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Chris Jacob
@GitEmSteveDave_woot!sOffSoHard: I hope you're kidding man. If you're not, then I guess I'll inform you that the signs in baseball do not involve ASL. They are generally a series of essentially random movements made by the third base coach, until he makes the motion that is the "indicator", which is followed by the motion or touch that is the "sign," which tells the batter and any runners what they should do (hit and run, take, bunt, steal, etc.)
@iamskew001: Yes, it involves hand signals, which someone who knows ASL would be very good at picking up, while someone who lip reads, wouldn't. They are also made by people OTHER than the third base coach, like the catcher, which is the most important one, actually, so you can decode what pitch is coming.
It's like the concept used in the cork center variations for bowling balls I suppose -- my ball that I used for my HS bowling team (I can hear you laughing) was off center right because I was left handed and with the littlest effort it would break into a nice curve.
@BergenCountyJC can edit his name?: Did I ever tell you my idea for a sport which was a cross of miniature golf and bowling? It involves ramps and drop offs that emerge in other lanes. It looks amazing...in my mind!
In Bestbuy ad (nov.15-21) they are offering Sanasa Clip+ 4gb for 39.99. Clip+ is like 2nd Gen of clip. comes with micro sd slot (HC support). Picked one up yesterday. great deal for the price. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
why the Pentax? what about the olympus tough-6000? where's the battelmodo for cameras that can we can use while snowboarding / surfing / saving the princess from a fire breathing dragon? #outdoorgeekgiftguide
@Nerdhacker1: We did a mini battlemodo here, and I can definitely vouch for the fact that the Oly is severely outclassed by the Canon D10, so this should basically answer all of your questions where princesses and dragons and snowboards are concerned. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
I swear by Patagonia jackets. I have been wearing their jackets for skiing since I can remember. The quality is top notch, and the warmth is excellent.
$150 might seems steep, but compared to other coats it actually very, very affordable. A comparable Northface or Columbia jacket will land you in the $300-400 range. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
@macpatrik: Patagonia post-adoption of Goretex, anyway. Their Storm2No or whatever it was called sucked.
I like patagucci for casual clothes and fleece (and their underwear is awesome). Mountain Hardwear has some good kit. But, for jackets, Arc'teryx is *the* brand.
TNF (which used to be a real brand) and Columbia (which was never a real brand) are strictly for suburbanites who ski once a year.
@AmphetamineCrown: I still have a lightweight windproof Mountain Hardwear pullover from like 8 years ago, that I wear about every other day, and still looks and wears like it's near new.
Heh, "patagucci", heh. And I went in a TNF store the other day. Not so much. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
@macpatrik: I don't find everyone who wears patagonia pretentious. The people who seem to work in their stores, yes, but I know plenty of normal people who wear the stuff. My reference to gucci was pricing related. Target can sell you a fleece for $2, but patagonia is gonna charge you $60. I realize they have to build factories that preserve all the dandelions in the vicinity and double as shelters for stray cats and dogs and will only harvest cotton under a full moon under the protection of Hesta after dancing in celebration of the cotton plant to be picked, but that kinda sensitivity to Gaia costs bucks. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
@AmphetamineCrown: I partially agreed with your sentiments on TNF. While the consumer-grade crap they've been churning out lately is worthless in the back-country, they used to make quality jackets. I had a Kichatna jacket for around 15 years before the gore-tex started to delaminate. I brought it into my local store to see if it could be fixed. They shipped it back to TNF for me for free and when it was determined that it was FUBAR, they gave me a store credit for $500 (everything they sell has a no questions asked life time warranty). I was able to get a new gore-tex xcr jacket, pants and a nalgene flask with it. So, yeah, I probably won't replace them with TNF when they wear out in 5 years, but that's 20+ years of dry, breathable protection.
For those that don't remember it, the Kichatna was the original "Gorton's fisherman"-yellow jacket that seems to be coming back in style these days: #outdoorgeekgiftguide
@Brian Lam: Don't get me wrong. I like their stuff. I actually like most of their eco-friendly policies. But reading their catalog gets a little... holier than thou. And, it does come at a cost.
I also have found, over the years, that patagonia excels at insulating layers, but they have never been good at hard shells (the soft shell thing never did it for me). I'll happily shell out the bucks for patagonia boxers, capilene, R2, and fleece. But when it comes to what is on the outside, I'll take my money to Arcteryx or Marmot.
I liked Animal Chin's story about the Kichatna, but I'll go one better. I still own a Marmot Red Fox jacket -- probably the first commercial gore tex shell made -- and it still looks like it came off the rack. I bought it in 1980. (Wearing it sounds like you are crumpling a potato chip bag, but at least you were dry). #outdoorgeekgiftguide
@AmphetamineCrown: I dont use a patagonia hard shell, either. I go to the reno outlet's clearance and score 70-80% off, though. I have a primo down for single digit degree days, but it sweats a bit. my combo now is arcteryx shell (not pro), patagonia or hh (light) fleece, pat. cap base or hh base. would like to try some wool tops but not bottoms. not enough stretch. and i'd like a new shell of gore pro. I like pro for sloppy days.
Not a big fan of the Nike iPod thing. I live in Charlotte which is moderately hilly and I was constantly recalibrating it. I ran a half marathon with it on and when I crossed the finish line it said I had run 9 miles.
If you're running on flat surfaces it's great, and a cheap (if inaccurate) alternative to GPS watches. Just don't rely on it--you might end up running further than you intended. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
@yeah write: I love when the GPS has odd little hiccups, usually in the middle of the woods, and when I review my route there are sections where I hit 450+ mph. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
Sorry, no calculator function, but the barometer is good for forecasting weather conditions, the altimeter is great for tracking how much elevation you've gained on a good hike (or rode on an awesome snowboard run), the compass is great for knowing which direction you're hurling yourself into in the process of getting lost, and hey, it's a timepiece, too.
Granted, Suunto watches tend to be a bit expensive, so check out other Wristop manufacturers, like Casio. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
@weatherman: yup. I love mine. Great pictures and the battery life is about 2x some of it's competitors. I took it on a 6-night backpacking trip. Not carrying tons of extra batteries is important. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
How about a good ole-fashioned multitool? Good for geeks be they housecats or Ranger Rick.
Also, telescopes (for astronomy, not spying). I try to keep my outdoor excursions to nighttime because sunlight makes me sparkle. And by sparkle, I mean radically pisses me off.
And forget about Wii Fit; go with dumbbells and chin-up bars. I've taken to watching TV guido-style, meaning I use my dumbbells while watching shitty television.
Finally, you don't have to get an entire set of clubs. A nice iron or putter is always welcome.
So there you go. You can go relatively cheap (dumbbells), midrange (a good Leatherman), possibly pricey (golf clubs), or "Here's a birthday/holiday/anniversary present all rolled into one" (the telescope).
@OMG! Ponies!: I thought Guido style exercising was making kissy faces at yourself in the mirror while telling yourself how sexy you are and standing under tanning lights.
Wholeheartedly agree with a multitool though, just don't skimp on one, get a decent one. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
@OMG! Ponies!: Multitool recommendation: the Leatherman Skeletool CX. Covers the basics, lightweight, and durable. Oh, and the 25 year (!) warranty is rather choice. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
@KidSix: I always like the originals (sadly since discontinued), but have found the Crunch to be quite handy (vice grips in a Leatherman) #outdoorgeekgiftguide
I'll vouch for the Lumix DMC-TS1. My original plan was to get a tough/waterproof camera that took decent shots for adventure days, and then get an SLR for those "nice" shots. Well, how was I supposed to know that it actually takes "nice" shots. AND nice video. And, it fits in my back pocket. Sorry SLR :)
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/18/09
Does your bullpen stink? You can pay a lot of money for some good pitching or you can buy some lumber and build the giant wall in left field.
Are you stuck with a shallow outfield? That's okay. Just let plants grow all over the wall and call anything that gets caught in there a double.
And who needs to be nice to the visiting team? Put crappy water fountains in their dugouts.
And while your at it, put a lip-reader in the bleachers with a pair of binoculars and a walkie-talkie to steal the other teams signs.
Thank goodness there's no cheating going on anymore.
11/18/09
@OMG! Ponies!: Why do you need a lip reader to read hand signs? Shouldn't you get someone who understands ASL?
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
02:00 AM
11/17/09
$150 might seems steep, but compared to other coats it actually very, very affordable. A comparable Northface or Columbia jacket will land you in the $300-400 range. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
11/17/09
I like patagucci for casual clothes and fleece (and their underwear is awesome). Mountain Hardwear has some good kit. But, for jackets, Arc'teryx is *the* brand.
TNF (which used to be a real brand) and Columbia (which was never a real brand) are strictly for suburbanites who ski once a year.
11/17/09
Heh, "patagucci", heh. And I went in a TNF store the other day. Not so much. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
11/17/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
@AmphetamineCrown: I partially agreed with your sentiments on TNF. While the consumer-grade crap they've been churning out lately is worthless in the back-country, they used to make quality jackets. I had a Kichatna jacket for around 15 years before the gore-tex started to delaminate. I brought it into my local store to see if it could be fixed. They shipped it back to TNF for me for free and when it was determined that it was FUBAR, they gave me a store credit for $500 (everything they sell has a no questions asked life time warranty). I was able to get a new gore-tex xcr jacket, pants and a nalgene flask with it. So, yeah, I probably won't replace them with TNF when they wear out in 5 years, but that's 20+ years of dry, breathable protection.
For those that don't remember it, the Kichatna was the original "Gorton's fisherman"-yellow jacket that seems to be coming back in style these days: #outdoorgeekgiftguide
11/17/09
11/18/09
I also have found, over the years, that patagonia excels at insulating layers, but they have never been good at hard shells (the soft shell thing never did it for me). I'll happily shell out the bucks for patagonia boxers, capilene, R2, and fleece. But when it comes to what is on the outside, I'll take my money to Arcteryx or Marmot.
I liked Animal Chin's story about the Kichatna, but I'll go one better. I still own a Marmot Red Fox jacket -- probably the first commercial gore tex shell made -- and it still looks like it came off the rack. I bought it in 1980. (Wearing it sounds like you are crumpling a potato chip bag, but at least you were dry). #outdoorgeekgiftguide
11/24/09
11/17/09
If you're running on flat surfaces it's great, and a cheap (if inaccurate) alternative to GPS watches. Just don't rely on it--you might end up running further than you intended. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
11/17/09
11/17/09
[www.suunto.com]
Sorry, no calculator function, but the barometer is good for forecasting weather conditions, the altimeter is great for tracking how much elevation you've gained on a good hike (or rode on an awesome snowboard run), the compass is great for knowing which direction you're hurling yourself into in the process of getting lost, and hey, it's a timepiece, too.
Granted, Suunto watches tend to be a bit expensive, so check out other Wristop manufacturers, like Casio. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
11/17/09
See previous. (Pic upload fail). #outdoorgeekgiftguide
11/17/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
Also, telescopes (for astronomy, not spying). I try to keep my outdoor excursions to nighttime because sunlight makes me sparkle. And by sparkle, I mean radically pisses me off.
And forget about Wii Fit; go with dumbbells and chin-up bars. I've taken to watching TV guido-style, meaning I use my dumbbells while watching shitty television.
Finally, you don't have to get an entire set of clubs. A nice iron or putter is always welcome.
So there you go. You can go relatively cheap (dumbbells), midrange (a good Leatherman), possibly pricey (golf clubs), or "Here's a birthday/holiday/anniversary present all rolled into one" (the telescope).
11/17/09
Wholeheartedly agree with a multitool though, just don't skimp on one, get a decent one. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
11/17/09
11/17/09
11/17/09
@KidSix: Go simple and well built. This guy ([atwoodknives.blogspot.com]) micromanufactures some awesome tools. #outdoorgeekgiftguide
11/17/09
Also, for anyone with an extra pesky $7k laying around, I'd be more than happy with one of these.
[www.omega.ch] #outdoorgeekgiftguide
11/17/09
11/17/09
Canon D10 is my outdoor geek gear. Took great photos while surfing for the 24 hours I had it before it was stolen. :-/ #outdoorgeekgiftguide