What, you wanted “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth?”

No, I want a LIST. One item does not a list make. I thought I almost had a list going between the PS2 game and the nice cotton sheets he mentioned a couple of weeks ago. But he informed me that he no longer wants sheets. So...it’s back to socks and underwear with one really fun thing. That’s a sorry list.

Oh dear.  Reminds of me of the time I was in the Navy in Japan and was being chided for not writing home more often.  My reply?  “Ask me questions.”

Boy, was I an idiot.

Seriously, books? Music?  IPod gift card?

At least the advantage of a LIST would be that I wouldn’t have to get everything on it, unlike your list of questions that needed answering. 

I have a CD or two in mind, not really being sure what he’s purchased since he left. However, I do know he hasn’t been able to download any music from itunes. He says there is a firewall that prevents him from accessing it or napster. I’m not sure if that is a school-wide phenom or if the settings on his computer are extra rigid. I asked if anyone else had the same trouble and he said, “I don’t know, I’ve never asked.” Is firewalling music sites common on college campuses? Seems to me that could lead to riots!

In any case, I know he could download to his heart’s content while he’s home on vacation.

I heartily recommend the iRoast 2 and kilos of green coffee.  We are currently working our way through some beans which really bring up a lot of oil while they roast, and that means lots of smoke.  Everything smelled of coffee for days with the last batch.  Good thing I can get a wicked cross wind in my house with the right combination of windows open.

I have two sons who are impossible to get gifts for. Mostly whatever I give them comes with a gift receipt so they can exchange it for what they really wanted that they never seem to be able to tell me.

You’re without coffee. I’ll be without iced tea for the next two weeks. (In Africa they say don’t drink anything with ice in it!)

Oh Steph.  That looks like a sweet little machine. I’ll bet there is a huge difference in taste between store bought and fresh roasted. How much experimenting did it take to get just the right roast? Man, that would be neat to have.

Pablo, enjoy your trip! What a great opportunity. I’m sorry about the iced tea situation, though. If you’re as committed to it as I am to coffee, I can almost feel the sympathy withdrawals already. Ibuprofen might be your best friend for a couple of days.