Posts Written by Vic Arkoff

Upon hearing the news of the death of The Cars’ frontman Ric Ocasek, Grammy-nominated musician Joseph Arthur recorded a contemplative one-take performance of himself covering The Cars classic You’re All I’ve Got Tonight. Arthur’s Come Back World tour starts 10/10/19 in Kansas City.

Are you adventurous and filthy rich enough for a stay at the world’s Northernmost hotel? For one month only in 2020, North Pole Igloos will erect a pop-up hotel of 10 heated domes with glass ceilings for true dark sky sleepovers and wilderness ice exploration in one of the most exclusive travel destinations on Earth.

Following on the heels of Nike’s SpongeBob x Kyrie team-up, Timberland’s limited edition salutes 20 years of SpongeBob SquarePants. Available in black and bright blue, the boots feature a bespeckled SpongeBob, Patrick Star, and the evil Plankton, with leather uppers, PrimaLoft insulation, and rubber lug outsoles.

Couch potatoes can cuddle up with their favorite movie critics in this big, cozy blanket featuring the snarky Mystery Science Theater 3000 gang. Measuring 50″ x 60″, Jonah’s silhouette is practically life-size. Joined by Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot, your TV pals are ready to keep you company during all your bad movie binges.

Official baseball merch rarely gets off the bench, but the limited-edition Los Angeles Dodgers game-used watch from Tokens & Icons sports a leather face made from a baseball used in a MLB season game. Each face has red stitching, scuffs from field action, and an authenticity number linked to the ball’s game history. Also at Sundance.

We’re digging the compact, foldable design of the Delta adventure shovel from DMOS Collective. Built with the off-road and overland community in mind this tough tool was designed for the backcountry, whether to plant a tree, repair a trail, or dig out a stuck vehicle. Available with an aluminum or cold-rolled steel blade.

In the spirit of full-flavored old-world rums, Hotaling & Co. has added Denizen Vatted Dark Rum to its tasty line-up. The floral blended rum is blended in the old vatted style originally made for the British Navy in the 18th century. Distilled from antique stills, 80% is produced in Guyana, with 20% unaged rhum agricole from Martinique.

Swiss precision meets Chinese legend in this limited-edition pocketknife. Victorinox Swiss Army’s ode to 2019 digs the pig: the lucky twelfth sign in the Chinese zodiac, a symbol of prosperity, courage, and optimism. Its 16 tools include screwdrivers, scissors, a wood saw, and a corkscrew reminiscent of a curlicue piggy’s tail.

Walt Disney World’s most immersive experience yet will be a new hotel being built next to Galaxy’s Edge. The Galactic Starcruiser will make multi-day guests feel like they’re inside a spaceship – the Halcyon – via galactic views, hotel staff portrayed by characters like Chewbacca, and a port day on the planet Batuu.

Herschel Supply Co. pays tribute to the enigmatic NYC artist’s work with a dynamic print of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s most iconic 1981 painting Untitled (Scull/Skull). The featherweight snap-front windbreaker comes in a water-resistant, polyester diamond dobby ripstop fabric, thin enough to pack inside an internal storage pocket.

Galaxy’s Edge still has that new theme park smell. Now, Disney has revealed 2020 plans for a Marvel-themed land at Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Paris. “Avengers Campus” will include the current Guardians of the Galaxy ride, and a new Spider-Man ride-through attraction, Tony Stark’s Worldwide Engineering Brigade.

Mezcal’s come a long way from that junk with a worm in it. Conceived by bohemian artists, Gem & Bolt is a clear 100% Espadin Agave with Damiana herbs for a euphoric “mood-boost.” Produced in Oaxaca, it’s slow roasted and fermented with wild yeasts, and is fair trade and sustainable. Delivered by Reserve Bar and Drizly.

Burning Man, Lollapalooza, and Coachella owe their existence to a series of 1980s guerrilla punk rock events in the California desert. Stuart Swezey’s documentary combines interviews of punk and post-punk luminaries with performances by Sonic Youth, Minutemen, Meat Puppets, Perry Farrell, and more. Drops 9/13/19.

Aside from the Titanic, cruise ships don’t usually execute deep dives. Until now. Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours has become the first cruise line to equip a ship with a submarine for underwater excursions, with its new 114-stateroom, all-veranda, ultra-luxury ship, the Scenic Eclipse.