1) Getting to work 15 minutes before the start time

Being punctual is certainly important in a work setting, but making the effort to come in a little earlier will reflect even more positively on you. In most cases, the boss will be the first one in the office but if you make it a point to come in earlier too, you’re more likely to build an amicable rapport with him/her. You’ll also look like you enjoy your job, plus, getting to the office just 15 minutes before you’re supposed to, allows you to start your day without feeling rushed, and gives you extra time for planning out the day’s events.

2) Having a clean and organized workspace

Your environment greatly influences your productivity. If your desk is full of papers and junk there’s no doubt that you will misplace documents, which will take three times as long to find when you need them. (If you’re lucky enough to find them.) When your boss comes around asking you for a report, you don’t want to find yourself shuffling through papers, napkins and old food wrappers. Be as prepared for an emergency response as medical alert systems are for people with a medical condition, and give yourself some time at the beginning and end of your week to organize your desk, clearing it of any unnecessary papers except those relating to the work at hand. The quicker you can access what you and the boss need, the more reliable he/she will consider you.

3) Having efficient work patterns

Having a calendar or agenda to refer to, which includes all the tasks you need to get done (weekly, monthly) in order of importance (Major, Medium, Low) will help maximize your productivity and is sure to get your name on the boss’ A list. Having good organizational skills helps you keep track of what’s going on and minimizes the risk of falling behind on your work. Bosses love efficiency and employees that are able to effectively manage their time and make the most out of the hours they spend at the office.

4) Meeting your deadlines

When time comes for performance evaluations, you want to make sure all your deadlines have been met. Bosses don’t want to be chasing after their employees. They want results executed in the most efficient manner. Organization is the key to success, so the better organized you are the more capable you are of meeting your deadlines.

5) Staying current

Most bosses (aside those with major ego issues) will appreciate an employee who is up-to-date with the latest news and trends, especially pertaining to your particular industry. Do a little research and sign up for e-mail alerts, newsletters and RSS feeds pertinent to your industry. When you learn new things that you believe could be of interest to the company, mention it to your boss. Bosses appreciate when you take initiative and show a genuine interest in your work.

6) Being positive and approachable

Having a positive energy and outlook at work makes the overall environment much more pleasant for you and everyone around you. Studies continuously show that the happier employees are, the more productive they are as well. If you are someone your boss and your co-workers feel comfortable approaching you are sure to have a positive influence on how everyone works as a team. Being approachable also means being open to new projects and tasks. The more versatility you show, the more valued you will be as an employee.

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I, like many people, can attest to having once hated my job. Ask almost anyone who has worked in the service industry and they’ll give you the exact details as to why. Working long, strenuous hours, enduring tough working conditions, constant abuse from employers and customers; though I was good at what I did, it brought me very little satisfaction. It may have paid my way through school, but financial stability nearly cost me my sanity.

Even after I completed my degree, I found myself facing another troubling dilemma. I wasn’t interested in the field I had invested four years studying causing me a great deal of panic and stress. I feared I would never find a profession I was passionate about. So I did what many people in my position do. I continued to work the job I hated. (Misery becomes comfortable once you’re used to it.)

I continued to do this until one day, I cracked. And, once I cracked, I quit. Yes, I am a bit impulsive but no I’m not suggesting that everyone who claims to hate their job quit (yet). But, in my case I knew that unless I scared myself into finding something else, something I was good at and proud to be good at, I was going to continue compromising my potential for happiness. I wanted a job that was meaningful to me and I was going to do all the endless soul searching necessary to find it.

Now that you have patiently endured the first half of my story, I will try and get straight to the point with some insights and tips I learned along the way about how to go from hating your job to loving it, whether you decide to quit and find new opportunities or put a positive spin on the one you have.

Change Your Lifestyle

Being aware and improving things like nutrition, frequency of exercise and sleep regularity can help your overall well-being. It may seem obvious, but taking care of yourself physically will transcend into other realms of your life helping you to take on even the biggest obstacles and make them manageable.

Assess What You Like and Dislike About Your Job

If you are in a situation similar to what mine was, it is very possible that you hate your job because the work does not suit you. In some cases, you may actually like the work, but it is the people you work with that are the problem. If you’ve been unhappy for as long as you’ve been working in that field, despite management or company changes, than it is more than possible that you are not well matched to your job and you need to determine what it is you would be happier doing.

Determine What Your Dream Job Would Be

It’s never too late to follow your dreams and I promise this is more than just some fluffy Disney adage. When I was trying to uncover my hidden passion, I began by looking back at my childhood. What did I do as a child in my spare time? I played sports. I played music. I read. I also used to write mystery stories and make my own comic books.  Eureka! Finally, I was on to something…  I could see what options were available in the field of writing. After a little thought and consideration I decided I would take a certificate program and see what the world of journalism had to offer. In less than a year, I found myself writing for a web agency, finally feeling my work becoming synonymous with my passion.

Consider Side Projects

You don’t necessarily need to love your job and it is very possible and reasonable that security is more important for you because of factors such as providing for a family. The beauty with starting your own side project is that you can make it about something you love. Is there a hobby you have always been passionate about? The Internet offers a tremendous amount of possibilities, so something as simple as blogging about your hobby or passion could actually become an extra source of income and bring you a true sense of fulfillment.

Communicate with your Employer

If you are feeling unhappy with your job, talk to someone in HR or even try talking to your employer directly. The more honest you are, the more it reflects your willingness and maturity to try and make things better. Is it your job you hate or what you are doing with it? There should always be some room for change, a middle ground, and if there isn’t that’s your sign to move on.

Try a New Department or Position

Sometimes moving to a different department, striving for a promotion or even working with a different team of people might make all the difference. Sometimes a new environment, can have a positive effect on our outlook. Also, try staying on top of new trends so that you’re the person with the good ideas around the workplace. Knowledge is power and having it could boost your leadership role in the company and lead to a promotion later on.

Feel Grateful For Having a Job But Secure Enough To Leave it

It’s important for us to appreciate what we have, especially when we consider how many people out there would give almost anything for a job and financial stability. Feeling grateful for something doesn’t mean settling for it though. If you do decide to leave, feeling grateful for the opportunity you had allows you to resign with dignity and a genuine appreciation that will be reflected if ever you need a referral later on.

Working life certainly has its ups and downs, but if you’ve noticed there are significantly more lows than highs it’s time to make some changes. No life is perfect, and by the same token, no job is either. The best thing is to be clear about what path you’re choosing, why and what you may have to  give up to get there.

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10. Astronomer

Annual Wage: $94,000 +
Role: Astronomers study celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies. The International Astronomical Union comprises almost 9,259 members from 89 different countries who are involved in astronomical research at the PhD level and beyond.
Training: Professional astronomers typically have a PhD in physics or astronomy and are employed by research institutions or universities. Additional experience and training at the postdoctoral level is usually required in order to hold permanent positions in universities and government laboratories.

Source: AOL

9. Natural Sciences Manager

Annual Wage: $97,000 +
Role: Natural sciences managers oversee the work of physical scientists such as chemists, biologists, agricultural scientists and medical scientists. They also plan, coordinate and direct research, improve manufacturing and industrial processes as well as develop new products and advance scientific research.
Training: Most natural sciences managers have a Ph.D. or master’s degree in their field and usually begin their career as chemists, biologists, geologists or mathematicians. The training time is approximately six years.

Source: Impact Lab

8. Marketing Manager

Annual Wage: $100,000 +
Role: Marketing managers are typically responsible for influencing the marketing techniques and management of a firm’s resources and activities. The role of a marketing manager can vary significantly based on a business’ size, corporate culture, and industry context.
Training: The minimum educational requirement for a marketing manager is a B.A. or B.S. in marketing, business management or a particular company’s field, such as engineering. Many employers require an MBA as well. Training time can be anywhere from four to six years.

Source: Impact Lab

7. Air Traffic Controller

Annual Wage: $ 100, 000+
Role: Air traffic controllers operate the air traffic control systems to expedite and maintain a safe and orderly flow of air traffic.  Essentially, they prevent planes from crashing into each other. Because controllers have an incredibly large responsibility while on duty, the ATC profession is regarded around the world as one of the most difficult jobs today.
Training: There are three main pathways to become an air traffic controller with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). 1) Prior experience through either the FAA or the Department of Defense as a civilian or veteran. 2) Three years of progressively responsible full-time work experience, college completion or a combination of both. 3) Successful completion of an aviation-related program of study through the FAA’s Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program. Studies have shown that air traffic controllers generally have a degree of situational awareness that is much higher than the average population. They also have excellent hearing and speaking skills and are trained to undergo rigid physical and psychological testing.

Source: Impact Lab

6. Insurance Broker

Annual Wage: $114,000 +
Role: Brokers play a significant role in helping companies and individuals find property and casualty (liability); life and health insurance. Brokers provide services beyond insurance sales, such as assisting with employee enrollment and helping to resolve benefits issues. Those who work in high-liability industries as oil, construction and pharmaceuticals can earn commissions of 10 to 15 percent of a contract’s total.
Training: To become an insurance broker you must first successfully complete the licensing exam. While it is not mandatory to have a university degree or college diploma to pursue this career, business courses offered by many post-secondary institutions do include insurance administration programs in their business diplomas.

Source: CNN Money

5. Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Annual Wage: $126,000 +
Role: CIOs are the highest paid IT professionals and are responsible for the information technology and computer systems that support an enterprise. A CIO is usually involved with analyzing and reworking existing business processes and reshaping the enterprise’s physical infrastructure and network access.
Training: People in this position often have a background in information technology and at least a bachelor’s degree, if not an MBA or other advanced degrees. This can include formal training in technology, consulting, business operations and accounting.

Source: CIO Insight

4. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Annual Wage: $140,000 +
Role: A CEO is the highest ranking official within a company (and often the highest paid), and they’re responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operational performance of the company. The CEO usually answers to the board of directors, elected by the shareholders.
Training: It is encouraged to obtain an MBA for this position however there are many CEO’s that have gotten to where they are because of their brilliant vision and drive. (Ahem… Steve Jobs)

Source: Forbes

3. Psychiatrist

Annual Wage: $177,000 +
Role: Psychiatrists are certified in treating mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy. Psychiatrists are one of the few mental health professionals who may prescribe psychiatric medication, conduct physical examinations as well as order and interpret laboratory tests.
Training: In the U.S. and Canada you must complete a Bachelor’s degree, then four years of medical school in order to earn your M.D. or D.O. Following this, you must practice as a psychiatric resident for another four years (five years in Canada). This extended period allows comprehensive training that includes diagnosis, psychopharmacology, medical care issues, and psychotherapies.

Source: CNN Money

2. Obstetrician/Gynecologist

Annual Wage: $222,000 +
Role: Obstetricians/gynecologists provide medical and surgical care to women and have particular expertise in pregnancy, childbirth, and disorders of the reproductive system. This includes preventative care, prenatal care, detection of sexually transmitted diseases, Pap test screening, and family planning.
Training: After four years of medical school, you apply for residency in an OB/GYN program. These residency programs last another 4 years.

Source: CNN Money

1. Anesthesiologist

Annual Wage: $292,00 +
Role: Anesthesiologists specialize in the administering and monitoring of anesthesia to patients before, during, and after their operation.
Training: Four undergraduate years at a university and then four years of medical school. After medical school, four years of residency are required leading up to board certification in anesthesiology.

Source: CNN Money

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Monday: The Starfish

The weekend may have come and gone but that doesn’t mean your sex life should. Even if you’re tired and worn out from a long day at the office, a simple, comfortable and orgasmically-effective technique to rock you and your lady friend’s world is a technique called the Starfish Position also known as the scissor position (very popular in lesbian sex).

To do it: Both of you lie down (bed, kitchen floor, concrete floor behind a truck…) with your heads in opposite directions. Place your legs between each other in a scissor position and penetrate! This is a position sure to drive your woman wild as it keeps constant pressure on the clitoris. You can hang on to each other’s hands for leverage, rock and twist your hips, arch your backs and move in and away from each other to allow for deeper penetration.

Tuesday: The Butterfly

This is a must-know position, easy, comfortable, versatile, allows for deep penetration and is perfect whether you’re in it for a quickie or endless hours of pleasure.

To do it: Go to the edge of a bed, couch, table, desk, counter, truck… Have her sit-up or lie down at the edge while you stand or kneel. If you kneel, you may want to use a pillow under your knees for extra comfort. If you’re standing, be a real stallion and lift her legs over your shoulders. Then, angle up towards each other so that your genitals meet. Next, place your hands under her hips and hold her buttocks and begin thrusting. The pelvic tilt gives your penis full access to her vagina and builds friction for both of you.

Wednesday: The Upside Down Position

If you’re in the mood for an adventurous sexcapade to try on a Wednesday, the upside down position is the way to go. Flexibility and balance is a bit of a requirement for this one so go slowly if this is your first time trying this position.

To do it: Get her to lie down first and then lift her legs so that her backside is facing you and her legs are perpendicular to the ground. When your genitals meet, squeeze her legs together as you penetrate her slowly. Hold her hips to keep you both steady.

Thursday: The Launch Pad

A great technique for synchronizing your sexual flow and achieve deep penetration is the launch pad. It is also said to massage your girl’s g-spot.

To do it: Pick her up and raise her legs and feet on your chest. You, the giver, should stand in front of her, enter and begin to thrust.

Friday: Penetration 69

Here’s one that let’s your woman take control and sure to drive you crazy.

To do it: You lie down on the bed and she lies on top of you with her head at your feet. When you’re aroused, erect and ready she lies on top of you, sliding up and down and using your feet for added thrusting and leverage.

Saturday: Jugghead

It’s the missionary position with the advantage of having breasts in your face! The unique sensation of penetration due to your elevated state is simply mind-blowing and a great way to begin or end a Saturday.

To do it: Lie down on the floor and place your legs on the edge of a couch or bed. Your lady then gets on all fours and commences the ride to heaven with boobs in your face and an angle that is amazing for pumping.

Sunday: The Lotus

In the mood for a Sunday kind of love? Why not try the lotus, a tantric sex position that brings you an unbelievable degree of closeness.

To do it: Get comfortable in the traditional lotus position and embrace each other snuggly. The trick with this one is to mirror each other’s movements so when she’s breathes in you breathe in to. Rock your pelvis’ in sync. This position is sure to deepen your intimacy and guarantee a climax that is out of this world.

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And that’s exactly why there are rules.

Breaking the rules can lead to disaster of colossal proportions: tears, anger, hurt feelings and the end of a friendship. So, let’s start with the basics. Let’s define a friend with benefits. Firstly, there is a difference between friends with benefits and casual sex partners, but many advice guides tend to ignore this difference and treat the two equally.

Defining Friends With Benefits

“Friends with benefits” is a term used to describe a physical and emotional relationship between two people. That relationship may have elements of a sexual or near-sexual nature, however it is understood by both parties that aside from some occasional flirting, touching or hanky panky, there should be no expectations of extra commitment or an official romantic relationship later on. Casual sex on the other hand, has little or no emotional attachment and is based purely on the fulfillment of sexual needs.

Embarking on a “friends with benefits” relationship can be a lot of fun but in order to prevent Hurricane Emotion from wiping out a friendship, here are some rules and pitfalls to consider beforehand.

Insider Tips

Set Rules At The Beginning
As much as we’d love for nature to take its course, a little planning can go a long way.
Rules to consider: where and when it’s okay to make out (at a bar/ in front of friends/at home behind closed doors), what is okay to do (hold hands, sleep over, cuddle), who is allowed to know (no one/closest friends/anyone). By laying out what’s acceptable and what’s not, you are protecting yourself and your FWB from emotional damage in the future.

Do Not Have Expectations
Whether it’s a phone call or sex, it’s better to let things happen when they happen. Expectations can stress a situation, the less you have them, the easier it is to play it cool, have fun and not to interfere with the natural process. The second one of you begins to expect something you didn’t before, one person is bound to bail in fear. All to say, accept what you’ve got and don’t try and push things.

Watch Your Language
Multiple “I love your…” “I love the way you” can begin to sound a lot like I love you. Try not to become an undercover over-lover.

Have A Time Frame
If this FWB relationship has been going on for more than three months, you could be entering an emotional danger zone. Obviously this depends on the nature of the relationship and the frequency of your encounters, but typically three months provides just enough time to confuse things.   If you’re really into each other maybe it’s time to give a relationship a shot. Otherwise, it may be a good time to take your eggs out of the basket.

Know When To Stop
Perhaps you’ve met someone else, want to meet someone else, or the other person is visibly becoming more attached. If you can forsee the end of this relationship approaching, now might be a good time to pull out. Ending things might be difficult at first but it saves a lot of heartache in the future.

FWB WARNINGS!

Meeting Other People Becomes Harder
Going out to a bar or party with your FWB around shouldn’t but can begin to narrow your opportunity to hook up with other people.  Though you guys are by no means in a relationship, all of a sudden jealousy and confusion are percolating.  That is of course unless you both find someone else. Your best bet is to make an agreement before anything gets out of hand.

The More You Water Them, The More Feelings Grow
There is no doubt that fun and intimacy with a person can develop into feelings, real feelings. The longer you let it go on for, the more likely they are to grow. However, very rarely do feelings builds equally and at the same pace on both sides. Be aware and stay grounded about what’s really going on.

The End Will Come
Unless you realize how madly in love you are with each other, there is a good chance that this relationship will end. And, many FWB relationships end once one person meets someone else. It’s normal for disappointment to prevail initially, but a certain amount of levelheadedness also must be maintained. The best way to make the knock a little softer is to be realistic and honest from the beginning.

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Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper/Math Superstar)

A UCLA graduate, McKellar majored in mathematics and is the author of the New York Times bestselling book Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle-School Math without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail, encouraging girls in middle school to enjoy and succeed at mathematics.

Olivia Munn (Tech-Geek/Videogame Host)

Lisa Olivia Munn is every fanboy’s dream come true. Munn has co-hosted Attack of the Show! on the G4 network, a network devoted entirely to the world of video games and video game lifestyle since 2006. She also hosted Microsoft’s Bing-a-thon, an advertisement on Hulu for the Microsoft search-engine Bing.

Jade Raymond (Ubisoft President)

Born in Montreal, Jade Raymond is a Canadian video game executive and a host of G4’s program The Electric Playground. Raymond considers herself an avid gamer and in July of 2009, was named President of Ubisoft Toronto studio.

Cindy Crawford (Model/Chemical Engineering Student)

Before becoming America’s most renowned supermodel, Cindy Crawford, won an academic scholarship to study chemical engineering at Northwestern University. She attended for one semester but dropped out to pursue her modeling career.  And thank Gad she did! For those of you who love geek models, you might enjoy our post on the Hottest Women in the World:  Plus-Sized Edition.

Felicia Day (The Guild /World of Warcraft Geek)

Felicia has starred and guest-starred in several geek-worshipped shows like Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and of course the online sensation The Guild to which she is the star, script writer and producer of. She also translated the show into a comic book series, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Web Television.

Mila Kunis (That 70’s Show/World of Warcraft Geek)

A geek girl after our own heart, not only was she the voice of Meg on Family Guy but would you believe that Mila Kunis plays WoW??

Watch her talk about her WoW addiction on Jimmy Kimmel:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Kari Byron (Professional Myth Debunker)

Brains and beauty, Kari Byron is part of the construction team on the popular Discovery Channel show Mythbusters.

Morgan Webb (Videogame Host)

First appearing on TechTV (now the G4 network), she is one of the hottest co-hosts to ever hit the geek scene.

Asia Carrera (Pornstar/Mensa member)

Perhaps best known for her adult film career, this sex bomb, studied piano as a child, performing at Carnegie Hall twice before the age of 15; won a full academic scholarship to Rutgers University and is a member of Mensa. She has been a guest reviewer for Maximum PC magazine and is an outspoken atheist stating “I’ve always been an atheist; science explains everything.”

Jessica Nigri (Cosplay Geek)

We don’t know much about her, but what we do know is that she is the hot Pikachu girl from Comic-Con 2009.

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The Alabama Song- The Doors

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lyric Excerpt:
Well, show me the way
To the next whiskey bar
Oh, don’t ask why
Oh, don’t ask why

For if we don’t find
The next whiskey bar
I tell you we must die
I tell you we must die
I tell you, I tell you
I tell you we must die

The Alabama Song was originally a German opera song written in 1929 by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht. The lyrics for the song are always sung in English, even when the opera is performed in German. David Bowie, who was a huge Brecht fan and also incorporated the song in his 1978 world tour.

Whiskey in the Jar- The Dubliners

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lyric Excerpt:
As I was goin’ over the far famed Kerry mountains,
I met with Captain Farrell, and his money he was countin’.
I first produced me pistol and I then produced me rapier,
Saying: “Stand and deliver, for I am the bold deceiver!”.
Musha rig um du ruma da, Whack for the daddy-o,
Whack for the daddy-o, There’s whiskey in the jar

Whiskey in the Jar is one of the most widely performed traditional Irish songs and has been covered by bands such as The Dubliners, The Pogues, The Grateful Dead, Thin Lizzy and Metallica. The song tells the story of a highwayman who is betrayed by his wife or lover, who’s recipe for sorrow-consolation is a jar full of whiskey.

Streams of Whiskey- The Pogues

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lyric Excerpt:
I am going, I am going
Any which way the wind may be blowing
I am going, I am going
Where streams of whiskey are flowing

I could have easily compiled a Shane MacGowan booze-inspired song-list. MacGowan claims that he started drinking when he was four. “I just remember that Ribena turned into stout and I developed an immediate love for it.” He tried whiskey when he was 10 and continued to drink heavily thereafter. Though he is renowned for his incredibly self-destructive behavior, Joe Stummer has called him one of “one of the best writers of the century”.

Drunken Lullabies- Flogging Molly

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lyric Excerpt:
Must it take a life for hateful eyes
To glisten once again
Cause we find ourselves in the same old mess
Singin’ drunken lullabies

Lead singer Dave King said the band’s name comes from the bar (Molly Malone’s) that faithfully supported the band from the very beginning, “We used to play there every Monday night and we felt like we were flogging it to death, so we called the band Flogging Molly.”

Irish Drinking Song- Buck-o-Nine

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lyric Excerpt:
We’ll drink and drink and drink and drink and drink and drink and fight,
We’ll drink and drink and drink and drink and drink and drink and fight,
And if I see a pretty girl I’ll sleep with her tonight
We’ll drink and drink and drink and drink and drink and drink and FIGHT

Drunken Lazy Bastard- The Mahones

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lyric Excerpt:
Get up out of bed you drunken’ lazy bastard
You drink all night and you sleep all day
Get up out of bed you drunken’ lazy bastard
If you don’t get off your arse, then I’ll be on my way

When I arrived home, my babe already left me
She saw me in the boozer in the middle of the day
Well I guess that’s the end of our twenty year marriage
So I went back to the pub and I put the pints away

The Night Pat Murphy Died- Great Big Sea

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lyric Excerpt:
Oh the night that Paddy Murphy died, is a night I’ll never forget
Some of the boys got loaded drunk, and they ain’t got sober yet;
As long as a bottle was passed around every man was feelin’ gay
O’Leary came with the bagpipes, some music for to play

That’s how they showed their respect for Paddy Murphy
That’s how they showed their honour and their pride;
They said it was a sin and shame and they winked at one another
And every drink in the place was full the night Pat Murphy died.

The Night Paddy Murphy Died is a popular Newfoundland folk song written by Johnny Burke (1851-1930), a popular St. John’s balladeer. Stephen Harper may be the country’s PM, but with a band as awesome as Great Big Sea, I suppose we could pardon Canada for their mistake.

Have A Drink On Me- AC/DC

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lyric Excerpt:
oh, Whiskey, gin and brandy
With a glass I’m pretty handy
I’m trying to walk a straight line
On sour mash and cheap wine
So join me for a drink boys
We’re gonna make a big noise
So don’t worry about tomorrow
Take it today
Forget about the tip
We’ll get hell to pay
Have a drink on me
Have a drink on me
Yeah
Have a drink on me
Have a drink on me

Tequila- The Champs

Scene from Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lyric Excerpt:
Tequila

This was the band’s only hit song., but it gets straight to the point.

What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lyric Excerpt:
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
Early in the morning.

Way-hay, up she rises
Way-hay, up she rises
Way-hay, up she rises
Early in the morning.
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Early in the morning.

What Shall we do with a Drunken Sailor is a famous traditional sea shanty with each verse suggesting different methods of sobering, castigating, or  abusing the sailor.

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Boardwalk Empire- HBO

Created by: Terence Winter (The Sopranos) (based on the novel Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City by Nelson Johnson)
Executive Producers: Martin Scorsese, Mark Wahlberg, Terence Winter
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt, William Hill, Gretchen Mol
Premiering: September 2010

Said to be HBO’s most ambitious project since The Sopranos- Broadwalk Empire is set in 1920s Atlantic City, N.J. and contains all the juicy elements of Atlantic City’s dark past, when gangsters, political corruption and crime ruled at the onset of the prohibition. Not only did this show have me at “Buschemi”, Scorsese directs the pilot episode and will remain very involved throughout the series. Following the life and times of Enoch “Nucky” Johnson (played by Buschemi), Johnson is the second of three bosses who headed the Republican machine that controlled Atlantic City and Atlantic County governments over a 70-year period. This will surely be a vivid history lesson, never missing a moment of action.

Boardwalk Empire Trailer

Click here to view the embedded video.

Treme- HBO

Created by: David Simon, Eric Overmyer (Homicide: Life on the Street, The Wire)
Executive Producers: David Simon, Eric Overmyer, Nina Noble
Starring: Steve Zhan, Rob Brown, Melissa Leo, Wendell Pierce and John Goodman
Premiering: April 11, 2010- 10 pm

A look into the lives of musicians, chefs and other New Orleanians affected by Hurricane Katrina three months after the devastating event. Trying to rebuild their lives and homes, the show centers around New Orleans’ unique culture, captured with music that Baltimore Sun columnist, David Zurawik “has never heard used as organically, wisely and powerfully” as it is on this new HBO drama. Though a fictional account, the show’s creators collaborated with Tom Piazza, the author of the non-fiction book Why New Orleans Matters, Lolis Eric Elie, Times-Picayune reporter and writer of the documentary Faubourg Treme: The Untold story of Black New Orleans, to portray as accurately as possible the true story of New Orleans, post-Katrina.

UPDATE: This show is getting great reviews and is a good reason to start watching TV again. Be sure to check out watch-treme.com, it’s a great source to Watch Treme online

Treme Trailer

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Walking Dead- AMC

Created by: Frank Darabont
Executive Producer: Frank Darabont
Starring: The only cast that has been officially announced is Jon Bernthal as Shane, although Jonny Lee Miller (Hackers, Trainspotting) is currently the front-runner to play the lead character Rick Grimes
Premiering: October 2010

Set to premiere during AMC’s Fearfest, (an annual thriller and horror blockbuster marathon) The Walking Dead is based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman about police officer Rick Grimes, who leads a group of survivors after a zombie apocalypse. Although a zombie-themed book, the stories are really about the people, their relationships and their development while trying to cope with a world overrun by zombies. The show is written, directed and executive produced by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile).

No Trailer Available Yet

Untitled Alien Invasion Project-TNT

Created by: Robert Rodat (Saving Private Ryan), Steven Spielberg
Executive Producers: Steven Spielberg, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank
Producer: DreamWorks Television
Starring: Noah Wyle (ER)
Premiering: 2011

Sci-fi fans have been in need of a good post-apocolyptic alien show, but they may have to wait another year until the man who brought us E.T. unleashes the still “untitled alien invasion project”. The show takes place six months after aliens have invaded the planet and wiped out nearly every living thing, with only a rag-tag group of soldiers and civilians left trying to find other survivors and fight the occupying alien force. The show will star Noah Wyle (ER) as Tom Mason, a former college history professor who becomes the reluctant leader of one of the resistance groups. TNT’s executive-producer says, “This series has the potential to be one of the most exciting and provocative shows on television.”

No trailer available

The Frozen Planet

Created by: BBC Natural History Unit
Producers: BBC, Discovery Channel
Narrated by: David Attenborough
Premiering: Winter 2010/2011

Being a total sucker for BBC’s nature documentaries, my knees are weak just thinking about the new seven-part Frozen Planet series, set to come out in winter 2010/2011. Focusing on life in the Arctic and Antarctic, The Frozen Planet is being billed as a sequel to the award-winning The Blue Planet (2001) and Planet Earth (2006) and will center on the challenges facing polar bears, Arcitc wolves, adelie penguins and wandering albatross.

Excerpt from The Blue Planet:

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Lindsey Vonn

American Alpine Ski Racer

Accomplishments: She has won three consecutive World Cup championships (2008, 2009, 2010) making her the first American woman and second woman ever to accomplish this. Vonn has become the most successful Amereican woman skier in history with her Olympic gold medal, 33 World Cup wins in four disciplines (downhill, Super G, slalom and super combined) as well as two World Championship gold medals.

Dominique Maltais

Canadian snowboarder, specialty: snowboard cross

Accomplishments: Not only did Maltais win the Canadian Championships in 2003 and 2004, she is also a firefighter in her professional career.

Melisa Hollingsworth.

Canadian Skeleton Athlete

Accomplishments: Hollingsworth, who has been competing since 1995, is the first Canadian to win an Olympic medal in the sport of skeleton at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

Julia Mancuso

American Alpine Ski Racer

Accomplishments: Mancuso was the gold medalist in the giant slaolm at the 2006 Winter Olympics and the silver medalist in both downhill and combined at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Claudia Toth

Austrian Curling Skip

Accomplishments: Toth has played in two European Championships, skipping her Austrian team to an 11th place and also participated in this year’s Winter Olympics. She once turned down an offer to pose for the German edition of Playboy, however in 2005, she posed nude in a calendar to promote women’s curling.

Kristi Leskinen

American Freestyle Skier

Accomplishments: Leskinen was the first woman ever to pull a rodeo 720 (two rotations, head pointed to earth). She won a bronze medal in the Women’s Superpipe at the Winter X Games IX.

Kim Yu-Na

South Korean Figure Skater

Accomplishments: Yu-Na was the 2010 Winter Olympic champion in ladies singles. She is also the current record holder for ladies in the short program, the free skating and the combined total. As of March 2010, Yu-Na is ranked first in the world by the Internaitonal Skating Union and is the first female skater to surpass the 200-point mark under the ISU Judging System.

Kiira Korpi

Finnish Figure Skater

Accomplishments: Korpi is widely regarded as the most beautiful woman in figure skating. She is the 2007 European bronze medalist and the 2009 Finnish National Championship and as of Febrauary 2010, she was ranked 11th in the world.

Tanith Belbin

American Ice Dancer (born in Kingston, Ontario)

Accomplishments: Belbin is the 2006 Olympic silver medalist, four-time World medalist and five-time U.S. champion. As of January 2010, she and her partner Benjamin Agosto ranked 4th in the world.

Therese Johaug

Norwegian Cross-Country Skier

Accomplishments: Johaug won gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver in the 4 x 5 km relay. She made her internaitonal breakthrough by winning bronze at the 30 km mass start at the 2007 World Championships in Sapporo.

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Hákarl (i.e. Rotten Shark) – Iceland

I first saw this dish on an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s travel-cooking show No Reservations and judging by Bourdain’s reaction, this is one delicacy that even the toughest of stomachs can barely withstand. Apparently, even among Icelanders this is an acquired taste and many don’t eat it. It has a very particular ammonia-rich smell and fishy taste, similar to Jewish deli whitefish or very, very, very disgustingly strong cheese.

Preparation: Typically, a Greenland or basking shark is the Hákarl shark of choice. They’re not the biggest sharks out there so you won’t see them on When Animals Attack. First, gut and behead it. Next, place it in a shallow hole, dug in gravelly-sand, then cover it with the sand and gravel. Place stones on top of the sand in order to press the shark and extract any fluids out of the body. Allow the shark to ferment for 6-12 weeks. Following the curing period, cut the shark into strips and hang them to dry for several months. During this drying period a brown crust will develop. Remove the crust prior to cutting the shark into small pieces and presto, ready to serve.

Tacos de Chapulines (i.e. Grasshopper Tacos) – Mexico

Given enough Tequila, I think I would certainly indulge in one of these once-happy-hopping, crunchy delights. Restaurant critic Robert Sietsema describes them as “meaty, crispy and strangely addictive” and, if you keep your eyes closed, “aren’t all that different from say, pork tidbits”. They are also highly nutritious, low in fat and contain pound for pound, twice the protein content of beef.

Preparation: Send children outside to chase grasshoppers. Get the most demonic child to remove all of the grasshoppers’ wings and legs. Once this is done, the cooking is up to you. Heat up some frying oil in a shallow pan, then sautée garlic, chili and onions until the onions are translucent. Remove and discard onions, chili and garlic from the oil, leaving only the oil in the pan. Place the grasshoppers in the oil until crisp and brown. Make sure you cook them thoroughly though, as sometimes they can contain parasites. Remove the grasshoppers and drain them well on paper towel. Similar to the process of taking a tequila shot, sprinkle salt over the top of your grasshoppers, (like you would your hand before licking it off pre-tequila consumption) then squeeze some lime over them (like you would squeeze lime into your mouth, post-tequila consumption).

Gator Kebabs – South Louisiana

Mostly served at outdoor festivals, chunks of deep-fried alligator are served on 10-inch wooden skewers. This rare delicacy is said to have a chewy consistency, something to the effect of undercooked pork. Yummy?

Preparation: For the freshest of fresh gator kebabs, find a hunter with a permit to shoot alligators. Cut up the alligator’s tail into bite-sized pieces. Batter your gator in cornmeal seasoning. Skewer, throw on the barbecue and serve.

Bird’s Nest Soup – China

The initial image that popped into my head upon hearing the name of this renowned Chinese dish, was a soup comprised of floating, miscarried birds and remnants of twigs. However, it seems that a few species of swallow, namely swiflets, are known for building saliva nests, saliva which apparently produces a unique texture for soup that is simply… mouth-watering. The nests have been a traditional part of Chinese cooking for over 400 years and are among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans. In Hong Kong, a bowl of Bird Nest Soup could cost anywhere from $30 USD to $100 USD.

Preparation: There are two types of bird nests available: clean or unclean. Clean nests should be soaked in cold water for about 3 hours until soft, then cleaned under cold water. Unclean nests are blackish and still contain feathers and twigs so you will have to soak them for at least a day, that way, they will expand, loosening any foreign matter which will then float to the top. Rinse off the nests under running water until nothing comes loose. Whatever stubborn impurities remain will have to be handpicked using a pair of tweezers. Once this is done, you can add the softened nest pieces into your favourite chicken soup recipe. Mmmmm… Bird nest…

Kopi Luwak (i.e. Luwak Coffee) – Indonesia

For those of you who like cute things, FEAR NOT, no Luwaks were hurt in the process of making Kopi Luwak. In fact, these little creatures are renowned for their delicious poop which makes for the world’s rarest and most expensive coffee beans at a pricy $100-$600 USD per pound. The Luwak’s diet consists of only the ripest coffee cherries, however because they don’t digest the beans, the beans come out perfectly whole. The fermentation process in the stomach results in a unique, delicious aroma once excreted.

Preparation: Once the Luwak has shat, wash the beans. With the beans in hand, think about where they came from and wash them again.  Then, lightly roast the beans, but only lightly, so as to not destroy the complex flavors that develop through the process.

Fried Tarantula – Cambodia

It seems one person’s nightmare is another’s regional delicacy. In the Cambodian town of Sukon, fried tarantulas are a very popular and seemingly tasty snack, which have come to pique the curiosity of many tourist taste buds from all over the world. The spider-frying tradition came in response to the starving population’s need for food during the years of the Khmer Rouge rule. The spiders are bred in holes in the ground in villages north of Skuon and then fried in oil; legs, fangs and all. The tarantulas are said to have a crispy exterior and a soft, sometimes runny interior.

Preparation: Toss spiders into a mixture of MSG, sugar and salt. Crush garlic and fry in oil. Add spiders to the fried garlic oil and wait until the legs are almost completely stiff, so that the contents of the abdomen are not too runny.

Seal Flipper Pie – Canada

Flipper pie is a Canadian dish, specific to Newfoundland, made from seal flippers and commonly eaten at Easter. Taste-wise it is said to taste like a combination of slow-cooked beef and liver with hints of chewiness and a slight marine flavour, which I guess means it will be pretty Fishy.

Preparation: For the freshest of fresh flipper pie, find a seal hunter who will kill and cut off the seal’s flippers for you.  In Newfoundland this is easier than it sounds. Salt and then rinse the flippers in hot water and baking soda. Next, boil your flippers with onions, carrots and celery. Remove the meat from the bones and tendons, and make into a meat pie-like dish with a puff pastry.

Bon appétit!

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