I've had my BB for about a month, and I just found out the proper way to break it in.
I completely discharged it once I think... and ever since then I just top it off all night (died out a couple days ago since I wasn't home).

I've noticed the battery life runs farily short. It'll slowly drain even if I don't use it.
I read it could be the background apps I have... but the only apps are Google Maps and Opera Mini (just got it right now).
However, I think it could be the push weather I have... any ideas?

Take a look at Maximum Battery Life - BlackBerryFAQ

I have.. so I guess I'm just stuck w/ a defective battery, or one that wasn't properly broken in? :(

I was reading somewhere where Lithium Ion batteries don't suffer from the same "conditioning" issue that older technology batteries did, so you don't really need to drain them down all the way and charge them back. I think I saw it on BatteryUniversity.com, or something like that.

I believe the biggest drains on the battery are the LCD backlight and the wireless radio. I keep my backlight brightness at the lowest, as well as make sure the backlight timeout is set to 10 seconds. Calls will also drain the battery pretty fast.

Google map's GPS function will drain the battery fast.

Your battery is very likely fine, and if you read the FAQ link posted above, you will note the part about every month or so draining your battery to about 10-15% and charging back to 100%.

Wirelessly posted (Verizon 8830: BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

Just to echo, the post above me, the FAQ link above is helpful. Unknowingly, I used to unnecessarily drain my battery because I would NOT close out programs. Especially the media player. That is why I click alt-esc to see what's running on my device.

Being in a poor (GSM) coverage area also drains the battery somewhat faster as the BB has to transmit at higher power.

Re 'conditioning', the following is a good reference IMHO. Especially look at the simple guidlines at the bottom...

How to prolong lithium-based batteries

I was trying to multi-quote, but that wasn't working.

Anyway.. jeremy, I set mine to the lowest blacklight as well w/ 30 sec. t/o. Since the phone has an ambient light detector and can change to full brightness, it works out well.

ako, I just checked what you meant and I never thought about that. I figured the apps were as is. I guess closing them after use rather than using the 'esc' button is better. Now I only have the basic 4-5 apps running. Does anyone know if it really matters, though?

I did a test a couple days ago at work. I didn't use the phone at all, not even to check the time or anything and the battery stayed at full. It lost 5% at the end of the day. Is this what they mean by standby? Seems like barely turning it on to check the time will drain it.

In general, the phone is quite fine now... the apps just heavily consume the battery. :(

shrienki, you need to be able to use your BB. If you follow the suggestions above and those in the link about charging it daily and topping off the charge during the day, you will be fine.