SunLite, Las Vegas Sun, Nov. 17, 2003

Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for Nov. 17, 2003 Lisa Ferguson Monday, Nov. 17, 2003 | 8:14 a.m. Hoop it up If you're in need of a good laugh, look no further: Your humble scribe has compiled the following ridiculous gems for no other reason than your giggling pleasure. With the traditional hoopla of the holidays under way, we're betting most people don't even realize there's another hoopla to consider: Welcome to the middle of the first national Hoop for Peace Month as in Hula Hooping. Whether, as a kid, you mastered the hip-swiveling skill required to play with the big, round, plastic toy is irrelevant. We're talking about world peace here, people! At least, Betty Shurin, a "pioneer" in the fitness-Hula Hooping field, is: Also known as Betty Hoops, she takes her "workout" to spas and health centers around the country and is urging people everywhere to give hooping a chance this month by hosting their own Hula Hoop parties and other activities described on her website, www.bettyhoops.com. "Peace can be experienced in many ways," Shurin, er, Hoops contends. "The hoop space is a vortex of energy that, when spinning, can enhance the mind, body and spirit to hoop with intention can create a higher consciousness." Her mantra: "Peace is hip in a hoop." Hoop's site is loaded with hooping-party themes (a "Pulse with the Earth Hooping Party" or a "Radiant Chakra Hooping" shindig, anyone?); hooping recipe and activity booklets; and kits for crafting customized hoops. A portion of the proceeds from sales of Hoop for Peace Month-related items will be donated to funds benefiting California wildfire victims. Look, all she's saying is give peace and Hula Hooping a chance. The air over there Maybe it's another mindless diversion you desire. Enter the Airzooka, whose makers aren't using their toy to promote peace on Earth, rather some relatively harmless fun with, well, air. Here's how it works: Have some unsuspecting soul stand up to 30 feet away from you. Then, pull a plunger on the plastic bullhorn-styled gadget to catapult "an invisible ball of air" directly at your human target. Said bulls-eye will experience the apparently harmless impact. Game over! Gee, sounds like hours of fun. The Airzooka (it costs between $11 and $14) comes in several colors and is available at Spencer Gifts and Wal-Mart, among other retail stores, as well as at www.airzooka.net and www.airzooka.com. Right on Tracker? The second runner-up in this week's ridiculous pageant is another gadget which, depending on your perspective, can be viewed as either a real hoot or a godsend rivaled only by the invention of sliced bread. In any case, the PMS Tracker is being marketed as a gag gift for those (of either sex, we suppose) who must endure the emotional ups and downs that coincide with a woman's monthly cycle. Oh, yeah, because that's a surefire source for comedy. The tongue-in-cheek device ($12.95 at www.pmstracker.com) alerts when the symptoms of "three distinct phases" "Manic," "Rage" and "Bloated" of a woman's "little friend" will commence, and offers tips for helping the sufferer endure them. Hey, what happened to the "Don't-mock-me-if-you-know-what's-good-for-you" and "Get me some chocolate NOW!" phases? archive