bookofjoe

Segway XT Cross-Terrain — The techiest off-road vehicle in the world

Extending its reach beyond city sidewalks, the Segway now comes in a new flavor: Off-Road (above and below).

Beefed-up tires, the usual add-ons and now it's good to go not only through the Taco Bell drive-through (tried it yet?) but onto rough terrain like mountain trails and their ilk.

Jayne Clark featured the new model in her story in today's USA Today Life section; the piece follows.

The Segway rolls into rural terrain

Maybe you've seen squadrons of Segways, those upright scooters, commandeering city sidewalks as urban tours grow in popularity from Anchorage to Washington. Now, thanks to minor design modifications, the Segway has gone off-road — or sidewalk — and tour operators are venturing into rougher terrain. Proponents say they're ideal — if trickier to operate — in rural settings because they're easy on trails and non-polluting. A sampling of off-road tours:
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What: Ecomotion Tours, Fort George Island off northeast coast of Florida

Where: Ecological and historical tours of mostly undeveloped 1,000-acre island, including 1798 Kingsley Plantation.

Cost: $69 for 2 hours

Information: 904-251-9477; ecomotiontours.com
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What: Segway Off Road, Oakland, Calif.

Where: Redwood-shaded hills above the city. Tours on Mount Lemmon near Tucson will start in October.

Cost: $75 for 2½-hour ride and 30-minute lesson.

Information: 510-517-9533; segwayoffroad.com
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What: North Carolina Arboretum Segway, Asheville

Where: Covers 4½ miles of wooded trails and stream bank.

Cost: $45 for instruction and 1½- to 2-hour tour.

Information: 828-665-2492; ncarboretum.org
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What: SegRides of Vermont, Smuggler's Notch Resort

Where: Training on unpaved village roads followed by touring on mountain trails in evergreen forest.

Cost: $65 for 1½ hours, including training.

Information: 800-451-8752; smuggs.com

Lipstick Flashlight Price Break

Back in January it was introduced to much hoopla and fanfare at $19.98.

Well, guess what?

There are few left over and it's time to pile 'em high and sell 'em low.

From the website:

Lipstick Microlight

This whimsical mini-flashlight is perfect for reading maps or directions, highlighting a keyhole or finding things at the bottom of your handbag.

Take off its cap, give it a twist, and the ultrabright LED light pops up and comes on.



Dazzling gold metallic finish.

Batteries included.

3" long.

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At 25% off there's really no excuse now not to add one to your purse stash.

$14.99.

Don't come crying 'round here at Christmas asking how come they're no longer available.

SGSE*

*Smart girls shop early

And no — you won't find that one here 'cause I just made it up.

Sheesh.

Jay-Z + Hewlett-Packard = Sensational TV Commercial

I just saw it MOS (mit out sound) and it was dazzling.

Wonderful computer-rendered special effects that show Jay-Z's hands — we never see his face except for a brief glimpse at the end — making wonderful things appear and disappear.

Even if H-P doesn't seem to be doing very well with computers, they sure are good at two things:

1) Hiring rock star CEOs (Ms. Fiorina,

please call the office: the latest installment of your platinum parachute is ready)

2) TV commercials

Maybe they should get out of the computer business sooner rather than later and become a media company.

I'm just saying.

Meanwhile Cristal champagne

is still taking it on the chin after Jay-Z's

diss.

Virtually Indestructible Keyboard

Just the thing for a quick-and-dirty blog post from anywhere with my Philips PET320 mini-computer.

Oh, yeah, I forgot — the Philips isn't quite ready for prime time.

Real soon now, though.

From the website:

Virtually Indestructible Keyboard

Spills?

Wipe 'em up!

Dusty, dirty?

Toss it in the dishwasher!

Traveling?

Roll it up and pack it in your bag!



This amazing breakthrough in keyboards is made of soft, rubbery, totally flexible silicone, to take whatever you — or your kids — dish out.

Simply plug it into your computer’s USB or normal keyboard port.

Great for laptops, too!

No software needed — just plug 'n play.

PC/Windows/MAC compatible.

Color: Black.

21"W x 5"L x 1"D.

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I love it.

Roll it up and shove it in your pocket, use it for a coaster — this is how a keyboard should be.

You see them at public computers in coffee shops, etc.

There's a reason.

$29.99.

Mysteries of the internet: beanrocket

I just stumbled on it.

It's bookofjoe on steroids.

I haven't a clue as to what it's all about.

Hey, I'm just the blogger — you want technical, you find someone else.

My Big Fat Italian Welcome Mat

Or Irish, Polish, German or Mexican.

From the website:

Personalized Door Mat

Personalized Mat proudly proclaims your family's heritage.

Indoor/outdoor mat of woven polyester and slip-resistant backing comes personalized with last name (up to 17 letters).

Hose clean, air dry.

27" x 18".

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Don't want your name on it but still like the idea?

No problema.

They'll sell you the basic default version that simply says, "A Big [..........] Welcome" for the same price.

$24.98.

It's all relative

[via Jay Bo and farpasebitaites]

Birdsong IdentifLyer — 'Become a bird expert... by ear!'

That's right: you don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows and you don't need a bird to know what it sounds like if you've one of these.

From the website:

Birdsong IdentifLyer

Become a Bird Expert… by Ear!

Enjoy matching the melodies of American birds with this portable birdsong identifier.

Credit card-sized song cards feature detailed color photographs of ten birds, grouped by habitat.

Just slip one into the handheld player and press the button next to a bird to hear its song.

Includes earphone for use in delicate habitats.

Comes with Yard Birds Cards I & II.

Two other sets of cards (Forest/Meadow Group — 3 cards/30 birds) and Water Group — 3 cards/30 birds) are available.

A great learning opportunity for couples and families.

Player measures 6-1/4"L x 3-3/4"W x 1"D.

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The Birdsong IdentifLyer with 2 Yard Birds Cards (20 birds) is $34.95.

The Forest/Meadow Group card set is $29.95 and the Water Group likewise $29.95.