A 45 MPG BRABUS. Yeah…

The notion of miles per gallon and efficiency don’t really come to mind when one thinks ofBRABUS. As a matter of fact, terms like “what the hell?”, “why?”, “holy shit”, and “you’ve gotta be kidding” tend to be conjured up in sentences with BRABUS in them.

It was inevitable that BRABUS would tune the Smart Car Fortwo seing that it’s Mercedes based, but it’s finally coming to the United States and reservations started… er as of last night at 8pm. The 98 horsepower model comes with 15 inch front and 17 inch rear wheels with a sport tuned exhaust and suspension, and all the aggressive visual styling cues you’d expect from BRABUS.

Image of interior after the jump.

Available February 2009
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Hooks Up With Every Computer Imaginable, Disease Free.

One of the many down sides from the high definition video format war is that computer manufacturers (ahem Apple & Microsoft) have shown hesitancy in integrating the technology into their new line of machines.

Mercifully for the videophiles out there, the folks over at OWC announced the first ever “Quad Interface” external Blu-ray drive and burner: The OWC Mercury Pro Blu-Ray Drive.

Fancy lingo aside, this drive is compatible with every computer under the sun thanks to its ability to connect both Firewire 400 & 800, USB, and eSATA. So unless you use an etch-a-sketch for all your computing needs, this baby should have you covered.

Flexibility does come at a price though, (starting at $499, you can thank Sony for that licensing fee) so assess the purchase accordingly. Burning 50 gigs worth o’ data on one disc sure is sweet, but I’ll leave the question of practicality to you.

Cost: $499

Also See: Oppo 1080p Up-Converting DVD Player | Sentry Fireproof/Waterproof Data Storage Chest | Vizio XVT 1080p LCD HDTV

Jimmy Russell gives the okay at Wild Turkey, and I’m okay with that.

Like you, good distilled beverages get better with time. As a matter of fact, I was treated to a supurbly aged and decanted 10 year old Cabernet Sauvignon this past weekend that literally gave me chills of vino-delight. It had a body like Filippa Hamilton and… okay, I digress.

The Wild Turkey Distillery is tended by Master Distillers Jimmy Russell (pictured above) and Eddie, his son. Every morning they inspect the shipments of grain that dock at the distillery and constantly meander through the warehouses of barrels, ensuring every last drop receives the proper circulation. Tending one’s own batch of bourbon. Sounds like a nice life.

Russell’s Reserve is a 10 year old batch of bourbon deep in amber with a nose of vanilla, oak, and toffee. The taste is bold with flavors like peppers, tamarind, almonds and cumin. The 90 proof batch is a special kind of beverage for a special kind of guy.

Unlike many beverages that I come across, Russell’s Reserve isn’t made with added flavors or colors. There are no cut corner and mass quantities isn’t something in mind from the onset of production.

That alone makes it worthy of my bar.

Cost: $26 @ Your Local Store

Also See: National Bourbon Heritage Month | Innis & Gunn Original Oak Aged Beer

Giving Non-Movie Stars Much Deserved Fame, One Hour At A Time

While we may not be the first blog to feature Flip’s latest miniature video creation, we are certain that no other site has ever made it look so damn good. Or tested it as hard we did, for that matter.

Why? Because over the last month the camera came every where GP went and 9 hours of footage and 7 battery drains later we’ve concluded it rocks. Granted, taking footage during a wedding celebration with it did get a bit Cloverfield-y as time passed (especially as our sobriety degraded), and it wasn’t really viable for recording in the dark (think bachelor party).

In the end though, these are small quibbles about a product considering its purpose. The Flip Mino does a damn fine job of capturing life’s moments, for better or worse, in a video format of reasonable quality.

Its plug-and-play USB connection makes loading video on your computer a snap, while its compact design is sure to catch looks, especially with a blazing orange cog on it - or with any other customized design you’d like. Plus if you’ve ever seen girls at a bar with cameras, just imagine how they’d act around a video camera. Prepare for attack accordingly.

Editors Note: Word to the wise. YouTube + Flip = Trouble. Good trouble.

Cost: $179 | Customize

Around and Around We Go

The Lean Green Arm Flexing Machine

Once upon a time strengthening your forearms meant mindlessly squeezing hand grips. Since you’re not training for Over the Top (you know you’ve seen it) it’s time for a better solution. The Dyna-flex Pro Plus Gyro incorporates gyroscope technology to provide resistance. The harder you work the more resistance the Pro Plus Gyro supplies. In fact, with speeds up to 11,000 rpm the Pro Plus Gyro can supply 30 pounds of torque. Plenty to give your arms a great workout.

Outdated hand grips only work one muscle group. The Pro Plus Gyro can target most muscle groups from your fingers to your shoulders, see video. If you engaged in repetitive motions, like typing, then using the Gyro a few times a day can help combat carpel tunnel. Either way it’s time to evolve your training.

Cost: $33

Double Certified True European Goose Down. Sounds Nice.

If there’s a clothing outfitter I’d like to see make a decent comeback it’s Eddie Bauer. Call me old school, but the brand had the right roots, but somewhere, somehow a bunch of penny pinchers and incompetent marketers decided to take the brand towards a world of ill-fitted flannel and pleated khaki.

Looks like they’re getting back on the path to resurrection.

The EB800 down vest uses double-certified true European Goose down imported from Hungary. The high-loft qualities of the goose-down give it higher compression qualities and it’s incredibly soft and warm.

Better yet, it’s priced incredibly well for a down vest.

Editor’s Note: Sure, this is what you want on your next ski trip, but it’s also perfect over a well-weighted blazer. We’re American, we invented the concept of mixing & matching sports/formal wear.

Cost: $99 @ Eddie Bauer

Also See: Lands’ End Canvas Field Coat | Merrell Gatherer Jacket | J.Crew Premium Officer’s Chino