I'll admit it, I'm a bit of a tech geek. I am not, however, at the forefront of technology. That role is reserved for my brother. I enjoy fashion - to an extent (I won't watch those shows on TV). When it boils down to it though, I wear sweats or shorts and a t-shirt to work. I keep up on my current events via Lindsay's subscription to US Weekly. I don't, however, discuss it openly with anyone except Lindsay. I read plenty of blogs from all corners of the world - from music to sports to photography to food to what pisses people off. I am well-rounded. I know enough about a lot of things but certainly not a lot about any one thing (besides baseball and gift-giving).
I learn about new gadgets from the Internet by doing hours of research before actually purchasing an item. I comparison shop like a mo-fo. I always want to get the best price. I will always look for promotion codes - the Internet is full of them, and you're a fool for not checking. I'll do my homework for something I don't necessarily want - I've done extensive research for my parents, my brother, my wife, and even stupid dog toys for Nathan. Ninety-eight percent of the time, I'll put do the research and wind up not even buying said item. But at least I was prepared.
The reason for all of this stammering on doing your homework is because during the holidays, it's easy to get caught up in the razzle-dazzle of the ads and commercials for products you may think those on your Christmas gift list may enjoy.
I pride myself on my gift-giving ability. I am one of the best I know. I'm good at it not because I spend thousands of dollars on expensive, brand-name gifts. I'm good because I actually listen throughout the year and keep notes in my phone. I have a terrible memory, so having an app that allows me to make a note of something before I forget is critical. It may seem like I'm not paying attention from time to time when people are talking to me - and occasionally I'm not.
Back to the promo codes. Before you buy anything online - ANYTHING at all, open a new tab, go to Google, and type in [store name] promo code. I bet you something will pop up - I use
retailmenot.com. Right now, there's a promo code for 15% off one item from Barnes % Noble, 25% off photo gifts from Walgreens, and free shipping on all order from Lands' End. There's thousands of others as well, but you can do your homework yourself.
As a self-proclaimed gift-giving guru, I'll recommend some things to you wannabe's out there. First, download an app on your phone and whenever someone you actually give a shit about mentions something he/she likes, make a note of it. Second, always comparison shop online for whatever it is - the Internet is pretty large and has pretty much anything you want, at all different prices. Third,
always look for a promotional code online. This doesn't make you cheap, it makes you smart. Who the hell's gonna know if you used a promo code to save 30%? No one. Finally, if you live with the would-be recipient, make sure to remove the return address from the top left corner of the package - because once they see it, they'll just try to guess what it is until it's actually time to open it. Maybe that's just Lindsay, but I doubt it.
Ho Ho Ho! Ho Ho Ho!
Oh, and here's a video I laughed at almost the entire time - ALLEN, ALLEN, ALLEN, AL, ALLEN!
During those three seasons in Cincy, he hit .273, scored 210 runs, 60 doubles, and 110 stolen bases. I never heard of the guy but I knew he could run like the wind, and I always saw his names at the top of the category leaders in SB's. My brother Jesse had the good fortune to play with him in Somerset this season, and said he was one of the most down to earth guys he'd ever played with. He was with the Rays for three seasons - first in Hudson Valley (SS), then in Columbus, GA (A), then in Port Charlotte, FL (A+). He shared a clubhouse with Pat Burrell, Jason Bartlett, Scott Kazmir - Freel was the most real.
