Heather, On Tech

Recycling Paper to Wipe With

I don't know about you, but I'm buried in a mound of paper every day when I pick my children up from school.  Between the writing practices and the drawings of Darth Vader fighting Indiana Jones (complete with lightsaver [sic.] and bullwhip), there are roughly 12-15 pieces of paper I have to go through every day.  I don't mind seeing their work, or enjoying their creative drawings; I just don't have room to save them all.  So, most of this stuff goes in the garbage every day (don't tell them that though).

In Japan, I could make use of this paper myself.  Yes, I recycle the paper usually, and the paper is dutifully reused in some fashion.  But this nifty Japanese gadget allows you to do it yourself and turn the paper into something every household needs a fair amount of: toilet paper.  Why it's called the White Goat I have no idea (yes, I know goats eat everything, but I'm pretty sure that what comes out the other end isn't really usable for anything other than fertilizer).  Please correct me if I'm wrong, though.

When, oh when will this be available in the U.S.?  I will be running to use it on a weekly basis at the very least...although somehow I doubt the quality is up to Charmin's standards, I'm sure the boys can use it. :-)

Hat tip to Newlaunches!

Folding Hot Wheels?

Yeah, you read that right.  According to CNNMoney, Mattel will be releasing some new Hot Wheels late this summer that actually fold flat.  Just pull them out of their case, which also serves as the remote control (did I mention that these are RC cars?), and they pop up, ready to roll.  How cool is that?

Apparently they are "the size of a credit card and abut as thick as a cell phone" - which makes them easy to keep up with just about anywhere (read: you can throw it in your purse when your kid asks you to hold it!). 

So far there are five cars that will be available initially: two cars, two tanks, and a Batmobile Tumbler.  You know you want that one!  They are evidently rechargeable and do so relatively quickly.  Best of all, your child will get about 30 minutes of play time out of a full charge, which is probably plenty of time to break something in your house.

The cars will hopefully be available in August and will run around $25, which isn't too shabby considering the novelty of them.

Edgar Allan Poe or Indiana Jones?

Edgar is thinking he's better but Indy is oh-so-sexy!

EAP: Getting the Bottle Open

Edgar Allan Poe is having a hard time getting the bottle of rum open. It's been a long day stuck indoors due to the rain, and he desperately needs a drink!

EAP: Lecture Series

Edgar Allan Poe is teaching me how to code. "Forget 'agile' development," he says. "You should think about every line of code for days!"

Office Shenanigans: Paintball Land Mines

I have to admit, this sounds like fun.  Wouldn't you just love-love-LOVE to get your coworker with a paintball land mine that's filled up with Liquid Paper or Cool Whip?  Oh yeah, I can see this in my future.

The RAP4 land mine is only $65 and it's rechargable so you can re-use it time and again.  It makes a loud noise (as you would expect) and of course blows whatever liquid you fill it with all over the place.

The best part is, it works for good friends as well as foes.  And, I know just the person to try this on...oh yes, I am evil!

Note: these "land mines" are filled with CO2 cartridges and used in paintball wars.  In theory, nobody gets hurt with them, so quityerbitchin.

hat tip: Wired magazine

My New Pal Patrick

Edgar Allan Poe is becoming friends with Patrick Star. It's an unlikely friendship, but so far they get along famously.