The SUV of sports watches

One of the main reasons I like running is the simplicity of it. I can pretty much run anywhere, anytime, for any distance, with a minimal amount of equipment. The most gadget-y item that accompanies running is a pair of sunglasses.

But all that has changed, thanks to three letters: GPS.



Various companies have incorporated GPS technology into watch form, which allows runners to see where they are, where they're going, and at what speed. Plus you can set them to a certain pace, and the device will tell you if you're going too slow or too fast.

The most enticing feature, to me, is that the GPS will measure distance traveled. Trail runners, scramblers and just about anyone who doesn't always run on a track can benefit from not having to guesstimate how long that 45-minute run really was.

These things are fabulous, but they aren't cheap. $300 to feel like James Bond in a sports bra might be a bit much. Then again, I thought that about the iPod...

I'll say they're fetching

When a puppy became part of my life earlier this year, I resisted giving him my entire heart for awhile. About a week, to be precise. Then that phase passed and I have been cuddling him and petting him and speaking babytalk non-stop ever since.

It wasn't long before I realized that the precious pooch couldn't just have a regular ID tag. No, he needed something as beautiful and unique as he was. I scoured the internet, where I found gemstone encrusted tags (ugh), silver and gold tags (only your wallet will know it's not from Petco) and heart-shaped tags (dorky).

Fortunately, I finally stumbled upon Fetching Tags, which had exactly what I was looking for. They make dog (and cat) ID tags that are original, durable and witty. You can choose from one of their sayings ("Hound of Love" to "Treat Whore") or make up your own. And unlike the ones marketed towards the Paris Hilton set, they are neither trashy nor ridiculously expensive.

So now my sweet puppy, Bond, has an actual license to lick. It may carry a little less weight than his namesake's license to kill, but it gets a heck of a lot more compliments. Especially from me.