I started watching it on netflix and cruised through the first two seasons in a matter of days. I then also obtained the first ten episodes of season 3 and flew through those as well.

In a few words, the premise basically consists of a con man (Matt Bomer) joining forces with a FBI Agent (Tim DeKay) to solve cases, with things getting complicated along the way.

The men of White Collar

While I am a straight male, I will admit Matt Bomer (as Neal Caffrey) is a good looking dude. I might even take some hair style inspiration from him in the near future. He also manages to rock a hat in a away I am envious of… perhaps because my head is the size of Shrek’s… but I digress.

Tim DeKay (as Peter Burke), the other star of White Collar, fits the part of FBI agent well. Tim has been in a lot of stuff, but I honestly only remember him from one thing, a 2007 HBO show called Tell Me You Love Me. While the show was interesting, I saw way more of Tim than I need to, we are talking full-frontal. So, if you like that sort of thing, go look that up, you’re welcome.

Willie Garson (as Mozzie) gets a chance to play it straight as Neal’s sidekick. Most people know Willie from his many years on Sex and the City. White Collar must be a nice change of pace from the pink suits and other infamous outfits he was subjected to on Sex and the City.

The ladies of White Collar

I’d like the shake the hand of the White Collar casting director. Some shows manage to cast exclusively hot ladies, White Collar is one of them. Yes she might be a little older, but Kelly Kapowski (I mean Tiffani Thiessen, left) will always be hot. Hilarie Burton (as Sara Ellis, middle) and Alexandra Daddario (as Kate, right) are high points of hotness as well.

An actual New York City show

While many NYC-based shows are awkwardly filmed on lots in LA, you can tell White Collar is actually primarily shot in New York. When I lived downtown, I actually saw White Collar production signs before I started watching the show. Sure, they put up fake news stands or ATMs, but when they are on 5th avenue, they are actually on 5th avenue. I think that’s pretty cool.

White Collar Prize Pack Giveaway (Closed)

This post is not sponsored in any way by USA Network, but since I like White Collar so much, they have provided this awesome prize pack to give away to a reader! It’s a $200 value! I wish I could scam the contest and keep it myself, but I promise not to do that.

The pack includes:

• Custom Waxwear Shoe Bag
• Izola Shoe Brush
• Jet Black Playing Cards in Large Box
• White Collar Season 1 DVD
• Custom Reporter’s Notebook
• Black Long Sleeve Shirt
• Cable Knit Scarf

If you haven’t watched any White Collar, look it up on netflix or enter to win the DVDs above. Otherwise, be sure to catch the next new episode on Tuesday (1/17) at 10/9c on USA. I confess, I got to watch it early and it’s a great one!

Here is a preview…

I make no secret of the fact that I am a huge Beavis and Butt-Head fan.

To the dismay of my parents, my younger brother and I spoke exclusively in the Beavis and Butt-Head voices (he Beavis, me Butt-Head) for a few years.

Every year on Christmas Eve, a tradition that continues to this day, we sit down and watch Beavis and Butt-Head ‘Do Christmas.’ If you’ve never seen it, I strongly recommend you check it out.

One night in college (around 2001), it was about 3AM and I saw a Time Life Video commercial for Time Life Beavis and Butt-Head, a 6 DVD collection (which includes the above mentioned ‘Do Christmas’ special). I have never jumped out of bed to order anything so fast in my entire life.

Beavis and Butt-Head return on Thursday 10/27 and 10PM EST!

And now, a Dude Society Testimonial from Butt-Head…

New Season Trailer

In one episode Lynne is tasked with recruiting new girls for the harem, and takes to checking ladies for Brazilian waxes and fondness of anal. Ok, you’ve got my attention.

Sadly, it appears Brianna’s run on Homeland might be short-lived. I won’t elaborate on that at risk of spoiling the show. I am definitely going to keep my eye out for Brianna’s upcoming projects, and you should too.

I am typically skeptical of new series, but Homeland has proven fantastic so far. I highly suggest you watch it, especially if you were ever a fan of 24 on Fox.

If you aren’t interested in Brianna yet, this should help

Brianna Brown on twitter

Homeland on Showtime

On release day, September 13th, target.com was slammed with traffic and down for a good part of the day. During sporadic intervals the website worked enough to place orders. The next day, thousands of items popped up on ebay for heavily inflated prices.

Out of sheer curiosity, I placed an order for two Missoni for Target neckties, at a steep price of $24.99 each.

Missoni for Target Purple/Pink Zig Zag necktie, worn with theory shirt and Ferragamo tie clip.

For the $25 price tag, the quality of these ties is quite good. The ties I most often wear are theory, and typically cost $98 (however, I usually snag them for less at sales). Will these replace my theory ties? Absolutely not, but they are some slightly more vibrant options to keep around.

Being as OCD as I am, I often quickly find fabric defects or snagged threads on most ties. Contrary to that, these Missoni for Target ties look pretty good as you can see.

Unfortunately, all the men’s Missoni for Target items are sold out at the moment but you can view the entire Missoni for Target men’s accessory collection on target.com.

You really don’t know or trust this chick, yet you take everything she says at face value. You may be setting yourself up to be played.

Communication with a new girl can be tricky, no doubt about it. As a chick myself, I’ll be honest and tell you we often don’t say what we mean. It’s like a minefield of words. We really should make some sort of chick translator to help you dudes out.

In an attempt to clear up some of the most commonly confused statements, I’m cluing you in with a little insider girl info.  You’re welcome!

“I’ve just got a lot going on right now.”

What she means: “I would rather spend my time doing anything else than spending time with you.”

“He’s just a friend.”

What she means: “I have hooked up with this guy before but it didn’t go anywhere” or another option would be “I am considering hooking up with him in the near future but want to cover my bets and keep you around in the meantime.”

“My friends would bore you/get on your nerves/etc”

What she means: “I don’t want you to meet my friends because either I don’t think you will be around that long or I don’t want them to tell you about the shit I usually pull on guys I date.”

“This just isn’t working for me.”

What she means:  “You’re boring the shit out of me.” Or, worst case scenario?  “You’re not getting me off.”

Women are not the easiest creatures to try and figure out.  You have my complete sympathy when trying to deal with one of us.  You would hope that if they are bothering to say something to you, that it really is as simple as the words she is saying. Unfortunately, that might not always be the case.

When visiting a place for a short amount of time, one night in this case, finding the right hotel is important. We had a 30th birthday party to attend, but also wanted to do some exploring.

We didn’t have car, so needed to be near public transportation and also wanted to be in a central location close to the typical Boston tourist stuff. My girlfriend had never been to Boston, so doing the most we could in our just over 24 hour stay was important.

After doing some online research we settled on the Four Seasons Boston. The Fairmont was in close contention, but when I asked a Boston-based buddy, I was told Four Seasons no-contest.

Arrival

The Four Seasons is a fairly unassuming building on Boylston Street, in the Back Bay area of Boston. It is directly across from the Public Garden section of Boston Common.

We were greeted immediately upon on entering and directed towards a very substantial front desk. We were lucky enough to be to treated to an upgraded room with a view of Boston Common, so that was a very welcome surprise.

After checking-in we were escorted across the expansive lobby to the elevators (pictured left).

The Room

The room was nicely sized for a city hotel, with the impressive finishes you’d expect from a place like the Four Seasons. While some rooms have a ‘city view’ (aka a view of the next building over), ours had a nice view of the Public Garden.

The bed was impressively neat. Granted, that’s what housekeeping does for a living… but still impresses me.

The room also featured a nice reading chair and ottoman. I don’t much care about that, but chicks like that kind of stuff.

The bathroom is fairly standard for a high-end hotel. If I had one complaint, it would be the slightly below-average water pressure in the shower. However, as a frequent Vegas visitor, I’m always (unfairly) disappointed when a hotel bathroom doesn’t compare to one at the Bellagio… then I try to return to reality. The space and marble finishes are quite nice.

Overnight

Upon returning from our night out we found a personalized note along with some small dessert items. As you may notice, my girlfriend nibbled on one before I was able to snap a photo. Nice touch.

The bed was quite firm but comfortable. I happen to like firm mattresses and have one at home, but if you’re used to some pillowy thing, it might be an adjustment.

If you know me, you know I am big on air conditioning. I usually have it blasting pretty much year round, especially while I am sleeping. Typically, the first thing I do when I set foot in a hotel room is plunge the thermostat to its lowest setting. I was ready to call the front desk and complain my A/C wasn’t working until I realized it was working but essentially silent. In my NYC apartment the A/C units sound like a small plane engine, so I am used to audible reassurance.

This might seem like an asinine thing to fixate on, but from an OCD person like myself, the Four Seasons Boston gets a high grade on climate control! (Unlike the Bellagio in Vegas, where the A/C struggled big-time during the summer)

Brunch

While I am generally anti-brunch, I am very pro-hotel buffet. The Bristol Lounge offered a very nice brunch buffet. Since I have the palate of an eight year old, I would have liked to seen classics like pancakes or waffles. However, an ample supply of breakfast potatoes, bacon, and wide variety of pastries, suited me just fine. Fresh juice was included in the price, which is not always the case at nice hotels.

I did not have an opportunity to try it, but I hear the Bristol Lounge serves a wicked (to steal some Boston lingo) burger, so I will have to give that a shot next time.

Surrounding Area

It was an overcast day, but the Public Garden was still quite nice. From the bridge you can get a good look at the Four Seasons. The upper floors with the best views, above the tree tops, are reserved as Four Seasons Residences, with a separate entrance adjacent to the hotel entrance.

Conclusion

If you need a place to stay in Boston, and aren’t super budget-conscious, the Four Seasons is a great choice. And, if you’re looking to impress a lady, it will probably do the trick.

As a nice bonus, unlike many hotels, they are extremely responsive to questions or feedback on twitter (@FSBoston).

Four Seasons Boston
200 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts
http://www.fourseasons.com/boston/

When faced with the memory of an ex-girlfriend, there are a few things you can do:

Stalk her on all available social media outlets

Technology has made hanging on to the memory of an ex easier than ever.  In the past, your options were to physically follow her around or continuously call her and hang up. Now, all you have to do is check her status update, read her latest tweet, or see where she checked in on Foursquare. She’s not going to fool you with the pictures she posts of her smiling in the arms of her new man. She’s miserable without you, even if you’re the only one who can see it.

Show up where you know she will be on a Friday night

Never underestimate the power of an uncomfortable run-in with your ex while she is out with her friends, or better yet, with her new dude. I’m sure she will be glad she ran into you and totally open to talking about the good old days with you instead of hanging out with her friends and/or current boyfriend.  It won’t make you seem creepy in the least.

Keep in touch with her friends

Just because the two of you broke up doesn’t mean that her friends don’t want to hear about how much you want her back.  Make sure you frequently text or Facebook message her friends and ask them how she is doing and if she is dating anyone.   Let them know you would really like to get back with her and ask them to pass along the message. I’m sure they would be happy to plead your case. Maybe even ask her hot friend to go out with you, that would for sure help her realize what she is missing out on.

Obsess over every picture, text, and memento (especially the dirty ones)

Nothing says “I’ll never get over you” like looking at every picture you have of her and re-reading every text message she ever sent you. She wouldn’t have let you take the dirty photos if she didn’t want you to keep looking at them, right?

Make sure you keep a box under your bed with any cards, gifts, or left-behind pieces of clothing. That way you can take them out and relive those moments at will.

Moral of the story…

If you are looking to prolong the pain of a breakup, make her really uncomfortable, and completely confirm to her that you are indeed a psycho that she totally needed to get rid of, feel free to do the above mentioned things.

If you prefer to maintain some dignity and let both of you move on to better relationships, avoid doing any of the above actions at all costs.

Nearly 2 to 1, women said they would rather get a funny or flirty text than a phone call.

A few years ago, I was consistently told by female friends that not calling (as opposed to texting) when you got a number was a big no-no. So, based on that advice, I always called girls after getting their phone numbers, despite generally being nervous talking to new people on the phone.

It seems the tables have turned in the last few years.

After being surprised by the poll results, I consulted some female friends to get updated opinions. These days, it seems like women are more selective about who they talk to on the phone. Either they are simply nervous speaking to new people, or feel caught off guard by randomly getting a phone call from someone they don’t really know.

A few women have suggested it’s best to get a flirty text, which implies an upcoming phone call. That way, you’re not ambushing them with a phone call, but you’re not being one of those text-only pussies.

Is texting the new standard of behavior for us dudes?

There are still some ladies who want a phone call, but it seems like the number is falling as time goes by. Between us dudes, ladies who have often been dicked around or lead on by guys via text seem more inclined to want a phone call… so, that’s something to keep in mind.

Whether you call or text as a first contact… when it comes to asking a girl out on a date, I still suggest calling.

Have you had any noteworthy first call or text experiences?

But, what if your girl is sporting the full-on natural look? You fear you may get lost (or chafed) should you want to spend some time down there?

How can you help encourage a little deforestation?

This can be a tricky situation and approaching it with tact is key.

There are many reasons why some women choose to stay with the natural look.  Some cite hygienic benefits, as the hair acts like a barrier from exposure to a variety of things. Maybe it is due to cultural reasons… Maybe she sees it as a sign of maturity… Or, maybe she has just never really thought about it and it has never been brought up to her. Who knows?  One thing that is for sure is that, whatever the reason, chances are she would at least consider a modification if the case was made properly.

There are a few reasons men prefer the less-is-more approach to pubic hair on women. Let’s be honest here, porn is likely the primary one. These days, in most porn there isn’t a pubic hair to be found. While I understand it, this is a pretty selfish reason, so best not to focus on that one when making your case to a lady.

Instead, focus on the more sensory-related rationales.

First, most people who have shaved their nether regions (male or female) know that everything tends to glide better when smooth. Hence, when these isn’t coarse hair in the way, sex tends to feel better.

Second, a woman’s parts are a little more complex than a man’s, so a clear view of the situation can be very helpful. Hairy or bare, a dick is still a dick, it’s not that complicated. Saying you want a clear field so you can give her your best oral performance is a way better explanation than “hey babe, shave that shit, I want you to look like the chick in the porno.” Are you with me?

Third, when it comes to going down on someone, nobody wants a mouthful of hair. Plus, few guys I know want to make out with a Brillo pad.

Your approach will depend on a few factors such as how long you have been together and what your comfort level is with one another. The better you know someone, the easier it is to bring up potentially sensitive subjects.

So, how do you tackle this touchy issue?

Here are a few ideas:

1. Lead by example: You need to be willing to do what you are asking her to do. You can’t be completely unkempt and ask her to go Brazilian. You don’t necessarily need to wax your business, but you should basically sport what you would like to see in return. If it’s a change from your norm it will most like not go unnoticed and may lead into a conversation about why it came about.
2. Mention something you read or overheard:  Open with an observation or comment on an article or conversation that had something interesting to say about women’s grooming habits or trends (one example are the TV commercials for women’s shavers that show actual bushes shaved into shapes). Ask her what her thoughts are on it, and listen closely to her answer. If she seems uncomfortable or defensive, might be best to revisit this another time. If she seems open, this is a good opportunity to focus on the talking points we discussed above.
3. Just be direct: Sometimes, putting it out there as simply and directly as possible will get the job done.  Tell her straight out that you really want to bring her as much pleasure as you can and that you could do it so much better if she could help you out a bit by removing distractions and letting you get down to work.  Tell her that seeing her bare/trimmed would really turn you on (best not to mention the porn specifically). Offer to make it a sexy couple’s activity that you can do together, if you think she would be into that.

Whatever approach you choose, it is important that it be done in a sensitive, non-critical way. Girls can range from laid back to totally uptight when it comes to someone having an opinion about how they maintain their lady parts.  You don’t want to embarrass her, make her feel uncomfortable, or give her a reason to call game off on sex with you altogether. Nobody wins in that situation.

A few years ago, shortly after moving back to NYC, I met a girl on Match. We chatted via email for a week or two and went out on two excellent dates. I did everything right and she was totally into me by the end of that second date…

As scheduling would have it, I was slated to go out of town with my family for a week soon after, and I knew I wanted to go on another date with this girl before leaving town. We all know a lot can happen in a week, so I wanted to be fresh in her mind before leaving.

The only night we could arrange to see each other was one when she already had plans with a group of friends, but she invited me to join. Rather than encouraging her to do something alone with me before or after her other plans, I agreed to join the group.

Awkwardness ensued…

I arrive at her apartment to find the girl, her roommate, and a number of their mutual friends. I’m hardly in the door, someone makes a reference to a gay bar, and I made a joking comment like “If we are going to a gay bar, I need to get mentally prepared!”

Now, if you know me at all by now, you’d know I meant nothing by such a joke. Gay dudes are great, we typically have quite a lot common, minus our attraction to other men. However, I rounded the corner in the apartment to meet their gay friend, who didn’t know me at all but now obviously thought I was kind of a dick.

I recovered from that minor setback, we did some more introductions, and we headed out to the bar (at a trendy hotel in Chelsea). I managed to get some brief alone time at the bar with girl, and I tried to make the best of it, but it was limited.

The minefield continued…

Two of the other group members happened to be two extremely attractive, and supposedly extremely religious/conservative girls. Yet, they were dancing with each other like extras in a Lil Jon video (aka very provocatively). We were all in a tight area at this point, so I probably watched them a little more intently than I should have been. When I’m hanging out with platonic female friends in a group like this, I’m used to acting however I want, so I think my mind slipped out of date-mode momentarily. It truly was 100% unintentional.

Finally…

We finish up at the bar and get in a cab back to her place (with her roommate). Over the course of this ten minute cab ride, I was trying to schmooze with her roommate by talking about a movie she had auditioned for recently. Evidently, not being cast in said movie was a very sore subject for her. Slightly drunk Jamie wasn’t so in touch with the subtleties of the situation, so I kept asking about it much more than I should have. As I remember it, I was joking around, and she probably took me seriously.

We arrived back at the girl’s place, her roommate went upstairs, and we stayed outside for a couple minutes. We kissed, and it was fine, but the palatable energy that had been there on the first two dates wasn’t nearly as strong this time around…

The Lesson

I went on the trip with my family as planned, left her a voicemail and sent an email while I was away, but I never got a call/email back. It really sucked. Ironically, I was extremely puzzled at the time. It was only after careful analysis in hindsight I realized the possible ways I had really messed this up. Never before had two dates gone so well, only to nose-dive after one more.

Were these oversights my fault? Yeah, pretty much. However, when tossed into a group date setting like this, it is really easy to f*ck up, even with the best intentions. That is my warning to you. Meeting the friends is great, when the time is right.

Do you have any awkward group date stories?