The Penguin – on again, off again

I’m leaving for Maryland in a few hours to visit my family, bond with the siblings and parental units, and perhaps casually mention my birthday wish list (in case they wanted to get started saving up a few months in advance.) Because I saw the cutest thing online, and it’s the first real luxury item I’ve desired in a long time…

Is this not the cutest thing ever? Okay, the creature on the right is a real penguin. He’s not on my list. The creature on the left is a Penguin Carbonator from Soda Stream.  [2018 Update:  It looks like the Penguin model has been discontinued and replaced with the Crystal sparkling water maker.]  Unfortunately, he might not be on my list anymore either. But before I tell you why he’s off, let me tell you about why he was on in the first place. Besides the fact that he’s so cute.

The Penguin (or Crystal) carbonates your own tap water so you don’t have to buy soda in disposable bottles.… Read the rest