“It is the duty of every citizen according to his
best capacities to give validity to his
convictions in political affairs.”

- Albert Einstein

Manny Ramirez of the Boston Team Manny has one laudatory skill: being able to hit a baseball. Perhaps he would benefit by checking out
Manival #14. It's back "home" this week at the blog that launched the Manival carnival, The Art of Manliness. As usual there's lots of good stuff and several different categories to explore, especially if you're Manny Ramirez.

For example, check out Dr. Awesome for valuable advice and important rulings on what is or isn't manly: this week's topic concerns long hair. In addition, as the summer winds down and the play-offs draw near there's still time to review a list of "Top 10 Summer Activites for Dad & Kids" from Discovering Dad. And if you're into naming the "best" and "worst" of anything you'll probably like "The Best Foods for Men" at Fat Man Unleashed (oh, Manny!) and "The Worst Karate Move I Ever Learned" at Martial Development (I wonder if this involves knocking down the club's 60-year-old Traveling Secretary?).

There are also plenty of good posts for those of us non-All Stars who might still like to take our game to another level. This week I want to call special attention to two Manival articles: Seven Proverbs for Skilled Living from Cameron at Schaefer's Blog; and Cory's challenge to make it a point to schedule doing something special for your wife each week in Monday Morning Amour over at A Good Husband. You should definitely read the other Manival entries as well, or — as Twins' announcer John Gordon would say — "Touch 'em all!"

I'm still tired after spending the weekend trying to recover from the annual Millard Fillmore Memorial golf tournament (aka "The MILF") last Friday where I was in the woods so much I think the tourney should be renamed "Lumberjack Days." I wouldn't be surprised if I'm now battling Lyme Disease.

Then there was my stepping up at the last minute at the post-MILF party to serve as a replacement "Master of Sausages" without first being able to perform the standard three day meditation and purification regimen that goes along with that. Fortunately I was able to pass through the flames without injury, but it was a very close thing and that will take something out of you.

I've also been devoting time to preparing the second lecture and homework assignment for this week's "Are You Marriageable" class that I'm teaching, set for Wednesday night. Speaking of which, here's an interesting link to a post over at The Art of Manliness on How to Ask a Woman's Father For Her Hand in Marriage.

Maybe I'll have enough energy to post something tonight after I finally get home. I first have to stop off and see Ben; he said there's something he wanted to talk to me about.


Update:
Developing further...

Miserere got an early jump in launching this week's Manival, but that just gives you more time to read this week's selections. In addition to post from your favorite writer in the night, there is a great 3-part series from this week's host on Child-Rearing in a Culture of Death/Discipline and Responsibility/Character Training. There are tips on how to add spice to a ho-hum marriage and an article on the "tipping" point in a marriage. You can also find out about going "man-camping", which sounds like a step up from your "man cave", but you should read both and find out for yourself. In fact, read them all!

Jroosh is shutting down Roosh5 as of today.

That's too bad as this has been one of the best written and best thought-out blogs in the MOB since it started a year and a half ago. From politics to economics (actually these are becoming one and the same these days), to family trips, movie reviews and car porn, this has been an exceptional and digestible blog.

Fortunately it's not a matter of running out of juice, but a conscious — and admirable — decision to apply that juice in a different direction.

Well said, and farewell, Jroosh. Here's hoping to see you in various and sundry comment sections and at future MOB events!

I was too busy vacationing last week to contribute an entry to this week's Manival, and I've been so busy with other things this week that I'm a little slow in calling your attention to this week's host, I Am Husband. If you'll go over there you'll see that the carnival is doing quite well without this clown (me). There are several fresh posts from some of my new favorite bloggers, plus nice work from some new contributors.

Of course my attention is going to be drawn to a post entitled "Why My House is a Diva-Dome" by Dad of Divas. He writes authoritatively, but his daughters are much younger than mine so he has little idea of what's coming. I could tell him (or he could read about it here) but why spoil the fun? I'll also second the recommendation from this week's host that you read the "Real Men Dote" (@ Trey Morgan)and "What Dads Really Think About Porn" (@ Discovering Dad). There's lots of other good stuff as well about Marriage & Family, The Character of a Man, House and Home and other Miscellaneous Manliness (including another funny trip to Dr. Awesome's mail bag.) Dude, check 'em all out.

From Mitch. Nothing but one-word answers - and you can’t use any word twice:

1. Where is your cell phone? Pocket.
2. Your significant other? Trophy.
3. Your hair? Distinguished.
4. Your mother? Cuba.
5. Your father? Missed.
6. Your favorite time of day? Night!
7. Your dream last night? Forgotten.
8. Your favorite drink? Coffee.
9. Your dream goal? Published.
10. The room you’re in? Living.
11. Your ex? Unlucky.
12. Your fear? Itself.
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Letterman.
14. What you are not? Emaciated.
15. Your Favorite meal? Most.
16. One of your wish list items? BIA-3.
17. The last thing you did? Laundry.
18. Where you grew up? Midwest.
19. What are you wearing? Smile.
20. Your TV is? Awesome.
21. Your pets? Noisy.
22. Your computer? Laptrap.
23. Your life? Python-esque.
24. Your mood? Whatever.
25. Missing someone? Yes.
26. Your car? Truck.
27. Something you’re not wearing? Tie.
28. Favorite store? Cabela's.
29. Your summer? Missing.
30. Your favorite colour? Green.
31. When is the last time you laughed? Saturday.
32. When is the last time you cried? Wednesday.
33. Your health? Functional.
34. Your children? Keepers.
35. Your future? Golden.
36. Your beliefs? Biblical.
37. Young or old? Mature.
38. Your image? Graven.
39. Your appearance? Welcome.
40. Would you live your life over again knowing what you know? Yup.

There'll be light blogging here during the holiday weekend as most of what I'll be doing that is blog-related will be behind the scenes. There's plenty for you to read, however, in The Manival #10 (The Independence Day Edition) hosted this week by Brett at The Art of Manliness.

There are several posts from regular Manival contributors, plus a lot of material from others who are new to the fraternity. This week guy's are trying to answer questions such as "What Does Religion Mean to Your Marriage?", "Why Doesn't She Want Sex Like I Do?", "Is Chivalry Dead?" and whether it's okay for a man to wear Crocs or clogs.

There are also posts on how a man can be a lighthouse for his children, how to help your kids develop decision-making skills and a humorous look at how one guy is trying to establish family traditions. There's a lot more than that as well, so celebrate your independence from the man-numbing popular culture by going to the Manival link above seeing what these guys (and a gal) have to say!