Swag Brag-- CHUD Holiday Gift Exchange 2011 - Page 2

"AWESOME SAUCE!" + An Andy Dwyer high-five for you, Michael M.

The Rocketeer on Blu Ray. Let me repeat: Young Jennifer Connelly on Blu Ray.

Thank you, sir, for a very Merry Christmas.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Cellophane 

"AWESOME SAUCE!" + An Andy Dwyer high-five for you, Michael M.

 

The Rocketeer on Blu Ray. Let me repeat: Young Jennifer Connelly on Blu Ray.

 

Thank you, sir, for a very Merry Christmas.

 

 

You're very welcome! Let us know how the transfer is. I recommend studying the scenes wherein Connolly wears a slinky evening gown. Repeatedly.

Teitr Styrr, you are one beautiful bastard.

I didn't want to tell him exactly what to give me, but I didn't want to be too vague, so I gave him a link to my Amazon wish list, a list I have spent the last three years compiling.

Motherfucker got me almost every single item on the list.

The Blood Oranges: A book I have searched for at used bookstores for years, unavailable in local libraries

Not, one, not, two, but three expansions of Dominion, a casual card game my friends and I play

Scott Pilgrim Blu-Ray: loved the movie, would never buy it for myself. Now I have it.

Night of the Hunter Blu-Ray: One of my all-time favorite movies (even if I keep calling it Night and the Hunter), but again, I don't generally buy movies for myself.

Rushmore Criterion DVD: Loaned this out to an acquaintance about six years ago and never got it back. It's mine again.

Samurai: A board game I've only played once but absolutely loved and haven't been able to find in any game store in the Twin Cities. (They keep telling me it's out-of-print.)

A stand for my iPad (not shown): Now I can watch movies in bed without wearing myself out by having to prop up the screen with my hands. I blame you for the upcoming bedsores, Tetir.

Sorry, guys. I won Christmas.

Thank you so much, Tetir. You turned out what started out as a crappy day into a Festivus miracle.

I need to come over and play SAMURAI with you.  As I recall, that's a pretty awesome game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas Booth 

I need to come over and play SAMURAI with you.  As I recall, that's a pretty awesome game.

Anytime, Judas. You are more than welcome.

I should also mention I yelled "Holy fuck" so loud when I opened the box, my downstairs neighbors called me to see if I was okay.

teledork rocked my world with this: 

1/24th scale diecast metal Delorean Time Machine model...fuck yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendrix 

Thank you so much, Tetir. You turned out what started out as a crappy day into a Festivus miracle.

You are very welcome.  I couldn't decide what to get from the list...

Doc Happenin, you destroyed it.  I fucking love my gifts this year:

Thank you so much, can't wait to dig into both of them.

whoo! I think you'll get a kick out of Midnight Movie; great paced zombie/sci-fi horror from one of the great directors. He can write a novel like a motherfucker, too. Hope you enjoy them, sir!

Mr. Justin Clark gleamed that I was a Nirvana fan and totally hooked me up in a ridiculously awesome way. Bleach reissue, Cobain's journals (which is really cool, I leafed through it just now), a live Blu Ray that I can't wait to check out, and Gus Van Sant's Last Days, which  for some inexplicable reason I still haven't seen. Smells Like Teen Christmas!  (Or, it's a Very Nirvana Holiday?) Check it out below, and thanks so much Justin, this is incredibly thoughtful and all sorts of awesome. 



 

My work here is done. Enjoy, sir! This year's ending on a pretty awesome note. Im glad I could share the wealth.

My cup overfloweth. More goodness from Teitr arrived today:

*a book of poetry from Thomas McGrath, one of my favorite poets

* a pair of high-quality sports headphones

* Portal 2 for PS3

* another Dominion expansion

I feel like I won the Grand Prize Game on the Bozo the Clown show.

Teitr is the man. He hooked me up last year, too. Looking through the thread, it looks like this year Chewers have outdone themselves. Reminds me why I've been a member of this community for a decade. My packages to subotai were shipped two weeks ago. I hope he got them safely. He's international. Fingers crossed the gifts aren't held hostage a la Tati's Doug!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diva 

Teitr is the man. He hooked me up last year, too. Looking through the thread, it looks like this year Chewers have outdone themselves. Reminds me why I've been a member of this community for a decade. My packages to subotai were shipped two weeks ago. I hope he got them safely. He's international. Fingers crossed the gifts aren't held hostage a la Tati's Doug!

All I know is next year I'm leaving my stocking for Santa in the basement and putting up one for Teitr.

Schwartz, you're the man...

- Sherlock: Season One (Blu-Ray)

- Badass: A Relentless Onslaught of the Toughest Warlords, Vikings, Samurai, Pirates, Gunfighters, and Military Commanders to Ever Live by Ben Thompson

- Explosions In The Sky - "How Strange, Innocence" (2000)

- Explosions In The Sky - "Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Live Forever" (2001)

- Explosions In The Sky - "The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place" (2003)

- Explosions In The Sky - "Take Care, Take Care, Take Care" (2011)

All of the above arrived in five separate packages, the final of which showed up yesterday.

As I said before, I've been dying to give Sherlock a look and now I no longer have an excuse.  The book is 100% up my alley.  As for the music, I plan on popping the first album in shortly and am very much looking forward to it.  This has been a pretty shitty year for music (at least for me), so I am more than ready for something new to listen to.

Like I said, Schwartz, you're the man!

Damn, that is one awesome haul. 

Hope you enjoy, Bob.  Explosions in the Sky may be something of an acquired taste, but those who like them seem to love them.  "The Only Moment We Were Alone" is pretty much my favorite piece of music, ever.

I'm listening to them in order.  I really dug the first album and have already started the second.  This music is fantastic for writing to. 

Thank you VERY much!

They are a great band!  Awesome gift.

Be sure to blare them on your car stereo in an Applebee's parking lot sometime.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendrix 

Be sure to blare them on your car stereo in an Applebee's parking lot sometime.

Do I detect an interesting tale in that statement?

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.D. Bob Plissken 

Do I detect an interesting tale in that statement?

 

The dude from Explosions in the Sky does pretty much all the music for the show Friday Night Lights. 

And: http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2009/01/did-applebees-eat-friday-night-lights

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendrix 

All I know is next year I'm leaving my stocking for Santa in the basement and putting up one for Teitr.

 Yes!  I'm glad you liked your swag bendrix!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schwartz 

Hope you enjoy, Bob.  Explosions in the Sky may be something of an acquired taste, but those who like them seem to love them.  "The Only Moment We Were Alone" is pretty much my favorite piece of music, ever.

Yes! So good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendrix 

The dude from Explosions in the Sky does pretty much all the music for the show Friday Night Lights. 

 

And: http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2009/01/did-applebees-eat-friday-night-lights

Except, oddly enough, the main theme, which rips them off as so shamelessly I'm surprised there weren't hard feelings about it.

Actually, I don't think they were too involved in the show beyond a couple of their tacks being used at different points.  They did however do the entire soundtrack for the film version, which is a terrific, lower-key composition if you're into their studio stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schwartz 

 

Except, oddly enough, the main theme, which rips them off as so shamelessly I'm surprised there weren't hard feelings about it.

 

Actually, I don't think they were too involved in the show beyond a couple of their tacks being used at different points.  They did however do the entire soundtrack for the film version, which is a terrific, lower-key composition if you're into their studio stuff.

Well, color me slack-jawed. I had no idea the main theme wasn't theirs.

Snuffy Walden!  TV composer extraordinaire!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcnooj82 

Snuffy Walden!  TV composer extraordinaire!

To highlight my ignorance even further, I thought that was the main dude in Explosions in the Sky.

So, hey, if anyone needs me, I'll be drowning my sorrows in a glass of Gatorade and one of the 'bee's delightful appetizer samplers. While wearing Under Armour.

Ogling Tyra Collete!

I still want to see the artwork Nooj did.

Oh and I hope you like the books, like I said in the note Dave Gorman is one of my favorite comedians.

Ken, I was waiting to post photos of the rest of my gifts once part 3 arrived.  But no sign yet. 

I'll be starting the first Gorman books soon, once the holiday madness ends!  Looking forward to it!  I'm ashamed to say it, but it's been SO LOGN since I've actively read a book.

Sorry Nooj I think I confused you, part 2 and 3 were the books.  I had planned for a suprise part but it fell through - stupied ebay.

Fear not I will keep looking for it.

Edited to add,  I feel like a dick now. 

Oh!  No problem!  I'm just glad that nothing was missing!  Lost packages make me sad...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Savage 

I still want to see the artwork Nooj did.

same here

Quoth the honorable Jeremy Butler, via PMs:

AND HE WAS RIGHT.

WHAT IS IT, you ask? Oh, you sad, sad person. THIS, my dear friends is an official Portal 2 PotatOS.

There's no way to thoroughly explain how awesome this is without you, dear reader, having played the game in question, but the compacted gist for the cheap seats is this: Eventually, the passive-aggressively evil female supercomputer A.I. from the first game, GlaDOS, gets usurped by a dumber, but more powerful and more British version. Who, in an act of vengeance, uploads GlaDOS's entire operating system into a potato.

So, what is this kit, then?

What this kit apparently does is give me the opportunity to attempt this experiment for myself, hook up the components at the bottom there to an ACTUAL potato, and get a working GlaDOS. From a potato.

Sadly, the gift has caught me potatoless. This will be rectified so this little experiment can get an official test run, at which point I even think video needs to happen. But I have assurances from the internets that once hooked up, it's a fully functioning, talking, blinking, potato GlaDOS.

I think I officially disturbed my girlfriend by my maniacal cackle when I realized what this was.

Butler.....this is awesome. You are awesome. And awesomes see the judge on Monday morning. Thank you SO much.

I have no idea what any of that means, but your excitement is enough. YAY!!!!

That is freaking AWESOME

Mutant potatoes sound cool to me.

Holy fuck that is EPIC!

I've been out of town since last week and a package arrived while I was gone.  Diva, who I have rarely conversed with despite spending 10 years on the same message boards, stepped up and sent me the Ken Burns' New York series which ran on PBS.  We don't get PBS in Canada, so I have not yet seen it!  Can't wait!

Diva, you are the best.  Without any doubt.  The CHUD giftswap never disappoints! See you all next year!

HOORAY!  I wanted to give you a heads-up and tell you to make sure you had a potato handy, but on the off chance you knew this thing existed I didn't want to give it away.  And I'm VERY glad it showed up in time for Christmas - ThinkGeek made a point to tell me it would NOT so hooray for them.  And hooray for you - glad you dig it.

I received my final gift from that fine gentleman known as subatoi! It's an incredibly swank t-shirt that nailed my love of cycling. Picture to follow tonight, because I'm wearing it right now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subotai 

I've been out of town since last week and a package arrived while I was gone.  Diva, who I have rarely conversed with despite spending 10 years on the same message boards, stepped up and sent me the Ken Burns' New York series which ran on PBS.  We don't get PBS in Canada, so I have not yet seen it!  Can't wait!

 

Diva, you are the best.  Without any doubt.  The CHUD giftswap never disappoints! See you all next year!

Glad you like it! subotai told me he was really into NYC history and this was the go-to set for that. The series is actually directed by Ric Burns and includes 8-discs of goodness. You can read about the various episodes HERE. There is another package on the way as well.

A very "Back to the Future" holiday gift exchange for me this year! Teledork sent me that awesome Delorean model I posted about a few posts ago. Today I got the second part...the Back To The Future: 25th Anniversary Trilogy on bluray! FUCK YES.

So I went to check the mail in the hopes that the last two packages I was awaiting from Amazon were in (they were!), along with some Netflix discs (score again!), and what else do I find?

ANOTHER Explosions In The Sky album from Schwartz!  You sneaky dog!!!

And subatoi keeps on giving! Received a package yesterday marked #1 of 2! More cycling accoutrement. Will photograph the goods this weekend.

Subatoi, you generous old son of a bitch. Thanks!

Bendrix NAILED it!

First, we have Roger Ebert and his work.  And a Pulitzer Prize winning novel.  Looking forward to spending time with both of those.

And then we have THIS little beauty.....

Very excellent haul.  Thanks Bendrix.  Happy holidays to you, my man....l

Ok, so... just got back from my friend's house where I spent the holiday weekend cooking for about 25 people. Upon my arrival I found on my doorstep two packages from Amazon, addressed to me. Inside was an assortment of some terrific classic soul and rythm and blues cds. No card. No clue as to who sent them. Now in the past I've sent out some unsolicited Christmas cheer to various and sundry Chewers because they were, quite simply, awesome motherfuckers. If this came from one of you, please let me know, in public or private. The mystery is killing me.

Holiday surprises are the best! If no one claims credit, it was from me!! :P

Tom Fuch's gift arrived last Friday. I asked him to send me something that lets me know about who he is. He went above and beyond, and then some! I received a blu-ray of the first movie he and his wife saw as a married couple (The Illusionist), a blu-ray of one of his favorite movies (Scott Pilgram), a blu-ray of one of his favorite shows (Doctor Who Christmas Special), a CD from one of his favorite local artists (Dessa), and a slew of his favorite books (the entire Cult Movies series and Patton Oswalt's Zombie Spaceship Wasteland). There were also some fun gag gifts: a Backstreet Boys notebook, a mini-slinky, Choward's Violet mints (which were first sold on the "street corners" of Manhattan), and a page taken from Angela Lansbury's self-help book, Positive Moves, which states "Sometimes just walking around the block will perk me up, and give me energy to last the rest of the day." Words to live by.

Thanks so much, Tom! You really gave me a glimpse into your life and I am so appreciative.

Dessa? Wow, awesome gift. You from the Twin Cities, Tom?

To give context for teledork's gift, A Visit From the Goon Squad is the best novel I read this year, plus it's very much about rock and roll, which seems to be a passion of teledork's. The Ebert--well, had to relate it to movies somehow. Glad you liked.