Unpack those Beanie Babies and PEZ toys

Expect a surge in eBay traffic next year. Former president/CEO Meg Whitman is writing a memoir in preparation for her planned California gubernatorial bid in 2010. It's expected to publish in February. According to the New York Times, the book will be less about the online auction icon and more about Whitman's personal values. Oh boy.

Hey, good luck, Meg. But I'm hoping to cash in on the cases of old cameras, fishing equipment and (still) unsold Beanie Babies I drag out every once in a while when things get slow.

Here are a couple gems from the eBay Wikipedia entry:

• The story that eBay was founded to sell PEZ collectibles is a PR myth
• The first item sold on eBay was a broken laser pointer
• eBay entrepreneurs have tried to sell the parts for a cruise missile, a complete F/A 18 Hornet, and an entire aircraft carrier, with varying success
• Last year during the Icelandic financial meltdown, someone put the entire island up for sale on eBay. Bjork was not included.
• It's unclear at this point whether Whitman's book will be available on eBay