RL Dilemma - really need some suggestions

OK - Here's my quandary:

Hubby's RL birthday is on Thursday. I have not thought of an appropriate gift yet. I only have two days left.

I hate shopping for men, I never get it right. One year he commented on a commercial he saw about the Dremil tool so I went to home depot and asked the guy in to tool department for a Dweezel tool (couldn't remember the name of the damn thing for the life of me). After about a half hour of my trying to recount the commercial to the home depot guy about what the tool did, it dawned on him that I meant Dermil. Needless to say, that night I became the laughing stock of the home depot tool department.

When I buy him clothes he opens them and gives me a look like a puppy that's just been spanked for peeing on the floor.

He's a tool and electronics freak. He has every kind of electronic gadget known to mankind and has wired up in our house with automation (none of which actually works quite right).

We have a remote for all the lights in the house but it appears that so does at least one of our neighbors - causing them to go on and off with no rhyme or reason. He wanted to make our front door open electronically but I drew the line at that - I don't relish the thought of being locked out of or in my own house by "Dave" the home center computer from hell.

So I ask you, forum friends - what does one buy for a man like this? Please - I seriously need some help here.

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Restraints, to stop him doing any more geek/gadget related DIY?

A brand new PDA always works, as long as it isn't a public display of affection!

A stage, sounds like a great comedian, ya know, like the cable guy. Just kidding. A weekend trip to a bed and breakfast etc.

Wait, doesn't the hubs play SL????? Quick, Jeska, delete this thread!!!

Go to your local hobby shop and get him a RC/Gas kit. It's a kit that builds a remote controlled gas powered car. It will keep him busy for days building it and days playing with it. You will drop about 300 - 500 on the kit. They also make helicopters and planes. Don't get the electric car they run out of batteries to quickly.

Xavier

Luckily for me, my wife and I both feel that spending exesive money on each other on birthdays is kind of silly. When we were kids gift were important but now we rather just keep putting money aside to enjoy each others company doing something together.

We may all think gift certificates are a cold and thoughtless gift, but a gift certificate to his favorite tool or tronics store would give him the pleasure of wandering the aisles like a kid in a candy store.

It is so sad when I get clothes I know I will wear once to be nice and other stuff that will be in the closet never to be used.

If you wanna make the gift certificate a little 'warmer' combine it with something very special and personal

Good luck! As you well know, it only gets harder as the years go by.

Tito

ROBOSAPIAN?

Playstation?

Xavier's idea for RC Gas kit would be fun. Gas powered RC cars are funnnn!

My family does it this way.

1. Ask B-day recipient what they want.

2. If response is vague, ask them where they want the gift certificate from

3. If all else fails, determine where they like to buy stuff and get them a gift certificate from there.

I know some people think gift cards and certificates are crass, but this works for us.



~Olympia

Therapy - always makes me happy.

Excellent idea and something that I'd never considered - I like the idea that he can build it himself.



LOL - don't think I haven't thought about it.

The bed and breakfast thing is a little tough because of our time constraints at work. Also we are taking a week off the last week of April for our anniversary to go to Jamaica where we met and married.

I always take him out to dinner on that night, but just once, I want to get him something (not necessarily expensive) that will really knock his socks off.

Because really, he deserves it. He's sort of a cross between Steve Wozniak and Tim the Tool Man Taylor with a heart the size of the state of Texas.

We are remodeling our house right now but I am SO clueless when it comes to stuff like tools.

He is in SL too, but not as into it as I am and rarely reads the forums and then usually only looks at the scripting stuff so not much of a chance he will see this. Of course, my karma is that the one day I post something like this is the one day he will get curious about the Off Topic forum.

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I think an important part of gift giving is showing the person you know them. Getting them something they like is like saying, "see, we are so close I know what makes you happy". I heard good rules for gift buying once. Get him something that he wants, that he would never buy for himself.

OMG Jack - I can just see him using this to sneek up on the cats (and other household members) while they are sleeping. LMAO

i4u.com has the latest stuff coming out of japan, so that might be worth a browse.

I've been toying with the thought of a pda wristwatch, they seem pretty cool. He'd be able to stay wired and still make to to stuff on time?


finally, will you guys adopt me?

hehehehehehehe

so close.

I like Della's idea with the B&B. If time is a factor just do an overnight thingy on Friday or Saturday. I am very hard to shop for but if my wife took the time to plan a romantic evening all by herself at a B&B with dinner plans, maybe carriage ride, nice bottle or 2 of good champagne (I recommend Moet Chandon White Star for an affordable but really good bottle), possibly professional massages for both of us etc...

Make it somewhere out of town for you but within say an hours drive. Don't tell him where you are going or anything you have planned. Just tell him to pack a bag for overnight and to let you do the rest.

For me the trip wouldn’t be the huge thing. The fact that you went to lots of trouble and planned every little detail would be absolutely wonderful.

If he is a cigar smoker let me know and I will recommend some wonderful cigars. A nice assortment of good ones for his humidor would be great too... if he smokes em that is.

If he loves tools and gadgets get him a home depot gift card...that way you're sure he gets what he wants

ooh thinking about doors, what about a recordable doorbell? I have one at home, and it's great! Whenever somebody comes to the door, the theme to the Rockford Files plays, which makes me very happy to answer the door, as I pretend I'm getting a new case.

OMG - Thanks for the link, I think I might have found the gadget! I knew you guys would come up with something.


The Cold Heat Soldering Tool!

(His current soldering iron is from like the 1950's or something)


The Cold Heat Soldering Tool is a cordless tool that heats quickly and cools down nearly as fast. It creates the heat right in the proprietary tip material, making the tool 20 times more efficient than the average conventional soldering iron. The tip reaches 500ºF in less than 1 second for many types of joints and cools to the touch in 1-5 seconds so you can put it away – without any waiting.

Easy to use with its ergonomic pen-like shape and cordless operation. Replaceable bevel tip is included with the unit as well as a convenient carrying case. The Cold Heat Soldering Tool is great for electrical, hobbies, and light PCB work (case modding, repairing motherboards, etc.) It functions best when used with solder 0.032 to 0.040 inches in diameter and wires 18 - 24 AWG or equivalent-sized parts.

Has these great features:

Heats and cools almost instantaneously for comfort and safety
Reaches 500ºF in less than 1 second, 800ºF in 1.5 seconds
Tip cools to touch-safe temperature within 1-5 seconds
New, patented technology
Great for electrical, hobbies, and light PCB work
Uses 4 replaceable AA batteries (not included)
Over 700 joints per battery pack
Works with any regular solder 18-25 ga.
Very safe tip - hot only during active soldering
Bright white LED illuminates soldering area
Red LED acts as tip heat indicator
One replaceable Bevel tip and carrying case included
Dimensions approximately: 7.5"L x 2"H x 1"W
Optional Conical Tip available - perfect for detailed work
Optional Chisel Tip available - perfect for larger joints
Replacement Bevel Tip available - for general purpose soldering
90-day manufacturer warranty
Check out FAQ, Manual, and Troubleshooting guide

Oh and if you don't mind living with two cats, a hermit crab, a fish, a 4ft iguana and the occasional mouse, raccoon, squirel, bird or possum in the house...

sure we'll adopt ya.

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I can vouch for that, it works!

Dude, grow some boobs and marry me!

If I could grow boobs, why would I marry anyone?

Boob appreciation! Get out of your safe little world detective, and close the case!


I vote for the doorbell thingie, Rose!

back to word change for you, troll.