registration

so i certainly wasn't aware of many things around this whole marriage business (and i do mean business), but one of the many ramifications that took me by surprise of me asking arts to marry me was this whole registration thing.
so apparently, not only do people like to give wedding presents, but they also like to give engagement presents! which means that if we want to receive things we actually want, we have to register now. not later. which means right now we're trying to get that done at a few places so that we and our friends/family can be happy.
yesterday we went over to crate & barrel, the old wedding standby. we had heard stories of champagne, scanner fun, and general merriment. of course, it was not that. the scanner only took some inputs, and the folks there were nice (especially the woman who also does work with the AMC), but it was highly underwhelming. even the much hyped booklet was not known to the workers at c&b or available there.
we've also put our name into the system at justgive.org, rei, gaiam. haven't added anything to rei or gaiam yet, and gaiam yet, but stay tuned. anyway, all too much consumption in my book, but we've agreed to give 10% of all cash gifts to charity, and since justgive let's us give to good places, i'll be happy to spread the wealth that way.