I know this is silly, but it's actually kind of cool, so I wanted to share it.
I went to Starbucks today, as is my frequent afternoon habit. Starbucks has been shaking things up to improve their product and the experience of going to their stores. I've enjoyed both, but it's good that they keep things fresh as it were. Anyway, they've now created these Green Spilly Stopper Things.
Here's the thing: When I tool around in my car after having gotten my coffee, I usually have to cross railroad tracks to get back home. I guess I live on the wrong side of the tracks. Between the uneven tracks and the winter-exacerbated potholes, there are some bumps. Frequently, the coffee will spill out of the travel top and drip onto the center console of the Eclipse. That's no good. I've mastered driving while holding the coffee out the window as I cross the tracks, but that's a hassle in and of itself.
Before this, the only thing you could do was ask for a sticker to cover it. But it left a residue on the top and just never worked as well. Now, the Starbucks Engineers have come up with this little stopper thing that fits in the drinking hole in the traveler lid. And it works. I drove back from Starbucks, coffee in the drink holder as I crossed the tracks, and not a drop spilled. Pretty slick.
Clearly, it doesn't take a lot to impress me. But little things that work are pretty cool. I wish I'd thought of this.
Now, I do have a brilliant idea for an iPod add-on if anyone wants to talk.