HTC Touch Pro

I recently upgraded my one year old Motorola Q9c to the HTC Touch Pro. My Q9c was working perfectly fine but as you know I like the fanciest, newest, and greatest gadgets (at a reasonable price of course). I sold the Q9c for $100 on craigslist and picked up the Touch Pro for $225 on eBay. This phone is above and beyond the Q9c, as it utilizes my ultra discounted Sprint SERO plan to the max. Examples of things I can do on this phone:

• Internet tethering via WiFi - the program that I use, WMWifirouter, enables me to wirelessly tether the Touch Pro to my Asus eeePC netbook for 3G Internet access (1.7 mbps down) for free - since SERO included unlimited data. Single most useful feature of the phone as I can have Internet access anytime and anywhere I have a Sprint signal.
• Endless application options and the ability to install a "cooked" ROM - a "cooked" ROM is a customized operating system for the phone that removes unnecessary programs that enables the phone to perform faster with longer battery life. Through PPCGeeks, I installed a custom Windows Mobile 6.5 lite ROM that is speedy and lag-free.
• Skype Mobile on the go
• Twitter and Facebook on the go
• Google Lattitude GPS tracking
• 3.2 MP camera and video
• Expansion - I have an 8GB microSD card installed
• Full QWERTY keyboard, and 2.8" WVGA screen
• Remote desktop capabilities
• YouTube and Hulu on Skyfire

It's an awesome phone and while I like the Apple iPhone a lot, I can do more on the Touch Pro than any iPhone. Plus, I will never give up my $30 per month SERO plan!

Nike + iPod

My college buddy Jay introduced me to this wonderful gizmo, a device that tracks how far and how long you've run via a sensor that you embed in the shoe and an iPod. Once the iPod is synchronized, the data is uploaded to the Nike Running website where it is stored. You can issue challenges to fellow Nike+ users (I am engaged in two challenges right now, a 100 mile challenge and a most miles in 30 days challenge with Jay).

I used to loathe running as I found it extremely boring and repetitive. But with this gadget, I find that the fact that I see the statistics of my run motivates me to go faster and farther. The challenges add to that motivation by pushing me to run on a day that I don't feel like to try to keep up with Jay. One of my goals is to run a 5K, then a 10K, a half-marathon, then eventually a full marathon.

I am using it with my 8GB iPod Touch and my Air+Pegasus trail running shoes. Has to be one of the most useful gadgets that I've ever bought. Since I bought it, I've tallied almost 137 miles in 41 workouts!

27 Months Old

Lucas is 27 months old today! The little guy is growing up fast. He talks a lot, and his memory is outstanding. You show him one photo or tell him one thing, he will remember it. He's still a picky eater, so we've incorporated PediaSure pediatric drinks into his diet. The stuff ain't cheap - $10 for 6 bottles but we feel that it is worth it for him to get at least some vitamins and minerals into his one-dimensional (read: no vegetables) diet. As for weaning, we finally got him to detach from mom earlier in June (I had to take over sleep duties for a while). The next steps are for him to sleep in his own room and to learn how to potty.

My favorite Lucas words and phrases: "hippopanos" (hippopotamus), "opus" (octopus), "fireman Lucas help people" (while he wears his fireman outfit and hat), "Lucas go outside and water grass", "Lucas go poo poo in the toilet" (after the fact that he's already pooed), "Aye, aye cappin!" (when asked what does the pirate say).

He also loves to read his books and he is gradually learning his alphabet via watching Super Why or playing with his letters on the fridge. Now, the next thing is for him to learn how to count. It's fun to watch him every single day with his little mind soaking up new things like a sponge. I need to video him more though.