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My stocking’s been hung for weeks and it’s still empty. Have been asked “What do you want this year?” Answer…nothing. Afterall we’re going to Patagonia and Antartica in January what more could I want, seriously. Then I started thinking.  

 On this 12th day til Christmas  I came up with my list: 

Gotta Have It, Don’t Need It, Just Want It

The first item won’t fit my stocking but all the others will. All available online in NZ at Fishpond (and they deliver). Hint, hint, Santa.

1

I’ve been dreaming about this two- seater C-Quester submersible from UboatWorx  Netherlands since reading our Nov 07 issue of IEEE Spectrum showing this year’s roundup of gadgets and gizmos for holiday gifts. I fell in love.

Specifications: Joystick control, 360 visibility, rudders, thrusters, can rotate through 45 degrees,  full real-time safety data and good to 50m but the best stuff is under 20m.  Range is 2.5 to 3 hours. Limited to short waves to avoid getting swamped and a surface vessel should be around at all times. It’s 2.8m 1030kg.  She’s a beautie, isn’t she!

  “This is a fantastic toy, and it’s very easy - anybody who can drive a car can drive this little thing,” says Tom Juijin, who early this year became the first person to purchase one. Juijn, a professional diver who operates a marine salvage company..likes the sub so mcuh he has become a designated retailer in Spain and the Middle East. “

I’m hooked. If I only had spare US$130,000 or better yet a two-seater for US$190,000, I’d give you a ride.  

I can see you smiling out there. I can think of a few NZ tour operators who might be interested. Please, please take me for a ride.

2

Lightwedge Paperback (Gift Box) Top of my more practical list is the groovy little reading light I can use in bed when I don’t want to wake the house or myself too much. The clunky thing I’m using now blinds me when it catches my eye and is too heavy to clip on a single page. Suppose to be great for planes.  I actually saw this demonstrated on Oprah thought ‘very groooovy’.  Found it here in NZ at Fishpond. Groovier yet. There’s a hardback book size too but this paperback size suits me. A bit pricey at NZ$43, but it’s one of those rare times when I say, “Gotta have it”.  It does everything I want except bring me a not drink. 

3

Into The Blues * Saw her in Auckland 3 December and was dazzled by her guitar playing. She said on the night she was so proud to share the news that her new blues album started in the US Billboard charts at number 1.  Joan then proceeded with Something’s Gotta Blow to convert us from loving her oldies and singalong tunes to craving more of her new blues.  In a word, awesome. Gotta, have it, gotta play it soon.  The Fishpond site lets you hear 10 second clips of all the tracks.

4

Jamie at Home: Cook Your Way to the Good Life Should fit nicely in my small collection of cookbooks. I weeded out those out that had long lists of ingredients and long Methods.  I like Jamie’s pragmatic approach to tossing in easy to find ingredients without measuring and weighing. Plus his ingredient list usually doesn’t stretch to Africa. Plus there’s something about having heard his shows that comes through in his cookbooks. His writer’s voice is loud. He’s fun to have in the kitchen.

5

Shrek The Third I love him. I reluctantly went with a friend (no names) to the first and found myself laughing out loud so I saw the next one without any arm twisting. So this new one, “Gotta have it.” Can’t wait to hear what Donkey (Eddie Murphy) says this time. The animation is so good Matt uses it to demo audio/video systems. I rarely watch a movie twice but Shrek’s subtle one-liners keep popping up each time you see it. A bargin at under NZ$30. I can make my own popcorn.  The Fishpond site shows a video clip that’s fun.

6

Mister Pip I have heard so much about this one I’m curious. I take award winners with a grain of salt but this one should inspire like few do and I could use a dose of that. Besides I’m a proud kiwi and want support one of our own writers who has stood tall and taken the Commonwealth Writers Prize.  Perhaps I can use my LightWedge with it!

7

Tramping in New Zealand: 40 of New Zealand’s Best Trips (Bird’s Eye Guides)Now that we have the time and the 4 x 4 we are keen to do one of the 40 most popular New Zealand Tramps. Just the stuff my day dreaming is made of. Shall we go here or there. Cutting-edge maps by Wellington Geogrphx and readability are what sold me on this one.

8

New Zealand Birds: An Identification Guide by Colour Perfect to get me beyond the tui, wood pigeon and ??? what’s the name of that one that makes the racket before sunrise in early spring? It makes so much sense to be organised by colour for beginners like me who see birds in my garden and don’t know their wing shape or other features but can start with their colour. Sounds like a long time reference book for my home library at NZ$47. 

9

It Had To Be You: The Great American Songbook�
As Time Goes By: The Great American Songbook Vol. 2
Rod Stewart Stardust Great American Songbook 3
Thanks For The Memory… The Great American Songbook Volume IV

No, he’ not too old to be sexy?  He sure sounds good singing these ballads. I have Vol 1 It Had to Be You: The Great American Songbook. Now I want all the rest.  Something in the gravelly voice and limited range, straining for the higher notes makes me put it on repeat. Quit laughing. I love it. I want more. It’s an easy way to get through the ironing so I figure with all of them I might start ironing the sheets! 

10

After rave reviews for great summer reads I have a dilemma. Do I choose the paperback version to read while I bike or the audio CD to put on my I-pod for while I row? Either way what a great way to revisit my days as an English Lit major. I look forward to comical Bill Bryson’s take on Willy the Shakes Our Bard as Bob Dylan called him on a recent XM radio show. Too many great options.

11

Blogging Heroes: Interviews with 30 of the World’s Top Bloggers Hot hot hot off the press - inspiration from the real deal bloggers. I recently spent all night captivated reading about the father of Slashdot, Rob Malda, one of the first and for years the most subscribed to blog on the net. I now want to read more from my herors. Gotta have this one.

12

How to Make Money with Your Blog: The Ultimate Reference Guide for Building, Optimizing, and Monetizing Your Blog  Hot off the press Dec 07. What a great way to research for my own blog while beach reading. I have two drafts of articles dealing with monetising websites or blogs already. As options expand so does your need to know and you need for my articles. While I find great online sources, a book now and then travels so easily and sometimes less barrow-pushing. Plus, I’m soon to have this groovy reading light to keep me reading all night.

 BTW  My US readers can order from Amazon.

What have I missed? What’s on your Don’t Need It, Just Want It List?

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