@gonzalez.anna reel mowers slice the grass like scissors cleaner than gas engines just shredding it.

Does that 50% include the ones who just stop showing up after the first week, or is it counting people who actually try for a couple of months first? Seems like a lot of people bail after they hit the first real roadblock and never look back.

yeah I used to totally think that way honestly... I'd be like "what's six ounces gonna do, you can't even feel it in your pack" but then I had one trip where I got caught in a freak cold snap up in the whites and my bag just wasn't cutting it. I was shivering all night and couldn't sleep, it was miserable. that changed my mind real quick because being warm and dry is worth a little extra weight if it means you're not stuck in a bad situation. plus now I just see it as insurance, you don't need it most trips but when you do you're really glad you have it.

Seven dollars is actually a steal compared to what I was seeing at the auto parts store last week where they wanted fifteen for the same size tube. You're totally right that cheap stuff just makes a greasy mess and doesn't hold up for more than a few weeks. I've been using this brand for years now and it's the only thing that keeps my trailer hitch from squeaking all season long. It's one of those things where you either pay a little more upfront or you end up buying replacements every few months and wasting time cleaning up the cheap goop. I feel like a lot of people don't realize that quality grease actually saves money in the long run because it stays put and does its job.

My old roommate from 2018 used to paint these super detailed fantasy scenes but only in muted earth tones because she thought "real artists" had a signature palette. She switched to doing one piece in neon cyberpunk colors and another in soft watercolor pastels, and her followers actually started asking about her techniques instead of just scrolling past. I saw her at a convention last month and she had a whole wall of mixed styles that looked way more interesting than the samey stuff she used to show. It's funny how we think consistency equals professionalism until someone points out it's just holding us back. Your buddy in Denver did you a solid by being honest.