TOO funny

Oh my gosh. I no longer feel as though Molly, my shoulder parrot, is such the wacko. This great video was Facebook (thanks, LoriO!)

We have a winner!

Thanks to ALL of you who participated in our Chakra Pennywhistle dish towel giveaway! The winner is Ave (she has been emailed)!

Stay tuned for more interviews, discounts and giveaways. And enjoy the rest of your week!

Two truths and a lie

Remember that game? Where you tell the crowd three things about yourself, two of which are true, and one completely untrue, and the crowd has to guess which is which. (Great icebreaker for meetings, retreats, etc.!)

Let's play our own version on our blogs! I'll tell you two truths and a lie about myself, you all guess which is which in the comments and then come back and give us the link to your own two truths and a lie on your own blog (or facebook profile, depending on where you're reading this!), and we'll come over and guess about you. :)

I tell ya, it's the little things sometimes ...

Here we go:

1. I have never in my life watched an episode of Dancing With the Stars.
2. Lifeforce, a sci fi movie from the 80's, is my all time favorite guilty pleasure - brilliant (space vampires/zombies!)! (That one's for you, Mark and Rich...)
3. I've never had stitches due to an injury.

OK, just reviewing to make sure I have two truths and one lie ... yep!

So which do you think true and which one's a lie?? And don't forget to share your own

Moss for your finger

One of the very first artists that I fell in love with on Etsy, before I had my own shop, is Ottoman. Now that I know Summer, the actual artist behind Ottoman, her shop is all the more wonderful!

This was the VERY first piece of hers that knocked me over. I just adore moss, but fibery, needle felted moss? Just gorgeous!

p.s., I have one of her mossy pincuschions and looove it. I love the wonderful lavendery fragrance. I love keeping my needles in one spot (vs. the floor for my feet to find) that makes me so happy to look at. I love the uniqueness!

Moss ring made to order, by Ottoman at Etsy, $30

Craft Venture post on pricing for wholesale

For those of you who sell handmade, vintage or supplies (or think about doing so from time to time), my post for this week on Craft Venture over on Paper N Stitch is about pricing for wholesale! I hope you'll stop by and add a comment!

Image credit: 25 cents by Beth Berg

Who really runs the show around here?

This rare moment of sisterly non-combativeness was nearly immediately followed with ... combativeness. Sigh.

Faves from our Featured Artist

You still have a few hours (almost eight!) to enter the giveaway for a gorgeous dish towel from Chakra Pennywhistle! Spread the word for more entries! :)

In the interim, I thought it would be fun to share a couple of Rikkianne's Etsy favorites with you all. I love to explore the favorite items and sellers of other Etsy artists and sellers - I always find something and someone new to add to my own favorites!








































1. BIG organic canvas totebag in stone with building houndstooth pattern, from bungaloe, $65
2. Children's straw vintage fedora hat, from dearFreckle, $45

Thirteenth Tale

What a week! Jury duty through early next week, with today off (other court obligations), which meant going to work and madly catching up. Since anything else I'll have to say about myself will be a big snooze, I'll talk about an incredible book I recently finished listening to: The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield.

If you were raised on the Bronte sisters, gothic romances, or even if you just love Thursday Next (Miss Havisham, anyone?), I think you'll appreciate this mesmerizing novel. Going in, I only knew this somehow involved a ghost story. Coming out, this is an incredible novel filled with definitely woven layers of complexity. At any given point, you realize you're in the middle of several different levels of what haunted or romance or dysfunction or ghost or love means. I was sort of anticipating the end, while not possibly being able to anticipate the end - that's the kind of twist that I adore!

This is such a beautifully written book - and beautifully read! The narrators (two women) did a phenomenal job. Although I'm now dying to immerse myself in the written word, but am so glad I listened to this. I recommend both! This is the ideal novel to curl up under your comforter under and stay up until 2 am, possibly even crying as hard as I was at the end (and I was on the way to work! arrived with red eyes!).

Friday night lights

Ooooh, how I love sparkly fairy lights!

Lots of Circles 5x7 fine art photograph by Photography by Lori H., $13

Red delicious

When I first saw this, I was amazed by such a delicious looking caramel apple. Then I clicked on it. Soap!!!

Caramel Candy Apple Soap by sunbasilgarden at Etsy, $6.50

More on work life balance

I think this is a topic that nearly every modern day person who works fulltime struggles with. I mused about this several weeks ago, and really enjoyed everyone's comments and feedback.

I'm reading an excellent book right now, The Boss of You (yes, reading! yay!), and was struck by their comments on how some folks (yeah, me too) seem to think it's not only okay but expected to work insane hours. And they are saying it's really NOT okay to work those kind of hours.

I work in a more than fulltime day job. I'm an exempt employee (not subject to overtime rules or payment), which means I can work as many hours as I want or need to get my job done. Honestly, I could easily work 80 hour weeks, and not get the work done (trust me, I've done this!).

So, on top of that, throw a small or microbusiness.

A personal life? What's that!?

What about grad school? I still want to go back and earn a graduate degree. Someday.

And I definitely want to carve out time to write.

Oy.

I still don't have answers. I'm working on being more efficient and effective, therefore more productive. In all aspects of my life. Even as Fall and the holidays loom (scarf season!), I'm feeling as though I have to cut way back in order to focus on my other work. Or to be able to spend some time with family and friends (and meet a certain little sweet puppy named Chiso). And quality time for ME. Oh yeah, and my two little fuzzies. :)

So for those of you who constantly feel torn: how do you do it? Do you feel like you have a balanced life? Do you end up making difficult decisions about how much and what you can really focus on?

By the way, I don't think one has to work a full time job and run a business to struggle with this - I think just about everybody struggles with this!!!

Silver pussywillows for your ears

These amazing and magical earrings graced Etsy's front page yesterday and I immediately fell in love. PMC silver from molds made from actual twigs, and then needlefelted puffs of fiber!

Pussywillow earrings from Willow and Me Jewelry at Etsy, $50

Pricing series on Craft Venture

I haven't done a great job lately (my apologies!) of adding Craft Venture updates over here on Phydeaux. For the last couple of months, I've been trying to help sellers and indie biz owners think through pricing. Oy, pricing! Such a challenge!

This week's post is about "what the market will bear." I'd love to hear what you think!

Cuteness alert!

I am so very much in love with Daida L'Orange's adorable little model! As well as her beautifully knit caps, cocoons and blankies, all from the most beautiful handspun wool (sigh, handspun ...).

Original Newborn Stocking Hat - Pumpkin Rust and Sepia Smoke - Autumn Collection from Daida L'Orange at Etsy, $45

Phydelle is back with a giveaway!

I'm so excited about this week's artist spotlight with Rikkianne from Chakra Pennywhistle! I hope you'll stop by Phydelle to read all about her, see the cutest pictures ever of her little one (I kid you not), and most of all, enter to your name to win a dish towel from her shop (I have both of them and looooove them).

p.s., if I were a rich woman, I'd have at least one of everything from Chakra Pennywhistle - gorgeous gorgeous pillows, wallets, bags, dish towels, etc.

Handmade and upcycled goodness: Chakra Pennywhistle!

I'm very excited to share this special artist feature with you: the lovely and very talented Rikkianne from Chakra Pennywhistle! Rikkianne has a wonderful heart and is a delight to get to know. She's an incredible artist who practices what she preaches: the Golden Rule, collaboration and community.

Make sure to read to the end, then be sure to enter the giveaway that Rikkianne is very generously sponsoring!

Your name: Rikkianne
Your shop name(s)/url(s): Chakra Pennywhistle
Your blog(s): Chakra Pennywhistle
Your flickr ID/url: Chakra Pennywhistle (Severely neglected at the moment)
Your non-Etsy website/other websites (e.g., Trunkt, 1000 Markets, etc.): http://www.chakrapennywhistle.com

Tell us a bit about you: who you are, who you want to be, what you make, what makes you unique?

My name is Rikkianne, I live in Tucson, Arizona, and I’m married to my best friend, Dave. We have a lovely three-year old daughter, Mia, and we also share our home with my grandmother, Barb.

Art has been in my life for as long as I can remember. From dance, to drama, to sewing and design, I really don’t know what I would do without some form of art in my life. I have always found pleasure in making something new out of something old. I also feel the need to support forward-thinking businesses, specifically those that incorporate eco-friendly practices. I now feel that I have found my passion and I’m tremendously grateful for the entire indie/handmade community.

(Rikkianne, Dave and Mia)

What do you think it is about you that makes your shop(s) successful?

I try and live and work by the Golden Rule. With every single order, I think about what kind of experience I would like to have. I like to get packages that are wrapped creatively and with care. I like to see handwritten notes. I go the extra mile with my product and hope to see the same when I make a purchase. As for the materials I choose to employ, I like to take the environment into consideration in both the product and its packaging. As far as my designs are concerned, I try to communicate an appreciation for history and hope that everyone can see that ... I really try and relay what the handmade lifestyle means to me. We are both a personal community and business. I feel that it is my duty to promote that! There is something so special about the handmade experience – an experience that doesn’t just stop once the product has been produced. It is my intention to make that experience extend through the act of the purchase, and upon receipt of the item itself...

Is Etsy your fulltime day job, or do you do this on top of a day job

I stay at home with my daughter, Mia. She is 3 years old. When she was born, my husband and I decided that I would take care of her and start my business. The whole family pitches in whenever I need it. However, it can be a challenge trying to balance it all. Mia has just started preschool and I believe that I am in need of a more structured work schedule. Instead of fiddling around wondering what to do without my gal, I now have time to really get to work and do things like get into the studio and print! I am excited and am just now beginning to find my groove.

Mia, interrupting a wallet photo shoot (so cute!)

How did you learn your particular art/craft form?

I actually taught myself how to sew – even though that makes me a bit uncomfortable to say as I do have friends that have provided invaluable tips to me along the way.

I also took a fantastic screen-printing course from the local community college. I am so thrilled that I had the chance to do that because I believe that I have truly found my passion. What better way to learn how to do it than in a small community setting!

What was the most difficult thing for you to learn when you initially set up your Etsy shop?

Shipping can be difficult. I am still trying to figure out the most reasonable and safe way to pack and ship my items.

What do you know now that you wish you’d known back when you set up your Etsy shop?

You know, comparing the past to the present really gives me a great appreciation for the evolution of it all. I learn something new every single day. Etsy and the entire blogosphere are so generous with small business knowledge that it can sometimes become overwhelming to try and keep up with the wealth of information. Perhaps my wish would have been to have thought to bookmark and file all of that information in an easy to reach place!

What stresses you out the most about your business?

Trying to wear all of the different hats. I have discovered that when you are an Etsy seller, you are the artist, photographer, rep., shipping clerk, admin. asst., accountant, etc.

What gets you the most excited?

When someone takes the time to email a note and let me know that they like my work. It is so special when someone takes a couple minutes out of his or her life to say hi. I feel deeply honored each and every time that happens.

Share one of your personal guilty pleasures?

I love the Bravo Channel. I don’t get to watch television as much as I would like. You can find me at about 1 in the morning clicking on the tivo and vegging out to the Real Housewives. I can’t help it… I love that stuff! I need more sleep! Ha :)

Rikkianne's inspiration wall in her sewing room

Do you shop handmade? If so, what was the last thing you purchased?

Oh yes. I am just about all handmade and vintage. We do have to run to Target from time to time but I can tell you that my house is full of vintage furniture and my closet is Etsy and thrift.

The last thing that I bought on Etsy was a Xenotees t-shirt for my brother-in-law. I just bought that today!

What one piece of advice, tip or trick would you share with both new and more established sellers?

Get out there and promote yourself. Whether it’s by way of making etsy treasuries, sharing news and notes on twitter, or joining an Etsy team, you will get everything you put into it. Celebrate the fact that you are able to share your passion. Collaborate instead of compete as much as possible.

Thank you so much, Rikkianne!

I can personally attest to the care and thought that Rikkianne puts not only into her creations, but also her packaging, shipping, and communication. A Chakra Pennywhistle purchase is a special experience from start to finish!

One very very lucky Phydelle reader will win a beautiful Chakra Pennywhistle dish towel, winner's choice of the tomato or the rooster (I have both in my kitchen - looove them!)!
















To enter, share with us your favorite piece in Rikkianne's shop (check out her "sold" section, too!), including URL.

CRUCIAL!!! You must include your name (at least first name) and email address OR Etsy shop name!!! If your entry is missing that information, you aren't eligible for the drawing (I'm so sorry, but compiling entries is work! Make it easier with your name and contact info, por favor!).

Bonus entries for:

1. Following this blog (Phydelle)
2. Following Rikkianne on Twitter
3. Following Rikkianne on her blog
4. Blogging about the giveaway (your blog post must include a link to this giveaway post!)
   
5. Tweeting about this interview and giveaway, with a link to this contest post (cc me on the twitter for verification - @phydeauxdesigns )
6. Subscribing to the Phydelle/Phydeaux mailing list (top left corner of this web page)

Entries end 9 pm PST on Sunday 9/27/09 and the winner will be announced on Wednesday 9/29!

It's Autumn!

Officially, autumnal equinox occurs on the 22nd, but since I can't wait (!!!) for my favorite season ... Happy Autumn!

Because I'm listening to John Adams (really incredible - if you're not into historical reading, watch the HBO series!), which makes me think about my own ancestors in Philadelphia during late 1700's to early 1800's, I've been thinking about what Autumn meant (and means) to those who live off the land.

Harvest time. My Dad will be preparing soon for his annual kiwi harvest. The change in seasons isn't quite as dramatic in California as the rest of the country, but the change in light and decreasing hours of sunlight means the growing season is winding down. Farmers work themselves from before dawn to after dusk this time of year. My ancestors (probably yours, too!) feverishly worked to beat early frosts or unexpected snows, then partied it up when harvest was done (Thanksgiving feast!).

Food to last through Winter. Did your grandparents have a basement or cellar filled with preserves, home canning, root vegetables, maybe even homemade vinegar and cider? Maybe you have that cellar now! I enjoy listening to my Dad's stories of growing up on the Montana plains, where he lived the life of pioneers, including his folks', grandparents', neighbors', etc. cellars filled with the fruits of all of their labors. (and the icy Winter cold ... we're lucky here in California)

Time to work on the other needs of the family. With early nightfall, folks had to settle in, and without TV or radios (or internet), it was time for spinning, weaving, sewing, mending, knitting, making/mending harnesses and other farm gear, boot and shoe repair. I envision one of the kids reading the Bible or another book out loud while the rest of the kids and parents work around the lamps and fireplace.

Sounds kind of funny, as I type on my laptop, in front of my a/c, watching TV, laundry running in the background. Most of my needs met via my local Safeway, Whole Foods or (hangs head in shame) mall. And much of my shopping done online.

Autumn for me, personally, means time to prepare my business for the holidays, while finally relaxing (I hope) after the more than six month budget madness at my day job (similar to the harvest cycle ....).

What does Autumn mean, if anything, for you??

Artist Spotlight and Giveaway Tomorrow!

After a seriously crazy Summer, I'm so excited to carve out time to restart our artist spotlights and features!

Check back tomorrow (Monday) - you won't want to miss out!

Red Twist

Have you seen the gorgeous recycled LP pendants and necklaces from Tresijas? The vivid colors are just gorgeous! I'm completely smitten by this twisty red beauty.

Red Twist Recycled LP Necklace by Tresijas at Etsy, $24

Unravelling

Ever since I learned about Susannah Conway's VERY popular Unravelling ecourse, I've been stalking course registrations, entirely unsuccessfully. Until the last go around, that is! I successfully registered, and kept doublechecking my email confirmation, thinking I must have been mistaken.

Luckily, I wasn't, my registration was successful, and the course starts in just over a week.

Couldn't come at a better time for me, as I'm relearning to embrace who I am now, and not who I used to be, or who I wish I am or who I hope to be.

Here's the very first paragraph of the course description:

"The Unravelling process is a new way to view your world, taking time to appreciate the beauty around you. And we do this in the simplest way – we stop and look. Beginning with your feet, you’re going to go on a photo safari into your own life to reconnect with who you are, where you’ve been and where you want to go next. "

Best of all, I'll finally have to learn to use my "new" (not so new anymore) camera.

Overall, it sounds a little scary (delving into your deepest recesses ought to be a little scary) while extremely exciting. I'm looking forward to the process of learning more about myself from ... myself.

Beauty in a bar

Seriously, I want to frame this photo! What a lovely, lovely bar of soap, thanks to Savor Soap at Etsy!

Savor's description: "Old-time “barbershop” scent, perfect for men, great for dames too. Very 1940s glamor. Glitzy white sparkle with an ocean blue base, refreshing and sophisticated charm."

Well, how can you resist???

Park St. Olive Oil Soap, from Savor, $6.50

Indie Fixx Fall Galleria!

Oh yes, it's Fall, which makes my knitting needles veeery happy. Now if I only had another eight hours a day with which to knit!

So, I'm also exhibiting on Indie Fixx's Fall Galleria! I love Indie Fixx the blog, and am really enjoying perusing the other shops on the Galleria (Hi Buttercupbloom!)

Hope you'll take a gander! Oh, and Happy Friday!

Cutest masquerading squirrel EVER

Kate, from Girl Savage, creates the cutest and most clever felt plushies and "feltidermy" (trust me, just check it out!).

Her latest creation has completely stolen my heart!

A Masquerading Tiny Squirrel Plush, from girlsavage at Etsy, $40

All the sky in one bead

I'm completely mesmerized by this lovely pendant. I can just imagine universes within universes within this incredible borosilicate lampwork glass bead!

Millenium Artisan Boro Necklace, from Adorn by Amy Singley at Etsy, $26.50

Cosa Verde!!!

I'm so excited to share with you that Phydeaux organic cotton scarves are now exhibited at Cosa Verde, one of my favorite online sources for handmade! I have several more organic cotton scarves in the works (oh, for more time every day), soon to be added to Cosa Verde and to my Etsy shop.

Nice feature on Maizie Designs!

Exciting new things coming up for Phydeaux, but hard to top the fantastic interview that I'm delighted and honored to have been invited to participate in on Rebecca of Maizie Designs' blog! I hope you'll check it out (read all her artist features - they're all really great!).

I recently treated myself to these earrings from Rebecca - and LOVE them. A new staple - I wear these at least a couple of days a week!

Shameful new addiction

Greek yogurt! Oh boy! But not just any old Greek yogurt. Here are the only ones that will do:

1. The Greek Gods honey (you wouldn't believe how delish this is)
   
2. Trader Joe's Apricot/Mango (SO yum)
3. The Greek Gods fig
4. The Greek Gods pomegranate
   

I'm enjoying TJ's apricot/mango as I type. It's by no means low fat (16 grams ...), BUT with 11 grams protein and 25% calcium, this is a low carb girls' dream.

Anyone else loving Greek yogurt? Favorite brands/flavors?

s l e e p p p p p

UPDATE: boy, oh boy, did I sleep! :)

Sleeping is my favorite, while largely unsuccessful, activity. I love to sleep! Love my rich, wild dream life, one minute wandering the fjords in Norway, the next wondering how I found myself in one of my childhood homes. I love sleeping.

And I dread sleeping. Since I started this whole lupus thing, sleep is my frenemy: friend and enemy. I absolutely need to sleep, in order to heal. And can't sleep, because of joint pain or chest pain or a blinding headache or the neuropathy in my feet is torturing me or JUST as I'm drifting away, a fuzzy body jumps on top of me and it's all over.

I've spent most of the last 12 months struggling to sleep. I've pulled more all nighters than in college and high school combined. And I'm just sooooo freaking tired.

Sleep deprivation is pretty serious business. I can tell you about it, believe me. I realized two nights ago, wide awake at 4 am, that I'm going to have call my doctor for a prescription.

Now this takes a LOT for me to do. I really hate sleeping pills. My body fights it. I've found myself walking and trying to do things when under the influence (sort of sleep walking - it's weird ... and disturbing). But I'm at my wit's end. I need a regular sleep cycle.

And y'know, I'm at an age (sob) where I'm likely starting the descent to menopause, which often comes early for women with my health issues. I can't help but think that this is a factor.

Nevertheless, SLEEP. I took my ambien at 8pm. I'm ready to pass out. I think. I fear I'll toss and turn, which is the worst of all pits.

I'm a little envious of my kitties, who flop over and are comatose before their flop hits the pillow.

If I didn't have this little thing called a JOB to get to every morning, I'd be creating like mad all night long. But I do have that little thing, so getting some quality sleep and WAKING up is pretty crucial.

By the way, I've tried all the normal words of wisdom: no caffeine past noon, drink plenty of water, don't eat after 8pm, chamomile tea at bedtime. These all help, but they become irrelevant when the bone-grating pain begins. Which is really neat.

I hope you're all tucked away in your beds with visions of sugarplums dancing in your heads. I hope to see you in just a few - save a dance for me?

Textured Waves

Elegant beauty from a teeshirt - amazing!

Textured waves fabric necklace from Frills and Fray at Etsy, $34

It certainly feels like Fall around here

Something about the air is different ... the light quality has changed ... there's that crisp in the evening air that's been missing all year ... there's the wisp of a promise of fireplaces (soon soon) ...

My heart is filled with hope and joy, not realizing that both hope and joy were missing in any quantity. Autumn is just around the corner.



















Knitting has changed. It's no longer, "Oh, I have all these lovely things to knit for Fall." Now it's HERE and my fingers and knitting needles dance with joy while marveling over wools and silks and cottons and alpacas and yes, oh yes, even the dread acrylic.

Life doesn't get better than Autumn foods. The harvest. Apples galore, crisp, cold, bursts of sweet flavor with every bite. Squashes. Roasted acorn squash halves, filled with melted and slightly caramelized gruyere and parmesan, fragrant with garlic and pepper and just a twist of fresh ground nutmeg. Pumpkin. In anything. Most of all my favorite pumpkin/gruyere soup (sigh). Spaghetti squash roasted with piles of veggies. Caramelized wonderful goodness. And the feast of all feasts: Thanksgiving. My very favorite meal of all time. Sigh.















My backyard buddies - squirrels and birds of all variety - are voracious. They know. Time to fatten up, quickly, quick! Which entertains my two fuzzy ones from dawn to nearly dusk, mesmerized, enraptured, stopping only for pets, kisses, another meal, and a quick trip to the ladies'.

Oh Fall, why do I have to wait so long for your return? I suppose suffering through Summer makes your presence all the sweeter. I suppose that if it were Fall all year round, I might grow tired of you (hard to believe). I would certainly miss Spring - perhaps we can compromise?






















I have much to do today, for Fall and for me. Most of all, I look forward to embracing and immersing myself in Autumn's colors, fragrances and wonders. I hope you will too.

For my bro

Seems like every time my brother and I visit, we nearly kill ourselves trying to remember more than a few faded flickers of memory about The Amazing 3. Here you go, Steve! (Don't you love Google and You Tube?)

Yes, apparently we were little kids when cartoons were in black and white! And we walked to school barefoot in the snow ....

Blindness

I recently watched Blindness on cable, not knowing what to expect. Very very intense movie, not for the faint of heart for a few scenes, but it's so very worth watching!

Oh for $298 just sitting around ....

Now that all hope of wearing any kind of heel is over with (darned deformed multibroken toe), I'm all about super cute flats. Which I was anyway. Like these beauties in Fall colors from, yep, Anthropologie.

Coraline!!!

I'm always behind when it comes to movies. I never go to the cinema anymore - too many infants (for reals!) and cell phone conversations (argh!). I've been DYING to see Coraline - and finally watched it tonight (thank you On Demand!)! And it was worth the wait.

Labor Day Sale and the last few days of free/reduced shipping!

I have a four-day weekend to start tomorrow morning (woo hooo!) and to celebrate, everything at Phydeaux is 20% off!

And, hard to believe, Summer is sort of officially over as of Monday night, at which time, my Summer time free/reduced first class shipping ends. I'm dreading that a little bit - recalculating and updating shipping represents a few hours of work! Do me a favor and buy out my shop so that I don't have to?

I'm kidding.

Kind of.

Fiber Story

I am SO excited that Sarah from Fray at Etsy has opened a yarn and fiber shop! I'm really astounded by her work - so beautiful! I have three skeins on the way - I can't wait to knit these up - gorgeous!




















I hope you'll pay her lovely shop a visit. I know she has many, many beautiful skeins of yarn to list!

My very first Etsy purchase

I was thinking this evening about my first experiences with Etsy. Not sure why - maybe because I'm pretty stoked about successfully selling three pairs of shoes on ebay (with MANY more to go).






















And here it is - my first purchase! I don't remember how long I'd explored Etsy before I formally signed up in order to buy (early 2007). I fell head over heels in love with these tiny needle felted penguins and still have and love this book, which I proceeded to torture my patient staff and coworkers with once it arrived from its oversees trek.

Mind you, I haven't tried to make any of these wee critters, but a girl can look, right?

Burned!

I let my netflix account lap months ago. Then I renewed it this weekend. Why? Well ... I've been dying to watch the first episodes of Burn Notice, I must confess, and never can find the pilot episode on cable. So imagine my glee to find my first two discs for the first season in my mailbox this evening. And then discovered I had discs 2 and 3. NOT the first disc.

ARGH.

The agony!

In the aforementioned glee, I apparently didn't think to check that netflix actually puts a multidisc movie or series in the correct order for you when you add it to your queue (sigh). Returning disc 3 tomorrow. I hope to report good news by Friday.

What's really funny (ha) about it is this: netflix headquarters is a 15 minute drive away from me. The wonders of living in the Silicon Valley. Hmmm, wonder if they have a drive through service???