Friday, March 25, 2011

Review: Logitech Anywhere Mouse MX, Wireless, 4 Buttons/Scroll from CSN Store



I've needed a new mouse for a while now. Just to give you an idea of how old mine was, I still have to remove the ball and clean it every so often. But a mouse is a bigger purchase than people tend to realize. It can't just get the job done, it has to be exceptional. After all, how could you use something so much that's uncomfortable or awkward? It would ruin the entire experience of using one's computer, which can be stressful enough as it is :)

I'd tried some fancy laser mouse that my husband uses. It was really nice, but there was a problem. It didn't respond well on my desk. I needed to use a mouse pad with it, and in my opinion that kind of defeats the purpose of having a laser mouse. I guess what I wanted from my mouse was more freedom to move. I didn't want arbitrary boundaries.

Font sizeAs you can imagine, the Logitech Anywhere Mouse caught my attention from the CSN Store. Worry-free movement on ANY surface? According to the product description it even works on glass. So of course, after I confirmed that it worked wonderfully on my desk, I had to go find a glass surface to test it. And what do you know? It works!

Obviously, there's no laser. And for me that was actually a big selling point. I don't know how my husband stands that red light constantly on in his office. Even when it's dimmed, it's still on. You can still kind of see it. But not with this Anywhere Mouse. Honestly, it's actually a bit stylish. But for me the best part is that it just works. No hassle, no worry, and no arbitrary boundaries. Whatever surface it's on is its mouse pad.

And did I mention it's wireless? Even more freedom. And I don't mean "wireless" in that it has some bulky cradle or some receiver that sticks out from the computer. It has a receiver, yes. But it's the smallest thing I've ever plugged into a USB port. I don't have a laptop, but I imagine something like this would be PERFECT for them. A comfortable mouse (as opposed to one of those terrible track pads) without a "dongle" that sticks out of the laptop waiting to break. This little receiver is barely visible and doesn't stick out at all, so not so much worry about breaking it off.

Usually my husband is the gadget geek, but I just can't help but love this mouse. And that's important. Like I said, when it comes to something that you use every day to facilitate other work, it has to be exceptional. Anything less just gets in the way.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Review: Chocolate Bunnies, Egg-Shaped Sweets and Special Edition "Hop" - Themed Candies from Hershey


What's Easter without candy? Well, sure, there's a lot more to Easter traditions than a basket with chocolate... But let's be realistic and let our inner children (and outer children) answer the question. Easter, for all of its traditions and meanings, is also a time to get a basket full of candy. Now, don't ask my why, but that candy is supposed to come in two basic shapes: Bunnies and Eggs.

Now, there are a lot of these on the market. You can't go to a store in March without seeing a whole array of chocolate bunnies. Small to large, solid to hollow, there are plenty of options. The same is true of eggs also. Bite-size, egg-size, cream-filled, solid, etc. Lots of colors, lots of decorations... Lots of options. But how many options do we really need? Ask yourself, when you think about chocolate, what name comes to mind?

Hershey's. No question, no close second place, nobody else. Hershey's is America's chocolate. They've been at it for generations and they still continue to bring new ideas to market. And, not to be outdone in the Easter season, they've come out with new bunnies and eggs to keep consumers delighted. And I had the opportunity recently to try their new Snapsy Bunny and HOP The Movie Magic Bunny. (Solid, of course... Hershey's doesn't cut corners on chocolate.)

Well, what's to be said? They're chocolate bunnies. My kids certainly love the movie tie-in. But for me, it's all about the chocolate. Pure Hershey's at its best. Mix in some Cadbury Creme Eggs or, my personal favorite, Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs and your holiday indulgence is pretty much complete. After all, what's Easter without candy?