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I lost my cell phone in Mexico (and it was used by some stranger for a week).

My computer crashed Thursday - the hard drive broke while listening to iTunes. Back it up, kids.

My car wouldn’t start when I was out of town for the 4th.

What is going on? Did I piss off the technology gods?

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You know those people going through passenger security at the airport who complain when they have to take their shoes off? Or the people who piss and moan when they get something taken away? I always say to myself, “oh, just shut up and go through the metal detector, those people are just doing their job, there’s nothing you can do about it, why draw attention to yourself?” and so on.

I made it through security easily at O’Hare on my way to Mexico. Not even as much as a pause or a bag check from the security folks. Since it wasn’t a problem, I didn’t think twice about bringing my knitting on the plane on the way BACK to the U.S. I mean, they’re sock needles. Circular sock needles, even. Smaller than a pen! Not those big long pointy sticks.

Stupid me. I got the “No Pass.” Huh? He searches my bag and takes out the sock on the needles and says “No Pass.” For some reason I cannot explain, I got angry. I said “But it’s the same size as a pen! I was able to take them to Mexico just fine!” You get the idea. “No Pass.” I should have asked for his supervisor! Do they take pens from people??? And stupid me had a second circular needle still in the package in the bag. Took that too. He even tried to take my plastic stitch holder and that’s when I got really angry. Luckily he showed that one to his friend and he nodded that was ok. ??????? *deep breath* I don’t understand why it made me so upset that he took $10 worth of Knit Picks knitting needles. Principle! Principle I tell you!

It gets me all riled up just thinking about it. Once I even brought the TSA announcement with me to the airport that says knitting needles are ok to take on the plane. I guess I got complacent.

I still haven’t bought replacement needles.

I’m still sulking (it’s been three weeks since I’ve even looked at it). The first time I’ve picked up knitting in months and I’m foiled!

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Some make cookies, but I like to make my own holiday cards. In past years, I’ve even cut the paper! This year, Paper Source made it easy! I bought 2 packs of 20 green folded cards, one pack of 20 blue folded cards, a bunch of off-white flat cards, and matching envelopes. If you haven’t seen the rainbow of colors that Paper Source offers, you are really missing out. We even used Paper Source envelopes for our wedding invitations and thank-you cards. I just really wish they used recycled paper.

I think this year’s rubber stamps were made by Hero Arts. There is a stamp store in Galena, IL called Ink & Stamp with Sue that I love to visit. I went there in September this year and picked out my stamps for the holidays.

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October 8th was our two-year anniversary!

And we’ve been together for 7 years. OK, 8 if you count that year in high school.

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(view photo on Flickr to see notes)

Go! (not going to forget boots this time).
Ok now I have to go pick up the rented snowshoes!

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I went for a massage yesterday to enhance the circulation. I don’t know if that actually occurs, but it’s worth a try. If I’m convinced, that’s all that matters, right? It included a foot treatment that involved wrapping warm towels around my feet. She also used a warm neck pillow and peppermint oil (my favorite), hooray! Spafinder gift certificates are the *best* way to use those credit card points!!

I made banana bread:

Makes a tasty breakfast treat when traveling. From New Best Recipe by Cook’s Illustrated, but I used 1/2 wheat flour, added more bananas, added cinnamon.

I washed the raingear to renew water repellency and remove stink (enough stink is involved with backpacking, it is good to remove all traces before the start).

Possibly maybe I went a bit overboard with the toe-warmers:

Especially the full-foot ones. Considering I do have down booties this time. I wanted to see what they were like, though! My brain kept saying “just one more pair.” I think there are more hiding somewhere that I couldn’t find…

Tonight? I shop for moleskin and hot cocoa. Then, I pack.

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If you haven’t watched the special features on the Rent bonus disc, you must. I liked the documentary even more than the movie itself. I had no idea the writer of the music and lyrics, Jonathan Larson, died just hours before the musical debuted. His story moved me. I thought today would be an appropriate day to reflect on his lyrics, the past year, and the year to come. You can get the song from iTunes (the movie version of the song is the most powerful, in my opinion). If you don’t listen to the music as you’re reading the lyrics, you’re really missing out.
How do you measure a year?

“Seasons of Love” from Rent

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?

How about love?
Measure in love.

Seasons of love.

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes!
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan.

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?

In truths that she learned,
Or in times that he cried.
In bridges he burned,
Or the way that she died.

It’s time now to sing out,
Tho’ the story never ends
Let’s celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love!
Seasons of love!

Oh you got to got to Remember the love! Remember the love,
You Measure in love know that love is a gift from up above Seasons of love.
Share love, give love spread love Measure measure you life in love.

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The obligatory MacBook iSight photo

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An Arts & Crafts Auction is being held to benefit the family of James Kim January 3-7. Click here for the website: http://kimfamilyauction.typepad.com/.

You might be interested in the CNET video tribute to James Kim, a collection of his technology reviews (click on “watch the video tribute” in the lower left hand corner to load the playlist of about 14 short videos).

If you would like to donate to the James Kim Memorial Fund, you can find more information here: http://www.jamesandkati.com/

CNET has also posted Tech Tips for Wilderness Survival. Probaby not a bad idea to keep a mylar emergency blanket, waterproof matches, and a pocketknife in the car.

I was glued to the news during the search for the Kim Family. I can’t really understand or explain why their experience has affected me so much. Maybe it was because we took a trip up north from the SF Bay Area on Thanksgiving weekend, too. We drove home in the rain while they were stuck in the snow just a few hours north of us. Maybe it’s because I can understand the thought “Hey, it’s a holiday weekend, let’s take a road trip,” since we’ve done it several times before. I can’t even imagine that such a happy trip could have such a terrible outcome. They were victims of such an unfortunate chain of events: a missed exit on the highway, low on gas, wrong turn on a spur road where the gate was left open, snow & rain for days, and a search that took just a little too long to help James Kim.

Maybe I just can’t bear the thought of a mom of a 7 month old and 4 year old losing her husband.

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until they make a Mac Toughbook.

They’re grokking!

It finally arrived! Since I’ve given up on the metal, it was the MacBook for me. Also, since I’m mobile, the size was a big consideration. MacBook Pros don’t come small. Even this 13″ computer won’t fit in my 12″ laptop sleeve (a girl can hope.) Oh well. I kind of like the look of the white MacBooks a bit better, but I chose black. My friend used to have a white iBook and it was covered in filth. That’s probably because she used it to look up recipes on epicurious while she was cooking, but nonetheless, I didn’t want a dirty computer. In addition, my eyes are sort of light-sensitive and the white keyboard was just too bright for me. The black cuts down on the glare, especially since they’re using a shiny screen now. The reflective screen made me a bit unhappy at first, but really, it’s not as shiny as you’d think. I can usually change the position of the screen to eliminate the glare.

Overall, I’m happy with the new purchase. iPhoto is *much* snappier. The keyboard works. This new computer picks up twice as many wireless connections in my neighborhood, not that I have the need for more than my own. I suppose it could help when you’re connecting at a work conference or traveling. The screen is much brighter than the Powerbook. My settings were transferred so it looks and acts exactly the same as my old computer! Thumbs up!