[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Ghoser777 

1) Roomba

All I need now is a home base for my Roomba, and I shall (almost) never clean again... bwahahahaha!

I'm still waiting for the Roomba that cleans itself. Getting all the fuzz out of the brush is still too much work.

-t

[besson3c]

Why don't you just get another Roomba to clean the first Roomba?

[Brien]

Then how do you clean THAT Roomba?

[besson3c]

Turtle will clean it, it's cool.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Phileas 

I wouldn't worry about eating more than you should - I don't mean to rain on a thoughtful gift, but bread from bread making machines is universally mediocre in my experience. I bake a lot of bread, artisan sourdoughs etc, and bread making machines fall short in three areas:

1. Time. You need to allow for enzymic action to happen when baking bread. I often let my doughs rest for 24 hours or longer.

2. Temperature. Bread needs a hot oven, ideally 500º for the first ten minutes.

3. Moisture. Commercial bread ovens are steam injected, at home I use a cloche to simulate a high moisture environment. A bread machine can't go there.

If you're really interested in baking bread do a google search for "No knead bread" and start from there. With just some basic ingredients and a Dutch Oven you can create bread that will rival any commercial product you can buy.

Here's one of mine:

Well the machine works nicely, and it's apparently not really meant for truly fancy breads. But for good bread that has only what I put in it, I think this sort of thing is pretty nice. Having spent the hours it takes to make bread by hand (beer bread, whole wheat, a nice unbleached white...), I really understand what you mean by your special care and the time it takes, but having fresh, if somewhat common bread is a cool thing.

Now, if you have a good salt-rising recipe you're willing to share, I'm all ears!

[turtle777]

Those bread makers aren't that bad. By default, what you get is much better than any cheap bread you buy at the store. Sure, you won't crank out artisan bread, but that's not the intention.

-t

[Shaddim]

Originally Posted by Phileas 

I fear that your tribble has mange.

[0157988944]

New office chair, Snow Leopard, some new speakers, fifty bucks, $25 iTunes gift card, and what I'm 95% sure is a Magic Mouse that will arrive on the 8th.

[Phileas]

Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton 

CCK #2

I've got two of those. They rock in many ways. The guy who sharpens my knives, an old Italian, has put a curve in the bottom of one and it completely replaced my chef's knife.

[Phileas]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Those bread makers aren't that bad. By default, what you get is much better than any cheap bread you buy at the store. Sure, you won't crank out artisan bread, but that's not the intention.

-t

It depends on what your standards and expectations are. I realize that I am coming across like Rob here, but what's the point in using a machine that gives mediocre results when by learning some simple techniques you can invest similar, as in minimal, effort and get bread that will blow your socks off?

Anyway Glen, I did not mean to be down on what I am sure is thoughtful present. If you like the results then all power to you. You're right, they are a step up from cheap supermarket bread. If the bug bites and you're ever interested in learning more hit me up and I'll send you some links.

[ghporter]

Cool, Phileas. I need a big dose of time before I can go back to baking "real" bread at home though. I like the ones than take more involvement, like the ones that you knead several times and bake at different temperatures. At least I have a gas oven, so I can change temperatures more easily (I hate cooking with an electric stove).

[Phileas]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

Cool, Phileas. I need a big dose of time before I can go back to baking "real" bread at home though.

A popular misconception. I am a busy guy, and about to get busier with a baby on the way. Baking a basic but really good bread takes very little in the way of time.

Here's what I do.

Morning. Get out of bed, measure out 300 g breadmaking flour, 200 g rye flour, 200g sourdough starter (or a teaspoon of yeast) and 10 g salt into the Kitchen Aid bowl. Add 300 ml of water, start mixing. (Sorry about the grams, I grew up metric.) Takes 3 minutes, at the most.

Shower and make coffee while the KA does the kneading, 10 minutes.

Take the bowl out of the Kitchen Aid, cover and put into a cool place, 30 seconds.

Go to work. Come home, preheat oven to 500º. Take dough out of bowl and transfer into a rising basket. No need to punch down, no need to knead. The enzymes and the yeasts have done all the work for you. Time taken, 5 minutes, including clean up.

Wait for an hour, transfer to the heated cloche, bake for 45 minutes while doing something else.
Easy

But I am preaching. Sorry, sorry, sorry. Each to their own.

[ShortcutToMoncton]

Originally Posted by Phileas 

I've got two of those. They rock in many ways. The guy who sharpens my knives, an old Italian, has put a curve in the bottom of one and it completely replaced my chef's knife.

Great idea!

I just took another look at it and that one isn't mine, though... I think mine has a bit more of a curve on the bottom anyway, and the top of the knife is also curved "upwards" as well. The top 1/2-1/3 of the knife (e.g. where the letters are stamped) is also black/unfinished as well, unlike that picture. But it's gonna be difficult to figure out which model is which...

Oh and I also got a 135mm Sakai Takayuki petty knife.

[Mrjinglesusa]

1) Sanus Wall Mount for my 27" iMac

2) Canon SD780IS

3) Amazon gift card

4) GI Joe and Star Trek Blu-rays

5) Wii Sports Resort and Motion Wii attachment

6) Seinhueser (sp?) head phones

[phantomdragonz]

I raked it in, this was a huge year for me!

40" Vizio 1080P TV
Samsung bluray player (w/ netflix and pandora streaming)
ilife 09 (I was using like 05 or something)
some cash
crock pot
headlamp (think camping)
a sweater/coat thing

if anybody is unsure about the netflix streaming GO FOR IT! it's awesome! Quality is very decent, comparable to DVD but not quite as nice, however I have yet to watch a dvd/bluray on this player yet.

the one I got does blockbuster,netflix, pandora, and youtube (useless) firmware updates over the internet... it's just so much more useful.

-Zach

[starman]

Originally Posted by Stogieman 

I got a Sony MEXBT3700U car stereo. It has built-in bluetooth for hands free calling. It works great with my iPhone. I can even charge it with the USB port on the face plate.



Streaming music from my iPhone to the stereo via bluetooth.

I've heard so many good things about this that I ordered one today. I couldn't find one anywhere in the NY/NJ area that was within 20 miles so I ordered one from Amazon. How do you like the thing? My Trailblazer still has the factory stereo which I kept saying I was going to replace but I couldn't find a stereo I'd be happy with for years to come without some kind of sacrifice in features until this gem came out. It's backordered until Wed. so I should have it Friday.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by phantomdragonz 

I raked it in, this was a huge year for me!

40" Vizio 1080P TV
Samsung bluray player (w/ netflix and pandora streaming)

if anybody is unsure about the netflix streaming GO FOR IT! it's awesome! Quality is very decent, comparable to DVD but not quite as nice, however I have yet to watch a dvd/bluray on this player yet.

the one I got does blockbuster,netflix, pandora, and youtube (useless) firmware updates over the internet... it's just so much more useful.

-Zach

I have a Samsung Blu-Ray player, a BD-P1600, with all those features, and it is awesome. It upconverts standard DVDs and plays BR discs with such detail that it's amazing. You may not be as impressed by Netflix after you put a nice BR disc in it.

[olePigeon]

Got tickets. January 23rd.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

Got tickets. January 23rd.

Your first Izzard show?

[olePigeon]

Nope.

[phantomdragonz]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

I have a Samsung Blu-Ray player, a BD-P1600, with all those features, and it is awesome. It upconverts standard DVDs and plays BR discs with such detail that it's amazing. You may not be as impressed by Netflix after you put a nice BR disc in it.

I have the Samsung BD-P1590. We just watched "IMAX blue planet" it was awesome... the video was made in like 1990 or something so it was kinda funny to see all the 80 styles. I have 300 on it's way from netflix, I haven't seen it yet so I am excited to see it on this TV.

-Zach

[Hawkeye_a]

-Seinfeld DVD Box set (yay!)
-A couple of nice dress shirts
-a wall clock
-A NDS accessory

[Peter]

An NDS accessory? what accessory? so vague!

[Peter]

Originally Posted by Peter 

An NDS accessory? what accessory? so vague!

????

[boy8cookie]

• A few dress shirts (will never wear)
• A new hoodie (will wear every day)
• A leather jacket (will wear once a year)
• ~$100 iTunes Gift Cards
• This watch:

[ShortcutToMoncton]

So... many... dials...!1!!!!!

[andi*pandi]

Having fun playing with the kids toys, and wii games: Lego Star Wars, Monster Labs.

[Hawkeye_a]

Originally Posted by Peter 

????

havent unboxed it yet. Still watching through Seinfeld for the umteenth time hehe

Also...
-Cologne
-an NDS game that hasnt arrived yet in the mail.(Scribblenauts)

[KCrosbie]

- New Super Mario Bros. Wii (awesome game)
- Wireless headset for X-Box 360
- Some nice dress shirts
- Blu Ray movies (Star Trek, Terminator Salvation, and Transformers 2)
- A gift certificate to taking a cooking class (looking to expand my knowledge beyond using the grill, hehe)
- A wireless TiVo network adapter

[andi*pandi]

Originally Posted by Shaddim 

I fear that your tribble has mange.

I laughed.

[SpaceMonkey]

A couple of books, a new shirt, some coffee and sweets, and a Canon PowerShot SD780 IS.

[kmkkid]

Magic Mouse, Clothes, Gift Cards Galore, and Money.

Sucks when I have everything I really need and therefore have no xmas list for friends and family.

Well, a new iMac was like the only item on my list, unfortunately, $2700 is a little out of peoples xmas shopping budgets!

[downinflames68]

McDermott Black Diamond Cue w case



Katamari for PS3.

I'm going to be splurging on a ridiculous car stereo too.

[residentEvil]

and a fiancee

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by residentEvil 

>

a fiancee

(In before "marriage is a sham")

[residentEvil]

that's okay. not everyone is cut out to have someone. i didn't think i was either; not only felt that way, but was told that too.

well, that has changed and my life has never been better. its a great feeling to talk/share/communicate. to give/to take. to do more then just exist...sleep, wake, work, eat, repeat. this is so much better!

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by residentEvil 

and a fiancee

Where did you get yours from ?

I got mine from Amazon.com.

-t

[Big Mac]

We bought a new TV for the kitchen, and we're talking about replacing the 70" rear projection downstairs because I have a feeling it's a big power drain.

[residentEvil]

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

We bought a new TV for the kitchen, and we're talking about replacing the 70" rear projection downstairs because I have a feeling it's a big power drain.

i will be doing a tv swap soon actually...or transfer, however you want to look at it.

tube TV will finally go in the garage; will be replaced by a 26" LCD from the spare bedroom that will now be for my step son; which will now get the 32" game room LCD, that matches the other bedroom tv (so both bedrooms match features wise); and the game room will get the40" living room TV, no TV in the living room at that point. and finally, upgrade to a 1080p projector to replace my 720p projector in the theater which will now be the "living room". i will sell the 720p projector and recycle the tube TV. theater has more room for 3 people (and friends); then the living room. just makes sense.

[downinflames68]

I got cash for this:

[residentEvil]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

I got cash for this:

love me some Alpine gear...nice. is that a USB port/cover for a thumb drive to the left of the blue lighted source button?

edit: nevermind; i think that is the "eject faceplate" button.

[downinflames68]

I think it's very telling that Alpine's newest gear doesn't even play CDs anymore, it only interacts with thumb drives and ipods.

[Eriamjh]

Santa has to wait for his tax return to get a new iMac 27".

[cjrivera]

[Spheric Harlot]

He left you his sleigh!?

[cjrivera]

Yeah, but no reindeer.

Good thing it has a twin turbo V6 to pull it along.

[downinflames68]

Yay wagons!

[imitchellg5]

With big turbos!

[Face Ache]

Originally Posted by cjrivera 

WWDVD?*




*What would Darth Vader drive?

[Spheric Harlot]