• Blu-Ray discs. We have a new TV and a PS3, so we're good to go with the latest in Hi-Def. There's a lot of them already on my Amazon list, but someone may find an odd one that I missed, or Amazon doesn't carry. You can always ask the locals what's in the library or where my tastes lie, but it's usually Anime, Fantasy epics, or Martial Arts flicks. I don't mind upgrading existing DVDs to Blu-Ray if the new version is THAT much better in the new format.
   
• LARP gear. I have costuming, and weapons & armor already, but accessories - shoulder sling bags being the big one (I seem to go through them like potato chips - they need to hold a 3-ring binder for rules), but also room decorations, Fantasy-acceptable gadgets (lights, etc.), are always welcome. I currently play a Gypsy Rogue, a High Elf Blacksmith / Mage, and a Were-Cat Berserker who thinks he's a paladin. ;-)
   
  
• A good drinking vessel for Gideon, the above mentioned High Elf. I have a leather mug for Carlos, and a drinking horn for Garrun, but Gideon lacks a drinking thing of his own. This is an odd one because it needs to be A) Fancy enough for a High Elf, B) Sturdy enough for a Blacksmith, and C) Practical enough for a Geoffus. That last one means it will hold a good quantity of beverage, can hold cold OR hot drinks, and be easy to wash. I've seen a lot of really nice wooden and pewter mugs at faires, but none of them quite leapt out at me.
   
• PS3 Multi-Player games.  I like games that everyone can have fun with at once - I'm not into RPGs or such.  Something I can pop in quick, get 4 people to play, and put down when needed are my favorites.  We have 4 controllers, so that isn't an issue.

aiskon

• At LEAST 3 HDMI inputs, and possibly more for down the line if we get another device to hook up.
• One set of inputs for a Wii (Which does not do HDMI, but can do S-Video and I think Component as well - not sure)
• HDMI out (for the TV)
• Optional: 5-speaker out for the current Bose cube setup I have.  While I could also buy new speakers, I'd rather not upgrade the whole AV system in one shot if I can help it.  If not, then recommend a good set of speakers to go with the Receiver. ;-)

grandbuddha

As a kid, I used to watch my dad build model trains, and try to help or offer helpful advice.  ( "But dad, the train station downtown is covered in graffiti, why isn't yours?").  He quickly got me my own model kits to keep me occupied.

I grew up on some of the staples - jets, mostly, with some Star Wars kits, a car or two, and a lovely line of Tamya tank kits, one of which is still on display at Abington Game & Hobby, I think.  When I learned to play D&D, I picked up lead minis to paint, and then got involved in wargaming as well.

This continued all through college, and on into Schenectady (96 - 98), and a wee bit into the house in Philly before the fire where I lost all my gaming stuff.  I then put it on hold, and picked back up for a while in Glenside while I was running Clan War, but it eventually petered off when I moved up to White Plains due to a lack of space and time to set up a proper painting area, and actually do it.  (The same goes for my sewing, which is actually far more practical, and possibly profitable.)

Today, after what's been a hellish few weeks at work, my boss wanders over and hands me an action figure of Sherlock Holmes.  "His magnifying glass broke - do you have super glue?"  I responded we have 5-Miunute Epoxy on hand, but it wouldn't work for that instance - not enough surface area, and impossible to clamp for the 5 minutes.  So I'll be picking up super glue to fix Mr. Holmes’s token icon, as well as permanently affixing his hat to his head.

Looking at the bits on my desk suddenly gave me the longing for building something again.  I have several un-built kits tucked away in the storage room, including a Klingon Bird of Prey, at least 4 B5 Starfuries (one for each paint scheme offered), a fully detailed Yamato, two crappy SFD-1 kits from the American-made Monogram/Revell “Robotech” line, and some others.  But the real prize is the vinyl kit of Tom Baker as Doctor Who, still needing a trim for flash, assembly, and painting.  The fact that I saw a Sophitia (from Soul Calibur) resin kit for sale as well recently didn't help.  (I'll admit she's cute, but I'd much rather have a Siegfried kit... I never did like the idea of building what is essentially a cheesecake girl model kit.  While Sophy is not as bad as most anime girl model kits, Ziggy in the new SC IV armor would just be kickass.)

Perhaps, some day, I'll take the time off from work just to burn vacation time and unwind at home, putting a few of them together.  It would be good for the soul, methinks.