Fyrkat: Viking Fortress / Portable Grill

In wanting to do a little more research on Bodum’s Fyrkat grill (pictured below), a Google search yielded far different results. Though I should have just gone to the company’s site for all the specs, I’m glad to have come across a different Fyrkat: the oldest of Denmark’s former Viking ring castles.

Bookending the week with another Viking-themed spot seemed appropriate seeing as how A) I need to pick up a Fyrkat grill, or some form of portable grilling station for a BBQ party this weekend where B) Kubb, or Viking chess, will no doubt be played.

I am opting for the Bodum brand solely due to the name and how gosh darn adorable I find it. But now that I know it has Viking castle connotations, and not to mention a cool modern look, it might just seal the deal on the whole thing. Of course, I may want to put a bit of a freeze on my spending what with the possible iPad purchase this weekend, so I should urge one of my partygoers to get it. $50 at Urban. Come on. Do it! Also, party this weekend. Cheesman Park. 1:30. Bring food and beer and park games. Kubb is covered. We got the Kubb.

The more you know…. To learn more on Fyrkat, the Viking fortress, head over to Wiki.

What’s with pockets on pajama pants?

I was listening to some Demetri Martin recently, and he’s got this bit about pj pants having pockets.

I got some new pajamas with pockets in ‘em. Which is great, because before that, I used to have to hold stuff when I slept. But now I’m like, ‘Where’s my planner? There it is. “Keep sleeping.” All right, perfect.’

While this is chuckle-worthy and all, it got me to thinking, “Yeah. Why do my pajamas have pockets?” Some posit they exist for those “stay at home and never getting out of your pajamas” days so you can easily transport your cell or, perhaps, some cash if you gotta run to the 7-11 across the street for jerky and milk. Viable reasons, sure, but do they justify the need? I’ve seen some go as far as to include the back pocket, ususally designated on a regular pair of pants for the wallet. If you’re going somewhere in which you will be required to pull out your wallet, pajama pants are not acceptable. Picture if you will the type of person that wear sleepwear to travel. They are the same bunch that hold up security lines at the airport because they forgot to put their Pert Plus in a baggie.

So, my loyal readers, I implore you to inform me, What’s with pockets on pajama pants?

Sleeping in Never Sleep by Rogues Gallery

A little while back, I found myself shopping at Urban Outfitters. I hardly go anymore as everytime I’m in there, I feel as though I’m eleventeen again, wandering about among graphic reprint t’s and allover print hoodies. Though, every now and again, you do stumble upon something worth buying. Urban Has added a lot of killer brands to their lineup, so I will give them that. In my case, I copped a sweater from Never Sleep by Rogues Gallery. Huge fan of the nautical stripe and the weight is ideal for a slightly blustery yet warm Spring/Summer day. I wore it out to the Rockies game last evening and to the bars afterwards. Not only did the compliments come my way, I just felt….good. Handsome good.

With this free time I’ve recently found myself taking advantage of, I am returning to UO today to see if any other pieces of this line are on the sale rack. And further than the sweater being perfect for a night out at the ballpark, it also made for a decent sleepwear item when i got home so late, I didn’t have enough energy to peel it off my body before hitting the sack. Perfect.

Tuesdays with the Pretty Girls: A Nice Guy Can Play Hard to Get, Right?

“Last week, you ladies said the nice guys need to make moves in order to get noticed. Fine, totally get it and agree. But what if the move doesn’t work or the girl is just clueless? There’s something to be said for tact; i.e. not just going up to a girl of interest and saying, ‘I LIKE YOU.” What’s a good way to get the point across without be overly desperate/obvious about it? Us men like to play a little hard to get, too…” – G.A.

I can see how guys struggle with this. It’s a tricky balance. Plus a lot of men and women are pretty clueless when it comes to picking up on hints. Personally, it always flies way over my head, so I’m not very knowledgeable on the topic. All I know is that I don’t like games. I don’t like lines or pick-ups. I like genuine men.  Physical signs tend to be pretty potent too. Keeping eye contact is always a must. Lean in a bit, like you don’t want to miss a word she’s saying. Try and keep your shoulders and hips pointed towards her at all times, it shows her you are aware of her presence even from across the room. Rest a gentle hand on the small of her back when moving through a crowd. And above all be a gentleman and be civil. You don’t have to open the door for her, but tell her she looks beautiful and say thank you when she holds the door open for you!

The number one tip is be consistent. You meet a woman, hit it off and tell her you’ll call her. Actually calling when you say you’ll call may seem like a no-brainer, but it goes a long way when you are first starting to date and shows you are interested.  After the first date, playing the phone game is where you either can come across as desperate or play a little hard to get.  Desperate = calling her right after you just left her.  Do not do it.  Normally, I think the unwritten “3-day rule” is a good one to follow.  If you go out on a great date Fri./Sat. night, I’d wait until Tues./Wed. to call and see if she wants to get together again.  If you don’t catch her and need to leave a voicemail message, the ball is in her court to return your call.  Do not follow up with a second call thinking she didn’t get your message.  She got it and if you never hear from her, she’s politely trying to brush you off.

Tact should always be a factor when telling your crush that you digg them.  There is a time and place for everything. I tend to be one of those clueless girls unless it is brought to my attention that you’re trying to be something more. Therefore, tell but only when it is the right time.

It is possible to let a girl know you’re interested while still playing a little hard to get. Both gents and gals want a challenge, and everyone appreciates something (or someone) they have to work for. The key: pursue the girl of interest with confidence, but don’t give the appearance of having nothing else going on in your life.  If you persist and she doesn’t respond then move on. Girls are generally not clueless; most have a keen intuition and can tell when a guy is interested. If she ‘doesn’t get it,’ she’s likely not interested.

I run into this predicament quite often. Chivalry and being the “nice guy” can put you in the friend zone, indeed.

Got a question? Ask away.

Game Day: Kubb, or Viking Chess, and the start of something big.

After a tremendously long walk, dropping a few bills on some new gear and toys and a board game, and some chicken spring rolls from Whole Foods, I found myself in Cheesman Park soaking up the sun of an 87 degree Denver day. Soon thereafter, a couple of friends swung by to join me, one bringing with him a lawn game I had no idea existed: Kubb. Huh? Well here’s a little background from our credible source, Wiki:

Kubb (pronounced [kʉb] in swedish or [kub] in Gutnish) is a lawn game where the object is to knock over wooden blocks by throwing wooden sticks at them.

Kubb can be simply described as a combination of bowling and horseshoes. Today’s version originated on Gotland island, Sweden.

Rules vary from country to country and from region to region, but the ultimate object of the game is to knock the “King” over, before your opponent does. This, combined with the fact that there is a certain level of strategy that can be used by players, has led some players and kubb fans to nickname the game “Viking Chess.” However, unlike chess, if a player or team knocks over the king before achieving their objectives, that player/team immediately loses the game. Some games have been known to last for hours.

The game can be played on a variety of surfaces such as sand, concrete, grass, or even ice.

Kubb is a good game for children (under supervision), although in such cases, the 8-meter pitch length (specified in some instructions), is often shortened.

I love discovering new  games like this, if only because I’m sick of the dudes that made their own boards for bags, or cornhole, and thinking they are the first to discover that game. Not that I claim to have discovered Kubb either, but I also know I’m not the only one who knows all the words to the Fresh Prince theme song. But aside from that reason, finding out more about a game, like coming across the Kubb National Championship site, and finding out that there was a band called Kubb featuring a member that is now one half of the duo, La Roux. Go figure, huh?

So if you find yourself in either Cheesman, City, or Wash park, see a few unsavory characters throwing wooden dowels at blocks while trying not to spill Bud Light all over the place, do come by and say hi. In fact, let’s get a Denver Kubb league going. We need sponsors. And jerseys. And beer.