#NoMoreWetDogs

This invention builds upon two ideas in weird things here at Thingology: 

1) Inventions for animals (see cat window perches, to-go fish tanks)

2) Umbrellas (see the full-body umbrella)

To add on to the human umbrella, and to feature something for another type of animal (what to feature next?), I bring to you the dog umbrella.

taken from the Amazon page

There are some pluviophile dogs out there, I'm sure, but this umbrella isn't for them. This is for the dog who just wants to see some sun for once. This is for the dog who just got a perm and can't get their fur wet. This is for the dog who wastes too much money dry-cleaning their leash. This is for the dog who has to wear a light coat for the sake of fashion. This is for those dogs out there who just need to stay dry, you know? This is for those dogs.

Simply harness up your dog (is that even grammatically correct?) and walk them. Then their tail and feet will be wet, and probably the rest of their body, but it'll be much less wet than a non-umbrella'd dog.

The model pictured is clear, so it wouldn't work as a parasol. But there are other dog umbrellas out there that could shade your dog. This model, as linked above, can be bought at the Amazon page. And, as always, a quick Google search will likely bring you plenty of results.

That's all for today, thingologists! See you tomorrow!

#NoMoreWetButts

I like benches. They provide comfort, if temporary, to anyone hiking up a hill or waiting for a bus after a long work day.

But as I have mentioned previously, I love rain, much more than benches. Rain just sets me in a good mood. But benches and rain don't mix. The water soaks the bench and it just keeps pouring on and then you try to sit down and BAM, soaked butt and clothing.

Also, it's inconvenient at best to dry the bench. Once the rain really starts, any bench is good as gone... except for this bench.

image from www.viralnova.com

As you can see from the photo, this bench is made of wood and what looks like metal. On the side is a little handle. Turn it, and the wood moves, exposing the dry underside of the bench.

The designer of this bench, from South Korea, is Sung Woo. He has invented several things, including an mp3 player designed for deaf people.

I'm not sure if these benches are in use anywhere, and if they are, where in the world they are used. But they are a simple solution to a common problem, which is all that something needs to be to qualify for a Thingology post. Well, it could be a ridiculously high-tech solution for something that could be simply solved. Or a lot of other things. It just has to fit my standards.

Anyway, these benches are all over the web. Like I frequently say, a quick Google search will likely find results.

That's all for today, thingologists! Have a good day and I'll see you tomorrow!

Calvin Klein for your hands

I'll admit something. For a very, very long time, I thought Ab-Hancers were real. And though they seem quite easy to make if you're into DIY, I was – though I have no interest in having abs for just a few minutes – disappointed that they were not a mass-produced thing.

So when I did learn about their true status, I came to wondering: what else have I assumed is real but isn't real? As well as pondering that, whenever I learned about a weird thing, I would double-check to make sure it was real and not another hoax.

I was sure that Handerpants were just another person's wild imagination, but no, you can really buy them. $11.95 plus shipping and handling.

They have a fully-stocked website to match the infomercial. See www.HanderPants.com.

Basically, the point of Handerpants is to line your hands. You can wear them straight-up for light protection. Or, you can wear them under gloves like you would wear underpants under pants. Either way, they are for people "from all walks of life", like the infomercial says – including night bloggers such as me.

Anyway, there's not much more to be said. Basically, if you really need more protection for your hands, invest in a pair of handerpants.

Thanks for listening, thingologists! Have a great day!

The Spen Part IV: The Cork

Despite what you might assume from the title, this post is not about the little stoppers found in wine bottles and similar things. Think... futter.

image courtesy of www.kitchencontraptions.com, as well as 'cork' and/or 'futter'.

I prefer eating pizza with my hands. Some people don't. Some people use a damn knife and fork. That's two more utensils than is necessary.

So some geniuses put it into one.

Simply, it's a fork with an extra long handle to accomadate for the razor attached to it. That way, you can comfortably fork pizza into your mouth as well as cutting it into fork-size pieces.

There is more than one place to get it. One is a website that claims to have the "Original NyFork" (NyFork being their official product name). They don't list the price, actually, which is off-putting to me. What if it's some absurd price for a fork and pizza roller? Anyway, if you're up for a dare, check out the website.

This isn't the only super-pizza-utensil. Check out several others here.

That's all for now, thingologists! See you tomorrow!

The Ab-Hancer

Hello! Sorry I haven't posted, I was on a vacation. Anyway, today we have a... well, unique invention. It is unique in the way that its importance is unique to those who want a temporary six-pack, but have a temporary – or perhaps permanent – potbelly.

image from www.boredpanda.com

As you can see, the Ab-Hancer is very simple. It's a little cage you strap around your abdomen. It leaves an impression that will give the impression that you've been working out. Sorry, I couldn't help it. To be clear: The Ab-Hancer, in no way, actually gives you muscles. It just shoves your fat into a six-pack.

Oh, one more thing: it's not real. You can just stand in front of a square wire fence, though.

See you tomorrow, thingologists! Thanks for listening!

Watermelon Strollers

Guess what, loyal readers? I've become a mom!

Yes, it's true. I recently adopted a baby. Here's a picture of the young one:

As you can see, he loves to nap, especially on the go. He doesn't know how to even crawl yet, of course, so I had to get him a stroller that was comfortable enough to sleep in. There are plenty of soft, flannel strollers available, but as it's summer, the poor watermelon overheats. I even fretted about taking him to the ER on one particularly warm day on the way to the grocery store. But I found a solution.

This stroller is made for watermelon parents and caretakers. Simply, it's a stroller to protect your watermelon from the elements. It even has a long handle for easy walking! But even better than that, it chills your watermelon to keep it cold and healthy. It also has a warming option for cold winter days.

It's made by Joybond, a Japanese company. They call the Tama-Chan.

All jokes aside, this thing costs 19,950¥, which rounds out to about $225. Quite frankly, that's too much for a glorified cooler.

Anyway, have a good day, thingologists! And *gasp* – I posted this before midnight, woohoo! See you tomorrow!

Pictures (except the baby/watermelon duo) from InventorSpot.com.

3D Pens

As a little kid, I thought it would be so cool to be able to draw in the air. I imagined a crayon that just left marks on air, that you could scribble with to make a costume or something.

The real deal has come. It doesn't exactly write on air, but it basically does. Here's a diagram of the controls from the newest 3Doodler Pen model:

And yes, there are multiple models of the 3D Pen.

And yes, there are tons of super amazing videos of pens in action.

For example, this person made a pair of scissors that really cuts using a 3D pen.

There are also tons of tutorials online if you have a 3D pen.

If you don't, you can get one here for $99 (shipping not included).

Here's a video of that pen at work:

If you have $99 to spend on a pen, then I highly recommend you get this pen. You can also purchase different tips (nozzles) and holders for the pen at the same link above.

Anyway, have a good day, thingologists! See you tomorrow!

Portable Goldfish Tanks

Have you ever had a goldfish? Even if your answer is no, you almost definitely know someone who has. I haven't, but I've met quite a few goldfish over the years.

They don't seem like much on the outside, but a goldfish is a lot of work. Goldfish owners put so much into goldfish to simply go off to work or school during the day.

And if a goldfish has a proper tank, it's too big and cumbersome to take to parties or social gatherings.

This, I think, is why the portable goldfish tank was created.

photo from www.lostateminor.com

This is the first design. It looks like the goldfish bowl you think of when you think "goldfish bowl", but the top is sealed and there is a handle attached to it. This design is best for taking a goldfish to a friend's house, or maybe even along with you to work if you go to a loose workplace that allows pets. Well, maybe that's just my dream job, but jobs like that exist.

photo from www.ecouterre.com

This design was apparently a one-time fashion statement, according to the website I got the photo from. It was an added element to the original knit fashion line, part of which is also pictured. While the first design is more for "practical" use, this was a fashion statement.

Anyway, if you are a goldfish owner and enjoy bringing your goldfish places, you should look into portable goldfish tanks. A quick online search will do the trick. Have a good day, thingologists! See you tomorrow!

Full-body umbrellas

Yesterday, it rained. Proper, full rain. Today was dry as ever, which disappointed me quite. As a pluviophile, someone who finds joy and peace of mind during the rain, I live for rainy days such as yesterday.

A lot of other people, though, dislike the rain and getting wet. This is for that type of person:

image courtesy of designtaxi.com

image courtesy of recenttechinventions.com

Do you dislike rain? Do you have a perm that requires you to keep your hair 100% dry for a few days? Do you just want to keep your clothes nice? This is for you. Personally, I savor getting soaked, but I don't judge.

The first picture shows a full-body umbrella that uses more of a dome technique. It leaves the very bottom of your body bare, however, so it could still get a part of you wet. Then again, with puddles and a generally wet ground, you're bound to get your feet wet, at least a little.

The second design has a normal umbrella top, but attached to it is a long, clear plastic screen that  makes it easy to see, but hard for rain to get in. It still has the problem of the feet, but none of your body is exposed.

I was unable to find a place to buy either of these designs, but the second would probably be fairly easy to DIY. The one question I have is... how do you get out of the first one? I think the screen of the second is removable, but the first just seems impossible.

Anyway, have a good day, thingologists! I'll go and pray for some more rain. See you tomorrow!

More Bubble Wrap News

As you may have heard, there was recently a huge scare that had us all fearing the end of bubble wrap as we know it. Basically, Sealed Air Crop., the company that invented bubble wrap way back in the 60's, has now changed the bubble wrap game forever.

The new bubble wrap they have designed is considerably cheaper to ship because it takes up less space. Nice, right? But this new version doesn't pop.

To some, that may mean nothing. But to many, it meant the loss of something great. Something amazing. Something bubbly and fun and that loves you.

But it turns out that Sealed Air Corp. is going to continue making the popping wrap as well as the new kind. Many people missed that detail because it was at the end of the Wall Street Journal's article. Because of the scare, people everywhere mourned the death of bubble wrap.

Once you have recovered from all that bubble drama, here's some more bubble wrap news:

Sealed Air Corp. doesn't own the patent on bubble wrap, so people have gotten creative with it. I remember enjoying an iOS app that simply showed a lot of bubbles. The goal was to pop as many as you could in a minute. The bubbles would regenerate a few seconds after you popped them, providing endless popping fun. A quick search in the app store/Play store/whatever-your-smartphone-provides-you store for "bubble wrap" would probably warrant a lot of results.

There's a similar version of that app and the many like it that's in the real world. It's called the Mugen Pop Pop. It's a little keychain dealie with 8 little, round buttons. They act as bubble wrap, and when you push them, let out a popping sound like that of real bubble wrap. Also, it occasionally gives you a surprise different sound. I haven't tested it myself, so I don't know if gives the authentic bubble-popping feeling. The people at That's Like, Whoa! definitely like it, and sell it in their store.

So even if bubble wrap one day leaves us, god forbid? We will have alternatives. Of course, if that day comes, we must protest to keep the true bubble experience. But at least we will have those alternatives by our side.

Anyway, have a good day, thingologists! See you tomorrow!

Cat Window Perches

I have a lot of experience with cats. Just ask anyone who knows me – my entire life has been by the side of at least one cat.

Therefore, I feel I am in a position to say that all cats love watching whatever's going on beyond the window. Whatever it is – birds, squirrels, falling leaves – if it moves, it's enthralling. They can sit there for an hour just watching. And maybe sleeping, too.

This is how the cat window perch was made.

Cat window perches are simple. The name explains it: little perches on windows for cats. But they can provide hours upon hours of relaxation, recreation, and fun for any cat.

This is a photo of a cat enjoying this kind of cat window perch, which uses 4 suction cups and string to keep it on the window:

Unfortunately, the Etsy shop that makes them is temporarily closed. But they aren't the only ones who make cat window perches.

There are plenty of ready-to-order cat perches and "shelves" on the PetSmart website, the prices ranging from $29.99 to $74.99. (The $75 perch heats up to keep your cat warm, which is why it is so pricey.) Their perches, however, work as windowsill extenders. It's perfect if your windows have windowsills, but they aren't large enough for a cat to be comfortable on.

$45.99 from PetSmart.

As you can see above, this perch is made to attach to the windowsill and wall.

Drs. Foster and Smith, a vet-owned pet supply online store, also sells the same design of cat perch in varying prices. They also sell windowsill protector, if you have a cat-size windowsill but keep getting the sill scratched up.

There is also a plethora of cat window perches available on Amazon, including several models using suction cups if you don't have any windowsills. The star average for the Amazon reviews is 4.5/5.

And, if you're into DIY, check out this DIY tutorial for a hanging-box sort of cat window perch on Hymns and Verses.

And that's all for today, thingologists! I highly recommend getting one or two of these if you have cats or are adopting some soon. Until next time!

Also, sorry about not updating in so long. I got involved in other things. But, I'll be (hopefully) on a update-daily schedule for a while. Anyway! Have a good day, and see you tomorrow!

5 Patriotic Products

Happy 4th of July! Even if you don't live in the US! Because everyone could use a little more bald eagles in their lives.

Today at Thingologies, we bring you a list of really weird patriotic things such as t-shirts, neckties, wall clocks, and more!

#1: Bald Eagle Shirt Tie Dye Born To Ride Adult Tee

That's the official name. I'd just call it a Majestic Eagle Tee.

This beauty can be found at BuyCoolShirts.com for $19.99.

#2: American Flag Clock

An eagle, a flag, three hands, and twelve numbers.

Get this at Cafepress for $24.99/$29.50.

#3: YM Wear Women's American Flag Skull I Love America Patriotic 4th of July Workout Novelty Funny Gym Burnout Hoodie

Wow, that's a bad name. Basically: American Flag Skull Shirt/Hoodie.

Found on Etsy for $28.99.

#4: Statue of Liberty Necktie

Much better name work there.

Get it at Zazzle for $33.95

#5: 4th of July Decorations Patriotic Toilet Seat Cover & Rug Bathroom Set

I'm just in love with this. Forget good vs. bad names.

Get it on Amazon for $37.99.

ANyway, thanks for listening thingologists! Get a couple of these and show your American pride. See you tomorrow and, again, have a great 4th of July!

Book Review #2: Go and Come Back

I'll just get to the point: Go and Come Back. Joan Abelove. Cover picture taken from Amazon.

A girl, living in a tribe by a river in Peru, is faced with two foreigners (anthropologists) who seem so different from everything and everyone she knows. They act rudely, speak in Spanish, and seem so strange and kind of idiotic. They leave, but only for a little while before they come back, and then, they stay for a while. Alicia, the main character, hates them – but a lot of her village is kind to them, at least to a point. Will the two foreigners learn to act civilized? And if they do, could Alicia ever grow to like them?

Personally, I really enjoyed Go and Come Back. My only problem with it is that it is really short (heh) and, though this isn't so much my own problem but just a disclaimer, it's written for teens and tweens. I recognize that it's a simply-written book, and if you're looking for something with complicated writing or more of a complicated theme, this isn't for you.

Anyway, the book really shows the culture that Alicia's village has, and how unique it is. Almost everything you do you think of as normal. It's the same for everybody. Sometimes, it's hard to realize that every person has their "normal" that isn't everybody's. Alicia considers what she does everyday and perfectly normal, while the two foreigners, at first, don't understand it at all. Overall, I'd say Go and Come Back is a well-crafted book for people who just like to read good books.

I recommend it for ages 12+ (like I mentioned, not adult, but a fun and kinda makes-you-think read) and for those who like learning about other places, and cultures, and things like that. It takes place in the 70's, if you care.

Thanks for listening, thingologists! Here's to another book review!

The Baby Mop

Babies are freeloaders. They don't need to earn their keep. If they're lucky enough to have a good home, they get free meals and toys. We need to put our babies to work!

The problem? Job interviews are practically impossible for a little toddler. They just don't know anything about the working world.

The Baby Mop has solved that problem. Now, it is easier than ever for babies to work from home, which solves all commute problems as well. And there's no job interview required.

As you can see from the photo, babies are calm and comfortable in this onesie. But, as they crawl around your floor, they clean it up with the attached mop surface. Just read these bulletpoints from BetterThanPants.com, which sells Baby Mops:

Teach your baby a strong work ethic early on in their life.

Your baby will learn not to drop and waste food.

Baby will get a nice workout, burn off energy, and do muscle toning. And sleep better too!

Not having to clean your floors saves you time so you can spend it doing things you enjoy.

Save lots of money on house cleaning costs.

 I'm convinced. I don't have children to use it on, though, but I guess it's good for a gift. Any baby raised in a Baby Mop will be a baby raised to work.

Thanks for listening, thingologists! Have a good day, and I'll catch you on the flipside.

Spen Part III: The Trong

All I have to say about Trongs is... well, these guys say it better:



It keeps your fingers clean, it grips well, it stands like a tripod, it frees up your hands, and it's a "chopstick on steroids" (though perhaps that bit explains the Chork better).

I'm not really sure how they named it, but I think it's great. According to their website, Trongs.com, the Trong is made of food-safe polypropylene. You can get a 4-pack of Trongs for $9.95, a 12-pack for $19.95, or a 350-pack for $225. In their FAQ section, they claim that Trongs could also cause world peace.

They are available on Amazon, but for several dollars more.

So why not get a pair or two of Trongs? I was in love the second I finished the video. You can contact Dan and Eric at trongs@trongs.com.

Thanks for listening, thingologists! Catch you on the flipside.