Tuesday

MakeMeWannaHoller's Top 10 Posts of 2013

You, the readers, mean everything to me. I've blogged for so long being transparent isn't difficult for me. What's been challenging is being this far along in the game (6 years) writing meaningful content as a one-man show with a full-time job. There are times when I simply want to drop it and let it fade off into obscurity for a variety of reasons. But then I sit down to write and remember the times at the many coffee shops when I was baring my soul not knowing who was "listening" and if what I was saying mattered. And I kept on writing anyway. The following are the Top Ten Posts of 2013 that mattered the most to you this year. Thank You for reading, sharing, and commenting. I hope to be able to continue creating meaningful ideas, stories and so on, in 2014 for you, the readers.

The Top Ten Posts Written in 2013 at MakesMeWannaHoller.com (based on reader views):

10. The Power of Dad http://epayne.me/VQrWno

9. How To Restore Yourself in 2013: 7 Principles of Self-Restoration http://epayne.me/10JOz32

8. Parents Make The Difference http://epayne.me/18SkKu8

7. Parenting And Fatherhood: Let's Reclaim Our Kids http://epayne.me/12tZdq6

6. Healthy Marriage: 4 Things To Consider And Do http://epayne.me/18CYeMm

5. From Shoeless To College Freshman: My Son http://epayne.me/13Ri1jR

4. 2 Questions To Ask To Introduce Your Kids To Gratitude http://epayne.me/HeRQid

3. How To Be A Man, Dad & Husband In A World Gone Mad http://epayne.me/1desbDL

2. Where's Mommy? http://epayne.me/177km0Z

1. The Reward For A Simple Act Of Kindness http://epayne.me/1fxC51B

If there's a post you really liked and it isn't on the list, please let me know here in the comments.

Peace,
E.Payne

Last-Minute, Down-To-The-Wire Holiday Gift Guide

I love my mother with all my heart and soul, but over the years I was the recipient of some very unrequested Christmas gifts. If the goal was to break me of my belief in Santa Claus, "Mission accomplished, Mom!"

My most painful and glaring memory:

One Christmas, the ONLY thing I wanted a TCR Racing Set, lovingly referred to as, "TOTAL CONTROL RACING!" (you had to say it in the announcer's voice from the television commercial). I drooled over the commercials and daydreamed of being a race car driver whenever I saw the box in store. No different than a little kid who daydreamed of being Davey Crockett with his bb gun in A Christmas Story.

What did I get? Some battery operated nonsense with miserable little cars that didn't stay on the track, then died after two laps, and some wool pants and sweaters.

Why did I get it? The only reason I know is because someone (my mother) loudly lamented that they waited until CHRISTMAS EVE TO BUY THE MOST POPULAR RACING SET KNOWN TO HUMANKIND. (But wait, I thought Santa gave gifts?)

Clearly I'm still scarred by this specific incident although age and time has taught me my attitude around the whole thing was pretty lousy. I didn't have to get anything, right?

At the time, I honestly would've preferred nothing.

My father wasn't much better. We didn't have a chimney on our house, at least not one a human of any size could enter. So instead of simply suggesting that Santa somehow had magical access to the front door of our home, my father said he came through the vents. Keep in mind, most residential vent registers aren't even the size of an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper.

WHAT?!!

What I've learned from this particular incident is that it may not be wise to be hard at work on your Ph.D. while your child still has an imagination. Because clearly, this man's focus was elsewhere.

There was no way a jolly, white-bearded man (refashioned and popularized by Coca-Cola) who gifted seemingly everyone with what they wanted could be real based on how catastrophically unread my Christmas lists went. One last thing: running through the house first thing in the morning with presents crackling the whole way down the stairs when you should be well aware of the fact that your kid is barely sleeping just killed the idea that Santa was real and alerted me to the notion that shopping strategically or for kids just isn't something in my either of my parents' skill set.

In honor of their Last-Minute, Down-To-The-Wire shopping I humbly present my Last-Minute, Down-To-The-Wire holiday gift guide for the man in your life:

1. Sonos. Hi-Fidelity sound system at it's finest that runs off your home Wi-Fi and that you control from your phone, tablet or desktop. If you recall, I tested one (twice) earlier in the year. The tester passed with flying colors and I have one of these guys permanently in my house along with some new Play:1 speakers that I'm currently testing (and not being paid to test). Music just flows and flows through my house. Different songs for different rooms, just like in this video:

And here's the thing: I believe that Sonos has something priced for everyone. But because it doesn't have the household name recognition as say, a TCR racing set, you can still pick one up today from Best Buy or Target. If you bring one of these babies home (be sure to purchase a BRIDGE to go along with it - the Bridge is the component that truly makes the speaker(s) work in conjunction with one another) your man will be overjoyed on Christmas morning.

2. (Power) Tools. Every man isn't handy but things happen around the house and every man will at some point want to be able to go into a draw and find something that will get the job done in five minutes or less (especially on a Sunday when repairmen are off). Stores like Target and Walmart cater to your weekend/emergency home project guy. The guy who doesn't care what it is but just needs to get the job done. For the guy who does know what he's doing and has an affinity for tools: I won't call out any names so as to not insult any brands, but you will insult your man if you come home with anything black and orange unless it's a power screwdriver for you to use around the house, which ultimately isn't a gift for him. Check out Lowes and Home Depot, particularly their impulse areas. A lot of higher end brands are slashing their $200+ products down into $99.99 to $150 range to clear out inventory for 2014. And if you're getting a power tool be sure to get an extra battery of the same voltage. Your man will give you props for setting him up to be able to use his gift long after the product and associated battery is rendered obsolete by the brand.

3. Liquor. That's right I said it. LIQUOR. For the man that imbibes this will be honored more than a tie or fancy shaving cream will. We know we are hard to shop for. And we know we are last on the list. The key is finding something he normally wouldn't (not couldn't) get for himself. This means staying completely clear of the grooming aisle of any convenience store. What's his favorite beer, rum, scotch, vodka or wine. A week before New Year's Eve, liquor and package stores are stocked full of high end spirits. Steer clear of the gift sets that offer velvet bags, pretty shot glasses and a somewhat smallish bottle of alcohol. Look for your man's favorite brand to be boxed and placed on a rather high shelf (thus the term, "top shelf") if he's worth it and if you know you're worth it to him, then I say go for it. It will be the gift that keeps on giving, through moderation of course that he will only pull out for special occasions that will hopefully be shared with you.

So you've read my list and maybe checked it twice. Hopefully the ideas are now flowing. Now, go! You've only got a few hours before stores close.

Merry Christmas!

photo credit: unloveablesteve via photopin cc

Anchorman 2: Arriving In Theaters on December 18

As the credits rolled after taking my wife (then girlfriend) to see the original Anchorman, she looked at me as if I were completely insane.

I thought the movie was great as I have an immense appreciation for the ridiculous.

They've decided to make a sequel - which I'm sure most of the world knows, thanks to a frighteningly strong marketing effort that has Will Ferrell in character as Ron Burgundy infiltrating nearly every information medium available to man:

Maybe, I'll see you in the theater when I go to watch it opening day, December 18th.

Hopefully, this time around, my wife will join me.