The 2014 Honda Grom is a fresh, new way to add some fun, practicality, independence and style to your life.

Fun: This new bike is a blast to ride, offering all the excitement of a full-sized motorcycle but in a package that just about anyone old enough to have a license can handle.

Practical: The Grom’s thrifty Honda engine means you can run it on pocket change, and you can park it just about anywhere too.

Independence: With your own wheels, you can bag the bus and forget about having to beg for rides from your friends or—shudder—your Mom.

Stylish: Check out the Grom for yourself. It’s a blank canvas just waiting for you to customize it.

The new Honda Grom is slated to land in showrooms this August with an MSRP of $2,999.

I was doing some research the other day and I stumbled across a whole bunch of interesting studies. Since some of them are actually relevant, I figured I’d share the best parts with you guys along with my input as well.

Although I may have been saying some of these things for quite a while now, this is actual scientific proof showing you that scoring chicks isn’t really all that hard, especially if you know what you’re doing.

1. According to the U.S. census, there are 95.9 million unmarried people in the U.S. of which 47% are men and 53% are women.

Considering that nearly 40% of men do not feel confident meeting a woman for the first time (this number is probably much larger since most men won’t admit this, plus many of them have no game) you have an incredibly large variety of women to choose from. Basically, if you can muster up the courage to go out there and approach women the mathematical chances of you actually landing something are fantastic. To put it in a realistic perspective, that’s around 1 single gutsy guy (you) for every 3-4 women out there.

2. When a man first approaches a woman, she will base 55% of her initial impression of him on his appearance and body language, 38% on his style of speaking, and 7% on what he actually says.

This proves what I’ve been saying for so long, what you say bares very little importance compared to how you say it. This is exactly why there’s no such thing as a magic opener and a simple, well said “Hi” will always do the trick.

3. In a survey of 5,000 singles conducted by Match.com, 43% said fresh breath mattered the most before a date, 17% said stylish clothes, 15% said sexy fragrance, 14% said good skin, and 10% said great hair also if a man can’t decide what to wear on a date, he might want to wear blue. Studies show that women are attracted to men in blue.

Looks like a blue shirt and some decent flossing can work wonders on a first date. Fresh breath will not only stop her from puking all over you but will actually increase the chances of a makeout session during the date which as we already know, often times leads to a first date lay.

4. Studies show that happiness is contagious and that potential dates find it hard to walk away from happy people. One of the biggest turn-offs during a date is negativity.

More turn-offs for women would include cystic acne, raggedy nails, flatulence and belching, missing teeth, body odor, bad breath, hairy nostrils, “man boobs,” “goofy” glasses, and hair “mistakes.”

Guess that drops a bomb on all you guys that are still not showering and farting on dates.

5. If you want to create an instant link with a date, say his or her name at least twice in the conversation.

This shows that you’re paying attention and that you are also able to connect with her. It also works well in phone conversations and even texts. I found that asking a girl what she’s doing in the third person will get me a reply more often than a regular text. Say: “So, how was Amber’s day at [place]?” You will often find that she replies in the same tone having a little humor in your texts.

6. Studies show that remembering bits of information about a person and working them into conversations not only is highly flattering but also shows interest.

This works tremendously well and is the sole reason why it’s absolutely paramount to keep a notepad when dating more women. At the moment I’m dating 4 women and if I wouldn’t take down notes after every date I’d be a complete mess each time because I constantly mix up things I told and was told by one person with the other.

7. Studies show that schools, colleges, coffee shops, and malls are all excellent places to flirt because people are more open to meeting others in these places. Poor locations are restaurants and movie theaters.

If you’re still in college, you better not be wasting this opportunity and if you’re no longer in college you better be hitting those coffee shops and malls. I actually have girl-friends that go to coffee shops waiting to meet guys that have the courage to sit down next to them and start a conversation.

8. If a group of women are standing together but their eyes are wandering, they are likely to be looking for guys. If they each take a turn to break away from the group to head to the bathroom alone, they are on the prowl. If they are huddled together giggling, they are usually not interested in finding men.

This is exactly why scouting is so important. Don’t waste your time with chicks that will never go anywhere. Check out your prospect and make a move. Also, don’t confuse actually checking out prospects to standing there and doing nothing the whole night.

9. Over 50% of all singles in America have not had a date in more than two years.

Don’t let this be you. Go out there and just approach women. Even if you are mentally handicapped, odds are some chick will like you regardless of what you say/do – you just have to give yourself enough opportunities for that to happen.

This is the sort of stuff I discuss on my blog and in the free eBook I give out. If you want to increase your success with women, visit http://ThePlayerGuide.com – a place where the dating mindset is thrown out the window in favor of more direct and fruitful methods of meeting and seducing women.

The career of an athlete is fast-paced and short-lived. It requires dedication, consistency, maintaining busy schedules of training, competing, recovering, and in some cases dealing with the adulation that comes with being a public figure. This intense schedule generally begins when the athlete is 14-18 years old, and can last 10-15 years. But what happens to an athlete after retirement?

One would think that a retirement consisting of peak physical condition and a substantial sum of money would a desirable one. This is not always the case. A retired professional athlete can suffer both physical and psychological consequences including depression, long-term injuries and the struggle to begin an alternate career.

Why Athletes Retire
The main issues that prompt an athlete into retirement include injury, de-selection and expiration of eligibility. Injury is as unpredictable and treacherous as a car crash, striking at any time. Due to it’s unpredictability, additional problems to retirement planning generally arise. Sports commentators have estimated that as many as 35% of professional athletes retire early due to injury. De-selection arises when an athlete is suddenly dropped from a team or squad and is nearly as unpredictable as an injury. A decrease in performance or injury can prompt de-selection to occur. Expiration of eligibility is generally the most predictable and better-suited form of retirement. When an athlete has reached the end of his/her’s athletic ability and can see a difference in the strength of their body and performance, they will retire. This form of retirement allows for preferable retirement planning.

Depression
During the early stages of an athlete’s retirement, they may suffer from psychological issues such as depression. The rapid juxtaposition of lifestyle can come as a shock to many. Not only is the athlete deprived of their routine; their social and work networks are simultaneously diminished as they have merged into one. While the body is crying out for some rest and relaxation, within an athlete’s heart and mind they may be saying “one more time.” The loss of identity and passion can be brutal and has the potential for an athlete to attempt to recreate the intensity of what has been lost through drugs, drink and gambling. This has the biggest effect on athletes that play team sports and have been involved with a group of athletes for their entire adult life.

Body Damage
While a professional career in sport may place you in peak physical condition, this may only last 10 years and the intensity at which one pushes their body may result in repercussions. Four or five years down the track of retirement may see athletes suffering from joint problems, obesity and brain damage. Steve Devine, a 35-year-old former New Zealand rugby player was forced to retire due to repeated concussions. In the years following his retirement, Devine endured almost constant migraines, fatigue and bouts of depression.

Retirement Planning
It is proven that athletes who put in a bit of extra pre-thought and effort into their retirement will be more likely to avoid physical, psychological and economical damage. While athletes who depend on their career earnings to provide for their remaining life generally wind up in an undesirable economic situation, those who ensure another path of employment after retirement will greatly benefit. This will decrease the likelihood of depression therefore automatically improving one’s physical condition.

Be Proactive
The best way to have a smooth transition into retirement is to be proactive during your playing days. When you are 25 and at the height of your athletic powers it can be hard to think about doing anything else but that is precisely the time to start thinking about what you will do when it ends. Even if you do some part time study, or volunteer somewhere for half a day a week it can make al the difference when it comes time to finish your career.

Jessica Josh is a professional freelancer who writes about health, diet and fitness related topics for companies such as Northshore Health and Fitness

Sumptuous flair and alluring athleticism come together in the BMW 6 Series models to invest these premium luxury-class vehicles with hallmark driving fun. The new M Sport edition offers a particularly exclusive opportunity to highlight the dynamic attributes of the BMW 6 Series Coupe, BMW 6 Series Convertible and BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. With their harmoniously coordinated design details and ultra-high-quality range of features, the BMW 6 Series models in M Sport Edition guise deliver a driving experience that assuages the most discerning requirements while also offering an attractive price advantage.

The M Sport edition package can be combined with all the models and engine variants of the BMW 6 Series range (including xDrive models) and will be available from July 2013 production. Pricing for the BMW 6 Series M Sport Edition adds $4,600 to the base MSRP of the 6 Series Convertible, $4,800 to the 6 Series Coupe, and $5,300 to the 6 Series Gran Coupe.

The M Sport Edition models of the BMW 6 Series are based on the traditional M Sport package, comprised of a model-specific M aerodynamics package, 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design wrapped in high performance car tyres, LED fog lamps, the BMW Individual High-gloss Shadow Line trim, black-painted brake calipers and exhaust tail pipes in dark chrome. The interior features an M leather steering wheel, M door sill finishers, M driver’s footrest, and sport seats in nappa leather, as all of which enhance the exclusive ambience of the BMW 6 Series.

Furthermore, the BMW 6 Series M Sport Edition adds the superb new Dynamic Digital Instrument Cluster, Full LED Adaptive Headlights, and the comprehensive Executive Package. 650i and 650i xDrive models further benefit from the inclusion of the Driver Assistance Package.

All M Sport Edition models of the BMW 6 Series also have the option of Sakhir Orange Metallic M exterior paint. This color was previously reserved for the iconic, ultra-high performance BMW M6. Another added option available for the BMW 6 Series M Sport Edition is interior upholstery in BMW Individual Merino Leather in Opal White with contrasting seams in Sakhir Orange. This choice serves to accentuate not only the sporty attributes inherent to the 6 Series, but also enhances its luxurious character.

Sony recently announced that Gran Turismo 6 will be released in time for the 2013 holiday season, and they unveiled this concept movie to whet our appetite.

GT6 for PlayStation 3 will bring new levels of authenticity to ‘the Real Driving Simulator’ as well as introducing stunning new tracks and cars and a revised user interface. A new compact game engine will improve operation and increase the flexibility to expand it with downloadable content. Meanwhile, the game is also set for expanded connectivity with other devices such as smart phones and tablets and increased social and community functions.

All of the cars and tracks from Gran Turismo 5 will be retained in GT6. But notable new additions to the already impressive line-up of historic cars, road cars and the latest race cars, brings the total car list to 1200 at launch, with new cars set to be continually added online. Several thousand aerodynamic parts and custom wheels will be available for almost all cars, and players can personalize their own custom cars in game to the greatest ever level possible.

The UK’s famous Silverstone Circuit will be just one of seven new locations in Gran Turismo 6, taking the total to 33, with 71 different layouts available, 19 of them brand new. There will also be regular additions of new tracks set to be made available online. The improved course maker function will provide gorgeous scenery spanning several tens of square kilometers including the magnificent backdrop of Andalucía.

The theme of Gran Turismo’s innovative collaborations with partner companies will increase with the inception of GT6. A number of exciting new projects that blur the line between the virtual and real will be announced in the run up to the game’s launch. Not least of these is GT Academy, a collaboration with Nissan to unearth real racing driver talent that first ran in 2008. It was announced during the event that the competition returns for its biggest ever year in 2013, with the entry mechanic set to take place on an exclusive GT6 demo in July.

Other notable partnerships in the development of GT6 have been with tire manufacturer Yokohama Rubber and suspension company KW Automotive. Both companies are active in the commercial car industry and in racing, and they have acted as technical development partners for the game’s new physics engine, for its tire and suspension kinematic modeling, creating an even more realistic experience for GT fans.

“It is amazing to think that it is 15 years since we first released Gran Turismo,” explained Kazunori Yamauchi, during the announcement at Silverstone Circuit. “Things have changed a lot since then and now Gran Turismo 6 is a further evolution of my dream. We’re pleased to deliver GT6 to PlayStation 3 as we have a very loyal community on that platform. However, we have refactored the game to make it very flexible and expandable, with a view to making many future developments. I am very pleased with everything about the new game and the new additions, but the launch will be only the beginning for GT6. The game will continue to develop throughout its life. I already have many ideas for things I want to achieve in the next 15 years of Gran Turismo!”

The celebration of 15 years of Gran Turismo event at Silverstone included a demo of GT6 featuring the famous circuit. Guests were able to play the game in the familiar circular Gran Turismo race pods before having a chance to take to the real track in cars provided by Audi, Ford, Jaguar, KTM, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Toyota.

Further news about Gran Turismo 6 will be revealed at the forthcoming E3 and Gamescom events.

We recently posted about the Philly Tap & Tavern opening at Harrah’s Philadelphia, the property’s newest restaurant and taproom that’s been generating lots of buzz from area locals. With an impressive beer and food menu, we just had to drive down there and experiencing it for ourselves.

If you haven’t visited Harrah’s Philadelphia (aka Harrah’s Chester) before, it’s located just off Rt. 95, a few miles south of the Philadelphia Airport. This was my first time to Harrah’s Philly, and I was really impressed with the property. Table games, horse racing, restaurants galore, and even a lounge with go-go dancers!

The Philly Tap & Tavern is a bright and airy restaurant, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the horse track. It’s quite a contrast to the dark casino floor you just came in from. Stay for awhile, and you’ll forget that there’s even a casino nearby.

This is the third restaurant to occupy this spot since Harrah’s opened, and it looks like they finally hit their sweet spot. First it was End Zone sports bar. Then it became a barbecue-style restaurant, which didn’t offer enough variety for patrons. And now it’s the Philly Tap & Tavern, which offers up traditional bar food with a gourmet twist (courtesy of all-star Chef Justin Vignola), along with an extensive beer menu that’s sure to please even the most discerning beer aficionado.

The appetizers all sounded so good, it was hard to decide what to order. So we went with the T&T Special Sampler, getting the Signature Fried Wings, Bacon Stuffed Potato Skins, and Mozza-Luna’s (mozzarella sticks). Wings are offered twice fried, classic, or boneless, with your choice of naked, hot, mild, honey BBQ, sweet chili, or garlic parmesan. We went with traditional classic mild wings, and they were delicious! The potato skins and mozza-luna’s were also great, you really can’t go wrong with any of these appetizer choices.

Next time around, I might have to try the Chili Nacho’s, as I saw some people eating them at another table and they looked insane!

Since the Philly Tap & Tavern is known for their burgers (offering everything from a regular classic burger to a gourmet burger made with Kobe beef), we had to try one of them. We went with the Cheddar Bacon burger, a massive half-pound burger served with cheddar cheese and thick slab bacon. It comes with a side of fries or cup of soup, and it’ll run you $13.50.

The meat had great flavor, the cheddar cheese had the right amount of punch, and the bacon provided a hint of saltiness that brought everything together. I’m not a huge fan of thick slab bacon (I prefer thin and crispy bacon myself), but it did work well in this burger. If you want a bit of texture to go with that saltiness, consider ordering the Crunch burger, as it replaces the bacon with potato chips.

After hearing that Philly Tap & Tavern customers perferred the cheesesteak sandwich served here ($11.50) over Tony Luke’s (also located in Harrah’s Philadelphia), I just had to try it for myself. After all, if you’re from Philly, you either support Pat’s, Geno’s, or Tony Luke’s. While I’m a Pat’s guy myself, I do enjoy Tony Luke’s cheesesteaks from time to time. So couldn’t wait to see how this one stacked up.

The verdict? It’s no replacement for Pat’s or Geno’s, but it’s a solid contender that’s sure to please anyone looking for a “Philly Cheesesteak”. You can even order it with Wiz, if that’s your thing. I went with provolone.

While we were pretty full at this point, we just couldn’t leave without having dessert. We ordered the Blondie Brownie Sundae, which was simply outstanding! It’s a good thing I don’t live close by, or I’d be coming here regularly for this dessert alone..

Overall, I was really impressed with the Philly Tap & Tavern, and I’ll definitely be coming back the next time I’m in the area. Maybe I’ll tackle their extensive beer selection on my next visit..

If you’re local to Harrah’s Philadelphia, be sure to stop by and check out the Philly Tap & Tavern for yourself. It might just become your new go-to spot.

Last night, I attended an advanced screening of Fast & Furious 6, and overall I was really impressed with it. Coming into the movie, I was concerned that it would follow the mindless action of Fast 5 and ignore the car-centric roots that started this franchise.

But those concerns were put to rest almost immediately, as the movie opens with Paul Walker and Vin Diesel racing through some twisties, Walker driving a GT-R and Diesel driving a new Challenger. Some things never change. A nice nod to their automotive past.

Speaking of the past, the opening credits include a montage of the past films to get the audience caught up on everything, and it’s really something else. Seeing how young Paul Walker looks in the original F&F movie reminds you that it’s been 12 years since the original movie!

Here’s a brief synopsis of Fast & Furious 6:

After the events of Fast Five, professional criminal Dominic Toretto and his crew of international thieves and drivers are wealthy, but their criminal records prevent them from returning to their home countries. Following his attempts to apprehend them, Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agent Luke Hobbs is forced to offer the crew a deal; he will give them all full pardons for their crimes if they will help him take down a lethally skilled mercenary organization led by a former British special forces officer turned criminal mastermind Owen Shaw and his ruthless second-in-command, Dominic’s thought-dead lover, Letty Ortiz.

Fast & Furious 6 delivered on all counts, giving die-hard franchise fans the car content that was missing from Fast Five, while infusing more action and firepower to appeal to a larger crowd. And while I wasn’t really sold on their choice of cars for this movie, there were some noteworthy cars to keep an eye out for.

My personal favorites? The 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda and BenSopra Nissan GT-R (both shown briefly at the end of the movie), Ludacris’ Ferrari FXX, and of course the Batman-esque Flip Car. The car that made me cringe the most? The STI riding on two wheels. WTF were they thinking?!

While there were some ridiculous parts towards the end of the movie (one in particular that had the whole theater yelling “C’mon now!”), overall I thought the movie really hit the mark. It should be interesting to see how the movie does going up against The Hangover 3 next weekend.

Stay through the credits and you’ll see a teaser for Fast & Furious 7, which looks pretty awesome!

Meet Mikaela Mayer. From teen model to world champion boxer, at 22 years old, Mikaela is definitely a force to be reckoned with. She’s hot, she’s single, and she can kick your ass!

The 5’9″ Los Angeles native Mikaela Mayer is an Olympic style boxer ranked #1 in the world. With her looks, Mikaela was set on the modeling track in her teens, but found boxing was more her style. At 17, she began her fighting career by training in Muay Thai winning all her early fights, but soon transitioned to boxing and immediately won two national titles. Mikaela was the Olympic Alternate in her weight class for the London 2012 Games and is training to win the gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Only 22 years old, Mikaela’s career is just beginning, but already off to an outstanding start:

• US National Champion 2012
• Continental Games gold medalist 2012
• World Championships bronze medalist 2012
• National Golden Glove Champion 2011 and 2009

Check out our Mikaela Mayer gallery below:

If she looks familiar to you, maybe you saw her in this Dr Pepper ad:

Good luck at the 2016 Olympics Mikaela, we’ll be rooting for you!

Photo Credit: Frances Iacuzzi Photography / Twitter

James Braly’s Life in a Marital Institution: Twenty Years of Monogamy in One Terrifying Memoir is one of the craziest books I’ve read in a long time. To all the men out their who think their marriage is crazy or hard to understand, spend some time in James’ marital institution and you’ll definitely feel much better about yours.

It’s a classic love story, really. A relatively conservative man marries an increasingly progressive woman with whom he tries (and frequently fails) to find middle ground – with a uniquely modern twist. Because in this house, progressive can mean having a high-risk homebirth, breastfeeding children past their first birthdays, and burying the placentas in the backyard – If you don’t eat them first.

These issues may sound absurd, until you consider they were featured on recent covers in Time, New York and the New York Times magazines that reached millions of readers. In other words, the world is changing, and if you ask Braly, not necessarily for the better. Life in a Marital Institution examines the clash between the old world and the new in the context of modern romance and timeless male/female dynamics and differences.

To give you a sense of what’s in store for you, James made a Top 10 Things About Marriage list:

You just got married! Congratulations!!

1. Your sex life will die the moment your first child is born. Your wife will do all she can to meet the needs of the new most important person in her life. She will not feel the need to meet the needs of the old most important person in her life. That person is you.
2. You will have sex with every woman in your neighborhood, and all your wife’s friends, and all your Facebook friends, all in your head. When you get that faraway look in your eyes and your wife asks, “What are you thinking?” you will tell her, “What?” To give yourself time to think.
3. Your sex life will improve, moments before your wife wants to make you the third most important person in her life.
4. A few months after you impregnate your wife again, she will become a woman you do not recognize, telling you she wants to have your second child in your living room, on purpose. You will think your wife is joking. Until you find yourself buying a sump pump and an inflatable kiddie pool.
5. Shortly after your second child is born, you will say to yourself, “What have I done?” Your second child will vomit on you, urinate on you, defecate on you, in that order. That’s when you will know what you’ve done.
6. You will move to a new neighborhood where your new neighbors tell you that your newborn baby’s placenta is a delicious piece of meat that is best prepared pan-roasted in cumin, or possibly curry, or something with a “C.” You will think you are a long way from home, though this is where you live.
7. You will be relieved to discover your wife would rather bury the placenta under a fertility tree than eat it, but that this is easier said than done, as burying human remains in city limits is illegal. You will start saving up to buy a country house with a little plot of land, and in the meantime your baby’s placenta will sit in a little clear plastic tub in your freezer, where you used to store the Klondike bars.
8. Your Klondike bars and anything else you enjoy made of cow’s milk will be replaced by things made of frozen soy milk, coconut milk, or almond milk, which look a lot like the vials of frozen breast milk. (Don’t eat those! They’re for your children, when your wife can’t come back from the healing circle in time to nurse them.)
9. Your children will have teeth, hair, party hats and baseball gloves as they wash down their third, fourth, fifth and sixth birthday cakes with sips of room temperature milk from your wife’s breasts. You will say, “Stop nursing the shortstop!” Your wife will smile like a Madonna breastfeeding a shortstop. The shortstop will nurse like a baby.
10. Your marriage will never, ever be crazier than mine. So relax, and enjoy yourself!

Life in a Marital Institution is a book that both married and single people can identify with, and James Braly’s hilarious and raw stories really make this book a must-read for men everywhere!

This week’s DVD Tuesday brings us two highly anticipated DVD releases – A chilling reboot of a storied horror franchise, and a star-studded near-three-hour opus that reaches for deep metaphysical meaning. Here’s what movies are worth picking up this week:

 

In 1974, enraged townspeople hunt down and kill every member of the Sawyer family for committing a series of grisly murders. Decades later and hundreds of miles away, a young woman learns that she has inherited a Texas estate from a grandmother she never knew she had. After embarking on a road trip with friends to uncover her roots, she finds she is the sole owner of a lavish, isolated Victorian mansion. But her newfound wealth comes at a price as she stumbles upon a horror that awaits her in the mansion’s dank cellars.

Future. Present. Past. Everything is connected. An exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution. The story is a time-shifting weave of six interlinking narratives, with diverse settings from the savagery of a Pacific Island in the 1850s to a dystopian Korea of the near future. Based on the New York Times best-selling novel Cloud Atlas written by David Mitchell.