Oh man, am I tired today! I don’t think I slept at all last night, due to some noisy neighbors who decided to do home improvements into the wee hours of the morning. I can’t fault them for trying to finish the job they started that afternoon, but when it starts to cut into my shuteye, that’s when I get a bit peeved. Not enough to actually get out of bed and tell them to stop, but still pretty miffed. Have you ever tried to sleep through an annoying sound? It gets to be all you can hear. And even if it does miraculously stop, you get paranoid and start to think you hear it even when it’s completely silent. It’s enough to mess with anyone’s head (and sleep cycle).
For the sake of your sanity, just put on your SleepPhones Headphones (ThinkGeek, $39.99) already! I mean, if you could easily drown out the annoyances of your surroundings, why wouldn’t you want to? Featuring an ultra-comfy soft headband that can double as a sleep mask, these headphones plug right into your mp3 player, iPod, radio, etc. Unlike with ear buds or standard headphones, you can sleep contentedly because you won’t even feel them through the headband.
These headphones work well for ignoring people at work too. Just don’t tell your boss I said that.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Comfortable headphones for bedtime
-Plugs into any standard media player
-Soft headband can double as a sleep mask
-Drowns out unwanted noise while you sleep
As summertime draws to a close, I’m reminded of all the fun times I’ve had these past few months. Naturally, none of these memories involve spending time outdoors because I hate going outside. I mean, if I don’t get out of this house soon, people might start thinking I’m agoraphobic. Seriously though, while enjoying everything nature has to offer isn’t really my thing, I like to think I have a good time just the same. Not spending a zillion hours outdoors really frees up my time to work on my various creative projects (also no sunburn, so that’s a plus). You’re gonna think I’m pretty lame (even more so than you already do), but I like to put together puzzles. That’s right, puzzles.
The problem with puzzles today is that even if the puzzle itself is challenging, the pictures are so lame. I mean, how many times can I put together a picture of snow covered trees or a cat hanging on a branch? Zip Code Puzzles (Firebox, $34.95) are a completely different story. Instead of regurgitating the same old photo options, these puzzles are made to order according to your personal choice of geographic location. Using an extract from the U.S. Geological Survey, a 400 piece puzzle is produced according to the zip code you provide. In the center of the puzzle is a house-shaped piece that represents the address location and the puzzle itself spans six miles east/west and four miles north/south of the center point. The map displays buildings, main roads, water features, and even some local establishments so that each puzzle is unique.
I don’t know who wouldn’t want to put together this puzzle. I would totally commit to putting every last piece of this puzzle together, glue it in place, and then frame it for display. That’s not weird, right?
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12.25″ x 18.5″ (assembled)
-400 piece jigsaw puzzle
-Features an extract from the U.S. Geological Survey
-Map covers 6 miles East/West and 4 miles North/South
-Center piece is shaped like a house
-Puzzle box includes personal message area
-Each puzzle made to order
-Non returnable except due to faulty manufacturing
Picture this: you’re running late to meet your friends and you didn’t get a chance to grab something to eat. You’d love to stop and get something, but you just don’t have the time. No prob, you’ll hit up the drive-thru on your way there, right? Wrong, because there’s no way you’re gonna be able to navigate through traffic and stuff your face at the same time without ending up with food all over your clothes.
The Car Swivel Tray (Things You Never Knew Existed, $12.98) will keep your food close at hand without letting it end up in your lap. Using a cup holder inset, the tray is anchored in place so it’s where you need it when you need it. The jointed arm not only swivels from side to side, but can also be adjusted up or down to suit your needs. The tray’s textured surface keeps items from sliding around your gear shifter while you drive. And when you’re done eating, you can push the tray over to the passenger side so it’s out of your way.
I’m just a teensy bit worried that gadgets like this that make it easier than ever to multi-task while driving will encourage all the idiots out there to pay even less attention to the road. I mean, just because you can talk on the phone, email, shave, change radio stations, and drive all at the same time doesn’t mean that you should.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9″ jointed arm; 9″ diameter tray; 2.5″ diameter cup holder inset
-Cup holder inset anchors tray in place
-Jointed arm can be raised or lowered
-Textured surface keep items from slipping
Every time I set the table, I always put out a full set of silverware because you never know who’s gonna need a certain utensil. I mean, I wouldn’t think about using a knife to cut my spaghetti, but I have a friend who does it every time he comes over for Spaghetti Thursdays. Likewise, I opt to use the side of my fork instead of a knife to cut my pancakes, and my friend thinks that’s a bit loony as well.
With the Knork 4-pc Set (Amazon, $24.99), neither my friend nor myself will feel odd for not using a knife at mealtime. Plus, it’s one less utensil to put on the table (and to wash later). The Knork features a finger platform in its center that allows the user to press down on it and use a rocking motion to cut food. The outer prongs of the Knork aren’t really all that sharp, but curved instead, making the Knork safe as well as easy to use. Because both outer prongs utilize this technology, the Knock is ideal for everyone regardless if they’re a righty or a lefty. If you know someone who suffers from a disability or medical condition that makes it hard for them to use both hands while eating, this is the perfect solution.
While the Knork is perfect in just about any situation, don’t think that you’re gonna be able to cut cans or your shoe with it. It’s not some silly knife from a crazy infomercial or your first job as a door-to-door knife salesman. Seriously, why did you think you’d be able to make $18.00 an hour so easily? That’s just stupid.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Set of four
-Cuts like a dinner knife and spears like a fork
-No sharp knife edge
-Use finger platform and rocking motion to cut food
-Right or left handed
-Rust, stain, and corrosion resistant
-Matte finish
-Dishwasher safe
I’m not very strong. It doesn’t really bother me all that much because I’m usually around someone who can help me out when I need to lift something heavy or can’t get the lid off a pickle jar. There are times when I’d like to at least pretend I’m an adult and that I have the ability to function on my own. Specifically, when I can’t get the cap off a beer bottle, it almost seems like I shouldn’t even be allowed to drink it.
I could go to the gym and try to build up my muscles, but that sounds like a lot of work. Instead, I’d rather trick people into thinking that I’m stronger by using the EZ Botop Bottle Opener (Drinkstuff, £7.99). Not only does this baby allow you to easily open beer, soda, anything with a bottle cap, but you can do it one-handed! Along with its innovative design, this opener creates a fulcrum that allows you to open a bottle with little to no effort. The top part is also magnetic, so the cap sticks to it after you’ve opened the bottle. I’m a fan of this feature because I am well known for attempting to uncap a beverage, only to have either the cap or bottle go flying because of my underdeveloped biceps.
Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long week and I need to conduct some further testing on this bottle opener.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 40mm x 170mm x 45mm
-One handed bottle opener
-Remove cap and pour contents in one fluid motion
-Magnet retains bottle top
-Not available for delivery in Canada
