Staff Christmas Wishlist
Editor
For the last two years I’ve finally gotten back into Christmas, seeing it for more than just a super extended shopping trip, with bouts of gorging and binging on mulled wine, turkey (Quorn Turkey mind you!) and delicious brussel sprouts! No, for me I think I’ve finally realised that Christmas is about spending time with the people you love even if that means after an hour you’ve climbed the Christmas tree King Kong style and are throwing baubles at your Mother because she asked about your personal life for the umpteenth time! Moving on from my functioning dysfunctional famil, here is the gift I’d literally sell my firstborn for (it’s just an expression…mostly!)
Lenovo Yoga 13 – Expensive Wish
You’ve probably seen the advert for this on television and like my inner child/tech geek/stupid brain, you were probably/hopefully jsut as mesmerised by it as I was! The Lenovo Yoga 13 operates as both a laptop and tablet, it can be used in four different modes – Laptop, Tent, Tablet and Stand – each providing their own function whether you’re trying to break into a building or show off to your friends!
The Lenovo Yoga 13 is priced at a…. *deep breath*… now do keep in mind this comes with ehmmm… Windows 8 and it has nice a Silver Gray finish… but my if I was made of money gift comes in at a staggering $1,099. Well outside my budget and considering how bold I was all year round I doubt Santa is going to bring me one either…but if he’s reading this I’m really sorry and I’ll be on my best behaviour in 2013!
The Traitor Spy Trilogy – Perfect Gift
One of my favourite things to do at Christmas is to catch up on all the things I’ve missed out. Between running this site, ArcadeCon and working a fulltime job (I know, I’m practically Superman…just not as handsome or as invulnerable…) I have managed to miss this trilogy by my favourite fantasy writer of all time. Trudi Canavan isn’t just my favourite writer, she is a personal hero and idol of mine and I’ve been following her work since the days of ‘The Black Magician’ trilogy.
Now purchasing these books in hardback would probably push you over the €50 price limit but thankfully I do own the first in the series ‘The Ambassador’s Mission’ so with that in mind you’ll be able to pick me up the next two books (IT HAS TO BE HARDBACK) with no problem and hell you’ll probably have some change left over but probably not a lot! These don’t just make ideal gifts for me, if there is someone in your life who loves nothing more than losing themselves in a world of magic, fantasy, intrigue, betrayal and mystery then any of Canavans works will make the ideal gift and we suggest kicking your friend’s/sibling’s/child’s/parent’s habit/addiction to these books by starting with The Black Magician or turning to the Age of Five series. (Seperate series to the BM/Traitor Spy) and with most Book Shops doing fantastic sales on stock this time of year you’re sure to pick these books up for less than €50!
So we know what the Editor wants and sees as ideal gifts for the rich and those working on a budget but we’re not stopping there, all of our writers have something to contribute to this list and hopefully point you in the direction of a thoughtful gift for the geeky person in your life!
Liam Kavanagh
My tastes are not usually particularly expensive – I’m an obsessive bargain-hunter, or, to give it its technical term, cheapskate – but the thing about wishes is that they can be far more outlandish than the person who’s having them. And unless I find someone throwing the following items out in the skip, or happen on a particularly gullible charity shop, wishes is what they shall remain.
Dave Mustaine VMNT Double Neck Guitar – Expensive Wish
Even before I started playing the guitar, I loved looking at them, and the more ostentatious the better. I’m also a huge Megadeth fan, so imagine the earthquake of elation that would occur on my face if someone slipped this Dave Mustaine-endorsed piece of noise-delivering decadance under the tree this Christmas.
For a mere $1,599 (€1,226.90) you can have this awesome Double-Neck guitar with all-Mustaine signature elements; the necks, the pick-ups, inlays, the lot, as put together by the crazy folk at Dean Guitars. In fact, the only thing with more Mustaine parts in it is the guy’s house when his family visit him for Christmas.
It comes in Classic Black (can’t go wrong) but if a person really wanted to show me love, they’d spring for the “Blood Lust” finish, then smile and applaud as I stumble through “Blitzkreig Bop” on it.
Incredible Hulk: The Complete Series DVD Box-Set – Perfect Gift
The cheesy 80s adventures of David Bruce Banner (Bill Bixby) as he tries to contain and cure himself of the raging beast that dwells within – in the form of a painted, wigged Lou Ferrigno – formed a rather large part of my childhood; first I had nightmares, then I grew to love the Hulk, then I realised he was particularly awesome. He, Superman and Spider-Man are just three of the reasons why I chose to be a geek, fanboy, nerd, or whatever it is they call folk who like comic books and their other media incarnations.
This year, for about €60 – a little outside the limit, but they haven’t taxed DVDs in the budget, so treat yourself, or rather me – you can get me the complete collected adventures of The Incredible Hulk, every episode (no TV movies, but you can’t have everything) and witness this particular fan in full fangasm mode when that awesome “Lonely Man” theme tune plays over the end credits.
Andy Kavanagh
Christmas has always been a massive deal in my family. As far back as I can remember the whole thing has been ritualized and my mind conditioned to fill with childish glee at the sight of the first set of seasonal lights. Even now, 24 years into my journey to adulthood (still not there yet, mind) wrapping gifts and unravelling tinsel gives me the same sense of relentless excitement it did when I was 14, the prospect of the inevitable home-cooked Christmas dinner tantalizing enough for me to consider quitting my job, moving home and starting a campaign to realize Wizzards wish of it actually being Christmas every day. Unfortunately this would require some sort of Turkey genocide and even I don’t have the resources to outrun PETA so while reality remains a deadweight around my Christmas dreams, it’s never been difficult for me to enjoy this time of the year. In fact, the truth is I feel more at home at Christmas time, more than likely a result of the string of consistently brilliant Christmas’ my family have pulled together since myself and my sister arrived into the world. Between turkey and stuffing sandwiches at midnight, ice cold beer at two in the afternoon, perilous weather and roaring fires and generally just being around awesome people, the older I get the more I realize the gifts really are the smallest part of what makes Christmas so special.
They’re still pretty important though, so in that spirit for any of my friends reading this, listen closely…
Roland Ax-Synth – Expensive Wish
I’m not gonna lie, I spend a lot of my time perfecting my on-stage stance with my beloved Elizabeth (my fender Jazz bass, much love for anyone who gets the reference). I would feel weird about that, but as an aspiring musician I feel an obligation to make myself look as cool as possible. Imagine how much easier that would be with this bad boy. Ever since Hellogoodbye brought them back from the dead in the video for ‘Here (In Your Arms)’, a keytar has taken up a consistent slot on my wishlist. It’s pure style over substance, but dammit I’m nothing if not willing to sell my soul and I have it on good authority that my lack of keytars is directly responsible for my subsequent lack of rabid fangirls. Running at anywhere between 950 and 1,200 euro, these guys are not cheap. Unfortunately, I am.
Alternatively, Hideaki Anno is in possession of the film reels for Evangelion 3.0 at the moment, I’m not sure how much it would cost to get him to part with them, but it would earn my eternal and undying love.
Anything from www.welovefine.com – Perfect Gift
Earlier this year I was exposed to My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic for the first time. Unsure, but aware of Lauren Fausts incredible talent, I threw caution to the wind and gave it a shot. Fast forward 4 months and I have already received TWO orders from the fine folks at We Love Fine to satiate my unyielding addiction to all things equestrian. As the absolute afficianados for FiM merchandise, anything from We Love Fines pony range would give any Brony (myself included) a very mare-y christmas.
I regret nothing.
Well Liam and Andy don’t fancy sparing the expense but with some viable and nifty gifts there is definitely something the geek in all of us would love even if it’s covered in colourful ponies… moving on let’s see what Sean and Tendai would like in their stockings!
