The World of Joel Szerlip

I have wanted to do this for a long time. Being an avid gamer and movie watcher I know how much I have been missing out on experiencing all of this in surround sound. Living last year in an apartment and now in a townhome both Jenn and I have been leery of even purchasing surround sound given that we don’t want to drill any un-needed holes in the wall nor the ceiling to hide the rear cabling. Well recently I was fortunate enough to receive some kudos points (my job gives these award points that you can buy stuff with when you do a good job) this week so I decided to splurge and get some surround sound speakers.

After doing hours upon hours of research I decided to go with the Sony HTS-S370 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers. I decided to go with this unit for three reasons. First off the rear two speakers are wireless so I don’t have to take a cable from the TV to the back of our living room. Second I didn’t need a blu-ray player since I already have a PS3. And last but not least I just loved the look for this unit over the others in the same price range. These are not the most powerful speakers out there but that was on purpose since I don’t want to drive our neighbors crazy.

I have heard there are some challenges with getting the wireless rear speakers to work but I am hoping I am fortunate enough not to have this problem. I have to admit I am hoping to get these in time to test them out with the Lost finale only a few weeks away! Hopefully they come in time!

The next couple of months is going to be crazy for Jenn and I. We are planning on moving in late March when we are going to rent a town home, we are going on a trip to Barcelona in early March, and hoping to get a puppy soon as well. So to say that the next couple of months are going to be fun is probably an understatement. How did we decide on a trip to Barcelona? Well actually Jenn was doing a search for cheap trips during the summer she saw that British Airways was doing a huge Europe sale and we ended up getting plane tickets to Barcelona for under 1K roundtrip for the two of us. Not to mention that we have enough points on our American Express card to get almost all of our nights free for our trip, so we are pretty excited about the upcoming trip.

Since we have so many things going on in the next couple of moths I wanted to get a new video camera to capture the moments. I have been going back and forth on whether I wanted to get a Flip camera, they are small, compact, and get pretty solid HD video. Currently Jenn and I are using a 3-4 year old Canon Video Camera that works but the video quality is just not all that spectacular. So Friday I broke down and ordered a Flip UltraHD (120 mins) and am hoping to get it in the next week or two. I am hoping that this video camera is around for some great upcoming moments in the next couple of months. Should be an exciting time for both Jenn and I and I am sure I will have a ton of updates coming on World of Joel as this all transpires.

Jenn and I have been talking about purchasing an iMac for a long time. We have been wanting to get a desktop computer to be our one stop shop to do all of our video editing from all of our trips, host all of our music on iTunes, and all sorts of different things. When Apple announced that they were putting out a 27″ iMac for $1699, Jenn and I jumped on it. Living close to Fashion Island in Newport Beach we decided that we would walk to the Apple Store to purchase our iMac. The idea sounded great at the time, walk around with our iMac, how hard could that be? Well let’s just say I am glad we had my brother Jake around with us because the 27″ iMac isn’t the easiest box to carry around with you. All in all it was hilarious watching us try to walk back with our iMac, but needless to say that we made it back to the apartment with everything intact.

So how do we like the iMac? We love it. Currently I have kind of put my Macbook to the side and have been using this computer for almost everything. It is actually kind of refreshing to have such a large monitor, a lot more real estate to work with. One feature that I don’t think gets enough attention is the new mouse which is actually pretty great. I have become a huge fan of being able to use the gesture controls to go backwards and forwards while surfing the internet. All in all though we love the iMac and are really stoked we waited for the 27″.

Sitting in Front of the New iMac

Watching Jack Johnson DVD on New iMac

Earlier today while surfing around the net I came across an article at Apple Insider discussing a rumor going around that Apple is pushing around the idea of releasing a $30 based TV subscription program. There obviously aren’t all that many details floating around, but it got me thinking, would I give up some of my cable bill to go to an Apple based subscription service?

Currently I get my Cable, Phone, and Internet through Cox. There internet service is up and down like many other cable providers and there cable setup is rather archaic. The menu’s on are DVR are downright pathetic, and of course the quality of the HD programming isn’t all that red hot. We currently spend $30 extra a month for our DVR service, if I could continue getting basic HD content from Cox for sports, and then get all my TV shows for $30 from Apple I for one would probably quickly make the switch even if that meant a $200-$300 up front cost to buy a piece of hardware to run it.

I think it is a really interesting proposition if Apple really does go forward with it, obviously the big question still remaining to be answered would be how much TV content would be available. Would Apple be able to get CBS, NBC, ABC, & Fox to jump on board? Not to mention some of the other cable channels? It’s an interesting proposition and one that I look forward to see how it plays out.

So I am a big fan of having goals, in fact both Jenn and I are very goal oriented and we set out goals for ourselves all of the time. Earlier this year I put up a post 5 Tech Items I Would Like to Buy in 2009 and they were a list of items at the time were items I wanted to purchase for our new apartment. Now that 2009 is growing closer and closer to an end I thought I would update that list with new items I would like to buy. Currently off of that original list we have purchased a TV, Camera, and DVR. The other two items Roomba (we decided to not go with) and the iMac (more on that later) we have not yet purchased.

So here is the list of items I would like to pick up in the near future in no particular order.

#5: Canon VIXIA HF200 HD Flash Memory Camcorder

Currently Jenn and I have a standard Canon Camcorder that I bought Jenn as a gift four or five years ago. The video camera has done a great job over the years but it is starting to see the last of its life cycle. We really want to get a new camera for a lot of the exciting adventures in the coming months and years ahead and why not capture them in HD. I have read countless great reviews on this camera and I am hoping before we get a dog and go on our next vacation that we can buy this camera.

#4: 27″ Apple iMac

On my last list of tech products I wanted to buy, I put an Apple iMac, and to this day I would still like to purchase one. Why haven’t I yet? Well originally it was the mere fact that we needed a lot of other things before we bought the iMac for the apartment. And then when we got to the point where we could buy an iMac I had heard all of the rumblings for the new versions, so I have been waiting. With Apple’s recent announcement earlier this week they have renewed my love affair with these products and I am back looking to buy one real soon, preferably the 27″ model.

#3: PS3 Slim / Bluray Player

Currently we have a PS3 in our family room which we watch all of our bluray movies, but often times Jenn and I want to watch these movies in our bedroom as well. So I know I for one would love to buy either a PS3 to play games and to watch movies in the bedroom or a standard bluray player with Netflix support. Either way it would work out perfect and allow us a lot of great Friday night movie nights laying in bed.

#2: Logitech Harmony Universal Remote (Any Version)

Currently we are using the provided Cox remote for our HD-DVR’s in both the bedroom and the family room, but to be honest they are one of the worst TV remotes I have ever used. I would really like to get a universal remote for the family room to control the several different electronics in that room. Although our current controllers do control both the TV and the cable box even that seems like a stretch for the controller, it would be great to have a controller that actually does what you ask it to do.

#1: 13″/15″ Apple Macbook Pro

So currently my white Apple Macbook looks like it has gone through a war probably from the massive amount of use and abuse it has gotten over the years. Jenn and I really want the iMac to do a lot of the heavy lifting with videos/photos/iTunes etc and then our laptops for surfing and other minor items.  The Macbook Pro is not something we are going to be purchasing in the near future but is something in the next year or so we will be looking for me to upgrade.

Over the past few years Jenn and I have become bigger and bigger fans of Apple products. For both of us it started with iPods, then we both went to Macbooks, and then I went to an iPhone. Because Jenn and I wanted to join a family plan and at the time we were in part time work, we decided to go with a budget Verizon Wireless plan. It worked fine, except for the fact that Jenn went through two phones, outside of that everything was ok. But then there came a time where I wanted to go back to an iPhone and Jenn started to have the craving for one from all of the commercials advertising all of the apps on the iTunes store. Once I walked her through some of the apps on iTunes we were sold on going back and getting some iPhones.

So it just so happened that our birthdays were today (Jenn’s) and yesterday was mine. Yes we are a day apart, and although that may sound great, it does make it tough to enjoy each others special day. Regardless late last week we decided to treat ourselves to an early birthday present and we both bought each other or ourselves Black 16gb iPhone 3Gs’s. Why did we go with the 3GS. Well the $100 bump didn’t seem like that big of a hit for a faster phone with video, and it seemed like a better feature set that will last us another 2 years.

So far it has been amazing. Jenn has been buying applications constantly. There was once a time where Jenn had held my original iPhone out the window while I was driving saying that I was addicted, well she may be falling into her own trap, I think I have created an iPhone addict. She even wants to twitter. So we downloaded the App TweetDeck and we both now will be tweeting on my Twitter account www.twitter.com/worldofjoel/ so you can follow us on there. I am sure down the road I will have a ton of posts on our iPhone 3GS adventure.

One of the things on my to do list for 2009 was to go out and by a DSLR. Jenn and I have both been wanting one for our Honeymoon in Scotland. We loved our pictures in Europe last year and thought we better get a nicer camera to even better capture the big upcoming events in our lives. We originally were going to go with the Nikon D60 but after checking out so many different reviews we sided with the Canon Rebel XS. We got a great deal on Amazon and got it a day and a half after we purchased it which was great.

To inaugurate the camera Jenn and I went a few miles from our apartment to the beach and took some shots. Here they are below.

The camera really does great color.

Me trying to act all serious. Jenn having a blast taking pictures!

A great shot of the waves crashing.

Beautiful shot taken of the coast.

A beautiful shot of Jenn on our way back to the car.

I sat for a good ten or fifteen minutes before writing this post. I just am not sure what to write about today. I know I have gone a few days without a post, but I feel like I have nothing interesting to say or at least not enough for my typical post legnth, so I am going to break it down into a few smaller posts in one.

I’ve Been Twittering The Past Few Weeks

Twitter.com is one of those technologies/innovations I just don’t understand, but it sure took off. The whole idea is really micro blogging, making posts that are under 120 characters. I know a few people who do and I started to, but to be honest I just don’t see the point. However on a day like today where I just don’t have a real interesting post to write this would come in handy!

Darkstation.com Has Been #1 Focus

Some weeks I just feel like blogging, I have a lot on my mind. Other weeks like this one I just want to get my work done on Darkstation.com and move on. I have had the site under my control since August of 2008 so over 6 months now and the site has truly improved in both stats and I think in looks. Updated have been frequent and I feel like we continue to offer a better product today then yesterday and hopefully will continue that trend.

Alex Rodriguez Tested Positive For Steroids

Does this really come as a surprise? I mean I can’t say I was 100% sure he was taking steroids but at least we had to be a little suspicious of anyone who has been on a proffessional baseball diamond in the past 10-20 years. I, just like everyone else was in love with the McGwire and Sosa HR race, it was great. We the fans knew something wasn’t right and we still loved it. Now the best player in baseball comes out and says he was taking it. The last big name that I think would really shake people up if he came out with steroids is Ken Griffey Jr. I am not sure if he took steroids or not, but if he did I think more people would really be in uproar. I just never liked A-Rod maybe because he is a Yankee, I just have never cared much for the guy and now that he was with steroids I really don’t care for him. We all new this was going on, its just a shame to see such a great sport be dragged through the mud over and over again.

I have to say I have always been a big fan of Circuit City. I would always avoid going to Best Buy in favor of going to Circuit City. The two stores always had the same prices or at least close enough but I always liked shopping at Circuit City a lot more. As we all I would assume are aware of, Circuit City will soon be no more. Today I got an e-mail saying that they had Digital SLR cameras 30% off, so after dropping my car off for an oil change Jenn and I went to go check the deals out. What I found was really quite depressing.

I have been to store close outs before, but I don’t remember being as bothered by it as I was today. It was a real up close look at the troubling economy. Granted I understand the ups and downs of the market, its just the way it goes, but it was just kind of a weird experience going to a store I have spent many days buying my electronics from. Not to mention that they didn’t have my Nikon D60 that Jenn and I were looking to buy. I guess now with Circuit City gone I will going to buy all my electronics online! Its easier anyways!

So as many of you have undoubtedly have heard, I am getting married in September, and with that means Jenn and I are going to be getting our own place. Although we eventually will buy a house we are going to more then likely to start with an apartment which gives me a little extra breathing room when it comes to spending money on gadgets. So with that being said lets check out five items I would like to purchase this year. Will I actually do so? Probably not, but its always fun to dream.

#5: DirecTV HD-DVR

This is one item that I can almost guarantee I will be purchasing, unless the place we move into doesn’t allow DirecTV, if it does this is a for sure must have. Jenn has a standard DVR and I have an HD-receiver right now and it seriously time to combine the two into one box. I love watching TV and Jenn does to so we often like to watch our shows on the weekend, especially when work gets hectic so having this ability especially in High Definition will be critical. Can you say two of them? One for our master bedroom and one for the living room!

#4: Roomba Vacuum
So I don’t plan on Jenn and I having that large of a place and I know one of my duties around the house is going to be to vacuum. Why Vacuum though when you can have a Roomba do it for you? Now I have heard stories that these do and do not work. I am willing to invest the $200-$300 to test this theory. If this gets me out of vacuuming for a month or two that will be money well spent. Plus if it does work for a small apartment then all the better, our apartment will stay nice and clean!

#3:Nikon D40: Digital SLR
Jenn loves photography. I am more of the point and shoot variety. But if you ever travel with Jenn to Europe she likes to take her time to line up her photos and since I have known her has wanted a Digital SLR. The Nikon D40 is our choice right now and I think it would be a great starter for us. I have a nice pocket size Sony digital camera that Jenn got me for my birthday before last year’s Europe trip and I thought it took really nice photos but after seeing what the D40 can do I am convinced that for our honeymoon we should take this camera for a whirl.

#2: Apple iMac 20″ (With iLife 09)
Jenn and I are both Mac users. I took the switch 2 years ago and Jenn last year and I can tell you I don’t lan on going back. I love my Macbook, I love OSX, I have fallen in love with countless Apple products. My Macbook is hitting the end of its lifetime, at least for me. My battery is starting not to hold that long of a charge and my daily activities on the Macbook are starting to get a bit slow. I need a computer thats going to give me a lot more power to do my daily updates for Darkstation.com and to store our pictures and movies. The iMac is both sleek and powerful and I really hope we decide to buy one. I am just skeptical that if I buy one they will come out with a new model the next week.Regardless I can’t wait to buy one and try out the new iLife 09 suite which has a lot of features that I really want/need.

#1: LCD TV 40″+ (Brand Not Decided)
Right now I have a 37″ Toshiba 720P LCD and Jenn and I are going to be using that for our bedroom. I would like to get a 40″+ for our living room that is in full 1080P. As I mentioned in a previous post I have started to invest in some Blurays and I would like a TV that can nativley display the picture in its full glory. If I was going to buy right now Best Buy has a good deal on a 46″ Samsung 1080p LCD which is pictured below. I am not all that picky on brands, although I have heard the best things about Samsung. This is another must have for our new digs.