Sergey Brin's birthday is coming up.  What should I get him?

In the past he has gotten me a shoot the moon game, and a pogo stick
(still not sure what to do with it).

I would like to spend somewhere from $50-$200.

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Request for Question Clarification by alienintelligence-ga on 22 Aug 2002 04:33 PDT

Hi alans... 

If he doesn't have something like this
already... considering how active he is,
[ http://www.fitsense.com/shop.asp ]
I think he'd love a gadget like that.
I'd be happy if someone bought that 
for me. My b-day isn't near, but I 
won't hold that against them ;-)

Or this one:
[ http://www.heartmind.net/polar/s210.htm ]
They have higher models of course, but
you stated $200 limit.

Good idea? I'll still take one even if you
don't think he'd like it, hehe

-AI

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Clarification of Question by alans-ga on 22 Aug 2002 08:41 PDT

Good ideas... I am not sure sergey needs a heart rate monitor / etc.
since his sport of choice seems to be acrobatics right now..  I don't
think he runs, does he?

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Clarification of Question by alans-ga on 22 Aug 2002 08:43 PDT

Hmm.. I happen to have a few brand new weather stations lying around
the office :-)  I like the sound bug idea, that seems pretty neat.

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Request for Question Clarification by lisarea-ga on 23 Aug 2002 13:37 PDT

OK. A gadget is probably not ideal. Odds are, he's pretty familiar
with what's available, and already has the ones he's interested in.

I think the trick is locating something that he doesn't know about
yet, and maybe providing a little variety, as in a couple of items
along the same theme. (It sort of adds a little creative touch without
actually requiring you to make something out of papier mache.)

How would you feel about suggestions for movies, like a few different
DVDs, all with some theme in common, but obscure enough that he
probably doesn't have them yet?

From what I know of Sergey Brin (and all I know is what I read on the
Web,) I bet he would be delighted to own a Klein Stein:

http://www.kleinbottle.com/drinking_mug_klein_bottle.htm

This is an actual, useable topological oddity into which one may pour
the beverage of one's choice. I would be pleased as punch if some kind
person got me one of these for my birthday. Hint, hint. ;)

A book of poems by Boris Pasternak...to soothe the soul in old age.

Based on my careful analysis of his personality, overshadowed by my
aggravating tendency to project my own interests onto everybody else,
any of these would be excellent choices:

An atomic wristwatch:
http://store.yahoo.com/radiowatches/twinwavcepca.html

A weather station:
http://www.oregonscientificstore.com/product.asp?itmky=267986

A couple speaker bugs:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/computing/5a15.shtml

Custom-designed shoes:
http://www.customatix.com

Oh Alans - I have the perfect gift!  

A $100 Massage Mat massage mat from Red Envelope:

"Who wouldn't love a full-body massage at the flick of a switch? Ten
powerful motors massage the entire body, with or without heat. Five
massage techniques—steady, cycling, tapping, side-to-side or
circular—can be set to low, medium or high massage intensity for
optimal relief of deep muscle aches or light fatigue. Options are
controlled easily by an LED-illuminated touch pad. Folds down for easy
storage or travel. Red gift box not available. A RedEnvelope
exclusive."

http://www.redenvelope.com/re/gifts/product_display/product_information.jsp?nc=117553&BV_SessionID=@@@@1508154597.1030134931@@@@&BV_EngineID=dcadcfcddhdklbeecfecfecmg.0&bct2=recipient&bcp2=1&bcm2=1$$-8070&bct4=for%20him&bcp4=3&bcm4=1$$-8072&bct5=personal%20care&bcp5=4&bcm5=1$$-8100@@2$$0&refPg=%2fproduct_display%2fgift_results.jsp&oid=11946

Google search strategy: "unique gifts"

tlspiegel-ga

p.s.  Moi b'day is coming up in less than a month... I want this!  Do
you think
Sergey would share?  ;)