March 2011Give-a-way: Marvel Super Hero Squad (Wii)

Hey there friends.  Here is the item up for grabs: 

How do you win this awesome game for the Wii?  Here are the rules:

Open to US and Canadian friends only.  Give-a-way will run from the 15th of the month until the end of the month.  The winner will be announced shortly after the give-a-way ends.

Earn entries by:

Comment on the post of the giveaway (+1 entry)
Share on Facebook (+3 entries)
Share on Twitter (+3 entries)
Share on Google Buzz (+3 entries)
Subscribe to my feed (+5 entries)

Are you a fan of the Marvel Comic super heroes?  This would be a great addition to your video game library.  Get your entries in today and score your free copy of this game!  Good luck!  Later!

Update:

Thanks for all the comments, guys! Looks like I'm getting a good turn out. FYI: You do not need to leave your Email address in the comment. I will announce the winner and then the winner can contact me via Email. Also, if you share on Google Buzz, Twitter, or Facebook, leave a comment advising so that I can check it out and give add your additional entries. I know that a few of you have shared and I've have given you the entries. I guess I should have been more clear on that. Thanks!

Tron Legacy Movie

Guest post by Gerard Mcdaniel

Even if I know nothing about a movie's plot, if I see that it's going to have stunning visual effects I want to see it. I'm such a sucker for that. That's why I went and saw Avatar and Inception. The first didn't have much to offer besides the effects, but the second was really amazing overall. So I went to go and see Tron Legacy even though I had never seen the original before.

Which in one of the reviews that I read about the new Tron movie it said that you don't really need to see the original to get what's going on in the new one. While I was reading that review I actually ran across the website www.satellitestarinternet.com/hughesnet_plans_pricing.html and gave it a good read through. After that I decided to sign up for that internet service for my home internet access.

I really loved the Tron Legacy movie. I was just awe struck by all of the visuals that sometimes I wasn't even paying attention to the plot. It sure didn't hurt that Daft Punk did an amazing soundtrack for it too.

Monthly Tech Stuff Giveaway is Here

Hey there.  So I mentioned in an earlier post that I was going to do a give a away for you guys since I am now venturing on my 4th year of blogging and I have just come up with an idea.  Believe it or not, the local Target has some awesome stuff on clearance ALL THE TIME in the electronic section.  I always snoop around the games and what not to see if there is something that catches my eye.  Just this weekend, I saw a stack of PS2 bundled with the game Toy Story 3 on clearance for like $80.  PS2 on clearance!  I couldn't believe it.

So I have decided.  I'm going to pick out an item from that clearance section every month (around the 15th or so) and give that item away to you, my readers!  Who knows what it'll be.  An iPod case?  CD?  DVD?  Headphones? A game?  Game console?  Blu-ray player?  Who knows.  I just know that I'll stop by and pick something up and display it here as the item of the month to win.  Rules?  Here goes:

Open to US and Canadian friends only.  Give-a-way will run from the 15th of the month until the end of the month.  The winner will be announced shortly after the give-a-way ends.

Earn entries by:

Comment on the post of the giveaway (+1 entry)
Share on Facebook (+3 entries)
Share on Twitter (+3 entries)
Share on Google Buzz (+3 entries)
Subscribe to my feed (+5 entries)

I think that should do it, no?  If sharing on FB, Twitter or Google Buzz, please advise via comment so that I can verify.  Info will be displayed via sticky post linking to the original post until the end of the give-a-way.  Once all entries are in, I'll select a random winner using random.org and contact them for shipping instructions. 

Thanks for hanging around for 3 years!  Now, you shall be rewarded with random stuff on a monthly basis!  lmao  Stay tuned for the first item up for grabs!  Later!

Classics V. Technology

Hey there.  You know, I was thinking about nature and what not and have decided that I want to start hiking.  Maybe even write about what I see and do while out and about with the family.  The problem?  If you don't have tough, rugged equipment, you will find your stuff torn by the elements.  Rocks, branches, brush... they will all nip and tear at your bags and what not.  I was telling myself that if I were to play a Henry David Thoreau type person, I would need my laptop to write about nature.  Hey, it's the 21th century.  lol  While Mr. Thoreau may have used ink and quills, I'm using a laptop.  Just at a glance, I would need a laptop messenger bag that is built for the elements. Something that will stand against nature or at least give my laptop a fighting chance of surviving.  How else am I going to write the next Walden without my laptop?

I've been on a mission recently to read more literary classics.  So far, I've read Catcher in the Rye and Siddhartha.  While more books are coming my way, I started to think how these classics would be written today.  Going back to Thoreau's Walden, I don't think we would be able to create such a masterpiece of solitude today.  There is technology everywhere.  Cell phones, laptops, smartphones, tablets...  Pen and paper have been replaced with keyboards and software.  Would Sheldon be so full of angst if he could take it out on a game of Angry Birds?  Would Siddhartha use GPS tracking to navigate through the jungles to find himself and total bliss? 

It's awesome that tales from the past rely heavily on the art of story telling.  So while I'm trekking across rugged terrain, I can stop, look at my kindle and read up on some classics.  What books do you recommend?  There are still a few that I would like to own, like Billy Budd.  It's a short story but a good one nonetheless.  Later!

Happy Blogaversary - 3 Years Completed. Year 4... COMMENCE

Hey there friends.  3 years are in the books.  3 full years as a blogger.  Wow!  Actually, the anniversary was yesterday, March 13th, but I didn't have time to post something then. I do want to let you know that I am planning a give a way this month.  I'm leaning towards shipping out a video game to one my readers in the states.  I'm not sure which one, but stay tuned and find out which one.  Also, I wanted to "come out" on that day.  No, not like that.  But come out in the way were I can no longer stay "anonymous".  It's kind of pointless now.  For those that are new to the site, you simply know me as "Metallman", a moniker that has been with me for well over a decade now.  For those of you know that have come to know me beyond the site, know me as Victor, or Vic. 

You know, when I first started this blog, I figured that I would be another random voice in a sea of tech.  I've learned the names of friends while others stayed in their online persona.  Now, with Twitter, Facebook, and what not... it's more and more difficult to keep that online persona a secret so instead of keeping that charade going, I'd figure I'd just come out and say it.  My name is Victor Salazar and I live in Southern California. 

I'll admit that I was pushed to come out by another blog that I frequently visit.  When I stopped at the "About me" section of it, I noticed that this "Cheap and Geeky" friend used an online moniker but then decided against it.  I told myself that it would be harder to stay anonymous than to get personal with your readers and that was when I decided that I should just lay it out there. 

I am not only Metallman online and I am not only Victor everywhere else.  I am both so I don't mind either one.  So how do you feel about the whole "coming out" thing?  Is it something that you would feel comfortable doing or something that you would still like to keep to yourself?  I'm curious to know if you've come out already, plan to come out any time soon, or stay anonymous.  I'd love to know if there were any changes that you've made over if you did come out.  Share your experiences, friends.  Later!

I swear I had this conversation with a blogging buddy once

Get Your DD214 Forms Online

Hey there friends.  I recently posted about obtaining a VA Home Loan if you have served in the military.  Though I provided some pretty useful information, I was asked what could be done if they have no received their DD214 forms or if they have misplaced them.  You need your DD214 forms to determine your eligibility so it's important that you hold on them.  But if you whatever reason you don't have them, here's how you can obtain them.

Getting your DD214 forms online is extremely easy.  Using the DD214 express service from the link that I have provided, you simply fill out the request to have the forms and send them in.  If you have a fax number, you can request duplicate forms using the VA fax on demand system.  Dial 301-837-0990 from a fax machine and follow the directions.  It really is that easy.  If you already have a home loan, no problem.  You can still take advantage of the awesome VA refinance rates available to you.  BUT YOU MUST HAVE YOUR DD214 FORMS.

If you're in the military, you should definitely take advantage of the options available.  There is no excuse as to why you shouldn't.  These programs are there to help and by not taking advantage, you're just making it difficult on yourself.  Do yourself and your family a favor and look into these option.  You'll be glad you did.  Later!