Disclaimer: All this stuff was sent to me by PR companies or publishers. I didn’t pay for any of it.
Buzz Off makes a line of clothing out of bug repellent permeated fabrics. I took a couple of bandanna scarfs with me to mosquito infested Hawaii and used them as headbands.
What happened? The mozzies found my ankles instead. You might have to be more covered in this stuff than I was to know if it’s effective.
Verdict? Insufficient data to judge.
D Skin makes plastic covers that you put on the data side of your disks – CDs, DVD – to protect them from wear and tear. A good idea for laptop travelers, I thought. Burn your photos to CD, wrap them in protection, don’t worry.
What happened? The Sys Admin wasn’t interested. “Why not just use the CD case?” he asked.
Verdict? Though the stuff works, it’s probably not necessary.
Rome with Kids: I don’t have kids, I haven’t been to Rome, so what made me think I was qualified to review this book? Nothing but curiosity.
What happened? I read it cover to cover. I loved the scavenger hunts for obscure details at historical sites and the book is full of good practical advice.
Verdict? I’d use it as my guide to Rome.
Romance on the Road : (Sorry, this is long overdue.) Ah, the thrill of the exotic. Meet the female traveler who’s looking for or accidentally finding a little action while abroad.
What happened? I grew increasingly irritated and couldn’t finish the book. Sex tourism isn’t okay for men, why is it okay for women?
Verdict? Argh.
Smile When You’re Lying: Cranky travel writer outs the industry, expats, editors, and fellow writers as fraudulent but without much choice to be otherwise.
What happened? I read the whole thing cover to cover without putting it down.
Verdict? Hilarious and painful. Read it.
On my own nickel:
National Treasure II: Nicholas Cage and his band of merry men (and women) solve puzzles to find the gold and save the family name.
What happened? The car chases were too long and I liked the first one better, but it was an entertaining matinee romp. Plus, I have a soft spot for the historical nerdiness of the plot and the all around nerdiness of the central characters.
Verdict? You don’t have to see it on the big screen, but it’s fun.
Weeds, Season 2: Resourceful housewife somehow decides that dealing pot is the thing to do after her breadwinner husband drops dead. Hijinks ensue.
What happened? We watched the whole season in two sittings and now, we have to wait forever for the next season to come out on DVD. Heads up, lots of profanity, drugs (duh), and sex.
Verdict? Crazy characters a-go-go, snappy dialog, I’m a fan.
My parents sent us BuzzOff socks and bandannas last summer. Mosquitoes ate my face while I had the bandanna tied around my head and K got a tick actually under the sock. The bandanna is so pretty that one of my fashionable friends covets it, and the socks are made well enough. Still, I think it’s a crappy product for what it purports to do.
Okay, attacked by a tick? Not a good review. I guess I shouldn’t count on this stuff in the land of dengue fever, eh?
Re “Sex tourism isn’t okay for men, why is it okay for women?” IMHO, the main reason that sex tourism isn’t OK for men is that a lot men seeking it are diddling little boys and little girls. Grown men or women seeking “a little action” with other adults seems to be a different issue — tho’ I’m afraid that women often dream of real romance (“A Light in the Piazza,” “Summertime,” etc) and not just “action.” Of course, sometimes, the quest for either action or romance can result in tragedy — like the still-missing-and-presumed-dead Natalie Holloway.