Apple iPod 2 GB Shuffle

While I wasn't sure I'd use my iPod 2 GB Shuffle all that much, I've discovered that it's actually a really handy little device for listening to music when I don't want to be bothered by my full sized iPod. That said, there are some serious limits to the shuffle, namely the controls are very simple and there's no text display, but if you want a very small, very simple device to listen to limited amounts of music, the iPod shuffle really can't be beat.

Read my full review of the iPod Shuffle on Epinions

La Cantina Italiana Ristortante - Framingham, Massachusetts

Located along Route 135 in Framingham, Massachusetts, La Cantina Italiana Ristortante is a nice place to have a good Italian meal. The menu is quite large and contains all the typical Italian-American favorites so just about anyone can find something. In addition, the salads are all served with Fanny's salad dressing, which is one of the best Italian style dressings I've had.

I wouldn't say La Cantina is fine dining, but it is consistently good, priced well and a great place to go with friends and family. Not only that, but it's almost always crowded, which speaks to how much people enjoy it.

Read my full review of La Cantina Italiana Ristorante in Framingham, Massachusetts on Epinions

Pilgrim Memorial State Park, Plymouth, Massachusetts

It's actually kind of easy to not realize you are visiting the Pilgrim Memorial State Park since it's so small and it's not much like many of the other State Parks in Massachusetts. There really is no entrance or anything to specifically call out the park. Instead, the 11-acre park encompasses Plymouth Rock along with other portions of the immediate shore front in the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts. It's also adjacent to or close to several of the major attractions in the village of Plymouth.

Why a State Park for a rock? Plymouth is where the Pilgrims first landed in the new world and set up their first colony. Plymouth Rock, within the park is supposedly the rock where the Pilgrims made anchor. This park protects the rock and the immediate area around it and is host to the replica of the Pilgrims' ship.

Read my full review of Pilgrim Memorial State Park in Plymouth, Massachusetts on Epinions


More Plymouth, MA resources...
Plymouth Rock
Mayflower II
Brewster Gardens
Burial Hill

Craftsteak at MGM Grand at Foxwoods

I'm not usually one to spend upwards of $100 a person at a restaurant, but we were staying at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods and a group of us decided to treat ourselves and have dinner at Craftsteak. This restaurant, created by Tom Colicchio (of Top Chef fame), offers some really mouth watering steaks in a classy atmosphere.

Nothing about Craftsteak is inexpensive, though there is a fixed priced menu that offers filet mignon or salmon along with a salad, a side dish and a small dessert. Beyond that, you are looking at an ala carte menu that can add up pretty fast.

Read my full review of Craftsteak at MGM Grand at Foxwoods on Epinions

FUJIFILM FinePix Z33WP 10-Megapixel Waterproof Digital Camera

After several years of good service, it was time to replace my old FujiFilm FinePix A500 digital camera. It wasn't a perfect camera, but it lasted for quite a while and produced decent shots. That's why when I started looking for a replacement, I was drawn to the newer line of FujiFilm cameras.

At first I was interested in the Tough line of digital cameras from Olympus, but their very large price markup and lackluster reviews led me back to the FujiFilm cameras and eventually to the FinePix Z33WP 10-megapixel Digital Camera. This camera had many of the features of the Olympus Tough line (such as being waterproof and weather resistant) at a much lower price than the Olympus cameras. Plus having had a FujiFilm camera, I figured I knew what to expect - something that wouldn't blow you away, but that would be easy to use and would produce decent pictures that are fine for what I would expect in a simple point-and-shoot camera that I would be using as my knock-around camera.

Read my full review of the FujiFilm FinePix Z33WP Digital Camera on Epinions

Minute Man National Historical Park - Lexington, Lincoln & Concord, Massachusetts

Sometimes you forget exactly what you've got around you and that is what happened with me and the Minute Man National Historical Park in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. Literally less than an hour away from me, this park is host to the first battle of the American Revolution and allows you to get a first hand look at the locations and the land, tells you the story of how the Revolution started and provides plenty of history on the towns and the surrounding region.

I've visited the park several times, in the summer, spring and wintertime. I'd say the best is spring or fall since most of the exhibits and historical areas are open, but it's not quite as crowded as it can be in the summer. Though be warned, on Patriot's Day (mid-April), the park goes crazy because there's a reenactment of the battle of April 19, 1775. Literally tens of thousands of people come to watch the reenactment. I've always wanted to go, but the logistics have always escaped me.

Read my full review of Minute Man National Historical Park in Lexington, Lincoln and Concord, Massachusetts

Hamilton Beach BrewStation 6-Cup Coffee Maker

There's another new coffee maker in the house and it's turned out that while I like the Hamilton Beach BrewStation 6-Cup Coffee Maker, I can't say that it's perfect. After several weeks of pretty regular use, I've found some things I really like about it and other things I wish I could change, but overall I think it's a pretty good machine and for now, I'm satisfied with it.

Read my full review of the Hamilton Beach BrewStation 6-cup Coffee Maker on Epinions

Philips Bodygroom BG2020 Electric Shaver

Sometimes you've just got some body hair you want to trim or shave off. That's where the Philips Bodygroom BG2020 Electric Shaver comes in handy. This relatively inexpensive shaver lets you shave close to the skin for a smooth feeling or with its attachments, trim your body hair to various lengths.

I've been using this shaver for a while and while it isn't perfect, it is good for some basic grooming. I also like that it's rechargeable so I don't have to worry about electric cords and even more so, I can use it in the shower or when I'm dry since it works in both places.

Read my full review of the Phillips/Norelco Bodygroom Electric Shaver on Epinions

Verizon FiOS Internet Service

I've had my share of Internet service providers from dial-up services back in the day to cable modems and finally now, via Verizon's FIOS Internet service. This Internet service allows you to connect your home directly to Verizon's fiber-optic network to get what I think is some incredibly fast and reliable service.

Read my full review of Verizon's FiOS Internet Service on Epinions

Coleman 8-Quart Cooler

Sometimes you just need a small cooler to keep a few drinks cold while you're at the beach or when you're traveling. That or maybe you just have a big lunch and want to keep it cold when you're on a job site without refrigeration.

When I need something like that, I use my Coleman 8-Quart Cooler. This small cooler can comfortably hold half a dozen cans of soda with an ice pack or my lunch and an ice pack when I'm traveling somewhere and I need to keep my food cold. It's also small enough that it's easy enough to pack in your vehicle and the locking lid mechanism makes sure that the lid stays on securely to keep whatever is inside cold.

Read my full review of the Coleman 8-Quart Cooler on Epinions

Junior's Restaurant at MGM Grand at Foxwoods

I think I may have found a new favorite restaurant to go to when I'm at Foxwoods and MGM Grand at Foxwoods and that's Junior's. This restaurant, located in the hotel lobby of MGM Grand at Foxwoods has a little bit of everything including some really mouthwatering cheesecakes and other desserts.

Read my full review of Junior's Restaurant at MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Ledyard, Connecticut on Epinions

Verizon FiOS TV Service

I'll come out and say it right off the bat, I hate Comcast so if there was any way I could avoid using their cable TV when I moved back into an area serviced by them, I was going to try it. I was tired of fighting with Comcast over their billing, their service outages and just about everything else you'd find wrong with a cable monopoly from when I had lived in their service area. So when FIOS TV service from Verizon became available in my Town when we moved, I was really excited. Actually we had already gotten the telephone and Internet service so when the TV service was approved by our town and then became available, I called the very next day and had them install it.

Read my full review of FIOS TV on Epinions