It’s been a lot darker in the mornings and I am not a fan. To clarify, I don’t even get out of bed at an insane hour like 6 or 7 (more like 9 or 10), so I can’t imagine what it’s like for the rest of you. I know it’s only a preview of the months to come where the days get shorter and it’s like trying to wake up from a coma just to get out bed in the morning. And while I love going to sleep in a dark room, I am not looking forward to these mandatory pitch black mornings.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to add a little light to my life or else I’m going to stay in bed all day. While that could be very enjoyable, I’d probably get fired and then be forced to move out of my apartment due to lack of funds. The Milk LED Changing Colors Night Light (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $12.95) uses an LED to give off a soft glow, which is just enough light to make it easier to wake up and not too much to distract my REM cycle. If you decide in the middle of the night that you’re too cool for a night light, you can turn it off by tilting it or placing it on its side. Not only does this save energy, but it’s a heck of a lot easier than trying to find a small switch in the middle of the night. Speaking of small switches, there’s one on the bottom of the light that allows you to set it to change colors or stay on solid white.
So maybe you think you’re too old to be sleeping with a night light – that’s totally fine. The design of this light is such that it can be placed pretty much anywhere in your apartment and not look like a children’s lamp. Then no one has to know that you’re afraid to sleep on the dark because the boogeyman might get you.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 14cm
-LED light
-Automatically turns off when tilted or placed upside down
-Choose between changing colors or solid white via switch on bottom
-Uses 3 AAA batteries (not included)
-Made of clear acrylic
I know it’s crazy, but I’ve already started to scout out some Christmas gifts for my family this year. Last year I waited until the last minute and I actually had to shop *gasp* at the mall. Trust me, it’s not something I would wish on even my worst enemy. Anyways, I thought I’d start by trying to find something for my dad. Dads are usually the easiest to shop for because you can get by with anything technological or handy. If you’re really lucky, you can find a gadget that combines the two. Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?
With the Wise Hammer (Things You Never Knew Existed, $29.98), you don’t have to choose. While it looks like a traditional hammer, it’s actually so much more. Ok, well not that much more, but it does feature a stud finder in the handle. How many times has your dad been in the middle of a home improvement project and needed to find a stud, but wasn’t able to because he misplaced his stud finder? Even if you aren’t the most handy, I’m sure you’ve had to hang a picture or two on occasion and unless you want part of your wall coming off in a chunk when you try to hang a picture nailed into
sheetrock, I’m sure you’d appreciate this too.
I might want to mention that this is probably not a suitable gift for your wife/girlfriend, especially when she’s made it very clear that she doesn’t want any more presents that can be found at the hardware store.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Hammer and stud finder
-Built in nub for marking edges
-Uses one button battery (included)
How great is the spork? I mean, don’t you wish you had invented that? It’s so simple, yet it took forever for someone to come up with the concept. And even know, it’s not universally accepted. I’m not exactly sure why because it’s got to be a great money-saver since you only need 2/3 less silverware than you did before. Maybe it was because the knife felt left out. I mean, if someone had created a tool that combined all three utensils, that would be pretty major.
Hold onto your hats because the Pocket Cutlery (Perpetual Kid, $11.99) shown here is the trifecta you’ve been waiting for! With its army knife design, it looks just like any other pocket knife until you start unfolding it. What’s this, a fork and spoon? Craziness! In addition to a full set of pocket-sized cutlery, this knife also features a bottle/can opener (sure to please fans of the traditional pocket knife). Perfect for stashing in your car or even for carrying with you, you’ll always be prepared with this awesome tool.
Why do you think they never made a foknipoon or a spifeork? Sure, it might be a little dangerous at first, but I think it would be a justifiable risk.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.5″ x 1″ folded
-Fork, knife, spoon, and bottle/can opener all in one
-Available in orange, black, or green
-Made of stainless steel with a rubber finish
Another typical Monday after yet another typical weekend. Seriously, I’m so sick of doing the same thing day after day; I need some excitement in my life. See, it’s hard to get yourself out of a rut because, as boring and predictable as it may be, it’s warm and safe. I’m torn – my weekend may have been tediously similar to the one before, but I think I may prefer it to some stupid and impulsive new activity. Perhaps I’ll start by branching out with just a little bit.
What better way to try out something new than within the safety of your home? The easiest way to do that is through artistic expression. I’m not very adept at graphic design and I’ve never been able to master a musical instrument, but I’m somewhat of a technological enthusiast so the LEGO Stop Motion Animation Digital Video Camera (ThinkGeek, $79.99) intrigued me. Obviously, one of the best features of this camera is its simplicity coupled with the LEGO-inspired design, making it attractive to aspiring filmmakers both young and old. With this handheld camera, you can film both regular and stop-motion video and it’s SD card compatible so it allows for memory expansion. The macro lens and rotation color screen increases the ease of filmmaking without disturbing the subject. And if you’re not a stop-motion animation expert, fear not because a software CD is included.
Coming soon: my shocking documentary about the first LEGO president.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.6″ x 1.6″ x 2.6″
-Weight: 13.6 oz
-Includes video camera, LEGO Stop Animation Studio Software CD, adjustable tripod, and 2 LEGO mini figures
-1.5″ rotation color screen
-SD card compatible
-Records stop motion and regular videos
-Macro lens
-Ages 7 and up
I really like living on my own. There’s no one telling me what to do or that I should pick up after myself (although that one probably needs to be done), so I can pretty much do whatever I want. A minor setback to all this freedom is that everything is on you. What are you gonna have for dinner tonight? It’s up to you. Should you go back to school? Your choice. Would it be wrong to call in sick to work so you can play COD all day? It’s your choice (you’re gonna get fired though). Sometimes, it actually helps if an extra person is around to have your back.
Luckily, the Ergonomic Grocery Bag Holder (Taylor Gifts, $4.99) makes it so you can at least go grocery shopping on your own. Well, to clarify, it won’t help you with the actual shopping part, but it will help you carry those bags into your house from the car. Like most people I know, I’ll do anything to keep from making more than one trip to bring the groceries in. Even if you live in a nice neighborhood where you don’t have to worry about someone stealing your food (and quite possibly your car) in the five minutes it takes you to put your bags on the kitchen table and walk back out, it would still be nice not to have to waste time running back and forth. This little holder fits the natural contour of your hand and has three hooks extending from it. Its compact size allows you to take it pretty much anywhere while its multiple hooks mean you can carry several grocery bags at once without mangling your fingers.
Once, I had to make two trips to bring in my groceries and when I came back out after that second time to shut the trunk, there was a family of endangered birds living in my car. True story.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 5″
-Carry multiple bags at once
-Fits natural contour of hand
-Compact size
-Available in assorted colors
-Made of polypropylene
