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March 14th, 2008
Living in Portland, we have no shortage of friends who have creative and dynamic professions. From the clothing and web designers to photographers and musicians, it isn't unusual for our accountant-friends to get their balls busted. Of course now, however, it is that time of the year. That's right … tax season! And curiously, the accountant in our life hasn't had to pick up a bar/dinner/golf tab in weeks. It is their time to be sure, and it reminds us that these folks make it possible for the rest of us to be grown-up children. It also reminds us that we're getting older, and that before long we'll have to make friends with a good urologist. Fun times. Speaking of doctors, avoid future visits to the podiatrist by forwarding PPFM to five friends and CC'ing picks@portlandpicksformen.com. You could win a gift certificate to TAGG Shoes. |
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Portland Picks for Men: |
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| 1 | Hippies, Use Side Door Hawthorne can be a great place to hang out, shop, grab a bite. The problem though, is that sometimes the hippies can really get to you. So when you need a place to duck into when the throng of Birkenstocks and dreadlocks approaches, seek shelter in Local 35. Local 35 specializes in the kind of über-minimalist, ultra-modern street wear hippies can't stand, from labels like Kazuo, Nudie and WeSC out of Sweden. (There is nothing more anti-hippie than fashion from Sweden.) While you're waiting for the scent of patchouli to clear, try on a watch from Nooka or a pair of shoes by Zuriick. These shoes are so minimalist they make a Robert Ryman look Baroque. Look it up. So the next time the hippies are getting tear-gassed at an anti-war rally, you can kick back and read “Wallpaper” or something in your sleek, chic threads. Maybe even check out the latest PPFM on your MacBook stored in a Property Of bag you got at Local 35. They're leather, by the way. Gotta love it. Local 35 |
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| 2 | Kick it Root Down "Work hard. Play hard." And we would like to add "get a great massage in between." It's true—sometimes the tension from the work and the play catches up with us in a way that only an hour of pure rub-down will ease. And while all massages feel good, the ones you'll get at Root Whole Body actually provide total stress reduction and lasting relief from muscle aches. They also avoid two common problems: First off, most places are a bit foo-foo for our taste—we want to leave relaxed, not wondering which “Sex and the City” character we have the most in common with. Second, a good number of Portland’s quality establishments are downtown. Nothing will undo our relaxation more quickly than having to deal with parking and traffic immediately afterward. Root is the remedy. Their gender-neutral space is relaxing, they’re located in beautiful Irvington, they offer other great services like sauna and acupuncture, and right now if you mention PPFM you can purchase 12 months of massage for only $750 (that’s only $62.50 per month, if you're counting). Genius. Root Whole Body |
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| 3 | It's Time to Hit the Jackpot According to the Good Book, "Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast." This is true, but it also can make you want to bob your head, shake your ass, or pump your fist in the air. We love our iPods, but nothing, and we mean nothing, beats the crunch of a rock guitar or the warm, round, hip-hop bass line on a record. That is why we need vinyl! For this we go to Jackpot Records. They have a huge selection of new and used records (and CDs), and lack the "too cool for school" attitude that we encounter at many record stores. Add to this the fact that they often have free, live, in-store performances and their very own annual film festival, and you can see why they just might be the best record store in Portland. We know what you're thinking, "Tell me something I don't know." Here it is; Jackpot's SE location has just moved into a larger space, boasting an expanded selection and an awesome new look! Jackpot. Jackpot Records |
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Mandatory Gear: |
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| 1 | Band of Topsiders The top-sider, once a summer staple, is back! Another example of how truly stylish classics manage to transcend fashion, it is done best this year by the uber-creative label Band of Outsiders. We're pretty sure these guys have yet to go wrong with anything they've attempted, but we especially like the handmade reconstructed boat shoe. It features bold contrast topstitching and amazing two-tone leather for a look that puts a hip spin on an old favorite. |
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| 2 | You're Never Too Old We don't care what anybody says, we hope we never fancy ourselves "too dignified" for a good ol' fashioned drinking game. When you get too bored (or too broke) for poker and you're tired of all the standards, reach for The Complete Book of Beer Drinking Games. Complete with 50 ways to competitively imbibe, you'll find the rest of the pages filled with pure nonsense like synonyms for puking and a whole semester full of classes based on beer drinking. |
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| 3 | Not All Surges Should Be Successful Did you know that computer peripherals, like printers and scanners, continue to use energy even after you turn them off? It's called “idle current” and you're wasting energy (and dollars) to power them whether you're using them or not. Pick up the Smart Strip, which provides excellent surge-protection and line-noise filtering, but is also able to sense other currents and turn off selected equipment when not in use. Priced the same as standard strips, it effectively pays for itself in months. |
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| Gratuitous Photo of the Week: | |||
 Available at Oh Baby |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Sake Thursdays at Biwa Drinking is a big deal in Japan, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the ubiquitous wonderfulness of izakaya, the traditional Japanese taverns. Every Thursday Biwa is bringing in a new saké to serve for the night, researching the brewer and its origin, and pairing it with a special dish from its home in Japan. What: Izakaya Thursdays at Biwa |
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| 2 | Step Up Your Dating Skills So many Portland singles complain about the dating scene. You might be one of them. If so, here’s the cure for your romantic woes: "Fearless Dating," a co-ed workshop that offers a killer new approach. Learn how to make an authentic connection while communicating what you intend to communicate, and while you're there, who knows who you might meet? What: Fearless Dating seminar |
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| 3 | Enjoy the Tunes at 23Hoyt We always enjoy a swank destination. 23Hoyt invites you to enjoy their excellent cocktail menu while you enjoy the tunes in the bar. Great food, classic cocktails, great music. Win-win-win. Next up enjoy Jason Okamoto 's jazz/roots/flamenco sound on March 15, the cello music of Skip Von Kuske on March 18, and swing guitar with Larry Munson. What: Music and cocktails at 23Hoyt |
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| 4 | Improve Your Surroundings Ready to spiff up the casa? Check out the 2008 Pearl District Home Furnishings Sample sale. More than 20 of the Pearl's finest home furnishings stores are participating, offering special savings on samples and one-of-a-kind items. Check their website for a full list of participating stores. What: Home Furnishings Sample Sale in the Pearl |
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Here's a tip: For those of you in the process of losing the gut for summer but want to get blasted like a true Irishman this St. Patrick's day, don't be afraid of the Guinness. It actually has fewer calories than most light beers! Be safe out there, lads. |
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