Vaping Diaries #73: Ahlusion Review V

Here’s a review of three dessert juices from one of my favorite e-liquid companies in the world, Ahlusion. In addition to making some of the best tobacco, fruit, beverage, and dessert e-liquids I’ve tried, Ahlusion’s customer service and packaging are top notch. While I really appreciate those aspects of the company, it all comes down to the juice and these three range from very good to great.

The flavors reviewed this time around are Pralines and Cream, Rick’s Request (rice pudding), and Maple Dream. All three are clean vapes that work fine with any juice delivery system. Two of them are very sweet, while one is moderately sweet. In general, I dislike overly sweet juices, unless they have complexity. These three juices definitely fit that bill. Here are the flavor breakdowns and steeping notes.

Pralines and Cream: This is a really sweet juice based on the classic New Orleans praline recipe of pecans, sugar, and cream. At the time I ordered this juice, an almond option was available for those that prefer French pralines. I found the juice to be very sweet, but some of my friends thought it wasn’t quite sweet enough for a true NOLA pralines taste. I really enjoyed the blend of nuttiness, creaminess, and sweetness in this juice. While it wasn’t one of the best Ahlusion juices I’ve had, it was very good and much better than most juices out there. Unfortunately, this juice has been taken off the menu. I’m hoping that Ahlusion brings it back with an even better formula.

Rick’s Request: This is a rice pudding e-liquid that was named after an Ahlusion customer. It’s a very rich and creamy juice that’s probably the most polarizing of the three in this review. Some of my friends loved it, while some thought it was too perfumey or had a taste reminiscent of potpourri. I really enjoyed this one. It didn’t quite taste like rice pudding to me — more like several elements of rice pudding. It’s a delicious blend of cream, cinnamon, and a moderately sweet raisin flavor. It’s definitely one of the more unique juices I’ve tried this year. One thing to keep in mind is that Rick’s Request should get a long steep. The smell started to change at the five-week mark and my dripping tests showed that the flavor started to bloom (for me) shortly after that. Some people I know let this juice steep for four months before enjoying it.

Maple Dream: Unsurprisingly, this was my favorite juice of the bunch. I’ve enjoyed Ahlusion’s maple flavoring in Maple House Blend and I’m currently enjoying it in Maple Burley. This is a sweet and bright juice, with a nice, creamy undertone. When a lot of people hear maple, they think of maple syrup. That’s not what you’re getting here. This is a natural and flavorful maple sugar flavor. For me, this wasn’t quite as sweet as Pralines and Cream, but sweeter than Rick’s Request. As I’m partial to Ahlusion’s unique maple flavor, I found this juice to be delicious.

Steeping Notes
On the advice of Wlad from Ahlusion, I’ve been trying a new steeping method starting December 27, 2012. When the e-liquids arrive, I leave them uncapped for five minutes. Previously, I left them uncapped for about two days. After the liquids are given a few minutes to oxidize, the caps are put back on. The bottles are shaken every day for at least two weeks before vaping.

Pralines & Cream
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Uncapped: January 12, 2013 2:50PM
Vaped: May 16-23, 2013

Rick’s Request
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Uncapped: January 12, 2013 2:50PM
Vaped: May 16-23, 2013

Maple Dream
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 0mg nicotine
Uncapped: January 12, 2013 2:50PM
Vaped: May 16-23, 2013

Review Process (Updated February 17, 2013)
RPad.TV e-liquid reviews focus on the flavor of the e-liquids, since throat hit and vapor production can be altered by the PG/VG ratio and nicotine level selected. Each juice is vaped over a period of days in an atomizer, a cartomizer/tank setup, and a clearomizer. The exception is naturally-extracted tobacco (NET) juice; since those are known to clog up cartomizers quickly, those are vaped in atomizers and clearomizers.

Neil Gaiman Returns With New Sandman Story in October

DC Entertainment is sprucing up its Vertigo line in a big way, which includes Neil Gaiman’s first new Sandman story in more than a decade. The influential and groundbreaking series dazzled readers around the world, but sadly ended in 1996. Sandman: Overture is a six-issue miniseries that kicks off on October 30, 2013 and will be published on a bimonthly basis. Artwork will be done by JH Williams III, known for his striking work on ChasePromethea, Batwoman, and Detective Comics. Here’s a press release quote with Gaiman’s thoughts on the new book:

This is the one story that we never got to tell. In Sandman #1 Morpheus is captured somehow. Later on in the series, you learn he was returning from somewhere far, far away — but we never got to the story of what he was doing and what had happened. This is our chance to tell that story, and J.H. Williams III is drawing it. It’s the most beautiful thing in the world.

I’m so, so psyched for this book. I loved the Sandman comics. The “Season of Mists” storyline is one of my all-time favorites. Gaiman is one of the most imaginative and captivating comic-book writers in the world and I’m thrilled that he’s coming back for another run with Morpheus. I have high (like Mount Olympus high) hopes for the new book.

How about you? Are excited for Neil Gaiman’s return to Sandman?

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PSN Summer Blast Sale Starts Tomorrow

PlayStation Network’s Summer Blast Sale starts tomorrow and there are some great discounts to be had — especially if you’re a PlayStation Plus member. Check out the list below and leave a comment on the games and movies you’re thinking about picking up.

July 2nd – 9th
Call Of Duty Black Ops II (PS3) – Regular Price: $59.99 Sale Price: $41.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $37.79
The Amazing Spider-Man (PS3) – Regular Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $29.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $20.99
Batman Arkham Asylum (PS3) – Regular Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $9.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $5.00
The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest (PS Vita/PSP) – Regular Price: $9.99 Sale Price: $4.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $2.50
Mortal Kombat (PS Vita) – Regular Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $9.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $5.00
Mortal Kombat – (PS3) – Regular Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $9.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $5.00
Prince of Persia Forgotten Sands (PS3) – Regular Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $7.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $4.00
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: the Game (PS3) – Regular Price: $9.99 Sale Price: $3.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $2.00
Shadow of the Colossus (PS3) – Regular Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $9.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $5.00
Ratchet & Clank Collection (PS3) – Regular Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $14.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $7.50

July 9th – 16th
Fast & Furious Showdown (PS3) – Regular Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $31.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $23.99
Star Trek (PS3) – Regular Price: $54.99 Sale Price: $43.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $32.99
Men In Black: Alien Crisis (PS3) – Regular Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $29.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $20.99
The Simpsons Arcade Game (PS3) – Regular Price: $9.99 Sale Price: $6.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $4.89
X-Men (PS3) – Regular Price: $9.99 Sale Price: $6.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $4.89
Hitman Trilogy HD – (PS3) – Regular Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $19.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $15.99
Lord of the Rings: War in the North (PS3) – Regular Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $9.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $5.00
Silent Hill: Book of Memories (PS Vita) – Regular Price: $29.99 Sale Price: $14.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $7.50
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (PS3) – Regular Price: $29.99 Sale Price: $14.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $7.50
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (PS Vita) – Regular Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $9.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $5.00
The Adventures of TinTin: The Game (PS3) – Regular Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $19.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $10.00
Star Wars The Force Unleashed II (PS3) – Regular Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $9.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $5.00
LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game (PS3) – Regular Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $9.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $5.00
Just Cause 2 (PS3) – Regular Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $9.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $7.99
Prince of Persia Classics Trilogy (PS3) – Regular Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $15.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $8.00
Tron Evolution (PS Vita) – Regular Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $7.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $4.00
Alice: Madness Returns (PS3) – Regular Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $7.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $4.00
Fight Night Champion – Full Game (PS3) – Regular Price: $29.99 Sale Price: $11.99 PlayStation Plus Price: $6.00

Movie Deals
Ted (Unrated Version Available) – HD: $11.99
Pineapple Express – SD: $6.99 HD: $9.99
The Dark Knight – SD: $6.99 HD: $11.99
Despicable Me – HD: $11.99
Batman Begins – SD: $6.99 HD: $11.99
Up – SD: $9.99 HD: $17.99
Battleship – HD: $9.99
Toy Story 3 – SD: $9.99 HD: $17.99
Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes – SD: $9.99 HD: $14.99
End Of Watch – HD: $11.99
Inception – SD: $6.99 HD: $11.99
The Expendables – SD: $4.99
The A-Team Extended Cut – SD: $8.99 HD: $12.99
Safe House – HD: $9.99
300 – SD: $6.99 HD: $11.99
The Man With The Iron Fists (Unrated Version Available) – HD: $11.99
The Hurt Locker – SD: $4.99
The Bourne Legacy – HD: $11.99

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What’s Your News Reader of Choice?

Google Reader is slated for a July 1, 2013 death. iGoogle will be dying on November 1, 2013. Unfortunately, I use and rely on both products and have been lax about finding alternatives. That’s where you come in! What RSS readers and/or personalized home page services do you like and use? I’ve been loosely experimenting with Feedly, but haven’t given it enough time to tell whether or not it will work for me. Ideally, I can find one product that will gather up all my favorite news sources and let me view them on a full web browser, Android device, or iOS device. Perhaps that’s asking for too much. Perhaps it’s not. I’m mostly ignorant as to what’s out there, so I don’t know.

So yeah, I’d love to hear about what readers and services you guys and gals use. Any of you digging Netvibes or igHome? Educate me in the comments section (please!).

Coffee Talk #593: Should Google Make an Android Console?

According to The Wall Street Journal, Google plans to make its own Android videogame console. The reason behind the alleged move is that the company wants to compete with Apple’s alleged videogame efforts that will allegedly be in the next version of Apple TV. (That’s a lot of alleging, hey?) While the strategy makes sense using broad and basic strokes of logic, the videogame industry is complex, intricate, and changing rapidly. Do you think that Google should make a home console? Or should it…more

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the surprising picks in the 2013 NBA draft, the crapiness of Wimbledon 2013, or Mayim “Blossom” Bialik reentering the singles scene, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Google plans to make its own Android videogame console. The reason behind the alleged move is that the company wants to compete with Apple’s alleged videogame efforts that will allegedly be in the next version of Apple TV. (That’s a lot of alleging, hey?) While the strategy makes sense using broad and basic strokes of logic, the videogame industry is complex, intricate, and changing rapidly. Do you think that Google should make a home console? Or should it skip out on a costly effort that would be difficult to “win.”

While Android has been a very successful mobile operating system, Google has relied on many hardware partners to make it so successful. Although the company has sold and marketed a line of Nexus products, those phones and tablets were meant as hero products. They were more for developers and tech enthusiasts, and definitely not for general consumers. A videogame console is a whole other ball of wax (not to be confused with the whole enchilada, the whole nine yards, or the whole shebang). I don’t see the point in making a hero Android console; Google’s game box (G-Box?) would have to be aimed at the mass market. Additionally, products like Ouya, Nvidia Shield, and GameStick will have a huge (in gaming years) head start on Google’s machine. While the videogame market is very different than it was five years ago and changing more every year, it has traditionally been unkind to hardware newcomers.

Then again, Google can learn a lot from the companies selling Android gaming systems and avoid several issues. Microsoft has shown that bullying your way into gaming with tons of money (original Xbox) can lead to amazing success (Xbox 360). Google certainly has tons of money and probably wouldn’t mind losing lots on a console that gives the company more data to target advertisements with. Lastly, a videogame box branded, designed, and marketed by Google is a potential powerful thing that could resonate with consumers.

On the third hand, a videogame console would need great hardware marketing and Google has shown to be incompetent with hardware marketing. A console would also require strong customer support and Google is really, really bad at this. After thinking about the WSJ article for several hours, I can think of 10 times as many reasons for Google not to enter the console business as I can reasons for the company to enter it.

What’s your take on the rumored Google Android console? Should the company get into the game? (*snicker*) Or should the company let its Android partners handle things?

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

It’s going to be a violent and sarcastic weekend for me, because I’ll be hanging out with Marvel’s lovable merc with a mouth while I play Deadpool. I’m really looking forward to this game, but in a rather unusual way. I’ve heard…not-so-good things about the gameplay. I’m prepared to deal with that. Since Deadpool is one of my favorite Marvel characters, I’m super looking forward to the game’s writing, characterization, interactions, etc. Although I’d love for the gameplay to rock, I’ll be content if the game delivers the Deadpool that I adore so much in the comics. Duct tape duct tape duct tape!!!

Check Out Taxi Journey on Kickstarter

Lexis Numerique’s Taxi Journey claims to be a platformer that mixes adventure elements, puzzle gameplay, poetry, humor, and mystery. The description grabbed my attention. After going to the game’s Kickstarter page, I was charmed. The art style — featuring distinct pencils and inks — has a Tim Burton-esque feel to it. The characters and objects in the game look familiar and weird at the same time. The idea of a poor taxi driver that can’t afford a real cab and has to carry his passengers on his back while pedaling will give you an idea of the game’s tone. The taxi driver, Gino, teaming up with a magic-wielding girl named Zoe gives the game all sorts of comedic and gameplay possibilities.

I’ll be keeping my eye on Taxi Journey. I’m intrigued by the game’s potential. In my head, I see clever and classic platform gameplay that takes place in a world with a beautifully unique look and a wonderfully strange tone. As I’ve learned from past Kickstarter projects, I’ll wait for the developer to provide updates that show how close (or not) the team is to realizing that potential before getting to excited. I’m hoping Lexis Numerique meets its $230,000 goal and crafts the game I think it can be.

Check out the Taxi Journey Kickstarter pitch video below and let me know what you think of the game (please!).

Nvidia Shield Delayed to July

Bad news for gamers looking forward to Nvidia Shield — the company’s portable videogame console has been delayed to July. It was originally slated to ship this week. The delay was caused by a “third-party mechanical component.” For those of you not familiar with Shield, it’s a mobile gaming console that can play Android games and stream PC games. It’s the first product to use Nvidia’s Tegra 4 chipset, giving it a tech-spec edge over other Android-based gaming systems on the market.

Here’s more on the delay from Nvidia senior product manager Jason Paul:

While we announced last week that Shield will go on sale this Thursday, we’ve taken the hard decision to delay shipping until next month.

The issue relates to a third-party mechanical component, and we’re working around the clock with the supplier to get it up to our expectations.

As a verbal entertainer, I was really looking forward to the release of Shield. It’s certainly a powerful and interesting product, but I don’t know if it’s something gamers are clamoring for. Arguments can be made that its features are interesting in a good way, but some will counter that this is a case of interesting being more curious than good. The product will definitely lead to some interesting discussions…and I kind of want to watch them while eating popcorn.

Any of you disappointed by the delay of of Nvidia Shield?

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CM Punk Gets Restraining Order Against His Mom

According to TMZ, WWE Superstar CM Punk has obtained a restraining order against his mother. Punk’s mother has allegedly hit him up for tens of thousands of dollars, threatened to commit suicide unless given money, and threatened to release embarrassing information about her son unless she was given dough. On paper, it sounds like a sad tale of a mother taking advantage of her (relatively) recently famous and successful son. Here’s a clip from the article Continue reading “CM Punk Gets Restraining Order Against His Mom”

HTC One, Galaxy S4 Google Play Editions Available

“Google Play Editions” of the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 are now available on the Google Play Store. The phones list for $599 and $649, respectively. Both have ship dates of July 9, 2013. Unlike the original models of these phones, the Google Play Editions use a stock version of Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean). This means that they’re free of manufacturer skins and carrier bloatware. While some enjoy the features in manufacturer skins like HTC Sense and Samsung Touchwiz, most hardcore Android users prefer the stock operating system. Stock Android is generally leaner and cleaner, while offering better performance and battery life.

While I’ve enjoyed HTC Sense in the past, I greatly prefer stock Android. Some of the features in manufacturer skins are clever and useful, but most of them are superflous to me. I loathe the bloatware that most American carriers install and won’t let you take off. I really loathe carriers and manufacturers that take forever to upgrade to the latest edition of Android. The Google Play Editions help ensure timely updates.

Although I’m perfectly happy with my Nexus 4, the Google Play Edition of the HTC One is so tempting. The design and screen are gorgeous, while the build quality is stellar. The Galaxy S4 has a little more power under the hood, but I don’t care for the cheap-feeling plastic that Samsung uses. To be fair, fans of the S4 point to its removable battery and storage expansion (MicroSD) as advantages. While I understand people that prefer those features, the design, build quality, and speakers of the HTC One give it the nod in my book.

What do you think of the Google Play Editions of the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4? Any of you tempted to pick one up?