Last Minute Shopping Ideas
The response to Sundays snowbound shopping list was (surprisingly) encouraging; Many of of you commented or emailed with even more gift ideas; Quite a few of you made specific suggestions in comments. A few of you even asked for more ideas.
In the spirit of (last minute) gift giving, consider this list — many of which can be had or emailed in time for Christmas delivery.
Most of these are personal favorites, or items from my own wish list:
• Californication – Season One and Season Two. Amongst the original HBO programming, I enjoy Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm. I also discovered Weeds via DVD; Anyone who travels for work as much as I do finds these discs make for great airplane companions.
But I think the greatest surprise has been how much I fell in love with Californication. The writing is outstanding, the characters and acting are top notch, and the plot twists are fascinating. I totally relate to the flawed David Duchovny, and his complex relationships with his wife/girlfriends/daughter.
Of all the premium cable channel shows out there, this one has evolved into my favorite — and I cannot wait for Season 3 on DVD.
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• Skip Barber Performance Driving School: On Sunday, I mentioned the BMW driving school, and quite a few people suggested Lime Rock. It is my personal favorite track; I took two of the Skip Barber classes there — everyone should, then go back for a refresher every 5 years.
The nice thing about giving this as a gift, is 1) It is very memorable; 2) Its not 25% off (up to $1000); 3) You can still give it in time for Xmas 2009.
I highly recommend it!
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• Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! The Rolling Stones In Concert [40th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set] [3 CDs + 1 DVD]
This is pretty much a collectible best suited for Rolling Stones junkies, hard core rock fans, and those especially enamored with the 1960s/70s rock era.
The raw power of the Stones music, the showmanship of Jagger, the guitar virtuosity of Keith Richards and Mick Taylor, all shine brightly here. Not only does this disc capture the Rolling Stones at their swaggering prime, it is also one of the greatest live albums of all time.
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• Phil writes in: “The Padron Annivarsario is a fine cigar, if you like them mild — but I figured you for a Cubano man.”
Sorry, Phil, but that would be unlawful; I would never smoke, um, I don’t know, let’s say Romeo and Juliet Churchills, especially the 2006 Robusto, nor could I cut them with this nor light them with this. Just because I travel in the Caribbean where Cubanos are plentiful and reasonably priced and there is no damned good reason for that embargo anymore — just because of all that is no reason to encourage anyone breaking the law. No sir, that just wouldn’t be right . . .
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• Drew Friedman :: Frank Sinatra: I love the art work of Drew Friedman, and he captures the Chairman of the Board during the 1950s, when his persona defined sophisticated swinging. “Frank knew how to hold a note, his liquor, and a dame. In button-down mainstream America, Sinatra oozed free ‘n easy; on the opposite side of the cultural divide, Ol’ Blue Eyes didn’t have to behave like a beatnik to convey cool.”
If you have a serious music fan on your gift giving list, I would consider one of these prints. The portrait of Frank Sinatra is hangs in the den near my audio pile.
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• Charitable Contributions: In the spirit of the season, perhaps many of us should be considering making charitable donations rather than accumulating useless baubles.
When you make such a gift, you can make sure your money actually gets put to good use by using Charity Navigator — which rates charities on their financial health. Their ratings show givers how efficiently a charity uses their money i.e., what percentage of money goes to the intended charity, and how much is burned up on administrative costs.
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• A Genius for Deception: How Cunning Helped the British Win Two World Wars: This simply looks like a fascinating slice of military history.
I have a date with this book and my hammock come the spring!
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• Saeco S-TG-ST Talea Giro Super Automatic Espresso Machine: Longtime readers know I am a coffee buff/Caffeine junkie. (If you haven’t read Your Coffee Sucks, go forth immediately). Lately, my caffeinated beverage of choice seems to be some variation of expresso. This machine seems to have all the bells and whistles I want for a lot but not insane amount of money. (The difference between “Super” automatic and “Fully” automatic being about $2000)
And, you can find several really reasonable coffee roasters online: My local NY favorite is Porto Rico Importing, but some friends swear by The Roasterie in Chicago and Intelligentsia in L.A. and Fonte coffee in Seattle. (Anyone have any other favorite local roasters?)
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• I’ve used the Bose Noise Canceling Headphone for years (I like them) but some reviewers prefer the Sony MDR-NC500D Digital Noise Canceling Headphone: (List price, $400, sale price $279)
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• George Carlin: All My Stuff: George Carlin: Movies & TV: The entire George Carlin Collection, on DVD. Its the sort of thing that you tend to not buy yourself, but love getting as a gift. 14 Discs, ($189, on sale for $89).
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• Googled: The End of the World As We Know It. Ken Auletta’s book is one of the few business tomes I am interested in that has nothing whatsoever to do with the recent crisis. Chronicling the rise of Google from its auspicious origins within the labs of Stanford University, to its current position as perhaps the most influential technology company in the world today. Auletta has covered media and technology industries for decades, and is very plugged into Silicon Valley. This one looks like fun.
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December 22nd, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Talking Stones and live records,
Keith and the x-pensive winos live is a must have, the sound is superb as well as the band.
Live at the Hollywood Palladium
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:21 pm
for noise cancelling headphones, see Sennheiser Headphones: HD25-1-II and HD-280Pro (on a budget). I’ve used Sennheisers and Sony’s for years recreational DJ’ing and Sennheisers overall are much better than Sony’s (haven’t tried the Bose). The 280 Pros are fantastic for listening and monitoring, but lack a little driver power if you are blasting at levels and in environments that need ridiculous power. (realistically, if you are driving them to the point of distortion you are damaging your hearing, so its a good idea to turn it down instead of getting a HP with a larger driver).
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:27 pm
I see that wireless is what you were listing, the above are wired.
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BR: My headphones are wired. I have a pair of cheap Sony Bluetooth Wireless, but every few months, I need to re “pair” them
December 23rd, 2009 at 12:06 am
never hurts to have a good pair of Gloves, and/or an extra pr., you know, next to spare tire(in the Trunk)
http://www.geierglove.com/
also, re: things Coffee, http://www.1stincoffee.com/saeco.asp
from a ‘local’, knowledgable merchant at competitive prices..
December 23rd, 2009 at 12:14 am
how about a netjet pass?
December 23rd, 2009 at 5:37 am
Heh heh
I was trying to keep it under $10,000 !
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:18 am
BR-
I’ll 2nd your recommendation of Californication-
HBO series on the premium channels such as Entourage and True Blood- also very good
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:49 am
BR, kinda figured you for a Churchill guy….since my smoking time is limited, I prefer smaller cigars, and especially love the Punch Royal Selection #12. Great, creamy little 1/2 hour smoke.
Happy Festivus!
~~~
BR: Thats why I love the Padron Anniversario Robustos! — 5.5 X 50
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:04 am
Here is something for the nieces and single ladies in your lives, perhaps even the wife may like: Megan Washington’s album Clementine http://tinyurl.com/yk37tdy She has a sweet and goofy quality that is easy even for guys to enjoy.:) For a sample you might click on One Man Band to see if you like her voice.
You may have heard the title track Clementinefeatured in one of Keith Loutit’s timelapse pieces – Bathtub IV http://vimeo.com/channels/keithloutitssydney#3156959
If that is not enough to sell you on Megan, check this out for courage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vOHillrZ9w
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:16 am
barry – you MUST check out the Showtime series “Dexter” – perhaps the best show on tv.
for cigars, i recommend Perdomo Lot 23
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:19 am
Barry, Charity Navigator is a good start, but to see really good, bottom-up, results-oriented charity research, check out these guys:
http://www.givewell.net/
GiveWell takes almost a stock-picking approach to philanthropy: in the very opaque, inefficient “charity market,” it helps find charities that donors can be confident will deliver the most bang for the buck. They go beyond overhead figures and look at tactics and results. You might find it interesting.
-Tom Rutledge (disclosure: I’m on the GiveWell board)
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:06 am
Barry,
Try my favorite some time, Paradise Roasters http://www.paradiseroasters.com/ especially if you get that super-auto. Their espresso classico roast scored a 91 or some such at CG. They ship the same day they roast (like most quality roasters).
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:38 am
KD,
right? and those well-made boxes can be perfect for shipping/’gift wrapping..
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:47 am
Porto Rico importers really is a New York treasure. Also consider the beans at Joe (on Waverly or 13th) — great stuff. Intelligentsia’s Black Cat espresso blend is consistently awesome.
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:01 am
trutledge,
this http://www.givewell.net/about/shortcomings , alone, sets you apart.
that’s the kind of transparency that, even, 44 could learn from..
also, what is your take on these devices http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=699 ?
and, finally, have you thought about partnering with a ‘deposit taking’ financial institution?
one app, of such, would be to lever their ‘back-end’ to offer your customers, and theirs, the ability make secure donations, directly, to the charity of their choice–from a ‘portfolio’ of pre-screened options..
if people, really, understood how much W, F & A occured in 501(c)(3)-land, they’d ‘re-think’ a whole lot of other things, too..
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:25 am
A friend of mine used this company and the result was amazing and funny.
http://www.whoopassenterprises.com/
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Ahhhh…BR…I knew you were a rogue…but “CALIFORNICATION?”
I went to the Amazon “Comments” for this series..and it wasn’t MY LIFESTYLE….and it was kind of weird.
Maybe it’s what folks expectations are for lifestyle and marriages that fail. Maybe I’m lucky that my Marriage of 40 years is still Healthy and Whole and has lot’s of Sex and OOMPH from both of us being “In Tune” with each other…but living separate interest lives..which give “SPICE” to the relationship.
I know that would be gasps with so many admiring “Californication” and glorification of the “Hedonist Lifestyle” and how COOL that is…..but GACK…..Did your WIFE SEE THAT POST???? Does she have a “cast iron frying pan” to hit you over the head?
Whatever…it was funny to see how America is today that folks think the way to happyness might be voyerism of “Calfornication” guys who just use and abuse what they encounter.
And this is from Ritholtz who is pushing for Financial Reform? Can we believe? Can we HOPE to BELIEVE?
SEX/TRISTS/USER BEHAVIOR…etc…etc.
Just read the Amazon Reviews of CALIFORNICATION for why it’s so MUCH FUN…
I’m not a prude…but …WHY? WHAT? I don’t now folks like this who find folks like that “FUN” or for JOKES…
Maybe I’m just too “MIDDLE AMERICA” and have gotten tired of that shit? That kind of behavior only encourages Cynicism and Acting Out…which hurts those in their paths as they go down their personal road to Selfish and Destructive Behavior…but it’s REALLY FUN…like the REALITY SHOWS…REALLY FUN…COOL…CYNICAL and what AMERICA is about these days.
It’s the TRUTH? Or, what about the REST OF AMERICA who can have SEX, FUN and EXCITEMENT with their FIRST WIFE…and hope to raise some kids who care about IMPROVING SOCIETY…not being HEDONISTS!
Yeah..I get it’s fun and gallows humor..or whatever…but you PROMOTE THIS?
Whatever……. What floats folks boats, I guess.
~~~
BR: You are reading way too much into this. Its entertainment. A flawed character, full of personality defects, makes for much more interesting storylines than a happy, well adjusted person.
Imagine if Hamlet had no issues — how entertaining would THAT play the be if he was perfectly at peace with his mother and father?
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:23 pm
BTW…Rolling Stones and Sinatra…a BIG +! for you rec’s…
Now those were some recommendations that are REALLY GOOD STUFF!
and for those with “battered lifestyles” (I do know there are many) maybe they will like your video picks. As I said, to “each their own.” but, beware the consequences of too much hedonism……..
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:28 pm
ANOTHER BTW:
Bose Speakers for your Home Computer. Great Sound….incredible “You Tube” videos of concerts, etc.
Get those Bose Speakers for your Home Computer…you won’t be sorry.
Go to Amazon.com and give Barry the hit…or just do it however…(I’m not plugging or not plugging TBP)….but the speakers are really cool if you are addicted to “You Tube” and love to hit to find good “oldies, middies, or newies.”
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:53 pm
If everyone’s suggesting TV shows, I’d add another HBO show – The Wire. I would say without a doubt the best television show I’ve ever seen. The characters are great and the plots are very relevant.
http://www.hbo.com/thewire/
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BR: I never saw the show, but its price has been hugely discounted: Regular $249.99, on sale for $89.99 — 3600 minutes on 23 DVDs. The Wire: The Complete Series (2008)
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Why would anyone put a cigar in their mouth and light it is beyond me.
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BR: Goes great with cognac, but over the summer, I like banana rum — delightful way to kick back.
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
beaufou Says:
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:25 am
A friend of mine used this company and the result was amazing and funny.
http://www.whoopassenterprises.com/
In some Businesses and Industries that one could be a winner. Too late for this year as gifts…but by the end of 2010 this site could be a WINNER!
I’ve Bookmarked it.
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Excellent ideas as always. Californication has fallen off a bit recently. But better than the slop served by others.
How about making a donation in someone’s name or doing some charity work? Heck a random act of kindness will do. It’s getting very tough for a lot of folks. MSNBC ran a piece today that 37M americans are on food stamps this December.
Don’t forget about giving It’s a Wonderful Life on Bluray. Looks fantastic.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Thanks, Barry, for the list, the post, the day, the month and the years of perpetual progression in the blogosphere. I’m proud to have been a reader of TBP for more than three years and I look forward to more reading in 2010.
I wish you the best…
Kent
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:59 pm
This is a great stocking stuffer. I just learned this from a mechanic today. He told me this along with oil changes every four months has helped to keep his cars running for 20 years. It is a magnetic oil pan drain bolt. A simple yet brilliant idea that is available at most car parts stores. What the thing does is what most magnets do. As the oil flows past it in the oil pan the magnet attracts and grabs hold of all the tiny shards of metal that are floating in your oil so that every time you change the oil you have lots of those pieces of metal taken out when you remove the oil pan plug. It only costs a few dollars but will save you thousands in wear and tear
Now you know.
December 24th, 2009 at 8:26 am
MEHoffer , thanks for the HT. GiveWell (www.givewell.net) is really trying to focus on the research/evaluation part of philanthropy. It’s always good that services out the exist to make it easier to donate. GiveWell just want to help steer the money toward where it will do the most good.
To use the capital markets analogy again, GiveWell is more like a research boutique that identifies the very best stocks. The other services (gift cards, Network for Good, etc) are more like a big retail bank or brokerage that has lots of systems to help people to move their money around.
If you’re interested in more on the topic of “rational giving,” the Hewlett Foundation has done some very interesting work on the idea. Here’s a background piece along with a link to a more detailed study Hewlett did with McKinsey:
http://www.hewlett.org/news/seeking-a-bigger-bang-for-the-philanthropic-buck
December 24th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Re coffee roasters, those in the Silicon Valley area should definitely check out Barefoot Coffee Roasters on Stevens Creek at Lawrence. Fantastic beverages, extremely knowledgeable staff and FRESH beans. They ship also. http://stores.homestead.com/barefootcoffeeroasters/StoreFront.bok