Snowballs...

If you're looking for something a little different this ski season, you might check out 'The White Pods'. Located in Switzerland, this alternative accommodation is made up of a collection of geodesic pods near a common chalet.



Details via WhitePod:
www.whitepod.com/wpod

Forget about it...

If you're the type that forgets about 'special occasions' - there's help available. The 'Forgetful Gentleman Letterpress Correspondence System' is here to help you. The handsome cigar box style storage system is loaded with simple, tasteful cards for all those occasions. The key is the reminder system - you are reminded via text when it's time to send that thoughtful card. Cost: about 75 USD




Available from 'On the Fly':
www.onthefly.com

Bear approved...

Television star and survival enthusiast Bear Grylls has put his name on a tiny pouch of survival gear that potentially could save your life. The tiny pouch contains a ridiculous amount of gear into 5 inches by 7 inches. Instructions included. Cost: about 50 USD.




Available from the Knife Center:
www.knifecenter.com

Where's my stuff?

If you're in the habit of misplacing things, or have things you'd like to track - Garmin has a good option for you: 'The GTU 10'. This small tracking device can be attached to all kinds of things - and tracked via a smartphone application. There's also an option for alerting you when something leaves a designated area. Cost: about 200 USD for the device, plus monthly tracking charge.




Read more about it via The Garmin Store:
buy.garmin.com

Credit decoded...

If you've ever wondered what all those numbers mean on a credit card, here's a handy primer that decodes them - including some tips on how to know when you're being given a fake one.




Credit cards decoded via Mint:
www.mint.com

Leisure time...

When you're not using your AR-15 for weapons practice - you can use it for golf practice.. The ARR-225 from New Century NcStar converts the muzzle break into a golf ball launcher. Cost: about 20 USD (Warning: some golf courses do not approve of using heavy weaponry for golf - check for local rules)



Details and Order from 'Cheaper than Dirt':
www.cheaperthandirt.com

Everybody's doing it...

A while back, the US test launched the mysterious X37-B robotic space plane. Smaller than the space shuttle, the robotic plane can be used to shuttle cargo into low orbit. Now Russia is planning their own mysterious space plane. And maybe China as well.



Read more about it via Wired:
www.wired.com

Scanners...

The Cougar20-H is a new remote control robot that has a large square radio frequency array that helps it to 'see through walls'. It's sensor array coupled with software can detect biologic functions - such as breathing.




Read more about it via Crave:
news.cnet.com

A slice of history...

If you're looking for a great fighting knife, you might take a look at the venerable Ka-Bar Fighting Knife. Designed for the US Military during WWII, it remains unchanged and in service. Cost: about 50 USD.



Available in the US via Amazon.com:
amazon.com

Hard pressed...

Here's another great option for making a good cup of coffee while 'off the grid' - The Presso Espresso Machine uses good old people generated pressure to squeeze out that perfect brew. Cost: about 150 USD.



Available from Holstee:
shop.holstee.com

Double Wide...

Fresh off of a couple of wins on the Dakar circuit - Volkswagen introduces the street legal 'VW Race Touareg 3 Qatar'. Features include a 300 hp 2.5L TDI engine, 18 inch wheels, recaro seats and a safety cage.



More details via AutoBlog.com:
www.autoblog.com

Where did that come from?...

Certainly your locked and zippered luggage is secure. Or is it? Here's a short and startling video on how easy it is to open a zippered piece of luggage without leaving a trace.




Zipper breach video via YouTube:
www.youtube.com

Spray on...

There's a new technology for burn victims - spray on skin. Using stem cells and a spray gun, new skin can be grown very quickly. Warning: the video link below is not for the 'feint of heart'.



Spray on skin from National Geographic and Current.tv:
current.com

Cold weather sports..

Winters can be long and cold in Sweden. What could be more wholesome than a little outdoor fun to break the monotony - for instance, hydrogen filled balloon hunting with roman candles... from a remote controlled helicopter.






Follow the link for an HD version from YouTube:
www.youtube.com

A man's home...

A gent in Suffolk, England has converted an 1800's vintage gun emplacement into a rather luxe living quarter.


Pictures and short story via Inhabitat.com
inhabitat.com