Sprezzatura Central

Helluva Run

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:37:00 +0000

For the time being, I've decided to commit my energy to other outlets. It's not fun to write nor read posts that lack passion so I'll be calling it quits. Thanks for following along and all the enjoyable comments. Keeping up with Sprezz Central has definitely been a fun experience and who knows what the future has in store.

In the meantime, stay sprezzin'...

The Conversational Wingman

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Almost as much as I like hearing the sound of my own voice, I enjoy playing the role of conversational wingman. As a matter of fact, I take a great amount of pride in my CW capabilities.

Some people take the task lightly, but this position requires more than meets the eye. There are several points to keep in mind. The ultimate goal for a CW is to ensure that the Pilot is viewed in a positive light by the other parties. It's your job to provide credibility, biased as it may be.

Be sure to smile and keep the energy positive. But if the Pilot says a joke that falls flat... you better be throwing in a couple of "hehes". Stick with "hehes" as a LOL would probably be over the top. Save the belly laughs for the right moments.

Throughout the conversation, you must utilize head nods appropriately (which symbolize that you agree with and kinda confirm the Pilot's points). We're shooting for a rhythmitic fashion. If you catch yourself looking like a freaking bobblehead... maybe consider sitting the next few plays out.

Note that it should be a cool calm and collected head nod. Almost like a half head nod. Something along the vibes of, "Oh yea, good point, Pilot. I didn't think of that. You're really contributing alot to our little chat here."

Finally, be sure to provide strong eye contact like they're saying the most intriguing shit you've ever heard!

Playing CW might not be glamorous, but it's certainly honorable. This weekend, get out of your own head, help a friend and take your game to the next level. That's Sprezzatura.

Cracking The Code

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Someone sent me this a while ago, I'm pretty sure it was from Comedy Central. Either way, most of the following interpretations are dead on and you should enjoy.

"JOIN OUR FAST-PACED COMPANY"
We have no time to train you.

"CASUAL WORK ATMOSPHERE"
You'll be here very late, very often -- might as well be comfortable.

"MUST BE DEADLINE-ORIENTED"
Your first four projects are already way overdue.

"SOME OVERTIME REQUIRED"
Did we mention that you'll be here very late, very often? And most weekends.

"DUTIES WILL VARY"
Anyone in the office can boss you around.

"MUST HAVE AN EYE FOR DETAIL"
We have no quality control.

"CAREER-MINDED"
Female applicants must be childless.

"APPLY IN PERSON"
If you're old, fat or ugly, that position has already been filled.

"NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE"
This job listing is just a legal formality. The position was filled by some executive's nephew.

"SEEKING CANDIDATES WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF EXPERIENCE"
Due to consolidation, you'll be replacing three people.

"PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS A MUST"
This company is a total mess.

"REQUIRES TEAM LEADERSHIP SKILLS"
You'll have all the responsibilities of upper management, without the pay, title or respect.

"GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS"
Listen to management, figure out what they want, don't ask too many questions and get the shit done.

... Reading between the lines. That's Sprezzatura.

The Power of the Quick Lunch

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:30:00 +0000

There's something about meeting a friend for lunch that always brightens my day. Sure, fishing trips, Hampton weekends and baseball games are all good and fun... but there's nothing like a mid-day meal to really strengthen a relationship.

But as we get older it's tougher to sync schedules (unless it's related to business). Everyone has their own agendas which tend to get more hectic by the day.

With that said, we must adapt! It's important to throw in a twist. A friend questioned me yesterday for proposing a quick lunch. They said, "Steve, I'm in but what's the rush?"

The truth is I simply threw in the adjective because it produces a higher success rate. Admit it, there’s just something more appealing about meeting up for a “quick lunch” during the week. It’s right up there with “grabbing a bite” and yet miles away from the heinous “let’s DO lunch”.

Let’s do lunch? That’s a whole procedure. I'm thinkin appetizers, drinks, entrees... and then dessert if you're rolling with a snowball! Nobody has that kind of time to commit. Especially in Manhattan.

Keep it simple. In and out, baby. Stick to the quick lunch and let the good times roll... That's Sprezzatura.

Office Language

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Thanks to Raj for passing on this funny link from Maxim. Pretty self-explanatory, there's a couple of funny ones... Check it out.

Click here!

'Drobe-aphobia

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:30:00 +0000

There comes a point in everyone's life where they're forced to take part in the stressful experience of shopping for work attire. For guys, this can be a nightmare-you're dealing with striped, solids, and shirts with crazy designs... Then, there's that preppy vest look that's kinda sophisticated but nerdy at the same time. Don't get me started on all the different shapes and assortments of ties!

Surely it's advised to bring along a female companion with a knowledgeable fashion sense... but alas, sometimes that's simply not an option. On these occasions, the man must fend for himself in the cutthroat wilderness known as the retail world, left with nothing but his own unreliable instincts.

Such was the situation that I encountered this weekend. The determination was made that my work wardrobe could use a few additions and unfortunately, nobody was around to join me for the process.

I made sure to talk shop beforehand with my female advisors for the right ideas, still, ya never know how you actually look without a reliable second opinion. With that in mind, I headed straight to the people who I KNEW wouldn't let me down. My peeps over at Nordstrom.

In Manhattan, there are a ton of posh and pretentious stores that can frustrate the hell out of you. I actually went to one place that wouldn't even let me try on the shirts. Apparently, I was supposed to get a sense for how the clothing looked and fit just by holding the box up against a mirror. Can you believe that crap?

So I escaped to Long Island and headed straight to Nordstrom. My man Ronald the salesmen really hooked it up! He immediately showed me which fit I needed so I wouldn't be walking around like some baggy clothed high schooler. Then, Ron dawg suggested some trendy styles and colors (Purple is so fall! ... just kidding.) and helped lock down the right tie- it's all about the paisley. The whole process barely took an hour. Well done, Ronald.

Shopping can be an overwhelming experience for guys. Half the time, we don't even know where to start. Fortunately, when women are nowhere to be found there's always Nordstrom to the rescue! Best customer service in the game... That's Sprezzatura.

Just Keep It Real (Featuring Ms. Terry)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

(As discussed, there have been suggestions to add some women perspective to the site. So once again, today's post comes from a female contributor, Ms. Terry.)

Ms. Terry: Tucker Max is a brilliant 30 something year old male who abandoned a future as a prominent lawyer to pursue his true passion... women.

You know those crazy hook up stories you hear, where you think to yourself, “that's gotta be an exaggeration, no guy would ever possibly say that!” Those, my friends, are the ridiculous tales of Tucker Max.

I first learned about the man while in law school myself, and found his tales an excellent way to kill the two hours of my contracts class (OK fine, every class). Tucker's tales not only filled the boredom void, but also are a great ego booster.

Any time I'm feeling down after a bad date or heinous male interaction, I simply read a Tucker story and instantly feel better. Whatever I was going through is nothing compared to what women experience in his stories!!

Tucker is a bona fide asshole to woman, and makes no effort to disguise that fact. Hence the ever-appropriate title for his first novel, “I hope they serve beer in hell.” (Which just became a movie and opened last week!!! Woo hoo!)

Naturally his movie has generated a lot of buzz and not all of it's positive. There are many many people out there who really despise Tucker. We’re talking protests, rallying for his advertisements to be banned, even people making horridly untrue comments (I am not going there now, maybe next week).

I don’t get why these people hate Tucker so much. Unlike many single (horny) men, Tucker does not hide or mask his true intentions. He doesn't want a relationship, a date or a phone buddy; he just wants orgasms and has no problem being brutally upfront about that fact.

Though I may not agree with all of Tucker's actions, you have to support his honesty. I mean, how many of you guys have told a girl you would call her, could see a future with her, or that you wanted a relationship... when all you really wanted was to have sex with her?

This may not seem like a big deal to men but it sucks for us gals! Let's be clear, not wanting a commitment and only wanting sex does NOT make for an asshole. But if you throw in lying and deception then you're crossing the line.

Try the honesty route next time. It can lead to success, just ask Tucker!

The Street Vendor Contenders

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:30:00 +0000

In between football discussions Sunday, I had a scintillating conversation with my new buddy Joe F (to which much of this post's credit goes to) about New York's street vendors. If you think about it, they're quite a fascinating breed.

First off, you've got the umbrella sellers. Ever notice how these guys have a knack for popping out at JUST the right moment? It's a thing of beauty!

They're always ready to roll precisely as the first rain drop hits the pavement. Does anyone know where the hell they come from? Somehow these guys are always just there when ya need 'em. Then, like vampires, they vanish before sunrise!

Next, you have the cell phone stands. Interesting stuff here with lots to offer. Travel chargers, batteries, adapters, blue tooth head sets, plastic carrying cases, memory cards, data cables... These guys have EVERYTHING you could possibly ask for. Except for a phone. They never actually sell the cells. This always confused me.

Speaking of questionable situations, this brings us to the fruit vendors. Listen, I love apples and bananas as much as the next guy, it's just that I get curious because, well, think about it... They're out there all day grinding away but how do these people make a living?

It's not like they reel in Costco-like lines. I pay attention and occasionally you'll see granny warbucks pass by, haggle down a tangerine or two and hit the road... but that's about it. Seriously, what kind of profit margin are we talking from flipping a couple of grapes??

I assume the used book salesmen deal with a similar concern, but NOT the meat vendors. These guys are in a league of their own and have the potential to be like rock stars. You think i'm exaggerating? Just ask around about my man Thiru "Dosa Man" Kumar.

The following acclaim comes straight from the Vendy Awards (what, you didn't attend?)

“Thiru makes super fresh Indian food– mixed in with his own influences from Sri Lanka. All under the constraints and philosophy of veganism. He’s always exceptionally nice and professional. Everyone knows that if money is scarce, you can get a meal from him and pay later. He’s a great guy, humanitarian and environmentalist all while being one of the most legit chefs in the city. And his food is cheap. I essentially survive because of Thiru.”

With a track record like that it looks like TK's headed straight for the hall of fame. Keep up the good work! That's Sprezzatura.

One Helluva Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:05:00 +0000

When taking into consideration a person's identity, people typically emphasize certain categories- gender, age, religion...etc. Well, I'm going to propose a new attribute.

My name is Steve Rubin and I'm an "early waker". That's right, when I go out drinking, I tend to wake up the next morning at an extremely premature hour. Then I stare at the clock in utter disbelief that I only gave my body 4 hours of time to recharge. Oh, how I envy those who can sleep the day away until 2 in the afternoon. Like Bill Simmons says, if only you could purchase such an ability on EBay...

And today is Sunday, one of the most exciting days of the week. We're talking bars, football and the best night in television. It's like a TV buffet- Entourage, Curb, the start of Dexter and Californication, that new show with the fat guy from The Hangover that I'm not sure if I like yet but I'm gonna give the second episode a serious shot... I feel like a kid in a candy store!

So with all that fun right around the corner, I couldn't kill the mood by messing around in the torture chamber. That's what my bed feels like when I try to deal with early waking by forcing myself back to sleep. It never works and I'm always miserable. No, I refused to take that route and today I handled my problem head on. I took the "I'm gonna wake up, be tired as hell but have such a good time that I won't give a crap!" approach.

The first and most important task was to get some energy in the tank. My groceries were depleted so I had to gather my nutrition from external sources. Thankfully, I live right across from Dunkin Donuts.

Now I know what you're thinking. Their coffee is solid but what the hell do you eat at Dunkin Donuts?

Well, my friends, I'm about to share with you the biggest kept secret of the breakfast underworld. The eggwhite flatbread with vegetables. It's delicious, light and satisfying. The perfect "get up and go" meal. Throw in a cup of Joe and you've got the ultimate 1-2 punch. That's Sprezzatura.

Give it a shot... you'll thank me later. Gotta run, football time!

Special Project

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:09:00 +0000

It's time to switch it up and so Dr. Bob, JB and I are working on a bonus for Sprezz readers.

Keep checking in for more updates and new posts!

The Haircut Trick

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:35:00 +0000

Some men hold off a good month and half, while others return after a couple of weeks. For me, haircut time rolls around every 21 days and sadly up until recently, I was scared as hell each time that fateful moment arrived.

After all, if your barber botches up... oh boy, that's bad news. Next thing ya know, you walk out feelin about as self-conscious as a man strollin' into an exclusive night club wearing a wrinkled shirt and pants with an apple juice stain in the crotch!

And I had been enduring some rough cuts. I tried everything to improve the situation, from step by step walk throughs, to the laid back confidence booster, where you kick back and tell 'em, "I can tell you're a pro... Just work your magic, my friend." Yet somehow, I kept walking away unsatisfied.

One mistake in particular that I made was dishing out early praise. Basically, if my cut was off to a good start, then I'd flash a smile and preach out, "Nice job! Keep up the good work!" Ya know, a little positive reinforcement.

... and like the kiss of death, that's when it all went straight to hell!

I truly began to dread the haircut until one day, FINALLY, it came to me. The answer. A sure fire way to reach success! From now on, every time I hop in the seat, I simply use the magic words. No, not please and thank you. The secret is, "Hey I need you to take care of me, I've got a big first date tonight!"

Let me tell ya, I'm not sure if they take it as a personal challenge or if they're living vicariously, but suddenly you'll see this barber more in the zone than a college student cramming for finals on 4 doses of adderall!

The best part is they never catch on that I seem to have a new big date every 3 weeks... and if you think making up random situations about how I met "this girl" or brainstorming plans for the night ever gets old, you're crazy!

Yes, the haircut trick works like a charm. It really passes along the time, leads to some extremely entertaining conversation and in the end, brings results. That's Sprezzatura.

The Usual Suspects

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:50:00 +0000

Slightly dated but great article on the different types of Facebookers... Thanks to Arlene for bringing to my attention!

Click Here!

... Which one are YOU?

Bartender Fishin'

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:35:00 +0000

This Sunday, I went to a popular Manhattan bar with a few buddies to watch football. The place was PACKED which was great for energy purposes but made ordering drinks at the bar frustrating.

In really crowded situations, catching the bartender can be difficult for guys...

Men usually kick off the process using the eye contact route. Standard procedure… You hope by shooting a look in the drink slinger’s direction that you'll get acknowledged. But if 90 seconds pass and you remain unnoticed then it’s time to take action. That's right, it's time for the finger raise.

Ahh the finger raise. A full fledged wave would be too geeky but your pointer alone provides just the right touch. Here’s what you need to remember… timing is everything. One must wait precisely until entering the bartender's vision before pulling the trigger.

Otherwise, it gets really awkward as you stand there with your hand in the air… remember, you're not hailing a cab. This should be a smooth operation. Stike quick, my friend. Strike quick!

Along the way, you'll probably compete with a few money flaggers. I’m not a big fan of these characters. They break out the cash early and start waving it around to attract the target (and/or gold diggers). If you ask me, it’s a little on the tacky side.

Equally as irritating are the self-permitted orderers. You know what I'm talking about. The bartender's tied up, there's a queue of people who've waited patiently and yet these prima donnas roll up out of nowhere and start dishing out requests like they own the joint!

Still, regardless of my opinions, each of these methods have proven successful from time to time. We all have our own personal styles.

And don't worry if the environment is challenging and you're growing impatient because there's always my personal favorite approach- just have your/a girl buy the drinks for you! Women always seem to get quicker results... Why not take advantage?

Of course, it goes without say to take care of her for helping you out. That's Sprezzatura.

Random Joke That Made Me Laugh

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:45:00 +0000

It's Monday which means the mood needs to be lightened. Besides, you can never have enough humor in your life! Here's today's RJTMML, or Random Joke That Made Me Laugh. Credit goes to Nick Thune.

What's the most awkward place to run into a homeless person?

.... On your way to the Coinstar.

Have a joke/funny story? Share the laughs and submit it to sprezzcentral@gmail.com

The Dating Black Card (Featuring Ms. Terry)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:35:00 +0000

(As discussed, there have been suggestions to add some women perspective to the site. So once again, today's post comes from a female contributor, Ms. Terry.)

Ms. Terry: Summer time is over, boys. That may not mean the same thing to you as it did years ago but one common theme remains, the end of freedom. Summer is a time for flings, NSA (no strings attached) hook-ups and carefree fun... but have you ever heard of a “winter fling?”

I don’t think so. In the past, the end of summer brought the return of school. These days, it brings the return of dating. Vacation is over and it’s time to get back to work.

As if being a single 20 something in Manhattan wasn’t already hard enough, now we’re all navigating through in the current economic situation. People are making cuts everywhere, and the dating world is no exception. Many of my male friends have expressed a desire to date (ironically right after labor day) but feel as though they can’t afford to.

So my gift to you fellas this week is rather than point out those silly things you do wrong (just kidding) I am going to share with you a present and show how you can turn a “so-so date” into a WOW! date.

Here’s what you have to realize. CHIVALRY IS NOT DEAD! (Re-read that sentence) A lot of my guys joke about their lack of financial resources, “What do these girls think I have a black card or something?” Well, think of Chivalry as your black card to dating. It will open a whole new world of doors and offers a reward programs that you didn’t even know existed. The best part is… ITS FREE!

Women notice and appreciate the little things of the date, the things you don’t even realize, and these are the things that get you that 2nd date.

A woman will remember you opening her door and pulling out her chair. And while she may recall that the tasty $15 cocktail she ordered at a swanky restaurant, I assure you that such a detail will pail in comparison to your impressive use of the black card.

Yeah yeah, I know this all seems cheesy and unnecessary, but these small details can make a HUGE difference. For most women (gold diggers aside), it doesn’t matter what you spent, it’s how you treated us.

These little basic acts of chivalry make women feel special, liked, and show care. So don’t worry if that wallet is a little lighter this dating season, just member to bring your dating black card! That’s Sprezzatura.

One Man Show

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:09:00 +0000

Ya gotta love when people make it big and still hook others up... Thanks to Eric for passing on this article about how famous rapper Ludacris gave out 20 cars to people in need. That's Sprezzatura.

Click here!

The DPS Guidelines

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:20:00 +0000

Up until this weekend, I wasn’t a big fan of soda. For the most part, my beverage arsenal consisted mainly of coffee, water and vodka. Sure, sometimes I'd be in the mood for a carbonated beverage but in the past I would typically stick to the tried and true Coke or Pepsi brands.

Well that’s about to change, my friends, as I’m now part of the more prominent and exclusive community. That's right, I'm talking about the DPS, or Dr Pepper Society.

When you’re out drinking Dr Pepper, it makes a statement. Every Tom, Dick and Harry (did I really just use that phrase?) goes with Coke, Pepsi, Sprite, 7Up... etc. Nothing exciting going on there. Dr Pepper's different and shouts out “Now this might be someone exciting!”

I'm proud to join the DPS. You can be a part of the fun too, but you’ll have to read through the following “must know” information. Consider it your initiation...

First off, Dr Pepper does NOT have a period after the “Dr”. It’s not a mistake, that’s just how it’s done. And we like that.

“The others” refer to our drink as “Dr Pepper”. We, on the other hand, prefer using DP, or D Pizzle if you’re feeling kinda crazy. Dr. P, however, is out of the question. No.

Ideally, you should drink DP out of a can because it will be colder, and taste better. Plus, when you crack it open there’s that refreshing blast that lets you know you’re in for a good time. Oh, and you have to finish every last drop... even if it’s been sitting around and gotten warm. DP drinkers are closers by nature.

The number 23 typically signals greatness. Think Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

Well, DP has 23 unique flavors that provide not only an original and delicious drink but also the best chaser in the game. With the other sodas you might get a slight urge from time to time, but can always settle for the substitutes. Not with DP… When you get a DP craving, there’s no turning back!

If at a restaurant, the waitress explains that DP is unavailable and offers root beer as an alternative, you must turn it down. As a matter of fact, scoffing in her face for the mere suggestion would not be out of line. She’s clearly not part of the DPS.

However, with your newfound knowledge, you can rise above that.

Now don't get me wrong, there comes a certain amount of responsibility with being that interesting person in the room who stands out while enjoying the 23 flavors of greatness. You will undoubtably be held to a higher standard. But that’s Sprezzatura.

Can't Stop, Won't Stop.

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:35:00 +0000

The other day I went home to visit my family on Long Island and my teenage sister had invited a few friends over. Well, just being around them made me feel pretty old.

They were so happy to watch a horror movie and order Dominos ("Don't forget the cheese sticks, and oh yea cinna sticks, we GOTTA have cinna sticks!!") that it almost made me jealous. I missed that youthful innocence and enthusiasm.

Wanting to change the vibe, I busted out my iPod and ironically, the first song to hit the randomized play list was by Jay-Z.

Ahh Jay-Z. Now HERE'S a man who has embraced his age. Usually, as people acquire a certain amount of fame, they lose touch with reality. They become less motivated and appear less cool. Especially as they get older.

But not Jay-Z. He's always been the epitome of swagger. A true trend setter. And even at 40 years old, an age considered ancient for a rapper, he continues to promote that "Here's how it's done, kids. Take notes..." vibe.

You see, the true men of Sprezzatura don't focus on not being able to enjoy things of the past that would now seem inappropriate. Instead, they're too busy paving the way for what to do in the next chapter. They make the blueprint, as Jay-Z always preaches.

Look at Jack Nicholson still holding it down at Lakers games. Or how Charles Barkley retired from the NBA and has become the funniest analyst in the game. I can't think of any women examples at the moment, but I'm sure they're out there!

The point is that any event, from suddenly going bald, to having kids, to even witnessing the joy of your sisters' friends delightfully ordering late night munchies can trigger the "Holy shit! I'm getting old..." thought.

The question is, my friends, how do you react? Are you bitching or are you blue printing? That's Sprezzatura.

The Foot Story

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:02:00 +0000

You know what I love? Hilariously embarrassing stories. The ones where you look back and just have to laugh. For example, the other day, I was having lunch with a client. We didn’t know each other well and I wanted to make a strong first impression.

It started off well enough. He invited me into his office and we discussed our businesses and how we could potentially help one another. I was dressed sharp and talking a big sales game. All was going well and after about a half hour of shooting the shit, we decided to grab lunch at the café along the corner.

… And then it happened.

While sitting down, I must've had one foot crossed over the other. Well, when I went to stand up, I noticed that my right foot was DEAD asleep... I couldn’t even feel it.

What was I going to do!? He was already up and walking forward. It wasn't like I could call "time out" or convince him that his chairs were SO comfy I just wanted to sit and appreciate them... I had no choice but to try and tough it out. And if you’ve ever experienced this, you learn pretty quickly that a novocained foot is difficult if not impossible to overcome.

For the next 10 minutes, I was forced to stumble around like a bumbling retard! I still cringe thinking about the humiliation.

In utter desperation, I resorted to a Seinfeld reference - the one where Jerry's foot falls asleep- and did my best to laugh it off as we entered the elevator. Fortunately, my client was cool about it, but I wasn't in the clear just yet. When we reached the lobby the awkwardness returned. People were waiting and I still couldn’t move. “Whenever you’re ready, pal...”, one asshole scoffed my way.

(Thanks, dick.)

Still, I brushed it off and we grabbed lunch. A pleasant lunch at that. In the end, we discussed plans of future networking events, left off on a good note and I carried forward with my day... both feet completely in tact. That’s Sprezzatura.

The Perfect Episode

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:20:00 +0000

In my opinion, the formula for a successful half hour TV show =

3 memorable scenes

+ random laughs

+ can't miss character (Ari Gold)

+ cliffhanger ending.

Well, Entourage really delivered the goods this week. It was funny as hell watching Drama get tossed around like a rag doll by Vince's private security team. Then there were Ari's attempts at staying cool around Babs while Klein was MIA.

E finally called out his pedestal placed dream girl, Sloan, and said what we always wanna say to Draggers. The "car crash into his house" and "jail sell" scenes with Klein were very entertaining stuff... and all of which was capped off with the stalker ending!

Every second of the ride was enjoyable. Well done, Entourage. That's Sprezzatura.

How Women Can Embrace Fantasy Football

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:55:00 +0000

I always hear girls complain that they don’t get the whole fantasy football thing. They seem frustrated that they can’t relate to what all the guys are obsessing about for 17 weeks. So as a service to the women, here’s a simplified version of what to expect.

If you’re completely clueless about the concept of football then you’re probably very girly so maybe it’s easier to discuss it in terms of something more relatable, like Sex in the City (I’ve been forced to watch a few times!).

Let’s say you and a few friends start a Sex in the City fantasy league. You'll begin with a draft where first you decide the order among your group and then you pick characters from the cast to be on your team. To make it fair, if you had the first pick in the first round then you’ll have the last pick in the second round. There are a few roster spots. For example, maybe you'll each get:

1 Star: (Carrie, the slut, the brunette, and the red head)
1 Boyfriend: (whoever they are)
2 Random people: (any other characters that make frequent appearances)

If you get the first pick and choose Carrie, you get credit for all her actions and she’s off the board. After all the players are taken you decide a scoring system. For example:

Each time they get laid = +5 points
Each time they laugh: =+1 point
Each time they get dumped = -5 points
Each time they buy a pair of shoes = +2 points
…etc

As the season moves on, you make adjustments. Maybe you'll want to trade your team’s boyfriend and random person for your friend’s boyfriend because you have a hunch that he’s gonna have an affair and rack up those points. Or if your random person is no longer involved in the show then they're not gonna be producing for you so you'll want to replace them.

It's the same idea with football except that everything is multiplied (more positions, players, etc). Then, at the end of the season, the person who's team has the highest point total wins all the money!

Now that you're better informed, here's what you should realize. As a guy, I can tell you that fantasy football commands a ton of commitment both in terms of time and energy.

Take this into consideration when you’re with your man. Ask him how his team(s) are doing and support him. If his players aren’t performing, remind him that he drafted them for a reason and hopefully they’ll turn around. And if he got hit with an unfortunate series of events, well then it’s your job to please him in other ways!

For the next few months, fantasy football is a FORCE in the lives of men. You might as well go with the flow and be “the cool girl who gets it”. Trust me, your stock will go up big time. That's Sprezzatura.

Richie The Mover

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:06:00 +0000

Friday, August 28th had been circled on my calender for quite some time. That was my moving date into Manhattan and as exciting as living in the big city in the world sounded, the idea of transporting all of my possessions was equally as stressful.

Let's face it, there's the bed, couches, clothes, TVs, it's alot of crap to haul around. Then you gotta decide where you're putting everything and take into consideration all the feng shui stuff... I don't know feng shui!

Finally, my roommate convinced me to take a friend's referral of a moving service. I figured it would smooth along the process.

When the big Friday arrived, I kicked off the morning with a trip to to the local bagel shop and when I returned to our apartment, the crew was already inside standing around. Except that's all they seemed to be doing... standing around. Not discussing strategy, or informing me what was going to happen. They didn't even say hello back to me. Instead, they gave me a funny look with a half smile. I was getting concerned.

... and then it happened.

The door flew open, and in Kramer-like fashion, a heavy set man walked in and introduced himself as Richie. Richie to the rescue. It turned out that he was the only one who spoke English which explained the awkward silence.

From there on out it was smooth sailing. Richie was like the freakin LeBron James of moving. He taped up the boxes at lightening speed, hauled our beds down the stairs with the strength of an ox and all while dishin out orders to his seemingly clueless teammates. He was the general.

More importantly, Richie kept us completely in the loop regarding the process. He even made up fake expenses that he was voiding to make us feel like we were getting a good deal. You know what? I appreciated it!

Sometimes it pays to delegate. You can't put a price on that kind of convenience. Thanks to Richie, I was ready to officially soak up the city life by 3 in the afternoon. That's Sprezzatura.

Thanks for being so clutch, Richie!

His Secret Weapon (Featuring Ms. Terry)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:35:00 +0000

(As discussed, there have been suggestions to add some women perspective to the site. So once again, today's post comes from a female contributor, Ms. Terry.)

Ms. Terry: I’ve always prided myself on having a lot of male friends. I was the girl that could chill with the guys, without being “one of the guys”, and my female role was always prevalent.

They've benefited because I helped with their wardrobe, picked out birthday and anniversary gifts, and advised them out of countless jams with their significant others.

I've planned romantic dates, taught them how to do laundry, and so on. All of which probably deserves a metal of honor but it’s my role to stay behind the scenes.

A guy’s platonic woman friend is his secret weapon. Such a companion is incredibly useful but must be kept on the down low around his love interests.

No girl wants to hear how close another woman is with her boyfriend/guy that she’s dating. Nor do we want to hear that she’s responsible for picking out the necklace that adorns our neck. After all, we’re most likely only wearing it because it came from him (even though it totally clashes with our usual style).

Women like to feel assured that they’re his “go to girl”- the one he calls on for everything. I am not saying that guys shouldn’t have female friends, but like anything else, there is a time and place.

For example, any discussion involving female friends should definitely be kept under wraps during a first date. It doesn’t matter if this friend is married, gay or fat to the point where her stomach protrudes so far that kissing is not even a threat as it would be a physical impossibility… NEVER talk about female friends on a first date.

First dates are about getting to know each other and seeing if there is chemistry. It’s not when women want to learn about how wonderful and platonic a man’s friendship is with someone else.

I was actually on a first date with a guy, which was going pretty well until his phone started going off… it was her. Not an ex or another girl he was dating, but his female bff.

She knew we were on a date, and actually texted to see how it was going. (seriously girls, if your guy friend is on a date, don’t text an hour in for status – he’ll let you know if he needs your help and if it was that bad – he'll call you right after he escapes).

How do I know this? He told me – which was naturally followed by an explanation of who she was, how close they were and how why they were really just friends. Does that really sound like a conversation anyone girl wants to have on a date especially the first one?

I don’t think so. Keep the secret weapon… a secret. That’s Sprezzatura.

A Picture Says 1,000...

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:45:00 +0000

Warning: You can easily waste your entire day browsing around this link.

Thanks to Kevin for today's shout which is filled with infographics, or as coedmagazine.com puts it, "those clever, funny images that sum things up, lickity-split!"

Click Here!

The Tribe

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Whenever it's time to kick off the week, I always think back to Office Space's famous quote. But while I'm tempted to give in and admit, "Yea, I got a case of the Mondays... Kill me.", that attitude doesn't exactly make me feel better.

Besides, when you're part of the coffee tribe, you've got your go-to morning ritual. It's only a matter of time before you're sitting back, inhaling deep and taking in that unmistakable aroma of freshly roasted beans.

We all know a few of "The Others" that are too good for the caffeine laced beverage. Whenever the topic comes up in conversation, they'll throw out the benefits of avoiding the habit. Maybe they have a few good points but I couldn't care less. Coffee tastes great, gets the juices flowing and puts me in the zone.

I even work in a nice little rotation regarding my morning pickup. For example, Starbucks is ONLY ordered on Tuesdays. Starbucks Tuesdays. What better way to spice up the most boring day of the week than loadin' up on the franchise's double dose of caffeine? My day's flyin and the next thing I know it's already time for lunch!

It's good to be part of the tribe. So today, take solace in realizing that although it's Monday, everything is gonna be alright. Whether you enjoy iced or hot, light or dark roast, skim or whole milk, Splenda, Sweet and Low, or sugar... Your coffee never lets ya down. That's Sprezzatura.