Though the brand isn’t targetted to old fogies like myself this duffle from Mooks looks like something I would use for a weekend away. It has a large interior compartment with zip closure and vecro flap, perfect to quickly throw some gear into before I head out the door. A couple of handy pockets keep the essentials within reach. Made with cotton canvas with leather trim the Mooks Urban Overnight Bag should last for years. You can find it at Rushfaster.
Monthly Archives: May 2008
Mini Pop Sandal Case
In August of last year I wrote about the crocs craze and the millions of knock-offs that could be found in Taiwan and elsewhere. Well it seems that the croc form has now caught as a cell phone case. The Mini Pop Sandal Case clips conveniently to a belt loop via a color-coordinated carabiner clip.
It comes in 8 bright colors: black, chocolate, blue, green, yellow, pink, red and white. Good for your iPhone?
From Strapya.
Fossil Gallery messenger
New from Fossil is this two-tone Gallery messenger made of leather and canvas. It’ll look better on you than me. It’s generous size and multitude of interior and exterior pockets make sure you leave nothing at home.
Available at Fossil.
Starving may fend off jetlag
Starving yourself before a long flight may help prevent jet lag, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.
Normally, the body’s natural circadian clock in the brain dictates when to wake, eat and sleep, all in response to light. But it seems a second clock takes over when food is scarce, and manipulating this clock might help travelers adjust to new time zones, they said.
“A period of fasting with no food at all for about 16 hours is enough to engage this new clock,” said Dr. Clifford Saper of Harvard Medical School, whose study appears in the journal Science.
This article appears to be getting a great deal of coverage. There is a tendency to want to get all the possible benefits from the exorbitant prices we are paying for airfare. This includes, at least on Asian flights, a selection of drinks and somewhat suspect food. Most have realized for some time that eating little to nothing and drinking plenty of fluids helps combat jetlag. This article reports on research that suggests taking this to a whole new level. But I doubt most will skip the meal cart as it bangs it’s way down the aisle.
Link.
Nokia’s Dream Phones
The handset maker went to citizens of Mumbai, Rio and other megacities for new ideas—and got designs that find graffiti, test water, and emit peace vibes. This detailed sketch reflects the artist’s view that mobile phones can help develop a closer sense of community.
Nokia’s Dream Phones – BusinessWeek
The end of mobility?
One of the questions I have been thinking about for the past couple of weeks is whether or not the lifestyle that I had envisioned for my life and the life of my family will still be possible in the near future.
Four years ago when the seeds of thought for this web site were being planted I was traveling every month. Traveling not so much for work but for a change of scenery for my work. I thought that over time I could see myself working during the winter in various parts of Thailand or other warm locales in Asia. Summer would be spent in Eastern Canada and perhaps parts of Europe. Since starting a family living this ideal has been somewhat more challenging, and now my mobile lifestyle is confined primarily between Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the all to rare trip to Bangkok.
But this challenge pales in comparison to the unavoidable increase in costs of mobility.
Lately with fantastic increases in the price of fuel, and certainly much more increases in the future, living a mobile lifestyle will not mean trotting around the world with laptop in tow but simply moving around the house. The costs of air travel are increasing to the point that even now we are canceling trips abroad. The days of cheap plentiful air-fare are coming to an end making all travel – luxury travel.
There are bigger problems to contend with with the rising cost of fuel, problems like heating a home in winter, but I can’t help but feel saddened by the prospect of not experiencing as much of the world as I had hoped.
Covertec leather case for iPhone/Smartphone
For those who like to carry your phone on your belt, like some kind of gadget gunslinger, then the universal case series from Covertec will save you from repeatedly buying new cell phone cases whenever you purchase a new phone. The flap enclosure allows for a range of sizes for a good fit. The cases are made of high quality, full grain cowskin nappa leather, inner part in heavy duty ‘synthetic’ material. The size pictured above fits the iPhone or other similar sized smart phone. Available at the Covertec store for 29 EUR.
MyDocument Laptop sleeve
Cute iconic sleeve from a local design shop 25togo. They also have camera cases labeled ‘My Photo’. They state on their site that they will take overseas order requests by sending request by email to info@25togo.com.
A rare interview with Jonathan Ive
For many people working in the creative industries, the bedrock of Mac believers, Ive is a hero, a creative genius: the man who transformed computers from grey boxes to objects of desire, design statements.
That’s what D&AD has recognised and rewarded. But you don’t have to be a creative purist to appreciate what Ive does. For everyone who loves Macs and iPods and iPhones for their intuition, for their clean aesthetics, for their leading edge, elegant functionality, Ive is the man who made technology both beautiful and accessible.
Mobility Means Living
Returning soon
I’ve been spending the past week trying to come to terms with a new schedule which unfortunately has forced me to push all my writing to the periphery. What little time I have had has been managing the torrent of spam hitting this site, a third of which is coming from hacked wordpress sites. I expect to be writing again by the end of the week.
Mobile phones more important than wallets
More than one-third of workers would choose their mobile phone over their wallet, keys, laptop or digital music player if they had to leave the house for 24 hours and could take only one item, a new survey has found.
Link.
Waxed Canvas Messenger Bag
This Martin + Osa bag is made with 100% waxed cotton canvas and distressed leather trim. Interior slots and a 50″ adjustable strap. Looks great and large and durable enough for daily use.
Martin + Osa is a new store from American Eagle, featuring higher-end goods and a more ‘adult style’.
Waxed Canvas Messenger Bag
Brand new Google Reader for iPhone
This new version is designed to offer many of the same features as the desktop, while making it quick and easy to act on items. If you’ve used list view, then it should be familiar to you. Scan the titles for an item that interests you, tap and it expands in place. Starring, sharing, and keeping unread are done in place, so you never have to leave the list view or refresh the page. We think it’s a very fast way to power through your reading list.
Link.
Waterproof Backpacks
With the rainy season here once again it’s again time to start considering bags that will keep gear dry. The New York Times has a slideshow detailing some of the latest waterproof backpacks which though meant for non-urban quests would certainly work just as well in the city. The relatively inexpensive Overboard 25-liter Waterproof Backpack is pictured above.
Link: Gear Test, Waterproof Backpacks