Dateline: New Orleans

Few childhood memories elicit more shudders from a guy than recalling trying to hold a light for his dad.

Home and car repair projects could turn scarring, as constant correction and growing frustration filled the air with more tension than a firecracker at a bomb disposal training class.

Real guys don’t want to pass those memories on to their sons, and now they don’t have to.

Bossco Light Wrenches let you work and see with the same tool. Each wrench has a recessed light that shines on either end. Lights last up to five hours before needing a recharge. The set comes in metric and standard sizes, and wrenches are made from chrome plated drop-forged steel.

$100 from Bossco Intl.

Haven’t you always wanted to combine the fun of snowball fights with the threatening power and velocity of jai-alai? Now you can with the Arctic Force Snow Trac-Ball.  With a range of more than 100 feet, you’ll have opponents retreating to their snow bunker in no time.

Just don’t tick this guy off.

$12.99 from Wham-O

About a baker’s dozen years ago, Alton Brown was watching a boring cooking show when it occurred to him that somebody ought to produce a program that was equal parts Julia Child, Mr. Wizard, and Monty Python.

His wife countered that Brown, a video producer, should enroll in culinary school and devlop the show himself.

Thus was born Good Eats, a show that recently celebrated its 10^th anniversary on the Food Channel. With belching sock puppets and fire-extinguisher/power-tool mixology, Brown has inspired many a guy to return to the kitchen for more than a microwaved Swanson Salisbury steak.

If your guy is a fan of Uncle Alton, he’ll love the recently released “Good Eats: The Early Years.”  This is the first of a two-volume set, each of which will feature more than 140 recipes and behind-the-scenes insights about the show.

Did I mention Brown is a Georgia grad?

$37.50 in hardback (but you can find it cheaper through Amazon.com and others)

Meet Rudy, the Tiki tissue dispenser. Because we’re guy’s. And it’s funny. That’s why.

$17 from Retro 51