I did this same thing a couple of years ago (Dad's Christmas List! - Nov. 2009), and looking back I'd have to say that although those things on that list did not come to me that particular X-mas, many of said things (or things like them) did come to me within the following year (2010). Let's take a look at the results of that wish list:
I drive the exact car pictured in that post, only in a slightly different color. It has an awesome stereo, drives great, hauls lots of stuff and is surprisingly good on gas. Car - check.
Instead of vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, my wife and I instead spent a week in Cuba (a truly beautiful country which you can see photos of here,...... here, ...... and here. ). I imagine it was as fun and interesting as Mexico would have been, and might still be in the future. Vacation - check.
I've bought and sold hundreds of different comic books since that last post, so that was an easy one... same with toys. Comics and Action Figures - check and check.
Only thing missing is the Bass Guitar that I wanted. Turns out I don't really want that so much anymore. I have been playing guitar far more than bass in the last two years, and I actually sold my bass amp when I moved to BC. This leads to the #1 spot on the list this year. So, without further ado:
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For some reason, I never really liked the look of these guitars so much, or the lack of a humbucking pickup on the standard Stratocaster (used to be a hardcore metal guy), so I never bothered to really pick one up to try it out for any length of time. One came to my attention just recently at a great price and packaged deal, so I thought I'd finally give the legendary Strat a fair shot. Right off the bat, I was really impressed with the feel of the neck and the weight of the instrument... even impressed by the depths of tone possible from the single-coil pickups played through the teeny little practice amp that comes with it.
Now, I haven't owned an electric guitar in about 13 years or so... and my musical tastes now lean a little less towards heavy, crunching power chords and a lot more towards the soulful, melodic and transcendent. That might sound flaky, but it really just means I've gotten old...
I think at my current age, I'd look pretty stupid on stage with a Flying V- or Destroyer-type guitar. And getting back into it after so long, I think I should go with a tried and true classic...
#2 - A Boat
I am a prairie boy no longer... I now live on an island dotted with lakes and surrounded by the ocean and other smaller islands... water is everywhere, and I feel a driving need to get out onto it. I don't need anything fancy in terms of size or speed... in fact, I'd rather not have to get a new vehicle just to haul it around. A small aluminum fishing boat, or mayhaps a canoe might best serve my purposes... fishing, photography, exploration, whatever. I am a novice boater (Mrs. Puff, where are you now?), so I can't jump into something that would require a ton of maintenance or repairs. Just want to jump in and go, basically...
Oh, and if I could get it cheap, that would be great too.
#3 - Winnipeg
Yeah, that's right... I want the whole city of Winnipeg for X-Mas. ... No, I don't think so... I used to live there. If I could own a whole city, I'd pick a different one, I think. Nevertheless, I find myself often missing my hometown and I intend to go back there to visit someday soon. Very soon in fact. I won't make it there for this X-Mas obviously, but more than likely in the Spring of 2012 (before the Mayan Prophecy kills us all later in the year). Given the option, I would prefer to drive, but for practical reasons, it's more likely that we would fly there on our next visit.
I want to go hang out at all the places I used to hang out at, and hopefully hang out with all the people I used to hang out with at those places... Basically, I just want to hang out in Winnipeg... How cool is that? Pretty good X-Mas wish, dontcha think?
#4 - Mjolnir
"Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor." Well, I can tell you, I'm a pretty big fan and I've owned or read almost every issue of The Mighty Thor (not to mention games, cartoons, toys and action figures) so I think I'm pretty much the worthiest guy I know.
Who wouldn't want the powers of flight, weather control, dimensional travel, lightning bolts, super-strength and the means to smite thine enemy where they needst be smitten! Sign me up! I just hope I get instant hair extensions and a little winged cap when I pick it up...
I guess if, for some unforeseen reason, the real Mjolnir is not available, I'd settle for a cool-looking replica that I can wield... and secretly pretend I possess the power of Thor.
#5 - Comics and Action Figures
Last time, this was two entries. I won't waste your time this year. I just put this in here to remind you that I need more comics and more action figures. If I had a pile of comic books stacked to the moon, that still wouldn't be enough for me. Same goes for toys. Just look at previous blog posts to see what I mean. I will continue to amass more and more and more comics and action figures whether you like it or not. You can't stop me.
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(Quick disclaimer: none of the photos in this blog post were taken by me. I'm not making any money here, so relax. No need to sue me for stealing your photo - everyone's stealing mine too.)
If you are actually reading this and thinking of getting me anything on this list for Christmas, #5 would be your safest bet. A boat is way too hard to wrap and it's pretty hard to get to Asgard in the wintertime (what with the Odinsleep going on and all...)
Take care, and a Happy Holiday Season to all of you across the Universe -
May the Force be with you...
