Sure, it's a small thing, but it got me thinking about gizmos that can make life's little annoyances disappear. Some are innovative; others aren't particularly sexy or expensive.

For instance, there's Flexity LLC's PowerSquid surge protector, which it claims to be "the power strip evolved." As the name implies, the PowerSquid consists of six three-prong outlet "tentacles" sprouting from a stylish "body" that contains the circuitry.

Flexity bills this "cephalopod design" as a cure for the waste caused by blocked outlets on traditional power strips. For about US$15, you can buy a basic PowerSquid cord, but a new crop with surge protection is slated to start shipping next month.

The top model, the Surge 3000 Calamari Edition ($79.95), features a 15-amp circuit breaker, phone line and coaxial cable protection, Purestream EMI/RFI noise filtering aimed at reducing electromagnetic interference, and Ultra-MOV technology with a rating of 3,240 joules.

It's also got an 8-foot-long power cord, keyhole mounting slots, a wall plug that swivels 360 degrees and an audible alarm. Two of its six tentacle outlets glow a cool blue that should make them easier to find under your desk.