Watch Yourself!

Nowadays, men around the country have become increasingly convinced that the more money you blow on a time piece, the better it will look, feel and operate. This may be true; then again, it may not.

There's one thing I do know: there a great deal of cheaper options that rival the sleek sexiness of some pricer models.

1. Analog Black Dial Watch, $115, Fossil. (www.fossil.com)

Based on the original design of a WWI timepiece, this watch is so sharp and lightweight you'll have no problem transitioning from a summer night to a winter day with this watch.

2. The "Easy Reader" Series, $35, Timex. (www.timex.com)

Practically a staple for the no-frills crowd of watch wearers, the 'Easy Reader' line of Timex watches are simple, understated pieces that allow you to do what the name implies: tell the time at a moment's notice

3. Men's Strap Model, $150, Citizen. (www.citizenwatch.com)

A little on the higher end of the spectrum, it's still a solid design with a little bit of attitude without being too in-your-face.

- BJW

Five Favorite Beats from the Past Five Years, '05 to '09

I've seen a handful of these lists floating around the Internet and I feel like a many of them have been rather self-serving, only mentioning those who have received stellar reviews within the pages of their own publications.

It is my intent to tackle this subject with an unbiased ear and critical mind. Here we go:

DISCLAIMER: I did not include any mixtapes, compilations, remixes or anything that wasn't a full-fledged studio album. This possibilities would have been endless, plus I'm a busy man.

2005: "Sofa King" from the "The Mouse and the Mask" album by DangerDoom.

Aside from the fact that MF Doom decided to release this single solely on 12-inch vinyl, Dangermouse's sampling of Don Harper's "Chamber Pop" gives the track an old school Victrola feel that makes this beat the best of 2005.

2006: "Tell Me When to Go" from the "My Ghetto Report Card" by E-40.

This track brought the Hyphy movement of Oakland to the mainstream in 2006. Using samples from Run D.M.C's "Dumb Girl" ('Dumb! Dumb! Dumb! Dumb'), this beat caused a plethora of suburban white kids to post YouTube videos of them 'ghost riddin' the whip and introduced a whole new vocabulary to the hip-hop world.

2007: "The Art of Storytellin', pt. 4" from "Gangsta Grillz: The Album" by DJ Drama.

Produced by Don Cannon, the mastermind behind the ubiquitous "Cannon!" sound bite, "The Art..." was a strong contender against "Cannon (Remix)" featuring Lil Wayne, T.I., Willie the Kid and Freeway. What put it over the top was its simplicity. Oh, and it didn't hurt that Outkast and Marsha Ambrosius blessed the track with sheer greatness.

2008: "A Milli" from "The Carter III" album by Lil Wayne.

You had to have lived under a rock if you've never heard even a snippet from the beat of this song. Hailed as the 'most rapped-over beat in the last 10 years', "A Milli" skyrocketed Wayne's album to multi-platinum status in a matter of months. Produced by Bangladesh, this track sampled hip-hop classic, "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo", and even Gladys Knight and the Pips.

2009: "House of Flying Daggers" feat. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah and Method Man from the "Only Built for Cuban Linx II" album by Raekwon.

The beat goes all the way! Samples from the Four Tops' version of "Eleanor Rigby" and produced by the legendary J. Dilla, this song solidified Raekwon's latest studio project. Excerpts from some classic martial arts films from the 60s rounds out this amazing song.

-BJW

Pick Pockets

Many moons ago, when I worked for the college paper, I made it a point to come up with a great deal of ideas. Unfortunately, I never had the gumption to implement a lot of them.

There was one in particular that I still cling to in the hopes that, one day, it will take hold and skyrocket me to the pinnacle of journalistic creativity.

"Pick Pockets" was going to be a weekly column where a street correspondent with interview random people on the street about the contents of their pockets (a highly underrated method of storage), and have them muse about its contents.

For example, my pockets contain:

- an iPhone w/earbuds

- exactly $0.36 in change

- a monogrammed money clip with various cards and $18 in cash

- a half-used stick of lip balm

Right off the bat I can tell you that I'm relatively broke. This is one of the first times (in a very long time) that I've had a little bit of extra money in my pockets. Surprisingly enough, I am one of the few guys I know who doesn't keep his cell phone on some ridiculous belt clip. Other than that, I really like my money clip (had it for three years or so). It was a gift from my girlfriend.

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You see the potential of a piece like this? The possibilities? From just a few contents in one's pockets you have the potential to create an entire profile story. I will try my hardest to incorporate this idea into future posts and see what I can come up with. I will keep you all posted.

-BJW

DubiousCraves: Bago De Touriga (Terroso), 2004 (Douro, Portugal)

Bago De Touriga - Terroso 2004, $12-16 where available.

Behold! This is the greatest red wine you will ever taste in your lifetime!

I usually try not to make guarantees when it comes to stuff like this, but recently I had the pleasure of tasting this wine at (of all things) a wine tasting.

Hailing from the hillsides of southern Portugal, Terroso de 2004, has a very earthy and heavy taste to it that's perfect for seasoned red-wine drinkers. It was so good, in fact, that I was inclined to go back and have second and third glasses.

Moderately priced, Terroso is a perfect holiday gift for me, ahem, the wine enthusiasts on your list.

Saude!

-BJW

I Also do a Radio Show

Apologies for being so sparse on this blog thing of mine. I've been ridiculously busy the past few weeks or so trying to get this radio show/podcast off the ground.

I'm already five episodes in and busy editing the latest one as we speak.

Check it out whenever you get a chance. Even better? Subscribe to it on iTunes!

Thank you all again for the continued support of my blog and everything that's been put into it.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

-BJW

The Essentials: Get On the Good Foot...

Men in modern society, for the most part, have a very narrow scope when it comes to their shoe selections. They rarely tend to venture past that worn-down pair or Rainbow or Reef flip flops and the pair of brown loafers worn for every special occasion from your 12th birthday to your older sister's college graduation.

It's time to refine your palete before you run the risk of being labeled "that guy" who still wears New Balances with khakis:

1. The Chelsea Boot

Made famous by British bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, the chelsea (or dealer boot, for the England natives), became an essential part of the gentlemen's wardrobe from the mid-60s on.

Air Lucarno Chelsea Boot with Nike AIR Technology by Cole Haan. $430. zappos.com.

Chelsea boots are best worn with slim cut pants and suits, becuase the boot itself is usually made of a skinnier design. As long as you keep the boot simple (i.e. - brown or black), the rest of your outfit should, and will, follow suit.

2. The Classic Samba

A quinessential staple for casual Fridays and weekend getaways.

Adidas Samba Classic Soccer Shoe. $40. adidas.com

Pair it with a khaki suit, but make sure you lose the button down and opt for a lightweight polo or t-shirt to maintain the laid-back look.

3. The Wild Card

As much as I would like for all young men to follow the guidelines of sofisticated style, you always need to leave room for a little imagination.

Nike Vandal Supreme High. $140. nike.com

A new favorite of mine would have to be these incredible Nike Vandal Supreme Highs that I scoped a few months ago. I have yet to secure a pair (the soles have wood grain accents, for crying out loud).

No matter what you decide, make sure you're comfortable and go a little crazy if you like. You won't go wrong, though, if you keep it simple and make it your own.

-BJW

DubiousCraves: Lasonic i931 Portable iPod Ghetto Blaster

As much as I hate to perpetuate the stereotype that has come with the ghettoblaster-carrying era of the urban mid-80s, there is something utterly irresistable about the Lasonic Portable iPod Ghettoblaster.

The nostaligic qualities alone make it the perfect summer gift for your freinds, family and even (most importantly) your damned self!

It has an AM/FM tuner, 3.5mm stereo auxiliary input, USB input and SD card reader for direct MP3 playback. The only downside is the incompatibility it has with iPhones, but the auxillary jack should clear that up.

Lasonic's RAP-UP limited-edition Ghettoblaster, $169, lasonic.com

Not only would you be the talk of probably all of your friends, but this is definitely something that could be handed down from generation to generation.

Radio Raheem would be proud.

-BJW