Well, people have been asking, so here it is, the Christmas list for 2008.

Updated: 11.24.08
Updated: 11.26.08: Jessie now has a list!

The narrowing process has begun. I hope to have the poll ready to go tonight!

Update: The baby name poll is up! Go vote!

Since I've started making my own soda I've been trying to find a good way to get it to work. I've used a travel mug that was okay, and I now have a mini thermos (500ml or about a pint) that I've been using.

Here is the problem. There are a lot of those things out there, and quite frankly many of them suck. A lot. My mini-thermos mostly works, except it leaks out from where the top screws on almost as much as what I pour out of the nozzle. Not to mention it is a replacement as the first one I got the vacuum seal failed the first use.

Does anyone out there have a mini-thermos type thing that really works well? I'm looking for real advice from people actually using them. I can Google/Amazon search, but without real live usage you can only trust those reviews so far.

I think I want to stick with Thermos style (i.e. little cup type lid with a pour spout) rather than a travel mug. And 16oz/500ml is a pretty good size for me.

Alrighty then, Road Warriors, what is your fav? P.S. budget is $25 or less.

Here is where we will put this year's Christmas lists for the family. Those looking to get us stuff can get some ideas from these lists. I'll try to include some links when possible. These will probably get updated often, and I'll try to drop a note here at the top when that happens. Any links are just for descriptions, etc, and should not be considered the only version or an endorsement.

Update: This is now the real list
Update: Now includes a list for Jessie

Today I, and others, received this email:

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO NETBANK MONEY MARKET, NET VALUE INTEREST CHECKING, and SUPER VALUE INTEREST CHECKING ACCOUNTS

Effective 11/23/2007 ("Effective Date") we will no longer process ATM transfers (including withdrawals) and point of sale transactions (including online and cash-back transactions) that you initiate using an ATM or debit card that accesses a NetBank Money Market, Net Value Interest Checking, or Super Value Interest Checking Account that was acquired by ING DIRECT on September 28, 2007. This means that on or after the Effective Date your NetBank ATM and/or NetBank VISA® Check card(s) won't work.

If you have any questions, please give us a call at 1-866-327-4599. For your convenience, we're available from 8 AM - 8 PM, 7 days a week.

Since ING will be dropping OFX support we need to find a new bank. Obviously as we search, it is very unlikely we will find any that gave us the same service that Netbank was known for. So we basically have a few items to prioritize: OFX support, fees for OFX support, and interest rate being our 'biggies.' While having a high interest rate for our checking account is nice, we don't really make a lot of money from that, so low fee or free OFX is our primary concern. We started the search by checking banks that we already have a business relationship with: loans, credit cards, etc. We also hit Google. Here is what we have found thus far:

Well, some of my fears regarding this whole Netbank shutdown are starting to come through. I now have confirmation from ING that they will be removing features from accounts when they have fully taken them over.

Some of the most convenient features of a Netbank account were:

• Free Online Bill Pay
• Free OFX Direct Connect
• Free OFX Direct Connect for online bill pay

[G2:8576 n=1 type=type size=150 class=right]The Anthony Gallo A'Diva Ti has returned, although with my schedule right now it will be a day or two before I really get to give it a listen and test.

Also I took some pictures of some Razr modifications I have done recently. Pretty much to make Jennifer jealous... :P

I just got off the phone with the folks at Anthony Gallo, they found that the driver is definitely defective, and are going to install a new one and send me 'Sparky' back. Hopefully I'll get it back Monday or Tuesday.

While registering the speakers I noticed that this month Gallo has a cash back rewards program where just auditioning a system at a dealer will get you $25 (in store credit), and they have rebates on most of their models from $75 to $150. Great deal if you want to check out the Gallos.

[G2:7862 n=1 type=type size=number class=right]After six years, I have finally completed assembling my Anthony Gallo speaker system. The two A'Diva Tis that complete the system arrived this afternoon, and I quickly assembled the stands and wired them into the system, retiring the older Nucleus Micros to the surrounds.

Now I need to pump sound through the system for a couple of weeks, then sit down and enjoy, well and evaluate. Click the picture to see a bit more, including a side by side with an A'Diva and a Nucleus Micro.

Unfortunately the A'Diva series is limited in color selection, thus the stainless steel rather than the much preferred Wine.