Reviews by kdfischer01

kdfischer01 says "The A355D works for my work." about Toshiba Satellite Laptop

kdfischer01 — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:27:21 GMT

I spent almost a full week reading tons of reviews every day to figure out what my next laptop purchase would be. My qualifications were these: large screen (bigger than 15.4 inches at least), quality sound system, excellent graphics, AMD processor, a lot of memory, and great reviews (just to name a few). I wasn't exactly seeking a desktop replacement, but definitely a computer that will run my programs for photo editing. My Toshiba Satellite A355D does exactly what I need. The performance is fantastic, and I am so stoked about this computer.

My only complaints about it are the finish is a fingerprint magnet! It is glossy and beautiful, but after typing for 10 minutes the entire keyboard is coated. But the computer came with a cleaning cloth that works very well.

I actually like the way 64-bit Vista Home Premium works on this computer. I am not a huge fan of Vista, but I do like the way it works on this machine.

My favorite features are the Dolby digital sound room Harman/Kardon......

kdfischer01 says "Relieve the itch, feel the sting! Benadril Spray " about Benadryl Itch Relief Spray

kdfischer01 — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 05:48:19 GMT

I am alergic to most bugs... most everything! So, when I get a bite, it tends to itch or burn more than the average person. Benadril cream never worked quite fast enough to relieve the feeling, so I bought the spray. Boy does it work--fast!

Unfortunately, if there is an open point on the bite (which there is, even if it's tiny), the spray stings LIKE CRAZY! Of course, that's just the product working, but it really hurts, especially if you spray it on an area like an ankle that was attacked by red ants---possibly 10 or 15 bites in the same area stinging and burning simultaneously... not fun!

It gets rid of the itch, the swelling, and the immediate pain, but the burn really is intense sometimes. I recommend using the spray for immediate relief, and soon after applying a dab of cream directly on the bite/wound so it gets a little burn relief, and double the dose of Benadril itch control!
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kdfischer01 says "Tan oil is safe, but is it worth the look?" about Banana Boat Protective Tan Oil Pump SPF #15 8 oz

kdfischer01 — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 05:44:10 GMT

I bought the Banana Boat protective tanning oil in hopes I would get a nice, even, hydrated tan on my vacation in Florida this past summer. My expectations were not quite met.

I did not burn, which is a great quality, but my tan became blotchy after use. It wasn't allergic... it was the sun. The product is hard to apply evenly, so my skin was more protected in certain spots over others, and my legs and arms were both mildly blotchy. And, unfortunately, the oil seals in the tan, so it stuck for a couple of weeks.

Other than being difficult to apply evenly, and it being VERY messy, the product works fine.
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kdfischer01 says "If you're not a stereotype, Cosmo might not be for you" about Cosmopolitan Magazine

kdfischer01 — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 03:03:43 GMT

My roommate in college got me into reading Cosmo. I have been with my boyfriend for 2 years, so we would look through together--at the advise, "love and lust," fashion, etc. We found that sometimes the magazine was accurate, but it tends to follow this Hollywood-like stereotype of relationships. I wonder how many people actually have the relationships the magazine tries to fix so often.
Like, "if your guy crosses his arms when you ask him about his day, he's cheating on you." Wow. Maybe it's cold? Ever think of that?

So, maybe my boyfriend and I are way out of the norm since we have good communication in our relationship, but I have a feeling there are a lot of people who just don't find the advise in Cosmo useful.
Also--they say "great bargain buys for fall!" then on the inside, the cheapest thing listed in the magazine is a $45 stick of lip gloss. Really? That's a bargain? I don't pay $45 for a pair of pants, much less a lip product!

However, I like reading people's embarrassing......

kdfischer01 says "I'm a female athlete, but I sweat like a man. This changes that." about Secret Clinical Strength Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

kdfischer01 — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:56:39 GMT

I don't like to pay a lot for anything, especially when it's just a trial and I don't know if the product works.
I am really impressed how Secret's Clinical Strength Anti-Perspirant Deoderant works for me. I am a runner, I play volleyball and tennis, basketball, and I play with kids all day long (i'm a nanny of 3). That means I sweat... a LOT. I noticed I was even sweating when I wasn't working out or playing a game, which bothered me when I was locked in the car with my boss, or trying to snuggle close to my boyfriend.
I bought this Secret product so that I could try to "control the problem" that I had. I hate paying $9 for a pair of pants, much less a stick of deoderant. But it really kept me fairly dry and definitely eliminated gross stinky sweaty smell when I was or wasn't working out.

The downsides--the price is definitely high, especially when you see this product sitting next to a $.99 stick, but I think for those of us who really do sweat more than the average woman, it's......

kdfischer01 says "I'm a professional, the XTi helps me sell" about Canon - Rebel XTi Digital Camera

kdfischer01 — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:47:24 GMT

My first Digital SLR camera was this XTi (silver, though) and it has helped me produce fantastic photos ever since I got it 2 years ago.

Being a professional, the camera is more than a "hey, i don't miss any family moments!" thing for me. It's my life--how I pay my rent. So, obviously, I need a good tool to do that. It's like a painter needing great quality paints, or a clock maker needing good, steady hands--it just HAS to work, and it HAS to work well.

I really love the XTi because it's small and lightweight compared to other D SLRs in it's class. I like the smooth look of the silver model, and overall I think it's a very classy camera. My only "complaint" is that the menus can be tricky, and there are a lot of options that the average photographer or amateur photographer would have to read the manual carefully to understand, along with other books in order to understand all of the working components of the camera.

Overall, no complaints from me! I have 3 D SLRs for my work,......

kdfischer01 says "Iced Macchiato pick-me-up; weigh-me-down" about Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato

kdfischer01 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 23:57:34 GMT

The Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato is a drink I don't frequent often. It is a nice occasional treat--the bitter espresso mixes well with the sweet caramel and cream, and it's a great cool-down treat for summertime. The espresso shots pick me up as they do in any Starbucks drink, but the beverage is heavier than others I've had from there. I think it's the combination of cream and caramel is just too heavy--after I drink the drink, I feel like I've consumed a sort of brick.
It's a tasty treat to pick me up, for sure, but it weighs me down after drinking it. Tall (which is incidentally the smallest size, of course...), if anything, is definitely the way to go....

kdfischer01 says "Dr Pepper takes wonderful care of me" about Dr Pepper - Soda

kdfischer01 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:06:48 GMT

I LOVE Dr. Pepper! I won't drink other sodas. I love that it's not heavy, like Pepsi, and it's not ultra syrup-y like Coke can be. It's got the cherry flavor I love, but not the heavy carbonation of Root Beer (which is apparently the substitue? Never understood that...)

Mr Pibb is not the same! haha. I know the difference! And it's 23 flavors truly make it my favorite soda.
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kdfischer01 says "Serta Memory Foam has given me sleep back" about Serta 2-inch Memory Foam Topper with Contour Pillows

kdfischer01 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:02:39 GMT

I am young, but I have a seemingly old body. I have a bad neck and back from car accidents i've been in, bad knees and ankles from a running career through high school, and bad joints from volleyball and tennis. Overall, I'm healthy, but i'm weak.
I have constant migraines from a nerve bundle that has been pinched between my C6 and C7 vertebrate for 10 years now, and I've noticed heavy headaches every morning for the last 3 or 4 months, then started looking into it being my pillow, not just my neck.
It turns out I was right! I bought a memory foam pillow and now I am sleeping much better at night. I don't move much at night with the pillow since it cradles my head and neck so wonderfully, so I really feel like my whole body is getting more rested since I'm not tossing and turning trying to get my back comfortable all night.
It's not exactly an attractive pillow, and it stains somewhat easily, but for comfort, this product gets an A++ from me.
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kdfischer01 says "One A Day Womens is better than my previous multivitamin" about One-A-Day Women's Formula Vitamins Tablets - 200 Each

kdfischer01 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:56:55 GMT

I used to work out daily, but when I tore my ACL in my left knee, my routine was halted for 6 months. I'm young, but during those first 2 months of total downtime, I noticed my metabolism slowed dramatically, I gained some weight, and I just felt cruddy. I knew I wasn't getting the nutrition I needed.
I;ve been taking One A Day Women's for 2 years since my accident, and it really helps me feel great. It promotes bone and breast health, which I love since I'm young and I have a family history of breast problems, it's helping me nip it in the bud before problems arise. It's one capsul per day with my breakfast--not a laborious task to remember.
It has 100% of some of the most essential vitamins, such as Calcium and B12, which can cause serious sicknesses when deficient in a woman's body.
I am satisfied with the price--I buy the 200-pills per bottle, and it's less than $20, to keep me feeling good! The supplements really help me get better quicker when I'm sick, help me maintain......

kdfischer01 says ""The Prince of Tides" is perhaps the best literature ever read" about Prince of Tides

kdfischer01 — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:36:24 GMT

Pat Conroy is no doubt a master of language, and he paintes every picture for the reader. His writing is articulate but not complicated. He is wordy and descriptive in all the right ways. As far as I'm concerned, Pat Conroy could write a book about plumming and it would be more interesting than most books out there these days.

Reading this book would be much like Michelangelo painting the Systine Chapel--surely a once-in-a-lifetime, breathtaking experience.

Perfect.
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kdfischer01 says "The Nikon Coolpix is a great point and shoot for the money." about Nikon COOLPIX L18 Digital Camera

kdfischer01 — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:33:56 GMT

The nikon was bought for my brother for his newborn twin baby girls. He is not a professional photographer, but I am. I know what is quality and what is not. Nikon lense is fantastic. The coolpix is great for the average tourist/parent/amateur photographer. It is not grainy, it is very lightweight and compact--fits in a pocket easily--and it is a sleek looking camera! I got it in the navy blue (since my brother is in the navy). It uses a universal SD card, which is about $15 for a 4 gig (which is 1189 pictures on the coolpix), uses AA batteries, and comes with the software and cables and everything needed.

It is a great buy! Highly recommended!
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kdfischer01 says "It's delicious and effective for the average dieter" about Special K Challenge

kdfischer01 — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:29:11 GMT

I saw it on TV and decided to take "The Special K Challenge." I didn't think it would really work, but I love special K so I figured, Hey, why not?! So I went online and found the products that "fit my challenge" for what special K products I like to eat, what I don't, and how often I snack (which is often!) So I went to the store, spent $40 on special K stuff (and milk lol) and started. 2 weeks and $40 later, I lost 3 inches around my waist. I'm not a "large" person... I don't have much to lose, so I didn't want to do some huge expensive diet. Just wanted to get a little healthier! And I feel good.

I ate one of the 3 different varieties of cereal I love in the morning with some milk or orange juice, I eat a bar for a snack, a meal bar for lunch (which really does fill me, i was SO surprised!) and whatever I wanted for a late snack and dinner... and I lost 11 pounds!

The food tastes great. There aren't restrictions and pills and limitations and all the other bogus stuff......

kdfischer01 says "Excedrin works better than my prescriptions..." about Excedrin Migraine Caplets 100 Ct.

kdfischer01 — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:21:20 GMT

I have lower back problems and I have 3 slipped discs in my neck due to a car accident I was in 10 years ago. Eventually, they will need to be surgically operated on, but for now I have to just deal with it. I am only 19 but I get chronic migraines... My doctor says they're worse than most he's ever seen in any aged patient. I get about 3 a week---MIGRAINES--not just headaches. I vomit, I can't have ANY noise or light... my room is a dungeon. I finally took Excedrin for my migraines, and I am still fully able to function. I feel the onset on the Migraine--numbness in my fingers, sensitivity to light, lots of pressure--and I take 2 Excedrin Migraines and LITERALLY 20-30 minutes later I don't feel it any more. About 2 hours later, I take one more to keep the migraine gone, and it's ACTUALLY GONE!!! I have narcotics for the pain that don't kill the pain as well, and they leave me knocked out and useless. With Excedrin, I can take a 30 minute break from my work and be back......

kdfischer01 says "Joining ballys was the worst decision I ever made." about Bally Total Fitness - All Locations - Los Angeles, CA

kdfischer01 — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:14:40 GMT

I joined Bally's Total Fitness in my Freshman year of college with my 2 roommates, and let me tell you--it has been the worst experience of my life. The gym was unclean, the locker room was unkept, the personal trainer got tired before I did!!!! They did not let me use the aerobic room on free time like they told me when I was signing up--they said I could use the room, but not the lights or the AC or the Equipment. HOW DISTASTEFUL!!!

Then, I moved and I'm not near Bally's anymore, and they won't let me cancel. So, I'm stuck paying $75 a month for me and my 2 roommates because Bally's is dishonest and rude and terrible. I hate them. I'd rather eat nails than go to a Ballys. There are THOUSANDS of complaints on the internet about Bally's (consumerreports.com has hundreds alone) and they have had more lawsuits filed against them than any other fitness corporation in the world.

I urge you, if you think about joining Bally's, DONT. It will be the worst decision you've ever made.........

kdfischer01 says "An absolutely necessary beauty product for every woman!" about Olay Active Hydrating Cream Original 2.0 oz

kdfischer01 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:59:46 GMT

I have never been let down by Olay products, so when I noticed my face was starting to dry out a little, I wanted to try one of their face moisturizers. I bought the Active Hydrating cream for $10 and it has paid off 10 times that! I use it once daily, and my skin is literally as soft as it's ever been. I use a fingertip-sized dot and smooth it over my face every morning, and I put on my foundation and my face is smoothe. I don't go a day without using the Active Hydrating cream. I am never one to speak up about a product--especially beauty products--because so many seem the same, but this really does work to restore health to your skin and make it smooth and soft. Absolutely reccommended!...

kdfischer01 says "The Blackjack 2 was too expensive but it generally works okay." about Samsung BlackJack II Smartphone

kdfischer01 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:30:11 GMT

I had to get a new plan and I love ATT service, and a Smart Phone was the way to go. The Blackjack II was just coming out, so the Spring agent suggested the phone to me. It was great at first, but then the parts degraded quickly. Wear on the buttons happened fast, the vibrator on the phone broke, and within a week or 2 the notification sound for a text message no longer rang like I had set it to. I was frustrated because text messaging is very key to my line of work. There is no light or flash on the camera, and the phone will not send videos any longer, even though I pay for that capability. The value has absolutely worn off after just 7 months, and I seriously regret paying $200 for a phone that works like an $70 phone. I hate that it doesn't have the side scroll like the BlackJack I did; there is just the center swivvel button on the phone.
However, the screen is a good size, and I love the red color option, which was the only color available other than black at the time......