Sign O' The Times: Men's Health magazine just published its December issue, complete with its "Tech Guide 2005," which features "The 100 Best New Products for Men." What makes the list significant is that along the MP3 players, the power tools and all manner of digital cameras and big-screen TVs, the list includes not less than four -- four -- vacuum cleaners.

Let me say that again: the manly magazine whose December cover promises you can "Beat Fat for Good" and "Drive Her Wild Tonight" has decided that four of the best new products for men are vacuum cleaners. (Also worth an exclamation point: they throw a dishwasher in there, too. Now I'm not surprised they included a $135 toaster over, but a dishwasher? Wow.) (No strollers in there, though. Sorry, Greg.)

So, manufacturer and advertising companies, let's be clear: you may officially market household products to men. Men's Health says it's OK. We have entered the 21st century. Now if only we could do something about those bumbling dad ads.

(I know you're curious as hell, so here they are: The Alessi SG67 Stainless Steel Vacuum Cleaner (#87), the Dyson DC-11 Vacuum (#72), the Electrolux Trilobite (#64, a robo-vac), Thermodor HD dishwasher (#44), the Karcher RC3000 (#23, another robo-vac). For comparison's sake, the venerable iPod came in at #78.)