Then the Grinch got an idea...

..an awful idea. The Grinch got a wonderful, awful idea.

Okay, it's way more wonderful than awful.

I was cruising around the store the other day (more like a month ago but I lost track of time) and I thought - My, we have some neat stuff. Who do I know who would want this? Or this right here? Wait, I know, everyone I know online would like this.

What do we have? We have AWESOME things.

Like this...



Do you know what that is? It is a Death Star Planetarium. It includes a regular star map as well as a Star Wars universe sky map. Also, space ice cream. But Star Wars Planetarium. Like whoa and damn you know?

I also really wanted to do a dinosaur themed gift, but what could possibly compare to a Star Wars Planetarium?



Wait...?

A LARRY!


Yes, you too could have a Larry of your very own. Along with some other dinosaur things including a replica fossil, a dilophosaur puzzle, dinosaur temporary tattoos and a dig and play set. You know you want it all. And Larry will drop large boxes on the other toys you own. He does that you know.

This is my first solely blog based giveaway, and judging from previous times that means your chances are really really good. Because no one reads my blog. It's cool, I don't mind. I do it mostly for me. *sniffle*

So leave a comment with some sort of way to contact you and whether you prefer space or dinosaurs. It's going to be a tough decision but you're really going to have to pull through for me okay? Okay. [For the record, the presents are of equal monetary value - Death Star Planetariums ain't cheap.]

I'll find some suitable way to pick a winner on Christmas Eve, and put a package in the mail to you the next Monday. Thus, you have until noon pacific on Christmas Eve to leave a comment on this post.

YAY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Topper

I have a teensy, weensy problem...

I have nothing to grace the top of my tree.

*sadface*

In years past, I've put a gold and red star but I hung it in my office this year. I was never thrilled with it anyway, although it's gorgeous. When a tree includes a T-Rex, penguins and Commander Data it seems a bit of a cop-out to put a star at the top.

So this year I'm thinking about putting something special, something awesome. One of these guys...

For the record, that's a Rorschach {Watchmen}, Doctor McCoy {Star Trek}, Edward {Twilight} {Don't judge me}, and a plushie Batman {really?}. There are Pros and Cons for each:

Rorschach Pros: It would tie him up, keeping him from causing mischief, and generally (hopefully) keep him from setting the tree on fire like he's been threatening.
Rorschach Cons: I wouldn't put it past him to set the tree on fire even/especially when tied to it. Also, I'll have to listen to him bitch every time I go near it.

McCoy Pros: As a Star Trek fan it seems only logical, he's also by far the prettiest of the three, his blue uniform will go well with the color of my other ornaments.
McCoy Cons: He's kind of (excuse me for saying it) boring. He'd also be about three inches from my rather large Data ornament and for whatever reason they don't like each other much.

Edward Pros: Creepy Edward would be stuck to the tree, and not watching me while I sleep. It would amuse McCoy and Rorschach to no end. He's the best candidate for 'angel'.
Edward Cons: Anyone who came over would know my shame in owning him, and may not get the funny - instead thinking I'm a crazy twihard.

Batman Pros: He's adorable, he's also blue, he would enjoy a chance to be the 'Guardian of the Tree.'
Batman Cons: He's kind of small and I've had my eye on a Batman ornament and I'm not sure I'd want both on the tree. Seems like overkill. Also, he's kind of small.

So there's a poll in the sidebar... help me out here. Who do you think is the best/funniest/most awesome tree topper I could use?

I wish I had a Starbuck, she'd be the perfect 'angel' for my tree. If I find one, this poll will become absolutely moot.

Thanksgiving

I am, in the family in my vicinity, the person who cooks for Thanksgiving. I usually try to avoid having to do the turkey because frankly, if I'm making everything else someone else can bake a damn turkey...

*cough*



Anyway, this Thanksgiving I am making stuffing, mashed potatoes, brussell sprouts, rolls, cranberry sauce and pecan pie. All from scratch. Well, I am not a god, someone made the brussell sprouts, but still. My kitchen is a mess, my house is 107 degrees and I want sleep. Like, now. But I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I love Thanksgiving, it is probably my favorite holiday after Christmas. I love cooking for people, I love being around friends and family, and I just love this attitude of being thankful for things.

I'm not going to get super mushy, I'm not going to list the people I'm thankful for. I don't do that, even if I do occasionally end sentences in prepositions.

But from the deepest parts of my heart, I am thankful for you guys both here and on twitter. You've gotten me through some rough times whether you know it or not.

Thank you.

I'm laughing at you...

You know what I hate? People who tell you not to laugh at your own jokes.

Screw them. Bunch of whiny little bastards. If you're not laughing, why should anyone else?

Let me tell you something, and it's not a big secret, I think I am hysterical. I crack me up.

I talk to myself when I'm driving, quite a lot actually. Usually because the radio is off and as long as I'm talking to myself it keeps me from yelling at other drivers. Which I am also prone to do. I'm pretty sure I have some sort of automotive Tourette's.

Anyway, occasionally I'll be tooling along, conversing with myself, and say something so funny I have to pull over. I might even call someone and tell them the train of thoughts that led me to this amazing feat of comedic endeavor. Which, honestly, most people take about as well as cat stories,* that is to say with feigned interest while they do other things and mouth bad comments about you to whoever they're standing with.

I'll be sitting at home messing about on the internet and make a comment to myself that breaks me out in giggles.

No one will ever appreciate your sense of humor the same way you do, so why not take advantage of that?

It's okay to laugh at your own jokes, really.

*Dear people who own cats: no one but you and other cat owners really cares what your cats are up to. I've owned cats, I've told my fair share of "amusing" cat stories. But serious, no one cares.

The Military and Me

I have several jobs, one of which is currently doing work with the US Air Force to create... I'm not sure what exactly and frankly I'm not sure they know either. About a month ago we went to their base nearby and had a series of meetings there.

While I was there, I disovered some alarming things which I shared on twitter.

The Colonel we are working with is named "Colonel Tye." If that sounds familiar it's because he was one of the final five Cylons on Battlestar Galactica (two year old spoilers white out - you're welcome).

That's not the best part. The BEST PART is that his call sign, hand to god, is 'Toaster'.

Hand.


To.


God.



It gets weirder. The US Government uses a program called SkiWeb (pronounced 'sky-web'). I'll let that sink in for a moment. If you get why this weirds me out skip to the next paragraph, if not I'll explain: Web is a synonym for 'net'. Skynet is the program created by Cyberdene technologies which loosed a horde of bloodthirsty Austrian cyborgs on us in the Terminator universe. Yeah...

So what gift did we give the illustrious Colonel Tye, also known as 'Toaster', after we spent a week discussing, among other things, a program called 'SkiWeb'?

Any guesses?

I'll give you a hint, it was a model printed from our 3D printer.

Our 3D printer, by the way, is self-replecating, all of the parts for a new one can be printed on the printer itself (well, except for a few size restrictions our particular model has).

Anyone wanna guess?

We gave him this...

My boss and I have already had a discussion about this. I bear no responsibility for the upcoming robot apocalypse, he'll keep my name out of the records. In return, I'm required to inform him immediately if a woman in black fatigues comes looking for him.

Larry chooses a winner

Larry is here, hard at work to chose a winner from today's drawing. He chose this particular method, and you must forgive him, his handwriting is atrocious.

See what I mean, I can barely make out what this one says - wait a second. Larry, give me that.

The Hell? You are not eligible for this... no I don't care if you're hungry we will find you... dear god how many of these did you make?

Did you really think I wouldn't notice? Did you honestly think you would get away with, look at this! [Like a dog, sometimes you just have to rub your pet dinosaur's nose in the mess he's made.]*

Once I'd removed all of the ones that Larry had entered in his own name, I was feeling magnanimous and let him go diving for the winner.

And here we have it! I told you his handwriting was bad.

@purehero has won the walkable dinosaur of his choice, or he can have the adorable stegosaurus. Stegosaurus was his favorite dinosaur so there's that.

Thanks to everyone, even Larry who's a big fat cheater. Yes you young dinosaur. Here's a breakdown of the choices people made, compys were a surprise to me, and deinonychus were my write-in.




*I don't actually subscribe to this method of punishment, for the record.

Walk with the Dinosaurs

Is there anything in the world more adorable a tiny stuffed animal dinosaur on a leash? I maintain that there is not.

Look at that. Look at that. That is the definition of adorable. The very definition.


Want one? Of course you do. Either reply to this post or drop me an @ reply on twitter (@nerdheroine) telling me what your favorite dinosaur is and why, and I will send you the walkable dinosaur of your choice. Perfect for kids or those of us who are still five years old at heart.

This isn't really a contest, you don't have to retweet anything or do anything other than reply. If you reply to me on twitter you do need to be a follower of mine there, but you can reply on this post as well. Please leave an email when you reply so I can get in contact with you. 6pm central is the cutoff.

Larry has graciously agreed to be the arbitor of the day's events - but I've already had a talk with him so don't think choosing Velociraptor will get you anywhere.

Edited: As of 3pm, more than 50% of respondants have chosen the stegosaurus, as such, the winner may choose this non-walkable but still adorable stegosaurus plush.