Happy New Year (Almost)!

Well, it seems a shame to end 2006 with a really short post, but better a short one than no post, right? Anyone have a highlight of 2006 you'd like to mention?

Update (31-Dec-2006 22:44): Well, I'm back for a moment. I'm not sure why I'm so tired today, but I'm just down right slaphappy. Earlier, I couldn't think of “Happy New Year” and almost said “Merry Christmas” instead — and not because of my well known desire to spread out Christmas (I have been continuing to wish people “Merry Christmas”) but simply by accident. And no, I am not drinking anything stronger than coffee or water.

Incidentally, I realize I never updated the asisaid copyright to include 2006. I guess I'll jump right to 2007. Oh well, I wonder if that would affect my ability to defend my copyright if someone decided to raid all of the “valuable materials” I have on my site?

Merry Christmas (on the Second Day of Christmas)

Well, so I am late. Things have been really busy here the last few days, and it seemed like I only had enough time to read e-mail (and not even reply). But, now that I'm back, I wanted to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. I hope all of you had a good Christmas.

I'm hoping to get back into regular posting over the next few days. Perhaps I'll aim to add to the asisaid Challenge tomorrow, including a final tally regarding last week's edition. In the mean time, let me say it again “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Some of My Favorite Things: Gifts Under $100

The mad rush to shop for last minute gifts that your recipient will actually enjoy need not be a desperate mad rush, at least. I picked out five of my favorite highly giftable items – all one hundred dollars or less, in descending price order, no less – perhaps one just right for your soon to be happy giftee. So, if you need to spend a little time playing a ripe jolly old elf, read on and see what I have in my sack. Read my gift picks on Open for Business.

White Christmas

In recognition of us now being in the month of December and the fact that there is plenty of white stuff out on the lawn, I figured a little rendition of “White Christmas” would be fitting. And, with that in mind, what could be better than one that comes straight from Santa and his reindeer?

LED Lights

I'm trying out LED Christmas tree light strands this year. They are finally becoming somewhat affordable, and I have to say, I'm really impressed. They are cool to the touch, the colors are more vibrant, and they promise many, many times the number of hours one gets with regular Christmas tree lights (which doesn't surprise me, given how long LED lights last in general).

I think this year and next should be the years of LED; this is just one more stake in the heart of the incandescent light bulb.

Anyone else trying out these nifty lights?

Happy Thanksgiving

Well, I'm a little late, but I just wanted to wish y'all a very happy Thanksgiving. If you were traveling over the past few days, I hope you had a safe trip to your destination and will have a safe trip home again.

I had no less than two Turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie dinners today. I am extremely stuffed and feeling rather tired, particularly after spending some time tonight trying to refine my argument concerning divine simplicity some more.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Almost Christmas

With Halloween out of the way, I find myself longing for Christmas carols and lights and cookies and all the other wonderful things that come with the season of Christ's birth. Anyone else ready for the most wonderful time of the year?

Reformation Day and Halloween

Boy, I could go one of two ways with a post on a day such as this. In fact, I think I'll just cover both ends by linking to things.

Regarding Reformation Day, as I've said before, it is useful to see it as a reminder of what we should do today, not as a day of remembering old dirty laundry between parts of the one, catholic Church. I may not agree entirely on doctrine with my (big C) Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ, but I don't dwell on today as a way to further divide us. The division is an unfortunate part of the story of this day, and one that we are at least repairing somewhat as Protestants and Catholics continue to work together more. Today, the Reformation is a reminder that we should always be reforming our doctrine so as to avoid, to use a favorite term among my English Lit friends, “the signifier slipping from the signified.” The ever thoughtful Ed writes to that end on OFB.

For Halloween, check out this morbidly amusing video, entitled “the Life and Death of a Pumpkin.”

Happy Halloween and Happy Reformation Day!

Holiday Monday Madness

1. Which holidays (if any) do you consider more as a day off from work, than anything else?
The day after Thanksgiving, I suppose, if you count that as a part of the holiday (or if “Black Friday” is given its own holiday status). Labor Day or Memorial Day would fit too. I usually don't get Labor Day off from classes — I did, for once, today, but I did other work, so…

2. Which 3 holidays are most celebrated in your family?
Christmas, Independence Day and Easter, most likely. Sometimes Thanksgiving turns out to be a bigger “family celebration” kind of holiday, however.

3. Do you have an organized filing system at home?
Somewhat. My books are classified topically and I may move to Library of Congress classification someday, just for fun. Papers are filed in different parts of my file cabinet. Non-image documents on my computer are typically organized by date, with some types put into sub-folders. Photos are organized by iPhoto.

4. Do you clip coupons for groceries? If so, do you remember to use them? If not, why?
No — I usually just don't get to them. Aldi doesn't accept coupons either, so sometimes they just aren't relevant.

5. How many magazines do you subscribe to?
Two. eWeek and InfoWorld. I'd like to subscribe to Investor's Business Daily, however it is a bit too pricey and it is more of a newspaper anyway.

6. Do you play any computer games on a regular basis? If so, which is your favorite, and why?
No, but if I had time, I'd love to play some SimCity again someday.

7. Have you watched any movies worth recommending, lately?
What's Up Doc with Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal was really funny the other night (my uncle lent his DVD to me). The movie I've seen in the last 45 days that I'd probably recommend most highly would be Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, however.

Happy Fourth!

Well, I'm off to bed, but I just wanted to wish y'all a happy Fourth!

Hope all of you had a very nice one.