 May 3, 2010 By: Evan J. Thomas Attention Men! The beard is making a comeback, of sorts. Throughout history we have seen variations of the beard. Men with beards or facial hair like Abraham Lincoln have been described as wise and knowledgeable. Bearded men are also seen as being masculine making the bearded look a sexually desireable trait. On the other hand, bearded men can also be seen as dirty, crude or eccentric, for example look at how Joaquin Phoenix transformed his look during his acting hiatus as he boasted an unkempt beard. In many cultures beards are associated with nature and outdoorsmen. This time of year we have the NHL Playoffs and for decades players have been sporting their playoff beards. These playoff beards have become a yearly tradition and are a staple in the NHL. One of the most noteworthy playoff beard moments from back in the day included the red headed and red bearded Lanny McDonald of the Calgary Flames holding up the Stanley Cup in victory. In the world of Major League Baseball we had the Boston Red Sox and the beards they flaunted during their 2004 World Series campaign. The standout of that group was the “Captain Caveman” scruff look of outfielder Johnny Damon. Damon and his teammates then known as the “Idiots” grew out their facial hair as a sign of team unity. On the other side of the beard spectrum we have the facial hair hating New York Yankees. After the 2004 season, Damon jumped ship to the rival Yankees and spurned the Red Sox Nation. Due to the Yankees rule of no facial hair or long hair, Damon obliged to the rule and cut it all off to the dismay of his loyal following. Along with the Yankees the Cincinnati Reds have a no facial hair rule. Both organizations want their players and staff to have a more “professional” look. In the pop culture of today we have the Dos Equis beer commercials chronicling some of the bearded guy’s life conquests. In movies there is Alan from The Hangover, the portly and thick bearded social moron but overly hysterical character played by Zach Galifianakis. We also have the masculine ass kicking of the legendary bearded actor Chuck Norris. Some of Hollywood’s leading men have been known to grow some worthy thatch including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and the Sir Sean Connery. Rock stars usually have the most creative beards. Slayer’s guitarist Kerry King has the shaved head look with his trademark braided goatee beard that comes down to his stomach. ZZ Top’s legendary dueling beards are as famous as their guitar solos. Men, don’t be afraid to show off your growth, facial hair growth that is. Your facial hair will be your ultimate accessory no matter how you make it. Be creative with it; try different ways so it works for you. It’s all about the style so make it your own. This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.
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 July 12, 2010 By: Evan J. Thomas What can you say about a man who at 20 years old amazed thousands of mud caked onlookers at the original Woodstock that hasn’t already been said? I mean come on; Rolling Stone Magazine in 2003 named this guitar god the 15th greatest guitar player of all time. This critically acclaimed artist has won 10 Grammy Awards and 3 Latin Grammy awards during his illustrious career. He has collaborated with the who’s who of the music industry. He has appeared on FOX’s number one show American Idol. He recently was idolized in the Guitar Hero 5 video game as a character option. So again, what can be said of Carlos Santana that hasn’t already been mentioned? Not much can be said. Carlos Santana and his band conveniently named Santana graced the sultry stage last Friday night at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, Illinois. If you have never seen Santana live you are definitely missing out on seeing an icon perform his craft. Santana’s blues-based guitar rifts are masterful and blend perfectly with the rhythmic percussions and seductive vocals provided. Since Santana doesn’t tour with all the big name singers who have collaborated in the past he does have two very worthy and harmonic vocalists who at times dual with each other or belt out individual tunes. Santana’s devoted followers grooved to the two plus hour set jam packed with his collection of hits which included “Black Magic Woman”, “Oye Como Va”, “Maria, Maria” and many more. Moments after the 4th song concluded there was a news worthy moment on stage. Santana proposed to his girlfriend and drummer Cindy Blackman. The moment came as Blackman finished her drum solo; Carlos then dropped to his knee and proposed in front of the surprised audience. Blackman accepted his proposal as they eventually kissed. The crowd erupted in celebration for the happy couple as the next song began. The evening began with another legendary performer and the much decorated English singer and songwriter Steve Winwood as the opening act. Winwood’s career has been just as brilliant and well traveled as his counter part Santana. Winwood’s distinguished career began at the tender age of 14 when he joined The Spencer Davis Group. He formed the band Blind Faith with all world guitarist and songwriter Eric Clapton. Winwood has also been in the bands Traffic and Go and he has had a stellar career as a solo artist. Winwood and his band performed his most popular tunes like “Higher Ground”, and “Gimme Some Lovin”. Seeing and hearing these two celebrated icons will bring you back to a time where music was music and not a spectacle that you see in the music industry of today. Sometimes you go to concerts for the “stage show” and sometimes you just want to sit back and enjoy great musicians. This was that performance. This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.
This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.  July 6, 2010
By: Evan J. Thomas It began over 2 months ago; actually this mess began 2+ years ago… If you occasionally strolled the ESPN.com website you may have seen it, ESPN even had it showcased on their daily telecasts. I am talking about the comical “LeBron Watch” countdown to free agency 2010 running clock. July 1, 2010 arrived last week with so much speculation on the NBA Free Agency period and to where LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh may end up for the rest of their careers that we heard every possible scenario linking these three All Stars. Have we ever in our lives seen so much news coverage on free agency in any sport? This free agency period has become a massive sideshow for the NBA. ESPN might as well put a reporter in the bathroom to see what LeBron just ate for lunch and report on that. We have camera’s following James car out of every meeting with potential teams, we have fans flocked around the parking garages for a glimpse of James with signs promoting their favorite team. I am thinking “King” James missed out on a great marketing ploy here, which I will get to shortly. And by the way, how did James get the nickname “King” when he has yet to win an NBA Championships? The answer to that is ESPN and the media. ESPN is always looking for the “Next Big Thing”. I mean look at The Washington Nationals rookie pitcher Steven Strasburg. ESPN was ready to name him to the NL All Star Team after 6 starts! Let the poor kid get used to the Major Leagues first. Thanks to NL All Star Manager Charlie Manuel for making that clear. This is what Lebron and his agents missed out on. If they were smart they would have put together a Reality TV show documenting LeBron’s trek into free agency and his daily life, what he eats for breakfast, his family, his workouts, team and business meetings, you know the usual “Reality TV” show scenarios. Seriously ESPN should have come up with that idea long ago. Come on, even Terrell Owens had his own show during the off-season so why not LeBron? It would have worked since James is more of a likeable personality than TO. Since that idea never materialized we are back to the Free Agency period. Lebron, D-Wade and Bosh will all be making life decisions in the next few days or possibly weeks. They could all potentially land with the same team though it is far fetched that will happen. Its also very possible that all 3 players will find new homes but the most likely scenario will be LeBron staying put in Cleveland, Wade staying with Miami and Bosh joining Wade making a solid tandem with the Heat. This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.  May 19, 2010
Are Them Crooked Vultures a “Super-Group”? I hate the moniker of a “Super-Group”. How many so-called super groups in the past have disappointed? I mean come on, you get a couple of big name players from bands and throw them together and most of the time they sell themselves in name only. I will tell you this, Them Crooked Vultures is a REAL rock band that puts its best foot forward and jams with the best of them. The band consists of Queens of the Stone Age front man Josh Homme, Foo Fighters/Nirvana jack-of-all-trades Dave Grohl on drums and the ever so cool legendary bassist John Paul Jones formerly of Led Zeppelin. TVC released their self-title disc at the end of last year and they surely didn’t disappoint. TCV delivered a sheer powered two-hour set at the Aragon Tuesday night to a sold-out and sweltering audience. There were no mosh pits; there wasn’t any body surfing going on as the crowd focused its attention on the music. TCV mixed in their swampy psychedelic tunes with their crunching hard rock rifts. The fans in attendance loved every sweat soaked minute of the performance. During the show Homme reminded the audience that Chicago was the first-ever live pairing of TCV at the Metro last August. Grohl was given a deafening ovation after he was acknowledged and Jones ovation was 10 times that. TCV wasn’t there to revel in the adulation each member has earned in their other bands; they were at the Aragon to put on a rock show. They succeeded!  May 9, 2010
By: Evan J. Thomas You may have noticed some subtle changes in your significant other’s behavior that just doesn’t seem right. Contrary to what your masculine side might think, you may not be the main subject of her desire. If you have ever seen the show “Cheaters”, then you know some of the warning signs just by watching Joey Greco and crew bust out infidelity in relationships. Think it can’t happen to you? Well bud, it could be happening in your relationship. Since women are typically more detail-oriented than men, your girl is more likely to cover her cheating ways. Unless your planning on getting a detective to follow her every move I have compiled 7 signs that she is cheating on you. 1- She disengages herself from you You and your ladylove used to go out, movies, dinners, cuddling and now she would rather be on the computer or doing something around the crib that doesn’t involve you. 2- She is quick tempered and/or defensive You ask your main squeeze a question or offer to do something and she bites your head off, not literally but in a way that makes you want to crawl in a hole and hide. 3- She has a new workout and/or diet NOTE: Unless she’s watching Biggest Loser or she has a wedding to attend in the coming months this really doesn’t apply. Your heart’s desire has a sparking new interest for herself to get back in shape though she wasn’t really as interested in doing so before. 4- Change of wardrobe or new clothes Your honey bunny all of a sudden is looking to spice up her look with some new threads. 5- Tells you she is working longer hours The object of your affection could also be deceiving you by saying that she is spending more time out with the girls or hanging out with co-workers to disguise her extracurricular activity. 6- Secret texts/emails/phone calls Your sugar muffin has become secretive with her gadgets by not answering texts or calls in your presence or giving you the “that was so and so whom I haven’t talked to in a while”. 7- Not interested in intimacy with you Your soul mate has disconnected with you sexually, she doesn’t show the same fire as she did previously and the intimacy is lacking desire. The previously named signs may not imply that she is in fact cheating on you, though take each sign as a potential warning that something is astray with your sweetheart. If she wants to make your relationship work she will take the necessary steps. Or you can just break up. Good luck and don’t think it can’t happen to you!
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 Evan J. ThomasEvan was a contributor for Men's Weekly. Follow Evan on Facebook & Twitter.  Archives
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