rungo

This is probably more than a bit of age on my Paraboot Avoriaz.

This is immediately post cleaning following the West Coast trail. Hiked the WCT in May, and as it turns out, these boots are not just for show, they will get the job done. 7 full days, not a single blister, soaked feet and boots for...well, 7 full days, but that's not fault of the boots, stepping knee deep in water on a fairly frequent schedule will have that effect.

And here they are in action.

Seem to have lost the post cleaning treatment pics, and some pics of my boots on the Sentinel pass hike, but they are still going strong.

Those are looking good, but also look like they could use some Obenaufs or the like.

I want to think that shit has really gone off the rails in the last while, based on my school vs. the real world experience.

"School was always more fun". Heard it dozens of times, but it has never rang true for me, I guess time will tell though. I ground out my years in university, U of A in Canada, which based on my international experiences in the UK and US, is way more work for less gain (at least in terms of access to things like professional programs). In my years of a science degree I learned that scientific Academics are not to be trusted, and they have a total lack of understanding for 'real world' accountability.

When working for the academic community, paychecks did not come on time, working conditions were sub standard, and there was no understanding that you were a valuable employee and not capable of being replaced a moments notice (even though the job required a degree to do, and I had project specific knowledge. Compare this to my real world experience of having hard work lead to progress, having paycheques some on time and in full, and getting some reasonable treatment while low ranking. The defining moment for me was when I was in an elevator with some pHD students, and I was griping about how my paycheque was going to be two weeks late because I was working in the field during the period for hours submission, and therefore incapable of doing it myself. His response was "welcome to the real world". I tore into him for that one, covering the basics that in this magical 'real world' pay comes on time, employers have responsibilities to their employees, and something to the extent of "fuck scientists, I'm going into construction"

I work in construction now, where hard work begets progress, progress is appreciated, and it feels good to put in a hard days work. I also appreciate the lower hours, improved pay and reduced workload.

Nothing corny about that.

Look again...I think I see a sunscreen phallus outline on the back. I'd say that qualifies it as corn.

Payment sent.

Thanks for doing this.

Proper knife, absolute necessity. Fire making knowledge.

The hat will still be a classic. Definitely down.

How does that not melt them?

I just use rubbing alcohol. It sterilizes and picks up dirt and dries quick.

If they're silicone they aren't going to melt at 100C, think about how much heat silicone cooking utensils can take. (its basically the same stuff, so the melting point doesn't differ a whole lot)

Just get some beeswax and a horse hair shoe brush, rub a little wax on, buff with shoe brush. Or to be honest, just hit it with the shoe brush if you want to even it out again.

...

Picked this up yesterday as well. I am interested to see how the colour will change over time. At $19 plus 20% how could I not =)

Should have waited, I got the same shirt at $9+30%. In CAD too, we usually get hosed by the exchange.

My Lotus Veldtschoen had nearly a fornight camping. These are, as they claim, waterproof, everyone else was wearing wellies but these came thru fine. After maybe 8 or 9 days of tramping thru wet grass, the outside had turned dull, when some water had soaked in, but they were dry as a bone.

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/1676/lotusbefore.jpg[/MG]

I am now a Laces Geek. those are the original, two of the aglets (sp?) came off in the damp, so I need to work out how to make some new ones using glue, stickytape and paint (I'll add them to me to-do pile, with the broken espresso machines and the nipper's toy tanks).

New, temporary laces (I couldn't find green)... and a quick clean up using CTB's spit'n'polish technique.

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2860/lotusafter.jpg[/MG]

I have now, at my advanced age, finally learned how to tie shoelaces properly so they don't come undone. Definiteyl worth googling, you will save hours, weeks even, of your life!

Can't rep, but have to quote this. I just figured that out too a month or two ago. Kinda sad, but now I know why my shoes used to come undone half the time

That Morgan is a beauty. Also, I'm a huge fan of the Dino styling.

If you thing that Merc is thirsty, you should see my work truck. Ford F250 Super Duty 4x4 6.3L V8. 18L/100KM...on the highway.

That Morgan is a beauty. Also, I'm a huge fan of the Dino styling.

If you thing that Merc is thirsty, you should see my work truck. Ford F250 Super Duty 4x4 6.3L V8. 18L/100KM...on the highway.

speaking of education

what the FUCK is up with canada's medical school / province deal? I have a million canadian dudes at my school with gpa/mcat/research credentials that should have them gunning for top tier us med schools but they're in my second tier school. go figure.

Due to the admissions systems there is basically a choke hold on how many people get in, so basically anyone with good credentials who wants to do something like GP is so fed up they kind of go 'fuck it' and go wherever lets them in/will give them the most in monetary incentive to make the process less painful. I know more people in med school in Ireland/Australia than I do in Canada, and I'm Canadian at a Canadian university.

i don't know how long you've been buying stuff online or reading superfuture, but don't you know that we will always get raped by the customs?

Ok, for anyone who isn't familiar with this, Canada/US shipping gets special treatment when goods being shipped are made in either country as no customs ever apply. And by domestic I was referring to the fact that they may ship directly, as there shouldn't be any border/tax/customs issues as long as they stamp "Made in USA" on the box.

Also, another 7 1/8. We got some tiny heads up in here.

Does anyone know if Canada counts as domestic shipping? These are made in USA so that eliminates a lot of border problems for Canadian shipping.

So, how does the stated interest work? Do we just post stating as such?

Anyway, I'm down for this.

If theres enough interest for 2 orders, I'm wondering if anyone else is interested in doing one as pillbox style.

ex:

http://www.ebbets.com/product/MudvilleNineBallcap/Ballcaps

I can get down with this.

If the S goes on it should be Helvetica

I have an Osprey 65L frame pack, nothing but top notch, comfortable, durable (they use Cordura) and so far, I've found most of the design to be very intuitive for strap location, etc.

Will be putting it through its paces again on the West Coast Trail next week.

Shorts are Mt. Rainier

http://stockroom.inventorymagazine.com/product/mt-rainier-design-br-60-40-climb-shorts

The fit on those cord dickies is great. (too bad they were 3 inches too short for me)

You might want to try wearing them with a belt and not buttoning the top button. That worked for me, to work them in a bit. The fit is actually fine if you don't button the top but have a belt to hold them up, that will allow them loosen up if you give them a bit of time, as they really shrink up post wash.

Junya Watanabe. I don't get any of his shit, let alone what he wants to charge for it.

Decided to have a go at cutting out a bracelet to throw in with the goods, my xacto blade broke and I didn't have any new ones, so I busted out my hunting knife.

The end results. It came out ok, Its a little rough, but thats kind of the nature of my work at this point.

Comparison shot of the tour jeans with my most worn pair, and my current pair. Flathead F380 to the left, 5507xx in the middle and tour jeans to the right. The Flatheads have over 2 years of wear (unfortunately too small now) the Skulls are about 8 months.

Back comparison shot.

Final fit pic front.

Final fit pic back.

And now the jeans are off, I didn't do a wash as per ah longs request, as he wanted to wash them, so I packed up the bundle and off they went. As a note to anyone future and whoever threw in the State Dept zippo, theres a flint in the hole at the bottom of the batting if anyone wants to use it. I put one in, but took it out for transit purposes. The jeans were actually sent off last week, and they're almost to their destination.

Now off to Long, and hopefully another solid leg of the tour!