WHAT ARE THOSE RIDGES IN YOUR NAILS?

This is a common question and a common condition. Nail ridging is almost always normal and is a sign of maturity.

Vertical ridges come with aging and are in some ways analogous to wrinkles on your skin. They occur as straight lines from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. They usually start in one or two nails and eventually develop in all of your nails as you get older. They can appear as early as your 30’s but become more noticeable by the time you cash your first social security check.

What can you do to prevent nail ridging? Not much. But Dr. Benabio, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology advises you can ensure that you have the healthiest nails possible by doing the following:

• Take biotin 2.5 mg each day. Either through supplements or foods high in biotin: green leafy vegetables, brown rice, wheat, peas, lentils, oats, soybeans, sunflower seeds, walnuts, liver, egg yolks, cheese, and sweet potatoes.

• File your nails with a coarse nail file to smooth the ridges, then continue to file and smooth with a progressively finer grit file; last, use a buffer to get a polished look. NOTE: shinny buffed nails certainly do not work on all men but, smoothing out ridges is probably a good idea, a bit like highlighting your grays.

• Soak your nails in olive oil to keep them protected from drying out

• After washing your hands, apply moisturizer and rub it into your nails.

• Don’t push back your cuticles.

• Should men get manicures? Smoothing out ridges is probably a good idea, a bit like “highlighting your grays.” But shiny buffed nails certainly do not work on some men. Best bet: ask your wife/girlfriend/partner.

CARE TO DINE IN THE SKY?

A Belgian company has come up with the unique and unusual, but definitely lasting impression concept of, well......having dinner in the sky!

The fittingly named Dinner in the Sky, is hosted at a table suspended at a height of 50 metres. The table accomodates 22 people at every session with three staff in the middle (chef, waiter, entertainer…)

An event is available for up to 8 hours and can be held anywhere as long as there is a surface of approximately 500 m² that can be secured.

If you're wonder where these people go if they have to use the toilet, the sites FAQ answers:

"It’s like in a normal restaurant, you ask where they are to the waiter and… you go down. It’s just a bit less discrete because the whole table goes down but it takes less than a minute."

MORE TO CARRY THESE DAYS?

You probably have seen them everywhere, but they can blend into a wardrobe so well when worn with the right panache. Tucked beneath the arms of businessmen and clutched casually in the hands of big spenders. It's bigger than a wallet and sometimes smaller than a brief case... yes, it's the man bag.

By contrast, men prefer, on the whole, to travel light: keys, wallet, phone and that's it, unless there is a specific task involved. However, man bags have become quite practical, smart and a cool trend to look out for this spring/summer.

Traditional cross-body satchels are more common on the scene, but man bags are more versatile than ever. Distressed neutral canvas carryalls reign supreme for casual looks, while totes fit for the gym or beach have decorative stitching and leather trim.

Along with the everyday basic satchels, there are many man bags available in new shapes. From soft creased leather, smooth polished structured bags, and stiff oversized canvas bags, everyone can find one to match their lifestyle and wardrobe.

To stay on top of the trend, get a more casual man bag to blend with your separates and get one for work.

A man bag won't strip away an ounce of your masculinity...just give you more room to carry it!

Source

IT HAPPENS......

The AP reports a truck loaded with treated human feces accidentally dumped much of its cargo along a 300-yard stretch of Crown Point, Indiana's Hwy 55, blocking traffic and releasing the stifling smell into the surrounding neighborhood.

After several hours of hosing down the pavement, the scent of the waste had died down from the overwhelming aroma that sent firefighters scrambling for their air tanks when they first arrived.

The processed waste, which had been on its way from a Water Recycling Plant to a farm field, was not hazardous, said Crown Point Assistant Fire Chief Gerard Abraham - the No. 2 man at the department.

The driver apparently struck a pothole that loosened the hydraulics holding his dump truck's rear gate closed. He drove for several blocks before he realized he was trailing a thick layer of feces behind him.

The driver was ticketed for failing to properly secure his load and the hauling company will be billed for the cleanup.

53% OF MEN NEVER BOUGHT A PAIR OF SOCKS IN THEIR LIFE!

Now this surely does not include me but, following a recent survey of their customers, sockrush.com has discovered that as many as 53% of men have never bought a pair of socks in their life! Most men claim to leave this boring duty up to wives, girlfriends, mothers or wait to receive them as presents for birthdays or Christmas. If your among this percentage, then sockrush.com is for you!

Sockrush.com is a global sock delivery on subscription service. The site boasts "We will send you lovely bright red packs of 4 brand new shiny pairs of quality socks on a regular basis to ANYWHERE in the world FREE OF DELIVERY CHARGE."

Anywhere in the world and free of delivery charge definitely caught my attention. However, they only send short or long black socks with, and I quote "the exciting option of having 4 different colour ends to help match them up - short only"

So, if this "exciting" service sounds good to you and is right up your alley, head over to their site. They offer a subscription service of every month, every 2 months or 3 months.

www.sockrush.com

UMMMM, THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE.....I SWEAR.

Everyone's junk mail is full of emails promising to keep the ladies begging for more, help you last longer, or to make you someone Casanova would envy. After a while, I am sure even the most secure man has wrestled with a brief moment of self doubt.

Do these products work? I can't personally answer that question but, judging by the frequency of those emails, I am lead to believe there must be a high demand out there for these products. Why wouldn't there be?

With society's obsession with youth, and the stress enduced by individual pursuits of happiness through financial gain, we are leading highly demanding lives. Its no wonder some of us may come up short from time to time.

So, without sounding like the before mentioned junk emails or a late night infomercial...say hello to Erotim Long Love Condoms!

"Every man once dreams about the sexual fulfilment far beyond the wildest expectations and imaginations of his partner. Extend your love play regularly with Long-Love condoms by a multiple", states the company.

Long-Love Condoms are made of natural latex and are lubricated with a retarding (coitus prolonging) substance. The active agent : benzocaine (7 %) is added as a liquefied oil-free paste inside the condom and sealed-up in a square golden alu-compound-foil.

Heres how it works. The substance liquefies with your body temperature and spreads over the inside of the condom. With its retarding effect, the paste that prolongs the sexual act is supposed to delay the ejaculation. After you're done being a stallion, you can remove the substance simply with water.

According to the Long Love Condoms site, Germany has been producing these condoms since the mid seventies.

Each consumer package contains 3 condoms. You can choose among the following types: normal, studded, XXL and studded and ribbed.

If you're interested in more information on these condoms, click here

GET CLEANED UP TORONTO!

It's spring again, and time to clean up. No, not yourself this time, although we would hope cleaning up yourself is a daily routine, and not just when spring comes around. It's time to step outside and spruce up the place. Not your home - your City!

Put the clean back in our streets! It's time to commit your participation in the City's 5th annual 20-Minute Toronto Makeover. Mayor David Miller is asking all Torontonians at work, school or at home to stop what you're doing on Friday, April 18, 2008, come outside at 2:00pm and do a 20-minute clean-up blitz around your office, school or neighbourhood. It's just 20 minutes, but it makes all the difference.

The 20-Minute Toronto Makeover is a complementary event to Mayor David Miller’s Community Clean-up Day, now in its 10th year, scheduled for the following day, Saturday, April 19.

20-Minute Makeover 2008 stretches across the GTA to include Oakville, Mississauga, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Pickering and Ajax in the clean up event.

Its your city, take care of it and let's clean up!

FIVE WATCH TERMS THAT WILL MAKE YOU SOUND LIKE AN INDUSTRY PRO

Growing up I was never a fan of watches but, as I've gotten older I've become very fond of them. Its actually the only accessory I presently wear and when I'm without it, I feel naked. So, if you're in the market for a new timepiece and want to sound like you know what you're talking about, here are some terms to impress the sales help and anyone else in earshot.

1. Complication
Any function of a watch that goes beyond simple timekeeping. Could be an annual or lunar calendar, could be something as basic as a stopwatch.

2. Movement
All those bits and pieces inside that run the thing.

3. Quartz
A movement powered by a battery and regulated by the oscillations of a quartz crystal. It’s way more accurate than other watch types—which isn’t to say we necessarily recommend you buy one.

4. Self-winding
A type of mechanical watch, containing a rotor on a pivot, that’s wound by the day-to-day movements of the wearer’s wrist. It’s also referred to as automatic.

5. Water-resistant
Just because a watch says it’s water-resistant doesn’t mean you should swim or shower with it on. To be safe, only do so if it’s water-resistant up to one hundred meters.

HOW MUCH OF A GROWN MAN ARE YOU?

While recently vacationing on the island of Jamaica (don't be jealous-pay attention to #7) a article from Men'sHeatlh April 2008 issue was pointed out to me that I felt had some truth and humour to it and wanted to share. Enjoy!

18 Things a Grown Man Should Never Have

1. A black eye. Unless the rim hits your face mid-dunk, your peepers should remain unblemished. You're smart enough to talk your way out of any fight you're going to lose.

2. A witty e-mail signature. Quotes and song lyrics should be heard during toasts and karaoke performances, respectively. Don't let your electronic correspondence become the digital version of a motivational poster.

3. An empty refrigerator. Your larder should be amply stocked, your pantry provisioned. Always aim to be ready to create an on-the-fly, three-course dinner for her...along with breakfast in bed.

4. PlayStation thumb. When they're relaxing, grown men can behave like children. But if you devolve long enough to cause calluses or button-shaped bruises, you're assuredly missing out on life.

5. A key chain with a bottle opener. This bauble is both a gauche reminder of your college days and proof that you don't know how to apply leverage using available, impromptu bottle openers: a lighter, the back end of a fork, this magazine.

6. A lucky shirt. Every shirt is lucky when worn by a man who knows that the harder he works the luckier he'll be.

7. An unstamped passport.

8. Olympic dreams. Exceptions: curling and archery.

9. Less than $20 in his wallet. Fiduciary nudity is negligence. A real man should always carry a business card and enough dough to pick up coffee, bagels, and the Sunday paper without whipping out the plastic.

10. A name for his penis. Even if it's a really clever name.

11. Any beer that costs less than $20 a case. And no exception for the grand-slam 30-pack that crosses that price threshold.

12. The need to quote The Big Lebowski/ Caddyshack/Superbad. Reciting someone else's lines reminds people that you haven't the wit to write your own.

13. A futon. Sure, beds are for sleeping. But such a meager, slouchy spread has never, in the history of sex, inspired a woman to say, "Take me on your futon."

14. Code words for ugly women. Actually, code words for anything.

15. A Nerf hoop in his living room. Keep the adolescent accoutrements where they belong: in the rec room or above the wastebasket in someone else's office.

16. A secret handshake.

17. Drinking glasses with logos. Especially those kitschy McDonald's Hamburglar ones.

18. A recent story with the phrase "So I said to the cop..."

ONE CANADIAN NOT GOING TO THE OLYMPICS

The co-founder of Roots Canada says the company has decided not to pursue contracts to outfit Olympic athletes.

Michael Budman's comments come after an announcement that Roots will not be designing uniforms for the U.S. Olympic team at this summer's games in Beijing.

In 2005, Roots lost the contract to outfit Canada's Olympians to Hudson's Bay Company.

Budman says the company is very interested in supporting athletes but does not want to be involved with the politics associated with the Olympics.

He describes the parting of ways with the U.S. Olympic Committee as mutually beneficial, adding the company's bottom line did not suffer thanks to a significant payout.

The U.S. team's uniforms will now be designed by Polo Ralph Lauren.

MARCO POLO ANYONE?

The South American resort of San Alfonso del Mar in Chile sports a swimming pool approximately eight hectares in size. The gigantic man made salt water lagoon stretches over 1,000 yards and contains an incredible 250,000 cubic meters of water. Though the water is crystal clear you may want to be extra careful not to drop that new engagement ring in the deep end; which measures 115 ft.

The Guinness World Records has acknowledged the lagoon as being the world’s largest swimming pool.

The project which cost nearly $2 billion, took five years to complete and is equivalent in size to an incredible 6,000 standard domestic pools.

The monster pool uses a computer- controlled suction and filtration system to keep fresh seawater in permanent circulation, drawing it in from the ocean at one end and pumping it out at the other. The annual maintenance bill should be around $4 million.

"IT'S BEEN QUITE A RIDE. I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT."

The man who played three presidents, three saints and two geniuses died Saturday night in his Beverley Hills home. Charlton Heston better known to most as Moses from the classic 1956 movie, The Ten Commandments was 84.

Farewell Moses.