Congrats to ThisNext Maven DebbyNY who won the tag it “TN HaberVision” contest!! DebbyNY just won herself a pair of Bormio sunglasses and the HaberVision Duffel.

Click here to see more HaberVision recommendations from the ThisNext community!

 

So now that Ohio has something to be excited about (THE CAVS), its time for people to see what great things Ohio has to offer. Ohio may be a state in the midwest that has plenty of farm land and all denim outfits, BUT it also has some other pretty great things. For example, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is maybe the best museum ever AND The Drew Carey show is hysterical, no one can deny that. So it’s time for Cleveland to be recognized and not just for Lebron James!

It’s almost that time. The time where there seem to be 1 million holidays in a row. For those of us who don’t live near any family, these holidays also mean a lot of traveling. To get used to all these red eye flights and long layovers, I have a certain routine to keep me occupied. Mostly this routine involves reading mystery novels or re reading all of the Harry Potter books and listening to slow music. If you aren’t a fan of travel this list is the ultimate guide. It will prepare to travel in comfort and even to maybe enjoy airplanes….maybe…if that’s possible.

Sitting in an office all day on a Friday can make any employee go crazy. It is practically the weekend which means it’s time to kick off those shoes and relax. Unless, your mischievous and can’t wait for the fun to begin. Then, you can find some alternative uses for office supplies and I don’t mean arts and crafts. What I’m talking about is pranks. Any standard office supply can be turned into a fun harmless prank to play until it’s time to clock out and go home for the weekend. I’m not giving away any ideas or telling anyone to do anything but with this list of prank materials, the possibilities are endless!

There’s nothing quite like being able to decompress on a relaxing weekend getaway. I love taking a long drive on a beautiful day which is exactly what I did this weekend. I drove up the Pacific Coast Highway toward Santa Barbara with a couple of my good girlfriends, enjoying the coastline and each other’s company. All of this relaxing and fun times got me thinking about a few travel essentials. Next time you jump in your car for a relaxing road trip, consider grabbing a few of the items on this list. Go forth and adventure! See what your area has to offer. Get off the beaten path and forge your own trail. I can keep making cliché statements or you can actually get up and go!

Arrrrrrrrrgh matey!! Today is talk like a pirate day!! All day I hope you have been talking about treasure maps and taking booty. This day was invented in 1995 by John Baur (Ol’ Chumbucket) and Mark Summers (Cap’n Slappy), who decided that September 19 each year was the day when everyone in the world should talk like a pirate. This occurred during a racquetball game between Summers and Baur when one of them reacted to an injury with an outburst of “Aaarrr!”, and the idea was born. This day is silly and just an excuse to laugh a lot. So ThisNext made a list of silly pirate games and toys to enjoy on Talk Like a Pirate day!

See more of my Talk like a pirate day! list at ThisNext.

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It’s almost the weekend again which means every television channel will be showing either college football games or NFL games. This means plenty of tailgate parties. Before every football game, it’s custom to eat grilled food and down beers while boasting about your favorite team. Personally, I’m most excited about the Ohio State vs USC game this weekend. Here’s a list of pre-game products for all you football fans out there. Included are grills, kits, games and blankets so you can prefect your tailgating experience!!

Hopefully everyone enjoyed their extended Labor Day weekend. I took a road trip up to the Bay where I gorged on BBQ and caught up on quite a bit of sleep. For all those considering a similar adventure, here is a list of my personal road trip essentials (including some favorite stops along the California coast line). So if your in the market for a weekend excursion I suggest a road trip with friends and a weekend of relaxation. ENJOY!

As the weekend approaches we all complain that it will go by too fast and sooner rather than later it will be Sunday. BUT Sunday’s can be fun. Instead of complaining about the upcoming work week get in the last moments of your weekend. Wake up and have mimosas and lay at the pool. Even though its unproductive it is still celebrating the weekend. Here is a list of things that make Sunday a funday.

With 08/08/08 coming up we are all getting excited for the Summer Olympics. I never have enough time to watch every event or remain up to date on the success of Team USA so…I figured this year I would pick my favorite Team USA athlete and follow him as he tries to again win 8 olympic medals. Who is this superstar athlete you might ask? Obviously Michael Phelps, the dreamboat swimmer of Maryland/ University of Michigan. Phelps won 6 Gold Medals in the 2004 Olympic Games and is my favorite athlete in the summer olympics. Here is a list of all things Michael Phelps. His biography, posters and Team USA swim gear to get you excited for his upcoming meets. If you didn’t care about him before, hopefully you will now!!

Most people are dissatisfied with their professions. Grievances of insubstantial wages, poor benefits, and sheer boredom have many people closely monitoring their watches for 5pm to roll around. Professional athletics presents an exception. Being able to play the sport that you love in front of millions and for a salary beats U.S. per capita income by many orders of magnitude keeps a smile on most athletes’ faces. Breakthroughs in conditioning, nutrition, and supplementation enable athletes to extend their careers even longer; consider Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds who were able to remain two of the most potent forces in baseball well into their 40s. With the exception of those that retire due to a physical inability to perform, it’s no wonder why athletes waffle in debating when to walk away. At 38, Brett Favre recently unretired and expects to compete for the starting QB position at Green Bay (or whatever team they ultimately deal him to). Let’s look at a few products from others unretirees:

The Games of the XXIX (29th) Olympiad are upon us, aka the 29th Olympics. Are you ready? If not, ThisNext is here to help. The Olympics begin on August 8th, 2008 (08.08.08) and run through the 24th. They are being hosted by the city of Beijing in the People’s Republic of China. Beijing has taken tremendous strides to renovate existing buildings, build new awe-inspiring pieces of architecture (see the Beijing National Stadium below), and overhaul their transportation system to accommodate the expected 3 million visitors (domestic and international). While the Beijing Olympics has dealt with its fair share of problems (human rights protesters, pollution problems, and construction delays), the true spirit of the Olympics has prevailed and everyone is getting into the spirit.
Beijing came up with some incredible symbols for the Olympics. The first is the actual logo of the games which consists of a dancing figure with a the calligraphic character jīng representing the host city.
The second symbols are the mascots for the Olympics, 5 figures known as the Fuwa, each of which represents an Olympic ring, and a symbol of Chinese culture. Together, their names mean “Beijing welcomes you.” To find out more about their individual personalities and what they represent, check them out here.

Of course, no Olympics is complete without collector’s gear, whether it be pins, stuffed animals, or athletic gear.  Be sure to check out all of the Olympic products recommended by ThisNext users to be up-to-date on the hottest items. 

Wherever you find yourself on 08.08.08 and the days following, take a moment to think about the tremendous athletes representing you  and your country and give them a little cheer.  An ancient tradition is going on now and you get the chance to be part of it.  Enjoy.

The 5.8 earthquake that rocked Los Angeles and our friendly ThisNext office today not only added much needed excitement to my day, but was also a necessary reminder that we all need to be earthquake and emergency prepared. First aid kits, hygiene products, water, and most importantly food (in my eyes) are all important to have on hand in case you are stuck somewhere waiting for rescue.

Why is it so important to be prepared? Geologists say that The Big One should be happening soon, although they’ve been saying that since I was a kid. Alas, CNN reports that, “There is a 99 percent chance of California experiencing a quake of magnitude 6.7 or larger within the next 30 years, according to the Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast,”. This dim forecast of a disaster striking was actually semi-inspiring. It inspired me to make a list of emergency supplies and kits, so that all of us are driven to build a grand kit for emergency survival.

I included a couple must-haves, such as drinking water, thermal blankets, and SPAM (it’s got a great shelf life). Recommend any other product you’d like to have in your emergency kit, and I’ll add it to the list!

Always on the go? These convenient traveling accessories are the perfect companion for your journey. From portable hangers to 3 in 1 hygiene kits, you will always feel right at home no matter where you are, as you are jet-setting in style. Your traveling needs for your traveling convenience.

What was once regarded as unabashed savagery is quickly gaining mainstream momentum and threatening boxing’s reign as the #1 combat sport. Mixed Martial Arts fighting has evolved from the back-alley bare knuckles brawls that most people associate it with. Now, there’s strict measures put in place to mitigate injuries and to protect fighters when they’re in vulnerable positions. For example, in many fight organizations, knees to the head of downed opponents in addition to any blows to the back of the head (downed or not) are prohibited.

Combat is no longer just stand-up striking but incorporates disciplines that include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, grappling, and ground submissions. Though fighters do get knocked out, oftentimes matches will end in someone submitting (“tapping out”) to an arm bar - a painful arm lock that hyperextends the elbow - or a rear naked choke hold. Other popular submissions include a triangle choke, guillotine, kimura, and knee lock. With the emphasis on skill rather than brute strength, the biggest guy is not guaranteed to win. Ask 7’2” 350-pound Hong Man Choi when he lost to the much smaller Fedor Emelianenko (click on image to the right).

 

Orange County Choppers, Intel and Black Diamond have teamed up for a computerized chopper. Just like a car stereo, the computer is all weather and can withstand the vibrations of the bike. The bike has a digital dashboard which offers web access, and various forms of entertainment and processor based operations. Instead of rear view mirrors, the bike has a couple of LCDs and two rear mounted cameras.

That’s not all. Bluetooth capabilities, Wi-Fi, and GPS are also available. Did I mention that a fingerprint recognition system acts as the ignition? Depending on what it can do, the PC costs between $6,000-$10,000, plus now the price of the bike you want it on. I guess you pay for what you get.

Complex blog

We all know what polo is, right? At least you do if you’ve seen Pretty Woman, which sadly, I have. More than once, I have to say. Who can forget the famous polo scene in that movie? Mostly because of Julia Roberts’ awesome line, “You could freeze ice on his wife’s ass.” But pleasantries aside, you see how the sport is depicted as a game for the rich and the snooty to play, the bluebloods if you will.

That is, until Woz and crew moved in. Steve Wozniak is the other half of the team that created Apple Computers back in the day, the other half being Steve Jobs. While Jobs is content to sit back from on high and invent iPods and iPhones and iThings, Woz likes venturing into uncharted territory and claiming new ground. A few years ago, the Woz got into playing polo on Segways, which is something the inventor of the two-wheeled transport probably never thought of. However, Woz and team recently reclaimed the championship cup, and you can check out the video below. Segways still ain’t cheap, but at least they are no longer relegated to the Hamptons / Beverly Hills crowd.

If you’re a bit adventurous you might try this on your own, or else move your Segway into a new arena like Segway Field Hockey, or Segway Lacrosse (ouch). First of all, you’ll need the equipment. You can jump onboard with the base model Segway i-Series. Sure it’s the base model, but it gets the job done, and isn’t bad when you start out whacking and swinging at little balls. But, if you really want to step up your game, you’ll pick up the Segway XT, which is like the Hummer of Segways. It’s rugged and powerful, and will probably scare the other team into surrendering. Just a thought.

As long as you’re going high-tech, why not a high-tech polo mallet? The Fiber Cane Polo Mallet will make you the talk of the field, and might catapult you into legend as well. Toss in a high tech bicycle helmet, like the Sweep XC, and you’re just about set. Looks like the rest of the outfit is preppy clothes, with an emphasis on pastels and argyles. Top it off with a spritz or two of Ralph Lauren Polo: Romance cologne (boy that does not sound like a manly cologne), and you’ll be ready to enter the match in style. At least … in some kind of style. If you’re still worried about looking like a geek, The Onion has some Segway tips for you.