My New Setup

Well, I did it. I made the switch from standalone to software-driven DJ hardware. Numark had a rebate deal on the V7 over the holidays and I couldn't pass it up. Not only am I getting a check for $200, I'm also getting a free case valued at $200.

I sold my Denon DN-S1000 setup on Craigs. I bought a V7 and then went after an X5. The X5 is Numark's companion mixer for the V7 and typically sells for $400+ but some dude had one on Amazon marketplace — in brand new condition — for $300. I got real lucky with that one.

Now I am left with having to pick up a second V7 and a laptop to run it all. These purchases are probably not going to happen for a while; I've got lots of other financial priorities to block me on that front. But hopefully in due time.

Numark's V7 runs Serato Itch and provides a whole mess of effects options, definitely more than my Denons gave me.

Here's the V7 in action:



In the meantime I am running this setup through a dual core Pentium tower. Not very portable but until I can get myself a decent laptop it will have to do. Also, a single V7 unit is like having two decks in one — there's a second "virtual" deck in the unit — but it is a little unnatural for me. I miss the feel of being able to put my hands on two separate decks at any given time. This "Deck A" and "Deck B" switching is kind of obnoxious. So yeah, I will be hunting for a second V7 at one point.

I am hoping that by summer I will have everything in place so I can get back out there — 100% digital from here on — to do some gigs.

Grateful Kid Gets Xbox 360

Christmas is coming fast and being a dad makes me think how awesome it is this time of year... it's all about the kids. I have ridiculous amounts of fun going out there and checking off their wish lists. Seeing my kids happy on Christmas morning means so much to me and they are always thankful when they open their presents. Makes me think of stuff like Nintendo 64 Kid.

Unlike the legendary Nintendo 64 Kid video, this clip is not Christmas-related but does show one heck of an awesome, thankful kid as he opens his birthday presents. It's heartwarming to see his reaction, especially when you take into consideration — as the story goes — he had recently spent a lot of time in the hospital prior to this video being shot. What a sweet kid. Grab the Kleenex.

SyFy Channel Sits Down With Stan Lee To Show Him Long-Forgotten Art

Wow, this is pretty cool. Usually we get the typical huckster, jokey-joke personality from Stan (The Man) Lee. But this time is different. This time Stan becomes almost emotional while looking at comic book page art from long, long ago. Check it out:

Make Your Own Guitar Picks

Check it out. Wanna do something with those used-up gift cards and maxed-out credit cards? Make them into guitar picks! Genius.

Happy Meal Becomes Sad Meal: Idiot Politicians in San Francisco Destroy Fun

So they're passing a ban on Happy Meals and other fast food meals that are "too happy." As in too tasty. As in not good for you. This is happening in San Francisco right now but rest assured this terrible killing-of-tasty-food trend will continue to spread across the rest of the country. Here are the requirements:

• The meal can't exceed 600 calories
• Less than 35 percent of the calories can come from fat (nuts, nut butters, low-fat cheese excepted)
• It's required to have a half cup of vegetables
• Breakfast meals are required to have a half cup of fruit
• Sodium limits
• A multigrain requirement

Can you believe this shit? What the hell is next, Logan's Run?

Oh My God We're All Going To Die: Realistic Nurse Robot Thing Must Be Stopped

I'm serious.

Jon Hamm For Superman

I never really saw a photo of Jon Hamm till about five minutes ago... and holy crap if he would not be awesome as an older, more seasoned "Alex Ross" type Superman. WOW! Now I know what all the fuss was about when I read the AICN boards months ago...

Stare Down

Try to beat this guy... don't blink.

Say Hello to Creepy VCR Guy

Panasonic is best neckonics. Philips is bad... very bad...

Game Dev Story: Crack Cocaine for Your iPhone

Holy christ, have I found an awesome little game. It's called Game Dev Story, a sim game for the iPad, iPod and iPhone that lets you run your own little game development company.

You hire/fire/manage people, attend press conferences, “E3” type events and allocate advertising funds, all while trying to sell as many copies of your games as you can. I swear to you it is crack. I was addicted for hours and hours this weekend.

Here's actual footage of the game in action:

I am telling you right now, I think this might be the most addicting game on the iPhone! In fact, five minutes after I described it to my buddy Eric, he went and downloaded it, saying "You've ruined my life... and I love it!"

I would go one further... I think Game Dev Story might be my favorite game of 2010, eclipsing even the mighty Yakuza 3 for PlayStation 3!

If you've downloaded Game Dev Story and you're looking for ways to strategize or maximize your fun, here are some tips to help.