Avoiding an Awkward Massage

Hello WWRD fans! I've now moved to blogging with my colleague Linda Holmes over at Monkey See.

But while you're here you might as well check out the latest WWRD video:

1:03 PM ET | 06- 4-2009 | permalink

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Saving on Valentine's, What Would Rob Do?

These are cheap and easy.

Thomas J Peterson Getty Images

 

With the economic crisis in full effect, I'm guessing this Valentine's Day is probably going to be a little less extravagant. While February 14th can fill your heart with love and romance, it can also cause grief and sorrow by emptying your wallet. Even if you spend money on a gift, there's no guarantee it won't be lame.

In this week's podcast I talked to Michele Beschen, host and creator of the B. Original Series on DIY Network and HGTV, about some frugal and innovative ways to show your love. Click above to listen to her suggestions. She even has ideas about how Valentine's Day can be a catalyst for being romantic all year long. It's easier than you might think and certainly beats shelling out $160 for two dozen roses.

By the way, if you're thinking of putting rose petals in a bathtub, DON'T! There's a good chance they could be toxic.

9:33 PM ET | 02-10-2009 | permalink

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How To, you know, Avoid, um, Verbal Ticks

Kennedy at the DNC

Paul J. Richards AFP/Getty Images

 

Click above to listen to my latest podcast on verbal ticks. I was inspired to look into this topic by Caroline Kennedy's not so eloquent interviews recently. For tips on how to have clearer speaking habits, I spoke with Jana Barnhill, the International President of Toastmasters International, an organization that helps people become better public speakers and leaders.

According to Barnhill, to get rid of verbal ticks, or "garbage words" as she likes to call them, you have to become more cognizant of what you're saying. You might try having a friend listen and record how many times you say "like," "um," "ah," and "you know." Kind of like this:

Barnill told me the next step is to practice, practice, practice. You can also try speaking more slowly and pausing periodically which she says "can be very powerful and very effective in a speech." I have caught myself uttering "you know" more than I should when talking, too. I've found a way to practice at home. By reading books out loud to my daughter I've become a more deliberate talker, and hopefully this has, you know, cleaned up my speech a little.

4:27 PM ET | 01-28-2009 | permalink

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How Would Rob Get Fit in 2009, Part II

"Just think, this could be me..."

DKP, Getty Images

Here's a link to the latest podcast where I talk more with NPR's David Kestenbaum about the advice Mark Rippetoe has for getting fit. From the responses to my blog post, I can tell there are many devotees to Mr. Rippetoe out there. Not surprising because he seems to really know his stuff.

It seems like the biggest hurdle to overcome in changing your habits is finding that initial motivation to get you started in a new direction. The good news is that after a while it gets easier and just becomes a part of your lifestyle. When I signed up for the marathon in San Diego, I was motivated by the fact that I told all my friends that I was going to run it and I didn't want to end up not finishing. This fear of looking like a moron got me out there. And the more workouts I did, the easier it was to keep it up (and yes I ran the whole thing and finished!).

Now I think I need to find a new kind of motivation because this tactic failed me recently. Last summer I signed up for a 8K in Fairfax, Virginia, but my training didn't go very well (or, more like it didn't really happen at all). I finished the race, but had the painful shame of walking about half of the race because I wasn't in very good shape.

Will the desire to get rid of my pudge be enough motivation to start following Rippetoe's regimen? I'm still wondering can weight lifting be fun? I don't see a lot of body builders smiling when they're working out. Still, Rippetoe makes a compelling argument for weight training so if it means I'll be a healthier person overall I think I might need to give it a second chance.

2:08 PM ET | 01- 8-2009 | permalink

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How to Leave a Phone Message, Part II

Above is the podcast on leaving a phone message that I did with Carl Kasell. In my previous blog post I discussed leaving a good voicemail greeting. Now let's talk about how to leave a good phone message for someone else.

For some advice, I turned to Marie Nelson, my supervisor over at Tell Me More. I figured it's always good to know what your boss will respond to best in a voicemail. Here are three things Marie says are important:

1) Make sure you pronounce the person's name right. Saying Maria instead of Marie isn't close enough.

2) Don't ramble (try to keep your message to 60 seconds or less).

3) Script it out if needed. It's a good way to make sure you get all your points across. Even Carl Kasell admitted to doing this sometimes.

Those are great ideas, especially when you're leaving work messages. Here's what I would do for messages you leave outside the office.

1) Be nice. Remember you're leaving something that can be played back repeatedly so don't say anything that might embarrass you if other people should happen to hear it. Just ask Alec Baldwin about the message he left for his daughter.

2) State your name at the beginning of the message. Don't just assume everyone has Caller ID and leave the "Hi, it's me" message and then hang up. It can be tricky knowing who to call back if your wife and mother-in-law sound exactly the same.

3) If you happen to be leaving a message for a woman you've just met at a bar, don't leave mulitple messages. Don't be like this guy in the movie Swingers:

3:25 PM ET | 12-16-2008 | permalink

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What Would Rob Do to Propose? Not embarrass her

Click above to listen to the podcast I did with Tamara Keith on how to propose. In talking with Tamara, I incorporated Brakkton Booker's story about proposing to his fiance Cory. As for my own proposal story, it didn't have all the bells and whistles that Brakkton's had, but hopefully matched it in the romance department. It was a cloudy afternoon and raining slightly when I took Anna for a walk around the park where I used to play baseball growing up. We wound up finding shelter in the dugout looking out onto the field. I looked into her eyes, told her about all the reasons we were meant to be together, and then popped the question there. Four years and one daughter later, we're still going strong.

For a broader perspective on popping the question, Millie Bratten of Brides magazine turned out to be very helpful. She told me there's really no wrong way of asking. If the girl says yes, then you've pretty much done your job. She also stressed that each experience has to work for both of you. So if you're a goofy couple, you can go the goofy route, i.e. hide it in her drink, or do skywriting or something. Bratten said pretty much the only way you can go wrong is to embarrass her. Like how this guy did:

So hopefully your proposal doesn't end up like that. For some happier endings the everything-wedding website The Knot rates its top proposals of the year. Here's the 2007 list.

One last thought. Millie Bratten mentioned that should you happen to see a proposal that outdoes yours, don't worry because you can always have another chance to do it all over when you recommit yourself down the road. Tamara warns though this usually involves upping the ante in the jewelry department.

12:00 PM ET | 12- 8-2008 | permalink

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What Would Rob Do To Find Decent Kids' Music?

"The purple dinosaur that haunts my dreams..."

Vince Bucci, Getty Images

Above is the audio from my latest podcast in which I talk with NPR's Felix Contreras about what kinds of songs are good to play for kids. We talked about how one commenter Michael Lee pointed out that all parents have to endure annoying kiddie music at some point in time. Felix knows all about this because he survived listening to "The Muffin Man" 35 TIMES during one family road trip. Yikes!

But both Felix and I agreed with the comments of others who believe that by exposing kids to quality music at least some of the good stuff will stick. Felix says try out kid-friendly bands like Bare Naked Ladies (don't worry their name is PG-13, but many of their songs are innocent enough for a tot).

When I spoke with Gavin Rossdale, he told me that his son Kingston loves listening to his parents' CDs, Wanderlust and The Sweet Escape, and that he plays them constantly. While my wife Anna and I have yet to release our own solo albums (or duet for that matter), we are lucky enough to have a professional musician in the family. Anna's dad, Rick Tiven, is an accomplished violinist and has lent his fiddling skills to a number of albums, including most recently, Passin' It On, a compilation of classic children's folk songs. So we've been playing that for her for a while.

As for contemporary songs which might have questionable subject matter, I don't care what Gavin Rossdale says about not censuring music. I still plan on changing all the naughty lyrics for my daughter.

Here's my version of No Doubt's "Hey Baby"

I'm just sipping on sippy cups
Watching boys and girls with their doggy pups
One day I'm gonna grow up big and strong
And graduate high school!

Hey Baby! Hey Baby Hey!

4:18 PM ET | 11-22-2008 | permalink

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Ding-a-Ling

For this week's podcast, I looked into how to deal with dents and dings in your car. I did some research on car repair and found out a few interesting things:

1) There's a relatively new industry out there of paintless dent repair and it seems to be vastly cheaper than taking your car to an auto body shop. I talked to Eddie Martin today, the owner of The Dent Devils which is based in San Diego, CA. He says his jobs start as low as a hundred bucks for a repair that you'd be lucky to pay around $250 for if it was done as a new paint job.

2) I found out that despite other people's assertions, there is a catch to the 3M Invisible Film method, which Martin says is easy to screw up. The 3M company actually recommends having a pro install it for you. But from what I've found online, it looks a lot people have had success with it.

3) Martin also says beware of those suction dent removers as they can sometimes cause your dent to pop out the other way and then you've got a big old mound on your car. Doesn't it look like so much fun though?

4) Lastly, if you're thinking that taking up two spots in a parking garage will help protect your car from door dings, think again.

That's all for now, look for my podcast to post Friday afternoon.

12:02 PM ET | 11- 7-2008 | permalink

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WWRD Foul Ball

Click "play" above to listen to my latest podcast on how to catch a foul ball. I get a lot of great advice in this episode from Zack Hample who is, hands down, the foul ball master with 124 foul/homerun balls in his collection. You'll also hear helpful tips from usher Rick Neave and ballgirl Stephanie Kelley, who both work at Nationals Park here in Washington, D.C.

The subject of foul balls segues nicely into that other topic that's been on my mind all week -- the World Series, or more specifically the fact that the Phillies have made it there for the first time since 1993. For all those unfortunate Philadelphians who won't be attending a live game, there is still hope. My wife found this amazing website that lists all the Philly bars around the country. As a 215 ex-pat I can honestly say having a few South Philly dudes nearby to high-five is a must when watching a game. "Yo! Did yous see that homerun?!?"

I have to give a shout out to the great home away from home that I found while living in LA, The Shack in Santa Monica. I'm still looking for a good DC spot though.

I'm confident that this is the year, and I hope I'm right. And just for the record, should there be any parading down Broad Street this year, I definitely won't be watching from my living room. I've already informed the staff here, I'm not going to make it to work that day.

2:00 PM ET | 10-20-2008 | permalink

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What Would Rob Do: To Avoid A Chick Flick?

Now Showing "The English Patient"

Rob Sachs, NPR

For my latest podcast I speak with Howie Deutch, the director of "My Best Friend's Girl," which is now in theaters. The topic we discuss is how to know which movies make great date movies and which ones are cringe-inducing chick flicks sure to emasculate even the most macho guys out there.

Deutch says that where most movies go wrong is in being overly sentimental. He qualifies this by saying movies can have a sentimental scene, but the characters have to earn it. When you're watching, you have to buy into the idea that the two characters really like each other and that there's a real romantic connection. In case you're wondering, Deutch assured me that this is, of course, the case with My Best Friend's Girl. If anyone sees the film this week, let me know your thoughts. I, sadly, won't be going to see it because I have a 7 month old at home.

But back to the topic -- how disappointing is it when you watch one of those movies where the characters haven't "earned it," as Deutch puts it? I think what really doesn't work for me is when I just can't believe that the two people would actually be going out. For example, in "Lost in Translation" Bill Murray's character seems way too old to get Scarlett Johansson. I'm sure there are countless movies that fit this category of mismatched romantic leads. Anyway, you can listen to the rest of my podcast for more on this topic.

3:11 PM ET | 09-22-2008 | permalink

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WWRD To Not Botch A Romantic Mix Tape?

Click here to download to my podcast on making a mix tape

Okay, so I finally finished up in the studio and posted the mix tape podcast. This one took me a little longer than usual since it involved a little more production, but hopefully you'll like it.

In researching this podcast I stumbled upon two hilarious websites Am I Right? and Kiss This Guy. The name of the last one refers to the often misheard lyric in the song Purple Haze. The site Am I Right? lists the most commonly misinterpreted songs with Manfred Mann's Blinded By The Light coming in at number one.

Here are five songs that always trip me up, some of which are mentioned in the podcast as well.
A Tribe Called Quest's Electric Relaxation
What I hear: "Relax yourself girl, peace out come here".
What the actual lyrics is: "Relax yourself girl, please settle down."

Bob Marley's Redemption Song
What I hear: "Oh Pirates, yes they're rabbis."
What the actual lyric is: " Old pirates, yes, they rob i."

John Mellencamp's Jack and Diane
What I hear "Oh yeah life goes on, long after fifth grade and living this song."
What the actual lyric is: "Oh yeah life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone."

Pearl Jam's Even Flow
What I hear: "Feeling, like something's churning so someone better pour the concrete."
What the lyric is: "Freezin', rests his head on a pillow made of concrete"

The Kingmen's Louie, Louie
I haven't a clue what they're saying, but then again I don't think I'm supposed to know.

And the bonus track is Sophie B. Hawkins' As I Lay Me Down -- I get what she's saying, but I have no idea what her backup vocalists are saying; Have a listen, and it sounds like they're ordering food at a Mexican restaurant "Una Taco!"

Alright, so the audio is up for the podcast. Hope you enjoy.

9:03 PM ET | 09- 8-2008 | permalink

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Making the Perfect Mix Tape: Falsetto

So I've begun working on my next podcast -- how to make the perfect mix tape. For this topic I interviewed Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford of the band Squeeze.

Over the years I've gone from making the generic eclectic mix to trying to group songs together with a similar theme. Lately, the group MGMT has been stuck in my head, particularly their song Electric Feel.

The vocals are sung so high that it's hard to believe the singer isn't a woman. This got me thinking about the fact that there are so many great songs where the guy is singing in falsetto. Isn't it crazy? I mean, if you heard a guy just talking with a high-pitched voice you'd think he was an eunuch -- but in a song, completely acceptable.

I decided then for this entry I'd write out my playlist for a falsetto mix tape. Searching around the web I found another list of falsetto faves. It included some good albeit obvious ones like the Bee Gees. But it includes Prince, who's also on my list -- it seems sacrilegious not to have him.

So here's what would make my mix tape of songs by high-pitched crooner dudes.

1) Prince: Kiss
2) Radiohead: Ideoteque
3) Israel kamakawiwo'ole: Somewhere over the Rainbow
4) Extreme: More than Words (yes, there is a falsetto part in it)
5) Justin Timberlake: Rock Your Body (while Michael Jackson has some great falsetto, I have mixed feelings about him these days so I'm choosing a song by his protege instead)
6) Maroon Five: Sunday Morning
7) Wayne Newton (aka Mr. Las Vegas): Danke Schoen
8) U2: Lemon
9) Brett Dennen: Desert Sunrise (Is this even falsetto or does the guy just have a high pitched voice?)
10) Smokey Robinson and the Miracles: Tears of a Clown
11) Culture Club: Karma Chameleon (I couldn't leave out Boy George!)
14) Johnny Nash: I Can See Clearly
15 Air: Surfing on a Rocket

I'll be posting more in my podcast next week. In the meantime, if you're really into that last song by the band Air check out a story I did about them on Day to Day.

10:34 AM ET | 08-28-2008 | permalink

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Trouser Barks

To be perfectly honest, I've long thought about doing a WWRD about flatulence but have shied away from it for some time because, let's admit it, talking about passing gas is a bit sophomoric.

I can only draw stick figures

Rob Sachs, NPR

I even intentionally avoided the subject a few weeks back on a WWRD podcast about witnessing something gross (i.e. you catch someone picking their nose in the car next to you). But then a couple of people who had heard the podcast asked why I hadn't talked about the elephant in the room: bad gas. It occurred to me that if anything qualifies as a trying dilemma it's probably flatulence. So I looked into the subject a little more and I found out that the average person breaks wind 14 times a day. That's a lot of noxious fumes.

So my latest podcast deals with this very delicate dilemma. I found a really great article published in Salon a while back where they interviewed a world-renowned gastroenterologist. I could have found someone like that to talk to, but I wanted to go a different route. Then I stumbled upon this invention -- the Gas-B-Gon filtration seat cushion. It sounded perfect! So I called up the co-founder Sharron Huza and we had a very illuminating conversation. Topics we covered ranged from prevention, to suppression, to elimination of odor detection. In the podcast, I discuss my findings with NPR's man of science David Kestenbaum.

Have a listen and let me know what you think about it. Of course, if you have a better idea of how to handle flatulence, let's hear it.

3:00 PM ET | 08-25-2008 | permalink

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