I've been told over the years that I can get a bit intense. Friends suggested taking yoga or Tai Chi classes, getting a massage, anything to keep them from punching me in the face. Good advice, I thought.

As part of my calming regimen, I invested in a Sound Spa Clock. Tired of being shocked into consciousness day after day by the mind-blasting clatter of my former bedside companion, I am now gently beckoned awake by soothing sounds of nature. If awakened in the middle of the night, I only need look to my ceiling to see the soft glow of the projected hour. I also use the soothing sounds to relax me into slumber, or the built-in CD player to listen to my favorite music.

So you see, friends, I am now at peace with my inner self. A symbol of balanced well-being and no longer a harbinger of pugilistic tendencies amongst those who love me. I've exchanged my aggressive intensity for the ability to twist my body into positions no man should have to endure. No more yelling at the often-offensive printer, no more physical altercations with my wireless mouse. Tears over an empty doughnut box are a thing of the past. So that being said, can I have my spot back in the carpool?

These days, you can spot a so-called hipster from a mile away; the tattered brown sweater, the horn-rimmed glasses, the slim jeans, the inevitably messy mop of hair. They're today's Buddy Hollys drug through the years of punk rock and '80s new-wave, and still, in spite of the 21st-century digital revolution, in love with vinyl.

When hunting down the perfect gift for the shabby-chic record collector in your life, look no further than Uncommon Goods' record bowls. Brooklyn-based artist Jeff Davis seals record holes with a coat of Mylar, then turns them into truly rockin' bowls for dry goods; or just to spark good conversation around a living room table. Featured in New York Magazine, these bowls, $25 each, are categorized based on musical genres: Rock & Roll, Show Tunes, Crooner, Diva, '80s, and R&B. If you prefer to personalize your bowl, ship your LP of choice to Uncommon Goods, and Davis will craft a bowl featuring whichever side of the record you'd like for $50. Get the details at www.UncommonGoods.com.

Record Bowls

I had heard about flameless candles before, but I'd never bothered to wonder what they were or how they worked. I was looking for something unique to give my friend as a wedding gift when I stumbled on these, sold by The Sharper Image. And now I'm thinking I'm going to give them to everyone.

Flameless candles look just like the real thing. I thought they might be those cheesy plastic things with the "flame-shaped" lightbulb at the top, but these are much more advanced than that. They're actually made of real wax, and have the indentation at the top, complete with a wick, just like a burned candle. But inside is a tiny little LED bulb that flickers like firelight.

I ended up buying a few of these and including them in my friend's "honeymoon basket" present, which also included things like bubble bath, wine, and fancy cheeses. I thought that in a hotel on their honeymoon, my friend and her new husband might not be allowed to burn real candles, so this would help them create ambiance. They can also use them later on their outdoor deck, since these things last for years.

So, yeah, I'm now a flameless candle convert. I'm going to give some to my mom as a unique Mother's Day gift, because she is one of those people who won't burn candles because she's afraid she'll fall asleep with the flame going. She also has pets who might interfere with a real flame, and that could get dangerous. These are a great all-purpose gift.

Set of Three Flameless Wax Hurricane Candles (4", 5" and 6") (NI513)