We had our pictures done at Sears and they sent me a coupon for no sitting fee and 40% off a regular priced item that I can forward to friends which expires December 28th. If anyone wants me to forward it to them send me a message at my profile address.

Reporting on behalf of Hec, who is stuck in traffic but hustling home as quick as he can (from completing his first onerous task), I would like to announce that Onerous Task Time commences now! Taskers, meet you in Natter.

I ordered some copies of The Amazing Adventures of Sam the Bat through the link that JZ provided upthread. Guess what arrived today?!! Completely effortless ordering and receiving process. Couldn't be happier. Okay, I'll be happier when I get the kids' reactions when I give them. For now though, I think I'm going to read me some adventures.

Hey, all.

For fun, I've created a Gift Guide Tumblr. [link]

I'm suggesting cool gifts, and marking who I would "buy" them for (you know, if I was a rich man, LADADADADADA).

Some of my "buys" are for Buffistas, and I also think I have some really good ideas that people might take advantage of. I'm trying to post at least 4 suggestions a day till 12/20.

It's set up so people can also make suggestions, which I moderate. Might be useful, might be a fun little time-waster on slow days.

Since Typo suggested I do this, as it's release day for STARS, you can check out this page on my site: [link]

Down at the bottom, there are direct links to amazon, B&N, Borders, and IndieBound, which will hook you up with your nearest local indie bookstore. For YA authors, it's especially important to support the indie bookstores but I'm good with whatever works best for an individual.

Thank you again, guys! So much.

Everyone participating in the secret gift exchange thingymabob, check that you put your mailing address in your profile on elfster. Otherwise I will be forced to tell your gifters that you live at my address and then I will mock you with pictures of the gifts that could have been yours, or you know, something.

Esp for those interested in genealogy and also useful for those who have adoption in their heritage and are looking for medical info, 23andMe is offering a $400 discount on their genealogy/med DNA pkg. I've seen several discount codes today although I have not seen anything saying when this offer expires. Anyway, $99 for this package is a VERY good price.

Unfortunately, they've added some monthly contract which will bring the true cost of things up to something around $150, but it's still a deal.

[link]

[link]

More bookish stuff. The first moment of terror has crept in-- local BN has no plans to carry STARS, although several of the other area stores are. However, reports of sightings in the wild would be awesome, if and when folks are out in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks!

Hey, all! Don't forget -- if you're shopping at Amazon, if you use this link [link] we'll get a percentage! There are links for the UK and Canadian Amazon sites, as well as Powell's, on the Links page, too!

New blog post in which I quote our lovely erinaceous: Verbing Nouns Planfully and Other Jobs for Word Warriors.