Tech Review: 'SPORE' for PC

For a game that allows you to ride an evolutionary roller coaster from start to finish, Spore, a creature creator and wildlife simulator, has managed to keep me glued to my seat for nearly a week now. Developed by the same companies that brought you classics like the Madden series and the infamous line of SIM-related games have put their creative minds together and have produced one hell of an entertaining game.

A brief synopsis: You start out on a non-descript planet somewhere in the galaxy as a single-celled microorganism whose main goal is to eat without getting eaten. More importantly, Spore gives you the opportunity to climb the evolutionary ladder all the way to a point where you can take your new-grown civilization to new heights and populate other planets in space.

One of many creatures that your 'spore' can evolve into. Maxis/EA Games.

All in all, it is an amazing new angle Maxis has taken on a relatively overdone concept. It’s fresh, unique, whimsical and wildly engaging.

- BJW

DubiousCraves: Panasonic PT-LB80U Projector

As much as I would love to bore you with all of the specs of this crafty machine, I’m going to cut to the chase on this one: There should be absolutely nothing that stops you from purchasing this beautifully crafted device.

In my opinion, there is nothing worse that inviting people over to watch a top-notch movie—perhaps a few drinks—and then treating said guests to that 19-inch abomination you refer to as a ‘television’. My God, man! Have a tad bit of respect for yourself!

Panasonic PT-LB80U Projector, $2,999, panasonic.com

Think about it: Not only is this projector portable but it also sports the possibility of an HD conversion, this means that whenever the mood strikes you—and you’ve purchased the correct cable package—you can view Discovery’s ‘Shark Week’ in the most crisp-and-clear of conditions in the privacy of your own home.

Look, all I’m saying is if you’re not going to buy one for yourself, at least buy one for yours truly. Consider it a tax write-off.

-BJW

DubiousEndorses: The '1001 Rules...' Blog

A blog that a friend of mine recommended to me not to long ago, ‘1001 Rules for My Unborn Son’ is definitely one of those gems that you should not give just a passing thought to.

To be concise: It is a no-nonsense blog that unforgivably outlines all of the things that a male (whether white or black, or anything in between), growing up in this tumultuous world should always be aware, regardless of the situation.

An image from the latest post.

I (more than anyone) cannot be more appreciative of such a privilege than to bear witness to a piece of online writing with more poignancy than that of, say, Heller’s ‘Catch 22’. And I cried at the end of that book.

-BJW

DubiousSighting: The September 2008 Issue of Esquire

September 2008 cover of Esquire with Tom Brady. Photo credit: DubiousOne

This is one of the few issues of this magazine that I have admittedly read from front to back, verbatim.

That says a great deal for an industry that has suffered loss after loss for at least the past six or seven years. But now worries, there is most definitely a light at the end of the tunnel and its name is Esquire—although GQ got to Brady first.

September’s particular issue not only addresses those of us who are feeling the effects of the economic recession more than others, but it also sports an 18-page portfolio, of sorts, that gives an in-depth look at that age-old, American pastime known as steak.

From both a design standpoint as well as the matter of content, Esquire definitely takes the cake on this one. To say that it is ‘flawless’ may seem like somewhat of an overstatement but I promise you, it would be in your best interest to purchase two copies: one for you and someone else that you also give a damn about…

-BJW

New Music Review: Janelle Monae - "Many Moons"

There is not enough that I can say about this girl: revolutionary, scathingly progressive, eccentric and unbelievably gorgeous…

Ok, well perhaps there were a few adjectives left in the English vocabulary that had yet to be used to describe Ms. Monae. A proponent of the Afro/punk sub-genre, Janelle has successfully created a sleeper hit with her new EP, ‘Metropolis: The Chase Suite”, and has single-handedly restored hope for the mainstream R&B world.

I remember the first time I heard her it was a cut from the soundtrack for the movie, Idlewild, and since that day I’ve been hooked.

Originally born in Kansas City, Kansas, Monae relocated to New York City for music schooling and then to Atlanta, Georgia where she started her singing career.

Her single, “Many Moons”, is just one of many tracks on the album that I had a hard time narrowing down. It reminds me of the electric, high-tempo energy that songs like Outkast’s, “B.O.B (Bombs Over Baghdad)” and Busta Rhymes’s, “Gimmie Some More” possess.



Janelle Monae - "Many Moons"/Wonderland Arts

The only unfortunate thing I can say about her new album—as is the axiom for most independent labels and their artists—is that it has the potential to go one of two ways: Either it does relatively well in the underground scene, perhaps gaining a spin or two on the more progressive, mainstream stations in the country, and then fall into complete and total obscurity within eight months. Or it does exceedingly well underground, gains a spin or two, and then falls into obscurity within the year.

For our sakes, I hope there is an Option Three…

-BJW

Re-Inventing The Wheel

...That's what it seems like I'm doing every now and then.

Don't get me wrong, I love blogging and keeping the male (and female, apparently) masses thoroughly informed on all the new(ish) goings-on around the globe, but there needs to be a change; A drastic change...

Here are a few I've been cooking up:

- 'DubiousSighting': This would an intermittent post that would showcase everything from fashion faux pas to architectural marvels found throughout the fair city of Charleston via photographs. It's still a work-in-progress kind of thing that I hope to get off the ground within the next few weeks.

- If you haven't noticed by now, which I hope you have, I've gotten rid of the 'DubiousTrend' portion of this blog for a couple of reasons: 1) I have come to the realization the trends, especially in the nation, are a dime-a-dozen, meaning they probably don't have an impressive enough shelf-life for me to even mention and 2) Not to sound self-righteous but I feel that I serve a higher purpose than some of those run-of-the-mill blogs that always seem to be a 'day late and a dollar short' when it comes to the provision of pertinent information en masse. That is all...

- That cool graphic of a cassette tape serves as the link to my Muxtape that I found with the help of Chris Renne's blog. I just started posting it and it has gotten some much deserved attention. It will be updated monthly and serve as a place to relax, become enlightened and even discover (or rediscover) some artists that might have fallen through the cracks.

Most, if not all, of these ideas will probably be implemented in due time. Just wanted to keep readers (that's you) up to date on exactly what's going on in the head of the DubiousOne...

...be easy

The Essentials: The BIG Fall Preview

As the summer winds down for the better half of the world, it's almost kismet that we find ourselves left with an absurd amount of time to reflect on many of our sun-filled shenanigans--some more memorable than others--and once we're able to come to terms with that tequila-induced stupor during Cinco de Mayo or that less-than-glamorous weekend of Independence, we can all find a sense of closure and look to the future. Namely: that comforting purgatory between blazing heat and freezing cold...

1. Secure Your Earnings.

It never hurts to ditch that over-stuffed file folder you call a “wallet” for something that saves a little more space in your pockets and adds a great deal of style to your already budding fall wardrobe (you do have one, correct?).

Nova Money Clip, $20, thingsremembered.com

Besides, if I’m even remotely correct about the ways of our government, you’ll own a money clip around the same time the rest of us receive that much-fabled economic stimulus check. Perfect timing!

2. Discover Your Green Thumb.

With the cooler weather approaching, there’s not only a change in primary wardrobe, but something magical happens to the world’s vegetation: some of the hardiest, best-tasting vegetables ever become readily available, ripe for the picking.

Avocados (which need not be cooked—just a quick chop session; add olive oil, salt and pepper, toss into a salad and presto!), along with bok choy, kale, carrots, watercress, collards and even the unwieldy rutabaga will all have a place on people’s tables this fall. Why not get into the spirit and visit your nearest farmer’s market or vegetable provider for the freshest produce the season has to offer?

Assorted veggies available at your local market.

Here’s an example of that “freshness” I was talking about earlier:

Skinny Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

-Ingredients

1 garlic bulb, unpeeled
splash of olive oil
4 large potatoes (Idaho or russet)
about 1 cup Basic Chicken Stock (see recipe), or low-sodium canned
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper

-Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Place the garlic cloves in an oven-proof dish and drizzle with olive oil. Place the dish, uncovered, in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the garlic is golden brown and soft.

3. Remove from the oven and let cool.

4. Peel the potatoes and cut them in half. Place them in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender when pricked with a fork, about 30 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes. Drain.

5. Bring the stock to a boil, and turn down to a simmer.

6. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves to release each clove of garlic. Mash the garlic with a fork and throw the skins away.

7. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or fork, or use a food mill. Add the roasted garlic. Slowly add the stock until the desired consistency is reached.

8. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste.

Serving Size: about 1/2 cup

Adapted from Discovery Health’s: Guide for Fall Vegetables Recipe Guide

3. Up Your Street, er, Surburban Cred.

What started as a simple blog created and moderated by a nice couple from Canada boomed into an online encyclopedia of white culture, with a multi-million-hit count and a book that
has been flying off the shelves since July 1^st.

Stuff White People Like on paperback, $11, amazon.com

“Stuff White People Like” is an effigy of all things considered ‘white’ and covers everything from Asian women (#11) and coffee (#1) to unpaid internships (#105) and Barack Obama (#8). And with the introduction of the book to the market, you can expand your ‘white’ knowledge with sections that help you learn, “How to Name a White Child” and to, “Determine Your Level of Whiteness”.

4. Dress Up.

One of the essential pieces to any man’s wardrobe, the v-neck sweater is dressy enough to pair with a crisp Oxford shirt and a skinny tie and just this side of versatile enough to wear with anything from a suit and nice shoes to a rumpled shirt, a pair of broken-in jeans and some canvas sneakers.

Cashmere V-Neck Sweater by Vince, $245, neimanmarcus.com

Buy one as soon as you possibly can. As a matter of fact, buy two for good measure.

5. Or Down.

This very modest shoe, as of late, has become something of a cult classic with the scenesters, hipsters, hip-hoppers and their groupies, indie folks, graffiti artists and, well, I think you get the general idea.

Nike Dunk Retro High-Tops, $80, sneakerhead.com

Nowadays, you can get a clean-slate pair of this ubiquitous shoe and put your own personal stamp on it by visiting one of the sneaker gods found on major cities like Tokyo, New York and L.A. If you don’t have direct access to such luck than you can always find and commission an artist via the Web to get your shit tight just in time for the fall.

6. Wrap It Up.

Just as long as it is lightweight and nothing too busy, you should be absolutely fine. Wear it with a t-shirt and jeans to get that rakish, devil-may-care look or combine it with a suit and overcoat for a cleaner, more refined look.

College Stripe Scarf by Paul Smith, $80, paulsmith.com

7. Play It Straight.

As much as I tried to devise a comprehensive review of one of the most anticipated games of the season, I just don’t have proper credentials to get anything more than the generic press release (Trust me, I tried). So, without further adieu I’ll let the professionals take it from here:

E3 2008 Interview. Provided by gametrailers.com

One of the many box art possibilities floating about the Internet. Estimated release date: 11/30/08

8. And Cap It Off.

I’m not exactly sure why more men aren’t wearing these iconic yet enigmatic pieces of head gear? Is it the underlying stigma attached to it that only makes persons over the age of 65 allowed to don one? Perhaps someone may mistake you for a newsie, toss you a nickel for your trouble and pat you—curmudgeonly, no less—on the head as they go about their way?

The British Tweed Driving Hat available in charcoal and brown, $28, hatsinthebelfry.com

Regardless of what anxieties or insecurities you may have about it, the fact still remains that you need a driving cap in your collection. So take a minute, toss out that pre-frayed, ‘AE 99’ baseball cap and go for the upgrade.

-BJW