The original bean bag was created in Italy, back in 1968. An icon throughout the 1970’s, the bean bag is back, and even more comfortable with the arrival of successful bean bag brand, Sumo Lounge, into the Australian market.

I got my hands on an Omni Chair a few weeks ago, and I’m hooked. The size of this 135cm x 165cm (4.5′ x 5.5′) super comfortable seat will make you want to refer to it as something other than a bag. Think of it as more a lounge, filled with beans. Perhaps ‘bean furniture’ would be an apt phrase?

Showing my age, I recall the bean bag craze of the late seventies, and now I understand what all those retro hipsters were on about. The first time I put the filling in (I used 300 litres of beans, and it could possibly do with some more), I climbed in and didn’t want to move. The whole family are now fighting over who gets a turn, yet the massive size means that both Miss 5 and Master 8 can both chill out on it in front of their favourite TV shows, or alternatively Master 9 months and I get to play with his toys, and still have room spare.

The material (Ballistic Nylon for those fabric geeks) is hardy, and held together with some serious triple stitching; the result being that the Omni looks fairly indestructible. The nylon looks easy enough to wipe clean, and the bean insertion area not only comprises a zip, but also enough velcro to make it a challenge for younger ones to even get to the zip.

I can see myself dragging this outside near the pool during the warmer months. Cooler months will see it being used as a spare bed, as well as an ‘in front of the movie’ couch.

I’m thinking the only drawback of this great Sumo Lounge product is that once you’re in it, you don’t want to get out – now you know what to blame for my lack of blogging!

You can get your hands on an Omni (available in five colours) from their online store for $199, which includes delivery. Sumo Lounge now has local presence in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States. They even offer a money back satisfaction guarantee, for the skeptical out there.

Disclaimer: I was provided an Omni Chair for the purposes of this review. Just because I got one for free doesn’t mean I feel obligated to write a positive product review. This really is one seriously cool lounge accessory.

Why is it, that there seems to be a long standing connection between geeks and pizza? It has often puzzled me, yet I digress.

I admit it, I am a pizza snob. The problem with having a wood-fired pizza oven installed in September this year, means that I am now spoilt. So spoilt, that I could be considered fairly elitist when it comes to pizza consumption.

I remember a time that I could eat gas- or electric- domestic oven fired pizza, and in fact, for a while many (like, 20) years ago, I worked in a pizza store which did just this.

Now? I can’t eat that sort of pizza. I’ve been to a few restaurants recently, and have had to turn it down. I’m considering this style of pizza a poor cousin of real pizza. Is that bad of me? I’m sure it is, but I’m pampered gastronomically now.

I’m hoping to write a few posts about Pizza, maybe even a few recipes, in this blog in the future. Pizza is too important a topic not to cover – wouldn’t you agree?

Meanwhile, you should take a look at some of the photos (Thanks Gary!) that were taken at the Pizza night that we held at our home, on the eve of Edge of the Web.

Image: Wood fired pizza oven at Burke’s Pizzeria.

I’ve read some great books recently, and I always mean to write a detailed review for each. I never seem to get around to it, so here’s a quick rundown of my five most recent book purchases…

Editing Made Easy by Bruce Kaplan
If terms like tautology and possessive apostrophe get you excited, then you’ll want to grab a copy of this book. This title is a handy pocket sized book on editing, which has the great side effect of improving your writing. Pitched mainly at beginners, but likely to be good for anyone who wants to write (or edit) well.

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
As a fan of the television series, I had to get my hands on the book that inspired it all. It has all the characters we’ve grown to love in the series, but quite a few changes in storyline than the TV series. I’m a fan of reading the book after the movie/TV series, and not a fan at all of consuming stories the other way around; the movie or show normally disappoints.

Making Meaning by Steve Diller, Nathan Shedroff and Darrel Rhea
The subtitle of this book is ‘How Successful Businesses Deliver Meaningful Customer Experiences’. This book delivers the idea that a companies only way to gain customer loyalty is to build a meaningful customer experience. A fascinating read.

Designing for the Social Web by Joshua Porter
This is a great read for anyone involved in the user experience of any web application, social or not. There are still plenty of lessons here, and they’re delivered in an understandable and enjoyable way.

The Principles of Project Management by Meri Williams
Meri has an easy, clear way of outlining great practices for website project management. This is well worth a read no matter your team role. Note: I have a commercial relationship with SitePoint, publisher of this book, however this had no bearing on mentioning this book.

So, I’ve shared what’s on my bedside table. I encourage you to answer; What’s on your bookshelf or bedside table?

Image: Bedside table reading.