We picked up the headphones at Frys. Frys -- oh my -- what a wonderful place. Only in my dreams had I imagined such a wonderland of electronics and mechanics.

Mary and I saw a clock radio that we were just enthralled with. Its shape, its colors, the way it felt in our hands, its levers and dials -- exquisite, all of it! Perfecto!

I managed to pick up one of the clocks, carry it with us to the check out, sneak it into my checkout pile, and pay for it -- all without her noticing. I was so sneaky! It was going to be a happy scrappy Christmas present, a delicious surprise. That is, until Alex looked at the pile and said really loudly, "HEY, you got the CLOCK!" Thanks Alex.