Hey neighbors,
Is anyone going to CES (Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas) in January? I'll be there...
Tell us about your holiday traditions.
Submitted by Talk is Cheap.
For many years, I was the one insisting that my family keep our Christmas Eve "campout" tradition, whilst everyone groaned at me for it. We would rent a bunch of movies, get out the board games, and hang out and eat all night. We'd sleep in sleeping bags in the living room. And in the morning we'd open all the presents while still in our pajamas. It didn't matter how old we were. I have to give credit to my family for keeping up with the tradition for so many years, despite their back pains in the morning from sleeping on the floor. Alas, eventually my sister-in-law couldn't take my dad's snoring, and so they were out, and the tradition has pretty much gone away. It was fun while it lasted, though.
Make the logo bigger!
If your Vox Neighborhood had a potluck dinner tonight, what dish, drink or dessert would you bring?
What fun that would be? I think I'd have to bring two: soup bap cua since it's my grandma's recipe, and because I've shared so much about her. I think I'd also bring a dessert, because then I could attempt to show off some culinary skills. I make a mean pie.
My Vox neighborhood party would be a hoot. Here are some other dishes I think we'd get to enjoy:
Authentic kimchee from Sangarang. Mmm, spicy! We'd stage a guacamole show-down between Steve and Dee Dee; Steve might even tickle the ivories for our entertainment.Rosie would bring her bean dip (which the honey is no longer allowed to eat -- long story) or some kind of erotic cake. Aquanetta's always good for something interesting that she picked up from the local Middle Eastern market or Ranch 99. Miso could bring Korean spare ribs. Even though ancora impara wants to bring papago chile, I would ask him to bring some roast chicken because every time he makes it it sounds so damn good and I never get to try it. I think Chris is a Martha Stewart in hiding, so she'd probably whip up something fantastic that looks almost too pretty to eat. Maybe we'd let Annie take a break from cooking, since she normally gets paid for that.
Finally, Reesie would be responsible for the food porn photos, and JsinGood could write up a review worthy of the NY Times.
It really doesn't get much better than that, folks.
Here's a visual representation of the entourage that travels with the president.
In addition to the things I was thankful for last year, here are more things I have to be thankful for this year:
- My job. I started a job in February which enables me to be creative and think strategically every day. Plus, I get to talk about and learn about nerdy stuff. w00t!
- A good and improving relationship with my family. It wasn't always great, and I feel that now, more than ever, we have the communication and respect that can drive family togetherness. I really enjoy time with my family, and I'm proud to say that I feel I know my parents as people, not just as parents.
- Some good friendships that have grown deeper in the last year or two. I moved to San Diego a few years ago, so my local friendships are fairly young. It seems as though the first year of living someplace new, friendships are sort of in "test" mode -- that is, many of them spark and die out, and a few of them end up lasting. I feel like I'm really getting deeper connections with fewer people that really mean a lot to me and see eye-to-eye.
- The honey's mom moved back from Brazil, and it's great to have her close by. She also got married, and I know that it makes my honey feel good to know that someone (besides him) is looking out for his mom and making her happy.
- Books. I enter a new world each time I read one. With most of the ones I read, I feel like a different and improved person after finishing each one, and I can't imagine not having read it.
- Wonderful and unexpected moments from friends that remind me that thoughtfulness is still alive in the world.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I've never been a fan of gift cards, but I understand the sentiment behind them... sort of. When you want to buy a gift for someone, but want something practical, well, it's nicer than giving cash. I think I've given them as housewarming presents before.
But this article is a stunner: $8 BILLION was wasted in unclaimed gift cards in 2006. That means people didn't use their gift cards, or had a few bucks left over that they tossed... all adding up to a ginourmous amount.
Here are some articles:
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2007/11/the-8-billion-s.html
http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/12/news/gift_cards/index.htm
Ouch.
I just checked out iTunes U last night, and I have to say - pretty cool! iTunes U offers hundreds of lectures and university courses from top schools. They're all FREE!
I looked for mainly marketing and business -- Stanford has a particularly good selection. But there's tons of stuff for other fields as well. They are delivered as podcasts and I think also video presentations.
When I have time one of these days, maybe I'll that econ class I never did in high school...
Anyway, free education... try it out!
Show us your favorite way to stay warm on a cold autumn day.
Submitted by Ross.
Hot apple cider +
my honey.
