Shopping II

We have a lot of these boxes from a business associate who buys glass vases. A good way to ensure your packages are handled with care, or maybe not as a video of a FedEx delivery man throwing a computer monitor over a fence on his deliver has hit the Internet. Any way we finished our shopping for the nieces and nephews last night and will finish all the deliveries today.

I was a bit surprised how empty the mall was last night. Maybe we will visit the mall Saturday even if our shopping is complete, just to contribute to the mass hysteria. I still haven’t bought Misao’s gift[s]. We got down to Chicago for a True Family Values Banquet Saturday. I told Misao maybe we’ll come down to Chicago for Christmas shopping next year, …if we’re rich. They had a beautiful tree at the Hilton Chicago.

Missed the last monthly Metro Mountain Bikers meeting. Had to visit my parents before they left on a trip and Misao had the car busy all the daytime hours. Then my mom kept us in conversation until 8:00pm. I had completely forgotten it was the big meeting at Ray’s. I would have gone to the wrong place. With the snow, actually gone now, Ray’s should be getting busy. Some say they don’t miss the snow and don’t know why people are anxious for the snow to arrive. Well, the Christmas lights look brighter as do the nights and day, and when the days are so short I think it helps lift the spirit. But I guess some people are just lazy and don’t want to shovel. We took this picture in the morning and I  was surprised the snow hadn’t all melted off the walk by the time we got home that evening.

After watching the Tacx video linked on my previous post, Misao wants one of their trainers too. A bit out of our price range this year. Maybe I’ll get a new helmet for Christmas. Have been back to the gym and am easing my way back into a training routine. I really need to get in shape. Then maybe I could go on a ride like this guy for a worthy cause. Getting in shape and dropping fifty pounds are the number one and two fitness goals. I will decide how many WORS races I am going to shoot for next year after the snow melts.

I have been shopping around for an e-reader. The Nook and Kindle are the affordable varieties. the e-ink screens are their strongest selling point I believe. You can get a good model for $99, or $79 if you want something a bit more basic. Of course you can spend more. Tablets are the most expensive option but they are back lit. If I work on the computer with the traditional back lit screen too long my vision goes blurry, so I think the e-ink screens are a really important development in our tech oriented world. Don’t think I will get one for Christmas but if you, any of my readers get a Kindle my books are available for $0.99. The second edition of “Chuck Hammer and the Invisible Squadron” is available and appropriate for young adults and older. And if you are giving a kindle why not preload it with my books.

The shopping for a new roof is complete and installed. A beautiful roof and new gutters by a very exceptional company that did a great job. A couple of roofers with ties to the neighborhood wouldn’t even give us a quote. Of course there are other ways to say we don’t want your business ( like Ben’s Cycle and fitness has made clear). That is to give a quote that is three times higher than it should be like another contractor. New Years resolution; No more mister nice guy here!

Merry Christmas! and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.