Water beds...

The story goes, an underwater hotel is being built near Istanbul - in a secret location. The secret location is near a shore, on top the ruins of a circa 1930's tobacco factory. Starting in March 2008, reservations are being taken for a planned September opening. So far, all we have are rumors and a fairly glitzy website.


Take a look at the Poseidon Resorts:
www.poseidonresorts.com

Lights! Cameras!

Maybe there are times when you don't want to be visible on a surveillance camera. It could happen. One alternative is to make an infrared light headband. Infrared light is Invisible under normal conditions, but concentrated infrared light tends to overload the camera's video chip - making the headband wearer appear like an eerie ball of light.


Samples and discussion via UberReview:
www.uberreview.com

Wonder twins...

Nothing says adventure like a good seaplane. The folks at Antilles Seaplanes are working very hard to make a twin engine turbo prop version of the old Grumman G-21 Goose. It's a modern update to an old classic. With seating for 10, your entire team can show up to secluded locations in style.


Read all about it, and then maybe place an order at Antillies Seaplanes:
www.antillesseaplanes.com

Pocket protector...

Here's something you might want to throw into your bag of tricks: the victorinox rescue tool. There are all kinds of things that might come in handy should things get a bit adverse..




Tools include:

Large lock blade
Phillips screwdriver
Window breaker
Wire stripper
Seatbelt cutter
Disc saw for shatterproof glass
Crate opener

And much more. All for about 80 USD.

Details from the Victorinox home site:
www.victorinox.com

The new convertable...

It's a question as old as time itself. Should I turn the dining room into a billiard room, or leave it a dining room? Now you don't have to chose. The 'Fusiontable' converts quickly from a dining table, into a billiard table. Brilliant.



Gallery and order info via Fusiontables.com:
www.fusiontables.com

Killer ring...

You might want to be on the lookout for any femme fatale wearing this: the inverted point engagement ring. Designed by Tobais Wong - this pointy ring starts at 1 karat and can be used to cut hard surfaces. Yikes. Price varies based on the size of the diamond.

A couple of more details via Yanko Design:
www.yankodesign.com

Shotgun!!

Shotguns. They’re not just for quail hunting anymore. Turns out that many military groups and police units like to use them for tactical purposes.


For instance, the US Navy Seals tend to prefer the M4 Super 90
Read a bit about that via NavySEALS.com:
navyseals.com



If you were interested to kit out your own tactical shotgun, you might like to add a few things on – modified shock absorbing stock, ammo carriers, slings, and so on.
Here’s a great example from the nice people at Mesa Tactical in Southern California:
www.mesatactical.com


If you’re one of those people that must have something a little more exotic, you might look at the AA-12 (auto assault) shotgun. Firing at about 360 rounds per minute – duck hunting seems like it would be a breeze.

All the gory details via Military.com:
www.military.com



And finally, If you are really very fond of your tactical shotgun – you can sleep with it.

Literally.

Follow this link to watch the alarming commercial for the home product that makes it possible.

www.home-backup-protection.com

Peace and quiet...

Sometimes during a really hectic day, you might stop and think, 'Hey, Maybe I should pitch all this and just buy an ancient Italian Monastery'. Well, you're in luck - there's one for sale. The Antico Monastery is currently available -- it's rather remote and has enough elbow room for whatever crazy projects you might have in mind. Cost: about 2.3 million euro. But it includes pasture land and chestnut woods.

Pictures, details and links via the Lifeinitaly.com:
www.lifeinitaly.com

Kung Fu Zoo...

Do you like Kung Fu? Real Kung Fu - not 'Wire Fu' from the movies... If so, you might like to take a look at this: 'All About Kung Fu' on magnify.net has a really large collection of video clips featuring rare and hard to find Kung Fu styles and teachers. Make a large pot of tea and settle in, there's a lot to watch here.


Giant video collection via 'All About Kung Fu':
allaboutkunfu.magnify.net

New dirt...

For 30 years, the Dakar rally has sent off-road drivers crashing around some very inhospitable areas of Africa. Sadly, this year - the race has been 'abbreviated' due to security concerns. This week, it was announced the race will be moved for 2009. The new location will be through Argentina and Chile. The 9000km loop will begin and end in Buenos Aires.


Details and entry information via the Dakar site:
www.dakar.com

I'll bet we're on time...

There's been some buzz in Las Vegas lately, about the new Airbus A380. A couple of the large gaming companies are considering customizing them into large airborne casinos. The fun could start shortly after take off. No word on what the stewardess outfits would look like.


News blurbs from Casino City Times and the Luxist:

www.casinocitytimes.com


www.luxist.com

Very deep...

The gents at DEEP Flight have been making submersibles for some time now. They make them for use in filming, exploring, salvage, and general entertainment. They've got big plans for a next generation winged submarine. Deposits are being taken for this year's 'under water flight' school in the Caribbean.


Details, info and sign up at the Deep Flight home page:
deepflight.com

I'll ring you up...

Here's a prototype for a social networking tool. It's an electronic ring that stores contact information similar to a rolodex. The wearer transfers data by literally 'shaking hands'. The contact data is stored in the ring. The data can be read by sliding a display card onto the ring later. No more forgetting 'what's-his-name's' details.


Mockups and designer info via Yanko Design:
www.yankodesign.com

Official Spy sneakers...

Pssst. On February 23rd, Puma will release tennis shoes based on the old Mad Magazine characters 'Spy vs. Spy'. There are all kinds of zany features including bullet holes and secret stash pockets. Silly? yes. Fun? Absolutely. Available from select secret locations in North America.

Read more about it via Nicekicks:
www.nicekicks.com

Cool vacation...

Looking for a winter getaway that's a little off the beaten path? You might like to take a look at the Kakslauttanen resort in Finland. Each year they put up 20 glass igloos in a village along with 31 luxury log cabins. Combine that with the world's largest snow restaurant, traditional finnish smoke sauna, and a healthy dose of winter sports - very cool indeed.


Pictures, details and schedules via the Kakslauttanen page:
www.kakslauttanen.fi

More power...

Sometimes a really bright flashlight is just what you need. Then there's the 'Wicked Lasers Torch'. Packing a crazy 4100 lumen brightness - this flashlight can literally start stuff on fire if you point it in one place too long. The downside is the battery life..only about 15 blinding minutes. Price: about 300 USD.

Order info and video of burning random items via the Wicked Lasers site:
www.wickedlasers.com

But, maybe that's not enough. If you're a bit of a hack, you might be interested in rigging your own 'really bright' flashlight. A dutch optics engineer has built his own plasma arc flashlight that can generate 38 million candle power of illumination.

Construction details via popsci:
www.popsci.com

Classic downloading...

Reading classic literature is a great way to keep your mind active. However, You are a very busy person - and don't always have time to pick up a good book. As a public service - here's a link to 48 classic books that are available for downloading. Problem solved - now go catch your flight.


Some good advice and 48 downloadable books via Lifeoptimizer:
www.lifeoptimizer.org

French twist...

Here's a French update to a Middle Eastern classic. The Hookah water pipe (aka Narghile) is a favorite pastime through out the world. The folks at Airdiem make beautiful, modern hookahs and accessories you won't want to hide when not in use. Other products include tools for compounding your own shisha (flavored tobacco) and complete portable smoking lounges.


Hookahs and accessories via the Airdiem site:
www.airdiem.com

Key Data...

The name 'Pico E08 RFID Security 2.5 HDD enclosure' does not trip off your tongue - but it is a very useful piece of equipment. This hard drive enclosure will only allow data access when in close proximity to an RFID key permitting the encrypted data to be read. Here's the very sneaky part - if you don't have the key, it will look like a 'virgin' hard drive to people that don't know any better. That's a lot of data protection for 56 USD.


The 'Pico E08 etc etc' from Brando:
usb.brando.com.hk

Calling Dick Tracy...

Here in the future, everyone has a wristwatch cellphone. It hasn't happened yet, but - now you'll have your chance. The M500 wrist cellphone has a tiny color TFT touchscreen, web browser, bluetooth, and a built in mp3 player. Manufactured by SMS of Australia, they will be ready for sale in March.



Details from 'mymobilewatch':
mymobilewatch.com

Pond Porsche...

It's now possible to take your Porsche way off the road. The first Porsche design seacrafts will be shown at this year's Miami Boat Show. The design team worked with Fearless Yachts to create a line of sleek, modern designs that are sure to turn heads.


Read 'just the facts' from Yanko design:
www.yankodesign.com


Lots more details from the Fearless website:
www.fearlessyachts.com

That's odd...

As unlikely as it sounds, scientists at the University of Oklahoma are working on tiny, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's) the size of cigarettes - and powered by plasma energy. The idea being you would keep a pack of them on your person, and toss them into the air when you wanted a view of the area around you. And for your next magic trick...


Scant details and a sketchy sketch via CNET:
www.news.com

Ranging around the house....

It's now possible to practice your marksmanship in the safety and comfort of your own living room or office. 'The N Range' indoor shooting system will enable you to convert your own firearm for indoor use. It uses a special barrel insert and low impact ammo which makes it quiet enough to use indoors without ear protection. You still might want to keep it away from the china cabinet.


Details on how it works from 'N Range':
www.nrange.com

In your ear...

Looking for a micro headset? It's difficult, because they're invisible. Well - not really, but pretty close. The poorly named 'Secret Service Invisible 2-Way Micro Headset' from Brickhouse is very tiny. It works with a necklace-type transmitter worn under your clothing, and can be attached to a cellphone. Excellent for covert communications or listening to sports broadcasts during long, uninteresting meetings. About 650 USD.


'The Secret Service...etc' via Brickhouse
www.brickhousesecurity.com

Class project...

One of the most beautiful concept cars that will be shown in this spring's Geneva Auto Show wasn't designed by the factory - it was done by students. The Maserati Chicane coupe was designed by a group of students from Italy's Instituto Europeo di Design. My guess is they got a pretty good grade on it.


More about the Maserati Chicane via 'The Motor Authority':
www.motorauthority.com

Spare parts...

Life is full of risks. It's always good to have access to some spare parts. The smart guys at The Institute of Regenerative Medicine at Wake University have been playing around with 3D printers. Specifically - to 'print' tissue. Stuff like skin, bones, nerve tissue, and so on. That's right - soon you might be able to phone in an order for a tattoo.




Read more details via 'The New Scientist':
www.newscientist.com

What's going on in there?

People. It's certainly hard to figure out what they're thinking sometimes. Here's an excellent short article on how to figure people out - along with a couple of illustrative cartoons.


'How to Figure People Out' via Happy Brainstorming:
www.happybrainstorm.com

The Rental Islands...

Sure, you could go through the hassle of a military coup to take over a small island, but who needs the hassle? You can just rent one from 'Private Islands Online'. They have an excellent selection for rent or purchase. Warning: setting up a secret, hollow volcano base of operations might keep you from getting your security deposit back - check for details.

Details and catalog of Private Islands Online:
www.privateislandsonline.com

Your average John...

Researchers at Glasgow University have had a breakthrough in facial recognition software. By using an 'averaging' technique applied to photographs, they create a reference photo. 'They' say it boosts recognition factor to 100 percent. The example shown is John Travolta averaged over time and at multiple angles. Insert your own witty quip here.


Read more details via 'The Register':
www.theregister.co.uk