Some "Duh" Advice

If they hurt whe you try them on in the store, they will hurt when you wear them out at night.  It doesn't matter how pretty they are: it's not worth it!

"Advice Queue"

(Will I really like Brothers and sisters?) 

My netflix queue currently has 149 DVDs listd on it.  About an hour ago, it had 262.  Needless to say, I just completed a major purge.  Most of the movies I deleted were ones that Netflix reccomended, either based on other movies I indicated I liked, or added to my queue.  I originally added them because they looked mildly interesting and I knew I would forget all about them if I didn't add them right then and there.  (I think the fact that I knew I would forget all about them should have been my clue to not even bother adding them in the first place).

The fact that I deleted so many movies that netflix reccomended to me makes me doubt their reccomendation system.  I am thinking that they are not giving me very good advice about what movies I should watch.  

And, as a "professional advice giver," I just can't handle that.

I guess when it comes down to it, I still prefer word of mouth reccomendations over Netflix reccomendations.  They seem to just work out better.  So, in the spirit of that statement, I am going to suggest we all give each other a little Netflix "advice" right here on askastrid.  An AskAstrid Netflix queue, if you will.  List a movie that you got from netflix (and enjoyed) whenever you feel the urge, and I'll do the same.  Maybe it will make our movie watching experiences a little bit better. : )

Top Tips For Surviving Black Friday

•    Check Out Your Coffee Scene.  If your first stop is in the mall, and your mall has a coffee place, you’re set.  Most malls require all stores to open at the same time, so if Macy’s is open at 4AM, Starbucks will be too.  However, if you are going to a mini mall or big box area, the surrounding coffee sources may not be open.  Bring a thermos of mug with you, just in case.  You can always enjoy a peppermint mochas after your shopping is over and coffee places are open.
•    Research and Prioritize.  This may seems like a no-brainer, but do your research ahead of time.  Clip all necessary coupons, and develop a plan of attack.  Decide which stores and gifts you will focus on first, then go from there.
•    Check Your Receipt.  There’s no point in lining up all night if you don’t even end up getting the deal you wanted.  Watch the clerk ring you up, and check your receipt before you relieve the store.  
•    Play Nice.  I don’t care how little sleep you got, or how much you really need that ( fill in the blank) for your dear (insert relative’s name here).   Being rude to fellow shoppers, store clerks, and anyone else you dragged along with you on your early morning shopping expedition simply isn’t in the spirit of the holidays.  Don’t do it.

Smart Money also offers some awesome advice that is worth checking out.

Top 5 Tips For Surviving Turkey Day

•    Sort Your Alcohol Plans Before You Go.  Need a little alcohol to keep yourself calm when surrounded by masses of relatives that probe you with inappropriate questions about your love life?  I say go for it.  However, I also say “designate a driver.”  Get someone else to drive you to and fro the festivities, and for heaven’s sake, BYO Merlot if you’re going to be boozing up.  Also keep in mind that while a drink or two can help relax your nerves, six or seven will make you say something offensive to your seven-year-old niece and throw up your turkey dinner.  Keep it in control.
•    Take your Emotional Vitamins Before You Go, and Bring an Emotional First Aid Kit.  Recognize that certain people you will be spending Thanksgiving with may do annoying things or push your buttons.  Come up with a plan that will keep bad feelings at bay and allow you to enjoy the holiday.  Bring something (an ipod, a book, a yoga mat, whatever) to help distract/calm you if you do let something get to you.
•    Portions, People!  Thanksgiving is certainly not the day to be hardcore about any diet you may be using.  Thanksgiving only comes once a year, so enjoy your favorite pumpkin, turkey, and stuffing goodies.  Just don’t eat so much that you feel sick or plunge into a guilt fest the next day.
•    Help!  Someone’s running preparing a massive meal in the kitchen.  While offering to peal the potatoes is a good way to help, think outside the traditional help box too.  Offer to mix another cocktail, occupy the kids in the other room, or even just keep your hostess company with some conversation.
•    Be Thankful.  Focus on the things you are thankful for, not the aspects of your life that you want to disappear.  Instead of focusing on how much you don’t seem to live up to your family’s expectations, think about how glad you are that you made three new friends this year.

I have never hosted a Thanksgiving before, so I don’t have any novel advice to offer hosts.  Anyone else want to chime in?

Five Quick Ways to Cut Holiday Spending

1.    Wrapping-  Use all the wrapping paper, bows, and bags you already have in your house.  I bet 9/10 of you will be bale to wrap all of your presents without having to buy a single thing.  (Except perhaps tape.  There never seems to be enough tape!)
2.    E-Cards- Send E-Cards to your computer savy-ish friends and family.  Save the paper ones for those who truly treasure them (in my case, my aunt and grandma).  I noticed that PNN offers free ecards.
3.    Decorate With Paper Snow Flakes- They are easy, cheap, fun, and bring a lovely old fashioned feel to your decorations.
4.    Swap With Your Friends- Simplify your gift giving with your friends.  Host a party, and have everyone bring a few items (clothes, books, whatever) that they are done with and think someone else will enjoy.  Toss them all in a specific area, and let everyone shop for themselves!  At the end of the party, have everyone hold up the item(s) that he/she chose.  You get some gifts and a party in this one- all for free!
5.    Do Something- Use your talents and do something that only you can do for your loved ones.  Good with computers?  Fix your aunt’s.  Handy with string?  Teach your friend how to knit?  Have healthy joints?  Help your grandma clean out the garage.  Choose a project that the two of you can do together (while you do most of the work, of course).  Spending time together is the real gift in this kind of situation.