First visit to QuakeCon (Day 1) and tips to surviving your first video game convention

Hey, everyone! Sorry I haven't been taking time to post.  Between my gig at Microsoft and preparing for my first trip to Dallas, it's been quite the rush. Too many things all at once, but I'm finally getting breathing room to post up my experiences here at my first video gaming convention!

Months back, I preregistered on quakecon.org. In retrospect, I wondered if I should just sign up as a general admission attendee. Thank God I did not do such a thing because I would cause myself more pain than it took to figure out what to bring to this event.  At the time, I was learning about something called "BYOC", which is "Bring Your Own Computer."  Exactly as it sounds, attendees can bring their own PCs or laptops to the convention.  For a few extra dollars, you get to pick your own spot.  I'm happy to have picked this option or I would have spent the entire day in line on the first day.  I'll post this video later.  Bottom line here is that if that extra option is available for you, then you take it.  Otherwise, general admission is excruciatingly painful.

Now that I've survived my first day at the convention, I have created tips for getting your full gamecon experience: 1) Go online the day before the convention begins!  This becomes important especially when you're trying to navigate through the mess that is a gamecon.  Gamecons are notorious for overloading attendees with lots of information, lots of giveaways/raffles, and lots of ways to take your money.  Yes, everything there is attractive and tempting to grab, so be very careful.  2) Figure out your objectives and plan for them.  Everyone is different.  Some may just care about the games, others about their future.  Whatever your needs or wants, you're not going to be able to do EVERYTHING, so plan accordingly (or just go at your own peril).  3) Budget accordingly.  Hotel stays at convention locations are convenient, so plan on spending a lot of money or use a credit card to book your room.  The hotel will offer special convention rates so you can just go downstairs to enjoy free internet.  At the end of the convention, you'll be able to go downstairs and pack everything up.  The other thing is that there exists lunch courts, which will charge attendees pretty pennies for nourishment, so buy snacks ahead of time or find cheaper options around the area.  When in doubt, consult your hotel concierge. They're paid not to let you down. Lastly, there's the merchandise.  T-shirts, decorative items, and sometimes, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) hardware is for sale.  If you can't buy them, see if you can win them.  Booth exhibitors will let you know if such opportunities exist.

Overall, I'm very happy I made the decision to attend QuakeCon for many reasons: It's my first gamecon, I'm a gaming geek at heart, and I have all the time in the world now!  Now I need to start a League of Legends session.  Until then, stay tuned for Day 2!!!

A lot of little changes due to work and stuff...

Over the last month, I've been evaluating what I've been missing as a result of my placement on the Lync Team at Microsoft.  I have spent very little time on my Xbox (except for Zumba: Fitness Rush) and I'm going to bed sooner than I normally do.  Still, I find time to write blogs and reply to Tweeps (both friends and not-so-friendly folks) as well as exercise.

Most importantly, as of yesterday, I finally sucked it up and saw a physical trainer at the gym.  It was time I got myself a reality check.  I officially started my weight-loss regime on April, weighing in at 260 lbs.  For a guy 68" tall, that's not really great.  It was time for a reality check and reevaluate my habits.  I don't smoke and hardly drink much alcohol.  Still, that didn't stop me from becoming something I wasn't too particularly proud of.  As of now, I have high blood pressure and 40 lbs. of fat to burn that needs burning.  Long story short: I need to take my weight-loss goals seriously.

I got lucky to get paired up with a trainer who would guide me with a workout plan for handling my various issues.  The most important part that I've learned is that I have to watch my nutrition.  For that reason, I found myself a good app on my iPhone called "MyFitnessPal."  It tracks everything you eat, your workouts, and shows your calorie goals.  So I have the tools to make the weight goals happen!

Bottom line is that I'm not too late to get fit and healthy again, regardless of what stage in my life I'm in.  I'll be looking forward to posting up a pic when I feel significantly lighter again!  

Back in the saddle, Masterchef Season 3, and other stuff...

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted anything.  For those of you still subscribed to me, I'm very thankful.

The last year has been nothing short of a whirlwind experience for me.  I've joined the Lync Partner Devices team this June and I'm really excited about the feature I'm working on.  Only problem is that there is no Public Service Announcement made on it yet, so you'll just have to stay tuned until that day comes! :)  That being said, I'm excited about the newest technologies Microsoft will deliver this year.  I look forward to owning a Windows 8 Surface tablet when it releases in October.  The press release and feature set was staggering to say the least ( http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/microsoft-surface-tablet-release-date-news-and-price-1085679).

In other news, I've been following this season's Masterchef, one of my favorite reality cooking shows, though I did see a fair number of less-than-friendly rivalries erupt moreso than the last couple of seasons.  Not sure why that is the case for this particular season, but I found it to be a bit less savory than most.  Still, I managed to find a few favorites: Monti (we go back quite a ways when she was a DJ in Seattle), Christine (who would've thought blind people can cook and she does it better than people WITH vision), David, Felix, and even Becky (though at the time of this writing, I've been railing her for talking down on her peers). People no longer in the competition, but thought very highly of were Michael Chen, Scott Little, and Cowboy Mike Hill.  These are people I know can cook and I hope never give up in life.  

Then there is my DEAR BEST FRIEND, Ryan Umane.  This man calls himself "The Flavor Elevator."  Problem is that I've seen these dishes done several times now on his website and they're good, but bring nothing new to the table.  Also, he had this little gem to say about me: 

Since then, we "mutually agreed" to block each other so we can't read their tweets.  I will remember him fondly for that winning personality he portrayed on the show.  I'm so touched he would actually take time to tweet me then block me!  It's pretty hilarious, to say the least.

Anyhow, it's been a long while since I've played my Xbox.  I was able to get in a few good sessions of Zumba Fitness: Rush (looking forward to the next game) and am currently trying to get the last couple of achievements in Hitman: Blood Money.  Then I'll get back to my library of other games waiting to be played.  Until then, I'll see you next time!

Windows Phone 7 (Day 1, 6/22/2011) - continued

As I progressed throughout the day, I've learned a few new things: Windows Phone 7 does simplify things quite a bit in many ways similar to that of the iPhone. I can check my Twitter, Facebook, and my personal mail in about the same manner as the iPhone. However, the screen is very aesthetically pleasing and it comes with the Xbox Live App (oh joy!). :)

I've also learned that unfortunately, not all apps are created equal. I had to create an account at 4th and Mayor to use Foursquare again on WP7. Also, I have to commit myself to the dreadful thing they call "Zune." Maybe it's how I felt about the initial mp3 player that really set me off in many more negative ways than one. As I blog, I'm currently allowing this thing to collect my music, podcasts, and (hopefully) my contact list and pictures for my initial Zune software setup. A bit inconvenient, but it's part of the initial setup, I guess.

I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I should purchase games on WP7's Xbox Live app because I'm still test driving this thing after all. Granted, I'm still a bit upset that I can't use MS points to buy games on the same Xbox Live app, but the games do render well on the phone.

One particular feature that's preventing me from going back to my iPhone is the fact I can search online with my voice. That feature is known as Bing Voice. This is just me scratching the surface, but I'm very pleased to see that voice recognition works particularly well when I want to do my web searches! I can say things like "pizza in Bellevue, WA" and Bing will put in the search for me. I could not believe it was that simple! If this is a taste of things to come, then I cannot wait to see what else is in store for me!

So far, I'm still missing my awesome apps I've enjoyed on my iPhone (Words with Friends, GetGlue, TweetDeck, and my Movin 92.5 radio app). However, I believe that if I hold out long enough, it would be worth my time to wait for these to come out on WP7 so I can stay with the phone's awesome potential! Stay tuned for Day 2!

Lunch at ZenYai Noodle House

Here's a little tidbit about me: I love Oriental Food. I totally love it. I cannot possibly detach myself from it. Why? It's not because I can take it out anytime or it's some kind of glorified quick-mealer. It's because the sweet, Umami, salty, bitter, and sour really come together the best in this form of cuisine. There is one place I go to whenever I can get away from the office for at least an hour to get this kind of sensation: ZenYai Noodle House. This place is about a 15-minute drive from my office, but when I get there, it's so worth it!

The one dish that I keep coming back to is their Crispy Garlic Chicken. It is easily the most addictive plates of chicken I've ever had. The chicken (as titled appropriately) is crispy and cooked with lots of garlic (I love garlic). :) It is served on a bed of vegetables (shredded white cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, and a leaf of lettuce (I think it was iceberg) with a bowl of rice.

I'm not exactly sure of the chicken recipe, but I believe that if I were to cook it as closely as the noodle house does, I would use all dark meat for the pieces (more likely thigh meat) and cut the thighs into pieces. Then the chicken would be dredged in tempura batter before introducing it into a wok of oil. I would fry this twice to enhance the crunchy element of the chicken before making their addictive sauce. The sauce would consist of tamarind sauce, fish sauce, a sour sauce, and enough chili sauce to make a 5-star sauce. After making my sauce, I would mince four cloves of garlic and toss them in the wok first to let them crisp. When the garlic is browned lightly, I'll add the sauce to the wok, mix it together, then toss in my fried chicken to coat it before serving the chicken on a bed of vegetables.

The sensations I had at lunch (at 12:30 today) were nothing short of amazing. I got sweet, crunchy, hot, Umami, and sour from the chicken along with bitter from the vegetables. Whatever sauce that does not adhere completely to the chicken drips onto the vegetables the chicken rests on, making the vegetables even more edible. I love to mix this residual sauce with my rice, totally making the rest of my day.

Overall, I feel that the Crispy Garlic Chicken is a dish that cannot be missed, especially if you love Oriental food. When you can take time out of your lunch break, go on and check out the ZenYai Noodle House in Bellevue, WA. You won't regret it!

Windows Phone 7 (Day 1, 6/22/2011)

For the next 30 days, I'm going to test drive the Windows Phone 7 to see how great it would be without my iPhone. I picked up the Samsung Focus last night and it took me two hours to reconfigure my existing SIM to my new test subject. So far, it seems to be worth the effort.

As far as features go, I was really excited about being able to use Xbox Live Marketplace on my new 7. I'm considering getting a few games and trying to entice some of my Xbox pals to come play with me over the phone. Trouble is that I realized they don't use Microsoft Points and I would actually have to get my credit card out. Until I do all my research, I'm going to just download the trials and see how the games render on the phone.

Right off the bat, I'm finding that I needed to download the apps I used to enjoy. Of the many apps, there are a couple I'm sorely missing so far: TweetDeck, GetGlue, and Words with Friends. Keep in mind that this is Day 1, so if anyone out there can help me find my missing apps, I'm all ears.

Meanwhile, I have to reboot my computer for now so I can complete the mandatory Zune software install. Wish me luck!