We in the editorial office don't advocate smoking illegal substances, but we can recommend Doug Benson's documentary "Super High Me." Also on the list: a quirky shop, a cool movie and a tasty Wisconsin export.
"Super High Me" -- After watching the film "Super Size Me" -- where a man eats McDonald's for a month straight -- comedian Doug Benson was inspired to make his own documentary. Instead of ingesting Big Macs and Chicken Nuggets for 30 days, Benson smokes marijuana from wakey bakey until nighty night. He juxtaposes his month of reefer madness with a month of sobriety. During both months, he takes a series of tests, from the SAT to physical exams like sperm count and lung capacity. (I won't disclose the results, but hemp enthusiasts certainly won't feel the need to ditch their weed anytime soon.) The documentary also explores "dispensaries" -- legal pot shops that sell to physically and emotionally ill patients -- and it explains the confusing California marijuana laws. Benson is funny -- both when he's stoned and sober -- as are his friends, who include comedians Patton Oswalt, Bob Odenkirk and Sarah Silverman. (Silverman actually takes a toke on camera.) I expected this film to be tangent-y and disorganized, but instead, it is very entertaining. And I was perfectly straight when I watched it. --Molly Snyder Edler
Nueske's bacon -- You see it in the store or at the kiosk in Mayfair. But, you just picked up some generic or (gasp) microwave stuff at the grocery store. The usual internal monologue ensues: "What's the difference? Bacon is bacon, right?" Wrong. Nueske's is smoked over apple wood, it's lean and sweet and delicious and doesn't shrivel and shrink when cooked. It's a Wisconsin product (produced in Wittenberg) that tastes perfect next to your omelet or nestled next to lettuce and tomato on toasted multi-grain bread. Check out the ham steak and other products. They're equally outstanding. --Drew Olson
JuJu Gifts -- Nichole Nikolic and Wendy Pawlyshyn opened JuJu Gifts and Decor at 222 E. Erie St. in the Third Ward in 2006. It has blended in nicely in the neighborhood and makes for a cool stop when you need a unique gift. Funky glassware, cocktailing items and fun house ware items are all perfect gifts that will please. If you're always looking for fun gifts that are just a bit different, check out JuJu. --Jeff Sherman
The music of Nimrod Workman -- I was introduced to this unsung hero of Appalachian traditional song through a documentary I rented called "Harlan County U.S.A." by director Barbara Kopple. The film poignantly tells the tough tale of coal miners and union activists -- Workman was both -- in Kentucky in the early part of the 20th century. His weathered folk songs painted a melancholy yet hopeful backdrop to the film's portrayal of miners' struggle with their strike against Duke Power Company as well as black lung disease. Workman died at in 1994 at age 99. Drag City now releases "I Want To Go Where Things Are Beautiful," a 27-song collection of his previously unreleased archival recordings, including "Oh Death" and "Coal Black Mining Blues." --Julie Lawrence
The 12-minute nap -- I discovered the "timer" feature on my iPhone the other day, but didn't think I'd ever have a chance to use it. Feeling crispy from my usual six hours of sleep per night, I decided to squeeze in a quick nap. I set the timer for 12 minutes, because I figured anything longer would put me in a coma and I wouldn't want to leave. On this day, 12 minutes was just right; I woke up feeling alert and refreshed. As I type this, I'm ready for another nap. Try it. You won't be disappointed. --D.O.
"3:10 to Yuma" -- I'm kind of late getting around to this 2007 remake of the 1957 Western film by the same name, but it is a great flick. Woven with family, moral and political issues, it's an action-packed story of heroics that's neatly packaged in its two-hour run time and finely acted by Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Peter Fonda and others. Add it to your Netfix today. --J.S.
Stuffwhitepeoplelike.com -- The transformation from funny blog to successful book is never easy. Hats off to Christian Lander for making the trip and taking us along. The items will have you laughing, including No. 42 (sushi), No. 29 (80's night), No. 6 (organic food). I won't tell what ranks No. 1 on the list, but if you drop by OnMilwaukee.com headquarters at just about any time of the day you'll find out. --D.O.
"Generation Kill" -- In the era of the DVR and on-demand TV, it seems ridiculous that you can miss the first episode of a series and be tempted to blow the thing off completely. I reversed such a situation recently when I started watching HBO's seven-part series on the Iraq War, based on Rolling Stone reporter Evan Wright's book, and it is very compelling. The dialog is cuttingly real and the tension mounts slowly. When the credits roll, you'll see that David Simon ("The Wire") had a hand in the project. That, alone, should tell you that it's worth watching. --D.O.
