The 25 Essential Jazz Records Every Man Should Know

You've built the bookshelf, covered it with great books, but it needs a little something more. Some classic records perhaps? Why not treat yourself to this essential guide to the best jazz albums in the history of recorded time – bar none?

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The Light Collector: The Man Behind 4500 Cameras

We all have a small collection of something in our lives. It's a hobby and can be fun, but what happens when it grows into a lifelong journey? Meet a guy with 4500 cameras.   

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You Gotta See the CIA's Vintage Spy Gear Collection

While we all know James Bond's sexy spy experience is a far cry from the lives of real life spies, you'd be surprised by how many cinematic spy gadgets were actually employed in the early days of the CIA. 

From miniature cameras in cigarette cases to hollow coins, the collection of cool gear is a testament to human ingenuity and the maker's ethos.    

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Awesome Lighting: The Yarn Collection by LLOT LLOV

These super cool yarn lights by LLOT LLOV are a modern way to add a cozy touch to your space. The long cord allows you to install them anyway you want, hang them, place them by your books or have them near your desk. Mood lighting (for lack of a better term) does wonders for your place, especially now that fall and winter are totally creeping in - you want to create a comfy atmosphere without having harsh lights, right?

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Inspiring Photos of Neatly Arranged Collections

Portland, Oregon-based photographer Jim Golden photographs these compelling collections of themed objects. You might have seen a few similar "things organized neatly" pieces floating about the internet, but I think Golden's work contains more than just thoughtful spacing and color themes:   

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Streamlining Physical Media: What's the Status of Your CD and DVD Collection?

Last weekend, in an effort to reorganize my media collection to make space for new books, I sorted through at least three hundred CDs and a hundred DVDs and cut my collection by at least seventy-five percent.

The collection which I, on the day before, had understood to have been already pared down to the bare minimum. Every year of my post-college life, I've forced myself to go through and get rid of records and movies and books that I simply don't use anymore. Everytime, it's hard and sad, and I feel better afterwards, but I imagine: okay...that's it. These are my essential collection. And the next time, I'm able to cut back even more.

So, I'm curious: In the era of streaming media and the cloud and huge hard drives, what's the status of physical entertainment in your home? Do you still buy CDs and DVDs, or only digital downloads? Have you made the switch from paper books to an eReader? Do you find it easier to get rid of newer purchases, or things you've owned for a while?  

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12 Wacky Vintage Baseball Cards

As a kid, I tried to collect baseball cards. And by tried I meant, pretend like I knew what I was talking about when all the other kids and the neighborhood were going on about their collections, and then getting a .79 chewing gum pack once every six months in hopes there were some gems in there. (There weren't) 

So, of course, I can't speak with any authority on these funny finds from modernman.com, but they're plenty good for a laugh.

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