Daily deal – REI Super Summer clearance – up to 50% off online and in-store

by Scott Carmichael on

Outdoors fans, pay attention! REI is holding its yearly super Summer clearance, with 50% off 100’s of items. You’ll find $10 North Face shorts as well as some discounts on “high tech” products, like this $4 memory card pouch.

The sale starts today, and lasts until Labor day (September 1st). If you are not a fan of online shopping, or simply prefer to browse the racks for your bargains, then head on over to your local REI store, as many of these bargains can be found at their retail locations too. In total, over 500 products are on sale, so there really should be something for everyone.

Be on the lookout for prices ending with the magic .83 number, as those will be the sale items. And just to avoid confusion; the prices are “as marked”, there are no further discounts.

Of course, since this is a summer discount, most of the fashion on sale is being discounted to make way for winter gear, but unless you plan to gain a few sizes by next year, it should be a cheap way to get your gear purchased for next years trip.

(Source: Fatwallet.com)

Twin Cities Prepare for RNC

by Josh Lew on

The roads have been repaved, the bars stocked and the popcorn swept out of the Excel Energy Center’s aisles. It’s only a few days until the Republicans storm the beachhead and impose their flag waving and slogan chanting on the good people of Saint Paul, Minnesota.

It might seem odd that a state that usually votes Democrat when it comes to president is playing host to John McCain. Sure, Minnesota has a Republican governor, but he’s more of a centrist than McCain, and his opponent in the last election had so much baggage that he laid down and gave up halfway through the race.

No, the RNC is not really about politics for the Twin Cities. It’s about a couple of underrated, mid-sized cities trying to get some respect. It’s about showing off the nightlife and restaurants (hey Andrew Zimmern chose St. Paul over New York, so there must be something good about the eating scene). It’s about showing the nation that Chicago isn’t the only game in the Midwest.

To be clear, the convention will be in Saint Paul, but, Minneapolis (pictured above) is a mere 10 minute drive down Highway 94. Logistically, at least, they can be considered different parts of one big city. I’ll be in the Twin Cities next week, letting you in on some of the cities’ highlights and, perhaps, bringing you a report on the crazy nightlife habits of young Republicans. Stay tuned.

Northwest flight attendants to wear Delta uniforms

by Jeffrey White on

Delta Airlines has sent a memo to flight attendants at Northwest Airlines, which it is seeking to buy through a stock swap, notifying them of upcoming “style clinics” where new Delta uniforms are to be unveiled.

Delta wants NW’s flight attendants to begin wearing Delta uniforms on routes early next year.

While this may not be a significant story, it does give a clue as to how the merger between the two airlines could go in terms of branding — whether the Northwest brand will survive or be swallowed up by Delta’s.

The merger, announced this spring, is expected to close by year’s end and will form the world’s largest airline carrier.

What strange things have been found on planes?


London notes: Found! A really good Mexican restaurant in Europe

by Jeffrey White on

If you like Mexican food, then Europe typically offers nothing but frustration.

I’ve been living in Europe for nearly four years and I have never stumbled into a “Mexican restaurant” that hasn’t ended up being only the thinnest interpretation of this revered cuisine. Europeans cannot do Mexican, for a number of reasons, but it comes down mostly to a blandness of palate that does not demand much on the flavor scale.

So, a Mexican joint is usually at the bottom of my list in terms of options.

Imagine my surprise, then, to arrive at Wahaca in London last night, the city’s hottest Mexican restaurant.

I was encouraged right away by the line snaking out of the door and halfway down the street. And I wasn’t disappointed: Wahaca is a seriously good Mexican restaurant that infuses its dishes with the requisite heat and flavor that you’ll find if you spend long enough eating in Mexico.

The place’s name is obviously a transliteration of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, and features what it calls “Mexican market food,” small plates of simple tacos, quesadillas and tostadas filled with basic, but flavorful, ingredients. I tried the quesadilla filled with chorizo and potato and sampled the salmon ceviche tostada, which had some really good heat to it.

There are bigger dishes on offer, as well: Burritos, enchiladas and grilled fishes.

They get salsa right here (two kinds, green and red), habanero figures in a lot of dishes, and there is a whole menu of variously aged tequilas.

Perhaps best of all, it’s not that expensive.

The restaurant recently won Britain’s best “cheap eat” award. I wouldn’t say Wahaca was cheap, but with many of the dishes in the $6-$8 range, it is cheap by London standards.

I usually don’t like recommending restaurants, but I will in this case. If you’re a fan of Mexican (and I’m talking Mexican, not Tex-Mex) and are in London, try Wahaca.

Product review – Travelon 3-in-1 power converter/adapter

by Scott Carmichael on

In today’s product review, I’ll show you an international power converter with three features in one.

The Travelon 3-in-1 power converter/adapter combines a regular international plug adapter with a power step down transformer and a USB charger.

With these three features in one charger, you can plug your regular US appliance into almost any outlet in the world. This includes Western Europe, the UK, Japan, China and Australia.

To accomplish this, the prongs on the rear of the device rotate to the V-shape required for Australia. For Western Europe you can attach the included round 2-prong adapter, and for the UK and Singapore you attach a 3-prong adapter onto the back of the device. I’ve included photos of each plug in the gallery at the bottom of this post.

The entire adapter fits together nicely. When you are not using it, you simply slide the European adapter into the top of the UK adapter, and connect them all together. The total weight of the unit, with all the plug adapters is just 5 ounces.

The build quality of the 3-in-1 converter/adapter is quite good, the adapters lock in place tightly, my only minor complaint is that the 2 locking clips on the top of the unit, (which hold the UK plug adapter) do not always stay in place, but this does not hinder the functionality of the device as the plug itself has a separate set of clips with a “release” button.

If you use the 3-in-1 adapter in a country with voltages higher than the 110 Volts used in the US, the device simply reduces the mains voltage. This “step-down” conversion can power up to 1875 watts. Unlike many step-down adapters, the Travelon 3-in-1 also features a built in overheat protection circuit which should prevent damage to your products, plus it should prevent tripping a breaker and plunging an entire floor of hotel rooms into darkness.

The third feature in the 3-in-1 adapter, is a USB power charger. This single USB port on the top of the device works on 100-240 Volts, and combined with the international plug adapter, you should be able to charge your USB devices (like the iPod or Blackberry) anywhere in the world.

The adapter even has a built in surge protector, which in my opinion is a “must have” if you plan to power any high-tech gadgets in a country with less than stellar public utilities.

The Travelon 3-in-1 power converter/adapter has a suggested retail price of $69.99, but a quick search shows several retailers selling the product for around $45.

The Travelon 3-in-1 converter/adapter is a great addition to your gadget arsenal, and as always, I am impressed with any gadget that can turn 3 products into one. The price is a little steep, but there really isn’t anything like it on the market. I’ve reviewed adapters with a built in USB charger before, but this is the first one I have seen that is compatible with all the various voltages and plugs in the world.

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