Owen's Christmas Wish List

Family members keep asking me what I want for Christmas. This list is here not because I'm greedy, but to help relieve someone else of some stress.

(Updated Dec. 14, 2014)

Consumables

Yamaha C3 Grand Piano (~$35,000 Cdn)
Mac computer with pro-tools (like what Peter has). Must have awesome specs 'cause I drive my music computer hard!
Full pedal midi keyboard, plus sound module, to turn the digital piano into a pipe organ
Music carrying case - I've been using the one from "Music for Young Children", but it's wearing out. One with a pocket for pencils would be helpful, too.
Wireless midi link, or two long midi cables (30' min.)

Watercolor pencils
I'd like to try my hand at painting with acrylics. There are some nice beginner kits available at reasonable prices.
If I'm going to try painting, I'll need a small selection of brushes and canvases. I already have an easel.
No doubt a drop cloth will be necessary, too.

Carbide tipped stacked dado blade (~$200)
Band saw (~$800 - $1200)
Chain saw (~$750), such as the Husqvarna 359. I have already purchased accessories for this model, since it's the one my friend has, but bigger is better if I can reuse the bar I bought. The 359 is already underpowered for my purposes.
Compressor, for use with air tools (such as pneumatic nail guns), oil lubricated, two state, min 2HP, high pressure high volume. Anything less will someday frustrate me, though I don't need a large tank right now.
Metalworking equipment so I can modify my tools as I please
- Sherline vertical milling table (P/N 1185) (~$120) (preferred) and/or
- Sherline vertical milling column (P/N 3480) (~$170)
- Sheet metal box and pan brake (doesn't have to be big, but does have to be top quality, handle relatively thick sheet steel, and be very flexible to make a wide variety of bends
- TIG welder (220A 100% duty cycle == fairly expensive) plus safety attire. Oh, and room to use it!
Pen turning kit (Morse Taper #1 mandrel, etc)
Lancelot woodcarving tool - 5/8" arbor
Carving chisels (Only the best, high speed steel or better; no cheapies or I spend all my time sharpening, not carving.)
A real woodworker's bench -- I'd like to make my own, but wouldn't turn down a good one!
Woodworker's bench vise -- min. 7", 9" preferred, quick release, bench dog, good quality name-brand like Record
Fine Woodworking back issues on CD

Really good desk lamp, probably a clamp-on type arm time so I don't lose any more desk space, LEDs preferred if they emit very bright (but adjustable) warm light. (Peter and John could probably use one, too. ☺)
Another lamp for the piano, but probably not one of those dedicated piano lamps which are unbelievable crap. If it's lightweight enough to clip to the window shelf above that'd be great. Again, bright, LED, warm light preferred. These lamps will get a LOT of use so they must be good quality. (I get crabby just thinking about it!)
Very bright LED light for our living room floor lamp. The incandescent tri-light we have just isn't bright enough, even on the highest setting.
Rack mounted bins for easy access to components (but Princess Auto version is too flimsy - I checked)
Professional quality temperature controled soldering station
Bench power supply
Space -- I don't have enough room for a decent shop right now
Any programmable robot kit -- something like a rover from www.lynxmotion.com is the kind of thing I'm looking for
Gift certificate from Sparkfun or Solarbotics could be useful

A really good turkey baster. The one I had was clear plastic, but it had a seam down the side. Before one year was up that seam developed a leak. The silicone bulb is still good.
Food processor - The one we have still works, but most of the different knives have broken, so now it's just a food chopper. We can't slice up volumes of vegetables, for example.
Salad spinner - Nothing fancy, and it shouldn't be too big. Garage sale quality is fine.
Replacement gaskets for Miracle Blender - I haven't been able to find them anywhere but ordering straight from the manufacturer, who wants me to spend more on shipping than the cost of the parts!

USB optical mouse, or wireless USB mouse. No weird shapes, just a lightweight mouse I can rely on
Mouse pad - nothing fancy, just something thin and stable. These are often freebies at tradeshows and are not worth spending much money on.
Backup drive - my second one went kaput and I'd like a replacement. Prefer name brand, network capable, wireless would be a major bonus. Min 1TB, but prefer 2Tb
Computer books -- please consult someone in the business for books that they found helpful. Only the best books will suffice; you would not believe what lousy authors computer science guys are.
Large flat-panel computer monitor and stand of some sort, so I can use it while recording music from the piano

Lab equipment -- something like this
Dream House (to go with the piano) -- Energy efficient dome with large, heated workshop, on lots (up to 200) of hardwood acres
Time
Good book on human physiology, that explains pathologies at exactly the right level for me. (Good luck!)
Long-sleeved denim shirt, size Large, slim fit