dhwe news you can use: 01/08

Hmmm...

Odd, they don't seem to have a wedding registry...

http://www.walking-things.com/microsites/tooltime/

W.A.N.T.

rollin', rollin', bowlin'...

I don't collect toys like I used to, but I still seem to accumulate them from time to time. When I saw these I had to have them.

The Dude

and

Walter

"Series One" of the Big Lebowski action figures. I'd be happy with these two alone, but we'll see if they make more. I'm actually much more pleased with the sculpt on Walter than the Dude, but the detailing is still pretty good.

I also got a "mini" human body, in the science display style of yesteryear.

It's not that small, but I used to have one of the old ones that was at least a foot tall, so this one seems mini in comparison.

These will be removed from their packaging eventually, and placed on a display shelf somewhere where I can appreciate them.

Someday, I may even attend Lebowski Fest.

Visitors

Friday night we drove down to New Haven to pick up not one, but TWO of Mrs. Cupcake's former roommates from the STP. Emily and Noah both reside in the NYC now, and they were kind enough to come visit us for 24 hours or so. We just kicked it real casual, and on Saturday morning we all headed over to th Olympia Diner for breakfast.

The jukebox was contemplated, and then the menu. I believe everyone was happy with their choices. I myself opted for the hash omelete, with swiss, and a short stack of chocolate chip pancakes for the table to share.

Excellent, as usual. We had a great low-key time, enjoying each other's company, and just wandering around Connecticut.

ALSO, Here's an unrelated tip: use leftover coffee to make coffee ice cubes, stored in plastic bins or bags in the freezer. Great for iced coffee, of course, but also nice for chilling a shot of Bailey's or Kahlua or what-have-you...

ICE

It was no North Carolina ice storm, but this cluster of trees just outside my workplace had quite a sheen on them the other morning.

the Goodwill® of small things

A tiny MP3 player, found at the Goodwill, for 99¢. Somebody didn't know what they were looking at.

It is tiny, and it came with a little rubber case, headphones, the instructions, and the cd with the software.

The case has a little clip on the back, and the case itself is soft rubber, so the player just slips right in.

The display has a blue backlight.

The power/play/pause button is on the front, and on the side are volume and interface controls.

There is a record feature, which can record from the tiny built-in mic on the front, the tiny built-in FM radio inside, OR one of the coolest features in my opinion, is the line-in that will let you rip source input directly to MP3, without a computer.

I certainly wasn't looking for a tiny MP3 player, but this one is pretty cool, especially for 99¢ from the Goodwill. Plus it is like many tiny devices rolled into one. Digital recorder, FM radio, MP3 player, USB key. It's even easier to carry around than an iPod, though I carry one of those with me most everywhere too. I recommend it, even at full price, if you're looking for an MP3 player, or any of the above mentioned tiny tools.