Best Remote Control *** EVER *** (Part II)

As a BzzAgent, I frequently get to try out products in order to spread the word about them. I've had the opportunity to experience and buzz Nutella, Take5 candy bars, Chapstick (R) Naturals, dropps (TM) laundry detergent, Scrubbing Bubbles (R) Automatic Shower Cleaner, and many more.

A few weeks ago, I was invited to try the Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote Control. As an owner of the Logitech Harmony 880, I was curious about the changes and updates. So, of course, I accepted the invitation. (The offer of a free Harmony One was also hard to resist).

According to the Harmony comparison, the only feature difference is that the One offers a touch-screen. The 880 does not. The One has all the same features that I love about the 880 - it is easy to configure, it handles all my devices, and, most importantly, it's very pretty.

Here are my thoughts on some of the differences:
1. Buttons - The buttons on the 880 are flat and do not have space between them. This makes it easy to hit the wrong button. The buttons on the One are raised, and have plenty of space between them.

2. Response - My devices seem to respond a bit faster to the One than to the 880. Broochay tried it out, and agreed.

3. Look and Feel - As I mentioned, it's pretty. More detail? The One is sleek and black. The 880 is very similar to a TiVo remote in shape and color. The touch screen on the One is sharp, clear, and easy to read. The detail is definitely crisper than on the 880. The One is also a bit more comfortable in the hand. Broochay mentioned something about the weight distribution. The 880 is "bottom-heavy." The one has a more consistent weight distribution.

4. Activity Buttons - The 880 is a bit deceiving in that it looks like it should have a touch screen. The Activity Buttons are labeled on the screen, but the buttons are small, and to the outside of the label. This was not very intuitive. The screen on the One is actually a touch screen, so, yay. Not so deceiving. I do occasionally hit the wrong button and start up the DVD player, but that is easy to correct.

Overall, if I had to pay full price for either of these remotes, I would easily go with the One. It rocks!

Boston Marathon Recap - Better Late Than Never!

Woo Hoo!

Despite the nasty weather forecast, I finished the Boston Marathon in just over 6 hours! Thanks to all the volunteers who stood out in the rain giving water, Gatorade and other necessities to the runners!

AND, A HUGE THANK YOU to my "personal" volunteers - Mom, Dad, Joanne, Nonni, CJ, Scottie, Bruce, Andrea and the Natick Animal Clinic, coach John Furey, and Heather, who dragged me home after the race. We had a nice stop at UBurger for dinner. YUMMY!

I did have thoughts of giving up, but, remembering all of the people I was running for (my grandfathers, grandmother and great-grandfather, Venus's parents, Tim's Dad, Linc's Dad, Dan's Mom, Donna P., Michele's grandmother, Mary's mother, Maureen J. and so many others ....) really helped keep me going! THANK YOU!!!

Want to see me cross the finish line?
You will see me about 1 minute into the video. I am wearing dark pants, a blue shirt with white sleeves, and a blue cap.
http://www.youtube.com/v/AnZH8U4-qbg

More importantly...
Tedy's Team raised over $218,000 for the American Stroke Association! Go, us! You all contributed over $4,400 to that effort. And as soon as the Gillette matches show up, we will be well over the $5,400 goal. So, Yay, us! Thank you so much for all of your support!

And the winner is...
All of us, for raising stroke awareness! The winner of the pair of Patriots tickets is Terri Dagosta (Her husband is a Jets fan, so, I\'m not sure how that\'s going to work out ....). Congrats, Terri!

But wait, there's more!
For those of you that wanted to donate, but never got around to it, I've signed up for the Falmouth Road Race with Tedy's Team, so, I will be doing another fundraiser over the summer. This one will be a little different. For every $5 you donate, you will be entered into a raffle for (yes, another!) pair of Patriots tickets to a 2007 regular season game. I also hope to have some gift cards and other Patriots items in the raffle. I will keep you updated!

The link for the Falmouth Road Race fundraiser is here:
http://tedysteam2007.kintera.org/falmouth/avery

Have a great day!

Best Remote Control *** EVER ***

I bought the Logitech Harmony 880 over the weekend. It is truly easy to configure, and simple to use.

Not only that, but the customization options are great. For example, my TV has approximately a 5-second delay when it turns on. So, when the input needs to be changed (for TiVo or the cable box), this could be a problem. Right? WRONG! I can program in the delay!
Seriously, I have already put all my other remotes behind the TV. I need only this remote to control ALL of my entertainment components! I am so happy, I might cry.

Marathon Training Update!

As always, a big THANK YOU! to all of you that have taken the time to donate to the cause. I am overwhelmed and greatly appreciative of your support. So far, we have raised over $3,000 for Tedy's Team and the American Stroke Association! My goal is to reach $ 5,400 by Patriots' Day (Monday, April 16).

*** As an additional incentive for you all, anyone that donates $25 or more by April 16 will be entered into a drawing for two tickets to a 2007 Patriots home game. Yes, I am going to give up a game to one of you! Does that tell you how important this is to me? ***

Training Update

18.3 miles down, 7.9 to go! The run over this past weekend was the longest yet! The 8 and 10 miles runs now seem "short." When did you think you would ever hear anyone refer to a 10-mile-run as a "short run"? Before race day, we will have completed a 21-mile run (this will take place sometime in March). The other weekend runs will be anywhere between 8 and 16 miles.

So far, I am INJURY FREE (knock on wood). I had a little ITB tightness early on, but that seems to now be resolved (still knocking on wood). I hope I feel this good come race day!

Businesses and people that are helpful along the Marathon Route

1. Dunkin Donuts, 1008 Beacon Street, Brookline

During our 10.5-mile run on February 17, Elaine and I missed one of the water stops! It was very sad! (It turns out the person manning the water stop had to take an injured runner back to Fitcorp). So, Elaine and I stopped and Dunkin Donuts with no money, pretty much begging for water. The gentlemen behind the counter were kind enough to give us two full cups of water. Between the two of us, Elaine and I probably had about a dollar in change, which we left as a tip. THANK YOU, DUNKIN DONUTS PEOPLE!!!

2. Dominick!

During the 18.3-mile run on February 24, I ran into (not literally) a very kind man named Dominnick. He offered encouragement and beverages, both of which I really needed at the time!! He also helped me NOT get hit by a car at the Comm Ave / Centre Street intersection. THANKS, DOMINICK! The world needs more people like you!

Businesses and people that are not at all helpful along the Marathon Route (and in my humble opinion, should be boycotted!)

1. Total Look Clothing & Shoes, 636 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton

During a 14-mile run on February 10, Megan and I stopped at a Dunkin Donuts in Newton Center and bought some Gatorade. By the time we go to the Comm Ave/Centre St intersection, Megan was ready to ditch the bottle. Not seeing a trash receptacle in the immediate area, Megan went into the Total Look clothing store. She came out about a minute later, still holding the bottle! She told me the person in the store told her they didn't have any wastebaskets at all. I'm wondering where they were going to put the Dunkin Donuts coffee cups (which were in plain sight on the counter) once they had finished their coffee. It seems to me they told Megan a big, fat, lie, which wasn't at all very nice. It's not as if the person said there was a wastebasket for customers only. Megan said he told her flat out that there was no wastebasket anywhere in the store. I wonder if I was a shopping customer, would there be a wastebasket available? I have half a mind to go in there and pull a "Julia Roberts from Pretty Woman."

2. The Crazy Lady in Brookline

I ran into (again, not literally) two young women at an intersection in Brookline. We had all stopped at the same red light, and I started chatting with them. I had asked what charity they were running for, and they mentioned that they were not running for any charity. OUT OF THE BLUE, this 40-ish woman started yelling at us, "Share the road! Why don't you run for share-the-road! You should be sharing the road." Well, we kept running, but the yelling went on for at least 1 to 2 minutes behind us. Clearly, *someone* got up on the wrong side of bed that morning. Now, I know we're supposed to be running two-across or in single-file on the sidewalks, but I was just having a quick chat with someone at an intersection! I'm sorry, lady! Maybe she just needs to meet more nice people like me! Maybe that will get her day started off on a better foot!

Call for Volunteers!

I'd like to have a few "stations" setup on Marathon Day where I can count on finding a friend, a bottle of Gatorade, and/or some energy gel! Please let me know if you'd like to be on the route somewhere for me on race day. I will provide you with (almost) everything you need - Gatorade, energy gel, and an estimated time of my arrival. You just need to get there, pass me some stuff, and push me along!

I'm looking for people to hang out between miles 6 (Framingham) and the finish line. Please let me know if you can help out!

Five Things You Don't Know About Me

My friend Rob posted this last month, and I thought it was kind of fun. Here's the problem: my life is pretty much an open book. I don't think there are 5 things about me that nobody else knows. As Broochay said, "For people not to know things about you would require that you have thoughts which you don't immediately voice."

So, here are 5 things you may or may not know about me.

1. I can't see *anything*
My eyesight is baaaaaaaaaaaad. It's 20/600. Yes, 20/600. I can't see clearly more than 6 or 7 inches in front of my face. My glasses (I probably wear them once a month, if that) give me a headache. I've been wearing contact lenses since I was 14 years old! (no, not the same pair!)

2. My 15 minutes of fame
I was Miss Teen Ashland in 1988. The selection was based on application, not at all on looks or presentation. Not only that, I think only 3 people applied. I have no further comment on this at this time.

3. Being lonely...
I was horribly picked on as a child, teenager, and yes, even college student. I had very few friends, and spent a lot of time alone (watching TV, reading, or sleeping). Apparently, people found me "weird." I guess they still do, but they're not so mean about it! The few friends I had (and still have!) are some of the highest quality people I know! My best friends are some of the best people in the world, and I'm lucky to have them in my life. (getting teary-eyed)

4. And this didn't help the "lonely" situation
I used to play the clarinet. I stopped in high school, and used my half-thumb as an excuse. I would say that the half-thumb wasn't able to hit the key in the back of the instrument. I think the truth is actually that I wasn't very good at it, and didn't want to play anymore. :-(

5. I don't like seafood, either.
I have an irrational fear of crabs. No, not the STD. Actual crustaceans. They scare me. If I'm going into rocky water, I wear sandals. Not for the comfort, but because I think it protects my feet from crabs. I won't touch the ground in the water with my feet until I've cleared the immediate area. I freak out near seaweed because that's where the crabs hide. Even hermit crabs frighten me. The ones that are smaller than a quarter can be cute, as long as they don't move too fast. You'll have to ask Kathy about the "fiddler crab" incident, or Veronica about the "land crab" incident in Miami. I blame it all on my sisters.

There. Your turn!