Thursday, January 22, 2009
A Water Bottle by Any Other Name
In truth, I saw it online, coveted it, ordered it, wrapped it, put it under the tree and told my family that it was from them. I even acted surprised when I opened it.
But I didn't have to feign sheer delight at the architectural design of this high-tech flask. It makes a statement.
It shouts, "I love good design."
It screams, "I am hip."
It yells, "I care about the environment."
It says, "I care about my body." (No cancer-causing BPAs, thank you very much.)
It whispers, "I'm willing to shell out $30 because this is a 'hydration vessel,' not a water bottle."
Yes, you read that correctly - 30 smackeroos for a water, er, hydration vessel.
It reminds me of the joke going around in the 80s, when Perrier water was selling for a buck a bottle. "They should call it "Derriere" water because you'd have to be an ass to pay that much."
But what can I say? I got it for Christmas, along with the $35 T-shirt from Patagonia that reads "Live Simply."
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24 comments:
You can't help it, you've got style. You made me want the damn $30 hydration vessel. For one insane moment.
Whew. Moment passed.
Living simply ain't cheap I guess! Whew! I only paid $29 for my aluminum bottle...
I paid over $20 each for our family's supply of three aluminum bottles. They are most coveted by middle schoolers.
Susan, you made all of us want that water bottle... uh.. hydration vessel. The later sounds much better based on the price. You continue to surprise and delight me with your spunk, creativity and zest for life! I'm so glad we met and I hope to see you soon! love nancy
Even at $30, the bottle pays for itself in a month in savings on bottled water.
And I'm glad you all aren't willing to pony up the 30 bucks. I don't want to see my hydration vessel coming and going. :)
"Living simply aint cheap" - aint it the truth, Petrea.
Margaret, that's cool that aluminum water bottles (Siggs?) have become a middle school status symbol.
Nancy, you humble me, Ms. Spunky.
You've heard Nathan and I reminisce about this. I remember the first significant time I drank from a community hydration vessel.
The summer of my 12th birthday, I was helping Nathan, Carroll, and Nate put up hay at the "medduh". (Meadow for non-Appalachians.) During dog days, it's hot and humid, so we always got an early start. The meadow is a far piece away from the house, so packing a dinner (lunch for non-Appalachians) was advantageous.
With a loaf of bread, potted meat, and a hydration vessel in tow, off we go for a day in the hay field. I usually rode the rake to our destination. This was the days before the Allen's bought a baler. We stacked hay and what a lost art it is, I'm sure.
Our refrigerator was the shade of a big walnut by the fence line. The hydration vessel was a one gallon, glass, White House vinegar jug. Recycled to use as a water jug, it was perfect since it had a small neck and finger hold.
We passed the jug around while eating lunch. With the ambient temperature hovering in the 90's, the mineral water was refreshing and healthy. What, no cups, you ask? No, just a shirt tale to wipe off any residuals from the previous imbiber. Those were the days.
Those old vinegar jugs were the original recyclables. Grandma kept several in the cellar, always at the ready.
Hey, do you remember dog days? You received a black eye from Terry Layfield at the old pond during dog days. Wow, what a shiner!
PR, I love that story and never got tired of hearing you or Nathan tell it.
I considered using an old vinegar jug for my water bottle, but I found that it doesn't fit into the cup holder on the elliptical machine.
The black eye? I had almost forgotten about that. I was really proud of it for some strange reason. Remember we took pictures and then added the caption, "I'd rather fight than switch." Too bad I didn't have a blog then.
We lose all of our travel mugs and water bottles. Hope you can hold on to yours!
Your funny Susan, and I say that "shouting"
Tell Altadena Hiker if she returns the mousetrap she can afford the bottle. Me, I found mine on the curb. The bottle.
Can PR be my brother too? I wouldn't hog him, just one day every season.
I had a mouse as a kid, but gave it to myself. Ran into something, probably a sliding glass door -- that was my specialty. I wore it proudly (the black eye, not the door.)
I am trying to live as green as possible and there are so many plastic water bottles that will be spared with you using your new hydration vessel. It is quite stylish. At work we received one thermal plastic mug which we are now required to use at the hot beverage machines or water cooler and I love it. I feel so green each time I use it and btw it's not attractive but it is GREEN.
Maybe the designer was an Art Center grad!
Spend, spend, spend, my fellow Americans - to help our consumer driven economy...and China's too.
I gotta say, that is one hot bottle. I actually really love it. And isn't that was Christmas preasants are all about? Something you really want and don't necessarily need (in a good way, of course)
Sometimes it is worth it for something that makes you feel good.
It's beautiful, but I have my eye on an aluminum bottle.
Mostly so I can quaff chocolate milk all day yet appear healthy.
Ronni, I sure hope I don't lose this bottle. Every time I bring it on an outing, I'm a nervous wreck that I'm going to forget it.
PA, now I know what you mean about finding yours on the curb. It's very nostalgic.
AH, I'd be happy to share Robert, but you can have our younger brother full time, if you can find him.
Nelle, That's great that your company is making small changes that make a big difference.
PIO, It does look like something that could have been designed by an Art Center student.
CO, I'm doing my part to help the economy by participating in the laDine restaurant events. There are 16 SGV area restaurants participating.
Andrea, Yea, that was my thinking about having my family "give" it to me as a present - getting something I really wanted but didn't necessarily need. (I confess: I got a metal one as a freebie at the Women's Conference.)
Martha, I try not to use the "feel good" justification too often, but I think I can get away with it when it's also good for the environment.
Paula, chocolate milk. He!
The...ahem, hydration vessel is very alluring. But, does it require a travel cart to transport it? It looks quite large.
Very stylish Susan, but 30 bucks? it's a bit steep, no? As long as you like it, and this bottle sure will make you happy (er) and at the end happy people normally healthier.... so 30 bucks is not that bad after all.
Cheers,
Elra
Elra, from shopping around for reusable containers that wouldn't leech plastic or chemicals into my water, I discovered that $30 is about the going rate. Eventually it pays for itself in many ways, so I bought the bullet. I mean - wait - bit the bullet....
"...but you can have our younger brother full time, if you can find him."
Now that's funny. On my last visit, Dad asked me, "Where is he now?"
Paula will like this. When little Bob was about 3, he said "If you feel sad, drink chocolate milk, it'll make you feel better."
Give some brief food reviews, SC, from your Pre-Fixed meals
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