With the explosion of the web, personal computers and now tablets and smart phones, playing games online has become ingrained in our culture. It’s not just for kids and guys any more. Everyone can enjoy online games, and that’s something to keep in mind as you’re shopping for the holidays.

Some parents and grandparents don’t see the need for computers in their own lives, or they are intimidated by them. This is becoming less common as these devices are now everywhere, but the impression still exists in some circles. Yet we all know that something like a computer can really improve the quality of life for people. Imagine how it can open up the world to elderly people who don’t get out as much.

It can also be very entertaining, so one way to get people interested in computers is through online gaming. Kids pick it up this way, so why not the same with adults. Consider something as simple and as fun as online bingo. OK, it might not be your favorite game, but think about something like this for family members. Show them how to play bingo games online, and you’ll open up a whole new world for them. The next thing you know, after learning how to play online, they’ll start surfing the web and starting to use email and Facebook. Of course they’ll find other games like online slots or poker as well, but that’s all part of the fun.

So if you’re thinking of finally getting someone a computer who doesn’t think they need one or will enjoy one, think about games they like to play offline. Maybe it’s chess. Whatever the game, show them how to play online, and they’ll probably get hooked.

When I received the new AXE Hold + Touch hair styling products, I was skeptical. Too many times in the past I had fallen prey to styling products that you could squeeze out of a tube that simply didn’t work.

More often than not, these products had the consistency and holding power of Dep or LA Looks (for all you children of the 80s and 90s), and no matter how many layers you glopped on, the product wouldn’t hold — it would merely coat your hair, mat it down and make it look sweaty, like Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Don Johnson in Miami Vice. Or, Don Cheadle in any movie he has ever been in. And guess what guys? Chicks hate the sweaty, Vaseline hair look.

Anyway, it was impossible to style or spike your hair, or give it the appearance of body or texture with those aforementioned products. And generally, those products came in squeezable tubes — just like the AXE samples that were staring up at me from a recently opened UPS delivery parcel. “Yawn,” I thought.

After a Sunday morning workout in preparation of doing nothing but watching NFL football and drinking all day, I took a shower and decided to try the AXE Hold + Touch Paste for Fine Hair first of the three samples.

My hair is somewhere between thick and fine so I chose the Paste for Fine Hair first because, generally, pastes are pretty strong. But based on the texture of the Fine Hair product, I squeezed an excessive amount into my hands, rubbed them together and began to style my hair. As I applied it, I looked in the mirror and thought, “Yawn, how predictable; another inferior hair gel.”

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When I first heard about G-Form’s new line of sports protective gear, I immediately visited their website to see if they made anything for soccer players. After all, while it’s good to have some sort of protection to help reduce the chance of bone breaks, typical shin guards (at least the ones that don’t cost a pretty penny) tend to be somewhat bulky, and I was looking for a more form-fitting substitute. But while the company insists that such a product is currently in development, there haven’t been any updates in nearly a year. G-Form does make a pair of all-purpose shin pads that are designed for impact sports, however, so I decided to give them a try instead.

What makes G-Form’s products so unique is the material that they’re made from. By utilizing Reactive Protection Technology (RPT) featuring the amazing PORON XRD material, the padding absorbs over 90% of the energy from high-speed impact. This lightweight and flexible material conforms to your body and instantly firms up to form a protective shell upon contact. It sounds too good to be true, I know, so instead of just taking their word for it, I decided to do a little test of my own involving a hammer and the usually fragile underside of a CD. While the unprotected CD cracked upon the first strike as expected, when I covered it up with a G-Form shin pad, I could hit it as hard and as many times as I wanted without so much as a scuff on the material.

The pads are also really comfortable and less intrusive than your average shin guard, and the fact that you can throw them into the washer machine is a big plus. But if there’s one criticism, it’s that while they’re easy to get onto your leg, they’re a pain to get off because the padding is hard to maneuver over your ankle. Besides that minor flaw, however, G-Form’s shin pads work every bit as well as advertised. They may seem a bit pricey at $50, but once you see them in action, you’ll know that it was money well spent.

Still not convinced? Check out this awesome video demonstrating the RPT at work.

Yes, I know, I haven’t covered real Irish coffee yet and here I am writing about a rather non-classic variation on same. I have my reasons. First, I want to acknowledge the start of Halloween Weekend 2011. Second, even in Southern Calfornia, the weather is finally cooling down and it’s time to run DOTW’s first ever warm beverage. Finally, more than traditional Irish coffee, this drink, promulgated by the good folks representing the reliably tasty Bailey’s Original Irish Creme, brings back many fond memories of countless youthful late night/early morning sessions of blackjack and craps fueled by even more countless rounds of allegedly free Baileys and coffee. How can you not love any drink combining the four basic food gambling trip food groups: caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and fat. I was certainly happy to get a free bottle of the key non-coffee ingredient in the mail.

Anyhow, this version is a nice autumnal variation on the Baileys and java theme that adds a dash of something extra, but not a speck of actual pumpkin flavor.

Pumpkin Irish Coffee

2 ounces Irish cream
4 ounces strong coffee or espresso
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Whipped cream
3 espresso beans (optional garnish and/or snack if you want to get extra wired)

Combine Irish cream and pumpkin pie spice (a melange of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice, but no pumpkin) as best as you can in a small coffee cup. Pour in four ounces, or maybe a bit more, of freshly made and hopefully very hot coffee or espresso. Stir again, rather vigorously. Top with whipped cream and, if you want to get fancy, three espresso beans. Sip, and remember, whatever you do, don’t split 10s and never bet the farm on hard 8.

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I actually altered this recipe somewhat, cutting down the pumpkin spice from a full teaspoon to just a half. While the spices definitely add an extremely nice flavor to the coffee and alcoholic cream combo, they also have proven to be somewhat resistant to dissolving, even with the hot coffee. The result is a sludgy residue at the bottom of the coffee cup that I didn’t love. Cutting the amount of pumpkin spice in half, however, has also resulted in cutting the residue down to acceptable levels. Using actual super-hot espresso from a machine might also help on that score. If you do so, certainly feel free to experiment with going full pumpkin.

You’d have to go out of your way to not get along with Jesse Hughes, the lead singer of the Eagles of Death Metal and creative force behind the glam boogie band Boots Electric. All the man wants is for people to have a good time, and have sex, not necessarily in that order. Arriving on a music scene where bands were more interested in sharing their pain and misery, Hughes had the glow of a Renaissance man, and that was before we got him on the phone for a fun chat in 2006. From that point forward, Jesse Hughes has secured lifelong status as a Friend of Bullz-Eye.

Which brings us to his babelicious video for “Complexity,” a hilarious title once you realize how decidedly uncomplicated the song is. The glam sound fits Hughes well, though, and the casting director, which was probably Hughes as well, if we were to guess, clearly had a good job that day (boing boing boing). At the end of a day, the clip has a very valuable message: if you’re fun to be around, women will want to be with you. Pass it on.

Lastly, bonus points for the Boots Electric album title, which is our title of the year so far: Honkey Kong. Awe, some.

Can you smell that? No, not the pumpkin pie-scented potpourri that your grandmother bought you last Christmas – it’s the smell of awards season starting to heat up. Though November is typically a pretty eclectic month for movies, you can always expect a fair share of family films and Oscar hopefuls competing for the attention of your box office dollars, and this year is no exception. You also might notice that a few major releases – like the Adam Sandler-in-drag comedy “Jack and Jill” and the latest installment in the “Twilight” saga – have been left out of this preview. That’s no mistake. I wanted to save myself the trouble of writing about them and you the embarrassment of reading about them. After all, there are more than enough good options this month that no one should have to damage any more brain cells by seeing one of those movies.

Who: John Cho, Kal Penn, Paula Garces, Thomas Lennon and Neil Patrick Harris
What: After Harold and Kumar accidentally set fire to Harold’s father-in-law’s prize Christmas tree, the duo embark on yet another weed-fueled adventure to replace it.
When: November 4th
Why: Though I refuse to believe that the 3D revolution is going to stick around for much longer, this is one of those times where I actually don’t completely hate the idea. That’s probably because director Todd Strauss-Schulson is really embracing the gimmicky nature of the technology, but who doesn’t love making fun of 3D? Though Harold and Kumar’s last adventure was a bit ridiculous for its own good, writers Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg appear to have reined things in for the third (and likely final) installment in the stoner bud series. Toss in some Claymation and the return of Neil Patrick Harris and there’s no reason why this shouldn’t be a fun theater experience.

Who: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck and Téa Leoni
What: A group of employees at a luxury condominium enlist the aid of a career criminal to help them steal $20 million from the investor that emptied out their pension plans.
When: November 4th
Why: When I first heard that Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy were teaming up with director Brett Ratner for what can be best described as a blue-collar “Ocean’s 11,” I responded accordingly, with a witty comment and a cynical roll of the eyes. But something strange happened between then and now – I saw the trailer for the film, and amazingly, it doesn’t look half-bad. Perhaps it’s just because my expectations are so low for those involved in the movie, but this actually looks like it could be pretty enjoyable, and even somewhat of a return to form for Murphy, who hasn’t been funny in a really long time.

Who: Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts and Judi Dench
What: A biopic about the founder of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, whose 50-year reign as the face of law enforcement was threatened by the many secrets in his personal life.
When: November 9th
Why: Everything about this film has “future Oscar nominee” written all over it, including star Leonardo DiCaprio, director Clint Eastwood and co-star Armie Hammer, who’s landed the plum role of Hoover’s lifelong friend and rumored lover Clyde Tolson. It’ll be interesting to see how a mild conservative like Eastwood handles the mysterious relationship between the two men, especially with gay screenwriter Dustin Lance Black behind the script, because dodging the issue completely won’t sit well with the usually liberal-minded Academy. The person that stands the most to gain from all of this, of course, is Hammer, who is pretty much a lock for a Best Supporting Actor nomination after just barely missing out last year for his incredible work in “The Social Network.”

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Halloween isn’t just a holiday for kids. Frankly, it’s the ultimate adult holiday as it gives everyone the chance to dress up and play a new role at a party. For women this often means looking sexy, and women feel sexy when they look sexy. If you’re one of those guys hasn’t figured this out yet, or you’re the guy who hates to dress up, it’s probably time to wake up and realize you’re missing one of the best opportunities to meet women and have a great time.

Bars and clubs have figured this out as they plan big parties and go crazy with the postcard printing to promote them. And while bars are fun, there’s nothing like a big, private party.

The photo above has Kim Kardashian at a party last year. While you won’t meet her, you can easily meet women at parties as the costumes create easy introductions. Come up with your own cool costume and the women will approach you. But that’s not even necessary. Just have a great time and approach everyone, and you’ll start to realize what all the fuss is about.

Yes, kids, your dreams have come true: starting on Oct. 27, your favorite animated dumbasses, Beavis and Butthead, are returning to MTV with their first new episodes since 1997.

First of all, if you’re worried that they might have smartened up some over the course of the past 14 years, let me assure you that, based on the advance trailer for their new season, there is little doubt that they’re as dumb as ever. Secondly, since I know you’re wondering, yes, the Great Cornholio does still need T.P. for his bunghole.

I was fortunate enough to catch up with Beavis and Butthead creator Mike Judge during this summer’s TCA tour, and we talked about his decision to bring the boys back, what’s changed in their absence, and which recurring characters we can expect to see during the course of these upcoming episodes.

Bullz-Eye: So why bring back Beavis and Butthead – with the caveat that I’m very, very excited that you’re doing so – rather than move forward with a new, original property?

Mike Judge: Well, you know, actually, if you put it that way… [Laughs.] Look, I still like experimenting around and trying different characters, which I’ve done without ever showing it to people, but I’ve also been involved with development on new animated shows, some that never saw the light of day or that people are talking about. I always kind of look at all this stuff, and I’ll think of why it’s not working and what does work, and in the back of my mind, I’m always going, “You know, I actually had a great couple of characters that were working pretty good that I think would still be fun to do.” And I think they’re still fairly unique. I’d like to think so, anyway, just in the way they look and sound. But, I mean, the bottom line is that I really like doing it. And King of the Hill was done, I’d just done a live-action movie and didn’t want to do that again anytime soon, and…it just seemed like it would be fun.

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Believe it or not, a decade or two back, MTV was pretty heavily invested in animation. There was the quasi-anime weirdness of “Æon Flux,” the high school snark-a-thon “Daria,” and, of course, Mike Judge’s epochal 1990s ode to bone-deep stupidity, “Beavis and Butt-head.” As of October 27, 2011, MTV is jumping back into the cartoon business with Judge’s retooled series about the pea-brained adolescent channel surfers. That’s not all. It will be followed by a show about a pair of actual teenage surfers, “Good Vibes,” that producers are touting as “‘Superbad‘ at the beach.”

Spearheaded by arthouse wunderkind turned doper comedy director David Gordon Green (“Pineapple Express,” “Your Highness“), this flash-animated production brings a bit more sexuality to cartoons than we’re used to. Viewers can bet on plenty of boob, butt, and even penis-related humor as well as some pot jokes. Animation-wise, it somewhat resembles “Family Guy” while the content is more story-oriented and good natured. Clearly, “The Simpsons” is an influence.

“Good Vibes” stars the voices of Adam Brody (of “The O.C.”) and Josh Gad (currently tearing up Broadway in “The Book of Mormon”) as Woodie and Mondo, respectively, a Mutt and Jeff pair of teen surfer buddies learning wacky lessons in life and love on the beaches of the very fictional California town of Playa del Toro. The show also features the talents of “Arrested Development” scene-stealer Tony Hale as Wadska, a McLovin-like uber-nerd, as well as second generation character actor Jake Busey as Turk, a loutish bully of a surfer dude. Also contributing is versatile “Firefly” favorite and comic actor Alan Tudyk, who voices a number of characters, including Lonnie, an aging surf bum who dispenses pot-infused wisdom to his young admirers. The show also features veteran actress Debi Mazar, up-and-comer Olivia Thirlby and David Gordon Green cohort Danny McBride.

At this year’s Comic-Con, Bullz-Eye was fortunate enough to get together with cast members Brody, Busey, Hale and Tudyk. Also present were executive producer Green and staff writer Christian Lander, an Internet star for his now-dormant blog, Stuff White People Like. As with the show they were promoting, the sheer mass of talent on hand made for a reasonably entertaining time.

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I just purchased my first iPhone, and I couldn’t be happier with the new iPhone 4S. I’m still getting used to all the features but the phone is pretty amazing.

For anyone who has an iPhone, you know it’s advisable to get a cover for the phone. There are tons of different styles out there with all sorts of materials, but it’s very important to protect the phone with a case.

XtremeMac has released a new line of cases, and I tried out the new Microshield in the Graphite color. You can see the available colors above. I love it and can’t imagine wanting a different case.

Microshield is an impact-resistant, hard plastic case that blends protection with simplicity. It’s slips cleanly onto the phone and seems to be a natural part of it. The case features a smooth, matte surface with full access to all of the ports, controls and connectors. It’s very smooth so you can easily slip it into and out of your pocket, and it feels great in your hands. It’s also not bulky like many of the cases you see out there.

I also like the metallic finish. It looks great in the black version of the iPhone. You can also check out the Microshield Style options if you want patterns on the case, but I preferred the elegant styling of the Graphite Microshield.

If you just picked up your new iPhone, make sure to check these out. Also, if you’ve had one for a while, a new case is a great way to update your current phone.