iPads aren’t perfect for taking photos, but for some photos you make an exception. Unless you want someone else to see them, lock ‘em up with an iPad app.
Clown of the Week: John Mayer
John Mayer has done it again. He’s broken up with another woman, but this time he did it through email. It could be a sign of the times but no, he’s just a clown and that’s why he’s DragNSync’s Clown of the Week.
Mayer was out of the spotlight for a couple of years after making nasty comments about Jessica Simpson, another one of past his lucky ladies. He moved to the middle of Montana, grew out his hair, and threw on a weird cowboy hat. Mayer came back this year, releasing a somewhat country-inspired album.
He and a recently divorced Katy Perry dated for a few months until recently Mayer had grown “tired of Perry’s hard partying and decided to pull the plug,” according to a source from US Weekly. A friend told the magazine that “he dumped her over email. She was furious and really hurt. She was into him, but he wasn’t feeling it.”
So much for being a romantic, John.
Clown of the Week
“How embarrassing to be human.” -Kurt Vonnegut
Truer words might’ve never been spoken. We are the only animal on this planet intelligent enough for creative, original thought, yet we are also the only animal insecure enough to feel embarrassment. We’ve all had our share of awkward moments, but, fortunately, the majority of them are only witnessed by those in our immediate surroundings. London Mayor Boris Johnson wasn’t so lucky.
Known to be a bit eccentric, Boris took to the skies to promote the London Olympics with a daring ride down a zipline. With a devil-may-care smile, he bravely leapt off the platform, proudly clinging only to two Union Jack flags. Flying high over his countrymen, flags chopping in the wind, Boris was doing all that he could to bring glory to Queen and country.
All was going as planned until he began to noticeably decelerate around the halfway point and eventually come to a crawling stop still 65 feet from the end of the line. As Boris hung there awkwardly, flags gone limp, his smile was now an abashed look of bemusement as he stared down at the ever increasing crowd.
It’s bad enough that this happened in front of a large crowd and that he is a public figure, but happening at the event with the most media coverage on the planet ensured that his moment of embarrassment would spread to all corners of the globe. Although he didn’t quite stick the landing, Boris kept his composure and was able to make light of it with the crowd as he awaited rescue.“This is great fun but it needs to go faster,” he joked. Less than ten minutes of dangling like an awkward diplomat-piñata, and he was tugged to safety by grounds workers. Maybe not a performance worthy of a gold medal, but we felt that Boris at least deserved the consolation prize of being DragNSync’s Clown of the Week. Cheers, mate!
Here is the video of Boris’ zipline mishap.
Content Security: Tips for Men with a Sexy Secret to Hide
Ask any man what he thinks is sexy and instinctively his mind goes to one place – curves. Just like he smooth curves of a Shelby Cobra (Danica here who seems to be enjoying the Cobra herself). But, given time to think about it, men and women would agree that nothing is sexier than a good secret. The problem is: the better the secret, the more actively it is pursued. That is why it is more important than ever to secure your digital content to protect your greatest secrets from prying eyes.
How Good Security Can Increase Productivity
Your iPad alone is not the impenetrable fortress you would like it to be. Knowing a skeleton can come tumbling out of a closet at any moment is a distracting thought. So is the thought that someone may discover and steal your billion dollar business plan before you get to bring it to fruition. These things weigh on the brain and constantly hinder productivity. But, when you are absolutely sure your secrets will remain hidden, you can focus on the task at hand. A good content management system allows you to secure and organize your private content so you can enjoy distraction-free thinking.
The Reason to be Password Protected
You may have a password on your ipad, but do you really think that’s enough? How many times have you absentmindedly left your ipad unattended or entered the password where someone could have seen it? Besides, you probably have more than just one layer of security protecting your home and physical possessions. Do the same for the digital possessions that you want to keep safe and install a password protected file management app. With a file management system installed on your ipad you have more than one layer of protection against possible intruders. You can rest at ease knowing your secrets remain secure.
How to Optimize Content Security
Content security is only as good as your content management system. Your system needs to be simple to use but compatible with every file you need it for so that files can be centrally located.
DragNYSYNC is an intuitive file management application for the ipad that allows users to input practically any file type and store it securely within. Upload videos, documents, and pictures here instead of separate locations throughout your ipad for each file type. Another unique feature is that when a wrong password is entered a “decoy mode” is activated and it takes the potential intruder to a false homepage with none of your content.
DragNSYNC also allows for synchronizing with other users so that you can share that information without compromising its security. Email directly or share things to an icloud folder while still remaining password protected. If your content and, more importantly, your privacy are things you value, take the precautions necessary to keep them safe before that content gets out rather than regret not doing so later.
How to Be Every Guy in Pulp Fiction: Leadership Lessons from Bad Motherf*ckers
Tarantino’s modern gangster noir turns 18 this year. We all know the soundtrack and the best quotes by heart, but how can these prizefighters, gangsters and other unique characters make you a better leader? Let’s take a few lessons from these guys.
Jules Winnfield – Know when to get out of a bad situation. In the movie, Jules is nearly gunned down in an ambush by a guy wielding a very large hand cannon. Remarkably, (Jules believes ‘miraculously’) he’s not hit and quickly dispatches his attacker. At that precise moment, he decides to abandon his life of crime, no matter what the financial toll will be.
Not everyone gets a moment of clarity like Jules had, but many people don’t take a moment to step back and look at their situation objectively. Are you in a job, relationship or other situation that’s not where you want to be? It might pay off to take a bold step, even if you’re scared to do so. The greatest failure is sometimes the failure to try.
Vincent Vega – Be willing to improvise and reach out to your network to help you out of a jam. When Vincent’s chaperoning of Mia Wallace takes a turn for the worse, he has to rely on his friend the entrepreneur to save her life (and his). Knowing nowhere else to turn, he goes to the one person he knows who can bring the boss’s wife back to consciousness.
Facebook and Twitter are great tools for updating the world on every facet of your personal life, but do you use them to stay connected with people who can help you out professionally? Don’t forget to reciprocate - offer your own expertise or assistance when you can. It’s great to be owed a favor and helping people out just feels good. Don’t neglect a chance to take it offline and buy someone a coffee, lunch or a drink.
Marcellus Wallace – Keep it cool, and stay focused. It’s tough being a crime boss, but Mr. Wallace makes it look pretty easy. Even when everyone around him is panicking, he’s staying level-headed, speaking in a calm tone of voice, and clearly passing directives to the people he manages.
We’ve all been in a situation where someone’s freaking out, or everyone’s shouting their ideas over everyone else. Hasty decisions can get people in serious personal and professional trouble. Nobody ever learned anything with their mouth open, so listen more and think more than the next guy. You’re all on the same team, and you can get to the goal together.
Butch Coolidge – When you see your opportunity, take it. After a lifetime of being knocked around literally and figuratively, Butch takes a big risk that, if it pays off, will ensure his safety and security for a long long time.
Most of us choose to make our living outside of a boxing ring, so it’s not as clear when our “title fight” will be. But the adrenaline you get before a big interview, presentation or even a date is the same feeling that Manny gets right before he heads down that tunnel. Leave it all out there and give every opportunity your best effort. Regret’s a pain worse than a body shot. Oh yeah, and double check your suitcase when you’re packing.
“Pumpkin” – Know when you’re beaten. When “Pumpkin” finds himself looking down the barrel of Jules’ 9mm in the diner, his plan to rob the joint has been completely destroyed. Rather than risk his life and that of his “Honey Bunny,” he accepts defeat humbly and moves on without any blood being spilled.
Nobody wins ‘em all. You have to learn to lose with dignity and move on to your next challenge. Don’t dwell on losses, but make sure you learn from them.
The Wolf – Be a clutch guy that people can count on. When the clock is ticking and a big package needs to be delivered in a timely fashion, the gang is lost until they get in touch with the Wolf.
We’ve covered what it means to be a clutch guy before, but the best thing about the Wolf is the confidence he inspires in those around him (“You’re sending the Wolf? That’s all you had to say!!”).
He makes clear, strong choices and simple plans. He thinks as fast as he drives, and he pays attention to every detail. The guy who’s connected, who has a plan, and who can organize people and motivate them will always win the day.
Zed and Maynard – Try not to be like either of these guys in any way.
Got any more? Hit us up in the comments.
Don’t be ‘That Guy;’ 5 Tips for Being Clutch
Everyone knows “that guy.” You can always count on him to be unaccountable. He shows up late for everything, constantly complains, and always seems to be gone when it’s his turn to buy a round. Every group has their own version of “that guy.” He may be the guy that’s always bumming food, creeping on your girl, or worse: your mom.
Scumbag Steve epitomizes that guy.
The opposite of “that guy” is the guy who always comes through in the clutch. The guy you give the ball to with ten seconds left, or the guy who defuses the bomb when everyone else has given up all hope. Admired by men and adored by women, the clutch guy is every group’s star player. Here’s how you can learn to become your group’s most valuable player.
Michael Jordan always performs in the clutch
Tip #1 Admit you’ve been “that guy”
From time to time we’ve all done flakey things. Don’t lie. But just like with alcoholics, admitting is the first step. Once you know you have a problem you can begin fixing it. As long as you’re not the epitome of “that guy,” you probably only have a couple things to fix anyway. Admit your weakness and the healing can begin.
Tip #2 Improve on your weaknesses
It’s said that Larry Bird shot 200 free throws before school every day growing up to improve that part of his game. He is now ranked in the top ten for highest career free throw percentage. Take a tip from Larry and go to extreme measures to better a weakness. If you’re constantly running late, start showing up way ahead of time until it becomes habit. Turn a negative into a positive.
Tip #3 Find your niche
Once you’ve eliminated “that guy” tendencies out of your life you can start to become the clutch guy. No one can be the right guy for every situation, so find what you’re already good at. If you want to be the guy that everyone knows can fix their cars, you better be damn good at turning a wrench. Nothing makes you ‘that guy’ faster than forgetting to tighten a few lugnuts and having a friend’s tire come flipping off the axle as they’re doing 80. Do whatever you do like a pro.
Tip #4 Don’t over do it
Once you’ve found your niche, let people come to you for help in that area. Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean everyone constantly wants it crammed down their throat. Part of being clutch is having people want your help in the first place. If you’re too aggressive it will just become annoying. Subtlety is key.
Tip #5 Consistency
You can gain a reputation for being clutch just by pulling through once. But, if you can’t do it again the very next time you lose that reputation. Consistently prove yourself to be clutch and the strength of your reputation will grow. If you know you won’t be able to do something make it known as early as you can. Always do your best only to promise what you can deliver.
Follow these five tips and people are guaranteed to know you are the man that comes through in a pinch. You gain trust and respect by other men which translates to how women see you. Being clutch requires some work and dedication on your part, but the benefits are worth it. Remember, statues are carved for the clutch guy and never “that guy.” Be clutch.
The Seven Toughest Adventure Races in America
When a supercharged sports car is purchased the only reasonable first action is to stomp the accelerator and bury the needle until you’re pretty sure going any faster will take you airborn. Hell, most of us probably did this with our parents’ station wagon the day after passing the driver’s test. At one point in time, and in small corners still, people treated their bodies in a similar manner. It is only natural to want to test our limits, but humans as a race have gone soft.
However, there are those select few that were never able to give up the primal urge to go further. Those “freak” athletes that know neither limitation nor quitting who still prove the human body is a much more impressive tool than we give it credit for - by competing in the world’s toughest races. This list is for all those who think they still have that beast inside that they must let out. But beware, once you see these brutal races that beast might turn into a cowaring, tail-between its legs kitten.
7. The Barkley Marathons
100 miles. For most of us, nuff said. Not gonna happen. If that wasn’t difficult enough, the course features 59,000 ft. of climb and descent that the runners must traverse… five times! The five 20 mile laps have time limits that when missed force the runner to withdraw. Since the competition began only 13 of nearly 900 runners have made the 100 miles in the allotted 60 hours. Scared yet?
6. The Arrowhead Winter Ultramarathon
5. Race Across America
The name says it all. Competitors span the distance of the continental U.S. from coast to coast on bikes. If you’re unable to imagine the scale of this think of the most famous race in the world: The Tour de France. This race is twice as long. To make it harder, there are no stages. Meaning when the riders of the Tour finish a day of riding their time stops and they rest all night. Once the Race Across America starts, time doesn’t stop until you cross the finish line. That is, if you can make it to the finish line.
4. The Death Race
To register for this extreme race you have to first go to youmaydie.com. Umm, about that… they’re being serious. The website states “90% of you will not complete this adventure race.” And they’re not kidding. They want to honestly warn those with weak bodies and minds to reconsider and maybe try something a little more safe and predictable. I’m sure Adam Sandler or Tyler Perry both have another crappy movie you could go watch. The Death Race features mud runs, obstacles, and intense trails meant to break the will and destroy the body.
3. The Pikes Peak Marathon
Sometimes referred to as America’s toughest challenge, Pikes Peak goes up 6,000 vertical feet over a distance of more than 13 miles at an altitude so high trees are unable to grow, and that’s only the halfway point. Runners then turn around and do it all over all the while trying to avoid jagged rocks that at best will mangle and permanently maim you and at worst send you tumbling off the side of a mountain.
2. The Badwater Ultramarathon
Death Valley wasn’t named so by accident. And in summer it might as well be called hell on earth. The blistering ultramarathon is ran in July when temperatures can reach unimaginable heights. Runners begin in the very belly of hell at 280 feet below sea level and then work their way up 13,000 cummulative feet fighting off the cramps and delirium of extreme dehydration.
1. The Primal Quest
At this point in the list you’ve probably realized these competitions are not for the faint of heart. Primal Quest is no different. 600 miles of navigation and survival through diverse terrain ranging from dense forest to barren wasteland to deadly canyons. Competitors bike, paddle, and spelunk through the South Dakota of the old west. Abandoned gold mines and ghost towns like the infamous Deadwood serve as competitors’ only refuge. And what does one get for completing what the majority of society doesn’t even believe humanly possible? Just the knowledge that you overcame the toughest adventure race in America. Oh, and a lifetime of bragging rights as a bonafide badass.
