My Holiday Wishlist

Okay, yes I am a dork, but I am ecstatic about all the cool things out there for the holidays. This is what I want. I know I will end up with treats for my dog, but a girl can dream, right?


First up: this awesome Bluetooth

Retro Phone Handset

and ThinkGeeks definition?:

Yeah, we know all about those bluetooth headsets for cell phones, but forget that stuff! We have here the latest development in cell phone technology and it's a big hunk of beautiful plastic. An accessory for your phone that you can really grab onto. Something with heft and that good-old-American solid construction feel - like a 1972 Cadillac. The Retro Phone Handset is a new production replica of the Western Electric 500-series model, which was the classic phone handset for several decades. It's been slightly modified to work with the headset jack of most cell phones (or via a "hands free" adapter kit, sold elsewhere). Just plug-in and dial - or for added effect, put your cell phone in your pants pocket - then it looks like you're talking on a phone connected to... well, who knows?   

Cool. Next is the video series I am dying to see: . I'm greedy and want the Book/ DVD combo.


Great Migrations


Along the lines of great videos, I also want Life. It was awesome.




 
 
On to my geeky side, I also need this book to add to my zOmBiE book collection
The Proper Care and Feeding of Zombies: A Completely Scientific Guide to the Lives of the Undead and I want it badly. Funny.




What weird and interesting products do you want this season or whenever? Add links in the comments!

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Gift Search Help Needed

A certain person I know that may be related to me (hehehe) is graduating with her B.S. soon. This person is also incredibly difficult (or other stronger synonyms) to shop for. Since I live so far away, it is easier for me to shop online and ship direct to her so I need your help. I was browsing some of my favorite sites and this is all I could come up with. Lame. I know.

So the first thing I though was I should get her something no one else would ever get her, so I found this...



It's a clock run on water. Yes, you heard right. Water. You pour water in the back and it works. I found it at ThinkGeek.com and am really tempted to buy one. Or 5. Whatever. It's really cool AND really unique. What's NOT to like?


Okay, but thinking more like her and less like me brings me to a book I found called Entertaining Simple. It is a book about, well, how to entertain people simply. It has recipes, games, and all sorts of ideas for various get-togethers. That seems to be more her speed, but I still like the clock.


Another item I really liked are these Recycled Asian Tote Bags. They are functional, recycled, stylish, and I think she might hate them though. I don't know if she likes color. Her house is just beige.


Another thing I thought of, please don't laugh, is to get her 11 hrs of hi jinks with Stacey and Clinton. Yes, them. She is a bit of a fashionista, and let's be honest, even my husband watches What NOT to Wear. Next proposed gift:

What Not To Wear: Best Of DVD Set. Come on... I'm trying here.

Last thing I could think of was a cookbook. I know I already mentioned one book with recipes. This is actually a cookbook though.



The person I am shopping for is really into the whole "organic" thing even though I think that the term organic is a marketing ploy. I know plenty of farmers who use really amazing farming practices but aren't certified organic because they DON'T use manure. Whatever. This is a topic for another Debate! I wonder what happened to those anyway? HAHA. Anyway, prejudice aside, she likes organic things so this cookbook might make her happy.

That's all I got. Vote or give me some ideas please!

Online Surveys & Market Research

Oh yeah, some of the links, not all, are affiliates (mostly because I ACTUALLY shop there) so I get like 3 cents if you buy. Just so you know. I don't like hiding things from you guys! But I really need your help, so vote.

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Black Friday

Today is a very scary day for me. I am not into malls or retail stores. The way people act today is scary! In the spirit of Black Friday, I am making a list. First... a non-sciencey lesson on the origins of this day.

Credit is given to Macy's for the official kick off day for Christmas season shopping for advertising so heavily the day of their famous parade. The term itself was supposedly not used until the sixties when people commented on the amount of traffic that day. Stores in recent years have perpetuated the Black Friday Myth by feeding our need to feel like we are really saving money by offering ridiculous sales at the wee hours of the morning on this day. It is not really the busiest shopping day of the year, but close. Usually, the busiest day is the Saturday before Christmas.

Now, for those of you that still feel you have to buy something, but hate lines, traffic, coughing people, whatever, there is always internet shopping! I like this way. I can just ship it to who I want without waiting in line at the Post Office and I can shop in my pajamas! Now to take it one step further, I am not going to list off where else you can get the sausage and cheese gift pack (yeek) but instead, give you a list of things people can use or feel smart using. Consider this your guide to shopping for geeks.

For the Internet Junkie:

ThinkGeek has this brilliant Wi-Fi detector shirt. Yes, you read correctly. The shirt itself is a Wi-Fi detector so you can set up your laptop wherever your shirt lights up! I think this is handy and hilarious. What a statement!


For the Dinosaur Lover:
Now I know I am not the only one who has a ton of weird magnets. At least these I can learn from! These Magnetic Dinos are from the National Geographic Store and are great for people of all ages. On the fridge, file cabinet, in a locker, see? Quite useful and educational! :oD


For the Genius-to-Be:

Buy toys safely during the holidays...WonderBrains' Toy Safety Guide is full of information on how to find safe toys for all kids. The site also has articles about the usefulness of educational toys in toddler and child development and has a plethora of great toys like this amazing butterfly pavilion. Now you KNOW I wish I had one of these as a kid! They send you painted lady caterpillars and food and a release cage with information about the whole process. So what if it's for kids, I want one anyway! But don't worry, if you're not into science, they also have toys for reading, social studies, math and more. I don't have any kids, but I think I may make a wish list off this site anyway. They have a glowing ant farm!

Another great site with lots of smart kids' stuff is Educational Toys Planet. They are a little more well known and have lots of age groups and topics to choose from. They are very well known for their brilliant educational games.


For the 007 Geek:

Yes yes, I have recently been converted into a James Bond Geek. I have seen a few Bond movies in the past, but always left agitated. The last two, however... well. Daniel Craig is a great Bond. He isn't pretty, but he is convincing! Yes, I just recently saw Quantum of Solace and while there are still Bond-isms, cheesy quips, and a seemingly sexist bent, there is a good heroin and Judi Dench is just a fantastic M. Okay.... okay. Enough of that, where was I going? Ah, yes, for the 007 or all things espionage geek. This is a perfect and novel gift for the person who is a Clancy addict, has seen all the Bourne movies a millions times (wasn't Joan Allen superb as Pamela Landy?) and thinks that Ian Flemming is a near deity. I present this really awesome spy kit from the Discovery Channel Store. Drool. You know you want to. It has an earpiece light so you can see hands free, a sound amplifier, a utility belt, a motion sensor, and a special pen to write secret messages! :D



Okay, I know I am leaving a lot of geeks out today, but maybe more updates later. Even virtual shopping wears me out. I really am a horrible consumer. I would NEVER last in a real mall! haha. I hope this helps with some of your geeky shopping or at least gives you some ideas of what to look for.

Remember, if you have questions about science, have an idea for a topic or debate, or anything else you see on this site, email me at moya.marizela [at] gmail [dot] com.

Happy Black Friday!

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Discovery Store Loves YOU!

I have been lucky enough to be asked to pass this information along to my readers. I usually avoid doing promotions in my posts, but since the holidays are quickly encroaching on my calendar time and probably yours, I figured I would share. The Discovery Store has a special going on for the next 5 days only- until November 25th- for readers of this site. You get an extra 25% off and free shipping on orders over $75. Just enter the code FANDF8.

This makes me happy! I love the Discovery Store. I used to spend hours in there as a kid wishing I could buy it all. I think the only thing I actually got there as a kid (defintitely more as an adult) was some book on how to juggle, so worth it! I still have my juggling balls!

They have educational toys (and NO it doesn't mean boring), electronics, eco-friendly (like a cute little paper recycling kit), books, DVDs of all the great programming on the Discovery Channel and more. The Discovery Store is the place to get anything for the gadget lover/smarty pants/scientist/geek/genius in the making in your family. Just click the little red banner above to get to the site. The code and discounts only work if you click through the little banner. Well, that's what they told me anyway... :D

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