Crazies trap you've ever seen?

Here it is, November and as it gets chilly outside, we humans take to our heated domiciles to avoid death and discomfort. So too does the local rodent.

Tiny cracks, gaps, open doors and vents of various purposes are perfect for those little squishy mice to squeeze through. On the other side they'll enjoy all the heat they've dreamed of along with a healthy supply of crumbs. I admit, I have some crumbs around. I also have a conscience. I thought about the old traditional trap that crushes little Mickey's head or squashes his hind quarters as he makes a quick turn to flee. No, not that way. I tried poison but it just made the little guy wierd and brave so I set out for the catch and release.

the following is an exerpt from an email:

right now i'm battling a mouse. my current non-murderous trap attempt cosists of a trash can (which the mouse has been known to venture into frequently) sitting inside a large garbage bag. The garbage bag is pushed down to the floor, thus exposing the can. The mouse is to crawl over the bag (across a bridge(book) and into the can to get his little crumbs. When i hear the crinkling from my bed, i yank my nearby string which pulls up via a pair of pulleys (smooth wire loops stuck in the wall) ) the rim of the bag. the mouse is trapped! I then have the mouse in my control.

I released the mouse into a local schoolyard trashcan, then walked home vicrorious.

the end

Um...Brella!

Here comes the revolutionary new umbrella:



"mini umbrellas are great! but although they do keep your perm dry when it's drizzly out, what happens when you need to put it away? It's wet city, that's what.



Dampness from a bag-stowed brullie often gets to papers, books, an otherwise dry sandwich or even my apple ibook! But no more, thanks to this innovative approach courtesy of Chris Parker Designs.


The handle acts as an integrated, leak-proof case that stylishly keeps water from reaching your valuable drygoods. An elliptical cross section brings us from circular yesterday into a more eccentric today.


You might think to yourself, "chris, those little umbrellas always come with a perfect, matching case. Don't reinvent the wheel." Where do those little perfect cases vanish to, anyway?

Here's the display concept:


Thanks for reading. Stay dry!