Next time you're grilling... and I hope this Labor Day isn't your last till next summer... try something different. Instead of marinating or seasoning your meat on the outside, get the flavor going from the inside out.

A good barbecue usually has some sort of shish-kebab on the grilling menu. Some shrimp on a skewer. Maybe some veggies. It's easier to cook the small stuff on a grate and easier to eat while walking around.

Callisons Seasoned Skewers takes the skewer one step further, from cooking and eating utensil to flavor provider. Their wooden skewers are infused with 100% natural fresh flavors and essential oils that your food absorbs while cooking. Easier and less messy than marinading, you just soak the sticks in water, beer or wine, impale your meat or veggies, let sit for about 15 mins, and throw it on the fire. The flavors soak into the food from the inside, where they don't drip or burn off.

The skewers come ten to a pack in six flavors that'll add spark to any recipe: Garlic Herb, Citrus Rosemary, Thai Coconut Lime, Honey Bourbon, Mexican Fiesta, and Indian Mango Curry. Any unused sticks will last for months in the fridge. And for those watching their diet, they have no fat, no carbs and no sodium.

I'm smelling something new cooking at the first tailgate of the football season. And to get you started, here's a recipe for some killer Thai Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers. (You can find more recipes at www.seasonedskewers.com)

Thai Shrimp & Pineapple Skewers
4 Thai Coconut Lime Callisons Seasoned Skewers
1/2 cup beer
1 lb very large shrimp (about 16 per pound), peeled and deveined
12 chunks (1 1/2-inch pieces) fresh pineapple
Salt and pepper to taste

Soak skewers in beer for 10 to 15 minutes.

Thread onto each skewer in the following order: shrimp-pineapple, using 1 piece of each. Repeat 2 more times and then add 1 more shrimp to secure the pineapple. Let sit for 10 to 20 minutes in refrigerator. ...There's more

Raise your hand if you've ever surfed "adult sites" on the 'net. Get your hand up, you know you do. We all do. And I'm betting a lot of you could be categorized as regular users... someone's gotta be looking at a lot of it, it's a multi-billion dollar biz that pulls in more cash than many small nations.

The hardest thing (insert dick joke here) is keeping your hobby hidden. From girlfriends, wives, especially kids... anyone who would be shocked and appalled to stumble across your secret stash. And then delete it.

Most guys i know make up their own security systems. They'll have a password protected folder (which just raises suspicion), or will name a folder something ridiculous like "Spread Sheets_2004" so she doesn't go wandering in there. And hope for the best.

About a year ago a couple of guys wondered why, with adult content so popular online, was there no software out there created to meet the needs of the porn surfer. So they created it. And called it HeatSeek.

HeatSeek is a free download that's made up of four key elements: ...There's more

Labor Day is here, and while it may be the official end to summer, (and of wearing white pants anywhere but Miami Beach), it doesn't signal the official end to wearing shorts.

And while most of you have your shorts wardrobe together, some of you need a little guidance. (You, in the light blue, thigh-high 80's short shorts. I'm talking to you.) If you're hitting a Labor Day end-of-summer bash this weekend, and want to impress, here are some key points to remember:

What's Hot Right Now?
I turned to MTV's Official Style Guru and host of "Coltrane's Fashion Attack", Coltrane Curtis for some answers. He says board shorts are still the short of choice for both regular guys and celebs. "You can go with the new boxer-brief style swim trunks only if your body is on point," he says, "but that's about as daring as you should go. Never a banana hammock. Those are a beach buzzkill." Amen, brother.

Steve Fontes, Design Director for legendary surf company Quiksilver , told me one of their hottest sellers right now is an old-school-look short with a 16" side seam (as opposed to the 21" on their typical board short), that hits a couple of inches or so above the knee and has a scalloped side seam on the leg. "The retro styles are going hot," he says, "the scallop leg is coming back, which was in style when we first started. The west coast kids are gravitating to it, and it's creeping to the east coast." Thankfully though, there are no plans to go any shorter.

Know Your Body Style
This is key according to Coltrane. "If you look like Matthew McConaughey you can wear whatever you want," he says. ...There's more

Damn medical researchers and their important "findings"...

MSN reported today that a new study shows a link between the Human papillomavirus, or HPV, (which is what researchers believe is a major cause of cervical cancer), and cancer of the mouth and throat. Apparently they have found that the virus can be transferred orally. Wonderful. Another excuse not to have to do it.

On the good news side of things, there is a vaccine that may be effective in stopping the virus, but more study is needed. Until then you won't be able to use the "But I've been vaccinated" gambit.

You can read the entire story here.

I've been getting a lot of requests from readers for more do-it-yourself gear and gadgets. Electronics are fine, they say, but some of us are fixing up the house (good idea in this real estate downturn) and want the lowdown on the latest tools and gear that can make projects easier. I'm with you, I'm doing some work on my place right now as well.

One of the trends I'm seeing is that everything now has lasers on it. Measuring tools, on cutting tools for greater accuracy, and where it started, leveling tools.

Craftsman has a pair of laser levels that you should make an essential part of your basic tool kit. The Digital LaserTracs look like standard 24- or 10-inch medium-duty levels with vertical and horizontal bubble vials, but one end holds a laser, giving you the ability to hang pictures, shelves, or molding, down the entire length of your house if you want. At precise angles.

The LaserTrac's backlit LCD display shows you the exact angle you're at, let's you save up to nine angles, and beeps to let you know when you've hit 0, 45 or 90 degrees. There's also a tripod thread and a magnetic base to free up your hands to handle the important stuff. Like pointing out to your buddies where to put the boxes of tiles they're lugging up from the truck.

$69.99 - 24-inch LaserTrac
$49.99 - 10-inch LaserTrac
$99.99 - Combo pack
www.craftsman.com

Fruit 2O, the "fruit flavored water beverage" with no calories, sugar or carbs, has launched a new vitamin-enhanced line, joining the "healthy infusions" craze.

There's four drinks in the stable: Energy has B vitamins and as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. Strawberry-tangerine flavored Hydration has electrolytes that are essential when training (or just generally sweating in the summer sun.) Immunity's got the antioxidants your body needs to keep your immune system up and running, along with the flavor of pomegranates and berries. And Relax is infused with Ambien to put you down so you can forget the stress of the day. That's a complete lie. Relax contains perfectly legal chamomile and hibiscus to gently relax and soothe you, naturally.

They're available now in most major supermarkets and retailers.

Fruit2O

New research is showing, like a lot of new research lately, that what we thought was good for us may not be. And could possibly be doing more harm than good.

According to the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases (just a little light reading to have with your morning coffee), researchers from the University of Michigan went back and studied the results of over 27 studies conducted from 1980-2006 on the effectiveness of antibacterial soaps.

They found that soaps containing the commonly used bacteria-killing chemical triclosan, were "no more effective than plain soap at preventing infectious illness symptoms and reducing bacterial levels on the hands." So apparently "antibacterial soap" is just another marketing ploy that went and got itself mainstream. At our expense.

As an added bonus they found "several laboratory studies demonstrated evidence of triclosan-adapted cross-resistance to antibiotics among different species of bacteria." Which translated to normal-person speak means the little buggers are adapting rather than dying, and are becoming resistant to the stuff we developed to kill them.

"Antibacterial" my ass. I'm heading out to buy some old-school soap.

Flash drives, jump drives, USB drives... I've heard them called a lot of things, but these small devices with big storage capabilities are becoming the most indispensable electronic accessory you can own.

Since the cost has come down (you can get a GIGs worth of storage for under $20) they've made burning CDs to transfer large amounts of data as outdated as floppy discs.

RiDATA's YEGO USB flash drive has all the typical standard features you'll want - its own on-board software for true Plug & Play, USB 2.0 compliance, 1GB, 2GB and 4GB storage capacities, LED indicator lights, powers itself from your USB port, etc. - and it goes a step further.

For those of you with few ports to spare, the YEGO has two additional USB ports in the top part of its "Y" design. When it occupies a precious port, it gives you one back, plus an extra to use. And if 4GB of storage isn't enough for you, you can daisy-chain several YEGOs for a mini "network" of external drives.

Now you'll have to figure out something to do with all those blank CDs you've got lying around.

From $17 to about $50
www.ritekusa.com for where to buy

If you're an adrenaline junkie, a vacation spent relaxing or exploring a new city just won't cut it. If there's not a pretty good chance you may die, you might as well be sitting at your desk in the office.

MSN posted a story today on adventure travel, featuring companies that specialize in vacations designed to get your heart-pumping. Some of them include Corvette racing, 2,000 foot ice climbs, flying fighter jets, diving with sharks and high-altitude sky diving.

If any of those sound like your kind of summer vacation you can read the whole story here.

Right around every Halloween there's a huge music festival held out in the Las Vegas desert. It's called Vegoose and it's a weekend of not just music, but has interactive attractions and art and local Vegas performers as well.

This year there's an eclectic mix of performers, including Queens of the Stone Age, Cypress Hill, Public Enemy, Thievery Corporation, Rage Against the Machine and others.

Halloween weekend. Out in the Las Vegas dessert. With thousands of costumed music fans. Drinking. For two days straight. That beats the hell out of your office costume party.

And I've got a way for you to go... free.

Vegoose is holding a sweepstakes and the grand prize is 2 tickets to the festival, plus an 80 GIG iPod, Guitar Hero II, and music from the Vegoose artists. You can only sign up to win on select sites. And you're on one right now. Just click here to enter. And then it's out of my hands. Whether you win or not is up to the rock gods. (And the people from Vegoose.)

Rules and all that other legal stuff are on their site. Good luck and see you in Vegas.

The results are in from last week's poll, and it's overwhelming: bald is beautiful. Almost 80% of you said if you found out your forehead was rapidly becoming an eight head, you'd either do nothing and let Mother Nature have her way with you (30%), or beat her at her own game and just shave it completely (just over 49%).

For those of you that do shave your head, (or plan to), check out Headblade.com for some of the best head shaving supplies. (They were one of my earliest sponsors... gotta give Todd and the guys over there a plug.)

And if you're looking for advice/support/product reviews/forums written by, and for, guys who shave, head over to SlyBaldGuys.com where you can discuss all things bald.

While it didn't surprise me that those of you deciding to fight the chroming of your dome would go the chemical route, (with about 18% of you opting for Rogaine or Propecia) - and it REALLY didn't surprise me that not even 1% of you opted for a Hair Club weave or a toupee (which is a mistake on any level) - the thing that really got me was the fact that only just over 1% would go for hair plugs. I have about a dozen buddies who have gone that route and you'd be surprised how far the techniques have come. Looks like I'll have to do a post on that soon and get some info out there.

Get involved in this week's poll. This time it's about talking dirty in the bedroom.

1 - Go home.

2 - Call her a cab.

3 - Apologize. And explain how you almost never "finish" that quickly.

4 - Unlock the men's room door and get back to your desk.

5 - Pay the lady.

6 - Try to locate Maui on the map of Hawaii you just left on her stomach.

7 - Roll over and go to sleep.

8 - Take a shower.

9 - Compliment her on her dancing skills as she leaves for the main stage.

10 - Spoon.

11 - Ask her her name.

12 - Turn the video camera off.

13 - Make yourself a sandwich.

14 - Tell her to make you a sandwich.

15 - Two words: Sports. Center.

16 - Tip Mai Ling the extra $25. ...There's more

I'm a fan of any technology that takes care of the little stuff I don't want to have to think about. Or constantly forget to do. (Which is why my DVR is my most valued possession.) If you're a guy who considers "little stuff" to be winding your watch, changing its battery, or just setting the correct time, consider the new Oceanus OCWM700 series watch.

Not your typical techno-loaded timepiece, the Oceanus delivers a host of gizmos in a high-end style watch that'll satisfy your inner gadget geek, without being embarrassing to actually wear.

Called the "world's first atomic solar chronograph watch" it regularly receives radio signals from the atomic transmitter ...There's more

Voicemail is annoying. It's intrusive. And it's inconvenient. It's also a necessity.

I rarely answer my cell phone during the day, unless I'm expecting a call (or it's that feisty redhead from last night). Everything else goes right to voicemail. And I'll get whatever info I need, and return my calls, when I have the time.

The irony is that retrieving my voicemail is itself a pain in the ass. Usually I listen to them in the car (I know, not the best time to be on the cell phone. But I do use an earpiece.), and if I have to take notes, or write down a number or email address, I'm screwed. And I end up saving the message to replay later when I have a pen, (and am not operating a 2,000 lb. vehicle during rush hour). And we all that have that one friend who seems to think if he doesn't leave every last friggin detail on the recording, you won't get back to him. One minute of relevant info surrounded by 20 minutes of rambling. skipping to the important part would save a ton of time and aggravation.

To make getting your messages less of a hassle, there are some new services that let you opt to get your voicemail sent as text to your phone or email. SimulScribe is one of them.

Its voice recognition "technology" converts your message to text that's sent to any email enabled device ...There's more

We're a gadget obsessed nation. And we wouldn't dream of hiking, kayaking, camping, or even lying on the beach this summer, without our cell phone, PDA, iPod, PSP, GPS, digital camera, or any other hand-held communication/entertainment device/electronic leash.

The problem is running out of power when you're miles deep in the woods. Especially if you need to use your cell phone for an emergency. (Or to order a pizza.) And since there are no power outlets on trees (I've looked), you're S.O.L. - unless you can harness some juice from the sun.

Solio is a compact, universal "hybrid" charger that fits in a pocket or pack, fans out to grab energy from the sun, and recharges virtually all your electronics. The "hybrid" part comes in for you ex-scouts who like to "always be prepared" - you can also pre-charge the Solio in a wall outlet, and the power can be stored for up to a year. ...There's more

Whether you call it a "group mancation" or an "adventure bachelor party", alternatives to the traditional booze-and-strippers pre-wedding sendoff for the groom are becoming more and more popular.

If you and your boys are thinking of going this route right before one of you takes that long walk down the aisle, there's one upcoming event that's perfect for a weekend of drunken debauch... um, joyous celebration of impending matrimony.

On February 17, 2008 the city of Daytona will become the party center of the country when it hosts the 50th Running of the Daytona 500.

Top celebs and rabid race fans will descend upon the city for a never-to-be-forgotten weekend of racing, drinking, special events and general mayhem in addition to the surfing, fishing, boating and bikini chasing always available along the city's 23 miles of beaches.

You can take the groom to a strip club any time. Partying at the 50th Daytona 500 makes for a once in a lifetime bachelor party experience. (Maybe twice in a lifetime if you make the 100th Running... but he'll be around 80 by then. And probably not in bachelor party shape.)

Accommodations are booking already, so even though it's about six months away, reserve soon. Ticket packages are available at www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-Pit-Shop. (Not pit stop.) Find info on the race at www.daytona500.com.

You may not be able buy a lap dance at the Bing anymore, but you can buy one of the 12-foot stripper poles that rose from the club's main stage.

The Associated Press and MSN.com reported this morning that the owners of Satin Dolls, the real strip club that stood in for the Bada Bing on HBO's "The Sopranos", is going to auction off the poles (no word on whether or not they'll clean them first), along with other pieces of the club, on eBay.

According to the MSN.com story, "other items going on sale later this week include a pool table, a disco ball and the fluorescent purple men's room sign often seen in the background as mob boss Tony Soprano conducted business."

If stripper poles and disco balls aren't your thing, you might want to grab a piece of useful memorabilia for your own home "club": the 10 or so barstools and L-shaped slab of bar where Tony's crew hung out, drank and held "discussions". (Insert cartoonish wiseguy imitation here.)

Also up for bid, bricks from Satriale's Pork Store, which, no surprise, is being demolished to make way for condos. Which will be called "The Soprano". (And no, I did not make that up.)

Read the full story here.

The results from my first week-long poll are in and it was pretty interesting.

With several hundred of you responding to the question: "She asks how many women you've slept with. Do you:..." over one-third of you decided to "Tell her the truth, no matter the number." Honorable. But it also put you in a 2 to 1 minority. The rest of you are lying bastards who will say anything to get her comfortable enough to go to bed with you. (Nice work.)

Coming in a very close second, about 35% of you reasoned that telling her a "safe number like 5" was your best option. Not so high she feels she'll need to take penicillin after. Not so low she thinks you'll be fumbling around down there.

Just over 22% of you thought removing some notches from your belt, so she won't think you're such a player, was the best course of action.

And finally, 6.4% of you didn't want her to think you inexperienced, so padding your resume was in order.

This week's poll leaves lying out of the equation, so you can relax. It's about dealing with something most guys have to face: hair loss.

Old-school, vintage-look, screened T's have been hot for a while now, and they show no signs of slowing down. Retro graphics, wiseass statements, and ridiculous puns are all part of the style package. And it works. Every store's got 'em, and they're seen all over the sand and streets, from Long Island to Long Beach.

So should you jump on the bandwagon and wear one this summer? Sure, why not. You could use a little personality jolt. And they're a good way to get a conversation started with those two blondes sucking down Rum Runners across the tiki bar.

To get an idea of what styles are hot right now, I went to the guys at Local Celebrity. Their all original - and oft imitated - designs helped spark the trend back in the day. And while the cost of other shirts are nearing the $40 range, Local Celeb's 100% "buttery-soft" cotton, custom tailored shirts, "marinated in $$$ sauce for classic vintage look & feel", can be had for about $20. Leaving more money in your pocket to buy Rum Runners.

Here are their top six most requested shirts. (Not counting their best-selling Local Celebrity logo T.) Buy online at www.localcelebrity.com


I've Got a Black Belt in Keeping It Real
...There's more

Fresh fruit is great in the summer. And there's not much in the way of skills required for preparation. Which, for a lot of guys, is good.

But there are some easy things you can do with fruit that you may not have thought of. Or heard of. Things that can enhance the flavor, but may seem ridiculous. Until you try it. Things that also up the Impression Factor when she comes over for dinner. (Which is what you're shooting for.)







1. Salt on Watermelon
Ok, I'm starting really small here, but stay with me. A few years ago I was on a trip to South Carolina and everyone at a barbecue I was invited to was putting salt on their watermelon. Which, I thought, was disgusting. Until I tried it.

Salt is a natural flavor enhancer, which is why it's called for in almost every recipe. And although it sounds counterintuitive, it actually enhances the sweetness of watermelon. A lot. And you only need a very small amount to make a big difference. Everyone I've ever suggested this to looked at me like I just told them Britney Spears was a model parent, but then said they doubted they'd go back to eating unsalted watermelon ever again. ...There's more

Sometimes in life, our underwear dweller overrides our brains and we end up sampling things we shouldn't. And I'm not trying to imply straying once in a while is ok - I think cheating is a bad move and would undoubtedly unleash "the fury for which hell hath no" on any man who betrayed me. But apparently not every woman feels the same way.

While I'd like to tell you that getting caught cheating will surely earn you four slashed tires, possessions strewn across your front lawn, and a drained bank account, I cannot. What I can do is show you some of the most high profile wandering gentlemen and how they pulled off their infidelities. Marriage - and balls - intact. Why? To give hope to doghoused cheaters everywhere. And because I'm just as flat-out amazed by these guys as you are.

1. KOBE BRYANT
What Kobe did: "Sexually assaulted" (more like "hooked-up with" if you ask me), 19 year-old Katelyn Faber, an employee of the Colorado hotel where he was staying. After accusing Bryant of sexual assault, Faber later refused to testify and all charges were dropped. Big national story, press conference confession of adultery by Kobe, lots of public humiliation for his wife Vanessa. Deep shit, right? Wrong!

Why Vanessa forgave him: Mrs. Bryant issued a statement saying her beloved husband "has made a mistake -- the mistake of adultery... I know that he did not commit a crime, he did not assault anyone. He is a loving and kind husband and father. I believe in his innocence." A very sweet and very supportive statement from a loving wife. Wearing the $4 million, eight carat, purple diamond ring she just received from her adulterous husband. ...There's more

Who doesn't love an extreme sandwich? To me, that's one piled high with a ton of meat and toppings. To these guys it means turning lunch meat into works of art. Gives new meaning to the term "playing with your food"


Extreme Sandwich pics

Look down over there on the right. Below the ad that keeps us up and running and the newsletter subscription box (that you should be entering your email addy into). There's a new feature some of you have been asking for: Reader Polls.

Every week, I'll post a new question. (Hopefully something you give a crap about.) And you get to see the results in real time. Just something else to keep you well informed.

And if you have any ideas for poll questions you'd like to see, just email me at hey@thebachelorguy.com.

How can you tell when you are in the presence of an idiot with a very large bank account? Look at his shoes. If his laces are sporting more ice than The Archbishop Don Magic Juan pimpin' at the Players Ball, you're standing next to someone with more dollars than sense.

Like putting caviar on a Ball Park frank, Kickbars take something meant to be simple and turn it into something completely unnecessary. For a shitload of money.

Each Kickbar consists of a 24K white gold setting encrusted with 54 round cut diamonds totaling 2.0 carats. Most guys don't go that big on an engagement ring, let alone to make their shoelaces sparkle. And I get it. This isn't for "most guys". But good lord people. Have we run out of reasonable ways to piss away hard-earned cash? Gambling and strippers not enough anymore?

And if showing off with an $8000 pair of sneakers isn't enough for you, they come in junior sizes too. Starting at $6500. Because every kid needs almost seven grand worth of diamonds banging around on their shoes at recess.

www.kickbars.com

I played golf this weekend and the only thing worse than the sweltering heat was the price of beer the cart girl was charging. Sure she was cute in those shorts, but come on. We could have played another round for what we spent on beer.

Not surprisingly, most courses frown on you bringing in your own beverages. You can risk it and try to smuggle in a cooler, but even the dimmest bag jockey can spot one of those small, insulated six-pack holders strapped to your bag. I suggest going more undercover with the Par Six from Caddyswag.

A slim 8x19 insulated cooler with a freezable gel pack that keeps your cans cold for all 18, the Par Six is made to fit inside your golf bag's shoe pocket. And the black color keeps it discrete as you grab a cold one greenside. For those of you who like to carry your beer loud and proud as you walk the links, there's a shoulder strap that keeps both hands free for drinking. Or waving the cart girl on as she makes her rounds.

$19.99
www.caddyswag.com

It's a tree. Found in Australia. Aborigines have been milling its seeds for bread for centuries. Today, pastry chefs use it to add a nutty kick to ice cream, chocolate, whipped crème and sauces. Australian-based Baron's Brewing is the first to use the wattle seed to flavor beer. And I'm glad they did.

Their Black Wattle Superior is a dark amber brown malt with a natural caramel and chocolate flavor. The addition of the wattle seeds gives it a hazelnut and coffee punch, resulting in a smooth beer with a ton of taste. One that has a story you can tell while you pour her one after dinner.

And while it used to be that only Aussies could enjoy some Black Wattle Superior - while laughing at us gullible Americans for drinking the crappy Fosters they pawned off on us - as of last month it's available in the US. (Insert "So throw another shrimp on the barbie and crack open a cold one" cliché here.)

www.baronsbrewing.com

How many times have you seen a bathroom attendant and skipped washing your hands because you were too damned cheap to tip a buck to get a professional soap pump and a fresh paper towel? It’s worth it, you dirty bastard, especially if you're headed back out to get friendly with those drunk chicks from Columbus. Or worse, finish your dinner.

Strike up a conversation and you’ll get more than just a clean pair of man mitts, you might get a little insight from a guy who has seen more crazy shit in Vegas, both literally and figuratively, than anyone else in the city.

Most keep quiet about what they experience on the job. Except "Ricardo". [Not his real name. Or his pic over there on the left.] He's the "Washroom Specialist" at one of the top-tier ultra lounges in Sin City, in one of the more prestigious casinos. (And it's going unnamed for the sake of his employment.) I spent some time in his "office" recently, and got an inside look into what he sees and hears nightly while his finger is on the soap trigger.

[A note: Yeah, Ricardo really talks like this. And with a thick New York accent on top of it. Bathroom attendants aren’t the drooling idiots you think they are. And they notice everything. And everyone. Just a head's up for next time.]

BG: Does people's hygiene disgust you?

Ricardo: Yup. I mean just wash your hands for god’s sake. I get it, maybe you don’t want to tip for the towel, but wipe it on your jeans, on your date, let 'em air dry, just wash. ...There's more

I'm one of those guys that knows just enough about cars to get by. I can fill the fluids, tell when the engine is running rough, when the tires and brakes need replacing. And that's about it. The Check Engine light comes on and it's off to the professional. Which is where things get sticky.

As guys, it's assumed it's in our genes to know all about cars and how to fix them. But many of us don't know enough to sound intelligent, let alone diagnose and repair a major problem. And without in-depth knowledge of ever-increasing technology and engineering, you (and your wallet) are at the mercy of your mechanic.

SAM (for Smart Auto Management) is a new technology that's out to change that. And give you the ammo you need to keep your mechanic honest. ...There's more

Not just for hardcore, pre-teen gamers, the PSP is the go-to device for hardcore, grown-up commuters too. On almost every flight I take I see them fired up by guys for games, movies, music... whatever helps the trip go by faster.

When you're taking you're PSP on the road, you need something to keep it from being banged around in your bag or briefcase. One of the better, and well thought-out, cases is from Pacific Design.

Made of durable polyurethane with a leather-like feel, it has an open-frame design that holds the PSP with minimal overlap, giving you complete usability and access to all ports without having to remove the case. A magnetic "trapdoor" on the bottom even lets you change the UMD while your PSP stays cradled. A storage slot in the cover holds another one so you don't have to go digging when you get bored. Or your train gets delayed. ...There's more

You can shrug it off as part of being a guy when your place smells of stale food, sweaty clothes and dog, but your girl is not going to want to spend a whole lot of time (or, more importantly, stay overnight) breathing rancid air.

I'm not talking about just opening a window or spraying some air freshener around five minutes before she comes over. Lingering odors from different sources need special attention. And I found a great, quick guide from Real Simple magazine for eliminating those odors.

It shows ways to get rid of the stench from your sink, car, basement, fridge, carpet, and pets using stuff you already have around the house. The best is their suggestion to get rid of the stale odor in clothes by spraying them with vodka. ("Straight vodka kills bacteria, but it doesn’t leave a scent.")

Read the whole guide here.

Why? Because it's smart. It's convenient. It's fair. And it's designed to eliminate parking tickets. So basically it runs contradictory to everything city governments were built on.

I understand that parking meters are necessary. What I don't understand is why cities insist on using antiquated systems. Or why the whole thing has to be so damn adversarial. (If you've ever stood, quarters in hand, pleading with a smirking meter maid writing a $30 ticket, your meter expired for just 2 minutes, while she shakes her head and tells you it's too late, gimme an Amen.)

I do my fair share of metered parking when I go out downtown. Much of the time I'm going to dinner with a date. Who wants to interrupt an interesting conversation - that's getting more and more interesting as the wine flows - to leave and run three blocks to throw another bunch of change into a "2 Hours Maximum" parking meter? (While that smarmy waiter/actor/model/personal trainer hits on your girl.)

I just got some info on Photo Violation Technologies, a company out of Vancouver, BC that has developed a new, technologically advanced meter called the PhotoViolationMeter, that not only makes paying for parking easier, it makes getting a ticket as outdated as David Hasselhoff's hair. ...There's more

Fresh off her less-than-a-month-long retirement from the world of blogging, TechChick now brings her unique insights on guys, girls, dating, and more to TheBachelorGuy.com. And I couldn't be more excited. Who better to clue guys in on the intimate workings of the female brain than a hot, bikini-wearing, sword-wielding, Dell-smashing blonde who isn't afraid to speak her mind?

TC's first piece appears below. And for those of you who get my weekly roundup newsletter and expected to see this on Friday, my answer to you is: When have you ever known a woman to be on time?

Hang on, boys. Don't get all defensive - I'm not here to point fingers and call you all out as a slobbering, drooling, certified perverts. I'm just trying to open your eyes to some usually well-meant and harmless behaviors even the most well-intentioned guys sometimes do. Why? Because although I know you mean well, our perception outweighs your intent. And you don't want to be perceived as a pervert, creep or loser, do you? This is inside information, just for you.

1. Accidental Breast Touch Number 2:
Accidental Breast Touch Number 1 will be written off as an accident - provided it doesn't linger - but ABT #2 means you're just trying to cop a feel. And hope I will write it off as another "accident", or that my breast-based nerve cells and unsophisticated girl brain are not receptive to your stealthy, ninja-like boob brush. Rendering me oblivious while you get your jollies. Which isn't the case, perv.

This actually happened to me recently. ...There's more

Here's a unique twist on the classic summer drink, the Madras, from thebar.com. It uses Tanqueray Rangpur gin instead of vodka for a crisp taste with a hint of rangpur lime added in. Great for mixing in a large batch for your weekend barbecue.

Rangpur Madras
1.25 oz Tanqueray Rangpur Gin
1.5 oz cranberry juice
1.5 oz orange juice

Serve on the rocks in a Collins glass

thebar.com

Once again, from our friend Rocky Fino's book Will Cook For Sex, we have a great dish that's quick and easy to make, and is light enough for these hot summer nights.

His Seahawk Pasta uses salmon, giving it a unique flavor and the Omega-3s you need. And, this is just a personal observation, but most women I've been out with order salmon off the menu more than any other fish. So I'm betting she'll love this, too. And once the water's boiling it's only a few minutes until you're eating.

Seahawk Pasta

You'll Need:
1 large Avocado
6 oz. Farfalle (bowtie shaped pasta)
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 Shallot
3/4 – 1 lb. Salmon fillet ...There's more

I've posted the results of survey after survey that show a lot of people are not satisfied with their sex lives. (Link) And no wonder.

Someone sent me a link to the Sex Position of the Week posted on Cosmo's website, (which has links to their other positions as well.) Judging from the pictures and descriptions - and the fact that they are all water-based - I'm going to assume this is their Summer Collection. I'm also going to assume someone at Cosmo has a brother-in-law who is a personal injury attorney.

Some of these would challenge the acrobats of Cirque Du Soleil, let alone a 30-something couch-jockey with a bum knee. Compare them to the relatively tame positions suggested to guys by Men's Health, which I linked to on Tuesday. Most of us could safely add those to our repertoire without tearing an ACL or losing an eye. And still get the job done.

Don't get me wrong. I'm always up for throwing in a new trick or two. But I gotta question whether Cosmo actually "field tested" any of these (and Cosmo, if you need a volunteer, you know where to find me), before throwing them out there for our girls to get a hold of. I mean, they may look good on paper but...

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
Cosmo's Erotic Instructions:
"Sit on the second-to-last (rock-hard) stair in the shallow end of the pool with your legs spread... Have your man stand between your legs with his arms on either side of you as he enters you. He can lean on his hands for leverage as he thrusts wildly." Smashing your spine and tailbone against the textured concrete stairs as skin tears away from your ass, back, elbows and his shins. ...There's more

Women love bikes almost as much as we do. I don't care what your four-wheel ride is, nothing comes close to hitting the back roads, wind in your hair, and her arms wrapped tightly around you. And image-wise? Even my accountant looks like a bad-ass on his Harley. (Once he takes off his bifocals.)

If you're looking to add a rougher edge to your image, Harley-Davidson recently put a new bike on the streets with throw-back styling. They call it the Nightster, and it incorporates a whole bunch of old-school design elements Harley has used to harken back to "the themes of outlaw and rebellion that Harley's are iconic for." And can't we all use a little more outlaw and rebellion in our lives?

There's a newly styled logo on the tank and the paint is available in matte finish only, giving the bike an edgier look. The license plate is side mounted, with old-line front fork gaiters and low ride hight that give the Nightster a post-WW II feel. But with today's power. ...There's more