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Imagine waking up one day and not being able to live inside your home. Some serious water damage and, later, mold forced me to move out of my condo. Living out of a bag became my reality. Thankfully, as a gear tester, I had no shortage of duffels and bags to cram all my belongings into. Still, on that first day, I had absolutely no clue how I’d pack to be away from home for an undisclosed timeline. What on earth would I need to bring? At the very least, the bare essentials. But also things like books, paperwork, kitchenware,...

It’s been almost three years since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, and home gym equipment has continued to be a hot commodity (unlike, you know, toilet paper). Even though gyms and studios are back open again, our appreciation for squeezing in a sweat session at home has only strengthened (pun intended). Techy fitness programs like Peloton have completely transformed the way we exercise, delivering trainer-led workouts right to our living rooms. But an equally innovative yet often under-appreciated home gym staple is the adjustable weight. Compact and incredibly versatile, adjustable weights can help you get stronger at home without a...

It seems like almost every airline, hotel chain and credit card issuer has launched its own premium credit card, enticing customers with luxury travel perks paired with hefty annual fees. Many of these cards offer solid value, especially if you’re loyal to the underlying brand. There are two long-standing titans of the premium card market. Of course, I’m talking about The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. The former built the market for premium rewards cards decades ago, while the latter is responsible for growing its mass appeal. Since the Sapphire Reserve debuted in August 2016,...

Summer School Electronics Brought an Academic Mind to Guitar Pedals In the boutique guitar world, it’s hard to find anyone with bad things to say about Doug Kauer. Having founded Kauer Guitars in 2007, the Sacramento-based builder is a well-known commodity. Fans and musicians know that everything stamped with Kauer’s name is going to have a certain level of quality, personality and functionality wrapped into one (often sparkly) package. But before Kauer was one of the biggest independent guitar names on the West Coast, he was just a kid messing around with his cabinet-making father’s CNC machine (a common, yet...

10 Great Indie Rock Sax Solos It’s easy to feel disconnected from reality amidst the serene ambiance of The Blue Note, the storied jazz club perched just off 6th Avenue in New York City’s West Village. It’s either ironic or paradoxical, depending on who you ask, that the jazz-forward venue makes its home in a neighborhood defined by its unwavering commitment to niche culture, from its ‘90s-era Happy Hour prices to the sex shops that greet commuters fresh off the subway.  Inside, true to the historic venue’s name, hazy blue light dances off anything reflective, from the still pair of...