Snowboarding (Allison Whalen Blog 3)

Snowboarding is a fun, winter sport that many can enjoy and some even make their lives. I thought that a post on boards would be a good idea since the snowboarding season is approaching fast. The board is the essential to this sport. While other gear is needed the board is normally the most expensive piece. Top companies such as Burton, have a large selection of boards that start at $330 and can go well over a grand for an adult board. Children’s boards start around $150. While people can find off brand snowboards at cheaper prices they may be of cheaper quality as well. Each year snowboarding companies come up with new designs and new advertisements to produce sells. They even sponsor pro snowboarders to get their label out there and recognized.
While snowboarding can only be done during certain parts of the year and in certain places, people of all ages can enjoy it. I started snowboarding when I was 15 because my sister had gone the year before and enjoyed it. Now I see children as young as five on trainer boards behind teachers sliding down the slopes. Parents can go with their children. Most resorts have a wide range of slopes for beginners to experts. Some even have snow “parks” that have ramps, rails and other crazy stunts for those brave individuals. Snowboarding is a fun sport but it is just that a sport. And like all sports there is the potential for injury. Some individuals were helmets to protect their head and others have been killed.
Snowboarding like anything else requires money to do. A person needs the board boots and bindings as the bare minimum. Snowboarding pants and jackets and warm socks should also be worn. Anything to keep a person warm while enjoying the slopes.
Snowboarding seems to me to be geared more toward males because it is a sport. Women do snowboard but many not be able to do the insane stunts like the men. Like any sport one must be in shape to compete. Anyway you look at it, it is something anyone can enjoy you just need the board.

LAZY BOY CHAIRS (Allison Whalen ) blog 2

As the name of these chairs states they are for being Lazy and they are marketed more for men. As for me, whenever I think of recliners, I picture my dad in his giant brown chair, watching the races. That chairs was the best place to curl up and relax but it was my dad's and us kids could only sit there if he was not around. Recliners have been around for many years and the features are always changing. Some have coolers built in so you can always have a cold drink at hand. They also feature storage compartments that allow the remote to be safe from being lost. These chairs tend to be marketed to men and people seem to relate them to men. Even the recliners themselves are named after guys. There are the Larson, Lancer, Gibson and Gavin to name a few. Out of the 81 styles shown online, 7 have female names. The other 74 have male names or non-gender names. The female chairs are also smaller and some are shown in pink or red.
These recliners are an example of gender marketing. In gender roles, the man after a long day at work, comes home to relax while his wife cares for him and creates a meal for him. The lazy boy was that perfect spot for the tired man to relax. The women did not need a spot to relax because she never had time too. She was always cooking or cleaning or caring for someone in the family. Not only this but from the pictures the female chairs seem less comfortable then the males. There is more padding on the male chairs arms and the chair itself is just bigger. I do not think people could fall asleep in some of these “female” based chairs. Nothing like products that ask men to be lazy and women to be uncomfortable.

UGG boots by Allison Whalen

UGG Women’s classic boots come in about eight colors. There is also the short which is calf height or a tall that is almost knee high. The UGG classic features genuine twin face sheepskin. All classic boots have a soft foam insole that is also covered in sheepskin. The molded EVA light and flexible outsole is designed for refreshing comfort with every step. This is all according to the UGG website. The classic boot starts at $140.00. These boots are great for the cold weather. They are warm and comfortable for those snow days. But as many of us live in the city and valleys, there are not many of these. They will work for those raining days as well. Also because they are flat soled they can be harmful to your feet because they have no arch support.

UGGs in recent years have become a fashion statement. Many women are buying them for the look and not their function. Women will wear these boots that are made for cold weather with shorts and skirts when it is ninety plus degrees outside. This makes absolutely no sense to me. I understand they are comfortable but your feet are sweating. That’s just gross and can cause foot issues like fungus. No one wants that.

All in all these boots can be useful but are on the expensive side. But for those who spare nothing for fashion they are a must have. UGG also has a complete line of boots so there are many to choose from. You see all the styles at www.uggaustralia.com