Nano Speed Boy Toys

Our Nano Speed - Super Vert Crash Set arrived today from Amazon Vine Program. The box says 6+ but it takes someone older to put it together, approximately 40 minutes. The pieces of track are sturdy enough for the two super-light cars that came with it.
The directions were alright, and the pieces of track are marked on the bottom, but they were a little tough to read for us, even in bright light. The set does not come with the “D” cell batteries required to operate it. The cars took some getting used to, wanting to flip when we let go of them. There is a little trick to letting them go: we used two fingers pressed down on the cars and slowly released the front hood then the middle of the car. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself, but those little cars are really fast. And once they start, the power station keeps them moving until they crash.
I think most little boys would be tickled with the Our Nano Speed - Super Vert Crash Set. Interestingly enough, there were no diagrams for where the stickers should go, which I would have liked. The graphics on the box and actual stickers vary quite a lot, but it looked to us like stickers went over the track seams to prevent cars from crashing or flipping out of the track. I’ve not seen a track with as many twists and corkscrew turns as this one and the way it defies gravity really is something. If you have boys, you might want to give this a shot.

Glamour in SOHO

I was so excited to receive the SOHO Pro Texture Diamond Silver Beauty Case from the Amazon Vine Program. The closed beauty case measures 9.5” x8.25” x 12”The diamond patterned exterior makes an attractive finish. The corners are reinforced and rounded with riveted metal. The double buckles that hold it shut are made of metal and also lock. The case is equipped with two keys. As the lid opens, he accordion shelves, two on each side, reveal space for make-up brushes, eyeliners, lip sticks. The shelves are tall enough to accommodate most nail polishes,  and various squeeze tubed items, and what doesn’t fit easily, could be stored in the larger compartment below.

The interior of the case and shelves are nicely wrapped in black Soho London New York printed fabric and very attractive. The facing edges of the box were nicely contoured to fit together when closed, and not sharp when opened, and appear to be aluminum. The box feels well balanced when being carried. My only complaint is that I prefer sturdier handles. This one is heavy, rigid chromed plastic, but I would have personally preferred a metal handle.

The case seems big enough to hold the make-up collection of one individual. It appears to be metal but is made of very strong man-made material. None the less, it’s a beautiful case. If you have someone who is always decorating every available flat surface of your bathroom with beauty paraphernalia, you might want to give this case some serious consideration. 

Hello, Gorgeous

Barbra doesn’t have anything to worry about, now. After all, she’s BARBRA. She starred in NUTS, and YENTL and sang vibrant songs on vinyl albums my parents played over and over again on the stereo turntable. As one who enjoys interviewing, what I recall (is the hearsay) that Barbra doesn't do interviews. So when I saw the book, HELLO GORGEOUS, Becoming Barbra Streisand, by William J. Mann, I had to have it. Never mind that I have about 15 books that I want to read in varying degrees of desperate; this one had me completely intrigued. I dropped everything to read it.

I could tell you that I met her on a public street in Manhattan, that I gushed over her and she rolled her eyes at me and smiled that mysterious, enigmatic smile in my direction. Neither is true of course. But I had wondered for years why she didn’t give interviews. What really is the real back story behind the actress, and velvet voice and icon we now have known for decades as Barbra Streisand?

MANN captures a time when BARBRA was Barbara. Not as evolved, back when she was singing her heart out with Sleepin' Bee at the Bon Soir, in her early 20’s.

 

Back when she desperately wanted more than anything to be an actress.

There were very few moments, according to William Mann, author of this un-authorized biography, when she didn’t believe in herself.  HELLO GORGEOUS is peppered (at times quite a bit) with maybe’s and probably’s, but still paints a rather cohesive, and colorful portrait of the girl becoming a woman and then transforming into the icon.

I have always been curious about the “Elliot years”, which are covered extensively. I found the story poignantly painful, and beautiful, inspiring and encouraging. There were some big surprises in there but nothing that changes my love for this amazing actress and singer.

If you are even mildly curious about Barbra, this is the book for you. Thank you, William J. Mann. It's always nice to get questions answered. It gives peace to the soul. I give it 5 stars.

Kindle Fire Screen Protector

Marware Anti-Scratch Screen Protector 2-Pack With Cleaning Cloth for Kindle Fire - Lifetime Warranty
(Accessory)
 I love screen protectors! What I'm not fond of is having to cut them out of flimsy films and press out a bunch of bubbles. Marware Anti-Scratch Screen Protector is a heavier clingfilm than I've seen before. It's extremely user friendly with tabs that make removing the front and back film covers really simple. The Protective cover lays on the screen and it's like watching water flow with very few bubbles to work out. I used the enclosed card to squeeze them to the edge while the front film cover was still in place and then, once situated, removed it.
 The microfiber cleaning cloth is exceptional for removing dust, dirt and finger prints from the Kindle screen before protector application. The Marware Anti-Scratch Screen Protector protector in no way hindered the touch screen and the clarity was crystal. I didn't have to cut or trim anything and the lifetime warranty? Really? That's awesome. I will recommend this product to anyone who has a Kindle Fire.
 The application was easy and once it's on you'll forger you have it. Not only that, by the time you remember and need to replace it (if ever), you'll have a back up. My only negative was actually on the packaging which doesn't allow you easy access and is not recloseable. The only way I saw into the package was the bottom seal that did not want to let go with out tearing. I personally didn't want to keep the spare protector out side of cardboard packaging.The cellophane envelope would fit in the Kindle box, however. Regardless, I give this 5 stars.