I just found a list that summarizes everything I possibly wanted circa 1997.

• U2 CDs
• 64 megs of memory
• Awe 64 Sound card or USB speakers
• Mark 6 alto saxophone
• Stereo:
  • Radio turner and mixer
  • CD Changer
  • Turntable with stereo output
  • Double tape deck
• Books: anything by Isaac Asimov
• Cool mousepad
• Flatbed color scanner
• 3D video card
• Computer games
  • Quake II
  • Starcraft
  • Command and Conquer II: Red Alert
• Fast CD-ROM with digital support
• Cool speakers for Dolby 4-channel surround sound
• Big Monitor
• Caller ID
• USB Port

By the metric of this list, I’ve achieved almost 100% success. It’s remarkable how the material things we want can change so much over the years, and how material things in and of themselves can become so much less important. I wonder if I made a list now, how would I look at it in five years?