APB: iPod Alarm Clocks

I’m in the market for a new alarm clock and I’d like to get something that I can use with my 2GB iPod Nano (older model, not ancient, but not the latest one either).

Anyone have an iPod-docking alarm clock? Do you like it? What would you recommend I look for? How much does price matter for sound quality?

I’ve been looking on Amazon.com but there are so many options, it’s a little overwhelming.

Sew What?!

It's old but not that old

New crafty-hobby here I come!  As of this Thanksgiving, I’ll be bringing home to Essex Street a beautiful old Singer sewing machine!  Originally my mother’s as a young girl, this machine is solid as a rock and weighs about as much.  After Thanksgiving it will be coming home with me and PUT TO WORK!    I can’t wait!

All the excitement leads me to a few questions for the great, wide world:

1) Are there any sewing blogs out there that you like?

2) What about print books/guides?

3) What should I make first?!?!?!

Preparing for Take Off

On Thursday, at 9:45am, I will (hopefully) take off for a five day trip to Seattle, WA to see one of my best friends.  Since the flight was booked using a voucher from giving up my seat on an earlier flight back in April, the route is a little, well, circuitous.  It also happens to be on US Airways, which is not known for being very customer friendly.  But hey — it was a free flight!!

Due to the loop-de-loops my various flights will be performing across the country, I am not checking a bag.  If I do, I know I will never see it again.  Ever.  This, as you can imagine, it proving challenging in the packing department.  Does my make-up count towards the 3 oz limit if it’s powder?  What about mascara?  Stick deodorant?  What about knitting needles?  And the two granola bars I bought?

The TSA’s website is fairly helpful, though I understand it is always up to the security officers on duty to allow or deny anything.  At least this time around, I’ve switched to a Massachusetts state driver’s license, since my previous (and only) driver’s license from Maine was not recognized by TSA.  Maine is the only state one of a handful of states that is are non-compliant with Homeland Security’s guidelines.  (Check out the letter from Homeland Security to Maine’s Governor Baldacci.)  Anyways, at least I don’t have to worry about that anymore!

Anyone have any helpful tips/tricks for packing when you’re not checking a bag.  How about from the knitters?

Addendum: Looks like TSA might be considering relaxing the liquids/gels rules.

Podcasts

Starting next week, I’m shelf-reading 6,000 titles from the Google Project this past summer.  I’ll be in a windowless and cold basement for 4-6 hours a week, checking to see if the books made it back to their correct location.  (Talk about drawing the short straw, eh?)

My only link to sanity during this time — my iPod.  I need your help to locate good, free podcasts so I don’t go insane and start taking hostages.

Currently I subscribe to some from NPR:

Fresh Air
All Songs Considered
NPR: Books Podcast
Car TalkWait Wait Don’t Tell Me (I <3 Carl Kasell)
Only A Game (which is weird b/c both my uncle and grandfather are also Bill Littlefield)
This American Life (also known as This Depressing Life)

Any others you can suggest?  What are your favorites?  They don’t have to be NPR ones either– I’d like to branch out.