Black Rucksack - The Gear, The Lifestyle and The Pastimes of Men » pastimes

Logitech Ultimate Ears 700

J. A. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:00:35 +0000

Finally, ear buds that are actually comfortable...

Earphones, specifically ear buds, have come a long way in the past few years and recently they’ve taken another big leap. The Logitech Ultimate Ears 700 skillfully blend comfort and performance into one small bundle.

These headphones use silicone ear-cushions to accomplish noise isolation and provide a nice in-ear fit. Most ear buds that claim to be “comfortable” and to “fit well” are just BS’ing for their marketing literature. The Logitech Ultimate Ears 700′s however, really are comfortable.

Unless you’re an audiophile, it can be hard to justify spending more than $50 on any set of headphones. But, if you’re looking for a set worth every penny, then check out the Logitech Ultimate Ears 700.

Logitech Ultimate Ears 700
$230

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Downtown Columbus, Ohio

J. A. — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:00:42 +0000

Rivals...

Downtown Columbus, Ohio has a lot to offer for the guy who just loves to travel or the guy who is looking for a simple vacation with the big city feel but without the big city hassle.

First off, most of the downtown area and especially the “Arena District” is well organized, easy to navigate and densely populated with quality restaurants and bars. We ventured to Gordon Biersch Brewery, Frog Bear & Wild Boar Bar and Buca di Beppo’s. Of those three restaurants Buca di Beppo, a family Italian eatery, had the best food, Gordon Biersch Brewery had the best drinks and Frog Bear & Wild Boar Bar had the best atmosphere and was the perfect place to close out a night. All were quality establishments and are worth a visit.

The Arena District is so named for Nationwide Arena, home of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets have been in Columbus since 2000 and by the looks of it, they’ll make the playoffs this year for the first time in franchise history. Personally, I’m a Detroit Red Wings fan but, it’s always fun to catch a game in another city; especially if you can get tickets like we had… one row off the glass. Sitting that close you’ll better understand the speed and the grit that is the NHL. See the previous Black Rucksack article on the NHL experience and get tickets from StubHub!

More rivals...

Another feature in Columbus a few miles outside of downtown is the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; one of the best zoos in the country. It’s a good place to relax and enjoy a sunny Spring afternoon. A zoo typically isn’t the place for a hardcore adventure (unless something escapes) but, a lot of the kids, girlfriends and wives you guys have will enjoy it.

This is just a taste of what downtown Columbus, Ohio offers… find a hotel and book it now!

Gordon Biersch Brewery – $$$
3.5 out of 5 Rucksacks
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Frog Bear & Wild Boar Bar – $$
4 out of 5 Rucksacks
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Buca di Beppo – $$$
4 out of 5 Rucksacks

Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena
via StubHub
$50 to $250 per ticket

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
$12 per ticket

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James Bond: Quantum of Solace, DVD and Blu Ray

J. A. — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 05:00:20 +0000

Solace is sometimes hard to find...

He’s got the style, the gear, the women, the car, and the lifestyle that some envy and others just respect. Still, what we seldom realize about the James Bond character is how he transcends time and changes slightly each iteration. And this Bond, Daniel Craig’s Bond, is the perfect fit for our time.

Quantum of Solace is the chronicle of a man on a mission of revenge. His love was struck down in the previous movie, Casino Royale, and this movie picks up immediately after. What then unfolds is a tough, angry all-out action feast and of course, contains much of the necessary style, gear, (fast) women and (fast) cars.

It’s a jolt of adrenaline and highly kinetic from the start to the finish… and every bit the Bond we need.

4 out of 5 Rucksacks

James Bond: Quantum of Solace DVD
$17

James Bond: Quantum of Solace Blu-Ray
$25

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Apple iPod Shuffle 3rd Gen, 4GB

J. A. — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:00:14 +0000

Super small Shuffle...

After owning each previous version of the iPod Shuffle, the newest third generation shuffle has certainly piqued my interest. The first Shuffle was shaped like a pack of gum and was the first iPod without a screen. The second generation Shuffle shrunk to a clip-shaped design while the capacity increased. Apple has yet again shrunk the Shuffle and increased the capacity, this time to 4GB.

The shape of the third generation iPod Shuffle is essentially a smaller flatter clip. Its dimensions are 1.8″ H x .7″ W x .3″ D and it no longer has buttons on the iPod itself. Instead, the buttons have been relocated to the right earbud cord and Apple’s VoiceOver feature has been built-in. So, by just pressing a button, the iPod will tell you what song is playing and the artist. This interesting move by Apple has prompted a lot of debate though, consumer reception (while critical) seems positive.

Apple iPod Shuffle 3rd Gen, 4GB
$79

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