Along with Road Rash, the Toejam & Earl video game series was essential pop culture in my childhood. I spent countless hours playing these games about two aliens bringing funk to crazy earthlings. I’ve casually followed the Facebook fan page, but yesterday the big news dropped that the creators are trying to make a new game – the one they always wanted. It’ll feature more elements of the original gameplay, but with retro comic book style. Since SEGA doesn’t actually own the rights to the game, Humanature Studios can go indie and are raising funds on Kickstarter. It’s going to take quite a bit of time and funding to pull this one off, but I hope it gets there. This is the 90s at its finest.

Road trips. Film photography. The 70s. The California coastline. That’s enough to make me watch a movie, but it doesn’t hurt that our good friends Joel P West and Darla Hawn teamed up for music on the film either. Safelight (formerly Truck Stop) is a drama about a high school student’s quest to photograph every lighthouse in the state (despite his cerebral palsy) and the runaway girl who helps him make it happen. I wasn’t able to find a release date, but it should debut sometime this year.

“Remember the first time you went to a show and saw your favorite band? You wore their shirt, and sang every word. You didn’t know anything about scene politics, haircuts, or what was cool. All you knew was that this music made you feel different from anyone you shared a locker with. Someone finally understood you. This is what music is about.”

I don’t think any of us are MCR fans, but I have to give props to Gerard Way for that one.

On this month’s mix, you’ll find tracks from by Springtime Carnivore, Fat Tony, Day Wave and even a track we felt self-conscious about including, but said we’re gonna do it anyways. Try to guess which one.

p.s. Not seeing the cassette above? Head here.

They’re one of the last standing establishments from old New York. And while Katz’s prices feel very new New York, their hot pastrami, framed celebrity wall and charming attitude is a must experience. Adding to the repertoire is now a chocolate egg cream candle that’s ready to explode in your home. That’s right, as if you weren’t already feeling the 15 pounds from lunch, you can now relive this New York delicacy and throw up every time you light up. Did I mention I make a mean egg cream?

We need to talk about your flair.

Collectible pins used to be something you only found at Little League games or theme parks, but I’ve noticed pins are making a stylish comeback, thanks to some super cool lifestyle brands popping up in my neck of the (online window shopping) woods.

If you too want to up your lapel pin game, I suggest perusing my 10 favorite pin producers!

City of Industry

Image: City of Industry

Do you share my enthusiasm for snail mail and kitchen supplies? Then you’re gonna want to look into City of Industry’s fun collections.

Explorer’s Press

Image: Explorer’s Press

According to these guys, ‘applying their pins or patches to your jackets and bags leads to an approximate 75% increase in coolness’. They’re perfect for the photog, adventurer, or coffee aficionado in your life… i.e. everyone you know.

Georgia Perry

Image: Georgia Perry

OK, so Georgia Perry’s two coolest pins are currently sold out, but I refuse to leave her off this list. BEES!

Good Worth & Co.

Image: Good Worth & Co.

Want to say “up yours” in style or make mom frown? Good Worth & Co. has you covered.

Greenwich Letterpress

Image: Greenwich Letterpress

In addition to a ton of cute paper goods, Greenwich Letterpress also stocks wearable accessories. One of each please!

Night Watch Studios

Image: Night Watch Studios

Beer. Bigfoot. VHS. All coming soon to a Night Watch Studios near you!

No Fun Press

Image: No Fun Press

Need I say more than smiling pile of poo emoji pin? Didn’t think so.

Pintrill

Image: Pintrill

Is “bae” part of your everyday vocabulary? Do you empathize with Drake’s tears? Are you goin’ up on a Tuesday? Keep it trill then.

Valley Cruise Press

Image: Gym Standard

When I first spotted the BFF pin, game was over. Turns out Valley Cruise Press also makes coozy pins, dancing chocolate donut pins, puffy shirt pins, and pins inspired by the desert. Cut. It. Out.

Yo Sick Zine

Image: Yo Sick Zine

I’ve seen a lot of pizza pins out there, but this one is definitely my fave. Chiquita Poutina and chill ice cream cone seal the deal.

Lucky enough to live in San Diego like me? I’ve found some good pins here:
Gym Standard
Kobey’s Swap Meet
South Bay Swap Meet

If you feel like the bare minimum is enough, then OK, but some people choose to wear more and we encourage that, OK? You do want to express yourself, don’t you?