omni

This mini-mouse is only for traveling as I wouldn't normally use it day to day. I've reduced down to a 2.3 lb Asus Netbook for an upcoming month long trip through Italy in September, so the less weight I carry the better. Last year's trip to NZ South Island I carried my Panasonic Toughbook field computer at 8 lbs with a stowaway Mogo mouse. I'm not expecting the same weather conditions so no need for a tank in refined Rome where a light Ferrari will do! Asus just released this Vento mini-mouse which is the size of a USB flashdrive and it has a functioning scroll wheel. The original concept actually was a combo mouse - flashdrive, thus probably the design. I favor a mouse more than the touchpads of my laptops so I got one since I can't use a Mogo Stowaway, the Asus has no express card slot. Must say it is very well thought out in the design, very innovative how it stores and comes apart in two pieces for transmitter & receiver. The receiver is so small that it almost isn't there, that was why I always have stuck to bluetooth mice before this since the receivers were as big as this mouse and would stick out and get in the way if you were moving the laptop around. Only con I have is the scroll wheel is geared, meaning it doesn't roll smoothly without clicking. However, a press on the scrollwheel allows virtual cursor scrolling that is quite controlled. Even for my large hands it works great.

Somehow Richard, you probably only buy "XL" wrist straps and any bracelet 2 of for the extra links!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vdrYJzFauY

Donerix: Forgive me but I modded your T-Rex strap you made for me.........I added lacquer for a shine. I was happy with the results and darker coloring. I'll add that Donerix is one upstanding strap maker, he kept me in constant contact regarding a setback he had making the strap and delivered as promised. Quite happy with it as it makes my daily "quartz" beater just a little bit more special.

"Or do you color coordinate your condoms with your watch straps?"

Okay, here's my Ziggymeister'd Luminox 1888 Field Watch. Blue SuperLuminova for the immediate gratification, Luminox gas tritium tubes for reading all night. Had to use the blue SL since dial numbers/hands are originally white and green SL would've made them green tint in daylight. Notice the Z's master touch, S.lume applied around gas tritium tubes on hour/minute hands and the tiny seconds hand at register 3!

Hey Col., .......my same reply from 1.1 " Oh how true! Still waters run deep, the shallows run fast. People sometimes don't get the choice to choose the speed of their currents and slow down, therefore purposely must miss out on some of life's pleasures for the way they've stacked the priorities. Yeah, life's a journey, not a destination; so the importance in time of getting from point A to point B is ruled by circumstance sometimes rather than personal preference. Had the musician been plopped down in a tourist spot, say like something you could relate to Col., the Sidney Circular Quay, I think the results would be different. Although it is still a busy metro transportation hub full of commuters, it is also a place full of a lot of visitors that are there just taking in the sights and have the time to slowly stop and smell the roses. Bell probably would not have been ignored then as a street musician and drawn a crowd. Yes, I know, I've only just expounded on what Greg simply distilled smartly in two sentences. My apologies, its a sign of aging for some, literally turning into a gas bag at both ends. It is a great story nevertheless Col., got me thinking, thanks."

If that crown guard in proportion was around 10mm, that would still make the case 55mm, let alone the case thickness is probably big too making the wrist presence all that much larger. You must have an 8 inch wrist there Richard looking at the pics. Wowzers! Nicely done, wear it well.

I believe those that can shave against the grain do not have a heavy hair growth. I can't grow a heavy beard, moustache, goatee or sideburns, they all turn out whispy. So I have no problem shaving against the grain, but guys that have heavy beard growth can't. Pretty much a given, heavy stubble means the loose skin of the face around the hairs is going to be rougher and prone to irritation except where it is stretched tight and smooth like the scalp. Don't know about the whale sperm creme but I'll look up Kohls.

Agreed, lot of young Americans working the resorts, but only allowed 1-year work permits, then its bye-bye. Aussies the same, only country that I've visited so far that required us Americans to have Visas to visit. (I try to stay away from war-zones) We also managed to snag a beautiful clear day for a helicopter tour of the Sounds which we also toured on the regular boat excursions. Just friggin' awesome! The NZ Pinots, we finished a few bottles while there, they were good. I think it is a personal matter of what you are expecting out of wine though. I was raised around the Napa Valley in California so I'm more attuned to the wine process there, although the best California Pinots are located further south from NP. Two different processes, two different growing regions will produce two different animals. The Europhiles are even more pronounced difference in tastes. They are all good.

So last year I spent a week in Sydney and 2 weeks in South Island, NZ. I observed as an outsider quite a lot of kidding between you guys. I've promised my several Aussie cousins to return, thanks for translating the finer points, maybe I'll know what the family is saying this time. Seems a lot of the jokes I heard in Sydney were about Americans & their money.

Redwatch: You are extremely fortunate to have immediate family to go visit in NZ, especially parents. Didn't drive since they seem to have Formula 1 type speedy bus drivers, so missed Alexandra. What a polar difference from Los Angeles, all the better to appreciate it more. I also liked Christchurch, really very "English". Punting on the Avon, our Brits would be bored as its probably too much like home, except its the jumping off point for Antarctica. Did you ever get down to Fiordland Park...(some of your first pictures looks like from there) Te Anau, Doubtful and Milford Sounds?

You bet! We sat third row back and still wound up dizzy as hell. Also the "Lord of The Rings" shooting locations horseback ride was pretty enjoyable too. We stayed at the Sofitel in Queenstown with the now famous men's urinals! Men's restroom in Sofitel, Queenstown NZ

Redwatch: My wife and I spent half of March'08 on South Island, I agree, was just as spectacular scenery as I had imagined it would be! One thing I was surprised at is they raised venison the same as cattle, literally fenced pastures with huge deer herds, albeit the fences were much taller than what you would use for cattle. Thanks for sharing the pics, I've got my own but yours will do. Will add one I had posted last year. This is tandem paraglide ride from the top of mountain over Queenstown. Found out that my pilot had spent eight years on Maui so he jabbered in my ear all the way down about Hawaii! We did the Shotover riverboats but I passed on bungee.

Well Ubi, you opened that wide open...... My wife likes it crisp & stiff, but alas, at 62, it comes & goes. As far as shirts, medium.

Yeah, seems with this "Lookin' Good" section we can see who all the metro-sexual males are. This is where I depart from high-end expensive fru-fru stuff and stick to more plebian brands. Don't know if you can get it on your side of the pond but I use DEGREE sticks from Unilever. Of course I have to make sure the particular scent used doesn't clash with the quart of cologne ....... .........I drink! I guess next we can discuss what scents we use to match with our watch du jour.

Prayers answered. Good to have you back Lani.

P4GTR: Congrats, to make this step is living as large as it gets as you can't buy these rich feelings you're experiencing. When you actually say I do it will be one of the most elated moments of your life. Then we can pour on the sarcasm the day after. And thanks for posting your special day here to share with us, it peripherally inspired Demsey to blog another entertaining anecdote which the forum sorely misses.

Doc: I've researched and yes, the L'Occitane traveler is synthetic and stiff with a lot of guys complaining about that. Beauty of packing up the wet brush in the handle is they all have ventilation so they don't get sour and it doesn't soak the rest of your stuff in the kit. I'm not all that different in travel ways than you, I often am in and out in a few days, can travel a month with just carry-on 20 inch roller and tote. If I didn't pack it, I just buy it where I'm at. My wife & stepdaughter used to be a flight attendants, we flew a lot of passes so got used to packing that way. Notice all the "manly man" post reaction to this thread, although they're just being sarcastic, can't help but wonder who's masculinity is threatened by talk of indulging in some luxury in the daily routine?

Too funny! Docblackrock: I refuse to give up the indulgence since I consider traveling nowadays an indulgence all in itself. I travel with the Edwin Jagger aluminum travel badger brush because of its light weight and breakdown configuration (brush stores in the handle).

The first one on that link seem quite appropriate for the WIS here "If you would rather wind your watch than stand in line at the drugstore for a new battery - You might be a straight razor guy" Ahhhh, straight razor, but you can't take it with you in your airplane carry on luggage now, any more than you can take a liquor flask, its those little things we all miss traveling nowadays.

I've only got 1 button down shirt left, and like my pleated pants, have shed most of those in the last few years. I think they are currently out of step with today. Speaking of pants, I still like cuffs on them as I personally feel they are more finished looking, however there is another camp that says flat front should have no cuffs. But this argument should go in another thread so sorry for getting off topic.

Neuuubeh: I think I have 40 year on you and have always used razors through the years, never electric. Single, double, triple, quadruple, + etc. ..... really can't see how they can put anymore on the head! Anyways, no, I'm not going back to single blade as I think you get a better shave with multiple blades, but its just a matter of what you want to experience. I don't believe all things retro are good or cool, maybe when I was your age but not now. Retro now means back to when I was young at this age, not some unknown time before I was born, therefore its like "been there, done that already" attitudes of the oldsters, since I don't feel old, I also don't want to be reminded. Its like clothes, all fashions are just regurgitated, what I wore in the 70's came back as "in style" but you wouldn't catch me in them again, I look and go, what the hell were we thinking then! Enough of that diatribe............ The aftershave balms I use are also creme and although my face may not be dry, you can definitely feel the slight sting when applying, it just adds to the soothing feel, an extra pampering, which also adds to the overall luxurious shave experience. I agree though, hot towels is just too much hassle unless someone else is doing it for me. And no, I don't shave with the MB, that was just a backdrop shot I had on hand for that watch but it seemed to fit this subject, a shaving topic in a watch forum.

Same as Neuuubeh, silver-tip badger brush, creme and after shave balm. Once you experience the luxurious feeling of shaving this way, you never want to go back. I use the 500 blade type since I'm tho thenthitive!

Well, if phoband thinks he's old & crotchety, wonder what that makes the like of offshore and me? New skins peripherals are a little hard on my eyes as any greyed out text on dark doesn't have quite the contrast I need, but old dogs do learn new tricks. Took me very short time to master the navigation since all the previous header choices are now neatly placed in drop down menu here and there, just need to know where the DD menu are located. Thanks, the new speed makes up for any imagined shortcomings that will soon fade into memory as we all get used to using the new format.