The New Drugs of Choice

Funny how some things change from the 1st time around in university...

You Can't Break the Ice

Normally I am not into corporate endorsement but I believe there is a company (and fabric) worthy of a little free press on the blog that is changing both the nation and consumer habits each day--yeah that blog is mine.

My love affair with Icebreaker (IB) began two years ago when I was introduced to it in New Zealand by my friend Dee. Her wardrobe boasts more than a moderate amount of the stuff and she spoke convincingly about its versatility and durability.

So I bought a couple of pieces which were worn pretty much every day after that on my NZ journey. In the rain, the shine, the mist. On the bike trials, the hiking trails, the wine country trails, and the harsh extremes of air travel (running, sweating to catch planes, freezing air con--you know, those extremes).

I was impressed also by photos that another Kiwi friend showed me of her visit to a merino farm. She clandestinely snuck in a camera an snapped some pics of the conditions the sheep were kept in. Aside from the fact that they are under very tight 24h security (the little critters are worth more $$ each than my house) they are the most pampered little Bovidae's around. A cute little coat was on the little lamb I saw, the floors impeccable, stalls immaculate. Only fine dining, climate control, and real hardwood will do. Cannot stress the lads or the wool just ain't so fine apparently. So, I was glad to see I wasn't supporting an E-vil empire. I do enough of that already. But I digress...


Anyway, free endorsements from famous uber-overachievers is not uncommon to IB.

Initially it was the world famous yachtsman Sir Peter Blake who wore a prototype Icebreaker when he set a new world circumnavigation yachting record. Now folks like myself living in other hemispheres can talk about how it holds up in the harshest, most challenging, ever-changing, unpredictable, hostile and demanding lifestyles.

Thats right.

Student life.





As pictured you can see it doesn't balk when I have to climb up on a counter top.

It gets pushed to the limits when I am unloading the dishwasher but it pulls though.

It keeps me cool in the heat of the plates and glasses but doesn't give me a chill when I sit back later to play nintendo.

If I am hitting the books hard it provides excellent wicking that pulls the nervous "how-am-I-ever- going- to- learn- rotational- kinematics -before-the-midterm?" sweat away and keeps me dry.



So even though I may not be tramping along the Nelson Lakes peaks, or rolling down a gentle slope while trying to put on my skis, you can see how IB gear was an essential purchase I dipped into my line of credit for.

So I make this post in honor of Dee. Who introduced me to IB, and who kindly just sent me a very generous package of the good stuff right from the source (you can see one of the items she sent me in the pics---the other was in the wash as I hadn't taken it off since it arrived).

So a (seriously) huge thanks to you, Dee, for your time, efforts, and cash, and keeping me in IB.

Thanks-Given

I know that it is a cliche to talk about the things we are thankful for at Thanksgiving but lets just take a step away from the usual cynicism and be real.
Too many people on this planet have no access to clean water, no adequate health care, no safe place to sleep, and no loved ones around them.

Really, here in the Valley I think we are pretty high up on the Maslow end of things, if I do say so myself. So a current list of things that I am thankful for--no tongue in cheek allowed:

-the wonderful family that I cherish, and actually like! They're all interesting, successfull funny people that I genuinely enjoy hanging out with.

-fabulous partner

-adventurous friends that span the ages and miles around the world; generous gardeners, wicked musicians, wise mentors, talented chefs, and chronic over-achievers. Happy that they are willing to include me in their fold.

I am thankful also for this beautiful countryside I stare at each day, from the rolling hills, burnt trees, railroad tracks, mist on the lake, to the vineyards, snow dusted mountains and orange falling leaves.

For this thanksgiving I went to visit my mom and siblings in Red Deer Alberta and saw family tall and small, ate delicious food, watched Luc (my Godson/nephew) play football, saw some hunting videos and chick flicks, waited in line for homemade ice cream, slept in little Rachie's bed (my niece) and felt utterly at home and happy.

Included are some pics of the latest member of the brood, Gionna being bathed by my brother Russ (her daddy). Gionna and I sporting our Jerry curls, Luc playing football. Thought I'd also add a small sample of people in this neck of the woods that make me smile on a regular basis (again I stress small sample).

Though the Thanksgiving trip may not have been wise regarding the looming physics midterm that I subsequently bombed, I figured my priorities for the weekend were perfectly in order. My mom always tells me that we divide our time doing mostly urgent unimportant things when we should really be devoting our time to non-urgent important things.

And really, I think in a lifetime watching a juvie football game in the crisp fall air with my mom on one side and my sister on the other will serve me much better than knowing how to solve a kinematics question.