As winter continues its icy grip on our roads and our social lives, we're taking a look at some of the snow riders that’ll leave you praying for more -- more snow and more money, that is. Rear-wheel-driven supercars and hot hatches are all well and good, but when the snow hits the fan they’re about as useful as flip-flops on a black run. Enter these all-weather, all-wheel drive vehicles that’ll satisfy your attention-seeking needs in the white hell, without the numbing inevitability of a hapless accident and the ensuing public humiliation caused by the little runt who caught it on camera and posted it on YouTube.Editor's note: This was originally published on our UK site, and thus includes British pricing, but since winter's in full force on our shores, we thought it was worth a second run.
There's about as many types of drinking songs as there are reasons to have a drink. Some celebrate a job well done and a drink deserved, while others revel in drunk disorderliness or bemoan a hangover. It's all about intoxication, either in the sense of getting a rush or of getting poisoned.In the process of "researching" this list for you, it soon became clear that, just like there are tons of drinking songs, there are tons of terrible drinking euphemisms, like "imbibe," "quaff" and "tipple." Ugh.In finding these very best drinking songs, we didn't discriminate by alcohol content or drinking context. The only thing that mattered was that they told the truth. When folks get drunk, sh*t can either get real fun, real sad or just real messy.
There's about as many types of drinking songs as there are reasons to have a drink. Some celebrate a job well done and a drink deserved, while others revel in drunk disorderliness or bemoan a well-earned hangover. It's all about intoxication, either in the sense of getting a rush, or of getting poisoned.In the process of "researching" this list for you, it soon became clear that, just like there are tons of drinking songs, there are tons of terrible drinking euphemisms, like imbibe, quaff and tipple. Ugh.In finding these very best drinking songs, we didn't discriminate by alcohol content or drinking context. The only thing that mattered was that they told the truth. When folks get drunk, sh*t can either get real fun, real sad, or just real messy.
10. Kris Kristofferson, "Sunday Morning Comin' Down"
Though Johnny Cash made this tragic song famous (even winning it the CMA's Song of the Year award in 1970) and Willie Nelson also recently recorded it, the best version is by Kris Kristofferson, the man who wrote the song. Perhaps best known these days for being in the Blade movies, this ex-helicopter pilot and janitor wrote some classic country songs, such as "Me and Bobby McGee," and this great ode to the sad comedown after a night of drunken debauchery.Drinking lyric:"And the beer I had for breakfast wasn't bad, so I had one more for dessert."9. Wynonie Harris, "Quiet Whiskey"
The fantastically named Wynonie Harris cut some excellent jump blues songs in the late 1940s and early ‘50s. These swinging tracks full of double entendres may predate the official birth of rock ‘n roll, but they already embody all of its best qualities: shouty vocals, a dynamic sound, and an elastic rhythm section just made for wild dancing. All combined with lyrics about unhinged behavior, such as this tale of what happens after opening the first bottle of whiskey (more are bound to follow, and the cops are soon to come).Drinking lyric:"Whiskey, whiskey on the shelf, you were so quiet there all by yourself, things were fine 'til they took you down"8. The Champs, "Tequila"
Some of the best drinking songs work so well because you don't actually have to be lucid enough to remember, or even know, the lyrics. "Louie Louie" is perhaps the best-known example, a favorite of slurring mouths around the globe, but "La Cucaracha" or this nigh-instrumental blast of fun by the Champs is even easier to bawl out late at night. See also: raucous singalongs; shouting neighbors; tragic limbo accidents.Drinking lyric:"TEQUILA!"7. Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, "Gimme That Wine"
Vocal jazz may have a stuffy and even cheesy image, but just imagine those classy cocktail joints loosened up after closing time: fingers snapping left and right, the floor sticky with spilled daiquiris and the air clogged with skinny cigarette smoke. A cappella wizards Lambert, Hendricks & Ross here team up with a band for a silly original not that far from the rowdy stylings of Wynonie at no. 9. We dare you not to crack a smile, the whole things rhymes too!Drinking lyric:"Unhand that bottle!"
Price: $3,400Longines produces some smart, traditionally styled men's watches at pretty affordable prices, and this is a fine example. It's an attractive piece with some elegant dial decoration and plenty of functions, including a poetic -- even romantic -- moonphase indicator. It also features a well-designed chronograph to add a sporty edge to the traditional look.
When Beavis and Butt-Head returned to MTV last year, there had to be major changes. Half of the show used to consist of the teens watching and mocking music videos, but MTV doesn’t play those much anymore. Fortunately, Mike Judge’s bile for the network’s endless stream of terrible reality shows fit perfectly into Beavis and Butt-Head’s mouths. Jersey Shore obviously got the most attention, but no trash TV mockery was as vicious and welcome as what Judge had planned for 16 and Pregnant. Expecting teen parents willing to flaunt their little mistake for reality TV fame aren’t exactly the best people in the world, and even longtime morons Beavis and Butt-Head know that. The terrible teens had some hilariously harsh things to say about the program, but none more cutting, wrong and cripplingly funny than when it suddenly occurred to Beavis that the show was real and he wasn’t watching a bad actress.
This article is sponsored in part by Lindt (What's this?) Get more gift picks, date ideas and relationship advice in our Timeless Valentine's Day Guide.Relationships are a little like glaciers; under various pressures, they're always moving and changing, gathering all sorts of debris. But after some time, they move so slowly, it's easy to forget they're there, particularly when you live together. To use a more familiar metaphor, one day your relationship is a wild ride, all loops and corkscrews, and then, out of nowhere, it's mellowed and straightened out. Actually, it's worse than that. It's stagnating. Hey, it happens. No sweat. Relationships require management, like anything else in your life that's as big and complex. One way is to inject a little romance. Now, depending on your definition, you may have to redefine romance a little. It shouldn't always have a direct purpose; in other words, imagine romance as neither a means nor an end. Try to imagine it as something you do for her simply because you love her, and not necessarily to get sex later. Sounds corny, but it's true nonetheless. With all that in mind, the home you share with your lady presents a bunch of romantic opportunities to reignite that stagnating relationship. The following suggestions, centered around the element of surprise, should get you started. In devising your own, plan what you do around your girl's unique tastes. Use your inside information. RELATED VIDEO: Become The Man Women Want To Marry
This article is sponsored in part by Astroglide (What's this?) There are date movies that require popcorn and Junior Mints and guarantee eye rolling all night. Then there are date movies that find ways to reference sex in just the right way, maybe explicitly or via innuendo. However they do it, through steamy scenes and suggestive banter, these date movies are time-tested, entertaining and will get you both hot and bothered. You’ll burn the popcorn. You’ll melt the Junior Mints. You’ll have sex. These are the top 10 date movies that lead to sex and will have you firing up the Netflix and reaching the Astroglide.
It’s often said that great men lead by example. But don’t bad role models do, too? When it comes to cautionary tales, the critically acclaimed Rampart gives guys a feature-length example of what not to do, as it charts the downward spiral of veteran police officer Dave Brown (Woody Harrelson) as he struggles to keep his life together in the wake of a police brutality scandal.From a script co-written by legendary crime novelist James Ellroy, Rampart reunites Harrelson and writer-director Oren Moverman after the pair earned Oscar nominations in 2010 for The Messenger. Here they tackle a renegade cop on patrol in 1999 Los Angeles, using the fallout from the real-life Rampart scandal as a backdrop. After Brown gets caught on tape savagely beating a suspect, he feels he’s being made a scapegoat for the tension between the public and the department, but it’s his inability to change his ways that ultimately dooms him.But just because Harrelson’s character isn’t able to learn from his mistakes, that doesn’t mean you can’t. And with Rampart now in theaters, we’re running down the five life lessons guys can take away from the gritty cop drama.
This article is sponsored in part by Safe House, in theaters February 10 (What's this?) The road to hell is paved with good intentions is another way of saying, 'It seemed like a sound idea at the time." This might describe much of the early history of the Central Intelligence Agency (or CIA). Created in 1947, the CIA had a single mission: provide top-notch intelligence estimates to policy makers. How many long-range bombers are the Soviets capable of building? CIA analysts provide an estimate, and the budget of the US Strategic Air Command goes up or down accordingly. That's it. Coups, covert ops, assassinations, and espionage weren't originally part of the plan. Yet, within just a few years, government oversight of the CIA had dwindled to the point where members of Congress openly agreed that they didn't want to know what the CIA was doing, only that they keep doing it. Paranoia ran riot. The 1954 Doolittle Report, meant to clarify oversight of the CIA, sums up the zeitgeist well: "[America] is facing an Implacable enemy whose avowed objective is world domination by whatever means and at whatever cost. There are no rules in such a game. Hitherto acceptable norms of human conduct do not apply."With that in mind, here's a review of 10 of the CIA's most notorious experimental projects.
With Nicki Minaj's totalitarian grip on the pop charts and Kid Sister dominating dance floors, we've hit a new golden age of tough and talented female emcees, and it's bringing a much-needed woman's touch to the typically phallocentric rap game. Besides the obvious big two, here's a list of new lady rappers you should watch, because not only can they rock a mic better than most of the boys, but they'll do it right after getting their hair did.
What better way to kick of this list than with the King Kong of bad movie cops? (Actually, according to the film’s most famous speech, that skyscraper-climbing monkey “ain’t got sh*t” on this guy.) Denzel Washington won an Oscar for his portrayal of Alonzo Harris, a detective who insists that his partners smoke a little crack while on the job. He might be the least realistic character of the group but is also easily among the most charismatic and entertaining. The typically squeaky clean and heroic Washington dug into this dark role with sadistic glee and created an instantly iconic villain. Sure, the film itself can feel a little weak and predictable at times, but it’s practically impossible not to notice whenever Washington chews up the scenery. You’d never want to be partners with this guy, but signing up for a ride-along would be one of the most amusing and dangerous nights of your life. Thankfully he’s a fictional character, so you can just watch the movie.
Thanks to his broad appeal and status as an internet icon, Neil Patrick Harris has hosted a handful of awards shows over the past five years, from the Tonys and Emmys to Spike TV’s Video Game Awards. (How’s that for versatility?) He even delivered an opening number at the Oscars in 2010. But our No. 5 NPH moment comes from the 2011 Tonys, when he belted out this edgy comedic opening number: “Broadway, it’s not just for gays anymore.” Harris had shown off his singing chops before on How I Met Your Mother and, most recently, in A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas, but even if you’re not a fan of musical theater -- and I’m betting that’s most of you -- Neil Patrick Harris makes a pretty strong case for himself here as the next legendary awards show host.
This article is sponsored in part by Safe House, in theaters February 10th (What's this?) Throughout his illustrious career, Denzel Washington has proven time and time again that he’s one of the most well-respected and versatile actors working in Hollywood. Whether he’s playing an inspirational football coach (Remember the Titans) or a post-apocalyptic nomad (The Book of Eli), he always has the audience eating out of the palm of his hand.But no matter how diverse his roles, there’s almost always one common trait that courses through the veins of his many characters: They’re all badasses. No matter what side of the law they might fall on, Denzel manages to imbue his characters with that common feeling that no matter what happens, he won't take shit from anybody. In honor of our favorite onscreen badass, here are Denzel Washington’s 10 most badass roles.
Better known for her body than her body of work, Kim Kardashian is the poster child for a new generation of celebrities whose fame is less about what they’ve done than how little they’ve worn doing it. After a leaked sex tape first brought Kim into the public eye, the socialite showed off her most famous asset in the December 2007 issue of Playboy, and the headline-making layout helped launch Kim as both a reality TV star and a model. Since then, the voluptuous beauty has generated an endless stream of tabloid fodder in addition to spinoffs, fragrances and clothing lines, but that’s nothing compared to the backlash she received in response to her made-for-TV 72-day marriage to Nets power forward Kris Humphries. So why are we still excited to follow Kim in 2012? Well, for one, it’s not exactly breaking news that so-called “reality” TV is staged, and, two, we get the feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg for the curvy publicity seeker. And while we may not care about her manufactured drama, we’ve never been against seeing more of Kim.
There’s a good chance that the beginning of your relationship was the time when you made the most effort to show her your romantic side, so why not turn back the clock and remind her how charming you were when you were wooing her? Women love it when men remember details from when they were still getting to know each other. Think back to your first date, and take her to the same place, eat the same food and do the same things that first sparked your romance.
This 2009 cover model first made waves in the Swimsuit Issue in 2007 as the clear standout in a promising rookie class with her fresh face and jaw-dropping curves. The first Israeli model to appear in the magazine, Bar Refaeli graced SI’s pages for four years running, launching her to international stardom. But even though she took 2011 off, we can’t wait to see what Refaeli gets up to in 2012. That’s partly because she’s finally single again after years of being the on-again, off-again girlfriend of Leonardo DiCaprio. But mainly it’s because Refaeli is still just as gorgeous now as she was when SI first introduced us to her five years ago. And since splitting with DiCaprio back in May, the beautiful blonde 26-year-old figures to attract even more attention in 2012: She’s appearing in French lingerie line Passionata’s 2012 Calendar, and on E!'s new reality series Scouted, where she’ll mentor aspiring models. Meanwhile, we’ll be busy aspiring to be Refaeli’s new boyfriend.
This article is sponsored in part by Lindt (What's this?) Get more gift picks, date ideas and relationship advice in our Timeless Valentine's Day Guide. Back in middle school, Valentine's Day meant brown paper bags filled with candy and kid-friendly cards. Gift giving back then was easy, but unfortunately the giving process as an adult is far more complex. More than any other holiday, what women give their guys on this amorously charged occasion can become the source of endless speculation on their true feelings and intentions. This list of Valentine’s Day gifts for you are the best items you could receive as a man, as each one provides a strong signal that she hopes to keep you around and happier than ever. So, consider yourself lucky should any of these Valentine’s Day gifts for you show up wrapped in her hands.
We're not touching the "chew with your mouth closed" thing, and we're ignoring "throw away your trash." That's because we expect you to already know those social etiquette rules. (But if not, please read up on them.)No, we're addressing the kinds of subtle tendencies that can decide between a man who's great at picking up and one whose failed attempts have become the bane of his existence. Or just someone who has a lot of friends and someone who doesn't. We've culled these 10 rules from Reddit to make sure you're on the right side of that sometimes-murky fence. If we all agree, so should you.
This article is sponsored in part by Pillsbury (What's this?) Want to throw a party your friends will be looking forward to every year? Learn the recipes, entertaining tips and sports facts you need to make it happen with our guide to The Ultimate Game Day.The big game’s less than a month away, and if you’re having a party but don’t know what to serve, don’t sweat: We’ve got you covered with these 10 recipes. All you need to do is supply the suds.
This article is sponsored in part by Pillsbury (What's this?) Want to throw a party your friends will be looking forward to every year? Learn the recipes, entertaining tips and sports facts you need to make it happen with our guide to The Ultimate Game Day.Whether you're hosting a party for the big game, watching the game at a sports bar or enjoying the action informally with a couple close friends, much of the conversation will be about the game. If you're a die-hard football fan whose day doesn't begin until you've finished reading blogs, checking Twitter and scanning a variety of sports websites, you'll probably be able to lead the conversation. If you're a casual observer, however, sharing football knowledge can be tricky. If this is the case, brush up on some integral facts about the team, stadium and the game itself prior to your get-together.
One of the few fictional gangsters on Boardwalk Empire is also one of the best. Michael Pitt’s Jimmy Darmody isn’t someone who was born to be a gangster. In fact, for most of his life, he was a straitlaced kid who planned on going to college and having a normal life. But he got sucked into the war and came back with a rather different attitude about things. Initially working as an assistant to Atlantic City’s kingpin Nucky Thompson (more on him later), Jimmy made the decision to set out on his own and quickly established himself as a power player in the bootlegging game who was more than capable of getting his hands dirty when violence became a necessity. As Pitt plays him, the character can be frighteningly cold about violence and a little too ambitious for his own good. He’s a fascinatingly intelligent and vicious rising force on the '30s crime scene as frighteningly real as any of the historical gangsters who surround him.
Near the end of WWII, my dad had completed his combat tour as a B-17 pilot and spent some time ferrying war-weary B-29s back to the States. As he was on approach to land at San Antonio, a Piper Cub cut him off in the pattern, and he had to execute a missed approach to avoid a collision. He was pissed and after landing went looking for the pilot of the Piper Cub and met my mom. It was her solo flight.-anotheregomaniac
Hockey fans in Ottawa have been treated like royalty over the last five years as they’ve seen a Stanley Cup final, a pair of NHL Entry Drafts, the World Junior Championships, and now in the 20th year of existence of the Ottawa Senators, they’ll get to host the All-Star Game for the first time ever. While they’re not likely to see much intensity or hitting, the festivities are likely to provide plenty of shenanigans just as they always do. From Alexander Ovechkin’s props in the SuperSkills competition, to Phil Kessel getting picked last in the Fantasy Draft, to Al Iafrate's record-breaking slap shots, the All-Star Game has produced plenty of memories. Here are 10 of the best NHL All-Star moments of all time.
AskMen caught up with Ethan, half of double dating comic duo Dave and Ethan, to get some tips on blind double dating. Here's Ethan's story: Dating Tips From Dave and Ethan While working for a cable TV network four years ago, I somehow landed two free tickets to a stand-up show at New York’s Gotham Comedy, and decided to invite my childhood friend and fellow comedian, Dave. At the event, we were rushed to the head of the line and seated in the front row with complimentary cocktails as VIPs. I could sense the audience puzzling over the identity of the young gay power couple that had just entered the room. Later, over a few more drinks (or six) at his place, Dave revealed what had been stumping him all night: “Dude, thanks for the show -- but why would you invite me when you could have impressed the hell out of a chick?” He was right, but it was too late to take his ticket back. We did conclude, at least, that we should both be better employing our assets to impress girls. In fact, we reasoned, as two funny former improv troupe teammates, we could probably kill it if we joined forces. So in March of 2008, the lifelong friends posted ads on Craigslist and YouTube, inviting pairs of girls to double date them. As the responses poured in, they began charting their experiences in a series of video blogs, which quickly became a YouTube comedy series about double dating.Here are Ethan's tips for preparing yourself for what's to come when embarking on a blind double date -- from his own personal experience.
As Aston Martin heads stronger than ever toward its centenary year in 2013, we look back on arguably the most desirable of the automotive brand's fine stable of rides to bring you our definitive 10 Aston Martins of all time. Click through our decade-spanning countdown and feel free to tell us if we’ve done any of your favorite Aston Martins a cruel injustice or, of course, if you agree with our cherry-picking of the best of the very best of British.