Ok, I'm taking a bit of a departure with this one - not so much a review of a specific product as it is a review of the brand as a whole.
As an outdoors professional, I have a tendency to look beyond the label. My gear has to WORK, regardless of price. Some of my most versatile equipment remains to this day among the least expensive...my $8 Walmart fleece flip-mittens, $25 insulated snow bibs. Don't get me wrong, I'm not afraid to hand over large amounts of cash for quality gear that'll do the job for me. I can imagine your face if I told you how much my GoreTex XCR technical shell jacket cost.
Having never tried Patagonia's stuff before, I usually shied away...seemed like an overpriced niche brand, especially compared to my usual brands of choice...
...then I took a chance & bought my first piece on ebay.
After having a chance to put my first jacket to the test, exposing it to a full range of conditions out on the challenge courses, I became very aware of how well made it was. The quality, features, attention to detail...a very well made, solid garment that's obviously built to perform, not just to look good worn by a teenager at the local mall.
I've since sold a lot of my old gear & replaced 'em with their Patagonia counterparts.
Reading "Let My People Surf", by Yvon Chouinard (founder of Patagonia) has only further solidified my growing appreciation of what goes into each of their products - company philosophy, extremely rigorous testing...testing, and MORE testing. Patagonia's never the "fad" brand because it can take 1-2 YEARS before a product idea becomes a purchasable product...that is, IF it survives the testing. Amazing stuff. I highly recommend reading the book if you get a chance.
I'm sold. Keep 'em coming, Patagonia!
On Wednesday, April 22nd, around 11pm, my dad went home to be with the Lord.
Of all the ways to go, he was hit by a train at a crossing in Pewaukee. I was stunned when my brother Dan called me at 3:20am when the police & medical examiner came to his door.
Only 2 weeks until my daughter Hattie is due to be born. Why?!
Only four months after my mom's death, we've lost another parent. Still raw from December's loss, now my pop's gone. There are times the grief is overwhelming.
But...
God has proved Himself faithful throughout this maelstrom. I'm actually thinking of writing down the growing list of ways God has answered prayers, supplied for our needs, etc. during this difficult time. Even the way dad died fulfilled a wish of his...when the medical examiner says, "I don't know how to explain this, but...", it's another reminder that God's in the picture. Despite being hit by a TRAIN, he had no broken bones, no devastating internal injuries...the only physical cause of death found was his broken neck. His death was instantaneous. Dad's biggest fear, especially with his heart and other health problems, was that he would slowly, painfully pass away in a hospital. Wednesday night, he was here one second, gone the next. The God who intimately knew my father honored that wish.
I know there are those out there who either don't believe in God, or at the very most believe He's hanging around on a cloud somewhere, watching us make due on our own. That's not the God I know. I've seen His involvement throughout my life, financial provision, physical healing, guidance...to say that God's not around makes absolutely no sense to me.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Oh, the picture...dad had it hanging in his office at church. When I asked him about it, he said it reminded him of me when I was little, how I'd run to him with my arms in the air. It also reminded him of the love of God, our Father, and how much He delights in His children.
I love you, dad!
I've been wondering why I've been feeling like this for some time now. Seems so out of place. I've been taking pictures since I was 12 years old. Most notably, I've photographed a hit TV show, shot a few weddings, portraits, and then some. I've derived great pleasure through photography over the years.
I don't take pictures anymore, at least not like I did.When did this change? I'm a photographer, after all. Then it hit me today...my mom's gone. Since she passed away, I've only taken 265 pictures. This is in stark contrast to the nearly 800 photos taken during the same time period last year. Why the difference?
My mom was my biggest fan. We shared a love for photography & we'd frequently share our
pictures with each other. Almost like a child's art hung on the refrigerator, I couldn't wait to show mom my latest "yes!" shot, or to email her the most recent Olivia picture for her computer desktop at work.
I've lost my biggest fan.
So, what am I going to do about this? Not take pictures anymore? To borrow from the cliche, I've got to get back on this particular horse & start photographing for myself again.
Mom wouldn't want it any other way.
I can't believe we're already starting the 3rd week of April. This year is flying by at an unbelievable pace. What's new?
(1) Baby Hattie is coming in less than three weeks! I'm really looking forward to holding my newest daughter (and Jen's ready for Hattie to stop doing chin ups from her ribcage.) With how much I love Olivia, my little Jelly Bean, I can't imagine loving her any less, or Hattie any more than the other. I wouldn't trade being a dad for anything. Olivia's my joy, and Hattie can only add to it!
(2) Busy springtime at Timber-lee. We're starting to see a marked increase in school groups. Plus, in a little more than a month, I'll be welcoming my summer team.
(3) I'm selling The Biner. Yup, I can't fit 2 child seats in the cab of my faithful steed, so it's nearing the time to say goodbye to my 2002 Ford Ranger. Know anyone who's in the market for a fuel efficient (24mpg hwy) pickup truck outfitted with red emergency lights & siren? Only 65k miles...anyone?
(4) I'm reading a fantastic book, "Let My People Go Surfing," a book written by Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia. It's really cool to glean from his experience as an outdoors enthusiast who started a business doing what he loves.
That's about all. I'm actually going to hit the sack early tonight. See ya next time!
Outdoor Education this spring is arriving like a lion...who, after a huge roar, soon after takes a nap. Tomorrow & Friday are extremely busy, with the first High Ropes & Archery classes of the year, plus Tower, GPS, and multiple Teambuilding classes all going on simultaneously. You'd think it was mid-May! The following week is fairly slow, but that's only temporary. Bring on the school groups!
Hiring for summer is coming along. I've got more than half of my instructors so far, with a small pile of applications on my desk.
Keep me in your prayers. Without a full time assistant for this year, it could get pretty rocky. Without a wife or children, I'd probably dive in, suck it up, and deal with the work of 2 people, but a wife & daughter, plus another one on the way, I'm really not willing to write them off until November when things slow down again. I've got some creative ideas...we'll see how they work out.
Hey readers, sorry I've been gone for so long. Family & work have kept me busy this past month. I'm just about ready to hit the sack, then a thought crossed my mind...when's the last time I updated thedavewave?
What's new? Things here at camp are going alright. getting things in place for a very busy spring & summer...and fall...you get the picture. We're going to try some new and exciting things with staffing my activity areas this summer. I'll know by mid-June if it was a success.
This is cool - I'm seriously considering doing a 100k ride in June. It's for raising funds for diabetes research. I've wanted to do a ride of this length this year, plus it's kinda fitting as I've got family who've dealt with this disease. I've got to raise a minimum $150 in pledges - I can already take online payments via PayPal...hmm...I'll keep you posted, especially if you'd like to pledge something.
Ok, now I'm going to bed, but now I can sleep knowing I'm not leaving ya hangin' for an update! :-)
Zzzzzzzzz
It's been a while since my last post. I'm live at the 2009 WEA/PRCA conference in Bloomington, Indiana. Lots of meetings and workshops - very cool stuff, but after 3 full days, I'm ready to go home.
Cool update regarding my previous gear review - the owner of the company wrote me & asked if they could use my review for possible website & catalog promotion.
Ok, I'm taking a bit of a departure with this one - not so much a review of a specific product as it is a review of the brand as a whole.
