November 1st marks the beginning of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), one of Mexico's most celebrated holidays. Many people will celebrate by creating some of their favorite recipes as an offering to honor their lost loved ones. And Tequila Herradura is featuring Charro Negro, named for the traditional cowboy of Mexico who sometimes dresses in black when mourning a loved one, as its drink of the month in recognition of the holiday.

Halloween may be over, but you can make this a Muertos weekend..



Herradura Charro Negro
2 oz Tequila Herradura Anejo
4 oz Cola
Squeeze of lime juice

In a tall glass with ice mix the Herradura Anejo and cola. Squeeze with lime.

Billed as "The magazine lover's best friend", Time Inc. is readying the launch of their new web venture, Maghound.com. Maybe readying is a strong word. It won't hit the web until about September, but it's something to watch for.

A kind of Netflix for magazines, you'll be able to pay one monthly fee, choose three magazines from a list of hundreds, and change your selections anytime you want. If you get tired of one (which can happen after a few issues with some mags), switch to a different one. No wasting a year's payment until your sub runs out.

Click here to register to be notified when the site goes live.

Dinner was fantastic. Great food. Incredible wine. And now she wants to go back to your place for coffee. Judging from what she selected from the menu tonight, you know she's not the type to settle for just a plain cup of java. In fact, she wants you to whip up an Espresso Con Panna.

When that happens, just click here to get a list of all the Starbucks drinks and how to make each of them. Everything from a simple Latte (espresso, steamed milk and a little foam), to discontinued drinks like a Chantico (a very concentrated hot chocolate that has been compared to drinking brownie batter). The Espresso Con Panna? Espresso in a big squirt of whipped cream. Not a bad way to finish off a night. And she'll appreciate it.

Starbucks drink recipes

Your days of bragging and overestimation of how low you hang are numbered.

Determined to settle the "age old dispute", and disgusted by "cheaters" everywhere, the makers of The Final Say have developed the world's first patented device designed to accurately measure your manhood. Oh goody.

For those of you curious about your TPS (True Penis Size), simply slide Little Bruno into the clear plastic tube until you can't push any further and read the measurement. No more struggling with tricky tape measures. No more increasing the measurement by including the boys. Or by going "from hole to pole" to add a few inches. And stretch the truth.

The only problem is it only goes up to nine inches. So some of us will just have to wait until they come out with a magnum version.

$12.95
www.sizeofaman.com

It's a sad story that's happened to a lot of guys: at some point, some woman in your life - mom, girlfriend, wife - found your stash of Playboys and demanded you throw them out. Or, worse, took it upon herself to toss them for you. (This was a lot more prevalent pre-Internet.) I know guys in their 50s and 60s who are still lamenting classic issues hitting the dumpster under orders from She Who Must Be Obeyed. (Poor bastards.)

Fortunately ol' Hef wants to make sure you can once again relive your days of hiding in your room and getting yourself through puberty with Miss October. This November 25th, he and Playboy are releasing "Playboy - The Complete Centerfolds", a 720 page, 32 pound tome that includes every single one of the 625 centerfolds since Marilyn Monroe posed for the first in 1953.

You won't have to squint either. The book is 22 3/4 inches long - the same length as the magazine - so each centerfold is reproduced exactly as it appeared when first published. (Minus the staples from the early issues.) ...There's more

Grey Goose Vodka Mixologist, Nick Mautone, author of “Raising the Bar,” has created a new treat from an old trick.

His drink, The Pumpkin Divine, uses the new pear flavored Grey Goose vodka and generous helping of pumpkin butter. (When's the last time you used pumpkin butter in a drink?)

Not only perfect for putting some spook in your Halloween spirit, its fall flavors work all season long for whatever parties you're having.




Pumpkin Divine
1 part GREY GOOSE® La Poire
1 part pumpkin butter
1/2 part triple sec
1/2 part simple syrup
Pinch of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger
Grated nutmeg and apple chip for garnish

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is frosted and beaded with sweat. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with nutmeg and apple chip.

ZoneAlarm, makers of award-winning security and firewall software are getting ready to launch their new ForceField virtualized, on-demand browser security solution next year. It will retail for about $29.95, but until then you can use the public beta version for free.

They built it from the ground up to fight nasty browser-based Web threats, like spyware and phishing, that can grab your personal info while you're shopping or banking online. And with the holidays around the corner, if you aren't using some sort of protective software, (Always. Use. Protection.), you need to look into installing one before placing your online orders.

I installed the ForceField beta on my PC at home and, while it slows my browsing speeds a bit, I think it's easy enough to use that any guy, with any level of computer knowledge, could use it. ...There's more

A lot of guys dread the costume party invitation. Getting dressed up like an idiot. Going out in public. Which you'd probably never do if your girl didn't beg you to go. So why does she get so excited when that invite comes? And why is it so important to her to dress up for Halloween? And drag you into it? I asked three sex and dating experts for their thoughts.

The first thing they tell me is that many women have elaborate fantasies (hence the success of trashy romance novels and the rise of Fabio), but they rarely ever get a chance to act any of them out. Dr. Trina Read, a national sex columnist (trinaread.com), explains, "Many women love to push their dreary, minutia-driven daily persona aside and become a sexy alias."

"Halloween is the only day of the year when we have an excuse to pretend to be someone we are not," adds Adele Testani, Co-Founder and President of HurryDate (hurrydate.com). "By dressing up, we have an excuse to act like our character, and do things we may not have done if we weren't wearing a costume."

It's like dating a whole different woman for one night. Score one for costumes.

April Masani, author of the best-selling books Date Out of Your League and Think & Date Like a Man, (AskApril.com), says, "Putting on a costume gives women 'psychological permission" to behave differently than they normally do. ...There's more

Remember those itchy wool sweaters Grandma used to give you for Christmas every year? The ones that made your skin start to crawl just by looking at them? (And not because of the two-deer-dancing design either.)

She'd say wool keeps you warm. And she was right. But these days, athletic-wear companies have made synthetic fiber clothing the hot gear to wear when training, and real wool has become as outdated as Grandma's beehive. A company called I/O Biocompatibles wants to change that.

Their all-season, 100% Merino wool, athletic baselayers are designed to keep you warm while snowboarding, skiing, hiking, even kayaking and surfing. Yup, surfers are wearing it under their wet suits. And claim there's no itch. (From wet wool?)

You don't have to submerge wool to experience its moisture wicking advantages. It can absorb 30% of its own weight in water, making it ideal for pulling sweat away from your skin. It's also naturally anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, so that smell that results from your strenuous work out won't linger in your clothes.

The look of I/O Biocompatibles is more modern than the thick, bulky look and feel of the wool clothing you remember, too. ...There's more

American Gangster opens this Friday, and with Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe starring, and Ridley (Blade Runner/Gladiator/Black Hawk Down) Scott directing, it's looking like it'll become a classic.

In honor of the opening, I am giving away an American Gangster Gift Pack to one lucky reader. The winner will receive a movie poster; a black, 100% cotton t-shirt with the movie's logo screened on the front in white and red; and a black baseball hat with the logo embroidered on the front.

All you have to do is click here to enter (don't worry, I'll never share your email address with anyone), and I'll pick someone at random on Friday, Nov 2. Meanwhile, you can check out clips from the movie on the official movie site, AmericanGangster.net

Still only a concept - but one they need to push into production - the bathroom bin from Snowtone Design uses an ordinary magazine as a lid.

Figuring you most likely have reading material in there anyway, and could use a place to rest it for hands-free reading (I'm going to let you think about the possible benefits of that one for a minute), leaving the magazine in place also hides the trash that's been thrown in there. (Not counting of course, the trash contained in the magazine itself.)

www.snowtone.com

[VIA Gizmodo]

Remember how proud you were of the beer can pyramid you built in your dorm room in college? Dismantling it when you graduated because moved on to more traditional (and grown up) forms of art?

Well, some guys never moved on. Here are some can sculptures made by those who never quite put their beer can pyramid glory days behind them. A true testament to the belief that beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

Link

This recipe has everything going for it: It's fast and easy to make. It can get away with being a Halloween dish, because of the "Bloody Mary" dipping sauce. It's main ingredient is steak. And it calls for a half cup of vodka.

The only downside is it comes from terminally perky and insufferably annoying Food Network star, Rachael Ray. (Who wouldn't be so bad if she would... Just. Stop. Talking.)

If you're having a girl over this weekend, and want to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible, throw some of these steak bites together. Add a quick salad, and you're eating in under 20 minutes. And getting on to other things.

For more recipes like this one, go to FoodNetwork.com


Steak Bites with Bloody Mary Dipping Sauce
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup vodka ...There's more

The Wall Street Journal (Motto: Whoever Has the Money Makes the Rules), is reporting the return of the skinny tie. What signaled the change? Those fashion mavens Ryan Seacrest and David "Bend it Like" Beckham among others, are "sporting narrower ties in public lately, helping to push the biggest return to skinny ties in three decades."

How skinny? They are dropping from the current 3 3/4 inches at their widest point, to 3 1/2 inches. If that doesn't sound like a huge drop, the Journal says the difference is "more visible than you might expect." Adding, "the change could force men to update not only their ties, but their suits, sport coats and shirts."

And while some celebs like Justin Timberlake are wearing their ties as narrow as 1- or 2-inches, image consultant Glenn Laiken, suggest going no thinner than 3 inches at the widest point for office settings.

What prompted the slim down? According to the WSJ, "[t]he downsizing of the tie follows the slimming down of the suit, which comes as men have grown more comfortable showing off their bodies ...There's more

Depending on how you use it, music can be a great wingman. It can say what you can't, set a mood, provide "inspiration".

Or music can just be a classless, obscene, obnoxious cockblocker.

So if you're with someone for the first time - and you're looking for more than a one night stand (I'm not judging) - you might want to keep these 12 great, but inappropriate, songs off your playlist. Lest she get the wrong idea.

On the other hand, if she's the kind of girl you want to get the wrong idea, well then, think of this list as a jump start to an interesting, and hopefully exhausting, evening.

(Note: I purposely kept "Sexual Healing", any song by Barry White, etc., etc., off the list. Too obvious.)


SO HOTT - Kid Rock (2007)

Sample lyrics:
You got a body like the devil and you smell like sex
I can tell you're trouble but I'm still obsessed

Because you know you're
SO HOT I wanna get you alone
SO HOT I wanna get you stoned
SO HOT I dont wanna be your friend
I wanna fuck you like I'm never gonna see you again


CLOSER - Nine Inch Nails (2004)

Sample lyrics:
You let me violate you
You let me desecrate you
You let me penetrate you
You let me complicate you
Help me...I broke apart my insides
Help me...I got no soul to sell
Help me..the only thing that works for me
Help me get away from myself

i want to fuck you like an animal ...There's more

Last week's Halloween drinks were somewhat traditional, albeit with a Halloween flavor. This week I have some that bring a little more fun to the party.

Van Gogh Vodkas, have taken some of their 19 flavors and stirred up a witch's brew of drinks with creative garnishes, guaranteed to grab some eyeballs and add to the atmosphere at your monster mash this (or next), weekend. For more recipes, you can access their database of over 2000 cocktails by clicking here.


Eyeball Martini
3 oz Van Gogh Vodka or Van Gogh Gin
Hint of dry vermouth
Olive stuffed radish

Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for five seconds and strain into martini glass. Garnish with an olive stuffed radish that has been scored to create the "veins" of an eyeball. (See pic)


Spider Cider
2 oz Van Gogh Wild Appel Vodka
2 oz Sour apple schnapps
Cranberry juice
Apple juice
Gummy spiders

Freeze gummy spiders in ice cubes ahead of time. ...There's more

The new Casio pocket-sized digital packs a lot of stuff into a small body.

Capture all your best, and worst, moments at a big, high-rez, 10.1 megapixels, while the anti-shake feature keeps your shots sharp. No matter how drunk and wobbly you are. And the super bright 2.6" LCD monitor makes it easy to ensure you're framing the shot right, in mid-day sun, or a low-light club. (You'd hate to key in on the bachelor, only to cut off the strippers' heads.)

Tired of fuzzy faces? The Face Recognition software focuses in on the person you intend to shoot, not the big tree behind them. And for you budding paparazzi, the quick performance feature can track your subject until the shutter is pressed, giving you a sharp shot, no matter how fast they are trying to elude you.

A big plus is Casio's MPEG-4 H.264 video compression and exclusive YouTube Capture Mode software. If you think the video of your buddy, drunkenly hitting on what you are positive is a guy in a leopard print dress and bad wig, is the next big viral video sensation, the Z1080 lets you capture about 1.5 times more video with the same memory capacity and pic quality. But for true shaming convenience, the Youtube capture software allows you to upload the incriminating video right from the camera to the Youtube servers,
...There's more

Know who's sneaking up behind you with the convex mirrored Spy Clock from the Museum of Modern Art store. It gives you the same wide, all-around view as the back-up mirrors on big rigs, so you can see if the boss is lurking near your desk.

The sleek metal hands of the clock make it functional, and give you an excuse for having a spy mirror above your desk. And being able to tell that cute blonde in the design department it's something you picked up at MoMA, earns this clock bonus points.


$25.00
www.momastore.org

[VIA - The Red Ferret Journal]

Kick back after a hard day in the cube on the retro-styled, extra-padded, Spearmint Apostrophe Chair, while your tired dogs rest in style on the matching ottoman.


Sturdy enough to handle you (and possibly a friend), the Apostrophe can fit in most anywhere. And adds a little 50's chic to your pad.



$250
www.urbanoutfitters.com

[VIA Product Dose]

Last March I posted on the WhiskyFest held in Chicago. If you missed it, you can catch the first annual WhiskyFest San Francisco. Hurry, though. It ends today. (I know. I should have posted sooner.) But next week you'll be able to see and drink rare whiskies at WhiskyFest New York, which starts on Oct 30.

Held at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, there will be over 250 "of the world's finest, rarest and most expensive whiskies will be available for sampling", which is good enough reason for me to attend.

General Admission is $115 and the VIP tickets run $155, which gets you inside an hour earlier, before all the best samples run out.

www.maltadvocate.com for more info.

[UPDATE: The Malt Advocate website is showing "Sold Out" for NY. Check with them directly to see if they are releasing any more tickets.]

It's not nearly as popular as the winter holidays, or even most of the "Hallmark Holidays", but Halloween holds its own in terms of parties, decorating, and of course, merchandise.

To give you an idea of what we Americans will do and spend this year, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel did some research and rounded up a few interesting stats about this haunted holiday:

- 28.3% of us will either throw or attend a Halloween party. (Meaning 71.7% will stay home to keep their house from getting egged.)

- 18.7% will visit a haunted house. (Not counting you married guys who live in a haunted house. All. Year. Long.)

- 73% will hand out candy, with the most popular among trick-or-treaters being chocolate bars with a huge 68%. Lollipops (9%), gummy candy (7%), gum (7%), and "other" (9%), round out the also-rans.

- One third (33%), will take a child trick or treating. (And dig through their bag after they go to bed looking for the best stuff.)

- Almost half of Americans (48%) will decorate their home or yard. (The rest will have it decorated for them by bands of drunken high school kids.)

- 43% will carve pumpkins. (No stats on how many will accidentally plunge the knife into their hand.) ...There's more

Looks like the days of doing jello shots from small paper cups could be going the way of rotary phones and palm pilots. The newest things hitting the club and bar scene are edible cocktails - gelled "drinks" made into miniature works of art you eat like hors d'oeuvres. Buzz inducing hors d'oeuvres.

According to a recent LA Times article, the inspiration for these jiggly, solid cocktails came from the Bar du Plaza Athénée on Avenue Montaigne in Paris, where "slices of layered jelly shots are served on clear glass plates along with long wooden skewers" used to eat them. Chefs and bartenders took notice, and are busy inventing new and creative ways to serve classic drinks. And the possibilities are endless.

If you've ever been on a college campus you remember making jello shots by adding gelatin to vodka (or grain alcohol for those of you who really wanted to get the party rolling), pouring the mix into a cup or mold, and setting in the fridge overnight. But really creative mixologists are going a step further. In the LA Times piece they mention a jellied gin and tonic served at Tailor in NYC by bartender Eben Freeman. He serves it with frozen lime chips, sprinkled with "'tonic' powder, a concoction of baking soda, citric acid and powdered sugar, for a fizzy-on-the-tongue effect." A kind of mad scientist of the drink world, he's also working on marshmallow and cereal based cocktails. Other bartenders are experimenting with layered drinks and suspending marinated fruit in the mixture. (There are some recipes in the sidebar here.) ...There's more

Not to be confused with the Nut Bra, this is one of those products where my explanation couldn't possibly be any funnier than the one from the manufacturer. So I'm just going to let them describe it. (With my added comments, of course.) Enjoy...

"Male stimulation does not get better than this! The Ballbra is futuristic and very high tech underwear that can be worn by a man while making love (for those of you in too much of a rush to get completely undressed) or to intensify masturbation (for those of you so addicted you need special underwear to make jerking off more exciting).

"The Ballbra... leaves the penis area free for movement. Each Ballbra user can make the decision to leave the penis free, or to tuck it away within the Ballbra pouch, depending on how you lift or lower your Ballbra technically advanced waistband. (Also known as The Hole Cut in the Front.)

"The Ballbra section will enhance erection by letting the penis have freedom of movement while harnessing the balls which will produce explosive orgasms. (Three questions: 1- Do you want an enhanced erection when fully dressed? "Nice enhanced erection Jim. Now can we get back to the third quarter earnings report?" 2 - If you want a full "erection and freedom of movement" - i.e. during sex - isn't that usually your cue to remove all your clothes? And C - Can I please see the hard scientific proof that harnessing my balls will provide explosive orgasms, and why wasn't I asked to be part of that study?)"

The line comes in Silk, for "the modern influential man", Cushion to "enhance the appearance of your assets and give a stimulation fit", and Seaman (I guarantee they were not trying to be ironic here), with stripes to "trigger your style sense". All are available in Classic (looks like a jockstrap) or Boxer Brief.

But if those Ballbra styles aren't enough to get your newly freed soldier to stand at attention, 2008 will herald the introduction of their new G.I. Ballbra. I'll let them explain: "For the adventures(?) and army fatigue enthusiasts. If you need a feeling of adventure and comfort, the G.I. underwear will make certain you are feeling the urge to explore new areas. (Unless you're an Army of One.) The G.I. Ballbra will change your life." (Especially if you get arrested wandering around a military base in your underwear, with your newly freed penis "Saluting the General", as they say.)

$19.95 for the Classic, $29.95 for the Boxer Briefs
www.ballbra.com

[VIA - PleasureHappens.com]

Now this is what I like to hear: About 90% of you plan to keep on grilling even though the weather is turning colder. 23% of you will only be doing it some weekends and for tailgates, but a full two-thirds of you say you'll be grilling just as much as you do in the summer. Excellent. I'll keep the grill reviews and recipes going right through the winter months.

The 7% of you that plan to put the grill in storage for the winter, you guys can bookmark the posts until spring. And the 3.3% of you that are afraid of the flame? I suggest you grab a bag of charcoal and a set of tongs and fire up a big piece of meat. You don't know what you're missing.

This week's ESPN/Kingsford charcoal match-up pits two teams from the great, and highly unusual, state of Florida (the only state with it's own category on Fark ), Miami U and Florida State.

Pitmaster Chris Lilly has chosen to represent "The U" with Caribbean Jerk Pork due to Miami's close proximity to the islands. For Florida State he's going with Florida Orange Sweet Ribs that are seasoned with a dry rub, hickory smoked and then finished in a Florida orange marinade.

Both are easy to make, with prep times of about 20 minutes before hitting the grill for a few hours while you watch the game. For more college football grill match-ups click here.


Caribbean Jerk Pork

1 pork shoulder butt, semi-boneless (5-6 pounds)

Jerk Paste
1-2 Scotch bonnet peppers, seeded (can substitute habanero peppers)
1/2 cup onion, diced
1 green onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tablespoon salt
...There's more

It may not land you a supermodel girlfriend, but you've gotta start somewhere.

The Lamborghini VX2 Notebook from Asus uses design cues from the legendary Italian performance car, like the signature yellow on the aluminum-magnesium alloy case with black carbon fiber insert, and leather bound palm-rest area complete with yellow stitching. Even the cooling fan cover is shaped like a Lambo wheel.

Inside they've upped the performance with the latest Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology and NVIDIA GeForce Go7700 card with 512MB video memory graphics power. [Insert "speeding down the Internet Superhighway with your girlfriend, Jpeg, sitting beside you" reference here.]

$2,699
www.asus.com

I've seen The Godfather 40, maybe 50 times. But never like this.

Los Angeles pop art company, named appropriately enough, LA Pop Art, is creating a series of licensed posters for the '72 classic film using "micrography", an amazing (and tedious) technique that uses thousands of tiny words to create an image.

Each 24"x30" poster is made by using the entire script from the movie, handwritten, line by line, with each line completely legible, using only color and thickness of the letters to create shape and shading. (Probably done by the same guy who used to have to write "I will not throw spitballs in class" 100 times on the board every day back in elementary school.)

LA Pop Art has also created micrograph posters for Scarface, Rocky, The Wizard of Oz and Reservoir Dogs. If music is more of your thing, check out their posters using song lyrics from "California Dreaming", "Born to be Wild", "Viva Las Vegas", Bob Marley, Rage Against the Machine, and others.

Somewhere in LA there's a guy with a killer case of writer's cramp.

$13.99 - Poster
$99.99 - Limited Edition (1000)
$299.99 - Limited Edition, signed (250)
www.lapopart.com

Just how thinly stretched are our troops?

They hold important papers together and provide hours of mindless bending, twisting and fidgeting while on that endless conference call. Now a design team has made the paperclip a provider of light as well. Designers at Teague have come up with a desk lamp that has the same bendable appeal as the paperclip, but on a much larger scale and with a row of LEDs in the top. It's still a prototype, so unfortunately you can't buy it yet. Attention Office Depot: I think this is something you need to look into.

Cool demo of how it works at www.papercliplamp.com

[VIA MoCo Loco]

Halloween is not just about kids and bags filled with candy. For me it's about girls in hot costumes and punch bowls filled with adult beverages.

Here are the first of several Halloween-themed cocktails, perfect for this year's party, or quiet night at home with the witch of your choice.

These three come courtesy of www.thebar.com and you can find more fright night recipes on their site.


GHOST [Pic, on left]
1 1/4 oz Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka
1/4 oz Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
1/4 oz half-and-half
1/4 oz simple syrup
1/4 oz shavings of white chocolate

Fill shaker with ice. Add Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, half-and-half, and simple syrup. Shake. Strain into chilled martini glass rimmed with white chocolate. Garnish with white chocolate shavings.


SCREAM SODA [Pic, in middle]
1 1/4 oz Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
5 oz lemon-lime soda
1 slice lemon
1 slice lime

Add Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum and lemon-lime soda in tall ice-filled glass. Garnish with lemon and lime slices.


ROYAL CIDER GROG [Pic, on right]
Makes 8 servings
1 1/2 cups Crown Royal
8 cups apple cider
8 cinnamon sticks

Add Crown Royal and apple cider in large pot and heat until warm. Pour into 8 heat-proof mugs and garnish each mug with cinnamon stick.

Starting today, you can wrap your iPhone in a "skin on steroids" from maker of waterproof boxes and cases, OtterBox.

The "semi-rugged" case isn't waterproof, but is made from a hi-impact polycarbonate shell, with a membrane that allows you to operate the touchcreen, protecting your iPhone from minor spills, dirt, dust and scratches. It's wrapped in a black-on-black or yellow-on-black silicone skin that'll protect from short drops and bumps. (But not from slamming against the wall after you open your AT&T bill.) In total, it'll add less than 2 ounces to the weight of your iPhone.

Three Donaldson Acoustic Vents protect front speaker, bottom speaker and microphone openings and allow clear sound while keeping out dust and moisture. You'll also still have access to sync/Charge and headphone jacks through a silicone plug, and home, sleep/wake and volume buttons through silicone pass through buttons. There's a belt clip for those of you who still like the utility belt look.

(Note: If you're looking for more protection for your iPhone, OtterBox plans to release a fully rugged case that'll protect from all elements, before the holidays.)

$49.95
www.otterbox.com

Grow your beard out for the next two weeks, throw on this bowling shirt, add a pair of aviators, and you're The Dude.

Identical to the shirt worn in the 90's cult classic The Big Lebowski, this shirt has the name Art embroidered on the front, sponsor "Medina Sod" printed on the back, and sports the 1964-1965 League Champion patch from the American Bowling Congress. (And you know how chicks dig bowling champions.)

The Dude is in.

$32
www.80stees.com

Pepsico has announced a partnership between Gatorade and Tiger Woods for its newest thirst quencher, Gatorade Tiger. It will be available in stores next March and will have the support of (surprise) a major marketing campaign behind it.

Adding to Tiger's already rich endorsement deals with Nike, EA Sports, GM and others, Golfweek Magazine is reporting the Gatorade Tiger deal to be worth $100 million over five years.

If this athlete-licensed sports drink is successful, it's most likely a foregone conclusion we'll be seeing Paytonade on the horizon.

[VIA AdAge]

Japan just announced the winner of their "Best Bottom" competition, and it's 18 year-old Kaho Watanabe, proving the Japanese judges do not agree with Sir Mix-A-Lot.

Ms. Watanabe's slender and very understated backside (come on, Mary-Kate Olsen has a better ass), will compete against the best butts in the world later this month in the global finals to be held in Munich, Germany. I hope for her sake, Keyra Augustina doesn't show up.

Ever been watching the game and thought, "Damn, the Minnesota Viking looks like Hulk Hogan"? So have the guys over in the Rival Room at Rivalfish.com. They've compiled a list of the 14 top celebrity sports mascot lookalikes, some of which are double-take inducing. My favorite? The Wake Forest Demon Deacon and Christopher Lloyd. [Pictured at top]

See the whole list here.

Whether you need to say "How much extra for the happy ending?" in Japanese or "Pull the cab over, I'm going to be sick" in Russian, Franklin's Speaking Global Translator can help you say it like a native speaker.

Filled with 450,000 words (115,000 it can "speak" back to you in a human voice), and 12,000 phrases, it'll let you communicate just about anywhere in the world in 12 languages: Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Slide the cover open to reveal the QWERTY keyboard, enter the word you want to translate (the predictive spelling feature helps with misspelled words), choose the language, and it'll show and speak the word to you. (Chinese, Japanese and Korean words are displayed both phonetically using the Roman alphabet, and are shown on the screen in Asian characters.)

The headphone jack and earbuds help if you don't want people around hearing your conversation with an electronic box, and also lets you listen to MP3 files. You can record custom words and phrases, too. ("Who do I give the bail money to?")

The translator also comes with five games, an organizer, local/world clock, calculator, and converts metric and currency. So you'll know how many Yen to tip your masseuse.

$229.95
www.franklin.com

You get invited to a costume party. She's thrilled. You're dreading it. She gets to dress in something sexy and look incredible even in public on the way there. You? Well, you're figuring with your lack of creativity and limited costume choices, you'll just look like a dork. All night.

Here are a dozen costumes from lingerie maker Shirley of Hollywood that achieve two goals: One, make her look and feel sexy, and two, give you something decent to wear that won't have you hiding in a corner all night.

Eight of them are couples costumes, and four are sexy ones just for her that you can easily create a companion costume for with little effort. And don't worry about how you look. All eyes will be on her anyway.

And because we're here to help you this Halloween, Shirley of Hollywood and I are going to select two lucky winners who will each get to select a couple's costume of their choice from these eight. We'll pick the winners this Friday, October 19th, to make sure we have plenty of time to ship the costumes to you before Halloween. Click here to enter.

And if you want to buy a set of costumes for yourself - they are also sold individually, you don't have to get the set - you can go to www.shirleyofhollywood.com for store locations, or these online retailers: www.pamperedpassions.com, www.3wishes.com, www.flirtylingerie.com, www.idigtoys.com, www.howcool.com.

Dick the Dentist and Hot Nurse
[Pictured above]

Sure he's a dick, but he's got a hot nurse with him, so who cares? For you, a lab-coat with "Dick the Dentist" printed on the front, and "Open wide, it won't hurt a bit" on the back (wear with dark pants and bring some "tools for drilling"). For her, choose between Racey Nurse (left of Dick), a four-piece set that includes a spandex dress, a cap, gloves and stockings, or she can be a Candy Stripper in a four piece set that includes a stretch dress, separate apron, cap and stethoscope.
...There's more

XtremeMac now makes a TuffWrap Plus case for every iWhatever Apple recently put out. The face and touch screens are protected from scratches by a perfectly-clear, removable TuffShield that still allows touch screen or click wheel functions to work. The silicone body with sure-grip side ridges keeps dings and dents from happening when you inevitably drop it, and the removable belt clip serves as a "kickstand" when watching video. All ports are accessible while your device is jacketed, and a protective door covers the dock connector, so stuff doesn't get in there.

You paid $200 more for that iPhone than you should have, you might as well protect it from damage.

$19.95-$29.95

www.xtrememac.com

MSNBC travel columnist, Christopher Elliott has some advice for those of you renting a car anytime soon. It seems rental companies "unable to raise their rates or impose significant cancellation penalties on their customers" are relying on fees and surcharges to increase their profit margins. And "they are doing so now with more creativity and zeal, leaving frustrated customers... swearing they’ll never rent again."

Although technically not "scams", these four "profit methods" by rental companies fall in the "somewhat legal" or "gray area" of the law, but in terms of ethical? You'll have to judge for yourself.

First is the biggest: the enforcement of rules to the letter. Picking up your car later than your reservation? You might be charged more because rental companies have different rates for different rental lengths. And where they would have overlooked that in the past, not so much anymore. I had this happen to me on a trip to Atlantic City earlier this year. I returned the car a half-hour past the time due and was charged full rate for an extra day. I called the customer service number, spent an hour arguing that 30 minutes is not a day, and they refunded my money. But how many people spend the time to do that? The rental companies are betting not that many.

Second, Elliott advises you make sure the gas gauge is fully on F. Rental companies have gotten anal about exactly what constitutes "full" and how far you drove from the gas station to the rental return. A hair below will get you a gas charge now, he says. Bring your gas receipt to prove you filled the tank.

Third on Elliott's list is the "damaged car" scam. If you're not diligent about checking for damage to the car when you pick it up, you may get charged for damage someone else caused when you drop it off. Elliott advises going so far as to photograph the car both at pick-up and drop-off to cover your ass.

And finally, check your rental agreement for any "hidden" fees - especially if you're a frequent renter - like drop-off fees that they waived for you in the past.

You can read the whole article here.

You've heard it dozens of times over the years in movies, video games and TV shows: a guy gets shot, thrown, falls, or gets blown up, and he lets out a scream. You've probably never realized that most of the time it was all the same guy screaming. "The Wilhelm Scream" has had a cult following among Hollywood directors and sound editors since it was first used in the 1950's, becoming something of an inside joke among filmmakers, especially George Lucas and Skywalker Sound, who've used the scream in every Star Wars movie made.

Originally used in the 1951 film Distant Drums when a man crossing a stream is bitten by an alligator and dragged underwater (a perfectly good excuse for a guy to scream), the sound effect got its name from its second use two years later when Pvt. Wilhelm takes an arrow to the thigh in The Charge at Feather River [pictured]. The scream has been attributed to actor and singer Sheb Wooley, most known among people not in The Business for his 1958 song, "Purple People Eater".

According to HollywoodLostAndFound.net, Ben Burtt, creator of sound effects for Star Wars, noticed the effect reoccurring in a lot of movies while a student at USC. He later adopted it as a personal sound signature, including it, not only in every Star Wars movie made, but all the Indiana Jones films as well, starting the tradition that continues today.

Many sound editors and directors have also become fans and have found ways to work the scream into their projects. Not surprisingly, Quentin Tarantino is a huge fan and The Wilhelm can be heard in Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill: Vol 1, among others.

Over the last 55 years it has been used in over 135 widely diverse projects, including ...There's more

This college football season, Kingsford charcoal has teamed with ESPN, former NFL great Joe Theismann, and champion pitmaster Chris Lilly, to bring you Tailgate Week, featuring a grill and flame throw-down of the week's hottest NCAA game.

Each week a match-up is selected by ESPN and Lilly and Theismann create a dish to represent each team, adding a little food-fueled rivalry to your tailgate. This week's pick is Nebraska vs. Oklahoma State and Lilly has created Corn Husk Skewers and Grilled Steak Pizza, OK-Style.

The corn husk skewers are made with alternating medallions of corn, zucchini and eggplant, while the pizza features grain-fed steak and tomato sauce with KC Masterpiece® barbecue sauce mixed in. Grill 'em both up for this weekend's game. And you can find more college football head-to-head recipes for upcoming weeks here .

Corn Husk Skewers
4 ears corn, in husks
2 zucchini
2 eggplant
4 metal skewers, 12” minimum
1/2 cup butter, salted
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dry thyme
1 teaspoon minced onion
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Without removing the corn husks from the corn cob, peel husks down uncovering the ears of corn. Remove the silk from the corn ears. Cut the ear of corn from the stalk (a small piece of corn can be left on the stalk). Place the corn husks, still attached to the stalk, into a bowl of water.

Cut each ear of corn, the zucchini, and eggplant into 3/4-inch medallions. Place medallions into a medium mixing bowl. ...There's more

Heading out for the weekend? Wrap your gear in a little spy-tech protection.

Zero Halliburton has been making aluminum cases for over 65 years. The ones you see used in all the spy movies, chained to an agent's wrist, containing secret documents, launch codes, or weapons? They mode those. They're also the go-to case chosen to carry the Apollo mission moon rocks, Oscar statuettes, and US Olympic skating team skates, besides appearing in more than 200 movies and TV shows like LOST, CSI:Miami, Austin Powers and Ocean's Eleven. They also make the world's only carbon fiber cases, made from the same material used in F-22 fighter jets. I think they're more than qualified to make something to carry your socks and underwear around for a weekend.

Their new Zeroller series has a slick retro/futuristic look that harks back to the days of "smoking or non-smoking" and miniskirted stewardesses (it was ok to call them that back then), yet is thoroughly modern. They're made of lightweight, high-impact polycarbonate that's strong and durable enough to stand up to the members of the local baggage handler's union, and are resistant to heat, cold and stains. And even though it looks like the same rock-solid aluminum as their other products, the poly cases are softer and have some flex and "give", while still protecting your stuff.

The line ranges from 19 up to 29 inches, while only weighing between seven and twelve pounds, allowing you to pack more without worrying about going over some airlines' (ridiculously light) weight restrictions.

Inside there's numerous pockets, including a removable wet pocket and a laundry bag. And if you end up coming home with more than you left with (went there, bought the t-shirts), a zippered enclosure expands the case another two inches. They've also included an integrated TSA lock so your luggage can be inspected, then re-locked for the trip. And heavy-duty wheel system makes rolling through the airport terminals and streets smooth and easy. Bond would be proud.

Available in high-gloss Silver, Red and Black

$225-$425
www.zerohalliburton.com

No room for a lamp on your cluttered desk? Hang a picture of one on the wall that actually shines light, instead.

Irish designer Finn Magee has created a pair of posters that not only depict everyday objects, but retain their functionality. Embedded LEDs in his "Flat Light" poster lets light shine from an image of a desk lamp, while a seven-segment LED display displays the time on the image of an alarm clock in "Flat Time". More interesting than most other clocks I've seen, and a definite conversation starter. (Note: there is no purchase info on Magee's site, but there is a Contact page in case you're interested.)

www.finnmagee.com

[VIA Technabob ]

Lipstick recently joined backpacks and Chinese-manufactured kid's toys on the growing list of Things That Contain Lead when a consumer rights group found that more than 60% of the popular brands of red lipstick tested had detectable levels of lead. One third had levels exceeding the FDA's limit for lead in candy.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, the group behind the testing, found that some less expensive brands it had tested, such as Revlon, had no detectable levels of lead, while the more expensive Dior Addict brand had higher levels than some other brands. (Guess which brand I'm having my girl switch to.)

On the other side, L'Oreal said in a statement that their lipstick is in full compliance with FDA regs, and Proctor & Gamble said the quantity of lead someone may be exposed to from lipstick "is hundreds of times less than the amount that she would get from eating, breathing and drinking water."

Not that I think any of you guys are wearing lipstick regularly (unless you're the lead singer in an alt rock band), but the girls you're kissing are. Which means you could be ingesting it along with them. And according to Dr. Mark Mitchell, president of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice, "Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels. The latest studies show there is no safe level of lead exposure."

So let your ladies know. And be aware next time you go in for that kiss.

There was a time, back in the day, when bitters were the most used spirit on the bar. Today? Not so much. Many don't drink it because they assume the taste will be overly bitter (not so), or else they have no idea what bitters really are. The quick answer to that is they are a spirit distilled from herbs and plants, once used to aid digestion. Hence, they were most often added to after-dinner drinks. With an alcohol content of up to 45% it's strong stuff, and is great for punching up the flavor of cocktails.

If the idea of adding "bitters" to your drink still turns you (or your date) off, you may want to try an amaro, an Italian liquor similar to bitters, but a little sweeter. Averna, the original Sicilian spirit, has been Italy's premier amaro since 1868, and the same family still distills it from a blend of flowers, herbs, dried fruits, spices and licorice that are soaked in alcohol with a small amount of caramel. A far cry from being "bitter", it's an ingredient many bartenders are starting to build cocktails around. Or even serve by itself, up or on the rocks.

To give you an idea of the versatility of bitters and amaro, and the flavor punch it packs, (and to give her something she's never had before), here are some recipes from Averna to try this weekend.

www.averna.it


Vertigo
1/2 oz lemon juice
Ginger ale
2 oz Averna
Lime wedge for garnish

Stir lemon juice and ginger ale over ice in a highball glass.
Float Averna and garnish with a lime wedge.

...There's more

Break out your cups and polish your balls, sign-ups for the World Series of Beer Pong III begin this week. And you're not just playing for free beer. This year's grand prize is $50,000.

The competition will be held January 1 - 5, 2008 at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas. Each team will play 10-12 games over two days, whether they win or lose. The best teams will then compete in a final tournament on the third day based on their performance from the first two days.

Last year's event drew over 500 competitors from all over the US and Canada, so competition should be stiff. And in case you're worried about your ability to perform after downing cup after cup of beer, the rules are set up so you can sub water for beer at any time, and no player is allowed to consume more than one beer per hour. (Gotta stay sharp with 50 large on the line.)

Registration ends December 3 and there are travel packages starting at $450 that cover hotel rooms, registration fees and other costs. Head over www.bpong.com to register.

TV guides are fine to let you know what's on that week, but what if you want to know if, when and where a movie you and your buddies were quoting last weekend is being shown on cable? Or what if, since reading that Charlize Theron was named Esquire's Sexiest Woman Alive, you want to see if any of her movies are showing soon? (The Devil's Advocate, for example.)

LocateTV.com can tell you. First, enter your zip code and cable or satellite provider to personalize your search. Then type a TV show, movie or actor into the search box and it'll return a list of dates, times and stations where that show/movie/actor is playing. It also lists the top five most searched shows, movies and actors, in case you're looking for some suggestions. Or none of Charlize's movies are showing.

www.locatetv.com

Made of silicone rubber and simple enough to match any decor, these soap holders stick to any smooth surface, guarding your soap in their Sumo-sized bellies. Good for keeping soap scum and drips off your sink. Comes in black or gray.

$10.95 each
www.wrapables.com

[VIA Product Dose]

Nothing sucks more than reaching into a freezing cold, ice and water-filled cooler at a party to dig around for beer. The Arctic Net Cooler Scoop lessens your risk of drink-digging-induced frostbite by letting you dive in, fish around for as long as you like, and scoop the perfect bottle or can without you getting cold and wet. There's even a bottle opener.

$14.99
www.after5catalog.com

[VIA Coolest-Gadgets]

A must for any Man Cave is some sort of gaming table: a poker table, ping pong table, pool table, foosball table. But if you're looking to relive your college days (or if you're still living your college days), a beer pong table is the perfect addition.

Instead of assigning your ping pong table double duty, and risking damage from flying and spilling liquids, check out OfficialBeerPongTable.com. They've got eight-foot long "regulation" tables tables designed specifically for pong tourneys, featuring a hard melamine top, re-rack alignment graphics for both six- and ten-cup games, and extendable legs for height adjustment. They also fold flat into a two-foot by two-foot square for storage, which is good because the graphics are a little, um, over the top.

$124.99
www.officialbeerpongtable.com

Now there's a medical excuse for going out drinking with the boys: "No baby, we're not going out to get drunk and party. I'm just making sure I don't die of toxic poisoning."

Doctors in Australia used an IV drip of vodka to save the life of a 24 year-old Italian tourist, when they ran out of the medicinal alcohol they usually use for treatment.

The man had ingested a large quantity of ethylene glycol, which is commonly found in antifreeze and can cause renal failure. (Not to mention a wicked hangover.) Doctors ran through all of the pharmaceutical-grade alcohol they had on hand and decided the next best way to get alcohol into his system was to feed him spirits through a naso gastric tube. (Does this mean we'll be seeing naso gastric tube bars opening all over LA?)

The patient was given the equivalent of three standard drinks an hour for three days while in intensive care. (No word on whether he was fed olives during treatment.) While doctors believe he drank the antifreeze in an attempt to harm himself (Really Doc Obvious? You don't think he was just trying to keep from freezing?), the patient made a full recovery.

Looks like Calvin Klein has gotten over his obsession. His new fragrance for men - named fittingly enough, MAN - was introduced to rock stars and NFL greats last month as one of the goodies in the Official NFL Kickoff Gift Bag. (Groupies, free cologne... I should have been a rock star.)

But now us normal folk can smell MANly, too. So it's time to put the Drakkar back in the medicine cabinet and get yourself something new.

The fragrance is definitely masculine, but it's also light and not overpowering. (You don't want your scent to enter a room before you do.) The "notes" (that's cologne-talk for "smell"), start with a crisp freshness at the top (how it smells when you first spray it on), becoming spicy in the middle, with bottom notes of rich woods. Notice I didn't mention the word "floral" in there. You won't have to worry about smelling prettier than your date.

The MAN line also includes hair and body wash, deodorant, after shave balm and after shave splash, so you're not layering different fragrance over fragrance.

$65
Available at department stores

Not satisfied with simply allowing you to write things down, this all-in-one executive pen also lets you store important info on its hidden USB flash drive (up to 512MB), enter text into your PDA with its stylus, light your way with its flashlight and highlight PowerPoint bullets with its laser pointer. (The flashlight and laser pointer are optional. But what guy in his right mind would leave them out?)

Pull this out the next time you get a little face time with the boss. It's your first step on the road to the executive suite.

www.card-media.co.uk

[VIA The Red Ferret Journal]

When you're cooking, the final product is only as good as the ingredients you use. The best cuts of meat, the ripest fruits and vegetables, and, ideally, fresh herbs. Nothing comes close the flavor of using, say, fresh basil in your pasta, over using the dried stuff kept in a jar over the stove.

The problem is fresh herbs only last a few days in the fridge. If you don't use it all, the rest goes to waste. The Prepara Herb-Savor let's you hold onto those fresh herbs longer.

Fill the base with water, snap on the plastic cover and place in the fridge. Your fresh-cut herbs should last about three weeks. Long enough for you to invite her over for another gourmet meal.

$29.95
www.prepara.com

[VIA www.random-good-stuff.com]

You've got a lot going on in your entertainment life. There's NFL Sunday Ticket on TV, DVDs coming in from NetFlix, the new mp3s you just downloaded (legally, of course), Tiger Woods golf on the Wii... it's getting harder and harder to keep track of all the remotes. And figure out which three you need, and what buttons to push in which sequence, just to watch a movie.

Regain some control with the Harmony 670 Advanced Universal Remote from Logitech. It can handle up to 15 audio, video, and gaming components, and can even control lights and appliances.

Gone are the days of punching in codes and struggling to get it programmed. Plug the 670 into a USB port and access a database of over 175,000 devices, including your cable or satellite company's DVR. Use the wizard to program in the sequences you typically go through to access your systems and it takes care of the rest. With the One-Touch Control you select the activity you want, like “Watch a DVD”, and it launches whatever individual components are needed.

The buttons are fully customizable, you can put your most frequent activities on a single button. And the backlit display and LCD screen make access easy when the lights are out. Because the only fumbling you should be doing in the dark should be with her, not your remote.

$149.99
www.logitech.com

The results are in, and almost two-thirds of you say it's ok for guys to accessorize. As long as we don't go too far. And by "too far" that means going beyond a single necklace or bracelet. In the case of guy accessories, the majority agree less is more.

However, there's a small percentage of you (just under 10%) that disagree and feel it's ok to show off as much bling as you like. As aging rock concert promoters and members of the Mr. T fan club have shown.

And finally, over a quarter of you (26%), feel that jewelry is best left to the ladies. Real men should be "au natural", if you will. (I should have asked if a watch or cufflinks are considered jewelry. That will have to wait until another poll.)

This week, my poll is about fall and winter grilling. Do you, or don't you once the leaves start turning? Let me know. You can vote in the box on the right.

Ever said something you thought was completely innocent to an angry woman - trying to be a good guy and diffuse the situation - only to have your words add fuel to the fire? Yeah, me too. It's a regular occurrence, like the changing of the tides, or our president mispronouncing a word. But Sarah Miller, a relationship expert over at Men's Health, has a list of the worst things you can say to an angry woman. Along with some phrases you should be using. (Memorize them, men.)

The big five no-no's are:
1 - "Relax." (Apparently telling a woman who is freaking out to relax, is akin to telling her she has no reason to be upset. Never a good idea.)

2 - "I love you" when said during a fight. (This one is only to be used after the fight.)

3 - "It's up to you." A.K.A. "Whatever you want to do is fine with me."
(You're basically telling her you don't care.)

4 - "You knew I was this way when you married me." (Good idea, blame her for not realizing you're a jackass.)

5 - Saying nothing at all. (In this case, silence is not golden.)

In the article Miller gives suggestions for what you can say in place of each of these, as well as the "magic words", three phrases you can use as a get-out-of-jail-free-card when something you've done causes her to open up a six-pack of bitch on your sorry ass.

Read them here.

If you heading out this weekend, make sure you get some packing tips from OneBag.com first.

Dedicated to the ideal that traveling with anything more than one bag is overkill, and filled with "exhaustive (some might say exhausting!) detail on the art and science of travelling light, going pretty much anywhere, for an indefinite length of time, with nothing more than a single (carryon-sized) bag", the site is a must for any guy going out of town, for business or pleasure.

You'll find advice on what to pack (rubber door stop for security) and how to pack (folding vs. bundling), as well as checklists to make sure you don't leave anything necessary behind. You'll also get the author's advice on choosing the right, single bag to bring, and his opinion on wheeled bags (he doesn't like them), and expandable bags (doesn't like them either).

www.onebag.com

I've found that while women love a guy who can cook, breaking out the baking skills drives them right over the edge. And since my personal baking skills are limited - baking is more of an exact science than cooking is - I found a recipe simple enough that could be pulled off by even those of us with limited dessert-making skills.

The recipe is Chef Robert Irvine's Three-Apple Crumble from his show Dinner:Impossible, which is a favorite of mine. ("Okay Chef, today you have eight hours to cook a seven-course meal for 400 visiting dignitaries, using this hot plate and pair of salad tongs...") It uses different varieties of apples to give it depth of flavor (perfect for fall), and is served hot topped with vanilla ice cream. (What woman doesn't love a little a la mode?)

Since it comes from a show where Irvine has limited time and resources to cook with, the dessert is easy to make, requiring only about 20 minutes of easy prep before it goes in the oven for 30 minutes. Easy for you, delicious for her. Everyone's happy.

Three-Apple Crumble
Makes six servings

6 large apples (2 each of 3 different varieties: Granny Smith, Winesap, Rome Beauty, Stayman, Braeburn) peeled, cored and medium diced
6 tablespoons sugar, divided
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
1 lemon, juiced
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 pint vanilla ice cream, for serving

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the apples and just 1/2 of the sugar (3 tablespoons) into a saucepan and cook ...There's more

JibJab.com, the humor website that famously skewered Bush and Kerry during the elections with "This Land", now has the technology to let you do the same to family and friends with their Starring You! feature.

Just upload a jpg of your - or someone else's - face, drag a circle around their head, and select who you want to play what role in one of two movies, or seven dance videos. A few seconds later, you're saving the city from bad guys, massacring a bunch of kids at math camp, or dancing your ass off, while hilarity ensues.

There's also several "public heads" you can use, in case your buddies threaten you with bodily harm if you continue to use their images.

www.jibjab.com

We've seen it in commercials and on sit-coms for years: the average pro football fan portrayed as a grunting, jersey-wearing, beer-swilling, face-painting, chest-bumping, blue-collar guy in his twenties or thirties. How accurate is that stereotype? Not very, according to a Harris Interactive poll released this week.

Harris conducted a nationwide survey of US adults in September, and asked if they follow professional football. About half (49%) said they did, a stat holding steady, give or take a point or two, over the last 15 years.

Of those answering "yes", 63% were male, 37% were female. (So contrary to another common stereotype, there may not be as many "Football Widows" out there as we may have thought, when over a third of those watching football each weekend are women.)

The largest fan group by age is Baby Boomers (age 43-61) with 55% saying they follow football. Gen Xers, the 31-42 year-olds (and the ones most often depicted rooting for their team in beer commercials), tied for second with The Matures, those 62 and older, at 49% each. (Does this mean Miller Lite should start sending The Commish to the senior center?) "Echo Boomers", the 18-30 year-olds, were the least likely to follow the sport, with only 42% saying they do. (Why watch it on TV when you can be part of the action on Madden NFL '08?)

The poll also revealed the more educated someone became, the more likely they were to be an NFL fan. While only 45% of those with just a high school degree follow football, more than half with "some college" (51%), and 55% of college grads, do. Those with a post graduate degree? They're the biggest gridiron fans, with 60% tuning in on Sundays.

It shouldn't come as a surprise then, that the income level of fans rises along the same track as their education. Football was least watched by respondents earning less than $35,000 a year (41%), as opposed to 59% of those earning over $75,000, the group with the highest percentage of fans. (I'm wondering if regular viewing on a 56-inch plasma has anything to do with that.)

The poll also asked respondents who followed football to name their favorite team. Once again, and for the fourth time in eight years, the Dallas Cowboys were the favorite. (Dammit, they really are "America's Team".)

So the next time you see a middle aged guy in a business suit, climbing out of a European luxury car on his way to his law office, ask him how he thought Romo did on Sunday.

The full survey and results, as well as Harris' methodology, can be read here.

Maybe you're a guy who likes unusual, irreverent stuff. Or maybe you just like the inside of airport jail cells. Whatever the reason, these bags from ThinkGeek will certainly grab attention wherever you're traveling.

Made of tough, woven plastic fibers, the bags are printed to show what the NTSB might see when screening your bag. The usual stuff you might bring with you on a long flight: your iPod, sunglasses, a sandwich, a thick stack of bills, brass knuckles, pepper spray, a switchblade, a revolver. You know how those NTSB folks love a good practical joke.

Comes in shoulder bag and tote bag.

$11.99 each
www.thinkgeek.com

[VIA Red Ferret Journal]

If you're not familiar with IZZE, it's an all natural combination of fruit juice and sparkling water with no added sugars and no caffeine or anything artificial. Which makes it perfect for refreshment, and even better for mixing into cocktails. Why? Because the purer your ingredients, the better your drink. And if you don't have fresh grapefruits, clementines or pomegranates to squeeze (which you may not always have on hand), it's the next best thing. Plus IZZE has a much longer shelf life than fresh fruits. You can store a bunch for the next time a party breaks out.

Here are three recipes from restaurants around the country who have come up with cocktails that take advantage of IZZE's natural flavor and sparkle. Mix one at your next party or dinner for two...

Get B’IZZE
Courtesy of Rhumba Cafe Caribbean - Boulder, CO

1 (12 oz) bottle IZZE® Sparkling Grapefruit
1.5 oz Silver Rum
Pineapple juice

Combine the IZZE Sparkling Grapefruit and silver rum with a splash of pineapple juice. Stir and serve in a tall glass with ice. ...There's more

From the Press Democrat comes an unnerving report that not only will your beloved GPS system guide and assist you while driving, but anything it says can, and will, be used against you in a court of law.

Most people don't realize the devices don't just supply info TO you, they store info ABOUT you as well. According to the article, "Among other things, these devices calculate speed and location, information that could prove critical in determining who is at fault in a car crash."

How do the authorities get this info? Usually by issuing a subpoena to the manufacturer. And there's a good chance they'll comply. (And thankfully little chance your girl will be able to get a subpoena to find out if you really were "playing cards with the guys" till 5am last Saturday night.)

It's not just GPS systems that are ratting you out either. The article goes on to say that "More than half of all new cars sold in the United States are equipped with event data recorders that investigators can use to determine such things as speed, braking and belt use in the seconds before and during crashes, according to the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety."

On the other side, the same technology is being used to help speeders beat tickets. The article notes, "Manufacturers of radar detectors are using GPS to download maps and warn motorists when they approach intersections where red light cameras are installed, as well as school zones or other areas where speed might be restricted or monitored." It's become a high tech game of cat and mouse on the roads.

Read the entire article here.

[VIA Gizmodo ]

Not sure exactly what that means, but our friends over at InventorSpot.com have come up with their list of beers that "push the limits of conventional brewing in a number of ways."

Their list includes a Japanese milk beer (30% milk, 70% beer - sounds, um, interesting), pizza beer brewed with tomatoes, onions, garlic, oregano, and basil (you go ahead, I'll pass), and a beer that is nearly one-quarter alcohol (now we're talking).

According to InventorSpot.com, "these ales definitely have some gusto that the rest of the beer world lacks."

You can read their entire list here.

You're playing a little pick-up ball with the guys and one of you're buddies comes down awkwardly from a rebound. Hits his head. There's blood and he's unconscious. Someone calls 911 from their cell, but what do you do in the meantime? You've got a first aid kit in the house, but do you know what to use, and how to use it? The Intelligent First Aid kit can "talk" you through until the pros arrive.

Designed by a medical professional, the field- and classroom-tested kit contains individual packets with specific instructions and supplies for a number of injuries, including Shock, Head & Spine, Bites & Stings, Bleeding, Bone, Breathing & CPR, Burns, Eye and Basic first aid. (I see they don't have a packet for Legal Advice.)

Each color-coded packet comes with the supplies typically used to treat that injury, no digging around looking for bandages or ice packs, and a card with illustrated instructions. Since you'll probably need both hands to treat your injured buddy, pressing the button on the card activates a sound chip inside, similar to the one in the card you gave your grandmother that "sang" happy birthday to her. The voice on the chip can guide even the most untrained guy step-by-step on how to handle the problem. You can hear some sample instructions by clicking here.

The kit also comes with a flashlight/booklight, should the injured be inconsiderate enough to get hurt after dark, ...There's more

Tired of riding your bike through crowds that won't get out of your way? Distracted drivers that veer too close? One blast from the Thunder Horn and you'll have a clear path for miles.

Not a toy (or recommended for kids at all), its pant-soiling 115 decibel sound output is just a little louder than the sound reaching your ears from the front row of a rock concert (110 dB), and just below the "threshold of pain" (130 dB). And for those of you who were wondering, 160 dB results in the instant perforation of the eardrum. It'll be the last time you'll have to yell "EXCUSE ME!" over and over as you're forced up over the curb.

(Since it's battery operated, and can go anywhere, I'm thinking how insidious this thing would be in a an office environment. "BWEEEEEEEP!!!! Bob, where's your TPS report?!")

[VIA The Red Ferret Journal]
Thunder Horn

For those of you with permanent black and blue blotches under your thumbnails from mis-hits when driving nails, comes relief in this nail holder from Yanko Design.

You're most likely mashing your digits due to holding the nail at a bad angle and/or striking with poor aim. This little DIY helper solves both your carpenterial shortcomings by holding the nail perfectly straight, and giving you a much larger target to whack at. Slide the nail up the clear sleeve and into the red collar that'll hold it steady, pull down the sleeve, put it where you want the nail driven, and hammer on the large surface. If you're still catching your thumb, you might want to consider glasses.

[VIA Gizmodo] www.yankodesign.com

Most of us have had a FWB (Friend With Benefits): a girl, who is also a friend, that you sleep with from time to time. No strings. No shopping for curtains on the weekends. No uncomfortable holiday dinners at her parents' house. Just a friendship, with the occasional bumping of the uglies. No mess and no stress, right? Not according to a new study reported by the New York Times.

The research, published in the current issue of Archives of Sexual Behavior (I have back issues if anyone needs), was conducted at Michigan State University, where they surveyed 125 male and female students. They found 60 percent had at least one FWB.

The Times article says: "One-tenth of these relationships went on to become full-scale romances, the study found. About a third stopped the sex and remained friends, and one in four eventually broke it off — the sex and the friendship. The rest continued as friends-with-benefits relationships." Removing all the "stat speak" from that paragraph, it boils down to 10% evolved into a traditional relationship, about 33% stopped the sex but continued as friends, 25% ended both the sex and the friendship, and 32% continued as FWB.

The study concluded, according to Dr. Timothy Levine, one of the study's authors, "that people got into these relationships because they didn’t want commitment. It was perceived as a safe relationship, at least at first. But also that there was this growing fear that the one person would become more attracted than the other." Leading to the same stresses and problems seen in traditional relationships. (But on the upside, still no curtain shopping.)

Read the NYT article here and the study abstract here.

Are you a guy who needs to add a little heat to everything? Hot sauce on your eggs in the morning? Enough cayenne in your chili to ignite a campfire? Spiced olives in your martini? Even you might think adding chipotle chilies to your chocolate chip cookies would be insanity, but not to the bakers at SparX Foods.

SparX Spicy Cookies may look like ordinary bite-sized cookies, but try one and you'll realize, quickly, there's nothing ordinary about them. With flavors like Chipotle Chocolate Chip, Ancho Oatmeal Raisin, Cayenne Toffee Pecan, Chipotle Double Fudge and Jalapeno Peanut Butter, you know you're venturing into unique territory. Which is why you have to ignore the strange flavor combinations - and your own expectations - and just try one. You'll get the delicious sweetness of the cookie, which gives way to the slow burn of the spice. Not enough to make you run, eyes tearing, for the fridge to grab the milk, but just enough to keep it interesting. And to keep you reaching for more.

They're also 100% all natural, with no preservatives or artificial flavors... you're getting the real spice here. And since they make them with pure butter, there's no trans fats to worry about either.

Winner of the 2005 Fiery Food Challenge, they're perfect to keep the heat going after your next chili cook-off or tailgate barbecue. (Or if that obnoxious sales guy at your office won't let up about how bad your team is doing this year, offer him a handful. They'll keep him quiet for a while.)

$3.95 for a 4 oz bag
www.sparxfoods.com

No one ever says, "It's 11:43" when you ask for the time. They'll say, "It's quarter till", or "Almost noon". (Or in this office, "lunchtime" as they walk out the door.)

The designers over at insightOutsight in the UK thought it was about time someone designed a clock that tells time the way we do. Not with exact numbers, but with "rough time". So they designed one. The clock rounds off the time and gives you a phrase instead of a number. Any time from :41 to :49 is considered "quarter to", :50 to :59 is considered "nearly", etc. They called it, fittingly enough, About Time.

www.insightoutsight.co.uk for details and availability.

[VIA DesignSpotter]

Available only in Japan, where they perfected the art of tiny gardening, come these small, stackable boxes that grow miniature lawns.

Created in square, rectangle and round, these tabletop boxes would run you around 3,150 yen and would be the perfect alternative to plants or flowers for greening up your living room or office. If you could buy one. If you do get one, expect it to drive your dog insane.

[VIA FreshPilot]

A guide, a gauge and a challenge to guys and DIYers everywhere, this list contains 25 skills the editors at Popular Mechanics feel every guy should know to survive the hazards and pitfalls of everyday life.

Covering everything from car repair (fixing a leaking radiator hose, changing the oil), to computer knowledge (protecting it from viruses, extending wireless network), to emergencies (rescuing a capsized boater, performing CPR), to fixing your pad (framing a wall, fixing a dead outlet, proper painting techniques), to outdoor survival (navigating with a map and compass, filleting a fish, building a campfire) the list is a great reference to have on hand, even if you already know a lot of the stuff it includes.

You can read the complete list here.

If you're a guy who needs a vehicle that can go from work to weekend to play seamlessly, take a look at the Silverado 2500 HD (that's for "heavy duty" not "high def" for you tech heads), with crew cab.

When I test drove one last week at GM's Milford Proving Grounds, I was surprised at two things: the handling and the interior. Because it's essentially a workhorse, designed to haul stuff to and from the job site, I expected it would drive rough and have a utilitarian interior. Not the case. While it didn't handle like a car (not even close), it wasn't the rough ride I anticipated when I climbed behind the wheel.

The 6.0 liter, Vortec V8 cranks out 353 horses and 373 lb-ft of torque that you feel the second you hit the accelerator. And you'll need if you're hauling a load of masonry on Monday, and towing your boat to the lake on Saturday. (The 4X4 doesn't hurt either.)

Inside it's refined enough that she won't be embarrassed when you pick her up in it for dinner. There's some well thought out features too, like the dual glove box that lets you store stuff for work and for play, and the wide swinging suicide doors that let you get wide loads in the back seat, like a small fridge or your beer-swilling friends.

www.chevy.com

Sex outside of the bedroom can be the most memorable. (Sex outside of the house even more so, especially when you end up running half naked from the cops.) But something about sex in the kitchen has always been high on the Erotic Scale of Out-of-the-Bedroom Sexcapades. Even Hollywood has romanticized the act of kitchen coitus. Remember a pre-cosmetic-surgery Mickey Rourke seducing Kim Bassinger in the kitchen in 9 1/2 Weeks? And I never saw it (I swear), but I hear Like Water for Chocolate also has a memorable food-involved sex scene.

But is kitchen sex actually as romantic in "real life" as it is in the movies? Sure. But if you’re looking to have dinner with a bang (pun intended), understand that there are some hazards and pitfalls to watch out for. In the interest of making your kitchen counter encounter one she'll be telling her friends about, rather than the Emergency Room triage nurse, here are six "do's and don'ts" to keep in mind when the clothing, and dishes, start flying.

1- DON'T Attempt the "Aunt Jemima Treatment".
It may have worked for Bill Murray in the '80s movie classic Stripes, but propping your date up on the counter and prodding her with kitchen utensils most likely won't get you the same results that Bill got. Spatulas, whisks, slotted spoons, tongs... not exactly an erotic line-up. (More like stuff she sees at her doctor's office.) If you're looking for something extra to bring to the table, stick to the more traditional toys and equipment.
...There's more