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  • #1

    Need Suggestions for What Mom Can Get Me.

    So yesterday in the mail, I received a Christmas card from Mom and Stepdad, along with the standard Visa Gift Card. Which some people might not like, but I love, and Mom knows it, because it means that I get to choose what I want myself.

    This started one year when my mother made the mistake of going into a bike shop trying to find me a present. The idea of my mom in a bike shop, or trying to pick out beer for me, is akin to my trying to pick out coffee for someone, or jewelry, or knitting supplies; basically, stuff I'm clueless with.

    The thing is, for once I really don't know what I want Mom to buy me. I really don't need any more kitchen gadgets or tools. I just bought myself a brand new pair of cycling gloves. I have plenty of gear from my sports teams. I've got bunches of books, both physical and on my Kindle, that I still need to work my way through. Honest, nothing is really jumping out for once.

    Now, I COULD go down to the Beer Guru's shop and buy some tasty craft beer. And yes, Mom would not be very impressed, but that is not why I won't do this. I won't do this because I still have plenty of craft beer here that I need to work through, and honestly, I don't want to buy myself something consumable, like beer, rum, or dinner. (And I did just buy myself a lovely bottle of Zacapa 23 when it was severely marked down at store.)

    So far I've gotten two suggestions from people.

    1. Stand up paddleboarding. This is something I've wanted to try for a while, and once the weather warms up a little (it's chilly for us, damn it!), this could be fun. And the price is about right. This was suggested by one of my customers today.
    2. Damn it, can't remember what Frank suggested at dinner, but it was something pretty good that I mentally put down as the second good suggestions I've heard today.

    So, I have $50 to burn, and want some more suggestions of what I can burn it on. Please, no "practical" ideas of buying a tank of gas or putting the money in savings. The one thing I insist on when I get these cards from Mom is that they go towards some kind of GIFT. And while Mom and I are both practical, that just seems so very wrong to me. Also, it DOES have to be something I can tell Mom about, since I won't lie to her, so any suggestions for porn or the adult store will simply be disregarded.

    Suggestions? I've got two so far, one of which I even remember.

    "The Customer Is Always Right...But The Bartender Decides Who Is     Still A Customer."
    Tags: None
  • #2
    What about something to put on the wall? Some sort of framed photo or artwork? You could probably find a cool cycling related photo. Or something else you'd like to look at (PG rated, of course)
    "If you pray very hard, you can become a cat person." -Angela, "The Office"

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    • #3
      I like the idea of throwing it at some sort of experience that you've wanted to do but keep putting off.

      I don't know that you've got much of a list, but I'm sure there's something on there.

      ^-.-^
      Faith is about what you do. It's about aspiring to be better and nobler and kinder than you are. It's about making sacrifices for the good of others. - Dresden

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      • #4
        'An experience' is good.

        Art or other memorabilia is good.

        I don't know if you're one for jewelry, but I have a few pieces of jewelry that have special significance to me. They're usually silver-and-semi-precious-stones, because I refuse to have thief-bait on my person. But what matters is the emotional significance, not the monetary value.
        Seshat's self-help guide:
        1. Would you rather be right, or get the result you want?
        2. If you're consistently getting results you don't want, change what you do.
        3. Deal with the situation you have now, however it occurred.
        4. Accept the consequences of your decisions.

        "All I want is a pretty girl, a decent meal, and the right to shoot lightning at fools." - Anders, Dragon Age.

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        • #5
          A stuffed piranha to hang on your wall. ... I've never claimed to be particularly good at giving gifts.

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          • #6
            Keep the suggestions coming!

            Not a jewelry guy at all (I don't even own a watch), and while I'm not really an art guy, that suggestion has some appeal to me, depending on what the art is. Definitely something to consider.

            "The Customer Is Always Right...But The Bartender Decides Who Is             Still A Customer."

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            • #7
              Saw some wonderful dioramas of classic 1950s American diners, once. Each one different, all 3D isometric models set in frames, designed to hang on walls.

              Art is what you choose it to be. I would imagine Key West to be one of the sorts of places artists and craftsmen are attracted to; go looking among the potters and weavers and hatmakers (yes, you and hats!) and all the other artists and artisans who make Key West their home.

              Don't restrict your idea of art to oil paintings or marble sculptures - and with that restriction removed, you'll be much more likely to find something that pleases you.
              Seshat's self-help guide:
              1. Would you rather be right, or get the result you want?
              2. If you're consistently getting results you don't want, change what you do.
              3. Deal with the situation you have now, however it occurred.
              4. Accept the consequences of your decisions.

              "All I want is a pretty girl, a decent meal, and the right to shoot lightning at fools." - Anders, Dragon Age.

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              • #8
                That gift usually turns into a nice meal at a place that's normally well out of my price range.
                The High Priest is an Illusion!

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                • #9
                  What about it going towards a tattoo? It probably (and in my brain shouldn't) cover the entire tattoo, but that's what I'd do.

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                  • #10
                    Any magazines you'd be interested in subscribing to -- cycling, beer, other interests? (There's even magazines about books, LOL.)

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                    • #11
                      Well, I remembered Frank's suggestion, which somehow came about when we were talking about my bikes: a bike computer.

                      It's not what it sounds like. It's basically a speedomoter/odometer, a way to track time and distance and speed. I had one years ago in Phoenix, and wouldn't mind getting one again; might give me more incentive to get on my good bike and do some serious riding again, of which I am in much need.

                      Since last I posted, two more ideas have come up.

                      Little Red suggested I use it towards a massage. Not the worst idea I've heard.

                      And while I said I wasn't going to use it towards alcohol, I was recently presented an opportunity to get a healthy amount of wine (12-15 bottles, as I recall) for $70, which with the gift card would be only $20 out of pocket. Again, not a bad idea.

                      Quoth Seshat View Post
                      ...go looking among the potters and weavers and hatmakers (yes, you and hats!) and all the other artists and artisans who make Key West their home.
                      I seriously have too many goofy hats already, and have recently purchased two more, so I don't think I am going to go in that direction at the moment. (Seriously, my hats are overflowing!)

                      Quoth Seshat View Post
                      Don't restrict your idea of art to oil paintings or marble sculptures - and with that restriction removed, you'll be much more likely to find something that pleases you.
                      I don't restrict my idea of art at all. But I am just not very much into art in general. It is not something that really gets me going. Culinary art, yes (aka sushi), and great cars, sure. But whatever your idea of art, generally I am not into art, and any art that might interest me is FAR more than fifty bucks.

                      But yes, you were right....Key West is definitely a haven for artists.

                      Quoth Dasota View Post
                      What about it going towards a tattoo? It probably (and in my brain shouldn't) cover the entire tattoo, but that's what I'd do.
                      I appreciate the suggestion, but I have three problems with this:

                      1. Tattoos in Key West are actually more expensive than that.

                      2. The one thing I've often said would be my first tattoo is the Sun Devil of ASU, and if I were going to get that done, I would have it done in Phoenix. Nothing against the fantastic tattoo artists down here, but I would really want someone who's done it a hundred times to do it.

                      3. I think telling my Mom that her gift paid for that might make her brain explode.

                      Quoth Pixilated View Post
                      Any magazines you'd be interested in subscribing to -- cycling, beer, other interests? (There's even magazines about books, LOL.)
                      Great suggestion! And...I am currently subscribed to Beer Connoisseur, Food & Wine, and Sports Illustrated. So, that pretty much covers it for me on that front!

                      But don't let my comments above discourage y'all. Please, keep the suggestions coming. Even if one doesn't fit what I am looking for, it may lead my weirdly wired brain to something else that does, as often happens with me. A perfect example of this would be something like this...

                      ME: "What do I want on my pizza?"
                      FRIEND: "I dunno, pepperoni?"
                      ME: "No, not a fan of pepperoni...but wait--that's it! Sausage and jalapeno!"

                      No, I have no idea why that happens, but it does. My mom's the same way. Random things cause us to think of other things that seem to have no connection, even to us.

                      As I said...weirdly wired.

                      "The Customer Is Always Right...But The Bartender Decides Who Is                       Still A Customer."

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                      • #12
                        Quoth Jester View Post
                        I seriously have too many goofy hats already, and have recently purchased two more, so I don't think I am going to go in that direction at the moment. (Seriously, my hats are overflowing!)
                        Breaking news!

                        Jester's true identity revealed!
                        He's Bartholomew Cubbins.

                        (I Suessed it out)
                        I am not an a**hole. I am a hemorrhoid. I irritate a**holes!
                        Procrastination: Forward planning to insure there is something to do tomorrow.
                        Derails threads faster than a pocket nuke.

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                        • #13
                          Any music you're dying for? movies?
                          https://www.youtube.com/user/HedgeTV
                          Great YouTube channel check it out!

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                          • #14
                            Honestly, no. No music or movies I'm dying for, though if I had gotten this gift card earlier, I might have used it on the last season of "Bones" or my new bicycling gloves.

                            But there is a new idea out there (#5 for those who are counting), and I actually came up with it myself. And, right now, it is the leading candidate.

                            June 8, Fleetwood Mac is playing Fort Lauderdale.
                            June 8 happens to be my birthday.
                            I happen to be a pretty big Fleetwood Mac fan. (Although I have seen them before, so it's not a show I MUST see.)
                            Tickets for the show run from $36-$66. (There are more expensive tickets, but they are either sold out of them or they are way beyond what I'm willing to pay.)

                            I mentioned the various ideas to Mom, and was surprised to know that not only does Mom know who Fleetwood Mac is, she actually likes their music. (Mom is 77 and tends to listen to classical music or soft rock much older than Fleetwood Mac.)

                            While this is definitely the leading contender, I am still taking suggestions and considering all options.

                            "The Customer Is Always Right...But The Bartender Decides Who Is                             Still A Customer."

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              oh that works Fleetwood Mac is amazing. I love their stuff. With Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks? Fuck yeah.
                              https://www.youtube.com/user/HedgeTV
                              Great YouTube channel check it out!

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