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Wow, here’s something new (or at least something I haven’t heard of): the Star Shade! I was looking for some plain replacement shades for my bedroom window, and I came across this concept which seems altogether more interesting. Simply put, these ingenious shades go by the name of solar screens – which indeed accurately describes their function. These screens are used to reduce solar glare during the day (in up to 90%), and all the while they also block the evil UV rays from entering your house… which in turn makes sure the room temperature doesn’t get nearly as hot. Sounds like a good thing, doesn’t it?
From what I’ve read, these special shades are recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy, as a way to reduce electricity bills. Not only that, these solar screens are built in a material that’s highly durable and even fire proof! As good as that sounds, it’s not the most alluring feature as far as I’m concerned. What I find REALLY interesting about these special shades is how they allow daylight to get in while filtering the sun’s glare. I really hate using my computer during the morning, since it picks up too much glare! Maybe if I invested in one of those solar shades, things will be different. Has anyone out there tried using these things?
Sometimes I wonder… do all Europeans see the prospect of travelling to America with the same glamour as most Americans conceive the idea of getting on Europe tours? Is that just the lure of the unknown moving our hearts and minds, that makes it work that way? I’m not really sure, but I suppose most likely yes. Granted, America has incurred a kind of a blemished reputation this past couple of years, but I imagine that crossing the Atlantic is still very much an enchanting notion, to most europeans. I just wish I could get out there and ask them, myself!
It’s true, dear reader! I very much wish I could afford doing a little travel-around through Europe. As a teenager, I almost went on a European InterRail, but I kind of chickened out. As a grown-up I’ve thought about visiting Rome and Paris a couple of times, but (the lack of) money and other circumstances ultimately left me stranded. At this rate, when I eventually succeed in crossing the Atlantic, I’ll probably get disappointed… “what, so THIS is what I’ve been waiting for all my life? It’s just a continent, and it’s not so different from America, anyway”. Yeah, sometimes I feel that anywhere you go, people are still people, and places are just places… but still, one cannot live a full life without getting to know a little bit of the world out there, right?
I’ve just about had it! My girlfriend keeps making fun of me because I have what she refers to as a “Guy’s Kitchen”, and I’ve decided to take action. And no, I’m not breaking up with her (are you nuts?)… I’m just getting myself some proper dinnerware. It doesn’t cost that much money, and I must admit it’s a good idea… I mean, more than once I’ve served my dinner guests food on cereal bowls. Not only that is rude, but kind of lame as well. But you know how things roll, when it’s about dealing with close guy friends; quite often those kind of technicalities are really not part of the male protocol; right?
Well, for the sake of my female visits, as well as for keeping a positive reputation for myself AND making sure I don’t come across as that much of a white trash kind of guy, this is the day I take action. I won’t of course be renewing my kitchen (I actually wish I could, but I’m strapped for cash), but I will indeed be getting myself some decent dinnerware! And I will be very careful not to break it, which is something I’m really prone to doing, every time I do the dishes. Do you hear me, world? This is a whole new and improved me, that’s addressing you!