10 Things I Want For Xmas

1. Beer Cooler Scooter--about $500. Because I would get a lot of attention from thirsty men!

http://www.i4u.com/16782/must-have-beer-cooler-scooter

2. A Sphynx (hairless) cat. Because my daughter's allergic to the kind with hair. These kind of cats are said to be great snugglers and very intelligent/curious. And, by the way, they're not totally hairless. They're covered with vellus hair.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphynx_(cat)

3. A Nano. It's inexpensive and it gets excellent gas milege. Only sold in India, sadly.

http://tatanano.inservices.tatamotors.com/tatamotors/

4. Fake university diploma: did you even know they sold these? I would put this one up in the living room, put on my Harvard sweatshirt, and intelligently answer questions about my alma mater while offering cocktails at my holiday party.

http://www.phonydiploma.com/US-College-University-Fake-Diploma.aspx

5. A set of dishes so I can make and serve my own thalis (Indian meals)

http://www.kitchensofindia.com/utensils/utensils_thali.htm

6. An around the world airline ticket. As low as $1,299! So I can learn how to make my own thali meals.

SF or LA > Hong Kong > Bangkok > India > Europe > NY > SF or LA - $1,299
Airlines: Cathay Pacific / China / Air India / United / Jet Blue etc.
Surcharges: Leaving US during 6/1 - 9/5= +$169 or 12/6 - 1/5 = +$396; depart London 6/1 - 9/30= +$228 or 12/14 - 1/4 = +$299

7. Bose Quiet Comfort Noise Cancelling Headphones: So I can endure the round-the-world trip.

http://www.seatguru.com/articles/noise-canceling_review.php

8. An indoor electric faux fireplace: cuz I can't have a real one.

http://www.myfavoritethings.tv/gifts/furniture/electric_fireplaces/marble_electric_fireplaces/marble_electric_fireplaces3.shtml

9.A set of Blik easy-on, easy-of stickers for the walls.

http://www.whatisblik.com/shop/explore?topseller=26&designer=162

10. Reserve A Spot in Heaven: Only $12.79 for eternal life? What a deal!

http://www.reserveaspotinheaven.com/

Donut Stories

1. My friend Karen(in her 30s but from a small town) had never been to a donut shop before a couple of weeks ago. After our book group, a friend and I took her over to Voodoo Donuts. We all agreed her donut-shop devirginization received an A+. Not only did she get a couple of good donuts--maple bar with bacon was one--but a punk looking 20-something woman told us at the door that we were 86d and couldn't go in. We thought she was talking to us, but she was talking to a woman who was trying to mix in with our group so she wouldn't be caught going in. She wanted a straw or a spoon or something. I asked the employee what you had to do to get bounced from a donut shop and she said she came in earlier to hide from the cops that were after her. Other great things about V. Donuts are their revolving donut case and that they rent the place out for weddings. Also, I don't normally like donuts, but I loved their jelly-filled vanilla frosted.

2. When I was pregnant with LeeAnn, Gordon (the dad) and I lived apart for the first few months--I mean different states. Once he overnight Fed-Exed me a few applesauce donuts (perfect when you're not feeling well) from a bakery he knew I liked. The cost of the shipping came to several times the amount of the donuts, I'm sure. It was a nice gesture but one that should have warned me he had spending problems.

3. The best donuts on earth are at the Daily Dozen at the Pike Place Market in Seattle. They make these little donuts right there, I mean, right in front of your eyes. The donuts come out of these machine all fried and hot. Long lines in the summer but well worth is. Eat 'em fresh or don't eat 'em at all. My fave is the powdered.

How to Beat the Winter Blues

I've had the winter blues for as long as I can remember. This year, in addition to the usual coping mechanisms, I bought a 10,000 lux therapy light. It's by "Nature Bright" and it seems to be doing the job, so far. I place it on my side table and leave it on for 30 minutes in the morning. The light reflects off the book I'm reading and I also receive light via peripheral vision. Closing your eyes won't work, the product manual states, as you need the light to touch your eyes. Staring at the light also won't work as these are some bright lights that will have you dizzy if you look straight at them for more than a few seconds.

Other coping mechanisms are tried and true. Going on walks outside, no matter that the sun isn't out, helps me keep my energy up. Fun activities with friends also helps to boost my spirits; this year I'm scheduling regular "Crafting Gals" meetings and taking advantage of all the free and cheap activities around town. In the past, when I've had a regular income, I've taken vacations to southern places. That seems to help the best of all. My ideal life would include sunny autumns and winters in Mexico, then spring/summer in the Pacific Northwest.

Then there are the days when I give myself over to hibernation for a day or two. My soft comforter, a book, lots of sleep, a couple of cats. Sometimes the winter blues are just too hard to fight.

Unusual Typography

I love typography. I've been online lately searching for typography for MECCA's websites and branding. Here are some of my favorites, though not for the website. Check out this link for letters made from Google Earth images http://www.graphic-design.com/typography/fonts/delicious-typography-discoveries

For the website, I'm thinking sans serif and homemade looking, yet not decorative. Has to be super easy to read. Maybe this one:

http://www.typographyserved.com/?page=6

Where Have You Been? Where Do You Want to Go?

I sometimes think about places I'd like to explore. Especially during Oregon's long winters, it helps me cope to have adventures in my mind. Really, there are too many places to list here, so instead I'll talk about some unusual vacation options for those who have the time and the money!

1. Quebec's Ice Hotel: Pay a lot of money to sleep on a bed made of ice! Use a toilet made of ice! Pay a lot of money to be very cold! But it looks beautful--all that ice.

2. For $200,000 per person, SpaceShipTwo (built by Scaled Composites in Mojave, California) will carry just six passengers in reclining seats for the 2.5-hour flight to the edge of Earth (about 60,000 feet). There they can gaze at the curvature of the Earth and the cosmos above.

3. Dubai: Mystery Island, the still-secret site will spread over 225 acres and comprise 24 underwater suites, each submerged in 40 feet of water. The facility will also include a revolving restaurant and bar, a spa, and 27 over-water bungalows with see-through floors. The price: $15,000 per person for seven days, which includes two nights in a beach villa, two nights in an over-water bungalow and two nights in an underwater suite.

4. Out 'n' About Treehouse Resort: Ah, one my daughter has actually been to (well, just to use the ziplines) & that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Located in Siskyou National Forest, close to Cave Junction. You can actually stay there--for family of 4--for about $200 per night! According to the website: There is an inherent risk associated visiting a total of 18 different treehouses and a host of platforms (a few almost 40+ feet up the tree), a few child size forts, seven swinging bridges (8' to 32' off the ground and 12' to 90' long), five swings plus the Giant Tarzan, 20 flights of stairs, four ladders and an unbeatable collection of zipline courses with over a mile of TreehouseZiplines.

Now, not to be outdone by lack of time and money, I will list 4 "out-of-the-box" things I could do in Eugene area really cheap!

1. Visit the Whiteaker Neighborhood with my camera and record a photo journey. Lots of creativity in this neighborhood. Have a late breakfast at Brown Betty's Cafe.

2. Hop a freight train at the train yard, get off in the Glenwood area, visit BRING recycling, then take the EmEx back downtown.

3. Go on a mural hunt: track down just how many murals this town has!

4. Bike to Springfield from Eugene, along the river. Explore Spgld's new and improved downtown area. Eat at the new Mom's Place Soul Food Restaurant.

Don't worry friends, I probably won't do the hop the frieght train one, although I am curious!

Life Too Safe? Looking for a New Career?

http://www.stuntschool.com/

The International Stunt School in Seattle offers a three-week training course for those who want to learn the following:

PRECISION DRIVING	FIRE BURNS	WIRE WORK
WEAPONRY	AIR RAM	MARTIAL ARTS
UNARMED COMBAT	RATCHET	SPECIAL EFFECTS
FOOT FALLS	STAIR FALLS	HIGH FALLS
HARNESS WORK	MINI TRAMP	RAPPELLING

Fun Stuff from a 1953 Cookbook

The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Given

I swear, if you want to know what life is about during any given era, just open up a cookbook!
The introduction to this one says, "Mrs. Homemaker, this book is written for you...in full appreciation of your problems of running a house." The Meal Planner's Creed includes: "My family's enjoyment of food is my responsibility; the health of my family is in my care; my family's health, security, and pleasure depend on my skill in planning meals." Remember, this was in the Eisenhower era, when women had a taste of the work world during the war but were strongly encouraged to go back to their "domestic sphere" and let the men have the jobs.

In the Candy section, Given writes that candy can be good for children as long as it doesn't interfere with them eating their regular meals, but she says to the women, "as for yourself, Mother--just take a good look in the mirror and make your own decision!" I only agree with the make your own decision part.

Check out the recipes: Under sandwiches (more commentary by the author, "Take women's funny hats and fussy party sandwiches out of the world and what would men have to laugh about?") there's bacon and peanut butter sandwiches, ham and banana sandwiches, and broiled sardine sandwiches. I'm gonna base on the broiled sardine sandwich, thanks much.

The soup section isn't bad--lentil, navy bean, onion, corn chowder, clam chowder, etc.--as is the dessert section--Dutch Apple Cake, Brown Petty, Old Fashioned Rice Pudding.

I love cookbooks and this one is fun to read both for its recipes and for the commentary by the author.