My Fantasy Christmas List

Before you go jumping to conclusions, the "One Dad's Life" household does NOT focus on the whole materialistic aspect common during Christmas season.  Well, unless you count the whole beef tenderloin we make each year for dinner (from Steak Paradise - Kenrick's, of course!) No, nearly all of our Christmas season is spent at our church, preparing for special services and performing for these services.  I heard it said best the other day that taking Christ out of Christmas would be like taking the jews out of Hanukkah!  So far, I haven't seen any effort taking place in that area!

So, what follows is pure escapist fantasy for me, OK?  Certainly, I'd love ALL of these things...or even one of them...but it won't drive me too crazy if it never happens.  That being said, here's my Fantasy Christmas List for 2009!

1. 2010 Camaro.  While I'm fantasizing, I'll take the SS with the 420 H.P. V8.  Or the Hennessey HPE550 Camaro.   Color not too important, I like nearly all of them, though I have a preference for ones with the hood stripes in contrasting color.  Blue with a white stripe is my current favorite.  Though, truly, the base model would be fine.  It must be a manual transmission though. NO AUTOMATIC.  That part is non-negotiable.  Thanks.
2. A mansion right on Lafayette Square.  I want to see the park out of my parlor window.  If that isn't possible, then perhaps something in Compton Heights?
3. A pair of Mesa Boogie Mark V amp heads and a pair of 4x12 cabs to go with it.  This would be the power house of a new guitar rig!  This would also pair up well with number 4.
4. Guitars.  Yeah, I have a bunch I want.  I'll list the top ones here - in no particular order, though I'd say the Taylor is on top. So, I'll start with that! Taylor 714CE acoustic, Music Man John Petrucci model with piezo bridge, PRS Custom 24, Guild 12-string acoustic, F412 or F512 with pickup system, Chris Squire Rickenbacker bass, Gibson Les Paul Standard, sunburst tiger striped top.  Whew, I'd better stop there before this gets ridiculous!
5. 32" 120HZ LG LCD TV.  For my home office. For video games and concert DVDs! If you want to go really crazy, I'll go with an LED LCD for crisper blacks and brighter color!
6. Yamaha Surround Sound system with my current Polk Audio Speakers (I LOVE them!).  Same reason as for #5.
7. Photography stuff. Again, big list. Let's go with a Nikon D300s, 50mm f1.4, 60 mm macro, 70-200mm f2.8, and a SB-900 flash head. This would all be a nice compliment for my D60 without going TOO crazy! I mean, that camera body is under $2000, and all of the lenses except for one is under a $1000.  I'm reasonable.
8. A Viking 6 burner stove.  There is not room for this in my current house, so naturally I'm assuming I'd find this in the kitchen of #2.
9. Keyboards. Again, there is a big list and honestly, I'm just waiting for a show to come along that REQUIRES one of these as my excuse to work on getting one.  Unfortunately, this hasn't happened, yet.  Hammond XK-3C, Alesis Andromeda or even Ion Analog Modeling synth, Moog mini-moog...the new one, not the original, Roland bass pedals (to use while playing guitar!), Kurzweil PC3x, Yamaha DX-7IIFD, Korg Wavestation AD module, and a PPG Wave 3.2!
10. Every Nintendo product ever made! It was too hard to narrow this one down - but to help, you can stick with items currently in production.
11. Time to enjoy all of the above (perhaps the most difficult item to achieve).

Coming up, what Christmas is really like in our household!

Comments

[Nathan]

Um... With regards to number 5 on your list. Can't you do a little better than 32''? I have a 37'' TV, and I'm often tempted to watch it with binoculars duct tapped to my head.

[Gregg]

Well, Nathan, I tired to keep the list "practical" as much as possible. I'm sure that I could fit a SLIGHTLY larger size in my office, but I honestly wouldn't need it as I'll mostly be watching from relatively close quarters.

If you notice, as outlandish as it may seem, each of those items could be kicked up a notch! For example, I did not put a 1958-1960 Gibson Les Paul Sunburst in mint condition on the list... No one should be spending that much on just one guitar for me.

[Gregg's Dad]

Unfortunately for you (but fortunate for us)we already have your gift. Maybe you can post the list earlier next year; but then again, this may force us to shop even earlier!

[kaye]

i love your list, my grandsons are wishing for #1 too.