Around the campfire this Winter, you may have enjoyed dark, chocolaty, malty brews that warm both the soul and the body. Beers like stouts, black lagers, and porters are cold-weather favorites, and rightly so. But now that Spring has sprung, let me submit to you this idea: Pale Ales for Springtime!

Pale Ales and India Pale Ales (IPA’s) are tart, hoppy, earthy beers with bright flavors and often a slightly bitter aftertaste. They offer a stark contrast to darker brews, much the way that Spring contrasts Winter. I’ve spent the last few weeks trying many new pale ales and IPA’s with great enjoyment, and I’d like to share a handful that I’ve particularly enjoyed.

Ranger IPA is a super earthy, super tart beer made by New Belgium Brewing Co., the Fat Tire folks. I’ve never really tasted anything quite so complex as Ranger, except probably a few Scotches. It’s sweet and tart and tangy and earthy. The flavor is big, big, big.

Choc Beer, a brewery in Oklahoma that I’ve just recently been introduced to, offers a really nice pale ale called Basement Batch. I recommend this very crisp and hoppy beer, which is most delicious when served ice cold.

Little Rock’s Diamond Bear Brewing Co., the jewel of my hometown, offers their Presidential IPA. It’s a lovely amber beer with a strong aftertaste. I confess that I didn’t wait ’til Spring came to have a few of these, but hey…all the more reason to spread the good word to you! One or two of these babies makes mowing the grass downright pleasant.

Last but certainly not least is Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale. What can I say, this is the beer that really got me going on pale ales in the first place. My curiosity was sparked, and the flame’s still burning bright. I freakin’ love this beer and you can find it just about anywhere. It’s very tart and bursting with flavor. Betcha can’t drink just one.

The truth is that Summer will be here before we know it, and we all know what that means: ice cold, beautifully affordable Bud heavy. So before the seasons change again, make your Springtime beer transition count by trying some new pale ales and IPA’s, and please share your faves with a comment. Cheers!

The Wire was created by police reporter David Simon, who based the series on the experiences of his writing partner, former homicide detective Ed Burns. Set in Baltimore, the show presents an unflinching look at the city’s drug trade. By focusing on both the networks of drug dealers and the Baltimore police who pursue them, as well as overlapping sectors of municipal life including city politics, school systems, international commerce, and the media, Simon has painted a multi-faceted and tightly interwoven portrait of the twenty-first century American city. And as the series unfolds, Simon’s comprehensive portrayal of the city and its drug problem feels simultaneously premeditated and also dynamic. Unlike say, Lost, where one gets the feeling that the writers have figured their own show out along the way, The Wire feels very intentional in the way it unfolds. Yet it is unpredictable enough to also feel spontaneous.

In addition to The Wire’s complexity, perhaps its single-greatest achievement is the show’s commitment to realism. This commitment involves the shooting style, which relies on a relatively deep depth-of-field and gives the show a more news footage feel than film-like quality, as well as the choice to cast Baltimore natives as extras and small parts. This realism extends to the characters, who are said to composites of real-life Baltimore personalities, and most of all to the writing, which makes heavy use of contemporary slang language that is simultaneously eye-opening, bewildering, offensive, and humorous.

In a time when many shows manage to introduce and resolve a single case in a 45-minute span, The Wire instead chooses to spend 60 episodes showing how difficult it truly is to make change in the modern American city. In the context of the endless debates about the value or place of social assistance (be it healthcare or otherwise), it is important to consider the whole picture of lives like those depicted in this show. The Wire is at times quite hard to watch, mostly because it feels so honest. If you like shows that will force you to think and perhaps be uncomfortable, start watching The Wire on DVD today.

If you haven’t seen the original Tron, shame on you. Released in 1982, it was truly ahead of its time. It was the first film to use computer-animation extensively and was based in a computer world.  In 1982, of course, computers weren’t nearly the mainstay that they are in today’s society.  Because of that, Tron was misunderstood and, sadly, didn’t receive the credit it deserved.  Had it been released 10 years later, it would’ve been a smash instead of a cult classic.  Maybe it’s better that way, though.  Jeff Bridges is the protagonist of the film, playing Kevin Flynn in the real world and Clu in the computer world.  Bruce Boxleitner plays Alan Bradley and Tron.  They are electronic gladiators who join forces to fight against MCP (Master Control Program).  Do yourself a favor and see it before Tron Legacy arrives.

Essentially, Tron Legacy picks up where Tron left off.  Kevin Flynn’s (Bridges) son is Sam, played by Garrett Hedlund, who is looking into his dad’s disappearance when he gets pulled into the virtual world of Tron.  I don’t want to divulge many details, so you’ll have to see it for yourself.  From what I have seen so far in trailers and on the internet, it seems that Tron Legacy is sure to please both the die hard fans of the original and the moviegoers that are new to the adventure.

Did I mention that Tron Legacy will be in 3D?  Awesome.

If you’re trying to find me on December 17th of this year, I’ll either be waiting (impatiently) in line or sitting with a goofy, child-like grin on my face as I take in the movie that I’ve been waiting to see for who-knows-how-long.  Be sure to check back shortly after 12/17/2010 for a full write-up of the movie!

Recently I was exposed to yet another Australian band making serious waves in the music scene, albeit sad I am reaching back into 2009 to uncover this gem called Sound Awake by the band Karnivool. The band name stems from the fact all the members were originally described as “a bunch of clowns” in their hometown of Perth, but let me assure you this album is a far from funny, it is a crowning musical achievement. Prog rock takes a new form, with heavy influence from A Perfect Circle, Chevelle and fellow Aussies The Butterfly Effect.

Like so many albums the intro track is what sets the tone for the entire release, and the track “Simple Boy” lets the listener know this is going to be serious. Ian Kenny belts forth vocals that would make Maynard proud, and although they are laid lightly over a robust bass line and echoing guitar riffs the impact is nothing shy of impressive. “Set Fire to the Hive” is the first single from the album, and also the shortest track. Rapid-fire guitar play dares the drummer to keep pace, while angry vocals echo amidst the controlled chaos that is this track. “All I Know” gives the album a reprieve from the breakneck speed most of the album embodies, offering a healthy dose of atmospherics while lead guitarist Drew Goddard shows his skill with a slide and delay.

Selling out shows in Australia has not been a problem for Karnivool, but their recognition has been sluggish here in the States. Recently launching a tour with American rockers Fair To Midland in February, in addition to playing a flurry of showcases at this years SXSW festival in Austin, will surely help rectify the recognition issue. Despite the heavier nature of many tracks on Sound Awake many are quite radio friendly, so I am very curious to see if the radio stations here in the States pick up on this and start helping spread the word about these Aussie hard rock heroes. If you are going to be one of the many concertgoers hitting up SXSW this year I highly recommend checking these guys out, but first you can hit up Amazon for their album here:

Taken from a December show at Vegas’ Planet Hollywood Theater, Live in Las Vegas features 26 old and new tracks and is worth its weight in gold. After opening the show forcefully with “Eh Hee,” Mathews and Reynolds instantly kindle nostalgia with a rendition of “Dancing Nancies” that is bursting with sound. Which brings me to the question I’m still asking: how in the world do two people put out so much sound? And quality sound at that?

On an album filled with high points and ‘wow’ moments, Reynolds’ two solo tracks must be pointed out. “Kundalini Bonfire,” the ninth track on the record, is simply stunning, and I was thrilled to see that he chose Led Zeppelin’s “Kashimir” for his final display of pickin’ prowess. I joined with the multitudes, nodding my head with a grin, when at the end of “Kashmir” Dave mused, “…there’s nobody on the planet that’s like this guy at all.”

This album, like its 1999 predecessor is the perfect campfire album. And, also like its predecessor, Live in Las Vegas is likely to be the ideal album for every season that finds you enjoying it. Find it on Amazon, and check out DMB’s 2010 Summer Tour schedule, where Dave will pick back up the Big Whiskey… material with the full band. I got to catch a show from the fall ‘09 tour in Little Rock and it was ridiculous.

Drinking only water has actually been great. Luckily, my employer keeps the fridge at the office stocked with bottled water. Good thing, because our tap water is pretty awful. After a week that saw a trash can full of plastic bottles (not very eco-friendly), I knew there had to be a better way. In the past, I’ve had plastic Nalgene bottles and refilled old water bottles, but I’ve heard horror stories about BPA and how some plastic bottles can leach harmful chemicals into the ingredients of the container. No thanks. Lately, I’ve seen more and more people carrying reusable, metal bottles. I decided to give them a shot.

The three main manufacturers of the metal bottles are SIGG, Klean Kanteen and Nalgene. I’ve seen and held all of them, but after doing some looking around and reading on the subject I decided to go with SIGG. The Swiss-born company came around in 1908 and have been making bottles since day one. It was in 1990, when the shape of the traditional bottle changed, that SIGG really took off in the market. So, what makes a SIGG bottle so special?

In 2006, Backpacker magazine dubbed the SIGG, “The World’s Toughest Water Bottle.” It’s incredibly durable and lightweight, making it great for any outdoor sports or for carrying around town. The bottles are made from a single piece of aluminum, ensuring that there are no seams or places for bacteria to hide. The internal coating of the bottle is what really sold them to me. The special coating is resistant to virtually any beverage, whether it be acids in fruit juices, alcohol, etc. Because the liner is taste and scent neutral, you can go from one drink to another without any lingering tastes. SIGG bottles also exceed FDA regulations to ensure that there is no leaching of harmful chemicals from the liner. They’re even 100% recyclable if you are ever able to wear the bottle out.

Whether you’re trying to find a way to be environmentally conscious, you just want to drink more water or you’re for something new for your next outdoor adventure, give SIGG a try. There are plenty of styles for everyone.

The quartet, which began playing together in 2007, chose the name Mumford & Sons as a reference to traditional British businesses which were operated by a team of equal contributors but often bore the surname of a single founding member. Despite only existing as a band for a couple years, Mumford & Sons has enjoyed popular and critical praise of their debut album, Sigh No More, which just released Stateside last week.

With instrumentation including guitar, double bass, mandolin, banjo, keys, and percussion, and vocals layered with rich harmonies, the band has drawn comparisons to acts ranging from Nickel Creek to Crosby, Stills, and Nash. The band’s own web site references a desire to write songs with the mighty might of Kings of Leon. And at least one writer has described them, though perhaps inaccurately, as Coldplay reincarnated as hillbillies.

In recording their album, Mumford & Sons worked with Markus Dravs, most known for his work with Arcade Fire, another band whose sound may come to mind while listening to Sign No More. And Mumford’s lyrics keep pace with the composition of the songs, drawing on inspiration from sources like love, loss, faith, and even Shakespeare. In fact, the album’s title references Sir William’s Much Ado About Nothing.

If Mumford & Sons sounds a bit eclectic, that’s because they probably are. Yet the foursome manages to assemble an album of songs that is equal parts celebratory and moving with a dynamic range of swells and valleys. Their debut album, Sigh No More makes for inspired listening and a recommend you pick it up today.

Melancholy, heartfelt lyrics have become a staple in the recordings of Kashmir as expressed in their first single “Mouthful of Wasps”. Lyrics like “Show me that it’s easy, Say that you are in need of me, Don’t talk of the costs, With a mouthful of wasps” resonate with the downtrodden romantic in all of us. Mixing elements of electronica, ambience, and straight up pop melodies on this track it proves to be a great intro to this record. Use of piano/keys becomes much more prevalent on this release, with earlier albums focusing more on intricate guitar work. “Still Boy” is a standout track that exemplifies this throughout the verse that plays superbly off of the monumental chorus, crashing in with vocal contributions from everyone in the band. Much of Radiohead and My Bloody Valentine influence can be heard throughout “Pursuit of Misery,” injecting a shoegazer base into a clean, well organized song laden with more falsetto than any other song on the album allowing the chorus to really grab you.

This Danish foursome has honed in on the craft of songwriting, and with the two and a half years since their last release it appears the wait was well worth it. Playing a few U.S. dates at SXSW next month I am sure it won’t be long before Kashmir gains a head of steam here in the U.S. Keep these guys on your radar because you will be hearing much more from them, and if you like Trespassers there are five other full length albums to explore. Hopefully it will prove a worthy reprieve to the current staleness in the music industry.

Elfa is a line of modular storage components that help you maximize your storage space to its full potential. This system relies on shelves, drawers, and an array of specialized storage accessories which are suspended from vertical, wall-mounted tracks. In short, Elfa makes storage easier while allowing you to tailor it - even alter it over time - to fit your needs.

There are two ways to go about designing a closet using Elfa, but understand that each option will require the assistance of an Elfa designer. Starting from Elfa’s website, you can shop and customize your design plan while simultaneously talking on the phone with an Elfa representative who handles all the details of your order. Alternatively, you can design your closet in person with the staff Elfa specialist at The Container Store location nearest to you. That’s the route we opted for, and the fella who helped us in the Little Rock Container Store was fantastic. We watched on a computer screen as he, with Charlotte’s preferences in mind, guided us through the entire design process.

Now, where there used to be just one shelf and one hanging bar in our closet, there are two hanging bars, several shelves, and a gliding jewelry box - more than doubling the utility of the space. I take pride in the fact that I installed it, and unlike other presents that I considered, this one will last for years and be used daily. I’ll probably also be installing one of Elfa’s pull-out pant racks in my own closet in the near future.

One final note I’ll add: as you’re browsing the Elfa website, keep in mind that you don’t have to spend a fortune to improve your storage area. Most of the ‘best-selling solutions’ suggested are quite pricey, but that’s because of all the bells and whistles included such as fancy wood trim. If you keep your system simple and self-install it, you can really improve your storage areas without breaking the bank…all while impressing the girl.