Christmas Haul

[jeriendhal]

First off, the big present I got from moonshadowed wasn't the PS3 I was half expecting, but an Amazon Kindle 3G model. I wasn't really expecting it, and I wasn't even sure I really wanted it, but it's turning out to be more fun than I realized. The "electronic paper" is ridiculously clear to read, more clear than some of the cheap, old paperback that I own. There's a text to voice function that can be used when you're driving that works as well as can be expected (especially stumbling over sfnal words) and you can upload personal texts and mp3 files without to much difficulty. Downside of course is that you've got Big Brother Inc. watching your every move every time you hook up to Amazon's network to buy something. We'll see how it goes.

Otherwise my mom gave me an electric blanket so I don't freeze at work, a new shirt and I got a few other things. Tracy got a Soda Stream unit so we can save on carbonated beverages. Have to get some flavors today while I'm out shopping and try it out.

Overall a good Christmas so far.

Comments

[sraun]

Sodastream has a 12 flavor sampler pack - makes one liter each of six diet & six regular flavors. IIRC, they're pretty standard flavors, but it makes a nice introduction.

Our standards are Diet Cola, Caffeine-Free Diet Cola (AKA Why Bother), and Diet Pete's Choice. We also like the Diet Root Beer, Diet Pink Grapefruit, and Diet Cranberry-Raspberry. We're going to be trying their Diet Lemonade sometime soon.

The Sparkling Natural Apple Mango is good, but not diet!

We also like using a diet raspberry Italian Soda syrup.

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

Pete's Choice (non-diet) is almost completely unlike Dr. Pepper IMO. I'll have to see what their regular cola flavoring is like.

[sraun]

I suppose this is a TNAFT scenario. iraunink finds the Diet Pete's Choice to be a pretty good analog for Diet. Dr. Pepper. It might be a diet vs. regular issue.

[elusivetiger.livejournal.com]

manybooks.net and the Magic Catalog ( http://freekindlebooks.org/MagicCatalog/magiccatalog.html ) are your friends!

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I went to manybooks and downloaded Accelerando, Agent to the Stars, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Meanwhile my first cash purchases were for Charles Stross' Halting State and your own wife's Second.

Yeah, I'm addicted to the darned thing now...

[norabombay.livejournal.com]

I LOVE my kindle. SO very very very very much.

I wanted one of the Soda Streams, but realized that it would hit my biggest weak point- the bottles.

You have to actually wash out and keep the bottles clean. Which I would utterly fail to do, resulting in the need to purchase them at $20, and saving me no money.

Sigh. Oh well. Let me know how awesome it works out. Do they have diet ginger ale?

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

They do indeed have it. Also the unit comes with two bottles, giving you two chances to screw up. :)

[norabombay.livejournal.com]

I live alone. I deeply suspect I'd never get it quite right :( but nice to hear about the gingerale.

[sraun]

FWIW, we've been doing very nicely with "rinse the bottles in hot water after each use, clean with soap and water every couple of months". We are making almost exclusively diet varieties, at about 60 liters every 2-3 weeks.