Happy New Year!

Here are some quotes to think about as you begin the new year.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox
What can be said in New Year rhymes,
That's not been said a thousand times?
The new years come, the old years go,
We know we dream, we dream we know.
We rise up laughing with the light,
We lie down weeping with the night.
We hug the world until it stings,
We curse it then and sigh for wings.
We live, we love, we woo, we wed,
We wreathe our prides, we sheet our dead.
We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,
And that's the burden of a year.

Benjamin Franklin
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.

T. S. Eliot
For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.

F. M. Knowles, A Cheerful Year Book
He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool.

Aisha Elderwyn
Every new year people make resolutions to change aspects of themselves they believe are negative. A majority of people revert back to how they were before and feel like failures. This year I challenge you to a new resolution. I challenge you to just be yourself.

Results, Poll #49, Home Home.

So, who goes home for the holidays? Let's find out:

> 1 person (9%) chose 'yes, got to or i'll be disowned' - really? or are you just too scared to find out what'll happen if you don't go home?
> 7 people (63%) chose 'yep, i just always do' - i think we all would have guessed this was the majority answer, as it should be.
> 3 people (27%) chose 'nope, not this year' - it was a first for me, going home didn't seem to work out. i basically had 5 days off, with almost nothing to do and no one to see. it was different, but i have to say, not a bad different. a topical island and fruity drink would have made it very enjoyable.
> 0 people (0%) chose 'no, i usually don't' - i guess all of us have good relationships with our still alive parents. but, not the entirety of the t.c readership voted on this poll. hmmmm.

So there you have it. How we like to spend our holiday.
New poll has been up for sometime.

Quality with a capital 'Q', Part II.

I thought I would show off my new work-home. There's only a few, so you can't get the full impact of the place, but it's a good taste. If you're ever in the area, I can host visitors, depending on the day of the week, time of year, etc.

This is known as the "Hub". Not only is it a bike term, but it also accurately describes this area of the newer 2nd floor office. It has most things one might need during the day. Shown is the coffee, tea, latte bar, which also has our recycling area, small sink, and small fridge. I've already attended an after-hours beverage meeting here, hosted by a vendor. Not shown are some other areas like printer/fax area and some relaxed open meeting areas.


This is taken from the same spot as the first picture, but just to the left a bit. You can see more of the relaxed meeting areas (most of the IKEA couches are actually from SRAM). But, you can also see the use of natural light. It fills much of this (my) 2nd floor office space. It not only makes people feel better (during the loooong winter), but cuts down on lighting/energy costs too.


Finally, I would be remiss if I did not show the biggest and most lucrative part of the place, the warehouse floor. Again, this is taken from my 2nd floor office area, looking right down onto the 35ft tall shelving units. The forklifts are "guided by wire" down these long pathways, to ensure the forklift is striaght and can rise up true enough not to bang into anything (which would be bad).

HO HO HO!!!

I hope it's a white Christmas for all of you that want one... I get one no matter what. Maybe this is the year for my Red Rider BB Gun? Anyone get some coal? (No, surely not a t.c reader...)

Results, Poll #48, Pine.

Seems like a very mixed bag of results this week, but I suspect it maybe due to my shotgun approach on the writing of the responses. Ah well...

> 2 people (15%) 'yep, we had the christmas tree up for weeks' - sounds nice and cozy. make some warm nuts on the fire. "would you like my warm nuts?!"
> 4 people (30%) 'yeah, i put up a little tree for myself' - well, you did what you could, good effort. Santa will be pleased.
> 1 person (7%) 'yes, but all about kwanza' - a very multi-cultural holiday.
> 0 people (0%) 'sure, the dradle and menorah are out big time' - no mazaltoff for you then!
> 3 people (23%) 'not a holiday display, only the festivus pole' - alright smart-alecs - would one of you please photograph said pole and send me the pic? i'll not only post it but think of something extra for you too.
> 3 people (23%) 'nah, it's just lil ole me' - i hear ya, why bother? it's better to see "the real deal" at someone else's house.

13 votes up this week, new poll up NOW!
Thanks to all of your for reading in 2008. I hope the trend continues and grows in 2009.

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.