Merry Christmas and happy holidays, everybody. If you're done opening gifts, or just looking for some time away from the relatives, here are some random items -- virtual stocking stuffers, if you will -- to peruse over the break:

• Ray Ozzie had an eventful 12 months, to say the least -- joining Microsoft through its acquisition of his company and then emerging as the leader of Microsoft's online initiatives. In this post on his blog, he recaps his "whirlwind" year and looks ahead. It's an interesting read, written like one of those annual letters that people send out around the holidays.

• From a different perspective, Findory's Greg Linden isn't convinced that Microsoft will stick with the centerpiece of those online initiatives. Among his bold predictions for 2006: "Microsoft will abandon Windows Live." More tech predictions: Dave Winer, John Battelle, Jason Calacanis.

• In case you didn't see this one last week, Doug Mahugh shares some of his initial impressions as a six-week Microsoft employee in this insightful post on his blog. He cites some negative aspects (the "gut-wrenching" coffee and the "jargon-laden communication style") and positive aspects (the concentration of smart people and the high level of trust given to employees) of life inside the company. (Link via Robert Scoble.)

• Looks like "Apprentice" runner-up Rebecca Jarvis might have an opportunity to work in the tech sector, and possibly with Microsoft. Donald Trump told CNN's Larry King in a recent interview that he knew Jarvis had been "offered something" by Yahoo, and that he believed she had also been offered something by Microsoft. (Scroll down to the midpoint of this transcript.) Was Trump correct in his belief? Jarvis, who was also participating in the interview, didn't correct him, but she also didn't elaborate on the level of interest from either company.

• Microsoft Outlook program manager Michael Affronti offers an inside look at how the next version of the software will incorporate the ability to read RSS feeds. (Via Alex Barnett.) Australian entrepreneur Nik Cubrilovic assesses the competitive implications for RSS start-up companies. Also see Michael Arrington's related TechCrunch post. (Via memeorandum.)

• And finally, something for that Flight Simulator fan on your list: A free third-party add-on, Virtual Playa, that puts an elaborate depiction of the Burning Man festival into the Microsoft program. See images on this page, and on the Fly Away site. (Links via Steve Lacey and Jason Waskey.)