A couple weeks ago, I bought the SiliconDust HDHomeRun Network-Based Dual Digital HDTV Tuner from Woot. At $84.99, it’s one of my most expensive Woots ever but well worth it.

SiliconDust HDHomeRun HDTV Tuner

The device allows me to watch TV on my PC without installing a PCI tuner card. Instead, the HDHomeRun works over my network. I connect it to an open port on my router with the included ethernet cable, screw on a pair of rabbit ears to one of the two tuners, install some drivers, open up Windows Media Center, and bam!, I can watch over-the-air HD television on my PC. There’s a great program guide and I can schedule it to record a particular program or even an entire series.

Recently, KTLA (channel 5 here in L.A.) moved its airing of Star Trek: The Next Generation from 12:30 AM to 1:00 AM! It was already pretty late for me to stay up and then they go and make it even later! Fortuantely with this wonderful little device, I’ll have an HD recording of every episode of TNG that airs from now on. I can’t even begin to explain how excited that makes me! I looooooove TNG and in addition to the first season which I own on DVD, I’ll have other episodes to watch again and again!! ::happy dance::

Although the $84.99 was a bit pricey for me personally (though a steal compared to what it’s going for elsewhere), I’m very happy with this purchase! Of note for anyone who stumbles upon this: I had to turn off my public firewall before my Windows 7 PC actually showed a TV signal. ‘Twas quite frustrating until I figured this out and now everything works perfectly.

Here’s a short video clip of the TV tuner in action streaming the evening news on my computer:

After neglecting it for the past 6 months, I started using my pedometer again on Friday. I’ve been slacking off in the exercise department and needed a bit of motivation.

I have the Omron HJ-720 Pocket Pedometer. Whenever I need to push myself to get more active, I take along my pedometer and aim for a healthy goal of 10,000 steps a day. Having instant visual feedback of my progress really gets me going.

My Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer

This particular model is one of a few approved devices that work with the Microsoft HealthVault Connection Center.  It’s a service that downloads data from your health device, uploads it to your Microsoft HealthVault account, and then that data can be used in a variety of applications and third-party websites.  There’s only a few that currently use this beta service but the possibilities are very exciting.

Here’s my Microsoft HealthVault data used by a service called WalkMe, which I had created a free account at and then allowed it to access my HealthVault:

WalkMe working with Microsoft HealthVault

It’s trying to be somewhat social with groups and rankings, but there aren’t very many registered users. There’s only a couple hundred from what I could tell.

I tried some of the other websites but nothing interested me until I came across MSN’s My Health Info (beta).  This application has a very sleek interface and though it wouldn’t work in Firefox, it was a pleasure to mess with in IE.

I signed up for a free account and authorized it to access my HealthVault info.  That data was used to populate highly customizable widgets.  I really like having the ability to drag and drop widgets, change the layout, and resize widgets.  Here’s my homepage that I created:

My Health Info (beta) at MSN Health & Fitness

Widgets are easy to customize and drag around.

The Exercise Journal widget lets me add activity not uploaded by my pedometer.

The Food Journal widget tracks meals and calories.

Part of the Food Journal is the option to set a meal plan and get recommendations.

So far, I really like the fluid interface of the My Health Info service but despite the prettiness, I’m not sure if I need all that information. I don’t really track my food or activities and just want to log my daily steps from my pedometer.

I can use WalkMe for that, but the default view shows weekly steps when I prefer to see it on a daily comparison basis. Right now, I’ll probably use My Health Info and maybe force myself to pay a bit more attention to my food and exercise journals.

I love discovering fancy new websites! Now I better make sure I continue to give my pedometer data to upload. I plan to be using this in conjunction with the Nike+ running program to keep track of my walks and runs. Let’s do this!

So after buying the Nike+ sensor and sportband, I had to decide how I would attach the sensor to my running shoes.  There are third-party pouches that secure the sensor to your laces or sneaker tongue. There are also do-it-yourself techniques for cutting a slit in the tongue or duct taping the sensor in place - a bit ghetto, I know.

I looked at my current pair of running shoes and realized that they were pretty worn. Since I needed a new pair of sneakers anyway I decided I might as well get some Nike+ shoes; they already have a built-in alcove for the sensor. But then I saw the prices - yikes!

I went through their Shoe Finder and they recommended 5 models ranging from $68 up to $130.  These prices were based on what they were currently selling for in their online store.  I looked up some of the models on other sites and saw that the prices were basically the same across the board.

The $68 model was the LunarSwift+.  It was currently on sale at Nike while many other sites still have it for $80 - $85.  I considered buying it from Nike, but with shipping added, I didn’t want to spend $76 for sneakers.

After shopping around, including eBay, I found it at the Finish Line website for $49.98 - what a steal! Unfortunately, my size was out of stock in all the colors I would wanted. :-(  I added one of the colors I didn’t like to to my cart and with tax and shipping it came up to $62.85.  That’s a really big discount compared to ther sites but I still wasn’t biting, especially not for a color I didn’t like.  I looked for Finish Line coupons and found nothing that would work with my order.  Then I spotted a free shipping coupon for orders $50 or higher. ARGH! Of course they would price these just 2 cents under.  I looked through the Finish Line catalog and saw another version of the LunarSwift+, the LunarSwift+ Breathe.  I didn’t really like the color either but it was on sale for $50.  I added these to my cart instead, and with the coupon code and tax, my new total was only $54.88!

I decided that I didn’t need my running shoes to be stylish, just functional, so I made the decision and bought them:

Nike LunarSwift+ Breathe in Lilac

In addition, Bing cashback is giving me $5 back on the purchase so I’m actually only paying $49.88 for these!  Compare that with Zappos where it’s currently $85:

Much more at Zappos

I sure love a bargain!  If you’re anything but a size 6, check out Finish Line for the Nike LunarSwift+ since it’s a great deal especially if you can find your color and size in stock!

For a while now I’ve been seeing a friend’s running updates on Facebook. They’re auto-updates from a service provided by Nike in conjunction with their Nike+ system.  The updates look something like this.

Jane Doe ran 3.57 mi on 7/27/2010 at 4:35 PM

The geek in me loves stats and systems.  I feel more motivated if I have a visual meter of my achievements and progress.  I wasn’t quite sure what the Nike+ system was, but after some research, here’s the basics:

You need the Nike+ sensor.  This goes in your shoe.  Nike of course makes sneakers with a special alcove for the sensor, but there are third-party accessories and DIY techniques for securing the sensor to any pair of shoes.

You will need a receiver for the sensor to send information to.  The receiver can be one of two main things:

A.  A compatible Apple product.  Available options are the iPod Nano (with a Nike+ receiver attachment), the iPod Touch or an iPhone (newer models come with built-in support so need need for the attachment).

 - or -

B.  The Nike+ Sportband (it’s like a watch almost).

Nike+ Sportband in Pink and Grey

I don’t have an iPod. Also, I usually prefer to run without music so the Nike+ Sportband was the best option for me.  It’s a pretty cool device that you wear on your wrist which receives information from the sensor.  Then you can detach part of the Sportband and plug that part right into a USB port to download information - how nifty is that! The information goes online to the Nike+ running community where you can chart your progress and share your stats.  There’s also challenges, discussions, tips and more. I’m really looking forward to adding my first update!

The Nike+ Sportband, which comes with a Nike+ Sensor, sells for about $59 and comes in a few different colors.  I found one new on eBay for $49 and can’t wait to get it!  I’ll write a new post once I get it.

It’s time to dust off the treadmill!

I rolled my eyes the first time I heard about purse hooks. Not only did I think the idea was stupid, I immediately deemed anyone who would buy one an idiot.

Well, I guess I am now an idiot. But wait, let me explain!

When I first read about the purse hook (or purse hanger), it was a $40 piece of metal designed to keep your designer purse off the “dirty, disgusting floor.”  The marketing pitch was all about how your fabulous investment deserved equally fabulous treatment. Puh-leaze. Now do you see why I thought it was stupid?

However, for the past few months I’ve been hanging out at a new drinking hole where I spend more time standing than sitting.  It’s also the type of place where I don’t want to simply toss my purse on the bar or the floor.  Keeping it on my shoulder for more than an hour just gets cumbersome and I find myself wishing there was a hook at the edge of the bar so I can hang my purse in front of me, off the floor and within sight.

That’s where the purse hook comes in. I knew it would do exactly what I wanted, but I definitely did not want to pay $40 for it!  I checked on eBay and to my surprise and delight found thousands for sale for around $3 shipped.  They were different than the first purse hook I ever heard about in that instead of a solid hook, wrap-around links form the hook (see pics below).  Though most of the purse hooks on eBay were very flashy with rhinestones or a giant “gem,” I wanted something less conspicuous and bought this simple hook with a lotus design:

My purse hook in the closed position. Magnets on the inside of the links keep it closed - how clever!

And this is in the opened position:

My purse hook in the opened position. Where the first link meets the disc twists 90 degrees.

And here it is hanging:

The chain has been rotated to hang down and form a hook.

My purse hook doing its job. Oh, and Penny.

I’ve already used it a few times to hang my purse at bars and restaurants and I absolutely love it!  I can’t believe I went so long without it.  Even when sitting, I never liked keeping my purse on my seat behind me because it was out of my line of sight, but now it’s always in view and of course, off the dirty, disgusting floor.

Here’s the same lotus purse hook I bought on eBay (note: shipping from Hong Kong took about 2 weeks).

Or you can click here to see all purse hooks currently on Ebay.

Okay, it’s not my birthday, but it was back in May when one of my sisters gave me a $50 gift certificate to UncommonGoods.com.  I really like that site, and as the name suggests, they have a lot of really unique and interesting items.

I had forgotten about the GC until last night.  It was perfect timing because I was in a shopping mood, and after over an hour browsing their catalog and changing my mind a million times, I decided upon this:

Catherine Weitzman Petal Necklace

That photo is from the artist’s website, who sells the 18kt gold vermeil necklace for $85.  UncommonGoods normally sells it for $60 but it’s currently on sale for just $39.99.  After going back and forth on several items (I did not want to go over $50 shipped), I decided on this necklace because I don’t have enough gold jewelry and I really like the way gold looks against my skin.  Also, it’s rather pretty, isn’t it?

Here are a few other items I considered:

Sketch-a-Pet Dog & Cat Necklaces (sold separately)

Recycled Sterling Silver "Diamond" Studs

Honestly, there were so many gorgeous pieces of jewelery on that site, but most were out of my price range like this beautiful cat pin:

Got My Eye on You Cat's Eye Pin

Maybe one day!