Oh the places Onesies can go!

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

I appear to have a onesie addiction. Perhaps an obsession is a better term? I began building my onesie collection when I first moved back to Canada from Australia in 2012, with a leopard print onesie with footies.

This seemed to satiate me for a while, but in the last year, my collection has grown immensely. The next addition came from my old roommate Julien, who had made a tiger onesie out of the golden fleece that the VOC inherited, which I became the owner of. Over time, the electrical tape stripes began falling off... making me more of a rubbish tiger (thanks for the name Danielle!).

The initial motivation for me to really build on my collection arrived when my friend Jake Jones brought over a full body cockroach onesie to give to me, which I have since worn to many parties (costume and otherwise) and even taken climbing. Climbing and bonfire parties along the Squamish River Valley is definitely where I decided to go ("Oh the places you'll go!").

“You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

This made me realize that I was living my outdoor life to only half of its potential (perhaps a slight exaggeration). As a result, I soon after ordered myself red panda and a koala onesies. These onesies had their first outing on a 4-day canoe trip (the Powell Forest Canoe Route). Jake and I wore these pretty much every night.

“You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step, step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

This canoe trip helped me realize the potential of the onesies. They are not limited to canoe trips, however, but have also enjoyed a great day if climbing in Squamish, with fellow onesie-owners Shell and Nicole!

“Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find, for a mind maker-upper to make up his mind” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

But this was only the beginning! What other purposes could I find for my onesies?After wearing the onesies cragging in Squamish, I felt inspired to bring the onesie love to the Aviary Climbing gym, where I co-hosted two evenings of "Onesie Wednesdays"! I also felt inspired to add a new onesie to my fleet, and I ordered a blue sea otter. Thanks Kevin, Sarah, Nicole, Liz, Sally and Ian for your enthusiasm to join!

“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains.” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

One downside of climbing in the Aviary in this fashion is that onesies and enclosed climbing gyms are both very hot. Eureka! Onesies are suited for snow! I decided that it would be a good idea to back country ski in my onesie, and I managed to convince Nicole to join me in this pursuit on our way to Elfin Lakes.

Wearing onesies in so many public places is obviously not the norm. However, I will say that doing so has brought me great happiness and has made many strangers into friends, temporary or otherwise. Something about being weird in public really energizes me and makes me happy, and I am so happy that it has been received positively by so many people who likely would not have began conversation with me otherwise. I am also so happy that Jake, Shell and Nicole are so keen to embrace this odd behaviour with me! Sometimes life can be a bit sad, but I hope that wearing these onesies not only makes me happier, but also the people I encounter along my journey.

“I'm sorry to say so but, sadly, it's true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

These onesies don't only have a purpose in the back country, however. Whenever I am feeling down at home, I just put on one of these onesies and feel immediately happier! I also bring them to dance parties regularly to also brighten my mood, and that of others!