OK here are the plans for the worlds most badass mouse pad.
You need:
1. One of those 1" laptop coolers that plugs into a USB
2. A metal mesh trash can...one with smaller mesh openings.
3. superglue
4. pliers and heavy-duty shears
5. mouse pad felt material (at most fabric stores)
Do this:
Cut out the metal mesh on the trashcan and make it flat.
Measure and cut the mesh to match the shape of the laptop cooler.
Superglue the mesh onto the laptop cooler (careful not to get any in the electronics...only on the plastic.
Cut the mousepad material the same way and super glue from the back, stretching it over the surface.
Plug it in the USB port
Poof.....a awesome-looking cooled mousepad for all of us sweaty-palmed, online gamers.
Another cool variation is to skip the material over it and superglue a cut piece of thin acrylic over it with many very small holes (needs to be very VERY small to avoid any optical problems) drilled in it to allow the air to come through.
GL
I'll post a pic of mine when its done.
EDIT: A way better explination of the exact same thing....
http://inventgeek.com/projects/mousepad/Page1.aspx