MexicanDragon

Took everyone to my mom's for Xavier's birthday dinner (spaghetti) and cake (chocolate on chocolate, what else?) and he wound up getting some roller skates. Before dinner I went out and kicked a soccer ball around with Xavier for about 30 minutes. For the 20-30 of you who have seen me in the past year, you know that's a pretty big feat. I've tried to do that before, but after about 4-5 kicks, I'm done. I was actually able to CHASE the ball today a little. On the bad ankle, I typically can run (awkwardly) about 50-60 feet before I'm done. This is the best shape the ankle has been in since the back surgery about 14 months ago. Xavier turned 7, and I got to go out and -- other than riding bikes -- play with him for the first time since the summer of 2011. I'm pretty happy about that! **BRENT**

You wouldn't have beat me to ^ this if I wasn't doing stuff for Xavier's birthday I grabbed it earlier I figure I'll listen to it one day. Good price, though. **BRENT**

Just get the T-Mobile version. It's pretty spiffy. Anandtech confirmed (and The Verge took it a step further) that it does have LTE, and will just need a software update to work. I went to check it out in store the day before they were released. Oh, look, there's one by my laptop too. Did a quick speedtest whilst driving. On non-LTE "4G" I got 15404kbps down, 2743kbps up, while driving. Wifi speeds of 23147/15751 over a 5Ghz N network. Sadly, the S Pen doesn't have the awesome little magnetic latching that the last Note II I played with had. It's a beast, though. I need a case. I'm scared of it getting de-perfected. **BRENT**

Bah. Big long reply, then I lost it. Anyways, Scott will chime in soon re: battery, but that's the best Android phone on the market right now, and if the Note 2 is out of the picture, there's nothing better. You should be able to get through the day easily with that phone, I'd say. Everyone has gotten more efficient with their radio use since LTE has matured a little, so I wouldn't worry too much. You'll probably throw it on the charger every night, but that's something people do whether iPhone, Android, whatever. The GS3 and Note 2 are the flagship phones. Either one of them should last a while, especially for a first timer. You (he?) made a good buy. **BRENT**

It's been 3 weeks, but finally have internet again. Anyone up for a game? I'm good from 10pm - at least 1am Eastern. **BRENT**

By ten producers does he mean factories, or Dre, Lady Gaga, Diddy, etc? **BRENT**

Just not my week. **BRENT**

He can get a Chevy Volt. If he drives like Zach, he will only have to use 1-5 gallons of gasoline for the entire year! **BRENT**

FWIW, Colin can't drive a stick (sorry Steve/Fitz). I don't think he's mentioned that (on this page, at least.) **BRENT**

FWIW, Colin's commute is 1 mile. I don't think he mentioned that. **BRENT**

Nate, the e36 and e46 M3s are a bit more tame than the e30 (first gen) and e90/92/93 (last gen, but latest M3). It has flared fenders, but they're subtle. The hood bulge is subtle too. I think it's agressive but still has a bit of the e46 level of classiness to it. I don't think Colin's looking to buy a car to last him the rest of his life, I think he's looking to try out some cars to see what fits him. Fortunately for him, he has a great, big Mexican friend who's a big BMW junkie to steer him clear of Mustangs and the like. (Mustangs have their place, but not with Colin). I don't think he's going to put more than 5k miles on the car in a year, and as far as the 335d goes, it's an AMAZING car, but I don't think he's wanting to go that deep yet. He's at that "just became a grownup and wants a grownup toy" stage, I think. The e46 M3 is flashier than the e92 335d (I'm not if they're making an f30/1 335d, just the 330d at best). I think you, me, naaman (needs a new one), Dan, Mike, Colin, etc all need a 335d to keep forever, as I agree, it's a fantastic sleeper that probably isn't going to happen again, but I think Colin is looking to -- how should I say -- strut like a peacock, perhaps? The insurance is definitely going to be higher than a 330ci, so run the numbers and see what the extra 100HP + extras are worth to you. I think he should go with an e60 M5, simply because there's a *25% more horsepower* button. **BRENT**

Get the best thing they offer, otherwise you'll hate it in a year

Yeah, I can see that being great. LTE in your area should be great, with the crapload of cash they put into that market to upgrade the towers. Hope you'll have service in your office. **BRENT**

Very nice. I miss the days of having two to three phones over two carriers. Verizon and ATT, right? **BRENT**

E36 328i with racing buckets. Colin can't drive a stick, which limits a lot of his choices, hence, Manning up and leaning how to drive. I also have a chipped e30 325. **BRENT**

Also, how bad is your eyesight? That screen res is horrible. **BRENT**

I will cut you... I keep two microfibre cleaning cloths on me for sunglasses and electronics. Having a smudge free screen helps a little, but not a ton. **BRENT**

I'm glad, Dinny. I think you mad the right choice, especially after playing with Zoe's HTC phone yesterday. I really like stock android, which is why I have the phone I do, but Sense just bothers me. Do you have two lines or just two phones? **BRENT**

How do people put up with phones for two years !?!?!? A year and a half in and I want to break things. My mom called and I couldn't even swipe to answer took 6 minutes to be abe to call her back. A dual core Tegra 2 phone with half a gig of ram shouldn't have a problem with most things. I wonder how a Galaxy Note 2 would hold up... **BRENT**

Colin, if you prefer the 'Stang, you shouldn't be allowed to own a car. Unless you're looking at a Saleen, Rousch, or Boss 302, or Boss 302 Laguna Seca edition. Since you don't know what any of this means, your neck isn't red (unless you've been out in the sun, which I'm not sure exists in Seattle), and you haven't been sending your sister inappropriate messages, there's no reason to get a Mustang. Just get an e46 M3 with SMG, or man up and learn how to drive a real car. **BRENT**

Sounds like fun, Crap! I got to get out to go hang at a karaoke bar with a friend and his wife, and wound up meeting this other couple and going to hang out with them at place I used to go all the time. All got started when dude's wife was making out with my buddy's wife, we started talking about haircuts + stylists, and then I realized this guy's wife was drinking scotch. The next four hours were sitting around outside at a couple places just talking to these crazy, interesting people (former gigging professional musician turned IT guy.) Just for grawk's amusement, the MENSA thing got brought up and turns out we're in the same chapter, but he's one of the "never goes to the dinners" kind of person. That started other lines of convo. It's always fun to work on that whole "fake extroversion" thing out in public. I've met some interesting characters that way. **BRENT**

Boys like racecars. **BRENT**

I usually get out once a year. I've racked up three travel team meets so far. Seeing that it's become a one income household since I got back from NY, this one's out for me. I hate it, since I was going to try to see some family out in Abilene, too Dammit, Colin! You kids have fun! (Oh, can people not be shuttled to the race for nigh upon free? I know Mike can handle a little walk if need be **BRENT**

Shelly... this is simple. Step One: Buy GS III Step Two: Switch it over to the GS III in the middle of the night Step Three: Put it where he normally keeps his POS phone. Step Four: Place note saying "Welcome to 2006." Step Five: When he bitches, text him. That's the only way people communicate these days anyways, and his protests will not be valid unless brought up via text. Step Six: Drink. It'll probably be in the morning time, so maybe a Mimosa? **BRENT**

DP, you forgot our KF/Colin/Zerker bet?