Category: Consumer Products

The RIIND revolution is a pen lover’s dream

L.T. HanlonLeave a comment
Photo of four

Today, the act of writing might seem like a bygone era to some. But for those who value the tactile experience of pen on paper, a well-crafted pen isn’t just a tool — it’s a statement.

And if you’re looking for a statement, look no further than the lineup of finely engineered pens by RIIND.

I own three of the company’s iconic designs, I can confidently say these aren’t just pens — they’re an experience. Each meticulously crafted one is a testament to the brand’s commitment to excellence.

Let me take you through my collection:

“The Pen” — This is where my RIIND journey began. Their original design accepts the much-loved Pilot G2-type refills. (This includes refills with PIlot’s incredible, erasable FriXion ink.) Sleek, sturdy, and built to last, “The Pen” embodies precision and elegance.

“The Compact Pen” — This shorter rendition of the original caters to those who prefer Parker-type refills. Don’t be fooled by its size, this compact marvel packs in all the features of its elder sibling.

“The Slim Pen” — The Slim Pen redefines minimalism. With its shorter, slimmer profile and absence of a clip, it is designed for the modern minimalist. And like the Compact, it graciously accepts Parker refills.

But the genius of RIIND doesn’t stop at aesthetics or refill compatibility. One of the standout features of these pens is the innovative continuous cam mechanism. By simply twisting a small piece at the end, the pen point is smoothly advanced or retracted. The best part? You can twist it in either direction. This is not only functional, but it also doubles as a fantastic fidget device.

Now, let’s talk refills. With RIIND, you’re spoiled for choice. Whether you’re a G2 enthusiast or a Parker purist, there are a lot of options available. It’s this accessibility, paired with impeccable design, that makes RIIND stand out.

While I might not indulge in many luxuries, the joy of holding a fine pen is an affordable indulgence I allow myself. To write with a RIIND pen is to celebrate the art of writing, and I wholeheartedly recommend one to every pen aficionado out there.

NOTE: For some reason, Pilot designated its gel pen and refill as “G2” — or “G-2”; the company can’t decide how to style the name. Unfortunately, Parker had already designated its refill as “G2” many decades ago. To avoid confusion here, I’m calling the Pilot refill a “G2,” and the Parker refill a “Parker.”

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Jet Pens’ “The Ultimate Guide to Pen Refills” explains it all for you.

Unsharpen’s “Best Parker-Style G2 Refill of 2021” analyzes inks and points.

Unsharpen’s “Pen Refills Guide” demystifies the ISO standard.

Reviews of RIIND pens: The Gentleman Stationer, Kraftycats, The Pencil Case Blog.

The perplexing packaging plight of everyday items

L.T. Hanlon1 Comment
Photos of the packaging for Imodian A-D soft gels and Duracell CR2032 lithium batteries, both of which are a challenge to open.
I swear, the difficult-to-open packaging for both these products is enough to make you shit your pants.

Why, oh why, has accessing a CR2032 lithium battery become as complex as deciphering Morse code?

As if the extraction challenge weren’t enough, they’ve added a bitter coating to deter the adventurous kiddos from giving it a taste test. While I champion the safety-first approach, I’m left scratching my head when the same layer seems to revolt against some of my devices, including my beloved AirTags.

Ironically, there’s a quirky remedy to this. A dab of isopropyl alcohol or a swipe with a wet paper towel revives the battery’s spirit by washing off the bitter coating. And, in my moment of curiosity, I gave it a lick. It’s bitter, all right, but hardly the worst thing on the flavor spectrum.

Now, let’s shift gears to Imodium A-D soft gels, which come with their own catalog of woe. Because some folks have discovered that abusing these gels in high dosages produces opioid-like effects, there’s a federal restriction on the number you can buy at once.

In addition, the gel caps aren’t sold in bottles anymore but in blister packs that test my patience. The elaborate ritual to access just one gel cap feels like an intricate dance sequence. And I’m no Fred Astaire.

On the brighter side, the liquid version of Imodium is refreshingly user-friendly. Pop, pour, and done.

I’ll take a moment to mention a longstanding beef over the presence of combination prescription tablets with codeine and acetaminophen.

I’m one of those conspiracy-minded folks who think liver-toxic acetaminophen in the combo is less for the convenience of having both medications in one tablet and more for deterring those inclined to pop multiple pills recreationally. Why is this a deterrent? Because there’s a risk of destroying your liver with high doses of acetaminophen. I see no reason codeine and acetaminophen can’t be prescribed as separate medications.

To wrap up, while safety is paramount, there must be a middle ground. If using everyday items becomes a Herculean task, it’s time for creative rethinking.

Until then, you’ll find me here, wrestling with a battery pack, yearning for the days of more straightforward access.

Do Red Solo Cups leave you slippery and wet?

L.T. HanlonLeave a comment
Screen shot of Betty Rubble making the shape of a square.
Read on and learn how to conquer a Red Solo Squared cup.

As you might know, Solo changed the shape of its famous round cup a few years back. The company adopted a square design to help prevent the cup from sliding out of partygoers’ hands.

My experience with the iconic product wasn’t all that extensive until recently when I embraced the cup for its ease of use and 18-ounce capacity to avoid repeated trips to the coolerator.

I figured they’d solved the slip-and-slide mystery that turns a simple drink into a mess. But boy, was I wrong, at least in my case.

Picture this: I’m in my apartment, set to enjoy a full-sugar, ice-cold Pepsi-Cola. I fill the Solo cup with crystal-clear, commercially produced ice, pour in Pepsi fresh from the freezer that had almost but not quite reached Slurpee consistency, and fill the cup with cola goodness.

I reach for the cup, and Solo flies from my sausage snappers like a greased pig at a county fair. Next thing I know, Pepsi’s doing the cha-cha across my 18-percent gray, wall-to-wall carpet.

The redesign seemed to make sense: Square the cup, slap on their logo, and — for a laugh, I guess — throw in some pleasure dots. Like something you’d find on a … well, let’s not get into that.

For all I know, the improved design reduced most users’ butter fingering.

But guess what? My ham hands weren’t having any of it. Slip, drop, splash. Again and again.

When I thought I’d have to ditch Solo for good, I stumbled onto a game-changer. Before you pour in your poison, give that cup an outside rinse with hot water. This probably washes away some residual lubricant or antistatic agent left over from the factory.

So, try it the next time you’re ready to party with Solo — and banish those butterfingers quicker than you can say, “Last Tango in Paris.”

Did Tyson Foods bend me over with Jimmy Dean sausage?

L.T. Hanlon1 Comment
Image of front of box of Jimmy Dean English Muffin Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sandwiches fails to mention the meat is not pure pork.
I like this product. I dislike that the presence of chicken is not stated on the front of the packaging.

Is Tyson Foods less than transparent by failing to state on the front packaging of its Jimmy Dean English Muffin Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sandwiches that the meat is a blend of pork and mechanically separated chicken?

Consumers like me, who grew up seeing commercials in which Jimmy Dean touted the pure pork in his company’s sausage products, will naturally assume that these sandwiches are solely made from pork.

They’re not.

Jimmy Dean English Muffin Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sandwiches contain a mixture of pork and chicken.

I don’t have a problem with that, just with the fact you won’t know it unless you happen to inspect the ingredients list on the side panel. Dozens of other manufacturers’ products spell out the components of their meat right on the front label or panel.

Why isn’t Tyson doing so?

Recently, I voiced my concerns to Tyson Foods, and the only response they sent was that they would pass my concerns on to the quality control team. The company then mailed me a free coupon for the product in question.

I think I got blown off with Form Response No. 7B. What do you think?

Here’s the message I sent. . .

Photo of ingredients list for a Jimmy Dean product. It's only here that one discovers the product is not 100 percent prok but contains mechanically separated chicken.
Mechanically separated chicken is revealed in the ingredients list.

Dear Tyson Consumer Relations Team,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing as a long-standing and loyal consumer of your Jimmy Dean product range, specifically the English Muffin Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sandwiches. I have appreciated and enjoyed your products for many decades, and they have been a staple in my household since Jimmy Dean introduced his line in the late 1960s.

However, I recently discovered some information on the packaging of this product that left me feeling disappointed and deceived. Upon scrutinizing the ingredients list, I learned that the sausage, as advertised on the front of the package, is not purely pork, as I had assumed, but also contains mechanically separated chicken. This was a surprise, as the product’s marketing and branding led me to believe I was consuming a higher-quality product.

I understand that Tyson is likely meeting all legal requirements in labeling. Still, the fact that this crucial information about the content of your sausage is not immediately visible or accessible to the consumer seems, frankly, deliberately deceptive. The information is tucked away in tiny print on one of the side panels, which many consumers, including myself, might easily overlook.

I find it disheartening that Tyson, a brand I have trusted for so long, seems to take such measures to hide the presence of what many consumers would consider to be a cheap filler meat in a premium product. Other manufacturers appear to have no issue with upfront disclosure about their product’s ingredients, leading me to wonder why Tyson opts for a different approach.

It feels to me like a betrayal of the quality and transparency that Mr. Jimmy Dean himself advocated when he marketed his products as “pure pork sausage.” I am sure I am not alone in feeling that Tyson has strayed far from this ideal.

I truly enjoy the Jimmy Dean English Muffin Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sandwiches, and I would like to continue purchasing this product. However, my personal principles dictate that I cannot support a product that I believe is deceptively marketed.

In conclusion, I hope you will take my feedback into account and consider making your product ingredients more transparent to consumers. I believe this action would enhance trust, increase consumer satisfaction, and align more closely with Jimmy Dean’s original values of quality and honesty.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Leigh T. Hanlon

Front of a package of Jack's Pizza does the right thing and clearly states that its sausage and pepperoni are a combination of pork, chicken, and beef.
Why can’t Tyson Foods declare meat ingredients on the front of its packaging like Jack’s Pizza does? Attaboy, Jack!

Why are Butter Rum Life Savers so scarce?

L.T. Hanlon2 Comments
Photo of open and unopened rolls of Life Savers Butter Rum hard candy.
My grandfather always had a cache of Life Savers Butter Rum ready for his grandkids.

One of life’s most underrated comforts comes from the most minor, simplest things. The smell of an old book, the sound of rain against the window, or the taste of your favorite childhood candy melting in your mouth all bring comfort.

For me, it’s reminiscing with the classic Life Savers Butter Rum candy. My grandfather always had a stash ready for us grandchildren. This small, sweet token of his love is now a tradition threatened by a cruel reality: Finding Life Savers Butter Rum candy at significant retailers has become nearly impossible.

Drugstore cashier stations used to be filled with all things Life Savers, complete with a vibrant display that offered an array of flavors for the choosing.

The cheerful yellow wrapper of Butter Rum was a bright spot on routine errand days, promising a delicious trip to a buttery paradise. Unfortunately, the once ubiquitous Butter Rum is now somewhat elusive.

You’ll still find Life Savers in cherry, peppermint, and original flavors. Navigating the dense maze of candies that line modern retailers’ shelves yields confections of all shapes, sizes, and flavors. Yet, Butter Rum is often conspicuously absent.

Interestingly, newsstands, those humble, often overlooked establishments, consistently stock Butter Rum. It’s a curious phenomenon.

From the quaint, family-owned newsstand in my neighborhood to the small kiosk tucked away downtown, the spirit of Butter Rum endures, holding its place in these businesses.

It makes you wonder why these newsstands can keep up with the demand for this nostalgic flavor while large retailers can’t. Perhaps they understand the charm of this vintage flavor that reminds us of simpler times when the most significant decision was choosing your favorite candy.

While it’s not my place to speculate, the disparity is intriguing. So, major retailers, here is a heartfelt plea: Pay attention. Bring back the Life Savers Butter Rum. For many, it’s not just a candy but a piece of cherished memories, a link to loved ones, and a tradition passed down through generations.

What about you? Do you have trouble finding favorite childhood candy?

How to freeze water in Nalgene bottles

L.T. HanlonLeave a comment
Photo shows two Nalgene bottles in freezer door. One bottle is 32-ounce narrow-mouth clear bottle; the other is a 32-ounce wide-mouth glow-in-the-dark green bottle.Next to the bottles are boxes of Kodak and Ilford photographic film.
I always keep at least two Nalgene bottles in the freezer. They’re two-thirds full of frozen water and ready to accompany me on my daily adventures.

Hey, folks! I received a cool message from a reader today. They saw my recent praise of Nalgene bottles and wanted to know the right way to freeze water in one. So, I thought I’d share my method.

First off, as the good folks at Nalgene explain in their FAQ, don’t fill the bottle all the way to the top. Leave it about two-thirds full. This is because water expands when it freezes, and if you fill it up too much, you might end up with a broken bottle or a shattered cap. Trust me, two-thirds is just right.

Next, keep the cap off. I know it might feel wrong, but it’s actually right. Leaving the cap off gives the freezing water some room to breathe and expand.

Now here’s a neat trick: Tilt the bottle. This provides more surface area for the water, helping to avoid any chance of it deforming and cracking the bottle as it solidifies.

And here’s the best part. Once the water is frozen, top up the rest of the bottle with cold water. Now, you’ve got ice-cold water that’ll last you all day long!

So, there you have it. Freezing water in a Nalgene bottle is easy and risk-free if you know what you’re doing.

Stay cool, my friends!

Nalgene: More than just a water bottle

L.T. Hanlon3 Comments
Photo of my 32-ounce Nalgene water bottle. The bottle is held in my hand and has water droplets on its exterior and ice on the inside. The bottle is clear plastic, has a Nalgene logo, and a light green plastic cap.
Here’s my Nalgene bottle, fresh from the freezer. It’s ready to be filled with water and provide icy hydration all day long.

You know what’s exceptional in life? Those everyday items that so often hold a special place in our hearts.

For me, one such item is a simple, reliable 32-ounce Nalgene plastic water bottle.

Nalgene started as a scientific supplier, creating durable and leakproof bottles for laboratory use. Scientists started carrying them for personal use due to their durability, and Nalgene quickly caught onto this trend. And like that, a new water bottle brand was born.

Why do I love my Nalgene so much, you might ask? It’s all about the design, functionality, and how each bottle tells a story. They’re durable and practical, with an appealing, no-frills design.

Funny story about how I found Nalgene. I was shopping for some rugged gear from Maxpedition. They equip many folks – from special forces and police officers to adventurers and everyday people.

I found this unique bag of theirs, the Versipack, and stumbled upon Nalgene.

The Versipack has a snug side pocket, just the right size for the 32-ounce Nalgene bottle — which I added to my purchase. Little did I know this bottle would soon become my constant companion. By purchasing this bag, I discovered a brand that proved to be reliable and durable.

What I find so elegant about Nalgene bottles is their simplicity. They’re not flashy; they do their job of holding water exceptionally well. The 32-ounce size is perfect for helping me reach my daily hydration goal. Filling it up each morning and sipping it throughout the day has become a satisfying ritual.

Most of the time, I fill my Nalgene halfway with water at bedtime and pop it in the freezer. Come morning, there are 500 milliliters of solid ice inside. I then fill the rest of the bottle with cold water and sip luxuriously icy H20 all day. (If I want to pamper myself, I’ll treat myself to Evian.)

My Nalgene bottle has been with me through a lot. It’s survived many falls, traveled with me on road trips, and even accompanied me on my Amtrak journeys. Every scratch and mark on it tells a story of our shared adventures. It’s more than a water bottle; it’s a collection of my experiences and a reliable companion.

Using Nalgene also makes me feel good because I’m reducing my use of single-use plastic bottles. It’s a small, significant way I contribute to the fight against plastic waste.

I’ve discovered a whole community of Nalgene users out there. We share stories about our bottles, discuss the different colors and lids, and feel a sense of camaraderie. The company has a Facebook page, too.

So, you see, it’s about more than just hydration. It’s about how an item that originated in a scientific lab has become an integral part of our daily lives. It’s about how a water bottle can represent a sense of community and environmental responsibility — and even form part of our identity.

So yes, I adore my 32-ounce Nalgene. It’s durable, handy, eco-friendly, and always there for me. I can’t wait for all the future adventures we will have together, savoring the simple pleasures in life.

Get one. You’ll see.


7Up’s inscrutable freshness date

L.T. HanlonLeave a comment
I like Sugar Free 7Up but its freshness date is a challenge to decipher.

I only worry about soft drink freshness dates when buying diet soda, since artifical sweeteners often have a shelf life half as long as their full-suagar siblings. Coke and Pepsi typically display month, day, and year on all their soft drinks. 7Up, however, doesn’t make it easy.

Recently, I contacted 7Up’s corporate entity, Keurig Dr Pepper, for help figuring out the freshness date on the bottom of a can of Zero Sugar 7Up. Here’s their response.

Dear Leigh

Thank you for contacting us about 7UP.  We’re always excited to hear from our consumers. Your comments give us valuable input about our brands and how they are enjoyed. 

According to your message let me explain the appropriate way to read your code, 20:03 2299 NL3

The first part with the first 4 digits is the production military time; 20:03

To find out when your product was made, use the second part with the 4 digits of the code, 2299.

2 = Year (0 = 2020, 9 = 2019, 1 – 2021, 2 – 2022)
299 = Julian Date  (299rd Day of the year, or October 26th)

The date provided indicates that the product was manufactured on October 26th, 2022.  This product has a 3 months shelf life.​

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact us, Leigh. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to reply to this email or contact us by phone at (800) 696-5891.  We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and experience.

Sincerely,

Consumer Relations

I wrote back and thanked Keurig Dr Pepper for enlightening me and suggested it would be simpler to stamp “Best by Jan. 26, 2023” instead. I haven’t heard back from them yet.