Just A Guy Thing » How To

How to Order Wine on a Date

James — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:45:55 +0000

We’ve all been there: you’re on a hot date and the waiter or sommelier comes around to take your wine order. What do you you? Here’s a quick tip from Wine Library TV host Gary Vaynerchuk on how to impress a dinner date when you are ordering wine:

[via BigThink.com]

How to Survive a Towering Inferno: Tune In Tonight

James — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:41:16 +0000

You never know when you’re going to be trapped in a burning building. Would you know what to do? Would you know how to navigate a panicked crowd? How to treat a burn victim? How to scale down the walls of the building to escape? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

Luckily, former Navy SEAL Cade Courtley knows how to do all this stuff and more and he’ll show it all to you on his show “Surviving Disaster” which airs tonight on Spike TV at 10 pm. The show has some amazing – and amazingly scary – simulations that really bring you into the disaster.

Here’s a trailer of the show to give you a little taste of what you’ll see tonight:

Trapped In An Inferno | SpikeTV | SPIKE.com

Check out Surviving Disaster tonight at 10 pm on Spike. Should be a good show.

13 Things Guys Don’t Know About Women’s Bodies

James — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:03:10 +0000

Jessica Wakeman, who blogs for The Frisky.com, has some strong opinions when it comes to men’s cluelessness around women. First she gave us 10 Things To Remember During Sex. Now Jessica weighs in on 13 things that men don’t know about women’s bodies:

Generally, our libidos are more like electric ovens than microwaves, so pace yourself with the foreplay, please?
Our jaw aches when we go down on you for more than several minutes, so please don?t hold out on us!
Nature intended for our boobs to feed squalling infants, not just solely for your visual enjoyment. So, don?t start whining when we breastfeed our hungry babies in public, because that?s our job as moms and yours is to politely look away.
Poking your finger around our belly button, even if it has a piercing in it, is pretty annoying.
We get bloated before our periods come and sometimes feel a little thick around the middle. Even though we know it?s never cool for a woman to say something self-hating like ?I am so fat? to her dude, what we really mean if we say something like that is our bodies feel gross. So tell us how cute we look in our stretchy elastic pajamas, because that?s the only comfortable thing to wear right now.
Unless otherwise stated, when we like the way you?re touching our clit or our breasts, you shouldn?t respond by stroking or squeezing harder?you should just keep doing what you?re doing!
Pubic hair is a bitch to wax off, so if you happen to enjoy us bare down there, consider yourself a very, very lucky boy if it happens.
All PMS humor aside, sometimes cramps are no joke?as in, excruciating pain you couldn?t even imagine unless you?ve had an appendix out. You were just about to heat up the hot water bottle and scoop us a bowl of chocolate ice cream, right?
Our bottoms are covered in layers of fat, as well as muscle, so it won?t hurt us (in a bad way) if you spank us there during sex.
Our nipples are seriously sensitive, so ask first if you?re going to pinch or bite.
If you keep giving us foot massages, we?ll keep wearing those sexy 5-inch heels that we can barely walk in. But if our feet hurt, we?re not wearing them.
Our lips are so soft because we use lip balm (and your scaly reptile lips would be more pleasant to kiss if you used some, too). Soft hands = lotion. Soft hair = conditioner. That?s why we have all these beauty products!
Yes, it really is cold in here.

You can check out this list and more over at TheFrisky.

photo credit: sansreproache

How To Sound Like A “Car Guy”

James — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:00:13 +0000

Do you panic when talking to your buddies about cars? Do you confuse a stick shift with a crank shaft, a Dodge Challenger with a Chevy Camaro or a V-8 engine with a V8 drink? Fear not – with a few bits of information you too can sound like a “car guy.”

The folks over at AutoTrader.com have come up with some tidbits you can throw into any car conversation to make it sound like you actually know what you’re talking about:

Four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles must have all four tires exactly the same size; even the difference between a new tire and a used tire can cause performance problems and lead to hundreds of dollars in repair costs.

If your car won’t start, a rapid clicking or a slow chugging sound probably means your battery is flat but not dead, so the car can still be jump-started.
Keeping track of your gas mileage for reimbursement or tax reasons can also help you see changes in miles per gallon early on, so you can see when maintenance may be needed and thus extend the life of your vehicle.
Believe it or not, gas mileage usually decreases at speeds over 60 miles per hour, so observing the speed limit can save on gas!
And finally, in the useless trivia category, The Guinness Book of World Records certified the British Peel P50 as the world?s smallest commercially produced road legal car ? created in the 1960s, it measures 54 inches long and 41 inches wide and has a top speed of around 35 mph.

All you auto amateurs are now ready to start in on the car banter. Got some other useful car talk tips? Share them in the comments.

photo credit: Someone Somewheres Life

Organize Your Bedroom and Feel Better

James — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:30:19 +0000

A cluttered home adds to the stress of daily life, and most often when we tackle organizing our home, we focus on the public rooms, such as the kitchen and family room, because we fear the dreaded unannounced guest. We often neglect the bedrooms. It?s easy to close the bedroom door, but at the end of the day, we are restless in our cluttered bedrooms.

Do you find that when you enter the bedroom you are faced with a mound of clothes, a mess on the nightstand, and a pile of shoes on the floor? And once you finally force yourself out of bed, are you rushed in the mornings searching through piles for something clean and wrinkle-free to wear?

Scott Roewer, president of Solutions by Scott in Washington, DC, provides three easy, cost-effective tips to help get the bedroom organized:

Get clothes off the floor. If you find yourself throwing clothes on the floor or using the treadmill as your closet, then add a bedroom valet or garment holder to your room. The accessories provide an easy way to preserve and organize your clothes until you are ready to put them away. The racks in The Art of Storage collection are affordable and stylish. These storage pieces features six loops at varying heights to allow for versatile garment draping options and the valet also includes a non-slip pants holder and coin tray.

De-clutter every surface. Overcrowding the surfaces of your dressers and nightstands with knick-knacks presents a cluttered look and makes it more difficult to dust. Select the top two or three non-essential items that are special to you. The others can go into storage, be displayed in another room or maybe be rotated every few months. Remember that less is more.

Use under-the-bed space. Store out-of-season clothes and other items in containers made of plastic, canvas, or wood. Plastic containers are ideal if you have the ability to stack them. If you store linens in wood boxes, opt for cedar, which helps deter moths. Line the containers with plain unbleached muslin to counter the wood?s acidity and protect your linens. Use canvas bags that zip shut for delicate items such as cashmere sweaters, which need circulating air. Make sure all clothing and blankets are cleaned before storing.

?A peaceful, clutter-free bedroom is ideal for a restful night?s sleep and piles of clothes don?t create the relaxing oasis you desire,? Roewer said. ?My basic rule of thumb for clothing is if it is clean enough to wear again, it?s clean enough to hang up.

Beating the bedroom blues is possible ? and once you tackle this task, you?ll feel the results immediately. Everyone deserves a calm and peaceful place to relax and re-energize. And if you don’t clean-up your bedroom for yourself, then do it for your lady friend. She might just find creative ways to show her appreciation.

photo credit: tachyondecay

How to Pick Up A Hot Anchorwoman

James — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:52:06 +0000

Whatever you might think of Fox News, you do have to admit they have some pretty hot anchorbabes. Ainsely Earhardt is just such a babe and she was recently picked up on the air by a guy she was interviewing. Uri Man is, well, a man, for having the cojones to hit on Ainsely mid-interview:

How to Take Booze With You Anywhere

James — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:15:43 +0000

There are times in a man’s life when you need to take your booze with you, but in a discreet way. Now we’re not suggesting that you sneak booze into an event where you’re not supposed to bring it, but times are tough and sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

When you need to get your drink on without everyone noticing, there is now the Disposable Flask. It holds 5 shots of liquor, empties completely flat and best of all fits easily into your back pocket.

The flask is durable, compact, collapsible and lightweight. It stands freely when filled, empties completely flat and freezes safely. It costs just under 2 bucks apiece.

So when carrying bulky metal flasks and cumbersome containers just won’t do, there’s always the Disposable Flask. You can get them at DisposableFlasks.com.

Man Uses Chainsaw to Fight Off Mountain Lion

James — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:00:44 +0000

Dustin Britton has a special place in the annals of manly men. Last week Dustin saved his entire family from a starving mountain lion in the wilds of northwestern Wyoming using a chainsaw as a weapon.

Britton, a 32-year old mechanic from Windsor, Colorado said he was cutting firewood near his campsite when he came face to face with the lion. His wife and two toddlers were just yards away.

As the animal pounced at him, Britton raised his 18-inch chainsaw and inflicted a wound in the lion’s shoulder. The wounded animal retreated back into the forest, leaving Briton, a former Marine, with just a small puncture wound.

Wildlife agents later shot and killed the lion after tracking it. Authorities say the lion appeared to be starving. After the attack, Britton and his family decided to stay the night in their pop-up camper.

Hats off to Dustin Britton – a very manly man.

photo credit: Bill Hails

How to Properly Enjoy a Beer

James — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:15:22 +0000

If you’re a serious beer drinker you will enjoy this video. Dave McLean is a man who knows his beer and explains how to properly appreciate one. A must-see for any discerning gentleman:

For more videos check out Rocky Socky.

How to Tell Real Breasts from Fake

James — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:20:46 +0000

Some guys prefer a woman’s breasts to be au naturale while others prefer gals who have had some assistance in that department. But how can you really tell the difference? With breast implants getting better and better it’s not always easy to tell.

Now there’s a handy video that shows you exactly what to look for. It comes complete with handy tidbits like: the average distance between a woman’s nipples and her chin is approximately 10 inches. Who knew?

Ready for a Little ‘Manscaping’?

James — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:00:59 +0000

There are few subjects men want to talk less about than “manscaping” – trimming the short hairs, and we don’t mean the ones on your face. But thanks in part to the proliferation of shaved porn actors and more recently a helpful video from Gillette coupled with new devices like the Braun “bodyCruzer”, more men are considering trimming the hedges.

We conducted a highly unscientific poll of several women we know to get the opposite sex’s take on the manscaping trend. The consensus is this: unless you’re an actual porn star, going bald down below is just plain weird. But thinning out the thicket is appreciated, especially if you expect her to get up close and personal with your beanpole.

There’s another benefit to trimming down under: greater sensitivity. For a lot of guys, thinning out the hair on their undercarriage heightens the pleasure when a lady friend gives the boys some attention.

Manscaping is not just about shaving below the belt. The new Braun bodyCruzer makes it easy to remove body hair from your chest, shoulders, stomach and other spots you might want to target. According to Braun, one-third of guys 24-34 in the U.S. already shave or trim hair below the neck, so rest assured you won’t be the first man to try it.

Gillette is getting into the act with a viral video that has now been viewed nearly 750,000 times on YouTube. As Gillette cheekily puts it: “when there’s no underbrush, the tree looks taller.”

Men have been expecting women to trim the hedges for some time now. Guys – are you ready to do the same and start manscaping?

photo credit: Braun

Illinois May Outlaw Sexting

James — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:40:44 +0000

If you’re a teenager who lives in Illinois, it sucks to be you. The great state of Illinois, home of Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama, ~~recently passed a law~~ is considering a bill (House Bill 2537) that makes it illegal to distribute a videotape or nude image of another person without consent and with the intent to damage a person?s reputation.

The bill – originally promoted to save teens from the horrors of sexting – also makes uploading nude images to the Internet a criminal act. So if you’re at a frat party and some drunk girl drops her top, leave your camera phone in your pocket (but only if you’re in Illinois).

Amazingly, the bill ~~that was passed~~ that’s being considered is better than the original, which would have cracked down on anyone distributing nude images or video. So if you were emailed a nude photo from a friend and then forwarded it to someone else, you would be liable for criminal prosecution. Thankfully, the Illinois Senate came to their senses and amended that part of the law.

Even so, if we’re trying to protect teenagers from sexting, is criminalizing the act really the way to do it? Is sexting really that pervasive a problem that we need to outlaw it? And don’t lawmakers have something – anything – better to spend their time on?

Update: House Bill 2537 has not yet been passed and the article has been updated to reflect this.

photo credit: danorth1

Alcohol Test Fail

James — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:40:43 +0000

Remember guys: if you’re ever pulled over for drunk driving do not – I repeat: do not – try to drink the breathalyzer. Kinda proves that you might be drunk. Just like this guy:

Always Wanted to Surf? Here’s What It’s Really Like

James — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:50:46 +0000

When I was a teenager I used to surf all the time. Since then I’ve seen a lot of surfing footage on TV and the web, but nothing truly captured the feeling of being inside the wave as your board cuts through the water. Until now.

This slow-motion video, shot by a cameraman for the BBC, is awesome. It puts you at eye-level with a surfer as the wave closes in around him. If you’ve always wanted to surf, but never got the chance – this is what it’s really like. Hang ten!

The Ten Most Useless Facts from Wikipedia

James — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:11:54 +0000

While online reference service Wikipedia can be incredibly informative, it’s also chock full of absolutely useless facts. Helpfully, all the useless trivia has now been compiled in a new book called Stupedia.

Here are 10 pieces of useless information from the book:

McDonald’s signs once had only one golden arch.
Laws pertaining to birth aboard aircraft and ships mean it is possible for a person born on a British ship, anchored in a United States port, with a Chinese father and Turkish mother, to have quadruple nationality.

South Park Lofts in Los Angeles, originally an eight-storey car park, was converted to lofts ? and residents complained about a lack of parking.
The World Snail Racing Championships were held annually for more than 40 years, with only the 2007 event cancelled due to inclement weather.
Captain Philip Beaver once read the entire Encyclopaedia Britannica during one of his cruises.
Squab is the meat from a young domestic pigeon.
The Winchester Bible ? the largest surviving 12th-century English bible ? incorporated the skins of 250 calves.
The broadhead catfish, which is a carnivore, can be fed with rice bran.
Pierre the penguin is the first bird to don a custom-made wetsuit (to combat bald spots).
Liverpool actor and guitarist Ozzie Yue used to flick pieces of paper at Paul McCartney in art class at the Liverpool Institute High School For Boys.

For even more inane information, check out Stupedia: The Most Useless Facts on Wikipedia.

Internet Slacking Boosts Your Productivity

James — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:48:20 +0000

Are you at work right now wasting time by reading this article? Don’t feel guilty – a new research study says Internet slacking at work can actually boost your productivity. Just explain that to your boss when he walks by.

A new study from the University of Melbourne found that surfing the net at work for pleasure actually increases our concentration levels and helps make a more productive workforce.

?People who do surf the Internet for fun at work – within a reasonable limit of less than 20% of their total time in the office – are more productive by about 9% than those who don?t,? says Dr. Brent Coker, from the Department of Management and Marketing.

According to the study of 300 workers, 70% of people who use the Internet at work engage in leisure browsing. Among the most popular activities are searching for information about products, reading online news sites. Playing online games was the fifth most popular, while watching YouTube movies was seventh.

?Firms spend millions on software to block their employees from watching videos on YouTube, using social networking sites like Facebook or shopping online under the pretense that it costs millions in lost productivity, however that?s not always the case.?

Goofing off at work for a bit helps with concentration. ?People need to zone out for a bit to get back their concentration. Think back to when you were in class listening to a lecture ? after about 20 minutes your concentration probably went right down, yet after a break your concentration was restored,” says Dr. Coker.

?It?s the same in the work place. Short and unobtrusive breaks, such as a quick surf of the internet, enables the mind to rest itself, leading to a higher total net concentration for a days work, and as a result, increased productivity.?

So there you go: keep reading Just A Guy Thing and feel no guilt.

photo credit: top DeclanTM, bottom tvol.

An iPhone App That Will Save You Money

James — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:00:46 +0000

Nothing is more annoying than absolutely having to get cash and then being forced to pay a $3 surcharge just to get your money out of the nearest ATM.

The new ‘ATM Hunter’ app developed my MasterCard not only finds nearby cash machines, it also allows you to drill down by bank so you can find fee-free ATMs.

Using the iPhone’s GPS, ‘ATM Hunter’ allows you to filter your search based on the following ATM features: drive through, 24 hr service, wheelchair accessible, surcharge free, and deposit sharing.

See – not all iPhone apps mindless time wasters. Some actually save you money.

A Brief Guide to Mental Fitness

James — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:00:38 +0000

This is a guest post from Ken Hunt, Owner of Steel Gym and AFI-certified Fitness Expert. Steel Gym has been named “#1 Gym in New York” two years in a row by the American Fitness Institute

I have always believed that in order to be physically fit you have to develop ?mental toughness.? So here are some tips to help you develop that tough mental attitude you need to succeed in meeting your fitness – and life goals!

Listen to the experts. Read biographies and listen to audio programs that talk of winners who have overcome tremendous obstacles and setbacks to become successful. They are people just like you. So if they can do it, WHY CAN’T YOU?

“What next?” Give yourself solution-oriented feedback when solving your problems. Don’t dwell on what went wrong. What are you going to do about it? Spend your energy on moving forward, finding an answer.

Get comfortable with the unfamiliar. Make it a part of your daily routine to do something totally different than what you normally do. Turn your TV off for a month. Take a different route to work. Change workout routines regularly. You’ll be better prepared to handle diverse environments with greater calm and confidence.

THINK AND SPEAK WELL OF YOUR HEALTH. Teach yourself to use positive self-talk about fitness and personal health. Too much attention is paid to minor aches and pains. We tend to make real what is the “main feature” of ourselves. What’s YOUR “main feature?”

Don’t be a victim of ads and fads. Make sure the thing that impresses you meets your criteria, and satisfies your concerns. Mental toughness doesn’t mean going it alone, with lose-weight-fast or get-rich-quick schemes. Mental toughness means learning from the pros who have been there and done that.

Align yourself with people who have already achieved their goals or who are dedicated to goals similar to yours. Avoid associating with people who have the same unresolved problems or who are frustrated by their lack of achievement.

Focus on desired results. Pure and simple: winners dwell on the rewards of success. Losers focus on mistakes and failure. Do what’s necessary NOW!

Expect the unexpected. You can’t control what nature and others do. You can anticipate what MAY happen, and prepare for them as best you can. You can also control your response to what happens.

photo credit: Sabrina Campagna

5 Keys to Recession Proof Your Anxiety

James — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:00:10 +0000

The steady drumbeat of bleak economic news is testing everyone’s anxiety levels. Financial worries are one of the leading causes of stress with 16 million Americans treated for depression during their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Health. When you?re stressed, most people fall into some bad habits that can lead to more bad things, like weight gain and arguments with your spouse.

Here are the five areas where you may be feeling anxiety and some tips from WeSeed.com on how to reduce the stress:

The Home front ? Your spouse may have lost his/her job or may be worried that you might. Convene a special Crisis Meeting to create a contingency plan for the ?what-if?. Maybe you need to rent out a room? Cut back on expenses or raise insurance deductibles? Come up with specific actions and who?s going to do what. Also, be sure you continue to demonstrate your love and appreciation to loved ones without spending money (simple notes, a candlelight dinner with a toast to them, a CD of their favorite songs). Avoid adding to the aggravation with your own issues that are not really that important. Stay focused on what matters to keep the home free of stress.

The Kid front ? The kids might not be used to changes you?re making or you may be facing decisions around their college. First, involve the kids. Use this as an opportunity to prepare them for the real world and set an example of how to take charge of your money. With college, recruit the grandparents. Chances are, most will be in a better position than parents to contribute to school and, at the same time, they can reduce their taxable estate and see their contribution be used for a meaningful purpose. Grandparents: some of you are among the lucky few who have pensions but, despite a steady and healthy income, are reigning back. Now is the time to help your adult children and grandchildren.

The Job front ? Many worry about their jobs; Take charge of your job. Now is not the time to hide, but to showcase yourself. Demonstrate your value to the company?s bottom line and if you?re not in a position that creates or saves money, offer to take on a job (even if it?s extra duties) of a position that does. Most importantly, position yourself for the next big thing. If you?re a banker, move into workouts. If you?re in manufacturing, become the ?savings chief? or move where the jobs are. One ex-executive is going through training with gang kids in L.A. to learn about solar panels and he?ll start a business hiring his ?classmates?

The Money front ? Studies show that never has there been a 20 year period in history when you would?ve lost money, though that may change. Selling now guarantees you lock in losses. 1. Use this as an opportunity to build a proper portfolio if you haven?t. Did you have 90% of your portfolio in stocks? 2. Review the funds you hold and use this to fully understand yourself, what you own rather than counting on an ?expert? ? you?ll build confidence and feel better. Bonds offer more security but buying individual bonds locks you in for 20 years (can get 4% triple tax-free equivalent to about 6% taxable). 3. As for 401(k), if it?s your only savings, consider a balanced approach: part stocks, part bonds. Review what you have with your spouse, make decisions for your own time horizon and you?ll sleep better at night.

The Body front ? More people are turning to comfort food to, well, comfort all this anxiety. Don?t let it get to you ? more weight gain means even more stress. Instead, commit to a daily exercise for at least 30 minutes. If you?re likely to ignore it at the end of the day, do it at the beginning and feel great knowing you started the day off right. Make one day a walk with a friend or spouse. And reduce the number of meals out ? you?ll spend less and eat better. For tasty but low-cal treat, get diet Swiss chocolate (25 calories a pack, the lowest out there) and combine it with a half a chocolate bar or a frozen low-cal ice cream dessert at 100 calories.

Don’t let the recession get you down. While these tips may not solve all your problems, by at least taking some action you’ll start feeling better about yourself and the future.

photo credits: top Bhernandez; bottom onohoku.

Training Tips to Increase Flexibility and Stretching

James — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:35:02 +0000

This is a guest post from Ken Hunt, Owner of Steel Gym and AFI-certified Fitness Expert. Steel Gym has been named “#1 Gym in New York” two years in a row by the American Fitness Institute

This week I wanted to address one of the most neglected aspects of any workout routine – the warm-up and flexibility

Stretching can help your body get ready for exercise. It is also an essential part of recovering from aerobic activity. All exercise sessions should end with stretching. The more flexible you are, the less likely you are to be injured during exercise.

The simplest way to warm up is to do an aerobic activity at an easy pace. How long you spend warming up will depend on your fitness level. If you are new to exercising, your body will respond better with a longer warm-up routine.

Adding stretches to your warm-up routine may improve your exercise performance. Once your muscles are warm, spend a few minutes on stretching.

Keep in mind that an effective cool-down gives your body time to recover.

Your cool-down begins as you gradually decrease your intensity level at the end of your aerobic exercise session. For example, if you have been walking at a quick pace, begin cooling down by slowing your steps and taking your arms out of the movement. Walk at a comfortable pace until your breathing and heart rate have returned to normal.

Once you are breathing easily, stretch while your muscles are still warm.

When people are pressed for time when they are working out, usually stretching is the first thing that is eliminated. This is a huge mistake and can reduce the effectiveness of exercise.

By increasing your flexibility, you can improve your ability to move around. You will have less muscle tension and your posture will likely improve. Most importantly, stretching after each workout reduces your risk for injury.

Get the most out of your flexibility training by following these simple guidelines:

Always warm up before your stretch. Stretching cold muscles can cause injury
Stretch slowly and gently. Breathe into your stretch to avoid muscle tension. Relax and hold each stretch 10 to 30 seconds.
Do not bounce your stretches.
Stretching should not hurt. If you feel pain, take the stretch easier, breathe deeply, and relax into it.

image credit: mikebaird