The Gig Room

Welcome to the Gig Room. Here we will share our current individual equipment setups, instrument reviews and eventually, even video performances. Since music is the chosen form of creative outlet for many in the Man Room, it is an art taken quite seriously. Here you will find a great appreciation for fine instruments and our experiences through musical enlightenment.

Dr. D's Top Ten - Albums at the moment

1. Muse- The Resistance

2. Arctic Monkeys- Humbug

3. Silversun Pickups- Swoon

4. Jimmy Eat World- Futures

5. Phoenix- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

6. Blink-182- Blink-182

7. Muse- Absolution

8. Rise Against- Appeal to Reason

9. Matchbox Twenty- Exile On Mainstream

10. Sam Roberts- Chemical City

Dr. D's Top Ten - Cars Driven

1. 2004 Audi RS6

2. 2007 Audi S6

3. Audi A8L

4. 2007 Audi S4

5. 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

6. Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 (Modified)

7. Audi Allroad

8. 1986 Honda CRX Si

9. 2008 Lexus IS250 AWD

10. 2008 Honda Accord Coupe V6

Hold My Beer and Watch This...

This segment is dedicated to any weird projects and stunts that the manroom partakes in. Currently we have a long term project that involves a lot of fire and noise. We like fire and noise. What could this project be? A jet engine. Specifically a gas turbine jet engine made out of an old turbocharger. We acquired the turbo off an old Toyota supra, the old goes without saying I guess. Its a CT 26 and its in rough shape. So we'll send it out speaking the King's in a proper, fiery death.

How is this possible?

Well, a turbocharger works by converting the energy found in exhaust gases into useful work. In this case, the exhaust passes through turbine blades on the way out of the combustion chamber. This spins the turbine which is connected to the compressor. The compressor sucks in air and compresses it. What's usually in between the two is the engine but in this case we don't have one. What we plan on doing is creating a combustion chamber that will allow us to burn propane with the compressed air, and keep the turbine spinning. For added effect, an afterburner will also be added to let us dump fuel into the exhaust and get a nice flame shooting out the back.

Our jet engine may not run for too long however. The turbo has significant play in the shaft and this means the blades will rub during operation. This translates into pieces of our fan blade coming out the exhaust. Pictures of what we have so far will be added soon, and updates will come in as we build this thing.

- James

The Rusty Crossbow

Here in the manroom we thoroughly enjoy a good war movie. From the Dirty Dozen to Inglorious basterds and everything in between. It is only fitting then that we have a segment dedicated to instruments of violence and pain. For the first edition of the Rusty Crossbow, we're going for a classic. The Lee-Enfield Rifle No. 4 Mk 1. This may not be known to some readers but it was a standard infantry weapon of the British Commonwealth soldiers and subsequently, Canada. A bolt-action, magazine fed weapon, it still used the .303 cartridge that the older versions used. Introduced in 1939 it served through WWII and beyond in one form or another. It could be fitted with a bayonet which was fondly called the pigsticker. This gun was even manufactured in Canada, in Long Branch Ontario. I've never fired one before as they aren't just lying around these days, but I'd really like to see what they can do. I'm sure if the manroom had possession of one of these classics, nothing safe could come of it, i.e. the risk is bad. All in all, if this gun was good enough for the boys at Juno beach, then it must have kicked serious Jerry ass.

- James
Arte et Marte

Whiskey Weekly

Well it's been quite a while since the last whiskey weekly but things have been fairly busy around the offices. This week we bring it back to Canadian shores with a classic. I'm talking, of course, about Crown Royal. This is one of my favourite types of rye whiskey out there and I always enjoy getting sauced with it. It was originally created in 1939 for the royal tour of Canada by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. It is because of this reason that the bottle was made specially to look like a crown and comes in a royal purple bag. Today there is only one distillery that produces this brew of the gods, and it's located on the shores of lake Winnipeg. Down to business, this whiskey is good... damn good. It even had a song written about it..

Royal Canadian blended
The spicy aroma had mended me
Matured for years and imported
Into my glass you poured it
(guess the British band..)

It's definitely one of those whiskey's that you shouldn't mix, it really is that good. If you're one of those pussies who can't tolerate straight whiskey than don't waste money on good stuff. However, to those people who like to have a glass or three of whiskey on the rocks, than Crown is for you.

For every king, a crown.

- James

Shenanigans

Shenanigans has come about from rules 1 and 2 of the man room. DON'T BE A BITCH. If someone makes a claim that is usually beyond possibly or would be amusing to watch, it is responded to with shenanigans being called. The claimer is then required to prove his claim. Failure to attempt results in the claimers man card being revoked. A weak attempt to prove the claim results in ridicule and failure in general results in the claimer being less of a man and being called a liar and a cheat.

Example:
"What would you do if I punched a hole in your wall?" - Dicky Dee
"You couldn't punch a hole in the wall" - Kim Satchelor (Knowing the wall is plywood coated in plaster)
"I could easy!" - Dicky Dee
"Shenanigans" - Kim Satchelor - loud enough that anyone in the surrounding area would come hither to watch Dicky Dee make an ass of himself
Dicky Dee then proceeds to wreck his hand trying to prove himself, and it laughed at.

Work then resumes for another day in the manroom....

What is the Man Room?

Deep underground in a hidden location lies the man room. So secret is this location, that to reveal it is to forfeit ones soul for all eternity. Within the hallowed room lies the secrets and treasures of mankind. It is rumored that God himself visited the man room after its creation, and approved of it. The three that reside in the man room created and will maintain this blog. They write about stuff that appeals to them, or stuff that they have done. The products of the three residents of man room include, the auto authority, the whiskey weekly, the stomach, the watch watch, hot girl of the moment, and the Rolling Scone. One more thing, this content is serious, seriously though the only thing we seriously don't take serious is ourselves.

- James

Auto Authority

FIRST DRIVE: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

With styling cues borrowed from the 60's, a hungry V8 powerplant and only the rear wheels putting that power to the road, I expected similar results to that of the new Challenger. Lucky for me, I like surprises. Naturally, no one would hesitate at the chance to get behind the wheel of the newest ponycar on the streets. Let's break this down a bit.

The V6.

A Red Jewel awaited me. The RS package available as an optional $1705 package gives you 20 inch flangeless aluminum wheels (8" front, 9"rear) clad in Pirelli PZero tires, Halo HID daytime running lights, smoked rear tail lights and rear lip spoiler. Red "RS" takes its place in the front grille and trunk lid. the new Camaro is without doubt a car I could never get bored of looking at.

Inside is a medley of classic functionality with design similar to what was expected based on the Back to the Future 2015. It works. Having been inside the pre-production model about a year prior, I had remembered being left unsatisfied with the overall interior based on materials and quality. This simply was not the same car. Interior quality was astounding (for a GM vehicle).

I know, however, what you really want to read about. Yes, it was quick. Yes, it can go around corners. Yes, I want one. Punching the V6 from the line, there is a lot of go behind you. Quick response and sound from the front which is far for technical than the usual grunt from a muscle car, but a quick reminder from the traction control and the digital gauge reinforced that I wasn't driving a 1969 Camaro. Not knowing what to expect on the first corner I didn't push my luck. Quick but responsible, there seemed no question about it that the car was capable of more. The paddle-style shifters were enough to make a quick downshift when the occasion deemed it necessary. It was composed, but you still knew you were in a rear wheel drive car with enough power exercise without the traction control.

Overall, a strong, smooth V6 with enough power to keep the drive enjoyable. An immediate success in my opinion. I was happy to say I was glad GM took the time to make it a perfect driver.




The V8.

The start-up told me I was not in the same car I had just driven. Then again, so did every other action on the drive. The exhaust brought a tune to my ear I was quite familiar with, the whole package sounded like muscle. While missing the RS accessories, it allowed for a more focused test. Acceleration was world's apart from the V6 and it presented a very welcoming push into the back of the seat. Excellent throttle response was well paired with a positive feel in the steering. The back of my brain was saying, "Go easy", partially due to the exhaust and bright yellow exterior. A thought quickly cast aside by the look from the BMW driver next to me at the red. Not that I ever doubted the potential, but it brought a smile to my face when the car set off. With a similar automatic setup as the V6 model, my appetite was left desiring a taste of the manual. Unfortunately, GM did not seek to whet this at the event.

Clearly the winner of the day, the V8 is the first choice for one seeking a modern muscle. However, the V6 can be adequate for someone looking for a sporty daily driver, for economy, while needing a little fun every now and then. The primary decision breaker? Well, what if a Mustang GT or Hemi Challenger pulls up...



-Dr.D

The Stomach: Swordfish

Today's tasty treate is swordfish. Nothing kills hunger like a piece of a large, unfairly killed, animal

Way up here in Canada we don't get a lot of this amazing fish so tender and light. Very rich in flavour the swordfish is great BBQ'd in olive oil with a bit of salt and pepper. Here are some people butchering some swordfish.

Auto Authority

Welcome to the debut edition! I'll be making regular posting to do with the world of wheels. Concepts, new models, road tests, project builds and opinions which are beyond contestation. It seems a bit predictable to just start off the bat with a crazy new, advanced concept car capable of 1000 mph...

...enter the Nissan Multi! Dubbed the Multi in Canada, the Nissan Prairie was a shuttle vehicle

available from 1982-1998. With negligible performance specs and designing inspired by a

completely different vehicle designed by an Italian, the Nissan Multi became a staple in the lawn ornament industry.

...sorry about that. But here's a crashed Toyota Supra!!

-Dr. D

Whiskey Weekly

Since this is the first edition of Whiskey Weekly, I will start with a staple of Irish whiskeys, Jameson. This delicious whiskey was first made in 1780 and is still made with the same triple distilling technique today. It is distilled in Midleton, County Cork, in Ireland. It has a deep amber colour and a nose of toasted wood and sherry. The taste is smooth and sweet with nutty tones. Actually, I can't smell or taste any of those but I do know its delicious and will get you drunk. It is definitely one of the best whiskeys out there for the price. And remember, please drink responsibly...that means don't go through a bottle and a half of the stuff at a bar in 2 hours...

- James

Man Room's Official Soundtrack

After much debate the official soundtrack for the man room is Top Gun Soundtrack although Monster Ballad's may be played in lieu.

Welcome to the Man Room!

Welcome. This site will be about TKE Upsilon Eta chapter's man room. We are hoping to set up a live webcam so you can follow along on what goes on in a man room and what exactly a man room is and why YOU need one.