(First things first:) U.S. gov't lifts 1912 absinthe ban. (1), (2), (3).
Check the electrical consumption of your devices with the Kill-a-Watt monitor.
Manage finances between housemates/friends, free: Buxfer.
Despite my personal bias, I think that Star Trib absinthe story came off real sharp.
I think something like Buxfer was described in the WSJ last year.
"Flow" reminds me of time distortion hypnosis, and this series at the BBC on "extra senses" seems like a group activity for the semester.