Reflections of a Hat Parade

This is an idea for a fashion design for a hat to wear to a horse race of import, or some other event where women wearing hats are required. It is also surreptitiously a social statement and an art piece. It is useful as well.

If you got a typical box hat in silver (colour optional), you could put a light plastic vanity mirror on it. 1950's art nouveaux has been recommended. It could be propped up at the back by another, smaller mirror, maybe a large, light mobile face mirror. The angle of the two main mirrors could form a rakish point. Then, in the long triangle formed at the side, a small hand mirror. Then, in the bits around the mirrors, it can be topped off with costume jewellery and other knick knacks typically found on a woman's dressing table. Ring and necklace holders, old fashioned powder containers, empty perfume bottles are all ideal. As long as it is both aesthetic and light.

The hat could be useful throughout the day of the special event as a way for people to check and fix hair and make up. It makes a statement that is topical and stylish. It also makes a social statement, because if people are getting carried away by the event (emotional and/or drunk), they can see themselves when you look at them, or even when your back is turned!

Cat Shields for Keyboards

There is a problem every computer using person has who lives with a cat. At certain times, like if you have been working on the computer for a length of time, the cat will inevitably come and walk on, sit on or otherwise interfere with your keyboard. It could be because the computer is warm, which makes it a suitable sleeping spot in the cat's perspective. It could also be because the cat thinks staring at the screen for ages is interfering with your cat worshipping. Or it is showing concern for your health. The computer sounds different to the cat then to you, so that could be it. Or it is just being cattish. However, it is a real problem of nuisance proportions, as many a strange mess has been created for documents, music etc. I have an idea for a solution.
A clear plastic (or glass) dome that sits over the keyboard, with space for hands, wires, disk drive and mouse. It might make some things look a bit bifocal, but the slippery slopes of the dome will stop feline interference quite adequately. I also think that there is a huge demographic of people who have the problem, they would be very cheap to produce (recycled of course), and would make an excellent gift for the person who has everything, as well as for those of simple means. An earner, with the right publicity.

Computer games

The first idea for a computer game or simulation is a "God" game. Its like a cross between Populace and Sim City, except that you are designing a running and functioning permacultured food forest or "farm". You have a set piece of land with its own gradients and features (water supply, original biomass, climate etc). The idea is to establish plants (with information on growing condition, effects on other lifeforms water and soil, companions, uses, annual or perennial), people, insects, animals so that the become a self sustaining ecosystem that runs itself. Problems that would come up such as inappropriate plants wouldn't establish, disease outbreaks in wet periods (and Eco solutions), population explosions of animals when food supply takes off. It could have a lot of detail, such as companion planting, being able to move the soil around, the state of the soil (clay, sand, loam), rainfall, climate (temperate, tropical), fungus (useful or destructive), "weeds" etc. You could buy stuff from the nursery with money made from the produce.
There could be an easy level (simple with a good piece of land), a moderate and a hard level. It would be good to have a feature where you can set your own piece of land so that people who already have land or are thinking of getting some can work out how to establish the ecology roughly without the painful real time/space/expense process of trial and error.

The idea for the second game or simulation is another "God" game. In this game, you get to run an natural ecosystem. In it you have plants, animals, insects, fungi, bacteria. There is herbivore prey (small and large) and omnivores and carnivores (hunters and scavengers), of which you have to maintain the right balance. There are natural features such as climate, geography, water supply.
It would be a great interactive way to educate youth on the environment, and quite satisfying to play (as an adult). It would be great also to have a feature that you can be one of the creatures at will. So if things are going well, you can roam the grasslands as one of the lions or rabbits. It would also be interesting to try and incorporate humans into that ecology, to see what effect they have at varying levels of development. That would be a great way to educate, and make the game more fun.

They are both massive projects which would need a lot of patient research and design, but it would be well worth the time and energy because it would change lives for the better.

Glow in the dark edges and peacock head-dresses

Marking edges and indicating objects in the dark with glow in the dark paint.

Painting glow in the dark edges or surfaces that are likely to be walked into or hard to find (like a light switch door or door knob) when walking in the dark (coming home at night, for instance). It could be used as a safety measure. So if u keep bumping into the kitchen bench or pillar in the dark as you get a drink at night or go to bed, mark it some appropriate way to taste with glow in the dark paint and your problem is solved.
Painting glow in the dark paint design to indicate light switches is also a good idea. So is marking a hard to find door, doorknob or lock. The design in that is completely up to you and your inclination. I would keep in mind that the more surface area painted with glow in the dark paint the greater the glow, so choose the design according how much glow you want, as well as whatever way u feel like doing it. If u want to paint something but can't because it isn't yours like your parents house or you are renting etc., You can paint a picture or an object and stick hang or place it appropriately.

Peacock feather head-dress

I was imagining a peacock feather head-dress sort of like the classic native American chieftain (in the style of movies with a similar mane of feathers) but instead of whatever bird of prey the classic head-dresses have, have peacock feathers. U could have a mane like display of peacock feathers, just like a peacock with their tail open, starting with smaller feathers at the bottom. I would choose a dark or shiny natural material to secure the base. I'm thinking course silk and lace but someone else might think metal or leather or semi-precious stones. You could use other feathers as well. Raven feathers would be cool! Lyre bird (theft, not murder!) feathers would be pretty over the top!
You could actually put peacock feather head wear into a myriad of other styles inspired by what we've found and is out there and also what can be done. If I could be bothered, I could look at all forms of feather styling thru all cultures and time and doing my own version with peacock feathers.
Anybody who thinks peacock feathers are unlucky (Such as inside where the eye of the peacock feather can cast its evil stare over all) are really missing out. Peacock feathers are a beautiful product of nature that do give us a glimpse of how awesome the cosmos can be, and if they are scared of something that gives so much, I think that's something that's not good. The superstition does more harm then the wondrous feather!

Magic Carpets and Coloured Streets

There is a gold or silver thread available. It could be used to make gold and or silver carpets. In sure there would be a large market for it in certain demographics, or businesses such as restaurants or hotels. Patterned carpets could use it for a subtler effect, or mats. With research other metal shades could be used, such as brass (some people love brass), copper, white gold, etc. Curtains and upholstery could be another niche market.

Dyed concrete is another designer idea. If dye was mixed into the concrete it would become more attractive and reduce glare. Better then painting, which wears away, the colour would be permanent and require no maintenance. Its pale grey colour is very conducive to the task. Colours could range from subtle pastels all the way through to intense colours and black. The colouring would then be used appropriately for whatever construction it is being used for. It could reduce accidents on pavements by reducing glare. It could be used to beautify constructions that are universally renowned for their ugliness, making the population, workers and users more happy and productive, and also be conducive to getting permission for a construction that would otherwise be considered an eyesore by both the counsel and potentially protesting populations.