CONTENTS
Editorial: The Myth of Multitasking.
Travel: Killspencer Utility Belt.
Technology: Avionics V1 Electric Bike.
Stationery: Good Thing Paper Display.
Gadgets and gear: Serge Panchenko Custom Key Cutter.
Books and writing: Game of Thrones Tapestry.
Project of the week: Dripkit: Portable Pour Over Coffee.
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EDITORIAL: The Myth of Multitasking
"Multitasking" is a modern catchword used by people who proclaim that they work more efficiently by doing several things at once. The truth is that when humans multitask (thankfully this has not caught on in dogs) they are in reality constantly switching back and forth between tasks, wasting time while the brain adjusts, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. Even brief mental blocks created by shifting between tasks can cost as much as 40 percent of someone's productive time.
PD's lay dog conclusion is that it is better to concentrate on a task and then move onto the next one.
http://www.apa.org/research/action/multitask.aspx
Important disclaimer: PD is a lay dog with no specialist qualification in either psychology or psychiatry. He is including this editorial for general information from a lay dog point of view. It should not be taken to be psychological advice for either diagnosis or treatment. If you feel that you need psychological guidance please seek professional advice from a qualified practitioner.
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
TRAVEL: Killspencer Utility Belt.
Batman fans look away - unfortunately this is not something out of the Bat Cave, although every pup dreams of owning a utility belt like his one.
[Batman's utility belt. Image: http://batman.wikia.com/wiki/Utility_Belt]
The Killspencer Utility Belt is stylish and very practical for our world. Although there are no hidden tools such as a Batarang or camera, this belt will help prevent you becoming a victim of pickpockets, which are prevalent in some of our main tourist areas.
It is made from bull hide leather and comes in two widths (1,25 and 1,5 inches, approximately 3,2 and 3,8cm) and a range of lengths. It only comes in black.
The belt has four directional-locking button snaps to allow you to tether your valuables such as wallet or cell phone, which are in your pockets. Brilliant!
https://killspencer.com/products/utility-belt
FOR THE CURIOUS: The Batarang is a bat-shaped boomerang that forms part of Batman's kit. It was originally spelled "Baterang". Like a boomerang, it is a weapon that has a curved flight path when thrown, returning to the owner.
[Image: http://batman.wikia.com/wiki/Batarang]
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
TECHNOLOGY: Avionics V1 Electric Bike
"Sensational" comes to mind when seeing the Avionics V1 bike, developed right here in Central Europe.
Combining classic looks with modern technology, this is the bike to be seen riding. It is made from steel, Jatoba wood and leather. Note that even the seat is made from wood. Its modern credentials include Cree XLamp XM-L LED bulbs in the headlight, putting out 1.000 lumens, 18 COB rear lights putting out 15 lumens, a 24 Ah lithium ion battery and a 5.000 watt brushless electric motor that puts out 125 Nm.
It sports 203mm Hayes MX Expert brakes and 26 x 3 inch Duro tyres.
The Avionics V1 bike has a top speed of 58 km/h and a range of up to 120 km. Charging time is 2-3 hours.
FOR THE CURIOUS: The Jatoba tree, also known as the Brazilian cherry or South American Cherry (it is not a cherry tree!), comes from the area stretching from the southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean to South America. It grows to 30-40m in height and has a trunk diameter of 0,6-1,2mm. The wood is a hardwood and the tree is not endangered. For the scientifically minded, its botanical name is Hymenaea courbaril.
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
STATIONERY: Good Thing Paper Display
The stylish design house Good Thing has appeared in PD previously, when the Signal Flashlight was featured (PD issue 126, GHOST_URL/prowling-dog-cool-things-issue-126/).
{Signal Flashlight]
PD continues to be impressed with the quality of product from Good Thing. The Paper Display is a simple practical idea. If you want to display a single sheet of paper or a thin magazine on your desk, this compact tool is for you. It has a gentle curve to give the paper structure, allowing it to stand without additional support.
It is available in several soft pastel colours.
https://supergoodthing.com/products/paper-display
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
GADGETS AND GEAR: Serge Panchenko Custom Key Cutter
PD has always admired Serge Pachenko's work. His knives are not only innovative, the antiqued finishes are very striking. His custom knives are hard to come by.
The Keycutter is a small key chain folding knife with a 2,5cm stainless steel blade that in this iteration incorporates a flat head screwdriver and pry tool.
[Above two images: KnifeCenter - see below for link]
http://sergeknives.com/index.html
PD has managed to track down some re-sellers with stock:
In Europe:
Heinnie in the United Kingdom (https://www.heinnie.com/serge-panchenko-custom-key-cutter).
In the United States:
BladeHQ (http://www.bladehq.com/item--Serge-Panchenko-Key-Cutter-Gen-2--71531).
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
BOOKS AND WRITING: Game of Thrones Tapestry
For followers of "Game of Thrones", in PD's view this is the ultimate re-telling of the story. Obviously taking inspiration from the Bayeux Tapestry, this beautifully made digital tapestry tells the entire story in images and a few words.
The detail and colours are brilliant. It is very bloodthirsty, as the tale is, and little is left to the imagination.
The tapestry has the first six seasons of the story and will be added to as the story continues.
There is also a physical version of the tapestry on display in the Ulster Museum in Belfast.
http://www.ireland.com/en-in/features/game-of-thrones-tapestry/
FOR THE CURIOUS:
"A Game of Thrones", written by George R. R. Martin, is the first book in the series "A Song of Ice and Fire", first published in 1996. Set in Medieval times, these fictional books chronicle the blood thirsty power struggles between the great families of the land for the throne. The story was made into a television series and now has a cult following.
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
PROJECT OF THE WEEK: Dripkit: Portable Pour Over Coffee
Tired of instant coffee at work? Coffee filter too bulky to carry around? Too lazy to have to wash your coffee filter? Then this project is for you: the convenience of filtered coffee that you can take anywhere.
This is a coffee filter in a bag. Open the packet and you have your own filter with coffee. It sits on top of your cup ready for use.
PD rating: 5 paws out of 5.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dripkit/dripkit-coffee-portable-pour-over/description
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
Contact Prowling Dog at prowlingdog@protonmail.com
Important disclaimer: Remember that crowdfunding sites are not stores. You may decide to back this project and provide funds, however there is no guarantee that any project will be delivered - the rate of failure is about 10%. PD is in no way accountable for the success or otherwise of any project and writes in this column purely for entertainment purposes, and will in no way be held liable for any failure or money lost by anyone. It is a case of "buyer beware". It is a sad reflection on the era we live in that PD must resort to this type of disclaimer.
Note: Photographs and illustrations are from the relevant websites and are the copyright of the respective owners.
© 2017 Prowling Dog