Although for the price of one of those Mason-Dixon books, I could get her two of the Yarn Harlot books. I'm leaning more toward that, since they both seem good: the first is more life experience and the second has practical tips as well. And the paperbacks are more portable for potential holiday reading.

There you go! I'm serious about the Cast-On podcast too. If she doesn't know about it, it is awesome.

Yarn Harlot, except for Knitting Rules, is all essays--no patterns. The Mason Dixon books are some writing, and a goodly number of patterns. As a gift, actually, I'd lean toward Yarn Harlot. Because, well, knitting humor.

I just sent her the link. She didn't know about it.

Yarn Harlot, except for Knitting Rules, is all essays--no patterns. The Mason Dixon books are some writing, and a goodly number of patterns. As a gift, actually, I'd lean toward Yarn Harlot. Because, well, knitting humor.

Exactly! They seem more appropriate as gifts coming from me.

Man, I'm glad I got someone I know and like. I was afraid I was going to get the guy in the cube next to me who sneezes all day and doesn't take showers.

Sounds like the perfect opportunity to buy him some soap.

I heartily recommend every book by Elizabeth Zimmerman, especially The Opinionated Knitter. Timeless patterns written in a witty manner. If she's a big knitter she may already have some knitting books. My other suggestion would be a gift card at a local yarn shop.

It is too early in December for me to be this sick of Christmas stuff already. Even the Pandora station that my officemate listens to that usually plays Gregorian chant has switched over to Christmas songs in Latin. And I ended up, once again, in my least favorite Christmas discussion ever, in which an atheist who celebrates Christmas informs me that the way Christmas is celebrated in America is culturally American and has nothing to do with Christianity, and therefore there's no reason why I shouldn't celebrate it.

Being reminded that I'm unAmerican by people like this and also by Pat Buchanan-type Christians -- the joy of the season.

an atheist who celebrates Christmas informs me that the way Christmas is celebrated in America is culturally American and has nothing to do with Christianity, and therefore there's no reason why I shouldn't celebrate it.

1) Ask to see his atheist card.
2) Tear it up.

therefore there's no reason why I shouldn't celebrate it.

I'm pretty sure that logic also supports the conclusion that there's no reason you shouldn't punch him in the face.

I attempted to say that Christmas is part of Christian culture, which includes a lot of stuff that's not explicitly religious, but does not include me. He got insulted that I was saying he was participating in Christian culture, since he is NOT NOT NOT infinitely NOT in any way Christian.