a.k.a. Doublejack

Tease!

2008-11-20T16:04:00.000-08:00

I don't like to post about concept cars, and I long ago gave up letting myself get too excited by them. Concept cars are too much like having a super-hot, witty and smart model flirt with you all night...and then ditch you shortly after you start believing you're actually going to get lucky.

But this — this is a car I'm willing to be teased by. I just want to think about owning a car like this for a while. I know it's not real, I know that even if I wait 15 years, everything that's brilliant about this design will be watered down and shaded toward the blandest common denominator in any real "production model."

As a fantasy, though, it's dreamy.

Wine Bottles Are So 2007

2008-09-24T17:03:00.000-07:00

I'm a convert to wine packaging that eschews the heavy glass bottle, and I really want to try this version from Revelry Vintners.

My lingering attachment to tradition in the face of innovation began to falter when I first heard about French Rabbit wines in their eco-friendly and camping/backpacking-convenient packaging.

But it was Target's WineCube that fully sold me on the idea. I mean, seriously, not only is this stuff a bargain, super-convenient, and environmentally friendly, but it tastes great, too!

Antique Blogging Platform

2008-08-12T12:03:00.000-07:00

Only two posts here all year? Really? I blame LiveJournal.

So, anyway, long story short, I just ordered some of these. Because I have poor impulse control. And they look cool.

Hello? Is this thing on? Yeah, that's what I thought...

McCarran Airport, FTW!

2008-03-06T10:44:00.000-08:00

You know what would be great? If when you got to the airport and had a little time to kill before your next flight, you could pop open your laptop and instantly get a strong, free wi-fi connection. Even better would be if the first page you see after a ridiculously simple log-in (email address only) is a well-laid-out page listing up-to-date arrivals and departures.

Well that's exactly the experience I just had here at the Southwest gate at McCarran airport in Las Vegas.

Now granted I didn't even try this at SFO -- maybe it was just as painlessly convenient. I haven't flown in years, so this could be pretty standard. But either way, I appreciate it.

Good job, McCarran!

Rock-a-bye Baby!

2008-01-29T16:26:00.000-08:00

This. Bed. Rocks. Yes. Literally.

Want want want want want.

In case you can't tell, I think this is the coolest thing ever.

Domes for Darfur

2008-01-19T20:39:00.000-08:00

This is a good cause, and if you can spare a few bucks you'll be doing a mitzvah for some people who haven't seen a whole lot of mitzvahs from our side of the world recently.

I just had the honor of donating the first $50. Maybe you'll be the first to donate more!

I Can See Clearly Now, Part III

2007-08-08T18:37:00.001-07:00

Why does stuff have to be so darn expensive? This is the iGen Night Vision Viewer, and it would be so cool to have at Burning Man. (Mostly to play "spot the lurking law enforcement officers.") $700 at SkyMall, but it can be found for under $500 elsewhere online. SkyMall's satisfaction guarantee is pretty tempting, though:

Satisfaction. Your complete satisfaction is our first concern. If you're unhappy with any purchase, for any reason, you can return it within 60 days for exchange or refund. Guaranteed.

Sounds a lot like "Free Rental for Burning Man" to me...

Clever Little Wine Rack Substitute

2007-08-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

The Wine Wedge — $14.95. I spotted this on Gizmodo, and they were all yakkety-yak-yak about it. Doesn't the picture pretty much speak for itself?

By the way, does it seem like an inordinate number of my posts here have to do with alcohol accessories? Totally unintentional, I assure you.

Don't Leave Home Without It

2007-07-28T19:35:00.000-07:00

Neat. Another to file under Wish I'd Thought Of It.

You Look Like a Drunk on the Go!

2007-04-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

My latest covetables are both from Snow Peak: the Titanium Flask you see above, and the portable ~~Chopsticks below~~. About $100 and $25, respectively.

There are only two versions of the flask listed on their website, and both are different from the one above, but this one supposedly holds 6.7 oz. of hooch, and weighs only 2.3 oz. itself. It doesn't get much more awesome than that, friends. A little web surfing indicates that these aren't easy to come by -- seems most places are "temporarily out of stock." Good luck!

2 Fools + 1 Adventure + 0 Idea = Tuxedo Travels

2007-04-05T11:19:00.000-07:00

Hello, random person with a still-active RSS feed! Surprise!

No promises that I'll be posting with any regularity anytime soon, but I'll try. I just wanted to alert the world about Tuxedo Travels. A friend I met at the TED conference a couple of years ago is hitting the road with a guy he barely knows, travelling from Hong Kong to London, wearing a tuxedo the whole way. You wish you'd thought of that, you say? Me, too! Track their progress, and maybe kick down a few bucks to their Silly Fund.

Love your horse?

2007-02-24T12:13:00.000-08:00

My good friends Federica and Anton have a ranch near Winters, CA where they board and train horses. Federica just moved her website to a new URL, so I'm linking to her here. So if you have a horse you want boarded near Davis or Winters, check out Somerset Farms. Thanks.

Do Want!

2007-01-09T12:19:00.000-08:00

This demanded a return to blogging. There's an image meme going around now with pictures of people and animals seeming to grimace or react badly to something, with the caption "Do not want!" (Many of these are NSFW, so search for them at your peril.) In any case, that's where the title of this post comes from. I so Do Want!

Apple iPhone.

Fandango PARK(ing) - Timelapse

2006-09-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a YouTube video of the timelapse movie I made of our PARK(ing) adventure. I hope it works!

Park(ing) Day, Fandango Style

2006-09-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

Today is Park(ing) Day in San Francisco, so of course Fandango had to get involved. We built a Park at 22nd & Mission. We kept ours simple -- a bench and a couple of chairs showed up shortly after this picture was taken. But I hear there's a more elaborate one near where I work.

Check out yours truly, enjoying his moment in the sun. It was actually really wonderful and park-like, laying on the warm grass. Even with cars driving by just a couple of feet from your head and, you know, parking right next to you, the smell of the grass was really refreshing.

Alamo Square Flea Market

2006-08-07T10:49:00.000-07:00

Just up the street from my house, this Saturday -- the 24th Annual Alamo Square Flea Market. I only heard about it yesterday (and I've lived just 1/2 a block away from the park for three years!). But it looks like a great opportunity to get some cool cast-offs -- including stuff from yours truly. I'm still waiting to hear back about whether there's enough space for me to set up in the park, but since I recently put together a bunch of stuff that had been cluttering up my apartment, I'll at least take the opportunity to set up across the street.

Bonus!, Part II

2006-08-07T10:46:00.000-07:00

Second year anniversary here at work, so this time I get two, count 'em, two crisp, new $100 bills. Suh-weet!

The Wheel of Life?

2006-08-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

If you're heading to the playa, you could do worse than to bring one of these along -- though you'd have to build your own, of course.

This rates right up there as one of the very coolest things I've seen in months.

[via inhabitat]

It's Like a Digital Camera for Voices

2006-07-05T11:27:00.002-07:00

Oh, man. This would be so cool to have. I do occasional man-on-the-street type interviews for work, but this would also make spontaneous podcasting a breeze. The FlashMic is just what the name suggests -- it's a high-quality cordless Sennheiser microphone with 1GB of flash memory. It runs on 2 AA batteries (for about 8 hours recording time), and can record up to 18 hours of broadcast quality mp3 action. The catch? Until some competition comes along to drive down the price, it'll set you back about $1300. Ouch!

[via OhGizmo!]

Utility Belt Item #6

2006-07-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

simplehuman's design philosophy is apparently right up my alley. I have one of their little covered trash cans in my bathroom, and just as the company's name suggests, it's simple and ergonomic. But it's the little touches that make good design great, and the bags that come with the can utilize package design that perfectly complements the can and exemplifies simplehuman's brand personality. So I was delighted, but not surprised, to discover this innovative gem.

The simplehuman Bag Capsule is, as the name suggests, a compact container that holds a spool of "bags" -- but the clever trick is, there are no perforations or really even bags, per se. You just "[p]ull out the plastic tubing inside to make any size bag with the built-in cutter by simply knotting the end." Nice! Each Bag Capsule is only $5.99 and comes with two plastic tubing rolls "for over 65 feet of bags," and a 3-pack of replacement rolls is just $4.99. Perfect for the Leave No Trace® event in your life.

[via productdose]

You Can Keep Your Sporks

2006-06-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

I believe this little item speaks for itself. $12 here.

Westfalia Coolness

2006-06-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

I make no secret of my lust for motorhomes and other portable shelter systems. It's one of my favorite design problems, and some of the solutions--both proposed and actual--can be simply stunning. Like this one: a Volkswagen Westfalia concept from Verdier in Canada.

[via notcot.org]

If I Were A Rich Man...

2006-06-12T11:23:00.000-07:00

OMG, drool! Screw the Batmobile, I want this. It's the Bugatti Veyron $1.2 million, 0-60 in 3 seconds, top speed of 253 MPH.

[via Uncrate]

How Come Japan Gets The Glowy Mushrooms?

2006-06-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

Anyone know how (or even if) I could get some of these to grow in my shower?

[via Neatorama]

Sexy Beast

2006-06-02T19:47:00.000-07:00

The 2007 Kawasaki KLR650 has been revealed, and I like it. I currently ride the 1995 model of this bike, and the cool thing about these bikes is, you could literally swap any part from the 2007 bike onto the 1995 bike, and vice versa. They're virtually identical. And a new one is only about $5200. Alas, if I bought a new one, I'd have to put about another $1500 into it to give it my favorite add-ons my current bike has -- or, I could just swap 'em onto the new bike... Hmmmm.

Will The Real Slim Slanty...Oh, Nevermind.

2006-05-19T12:41:00.000-07:00

I just really like the look of this table. Is that so wrong? It's about $1100 at Vivavi, but I'm pretty sure I could make something similar for a lot less if I weren't so lazy...

[via productdose, of course]

Infinitely Cool

2006-05-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

This is a really fun, infinitely cool infinite regression. Whee!

Airstream = Art

2006-05-05T15:57:00.000-07:00

Oh, drool! As I've mentioned here before, I have a huge motorhome/house-on-wheels fetish. I've always wanted to buy an old (or even a cool, newer) Airstream trailer and design the interior myself. Well, it looks like this weekend I'm going to miss out on seeing some of Kristiana Spaulding's work, showing at The Spring Open Studios at Hunters Point Shipyard. Dang!

[via ReadyMade blog]

Anti-Intellectualism is My Power Move

2006-05-05T14:19:00.002-07:00

Remind me to tell you the story of the time I scared Ze Frank in a men's room when one or both of us might have had a little too much to drink. (Sorry, Ze!) In the meantime, tune in to his daily podcast -- because 9 times out of 10, it's going to be the funniest thing you see all day.

At The X, Y Coordinates, The Time Will Be...

2006-05-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

The Bhudda said that desire is the source of all suffering, or something like that. Well, it must be true 'cause I want this watch, but I can't afford to buy it right now, and it hurts. My trusty currency calculator tells me that the ¥1499 price at TokyoFlash is about $132 to you, and more importantly, me. But noooo, I have to pay my rent. Stupid rent... Oh, how does it work? Um, X-axis = hours, Y-axis = minutes (w/in 5 minutes), count the number of the 4 red LEDs lit, and add to your Cartesian 5-minute mark to get within 1-minute of the actual time. In the picture here, it's 9:37. Duh.

[via boing boing]

Water, Water Everywhere...

2006-04-28T18:05:00.000-07:00

Mission accomplished -- this commercial for Evian will probably get me to buy a bottle next time I have the choice.

Late to the Party

2006-04-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

New-to-me web comic, Diesel Sweeties is pretty funny. Now you know. (P.S., be sure to start at the beginning and read the last 5 years worth.)

Octopussy

2006-04-21T18:53:00.000-07:00

I like this T-shirt from Defunker.com. Don't you? I think it's $24, but I'm in back-muscle-spasm agony right now, so I'm not gonna go check.

While You're Up?*

2006-04-21T18:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a FridgeMagnetBottleOpener that we here at Doublejack, Inc. would like to have, as it would complement our collection of Coca-Cola bottles from around the world. (Yes, really.)

They're only available in the UK from Suck UK for £15.00 each. ("But I want one now!") Oh well, whatever.

*Where I come from, "While you're up?" means "Yo, you're standing and I'm too lazy to move -- go get me a beer."

Get 'em!

2006-04-19T17:38:00.000-07:00

Psst! Get 'em while you can -- before I get a Cease and Desist letter. $29 for this hoodie, but see the other options, too. I do take requests, so if there's something else you'd like, let me know.

My shop:

Watch!

2006-04-14T12:24:00.000-07:00

I've been needing a watch. And as a motorcycle rider, something with a big face and a band that could go over my jacket sleeve would be ideal. So I'm thinking of actually getting this PXR-5 watch for only $75.

[also via productdose]

Skram!

2006-04-14T12:15:00.000-07:00

Confession: Most of my furniture is secondhand. Some of it I even found on the street. I let my cat claw my well-worn leather chairs because I only paid $100 for the set, and someday (I hope!) I'll be able to afford better. So I'm rarely tempted by a new item of furniture unless it's under $100.

But this Skram "Version 4 Armchair", I'd probably try to scrape together at least $500 for. And it's not even all that practical -- I just love the way it looks.

Too bad it's $5,000!!! Bastards!

[via productdose]

OH! MY! GOD! IT'S! THE! POWER! TOOL! DRAG! RACES!!!

2006-04-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

O.k., being noticed has kicked my ~~guilt~~ motivation into high gear, so let me see if I can make up for such a long hiatus from posting. I just got this notice today, and even though it's pretty short notice for putting an entry together, you probably have time to cancel that baby shower or bar mitzvah and attend the amazing, the stupendous, the absolutely outrageously fun Power Tool Drag Races

Some quick details from the organizers:

THE POWER TOOL DRAG RACES!!

THAT'S RIGHT SPORTSFANS,

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY
MAY...ay...ay
7TH...th...th
2006...6...6
Noon until we are done
At the ACE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
(If you don't know, contact the organizers for directions.)
San Francisco

OH MY &$%# G-D, It's the Power Tool Drag Races!

See Massive Milwaukees versus Devastating DeWalts! Porter Cable Drag
Chutes on Sawzall chassis! Hardcore Black and Decker big-block action
and inspired fits of Makita re-engineering! Junkyard hot dogs and
cotton candy for the kids. Vodka sno-cones and OSHA-horrifying
conditions in the pits for the kids over 18!

Who Knew?

2006-04-10T14:39:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well...seems all I had to do to get somone else to credit my blog for a find was to get too busy to update it for, oh, a month or so. One of my own daily stops on the blog circuit is EverythingAndNothing, and today I notice she picked up my scoop on the soap leaves, below -- and credited good ol' Doublejack in the process. Thanks!

So what does that have to do with the T-shirt pictured above? Well, one of my favorite things about EverythingAndNothing is her shirt-of-the-day feature. But while I've been tempted a few times, I haven't yet taken the plunge. One blogger shirt (B-shirt?) I did purchase, though, was this one from One Digital Life. I like the shirt a lot -- and the blog, too.

Ah, how I love the soap trees in autumn...

2006-03-11T19:16:00.000-08:00

Staying at the Ritz-Carlton, I found myself looking through the Ritz-Carlton magazine (who knew?), where I saw these. They're single use soap leaves -- ultra thin slivers of fine soap, for just enough lather to banish the ick from your hands. Aren't they lovely? $20 for a box of 20.

Only Mother Nature could form soaps as beautiful as these Soap Leaves. ... Comes in packs of 20 honey-scented soap leaves in an acetate box perfect for gift-giving. Each leaf is good for one or two washings. Choose from Ivory and Green. Please note that as these items are handmade, please expect color and size differences between the leaves in each box.

Cormorant by Shriekback

2006-03-03T16:39:00.000-08:00

Wow. This is really cool. Shriekback is a great band that most of you probably haven't heard of. Their new album, Cormorant, was recently released. And now they've just released a limited edition of 50 hand-painted USB "cormorant eggs," each containing the full album, plus four bonus tracks. I want one!

the cormorant egg -- £35.00

it's here at last!
a limited edition of 50 hand-crafted cormorant eggs that plug into your usb socket
each egg contains, in mp3 format, the whole of the cormorant album plus four bonus tracks, month of sand, thumbless, planet and nimbulus and a 20-minute interview with barry andrews
each one comes in its own straw-lined mini crate with a personalised shipping label, a set of coloured prints of the cormorant at lulworth cove, a certificate of authenticity signed by barry andrews and malicious damage, a complete lyric sheet and one of a set of 50 ways to look at a cormorant

TEDenvy

2006-02-23T12:14:00.000-08:00

The TED Conference started today. TED stands for Technology Entertainment Design, and it's one of the most inspiring events I know of. I was at the last two TEDs, and it's killing me having to miss this one. Hopefully next year...

The Paws That Refreshes?

2006-02-17T17:49:00.000-08:00

Why carry a whole yoga mat (which would never fit in, say, your carry-on bag), when all you really need are the parts where your hands and feet touch? Et voila! Yoga-Paws. A bit pricey at $30 for regular size or $35 for large if you ask me, but...what's that? You didn't ask me? Fine. Be that way.

[via Everything and Nothing]

STNCL*RVLTN!

2006-02-14T12:53:00.000-08:00

Stencil Revolution! I'll keep this short: I dig stencils, I love witty urban art. I give you Stencil Revolution!

[via ReadyMade: blog

Fancy Pants Corkscrew

2006-02-14T11:51:00.000-08:00

As a waiter, I was always ~~fussy~~ particular about my "wine key" -- what we in the food service biz called the corkscrews almost all waiters use. I used to carry a spare at all times just for loaning to other waiters because I didn't trust them not to lose, or worse ruin my good one. Anyway, I like the looks of this Chalais Corkscrew from Restoration Hardware. Looks aren't everything, of course -- it could still suck. But I'd be willing to give it a try.

Chalais Corkscrew $24
Rosewood levers span a full 10"
Levers conceal a pullout foil cutter and bottle opener
Stainless steel with nonstick corkscrew

Weeds, yo. Weeeeeeeds.

2006-02-13T16:32:00.000-08:00

Recently I downloaded the entire 1st season of Showtime's Weeds from iTunes. Since my girlfriend was busy studying, I went ahead and watched all 10 1/2-hour episodes (i.e., 5 hours worth) at a stretch last Friday night. Then, because they were so good, I watched the first four episodes all over again with my girlfriend last night. I give it my highest recommendation. Ha! I crack me up.

Multi-Task My @$$, I'm Gonna Multi-Lounge...

2006-02-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

At $2440 + shipping, the Flipt (get it? it flips from Lounge to Chaise Lounge) is too rich for my blood. But it's a cool and inspirational design, don't you think? Being a fan of details, I especially like the flat metal base -- I simply loathe the chrome tubing look that I see popping up everywhere these days. If you're all flush with the Benjamins, you can buy one here.

Dimensions : when folded 31.4” h x 38.5”w x 22”d; when extended 31.4”h x 75”w x 22”d

[Now, everybody wave to the nice folks over at bltd. and thank them for the swell tip.]

Must. Have. Pet. Dinosaur!

2006-02-08T13:27:00.000-08:00

This is all over the Internets the last couple of days, and for good reason. Think Aibo (R.I.P.), but softer, cuter, more lifelike, and just-back-from-millions-of-years-of-extinction, and you've got Pleo.

He's not available for adoption yet, so I don't know how much it'll set me back (yeah, this seems like one of those must-have kinda things), but he sure sounds like a worthy companion. From the website:

Pleo is a 'designer species'. He incorporates all the basic traits of autonomous life. He is specifically engineered and enhanced to mimic life and relate to his owner on a personal level.

Pleo is equipped with senses for sight, sound, and touch. He learns as he explores his environment. He will exhibit genuine reactions to sensory stimuli. Every Pleo begins life with certain tendencies but, interaction with his environment has subtle effects on his behavior. Every Pleo eventually exhibits a unique personality.

Pleo is capable of expression. He can feel joy and sorrow, anger and annoyance. When Pleo is tired, he will become drowsy and go to sleepóeven dream. Two or more Pleos will recognize one another. Be careful though. They can transmit colds to each other. Achoo! Pleo even sneezes!

The Adventures of Dr. McNinja

2006-02-04T17:18:00.000-08:00

Why, oh why aren't you reading The Adventures of Dr. McNinja?

You really should, you know.

Tetris Bookcase

2006-01-24T17:40:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite ways to relieve stress is playing Tetris on my Treo 650. But that doesn't mean I'm going to rush out and pay $6,800 for this cool, Tetris-inspired shelving unit -- even though I do think it's pretty cool. (If you ask me, though, it'd be even cooler if the different units were different colors. I mean, duh!)

Lighter Than Air Power

2006-01-23T10:28:00.000-08:00

Sweet! Combining my love for LTA with my love for alternative energy, it's the Megenn Air Rotor System (or MARS -- cute). The 4kw version is supposed to be available by Summer 2006 for around $10,000, with a 1kw version in the works for 2007 and many other sizes to follow.

Floating Wind Generators
The Magenn Power Air Rotor System (MARS) is an innovative lighter-than-air tethered device that rotates about a horizontal axis in response to wind, efficiently generating clean renewable electrical energy at a lower cost than all competing systems.
Electrical power generated at the floating Air Rotor is transferred down the tether to ground level equipment. Depending on size of the Air Rotor, power is sent to users ranging from campers to large power grids. Helium (an inert non-flammable lighter-than-air gas) sustains the Air Rotor which ascends to an altitude for best winds. No towers or heavy foundations are necessary and sizes range from small "backpack" models to large megawatt generating devices.

[via Red Ferret]

Brilliant!

2006-01-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

ProductDose has two must-see items today, and I'm running out of blogging time. So with little comment, here you go: The Sutro Tower Belt Buckle ($40), and...
The Manhole Cover Bathmat ($39).

Giraffes? GIRAFFES!

2006-01-23T09:22:00.000-08:00

If you're like me, you're all, "Giraffes? WTF?" I mean, seriously -- those are some weird damn animals. What are they, from Uranus or something? Well, as it turns out... maybe they are. At least according to this great looking book -- GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES!, by Dr. and Mr. Haggis-on-Whey, authors of Your Disgusting Head : The Darkest, Most Offensive and Moist Secrets of Your Ears, Mouth and Nose.

And because I know many of you are too lazy to click through to see just how badly you need to school yourself about giraffes, I'm going to quote liberally from Amazon's Editorial Review here:

... You are hopelessly clueless on giraffe culture, their likes/dislikes and voting patterns -- most giraffes are probably libertarian. GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES! is the authoritative text on the biology, history and overall nature of giraffes.

You are so behind on giraffes that it's rather embarrassing and you obviously need this book more than health insurance. Things you probably don't know about giraffes -- and can only be found in this book -- include giraffes' preferred mode of transportation (conveyor belt), what their bodies are made of (paper mache, a clock, fruit juices and a super-strong lightweight titanium alloy), where most giraffes live (Terra Haute, Indiana -- known for many things, including buildings made of wood and ground made of dirt), and basic giraffe history (in 50,000 B.C giraffes began to hang out with primitive man, they found him to be likeable and helped him paint buffaloes in caves).

Cheat Sheet on Giraffes (good for slumber parties and barroom brawls):

• Giraffes invented plastic. "No, not plastic--latex. My bad. Still, though isn't that amazing?"

• Frequently Asked Question: Why do we call giraffes "giraffes?" Answer: Because when they came to Earth they asked us to.

• Rarely Asked Question: How fast can giraffes run? The giraffes have tried to phase out running from their lives but if they had to, they could still run much faster than you. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that they can run 780 mph.

It's only $11.53, so go get it. But hurry -- Amazon says there's only 1 left in stock (but more are on the way).

[Thanks to Jeph at Questionable Content for the tip!]

Clever!

2006-01-19T17:28:00.000-08:00

Yes, they're real tickets sealed in polyurethane. Only about $60 each. The artist also makes similar bowls out of actual film, but they're more like $200 each. [Insert Popcorn-related witticism here]

[via Everythingandnothing]

I'm Dreaming of a Fire Extinguisher...

2006-01-18T18:46:00.000-08:00

Hey, Dude... your Christmas tree is on fire. Um... Dude?

Brushed Metal = Has Been, Pt. II

2006-01-17T16:29:00.000-08:00

He's back, and things aren't looking so good for our hero.

Brushed Metal: So how about that fucking keynote? Fucking iLife, the whole goddamn suite, gone to that bastard theme from iTunes. You believe that shit?

Safari: Yeah, I saw that. That’s a tough break, man.

Brushed Metal: Whole goddamn suite.

Safari: Well, not GarageBand.

Brushed Metal: Yeah, that crazy fucker. You know that theme’s on meth, right?

Read the rest at Daring Fireball

...And Portable Power Corrupts Portably.

2006-01-17T15:23:00.000-08:00

See, who says the mlitary is useless. They're the ones that field things like this here portable solar power thingamawhatsis. I'm still waiting for word from my good friend, oh, let's call him Alt.Energy.Guru, on what the real world effectiveness of an item like this might be. But let's just assume that it's at least good enough for charging your laptop, cellphone, FRS/GPS radio, etc. in the field. If you're a tax bracket or two above me, the $299 price tag might seem a bargain come hurricane/earthquake/apocolypsepalooza time. I'm just sayin'.

Specifications:
Rated Power: 10 Watts
Operating voltage: 15.4 V
Operating current: .6 amps (600mA)
Weight: .56 lbs (.25 kg) [that's about 9 oz. to you and me]
Dimensions folded length in.(mm): 10.3 (261)
Dimensions folded width in.(mm): 3.5 (89)
Dimensions folded thickness in.(mm): 1.4 (35)

Dimensions unfolded length in.(mm): 20.5 (521)
Dimensions unfolded width in.(mm): 23 (584)
Dimensions unfolded thickness in.(mm): .06 (1.5)

Features:
UV resistant, weatherproof.
Reverse blocking diode.
Rugged construction.
Comes with female lighter adapter.
Daisy chain multiple units together for additional power.
3 Year warranty.

[via CoolHunting]

GMC PAD

2006-01-13T16:27:00.000-08:00

I don't really like posting about things that aren't actually available, but every great once in a while I'll make an exception. I've always had a bit of a motorhome fetish, though, and man, do I want one of these!

The GMC PAD features a Diesel-Electric hybrid system, which acts as a generator for the onboard power grid as well as propulsion for DriveMode. With the PAD’s resource management technology, onboard fuel & water supplies would last for weeks or even months on end. During daylight hours, the PAD’s SkyDeck features 6 M-Sq of photovoltaic cells that collect and store the sun’s natural energy. An electromagnetic suspension aids in leveling & stabilization when the PAD is being used in the LifeMode as well as remarkably easy handling while in DriveMode.

Direct TV, OnStar, XM Satellite Wi-Fi and are continually online to provide an endless variety of entertainment, information and security options and the PAD’s LCD interior architecture creates a media rich environment unlike any other. Electronically variable exterior glazing means privacy is always at your fingertips. The PAD’s rearmost area is devoted to a personal spa created in conjunction with Kohler. The food prep / kitchen area features a full suite of PAD-specific appliances developed by Thermador.

For outdoor living, the PAD features an integrated SkyDeck for enjoying the sights & sounds of LA culture.

[via Gizmag]

And, see, here's the thing -- GMC has an excellent track record when it comes to designing and then actually producing great motorhomes.

"After rumors circulated throughout the auto and recreational vehicle industries for nearly two years, the prototype was displayed in May, 1972 at the Transpro '72 trade show in Washington, D.C. Production vehicles debuted in the 1973 model year to general acclaim from the recreational vehicle community. Two models were offered, Model 230(23 feet) and Model 260(26 feet), in two variations Motorhome(provided with GM finished interior) and Transmode(bare coaches sold to RV manufacturers such as Avion and Coachman who provided their own interior).

Although the design was refined along the way, the basic vehicle was never altered. Body panels from a 1973 will fit a 1978. The most notable change came in 1977, when Oldsmobile dropped the 455 cubic inch engine for the 403. By then, the oil embargoes and energy crises of the 70's had taken their toll. "Gas guzzler" vehicles like motorhomes fell out of favor and the entire RV industry fell on hard times. The motorhome was never a high volume vehicle and was rumored never to have been profitable for the automotive giant. General Motors decided that the production facilities would be better utilized in the production of light trucks - estimating they could produce 100 light trucks for every motorhome manufactured. The formal announcement came in November of 1977 and production was discontinued in the 1978 model year after manufacturing around 13,000 total units." [GMC Motorhome FAQ]

A friend had one of these, and others I've talked to have said that they were so well-designed, well-built and versatile that few other motorhomes before or since can even compare. Unfortunately, the rumor mentioned above is probably true -- I doubt GMC ever made a profit with those motorhomes.

Personal Annual Reports

2006-01-12T14:22:00.000-08:00

Here's a cool idea that I'd borrow if my graphic design "skills" weren't so "utterly pathetic." Still, as Kottke points out, it could become a fun trend.

[via Kottke.org]

W, as the kids say, TF?

2006-01-12T12:55:00.000-08:00

I've wasted my life. No, no -- it's true. All those hours just uselessly wasted in front of the TV, when I could have been making a knitting robot out of Legos. [Quicktime movie]

As a side note, I'm fairly certain this is the first time I've ever watched something where the Philip Glass soundtrack didn't completely ruin it for me. Probably 'cause it's short.

Cleanliness is Next to Gothy-ness

2006-01-12T12:43:00.000-08:00

Note for future gift-giving occasions: I don't really want one of these. Don't get me wrong -- I think it's cool and all, and I'd love to come across this in one of my friends' bathrooms. But I've already got a toilet brush, thank you very much, and a real human skull on my bookcase, so, you know, I'm covered.

You can get this one here, though, for about $19 + S&H.

[via Strange New Products]

Now thith ith really Thumbthing...

2006-01-10T16:25:00.000-08:00

The Thumbthing. Noted without comment, 'cause it's all just so obvious.

[via OhGizmo!]

[BTW, if you don't already know about all the new Apple goodies, you're not reading enough blogs. Go check 'em out at Apple.]

Hang 'em ... Low?

2006-01-10T16:03:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned, one of the reasons I've not posted more is I was trying not to repeat what was being shown on other high-traffic blogs like Engadget and ProductDose. But sometimes they just have the scoops on the cool stuff. Like this: Hangups are an ingenious and stunningly simple (yet elegant, unlike those crappy plastic things that do basically the same thing) solution to your lack of closet space.

[via, who else?, ProductDose]

Clockr

2006-01-09T11:10:00.000-08:00

Flickr + flash + the inexorable march of Time = Clockr. Screencap from 11:10:20 a.m.

Cool Table, Icky Colors

2006-01-04T18:09:00.000-08:00

Cool table. Designed by Karim Rashid. More info. Seats six when "expanded." No price yet.

[via Mocoloco]

Motherf*cker!

2006-01-04T15:35:00.000-08:00

That MillionDollarHomepage guy will have made more than his $1,000,000 in less than 5 months, thanks to this eBay auction. I'm now going to go punch myself in the face for giving this guy even more exposure.

[via YesButNoButYes]

You're so cute, Chief.

2006-01-04T15:23:00.000-08:00

BTW, more Popgadget goodness. Alas, no one's actually making this T-shirt -- yet.

Knitta, please!

2006-01-04T15:09:00.000-08:00

As part of a "post more, worry less about how 'original' it is" policy here at Doublejack, I'm not even going to try to write anything original for this post (aside from this disclaimer...and the disclaimer's disclaimer...and...this stopped being funny even before I started, didn't it? O.k., nevermind...). I merely direct you to the always delightful (and original... s i g h...) Popgadget; she's already got all the good deets lined up all nice and pretty-like.

Google

2006-01-04T14:58:00.000-08:00

Neat.

New Year, New-ish Doublejack

2006-01-04T14:15:00.000-08:00

A few folks have voiced their frustration that Doublejack hasn't been updating, um, at all -- including yours truly. The reasons, I assure you, are all of the very best sort. But now it's time to begin digging up and dishing out the Cool Things you've all been craving. (I am doublejack, hear me roar!)

First up, these monogrammed bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths from West Elm. Running from $6-$19 apiece, they're so affordable, why would you want to limit yourself to your actual initials?

Here's a tip: Give them as gifts to the host when you attend a party. (It seems like whenever I go to wash my hands at a party, I find myself presented with the option of drying them on my pants or on a hopefully clean bath towel. Um, thanks.)

Big, Scary Magnet!

2005-12-05T13:40:00.000-08:00

Coooooool! The 3" x 1" SuperMagnet is $100 here.

From the website:

If you really need unbelievably powerful magnets, here they are.
Uses include magnetic steering of nuclear particles in homemade accelerators, levitation devices, magnetic beam amplifiers, scrap iron separators, etc.

Beware - you must think ahead when moving these magnets.
If carrying one into another room, carefully plan the route you will be taking. Computers & monitors will be affected in an entire room. Loose metallic objects and other magnets may become airborne and fly considerable distances - and at great speed - to attach themselves to this magnet. If you get caught in between the two, you can get injured.
Two of these magnets close together can create an almost unbelievable magnetic field that can be very dangerous. Of all the unique items we offer for sale, we consider these two items the most dangerous of all. Our normal packing & shipping personnel refuse to package these magnets - our engineers have to do it. This is no joke and we cannot stress it strongly enough - that you must be extremely careful - and know what you're doing with these magnets. Take Note: Two of the 3" x 1" disc magnets can very easily break your arm if they get out of control.

Axially Magnetized (the top & bottom flat faces are the north & south poles).
We can only ship these magnets by ground UPS - they cannot be shipped via air as it will interfere with the aircraft's navigational equipment.

These magnets are rated at Grade N45 - the most powerful there is.
Ni-Cu-Ni Plated with Matte finish.

Have Bar, Will Travel...or Maybe Just Stash it in My Desk at Work

2005-12-05T11:57:00.000-08:00

When I was a more active Swap Meet and Flea Market hound than I am now, I used to come across the occasional "travel bar." I thought they were pretty neat, but I never picked one up because, well, when was I ever really going to haul it anywhere? They were generally about the size of a breadbox, and I for one prefer to carry around things that are on the smaller than side of the Breadbox Continuum.

But now there's this here Mini Travel Bar. It's $50 at one of my favorite stores, Flight 001 (there's one right down the street from me -- Joy!).

[via productdose]

NOTE: In doing my due diligence, I also found the more imaginatively named Picnic at Ascot Mini Travel Bar Set at R.E.I. for only $39. But it's a bit bigger and only comes with one flask, so...Caveat Emptor, and all that.

Another Reason to Drink Champagne

2005-11-28T14:40:00.000-08:00

Curses! Why didn't I think of that? It's re-usable parachute that attaches to the cork on your champagne bottle. Launch the cork, the chute deploys, and everyone wonders why it says "Let's Party!" instead of something that isn't stupid. Anyway, if you want one, they're £2.99 here.

[via BoingBoing]

iPod, I Command Thee -- Remotely!

2005-11-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

I ride a motorcycle, see? And I like to listen to my iPod while I ride, see? But when I'm on a long ride and the shuffle picks out an audiobook or a 30-minute Grateful Dead tune, or if I stop and want to hear what someone's saying, I'm pretty much S.O.L. To hit pause or skip or whatever, I have to take off my gloves, dig into my jacket pocket -- you get the idea.

Well, if this product doesn't suck, problem solved. It's the lazily named RF all iPod Remote Control on Wrist, and it's probably overpriced at $60. But if you want to get one (and then get back to me about whether it's any good or not), it's available here.

UPDATE: Hey, the blog is paying dividends! My wonderful girlfriend got me one of these for my birthday. I've only had it out of its packaging for about an hour, but it seems to work as advertised. It'd be nice if the buttons were bigger (for operating with thick motorcycle gloves on), and they sometimes take a little more pressure or persistence than is ideal. But all in all, this gizmo has already made my life a little better. Thanks, Baby!

SECOND UPDATE: Caveat Emptor. My girlfriend is fantastic, but this product kind of sucks. It seems to work sporadically, at best, even when the remote is held within a few inches of your iPod and its receiver -- much less when it's further away, like on your wrist. If I hadn't already thrown away the packaging, I'd demand my girlfriend's money back.

[via Red Ferret]

Best. Laptop. Backpack. Ever.

2005-11-10T12:44:00.000-08:00

Over at PopGadget, there was a call for the perfect laptop backpack. Well, I have one. And since I recently found out that it's not only available online but that it also comes in colors that don't suck (hey, mine was a conference freebie, so I'm not complaining -- too much), I figured it was time to share.

It's the Timbuk2 Detour 2.0, and it's just perfect. Easy access to the roomy interior, well-designed throughout, and comfortable in either its backpack or its shoulder bag configurations, this is simply the most useful backpack I've ever had. And the integrated, padded laptop sleeve is the piece de resistance. $100, here. In black/silver, black/black, olive/silver, navy/silver, red/silver, or red/red.

I Can See Clearly Now, Part II

2005-11-02T15:03:00.000-08:00

As Peter Griffin might say, Holy Freaking Crap! Ladies and gentlemen, don't you even try to tell me we're not living in the Future! I give to you Implantable Telescopes. Yeah, you heard me. Like, in the eyeball! Holy Freak...oh, I already said that.

It's for those with Advance Macular Degeneration, a kind of slow march to blindness that inflicts quite a few of our older and wiser citizens. It's still in clinical trials, but so far so good. Now, set your WayBack machine in reverse and imagine this technology 20 years from now...how about 50 years...or 100? See what I mean?

From the company's website:

The prosthetic telescope, together with the cornea, acts as a telephoto system to enlarge images 3X or 2.2X, depending on the device model used. The telephoto effect allows images in the central visual field ('straight ahead vision') to not be focused directly on the damaged macula, but over other healthy areas of the central and peripheral retina. This generally helps reduce the 'blind spot' impairing vision in patients with AMD, hopefully improving their ability to recognize images that were either difficult or impossible to see.

The prosthetic telescope is implanted by an ophthalmic surgeon in an outpatient surgical procedure. The device is implanted in one eye, which provides central vision as described above, while the non-implanted eye provides peripheral vision for mobility and navigation. After the surgical procedure, the patient participates in a structured vision rehabilitation program to maximize their ability to perform daily activities. Situated in the eye, the device allows patients to use natural eye movements to scan the environment and reading materials.

A Phase II/III clinical trial, which has completed patient enrollment of over 200 patients, is on-going. Final clinical results are expected in the second half of 2005.

[via UberGizmo via MedGadget]

Multi-Vitamins, Atomized. But why??

2005-10-29T23:59:00.000-07:00

WTF? Vitamin spray?? You spray it in your mouth...then swallow. Actually, it doesn't taste too bad. Found this weird product in a friend's medicine cabinet at a Halloween party...of course I tried it. Anyway, it's stupid expensive, but if you just can't get your vitamins from food or tablets, maybe this is just the thing.

Like, $20, here.

Flipper, Fetch Me My Slippers.

2005-10-27T15:56:00.000-07:00

Simple slippers. Neoprene and wide elastic bands, with the flexibility cover your toes or let them breathe. Easy to pack, easy to wear (or so they appear -- like nearly everything else I offer for your consideration here, I'm making an educated guess based on a lifetime of looking for better solutions to life's little imperfections.)

$12 here.

[via MocoLoco]

"That's right, Ice-Man. I am dangerous."

2005-10-27T11:40:00.000-07:00

I was born in Wyoming, where the winters are cold and the ice is tough. But, um, I've lived in California since I was five, so really, I've only had to deal with ice on my windshield like, twice. Ever. But still! I get it. And while a credit card worked pretty well against the milquetoast California ice I've done battle with, I'm sure there are plenty of you out there who crave a real weapon against Mr. Freeze. Well here it is. The take-no-prisoners Ice Dozer is guaranteed to be greeted as a liberator by your windshield when it gives that ice the ol' shock-and-awe treatment.

"Apply pressure to the palm handle, and the oversized blade flexes to match the curve of your windshield, clearing a 7" swath... [The] front plow pushes snow and ice ahead of you, away from sleeves and wrists. Two different sets of ice-cracking teeth pulverize the hardest glare ice in short order. And ergonomic handles give you all the grip you'll need to clear your windshield in no time..."

$20 here.

[via OhGizmo!]

Zzzap!

2005-10-26T18:16:00.000-07:00

Well, Gizmodo featured these cool R/C Shocking Tanks way back in December, but they're new to me so maybe they're new to you, too. Perfect for livening up your cubicle farm... Control your tank and fire on your opponent's tank, but beware -- when your nemesis scores a hit, you get a shock through your remote. (Notice the wrist straps? Heh heh heh...don't drop it!) But if you crank your personal shock setting to high, you get more fire power for taking the risk.

$50 at ThinkGeek.

My First DNA Model

2005-10-26T15:07:00.000-07:00

Simply...wow. I would almost teach myself to knit just so I could make one of these for my new niece. (Hi, Sophia!) Maybe it's just me, but this is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while. If you're already adept at the knitterly arts, you can find instructions on making your own here.
[via MAKE:blog]

Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Flo0oRrrruwowow...

2005-10-24T19:23:00.001-07:00

Absinthe! Get yer absinthe here!

Who knew? Popular wisdom (i.e., what I always heard) has been that absinthe, that wormwoody favorite of Picasso and Hemingway, is illegal in these United States. Apparently, Not So. These fine folks from the Czech Republic insist it's only illegal for bars or restaurants to sell it -- but that it's fine, just fine, for citizens to buy or own it.

It ain't cheap, but shipping's only $25 whether you order 1 bottle or 15, so get your psychonaut friends together and order en masse. Myself, I think I'm gonna try the Absinth King of Spirits Gold -- it's $199 for a .7 liter bottle, but it's 35 140(!) proof (70% alcohol), and contains "100mg of psychoactive Thujone." So, you know, bottoms up!

From their website:

"Natural green in color, this product is all natural and is bottled with fresh herbs and wormwood, to distill inside and enhance the taste and Thujone content. This product is great for a gift or to make memorable impression at a party; a must try for any creative writer or artist.

Although this product is not allowed to be sold by businesses located inside the US and most of Europe Absinthe is legal to posess in the United States. It is also legal for customers in these countries to buy from international companies (such as ours) and we currently ship worldwide."

A Design Worth Stealing

2005-10-24T18:11:00.000-07:00

I have a studio apartment and a laptop. Usually, I'm pretty comfortable working in my easy chair -- especially since I don't have a good desk anyway. But Anthro, the folks who make pretty darn good desks and such have just announced the eNook. It seems like a good idea -- a fold-up wall-desk with integrated powerstrip and little shelves for storing and charging your iPods, cellphones, and other gizmos.

They're taking orders now for shipment in mid-November. Just $399 if you think you're too clumsy to make your own...if you catch my drift. Myself, I'm already making sketches and planning a trip to ~~Home Depot~~ ~~Lowe's~~ ~~OSH~~ the local home improvement center.

[via notcot.]

Cue: "Thus Sprake Zarathustra"*

2005-10-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

The setting of the above photo is appropriate, given how f'ing cool the subject is (even though it was almost certainly the product of a green screen and Photoshop...).

What we have here is a set of 4 chairs and a coffee table which, when stacked, become a rather beautiful obelisk. Designed by Dedon, and brought to our attention by Josh Spear, this design set our w00t! meter straight into the red. Don't bother looking for any details or even pics on Dedon's site, though -- 'cos if we couldn't find 'em, they just ain't there (probably).

*Don't get it? Here's a clue.

Balls! Redux

2005-10-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

Back in August, I blogged about these balls invading San Francisco. All I knew then, from the grapevine, was that the pics were from a recent commercial shoot for Sony. Now comes word that the ads are done and soon to be aired. And you (how lucky you are!) can see a frustratingly mediocre-quality Quicktime video of one of them here. (The official website for the ads is just a Coming Soon teaser for now.)

[via UberGizmo]

I Don't Want A Pickle...I Just Want A GPS For My Motorcycle

2005-10-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

TomTom, the "portable GPS" personal navigation folks have a unit specifically designed for motorcycles... Coming Soon.

Every few weeks the question pops up on the motorcycle email list I'm on; "What's the best GPS unit?" Well, it seems TomTom was paying attention. Here's what will (hopefully) make this Coming Soon TomTom RIDER the obvious choice:

Designed for 2 wheels: TomTom RIDER isn’t just weatherproof, it also gives you a perfect view of the screen thanks to anti-glare screen technology and an integrated sun-visor
Easy to use: drive mode tailored for simple touch-screen operation, even with gloves
Clear 3D maps and spoken instructions: hear crystal clear turn-by-turn instructions in your helmet in the language of your choice using Bluetooth TM wireless headset
Home charger: Battery life up to 5 hours + battery cable (recharges from bike’s battery) means you are always ready to ride.
Door-to-door planning: Find your way to any address in the United States
Hands-free calling: TomTom RIDER routes calls from your mobile phone using a wireless Bluetooth link so that you can keep in touch safely without taking off your gloves or helmet.
Wireless headset included: Bluetooth receiver + earphone cable with integrated microphone
Mounting kit available to make RIDER fit any bike or scooter

~~No price yet. Stay tuned.~~ UPDATE: Available for Pre-Order from a few places, with one of the lower prices showing $1,099 at Tiger GPS, which claims it's "expected to ship Mid-October, 2005" so...any day now?

Think Outside the Pocket

2005-10-16T22:15:00.000-07:00

What more can you say? It's a 3D Pool Table. Rumor has it, you can even shoot balls up a level. But you're not ready, Grasshopper. Just $105.

With rubber feet, this 3D Pool Game Table can be played on any surface, including tables, and makes for some big time fun as it measures 36"x25"x22"H when assembled!

[via SNP]

Help! I Can't Stop!

2005-10-13T10:17:00.000-07:00

If your browser (or LJ) isn't letting you see the picture, you should click here now. It's only a prototype -- and I usually don't post about them, 'cos they never seem to actually appear -- but the "Yamaha Gen-Ryu (Special exhibition model: prototype)" hybrid two-wheeler looks really cool. It makes this motorcycle rider's heart go pitter-pat.

[via Engadget]

Two Posts in Ten Minutes? I'm a Crazy Man!

2005-10-13T10:08:00.000-07:00

The Tactic M2 is a fairly impressive little live video mixing thingamawhatzit, so you can unleash your inner VJ. (Again, finally! Is the 21st Century great, or what?) Just remember where you heard it when you're all famous and stuff. $899 and available now.

[via Engadget]

I Can See Clearly Now...

2005-10-13T09:54:00.000-07:00

This cute little guy takes the boring out of contact lens storage. Finally, right?! Made in Germany, about $14. Go here to have Mr. Googly Eyes here keep you company until you get that LASIK surgery you've been asking the Eyeball Fairy for.

[via productdose]

...But They Don't Fall Down!

2005-10-06T17:02:00.000-07:00

They're doing a little construction downstairs in the lobby, where I spotted one of these. It's the appropriately named Wobble Light, and it comes in many delicous luminosities... but only one height (36") and two colors (Yellow or Black). Neato.

Guinness -- Worth Waiting For

2005-10-05T12:27:00.000-07:00

A Guinness commercial that puts it all into perspective.

Help, I'm A Bug!

2005-10-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

Thanks BoingBoing. This made me laugh, and his other drawings are funny too.

[For those who can't see the pic, it says {pi} = 3.14592653589793HELPIMTRAPPEDINAUNIVERSEFACTORY7108914...]

This Thing We Do

2005-09-30T17:35:00.000-07:00

So, this blogging thing that we do... Kinda cool, right? I mean, yeah. Like, the pre-1990 version of this was...what? Newsgroups? BBS's? Bzzzzt. No. Well, sort of, sometimes. But really? Not.

And no, I don't have some rare insight about blogging that hasn't netted, desiccated and pinned to a board by now. I was just marveling once again about how unprecedented and cool so much of the Internet is, and today's particular gee-whiz is blogging.

In high school, one of my English teachers assigned a daily journal for each semester. Due at the end of the semester. Both semesters, I stayed up all night the night before it was due writing all the entries -- I didn't have to pretend that I'd written them earlier; the assignment just called for X entries, with zero content restrictions (within reason for a high school course, but that was just implicit). So I just riffed and wrote stream of consciousness stuff and transcribed Monty Python skits and whatever else popped into my 17-year-old head at 4am.

And now, almost 20 years later, I'm publishing those random half-formed thoughts instantaneously for a global audience. (Well, o.k., a potentially global audience.) And see, you obviously think that's pretty neat, too, 'cos you're reading this.

But this time, I'm doing it daily. In "realtime," as the kids say. So I have this record of what I (and great big bunches of my friends, and assorted Very Smart People that I don't really know yet) thought about and experienced on a given day, week, or year. I can't help but think how incredibly useful this will be 40 or 50 years down the road when even the new memory enhancing drugs aren't doing much more than keeping my car keys out of the freezer.

Assuming I remember to back all this up before the big one hits, that is.

Anyway... Thoughts?

For Sophia

2005-09-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

This week my sister gave birth to Sophia, her second child and my first niece. So I'm suddenly a bit more attuned to stuff for babies and kids and girls. Which is why this cool chair caught my eye -- well, that and the way cool design. It's a 14" chair and a 10" chair, and a rocking horse chair all in one. And it's only $169 here.

[via BLTD]

File Under: Perfect for Burning Man

2005-09-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

The folks at Ziploc finally listened! I've been writing them letters for years telling them they should make BIG Ziploc bags, and now... well, o.k., I never mailed those letters. Or wrote them. But I thought about it! Anyway, there are probably countless fine uses for these, but keeping playa dust off my clothes and things until I need them trumps all other uses.

[via kottke.org]

Shot & a Beer in One Step

2005-09-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

Put your beer (or other chaser) in the bottom of the Quaffer, then top off with an appropriate liquor. If you don't know what to do next, you're too drunk or too stupid and should stop there.

We recommend the ~~Party~~ Sampler Pack:
Two of everything! 2 Glass Quaffers, 2 Plastic Quaffers, 2 Beer Quaffers, 2 Pour Spouts, 2 Recipe Cards, and 2 Stickers. All for $24.99 (includes shipping!!!)

[via productdose]

No, they don't come in fleshtone.

2005-09-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

File under: "What Took Them So Long." They're the Nexcare 3M Duct Tape Bandages. I can't find them for sale anywhere on the Interweb yet, but clicking the pic to the left takes you to an interesting page -- new products for drugstores.

[via Strange New Products]

Anything, Everything, Forever Friends

2005-09-26T13:17:00.000-07:00

Cute, potentially useful, and affordable. Just $22 each, here.BTW, I nominate this for my weakest posting title so far.

[via BLTD]

L'Ego

2005-09-24T15:45:00.000-07:00

Who's your Lego alter-ego? Lego your Ego, here.

[via YesButNoButYes]