Giveaways and Reviews for Father's Day

You think you know what dads want for Father's Day (see, Dad-Zero)? Well, I'm about to blow that ship out of the water. You have no idea.

Actually, you probably have some idea, after all, you're a dad. Or you have one. Or you're involved with one in a biblical manner.  Or you play one on TV.  Or you like free shit on the internet.  Any of the above will do. The point is, making blanket statements about what the royal DAD wants is like saying all kids love pizza or all dogs go to heaven.  It simply isn't true.  Some dogs go straight to hell and they do not pass go.  Blanket statements are unfair and often littered with smallpox, which let's be honest, is pretty fucked up.

That said, here are a few ideas -- reviews and giveaways (marked below) that some dads will really like for Father's Day. Or maybe not.  Actual dads may vary:

The Reviews

JBLCREATURE III - The Return of the Creature Speakers - Review

Seriously, how cool are these speakers? They look like mini-Darth Vader heads, or maybe the cast of Pac-Man 2010, and they glow!

Compatible with all computer platforms, game systems, digital music/CD players and analog stereos, the speakers are a great fit for anyone.  I was sent a set to review (hence, this) and I was especially tickled, yes, tickled, to find that I could plug my iPhone directly into the speakers and they sounded fantastic.

The smaller speakers, or satellites if you will, are powered at 5 watts each and the subwoofer runs at 15 watts.  That's 25 watts of pure sound, baby. My phone never sounded so good.

The new speakers debut in July and will be available exclusively at Apple retail stores (and online) at the suggested retail price of $129.99.  Sure, July is after Father's Day, but you know who deserves awesome speakers year-round? Dad.

AKG Headphones - Review

Headphones are a must for anyone that stays up later than the rest of household. Whether you're gaming, watching TV, listening to music or talking on Skype, nobody in your house wants to hear that shit at 2 a.m. -- that's a real fact based solely on assumptions and personal experience.

The new line of headphones from AKG features the K 450 foldable minis with wireless Bluetooth capability -- you can even add them to your phone for hands-free calling.  That's not the pair they sent me, but I'm not complaining.

I tested the K 142 HD, yes, HD as in High-Definition. In a headphone. I know! The headphones are comfortable, stylish and provide the most amazing sound I've ever heard, and that's saying something, I've seen Queensryche in concert. Jealous much?

The headphones aren't cheap, but you do get what you pay for, which is kind of refreshing these days.  I like quality.

JBL On Time Micro Alarm-Clock Docking Station - Review

The JBL On Time Micro, according to the press release, will make the music on your iPod, iPhone or other MP3 player sound great any time. But mornings are when this system really shines. Wake up to music that you know will get you going  -- with or without the help of up to seven independent alarms.

Seven alarms? I had a roommate like that once. Half the time I would get up, walk in his room and turn the alarm off myself.  He would be late, and pissed off, a lot, but come on, seven alarms?

The cool thing about the JBL Micro is that it works with all kinds of players and computers.  It also charges players while they're docked.  You've seen similar items in nicer hotel rooms, but this one is quite a bit fancier than most (and no, they didn't let me keep one).  If dad has something like this on his wish list you'd be hard-pressed to beat the JBL On Time Micro.

The Giveaways

Reviva’s Father's Day Shaving Kit - Giveaway

Here's a little secret, shaving sucks. There are few things more unpleasant than taking a razor to the face every morning.  It cuts, it burns and besides, we all know that a bit of stubble makes us look super sexy.

For example, please allow me to submit these photos of myself for your amusement. On the left is my bed-head, unshaven look, and on the right is how I look after 15 minutes of wrestling with the razor:

See the difference? Shaving hurts.

The good people at Reviva want to help. They are giving one lucky DadCentric reader a shaving kit, which includes:

... (from the press release)an After Shave Skin Conditioner Lotion, Sun Protective Moisturizer for Men, and Moisture Bar All Vegetable Soap, valued at $18.00.
 
The After Shave Skin Conditioner Lotion is perfect over cologne, or instead of cologne because it not only smoothes[sic] and texturizes the skin, but it adds moisture that skin loses from frequent shaving. The Sun Protective Moisturizer for Men offers SPF 25 sun protection that helps keep men’s skin healthy and young looking, while also fresher and smoother. The Moisture Bar All Vegetable Soap, made with goat’s milk and soy, is perfect for every skin type and ideal for sensitive skin.

Doesn't that sound nice?  Well, it is. They sent me a kit to try out and you know, shaving still sucked, but my face feels (and looks) fantastic:

 

If you want to win a Reviva shaving kit please leave a comment below describing your worst shaving experience. If my Google search for shaving pictures is any sign I should ask that you keep your story away from the naughty parts. More contest details at the end of this post.

Books - Giveaway

Books are always a great gift, they're easy to find, fairly affordable and can be incredibly thoughtful and personal (or at least give the impression of being thoughtful and personal). What's even better than a good book? How about a bunch of good books? And they're free! Yes, that sounds better.

Together with Hachette Book Group we are giving away the following collection of books for your reading enjoyment:

• WAR By Sebastian Junger
• Moment of Glory By John Feinstein
• Miracle on the 17th Green By James Patterson , Peter de Jonge
• Innocent By Scott Turow
• Oil By Tom Bower
• Beyond Belief By Josh Hamilton, Tim Keown

That's a lot of summer reading! To win the Father's Day Book Collection from Hachette Book Group please leave a comment below and tell us why you should be our winner. More contest details at the end of this post.

WalletBe Front Pocket Wallet - Giveaway

Is a wallet too cliché? A month ago I would have said yes.  Actually, I wouldn't have cared if it was cliché or not, I'm happy to get anything my kids feel like giving me, but for the sake of this post, sure, a wallet is kind of cliché.  Enter the WalletBe Original Front Pocket Wallet (in classic black). It's actually really cool.

As someone that works at home I seldom have need to put on pants, let alone nice pants, but when I do I always find myself facing the wallet dilemma. Does my bulky wallet go in the back and make my ass look like it swallowed a shoebox, or do I put it in the front and look like a teenage boy with his first box of condoms? It's a tough call.

The WalletBe Front Pocket Wallet is thin, holds your ID, credit cards and even your money, assuming you carry any. Sure, I felt kind of silly changing out my wallet as my wife was changing out her purse, but look, we're doing something together! The WalletBe is saving my marriage.

If you would like to win your very own WalletBe Original Front Pocket Wallet, then please leave a comment below sharing your own personal tale of wallet-induced woe. More contest details at the end of this post.

In closing, I'm not able to say what Dad will and won't like. He could be up for a baseball game, a movie with the kids, a rock concert or rock climbing.  Dads, it turns out, are not all the same.  However, it's pretty safe to say that whatever you get he'll like it more because it's from you.  Yes, I'm talking directly to the children right now.

Have a happy Father's Day!

Giveaway Details

As noted above there are three (3) giveaways in this post:

• Reviva's Father's Day Shaving Kit
• The Father's Day Book Collection
• WalletBe Front Pocket Wallet

You may enter all three contests. One entry per contest. One entry per comment. Please clarify the contest you are entering at the top of each comment.

All contests are open to the U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. Boxes. You know who you are. 

The contests will be closed and the respective winners announced on Wednesday, June 23, 2010. Yes, I know that's after Father's Day. Have a plan B.

If you've won something from DadCentric in the past three months be cool and let someone else have a chance.

I received samples of some items mentioned in this post (noted above per item). Per DadCentric's review policy I have only reviewed items that I truly endorse. I received some other stuff that was just crap and I'm not going to waste your time with it. I gave that stuff to my Dad for Father's Day.

Thanks for reading and good luck!