silently buzzing my wrist), it syncs to my phone. I can tell what time it is, and track some steps if I decide to not carry my cell one day. I can see calls and texts. It still lasts more than a week on a single charge. So if I were to change anything, maybe I'd not be so quick to purchase something "cheap", but I also wanted it at a lower price because I don't feel I need something fancy. Fitbits are too wide looking for me - I will wear a watch if I want a watch. And they're significantly more expensive. Like they can be over $50 more. This thing I am wearing, is a slim, attractive tracker, and sure; the band is breaking, but that didn't stop me from not using the actual time piece. And it was under $20.

When it came time to really figure out I needed a new band, what I did was research the hell out of the it. I was worried about buying something because a lot of reviews said this particular model needs a certain band (it's an ID115). The heart rate (115HR) takes a slightly wider band, so I'm reading. Everything that looks like this watch, all say similar things - replacement bands are horrible and nothing fits. People are saying they feel powerless and scammed because the descriptions say "ID115" but they got something different. Most say the band falls off on one side - it doesn't attach properly to the tracker. This is also why the actual tracker varies in brand. The HR is wider on the clip for some reason, yet, it still fits in a USB port?

So I carefully sought out something that would be reasonable. I found a 5 pack for $11.99 (and it's currently out of stock until the 11th!). People have reviewed this, saying they didn't get all the colors described. I did. Others mention one end slips off all the time. I've been wearing the teal for almost a month (sorry, I've been delaying this post) and I've no issues. I think people are putting the band on their wrist too tightly. That they are trying to go to the last holes, when you shouldn't be, unless your wrist is that small. I noticed that if I tighten the strap to have 1 hole visible, the band looks like it's going to start tearing away from the tracker. But if I have 2 holes visible, it's fine.

Sure, maybe the tighter you have the watch, the better it senses movement, but it also starts tracking steps at 10 paces. It has to know you're really moving in order to count your steps.

I guess in the end, I'll have to continue to wear this fitness tracker and let it die naturally. Like I said, I wear it every day, so the only times I really take it off is to change the band (and wash the dirty band... it gets rough around the edges from sweating in the heat, some days) or charge the tracker. I also take it off to shower, so I'm not wearing completely 24/7, but I'm wearing it majority of the time. Like all things, this will fail one day, and at that point, maybe I'll buy into "the more expensive" models.

Until then, always do your research, and don't be afraid to try something. Like Andrew Zimmern says in his travel show, "If it looks good, eat it". So if it looks good, buy it!




Cheers;

"Here we are now, entertain us"

Well; I had my first "Siri ≠ Alexa" moment this morning.

Call it "you haven't made your coffee yet" or call it "duh, stupid", but Alexa (Amazon assistant) does not answer to "Siri" (Apple assistant).

What transpired, you ask?

I wanted to put on some music while making my coffee and smoothie, so I go up to the Echo Dot and say "Siri". It's not flashing. "Siri", I say again. Still not flashing. Tried it a third time to no avail. I said to my mom "Siri's not working. ☹️", to which my mom replied "Because her name is 'Alexa'. I've done it before - called it 'Siri'".

So I go back over to the hockey puck, say, "Alexa," (enter flashy lights) "play 1990's alternative". She immediately replies "Playing 1990's Alternative & Grunge Station on Amazon Music".

Enter Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Under The Bridge", and I'm like, "I had this tape!" and my mom goes "I think you did". Next song, Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and the same thing happened - "I had this tape!". My mom got tired of "the screaming" so "Alexa, next track". Up comes Dave Matthews Band, Ants Marching. Another album I had. I guess I was a 90s kid after all?

I stopped DMB mid way, as my coffee was made, my smoothie was made, and I wanted to write about this mishap.

And wow... I typed in "Siri" in Amazon's search box... Apple TV devices are being sold! This is new...!


Anyway... Time to do something somewhere...


Cheers;








See also (aka the post title):
Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit

Who curated this noise?

This morning I was doing my normal "breakfast" routine: Cup of coffee (some sort of Coffee-mate creamer and breakfast blend coffee), and a protein / vitamin shake (with peanut butter powder) because I typically don't eat breakfast. The shake fills me up until lunch time (about six hours) when I have my Yeti willed with water all day.


While I was getting everything ready, I figured I would ask Alexa to play cooking songs. Why not, right? I'm making "breakfast" before I start my day... might as well get some fun tunes playing.

Well... whoever curated the playlist, sure doesn't live in my house. Or in some of my friends' houses.

Whatever algorithms the geniuses behind the music use, I was quite surprised to get very "dinner date" type music. Like, you're on a hot date with someone for the second or third time and you want to keep the chemistry going a few dates longer, cooking playlist.

Here's what went down at 7:30 this morning:

Me: "Alexa, play cooking music."
Alexa: " Playing 'Pop For Cooking' with Amazon Music"
-Enter first track-

Youngblood by 5 Seconds Of Summer infiltrate the speakers on the hockey puck. Okay, that's a weird start. Almost 3 and a half minutes later, New Rules by Dua Lipa starts playing. What the hell.... this is stuff to cook by? I want fun pop; not "you plan on spending the night?" pop.

I love the tag line - "Turn up the heat in the kitchen with these pop beats"... yeah, if I had access to Amazon's web page, to search for some music, I'd not have chosen this playlist... since (I feel) it even suggests that you are having a private party of two in your place.

Yes, everything is in the eyes of the beholder, and everyone's taste in music is different. Sure, I'm not up to snuff on the new music of today's world, but there has to be more "friendlier" music to put on a playlist, then Pull Me Deep by Logan Henderson while I pour my coffee. Taken literally or figuratively, I guess it works to an extent; but as a whole, the entire cooking playlist screams "dinner date" to me, instead of "madness in the kitchen making a mess with the pots and pans. Ingredients everywhere!".

I guess I should have asked for the 50 Great '50s Rock 'n' Roll Songs playlist, the 50 Great '90s Alternative Songs playlist, the Laid Back Jazz playlist or even the Mellow '70s Gold. The latter two are more "Sunday Morning | Brunch" type songs, but the four playlists listed, are significantly smoother / more settling (and better) than what was being heard in my house for 15 minutes this morning. 

I don't know if I can change my mind over the playlist presented by the "music experts". I may listen to a lot of music, but do not call my self a true fan of everything. I have my personal favorites (5 more days and it's a week of an artist and their tour shirts. Hint hint), but I'm not actively seeking today's "best of the best". I have some film scores and some hoppier music in my cache, but I'm not looking for discographies. Today's singles work just fine. At least I can say "I've heard it a couple times" and not gush over when the tour is coming.

Although.... if the Goo Goo Dolls come back to this corner of the world, I'm in!!!!
(so pissed I missed them in 2011).


Until I can make up my mind on what I truly want to listen to, behave and be well.


Cheers;







See Also (aka exact stuff I use in the morning):

Shake stuff:

• Nature's Bounty Optimal Solutions Protein Powder and Vitamin Supplement, Vanilla Bean
• PBfit All-Natural Peanut Butter Powder 8 Ounce, Peanut Butter Powder from Real Roasted Pressed Peanuts, Low in Fat High in Protein, Natural Ingredients
• Almond Milk (I alternate on brands because I usually buy "what's on sale" at the moment)
• Sometimes I use yogurt, sometimes I put in a banana, but it's not all the time.

Coffee stuff:

• NESTLE COFFEE-MATE Coffee Creamer, French Vanilla
• Folgers Classic Roast, Medium Roast Coffee (this has been lately)