R.I.P.

New Duck Uniforms

You can't go wrong with matte black.

Listening to and Liking:

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

The Exploding Whale

Duh

Sometimes, I think people ask questions just because they want to be lied to. They know the answer. They may not like it, but they know it. So what do they do? They ask anyway. Don't get me wrong, I prefer to be as honest as possible, so in most cases I let my silence lie for me. But every once in awhile, self preservation kicks in, and I open my mouth and lie.

Such is life, my friends. Truth only lives in actions, not words. And the sooner people understand that, the sooner they will stop lying to themselves, as well.

Watch the Throne

Kanye West is alright and Jay Z obviously holds his own. But when they sample and collaborate together, they're damn good. Check out their project Watch the Throne.

The Head and the Heart

I would like to be there for this one. The Head and the Heart having growing on me over the last couple weeks. Good stuff.

Under Armour Charge RC

 

I could see this design taking off. I've haven't looked into, so I don't know if they're pushing the Charge as a trainer, runner, or a recovery shoe,  but it's got an interesting look. I would love to slip on a pair to see how it performs. Check it out here.

Fandom

My buddy asked me if I was excited that the 49ers finally got a "big name" receiver. I said that I was about as excited as I would be about getting my driver's license without owning a car.

I love that the 49ers finally have a name to throw to, but unless Alex Smith figures out how to be successful in the NFL, it won't matter.

Vintage-Style DC

Listening to and Liking: The Head and the Heart

Portland Style or lack there of.

All I ever see in Portland are dudes wearing tight jean shorts rolled up at the knee. When did guys decide it was okay to start dressing like chicks?

I'll be the first to admit that I don't have the best style. But I would rather have no style than awful style. Call it what you want call, but the sissy hipster look has got to go. It's time for men to start acting like men again.

Battleship the movie?????

I guess you can basically create any story you want about ships shooting at each other and call it Battleship. But the question still begs to be asked, do we really need a big-budget movie based off of a game that has literally requires no strategy? I think not.

My prediction: The movie is as boring as the game.

Demetri Martin = Funny

I'm surprised it took me this long to stumble across this cat. He's good at what he does, and he inspires me to make charts.

Olympus XZ-1

I want this camera. Why? I will tell you. I want to take professional looking pictures and video, but I don't want to deal with something big and bulky. I want my wife to be able to use it without being confused about lenses and complicated setting. I want to be able to control the aperture and F-stop. Unfortunately, I don't want to pay $500 bucks for a camera right now. But maybe someday I will. And when I do, I will look for this one.

Pressure Check

Japan flipped the script on the U.S. to take the World Cup Finals. It felt very similar to the U.S. vs Brazil game, only this time, the U.S. was on the receiving end. You have to feel good for Japan and their story. But you can't help but know that the U.S. team missed a giant opportunity.

It's hard to keep the momentum after so many botched first half goals. The ladies still put on a good show. And according to my wife, had way better uniforms.

Young the Giant

Good find D to the K to the J. This is a great track.

The Cave Singers: Summer Light

Saw them live last week. The music was good but the show would have been better in a smaller venue.

Friendship Bracelets

GQ is trying to convince me that dudes should be trying to pull off the wristband thing. I'm not buying it, especially when half of their top picks cost over $100... for a wristband! No thanks.Watches? Yes. Braided fabric? No.

America!

Nothing beats the 4th of July in small town. When you're in the city, it can often feel like an obligation. But in the country, it always feels a little more genuine.

Obsurd Signs

Straight from HappyPlace.com, here are signs for stupid people, made by stupid people. Who know how many of them are actually real. Furthermore, who really cares? They're funny. Click on the link to read them all.

Portland Brew

Last night the news said that Portland is now the #1 city for microbrews. I know that will cause a lot of grumblings in other parts of the country. My brother still tries to convince me that Denver brew is better. I'm not sold on that statement, though.

Regardless of where the #1 ranking comes from, I think it's pretty spot on. The best part about the Portland microbrew scene is that there's such a large variance of product to choose from. We've got regional competitors and local heroes, lights and darks, organics and sours. From Henry's to the Widmer Bros, there's something to drink for everyone in Portland.

Pass the Popcorn: Battle Los Angeles

The human race is battling alien attackers, yet again, in Battle Los Angeles. This action epic comes with the standard doomsday plot lines - John Wayne hero, civilian counterparts, and the "how do we spot these guys" dialogue.

Overall, it worked for me. The action was good and the effects held up. It was a little stop-and-go during the second act, but it kept me engaged on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Aaron Eckhart even tried on his best Batman voice. If you're looking for some good popcorn fun, give it a go.

Life's a Beach

Even when it's raining.

Pass the Popcorn: The Next Three Days

I'll remember it for about the next three minutes. This one isn't really worth your time.

Listening to and Liking: The Civil Wars

V-Lite Infinity HPi

I scored some Hi-Tec V-Lite Infinity HPi trail runners today. I'm gonna tear up the Portland Warrior Dash in them this fall.

Nike: Chosen

I like the creative execution, but I really don't like the name of the campaign. Chosen just doesn't fit.

Talking Funny

Comedians Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Ricky Gervais, and Louis CK have a round table discussion about their craft in HBO's Talking Funny. This was a really enjoyable show that provided great insights on the differences between comedians and what makes a joke funny.

Listening to and Liking: The Cave Singers

Cowboy Up

Listening to and Liking: Typhoon

Tree of Life Trailer

This movie will either be epic or aweful. I'm hoping for the former.

Pass the Popcorn: Movie Roudup

The King's Speech: This was a good movie comprised of great acting and a good script. My only knock (spoiler alert) is that the whole movie builds up to the King giving a slow, emotionless speech over the radio - yeah, that's the spoiler... That's it. I know King George VI made great progress as far as linguistics are concerned, but I wanted a more climatic conclusion. I really don't think it should have won the Best Picture Oscar.That being said, it's still a good movie that sheds some light on a part of history most people don't know about.

The Mechanic: Jason Stathom runs around and kills a lot of people. Then he feels obligated to teach someone else how to do the same thing. Will it backfire? Probably. If you go into a movie like The Mechanic expecting cinematic brilliance, it's your own fault. But if you're looking for a decent action movie to kill (pun intended) some time, then it will do the trick. There's nothing special here, but nothing too offensive either.

No Strings Attached: Ah yes, what will happen when two people try to have a meaningless relationship based solely on sex? Chances are someone is going to fall in love. The plot of No Strings Attached is definitely a retread, but the execution works for me. Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher have good chemistry and comedic timing, and the jokes are funny enough to keep the story moving along. I actually enjoyed this one.

Pass the Popcorn: Somewhere

Sofia Coppola tries to recreate the magic she captured in Lost in Translation with the introspective Somewhere. Unfortunately, it falls short.

The movie bills itself as being about a hard-living Hollywood actor who re-examines his life after his 11-year-old daughter surprises him with a visit. In reality, that plot line doesn't come along until you're well into act two, which wouldn't have bothered me if it was replaced with more meaningful material. But it wasn't.

I think there was a lot left on the table with this one. Coppola delves back into her nearly dialogue-less scripts that tend to linger far too long on scenes that don't carry enough weight. For example, there was a 5-minute long scene where Stephen Dorff (the father) watches Elle Fanning (the daughter) ice skate. One minute would have had the same affect.

I understand what she's trying to accomplish by looking for meaning in the mundane, but that's a technique that's hard to perfect. And when it's not done right, all you get is the mundane. Wes Anderson has stronger knack for nailing this type of film making. Of course, he also uses a lot more dialogue to do so.

All in all, Somewhere wasn't a bad movie; it just felt incomplete - something the metaphorical ending didn't help. I really wish she would have made the movie that was advertised. Moreover, I wish she would trust her dialogue and write stronger scenes the actors can own.

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but that doesn't mean it's better.

Sneakerpedia

Foot Locker launched Sneakerpedia to give fans a global platform to share their kicks. It's a wiki-based platform that seems to be picture driven. We'll see how long it takes for the footwear industry to infiltrate the ranks flood the wiki with their product.

Blitz Ladd

The Blitz Ladd sports bar is just down the road from my office, so I go there for lunch on occasion. I love all the games they have available - pool, darts, ping pong, hot shot basketball, air hockey, shuffle board, etc. They also have a decent menu and tap selection.

If they could only increase the level  of service, I would be sold. Until then, I will still only go there on occasion.

VROOM!

My midlife crisis is going to happen on a Harley.

Personal Dissappointment

An office NHL Playoff Pool has turned me into a semi-quasi hockey fan, and I'm not okay with that. I drew the Canucks and Lightning and have been riding the wave ever since. I've even watched several periods of play.

I'm not sure what's going to come of this, but it can't be good. All I know is that the Red Wings are going down (sorry Ken). Go Canucks!

Heroes

My two heroes just so happen to be TV characters. First is Ron Swanson from NBC's Parks and Recreation. Second is Dan Stark from the cancelled Fox show The Good Guys. If I were the combination of the two, I would be awesome. Seriously Awesome.

Good Tunes: Blind Pilot

Happy Endings = Good

Not the dirty kind. Get your mind out of the gutter. It's a new comedy on ABC and it's good.

Good Article

This is a great article describing the ethics behind the bin Laden assassination.

This anchor will have a hard time living this down.

Death of a Salesman

Osama bin Laden is nothing more than a seller of extremist ideals. And today, he is no more. I'm sure the blog world is erupting with Osama posts, so I won't take too much of your time with additional ramblings.

But today is a good day for the U.S. Yes, Osama's terrorist cells will function without him. But this is more of a psychological victory for the U.S. than a tactical one. We've removed the boogie man from under the bed. And on some scale we've righted a wrong - even if it was long overdue.

It's not too often I find it appropriate to celebrate death, but I have no problem with those who are dancing in the streets. I have no problem with those who have lost love ones at the hands of Osama rejoicing in his death. I have no problem with justice being served to bad people who do bad things and spread nothing but hate.

I pray for our troops. I pray for our country. I pray for all of those who believe in freedom. And I support those willing to protect it.

Stupid People Suck

There's nothing worse than an ignorant person trying to prove a point. This morning on 95.5 The Game (sports radio), the host Chad Doing said that he didn't like rap or Hip Hop music. It's just not his thing. Some moron proceeds to call in and say that Chad is a racist. Really? Just because he doesn't like rap music.

Fortunately Chad didn't miss a beat. He listed off about ten Motown artists from the 70s that he loves, all of which are black. The caller, in his infinite wisdom, refused to back down. At this point, Chad asked him if he liked country music. The caller said no. Of course, Chad followed that up with, "So that means you must hate white people."

After some more stammering and ill-conceived statements, the caller decided to finish making his point by saying that basketball is a black person sport, you need thugs on your team in order to win a championship, and then hung up.

While it was entertaining, it's hard not to feel bad for someone who is looking so hard for the hate. He must be living a pretty miserable life.

Bed Mart's Lack of Creativity

I don't expect a lot out of local commercials, but I can't stand Bed Mart's new Be Bed Smart ads. They make me want to rip out my brain and throw it at the TV every time they come on. At least the mattress nightmares had some semblance of creativity.

B Roy and the Blazers

It's great that the Blazers won in a must win situation. I think they got the same home court calls that the Mavs got in game one, and there's nothing wrong with that.

B Roy had a big game, but I still don't think he's a game changer anymore. Portland, in all it's fickleness, is conveniently singing a different tune this morning. Don't get me wrong; Roy still has a good shot and can kind of get to rim; he just doesn't do it in a max contract way.

Here's hoping the Blazers can grab another win at home and head back to Dallas with a clean slate. And as far as Roy is concerned, I just hope he keeps ballin'. I would love for him to prove my skepticism wrong. But more than that, I just hope he can continue to contribute.

This is pretty cool.

I hate the rain...

That pretty much sums it up. I'm sick and tired of the rain. When people say that it's not that bad, I want to punch them in the face. It is that bad.

Best Video Advertisement

This won Ad Age's award for Best Video Advertisement. It's more of a short film. It's really well done.

Wheat Thins Stix Commercial

I'm sure this one will be overplayed soon, but for now it's still funny.

Outdoor Industry Gets Funnier

Quote From My Day

"Should we schedule a meeting to talk about our next meeting?"

Pass the Popcorn: Cyrus

So this dude who's kind of a loser falls for a chick who has a kid with mommy issues. Oh yeah, the kid is 21+ years old. That's basically the plot of Cyrus.

Cyrus is the epitome of the indie film. The actors all do a great job and there are some really interesting scenes, but the movie can't quite get off the ground.

I liked it but can't quite bring myself to recommend it.

Pass the Popcorn: The Tourist

An American tourist visiting Italy is singled out by a mysterious woman. Sounds interesting. To bad it wasn't. Everybody called this one in - the writer, the director, and the actors.

There was one cool shot in the entire movie. Besides that, I'm pretty sure the studio was trying to bore the audience into submission. I can't believe it was nominated for a Golden Globe.

How Many Sleeps?

My daughter doesn't quite get the idea that "days" are how we keep track of time. She prefers to track time with how many "sleeps" it has been.

For instance, if I told her we were going to see her friends tomorrow, she would have no problem saying "next year" or "next week" instead of tomorrow. But if I told her that in one sleep, we will be going to see her friends, she would know that we are leaving tomorrow. Go figure.

Pear Blossom

In my infinite wisdom, I have decided to run the Pear Blossom 5k this weekend with my wife. In my earlier years, I would scoffed at the idea of this being a challenge. But since my knees went to shit on me, running has become part of the past.

Regardless, I dusted off the old running shoes last night and ran a mile... one solitary mile to see how I would feel. My body got angry at me. I was way more tired than I had expected to be, and my knee is already little sore today.

So there it is. This is what I've become - a whiner, a complainer, a man full of excuses. My plan now revolves around ibuprofen, ice, and pure stubbornness. I will run one more mile tonight just to give my lungs a shock and then wait till Saturday.

Everything in me is saying that I should take it easy and run at my wife's pace - finish the race and get on with my life. But I will not. This weekend has become my Little Big Horn but it will not be my last stand.

The Decemberists: The King is Dead

I'm digging the new Decemberists album - The King is Dead. It's got a little more of a folk hit than their last disc.

Situation Under Control

A Comcast representative read my blog post, which didn't speak too kindly of the company and how felt I was being treated. They contacted me and rectified the situation. Thank you, Comcast. I appreciate it.

Now that's the power of social media.

Sucker Punch - Probably for Suckers.

I'm intrigued by Sucker Punch on two levels. First, the graphic elements look like they have promise. Of course, I thought the same thing about Max Payne. Granted, Payne was cool to look at, but the movie sucked. The same thing might happen here.

Secondly, when you have this many hot chicks running around with guns, it really should be rated R. I'm mean seriously, it screams, "show me some skin." And for that reason alone, I will probably skip it.

Comcast Sucks

I finally gave Comcast the finger. After 3 years of paying way too much for crappy cable, I quit Comcast.

All I wanted to do was downgrade my service because I was sick of my OnDemand not working. But when I called Comcast, they told me that they wouldn't downgrade my service without charging me $150 for breaking my contract. Really?

So instead of holding on to me as a customer, which would have equated to roughly $90 a month for the next two years ($2,160), they decided they would rather have $150 once. Good business decision, Comcast.

The best part is that the lady on the phone tried to tell me that the $150 they were charging me for HD TV, Internet, and phone (which no one uses) was a very competitive price. News flash, Comcast; I am now getting more HD channels with DirectTV and Internet for under $80 a month.

I can't remember the last time I was ever so dissatisfied with a company. The worst part is that if they would have simply let me downgrade my service, I wouldn't have looked for another provider. Instead, I switched and will save that $150 the contract fee cost me in the fist two months.

Thanks for nothing Comcast.

The me that I am not

I think I'm gonna act like a rockstar for a little while - wear dirty clothes, not comb my hair, and grow a half beard. I'm gonna act like I don't care just enough that when I do care it will seem super special and sh#*. See, I'm already doing it.

I'm gonna wear sunglasses on cloudy days and carry a helmet even if I'm not riding a motorcycle. I'm not going to sleep around, but if you saw me on the street, you'd be like, "that dude is totally bangin' chicks."

I'll have a personal soundtrack that plays in my head 24/7 - 7/52. It will be sexier than Saturday Night Fever, more real than Boogie Nights, and as badass as any Bond movie you've ever seen.

I will be the epitome of me - the person I was never cool enough to become. Yep, that's my plan for this week. It's gonna rock.

The Cold Hard Truth.

I was supposed to get a raise for staying in Portland. Instead I got rain... So I guess the question is how do I turn water into wealth. Hmmmmmm.

Upon second thought, I don't think there is even a question; only an answer. God is punishing me for my decision and the entire city is merely collateral damage. Sorry, PDX.

Charlie Sheen - Winning

Charlie Sheen is already old news, but these kids do a good job making great songs every time a weirdo speaks.

The Letdown

Duke killed me again. I've picked them to win the NCAA Tournament 2 out of the last 3 years. I bet you can't guess which year I didn't pick them to win. Ding, ding, ding. Your right; last year. I now consider myself the ultimate jinx.

It's been awhile since I've seen a team completely fall apart in the second half like that. I'm not taking anything away from Arizona. They played lights out. But Duke surprised me. For a team that's coached so well, they actually looked like the game was bigger than them.

Oh well, there's always next year.

A Man's City Truck

I was in need of some new wheels, but since I work in the city, I couldn't go too Montanan. So I settled for a Chevy Colorado - the little big truck. It's supposed to get 20 mpg but still have some get up and go. We shall see.

Chad Johnson and the MLS

The Bengals' Chad Johnson (Ochocinco) is trying out for a professional soccer team. I think it's hilarious how a lot of professional athletes assume they can cut it in another professional sport just because they played in high school.

I have no doubts that Chad is better than your average soccer player, but these guys play the sport for a living. No matter how good he was at 18, I have hard time believing he can simply pick it back up on the professional level.

Of course, with the NFL lockout, it never hurts to start looking for other means of getting paid.

Pass the Popcorn: 127 Hours

This is the true story of a backpacker who gets pinned behind a boulder in Utah while hiking. After 127 hours, (Spoiler Alert) he cuts his arm off to escape. And if you didn't know that already, you've probably also been living under a rock.

James Franco does a great job portraying the various stages of delirium a person would go through in that situation. The move does a good job setting the scene and doesn't stray too far from the truth. If you like the movie, then I recommend searching out the 2-hour Dateline special that aired a month ago. It's just as gripping.

New Puma Ads = Good

Proof that money is the root of all evil

Kim Kardashian just made released an album. So far in life, she has proven that she can't act and can't sing. I'm still wondering what she can do. Oh, to have a trust fund.

If the Oscar movie posters told the truth...

Here are movie posters for the 10 Oscar nominated films displaying titles that don't beat around the bush. Click here to see the rest

.

Oscar Party Glory

Move over, Los Angeles Lakers. I'm the new back-to-back champion of the world...for Oscar picks. I took home the trophy (at my yearly Oscar party) last night with 19 correct selections - my best performance to date.

Oddly, I did zero research this year. I usually see what all of the experts have to say, and it just screws me up. This time, I watched most of the movies, made some gut picks, and called it a day.

Boom! This is both the proudest and most pathetic I've felt in awhile.

The Hangover 2 - Teaser

As far as trailers are concerned, it's a little disappointing. It shows both too much and too little at the same time. Make up your mind, trailer editor.

Bachelor Weekend

I'm heading out of town for my first Bachelor Party weekend experience. It's not in Sin City. It's in Lincoln City. That's when you know you and your friends are getting older. The venues for your debauchery start reflecting the level of debauchery that probably won't be taking place.

And while my craziest days are far behind me, I fear most of my friends can't make that claim. I don't know if I have it in me to keep up with them. Moreover, I don't know if I want to even try.

Regardless, it should be fun. I would love to say that there will be pics coming, but I don't that would be a good idea.

Major Flub

It hasn't been determined whether or not Serene Branson had a stroke or just a meltdown. Regardless, I will think it's funny until it's proven medical.

Pass the Popcorn

Repo Men - Jude Law and Forest Whitaker are the repo men of the future. But instead of reclaiming your car for late payments, they will cut out the artificial organs keeping you alive. This movie largely sucked. I did love the ending, even though it, too, could have been stronger. It's not worth the time invested, unless you like graphic violence, a thin plot, and characters who don't actually go through a complete emotional transformation.

The American - George Clooney eludes me. I would say he's a good actor, but it seems like he only plays himself. The American follows an assassin as he hides out before doing one last job. His secluded surroundings are supposed to trigger some philosophical change inside him. Instead, there's just a lot of quiet retrospective scenes. The acting is good but nothing really happens. The only thing I took from the movie is that Violante Placido has near perfect breasts.


HBO's Reagan - This was a great look at one of the country's most beloved presidents. I like it's impartial take on what made Reagan both a good and bad president. It left me wanting to learn more. It also solidified my thoughts on what the president is...a person; someone who has to make difficult and trying decisions. Some of them work and some don't. And the best we can hope for is that he's making them with our nation's best interest at heart.

Aweful

I don't know if there's ever been a more depressing team in sports than the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Lions were close a couple of years ago. But really, the Cavs were on top of the food chain when they had LeBron. They didn't win it all, but they consistently won 60+ games a year. They sold out arenas. People took notice. Now, they are breaking the record for the most consecutive losses every time they get on the court.

Not only does this make the case that LeBron was the ultimate MVP, but it goes to show how much that city needed him. Don't get me wrong, I don't like the man. But when a team literally goes from consistently first (more or less) to the worst of the worst, you can't help but reason why.

What makes it even more depressing is that they tried to keep him. They tried to make their team better. They tried to sign more talent. They tried not to suck. But he left and they do. If I were a Cleveland fan, I would be bitter. I don't know if I've ever seen a collapse of this magnitude from one season to the next. Sure, the Blazers lost Oden before he had time to shine, but at least the fans didn't get a taste of the nectar before the flower died.

Full Circle

There are moments in life that determine who we will become. Moreover, there are moments that solidfiy what we will never be. Sometimes, they are one in the same.

Commercial Art

Like the rest of the blog-o-sphere I, too, have an opinion on this year's crop of Super Bowl Ads. I will keep my thoughts short and sweet.

Winners:
VW: Both the Darth Vader spot and the new Beetle spot were great. The Darth ad was cute, inexpensive to make, and shows that a grand idea doesn't always need a grand budget. The Beetle ad was fast, fun, and a great teaser at what's to come for the car brand.





Chrysler: While the Imported from Detroit ad was emotional and epic, I can't help but feel like most people aren't going to remember it as Chrysler's. But the execution was strong enough to earn top marks in my mind.



Runner Up - Groupon for making fun of Tibet. But they should have said, "Tibet isn't free. Either is their food. But with Groupon I can at least get it for half price." 

Losers:
Doritos: Despite some funny ideas, I really think Doritos fell short on all of its spots. Either the production value lacked or the jokes were too thin to really make them epic enough for the Super Bowl. Yes, the dude sucking his co-worker's thumb caught me off guard, but I was completely let down by the follow-up pant smelling gag. And the pug jumping through the door could have been 25 seconds shorter.

Sketchers: Could an ad try any harder to be sexual without hitting the mark. Kim Kardashian's monotone delivery completely negated her sexiness. Some people shouldn't have lines, plain and simple. Fortunately for her, she can share the blame with the lifeless script.

Dream Death Match

I had a dream last night that I got in a knife fight, and there was no defense to be had. Me and this dude stabbed each other like 100 times. It hurt. Then I woke up.

Coming in Second?

Who doesn't love winning? I'll tell ya who, those who don't. No one loves a dynasty, a know-it-all, a cold-stone winner. It puts a target on your back. It labels you. It traps you in an ivory tower. I like winning as much as the next guy, but I'm slowly learning the art of losing.

Don't get me wrong; I can't win whenever I want to. But that's not the trick. The trick is winning only when you want to. You see, there's a simple beauty in the hustle. If they're always suprised when you come out on top, you've got 'em. Because you determine the emotional investment.

It's maintaining the balance that's hard.

Tsovet SVT-FW44 Field Watch

This watch is sweet. It has a classic appeal that's both manly and sleek. It's an accessory that will stand out in your Agency's war room or, quite literally, the war room. Boom! have some.

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.