Here is the list of candidates for the 2010 Election in November.
US Senator
Joe Sestak or Pat Toomey
Governor
Dan Onorato or Tom Corbett
12th District Rep
Mark Critz or Tim Burn
Local Rep 62nd District
Dave Reed
The only candidate I can recommend is Dave Reed.
I have not decided how I will vote in the other races. My vote would merely be a vote against the other person, not a vote for someone. I may on the other hand simply write in my name. Who knows.
In either case, the next few years don't look good for Pennsylvania.
October 14, 2010
October 05, 2010
Gillette Fusion Proglide
As the quest for the perfect shave continues, my next experience involved the Gillette Fusion Proglide, a 5 blade razor. I recently purchased this razor plus two blades for about $2.00 on sale.
Knowing my shaving skills, the 5 blades made me a little nervous, so I decided to also buy a styptic pencil, which is to help stop bleeding in the case of minor cuts. After two months of using this razor I never needed or even opened the styptic pencil.
After the first shave, I was very impressed by the closeness and smoothness of this razor. However, it did not leave my face with a close smooth look, just a close smooth feel. By the end of the day you could see and feel some stubble again.
After about 2 weeks of use, the moisturizing glide strip was shot and the razor of course was no longer cutting like new. One nice aspect was the fact that the razor didn't cut me even when dull.
The razor also has a single blade to cut side burns which seemed to work well.
Overall, this is a great razor, but the question is "Is it worth the price?"
The initial cost of the razor is about $10 with 2 blades. The replacement cartridges cost about $3.00 each.
There is no doubt this is a better razor than the Bic Advanced 3 I tested a few months ago. The real test will be how this razor compares to the Schick Hydro, which will be tested next, and the Mach 3 to be tested later.
For now though I'll give this razor a 90%, mainly because of its hefty price tag.
Knowing my shaving skills, the 5 blades made me a little nervous, so I decided to also buy a styptic pencil, which is to help stop bleeding in the case of minor cuts. After two months of using this razor I never needed or even opened the styptic pencil.
After the first shave, I was very impressed by the closeness and smoothness of this razor. However, it did not leave my face with a close smooth look, just a close smooth feel. By the end of the day you could see and feel some stubble again.
After about 2 weeks of use, the moisturizing glide strip was shot and the razor of course was no longer cutting like new. One nice aspect was the fact that the razor didn't cut me even when dull.
The razor also has a single blade to cut side burns which seemed to work well.
Overall, this is a great razor, but the question is "Is it worth the price?"
The initial cost of the razor is about $10 with 2 blades. The replacement cartridges cost about $3.00 each.
There is no doubt this is a better razor than the Bic Advanced 3 I tested a few months ago. The real test will be how this razor compares to the Schick Hydro, which will be tested next, and the Mach 3 to be tested later.
For now though I'll give this razor a 90%, mainly because of its hefty price tag.
September 28, 2010
Book Review
When God Winks at You by SQuire Rushnell
The premise of this book is to give the reader true stories of God's active role in this world. The author calls these interventions "Godwinks."
There are nine chapters in this book, each dealing with its own particular topic or wink from God.
The word "wink" is used in several places throughout the Bible. In most cases the reference is used in a way that is to describe a person looking the other way when evil or something bad is being done. So, I am not sure I like the term "Godwink" to describe this intervention in our lives.
Overall, this book is simply a collection of feel good type stories. Even though the book is over 200 pages, it is a quick read.
If you are interested in this type and style of book, then you will certainly enjoy reading it. If, on the other hand, you enjoy books with more substance and biblical reference and examples, then you will probably not enjoy this book too much.
.
The premise of this book is to give the reader true stories of God's active role in this world. The author calls these interventions "Godwinks."
There are nine chapters in this book, each dealing with its own particular topic or wink from God.
- Personal
- Hope and Reassurance
- Transitions
- Comfort
- Prayer
- Unanswered Prayer
- Just in Time
- Family
- Quest
The word "wink" is used in several places throughout the Bible. In most cases the reference is used in a way that is to describe a person looking the other way when evil or something bad is being done. So, I am not sure I like the term "Godwink" to describe this intervention in our lives.
Overall, this book is simply a collection of feel good type stories. Even though the book is over 200 pages, it is a quick read.
If you are interested in this type and style of book, then you will certainly enjoy reading it. If, on the other hand, you enjoy books with more substance and biblical reference and examples, then you will probably not enjoy this book too much.
.
September 09, 2010
A for Amazon - F for Fed-Ex
Let me tell you about a recent experience I had with Amazon and Fed-Ex
I ordered some books from Amazon on the 18th of August. There were 12 books in total. I chose the free super-saver shipping from Amazon. My books were to come in 2 packages, 7 in one and 5 in the other.
Both packages left Amazon's shipping facility on August 19th with an estimated delivery date of August 25th. On the 25th I received one package with the 7 books. When I looked online at the tracking information the package with the 5 books was last scanned at a Fed-Ex shipping facility on the 20th.
I called Fed-Ex to find out about the package in question. The customer service representative would only tell me to contact the shipper. No matter what question I asked him, that was his response. Finally, I said okay I guess I will contact the shipper and not use fed-ex anymore. He said thanks and don't use us! Unbelievable!
I then contacted Amazon and tried to explain the situation to them. They kept telling me my package was at the post office. I said I was just at the post office and there was no package. Then they said I already got the package, which is true, I got the package with 7 books but not 5 books.
After about 45 minutes of going back and forth and them calling fed-ex they decided to overnight be 5 more books. The 5 books were shipped in 4 packages and I received them on the 30th. Of course, the original package that no one could find also magically appeared on the 30th as well!
Unbelievable. If Amazon wants the 5 extra books they sent me they can come and get them.
I ordered some books from Amazon on the 18th of August. There were 12 books in total. I chose the free super-saver shipping from Amazon. My books were to come in 2 packages, 7 in one and 5 in the other.
Both packages left Amazon's shipping facility on August 19th with an estimated delivery date of August 25th. On the 25th I received one package with the 7 books. When I looked online at the tracking information the package with the 5 books was last scanned at a Fed-Ex shipping facility on the 20th.
I called Fed-Ex to find out about the package in question. The customer service representative would only tell me to contact the shipper. No matter what question I asked him, that was his response. Finally, I said okay I guess I will contact the shipper and not use fed-ex anymore. He said thanks and don't use us! Unbelievable!
I then contacted Amazon and tried to explain the situation to them. They kept telling me my package was at the post office. I said I was just at the post office and there was no package. Then they said I already got the package, which is true, I got the package with 7 books but not 5 books.
After about 45 minutes of going back and forth and them calling fed-ex they decided to overnight be 5 more books. The 5 books were shipped in 4 packages and I received them on the 30th. Of course, the original package that no one could find also magically appeared on the 30th as well!
Unbelievable. If Amazon wants the 5 extra books they sent me they can come and get them.
September 03, 2010
Book Review
Adventuring Through the Life of Christ by Ray C. Stedman
This is a nice brief summary of the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles.
Each chapter starts with a personal story or anecdote. Then an outline is given of the book. Finally, the author gives an overview of some of the significant events in the book and makes a few personal comments as well.
At the end of each chapter are several pages for notes. Personally, I think the note pages were just filler to make the book appear larger than it actually is. Without the note pages the book is less than 100 pages.
Overall this is a nice overview of the first five books of the New Testament. The author's brief stories and commentary fits in with the summary nicely.
This is a nice brief summary of the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles.
Each chapter starts with a personal story or anecdote. Then an outline is given of the book. Finally, the author gives an overview of some of the significant events in the book and makes a few personal comments as well.
At the end of each chapter are several pages for notes. Personally, I think the note pages were just filler to make the book appear larger than it actually is. Without the note pages the book is less than 100 pages.
Overall this is a nice overview of the first five books of the New Testament. The author's brief stories and commentary fits in with the summary nicely.
August 18, 2010
Book Review
The Supremacy of God In Preaching by John Piper
This is an excellent book about how the focus of preaching should be God, not story telling or entertaining, or anything else. God should not only be the focus of preaching, but He should be the focus of our life. Whatever you do, do for the glory of God.
The book is split into two parts. Part 1 is about the supremacy of God in preaching. Part 2 is about Jonathan Edwards as an example of the supremacy of God. Personally, I had no interest in the life of Jonathan Edwards as far as this book is concerned.
While I thought the first part of the book is excellent, I am surprised that a book like this even needs to be wrote. Everything Piper wrote should be intuitively obvious to any preacher. Unfortunately, many preachers don't make God the focus of their preaching or ministry.
One of the things that I found helpful and interesting was Piper's method of preaching with the strength of God. He uses the acronym APTAT to remember and explain his process.
Admit that without God you are powerless.
Pray for help, insight, power, love, humility, etc.
Trust in God's promises in His Word.
Act in confidence that God will fulfill His Word.
Thank God at the end of the message.
I would recommend at least the first part of this book to anyone wanting a refresher or reinforcement of what the focus of preaching should be.
This is an excellent book about how the focus of preaching should be God, not story telling or entertaining, or anything else. God should not only be the focus of preaching, but He should be the focus of our life. Whatever you do, do for the glory of God.
The book is split into two parts. Part 1 is about the supremacy of God in preaching. Part 2 is about Jonathan Edwards as an example of the supremacy of God. Personally, I had no interest in the life of Jonathan Edwards as far as this book is concerned.
While I thought the first part of the book is excellent, I am surprised that a book like this even needs to be wrote. Everything Piper wrote should be intuitively obvious to any preacher. Unfortunately, many preachers don't make God the focus of their preaching or ministry.
One of the things that I found helpful and interesting was Piper's method of preaching with the strength of God. He uses the acronym APTAT to remember and explain his process.
Admit that without God you are powerless.
Pray for help, insight, power, love, humility, etc.
Trust in God's promises in His Word.
Act in confidence that God will fulfill His Word.
Thank God at the end of the message.
I would recommend at least the first part of this book to anyone wanting a refresher or reinforcement of what the focus of preaching should be.
August 04, 2010
Book Review
I finished reading "Confronting the Controversies" by Adam Hamilton last night.
The author is a pastor who took a sermon series on controversial issues and turned it into a book. The author claims to describe both sides of the controversies and then look at them from the biblical perspective.
The book deals with the following topics:
For example, with the death penalty, the author provided about 1 page on the "for" side and about 3 pages on the "against" side.
The only two topics that I believe the author did present sufficient information about both sides of the controversy was with abortion and homosexuality.
On some of the issues I believe the author is just plain wrong with his conculsions and several statements. For example, the author seems to agree with the basic principles of evolution and believes that there is no danger in teaching it to our children. The author even alludes to mankind as being an experiment of God's! I am not sure what Scripture he twisted to come up with that interpretation.
Another example is the church-state separation issue. He tells people when praying publicly not to pray in Jesus' name so we don't offend anyone! The purpose of praying in Jesus' name is certainly not to offend people, but we are to pray to God in Jesus' name as described in Scripture.
I do agree with the author about prayer in school somewhat. I do not believe it is the school's job to raise children, especially in the faith. The responsibility to teach children about right and wrong comes from the parents, the family, and the church.
Overall this book seems to fail at providing an independent look at both sides of these controversies. In some cases I believe it even fails to look at them from a proper biblical perspective. Therefore, this is one book that can be skipped.
The author is a pastor who took a sermon series on controversial issues and turned it into a book. The author claims to describe both sides of the controversies and then look at them from the biblical perspective.
The book deals with the following topics:
- Evolution
- Church/State Separation
- Death Penalty
- Euthanasia
- Prayer in School
- Abortion
- Homosexuality
For example, with the death penalty, the author provided about 1 page on the "for" side and about 3 pages on the "against" side.
The only two topics that I believe the author did present sufficient information about both sides of the controversy was with abortion and homosexuality.
On some of the issues I believe the author is just plain wrong with his conculsions and several statements. For example, the author seems to agree with the basic principles of evolution and believes that there is no danger in teaching it to our children. The author even alludes to mankind as being an experiment of God's! I am not sure what Scripture he twisted to come up with that interpretation.
Another example is the church-state separation issue. He tells people when praying publicly not to pray in Jesus' name so we don't offend anyone! The purpose of praying in Jesus' name is certainly not to offend people, but we are to pray to God in Jesus' name as described in Scripture.
I do agree with the author about prayer in school somewhat. I do not believe it is the school's job to raise children, especially in the faith. The responsibility to teach children about right and wrong comes from the parents, the family, and the church.
Overall this book seems to fail at providing an independent look at both sides of these controversies. In some cases I believe it even fails to look at them from a proper biblical perspective. Therefore, this is one book that can be skipped.
July 19, 2010
Schick Injector Razor
As noted in my previous post, the Schick Injector razor experiment was not going so well.
After only 4 shaves I decided to abandon this razor. It was pure torture.
The razor itself was not comfortable to use. Part of the problem could be the fact that the blade was a cheap private label version.
The razor would not cut close at all even on my cheeks. But somehow it would cut me. It was not a fun process.
My rating is 25% - that is about all that it would cut - it just didn't work.
I switched back to my old Bic Comfort 3 that I still haven't thrown out (yeah the dull used one) and it worked 10 times better! I will be switching to the final Bic Comfort 3 that I have for the rest of the month and will pick up in August with a new 5 blade razor! Now that sounds dangerous.
After only 4 shaves I decided to abandon this razor. It was pure torture.
The razor itself was not comfortable to use. Part of the problem could be the fact that the blade was a cheap private label version.
The razor would not cut close at all even on my cheeks. But somehow it would cut me. It was not a fun process.
My rating is 25% - that is about all that it would cut - it just didn't work.
I switched back to my old Bic Comfort 3 that I still haven't thrown out (yeah the dull used one) and it worked 10 times better! I will be switching to the final Bic Comfort 3 that I have for the rest of the month and will pick up in August with a new 5 blade razor! Now that sounds dangerous.
July 14, 2010
Old Fasioned Safety Razor
My next adventure in shaving involved an Old Fashioned Gillette safety razor using a Wilkinson Sword Blade.
I must say shaving with this type of razor is very different than the usual razors that I am used to. I was impressed with the very first shave or at least part of it.
It shaved the sides of my face (cheeks) very close and smooth. The rest of the areas of my face were not so good. I tired various angles and directions, but none seemed to help very much. I was constantly cutting my face.
I think the problem was more the razor than the blade. The head was too big and it didn't seem to want to get into all those tight spots and groves without hacking away chunks of my skin.
Needless to say it wasn't a fun experience, so after 7 days of that I had to move on. It was like torture.
The blades are about $5 for 10. The razor was given to me, but from what I can tell it is about a 1930's model that currently sells for about $25.
The razor also had an "old metal" smell that I didn't particularly like.
So my grade is: 50% - it just couldn't pass my rigorous testing methods.
Up next is a Schick Injector razor - SPOILER - after only 3 days it doesn't look good either.
July 01, 2010
Bic Comfort 3 Advanced Razor
My first attempt at a close, smooth, clean, easy shave was two months of using a disposable razor. I had a pack of the Bic Comfort 3 Advanced razor, so I thought I would see what happened.
To be honest I wasn't expecting much from a "cheap" disposable razor, however, I was a little surprised. The razors cost about $1.25 each. You can often times find coupons to lower the price even more.
My goal was to shave with this type of razor for two months and evaluate the results. Again, part of my evaluation involves using the same razor or blade for the entire month before changing razors or blades.
The first week of shaves for both months were kind of painful, lots of cuts. The razors seemed to be super sharp or something. The middle two weeks were actually not too bad. There were minimal cuts and the shave was pretty close and comfortable. The final week got a little rough again. The blade was tugging at the hairs and the blade seemed dull or something.
Overall, I would rate the razor with about a 70%. They worked okay for the price, but it wasn't too enjoyable the first and last week for me.
Up next is an old fashioned safety razor.
To be honest I wasn't expecting much from a "cheap" disposable razor, however, I was a little surprised. The razors cost about $1.25 each. You can often times find coupons to lower the price even more.
My goal was to shave with this type of razor for two months and evaluate the results. Again, part of my evaluation involves using the same razor or blade for the entire month before changing razors or blades.
The first week of shaves for both months were kind of painful, lots of cuts. The razors seemed to be super sharp or something. The middle two weeks were actually not too bad. There were minimal cuts and the shave was pretty close and comfortable. The final week got a little rough again. The blade was tugging at the hairs and the blade seemed dull or something.
Overall, I would rate the razor with about a 70%. They worked okay for the price, but it wasn't too enjoyable the first and last week for me.
Up next is an old fashioned safety razor.
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