The Nerdening

2010-07-10T12:07:00.000-05:00

Well, I haven't posted in a while so I figured I'd show you all my glasses, these are my Nike Frames. Model 7024, color 068 Marble Black. They are light and comfortable. The only downside is the ear pieces, they don't have the flex hinges. I've broken them once so far, but they were fixed under warranty. Check 'em out, they're nice.

Few Randoms

2010-03-22T10:36:00.002-05:00

First off, if you haven't done your taxes yet, check out taxact.com, it's quick easy, federal is free and state is something like $20, worked for me, had my refund checks in less than a week.

Secondly, it was a sad day when my U2 special edition iPod died, I had a ton of good music on there that I have to go and rip the CD's on to my new computer since it only transferred my purchased on iTunes songs. BUT, I did get myself the new iPod Nano, the 16 GB, it's sleek, nice, so small and light, you don't know it's there sometimes. For the most part it's just an iPod, but the size is so nice, slips in the pocket nicely, not bulky, just awesome, and it's got an FM tuner, so I can listen to radio if I feel that urge (hopefully the Brewers will get some FM spots because it doesn't get AM radio)

I also got a new bike lately, part of the Tax Refund thing. It's a Diamondback, hybrid road/trail bike, so new I haven't even gotten it outside yet, but I can't wait.

And the last thing, I got a new ball glove, I can't wait to get out and throw a baseball around while the grill is cooking up some brats, Brewers game on the radio, Spring is here people, get out and ENJOY!!

I have a new phone!!!

2010-01-21T19:09:00.000-06:00

Ok, well, I am now the proud owner of the Blackberry Curve 8530 (in black). This phone is quite nice, does all I need it to do and more. The screen is nice and bright, the full keyboard kicks ass, I'm also now the user of the Sprint Network, so far so good, only problem is that if I'm in a low coverage area (i.e. my breakroom at work) I switch from US Central timezone to Mexico City timezone and go roaming...I'm in Madison, WI, nowhere near Mexico.

But apps are fun, loving ESPN and Brewers, Weather Channel is coming in handy. Also comes with some games, Soduku is a favorite pastime for me, Texas Holdem is fun. I guess, all I can say is if yo are on a network that supports this phone...GET IT!

Western Digital - My Passport Essential 500GB External USB 2.0 Hard Drive

2010-01-02T13:46:00.003-06:00

I decided recently that I needed more storage for my laptop here. Mostly just because I have a lot of music and transporting it is quite nice. My iPod died recently (so if anybody has one they want to get rid of on the cheap let me know) and sadly, a 500 GB external hard drive is a shit ton cheaper than a new iPod.

I'd have to say that this is one of the easiest things to figure out that I've ever plugged in to my computer. Easy set up, has built in security and a simple sync, just like plugging in a memory card or USB drive. And the price was right, at right around $100.

Only two things about this drive I don't like. The USB cable is quite short, and what, 12 inches long maybe at best, and the plug on the drive itself is not the standard mini USB, if it were I could use one of the several other cords I have from of one the several thousand devices that I have that use a mini USB...like my phone, and the PSP, and my Camera.

All in all, I say buy it if you need storage, Western Digital is a good name in the hard drive market. This gets 4 out of 5 stars from me, only because of the short cord and it not being a mini USB plug in.

Windows 7

2009-11-13T20:21:00.001-06:00

Installed last night and played with all day today. I'm liking it a lot so far. Few drivers I had to hunt down online, and one I'm still searching for, but not too hard, nothing necessary, just luxury. Windows 7 is quite easy to use, and has a ton less garbage than Vista had, I'm more than happy with my purchase. The ability to pin certain things to the task bar is fun, the little box in the bottom right corner with all the crap on previous versions of Windows is gone, you can personalize it, so for me all I have is battery meter, wireless signal strength and volume, and nothing else, it's awesome. The new media center is ok, that's the one thing I prefer from Vista, the tweaks are nice but it seems too bare bones. Oh well, for me, I've used Mac OSX, Vista, XP and now 7 and I'd say this is a tad better than XP, Vista falls on the bottom of the pile with a Mac OS close to the bottom but it's hard to be worse than Vista. I'll update more as I learn more.

Weezer: Raditude

2009-11-09T09:50:00.001-06:00

Once again Weezer is back with a new album that pretty much rocks.

No two Weez fans are quite the same, each and every one has their favorite song or favorite album, weather it be the Blue Album or Pinkerton, it's still Weezer.

I'm gonna classify this one to be a bit more like the Green Album/Maladroit in style and pep, it's just a fun disc to pop in and get down with. Good riffs, solid lyrics, and quality vocals all around.

I wish I wasn't so tired right now, I'd go through track by track for you, but I've put in a few solid listen throughs and I'm liking it all, I picked up the "Delux" edition for a few extra bucks at Target, it's got four extra tracks. This might be the one down fall, the CD is only ten tracks long, in this guy's opinion, those four tracks should be on the album, and the bonus disc should be just that, a bonus disc, maybe something you can plug in to the computer and see some videos or play some crazy flash games. Maybe some exclusive pictures, or fun desktops or icons.

All in all this is a good pick up, if you're a die hard Weezer fan the four extra tracks are pretty alright, I like them, but I still feel that they should just be part of the album, or as a bonus they should just be put onto the original disc and some plastic discs could have been saved.

Kongregate.com

2009-10-19T14:22:00.003-05:00

There are many Flash game websites out there. However, there are very few which come with a large competitive community. Kongregate.com pulls all the best Flash games from all of your favorite developers, as well as giving unknown developers a chance to make it big. Kongregate keeps it's users intrigued by it's use of achievements, badges and chances to win other prizes. All you have to do is play a game, get a certain score or pass a difficult level. Each achievement gives you experience points which add to your level. The higher your level, the more bragging rights you have. You could also win cards which you can use in Kongregate's own flash card game, Kongai.

If you're one of those people who like to play Flash games in your spare time, why not earn points, gain levels and maybe win an XBox 360 or other cool prizes.

So So Radio

2009-09-01T12:45:00.004-05:00

On Friday night I had the pleasure of heading to a local venue called Area 51 and got to watch some of my good friends put on a stellar show. The band is called So So Radio, I've known Ryan for a long long time and Sam for a while as well. I've never heard a bad song written by these guys, always catchy and different from what you're going to hear on the radio.

You can hear a couple of songs on their myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/sosoradiolive) but in all honesty, the energy these guys put out on a stage is way more impressive than anything you can hear on a website or disc...Speaking of Disc's, if you do get the opportunity to see these guys live, the disc is free at the shows, I'm guessing while supplies last.

So this is just a shout out to the band, and anybody out there that enjoys good music. Visit So So Radio on the web, listen to the music, love the music, and book these guys to play your next big party or event. Tell your favorite club or bar about these guys, get them in, you wont be disapointed.

The Tick

2009-08-24T12:48:00.003-05:00

Far and away the best TV series that didn't make it. I remember seeing this on TV back in '01 and loving it, but all of a sudden it was gone, and I was sad...then I found the DVD. You can watch all 9 or so episodes over and over again.

The Tick, perfectly portrayed by Patrick Warburton (Puddy from Seinfeld fame) is non stop funny, and then there's my favorite Bat Manuel. I say just pick it up, new on Amazon for about $20.

TweetDeck

2009-08-24T10:17:00.004-05:00

For all the Twitter users/fans out there. This is a great install available for Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Linux. You can just keep it open on your desktop, it updates automatically. You can also set it up to show Facebook updates as well as post new updates to your Facebook profile.

You can also translate, upload pictures, shorten URL's it's just a pretty amazing download. Pick it up at TweetDeck.com.

Speaking of Twitter, you can follow me personally at SuperJoe79, or the website as at TheNerdening.

Edit: The more I play with this program the more I like it, I'm pretty sure it's a new staple item on my desktop.

Bad Magick: The Best of Shooter Jennings and the 357's

2009-08-20T13:05:00.003-05:00

Now, I'm not a huge country music fan, but I had heard and read good things about Shooter Jennings, the son of the late Waylon Jennings.

Well, first I hit iTunes and downloaded the highest rated song, "4th of July." It was good, so what did I do? Headed to the Exclusive Co. and found this gem. It's a greatest hits compilation, but from my understanding they've only put out two studio albums and a live set. But either way, it's worth the eleven bucks I threw down. Some of the songs are straight country, most are a good southern rock, there's a few live tracks and an amazing cover of "Walk of Life."

The Songs tell some good stories of time on the road, time in jail, listening to his dad and Johnny Cash, some guest apperances by George Jones (4th of July), The Oadridge Boys (Slow Train), and Doug "The Ragin' Cajun" Kershaw (This Ol Wheel).

My top tracks would probably have to be, in track order: 4th of July, Southern Comfort, Walk of Life, and Busted in Baylor County. But I'd recomend the entire album.

Rancid: Let The Dominoes Fall

2009-08-19T23:15:00.002-05:00

A little late I know, but here it is...

This album is fucking great. It's Rancid the way you remember them. It's like 1993 all over again, the sound that revived the punk scene in the mid nineties is back in Rancid's newest album Let The Dominoes Fall.

From the first track "East Bay Night" to the acoustic "Civilian Ways" to Matt Freeman's vocals on "L.A. River" this whole album kicks ass, there's no hit or miss tracks. Solid effort from front to back.

Go out and buy this album, it's worth the money.

First Post!

2009-04-27T23:20:00.000-05:00

I wonder how this thing works! :D