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Duluth, Minnesota. At this moment in "time"

Life is Great

Snow.

Recycled Pop Bottles

Wyoming is cold now, and I have resorted to the days where I am constantly sporting long johns. Thus begins the 4 months or more out of the year that I live in them, never clean any of that time of course. My preference is Patagonia, I own a nice pair of expedition weights that have been my standard for years.

Ski Bum Economics

Gear gaga is common among Nolsies. We are the dirtiest bunch of kids, but our clothes seem to provide us with social standing and means for conversation. Of course our clothes and gear is unimportant in the scheme of things and always replaceable, but to Outdoor professionals it is critical. Living out of a jacket in the field for 30 days strait is their way of life.

Think of the whole ski bum philosophy. I have met more greasy ski bums in Wyoming and have come to respect the way of life to the fullest. I embrace it now. Ski bums have mediocre accommodations, maybe a tree planting, bus driving or dishwashing job, something that allows them to work summers, and night shifts in the winter for all day skiing when surface hoar is gleaming. (Wildland Firefighting is the perfect seasonal job. It allows for and adrenaline junky to get his fix in the summer while staying fit for the upcoming winter.) They spend all of their funds on gear, beer or anything to further the fun. Its only logical to a person that has interest in living simply, while living and breathing their passion.

Glen Plake a father of extreme skiing writes about Ski Bum Economics in a recent Ski Press freebie. He moved to Jackson Hole when he was a younger man, got a shitty job, and lived on the cheap. The great thing was, he still cut lines all the time. It can happen if a guy really wants it.

Remember this aspiring dirtbags, Money is shit, but unfortunately essential in American society, so get a job that allows YOU to do what YOU love. Disregard all of the ignorant bastards who are caught up in their high paying jobs. Live it, breath it, ski it, smoke it. Being high on powder is perfectly legal.

Moleskine Thought # 1

Miley Cyrus is an android!

Yes, I am a singer

Not long ago did I graduate high school, looking back on it now it all went by so fast. In tenth grade I made the best decision I could to get the most out of it. I joined choir. I didn't realize it then but during those years I would make some of my best memories and friends through the amazing program. Our director although a hard ass at times, did amazing things for us. He was a motivator and coach, most of all he knew how much we loved the music, which was instilled in our performances. Acappella was a privilege, not a right to be in and everyone knew it. The choir was made up of every school social class which broke the common choral group stereotype; we were not ferries, just people who loved to sing. We valued constructive criticism and respected what our director had to say.

I still actively listen to one of the groups favorite composers. Eric Whitacre's music is loved by Duluth East Acappella. His songs are sung with passion and attention to fine detail. Odd and beautiful chord progressions make his songs ring. Whenever I hear a song with a brilliant note, I immediately think of choir and how much I miss it. Don't take these opportunities for granted. Just remember that chill on your back and you'll never forget about choir.

Natures Weave

It has been around for centuries. It's wool. A product spun from the very creatures of this earth. It is convenient and practical. It shields the elements and warms the skin.

I have many wool articles. One is a Johnson jacket I inherited from my father. It is a lovely forest green, possibly my favorite traditional garment from my collection. I also own numerous wool hats and jackets that I use predominately for deer hunting. In the Minnesota winters you can count on wool to keep you warm and dry in the woods. Nothing keeps the snow out like wool. It can become wet with little consequences, and one can wear it for months on end without it smelling, well at least not as bad as polypro. My most recent purchase was a "Scotch Cap" from Bemidji Woolen Mills in Minnesota. It is a classic. Look it up.

Family Dinner

It happens every sunday evening. The majority of outdoor students or "Nolsies" cook something for potluck. Food is stacked to the t as our mouths start to water. New Belgium brew in one hand and a heaping plate in the other. Conversations of all types fill the room and laughs follow. I am a regular attendant but my recent contributions have been minimal. I feel bad, but am invited back week after week none the less. Good people here, many from the east coast, a hand full from the midwest and a select few from the west coast. CWC is common ground for outdoor students. We have all come here to earn an "education" and a degree for something we really have a passion for; Clear cool mountain air, middle fork sights and sounds, NOLS, miles of untouched powder, and climbing. It's love. It's a family.

Folklore

Friday, my typical day here. I enter and observe. Climbers in technical fibers line the sofas sipping fine coffee, feels like I'm drowning in Mountain Hardwear. I spot and count six macbook computers with chiseled faces glowing behind them. Citizens I now recognize from the local scene. I am hurried, and late for class, so after a quick visit with the barista I grab the house mug and a small muffin. Cheap, satisfying. I love this place, it reminds me of a coffee shop Ellis and I visited In British Columbia; Vibrant and full of youth, jazz dancing on the walls, beautiful women dawning Prana yoga pants. Indeed it's dirtbag society at it's finest.

Envelopes

I have been putting a lot of hand written material in the post these days. Using recycled envelopes to complement my green side. Sometimes my odd personality reveals itself when I try and address these envelopes. I get obsessive compulsive with each letter and number having to be perfectly written. My mind sees it in a very specific manner. Usually I write complete scratch, only when I am addressing envelopes do I take my time. I feel as though I should write clearly, so it is sure to get to it's final destination. Tonight was something special though, think I went through four envelopes. I kept fucking up, I had the correct info but my pen had a life of it's own. Finally I had a winner, will be sent to Europe tomorrow.

The Lander Van. Inspired by my big brother W. Ellis.