Deciding on a pair of new glasses can be something to look forward to, something that allows the buyer to re-brand their visage; a poor man's face lift, if you will.

Stylistics of frames can shape or help redefine characteristics of one's face. Creating a façade of high cheek bones or minamilizing facial deformities (like that third broken nose from the overzealous line backer of a bouncer you were gifted) are just a few of the things a nice set of shades can deliver.

Last year, in the dismal debts of Salt Lake's summer season, I came across a book that would forever change my outlook on Mother Nature's most hideous calender months. High temperatures have been difficult for me to deal with all my life. As a warm bodied individual, I often find myself becoming excessively weathered in attitude, lethargic and bored by the Hades-like patterns that last two months longer than they should. I believe that summer should only be two months long and the other associated months need to be cooler, and then divided between spring and fall.

Anon Optics founded in 2001 by The Machine (aka Burton Snowboards) has come along way since its start in 2001. Originally, the Anon line was produced by Idaho's Smith Optics but production was quickly shifted to Burton's Burlington headquaters. Four years later, in 2005, Anon introduced a robust line of fifteen sunglasses, as well as a smattering of soft goods.

This is it, the premiere jacket from the premiere outerwear company, the Alpha LT from Arc'teryx. Three things stand out right away when you pick up the Alpha LT in a shop, first the minimal weight, then the incredibly tight build, and finally the price, the very steep price. At first the price tag is difficult to stomach until you consider the durability and flexibility of such a piece. This is a jacket that can replace 2-3 of your pieces, performing equally well in a -20F gale force blizzard in the backcountry as a 50F spring day on the slopes. This is my review based on a season's worth of action.

NOTE: High resolution images available on Flickr.

For 2010 Bluebird offers eight waxes. If you are not be familiar with Bluebird's history, the company was started by Willie McMillion back in... '96 sounds good. If you are not aware of Willie's skill set on a broboard, you probably know him from making spew-beer-out-of-your-nose-onto-your-cheap-date-that-night as he announced Travis Rice's Natural Selection contest which was so raw that Quiksilver chicken-shitted out, canning Willie and blocking most all of his commentary from the web.

Adidas Skateboarding is offering a 100% pre-shrunk flannel in its skateboard line for this year (two color-way options). The shirt is well cut with subtle appointments, breathes well and has not faded after the ten wash test. The msrp is $60.00 U.S.D. and can be found in real skate/snowboard shops only.