Toys of the Year, 2009

With 2009 coming to a close, I figured I’d list some cool toys, gadgets, and similar items that definitely heightened my enjoyment of 2009.  Without further ado, here is the list:

• The Flip Ultra HD: I had given up on camcorders… They were bulky, they only did one thing, they were difficult to move to computerized formats…  Then came the Flip!  With a low enough price point that made the purchase a no-brainer, the Flip may be the purchase of the year (well, its got SOME competition below).  The best way to judge how worthwhile a purchase is, is based on how many people buy them after they see you using it…  And people around me seem to be buying these things like crazy.
• Double Elite Qualifying Miles: Thanks to the GFC (Global Financial Crisis), the airlines doubled elite qualifying miles.  This enabled me to reach a tier I usually wouldn’t hit.  Judging by recent load factors, I’m pretty sure that won’t be happening again.
• Audi A4 w/ Nav: Anyone who says a car is just transportation…  Clearly hasn’t driven an Audi.  I’ve never driven a car that sticks to the road like this.  As a owner of two VW’s previously, the Audi was the logical upgrade.  The electronics included on the new MMI Navigation system are top-notch.  I highly recommend you check one out!
• Celebrity Equinox: I was never into the idea of cruises, but we finally bit and went for a Med cruise on this new ship.  It was one of the trips of a lifetime.  Having not taken other cruises, I don’t have a lot to compare to, but the service on Celebrity was TOP notch.
• MacBook Pro (or any mac): I had tried the Mac switch in 2004, and since then was a quazi Mac hater.  But the new Mac’s are top shelf.  This machine has literally changed the way I work and compute – thus saving me tons of time.  There aren’t any excuses anymore – make the switch!
• Lumber Liquidators: The worst part about redoing floors is the actual work.  But when you’re done, wow.  These floors are spectacular.  And all in all, not for all that bad a price.
• My Blackberry: A mid-summer switch to the MyTouch reinforced the notion that the Blackberry is the ultimate business communicator.  Sure, the iPhone is neat and fun, but for the purposes of business in particular, the Blackberry can’t be beat.
• Nikon D5000: This camera was an impulse purchase for our summer vacation – it was the right choice.  There are some haters out there, but my previous camera was a D200 from the “prosumer” line, and this camera is superior in almost every department except frames per second.  The flip screen is valuable in a pinch, the battery lasts forever, and the weight/size are smaller than my old camera.  I’m really happy with the purchase.
• American Express Personal Savings: It proved the best place to put money this year while the stock market had isolated seizures.
• Google Products: Voice became my telephone portal.  Reader helped me get information in a more reliable fashion.  Analytics tracked everything that was important to me.  Google CANNOT be lived without!
• TemperPedic: Wow.  Memory foam.  We got one of these mattresses last year around this time and I can say, these things are the best.  I dont know nor can I vouch for Bob-o-pedic, but memory foam is the way to go!
• RoadRunnerGPS & Pandora: I got this app for $5.  It tracks my run, calories, time, etc.  Then combined with Pandora, this is all I need to go out and exercise.  And it all works on the Blackberry!