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HotHardware's Summer Sweepstakes! Win a new Rig!
It's that time again folks! In conjunction with our friends at Intel, AMD, Kingston, WD, and Thermaltake we have assembled one hot rig to give away this month! We're announcing yet another new sweepstakes where you could win a full Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650-based system, complete with a pair of screaming fast Radeon HD 4870 graphics cards, some super fast DDR3 RAM, and a beefy Western Digital hard drive. With that kind of power at the heart of this rig, in a windowed Thermaltake case, this machine will definitely be a head turner, and it could be all yours! As usual, we’ll be giving away this rig away to a randomly selected contributor to our on-line forum and discussion systems. The complete break-down of components in the system includes:
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Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 4870 (2) Case: Thermaltake M9 VI1000BWS PSU: FSP FX700-GLN Memory: 2GB Kingston DDR3 Motherboard: Intel X48 DX48BT2 Hard Drive: Western Digital Optical Drive: Lite-On DVD-R / RW Miscellaneous: Aftermarket CPU Cooler |
To be entered into the sweepstakes, you’ve got to be a registered, active member of our forum and a resident of the United States. If you’re not already a member, you can sign up quickly and easily (and for free), right here.
From this point forward, we’ll be monitoring discussions on the site and will be randomly selecting a winner based on community involvement and contribution. To increase your chances of being a winner, sign up for our HotHardware RSS News Alerts as well, and we'll toss your name into the mix for double credit! The sweepstakes will run through August 31, 2008.
This is a great opportunity for to you to win a custom, powerful new system. Now go make some new friends in the forum and get in the running! Good Luck!
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Comments
*orgasm*
wow thats a dream system. the winner will be sooooo lucky.
good luck every one.
though, i dont quite understand the psu :-p.
Yeah heres a review of that PS from da egg I'm sure 4870's x2 takes more than the video cards he's running (7800 GTS rofl)
Pros: Good power supply, however I overlooked at certain things that I needed to look even deeper when I was going into SLI world. I needed at least 18A within each of the +12 v rails. this thing only had 15A going through each rail. I tottaly overlooked at this. I called evga and they told me NEVER go by the wattage rating on the PSU, always look at the amperage going through the +12v rails, especially in SLI Enviroment.
Cons: I had this originally running 2 evga's 7800 gt's. then i was getting unsuspected crashes,hangs,etc left and right and called evga and told me its the amperage that wasnt enough through the rails. I then talked to a buddie of mine at the computer shop, he told me to switch the cards around, so far not a dhang problem yet. But I switched to an antec 550 psu for extra stability due to higher amperage through the +12v rails. I couldnt return it cause one of the sata connecter had a crack on one of the outer housing. But new egg gave me a discound on shipping. overall alright experience. never really had any problems with new egg.
rapid1:
Yeah heres a review of that PS from da egg I'm sure 4870's x2 takes more than the video cards he's running (7800 GTS rofl)
Pros: Good power supply, however I overlooked at certain things that I needed to look even deeper when I was going into SLI world. I needed at least 18A within each of the +12 v rails. this thing only had 15A going through each rail. I tottaly overlooked at this. I called evga and they told me NEVER go by the wattage rating on the PSU, always look at the amperage going through the +12v rails, especially in SLI Enviroment.
Cons: I had this originally running 2 evga's 7800 gt's. then i was getting unsuspected crashes,hangs,etc left and right and called evga and told me its the amperage that wasnt enough through the rails. I then talked to a buddie of mine at the computer shop, he told me to switch the cards around, so far not a dhang problem yet. But I switched to an antec 550 psu for extra stability due to higher amperage through the +12v rails. I couldnt return it cause one of the sata connecter had a crack on one of the outer housing. But new egg gave me a discound on shipping. overall alright experience. never really had any problems with new egg.
doesnt this mean the psu is bad, if it didnt have enough amps to power 2 7800gt's? (though it might of been an isolated incident...)
im trust big wop and davo when they choose a psu though.
I always try but I'm never able to sign up for the RSS for AIM. Oh well. How much space on the hard drive?
Don't sweat the PSU. If the system is buggy, we won't ship until a suiteable replacemaent is found. As for the HD, we're still waiting on WD to see what they can send, but we didn't want to push the contest off any later.
Here is an interesting article entitled HOW TO DISCOVER YOUR POWER SUPPLY'S REAL MANUFACTURER!
Here is an interesting article entitled HOW TO DISCOVER YOUR POWER SUPPLY'S REAL MANUFACTURER!
thanks for the read super dave,
psst- use the edit button :-p
psst- use the edit button :-p
Edited posts don't show-up in email alerts!
psst- use the edit button :-pEdited posts don't show-up in email alerts!
true, but us regulars always check up on new posts :-)
Wow that is my dream system.
Any chance we get to see some bench numbers on this beast before the end of the contest ?
Don't sweat the PSU. If the system is buggy, we won't ship until a suiteable replacemaent is found. As for the HD, we're still waiting on WD to see what they can send, but we didn't want to push the contest off any later.
Though it probably wouldn't be that good as a primary drive, I'm really happy with their Green Power line of hard drives as a storage drive. It would be awesome if they could stick a Green Power HDD and a Raptor in that rig.
WOW what a nice rig... this will be one for the record books!!!!
mmmm space heater for the coming winter...
plus counterstrike.
mmmm space heater for the coming winter...
plus counterstrike.
am i the only one who finds irony in this? counter strike is about 8 years ago. any pc right now can run it. having a pc like this you need to get source at least. and source right now is a bit outdated compared to requirments. this pc can handle crysis like a walk in the park.
Im sorry my brain just froze! Explain
Im sorry my brain just froze! Explain
well i was making reference to him saying he wants to use the computer to play a game 8 years old, which any new computer can play.
Oh I got it! Da
Power
Supply
Unit
Wow, this awesome machine! I would love to win this one.
Good Luck!
I heard some lucky soul was gonna win this dreamsickle soon :)
is it my imagination or has the configuration changed a little bit in this contests run time???? Either way is sweet as He?? something I'd love to own for sure :))))))))))))))))))
What do you mean?
edit nevermind? I don't think it has.
Fortron Source - Great PSUs...
Fortron Source - Great PSUs...
never heard of them, but ill take your word for it. plus it has a good rating on newegg.
also, what os are you guys gonna give it? vista 32/64 or xp?
Wow... amazing system!
Good luck to everyone!!!
I think they should put vista ultimate 64 bit on it that would be the best rig ever to win!!
You misspelled "Kubuntu".
Nice rig. Well heres hoping...
Amazing system though and Fortran PS's are some of the best (a lot of industry sites rate versus a Fortran PS although usually a 1000 or 1200) Either way AWESOME SYSTEM Whoever gets this one is a VERY LUCKY person :)
I just want the mainboard and RAM... Great overall system though, good luck everyone 
Another sweepstakes! Now the forums will heat-up again, and I LOVE IT!
Yeah and wouldn't it be nice if it STAYED that way too!? :D
Yeah some of us check in everyday even when the contests aren't running. Of course one of the best marketing tools I've seen. Give away a sweet rig and us hardware freaks come outta the woodwork and a lot of us stay. Either way we're getting closer to finding out who the new lucky member is YAYYYYYYY
Some of us never leave! Nice system guys, it definitely is a dream machine. Good luck to everyone, especially me!
Like many have stated, never heard of that PSU.
Like many have stated, never heard of that PSU.
Power supplies from FSP (Fortron Source) are sold by Antec, Sparkle Power, OCZ, Nexus, and Zalman under their own names.
Greetings All,
Nice setup, very close to what I am currently running at home.
QX9650 3.90 (390FSB 10x Multiplier 1.45V) & Xigmatek S1293 HSF
DX48BT2
8800GT 512MB (looking to upgrade to AMD/ATI 4870)
4GB 2x2GB DDR3-1066
Seagate ES.2 250GB & 500GB
Seasonic 550Watt 80Plus SLI
Cooler Master 590
When I was building this rig, I was tossing up between the M9 and the CM590. I was able to set the two side by side and the CM quality and functionality is better.
Whoever wins this little monster will be gaming hardcore. I would recommend making sure that you have a phat cooler (especially with o/c). The Q9650 is 35W lower on the TDP compared the QX9650 @ 130W TDP. I would take a look at the Sunbeam Core Contact Cooler or the Xigmatek S1283. Both have tested very well.
I don't expect to win or even think that I have a chance (being a noob to the site).
dreadmonkey
Welcome dreadmonkey. Stick around you have just as much chance as anyone. Nice rig by the way!
OMG!!!
What a Sweet Rig!!.. Great Bday PResent :P
I am going crazy with this only US :)
Nice rig btw :D
Lamps, sorry bud. We have to be careful not to kill ourselves with shipping. Maybe we can run one with a global reach but if you're not in the US, the rules are you have to pay for shipping and duties?
Next contest maybe. :)
I tell you what, you open it up to international members too, and if they are selected winner give them the option to pay shipping. Seeing as a new rig of this class will cost me more then shipping would.
In responce to the comment now the forum will heat up, and another were the poster is always here, it true on both fronts I too am always here, sometimes lurking, but always here. Its very cool to watch these contests tho, and congrats to all the winners so far!
Another contest- good luck all!
Oh yeah! Nice! I can't wait to see who wins this one. Good luck!
Hi All
Wow! That's a Awesome rig.
Off topic a litt but anyone notice the comments system on the main site now works a little snappier? Our developer found out our new database server's date/time clock were off by two hours versus the front end web servers, so posts here were being delayed. Doh! It's cool how stuff works when it's configured properly.
Our developer found out our new database server's date/time clock were off by two hours versus the front end web servers, so posts here were being delayed.
Buy that man a beer!
Our developer found out our new database server's date/time clock were off by two hours versus the front end web servers, so posts here were being delayed.Buy that man a beer!
Seconded, its also nice that he even bothered to say anything, too often I have found people don't care unless they are made to, this guy went above and beyond it would seem.
That's a pretty cool prize. Hmmm... I wonder if I could get both video cards working with Linux... :)
ati should have Linux drivers I know they do for other cards any way there supposed to be pro open source (LINUX) either way whoever wins this awesome system is lucky. Just a question what would you need this kind of graphics power for on a linux system anyway I doubt it'd run DX9 or DX10 much less the games that could take advantage of them.
>> Just a question what would you need this kind of graphics power for on a linux system anyway I doubt it'd run DX9 or DX10 much less the games that could take advantage of them. <<
Wine supports DirectX with no problem (it wraps the API and translates it to use OpenGL). I use it to play Counter-Strike:Source all the time, and it looks just as good as on a Windows box.
Native Linux apps use OpenGL directly, and it can be just as impressive. This kind of graphics setup would be nice for character animation with Blender.
And, ATI does have Linux drivers - it's just that they've always performed notoriously bad in comparison to the nVidia drivers (and their own Windows drivers). Years ago I had a Radeon 9600 and gave them much feedback on that topic.
-J
one hell of a system i say
but when i take it home with me as i will be the winner
i will have to mod it with a sweet water cooling system and a better MB for better OC
Lol I'd like to just win it and be happy with it as is. Having twins sort of limits your pc upgrading ability haha. :)
but i would like to have spare parts in case I over do it
haha
great site and sweet prize! would be incredible to win, good luck guys.
Based on current newegg prices and if my math is correct, this system is valued @ well over 2K!!!
DAM ^^ 2K? How do you guys get partnerships like this? thats pretty cool.
Awesome! You guys rock! Good luck everyone.
You guys are crazy with the contests! Another great system!
Wow, this really is a top tier system. Good luck to everyone trying to win it.
Another awesome contest guys. As for the PSU, FSP have been good quality inexpensive PSU's for awhile now. I first learned about them when I joined the forums awhile back and it was the preffered choice of psu's on a budget. Jordan's fav recomendation for sure along with sparkle.
Hopefully I can be alittle more active on here and actually have a chance at this 1 now that I'm back and all. Still house hunting though so we'll see. I would really love to win this 1 though.
I wonder how long HH will be able to keep this up. A new system given away each month. That is unheard of, I haven't seen anything like this since hardOCP would give away something every month via their hypothermia website but they haven't done that in years. I hope you can keep it up for a bit more and I hope more folks stick around the forums after the contests go away.
sweet! I want it! :)
Hmm, I really wanted this system but it just hit me the contest runs til august 31st and I wont be posting anything after august 20th for a month. I am going in for double hip replacements. So, good luck to the winner.
Hmm, I really wanted this system but it just hit me the contest runs til august 31st and I wont be posting anything after august 20th for a month. I am going in for double hip replacements. So, good luck to the winner.
Wow...the systems just keep getting better and better.
And good luck Brian! Hope everything goes well man. Keep us posted on your recovery.
Good luck on your surgery Brian ! Let us know how that works out! Heck give me your password Ill post for you!Really hope that goes OK!
Only at HH... that's cool of you!Heck give me your password Ill post for you!
I could help as well, seeing as I am Canadian and can't win anyway I hereby donate all my forth going count be it RSS and whatever else to be evenly distributed to all eligible members.
Just need the mods to agree.
I could help as well, seeing as I am Canadian and can't win anyway I hereby donate all my forth going count be it RSS and whatever else to be evenly distributed to all eligible members.
Just need the mods to agree.
Hey we know how to imporovise around here!
I could help as well, seeing as I am Canadian and can't win anyway I hereby donate all my forth going count be it RSS and whatever else to be evenly distributed to all eligible members.
Just need the mods to agree.
Hey we know how to imporovise around here!
LOL, that we do.
Whoa Ender, I never even noticed you were Canadian bro!
Me likey, me wanty!
Post then^^
I thought I did ^^
I would use it wisely
Oh boy count me in!I havent been posting lately been in the hospital and laid up at the house just now spotted this.Nice so good luck to everybody as always!!
Hope everything's going OK AMDCRANKITUP. Good luck to everyone on this system contest. Maybe I'll win (NOT). Why do people get on and win a contest and leave anyways. I've never won anything but I check the site daily and post when I see something interesting or someone asks for some help on something.
doesn't make sense does it rapid1. To be honest I thought you were gonna be 1 of those ones when you first joined with the mult posts and all. I am so glad I was wrong. It's been good to have you around as a regular now with some insightfull info. Hope you decide to make a permanent home here. So far it looks like you will. Like it was said before in all the other contests, these things have really brought some good new memebers here. Hopefully it continues. Not sure how long HH can keep this up though. It will be a sad day when the contests do stop though.
Hope everything's going OK AMDCRANKITUP
Im ok I guess just dealing with the after affects of brain surgery and checking for heart problems but Im still alive Thanks!!!
gd nice rig
although I've never had to post here I've been trolling these boards for a long time (just under a different username) this contest should bring me out of my hole haha.
good luck to who ever win very nice system
Envy..
Envy..
Welcome to HotHardware lowteckh! I was the fortunate one that won the last sweepstakes, and I want to encourage you hang-out with us. Share your knowledge and we all win!
Very sweet rig. congrats to whomever did the config. I found HH through a Google search for contests for new computers. I recently lost my Opteron 180 system and am using my mom's. (even for games! ::shudder::) Now I am not trying to play on sympathy. :) Just stating how I got here. I was surprised to find a forum of mature people having intelligent discussions and will be here for a long time to come.
I am a 20 year veteran of the "Upgrade wars" and a self proclaimed tech addict. (ooohhhhh! Shiny buttons and flashy lights. ::Cue vacant stare::)
Just one question. Will you be choosing the winner by post count? I am trying to post as much as possible but I have limited time and I don't want to post a lot of drivel just to up my count. Well, thanks again for the contest AND the great forums and stories.
Very sweet rig. congrats to whomever did the config. I found HH through a Google search for contests for new computers. I recently lost my Opteron 180 system and am using my mom's. (even for games! ::shudder::) Now I am not trying to play on sympathy. :) Just stating how I got here. I was surprised to find a forum of mature people having intelligent discussions and will be here for a long time to come.
I am a 20 year veteran of the "Upgrade wars" and a self proclaimed tech addict. (ooohhhhh! Shiny buttons and flashy lights. ::Cue vacant stare::)
Just one question. Will you be choosing the winner by post count? I am trying to post as much as possible but I have limited time and I don't want to post a lot of drivel just to up my count. Well, thanks again for the contest AND the great forums and stories.
post count, and quality of posts. if you post 900 times saying useless stuff like, i agree, or nice article, it really isnt too good. the owners or hh arent stupid and know when a person is a helpfull forum member. so to answer your question, post count is important but quality is even more important!
I can certainly agree with quality. Post count would be hard to do fairly as all the new members didn't find the site at the same time. Someone who joined in say May would have a two month head start one someone who joined in July. A daily average would seem more fair, but that's just my 2 cents. Well 1 cent. The ex-wives got the other penny. :(
hard drive: western digital.....size?
oh yeah, HH always has been the best :)
I just wanted to reiterate that I will be here for a long time to come. Winner or not. (Not. I never win anything. LOL)
Hopefully, I am not posting too much and getting on anyone's nerves, It's just been awhile since I had a "home" and people to talk with about this stuff.
Just don't burn yourself out dude. I really think you can forget out about winning a system until you have about 3-4 months of consistent posting and helping others under your belt.
Im still alive! and want to win this bad boy or the next one.Good luck to all of you .
Just don't burn yourself out dude. I really think you can forget out about winning a system until you have about 3-4 months of consistent posting and helping others under your belt.
Not trying to be rude FSeven but I don't think that was a fair statement to make. No where in the rules was anything like that stated. There was nothing stated on how long you had to be a member of the forums. Just thought I had to state that so that any new comers didn't have their hopes and dreams crushed. If I am wrong then I am sure someone will correct me
I doubt I'll burn out FSeven, but thanks for your concern. I'll have to agree with Nelson that a newbie has as much chance as anyone else. I still highly doubt I will win, it just makes sense that everyone have the same chance.
rofl didn't someone win a system two give away ago and he was a brand new member? Either way whoever wins it is gonna get a sweet system quad core ddr3 dual 4870's SWEET.
Nice rig guys, that looks like it could crunch some serious numbers! Hi Def Video should be a breeze with that one...
Awesome machine!!!
I havent been on here much lately so I guess I need to post a lot so I can catch up with all you big dogs.I know some of you heard this before HA! HA! so if I win I,ll donate my new toy to the forums so Big Wop and Davo can give it to someone or break it down and give it in parts to several of you deserving people. Im going to paint it soon and do some wicked mods to it to change its charictor first all I can say now the case is a Cooler Master 690.Ive been blessed lately so as to be able to build me a new rig and am totally satisfied to have me a new rig to say the least!Those of you that read my post know about that powerful system I,ve been running so you know what I mean.The old one was a BEAST!!!! And to go one step further I,ll donate the old one too! I know one of you just cant wait to get your hands on that old Beast of mine so dont be fighting over it.
. So I would like to get my hands on this New Monster HH is giving away that would be incrediable and if not then I,ll be perfectly happy with this new toy matter of fact very glad to have been able to ugrade to it.So the race is on and good luck to everyone here and thanks to Big Wop, Davo and everyone involved for these sweepstakes! As far as fairness and every one having a fair and equal chance to win it I think HH is the place you want to be because I wouldnt want to go any where else!There is some good people on these forums cause everybody seems to help each other and at times real humorous and entertaining!GOOD Luck!!!!!!!
Crank!!!
Hey F7, I usually don't like to call people out but aren't you fairly new here, and didn't you just win something? Kinda goes against your new guys don't win statement doesn't it?
I won an Athlon X2 5000+ which, while I was extremely grateful and flattered, I immediately declined and requested it be given to someone else on the grounds that I have an older motherboard that would not accept the new processor and I couldn't justify spending a considerable amount of money to upgrade the motherboard and other components for the processor. I would have rathered someone get it who could make immediate use of it.
I was then told that I would be given a Phenom processor instead but was shipped the Athlon. When I gave feedback about this mistake, I was told it would be looked into.
That was over a month ago. Still haven't heard anything.
It's still in an unopened box if anyone wants it.
So yes, technically I won a processor. However I was talking about complete systems. And I still stand by my guess that no new member is going to win this system. 
And I still stand by my guess that no new member is going to win this system.
If memory serves, since HH started doing these contests the winners have been about 50/50 old & new members.
The contest's have been going for what, 5 months or so now? I didn't pay attention to the join dates of the winners but I do recall they were all very acvtive, very informative, and very helpful members.
it's funny to listen to you guys argue rofl
It doesn't matter who wins it, as much as having an awesome rig to win matters... Come on guys, it's about the Hardware...
As far as I am concerned, I "win" every time sign on here and join this motley crew. :)
As far as I am concerned, I "win" every time sign on here and join this motley crew. :)
Hahahah! There you go, Necro!
Thanks Dave. seriously though, while risking sounding like a gushing school girl, I love this place. I had given up on a place to "hang out" and discuss hardware and technology. All the old places seem to have gone corporate or degenerated into nonsense (read Toms hardware.) I'm glad I found HH.
HH has become digital "crack" for me. I had a busy weekend just past and went through review and posting withdraw. :)
BTW. Going corporate isn't bad in and of itself. It just seems that when it happens journalistic integrity takes a backseat to advertising and it seems to attract a lot of mouth breathers...... :)
EDIT: Good god Dave. It's 9:30 PM. Quit working for gods sake!
As far as I am concerned, I "win" every time sign on here and join this motley crew. :)
Hahahah! There you go, Necro!
I agree where elso can you get this kind of entertainment.There is some funny people on here!Always something new in the Tech field which interest me the most then you got these conversations on who qualifys to win on HH. I really think that Big Wop and Davo are about as fair minded as you can get so everyone has an equal and oppurtune chance to win! And really how many sites do you go to that have given away this kinda of GIFTS and been this agressive about!I want to win this lateatest bad boy cause I love to have the fastest around and also gives me a chance to butt heads with Ice and the other boys that have won for some Ocing and some framerates.So good luck to all of you!! And me!!
I know we're all familiar with the Intel Quad chips, but what do you guys know about the ATI Radeon HD 4870s? What kind of memory are they sporting?
The 4850 is using GDDR3 and the 4870 is using GDDR5.
And I am currently using a cold guinness!
Edit: Your second post is a double post. Watch that. Edit instead like I am now. Please that is. There are a few different configs with these cards as the individual vendors alter the reference design to suit their needs. I have seen one 4850 with 1Gb GDDR3. Ther rest are 512Mb. the 4870 are generally 1Gb and I THINK I saw a 512, but don't hold me to that. The difference between (G)DDR2/3/4/5 is speed and latency mostly. The higher you go up in speed (ie, DDR2 to 3 to 4 and up) you also get higher latency. That is why you need the very fastest and most expensive DDR3 to equal much cheaper but slower DDR2. I hope this helps and I apologize if I have over simplified this any.
EDIT: I looked and it seems the only 4000 family card is a 4850. All the rest, 4850 and 4870 alike are 512M. Sorry for the mistake.
Still enjoying that Guinness!
I bet you'll win nECrO... seriously. The odds are heavily in your favor based on your activity and post content... trust me!!!
BTW: Admins - Not that I have an ice cube's chance in hell, but take me out of the running because A: I feel I'm not worthy by comparison to some other posters and B: Although this rig is better than mine, I'm perfectly content with what I have. I'm being dead serious. If by some stretch I were to win, I'd respectfully decline.
I may seem loco for making this statement, but what ev.
Don't jinx me! LOL. Just kidding. Thanks for the compliment. I can't brag about my post count. I just like to talk about technology. As for content. Thanks for the kind words. I just write what I think and what bugs me. I won't lie and say I don't want to win. I am stuck on my mom's lowly Sempron machine for awhile so it would be nice. I just don't think I've been around long enough or done enough.
Your statement and request to be removed from the running shows a character trait all too rare today my friend. kudos to you for your honesty and sacrifice. For what it's worth for that reason alone I hope you win. Maybe if you do you can donate your current rig to a needy geek we both know! :)
Recoveringknowitall for president!!! (Of lower latvia that is!)
Recoveringknowitall for president!!! (Of lower latvia that is!)
How bout no. ;P
Recoveringknowitall for president!!! (Of lower latvia that is!)How bout no. ;P
C'mon! You can make me "Vice" President and we could drain the treasury dry in one night of drunken debauchery!
drunken debauchery FTW!!
Booze is alright once in awhile, but I'm mostly over getting drunk at the ripe old age of 30. lol
Mary Jane FTW!!!
Booze is alright once in awhile, but I'm mostly over getting drunk at the ripe old age of 30. lol
Mary Jane FTW!!!
LOL. The funny thing is I don't drink at all. :)
As for "sister" Mary, I quit seeing her a year ago, but when I did, I had a 2 strict rules. Only on days that ended in "Y" and only while I was awake. :)
HH for the win!
Quitters... meh.
I had a looooooong relationship with Mary, but I had to give it up once my daughter was born. I hold close to my hippie roots though as far as music goes. Whenever I hear a Dead tune or Phish I gotta pump up the volume. Of course on the other end my two favorite bands of all time are Metallica and Panterra, so I guess I'm only partly hippie. When I heard that Dimebag Darrell was killed a part of me died. He was in the top 5 reasons I started playing guitar. If we wanted to go third place it would be Sublime. I guess it's kind of an eclectic