10 gift ideas for the Bear Grylls fan

The holidays are quickly approaching and you might be trying to come up with some gifts for that special someone in your life. Well don't worry, we here at Just South of North are going to help.

If that special someone is excited for the new NBC Bear Grylls show, perhaps they even applied to be on it, maybe you should get them some Bear Grylls items.

Here are 10 suggestions for the Bear Grylls fan in your life:

1. Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife: The first edition of this knife was horrible. It wasn't up to the usually very high standards of Gerber. However, the second edition is top notch. The knife featurs:

• Molded rubber grip and knurled striking surface butt cap
• Saw ground back blade
• Integrated fire starter with integrated diamond sharpener
• Key ground-air communication patch
• Emergency micro lanyard whistle

It's a must have for any fan of the outdoors and fan of Bear Grylls.

2. Mud, Sweat, and Tears: The Autobiography: I bought this book as soon as it was available in the US. And I read it in just a few days after receiving it. The book is fast-paced and well written. The chapters keep you intrigued and show more to Bear Grylls then fans get in his TV shows and interviews. It's a great read and a lot of fun. I enjoyed it a lot and I'm sure you will too.

3. Man vs. Wild Video Game: Have you ever wanted to BE Bear Grylls? Well with the Man vs. Wild video game you have the chance. I wrote a review last year about the game and found it enjoyable. You can't make it outside everyday, so on those days you're trapped inside, why not have a little fun by trying to survive in the Everglades.

4. Man vs Wild: Season Four: While I enjoy all the seasons of Man vs. Wild, I really enjoyed season four. This season also includes the very humorous episode with Will Ferrel. In this season Bear heads to the wilds of Alabama, Arctic Circle, Vietnam, Texas, Alaska, Panama, Big Sky Country, China and Guatemala.

5. Bear Grylls Men's Trek Long Sleeve Shirt: This shirt is very form fitting (which you might want to move up one size for comfort fit). It is quick-drying and offers panels that stretch for added movement while trekking.

6. Bear Grylls Men's Original Trouser: Like the shirt in number five, these pants are made by Craghoppers and are quick-drying, offer stretch panels, six pockets (2 with zippers) and are very comfortable.

7. Para-Cord Survival Bracelet: I have a paracord bracelet that I wear whenever I go out whether I'm hiking, kayaking or just camping. If you ever needed rope while in the wild this is the perfect product. A great survival item and now part of my regular outdoor gear.

8. Man vs. Wild: Survival Techniques from the Most Dangerous Places on Earth: I recieved this book as a birthday present a few years ago and wasn't sure what to expect. But after reading a few chapters I knew that it would be very interesting. It's been a long time since I was in Boy Scouts and this book really helped to refresh some of what I learned while earning my Eagle Scout award. The information is good and presented in an entertaining way.

9. Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Fire Starter: While I don't have this exact model I do have a similar fire starter. It works great and is so nice to have in the wet Pacific Northwest. I don't have to worry about matches or finding waterproof matches (or a waterproof case) for them. This model also has a whistle attached for emergencies.

10. Man vs. Wild: Season One: The season that started it all. If your Bear Grylls fan doesn't have the first season of Man vs. Wild then you know what to get them.

I hope that this list has given you some good ideas for what to get the Bear Grylls fan in your life as well was my actual reviews of the products.

Happy Holidays!!!

From the Just South of North family to yours, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

What I learned over the Holidays

During these past couple of days of joy and gift-giving, I've learned a couple of things...

- Learn the aisle right-away hierarchy in stores before you go Christmas shopping, otherwise you'll get t-boned. For some reason, shoppers would rather give their first child to a Chinese Slave Army as opposed to giving some space for you to squeeze into the electronics aisle.

- AMC's showing of John Wayne movies was a pure stroke of genius, and then I saw they're going to show Clint Eastwood movies on New Years. That means that roughly all of Americans will be watching, while the ones that don't are simply communists.

- I like people that sent me personalized "Merry Christmas Brandon!" text messages as oppose to the generic, mass-texted ones. However, the more I think about it, I didn't send out a Merry Christmas text so perhaps I'm the one that's an a-hole.

- Read this story about Kurt Warner. Awesome stuff. Right down to him learning how to "Walk it Out."

- Four large holiday meals within 48 hours is pretty much deadly. I was in a food coma where I had dreams about Super Mario Bros, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Montana fans stalking me, and a dream where I apparently gained the ability to shrink in size, making me perfect for re-enacting Adam Morrison's NBA career.

- Relatives never question how much you eat. In fact, I get called a "growing boy" ... awesome.

- People are actually kind of pissed about Gonzaga's loss to Portland State.

- Pumpkin Pie does not need whip cream. In fact, why the hell do you need the whip cream? It masks the flavor!

- College World Series re-runs on ESPN Classic... yep, I'm addicted to sports.

Holiday Shopping

Taking a trip to Cosco today, I immediately noticed that there was tension in the air. The game of shopping had almost changed overnight as people were out for blood when it came to that prized Christmas gift.

First, the parking lot was a sea of vehicles, with cars trying to dart in and out of open parking spots like they were the last open spot on the lifeboats of the Titanic.

Then once I took a step into the store I noticed that everyone else had the "zoned-in" look on their face. The shopping list that looked like the Constitution of the United States was also a dead giveaway... people had a lot of crap to buy.

Now usually shopping is a pretty laid back, low-stress affair, but trolling the aisles in Cosco reminded me of navigating traffic in Baltimore. Basically everyone cuts you off with their shopping carts, a few lost people aimlessly wander around in the middle of all this causing major traffic problems and mothers are, by far, the meanest individuals on the face of the planet when they're trying to get that Guitar Hero video game for little Johnny.

The checkout line was a free for all as people charged towards the checkout point with the smallest line like they were qualifying for a NASCAR race. People in wheelchairs were getting pushed aside for these valued exit positions.

And the people working there... well they look like they've just returned back from a jungle patrol in Vietnam. I feel really, really, bad for these people, they must be saints to have to deal with the individual who buys roughly $900 worth of stuff and then breaks roughly $850 worth of coupons.

Happy Holidays!