Fast is Fast...

Your move, Adidas.

Pass the Popcorn: Black Swan

Darren Aronofsky uses his raw style to deliver another gripping story of a damaged soul trying to cope with their demons. Black Swan starts off a little slow, but by the end, you are neck deep in psychosomatics and spinning camera movements.

It's uncomfortable, disturbing, and erotic. Natalie Portman's performance is not for the faint of heart and will, no doubt, give her a great opportunity to win the Oscar. If you're a fan of Requiem for a Dream and the Wrestler, you should see this movie.

Money for Nothing.

I heard Dire Straits' Money for Nothing today. That song is awesome. Seriously, I want my MTV; you don't get a better product placement than that. Remember when MTV was actually cool enough to write a song about - back when the video killed the radio star.Those were the days.

I'm surprised no body has written "Pandora murdered the VJ" yet. Music videos like we grew up watching are all but dead, and I blame MTV. Nowadays, MTV thrives off of horrible reality shows and God knows what else. They left the music by the wayside. It makes my heart cry a little.

Hi-Tec Low Temps

Trout Creek is a small Montana town at the southern tip of the Kootenai National Forest. It’s a stone’s throw from Idaho and a hop, skip, and a jump from Canada. Its relatively low elevation provides a wet climate that still sees freezing temperatures throughout the winter, which is why it was the perfect place to test out my new Hi-Tec Jackson Hole 400 boots and Black Jack Parka.

The Walk About:

My gear’s first task was the walk about - general use in snowy, wet conditions. The temperatures hovered around 30-degrees Fahrenheit while the sun rested behind thick clouds. I laced up my Jackson Hole boots over a pair of thin, wool-blend socks. The combination allowed me to be comfortable inside the house and hopefully, warm once I ventured out.

The Black Jack Parka’s 3K/3K Dri-Tec shell is waterproof and seam sealed, so I wasn’t worried about the wet snow that covered the ground. Its 100-gram Mycro-Tec insulation, however, gives the coat a thin feel, so my main concern was how it would handle the cold mountain temperatures.

Jackson Hole 400

The Boots: I trekked through the snow for several hours, stopping long enough for my body heat to stabilize and to give the Montana air a chance to penetrate my gear. Although the leather part of the Jackson Hole’s upper appeared wet, my feet stayed warm and dry. The 400-gram Thinsulate performed as advertised while the Thermo-Dri waterproof construction kept the moisture out.

What I noticed even more than the waterproofing was the comfort of the CMEVA midsole and siped rubber outsole. Unlike my old pair of Danners, I could feel substantial rebound and cushion in the CMEVA. I don’t know what a lengthy trial would deduce, but in the short term, I was very pleased with the boot’s comfort and responsiveness.

Black Jack Parka

The Parka: The Black Jack Parka provided a similar result. The Dri-Tec nylon shell blocked the wind gusts and repelled the water and snow that fell from the trees. While the coat has a thin feel, the Mycro-Tec insulation combined with a cotton sweater kept me plenty warm. And if I chose to forgo the layers, and the lightweight, waterproof construction should also perform well in the warmer, wetter climate of Portland, Oregon.

Day one’s results were good. While I didn’t push the product to the limits, I was pleased with how it performed in normal weather conditions. But I wanted to see more.

Ice Fishing:

My gear’s second task took me to a frozen inlet on the Clark Fork Reservoir for a day of hooking perch, trout, and pike. I knew ice fishing would create a unique challenge for the product since it involves packing gear into a location and then sitting for the rest of the day, exposed to the elements.

My boots handled the ice, water, and snow with ease.

The Boots: I wore a thicker wool blend sock to combat standing on a sheet of ice all day. I was a little worried that the thick socks would be too snug in the boot since the thin wool socks fit so well. Once again, I was pleasantly surprised. My feet were comfortable all day. The wicking properties of the wool combined with the Comfort-Tec sockliner kept my feet from feeling clammy during my hike into the lake while the insulation kept the warmth in as the hours ticked by.

4" - 6" of wet snow fell while we were on the lake.

The Parka: I wore a light cotton sweater under the Black Jack Parka so I wouldn’t overheat on the trip down to the lake. The parka had plenty of insulation to keep me warm while I trudged through the snow. After setting up and drilling some holes in the ice, I added a fleece layer under the parka to keep the cold out while I fished. The Black Jack Parka’s midweight design is light enough so layering isn’t cumbersome but warm enough to stand on its own in mild conditions.

After a couple of hours on the frozen lake, a wet, heavy snow began to fall. My Hi-Tec boots and parka didn’t disappoint, staying dry during the extended flurries. I have no doubts that Hi-Tec makes a product that can stand up to whatever the average outdoorsman can throw its way. It's a brand on rise and deserves a second look by anyone in the market for new gear.

Kevin Love Gets Creative

It's always hard making the All-Star team when you're from a small market. Just ask Monta Ellis. But Kevin Love is using a little humor the get his message across.

The Leatherman

A Portland staple. I've had my Leatherman for almost 20 years.

Pass the Popcorn: Dinner for Schmucks

The last 30 minutes of Dinner for Schmucks was good. The first hour and half was awful - the kind of awful that just makes you uncomfortable the entire time. Not worth it.

I want to create a magazine that combine GQ and Field and Stream. Basically, it shows you what's cool, not what's preppy. But moreover, it shows you cool stuff that won't drain your checking account. The last article I read in GQ tried to convince me that buying a $50 shirt was living on the cheap. My magazine will show you where to get that shirt for $25. Then it will tell you why it's good for dinner dates and for field dressing a deer.

Yeah, I want that magazine.

Outdoor Retailer

Outdoor Retailer was a great experience, but I never realized how many brands are trying to say the same thing. Currently, the outdoor industry is predicated on being green and taking the aspirational to the tenth degree. It's not a bad message, but it feels like they're talking to themselves instead of to 90% of their consumer base.

It may be because I come from rural America, but most people I know who actually live and play in the outdoors in the outdoors have other concerns. They want a product that works first, looks good second, and make them feel badass. I don't need a boot that can be recycled after it summits the Himalayas. But I do need something that will dominate Forest Park.

Liquid Mountaineering

Turning skeptics into believers. It's what I do.

Outdoor Retailer

Today I spent my first day at Outdoor Retailer. It was hectic, loud, and fun. All of the things a convention should be. I love hearing brands give their spiels and giving one of my own. Of course, the most enjoyable parts of the day are listening to the drunk-ass people at the hotel bar.

I just finished listening to some dude hit on every girl at the bar for an hour. Once he went to the bathroom, I actually felt compelled to tell the female bartender that if he was crossing the line, let me know, and I would gladly step in. That's how ridiculous this dude was being.

All in all, it was an interesting end to a busy day. And now it's time to hit the rack and recoup for tomorrow.

Pass the Popcorn: The Social Network

The Social Network was a good movie. The acting was solid, David Fincher always shines as a director, and the story is timely. But I can't get over how many awards it won. It's good, just not "Best Picture" good.

I'm not 100% sure what I have against it. The only thing I can really put my finger on is the that 3/4 of the way through, I found myself intrigued but bored. The scenes were still strong, but for some reason, I just wanted to get to the end.

So yes, I recommend the movie, just don't vote for it.

Polaris 800 Rush Pro-R

I don't live in a place conducive for sleds, but if I did, this would be on the top of my list. This machine is sweet.

Work Stuff

We got a ton of B-roll footage during some recent athlete photo shoots. This is one of the digital spots that came from it.

Mind Your Music: Sufjan Stevens

I stumbled across the Sufjan Stevens album All Delighted People awhile back, but never really started listening to it until this weekend. It's interesting. It definitely falls into the melancholic indie genre with a aural compass that bounces from folk to symphonic to classic rock. Well at least in the songs I've heard so far. If that's your thing, check him out.

Man Scarf

The silk scarf is a modern day enigma. It's one of the few items that drives fashion but is also a staple for hardcore cowboys. But don't tell a rancher his scarf looks dainty. He's likely to whip you... literally, with a whip.

I remember growing up in Montana; my grandpa, who was as hardcore as they get, would wear a rolled up silk scarf everyday as he was herding cattle and drinking whiskey and such. It always looked badass. My dad, who's a lineman for the power company, continued to tradition.

A rolled up silk scarf provides the perfect amount of warmth around the neck without being too cumbersome. It's great for many different activities in the cold. I still prefer to think of them as being more functional than stylish.

To Come...

I don't have time right now, but I'm excited to write a blog on why I don't like reading. I also want to write a blog on why I am so cool. Finally, I was going to post a pic of a classic-looking dude watch that caught my eye. It has a sturdy, understated nylon band and a simple face. But Donnie beat me to it. You suck, Donnie.

Who's Fake Now?

I just read a review where a guy calls Celtic's guard Marquis Daniels fake and asks "why [he's] rapping about the trap when [he has] mansions and a personal accountant???"

First of all, I'm really glad he used three question marks because I wasn't sure he was asking a real question until I saw the other two question marks. I guess that means he really, really, really wants to know the answer.

Secondly, a rich NBA star rapping about the thug life isn't any different than Jay Z or Lil Wayne rapping about it. Is he telling me they aren't rich??? (I like this question mark thing) Money doesn't dictate story telling. And having money now doesn't mean you've always had it.

And thirdly, I didn't realize a person was only allowed to have one money-making talent (I want to take a moment to say that I've never heard Marquis rap. He could very well suck). Actors become models, athletes become actors, and rappers have guest appearances on ESPN's First Take. Just because we all aren't privy to the life, doesn't mean it's wrong to try to branch out.

I really don't mind when people talk out their asses. Heck, I do it all of the time. But if you're going to say something stupid, you need to accept the fact that someone is going to call you out on it.

I just hope this dude doesn't think that every entertainer has experienced the things they talked or sing about. Steven Spielberg writes movies about aliens and he's never come in contact with them, Eminem sings about killing his mom but she's still alive, and don't even get me started on "My grandma got ran over by a reindeer."

Don't mind if I don't

GQ thinks I should buy a flask just in case I get stuck in a mosh pit or something. I don't necessarily disagree with the theory, but I already have a flask. In fact, I have two or three. Flasks are the go-to gift you get when the giver has no idea what else to get you.

Unfortunately, I can't remember the last time I used it. The problem with a flask is that it always seems cooler than it actually is. They're hard to pour into, drink out of, and don't hold a lot liquor. So they end up sitting in the cupboard for years on end. Of course, I also might be just too boring to need one. Nah...