In regards to fly fishing in BC, our northern winters allow us time to take stock of what we have, replenish supplies, re-organize tackle boxes and plan for this year's fishing trips. If you are like me, you took your fishing gear out of your vehicle after your final trip and put it into hiding for next season. Let me tell you, next season is almost here!
If you have your PC case off you will see something on the motherboard that looks like a small thick silver coin. That is the battery. There are other types of battery used on newer machines (Ni-Cad, NVRAM) but these much less frequently found and so I won't discuss them further.
And charging is cobalt mine the best thing about Li-ion batteries there's absolutely no memory effect. And they charge quickly. Battery manufacturers always like to say they've reduced the memory effect, or even 'virtually eliminated' it. But it's never true, you might get away with charging the battery from half full every now and again, but if you keep topping them up then the capacity always goes down. With Li-ion they don't need to reduce the memory effect, there isn't one.
When an iPod battery dies, you can easily purchase an iPod mini battery replacement kit, instead of purchasing an entirely new unit. According to Apple, iPods are designed to last for years to come.
Microsoft is soon to release their latest graphic Lithium battery stocks game version of the Xbox with the all new Project Natal which includes a collection of features that are down-right spooky. Just your regular old voice recognition, and face recognition and a virtual character who can also recognize your emotional state. Mix in some drop dead graphics and amazing (I mean jaw dropping) virtual interaction and if you aren't transported back to planet Klingon then you're long due for a Vulcan Mind-meld.
Now yes, it depends on how you're using it. But the Apple creators say it will play movies solidly for hours for example before the Lithium mines Ontario iPad battery says feed me".
Don't empty the battery completely. Modern safety circuits take care of this, but if you take it to 3% capacity, then leave it like that for three months, it's most probably going to be damaged and lose some of its maximum capacity. If you have to store it for a while, charge it to 60%, and leave it like that in a dry and cold place.
Grooming items are iffy but worth checking out. Shampoo is a decent find as are scrubbies/loofahs. Items like Chapstick and Vaseline can often be found there and my very favorite soap (Yardley oatmeal and almond) is almost always available at the dollar store. Nail files, packages of combs, tooth flossing sticks are of value. Skip the cotton swabs (too flimsy and could be dangerous), make-up (due to lack of regulation), and make-up remover pads (can I just say UGH!?).