The tree went up today. There’s added excitement with OIiver and his two-year old outlook on life. And I’m a big kid anyway, so I’m all for it. Lea and I put it all together and O did his best to disrupt the process. Along the way, I got to hang my favorite ornaments, which is what this post is all about. My favorite 5.

I’m a sucker for Elvis. Especially any gospel music by Mr. Presley. BUT, when it comes to Christmas music, give me some Blue Christmas by Elvis. So good. This ornament is a new edition this year. Courtesy of Garden Ridge. Yep, I went there.

Elvis Presley, Blue Christmas

Did you know I like planes? Well I do. Especially vintage one’s that Pan Am might have used. I look at this ornament and think about taking a trip to Calcutta. Why not? This was a gift a couple of years ago from my friends Barry and Vic – Pottery Barn – classic, classic present.

Let me on this flight!

I only have one robot ornament. But it’s my #1 choice. You can’t go wrong with Star Wars over Christmas (in fact, Oliver and I watch the original trilogy every year during this time). But I know the tree is in good hands with R2 in it. I’m sure it’s why all the bulbs work. He can fix anything. Lea bought me this from Target this year.

R2-D2 Beep Beep Beep

If you didn’t know, I also like to take photographs. This ornament is a reminder of that, and another recent purchase from Target. I also like to pretend it’s a Leica Camera…because maybe a real one will end up under the tree?

Not a real Leica

Hard not to think about Sir Stirling Moss driving the wheels off this thing. Another wonderful gift from Barry and Vic – this has front and center status in our tree. Now if Sir Stirling would only stop by for Christmas Dinner. He could meet Oliver Sterling…and get to taste my trifle.

Come for dinner Sir Stirling Moss!

Those are my favorite ornaments. Here are a few I would like to add for 2012 -

- Fab 5 Freddy
- Ernest Hemingway
- Salvador Dali
- Something Lego related
- A RobotoWear ornament
- Old Gregg from The Mighty Boosh
- A Citroen D

What are some of your favorite ornaments?

I’ve also got some style, if I do say so myself. So this post is a listing of gifts I’ve received, gifts I would love to receive, or items you should buy for yourself or brother or dad or yo man. They just need to be a little hip-geek.

You need a good casual winter coat. My wife already gave me this gift for my birthday this year. Think North Face but cooler. If it got Luke Skywalker through a cold night, I’m pretty sure this will get me from my house, to my car, and through the checkout line at Fresh Market. Easily holds your new iPhone 4S, a Cliff Bar, your VW keys and potentially a light saber.

Jacket purchased, image stolen from Adidas.com

I love watches. And unfortunately I can’t afford my dream watch – Tag Heuer Monaco (unless I have a rich Uncle reading this), so an alternative is Tokyo Flash. I own one of their watches, aptly named the Pimp watch. Check out their site – you too can cling onto youth, like I’m apparently doing. And the prices are great.

Steve McQueen sporting the Tag Heuer Monaco

My Tokyo Flash Pimp Watch

If you adore Hip Hop and you know I do, invest in some good headphones. I got a pair of Beats by Dr.Dre last Christmas and they have honestly enhanced my life. Hip Hop has never sounded better, but so has everything else. So whether you’re listening to Lupe Fiasco’s The Show Goes On, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue or Cars Hiss By My Window by The Doors – you’ll find a deeper connection to your music library. Probably doesn’t work with Garth Brooks though. Or at least, they better not.

White Beats by Dr Dre

Every man should roll with a money clip, cigar case, flask, sturdy glasses case and a handkerchief. Go with simplicity – silver, brown or black. And get ready to spread the gospel on this. I feel very strongly about all of these and every man should. I’ve run with this Tiffany and Co. money clip now for a good five years. I’m still working on some of the other items.

Classically simple

Embrace an author. Everyone should have their go-to author. Someone they can turn to for inspiration, or a book to reread during tough times, or a quote that applies to your path in your life. Interestingly, I’ve turned to a lot of authors that are destructive, petulant, selfish, addicts, depressed and fiercely independent. Who knew. Anyway, go buy a bunch of Hemingway books for your dad, boyfriend or little sister.

Writing away

Invest in a camera. My dream camera? Check out this Leica:

The beautiful Leica M9

But you can still take great photos with anything. Buy yourself a camera. Carry it with you at all times. Put the viewfinder to your eye and frame your perspective. Click the button. You just created a moment in life. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Toys aren’t just for kids. In fact, I have tons that I won’t let my son play with. Go visit Mass Ave Toys and splurge. Seriously, stay in one night and abstain from drinking (3) drinks at The Libertine. That will easily get you some cool robots, Ugly Dolls, or a slinky. You’ll probably also avoid a hangover too – so you’re welcome.

Speaking of toys – LEGO. Pick your favorite collection and build it. The obvious recommendation is the Architecture Series, but you can also build your Star Wars Empire, go all Hufflepuff with the Harry Potter Collection or the laughable Pirates of Caribbean. Seriously, I will laugh at you if you buy a LEGO Jack Sparrow. Don’t be an idiot.

Yavin 4's Massassi Temple

Of course I’m going to plug RobotoWear. It’s our local clothing company, inspired by Robots and totally geek hip. I plan on owning the entire collection. And you should own at least one piece. Sure, your closet is packed with Lacoste and Nautica polos, but wouldn’t a Robot polo be cooler? I rest my case. And honestly you have enough disposable income. Just buy something. “The 22-hour polo. Wear it 14 hours at your startup, then head out for 8 hours of sushi, cigars and late night texting.”

The Standard: For Men

Sunglasses. Own a lot of them. Mix them up according to your mood, style, occasion, or weather. Own a pair of aviators and then go crazy. I like sunglasses because when I run errands I can match them with a hoodie and headphones. I’m guaranteed to not run into or talk to anyone.

And finally. No birthday would be complete without a good dessert. And I am a god damn expert on desserts. Acceptable birthday sweets are Carrot Cake, Coconut or Banana Cream Pie, Raspberry Napoleon Cake, something with Marzipan and in very rare cases, a Cannoli shipped from southern Italy. Don’t buy the horribly processed cake from a supermarket. It may look good, but so do a lot of things in the right light. You know what I’m talking about.

Carrot Cake I made

Thanks for reading. I’m off to rework my birthday list.

Since my first flight (even the one to Newark), I’ve been fascinated by and in awe of flying. I still get apprehensive during take off and landings. I always look up at the sky to identify passing planes. I love the history and panache of Pan Am. I keep up with airline industry. My first “May I present to you…” series was about Harriet Baskas, a wonderful writer about….airports, travel and more. And when I do fly, I spend a lot of the time, looking out the window, 6 miles in the air, zooming at 500 miles per hour.

Looking out the window...

I enjoy the alone time on a flight. I always get a window seat. I listen to music, play video games on my PSP, work and read. But I always have one eye on the window, and my camera handy. It’s amazing what the world looks like at 30,000 feet.

I love my blues

I’ve taken hundreds of these shots. And of course I upload them to Flickr, including contributing to a couple of really cool groups. From the Airplane Window and Window seat please, both include shots from above, from travelers all over the world. It’s amazing what people capture just from an airplane window. It reminds me I have a lot more to see in this world.

In my career, I’ve worked a lot with video, web development and online strategies, but I always find myself coming back to the still image and most of the time, Flickr. Maybe I’m old school or I like the simplicity of a single framed shot. In the case of sitting on a plane, I guess I want to make sure I’m not going to forget a unique experience.

Chunks of ice below

I’ve been slightly inactive on Flickr recently because of the new job, bad weather and lack of travel. In the next month or two, I hope to become more active on Flickr, including some new projects. You’ll still get my standard window shots, views from my hotel room, clouds, and all the other predictable pics I capture. But, I am working on some new things, including video. So stay tuned.

By the way, if you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them.