Gifts for the Commuter

Do you know somebody that commutes far distances to work everyday?  Making that commute easier could be the best present they could ever ask for.  Here are some great presents for the person that sits in rush hour traffic most of their mornings and evenings.

1. Noise Silencing Earbuds: Not only to keep yourself entertained, but to drown out the unavoidable noises around you. These are great because the ear buds work like ear plugs, and they even come with an app to use with your smart phone that further silences noises. Etymotic hf5 earphones, $149.
2. Thermos: Coffee is key to being awake by the time I get to work. I've tried several travel mugs, and this one is hands down the best at keeping beverages piping hot for the winter and icy cold in the summer. Klean Kanteen Insulated, $25.95-29.95.
3. A Durable Bag: Because a canvas bag just isn't going to cut it on the floor of a wet train or bus, or outside in nasty weather. Look for a leather, nylon, or waxed canvas bag with a reinforced bottom, or even one with little feet to keep it elevated off the floor. 2Unfold Laptop Bag / Heritage by hard graft, £400.
4. Reusable Bags: I use these all the time for toting stuff back and forth from work. They stash away so easily in my desk drawer or bag, and actually expand to a fairly large capacity. Envirosax, $39.95/set of 5.
5. iPhone/iPad (or other mobile device): If I had to pick one thing that has made my commute more tolerable, it is the invention of mobile devices. I can talk to my mom, browse the web, check email, listen to a podcast, etc. And last year I was gifted an iPad, which even further improved my commute by providing an abundance of reading material without all the weight. iPhone & iPad, prices vary.
6. Touch Gloves: So that you can still use your mobile device without your hands freezing while you're waiting for the train or walking to work! Agloves, $19.99-29.99.
7. Bike Handle: Genius. This handle makes carrying a bike up and down stairs and onto a train so much easier. Bicycle Frame Handle, $38.
8. Boots: Because trudging through the rain and snow is one of the worst parts of commuting. I have a few different boots to wear depending on the weather, but if you're going to pick just one, Hunters are classic, and you can get boot socks to keep your feet warm in the winter. Hunter Boots, $135-225.
9. Lunchbox: This is the one thing I don't actually have, but should. I usually use one of my reusable bags, but they don't do anything to protect from spills, and they definitely don't keep food warm or cold. Something insulated and lightweight that folds up seems ideal. Lunch Tote by BUILT, $24.99.

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

Club Pacifica Office Closing

The office will be closed this week on Thursday from 12:00-1:00. We will also be closed on Friday the 14th all day so the staff can enjoy their holiday function. Remind everyone if there is an emergency (water or fire), they can call the office at 707-746-6994, press 0 and they will speak to someone that can help them or call 911.

Tips and Tricks for Holiday Light Installation

Lights around the holidays are something that everyone has around the house.  However, they can cause headaches for any person trying to install them. Make sure to check out these Do's and Dont's of Holiday Light installation.

DON'T buy too many or too few lights. Plan ahead and get only what you need. If you have floorplans or blueprints of your home, use those measurements as a guide for how many feet of light string you will need outside. Inside on the tree, a good rule of thumb is 100 to 150 lights per vertical foot.

DO be a good neighbor. This guide to holiday light etiquette includes a few tips on keeping peace with your Christmas lights in a lit-up neighborhood this holiday season.

DON'T have an unpacking accident. When you're getting the old outdoor lights out of storage, watch out for broken bulbs with sharp edges and replace them right away.

DO get creative with DIY. Want to jazz up your boring light string? Get crafty! Use ping pong balls to get a globular glow, or use cupcake liners to turn your light string into a flowering vine.



DON'T overwork your extension cord. Splurge on heavy-duty extension cords (Gizmodo reccomends a 16-gauge cord for 25 feet or less, or 14-gauge for more than 25 feet) that are listed for outdoor use (they usually have a "W" on the package). To avoid overloading, only link five strings of lights together before plugging into an extension cord.

DON'T get caught off guard by high bills. Lighting up your home like Las Vegas doesn't come cheap. Use an energy cost calculator to estimate the extra cash you'll be shelling out in utility bills to fund your festive display.

DO go for energy-efficient lights. LED lights last longer, shine brighter and use less energy than traditional bulb strings. Solar-powered Christmas lights cost a bit more, but they have no wires to attach and they automatically turn on at night and off at dawn.



DON'T leave your lights on around the clock. You can cut your holiday power use even further with light timers. Have lights come on at dusk, and shut off in the early morning hours, after your family and any light-gazers have settled for the night.

DON'T leave your lights out too long after the holidays. Sun, wind, rain, and snow all take their toll on Christmas lights. The longer you leave them up after Christmas, the sooner you'll have to replace them.

DO store your light strings in a dark place when the holidays are over. Red, green, blue and purple lights, especially, will lose their color due to fading.

DO keep light strings untangled when not in use. The coffee can trick from Danny Seo is great for this, and will save your future self from headaches dealing with tangles when the holiday season rolls around again next year.

For more information see Apartment Therapy.