Whew!

{Paste obligatory apology for being gone fore so long here}

The busiest part of my year is DONE! I can’t tell you how happy I am. I get to re-introduce myself to the family after some very long days serving the high school football gods. It was a great season for me, but I’m glad it’s over.

In other news, the baby is rolling over and razzing. It’s funny to watch her figure out new sounds. She looks so pleased with herself when something new comes out. The big sister is helping out, too.

I am trying to get back on a healthy eating habit. It’s so hard during football season because time is so short. There is no time to make healthy meals and snacks. I try to be good and eat at the Subway, but there’s only so much of that a guy can take. Jared’s a better man than me I guess. Not only that, finding time to run is not easy. I’ve cut back to running about twice a week, but am planning to amp it back up now that I have my life back. I will post here in my progress with that… it will hopefully keep me motivated.

My brother had his Birthday recently. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO!

Oh, and the new Zune update came out, and it is off the hook! I can now sync wirelessly with my computer. It’s awesome because I record TV shows in my Vista Media Center and they automatically sync to my Zune when I walk in the house. Podcasts also update and sync auotmatically. I am also trying to figure out how to get my ZuneCard posted. It part of the enhanced “Zune Social”. When I get it to work, it will show you what I’ve been listening to.

Until next time!

Big Tech Day Ahead

Tomorrow is a big day in the technology world. Apple has a big press announcement. Many are guessing that they are going to announce the next generation Ipod. We’ll see. I personally don’t care, because as many of you know, I am not an Apple fan. I am excited, however, that Zune has announced a price cut in advance of this latest Apple announcement. You can now get a brand new 30gb Zune for $199.

These are exciting times in the “PMP” wars. The IPhone has everyone’s hopes up that the next gen Ipods will be the same but without phone functionality. Could be, but this would definitely make the Ipods more expensive as Apple already loses $200 per IPhone: a loss subsidized by AT&T (a.k.a:Apple’s Newest Bitch). The problem for Apple is that expensive touchscreen technology that everyone is so “gaa-gaa” over on the Iphone. I personally think it’s fun to look at, but not very functional. I can walk down the street with a Zune in my pocket, change the tune, playlist, volume, and settings without even looking at it. Try doing that with an Ipod. Ever tried scrolling through a playlist on an Ipod? The finger goes ’round and ’round and ’round and ’round and ’round….you get the idea.

I could go on, but I’m tired and ready for bed. Go buy a Zune for $199. You’ll wonder why you ever owned an Ipod. JOIN THE SOCIAL.

Gadgets

A friend of mine, in his blog, has caused me to consider things going on in the world of gadgetry. I really enjoy little bits of technology and would enjoy them a lot more with some more funds to support my little fetish. Three very recent purchases come to mind:

1.) ZUNE : Some of you may be wondering what a Zune is. Perhaps the best description would simply be the “anti-I-Pod”. I tend to gravitate towards things that are a little against the grain which is why my Zune is brown. I’ve had people tell me they love it as well as a few that tell me it’s ugly. Some features that I like: it declares that I’m not an ipod lemming, wireless zune to zune sharing, FM receiver, larger screen than ipod which is great for video, and a sexy interface that is very easy to use and customizable. Right now my background is a picture of my wife and daughter…try doing that on an ipod. They tell me I will soon be able to purchase music wirelessly anywhere there is wi-fi. There is a flash based Zune competitor to the nano that is coming out. Details are a little hush, but I will have my hands on one.

2 .) Nike+: Now, I realize some of you may be ready to call me a hypocrite after all the anti-ipod stuff above, but notice I listed this as a NIKE product. I guess that’s my way of overcoming the fact that I had to buy a nano. I do not use said nano for anything but running in conjunction with my Nike+ shoes. (Sometimes my fingers hurt from touching it. I hide it in a Nike armband, though.) If anyone else had a comparable product, I would have been on board. Basically, this Nike + stuff is a great way to keep track of my running and motivate me to do more. In fact, I just accepted a challenge from a friend of mine in Oklahoma. We’re going to see who can run further in 30 days. A little competition (with a “Steak and Shake” Dinner on the line) will keep us both on the track. By the way, the irony of betting a “fat bombed” dinner on a “running for your health” wager did not escape me.

3.) Wii: It would not be hyperbole to say that this is the greatest game system of ALL TIME. If you are tired of holding game system controllers with 18 buttons, three joysticks, and millions of button combinations, then Wii is the system for you. It’s really fun to be around when someone is playing for the first time because they are so accustomed to how complicated games have gotten, they can’t believe how easy and FUN it is. “How do I play tennis.”…”Just swing like you’re really playing.” …”O.k. but what buttons do I push”…. “No buttons, just hit the ball”….O.K. but how do I make my other player hit the ball…what buttons…”….”No buttons, just swing away!” and on and on it goes. I’ve had my three year old daughter, my wife who has never played a video game in her life, my dad, and my father/mother-in law play. They all loved it. A buddy of mine had his 75-year-old grandmother play. Afterwards she asked him how she could get one. Take a Playstation 3 over to Grandma’s house and see what you get. (If you can afford one.) That’s the magic of Wii. It’s fun for everyone, and that’s what games should be.

I hope I haven’t sounded like too much of a commercial. I promise I don’t get any money from any of these people. I just give them most of my money.