With all the talk about New Year resolutions, it's perfectly normal to think about getting out from under the man to freelance. Or, hey, maybe you just want to make a little extra cash on the side to buy an iPhone. Enter the founders of FreelanceSwitch—an online mecca for self-employment wisdom—and their new e-book, How to be a Rockstar Freelancer. While you've been daydreaming about working in your pajamas, they've done the homework on everything from writing a business plan to landing clients and making sure you actually have some checks to cash.
http://freelanceswitch.com/book

There are any number of annoying "Best Of" lists at the end of every calendar year. Luckily, the folks at online music magazine Pitchfork understand the need to indulge in some good-natured mocking. They've taken the time to find "The 20 Worst Album Covers of 2007." You'll snicker at the expense of everyone from Prince to Ted Nugent and wonder how some of these covers ever made it to the printer. But despite the ribbing, this list still displays good manners: It doesn't name names when it comes to designers and illustrators. You know who you are.
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/47479-staff-list-the-20-worst-album-covers-of-2007

Few people make it through the holiday season without saying, "You shouldn't have!" and actually meaning it. That's why the Bad Gift Emporium is so genius. In essence, the team at Barkley—an agency based in Kansas City—has created an online white elephant gift exchange. You post a photo of your new sequined reindeer sweater and mark it as available. Then Rudolph lovers can e-mail you through the site to begin negotiations for the garment. Even if Santa brought only what you asked for, you'll still want to browse the site for the kitsch factor alone. The collection boasts everything from a Bob Ross paint set to a giant New Kids on the Block button.
http://badgiftemporium.com/