Are Performance Modules or Chips Worth It?

There are products on the market that claim to boost your HP and increase the MPGs of your car by reprogramming the engine control unit. It is a simple concept: Control how and when your car uses the gas, and your car becomes more efficient which increases performance. However, some of the claims are outrageous. You can add 70+ HP and 5-12 MPG. Now tell me that isn't enticing!

For around $70-500 dollars, if you get the 20% fuel mileage savings. If you drive 15,000 miles.you will save about $500 per year on fuel. I'm not sure if these claims are actually true, however I drive a Jeep and I am willing to try just about anything to get a few more MPGs.

If anyone has ever had an experience with an performance chip, module, or ECU replacement, please do share. If you want to read up on chips, modules, or replacement ECUs, click HERE.

Rock on.

 

Tattoos: The Good, the bad & the Nasty

So you want a tattoo?

If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, there are a few things that you should keep in mind:

-     Is it hidden when you are clothed?

-     Is there meaning behind it?

-     Is it something you can live with for the rest of your life?

If you answered "no" to any of those three questions, then you might want to reconsider getting that fresh ink.

You could be...

Don't spend your money on something that you will regret later. You don't want to end up like any of these people.

Don't do it dude. Rock on.

Diesel vs Gas

In the truck world, there is only one major thing that separates the good from the great. That is the engine behind the rig. The biggest thing that you have to decide when buying a truck is whether you want a larger displacement gas engine, or a diesel engine.

Back in the day, gas used to torch diesel in almost every way. But in recent years, with the improvements that have been made to modern day diesel engines, diesel is an option that has been revolutionizing the 3/4 to 1 ton truck industry. Diesel engines have more ft/lbs of torque, and about the same horsepower as a gas engine with similar displacement. This allows you to tow more weight at lower RPMs and use less fuel. This is how a diesel truck works:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/diesel1.htm

Diesel is cheaper than gas, has more energy per gallon and the refining process is less complicated. When the Engine Control Unit is reprogrammed, it is possible to see around 30 MPG on the highway in a diesel truck. That's better than any mid-sized SUV.

Not to mention, diesel trucks can run for over 3 times as long as the average gasser. A friend of mine knows a guy who had a 2001 Dodge 2500 5.9L Cummins 12-valve, with which he would haul a bottle-neck tailor with four boats to and from Alaska. He put on over 800,000 miles, and went through 10 transmissions (probably from the heavy loads he was towing), before the crankshaft went out it. Now that's a truck.

Enjoy the road and roll some coal. Rock on.

No BS Supplement Advice

The Supplement Industry is Huge

The supplement industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. With all of the advertising claiming that you can achieve the results of your dreams, just by taking a pill or a powder, it is easy to see why gullible, or uneducated people can fall into the supplement scheme. Luckily for those of you reading this post, I am about to help you to better understand the intentions of a dietary supplement. And even luckier for you, I will put it into layman's terms.

What are supplements?

Supplements are just that. They are intended to supplement a person's diet to make up for inefficiency in vitamins, minerals, or proteins that the body does not get from a typical everyday diet. Supplements are not meant to be taken in place of nutritious food. 

For example, it takes between 1-2 grams of protein per pound of body weight to build muscle. For the average 180 pound dude, it is hard to get 180-360 grams of protein. That's the equivalent of 20-40 ounces of lean, organic chicken breast! It doesn't only get old, it gets expensive. When you can eat half that amount of chicken breast, with 2-3 scoops of protein powder per day, it's less bland, and a lot cheaper.

What you should buy.

I'm going to tell you what you should buy, and what you shouldn't waste your money on. I'm not going to go into detail, but I will answer any questions in the comments.

Whey Protein Isolate

Whey protein isolate is better than whey protein concentrate. The body absorbs it better, and it is higher quality with less fat, and more protein by weight.

Creatine Monohydrate/HCI

Creatine is scientifically proven to increase explosiveness through the increase in ready availability of ATP or energy that muscle cells use to begin movement. Take 5-10 grams of creatine before and after a workout and DRINK A LOT OF WATER.

Fish Oil

Fish oil has Omega 3-6 fatty acids which are good for heart and joint health. Get a good quality fish oil made from Krill. Don't go for the cheapest.

Multivitamin

A multivitamin is good for making up for vitamins that you don't get from your diet. Especially if you don't like vegetables.

Don't fall for BS!

Don't get caught up by all of the false claims. Most of the other supplements are just a scheme by supplement companies to get your money. Don't go into a supplement store and expect to get the best advice or deal either, remember that they are just trying to make money too!

Happy training. Rock on.

My Pronounced Love For Rugby Football

A Cut Above the Rest

Rugby football is a sport unlike any other. There are few times in life where you get the chance at hitting someone in the face at full force without having to do time behind bars, or without any major consequences. However, in the world of sports, you do get this opportunity if you choose the right one. However, this is not the reason why I love this sport. There is truly a brotherly bonding time when you and your teammates fight for 80 minutes, through blood and pain, just to be a champion. The second most popular team sport in the world is way under-valued in the United States, and many people don't even know the rules to this beloved game. Well, I shall shed some light on those who do not already know.

The Objective

-     The object of the game is to move an ovular shaped ball up the playing surface, or "pitch" (100-140 meters long by 68-80 meters wide, with 10-30 meter in-goals), and score by touching the ball down in the opposing teams' "in-goal" area (a try, worth 5 points), or by kicking the ball through the uprights at the end of the pitch (a drop goal or penalty goal, worth 3 points).

The Playing Surface

The Rules

-     In Rugby Union, there are two teams, with 15 player per side. 

-     The ball must not be thrown forward, but must be passed in a horizontal or backwards fashion. If the ball is passed or knocked forward, the opposing team is to be rewarded a put-in to a "scrum" to restart play after such an infraction. 

-     The objective for the team on defense, is to stop the offense of the other team by tackling the opposing player(s) with the ball.

-     After a tackle is made, the tackler must immediately release the player with the ball, and the ball carrier must likewise release the ball.

-     When a tackler has released the ball carrier, be must first get to his feet before he can make an attempt at grabbing the free ball.

-     If a player going for a ball is contacted by an opposing player,  a "ruck" is formed and he is no longer allowed to pick the ball up with his hands. The two teams then fight to push over the ball so that another player on their team may come from behind their legs and grab the ball.

-     If a player is held up during a tackle, and is not going to ground, players from both team may lock onto either the attempting tackler or ball carrier and push him forward. This is called a "maul". When a maul collapses, it turns into a ruck. If the maul stops progressing in the offense's favor, or if the bal is unable to leave the ruck, then the defense will be awarded a put-in to a scrum.

-    Each game starts with a kick that begins on the halfway line and must travel a minimum of 10 meters. If it goes out of bounds, or "into touch", the receiving team will be awarded a scrum at the halfway line.

-    If the ball is kicked into touch, the opposing team will be awarded a "line out". If the ball is kicked through the in-goal area, or is touched down in the in-goal by the defense, the defensive team will be awarded a 22 meter drop-out.

Rugby is not a no holds barred game however, there are such things as breaking the rules. When a player has done this, the opposing team will be awarded a penalty, the violating team must retreat 10 meters from the spot of the penalty and then the awarded team has three options. 

-     A player may tap the ball off their foot and play will resume

-     They may kick the ball into touch and they will be awarded a line out

-     They may attempt a penalty goal (a kick that can be taken off a tee) that is worth three points if it's through the uprights.

Penalty infractions include:

-     A tackler, who does not release the tackler, or does not roll away from a tackle to give both teams a fair chance at the ball.

-     A ball carrier who does not immediately release the ball after a tackle is made upon them.

-     Playing the ball with ones' hands while engaged in a ruck.

-     Joining a ruck from the sides, or coming in for a ball offsides.

-     High or dangerous tackles.

That's my team right there!

Most recently, my high school rugby team (Jr. Gentlemen of Aspen) won the Colorado High School State Championship in Glendale, Colorado. We had an undefeated season, and we beat the #1 team in the state final to win the cup.

That's me in the middle.

So get out there and play rugby! Rock on.

Road Rage

So I'm on my way to work, cruising along, I have the radio blasting, and I'm kinda doing my own thing. I pull out to pass a line of cars on the interstate and after I pass the first of the series of cars some woman in a blue Corolla comes flying up. She rides my ass and then cuts off the guy who I just passed,  and speeds by me at what must have been 100 mph. She then shoots the 40 foot gap between my car in the left lane, and the truck in the right lane ahead. And if that wasn't bad enough, I could see her flip me the bird as she sped off into the distance. I could feel the rage building inside of my stomach. It might sound dark, but at that point in time there was nothing I wanted to see more than for her tires to explode and send her flying through the guard rail and drown in the river abyss below.

Sometimes, no matter how good of a driver you might be, there will always be that one person on the road that seems like they are out to kill you. I have a few select words for this lady, and I hope she sees this. Actually, I had better not. But instead I'll just let Jimmy do the talking.

Don't ever let it get this far.

What's the worst display of driving you have seen? Leave it in the comments box! Rock on.

Rules of the Pit

Rules of the Pit

If you enjoy going to concerts as much as I do, you will probably come across a moshpit at one point or another. A moshpit, found mostly at rock or metal concerts, is a place where fans can go crazy and have an overall good time. It is guaranteed that you will witness a bloody nose, or some minor cuts and scrapes. However some pits can become quite vicious. Fights can break out due to the actions of some patrons. However many fights or serious injuries can be avoided by following a few guidelines surrounding moshpits.

To avoid injuries and/or altercations, these are a few of the unsaid rules that apply to moshpits:

#1- Don't throw blatant elbows, punches, kicks etc.

I was at a show one time and we were going pretty hard in the pit, it was about the second song of the headlining band and the pit was pretty big. The pit began to clear unexpectedly and it became clear as to why. Some guy was straight up back kicking at random, trying to inflict damage to any random person that crossed the path of his foot. To make a long story short, I was lucky that my brother was there to pull me off of the guy before I either hurt him or worse got us kicked out early. Just don't be that guy.

#2- Don't force anyone into the pit.

Lets be honest, no one likes the guy who goes around the edge of a pit and either punches, grabs, kicks, slams, or shoves the bystanders who just want to get up close to the action. Plus there is no better way to get your ass kicked: shove the wrong guy who is just trying to have a nice time with his date. I've seen it happen countless times. If you want to be in the pit, just take your beating and be happy with it. The surrounding crowd can keep you at arms length, so don't try to close that gap.

#3- Help a guy out.

If someone decides that they want to exit the pit, let them. NEVER GRAB someone and pull them back into the pit. That is another way to have involuntary dental work done. If someone falls in the middle of a pit, help them up. Don't continue to mosh over them. Don't trample or step on someone who has fallen down, maybe they will do the same for you when you have your turn at the bottom of the pit.

#4- Don't try to force a pit.

There is nothing worse than being in the middle of a good show and having some dude slam into people who aren't expecting it. Dude, if it isn't already a pit, don't try to make it one. Pits will form on their own; don't try to force a good thing.

If you follow these few simple rules you will have a lot more fun and yes, you might even make some friends in a moshpit at a concert. Just follow proper Moshpit Etiquette, and you will have a good time.

Rock on.

Blondes vs Brunettes

Blondes vs Brunettes

Which do you prefer?

Blondes or Brunettes? There is a never ending debate between what guys prefer. There are definitely positives to both. It is hard to truly have an innate attraction to a woman based solely on an aspect such as her hair color.  I read a study that suggests that different men are subconsciously attracted to women based upon hair color. However this can be tricky in modern times.

Times are changing

In this day and age, with cosmetics as advanced as they are, women can mask their true identity to appear flawless. If you don't like the complexity of your skin, you can conceal it. If you don't like your smile, you straighten it. If you don't like the color of your hair, you can change it. It is sad to know that women today are so caught up in the world around them, that they are constantly trying to be, what the media believes, to be beautiful.

Personal Preference

It is important to consider that women should not be judged solely upon what their natural hair color is. You can change hair color. What you can't change is what is underneath. When you find a woman who  makes you feel good inside, you can forget about everything that is superficial. Personality is by far the most attractive thing about a woman, bar none. Personally I think that a woman can be attractive regardless of her hue.

Let us enjoy them all!

Toughest Sports

Everyone either plays sports, watches sports, or has at least played a sports video game. There are all kinds of team sports, but we want to know which ones are the toughest. Which sports are separated from the rest by the physical demand that it takes to play them? So we must ask the question: What are the toughest sports on the planet?

Here are the top 5.

#5 - Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a fast-paced game which is a mix between ice hockey, basketball and soccer. Players run about a large playing field wielding sticks, which can be used as a weapon for defense, and the lacrosse ball is 5oz and is slung at speeds in excess of 100 mph.

#4 - Ice Hockey

Ever heard the saying "I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out"? Well, that is a perfect testament to the sport. Players skate along a 200ft ice rink at speeds of up to 35 mph. They often take 100mph pucks to exposed skin and take hits from other players. Oh yeah, and did I mention that fighting is all apart of the game?

#3 - Rugby

Rugby is not for the faint of heart. Players often run into head on collisions with opposing players at a full on sprint. Broken noses, collar bones, arms, legs, dislocated shoulders, and open wounds are not an uncommon sight. And due to the harsh substitution regulations, many players temporarily "fix" their wounds in order to continue playing. Most professional rugby forwards are approaching 7 ft tall and are in excess of 300 pounds, however they are as fast as most professional soccer players. And all of this happens with NO PROTECTIVE PADDING.

#2 - American Football

American football makes the list at number two because of the elite strength, size, speed, and agility of its professional athletes that can't be met in any other sport. Players are well above 200 pounds and they are as fast as some collegiate track stars. Combine multiple athletes and one of the most explosive games on the planet emerges. It is fast paced due to the short duration of plays, however football is all about quality. It's crunch time baby.

#1 - MMA/Wrestling

One word: brutal. Mixed Martial Arts is the epitome of many different combat sports combined. It mixes kickboxing, muy thai, ju jitsu,  wrestling, and street fighting. Many fighters spend their whole life training to compete at the highest level of organized fighting. Unlike the other sports on this list, the competitions are all about beating down your opponent, not scoring points or moving a ball down a playing field. The fighters are all about being the best in the world at what they do, and they do that VERY well. The fastest growing sport today is also the most brutal and is king of this list.

Are there any other sports that you would have liked to see on this list? Please leave them in the comments below. Rock on.

Good People in a Rough Place

Stereotypes
Being a listener to metal and hardrock music, I can personally say that I have heard people incorrectly name and label metal listeners as "satanic" or "evil". Some bands might have satanic influences and some might not be the best role models, however there are many good people encased in this genre of music.

Felonies

Austin Carlile, the front-man and vocalist for the band Of Mice & Men, was released from a jail in Bowling Green, Ohio on counts of felonious assault. Carlile and Lionel Robinson II, also in Of Mice & Men, allegedly got into an altercation with a few men after a show. The scuff left a man of Carlile's opposing group unconscious and with fractured nasal bones.

Justifiable Causes

To any uninformed person, it may seem that Carlile deserved the three day jail sentence. However, Carlile's actions were justified. There are petitions all over the internet to stop Austin Carlile from going to jail. Even though these petitions will have no effect, they do make good points. Carlile did not throw the first punch and the fight ensued because the man said some "terrible things" about a close fan of Carlile's named Katelyn, whom recently died of cancer. Some people might just say that fans make excuses for their idols, however I personally wouldn't discount this case. Austin Carlile is a major anti-bullying icon for kids across America. Carlile was a victim of bullying all throughout high school. Another reason to believe the petition is that Carlile has a tattoo of Katelyn's name below his knee.

There still are good people in this world, even in Metal. Rock on Austin!

Should "Pop Metal" be considered Metal?

     To  listeners of metal, bands like Slayer and Megadeth are considered traditionaland to be the traditional metal style. In recent years, the metal genre has been expanded through thrash metal, metalcore, death metal, black metal, etc. But there is a new brand of metal that crosses the barrier of the hardcore genre into the softer side of pop rock.
     Pop metal, as some refer to it, is a part of the new era of the metal genre. This new sound is made to appeal to a larger portion of the rock-listener population. The clean clean choruses, mixed with heavy guitar and machine gun double kicks is an acquired taste. Some like them, and some despise them. Check out these bands and decide for yourself.

A Day To Remember:

 Seether:

Miss May I:

Woe is Me:

Spring Mud Fling

Along with the spring, comes many different things. Blossoms, fresh vegetation, and mud, oh yes the mud! Some may not see the innate beauty of a simple puddle, or better yet field, of mud, but for those who live and breathe 4x4, mud is one of God's almighty creations. Mud rallying is a part of many people's recreational activities. However, "mudding" is not cheap.

Along with the 4x4 vehicle necessary for mudding, a proper set of Mud Terrain tires is essential if you want drive to see another day. A good set of M/T tires can set you back $185-300 per tire. For those who are serious about mudding, a thousand dollars for tires is laughable. Although, to conquer the large bogs, things like lift kits, super swamper tires (which are even more costly), winches, and body trims, can all add up. When looking to invest in such items, it is always nice to get good quality.

To help with fitting your rig with the best shoes, here's a link for some good tire advice for mudding and tackling the trails this spring. http://forums.4wdandsportutility.com/70/13479/wheels-tires/best-off-road-tires/

HAPPY MUDDING!

Attention Gym Goers!

Picture this, you're in the gym and you just got done with your last set of squats. Your legs feel like jell-o right about now. Quick! Before the swoll goes away! Head over to the leg press machine to polish out your leg routine. . . Oh shit. Not this f---ing guy. . . .
     Why in the name of God would you sit on the leg press machine TEXTING. And that's not it, you approach him to ask him how long it will be and he always has the same lame answer, "Oh, uhh. . . just one more set, bro." First off, don't ever call me "Bro" again. Especially when you have completely ruined my quad swoll. Second, hurry the F up! Why are you staring at the ceiling and looking around when I am ready to murder someone in a fit of rage over here. Don't be the "Oh uhh... Just one more set, bro." guy. I will find you and beat you down. That is a promise.

Besides that guy, there are several types of people in the gym that really make me want to pull my teeth from my gums. So here are the top 5:

#1- The Super Soaker. That random guy who always works out super hard and then leaves behind a lake of sweat on any machine, bench or surface that he comes into contact with. It is completely unfathomable as to how much liquid is secreted from this human's skin. Gross man, grab a few dozen towels and clean it up.

#2- The Watcher. This guy (or sometimes a group of guys) shows up to the gym and lets other people work out for his/their enjoyment. This man would be better off ditching the shaker bottle and bringing some binoculars. At least make it less obvious that you are watching! Either lift a weight or go home and invest in an adult entertainment website.

#3- The Wannabe Personal Trainer. According to this guy, everyone in the gym is in the prehistoric fitness age, and everyone will die-off without his "superior" fitness knowlege. He will always jump in and be quick to point out everything that you are doing wrong. Whether it's your breathing technique or how you put chalk on your hands, you are a fitness retard according to this guy. I'm pretty sure he tried to correct his mother's breathing technique when she was giving birth to him. No one else is willing to say it but I will. We don't know you, nobody wants your advice, go f--- yourself.

#4- The Talker. Everyone knows him. That friendly guy who will always be there to talk to you in between sets. Whether it's the new band to whom you've been listening, or which types of supplements you are currently taking. We get it dude, you are like a girl and you love to talk. Talking is not always a bad thing, but it can be inhibiting others from concentration within their sets. So do us all a favor, either join a speech and debate team, or zip it.

#5- The Weird Guy. It doesn't matter what time of day you show up to the gym. This guy will always be there. No one has ever actually seen this guy working out, but everyone has seen him either pacing around, stretching, sitting on machines, lurking in the locker room, or standing outside of the showers. Basically he is Slenderman: Gym Edition. He has no friends.Does this guy have a life? Is he homeless? Is he a serial killer? No one will ever know.

If you can think of any other gym-going persons whom I have forgotten to mention. Please leave a comment in the comment box. Much appreciated!

Not All Gasolines are Created Equal

In a rough economy, and with gas prices eclipsing four dollars per gallon, crappy gas mileage or worse, a breakdown can be disastrous. If you are looking to see some improvement in your vehicle's mileage and your maintenance costs, then you might want to consider one of these following "procedures" (or all of them if you want the maximum improvement).

Avoid "Bad Gas"     

Keep your vehicle's fuel system clean by putting higher quality gas in your rig. All gas is required, by law, to have detergents added to the fuel mixture to help clean the fuel system. However not all brands of gas are the same. Some brands of gasoline add more cleaning agents to their gas which increases the quality of the fuel, boosting engine performance and fuel economy as a result. The brands of gas which have more detergents and are of better quality are Top Tier Gasoline certified (there is a sticker on the pump). A list of these stations can be found at http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html. And remember, the cheapest gas does not mean the best gas... you get what you pay for!

Clean Your Fuel System  

Aside from avoiding bad gas, if your vehicle is not brand new, cleaning out your fuel system is not a bad idea. Pick up some fuel system cleaner from your local auto parts store (like Lucas Oil Deep Clean Fuel System Cleaner or Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner) then add it to your tank when you fill up. This will clean the entire fuel system including the piston heads and injectors. Keep in mind that Chevron Techron is the only fuel additive on the market that is scientifically proven to reduce carbon buildup on the valves, injectors, and sensors.

Oil Additives

I tried the oil additive Marvel Mystery Oil when I changed my oil last weekend. It says that you should add 20% Marvel, and 80% regular engine oil. I only put one quart of Marvel and five quarts of Valvoline MaxLife 10W-30 engine oil (about 17% Marvel Mystery Oil Mix). The oil additive is supposed to clean your engine of carbon deposits and protect your engine by leaving a protective coating throughout your engine.

Through the use of these two products and filling up with Top Tier Certified Gasoline, I have noticed that I have gotten about 60 miles through a quarter-tank (I usually only get about 50 miles for a quarter of a tank). My mileage is up 120%, acceleration is smoother, and the noticeable low-end knocking is gone.

Other tips: change your oil at regular intervals (3000-5000), clean your air filter with every oil change, change to a high flow air filter, and use the proper oil for your vehicle.

     If there is anything that I left out; if there is something else not mentioned that has worked for you, or if you have any further questions or feedback, be sure to leave a comment.

Performance at the turn of a Wrench

If you can turn a wrench, then there are a few quick tricks that you can do that can increase the performance of your SUV/Truck or your daily driver. Now don't be expecting that you can turn your stock truck into a racing beast. But if you would like to add some extra HP or ft/lbs of torque without undergoing open heart surgery on your ride, then you might want to consider these easy fixes.

Cold Air Intakes

I went ahead and installed a K&N 57 Series Cold Air Intake on my 2002 Jeep Wrangler 4.0L about a month and a half ago. K&N has a guarantee to increase Horsepower by up to 10%. Immediately, much to my surprise, there was a noticeable increase in power and engine response. One thing is certain, my jeep actually has the guts to pass on the highway now. Acceleration is much easier and I noticed an increased in my MPGs by 1-2 on average. Typically, cold air intake (CAI) systems range from $100-300 depending on your vehicle model and the brand of CAI you buy.

Throttle Body Spacer

The second thing that you can do, is install a throttle body spacer. A throttle body spacer supposedly creates a vortex as air is passed through the throttle body. This vortex allegedly mixes the air in a more thorough fashion. This is supposed to increase mid-range HP and Torque, which can also improve fuel economy. They run between $50-125 and are easily mounted between the throttle body and the manifold.

My Interest and Intentions

My name is Caiden, I am 18 years old, and I live in Colorado. I love to lift weights, conspire random thoughts about the quirkiness of life, and hang out with my main homeboy, who is in trouble at the moment, but hell, that will make for some good storytelling later on down the road. I chose to make a “guy blog” about topics that would interest a young guy: simply because that’s what interests me. I can write about things that I enjoy like cars, sports, offroading, working out, rock music, and women. And hopefully, I can make some new friends along the way.