Merlins Tower

Happy New Year - Welcome 2008

Posted on January 1st, 2008 by Merlin.
Categories: Announcement, Health, Human, Life.

Thanks & Happy New Year!

As 2007 comes to a close and 2008 on its way in. I wanted to sincerely thank you all for reading Merlin’s Tower and making it one of your stops on the information superhighway. With so many viewers and readers here the blog keep growing each and every week. Don’t forget please keep telling your friends and family we are here in this little portion of the internet. I could not do it with out all of you. Plus if there is something you want me to look at or review - Please let me know (Send me an Email or Leave me a comment here) I love hearing all your suggestions and want to make 2008 an even better year then 2007.

Anyway, Thanks Again and have a Safe, Happy New Year.

daMerlin

Technorati Tags: Thanks, new, years, 2007, 2008, holidays, blog, merlin, merlins, tower, internet, comment, comments

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A look into our Future From 1958

Posted on December 23rd, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, Gadgets, Human, Life, Travel, Video, YouTube.

Yes, you read the title correctly - a look at the future from 1958 - The following video will show what the people from 1958 Thought the future might look like. This clip just under 10 mins long is quite fascinating. I think it predicts the GPS, TV Rear View Mirrors, The Huge Highways Signs, and Traffic Warning Systems (hmm like the ones on some GPS Units)

Excerpt from Video Info: “An excerpt from the 1958 “Disneyland” TV Show episode entitled “Magic Highway USA”. In this last part of the show, an exploration into possible future Transportation technologies is made. It’s hard to believe how little we’ve accomplished on this front since 1958, and how limited the scope for imagining such future technologies has become. Witness an artifact from a time where the future was greeted with optimism. Note the striking animation style here, achieved with fairly limited animation and spectacular layouts.”

Technorati Tags: Disney, GPS, Travel, Traffic, Retro, TV, Helicopter, Rescue

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Chatting Online - The Good The Bad and The New

Posted on November 23rd, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Communication, Freeware, Human, Web Service.

I don’t know how many of you readers chat online - But I do every once in a while with several friends from across the wide Internet. Friends from High School, Friends from College, Friends that I have met along the way. Well Mostly I have used text chat programs - Well Meebo.com (Free online Chat Program  that connects you to all your friends) to be exact.

But, Recently one of my friends introduced me to 3d Chatting when we saw it on CSI. They were using Second Life.

But he stumbled upon a similar program that is much cheaper to user (FREE!!!) It is called IMVU - IMVU - I think spoken like ICQ.com (I MV U) is a really cool 3d Chat Client - You can have 3d Rooms that multiple people can chat in at one time, you can dress your 3d Avatar, fly, build rooms, build chat environments and much more.

I used this with several of my friends where we had a blast using the 3d environment to have some fun and play around in. Depending on the room, clothing you wear and what actions you bought (Yes you can buy things but Honest it really is free if you just use and play with the basics)  - You can add new life into your chats.

Since, this is free to use and chat with - I would recommend trying this out with a few friends - or perhaps meet a few new friends with the “Find Someone to Chat with Button” You will have a blast.

Merlin

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My Interest in NLP and Video to watch

Posted on June 20th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, Health, Human, Video, Weird Stuff.

I have always been interested in NLP and it use. NLP is Neural Linglistics Programming - But instead of me trying to explain what this is here is an excerpt from Wikipedia on the concept of NLP:

NLP is based on the idea that with our senses we are able to perceive only a small part of the world. Our view of the world is filtered by our biology, experience, beliefs, values and assumptions. We act and feel based on our perception of the world rather than the real world. NLP calls each individual’s perception of the world their ‘map’. NLP teaches that our mind-body (neuro) and what we say (linguistic), interact together to form our perceptions of the world, or maps (programming). Each person’s map of the world determines feelings and behavior. Therefore, impoverished - and unrealistic - maps can restrict choices and result in problems.

Now I am going to say I am not sure if this is true or not but many people believe this and use it to its fullest. I first hear about NLP from the CD/Tapes offered by Tony Robbins. A friend of mine bought the tapes and he said they helped him. Well I was interested and did some reading and research on NLP and its uses. I will not go into my personal believe right now. But I do find it fascinating and I just love learning new things. Another person using NLP is Derren Brown. Derren using NLP for performing Mind Tricks on stage and using his way of wording and touching to force people to think of objects and things. Below you will see a sample of Derren using NLP on his TV show to get Simon Peg to change his mind on what gift he wanted. See the YouTube Clip below to see this in action and how it was performed. Pretty interesting and entertaining. Let me know if you wanted the same gift as Simon? while watching listen and see if you want the same item. Some people I have shown this to also wanted the same item. Hmm interesting. So does NLP work or not. You have to decide that on your own. Just something to think about. And let me know your comments here - Thanks

Technorati Tags: NLP, Derren+Brown, Simon+Peg, Neuro+Linguistic+Programming, Mind+Control, Hypnosis, Mind+Tricks

1 comment.

Update: Shaving with the Merkur HD Razor

Posted on March 28th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Gadgets, Health, Human, Shaving.

Just writing a quick update on the progress using the Merkur Heavy Duty Razor. I have been shaving with it for about 2 weeks and I have to say I am really getting to like shaving with this razor. It really is one of the best shaves I have ever had. But as I may have mentioned this does take longer to shave with then the mach 3 razor but the shave is much much better.

As I previously mentioned Shaving is no longer a chore of something that I need to do everyday but actually a time to relax and enjoy the experience of shaving. I never believed what other wrote stating those very words but it really is true.

All Though you definitely have to be more careful with your strokes as you shave your face or you might nik yourself. I have only nicked myself twice and both have been small little nicks the septic pencil easily took care of.

The whole ritual of from lathering up the face with rich warm lather to the small strokes shaving away the lather and stubble is zen like. Now if I could only shave better using my left hand.

Now a few notes of interest: I did receive my shipment of various blades in from LetterK and I again highly recommend this as there really are differences in the feel of a cheap blade and a better quality blade with out much price difference. The First few shaves I was using the only blades I had on hand from family dollar which were really good and no nicks from them. However I did switch to a derby feather blade and it glided much easier across the skin and this one I did get a nik from. I should have listened to the forums and practiced more with the duller blades. I then switched to a merkur blade and have not had any problems at all. I will try each one and see which ones I like and don’t like using and that is what I will continue shaving with. I can see trying different shaving creams starting to come into play. I really want to try different ones. Currently I am still only using the Prorasso Shave Tub and it really is working like a charm. I really get a nice rich lather from it and I love the smell and the cool sensation. But I really want to get my hand on a few others and compare and contrast the differences. I need to find some samples of these as well.

Again I fully recommend switching to a double edge safety razor because of the cost and the quality of the shave.

Merlin -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Technorati Tags: Merkur, Razor, Wet+shave, Wet, Shave, Shaving, Prorasso, brush, badger, hair, derby, feather, blades, derby+feather, Razor+blades, Mach+3, Mach3, Gillette

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My Merkur HD Arrived: My First Shave

Posted on March 15th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Health, Human, Shaving.

Well I checked the mail early yesterday and I thought I  didn't get my Merkur HD Razor - But I had to run out and get a few things in the evening and there was a package at my door stoop (I guess the Mail Man delivered them at different times). My first Double Edge Razor arrived. Once I got back home I unpackaged it and inspected the razor that may or may not change how I perform my daily shaving ritual.

It really is quite heavy. I really like the feel of the heft in my hand. It really is quite balanced and made really well. At first I was a little apprehensive to this razor. I could not believe I bought this and was going to try and shave with this device.

First I had to try and and load this with a new blade. I unwrapped one of the blades I had to use - Once these blades are out of the packaging I was really amazed how extremely thin a Double Edge Razor Blade really is. I gently placed a new blade into the Merkur Razor and put on the top piece. I then turned the knob on the bottom of the razor and screwed it all together. Once inside I noticed the razor slightly curves the Double Edge Razor Blade to allow it better contact with the stubble.

Well, I did want to try this out - But was again apprehensive to try this on my face first. So out comes the shave cream and I made a small amount of lather and lathered up the back of my hand. Several people on the Shave Forums (see Additional resources below) mention to try it out on the back of your hand first to get the proper angle of the blade and to see in front of you the best way to hold it and attempt a shave. I then proceeded to shave the small hairs on the back of my hand and wrist. First Attempt of shaving with it and no nicks or cuts. SO far so good. I then cleaned it up and put it away until this morning.

Feeling a bit better about shaving with this as I did not cut my hand. I proceeded to prepare my morning shave. I put the shave brush in my lather cup and let it sit there for a few moments to warm up the brush. During this tiime I wet down my face and cleaned it up and prepared it to be lathered up. I usually splash the hot water on and rub it around for a few mins to soften the stubble. Now I prepare to make my hot lather and brush it on my face. Making sure to swirl it around to get the stubble to stand up and be readied to be shaved.

After applying the later I was ready to take my first whack at shaving with the DE razor. With out any pressure at all - I slowly pulled the blade across my face chopping down the stubble that have been growing there. I used very small short strokes. Again this is something I learned on the forums.  The two biggest mistakes they seem to always mention on them is that to use small strokes and to make sure you do not apply pressure. I completed my first shave. Time to re-lather and this time I tried going against the grain with the razor.

I then cleaned my face from the lather and shocked my face by throwing on some cold water to close the pores up.  I felt my shave - It was much better then the Mach 3 Ever shaved. I did have a few places like under my chin that was not perfect . But this has to be the best shave I ever have had.

Yes I survived the ordeal of my first shave with out any nicks or cuts. I didn't have to use a septic pencil at all. After my face dried from my aftershave. I felt my face for any left over stubble. I have to say for my first shave I did a pretty decent job - I am sure I will get better the more I used this. But still my face never felt this close of a shave.

If you are teetering on wither to purchase a Double Edge Razor - well from my first experience I would recommend getting one. Make sure to get a set of blades for it and practice with it. You will not regret it. After only one shave I can say I would recommend it.

So A11en - Start ordering your's soon. You will not regret it one bit. And you will love the cost savings on the blades.

=-=-=-=-Merlin-=-=-=-=

 Additional Resources:

Where to get a sampler pak of various razor blades.

Badger and Blade Forum

ShaveMyFace Forum 

Technorati Tags: Merkur, First+Shave, DIY+Shave, How+to+Shave, Review, Merkur+HD+Razor, BBS, Shaving

1 comment.

I hate Automated Customer Service Systems and A Solution

Posted on March 13th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, Hack, Human, Tutorial, Web Service.

I had a horrible time this morning - I had to call and get some paperwork straightened out about my vehicle. I had to call the bank the used to have my auto loan and try and get them to send out some paperwork that dealt with a lean on my vehicle that doesn't exist anymore and had not since 2003. Well, this morning I went through Customer Support H E Double Hockey Sticks. I really despise those automated voice prompt systems. (And I used to work with one at my previous job) But they seem to be getting harder to use.

I used to know the trick of pressing 0 to get a customer support specialist - well now they switched up and when you don't press anything or keep pressing the wrong buttons it switches over to the computer telling you to please speak your answer instead of connecting to a human.

Is it me or do those computer voice recgnotion systems really make things worse. After I tried pressing 0 - I was put into the voice prompt maze - Say 1 for this - Say 2 for that - say 3 for anything but the human I desired to talk to (Heck I would have been happy to even talk to a script reading operator located in some foreign land).

Since my issue is not that common (At Least I hope is it not that common) to have it's own voice prompt menu item. I kept switching from menu to menu and back over a few again - trying to find the correct combination to get to a person or by chance to a menu system that may have what I was calling about.

Now - the really furious thing happened  - The computer said it was not sure what I wanted to do and was told to call back when I had had all the proper information and proceeded to promptly hang up on me. Ouch 17 mins wasted in a phone menu maze and then the system hung up on. Yes, HUNG UP ON ME - How rude and very poor customer service.

Well I proceeded to check the internet to find alternative ways to get ahold of someone at this bank - Which honestly I should have checked in the first place and was able to find this God Send of a website — Get Human .COM — Using the database I was able to find the 800 number (The Same One I previously called) and it had all the keystrokes I needed to get to a human being right away.

This time around I was talking to a live human that was able to help me in a matter of only a few minutes and was able to send me out all the paperwork I needed. Complete phone call 7 minutes. I am so happy that I found this website and I just had to share this experience with you.

Make sure you share this website with your friends and family. Print out a list and keep it in your daytimer if you use one. This can be a big timesaver for everyone.

Technorati Tags: Customer+Support, Voice+Prompt, Phone+maze, Customer+Service+Hacks, Hack, Hacks, DIY, Operator, Information, Banking, Amazon, Auto+loan, Banks, Automated, Customer+Service, Customer, Service

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