CJ. When I ask him, the only things he comes up with are crazy ridiculous things - a million dollars, a car (he is only 14), a dog (one pet at a time and we have a cat), and other such items.

He just shredded his last decent pair of jeans today and I know, when I try to buy him new jeans he will scoff and tell me he doesn't need new jeans.

Hey Suzi, looks like the A's just traded for Josh Willingham.

They'll have a fairly respectable outfield next year with Dejesus in left, Coco in center and Willingham in Right. And Matsui at DH.

Now if they could just drop a shit-ton of cash on Beltre at third we could contend.

My nephew is 14 and is already angling for a car. I'm sure he'll have one by 16.

My parents bought him a practice jersey for the local junior hockey team. $140!! For a junior hockey jersey! I knew NHL jersey's were pricey, but I didn't think minor hockey would be too.

Poor Leif, he won't be 16 until his senior year.

$140? That's crazy.

SFistas: Do you have restaurant suggestions for places near Union Square? There's a academic conference in SF just after the new year and people are asking me, although I haven't lived there for 4 years.

Gud, I would guess that Lief would be a kid who would love an "experience" gift. Is there someplace that is cool to go to or do things at that is not generally available to him? Lessons of some sort, maybe?

I only send a response if I know it's a small group of people (so as not to inundate the senders mailbox) or I'm actually sending a message back.

But how will they know if you're attending or not? I hate spending time wondering if I should have rescheduled because no one's gotten back to me, or calling around like the unpopular kid who can't get a date. I don't see why you wouldn't just RSVP.

Which is what 90% of the current crop of remakes are.

As far as I can tell, it's 90% of everything everywhere, pretty much.

Boss! Reply to my emails!

That's a good idea. Fortunately, he regards the clubhouse/fort I'm building to be a Christmas gift. I suppose it kind of is. One day he came over with a drawing of a fort and asked if we could make it and we did.

An "experience" gift sounds like a great idea. I'm thinking of doing something similar for Mark, since he doesn't want to do gifts this year, but I'd still like to do something for him or come up with a plan for us to do something fun together.

Spidra, I'm so sorry you had such a rough day yesterday. Your situation must be incredibly frustrating. How are you doing today?

Boss! Reply to my emails!

Mine is "Boss! Stop sending me annoying emails! Those that minutes I told you weren't available an hour ago, still aren't available!!"