Light up your audio with the Sylvania MusicLites! The MusicLite may look like your standard ceiling light bulb that fits in most recessed lighting cans but the MusicLite combines a full range loudspeaker, wireless receiver, and a 10W LED light into that compact work of technological magic!
The LED lights lasts up to 25,000 hours, far much longer than standard or even fluorescent bulbs, and the lumens are similar to that of a 65-Watt incandescent reflector bulb. Connecting your home theater, sound system or even your mp3 player to the MusicLite system is easy. Simply connect the 2.4 GHz wireless transceiver to yourmusical source and delight in the wonder of hidden music! Choose from a standard 3.5mm, USB, or an iPhone 30 pin connector transmitter. No mess, no wires, no problems.
The MusicLite system is energy efficient, using only 10 watts to deliver over 85W of light and sound power. You can easily move the system from room to room or even home to office by simply unscrewing the light-bulb! The MusicLite can be expanded to 12 lights per zone, for total and complete sound from all directions. It’s time to see the light and feel the sound with the MusicLite System.
**Features Include:**
- 2.75” Full Range Hi-Fi Audio Speaker
- 10W LED Light – 65 Watt Equivalent
- 12 Speaker/Bulb modules per zone and up to 5 zones total
- Up to 60 bulbs per transmitter
- MusicLites fits into four-, five- or six-inch recessed cans as well as most table and desk lamps
- The audio signal is transmitted via a 2.4 GHz wireless transceiver
- Light is dimmable by remote control
- Product Dimensions: 5 3/4" Hight 3 3/4" Diameter
- Comes with your choice of a USB, iPod/iPhone or component cable transmitter
Since its creation over 15 years ago, Cirago’s mission has been to provide simplified technological solutions for today’s savvy consumers. As a leading manufacturer of electronics and PC accessories, Cirago creates intuitive, reliable, and affordable products with unparalleled quality, service, and value.
This Dual Hard Drive Docking Station with standalone cloning capabilities can copy all data and system files from one drive to another with the touch of a button - no PC connection required! You can also connect it to a PC to use the included software for flexibility in choosing which files to process. The compact dual bay docking station accepts both 2.5” and 3.5” SATA hard drives and enables read/write capabilities to both drives simultaneously via USB 3.0 for exceptionally fast data transfer.
**Features Include:**
- Clone your hard drive with a touch of a button (standalone or connect to a PC)
- Can be used as a dual hard drive docking station
- Accepts two SATA HDD (3.5" or 2.5") plug-in one compact unit, data can be transferred between 2.5" and 3.5" SATA HDDs
- Can read and write 2 hard drives at the same time
- The dual hard drive docking station connects to the computer via USB 3.0 for the fastest transfer speeds
- Connectivity: USB 3.0 port, SATA I/II 2.5" or 3.5"
- Windows Compatible
- Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth): 4.5 x 2.4 x 4.9”
**Package Includes:**
- Cirago USB 3.0 Docking Station
- AC/DC Adapter
*Please allow up to 7 business days for your order to ship
As digital storage expands beyond traditional computer and server environments and into almost every aspect of your life, you need a company you can trust. Founded in 1970, WD is one of the data storage industry’s global pioneers and longtime leaders. They perform rigorous in-house testing to assure quality and reliability, and are committed to providing their customers with reliable, high-performance storage products and superior customer support and services.
The sleek and stylish Western Digital My Passport is perfect for housing your documents, media and other files. Speedy and efficient, this 2 TB hard drive can be used with USB 3.0 to transfer files and is compatible with USB 2.0. Whenever you add or change a file, automatic backup software updates your data.
A password protects your hard drive from unauthorized use or access to your files. Be sure that your drive is working in top condition by running diagnostics, set a drive timer and more with WD Drive Utilities
**Features Include:**
- Store all your content via USB 3.0 with transfer speeds up to 5 - Gb/s, USB 2.0 compatible
- 2TB storage capacity
- With its small size and light weight, the My Passport is easy to take with you
- No need to carry around a power supply, My Passport is bus powered so it draws power from a USB port
- The automatic backup system makes it easy to keep your favorite files safe and secure
- Compatible with PC and Mac, (reformatting needed for use with a Mac)
- Data can be protected from unauthorized access or theft with password protection and 256-bit hardware-based encryption
- Preformatted for Windows-based PCs, the Elements needs only to be plugged into the USB port on your computer and it's ready to go
- Windows Vista and 7 Compatible, Microsoft certified Tested and - Approved for Windows 7 compatibility
- Designed with a small box from recycled materials to minimize waste
- Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth) 3.2 x 0.8 x 4.4”
- Weight: 6.9 oz.
**Package Includes:**
Western Digital My Passport Portable Hard Drive, USB Cable
*Please allow 7-10 business days for your order to ship
The Bounce™ from Mohu™ will enhance your home WiFi network by giving you up to 3 times the coverage area. Increase streaming speed and your overall wireless experience with the Bounce™. Simply drop the Bounce™ onto any router with an external antenna and never worry about weak WiFi again!
**Features Included**
- Expand the coverage area of your wireless router's WiFi signal up to 3 times the original area
- Works with virtually any router with an external antenna
- Increases streaming speed
- Directional antenna allows you to point in the direction you want your signal increased
Newegg has the Polaroid P-SDU16G10-EFPOL 16GB Class 10 microSDHC Card with Adapter for $10 + $1 shipping ($0 shipping w/ ShopRunner) = $11 shipped. Features card plus adapter and up to 30MB/sec transfer speeds.
While it's not something you'd want to do all the time, if you have a hankerin' for deep frying or are attending a party where insanely rich foods are admired or worshipped, deep-fried mac and cheese may be for you. It's an extremely inexpensive dish, and one that is probably easier to make than you... By: supereric
What do you think of when you hear the words belly and band? Perhaps images of exercise straps or maternity pants waft through your mind, but what I’m actually talking about is handgun concealment.
Most of the people I’m around who have a concealed carry permit use Kydex or leather holsters when carrying, so when I began looking for ways to carry that’s naturally what I migrated towards. The three rigid holsters that I invested in over time haven’t worked that well with my wardrobe, so I thought it would be cheaper to keep looking for the right holster solution instead of buying a bunch of new clothes. Plus, I didn’t want to greatly modify the style of clothing I like to wear.
For several months, I’ve been wearing a Comfort Fit Belly Band by The Well Armed Woman instead of a waist band holster and it’s actually become my go-to concealment option. There are some definite pros and cons when it comes to wearing a belly band, but I thought it might be helpful to share my experience for anyone who might be considering one.
An Epiphany
When I first began wearing a belly band I couldn’t stand the feeling of lugging something around right up against my body. I’ve tried to reduce the size of my purse and the volume of stuff I tote around with me everyday, so the idea of tacking on something else to my daily wardrobe was initially an irritating thought.
I had an interesting conversation with Rob at the office one day that changed my perspective, however. I told him how uncomfortable wearing my gun was and that I wasn’t really diggin’ it. Rob told me directly, “Carrying is supposed to be comforting not comfortable, as they say.”
That poignant statement got my attention. It made me take a deeper look at why I originally wanted to carry and I began working harder to make concealed carry work for me. I know myself well enough to know if an accessory is irritating then I’ll stop wearing it eventually. I wanted to figure out if the belly band concealed carry option could become a favorite, or if I’d be better off with a rigid holster and altering my wardrobe.
Research
When I first started looking online for where to buy holsters designed for women I stumbled across a Website called The Well Armed Woman. There were several holster options for me to consider and this Website had written descriptions as well as video demonstrations to help educate me before buying. Other Websites offered belly bands that were designed for men or more unisex purposes. Because I was looking for a small size I wanted a belly band made exclusively for women.
I decided to try the Comfort Fit Belly Band. There were two different width options, a 4″ and a 5″ band. I decided to go for the shorter one since my torso isn’t very long. There were pockets sewn into the belly band for my pistol, as well as extra magazines. From what I saw it looked like something that might work well for me. The price was $40.99 and came in Nude or Black with sizes ranging from Small to 2XL.
This form of concealment also didn’t have to be made to fit my gun, which I liked. I carry a Sig P238, but the belly band will accommodate a wide variety of hand guns.
Putting it to Work
Wearing the belly band was definitely an adjustment. I found out very quickly that I needed to wear a tank top under the belly band in order for it to feel comfortable. It’s made of elastic that irritates my skin as I move around, but as long as I’ve got an undershirt on I’m good to go.
The magazine pockets featured on the belly band were sewn in a place that wasn’t easily accessible for me. I wear the band so that my pistol is either above my appendix area or directly centered in my torso (depending on my outfit) which puts the magazine pockets all the way around to the back of the band. If I needed to reload I wouldn’t be able to access my extra magazine easily without taking the extra time to turn the belly band 180 degrees.
After breaking in the belly band and realizing that I wanted to keep using it, I stitched one of the double layers of elastic closed that was located right beside my pistol allowing easier access to my extra magazine. If you look at the photo below, I used green thread so that you’d be able to see just where I put my stitch line. The pocket that’s supposedly designed for use as a magazine pocket will serve me better by carrying my i.d. or cash since they sit so far out of reach.
After wearing my first belly band (the nude colored band) for a few weeks, it began to stretch out. This isn’t a big deal except that I had ordered the smallest size available. I decided to fold over and stitch down one of the areas of the belly band that wasn’t used for holding anything important. This provided me with a better fit and eliminated another problem I’d been having.
Pulling the belly band snug around my torso always left top part of the Velcro closure (the loop side) hanging past the available hook. This would brush my arm through my shirt when my arm would move close against my side. It also caused the hook and loop to occasionally snag my shirts or the tank top under the belly band, which would result in my shirt bulging. Once I cinched up the circumference by folding and stitching an unused section of the elastic, the Velcro closure was able to line up and close as it was designed to. This stitch line is also seen in green in the photo below.
Lessons Learned
Since the belly band isn’t a rigid holster and definitely stretches as it’s worn, I’ve realized that I need to keep an eye on the stitching and that it doesn’t get overly stretched out. When I was modifying my first belly band (the nude colored one) to tighten it up, I saw that some of the stitching in the pistol pocket had come loose. I restitched this so that my gun would fit securely between the elastic layers and not fall out if I bent over. This is definitely something to pay attention to if you choose to wear a belly band. There will come a time, however that the elastic will become too worn out to restitch and I’ll need to invest in a new one.
The belly band offers me quite a bit of flexibility (no pun intended) when it comes to how I wear it. I can pull it down around my waist or wear it right under my bra. I’ve found that I like wearing it higher up because it’s easier to conceal my gun right under my chest.
It’s also very easy to adjust if I change clothes or need to switch activities. I don’t have to worry about adjusting the cant of the holster or adding a belt to my outfit to make this form of concealment work. I can wear the belly band when I exercise, relax and also when I go to work. It’s really quite versatile for me.
The main downside I’ve found while wearing the belly band is the body heat it generates. It’s been great for me during the winter months, but now as we move into spring and summer in Texas I’m curious to see what happens. I’m going to try wearing tube tops under my belly band instead of full tank tops and see how that works. I may have to make some undershirts by hand so that there isn’t a lot of extra fabric to hold in body heat, but I’m willing to take that extra step since the belly band has been such a great concealed carry option for me.
Is the Belly Band for You?
Women who are looking for a concealment option that can be easily worn, easily adjusted, affordable and can be modified at home, may find the Comfort Fit Belly Band the right holster to buy. In my opinion, finding light weight, comfortable undershirts will help the belly band be more comfortable to wear. Also remember to inspect the stitch lines from time to time just to make sure the holster isn’t losing its grip.
Let us know what you think of the belly band if you’re already wearing it or if you decide to give it a try!
Please note the Comfort Fit Belly Bands I’ve worn were not provided for review by TheWellArmedWoman.com. I purchased both holsters and am reviewing them without input from the retailer.
If you are like me, you are always looking for a holster that feels just right. Something that is minimal yet works under every situation you throw at it. For an armed citizen, off duty officer or anyone who does not want to outsource their protection, carrying a firearm is a very real situation. A huge topic with carrying is the method and position of your firearm.
Finding your style of carry is only something that can be done via trial and error. The most common holsters are IWB (inside the waist band) and OWB (outside the waist band). IWB holsters ride between your body and your pants while OWB are on your belt and offer more comfort but are less concealable. Shoulder holsters are a little over the top to some, but in specific situations it’s better to be armed than not. The external forms of carry are not my preferred method due to the risk of not having complete control of the firearm, but as I said before, it is better to be armed than a victim.
For me, the best method is appendix carry, which is just before the 3 o’clock position. This method is a little unorthodox in the way that it brings your firearm “danger close”. Yes, the muzzle of the firearm is pointed at some important equipment regardless male or female, but to me, the pros out weigh the cons. And through trying various modes of carry, appendix was the easiest to manage.
First off, I am a smaller dude only weighing 145lbs (65.7 kg) and I stand 5′ 9″ (175.5 cm) tall. Thus I have very limited ways of concealing and I have tried a few. For a full size or mid size handgun, this method works great. It allows plenty of comfort when sitting down, but as many of you know the level of comfort is dependent to how it works specifically for you. You need to learn (as well as any other carry methods) how to sit down and angle your body as to not print or jab yourself with the firearm.
One of the biggest pros is the ease of the draw. Through various classes and scenarios, I have found that the appendix mode it is the quickest and most controlled for me. My biggest concern was drawing from concealment in a vehicle, which most forms of carry make it very hard to do so. With the appendix carry, drawing and re-holstering is manageable with one hand. Granted, with proper training this is easily achievable. As it is with any holster, you need to train a lot with it in order to become proficient in using it.
The holster I have here is the Armordillo Concealment X-Fer holster. It is in my opinion one of the best concealment options currently on the market. I do use a weapon mounted light which is also the sole reason for this holster. It is different than other holsters due to the fact it relies on the weapon light for retention. Unlike conventional holsters that capture the whole firearm and need to be custom made for each handgun, the X-Fer can be exchanged between any type of handgun that share the same weapon light.
This ease of use and ability to be attached to any of my handguns was a huge selling point for me. The complete simplicity behind this product is perfect and it works flawlessly. For a holster that only costs around 50 USD and that ships to you within the week is fantastic. They currently have X-Fer holster models for the Surefire x300/200/X300 ultra and the Streamlight TLR-1. It is completely ambidextrous with a multitude of degrees that are adjusted with a simple Philips screwdriver. If you are in the market for a new and very well made holster, consider this one.
Firearms Used
Smith and Wesson M&P w/ Trijicon RMR, SureFire x300
You may be asking yourself why someone would want to fold the stock to the side on an AR-15, which is a reasonable question and one I asked myself. Before SHOT Show this year, I’d never seen a product that could take a standard AR fixed stock (adjustable or not) and allow it to fold to the side.
I had the opportunity to meet up with the guys from Law Tactical at SHOT, where they were able to tell me a little bit about the Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter. The first thing I thought was that you’re not going to be able to fire the gun with the stock folded, knowing full well the AR’s order of operations.
Removing the buffer, action spring and receiver extension by folding the stock to the side, won’t allow the firearm to cycle properly. While optimistic of the adapter’s role on the AR, I also saw the immediate advantage to facilitate more options for storage and concealment.
Without a Stock
In my experience with the guns I own and have shot, rifles without a stock are worthless in my opinion. Can you shoot them, yes. Are they accurate, no. I bring this up because it’s important to have this discussion and to analyze the nature of a product like the folding stock adapter.
To me, this goes right along with the side-folder stock found on AKs and even underfolders. With AKs, you can shoot multiple rounds with the stock folded, but the AK is a different platform. I’ve had the opportunity to shoot AKs with the stocks folded and I’m even working on building a side-folding Krink in a new build series for ITS. What I’ve personally found is a whole lot of awkwardness when it comes to shooting a rifle with a folded stock.
For me, it’s hard to be consistent and accurate without a stock on a rifle-caliber firearm. Extending your arms to absorb the recoil like on a pistol, is definitely a spot where the awkwardness comes in. It’s much different trying to keep a foot of gun on target while trying to shoot it like a pistol. It’s not so much the recoil management, as it is the weight and length.
Either way, I wanted to provide my opinion on shooting without a stock for a frame of reference. Again, it’s just my opinion. I also side more with the intended purpose of the folding stock being designed for paratroopers, who have a need for a more compact firearm during a jump. I’ve also read that the intended purpose of the AKs folding stocks were for the Russian airborne troops and delivery of fire from a multitude of shelter positions.
Again, going back to Airborne units and firing from concealment being the intended usage. With the Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter, firing more than one round from concealment with the stock folded is impossible, so other than an emergency shot, you’ll have to fold the stock back out to finish engaging a target.
Law Tactical states that they designed their folding stock adapter for “deployment by vehicle and aircrews and is ideal for low profile transport of AR rifles in non-permissive environments… ideal for any situation that requires a smaller profile weapon.”
Hands-On
I’d first like to note that the Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter is designed, built and assembled in the USA from CNC machined, hard-anodized aluminum. I was immediately impressed with the quality of the adapter when I first had the chance to get hands-on with it.
The Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter works with direct impingement or gas piston systems and fits any A2, carbine, mil-spec or commercial buffer tube and stock. It can also be used with standard bolt carrier groups including: full auto, semi auto, 5.56 to .308.
While the bottom of the adapter features a QD sling attachment point, I prefer the functionality of the Magpul ASAP or the SLAP Plate and would like to note that the ASAP didn’t fit with this installation, but the SLAP did.
A simple one-button release is activated with a simple press, yet strong enough to resist accidental depressing while moving in and out of a vehicle, etc. Just unfold and fire, the stock will automatically lock into place.
Let’s get into the installation and I’ll follow that up with the results of my test fire, function check and pros & cons. There’s also a video below walking through the complete installation, test fire and after-action report.
Installation
The installation of the Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter is very easy and like most guys, I honestly didn’t follow the instructions much. I’m not trying to validate that quality, but I do find I learn more about the inner workings of a product if I try to figure things out on my own a bit first.
Either way, installation is simple and all you’ll need is a stock wrench for loosening and backing off your castle nut, two allen wrenches/hex keys, flat head screwdriver and your receiver extension plate or the flip side of your stock wrench. Optionally you also might want to consider a lower receiver vise block to enable you to work with your AR in a vise.
The full install can be seen step-by-step in the video below:
Function Check and Test Fire
Now that the unit is assembled, perform a quick function check to ensure the operation of the AR is intact. All that’s left to do at this point is take it to the range for test firing.
While the directions that come with the adapter clearly state “DO NOT FIRE” in the folded position, we had to test that one out for ourselves, since the AR is capable of firing a single round while folded. I was certainly worried at what would happen and as you can see in the video above, I made sure to stand to the side in case the bolt carrier group decided to launch out the back.
It didn’t do that though and I was actually able to fire a round, fold the stock back over, cycle the gun and fire another round. I also learned in this why it’s not recommended to fire from the folded position. No damage occurred to my gun within the test firing, but a small part did break on the adapter.
I didn’t ever see this part during my install, nor realize what it was or its purpose, until taking the unit apart. I explain this in detail in the video above, but I’ll attempt to explain this in writing as well. There’s a small housing for a sleeve, spring and detent that’s located in the side of the adapter that moves back and forth as the stock opens and closes. I believe the purpose of this detent is to provide the back pressure needed to properly close the stock.
As the stock is swung around to latch closed, the opposite side of the adaptor (from the latch side) needs to have a counter-pressure to ensure proper alignment. This detent, which had a circular polymer piece, broke in half from the force of the recoil when I fired the gun with the stock folded to the side. Due to the detent breaking, the spring was forced into the channel and when I closed it, the spring was bent.
In the video, you can see that the stock did close properly and the gun fired another round, but after we stopped filming we noticed pieces of the detent on the shooting bench where the fun was resting. You can actually see pieces of the detent fall out during the video when it was shot in the open position.
When we got back to the shop and out of the snap spring cold we had roll through, I took the adapter apart and was able to diagnose what happened. While a part did break on the adapter, it did and still does function correctly. Without that detent to provide that opposing pressure to the assembly, you do have to snap the stock over quickly to increase the force required to close it. To release it now, you also have to use pressure to provide that opposing force needed before you can release the button to fold the stock.
In all though, considering how much force is moving through the bolt carrier group on it’s way to the rear after firing, it speaks well of the construction of the adapter that it was able to handle that and not damage the receiver or internal parts on the AR. While I certainly don’t claim to know the inner workings of the adapter, I question whether a stronger ball on the detent would have saved that part from breaking, or if that’s a necessary requirement.
Pros and Cons
Starting with the pros of the Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter, I really love the fact that it enables you to fit your AR into tighter spaces. Whether that’s a smaller gun case, backpack, bag or storage in a vehicle. I can’t necessarily comment on the Airborne potential of this product, but I’d suspect it might have an application there as well with certain military units.
While the adapter does add about 1 3/4″ to the overall length of the AR, this is offset by not needing to extend your stock out as far to maintain a good extension and cheek weld.
The downsides of the adapter are that to field strip the AR, you have to have a flat head screwdriver to remove the receiver extension before you can open the upper receiver. I also found that the hinge of the adapter interfered with the operation of the charging handle, as my hand rubbed across the hinge when racking the charging handle. The adapter does have rounded edges, but I still found it to be in the way.
Also, while obvious, you do have to fold the stock closed before you can fire more than a single round. And if you do fire that round from the open position, you could run into the same issue I did with the detent breaking or even a different kind of damage that could only be known if someone had a chance to test a first round fire on multiple firearms and configurations. Meaning that your damage from a first round fire might be different than what I experienced.
I’d like to conclude by saying that I really do like the functionality of the Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter and would still highly recommend it for its intended use. Just the ability to allow you to fit an otherwise lengthy AR into different locations is a huge plus, it will be up to you to determine if its purpose is right for you.
For more information on the Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter and to purchase one of your own, visit them online. Also, if you have any further questions, be sure to leave them in the comments here and either I’ll do my best to answer them, or see if the guys from Law Tactical can come on and answer them for you.
When people say they want a fairy tale wedding, I don’t think this is exactly what they mean. Paul Bellas and Heidi Coxshall dressed as Shrek and Fiona from the Dreamworks film, Shrek, for their holy union. Their four-year-old son, (born out of wedlock, those fiends!) dressed as Shrek’s sidekick, Donkey. The bride’s brother gave her away dressed as the Muffin Man.
Just as God had intended wedding to be.
I happen to think that Ogre Fiona is hotter than Princess Fiona. I like a little extra meat on my fictional creatures.
Weird isn’t always bad, in fact some animals are so weird looking that they’re cute. Cute or not though, there is no denying that these creatures are not going to win any beauty pageants anytime soon.
Cantor’s giant soft-shelled turtle
Cantor’s giant soft-shelled turtle looks a little like…well we know you’re thinking it too. This giant turtle is a freshwater species that spends 95% of its life buried under the sand with only its mouth and eyes showing. How often does this endangered creature come up for air? Just twice a day!
Giant Coconut Crab
The giant coconut crab isn’t as much weird as it’s just plain petrifying. These huge crabs are known for being the largest land-living arthropod in the world and can weigh up to 9 pounds. What’s even crazier than the 3 foot leg span of these crabs? The fact that they feed on carrion and even live rats in addition to fleshy fruits.
The Blob Fish
The poor blob fish makes it on to just about every “ugly creature” list out there but there really is no denying that this gelatinous creature belongs on the list. The blob fish is a deep sea fish that lives some 2,000–3,900 ft down and floats through life eating whatever passes in front of it.
Long-Eared Jerboa
The Long-eared Jerboa is definitely one of those animals that is so strange looking that it’s cute…it’s not really ugly, just different. This nocturnal rodent has large hind legs which facilitate high jumping for such a small creature, and large ears used to locate their insect prey.
Aye-aye
The aye-aye is not always so peculiar looking, in fact when they are fully grown they can be quite lemur-esque and almost cute if you can get over those crazy long fingers. This little guy is not fully grown though and is slightly reminiscent of something you would see in a horror movie. The truly amazing thing about this primate? It is the only single surviving creature in a unique evolutionary line.
If you haven’t yet visited the Cake Wrecks site then you need to because it’s hilarious. It seems like cake decorating is a lot like artistry in general when it comes to people being unable to recognize their lack of talent. Anyhow, here are our ten favorite cake wrecks.
#1. The Mother’s Day Cake
…because who doesn’t love all mothers everywhere?
#2. The Baby Meatloaf Cake
Come on! This isn’t even a cake! Plus it’s utterly terrifying.
#3. The Inappropriate Pear Tree Cake
…because at some point someone HAD to realize that this was a terrible idea.
#4. The Satan Cookie Cake
Everyone loves a Satan painted cookie cake…wait, you mean they don’t?
#5. The Chocolate Drizzle Gone Wrong Cake
We love chocolate drizzle as much as the next guy but this just…no, just no.
#6. The Accidental Typo Cake
…because we’re pretty sure no one wants a piece of caka no matter what the occasion.
#7. The Poo Topped Cake
We’re really not sure why but this one happens a lot…are people just asking for piles of poo on their cakes?
#8. The Lost in Translation Cake
Just because the name “uncle picture of a mouse” makes us laugh EVERY time.
#9. The Chocolate Spider Cake
Haven’t you always wanted a “spider leg” of cake?
#10 The Inappropriate But Hilarious Congratulations Cake
The trouble with Pinterest is that no matter how hard you try, you always get sucked in. Plus, getting sucked in usually means attempting a number of projects that you have no place trying. Still, in the spirit of DIY and actually making the effort, we bring to you five DIY projects from Pinterest that you should try.
Is it just me, or did everyone think we would have holograms in our everyday life by now? I remember being a kid and imagining what it would be like watching cartoons in the center of our living room floor. I just knew it would be real… I just wildly underestimated the time it would take to make it happen.
Well, according to sources at the Wall Street Journal, Amazon is working on a smartphone with retina tracking technology, that will allow your smartphone’s images to actually appear to float atop the screen, and then without glasses, allow you to view them at all angles, just like a hologram! Users might even be able to navigate the phone, and it’s content, using only their eyes.
Rumors have been around for a while suggesting that Amazon has been developing a phone or two, and maybe even an audio streaming device and a set top box, and of course it is entirely possible that none of them will ever make it to the marketplace, but we can dream can’t we? Would you sign up for a 3-D smartphone from Amazon, or do you see it as simply a novelty? Please, let us know.
They say that cooking is an art, and for those of us who happen to burn the pot while one is boiling water, it goes without saying the kitchen is a whole lot better off without you in it. The thing is, you have this passion to tinker around the kitchen much to the chagrin of everyone else living under the same roof as you, but thank goodness technology has progressed to such a stage where it is able to help out even the most clueless of chefs. Case in point, BBQs are fun, but it is an art to know whether that slab of meat, or row of sausages are well cooked right to the inside. Enter the $79.99 Bluetooth BBQ Thermometer to help you get the job done.
With the Bluetooth BBQ Thermometer, no longer do you need to hang around a hot grill in order to check on the temperature of the food being cooked constantly, leaving you time and opportunity to chat up that sweet young thing whom you have had your eyes on for the longest time already. The Bluetooth BBQ Thermometer would come across as a grilling, cooking, smoking thermometer, where it will work in tandem with an app on your iOS-powered device, or other compatible smartphones. A dual temperature probe will monitor a couple of different meats simultaneously, even up to 200 feet away, and will alert you the moment your food has reached the temperature you set on the base station.
This a book about how to hide from people who want to find you, such as ex’s, disgruntled associates, opportunistic lawyers, private investigators, stalkers, the press, etc. Hiding means obscuring your identity. It is not about hiding from governments, because as Luna observes, “privacy” is a matter of economics; anyone can be found using enough money, which is what governments have. Luna classifies the 4 levels of obscurity one can achieve by assigning them 4 levels of money paid to find you. Level 1 is hundreds of dollars, Level 2 thousands, and Level 3 tens to hundreds of thousands. Level 4 is the government. The more it costs to find you, the harder you have to work to remain hidden.
This book reveals the many tricks one can do to hide your location, your assets, your identity, while still paying your taxes. Most of these tricks are legal, or at least in the gray zone of “not outright illegal.” (For instance, by supplying true but irrelevant facts, rather than stating something false.) There are many legitimate reasons for not wanting to be found by someone (spousal abuse, escaping revenge, identity theft, etc.) but I think the overriding one that motivates this book is the fear of having assets seized in a frivolous “deep pocket” law suit.
What is clear from this guide is the degree to which one has to disconnect from ordinary connections in order to achieve the higher levels of obscurity. Very few people will want to live with the constraints required to completely mask your true identity. Yet you are only as hidden as your weakest link, which could be one of a thousands everyday connections such as an old account, forgotten password, unexpected stop at a border, or an old friend. Higher levels of disappearing demand relentless attention, and in many ways privacy becomes a full-time obsession, as it has for the author.
Even though he tries hard in this third edition, Luna is not keeping up to date with the digital world. Hiding is harder, but there are also new opportunities as well. However because Luna advises people to stay off social networks, he is not ahead of the curve. (These days if you don’t have a Facebook account full of friends, that is a sign you are fake.) A younger generation will have a harder time implementing these tactics, although the strategy remains the same.
I live my life in the complete opposite direction from what this book advocates, being as transparent and open as possible at all times. Life is too short, and openness has treated me well. Luna would call this naive, and it probably is. There are not many of his suggestions I will actually follow, because I am not battling an ex, not running from the press, not trying to hide assets from unscrupulous lawyers. But as the author notes, the time to enable privacy is before you need it.
Like many other tools, it’s good to know these options exists, even if you have no plans to use them now. Being aware of what possibilities we have for deep disguise and obsessive privacy is empowering. And of course, if you are trying to find someone, this book has all the tricks they may be using. I learned tons and consider it a bargain education.
-- KK
How To Be Invisible
J. J. Luna
2012, 320 pages
$17
This will almost certainly require a move from your present location. Both your home (or rental property) and you vehicles will be in the names of anonymous limited liability companies (LLCs). Your home address will now be hidden from all but your closest relatives and friends. It will no longer appear on your annual tax returns, or anywhere else. If you follow the directions in chapter 12, “E-mail and the Internet,” your Internet/e-mail connections will be under cover and the black-hat boys and/or law firms may have to pay a PI some truly serious money to track you down. Are you worth that much to them? If not, sleep well.
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I learned this one from a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) agent I met, while staying in a motel that was near a flooded area. Some years ago he bought a $98,995 motor home under another name, and did not license it. (He thus saved not only the license fees and road tax, but an $8,513.57 sales tax as well.) For $12 he got a fifteen-day permit to move it to a rural location in another state. From time to time he moves it, each time getting a temporary permit. Try to find out where this agent actually lives!
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Watch For This Sneaky Trick
Suppose a private investigator wants to hear you talking to your lawyer (or mistress, or whomever). He may place a conference call, recording every word. Here is how it works. The first call would go to you, and when you answer, the PI punches HOLD and then speed-dials your lawyer. you start saying, “Hello? Hello?” Then your lawyer comes on the line. He recognizes your voice. Each of you may then assume the other person placed the call, and start to chat!
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Suppose you wish to send $25,000 from Vancouver, British Columbia, to a friend in Helsinki, Finland. You would hand $25,000 cash to a Vancouver money changer (Hawaladar) in Vancouver, and receive code words (or an agreed signal such as a secret handshake) and a contact address in Helsinki. No actual cash moves out of Canada. Instead, when your friend gives the code to the correspondent hawaladar in helsinki, he will receive the equivalent in euros (less a commission) from money that is already there. To review:
-There are no written documents. The exchanges are based on mutual trust (perhaps for that reason unpopular in the United States?).
-Only local currencies are used. Thus, if you are sending money from the UK to Mexico, you pay in pounds and the receiver in Mexico collects in pesos.
-This exchange cannot be traced because no money crosses a border.
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Since the IRS treats one-member LLCs as sole proprietorships for tax purposes, there are no income tax consequences. If you use your LLC for a part-time business, for example, you will merely report earnings and expenses on Schedule C and submit it with your 1040 tax return. Repeat: The income – -if any — is listed on your personal tax return. Nowhere on the tax form will the name of your limited liability company appear. As far as the IRS is concerned, your limited liability company is invisible.
“How can I prove I own the company,” I’m often asked, “if my name doesn’t appear anywhere?” If privacy is the goal, I recommend New Mexico LLCs because they do not show ownership in the Articles of Organization (which are a public record). The best way to prove ownership, then, is to have the original LLC documents coupled with an operating agreement.
Distressed-style recruitment poster for the Empire Travel? Adventure? Fighting those disgusting Rebels? All of this can be yours if you enlist to serve the Empire. $9.99
Do not use when in close facial contact with bears, lions, or vegetarians. Despite the overwhelmingly wonderful aroma, fantastic texture, essential oils, and rich moisturizers, it is not recommend that a spoonful of the Bacon Shaving Cream ever be consumed. $14.99
A damsel without a properly mounted motherboard is a damsel in distress indeed! MacGyver's rubber band and bit of chewing gum can't fix the loose screws in your laptop like the 54-bit driver kit can! $69.99
I haven't done Rachel Aldana lately... a posting that is! So I'm doing her today.
There's a picture in today's update of Rachel Aldana laying on the couch topless, with her huge breasts squeezing underneath her. When I saw that picture, my mind immediately went to how awesome it would be to be laying under her, haha! But seriously, I would dare any man not to get at least a partial hard-on whenever he is lucky enough to feel a woman's big boobs press into his body during an embrace.
I love when the girlfriend lays down on top of me, and you feel her huge boobs pressing hard into you. My immediate reaction is always to grab on and not let her get off! Now if only it were Rachel Aldana's boobs that were pressing into me!
The Samsung Galaxy S4 has been a very popular device for Samsung, and now it looks like we have some details on just how popular the handset has become, the new comes from a Samsung executive.
According to Korean new site, The Chosunilbo, Samsung shipped a total of 4 million Galaxy S4 smartphones to mobile carrier around the world by the end of April, and these 4 million handsets were apparently shipped out it just 4 days.
We have been hearing a number of rumors about the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 over the last few months, one of those was that the handset would feature a new design with a metal casing, although according to the guys over at Sammobile the Galaxy Note 3 will feature a similar plastic casing to the Samsung Galaxy S4.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will apparently feature a full HD 6 inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, this ties in with what we heard previously about the device feature a 5.99 inch Super AMOLED Display.
Lenovo has revealed that a new updated version of its ThinkPad X230 notebook will shortly be launching in the form of the new ThinkPad X230s notebook.
The updated ThinkPad X230s notebook equipped with a 12.5 inch display, will be thinner that last years model and is built from carbon fiber and measures just 0.7 inches thick and weighs in at around 2.8 pounds.
Distressed-style recruitment poster for the Empire Travel? Adventure? Fighting those disgusting Rebels? All of this can be yours if you enlist to serve the Empire. $9.99
Do not use when in close facial contact with bears, lions, or vegetarians. Despite the overwhelmingly wonderful aroma, fantastic texture, essential oils, and rich moisturizers, it is not recommend that a spoonful of the Bacon Shaving Cream ever be consumed. $14.99
A damsel without a properly mounted motherboard is a damsel in distress indeed! MacGyver's rubber band and bit of chewing gum can't fix the loose screws in your laptop like the 54-bit driver kit can! $69.99
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