I have a flip-clock style screensaver ( Fliquo) and I usually think it's pretty awesome, but sometimes, every once in a while, just for a second, it makes me feel like I'm in the hatch on Lost. And that creeps me out just a wee bit.

I have a perpetually malfunctioning internal heater, and I live in a really, really warm apartment. So I crack my window and sleep with like, three blankets and flannel sheets all winter. I fail at having a regulated body temperature. So in the summer, it would probably be kind of awesome, but the noise would probably drive me insane.

Oh, and a sheet doesn't just protect you from bugbears and wumpuses - if you like to sleep in the nude, and have roommates, it protects your dignity too!

I have a Randy Bag, it's a nylon bag that folds into a little pouch that I usually have stashed in my purse. I bought mine at a library gift shop for about $4. It's good for when I have to pick up a few things that won't fit in my backpack, or I have to haul home a bunch of books or marking from school. I sometimes end up using plastic bags, but I save those for recycling.

When I go grocery shopping, I grab reusable fabric shopping bags.

Giant city-smashing robots in love? I'm sending one of my American friends on a field trip for me!

This seems so much more useful than the little "life preserver" type keychains you see now. The Waterbuoy looks much smaller than the floating keychains I've seen before.

I think this is going in my dad's next birthday present.

I have several Starbucks mugs that, when closed, are pretty spill proof. I'm a klutz, and had one mug fly out of a pocket in my backpack yesterday in the library, and it didn't spray water all over the instructional materials collection. It also didn't spill water everywhere when I knocked it over during a test today. It did make a very loud noise in a very quiet room though.

The mugs I have are not perfect - they don't keep liquids hot for extended periods, but they're good enough for what I need, and I usually grab them on sale so they're fairly inexpensive. I like that I can put milk and sugar in my coffee, put on the lid, and then shake it to mix it in, without coffee flying all over me. The stir sticks are never quite long enough and I always end up burning my fingers.

Not like I planned. It's better.

Congratulations, she's adorable!

I just cooed over those robots the way some people coo over babies.

I've worked for a large Canadian bookstore chain for a few years (on and off), and I still love books. I buy so many, I have stacks of books waiting to be read on my floor.

I think that bookstores still exist because some people (like myself) love the experience of buying books - browsing the shelves, looking at new editions of old favourites, talking to a bookseller about books that you both love - I still enjoy that experience.

Mr Johnson, you have a pretty snazzy scarf collection (I just watched the AT&T video).

I have to admit, I almost drooled during the candy expo part. There's a candy store a block away from my apartment, and I'm tempted to head down there right now.

That camera-ball looks like oodles of fun. It does look very video-game-esque.

I'm seconding the recommendation on Fun Factory toys - they're incredibly well made. A little pricey, but totally worth it.

I was also really amused by the magnets on panels. Hooray for good design!

I'm another U of M student who's excited to see her university featured on Boing Boing. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of a student teaching block when this happened and missed it.

Actually, it's probably crocheted and then super starched from the looks of it. Pardon my nit-picky-ness.

As a sometimes-waitress, I'm amazed how many people don't even write anything on the tip line on the credit card slip. It would be so easy to change a digit and write in a tip.

I've never done it (I'm currently going to school for a career when I'll get regular criminal record checks, and it's not worth throwing my career away for a few extra bucks. Plus, I'd feel guilty about it forever), but if you're going to not leave a tip on a bill that's over $200 and you were very demanding, write a big 'ole zero down in the tip line. Not every server is going to be as honest as I am.

I just let out a giant wistful sigh. They're so pretty. Too bad I'm a broke university student.