caliarch.net

Option 1:  Amazon.com WishList.  The links are right there, & it mostly tends to be stuff that’s small and easy to ship or pack in a suitcase. Or use it to get ideas. There’s a ridiculous amount of stuff on there. I mean really, *truly* ridiculous.A few caveats:

1) Read carefully. You want to be absolutely sure you know what you’re getting. Check that CDs come with a case and all the inserts. Check that books are hardcover, don’t have markings, highlighting, etc. Check that movies are widescreen. Amazon marketplace items also come with a condition description (new, like new, good, acceptable, etc.). I generally try not to buy things that are listed as being in less than “very good” condition, but sometimes it depends on what it is.

2) When comparing the cost of buying something new to the cost of buying it from a marketplace vendor, consider shipping costs. Buying new has the advantage of free shipping for orders over $25 (for most items). Buying from used carries the disadvantage of a $3-4 shipping charge per item and also takes a little longer to ship. If the price on the used item is significantly less than the cost of the new item minus $3-4, it’s worth it. If not, you might as well buy new and get it faster.

And there’s always the border’s / b&n gift card, if you just can’t decide.

Option 2: Things that are small, relatively inexpensive, & easy.

* colorful ankle socks (just no recognizable cartoon characters, please…I’m more of a cute pattern girl.)

Option 3: More problematic items, i.e. expensive, highly specific, and/or difficult to pack/ship.* running clothes
* MIDI controller / keyboard (This is by far my number one desire right now. I spend most of my free time reading reviews & specs & concocting schemes for coming up with the money, which is considerable. There are a lot of things I’d give up in order to get hold of a good 88 key weighted-action MIDI controller.)* electric guitar (but I haven’t really done the research yet)

* new, more better acoustic guitar (probably looking for an acoustic-electric Martin or Taylor model, but haven’t done much more research than that)

* amp (again, more research is needed)

* ProTools (once I have the MIDI controller, this is next on my serious want list)

* fancy scotch (always…)

* rum (particularly Zaya, Orinoco, or anything from Martinique)

* Zune (the big one)

* new glasses (I’ve been wearing the same pair since 1998)

Alright — that’s all I’ve got for now.