Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews

The Weekend Reset: Musical fruits, sociopaths, and feline explosions

April 17, 2020 By Michael R | Heads up: Buying via our links results in us getting a commission (not always, but just about), which helps keep the lights on around here. We also take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

It’s Friday. Looking for something to switch up your weekend, or to give you an excuse to relax a little? That’s what the Weekend Reset is for. Each week we’ll pull together five things to get your weekend started. Could be something to read or watch, something to eat or listen to, or even something to do. Enjoy the weekend fellas.

 

MAKE: Beans

For years, I found dried beans intimidating. Soaking! Salting! Simmering! Farting!* But recently, I discovered this recipe, and it changed my life. You want creamy, flavorful, delicious beans? Carla’s got you. A few notes/modifications:

  1. Carla cooks her beans in their soaking water. I don’t. I find pouring out the soak water and adding in fresh water or broth helps with the farts.
  2. I love me some fat, but a 1 inch fat cap is ridiculous. I shoot for maybe a quarter inch?
  3. The salt she’s dumping in there by the pound is Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, the least salty salt by volume. If you’re using table salt? Use a LOT less.
  4. I generally tie my herbs up with butcher’s twine before throwing them in, so that I don’t have to pick them out of the broth at the end.
  5. The older the bean, the longer the cook time — year-old beans might take a couple of hours to soften.

*One fringe benefit of spending a lot of time at home means… maybe the farting’s not such a big deal?

 

BINGE: Succession

If Better Call Saul (featured last week) was a show that started out as a comedy but evolved into a tragedy — Succession is its inverse. The trailer suggested a weighty, serious, capital-H HBO drama. Instead? Think of Succession as King Lear in the key of Arrested Development — a wry, pitch-perfect, dark-as-hell comedy about a gaggle of awful rich sociopaths who you still, somehow, inexplicably, root for. Family intrigue! Backstabbings! Betrayals! And the most expertly crafted insults on TV  — this is a show that has a little something for everyone.

 

READ: Child of God

Dappered.com

Speaking of sociopaths. Cormac McCarthy’s third novel tells the story of Lester Ballard, a violent sociopath who roams the hills of Appalachia, preying on the locals. Not a lot of plot here, but it doesn’t matter — because HOT DAMN can McCarthy craft a sentence. This is a twisted, knotty, dark novel, but unlike some of his other work, it’s not relentlessly bleak — lots of weird, black-as-midnight, Elmore Leonard style comedy to be found here. And since it clocks in at less than 200 pages, it’s a great introduction to one of America’s most treasured living authors.

 

EXPLODE: Kittens, in Exploding Kittens*

Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens was a huge hit when it launched on Kickstarter five years ago, and it’s easy to see why. The game’s super simple gameplay mechanics, hilarious and wonderfully illustrated cards, and quick rounds make it a perfect entry point into our recent board game renaissance. Though the box suggests something akin to Cards Against Humanity, this is a VERY different game — much more like a weird version of hot potato, where you’re constantly scheming to screw over everyone else. You can learn how to play in under five minutes, and a full game lasts fifteen minutes max. The perfect game to bust out with your partner/roommate/kids on a Saturday evening.

*Please don’t explode any actual kittens. Biggie Lebowski loves kittens. Please consider fostering a kitten or puppy if you are able.

 

PLAY: Final Fantasy VII Remake

Final Fantasy VII was an era-defining classic — a sweeping epic told with humor and heart that featured close to a hundred hours of gameplay. So ever since Square announced in 2015 that they were working on a FFVII remake, excitement has been at a fever pitch. The truth is, they could have slapped the Final Fantasy VII name onto just about anything and sales would have been gangbusters. But instead of churning out a quick cash grab, they dug deep into the original game’s story and mechanics, and made something that feels both modern and classic. Final Fantasy VII Remake takes the original game’s sprawling story and brings it down to earth, grounding it in the real human consequences of characters’ choices. A remake done right.

About the author: Michael Robin is an LA-based television writer. When he’s not working away on his latest pilot script, you can find him scuba diving, hosting Shabbat dinners, or goofing off with his goldendoodle, Biggie Lebowski.

Filed Under: Etc. Tagged With: the weekend reset

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or hit us up on Instagram!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

BR Factory New Arrivals (and 49% off), Seiko 5KX decent price, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

BR Factory New Arrivals (and 49% off), Seiko 5KX decent price, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

Totes, sneakers, and Nordy Rack is worth a look.

Style Scenario: Groundhog Day

Style Scenario: Groundhog Day

Bing!

Spier launches new $298 Half Canvas Suit Line – The Best Wedding Suit under $300?

Spier launches new $298 Half Canvas Suit Line – The Best Wedding Suit under $300?

They’re calling it their Red Label line. So… why another line? And how?

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

CONNECT WITH DAPPERED

Thanks! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • BR Factory New Arrivals (and 49% off), Seiko 5KX decent price, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • 10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Rugged Boots, Italian wool trousers, & More
  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Italian Traveler Wool Blazers, Nordy’s NOT final sale section, & More
  • Style Scenario: It’s still winter. (Nothing over $100 edition)
  • The Dappered Space: 5 Essential Home Decor Items for any grown-guy’s home
  • The 2023 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Her

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

Copyright © 2023 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.