the birthday list

[jsnlv]

My birthday's on March 29. Since my parents have been asking, I thought I'd better make a wish list--and it seems like it might be convenient to have it archived online somewhere, so I can keep updating it year after year. I like to list a lot more stuff than I would actually want to get at once to amplify the sense of surprise.

2/16 update: Finally started adding descriptions, and a couple more books.

-"Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4" for PlayStation 2. Despite (or perhaps, because of) their numerous flaws, console role-playing games are still some of my favorites. The Persona games avoid many of those flaws while also being smart and stylish. They were also pretty hard to find for a long time, although that's beginning to improve. You could probably find this at GameStop or Best Buy.
-"Mirror's Edge" for PlayStation 3. Combining an exacting visual style with "die repeatedly until you get it right" building-top free-running, Mirror's Edge polarized its critics. I'm a sucker for experimental failures.
-"Left 4 Dead" for Xbox 360. I'm no fan of zombies, but it's good to see them breaking out of the usual "survival horror" format. Left 4 Dead is fun and I need my own copy.
-Another 1st-party Xbox 360 controller. Either wired, or wireless with a recharging cord.
-"Boom Blox" for Wii. I guess Steven Spielberg designed a Wii game? Anyway, this got enough good reviews from my friends that I still kind of want it, even though it fell off the radar after it came out--it might still be at Best Buy, but you might have to resort to searching GameStops for it. (Alternately, there's always Amazon.)
-One or two more Wii remotes, plus "Nunchuk" control-stick attachments. Pricey, or I'd have gotten 'em myself already.
-Wii remote recharging station! We go through batteries pretty quickly.
-"Burn After Reading" on DVD or Blu-Ray. Never did get to see this in theaters. toddalcott's enthusiasm assuaged my doubts.
-"Shawshank Redemption" on DVD or Blu-Ray. I remember liking this, and Julie never saw it.
-"The Jewish Century" by Yuri Slezkine. Jews are cool and successful. How can I be more like one, without actually being Jewish?
-"The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Recommended by the Worst Forums Ever. (Updated 2/15/09)
-New shoes, perhaps.
-Maybe even a new jacket.
-And hey, it's hard to go wrong with new pants. Especially ones that have at least five separate, usable pockets.
-Magic cards are always a safe bet, particularly booster packs from any of the following sets: "Conflux", "Shards of Alara", "Eventide", "10th Edition", "Shadowmoor", "Morningtide", or "Lorwyn". Most easily purchased from Hobbytown USA at the corner of Kellogg and Rock, although there's also a comic shop across the street from East High School. It's not open during school hours.


Things that used to be on the list:

-"Wii Fit" for Wii? Maybe? Julie got this for me and decided to let me have it early. I'm already sore! (2/3/09)

I will announce the existence of updates as they appear!