I’m a huge fan of my iPhone and one of my favorite applications of late is Twitterific. I’ve become addicted to tweeting from my phone. Twitter, for those who aren’t aware, is a social communication tool that allows members to provide and read 140 character messages about items in your daily lives or items of interest. It’s a great way to keep up with leaders in education and social media, interweeb celebrities and comic artists, and friends. It even allows you to update your Facebook status. The only downside I’ve managed to find to date is the overwhelming urge I’m fighting to constantly check in and find out what people are up to. Skip interweeb addiction. Themes addiction of the masses might just be Twitter. Rehab might be in our future. Until then I’m all for getting my fill.

Minus the snow of course *knock wood*

I know it’s early – but then again, it’s never to early to put your Christmas wish list out there for friends and family to view.

As we get closer to Christmas and the economy seems to be balanced on a knife’s edge, I’d like to suggest that people consider downsizing their own collection of Christmas presents under the tree and consider donating some of the money they would spend on gifts to charity. While charity is a great idea all year long, it is at times like these where we need to do more for those less fortunate.

With so many worthy causes out there it can be difficult to choose who to donate to. If you want to make an immediate impact to those in your own community, consider donating food or $$ to your local food banks, the Salvation Army (or it’s local equivalent in your area), local homeless shelters, or soup kitchens.

If you’d like to make a wider impact on the world, consider donating to one of the many charities I have listed on my left sidebar under the title Wearing a Coat of Brown. For those of you not of the Browncoat persuasion (can it be possible?), Browncoats are a dedicated group of worldwide Firefly/Serenity fans who’s main distinction in the world of TV fandom is that they fund-raise and donate money to a number of different charities. Two of the most popular charities for Browncoats are Kids Need To Read (Nathan Fillion and PJ Haarsma are co-founders) and Equality Now.

Kids Need To Read purchases books to donate to libraries so children have access to books to spark their interest in reading a continue the development of their imaginations.

Equality Now works to end violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world through the mobilization of public pressure.

Looking for something different?  World Vision and Heifer International both offer alternate gift giving.  Purchase school supplies, chickens, goats, etc. for families in developing countries. These gifts offer meaningful ways to make a difference in the daily lives of others.

Interested in Supporting Canadian Troops, both current serving members and our veterans?  Visit your local Legion and make a donation or consider donating to the Sapper Mike McTeague Wounded Warrior Fund or Boomer’s Legacy.

Have an ill family member?  Consider donating to a charity that supports research or services provided to those sharing the same disease.  Having lost my father to cancer in 2006 the Canadian Cancer Society is a pretty popular choice in my family.

Want to kill two birds with one stone?  Need something under your tree but want to do good?  Consider purchasing something from the Kids Need to Read Christmas Store on eBay.  Goodies for you and books for children.  What an awesome combination.

Don’t forget many charities allow you to make your donation in someone else’s name.  Your gift to them could be a tax receipt for your charitable donation.  So many people can benefit from small acts on your part. Do something different this year.  Place fewer gifts under your own trees and add gifts to the lives of others.

Papers were uploaded to school on time and now I must begin working on my weekly assignment that’s due late Sunday evening. I’d like to tale some time off school to recover but I know if I did I’d have a hard time motivating myself to finish my classes. So nose back to the grindstone it is.

After finishing school work I decided to for go heading out to party so I could get a good night sleep last night. Apparently makes me “lame”. Whatever.

We had a nice Halloween in the neighbourhood last night. More kids than haul which I’m interpreting as the neighbourhood “cleaning up”. More young parents out with small children meeting the neighbours and stopping for a chat. It’s nice to see people making an effort to connect with others.

Speaking of neighbours. Mine are busy installing siding on my garage today. Drew is still out of town but that hasn’t dampened their enthusiam. Looking good so far.

I’ve got a crazy deadline at work again – quel surprise – so I’ll likely be putting some time in on putting sites together this weekend.

Car registrations have been purchased for the next two years. Normally we only renew for a year due to the expense but apparently I double paid a few utility bills last month (oops!) and had some extra cash available when I went to pay the registrations.

Too bad I could discover the same when it comes to paying course tuition.

My first piece of RMC related clothing arrived today. Got a cardigan. Next up on the shopping list is a sweatshirt.

Last, but certainly not least, Drew is home in 19 days. Can’t wait.

T minus four days before my Enviro Chem and Psych papers are due. I’m about 75% complete on the EC paper and approximately 40% of the way through my Psych paper. I’ve finished my research and all the associated reading and scribbled pages of notes. All that is left is to put it all together in a coherent manner.

I’m feeling pretty happy this evening since I’ve been informed by my dentist that I’m not due back in the office until April. My dentist and his staff are wonderful people and do their best to always set me at ease. They do great work; with my genetic failings that’s not an easy feat. I’m greatful for all they do. That said, I’m thrilled to not have to return to the office for at least another six months.

Adding to my joy is the option to preorder the new QMx Mal statue today and the release of new Dr. Horrible tshirt designs at J!NKS. Can’t wait for my allowance on Friday so I can go shopping.

Back to the grindstone. Must. Complete. Papers. By. Friday.

Two papers due this week and I’ve spent the bulk of the weekend in my office madly typing away.  I’m beginning to grasp some of the content of my Enviro Chem class and have yet to decide if this new development is disturbing or a good thing.  That said, I doubt I’ll be pulling off an 3.7 in this class and will likely need to settle for something in the range of a B when the ink dries from my final exam.

This semester’s Psych class is, I think, going much better.  My brain seems to find the topics far more interesting and the textbook has finally stopped putting me to sleep when I read it. Seems like progress to me.

I’m still waiting for a final decision on my “visiting student” application for a Stats class for Winter semester.  Hopefully that will arrive next week so I can enroll in the class before it’s too late.

Speaking of Winter semester classes, it’s about to get really busy at work.  Only a few short weeks left before they’ll have to be completed and ready to hand over to the Con Ed. dept. for delivery.  Work. Work. Work.