An essential part of being a country boy is being able to weather the elements. I have personally been in some really nasty weather and have tried to get some work done even when it seemed impossible! The important part of all of this is having the right attire, and for the elements the most important thing is a jacket.
There are many kinds of jackets for many occasions. I recently went into a sporting goods store and Carhartt has launched a soft shell work jacket to compete with the soft shell outfitters of the world. For me I need 4 kinds of jackets. The first is my Carhartt, big and thick, this thing can stop a bullet. It's not the warmest but in its defense it was made to layer. The arms are usually polyester on the inside making it easy to slide a hoodie through it or another jacket. A work jacket or coat is essential especially on those cold days when you have work outside and you can't worry about it getting snagged on something and shredding.
The next one I need is a fleece. I use a North Face fleece with elbow pads as a base layer or if it isn't too cold I just wear it. A good soft shell would be nice in this situation too. These are especially nice because many are waterproof and windproof and also don't rip easy. They are quiet and flexible which are an essential for hunting or working outside. One way to test the jacket is to do the blow through test. Put it up to your lips and blow hard, if your breath goes through it it's not weatherproof but if it is woven tightly it won't allow your breath to go through and you know you have a good jacket. As I mentioned before, Carhartt makes one now that can be really useful but North Face, Mountain Hardware or any other major outdoor brands usually has them, including Target, their G9 line sells a pretty good one for cheap.
The third kind of jacket I use is a pea coat. I use it for nicer occasions, traveling, church etc... these are coming down in price and www.target.com has them for fairly cheap right now. Also check Old Navy.
The last is your go to, your hoodie, or quick jacket, something that you don't care if it gets dirty but you have it and it's been reliable. You mentally have to have one of these if you are a country boy, it's old faithful and you can wear it with anything. I sometimes wear a hoodie and my levi jacket. My wife almost throws up every time, but it's old faithful for me.
I think it's important to be prepared for almost every situation, not mentioned here are my ski jackets and my hunting clothes... also a must, but if you don't ski, don't worry about it and also hunting... sometimes a nice camo shell works just fin.
Staying warm is essential to being a country, you have to be able to do work and stay warm doing it.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Country boy jobs
I'm currently in the middle of talking to about four different industries about jobs. Investment banking, ad agency, financial services, and event planning. Through all of this I actually sat back and thought, "where do country boys work?" I've been thinking long and hard about this one, I'm not exactly sure where every country boy is but through a lot of time thinking and a rough survey I've come to a few conclusions, here they are in no particular order:
- Country boy jobs have to offer some sort of mobility and freedom. This stems from our roots of doing things with our hands and getting out and getting dirty. Even if you are in a career, if you're a country boy you really want to have some sort of mobility, maybe it's as little as from one floor to the next, or as much as one country to another, in the end, there has to be some physical mobility.
- The job has to have a result in the end. When were young we built stuff, we saw stuff constructed and had something to see as a result. Forts, pens, fences, barns etc... if we just check in everyday, turn the computer on and bang our heads against the wall just to be a cog in the wheel... we'll go nuts. That being said, there has to be a goal to work towards and something to see in the end.
- We have to be able to laugh at things. It's hard when you are in an environment that is so stinking rigid that you can't even throw out a redneck joke sometimes. I am pretty educated (I have an MBA) but that doesn't mean I'm pretty smart and sometimes I like to digress a little and talk about simple things and laugh with friends. If we are in an environment where we cannot do that... we'll go nuts.
- The job has to be in line with our values and understanding. I'll be honest, I'm sure there are country boy software engineers out there, you guys probably have this level met for you but for me, I have to understand it. I enjoy working with the Energy sector (read: oil) because it makes sense to me and I grew up around it. I believe in drilling and I understand it. If I'm going to be working with flux capacitors, probably not going to cut it for me.
- Last but not least, we as country boys have to be able to maintain our identities. Yep, we can't be forced to leave that behind. I don't care if you work on Wall Street, you are who you are and they cannot take your boots away from you. It is a sad day when you are forced to quit being you... don't do it, fight the power and stay true to your roots! (Read this wives... never try to change a country boy, you'll only get an angry man who will resent you for it.)
I think most of us country boys would agree, we would all love to have a farm or be working in the oil field somewhere but the reality is that it might be in our deck of cards right now... if we stay true to our country boy roots we'll get there.
Ultimately we are all bless with different God given talents, we have to utilize those and parlay those into a career, it can be any sort of career but whatever role you take within that industry, make sure you have the four things involved in your job.
- Country boy jobs have to offer some sort of mobility and freedom. This stems from our roots of doing things with our hands and getting out and getting dirty. Even if you are in a career, if you're a country boy you really want to have some sort of mobility, maybe it's as little as from one floor to the next, or as much as one country to another, in the end, there has to be some physical mobility.
- The job has to have a result in the end. When were young we built stuff, we saw stuff constructed and had something to see as a result. Forts, pens, fences, barns etc... if we just check in everyday, turn the computer on and bang our heads against the wall just to be a cog in the wheel... we'll go nuts. That being said, there has to be a goal to work towards and something to see in the end.
- We have to be able to laugh at things. It's hard when you are in an environment that is so stinking rigid that you can't even throw out a redneck joke sometimes. I am pretty educated (I have an MBA) but that doesn't mean I'm pretty smart and sometimes I like to digress a little and talk about simple things and laugh with friends. If we are in an environment where we cannot do that... we'll go nuts.
- The job has to be in line with our values and understanding. I'll be honest, I'm sure there are country boy software engineers out there, you guys probably have this level met for you but for me, I have to understand it. I enjoy working with the Energy sector (read: oil) because it makes sense to me and I grew up around it. I believe in drilling and I understand it. If I'm going to be working with flux capacitors, probably not going to cut it for me.
- Last but not least, we as country boys have to be able to maintain our identities. Yep, we can't be forced to leave that behind. I don't care if you work on Wall Street, you are who you are and they cannot take your boots away from you. It is a sad day when you are forced to quit being you... don't do it, fight the power and stay true to your roots! (Read this wives... never try to change a country boy, you'll only get an angry man who will resent you for it.)
I think most of us country boys would agree, we would all love to have a farm or be working in the oil field somewhere but the reality is that it might be in our deck of cards right now... if we stay true to our country boy roots we'll get there.
Ultimately we are all bless with different God given talents, we have to utilize those and parlay those into a career, it can be any sort of career but whatever role you take within that industry, make sure you have the four things involved in your job.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Snow = Ski season
I have respect for the snow, I like it and hate it. This morning we woke up to about 2" of snow. I am really looking forward to the ski season. I really cannot think of anything that compares with skiing. It is the closest thing to flying in a controlled manner or better yet there is nothing like it because of how close you are to the ground and how much you rely on yourself. I went down an escalator the other day and I rounded the corner and started going down it... I had flashbacks to skiing, it was amazing, for a split second I felt the same way I do when I drop in a bowl at the top of the mountains. Skiing is a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
I really believe that skiing is a great Country Boy activity. Think about it, in skiing you are out there relying on yourself. As a country boy you rely on yourself all the time. In skiing you have to improvise and make things work, same as a country boy, think about fixing a fence or your truck. When skiing you have to have a good sense of direction, especially when in the back country... is that much different than being in the country on a hunt? Then the physical side of it, you summon energy you didn't know you had while skiing, you have to make it down the hill, you want to take one more run. In the country, you have to get the hay hauled, chores done, go to work... and when you're done with both of them you walk away with a high from accomplishment. That's the real reward.
I really believe that skiing is a great Country Boy activity. Think about it, in skiing you are out there relying on yourself. As a country boy you rely on yourself all the time. In skiing you have to improvise and make things work, same as a country boy, think about fixing a fence or your truck. When skiing you have to have a good sense of direction, especially when in the back country... is that much different than being in the country on a hunt? Then the physical side of it, you summon energy you didn't know you had while skiing, you have to make it down the hill, you want to take one more run. In the country, you have to get the hay hauled, chores done, go to work... and when you're done with both of them you walk away with a high from accomplishment. That's the real reward.
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Bird Hunt
Upland game hunting has to be one of my all time favorite things to do. It is so unique and offers a ton of excitement. I went pheasant hunting on Friday with my brother and a family friend. We had a miserable morning but finished off our day by filling our 10 birds. The part of the hunt that is so much fun is the fact that you get to shoot a ton and every time a bird comes up you get that rush. Don't get me wrong, big game hunting is a blast but it is a different game. There is the hike, the find, the stalk, the shot, usually only one shot and you have to make it count. It is a bigger adrenaline rush but over the course of 10-15 birds coming up, upland game hunting probably wins out.
We started out in the morning with a terrible day. We were in an area that was very swampy and when the one of the dog's collars was turned off he flushed 7/10 birds were supposed to shoot. It was such a long walk from one end to the other and took us forever to get through the swamp that by the time we got to the other side to hunt the birds that had flown away we were pooped and the birds had ran. We went to the lodge and had a nice lunch and rested up for a bit. A couple of family friends showed up with their dogs and all of the sudden we had 5 dogs hunting in a new area. It was a blast and there was lead in the air. At the end of the day we shot 12, found 10 and just had a blast. It truly was a Country Boy day.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Country boy attire part 1: Jeans
I like any good country boy enjoy a good pair of jeans. I have worn many different brands of jeans and I finally have come to some conclusions about what types of jeans and what attributes of jeans I like the best.
The first thing that I like in my jeans in flexibility. I honestly can say that I've done almost everything in my jeans. I've played basketball, hauled hay, gone to a play, and run around with my dog (and pretty much everything else in between). I like a jean that has the flexibilty or room to allow for you to move your leg up to the 90 degree angle... think Captain Morgan. I also like a jean that allows you sit down without your crack hanging out. It's tough to find a jean that allows that that isn't absolutely huge!
Second I like dark jeans... light colored jeans just don't do it for me. They show every speck of dirt, they cannot be used to dress up a situation and they just look ratty (I do have a pair of work jeans that are light, so I'd be a hippocrite if I didn't say that they server a purpose)
Third, belt loops. I know I know, it sounds weird but not enough and you end up with the belt around your love handles and the belt is bent in weird positions. The other part of it is you do get a better fit and the jeans stay up better. (It's physics)
Fourth, Straight leg is about as big as you need to go. There are boot cut, flair, wide leg etc... but straight leg really is about as big as you need to go. You don't want your jeans to completely cover your boots. You look weird and honestly, your pants get filthy. Too tight... well, that's another story, I don't like 'em, I value my posteriety but I know there are plenty of cowboys who do. I just don't like the whole JNCO look of the late 90's especially with boots.
Fifth, the crotch cannot be too low! This ties into the flexibility thing. I've literally had chafe because my crotch was too low in a pair of jeans and it rubbed my thighs weird... talk about a dark day in my jean wearing career. The higher the crotch the better. It's easier for movement and it looks a ton better.
Brands... without wasting too much time. The expensive jeans really do offer a great fit. I've only tried them on because they cost too much for me. Levi's non signature jeans have treated me well. 501's are a classic. Wranglers have been good to me too. Recently they have had some more stylish jeans without sacrificing the durability. I have a pair of Guess Jeans (that's right, that's the name and they are still around) that have a good fit. They lack in the boot cut and belt loop area but they do fit really well. There are others... Dickies, Rustler, Lee's. Probably are just fine. I am more focused on the aspects of the jeans that I mentioned before. Look for those and it really doesn't matter which brand you choose.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Dodge Ram 2500 Big Horn Edition
I never thought I'd be such a Dodge fan. I've always said that I'm a GM man through and through but these past two weeks I've had my dad's Dodge truck and I am very impressed. It has the 5.7 litre Hemi which produces more than enough power to tow anything I need. I've towed camp trailers and boats and it tugs them around without a problem. If I were hauling someithing everyday I'd go with the Cummins diesel, but for starting it up and driving it without any warming up it's the perfect truck. I don't really need a 3/4 ton truck. I don't even own a trailer to tow but if I were to get one I would definitely consider the Dodge. My dad's truck is an '07.
The Hemi has 383 horse power and 400 lb/sq ft. of torque. They call it a legendary engine, and it's easy to see why. The Chevy Silverado boasts 397 horse power but the cost difference is incredible... it literally costs $7-10K more for the Chevy. Ford comes in with a beefy 6.2 litre putting out 385 horse power. All are within spitting distance from each other so it comes down to looks, ride, towing capacity and price. Dodge comes in a lot cheaper and the look is very distinctive. I have been very pleased so far and plan on testing it more.
Why not a Dodge?
The Hemi has 383 horse power and 400 lb/sq ft. of torque. They call it a legendary engine, and it's easy to see why. The Chevy Silverado boasts 397 horse power but the cost difference is incredible... it literally costs $7-10K more for the Chevy. Ford comes in with a beefy 6.2 litre putting out 385 horse power. All are within spitting distance from each other so it comes down to looks, ride, towing capacity and price. Dodge comes in a lot cheaper and the look is very distinctive. I have been very pleased so far and plan on testing it more.
Why not a Dodge?
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