wish list (updated 04/01/08)
Adrian suggested I make a list of things Id like to receive as gifts to make life easier for friends and family who might want to buy me something. Im not expecting any of these things from anyone who reads this list, but, hey, if you feel moved to gift (and my birthday is a month from today, incidently), heres some suggestions ...
ETA: As I receive things off the list, Ill be making a list up here and deleting the descriptions.
Mass Effect (Xbox360) and Mass Effect Collector's Edition Game Guide: received for birthday from Adrian 01/29/08
Tech
Webcam: So I can see Adrian when I Skype him. Id prefer one that I could use on both my PC and my laptop. I think Logitech makes one, but its like $100. =/
Games & Strategy Guides:
Lost Odyssey and game guide: This game looks beautiful, and its classic turn based goodness. Yeah, I know its not 'innovative' ... my philosophy is if it aint broke, dont fix it.
Portal (Xbox360): I know its part of Orange Box, but Im not really interested in the rest of Orange Box. So if anyone finds it sold separately or has bought Portal and would be willing to loan it to me or part with it (for a price), let me know.
Sims 2 FreeTime (PC) + game guide: Although I havent played in ages, Im determined to keep up with the XPs EA is cranking out, so this or any other EPs/Stuff Packs would be greatly appreciated. This particular EP, however, doesnt ship til sometime in February (I think).
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings (DS) + game guide: Im not totally sure about this game as its sort of more strat than RPG, but it got a good review. That and the prospect of a game with a chibi Balthier is just too much to pass up. Its pretty spendy still, so maybe wait for the inevitable price drop.
Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer (PC) + game guide: I have the base game, and I havent given it that much of a chance, but the EP apparently vastly improves the game, so I might risk it. I probably should reinstall the base game and give it another shot, however ... so this wouldnt be the highest priority.
OSTs/Music:
Mass Effect OST: I guess this is a risk given I havent heard the music in game, and Id probably wait on getting it until after I tried out Mass Effect, but as I like game soundtracks, its probably a safe bet Id like this one.
Blue Dragon OST: This one's an import, so its pretty spendy, but having only played a few hours of the game, I already know I love this soundtrack.
Final Fantasy XII OST: Its an FF game I love ... nuff said. Its probably a spendy import, however.
Super Size Me Soundtrack: $6.93 on iTunes
Furious Angels: by Rob Dougan $9.99 on iTunes
Piano Squall: $9.99 on iTunes
Halo 3 OST: Ive no interest in the game whatsoever, but the bits and pieces Ive heard of the soundtrack on X-Play appeal. I guess Id be interested in the other incarnations of the game if they are by the same person, but Id start here. But I might be able to get this from the library (Halo 3 that is) so....
Trusty Bell Soundtrack: This is the OST for Eternal Sonata, a game Im not sure Im interested in, hence my not having it on my list currently. But I might take a chance on the soundtrack. The game IS about Chopin, after all ... how bad can the soundtrack be?
Homemade mixes: The gift that only costs you some time and a CDR ... Im pretty equal opportunity about music, so anything would go here. I particularly like game soundtracks, however, so if you have some to share ... although Id be up for anything to expand my music library.
Other Media:
Netflix Gift Redemptions: I guess Netflix has a program where you can buy people months of their subscription, and then the user can redeem the gift to get a credit on her account? Anyway, I do the one a month unlimited, which works out to be circa $10, I think. I do use my Netflix to save money on buying DVDs, so this would be greatly appreciated.
Livejournal Membership/Extra Icon Storage: ok, so I know theres been a shake up with LJ of late -- new owners or something? -- but I still like the service. And I love my extra icons, so this would be a possibility.
Media-related Gift Cards/Certificates: Probably the place I shop most for this sort of stuff is Best Buy due to the fact Im in their Rewards program. But other media-related sites, such as amazon, where I can buy stuff would also be good.
Clothes:
Nightwear: I love pajamas, slippers, and slipper socks (that is to say, the socks that have the little plastic things on the bottom to prevent skidding). Im pretty much an XL at standard stores (Eddie Bauer), so it might be worth a risk. Just make sure that theres a return policy or that one can return things to a store. If you want to know if a particular store is in my area, just ask ... although we have pretty standard stuff out here.
A possible place to look for nightwear would be pajamagram.com. They offer some nice extras with women's pjs. Not that Im hinting. And the thing is some of the PJs are as much a gift for a guy as for a girl ... if you know what I mean. Bow chicka bow wow ...
Tops: Im always looking for cute tops and T-shirts, particularly T-shirts with funny slogans that I can bum around the house in. I run about an XL or a 14/16 in tops, but I like T-shirts as big as 2X, so if you see something and it screams me ...
I did find one T-shirt I liked at a store called Journeys. Its got a bunch of sushi on it it and it reads 'Rolling with my homies.' XL *just* fit, so once I lose some more weight ...
Sims gear: Found two items on the new Sims 2 merchandise site I want: this T-shirt in XL and this cap (one size fits all I hope). Each are $19.95.
Gift Cards/Certificates: Id say currently I shop for the majority of things at Eddie Bauer. I still do Lane Bryant for bottoms however cause Im still big in the hip region, which is why I didnt put down bottoms as a suggestion for a gift. Im pretty picky about how stuff fits around my middle, and I have a long rise, which rules out a lot of pants. So, gift cards is good. I dont really like buying clothes online cause they inevitably go back, but an exception would be a place where I could buy oversized T-shirts ... cause a 2X is pretty standard, ya know?
Housewares:
Books: I have four on my list at the moment: Don't Eat This Book by Morgan Spurlock, Solo Suppers by Joyce Goldstein, Nigella Express by Nigella Lawson, and Jamie At Home ... this one, however, doesnt release until October 28th (or something like that) in the US. Id almost prefer the UK version, which is already out (I think).
Blankets: I love throw blankets, particularly chennile ones. I just got a particularly warm one for winter, and I have a summer weight one, but new ones are always welcome, as long as they arent itchy. Cant stand that.
Shot glasses: I dont drink, but I collect em. Adrian just got me some from Amsterdam -- they had a shot glass SHOP in the airport ... Amsterdam is awesome -- and a Scandanavian set is ... Stockholm, I think. I like the larger ... what do you call em? Cordial glasses? They look like taller, narrower shot glasses as well.
Candles: Sarah (blissedmistake) turned me onto Yankee Candle when we met. Im always interested in new scents, but due to the fact Im allergic to pine, stuff that smells ... treey ... isnt a good bet. Im also allergic to a lot of the tropical fruits, so things like mango or kiwi scented candles would probably be bad. My favorites at Yankee Candle are Home Sweet Home and Citrus Sage, but like I said, Im up for trying new stuff.
Other
Vermont Teddy Bears: I love these bears. I got a get well one from some friends when I nearly died in the aftermath of the botched gall bladder nonsense. I remember telling Adrian to put it somewhere I could see it but not throw up on it cause I didnt want to ruin it. And I love teddy bears. I gave away most of my stuffed animals to Goodwill, but not my beloved teddies. They sit on my headboard, which probably really irks Adrian. But I dont have a better place to display them, unfortunately.
Pins: Not buttons, but pins. I collect them from places I visit, but Im always looking to add neat ones to my collection.
I guess thats all I can think of for now. Ill be updating this and reposting as I think of things or as I receive things. I guess its a good starting point, however. (And do I ever wish I had done this before Christmas ... oh well.)