Sorry for the Break

This is just a quick post to explain the recent break. I have just been pretty busy with the new semester and I had said that my next post would be my in depth dk stam guide but it has proved that it will take some time to complete and I don't really want to half ass it. Anyways I should have some upcoming posts in the next couple days and I am sad to say I will be postponing the guide until a later date. Anyways thanks for reading.

Supplement List/Review

Well I decided to make a post of several supplements that I have been using along with my rational and a review of each. I hope it is useful for vetran lifters looking for reviews of product they haven't tried and starters may consider to accelerate there progress.

ON Gold Standard Whey

When it comes to supplementation, protein is simply the best for building muscle. This particular form and brand of protein is good for post work out or meal substitution. It is quick absorbing and pure. ON delivers on quality, taste, and effectiveness with this product.








ON Gold Standard Casein

In contrast to the previous protein, this is slow absorbing. This makes it perfect for presleeping so that your body receives protein while it is recovering as you sleep.










ON Monohydrate Creatine

A very powerful product. It will drastically increase your thirst and you need to make sure you get plenty of water. It will help to give you a little more strength, size, and endurance. It is very useful during a bulking phase but I would not recommend it during a cut.








ON Opti-men Multivitamin

More of a general health supplement than a bodybuilding/weightraining one. Although it does have zinc in it and it contains no iron so it can contribute a little to your lifting goals. Regardless I would recommend it just out of health.








ON Fish Oil

Pretty good for listing as it promotes heart and joint health. Once you start lifting heavy you can put a bit of strain on your joints over time. These definitely help and I would recommend them if you aren't big on eating fish.








ON BCAA Pills

I would highly recommend these to anyone who is even semi serious about lifting. BCAA's are essential amino acids that your body can't synthesize on its on. So unless you are eating plenty of specific foods, chances are you aren't getting enough for your lifting routine. It greatly aids in muscle recovery and helps slightly to promote lean mass.







Neurocore 

I have tried several preworkouts before such as NO-Xplode and Nanovapor. Both of them were pretty good for giving a pump and slight strength gains but this has to be my favorite so far. It gives slightly less pump but you get crazy focused along with moderate strength and endurance gains. Preworks tend to differ from person to person but for me this has to be my favorite so far. Just don't use Jack3d; it breaks your dick from what I hear. lol






Anyways those are all the supplements I have experimented with. If you are on a budget get the whey and BCAA's for sure. They will have the biggest results. Regardless chose what is right for you and if you have any medical conditions you might want to check with a medical professional before starting supplementation. Anyways happy lifting.

Pretty Good Day

Pretty short post here but it was a pretty good day! On WoW our guild got down heroic hagara after many attempts! It was a pretty good feeling; we had been working on her a couple days. The primary issue we were having was a couple people dying on ice phase each attempt which really proved to be a major roadblock to our success. This was due to a domino effect of less dps working towards the enrage timer, less ice shard soakers, and less people to connect the lightning. Really good job to everyone though for their work tonight and finally getting her down.

Also in unrelated fitness news, finally pulled a new squat personal record of 275lbs. I had been stuck at 225lb for a while and made the 50lb jump today. Surprisingly it was actually pretty easy and I felt I could have went for another rep or two. Regardless I guess this means I am going to have to up my end of bulk goal to 315lbs. Haha. Anyways while on the topic of fitness my supplement list and reviews will be posted tomorrow!

Upcoming Posts and Potential Schedule

Hello everyone, I am currently thinking of some upcoming posts and a potential weekly schedule. I should have a couple posts coming in the next couple days regarding fitness as the pole shows some interest in that. I will probably post a list of supplements I use along with why and how effective I find them to be. Additionally sometime in the next couple days I will probably be posting the new routine I will be following. This weekend I should be releasing my alternate blood dk guide for those interested in gaming. I am currently scouting for some interesting technology information to share with everyone and I am hoping to find something lesser know so that it is more likely to be news to you instead of rehash.
Also I was talking about a somewhat structured schedule and this is roughly what I am planning:

• Sunday: not scheduled
• Monday: Life stuff, stuff about classes for the week
• Tuesday: not scheduled
• Wednesday: Gaming, WoW recap and other games
• Thursday: not scheduled
• Friday: Fitness recap for the week
• Saturday: Technology news

Please note that is just a rough idea of a scheduled. The planned days will for sure have a post regarding the specified topic while the unplanned days might be off days or just random stuff that inspired me to post. I will try to post everyday just if a particular topic interests you, you can know for sure when I will post about that said topic. Anyways this will probably take effect this Sunday/Monday and is still up for change. Thanks for reading. :)

Upcoming Goals for the Next Semester

Well I am moving back up to school tomorrow to start my 4th semester of college while mastering in computer science. This post is going to mainly be a post for myself to keep track of some goals for the end of semester but  I figured some people may find it interesting so I figured why not blog about it.

• School: Obviously this is the main priority. I hope to maintain a 3.5+ to hold my place on the Dean's List and I figure it shouldn't be too difficult with my class set up for this semester. This semester I want to aim a little higher and get a 4.0. I normally kind of half ass pay attention in my classes and I want to try dedicating myself a little more. I am pretty intelligent so I can pull A's and B's without trying my hardest but I am paying for these classes. I should try to absorb as much information I can and to become the best I can be in my field of study.
• Fitness: I am currently in the end phase of bulk which will go until March 5th which I will then transition to a cutting phase. Prior to the end of bulking I hope to achieve a 405lb deadlift(385lb current), 275lb squat(~250lb current), 245lb bench(~230lb current), and a 150lb overhead press(~140 current). Weight wise I hope to get up to around 170lbs prior to cut. Once cut does come around I hope to end up around 160lbs at 8% bodyfat. I am around the weight I want to be at right now but I want to trim down about 2-3% bf.
• Gaming: Well Diablo 3 is in the near future so I know I will put a lot of time into that. Hopefully I will make some pocket change from the real money auction house. Haha. I also bought several games on steam over the holidays so I will probably play through a bunch of them(maybe post some reviews and playing experiences). So I should have plenty to say about gaming in the near future.
• WoW: Well I will give this it's own goal since I know several of my readers are in game friends. I plan on writing that blood stamina guide so that should be out in the near future. Raiding wise I hope well get 4/8h by summer. I'm pretty sure we will have that in the next month though so I'll be ambitious and aim for 5or6/8h although Ultraxion will be a major roadblock. Lol. Also want to hit 200k gold(COMING AT YOU BOLTZZ! lol). Currently at 125k so it shouldn't be too hard.
• Blog: I know I have just started this and probably don't have large following yet but my goal is 5k views and 25 followers by semester end. Hopefully I can prove entertaining enough to achieve this.

That about sums up everything that comes to mind at the moment. Anyways, I thank everyone that is reading this and I will keep you all updated along the way. Here is a random picture of my cat Bob. Why? Because the internet loves cats.

Programming and Math Practice Website

I found this pretty useful website quite a while back then lost track of it. Luckily a friend just recently reminded me of it's existence.  

http://projecteuler.net/

It's a pretty cool website. Basically there are a list of programming problems which give you a math oriented objected to solve. From that you problem you use any language you wish to design it and try finding the answer to said question. There are over 300 problems to work and it is definitely a way to brush up on your programming skills. You might even learn some math terms and techniques in the process. Definitely a useful site for those looking to hone their programming skills.

Technological Singularity

A while back I had stumbled upon a rather interesting read: http://www.futuretimeline.net/. It basically lies out a future based on trends within recent statistics so it actually seems to be a pretty plausible future. Within the next 50 years it is expected that we will hit the technological singularity. This would be a major event in human history because computer intelligence will have surpassed our own human intelligence. At this point people will have to start getting cybernetic augmentations in order to keep up with computer intelligence. This will lead to an exponential growth in human technology and advancement because our knowledge and intellect will grow at ever increasing rates. It will be a cycle of developing even better intelligence for ourselves while then applying that new intelligence to develop even greater yet intellect. At this point it is expected that our technology will be so great that we will become more cybernetic than biological(think Deus Ex); because of this it is expected that humans will achieve practical immortality. With ever expanding knowledge and no more time constraints, humanity is suppose to spread through the cosmos growing ever more technologically advanced. It seemed to be very far fetched at first but a couple things lead me to believe this could actually happen in the near future. Think back 100 years - humanity had no cars, no computers, no airplanes. We had barely begun to harass electricity and life expectancy was a fraction of what it is now. We have seen in recent years that technology continues to advance faster and faster. It only seems practical that this trend will continue. Especially if we reach a breaking point where we can control our own intellectual growth via cybernetic means, technology will continue to accelerate even faster. It really makes one wonder just where humanity will be in 50 or 100 years and what we will be capable of.

Upcoming Alternative Blood Tank Guide

As I mentioned I am a vivid WoW player and my main is a blood death knight. Unlike a lot of people I chose to pursue stamina tanking instead of mastery or avoidance(/gasp!). I will write out a rather extensive guide to how one can do this along with my rational for it. I am hoping to make it pretty thorough so it will probably be posted within the next week. Hopefully it will help some starter dk's out there and maybe give some veterans a slightly different build to play around with.

New Year Resolutioners and Motivation

Well it is that time a year again. All regular gym goers know what I am talking about: New Years Resolutioners. New Years is that magical time of the year when everyone decides they want to get in shape and sign up for gym memberships. A noble goal? Very much so. The problem is that, other than the spontaneous decision to get in shape, they put forth no effort to educate themselves prior to showing up at the gym which typically places them into one of two categories.
First off are the cardiobunnies (typically females) who want to lose weight and be healthy. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that but the problem is they all seem to have the notion in their head that if you touch a single weight you'll automatically turn into Ronnie Coleman and that cardio is the only way to lose weight. These are ideals are both wrong. To get as huge as say Ronnie Coleman it takes decades of near flawless weight lifting, dieting, and dedication (along with some other things*cough*). Meanwhile the myth that cardio is the only way to lose weight needs to be dealt away with. Hell I myself am sitting at around 10% bodyfat (average is 18-24% in males) and I never do cardio. Ever. Weightlifting, especially supersetting, burns an insane amount of calories and can easily be a replacement for cardio weight loss. Plus when you do drop all the weight you actually want to have some muscle to be healthy and look good. You don't want to be a twig. Cardio is good for overall healthy but is no means the exclusive weight loss exercise.
The second category of New Year Reso's are the curlbros. These are the guys that come in everyday in attempts to get "swole" and just do bicep everyday with maybe a little chest and abs. Their sole purpose for working out is to look good to the opposite sex. Well I suppose if that is your only motivation who am I to say your motivation isn't valid but the problem is their means of achieving this is absurd. They completely neglect their legs and back which are your largest and strongest muscles and they are also the muscles that have the most functionality. Not to mention if your arm is as big as your leg that makes you looks absolutely ridiculous. Wanting to get stronger and in shape is an honorable goal but at least put some effort  into making a some what legitimate workout.
In my opinion the reason you won't see 90% of these people a month from now is because their goals and motivation are set in the wrong place: vanity. They are only putting in effort because they want to look good. There is nothing wrong with the goal as long as it isn't exclusive. It doesn't make for a very good cornerstone of an exercise routine. Personally, I got into fitness was to improve my health. When I was in second grade I got pneumonia which was followed up by asthma. It was the worst feeling in the world as a young kid and becoming completely winded after only going up a flight of steps just because my lungs were weak and filled up with fluid. So what did I do to combat this? I started exercising. Just mildly and casually. I wasn't very serious about exercise and lifting until a year or two ago but even the little things made life so much easier for me. Now I have pretty much completely outgrown my asthma and it rarely, if ever effects me anymore. My primary motivation of health has easily kept me dedicated my whole life. Other main motivators for me are strength and more energy. It is a great feeling when you realize after a long period of being active that suddenly everything is requires so much less energy and effort. It just feels as life gets easier. Now that's not to say I don't enjoy all the other perks of being in shape such as vanity but they should by no means be your sole reason for getting in shape. Choose something that truly matters to you deep down.
One final reason the New Year Reso's drop their gym membership is a simple lack of knowledge. They give into socially normal routines, believe tons of myths, and ignore their diet. I could write a whole other post on this but I will maybe save that for a  later date. Instead here are some websites that have helped me expand my knowledge over the years.

• http://www.bodybuilding.com/ Contains a plethora of fitness information.
• http://www.shapefit.com/training.html All the information for various lifts you can do.
• http://www.simplyshredded.com/ Another good information site.
• http://boards.4chan.org/fit/ Warning: this one can have a lot of screwed up shit on it, it's 4chan after all. Primarily its dark humor but you can occasionally find a gem in a pile of shit. The stickied post is also very useful.

Favorite Video Games of All Time

As I previously mention I have always been a huge gaming enthusiast so I figured why not make a list of some of my all time favorite games. My favorite genres are rpg, rts, and fps; however that doesn't mean I will exclude myself from the numerous other genres out there. I have played games on anything ranging from the NES to modern top end pc's and everything in between. So without further a due, here is my top games list(no particular order except #1).

Perfect Dark(N64)

In my opinion, perfect was a groundbreaking game in the realm of fps's. It took what Golden Eye brought to the table and refined it into near perfection(of a dark persuasion[oh that there pun]). Never since has a fps game captivated me for so many hours. I was pretty young when the game was released so I was fortunate to have an awesome dad who let me play M games when I was too young for even T games(that mean's I'm destined to be evil some nuts will probably think). Regardless I don't remember any game that I killed so many hours with my friends and dad playing. Nothing beat turtling in the arena 52 center room with farsights and laptop guns mowing down dark turtle sims.

Diablo 2: LoD(pc)

When I first stumbled upon this gem I was over at a friend's house and saw his older brother playing it. Then my friend showed me a little of the game play and wow did it captivate me. As soon as I got home I bargained  with dad to buy the game for me. Once I convinced him and had the game installed on my computer, boy did the hours just melt away. This action rpg is truly one of the greats. Even coming back to it after numerous years it still holds my attention like the day I first played it. Needless to say I am very much anticipating the upcoming Diablo 3.







Warcraft 3: FT(pc)

Honestly when I first noticed Warcraft 3 in stores, I never thought I could get into it. It didn't seem to appeal to me as a kid. After playing Diablo 2 and some Starcraft though I realized Blizzard made some quality games. I finally caved in and bought it. Not only did I greatly enjoy the campaign which set in place some of the most important story line events of the Warcraft Universe, it was also an exceptional rts. That wasn't even the best part to me though. The true gem of this game was the custom maps. This game was literally hundreds and thousands of games built into one. I poured countless hours into this game and it pretty much made me nocturnal during an entire summer break. haha

Skyrim(pc)

Finally! A worthy successor in the elder scroll series. After the abomination(imo) that was Oblivion, Elder Scrolls is back and in full force. The game is so vast and there is so much content one can literally put hundreds of hours into the game and still have a plethora of content to explore. Although I was a little skeptical of further simplifications regarding stats, the game play more than made up for it. It breathed life back into the elder scrolls and I am eagerly awaiting DLC and mods to further supplement this already amazing game.

World of Warcraft(pc)

Well I wouldn't be a nerd without mentioning this now would I? As already apparent I am a long term blizzard fan and after getting hooked on WC3, there was no way I would pass this up. I have put in so many hours into this game, had so much fun, met so many cool and interesting people in this game that I truly doubt any game I will play in the future will ever have as much of an impact on me as this game. (Hai friends reading from Wow!)

#1: TES III: Morrowind(Xbox&pc)

This game is simply a masterpiece. I have never experienced a game so vast, so epic, and so immersive. Unlike it's successor, this games story and immersion was of top caliber. You get dropped off in the middle of a strange and foreign land with only a note recommending you some work. There was no waypoints guiding your way. No quest tracker holding your hand. No fast travel to warp you were you needed to go. You had to explore this vast world by yourself. You started out as a weak nobody and eventually became the savior of an entire land, slayer of tribunal gods and daedric princes alike. The world and content was so massive even after the countless hours I have put into it I have have probably not even fully experience half of the game. There were plenty of stats and skills that allowed for complete customization of your character. There we numerous spells that were cut from later games that were a blast to experiment with such as levitate. I could honestly go on for pages about my feats within this game and why it was so brilliant but I will save you that time. If you like rpg's in the slightest and don't mind playing a game that doens't hold your hand and play itself, then give this game a try. Don't let the games now dated graphics drive you away, it can be moded to near Crysis level if one so wishes. This game is an experience you will not soon forget.

Honorable Mentions:
Command and Conquer Red Alert 2: Yuri's Revenge, WWF No Mercy, Duke Nukem 64, Battletanks 64, Starcraft1&2, Gladius, Civilization4&5, Original Halo, Megaman X, CoD4:MWF, StarWars: The Old Republic 1&2, Soul Calibur, Phantasy Star Online, Final Fantasies(especially 9), Cossacks: Back to War, and many,many more I can't remember off the top of my head.

Well I hope you all enjoyed my list and consider giving some of these games a try if the opportunity presents itself. Now I ask you, what are some of your favorite games of all time?

An Introduction

Hello. My name is Ross. To know a little about me, I am 19 years old and currently attending Dakota State University where I am pursuing a computer science degree. As one can tell from my major, I have always had a long dating interest in technology and computers. Additionally I have always been and always will be an avid gamer. Ironically, I also have an interest in weightlifting/bodybuilding as a hobby. I suppose I kind of break the mold of the skinny or out of shape nerd, but that by no means removes me from the gamer/nerd lifestyle. So that covers the basics of me and my personal interests. As for the blog itself, it will really vary to be honest, at first I will probably randomly post about stuff that comes to mind until a get a structure layed out. Posts will probably range from gaming to technology to weightlifting to just random life stuff. I will try to get some posts put out pretty quickly so there is more to read other than just this intro. Regardless thanks for reading and I hope you find my posts interesting or amusing.