I got out this morning in our rented minivan for a solo drive to catch some after holiday sales. I only got as far as Radio Shack where I saw (but resisted) a DigiGr8 digital camera (#160-3850) for $14.99 (!) and an Axion 3.6" screen Personal DVD player (#160-3912) for $69.99 after mail-in rebate which ends 12/31/05. The DVD player is so inexpensive and simple to use that I'm tempted to buy one for my elderly mom just to display baby grandaughter videos.

What I couldn't resist was a floor demo model of the new Robosapien V2 remote-control robot, which I snagged for 10% off and a double extended warranty at no extra charge.

Links mainly for myself: 2.6mb PDF Robosapien V2 user manual, Robosapien V2 Blog, Robosapien V2 Secrets, active hacker discussion board.

I fired up the 'bot just as my brother-in-law, his wife, and four kids arrived. Of course their boys loved it, but couldn't stop poking at the infrared and color sensors embedded in to 'bot's forehead. My daughter Cianna gave it a hug, but ran away when the 'bot went into it's "animal roar" routine. I jokingly told her this was her new baby brother.

Santa made a post-world tour appearance (pic 8) at dinnertime to greet the kids and sit for a photo op. He drives a nice Cadillac!

The evening wound down with videos, LEGO kits, and a basement slumber party.

- mike lee - greenville, oh