What would YOU like to receive as a present

[Kazza_765]

It's my 21st birthday in a few short days, and my friends are all putting money together to buy me a 21st present. Only problem is, I don't know what I should tell them to get me, and they don't have any idea either. My roommate suggested an orrery (model of the planets/sun where everything moves at the correct relative speeds etc) which is a fantastic idea, but unfortunately a decent one is far too expensive.

So PFers, help me out. If you could receive a present tomorrow, worth about $500-$600 tops, what would it be? (Personally I was hoping for something physics related, but that kinda narrows the field.)

 

[George Jones]

Tough to say without knowing your personal quirks

Are you a book person?

If so, then, even though they might be a bit boring as a gift, then interesting books?

Regards,
George

 

[berkeman]

-- An intro mountain bike (MTB)

-- A flat TV for the wall

-- A new laptop

-- Some furniture piece that you need, like a small sofa or something

-- A guitar or some other musical instrument that you always wanted to learn to play

-- A purebred puppy (if you like dogs)

-- Something for your favorite hobby, which is __________

 

[Cyrus]

Your turning 21, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...strippers and booze, then drive down to a casino and blow your tuition for next semester.

 

[Astronuc]

I'd certainly go for a bicycle, electric guitar or organ, or perhaps a digital camera.

 

[George Jones]

A guitar or some other musical instrument that you always wanted to learn to play

Last night, I watched a DVD of George Harrison playing live in Japan in '91 or '92. Amazing! Wow, was he ever a master on slide guitar!

Regards,
George

 

[franznietzsche]

A 64 node beowulf cluster with dual core opterons and a gig of RAM per node.


A measly $32,000. A pittance says I.

I wish says I.

 

[heartless]

a flute. If no, some good books from amazon. If not even this, a laptop. If you already have one, donate me, I'd be very grateful.

 

[Kazza_765]

Wow. A bike's an awesome idea, hadn't even thought of it. Mine was stolen a couple of month's ago (bad neigbourhood), been driving to uni ever since. Musical instruments are great as well, but I play the cello and even though I'm renting a cello right now, to buy a decent one would still be several thousand. I really like the idea of a bike though, thanks.

 

[Rach3]

Tablet PC? A pragmatic way to take notes.

A semesters' worth of textbooks!

 

[Kazza_765]

Well, turns out they had a bit more money than I thought they would. So I'm getting a telescope. Yay!. So look out for me on the astronomy forum, I'm sure to be posting lots of stupid questions there soon.

 

[Alkatran]

Your turning 21, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...strippers and booze, then drive down to a casino and blow your tuition for next semester.

Last year, people went around collecting money to buy a stripper for a guy. Turns out they got a hooker and ... (the running joke is "Happy Birthday: here's your aids!")

Thank God it wasn't me. and no i don't think he actually caught anything.

 

[Bladibla]

A steinway and sons grand piano.

 

[dav2008]

Your turning 21, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...strippers and booze, then drive down to a casino and blow your tuition for next semester.

A bottle of each type of alcoholic beverage would be an interesting present that would last you for a while.

A "sample package" if you will.

You might still have some money left over for a bike as well.

 

[Gale]

if you're going to buy a telescope make sure you don't get a crappy one. you may be better off buying expensive binoculars.

 

[Kazza_765]

Yeah I've done a bit of research into it. Getting an Orion 10" Dobsonian (there sold under another name here, but same manufacturer), for AU$650. Seems the best value for money, and from the reviews of read they are of decent quality, well suited for beginners/intermediate.

 

[Curious3141]

Make sure you have good skies (not much light pollution or heavy cloud cover) before asking for a telescope.

We have very crappy skies in Singapore.