I smell rill niice

I forgot how much I like getting compliments. When I worked at the hotel and was wearing suits and cologne more often, I used to always get the comment "you smell really good". I would get the comment from random people; cashier at the check out line at the grocery store, random hotel guests, even people walking next to me on the street or mall. And those who actually knew me; co-workers/friends, would actually lean in and smell me. They always ask what I'm wearing and I usually respond that its this custom stuff I buy on the internet. Not so much to show off and be flashy but to joke at the irony of their expectations.

Usually I give out my stamp of approval to restaurants or movies... things of entertainment value, but I'm going to change it up a little and give the $7.00 bottle of Really Ripped Abs: Bod Body Spray from Target the David Wage Stamp of Approval for brightening my day. I was at the sundries shop at work and the nice black lady at the cashier said. "Mmmmm, honey, you smell goood." in the least creepiest way. The tone in her voice told me it wasn't flirting. It was a fact :)

I'm heading up to the City of the Sioux this weekend for another wedding. I won't do any travel blogging, but I'll be sure to update you when I get back.

Jon Foreman - Switchfootless

So when I was home my buddy Nicholas Petersen, who is a great musician I know and always has great musical recommendations, was raving about Jon Foreman's new solo album. I recognized the name but it took a bit to get over my pride of "I should know this" to ask who it was. Well, he's the lead singer for Switchfoot and back in the day, before all you mainstream folks heard of Switchfoot, he was putting out great music with deep, meaningful lyrics. Being in radio I understand songs have to be "radio-friendly" with a catchy hook or simple melody and it seems Switchfoot has been able to keep in the limelight, but they have definitely left us to wonder, does Jon Foreman still have those meaningful lyrics in him?

About a year ago Jon Foreman began a series of four releases titled Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. In it, he showcases he still has that deep musical talent that made him famous. Its nothing like any of his Switchfoot stuff and would probably best be compared to Sufjan Stevens or Bright Eyes (circa Four Winds or I'm Wide Awake It's Morning.

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Fall - This was his first release and it starts off with the song "The Cure for Pain", perhaps the most recognized of his solo releases. The song is about his struggles with being a part of the band and the reflection on the passing of time. The album rounds out with 5 equally as melancholly tracks that make you just want to lie back and enjoy. This blog has taken me 30 minutes so far because I keep finding myself pausing to just listen. Its the kind of music you just can't help trying to sing along to, even if you don't know the lyrics.

Tracks:
1. The Cure for Pain
2. Southbound Train
3. Lord, Save Me From Myself
4. Equally Skilled
5. The Moon is a Magnet
6. My Love Goes Free

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Winter - I find this album is a stretch for Jon musically. Not in a bad way like a girl in club says "They tell me I look like Jessica Alba" and you think "That's a stretch". I mean he stretches beyond what he's used to. The third track, "Somebody's Baby", seems normal enough but in the lyrics you find the telling of God's love for even the lowliest of people you pass on the streets. Its about a homeless girl with a drug problem who is found dead and has to be identified by dental records. It tells us "the birth and the death were both over with no one to grieve" but the chorus sings out "She's somebody's baby, still". White as Snow is a cry out to God for forgiveness. Jon once said "For us, these songs are for everyone... ...Music has always opened my mind and that's what we want." in response to calling him a Christian artist. So although his faith is strong, you don't always see it in his music. I'm not one that thinks every song a Christian artist puts out needs to be a proclamation of faith, but its refreshing to see they don't shy away from it. The song has a very Oriental feel to it along with the final track, "In Love".

Tracks:
1. Learning How to Die
2. Behind Your Eyes
3. Somebody's Baby
4. White As Snow
5. I Am Still Running
6. In Love

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Spring - As you might expect, this album is more upbeat than the previous two albums with themes revolving around life and rebirthing. It aptly starts with the song "March" that had me thinking Belle and Sebastian right away and goes on to feature other tracks speaking of love and hope like "Love isn't Made" which he is joined in vocals by his wife, Emily, along with Chirstian artist Sarah Masen, who is his sister-in-law. The track "Your Love is Strong" ends with a great rendition of the Lord's Prayer. Fall and Spring are my two favorite seasons. Fall and Spring are also my two favorite EPs.

Tracks:
1. March (A Prelude to Spring)
2. Love Isn't Made
3. In My Arms
4. Baptize My Mind
5. Your Love Is Strong
6. Revenge

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Summer - Like Spring, this album keeps the songs a little more upbeat and a stays away from the somberness of Fall and Winter. The second track, "Resurrect Me" is almost a completely different feel than any of the other songs on any of the EPs with upbeat drum beats, electric guitars, and a fuller vocal sound. This is also the most reverant EP with tracks that make no doubt where Foreman's faith lies. "House of God, Forever" is basically a reprisal of the 23rd Psalm and the last track "Again" tells of God remaining as true today as he did yesterday and asks us to turn our hearts to Him.

Tracks:
1. A Mirror is Harder to Hold
2. Resurrect Me
3. Deep in Your Eyes (There is a River)
4. Instead of a Show
5. House of God, Forever
6. Again

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I'd definitely recommend downloading these 4 EPs (legally!) and have given all 4 the "David Wage Stamp of Approval"! If you're short on the cash, and just want to get the "best of" these CDs, Limbs and Branches is expected to release October 28th and will consist of a selection of fan-picked songs from the EPs, along with two new tracks. I took a look at the track listing and it pretty much catches all the best songs. But they're all great!

Tracks:
1. Your Love is Strong (Spring)
2. Behind Your Eyes (Winter)
3. The Cure for Pain (Fall)
4. Resurrect Me (Summer)
5. Southbound Train (Fall)
6. Broken From the Start (new song)
7. The House of God, Forever (Summer)
8. Instead of a Show (Summer)
9. A Mirror is Harder to Hold (Summer)
10. In My Arms (Spring)
11. Learning How to Die (Winter)
12. Over the River (new song)

The Ultimate How-to Guide

If you're like me, you're a real DIYSer. Why pay someone to do a job you're fully capable of doing yourself. Sometimes its simply because you don't have the knowhow. So what do you do if you need answers quick?

Or here's another situation: you're friend invites you to a party on the weekend where they are going to have the ultimate flip cup tournament and they're counting on you to bring your cards to the table. One problem; you don't have a clue to the rules of flip cup and you're too embarrassed and proud to ask.

I stumbled across this website today and it can solve both problems. Its called HowCast and its a giant collection of How-To's.

The site is broken down by category and covers virtually everything, some serious topics such as "How to Invest in the Stock Market" or "How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver", to crazy off the wall subjects such as "How to Kiss Like Angelina Jolie" or "How to Find Out a Girl's Name After You've Slept With Her".

Each video contains a list of things you'll need to get the job done, as well step by step instructions. It usually completes with a little Did You Know bit of relevant, yet needless information.

The Dark Knight Review

This week has been very busy and there is much to blog about, but honestly, you probably don't care much about my time helping out at a kids camp, or my weekend setting up craigslist appointments. You probably don't care as much about the amazing Pillar show I saw tonight that they did acoustic (the band's first acoustic show ever) as you do about the highlight of my week:

The Dark Knight

I was offered a pre-screening by a local theater, along with several other media people. And since today was a concert day and I was able to go in late, I decided to take advantage of it. I would have loved to have captured some snapshots or vid clips for you but this 80 year old security guard was on me like white on Jamie Kennedy before I could even finish reading a text message I originally pulled my phone out for. I told him I had to have it on for my job for the e-mails and they could check it before I left if they wanted to make sure I didn't record anything, but he still insisted I turn off my cell phone. (I had 24 new txt, emails, and VMs when I turned it on at the end of the movie by the way.)

So, seeing the previews has made me really excited for the release of this film, but I will admit I was a little nervous it wouldn't live up to expectations. First, let me start out by saying I saw it in an IMAX theater, which if you get the opportunity, its worth it. The movie was 2 1/2 hours and I wasn't bored for a second. The amazing performance Heath Ledger put on has not been overly built up either. He was simply outstanding. I was, however, a little less of a fan of Christian Bale in his second appearance as "the Bat". I think it was his voice while he portrayed the Batman. But this is my only negative comment.

Another surprise was by the villians in this movie. I don't feel the need to really place a spoiler alert here, however, if you really don't want to know anything about the movie, don't read on. In the previews, I saw the character of Harvey Dent, played byAaron Eckart, with the divided face. They don't actually show the other side, but you can see he has become his alter ego, Two-Face. And if you're a fan of Batman, which I was to the degree that I watched the cartoon when I was a kid (and as recently as last week) you know that former District Attourney, Harvey Dent, is burned in an accident and left complete scarred on one side of his face. My thought was they would develop the story line up to the point of the accident and allow him to be the featured villian in the next installment. He was more of a secondary villian though, and had his own story line, which climaxed to him fully embracing his villainous half.

I still haven't decided if I liked it better than Iron Man. There are pros and cons for both to me. It was nice having the fresh character of Tony Stark portrayed. Batman has been done. Again and again. And that turned out so well, they did it again and again and again. Don't get me wrong, Batman Begins was a great revival of the character, and saved the series, but we must not forget its predecessors and what happens when money takes over the love of the character (case in point, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze). Iron Man also set up the future Avengers movie that Marvel has made very apparent is coming, so I think my enjoyment of Iron Man may have been greater, but The Dark Knight was the better movie.

This movie get the DavidWage stamp of approval.

Well, if I continue to talk about the movie, I'm bound to start giving stuff away, so for the sake of not having to type "Spoiler Alert", I'll end my blog here.

Happy Independence Day!

So I've got the day off and my sister is out of town, so until tonight, I'll probably spend a majority of the day hanging out at the house. Those who know me know how much I love movies, so I thought I would share my love with you and give you a list of movies to watch to get you in to the spirit of Independence. I'm not much into film noir so some of the older movies that probably should be on this list (Yankee Doodle Dandy[1942], or Stars and Stripes Forever[1952]) won't be. If you have your favorite Independence Day movie, leave it in a comment!


The Sandlot[1993]

New to the neighborhood, Scotty Smalls seeks the friendship of a team of outcasts who meet at the local sandlot to play baseball every day. The team star, Benny Rodriguez teaches him how to play and Smalls becomes an integral part of the team, as well as part of this group of friends.

To me, this is one of those great American movies that everyone should see. I've come to love baseball over the last couple of years and the themes of the game, comradery, and responsibility make this a great movie. The standout scene for me, and the reason its on my 4th of July pick list, is the one that takes place on Independence Day. You hear a Ray Charles rendition of America the Beautiful playing over scenes of a neighborhood celebration and the kids playing baseball. The fireworks start and all the kids just forget all about the game and just stare up wide-eyed and mystified at the fireworks.


Rocky[1975]

Rocky Balboa, a second-rate boxer, is offered the opportunity to fight the world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed, for a shot at the title.

Why is this a Fourth of July pick? Well, the title-fight takes place in Philidelphia on the 4th. That and Apollo Creed's Uncle Sam outfit and American flag shorts. Rocky is a great underdog story that you also get to see two guys beat the crap out of each other.


National Treasure[2004]

Ben Gates has spent his whole life searching for a treasure that has been passed down through the centuries and hidden by our fore-fathers over 200 years ago. After also becoming a fugitive from the FBI, he puts his whole career and life on the line to find the treasure.

This movie makes a great pick because of the historical figures and locations about our nations history that are weaved in to the plot line. As a friend of mine said after living in DC for a few months, "I felt like I was living the National Treasure movie."


Independence Day[1996]

When aliens invade and are intent on destruction and domination, Captain Steven Hiller and scientist, David Levinson may be the only hope. After Hiller is able to bring one of the alien crafts down and Levinson is able to crack the alien countdown their knowledge may save the world and make the 4th of July and Independence Day for the world to share.

The title alone should make this movie holiday worthy. The countdown to the end of the world ends on July 4th so when they save the day and destroy the aliens (sorry if i spoiled it because I'm sure you didn't see that coming) Independence Day takes on a new meaning, and not just for the US, but for the whole world.


Thats all for my movie picks. Here's something to end this blog of freedom on. Thanks to joMAMA for pointing me in the direction of this video. God bless America.

Sites with long names are always the best

Thanks to Anna for this great site that has replaced menwholooklikekennyrogers.com as my favorite site. (Although still a great site)

thingsyoungerthanmccain.com. Did you have any idea there were so many things younger than McCain? I knew every other president in history was on that list. But Mount Rushmore? Yep, its younger. How about Plutonium? The freaking state of Alaska, has not been around as long as John McCain! Israel turns 60 this year. It’s a whole country. And it’s younger than the guy who wants to be in charge of ours! (Kenny Rogers by the way is also younger than John McCain).

Can't get enough of sites with long URLs? Try http://thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdomainnameatlonglast.com/

This may be my most pointless post :)