Peds Nouveau
The tiniest socks in the hosiery department used to be peds,
those slip-on sport socks, with or without pompom, favored by the tennis
set. But the Gap has now stocked its shelves with Not Socks ($5.50
for two pairs), cotton/Lycra slipcovers for the feet that most resemble
the wisps of nylon used at shoe stores for sanitary try-on. The idea is
to protect shoes and feet from sweat and odor without displaying any sock--think
Air Max sneakers worn with skirts and bare legs, or oxfords with capri
pants. Not Socks don't work well with high heels; the incline causes these
mini-peds to snap away from the heel and settle into an uncomfortable
mound under the arch of the foot. And while Not Socks have a sporty look,
they're not recommended for actual sports use. (CM)
Life Is Sweet
If, as studies have shown, eating chocolate produces a chemical
reaction in the brain likened to orgasm, then Ibarra chocolate ($2.95
for 18.6 ounces at Safeway stores) should be considered the John Holmes
of confections. Made in Guadalajara, Mexico, Ibarra comes packaged as
six bricks of sugary bliss in a lively red-and-yellow cardboard container;
they're the size of hockey pucks and practically as hard. Though it
is pleasing to shave off a sliver of the sweet, cinnamon-flavored chocolate
and eat it straight, Ibarra
is unequivocally at its finest when mixed into a batch of cookies or
dissolved in a cup of hot milk. While it seems every restaurant now
boasts a chocolatey dessert that can result in death, Ibarra has those
who've tried it considering a long, sweet life. (MM)
Mouse Underfoot
Anyone who spends a lot of time with a computer knows that
the key to a healthy relationship is ergonomics. Most people complain
of shoulder tension and back pain, but others suffer repetitive-stress
attacks on wrists, fingers and forearms, often caused by mouse handling.
Carpal tunnel victims can now free their paws, for a price, with the
NoHands Mouse. The two-pedal, $250 system was developed by engineers
and doctors at Los Angeles company Hunter Digital. One pedal controls
cursor movement; the other one is for clicking. It may sound complicated,
but think of the time you'd save by keeping your fingers on the keyboard.
The "footmouse" won't tax your knees or thighs: The pedals are manipulated
by wobbling your ankles. NoHands
Mouse works with Macs and PCs; if you can convince your boss you
need one, call (800) 576-6873 to place an order. (CM)
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Willamette Week | originally
published January 27,
1999
|
