Mike Petrucci

Always Be A Tourist

2012-02-10T23:40:00.000-05:00

For the past few years, I've spent just about every weekday in Washington, DC.

Each morning I would ride the Metro and pass the Pentagon, the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument... some of the best sights The District has to offer.

It was easy to feel like a part of the rat race that is the commute. But whenever I felt that I was taking it for granted, taking advantage of the place that I live and work, I would step back.

History was all around me. Adventure. Exploration was to be had and I was acting like it was mundane but it wasn't. It isn't.

I could see the Capitol to my left as I exited Union Station on the short walk to my office building. I miss that walk.

I urge you to find out what makes your city special. Don't become a commuter. Always be a tourist.

Randolph Engineering - Handcrafting Legacy

2012-02-08T13:56:00.000-05:00

Randolph Engineering is one of those companies I'm proud to show my support for. Both in my word of mouth recommendation but also with my wallet.

I ordered my first pair of Randolph Engineering sunglasses, the Aviator, a few months ago and couldn't be more happy with them.

Here's a few pics* I took with my new glasses:
*no laughing allowed, even if the pic may be cheesy.

Stop. Hammock time.

DC Metro superstar

USA - Randolph Engineering, Field Notes, GORUCK

Aviators & Brass

The White House

Ready to summit Robertson Mountain

You can't help but smile.

Want to know what I think the coolest part is about Randolph Engineering eyewear? Fighter pilots and astronauts wear these! Need I say more?

Anyway, here is your chance to get a pair of amazing sunglasses made right here in America [Randolph, Massachusetts] for a great price. Only on Huckberry.

But wait, there's more...

Randolph Engineering Factory tour by GORUCK

Randolph Engineering Factory tour by Jon Gaffney at Gear Patrol

Short URL: http://goo.gl/enxAw

When you sign up using my link, I get credit on the site after your first purchase.

A Reflection. A Thank You.

2012-02-06T16:48:00.001-05:00

**2/12 Update: This post is not meant to depress you or even make you think I'm feeling depressed. Simply put, life is a roller coaster. There are ups and downs and that's ok. Don't be afraid to let people know you need help now and then. We are all in this world together and need to work as a team. **

I have moments... moments I'm not myself. I act unbreakable. I act confident. I act courageous. I act outgoing. But I am none of those things. I get weak, sad, lonely. I don't want to burden others with those things. That's not fair.

But there's some of you out there that disregard my warnings. You refuse to stay away. You want to be there for me. I get emotional thinking about how someone would want to help me. I will become strong enough someday even though I am weak now. "This too shall pass."

I don't want to be weak. I don't like it. I can't stand it. I want to be strong, I want to be tough. I have to be. People rely on me. I'm supposed to be a man. I'm supposed to be striving for virtue, honor, and excellence in all areas of my life. I need to fulfill my potential as a man. To be the absolute best brother, friend, husband, father and citizen I can be. I may get down now and then but I will not fail.

The important thing is that I surround myself with quality individuals. People of integrity. Everyone needs a support team. I like to think I can go on alone but the truth is, I can't.

You all know who you are. Thank you for being there for me.

Fresh Snow, Bear Tracks, & New Peaks

2012-01-12T22:11:00.000-05:00

A buddy of mine has been itching to go camping and with my newfound time off, I figured it was the perfect time to go. I was needing a bit of a recharge and spending time outdoors always helps.

We've both climbed Old Rag Mountain before but this time I wanted to try something completely new. We set our sights on Robertson Mountain.

As we left town, it started to flurry and when I called the National Park Service to check conditions, I was informed that they already had 2 inches on the ground in some parts and were closing sections of Skyline Drive.

We pressed on.

Before long we were on the trail looking for a suitable spot to setup camp. It was still snowing as we set the tent up and climbed in to warm up and dry off and finalize our plans.

The only snag was that my buddy brought his wife's sleeping bag which was made for indoor sleepovers but we improvised and neither of us froze to death.

Getting up around 6 am was great though. The sun was started to brighten things up and we were eager to start the day. After boiling some water for oatmeal and coffee, we were ready to hit the trail.

There was still a lot of snow on the trail and before long we finished the Corbin Hollow Trail and were starting the Robertson Mountain Trail. After a short time on the trail we saw some bear tracks and these were super fresh. Luckily the area is only home to black bears and they are generally scared of people so we weren't too alarmed. It was neat to see the prints up close and each paw was the size of my entire hand.

After a quick summit we headed back down.

I strongly encourage you to take some time away from your desk and spend the night outside. You'll thank yourself for it.

But wait, there's more...

Photos on Picasa.

Short URL: http://goo.gl/QuSWW

Change of Course

2012-01-12T20:47:00.000-05:00

I have decided to not pursue starting my own company and get a 'normal' job.

It's a decision I've been wrestling with for a while and even though it may sound like the perfect opportunity, it doesn't feel like the timing is just right.

This isn't something I can explain, it's just something I feel.

In the short time that I made that decision, my energy level has gone up and I'm excited to finally look at all the jobs that are available.

I posted it previously but in case you need a refresher...

More About Me

If you or anyone you know is hiring a full time position (in the Washington DC Metro Area), I'd love to hear from you.

Some skills and info about me:

Knowledgeable of social media outreach and trends.

I've been focusing on building my personal brand (mostly @mikepetrucci) and I'm constantly finding out what works and what doesn't.

Familiar with Wordpress, Blogger, and Drupal Content Management Systems.

I'm a very quick learner and I feel confident I could pick up the workflow of other systems.

Can work well in a group but also handle things on my own.
Familiar with Photoshop

Unfortunately I can't create artistic graphics but I know the tools to manipulate and work on an image in the technical sense (like putting someones head on another persons body).

Trained in video and audio production.

Both TV and film techniques; everything from shooting and editing to sound effects.

Experience in digital and film photography.

Black and white photo development & enlargement and basic photography guidelines.

Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn if you want to see my resume and more info.

Oh and if it asks you for my email address, its: mikepetrucci [at] gmail [dot] com

Job Hunt Update

2011-12-20T23:57:00.000-05:00

So it's getting closer to the end of the month which means closer to unemployment. It can also mean freedom. I don't mean freedom in the respect that my current job is a prison at all, but this is the opportunity to try something completely new and exciting.

A lot of people have stepped up and reached out offering contacts or leads and I appreciate that so very much. I have told most of you/them but I want to make it clear that I'm taking just a little bit of time to figure out this situation. I have a lot of options and I want to make sure I'm making the right decision as well as not wasting anyones time.

More About Me

If you know of anyone hiring a full time position or even freelance or contract work, I'd love to get that information from you.

Some skills and info about me:

Knowledgeable of social media outreach and trends.

I've been focusing on building my personal brand (mostly @mikepetrucci) and I'm constantly finding out what works and what doesn't.

Familiar with Wordpress, Blogger, and Drupal Content Management Systems.

I'm a very quick learner and I feel confident I could pick up the workflow of other systems.

Can work well in a group but also handle things on my own.
Familiar with Photoshop

Unfortunately I can't create artistic graphics but I know the tools to manipulate and work on an image in the technical sense (like putting someones head on another persons body).

Trained in video and audio production.

Both TV and film techniques; everything from shooting and editing to sound effects.

Experience in digital and film photography.

Black and white photo development & enlargement and basic photography guidelines.

Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn if you want to see my resume and more info.
Oh and if they ask you for my email address, its: mikepetrucci [at] gmail [dot] com

It may be fairly standard but I want you to know that I'm a hard worker and teachable. If you want to see a more personal level of how I operate, look over some of these recommendations that have been written about me*:

*The goal isn't to boast but I wanted to show you what others are saying about me. And a HUGE thank you to everyone that took the time to write me a recommendation. There are even more on my LinkedIn page.

“Mike is a profound example of a man who strives for excellence and challenges himself daily to be extraordinary at all that he does. His enthusiasm and passion for helping a company to succeed is definitely not what you get from the average teammate. Mike is an ideal candidate for any business looking to compete in the modern global arena. His knowledge base and intellect will provide a competitive edge to any business willing to add him to their team.”
- Kelly Black, Chief Operating Officer, ITS Tactical, Inc.

“Mike is very detail orientated, driven, passionate, and thorough. His work at ITS Tactical is always informative and entertaining. As an aside, I always try to keep up to date with the latest trends in social media, but inevitably Mike beats me to the punch and is already familiar with the service when I sign up. I proudly recommend Mike. Top qualities: Great Results, High Integrity, Creative"
- Brian Timmer, Lead Software Engineer at SPEAK! Creative

“Mike Petrucci is one of the hardest working people I know. Work is almost an inaccurate word to use with Mike, though. He approaches life with so much curiosity and enthusiasm, it's like watching a kid after their first roller coaster ride. You can tell by talking to him that he's always firing on all cylinders. He thinks of things from every angle and always has something to add to the conversation. Mike is encouraging and supportive, but not for the sake of flattery. Skilled at being objective, Mike is able to see when something is working well or poorly and, if needed, always has a solution for improvement. After spending many years with Mike on a personal and professional level, I've seen that he prides himself on being a jack of all trades and a master of implementation. He likes to know a little bit about everything, how it works, when it works, and who it works for. I would confidently and highly recommend Mike Petrucci.”
- Joshua Peterson, Film & TV Composer and Owner, Lark Studio

“Mike is one of those few people that you meet that has the magical mix of deep technical knowledge, brilliant design skills and a savvy social media understanding that immediately makes any project or team he's working with successful. He is a great writer and marketer who instinctively understands the nuances of social media and leverages it to his advantage. He just gets it! I have had the pleasure of working collaboratively with Mike on several small projects over the past two years. His level of professionalism and commitment to his work is impeccable and he is a delight (and a lot of fun) to work with. I would have Mike on my team without hesitation, if I were ever lucky enough to snag him :)”
- Brian Green, Vice President, Enterprise Social Computing, Bank of America

“I worked with Mike on a few freelance communications projects and have always been thoroughly impressed with what he brings to the table. Mike is very well versed in Social Media and its marketing value, continuously searching out new trends and platforms to evaluate their potential. He displays a firm grasp on branding and ability to execute digital strategies to support that branding. Combined with excellent communication and writing skills, he's someone I would highly recommend as a consultant or valuable addition to a workforce. I look forward to the opportunity to work with Mike again.”
- Jon Gaffney, Senior Strategist, Isobar

Thanks again for everyone who has offered their support. It means the world to me to have people on my side willing to help me land on my feet. I look forward to bringing you good news soon!

GORUCK Challenge - Baltimore

2011-12-20T01:05:00.000-05:00

Baltimore GORUCK Challenge. It starts February 11th so you still have plenty of time to eat and party for the holiday season.

Remember, it's all mental anyway.

Although, if you are in the area and want to do some prep work, Charm City Yoga, via Semper Fidelis Health & Wellness can help get you in shape.

Don't forget to check out my post on past Challenges if you want some more insight and feel free to ask me any questions you have: mikepetrucci [at] gmail [dot] com

But wait, there's more...

Short URL: http://goo.gl/qkKGx

'What is the GORUCK Challenge: http://goo.gl/V11Kl

GORUCK Challenge Recommended Reading: http://goo.gl/SJcBL
When you sign up, add my name to the 'How did you hear about the Challenge.' Thanks!

What Keeps Me Going

2011-12-12T07:26:00.000-05:00

What makes me start blog after blog, run multiple twitter accounts and sign up for every beta service and website launch?

I'm searching for something.

I know there is something out there for me. I know I can make a difference in this world in some way. I don't know how and that's why I just have to keep exploring.

I'm not talking about changing the world like Martin Luther King Jr. or something but I feel as if I have the ability to influence the lives of the people around me.

I feel different.

I intend to find out why I feel this way.

Get a good watch or risk being lost in space.

2011-12-06T12:00:00.000-05:00

Photo © Huckberry

Looking for a simple and durable watch that won't break the bank? Military Watch Company in Zurich has the solution. Prices range from $55 to $160 but these things look built to last. This offer is only available on Huckberry and for a limited time (currently 5 days).

True story.

Astronaut Gordon Cooper used a only wristwatch, knowledge of star patterns, and math estimations to correct pitch for re-entry when his capsule lost power.

via Wikipedia:

"...precision was needed in the calculation since if the capsule came in too deep g-forces would be too large and if its trajectory was too shallow it would bounce off the atmosphere and be sent back into space. Cooper drew lines on the capsule window to help him check his orientation before firing the re-entry rockets. 'So I used my wrist watch for time,' he later recalled, 'my eyeballs out the window for attitude. Then I fired my retrorockets at the right time and landed right by the carrier.' Cooper's cool-headed performance and piloting skills led to a basic rethinking of design philosophy for later space missions."

But wait, there's more...

Found via Reddit: http://redd.it/n2o4m

Short URL: http://goo.gl/7b9O9

When you sign up using my link, I get credit on the site once you make your first purchase.

All photos are property of Huckberry Co. and only used for illustration.

Countdown to Unemployment

2011-12-06T07:30:00.000-05:00

I agree that by using that title, it can seemingly mark me as a pessimist which I am not. It's only stating a fact that is true at the moment of this writing. I guess you could describe me as an 'optimistic realist.' I know the realities of life but choose to look at them in an optimistic way. I refuse to sugar coat.

Last Friday, the company I work for made an announcement that at the end of this month, they are shutting down. Long story short, 20+ of us are looking for jobs. From a legal standpoint, I can't speak directly on the conditions but I can refer you to the press release.

[If anyone is hiring or knows someone who is, here are the positions that my colleagues have recently just held]

Executive Producer
Producer
Associate Producer
Community Manager
Public Relations
Assignment Editor
Reporter/Journalist
Booker
Photographer/Videographer
Editor
Online Content Manager
Media Manager

[Contact me and I'd be happy to pass along their information.]

I'm coming to grips with the idea that everything I do this month could be the last time I do it. If we have to move, I won't be able to enjoy even the little things I've come to experience on a daily basis.

Getting on the bus and using public transportation.
Reading or even napping while commuting on the Metro into DC.
Running along the Potomac River.
Having the ability to visit museums on my lunch break.
Being two hours from family.

More realizations present themselves each day.

My lesson from this is to never take things for granted. Make an effort right now to take advantage of your situation no matter what it is. Someone out there would love to trade you for it and chances are you'll miss it when you leave.

Back to the main topic at hand, I'm looking for a job.

This is the first public announcement I've made though I have told a few individuals that I knew I could draw support from.

The responses I received have been incredible with people offering to help find me a job as well as provide prayer and thoughts. Some of these people only know me in the online world and even though we've never met in person, that didn't stop them from connecting on LinkedIn or helping in the search.

I feel, in a word, humbled.

Right now is when it's easy to feel as if 'the world is over' but I know there is more at work than I can see. Everything happens for a reason and something good will come out of this.

This will not slow me down.

If you want to connect with me, be sure to hit me up on any of the networks below or even email me at mikepetrucci [at] gmail [dot] com

I look forward to bringing you good news soon.

But wait, there's more...

Short URL: http://goo.gl/zQwo4

Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Stamps

2011-12-02T07:30:00.000-05:00

The National Postal Museum was another one of those museums that was right under my nose and I never knew it. I practically walk past it every day and decided I needed to finally take a look inside. What I found was a massive museum with dozens of intriguing exhibits.

There's a lot to learn and might be hard to see everything in one visit (unless you stay all day). Obviously there is a lot of detail due to stamps being small but there are also some bigger exhibits that you could get lost in.

Overall it's a really well done museum with a lot to take in and in my opinion, it's worth checking out the architecture alone.

Museum Entrance

Mailboxes from around the world.

Planes...

...trains...

...automobiles!

Exhibit Map

Obviously tons of stamps.

'Boring' Details:

National Postal Museum

2 Massachusetts Ave. NE

Washington, DC

Distance from office: 0.1 miles

Door to door time: 5 minutes

Tour time: 50 minutes

Transportation used: Walked

Cost: Free

Notes:

- Metal detectors (allot a few extra minutes) so leave your knife at home.

But wait, there's more...

Photos on Picasa.

Short URL: http://goo.gl/CqFon

The GORUCK Challenge

2011-12-01T19:36:00.000-05:00

What is the GORUCK Challenge?

A team event, never a race. The Challenge is significantly harder than any race because a team is capable of infinitely more than the sum of its individuals. Therefore the Challenge is greater. The team (it’s your team) starts and finishes together under the guidance of Challenge Cadre. The route is unknown, the distance is unknown and the Challenge can last longer and/or go for greater distances if the team needs it in order to fully become a team. 8-10 hours, 15-20 miles is an estimate, not a promise. Every class is different, but the bond by the end is always equally powerful. - GORUCK Challenge FAQ

Great photo essay by GORUCK

Make no mistake, this is not a solo event and this is not a race. It's an evolution. You will learn the true meaning of teamwork. The Challenge is best when shared with friends but if no one wants to join you, don't worry, you'll make some great new friends.

I can't promise that it will be easy, but it will be worth it. After all, if it were easy, would you do it?

Can I Do This?

I did. That means you can too. It's so much more mental than physical and I can't stress that enough. You do need to have some foundation of fitness because after all, you'll be carrying bricks, logs, each other, etc over an 8-10 hour [or more] period.

The biggest thing that turns people off is the distance. My class did around 17 miles and the furthest I've ever run before on my own was 14. How was this possible? You don't run the entire time and when you do, the pace is entirely up to your team to decide. I was better at running while others were better at lifting and we learned how to utilize all of our individual strengths and weaknesses.

Send me an email if you have any questions about the Challenge: mikepetrucci [at] gmail [dot] com

What to Expect

How Much Does it Cost?

If you're smart, you'll sign up really early and get in at $120. If you wait though, the price can go up to $160.

Is that a lot of cash to part ways with? Maybe, but really look at it. What do you get with that much? What ways can you cut back or save? I bet you have some Craigslist/eBay worthy stuff to sell or you can skip a few times of eating out next month.

Cost Comparison

The same as 2 Xbox games (If you bought the latest Call of Duty and The Elder Scrolls games, you could have just signed up for the Challenge)
Tough Mudder Registration (Can cost up to $150 and lasts only 2 hours while the GORUCK Challenge is cheaper and longer. More good livin' all around!)
Typical Marathon or even some Half Marathon registrations

You get the idea. I read this somewhere online and thought it sums things up nicely:

If it is important to you, you will find a way.
If not, you'll find an excuse.

~~Looking for a deal?~~

Times are tough and saving money wherever possible can really help. That said, I can get you $20 off registration but only if you haven't signed up yet. Unfortunately, there is no way for me to add it retroactively. Send me an email and I'll hook you up: mikepetrucci [at] gmail [dot] com

GORUCK Challenge - Recommended Reading

2011-12-01T07:30:00.000-05:00

photo © GORUCK

This is just about every 'after action report' of the GORUCK Challenge I could find online. Each class is different and you'll notice that in the writing but what's important is the shared camaraderie.

Stay tuned for updates as more will be added when I can find them.

Challenge Reports

Class 007 [Ben O'Grady]
Class 027 [Anthony Cataldi]
Class 031 [Mike Petrucci]
Class 033 [Eduardo Zambrano]
Class 034 [Paul Issler]
Class 036 [Pablo Fuentes]
Class 036 [Asha Wagner]
Class 037 [Mike Vallely]
Class 042 [Greg Terry]
Class 045 [Rich Vos]
Class 047 [U. Fridman]
Class 050 [Bryan Black]
Class 057 [Francis Shanahan]
Class 066 [Paul DiMarino]
Class 079 [Geoffrey Ehrensing]
Class 083 [Ben O'Grady]
Class 083 [dknob]
Class 084 [Leo Babauta]
Class 095 [Andrew Mullikin]

General

What is the GORUCK Challenge [Mike Petrucci]
Packing and Preparing for a GORUCK Challenge [Kit Klein]
A Year of GORUCK [Kit Klein]
Ben O'Grady on the GORUCK Challenge
How to Make a Sandbag Pill for Weighted Ruck Runs [Bryan Black]
Pushing Your Body to Physical Limits: How to Train Like a Fitness Badass [Leo Babauta]
GORUCK Challenge Loadout (Part 1) [Andrew Mullikin]
Gear Review: GRC Class 095 (Part 2) [Andrew Mullikin]
GORUCK: The Most Passionate Brand Following In the World [Matt Browner Hamlin]
More than just a physical challenge and minimal packs [U. Fridman]

Videos

Overview

Class 036

GORUCK Challenge Training

Class 063

Class 023

Class 059

Class 062

Class 067

Class 081

Class 084

Class 102

Interview with GORUCK Founder Jason McCarthy

But wait, there's more...

Short URL: http://goo.gl/SJcBL

A Huckberry Christmas

2011-11-29T20:34:00.001-05:00

Christmas is coming and probably faster than you'd like. I know that I still have quite a bit of shopping to do myself and after seeing the current deals on Huckberry, I may be shopping for myself!

Brett McKay from The Art of Manliness has jumped in and shared some of his top picks for deals on Huckberry and some are just too good to pass up. You'll have to login to view everything but I'm going to share what items that I'm currently lusting after.

Oh and one of the best parts about these deals?

// All AOM Holiday Shop orders guaranteed to reach you by December 24 or your money back. //

Poler Man Tent - $125

I don't currently have a Poler tent so I can't speak on the exact quality but all signs to point yes if you are in search of camp vibes. This company is certainly one to follow if you haven't been already. I recommend checking them out on Twitter and Tumblr.

PocketToolX Brewzer - $10

It's important for me to be the guy that others turn to when in need. I enjoy acting like Mary Poppins as I pull some much needed oddity out of my bag while still being fast and lite. The Brewzer is the super simple lightweight multi-tool I need.

Trek Light Double Hammock - $56

I use my hammock just about everywhere, and I mean everywhere. I've enjoyed a few lunch breaks from the 12th floor rooftop at work using only two well spaced trees in planters. If you're looking for a different way to spend your weekend than deepening the dip in your couch, pick one of these up.

Sawyer Squeeze Filter Kit - $39

During a past Huckberry deal, I purchased this filtration kit from Sawyer and couldn't be happier with it. It's lightweight, easy to use, and super portable; you can't ask for much more.

SlantShack Jerky - $22

Who doesn't like beef jerky? Ok, there may be a few of you but still, I love beef jerky and this stuff looks delicious! I also like how they have both grain fed and grass fed jerky though I don't know if there are any taste differences...

Rite in the Rain Journal Kit - $25

In the past, I've used Moleskine and Field Notes notebooks primarily. But neither are able to withstand the elements like Rite in the Rain. The fact they throw in a space pen should be enough of a reason to jump on this deal.

Retrospec Bikes [Not part of the 'Art of Manliness Holiday Shop']

Millenium

Red+Black

Retrospec currently has a dozen or so different models of bikes on Huckberry but two have really caught my eye. I love the colors and look of the Millenium and the Red+Black. At $250, these boutique bikes are a steal.

These deals won't last forever so you better act fast. The clock is ticking at 12 days left.

Anything on Huckberry catch your eye?

But wait, there's more...

Short URL: http://goo.gl/j4RvW

When you sign up using my link, I get credit on the site once you make your first purchase.

All photos are property of Huckberry Co. and only used for illustration.

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals

2011-11-24T22:09:00.001-05:00

Photo by connect7

There are a ton of good deals out there with 42" TV's going down to $200 and Xbox's down to $150 but you'll have to check your local flyers for those. I like the deals I can work while sitting in bed on my laptop.

Here are my picks:

Tactical Distributors

25% and Free Shipping
Code: THANKS

Silencerco

25% off everything
Code: BLACKFRIDAY

1Password

50% off all apps

ITS Tactical

15% off everything
and 'Cyber Monday Blow Out'
Code: WALKTHEPLANK

GORUCK

Free GR TAC hat for the first 20 gift card purchases over $100

iOS Apps

Over 200 apps reduced or free.

*Survival Straps

10% off
Code: CYBER

*Poler

15% off everything
Free shipping (lower 48)
No sales tax

Another list of deals for the tactically/outdoor minded can be found on ITS Tactical.

Do you have any specific deals you are interested in?

*Updated

Being Nitpicky about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

2011-11-21T18:28:00.000-05:00

I recently bought Modern Warfare 3 because I'm a huge fan of the Call of Duty franchise but more specifically, I love the Modern Warfare series.

[For some reason, I don't like the Treyarch versions of CoD.]

If you're looking for a review, here it is:

It's good and I recommend getting it. Some people say it's just like MW2 and I think that's mostly true but MW2 was really good also. New weapons, refreshed maps, a snappier feel, all reasons to join the fight.

Read on to hear my gripes* about the game. (*Spoiler alert, it's really just for fun and these things don't truly bother me. Well... maybe a little.)

Ok now that my official review is out, let me get picky. I haven't been around guns my whole life but I know enough that they could have hired me as a consultant and the game would have been 83% better.

Select Fire on Assault Rifles

They don't let you select fire on the assault rifles. In real life, rifles like the FN SCAR and Remington ACR allow semi auto or full auto fire but in the game they just allow full auto. Having the ability to change in game would allow greater control and accuracy as well as adding realism to the game.

SCAR-L

ACR 6.8

Ballistic Vests

One of the kill streak rewards is the use of ballistic vests. When you acquire one of these vests, your vision gains a slight yellowish tinted vignette. Does this usually happen when you wear a ballistic vest? No. What does happen is that the added weight could slow you down. Why not make the downside of the vest use a slower sprint speed or decreased sprint distance?

Not Wearing a Ballistic Vest

Wearing a Ballistic Vest

Sprinting with a Light Machine Gun

With some of these light machine guns weighing as much as 20 pounds (not including ammo), they still allow you to spring quite a bit. I guess that they still slow you down when compared to the SMG's but I imagine it would be more realistic if they slowed you down further. These are some heavy guns!

Shoulder Firing .50 caliber Sniper Rifle

You'll see a ton of people in multiplayer firing multiple times on body sized targets (other players) while standing or even moving with the Barrett. That's just not accurate. Also, the bipods on these rifles should be functional for times when going prone to take a shot.

Kel-Tec KSG

The Kel-Tec KSG was new at SHOT Show this year and as cool as it is, I don't want to use it in Modern Warfare 3. It has 2 tubes that can each hold 7 rounds. The idea is that you can have 7 rounds of buck shot in one tube and 7 rounds of slugs in the other. That allows you to engage targets in close quarters and at a considerable distance through the use of a red dot sight. This could have been a great gun in the game but they don't allow you to change ammunition types.

Hybrid Sight

The hybrid sight offers horrible sight picture all around. In the real world this could be very useful even though it has some downsides (getting caught on entryways when flipped out). Look at the comparison of the various sights in MW3 and take note of the bottom two photos which is the hybrid sight in it's two stages.

(click to embiggen)

Suppressors for Shotguns

Ok, these 'do' exist but I don't think they should be included in the game unless they allow you to use slugs in the shotgun. I am really not an expert in this field but I don't think a suppressor would work with buck shot due to so many projectiles. Like I said, it's something that is possible in the real world but not so much that it's mainstream.

Conclusion

It's just a game and I like to find stuff to be picky about. You really should buy it. <-- Amazon Affiliate Link

Let me know if you have any gripes about it because I'm sure I'm not alone and there probably some things I've missed.

But wait, there's more...

Short URL: http://goo.gl/n8yKS

Video of my recent gameplay:

150 Years of Printing History

2011-11-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

The U.S. Government Printing Office's 150th Anniversary History Exhibit may be small but it has a few tricks up it's sleeve. I recommend stopping by if you are in the area of Union Station because it's only a block or two away and can be a quick tour if you don't have a lot of time.

Once inside you'll find yourself surrounded by all kinds of historical documents. I can see how the Government Printing Office would be overlooked by most people. In fact, I initially considered them as just a giant ~~Kinko's~~ FedEx Office.

This post is going to be very short so enjoy the photos and go have a look for yourself.

My favorite part of the exhibit was the original printed copy of the preliminary version of the Emancipation Proclamation. Very cool to see up close.

'Boring' Details:

Government Printing Office

732 North Capitol Street NW

Washington, DC

Distance from office: 0.1 miles

Door to door time: 5 minutes

Tour time: 50 minutes

Transportation used: Walked

Cost: Free

Notes:

- Metal detectors (allot a few extra minutes) so leave your knife at home.

- They've crammed a lot of history into such a small exhibit. It's worth going back to read all of the details.

But wait, there's more...

Photos on Picasa.

Short URL: http://goo.gl/e88ow

A view of the District from the Old Post Office Tower

2011-11-19T13:34:00.001-05:00

The Old Post Office Tower seemed to be the perfect lunch time tour spot. It was far enough away from the office that I felt like I was in a completely new place yet also perfectly accessible from the Metro which should minimize transportation time. I've heard it is the third highest building in the area and offers quite the view from it's 270 foot observation deck. I wanted to check things out for myself.

There are [at least] two different exits from the Metro station and I took the one that was farther away; not by choice. Still, getting to the front door of the Old Post Office was only a couple of blocks away.

Once inside, I had to snake my way through the first floor and the food court to reach the series of elevators that would take me to the top. You have to change elevators because there isn't just one that goes straight up and you also have the option to seeing the Congress Bells.

Once at the top, you have a very good view of the city in all directions. There are metal cables in place (and plexiglass) but that doesn't really hinder your photos of you're careful. Just don't drop your phone over te edge, it probably won't survive the fall.

If you haven't had a chance to check out the Old Post Office Tower, I highly recommend it. If anything, it's a chance to grab some cool photos of an often overlooked landmark.

Interesting Facts:

The Congress Bells have their own level.

Replicas of the bells in Westminster Abbey
The bells ring in honor of the opening and closing of Congress and on state occasions, including all national holidays.

Was the largest government building in the District of Columbia at the turn of the century and the first with a clock tower.
One of the city's first steel frame buildings with a granite skin covering the steel to fireproof it.
The electric power plant, capable of driving 3,900 lights, was the first to be installed in a district building.
Construction began 1892 and completed 1899.

'Boring' Details:

Old Post Office Tower

12th St. & Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Washington, DC

Distance from office: 1.5 miles

Door to door time: 55 minutes

Tour time: 10 minutes

Transportation used: Metro

Cost: Free

Notes:

- Metal detectors (allot a few extra minutes) so leave your pocket knife at home.

- Total height is 315 feet with the observation level at 270 feet.

But wait, there's more...

Photos on Picasa.
Short URL: http://goo.gl/v2deJ

GORUCK Challenge is back in DC

2011-11-16T11:45:00.000-05:00

The GORUCK Challenge is back in the nation's capital but won't be around again until June. There are a few more spots available for the Sunday December 11th class and you need to act fast.

Photo by GORUCK

Since you are signing up late, the price is now $160 but I can hook up with a discount code worth $20. Just promise next time to sign up further in advance! Challenges are best when shared with friends so grab a couple and get them in on this deal.

Also, $140 may sound like a lot but you're actually getting a lot more in return. Challenges are full day affairs with plenty of time to hang out with your team before or after in the form of a 'ruckoff.' Once you complete your Challenge, you'll join the exclusive GORUCK Tough community and receive invitations to upcoming events such as Ascent, Beached, and Scavenger.

Photo by GORUCK

If you're in the DC Metro area, Balance Gym will help you get prepared physically and I highly recommend reading this post for more prep tips in general. As always, let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Resources:

Official Event Page
Facebook Event Page (get to know your team)
Registration (don't forget to email me for the promo code)

Contact Me:

Email: mikepetrucci+goruck [at] gmail [dot] com
Twitter: @mikepetrucci

But wait, there's more...

Short URL: http://goo.gl/zGleZ

Find Your Inner Artist at The Phillips Collection

2011-11-09T12:43:00.001-05:00

To say that I knew nothing about The Phillips Collection before visiting would be an understatement. I didn't even know it existed. So after looking around online for some fun free things to do in DC, The Phillips Collection popped up.

While my wife is an artist and I do appreciate art, I'm not really the kind of guy to visit a gallery without being forced. But hey, this series is supposed to be on exploring new and unfamiliar territory, so off I went.

Getting around DC [efficiently] can be difficult. The gallery is only 2.5 - 3 miles away from my office but I knew getting there wouldn't be an easy or quick task. A taxi might have been the simplest solution but I wanted to keep costs at a minimum so the solution was clearly going to be the Metro.

The closest Metro stop is the DuPont Circle station and depending on where you exit the station, it could be a 2-5 block walk.

A quick note: The downside to finding a good place to tour on your lunch break that depends on the Metro is that the Metro has crappy off peak service. Sometimes you have to wait 20 minutes for a train and if that's the case, you end up losing a lot of valuable time. Just something to keep in mind.

Luckily the Metro moved pretty quick and my walking pace can border on running for some and I got to the lobby of the gallery in no time. The permanent display is free but if you want to see the special exhibit it's $12. Also, they strongly encourage a donation of any amount and only after a few back-and-forths of 'I don't have any cash on me' will they let you in for free.

There's a lot to the gallery that I missed because I was practically running through it (worried about getting back to the office on time) and would certainly like to go back and [try to] truly appreciate the art. If I had to guess, I probably saw about 73% in total.

I forced myself to slow down and made sure to spend a few minutes reflecting on what I liked. Out of what I saw, here are some of my favorites:

Pantone on Vellum (Jorge Pardo)
Black Tiles (Kate Shepherd)
Rothko Room
Joseph Marioni
Liberation - Tack
Rocks at Mouthier (Gustave Courbet)
Woodland Rocks (Julian Alden Weir)

If you don't mind being rushed and have at least 30 minutes, I say go for it. But the only way to enjoy art is to enjoy it and while I don't really know what that means, I assume it means something like 'slow down and take your time.'

'Boring' Details:

The Phillips Collection

1600 21st Street, NW

Washington, DC 20009

Distance from office: 2.5 - 3 miles

Door to door time: 1 hour 4 minutes

Tour time: 25 minutes

Transportation used: Metro

Cost: Free for permanent exhibit but donation recommended. $12 for special exhibit.

Notes:

- No metal detectors but you are under constant watch.

- You are allowed to take photos and they even have audio tours you can do through your phone, but no talking on your phone.

But wait, there's more...

Photos on Picasa.
Short URL: http://goo.gl/Arjla

My First Fourteener

2011-09-12T14:29:00.000-04:00

I'm actually excited, just fighting an AMS headache.

On September 1st, I summited my first 14,000 foot mountain (Mount Belford). This was a monumental experience for me even though the photo above may not convey my joy. I was developing quite a nasty headache and a bit of nausea at that point. Yeah, Acute Mountain Sickness. Luckily we didn’t stay long and started our descent at which my headache began to subside.

I’m only writing this blurb to let you know I’ve been successful in reaching a life long goal of mine but now I have the desire to go bigger. I have decided to set some new goals and given the time and money, I’m sure they will be completed. Stay tuned for a post on my buddies site, ITS Tactical, which will include a full debrief of the GORUCK Ascent.

Thanks for all of your support. I couldn’t have done it without you.

GORUCK Ascent

2011-08-25T14:37:00.000-04:00

Soon I hope to be embarking on a challenge that will test both my physical abilities and mental resolve. The challenge is called the GORUCK Ascent.

Just recently, I completed the GORUCK Challenge with Class 031. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, by far. It took an amazing amount of mental strength to even sign up but I’m here to tell you that it changed my life.

I am no longer bound to a world where things are impossible. I learned that whatever I pour my heart into, I will accomplish.

What’s next on my list? The GORUCK Ascent. It will be a 100 hour team building event combined with classes taught by some of our nations top special forces operators, the Green Berets. We will be summiting multiple 14,000 foot mountains in a short period of time.

I’ve pledged to gather at least $1,000 in donations for the Green Beret Foundation and I’m proud to say that with your help, I’m at just over $1,900. I honestly couldn’t do that on my own and it means a lot that you all gave so much.

If you haven’t donated and would like to, I teamed up with ITS Tactical and we have some pretty sweet perks for your donation.

$30 or more — Limited Edition Patch commemorating the event (Never again available on ITS Tactical!)
$60 or more — Limited Edition T-Shirt & Patch (You’re going to want this shirt!)
$100 or more — Limited Edition T-Shirt, Patch, and ITS Flag (We have flags? They’re in the works, but you’ll get one of the first!)
$200 or more — All of the above and some serious ITS store swag (Details forthcoming, but it’s going to be good!)

Click HERE to donate.

For even more details on the GORUCK Ascent, check out the site http://2011ascent.com and Facebook page.

Follow me on Twitter for updates.

WOD Templeton

2011-08-07T14:47:00.000-04:00

I just completed a new workout I called ‘Templeton’, after my dog because he just laid there next to me the whole time.

I’ve only been to a CrossFit gym once, to take an intro class and while I really enjoyed how much it kicked my butt, I still can’t commit to a time to go right now.

But in the meantime, I’m trying a few CrossFit style workouts at home and I figured I’d start naming them too.

Keep in mind that these may look simple to you but they’re still a test for me and I’m sure I’ll get better and start making the workouts harder.

WOD Templeton

Description: Simple at home workout that doesn’t require much except a weight, which can be substituted for almost anything. Two rounds for time.

20 burpees
15 25 lb one arm rows
20 reverse crunches
20 body weight squats
15 table inverted rows

Completed in 14:44.

Notes: Could have been a bit faster if I had my gloves and my water handy. I’m excited to do this one again soon!

Save Your Work

2011-08-07T14:44:00.000-04:00

Living in a digital world is great. Until some ones and zeros get misplaced.

I just recently lost about a months worth of photos.

They were mostly pics from my brother in laws wedding up in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Don’t worry, I didn’t take many of the wedding itself so it’s not like the bride and groom won’t have a shot of their first dance. Also, I uploaded just about all of them to a Facebook and Google+ Album.

Because I share a lot of my finds/experiences on a day to day basis, most of the pics that I care about or think are of any quality are already online. Usually posted within minutes of taking it whether it’s on DailyBooth, Instagram, Flickr, etc.

That’s the kind of world we’re living in. A point and share world.

This doesn’t mean that just because you post every pic on Twitter or Facebook that you don’t need to backup your images (or the rest of your phone for that matter) but it’s just something that caught my attention.

After having some issues and tinkering for around 5 hours (and that’s being conservative), I finally had a functional iPhone.

Moral of the story? Back up your stuff, unless you don’t care if you lose it or not.

But the time spent figuring this out and the time spent not having a useable phone has already deterred me from trying a beta again. I’ll leave the beta downloading and testing to the real developers.

Photo: iPhone Update by Flickr User hddod

My 4 Favorite Features of the iPhone 4

2011-07-18T14:48:00.000-04:00

With the rumor mill of the next iPhone (iPhone 5 and/or iPhone 4S) cranking pretty hard, I thought I would go over some of my favorite features of the iPhone 4.

Most of you are early adopters like me but the rest of you like to wait a year so all the bugs are worked out and the price is lower to get your new phone. So this is what you should be looking forward to.

Here are my 4 favorite features, in no particular order...

1. 5 MP Camera

Fast startup and photo capturing
HDR feature works really well

This thing just works. On my trip to Hawaii, I didn’t even pack my ‘real’ camera; it never even crossed my mind to add to my list. The best camera in the world is the one you have on you and I carry my phone everywhere so I take approximately 99.6% of my photos on my iPhone.

2. The Device Itself

Glass & Metal
Simple

The iPhone 4 is beautiful. It’s just glass and metal and while that’s also what I don’t like (always worried I’ll drop it) it’s super sleek and sophisticated and simple at the same time.

3. Retina Display

The graphics will make your eyes bleed.
Beats out any other phone.

Reading, watching movies, viewing photos… you will not find a more crisp and high quality screen on any phone let alone most TV’s! Really, if you haven’t taken a look at the iPhone 4 in person by now, go and do just that. You’ll be amazed.

4. Speed

Fast when switching between apps.
Can handle more intensive games.

The iPhone 4 is so much faster than its predecessor. I notice a huge boost in performance all around from multitasking to taking pictures; it made using the phone a breeze.

What are some of the things you like about the iPhone 4?

[Thanks Time Management Ninja for the idea!]

Paddling to a New Perspective

2011-06-28T14:50:00.000-04:00

Last weekend I was in North Carolina with my wife’s family at their lake house. It was a whirlwind adventure and even though it didn’t bring much sleep, I got a lot of ‘recharge’ time. I got to do a lot of things I don’t usually do like canoeing, swimming, tubing, BBQ’ing, eating Whataburger, sleeping in my ENO hammock… stuff like that.

But early on Sunday morning, I decided to go for a short canoe trip. The sun was just coming up and I thought I would paddle around the cove. Once I got out on the water, I changed my destination. I was going to paddle to the bridge my father in law said was exactly one mile away. In a flat bottom canoe. By myself.

Staying somewhat close to the shore, everything seemed to move pretty fast. Well, not fast but I could tell I was making progress. It was tedious to switch sides after every stroke but that’s all I could do to keep going in a straight line.

As I ventured away from the safety of the shore and into the open of the lake, everything changed. I couldn’t tell if I was getting any closer to the bridge and even thought maybe the current was pushing me backwards. I lost my point of reference.

After a few seconds of desperately trying to find a point to lock on to but finding none, I suddenly felt my arms weakening after each stroke. It truly felt as if I was no longer propelling my boat through the water but was attempting to move the entire Earth below me.

What saved me was focusing on these tiny little pulp looking things that were floating on the surface of the water. There weren’t many but when I saw them and ‘sped’ past them, it gave me much relief to know I was actually progressing.

Yeah it’s kinda silly to freak out about that but it was crazy at how different I felt when I just shifted my perspective.

If you are going through a difficult time at the moment, just try to look at it from another angle. You may be surprised at what you find and you may even find it not as bad as you thought.

I need to write more

2011-06-20T14:51:00.000-04:00

Why?

I use Twitter as my main writing platform, there’s no getting around it. According to TweetDeck, I average 12 tweets a day. I really thought it would be more than that… Anyway, that’s potentially 12 different topics for me to choose from, and expand on.

Twitter can also feel a little too ‘short form’ to get big ideas across. And really, it’s called microblogging for a reason.

I want to have a more lasting impression. Both in a way for friends and family to follow along with my life and even just to create a more searchable archive (I love going back and reading past blog posts!).

Twitter and other microblogging services can give an ‘at a glance’ view of a person but to really get to know them, you need to hang out with them more. In this day and age, that space is usually online.

I also want to write more because I think I’m a horrible writer. Some of you may not think that but if you are any of my past English teachers, I apologize. So how does one get better at something? By doing more of it! Ultimately I need to do it [writing] correctly but I need to at least be in the motion of doing.

So that’s what I plan on doing.

Bonus Resources:

Expand Your Social media Mix: Twitter Alone is Not Enough /via Web Strategist
19 Reasons You Blog and Not Just Tweet /via The Future Buzz
Steak or Pepper /via Gary Vaynerchuk

Photo by Flickr user Irish Typepad

I am GORUCK Tough

2011-05-17T16:01:00.000-04:00

On May 7th, I completed the GORUCK Challenge (class 031) in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and will be forever changed. If you aren’t familiar with the Challenge, it’s billed as a team event that lasts 15-20 miles and around 8-10 hours. Although, the cadre loves to under promise and over deliver.

Straight from their site, here is the Challenge in a nutshell:

You and your fellow Challenge takers all wear GORUCK backpacks throughout the Challenge. Yes, your bags will be weighted down with bricks, but if the Challenge were easy you wouldn’t sign up. In fact, the greatest hurdle is signing up. We are proud that the pass rate is over 98%.
You won’t know the route but it showcases the best of every city. Think of it as a guided tour. The miles don’t disappear on their own, and 8 to 10 hours can feel like a lifetime. Welcome to our version of good livin’.

To read my full story, click HERE.

Move with Purpose. Literally.

2011-05-17T10:17:00.000-04:00

Dupont Circle Metro Station

Yes there are times to stop and smell the roses. Yes there are times to walk slowly and enjoy the sights. But those times aren't all the time.

I'm writing this as I'm on the Metro and should probably revise it before posting because I'm a little cranky. Thanks to all the Metro zombies.

[Metro zombies: slow walkers, tourists, dawdlers, inattentive commuters...]

When you see others that are trying to get somewhere, allow them to get there! Well, the biggest problem is that most of these people are oblivious.

Look, I'm going to end my rant now but if you want to be on my good side, just stay out of my way. That's really about it.

Tunes Tuesday

2011-05-17T10:01:00.000-04:00

I've had this song consistently on repeat. Just good stuff. Don't pay too much attention to the video, it's just the best audio version on YouTube.

Does me liking this make me a hipster?

Weekend Highlights

2011-05-16T16:55:00.000-04:00

Can't remember the name of the dish...

Saturday:

- Slept in (much needed)
- Cleaned the house & computer (real life and digitally!)
- Went to Bertucci's (with gift card from Pop!)

Sunday:

- Dropped Jenni off in DC for her GRE test (she did amazingly well!)
- Made it to DC Metro Church in time for the 11:30 service
- Took a nap outside on the Potomac.

The wife and the pup in the ENO hammock.

Music Monday

2011-05-16T16:42:00.000-04:00

It's Monday and I've stumbled across some amazing music so I hereby declare today 'Music Monday.'

Today's music is brought to you by Diana the Violinist. I follow her on Twitter and she tweeted out a link to one of her latest performances. It was just amazing! I don't really know what to say except that it was incredible! Watch the video below and see what you think.

Passionate... playful.... I guess that's what the Tango is all about! Let me know if you enjoyed it!

Oh and since I know nothing about music, I asked her which person she was in the video and if she was to the left of the guy with the wand. This was her response:

lol! that's ok. I'm the concertmaster. 1st violin. The one playing the solos to the left of the guy with the wand :)

Weekend Highlights

2011-04-17T16:23:00.000-04:00

[note: just like my last post, this was supposed to have been posted almost a month ago but I totally forgot]

Thursday:

- Gave blood

Friday:

- Nearly free lunch and a free chipwhich for dessert. Perfect weather. (see other blog post)

- Did a lot of pushups, bicep curls, pull ups, and lifted my 30 pound bag over my head multiple times.

Saturday:

- Got up early and ran almost 7 miles in the rain. Had a 15 pound ruck on and felt food except for some foot problem.

- It was dreary and dark all day with some serious storms in the afternoon.

- Watched "127 Hours"

- Watched "A Series of Unfortunate Events" while cleaning the house.

Sunday:

- Ran almost 10 miles with a 35 pound ruck and felt very good. Only sore a little from the weight.

- Paid the bills online. Always sucks at first but I feel better when it's done!

Friday - The Day of Awesome

2011-04-15T16:17:00.000-04:00

[note: this was written about a month ago but I forgot to post until now. sorry!]

Short Version:

The day started out perfect. The day ended perfect. Oh and it was perfect in the middle too.

Long Version:

Woke up early and refreshed, glad that it was Friday. I've been trying to go to bed a little earlier each night and it's really been making a difference in my day. That's a bit of a side note I guess!

While lying in bed and checking my email and Twitter, I was reminded that it was the day that Living Social was promoting a good bit of local restaurants by offering $1 lunches. It varied from location to location but basically $1 would get you between $10 to $25 worth of food.

I quickly signed in at 6 am and bought $10 worth of food at Good Stuff Eatery. It was only a buck and one of my favorite DC joints. Great burgers and even better milkshakes (try the toasted marshmallow milkshake, it's freaking amazing).

By the way, it turns out it was a great idea to buy the deal really early on because when all my coworkers tried later, the site kept crashing. Must have had a huge response!

I forgot to mention, the weather was absolutely perfect! Just amazing. Clear blue sky and slightly warm out. If you were in the shade you might get chilly and that's just how I like it.

When the dust settled of everyone grabbing different deals and making their lunch plans, a friend from work and I decided to go to the same place. We figured the best way to get there would be to take the Capital Bike Share bikes because it would be fast and just plain fun!

It didn't take long but we soon found ourselves at pretty much the front of the line waiting for the restaurant to open. When it finally did, I got a Spikes Sunnyside burger (with egg and ) and a large toasted marshmallow milkshake for a grand total of $2.13. Amazingly delicious!

After eating, we pedaled back to Union Station and parked the bikes. While waking alongside the front of Union Station I saw an Amtrak employee eating a chipwhich. I have to admit I got a bit jealous but I figured he just treated himself. Then I saw a few school kids eating them. What a crazy coincidence! Then after seeing an older lady with one I realized something was going on and I wanted a part of it.

I started looking for the source of the mysterious ice cream snack and I found it! I guess the NHL was promoting something, I'm not sure because my attention was on the chipwhich.

Wow, I thought there was more but I guess thats it! Although, free and nearly free food is really an easy way to please me. Keep that in mind.

How was your Friday?

Oh and you can spot a cameo of me on the news:

[31 seconds in & I'm wearing a grey long sleeve shirt with a backpack]

Shhhhhh!

2011-03-05T20:55:00.000-05:00

I won another contest! And once again, I couldn't have done it without my Facebook friends. Really! I needed to get the most 'likes' on my entry and I somehow convinced enough people to help me in a silencer.

Oh yeah, have you ever heard of someone winning a silencer? Now you have!

SilencerCo held a contest to give away their new Stainless Steel 22Sparrow. All you had to do was make a video showing why, then they pick the four finalists for all of Facebook to vote on.

Here's my entry:

When voting started, I thought I had this one in the bag, but that wasn't the case. I led the polls for just a little bit in the beginning but was quickly in second place until the very end. A really close call!

Ok, I won a silencer so now what? I have to fill out some forms and pay the government tax stamp, then I wait. Waiting for your paperwork to go through can sometimes take a while, or so I'm told. That's ok though because my current .22 doesn't have a threaded barrel so I'm looking to replace it with one that does. I have a few ideas but I'm going to ask SilencerCo what they recommend for the 22Sparrow.

This is my first suppressor and I'm super excited about it! A lot of people have been asking me 'why' and I have a simple 4 bullet point answer:

- Increased accuracy
- Hearing protection
- Home protection
- It's my right and I choose to exercise my right.

For more info on SilencerCo: silencerco.com

For more info on owning a silencer:
silencersarelegal.com
silenceru.com

Previously, on Blogger...

2011-02-09T23:02:00.000-05:00

I'm thinking all of my old blog posts. Not here, but here. Yeah, the old stuff. The stuff that got me started in blogging. It was really just an online journal but I enjoyed it.

I should start doing that again. Truth is, it's hard to find time. I enjoy may day job and I have so many other fun side projects that the time seems to just disappear! Yeah, I know you've heard that a million times from other bloggers, but it doesn't apply to me because I'm not a 'real' blogger! Bam!

Anyway, I'm writing this on my iPhone but I'll finish it the computer. I guess that's how I'll find the time.

So what's new? There's a lot really. I'm not sure where to start so I'll probably bounce around.

I went to SHOT Show this year. It was my first time and I had TONS of fun! Actually, I have a big post on the coolest things I did and saw but I'll make that separate so it doesn't dominate this post. Here is a sneak peek:

H&K MR556

Barrett M98B .338 Lapua Gemtech Can

I read a ton of books this past year. I used to read a lot but I've slowed down significantly. It felt good to discover some good book though! Maybe I'll make that into a blog post.

Oh, I won an iPad! Of we are friends on Facebook then you probably already know this because you probably helped me out. Thanks again by the way!

I officially became an uncle. How cool is that! Uncle Mike! Here's my niece and I:

You know, I'm just gonna be wrestling back and forth with this and probably start rambling (as if I hadn't already) so I'm gonna stop it there.

I have a video that I'll post next. Kind of like a 'show and tell.' I used to LOVE 'show and tell' time in school!

Alright. That is all. You know where to reach me. And if you don't, just leave a comment or better yer, hit me up on Twitter: @mikepetrucci

Keep track of your running!

2010-09-07T14:00:00.000-04:00

Photo by Ray Maker

If you run, or bike for that matter, you probably keep a record of your runs. I remember back in high school that I used to just write all my runs down on paper. Well, after using Nike+ then switching to RunKeeper, I haven't looked back.

But then I noticed the Garmin Forerunner series. I'm no stranger to Garmin GPS units. I love the Nuvi for my car and I've used the Geko in the past for Geocaching.

Well, the Garmin Forerunner 310XT offers tons of features to keep track of your pace and distance and more. It's waterproof and has a stellar battery life. In fact, just read a super thorough review here.

But what's best about this specific Forerunner is that you could win it in a contest! I know! Actually, this blog post counts as an entry for myself (sneaky sneaky!) so head over and jump in this contest before it's over! It's super easy!

First Barefoot Run!

2010-08-25T14:54:00.000-04:00

Resting my new running 'gear.'

Well, I just completed my first run with no shoes on. I did a mile, just because it was feeling so good. I really should have gone less. Actually I should have just walked but it felt so free to be running with just my bare feet hitting the pavement.

I’m reading “Born to Run” and if you’re into running at all you need to check this book out. There are so many interesting things in this book & it’s one of my inspirations to try barefoot running.

I know that a lot of you may think its goofy or even just dangerous but I think there might actually be something there and I need to try and figure it out. I can’t remember where I heard it but there was a quote that I enjoyed and I feel it relates to this.

Those who say it’s impossible should not interrupt those doing it.

Earlier today while at work, I got the idea to start barefoot running. You have no idea how bad I wanted to take my shoes and socks off and start walking around barefoot right then! Then the whole Metro ride then bus ride home I was just itching to set my piggies free!

Right when I got off the bus, I rolled up my pants and stripped off my shoes and socks and walked home. Everything from the sidewalks to the fresh cut grass felt new and intriguing. Like I’ve forgotten the texture of them all together.

The grass was so welcoming that I couldn’t help to run a few steps just to see what it was like. My legs just wanted to run! As soon as I walked in the door to my house, I changed into my running clothes with running shoes in hand and bolted back out the door.

When I started to run, I suddenly realized how ‘free’ everything felt. I really did feel like a kid again, with not a care in the world. Just running. I thought about my mom telling me to come home when the street lights came on.

I passed a few people on the sidewalk trail but in their defense they were moving pretty slow. I wasn’t exactly setting records but I felt amazing. My back was straight and my legs had no pain or anything. I truly amazed myself as to how fast I was moving. I wonder what I could have done if I were on soft earth and running on grass?

Right near the end of my barefoot trial I felt a pain in my left toe. It felt like a small thorn or something. Well, I would be done in a moment so I just let it go. After I stopped and parked myself on a bench to reflect on the run, I looked at my foot and realized there was what looked like a blister that just formed, popped, and was now a flap that was open. Ouch!

No big deal though. I just threw on my running shoes and made my way back home. After cleaning it and putting a pair of socks on, I think all is well. Though I do feel some pain from it right now. Also other parts of my feet that aren’t use to running out of a shoe! But that’s to be expected.

I promised myself that I’m not going to push anything and I’m going to take it as easy as possible so I won’t become injured and not be able to run period. Being barefoot is such an interesting and liberating experience and I bet that not a lot of people know at all what it’s like.

Do you run barefoot? If you don’t, I want you to try it. Be safe though. Maybe just trot around in a nice field but make mental notes as to how you feel.

I’m afraid that I’m hooked.

iPhone Home Screen 08.08.10

2010-08-08T14:58:00.000-04:00

Here is the first in a series showing my iPhone home screen. Not really sure how you’ll benefit from it but it should be a bit interesting at least.

I’m the kind of person that enjoys seeing others houses because I think a change of scenery grows new ideas.

I like to keep my home screen filled with the apps I’ll use the most as well as some of the more graphically pleasing apps. The icons on the main screen need to pass my “app appeal” test and it’s more important now that I have an iPhone 4 with retina display!

What’s on your iPhone home screen? As you can see, I have a lovely picture of my smokin’ hot wife! But I have seen some cool wallpapers. A friend of mine has a Pac-Man scheme that goes around all the app icons, pretty creative.

Here is the list of apps on the home screen in no real order: oh! and the “i” notates the apps that come on the iPhone from Apple.

Calendar (i)
Navigation Folder
- Google Maps (i)
- Google Earth
- Waze
- Where
- MapQuest
- ArcGIS
Photos (i)
Camera (i)
Messages (i)
Notes (i)
Home Screen Folder
- iMovie
- Red Laser
- Digg
- DailyBooth
- 43 Things
- LinkedIn
Productivity Folder
- iDisk
- Box.net
- Evernote
- Springpad
- Google
- Voice Memo (i)
- Omni Focus
- DocsToGo
Twitter
Facebook
Foursquare
Dropbox
X-Plane-4G
Instapaper
Tumblr
Settings (i)
Phone (i)
Mail (i)
Safari (i)
Music Folder
- iPod (i)
- Pandora
- Shazam
- Soundhound
- I Heart Radio
- Simplify
- Pzizz Sleep
- Pzizz Energizer
- Ambiance
- Bing Music
- Boombox
- iOrgel

First Full Day with iOS4 on 3GS

2010-06-22T23:04:00.000-04:00

Well, I've had just about a full day to tinker and play with the new operating system on my iPhone 3GS and I have some thoughts.

There is a lot that I like but if I had to pick just one thing to have because I find it the most useful, it would be 'folders.'

But let me list the features I liked and the ones I didn't.

Positives:

- Super fast camera! It almost takes the pic faster than the shutter sound can go off!
- Folders has saved my life. I went from a full 11 pages to 5.
- Wallpaper is a nice addition and I didn't find even a portrait to be too busy. But that's a personal preference.
- I love the new "places" feature in the camera roll. I can view the pics I took with my iPhone camera on a map which sometimes makes it easier to find specific pictures.
- With the new screen rotation lock, I'm sure emailing and tweeting from bed will be much easier!
- You can now adjust your spotlight searching. I want apps to have a higher priority than emails and notes just under apps.
- Real spellcheck! Even has the little squiggly red underline thing. Very easy to use.
- One of the most fun surprises was that my Bluetooth keyboard would pair and let me type a note or email etc. Felt like a real laptop!
- When shooting a video, you can now touch to focus and change the auto iris.

Negatives:
- Still no way to add image in email while composing. Well, no easy way. One way is to be in the email, double click the home button, go to pics, click and hold to copy pic, double click home button, back to email and paste. I recommend it should behave like Tweetie, I mean Twitter for iPhone.
- I want the entire screen (apps and all) to rotate when i rotate the device. Like the iPad.

Notes:
- Swiping from page to page feels fluid sometimes but choppy other times.
- Still getting used to using a centralized inbox but they have all the mailboxes separate of you want them like the old way.
- I like how iBooks highlights and you can email a note but I want to be able to email those notes. And even have a "lending" feature so I can share iBooks with friends.
- Multitasking works well although I got used to the double press of my home button being quick access to my camera but now it's used to access multitasking.

I Play a Cool Kid on TV

2010-06-14T18:43:00.000-04:00

I feel like a lot people look up to me. Well maybe not look up to but find me interesting. If we've met face to face for any amount of time, you probably thought I was a crazy kooky off the wall guy.

Here are the stages of knowing me:
Step 1: We meet and I'm as cool as I can be. Nothing explosive, just funny at times.
Step 2: Goofy & random but still smooth. Sometimes I'll come out of my shell but only if I've had a Red Bull.
Step 3: Full blown caffeinated tornado! I like to stay relevant and clever but a lot of times I just come off as random.

Those are the three stages to knowing me.

There are those that have asked me if I were one of the "cool kids" in school. I laugh when I hear that. Couldn't be farther from the truth!

While liked, I was never officially "cool." I'm just super shy at first and have no idea if I'm supposed to talk to people, nod at them, shake their hand, hug them, or fist bump! So in the past I just would gently avoid them. I wanted to say hi but didn't know what was the best way to do it!

So keep that in mind if we meet. I'm way cooler by our third date! I'm learning to relax and just be myself off the bat but it's taking some time.

Please don't think I have a low self esteem, I just don't want you to be put off because I act like I know what I'm doing all the time! Well, I mean, I'm 'always' right and I know more than most of you combined (fightin' words right there!) but that's no reason not to be friends.

I look forward to meeting you and getting to know you. Let's go grab a coffee some time! I promise I won't be crazy [at first]!

I wish my bike had health insurance

2010-06-02T16:11:00.000-04:00

Last night I decided to ride my mountain bike to Mount Vernon. I got there in half an hour (I was feeling pretty strong so I was trying to really fly) and as soon as I crested the last hill, I turned back around and headed home.

Trying to beat the failing sunlight, I really started to push myself. Soon I looked back and noticed a roadie behind me. Road cyclists make my ego get the best of me. I like to ride my full suspension mountain bike with khaki shorts and either blow by them or hold them off from passing for as long as I can. Yeah, maybe a little too aggressive.

Well, the roadie was getting closer so I hammered down. The slight downhill gave me tons of speed. The paved trail was slick and all of a sudden, the trail turned right and went downhill very sharply. I squeezed both brakes which kicked out the rear tire left then right then left and all of a sudden I was airborne.

The roadie stopped and made sure I was ok. Asking me my name and if I lived nearby... did I have my cell phone... just making sure I was coherent.

All in all, heres the damage:

- Cracked helmet

- Bent front rim

- Bent saddle

- Scrapes on shoulder, elbow, and ankle

That's about it. Hopefully it won't cost too much to replace/repair those parts. I'd rather get stitches than have to buy new parts!

This was straight when I left my house.

This was also straight.

Had to dismantle so it would fit in my wifes car.

Elbow booboo

Shoulder scrape.

I sold my iPad!

2010-06-02T15:30:00.000-04:00

More details to come later but I sold it. And it was probably one of the most amazing devices I've ever used (2nd to my iPhone).

The iPad

2010-04-02T18:00:00.000-04:00

Yeah, it's inevitable. You knew I was going to write about it. It's just so cool!

Unless you are a PC fan boy and despise Apple products, you have to agree that the iPad has some pretty cool tricks up it's sleeve.

I don't have a very good attention span on my best of days so I'm just going to warn you now that this might be a random stream of consciousness.

Some of the bigger complaints I hear are that the iPad is just a giant iPod Touch. Um… well, yeah! But what's wrong with that?!

As most iPhone/iPod Touch users will tell you, they LOVE their device. It does virtually everything but what they don't like about their iPhone or iPod Touch is the small size. Typing anything longer than a tweet can be cumbersome and reading a few pages can strain the eyes.

That's how the iPad will shine (among other things.)

To address the argument about it being just a big iPod Touch, I recommend you read this article but be warned, their is some language: http://jeffcroft.com/blog/2010/jan/28/ipad-thoughts/

Ok, what else are people crying about? Oh right, lack of Flash support. A lot of sites today use a good bit of Flash. Not necessarily the best ones but the ones that I like to visit (Netflix Watch Instantly, Hulu, YouTube, Network TV sites, etc.) use Flash. So the iPad, this multimedia device can't play even half of the videos/tv shows/movies that are online!

Stop worrying about Flash! HTML5 is making some great strides in just a short amount of time so I think in a few months, a lot of sites will use it in some way and in a few years, 90% of the Flash sites you visit now will be HTML5 or maybe a mixture of both. (just a guess)

But really, don't cry about no Flash support. This is not a "computer." This is not Microsoft 7 or Mac OSX. I would direct you back to the fact it's a giant iPod Touch. Did the iPod Touch (or iPhone) have Flash? No.

Read this article on Flash support: http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/01/27/adobe-flash-ipad

Another thing to keep in mind is that iPad isn't made for creating content but consuming content: http://mashable.com/2010/01/28/what-we-learned-about-apple-yesterday

But I believe that if you're smart, you can still create content. There are apps that let you adjust and manipulate photos (i.e. Photoshop), apps that let you edit video, apps that let you edit audio, apps that let you make slideshows… See where I'm going with this?

Are you stuck between an iPad and a Kindle?

Read this article on the iPad being a Kindle killer: http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/01/28/top-10-reasons-ipad-kindle/

This is what I think Amazon should do: If Amazon wants a fight, they need to lower their price drastically. They should have lowered their price as soon as the iPad was announced as a way of causing some defectors to switch sides and drop the iPad. … But they didn't and iPad launches tomorrow. Oh well.

What I'm bummed about:
- No front facing camera for a video chat
- No multitasking

Those are really the only things that I can think of because I don't own one yet and haven't been able to give it a good try.

Things to think about:
- How awesome would it be to get high res magazine subscriptions on the iPad?! And I'm sure there would be embedded videos and other extra tidbits for you to inexact with.
- This may not be a big deal for you but I have a bunch of stickers on the back of my MacBook Pro. With more real estate on the back of iPad, you can customize with your own stickers and stuff! By making it "your own" the device suddenly becomes more personal for you possibly making it more indispensable. Just a thought.

I haven't worked out the exact workflow but I use a few ways to store files online that can be accessible from almost anywhere. Using Dropbox, my Mobile Me iDisk and Google I have tons of documents, videos, pictures available without having to keep them stored on my iPad locally. This is where people are going to get creative. Storing, accessing, and uploading their stuff to the "cloud."

Problems & Solution
- It doesn't make calls: http://mashable.com/2010/01/27/voip-3g/
- It's not a real computer. I can't make documents & presentations: iWork
- It doesn't have the ability to edit video or make slideshows: ReelDirector for editing video, Animoto for slideshows, Strip Design for home made comic books, Photoshop/Camerabag/Color Magic for photo editing… the list could go on!

Apps I'm Excited About:
- Instapaper
- X-Plane HD
- Flight Controller
- Kindle App
- Log Me In
- Google Earth
- Tweetie (and even Tweet Deck)
- OmniFocus
- (theres probably more but I haven't looked at all the iPad apps yet)

If I buy one I'm going to get the lowest model. The Wifi only 16GB iPad. Why? Well, as much as I would love to have the best of the best and room for expansion later, I have a 16GB iPhone now and even though I could run out of room, I am just fine with keeping it organized.

Why no 3G? I have an iPhone. I don't want two data plans. My iPad will be used mostly in places that have Wifi already and the number of places that offer free public Wifi is growing every day.

I plan on buying an iPad as a way to not have to buy a new laptop. It can do pretty much every single thing I need a laptop to do and it's immensely cheaper.

If you're stuck as to whether or not you should get one, its going to come down to this: It either works for you or it doesn't. I don't see a lot of middle ground.

For most people, it will probably just be a luxury item. For others (and I believe the minority) it's going to be a powerhouse of computing rivaling a laptop or even desktop computer.

Random iPad Articles and Stuff:

- 12 Things to know about the iPad (really breaks down the basics): http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/ptech/04/02/ipad.preview/index.html

- This made me want it more (seeing it actually handled): http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/01/27/holding-ipad-pictures

- TechCrunch - Everything iPad: http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/01/27/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-ipad/

- Funny Hitler iPad Meme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4

- Mashable iPad comprehensive guide: http://mashable.com/2010/01/27/ipad/

- Good article on showing usefulness of the iPad, in this roll as an IT support: http://www.tuaw.com/2010/01/30/some-thoughts-on-using-the-ipad-as-an-it-support-tool/

- An answer to how many icons in the dock: http://www.tuaw.com/2010/01/30/how-many-icons-on-that-ipad-dock/

- Cost/benefit of iPad and competitors: http://www.tuaw.com/2010/01/30/infographic-cost-benefit-analysis-of-the-entry-level-ipad-and-s/

- Which data plan should you buy? http://gizmodo.com/5459770/which-ipad-3g-data-plan-should-you-buy

Fresh New Look

2010-03-12T19:22:00.000-05:00

I just checked out Google Blog Template Designer and walked away with a pretty sweet new layout. It's simple, it's cozy, and it's not totally stock!

If you have a Blogger blog then certainly watch this video:

I have been posting some stuff on my Tumblr because I didn't really like the template I had for this blog but now I like this one! Just need to find a way to incorporate Disqus comments in here...

Initial Thoughts on the iPad

2010-01-27T15:32:00.000-05:00

iPad? Really? Is it sponsored by Tampax? The name is just a little odd but it will probably grow on me.

The iPad is cool. There, I said it. But that doesn't mean I'm lining up to buy it.
And if you don't think it's cool then you are probably lying. You know you will ogle the crap out of if you see a person in public with one. But maybe just because it's new...

The Good

- It looks cool
- Bigger videos
- Bigger games
- Developers will start taking advantage of its size and hopefully make some cool new apps
- You can hook a keyboard up to it.

The Bad

- It's not a "computer" - It runs iPhone OS right? Not OSX
- Can you really only put 4 apps in the bottom dock?
- Until apps are made to fit, most will look very odd being tiny or blown up
- No word on multitasking
- Wha?! No camera at all?

What iPad would HAVE to have for me to buy one today:

- Camera for video chatting
- Dual OSX and iPhone operating systems
- …. Can't think of anything more but I know there's more!

Price

I'm pretty thrilled about the cost of it BUT only for the $499 version. I thought they were going to charge a ton just because they could. Kudos. I understand that the larger drives and the addition of 3G is a plus but not truly needed for what I plan on using it for.

Which one would I buy?

I would buy the 16GB WiFi only model. Why? Because it would be a supplement to my iPhone, not a replacement. I wouldn't bring it with me to the super market so that's where the iPhone steps in. The iPad would be in my backpack to bring to work or the airport and stuff like that. Mostly it would be for when I get a chance to sit down and get comfortable.

I live on my iPhone comes out everywhere! While in line at Taco Bell, walking to the Metro, riding my bike. To me, those are situations where I would use the iPhone over the iPad for sure.

Also, WiFi is [almost] everywhere and will only continue to grow so I don't think that not having 3G would be a problem, as long as I have an iPhone that is.

Overall Thought

If I can get a hold of $499, then I would go for the 16GB iPad WiFi. That way my wife can use my MacBook Pro and I can surf on something larger than the iPhone. But I don't see it as second household computer. More of an iPod Touch on steroids. I'll really have to get some hands on time to make a better decision. So much to digest!

Q. What would you like to see it have? Do you feel the price justifies what it can do?

**Sorry if this is sloppy but I just wanted to post it real fast**

How do you measure the Force?

2010-01-05T10:43:00.001-05:00

If you are like my boss's son, you use the Star Wars Force Trainer. Yeah, it's real and it actually works! Read all about it (and buy it if you want) on Think Geek.

But if you want to see me trying it, check out this video:

I need a new theme!

2010-01-05T08:22:00.001-05:00

I'm in a pickle. Not a real pickle but if I were I would prefer it be a bread and butter pickle. I could eat those things all day!

The normal blogger templates/themes are very boring but also very useful. Gadgets and widgets work well and they aren't cluttered. But they are also not very pretty to look at.

As you can tell, I have a pretty neat looking one up right now. Thoughts?

What about this one (below)?

Heed the call, the Call of Duty.

2010-01-04T20:44:00.000-05:00

I don't consider myself a gamer but I guess I am. I mean, I only like a few games but those few games take up a lot of my time.

What is the biggest and best game right now? Modern Warfare 2. You probably have heard of it. It sold like a kajillion copies and also had some negative press but either way, you must have been under a rock if you don't know of it.

In the game, you can setup 5 different "classes" with customized weapons and "perks" that can help you achieve a win in a multiplayer game. Did I mention this is a game you play with tons and tons of people online? Probably kajillion.

Anyway, I'm constantly changing classes and I thought I would share with you what I have set up now and why I chose it. But really, these change almost daily.

________________

Class 1 - "Assault"

In a nutshell, this is my standard class. Nothing fancy and just good strong power. This is what I use when I'm not doing well and need to rank up some kills.

Primary - ACR
- Red Dot Sight (fast enemy alignment and works at long range)
- Full Metal Jackets

Secondary - Glock 18 (a super fast secondary weapon can really help)
- Red Dot Sight (can reach out and hit people easier than iron sights)
- Full Metal Jackets

1 Frag Grenade

2 Stun Grenades

Perks
- Bling Pro (sometimes rotate with Sleight of Hand Pro)
- Stopping Power Pro
- Steady Aim

________________

Class 2 - "Run"

This is probably my most used class. I love this class. It works on smaller maps and even large maps but if I ever have a bad series, I'll switch to the "Assault" class. In my opinion, most people don't know how to react fast enough when someone is literally running everywhere (and fast) with a knife that can really reach out and get them.

Primary - Vector (love this gun but only picked it because it's an SMG, I never fire it)
- Full Metal Jackets

Seconday - M9 (I keep this out but only b/c of the tactical knife, rarely fire bullets)
- Tactical Knife (the tactical knife with the speed in the perks is deadly!)

Semtex Grenade

2 Stun Grenades

Perks
- Marathon Pro
- Lightweight Pro
- Commando Pro

________________

Class 3 - "Challenge"

This class changes the most because it's really just to focus on challenges. If I need more kills with a certain weapon, I turn it on here. It's really a random grouping of weapons and perks but they do serve a purpose.

Primary - M16A4
- Grenade Launcher (working on my noob tube achievements)

Secondary - One Many Army (sometimes I just "change" into this same class so I can refill on ammo!)

Semtex Grenade

2 Flash Grenades

Perks
- One Man Army
- Danger Close (using this perk with the noob tube to maximize damage)
- Scrambler (hate this perk because it gives me away but I need to level it up)

________________

Class 4 - "Misc"

This class also changes a lot. I like to play stealthy but still be hard hitting so this is what I have setup for now. Nothing amazing but an all around decent class.

Primary - ACR (just a good all around rifle for me)
- Full Metal Jackets

Secondary - M9 (rarely use but I have a good sidearm and fast knife if necessary)
- Tactical Knife

Semtex Grenade

2 Flash Grenades

Perks
- Scavenger Pro (I seem to do well with this class and running out of ammo sucks)
- Cold Blooded Pro (love staying invisible to helicopters/harriers/uav's/turrets..!)
- Steady Aim

________________

Class 5 - "Sneaky"

When I want to run around with no one knowing where I am, I turn this class on. Shooting doesn't show up (and can barely hear) and I'm invisible to UAV's and everything else. Oh, and I can even run without making a sound. Something I just unlocked was the Pro version of Cold Blooded. Now, if people are just scanning, I wont show up if they put their sights over me. Before, their sights would turn red and my name might have shown up, not now!

Primary - ACR (my best gun right now)
- Silencer (stay off the grid...)
- Full Metal Jackets (...still pack a punch)

Secondary - AA-12 (don't mind going loud for just a minute)
- Red Dot Sight (had a silencer but range was way too short)

Throwing Knife (reusable and totally demoralizing!)

2 Stun Grenades

Perks
- Bling Pro
- Cold Blooded Pro (with this perk and Ninja Pro, I'm totally off the grid)
- Ninja Pro

________________

Death Streaks - All have Painkiller. I know kids hate that. I do too but it's useful. If I get killed 4 times in a row then I'm having a bad game and need some help. I call it the Dr. Mario Pill and my friend Dave says "someone is on the pill." Hah! Love it!

Kill Streaks - I'll change these up depending on how well (or crappy) I'm playing but right now, they are:

- 5 kills - Predator Missile
- 7 kills - Harrier Strike
- 9 kills - Pave Low

If I do really bad for a few games, I open up just something in 3, 4, and 5. Just so I keep getting presents and stay motivated!

Now that I told you what I have, feel free to use it and let me know if it works for you. Also, I'd love to hear what load outs you've had luck with!

Real-ler first post.

2010-01-04T11:29:00.000-05:00

It's been a really long time since I've blogged. I seem to have accounts on everything these days and maybe I'm spread too thin.

Blogger was what I used to blog in and even though it's not as cool as Wordpress and Tumblr (which I have), I think if I come back to my "roots" then maybe my creative juices will start to flow again.

So what's up? I didn't even know I had this "domain" name! mikepetrucci.blogspot.com? I went to it to see if it was taken, and it was. At first I was like "Crap!" but then I saw the first post and read my Xanga address! Crazy! So after some password recovery from an email address I never ever use anymore, I'm back in. As you can tell.

Not much else to say right now except I feel as if I'm in college (I loved blogging then).

Note to self: Check this out: http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2010/01/how-to-make-an-iphone-app.html#axzz0beXxGRYD

Oh, and here is a pic I took today and put on DailyBooth. I like blog posts with color!

The Potomac River as seen from my Metro ride into work. (Original photo: http://dailybooth.com/mikepetrucci/2416199)

First post ever!

2005-01-25T23:16:00.000-05:00

Wow, this is my first post ever, well, on this blog. I do have another blog site, xanga. www.xanga.com/mjpetrucci2000. check it out, i'm not sure which one i like better yet...

Mike Petrucci

Always Be A Tourist

Randolph Engineering - Handcrafting Legacy

A Reflection. A Thank You.

Fresh Snow, Bear Tracks, & New Peaks

Change of Course

Job Hunt Update

GORUCK Challenge - Baltimore

What Keeps Me Going

Get a good watch or risk being lost in space.

Countdown to Unemployment

Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Stamps

The GORUCK Challenge

GORUCK Challenge - Recommended Reading

A Huckberry Christmas

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals

Being Nitpicky about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

150 Years of Printing History

A view of the District from the Old Post Office Tower

GORUCK Challenge is back in DC

Find Your Inner Artist at The Phillips Collection

My First Fourteener

GORUCK Ascent

Further Reading

WOD Templeton

WOD Templeton

Save Your Work

My 4 Favorite Features of the iPhone 4

Here are my 4 favorite features, in no particular order...

1. 5 MP Camera

Paddling to a New Perspective

I need to write more

I am GORUCK Tough

Move with Purpose. Literally.

Tunes Tuesday

Weekend Highlights

Music Monday

Weekend Highlights

Friday - The Day of Awesome

Shhhhhh!

Previously, on Blogger...

Keep track of your running!

First Barefoot Run!

iPhone Home Screen 08.08.10

First Full Day with iOS4 on 3GS

I Play a Cool Kid on TV

I wish my bike had health insurance

I sold my iPad!

The iPad

Fresh New Look

Initial Thoughts on the iPad

How do you measure the Force?

I need a new theme!

Heed the call, the Call of Duty.

Real-ler first post.

First post ever!