Edwood

PC is the worst choice for multiplayer online gaming as I mentioned before. Sure it looked and played better, but the experience of playing with other people sucked ass. I have BF3 on the PC, and I stopped playing it a long time ago, because I got bored as shit, since no one talked, there was no common chatting system in the game, only people that talked were in clans and used whatever VOIP program they liked. And Battlefield 3 is not a lot of fun to play without teamwork. I ended up playing nothing but Close Quarters because it's basically COD where teamwork is not really needed. Because on Large Conquest maps, my typical gaming experience on BF3 on the PC went something like this: "Let's move out! Hey, come back, why did you jump in the jeep and drive away by yourself? Can I get a lift? Oh wait, you're waiting for your friend and won't fly the helicopter? Oh I'm dead, I got killed by the chopper. Oh, I'm dead again, I got by a sniper. OK, I'll spawn in, sneak in and take the control point. Oh wait, where are my teammates? Oh, I'm dead again, I got killed by the chopper. FUCK!!!!!!!!!!! THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <turns on XBox 360 and puts in Black Ops 2.>"

Gaming and chatting with friends is a very smooth experience. Joining people's games, sending invites, partying up, and moving from game to game online is pretty seamless in XBox Live. Every game with multiplayer supports it, because it's part of the system. Trying to play multiplayer games on the PC is a fragmented, and frustrating experience since there is no standard. As a result, everyone still communicates via typing the keyboard. Um yeah. No thanks. Even when playing games on Origin or Steam, friends would barely be on, Origin would crash, Steaming pile of shit wouldn't connect, yadda yadda yadda. And VOIP was so fucking retarded. Everyone was using something different every time. I got sick and tired of installing and trouble shooting so many damned programs. With XBox 360, everyone has a headset and microphone, they come with every system. So guess what? A lot more people actually talk in the games. I don't play on the Playstation, so I don't know how many people actually use headsets lately. Sony's PSN's only advantage was that it was free. But not anymore with PS4. PSN was plagued with problems, Sony has a lot of catching up to do. Microsoft has the entire online social gaming experience down pat.

The Wii-U is so dead in the water. Lots of developers have been abandoning projects for it. I pre-ordered the XBox One, because of the XBox Live experience. It's far superior to everything out there. Forza 5 and Battlefield 4 are going to be my two games at launch. Will pretty much be everything I want. Not sure about COD: Ghosts. Might have to skip that one.

Yep, 195 is too far for Tri-Tip. Not ruined, but the one I pulled at just under 180 is much better. Probably best to pull it at 175 at most for this style. Probably 170. Got some fantastic sandwich leftovers now. By the time MOA4 comes around, I should be pretty proficient with Brisket, so is it possible to fit a brisket or two, with two butts at the same time in Al's Traeger? The smoked meat should last a little longer next time. Or maybe just all brisket. It's more expensive, but it's easier since there's no pulling with the Bear Claws.

Just pulled one Tri-Tip at 180, just in case I ruin the other one by going all the way to 195. Definitely not as juicy, but still very soft. And man, way more flavor. Apple wood Pellets worked great, and much more consistent smoke output. I also used the same rub I used for Pork, worked really well. I love that stuff. Maybe I'll add more chipotle chili powder and black pepper next time. I'm ready for Brisket now. Although, I really like how versatile Tri-Tip is. It can be cooked like steak with roast beef like leftovers, or cooked brisket style, for smokey awesome flavor.

Pork-alooza!

Smoked Tri-Tip, Brisket Style. Going to let it hit 190 and then check. *(decided against foil Texas Crutch this time, never had a problem of drying anything out in my Keg.) I have hickory chunks in the keg, and apple wood pellets in the Smoke Daddy.

Definitely don't have room for both a larger Traegers and the Keg. I think I might try giving the Smoke Daddy another chance, this time I'll use all pellets in it instead of wood chips.

Costco is selling Traegers again. The Junior model is $300. Worth it? Or next size up is better? The Traegers Junior looks to be perfect size for smoking two Butts side by side.

I'm just envious of the one touch, push button operation of the Traegers. Plus, one doesn't need a fancy grill to get an insane inferno going for high temp searing. Granted, it's far quieter to use my Big Steel Keg set up on my balcony than a Traeger. Also, the auto temp controller uses very little power, and the Keg is very efficient and uses very little charcoal. I've actually used a small computer UPS battery to keep the temp controller running during a power blackout that happened in the middle of a long pork shoulder cook.

I mean Cheap as in relatively speaking. Dem Green Eggs and Traegers are spendy.

My first attempt at Tri-Tip, Santa Maria style. Perfect medium rare. 135F at the center. Did a reverse sear method. Started at 225F with Lots of apple wood smoke. Might try heavier smoke wood like Hickory later. Tri-Tip is so lean, I'm not sure how well it will hold up to full well done smoking, to get more smoke. This cook was very short, too short for any kind of smoke ring. Maybe it's only possible with Brisket. Either way, it will make for some awesome "roast beef" sandwich leftovers. Overall, I like Tri-Tip this way better than just straight up NY Strip Steak. Cheaper and lots more quantity for the same amount of grill time. This cook, the tri-tip was super juicy. Had I to do it over again, I'd get a Traeger and a cheap ass Weber Kettle Grill. It takes forever to get a steady stream of thin blue smoke with my Keg set up. There's just something about just pressing a button and walking away. Sigh. Heheh, if I find a decent deal on a small Traeger, I might have to get one anyways. A Keg + Traeger takes up the same amount of space as a Weber + Traeger. Sure my wife would bitch about it at first, due to more of my shit eating up precious real estate, but she'd quickly stop complaining when the food keeps on coming.

Fuck. This. sucks.

Also, BGE is not as durable as the Keg. Not to mention a LOT heavier. If you don't plan on moving it around, then it shouldn't be a concern. FYI, the Keg weigh in at around 100 lbs with the stand. The BGE has it's own retro look charm, while the Keg looks like a R2D2's Redneck Cousin.

Man, glad I got mine from Orchard Supply Hardware for $350. Allowed me to get all obsessed with upgrades like computer controller, custom racks and grates, and Smoke Daddy. Ugh, I really want to have one month of not being sick, I haven't BBQ'd since MOA3. Although if I had the room on my balcony, I'd sooooo have a small Traeger as well. Just too damned convenient, got one helluva smoke ring on those butts at MOA3!!!

BATTLEFIELD 4. Prepare...... Oh, and enjoy some Crysis 3 and BF3 in the meantime if you want to soak in the superior graphics over Consoles for the rest of the year. If the Next XBox doesn't rock, I will boycott.

Season 3 Finale was OK. Really getting sick of the Jail setting, getting really old.

Suffering through day 7 of Sinus infection, and day 2 of the new Pink Eye infection WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! At least there are drugs for the Pink Eye that actually work this time because it's bacterial. I love my little disease ridden daughter, WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday! Hope you've had some fine festivities and drinking as well!

Heheh, my family is addicted to BBC, so BT is the way we can watch it, along with occasional CH4.

Thanks everyone. Very belated thanks from me. I can't believe I missed this thread. I've been ridiculously busy (and still am) with work. Ugh. So sleepy. Back to work........

Yay! Top Gear Top Gear Top Gear Top Gear!!!!!

More Black Ops 2. Shenanigans with MQ-27 Dragonfire Low Fighting http://youtu.be/erPmQV5EE8k

Hey, Andy. Next time you do a PV meet, I'd definitely be interested. I live footsteps from Rancho PV.

Happy Birthday!