Thursday

Some of My Favorites


I'm a geek and a gadget queen. I love cool software, fast computers, programs where you can change the skins, phones, cameras, xBox consoles, iPod's, camcorders, personal video players, special roasted coffee, neat containers, foods, and more. I love finding the newest, latest and greatest of everything, gadgets, food, toys, designers, all of it. Now, I can't usually afford to get everything, but it sure is fun researching. Hey, I could find a new toy! Here are a few really cool things I've found of late:

1. Software to create itineraries and travel guides that you can access from anywhere (I had this idea a few years ago and did nothing with it - I could've been rich!): www.tripit.com.

2. R2D2 Trash Can (Ricky, you'll like this)


3. Tea - picked by Monkeys! The website says that monks trained the monkeys to pick the tea off of trees that were too high for mere mortals to reach.

4. Shooting cubicle alarm system. This cool gadget will protect your space from unwanted intruders. It spots the intruder, sounds an alarm and then fires off two foam missiles at the offender. Cool. Now you can either keep your stuff safe from cubicle candy/food roamers. Or, maybe it is as simple as setting these puppies up as an early warning device that notifies you and others of an approaching boss; which leads us to another solution for wandering bosses or co-workers...

5. The Executive Marshmellow Shooter. The description states that the shooter dazzles with a "high-tech, chrome-like finish" and that it "can lay down a withering barrage of mini marshmallows in seconds." Shoots up to 30 feet. Need I say more?


6. Hilariously disgusting way to store your valuables in plain sight, called the Brief Safe. The website states: "The “Brief Safe” is an innovative diversion safe that can secure your cash, documents, and other small valuables from inquisitive eyes and thieving hands, both at home and when you’re traveling. Items can be hidden right under their noses with these specially-designed briefs which contain a fly-accessed 4″ x 10″ secret compartment with VelcroƂ® closure and “special markings” on the lower rear portion.

"Leave the “Brief Safe” in plain view in your laundry basket or washing machine at home, or in your suitcase in a hotel room — even the most hardened burglar or most curious snoop will “skid” to a screeching halt as soon as they see them — wouldn’t you?"

7. THE Swiss Army Knife to end all army knives. You can see a picture of this above. This 8-inch bad boy weighs in at a very practical 2 pounds, 11 ounces. Oh, and there are 85 tools to choose from! Did I mention that it costs $1200? I think the only thing missing is the kitchen sink?

8. I know by Blackberry keyboard is too small to be able to shoot out emails quickly, so I found just the thing: Keyboard pants. Yes, that's right, your pants can double as a keyboard. Built into these duds is a keyboard, knee speakers, mouse slot and a joystick built into the crotch. Though I would suspect that if you wore these, the whole world would know you're a geek.

In the words of a very famous song, "these are a few of my favorite things." But stay tuned, I'll find more!!!

Friday

Things That Bug Me



Have you ever had a moment where you've paused to try to figure something out and try as you might, your brain can't really wrap itself around the dilemma? If you don't understand what I'm talking about, I'll be happy to start that process for you and help you become (queue strange music here) ....one of us!

1. The 18 Hour Bra - what happens after 18 hours? Does the bra wilt or wither away? Is it Cinderella-like and give up and let the wearer's mammaries sag at the stroke of the clock? I also want to know if it is a sudden failure of the garment or if it slowly loses its support structure over the last few hours. If you wear it only 12 hours, is it only good for another 6 on the second wearing?

2. Speaking of undergarments, one can't forget the invention of the underwire bra. It should take a page from the time release wearability of the 18 hour bra and wait at 12 to 14 hours before becoming painful. Alas no, after only a few hours my poor rib cage is dying from having their hard, curved platelets digging in. God forbid that you have bad posture. Upon removal at night there are two red smiley faces proudly showing they've done their part to support womankind. Yuck!

3. Knee High Nylons - does anyone buy these anymore? Oh yeah, I forgot. I just saw someone wearing them a few weeks ago; and they were wearing a above-the-knee dress! The ensemble consisted of a patterned blouse (paisley, or polka dots or similar) and a smart tartan plaid skirt that fell to an inch or two above the knees. You already know what the stockings were: knee highs. I wish I had my camera with me. It would have been priceless.

4. Opening a brand new toilet paper roll. Ok, let me set the stage for you. It's the middle of the night and you have to use "the facilities" (somehow we all know what that means). Usually I'm staggering in the general direction of "the facility" because basically I'm still sleeping. I'm still in the dark mind you, as I don't want to wake anyone up (namely me). I sit (yes, I'm a girl), do my tinkle, stare around for a few seconds trying to remember why I'm there, and then finally reach for the TP. It's empty. Drat! So I grab a new roll and try to find the edge. It is nowhere to be found. I pick at it with my fingernails and eventually revert to a full fledged clawing to try to tear away some of the paper. Finally I give up and grab some kleenex. To heck with the TP. Maybe tomorrow.

5. Tear out mailers in magazines - I truly hate those. I have a couple of subscriptions: Really Good Homes and Spectacular Gardens, Taste My Cooking, National Pictureiphic, and a few more. So, I grab a cup of warm brew and find a cozy spot to indulge. The mag immediately plops open to a page with tear outs begging me to subscribe to...this very same magazine! They are embedded in every other page! There are postage paid tear outs for magazines, for calendars, for Franklin Mint dolls or plates, for real gold coins, you name it. I've gotten so that I immediately hunt down all the tear outs and dispose of them first thing. I hate 'em. One time I ripped them all out, and without filling in a single line of the forms, I dropped them into the local blue post box. Hah! That'll teach them to waste my time. Strangely enough, they didn't learn. They're still there.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't get bugged easily. I tend to just raise my eyebrows and move on. But some things warrant some questioning and these are just a few of those things. I'm sure you can come up with several yourself.

Do share.