January 2007 Archives

You!

Well, Ebates users, if you want to get technical. In 2006, Ebates users donated more than $10,000 in Cash Back to charity. That's pretty amazing, if you ask me! It baffles me that some shoppers, for whatever reason, choose to pay retail prices when they could be earning Cash Back.

To some, Cash Back is all gravy. That's fair, but when you can easily have that Cash Back sent to the charity of your choice, then you really don't have an excuse! No matter how small (or large, for some turbo-shoppers) your donation, it will be much appreciated.

Last month, I wrote this post on how easy it is to donate your Cash Back to charity. Many people start thinking about donations around the holidays, but having your Cash Back mailed quarterly to a charity is a great way to keep giving, year-round.

If you want to start donating your Cash Back to charity, visit your Account Profile.

This year, why not skip the ubiquitous box of chocolates and, while you're at it, skip town? Today only, Ebates is giving Double Cash Back at Travelocity. There's a getaway plan for any couple's budget. Try...

• A cruise for two: This is a great time of year for cheap cruises to Mexico, Bahamas and the Caribbean!
 
• A weekend road trip: Rent an SUV and head off to the mountains for some skiing.
 
• Spontaneously jetting off to Europe: Get cut-rate deals on last minute tickets to Amsterdam, London, Dublin and more! Use coupon code LASTMINUTEEUROPE.

If a vacation isn't in the works for this Valentine's Day, then be sure to get the perfect gift! Check out Love More, Save More at Ebates for gift ideas.

 
• A Big TV: You've never had a better excuse to get that plasma you've had your eye on! Check out Ebates' electronics merchants to get started.
 
• Team Gear: Show your support by wearing your favorite team's apparel! Ebates offers several merchants who carry hats, shirts and team jerseys.
   
• Decorations: Why not make it easy? Grab a Super Bowl XLI party kit ($39.99 at BuyCostumes.com) and your house will look the part, no matter who you're rooting for. It includes decorations, plates, plastic utensils and cups. As we know, beer and football can bring out aggression enthusiasm in the mellowest of partygoers. Let your guests work out their gameday frustrations on a football pinata ($14.99 at Toys 'R' Us), or a colt as the case may be!
 
• Cold Beer: So you've summoned your friends to bring six packs of their favorite brew. Your task? Keeping it cold. Stock a large cooler ($24.99 at Target) near the TV so your guests don't miss a second of the game. You may be in a celebratory mood later, so have a few cigars handy, just in case!
 
• Food: Think hot, greasy and delicious. Keep some yummy finger foods (buffalo wings, cheese poppers, fried chicken) handy for your guests, and of course, near the TV! Target makes a double hot plate that will keep your food warm while you watch the game ($25.49 at Target.com).
 
• After-Party Cleanup: To minimize clean-up, keep a few wastebaskets around the game-watching room. After your guests leave, eliminate smoky and fried food odors with an odor neutralizing spray.

Whether your Valentine's Day plans include a romantic dinner for two or a tantalizing tryst with Cherry Garcia, a hot holiday outfit is a must! (Come to think of it, Cherry Garcia and comfy sweatpants might be a better match, don't you think?)

As any fashion maven will tell you, accessories make the outfit- especially shoes! A new store from Gap called Piperlime just joined Ebates and they have stylish shoes for any budget. The best part is the Free Standard Shipping and easy returns on every order!

Here's a quick tip: If you buy your Piperlime shoes through Ebates and decide to return them, be sure to get a refund, not an exchange. Simply place your order again, starting at Ebates, and buy your new pair of shoes. This way, you will still earn your 6% Cash Back!

In case you haven't heard, we're officially living in the age of The Jetsons . Though you can't yet hop on a hovercraft on your way to Mooningdale's (Judy Jetson's favorite store) you can buy a robot who cleans your house!

iRobot is a company that manufactures Cleaning Robots: Roomba, Scooba and Dirt Dog. Some vacuum, others mop, and one of them even sucks up nuts and bolts! The iRobot website, is, of course, full of rave reviews, and they even have videos showing just how effectively their robots can clean.  I haven't tried iRobot, but I'm definitely curious. Ebates staffer Ayse had this to say about hers:

The Roomba was purchased more out of curiosity than need... My husband thought it would be a great way to clean the house while having a little fun watching our cat Smokey's  reaction to it....It seems like this machine would be suitable for houses with just hardwood floors, or wall-to-wall carpets...The time I really appreciate it is when we want the sweep the dust bunnies from under low furniture or beds.

The Roomba seems great for picking up hard-to-reach pet hair, and fortunately, iRobot makes a Roomba for pets. There are few things more disgusting than seeing pet hair "tumbleweeds" blowing through your kitchen.

Have you used Roomba, Scooba or Dirt Dog? What did you think?

Who has the time to watch every new movie as it arrives in theaters? Besides, when a movie and popcorn for two cost more than a month of satellite TV,  it's probably wiser to wait for the DVD release. With yesterday's announcement of the 2007 Oscar nominees, you may be tempted to see some of the year's films that you may have missed!

You can always buy DVD's, but most of the time one viewing is plenty. Why not rent? Ebates has four DVD rental services and each one is a little different.

Ebates offers the ever-popular Netflix as well as Peerflix, Movielink and Cinemanow. Did you know that if you sign up for Netflix (for the first time) through Ebates you earn $18 Cash Back? That adds up to about one month of free movie rentals! I have been using Netflix for a couple years and love it. Peerflix is a community in which you exchange DVD's with other members while Cinemanow and Movielink feature downloads (perfect for those of you with Apple TV!).

Today only, earn 12% Cash Back at Petco.com! Petco is featuring sitewide markdowns, including 15% off on dental products for dogs and cats.

Recently, Cat Fancy had this to say about feline dental health:

"Animals with periodontal disease are at greater risk for systemic disease, such as liver, kidney and heart disease,"says Bonnie Shope, a veterinarian and a clinical assistant professor at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, whose practice is limited to dentistry. Dental disease also can be painful for a cat, she says.

The same is, of course, true for dogs. What can you do to prevent periodontal disease in your four-legged friend? Keep his or her teeth clean! In the past, this meant brushing your cat or dog's teeth or just letting your veterinarian deal with it. The downside? Well, most of us are pretty keen on having a full set of fingers, aren't we? I thought so. Besides, I know plenty of cat and dog owners that don't visit the veterinarian yearly, especially if they have a young, seemingly healthy pet.

One easy option is a flavorless supplement you can add to your pet's water. Try Dental Fresh ($7.97 for dogs, $6.27 for cats) or Petkin Liquid Oral Care, ($7.97). Petco also carries dental chews, finger brushes (for the brave) and dental wipes.

Also, enter promotion code "valentine" at check out to get free shipping on your order of $60 or more!

I'll be the first to admit I don't know diddly squat about football. Touchdown, homerun, hole-in-one, it's all the same to me. I was the kid running away from the ball when we played baseball in junior high. And yes, that was me, huffing and puffing my way through the final quarter of a ten-minute mile, dreaming of the Diet Coke and flip flops waiting for me in the locker room.

My boyfriend is from Chicago, and although he's not a huge football fan, he insisted on watching yesterday's Bears game. My interest in the game was, of course, limited, but I kept glancing at the score for one reason, and for one reason only:  The Super Bowl Shuffle.  If making it to the Super Bowl means the Bears will record a souped-up remix of this jock-jam classic, then I'll root for them like no other. Behold the 1985 Shufflin' Crew in all their awkwardly swaying, saxaphone-wailing glory:

Now, I understand that some of you couldn't care less about watching a twenty-two year old video of the Chicago Bears gettin' their shuffle on, so here is something a little more useful. Did you know you can buy Super Bowl tickets through Ebates? Did you know that you can earn 6% Cash Back on those tickets? Considering the cheapest tickets cost $3465, that 6% can really pay off. You have three choices for ticket vendors: PurchaseTix, TicketsNow and WeHaveSeats. A word of advice: These three merchants do not sell tickets at the same price. I picked a seat at random (Section 101, Row 6) and the price varied at $5040, $5375 and $4810, respectively. Since they all give 6% Cash Back, I would first find my seat, then compare prices.

So, who's ready to get their shuffle on?

A few weeks ago, I posted about a condition now known  as "Wii Elbow". Gamers more accustomed to lazing on the couch were a little surprised by the exertion (seemingly) required to play a game of Wii Sports. I say seemingly because I find the Wiimote responds better to quick sharp motions of the wrist, rather than broad, sweeping arm movements.

Ebates staffer Jen pointed me toward something called the Wii Sports Experiment. In a rather Super Size Me fashion, blogger Mickey Delorenzo decided to test the fitness benefits of playing Wii. He restricted all forms of exercise from his regimen, played Wii Sports for 30 minutes per day for 6 weeks, and recorded the results. Amazingly, he lost 9 pounds, decreased his body fat percent by 2%, and lost 3.5 inches from his waist. Click here to read his story!

Mickey put together this video of his "training"...get ready to get pumped!

According to the Kiehl's website, "Kiehl’s was founded as an old-world apothecary in New York’s East Village neighborhood over 150 years ago." (Wow. How's that for hipster cred?) Kiehl's is one of those stores whose clientele shows a fierce, almost cult-like loyalty (minus the Kool-Aid). They use only the highest-quality ingredients, have great customer service (my friend Kristy loves getting hooked up with the free samples) and...motorcycles! (Really, they display motorcycles in every store. They're not for sale, though.)

You can shop directly from Kiehl's through Ebates and earn 5% Cash Back, or  Neiman Marcus, who also carries Kiehl's brand products (and gives 3% Cash Back).

Here are some favorite Kiehl's goodies from Ebates members and staffers:

Amino Acid Shampoo

Sara: Smells like coconut. I've been using (and sharing) the same 250ml bottle for 6 weeks and there's still more than half left. It's very gentle, and obviously very concentrated. I was looking for something that would make my fine hair a little fuller and this has worked well.

Blue Herbal Line

Sara: I like the Blue Herbal Moisturizer (w/ salicylic acid, cinnamon   bark, and ginger root): This lotion is recommended   for people with oiler skin who are prone to breaking   out. I like that it mattifies the skin and I imagine   that it helps prevent blemishes, but I quit using it   before I found out because it made my skin produce   more oil. The sales people at Kiehl's said   specifically that it wouldn't do that, but it does,   and also leaves your skin feeling sticky (like when the air is humid.)

Wilma: I **LOVE** the Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion. I brought it with me when I was in Asia for a month. It helped relieved any mosquito bugs and bug bites. Great for camping trips.

Kelly: This is the very first lotion I can use on my oily skin and not feel like I just smeared canola all over myself. It actually makes me less shiny, and it has done a great number on my blemish-attacks.

Distar: I have fallen deeply in love with Kiehl's Blue Herbal line- the gel cleanser and the spot treatment at least. Interestingly  the first blue stuff that brought fame to Kiehls 40 years ago and  spawned the rest of the collection was the Blue Herbal Astringent  ($9.50) which I was sorely dissapointed with. I have oily/combination  skin of the most non-sensitive kind, and this astringent left even me  feeling parched- I regret this purchase. The Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser ($14.50) on the other hand is lovely- 1.5% salicylic acid with extracts  of cinnamon bark and ginger root. It's a gel that foams and really  removes makeup well. It leaves your skin feeling very clean and not at  all dry- the tingliness of the menthol and camphor and the soothing  smell make me feel like I'm a spa. I've started using this every other  day, rotating it with another favorite face wash. The clear winner for  me in this line is the Blue Herbal spot treatment ($14.00) which with salicylic and glycolic acid attacks zits and  vanishes them the next day. I've been amazed by how well this product  works. I've had quite a few friends stay over recently and you know  they've been snooping in your medicine cabinet when they gushingly tell  you they love the Blue Herbal stuff :) (From Tales From the Nomad)

Over-Night Biological Peel

Kelly: This makes me look all dewy and glowy in the morning, not like my true haggard, used-up self. I swear it actually works.

Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner

Juliet: If you have winter dry hair this shampoo and conditioner   will make it smoother and moisturized without stripping hair of natural oils or unnatural color. Plus, it smells really good.

Sara: Even though my hair isn't dry, I use this for extra conditioning, especially on the ends.It smells really nice and doesn't feel heavy.

Lip Balm #1

Kelly: The infamous Lip Balm, for when you want your lips to be softer than a baby's butt. Um, eww. The tinted stuff is subtle and good for a wee bit of color.

Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant

Rebecca: Ten dollars might feel steep for stuff going on your armpits, but it's worth it. One tube will last a long time. I also like the fact that it's unscented- there's nothing worse than strongly scented deodorant competing with your lotion or perfume.

Juliet:  I use the deodorant- best thing ever. Unscented, leaves NO white streaks on black clothes. Apply like lotion and totally reasonable cost. Keeps you dry too!

Sara: I'd also add that the anti-perspirant cream works well on hands and feet too!

Suzanne: It is like applying hand lotion for the underarms. I love that it doesn't have the after-application deodorant smell that is so common with other deodorants, and it leaves zero residue on your clothing. I've also discovered that a little goes a long way- unless my friends aren't telling me something!!

Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion

Distar: A nickle size amount of this product rubbed on damp skin leaves it  feeling amazing. I've used other at home micro-dermabrasions (Dr.  Brandt, Origins..) and nothing works as well as the Kiehl's version. I  read an article where according to a top dermatologist at home kits  work as well as in-doctor office versions, because at home you can do  it more often. I've had micro-dermabrasion done professionally and I  don't know if I'd agree to that, but Kiehls version with micronized  shells and willow herbs leaves your skin feeling so soft. (From Tales From the Nomad)

Deluxe Hand and Body Lotion with Aloe Vera and Oatmeal

Ayse: I use Kiehl's Deluxe Hand & Body Lotion with Aloe Vera & Oatmeal daily. I actually keep it in my   kitchen next to the sink – it is the perfect light moisturizer to use after   doing the dishes. It is not oily and absorbs very fast; it has a very light, barely distinguishable fresh scent.

Herbal Toner for the Scalp

Rebecca: I've got dry, colored hair, so I try and skip a day or two between shampoos. The Herbal Toner makes my hair feel cleaner without shampooing, which helps me get more mileage out of my faux hair color.

Suzanne: The Herbal Toner came in handy this morning as I got home so  late from class last night that I didn't have time to wash my hair! I  poured it all over my head this morning & ran out the door with a  lovely shine to my tresses.

Kelly: I work out every day, so I shower regularly (you can thank me later)  but I don’t really want to wash my hair that often. (Why? Because my  super-cute hair stylist told me to wash every other day, and since she  works miracles with the hair, I’d probably shampoo with monkey blood if  she said I should.) This left me with the no-wash icky hair dilemma,  until my neighborhood Kiehl’s lady hooked me up with their herbal scalp toner. You squeeze it all over your head and rub it in. I love my Kiehl’s lady. I’m naming my next kid after her. (From Fitness Fixation)

Ahoy-hoy! Today only, earn 6% Cash Back at Old Navy! Old Navy is anchoring (HA!) their spring collection with nautical looks for the whole family. Set sail with pointelle knits, sailor jeans and layering tanks longer than Warren Beatty's Golden Globes speech!

Old Navy is one of my favorite stores. Why? They have flat $5 shipping, cotton basics in a rainbow of colors, and inexpensive, trendy accessories. I don't know one woman who doesn't mix an Old Navy tee or cami with her Banana Republic, Ann Taylor or otherwise higher-end garb. Paired with a killer pair of heels and a great bag, the fit and quality of Old Navy's layering pieces blends effortlessly into professional outfits.

I recently toured the Old Navy design rooms in San Francisco, and let me tell you, these folks know fashion. Their senior accessories designer is one of the most stylish women I know, and I strongly believe that that is the deal-breaker when it comes to a clothing line's success.

Well...that, and $5 shipping.

It's that time of year again: stores are pushing winter coats to the 50% off clearance section, designers are rolling out their resort collections and of course...swimwear has made its grand debut.

The last few years have brought about stylish options for those of us who love the water (or gazing at it from a safe distance on a blanket) but hate wearing a bikini. Long gone are the days when the only choices were a dowdy one-piece or a bikini more suited for a twenty year old model sprawled on a tricked-out Acura (no offense to the Fast Car readers out there). These days, we have bikinis, tankinis and tanks for every conceivable body type and comfort level.

One of my favorite swimsuit resources is Land's End. They have broken down their inventory of swimwear into categories based on body type. You can "Shop by Anxiety Zone" and find a suit that enhances your waist, bust, hips or thighs. You can mix and match separates because as we all know, your top half might be a size eight while your bottom half is a size twelve (or vice versa). You can order virtually all tanks in one of two cuts: regular torso or long torso. These suits minimize, maximize, hide or display the parts you prefer without comprimising your style.

Honestly, ladies. When sunning and swimming, wouldn't you rather channel Marilyn Monroe than Brooke Hogan? I know I would.

Can you guess what's floating in that glass cylinder?

Could it be a ten ounce bar of ancient metal excavated from the peak of Mons Ampère that radiates regenerative powers? (Mons Ampère is a lunar mountain. Lunar, as in on the moon. As in far away. Moving on!)

Perhaps it's a tiny spaceman sent here from the year 2008 who is telepathically revealing the identity of our next president!

Let's move in a little closer, shall we?

In the age of iPhones, Tivo and Apple TV, reading a book may seem as hip as carrying one of these while rockin' out to a John Tesh cassette. Not to sound like an aged schoolmarm, but doesn't anybody read anymore? Reassuringly, the answer is a resounding "yes!", at least according to these Ebates staffers. Below are their picks for recently read favorites.

If you're looking for great offers on books, start with Ebates. You can earn Cash Back at the top online bookstores.

Hector:

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris. "What's more horrifying than Silence of the Lambs? To understand what made Lecter the killer he was."

Justine:

The Last Wife of Henry VIII by Carolly Erickson. "I love royal scandal and no one did it better than Henry the VIII. This book looks at his last wife Catherine Parr and his life from her point of view."

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova." If you like the Da Vinci Code this is a must read! It's an Adventure/Thriller based on the historical legend of Vlad the Impaler."

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. "A gripping story about a recluse writer and her amazing mysterious life. Well written and a great way to get lost in a good book."

Keith:

Blink by Malcom Gladwell. "An amazing book about the power of the gut instinct and how some of the best decisions we make are made in a split second. One of the most interesting books I've ever read."

:07 Seconds or Less by Jack McCallum. "Any NBA fan who has always wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes has to read this book. It's the real inside story of an entire season with the Phoenix Suns - their locker room personalities, coach/player dynamics, fragile psyches and egos, rivalries with other teams, etc."

Dylan:

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby. "A darkly humorous and highly entertaining book.  Since this is a Hornby book (About a Boy, High Fidelity), it will of course make a great movie. Beginning from a New Year's Eve suicide ledge, a wild ride ensues. From such a morbid circumstance, you would never expect such a fun read."

Hollie:

At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks. "He is a southern writer, so he tends to attract me.  All of his stories take place in small town North Carolina, and so did this one. It is a heart wrenching story about trust, love, sacrifices and even death. It is a story of a New York man falling in love with a care-free small-town Sothern girl. They both have to make sacrifices to be together, and after just a few months of dating are engaged to be married and also pregnant.Sparks was able to get you hooked right away with the love story and then keep you interested through all of the deceit and struggles that this couple had to go through. Definitely recommend it, especially for Nicholas Sparks lovers."

Jen:

Moneyball by Michael Lewis. "It’s about the Oakland A’s and how they are able to make it to the playoffs every year without spending hundreds of millions of dollars."

Anna:

Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin."I love books by Sophie Kinsella, especially Can you Keep a Secret and the Shopaholic Series. A similar book I've fallen in love with is Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin. It’s so good! Why? Because it’s so real. These may be considered girly  novels, but they add a funny (and sometimes dramatic)  twist on things that happen in relationships. If you're looking for a light read these are the perfect pick."

Rob:

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
by Steven Levitt. "Levitt, a noted MIT economist, wrote this best-seller that came out a year or two ago, to showcase how numbers and economic theory can be applied to analyze everday real-world events. It is not meant for economists or written as a dull, dry business tome, but it covers some fascinating topics like how school teachers get incented to cheat, how real estate transactions are structured to not benefit the seller, gives a surprising conclusion to the argument of what was behind national drops in violent crime, discusses the hierarchical business-like setup of a Chicago crack selling gang, and seeks to prove that the style of parenting has little effect on children’s eventual success, and more. For anyone who doesn’t think like an economist, this was written in a fascinating style to show how you could come to non-intuitive conclusions about real-world situations using theories and analysis that are grounded in economics."

Sandro:

Confessions of a Yakuza by Junichi Saga. "This little book recounts the life of Eiji Ijichi, who early in life left his middle class existence to become a Yakuza. Set in pre-war Japan, the book is a short and engaging read, taking the reader on a series of vignettes set in a time not so long ago, but so different that it might as well be set in the middle ages. The story more or less follows Eiji’s remarkable life, from a young apprentice Yakuza to a boss. In between, he has amazing adventures: years in cruel Japanese prisons, a stint in the pre-war army stationed in northern Korea and of course the obligatory cutting off of the tip of his pinkie to apologize for transgressions to his Yakuza boss. The simple and direct narrative brings everything to life and makes you feel immersed in this far off world. Through simple language and direct narrative, the book manages to make the reader truly understand Eiji and his colorful world. I only wish it were twice as long! Great read for anyone interested in history, Japanese culture or organized crime."

Though you may be sick of getting badgered with New Year's tips for self-improvement, I'm going to give you one more: organization. Isn't it nice to come home to a nice, clean house or apartment? Today Ebates is doubling Cash Back at The Home Depot to 6%, so you can save more on organization systems! Could that have sounded any less inspiring? Probably, but just imagine how peaceful your home will feel with your odds and ends neatly filed into a ShelfTrack Organizer! Or perhaps a 4-Drawer ShelfTrack Kit? Seriously, though, as a pack rat, I am a firm believer that keeping your home well-organized will lead to less stress.

Other avenues of self-development through shopping at Home Depot include:

 
• 10 Crescent Lane. Resolve to refine your taste through this collection of luxe home decor, including bedding and barware!
 
• Eco Options. Be good to Mother Earth and she will be good to you. Buy Home Depot products tagged with the Eco Options logo and stay green.
 
• Gardening. Why not choose 2007 as the year to grow a green thumb? (Not literally...that would be called Gangrene.) Home Depot sells a variety of plants from Amaryllis to...some other kind of plant that starts with "z"!

Steve Jobs just announced the new iPhone and Apple TV ! Visit MacRumors.com to get the latest updates as the day unfolds. Remember to start at Ebates when you shop at Apple to earn Cash Back!

I will be attending Macworld later today and will post pictures!

Here's a sneak preview from the keynote:

Photo from MacRumors.com

Edit: The iPhone will be available in the U.S. in June and will be partnering exclusively with Cingular Wireless. The 4GB model will retail at $499 and the 8GB model at $899, with 1% Cash Back at Ebates. When information on pre-ordering is available, I will post an update.

Another Edit: Apple is back up and running! Apple TV is available now, and it will ship in February.

Maybe I've been spoiled by California "winter", but it has felt pretty darn cold in the Bay Area (although I'm sure Al Gore would disagree). So cold, in fact, that we have been forced to move the office equipment, television and sofa and hibernate in the smallest room of our four bedroom apartment.  I'm fairly certain the last time our building saw a caulking gun was in 1894, when the caulking gun was invented. At this point, I'm done wasting money on space heaters! Some might say it's time to move, but I say it's time for a vacation!

To me, nothing sounds warmer than a cruise to the Carribean, Bahamas or Mexico. For those of you who still have a little money leftover after heating your home for the winter, here are some of the most discounted cruises available:

 
• Expedia's Cruise Getaways Sale: Cruises to the Carribean or Bahamas start at $189 and Mexico starts at $219!
 
• Priceline's Cruise Blowout Sale: Get a free iPod Shuffle when you book a seven night cruise. Also, last minute cruises have been heavily marked down! Carribean cruises start at $179, Bahamas at $199 and Mexico at $219.
 
• Travelocity's Carnival Cruise Upgrades: What fun is a cruise if you're holed up in a tiny cabin? Travelocity is offering Free Stateroom Upgrades if you book a cruise by February 15th. Carribean cruises start at $229, Bahamas at $239 and Mexico starts at $229.

Attention, Mac lovers! The Macworld Conference & Expo 2007 begins in San Francisco next week, January 8th through the 12th. Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs will give the keynote that kicks off the biggest Mac community gathering of the year.

Traditionally, Jobs leads the end of his keynote with a not-so-offhand, "And one more thing...". For geeks worldwide, this phrase alone is sufficiently titilating to fuel months of worldwide speculation as to what surprise will be revealed. Past keynotes have featured the unveiling of the iTunes Music Store, Intel-based Macs and the iPod. Mac rumor site AppleInsider predicts the launch of a touch-screen iPod, iTV and iPhone for Macworld '07! To see a live broadcast of the 2007 Macworld keynote, visit Apple.com early Monday morning .

Oh, and one more thing (HA!)... here is a video of the 1984 Macworld keynote that features the unveiling of the first Macintosh. This truly touches my inner geek!

Edit: So, a reliable source from Apple just informed me that the keynote will not be broadcast live this year. You can, however,  read semi-up-to-the-minute transcripts from rumor sites like MacRumors.com and AppleInsider.

My friend Kelly over at Fitness Fixation recently linked to an article at LiveScience.com called "Top 10 Bad Things That Are Good For You ". We already know that dark chocolate and red wine are packed with antioxidants, but did you know beer is also on the list? And maggots?  (No, you don't eat them. They eat you. Your wounds, that is. Please, just read the article!)

At this time of the year, people are seeking ways to better themselves (check out New Year, New You!), so why not make it fun? If all it takes is a little beer and coffee, so be it!

Here is an excerpt of the top ten. Why didn't I include all ten? Because I want to keep my job. For those of you interested in meaningful pursuit of the number one item, Ebates gives 50% Cash Back at Match.com. That's all I'm sayin'.

• Beer: It improves cardiovascular function! Watch out for that beer gut, though. Do you think downing a pint of porter while laying on this thing counts as ab work?
 
• Anger: We're talkin' quick release, not bottled resentment. Invest in a Slam Man and boxing gloves to stave off heart disease and high blood pressure.
 
• Coffee: It's packed with antioxidants and reduces your risk of diabetes. You can just counter the dehydration and yellow teeth with  water and whitening toothpaste!
 
• Sunlight : This doesn't mean you should soak yourself in oil and lie on the beach with a tanning mirror. A little sun will improve your mood (but wear sunblock!).
 
• Maggots: Are we supposed to be pleased with the revelation that maggots will eat dead flesh from our wounds? What is this, 14th century Europe?
 
• Red Wine: Keep the antioxidants (and good times) flowing every month! You might as well join a wine of the month club.
 
• Chocolate: Starts with an "a", ends with "oxidants"! Yup, chocolate's got 'em. Guess you'll have to take one for the team and earn 5% Cash Back at Godiva!

Happy New Year blog readers! Yesterday, as I lay recovering from a nasty hangover too much exercise, I had a chance to reflect on possible New Year's resolutions. These included:

1. Choose gas stations by price, not location
2. Cut down sugar intake
3. Cut down Perez Hilton intake
4. Cultivate an interest in technology

The winner? For someone whose work is web-based yet whose interest in gadgets is contingent on a glossy, white-lacquered finish, number four is clearly a wise choice. It's lucky, then, that Circuit City is today's Double Cash Back merchant! Lucky me- all televisions $499 and up are on sale!

Never thought I'd get to buy a plasma TV in the name of keeping a resolution. Here's to self-improvement!