TJ Falls

Go grab the robot boxing classic online or in your local video store!

Amazon: Real Steel (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Streaming: Amazon Instant Video: Real Steel

Real Steel is now out in theaters and IMAX.  Go see it!

Updated the blog engine from WordPress 2.8.7 to the current 3.2.1!

Been wanting to update for a while – just no time.  Now I get to see what’s been broken in the theme by updating!  So far, everything looks OK.

Will have to play with the theme and see where things go.  I’d like to update to an HTML5 / CSS3 theme – whether or not I have time to make my own will remain to be seen…

Milestones: Izzy has learned the art of apologizing and how to be a sweet little girl…well, for the better part. Overall, TJ and I are very impressed with how respectful she is and when she is sorry and understanding what she has done. Thanks to Bright Horizon and their programs.We still have to conquer many more in the next year.

Stages: The terrible twos are HELL! Her tantrums are growing by the day and she’s learning how to use my lack of patience against me. Kids are smart. Don’t underestimate how intelligent they are because they’ll kick your ass!

Resolutions: I always make short lived resolutions that I never follow through on. This year, I’m gonna commit myself to being a better mother & wife. This is a good resolution, right?! Oh, I’m also going to try and drink less and work on being PATIENT. You hear that, TJ. You take in the worse of my temper and you’re still here. I guess I’m the lucky one in this marriage.

Hitos: Isa ha aprendido el arte de pedir perdón y cómo ser una niña dulce … bueno, por la mejor parte. En general, TJ y yo estamos muy impresionados con lo que es respetuosa y cuando ella lo siente y la comprensión de lo que ha hecho. Gracias a Bright Horizon y sus programas. Todavía tenemos que conquistar muchos más hitos en el próximo año.

Etapas: los terribles dos son un infierno! Sus rabietas son cada vez más por el día y está aprendiendo a utilizar mi falta de paciencia en mi contra. Los niños son inteligentes. No subestime lo inteligentes que son, porque les van a patear en colita!

Resoluciones: siempre hago las resoluciones de corta duración que nunca sigo hasta el final. Este año, voy a comprometerme a ser una mejor madre y esposa. Esta es una buena resolución, ¿no?! Oh, yo también voy a tratar de beber menos y trabajar en ser paciente. ¿Has oído eso, TJ. Se toma en el peor de mi carácter y sigues aquí. Creo que soy la afortunado en este matrimonio.

As a follow up to my search for a Router and RAM, I have made my decisions!

For RAM, I purchased Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5 4GB XMS2 PC2-6400 800Mhz Dual Channel DDR2.  I installed it yesterday and now have 4 beautiful gigs running in my system.  Using the Windows 7 Performance Meter, my grade for RAM has improved from a 5.4 to a 7.1 (7.9 max).  I’ve now have 2 DIMMS of 1 gig DDR2 RAM that I can always through in there to up the RAM to 6 gigs if I want.  I think I’ll play with what I have in there for now and try overclocking it a bit before experimenting with adding the extra 2 gigs back in.  It’s better to keep just the 2 DIMMS used instead of all 4.

For the router, I decided on the Netgear Rangemax WNDR3700 Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (Black).  This router has been getting some surprisingly good reviews (for a router).  I’m excited to try it out.   Naturally I ordered it from Amazon just as it became temporarily out of stock.  I’m received an email stating that I should expect to receive it Thursday or Friday of next week.  That’s good as Amazon has updated their site to state if you order the router now, it’s expected to ship in 1 to 2 MONTHS!

I just received notice the router has shipped today!  Amazon states I should have it by Tuesday, however the tracking number they gave me shows it could be here as early as Monday.  I can’t wait!

I’ve just received my copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit from my attending Microsoft’s "The New Efficiency" Event.

I’ve prepped my computer….backed up and double backed up. I’m now ready to begin the reformat and installation.

And so it begins….

The following items are on my long-term upgrade list for my computer:

Additional 4GB of RAM

I’ve currently got 2GB of RAM, my motherboard can support up to 8GB.  I’ll either get 2 sticks of 2GB and run 4GB total, or get an additional 4GB to match with my current RAM and run 6GB. However, 2 sticks are supposed to run better than 4, plus I’d be mixing sizes so I’m worried about some performance degredation there.  I’ll have to see what gives the better results.  I’ll be keeping an eye out for any good Black Friday deals this November.  I’ve been partial to Corsair RAM lately, so I’ll probably be looking at them, but I’m open to any quality RAM at a good price.

Considering

• Corsair DHX 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) 240-PIN DDR2 800 MHz Dual-Channel Memory Kit
• Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5C 4GB XMS2 PC2-6400 800Mhz Dual Channel DDR2
• OCZ OCZ2F8004GK PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz 4 GB Fatal1ty Edition Dual Channel Kit

Additional Monitor

I have one 20″ widescreen monitor.  I’d like to get a second monitor so that I can run dual screens.  Again I’ll be on the lookout for any blowout Black Friday deals.

New Video Card

This is on the longer term list.  I’ve got no complaints with my current nVidia 8600 GTS, I’m just curious to see the new cards that support DirectX 11.

Xbox 360 Wireless N Adapter

So not technically a computer component, but it’s still something I’ve been waiting to get for a while. Unfortunately, it’s not worth purchasing until after I get a new N router.

Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter ABG N

After attempting our own Orochon Ramen challenge, Cecy and I wanted to continue in Adam Richman’s footsteps and explore one of his other stops during his Los Angeles Man vs. Food episode.  El Tepeyac Cafe in East L.A. is known as much for it’s charismatic owner Manuel as it is for it’s food.  We arrived in the early afternoon for lunch and already there was a well sized line outside.

After a brief 45 minute wait, we were finally able to get seats at the counter.  The owner, Manuel, promptly greeted us by bringing us with some complimentary "Man Juice."  A shot of Tequila for Cecy and a shot of Brandy for myself.  They don’t mess around here.  We knew what we wanted to eat, so we ordered ourselves a "Steak Picado Manuel’s Special" to split.

This 12+ inch, 5 pound burrito is the size of a small child.

While Adam Richman may be a glutton for punishment and could probably finish this thing in one sitting, we decided to play it more casually and split the beast with the intention of taking some home.  Our strategy paid off.  We still finished a surprising 2/3 of it before calling it a day.

My current Netgear WGR614v5 router is unfortunately on it’s way out.  It’s been a decent router for a number of years but unfortunately it keeps dropping the internet connection (even on wired connections) for a few minutes every so often.  It’s just about time to get a new N based router anyway.

I’ve narrowed my search down to these 3 routers:

Linksys WRT610N Simultaneous Dual-N Band Wireless Router

Netgear Rangemax WNDR3700 Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (Black)

D-Link Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router

Choices, choices.  Of course I’ll also be on the lookout for any new N Certified routers that may be hitting the market.

My current computer setup:

• CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 @ 2.40 GHz 1.296V
• Motherboard: ASUS P5N32-E SLI (1205)
• Memory: 2 x 1GB Corsair XMS2 @ 5-5-5-18-2T 800 mhz 1.8V
• Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS (512MB GDDR3)
• Sound Card: Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme
• Internal Hardrives: 2 x 500GB Hitachi SCSI 7200RPM
• External Hardrives: 1 x 1TB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro and 1 x 2TB GRaid2
• Power Supply: OCZ ModXStreme Pro 600W
• Monitor: ViewSonic VG2030wm 20” @ 1680 x 1050
• OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit