Karl and Angela Rees

A week ago, Angela explained to me that she had no idea what to get me for Christmas.  I suspect this is partly because I tend to go out and buy "toys" that I want throughout the year, therefore taking away a lot of really good ideas, partly because a lot of things I want are kind of technical, and partly because what I like most about Christmas is being surprised by gifts that I didn't expect or that I didn't even know I wanted.

Still, with "surprises," it's always possible to choose something that's--how shall I put it--something that "I didn't even know I wanted" for a reason.  So for those of you who want to get me a gift and like to play it safe, here's a list of things in no particular order (I'll add to it as time goes on):

• World Peace (seriously, people.  I'm tired of people being mad at each other). 
• HDHomerun (a computer card for recording HDTV)
• Bluetooth GPS Data Logger (solar powered would be a plus)
• nice pants (light brown)
• light-weight, V-neck, pullover sweaters
• nice button-up shirts
• black belt, burgundy/maroon belt
• casual, sketcher style shoes (the kind that almost look like bowling shoes, but not quite)
• bowling shoes
• hiking backpack for carrying Thomas
• music (some good jazz, blues, bluegrass, bagpipes, international, newer stuff by bands I like since I haven't bought a CD in something like 5-10 years now)
• movies I like (just a few ideas, you can probably think of others: Unbreakable, The Village, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Dr. Strangelove)
• HD-DVD player (along with HD movies, of course)
• a very localized hiking book about the San Fran bay area, or at least Northern California
• world peace (if I put it twice, maybe somebody will go out and get it for me :))
• full-sized, self-cleaning, propane grill (but not too big)
• Toyota Prius
• Adobe Acrobat 8 (note that if you want to get this or other software on the cheap, find someone with an education discount at, for example, a university)
• Latest version of PhotoShop
• Video editing software that's easy to use and works with our new HDV camera
• subwoofer (nothing too fancy--just one that works)
• fun Xbox or Xbox 360 games (has to be something that I can play with Angela, and not just that I can play with Angela "in theory"--i.e. Angela will have fun playing with me)
• SURPRISES!!!!!!!!!!!