For the holidays, do you tend to buy one big item for people, or a bunch of little things? If it’s a bunch of little things, do you try to have a “theme” to tie it all together? Which would you rather receive (one big item or a bunch of little things)? What type of “theme” gifts do people get for you?
This year, it seems like I am picking up a lot of little gifts for people. And the only theme that the gifts have is “things Kim thinks you would really like.”* I do know people who will try to theme your whole gift – and get other people to go in on the theme too. For example, they give you a set of golf clubs, and have your parents get you a golf bag and tees and balls, and somehow convince your spouse to buy you golf lessons at the fanciest course in town. Then you open the gift and say “Thanks! I can’t wait to use this in four months when there isn’t a foot of snow on the ground.” Anyway, some people really get in to that.
The funny thing about that completely hypothetical situation is that I often buy Steven gifts that he cannot use until the spring. Like last year’s formula car driving Groupon. I’m going to try not to do that this year, but darnit, why does his birthday have to be three days before Christmas?!
Anyway, I digress. I actually think the themed gifts can be done right, if it’s a theme you are interested in! Like diamonds. Or cashmere. Okay, that’s obviously a joke. We all know a I don’t have that fine of taste. My major theme seems to be running/exercise. And sometimes Star Wars.
*Except for one person I already warned that almost all of her stuff seems to be cat-themed. Sigh. Oops!
Have you ever made an elongated coin? Do you collect them?
Steven has been casually collecting them for awhile, so I bought this Penny Passport for him while we were in NYC*.
I didn’t realize this until I went to write this post, but apparently, elongated coins have been around since the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893! That’s pretty cool.
I know I made a few as a kid, but have no idea where they are. It would be fun to find them and see where I made them.
It’ll be fun to fill up Steven’s Penny Passport! Now we just need to go somewhere besides NYC…
*It will probably take me another week until I stop mentioning tidbits from our trip.
Yikes! Haven’t done one of these in about a month! I think I’ve lost my blogging mojo.
When you travel, do you ever send out postcards from your travel destination? Do you like receiving postcards?
Steven and I attended a comedy show last night and one of the comedian’s jokes was about how lame it is to send postcards. It was kind of a weak joke but we were laughing and smiling at each other because I had just dropped some off at the mailbox that morning!
So, I still send them. And like to receive them. I never know what to write on them though! There is not enough space to go in to any detail!
Do you like to go to the arcade (or places like Dave & Busters or Gameworks) to play games?
Here’s the thing. I really stink at video games. I am no good at them. So it seems silly for me to spend money playing them outside of my home, when I do so poorly. But, I do like watching other people play! So I will happily go along.
On Tuesday my older brother Nick was in town so we all went to one of those arcade places. Steven and Nick played most of the games.
But I decided I had to get in on a little Dance Dance Revolution action. It was my first time trying. And guess what? I totally stunk at it! But I had fun!
Steven would like you to take note of his creative camera work. If the video does not work (you have to have flash installed, I think), here is a link to it.
We also played a car racing game where they take a snapshot of you before you start, and then your picture is above the car you are racing… making it easier for other players to know which car you are in. I thought that was clever!
I really seem to like fictional historical books, like Philippa Gregory’s Tudor series. I read the book then kind of get in to learning more about that time period (usually via wikipedia).
I also like travel books – either fiction or non-fiction! I just finished Cycling Home from Siberia, the story of one man’s three year journey on bike from Siberia (through Japan, China, the Phillipines, Australia, India, the Middle East, and Europe) back to London. I loved reading about his inside perspective of each country he went through (country list much longer than my short list above). And his conclusion of how the trip changed him was very interesting too. I definitely recommend this book! Thank you Will (who does not read my blog) for loaning it to me.
I tend to read running books too, but they are kind of slow and dry. I will also read books that friends lend to me, but sometimes it takes me a long time to read them.
And sometimes I like fantasy/sci fi, but it has to be written well. The character’s names can’t be so confusing I can’t remember them.
And that reminds me – I read a book awhile ago that someone loaned to me and was part of a series. It was one of the middle books of the series, but you were supposed to be able to jump right in. It was hard, because there were so many characters (but with normal names) that I could not keep straight. I needed to create a cheat sheet or something!
The winner of the Board Dudes giveaway is #9, Kelly! Kelly, please email me your mailing address and I will send it your way. I hope it helps with your new photography business!
I’m going to have to ask my parents to confirm this one, but I remember clearly my best friend telling me I couldn’t come over because her mom thought I was loud.
So…
LOUD
I could have potentially been loud during the incident in this photo.
Sadly (or not?), you can still use that word to describe me now. I get a bit over-excited and loud at times.
Is there any outfit/article of clothing you wear that almost always gets you comments (good or bad, ha!)? What are the comments?
For some reason the Corn Maze 5K shirts seem to invite a lot of questions/comments. Steven wore his out tonight and three different people talked to us about it – asking where is it, saying it’s fun to do at night* (two people said that), being surprised it exists…
You know, I think I would ask if I saw someone with that shirt on too!
My brother-in-law and I are actually going to do the race again this year. It’s on October 16th** if anyone else local is looking for a funky “5K” (the course was half a mile short last year).
*That’s what she said.
**There is this site and a link to a MN corn maze – both called “The World’s Largest Corn Maze Run” – how can they both be the world’s largest?! World’s Largest Corn Maze Run in that state? Ha ha.
Steven got me a really nice Movado watch when I graduated from college in May of 2007. But the battery died about two years ago and I haven’t worn it since! Too lazy to get a new battery! Steven and I thought that had to come to an end so we took three watches to the jeweler last week to get them cleaned and have the batteries replaced. It will be weird to wear a watch on a regular basis again! Now I only wear a watch when I am running!
I usually just check my cell phone for the time, or my computer!
Hi! I'm Kim, a 27-year-old living in a Chicago suburb with my husband, Steven, and our cat, Data. I work in the design industry (architecture), follow a vegan lifestyle, and am addicted to running! I write about a variety of topics, and consider this a "life" blog - a place I can share anything that's on my mind. Please visit "About" and "100 Things" to get a better idea of who I am! :-) If you have any questions, or want to chat, you can contact me at kilax@ilaxstudio.com!
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