One of the best things about writing this blog, writing for All Outdoor, and doing the podcast is all of the cool people I have met and become friends with along the way. Andrew, Aaron, and Dan are three of the coolest dudes you will meet. Getting an email response to a question from AG Russell is like getting an email about guitars from Les Paul. Having Thomas W. comment on the Cryo review was both fun and educational. As is always the case in any endeavor, people are the best part.

But gear is pretty cool. Especially TAD Gear. Imagine my excitement when I received this photo from Episode 21 guest Gianni from TAD:

Getting a prototype from TAD is like getting to test drive the new C7 Corvette before anyone else. For a gear geek, this is nirvana. Right? I had a hint that it was something we had talked about on Episode 21, a certain sharp thing that I had basically begged them to make. The box was long and slender and inside was exactly what I wanted from TAD for Christmas:

Here it is, the most tacticool of all Christmas items--the Ti Santa Beard. That stocking with MOLLE on it is nothing next to the power of the ultra light, non-magnetic, and rust proof Santa Beard.

May all of your gear Christmas wishes come true, not so you can have a pile of stuff, but so you can go out and have great experiences with the people in your life that matter. Remember--people, good jokes, lots of other stuff, and then gear. In that order of importance.

Merry Christmas.

Oh and just for the completists:

Overall Score: 20 out of 20