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Archive for the ‘Tech’ Category
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Now Performing at Birthday Parties, Windows 8!
By Daddy Clay Monday, May 13th, 2013
Note: I was recently invited by The Motherhood Team to be part of a group of bloggers invited to learn more about the Microsoft Store. We received a briefing from company execs, were encouraged to visit a store and to write up a post on our impressions. Mine follow.
To describe my experience at the Microsoft Store at the Domain in Austin, Texas, it might be easier to start by outlining what I didn’t feel.
I didn’t feel like I was imposing on anyone.
I didn’t feel like my playlists were lame.
I didn’t feel like there was a clock ticking in the background.
I didn’t feel like my tattoos weren’t ironic enough.
I didn’t feel like it was a problem that my jeans are “relaxed fit.”
I didn’t feel like an idiot with an insatiable desire for expensive products so unquenchable that I would take any attitude that service personnel dished out, endure lines or waits or whatever herd management was on offer, or need to wander around desperately trying to make eye contact with someone wearing the latest in square rimmed spectacles in order to get my questions answered. Read the rest of this entry »
Handmade Gifts Win Mother’s Day
By Daddy Clay Friday, May 10th, 2013
Suddenly it’s parent celebration season again! Ladies first, of course. So, moms, please step forward and scoop up the thanks and goodies that you so richly deserve. A quick search of the DadLabs archives is enough to reveal that we have sadly, in our reckless efforts to serve dads, sorely underserved this holiday in the past.
Never fear, Concretin Nik is here! Our fearless community leader has a post that will arrive on the very Day of Mothers. We hope that you will check that out and leave some responses.
Our plans in Casa Five Cents are pretty low key. After serving mom breakfast in bed (or letting her sleep in) I’ll slip off to run the the Daisy 5K with whatever kids I can bribe to come along. We’ll make mom dinner. Then I’ll give her the big news. Read the rest of this entry »
Is your home safe from carbon monoxide?
By concretin_nik Sunday, April 28th, 2013
Did you know that each year, fire departments respond to an average of 72,000 carbon monoxide poisoning incidents? I wonder how many of those could be prevented with a carbon monoxide alarm. And I bet you can guess the number one fire safety complaint… the dreaded low battery chirp. In my house, it seems I am the only person who cannot sleep through that repetitive annoyance.
Kidde has developed the first 10 year carbon monoxide alarm. No batteries to replace, no chirping, and yet still continuous protection for 10 years. That’s not a typo, 10 years!
Now, there IS an “end of life” alert that will sound, again, this is after a decade, and the alarm will have to be replaced. But that definitely beats hearing that chirp and replacing batteries every 6 months. That’s 19 irritation events eliminated! As a Dad, I love irritation eliminations! And as a DadLabs crew member, I dig sharing safety information with families. To help me understand the ease of making a home safer from carbon monoxide poisoning, Kidde sent me one of their new “Worry-Free” alarms to install. It really doesn’t get much simpler. Drill 2 holes, put in the screws (provided) and mount the alarm to the wall. Done. The hardest part was opening the packaging. Even that wasn’t too bad because the back was perforated for much easier opening.
But even better than providing information to help keep you safe is sharing the safety equipment! So we will give a Kidde Worry-Free Ten Year Sealed Battery Carbon Monoxide Alarm to one lucky commenter. (Comments will not show up immediately – moderation is on to keep out the spammers. All real comments will get posted and we’ll randomly select a winner.) Comment between now and May 8th at midnight. Winner will be announced May 9th and contacted directly by Kidde. (Only one comment/entry per person/email.)
Just as Daddy Clay implores you to discuss “online safety” with your family, I encourage you to make sure everyone in your home knows your fire escape plan. You can find lots of great information on fire and carbon monoxide safety at Kidde.com.
Disclosure: DadLabs was compensated for this post and I received the “Worry-Free” alarm free of charge.
DadLabs Car Reviews: 2013 Mazda3 SKYACTIV
By Daddy Clay Thursday, April 11th, 2013
Ever start seriously dating somebody, only to discover that they have an even more attractive younger sibling?
That’s the dynamic I was afraid of when a the bright red 2103 Mazda3 with SkyActiv was delivered to my driveway for review.
You see, my daily driver is a 2011 Mazda3. No SkyActiv. Grey. And not recently washed.
Would this new iteration make me fall out of love?
I can tell you why Mazda3 owners are such a devoted lot — the car consistently delivers great driving fun for the buck without sacrificing practicality, and the 2013 continues in that vein. The steering feel and handling make you feel completely connected with the road. The brakes are predictable and grippy. The acceleration isn’t neck snapping, but it’s still fun. Read the rest of this entry »
