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Geeky Valentine Gifts?
WouldUBMine asks: "My valentine is fairly geeky and instead of boring roses or some other generic gift, I am looking for something that may be a little cooler or at least interesting. The only site I know of that targets geeks is www.thinkgeek.com and they don't stock any valentine-specific products. Does anyone have any good ideas?" Valentine's Day tends to be just another day for me (and I'm sure a few of you are in the same boat). For those of you who still take part, what places, both on and offline, have gifts that communicate those special feelings for your favorite Geek, in just the right way?
If your valentine is a woman, try the
orgasm device.
You will have more time for all-night coding sessions.
If you are worrried about the device substituting you, you could add some crypto so that it only runs under the proper authorization.
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Men with no respect for life must never be allowed to control the ultimate instruments of death.
GW Bu
you mean spent alone with a case of good beer, wallowing in self-pity and tomorrow morning's hangover
No one can understand the truth until he drinks of coffee's frothy goodness.
--Sheikh Abd-Al-Kadir, 1587
How about jewellery made from computer parts? Years ago a boyfriend gave me a burned-out simm which I made into a hairclip (you can buy the hairclip-backs in any fabric/crafts shop, then add some strong plastic fishing twine and glue, and you're set). This was my favorite hairclip for years, until I cut all my hair off and can't use it any more. Earrings shouldn't be hard to make either - again, the earring bits are available in any craft store. And you made it yourself! Big bonus points.
Does she need any hardware? I got a modem once from a boyfriend for Christmas ... that was another good present. OK, not so romantic in and of itself, but send her lots of loving emails over it and it could be...
One geeky thing I did once was put up a custom web page with a single red rose (animated gif, slowly rotated) and picture of a candle on a wooden crate, with romantic message and invitation to dinner that night (which I cooked) ... went over really well.
(Now if only I could find a nice geeky guy who'd appreciate all that effort! :p The best Valentine's Day I've spent to date was the one I spent in the university computer lab learning web page design.) [sulks]
Whatever you decide on I'm sure it'll be fine. But think about making some part of it yourself - even if it's just a web page - it really shows you took the effort and it means so much more!
... Pentapod
All I ask is a warm bed, a kind word, and UNLIMITED POWER
I know this may sound a tad wierd, but how about dedicating your entire day to your s.o.? When my girlfriend and I want to celebrate something, or even just feel close, we will take a day off work/school and do things we both enjoy.
If you live near Washington, D.C., how about visiting the Smithsonian museums? Or any museums in your area? Here in Tallahassee, FL, geeks (and normals) can go on tours of the National High Magnetic Field Lab (full of cool geeky equipment!) Or perhaps even just going to a book store and letting him/her run free to choose any book on any topic, without a budget? And while he/she is looking, how about picking up some sort of game book (like card games, or the like)? It's a great way to kill a day!
I often find that just spending time is often the best gift, and that the material posessions gained along the way are just icing on the cake.
The New Wazoo
("...yes sir, I am 17 years old.")
And your SO is geeky enough to accept and appreciate it...
Make an electronic heart - get a piece of perfboard, a bunch of red LEDs (and other assorted electronic parts - bias resistors, etc) - and wire up a electronic heart.
Use red-flashing LEDs for a trippy effect (might be expensive, but so is a diamond ring). If you are really good set it up to make a rotating pattern with the LEDs (like a marquee). If you want to try something even better, get a 16x1 HD44780 based LCD, a PIC stamp - have the PIC drive everything, put the LCD in the center, and put a scrolling message ("I Love You!" or similar) on it. Or put a picture of you in the middle of it...
One thing I did for Valentines day - because my GF isn't as geeky - was I built an automaton - a box with wheels and belts, pulleys, etc - and waving hearts on the top - powered by a little motor. I made it so you could remove the panels - it was all built out of balsa wood, painted - the whole thing - took about a month to construct and tune. She loves it to this very day (that was a few years back).
Really - anything you take time on, given with your heart - is what you want to give. Something that really says "I love you" - it could be as simple as a card you made - or a piece of jewelry, or a romantic evening out. Take the time and thought - and you will have a day to remember...
Worldcom - Generation Duh!
Reason is the Path to God - Anon
Valentine's Day tends to be just another day for me
:)
Where I come from, it's called bitter singles day. It's usually best spent at home, alone, wallowing in self pity and the anguish of your loneliness.
Have a good one!