357. Bright Idea: Culla Belly Sleeper June 25, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Baby, Furniture, Product.3 comments
The second best thing about one day having a baby is finding great baby gadgets like this Culla Baby Sleeper. From Italy, find it HERE; via Swissmiss.
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356. Bright Idea: Tag Ball June 21, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Game, Plaything, Product, Video.2 comments
Tag Ball is the poor person’s Paint Ball. Despite having to wear velcro everywhere, this seems like a pretty Bright Idea. I also prefer this single-shot challenge over the expensive and lazy rapid-firing typically found with Paint Ball. Check out their website HERE. The clip is a 30 second commercial.
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355. Quickie Web: Video: Beat Box Kitchen June 21, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Person, Quickie Web, Video.add a comment
Check out the extremely talented Beardyman vizualize beat boxing for you in this creative presentation (3.3 minutes long).
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354. Bright Idea: the Shockball June 20, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Plaything, Product.2 comments
Play catch (or more specifically, Hot Potato) with the Shockball, which emits a shock at random intervals. Rubber-lined to protect it from the inevitable drops to the floor, this plaything sounds like a scream.
I would also use it in my car, for a jolt of adrenalin to keep me awake when I start getting drowsy. Buy it HERE (Aus $30); via UberGizmo.
(P.S. In wrote about a similar IdeaSpark* in a previous post, here.)
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353. Quickie Web: Game: Flute Hero June 20, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Game, Quickie Web.10 comments
Last night, my good friend Ben was telling me how much fun he and his wife were having playing Guitar Hero 2. For those of us who don’t own an XBox 360, here is a free and similar game: Flute Hero.
Use your keyboard’s number keys to synchronize with the indicated musical notes. HumBugg: there should only be 8 notes, since thumbs are awkward to use when playing. Well-produced, fun, and frustrating. Play it HERE; via GameLife.
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352. Bright Idea: Mouse Pen June 20, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.add a comment
I was wondering when someone would invent this: a mouse pen. Made by Salient, this mouse utilizes a more natural and intuitive grip, and allows for better precision. HumBugg: (1) the lack of a mouse wheel, (2) minimal upright stability when not using it. Price range $30-100; more info HERE. Via AVING.
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351. Bright Idea: Zero Blaster June 20, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Plaything, Product, Video.add a comment
This is a neat and gimmicky toy. The Zero Blaster can launch fog rings up to 14 feet, and costs $20 (buy it HERE). An included water-based, non-toxic liquid is required. Check out these video clips to see it in action.
1) A cute 1.5 minute clip of puppy chomping at the rings.
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2) A longer, informative clip of the various tricks you can do (3 min).
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To see larger rings being produced, go HERE.
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350. Sparked Art: The Black Cubes June 19, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.add a comment
How curious are you? 999 of these wooden cubes have been constructed by an Italian artist. Each box has a unique number on it, each with a mysterious something inside. Everytime one is sold, the next one will cost $0.50 more. Once all are sold, the artist says something will happen. Read more in his FAQ.
I considered buying one. So far, about 70 have been sold. At this moment, a box would cost me about $100, plus $30 to ship from Italy. Hmm, nevermind…I am not that curious.
I bet Schrodinger’s Cat is in Box #23. Via Core77.
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349. Quickie Web: Video: Transformers Costumes June 19, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product, Video.1 comment so far
For my bro, who is a big Transformers fan: a 1.3 minute clip of creative folks in their transforming costumes.
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348. Sparked Art: Frank Buchwald Lamps June 18, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.add a comment
German artist Frank Buchwald crafts Steampunkish Lamps. This one is his coolest, but you can see 8 more HERE.
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347. Bright Idea: Wooden Toy Robots June 18, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Plaything, Product.add a comment
Made by Japanese toymaker Take-G, these wooden toy robots are an original, and somewhat counterintuitive, fusion of style and substance. See more HERE, via Hemmy.
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346. Bright Idea: Wishpaper June 18, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.add a comment
As a tradition in the US, two people each grab one end of the dried wishbone (sternum) from a turkey or chicken, then both pull, and whoever gets the larger piece will have their wish granted.
Problems: I can never find the wishbone in the carcass, and it takes a while to dry out, anyway. Meanwhile, this tradition is carniphillic, leaving vegetarians with their wishes ignored (or paying more for the plastic Lucky Break Wishbone).
Solution: The cheap Wishpaper comes with 100 sheets of fibrous paper with an exact starting point for tearing. Use them yourself, and leave sheets scattered around, even hidden, for others to find and be helped with their decisions and wishes. Website HERE; via OhGizmo!
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345. Bright Idea: KEWB Furniture June 14, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Furniture, Product.4 comments
Here is some multifunctional and modular furniture. Put two of these sets in your spare room, and you have a pleasant sitting room, which is easily convertible to a guest room with two beds, or, um, a Japanese style tea room. Buy it HERE (UK – £ 319 each set); via Freshome.
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344. Bright Idea: The Bit Fall June 14, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Optical Illusion, Video.add a comment
Check out this waterfall that spells out words from the web. About 320 nozzles synchronize to display randomly chosen words from internet news sources. This is an art installation by Julius Popp, and is some sort of comment on the flood of information that contantly bombards us. Whatever. I think that the machine is pretty cool. Via Neatorama.
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343. Bright Idea: Jigsaw Carpet June 13, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.2 comments
Arrange and interlock these jigsaw carpet pieces any way you want to. This Bright Idea allows you to determine the pattern and overall size and shape of the carpet, and easily replace a stained piece. How cool. They now just need to make edge pieces. Get 10 pieces for $77 HERE; via ProductDose.
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342. Bright Idea: RePlating June 13, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Food and Drink, Service.add a comment
Don’t let your restaurant leftovers go to waste; feed the hungry with them instead. Just place your doggie bag/box on top of any trash can (especially those designated as a Replate area with the sticker).
This idea will work until more homeless folk start congregating outside fancy restaurants. At that point, those very restaurants may start having concerns. Until then, I say why not share your food. Via Core77.
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…metapost… June 13, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Uncategorized.add a comment
Huge thanks goes out to my brother, Mark, for making this awesome header. He just taught himself Photoshop this year as a hobby. Lucky for me.
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341. Bright Idea: The Slant Table June 11, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.2 comments
This bamboo coffee table is simple and practical, as it neatly holds your coffee table books. What is not so simple is figuring out how to pay for it ($950). Made by Rhubarb Decor, buy it here. Via Freshome.
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340. Quickie Web: Game: Shuffle June 11, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Game, Quickie Web.2 comments
Here is a quick and fun amusement. Use your red balls to knock all the yellow balls off the table. Sounds simple and boring, but it is quite playable, with some potential for strategy and depth, and makes me want to play a non-computer version against a friend. In a bar. With the loser buying drinks. Play it HERE; Via GameLife.
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339. Bright Idea: The Falkirk Wheel June 11, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product, Service, Video.2 comments
This rotating boat lift is found in Scotland, and can lift a boat 24 meters high in 4-minutes using minimal power. Read more about it here. Check out the 1-minute clip below to see it in action; via FreshCreation.
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338. Bright Idea: Folding Furniture June 11, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product, Video.add a comment
Here is a 51-second clip of a uniquely folding chair and table. Origasmic! The designer is Nils-Frederking (his website here); via TechEBlog.
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337. IdeaSpark*: The Grill Food Truck June 6, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Food and Drink, IdeaSpark*, Service.6 comments
Ice Cream Trucks are great, bringing a jingle and joy to US neighborhoods on warm summer evenings.
IdeaSpark*: Imagine a similar truck, but for adults, as it brings the perfect foods for grilling to your block. Meat, veggies, sides, and booze ready to go on that surprise beautiful evening. No need to waste precious time in the car and grocery. Also have a chance to see your neighbors again, and perhaps join-up for a spontaneous cook-out.
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336. Bright Idea: Purse Organizer June 6, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.add a comment
Problem: My wife has several purses, and uses a different one, depending on her needs and outfit. So she has to dump the contents from the last purse into another, and it is a mess in there.
Solution: This particular purse insert will organize your crap, and expands to fit various purse sizes. Too bad it is not made out of clear plastic. Buy one HERE; via Swissmiss.
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…metapost… June 6, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Uncategorized.add a comment
For $15 a year and some self-taught basic HTML and CSS skills, WordPress allows me to tweak the look of the site. I wanted to make the font more legible, hyperlinks more obvious, and change the color scheme. Hopefully, soon, I will design a better header. Being creative is fun!
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335. Bright Idea: Hungry Piggy Bank June 6, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Plaything, Video.add a comment
Coins…mmm, Yummy. Check out this cute 13-second video. It looks like a cousin of Keepon, the dancing robot. Via Tokyomango.com.
Hmm, I wonder where the coins come out? Wink, wink…tee, hee.
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334. Bright Idea: The Stunstick June 4, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product, Video.add a comment
Check out this 30-second clip of a personal protection electric shocking wand and a 2007 PopSci Invention Awards winner. Via Popsci.com.
I would buy one. Why? As new homeowner, I want to protect myself from possible intruders. A gun seems like too much for me, and a taser only has one shot (what if I miss, or, what if there are two burglers?). This would be the perfect solution.
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333. Bright Idea: Xtreme Sledding June 4, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Experience, Plaything, Product, Video.add a comment
Wow. This looks like a blast. I wonder if my wife will let me pick this up as a hobby? Xtreme sledding provides lots of control and stability, and being that close to the ground, it must be thrilling. Best of all: no snow required. This clip is 1:42 minutes long; via Trendpimp.com.
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332. Quickie Web: Game: Crazy Ladybugs June 4, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Game, Quickie Web.add a comment
Try this entirely original game. There are various ladybugs are rotating at different speeds. Holding down your mouse button makes them all stop spinning and crawl forward. The Goal: make the bugs bump into each other (and disappear), leaving only one bug left, without letting any fall off the stump (i.e. the playing surface).
OK, it sounds a little silly, but see if you can complete the game (about a dozen rounds). Bonus: great sound effects. Play it HERE; via GameLife.com.
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331. Bright Idea: Creative CD Holders June 4, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.add a comment
Eventhough CDs are quickly becoming obsolete, this holder is practical (the lean keeps the CDs together) and artistic (like a sculpture, no?). However, I would have reversed the tilt so it would be easier to read the spines of the CDs (like when leaning your head to the right, as you would scanning books on a shelf). Below is another holder; both are $40 each; buy them HERE. Via Freshome.com.
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330. Bright Idea: Silicone Shim May 31, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.add a comment
Until they start making tables three-legged (see my Post #80), use this silicone “high-and-low” shim to stabilize your wobbly table. Restaurants could store these shims in the packet containers on the table, but this Bright Idea is so cool, I am sure most people would steal them. Via Core77.com.
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SparkBugg.com 