Gift list 011207

<!– This is something that I intended to write months ago, and intend to maintain occasionally even so.

I am hard to buy for. The reasons are many and small, but combine to make me a pain in the butt. I am pretty much a content person – I have few unmet needs, and you can’t buy sex (at least, your not supposed to.)(this comment was intended as humorous). Most of what I do need is large capital expenditures that are very expensive (does this include sex?) (jk again). As for wants, I am very quality minded. I want whatever I buy to be the best in its category, which often means spending more for it than you would a less quality, more generic item. I like Craftman tools, for example. I believe they are excellent if not superior quality, and the ability to walk into any Sears with an old screwdriver and say “I want a new one” is an advantage.

I also only have wants in particular areas: camping/outdoor, computers, cooking. Tools of most kinds are always welcome, as “tools are power”. But, again, most of the things I want in those categories I tend to buy as I go along – what remains are large expensive items. Also, I am picky. I usually want just one thing – the best in that group.

Which means causually buying me gifts can be very difficult. –>

That been said, I try to maintain a “gift list” of things that I know I am wanting, and keep it available for anyone at any time. Well, this comes and goes. I usually get one started several times a year, but I inevitably lose it or something. So I’ve wanted to put one on here, so I can drop/add stuff to it from virtually anywhere. And, here it is:

Camping/outdoor

Headlamp – Petzl Tikka (black if available)
waterfilter – Sweetwater Guardian w/Viral Stop
Sleeping bag – undecided yet
approach shoes – undecided
heat generating lantern – experimental. I can’t decide between the Coleman tiny mantle lantern, or a candle lantern. Good gift idea, either one.
life jacket – undecided
large capacity backpack – undecided
bike camping accessories – panniers, etc. However, I need the camping gear before I need the bike stuff

Computer/Tech

I am building my own PC. I have money pidgeon-holed for the MB and CPU, and will buy them last. In the meantime, I’ll need…

Computer case – Model 970AX from circotech.com. Black finish. Its on sale right now with a free upgrade in powersupply. I think someone has vouched for this gift on my list.
cd-rw – undecided. Fast and compatible, internal. Should write all formats. Handy if it reads DVD, too.
DVD-RW – the same unit that Apple uses as OEM is the best bet right now, as being most compatible, etc. But, I haven’t finished my research, so I don’t have the name.
hard drive – fast and compatible. I will be running Linux on my new PC, so if you know it works with RedHat, its probably a good choice. Capacity doesn’t need to be in the terabytes.
monitor – 17″ or bigger, .24 or less dot-pitch. Vertically flat is probably good. Remember I am a graphic designer. I am partial to ViewSonic brand, but any great monitor is a great monitor. Will continue research.
PowerMac G4 – undecided on specs

Cooking

I like to play with food. (stop giggling – you know who you are) I enjoy cooking, and occassionally go to great flourish for myself. But its tough to cook in grand style for one, so I settle for Mac & cheese and ramen. However, I still make hord’ouvres and desserts for work, parties, etc. Also, just because I don’t cook grand often doesnt mean I don’t do it at all.

Cookbooks – themed. I like the Frugal Gourmet and his themed cookbooks. I also like things like “Wraps” – that looked like a good one. There was also one of like “150 fun different drinks” (non-alcoholic). It was just new ways of putting flavors together. I thought it might be fun to try a new blended beverage every week for two years. Things like that. Also, exotic stuff, too. I like East Indian food, and am learning about Thai.
cheeze grator – Pampered chef #1275
can opener – Pampered chef #2758
food chopper – Pampered chef #2585
tupperware – always a good idea. I will find some use for it.
Gas grill – I live alone, but might have more friends if I could put meat on the grill. Something with two burners maybe? Otherwise, can be very utilitarian. Haven’t done research.

Recreation

DVD’s

Matrix

Sneakers (Robert Redford, Sydney Portier (sp?))

White Sands

Anything by Pixar

StarTrek, StarWars (boxed sets?)

Desert southwest (not westerns – see White Sands)

Sci-fi (not horror, but terror okay, along with other types. Not cheesey if modern)

Thriller – action suspense (Enemy of the State, Conspiracy Theory, Pelican Brief)

Anything with an apparently wandering plot, but reveals itself to be cool at the end (Outside Ozona, The Big Lebowski, Into the Night)

Other

Movie passes – we have Hollywood theaters here (which suck – I pray for an AMC)

Gift certificates to Barnes & Noble, Sears, Lowes

Food certificates – Chili’s, Bennigans, etc. Just about anything, we’ve got it here or in Major Metro area, if not in College Town.

Picture frames – nothing girly *g* but any type/size

Flowers – fresh flowers (not plants – they die) give me something pretty to come home to. Always welcome

Tools – I don’t have any “power” tools. What I’ve had have been stolen. So either your choice, or just certificates to Sears..or cash.

Dremel mototool – this is one particular tool I know I can use. The digital control one looks interesting.

Candles/holders – I like candles. Unscented or “manly” scents, larger seem better (less likely for me to knock them over). Holders that are sturdy, and austere – minimum frill.

2002 Crown Victoria – Police Interceptor P71/750A – darker metallic finishes are fine. No street graphics or two-tone paint. (gotta ask!)

I will add to this/subtract from it from time to time, and generally try to keep it up to date from here. Also, I have a number of other projects running for other people. If you would like to help me give a great gift to another, please let me know.