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danz

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Posts posted by danz

    ipod - therefore I am?

    in General off-topic discussions

    Posted

    sunrise...

     

    i dont think anything non-apple will sync up with itunes...but there are plenty other media juke-box players out there that are just as good...

     

    also, apple has a very tight pricing scheme...meaning its hard to find deals for much less than what is on the official apple web-site...the rio (and other manufacturers) on the other hand, will drop in price quickly (I got my karma for like 100 bucks cheaper than the official web-site figure)...my guess is the rio will be cheaper...

     

    danz

    ipod - therefore I am?

    in General off-topic discussions

    Posted

    hope I don't offend the iPod camp but...

     

    check out the Rio Nitrus...they have a new 4gb model...

     

    Rio miniPod

    HD: 4GB 4GB

    Dim: 3.0x2.4x0.6 3.6x2.0x0.5

    Bat: 16hr/charge 8hr/charge

    Wght: 2oz 3.06oz

    audio: mp3, wma mp3, aac

    price: $249 $249

     

    I got a rio Karma recently (20gb) and have been very impressed...great player and much cheaper than the ipod version...battery life alone should be an eye-opener for the minipod battle...

     

    danz

    Gear Review: Salomon Course XR Japan boots

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    another short review...

     

    Salomon Course XR Japan boots...

     

    I like these boots...way softer than my last pair (Head World Cup). Besides the appearance of a really annoying pressure point on the side of my foot (which thankfully disappeared after a few days), the boot did not cause me any major comfort issues. In fact, I can even keep them buckled for the entire day! This is something I could never do on any pair of boots I have ever owned (except maybe that first pair...rear-entry ... not much choice for buckled/not buckled in that case \:D ).

     

    There were a few drops and bumps that caused me to cringe out of habbit, but turned out to be painless experiences. That extra give really helps...I did notice a difference when I went out for some cruising on the atomics...but that is to be expected. Still, I was not hindered, and do not think I would feel less control even in the iciest conditions.

     

    Good comfy boot...time will tell how they are in the long run...

     

    danz

    Gear Review: Vokl V-Explosive (aka GANDALF)

    in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry

    Posted

    To all those interested...

     

    Just got back from my 2-week Niseko adventure...what a trip! Will get a journal entry going soon....

     

    On to the gear. This was my first time on the Vokl V-Explosive. They are a fat twin-tip ski (120-95-112), 180cm long. I love em!

     

    First thing I noticed, well, they were really fat! I thought my upgrade last-year to mid-fats was a big step, but this is a whole different ballgame. At first I was a little intimidated...I didnt think I would ever be able to control them, or get them on edge...truth is they are a very responsive ski. Noticeably stiffer than other comparable fat skiis (way stiffer than toque's fischers...), it makes for a nice companion in the trees.

     

    The v-explosives will never be able to compete with my atomics on the groomers and general piste runs (quickness, responsiveness, springiness), but once you duck that rope they excel. They do carve nice arcs on the groomers, but it is a much more passive process than my atomics.

     

    I didnt get to truly appreciate Gandalf until I got onto the Peak at Hirafu. It is long, wide open, and always deep up there...my first instict was to go into my 100-turns approach to powder fields that I had to do with my atomics (long arcs would force my atomics to dive in)...it only took me 2 turns to realize that this wouldnt work, and it was not the will of Gandalf. Once I opened up my turns the skiis really flew down the mountain. I found myself riding my tails alot more and guiding the skiis with my body weight more so than with boot pressure (I am still not sure if this is how I should be doing it...). If I applied too much boot pressure, the ski would actually float less...wonder if this is because of its extra stiffness.

     

    These skiis also recover nicely from drops and hits...I was able to make way more recoveries with these skiis than I used to be able to make...I just hope I dont start getting lazy riding these puppies...

     

    all in all, a great ski! I am really happy with them and look forward to more open powder runs with Gandalf.

     

    I should also mention that Gandalf's facial expressoins changes depending on how you ski. He also has the power to change the weather...and the universe he holds in his hands glow in the powder! db can vouche for all of this...

     

    danz

    Fraternity pledge

    in General off-topic discussions

    Posted

    guess Ill chime in...

    I was in a fraternity...actually, a Co-ed frat...sounds wierd, but it is actually the only nationally affiliated co-ed greek organization...but enough about me, here is the process....

     

    1) Rush - everything starts with Rush. This is a chance for unaffiliated students (usually freshman, but in many schools sophmores) to get to know members of the various frats, learn about the frats themselves...it is also a chance for the fraternities themselves to get a good look at new potentials...and decide who they think would be a best fit

     

    2) Bids - Towards the end of rush, a fraternity will extend a "bid" to a student that they would like to have join their frat.

     

    3) Pledging - After a student receives a bid, he can decide to pledge to the frat. You can only pledge to one frat, so if you are serious about this stuff, it is a big decision (assuming you get more than 1 bid). Once he pledges, he is then considered a Pledge of the Fraternity. He is not a member yet.

     

    4) Initiation - This is the process of becoming a full member of the frat. The length varies from frat to frat...some last as short as 1 day, others as long as a full year. During this time all sorts of crazy stuff happens. Hazing can very from playful pranks to very severe (and stupid) activites. If there is a private house, the pledges usually have various house duties,etc. There are also usally activities for the pledges to promote friendship and "brotherhood". This may include pledge retreats, or other group activities. Usually, during the pledging process you become very close to your pledge brothers (and sisters). At any point during this process, a pledge can "depledge" if he/she wants out. Also, a frat has the right to kick a pledge out if they feel the pledge isnt "fitting in". This process culminates in a final initiation ceremony/party where the pledges become full members.

     

    ------

     

    Frats have a long history, and many with Masonic origins. That means lots of frats have crazy secret rituals and handshakes and stuff like that...most frats have very private and secret meetings...

     

    Are they good or bad??? well...depends on each individual, the frat, and the school...for me it was a great experience. My house was about 50/50 male-female, international-us students...I had an opportunity to live with people from all over the world in an environment that I cant imagine possible in any other situation. Sure, there are lots of negatives to these organizations, but there is also lots to be gained...

     

    hope that gives some more insight \:D

    sorry for the long post...

     

    danz

    Air miles

    in General off-topic discussions

    Posted

    I have been collecting since airlines first started mileage programs....they really pay off...

     

    have used them mainly for domestic travel in the US (visit family and friends)...also for class upgrades, and once for a ski trip to france!

     

    good things those miles are...

     

    danz

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