sj, have you ever done any networking with event planners? 'Cause it seems like someone planning something like a posh wedding or a convention or a lecture series or something (specially if it's an event where someone corporate is picking up the tab) would be all over your baskets, and would be less likely to fuss about the price.

I know my company gives gift baskets to many VIP people at our annual conference. Corporate meeting planners would be a great networking group.

I'm bored! Where are you people when I need you??

I'm here. Trying to figure out what to do this evening.

Nora, insent.

sj, the gift basket idea is great.

I'm glad to hear Em is better.

What are your options, birthday girl?

A laptop frenzy! [link]

I saw that on the news this morning. Horrible.

Happy, happy birthday, Abi. I hope you have lots of fun tonight and this coming year is the best ever.

A laptop frenzy!

My niecephews go to school in Henrico County, and are the beneficiaries of the laptop program -- every student gets one to take home, which is a little mind boggling to me in a "wow, that's a rich school system" kind of way (even if a grant paid for most of the program). But what really makes me shake my head and make Doomsday predictions is how the frenzy over these old laptops highlights the haves and the have nots, the digital divide, whatever you'd like to call it.

Happy Birthday, DebetEsse!

But what really makes me shake my head and make Doomsday predictions is how the frenzy over these old laptops highlights the haves and the have nots, the digital divide, whatever you'd like to call it.

Yes. It's a sad state of affairs.