Greetings Zwinksters! On behalf of everyone at Zwinky headquarters, I hope you're truly enjoying this holiday season. Mr. Metropolitan, on the other hand, is exhausted. After spending hours picking out the perfect Christmas tree a couple of weeks ago, I returned home to discover that the tree was too large for my dorm room. Or, rather, my dorm room was too small for this absolutely magnificent pine that I'd so diligently selected. So I went to work...sawing off branches and chopping down the trunk...until at last it fit. Well, sort of. Let's just say that it might be Christmas for a good long while in Mr. Metropolitan's humble abode...as this tree may have now become a semi-permanent fixture.

The whole tree ordeal left me so tired that I barely had any time to do any holiday shopping until the very last minute. So before I settle down for my long winter's nap, I figured I'd rip open the old mailbag for one last time in 2008...to help you get through this crazy time of year. So let's get to it...shall we?

Longtime Zwinky user agnostic__thesiem writes in to say:

So you guys always seem to be open for new ideas. How about something for the Zwinky Veterans? lol I've been part of zwinky for a couple of years. Before Zwinktopia even existed. And it seems that anything new that comes out tends to favor the rich rather than the loyal. I think it'd be a good idea to do something for the people that have stayed by zwinky's side

Well, Mr. Metropolitan completely agrees with honoring veterans of any kind. People should thank veterans each and every day...for helping to preserve the freedom that we too often take for granted. But I realize, of course, that you're speaking of our most loyal users -- and yes, I completely agree with you there, too.

As mentioned in a previous column, the Zwinky staff is still figuring out how to best reward and recognize our most active and dedicated users -- possibly tying it to the amount of Zchievement you may have compiled. But yes, I really agree that some kind of recognition for those who have been around the longest is definitely in order...so I will definitely discuss with the team. And we'll likely have something to announce for you in the new year, so it'll be something to look forward to. 

A curious blondie-4-ever writes:

are you and miss thang a thing becues every where i go i hear people talking about it and it is really bothering me becues like i have no clue to listen to so if you can answer this question so every body can no the truth plz i want to know

Well, I thought I addressed this in my last column...and nothing has changed since then. So I'll refer you to my Thanksgiving post. And I'll also share with you that one of my New Year's resolutions is not to answer any more questions about Miss Thang.

A fun-loving user known only as lmao10 writes in with this:

Dude can you and all the zwinky makers stop saying zwinksters damn

Hmmmm. I'm honestly not sure why that term would upset you. But I'll certainly take it under advisement. At least, until I begin my very next column with the same two words that you see above. What's wrong with being a Zwinkster, anyway? So show some Zwinkster pride!

Finally, a very sly Zwinkster (ha!) known as forcast writes in with this gem:

hi give me $100 i only have $10

Brilliant! Now it takes a cunning mind to fool Mr. Metropolitan, mind you. But I can tell you I almost fell for that. Almost. But this is certainly a trick that I will put in my back pocket. And I urge all of you, dear readers, to try it on your friends and family during this holiday vacation. Someone might surprise you and fall for it.

And that's the perfect note on which to conclude things for 2008. On behalf of everyone in the Zwinky family, have an awesome and happy new year, everyone! Until next time, take care and be safe out there.