BRAIN DRAIN

On the off chance that another’s misfortune might actually work to my benefit, I dropped by Tower Records at Lincoln Center a few days ago to see if there were any good deals to be had from their going-out-of-business sale. True enough, there was a prevailing discount of 20% store-wide, with discounts as high as 75% on some items.

All things considered, there were many things well worth spending on, by which I mean that the store hadn’t yet been beset by hordes of bargain shoppers leaving less-than-desirable items in their wake. With the exception of the video games section (already picked dry, much to my consternation) and boxed set DVDs, there were plenty of DVDs and CDs that caught my attention as I perused the shelves.

However, enticing as the discounts were, the net effect was merely to make the store’s merchandise at least as cheap as comparable items from, say, Amazon.com before taxes, which in most was cases still nowhere near as cheap as a 99&cent song download on the iTunes music store. I suppose this just demonstrates how disruptive business models made possible by electronic commerce really are to markets, proving Joseph Schumpeter right all over again. Good for consumers, certainly, but very challenging to industry players.

I haven’t ruled out dropping by Tower again soon. As their days grow numbered, I expect more aggressive discounts on whatever they have left, coupled with the plea that “everything must go”. But by then, I worry about what might be left to take home. Beating out hordes of savvy bargain shoppers has never been my strong suit.

The sequel to the popular GBA title is quite different from its predecessor - and different is good.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis is probably best described as Lemmings, Nintendo-style. Whereas the first installment of the series had Mario collecting the mini Mario toys stolen by Donkey Kong, this time the minis take center stage. Across 72 levels, players must guide the minis in order to rescue Pauline, the damsel in distress from the original Donkey Kong game whom the simian has once again kidnapped. This is no walk in the park: each level is replete with obstacles that will require patience and careful planning if the minis are to make it to safely to the exit at each stage.

The game mechanics ensure that this title will have something to offer players of all ages. Typically, the game makes good use of the DS’s touch screen. Simple strokes with the stylus allow players to make the minis go through their range of motions, which are limited to moving left and right, jumping, causing other minis to begin moving when they bump into stationary ones, and changing direction when they hit a wall or another mini. The game gets progressively difficult, with new elements introduced to the different stages as one advances throughout the game. These include powerups such as Fire Flowers or hammers, pipes and elevators, moving platforms, conveyor belts, switches, and of course enemies. However, no stage is so difficult as to render them impossible to complete; in fact, each stage can take anywhere between one to twenty minutes to go through, making for great casual gaming.

Completing stages is one thing; perfecting them is another. This is where the puzzler derives its addictive appeal, as well as much of its replay value. Players are rewarded for their efforts with bronze, silver or gold stars when they beat a stage depending on how they do it, and these stars are the key to the unlockables throughout the game (mostly “Whack-a-Mole”-esque minigames and hidden boss battles). This means that, really, players make any stage as difficult as they want it to be. Novices may settle for controlling the minis one after another to send them to the exit; more expert players will opt to command the minis simultaneously to save on time and cover more ground. And for the ultimate challenge and gold star guarantee, there’s nothing like going for the minis’ chain bonus (sending them through the exit one after another) without ever stopping any of them for the duration of the level (nonstop bonus). Easier said than done.

As an added perk, the game also makes use of Nintendo’s Wi-Fi connection, but not in the usual sense. A level editor allows players to design their own levels and trade it with others over the Wi-Fi network. For the most dedicated of gamers this is probably very fulfilling, but it is difficult to imagine exactly how far a person can go designing a level with a stylus. Also, this feature is best utilized to trade levels with friends as Nintendo hardly releases any new levels on their own (to date, there are perhaps only two out there).

For a game that is genuinely engaging, there are some drawbacks. The most glaring of these is perhaps the boss battles, which entail shooting minis out of a cannon towards Donkey Kong. This would be fun instead of mostly frustrating had there been more control over the cannon, which operates more like a ship’s helm with way too much inertia. Additionally, the final boss battle as well as the two unlockable ones are a bit of a letdown, departing from both the sidescrolling puzzle format of the game and the cannon-shooting bonanza of all other boss stages in favor of a deliberate throwback to the original Donkey Kong game. High on the novelty and retro appeal, but low on overall impact.

Also, game controls could use some tweaking. While a player can conceivable play the game exclusively with a stylus (even left handed ones), stylus controls become slightly unwieldy when one needs to control a specific mini that’s moving with others in a tight group. Further, what the game really lacks is a means to cycle through minis throughout the stage at a press of a button instead of having to look for them. Thankfully, none of these things distract too much from the overall experience and hopefully will be improved upon in future installments (and there better be future installments!).

With Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, Nintendo has once again come up with a gem that will entertain gamers of all persuasions. Addictive, engaging and simple to play, there has never been a better excuse to see how far these minis will march to save someone from a monkey named after a mule.

DC Comics’ absolute editions are a collector’s dream come true. The oversized slipcased hardcovers are the comic book equivalent of a DVD with special features, complete with annotations, previously unseen artwork and other bonuses that can make even the most reserved of fans go ga-ga.

Below is a list of five (plus one) absolute edition titles that would be worthy additions to anyone’s shelf. There are others, of course, and conspicuously absent from this list are critically acclaimed titles from Alan Moore (Watchmen, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) and Warren Ellis (Planetary). But the list does focus on titles that should appeal to a more mainstream audience (with the sole exception of the honorable mention at the end). Be warned though: each retails upwards of $75, but generally sells for much less on Amazon.com.

ABSOLUTE KINGDOM COME
No title is more deserving of an absolute edition than Kingdom Come. Fundamentally a Superman story, Mark Waid weaves an inspired tale where heroes must rise above their petty differences and personal tragedies in order to avert armageddon.

What sets this title apart, however, is the artwork. Simply put, Alex Ross’s painted panels are jaw-dropping. Of all the titles here, this is arguably the most visually stunning. A masterpiece, this one is definitely a must-have.

ABSOLUTE DC: THE NEW FRONTIER
Darwin Cooke’s DC: The New Frontier is probably one of the best-kept open secrets among comics aficionados and well deserves being collected in absolute format.

New Frontier is essentially a re-telling of the origin of the Justice League, albeit one that has little to do with established comics canon. But the appeal of New Frontier lies in the fact that it captures the innocence, spirit and luster of comics’ Silver Age, when stories were perhaps simpler and less dark and cynical. It does so not just in the narrative but in the artwork as well (see sample panel), and the two combined work really well (how can they not?).

No doubt, the reason this title stands out is the respect that Darwin Cooke has for each of the characters he includes in his story. He just gets it, and in the process of weaving his tale he pushes all the right buttons. After reading New Frontier, even readers unfamiliar with the DC Comics universe will understand why Hal Jordan forever will be the iconic Green Lantern, and why Barry Allen is missed by fans of the Flash to this very day.

If ever a comic book exemplified what superhero comics should be about, this would be it. New Frontier is definitely something that will entertain readers of all ages.

ABSOLUTE DARK KNIGHT
When Frank Miller wrote The Dark Knight Returns, he set the standard for all Batman stories to follow. The premise is just too good: after years of retirement, a visibly aged Bruce Wayne decides to don the cowl once again. But far from a decrepit man in tights, this older Batman is every bit the caped crusader of old, if not more so.

What makes the book work is Frank Miller’s ability to get into Batman’s head, as well as the way he peppers the story with old things made new (love the Batmobile!). Plus, there’s the gratuitous mano-a-mano with Superman, that ends just as it should.

This two-volume absolute edition also collects the sequel The Dark Knight Strikes Again, which has a hard time coming out of its predecessor’s shadow. Much darker and grittier than most readers may be used to, this may be more suited to an older audience.

ABSOLUTE BATMAN: HUSH
Jim Lee puts together some of the best (and cleanest) artwork around. Jeph Loeb puts together some of the most memorable superhero stories around. Put the two together on a Batman project and the result is Hush.

Hush is a straightforward Batman story: someone is out to get the world’s greatest detective, and it’s up to the caped crusader to figure out exactly who. Admittedly, the story can come across as (very) contrived, and Jeph Loeb’s tried and tested formula of bringing in as many recognizable characters as possible, having those characters duke it out where appropriate, and give the story a bit of an open-ended conclusion is as evident here as it is in his other tales. But the ride is certainly more enjoyable than the destination.

The art is certainly Jim Lee at his best; in fact, his work on Hush is more appropriate to the story than his later work on Superman: For Tomorrow. Overall, this title is probably the most unlikely to rate an absolute edition. At the very least, it is an interesting read, and one that should tide over more dedicated fans until DC decides to collect Jeph Loeb’s Long Halloween and Dark Victory in absolute format as well.

ABSOLUTE CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS
Crisis was the much anticipated DC Comics event of the 1980s. Penned by Marv Wolfman and pencilled by George Perez, Crisis was intended to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary. In the process, it aimed to simplify the DC Universe by putting an end to the different parallel worlds that confused many storylines. The story was a smashing success and had the additional novelty (or notoreity) of killing off some popular characters who did in fact remain dead for a long time to come, such as the original Supergirl and Barry Allen (the Flash).

To the uninitiated, Crisis can be a bit much. Drawing from 50 years of comics continuity ultimately rewards die-hard fans of the DC universe and can prove to be inaccessible to the casual reader. But even the most dedicated of collectors might have trouble finding a copy of this absolute edition: it’s sold out in most places and sells at a significant premium on eBay.

HONORABLE MENTION: ABSOLUTE SANDMAN Vol. 1
Finally, it bears mentioning that Neil Gaiman’s Sandman has already been collected in absolute format, with this first installment (of four) collecting the first twenty issues of the series.

Throughout its 70-odd issue run, Sandman helped redefine what comics were capable of, pushing the literary boundaries of the medium. It is anything but a superhero story. Rather, it is the tale of Morpheus - Dream of the Endless, the Lord of the Dreaming and the anthropomorphic personification of Dreams - whose unwavering dedication to his responsibilities is as inspiring as it is tragic, and ultimately proves to be his undoing.

Unlike prior paperback and hardcover releases of the series that collect complete story arcs , it would appear that the Absolute Sandman collects the individual issues in chronological order. Additional bonuses include recolored panels as well as original issue scripts.

While out looking for a couple of shirts to add to my wardrobe, I’d finally settled on one when I noticed the words “Made in the Philippines” on the label.

That gave me pause. When I’m overseas, I always have qualms about buying things that I can readily get back home, not just because it usually costs more (which it does) but precisely because it can be found back home. So I was hesitant to buy the shirt. Then it occurred to me: the store has lots of shirts, and all of them can’t be made in the Philippines.

It turns out I was right. And wrong. Not all the shirts sported the same tag: some were apparently made in India, Peru or some such other place. But much to my consternation, all the shirts in that color and in my size were in fact made in the Philippines. It wasn’t unique to that color either: of the fifteen or so different colors the shirt was available in, easily two or three of them, solely sized medium, were proudly Philippine-made.

I wonder: Is this the shape of the new global supply chain? Is the manufacture of clothing outsourced to countries where labor is cheap, with each producing only a specific color and size of a particular clothing line? It wouldn’t surprise me. A trifle ridiculous, maybe, but taken to the extreme that’s what specialization in production is all about.

NBC’s new fall series offerings are apparently available online.

With enough bandwidth (and the patience to tolerate ads every 7-8 minutes), viewers can catch the latest episodes of Friday Night Lights, Heroes, and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, on the Rewind section of their website.

Of these, it would appear that the more promising ones are Studio 60 and Heroes. The former is the new opus of Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing), and so far it has been mighty entertaining. The latter is becoming a personal favorite (I’m a sucker for superhero stories), plus the fact that Jeph Loeb is a co-producer and writer on the series.

It also turns out that the artwork featured in Heroes episodes are drawn by Tim Sale. Fancy that.

Nintendo DS users across Europe can now browse the internet in between games thanks to a new browser for the handheld from Opera Software.

Released last October 6, the Opera Browser has been much awaited by aficionados of the Nintendo DS. The handheld, with its built-in Wi-Fi capability, allows for multiplayer gaming over the internet but does not by itself enable users to surf the web. With this first in a new line of browsers for Nintendo products (the company is also planning a browser for the next-generation Wii console), Opera stands to make its presence felt in the very lucrative handheld gaming market.

The browser is packaged in what has been described as a cartridge - with separate versions for the original Nintendo DS and the slimmer DS Lite - and will retail at around €39.99. On balance, this means that a Nintendo DS with the Opera Browser will cost nearly as much as a Sony PSP, which also has Wi-Fi capability and comes with an internet browser already built-in. However, the Nintendo DS does have the added advantage of a stylus and touch screen, which should make navigating websites much easier.

There is no word yet on when a US release can be expected, but it should not be too far off. Given Opera’s success creating browsers for mobile phones, there is every reason to expect that the Nintendo DS version will be a hit, what with how easy the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection makes getting online. In any event, the browser does come one step closer to making the DS the PDA it was never intended to but just might be.

I hadn’t paid much attention to the brou-ha-ha surrounding the defective laptop batteries that were recalled by Dell, Toshiba and Apple until it came to light that I might be a victim.

The batteries in question, manufactured by a subsidiary of Sony, were found to have the problem of potentially overheating and catching fire. Like most people, I thought such a possibility too remote to even dignify with attention. Of course, when an airline or two declared a ban on using laptops manufactured by companies known to have exibited that defect, I admit it got me a bit more interested.

Then I received an email direct from Apple notifying me that I may have an affected battery. After checking the information on their battery replacement program, it turned out that my PowerbookG4 was indeed one of those eligible for a replacement battery.

What did I have to lose? I filled in the necessary online forms and made my claim for a replacement battery, and was duly informed that it would arrive in 4-6 weeks.

That was around three weeks ago. The replacement battery arrived earlier in the week and is now running smoothly on my laptop. My guess is that the battery I received is a refurbished one, but I have no complaints. So far it’s exhibited a longer life on shorter recharge time and doesn’t heat up as much as the old one (which probably did have a defect).

In all, the process was quite painless: Apple ships the replacement out by DHL, and includes return shipping to send back the offending battery (by regular post, of course). IBookG4 and PowerbookG4 owners shouldn’t have to think twice about checking whether they can avail of the program. Unless of course they prefer the excitement of having a laptop whose battery just might burst into flames.

The one question I’m asked the most by people back home is, “Do you cook?”

The simple answer: no, I don’t. I have few talents, and culinary expertise is not one of them. If stranded on a deserted island with only a supply of eggs to sustain me until help arrives (assuming the cholesterol won’t kill me first), I would probably break them all uselessly or burn them hopelessly, two outcomes I’m familiar with the only two other times I tried to cook an egg - which, by the way, I don’t much enjoy eating. So most of the time that I’m here in New York, I go for much of the usual fare “to go” that can be had for around $5.

I’ve also always thought that cooking is an extremely inefficient activity, more so for a person eating alone. By inefficient, I refer only to the time it takes to prepare a meal. Certainly, a good case can be made that, barring exotic, exquisite, or otherwise pricey ingredients, a person will always come out ahead cooking for oneself. But cooking takes an inordinate amount of time – from preparing the ingredients, doing the actual cooking, and thereafter cleaning up - especially when one considers how much shorter it takes to simply eat the meal. A pathetic analysis, I know; but it is what it is.

So no, I don’t cook. But I do grill.

There is a difference. Grilling is to cooking as sudoku is to math: it can give the illusion that a person is good at it, but really one has little to do with the other. Anyone can grill; it’s idiot-proof. Take any slab of meat appropriate for grilling (which is most anything, really), season it any which way and throw it on a hot enough grill, and a person can fashion himself or herself the greatest chef in the world. Yet anything grilled tastes practically the same, with minute variations in flavor: in my case, those flavors have rotated somewhere between bland and salt and peppered. This is how I have been living on those occasions when I prepare food for myself, thanks in part to a $20 grill that bears the name of one Rev. George Foreman.

Recently, however, while ruminating on this sad state of affairs, an idea dawned on me: why don’t I try grilling meat Yakiniku style? It saves on time (one eats as one grills) and preparation (no real need to marinade), and I already have the necessary equipment (a grill is a grill is a grill, after all). Further, considering the variety of Japanese and Korean grilling sauces out there to accompany such food, it certainly began looking like a very appealing improvement my salt and pepper dining experience.

One visit to an Oriental grocery store and two meals later, I’m proud to report that the experiment was a resounding success! I wonder why I never thought of this before. At least now I can look forward to more flavor in my self-prepared menu.

So long as I remember to buy the damned sauces next time.

I’m officially one month away from taking my first PhD comprehensive exam. It happens to be in microeconomics.

It’s funny though. As I put my notes and books in order by way of preparation, a whole lot of material looks almost alien. Why is it I can remember stuff I took up in high school (I can still remember a whole lot of Latin) but struggle with things I took up just a semester ago?

The human mind. It’s a mystery.

Juan Mann. The YouTube sensation. Gotta love the guy.

(Thanks again to my brother for forwarding this to me.)