Surrender, Dorothy: Reviews

Mel B: Totally Fit

I've been doing Hip Hop Abs this winter in addition to my normal gym cardio-and-lift-weights gamut.  So when I heard about Mel B's new workout DVD, I totally agreed to review it.

At first, because I of course did not go through the "how to use this DVD" section, I was confused. Instead of just picking a complete workout, you piece together your workout a la carte. The first time I did the video, it was annoying, but after doing it once, I realized how incredibly valuable that format was.

Hold that thought.

Three minutes into the first section, I was already annoyed there was no clock or visual countdown mechanism. I was also annoyed with Mel and her lack of personality. Basically, she thinks working out sucks, and that comes through.  Mel is so uninspiring that when she said "I'm proud of you," I actually laughed out loud.

Hold that thought.

This video is BORING. You do one exercise for a minute, then move on to another exercise for a minute, all the while listening to Mel grunt and puff so loudly that I'm sure the neighbors thought I was watching porn.

Hold that thought.

I've done this DVD four times in two weeks. Despite all my prior complaints, it is the first video I've had to stop before the end, ever. It kicked my (now tighter) butt. It is HARD. I believe Mel when she says this workout got her into Spice Girl form. I can't wait to see what it can do for me. So while I think the fluff could be improved upon, the physical aspect of the workout, which is why we buy workouts, is incredible. It tired every single aspect of my anatomy. It murders, as Mel would say.

Winner of the Black & Decker Smart Driver

Wow, guys. This was a close contest.  After much mulling, I've decided the winner is Goofy Girl for her accidental electrocution combined with spray-painting her own car (and kids, please learn from her mistakes!). A close runner-up is late entry Kate for breaking a light fixture with a geyser of water. 

I can only hope to get my power tools to give away, because you guys have rockin' stories. And never fear, even though I know Goofy Girl in real life, I would deny my own sister for a good story. It's all about the stories. There is no favoritism here at Surrender, Dorothy.

Black & Decker: Smart Driver

I've decided this review blog lately is a little too girly, so I am adding a new category:  Tools.  ARGH.

The first tool I've procured is the Black & Decker Smart Driver, and friends, this screwdriver is AWESOME.

It has a guide so you can drive screws in one-handed (although I'd only recommend doing that for drywall or some other pliant material) and it's cordless, so you can run around the house without tripping yourself. I tried the one-handed thing, and trust me, stick to drywall.  But really, that's what most of you are using a screwdriver for anyway, am I right?

I used the Smart Driver to help my man hang bicycle racks from our garage ceiling.  My husband was using a drill, but I actually drove the first few screws using the Smart Driver before the board got, well, really too thick for a screwdriver.  Beloved was impressed with the little screwdriver that could, and he is very snobbish about power tools. Also, even though the instructions said to charge the Smart Driver for six hours, we only charged it for about four and it held the charge well enough for our job.  (See, already abusing the rules.)

The Smart Driver comes with a charger and 11 pieces (my husband calls them "bits," fancy pants that he is). I have another one of these little beauties to give away.  Want one?  Tell me your worst home-repair accident in a comment by Monday, February 16.  This is not a random contest. I am going to be all judgy and stuff.