I'm doing cheap, yet classy and crafty, gifts for the holidays this year, and am stumped on just a few VIPs on my list. Anyone have any ideas for what to buy, make, or steal for the following people?
- 55+ish male, works in psychology/social science/education, loves to read
- 25ish female, also works in the psychology field, lives in a much warmer climate than WNY
- late 20s professional couple
- my grandma & grandpa, who are awesome, but their Christmas wishlist is generally just "we want all you kids to be happy, don't buy anything."
I love (e:jenks) ' Heifer international idea, but I don't think any of the above would fully appreciate it.
Kara's Journal
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11/27/2006 20:11 #25021
Holiday ideasCategory: potpourri
11/07/2006 12:49 #25020
Anyone want a microwave?Category: sale
We're in a place with a built-in microwave, and I'd like to part with my Sharp Half-Pint model (white) that has served us well for a few years. It's in good condition, is a square shape (good for dorm rooms), and holds most types of dishes and containers up to 10 inches.
Shoot me an email if you're interested. I've listed it on CL too, and am happy to deliver to a fellow (e:strip)per.
Shoot me an email if you're interested. I've listed it on CL too, and am happy to deliver to a fellow (e:strip)per.
10/30/2006 12:40 #25019
Phone recommendations?Category: tech
We're changing our (verizon) phone plan soon, and I need recommendations on a new phone. Right now we have Samsung
SCH-a670 - we're looking for something sturdy (I've run them through the washer and dryer before), good battery life, camera (but not a super-high quality), preferably compatible with a USB cord.
Any tips on dealing with verizon sales people who most assuredly will try to gouge us on fees and $$ to upgrade and to change the plan?
SCH-a670 - we're looking for something sturdy (I've run them through the washer and dryer before), good battery life, camera (but not a super-high quality), preferably compatible with a USB cord.
Any tips on dealing with verizon sales people who most assuredly will try to gouge us on fees and $$ to upgrade and to change the plan?
10/26/2006 22:02 #25018
Pills LimbaughCategory: potpourri
From youtube: 
Shame on him.
And when I see stem-cell research opponents showing as much concern for children once they are born in comparison to growing cellular tissue in a petri dish, I might have some respect for their views.
And shame on CBS for such a misleading lede on their web site, summarizing Michael J. Fox's interview on the CBS Evening News
"Fox: I was Over-Medicated in Stem Cell Ad."
I would draw anyone's attention to the fact that without his medication, at this point in the disease's progression, that man would be unable to speak.
Shame on him.
And when I see stem-cell research opponents showing as much concern for children once they are born in comparison to growing cellular tissue in a petri dish, I might have some respect for their views.
And shame on CBS for such a misleading lede on their web site, summarizing Michael J. Fox's interview on the CBS Evening News
"Fox: I was Over-Medicated in Stem Cell Ad."
I would draw anyone's attention to the fact that without his medication, at this point in the disease's progression, that man would be unable to speak.
kara - 10/27/06 12:51
(e:terry) - you asked "Should MJF's demeanor really influence our decision on the facts of the situation?"
I say absolutely. Not everyone has had someone in their family or circle of friends with a progressive, debilitating and ultimately terminal disease.
If it takes a celebrity getting on TV and demonstrating the severity of his condition to a wider audience, it's still a fact, and should absolutely be considered when we elect politicians who will make decisions on stem cell research.
(e:terry) - you asked "Should MJF's demeanor really influence our decision on the facts of the situation?"
I say absolutely. Not everyone has had someone in their family or circle of friends with a progressive, debilitating and ultimately terminal disease.
If it takes a celebrity getting on TV and demonstrating the severity of his condition to a wider audience, it's still a fact, and should absolutely be considered when we elect politicians who will make decisions on stem cell research.
ajay - 10/27/06 10:17
I didn't see the GooTube segment, but I can only laugh when Rush, of all the people, criticizes anybody. That crackhead lardass is a lesser man than the dirt on MJF's shoes.
I didn't see the GooTube segment, but I can only laugh when Rush, of all the people, criticizes anybody. That crackhead lardass is a lesser man than the dirt on MJF's shoes.
terry - 10/26/06 23:25
We actually saw the Katie Couric show tomight with the MJF interview. The gist, imho, was that he takes medication which helps him not to shake (among, I'm sure, other things). The medication's effects depend upon the amount in his system and varies according to many factors (ie: how long since the lsat time, how long since the last meal, how much stress, how much exercise). To say that his reactions were a parody of his own disease is so ridiculous. First of all, he's not pretending, he has the disease. Secondly, Rush would complain no matter how he acted: not enough gitters, he looks fine to me, too many gitters: the current reaction, it's an act. Lastly, it's such an obvious tactic to use a person's obvous imperfection instead of responding to the words they are speaking. Should MJF's demeanor really influence our decision on the facts of the situation?
We actually saw the Katie Couric show tomight with the MJF interview. The gist, imho, was that he takes medication which helps him not to shake (among, I'm sure, other things). The medication's effects depend upon the amount in his system and varies according to many factors (ie: how long since the lsat time, how long since the last meal, how much stress, how much exercise). To say that his reactions were a parody of his own disease is so ridiculous. First of all, he's not pretending, he has the disease. Secondly, Rush would complain no matter how he acted: not enough gitters, he looks fine to me, too many gitters: the current reaction, it's an act. Lastly, it's such an obvious tactic to use a person's obvous imperfection instead of responding to the words they are speaking. Should MJF's demeanor really influence our decision on the facts of the situation?
10/14/2006 15:28 #25017
Damage ControlCategory: potpourri
Although, for the foreseeable future, I'm now a few miles removed from the damage that Buffalo's received, I've started a list of essential items that are should be packed away for situations just like this.
(a dented car roof/car door and spoiled food in the fridge will, hopefully, be the extent of our damage).
- candles, matches and a lighter. Duh. When it's dark, you need to be able to see what you're doing. Flashlights (a super-heavy duty one, a headlamp that runs on rechargeable batteries, and one of those "shakeable" flashlights that runs on a magnet are also in our light arsenal.)
- an inverter for the car. When I had to go out to update the college home page in the dark, and in 12 inches of snow, it was convenient, relatively, to drag a surge protector and my 'puter to have the car with the inverter at my disposal. It's absolutely vital for charging cell phones and rechargeable batteries, too.
- cell phones and chargers. I'd never seen the inside of a telephone wire outside of a textbook before yesterday.
- notepad and pen. Good for taking down info, making lists of things to buy, and doodling while wasting away the cold, dark hours. I have a moleskine. Keeping the emergency numbers for local police, NiMo and the gas company are also a good idea.
- Radio. While you can go for the kind that runs on batteries, we prefer the kind that you windup/crank, with a battery option.
- Camera - disposable or one w/ recharge batteries. Great for taking pictures of incredible snow drifts or damage to your car/house.
- shovels. I was saddened to see so many people trying to dig out their cars with brooms and dustpans. People: those don't work nearly as well as small garbage cans and large tupperware containers. This weekend we invested in a complete car emergency kit ($20 at wallyworld) that includes a collapsable shovel.
- clean water for drinking and washing, plus water for pets. I filled up a bunch of jugs with water as soon as the power went out.
- snacks. Chips and salsa are good, as are granola bars, pb&j sandwiches, canned fruit, applesauce, crackers, s'mores (substitute marshmellow fluff for the marshmellow). If you have access to a grill, propane or otherwise (use it outside, people!), cook up your soon-to-be-spoiled meat, heat water for some rice or ramen, or just hope there's a pizza place within walking distance that's open. (Just pizza on Main had power as of yesterday afternoon).
- an alternative place to crash. Enough said.
(a dented car roof/car door and spoiled food in the fridge will, hopefully, be the extent of our damage).
- candles, matches and a lighter. Duh. When it's dark, you need to be able to see what you're doing. Flashlights (a super-heavy duty one, a headlamp that runs on rechargeable batteries, and one of those "shakeable" flashlights that runs on a magnet are also in our light arsenal.)
- an inverter for the car. When I had to go out to update the college home page in the dark, and in 12 inches of snow, it was convenient, relatively, to drag a surge protector and my 'puter to have the car with the inverter at my disposal. It's absolutely vital for charging cell phones and rechargeable batteries, too.
- cell phones and chargers. I'd never seen the inside of a telephone wire outside of a textbook before yesterday.
- notepad and pen. Good for taking down info, making lists of things to buy, and doodling while wasting away the cold, dark hours. I have a moleskine. Keeping the emergency numbers for local police, NiMo and the gas company are also a good idea.
- Radio. While you can go for the kind that runs on batteries, we prefer the kind that you windup/crank, with a battery option.
- Camera - disposable or one w/ recharge batteries. Great for taking pictures of incredible snow drifts or damage to your car/house.
- shovels. I was saddened to see so many people trying to dig out their cars with brooms and dustpans. People: those don't work nearly as well as small garbage cans and large tupperware containers. This weekend we invested in a complete car emergency kit ($20 at wallyworld) that includes a collapsable shovel.
- clean water for drinking and washing, plus water for pets. I filled up a bunch of jugs with water as soon as the power went out.
- snacks. Chips and salsa are good, as are granola bars, pb&j sandwiches, canned fruit, applesauce, crackers, s'mores (substitute marshmellow fluff for the marshmellow). If you have access to a grill, propane or otherwise (use it outside, people!), cook up your soon-to-be-spoiled meat, heat water for some rice or ramen, or just hope there's a pizza place within walking distance that's open. (Just pizza on Main had power as of yesterday afternoon).
- an alternative place to crash. Enough said.
I think book or coffee certificates work well for many people as gifts. Maybe for your grandparents you could frame them a photo of your family? Or put together some kind of scrapbook of your memories with them? I'm always stumped what to give my grandparents, too.