Purify Your Sketchy Water With a SteriPEN

September 5th, 2007, 3 Comments »

I really dig Kevin Kelly’s awesome Cool Tools newsletter–there’s always a fascinating recommendation on a new device. This week there’s a glowing review of the SteriPEN, a little flashlight-shaped water purifier that uses ultra-violet light.

The reviewer describes uses the SteriPEN at restaurants on his trip to Africa:

On my trip, often when I asked a waiter for a glass of tap water, my request would elicit a smile or a laugh. In some cases, they simply would not bring me a glass of water. Most of the time, though, I convinced them — and then, to their amazement, I would take out the SteriPEN, push a button, and stir the water with the glowing purple UV light that always brought stares from other diners. After less than 60 seconds, I would take out the SteriPEN and drink the water, occasionally hearing gasps from other tables.

It’s US $125, but it sounds like it delivers pretty reliable peace of mind. Now, I must start going to more places where such a device is required.

I was reviewing the product info, and happened upon this line of text:

Now you can carry hundreds of gallons of purified water in your pocket, purse or travel bag.

It took me far too long to figure out that they meant, you know, metaphorically carry. I’m a bit thick that way.

3 Comments »

Spread the Word: Nicole Vienneau is Missing in Syria

May 1st, 2007, 5 Comments »

I’m not sure how much I can help by blogging about this, but Talid wrote and asked me to post about his friend’s Vancouverite sister who’s disappeared in Syria:

We know she made it out of Lebanon and was in Syria. Her Syrian visa expired on April 5th, so we presume that she’s in Turkey, but can’t say for certain. My mom contacted Foreign Affairs on Thursday and they’re checking if she crossed the border (we hope). But it’s a long-weekend in the Middle-East so we haven’t hear anything (perhaps tomorrow). They suggested that young girls can get caught up in things and forget to email, but she’s not that young (my apologies to her in advance!) and she’s not foolhardy - you don’t successfully navigate all these trips by being silly.

This already got dugg (where-in many Digg users confirm their incredible asshattery), but I haven’t seen any mainstream news hits about it.

5 Comments »