| Can our society get any more crazed in the pursuit | | | | contaminants from the air. For non-smokers and |
| of creature-comforts? You bet. Try the latest in | | | | asthma suffers, it can make breathing a lot easier in |
| ultimate pampering--Personal Environment Zones | | | | smoky restaurants and bars. |
| (PEZ). Never leave home without your own personal | | | | Sharper Image Design's answer to the problem is |
| heating and cooling system, protected in a bubble of | | | | their Personal Air Purifier, a smaller version of their |
| purified air and wrapped in a cocoon of soothing | | | | Ionic Breeze home air purifiers. For $59.95, it cleans |
| sounds. | | | | the air by negative ion generation, then blows it |
| All it takes are the right gadgets to achieve this | | | | gently towards your nose and mouth. It zaps viruses |
| blissful state. No need to sweat the summers with | | | | and bacteria, a real advantage for confined spaces |
| the Sharper Image Personal Cooling System. For | | | | like aircraft cabins. The built-in humidifying feature also |
| $49.95, this high-tech "icepack" fits around the neck | | | | makes the dry airplane-stinky air more tolerable on |
| and blows cool air with a built-in fan. The latest | | | | long flights. The Personal Air Purifier even improves |
| upgraded version from Sharper Image, the Personal | | | | the burrito-breath of the kid in the next seat. |
| Warm+Cool System ($69.95), will keep you | | | | Okay, so now you're comfortable with the |
| comfortable year-round. This nifty stainless steel | | | | temperature and breathing sweet smelling air. What |
| gizmo looks like neckwear from Star Wars and plugs | | | | else do you need to relax? How about the soothing |
| into a battery pack in your pocket or on a belt. On a | | | | sound of rainfall, chirping birds or ocean waves? |
| sweltering day in July, it bathes you with 20 degree | | | | Brookstone's Tranquil Moments II Deluxe Sound |
| cooler air, good for mowing the lawn or slaving over | | | | System ($120) is a digital "sound conditioner" that lets |
| a hot bar-b-que. Or reset it to stay warm on those | | | | you neutralize the annoying noises of the outside |
| chilly winter walks, football games, or skiing the | | | | world. Select your favorite calming sound from the |
| slopes. Personally, I'd rather wear the device set to | | | | assortment of add-on of sound cards. You might |
| max warmth and stay inside next to the fire. | | | | even be able to sleep on the airplane. |
| But let's get back to summertime and cutting the | | | | Sharper Image has a similar gadget called the Ultra |
| grass. Anybody's allergies acting up? Here are a | | | | Heart and Sound Cocoon. One of the ten natural |
| couple of PEZ gadgets to clean the air you breathe, | | | | sounds is sure to lull you to sleep. There's even a |
| inside or outdoors. Magellan?s Air Supply ($95.00) is a | | | | heartbeat for those who really want to return to the |
| portable air purifier that can be worn around your | | | | womb. |
| neck. About the size of a portable CD player, it uses | | | | But if that's not relaxing enough, try the Lightscape |
| corona discharge technology to zap air-borne | | | | Relaxation System ($149.95), also from Sharper |
| impurities before you breathe them. It works on | | | | Image. Enjoy your own personal light and sound |
| pollen, pollution, dust, and even the neighbor's dog. | | | | show. Or plug it into a CD player to add your favorite |
| Magellan's Air Supply runs on a 9 volt battery and | | | | tunes to the show. The sleek unit is built around a |
| comes with an adaptor for wall outlets and car | | | | pair of dark shades with headphones. If you're going |
| lighters. | | | | to create a cocoon, you might as well look cool doing |
| A similar device, Brookstone?s Air Purifier, also uses | | | | it. |
| corona discharge technology to eliminate | | | | |