What I want for Christmas...

Today is October 7, still quite early to make a Christmas wish list but not a bad idea to get started now. Anyway, I can always use the edit button to change or add what's on my list which will have the following:

1. A simple smartphone if ever there is one. I don't care for smartphones that are overloaded with stuff I don't need or promise to do a lot of things except feed my cats.

2. An online security camera that is small and easy to maintain. I still wish I could have the BrickHouse Security 017-CAM4-USB.


3. An electronic scooter that will do the balancing and driving for me :)

4. A calf massager. This is a necessity.

5. A DSLR that doesn't intimidate.

6. New good DS and Wii game titles like Just Dance 2 because the old ones are less fun to play now.

7. A mechanical ball thrower for my dog. The one in photo is the GoDogGo automatic tennis ball launcher and fetch machine that costs $119.99. My dog could use this on days when I'm not available to play with her.



8. A toy aquarium for my cats because they need entertainment, too.

9. A huge 3D LED TV, why not?!!!

10. A really fast and no downtime broadband service.

11. An intelligent car that can help me park, can detect the status of my tires, etc. without me having to look because I usually don't know what I should be looking for.

Okay, I think I can't go on any further because it gets unrealistic as I add more items. If only money grows on Christmas trees, then I can have all these even before the holidays roll around.

Of socks and Christmas

A good week before Christmas and I find myself able to relax. I like it that my last magazine issue for the year is finished, my articles for the remaining days of the week are just waiting to be emailed to the newsroom, my gifts are all wrapped and ready for distribution, my refrigerator and cupboard are full of foodies, my Christmas ornaments all in place, and I can simply sashay through the remaining 7 days till Christmas like a child. The fact that I can pause to count my blessings now tells me that once again I have time in my hands and I promise to enjoy it.

Yesterday I attended what I believe is my last work-related parties for the year. I wore a new pair of strappies to the party and my feet never complained until I had to walk a bit to the mall to meet a friend. I should know that shoes in "break in" phase are not supposed to be for extended wear. By the time I got to my third stop, the grocery, my big toes won't stand for the pain anymore so I had to devise a way to get them out of the straps and still manage to walk. People are so busy buying their Christmas groceries that nobody noticed my queer shoe fashion.

The whole episode reminded me of the Vibram Five Fingers footwear. Voted by Time Magazine as one of the best inventions of 2007, Five Fingers is the next best thing to walking or running barefoot according to those who've tried it. I put comfort first before style in everything I wear, so this ultralight footwear appeals to me in that sense. Aesthetically it's too revealing for me and could be unflattering I think, but if I had Five Fingers yesterday when my feet were killing me, I'm sure I would have worn them gladly. After all, wearing them puts you in the company of successful geeks like Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google.

I don't know if there are stores selling Vibram Five Fingers here in Manila, and I'm not about to embark on a hunting trip to find out. Not during this crazed Christmas shopping time. So, I guess I won't be sashaying on Five Fingers this Christmas unless some "foot" fairy comes and fill my Christmas socks with this sock-free shoes that many now call their new "VFF".

Taking Stock

My tin Santa that serves as my advent calendar declares that it's just 10 days till Christmas. I wonder what geeky gifts I'll get. This year is quite different from my past Christmases because now I don't have a must-have gadget on my wish list. The two Canon digital cameras I got last year are still okay. In fact, one is still inside the box...unopened! My two iPods also have lots of room left for more songs and videos so it's easy for me not to want an iPod Touch yet. Last time I checked I have three notebook PCs and two netbooks. Also, after giving away two Sony Ericsson mobile phones that I've grown tired of, I still have four units left that include a smartphone, a music phone, a 3G phone and a no-frills handset. I also have a new sleek AOC LCD monitor and a new Pixma photoprinter that are still in their boxes. In 10 days some of these items will be raffled off during the family Christmas party. Maybe this year I won't receive a geeky Christmas gift because I will be the one to give.

Merry Christmas everybody!!