TJ Falls

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

Cecy wanted to hand make a Halloween costume for Izzy at home this year.  You can see the various stages she went through in making the costume through her blog, thatsITmommy.com

Cecy documented her process through a 3 part series on the blog.  Part 1 was trying to come up with ideas.  Part 2 unveiled the choice. The final part was Cecy’s step-by-step creation of Izzy’s outfit as a “Nerd Hello Kitty”.

via Handmade Halloween Costume on a Budget Part 3 « thatsITmommy’s Blog.

A mi familia:

Me encantaría que ustedes conoscan a mi hija, Isa. Ahora está 2 1 / 2 años de edad y ella es un puñado. Ella ha crecido mucho y estoy triste que ustedes no esten aquí para verla crecer. Quiero compartir su vida con todos ustedes y espero que seremos capaces de visitar pronto. Espero que les recuerdan a mí. La abuela Loly cree que sí.  Se podría pensar que nunca los tengo en mis pensamientos, pero yo sí. Los quiero a todos y espero que vengan para el viaje de la vida de Isa.

Con much amor,

Cecy

We invite you to see Izzy grow and reach all her milestones with us as we open her world to our family and friends. This is Izzy in her Tinkerbell Fairy costume this past Halloween at her new day care center at The Samuel Goldwyn Foundation Childcare Center. Stick around for more of Izzy and our family.

With Love,

The Falls Family