GoSale.com :: Reviews by A2ZGHESQDCI77M

Reviews Written By: A2ZGHESQDCI77M

provided by Amazon.com


	Panasonic EW3122S Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor (Silver)
	"Maybe I got a lemon?"	2009-11-05
After recent values have placed me in the 'hypertensive' range, I felt I needed a monitor for home, to gauge the effects of my newly prescribed B/P med. As an RN, I'm quite familiar with various B/P monitors, and I certainly know how to use them. I did extensive research before settling on the Panasonic EW3222S, based largely on the wonderful reviews. Although the machine is bulky, I really like the design. It is extremely easy to use, even for a novice, and I enjoy that the results are large enough that I can take my B/P sans reading glasses. I also like the 2 person memory, quick fit cuff, and cuff storage. I'm not sure that the '3 color light system' that indicates whether your reading is hypertension, prehypertension, or normal is necessary and it just takes up space. Most motivated in following their B/P's know the optimum range they are seeking. I would have preferred to see a different feature, such as, an irregular pulse monitor. However, it matters not, that I like the design and ease of use, when I'm not obtaining accurate readings. For example, I just took my B/P with a result of 90/58. Well, I knew this was not an accurate value for me. I immediately took the reading again and it was 127/70. Quite a bit of difference. A few minutes later I got a diastolic B/P of 113. No way! I have checked out this machine against two others. If I take my B/P three times, I will get at least one value, that matches up closely with the other machines. But, who am I supposed to be---Kreskin? I'm supposed to know which of the three readings is closest to accurate? Also, there is a problem with the pulse rate. I frequently get readings over 100. When I take my pulse manually, by palpation, I find the pulse on the machine is almost always 9 to 10 BPM higher. Now, with this value, I can just simply subtract 10 BPM every time I receive a reading and will be in the ballpark, but there's no way to adjust for the manic B/P readings. With the glowing, five star reviews here, I suspect I may have received a 'lemon.' I procrastinated too long to send it back, which is what I should have done. My advice would be to always check the accuracy of your machine against your physicians, because you must be on the same page. Inaccurate B/P readings, particularly when medications are being adjusted, is downright dangerous. If your Panasonic is functioning accurately, I think you will be very pleased with the overall design, which is why so many have praised the unit. I wish I could have been one of them. I'm going back to the old sphygmo and stethoscope, for now, while I continue my search.
	Culligan FM-15DIY Faucet Mount Water Filtration System (FM-15A)
	"C'mon, you can do it, too"	2009-10-25
Okay, I have to admit, that I have had this filter for a few months, never removed from the box. In the meantime, I've been environmentally unfriendly, by toting home bottled water. I'm not sure why, but for some reason I had an air of intimidation, that I would have difficulty installing this thing, or that it would not function as well as I had hoped. Yeah, I'm a bottled water snob and can probably identify my favorite brands blindfolded by the taste. So, I suspected my water would still taste hard, with its ghastly offensive, chlorine odor, and taste. To avoid disappointment in myself, or it, I denied I needed to tackle this job. Well, I feel so foolish, now. It took me all of 10 minutes to install it today, without even reading the instructions, so ANYONE can do it---trust me. Then I gave it a taste test and was more than satisfied. I could no longer smell, or taste the chlorine. My water tasted almost as good as the spring water sitting on the counter. So, I have happy, dancing feet, today. I feel I have accomplished something that is worthwhile, not only for myself, but for the environment. I also think my lumbar spine will enjoy a break from toting water home. I don't know how well the system will hold up in my very hard water environment. But it is quite inexpensive, so if I have to replace it due to hard water damage, it will not be that problematic.
	The Master and Margarita
	"A GIFT FROM THE GRAVE"	2008-08-20
I found Mikhail Bulgakov's life terribly sad, as I progressed through this novel, realizing how much of it is autobiographical. Here was a brilliant man---the grandson of Priests, who was obviously quite theologically challenged in atheist Russia. His motif surrounding the existence of Jesus and the Devil, told through stories of Faust and Pontius Pilate, was obviously his personal desire to master the concept of good versus evil, in a culture of oppression, brutality, and subjugation, not to mention censorship---the slow death of a creative, freedom-seeking, artist. A good deal of the read may appear to just be magical folly but on careful inspection, it is filled with deep, political satire and symbolism attacking Stalin's Communist Russia and the justifiable paranoia it bred. The ridicule, denouncement and exposure was nothing short of genius, as were the characters that carried out his themes, my favorite being the personification of the big as a pig, Vodka craving, Black Cat. Bulgakov, was clearly before his time and it is sad he died at 48. His history shows a man who was broken by his inability of free expression. His determination to complete his works, in spite of censorship, is a testament to his spirit and perseverance---one of the strongest reasons that this book deserves to be read by all. I consider it a literary gift from the grave, carrying messages we must never forget. Be warned that this is not a quick and easy read---at least it was not for me. I suspect that I've missed, or misinterpreted many scenarios that will read differently with a repeat read. Simply put, it's like trying to watch a ten ring circus---in more ways than one. But, you won't want to miss a single ring of action.
	FURminator deShedding Tool (Large, 4-Inch Edge)
	"CURING my bursitis!"	2008-06-25
With a 115 lb, 31 in tall, plush coated Shiloh Shepherd, I needed all the help I could get. I truly was having elbow issues using the standard rake. The Furminator is a Godsend! I can remove twice the amount of that fine undercoat, in 1/2 the time. Who can argue with that math. It is important to remember that the dog must be clean and it must be used in short, gentle strokes. You also don't want to over-strip your dog. There is a blade in this device that may cause some guard hair damage, if overused and it may work better for some breeds than others. Also, if taking out too much of the undercoat, in certain breeds, such as Akitas, you will lose the puffy, stand-off-the-skin appearance, that is the standard, particularly if exhibiting. It pays to not get carried away. But, if you follow the directions closely, I don't think you will be disappointed, regardless of the breed. I know I wouldn't take for mine and the price was sure right here.
	The Broom of the System
	"If you're just reading it now---"	2008-02-05
you must remember, that the first edition arrived on the scene in 1987. I read it back then, when I was much younger and there was not a plethora of new ideas out there. I appreciated how different it was from the mainstream novels. It was definitely bright, original and hilariously funny, in many scenes. Would I feel the same about it, if I were just reading it for the first time, with all the competition out there churning out literary jewels? Well, I think not! But I'm glad I read it when I did and still think many would get a kick out of it today. BTW, I still own my copy, so it made some kind of imprint that prevented me from recycling it at 1/2 Price Books, where most of my novels eventually come to rest :-).
	Night Pleasures
	"Urked the second time...shame on me!"	2007-12-09
Based on the great reviews, I tried...I really, really tried. I was disappointed with Fantasy Lover, but bought the first three in the series, so I felt obligated to try to get my money's worth. Night Pleasures was NOOOOOO improvement. It was worse! When I start reading a Novel, I rarely will blow it off, without giving it a chance, but I found myself fast-forwarding constantly, finally skimming 20 pages at a time. Why, because I'm not 16 year's old, or part of a demographic that enjoys poor writing, embellished with gratuitous erotica. I'm finished with Kenyon! If the time comes, when I have absolutely nothing else to read, which is rare, I might get into #3 in the series, but I would get more enjoyment out of reading the Sunday newspaper. Kenyon is not a J. R. Ward, a Kresley Cole, a Laurell Hamilton, a Karen Moning (with exceptions), or the new and wonderful, C. L. Wilson. There are so many fabulous books out there for time to be wasted. Wonder why it is that so many writers believe you can't have steamy hot romance, combined with intelligent, meaningful and mind-expanding dialogue. Must think the majority of us are slow on the uptake, huh!
	Fantasy Lover
	"Disappointed!"	2007-11-26
Having just devoured J.R. Ward's BDB series, I had to find something to read while waiting for her next release. Paranormal romance is a new genre for me---heck, even romance novels are new for me. I've always been more of a mystery reader. But, now I can't get enough of it and it has become my greatest escape. I will always thank Ward for that! I'd read that Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter Series resembled J.R. Ward's world. I couldn't disagree more! I bought the first three in the series based on reviews here and have just completed Fantasy Lover. It was a cute story, but overall Kenyon's writing skills are pretty basic and the storyline somewhat juvenile. My analogy being like watching a made for TV movie, verses a major production made for theatre. This was made for TV, kinda like little Miss Buffy! The storyline appeared to just be an excuse for the sex scenes, as well, instead of erotica that developed as part of the cohesiveness of the story. I'll get around to reading the next two in the series, because I bought them, but went straight to Kresley Cole, to give her a look-see. I'm currently reading, A Hunger Like No Other and I'm much more impressed. You can certainly see that Cole has a Master's Degree in English. Her writing skill is excellent and the storyline is a much better adult read.