TECH: Sony PSP-Go

Well, E3 has come and gone and has shown us lots of amazing games that will keep us broke all through out the year. No real announcements of new game hardware other then the Wii's MotionPlus add ons and a few other Motion devices from Sony and Microsoft. But Sony did manage to show their latest incarnation of their ever persistent PSP. The PSP-Go. As you can see it's gone through quite a change in appearance as well as.

At first sight you can see it's become a slider, much like the popular tech in most mobile phones out today. The screen is completely within the top portion. Also a major change is that there's no longer a UMD slot. No more cartridge disc based games it seems. Sony is really pushing the download new games straight through your PS3 and computer via memory cards. This would seem like a faster way of accessing the game, and less power draining from a drive that reads discs. For more specs head on over to IGN to read it's coverage and more from E3.

WATCH: Toy Story 3 Teaser Trailer

As if we're not surprised, with last weeks premiere of Pixar's UP, a Toy Story 3 teaser trailer was attached to the film.  All the original cast of characters are back, as well as the usual feuding protagonistas.  We didn't expect TS2 to be any good and it was, can we hope for a hat trick?  I can.  UP was a wonderful film, and I have faith in Pixar all the way.  Well until Cars 2 comes out...

PLAY: Punch-Out!! for Nintendo Wii (Tyson not included)

I promised myself I would post this prior to it's release but my art blog got the best of me.  For shame I know.  Just recently released and long time coming, Punch-Out!! is finally here!  One of the most beloved NES games (and to some degree SNES games) has finally made a comeback to Nintendo's newest system.  The game itself has changed of course, now with the addition of 3D modeled characters, intros, crowds, but that's pretty much it for the most part.  You still have the same game at it's core that we all remember from back in the day.  You have all the original boxers from the first, a couple thrown in from Super Punch-Out!!, as well as some new comers.  There's also some drawn out cutscene-like backstories for each boxer as well.

The game can now be controlled via the Wiimote and Nunchuk, but classic gamers know that it's all about speed so you'll most likely switch to classic controller mode to get right into the groove of things.  Aside from changing fighting patterns of the boxers as you progress, not much has changed.  This isn't of course Fight Night, but basically a pattern recognition game.  This essentially can be considered a bad thing as it's little more then just an updated version of a classic game.  But there's nothing wrong with that at all in my opinion.  To top it off there's also a versus mode but unfortunately no online mode (what gives?).  Either way it's an incredibly fun game to play, and I would say a must have to any old school fan of the original.

$40 | BUY

TECH: Muji Wall Mounted CD Player

How's this for nostalgic and futuristic at the same time?  Combining old tech with new, the Muji Wall Mounted CD Player is one of a kind.  As you might have noticed it has a cord hanging from it.  And no it's not the power cable.  It's a pull string.  Yup.  Just like back in the day when our toys, lights and more were operated by a piece of string, we're able to relive those feelings.  The player itself is quite simple in design which makes it even better; it's controlled off the player, and the speakers are built into the body.  All you have to do is pop in the CD and pull the string and you're off.  It's also one of the pieces shown in the upcoming documentary Objectified, about the process and minds of our generations and others, industrial designers.

$180 | BUY

WEAR: Outlier OG 4 Season Cycling Pants

Designed for cycling in the city, the Outlier OG 4 Season Cycling Pants not only become perfect for biking, but for practically every other occasion as well.  They stretch, breathe and are abrasive resistant.  Not only that they're self cleaning as well, while being water and grease resistant to handle anything you might be riding or even walking through.  The newly updated version of these trousers, have been given a few new details.  Bit smaller leg opening, crotch seam now more stretchable using a French seam, and a more comfortable waistband.  From the streets to the office, to just taking a walk, these pants are a must have.

$180 | BUY

WOW: DJ HERO?

That's right folks, from the people that brought you the Guitar Hero series, Activision and Red Octane, comes DJ Hero.  For those that just can't seem to even play a virtual guitar, there's always a virtual turntable waiting for you to kick start that next house party or even warehouse rave event.  Homemade DJs will be able to remix popular tracks, from genres ranging from R&B, motown, hip hop, to electronica, dance, and whatever else.  Now if only you could combine the guitars with the turntable...

MUST HAVE: The Cotton Suit

Running a little late as we're well into spring but it's never really late to get yourself a nice cotton suit you can wear during the early seasons of the year.  After all who wants to walk around in some thick wool suit when it's 80 degrees out, right?  The cotton suit isn't anything new, but why should you wait for something trendy to wear it?  It's only practical really, and something everyone man should have at least one or two in their wardrobe.  

You'll find a wide array of styles out there that will give even your regular suits a run for their money (figuratively and literally).  From the standard gray to pinstriped to the lovely seersucker there's something out there for everyone, and just like any suit you can pair it up with anything else you have in your wardrobe, making your dress choices almost limitless.  Breath easier, get a cotton suit.

USE: Skincando Combat-Ready Balm

I think it's almost obvious there would be skin products made specifically for our men in uniform fighting overseas, but it's still a bit of a surprise isn't it?  Used by soldiers fighting in Iraq, this balm protects against bites and heals your skin from pretty much everything which is hard to imagine.  From razor burn, jock itch (!!!), sun/wind burn, bites, cuts, and dry skin it will take care of it.  100% natural and organically homemade.  And IT WORKS.  Who said you can't be manly and slather on some balm at the same time too?

$25 | BUY

FILM: Back to the slaughter house with Grindhouse, Machete

Faux Poster Art

Like most prolific Hollywood directors, Robert Rodriguez has been a pretty busy guy.  With talks of him rebooting a Red Sonja flick with his girl Rose McGowan, developing a new reboot of the Predator franchise, Predators, (please be better then Paul Anderson's flicks, please!) and a new sci-fi action flick called Nerveracker, which was thought to be his actual next film project, you'd figured he would be getting started on one of these right?

Well turns out it's none of these, at least not for the moment.  Machete, that small gag trailer, if you will, that he did for the Grindhouse films is actually finally coming to fruition. 

 Having already finished the script a while ago, he'll be co-directing with his long time editor, Ethan Maniquis.  Danny Trejo of course will be reprising his role as the lead.  While no word on whether it will have a theatrical release or straight to DVD, production is hoping to start in Austin, Tx this June.  Wherever it's released I'm sure we'll all be there.  Wikipedia states, "'This guy should be like the Mexican Jean-Claude Van Damme or Charles Bronson".  And to that we say YES.  Thanks to Norm for the wiki tip.

WEAR: Bonobos Shorts

I haven't talked about these guys but I will showcase them soon.  But hot off the presses(email blast), the best pants a man can have, just got some company.  Bonobos, (named of course after that beloved ape) a company that prides themselves in creating the best fitting pants for the every man, have decided to expand on their shorts line with some more subtle looks.  Before they had some pretty exotic looking pairs much like the one in the middle, but thankfully they're branching out.  As you can see the fits are quite nice as well as handmade, and at $75 a pair not so bad either.  You have options of 7 or 9inch inseams as well.  

What makes these pants and shorts better then any other?  Besides the amazing soft materials they use, what you'll find or actually not find is the usual saggy bottom and fronts look you would in most pants these days.  Also no more straight waist band but curved the way it SHOULD be.  Not all of us guys are pencil thing models, and nor we should be.  After all, we don't all want to look the same do we?  

Do yourself a favor and head on over to Bonobos.  You'll find a wide array of pants in great cotton twills, khakis, and lots of lightweight, mid, and heavy cord pants (Mint Julips and the Capertons among my faves) as well as some nice silk belts and a few tees.  And to top it off their customer service is 2nd to NONE.  Order a few and mail the ones you don't want back; aren't happy with the fit after a good while? (and I mean longer then 30 days even) send them back with a good reason why you didn't like them and you'll get your money back.  What company would do such a thing?  Don't fret it, and go for this win-win situation.

$75 | BUY

LISTEN: Parc Avenue by Plants and Animals

Album artwork for Park Avenue

Make no mistake this year has been no slouch in releasing some great music already.  With that said, I want to bring to your attention a little group from Montreal, Canada that should have caught it when they first released their debut in around early last year.  If you haven't heard of them by now, then look them up NOW.  Plants and Animals is composed of guitarist-vocalists Warren Spicer and Nic Basque, and drummer-vocalist Matthew Woodley.  

Their music?  Call it what you will, indie folk rock, progressive classic rock, folk-prog, but those who know better refuse to label them.  Let's just say the album has a great mix of everything all of which you can chill, groove and dance to.  Overall a very underrated band which some hipsters might find that just fine.  In my point of view the more people that know about these guys the more they'll love them and pass the word.  

I saw them in town a month or so ago, to a record breaking less then 30 people in attendance.  Visibly disappointed I'd say, they still played like champs to a stadium crowd, even had some laughs with the small audience and had a great set.  After the gig, I talked to Nic and told him, "come back soon, don't worry about the turnout, they don't know what their missing."  And you don't know what you're missing out on either, so for their sake, and MY sake, have a listen.  You won't regret.

TV: G.I. Joe: Resolute Animated Series

With the upcoming G.I. Joe flick, starring Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum, Ray Park, etc etc, on the horizon, Adult Swim has decided to release their own version or updated version of the animated heroes to their network.  Although this has nothing to do with the film other then capitalising on the fact that there IS a live action film coming out, it's a pleasant surprise.  Much like the He-Man Masters of the Universe series they produced years ago,  you won't get anymore silly PSAs or cheesy wrapped up stories.  What we get instead is some real hardcore American hero type action in this series.  

Clocking in at around 5 mins each, (much like the recent Clone Wars series leading up to the Revenge of the Sith film that were around 3 minutes long) they're set to release up to 10 episodes of which they're up to 8 right now.  The final one will be 10 minutes long for the finale.  With blood, team member deaths, and no shrill voices like before, this isn't your typical toon from our childhood, but we like it.

Designer Spotlight: Save Khaki

Denim isn't everything.

Founded in New York in 2006, Designer David Mullen (2nd from left) set out to balance out the denim craze with a more subtle modern comfortable fitting line of clothes with Save Khaki.  Nothing over designed, but keeping ulitily in mind.  And the end product as you can see is pretty sleek.  I personally love the two looks on the left, something I would try had I the opportunity in person.  I too have grown tired of denim, denim, denim, and this seems like the right answer to my and I'm sure others, problems.  Khaki in general in the past, have always seemed baggy, pleated, loose, and "dated".  But with looks like these, you'll look hipper then most cats around.

Available in selected shops around the US.  (Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Fred Segal, etc etc.)

SEXY: Samsung BD-P4600 ToC Blu Ray Player

Sexy isn't just a gorgeous girl in a tiny black dress.  From Samsung comes the first wall mountable 1.5" thin touch control Blu Ray player on the market.  From it's sleek Touch of Color finish (to match ToC tele sets), you'll still get all the HD goodness you come to expect from new technology.  With wireless access to video and music streaming from services like Netflix and Pandora, you'll get all the current tech as well like: BD Live 2.0 support, Full HD 1080p playback with DVD upscaling, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD HR/MA.  How sweet it is.

TBA | Buy

SHOWCASE: Leather, leather, oh my....

Ralph Lauren Collection

I LOVE leather jackets. For a while I was mainly obsessed with vintage leather, of the 60s and 70s variety. Even prior to the Fight Club enthusiasts, I had always loved the enlarged lapels, western styled jackets. Maybe here and there I'd throw in a motorcycle jacket as well. But it's been a while since I paid any attention to leather. Living in California rarely gives me the opportunity to wear any due to the heat. Thankfully that's changing with the newer collections of leather jackets coming out from many designers.

Slimmer cuts, paper thin, washed, fine leathers, different styles, these are just a few examples of what they are coming up with in terms of making leather jackets even more accessible to those that previously might have hesitated to purchase any.

E. Zegna Leather Bomber

The three major styles going around right now are the "fatigued" style (shown in the R.Lauren pic at top of post), an updated bomber styled jacket, and the slick and chill Moto Racer styled jacket (below).

Moto Style Jacket

You'll be seeing them in a variety of colors as well.  But nothing out of the ordinary.  Besides the usual tan or black colors, you'll be seeing lighter tones in creme colored and even whites.  No Matter what you'll have a huge variety to choose from.

SEE: The Hangover

What a true, Vegas outing should be like.  Only x10. 

'Hangover' Theatrical Trailer @ Yahoo! Video

Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham, Justin Bartha, and Jeffrey Tambor.  And as you can see cameos from Rob Riggle and even Mike the Bite Tyson.

PROOF: You can always improve: Nintendo DSi

It's been a while since the original Nintendo DS arrived in the States.  Considered as groundbreaking new tech featuring touchpad capabilities built into the gameplay, this sort of thing has become almost normal when it comes to Nintendo.  We can always look forward to what they'll bring next.  With the arrival of the Wii and accessories like the Wii Fit, it's only gotten better.  And since then the DS has gone through a change.  

It started with the DS lite.  Slimmer, sleeker, the lite was definitely a sexy update on what had already looked like an outdated piece of gear.  And I personally was fine with that, I loved it.  I thought it was perfect finally.  But I guess you can improve on a perfect thing.  Arriving this weekend, the updated Nintendo DSi will finally be unveiled.  So what can you improve on something already improved?

Well add more of course.  Now even slimmer, the DSi will pack not one but TWO built in cameras, larger displays (although still the same resolution), better speakers, an added audio player, recorder, image enhancer, and a bunch of little features that fanboys will enjoy.  

No longer will you have to turn off the system to remove a cartridge.  Changing brightness on the fly is now possible, and it will even have it's own WiiWare like channel app system where you'll be able to download new apps to play just like on the Wii.  

Although with the amount of changes added you're going to have to take something out, and being that it's much slimmer now, it's lost it's GBA slot.  No more playing old GBA games, or even DS GBA slot add ons like rumble packs or Guitar Hero pads.  I'm sad about this as I love to play both systems games on one system, but it made sense to lose.  Last but not least, an array of colors for everyone.  And not the usual white and black either.  

If you missed out on the first DS, let the Lite pass by, this is the time to get into it.  You won't regret it.  There's a reason why Sony UMDs for the PSP have started to die out.  It's called the DS.  Well DSi in this case now.

$169.99 BUY

WANT: Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Military Motorcycle

Just like out of WWII, this baby would please any old time fanatic.  The Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Military ($5,545), looks like it just rolled off a movie screen.  Except better.  Completely updated with: a highly tuned engine, improved for higher speeds, better handling, lower emissions, fuel efficient, some awesome saddle bags and an olive drab paint job, you'll be running away from Nazis in no time.  That or just cruising down the road with one of kewlest bikes out.

$5,545 BUY

Love the Look: JOY DIVISION

As if almost walking out of a classic film.  Especially well put together.

WANT: Tesla Model S

I've never been a fan of hybrid or electric cars.  I'm all for them and going "green, I just always thought they looked so horrible.  Seriously, was the idea to specifically let people know what kind of geek you are?  If you want to be a show off and do some good for the environment then I'd point you to the Tesla Model S.  From the creator of Paypal and SpaceX, The original Tesla Roadster was released a couple of years back but this is it's sedan like brother.  And boy does it look HOT.  Offering a range of 300 miles with a 45 min QuickCharge, you'll also see that it fits up to 5 adults and a couple of kids.  I won't get into the specifics of what this baby is packing, for that just head on over to the website, but from what I've read, it could charge from any outlet and charges can cost you up to as little as $4 to "fill'er up".  Plus you get an infotainment system with 3G, 21inch wheels, panoramic roof WITH sliding moon roof, retracting door handles, full digital instrument cluster, LED and neon headlights and taillights, and a pretty nifty keyless entry and ignition system.  Unfortunately you won't be able to get your hands on one until 2011.  Hopefully at $50,000, you'll be able to afford it by then.  Might as well get on that waiting list.

$50,000 BUY

WANT: J.Crew Chambray Driving Cap

I was walking down the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica a couple of days ago and decided to walk into the J.Crew shop there.  I found this cap and I had to absolutely have it.  Unfortunately, they thought I didn't since they didn't carry it in my size.  Sad.  Nothing speaks classy like a denim driving cap.  Super casual and cool.  Of course there's always the shop online.  And you can get it there in whichever size your noggin is in.  Score.

$39.50 BUY

Boxed Water: I Guess It Makes Sense Right?

At first glance, it's weird.  "Boxed Water"?  You gotta be kidding me right?  But seriously, why not?  Plastic IS bad for the environment, and I at times have had to succumb to drinking tap water just to simply lower bottled water purchasing. It brings back memories of They Live, and "Have You Seen..." images.  My only concern is, I buy bottled water to lug around with me.  How exactly am I going to reseal these babies up?  They're not exactly jogger friendly, or portable even.  If you're just going to store it in the fridge, why not just get a Britta water filter and get water whenever you need it and not take up space?  I don't usually buy water by the quart or gallon to store, though it seems like that might be necessary in the unforeseeable future.  Ah well take it as you will.   

Part sustainable water company, part art project, part philanthropic project, and completely curious. Boxed Water Is Better, is a boxed water company.

www.boxedwaterisbetter.com

Where the Wild Things Are Official Trailer

Thank god, WB let Spike Jonze continue with his original vision of what WtWTA were from the start, and not some dumbed down kiddy ride for all the youngsters who have no recollection of what this film is even about.  The official trailer was first shown on the Ellen show and is now up on Apple.com for your viewing pleasure.  Watch it embedded here.  Leave your comments of how amazing it looks or how terrifying, and yes even both.

And if anyone is reading, could actually show me how to embed videos on here with a simple template that I can easily use for this and in the future I would much appreciate it.  Researching it right now is proving a bit complicated for my rather limited HTML capabilities at the moment.  Thanks.

The Beginning...

of PROOF.  Proof will be a blog about many things of interest.  Primarily mine of course, but assumingly many of yours as well.  Hopefully with a steady routine there will be posts of a selection of interests, stemming from fashion to music, and branching out to favourite locations and books etc etc.  Proof of quality above all, and proof of what is good, beautiful, the best, and of course affordable in these times, and proof of something better.  Here's hoping some of you will agree.  I look forward to reading what you think regardless.  Until then, it will take me a few days to get set up here, find a more appropriate template and get up to speed on my past HTML skills.  

Cheers.