Entry posted by xccj
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Just a various list of new devices I would want upgrades on, in order of want.
New Laptop: I have a Toshiba Satellite that I got in December 2007. In Summer 07, I got a Toshiba Satellite that was the top of the line student laptop of the day. (Or well, high enough quality for it's $1,000 price tag.) Then it got stolen, and my replacement was a lower quality model. It's worked swell for five years, but now even web browsing can tax my system, and dare I even think about playing games on it! And five years isn't a bad time to get an upgraded machine, IMO. (And I am also considering a new desktop too... but either way a new computer is sometime I need/want.
New Cell Phone: Some of my classes have dabbled in mobile web browsing, but I'm still on a phone I got two years ago that has the most basic of web browsing. (And the fact that it's lasted two plus years says something, since I've drowned or cracked my other two phones I've had since 07.) It would be nice to get some of the newer equipment so I can actually experience the mobile browsing that we're being told to design for. But smart phones are expensive... both in the initial purchase and then with the monthly plan. And I might as well keep going with my current phone for as long as it can last...
New Headphones: Okay, I go through headphones faster than anything else. The headband snaps, the wiring rips out, some internal issue screws up the sounds; I am just excessively hard on them. For example, I got a nice expensive pair for Christmas last year, and they snapped in half on me in June. 
I am kind of picky about headphones, since I cannot for the life of me use ear-buds, so I need decent ear-cover ones. And in general, I try to buy cheap ones, but sometimes they turn out to be too cheap. There's a style of Sony headphones for $14.99 that I've gotten often, and those seem to last longest with me and feel the most comfortable. But my current pair is starting to wear out, so many time for new ones? (And I need to convince people that when I say I want new headphones for birthday / Christmas, don't get me those expensive that cost alot and then eventually break in some stupid way. 
New Watch: I'm also fairly old fashion in that I like to wear a wrist watch at all times. Yeah, yeah, people claim they can just check their phones or whatever for the time, but I've developed the habit of glancing down at my wrist whenever I want to check the time... so much that I keep doing so when I'm not wearing my watch. 
I'm also picky about watches... they've got to have the date, a light, and preferably a timer. (So pretty much a standard digital watch, but I used to be even more old fashion and use the basic clock models.) I also prefer a non-metal strap that has reinforced connections behind the watch, because I've had so many of them rendered useless because the area where the strap connects to the watch itself strips apart, and then the whole thing is useless. I've had watches where the straps break somehow or where the internal battery just dies. My current watch got scrapped up pretty badly on my last hike, making it nearly impossible to read the minute's number. As such, I need to get a new one, and the process is complicated enough even when I try to stay cheap. (Because why buy a pricey watch when I know it'll inevitable get wrecked too?) But I'm going to keep on wearing watches, because I'm looking forward to the day where I can hide a communicator in it and / or a wrist laser. 
Wireless Mouse: Man, I've had bad luck with mice too. Sometimes the optics go dead, sometimes they drain the batteries too quickly, and sometimes the USB connector gets busted. I've generally switched between Microsoft and Logitech mice, with my current one being of the MS variety. In general, I have liked using both types, so it's mostly just a matter of when they break down. My current mouse has a gummed up scroll bar that no longer works properly, and now I realize how much I use scrolling when I can't do it as easily anymore. Maybe I should go for a Logitech one next (since the last one from them had the USB connector break, but now they make those smaller so it shouldn't be an issue anymore.)
Ipod Charger / Stereo: Yes, in general I am a PC guy; I really don't like having to use the MAC OS at school. Plus, Apple's actions as a company are often to my distaste. (Personal preference, feel free to have your own opinions, just be aware that I don't want you spouting them in my blog) But, gosh darn it, Apple did the iPod thing well, and I have to give them credit for it. Granted, I did not buy my first iPod... it was a gift, and I might've gone for something else on my own. (Not sure about Zune... never really caught my taste to begin with, and it's not exactly uber popular either. Maybe one of the off-brand MP3 Players.) And my iPod nano has lasted for five years without any real complications. (Sure, it has a few scratches, and once it did get corrupted but I was able to go to the university's Apple store and they restored it.) But the iPod stereo hook-up... I've been through two, and my current one can barely connect with the iPod and play music. (And it no longer charges it either, much to my dismay.) So another one of those would be swell too.
Jetpack: My current backpack has lasted me since high school. Sure, one of the front zippers has worn out, but overall it is still one of my best pieces of luggage for trips, be they backpacking, to school, or on an airliner. Unfortunately, by backpack does not yet let me fly. This is a major design flaw, and I think I need to upgrade. Anybody know the best manufacturers of jetpacks? (Don't answer that... I have researched the option and their still in the testing phases, and keep spouting nonsense like "inefficient" and "unsafe.")
...
So yeah, lots of technology I want. Lots of things I could buy. It would cost lots of money to get all of this. And currently, I barely have any spending money. I have some saved up for BrickCon that I earned from working for my folks this summer, but my saving from last summer's job have been spent, and being unemployed this summer didn't do much for my bank account. And then there's all the LEGO I need to purchase. Personally, I'm hoping for a discounted Helms Deep at BCon, and maybe a t-shirt that's a size too big, so that way when it shrinks like all the rest I bought at Cascade, it'll still fit.
Anyway, that was a rant about my wants and desires. If you want to send money to the "Make Xccj Happy" fund, just give me a PM. 
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