For the last few months, even more, there has been a commercial for a cheapass laser level that makes me grind my teeth every time it is on.

I don't mind it, for the most part, cheesy dialog pomising leveling it really can't deliver, because it's just a straight edge light. No problem, homeowners can learn to use a bubble level if they have to.

No, it's not your ordinary cheese that makes my teeth grind. it's the voiceover saying "It even goes around corners!" and showing it lighting around an outside corner.

I can't help the alarm bells that go off and make me wince and grumble "No it can't!"

Yes, if you point it from somewhere opposite the corner, it can illuminate a line across the two walls, joined at the corner, but it does not "go around" the frickin corner, dammit.

This rant brought to you by a frustrated physics nerd.

Let's add the problem of trying to figure out how many grains a "pinch of salt" is

Obviously what you'd need in that case is one of those fancyshmancy sets of "pinch" and "dash" spoons. Then you could count.

Our math genius doesn't know it yet, but she's been given a recipe with inexact measurements. Will her head explode? Let's watch

I am fine with inexact measurements. Those are not inexact measurements, they're faux-exact measurements.

Yes, if you point it from somewhere opposite the corner, it can illuminate a line across the two walls, joined at the corner, but it does not "go around" the frickin corner, dammit.

I've wondered about that. Now I know.

Obviously what you'd need in that case is one of those fancyshmancy sets of "pinch" and "dash" spoons. Then you could count.

Yeah, but they're probably name-brand-expensive-couldn't-find-them-even-if-you-sold-your-soul. That price is a bit too high for my, ahem, taste.

they're probably name-brand-expensive-couldn't-find-them-even-if-you-sold-your-soul. That price is a bit too high for my, ahem, taste.

If you still have your soul, you shouldn't even be shopping for them. They're obviously too high end for you.

Yeah, but they're probably name-brand-expensive-couldn't-find-them-even-if-you-sold-your-soul. That price is a bit too high for my, ahem, taste.

Nah. They came with my $20 measuring set at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Nah. They came with my $20 measuring set at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

I saw some beautiful plates in there, but each one was about $10 each. I bought my measuring cups and spoons at the dollar store. They sometimes have good stuff, sometimes not.

I saw some beautiful plates in there, but each one was about $10 each. I bought my measuring cups and spoons at the dollar store. They sometimes have good stuff, sometimes not.

After several years with my plastic set, I upgraded to stainless last year. I have no regrets, except perhaps not doing it sooner.

We're slowly upgrading what's left of our cheap cookware, with the idea that this way, we won't have to replace it for a really, really, really long time.

Speaking of, anyone happen to know what Cooks Illustrated recommends in the way of cookie sheets?

After several years with my plastic set, I upgraded to stainless last year.

I almost did that (and hadn't quite discarded the plans), but reading this reminds me of my stainless on stainless squick, so I have to remember not to do it.

Oh, and they recommended the Kaiser cookie sheet, which is a tinned steel/shiny silver jobbie for $6.99. They recommend against Ekco, WearEver, Nordic Ware, Calphalon and T-Fal.