Category Archives: Toy Story

I don’t watch movies on planes. The constant interruptions by cabin crew drive me nuts! “More champagne for you sir?” “More caviar for you sir?” “Are you ready for the lobster now, sir?” (Yeah, if only! One can always dream.) … Continue reading →

Flint knapping is an ancient art form. I have never heard of it until I visited the Chicagoland International Pipe & Tobacciana show last month. One of the tables was displaying an obsidian knife carved by world-class flint knapp artist … Continue reading →

While the first text message was sent on December 3rd, 1992, it was Finnish engineer Matti Makkonen who first conceived of the idea eight years earlier. Since then texting has taken off in a big way. The country that sends … Continue reading →

Fox umbrellas have been hand-made in England since 1868. I opted for a “solid” meaning the handle and stick are made from one continuous piece of wood and is, therefore, almost as strong as a walking stick and can actually … Continue reading →

Once they got your money, most companies regard you as some sucker who is no longer of value to them. OSIM is one such company. A couple of years back I was given a massage chair that – I was … Continue reading →

Traipsing around the region, the six-seater Eclipse 500 is a good-enough private jet to acquire. Powered by two lightweight Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F turbofan engines in aft fuselage-mounted nacelles it can climb up to 41,000 ft (12,500 m) just … Continue reading →

Some time ago, a plastic surgeon boasted that she spent a couple thousand bucks on a pair of panty hose. If you gasp, then she’s got the reaction that she wanted. Well, I guess if you have it, you are … Continue reading →

I’m glad I’ve long weaned myself off Apple products. The new iPhone 6 – and the larger 6 Plus – is way over-priced, the software is buggy, and Apple Pay doesn’t work here. It is manufactured in Chinese factories that … Continue reading →

I purchased a Philips HTS9140 Soundbar in 2011. I wasn’t a heavy user, watching only two Blu-ray movies a week at most. Not long after the purchase, the Soundbar broke down and had to be serviced. It happened a couple … Continue reading →

With Safari reset, and iTunes deauthorized, I closed the lid of my MacBook Pro for the last time Sunday night. It was a love affair that started even before I left the circus in July 2011. It started when I … Continue reading →