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June 26th, 2009
Another one bites the dust. That's right, Governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford, is the latest in a slew of governors who've fallen from grace. In all honesty, though, is this really that huge a transgression? It appears he was honestly in love with his mistress, at least. When we examine the sexual exploits of Elliot Spitzer (who not only had unprotected relations with a prostitute, but had the audacity to overpay for it) or the cascade of corruption under Rod Blagojevich, this guy doesn't look so bad. The only thing that tends to bite Republicans (especially those of the Southern variety) in the rear a bit more than Dems is that they tend to eschew sexual immorality in a most conspicuous way. And as Karl Kraus once said: "Morality is a disease which progresses in three stages: virtue—boredom—syphilis." |
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Portland Picks for Men: |
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| 1 | The Best Wingman For a gender known for putting themselves through more point inspections than a commercial aircraft before walking out a door, women are generally forgiving about the clothes that men wear. Aside from the obvious mistakes a man can make (eg. “Bikini Inspector” T-shirts or anything with a pot leaf on it), the biggest thing with women is almost always the shoes. Don’t believe us? Type “judge a man by his shoes” into Google and then thank the lord you were given enough taste to not own a pair of Crocs. Louie’s on Hawthorne has been a staple shop for guys’ shoes for more than ten years. The selection itself is a quick browse: boots, dress shoes, business casuals, the kind of pseudo-athletic brown leather shoe that sheepish indie kids and editorial-staff guys like, and cool-as-F lace-up low-top Vans. And because women love a man who can accessorize, they’ve also got a cool selection of bags and hats. The summer sale starts this weekend, so go in soon for great deals—and start to think of shoes as landing gear. If you don’t have it down, she won’t let you near her runway. Louie’s Shoes |
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| 2 | Funny Business Sometimes all you need is a good guffaw/chortle/snot-choking belly laugh. But where does one go to find or, better yet, buy a gaggle of giggles? Well, our yuck-less friends, do we have the place for you. The Funny Bone is part of an endangered species and most likely the only store of its kind in all of Portland: the old-fashioned novelty shop. Unlike head-banging mall head shops that try to make you laugh but make you just want to take a shower instead, this humor-filled store keeps its tongue firmly in its cheek—that is when it isn’t sticking it out at you with its offering of crap that is literally crap (poopy diapers anyone?). The Funny Bone also sells balloon bouquets, greeting cards and the latest hard-to-get dance remix of Madonna, Kylie and RuPaul, but its stock in trade is the rude, crude and absolutely hilarious novelties that just might get you in trouble with human resources. That is if you’re brave enough to bring the “Toilet Monster,” “Swearing Finger” or “Stress Wiener” to the office. Where else can you get soap-on-the-rope that gives you a happy ending? The Funny Bone |
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| 3 | Hard Gear There was a time when we slogged along the trail carrying a 20-pound tent in an external-frame backpack only to spend a few freezing nights in a dank sleeping bag. Contrary to the pep talks from dad, these trips did not build character, but rather an appreciation for the finer things in life—like jackets that actually repel rain. Thankfully, we graduated from shopping at Big 5 and got serious about what we wear and depend on when venturing into the elements. Enter Mountain Hardwear, a company that’s spent the last 16 years developing gear and clothing for people who are passionate about the outdoors. Their flagship downtown store offers an array of award-winning packs, tents, sleeping bag and everything in between to outfit your next trip—big or small. They regularly host lectures and outdoor events, and are constantly running gear promotions throughout the year. Pop in and let them know you went hiking or climbing and you’ll even get some free swag. Oh yeah, and tell them PPFM sent you. Mountain Hardwear |
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| Gratuitous Photo of the Week: | |||
Photo courtesy of www.dollhousebettie.com. |
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Mandatory Gear: |
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| 1 | Say it with Gusto It is sometimes said that men are not great communicators. A big reason for this is our lack of saying things on meaningful occasions. Mostly, it’s that we like to keep things concise, and strongly dislike Hallmark cards. Thankfully, 16 Sparrows is here and offering us a way to say what we really feel for all those special occasions. Whether you’re looking for a birthday, a holiday, or a “get well soon” card, you’ll find it at 16 Sparrows. |
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| 2 | Hopping Clean There are certain things in life that just go together. Milk and cookies, peanut butter and jelly, and beer and (fill in the blank). The Beer Soap Company has filled in that blank in a creative and wonderful way. Providing the discerning shower-goer with several artisanal soaps made from beer and other great ingredients, you will stay clean and refreshingly hoppy all day long. |
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| 3 | Survive! We love spending time outside, whether it’s on a trail, mountain, valley, desert, island, or anything in between. We are outdoors-type of folk. For those of us who spent time in funny looking uniforms as kids, in these situations, it’s best to be prepared. That’s why we suggest having a survival kit on hand for all our outdoor explorations. The Lifeline Ultra-light Survival Kit weighs less than 7.5 ounces and comes with just about everything you’d need to get out of a jam. Uniform not included. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | A New Raider Nation? If there is one thing football fans hate, it’s baseball season. No more! Minor League football comes to downtown Portland. Come watch the Portland Raiders this Saturday. Beer garden and band gets going at 4 pm; kickoff is at 6 pm. The Blazer Dancers will be there to perform and sign autographs too! What: Portland Raiders Minor League Football |
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| 2 | Top Down: Rooftop Films Northwest Film Center's Top Down rooftop cinema is back (soon)! From film classics to kids’ movies and cult favorites, starting July 16 you can enjoy warm, starry nights downtown with entertaining films, culinary treats, cocktails, live music and spectacular city views. Bring a blanket or chair and drink it in. See the website for details and schedule. What: Top Down: Rooftop Films |
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| 3 | It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year What: Kick-off Event for Oregon Craft Beer Month |
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Sign up a friend to be a part of the “PPFM Nation” at www.PortlandPicksforMen.com. |
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