And now things get interesting

So... how's everyone out there in the world?

It's still a dumpster fire here on day 209 since the shelter-in-place was issued in California for the COVID pandemic. And that's still a thing. Spiking again. Yeah.

And there's still people out there who think it's a hoax. Yeah...

Oh, and an election next week! How terrifying exciting! I'm guessing the shitshow will just get more pungent.

Let's see... what can I ramble about that's not related to a horrible illness or politics? OH! I know! I'll ramble on about random stuff. That's always good for a laugh.

So, remember Goruck, that rucksack-making company I mentioned earlier this month? So I got curious and purchased footwear from them. I've been needing new running shoes for a while now, so I got myself a pair of their cross trainers and , because I was curious, their boots.

Goruck MACV-1 Boots

These are some damn fine boots! They're lightweight but quite sturdy. The boot lacks that sort of squishy mesh (they call it spacer mesh) so I've found that these don't squeak at all. At least not thus far. The MACV-1 runs a bit small. I ordered in my usual size and had to return to get the next half-size up. That size fits my feet like a glove and I gotta say these are easily the most comfortable boots I've ever worn. Unlike most boots, I can actually run properly in these (as opposed to just hiking or walking), which is nice. Well worth the price, in my humble opinion.

Goruck I/O Cross Trainers

These I ordered in my shoe size and they fit true to form. I've taken them for walks and running and had no problem breaking them in. No chafing or blisters. Like the MACV-1 boots, these are sturdy with no spacer mesh or anything. The shoe designers did some solid work with these. Also well worth the money.

Masks

Let's see... what else can I ramble on about? Masks? Sure, let's talk masks. So yeah. If you've got half a brain and have been paying any sort of attention, you're probably looking at wearing a mask in public. Or should be. I've tried a variety of options for masks, both with valves and without. Right now, the masks I'm finding work best for me are O2 Mask. Their mask offerings are lightweight, but have some impressive-seeming filters and I've found them easy to breathe through and wash. I'm finding it a bit of a bugger to get filter refills, but their product is still pretty solid.

The Kilij

I feel like I'm somehow doing myself a disservice if I don't go on about some kind of tool or knife or something. I don't think I mentioned this earlier this year, but I backed a Kickstarter (yeah, I know, I still do this...) for a knife - the Kilij by Tepe Designs.

The Kilij is one of those rare Kickstarters that caught me by surprise. I backed it, then I wondered why I backed it, and then I sort of got distracted by stuff going on in the world. Then it funded. Then it delivered on time. And wow, was I impressed! The Kilij is a gorgeous and wicked-sharp knife with exceptionally-smooth opening action. While the damascus finish looked pretty, I opted for the M390 steel and never regretted it. It's a solid and very well-made blade. Did I mention wicked-sharp? 'Cause it is. The point is like a freakin' needle and I've got the nicks on my fingers to support that claim. I'll be watching Tepe Designs in the future. These guys (this guy?) do great work!

Reviews: Goruck

When I came across Goruck on another site, I found myself intrigued by their rucksack offerings (they don't call them "backpacks" and there's a reason for that).

It's 2020 and everything's going to shit. I had some extra money and treated myself to a new bag, thinking that it would be nice should life return to sanity and I could commute again to the office.

I got one of their packs and swapped my messenger bag's contents for a rucksack.

I found myself impressed.

The bag was a GR1 and is a brute of a pack. Goruck's site says they guarantee their bags against any reasonable damage. As I've got this intended as a commuter bag, I think this thing will last me the rest of my natural life. It's a well-padded beast of a bag with a padded laptop sleeve that's accessible outside the main body of the bag. The bag itself opens 180 degrees when unzipped and has all sorts of useful pockets and loops. I'm almost eager for commuting again with this holding my work essentials.

Intrigued, I took a look at Goruck's site and offerings a bit more carefully. I really was just looking for a bag at the time. The quality of the GR1 made me consider obtaining a larger GR3 as a "bug out bag". Seemed a prudent (if steep) purchase at the time, given the way things were going. And then the summer hit in full force with fires and what-not and I've been doubly-happy I made the purchase. Should shit go sideways and I need to get moving, I figure my "bug out bag" will handle whatever punishment is going on around me. Probably better than I will, truth be told.

I'll admit, I've now started to look at the whole "rucking" and "sandbag" stuff that's advertised on the Goruck site. I may give it a try. It's not exactly feasible right now with the toxic air quality here in California, but that may change and I certainly could use a good workout.

They sell boots and shoes as well, it seems. I may have look into those.