Finishing the book in 2 sits is about what one can expect from a book written by Ben Mezrich. For those of you that watched “21″ with Kevin Spacey, Mr. Mezrich is the author of the book “Bringing Down the House” from which the movie was adapted. “Rigged” was written in 2007 but I wasn’t keen on its exsistence until I found myself and crew delayed for over 3 hours in the Allentown Pennsylvania Airport. Shopping around for something to do and read, I stumbled on the paperback edition and decided to pick it up so with that, here is my review.

Ben Mezrich’s captivating and emotional ridden writing style is present immediately from the get go. Thoroughly delightful and pleasantly easy to read, “Rigged” follows the true story of David Russo’s (D’Agostino is real life) forray into the New York Mercantile Exchange. Growing up in a traditional Italian family and educated at Harvard Businnes School, the story follows him through his surprise hiring and promotion at the young age of 26 on board with the NYMEX. Impressing his bosses and colleagues around, he ventures into an idea brought forth by a business man of the same age but from half way across the world in a city David knows nothing about, Dubai.

The books’ chapters shuffle between the two story lines of David and Khaled until they ultimately intertwine having the two join forces in convincing the Western World that a an exchange in the religion-governed Middle East is a must in shaping the globalization of economies. Each chapter dropping off at a critical stream in one’s character and picking up with the other is a style that has become the page turner is today’s more fantastic novels and this story never falls short of just that.

Excitement and tension between the young and old are just a few of the emotions that Mezrich does a fine job of illustrating.  Granted there are a few short comings such as the anticlimactic opening of the Dubai MEX and the rushed ending.  The book in the beginning chapters does a great job of pulling you in, but the story just leaves you with too many questions.  

Don’t expect a 10 out of 10 but it’s a good, entertaining read.  Pick it up at the library or if you see me around, ask me and I’ll shoot it your way.

It’s about time that I’m able to finally review the Contour Showcase for the iPhone 3G.  I’ve been flying around the Eastern Seaboard without a case on mi iPhone blanco for the last month and half ever since Contour replied to my inquiry that they were in fact releasing a better case.  So, without further adieu, I bring you some photos. 

Staying true to all other Contour products, the packaging remains the same except for name of the product on the lower left hand corner of the box.  It’s definitely a little confusing when actually trying to find the right case in the Apple store when all the Contour cases are hanging in a vertical configuration with all the same black boxes.

The case comes with a side clip for those tools like me that like to have their pockets free from clutter.  You can clip the device to the holster either face in or face out, your choice.  If I did carry the phone in my pocket, I would have a lot of scratches on the device, so it definitely adds to the longevity of the device.  You can configure the clip at any angle, whether you like it horizontal along your hip, perpendicular or prefer some type of cowboy angle.  The releasing from the hip clip is a little more tricky and sometimes it feels like you need to use two hands to release it but you get the hang of it after a while.  It’s just a little tight when you first start using it.

The case itself opens from the top with ease but shuts securely around the device.  The iPhone drops in from the top and fits snugly into the bottom fourth of the case leaving the bottom open to allow syncing with a cable.  Since I don’t have the newest dock, I’m not sure if it will allow for dock usage, but I’ll update this soon when I try it at the store.  The case itself allow access to all the side buttons and headset jack without any obstruction while the top sleep button is covered but easy to trigger.  You won’t even know that it is covered as the response is great compared to other cases.

The front of the Showcase protects the top quarter of the iPhone 3G leaving an opening for the speaker while the bottom quarter protects the area around the Home button.  The Showcase has a clear back shouting out to the public the version of device that you own.

Conclusion: The Contour Showcase is the must have case for the iPhone 3G due to the premium construction of the molding.  “Starting with a base chassis of light weight (dual injected) polycarbonate, each Showcase is then bordered in a supple rubber finish.”  This provides for a good shock absorber for those clumsy moments and trust me, you’ll want the extra insurance.  It was a long time waiting and after going through 4 different cases, I’m glad that I was finally able to get my hands on one while having an overnight in Stamford, Connecticut.

Pick one up online at Contour’s Website or at your local Apple Retail Store.  The stores haven’t been able to keep a steady stock on these cases, so I’d call in advance.  Enjoy! rating: Perfect 10

The last picture below just show how much of a tool I am with the hip clip situate horizontally along my waist.