As a kid, the utopian hideaway was none other than the back yard tree house. Thanks to Baumraum design of Germany, the ultimate hideaway is still the tree house – but dayum, have things changed.

I have got to say that this company makes the most outrageous man forts this world has ever known! Each is custom designed based upon the type of trees you have and the surrounding landscape. I mean look at these photos and tell me they are not the coolest things you have ever seen! They can seat six, sleep two and are insulated for all season use. They are stylish, fitted with modern amenities, and let me say that I would kill to have one in my back yard! Just think… the ultimate cigar club – just you connecting with nature while nursing a single malt and a hand rolled stogie, while listening to the ball game or just letting your mind wonder. (And it sure as hell could be a sweet little nookie palace, that’s for sure.)

The company refers to this as Treespace. The company website says: Treespace is a further development of the classical tree house. It combines the creative and constructive expertise of an architect with the long-standing experience of a landscape architect, a tree expert, and established, reputable craftsmen. It’s a compact entity for relaxing, working, playing, sleeping. “Treespace” shall combine a modern room feeling and construction technique with the sensory perception of nature. It is supposed to give an understanding of the vitality of the tree and its topology and to confront the “treespace user” with nature’s alteration of the seasons.

The Baumraum Tree house just may be the pinnacle in gifts for the dude who has everything – or maybe not even quite everything – and for $60,000 you can have one for your very own. Chump change. This 21st Century arbor hut has Joyce Kilmer grinning from the heavens.

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ROCK BAND 2

Rock Band 1 was insane – RB2 is a step beyond the insanity. For those of you not familiar, it’s like Guitar Hero, but add drums, bass guitar, and a mic and all you’re left with is coming up with a ganrley name for your band of misfit cretins. Hey I like that – Misfit Cretins. My old band was the Cunning Runts… or was it the Running – nevermind. Anyway the new game will feature an eclectic mix of 100 rock tunes from the 60’s through today, But get this…with ongoing weekly DLC releases including individual tracks, track packs and full albums, by the end of 2008, the game’s music library will feature more than 500 tunes … Alice In Chains, Bob Dylan, Metallica, Devo, Judas Priest, Billy Idol, RUSH, the Allman Brothers, and Motorhead to delight and confuse your senses! I’ve heard the drums are better, the guitars are wireless, and available first on X-Box 360 for sixty bucks, then follow up on PS3 and Wii.

From Wikipedia – Rock Band 2 received highly positive reviews from several publications 1UP.com likened it to a “system update” rather than an entirely new game, describing it as “a collection of interface tweaks and non earth shattering new features designed to make the Rock Band experience more enjoyable and less frustrating”. The “No Fail” mode has been recognized as a very useful feature for balancing the skill levels of players at different levels.

Dudes, I got the credit card out and I’m banging my skull with devil horns held high… Rock on, bruthas!