Even considering all the action-packed, newsworthy events of 2008, when all is said and done, another year has come and gone. We've had an exciting first year at Primer, with the hard work of some of the best contributors around, guys all over the world have taken to the ideals of bettering themselves, returning each week with the hopes of learning something new.
As 2009 quickly approaches, we take one final look back to some of the articles that really resonated with our readers. There are definitely a lot of great pieces you may have missed, or that are worth checking out again. There are only a few from each category below; I encourage you to check the archives as well for over 130 more awesome posts.
I hope as we've accompanied you along your path to success, Primer has been able to teach, inspire, and influence your journey for the better.
I look forward to hearing any comments or suggestions you have, so please send us a note. Stay tuned for next week as our normal publishing schedule resumes to kick off the new year.
Best wishes for 2009,
Andrew
Editor, Primer Magazine
A Gentleman’s Guide to Dinner Manners
Think Chivalry is dead? Then so are your chances of impressing your boss or your girl at dinner. These ten simple tips take you from the car to the exit sign, without losing your date, your job, or your cool.
Plumbing Your Way to Your Girlfriend’s Heart
Every girl loves a man who’s good around the house. Learn to be her hero and save money on a plumber with these simple fixes to every day problems.
How to Talk About Classical Music
There may come a time when your encyclopedic knowledge of Journey’s formative years comes in handy, but when your boss invites you to a symphony, don’t stop believing that this crash course will be enough to see you safely through.
Beyond “Shaken, Not Stirred”: Uncovering the Martini
Once the lunchtime mistress of business execs and the chosen libation of secret agents, E.B. White deemed it the “elixir of quietude,” but the martini, despite being the most recognizable cocktail in the world, often is the most misunderstood.
10 Things an Adult Man Should Know About Laundry
Don’t turn blue in the face because you dyed your favorite shirt pink, sort out your laundry worries before hitting the rinse cycle with 10 things every adult man should know…but probably doesn’t.
On a Roll: A Beginner’s Guide to Making Sushi
Who would have thought raw fish could entertain and impress? Learn the basics of creating an inexpensive and unique dinner with sushi.
10 Words You Mispronounce That Make People Think You’re an Idiot
It’s been said, though we’re not sure by who, that it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. But sometimes we’ve got to open our mouths so use this handy guide to make sure, at the very least, you’re saying the words right.
Hero Training: The Best Weapons for Home Defense
When you become the man of the house you inherit a sacred responsibility to protect your family. Former Marine Jeff Barnett gives the bottom line on the best tools for the job we hope you’ll never have to use.
Plan Your Meals Like Your Mom Did
Rushing into a meal or stumbling through the supermarket is an easy way to mess up your diet or waste time and money. Plan ahead, follow these tips, and be amazed at the easy, delicious meals you can create with no extra effort.
Slow Down: Density Has Brought Us Here..err, Destiny…
In a fast paced world, it pays to slow down and take a look around. Check out what one reader came across just by taking it slow, surviving Back to the Future celluloid from the Universal Studios fire.
Vanquish Depression Like the Man You Are
Everyone gets down, but that doesn’t mean you’re out. With these helpful hints you can kick depression to the curb for a happier, healthier you.
Life According to Bear Grylls
If you want to live a manly existence, taking advice from a guy named “Bear” is probably a good start. Here are five tenants learned from “Man vs. Wild” that can help you overcome and survive even the most dire of situations.
8 Things You Should Never Have to Say to a Grown Man
Categories: Live
Are your MANnerisms up to par? Do you follow the set rules of society in your everyday existence or will you soon find yourself on the receiving end of a conversation normally reserved for an 8 year old? Make sure you’re up to code and following these rules before you find yourself in an awkward workplace situation.
Play It Safe: Quit Your Job and Follow Your Dreams
What we’re about to tell you may just blow your mind. Sometimes the safest bet is to drop it all and quit your job. You’re young and can afford the risk. Taking a chance on your dreams may be the smartest career move you ever make.
Diary of a Rookie Homebrewer
Categories: Learn, Live
Admit it, you’ve always wanted to try brewing your own beer. Before taking the plunge, get a preview of the costs and rewards.
Alison Sets Us Straight: 10 Things You Thought You Knew About Women
Think you’ve figured out women? Ever done a Rubik’s cube? The second is far easier. Let Alison help you by setting the record straight on 10 common misconceptions men have about women. You’re on your own with the cube, though.
Moving in with Your Girlfriend: How to Save Your Relationship…and Your Manhood
Maybe your lease is up, and the landlord is raising the rent. Or maybe you just got home from bumming — I mean backpacking — around South America, and you need a place to crash. Or maybe there’s no excuse … but she’s convinced you it would be a good idea. Whatever the reason, you’re moving in with your girlfriend. Just don’t blow it…
Mallory’s 5 Sure Fire Signs She Wants to Call It Quits
Things had been going great with your girlfriend, but recently she’s been acting differently. Watch out for these 5 signs she wants out.
40 Semi-Interesting Facts About Alice, the Snorgtees Girl
Whether or not you know what a Snorgtee is, you should always take time out to learn more about a beautiful girl. Besides, once you see her, you’ll probably recognize her from that advertising banner on the left side of all your social networking sites.
5 Chick Flicks You’ll Be Able to Stand
You’d rather be watching “Batman Begins” for the sixth time, but your girl wants to watch “something romantic.” Avoid a tortuous time by popping in one of these Primer approved chick flicks your girlfriend will dig and you might even enjoy.
Golfing Your Way to a Promotion: A Crash Course
So you’ve just landed your dream job in the corporate world and after your first week on the job your boss drops a bomb on you: he wants you to be a fourth in his weekly golf game. It doesn’t matter that you’ve never played before, follow these simple steps and not only will you come out alive, you’ll be your boss’s new bff.
9 Ways to Shoot Past People on the Corporate Ladder
Everyone wants to get ahead in life and in business. The corporate world is a tough playing field where just showing up doesn’t win games. Increase your odds of taking home the prize with these tips that’ll have you blowing past the competition on your way to the top.
8 Types of Clients: Adjust Your Pitch, Increase Your Sales
The easiest way to sell someone is not figuring out what they want but how they want it. Whether a customer or a boss, learn to distinguish the 8 different types of clients and start closing immediately.
Sore Losers: The Pitfalls of Overtraining
Crafting a better body is addictive but training too frequently can be damaging to your muscles and efforts. Learn to listen to your body and avoid setting yourself back.
Straight Talk on Supplements: BS or the Real Deal?
Guys are constantly bombarded with ads guaranteeing easy gains with an expensive pill or powder. Find out what’s legit and what’s not, with 40 citations to prove it.
Burn 450% More Fat in Half the Time With Interval Training
If you’re spending hours a week on the treadmill and still not seeing the results you want – relax. Step off the treadmill and get ready to burn more fat in less time with our introduction to interval training. The hurt never worked so good.
The Real Deal About Carbs and Fitness: What Every Man Needs to Know
With the amount of flip-flopping in the media about fitness these days, it’s tough to know what to think about carbs. Are carbs good, bad, or somewhere in between? Find out what every guy needs to know about the foremost member of the food pyramid and get your diet on track.
Functional Strength: Fit to Fight, Fit for Life
When the “stuff” hits the proverbial fan, a three-hundred pound bench press isn’t going to get you out of a sticky situation. Jeff Barnett tells you how to get in the best shape of your life and build functional strength to deal with real world situations.
7 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Bought My First Home
Whether it’s a few years off or you’re searching the market right now, before making the biggest purchase of your life learn the mistakes of those who have gone before you as early in the process as you can.
How to Buy Your First Real Guitar
Ready to move past Oasis’s “Wonderwall” and the cheap guitar you learned it on? Toss out the Sear’s Special Mom got you for Christmas in ‘92 and use these tips to pick out the guitar that will last the rest of your life.
5 Must-Try Wines Under $20
Wine is the perfect accent to many evenings or meals, though it can be an expensive addition to any night. If you want to enjoy a glass but don’t want to break the bank to do it, sample these five wines that hit the spot without bruising your wallet.
The 3G iPhone: 3 Weeks In
You’ve had several weeks to research and convince your checking account it’s OK to buy one, here’s the bottom line.
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