Urban Vancouver

Some people know the town as Sin City. Others are a little too familiar with the one-armed bandits and the cocktail waitresses in short skirts. For the more technologically inclined in the month of January, it’s known as the home of the Consumer Electronics Show. That’s right, I’m back in Las Vegas this week for CES! (This explains the new background image.) As you may recall, I went to Las Vegas http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2008/01/11/highlights-from-ces-2008-fata1ity-frankie-j-slash/">last January as well and that was my first Consumer Electronics Show. I had a great time, so I couldn’t resist the temptation of going back.

In terms of packing, what I brought to CES 2008 will be much the same as what I’m bringing this year. I’m going to do my best to get away with just a couple of carry-on bags so that I don’t have to deal with any checked in luggage. That, in addition to my NEXUS pass, should ease my path through airport security and all of that fun stuff.

Since I will be out and about for most of the day, I may be effectively unplugged from the matrix for several hours at a time, but each time I find some Internet, you will likely find me on Twitter. If you want to keep up with the latest tech and the hottest parties this week, following me on Twitter is probably a good move.

For my coverage of the show, be sure to keep your browsers directed at Futurelooks.com and Mobilemag.com. Some random coverage may end up here on Beyond the Rhetoric as well, assuming that I’m not too busy playing poker after the late-night parties.

In addition to CES, I’m also in Las Vegas for my first Affiliate Summit West. This will be my first blogging/marketing conference, so it will be a distinctly different experience from the tech trade shows that I have attended in the past. Maybe it’ll help propel this blog to the new level. I just hope that I won’t be jet-lagged when I come back.

If you happen to spot me roaming the Las Vegas Strip, don’t hesitate to say hi. It’s always fun to meet readers in person.

Admit it. You know you’ve done it. You know you’re probably going to do it again and you probably aren’t feel the slightest bit of guilt for doing it. Chances are that you may have done it during this most recent holiday shopping season, because you ran out of last minute gift ideas. I speak, of course, of regifting.

The phenomenon of regifting has quickly risen back to the surface these last few months, thanks to the credit crunch and the downturn in the economy. People are gripping their wallets more tightly than ever and they’re looking for ways where they can save some money. With regifting, you can take that unwanted present that you got last year and ship it off to someone else who may appreciate it more. There are certainly pros and cons to this kind of strategy, but you do have to tread carefully.

Regifting is Only for Cheap People?

For many people, regifting fell out of favor because it was frowned upon by the community at large. It just didn’t seem right to take a birthday present that you received and turn around to give it to someone else. You could be perceived as cheap, unthoughtful, or any number of other unfavorable characteristics. However, as more people are looking for ways to pinch those pennies, it became a little more acceptable to regift.

Regifting is an Act of Green

From an objective point of view, (almost) everyone wins with regifting. If something is going to go unused and unappreciated anyhow, it may as well go on to someone else. This can help the wallet of the person doing the regifting and it can help Mother Nature by reducing the amount of junk that ends up in the landfills. No extra money, aside from a little gift wrapping, needs to spent, but a little extra happiness can be achieved. The downside, of course, is if the the original gift giver finds out that their gift has been regifted. That would make for a rather unpleasant situation.

Two Rules for Regifting

As a general rule of thumb, you should never regift within the same social circle. For example, if you received a gift from a co-worker, you probably shouldn’t regift that present to another co-worker. This just avoids unnecessary conflicts and confrontations. Instead, take that gift and give it a family member who will never visit you at work. Another general rule is to never regift anything that may have some personalization or sentimental value. That’s just mean. Tossing a treasured family heirloom to a random acquaintance is probably not the brightest of ideas, especially if it has been engraved with “From Your Loving Aunt Trudy.”

I didn’t do any regifting during this most recent holiday shopping season, but I did do some regifting with a blog contest or two. That is, if you count the redistribution of trade show swag as regifting. Does that count?

Last month, Vancouver endured one of the biggest snowfalls in the city’s history, but we thought that we had survived the worst of it. Waking up Saturday morning, I discovered that the sky had opened up again with another massive snowfall on the way. Despite the less than ideal weather conditions, the Dot Com Pho crew still managed to get together for the first Dot Com Pho of 2009.

While the restaurant may officially be known as Pho Vancouver (although it is sometimes listed as Cambie Vietnamese Restaurant or simply Vietnamese Restaurant), this group of rowdy online entrepreneurs knows the Vietnamese restaurant on Main and King Edward in Vancouver as Happy Pho. The proprietor, Brian, really makes it the happiest pho on Earth. Maybe that’s why this was one of the larger gatherings we’ve had too with a total of 15 attendees!

Among the highlights are some USB-powered gloves to keep you warm in the winter, an iPhone app that really gets Ed Lau to blow, the biggest Twitter shoutout to date, and a quick note about the Night Before CES party.

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The typical web surfer has a notoriously short attention span, so it’s not at all surprising that the “regular” readers of Beyond the Rhetoric at the beginning of 2008 are a little different than the people who are still reading my blog today. In this way, if you happened to join the BTR community at some time during the last year, you may have missed out on some of the content that was posted before your first visit. Even if you’ve been subscribed this whole time (thanks for the loyalty!), you may have skipped a post or two, because they didn’t seem to tickle your fancy at the time.

Whatever the case, you may be interested to hear what everyone else was reading on Beyond the Rhetoric in 2008. After all, you are what you read and I certainly appreciate that you choose to read my random musings, whether they be about improving your grammar or getting free birthday food. I like to keep things pretty eclectic around these parts.

So, what was everyone reading? According to Google Analytics, the ten most read blog posts from 2008 are:

1. 7 Handy Google Search Tips and Tricks
2. Dine Out Vancouver 2008: List of Restaurants
3. Richmond Night Market 2008
4. 10 Things I Hate About Vancouver
5. Local Tourist - Summer Night Market
6. Video: Top 10 Best SNES Games Ever
7. Real Dot Com Moguls Eat From a Toilet
8. Contest: Who Wants a Free Video Game?
9. Freelancing: Why It’s Easier Blogging For Others
10. Rock Band 2 is Better Than Guitar Hero World Tour

As you may suspect, the data is a little skewed because it is based on total pageviews over the course of the 2008 calendar year. In this way, posts from the first part of the year have the added advantage of simply existing for a longer period of time. I am glad to see at least one post from later in the year (the one about Rock Band) make the cut, if only by a hair.

Once again, thank you for your continued support and here’s a healthy and happy 2009! Cheers!

Since I changed the sidebar heading from Top Commentators to Top Thinkers, I thought it would only be appropriately that the monthly roundup post took on the same kind of vernacular. While many people were out doing some Christmas gift shopping, they still found some time to leave their mark on Beyond the Rhetoric as well.

Not surprisingly, one of the posts that generated the most discussion was the one that introduced the new Beyond the Rhetoric. This new theme is still very much a work in progress, so don’t hesitate to provide any feedback that you may have.

So, who had the most to say in the month of December 2008?

1. Nick (29 Comments)
2. Deborah (6 Comments)
3. Derek (6 Comments)
4. Betshopboy (5 Comments)
5. Eric Tan (4 Comments)

It’s pretty obvious that Nick of Romandock.com was, by far, the most vocal of the Beyond the Rhetoric readers last month. Do you think you can top his count for January? As I’ve said many times before, this blog is meant to encourage conversation and discussion. Otherwise, I’m just typing into a black hole, right?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and days o’ lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne.
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

As hard as it may be to believe, another year has come and gone. If you live in the New York area, you may be reading this post from your iPhone, waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square. If you’ve been snowed in, then you may be hanging out at home with friends and loved ones, playing a few Wii games before counting down with Carson Daly on NBC.

Whatever you’re doing to celebrate the departure of 2008, it may be a good idea to check out this last What’s Up Wednesdays of the year. Have a glass of champagne (or ginger ale) on me.

Checking, Calling, and Counting Cards

Some people regard poker as gambling, just as they would with blackjack or roulette. This is not the case. Poker is about calculated risks, working out the odds, and playing the psychological game with your opponents. The Poker Jerk recognizes this critical differentiation, providing a comprehensive explanation of calculating your odds and your outs. By doing a little bit of math, you can substantially improve your poker success.

Follow Me, Follow You on Twitter

Twitter can be a great way to develop a community, get your news, and generate traffic for your blog. As the platform matures, Darren Barefoot is starting to learn that reciprocal following on Twitter is the new blogroll. It just seems like common courtesy to follow those who follow you, but does this result in information overload? Do you follow me on Twitter?

Freelancers Are Cheaper Than You Thought

Some prospective clients can be quite shocked when they hear what freelance writers charge for their work, but as Thursday Bram reminds us, freelancers are not actually more expensive. For regular employees, companies have to pay into a pension plan, medical plan, income taxes, and all sorts of other expenses, including the costs involved with maintaining office space and equipment, not to mention paying for downtime. By hiring a freelancer, the price you’re quoted is the bottom line price you pay.

Political Commentary Around the Globe

It is far too easy to put on those blinkers and become too ignorant of the world around you. Jeff Kee takes off those blinkers and provides a heated discussion regarding the conflicts in Israel and Palestine. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Is there a good guy and a bad guy in this conflict? What is the best resolution to this ongoing issue in the Middle East?

Late Night Comedy Dies with Departure of Dubya

Like many Canadians, I was rooting for Barack Obama to win the US Presidential election last month. That said, it is with a slight tear in my eye that we will soon be saying goodbye to George W. Bush. Ed Lau agrees, I suppose, since he posted up the top 10 Dubya moments from the Late Show with David Letterman. It’s easy to make fun of Dubya. Making fun of Barack may not be quite so easy… yet.

The dust has settled and the cream has risen to the top. The 2008 NFL regular season has come to a close, ushering in another month worth of playoff games before Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay on February 1, 2009. Before we head over to the playoff picture, let’s have a look at how my predictions performed in Week 17.

Well, at least that’s a notable improvement over the couple of weeks that preceded it. The Lions managed to finish the season without a single victory. That’s one way to get into the record books. Donovan McNabb and the Eagles mounted an impressive victory over the Dallas Cowboys, eliminating “America’s Team” from any shot at the Vince Lombardi trophy. It was also quite the surprise to find the Dolphins taking the AFC East, casting the New York Jets and New England Patriots off to the golf course. Denver also got the boot, despite leading its division for the majority of the season.

In many of the weeks in the 2008 NFL season, I found myself getting pummeled with picks that didn’t go my way. Some of you may have left comments on this blog reminding me of this fact, questioning how well I managed to perform on the season as a whole. Here’s a quick week-by-week recap.

• Week 1 - 9/15
• Week 2 - 7/15
• Week 3 - 12/16
• Week 4 - 8/13
• Week 5 - 10/13
• Week 6 - 7/14
• Week 7 - 6/14
• Week 8 - 4/14
• Week 9 - 5/14
• Week 10 - 10/13
• Week 11 - 10/15
• Week 12 - 7/15
• Week 13 - 6/13
• Week 14 - 4/15
• Week 15 - 3/15
• Week 16 - 4/15
• Week 17 - 9/16

These predictions largely did not include Thursday or Saturday games, focusing on the games played on Sundays and Mondays. All in all, I had 121 correct predictions out of a total of 245 picks. This represents an overall accuracy of 49.39%, just a hair short of beating chance. I only needed two more correct predictions to break the 50% barrier. In the end, this is obviously not an impressive performance by any stretch of the imagination, but the bright side is that I am at least as accurate as a flipping quarter.

Looking ahead to the Super Bowl, my early prediction has the Manning brothers facing off with the New York Giants representing the NFC and the Indianapolis Colts representing the AFC. That said, I would not be surprised to find the Carolina Panthers or the Baltimore Ravens making it to the big dance either.

What was once a casual diversion has quickly transformed itself into an utter obsession. There is so much more to the Internet these days than just a few random email messages and some bulletin board postings. For a freelance writer and professional blogger like myself, the world wide web really is a way of life (and the source of my livelihood). I have a burning suspicion that I am far from being the only one who is addicted to the Internet.

As a bit of a personal experiment, I wanted to see if it was at all possible for me to disconnect completely from the Internet for an entire weekend. Removing myself from the clutches of the matrix would be quite the challenge, of course, but it also could be quite the source of relief. Possibly even carthartic or enlightening, if you will. Could I do it? Raul put the odds at 2-to-1, but I thought it was much more of a long shot than that.

The first 12 hours or so went by without too much of a hitch. I had timestamped a couple of posts the night before, so I knew that Beyond the Rhetoric would still get new content over the weekend. With a single exception, I have managed to update this blog at least once a day since migrating to WordPress so many moons ago. Things were going well and I thought I could survive the weekend without the Internet.

Saturday evening set in and I ensconced myself in front of the television for some mindless entertainment. Part of this has to do with an Internet addiction and another part may have to do with my work ethic, but I almost felt guilty for not doing something productive. I should be checking my email, I thought. I should be updating my books and writing a blog post, I pondered. Surprisingly, I was able to resist these urges and had a reasonably relaxing rest of the night.

Waking up Sunday morning, I caved. The excuse that I gave myself was that I had to check if my friend had replied to my message on Facebook, as we were planning to meet for Sunday brunch. I probably could have called or texted her instead.

After checking Facebook for any new messages, I followed the slippery slope over to checking my email, peeking at my Twitter, and approving any moderated comments for this blog. Yes, I caved. I managed to stay away from the net for only about 36 hours… not quite my goal of an entire weekend.

It’s not that there haven’t been other episodes when I unplugged from the matrix for a longer period of time, but some of those were involuntary and others were before my shift to a career in freelancing. Given my experimental experience this weekend, I’m beginning to wonder whether it would be a good thing or a bad thing for me to get a wireless data plan on my smartphone. On the one hand, I wouldn’t have to endure the same kind of withdrawal symptoms. On the other hand, wireless web would simply tighten the grip that the Internet has on me.

For now, I suppose I will stick with the status quo. I hope that my trip to CES in Las Vegas next month avails itself to plentiful Internet connectivity. It is the Consumer Electronics Show, after all, but last year was a little hit or miss. At the very least, I’ll have parties and poker to occupy my time.

Excuse me as I go on a bit of a Boxing Day stream of consciousness. The following five thoughts were recorded at somewhat random times during my shopping journey on Friday.

1. Trudging Through Snow and Ice Is Not Fun

Even though it may qualify me as being clinically insane, I normally take the car when I am going to go Boxing Day shopping. This is despite the increased traffic and the time needed to find a parking spot. This year, largely because of the incredible weather and road conditions, I decided to take public transit instead.

Walking out to the bus stop, I watched as the bus passed me by. I was only about another half-block away! The next bus wasn’t coming for another half an hour, so I transversed the inhospitable landscape to the next major street. With ice on the sidewalks and piles of snow everywhere, walking around was not fun. I don’t recommend it.

2. Beyond This Lineup Is Another Lineup

Upon making it to the mall, I saw a lineup outside the EB Games location. I had thought about buying Halo 3 for my Xbox 360 and I knew that they had it on sale, so I figured that it might be worthwhile. Little did I know that beyond the outer lineup was another massive coiling lineup inside the store. Nope. I am not going to endure that.

3. Unexpected Deals Are The Best Kind

Slowly waltzing my way through the mall, I eventually wandered my way over to Toys R Us. Going to the video game section, I discovered that they had Halo 3 on sale for the same price as EB Games… plus fifty percent off a second game. Good thing I didn’t choose to lineup outside EB!

4. Yes! It’s Street Fighter IV!

After meandering my way through a few clothing stores, I ended up at the arcade. Yes, they still exist. Better still, this arcade had four cabinets with Street Fighter IV. Although this great fighting game will be out for the Xbox 360 and PS3 early next year, I couldn’t help myself. While I’m far from a Street Fighter pro, I do consider myself a Street Fighter enthusiast.

Choosing Blanka, I managed to defeat my first human opponent. He chose Ryu. After that, I faced off against someone who chose Sagat. He quickly made short work of my clearly mediocre Blanka skills. Although I enjoyed the game, I thought the graphics were more impressive in the online videos than in real life. That said, I still want it.

5. I Need A Coffee and a Seat

With tired feet and a lack of sleep, I ventured into the Starbucks for a well-deserved coffee break. Ah… much better.

In the end, I managed to score a couple of minor deals, but there was nothing to write home about. Will I attempt this epic adventure called Boxing Day next year? I guess it’ll depend on how bored I am.

Post-Mortem: As I mentioned on Twitter, the public transit system essentially shut down in the afternoon, leaving me stranded at the mall. Thankfully, I was able to get a ride from my friend’s dad.

This is it. This is the big dance before, um, the bigger dance. Week 17 is the last week in the NFL’s regular season, determining once and for all which teams will be continuing on to the Super Bowl playoffs and which teams will start practicing their golf skills.

As you may have noticed, my NFL predictions have been hit and miss all year long, but surprisingly, I’m still averaging an overall accuracy right around 50%. I’ll try to provide a final tally along with the NFL Week 17 results early next week.

There are some pretty important football games this week. It’ll be interesting to see if Tony Romo can rise to the occasion for the Dallas Cowboys against the Philadelphia Eagles, for example, and I’m looking forward to the Sunday night game between the Denver Broncos and the San Diego Chargers. The winners of both of those games go on to the playoffs, whereas the losers go home.

Ironically, one of the potentially most exciting games — Indianapolis and Tennessee — really means nothing, because both of those squads are already locked into their playoff positions. Maybe they’ll meet again in the second round of the playoffs (the Titans get a first week bye).

Instead of going through game by game as I normally have, I’ve kept this week’s predictions short, sweet, and to the point. Wish my luck!

For those of you who are not quite as familiar, Boxing Day in Canada (and some other countries) is essentially the same phenomenon as Black Friday in the United States. The day after Christmas Day, Boxing Day is the biggest shopping day in Canada with many retailers, online and offline, offering some of their best sales of the year. It’s not uncommon to find people waiting in line outside of a Best Buy or Wal-Mart several hours before the store opens its doors.

Last year, I skipped Boxing Day for a number of reasons. I didn’t really have anything that I wanted to buy and the things that I did want to buy were available online instead.

Further still, I make money online as a freelance writer, so while most other conventional workers would have the day off, I could easily put in a full day of work on Boxing Day instead. The amount of money that I would make during that period could effectively cover any potential savings I may have. I can then go shopping a few days later when everyone else is back at their respective offices.

Given all of these reasons, you may be surprised to hear that I am indeed going to brave the insane crowds at the shopping mall this year for Boxing Day shopping. Is it that I have any specific that I want to buy? Not really. I might pick up a sweater and a couple of video games, but nothing too major. Is it that I don’t have any work to occupy myself if I were to stay at home? Not exactly. There isn’t a lot of work to do, but I have projects on my plate that I could address.

Why, then, am I crazy enough to hit the mall this year for Boxing Day? I’m not entirely sure. Maybe I’m just bored and looking for something to do. I do enjoy people watching, so I might just grab a cup of coffee and observe the crowd behavior. For all of my fellow Canadians in the audience, are you going Boxing Day shopping this year? Have you already gone and come back?

May your egg nog be spiked, your shortbread cookies sweet, and your presents be grand. Have yourself a merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, a great Kwanzaa, a terrific Festivus, and whatever else you want to celebrate during this holiday season. Be safe out there!

If you are reading this post, it probably means that you are attempting to brave the crowd of last minute shoppers. Good for you. It’s far too easy to get caught up in the over-commercialization of the holiday season. This time of year should be spent with loved ones around the fireplace, sharing stories and sipping on hot chocolate. If you are looking for a last minute gift for the Internet marketers in your life, though, I happen to know of a certain 50% off sale that they’ll certainly appreciate.

Seeing how today is Christmas Eve, I figured it would only be appropriate to dedicate today’s What’s Up Wednesdays roundup to the holidays. Bundle up under that blanket, grab your cup of eggnog, and enjoy what the blogosphere has to offer.

What’s Under Leo’s Christmas Tree?

Leo Chiang feels that he has been a good boy this year, so he treated himself to an early Christmas present in the form of the new BlackBerry Storm. The old Pearl served the stunt actor just fine for a couple of years, but he felt it was time for an upgrade. I’d say the clicking touchscreen-equipped Storm was a pretty good choice!

The Holidays and Charitable Giving

Consumerism Commentary recognizes that the economy is not exactly in the best of shape these days and a lot of people are feeling its dramatic effects. In following this, Flexo of Consumer Commentary asks if you contributed less to charities this year as a result. Flexo didn’t. He donated more, partly because the need is so much greater this year for so many more people. Great work, Flexo!

How Does Your City Handle Snow?

Rebecca Bollwitt, like most people from the Vancouver area, is not exactly accustomed to the giant snowfall that we have experienced over the weekend. As a public service, she reminds us of snow etiquette in Vancouver. Be sure to clear the sidewalk in front of your house, avoid the extra icy side streets if at all possible, and simply show a little courtesy to your fellow snow-covered Vancouverite.

Making a Run for the Border

Stephen Fung decided to get out of the winter weather to approach the warmer climes of the Mayan Riviera. Unfortunately, he encountered a lot of fail at Sea-Tac Airport along the way. From a massive Starbucks lineup to an abundance of cancelled flights, his holiday trip to Mexico didn’t exactly get off to a great start. I hope he’s sipping on something with tequila as I write this now.

What Would Charlie Brown Do?

Michael Stelzner asks a very simple yet incredibly profound question: What does Christmas mean to you? For some kids, it’s about getting new toys. For older folks, it may be about drunken parties. In the end, it is perhaps best if we take a page out of Charlie Brown’s book and remember to share the love.

Well, I’ve got some good news and I’ve got some bad news. The good news is that my NFL Week 16 predictions performed better than my predictions from Week 15. The bad news is that I only got one more correct, still resulting in quite the abysmal sea of red.

I was actually quite surprised to see the Baltimore Ravens prevail over the Dallas Cowboys. It’s not that I don’t respect the Ravens–they’re a really good team–but I thought that Tony Romo and Terrell Owens would rise to the occasion to clinch a playoff berth. As it stands, the Cowboys’ playoff situation is terribly muddled and complicated, opening the door for teams like the Philadelphia Eagles. I can’t believe that McNabb still has a chance.

I’m glad to see the Detroit Lions “achieve” the status as the first team to ever go 0-15. One more week to go for a “perfect” winless season. You can surely expect a lot of changes in that organization, and possibly the Cincinnati Bengals too, during the off-season.

With a win by San Diego and a loss by Denver (both incorrectly predicted), we are faced with quite the epic showdown next week to determine who will take the AFC West divisional crown. I thought it was already a given that the Broncos, despite having a relatively poor record, would waltz into the post-season. Two straight losses by the Broncs and three straight wins by the Chargers really change things, eh?

In terms of a really early Super Bowl prediction, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the Carolina Panthers come out of the NFC (they almost beat the Giants) and the Indianapolis Colts come out of the AFC, with Peyton Manning receiving another ring after four quarters of play. Who do you think will win the Super Bowl this year?

In previous Grammar 101 posts, I discussed some odd singular-plural pairs, the difference between less and fewer, and how to use apostrophes, among other things. One common error that I’ve been seeing a lot lately (especially with television commercials) is the confusion between adjectives and adverbs.

Taking a short stroll back to elementary school, you may recall that an adjective is used to describe or modify a noun, whereas an adverb is used to describe or modify a verb. Take the following sentence as an example:

The sly fox crawled slowly toward the rabbit.

In that sentence, “sly” is an adjective (describing the fox) and “slowly” is an adverb (described how the fox crawled. For most people who are familiar with the English language, the distinction between an adjective and an adverb appears to be quite clear, but there are certain instances where the two get easily confused. Perhaps the most common of these instances is differentiating between “easier” and “more easily.” This error is perhaps even more common than misusing affect and effect.

“Easier” is an adjective, used to describe a noun. His job is easier than mine is. “More easily” is an adverb, used to describe an action. The new car runs more easily than the old car. This sounds like a simple enough distinction, but I’ve seen quite a few places where ad companies (and people) used “easier” where they really should have used “more easily.”

Pay your bills easier with online billing.

In this example, it should be written as “Pay your bills more easily with online billing.” We are describing how the bills can be paid. By contrast, it would be correct to use “easier” in the following sentence, because “bill paying” is actually a noun. It is short for “the act of bill paying.”

Make bill paying easier with online billing.

In addition to easier and more easily, there are many other cases where such confusion may occur. Colloquially, you could probably get away with minor errors like these, but if you want to find success as a freelancer, you’ll want to keep these little quirks in check.

That’s right. I’m finally home for the holidays, so one of the first things I did after getting off the plane was to meet up for some glorious Dot Com Pho. Unfortunately, the perfect storm made for a bit of a trade-off in terms of attendance. I’m back, but Stephen Fung is in Mexico, iPhone Gary is in Seychelles, and Greg Morgan is… sleeping?

While John Chow may think that the highlight of the episode was the giving away of a $397 Internet education package of some kind, Ed Lau and I will have to agree that Sally Chow steals the show. Look for the “Sally Making Faces” segment to become a regular thing, because we just had too much fun. It’s amazing what happens when you turn on a video camera, because we normally have insightful, intelligent conversations. Really, we do.

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As hard as it may be to believe, Christmas is just a few days away. Many of the world’s children have already sent their letters to some chubby fellow in a bright red suit, hoping that they will be showered in gifts after the said rotund guy makes his way down the chimney. Part of us never really wants to grow up, I suppose, and that’s so many of us still compile (officially or unofficially) a wish list around this time of year. I am no exception.

While I don’t really expect to receive any of these this year, I thought it would still be a fun exercise to put together a short list of things that I want for Christmas. Feel free to mention your most sought-after gift using the comment form at the end of this post too. Who knows? Maybe Santa is reading Beyond the Rhetoric too. Better still, maybe he’ll buy you some free advertising.

Realistic Wish List

The concept of what is realistic will obviously vary from person to person, so I can only speak from my perspective. It will also, of course, depend on the relationship between the gift giver and the gift receiver. With that in mind, here are some “realistic” gifts that I wouldn’t mind receiving.

• Wii Points Card: Even though I’ve had my Nintendo Wii for over two years now, I have yet to download any from the Virtual Console. Some Wii Points would certainly get me started.
• Xbox Live Arcade Points: Having recently purchased an Xbox 360, I’ve already started getting some games online, like Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. More points will aid in this enjoyment.
• Vancouver Canucks Touque: You’ve got to support the hometown hockey team. I have a Canucks cap, but my old touque (my Australian friends call it a beanie) needs a replacement.

Slightly Less Realistic Wish List

Bumping up the budget a little further, a whole world of additional opportunities present themselves. If you’re feeling generous, this freelance writer wouldn’t mind a little something under the Christmas tree this year.

• HTC Fuze: I’ve been itching to update my cell phone for some time and the HTC Fuze (the AT&T variant of the HTC Touch Pro) is easily one of my favorites. I’m also considering the Nokia E71, Palm Treo Pro, and Nokia N97.
• Asus Eee PC 1000H: Looking through the netbook market, this is one of the best. It’s got a 10-inch screen and a real hard drive, boasting some of the best build quality at a reasonable price point.
• Wacom Tablet: While I am certainly far from being a PhotoShop expert, I do dabble a little in image editing. A Wacom tablet would make that a lot easier for me.

Very Unlikely Wish List

When money is no object, the sky is the limit.

• Apple MacBook Pro: Looking at the rest of the Dot Com Pho crew, they’ve all converted to the Altar of Steve. Having a Mac around would open up some more product review opportunities for me too.
• Lexus IS250 AWD: Getting a high-end sports car would be fun, but not very practical. The IS250 AWD is not the fastest car out there, but it’s actually useful. The IS-F would be even better.
• A House in Vancouver: Real estate is always nice.

What I Really Want for Christmas

Yes, I’ve got quite the list of things that I would love to receive for Christmas, but in the grand scheme of things, I’m reasonably happy right where I am. If I really wanted to buy a new cell phone, I can afford to buy it for myself. I feel quite blessed to have that kind of luxury.

For this reason (among several others), what I really want for Christmas is for everyone to open their hearts (and their wallets) to charitable organizations in their area. Whether it be Union Gospel Mission or United Way, remember to support those in need. I don’t need a new netbook, but those less fortunate need a warm meal. If A Charlie Brown Christmas has taught us anything, it’s that we could all use a little love.

As we inch our way toward Super Bowl XLIII, we get a little closer to seeing what will be the first round playoff matchups. As I’ve said in previous weeks, I’m still hopeful for a subway series between the Jets and the Giants of New York, but I’d still be very happy to see the championship go to the Dallas Cowboys (”America’s Team”) or any team from the highly competitive NFC South.

I’ve been making NFL predictions all season. Some weeks have gone in my favor, whereas other weeks, well, haven’t been as kind. Thankfully, the only wager I have on the line is a point of pride. Based on how I did last week, you may be advised to take my picks and select the exact opposite if you’re calling your guy in Las Vegas.

Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys (-4.5)
If you’re looking for the game of the week, the NFL is giving it to you one day early. On Saturday evening, we’ll see the Baltimore Ravens storm into Dallas to take on Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys. This’ll be a great battle, but I expect the ‘Boys to come out with their playoff-fighting lives intact.
Pick: Dallas

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns (-2.5)
These “division rivals” have absolutely nothing to gain from this game, not even the respect of the football community. What happened to the Bengals? They seemed so promising last year…
Pick: Cleveland

New Orleans Saints (-6.5) at Detroit Lions
Here’s me rooting for the Lions. To go 0-15.
Pick: New Orleans

Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots (-7.5)
The Cardinals have clinched their division, but that doesn’t mean much considering how the Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks have performed this year. The Patriots are still vying for a playoff spot, so expect New England to come out with plenty of motivation and energy right off the blocks.
Pick: New England

Pittsburgh Steelers (-1.5) at Tennessee Titans
Both of these teams have clinched their respective divisions, but I don’t believe the Titans have clinched a first-week bye in the playoffs. The 12-2 Titans don’t get enough respect. It’ll be a tight one, but look for the “upset.”
Pick: Tennessee

San Francisco 49ers (-4.5) at St. Louis Rams
This is a game that doesn’t matter between two teams that suck equally. I’ll just default to the “favorite” (and I use that term loosely).
Pick: San Francisco

Miami Dolphins (-3.5) at Kansas City Chiefs
Where did these Dolphins come from? They find themselves in a three-way tie for the AFC East. Luckily for them, they’ve got the Chiefs on the other side of the field this week.
Pick: Miami

San Diego Chargers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3.5)
If Tampa wants any chance of making the playoffs, they’ll need to trample the struggling Chargers. I think they’ll succeed at home, effectively ending any chance of San Diego making the post-season.
Pick: Tampa Bay

Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (-6.5)
With a win, the Broncos secure their division. Not that it matters, because San Diego will lose in Tampa earlier in the day to give Denver the division title anyhow. Look for Jay Cutler to lead his team to another surprising victory.
Pick: Denver

New York Jets (-4.5) at Seattle Seahawks
The battle in the AFC East continues with the Jets looking to move ahead of the Patriots and Dolphins. Brett Favre will be looking at a horrible Seahawks squad, but he’ll have to deal with the Qwest Field noise too. Still, the Jets will prevail.
Pick: New York

Houston Texans (-6.5) at Oakland Raiders
Neither team has any chance of making the playoffs and neither team has much to offer in terms of entertainment either.
Pick: Houston

Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings (-3.5)
As much as I love how Atlanta managed to turn itself around so quickly following the Michael Vick fiasco, Adrian Peterson and the Vikings will steal this one away, effectively ending any chance of Atlanta making it to the post-season.
Pick: Minnesota

Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5) at Washington Redskins
The Redskins enjoyed a remarkably great start to the season, but that fire quickly fizzled and they haven’t been able to re-ignite it since. The Eagles, led by the overrated duo of Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid, still have a shot at making the playoffs, so they’ll be putting their hearts on the line. Philly’s on a roll.
Pick: Philadelphia

Carolina Panthers at New York Giants (-2.5)
Am I crazy for going against the defending Super Bowl champions? Following the misfiring distractions of Plaxico Burress, the Giants have lost two straight games. After this week, it’ll be three straight losses.
Pick: Carolina

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears (-4.5)
Back when Favre was lined up behind center for the Pack, this Monday Night matchup might have been a little more exciting, a little more epic. As it stands, the Bears are the only ones standing to gain anything from this matchup. Lovie Smith needs this one.
Pick: Chicago

Haven’t you heard? The new Beyond the Rhetoric launched this week, breathing new life and plenty of inspiration into this old blog of mine. To celebrate the (beta) launch of the new Beyond the Rhetoric design, I’ve decided to offer a special sale to any advertisers who may be interested.

As you may have noticed, the new design features a section near the top of the page that displays three 125 x 125 ad blocks. This ad format is getting incredibly popular, but I wanted to experiment with a different placement than everyone else. The current rotation includes six ad banners in all, with three dynamically selected banners displayed at any one time. Want an extra special deal for one of those ad spots? How about a holiday gift of some free advertising?

The regular price for the ad spot is $50 a month. Consider the prominent visibility of the banners, this is already a tremendous value, but I want to give you more value for the holidays. If you order an ad spot before the end of the year (December 31, 2008), you can have it for 50% off, including all renewals thereafter. In effect, you can have an ad spot for just $25 (US) a month.

But wait. There’s more. Buy an ad spot and I’ll give you the rest of December for free. That’s up to two weeks ($25 value) of advertising for free, bumping your end/renewal date to January 31, 2009. Remember, all subsequent renewals (assuming there is no “break” in between) will still be eligible for the reduced price of $25 a month.

This is only for the first six people who purchase an ad spot, of course, as rotation is limited to just six banners. Send the $25 (US) via PayPal to michael (at) michaelkwan (dot) com, sending your 125×125 image and link information to the same address. Animated GIF images are fine, but no Flash.

Thanks and have a great rest of 2008.