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The Not So Humble Crotch Rocket

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motorcycleWe all know them: those guys on the Japanese motorcycles, usually garishly-colored, and usually speeding down the road. They are lovingly-referred to as crotch rockets. These motorcycles elicit a wide range of reactions, ranging from “Damn, what a schmuck” to “Seriously nice ride.” So here are a couple of arguments for the opposing sides following.

The case for manly: Cars are the epitome of masculinity. Big engines, ignition, rubber and metal…it’s all present. Men have worked on making their vehicles quicker, sleeker, and basically, cooler, since the invention of the car. The crotch rocket is continuation of this never ending pursuit for speed, and it’s one of the manliest around.

Crotch rockets are the Lamborghini of motorcycles–sleek and fast. There’s nothing unmanly about the Lamborghini  so why would this not transfer over to crotch rockets?

The case for not manly: Riding a motorcycle, in and of itself, is definitely manly, if not safe. When a guy chooses to ride something other than some classic bike, like for example a Triumph or Indian is where the issue lies for some. Now, not everyone can pay for or locate such awesome pieces of machinery. The focus is that if you’re embracing your masculine wish to work on a machine that will go fast and get you oily, try to focus it on something less fast and more poppy. There are a large number of affordable motorcycles out there that fit this category.

Crotch rockets are the Jägermeister to a Harley Davidson’s 12 year old scotch. They have the same end, but the former is for your indulgence, the latter is for real passion.

Improve Your Gin and Tonic

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A Simple, Easy (but not necessarily cheap) Trick to Improve the humble Gin and Tonic

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For many years, I didn’t think I liked the humble gin and tonic. For quite a while, I thought it was the gin that I detested, but some smarter friends helped me with some really amazing gin-focused cocktails, and I very quickly moved away from the staple of vodka in favor of gin’s truly special aromatic qualities. At that point I figured I just didn’t care for standard tonic water.

The results of this investigation? One, I really like gin. Two, I like tonic. And three, I do like them together. So what was the issue with all those early drinks that sent me into disgust?

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It wasn’t the brand of gin, but actually…the type of tonic water. The syrup-sweetened (and commonly available) Schweppe’s  just doesn’t hit it for me. It’s far too sweet, almost like lemonade.

So, if you wish to instantly improve the gin and tonics, invest in superior tonic water. Or at the very least, try a few brands to determine which you prefer, rather than just go with what you can find at the store. Some tonics to look for: Q Tonic and Fever Tree. Or, if you’re feeling specially ambitious, you could make your own tonic syrup and mix it with plain soda. There are recipes online.

Make Your Own Tonic Water

The point being, a gin and tonic is a truly basic drink with two distinctive elements, So, don’t skimp on the tonic.

 

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To finish the article….I do still find most tonics overly sweet, even the better brands. Try my trick of cutting the tonic with soda water. I like to do equal club soda and tonic and bulk up the aromatics with two dashes of orange or lemon bitters.

Favorite Summertime Gin and Tonic:

  • 2 oz. London dry gin
  • 2 oz. Fever Tree Mediterranean-style tonic water
  • 2 oz. club soda
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers orange bitters
  • Garnish: lime wedge or cucumber slice

New Wave Barbershops

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I found this video covering the “new wave” of barbershops that are growing across America at a pretty steady rate. Modern day men are increasingly becoming tired of going to the sterile salons. Sometimes men just want a place to get away from neutrality and get immersed with the scent of warm lather and the sensation of the straight razor on the back of their neck–things that would be tough to find in the sterile unisex salon.

This is precisely where the new barbershop revival comes into it’s own. Some barber shops, supply awesome beer, shuffleboard , and vintage chairs, all designed specifically to make men feel comfortable. Of course some women may enjoy it as well, and it’s unlikely that they would refuse women service, but these barbershops target men. In most ways, the unisex salon targets women, and men just go along. In this case, men decided to target men, but would let women attend. It’s essentially an identical business model, but approached from the opposite direction.

Men are increasingly appreciating a good shave and cut, and it’s great to see these new barbershops appearing. As a man who feels confident and happy right after a shave and haircut, I salute the efforts of these men and hope to see this trend go on.

How not to be a jerk online

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JerkThere’s something about those inter-webs  that spins a relatively mild-mannered guy into a ranting moron. In a place where openly sharing your opinions is so straightforward, many guys these days massively “over-share”, usually via the political rant, ongoing sports commentary, or everyday updates about life. We all know about the breakfast intagram.

To me, the most annoying occurrence of oversharing on the internet is the political rant. I like a decent political debate just as much as anyone else, but unfortunately there isn’t much actual debate going on, and most of it is mindless zombie-like blathering. Sure, there are certain crannies and nooks on the net where intelligent debate thrives, but for the most part it’s idiots voicing their views and opinions as facts with one underlying theme: “if anyone disagrees, they are wrong.” Here’s how to not be a jerk if talking politics on the web:

1. Don’t say a thing. Maybe sharing a provocative URL is all you need to do. Leave your own commentary off and let your link speak for itself.

2. Accept opposing views, and thank the person for providing them. “Great. Thanks for your feedback Uncle Bob!” While you might be seething internally, just accept that others see things in different lights and move fofrward.

3. Engage with your dissenters, but engage with their ideas, not with them personally. When you start to label your opponent  you’re going into dangerous territory, and this is where internet debates always go astray.

4. Exchange places. Consider, “If what they’re saying is correct, what ramifications would there be?” If you place yourself in their shoes, you might realize they have a decent point…or maybe they don’t.

5. Use correct grammar. Once you start TYPING IN UPPER CAPS AND BOLDING WITHOUT REASON, people cease reading. Nothing makes you look like a moron faster than engaging caps lock.

6. Keep it minimal. No one really wants to read your 20 links a day about African children. Yes, it’s really sad, but consider about how much information you disregard on the net every day. Why? Because it’s commonly from a source that showers you with data that you don’t really want. The people who Tweet, Facebook, or share the least that you should probably pay the most attention to.

7. Joke. Jokes are perfect teaching methods. If you can condense a tough concern into a funny joke (like political cartoonists do), you are adding value to the information and people appreciate this.

Remember that you are interacting with a real person not the computer; if you wouldn’t say it to their face, you probably shouldn’t type it online (this generally works for most people). There’s no need to let fly with every thought that runs through your consciousness.

 

Best Film Car Chases Ever

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The famous chase scene The Bourne Identity is instantly memorable as one of the handful of occasions a little Cooper  dominates in a  chase (see: An Italian Guy , Job (1969), a film which would  show on this list, were it longer). Matt Damon and Franka Potente, using the streets (and pathways and paths) of Paris, evading their pursuers at each and every turn, causing mayhem and destruction in their wake.

The main  element is using the Mini’s advantageous small size in the narrow Parisian streets; in addition to  the short wheelbase and low center of gravity, enabling impressive handbrake turns and quick maneuvering. This scene is really a memorable clip in a memorable movie.