:: Gimme! ::
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Happiness can't be bought - but a good way to be happy is to make other people smile. Since it's the season for giving, I'm giving you all a shot at (a little bit of extra) happiness. Make me smile (or cry tears of joy) by getting me any (or all) of the items listed below.

What? You think that's too much? Don't worry. I'm not that selfless. I admit - my intentions aren't totally altruistic. I get something out of this, too! Because you're happy, and I know that I played a role in making you happy, I'm happy too! See? Your giving me stuff makes me smile, which in turn makes you happy, which then makes me happy, and that makes this world a better place for us!

Of course, I don't want to put too much of a strain on your finances. I'm only going to include items are priced under (or just over) a grand (just under $20).

Dive stickers would be nice. I don't want anything fancy. I just want plain white text on a black background... or black on white. I don't really dive, so I don't really want the flags on the sticker either. All I want are label stickers that really stay on whatever surface you stick them on. As to the contents, either driver ng bayan or elber will do.

Water jugs are cool - especially polycarbonate (i.e. really hard plastic that supposedly is unbreakable) water containers. A Nalgene bottle fits the bill perfectly, but then again, those jugs you see in most department stores or supermarkets will probably do the trick. The point is, I should be able to throw them in the freezer and not worry about them cracking. Right now, I've got a liter bottle like that - but it won't fit in the cupholders in my car. I'd like some smaller bottles - something just about as wide as a typical soda can should be fine.

Football (or soccer, if you prefer) jerseys are always welcome. Do I have any team preferences? Of course I do, but you don't have to go through all the trouble of looking for specific uniforms on my account. Keep in mind, though, that despite my height, I don't really have a large frame. I hardly ever wear extra-large shirts. I'll typically wear large or medium sized shirts, and sometimes small. In Adidas, for example, I get mediums.

Matching shorts are welcome, too, but this is where things get tricky. I'm taller than the average guy on the street around here, and I'm pretty long-limbed. This means that shorts that reach past the most people's knees probably wouldn't even cover my whole thigh. I have trouble finding shorts myself.

As an option, cargo pants will be appreciated. Anything I can wear on a hike, for that matter, is good. Shorts, 3/4 pants, and long pants alike are welcome. Convertibles (those that can be switched back and forth between pants and shorts) are likewise welcome. I've got a 31" waist, by the way. 32" pants are also ok, as long as they've got belt loops or some other way to keep them from falling.

Next is an item that might seem out of place in this list. Of course, if you know me, you'll also know that getting this isn't totally out of character for me anyway. I want a supply of Dep Sport Sculpting Clay. Yes, I've found a hair product I like that's not extremely expensive, and also available locally.

Yet another item that might seem out of place in this list is a book. I can name a bunch of titles I'd like to get, but I'll spare you the long list. Instead, I'll give you a few. First is Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things (home page). If you're a regular reader of this blog, you'll know that I posted an entry a few weeks ago about wanting this book's sequel: Sneakier Uses for Everyday Things. That's the second. Third is Eats, Shoots & Leaves. I'm too lazy to post information on the titles, so you can simply follow the links to find out more. If you don't like any of the titles, I'll give you the liberty of picking out something you think I'd like, or something you think I should read.

Moving back to more useful items, A body bag or a messenger bag would be cool. Right now, a black Adidas Essex Sling is on top of my list. The only thing I'm not sure about is whether it has a place for a water bottle (see above), but with a bunch of pockets on it, that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Other bags or packs would be cool too, as long as I can wear or carry them for various activities. If they can carry or conceal most of my junk, they'll do. Mind you, these bags might become purpose-specific kits. I have one in my car as an instant overnight pack. I need one to serve as a travel bag - a 50 or 60 liter climber's pack will probably do the trick. I need another as a hiking pack, which might also go with me to the court, field, gym, or any other place to break a sweat. One might become a small toiletries kit. Another might serve as a first-aid kit - if I don't get a small toolbox for that purpose.

One thing I'm looking for is a carabiner and blue-flame lighter combo. I have a blue-flame lighter already, but despite its size, it's still a bit cumbersome to bring around. I've also got a bunch of carabiners, but none of them have the ability to start a fire. I've also been able to find a lighter and carabiner combo, but it only produced a regular yellow-orange flame. I want the blue-flame lighter and carabiner combo. I know it exists because I've held one in my hands. If you can find one, please give me one - or at the very least, tell me where I can buy it.

On other "survival" tools, the Original SwissCard in black, maybe blue, would also be pretty cool. Somebody broke mine before, so I don't have tools in my wallet anymore. This, of course, will complement my other tools pretty well.

I'm also on the lookout for cool portable games. I've got a pocket version of Twister in my bag, but it isn't exactly a game you can play anytime, anywhere. I've also got a deck of cards, but even then, I still want something else. I'd put board games like Cranium or Taboo in this list, but they're a bit too expensive. Besides, they aren't that portable. When I say portable, I mean something that I can throw in a small bag - something I can carry around pretty much everyday. I wouldn't mind getting a puzzle game, like, for example, a Rubik's Cube. The problem with this particular item though is that after a while it goes from being a mind-bender into something you just try to "solve" faster than before. A game like Jenga would be nice, too - I can set it up quickly for games with others, but it doesn't exactly qualify as portable.

Moving on to not-so-random items, I want a laser pointer. Other not-that-expensive items on my want list: non-locking carabiners, waterproof matches, a money clip, some black leather belts (formal or dressy), a bunch of casual belts while we're at it, some hospital scrubs, some bandanas, maybe a Zippo lighter (slim brushed chrome or slim black matte finish), a small cooler to keep in the trunk or back seat of my car, a microfiber towel, a futsal, a volleyball, or a frisbee.