ONLY A COUPLE OF DAYS LEFT. REALLY.

It's the time of year again for the Secret Buffista Gift Exchange! Ok, it's actually earlier. In the hopes of having more time for people (to send multiple things or messages or taunts) and having fewer late gifts, I am starting early.

Anyone interested in exchanging small presents with other Buffistas during the holiday/year-end/solstice/non-religion or culture specific season, Follow this link to join elfster and set up a profile with your preferred email/snail mail and important info: [link]

I am hoping this site will work for us, but if we start to have problems, I will do the matching manually.

Please register at elfster by 10/30. I'll have the site match names and send out notices 11/1. If there are any issues or questions, profile address is good as is IM or FB IM (if I'm on) rlboston 14 without the space.

Mary Borsellino's book, The Wolf House, will be appearing in print any day now. In celebration, DP is giving away a copy of it in print and in ebook, as well as a copy of our upcoming ghost story antho, Crossings. You can buy a book to enter, but you can also just come tell us about your favorite classic horror story. Visit the website at [link]

(edit: it would help if I told you where to go to enter.)

Anyone that might be interested in playing in the next online iteration of Battlestar Galactica should speak up in the Gaming thread.

Note: You do not need to own a copy of the board game to participate.

We know you are out there. Speak now, or forever be suspected of being a cylon.

Names have been drawn for the 2010 gift exchange. If you did not get an email or if there is any issue (like you drew yourself or you drew me and you hate me, email me and we will work out a switcheroonie).

If there are any issues as the exchange goes on, again, email me. Deena has the magic list of info and you can also put info up on your elfster profile page.

As announced in Beep Me, I have a book contract. Though the working title was given in the announcment my preferred title is "Cooling a Fevered Planet", subtitle "Beyond Market Tinkering in solving the Climate Crisis". I would love to get some Beta readers, first section to be ready for feedback by mid-month. The deadline for responses is not tight. All levels of knowledge and interest are welcome, as long as you are willing to provide feedback.If you are interested, please let me know if you only have time to read once, or if you are willing to read more than once (that is read again after I incorporate feedback) please let me know. ) I will be grateful for either level of involvement.

Thanks and profile addy is good.

Google (Chrome) Offering Free Holiday Wi-Fi on Virgin, AirTran, and Delta Flights

Google's feeling the gift-giving spirit once again this holiday season. From Nov. 20 through Jan. 2., most flights offered by Virgin, AirTran, or Delta will feature free in-flight Wi-Fi, sponsored by Google and its Chrome browser.

Google's promising what seems like full web browsing and email access from their in-flight offerings, though we'd imagine data-intensive apps like Skype or YouTube/Hulu would be blocked. In any case, it's nice to have a freebie internet available if you need it while traveling the skies. While Chrome is the official sponsor of the offering, you won't need Chrome installed to use the in-flight web.

MI-5 Volume 8 is being released on dvd in the US prior to airing here. And TVShowsondvd reports that Volume 9 will be released on dvd this summer.

ETA: Volume 8 is coming out on January 25th.

I've mentioned this in Natter, but thought I'd put up the link here also as the Holidays near. I have been really pleased with Goozex as a means to get rid of video games and movies that mac no longer wants. The system is basically all done on points (you do pay for shipping and $1 per trade) and we have been able to get new items for him without the drama of stores, and without the outlay of money. Anyway, here's the link if you are interested: [link] You have to complete a trade of somethings you are offering before you can get matched with things you want.

Hey other parents - if you join Amazon Mom now you get a free membership to Amazon Prime (in exchange for some personal info that I assume will be used for marketing to you).