Key West Publishing :

January 26, 2007

AA Batteries

I found it highly amusing when my parents handed me a rather heavy bag of AA batteries when we went down to see them for Christmas. They had bought quite a few things for my daughter for Christmas, and most of them took at least two AA batteries. They said that they know how expensive batteries can be, and they thought that if they did not supply the batteries that she might not get to play with many of her new toys. They may have been on to something because had we been the ones to buy the batteries, many of her toys would still be in the boxes they came in.

I was astounded at the number of AA batteries that we had to buy for the few toys we got her this year. I tried to get her toys that did not require batteries, because I think the ones that do not require batteries are more fun for kids. We did end up getting her three things that take AA batteries, and one of them took seven of them. I could not believe it. We bought a package of batteries for all three toys, but my husband had to go back to the store at the last minute to get more. Seven batteries in one toy is just ridiculous if you ask me, and it’s not like it did anything miraculous either.

Toys are not the only things in our home that eat through the AA batteries. My digital camera will take this size battery, but I gave up on that long ago. I would barely begin taking shots and the batteries would die. I even toyed with rechargeable AA batteries for my digital, but they weren’t the greatest deal either. I finally went out and got one of the other recommended types of batteries for my digital camera. If I hadn’t, I might have had to give up something just to pay for the batteries.

We also have a lot of remotes that take AA batteries. Though these do not run through batteries as quickly, they certainly demand their fair share. I think that if it were not for rechargeable AA batteries we might be broke by now. As things become more and more complicated, the need for batteries goes up. There has to be a way to stop this expense from becoming impossible to keep up with. There are AC adaptors for such things, but my remote isn’t designed to use one. That would be silly anyway. I’m hoping they can come up with a way to make the batteries to last longer without jacking up the price too much.

Posted by KeyWestPublishing at 06:25 PM | Comments (0)

June 06, 2006

Birkenstock Sandals

If you are a "child of the sixties", then you have to remember the first time you saw someone wearing a pair of Birkenstock sandals. Ugly, rustic, and probably uncomfortable were your first impressions. And wow, were they expensive after you were used to wearing a pair of sandals made from an old tire. However, these were Birkenstock sandals!

It is hard to believe that generations of Birkenstock family members have been designing and crafting footwear since 1774, when Johann Birkenstock worked as a shoemaker in a small German village.

It all started when in the 1890s, Konrad Birkenstock, Johann's descendant and a custom shoemaker himself, had a revolutionary idea. He decided to create a show that matched the actual shape of the human foot. These were all custom made and were a great success. Unfortunately, the next decade brought the introduction of cheaper factory-made shoes and a decline in the demand for custom-made footwear.

However, that did not stop the Birkenstock family. He made an insert that followed the natural contours of the foot and more importantly the arch of the foot, and could be placed in almost any shoe. Konrad and his son Carl improved and refined the arch supports over the next 50 years. Their unique and popular product became known as "footbed supports" and the word "footbed" was registered as a Birkenstock trademark.

Konrad's grandson, Karl, joined the family business in 1954. He wasn't happy that the family company was known for just making the shoe inserts, that frankly were for a limited clientele, people with bad feet. He wanted to create a shoe for everyone that would make them feel as comfortable as if they were walking barefoot. Not that is quite a dream since most people think shoes are the most unnatural piece of wearing apparel possible, only good for protection, not comfort. He took the grandfather's idea of flexible arch supports and combined it with his own knowledge of how the foot works when walking.

It took ten years of research and design, but eventually the first model, the Madrid, the first of the Birkenstock sandals rolled out.

In 1966, just in time for the more casual days of the Woodstock generation, a lady named Margot Fraser bought her first pair of footbed sandals while vacationing in her native Germany. She discovered that the sandals greatly alleviated the chronic foot pain she had experienced since childhood. She brought Birkenstock sandals to the United States and the rest is history.

Today, Birkenstock offers more than 400 styles of Birkenstock sandals, clogs, and shoes. Birkenstock sandals are available in a wide range of materials, colors, and sizes, and new materials and styles are introduced each year. They are still ugly, still comparatively expensive, and still probably the best footwear on the planet.

Posted by KeyWestPublishing at 10:27 AM | Comments (0)

Best Of The Best Myths

The best of the best myths, urban or social myths, have been given a rigorous going-over. First we grew out of the old folk myths that our parents used as forms of domestic control: we realized that eating watermelon seeds would not grow a whole fruit in our bellies, that crossing our eyes would not make our eyes stick that way, and, sadly, we learned there was no Santa Claus, no Tooth Fairy, no Easter Bunny, no dead man with a hook for an arm….

Most of us let go of thinking if we flashed our headlights at a driver who hadn’t turned his on yet that we’d be in embroiled in gang wars or that if we drank soda with Pop Rocks that we would die an implosive death…. But as is true to form for humanity as an archetype adoring and myth-clutching culture, new myths have evolved.

As Munich freelance writer Klaus Manhart reiterates in his article, “Likely Story,” in Scientific American Mind, humans need myths. The “brain needs a story…” he writes, and the brain needs, once the story is told, to be able to “explain the unexplainable,” [as Manhart notes Joseph Campbell discovered] to follow through on its imperative to “impose order on the world.”

But while justified in why we need myths, we are also called to our accountability when it comes to potentially damaging myths. Enter the brilliant John Stossel, 20/20’s challenging reporter, to deconstruct the media-driven myths of 2005.

As reported by LBN (Late Breaking News), John Stossel will de-mystify his version of the best of the best of myths--numbers one through ten as follows (on ABC’s 20/20, Friday, January 6, 2006:

Number 10: Americans have less free time than we used to.
Number 9. Money buys happiness.
Number 8: Republicans shrink government.
Number 7: The world is getting too crowded.
Number 6. Chemicals are killing us.
Number 5: Guns are bad.
Number 4: We're drowning in garbage.
Number 3: We're destroying our forests. 
Number 2: Getting cold will give you a cold. 
Number 1: Life is getting worse.

Now granted, minds such as those belonging to Manhart, Stossel, and we who are reading this have to make sense of the world, have to find an explanation for the unexplained (or inane). But do we have to de-bunk all that keeps us going, in faith, in nihilistic determination and malcontented spite? And, further, hadn’t we gotten over numbers 2, 5, and 9 by now????!!

Posted by KeyWestPublishing at 10:24 AM | Comments (0)

Beach Vacation Rentals

There is nothing quite like being on a sunny beach soaking up the sun. For many people this is their idea of a dream vacation. However the cost of staying in a beach front hotel can ensure that dream never becomes a reality.

There is a great and affordable alternative to staying at a hotel when you visit a warm destination. If you want to save money and not give up the beach front location, consider beach vacation rentals.

One of the most appealing things about beach vacation rentals is that instead of staying in a single room in a hotel, you are afforded all of the comforts of living in a home. This includes several bedrooms as well as kitchen facilities. This can save a family a substantial amount of money.

Finding available beach vacation rentals is actually fairly easy. One method is to contact a real estate agency in the city you are planning on visiting. Quite often they will have a list of all the beach vacation rentals that are available for the period you’ll be traveling. They will also have access to pictures and details concerning deposits and the rental charges.

You can usually find the listing for the real estate agencies when you search online. Another alternative is to visit the website of the city you are planning on traveling to. Most likely they will have a section devoted to the business directory which includes detailed listings of real estate agents. In some cases they may even have a direct link to the agents’ sites which might include some beach vacation rentals.

There are companies that handle beach vacation rentals for different parts of the world. They make a database available that includes a description of the rental, the price, when it is available and the steps necessary to inquire about renting it. If you are traveling to a particularly popular location this can be an excellent choice as it affords you the chance to compare properties and conduct preliminary research well before your departure date.

Although most beach vacation rentals are short-term, if you are looking for something beyond a week or two there are choices available for that as well. Some beach vacation rentals will offer you a discounted rate if you rent for a prolonged period of time. This saves them the trouble of having to look for additional customers and it saves you money.

If you have an unlimited budget you might want to consider a beach vacation rental complete with staff. Many properties come with a staff that will cater to your every need. If you want to relax in the lap of luxury this is the way to go.

Posted by KeyWestPublishing at 10:21 AM | Comments (0)

Beach Tents

Going to the beach is one of the most popular summer family vacations, and for good reason. Everyone in the family has something to do at the beach. Young children can play in the sand with reckless abandon, older kids can swim and play in the water, while Mom and Dad relax in the sun, read a book, and maybe get a tan. Beach barbeques and campfires are also favorites as the day wears on, and depending on the facilities families can sail, kayak, or play volleyball all day...

If you remember your beach tent!

Though the ideal day at the beach is sunny and clear, rainstorms aren't the only things that can ruin a day at the beach. Too much wind, sun, or sand can also put a damper on the day, especially if there is no convenient shade or shelter. That's why beach tents have become popular with beachgoers, especially families with young kids. Beach tents are lighter weight and easier to set up than standard backpacking tents, and they're easy to toss in your beach tote on your way from the car. They assemble quickly; some designs are even self-erecting, so you can toss the tent onto the sand and it'll set up itself.

Beach tents offer some respite from the sun for those with sensitive skin, and they're a boon to young families with infants. With a beach tent, infants and toddlers can stay in the shade without being restricted to a child carrier or stuck under and umbrella; they're free to play in the tent while the rest of the family enjoys the sun.

Beach tents are also handy for those needing a place to change into bathing suits while at the beach, allowing them to avoid awkward changing sessions in the car or trying to find a convenient restroom or changing room somewhere along the sand. For those wanting to catch a nap, these tents provide a handy place to get away from the noise and sun usually associated with beach trips. Lunch is no longer a sandy mess either, since families can get out of the wind much more easily.

Beach tents come in all shapes and sizes, from full-sided family affairs to simple half-shells which protect from the wind and sun but offer an unrestricted view of the water. Other designs have no walls, providing a roof to keep the sun off but nothing more. On a bright, warm day these can be great, but they don't offer as much protection from wind or prying eyes. Whatever your choice, a well-designed beach tent can transform your next vacation from ho-hum to a great day at the beach.

Posted by KeyWestPublishing at 10:17 AM | Comments (0)