# Offbeat things you really want **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 29, 2014, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464 "2014-12-29T19:38:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/21 "2014-12-30T03:43:59Z")
I want to row my own raft through the Grand Canyon. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/22 "2014-12-30T03:44:44Z")
A Cutlass, because I have a really nice pirate hat and it seems silly to wear it without a good sword. A Mini-excavator, because it will make the yard work much easier. A Bermuda Sloop, because once I have the hat and the sword I oughta get the boat to go with it. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/23 "2014-12-30T04:51:46Z")
> [@scootergirl](#): > > - I’ve never been on a sail boat. I want to go sailing. > - To SCUBA (I’m certified) during the Whale Shark migration in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. > - Flight lessons. > - The opportunity to either be the driver or passenger on a racetrack and experience the feeling of real speed. > > So, as you can see, I don’t want material things, I want experiences. If you like stock cars, you can ride in one at Bristol Motor Speedway in TN. I can’t remember the dates but you could check. Like **elbows** and **Octarine** , I’d want unlimited time in the museums. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/24 "2014-12-30T05:15:24Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > _shooting_ such a rifle wouldn’t be much different than firing any other rifle. _Loading_ and _priming_ it, on the other hand… I’ve never shot a rifle of any kind. It’d all be new. Having seen slow-motion video of one of those puppies firing, though, I’ve got to imagine that the frizzen lighting the powder gives a somewhat different experience than a modern gun… ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/25 "2014-12-30T05:46:25Z")
A pair of Irish Wolfhounds, and of course, a big enough yard for them to run around in. One of those folding slides that can go over your staircase. [Like this.](http://odditymall.com/sliderrider-turns-your-stairs-into-a-slide) Pretty much everything at “thinkgeek,” but especially the full set of [pathogen plushies.](http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/6708/?srp=2) A harp. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/26 "2014-12-30T05:55:44Z")
I’m not very good at taking pictures but I have a craving for a [Leica M3](http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/m3.htm). ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/27 "2014-12-30T06:08:40Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > I’ve never shot a rifle of any kind. It’d all be new. Having seen slow-motion video of one of those puppies firing, though, I’ve got to imagine that the frizzen lighting the powder gives a somewhat different experience than a modern gun… I shot my first rifle this year. My son’s Mosin-Nagant. There’s even a pic of me on MPSIMS Portrait Gallery doing so - page 20, I believe. It’s not a good pic - I wasn’t really standing or holding it like that at the moment that I actually shot it. The rifle is too heavy for me, but it was still a hell of a lot of fun shooting it. I plan on buying a hand gun this year. Not sure what kind yet. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/28 "2014-12-30T06:16:32Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > 1. A lesson and shooting practice with a muzzle-loading flintlock rifle When are you going to be in Houston next? Cause I can do that for you. They are FUN! I’ll show you how to sharpen the flint and talk your ear off about making powder…corned powder is much safer than hand mixed powder, so we will corn it before we shoot. Like others, I also want to have a zero g experience. I was once in a fighter plane and the we went zero g, but I was strapped in. Maybe I should jump out of a plane, but I’m a weenie. ---
**Author:** ![Dickerman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@Dickerman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dickerman)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/29 "2014-12-30T09:34:32Z")
I want a monocle. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/30 "2014-12-30T13:31:38Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > When are you going to be in Houston next? Cause I can do that for you. They are FUN! I’ll show you how to sharpen the flint and talk your ear off about making powder…corned powder is much safer than hand mixed powder, so we will corn it before we shoot. Houston? Likely never, but if I am, I will definitely look you up. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/31 "2014-12-30T14:26:13Z")
A neanderthal hand axe, flint blade, or anything of that sort. I mean, a tool crafted by a non-human species! Something about this strikes me as just incredibly cool. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/32 "2014-12-30T15:09:21Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > _shooting_ such a rifle wouldn’t be much different than firing any other rifle. _Loading_ and _priming_ it, on the other hand… And cleaning ------- Depending on how close the OP is to PA/Ohio though, I could help him/her cross that one off the list easily and maybe get them thrown into a F&I battle packing one as well. I think I mentioned this in another Christmas thread but right now I’m seriously hot and bothered to find a mini-bike I remember. It was your standard 3hp type but chopped and sold commercially as a “Rat Fink” model. I forget if Big Daddy Rat was actually involved with the company or not but the image is burned in my brain and now, after not really thinking about it for 40some years, I really want one. I’ll probably call a friend after the holidays and get him searching. ---
**Author:** ![howye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@howye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/howye)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/33 "2014-12-30T15:24:13Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > They will be more possible if we can manage to move to the Pacific Northwest this summer than they are now, while we live in Buttcrack, Illinois. My husband is investigating the yurt situation out there already. He came up with a platform tent campground last night. No dice, buddy. This Girl Scout done slept in plenty of platform tents already. There is this place in Illinois: [http://www.camprentalchannel.com/rentalcamps/Camp-Manitowa-1100.html](http://www.camprentalchannel.com/rentalcamps/Camp-Manitowa-1100.html). Can’t vouch for its quality, but several Ohio state parks offer yurts. They can be reserved online. For myself, flying lessons and the use of an aircraft. I don’t want to own it, let somebody else handle all of the hassle. A good quality dslr with a reasonable set of accessories. Or even better, a darkroom and all of the actual supplies for it, plus a good medium format film camera. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/34 "2014-12-30T15:32:40Z")
> [@Octarine](#): > > Paragliding would also be incredible. Introductory paragliding lessons don’t cost much, and short flights down training slopes are a lot of fun. They’re crazy easy to fly- the hard part is inflating them and getting them overhead. But learning that is part of the fun. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/35 "2014-12-30T15:37:53Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > They have indoor skydiving in nearby Nashua, NH. I don’t know what you consider a lot of money but you can do it for as little as $55 for 2 minutes or $95 for 4 minutes. Four minutes sounds like plenty of time and is still pretty affordable if you only do it once. > > [http://www.skyventurenh.com/skyventure\_nh.php](http://www.skyventurenh.com/skyventure_nh.php) I know, which is why I brought it up. But to me $55 for 2 minutes or $95 for four minutes is a lot for a really short time. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/36 "2014-12-30T16:40:00Z")
An E-flat contrabass clarinet. A Selmer Paris one, preferably. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/37 "2014-12-30T16:43:02Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > They will be more possible if we can manage to move to the Pacific Northwest this summer than they are now, while we live in Buttcrack, Illinois. My husband is investigating the yurt situation out there already. He came up with a platform tent campground last night. No dice, buddy. This Girl Scout done slept in plenty of platform tents already. Don’t know how far Buttcrack, Illinois is from central Ohio, but… [Yurts](https://thewilds.columbuszoo.org/home/visit/places-to-stay) and wild animals! Luxury yurts, at that. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/38 "2014-12-30T16:57:00Z")
To the OP, there are several [Washington State Parks with Yurts](http://www.parks.wa.gov/424/Yurts). If you do move, renting one is trivial. The things that I want are things that I probably could get for myself, but haven’t (due to other stuff getting in the way). - A full course of paragliding lessons (and the equipment so that when I’m done with lessons, I can go paragliding on my own.) - Horseback tour in Mongolia - Sailing lessons ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/39 "2014-12-30T17:05:41Z")
A ride-along in an F-15 fighter Take a year off work and sail around the world A couture gown designed for me Play piano onstage at Carnegie Hall (no audience to suffer through it, just me tinkling the ivories on the stage) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offbeat-things-you-really-want/708464/40 "2014-12-30T17:55:18Z")
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