Tuesday - Ghost Post

Your New Job: Social Media Marketing Specialist

The Creed of the Successful: “Find a need, and fill it.”

Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Blogger, Tumblr…All of these social media outlets. Anyone could tell you that by sitting glued to a computer posting new feeds, tweets, and groups is just a big waste of time. Here you are, a college graduate, student, or neither, spending your days scrolling through profile after profile, commenting, posting, and following, because you just can’t seem to find a job that you have the experience for…a job where you can just show up and work. Well, maybe you are just wasting your time...or, maybe, you’re really doing some training for your new job.

Social media has it’s hand in everything, everywhere. A more-or-less free network of both consumers and producers all over the world are able to view any idea or string-of-words that you want to put up, regardless. You can post products, groups, music, movies, anything… You hold the power and influence to reach millions of people, and all you had to do was sign up for a free account.

Social media is being implemented more and more in today’s Marketing Strategies. Being able to meet a high percentage of consumers at a fraction of the normal cost is highly desirable. And, with the new generation having such a high aptitude for social media and software, your “social mapping skills” are more in need than ever.

Jupiter Research found that “social network users are 3 times more likely to trust peer opinions over advertising when making purchase decisions.” Because a word-of-mouth conversation is estimated to have the same effect as over 200 TV ads, social media is growing exponentially, doubling in traffic from last year. Social media has tested the highest in media retention, as well as momentum. The social outlet advertising boom has done for marketing what TV ads and radio spots once had, but in even larger numbers.

So, even though you may be in the target age group and be more than adept at social media, the question is: How do I distinguish myself?

Well, that’s the easy part. Pick any industry that you’re interested in. Sound like a dream job, yet? It goes on… Find distinct keywords to name your group, page, twitter, blog, etc. You want something that’s easily searchable, but will stand out from the other related groups. Next, just start writing. Write and post about everything you know on the subject, information you find elsewhere, and start a following by posting on other blogs and media sites. Find your voice, target your audience, and once you have created a good following, get out there and find your new job!

Every marketing job right now is looking for a profile of your blog and/or twitter account, along with an application. So, devote yourself to making your blog stand out and getting as many followers as you can. Firms want to see flat-out consumer influence. If your blog or twitter has any sort of pull in a certain marketable area, you’re doing your job.

So, avoid the naysayers and the people that say “social media and it’s unyielding power is just a fad.” Obviously, they are just out of touch…

Monday - Grooming

Do Your Face Some Justice...

Face Shape: Oblong

The All-Over 5 O’Clock Shadow


Let it grow out to appear that your face is shorter, and more oval. Great for men like Tom Ford with a slight receding hairline and a sharp, angular face.

Face Shape: Square

Light Covering Beard

Grow your beard out a few weeks, and use beard clippers to keep short. Gives your face a softer look, rather than hard edges. Ryan Seacrest is a big fan.

Face Shape: Round

Sharp Circle-Beard

Gives your face a more oval shape, while adding definition, as Kanye West shows. Grow your beard out, then head to the barber to style it for you. Maintain by a close razor-shave and clippers.

Face Shape: Triangular

Shaggy Beard

With a pointed chin and longer face, you can go for a scruffy, less-maintained beard with a modern, longer haircut, like Ryan Gosling. This will add more roundness and masculinity to your face. Grow your beard out, and use a razor to define.

Face Shape: Pear

Thick, Long Sideburns with Light All-Over Beard

With a large, prominent chin, it’s best to minimize the hard edges and soften your face up with a light beard like Dane Cook. The long sideburns with round out your face more and take away from your chin. Grow it out (sideburns thicker than facial hair) and shape it with a razor.





There you have it, the best facial hair for your face shapes...
Now, give your face the presentation it deserves.

~ advice from http://www.askmen.com/ ~

Sunday - The Day to Celebrate, well, Yourself

Every guy knows that there is nothing better than finding that perfect night when it's just you celebrating you. No one else matters that night.... Just your music, your food, your needs. Now, whether you decide to just veg out with your favorite movie and the best chinese take-out in town, or grab that page-turner that lets you free yourself from the oppressive misanthropic boss at work, or just take care of yourself, in other words...Regardless of all else, it's your night to be a man, your own man. So, take a day, maybe once a week, once a month, take a day to reaffirm all the things that make you who you are. One day to recharge and take stock of what the week and coming week holds. And while you're at it, go out on a limb. Try something you never have before, because hey, it's just going to be yourself that you face in the morning.

Here's just a few things that can make just another old lonely day in the house one of those days to start looking forward to in the week:

 The Harmony: Coltrane's Sound by John Coltrane.

Although not widely considered Coltrane's most popular record, Coltrane's Sound showcases Coltrane and his quartet in their most infant of recordings. Tracks such as "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" and "Central Park West" will bring you into another world, and spark the "cool" deep in your soul, setting the tone for a man's perfect night.

The Lyrics: The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac

Jack Kerouac represents a part of every man. The need for adventure      and a whimsical, but well-worked "pick up and leave" lifestyle is something that every man desires one time or another. While reading Kerouac's sharp, scrolling lyrics (to the beat of Coltrane's Sound), a man can truly put himself in Ray Smith's shoes, thanks to Kerouac's intense and vibrant imagery. The extreme duality represented by Ray Smith in The Dharma Bums will always be an internal struggle of man, and there is nothing better than reading a book that you feel was written for you.

The Finale: Chimay Red Ale with Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp and Scallops from Rachael Ray

This one's easy. The perfect beer with the perfect meal. For that night when you just don't feel right busting out another cold $8 a pack brew, Chimay's Red Ale will add a whole other level of sophistication to that sharp night. The sweet fruity aroma of Chimay Rouge Premiere will make the main course taste even better...

Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp and Scallops: What more can you want?

Just add bacon, and throw it in the oven...The meal fit for a man.

 Ingredients

• 12 jumbo raw peeled deveined shrimp, 16 to 20 count per pound
• 12 large sea scallops, trimmed and well drained
• 1 lime, juiced and zested
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon grill seasoning or coarse salt and black pepper
• 1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
• 12 slices center cut or applewood smoked bacon, cut in 1/2
• Toothpicks
• 3 scallions, very thinly sliced on an angle

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Place shrimp and scallops in a shallow dish or bowl. Dress seafood with lime juice and zest, a generous drizzle of sesame oil, grill seasoning and hot pepper flakes. Wrap each shrimp and scallop with a half slice of bacon. Wrap each shrimp working from head to tail, pulling bacon snuggly around the shrimp. Wrap the bacon around the outside of each scallop. Fasten bacon in place as necessary with picks.
Arrange the shrimp and scallops on a slotted baking pan, such as a broiler pan, to allow draining while bacon crisps. Bake shrimp and scallops 10 to 14 minutes, until shrimp is pink and curled, scallops are opaque and bacon is crisp. Shrimps may finish before the scallops.
Arrange cooked seafood on platter and sprinkle with chopped scallions.


So there you have it...A Man's Night in Paradise. All without the slightest bit of effort...because, hey, that's what it's really about.

~ Enjoy ~ 

Saturday - Then. and. Now. Music.

Band on the Rise: The Naked and Famous


Streaking Their Way To The States

Auckland’s The Naked and Famous are already on their way. Having their first single “Serenade” debut at #1 on the Radioscope Alternative National Charts and stay there for 3 weeks, expectations were high from the start. But this 4-piece was not going to be another Sophomore Slump of a band. With the uber-talented composer Thom Powers powering the melodies and the lovely Alisa Xayalith singing her own surprisingly sweet, honest lyrics, The Naked and Famous is something to be excited about. With likenesses to Passion Pit and Temper Trap, The Naked and Famous compliment heart-pounding, foot-stomping beats with serenading lyrics that lift their songs to new, untouchable heights. And if their new single “Young Blood” is any indication of what’s in store for this power-duo, The Naked and Famous are sure to make a big splash here in the states.

The Naked and Famous’ “Passive Me, Aggressive You” is to be out in New Zealand September 6, 2010.

Check out: “Serenade”, “Young Blood”, “The Sun”
http://thenakedandfamous.bandcamp.com/album/this-machine

New "Young Blood" Video:

The Naked And Famous - Young Blood from The Naked And Famous on Vimeo.


Throwback Artist of the Day - Ten Years After

Still Great...Even 40 Years After

With 8 Top 40 Albums on the UK Albums Charts, Ten Years After dominated the rock and roll scene of the late 60's with hit singles like "I'm Going Home", "Hear Me Calling", "Love Like a Man", and my personal favorite, A Space in Time's (1971) "I'd Love To Change The World." Ten Years After rocked the late 60's into the righteous 70's, proving themselves as one of the UK's most formidable rock bands.

Check out "I'd Love To Change The World"


Ten Years After - I'd Love to Change the World from Queenie Darleen on Vimeo.

Friday - A Toast To A Roast

Every Friday, TBITB will post a food and drink pairing that will really take the week-long edge off...

Pacific Side Stock N' Chop

- Eastern Manhattan from http://www.drinksmixer.com/

2 1/2 oz Suntory® Royal whisky

1/4 oz Ricard® pastis

1/2 oz sweet vermouth

Stir with ice to chill and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry, and serve.


 










 - Szechuan-Style Pork Chops from http://www.chinesefood-recipes.com/

Serves 4

Ingredients:

•4 boneless pork chops, 3/8-inch thick
•1 clove garlic, minced
•1 tsp. vegetable oil
•2 tbsps. rice wine or dry sherry
•2 tbsps. soy sauce
•1 tbsp. brown sugar
•1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
•1 tbsp. water
•1 tsp. cornstarch






Directions:

1.Brown chops on one side in oil with garlic in nonstick pan over medium heat; turn.

2.Combine sherry, soy sauce, brown sugar and red pepper; pour over chops. Cover and simmer gently for 12-15 minutes.

3.Combine water and cornstarch; add to pan and cook until thickened. Serve with hot cooked noodles or rice, if desired.


Enjoy!

Welcome to The Beauty In The Beast Blog!

Welcome Gentlemen,

Come on in, kick your shoes off, and do what you do best...
That mud on your boots, that week-long beard, those calluses on your hands?
That's all fine in here. Hey, that's what a week's worth of work looks like, right?

Well, now that you're sitting down, there's something we gotta talk about...

We men are on one slippery slope...We're letting ourselves go. Somewhere along the way, us guys had to choose: Be a man or Look Good...I don't know when it happened...And hey, I'm right there with ya. Somehow, dressing ourselves with pride and glamour, sharp grooming and personal hygiene, and most of all, living as a distinguished gentleman went right out the window.

Maybe it was perception, maybe it was just the fear of ridicule. But, guys, I think it's time that we step it up. Moisturizers, Hair Products, Grooming Tools, Fitting Clothes, Only The Finest Food and Drink, and Of Course, All the Media and Buzz That Goes With It!

Men, this is our place to share what we might be afraid to share elsewhere. Hey, we need a little upkeep...we need a place to talk about how we keep it looking so sharp...and most of all, we need to do it without sacrificing our rugged, barbaric selves.

So, without further ado, here it is......

- The Beauty In The Beast -
How To Beautify The Atrocious Beast In All Of Us