Panasonic 20mm F.1.7 Pancake Lens

This is a holdover from last year’s list. As you may already know, I’m the proud owner of an Olympus E-PL1 micro four-thirds digital camera and this allows me to play around with interchangeable lenses. The 14-42mm kit lens is fine for what it is and the recently acquired Olympus 40-150mm telephoto served me well for shooting in the Outback, but I still want this Panasonic Lumix lens. Why?

There are two reasons. First, it is a “pancake” lens, which is much more compact than the other lenses for my camera. That’ll help make it more pocket-friendly. Second, it has a wider F1.7 aperture, which will help me in low-light conditions and give me a leg up in the bokeh department. Retail price is about $350.

Asus Zenbook UX Series Ultrabook

I had previously asked for an Asus thin and light notebook as part of my holiday wish lists and while I’d still love to have one to replace my aging Dell, I’m getting quite enamored by the UX Series Ultrabook instead. It’s a beautiful machine that should offer enough power, yet also provide better battery life for my exploits on the road. Pricing starts at about $1,000 and goes up with better specs.

Home Theatre Surround Sound System

There’s just something about having a great home theatre experience. It would be fantastic to get a new HDTV — and that’s definitely on my list — but I really want to handle the audio side of the equation too. I’m trying my best to avoid the “home theatre in a box” solutions, since those aren’t as versatile, aren’t as powerful, and simply aren’t as good. A better solution with a good receiver and a good set of speakers will be much more enjoyable, but sadly much more expensive too. Not surprisingly, pricing ranges considerably between different brands and models.

Qanba Q4RAF 3-in-1 Real Arcade Fightstick

As the guy behind Hadouken Online, it should come as little surprise that I’m a pretty big fan of Street Fighter. I have a couple of arcade sticks already, but one (by X-Arcade) has a cumbersome connection scheme and the other (by Hori) uses lower quality parts. The Qanba is looking like a terrific solution with great parts, great art, and fantastic versatility. It can be used on an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, so I can play just about anywhere. Depending on the art and version, the Q4RAF is about $160-$220.

Super Mario Bros Mushroom Pillows

Continuing with the gaming theme, I’d like to do a little bit of decorating. More specifically, I’d love to give my living room a little more geeky flair and a range of Super Mario Bros. mushroom pillows in a variety of colors would be a great way to do it. My couch is a subdued beige (ironically called “mushroom” by The Brick), so these splashes of color would help to brighten up the room. I’ve seen them sell for about $20 each, though I’m sure I could find a better deal shopping in Hong Kong or Taipei.

My Amazon Wish List is a perpetual work in progress, but it is mostly for my own sake to keep track of what I’d like to have. Truth be told, just as in previous years, I won’t be too disappointed if I don’t get any of these items for Christmas. I’ll be happy just to spend some quality time with my friends, family, and loved ones. Happy holidays, everyone!

You see, up until then, I had been using my old Garmin nuvi 250. I bought that nearly four years ago. The maps are severely outdated, particularly when it comes to points of interest and newer developments. The familiarity with the Garmin interface had me leaning toward getting another Garmin, but there were other reasons why I got this too.

Free Lifetime Map Updates

Not every GPS navigator on the market today includes this invaluable feature. As mentioned above, my old nuvi 250 had very outdated maps, making it sometimes less than useful on my trips. Buying new maps costs almost as much as buying a new GPS device altogether. With lifetime maps (updated four times a year by Garmin), I don’t have to worry about upgrading for quite some time… assuming they stay in business.

Subscription Free Traffic Alerts

Navigation is one thing, but finding the optimal route is another thing altogether. The nuvi 1390LMT also comes with free real-time traffic alerts, helping me avoid the bumper-to-bumper gridlock that can sometimes occur. I haven’t used this feature yet, but it’s good to know that it’s there.

Lane Assist and Junction View

My old nuvi 250 didn’t even speak the road names, but this nuvi 1390LMT does. It was an expensive feature at the time, but it’s become standard. Helping the navigation experience even further are these two additional features.

Lane assist helps you get into the right lane well ahead of time. That way, you don’t have to frantically cut across several lanes of traffic to make that right turn. You can see that in the top-left corner of the photo at the top of this post. When it comes to complex highway crossings, the “junction view” depicted here is very helpful too. From what I remember, it displays an actual photo!

No Need for Wireless Data

When researching routes from the comfort of my home, I use Google Maps. Even when I’m on the road, I’m more inclined to whip out my Android phone and use the corresponding app. However, the app uses a lot of smartphone data. I’ve scaled my cell phone plan down to save some money, so it’s good to know that I can rely on the Garmin for navigation without using data.

This is particularly true when I am traveling in the United States. I don’t want to use roaming data on my Canadian phone and my American prepaid phone plan isn’t necessarily the cheapest option when it comes to wireless data either.

The Little Extras

Many people will tell you that the standalone GPS navigation device has gone the way of the dinosaur thanks to the rise of the smartphone. There is some truth to that, to an extent, but I feel that having a separate GPS navigator still has its value. And I’m happy with the Garmin nüvi 1390LMT.

Added bonuses like Bluetooth connectivity and ecoRoute are nice. I also like how the speed limit is clearly displayed on the lower-right corner next to your current speed, just in case you’re driving along an unfamiliar highway. The only downside is that the Garmin nuvi 1390LMT only comes with North American maps. International maps would come in handy during this Aussie trip.

When I went to the Vancouver Home and Interior Design Show last year, I wasn’t a homeowner. Sure, I was interested in home improvement products and services, but it was more from the perspective of proactive research. This time around was a little different, seeing how we had since purchased our first home.

The 2011 Vancouver Home + Design Show was once again held at the Vancouver Convention Centre and much of the same kinds of products were being showcased there. To be sure, given the green leanings of the West Coast, there were more than a few environmentally friendly options being demonstrated at the show. This echoes the sentiment we saw at such shows as the EPIC Sustainable Living Expo.

So, what were some of the highlights from this year’s show? Let’s have a look.

This is no regular hot tub. This is a “portable” hot tub from the folks at Softub Canada. Now, it’s not portable in the sense that you can fold it up and load it into the back of your car. Instead, the hot tub is made with a high density foam (which offers great insulation) and it weighs well under 100 pounds. This means that you can easily pick it up and move it somewhere else, rolling it down the road if that’s what you want to do. It plugs into a regular wall outlet for power and a regular tap for the water supply.

Tight on space? A wall bed from Instant Bedrooms might do the trick. Murphy beds have come a long way and they’re actually a great solution for smaller spaces like condos and hotel rooms. The designs help them blend into the room quite well.

It’s not just about inside the home. Taking care of the outside is important too and that’s why you might turn to someone like Ratchet Pruners & Loppers. I thought the ratcheted pruner was interesting, since it goes through “gears” like a manual transmission car to help you cut harder wood. Granted, I know nothing about gardening and landscaping, so perhaps this isn’t quite as novel as I think.

Handling home and design also includes what you do in the kitchen. We saw several kitchen gadgets, to be sure, but there were food products too. You might recognize BKH Jerky from their appearance on Dragons Den. The Singaporean style jerky is quite different from the typical “western” style as the former is more moist and covered in sauce. Very tasty stuff.

Continuing in the kitchen, I found the range of products from Culinary Parchment. Many chefs may already be familiar with the versatility and utility of parchment paper, but it’s nice to see that it’s also available in baking cup and bag form too. The non-stick nature makes it ideal for muffins and cupcakes!

The biggest highlight of show (for Susanne) was the Zoku Quick Pop Maker. The idea here is that you can create homemade popsicles in about seven minutes. The container goes in the freezer and then the saline solution inside freezes to -15 degrees Celsius (about 5 degrees Fahrenheit). You pour in juice or whatever else and the frozen pops are ready in minutes without you having to put the whole thing back in the freezer. They had a “show special” price of $75, but it looks like you can buy it for about $50 online instead.

If you’re a fan of all the different programs on networks like HGTV, you’d enjoy an event like the Vancouver Home + Design Show. From fancy showers to fancy doors, revitalized antique furniture to exercise equipment, there’s something for any home enthusiast, including no shortage of steam mops (they seem to be all the rage these days). Regular admission was $15, but I was graciously offered a complimentary media pass. I look forward to attending next year’s show.

As a professional writer, you could say that I have a vested interest in the future of the book publishing industry. After all, I’ve already co-authored a book that is available both in paper and digital form.

There are different schools of thought when it comes to discussing the future of the physical paper book. Some people say that the printed book will never die and it will always have a place in society. Others say that it’s only a matter of time before books go the way of the VHS tape. So, who’s right?

The Allure of Physical Books

In this day and age, some people wonder why the physical printed book still exists. For my part, as silly as it sounds, a big part of it has to do with feel. There is a definite appeal to having a printed book in your hands as you flip through the pages and “smell” the paper. Having the paper run through your fingers is a unique experience that just isn’t replicated with a “cold” electronic device like a Kindle or Kobo.

The issue of eye strain has been partly addressed by e-ink technology in certain e-readers, but it’s still not quite the same as reading the printed word on actual paper. There’s also something to be said, culturally, about having bookshelves stocked with books. It demonstrates (to yourself and to visitors) that you are educated, knowledgeable, and cultured. Whether or not that is actually true is another matter altogether, but that’s the impression that it gives. Consider the office of a traditional university professor.

The Convenience of E-Books

Of course, given that a good deal of what I do as a freelance writer surrounds the world of technology and cutting-edge gadgetry, I also understand the appeal of the e-book format. It’s just so convenient.

You can quite literally have hundreds of books in the palm of your hand. You also don’t need to go to the physical store or wait for the delivery person to get a new book; you download it and have it immediately available to you. This has also lowered the barrier to entry for authors, allowing more people to publish e-books of their own.

Learning from the Music and Movie Industries

There aren’t too many people out there who still buy CDs, but I think comparing the relationship between CDs and MP3s with the relationship between physical books and e-books is a little unfair. A compact disc still contains digital music, which you also receive in an MP3. By and large, there is no different in quality and experience.

Books and e-books are different. Certainly, more and more people who read a lot of books are turning to the side of e-books, but I see the printed book surviving for some time. Can the book publishing learn a lesson or two from the world of music and movies? Perhaps. Kindle has become the de facto format for e-books, just as iTunes has become go-to place for music, but both industries see a great deal of fragmentation too.

What do you think? Do physical printed books still have a place in the digital age? Why or why not?

It probably wouldn’t be fair to say that I dislike shopping. It’s probably a little more accurate to say that I dislike shopping (and “browsing”) in the real world. Allow me to explain.

There are many people out there who enjoy going to the mall. They go without any real purpose in mind; the goal is simply to peruse the aisles and see if there is anything that catches their eye. I’m not one of those people. Even when it comes to the madness of Boxing Day, I’m not terribly interested in just browsing.

I need a purpose. I need a goal.

That’s where it starts. I start with an objective in mind of what I want to buy. The directionless meandering strategy for shopping is not for me, though it can sometimes become the byproduct of the shopping experience. That isn’t terrible, so long as I still have a central purpose in mind. For instance, I may be looking for a collared shirt, but if I happen to find a nice pair of jeans along the way, that’s fine too.

But I need more than that. This doesn’t apply quite as much when it comes to clothing, but for anything that can be researched and price-compared online, I’m probably going to spend some time on the Internet. This is true of furniture, home electronics, or anything of that sort. This is why it’s so important that store (and brand) websites have the information that I desire: specific styles, model numbers, specs, prices, and so forth.

I may or may not set my mind on a particular style or model number, but the research will lend itself to that. When I get to a physical store, I have some background knowledge that can serve as a benchmark. If Store A sells product Y for this price, I have a better chance of understanding whether product Z at Store B is comparable (and worth it). I want that frame of reference.

Depending on what it is, I can spend quite a bit of time humming and hawing over the potential purchase of a product. This can seem wasteful, especially when the savings are minimal, but I much prefer doing that from the comfort of my computer chair than in the awkward settings of a retail store. When I get to the store, I head straight to my target product, pick it up, and head to the cashier.

And that’s fundamentally how I prefer to shop. There is some method to the madness, but I also allow myself to get a little distracted along the way too. What about you? Are you more of the “grazing” type of shopper or do you take a more direct, in-and-out kind of approach?

The inspiration for today’s post comes by way of Darren Barefoot, who suggested a number of topics some years back. This is effectively my response to suggestion #7.

Going green and being eco-friendly have become important buzzwords in today’s marketplace, as more and more people are paying attention to the impact that their consumerism has on the environment. And that’s how I found myself at EPIC Vancouver, the Sustainable Living Expo. This small trade show highlights a number of businesses trying to give Mother Nature a helping hand.

Some of the booths were similar to the ones I saw at the Vancouver Home + Interior Design Show several months back, but the scope was broadened significantly beyond artificial turf and bamboo bedsheets. The thing with going green is that you need to look at the whole picture. This includes clothing, food, accessories, cosmetics, healthcare, transportation, and more.

I’m not sure how a didgeridoo to the head, as shown above, is supposed to be particularly sustainable or even healthful, but there you have it. Let’s go through some of the products and services that I encountered.

Saakori disposable dinnerware is quite the interesting concept. It’s meant to replace the plastic cutlery and paper plates that you’d use at something like a backyard barbecue. These sets are made from pressed palm leaves in India. They don’t cut down the leaves either; they wait for them to fall off naturally, then they use a machine to cut and press them into bowls, plates, and cutlery. As a result, your disposable dinnerware is completely biodegradable and will very happily join your compost.

Continuing with India, we have the soapnut. It’s supposed to be a natural detergent that serves as an alternative to the harsh chemicals and such that you’d find in commercial laundry detergent.

Want something a little more natural than Red Bull? This line of drinks is completely organic and comes in a range of flavors and combinations, from RelaxMax and VitalMax to EnergyMax, which happens to a proud sponsor of Whitecaps FC.

The Tesla Roadster. What hasn’t been said about this beauty of a car? It just proves that electric cars can not only look good, but they can be blazing fast too.

Steam Whistle Brewing knows that we want to have good beer, but they’re also doing what they can to help the environment too. They use all natural ingredients, power their brewery with Bull Frog, run their truck fleet on biofuel, heat their water with steam, cool their building with Enwave’s Deep Lake Water Cooling, reduce their waste water output, and use railways for their mass shipments rather than trucks.

Your eyes are not deceiving you. The range of bags from U.S.E.D. are made from 100% recycled seatbelts retrieved from the autowreckers. In some instances, that includes the old seatbelt buckle too! They do handbags, shoulder bags, school bags, totes, and more.

And here are several more highlights from Epic. Click through on any of the thumbnails to see the larger image on Flickr. Surprisingly, I didn’t see too much to address my greatest environmental sin, but the show did address so many other areas of our everyday lives where we could do a better job at being sustainable and eco-friendly.

There are many words in the English language and new words are being created all the time. That’s why I find it a little curious that it seems like, more and more, the marketing people are starting to run out of words to use for their products.

Surely, you can find a number of examples spanning just about every industry. However, it seems like one of the most common parties involved in the multiple naming of products is none other than Apple. It wasn’t all that all long ago that Steve Jobs and his team in Cupertino ran into some legal trouble with Cisco.

Apple iPhone vs. Linksys iPhone

Shortly after the Apple iPhone was announced in 2007, Cisco (Linksys) jumped into the fray to say that it held the trademark to that name for a family of Internet telephony products and services. That legal action has since been resolved, but Apple could find itself in hot water pretty soon too.

Apple Thunderbolt vs. HTC Thunderbolt

Just yesterday, Apple hosted a major event to reveal its new generation of MacBook Pro notebooks. One of the biggest new features is Thunderbolt, Apple’s brand name for Intel’s Light Peak technology.

Right around this same time, though, the HTC Thunderbolt smartphone is being launched with Verizon Wireless. Coincidence? Perhaps, but could either party not have come up with a different name?

Ferrari F150 vs. Ford F150

Watching a recent episode of Top Gear (UK), the presenters mentioned that Ferrari had a new Formula One motor racing car. The plan was to call it the Ferrari F150… that is, until Ford took issue.

The American automaker said that the F150 name is already taken by its pickup truck. I don’t think anyone is going to mistake a truck for a racecar, but Ferrari relinquished, renaming its vehicle to the Ferrari F150th Italia.

Not Really a Naming Issue?

Maybe this whole situation has less to do with running out of words and more to do with the increased inclination to sue (and counter-sue) everyone in an endless cycle. Maybe, at the end of the day, it’s just easiest to go generic and blend in with everyone else.

After all, isn’t Mark Zuckerberg still trying to get the trademarks registered for anything with the word “Face” or “Book” in it?

Now you’ve done it. If you are reading this post, then you may have landed yourself in your some hot water with the little lady in your life. Don’t panic. You’ve still got a smidgen of time to spare, because here are five Valentine’s Day gift ideas that you can get in a pinch. Better still, they’re cheap frugal options for blokes on a budget.

1. The Loving Poem

The pen is indeed mightier than the Godiva chocolate and Swarovski crystal. Okay, that might take a little convincing, but taking the time to put together a well-composed love letter (or better still, a love poem) should earn you more than a few brownie points.

The good news is that writing this letter (or poem) won’t cost you a thing. The bad news is that you’re in an awful rush to write it now.

2. The Romantic Dinner

Most fine dining restaurants put out special Valentine’s Day menus that are a little pricier than the regular fare. That can put a pretty big dent in your wallet and, worse yet, you may be out of luck when it comes to reservations.

So, what can you do? If you’re more of an expert in the kitchen, I’m sure she’ll appreciate a nice, romantic, home-cooked meal. Grab a couple candles from the dollar store, slave over a hot stove, and earn your way to her heart through her stomach.

3. The Chick Flick

Curl up to a movie of her choosing and have a quiet, romantic evening at home. She’ll certainly appreciate your submission to watching yet another romantic comedy with the same storyline we’ve seen a thousand times before. Better still, see if you can borrow it from the public library. That’s free.

4. The Thoughtful Coupon Book

When it comes to V-Day ideas, this is one of the more common ones. However, instead of offering the faux coupon book for hugs and kisses, actually give her coupons that she might want; has she been nagging you to fix the fence? This might be a tough one for you to swallow, but you can tell her that the coupons are redeemable at any time, meaning you have to drop whatever you’re doing to fulfill the coupon when she asks you to do so.

5. The Box of Pandora?

Tradition would dictate that jewelry makes a good Valentine’s Day present. She might also appreciate shiny things on your anniversary, her birthday, and other special occasions. Well, she needs somewhere to stash all that stuff, right?

Getting a decent jewelry box isn’t all that expensive and you can earn extra brownie points by getting one that is personalized. It doesn’t have to be specific to you two; if there is something with her first initial, that’s already a bonus.

It’s the Thought that Counts

Never mind that your thought only came in at the last minute. At least you still cared enough to think at all!

For most intents and purposes, saving a dollar is almost as good as earning an extra dollar. The dollar that you save can then be put toward buying something else or saving up for a larger goal. However, there are some instances where saving that dollar isn’t really worth it. For example, if you have to spend five dollars in gas, driving all the way across town, just to save a dollar, that’s probably not worth your while. Similarly, I find that some generic products aren’t worth their savings either.

Don’t get me wrong. The “store brand” for many items is just as good as the name brand and the generic version usually costs a fair bit less. On the flip side, many “store brand” items are also of lesser quality than their name brand counterparts and that’s where you’re really paying for your perceived savings. Remember that there really is no such thing as disposable income; it’s all discretionary and it’s up to you how you want to spend it. So, what do I buy generic and what must I have in its name brand incarnation?

Cotton Swabs: Name Brand

It sounds silly, really, that I am bent on buying the Q-Tips brand of cotton swabs. They’re such simple (yet very useful) contraptions, but not all cotton swabs are made alike. As I mentioned in a post last year, you have to cut back on the right expenses and cutting back on cotton swabs doesn’t seem worth it to me.

In my experience, it is very possible to buy a fairly sizable pack of generic cotton swabs from the dollar store, but the “stick” portion is often far too flimsy and they usually skimp on amount of cotton at the tips. These two shortcomings fundamentally eliminate the usefulness of the swabs. That’s why I generally stick with Q-Tips.

Ibuprofen: Generic Brand

This is generally true of all over-the-counter medication that I purchase, from ibuprofen to cough syrup. If I’ve got a headache, I don’t care if it’s “Life Brand” ibuprofen or it’s Advil; so long as it gets rid of that throbbing stake through the center of my brain, I’ll take it. The generic versions are generally made up of the same ingredients and are just as effective. The kicker is that they can be so much cheaper than their “big pharm” alternatives.

Televisions and Tech: Name Brand

There’s a reason why that Sharp Aquos costs more than the Dynex on special at Best Buy. Granted, you are likely getting a lot more bang for your buck with the “store brand” model, but you are sacrificing picture quality, build quality, reliability, and other important features when it comes to televisions and other kinds of technology. Seeing how I review a variety of gadgets and tech as part of my freelance writing career, I think it’s fair to say that I know a thing or two about what to buy (and what not to buy).

That said, I try not to be loyal to any one brand, judging individual models on their individual merits. I won’t buy a Sony TV just because it happens to be a Sony. If I happen to find a better Samsung, I might take that route instead. The key is sticking to the upper tier brands that you can trust (and the brands that have a history of offering high quality products). The same idea generally applies to video game accessories too, though there are some third parties that are pretty good.

Soda and Beverages: Generic

This comes with a bit of a caveat, but it generally holds true. While I definitely prefer Coca-Cola over Pepsi, I’m not completely bent on one brand or the other. In fact, more often than not, I end up buying the store brand of whatever pop (soda) that I feel like buying, whether it’s at Superstore, Walmart, or Safeway. There are some generic brand sodas that really aren’t as good as the “real” brands, but several are “good enough” to serve their purpose.

This holds true for certain other beverages too, like juices and bottled water. Again, I will admit that certain name brands definitely taste better, but I’m not so picky about most of these inexpensive beverages as to care too much about the difference. This doesn’t quite apply in the same way to alcoholic beverages, but that’s a completely different conversation.

What About You? What Do You Buy Generic? Name Brand?

I’m curious to hear your take on this topic, Beyond the Rhetoric readers. When you go to the grocery store (or any other store, for that matter), what sort of shopping habits do you have? What products must you have the name brand version of what products will you gladly accept the savings of the generic alternative? Clothing? Gasoline? Watches? Ice cream?

You know, it feels like almost yesterday that I “celebrated” turning a quarter century. In a blink of an eye, we find ourselves a full three years later with my birthday coming up early next week. I’d like to think that I’m a little smarter and a little wiser… and I know I have the grey hairs to prove it!

Now, I’m not really expecting any Beyond the Rhetoric readers to bestow me with any physical gifts, since you guys give me something so much more valuable each and every day, but it’s not like I’m going to turn down any offers either. Some of the items listed below can be found on my Amazon Wish List, but others may be a little more challenging to acquire. Think of this list more as me thinking out loud than anything else.

A New Notebook Computer

Believe it or not, I’ve been using the same old Dell Inspiron laptop for the last few years. For the most part, it has served me well, since I don’t do much heavy lifting on my computer, but it’s about time I get an upgrade. The Dell is fine for web browsing and light photo editing, but I want a machine that can better handle HD video processing.

I don’t plan on going too deep into this realm, so perhaps something like the Asus U43JC-X1 could be a suitable solution. I’d still very much prefer a notebook over a desktop, since I value my portability. The Asus U43JC-X1 is a 14-inch laptop with an Intel Core i5-450M processor, NVIDIA G310M (1GB) GPU, 500GB HDD, and a 10-hour battery. And it’s got bamboo to boot.

A New Digital Camera

Just as I have been using the same computer for a few years, the same can be said about my camera. I very much like my Canon S3 IS, since it has a good macro mode and 12x optical zoom, but it would be nice to have something new to use too. I’m undecided whether I should get something more compact (for portability reasons) or move up into the SLR or Micro Four-Thirds format.

If I go for the former, I could consider something like the Canon PowerShot SX120IS. Its lens doesn’t stick out as much as the S3, but it still offers 10x optical zoom and optical image stabilization. Both of these features come in really handy for press coverages, trade shows, and community events.

Canucks and/or Seahawks Tickets

I like sports. I like watching sports in person even more. Unfortunately, attending these games can be a very expensive endeavor, which is why I don’t do it nearly as often as I would have liked. I did go to one Canucks game this year and I intend on seeing (at least) one this year.

My first and only live NFL experience was three years ago, so it’s about time I head back to Qwest Field in Seattle to watch the Seahawks. For my part, I think I’d enjoy a Saints, Colts, or Ravens game a little more (I like those teams a lot more than the Sea-Pigeons), but I’ll take a ‘Hawks game since it’s so much closer to Vancouver.

A Stronger US Dollar

One of the biggest factors affecting my freelance writing income is the currency exchange rate. It wasn’t that long ago that I was able to get $1.20 Canadian for every American dollar. Today, it’s pretty much on par. While I do what I can to work harder, work smarter, and earn more, I have next to no control over the exchange rate.

So, by far, my biggest birthday wish is for a stronger American dollar. I think my readers south of the 49th parallel will agree with me on that front too, but there’s not much we can do personally to shift it in the right direction. I guess I’ll just settle for some free birthday food in the meantime.