On this day in history: In 1878, the first telephone switchboard was installed in New Haven, CT. In 1922, the National Football League (NFL) franchise in Decatur, IL, transferred to Chicago. The team took the name Chicago Bears. And in 1986, the U.S. space shuttle Challenger exploded just after takeoff. All seven of its crew members were killed.

Today Is National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day!
Pop. Pop. Pop. Poppoppoppoppop!

Creative Uses For Old Coffee Grounds – Here’s a video that gives you some creative ideas for those soggy grounds that we all throw away.

A Man’s Guide To Dress Shirt Color And Pattern – I like to dress up occasionally, and kind of enjoy it. I do not have a job where it is required daily though. For those that do, this is a helpful guide.

Of Friends And Brothers – This was a very inspiring story. Kind of makes me want to take a DNA analysis…

Carnival Scam Science – And How To Win – As a kid, I loved the carnival games. But I never really stopped to consider just how weighted they are in favor of the carnival. This video exposes them for what they are, and tells you which ones you might be able to win.

On this day in history: In 1853, Dr. Russell L. Hawes patented the envelope folding machine. In 1855, gun designer John Browning, sometimes referred to as the “father of modern firearms,” is born. And in 1970, the Boeing 747 made its first commercial flight from New York to London for Pan American.

Today Is Squirrel Appreciation Day!
Yep. You read that right. Go hug a squirrel. Or maybe not…

Five Reasons Your Coffee Sucks – And just for the record… Mine does not.

5 Ways You’re Destroying Your Clothes – I have long ago decided that there is no reason I can’t be one of the best dressed people in any room. But if I am going to be buying quality clothing, there needs to also be some aspect of maintaining and repairing those items as needed. Here are some things you can do to make your clothing last longer.

Our Minds Can Be Hijacked… – I have become more and more of an advocate for putting down the phone. This article is a year old, but what it heralds remains eerily true, and perhaps even more so than when it was written. It’s a long read, but well worth it.

Why Photos Of The Eiffel Tower At Night Are Illegal – Did you even know about this? I didn’t. And it’s very interesting information.

Two weeks until Christmas! Have you finished your shopping yet? If not, you’d better get moving!

Today Is Dewey Decimal System Day!
Go visit a library and explore something new today.

Coffee Geek Gift List: Under $40 – This is a pretty comprehensive list for the coffee lover for Christmas. And the best part, this list stops at forty bucks. To be sure, you could spend more, but this is a great place to start!

The Coffee Compass Holiday Gift Guide – This is another nicely curated list of coffee gear for this year’s holidays. There are several items on this list that I have added to my own wish list.

The Art Of Manliness – The AoM store is one of my favorite places to browse. You will probably find several ideas for any men you might know in there.

Huckberry – The Huckberry stocking stuffer store has a lot of really cool stuff.

Where Is Christ Found In The Old Testament? – Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Christ, but he was predicted and foretold long before his birth. This video takes a look at just where he can be found in the pages of the Old Testament.

December is here, and Christmas is right around the corner! For the next few weeks, Monday’s Coffee Break posts will be Christmas themed, with articles, websites, and holiday shopping guides for you to enjoy! Enjoy the season, and Merry Christmas!

Today Is National Roof Over Your Head Day!
Today is a day to be thankful for what we have, beginning with the roof over our heads.

The Ultimate Roasterie Gift Guide For Coffee Lovers – The Roasterie is a great little place in Kansas City to find great coffee and lot’s of coffee related accouterments. Many of these items are on my own wish list for Christmas this year…

Real Men Real Style – Here is another shopping guide for the man in your life, or a list of things you need to add to your wardrobe. Some are kind of pricey, but others are not so bad.

The Familyman’s Christmas Trivia – This is a fun little trivia game you can play with your family. The Familyman also has one based on the movie Home Alone.

Why Reindeer Eyes Turn Blue In Winter – I had no idea that reindeer eyes changed colors, and the reason behind it is extremely interesting.

On Earth As In Heaven – “Christmas, 1968 and we first saw ‘earthrise’. But our mission to the heavens was a reflection of the first Christmas — God’s mission to earth.” This 13 minute documentary is worth watching

On this day in history: In 1787, the Constitution of the United States of America was signed by delegates at the Constitutional Convention. In 1872, Phillip W. Pratt patented a version of the sprinkler system. In 1937, Abraham Lincoln’s face at Mount Rushmore was dedicated. And in 1976, NASA publicly unveils its first space shuttle, the Enterprise.

Today Is National Apple Dumpling Day!
Maybe you could watch The Apple Dumpling Gang!

Celebrity Coffee Commercials – Many famous people have advertised coffee over the years. Here are a few commercials for your viewing pleasure.

How To Layer With Style: 10 Rules For Layering Men’s Clothes – With colder weather approaching, additional layers will be helpful. Here are some rules to help you pull this off successfully, and not look out of place.

The Most Mysterious Thing About Edgar Allan Poe Might Be How He Died – I’m a big fan of Poe’s works. But did you know that the mystery of his death has never been adequately explained?

Extraordinary Octopus Takes To Land – The wonders of God’s creation continually amaze me. This video shows an octopus that can leave the water for a time, traveling across dry land from tidal pool to tidal pool in search of food.

On this day in history: In 1189, England’s King Richard I was crowned in Westminster. In 1783, the Revolutionary War between the U.S. and Great Britain ended with the Treaty of Paris. And in 1954, The Lone Ranger was heard on radio for the final time after 2,956 episodes over a period of 21 years.

Today Is Labor Day in the US!
Enjoy a day free from labor!

How To Brew Espresso In A Moka Pot – Moka pots are one of the most underrated items in most coffee brewing arsenals. I have one, and didn’t use it much, but once I learned how to use it properly, it can make some amazing coffee. You can get one at Amazon.

10 Questions To Test Your Style Knowledge – Just how stylish do you think you are? There are a lot of men who need to pay more attention to this area of their lives.

The Top Ten Most Important Ancient Documents Lost To History – I found this to be completely fascinating, but I wonder just how some of these qualify as “most important.” That seems pretty subjective. Nevertheless, it’s very interesting.

Pursuit – This summer has been pretty dry where I live, but the past week has brought in a few scattered showers. This storm footage, while violent, is strangely appealing right now.

On this day in history: In 1889, a patent for a coin-operated telephone was issued to William Gray. In 1934, Al Capp’s comic strip L’il Abner made its debut in newspapers. And in 1942, Walt Disney’s Bambi opened at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, NY.

Today Is National Filet Mignon Day!
This is a day I can totally get behind!

Buying Your First Home Coffee Roaster – Roasting your own coffee is a great step forward in your coffee journey. I roasted for years using an air popcorn popper, but a couple of years ago, I purchased a Behmor 1600+, and haven’t looked back. It’s an excellent home roasting option.

How To be A Well Dressed Man – There is no reason why you shouldn’t dress well. Or, as Antonio says, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be the best dressed man in the room. And it’s not as hard as you might think.

What’s The Worst Taste In The World? – I think bell peppers top the list, but this article disagrees.

Toxicity Comparison (This Little Will KILL You) – This might be a little morbid, but is also extremely fascinating.