Tandem bicycles -- My husband and I bought an old tandem bike at a rummage sale about eight years ago, and we just took it out for a spin for the first time in a few years. It's a Roll Fast, a bike manufacturer that's long gone, but still rides pretty well. There's something romantic about a bicycle built for two, especially when ridden on a date to an ice cream shop, which is exactly what we did before cruising to The Foundation. Over tiki drinks, we decided that successful tandem biking is a lot like marriage in general: it takes excellent communication to keep the wheels turning. Like marriage, there's a fair share of bickering during a tandem experience, and at times both cyclers think they're working harder then the other. Plus, riders have to take turns steering, and the one in the back must maintain faith and trust at all times. -- Molly Snyder Edler
Tul pens -- Tul rollerball or gel pens are wonderful, and inexpensive. Pick some up at Office Max and check out the company's handwriting analysis at tul.com. -- Jeff Sherman
Last.FM -- The same old CDs and iTunes playlists are never enough to get me through the workday. Recently I've discovered the Internet radio Web site Last.FM, which is designed to play music you like, as well as help you discover new bands that you might be interested in, depending on your listening profile. Unlike sites like Pandora, this one is surprisingly accurate and digs up rare cuts, not just the hits. You can create a profile, which logs your listening, or you can simply type in a band you'd like to hear and play it for free without any commitment. -- Julie Lawrence
Freakonomics, the blog - Available at The New York Times Web site, this blog allows rogue economist Steven D. Levitt and journalist Stephen J. Dubner to continue the provocative discussions of their book, which has sold more than 3 million copies. -- D.O.
Play Magazine - While we're crediting The New York Times, we might as well talk about Play, which is available online and quarterly in the Sunday print edition of the newspaper. Every edition is solid and full of in-depth sports reporting and profiles like last week's look at Steve Nash. Read it. -- J.S.
No Name Premium Salmon Fillets -- I'm not a huge fan of the No Name Steaks meat division, but the salmon fillets are outstanding. The 6-oz. cuts are boneless, skinless, hand-trimmed, sealed in individual wrappers with a tasty marinade. You can bake them (the pop-up timer makes it pretty easy) or grill them on the Foreman. A quick, tasty dinner. -- D.O.
"Happy Songs from Rattlesnake Gulch" -- In a perfect world, more people would know about Joe Ely than Britney Spears. The guy writes great, gritty songs of life, love, loss and longing. I just discovered this album, which came out in January, and I can't put it down. -- D.O.
The Tough Alliance -- I was listening to NPR's "All Songs Considered" podcast, as I do every Monday when it arrives in my iTunes, and last week host Bob Boiland had Swedish indie pop musician Jens Lekman in the studio to play guest DJ. Lekman had several good songs to share, but my favorite was by a Swedish pop duo called The Tough Alliance on the Sincerely Yours record label. The music is danceable, soft, airy and poppy -- just what you might expect someone like Lekman to be listening to. Take a listen to a few tracks on their MySpace page. -- J.L.
Ray's Station Vineyard Sonoma County Merlot -- With a galloping stallion on the label, this full-bodied red has hints of black cherry and other fruits and a warm, dry finish. A delightful warm up on a chilly evening and a splendid choice at about $15. -- D.O.
Good magazine -- Stop me if you've heard, but last year I discovered Good magazine's third issue, which was dedicated to the media. This environmentally-conscious, fair trade-loving magazine's media issue reminded me of devouring each issue of the sadly defunct Brill's Content (boy, I know how to have a good time, eh?). Since then, I've read each issue cover to cover (there are six now, I think), although at $15 a pop, I've not sprung for back issues of Nos. 1 and 2. In addition to chronicling interesting, beneficial stuff in a visually engaging way, Good puts its money where its mouth is and donates 100 percent of subscription fees to the charity of your choice (you select from a list). -- Bobby Tanzilo
Badgers basketball coach Bo Ryan dancing to Soulja Boy's "Crank Dat" on YouTube -- We always knew Bo was hip, but this is just outrageous. -- D.O.
