Honeywell Fresh Breeze Tower Fan with Remote Control

We were thinking about this fan, various Lasko tower fans, Vornado tower fans and other brands. We ended up getting this fan based on look, functions and the reviews from actual users. We were not disappointed at all. The fan is fairly quiet at lowest speed but still push out a lots of wind. The remote control is nice to have but we barely use it. 90-degree oscillation is ok but 180-degree would be better. Fairly easy to install and operate.

The size is larger than I expected. I guess you never knew exactly how big things are until you actually have it. But it's not a problem at all. It is definitely a lot better than those stand fans that we have used to.

VL Rating: Good

Amazon.com
has it for a great price from various sellers.

Product Features 3 speeds, timer function for 1-12 hour shut-off Electronic LCD display, easy to use touch button controls Programmable Thermostat Remote Control withbuilt-in flashlight, washable air filter Oscillation for greater air distribution

Opteka SteadyVid PRO Video Stabilizer System for Digital Cameras, Camcorders and DSLR's (Supports up to 5 lbs)

Amazon.com has the Opteka SteadyVid PRO Video Stabilizer System for Digital Cameras, Camcorders and DSLR's (Supports up to 5 lbs)
for $179.95 + FREE Shipping (via 47th Street Photo).

Product Description

The Opteka SteadyVid PRO is a video stabilizing system designed to reduce shake and stabilize video on cameras and camcorders weighing up to 5 lbs (2.26kg). The SteadyVid PRO features aluminum construction, adjustable mounting plate, comfort grip handle, super-smooth gimbal, sprit level and includes 2 removable weights in addition to the main counterweight.

Specifications
Load Capacity: 5 lbs (2.26kg)
Construction: Aluminum Body, Rubber Padded Handle, Polished Chrome Counterweights
Dimensions (LxHxD): 8 x 9.5 x 1.2" (20.3 x 24.1 x 3 cm)
Counterbalance Weights: 1.15 lbs (515g) (1x 335g & 2x 90g weights)
Weight (without counterweights): 1.55 lbs (705g)
Weight (with counterweights): 2.68 lbs (1.22kg)
Warranty: 1 Year

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier (Galveston, TX)

Fun for kids.

We went to Houston and Galveston during the July 4th extended long weekend. One of the stop that we planned was the Pleasure Pier of course since we found out it just recently opened. Our expectation was to give our kids (2.5 year old and 5.5 year old) some fun and they did especially my 5.5 year old. We got the walk-on ticket for ourselves and all day ride pass for our kids. We were glad we did because I don't know how many times they played the rides especially the bumper cars. The ticket price sounds a little steep but how many festival out there that you can play cheap? I can't think of any.

One big fat thump up for kids!!!

Address:
2501 Seawall Blvd
Galveston, TX 77550

Website:
http://www.pleasurepier.com

VL Rating: Good (for kids)


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Proudly Made In The United States of America (USA)

I'm kind of sick to keep hearing greedy companies giving excuses about why they out source product manufacturing to other countries saying that it is not profitable or competitive if their products are manufactured in the US. I have just one just for them GREEDY. They think of no consequences.

I have long been wanting to start this blog but never had a chance until I noticed a water dispenser that we bought for $3 from Walmart the other day that has the "Made In USA" sticker on it and this article today from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/13/living/made-in-america/index.html

So who said products that are made in the USA are not profitable?

Here is the list of "Made in USA" products that we use:

1) Water/liquid dispenser from Walmart for $3:

Fish Tales (Galveston, TX)

An OK Seafood restaurant.

This place is right across from the newly opened Pleasure Pier. It was crowded but it didn't take us long to get a table for dinner. The service was good but the food was just OK.

We ordered:
1) Calamari - A little soggy. The texture was not right.
2) Oysters - My wife had this and she said it was fresh. I didn't try because the last time I tried, I almost thew up. Not my kind of food.
3) Grilled Tuna - OK
4) Broiled Sea Platter - OK
5) Clam Chowder - This one better than most restaurants in Dallas. It didn't have the frozen seafood smell.

Address:
2502 Seawall Blvd
Galveston, TX 77550

Phone:
(409) 762-8545

VL Rating: OK


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Pho 20 (Galveston, TX)

Is it really Beef Pho?

I was a little surprised to see this place had a lot of customers during lunch time in on Tuesday. The service was exceptional for a Vietnamese restaurant but their main dish "Beef Pho" was not really Beef Pho at all.

We ordered:
1) Beef Pho - It was more like beef/seafood Pho then a pure Beef Pho which might not be bad for others but I was looking for pure Beef Pho. I'm wondering if the beach has anything to do with it :-)
2) Spring Roll with grilled Beef - Not bad at all. My wife loved it.
3) Vermicelli with Lemongrass Beef - Not bad either. The beef can be a little tender though.

Address:
2101 Broadway St
Galveston, TX 77550

Phone:
(409) 750-9200

Website:
http://www.pho20.com


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Babe's Chicken Dinner House (Garland, TX)

Yummy smoked chicken...

This place has an amazing smoked chicken. The best I have tasted so far. Plus the FREE side dishes really can fill you up. For around $12, you get half of the chicken. You can't pick and choose which is bad for me since I don't eat the chicken breasts.

Their fried fish was also good.

BTW, I have tried their branch in Frisco a couple of years ago as well and it was way off.

Address:
1456 Belt Line Rd
Ste 171
Garland, TX 75044

Phone:
(972) 496-1041

Website:
http://www.babeschicken.com/


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Benno's On the Beach (Galveston, TX)

Fresh softshell crab...

They have really fresh softshell crabs here for $18.95. It was battered and fried. The texture was right but the taste was just OK. I wish they put a little more spice to it. We also had fried fish and a cup of shrimp gumbo. Nothing really stand out. I have had better in Dallas.

Address:
1200 Seawall Blvd
Galveston, TX 77550

Phone:
(409) 762-4621

Website:
http://www.bennosofgalveston.com/

VL Rating: OK


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Cooper Farms (Fairfield, TX)

Yummy Peaches...

It was lunch time and we were hungry. Seeing their billboard from the highway, we thought they might have something good for lunch. As it turned out, we couldn't find anything that we feel like eating for lunch there but we discovered something else. We tried the peach and couldn't believe how good it was. We ended up buying a bag of peaches ($10). We ate some on the way to Houston and snacked some while we were there and still have some left to bring back to Dallas. They're way better than the ones you get at the supermarkets. We also tried their peach pie which was not bad but I think it the filling was a little dry.

Address:
301 I-45S
Fairfield, TX 75840

Phone:
(903) 388-6087

Website:
http://cooperfarmspeaches.com/

VL Rating: Good (for Peaches)


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Huynh (Houston, TX)

Very decent Vietnamese food with great service.

We stopped by this place for lunch the other day during our July 4 holiday trip to Houston. It seems like they ere the only one business with customers in the area.

We tried:
1) Goi Cuon (Shrimp and pork Spring roll) - Good. The peanut sauce was good. Far better than most restaurants that I have tried so far.

2) Goi Cuon Thit Nuong - Spring roll with grilled pork and Nuoc Cham (fish sauce) - Good.

3) Mi Quang - I have to admit that I have never tried this dish before. Seeing it being their favorite dish, I gave it a try for the first time. First taste I thought it was just ok. But the more I eat, the more I crave for it. It has soup but not as much as you would find in Pho. One problem with this dish was the crackers. They were a little hard and not crunchy as they should be.

4) Ca Phe Sua Da (Vietnamese iced milk coffee) - Got this to go. Yum.

5) Pho - Just OK for me. My wife liked it though.


Address:
912 Saint Emanuel St
Houston, TX 77003

Phone:
(713) 224-8964

Website:
http://huynhrestauranthouston.com

VL Rating: Good


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Banana Leaf II (Houston, TX)

Barely above average.

It was around 6pm and this place was packed. We thought the food would be decent but very disappointed after trying it.

We tried:
1) Roti Canai - The roti was ok but the curry did not have enough flavor. I would definitely prefer Indian curry over this.


2) Hainanese Chicken - Tasted like they reheated the chicken. Has a little chicken smell from the reheatting. Definitely NOT a walking chicken (cage free chicken).


3) Laksa Noodle Soup - I thought the curry tasted the same as what they used in the Roti Canai just a little more spicy. Didn't taste right either.


4) Stir Fried Seafood Flat Noodle with Scramble Eggs - The one we have at Lion City Chinese Cafe in Dallas is better.









Address:
9896 Bellaire Blvd
Ste A
Houston, TX 77036

Phone:
(713) 271-2338

Website:
http://www.bananaleafhouston.com

VL Rating: Poor


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