It seems like as soon as you purchase a Mac, you start getting these catalogs. MacWarehouse, MacMall, ClubMac, MacZone, among others; all vying for your business. But most of the time, they sit around and collect dust, or just go in the recycling bin. So what can we do about these sometimes obnoxious things?

Well, I must point out, they are not always annoying. They can be a real lifesaver if you know someone wanting a Mac, have to look up a quick, ballpark price on something, or need to buy a modem if yours gets fried by lightning. Even so, most of the time they are useless. Usually we can get the same products, for lower prices on the net or in stores. Furthermore, if your order something from them, look for one or two more copies of that catalog every single month.

Eek, these nasty things are always in my mailbox

Now, I know I just don't want to recycle these things every time they come in the mail (at least 3 times a week), but what should I do with them? There are many uses for these things, some obvious, some not so, but all beneficial in some way or another.

One thing that you could do is let your pets read them. By that, I mean using catalogs for litter paper. Not only will it keep the litter pan clean, but it will also provide reading materials for your buddies while you are off at work or school. Just don't blame me if strange packages start appearing at your doorstep (hint: keep the phone away from animal cages).

OK, so maybe the pet thing doesn't work for you, but you do have parties, right? Well, get a paper shredder, and make your own confetti. You will be able to make a huge mess, plus people canto order Mac stuff while partying. You can turn your binge into a big Mac Advocacy event. Maybe even convert some of those PC thugs while they are drunk.

Oh all right, you are not the type of person to throw wild toga parties. Maybe you are the artistic type. Use that paper shredder you bought for your party to make some catalog pulp. Then make the sculpture of a liftime. Once your masterpiece is completed, and placed in museums the world over, you will not only be rich and famous, but also be spreading the Macintosh word. Just think, people hundreds of years from now will be looking at your work of art, and still buying Macs, all because of you.

What was that? You aren't artisitc either? What in the world do you do for fun? Well, you are reading this, so you should be a Mac Evangelizer. In that case, I have the perfect mission for you, shall you decide to accept it. Take all of your catalogs which are just laying around, and place them in strategic locations. In car shops, hospitals, airplane seat pockets, coffee houses, next to PCs at retail stores, and anywhere else you can think of. This is a great way to get people to think about the Mac, and realize there is another option out there besides PCs. Plus, it's much better reading material than those terrible magazines they always have in those waiting rooms. Just make sure you don't violate litter laws.

Do I have everyone covered now? Probably not, but these ideas should have given you inspiration to work from. Now, instead of piling up hundreds upon hundreds of catalogs in your closet, or filling up your recycling bin (not that recycling is a bad thing), you can do something constructive with those catalogs. In fact, you could get so over zealous, you find yourself visiting the catalogs' websites, and ordering more just to fulfill your passion. Just make sure to think of me when the postal person refuses to deliver your mail.