The Obvious Choice In Underwear

When I began this blog, the last thing I expected to write about was underwear.

I did make a decision early on to request a pair of undies from Obviously, an Australian company making what looked like the most amazing underwear that I’d ever seen. Imagine my surprise when Daniel, a meticulous marketing maven at Obviously, sent me a pair of 9 Inch Boxer Briefs from the new Spectra Collection and a pair of Hipster Briefs from the Island Breeze Collection. 

The tracking number Daniel provided allowed me to follow them from the company’s overseas factory to a soft landing in Los Angeles and finally to my doorstep in Escondido. 

Talk about the freshest pairs off the shelf!

The products came sealed in airtight packaging and I wasn’t at all disappointed when I put them on. 

Prior, I was subject to all the crazy problems with traditional briefs: bunching, wedging, and general discomfort that sometimes made it necessary to do an “equipment adjustment” in a public place … sheesh!

Adjust no more!. Oviously’s goods are the real goods, let me tell you. The design is based on creation of what the company calls an “anatomical pouch,” which is simply extending and fitting the front of the brief into a shape that cradles everything and allows it to hang in a way your “stuff” was meant to hang..

The company’s Website is quick to point out various benefits that would have gone under the radar if left up to me, such as overall coolness that helps enhance comfort and reduce fertility issues, reduced chafing when walking, running, or cycling, and less likelihood of fungal infection (yech!!) since your “boys” are freer to move and don’t sweat as much.

All this verbiage add up to two of the most comfortable pairs of underwear I’ve ever worn. Not to be denied, I’m putting together another order … this time paid for up front. 

I’m sure you will agree with me if you try these fine garments: the obvious choice is Obviously!

EYE-VAC Professional Vacuum by Crowley-Jones

Handy for pet owners, salon proprietors, or the adult, video game addicted version of Charlie Brown's friend, Pig Pen.

I am not a hair dresser (in fact, I myself am practically bald), but I wish I were because of how much fun Eye Vac is to use.

The unit is a small tower that houses a strong vacuum at its base, a storage bin for hair and debris, and a HEPA filter so that micro dust doesn’t waft back into the surrounding air.

I unpacked the Eye Vac sent to me by its developer, Crowley-Jones, and it took only minutes to set it up. Everything is included and installed right out of the box. It’s entirely plug and play.

I have pets, so rest assured I have pet hair around the manse.

My first test was to place the Eye Vac on Auto setting, then sweep the pet hair, dust, dirt, and even some desiccated chunks of cat food (that had been residing in underutilized corners of the kitchen floor) toward the base of the machine. As the pile approached, the vacuum activated and sucked the debris inside. Voila! Sacre bleu!! The machine’s invisible pull was even strong enough to capture some dust bunnies hanging out on the periphery.

Good on ye, Eye Vac!

Now, if this vacuum cleaner was on all the time, I might complain of its noise level but it is only vacuuming when you “tell” it too. And the “suckage,” “sucktitude,” “suck-reh-bleu” (innovate on your own for a few moments) only lasts about five seconds per suck.

Hey, that’s more than doable.

The real test is going to come when my wife returns from an East Coast trip. She is a fabulous potter (www.scotpot1.com) and I am going to take Eye Vac down to her studio. Have at you, Eye Vac! If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere!!

The CUBE LED Light by Enevu

When I began to reactivate the “What Tom Gets” blog, I wanted right away to feature a selection of cool tech gizmos. Naturally, that should have meant sexy iPhone and iPad peripherals (think Mayhem UK or Naztech), amazing solar recharging stations (think Solpro), fabulous wearable gadgets (think Fitbit and Misfit) and, of course, what do I lead off with …?

… a 2.5 inch battery operated light that that serves as a nightlight or a disco party ball … er, cube.

The CUBE personal light by Enevu.

Am I distraught about this? Hell no!!

I actually think everyone should have one.

Designed and developed by two entrepreneurs (one design, the other $$), the Enevu CUBE LED light is amazingly simple and dramatically effective. Activate the on-board batteries by pulling out the protective strip thingee (that's the technical term ... look it up) and you’re on your way to having fun with light. 

Me? 

I deploy it on multicolor mode in my office when I am contemplating my navel (which doesn’t happen as often as it should), and also on low as a gentle night light. I’m also anticipating the time this summer when sweltering So. Cal. temperatures cause localized brown- and blackouts. I’ll pop the switch on my CUBE and whatever board/card/shadow puppet (insert drop down menu here) game I’m playing won’t miss a beat.

The CUBE personal light:

• uses 3 AG13 button cell batteries (included and replaceable)
• is white with a light setting so it gradually changes colors (lock on a color with another button press)
• appoximately 2.5x2.5x2.5 inches
• on/off/action mode switch on cube’s base

Purchase the CUBE personal light at the Enevu corporate Web site, www.enevu.com, or simply Google the name.

XY Findit - Wearable Tech That Solves a Simple Problem

This is a beacon, the heart of the tech developed by San Diego-based XY findit.

A most amazing gadget recently fell on my door, so to speak. It didn't start out amazing, but it got better quickly.

I was given an sample of the XY Findit beacon at a party recently and try as I did I couldn't make it work. Turned on, yes, after taking the little tab from in front of the battery, but after that ... nada. So I contacted the San Diego-based company and they sent out a couple of replacements. Talk about an instant about face. The new units did everything as advertised. I activated one beacon, synched it to my iPhone 5s, attached it to my key chain and keys, took a picture (so I would know intuitively what the unit was set to find when I accessed it via the free XY findit app) and the rest has been a very pleasant slice of history. Now I would recommend XY Findit to anyone who routinely loses their keys (or some similar object) because they really, really work, and, in fact, I have already recommended it several times to friends and people I brush shoulders with on a daily basis!

'Nuff said.

What Tom Gets ... An Introduction And Some Blues ...

What Tom Gets ...

What does that mean?

It means that this blog is going to contain reviews about whatever Tom (in this case, Tom Carroll, artist, writer, marketer, entrepreneur) gets. What Tom Gets may be music, software, movies on DVD, hi-tech gear ... it could be anything! Whatever Tom gets -- regardless of how -- Tom reviews ...

For instance ... over the 2014 Christmas holidays, Tom got a CD of blues standards performed by English actor and musician, Hugh Laurie. Released in 2011, it is called "Let Them Talk." Laurie, a fabulous actor from way, way before becoming the surly Dr. Gregory House in the TV series of the same last name, was first associated with two other programs: Jeeves and Wooster and Fry & Laurie (both alongside actor Stephen Fry). In the latter program (or programme) Laurie was often seen playing piano and a wide variety of other instruments and singing comical numbers. But in the liner notes of "Let Them Talk," Laurie professes his longstanding obsession with the blues, culminating with his forming a session band of bluesy luminaries and getting down to business. Of the CD's 15 tracks, Tom enjoys three more than the rest: "St. James Infirmary," "You Don't Know My Mind," and "Baby, Please Make A Change," the last most notably because it features vocals by Sir Tom Jones and Irma Thomas. Yes, Hugh Laurie occasionally played piano and guitar in his critically acclaimed turn as House, but a more prolonged exposure to the man's musical talents doesn't require a second opinion.

Here's hoping someone gifts Tom with a copy of Laurie's reprise CD from 2013, "Didn't It Rain."

Send an email if you'd like to.

And check back to this forum for additional reviews of What Tom Gets ...