goldfrapp - seventh tree

In good news for anyone who enjoys gorgeous electronica, more details of Goldfrapp’s forthcoming release “Seventh Tree” have emerged.

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Goodbye Buenos Aires

I’ve been secretly absent from Urban Monarch the past three weeks vacationing in Argentina.  Today I’m packing up for the 14 hour trip home.  Look forward to a few tips on international travel in the days to come.

dinosaur comics just isn’t that into you

UM have been fans of Dinosaur Comics for some time.  A recent series they did parodying the book “He’s Just Not That Into You” (as well as other book/publishing related items) is worth a special mention. 

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naked man steals pick up truck

The best thing about this story, of a naked man who steals a pickup truck, is chased, and finally apprehended by the rightful owners of said truck is the 2nd to the last line of the story:

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United Visual Artists

United Visual Artists created this display for a playstation promotion.  My question is how do I get these installed in my living room?

yahoo answers cracks me up

I’m currently on a quest to put together what the Nootropic crowd would call my perfect ’stack’.  A stack is a daily regimin of vitamins/supplements which aim to improve your cognitive abilities (and overall health). A stack also aims to deal with any ahem, ’special circumstances’ your body/brain may be faced with.  In my case, there are plenty of ’special circumstances’ indeed. 

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Quick Tip: Have Your Mail Held

What do you do with your mail when going on an extended vacation?  You could have your neighbors pick it up for you, or, with a few clicks through the USPS website, you could just have the post office hold it for you. Read more

top 10 tips for answering the phone at work

Although my current job is almost phone call free (hallelujiah) there was a time when I actually got paid to monitor others’ calls, and provide feedback.  Many of my suggestions at the time are included in this handy list.  If you or your employees still have a lot of customer contact via the phone, it’s worth a look.

Thoughts on Life: Drinks in Bars

When you are in a bar you should order what the regulars are having.  If you are in a dive bar, it is not the time to inquire about their top shelf vodka or what their house red is.  You’ll end up with sneers, an out of place feeling, and most likely a crappy drink.

another reason i’m glad i’m a guy

 

Here at UM, we’re always quick to point out the fringe benefits of being men.  Add this to your list, and remember it with a smile the next time you find yourself playing paint the urinal cake.  Penis Power!

One Thing I’m Obsessing Over: Hunter Douglas Skyline Window Panels

When it comes to sliding glass doors, you have very few options for window coverings.  You can do traditional curtains, hotel style vertical blinds, or more recently, hanging fabric panels.  There are a few options available for panels from Ikea and the Shade Store, but Hunter Douglas tops the line with their premium offering, Skyline Window Panels. Read more

ro sham bo explained

I’m sure all of us, at one time or another, have played a rousing game of ‘rock, paper, scissors’.  Leave it to those wily mad scientists over @ Found magazine then to dig up a philosophical take on winning everytime.

Jane Austen - Guide to Understanding Women?

Recently while chatting with one of my female friends, she brought up a rather startling insight.

“If you want to understand women Greg, you should read Jane Austen.”

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one thing i hate: unpaid holidays

Leaving the ‘normal’ corporate grind for my first contracting gig has been a slice of heaven.  A good raise, my own office, and a department that includes honest to God beautiful women?  Bonuses all.  However, when everyone started talking about the upcoming two day Thanksgiving siesta, I found myself with mixed feelings.

I realized; that’s two days without pay.  Dammit.

Breaking Bad Habits

We all have bad habits.  It’s human nature.  The skill comes in with the ability to change your life for the better.  Pick The Brain has come up with a collection of tips for breaking the habits you don’t want and keeping the ones you do.

Habits, good or bad, make you who you are. The key is controlling them. If you know how to change your habits, then even a small effort can create big changes.

A few of my favorite tactics are One Habit for 30 Days, Use a Trigger, and Write it Down.  Check out the rest at Tips for Breaking Bad Habits and Developing Good Habits.

the 30 second socializer: open your mouth

Talking, obviously, is a cornerstone of socializing.  However, simply keeping your mouth open more can make a big difference in people’s perception of you.  Lance Mason, seduction-svengali and founder of Pick Up 101 has an interesting DVD product out called “Physical Confidence” that addresses this issue.

In it he explains the complex interaction between physiology and psychology when it comes to our own sense of self-confidence, and subsequently, the image we project to others. 

The simplest suggestion?

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Manliest Drinks

While I personally think that the manliest drinks are the drinks that aren’t mixed.  This includes shots of vodka, whiskey neat, and tequila in a snifter. I guess I’ll still give the nod to this list of testosterone heavy cocktails.

We’re not talking manly drinks like Long Island Iced Teas. This isn’t about how quickly you can get drunk; nor are we talking about drinks with bad ass names like Snake Bite or Mind Eraser.

This is a list of the classics. The drinks of wise, confident men. Drinks that have been around for ages; not made-up at last year’s homecoming party at the frat bar. Think Frank Sinatra, James Bond, Ernest Hemingway, Winston Churchill…

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smart drug debate

I find the concept of congnitive-enhancement drugs fascinating. Substances like Adderall (see UM article here) and Modafinil (see UM article here), typically prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy in the elderly have proven incredibly effective ‘off label’ as work and study aids. 

In the UK, the British Medical Association is finally taking action; suggesting a public debate on the potential risks and rewards of allowing healthy individuals access to these tightly controlled substances.

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vivid-alt halloween party pictures

If there’s one thing I love, it’s hot porn stars and playing cards.  I suppose that’s two things.  Not that you’d notice, considering what your staring at.  More pictures of the gorgeous Sasha Grey (above) and her cohorts at some kind of Vivid-Alt halloween/DVD release party here.

via Laist

DNTEL - Rock My Boat

DNTEL, a solo artists whose collaborations spurred the postal service, quietly released an album earlier this year.  This single, Rock My Boat, features animation sequences that are pretty much what you would expect for an experimental glitch track.

one thing i love: pepperoni pizza from ‘the pie hole’

Bill Ward’s latest Denver venture involves a connected underground duo; B-low, a sweet, sexualized goth-deco lounge similar (in layout only) to Slim 7 and “The Pie Hole”, its next door pizza-till-5am serving neighbor.

Last night I was showing both off to a couple of suburbanite friends, and indulged in my first slice from The Pie Hole.  The pepperonis were HUGE, like 4 inches in diameter, and had a spicy bite I’ve never experienced.  Couple that tastyness with the non hipster-mafia bartender serving me, and I’m giving The Pie Hole a definite thumbs up.

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