Non-gaming Christmas Scores 2014

[techwizard]

i saw shadow mentioned in the other christmas thread that we can spin-off other topics for non-gaming christmas stuff. this might be the first time in years that i haven't gotten a single gaming related gift for Christmas, but that's fine by me. really happy with what i did get.

the boring stuff first:
[img width=700 height=408]http://i.imgur.com/tFvBZO1.jpg[/img]

$10 Tim Horton's gift card
Imax annual pass
$25 Indigo/Chapters/Coles gift card
[img width=530 height=1024]http://i.imgur.com/D5zFHVX.jpg[/img]

snacks/food items, including a mini pizza pan with stuff to make a pizza:
[img width=700 height=486]http://i.imgur.com/CPlaCaU.jpg[/img]

novelty Star Trek glasses:
[img width=700 height=300]http://i.imgur.com/RQ3uwXO.jpg[/img]

now we're getting to the good stuff:
V for Vendetta graphic novel (not a fan of graphic novels but i've seen the movie so many times this should be good)
Walden or Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau
You Are Here by Chris Hadfield (been eying this one at work)
[img width=700 height=337]http://i.imgur.com/fTe3v7i.jpg[/img]

finally entered the 21st century with an Alcatel Onetouch Pop Icon Android smartphone. never heard of the brand, sounds kind of no-name to me, but the phone seems to work just fine to me and for how little i'll use it, i'm happy with it.
[img width=700 height=939]http://i.imgur.com/cXADLo1.jpg[/img]

now the one i'm most excited about:
iCom VHF Air Band Transceiver IC-A6
[img width=700 height=951]http://i.imgur.com/w6osjdq.jpg[/img]

[ae.tc]

-good stuff,.

[img width=700 height=525]http://oi60.tinypic.com/wvwobn.jpg[/img]

[Cryptid Collector]

[img width=700 height=525]https://31.media.tumblr.com/860bccc6d046a84bc89ba85bd98af7a3/tumblr_nh5fplH5PX1rb6nhto1_1280.jpg[/img]

[Shadow Kisuragi]

Alcatel is a pay-as-you-go prepaid brand. Not terrible - just not a household brand name.

[MaterialHandlerMike]

Jealous of those towels Tech'. Seroiusly, was commenting to people this month, that if I got anything from anyone for Christmas (which I didn't), I would want towels.

[Techie413]

Alcatel has been around for many years, mostly in the telecommunications industry.  I've worked with their equipment for years.  They were very big in the ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode, not the money machine) market, before more robust fiber optic technologies were developed.  This led them to merge with Lucent some years ago.  Big name company, actually.  I wasn't aware that they have jumped into the cellular market.  It may not have all the bells and whistles, but I'm sure it's a quality phone.

[techwizard]

Alcatel has been around for many years, mostly in the telecommunications industry.  I've worked with their equipment for years.  They were very big in the ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode, not the money machine) market, before more robust fiber optic technologies were developed.  This led them to merge with Lucent some years ago.  Big name company, actually.  I wasn't aware that they have jumped into the cellular market.  It may not have all the bells and whistles, but I'm sure it's a quality phone.

glad to hear it!

@shadow, by pay-as-you-go brand does that mean i can't use any contract plans with their phones? or do you just mean they're more focused on pay-as-you-go but still allow plans?

[Techie413]

As much of a gamer as I have been throughout my life, I can't remember receiving a video game from anyone other than fellow collectors for Christmas.  The one exception would be when Santa bought us the Atari 2600 in '82.  At this point, everyone is too concerned that I will already have what they find so I'm happy with whatever else I receive.

I received mostly gift cards, treats, and a brand new vacuum that I asked for, because home owners learn how to bleed the giving season for anything to keep the house standing.

[img width=700 height=631]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a241/EldredgeJ/WP_20141225_18_50_22_Pro_zps90eeda66.jpg[/img]

My brother and our good buddy always aims for NFL stuff, so I got some Broncos goods and Seahawks TP to wipe my ass with. 
The lady, along with my Ducks jersey and Thunder album, also gave me the Manning banner and two more killer vinyls - a Screaming for Vengeance picture LP from Judas Priest and Iron's Maiden's Aces High Special Edition 7" LP.

[Shadow Kisuragi]

@shadow, by pay-as-you-go brand does that mean i can't use any contract plans with their phones? or do you just mean they're more focused on pay-as-you-go but still allow plans?

5.0" screen is pretty large, and it looks like it comes with KitKat (Android 4.4). The SIM card you have is pre-programmed for support from Telus, but you can get a SIM card for other carriers or have it unlocked as well. Their phones are mostly known for prepaid, which yours is setup for, but you can likely get a regular plan as well.

[techwizard]

@shadow, by pay-as-you-go brand does that mean i can't use any contract plans with their phones? or do you just mean they're more focused on pay-as-you-go but still allow plans?

5.0" screen is pretty large, and it looks like it comes with KitKat (Android 4.4). The SIM card you have is pre-programmed for support from Telus, but you can get a SIM card for other carriers or have it unlocked as well. Their phones are mostly known for prepaid, which yours is setup for, but you can likely get a regular plan as well.

cool, thanks for the info! i'm not all that interested in plans really, i've only got a couple people outside of family that i would be talking to on it most of the time so it's not worth it for me to get more than a $10 or $20 prepaid card as i need them. just glad to know i'm not limited if i ever change my mind though