A selection of a few items that came across my feedreader in the last couple of weeks:

• This snow shovel looks like it would have been perfect for the very long driveway that we used to have in Maryland. Since DC just got some more of that white stuff dumped on them, I wanted to alert my friends there to this possible solution. In other news, it's still summer in Malaysia.


• What's the real cost of the sugar water that you are drinking? Because of the small sums involved, people miss the cost increases that they would scream about for things that cost more, even though you likely spend more on soda in a given period. It also underscores the hypocrisy of the soda companies who screamed about the proposed tax of 1 cent per soda to help combat the rise of obesity in the U.S.


• As someone who seems to be untangling my iPhone earbuds every time I take them out of my pocket, I find this zipper design to be absolute genius, especially with the added feature that the zip also contains separate volume controls. Now, there's some innovative thinking for you.


• In a similar inspired-design vein, check out this travel plug that folds up so you don't poke holes in your bag. I need one of these, like, immediately.
  
• My buddy Stainless is doing a great series on the Leadership Secrets of Fictional Characters. While I'm not a necessarily a fan of the fiction that he's pulling this from, what he's quoting and his analysis of it is spot on. I'll be sad when this little series ends.


• Jonathan Carroll, one of my favorite writers, reproduces this list of 'Rules' from Esquire. I like a lot of these, including "The only thing worse than words ending in 'ly' are words ending in 'ize.'"


• Bruce Sterling, another of my favorite writers, points out this inspired graphic depicting what China censors. I should do something similar for Malaysia, although it would have to be a tag cloud on what the local newspapers deem is important news (which, as J put it recently on Facebook, combines the worst part of the Monica Lewinsky and BoA scandals).


• You want indignation? Here's a rant on the insane amount of money we spend on the military. We can debate about whether or not this is actually making the U.S. "secure," but there's no doubt that it's driving the U.S. into bankruptcy.


• An ad that points out that, really, there's only one way to recharge yourself if you're feeling out of energy.