![]() Beats by Dr. Dre Studio High-Definition Headphones from Monster $349.99 these phones produce a high pitch sound/ noise with 0 db in: at normal volume they sounded very good with lots of bass: a pair of Denon AH -D5000 did not have the issue [from a Denon AVP-A1 processor] the added background noise by the electronics makes it 'not acceptable' for me ![]() The Book of Genesis Illustrated by R. Crumb $24.95 Having grown up in the proverbial "good Christian household," I thought I knew the Bible, but Crumb's treatment of Genesis sheds a whole new light on it. Someone (I don't remember who) has said that you're likely to find religions which take the Bible literally only in societies where people don't actually read it! Most people are spoon fed the uplifting Bible stories that we all remember from our childhood, but actually sitting down to read it through is something that's not so easy, especially in view of its rather forbidding typography and the air of reverence that surrounds the "Holy Bible". Reading Crumb's illustrated version was the first time I'd actually read Genesis, and it was quite an eye-opener. Genesis really is a collection of folk tales from an ancient herding society, some of them uplifting, others quite the opposite, and still others pretty silly (my favorite in this line was the story of Jacob and the speckled flocks!). The same stories keep getting retold in slightly (or not-so-slightly) different forms, and the same narrative motifs keep coming up again and again: "handmaids" filling in for infertile wives, men passing their wives off as their sisters (what's *that* all about??), etc. Genesis is an important book in western culture, and one that everybody needs to be acquainted with (if only to realize how unlikely it is that most of this stuff actually happened), and Crumb has done us a service by making it accessible. ![]() Russ 16" Curious George with red shirt by Russ / Applause $17.99 This Curious George has met and exceeded my expectations. Cute expressions, soft and plush. Just the right size for my toddler grandson who will get this for Christmas. Beware that there are different manufacturers that made Curious George and they are definitely not the same. To me, this one made by Russ Berrie is worth paying a little more. ![]() Whirlpool 4396841 PUR Side By Side Refrigerator Push Button Fast Fill Water Filter, 1-Pack $39.99 This filter lasted about 7 months for our family of four. It provides crystal clear and very good tasting drinking water. It's very quick and easy to replace and it can be done in about 30 seconds. The only down side is the cost is a little on the high side. |
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