10 Magnificent Man Caves

Check out the most inspired “boys only” rec rooms around

By Brynn Mannino Posted July 29, 2010 from WomansDay.com

Call it what you will—man cave, mavern (man + cavern), mantuary (man + sanctuary)—but creating a room just for the guys has become a popular trend. These days, many are even tastefully imaginative—a far cry from the beer can–littered basements of yore. Whether it’s to watch sports, play pool or just have a place where boys can be boys, as long as the room makes them happy—and keeps their mess and raucousness out of the way—we fully support the trend.

Home Theater Haven

Jeremy Kipnis was an audiophile from a young age—after all, Henry Kloss, inventor of one of the first projectors, was his childhood neighbor. So it’s no surprise that he is the founder of home theater design company Kipnis Studios and owner of one of the most sophisticated home theater setups out there. Located in his Redding, Connecticut, home, the room features an 18-foot screen, a Sony ultra-high-resolution digital cinema projector, 37 speakers, 35 amplifiers and more. Photo courtesy of Kipnis-Studios.com.

Star Wars Zone

Vic Wertz and Lisa Stevens once ran The Official Star Wars Fan Club. Later, the two decided to bring the epic film series into their home. Designed by Doug Chiang (design director for Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and Episode II: Attack of the Clones), the room, which measures 22 feet from the back wall to the screen, took three years to complete. It features three rows of seating, automated sliding doors, a secret media room guarded by a life-size Han Solo and a fiber-optic star field. Photo courtesy of Vic Wertz.

Coca-Cola Cavern

Freelance artist Ray Kilinski and his wife Dianne have been collecting vintage (pre-1960) Coke memorabilia since the early ’70s, and is an active member of the Coca-Cola Collectors Club. In his malt shop–style room is a black-and-white checkered floor with a large Coca-Cola logo rug, a green glass wall partition and shelving reminiscent of old bottles, a vintage soda fountain, a functioning Coca-Cola Vendo 44—a vending machine made in the 1950s that holds 44 bottles—and much (much) more. Photo by Joe Brooks/courtesy of Ray Kilinski.

The Earnhardt Exhibit

It was photographer Robert Butterfield’s wife, Maria, who first suggested he use a spare storage space to showcase his array of Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., collectables, which were beginning to take over their home. The room, which loosely resembles a Hard Rock Cafe, features wall-to-wall diamond plate flooring, mirrored gel showcases to house his model cars, a racetrack bookshelf, kegerator, flat-screen TV with surround sound, a Dale Earnhardt couch, an open bar and more. Photo courtesy of ButterfieldPhotos.com.

Club Mantuary

After seven months of framing and painting, Michigan-based water utility control systems developer Glenn Maggard completed his fantasy basement. Looking for a space to both entertain friends and dance, he and his wife, a scientist, wanted a modern look and feel, which they achieved with a flat black–painted ceiling, ebony laminate flooring, a glass block bar with granite tile, a graphic wall mural, Momeni rug, mod white leather couches, neon lighting and dance poles, which are conveniently part of the basement’s infrastructure. Photo courtesy of Glenn Maggard.

Hockey Heaven

Diehard New York Rangers fan Joe Bellestri was a lucky contestant featured on the DIY Network’s Man Caves, where hosts Tony “Goose” Siragusa and Jason Cameron transformed his unfinished basement into a New York Rangers bastion. Adding to Bellestri’s big-screen TV, the two designers installed a wall-size mural, $999 Dream Seats, royal blue lockers behind a frosted Plexiglas bar with backlighting, custom-built hockey-stick stools and ice rink–style flooring made of epoxy. Photo courtesy of DIY Network.

Poker Palace

Computer programmer Rod McKenzie loves poker and frequently hosts tournaments that consist of 20 people, but games can often exceed 35 sets of hands. To help build Rod the ultimate poker man cave, Siragusa and Cameron set their sights on a Vegas-style casino theme, in which they included slot machines, backlighting, mod red felt poker tables, a four-person bar and a Vegas-style security system (with hidden cameras!). Photo courtesy of DIY Network.

Tuscan Escape

Wall Street hedge fund manager by day and amateur wine maker by night, Joe Valente had a unique vision in mind for a tasting room, which became another project on the DIY Network’s Man Caves. Finished with distressed-looking plaster and totally temperature controlled, the basement fortress features authentic wine barrels, a gorgeous Joseph & Curtis Custom Wine Cellar and a Tuscan-style wood table, which the show’s design team built from scratch. Photo courtesy of DIY Network.

House of Rock

Dan Leap is a regionally loved guitarist in Midwest rock band Pompous Jack and founder of GuitarLamp.com. The perfect showcase for his two passions—music and DIY design—is his cool ’80s-inspired loft, located in his Merriam, Kansas, home. Inside, lamps, tables and headboards are all made of custom guitars, while pinball machines, retro couches and framed records decorate the space. Photo courtesy of GuitarLamp.com.

Harley Hideaway

Tony Munshi loves his motorcycle-themed garage in his Santa Clarita, California, home. Two years in the making, the “cave” comes complete with indoor/outdoor carpeting, an oak-laminate bar top stained in ebony and covered with a glass slab, exhaust flame–themed stool covers, a glass-door refrigerator, 46″ TV and, of course, the three Harley-Davidsons he shares with his wife, Kathy. Photo courtesy of Tony Munshi.

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Recipe from Weber’s Way to Grill™ by Jamie Purviance

Serves: 4 to 6 as an appetizer
Prep time: 20 minutes
Marinating time: up to 4 hours

Way to grill: direct and indirect medium heat (350° to 450°F)
Grilling time: 19 to 25 minutes
Special equipment: 12 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes

Marinade
6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 pounds chicken wings
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon Tabasco® sauce

1. In a large bowl combine 3 tablespoons of the lemon juice, the garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the wings and turn to coat them evenly. Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours.

2. In a small bowl combine the remaining 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, the honey, and hot sauce.

3. Prepare the grill for direct and indirect cooking over medium heat.

4. Thread each wing on a bamboo skewer, being sure to skewer each portion of the wing all the way up into the cartilage in the wing tip and then spreading it out as if it were “in flight.”

5. Brush the cooking grates clean. Brown the wings over direct medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, turning once. Then move the wings over indirect medium heat and cook until the meat is no longer pink at the bone, 15 to 20 minutes, basting with the honey mixture once or twice during the last 10 minutes of grilling time. Keep the lid closed as much as possible during grilling. Remove the wings from the grill, brush once more with the glaze, and serve warm.

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Get the Grill Book:
Weber’s Big Book of Grilling

Mancuisine is at it’s finest with a few slabs of ribs on a fire. There is something primal and satisfying about grilling critter. The barbeque is a natural and acceptable social gathering spot for the guys. It’s also nice that you get to be outside and that clean up is minimal.

One great tip from this recipe is to remove the membrane on the inside of the ribs. This makes the meat tender and it is easier to cut the ribs when they are ready. These ribs are definitely a crowd pleaser. Check out this tasty recipe from Weber:

Mop
2 cups apple cider
1/4 cup minced shallots
1 tablespoon minced jalapeño, seeds removed
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 to 3 slabs baby back pork ribs, about 4 pounds total
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper

1. In a small saucepan combine the apple cider, shallots, and jalapeño. Bring to a boil and cook over medium-high heat until about 1 cup of the liquid remains, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the remaining mop ingredients, bring to a boil, and remove from heat. The mop can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.

2. Using a meat thermometer or dull knife, slide the tip under the membrane covering the back of each rack of ribs. Lift and loosen the membrane until it breaks, then grab a corner with a paper towel and pull it off.

3. Allow the ribs to stand at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before grilling. Season ribs with salt and pepper. Grill, rib side down, over indirect medium heat (350°F to 450°F), with the lid closed as much as possible, until the meat is very tender and has pulled back from the ends of the bones, 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Baste the ribs frequently with the mop throughout grilling time, but stop basting during the last 10 minutes. Remove from the grill and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing into individual ribs.

Makes 4 servings

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Wine Storage

One bottle. One case. One thousand bottles. What’s the best way to manage wine once you bring it home? Quaff it now or hold it for later? How long can last night’s open bottle last? Getting the most bang for your wine buck requires a bit of thought and organization but let’s face it –the topic of wine storage is about as sexy as arranging your sock drawer. Why bother?

A Home for Wine

Picture a wine cellar. Does that mean a dusty collection, deep in the damp bowels of a medieval castle? Maybe a gleaming stainless steel fridge with hundreds of perfectly racked bottles? A closet under the stairs or a spot in the basement in between the holiday decorations and the camping gear? These are all wine cellars and each one has good and bad points. Wine is a living thing. It responds in different ways to the environment where it lives, just like people or animals. A good home for your vino assets is a wise investment in your drinking pleasure.

Wines and Aging

In 2010, wine drinkers in the United States surpassed those in France as the world’s largest wine consuming nation, snapping up 330-million cases at a price tag of roughly $30-billion dollars. The vast majority of wine sold worldwide is consumed within 48-hours of purchase. Only a tiny fraction of wines ever see any significant time being aged, or need it. The simple fact is that most winemakers today craft products that are supposed to be consumed young and do not benefit from more than a year or two developing in the bottle. There are of course, always exceptions. Ask when you buy if the wine is suitable for aging.

A White Wine Kiss

When it comes to white wine storage, just think of a nice kiss. That is, the KISS principal: Keep It Simple Stupid. It works for most things in life, including how to treat your wine right. If you’re going to drink something in the next few weeks and it is white or pink, stick it in the fridge. When the drinking lamp is lit, remove it and allow the wine to warm up before it is served. Drinking whites at or near fridge temp shuts down delicate, complex flavors. The only exception might be sparkling wines which most people prefer quite well-chilled.

Sleeping Reds

Red wines should never see the inside of a kitchen refrigerator for longer than fifteen minutes. Do not store unopened reds in the fridge. Reds of all types and whites that are in the “drink later” category need only two things: stable temperatures and darkness. That does not mean you need a perfect 55-degree, humidity controlled, hermetically sealed chamber that ensures pitch-black conditions for your bottles to rest. Find a quiet indoor closet, a dry corner of the basement or an area in your pantry where the wine can sit undisturbed. If the wine came in a cardboard box or foam shipper, leave it there. Lay each bottle down on one side so a little of the wine touches the cork. The cork does not need to be fully immersed. That’s all there is to it.

No Highs or Lows

A few caveats: Know your climate. Life in an igloo or a tropical rain forest where wine is exposed to very high or low temps is not good. Try to keep conditions as constant as possible. A little light does not hurt anything, but direct sunlight is bad. Know how your wine is sealed. Wine in a box or those with synthetic closures will not benefit from aging. The jury is still out on how screw caps affect the aging process. When in doubt, drink those puppies.

Leftovers

When it is time to drink that big red you’ve been saving, think again about temperature. Reds are best when they are served slightly cooler. A few minutes in the fridge may be needed on a warm day. If the wine is very old or you can see sediment in the neck, allow the bottle to stand for a few hours before opening. At the end of the evening if there is anything left, red or white, turn the cork over and put it tightly back in the bottle to reseal. Place in the kitchen fridge. Do not store open wines on the counter. The fridge will slow down the process of oxidation. Most wines will do fine for one to three days after opening.

Cellar Management

If you are truly a wine geek who has hundreds or even thousands of bottles, things do get more complicated. What a delightful problem to have. The same principals of controlling light and temperature remain the same. Organization becomes more critical to ensure wines get consumed before they become funky antiques. Try an online program such as Cellar Tracker to get real-world feedback from other wine drinkers, as well as inventory management help.

Drink Now Bucket

Not a fan of the systematic approach? Make sure your man cave has a small wine fridge (not a beer cooler) and designate this as the “drink now” bucket. Sort through your long-term wine storage area and select enough wine to drink for a week or two. Keep these in your drink now bucket. Replenish this regularly so that fabulous old Barolo or expensive trophy wine gets into your glass at its peak.

About the Author

Lee Asbell was born in upstate New York in 1961 and grew up in New Jersey, Florida and Colorado. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Lee’s writing career began in the corporate marketing communications field. A passionate wine enthusiast, Lee and her husband Jim purchased a vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina in 2006. Her first book, Malbec Diaries, offers readers her witty perspective on a wide range of topics related to the process and pitfalls of starting a small wine business while living on the opposite side of the world.  To learn more, go to http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Asbell/e/B004OZVJ0C/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

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Diamonds are Truly Forever, but can you pick the right one?

We know that women love diamonds. Whether for an engagement ring, wedding ring, promise ring, anniversary ring, and the general I want you more and stay forever ring, women love diamonds!.  In most cases, diamonds will make a woman want you and love you more. We are at that time of the year where most guys “pop” the question. Here at inthemancave, we have a Diamond Guy who has worked in NYC in the Diamond district and we have asked him for some advice.

How do you pick the right diamond for the price? Diamonds come in different varieties and certainly varying price points. This article is intended to give a basic primer on what key items to look for when purchasing a diamond ring with or for your lady. An engagement or wedding ring can be one of the most expensive transactions you will make as a couple, shouldn’t you know the basics?

Did you ever wonder how and why the 10x loupe or microscope was used? These tools are used to confirm the quality and details of the diamonds. Below we will take a look at the key details that make up the basics to look for in these precious stones. Ask your jeweler to provide a 10x loupe or a microscope to see for yourself.

Let’s start demystifying diamonds and the basic to look for.

Different characteristics of diamonds are graded and categorized by the diamond industry. Learning about diamonds is first learning about the “four Cs” of diamonds which are considered the most important grades and categories:

• Cut
• Clarity
• Color
• Carat weight

Cut is probably the most important, and most challenging, of the four Cs to understand. The brilliance of a diamond depends heavily on its cut.

A good cut gives a diamond its brilliance, which is that brightness that seems to come from the very heart of a diamond. The angles and finish of any diamond are what determine its ability to handle light, which leads to brilliance.

Before we go into the details of a good cut, it is essential to understand the anatomy of a diamond

The below explains the various “parts” of a diamond.

Diameter: The width of the diamond as measured through the girdle.

Table: This is the large, flat top facet of a diamond. The more symmetrical the table and more centered, the better the cut.

Crown: The upper portion of a cut gemstone, above the girdle.

Girdle: The narrow rim of a diamond that separates the crown from the pavilion. It is the largest diameter to any part of the stone. The narrower the rim, the higher the clarity.

Pavilion: The lower portion of the diamond, below the girdle. It is sometimes referred to as the base.

Culet: The tiny facet on the pointed bottom of the pavilion, which is the portion of a cut gem below the girdle.

Depth: The height of a gemstone, from the culet to the table.

As shown in the images below, when a diamond is well-cut, light enters through the table and travels to the pavilion where it reflects from one side to the other before reflecting back out of the diamond through the table and to the observer’s eye. This light is the brilliance we mentioned, and it’s this flashing, that makes diamonds so mesmerizing. You also want to look at the symmetry of the lines. Do they appear even and naturally flow from one end of the diamond to the other end.

In a poorly cut diamond, the light that enters through the table reaches the facets and then ‘leaks’ out from the sides or bottom of the diamond rather than reflecting back to the eye. Less light reflected back to the eye means less brilliance.

Because cut is so important, several grading methods have been developed to help consumers determine the cut of a particular diamond. In general, these grades are:

• Ideal
• Premium
• Very Good
• Good
• Fair & Poor

Selecting the grade of cut is really a matter of preference. To make the best selection, you need to understand the various grades. Please note that the descriptions below are general guidelines.

Ideal Cut
This cut is intended to maximize brilliance, and the typically smaller table sizes of these diamonds have the added benefit of creating a great deal of dispersion as well. Ideal quality diamonds are truly for the person who enjoys knowing that he has one of the finest things that money can buy. This category applies only to round diamonds.

Premium Cut
In the case of round diamonds, many Premium Cut diamonds have cuts that are the equal of any Ideal Cut diamond, though they often can be purchased at slightly lower prices than AGS Ideal Cuts. They are intended to provide maximum brilliance and fire. Like the Ideal Cut, these are also for the person who enjoys knowing that he has one of the finest things that money can buy.

Very Good
With these diamonds, the cutters have chosen to stray slightly from the preferred diamond proportions in order to create a larger diamond. The result is that these diamonds fall slightly outside of some customers’ preferences in terms of, for example, table size or girdle width, though, in many cases many of the parameters of diamonds in this range will overlap with certain parameters of diamonds in the Ideal or Premium ranges. Generally, the price of these diamonds in slightly below that of Premium cuts.

Good
Diamonds that reflect much of the light that enters them. Their proportions fall outside of the preferred range because the cutter has chosen to create the largest possible diamond from the original rough crystal, rather than cutting extra weight off to create a smaller Premium quality diamond. Diamonds in this range offer an excellent cost-savings to customers who want to stay in a budget without sacrificing quality or beauty

Clarity
The other 3Cs (Clarity, Color, and Carat weight) are also of importance but also much harder to determine. Part of the selection process for the “right” diamond is knowing what questions to ask and also what to observe when looking at the diamond through a 10x loupe of scope.

Clarity is a term used to identify the presences of “blemishes” or flaws within a diamond. These flaws or blemishes can be cracks, scratches, pits and chips.

The diamond industry has established a grading system for clarity.

Grades range from Flawless (diamonds which are completely free of blemishes and inclusions), to Included 3 (diamonds which possess large, heavy blemishes and inclusions that are visible to the naked eye).

F: Flawless: No internal or external flaws. Extremely rare.

IF: Internally flawless: no internal flaws, but some surface flaws. Very rare.

VVS1-VVS2: Very Very Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions very difficult to detect under 10x magnification by a trained gemologist.

VS1-VS2: Very Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions seen only with difficulty under 10x magnification.

SI1-SI2: Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions more easily detected under 10x magnification.

Note: For grades F through SI, a diamonds clarity grade has an impact on the diamonds value, not on the unmagnified diamonds appearance.

I1-I2-I3: Included (three grades). Flaws visible under 10x magnification AS WELL AS to the human eye. It is not recommended to buy diamonds in any of these grades.

The remaining two C’s are very subjective and probably will require you to consult with a jeweler

On the specifics nature of the Color you choose and the carat weight. The key items to remember for color and carat weight are: 1) the whiter the color of the diamond, the greater its value and 2) carat weight is a unit of measure. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. 1 gram = 0.0022Lbs. As an example a 3 carat ring would be 0.6grams, which translates to 0.00132lbs or more specifically to 0.02116.  There is a great weight conversion tool at the following website: http://www.asknumbers.com/WeightConversion.aspx

Know your budget and consult with the jeweler to make a wise decision regarding carat weight.

About the Diamond Guy: The diamond guy was fortunate to work with jewelers in the NYC area while paying for his way through college. The diamond guy is not an “expert” or professional jeweler. Please consult with a professional jeweler before making a final purchase decision.

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We are coming down to the wire for Valentine’s Day. Statistically, men procrastinate far more than women. The busiest selling day for Mother’s Day is the day before. But a growing number of women are joining Procrastination Nation. Even with amazon reminders and ProFlowers emails we are all busier and even more distracted. Just in case the statistical norms apply to cave guys (and even the occasional gave girl) we have put together a last minute gift guide. Maybe next year we will all have our shopping done way ahead of time, but we have to make it through this year first!

We will start with gift ideas for the statistical procrastinators.

Last Minute Gifts Ideas for Her

Lady Gaga Heartbeats

Heartbeats have bling by Lady Gaga, and sound by Dr. Dre. These headphones have sound quality that any cave man can respect, with fashion that she will love. With club caliber bass, crystal clarity and power that lets you hear every essential note, no other headphone looks or sounds like Heartbeats. Overnight shipping from amazon will get these to her on time.

Apple iPod nano 16 GB Pink

Girls do love this gadget. And even if your cave girl already has one, she would still love to have a special gift from you. The 16 GB has capacity for 4,000 songs, 14,000 photos, or 16 hours of video. Just pick one up for her at an Apple store or Best Buy.

Paul Frank Silicone Case for iPod touch 2G

There is just something about the cheeky little monkey. I’ve never met a girl that doesn’t like Paul Frank’s Julius. So maybe your cave girl already has an iPod, then she would love a Paul Frank iPod case. Overnight shipping might be the course of action for this late entry.

ProFlowers (800.580.2913)

This is a gimme. You almost have to do flowers. Her gratitude factor increases when friends or coworkers see the flowers delivered. Send them to her work or get creative about where to send them for the exponential gratitude factor. Flowers do get tricky the closer to the 14th. As tempting as the guy selling flowers in the median may look, his goods will not help your cause. ProFlowers offers overnight delivery to get the flowers in time. The flowers last a long time too. I have ordered these several times and have never been let down.

Lingerie

Another Valentine’s Day gimme. And a very easy one to pick up last minute. This is the gift that we look forward to unwrapping. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. Although this an easy last minute gift to pick up, don’t wait too long or your selection will be limited. Discreetly check her size before you head out to the store. You also might want to round out the gift with some lotions or bath salts. Check the scents of the lotions she already has to ensure a good pick.

Oakley Dart Sunglasses

Top notch girls deserve the best accessories. OAKLEY DART™ sunglasses are highlighted by the smooth contour of a single continuous lens. The crystal clarity of its wide peripheral view is possible only with HIGH DEFINITION OPTICS® (HDO®). Extended lens coverage helps protect eyes from the sun’s damaging light, and not a single ray of UV makes it through the optically pure PLUTONITE® lens material. Sunglass Hut or an Oakley store can save your bacon at the last minute.

Moleskine Classic Red Notebook

Ah, the journal. The lock box of secrets. Moleskine makes old-school, high quality notebooks. She will enjoy this little gift for quite some time. It can be used for writing down all the great things you have done for her, or for finalizing your naughty list. This can be picked up last minute at Barnes & Noble.

Oakley Women’s Holeshot Diamond Edition Watch

Genuine power, with a touch of princess. This special edition of Oakley HOLESHOT features 60 full cut diamonds, one for each priceless second of time. With approximately 0.5 total carats, the 1.20mm stones are color “F” with clarity rated at TW/P1. Each timepiece comes with a certificate of authenticity. This gift is tough, sporty and good looking. Kind of like Cameron Diaz in “There’s Something More About Mary”.

Last Minute Gift Ideas for Him

Golf Club: Driver

Picking up a driver for your guy is a no brainer, unless he doesn’t golf. We love it when you take any interest at all in our hobbies. Look in his golf bag and check out his driver to get the right one for him. You are looking for loft and flex. Loft is the angle of the club face which controls how high the ball will travel when hit. There will be a loft number on the bottom driver (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5). Flex is also important and will be noted on the shaft. Flex will be shown as senior, regular, firm or stiff. Don’t worry if you get it wrong, he can always exchange it and he will love that you got him something from his sport. That really does mean a lot to us. Your local golf shop will be able to help you make a last minute selection that will be a big hit.

OAKLEY PROBATION Sunglasses

Cave dudes want to look cool wearing a great pair of sunglasses. OAKLEY goes beyond a great look with a durable design with a premium finish. There sunglasses will be appreciated by him for a long time. While it may be seen that you are controlling what we wear, we won’t mind being manipulated if we agree with the “suggestion”! Stop by an OAKLEY store or Sunglass Hut and make his day.

Apple iPod nano 8 GB Silver

Guys love gadgets. Period. If men were fish, gadgets would be illegal bait. And even though I have a few iPods I really appreciated it when my cave girl gave me a new Nano. The latest iPod Nano has a radio, which is great for listening to ESPN while at the gym on the treadmill. It also has a built in pedometer and syncs up withNike+ very well. The video camera is really cool too. This is another no brainer for your cave man. A quick trip to the closest Apple store or Best Buy will get this gift in time.

Leatherman Skeletool CX

Guys never really outgrow the liking of pocket knives. Leatherman has led the way in combining our love of pocket knives and tools. The Leatherman Skeletool CX has a great mix of the most commonly used tools, plus it has carbon fiber in the handles. Mmmmm, carbon fiber. It makes the knife strong and light. And really, really cool. REI or your closest sporting goods store will have this gift ready for you.

OAKLEY HOLESHOT Watch

Pretty much everything OAKLEY makes is bulletproof, but their watches go above and beyond. The HOLESHOT is as indestructible as it looks. James Bond would gladly trade in his Omega for this better looking workhorse any day. OAKLEY’s watches are tough, good looking and unbelievably well constructed. Built to outlast. I know this cave man would be glad to sport one. Sunglass Hut or an Oakley store can keep you on time with this gift.

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A Super Bowl feast is full of hearty foods.  Flavorful hard cheeses (cheddar, aged gouda, parrano), hard salami and other cured meats, savory sausages, chili, BBQ wings and ribs.  These rich, robust and fatty foods cry out for Zinfandel.  A good Zinfandel (which means it definitely IS NOT white*) can, not only stand up to such foods, but actually enrich them.

What exactly is Zinfandel?  The Zinfandel grape is believed to have come from Croatia in the 1820′s. It was not until 2002 that Dr. Carol Meredith of UC Davis used genetic identification methods to prove that both American Zinfandel and Italian Primitivo grapes were in fact, the Croatian grape known as Kastelanski. Like many American immigrants, it went through a few name changes and morphed into what we call Zinfandel today.

Most of the best Zinfandel comes from these California American Viticultural Area (AVA): Dry Creek, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, Paso Robles, and Russian River.  Although some good results come throughout California or even from the Columbia River Gorge AVA in Oregon.  Good Zinfandels have intense fruity (blueberry, boysenberry, blackberry, plum, raspberry), and spicy (pepper, clove, anise, cinnamon, nutmeg) flavors with maybe a hint of dark chocolate. Yummy stuff!  Poor Zinfandels are ponderous, one dimensional over ripe fruit bombs with little structure, flabby and prunish.  Zinfandels tend to be fairly high in alcohol, but the good Zins are so well balanced the alcohol is not noticed….until later.

To my mind, there are three different styles of good Zinfandels, all of equal quality.  I have categorized them as Hedonistic, Classic and Sophisticated and I love them all.

Hedonistic Zinfandels
Hedonistic Zins explode out of the glass with aromas of fruit and spice; they are very intense with layers of ripe and luscious flavors, very well balanced and an enduring finish.  These wines are so lavish they often overwhelm the food, but they are so good you don’t really care as you refill your glass!  Fortunately Super Bowl fare (especially cured meats and savory sausages) pair very well, so it is a “double dip” treat.  Hedonistic Zins are usually from very old vineyards (100+ years) which are dry farmed and head pruned.  The yield from these vineyards is very low and if farmed and vinified properly, they make for very memorable wines.  They are also a bit on the pricey side.  My favorite Hedonistic Zins are from Hartford Court, Linne Calodo, Martinelli and Turley Wine Cellars.

Classic Zinfandels
Classic Zins have all the attributes of the Hedonistic bottlings, but are just taken down a notch or two.  They are also about half the price of the Hedonistic Zins.  As a result the Classic Zins are much easier to pair with a broader range of food.  Still Classic Zins will pair superbly with the spread for our Super Bowl party.  Some of my favorite Classic Zins are from Mauritson, Newsome-Harlow and Seghesio.

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Sophisticated Zinfandels
Sophisticated Zins have the widest food paring spectrum and the longest cellar life.  Most Zinfandels are best consumed within 5 years from vintage date.  Although enjoyable in their youth, Sophisticated Zins don’t even begin to reach their prime until 5 years of age.  I have currently enjoying 2002 Joseph Swan Lone Redwood Ranch Zinfandel.  It is lovely with fresh red fruit flavors, a bit of pepper and a wonderful finish.  In November I had the opportunity to taste a 1974 Joseph Swan Zinfandel and it was amazing, 35 years old and it was still a fresh and vibrant wine.  Sophisticated Zins share the characteristics of the Hedonistic and Classic, but are softer and more elegant. The Sophisticated Zins also appeal to a broader range of imbibers.  If you enjoy Pinot Noir, this may be the Zinfandel for you.  Yet these Zins will still pair very well with our Super Bowl buffet.  There are not as many producers making Zins of this style.  Here are my two favorites:  Joseph Swan Vineyards,  Nalle Winery.

*White Zinfandel was created in the 70’s by Sutter Home as rose of Zinfandel.  They took low grade Zinfandel grapes, pressed off the juice and stopped fermentation early to ensure residual sugar for an innocuous sweet wine with no characteristics of Zinfandel.

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The big game is a little over 2 weeks away. And just in case you need to get your big screen squared away for the game, We put together a down to earth way to hunt down your TV. There are about 3 million specs and features on TVs today. As great as these features are, there really is an easier way to get the right TV for your cave. And yes, there is still time to get your TV delivered and set up for the Super Bowl!

Before you set out on the hunt

Scout out the location for your new TV.  By taking a good look at your cave and making a few notes, you won’t get snowed when you head into the store and are confronted with walls of good looking TV options.

Measure the space you have for your TV. Height, width and depth. Even though flat panel TVs (Plasma and LCD) are thin, they all have a base that takes up some space.

Brightness Level: Look at your cave to get an idea of how bright the room is. Count your lights and note them down. Then look at how bright the TV showroom floor is. Count those lights. The showroom floor will typically be much brighter than your cave, so don’t be fooled by TV that looks really bright in the store. The TV needs to look good in your cave. Try to find a showroom with a similar amount of light to your cave. This will eliminate some surprises when you get home and find the picture way too bright. Most TV manufacturers have a retail mode that is intended to be mega bright on the retail floor, but not intended to be used at home.

Components: Note down how many components you have plugged into your TV and the types of cables. You want to be certain that your new TV will be compatible with all your stuff.

Top three things to look for

Get your game plan ready before you hit the stores. It’s so easy to get distracted when you are in the fury and pressure of the hunt. Be ready before you walk through the door. Here are three key features to look for while you looking at all the shiny new options for a TV.

Screen size: Look at your measurements and select screen sizes that maximize your space. Go as big as your room and wallet will allow! You will never think to yourself “I wish I had bought a little smaller TV”! Seriously, bigger is better with TVs.  If you want optimum viewing distance recommendations based on screen size, you can check out http://inthemancave.com/2010/11/24/looking-for-a-new-tv-for-the-man-cave-for-christmas-find-out-the-optimum-viewing-distances/hdtv-viewing-distances_v2-0/

On the wall or on furniture? If you are going to hang your TV on the wall in your cave, you need to think about fishing cables and power to the TV. Typical installation will run you another $500. The other option is to put your TV an a piece of audio video furniture. There are some really good options that even your cave girl will approve of. AV furniture provides a clean set up, a place to house your components and DVDs and Blu-rays. I have a BDI cabinet and love it. There is room for all the cables and power supply inside the cabinet. It has wheels to make setting up new stuff easy.

Internet connectivity: Why? because this is the way to expand what you watch. The web is invading TV. More and more content and services will be available through the web to your TV. Some TVs can be diagnosed or fixed over the net too, a huge benefit as this technology matures. VUDU, Netflix, Pandora and many applications gets your TV pumped into a whole new world of entertainment.

Top Three Things to Ignore

In the consumer electronic world there is a proliferation of confusing acronym features. This really does not help the regular guy find the right TV for his cave. On top of that, there are some myths that just won’t go away. Don’t be distracted by too much hype. Stay focused, you are in the home stretch! Here are the top three things to ignore:

Viewing Angles: Older projection TVs and LCDs had trouble focusing light forward and looked weird from some angles. This has been solved for a few years. No picture looks good from an extreme angle. Don’t worry about it. Focus on the important things.

Picture Quality: Picture quality is good with all top tier brands. They all look great! This frees you up to make sure the relevant details for your cave are addressed.

The Sales Guy: You may know more about TVs than the guy you meet at the store. Many stores have scaled back on in-store experts. You are on your own in shopping clubs, Target and Wal Mart. You won’t be disappointed if you focus on getting the right size, setting it up correctly and getting connected to the web. Do ask the sales guy where the audio is for your surround sound, he will know where to send you.

More Techy Hunters

I have two suggestions if you do want to get more technical about hunting down your new TV. First, run through Cnet’s TV buying guide. This will give you an idea of price, screen sizes, features and suggested models. Second, find a specialty retailer in your area. They will take the time to learn what you want and how to best meet your needs and install the TV. In the case of a specialty retailer the sales guy will know a lot about the TVs, so he will be the exception to the third item to ignore.

Get Your TV in Time for the Super Bowl!

Amazon offers Enhanced Delivery for TVs, this is a home delivery including basic set up, in time for Super Bowl Sunday. Amazon Enhanced Delivery

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We found an interesting article on http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/sex/7-reasons-to-embrace-your-guy-s-man-cave-2409377/ and felt compelled to post it.  You can check out that article or read on for the 7 Reasons

We love these reasons why your other half needs to appreciate your Man Cave!

1. It keeps him from ogling, meeting, and/or talking to girls.
If something female wanders into the man cave, it’s either you, your cat, or like, a housekeeper.

2. It keeps him from drunk driving (and saves you from worrying).
It’s a short, safe commute to the man cave! And his friends can meet him there!

3. It keeps him from spending money.
If you and your guy share a bank account, the man cave is cost efficient. Instead of purchasing a round of overpriced beers for his buddies, he buys in bulk and dispenses from the keg.

4. It keeps him from disappearing via pub crawl (and you know where he is at all times).
Let’s say you do not want to watch 30 football games on Saturday, so you opt out of accompanying him to the bars. Even if he says he’s not going to bar hop, you never know which friend will have a hankering for wings served at another establishment. Pretty soon, you have no idea where he is. Even if you’re secure and you trust your guy, you still might grow anxious with him out all day at bars.

5. It keeps him from decorating your living room with his beer signs.
The man cave is a great place to store stuff you don’t want in the living room—or anywhere else in the household, for that matter. Give him a man cave and he can indulge in all the delights of dude decor.

6. It keeps your house cleaner.
So he’s into entertaining—why put up with strangers walking up and down your stairs, leaving beer cans everywhere, and messing up your kitchen? He can have 10 people out in the garage, and you can remain blissfully ignorant.

7. It keeps your man happier.
You’ve got your space. He’s got his territory. Leave him be. Peace!

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