NoShut.com - Recreation

Alan Stuff to Acquire/Gift/Stuff List

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 10:03:08 +0100

Since it is that time of year when people start asking what you want for Xmas/Yule/Birthdays/Groundhog Day I am putting my list online. This is really just a extension of a list I maintain of "Stuff Alan Wants" so many of the items are far out of gift price range, but this is a easy way to keep the list up to date. At least this list doesn't include the Shelby Mustang with 600HP :^).

Lost Cities Board Game (published by Kosmos) - ~25
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Motorized Bicycle Kit
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Freeloader Solar Charger
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Aluminum Hard-Side Wallet
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Exposed Flip Clock
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A T-Shirt that says "Paddle Faster, I hear Banjos".
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Dead Space Xbox 360 Game
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Settlers of Catan board game with any random expansions.
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Any Carcassonne expansions I don't have.
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Xbox Elite
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Mac Mini
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Cool or Nifty Watches
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Sunglasses that won't look like garbage on me :^)
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The 30% my 401k has lost during 2008..
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Gift Cards from:
Wal-Mart
Fred Meyer
Bestbuy
Gamestop
Kit's Cameras
Gotschalks
Costco :^)
Amazon.com
Thinkgeek.com
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A set of good quality Binoculars
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Cool LED-based lights... Mathmos is one example of a manufacturer.
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Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens - ~75
or
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens ~320
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Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens - ~330
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Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash� ~270
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Chumby ~180
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MyKey RFID Door Lock - ~350
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Tix Clock - ~50
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Mathmos Light - ~90
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Neat Receipts Scanner for Mac - ~180
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Drobo 2nd Generation Storage Appliance ~400
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Canon EF 28MM f/1.8 USM Lens ~400
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Surveillence Camera Kit w/ network support - ~400 through ~800
Examples:
Costco Site 1
or
Costco Site 2

Superbrace Fork Brace for DL650 V-Strom

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:41:16 +0100

Superbrace Fork Brace

What it does: It is a aluminum plate that bridges your two front forks in the middle holding them in place. It�s goal is to stabilize the front end of the motorcycle, providing better tracking and less flexing in the fork.

Installation: Easy and quick. 10-15 minutes from pulling it out of the package to having it installed.

Why did I pick it up?: I was skeptical of this product but after reading other people�s reviews and finding a good deal I decided to try it, especially with the addition of more weight on the back of my bike in the form of panniers since people had reported that their front ends in some cases would start to get squirrely after adding panniers.

My opinion: This is now my single highest regarded modification. The handling difference is pronounced and immediate. The front end of the bike feels much more substantial, like it wants to track straight now. It reacts faster, tighter and stays going in the direction I point it. Amazing how a small piece of aluminum can make such a difference.

Tank Slapper

Sun, 25 May 2008 07:28:36 +0100

A Tank Slapper is when your front handlebars on a bike start to oscillate back and forth with an increasing level of force each time. If it sounds dangerous, it is. While looking for information on other topics I ran acrossthis website in a forum post over on the Stromtrooper forums. The website linked not only describes the situation, but also links to a video where you can see it occurring. Scary stuff.

Economical New Motorcycles

Sun, 25 May 2008 06:49:27 +0100

While searching around for economical motorcycles I ran across this blog entry, it has a list of motorcycles of model year 2008 that are <$9000. There is a pretty big selection available.

Harley Davidson Night Rod Special

Tue, 20 May 2008 11:06:25 +0100

It'll be a few seasons before I consider adding another bike to the stable but the Harley Davidson Night Rod Special sure is sexy. I'm sure it comes with the standard H.D. add an extra "0" pricing model but it is definitely nice looking.

The Emergency Party Button

Thu, 08 May 2008 03:09:25 +0100

I do not have the focus on projects like this one to get them done, but this guy has went to town automating a party in his apartment. It's pretty dang cool, now he just needs to have types of parties identified :^).

Segway + Motorcycle = ???

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:19:00 +0100

It's a bit weird, not what I would want but fascinating none the less.

The bike that has my attention right now is the Suzuki B-King. Ugly as sin but fast as hell.

New Pictures on Site and Motorcycle Fun

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:58:40 +0100

Today I did something I haven�t done in a couple of years � added a new photo album to the site and uploaded some pictures from my phone. Feel free to check them out. I�ve been taking some pictures the last year or two but haven�t been updating the site, now that I�ve broken my lazy spell it�s time to catch up.

On top of that small spurt of productivity I spent 3+ hours on my motorcycle, rode around town, then decided to drive to Beluga point, then to Windy Corner, then to the passing area and then I was in Girdwood. There were probably 10-15 other bikes out there, lots of people coming and going. Great day for a ride, although slightly chilly outside. I heart my motorcycle :^). And yes Mom, I wear a helmet and just about everything else.

I only thought you could accessorize computer gadgets, motorcycles are the ultimate in customizable products. Amazing how much stuff you can get for them, or for you to wear while riding them. The hitlist right now includes a Windshield for Tanya�s bike, potentially heated handgrips or wind diverters for the handgrips and saddlebags for my bike.

Nalgene Containers being Phased Out

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 09:49:02 +0100

Earlier on one of the blog sites I watch I saw a article on the Canadian government potentially phasing out Nalgene containers. Below that article in one of the comments was a link to MSNBC article on the company voluntarily phasing out the containers.

Farewell my beloved Nalgene container. How I will miss you.

I can hear all my outdoors-loving friends weeping.

Gary Gygax Dead

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:03:58 +0100

It was mentioned to me today that Gary Gygax has died. He was the creator of the game D&D, which for the last couple of years I've played every few weeks with a group of friends. Bummer dude.