Cutting corners...

If you're planning on skiing some difficult slopes this year, you might want to check out these: The 'Nezza' (blade) carbon fiber composite skis from Zai. Working out of an old monastery in Switzerland, the company has created a 173 centimeter ski that only weighs 3.1 pounds. Cost: about 7,000 USD.





Details from Zia;
zai.ch

A hole in the ground...

A Russian company has announced rather ambitious plans to dome over the abandoned Mir Diamond Mine in Siberia - creating a city for 100,000 people. 'Eco-city 2020' would be situated in the second largest man-made hole (a quarter mile wide, and over 1,700 feet deep)




Sketches from the designer AB Elise:
www.el-ab.ru/comp/comp1.php?lang=en#no

Drinking and driving...

'The Aston Martin Club Lounge' is newly opened in Singapore. A private club, it's theme is the history of the famed auto. For cocktails - Bollinger champagne and Macallan whiskey, of course.





Read more about it via luxury insider:
www.luxury-insider.com

Hardly...

Deflexion is a very interesting material. It's a textile that's soft and supple - normally - but when it's struck, it turns into 'armor'. Then it returns to being a fabric.





A quick primer on Deflexion via Core77:
www.core77.com

Remotely possible...

The 'Mega Hurtz' tactical robotic platform is available with many options - lasers, lethal and non-lethal weapons, night vision.. But really, the chassis itself is quite capable - it can tow a hummer or knock down a wall. The perfect holiday gift for the guy who has everything.




Details via 'InspectorBots':
inspectorbots.com

Going big...

The house of Buben & Zorweg has long been known as an excellent maker of mechanical clocks. Their latest project is a humidor - the 'Grand Connoiseur'. The giant cabinet stands 5 foot six inches tall, and store up to 1,000 cigars. High tech touches include a state of the art humidification system, automated anti-contamination measures, LED lighting, and a high tech locking system.




Details and photos via SuperYacht Design:
www.superyachtdesign.com

Graphic story...

If you're looking for a lively read, you might check out 'Ninja Attack! True Tales of Assassins, Samurai, and Outlaws'. Illustrated in a graphic style - it's a factual account of ninja lore and techniques. Authored by Hiroko Yoda - Cost: about 15 USD




Available from Amazon:
amazon.com

A bit of the bubbly...

Pierre Stephane Dumas has designed a series of 'bubble tents' - large, clear luxury tents for spending quality time in the forrest. The various sizes and shapes include a wide variety of amenities - including some that are frosted for the more modest. Rental and purchase options are available Cost: about 600 USD for rent, about 11,000 USD for purchase



Details and photos via 'Geekologie':
www.geekologie.com

Playing with fire...

'Horus' is the name of a collection of fireplaces by Fontana Forni. 'The Tetris' is fireplace comprised of interlocking pieces that double as furniture - re-stacking as needed for seating close to the flame.





Translated page via Giornoidea:
giornoidea.com

Boat house...

The 'Aquaminium' waterfront complex might be the perfect place to keep an eye on your yacht. Located in southern Thailand, the homes include a float in garage for storage. The berth is large enough for a 12 meter boat. Other household amenities include a home theatre, bar, waterfall jacuzzi, and hydrotherapy area. Fifteen units have been built on Phang Nga Bay.







Photos, details, and pricing via the Aquaminium site:
aquaminium.royalphuketmarina.com

Chemical free...

Scientists working at the University of South Carolina have discovered a way to detect blood without using chemicals. High speed pulses of infrared light are screened for different wavelengths and isolated. Saving time and no messy sprays.




Read more about it via New Scientist:
www.newscientist.com

Fizz...

If you're wondering what to do with the rather popular St Germaine Elderflower Liqueur that seems to be showing up everywhere - you might try this simple recipe for your Bond Girl:



St-Germain Cocktail

Ingredients:
2 parts champagne or dry sparkling white wine
1.5 parts St-Germain
2 parts club soda

Show us...

The 'Replay XD' is a tiny camera that is self contained - perfect for action extreme sports, or recording those conversations you'd like to review later. It will run for 110 minutes on a single charge. Extremely easy to use, and very rugged. Cost: 190 USD.






Details and Tech Specs from Replay:
replayxd.com

Cufflink Upgrade...

Earlier, USB cufflinks were announced. Now, we have Robert Graham fashion cufflinks - with more storage. That's right, 4 Gig of storage right at your fingertips - in fashion colors. Cost: 228 USD






Available from Cufflinks.com:
www.cufflinks.com

It never happened...

Scientists working at Johns Hopkins University have isolated a protein used to store memories of traumatic events in mice. The protein can be neutralized if intercepted quickly - effectively erasing the traumatic event.



Read more about it via Kurtzweil AI:
www.kurzweilai.net/how-to-erase-memory

On the drawing board...

Currently in design, the 'Beluga Yacht' is a pretty interesting concept. Designed by Pursang, the glass and steel superyacht is planned to have quite a list of features: a whiskey bar, extendable balconies, a turkish bath, a gym, greenhouse... really, the list just goes on.




Renderings via 'Funtasticus':
www.funtasticus.com

Spy shirt...

The 'spy shirt' that is actually... a spy shirt. This t-shirt has a built in, functioning spy camera - hidden in the camera of the artwork on the shirt. Genius? Silly? You make the call. Cost: 40 USD





'Spy Shirt' from ThinkGeek:
www.thinkgeek.com

Super saber...

With the holidays approaching, you might be wondering if your champagne sabering skills are up to par. Mumm's is offering a modern saber and a starter bottle of cordon rouge to get you started. Cost: 600 EUR.



Available from the stylish 'Colette' of Paris:
www.colette.fr

Extended edition...

A conversion kit for extending your pistol into a rifle. Coming soon from HERA Arms.






Additional pictures from HERA (English and German):
www.hera-arms.com

entrenched...

If you're looking for a new trench coat, you might check out the 2010 models from Aspesi. The Milanese designer has been making them since the 1990's - the newest models have some subtle military style built in. Cost: about 690 USD.



Info and order from 'the corner':
www.thecorner.com

Lighten up...

If you're backgammon set is weighing you down, you might consider the a full carbon fiber set from Carbofan. This limited edition (only 99 will be made) set is a high tech work of art. Cost: about 25,000 USD







Details and photos from Carbofan:
sh-engineering.eu/carbofan/#

Shoot off...

'Bang! Lights out!' is a design lamp from the Japanese design team bitplay. The lamp is accompanied by a pistol shaped control unit - when it's turned off - the lamp shade tilts as if it's been shot. So much cooler than a 'clapper'.





Details via 'The Daily What':
thedailywh.at

X-Ray vision...sort of...

Still sort of a work in progress - the AN/PPS-26 STTW (the STTW stands for 'See Thru The Wall') is a five pound, hand held device that can sense movement behind a wall. There a few drawbacks - if they're not moving, if the wall has too much metal, etc. It is certainly a step in the right direction.






Read more about it via The DangerRoom:
www.wired.com