But yesterday I met some folks who have come up with a whole new idea in car sharing, and it turns out they are going to launch it here in San Francisco.

It is called RelayRides and the idea is clever. Instead of owning a fleet, they are setting up the infrastructure to make use of all our existing cars as they sit around. Here’s how: owners of cars can rent their car out by specifying times they aren’t using it and locations it will be (home or work). RelayRides screens drivers, provides full insurance, outfits each car with a GPS/Electronic Entry Device, and keeps tabs on all the cars through a website. They even keep a rating system of cars and drivers so that if a car is regularly dirty or inconvenient, or if a driver is regularly inconsiderate with cars, those things can been recorded and known.

So basically you log onto a website, find a car near you (GPS will tell you the exact location if you choose it), check it’s history if you are worried, and then take it where you need to go.

When you need to borrow a car, you can rent one from the neighbor.

When you want to make some money renting your car out, you rent it to a neighbor.

It’s a great idea that really makes sense. I wish them the best.

This time round I was pleased to find the following messenger bag by Hi Fi

Those are working speakers, and the bag conceals a place for your iPod or MP3 player. On the front is a plated and stylized cassette tape. Also comes in black and chrome.

Sometimes I wonder if Burning Man is having an effect on the world, or is merely acting as an oracle for that which comes.

Bio-hazardous phlegm got you down? My friends at Design Glut have you covered, with their Swine Flu Hanky. Purge your shnaz in style with an embroidered handkerchief that sets you apart.

Better than an “I Survived…” Tee any day.

It looks like something from the film Barbarella: Curvy, modern, easily confused with a sex toy. And honestly, that’s what I thought it was when I saw it on the shelf. Sex toy in a thrift store (eww). I approached cautiously. But then a warning sticker caught my eye, Plastered right on the front of the thing, stating that it IS NOT A TOY. That it produces an electric shock! And that it is not recommended for elderly persons or pregnant women.

Price tag said five bones. I bought it immediately.

It runs off of just three AAA batteries, but don’t let that dampen your hopes. This little thing will shock the bejesus out of you. The game works as such. There are four metallic handles for up to four players that detach from the central unit, connected by curly wire. On each handle there is a button like on the top of a joystick, and on the central unit there is a button marked Xtreme which starts the game. You con some of your more adventurous friends into playing that will test their reflexes, then you press the Xtreme button.

Now the game is on. The central button glows red while ominous music repeats an untold count. Finally, the button glows green and a terminal buzzer sounds, signaling the moment of truth. Now everyone holding a handle tries in a split second to push their button first. Whoever succeeds, is rewarded by seeing all their friends jump out of their chairs trying desperately to release the electrified handle they are clutching.

I will put the warning out there that this game is not for everybody (even if you aren’t pregnant or elderly). Some people just don’t like getting shocked ever, and it is not going to be fun for them. But if you accidentally run into one of these people, the jolt isn’t going to loose you a friend. But it may be less than a game to the occasional electrophobe.

That said, it is good clean fun for those with sharp reflexes and sadistic inclinations, and thrilling for those with slow reflexes and a slight masochistic bent. All told, I give this contraption Two Quivering Thumbs Up, although my wife would certainly disagree.