When you shop for a 2012 calendar, check CalendarClub.co.uk.  Not only do they offer distinctly English topics, from Banksy to Country Railways to Holly Peers to Harry Potter, they have calendars that are hard to find in the U.S., if not impossible.  Get something unique in a monthly calendar for 2012 and indulge or expand your interest in UK subjects.  And if you actually are a British subject, then it’s only natural to shop there.

Update on 5/2/12:  You might like to know that Calendars.com now has every 2012 calendar on sale.  Click here to see what they have available at 50-75% off.  You can also get free shipping at Calendars.com when you spend at least $12.  Use coupon code “MAY12FS” at checkout to get free shipping.

You can explore a number of manly themes throughout the huge selection of 2012 English calendars at CalendarClub.uk.  Following is my review of 12 of the more interesting, masculine-oriented calendars from their online British store.

Fortunately, the Internet makes this extensive calendar store available to all.  American readers who are fans of Great Britain can obtain unique 2012 UK calendars for not much more than they’d pay for a calendar at their local supermarket — but these are calendars that none of their friends or office-mates are likely to have.  (Shipping from CalendarClub to the US is not terribly expensive — a little over £10 to start.  Not bad to get a calendar from overseas that you’d probably find otherwise only if you traveled to England.)  And if you are located in the United Kingdom, you’ll get free shipping on orders over £15 using the coupon code below.

==> CLICK HERE to shop for thousands of monthly calendars in all categories at CalendarClub.co.uk.  Enter code AFD152 at checkout to get free delivery in the UK for orders over £15 <==

Banksy Calendar

Click to get the Banksy 2012 Wall Calendar from CalendarClub.co.uk

For your 2012 date and holiday-tracking pleasure, we’ll start with that quintessentially Bristol-bred artist, Banksy.  Banksy has become perhaps the best-known graffiti stencil-artist in the world, notorious for creating gritty, urban street-art that pokes subversive fun at western consumerism, culture, and institutions.  By turns whimsical and bitingly satirical, he creates his works in guerrilla fashion (and when he’s nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Film, he doesn’t show up, as befits an anonymous artist).   His varied style and subject-matter are on thought-provoking and humorous display in the Banksy 2012 Wall Calendar (click here to see it). (On the CalendarClub.co.uk site, you can see the back of each calendar to check out the individual monthly images.)  If it’s sold out, check the Barnes & Noble link below.

Fortunately, unlike Angelina Jolie, you don’t have to pay $226,000 to enjoy a piece of art by Banksy, but just £9.99 for this calendar.  (To roughly convert pounds to US dollars, just multiply by 1.6.)  For your £9.99, you get 12 Banksy reproductions in a 12 x 24 wall calendar, which you can enjoy for a year.  Get an additional copy of this contemporary art calendar as a gift for a Banksy fan (along with Banksy’s book, Wall and Piece, which proves that he can write with a typically British wit, too).

Since there is worldwide interest in this calendar, it’s also easier to find at alternative outlets.  Its popularity also means that it’s selling fast and may soon sell out, so don’t wait to get it.  If CalendarClub.co.uk no longer has it in stock, try clicking here to get the Banksy 2012 Wall Calendar from Barnes & Noble.

“Uncoverage” of Holly Peers:  Holly Peers Calendar

Click here to get the Holly Peers 2012 Calendar

I did mention above that you can get English-themed calendars that have “uncoverage” of English subjects, and what better UK subject to uncover than Holly Peers?  To the delight of the lads (and certain lasses, too, I imagine), Holly has previously appeared wearing fewer clothes than one might usually wear in public on “Page 3″ of The Sun, as well as in Nuts and Loaded.  A Holly Peers gallery of photos is just the ticket when you want to inspire yourself to be your best.  And you can get 12 revealing photos of the girl from Manchester in the Holly Peers 2012 Wall Calendar from CalendarClub.uk.

Now, this is one of those calendars that you’re not generally going to find available outside the Sceptered Isle.  Too bad, too, because, as you’ll surely agree, Holly Peers deserves greater exposure.  And the English just seem to know how to do pinup calendars right.  Especially when you have the right girl.  A Holly Peers calendar definitely has the right blend of cheeky sexiness to keep your spirits up in 2012.  And it’s not even expensive.

In fact, none of the UK calendars for 2012 from CalendarClub.co.uk mentioned here is expensive.

Travel Via Country Railway Scenes

Click here to see Country Railways 2012 Calendar at CalendarClub

Some might say that the best way to travel around England is to obtain one of the proper English cars — an Aston Martin, say, or one of the newer Jaguars — and drive.  For my money, though, taking in the English countryside from a railway car is the way to go.  That way, you’re free to absorb all the sights and sounds of the landscape on either side of the tracks, while enjoying the fact that you’re on a train.  You can appreciate this type of railway travel vicariously for a year when you get the Country Railways 2012 Wall Calendar.  This is a fairly large format calendar with charming photographs of the trains and their engines chugging through wild, green country, and along lakes and rivers.

As an example of the trains you’ll find in this calendar, one of the featured trains is the West Highland, pulled by engine No. 5407.  Below, I have a video taken from that very train.  This is the atmosphere I’m describing.  Watch this vignette, and then get the Country Railways 2012 Calendar to enjoy the rest of this picturesque series that evokes a more contemplative and stately way of travel.

Harry Potter Slim Calendar

Harry Potter Slim Calendar

England has produced some pretty good authors — Shakespeare, Milton, Tolkien, Rowling.  You may have heard of J. K. Rowling — she wrote a rather popular story about a kid named Harry Potter.  Became a billionaire (Rowling, not Potter).  Yes, that Jo Rowling, the one who’s sold 450 million books. (Milton sold about two ten-thousandths of a percent of that many books per year.)

Anyway, there’s this Harry Potter calendar for 2012 — the Harry Potter Slim Calendar – that Potter fans think is kind of cool.  Well, it is kind of cool.  But it’s sort of hard to find in stores now except at CalendarClub.co.uk.  Get yours before they sell out there, too.  Click the link above or the image at left and enjoy the Harry Potter 2012 Slim Wall Calendar, with images of Harry, Ron, Hermione, a few irksome Death Eaters, Gringott’s, and more, all from the movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2.  It’s called the “Slim” calendar because it’s slim and stylish, just like Emma Watson.  (Actually, it’s 16 x 6 inches, which is somewhat slimmer than Emma.)

Cheshire English Countryside and Estates

The scenic Cheshire 2012 Wall Calendar

Cheshire County, in England, looks the way you imagine the English countryside looks in your favorite children’s books — The Hobbit, for example, or The Wind in the Willows.  Certain areas of Cheshire look just the way you might picture the Shire would look.  You also come across estates in Cheshire that remind you of  Toad Hall.  Cheshire can’t help it, British authors are just that good at evoking landscapes and buildings with their descriptions.  And then, of course, there are cats — must remember the Cheshire cat.

But Cheshire is the reality, the actual place that you can go to, walk around in, and take pictures of.  So it only follows that you should have a calendar depicting this appealing and varied English region of the Welsh Marches — the Cheshire 2012 Wall Calendar.  Charming and scenic as all get-out.  The photography is superb.  Let it evoke some poignant and nostalgic feelings in you as you take a moment to daydream during 2012.  Nostalgic for what, you aren’t sure — maybe you should go there and see.  There, and, of course, back again.  (Look into Cheshire travel info at TripAdvisor.)

Ocean Liners Calendar

Click for the Ocean Liners 2012 Wall Calendar

The Ocean Liners 2012 Wall Calendar celebrates a golden age of global travel — when people could board a luxurious ship, sunbathe, dine, and sleep in comfort, get acquainted with their shipmates, and disembark after several days at sea in an exotic port.  What made this agreeable adventure possible was the ocean liner — a ship in which common folk could travel without having to join the Navy, be a pilgrim, or work.  Prior to the airplane, ocean liners were how the world became accessible to the general populace who could afford passage.

The Ocean Liners 2012 Wall Calendar harks back to this romantic age of transportation with 16 reproductions (yes, you get 4 extra images) of some of the most colorful travel posters put out by steamship companies  advertising their cruises — companies such as Union-Castle, which sailed from England to South Africa every Thursday, and the East Asiatic Company Ltd., which offered cruises to a variety of Atlantic ports via the West Indies.  Add a little adventurousness and “the call of the sea” to your life with the Ocean Liners Wall Calendar from CalendarClub.co.uk.

Classic English Motorcycles

Click to get the Classic Motorcycling Calendar

And now for something completely different…  Still in a transportation mode, but this mode is about as different from an ocean liner as a phone-box is from a bagpipe.  I’m talking motorcycles.  Did you know that English companies were some of the first successful mass producers of motorcycles?  There’s a reason UK motorcycle companies became staples of two-wheeled, motorized travel (and remain successful to this day).  They jumped into the fray early, at the turn of the 19th century.  By the 1930s, there were over 80 different makes of motorcycles available in Great Britain.  The Classic Motorcycling 2012 Deluxe Wall Calendar commemorates the innovative and adventurous early years of English motorcycles by showcasing vintage advertisements from several different makes.  On this 2012 motorcycle calendar (with holidays), you get ads for Ariel, Matchless, AJS, James, and, of course, Norton, Triumph, and BSA.  This would be an excellent calendar for your garage (where it can share wall space with the clutch diaphragm spring tool for your Norton Commando).  Or an inspiring monthly calendar for your office, where it can serve to remind you what you’ll want to be doing on the weekend.  Take a look at the following video review of the Classic Motorcycling 2012 Wall Calendar:

More Adventurous Machinery:  Land Rover Pictures

See Land Rovers in action in the Land Rover 2012 Calendar

Another iconic British machine you’ll find represented in the CalendarClub online calendar store is the Land Rover.  Decades of Land Rover models are covered — from the 1956 Series 1 SWB to the 2010 Range Rover Evoque — in the Land Rover 2012 Wall Calendar.

When the British get things right (lawn tennis, grail legends, suave spies, sub-four-minute miles, Kate Beckinsale), they get them very right — such that they become the best in the world.  The Land Rover is the off-road vehicle by which all other off-road vehicles are measured.  Sure, most Land Rover/Range Rover models are dressed up now like James Bond at an exclusive casino, but they can still kick the landscape’s butt when necessary.  In that sense, like Bond, they have no peer.  (Except for, you know, the members of the peerage who buy them.)  Refresh your knowledge of Land Rover’s tough-as-nails yet sumptuous vehicles with the Land Rover 2012 Wall Calendar (large size 12 x 24 inches). The different models are depicted doing Land-Rover-ish things in various environments — or just sitting there, ready to strike.  Just like you.

Formula One: McLaren Calendar

Click to see the 2012 McLaren Formula 1 Calendar, with free poster

While Land Rover distinguishes itself making vehicles that will crawl through mud and climb ridiculously steep hills, British racing company McLaren builds fast cars.  Period.  And the fastest cars they build are the McLaren MP4 series of Formula 1 cars — the ones that won the Driver’s World Championship in 2008 and 2009.  The McLaren Formula 1 Team, drivers, and high-velocity race cars are the subjects of the McLaren 2012 Wall Calendar.

Formula 1 is the most popular racing series in the world, but you don’t have to be a rabid fan of Formula 1 to appreciate the McLaren calendar.  You can be a fan of outstanding engineering, which McLaren has demonstrated in virtually every one of its race cars for decades (including dominating the original Can-Am series and achieving two Indianapolis 500 victories).

You can also be a fan of success.  Though it entered the Formula 1 ranks 16 years behind Ferrari, McLaren is now second only to Ferrari in almost every important category of Formula 1 success, including total wins, total podiums, and total manufacturer’s points.  And McLaren had what is arguably the greatest year any race team has ever had when it won all but one race in the 1988 season, scored a record 11 consecutive victories, and tallied a so-far untouchable 94% win percentage.

If you’re a race fan, stick the McLaren 2012 Wall Calendar up and whet your appetite for the 2012 Formula 1 season, which kicks off on March 18 at the Australian Grand Prix (and along with your calendar purchase, you’ll also receive a limited-edition McLaren poster).

By the way, the 2012 season will be notable for the return of Formula 1 to the United States.  On November 18, 2012, the United States Grand Prix will be held at the brand new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.  Mark it on your calendar.

Spitfires Wall Calendar

Click for Spitfires Calendar 2012

We may as well continue the momentum of this theme of planes, trains, and automobiles — and conclude with a plane:  probably the most famous British airplane ever:  the Spitfire.  The Spitfires 2012 Wall Calendar features 12 well-composed photographs of 12 different variants of the World War II fighter plane, including the iconic Mk I, which in great measure saved England during the Battle of Britain.  (During the months-long battle, towns and clubs throughout Great Britain raised money to buy individual Spitfires for the Royal Air Force.)

The Spitfire went on to be manufactured in greater numbers than any other single-seat Allied fighter plane.  The Spitfire’s graceful lines are on varied display in the Spitfires Wall Calendar, which includes photographs over both land and sea.  The photos showcase the form, function, and character that has made this classic World War II fighter legendary.  To give you some idea of the impressiveness of this airplane, check the video below.  Though, if you’re at all a fan of classic aircraft — or even a resident of the unconquered UK — you don’t need any extra incentive to appreciate it.  You can do that for an entire year with this calendar.

More Uncoverage:  India Reynolds Calendar

India Reynolds is uncovered in her 2012 Calendar

To transition from Spitfires to a different kind of spitfire, the thing that used to be said during the war was that pinup pictures helped soldiers, sailors, and airmen remember what they were fighting for…   And if they’d had a chance to observe India Reynolds, their motivation would have remained unshakably firm.  So let’s conclude this review of English calendars with another lovely English lass.

India, the brunette spitfire who is the subject of the India Reynolds 2012 Wall Calendar, is a girl known for her ability to display a saucy combination of sass and girl-next-door appeal.   Along with Holly Peers, she will help keep you on your toes in 2012.

Whether you’re in the military or not, you can use the India Reynolds calendar to hone whatever motivation you wish to enhance — or simply be captivated by the sight of an unquestionably feminine girl displaying her physical charms.  A 12-image India Reynolds gallery is presented in the 2012 India Reynolds calendar — another monthly calendar you can only get from the UK calendar store online.  This cute gal (or fit bird) from Reading is another reason to be a devoted anglophile.

Here’s a bonus picture of India, just for fun. –> 

Even More of Holly and India:  the Hot Shots 2012 Calendar

Holly Peers in the 2012 Hot Shots Calendar

Okay, so maybe you’re having trouble deciding which pinup calendar you like better — Holly Peers or India Reynolds.  Perfectly understandable.  Of course, you could go for both.  But there’s another solution:  the Hot Shots Girls and Weapons 2012 Calendar, which not only features Holly Peers and India Reynolds, it includes models Rosie Jones, Stacey Noblett, and Charlotte McKenna, too.  With automatic weapons.  In camouflage.  Topless.

That’s Holly to the left in a shot from the calendar.

And if you need any further incentive besides naked girls wielding large-caliber firearms to get this calendar, 50% of proceeds from sales of the Hot Shots 2012 Calendar are donated to Help for Heroes, a UK-based organization that helps wounded servicemen and servicewomen returning from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Can’t beat that combination:  scantily-clad beauties and aid for wounded veterans.  Both sides of your brain can be happy with this calendar.

I can’t top that last offering, so we’ll wrap it up…

All the best to you in 2012!  Keep track of the year’s highlights with a wall calendar with holidays from the excellent online calendar store, CalendarClub.co.uk.  Explore more choices by clicking the banner below:

Related posts:

1. Some Worthwhile, Interesting Calendars for 2010
2. Cheap 2011 Calendars

CafePress has about 4 billion T-shirts to choose from.  (Okay, I’m exaggerating, but they do have millions of T-shirts.)  They carry over 330 million unique products and at least 10 million are T-shirts.  Which means you could spend 8 hours a day, every day, combing through the funny, unique, cool, creative, vintage, rude, sporty, and artistic T-shirt designs at CafePress and never explore them all (particularly since 45,000 new designs are added each day).

The bottom line is that CafePress has something for everybody.  And everybody, in this case, is you.  And a T-shirt I think you’ll like is this pistol-packing panda.

I looked through every T-shirt CafePress offers (okay, another slight exaggeration) and found one you could not help but appreciate:  the Panda Armed and Dangerous T-shirt.  (Yes, the actual title of this shirt at CafePress is “Panda Arm and Dangerous” but I figured I’d help them out with their grammar some.)  The picture at left shows the shirt in black but you can get it in 9 different colors.  The black and white panda design should work well with any color. The shirt is made of 5.6-ounce, 100% cotton (of course) and retails for $25 (for now, before cotton clothes go up in price).  

This T-shirt is a bit edgy, a bit humorous, sort of aggressive without being obnoxious.  Where could you wear this shirt?  The question should actually be:  where couldn’t you wear this shirt?  You could wear it to church (depending on what church you go to) or you could wear it to a pub.  You could wear it to work (depending on where you work) or you could wear it to a lacrosse game.  About the only place you wouldn’t want to wear it would be on a hay ride.

You could definitely wear it to yoga class and impress the cute girl stretching herself supplely on the mat next to yours.

CafePress bills itself as “The world’s favorite place to find or make unique T-shirts and gifts.”  I suppose Zazzle might dispute that somewhat (Zazzle bills itself as “the world’s leading platform for quality custom products”), but the bottom line is that CafePress has 2 million unique shops where people just like you (well, not just like you) can offer their personal designs to the world.

Of course, if you don’t quite cotton to the Panda T-shirt, you could design your own at CafePress, taking advantage of dozens of clothing and customizing options.

In fact, you can also create many kinds of customized gifts at CafePress:  click here to explore T-shirts and more.  The Panda T-shirt is just a starting point — check out jewelry, iPhone cases, water bottles, greeting cards, and more.

Another nice thing about CafePress is that they unconditionally guarantee their products.  If you don’t like it, you can return it, no questions asked.  Not many businesses stand behind their products as firmly these days, nor treat their customers as well as CafePress.  So, whether you acquire a design that someone else has made, or you creatively create your own, you really can’t go wrong with any merchandise from CafePress.  See the video below to hear Allison give an overview of their approach to T-shirts:

T-Shirt – CafePress Product Info from CafePress on Vimeo.

Chicago Cubs Vintage Tee from CafePress

Now, maybe the Panda Armed and Dangerous T-shirt isn’t quite your cup of tea.  In that case, I’ve selected another T-shirt from CafePress for your sartorial consideration:  the Chicago Cubs Vintage Tee.  Not only is this design kind of a charming throwback (harking back to a time when Cubs fans were simply hopeful, rather than desperately hopeful), this T-shirt is made of organic cotton, enzyme-washed to be super soft, and mixed with a little spandex to keep its shape.  Of course, the character on the shirt is still a bear, but a different species of bear, and he’s carrying a baseball bat instead of two semi-automatics.  Take your choice of weapons.

Or get one of each.

Or, if you’ve been inspired by this post, design your own shirt or other product at CafePress.

Okay, so I put in 10 hours today working in a warehouse, so I’m going to go have dinner.  Not that you necessarily care about that.  I’m just sayin’, you work up a powerful appetite searching for good T-shirts at CafePress plus working in a warehouse.

Related posts:

1. 10 Days of T-Shirts: Day 4 – Vox Logo T-Shirt from Musician’s Friend
2. 10 Days of T-Shirts: Day 8 – Orange Lantern Avarice T-Shirt from Entertainment Earth

T-shirts have become an artistic medium.  Here’s an excellent example to add to your collection:  the Pat Perry Flower Face Tee, made by Chrome.

Pat Perry Tee "Flower Face" from Chrome

Pat Perry is first and foremost an artist — a wizard with brush and pencil.  He describes himself as a “Drawer and Painter.”  But he also takes pictures (good ones) and so I’d add “Photographer” to the mix.  In any medium, he has a knack for coming up with wholly original, visually-arresting images that are both fun and disturbing, accurate yet surreal.  Fortunately, Chrome, the legendary maker of messenger bags, got him to design some T-shirts.  So, rather than having to spend hundreds or thousands on one of Pat Perry’s paintings, you can get a T-shirt.  You’ll look savvy.  And faintly disturbed.  (A provocative combo.)  Here for your visual and performance entertainment is the Flower Face Tee by Pat Perry.  Wear it and roll.

Pat is a pretty cool dude, with varied interests, including backpacking, so he understands and appreciates function when it comes to clothing.  As a company, so does Chrome, which means that this very soft, durable, ring spun cotton tee will do the job, while looking cool.  It’s 100% cotton, made in the USA.  Only $25.

Click for Pat Perry Cyclops Tee from Chrome

While you’re getting the Flower Face Tee, check the other Pat Perry T-shirt designs at Chrome.  Plus the rest of their über-functional, attractive apparel.  Oh, and remember their bags.  There are messenger bags that are as good as the ones made by Chrome, but none that are better.

If you’ve read my preceding two T-shirt posts, you’ll be aware that I’ve been providing some 411 about cotton for your dressing edification.  So, what do we have today?

How about the question:  is cotton a flower?

No, Jimmy, cotton is actually the fiber that grows to protect and help disperse the seeds of the cotton plant after the flower has fallen off.  Cotton is the fibrous “boll” that surround the seeds.   The cotton plant is a member of the genus Gossypium, which includes about 50 species.  Only a few of these are cultivated commercially.  Some are genetically modified.  When you see cotton growing in the United States, it’s most likely Gossypium hirsutum, or Upland Cotton.  When you’re driving by a cotton field with your parents, point at the field and say, “Look, Mom and Dad, that’s probably Gossypium hirsutum.”

They will think you are smart.  Maybe they will buy you a cotton T-shirt.

Here is a time-lapse video of Pat Perry doing a painting.  This shows about 2 weeks of work with acrylic paint and ink:

Timelapse Painting Two from Pat Perry on Vimeo.

Related posts:

1. 10 Days of T-Shirts: Day 10 – Bamboo T-Shirts from ONNO
2. 10 Days of T-Shirts: Day 9 – Panda Armed and Dangerous T-Shirt from Cafe Press

It’s ten days until Mother’s Day, guys.  You’re thinking, geez, should I get my mom flowers again?  Nothing wrong with flowers (and if you go with flowers for Mother’s Day, use Fleurop, the world’s most extensive flower delivery service), but why not surprise her with something a little more exotic?  How about some beautiful handmade turquoise jewelry from Nepal?  You can get Turquoise Teardrop Jewelry — a necklace, earrings, or a set of both — from the international collection of gifts at the National Geographic Store.

Click to get Turquoise Teardrop Jewelry at National Geographic Store

The Turquoise Teardrop Necklace and Earrings are artistic and graceful (just like your mom), and come out of the ancient jewelry-making tradition of the Shakya clan, which in ancient times dwelt in the foothills of the Himalayas and had their capital city located in what is present-day Nepal.  The Shakya were known for their skill in metalwork.

You’re probably aware of the importance of turquoise to the Navajos, but did you know that it has been an important stone to ancient cultures throughout the world?  In Tibet, the sky is referred to as “the turquoise of heaven,” and most Tibetans own at least one piece of turquoise jewelry.  The Anasazi Indians believed that their ancestors first entered the world through a cave that is now a famous turquoise mine in New Mexico.  As early as 3100 BC, the Egyptians made jewelry out of green turquoise; the Egyptian name for turquoise (mefkat) was synonymous with “joy” and “delight.”  The Aztecs inlaid turquoise with gold, malachite, jade, and other semi-precious materials and used it to make ceremonial masks, knives, and shields.

This classic teardrop design from the National Geographic Store is a modern rendering in sterling silver and turquoise of a shape used by the Shakya to help one focus on one’s spiritual intentions.  These handmade earrings and necklaces are works of art, yet are very reasonably priced.

The National Geographic Store partners with artisans from around the globe — but particularly in economically- and politically-challenged areas — to produce products for their customers that will reflect the highest standards of craftsmanship and quality, while simultaneously helping provide a stable income to areas beset by instability.  Their products are thus a win-win for their customers and the artisans with whom they work.

Here are two more interesting jewelry designs from the National Geographic Store that would also make excellent, thoughtful gifts for Mother’s Day:

Click for Kashmiri Floral Bangles

These Kashmiri Floral Bangles are made by artisans in the mountains of Kashmir using an advanced form of papier-mâché.  Richly-colored local pigments and gold accents are then used to paint traditional floral, paisley, and bird patterns on each bracelet.  You get 5 lightweight bangles for only $29.

Get your Mom a truly unique necklace

If your mom is into history, archaeology, or truly one-of-a-kind jewelry, she will appreciate this Ancient Roman Coin Necklace.  The  artist who makes these necklaces uses Roman coins from the second to fourth century A.D., each one depicting a Roman emperor of the era.  The coins are set in sterling silver and can be worn with either side facing out.  Who was the last person to spend one of these coins?  Was it used to purchase a dagger?  A basket of grain?  This is living history.  And where else can you find items like this but at the National Geographic Store online?  Of course, they have many more jewelry designs to choose from, so check them out.

Everything they sell is unconditionally guaranteed.  You (or your gift recipient) must be satisfied with your purchase or you can return or exchange it.  From high-tech to classical-tech, they have a huge selection of fascinating, educational, unique, and beautiful products from around the globe.

Would you like more gift ideas for Mother’s Day?  Then see my post on out-of-the-ordinary Mother’s Day gifts.

Related posts:

1. Costume Ideas and Deals for Halloween — or Whenever
2. A Valentine’s Gift Sure to Please Her

Some of the best 2011 calendars are on sale now for a good discount at Calendars.com.  These are the cheapest calendars you can get for this year.  (On April 19, use coupon code SPRING to get half off ALL 2011 calendars that aren’t already marked down.)

This sale of 2011 calendars will only last for a limited time.  Calendars.com has probably the best selection of calendars available online.  And right now, many of their most popular wall and desk calendars are priced at 50 – 75% off.  That is a cheap calendar!  So for all of you who’ve been waiting to find a calendar at a reduced price, wait no more…

Update on 9/8/11:  Today is the final day to buy 2011 calendars at Calendars.com.  Click here to get them for up to 90% off.  90% off is about as cheap as you can get without being free!  (And of course, you can find calendars guys will like for 2012 now, too.)

But you may wonder:  can you still get a decent, interesting calendar a quarter of the way through 2011?  Sure.  For canine fans, their discounted 2011 calendars include popular dog calendars — such as a pug calendar, for all you pug fans – and a greyhound calendar for under $5! 

You can find an even bigger selection of dog calendars on sale at their associated site, DogBreedStore.com.

In addition, Calendars.com is discounting other popular categories, such as folk art calendars, music calendars, and sports calendars.  And you can find educational, mind-expanding options, such as a scientific calendar or history calendar.  Just search all the categories on their site.  The selection they offer is huge and you will get free shipping when you place an order of $20 or more, or $5 flat rate shipping…

I previously posted a more in-depth review of some of the best, most entertaining, most creative 2011 calendars, which you can find here. 

But be sure to check out this sale of inexpensive calendars now at Calendars.com because it will only last a limited time.  Find something cool and entertaining for your wall or desk for a great sale price (that will, you know, also tell you the date)!  Or take advantage of cheap calendars to give as gifts…

Calendars.com has customer reviews and staff reviews (including videos) of many of their most popular calendars, which means you can buy with greater confidence.  (And when I say “cheap,” I don’t mean mediocre quality, I mean “inexpensive.”  As in:  “good deal.”)  Here, for example, is one customer’s review of a pug calendar (For the Love of Pugs 2011 Deluxe Wall Calendar):

“Beautiful photos and good quality paper!  I enjoy ordering calendars from you.  The service is great and the price is right.”

Related posts:

1. Time To Get Your 2011 Calendars: Cool, Hot, Artistic
2. Some Worthwhile, Interesting Calendars for 2010

You may be wondering how to help the people of Japan cope with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that occurred March 11.  You can do it by buying goods from Japanese companies online.  This post tells you the best way to shop Japan via the Internet.

One idea for economic recovery that I have not seen mentioned is to shop directly with Japanese businesses online.  Americans and others around the world have donated millions of dollars through various relief organizations, such as the Red Cross, and many others have traveled to Japan to volunteer their services.  But, while donations of money satisfy the immediate need to get supplies to the people in the towns of the tsunami-ravaged Tohoku region, dollars can be infused into the Japanese economy long-term by shopping via the Internet from anywhere in the world at Rakuten.

Click to explore Rakuten's huge online mall

Many people outside Japan have not heard of Rakuten.  It is an online shopping company.  It is Japan’s equivalent of Amazon.  The Japanese name “Rakuten Ichiba” translates to “Rakuten Shopping Mall,” which is exactly what it is — an aggregation of 33,000 Japanese shops and businesses.  This huge online shopping site offers 60 million products.  Rakuten is the second most visited site in Japan, with over 50 million registered users.  In fact, this Internet shopping giant is the reason Amazon has not been able to make much headway into the Japanese market.  It is estimated that one-third of households in Japan shop at Rakuten.  And that says something:  Japanese consumers, particularly online, are known for being finicky and demanding.  Rakuten has met their needs to the point that it is now one of the top ten Internet companies in the world, and has an international presence.  In addition to products, it also has its own extensive travel services site, which anyone in the world can use.

Rakuten is now actively expanding its shopping services in other markets throughout the world, including Europe and the United States.  Amazon may be the largest online shopping company, but sheer size is no guarantee of quality (Microsoft sells more operating systems than any other company but no one thinks their OS is the best, and General Motors became the largest automaker in the world selling cars inferior to a number of other makes), so I would not be surprised if, in a few years, Rakuten has noticeably eroded Amazon’s market share.  You can think of Rakuten as the Honda of online retailing.

What does that mean with respect to helping the Japanese economy weather the aftermath of the earthquake?

We know that the world’s economic fortunes are subject to ripple effects that transcend national boundaries.  Mortgage foreclosures in the American mid-west affect the value of the Euro.  The price of labor in China impacts how much Walmart pays its US workers.  The Russian wheat harvest affects the price of food in Delhi and Des Moines.  With respect to the world economy, Japan is a titan, boasting the third largest economy after the US and China.  So any financial woes that Japan experiences as a result of the triple whammy of the earthquake, tsunami, and radiation contamination from damaged nuclear power plants will affect not only the Japanese people but people in the United States and around the world.  (Already, it is projected that demand for the Prius will not be able to be met, since there are parts suppliers for the car in the affected region.  And US beef exports to Japan may be hampered by damaged port facilities.)  In other words, the domino effect from an economic slowdown in Japan coupled with the need to re-build infrastructure could affect your personal financial situation.  So it behooves you to help your neighbor.

Thus, if you shop for Japanese goods, you can help not only Japanese businesses and consumers as they recover and re-build, but your own economy as well.  The easiest (and most enjoyable) way to shop in Japan from outside Japan is Rakuten. Spend a few bucks there, get yourself some interesting, well-made Japanese products, and you’ll be helping float everyone’s boat.  After all, just imagine what it would have meant to a local hardware or stationery store in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina if they had had a steady influx of customers…  If they had experienced damage or hardship from the hurricane, sure, packets of freeze-dried food and blankets would have met their immediate physical needs, but long-term, it’s customers buying from businesses that sustain an economy, whether in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi or Ofunato, Japan.

You can find just about any kind of product at Rakuten, from books to ice cream to motorcycle parts.  But why not get something interesting or unusual?  How about:

• Sake
• Momotaro Jeans (maybe the best jeans in the world)
• Japanese Sandals
• Tea Sets
• Samurai Clothes and Accessories
• Edible Seaweed from Ofunato (the northeast region)

You can also try using the search field on the Rakuten homepage to search for city names in the northeast region, such as Sendai, Kamaishi, Miyako, and Kuji, in order to find stores in those cities from which to buy.  Keep in mind that operations at those stores might be curtailed or slowed for awhile — but they will still appreciate the business!

Rakuten currently ships to over 50 countries (and the list is expanding) and their site has pages optimized for a number of countries, including the USA, Canada, China, France, and the UK.  If you’re outside Japan, when you place an order you’ll usually be put in touch via email with the shop that sells the item to arrange a shipping method and cost.  (Note that some shops offer special free international shipping promotions, or $1 international shipping.)  There is a weight restriction on items shipped to the US via certain carriers, but many shops can arrange a shipping method to the US that gets around this limit.

When you first explore the site, you may wonder where to go and how to approach it, but anyone familiar with online shopping can quickly figure it out.  Explore.  In addition, they have a handy instructional page here.

Think of it as an adventure, man.  As well as a good deed.

Here’s a testimonial from a customer in the US posted on the Rakuten site:

“I recently found Rakuten via Facebook, and boy I couldn’t be happier. As a person interested in Japanese culture, this website is great. I’ve found many things I had been looking for as well as new items that have caught my eye. The website is well laid out and very intuitive to navigate. And the search feature is one of the better ones I’ve encountered for a merchant website. And this is all from a website that isn’t set up for business in the USA. If the USA website is half as good, then it’ll be better than most merchants that I’ve purchased from.   by Nick M – NJ, USA”

Hey, if Nick can do it, you can, too.  And remember, you’ll be helping the cause.  It all adds up.

If you have found something interesting or useful here on Best Stuff for Men, please consider making a donation, so others can benefit, too.  Thanks!

Related posts:

1. Father’s Day: Get Something Good for Your Dad (or Yourself)
2. Sure, Your Mom Would Appreciate Flowers for Mother’s Day — But What About Something Sorta Different?

Last year I waited until January 1 to post my calendar review so that procrastinators could still find something good to put on their wall.  Which is fine, except that most of those calendars sold very rapidly and were out of stock before mid-January.  (What can I say, I have good taste.  Oh, right, that’s why I do this site.)

Note: for a review of 2012 calendars, see my post Get a 2012 English Calendar Right from England…

So this year I’m listing a few calendars for your date-tracking pleasure in plenty of time to order them.  Some will still sell out, but you’ll have a better chance to acquire something cool.  The procrastinators will just have to take their chances.  (Don’t blame me if all you can find is a “Classic Croquet Mallets of Bournemouth” calendar when you finally get around to it.)

March 22, 2011:  Here’s an update –  Get 50 – 75% off calendars now!  Take advantage of Calendars.com’s sale. Click here to shop now (limited time).

The fact is, most wall calendars are pretty humdrum.  Of the thousands of calendars published every year, few have images, words, or info you’ll want to see every day for a month.  That’s a challenge for any artistic piece, especially given our overstimulated sensibilities.  But not impossible.  There are some calendars out there that can give you entertainment and inspiration for 30 days at a time.  I’ve listed some below.  A good calendar is a bargain:  where else can you get 12 high-quality, artistic images for $15 or less?  Hardly anywhere.  You can even frame them later on.  So, get one for yourself and one for your aesthetically-challenged buddy (who tends to like “Beer Bottles of Northeast Wisconsin”).  That way, you’ll have at least one nice thing to look at when you visit his place.

Hot

We’ll start with models — pinups, actually.  (Pause to note the voices of a distant angelic choir.)  The pinup calendar occupies a time-honored place in the annals of male enjoyment.  If you must (to keep it away from critical eyes), hang it in your garage or your basement workout room.  It will inspire you.  You can’t ask more of a calendar than that.

A lot of the vintage pinup images exhibit a kind of self-conscious frivolity.  Not only due to attitudes toward women in the early half of the 20th century but also because a certain air of oblivious innocence seemed sexy.  That began to change during and after World War II, subsequent to women serving alongside men and holding down jobs previously thought to be the exclusive province of males.  Sex began to mature in the American psyche.  You can see – and enjoy – this quality in the Pin-Ups 2011 Wall Calendar.  These vintage images from the war years show women in sexy poses and costumes, but they’re less coy, more assured.  In other words, you can imagine that these women know what they’re doing.  And that made them all the more provocative to GI’s who regarded them as a reminder of the good things they had left behind.  Not that the playfulness is absent.  It’s just grown up a little, like the guys who dreamed about someday meeting a gal like that.  This is one of the best of this year’s pinup calendars — find it at Calendars.com for under $14.

You say you want modern models?  Well, all right — for that we have Kelly Brook.

There’s just something stylish and sexy about the English approach to the pinup calendar.  There’s a luxurious, charming sensuality about these women — something many American calendars that are supposed to be sexy don’t quite achieve.  Last year Great Britain gave us Gemma Atkinson (her 2010 calendar is now selling used for about $150).  This year I predict the star will be Kelly Brook — so if you think she looks fetching, then be sure to order the Kelly Brook 2011 Wall Calendar now.  The  sell-out risk is high.  You can get it from CalendarClub in the UK (this calendar is not generally available through US retailers).  Since it’s an English company, you’ll pay in pounds (if you’re a US customer, your credit card company will automatically make the conversion; to figure what it’ll approximately be in dollars, multiply pounds by 1.6 — worldwide shipping is generally less than 20 pounds — much cheaper than $150).  And you can explore many other potentially worthy imports from CalendarClub.co.uk here.

You want to see even more models?  Okay, in a bit…  First we’ll move on to artistic…

Artistic

Jack Vettriano paints interesting, perhaps disreputable (or thinking of being disreputable) people at transitional, focused, passionate moments in their lives.  There’s both a vintage feel and dynamic quality to this collection of friends and lovers portrayed during poignant moments.  The thoughtful details of Vettriano’s work invite contemplation, impinge a little oddly on the scene, add intrigue.  These are paintings you can ponder over time.  The Jack Vettriano 2011 Poster Calendar (large format).

Here’s a couple of deals from Calendars.com:  Get $5 off when you place an order of $30 or more. Enter coupon code DEALS4U during checkout.  This also applies to purchases made at DogBreedStore.com.  (This coupon is only good through November 25, 2010, so don’t wait — mark it on your calendar!)  Both sites also automatically offer FREE shipping on all orders of $20 or more, or $5 flat-rate shipping.  However, any U.S. order under $20 is eligible for free standard shipping — just enter coupon code  FSAFC10 during checkout.  So, order, say, 3 of the calendars reviewed on this page (or any others that you like), and you can get both $5 off AND free shipping.  Not bad!

Ansel Adams is perhaps the best photographer ever.  (Of course, no one can be said to actually be the best photographer ever, but AA is certainly in the discussion, and that’s enough.  Most photographers don’t get a whiff of the discussion.)  Ever since I saw Winter Sunrise:  Sierra Nevada from Lone Pine when I was 13 years old, he’s been a favorite of mine.  It’s impossible for one’s appreciation of his classic black and white images to fade.  Your wall will always be happy to have the Ansel Adams 2011 Deluxe Wall Calendar on it.

And the Ansel Adams 2011 Engagement Calendar (pictured below) is not only great to look at, it’s well-designed for the things for which an engagement calendar is used (such as keeping track of engagements).  Not to mention you get many more beautiful images. 

From the black & white of Ansel Adams, we move on to some very colorful wildflower images — Rocky Mountain Wildflowers 2011 Calendar, to be exact.  These are my images.  You can customize this calendar on Zazzle.  Or you can create your own.

Cool

Last year I recommended the Robert Gonsalves Master of Illusion Calendar and it sold out in, like, five minutes.  I’d say he’s catching on (the used ones are really expensive).  Get it now while you can.  Technique-wise, Gonsalves is an heir to Escher, with dashes of surrealism, forboding, and pop illustration thrown in.  You will enjoy his transformational creativity and visual wit.

Now for something that’s both cool and weird:  foodscapes.  Englishman Carl Warner painstakingly constructs “landscapes” made out of food and photographs the results.  As you look at his photos, you may have a hard time detecting right away that a “river” is actually raw meat or that an “orchard” consists of broccoli.  A pea pod becomes a boat, cabbage leaves an ocean, and a coconut a haystack.  One of the fascinating factors is that he uses ordinary, familiar objects to create surreal, multi-layered results.  I don’t know if it will make you hungry, but it should definitely amuse.  This is one of the most different calendars available this year — the Carl Warner Food Landscapes 2011 Deluxe Wall Calendar.  It’s a 13-month calendar and it comes with 4 postcards you can send to your foodie friends.

I love vintage aircraft, particularly “warbirds,” which are the fighters, bombers, and trainers from World War II.  I have found, however, that many calendars that feature such airplanes, and aircraft in general, are rather uninteresting, with poorly-composed, uninspired photography.  However, this year there’s an exception:  the Golden Age of Flight 2011 Deluxe Wall Calendar, with commentary written by Walter J. Boyne, former director of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.  The photography is varied, lively, and colorful.  The airplanes are all World War II-era, including a gorgeous cover image of the P-51D Mustang — in my opinion, the aesthetic epitome of engineering based on the piston engine (there’s also a monthly image of the Mustang).  A number of airplanes from this era can be considered beautiful designs (e.g., the Corsair, Spitfire, and P-38 Lightning), but the Mustang is in a class by itself.  Though it’s a handful to fly, there’s nothing like the sound of its Merlin engine and its lean, lethal, perfectly-balanced lines.  No cooler aircraft — or machine– has ever been built.  The calendar is large-format and should please anyone who is fascinated by the saga, history, and romance of aviation.

If I say that just about anything Scandinavian (especially Swedish) is cool, it’s not just because I have a Scandinavian heritage — those countries really do have a lot of cool stuff.  And some gorgeous scenery.  Most travel calendars are banal.  But the 2011 Scandinavia Wall Calendar is varied enough in its coverage of landscapes and seascapes, along with the quality of the photography, to keep your interest for a month (it’s actually a 16-month calendar, so you can start enjoying it now).  Virtually visit one of the most beautiful and memorable areas on earth.

More Hot

Okay, I won’t make you wait longer to continue our homage to feminine pulchritude.  Cheryl Cole is one hot woman.  And since she can sing and stuff, she’s a bona fide celebrity.  The 2011 Cheryl Cole Wall Calendar is a thing of beauty.  Twelve months of tasty images with style, glamour, and…uh, did I mention hot?

Let’s be perfectly straightforward:  women’s bodies are one of the most beautiful things guys encounter.  Therefore, a calendar with women showing off their physical attributes is to be commended.  Due to humans’ misguided predilection for wearing clothes, guys find that women are covered up entirely too much.  Thus, any tendency in the opposite direction is welcome.  But it’s more than just a lack of clothes – there’s got to be some style, some flair, a certain je ne sais quoi.  That’s what you get with the In Soft Focus 2011 Wall Calendar by photographer Richard Murrian.  These images have an evocative sophistication combined with an untrammeled sensuality (sort of like what Clint Eastwood encountered in The Beguiled).  And along with all the months and days and stuff, you get a poster!  All for just $8.95!

Now, if that one doesn’t quite do it for you, check out the more overt, but still artistic, Mick Payton 2011 Wall Calendar.  And if you want a veritable symphony of feminine lines and curves, see the Alice Goodwin 2011 Wall Calendar — another nice import from the CalendarClub in the UK.  Also with very few clothes.

You can’t have a collection of pinup calendars without some drawings, and this year how about one with a fantasy flavor:  When Darkness Falls 2011 Wall Calendar by Tony Mauro.  Tony’s women are engaging and the scenes are suitably brooding and varied.  He is an artist who draws women you can look at for a month.

Another staple of pinup calendars is lingerie.  Can’t forget that.  Here’s one that’s better than Playboy (and the Playboy lingerie calendar is not bad).  These girls are in really good shape.  And the photos are…  Well, check them yourself:  the 2011 Lingerie Wall Calendar (a bargain at under $14).

Speaking of being in shape…  Everybody notices a good butt.  Even Arnold Schwarzenegger, when he first met Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the mother of Maria Shriver (who is now his wife), the very first thing he said to his future mother-in-law was, “I just want to tell you your daughter has a great ass.”  So in honor of such forthright appreciation, here’s the 2011 Derrieres Wall Calendar.  Most derriere calendars are not photographed well.  This one is.   (The photographer’s from Germany.  It seems like the Europeans know what they’re doing.)  Fundamentally good.

Finally…  we’ll end this babe-fest with another celebrity.  And that would be Megan Fox.  There’s just something about her.  You know.  And the film franchise that unleashed her upon our collective fantasization was Transformers.  So combine the two, and you get a calendar with a twist:   Mikaela in Transformers Wall Calendar.  (There is a regular Megan Fox calendar, but there’s a nice vibe seeing her in character.  Plus you get to see her with machines.)  What is more, it covers 16 months.

Further Artistic

The Michael Fishel Fantasy Art 2011 Wall Calendar epitomizes a calendar you can come back to each day and enjoy.  Michael Fishel’s whimsical, charming, inventive, unique illustrations repay repeated inspection — you keep finding new things.  A can’t-miss for fantasy fans and anyone who appreciates intricate invention.

When it comes to fantasy art, there is no bigger name than Boris Vallejo.  Every year he teams with his wife, Julie Bell, to create a calendar that infuses new life  into ancient myths, legends, monsters, and dreams of heroes (and heroines) exploring magic realms.  The result is usually good, though uneven at times.  The 2011 Boris Vallejo Fantasy Wall Calendar is one of their best efforts in years — get it to spark the imagination and to enjoy the artistic mastery.  And for the babes.

The American midwest is a vast, open expanse of prairie and sky punctuated by poignant towns and scenes that evoke historic themes.  Whether it’s a cathedral-like grain elevator or a violent summer thunderstorm, the Great Plains offers images and experiences found nowhere else.  Sometimes it seems that time has passed it by, that the pioneer spirit has become tired — but then you see something vital, like a hundred-car freight train barreling along, and you realize that it’s all part of Americana.  This is the Midwest Moods 2011 Calendar.  These are my photos.

Additional Cool

Let’s concludes this exploration of good calendars with another excellent photographic celebration of a cool pastime:  rock climbing.  These dynamic images of climbers doing insane things in beautiful surroundings should appeal to anyone who appreciates physical prowess, risk-taking, and the outdoors.  Unlike many climbing calendars, the environment is a star here along with the climber.  And that’s what makes the Rock Climbing 2011 Wall Calendar worth a look.

And for fun

You’ll want to be prepared should everyone who seems to be hoping for the occurrence of a zombie apocalypse get their wish.  For that, the Zombie Survival Guide 2011 Desk Calendar will help.  It’s chock full of helpful tips on the best weapons, self-defense techniques, zombie biology, how to build a zombie-proof fortress, travel precautions, and much more.  Based on the NY Times bestseller — The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead – the Zombie Survival Guide Desk Calendar offers 365 days of indispensable (and entertaining) intel.  And if you want more of the straight dope on zombies, see my posts on zombie lit here and a handy zombie weapon for when they attack here.  Heck, the University of Colorado at Boulder is now even offering a class on “The Zombie.”  You don’t want to be ignorant when the brains hit the fan…  Keep one at work and at home.

Click the banner below if you want to explore many more options for 2011 calendars (I know, sometimes you like to DIY).   And have an enjoyable ’11.

Related posts:

1. Cheap 2011 Calendars
2. Some Worthwhile, Interesting Calendars for 2010

Here’s a wide variety of Father’s Day gift ideas.  As you go through them, consider nabbing something for yourself.

Wait a minute…  Get a gift for yourself for Father’s Day? Sure.  When it comes to Father s Day gifts, if you get something for yourself, you know you’ll get what you want.  Besides, why not celebrate your own fatherhood?  You can do that even if you don’t have kids.  After all, every mature man is a sort of “father”:  an originator of ideas, shepherd of projects, creator of art, instigator of adventures.  And if you do have kids, if you get a cool gift for yourself, you’ll be able to enjoy it along with your kids’ heartfelt (hopefully), competent (or not) gifts — their attempts to express their appreciation for your love, guidance, and encouragement.

Of course, you want to get a good gift for your own dad for Father’s Day, something that expresses your gratitude for his presence and influence in your life.  I say “hopefully,” because Father’s Day can often be kind of an afterthought when it comes to parents’ days.  Mother’s Day gets most of the headlines.  Father’s Day seems to come in second in the popularity polls.  The cliché of dad always getting a necktie for Father’s Day is a cliché because it’s true.  But your dad deserves some consideration when it comes to gifts, doesn’t he?  To jump-start some ideas, following are suggestions for gifts that don’t suck — things he will actually enjoy and use.

Let’s start with a classic gift idea that can’t miss:  a wristwatch, and for a good price (he’ll appreciate your sensibleness).  Watches are useful, stylish and, when you think about it, cool pieces of technology.  (There’s a reason they’re given on important occasions such as  graduation and retirement.)  Every day, ChronoShark offers a new watch at the absolutely lowest price anywhere.  You only get 24 hours to nab it.

I have a dedicated page to ChronoShark here).  And if today’s watch deal doesn’t do it for you, there’s a good chance that tomorrow’s will — they select from the best when it comes to performance versus price.  You could also try an excellent online retailer of watches:  Discount Watch Store.  They have thousands of watches for men, good customer service, guarantee the lowest prices on the Internet, and offer free shipping on all orders.

Polar FT7

Along the same lines as a watch, but a little more specialized and beneficial — how about a heart-rate monitor?  Here’s a heart-rate monitor that’s well-reviewed:  the Polar FT7.  Outside magazine, among others, recommends it (“intuitive and powerful”).  It has everything you need and nothing you don’t, and the price is right.  Plus it’s cool-looking.  Encourage your dad to achieve his fitness goals.  Find the Polar FT7 at REI or Moosejaw.  And if you want something more top-of-the-line, check out the Garmin Forerunner 110, which adds GPS capability to workout monitoring.

Everybody likes 007.  Whether your dad is trying to get fitter or not, guys appreciate action (even if it’s vicarious), and quintessential manly action has always been carried out by James Bond.  Get your dad a complete set of James Bond movies.  Here’s Volume 1:

You can also find the complete collection of Bond movies on both DVD and Blu-ray at CD Universe, one of the best online sources for music and movies at good prices.

Or would he rather have a TV series?  See my post on the best television series for men availale on DVD and blu-ray (for example:  The Wire and Fawlty Towers).

With regard to relating to women (your mom or whoever), a good cologne is always appropriate (unless she’s got MCS, in which case there’s a whole ‘nother set of things to worry about besides smelling good).  I have found only a few that seem to be universally appreciated by the opposite sex and here’s one of them:  Marc Jacobs for Men.  In my own informal polling, I’ve always had positive responses (I try it on at the store and ask random women if they like it).  It’s also endorsed by the PUA community, and they should know, right?  You can get it for an excellent discount from FragranceX.

Every guy should have at least one multitool.  They’re handy and confidence-inducing.  Here’s one that the editors of Outside endorsed as a practical, everyday choice:  the Leatherman Squirt PS4 (can’t go wrong with anything from Leatherman).  It’s got 9 tools (including pliers and scissors) in a compact form that isn’t annoying to carry around (just 2¼ inches closed).  And it’s only about $40 (or less).  Get it from REI.  Or from Massey’s Professional Outfitters.

The sword of William Wallace

Here is something that is not a multitool.  It’s a single-purpose tool:  William Wallace’s sword from the movie Braveheart.  Of course, this is not an actual battle sword ( for that you need to go to Swords.com or Budk), but it is an impressive 61-inch replica in high-carbon steel — the most accurate prop replica ever made of this sword.  It comes with a display plaque.  Inspire your dad with the formidable weapon that helped establish freedom!

 Guys need a top-drawer pair of knockaround pair of shoes, whether for late-night ramblings along urban streets or stalking across frosty stubble pursuing a great telephoto shot of a wild turkey.  Fortunately, Timberland has a classic pair of chukka boots that fit the bill — the Eastern Standard Chukka (that’s them above) – a vintage style based on shoes that first appeared decades ago, made with premium Horween leather, hand-finished for a rustic look, with coarse waxed cotton laces and a Vibram outsole.  Intended to protect a man’s feet during diverse activities, while simultaneously making him look good.  Get them from Timberland.  Made in the USA.

And if you don’t think these boots are exactly your dad’s cup of tea (or you don’t know his shoe-size), then get him a gift certificate to Zappos and let him choose his preferred footwear.  That goes for all the companies linked to on this page – if you’re not sure about a specific item, get a gift certificate:  it always fits and is totally in style.

Kansas City Steak Company

You get hungry after a day of stomping around in your boots, swinging your sword, and when a man gets hungry, the food of choice is meat (unless he’s a vegetarian — in which case, well, get him a carrot).  Anyway, if you want to treat your dad to a premium steak or other great hunk o’ beef, you can’t go wrong with the Kansas City Steak Company — one of the best online companies for steak and other meats.  And of course they’re offering some good deals now — for example, get 8 Classic Steakburgers FREE with a $100 order (use code ABRG84 at checkout).  And get $4.95 shipping on all orders. This makes a mouthwatering gift…

Savile Row, London

You want your dad to look good and, believe it or not, he wants to look good, so how about getting him a shirt or two from one of the most renowned shirt makers in the world:  Savile Row.  They offer exquisite tailoring, use the finest cottons, and carry a variety of styles (all posh).  Right now, if you buy 2 shirts you can get a third for half price (through June 21st only).   They also carry men’s suits, casual wear, and accessories.  Which means you can get him — yes! — a tie.  But Savile Row ties are pretty cool.  They have a 3-month satisfaction guarantee.  Shipping to the US is only $21 and is free on orders over $175.  And, for the quality, their prices are quite reasonable. Click the banner below.

A laser-engraved flask makes a personalized gift

We’ve handled your dad’s steak needs but what about when he gets thirsty?  I’m not talking about when he needs a bit of agua after running a 10K.  No, I’m talking about when he needs a drop of something a little more flavorful.  For that, he doesn’t want to carry a Camelbak.  He’ll need something a bit more sophisticated:  a flask.  And why not get him one that’s laser-engraved with art or a message of your choosing?  This will be a gift that keeps on giving.  See more flasks than you can shake a stick at at the FlaskShop, including photo flasks, stainless steel, novelty flasks, leather designs, monogrammed, and martini shaker sets (which he can use while unwinding with a Bond movie).

TaylorMade R9 Driver at InTheHole Golf

Your father must have a few hobbies.  Is one of them golf?  If so, my commiseration.  No, just kidding…  My 81-year-old dad plays golf and loves it.  I know he always enjoys upgrading his equipment.  So why not get your dad a new club or something else from InTheHole Golf, one of the best online destinations for everything you need to play the Game of Gentlemen.  Check out the TaylorMade R9 driver — an advanced, adjustable design that is getting rave reviews.  Or maybe he just needs a new golf bag (consider the Ogio Nexos Stand Bag).   Or simply get him a gift certificate.  You can’t go wrong at InTheHole Golf.  Their helpful, informative website will help you choose a great gift.

And, from now until June 20, get 10% off for Father’s Day at IntheHoleGolf — just enter code DAD at checkout.

This is not your dad.

Of course, maybe your dad’s inclination is toward a sport that’s a little more mano-a-mano (as opposed to mano-a-course-o).  How about tennis?  Does he need a new tennis racket?  Then the place to get it for a good price, with a wide selection, is Tennis Boom.  Of course, if your budget is limited you could always just go with a can of balls.

The Daiwa Saltiga Surf Spinning Reel is one of the best

Or maybe your dad prefers the contest between man and fish.  A new rod or surf reel could be in order.  Find a huge selection of fishing equipment, from fly-fishing to deep-sea trolling, at Cabelas, the premier outdoor recreation/adventure outfitter, all offered with excellent customer service.

Utrecht Master's Studio Easel - on sale for over $100 off

Is your dad a visual artist?  Remember how I mentioned that a man can be the ”father” of art?  Well, if your dad fits that category, you can get art supplies and equipment for him at Utrecht.  They’ve been supplying equipment and materials for artists since 1949.

They are currently offering their Master’s Studio Easel for an excellent discount.

Click for exclusive designs at Sunglass Hut

Now that we’re coming into summer, every guy, including your dad, needs some cool shades to wear with shorts and Hawaiian shirts.  You can’t get cooler (or higher quality) than Ray-Ban (and Maui Jim).   See an excellent selection of Ray-Ban models, including one-of-a-kind designer styles such as those done by graphic designer and muralist Matt Moore above, at Sunglass Hut.   A pair of Ray-Bans, whether wayfarers or aviators, is a can’t-miss gift.

Click to see the Droids at Wirefly

A new phone — something he can use to call you or just surf the web.  The new iPhone is about to come out and the Google Nexus One is getting rave reviews.  Those aren’t the only excellent phones out there — the various Droid phones are also top-of-the-line.  Is it about time for your dad to have a cool communication/Web/photo/GPS machine that won’t break the bank?  Find many good selections at Wirefly (such as the Droid Incredible pictured at left, or the featured model in the banner below).

Maybe your dad isn’t much of a gamer.  But he could be, especially when he finds out about the cool sports games you can play on the Nintendo Wii.  Or he is a gamer but he hasn’t gotten around to getting the Wii yet.  Or he’s gotten a Wii but he doesn’t have Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 yet.  In any event, get him one or all of these things and he’ll have fun.  Include Resident Evil 4, too (also find it here).  And don’t forget Super Mario Galaxy 2 (about which CNET wrote:  “…the new standard against which every 3D platformer must now be judged”).  You can also find the Nintendo Wii in black at Buy.com, plus a bunch of accessories.

MEZZI WOODLine Aluminum Briefcase

When you combine style, a cool gadget, and uniqueness, you’ve got an unbeatable combination for a gift.  And that’s what you get with the   MEZZI WOODLine Aluminum Briefcase — a well-made aluminum briefcase with a wood finish and a chrome handle from Mezzi.com.  The WOODLine Aluminum Briefcase was featured on Mission Impossible 3.  (Mezzi has supplied cases for a number of TV shows and films, including all those nifty silver cases on Deal or No Deal.)  This briefcase is made of high-quality aluminum and has chromed corners.  The black interior has 4 compartments, 3 pen/pencil holders, customizable foam, and will securely hold a laptop of up to 17 inches.  It’ll keep your dad’s stuff safe with a dual keypad combination lock.  And he will own the most distinctive briefcase of anyone he knows.  MEZZI makes stylish, durable briefcases at sensible prices.  Check the customer reviews for this case on their site.  You can also read an independent review of another MEZZI case — the LuxSlim Aluminum Laptop case in black — at Gear Diary, if you want additional input about their products.  But really, all you need to know is that, in addition to Mission Impossible 3, the WOODLine Aluminum Briefcase was featured on NBC’s Chuck (one of my favorite shows).

Top 30 Bestselling Signed Books at Abebooks

Does your father like to read?  All readers enjoy having a book signed by the author.  And you can find a whole bunch of signed editions at Abebooks.  Here’s a link to the latest, most popular signed editions at Abebooks.  If you don’t see an author that you know your dad likes on that page, use the Abebooks search function here to search for signed editions by authors you know he’s a fan of.  It makes for a cool, one-of-a-kind gift.  And here’s something especially for Father’s Day:  books by father and son writing teams.

Subscribe for under $12 for a year

Then again, maybe your dad is a reader but he doesn’t like books.  He likes his reading short, practical, entertaining, and with plenty of pictures.  In that case, get him a subscription to a car magazine.  Every guy likes car magazines.  Me, I like Car & Driver best.  But hey, some people swear by Road & Track and AutoWeek.  Also check other titles at University Subscription Service, which is one of my favorite online discount magazine subscription services (along with Blue Dolphin).  You can’t beat the prices and the service is good.  And a magazine subscription is a gift that keeps on giving every month.  And don’t you want to let your father how much your care about him every month?

Happy Father’s Day!

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Here’s a follow-on to my previous post about top-rated cameras.   And a feel-good message.

Dewitt Jones was a photographer for National Geographic for 20 years, for which he produced many memorable images.  In the following video he demonstrates how he sees the world as a photographer.  And he talks about how seeing the world — and ourselves – in certain ways opens us to better experiences in life.  If nothing else, this should inspire your own photographic vision.  And perhaps your vision of things in general. 

He currently writes a column for Outdoor Photographer.

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I have never understood why they start selling calendars in August.  Who wants to buy a calendar 5 months before the new year starts?  I guess someone must, because they keep doing it…

But if you, like many, woke up this morning and realized you should have a calendar for 2010, then here are some good ones you can order right now and have delivered within a couple of days.  (Remember one for your office, too.)  (Note: For my post on 2011 calendars, click here.  For a post on 2012 calendars, see my post Get a 2012 English Calendar Right from England…)

The artwork and photography on most calendars is sort of mediocre, but these should hold your interest — hopefully for about 30 days at a time, and then you can roll over to an interesting new image…  In that respect, good calendars are a bargain, art- and entertainment-wise.  Twelve good images for about the price of a paperback book.

Painter Rob Gonsalves is a master of illusionary images in the tradition of Varo, Magritte, and Escher.  There is an element of both whimsy and subtle foreboding in his art.  His Master of Illusion Wall Calendar for 2010 is easily one of the most absorbing calendars you can find.  Viewing these images, you will begin to suspect that magic is possible.

Note:  Almost all vendors have sold out of this calendar, but you can still get it at Barnes & Noble.

Fantasy artist John Jude Palencar is not your run-of-the-mill painter of dragons and whatnot.  His works possess austere artistic intelligence and combine brooding landscapes, surrealistic gestures, and vulnerable human figures to produce illustrations that are singularly engaging.  His Mystic Visions 2010 Calendar showcases a variety of his themes.

Heavy Metal magazine has been publishing great science fiction, fantasy, and horror art for more than 30 years.  Every year they produce a calendar that gathers together some of the women/females/creatures that have appeared in their pages.  This year the featured artist is Lorenzo Sperlonga.  These are not your ordinary pinup images — if you like your sexiness skewed toward the fantastic, the Heavy Metal Lorenzo Sperlonga 2010 Wall Calendar is for you (and you should be an adult).

And no self-respecting post on the best calendars for men could ignore model photography, so I will list a couple here.  For some reason, the best calendars featuring beautiful women seem to be produced in Europe.  I don’t know… U.S. calendars tend to either be a bit bland, clichéd, over-produced and/or overly self-conscious.   But for every Sports Illustrated swimsuit calendar featuring skinny supermodels who might not be able to swim the length of an Olympic pool, you have the likes of Gemma Atkinson, England’s refreshing and unabashedly sexy contribution to feminine pulchritude.  She’s got seriously gorgeous, um, eyes.  This is her Official 2010 Calendar.

And if you like your pinup photos a little more edgy, a little more slutty (like a punk fitness instructor), you might like Jakki Degg’s 2010 Wall Calendar — another import from England.  (Tell me again why we left Britain for the new world?) 

From the titillating to the sublime…  Here’s a perennial classic — the 2010 Ansel Adams Wall Calendar.  When it comes to great nature photography, you may as well go with the artist who set the standard and whose work continues to inspire.  Every step of Adams’ process for producing these magnificent images was controlled and mastered 65 years before anyone even thought of Photoshop.  This collection of black-and-white prints is suitable for displaying in any location.  It includes a selection of both famous and lesser-known works.

And if you need an engagement calendar to keep track of appointments (and to remind yourself when to buy a calendar for 2011), why not go with the Ansel Adams 2010 Engagement Calendar?  It’s spiral bound, with ample space for writing notes, a section of monthly calendars for planning purposes, and a wide range of some of his best images, printed in high-quality duo-tone.    

Finally, here’s a landscape — or rather, “skyscape” – calendar that highlights atmospheric phenomena:  clouds, storms, rainbows, sunrise, sunset, etc.  Light across the landscape.  The sky is an infinite pallet — if you watch it long enough, you will see every color that could possibly come from an artist’s brush.  This features my photography.  Hope you enjoy every month of 2010…

Atmospheres (2010 calendar) by ericj9999
View more Rainbow Calendars

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