Reviews: Products – Skullcandy, Herbin Ink, Cellole Chianti

I’ve been buying lots of things lately. I should really put myself on a leash when it comes to spending, but I haven’t been able to help myself – I just need so many things!

First up, the Smoking Buds Earphones by Skull Candy. I bought these to use while running. Headphones make my ears sweat (ear sweat, gross, I know) and the ipod ear buds would fall out every time I turned by head to check for cars or bounced off a curb. I wanted something that would be cheap, so I wouldn’t be pissed if they got beat up or lost on lost on a long run. I also wanted inner ear buds, so that I wouldn’t have to play my music as loudly while running near traffic.

I picked these up for under twenty bucks at the Source. They come in a baby pink color, but I chose the more butch gray and black. The salesgirl tried to trick me into picking up an extra warranty, claiming that the average life of headphones is three months. What the hell is this woman doing with her headphones? But anyway, at least something was reasonably priced at that wretched store for once. I used them on my run the next day, and on every run since. I am impressed! For cheap-o ear buds with tiny cartoon skulls on the sides, the sound is great! I mean, not fantastic or anything – when I’m listening in the quiet of the apartment, I detect a quiet hiss in the sound, so the clarity isn’t perfect, but the bass is good, music sounds full, and my podcasts come across loud and clear. The volume control isn’t very delicate, but it’s good for muting the sound when you suddenly need to hear something. My one complaint: the plastic ear buds catch the air on windy days or on bridges and the whooshing noise can block out the music. But still, they’re cheap and they serve their purpose almost perfectly. Hooray!

Speaking of music, I added some code to this blog that will allow any music files I post to be played using a Yahoo Media Player. It will allow readers to either preview the individual track without opening a new window, or using the player to listen to every file on the page as part of a playlist. It’s pretty sweet and was easy to add. I wish it didn’t link to the Amazon store for the “Buy” link, but otherwise it’s fun. Here is my test track:

Killer Clowns from Outer Space by The Dickies

I ran out of cartridges for my fountain pen a few weeks ago, and decided to experiment with the free flowing jar of ink concept instead. Wild! I headed to Laywine’s Pens and Organizers in Yorkville to find some new ink. I got some more Waterman cartridges, but decided to experiment with the jar of ink. I asked the saleswoman for the blackest black she had. I hate watery blacks! She suggested either an India Ink made specifically for fountain pens, or J. Herbin’s Perle Noire, which she described as velvety smooth. I went with her suggestion, as she looked like she knew what she was talking about. Also, she was really cute. So far I haven’t been completely thrilled. It is, in fact, velvety smooth to write with. However, I think it is a bit watery in terms of color. It writes in a very dark gray, really. I preferred the Waterman black, which was thicker, but also more opaque. Now I have to write lots and lots, just to use it up so that I can go back to the Waterman ink.

Finally, for our anniversary, Stark and I bought a “nice” wine from the LCBO’s vintage section. This is as opposed to our regular purchases of large twelve dollar bottles of Farnese Sangiovese. Instead we got a bottle of Cellole Chianti Classico 2004. It was around twenty six dollars. I picked it out because it was DOCG. I have no idea how other countries classify their wines, but I always recognize that little pink guarantee of Italian quality.

We drank the wine yesterday. I gotta say – I’m not used to Chianti anymore. The Sangiovese and Montepulciano we’ve been drinking have been a lot more delicate. This Chianti was thick and strong. A powerful wine! For real. Full of spice and wood. Really, I have no idea how to describe wine, but this was um… full bodied. Yes. Definitely full bodied. The first few sips, I almost thought I didn’t like it, but midway through the first glass it started going down real warm and smooth. Mmmm… Excellent stuff. I can’t wait for another special occasion so that I have an excuse to buy it again.