If you find yourself taking too much time trying to figure out what On Demand or Netflix flick to watch, check out Moviegram. This beta site instantly provides IMDb, Metacritic, and Rotten Tomatoes ratings, as well as the film’s trailer:
What’s more, if you click on the individual ratings (IMDb, etc.), you’re taken to the detailed ratings from the site you’ve selected, so you can learn a bit more:
Although I’ve cropped it from the first image above, Moviegram also provides the trailer. The site is a great way to quickly narrow the list of films you want to see.
Check it out here: Moviegr.am
The deal: Buy US Airways miles from the airline and receive a 100% bonus up to 40,000 miles (e.g., purchase 20,000 miles, receive 40,000 miles total).
Expires: December 31st, 2011
Best for: Perfect if you have an upcoming international trip
Airlines involved: US Airways and any available Star Alliance flights
More info: read Gary Leff’s take on this promo at his View from the Wing blog: 100% Bonus on US Airways… He points out that it’s not quite as attractive as it used to be, as US Airways recently raised the price of purchased miles
See it here: US Airways Buy Miles
My Nest learning thermostat arrived this afternoon. When I arrived home I began the installation process, which took about 10 minutes. Once Nest was installed, I connected it to our wireless network, updated the unit’s software, inputted our zip code, and named the Nest (I chose the rather imaginative, “Hallway”), and set it on its path of learning our heating and energy usage patterns. My initial reaction is quite positive. A full review in another month or two, but for now I’ll share this video about its learning capabilities & features:
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What’s in the box (the item on the left is a Nest screwdriver) –
If you’d like to learn more, visit Nest.com
Can hipster messenger bag firm Timbuk2 challenge Eagle Creek in the packing folder arena? The company recently introduced a pair of folders, each of which features a zippered main compartment versus EC’s four flap & velcro set up. The T2 packing folders also have a separate compartment for storing the packing template, further differentiating its folders from those of Eagle Creek.
The T2 “OCD” (I can relate!) Folders are an interesting alternative to the Eagle Creek versions, but may be undone in the marketplace by their lofty prices. The EC folders are usually available at hefty discounts: at present, eBags is selling the 15″ EC Pack-It for $17.25, and the 18″ model for $19.87; by comparison, the 14″ T2 OCD Folder is $35, and its larger sibling (17.3″) is $39. When you consider that the Campmor Essential Carryon bag sells for less than $30, thirty five bucks for a packing folder may be a nosebleed inducing experience for some.
A no cost added bonus, however, is this wacky video from one of the merry pranksters at T2:
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Features:
- A tidy, commute-friendly holder to keep work clothes wrinkle-free
- (M) size for daily commutes, (L) size for weekly commutes
- Zip up closure on both sides for easy access to your clothing.
- Fits easily into your your messenger bag or backpack.
- Fine weave ballistic with the Timbuk2 color and durability you would expect.
- Available in two colors
- Imported
An additional concern I’d have is how much these folders weigh – with the extra slot and zippers, they no doubt weigh more than the EC versions, and adding weight is not something many travelers are looking to do. T2 doesn’t provide weights on the OCD Folder page, incidentally.
See the Timbuk2 packing folders here: OCD Packing Folders
Tom Bihn continues to broaden its product line in ways that sometimes surprise; witness:
The Tom Bihn Money Belt
Unlike the similar Eagle Creek money belt, the Bihn version opts for a more secure buckle arrangement, and offers the belts in sizes (S, M, L, etc.); non-metallic. You may be able to get through TSA checkpoints while wearing this, depending upon how enlightened the TSA agents you encounter are:
Price, $20. We’ll have a closer look at this new item in the near future. In the meantime, see it here: Tom Bihn Travel Money Belt
Tom Bihn Travel Tray
At first glance, this was a complete head scratcher; I thought it best to include this brief (less than 40 seconds) video in order to best explain what’s going on here:
$22; see it here: Tom Bihn Travel Tray
Tom Bihn Citizen Canine
What’s not to love here – an Orson Welles reference coupled with a small pouch for doggie treats, which also dispenses biodegradable “dog waste” bags? Madness! Genius!!
Price: (If you’re a dog lover, who cares??) $55. See it here: Tom Bihn Citizen Canine
Regular readers know that I’m always on the lookout for lightweight, minimalist wallets. Past posts have looked at the Bandit, Dynomighty’s Tyvek Mighty Wallet, and Big Skinny’s Thin Mini Skinny wallet, as well as a couple of others. So I was intrigued when I recently stumbled across the Xband, a figure-8 elastic band that’s an interesting alternative to conventional wallets and money clips. The Xband can accommodate credit cards, paper bills, and receipts; if you like to carry change in your wallet, though, you’re out of luck:
The X pattern is securely stitched; of course, the flip side consists of two straight sections of the band (below). The underside of all the Xband’s surfaces feature a grippy rubberized texture; your stuff isn’t going anywhere.
Retrieving a specific card is easy in actual practice; click on the image below to visit the Xband site and view a brief video demo:
The Xband is $5.99; capacity is 20 credit cards or “15 cards and a thick wad of cash.” I’ve been using one for a couple of weeks and my only concern is that it’s so much smaller than a conventional wallet!
Leaving Houston Sunday morning after a golf weekend, I put a TSA-approved lock on my golf travel bag’s zipper pulls as I was loading up for the trip home. One of my friends mentioned the lock, and indicated he thought locks weren’t allowed on luggage. I explained the “theory” behind the TSA locks, and kiddingly said that in actual practice, after opening the lock, TSA employees usually: a) re-lock it on one zipper pull only, b) put it inside the bag, or c) keep it. I was joking, sort of.
In a perfect example of bad karma, this time they did something completely different: when I arrived home and retrieved my bag, the TSA-approved lock had been cut off the bag. But they didn’t cut the cable on the lock: instead, some enterprising TSA employee removed the lock by cutting through the zipper pulls.
Really?? Gosh, thanks TSA, for being so discriminating in your hiring practices. I guess I should be happy the employee in question didn’t cut open my bag in order to inspect my clubs.
I’ve been very tolerant of the entire security theater “process,” but until now the TSA hadn’t actually damaged my property. What a farce!
Update – TSA’s response:
Thank you for your e-mail in which you request to file a claim with the Transportation Security Administration.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is required by law to screen all property that is brought onboard commercial passenger aircraft. To ensure the security of the traveling public, it is sometimes necessary for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to conduct hand inspections of bags. TSOs receive training in the procedures to properly inspect passenger bags and are required to exercise great care during the screening process so that when bags are opened a passenger’s belongings are returned to the same condition they were found. We regret that you were not satisfied with the manner in which luggage was handled.
To protect a passenger’s rights under Federal law and to file a valid claim, travelers must send their claim in writing to TSA, stating the circumstances of the loss and the exact amount claimed (fair market value of lost or destroyed property, reasonable cost of repair for damaged property), within 2 years after the claim occurred. The claim must be signed by the claimant or an authorized representative (e.g., an attorney or other personal representative with appropriate proof of authority). TSA is responsible for reviewing all claims relating to the screening of passengers and their baggage.
To file a claim, you should fill out the Standard Form 95 (claim form) in accordance with the instructions and return it to the address in box number 1. A claim form will be sent to you within 24 hours of this response. While use of the form is not mandatory, it may help travelers ensure that they meet the legal requirements for filing a claim. If you decide to file a claim, it will be processed in accordance with the Federal Tort Claims Act.
Once TSA’s Claims Management Branch (CMB) has received your claim form, you will be sent a letter of acknowledgement and a claim number. You should keep the claim number for future reference when inquiring about the claim. TSA tries to resolve claims as quickly as possible but may need time for further investigation of the facts. If TSA denies a claim, or has not finally resolved it within 6 months after it was filed, travelers have a right to bring their claim to court.
You can also access claim forms online at TSA’s Claims Management Branch Web site at www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/claims/index.shtm. This Web site also has information related to filing a claim, checking the status of a claim, and other claim-related issues. You can also access this Web site by clicking on the CMB link in the “Resource Center” on TSA’s homepage at www.tsa.gov. For additional questions related to the claims process, please contact the CMB at tsaclaimsoffice@dhs.gov.
We hope this information is helpful.
TSA Contact Center
“Form 95″ is four pages long: they request quotes for repairs or replacements, the entire itinerary, the baggage claim tag number (I’ve thrown the tags out, of course), and so forth. I’ll pursue it, but need to get a quote from someone locally for repairing the bag. I’m also in touch with Club Glove (interestingly enough, my email to them included the words “Neanderthal” and “TSA” in the same sentence). I’ll let you know…
