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วันพุธที่ 17 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2555

The Secret Keeper: A Novel

Every family has secrets, but few are as disturbing as the one kept by the Nicolson family. One beautiful summer afternoon, sixteen-year-old Laurel watched her mother kill a man in cold blood. Now, fifty year later as her mother lies dying, Laurel decides to unravel the events leading up to that fateful day.

The Secret Keeper is a story about the power of secrets and their cost, a mix of history, mystery and family drama. The storyline moves between 2011 Suffolk and 1941 London, slowing interweaving to create a compelling tale of ambition, deception and unexpected redemption.

I really enjoyed this book. It starts out sedately, but it doesn't take long to become completely immersed in Laurel's search for answers. I finished the last 200 pages in one go and was just blown away by the surprise ending. The characters are well drawn - sometimes sympathetic, sometimes utterly maddening, and not quickly forgotten.

Kate Morton has penned an enjoyable and entertaining read. It's also thought-provoking. We tend to see our mothers and fathers not as individuals but rather as parental units devoid of passion. And yet we are shaped by our parents' often unspoken past. This book might well prompt you to examine your own family dynamic.

Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot

I was working in downtown Washington, D.C. on November 22,1963, the day John F. Kennedy was killed. A few days later, I stood at Pennsylvania Avenue in bright November sunshine and watched an unforgettable funeral procession. A team of white horses pulled a two wheeled artillery cart carrying JKF's flag-draped casket, followed by a black, saddled but riderless horse. Boots, placed reversed, were in the stirrups. An unhurried, muffled drumbeat accompanied the inexpressible sensation of grief that pervaded the cool air. There was collective anguish for the man, of course, but also grief because it seemed our country would never be the same. What I am about to write is not a political rant. Rather, it concerns the ever-lengthening shadow that continues to be cast to this day by the unthinkable events of November 22, 1963.

I still have a copy of the Life magazine that came out just a few days after the assassination. An article in Life stated that the President had turned toward the School Book Depository, which explained the entrance wound that the Parkland doctors had discovered in his throat. Later this was corrected by the FBI, and we were told the Texas doctors were wrong about the entrance wound, it was an exit wound. By December 3rd a story was "leaked" to the press stating that J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI had already determined that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone assassin. This information seemed to calm the distraught nation. Almost a year later, the Warren Commission Report was published. It was hailed by the mainstream media with virtually universal praise, although its supporting 26 volumes of evidence (with a supplementary FBI report) would not be published for another two months. I believe I am one of the very few people who ever read the 888 page Warren Commission Report.

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 11 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2555

Israeli Civilian Gas Mask w/ Nato Filter

The three masks I ordered had expired filters as of 2005. I wish this was disclosed in the description because people are staking their lives on this product if they actually needed to use it (NBC attack or pandemic). I wish people were informed that these filters have a shelf life of 5 years, some better filters have 10 years. Unfortunately new filters are double the cost of this mask, almost $35 each. I will have to buy 3 new filters for $110 for these masks, otherwise they are basically useless and even dangerous, false sense of security.
They are a good deal though, considering just the mask is more expensive elsewhere and the mask itself seems quality, good fit and comfortable. I just can't give it more than 2 stars because I am disappointed there is not full disclosure in the description- I would not expect to ever receive an expired (shelf life) item when it is sold as "NEW".
If you decide to buy this mask I would still recommend it, however just expect to have to buy new filters also (true with all the masks/filters I have seen on Amazon- I would not buy any others without verifying the expiration date). You can buy new filters with a 10 year shelf life at approvedgasmasks.com
Also, unrelated to this product or review but important to mention: be aware that most filters will last 8-12 hours once opened (depending on type and concentration of chemical/bio) so, in some sort of attack or extended pandemic you will need to keep 3-5 filters per mask!

Hobart 770129 Oxy/Acet, Goggle - Flip Front, 50mm Eye Cup Shade 5

I actually purchased these for use as part of a costume. If one had a face that was shaped like a ball and the size of a watermelon, they MAY fit. The cups are sharp-edged semi-soft plastic/vinyl. The left and right edges have some foam padding, the rest do not. Apart from the padded sections, there is about a 1/4" gap between the cups and my face. Unless you really, really cram these on (and that hurts - a lot - sharp plastic digging around your eye sockets) - the gap remains, and the goggles shift. They are also not very dark. I do weld occasionally, and these are nowhere dark enough. All that said, for welding - forget it. For a costume accessory, not too bad.

3M Peltor Optime 105 Earmuff

The Peltor H10A Hearing Protector ear muffs really do the job! I ordered them to help eliminate the annoying whine of my computer tower. You know the kind of sound...very slight, but so high-pitched it goes straight to your ear drums and drills a hole till you can't STAND it anymore!! Why am I SHOUTING!? Well, you can see how I had to do something to preserve my sanity.

I received the Peltor set and man, oh man, does it eliminate sound!! What pc whine? What pc! This headset completely eliminates those little sounds that drive you crazy. I recommend it for those who have noisy neighbors or roommates, barking dogs, drippy faucets, etc. It is amazing. Loud noises can still be heard, so the headset does not interfere with normal life and is not a safety hazard. They are comfortable on the ears, are fairly lightweight, and fit very(!) snugly.

DEWALT DPG82-11C Concealer Clear Anti-Fog Dual Mold Safety Goggle

I wear prescription glasses being very myopic and sometimes it's an advantage while woodworking as I've got some eye protection already but not enough when construction debris is flying and woodchips and dust cover my lenses often forcing me to make quick cleanings that scratch my $400+ glasses. Now the cheaper off-the-shelf goggles cloud up with leaky seals and the most common eye protectors are for non glass wearing folks only. Nowhere did it say these would fit over my prescription lenses...but they looked like they would. And they did very well. They don't leak at the bottom and don't allow my breathing to fog up the lenses as they are well ventilated. Seem to work in colder temps too. They also look about as good as my 50 dollar Ski googles.. in fact they seem they might be good for skiing or boarding in the winter too and at only 14 or 15 bucks pretty good looking too. Fits with most dust masks and with headphones too. The real deal.

Update: I did notice they do fog up too at temps above 80 degrees or even less so the antifog seems to not work so well. Maybe ski goggle anti fog paste is needed. Not sure if there is a solution to that. Maybe a hard hat over the head to shade the lens? or bandana as it seems sweat from forehead might be causing them to fog. Only after a bit of time and maybe just keep a clean clothe wipe to clean 'em off. Maybe just use more open cheaper lens...(but those with prescription lens might be out of luck there. )

Etymotic Research ER20 ETY-Plugs Hearing Protection Earplugs

We use these at school for my son. He's in first grade and has sensory processing disorder, which makes it very difficult for him to tune out noises and focus in the classroom. These earplugs diffuse just enough noise to allow him to attend to his work and to the teacher. He also uses them during assemblies and in the cafeteria where it's very noisy. They're much more discrete than the headphones often used to help children in classroom settings.