Product Review: Peugot Pepper and Salt Mill

Early last fall, I finally gave up on my cheap, Bed Bath and Beyond pepper mill. The screw-on head was loose, because the rod which connected the head to the grinder wheel was too worn to hold the two pieces together, and if you picked it up off the table, the grinder wheel and all the pepper would usually fall out the bottom. I had mastered a technique of holding the mill 'just right' in order to stubbornly keep using it, but I knew it was time to throw the thing away when at a dinner party the contraption fell apart in my guest's hand, showering her food with whole peppercorns. Finally, my bubble of denial burst.


I decided I was done with cheap kitchen implements, and that where I could, I'd spend just a little bit more in the name of quality. I read a discussion on pepper shakers on Slashfood, found out about the Peugeot brand, and became fascinated. Not only did they make pepper mills, but also salt mills, so you may have fresh-ground sea salt at your table. The difference is that the grinding apparatus within the salt mill is specially treated so that the salt won't eat away the metal wheels. If you tried to use a pepper mill for salt, the wheels would become dulled and you couldn't grind baby powder.

So for the holidays, I asked for a set of salt and pepper mills. . . of course, the most modest of sets, since their 'Rolls Royce' set can be up to 200 dollars--were I to purchase those, I'd become a much better artist so I could paint a tiny portrait of Benjamin Franklin on each mill, and forever remind myself exactly what 100 dollars looks like.

My present opened, I have enjoyed my smooth, wooden Peugeot mills without incident for the past year. No signs of wear are apparent, they grind their respective spice beautifully, and while they are the base model and don't have coarseness settings, I don't mind at all. Since they have a limited lifetime warranty (I find those more realistic than 'lifetime' warranties, since they acknowledge that yes, objects have fixed liftimes, the center cannot hold, and things fall apart) and I won't have to buy replacements in two years, I find the initial investment of 30 dollars to be worth it.

Writing Excerpts - Film, game and sport equipment review

Ex 4 - This sample is from a review of ‘El Orphanato,’ a Spanish-language 2007 supernatural horror film.

‘The concept of the El Orfanato--the relationship between a mother and child and how it changes in the face of supernatural phenomena--is familiar. The two cinematic elephants in the room are The Sixth Sense and The Others, films considered by film critics to be templates for well-executed horror stories that rely on atmospherics and psychology rather than cheap scares or too much CGI. While elements of the film certainly feel derivative-- such as a creepy house, loneliness and children's games given a sinister twist-- the acting, pacing and absolutely beautiful photography help distract from that feeling of familiarity. Though the film feels derivative, it is the kind of derivative that is perfectly, wonderfully effective, and that Hollywood could certainly use more of.'


Ex 5 - From a review of the Playstation 2 Game, Shadow of the Colossus

‘Shadow of the Colossus is game for anyone that’s ever felt the shadow of an unidentifiable dread looming over them, cast by a shape darkening the sky and requiring your head tilt back in order to take in the enormity of it. You play Wander, a boy alone in a mythical peninsula but for the occasional wheeling eagle overhead and your faithful horse Aggro. In order to achieve your goal--resurrecting a young girl whose body lies in an immense temple at the center of this world- you must find and defeat sixteen Colossi-- giant monsters whose hairy bodies are comprised of earth and architectural pieces. Wander must scale the creatures' bodies and find their weak spot, then kill them and release their stored power. While they will not attack you in most cases, some will attempt to dislodge you by bucking and rearing, during which Wander can only hang on and hope not to be flung to the ground. The soundtrack would be overly familiar with its arrangements of string and percussion if it were not for the presence of exotic instruments like the Irish bouzouki and bodhran. The loneliness of the empty land, the hollow echoing of the soundtrack and the misty silence of Wander's surroundings lead the player to feel a strange sense of foreboding, lead you to feel almost as if you are trespassing, and the defeats of the Colossi begin to feel sacriligious--as if you were hunting gods who had abandoned their kingdoms in order to pursue a simple, mortal existence.'


Ex 6 - From a review concerning the use of kettlebells, a new exercise tool.

‘Kettlebells have recently become a popular form of exercise for those bored with their regular gym routines. A kettlebell resembles a cannonball with a handle, comes in various weight increments from 12 all the way up to 70 lbs, and is used in a variety of motions to build strength and cardio simultaneously. All that is needed for a workout is a kettlebell or two of the appropriate weight (start out low to perfect technique) and an open area, preferably with a clean,level floor. The first exercise, and the basis for many other moves, is the kettlebell two-handed swing. More advanced activities involve the one-handed swing, the clean and press, the dragon walk, the bear walk, halos, and ab crunches with the 'bell as a counterweight held between the knees. Free video Tutorials showing the correct form can be found on Youtube, and many blogs and websites are devoted to the practice of this burgeoning exercise trend. A kettlebell is to be taken seriously though, as misuse can cause joint strain, damaged tendons and ligaments, exhaustion and in some cases even broken bones.’

Japanese Cherry Blossom Cream Spec Ad

Sweet, not Sugary.


Floral, not Flowery.


Smooth, not Oily.


Finally, a fragranced body cream that makes your bedside table look good, too.



Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Cream by Bath and Body Works is a fine, creamy dessert mousse for your skin.

It never leaves a greasy residue, and the muted, clean scent of cherries and nectar lingers throughout your day.

Once you experience it, you'll never want to come back.

Renewing

Rejuvenating

Refreshing.



[This ad is aimed at a female demographic, between the ages of 18 and 35. It is intended to evoke images of a rainy streets in Japan, of the dual nature of women in today's society: powerful, motivated, and busy, yet remembering time for beauty and relaxation. ]

Vibram Five Fingers Ad Spec: Tone is meant to be informative

Vibram Five Fingers Ad Spec
Audience: This is aimed at a mainstream audience of men and women, as a general human interest piece. The ad is intended to make the reader view the shoe as The Next Hot Thing, similiar to the current interest in Crocs.

There's a new product pounding the pavement in the sporting goods world. It's a shoe that fits like a glove - and that's exactly what it looks like.

It's called the Vibram Five Fingers, and its odd-looking design is based on current research indicating that barefoot running can be extremely beneficial, and in some cases better for you, than wearing shoes. Experts say running barefoot on grass or sand is shown to strengthen your foot and calf muscles, which helps prevent injuries later on. Going barefoot daily is also believed by scientists to correct posture.

Designed with barefoot activities in mind such as sailing and yoga, the shoe has stirred interest for hikers, walkers, or just plain barefoot enthusiasts; the Five Fingers' hard but thin sole protects the wearer from broken glass, sharp rocks, and big calluses. The wearer still feels the surface's texture under their feet, especially in situations like trail-running or wading in water. Wearers have described the experience as being like a kid again, or wearing toe-socks so thin you can barely feel them.

Unfortunately, the wide variety of human foot shapes means that these peculiar shoes might not be for everyone, and buyers are encouraged to find a local vendor to try them on before purchasing.

For more information, color choice, and a store locator, visit the manufacturer's website, vibramfivefingers.com

Possible Taglines, depending on the audience:

The Right to Bare Feet

Maybe Hobbits Were On To Something. . .

From Toes to Nose. . .

Piggies in a Blanket

For all the shoe-haters out there. . .


[This is original text, written after researching the shoes on various blogs. The photo was found on Google. This text is also to be used in my voice demo.]

Unimog Ad Spec

Unimog Spec Ad
Audience: Men's Lifestyle Magazine, such as Maxim, Stuff for Men, or Playboy. The tone is meant to be edgy and 'in your face.'


























Maps and a GPS system can get you there.

But getting back might take a little more.

Four Wheel Drive.
Higher Ground Clearance than a Humvee.
A Flexible Frame that can clear 3-foot boulders.
Diesel Engine.
Up to 280 horsepower.

You may not be doing all the passing on the highway, but everyone else has to pass around.

It's a whole different story when you can pass over.

The Unimog - Eight tons of Get You Back.



[Image of highway found on Flickr and used in accordance with Creative Commons Guidelines.

Image of Unimog found on Google.]