#547 - 13 Mistakes You Make Each Morning

13 Mistakes You Make Each Morning

By: Marushka Mujic


Let’s not mistake the early morning for an easy task. Though there are some who manage to jump effortlessly from slumber to the bathroom sink, this particular breed hails from alien planets and possess superhuman powers to resist the all-too-common mayhem that is our morning routine. For the rest of us, who happen to stumble and scorch ourselves with hot coffee, here’s a check list of the little things.

#1 Waking Up On The Right Side Of The Bed

The first and biggest mistake most commonly made at the day’s beginning is starting off on the wrong foot. After an unappetizing dream, a poor sleep or a generally stressful set of days, the mindset with which we greet the morning is absolutely essential. Famed author of 30 best selling books, motivational speaker and PHD, Dr. Wayne Dyer has assembled a of morning meditations series addressing the importance of this exact moment. Starting with a prolonged ‘Ah’ sound, Dyer says the following words to himself: “I know that I can connect my mind with the divine mind and guarantee myself peace in any moment.” By coming up with a morning mantra, you immediately increase your chances of creating a positive and fulfilled day.

#2 Immediate Hydration

After you’ve told yourself a positive affirmation, your immediate next step should be reaching for a bottle of water on your bedside. Do your best to drink the entire portion before addressing another task. The effect of water on your metabolism in the morning is monumental, waking up your digestive system before dehydrating it with your much needed coffee.

#3 Bathroom Breakdown

Create a morning routine in the bathroom of rinsing your face with luke warm water and a drop of soap. Even if you’re not inclined to utilize an expensive face wash, your skin craves water as do plants - constantly.

#4 Breakfast

For some of us, eating breakfast regularly can be a considerable challenge. But, while our bodies may not feel hungry, skipping the first meal of the day is a notable detriment for those interested in maintaining a healthy metabolism (i.e. hopefully, everyone). It doesn’t need to be a hefty helping of eggs and side sausage. In fact, eating a small piece of fruit, yogurt, small bowl of oatmeal or egg-white omelette is better for your body than bombarding it with heavy fats and carbohydrates such as those generally found in typical ‘American breakfasts.’ And for those of us on the run, easy-to-grab yogurts and bananas, leave no excuse.

#5 Vitamins

Vitamins are rarely considered as an essential staple of our daily routine, let alone in the hectic morning, but by simply swallowing a few tablets with your morning meal you motivate bodily health immediately. Try a double dose of Vitamin C for superb energy and Vitamin D (organically found in the feeling given to us by natural sunlight) for healthy blood levels. After a few weeks of consistently reminding yourself to power up with pill capsules in the morning, your body will chart an apparent difference in abundance of energy.

#6 Caffeine Overload

While the first few hours of a day seem to challenge our eyelids’ ability to remain open at the office desk, over-fueling on caffeine is one of the worst and most common mistakes made by working individuals. By artificially stimulating the senses at such a fast and intense rate, it communicates to our bodies a dependancy on the substance that you won’t be able to shake for the day’s remainder. Moreover, caffeine highs always result in devastating lows, causing you to crawl back to the coffee pot and repeat the sick cycle all over again.

#7 Screen Addiction

Though we are now accustomed to leaning over and instantly checking the interface of our iPhones, setting our eyes against a screen first thing in the morning molds our brain’s agility for the rest of the day. Upon waking and saying aloud an affirmation to yourself, look out the window, focus your eyes on the sky outside, stand outside for a minute and inhale the coming day. This way, when you are ready to reach for your smartphone, your prior personal peace will save you from even the most overwhelming situations.

#8 Exercise

Getting physical activity in the AM hours is one of the most inspiring and beneficial ways to begin a day. Not only does it activate your metabolism and motivate your body to effortlessly digest throughout the day, it also focuses you mentally. By overcoming the mental obstacle of forcing yourself into physical challenge, you prove to yourself your ability to conquer tasks your brain fears. More than that, the endorphins released as a result provide better positivity than any caffeine could manage.

#9 Deodorant

Whether or not you support the wearing of cologne, deodorant is an important pit spot (pun intended). Nothing’s worse than rushing to work, throwing yourself at your office desk and glancing down only to see a sweat ring releasing terrible fumes for onlookers in the surrounding area to suffer from. To be careful, it’s best to keep a stick tucked away in your desk drawer or glove compartment.

#10 BRUSH YOUR TEETH

Though it sounds terribly elementary to tell an adult about the importance of teeth brushing, a recent survey revealed that the total days on average an American spends brushing their teeth is 38.5. Moreover, 50% of people confessed that a smile is the first noticed facial feature, which should motivate you to keep yours from yellowing.

#11 Stretch Your Sleep Limbs

Stretching every morning can increase your overall flexibility by leaps and bounds. Simply stand up straight, inhale your arms up, bend over at the waist and gently reach for your toes. Though it may feel straining, do your best to breathe into the stretch rather than against it. You should feel a slight pull in your hamstrings, which can also be found by doing this stretch on the ground, legs stretched out long before you, while bending forward at the waist. To loosen hip and groin tightness sit with the soles of your feet together and gently push your knees toward the ground.

#12 Visualize

Along with morning meditation is a mental habit known as “visualization.” This entails calming your senses and stepping into an emotional reality of your projected desires, whether it’s snagging that promotion or climbing Yosemite. This act of experiencing, in all five senses, your ultimate goal, guides your body, mind and heart toward achieving this dream. Close your eyes, visualize your intended place, feel the surroundings, smell the air there, taste the delectable meal and memorize this feeling in your body. As a result, you are subconsciously constantly connected with your greater life goal and driving force.

#13 Write It Out

Writing a brief journal entry in the mornings is known to increase likelihood of daily organization and focus. Write out a simple note of all that you’re going to accomplish by day’s end, chronologically organized by importance. Instead of thinking of this as a to-do list, consider it a done deal. By writing it out, it is going to happen. You don’t need to obsessively check off tasks accomplish, but rather calmly look the list over at sundown and see how well you did. If there’s a few points left, don’t register a feeling of disappointment in yourself. Capitalize on all that you did accomplish and simply transfer these remaining items to tomorrow’s early morning entry.

Source: mademan.com

#546 - Best Rules for the BEST Best Man Speech

Best Rules for the BEST Best Man Speech

Avoid insulting the groom with these toasting tips.

by Matthew Libassi | FNC iMag

You hear the “tink tink tink” of the champagne glass which can only mean one thing… it’s time for the best man’s speech. You clear your throat, take your last sip of that not-strong-enough martini, grab the mic and panic ensues. Is your speech funny enough? Should you have left out that one college story? Did you forget to mention the bride? This is something Communications 101 could never prepare you for. So what do you do? How do you start? What do you say? Here are the top 5 tips to giving a killer speech without killing yourself.
1) Think Before You Write
Really remember your relationship with the groom. There’s a reason you’re the best man. Were you best friends since kindergarten? HS buddies or college roommates who always had each other’s backs? The point of the speech is to really delve deep into your past, while simultaneously looking forward to the future; focus on the good times had and the good times still to come. So really think about what he means to you… in that bro-mance sorta way.
2) Find That Special Memory
Pick out the one story or moment between you and the groom that stands out. Is it the first time you met at swim lessons in first grade? Or are your memories a bit more recent (however fuzzy). Maybe it was the frat party where you stumbled back at 4am or how about when you and your bro once pranked Mom so badly, you were grounded for a month? No matter what it is, find a unique memory that stands out and make this the meat of the speech.
3) ALWAYS Compliment The Bride
You may want to start with, “First off I’d like to say congratulations and Mary-Jane you look beautiful.” This helps break the first-word-jitters, and will let you slide into the rest of the speech. You should also make the groom feel special, and talk about the couple’s connection - compliment the strengths in their relationship. It’s their day for celebration. Quick note- if you really don’t know the bride too well, just focus on the groom and leave her to the maid-of-honor
4) Practice Makes PerfectREHEARSE! Whether you’re in the shower or walking around the house, repeat the speech until you can spit it out in five different languages. Write it down first and then memorize it! And keep it short. The speech really shouldn’t be more than three minutes, so at the wedding - no crib sheets!
5) Know What NEVER To SayThere are some definite DON’TS! For example, DON’T…
- Drink too much before your speech.
- Insult the bride or groom.
- Tell a dirty joke.
- Talk about ex-girlfriends or one-night stands.
- Curse or say how you really don’t think the couple is meant to be … tell some little white-
lies if you have to.
Any of these DON’TS will make you look tacky, careless, and disrespectful. It's easy to kill the mood in an instant, so keep it short, to the point, funny, sentimental or both. Speak from the heart, speak with truth, and toast with gusto. And if you need that extra boost, don’t forget, liquid confidence really does go a long way.

Excerpt from: fncimag.com

#545 - Don't Use It!

A credit card is a license to pretend!

Source: DaveRamsey.com Mary Quote

#544 - John Wooden Quote

"Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."

-John Wooden
Former Coach, UCLA Basketball

#543 - Unknown Author Quote

"Meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice, but falling in love with you was beyond my control."

-unknown author

#542 - Toughest

You won't always be the strongest or the fastest...but you can be the toughest.

excerpt from: 1001 rules for my unborn son

#541 - Don’t Be That Guy

Don’t Be That Guy: The Taxonomy of Lousy Male Friends

We all know “That Guy,” and we all have at least one in our group of friends.
He’s the one scalawag who is generally pleasant to hang out with except for one glaringly painful characteristic. Although there are different species of That Guy, some far more deplorable than others, they all have one thing in common: they often piss their friends off without knowing it.
Today, you’ll learn about the various forms of That Guy, how to react should you find one in your midst, and how to evolve in case you are That Guy.

The Poor Sport (Crybabial Sporticus)

Characteristics: The Poor Sport is dreadful to play against in any sporting event or competition. He complains incessantly about bad foul calls in pick-up basketball, a weekend golf match among friends causes a temporary loss of arithmetic skills, and he will never accept blame for a loss, no matter the occasion. The cards are unlucky in a bad poker loss, the controller is faulty in a video game defeat, and the racquet is the reason for a poor tennis performance. In his own mind, he can do no wrong.
How to deal with That Guy: To start, don’t let him get away with cheating. If you know he counted incorrectly in golf, kindly remind him about the six shots it took him to get out of the bunker. If you defeat him in any competition, brace yourself for a torrent of expletives and excuses, but don’t fan the flames. Although you might want to defend your stellar performance or yell at him for being a crybaby, everybody around you already knows the truth: your friend is a sore loser.
How to evolve if you are That Guy: Go ask a few people about their worst “bad beat” in poker. Exhausted of the complaining yet? This is what you sound like to your friends ALL THE TIME. First of all, stop cheating in golf – your life won’t change if you post a 79 or a 119, and your friends ARE keeping track of your score whether they admit it or not. Show a little sportsmanship and integrity. If you lose to your friends at Halo, pick-up basketball, tennis, scrabble, bocce, cards, whatever – take it like a man, and accept defeat. Everybody loses at some point and nobody wants to hear excuses. Get over it.

The Mooch (Dudicus Moochalum)

Characteristics: The Mooch never has any money, brings any food, or provides any shelter; he instead leeches off of those around him. Think Cosmo Kramer in real life. The cause is most likely an allergic reaction to ambition. The last beer in the case, the final ice cream bar in the freezer, and any leftovers in the fridge tend to disappear whenever he’s around. A Mooch’s wallet gets “accidentally” left at home quite frequently, and he is always a pain to track down for repayment of money borrowed.
How to deal with That Guy: The Mooch usually understands his unfortunate situation, but he’s often too lazy to do anything about it. If you’re feeling magnanimous, help him find a job; just be careful who you recommend him to because it’s your reputation that’s at stake. Now, until he finds employment, do what you can to keep him him in line: keep track of how much money you’ve loaned him and consider charging 10% interest each week until the debt is repaid. Don’t be afraid to call him out when he eats the last Oreo either, because that’s just not cool.
How to evolve if you are That Guy: Stop being lazy and get a job (and if you have a good job, quit mooching: the only thing worse than a poor mooch is a well-off cheapskate). Secondly, NEVER take the last one of something that isn’t yours unless you plan on replacing it. Try chipping in every once and awhile too – show up unexpectedly with a case of beer or volunteer to buy the first round of drinks. I don’t care if you have to rob somebody first, always repay your financial debts to friends within 24 hours, no exceptions. Now, if you already have a job and you’re still poor, find another way to contribute: are you a good cook? Do you have connections at a restaurant or movie theater? Do what you can to make up for your lack of funding – your friends will appreciate it.

Mr. Unreliable (Amigus Bail’Outicum)

I told the flake to pick me up at 7. Damnit!

Characteristics: It’s never known if Mr. Unreliable is actually going to show up, no matter how many promises have been made. He often signs up for an engagement before backing out at the last minute. “On time” to him usually means at least an hour late. Getting Mr. Unreliable to commit to something that requires an upfront financial deposit is like pulling teeth. Rather than saying no to an obligation, he’ll give a noncommittal answer that allows him to bail out at the last minute with a lame excuse via text message, thus avoiding confrontation.
How to deal with That Guy: Always expect Mr. Unreliable to not show up, and then be pleasantly surprised if he does! If you’re planning a trip with him, make sure to get some sort of financial commitment before putting up your own money – when he tries to back out this time, allow him to only do so if he can find a replacement. At that point, it’s no longer your responsibility. Not surprisingly, you should rely upon Mr. Unreliable as little as possible.
How to evolve if you are That Guy: Your friends don’t think you’ll show up to anything anymore, and eventually they’ll just stop calling. Change that perception by actually showing up to stuff consistently! What a novel idea, I know. Now, if you get invited to an event you don’t want to attend, be up front with your friends and tell them not to expect you. Lastly, start showing up on time. Arriving late consistently tells your friends that your time is more valuable than theirs. Show up at the right place at the right time.

The One-Upper (Betterum Than’Youicus)

Characteristics: Reeking of superiority and elitism, the One-Upper is a constant name-dropper of famous people and locations. During story time, the One-Upper must always ensure that he appears the strongest, best, had the toughest life growing up, drank the most beers, and/or met the coolest people. This is mostly due to a strong sense of insecurity, causing a need for constant affection and attention.
How to deal with That Guy: As tempting as it is to get into a pissing match with the One-Upper, the best course of action is to give him his small moment of glory, because he clearly needs it. As explained in Ben Franklin’s Virtuous Life Series “People may talk about that guy’s exciting story the next day, but they’ll remember how much of a gentleman you are years later.” Be thankful you don’t base your self-worth on how much attention you can get. Go about your business, do great work, and the results will speak for themselves.
How to evolve if you’re That Guy: Nobody really cares how many famous people you know, how much you can bench, or how much better you are at something than everybody else. Start by letting other people have the spotlight every once and a while; continually one-upping your friends is a surefire way to piss everybody off. Instead, pick your battles and share stories when appropriate – not to brag, not to show off, but just to share a great story.

The Fibber (Fullofum Crapolakis)

Characteristics: The Fibber can stretch the truth like a penny-pincher can stretch a dollar. Known to tell dull stories that suddenly become way more exciting (and ultimately completely unbelievable), The Fibber is also known for creating inane excuses when trying to weasel out of any scenario. The Fibber is closely related to Mr. Unreliable and the Poor Sport for similar “lack of truth” qualities.
How to deal with That Guy: Take everything The Fibber says with a grain of salt and don’t bother wasting your time trying to trap him in a lie: he’ll simply get defensive and start weaving another web of lies. Just be thankful that you’re not a liar and take solace in the fact that people can rely on your word. Now, if the lies start to become disruptive to the group, pull the person aside and have a serious conversation about the lies in private rather than calling him out in public.
How to evolve if you’re That Guy: You know you’re lying, your friends know you’re lying, and that hole you’re digging for yourself is only getting deeper. Instead of creating new tall tales and more complex lies to cover for the old ones, just freaking tell the truth and wait until you actually have a good story to tell! Your conscience will thank you and so will your buddies.

Other Lesser Known Species of That Guy

Other than the five prominent species of That Guy listed above, there are actually quite a few others who might be lesser known but are no less abysmal:
The Flip Flopper (Fencium Sitterus) – Having no opinion of his own, the Flip Flopper will alter his beliefs depending on who he’s talking to and who he’s trying to impress. He is generally classified as an invertebrate for lacking a backbone.
The Loud Mouth (Pieholus Gigantum) – This chump cannot keep his mouth shut, whether it’s keeping a secret, talking during a movie, or putting down another friend when he’s not around. The Loud Mouth generally should not be trusted with any important information unless it needs to be shouted from the rooftops.
The “Takes It Too Far” Guy (Over The’Lineicus) This poor soul lives life to the extreme a little too often. He’s generally the one that always gets WAY too drunk at parties, takes jokes too far after they’ve become unfunny, and gets offended over things that nobody else would ever take personally. Tact is pretty much non-existent.
“The Garbage Man” (In’lovum with Jesses’girlikus) – The Garbage Man has no problem attempting to date his friend’s ex-girlfriend, because he lacks the skills to move outside of the social circle and meet new people. The most despicable variation of this species will attempt to date his friend’s current girlfriend, which generally results in an ass-kicking.

excerpt from: The Art of Manliness guest post from Steve Kamb.

#540 - Walt Michaels Quote

"Everyone has some fear. A man who has no fear belongs in a mental institution. Or on special teams."

-Walt Michaels Former Coach, NY Jets

#539 - Don't Smoke Cigarettes

Don't smoke cigarettes.

-Love Dad

#538 - Opportunities

If you see an opportunity seize it.
But recognize that there may be limits to the extent to which you can exploit an opportunity, and you will be ineffective if you try to push beyond those limits.

excerpt from: Cigars, Whiskey & Winning Leadership Lessons from General Ulysses S. Grant

#537 - Exhausted

When your Wife is pregnant one day keep this in mind:

"Even being tired exhausts her."

excerpt from: In the Event of My Untimely Demise

#536 - Speaking

How you speak is often more important than what you say.

-Love Dad

#535 - How to Whistle

How to Whistle

Step 1 - Purse your lips into a tiny O shape, leaving a small opening for air.

Step 2 - Place the tip of your tongue behind your bottom teeth or against your inside bottom gums.

Step 3 - Gently expel air through your mouth.

Step 4 - Adjust your tongue position and the small O opening formed by your lips until you hear a note.

Step 5 - Once you can sound one note, experiment with your tongue position and the strength of your breath to produce different notes.

Step 6 - Practice!

excerpt from: ehow.com

#534 - Your Wallet

Don't spend so much on a wallet that you have nothing left to put in it.

excerpt from: DaveRamsey.com - Lewis Quote

#533 - Can I Ask for a Raise?

Can I Ask for a Raise?

The do's and don'ts of requesting a pay increase in uncertain times

By Robert Half International

If these questions don't lead to strong supporting evidence that can back up your request for a raise, the reality may be that now isn't the right time to broach the topic.
Negotiating a fair salary is always tricky, but it can be especially challenging in today's business climate. While some industries are expanding again, managers are still watching budgets with a close eye.
That said, companies are concerned about retaining top performers as the economy rebounds. In fact, 48 percent of hiring managers surveyed by Robert Half International said that offering raises will be their primary method of keeping their best employees when business conditions improve. This is good news, but in order to be a contender for a raise, you still need to build a strong case. Consider these do's and don'ts before approaching your boss:
Do determine your worth. Good work is probably not enough to earn a hike in pay; you need to clearly show your value to your company. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Have your projects helped generate business or build visibility for your firm?


• Have you developed more efficient processes and procedures?


• Have you taken on new duties or responsibilities?

Don't aim too high. While you want to be paid a salary that's commensurate with your skills, experience and contributions to the company, asking to be paid significantly more than the going rate in your market can leave a bad impression. That's why it's vital to know as much as possible about the employment environment and salaries for those with your specific skills and expertise in your area.
Gather as much information as you can from various sources, including the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics and online salary calculators, like those offered by Robert Half. It's also a good idea to talk to recruiters and members of your professional network who know about local compensation trends.
Do time it right. The best time to ask for a raise is not necessarily when you need the money; it's when you're most likely to get your request approved. Evaluate your firm's financial position. If your company has undergone recent budget cuts or layoffs, it may not be the best time to ask for a raise.
Ideally, you want to make the request when your halo is shining -- after you've just had a major success, such as the completion of a project that was instrumental to your employer. You also want to time the discussion so it coincides with a positive time for your company -- after a successful campaign rollout, for example. Finally, don't catch your manager off guard; schedule an appointment for a typically quiet time that is free of distractions, and let your manager know that you'd like to talk about your compensation.
Don't fixate on numbers. While it's important to have a particular figure in mind -- say, a 5 percent increase -- when entering a salary negotiation, you also want to be open to alternative rewards. Your manager may not be able to increase your pay but could offer perks such as extra vacation or a more flexible work schedule. Enter the meeting with a willingness to listen and consider other options.
Do seek answers. If your boss tells you flatly that he or she doesn't think you deserve more money, find out why. Your manager may simply think your compensation is in line with your current role. Or you might need to assume a new job level or take on additional responsibilities in order to earn a raise. In these types of situations, you should talk with your supervisor about how you can meet the necessary requirements -- you may need additional training or experience before moving up, for instance.
Don't spoil your future chances. Above all, avoid letting the conversation become emotional or heated. If you're upset by the outcome, ask for a break and say something like, "This wasn't the reaction I had anticipated. I'd like to take some time to think things over before we continue." In any negotiation, it's better to avoid quick decisions and instead spend time considering your options. You may be able to come up with new ideas that are mutually agreeable. Remember, your reputation is on the line, and it's worth more than a bump in pay.
Asking for a raise is never easy, but having a thorough understanding of your market value, detailing your contributions to the organization and choosing the best time to approach your manager will make the conversation easier -- and increase your chances of earning that coveted raise, even now.

excerpt from: msn.careerbuilder.com

#532 - 13 Tips for Enjoying Poker

13 Tips for Enjoying Poker

After years in poker, both as a writer and mildly successful player, I finally ponied up the $1,500 buy-in for event #16 at the 2010 World Series of Poker, a six-handed no-limit Hold ‘em tournament. It was my first real shot at poker glory – I lasted all of an hour and a half when I turned a set of eights and my opponent rivered a straight. After busting, I walked around the Rio for an hour feeling like I’d taken a baseball bat to the chest. It wasn’t the money – though that was a bummer too – it was was the end of the dream that I would someday hit the big time as a poker pro. Despite the loss, I still enjoy the game. In fact, I prefer to do just that; enjoy the game. I put together a reminder sheet for myself –
13 back-to-basics beginner’s tips to help put the fun back in poker:
1. Don’t expect to lose, but plan to. Poker is an imperfect game, and no matter how well you play there’s no guarantee you’ll come out ahead. Sure, over time skill will prevail, but to put the odds in your favor would require such a large sample size of hands that you’d have to be an insomniac. If you go to a poker game with $200, plan to lose it all, consider it the cost of an evening on the town. If you win, great; if you lose, no big deal.
2. Smile at the table, tell a joke, chat with other players, enjoy yourself. Don’t waste your days off of work turning poker into another job. There’s no reason to stare down other players or to gripe about someone else’s bad play. Of course, if you’re playing with close friends, heckle at will, but don’t belittle lesser players just because you can.
3. Listen to bad beat stories, but never tell one; nobody is listening anyway. Poker players are selfish in nature, they have to be. No matter how brutal your story is, other players are just waiting to one up you. Change the subject or be an observer.

Bonus tip: Don’t draw your gun during a game. Unless of course a man cheats. Then you can shoot him.

4. Know the rules and know when it’s your turn to act. There’s nothing worse than a player who slows down the game by not knowing when the action is on them. If you don’t want the other players to hate you, pay attention. It will keep the game moving and other players will appreciate the courtesy. That said, be flexible. Sometimes amateur players make amateur mistakes, especially in home games. For help getting started there are a lot of how-to poker books on the market; one that I would recommend is Phil Hellmuth’s Play Poker Like the Pros.

5. Win graciously, buy a round after the game. A broke loser always appreciates a free beer.

6. Lose graciously, buy a round anyway. If you can’t afford to buy a round after the game, you had too much money on the table to begin with.

7. Learn games other than Hold ‘em. You don’t need to be a HORSE expert, but learn how to play Omaha and Stud, and learn one fun variation for dealer’s choice for home games. I personally like Pineapple, a sort of hybrid of Omaha and Hold ‘em where players are dealt three hole cards, only two of which play with the cards on the board, so your hand will change over the course of the action.

8. Chat up the dealer and be sure to tip. 99% of the time the dealer is the most interesting person at the table. Dealers catch a lot of grief – rarely get credit – and they’ll appreciate a friendly conversation. Heck, you might learn something. If they don’t appreciate the conversation, they’ll appreciate the money and pretend to enjoy the conversation; it’s their job.

9. Invite the ladies. Boys nights are for, well, boys. Women are just as good at poker, and a night of cards, cigars, and bourbon will make for a unique date. Added bonus: If you go bust, at least you’ll have attractive woman to talk to on the rail.

10. Don’t wear sunglasses or attempt other wardrobe gimmicks. Trust me, the table sees right through you.

11. Take it like a man. If you lose, or if you catch a bad beat, recognize that poker is full of life lessons. Shrug it off, learn something. A bad night at the poker table is nothing more than a handful of lemons…

Bonus tip: Never invite squirrels to your game. They’ll eat all your peanuts. But dogs live up to their billing.

12. Get comfortable handling chips. Like the old basketball coach’s method of making players dribble a ball wherever they go, bring chips to work, to dinner, anywhere. It’s one less thing you’ll have to think about at the table. Try learning at least one trick too. There are plenty of good how-to videos on YouTube for chip shuffling, flipping, and twirling.

13. Drop the hammer, always drop the hammer. There’s no better feeling in poker than taking down a pot with 7-2, the worst starting hand in no-limit Hold ‘em. If you lose, which is likely, at least you’ve announced to the world that you came to party.

See you on the tables.

excerpt from: The Art of Manliness - guest post from Tim Chilcote.

#531 - Risk Taking

"Avoid taking foolish risks with drugs + alcohol + automobiles."

excerpt from: In The Event of My Untimely Demise

#530 - Faith is...

Faith is...The conviction of realities I can not see or feel.

excerpt from: Faith is...

#529 - Plant a Tree.

Plant a Tree.

-Love Dad

#528 - Satchel Paige Quote

"Ain't no man can avoid being born average, but there ain't no man got to be common."

-"Satchel" Paige Former Pitcher, St. Louis Browns