bookofjoe

School Days

And Sunday night, the worst night of the week, the weekend over far too fast....

(Click each of the two side-by-side panels to blow them up).

Tic Tac Toast — Because it's fun to play with your food

From the website:

Tic Tac Toast

Finally, a good reason to play with your food!

The Tic Tac Toast stamper combines the fun of tic-tac-toe with the tastiness of toast.

Just press this 3-3/8" x 3-3/8" plastic stamper into a piece of bread, then put your bread in the toaster on a dark setting.

The resulting toast will be branded with a tic-tac-toe grid!

When the toasted gameboard is ready, all that's left to do is pick some tasty toppings and play a game.

Winner gets to eat the toast!

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$4.95 (bread not included. Neither is a toaster. Get your own.).

Cat Plays Theremin

From Wikipedia: "The theremin is... the first musical instrument played without being touched."

OK, so cut me a little slack — the feline virtuoso is, strictly speaking, playing a virtual theremin.

[via ShanMonster]

Beware of Pickpocket Wallet

There's something oddly recursive about this item but I can't quite put my finger on it other than to realize I kind of like the confusion it engenders in my peabrain.

From the website:

Beware of Pickpocket Wallet

Let your money do the talking to would-be criminals.

Truth is, everyone will have an eye on your wallet due to the bold graphics and humorous "beware" illustration.

Bi-fold wallet is of man-made materials with six credit card slots plus a bill pocket.

Folds to 3¾" x 4½".

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$12.95.

Virtual audience, real suicide: The rise of true reality TV

The uproar over the live Internet webcast of the suicide of 19-year-old Abraham Biggs, Jr. (above) last Wednesday, which was accompanied by real-time on-screen sidebar commentary from a number of amused and horrified viewers, is now being followed by a call for tougher regulation of Internet sites so as to prevent such things from happening again.

The genie is out of the bottle and cannot be put back inside.

Neal Stephenson, in his iconic novel 1992 "Snow Crash," described how jacking in to the lives of others not merely to observe but to actually experience their sensations and emotions in real time would become a staple of entertainment in the near future.

Those whose actions and reactions were most compelling would become the leading actors and actresses of the mind-melded new world.

Coming soon to a smartphone or computer terminal near you.

Stay tuned.

Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed

Meow.

Très formidable.

From the website:
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Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed

More than a pet bed, more than a carrier or car seat: it's a lifestyle

It's your pet's personal space, designed to fit his/her individual needs.

Sleepypod pampers your 7 pound or smaller pet in luxurious ultra-plush and foam, providing comfort and security .

The beauty of the Sleepypod is its versatility.

A dog that needs to be aware of her surroundings at all times can be just as easily accommodated as the cat who likes his privacy.

The secret is in the adjustable dome top. Removing the top altogether will give your pet the easy access of a standard pet bed but as needs change, so will your options.

In times of fear or stress the dome can be opened or closed by unzipping the center zipper and adjusting the sides.

The bed is designed so that your pet can spread out in the way that is most natural for his or her sleeping style.

The round shape will contour around your pet's body providing yet another layer of coziness.

Because your pet will already be living in the Sleepypod, traveling will become much easier and less stressful for everyone.

To safely transport your pet in the car, simply wrap the seat belt around the base of the Sleepypod and pull the shoulder belt through the top handle.

The Sleepypod Mini will easily fit under the seat on commercial airplanes (always check with your airline for their specific restrictions before flying).

The black ultra-plush lining included in every Sleepypod is 100% polyester and easily maintained with a quick vacuum or a dip in the washing machine: cold water, gentle cycle with like colors; tumble dry on low.

All other components can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

Specifics:

• Mobile pet bed, carrier and car seat, contoured to fit pets up to 7 pounds (Mini) and up to 15 pounds (Medium)

• Luggage-grade nylon outside, ultra-plush polyester inside

• Includes padded shoulder strap, mesh dome top with carrying handle, washable ultra-plush bedding, water-resistant foam liner, luggage-grade nylon shell and an instruction card (warmer and replacement bedding sold separately)

• 13 inches in diameter, 11 inches high (Mini); 17 inches in diameter, 13 inches high (Medium)

• Weight: 5 lbs. (Mini); 7 lbs. (Medium)
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From the top: Sky Blue, Arctic White, Dark Chocolate, Jet Black, Blossom Pink or Strawberry Red.

Mini $139, Medium 152.63, both here.

[via caroline, who was awakened by Humphrey this morning — he was sitting at her laptop staring at this item, keening as if he were in love....]

The last telephone book in the U.S. will be published around 2015

I use my telephone book maybe once every three months — to check what time zone a state is in on the map in the front section of the white pages.

The yellow pages are out of date from the moment you receive them, having been set for printing months earlier, before any number of new businesses appeared and old ones vanished.

Yes, I'm a troglodyte with a land line but if I never got another telephone book it really wouldn't much matter to me.

Game over.

Rubber Solar Keychain Light

From the website:

Rubber Solar Keychain Light

There's no need to worry about replacing batteries for this smart, energy-efficient light.

It's constantly being charged by the sun's rays when you're out and about or by artificial light while indoors.

It features three ultra-bright LED lights encased in a durable rubber case.

It operates for up to two hours before needing to be recharged.

Add it to a keychain for energy-efficient lighting anytime.

$7.99.