Fish story...

Here's the set up: There's some guy in the bar, telling a story about how an adventure came about - and his lucky flask saved his life. Well - that guy could be you. The 'Lucky Flask' comes with an obvious 'indent' already built in. It's a limited run, so hopefully there won't be another guy there telling his version of the story. Available for 60 USD.


You can order it from 'Charles and Marie':
www.charlesandmarie.com

I made it myself...

Sometimes the best answer is to roll up your sleeves and make it yourself. Here are instructions for building an electronic spy stethescope - costing less than 25 USD, and using easy to find parts.

Step by step via 'Instructables.com':

www.instructables.com

Hang time...

If you go to all the trouble of jumping out of an airplane, you should really maximize your time in free fall. The 'Vampire 2' will help you do just that. The second generation wingsuit pressurizes faster - to shape the user into an airfoil. That will keep you floating around longer and travelling further during your jump. Available for about 1,250 USD from Phoenix-fly.


Specifications, pictures and videos via the Phoneix-fly website:


www.phoenix-fly.com

Quick as...

Looking for an electric car that looks more like a sports car and less like an appliance? Have a look at the 'Lightning'. The handcrafted electronic models are available for delivery in 2008.

Details and specifications from The Lightning Car Company:
www.lightningcarcompany.com

Maple cameras...

The Pentagon is working jointly with Lockheed to develop little cameras, based on the design of maple tree seeds. Basically, a cluster of these little cameras would work cooperatively to gather information as they floated over an area. And maybe they would smell a little like maple syrup.


More details and a link to the project specifications via 'The Raw Feed:
www.therawfeed.com

It's a secret...

Taryn Simon takes strange and beautiful photographs. Her latest books is entitled: 'An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar'. Basically, anything that has a big 'Keep Out' sign on it has been photographed and catalogued in this book.
Examples include photos from a fully armed nuclear submarine, bodies in crygenic storage (see inset), pix from inside the CIA buildings, and so on. Fun, huh?

Some of the photographs are currently on tour in support of the book.


Info and exhibition schedule via Taryn's homepage:
www.tarynsimon.com

The coffe table book is available from Amazon:
www.amazon.com

Tag, you're it...

Tag Heuer makes some great watches. Usually, they're very sporty. For a short time, they'll be making the more dressy 'Monaco Sixty Nine'. Granted, it doesn't have a hidden laser, nor does it control your car - it just looks good. Cost: about 5,000 USD.


Details from the Tag Heuer homepage:
www.tagheuer.com

Do not disturb...

Cell phones in movie theatres are somewhat of a problem. IF it really bothers you, you might consider a cell phone jamming device. There are lots of excellent choices out there - here are two. The first is cleverly disguised as a pack of cigarettes. The second is a little more utilitarian (and a whole lot less expensive) Still searching for a device to remove that tall person in the front row...

Cell phone jammer via the very excellent supplier Advanced Intelligence:
www.advanced-intelligence.com


The more basic jammer via gadget brando:
gadget.brando.com.hk

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