What geek doesn’t enjoy computer wordplay? This Women’s Crusher Long Sleeve t-shirt is winter wear for Internet addicts, with a low-tech twist.
Order directly through the Life is good website.
Category: Lifestyle
Book: Guild Leadership
from The Guild:
You may have noticed that in Season 3, episode 5 — Application’d, Codex reads a book in her webcam called Guild Leadership: Lessons from the Virtual World. We wanted to let you know that this is not a prop, it’s an actual book by Jeon Rezvani that can help us all improve our game. This book is chock full of great insights into how online leadership translates into real world applications and vice versa and proves that MMORPGs are not a waste of time. Finally, a book that respects gamers!
So check out this book and know that all proceeds from its sale go to Oprah’s Angel Network. Jeon chose this organization because Oprah matches all administrative costs so none of your money goes to overhead. The Network also fosters leadership in young people, builds and reforms schools, helps orphans and other unfortunate people. So get this book, and feel good about being a gamer and helping the world!
“Fish in Space” Cosmic Desktop Aquarium
Uncle Milton’s Toys gives its Back2Nature Live Habitats an interstellar twist with the “Fish in Space” Cosmic Desktop Aquarium.
A deep space probe on a mission to the far corners of the galaxy has discovered something completely unexpected… Fish in Space! Watch popular Bettas, Goldfish and Guppies live amongst the stars and planets in space. Retro space styling features a domed space city, 3-D planets and a rocket bursting out of the aquarium. The compact size (half gallon) makes it perfect to place on a desk or counter top. The fun U.F.O. aquarium cap beams alien light into the aquarium. Stars, planets and the space city glow-in-the-dark for an exciting lights out scene. Measures 10.8″ x 6″ x 7.8″. Fish are not included and can be purchased at your local pet store. Requires two button cell batteries (included). Adult assistance recommended.
A “toy telescope for cosmic fish viewing” is also included.
Order directly through the Uncle Milton’s Toys website, or buy at Amazon.com.
The “Fish in Space” Cosmic Desktop Aquarium is distributed by Uncle Milton’s Toys and its associated Online Stores.
The Sushi Catalogue App Now Available on App Store
from Shogakukan:
Shogakukan, Inc., one of the largest publishing houses in Japan, today announced The Sushi Catalogue App is now available on the App Store. The Sushi Catalogue App is a unique culinary companion for the Japanese cuisine and sushi lover, which depicts 80 different kinds of traditional Japanese sushi that are fully explained, cross-referenced and illustrated.
Whether going on an overseas trip to Japan or just down the street to the local sushi bar, The Sushi Catalogue is a useful companion for iPhone and iPod touch users,” says Mr. Yamamoto, Producer of The Sushi Catalogue, Shogakukan. “The Sushi Catalogue has it all and presents information in an easy-to-reference way giving people informative and fun ways to understand and interact with these unique traditions.”
The fun app makes it easy for iPhone and iPod touch users to access a variety of sushi dishes and sub-categories like different types of toppings and seasonal availabilities, as well as variations on traditional preparation and presentations. Viewing a particular sushi dish in landscape mode enlarges the image; sliding the screen to the left or right switches the view to other entries.
For two weeks only, beginning today through October 15th, Shogakukan will give iPhone and iPod touch users a special 50% discount for this fun sushi guide application. The Sushi Catalogue complements other handy Shogakukan apps for the iPhone and iPod touch, including the Daijisen Japanese-Japanese Dictionary, which contains 230,000 entries, derived terms, phrases and The Pocket Progressive English-Japanese Japanese-English Dictionary. The Daijisen Dictionary App is a useful tool for studying the Japanese language and makes it possible to search for many terms, including the latest buzzwords and recently added vernacular, quickly and effortlessly. The app also has an entertaining 8×8 crossword puzzle game with hints given in Japanese.
The Sushi Catalogue App is available for $4.99 from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at itunes.com/appstore/.
Sea-Monkeys on the Moon Mini-World
In 1994, NASA recruited Sea-Monkeys, otherworldly marine creatures that breathe through their feet and have three eyes in adulthood, for experiments in hatching and growing on two space shuttle flights. Back home on Earth, these tiny astronauts have a fittingly space-themed habitat in which to reminisce about their interstellar adventures, the Sea-Monkeys on the Moon Mini-World.
A brightly coloured rendition of a sci-fi moonscape, the Sea-Monkeys on the Moon Mini-World tank has a bright green bottom dotted with craters, one of which has a huge (to the Sea-Monkeys) three-eyed alien popping out of it. The craters are topped by white circles and orange starbursts, and there’s a small, blue UFO stealthily parked at the back of the tank. It’s amusing to watch the Sea-Monkeys congregate beneath the UFO’s saucer and swarm about the limbs of the smaller alien figurine standing on the lunar surface. Unlike the crowded Sea-Monkeys in the City Mini-World — the third Mini-World is the beach-inspired “Hang 10” — the Moon Mini-World has plenty of room between the contents of the tank and the clear wall, so none of the Sea-Monkeys will be in danger of getting stuck when they go for a moonwalk. This short, square-shaped tank may look smaller than previous styles of Sea-Monkey tanks, but actually does hold the same volume of water, and its squat proportions serve to keep that water from spilling since the tank is much harder to knock over than its taller and skinnier counterparts. Magnifying portals, which are usually located on the sides of Sea-Monkey tanks, are on the lid of Mini-Worlds, offering a whole different observation angle. The Mini-World packaging says there should be a pipette included with the accessories, but there wasn’t one in this kit. That’s really the only mark against this tank, as the pipette, aside from being useful for cleaning the tank floor, would be very handy for aerating the oxygen-greedy Sea-Monkeys. Without an air pump you have to resort to stirring the water, pouring the water repeatedly between the tank and a glass, or blowing through a straw, which could result in injuries to your fragile little pets. Aside from that omission, though, the Sea-Monkeys on the Moon Mini-World has everything a good commander needs to make sure that their Sea-Monkey charges live long and prosper.
The Official Sea-Monkey Handbook says, “Sea-Monkeys are a variety of Artemia which are crustaceans such as Brine Shrimp or Seed Shrimps. Their correct latin name is Artemia nyos (after the New York Ocean Science Laboratories where the hybrid Sea-Monkeys were developed.)” According to the Sea-Monkeys’ famous advertising slogan, “Amazing Live Sea-Monkeys are the world’s first ever Instant Live Pets. Simply add water and your Sea-Monkeys come to life right before your eyes.” Anyone who tried to raise Sea-Monkeys when they were first introduced decades ago knows that it wasn’t always that simple, as the classic tanks came with very brief and inexact directions, so the highly detailed instruction sheets included in the Mini-Worlds and other modern kits are a welcome addition to the Sea-Monkeys’ gear. In an eggshell, here’s how to avoid an aborted flight when attempting to get your new colony off the ground:
- Add Water Purifier
Sea-Monkeys are extremely sensitive to contaminants, so their tank and water must be thoroughly cleaned before you begin the Instant Life process. Rinse the tank with warm water to make sure it’s sterile, but don’t use soap, which is lethal to Sea-Monkeys. (This step isn’t mentioned in the enclosed temperature/hatching chart, but better safe than sorry.) Fill the tank with bottled, room temperature water, then pour in the contents of the #1 Water Purifier packet. Stir in the powder for about a minute, using a clean spoon or straw. Wait for a full 24 hours. - Add Instant Live Eggs
Add the #2 Instant Live Eggs packet, which contains about 75 Sea-Monkey eggs. Place the tank in indirect sunlight, keeping it away from electrical appliances. Wait for the baby Sea-Monkeys to emerge. - Start Feeding
Houston, we have lift-off! On the fifth day after the eggs hatch, give the Sea-Monkeys one level scoop from the #3 Growth Food packet, using the small end of the calibrated feeding spoon. The food packet should last for a year if rationed out as directed.
If you follow these tips, and those in the official promo video How to Create, The Amazing Live Sea-Monkeys, you won’t need to use the 2-Year Guarantee to start over with a new packet of Sea-Monkeys. Just feed the inhabitants of your moonbase once a week, and they’ll continue to happily frolic in their Moon Mini-World for the entire duration of their projected two-year mission.
Order now at Amazon.com:
Sea-Monkeys on the Moon Mini-World
Order additional food and accessories through Sea-Monkeys: The Official Site.
The Amazing Live Sea-Monkeys are distributed by Big Time Toys, in partnership with Transcience Corporation. For more information on Sea-Monkeys, visit Swim with Sea-Monkeys, the Sea Monkey Worship Page, and Sea Monkey Mania.
AlphaFins
Gain Aquaman’s amphibious speed and style with a pair of Aqua Sphere’s AlphaFins.
Isolates the legs to give you a great core, legs and lower body swim fitness workout while improving your stroke form. EVA foam design not only maximizes comfort but also makes the fins float — no more diving down to retrieve lost fins!
- Provides isolated leg workout
- Buoyancy improves body position
- Water channels provide stability and maximum power transfer
- Dedicated right and left fins with full arch support
- Made of non-waterlogging, EVA foam (the same material that Crocs are made from)
Order directly through the Aqua Sphere website, or buy at Amazon.com.
AlphaFins are distributed by Aqua Sphere and its associated Dealers.
Cupteavity: Loose Leaf Earl Grey Tea
In my quest to increase my knowledge and fuel my passion, I’m always on the lookout to experience new coffees and teas. Recently, while surfing Facebook for coffee and tea groups, I discovered the Cupteavity fan page. Cupteavity hails from New Hope, Pennsylvania, and offers a wide variety of loose leaf teas ranging from traditional black and green teas to more exotic herbal tisanes and natural remedies. They were offering to send out free samples so I quickly accepted. A few days later, a package of loose leaf Earl Grey tea arrived.
Earl Grey is one of my all-time favorite teas. I frequently have it strong and sweet as a refreshing iced tea on a hot summer day, or hot and black with oatmeal and toast to start my morning just right. I’ve been disappointed with many of the brands of Earl Grey I’ve picked up, especially recently. True Earl Grey is more of a scented than flavored black tea. Its very strong aroma is the result of it being blended with or exposed to the essence of bergamot, oil from a citrus fruit. Some variations will include more orange or lemony notes, while others blend blossoms such as rose hips with them. While the aroma is potent, the fruit flavor produced by the bergamot tends to be light, and its sweet finish always reminds me of drinking the milk from a bowl of Fruit Loops. Some of the Earl Greys I’ve sampled over the years have ranged in flavor from minty to bland and grassy. While it’s one of the most popular and common traditional black teas, it seems to also be the one that’s hardest to find when it comes to high-quality, fresh teas.
Cupteavity’s Earl Grey has a heady aroma, both potent and cleansing. The strong citrus zest is set off by a hint of floral undertones. I was surprised to see the long dark leaves dotted with a small portion of lavender-colored blossoms that I believe are rose hips. I’ve never had Earl Grey blended with rose before so this was to be a true first for me. With London Fog being all the rage in cafes right now, I decided to experiment with vanilla and milk. While I steeped my tea, I also measured out some real Mexican vanilla extract (the kind you brew and age in barrels like a fine liquor), sugar and milk. I invited my teenage son to try it with me and talked him through the tasting process.
When I first poured the cups, I noted the russet color with a hint of oil swirling on the surface. When cupping my hand over the steam to inhale the aroma I noted that it was pleasant and cleansing with strong citrus, almost lemony notes, a hint of floral and an edge that reminds me slightly of mint. By cleansing I mean that after breathing in the aroma, my sinuses seemed to open up and I breathed deeper, the air seemed fresher and cooler and the aromas stronger and purer.
My first taste is always unsweetened. I slurped the tea and thought about the mouth feel of it. It came away clean with just a hint of tangy left on the back sides of my tongue. The taste was mildly malty with a slight fruit flavor and there was a mild aftertaste of floral that hinted at rose. Overall, it had a very balanced flavor, the bergamot and rose remaining tantalizing but neither dominating the flavor of the tea. Rose hips are not among my favorite flavors but their presence here was not unpleasant, just unexpected. It’s almost a tease of flavor because any time you think you’ve got the taste figured out, it eludes you again.
After trying it black, I experimented with light amounts of milk, sugar and vanilla. The resulting flavor reminded me of fresh-baked, home-made sugar cookies. While it was a bit sweet for my tastes, my son fell in love. We ended up splitting the rest of the pot, with me drinking mine black and he having me doctor up each refill with just the right amount of sugar and vanilla. While I can’t imagine myself drinking this Earl Grey on a daily basis (I tend to use Twinings most frequently), I can see myself getting this tea for special occasions or company since it is a pleasant experience that I hope to repeat. Cupteavity’s Loose Leaf Earl Grey tea is definitely one of the better Earl Greys I have had. I’m looking forward to trying other Cupteavity offerings as they have several teas I’ve not yet had the privilege of trying.
You can learn more about Cupteavity at their website, cupteavity.com, or, if you live in the New Hope area of Pennsylvania, you can look them up at 88 South Main Street.
Out of this World Floor Pillow
Your kids will go into orbit when they see this stellar Out of this World floor pillow! They’ll love seeing the colorfully embroidered rocket ship, stars, and moon on this soft and cuddly pillow! It coordinates perfectly with our Out of this World kids bedding!
Olive Kids floor pillows are the perfect kids companion! Great for the bed, to watch TV on or to bring on a trip!
Check out the Mermaids line, as well!
Order directly through the Olive Kids website, or buy at Amazon.com.
Atlantean Swim Technology from FINIS
Geeks oftentimes lead a rather sedentary lifestyle, sitting in front of the computer all day, but, as the Wii Fit has proved, entertaining gadgetry and technology is all that’s needed to lure them into the world of physical activity. FINIS, “The Worldwide Leader in Technical Swimming Development”, goes a step further, enticing the computer generation away from the simulated activity that video games offer for some real life sport using swim gear that looks like it was designed in Atlantis.
Monofins turn exercise into a cosplay or role-playing experience beneath the waves. Fusing traditional flippers into one large fin with joined foot pockets, the Monofin is designed to enhance the dolphin kick, a technique in competitive swimming that resembles the undulating tail motion of a mermaid. It allows users to “swim fast and fun like a dolphin”, while channeling their inner Ariel or Neptune. There are three recreation level Monofins, the Wave Monofin (shoe size 1-7; all FINIS products are universally sized using standard male sizing), Tempo Monofin (shoe sizes 4-7), and Rapid Monofin (shoe size 1-7). The flexibility of the fin blade decreases with each size, providing a more challenging workout to the muscles of your lower back, abdomen, buttocks and quadriceps. If you find yourself in water that’s a bit deeper than you are tall, the Monofin’s blade is rigid enough that you can use it to stand on tip-toe rather than expend energy treading water. The foot pockets are soft and comfortable, with release-clip straps to adjust them to your exact foot size, and a safety mechanism for quick foot release. For those used to regular flippers, the Monofin feels quite strange at first, since your legs are locked together, but adaptation is remarkably quick. It’s easy to imagine, once you’ve gotten the hang of skimming along in a Monofin, that your legs really have transformed into a tail, especially when you dive sharply downwards and the fin briefly clears the water in iconic mermaid fashion, coming down with a satisfying slap on the water’s surface.
Watch the FINIS Monofins instructional video to see the Monofin in action. It’ll reassure any guys afraid of looking silly that mertails aren’t just for girls!
The Mermaid & Shark Tail Swim Fins (male shoe size 1-7, female shoe size 1 – 8-1/2) are for little swimmers not yet ready to transition to the full-sized Wave Monofin. This play fin will “make fantasy a reality” while it “builds confidence in the water during playtime”. The fin blade is quite a bit smaller than the Wave Monofin’s, making it easier for children to maneuver. It’s made from soft plastic and TPR (Thermo Plastic Rubber), so the foot pocket, which has a simpler slip-on design than the more fitted style of the adult Monofins, is very comfortable, as is the padded band of fabric that holds the feet in place with an adjustable velcro strap. Intended for ages 6-12, with a year or more of swimming experience, the fin should only be used with adult supervision. Despite the kid-friendly foot strap, children will still need help in and out of the pool. Unless the child is lowered into the water, the fin needs to be put on after entering the water since it hampers walking movement, and if the pool doesn’t have a set of wide stairs in the shallow end to sit on while slipping out of the tail, then someone will need to haul fledgling mermaids and sharks onto the deck. The entire fin weighs less than two pounds and also floats, so if kids become separated from their fin in the lake or ocean, you won’t have to worry about it sinking straight down to Davy Jones’ locker, never to be seen again.
If you have sensitive feet, add a layer of protection by wearing Skin Socks with the Monofin to keep the plastic from rubbing directly on skin and causing chafing or blisters. Skin Socks, available in either royal blue or black, are made from a thin nylon/lycra material but are great protection when you’re at the beach and need to cross a scorching expanse of sand to reach the water. They’re also good for avoiding the germs inherent in public pool showers, decks, or while doing aqua aerobics. A pair of goggles is also a recommended accessory when speeding through the water with a Monofin. The Revolution goggles have anti-fog and UV protection built into each polycarbonate lens, and are streamlined and micro-adjustable, which means that you can change both the strap length and nose bridge width for a perfect fit. The iridescent lenses of the Clear/Multi-Mirror style give a striking, alien look to eyes, and will protect your eyes while still being extremely comfortable and fashionable. Alternatively, the larger Energy, FINIS’s “most comfortable soft-frame adult goggle”, is ideal for any face shape, has curved lenses that reduce the distortion of looking through water, and is so light and inobtrusive that you won’t even remember you’re wearing goggles.
Video games aren’t complete without an epic soundtrack, and FINIS allows you to transfer this gaming element to the live-action arena with the SwiMP3, a unique waterproof MP3 player that uses bone conduction, a technology that is explained in the SwiMP3 instructional video. “Because the SwiMP3 uses bone conduction,” FINIS says, “the sound vibrations are able to be directly transferred from the cheek bone to the inner ear, giving the swimmer the ultimate sensory experience.” Just load up the SwiMP3 with music that’s evocative of underwater fantasy and clip it onto your goggles before diving into your next aquatic adventure. The player’s two halves, where the on/off, volume, next/previous track, pause, and shuffle buttons are located, rest against your cheekbones. It’s best to memorize the configuration of the buttons before going swimming, so you don’t have to fiddle around and learn them by trial and error. For the most impressive introduction to the SwiMP3, turn the player on while your head is still above water, then slowly submerge. The sound quality, quite good in the air when compared to a regular MP3 player with earbuds, suddenly becomes crystal clear the moment your ears dip below the water. It’s a thrilling shock to hear stereo-quality sound in an aquatic environment. Coldplay’s song “Clocks” is pure magic underwater, and Enya’s “Orinoco Flow” and the bubbly songs from The Little Mermaid would make great SwiMP3 tracks, as well. Listening to music underwater without the muffled playback of waterproof players that rely on air or water sound transmission is a truly amazing experience, and because earphones are unnecessary with bone conduction it’s possible to carry on normal conversations with fellow swimmers while listening to your tunes. If the volume is turned high enough, anyone within several feet of you will be able to share in the fun, as the sound carries quite a distance. The SwiMP3 is compatible with Windows and Mac, and at 256 MB you can drag-and-drop about 60 MP3 or WMA files into its playlist. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery charges directly from your computer’s USB port and provides up to eight hours of play. FINIS’s SwiMP3 will keep swimming enthusiasts in the water until they develop webbed fingers and gills.
Track your vitals with FINIS’s new Aqua Pulse, a bone-conduction heart rate monitor. It works in and out of the water, so in addition to listening to your heartbeats while swimming, you can wear the Aqua Pulse while doing step-ups on the Wii Balance Board, or to determine just how fast your heart races during a World of Warcraft raid. The Aqua Pulse will be available the first week of September.
Order now at Amazon.com:
Monofins
Mermaid Swim Fin
Shark Swim Fin
Skin Socks
Revolution Goggles
Energy Goggles
SwiMP3
Or order directly through the FINIS website.
Monofins, Mermaid Swim Fins, Shark Swim Fins, Skin Socks, Revolution Goggles, Energy Goggles, SwiMP3, and Aqua Pulse are distributed by FINIS and its associated Dealers.
Tempting Tastes, Perfect Pairings and Other Culinary Compulsions (or Why We’ve Started Talking About Food)
On thing I set out to do at the beginning of ÜSFG was to encourage geeks like me to celebrate the things that make us unique, to celebrate our differences and celebrate our lives. Reading books, watching movies or TV shows and playing with games and gadgets is something we geeks obviously share and discuss at ÜSFG but one thing we haven’t touched much upon is food and beverages. I’d like to change that. I love to talk about my passions, share my ideas and knowledge with others and learn how others think and feel about things. That especially applies to me for coffee and tea.
You’re probably asking, “What does coffee and tea have to do with being a sci-fi geek?” Well, I have a few different responses that I could offer to that, the first of which is that coffee and tea are the lubricants that keep our geeky minds oiled and running smoothly. I could offer a dozen more equally compelling responses, but rather then preach my Doctrine of Coffee and Tea, I shall just say this: Captain Picard had his Tea, Earl Grey, Hot; Captain Janeway had her black coffee; Harry Potter had his Butterbeer; and Ford Prefect had his Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster. From Star Trek to ElfQuest and everything in between, food and beverages have played an important role in sci-fi and fantasy, so why not talk about it in the context of being part of geek culture?
My professional career has always been in the gourmet coffee and tea industry (I don’t refer to myself as Artist, Coffee Master, Geek for nothing). Over the years I’ve tried many brands and varieties of coffees and teas, and I’m always eager to learn about and experience more. My philosophy on food and beverages is that while some things are highly complimentary when paired to enhance natural flavors, most people just automatically cover things up with sauces and seasonings without giving thought to true flavor. They add sugar and cream to coffee and tea without sipping it first. They put catsup and mustard on their burgers and smother their salads with dressing. If you automatically have to cover up the flavor of something you are eating without thinking about it or even trying it first, you don’t really like the food you are eating — you’re just eating. Doing a coffee or tea tasting is an effort to consciously think about what you are consuming. It’s a meditation on food and the pleasure it can bring. The first sip is almost a Zen moment for me.
Drinking coffee and tea is a sensual experience. From the moment you hold the cup in your hands, you feel the warmth of it and begin to anticipate the sensation of it warming you from within. Then you drink it in with your eyes, the colors spanning the calming, earthy rainbow of yellow, ocher, and red, on through to deep dark brown and rich silky black. When you breathe in the aroma, you begin salivating and your other senses peak in anticipation of the first taste. When that first sip reaches your lips, the complex flavors dance across your taste buds, evoking thought and memory, completing the whole body sensory experience and often resulting in an involuntary vocal response such as an “ah” or “mm”. Your body responds this way whether you contemplate the physical reaction and appreciate it, or you just down your daily cup o’ joe.
When I do a coffee or tea tasting, my first drink is always black and unsweetened. Depending on how much time I have to enjoy it, I may prepare a food item or have other ingredients available in order to play with complementary and clashing flavors. I prefer to use a French Press with fresh ground coffee and a glass pot for loose leaf tea. I use water from a kettle heated just off boiling. When I pour the first cup, I look at the color of it. I examine the oils on the surface and then cover the cup with my hand and breathe in the aroma. This is a thought-provoking step. I like to savor it and think of the things it reminds me of. For example, the earthy aroma of fresh-brewed Sumatra coffees typically remind me of walking through a forest in the fall, the smell of wet earth and fallen leaves mingling in the air with the smoke from someone’s leaf burning.
After meditating on the aroma, I slurp the coffee or tea, drawing in lots of air with it to continue to involve my sense of smell with defining the flavor. As I swallow that first taste, I think not on the flavor but where I perceive it on my tongue and how it feels in my mouth. While teas tend to have minimal variations in mouth feel, coffees can vary wildly from thin to syrupy. Lastly, I sip the coffee and let it linger in my mouth a moment before swallowing. Only then do I let myself think about the flavor of it. What does it taste like? What does it remind me of? What would go well with it?
I can’t tell you how many times at this point I’ve watched someone make a face because they just aren’t used to sipping unsweetened or unflavored fresh-brewed coffee or tea. They automatically want to reach for the sugar because that is the dominant flavor they are expecting to taste. Taking the time to think about the flavor profile changes the entire experience. Your first sip of a pressed black coffee or steeped loose leaf tea is like a slap in the face for those who are used to drip coffee makers and boxed tea bags. At your second sip, everything changes. You begin to notice things you never noticed before. Revealed to you are subtle nuances of flavor that are masked by sugar and cream such as nutty, caramely, earthy, or tart. Once you recognize those flavors are there, you can truly begin to appreciate them and decide what will best complement those natural flavors. For example, sun-dried and naturally processed African coffees tend to have a sharp, exotic, wine flavor ranging from berry to citrus that dark chocolate and dried fruits go extremely well with. Something like Kenya AA is downright juicy when paired with a slice of iced lemon pound cake.
Just as some foods enhance the natural flavor of a coffee or tea, others completely ruin them. I’m not a huge fan of Latin American coffees in general (though there are a few exceptions I truly enjoy) but nothing tastes worse to me then pairing that same luscious iced lemon pound cake I mentioned before with Colombian coffee. The sharp chemical flavor that is produced is like licking lemon-scented furniture polish. Take that same cup of Colombian coffee and pair it with a fresh slice of banana nut bread, though, and it produces an incredibly sweet, almost cool sensation in the mouth.
I could go on and on like this, and I will, but not here and now. I just wanted to introduce the idea to you and set the expectation that some of the greatest adventures a geek can go on are culinary. I look forward to sharing a variety of food and beverage impressions with you in the future and hope you enjoy reading about it as much as I like talking about it. If not, however, I completely understand. After all, food and beverage reviews are not everyone’s cup of tea. 😉
Tiny Houses for Frugal Geeks
For almost 10 years, Jay Shafer has re-invented the tiny home. Tumbleweed homes are complete homes with kitchen, bathroom, closet space, and sleeping loft in less than 120 square feet.
Jay Shafer takes you inside his 100 square foot tiny home.
Official Website: Tumbleweed Tiny House Company
SIGG: Water Bottles with Geeky Style
Made in Switzerland of Aluminum and containing our special SIGG liner, this bottle is 100% BPA free — even the cap, and every piece of plastic that goes into making the cap is BPA free (as will all SIGG bottles and tops). This fun bottle features our Space Robot design, is .4 Liters and is one of our best sellers in the kids department.
Our SIGG SHARKY GLOW .6L size reusable water bottle! This bottle is BLACK with white Shark design and features a glow in the dark cap. As with all of our Aluminum bottles, this .6 liter reusable water bottle is made with love in Switzerland and features SIGG’s exclusive liner that will not leach any harmful metals or chemicals into your beverage. You drink pure when you drink from SIGG. Why are SIGGs SUPERIOR to any other bottle on the market today? Check out our SIGG FAQ page and find out! See the FAQ for care and use instructions too!
Order directly through the SIGG website, or buy at Amazon.com and select retailers.