Booking Shangri-La...

Are you traveling to Asia, but looking for something a little off the beaten path? You might like to check out the 'Banyon Tree' hotels. Most famous for their Phuket (Thailand) location, they have been expanding through out Asia. Locations now include the Maldives, Indonesia, and their newest location in Lijiang (China).

See all the stunning locations via their homepage:
www.banyantree.com

The glass is half inside out...

Do you think stemware pieces are too delicate? Check out the inside out glasses from Alissimat. Besides looking great, they have a practical side too - the extra glass keeps them insulated and makes them sturdy. Available in a full range of sizes.


View the entire collection at Alissimat:
www.alissimat.com

Power pack...

Tired of lugging batteries around on your hiking trips? Researchers have figured out how to convert all that wobbling around of your backpack into energy - just by switching the straps out with a piezoelectric material. Not enough juice to run an air conditioner, but great for small electronics like a cell phone or an ipod.


Details from Medlaunches:
www.medlaunches.com

Energize...

Do you have a little trouble getting started in the morning? Or maybe you have an energy slump in the afternoon. Here are 12 helpful tips on how to keep your enegy level up and cranking all day long.


How to fight fatigue via the Ririan Project:
ririanproject.com

Bad aim...

If you weren't a particularly good shot, this might work for you. It's the M65 Nuclear Rifle. Developed during the cold war, it's the smallest of the field launched nuclear weapons. One of the weapon's large drawbacks: the projectile didn't clear a safe area for the person launching it, making it rather unpopular.


Watch the short video of the M65 in action via Youtube:
www.youtube.com

Auto Shrine...

Is your garage special enough for your car? Thinking of doing a little sprucing up? You might like to talk to the guys at Garage Mahals (yes, that's right... Garage plus Taj Mahal) They have services to design and implement a rather dramatic makeover for your beloved autos.

Contact info, pictures of their work, and floor sample swatches via Garage Mahal:
www.garagemahals.com

Sunk...

Who should design your semi submersible living space? If you're not sure, maybe you should talk to Italian marine architect Giancarlo Zema. Giancarlo has created many designs for underwater and semi submersible living spaces including floating habitats, cliff dwellings that plunge under the water, and floating hotels. Pictured is the 'Jellyfish', a floating platform with an underwater obervation deck.

Check out some of his very inventive ideas via the Giancarlo Zema design group's homesite:
www.giancarlozema.com

An ounce of prevention...

There are few things more annoying than spending your first day somewhere great as a near-zombie. Hence, 'Flyright: the anti jetlag formula' An herbal liquid that keeps your brain on track. Available for about 20 USD.


Purchase and usage information:
jetlagformula.com

Flying amphibians...

The designers at Lisa Airplanes have just finished the first flight tests of a new kind of plane. The sleek 'Akoya' is an ultra lightweight leisure plane that can land on water, snow, or a regular runway. Other cool design features include a foldable set of wings for easy storage in a garage or on a yacht, and the ability to land on a runway less than 100 meters long - making it perfect to go from the ocean to a ski slope. It's expected to sell for about 300,000 EUR.


Tech details and selling features via Lisa:
lisa-airplanes.com

Bots on board...

BAE Systems is developing a new concept warship. The 8,000 tonne carrier is designed to haul and launch a large number of small unmanned land, sea or air vehicles. Other advanced features include multiple launch and propulsion systems. You won't see one soon - they're not expected to see service until 2020, but you can read some of the early specs.


Sketchy, yet frightening details about the UXV via the BAE site:
www.baesystems.com

Now you see it...

Maybe you'd like your living space to be more streamline. Maybe you shouldn't leave your crossbow collection out for public view. Either way, it might make more sense to hide some of that clutter. 'L'Invisible' hinge system by Italian designers Portarredo might be just what you're looking for. A system of flush hinges and wall panels allows you to make use of dead space for storage.

Info for multiple Portarredo products via Italiandesign360:
italiandesign360.com

and the Portarredo site (in Italian):
www.linvisibles.it

Shaolin Snapshots...

If you're a fan of Chinese martial arts, you might like to take a look at the new book 'Shaolin Temple of Zen' . Amazing photographs by Justin Guariglia illustrate the first book authorized by the monks themselves. Forward by Shi YongXin and an introduction by Matthew Polly.

Shaolin Temple of Zen available from all the big online bookstores for about 30 USD.


Preview from the ApertureFoundation:
www.aperture.org

Chilling...

Sometimes it's hard to find time to chill out. The palcid people at zenhabits have put together a list of 12 things you could do to establish a calming routine during the course of your busy day.

12 ideas for establishing a calming routine via Zenhabits:
zenhabits.net

Nice pad...

These days, being able to land a helicopter on one's yacht is more in demand than ever. Frankly, those helicopter pads take up a lot of room that could be used for a cocktail party. Headland consulting has come up with a solution. A retractable helipad that can fold up transformer style when not in use. No word on how the retractable bowling alley project is progressing.


News and email info available via Gizmag:
www.gizmag.com

Whither Loompanics?

For over 30 years, Loompanics Ltd. publshed all kinds of books. Strange and interesting titles (how to kill a guy with a soup spoon, or turn your washing machine into a rocket launcher kind of books). About 2 years ago, they retired. These titles would have vanished - but they were cleverly picked by the gents over at Paladin Press.

If you're not familiar with Paladin Press - you might like to browse their amazing selection of books. Paladin carries a wide array of books including (but not limited to)
Fire arms
Martial Arts
Questionable Financial Practices
Spycraft
Knife fighting
And much more...

The surprisingly well organized webiste of Paladin Press:
www.paladinpress.com

Off the cuff...

Here's some kitschy fun ... Bond Girl cufflinks. These animated black and white cufflinks feature a bond girl drawing and aiming her pistol. Made by 'Spensive' they are available from the hip and trendy Kitson in Los Angeles for 68 USD.


www.shopkitson.com

A few small words...

Here is arguably the smallest digital voice activated recorder made. Yet, it can hold over 18 hours of recorded material. Other features include USB file transfers, time stamping, and voice activation. And chances are, you could swallow it if you had to.
As always, tiny will cost you extra. This little devil sells for about 480 USD.


Technical specs and order information via PIMall:
www.pimall.com

The Porche Killer...

In case you didn't get the memo, the Audi R8 is now shipping. Ironically dubbed 'The Porche Killer' (ironic because Audi is partially owned by Porche), this sporty new Audi is a design beauty. The midengine 420hp V8 supercar is also surprisingly small and agile.


Epic videos and info with CG cars and dramatic music via the Audi R8 microsite:
microsites.audi.com

Travel Agent...

Wouldn't it be great if someone tracked down the real locations of the Jame Bond movie sets, so you could plan to go visit them?
That's exactly what concierge.com did. Here's 19 of the classic JB locations - including links where appropriate. Pack your bags.


19 Classic James Bond locations via Concierge.com:
www.concierge.com

Corner Pub...

It might be time to replace your old fridge. Check out the very energy efficient Asko 'HomePub'. It's many features includes using an antibacterial system for keeping it's insides clean. But, most importantly, it includes a beer tap for frosty mugs of your favorite brew.

Details and downloadable PDF spec sheet via Asko:
www.asko.se

A day in the country...

Thinking of brushing up on your tactical or urban combat skills? You might like to meet up with the folks at Thunder Ranch, inc.. Located in Lakeview, Oregon - they can help you with all the finer points of tactical handgun (and rifle) use. Classes are small, and utilize a variety of terrain and ranges. Don't forget to pack your chapstick and level 2 armor.

Schedule and travel info via Thunder Ranch:
www.thunderranchinc.com

Just in case...

Looking to purchase a gift for a Ferrari owner? How about custom luggage made to fit their car? Schedoni has been making pieces since the 1970s to fit perfectly into Ferrari's. Which is a very good thing, since Ferraris are not know for their storage capacity.

Pictures and back story via Classicdriver.com:
www.classicdriver.com

More info from the schedoni homepage:
www.schedoni.it

Bad for you...

Sometimes candy is bad for you. Especially if it explodes. Here's one from the MI5 archive - describing a candy bar bomb from World War II.

Candy bar grenade via MI5:
www.mi5.gov.uk