All this talk about Bitcoins

What is all this fuss we've heard recently about Bitcoins? I thought I'd make a quick post to try to fill you in a bit and link to some great resources to give you a better understanding.

What are Bitcoins?

Bitcoins are a relatively new digital currency. I am going to avoid reinventing the wheel here and utilize this great site dedicated to explaining what Bitcoins are. You can check it out at http://bitcoin.org/. The FAQ on there is a great resource to get more info.

Is it a scam?

No, not at all. It's actually the opposite. It is smart to diversify and having some Bitcoins is another way to do just that. Don't have all your eggs in one basket.

How do I get Bitcoins?

I'm glad you asked. This is why I made this post. I have been watching Bitcoins for quite some time now and finally decided to buy some when I knew they were going to see another big growth spike. Here's how I did it.

First, I created an account at Coinbase and linked it to my bank account. Coinbase is kind of the one-stop shop nowadays for buying Bitcoins and maintaining your Bitcoin Wallet. A Bitcoin Wallet is basically just a place to store your Bitcoins. The Coinbase App is a great thing to utilize as well. Another nice thing about Coinbase is it has tools to setup an e-commerce site for accepting payments with Bitcoins. Definitely a nice bonus feature.

Once you have your account created at Coinbase and linked up to your bank account, you will just need to verify your account then buy some Bitcoins! It used to be a much more complicated process, but it has come a long way.

One other thing I should mention is that if you do plan on having these apps on your phone, you should definitely look into using Authy for added security.

That's about it! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment. Good luck!

Stop American Censorship — a campaign from Fight for the Future

Stop American Censorship — a campaign from Fight for the Future

Go here. Do what it says. We must protect the internet from SOPA and PIPA!

Appalachian Trail

My roommates and I hiked on the Appalachian Trail through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! What an amazing experience!

Chuck Deezy (aka Charlie Davies)

Just read a great article about Charlie Davies and all his contributions to the USMNT. It really is hard to describe how I felt when I heard this tragic news of his crash early Tuesday morning. I couldn't believe what I was reading. I was so excited to see him and the rest of the team play on Wednesday, October 14 against Costa Rica live at the stadium. I had never been to a professional soccer match before and I was starting it out big by going to a World Cup qualifier. But, when I read the news about Charlie, it really dampened my excitement. He was the one I wanted to see play the most.

Ever since he made his debut in the Confederations Cup for the national team, I was a big fan. He showed more determination and hustle than any other player on the field. Something that I felt had been lacking from our team. His positive attitude and outlook really contributed something special to our national team. But due to this horrible event, he will be down for 6-12 months and probably won't be ready to participate in the 2010 World Cup next year; if he recovers fully at all. Can you imagine how it must feel to be such a rising star.. finally catching your break on your country's national team and getting picked up by another great team, Sochaux, only to have your dreams crushed by such a terrible tragedy?

It really just makes me sad.. Charlie, my prayers are with you. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you play in the World Cup next year.

Here is the goal heard 'round the world by my boy Chuck Deezy. Get well so you can outdo this one: