Speedread the internet — Get a RSS reader — Bloglines is my favorite

Slate says:

But there’s a way to keep track of the New York Times, the Washington Post, Talkingpointsmemo.com, Wonkette—most major newspapers and nearly all blogs—in a lightweight, speed-readable format that lets you scan dozens, even hundreds, of fresh headlines a day without the time-wasting tedium of opening one Web site after another. All you need to do is download and install an RSS reader, which is no harder than installing Netscape’s browser was in 1994. You can then scroll through cleanly organized headlines and story summaries. The result is an executive summary of what’s new on the Net today. When you see a story you want to read, you click on it. One screenshot is worth a thousand words:

My favorite reader is www.bloglines.com.

Buddy Lee’s Aero Speed Jump Rope — 5 Wooden Nickels

My favorite jump rope. While $35 is a lot to pay for a jump rope, having the best motivates me. Besides the user error that caused me to dislocate my knee when I tried to get fancy with my jumps, this rope is the best. The Buddy Lee, the obviously disinterested owner of the company that makes the jump rope, calls it the “Rolls Royce of Jump Ropes.” It was voted “the smoothest, fastest, and best-balanced rope, period” by Men’s Health and was also featured in Men’s Fitness and Men’s Muscle.

Buddy Lee though is a strange looking guy.

Sonos — Ipod for your house — 5 Wooden Nickels

If you want music in every room, and a way to control it, Sonos is what you need to get.

Playlist Magazine stated “The Sonos Digital Music System turns your entire home—or as much of it as you’re willing to pay for—into a system that can play any of your music, anywhere, at a moment’s notice. We haven’t seen a system that so effectively combines digital music, wireless convenience, ease of use, and gadget-lust fun.”

Blonde Redhead — All Brunettes — you heard it here first: 4 out of 5 Wooden Nickels

The latest album follows up on the old ones with high pitched female vocals by the Kazu Makino, the Japanese singer. She is married to one of the Italian twin brothers–Simone and Amedeo Pace–who make up the remainder of the band. One of them sings too, but I forgot which one since they look the same, being brothers and Italian.

Kazu was trampled by a horse a couple years ago, and at the show last night, she played keyboard while sitting on a stuffed horse.

23 album cover

Best Cardio Machine – VersaClimber

Not cheap, but the VersaClimber is the best workout device. Its like mountain climbing treadmill. It was featured in Sleeping with the Enemy, a 1991 Julie Roberts’ movie where her husband stalked her. He worked out on a VersaClimber. He was never out of breath while stalking so it clearly worked for him. I don’t have one but will buy one when I get a bigger place. There is one at my gym, and I am the only one who ever uses it.

PB&J — Peter Bjorn and John — 5 Wooden Nickels Rating

PB&J is my favorite Swedish Electropop group. Their Writer’s Block album is also my favorite CD for March.

Best Personal Finance Blog — 5 Wooden Nickels Rating

The Simple Dollar is the best personal finance blog. Besides great advice, the author reviews personal finance best sellers and gives comprehensive summaries of the books as part of his 52 personal finance books in 52 week project. He even summarizes Consumer Reports every month. Check it out at http://www.thesimpledollar.com/

New Speakers I am Reviewing, ok not reviewing them — I actually bought them — Orbs

Looks cool, sound good, a bit directional, did I say looks cool? To early to give it a Wooden Nickel rating.

Stands are very cool, and single-handling I am saving American steelmaking. HOSS = Hunk of Steel Stands.

It is a sub-sat system which I am not entirely convinced is the best, but it sounds great so far, and looks matter, even though they shouldn’t with speakers (and books’ covers I have heard).

Old Africa picture that I just found — Machame Village with Kili in the background

Welcome to Better than a Wooden Nickel, because this blog is better than a useless piece of wood, but just barely.

This is a blog about random crap that I like and other crap.

My name? If you knew that, you’d be as clever as me.