Gift Idea, #6.

I've heard on TV that the most popular gift this year is giving (i.e. charitable donations). And with everyone not doing so well due to the economy, this idea is even more dire for people that already can't afford things.

I've cut & pasted some ideas for anyone on your list. Surely they won't get bent out of shape if you feel good and they feel good, plus no returns!

> St. Jude Childrens' Hospital - no kid's ever turned away - https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/express-donation.do?fnl=don_sin
> Chicago's Childrens' Memorial - you might know someone that was helped here, I do - https://secure.childrensmemorial.org/friends/foundation/donations.asp
> Chicago Food Bank - food helps alot - http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/site/PageServer?pagename=diff_donate_tribmem
> Gary Sinise said to help the Troops - he's serious and a Chicagoan - https://www.fightforthetroops.com/donate.asp
> A bike related donation that can help people all over the world - http://www.kintera.org/site/c.nsIXJ4PJKtF/b.4742827/

Finally, I'm guessing these can be done "instantly" and cover up for someone you might have forgotten about. You know, write something in the card...

Discuss, Poll #48, Pine.

I wanted to see how many of us put up the ole Christmas tree (or what-not). Knowing many of the t.c readership considers itself "religious", this should be pretty high, right?

If you have a funny or cheery tree story or tradition, please post it here. You never know, it could brighten the season for someone else... or start your tradition in someone else's home.

Don't be a Grinch.

Results, Poll #47, Moving.

Finally, a good unsecured internet connection and some spare time to post:

> 4 people (26%) chose '0-5' - What!?!?! A max of 5 moves... did you go to home school through college!?!
> 2 people (13%) chose '6-10' - Still pretty low, but maybe you got out of the house before you were 30?
> 5 people (33%) chose '11-15' - Here's our majority winner. Seems like a pretty reasonable number, esp if college years are counted.
> 2 people (13%) chose '16-20' - This is getting up there, depending on your age. Not fun, not fun at all.
> 1 person (6%) chose '21-25' - It's been a bit since I voted, but I'm pretty sure this is myself. I believe I've moved, on average, once a year since I started college. I'm hoping this last move will go for more than one year, knock on wood.
> 1 person (6%) chose '26+' - I think I know who this is, but golly... that's alot of moves.

New seasonal poll up now.

Gift Idea, #5.

WHAT!?! You didn't get anything for the special woman in your life yet!?! You better take this suggestion and run with it then... your penance will be the fact that this can only be had in time for Christmas by making a trip to one of their retail boutiques in Chicago or New York (that is of course if it's still in stock).

Please locate the store near you via Bernardaud's website. Get in your car, drive the two hours+ during rush hour, and upon entry, ask the first associate you see for the Porcelain disk bracelet on cord, $105 each. It's a small price to pay to avoid her dreaded stink-eye come Christmas morning, with nothing under the tree for the girl that puts up with you.

New apartment = new levels of gross.

For the first few nights in the new place, I noticed a cigarette-type smell, but only in the evening. It started to irritate my eyes and gave me a headache one night. So, I thought I might have to clean some more things... what was left though? The radiators. Once I got down to their level, it was clear this maybe the problem. Not only did I confirm some former tenant was a smoker (found some old wrapper), but also that one or more former tenants had cats.

I spent over an hour vacuuming 3 different radiators, one about 4 feet long. I had to change the vacuum bag mid-job after sucking up tons of cat hair (that had also recently been painted over... least they painted, right?). I also found a bunch of stuff in and behind said radiators. Here's what it amounted to:

This pile o' life elicits a few comments from me:
- ooh, what a nice votive holder!
- how did you burn incense without the little tray!?!
- Miller and PBR bottle tops, fine by me.
- why two hair coloring brushes? (if that's what they are?) if you dropped one down the back of the radiator (in the living room), why would you then at some point drop another?
- the peace sign was literally stuck to the wall behind the big radiator. I don't want to know how or why. Peace.

As a corollary, I still hate cats. This maybe a bit much (though I just vacuumed up a cats worth of hair), but I think that cat owners are much lazier, by and large, than dog owners. They can let their cat do what he/she wants all life long and never clean up after it (oh sure, when the litter box knocks out company, time to empty). At least you have to commit to letting a dog outside everyday (and hopefully cleaning up after it). To be fair, I know lazy dog owners too.

[final note - as of this writing, I still have not confirmed that the irritant was the radiators, but I have my fingers crossed.]

Glenview dressed in lights.

Just took a few shots one night before I left town. Those of you that know Funview may recognize the spots, the rest of you, eat your heart out! (?)

Gift Idea, #4.

Looking for an enviro-friendly gift for the granola-eater or tree-hugger in your life?


Peep no further than the Keen Marshall Wallet (I'd say this is a unisex gift, possibly). It is made out of 100% reclaimed rice paper. And for the month of December, all proceeds of this product will go to a worthy cause. Not only that, but it's only $10, so you're not taking all the money out of your wallet to get this one. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I would argue that this product hits the green aesthetic & looks categories easily.

If this isn't feminine enough for your secret-Santa recipient, Keen also makes some rice paper bags with a decidedly more female slant.