(Part 2) Best products from r/shutupandtakemymoney

A.) Some brands are available via Prime, yes, like the DoMatcha tin you linked. Others, like Adagio's, are available on Amazon but don't qualify for Prime shipping. I'd advise getting a sample size starting out (Adagio offers one here) as it can be pricey, and matcha will go stale faster than most other types of tea. Keep it well sealed!

B.) Honey certainly can help sweeten it, though I would melt the honey first. It's a fast prep at a lower temp, which won't allow the honey to melt. Fast dissolving sugars or simple syrup might be easier.

C.) Brewing: You will need a few tools. Bamboo matcha whisk (the only brewing tool I would call essential), small bowl with enough room for whisking (avoid plastic, it can change the flavor), a sifter/strainer, hot NOT boiling water (170ºF-180ºF ideally), and a quick hand. I always recommend sifting the matcha, as the finer the powder is, the easier and faster it is to whisk it, and you avoid your matcha getting gritty and clumpy.

Steps - Preheat bowl and bamboo whisk with hot water. Empty and then sift 1/2 tsp of matcha powder into the bowl (you can use more or less to taste). Carefully pour 3-4oz of hot water into the bowl. Gently scrape any powder off the sides of the bowl with the whisk and break up any large clumps. Being whisking in a quick back and forth "M" or "W" shape, taking care not to scrape the sides or bottom of the bowl with the whisk. You are done when there is a nice even froth/foam on top, almost like the head on a beer.

Drink quickly! This is not a "sipping" tea, as the powder continues to steep as it sits, and will get more bitter the longer you wait. Think of it as the espresso shot of the tea world. Many people will dilute their matcha with hot or cold water/milk/etc at this point to mellow out the strong grassy/sweet flavor, but that is all up to you. I am a big fan of diluting with Vanilla Almond Milk and drinking it cold, but it goes great in lemonade and just by itself as well.

If you get a bamboo whisk, which I definitely recommend, make sure you let it air dry completely, or utilize a matcha whisk holder. The bamboo will mold if you stick it inside of a container while it is still moist.

Best of luck! I love matcha and drink it almost everyday, but if you aren't a "green tea person" the flavor can be surprising. Google "matcha health benefits" and you'll see all kinds of craziness about it. If Dr. Oz endorses it, it must be good, right???

Thanks. I don't have a link but I'll try to explain step by step.

1. In the past I had various audio inputs fed to my receiver and video inputs fed to my TV. The problem was keeping things in sync when you changed inputs. I knew that the DVD player was Input 1 on the TV and Aux 2 on the receiver but no one else in the family could ever remember the combinations.
   
   
2. With HDMI carrying both audio and video the obvious answer was to feed it all to the TV and then take one digital audio output from there to the receiver. This worked great. When you switch sources on the TV you don't need to switch anything on the receiver. Everybody was happy.
   
   
3. But now I wanted to listen to Pandora (or iTunes, or the hockey game, ...) outside on my deck and driveway. My receiver can handle my 5.1 surround in the family room but does not have another set of speaker outputs. Even if it did how could I control the volumes separately? I found that my receiver does have an analog audio output that can be fed to a recording device BUT this output does not work when the input to the receiver is digital. This is true for most receivers on the market unless you spend $$$$ to get a high-end one with multiple zone capability.
   
   
4. I eventually realized I would have to get the signal for the outdoor speakers AHEAD of my receiver. My TV, like most on the market today, does not have multiple sets of audio outputs. The only choice for me was to take the digital fiber optic one I was already sending to the receiver and split it. I read a lot of reviews and decided to go for a powered splitter that actually recreates the signal. Passive ones that split the light signal using a mirror/prism are cheaper but can be unreliable. I bought this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B1UWSR6/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and it works perfectly.
   
   
5. So now I have an SPDIF out from that device into my receiver and another one to use for my outdoor audio. These amps however do not have an SPDIF input as they do not contain a digital-to-analog converter. So I had to convert from SPDIF to RCA analog. I went with this converter: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008EPW7O0/ref=oh_details_o04_s01_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   
6. But now I have a single set of RCA ouputs and two amps that need inputs. RCA is easy to split so I bought these cheap cables to do it: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I94FAE/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   
7. From there the RCA is fed into two of the amps that OP shows above. From there it goes into 100' of high grade speaker cable: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2820&seq=1&format=2 and then into these Polk speakers (one set for the deck and another for the driveway): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00378KMEG/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   So the setup is: TV inputs --> TV --> digital splitter --> D to A converter --> RCA splitter cables --> these two amps --> Polk speakers. It sounds surprisingly good with strong bass and crisp highs. I can control all three volumes independently (family room receiver and each of these amps). I just used it for a big party we had Saturday night (80+ people). I had a playlist in iTunes on my computer served up by my Plex server. This was then picked up by my Roku 3 attached to the TV. It worked flawlessly.

You don't seem like you're a strict keyboard enthusiast straight out of /r/mechanicalkeyboards, but if I'm wrong my apologies.

If you're referring to: https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Mechanical-Keyboard-Switches-109180/dp/B0081TQ8BW then that is a mechanical keyboard, which is also what the IBM model m is, and it will be more similar to the IBM model m than any other type of non-mechanical keyboard (commonly mentioned as rubber dome keyboard).

But, make no mistake, that keyboard is not close to a Model M from the perspective of an enthusiast. The model M uses a bucking spring mechanism, whereas that one is a cherry mx black which is a linear mechanical switch.

Very different, one gives feedback at the point of actuation, whereas the other is a linear slider. A great choice for you though, linear keyboards are arguably best for gaming. A cherry mx blue version of that keyboard would be more similar, yet distinct, from bucking springs.

The unicomp is definitely within the ballpark of the Model M, its made with the original patents and tooling. And yes, using bucking springs, that's the important part. The build quality isn't quite there, but unicomp has all the ability to recreate the original Model M faithfully if they wish. I'll have to disagree with you there.

The unicomp is also pretty close to the most recent Model Ms as well. The Model M is already a cheaper version of the Model F, and the build quality decreased throughout the Model M's lifespan.

All of this and more in this excellent youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A-vRZth7SI .

No.

First off, $50 for a mono, unpowered speaker? No thanks.

Second, ceramics have terrible acoustic properties; there's a reason that both musical instruments and speaker enclosures are usually made out of metals, woods and plastics: they sound better. I'm not sure of the exact physics behind it, but I believe the plasticity of the materials gives them a wider range of frequencies. Glasses and ceramics are very brittle and, I believe, will tend to have a very narrow range of harmonic frequencies. This is why glasses and ceramics tend to only be used in instruments that make a single frequency: jugs and bells.

If you want unpowered mp3 speakers, I'd recommend these Sonys.

If you want great sound for under $50, get a Logitech or Altec Lansing powered 2.1 system like this or this.

If you want to save up for a top of the line set of speakers, you can store your money in one of these handy ceramic pigs. Nowadays it's probably safer than a real bank.

Not to be a downer, but good luck with that. I have a Hennessy Hammock and its quality is top notch backed by a reputable company. Which comes with a mosquito net top and a separate rainfly (tarp) to keep dry with. Plus it fits snug in a tiny pouch that I can put in any backpack of my choosing, be it a small daypack or my 90L Kelty week long excursion type of backpack. Which ever I see the need for at that time.

If I were to suggest anything, it's to find a corner of the market to make your own and build from the ground up there. Your idea seems like a good invention for, say, somebody in college who has a couple hours between a class and doesn't want to drive around everywhere. So they can just set up a hammock on/near campus and chill, do some reading, until class time. These guys will be your bread and butter.

What would these people want? What are their needs? Off the top of my head, quick concept. An upper hidden pouch with speakers to plug an iPod into.

Or a side pouch that houses a rechargeable battery, a good sized one. It has a retractable cord to plug into a phone. So people can hammock around and use their phone or tablet without fear of draining away for the day.

Something versatile for your target market. Because if you try and replicate what other companies are already doing and go after their customer base, and you can't do it better than them... then why would I (customer) want to buy yours instead?

I don't know about the Avalon specifically, but its possible in many cars. You'll have to exercise some Google-fu.

A whole bunch of factory head units, especially on nicer cars starting in the early 2000s, have aux inputs on the back of the unit. Before an aux input became a standard equipment expectation, it was often a dealer-installed option (i.e. plugging in and running an aux cable) or used to wire up a CD changer (which you can often unwire and replace with an aux in).

For instance, here's what I installed in my car: http://www.amazon.com/BMW-82-11-149-389/dp/B000PA00XM#productDetails. $36 on Amazon for OEM, or you can hunt around on eBay or other smaller sites and probably find an OEM one for $25 or a knock off for $15. Literally just plugs into the back of the unit, then you run it to wherever you want, but typically the glovebox is easiest.

Optionally, I also discretely mounted a small ~$40 bluetooth/A2DP receiver (this guy, much nicer than OP, gets power from the car and also doubles as a USB power plug) on the dash next to the stereo and ran its wire under the trim into the glovebox to connect to the 3.5mm aux. It works/sounds great and I mostly use the bluetooth since its nice to not have to fiddle with wires every time I get in/out of the car, but I can also unplug the bluetooth and plug straight in to the 3.5mm plug in the glovebox.

These are neat novelty, but personally i think getting him a hubson x4 would be better, its not a fixed wing, but there super fun and a great intro rc quad copter. http://www.amazon.com/Hubsan-H107L-Channel-2-4GHz-Quadcopter/dp/B00IZC6C8E

They estimate their delivery window of the physical product to Kickstarters as August, 2015. They don't specify which dual core chip they're using, but I suspect it's already showing its age. In 1 year, it's going to be ridiculously outdated.

I love the display tech, but I'm not a fan of the integrated android device. I would be far more interested in backing this if, instead of "smart glasses," they just developed it as a general-purpose display and input interface for smart devices, and used HDMI to connect them. Then you could plug in your choice of device - phone, tablet, smartstick.

Things like the CX-919 would be perfect for this kind of thing, if it were a connectible display rather than a self-contained android device of its own.

Hi u/ting4ling,

Kara here, OP's wife, (As I said to another redditor, I'm basically the PR person for our biz as my husband tbh isn't the best typist or as patient with giving thoughtful replies).

First off, glad you think they're cool and glad you love books. The awesome thing is that we never ever ever ever would cut a limited edition or rare irreplaceable edition, (couldn't afford one anyway).

As you know, e-books abound! We buy real, paper books which makes the publisher print a new book to replace it to sell to a reader. It would be a tragedy if print went out. It's sad to see bookstores closing. I've provided here a handy-dandy list of ways to get access to J.K. Rowling's awesome work, and it would be mostly the same access for most of the books we cut for our business:

• Kindle $0 with KindleUnlimited or $8.99 to buy
  
• Hardcover Starting at under $4.00 used or under $12.00 new
  
• Paperback Starting at $0.01 used or under $7.00 new
  
• Audible Free with Audible trial
  
• Mass Market Paperback Starting at $0.01 used and under $5.00 new
  
• Audio CD kinda pricey at over $20.00
  
  ***
  
  The above listings are just on Amazon, of course there's:
  
  
• Countless listings both used and new on eBay
  
• New copies on Barnes & Noble online and in stores
  
• Indie booksellers online and in stores,
  
• Public libraries lending in real books and e-books
  
• 2nd-hand bookstores (altho extremely rare to get a Harry Potter at a used bookstore as they're in high demand, believe me, I've looked)
  
  ***
  
  Let's all go forth and buy real books for whatever reason, seriously, we need to support print.
  
  edit: formatting

I highly recommend this instead. I've had mine for 2 years and use the knife at least thrice a week. No the blade doesn't have a handle, but I think of it more as a utility knife. It's great in a pinch and the construction is very sturdy.

Amazon Link. Only $16.99. Free two day shipping with Amazon Prime!

here, and for less than half the price... Don't worry, it also has the heartwarming "natural" label, albeit with a less nauseating design

To be fair you can buy the stuff for $5 on amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Repel-Eucalyptus-Natural-Repellent-4-Ounce/dp/B004N59OFU

https://www.amazon.com/Cutter-Eucalyptus-Insect-Repellent-HG-96014/dp/B00860Y3DQ/

https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Repellent-Eucalyptus-Bug-Shield/dp/B01GQSKTPK

Isn't this sort of thing why they pass your wallet through the x-ray machine? It's still a metal blade, it will be easily seen.

This particular wallet knife actually looks somewhat impractical. Doesn't seem like it would hold up to regular use, and it's also only a knife. I've been carrying around one of these for a while now, and it's seen a lot of use.

$17 on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Christmas-Stocking-Molle-Black/dp/B00GIXY9W8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1416149973&sr=8-2&keywords=tactical+stocking

It's on amazon with prime shipping

http://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Christmas-Stocking-Molle-Black/dp/B00GIXY9W8

It's also US Only, and readily available elsewhere for the same price..

Cameraless Model on Amazon