Dan, I was curious as to what you used for PWO protein, and to what you did for pre show cutting (ala removing any last hint of fat and water).... and how... did you steal my heart <3 =]

Who me? LOL
 

to what you did for pre show cutting (ala removing any last hint of fat and water)

I have not prepared for a competition yet...I have been close, but getting hit by a car set me back.
I am currently on the way to a competition physique again.
 
For cutting you can read Old Navy/Scott Hults journals to his contest readiness.
http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/Training_For_My_First_Competition_at_61/m_34967/tm.htm
http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/Training_For_Your_1st_Competition_At_Any_Age/m_54335/tm.htm
http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/Training_For_My_2nd_Year_of_Competition_at_62/m_80273/tm.htm
http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/Training_to_Earn_My_Natural_Master_Pro_Card_at_Age_63/m_151304/tm.htm
He pretty much lets it all out.
 
You could also chat with Blackwmw as he is in the active competiton phase now...

For now my pre and post workout looks like this
BCAA 5000 Powder Optimum Nutrition 3 Teaspoon (split pre and immediatly post workout)
Creatine 5G (pre workout)
L-Arganine 4g (pre workout)
 
Mixed:
NOW Pro-Gainer 1 SCOOP (post workout)
Super Heavyweight Gainer Champion Nutrition 1 scoop (post workout)

For some reason I figured you'd be an ON 100% Natural whey kinda guy

Post workout I am interested in carb replenishment.
 
BCAA to speed the return to anabolic and protect musce.
 
I use these as a sort of mini meal replacement and because of their high sugar, PWO is the best time for them.
 
I do use a protein powder to increase the protein of certain meals.  For that I use a Pure Whey Protein..not a brand name.
 
ON can't match the price..and I get it 11 pounds at a time!
44 pounds a year.

while I have your attention. I weigh about 183 at 6'3", my expose is a few forums down... regardless, my PWO protein has 6 grams. would it be best to consume 5 or 10 grams of BCAA Pre-sipping during. Id rather not give 3-5 grams of BCAA to waste management. Also I hear whey pre workout alot, and while I see why I can also see this as making another dent in my wallet, would taking a cassienate blend... like skim milk an hour before workout and BCAAs 15 min-during give me a similar result?

I will let you think it through..
 
Most protein has to be digested and so it either gets going in 45 minutes or so and lasts another 2 hours or releases gradually for about 4-5 hours.
 
Casein being the latter.
 
In working out there are 2 things we are addressing...keeping carbs at a premium so the body does not look to turn muscle into glucose and supplying the BCAAs which are what the body would tear the muscle up tp get and convert tp glucose.
 
All this is to A) keep energy levels up and B) keep hormone levels anabolic
 
So we are just talking about layers of insurance. 
A meal 45-60 minutes prior is a first line of protection. 
Protein 30 minutes prior is another. 
BCAA immediatly prior is another. .035 grams per pound of bodyweight
IF you run over 45 minutes, BCAA during is another .035 grams per pound of bodyweight
.2 grams per pound of bodyweight in Carbs each sipped before, during and after is another. 
BCAA immediatly after is another. .035 grams per pound of bodyweight
Glutamine immediatly post is another, 2 grams
.1 grams per pound of bodyweight post in protein is another
A meal or protein 1 hour after is another
 
BCAA go immediatly into the blood if consumed alone as would 2 grams of glutamine.
 
The casien..would put some ptorein in there..a slow release of it.   Not optimal but better than nothing!
 
One last thing..the Leucine in the BCAA is the key that tells muscle to add more protein, that is to repair and grow! 
 
An added benefit.
 
So you just pick and choose your level of insurance.
The more you get, the more muscle you keep.

See dan with you and old navy I may never need a competition personal trainer... except for mabey a life changing hook up like old navy got

For a quick bump and such, which bulk arginine or AAKG product do you use? Im looking for a cheap one that is nice and effective

I Use pure Arganine...
Now L-Arganine
At 4 G per serving (2 2/3 teaspoon or 13 mL) that has 113 servings at about 21 cents each.

Because of the hocus-pocus approach most people here take to using NO precursors, I have to assume that you don't have a clear view of what it really does as an antioxidant and NO precursor.

L-Arganine (4-6 grams) works even more powerfully when L-Citrulline (200-1000g), Vit C (500mg), Vit E (200iu), Folic Acid (400 - 800 mcg) and Alpha Lipoic Acid (10mg) per day are taken as well.  Most of this is covered in your multivitamin or antioxidant.

Your diet can positively or adversley effect NO production.

Best times to take L-Arganine are pre bed or pre workout.

For a deeper understanding of its use and history you can read a very simple book by the doctor who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering the importance of Nitric Oxide to the cardiovascular system.
Dr Ignarro's book NO More Heart Disease

Oh, I forgot to mention...it is bitter as heck...so if that bugs you...look into a capsule.
A friend of mine mixes Citrulline and arganine in pure cranberry juice or something...not bitter..but its sour!

That's why I like Dan, he does everything the natural way.

meh Im a creatine right into the mouth kinda guy... this shouldnt be too bad at all =]

Well, I don't mind bitter stuff...but I thout you should know this is bitter - Creatine has no flavor to me.

I like the recomendations Dan made.

But here is an alternative way: BCAA during WO with Complex Carbs + Whey Post.

OR 

Post workout with Leucine + Whey + Oats.

I know it seems weird not taking anything pre-WO.