Leveling Up: Standing Out (The Right Way)

Proof that smoking, alcoholism and womanizing make you 100% cooler.

I’ve been looking forward to the release of Baz Luhrman’s The Great Gatsby ever since the first trailer – even if you ignore the inevitable criticism of the excesses of the Jazz Age, it’s hard to not be swept up in the costumes, the pageantry, the Art Deco architecture and, of course, the way everybody [...]

You’re OK, I Promise.

"I thought I was ok until I saw it all tallied out like that..."

One thing that anyone who is into advice columns – either as a fan or as a columnist  - will notice is that letters tend to come in patterns. It’s not surprising, really… as freakish and unique as we all feel our problems are, 9 times out of 10, they’re much more common than we’d [...]

The Value of Failure

"That is the second time you have neglected to get her phone number. You have failed me for the last time..."

Whenever you’re trying to develop a new skill, regardless of whether it’s learning a new language, playing a sport, learning an instrument or trying to get better at dating, you go through several distinct stages. In the first stage, you’re practically fumbling in the dark. You have only the vaguest idea of what you’re doing, [...]

Leveling Up: Building A Cool Wardrobe

And when I say "timeless" I mean LITERALLY.

One of the aspects of looking better and making yourself more attractive is your clothes. Not to put too fine a point on it but… frankly, men (and especially geeky guys) fall down rather frequently when it comes to dressing with any sense of style. Not that I necessarily blame them, mind you. Fact of [...]

What Will You Put Up With? Boundaries, Self-Esteem and Dating

"I'm sorry, did I say you could grow a spine?"

When I look back at my bad old days, there’re a number of things that stand out as emblematic of who I was – the fear of letting go of a bad relationship because I didn’t think I could do any better, being unable to relax and enjoy my time with one woman because I [...]