As you survey your new living space in pristine condition for the first (and very possibly last) time, bare wall to bare wall the rooms should be brimming full of one thing: Potential. Yes, the potential for greatness surrounds you. However, the everyday hustle and bustle of your normal life will resume in due time. Why not let your new pad marinate for a proverbial minute or two before throwing it on the barbie? You may be tired of the entire moving process by this point, but don’t let your weary arms defeat your kindred spirit. Rushing into getting your new place up and running will cut short a rare loophole in male living, referred to from here on as simply, the “Grace Period.” From as little as a day to as long as a month, the Grace Period is exactly what you make of it. A properly executed Grace Period will require a carefully prioritized “to-do” list, and yes, a “to-do” list is necessary, if only for appearances’ sake. Remember, the Grace Period is an excuse to shirk unwelcome tasks and duties, but only serves as an effective alibi when you are perceived as busy, not lazy.

1. First Things First: You are now privy to an enclosed arena of which you are the authority figure. Our suggestion: a fun & games day. Beer Olympics, New-Home Run Derby, whatever your heart’s wildest desire. With no valuables in sight, or at least unpacked, the propensity for property damage commonly associated with such activities is suddenly mitigated. Don’t throw caution completely to the wind, as depending on the size of your security deposit, it may still be necessary to take some precautions. Indoor paintball could make for an epic hour or so, but the long term repercussions will leave much larger marks in your bank account.
2. Second Tier: Once you’ve had your inaugural romp, it’s time to lay groundwork for the survival and entertainment basics. Hit the grocery store, unload a few key boxes (including the Emergency Survival Box if you’ve been paying attention), call the Direct TV guy, but don’t by any means set up your internet yet. Think about it, television provides diversion you don’t have to answer to; meanwhile, in today’s online era, computer access is synonymous with responsibility. (more…)

You’re not the Baltimore Colts, no need to fade quietly in the night. Well, unless legions of scorned women are conspiring to chase you to the city limits, then there might be some use for a little discretion. However, in most cases, moving should be a high energy experience, a bold proclamation that “I came; I saw; I conquered.” Looking back one final time over your shoulder at the empty space still housing memories, clenched fist held high in a quintessential victory pose, should feel like the final scene in an epic movie, cuing a power ballad as the credits roll. Which finally brings us to the point, every end to a great story needs an equally worthy soundtrack.So what jams should you crank as you pack, lift and hurl boxes around? In full disclosure, we aren’t accomplished cinematographers, but our best guess is that the sounds should somehow correlate to what’s happening on screen. In turn, you can answer your question with another question, simply by asking yourself “why am I moving?” Then use the chart below for appropriate song suggestions across all genres.Breakup

• “Here I Go Again On My Own” Whitesnake (a great opener, closer or both)
• “All My Friends Say” Luke Bryan
• “Fck It” Eamon (obscene, impassioned and hilarious the triumvirate)
• “Love You” Jack Ingram
• “Designated Drinker” Alan Jackson (if you play along, let a friend drive the moving truck)
• “Gone” Fuel
• “Miss Me Baby” Chris Cagle
• “Ho” Ludacris (short, sweet and to the point)
• “All My Friends Say” Luke Bryan
• “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” Darius Rucker (assuming you did the deed)
• “Beer” Reel Big Fish
• “Hey Jealousy” Gin Blossoms (if there’s still chance for reconciliation)

Quit Your Job/Got Fired (more…)