Just to slightly amplify my last, the title suffered in translation, the original German being Anschlu&sslig;! (with the exclamation mark).

Ahem. That's Anschluß!

Visual Eyeglasses for Windows, or VE for short, is simply another programming tool from Microsoft forming part of its Visual Studio series. VE provides an integrated development environment for programming the next generation of mobile eyeglasses. As well as providing the usual focusing and sun-shading functions, these glasses will be able to access the Internet (albeit a subset called EAP), play Java games, and emit a user-definable piercing tone whenever the forehead reaches a certain temperature. The more advanced models will even provide an auto-shutdown of the cranium when the brain is not in use, as an energy-saving measure.

Visual Eyeglasses for Windows 1.0 will be available in the UK from February 2004, the price probably somewhere in the £50 for the Home edition up to £3000 for the Enterprise edition.

Meanwhile, I've been curious about the Facial Stylus for Men. Anyone seen one?

This is for men who want to enhance their manly looks by augmenting their beard. You use the device to first pluck a hair from your scalp, nose, ears, or anywhere else you have hair to spare, and then implant it into your face. Repeat 10,000 times.

The Furnace-Cast High-Sintered CrackStop ProShield sounds very effective at whatever it's for...is it?

This piece of equpitment was banned from field hockey recently. Basically its goal-keeper's kit, but the idea of the ProSheild was that it was so large it obscuered the whole goal, making it impossible for the opposition to score. The drawback was that it was furnace-cast from iron, so agility of any form was severly limited.

I've heard of super Delux Clock Cream but it has slipped my mind what the primary use for this is. Enlighten me please!

Lib, there is an old wives tale which relates to daubing (with butter) the paws of cats when they move residence; I'm sure you will have heard of it - or even used it! This super Delux Clock Cream which you mention is something similar. In fact it is the diluted version of the de luxe cream which is often used on clock radios when they are relocated in order that they do not become alarmed.

Hopefully I shall be settled in my new abode in the near future, but the real estate agent said that the building includes a reflective grid which she stated was beneficial but expanded no further. Surely it's not a one-way mirror?

The reflective grid is a system of tiny polished bars on your windows that act to prevent flies walking across the glass

I was offered a Trunk Bunk the other day in a pub, should I accept and what is it?

Another from the Innovations catalogue. The Trunk Bunk is a set of wooden-framed bunk beds that fold down into the size of a trunk, handy for taking with you on holiday. Since it weighs about 200 pounds, is inconveniently large to use in a caravan, and rented holiday homes generally have their own furniture, the market for these was rather small. Offer to take it off his hands for nothing -- it'll make a good bonfire on November 5.

Neoprene Power -- the latest in exercise wear, or what?

This is one for the "greens". It is actually an electric generator which uses an elastic band as an energy source. You wind it up, rather like those balsa wood aircraft from the days of yore. Then it will light a 3v torch bulb for up to 30 seconds. Indespensible in dark cupboards, cellars and in the loft while trying to unjam the ballcock.

Raspberry pipsanall - is it edible?

Very much not: Pipsanall is the world's strongest domestic cleaning fluid, available in raspberry, lemon, peach and avacado flavours. Well, I say flavours: I'm not sure anyone has ever tasted the fluid due to it having an extremely potent effect on all those who come within fifty yards of it. A typical reaction is severe dizziness, sometimes to the point of physical collapse. Meanwhile, the role of the product in the spread of genital herpes is currently being contested in the US courts. As a cleaning product, it's unparalleled and particularly useful in eradicating those embarrasing stains - beetroot, wine, blood - that are a giveaway that you might have had your mistress round while the wife's been at the hairdressers. Such a shame you can only use it in a fume cupboard and whilst dressed in a space suit.

Meanwhile can anyone tell me how to deploy the Sentinal Fanniwizz Plus I had delivered this morning?

You should have opened the package - the use would have been obvious. To those who have not come across one, the Sentinal Fanniwizz Plus is the brand name (don't you love some of the spelling that marketing people use?) which actually means 'Sentinel Fanny Whizz Plus'. Thus; what you have is a sporran, modified and enlarged for use by sentries in Edinburgh, which is worn under the kilt and attached to the belt front and back.

The other day I came across an object in a pawn shop catalogue which was described as a Canna Business Kit, unfortunately there was no image or description - perhaps a horticultural item? Can anyone assist?

Unless 'pushing up the Daisies' can be considered horticultural I'm afraid this most interesting piece of recent european history comes from a much different field. Italian, it originates from the southern town of Canna in the Calabria region. During the early eighties there was an EEC inititive to promote regional variety and busiess accumen. The French successfully gained 'branding' of the wine regions, and Britain 'branded' chip butties.
It was a local godfather Don Misterloni who championed the Canna Business Kit and had several crafted. The contents would vary between the business oppportunity and the secret kept within the family. During negotiatons with Brussels the beurocrats were left with the impression that he would make them an offer they could not refuse.

Unfortunately before the ruling Don Misterloni was killed by a contract killer, allegedly paid by the Sicilian godafther Don Gonnugetti. The Kit disappeared without trace, however it is strongly rumoured that the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi took along a Canna Business Kit during his meeting with German MEP Martin Schultz following the infamous Nazi concentration camp guard speech to the European Parliament.

On the staff intranet notice board there is an Ultra Low Door Spoon is it worth the £5 asking fee?