Monthly Archives: April 2011

I interact with colleagues all over the country, many of whom I have known for 30 years or more. Often when I am faced with a problem, a question, a dilemma or a predicament in my work as a consulting forensic engineer – or even when I am brainstorming about something and need fresh input, I will pick up the phone and get a thought, an insight or an answer from someone I know. Over the years I have come to realize that success in business depends on a combination of factors: skill, knowledge, persistence, experience, timing and luck – to name just a few. More and more, however, I realize that relationships and a strong professional network are probably the most important parts of the calculus of success. Continue Reading

At OakStreet Man, we love The Art of Manliness. Filled with tips, tricks, and discussions on the skills and knowledge that every man should have, it's a quality online resource. A perfect example is this recent guide to knives you need to have in your kitchen and how to keep them performing on the cutting edge. The author thinks that having a top-quality chef knife is essential to making great meals, and we couldn't agree more. It's a sharp idea. Continue Reading

A lot changes over the years. Fashions, language, tastes, and much more. While it may come as a shock that the Internet slang "OMG" has been found in a letter dating back to 1917, nobody would have expected to find it in a dictionary then. Drinks are no different. You've probably had (quite a bit of) experience with gin cocktails and manhattans, but did you know that the drinks we enjoy today are very different from their original recipes? Over the years, these drinks have evolved along with the world around them. Luckily for us, we can take a sip of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by ordering beverages the original way, thanks to a breakdown of authentic cocktail recipes in Esquire magazine. Continue Reading