Calling all beer pong enthusiasts: are you ready to win that next tournament? Sure, you might think you’ve got what it takes to play in the big leagues, but chances are you’ve still got a lot of training to do. For one thing, I bet the table down at your local watering hole isn’t even regulation sized. How are you going to compete amongst champions when you haven’t even practiced on a full-length table? And I hope you haven’t been bragging too much about your triumphs in six cup pong because there’s a lot more beer on a regulation table. Maybe you should work on your game a little bit.
If you’re looking to be the best pong player out there, then you need to be ready to play at a moment’s notice. With the Portable Beer Pong Table (KegWorks, $89.95) and a bit of practice, you’ll be an unstoppable beer pong force! Official tournament size (8 feet long), you might think you have no room for such a monstrosity, but you’d be oh so wrong. See, this terrifically awesome table folds into the size of a briefcase when not in use so you don’t have to worry about it taking up too much space in your living room. Not only does its size make for ease of portability, but when folded up, the case also features ergonomic carrying handles. With an aluminum frame and waterproof surface, this table is built to endure many a beer pong game without showing signs of wear. And in case you’re a bit new to the game (or are prone to technical disagreements), there are outlines on each side of the table indicating proper cup placement.
Now, I like beer pong as much as the next college-nostalgic adult, but this table is not for inexperienced. Take a look at those cups – you’re not seeing things, there are 15 on each side of that table. You’d better be really on your game or you’ll be drunkity drunk drunk drunk.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 96″ x 27.5″ x 24″ unfolded
24″ x 24″ x 5.5″ folded
-Weight: 21 lbs
-Official tournament size
-Folds easily into a briefcase
-Ergonomic carrying handles
-High strength aluminum frame
-Waterproof
-Cups not included
I hate trying to decide what to have for dinner. If I don’t plan it out the week before, I either end up ordering take-out every night of the week or I eat every snack in the house instead of cooking a real meal. The issue here is that most of the stuff in my kitchen takes way too long to make, probably because it’s either out of a box or sitting in the freezer. There are actually only about three things I know how to cook that require little to no effort on my part. My favorite go-to meal is spaghetti because, come on, it really can’t get much easier than that.
I think the most annoying part about making spaghetti when you have to drain it. You’ve got this pot full of boiling hot water and you’ve got to dump it into a colander, without burning your hands. That doesn’t seem like a big deal because you can just put the colander in the sink, right? Well, you could, except when was the last time you actually cleaned your sink? Do you really want all those nasty food remnants from your sink to seep into your freshly cooked spaghetti? I didn’t think so. The Silicone Pop Colander (Amazon, $29.99) not only stores flat in your cabinet to save space, but it also features collapsible legs that keep its contents above the sink floor. And because it’s non-porous, non-absorbent, and dishwasher safe, you can be sure that your cooking won’t be tainted by those of previous meals. The only drawback is that you need a sink a bit on the larger side in order to fit the collapsible legs. I’m afraid those out there with double sinks won’t be able to partake.
Not only is spaghetti incredibly tasty, but it’s dirt cheap and it lasts forever. I could probably eat nothing but a box of spaghetti for a whole month. Ok, well maybe it won’t last that long, but you get the idea.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Collapsible design keeps contents above sink floor
-Space saving
-Withstands heat up to 250 degrees
-Non porous and non absorbent
-Available in red or gray
-Made of silicone
-Dishwasher safe
Most people I know have trouble making it through the work day (myself included). It’s almost as if time ceases to exist and you think that you’re going to be crunching the numbers forever. I mean, how is it possible that the first few hours of the day pass by so quickly, but that as soon as you realize the day is half over, it slows to a crawl? I find that one of the best ways to pass the time and beat the working day blahs is to surround yourself with amusing objects. Unfortunately, in order to utilize this method in the workplace, your toys are going to have to serve a legitimate purpose.
So not only does the Mummy Mike Rubber Band Holder (Perpetual Kid, $12.99) actually help keep your desk a little more organized, it’s also a fantastic time waster. I mean, what fidgeteer wouldn’t love a silicone mummy to play with? You get to wrap your rubber bands all over his body under the guise that you’re cleaning up your workspace. And when you’re done, you can take them off and start all over again, claiming that it wasn’t done right the first time. And if that doesn’t waste a minute or two on the company dime, I don’t know what will.
Seriously though, the next time your colleague wants to show you the monster rubber band ball he made, just show him this. He’ll be totally jealous.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 5.5″ x 3.25″
-Includes rubber bands
-Made of silicone
So you’ve probably heard all the hoopla about how we should be working harder to not kill our already ailing environment. You have a few ways you can go about this without cramping your style too much, such as recycling (duh), using low energy light bulbs, and by not driving a tank. Let me elaborate on that last one because it seems to be the one most people are having trouble with. No one, outside of the United States Army, needs to be driving a Hummer. Seriously, there is nothing you could possibly say to me that would justify the utilization of that vehicle. Not only that, a lot of us are driving huge SUVs when it would be much more economical, not to mention kinder to the environment, if we scaled it back a bit. Just because you might need to move a large object in the distant future does not mean you need to buy an 18 wheeler.
A simple (and cost effective) solution to this fictional problem is to opt for the Adjustable Bungee Cord (ThinkGeek, $9.99). Instead of purchasing an oversized, overpriced automobile that you don’t really need, why not just throw this bungee cord in your trunk? That way, in case the need to move a large object suddenly arises, you’ll be prepared because this 9mm cord is 10 inches long and can expand to a maximum of 48 inches. Because the cord uses self-clipping carabiner clips instead of open hooks, the cord will actually lock onto its anchor points and the extra length secures to itself so it won’t flap around. And because this bungee cord is made of high quality cord instead of the standard elastic, it’s not going to wear out over time.
Go on, buy that hybrid car. I hear the Prius is lovely this time of year.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: Adjusts from 10″ to 48″ long
-9mm cord
-Self clipping carabiner clips on each end for secure hold
-End caps have self locking gates
Oh man, today is just a scorcher! I was outside for about five minutes and my face almost melted off my skull. True story. It’s getting to be that time of year where you either have to buy a pool or make friends with somebody who has one. Because pools are expensive and not many people have the outdoor space for one, I recommend the latter. It’s probably easier to use the pool of a friend you already have, but if none of your current friends have aquatic means, then you’re gonna have to go make some new ones who do. You might think that it’s in poor form to befriend someone just because they have a pool, but you’d be wrong.
Once you set eyes on the Floating Cooler and Couch (Hammacher Schlemmer, $79.95), you’ll know what I mean about a pool being the coolest (!) summer accessory. On first glance, it looks like your average inflatable pool lounger, but it’s a little more awesome than that. See, this lounger has a concealed cargo hold built-in under the footrest that houses a cooler. That’s right, you can enjoy your favorite beverages without leaving the pool, or even your seat! The cooler fits 15 cans on ice and has a built-in drain to eliminate excess liquid. With a full height backrest and a cup holder in each armrest, you rest assured that you’ll be lounging in luxury this summer.
I don’t have a pool because a) there’s no room for one, and b) I lack adequate funds to purchase one. Unfortunately, I also don’t know anyone who was one (or access to one) so I’d better fine tune my networking skills because I need to make some new friends, and fast!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 65″ x 39″ x 33.5″
-Weight: 18lbs
-Inflatable lounger with built in cooler
-0.5′ cu cargo hold concealed under footrest
-Cooler holds 15 cans on ice
-Cooler has built in drain for excess liquid
-Cup holder in each armrest
-Full height backrest
-Lounger made of heavy gauge vinyl
-Inflates with pump (sold separately)
