Well, I was all set to dedicate today’s ’80s flashback to Kevin Dubrow of Quiet Riot fame who passed away earlier this week. But Polli beat me to it. Don’t worry, I banged my head plenty in honor of Metal Health.

So instead of head banging and rampant insanity in mosh pits, I’ll slow things down. This week’s flashback is also pretty much a one-hit wonder and I wouldn’t be surprised if only a handful of readers actually know the name of the band that performed it. While the song gives off a melancholy feel, it’s always seemed like a beautiful tune to me. And for some reason, I always think of the Brat Pack flick “St. Elmo’s Fire” when I hear it, even though it’s not on the soundtrack at all. Maybe it sounds a “little” like the instrumental love song from the flick, I don’t know. Anyways, as winter gets ready to rear its ugly head and the cold starts setting in, this one should help you cope.

Life in a Northern Town - The Dream Academy

COUPON TIME:

All this talk of cold has me thinking outerwear! So here are some coupons for stores that offer some great jackets, coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, etc. to keep you nice and toasty warm.

Sports Authority Coupons
We currently have a few great codes including:
25% off 1 item (Expires: December 2, 2007)
$30 off orders over $150 (Expires: November 30, 2007)

Free shipping on orders over $100 at Aeropostale
Valid through: December 18, 2007

Free Shipping on orders over $125 at Ann Taylor
Or choose 3-Day Shipping for just $6
During checkout (step 3 of 4) at the bottom of the page enter promotional code HOLIDAY07. Then click RECALCULATE.
Valid through: December 20, 2007 11:59pm ET
Valid online only. Offer may be used only once. Taxes, shipping and handling fees, purchases of gift cards, charges for gift boxes and payment of an Ann Taylor Credit Card are excluded from the minimum. Not valid on purchases of gift cards, on payment of Ann Taylor accounts or in conjunction with any other offer. No adjustments to prior purchases. Continental U.S. only for standard shipping.

Cashmere Sale: Buy one, get one 50% off at AnnTaylor.com
Valid through: November 30, 2007

15% off any size order at Blair.com
Plus pay just 99 cents shipping per item.
Use Priority Code M7K at checkout.
Valid through: December 31, 2007 11:59pm ET
Online orders only. Cannot be combined with any other coupons.

20% off online orders at Bloomingdales
Use the above link to get the promo code and full details.
Valid through: December 2, 2007
Valid online only. Excludes Electronic Gift Cards, Beauty, Electronics, and Home (including all furniture and mattresses). No adjustments to prior purchases. Online offer is not valid at bloomingdales.weddingchannel.com. Cannot be combined with other offers. Excludes the following brands: Anlo, Aqua, Botkier, Burberry, Chanel, Citizens of Humanity, Dior, Fendi, Gucci, James Jeans, Joe’s Jeans, John Varvatos, Juicy Couture, Kooba, Longchamp, M Missoni, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Marc Jacobs, Michele Watches, Paige Premium Denim, Rich and Skinny, Seven for all Mankind, Theory, Tory Burch, Toy Watch watches, True Religion, Ugg Australia, Wacoal.

10% off your purchase at Kohls.com
Use promo code NEW5252 during checkout.
Valid through: December 8, 2007 11:59pm CT
Terms & Conditions: Only one 10% off promo code can be used per order. Excludes sales tax and shipping. Not valid with other coupon offers, purchases of gift cards, Kohl’s Cares for Kids merchandise, and price adjustments on prior purchases. Valid online only.

40% off any size order at Liz Claiborne
Online only. Use promotion/discount code FRIEND40. Code is case sensitive.
Valid through: December 2, 2007 11:59pm ET
Not valid at any speciality, department or outlet stores. Coupon can be used only one time. Cannot be combined with other coupon codes. Cannot be applied towards taxes, shipping and handling charges, gift certificates, gift wrapping or similar charges. Not valid on previous purchases. Entire order must be shipped to a single address.

10% off your online order at The Children’s Place
Valid online only. At checkout, enter web code H2AB7.
Valid through: December 9, 2007

It’s no secret. I’m terrible, as in really, really, really, really, really (did I mention really?) bad with directions. I remember hearing a story about Albert Einstein. Genius he may’ve been, but he was also quite absent-minded and often got lost on his way home because he couldn’t remember which house was his. So his wife painted their door red, and he always made it home after that. No I’m not nearly as bad as Al. Granted I’m also nowhere even close to a fraction of his geniusness. But like I said, I’m really bad with directions.

About a year after I got my driver’s license I remember heading down to Paramus, NJ (roughly about 30 minutes from where we used to live) to meet a friend at a comic book convention. We were selling off a lot of our collection and actually made a killing at the show. At the end of the day, we packed up and he went his way and I went mine. I got in my car and proceeded to the Garden State Parkway going… South. Now even if you’re from Dallas, Knoxville, Miami or wherever, you probably realize that New York is NORTH of New Jersey no matter how you slice it. I quickly realized my mistake and kept going, hoping to see a U-Turn sign or a GSP North sign. Which of course I didn’t see. Had I merely gotten off at one of the next exits and turned around I would’ve been fine. But no, I was too nervous to get off, so I kept going. For like 30 or 40 more minutes. Finally I had enough and got off and pulled into a hotel I think. I got on the phone and called my dad in a panic. He was actually really good at calming me down, then laughed at how far I was, then explained how to get home. I found my way back onto the highway going NORTH and about 2 hours or so later, I finally pulled into the driveway, claiming I’d never leave my house again.

If you ask my wife, however, she’ll tell you that story is nothing. Then she’ll proceed to tell you the following encounter which I hereby claim to be 100% false. But I’ll share it anyways because it is actually somewhat believable. We were both in San Francisco on vacation years ago. At one point we were down all the way by the ocean. I don’t recall why but she asked me what direction a certain building was. I wasn’t sure, so she turned my head and pointed at the Ocean and said, “Andrew, that’s the ocean. It’s west.” Then she turned my head completely around and pointed to the exact opposite direction and asked what direction that was. “South,” I muttered. I’ll stop there because it’s so obvious she made the whole thing up. Though I do have faint memories of her pointing to the ocean and asking me what direction the opposite one was, followed by tremendous laughing. Sigh.

Anyways, that’s secretly part of why I married her. Unlike me, she is amazing with directions. She is fearless on the road in terms of finding her way and will just jump in and go, letting the roads take her where they may. Basically she has real good “road smarts.” Better than any GPS I could find. And when she’s really in a bind (usually related to parts of NJ or down in Manhattan), she’ll pull out the big guns and call her dad who knows every back road/shortcut in the tri-state area I think.

So what’s the morale of today’s story? Easy. Never get in a car with me if you don’t know where you’re going.

COUPON TIME:

All this talk about GPS’ has me going to hunt down a slew of great deals on one of this holiday’s hottest item. So here’s a list of specific sales for GPS units or more general coupons for stores that carry them (and other electronics.

Save Up To $50 on select GPS at RadioShack.com
Valid through: November 30, 2007

Save $100 on a TomTom ONE GPS at RadioShack.com
Valid through: December 1, 2007

Use Google Checkout and get:
$10 off orders over $100 at CompUSA
Discount is automatic when you use Google Checkout.
Valid through: December 17, 2007
Minimum order amounts are before shipping and tax. Limit one per person per store, some exceptions may apply. Cannot be combined with other Google Checkout promotions. Offer available until December 17, 2007, unless otherwise noted and subject to change. Please see store website for more details.

$100 off TomTom ONE XL GPS receiver & Free Shipping at BestBuy.com
Valid through: December 1, 2007

$100 off TomTom ONE XL-S GPS receiver & Free Shipping at BestBuy.com
Valid through: December 1, 2007

GPS Sale at BestBuy.com

New Google Checkout Users get:
$10 off an order of $10 or more at Buy.com
Discount is automatic when you use Google Checkout for the very first time.
Valid through: Unknown
This coupon CAN be combined with other coupon offers! Limit one per buyer only. $10 bonus will be applied to your first purchase of $10 or more (before shipping & tax) from participating stores. Cannot be combined with other Google Checkout promotions.

NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY:
$5 off a purchase of $100+ at Buy.com
Use the above link to activate coupon.
Valid through: December 31, 2007 11:59pm PT

NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY:
$10 off a purchase of $200+ at Buy.com
Use the above link to activate coupon.
Valid through: December 31, 2007 11:59pm PT

Black Friday and Cyber Monday may be a thing of the past this shopping season, but that doesn’t mean the sales and coupons aren’t still coming fast and furious! Yes that’s right, the closer to Christmas we get, the more desperate some retailers get. So expect a ton of great sales, promotions and codes in the next week or two. Here’s a mix of some of the bigger ones going on right now I thought I’d bring to your attention so they don’t get lost in the shuffle.

30% off a customized HP Pavilion Notebook PC configured at $999 or more at HP Home & Home Office
Use coupon code NB3075.
OR
30% off a customized Pavilion Desktop PC configured at $799 or more at HP Home & Home Office
Use coupon code DT6030.

Both coupons valid through: December 8, 2007
TERMS: Valid online only. Limited supply available. Restrictions apply. Not valid with other promotions. (For complete conditions, see “Coupon Information” in the Customer Service section of the HP Home Store.) Coupon discounts are not combinable with instant rebate(s) or free gift offers. HP will apply the higher of the two discounts.

40% off any size order at Liz Claiborne
Use promotion/discount code FRIEND40. Code is case sensitive.
Valid through: December 2, 2007 11:59pm ET
Not valid at any speciality, department or outlet stores. Coupon can be used only one time. Cannot be combined with other coupon codes. Cannot be applied towards taxes, shipping and handling charges, gift certificates, gift wrapping or similar charges. Not valid on previous purchases. Entire order must be shipped to a single address.

25% off online orders at LeapFrog
Plus Free Shipping on orders over $50 or $5 Shipping on orders under $50
Valid through: December 5, 2007
Excludes FLY Fusion Pentop Computer, Leapster Learning Game System (green) and Leapster Learning Game System (Pink).

25% off your order at Limited Too
Valid through: December 9, 2007
Cannot be combined with other coupons. Not valid on purchase of Nintendo DS Console and games.

Use Google Checkout and get:
$10 off orders over $100 at CompUSA
Discount is automatic when you use Google Checkout.
Valid through: December 17, 2007
Minimum order amounts are before shipping and tax. Limit one per person per store, some exceptions may apply. Cannot be combined with other Google Checkout promotions. Offer available until December 17, 2007, unless otherwise noted and subject to change. Please see store website for more details.

10% off LEGO and 20% off Bratz at Sears.com
Sale valid through: December 1, 2007

I must’ve been about 9 years old at the time. I distinctly remember walking, no, pacing the aisles of our local Toys R Us. Me, my sister and mom were doing our holiday walk-through. We’d walk the aisles and tell mom what we wanted for Chanukah that year. Mom would either write it down in her little spiral notebook, or scream, “What are you, crazy?” if we dared pick something unsafe, too babyish or way too expensive. Well, what my eyes were focused on, what they were burning a hole right through was most definitely on the “way too expensive” side. It was Kenner’s AT-AT vehicle from their insanely popular Star Wars line. And it had to be mine.

“What are you, crazy?!?” mom screamed when she saw the $44 price tag. Yes, I was so obssessed with it, that to this day, I still vividly recall the price tag . I mean, c’mon, this thing was way cool. It was huge. You could put your Star Wars figures (Hoth Luke! Snow Troopers!) inside of it! It’s head moved! It’s four legs moved! Laser machine guns turned and clicked. And it even lit up and made that really cool “goozh goozh” laser sound! Who wouldn‘t want it?

But alas, $44 back then was just too much to spend on one toy-crazed kid. Sigh. I never did get that AT-AT and yes, Hasbro did re-release the thing like a decade ago but I didn’t buy that either. I want the original one. And maybe one day when I’m rich and need to spend money on stupid things, I’ll go hunt one down on ebay or something. Though just for kicks, every year my mom asks me what I want for Chanukah… and to this day, the first thing out of my mouth is, “That’s easy. An AT-AT.”

COUPON TIME:

Well, it’s holiday times, which means everything is basically on sale. And everyone’s looking for toys, so here are a few links to help you parents (and aunts/uncles/grandparents/etc.) avoid long store lines by shopping online.

Free Shipping on select Toy Orders of $49+ at ToysRUs.com
Eligible items have the “Ships Free” icon on the product page
Valid through: December 25, 2007 11:59pm ET

Hot Holiday Toys at ToysRUs.com

10% off online orders at All Aboard Toys
Use coupon code jc27mc67.
Valid through: December 31, 2007

12% off online orders at Back to Basics Toys
Use promotion code EDISC2 at the bottom of your shopping cart.
Valid through: November 30, 2007
Discount only applies to orders shipped within the US.

50% off Shipping at Back to Basics Toys
Use promotion code EDISC1 at the bottom of your shopping cart.
Valid through: November 30, 2007
Discount only applies to orders shipped within the US.

$5 off a purchase of $40 or more at eToys
In your shopping cart, click on the “Apply Coupon or Certificate” button and enter code ETNLTR.
$40 minimum excludes video game consoles, gift cards, shipping and taxes. Not valid on previous purchases. Cannot be combined with any other coupon.

If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been a tad stressed lately between a number of things, most huge being the holiday shopping season, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and so on for the next few weeks. But I just got a phone call from my dad. At a recent visit to his dermatologist, they discovered a “funny” looking mole, had it biopsied and it came back as melanoma. So last week he underwent a minor procedure (they did put him under a local for it) to remove a big section of skin. If the melanoma spread past a certain depth (I think 1 or 1.5 mm), then they’d have to move on to the next step, which wouuld involved various tests to see which direction it was spreading, then remove the appropriate lymph node and then hope you got it all.

Well, thankfully, dad just told me he spoke with his doc and they apparently got it all last week. So no need for further tests at all. They caught it early enough, tackled the situation properly and everything is back to normal for now. I most definitely needed that kind of news today in the middle of coupon/deal insanity mixed with a very late coupon night last night. So props to dad for being healthy. And thanks to you guys for your great and continued support.

Now I just need to get through Cyber Monday…

If you have a PayPal account you can save big this holiday season at a number of popular online stores. And if you don’t have a PayPal account, go get one and then re-read the previous sentence… If you don’t have one and don’t want one, then, sorry. I got nuthin’…

Anyways, this holiday season, PayPal members can get 20% cash back on their purchases from select merchants. You just need to use PayPal Checkout at participating merchants starting today and running for a limited time, no later then December 10, 2007. (Which means, it really expires on December 10, but PayPal could end that earlier if a zillion people start doing this. So shop fast!)

Here’s the main scoop about the offer:

1. Choose PayPal to make purchases at participating merchant websites by selecting PayPal as a payment option.
2. Offer is available for a limited time only, but no later then December 10, 2007
3. Multiple purchases are allowed.
4. Payments at Overstock.com must each be for at least $100 USD (including shipping and taxes) to qualify.
5. Maximum total amount of cash back per PayPal account is $50.
6. Only U.S. PayPal accounts in good standing are eligible.
7. See terms and conditions for complete details of offer.
8. The cash back payment will be deposited into your PayPal account by January 31, 2008.

Here’s a list of current merchants offering the discount. The below links actually point to our coupon pages for each store, as you can combine this PayPal offer with most merchant coupons as well!

NOTE: Most stores have ended this offer early, so I’ve removed any stores no longer honoring the promotion.

• Blue Nile

Note for some stores you may have to start CHECKOUT as normal and then see Checkout Using PayPal. Some merchants list the PayPal option right near where the credit card option is located.

Back at work after a nice long weekend are you? Good. Working hard? Yeah, didn’t think so. You’re getting some online shopping done, aren’t you? Well, technically if you’re reading this, you’re just reading a blog, not shopping. But you’re about to shop I can tell. And with good reason, while Black Friday was all about mega sales in stores themselves, Cyber Monday is all about awesome deals online. So be sure to check out the big list o’ deals on our Cyber Monday Deals page.

Here are a few highlights for ya (they call this a “teaser” I believe). And because I’m such a swell guy (and running on pure adrenalin/steam/coffee at the moment), I’ll even provide witty banter throughout!

BATTERIES.com
November 26 - 25% off online orders with code GRAVY25

With pretty low prices to begin with, here’s your chance to make sure you’re not one of “those” parents/aunts/uncles/etc. who give awesome electronic gifts, but forget the batteries. Leaving poor little Timmy holding a Tickle-Me-Elmo that’s got no juice left because every kid in America played with that one in the store…

THE BODY SHOP
November 26 - 15% off your entire purchase

Great coupon for a real nice store aimed at us clueless males when we need to buy something nice for that special female in our lives (whether it’s a wife, girlfriend, mother, etc.). Everything smells great here, so you can’t go wrong. And they rarely have coupons, so take advantage now.

CIRCUIT CITY
November 25-27 - 10% off online orders over $249, with in-store pickup

Great coupon, though there are a gazillion exclusions to this one. (Click that link above and you’ll see the nice list). But if you’re looking to pick up some big items (or lots of little items, stocking stuffers perhaps?)you can really save some dough. Just make sure there’s a local CC near you for in-store pick-up.

ETOYS
November 23-26 - Earn up to $35 towards future purchases (Restrictions apply)

Etoys ran this offer over the weekend and apparently realized that today’s a huge online shopping day, ’cause they extended it for 1 more day. Apparently kids like these things called toys, so you probably can’t go wrong here…

HP HOME & HOME OFFICE
November 25-27 - Free Shipping on all orders

I love HP. My next computer will be an HP. (I currently have a Dell.) I’m buying my in-laws a new one soon, and it’ll be an HP. Their printers rule. Their photo paper is all we buy. And now they’ve got free shipping site-wide. So even if you just want paper or ink, it’s the time to stock up. Or go for that desktop and laptop and save a bundle on shipping!

HOT TOPIC
November 26 - $25 off orders over $100

Word on the street is that kids love Hot Topic. The goths, the geeks, the emos. It’s the one place they all can converge in perfect harmony. The parents, on the other hand, most likely feel like they’ve walked into a foreign country. So save yourself and just order online! Plus, not only is this a super rare coupon for Hot Topic, but it’s also a really good one!

TOYS R US
November 26 - Save 25% on an Enchanted Tales Kitchen

Yeah, there’s a bunch of deals at TRU today (browse the site and you’re sure to find something that tickles your fancy… or your Elmo. Hah! Come on, that was a good one.), but this is a pretty sweet deal if you know a little girl who likes play kitchens and/or Princesses.

More Cyber Monday Deals

eTOYS/KB TOYS

Earn up to $35 towards future purchases at eToys.com
or
Earn up to $35 towards future purchases at KBtoys.com

• Spend $150+, Get $15 Off Next Order
• Spend $200+, Get $25 Off Next Order
• Spend $250+, Get $35 Off Next Order

Valid through: November 25, 2007

TERMS: Electronic coupon in the amount of $15, $25 or $35, depending on the amount of your qualifying purchase will be e-mailed within five business days after confirmation of your qualifying order. Free $15, $25 or $35 coupon good through December 31, 2007. Exclusions apply. Shipping, taxes, Gift Cards, select electronics, Zune and video game consoles (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP, Game Boy Micro, Nintendo Dual Screen, PlayStation Portable and PlayStation) do not count toward the minimum order requirement. Not valid on previous orders. Coupon is one-time use only and cannot be combined with any other coupon.

LEAPFROG

November 23-27 - 25% off sitewide (Excludes FLY Computer, Leapster Game System)

NICK SHOP

November 21-25 - Buy More Save More at the Nick Shop

• Buy 1 item, Save 10%
• Buy 2, Save 15%
• Buy 3 or more and Save 20%

TOYS R US

The following ToysRUs.com deals run through Saturday, November 24, 2007

50% Off BRATZ Adjustable Quad Skates

Save $50 STEP 2 Neat & Tidy Cottage

Save $40 FIRST ACT Electric Guitar Pack

50% Off NEW BRIGHT 1:14 Scale RC Hummer H3 or Chevy Silverado

Save $30 HOME DEPOT 2-in-1 Deluxe Workshop

IMAGINARIUM Arch Train Table

FREE Transportation Train Set When you buy the Imaginarium Arch Train Table

Save $30 LEAP FROG Learn Around Playground

Mad Science Dinosaur Curator Set

40% Off STEP 2 Scribble Center

Save $15 MEGA BLOKS Dora Gardening Bucket

50% Off Dance Styles Studio

50% Off BRATZ Gold Medal Gymnastics Dolls

Over 60% Off Dream Life Game

33% Off VTECH Learning Laptop

OVERSTOCK

November 23-28 - 10% off & Free Shipping (some restrictions apply)

Did you hear that? Sounded like a gunshot, right? Yeah, we’ve officially left the starting gate and Holiday Shopping Season has begun! I’m still updating our Black Friday deals page like mad today, so check it out if you’re looking to snag some great bargains and get a ton of gift buying done early this year.

Here’s a few highlights for today:

APPLE Store

Apple rules though they rarely have significant sales on their core products. Today’s one of those exceptions where you can save a couple of bucks on solid picks like iPods or MacBooks. And with Free Shipping/Free Engraving offers tossed in (which they generally have anyways), today’s the day to buy one if you’re thinking about it.

Highlights include:

• MacBook - Save up to $101
• iMac - Save up to $101
• iPod nano & shuffle - Save $11 & Free engraving
• iPod classic - Save up to $31 & Free engraving

Staples

I know they had crazy deals in-store today (My dad was debating going in at 5 a.m. to grab a Tom Tom GPS for only $125!), but there are some great online deals too. And since I’m still in my pajamas, no way I’m heading out to fight the crowds, so I may jump on a few of these myself, especially if combined with free shipping.

Highlights include:

• Navigon portable GPS for $99 (regularly $299)
• SanDisk 4GB ReadyBoost USB for $17.98 (Reg. $79.98)
• Compaq Laptop for $349.98 (Reg. $749.98)
• 7″ Philips Portable DVD Player for $69.99 (Reg. $119.99)
• Microsoft Wireless 4000 Keyboard/mouse for $24.98 (Reg. $84.98)

Macy’s

I’ll admit it. I like Macy’s. And not just because I watched their Thanksgiving Day Parade ever year to see what balloon gets stuck on a lamp post… I can pretty much always find “something” for my mom or wife there, either in their jewelry or clothing departments. They’ve got a great sale going on this weekend too with some huge web busters deals.

Save 10-50% plus values on Women, Men, Juniors, Kids, Jewelry, Shoes, Handbags, For The Home, and Bed & Bath.
Sale Ends: November 25, 2007

Highlights include:

• Diamond Pendant for $99.99 (Reg. $350)
• 3-Stone Diamond Ring for $399 (Reg. $1,235)
• Tag Springfield 5-piece luggage set for $49.99 (Reg. $200)
• Mountain view Comforter for $39.99 (Reg. $85-$110)
• Kenneth Cole Reaction Wool Coats for $139.99 (Reg. $260-$340)

Bits & Pieces

Okay, not as cool as a new giant HDTV, but puzzles rule. And I’ve loved B&P since I was a kid. (Though those days it was solely a mail catalog company). They have decent prices normally (not super cheap but not crazy expensive), but with this weekend’s coupon, you can really stock up on some unique gifts for the game/puzzle lovers in your life. Or just me.

November 23-26 - 25% off online orders with code W201250

VistaPrint

Now’s the time to start making your holiday greeting cards if you haven’t already. And the folks at VistaPrint make it super easy (and super cheap). You do have to take your own photo though (they can’t help ya there), but send it in and customize your greetings cards and you can save big right now AND get some fast free shipping.

November 22-26 - 50% off all Holiday Cards & Free 7-Day Shipping

Those are just a few of the highlights I’ve seen. I’ll keep updating as I find new ones. And remember to view our Black Friday deals page to see if your favorite store is on the list. Happy huntin’!

Wishing everybody a safe and happy holiday today!

Whether you spend it with friends, family, co-workers, strangers, alone, whatever, just have an awesome day and fill your belly with way too much turkey (or tofurkey for you vegetarians), stuffing, taters, cranberries, cornbread and all that good stuff. Be thankful for everything good in your life (and no, I’m not just thinking about football as I write this…) Oh, is anyone having a deep fried turkey today? I’ve never had one, but am dying to try one! Anyways, we’re heading down to my sister-in-law’s house in New Jersey later today for a small feast this year (only about 23 people I think).

So come home later, sleep it off and then prepare for tomorrow’s shopping insanity! And if you’re not a hardcore Black Friday Fiend (like Amy), then stay home, check out our online Black Friday Deals page, and shop without the madness.

Gobble Gobble!