1. The blogosphere continues to degenerate into uselessness, with “me too” entries overtaking substance by a margin of 50:1.
2. Microsoft infuriates the syndication enthusiasts by calling it “OurSS” for Windows Vista and IE7.
3. Yahoo! acquires Danni.com, claiming “Web 2.0 is going to be even bigger now.”
4. Dave Winer officially adopts Robert Scoble.
5. HDTV programming doubles - from two boring shows to four.
6. Public access stations across the country concede that video podcast content is just as boring, pointless.
7. Steve Gillmor begins to work on a new spec for flame wars, dubbed Contention.XML.
8. O'Reilly overtakes the world of fashion by releasing a new series of clothing titled “Slacks.” Their first release, Google Slacks, is a runaway hit.
9. Hidden rootcanal discovered inside all Sony toothbrushes.
10. Everybody in the world finally farts at the same time.
11. MTV brings Adam Curry back into the fold; Dawn and Drew quickly replace TRL.

We’re taking the week off to enjoy the holidays, but we’ll be back with two 90 minute live broadcasts next week. On January 5 and January 6, The Chris Pirillo Show will be live from CES from 1:30-3:00 PM Pacific. If you’re at the tradeshow, you can see the live broadcast in the Featured Community section of the Microsoft booth. You can catch the live CES broadcast using the same URL we use to stream the weekly show. We’ll be interviewing people about the big CES announcements and giving away a few goodies. In the meantime, check out some of the downloads from the archive and stay tuned for more live shows in 2006.

Reel Reviews, a podcast featuring movie reviews and commentary by Michael Geoghegan, launched as what is probably the first movie themed podcast over a year ago. It remains my favorite movie review podcast in spite of a wealth of competition from both film fanatics and established movie critics like Ebert and Roper. Chris talked with Michael about movies, podcasting, getting a gig doing a podcast for Disney and a slew of other topics. This is one of the few opportunities where you’ll see Chris release his inner film geek to quote lines from a handful of his own favorites, while also getting Michael Geoghegan’s own enthusiasm for cinema in one jam-packed session.

Yeah, I'm now in the process of buying a telescope - and just when I thought I had found the one that would work for me, I've come to discover it's not perfect. Then again, what telescope is? This leg of my telescope journey began on Christmas Eve, although there's no rush to get anything soon (as the skies over Seattle will remain mostly to partly rainy throughout these winter months). I know that Meade is a leading manufacturer, and that the larger aperture I get, the better - it's just deciding on a specific telescope at this point. The more automated the system, the better; I'm already having nightmarish flashbacks to high school trig. Maybe it's the LX200, maybe not?

• Edmund Scientifics Online - Astroscan Telescopes Starting at $199 (Posted on 1/3/08 and Expires on 12/31/09)
• Discovery Channel Store - Meade ETX-80BB Telescope only $299.99 + Free Shipping (Posted on 1/3/08 and Expires on 12/31/09)
• Buy.com - Galileo FS-720DX 720mm x 80mm Astro/Terrestrial Telescope only $173.99 (Posted on 1/3/08 and Expires on 12/31/09)
• Buy.com - Bushnell 78-9960 Sky Tour 700mm x 60mm Refractor Telescope only $99 (Posted on 1/3/08 and Expires on 12/31/09)

You've heard of ruthless people, you've heard of toothless people, but what about stupid people? Have you ever run into someone who was too dumb to breathe? No, seriously - I'm talking about stupidity that goes all the way down to the bone. Like, someone who knows better (yet puts other people in jeopardy because of their actions)? I had the experience of a lifetime - straight out of an afterschool special. You wanna meet a record-breaking information klutz? Take a gander at my tale of identity theft.

I told you we had the world's biggest pimple.

I've had my fair share of face monsters in the past; most adults deal with zits on a regular basis. Imagine our suprise when we walked into our studio room and found that our ceiling was developing a gigantic whitehead. No amount of Oxy or Stridex would help the situation, however. This was a house zit that was ready to explode - if it wasn't popped first. Yes, I know they tell you not to pop zits, but when you see what I'm talking about, you'll understand why drastic action was necessary:

Can you believe it?! For a few weeks now, those windows had been leaking (due to sloppy sealing). Now, however, we discovered that the closet upstairs (directly above the room pimple) had been leaking water for some time. We dreamed of a “wet Christmas,” but never dreamed of this situation. It's the biggest zit I've ever seen - probably broke a world's record or something. Here's the video of the big zit popping.

Guess the thing!

Jason Calacanis joins us for the first hour of the show with some predictions for the new year, insight on Web 2.0 and the business of Web publishing. Chris attempts to get Jason to reveal some AOL trade secrets to no avail although we did get a tip that Blogsmith (the engine powering Weblogs, Inc) may become available as a blogging platform on a limited basis sometime in the new year. Arthur calls in to ask a question about optimizing his PC. And at the end of the hour, Robert Scoble joins to talk about his recently upgraded Scoble Phone. Word of warning - this podcast contains language that may be objectionable to some listeners.

Great last minute Christmas gifts:

1. Rechargable Batteries (with charger)
2. Personal coupons for “slave labor” on-demand
3. Favorite “of the month” annual subscription
4. Full Set of Mannheim Steamroller Christmas CDs
5. Logitech Harmony Remote Control
6. Binoculars
7. CB Radios, or an emergency one for the car
8. Noise-canceling headphones
9. A desktop weather station
10. A high-capacity UPS

Poor last minute Christmas gifts:

1. McDonald's Gift Certificates
2. DVDs from the bargain bin
3. Air freshener
4. A plain ol' mouse, mousepad, or keyboard
5. Christmas tree ornaments
6. Anything edible
7. A magazine subscription
8. The Magic 8-Ball
9. Any “for Dummies” book
10. Blank VHS Tapes

Now, I'm not saying that the “poor” last-minute gifts are horrible - especially if someone's specifically requested them on their Christmas wish list. However, if you're running out the door and don't know what else to do - there's probably a nearby store that carries some of those “last-minute” items I listed as great (which, again, isn't to say that they're necessarily great for everybody on the planet, just a bit different than what you might find in the last-minute shopping aisle). Me? I'm done with this year's Christmas shopping. That's not going to stop me from going to the mall tomorrow for any last-minute sales, but… at least I know to watch out for last-minute auctions.

Okay, so I was a little upset at a few Seattle SUV drivers tonight, but… that doesn't mean I've lost the Christmas spirit. Au contraire, if any of you saw last night's GnomeREPORT. Santa Chris Delivers Gifts to Believers - and I'll do something similar next year. For the moment, I'm telling everyone how to sell your cell phone.

Liz Lawley and Robert Scoble are taking your calls tonight on the live show. Remember, you can use Google Talk (preferred) or Skype to interact with us live on the air! I'm “chris.pirillo@gmail.com” on Google Talk. Or simply dial 1.888.PIRILLO. Easy as pie! Live stream will be up in a couple of hours.

YOU DO NOT OWN A COMPACT CAR. AT NO POINT IN YOUR SUBURBAN UTILITY VEHICLE'S LIFE WILL IT EVER TURN INTO A COMPACT CAR, SO STOP THINKING IT'S ANYTHING BUT AN SUV. YOU'RE NOT DRIVING A CAR, YOU'RE DRIVING A GAS-GUZZLING TANK. I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR REASONS ARE FOR PURCHASHING SUCH A MONSTROSITY, BUT PLEASE (FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND ALL THAT IS HOLY) STOP TRYING TO PARK IN PARKING SPOTS CLEARLY MARKED FOR COMPACT CARS!!! BE A FOOL ON YOUR OWN TIME IN YOUR OWN DRIVEWAY, BUT STOP MAKING IT SUCH A PAIN FOR THE REST OF US WHO HAVE TO SHARE THE PARKING LOT WITH YOU. IF YOU'RE OVERCOMPENSATING FOR SOMETHING ELSE, GREAT. YOU'RE NOT A COMPACT CAR!!! YOU CAN'T FIT INTO A COMPACT CAR'S PARKING SPOT SO PLEASE STOP TRYING!!! IT'S SIMPLE PHYSICS! STOP IT!!! STOP IT!!! STOP IT!!!
Update: Okay, so I'm not mad at every single SUV owner out there. Perhaps my anger is directed at local (read: Seattle) SUV drivers, some of whom cannot drive, and many of whom don't know how to park. Space is limited up here in the city, and it's incredibly frustrating to watch an oversized vehicle try to park in a spot specifically designated for an “undersized” automobile. Not every SUV owner is an ID10T, but if you're one who takes up two spaces instead of one (or who tries to squeeze into a spot that can't accomodate you), then you're still being rude.