Plucky
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Posts posted by Plucky
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Hey Indo,
want to join me for a surf in the Arctic Ocean this August?
If things work out, I'm going to fly up to Barrow with my 7'6" very floaty epoxy board and try to surf some slop just for the hell of it. The wind always blows up there so there should be some okay mushburgers to play around on. The link is at work, but there is a webcam I check every couple of days that shows the beach and ocean by Barrow. Up until two months ago, it was solid ice.
I've got a free plane ticket on Alaska Airlines I need to use, so why not?
PS - I'd use it to go to Hawaii, but I won't have any vacation left then. Oh well. 80 degree water vs 38.......
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exactly. These were said while the person walked towards me crossing their arms.Quote:Originally posted by Indosnm:
Japanese only or no gaijin.
thats what I was told.
I had a really weird experience in Aomori once. My friends from Portland, OR were visiting and we had taken the train up to Aomori. After some shopping and checking things out, we got really hungry and ended up wandering in to some random place for food. We got some weird looks from everyone in there, but they gave us a table. When it came time to order, the only thing they would serve us was Yakisoba. In my limited Japanese, I had asked for this chicken dish for all of us that a couple next to us was eating. The lady crossed her arms and then pointed at Yakisoba (I recognized it just from experience). Long story short, other people had come in after us and ordered anything they wanted. They would only serve us Yakisoba.
What the hell was that all about?
At least the Yakisoba ended up being really tasty We had to get a pizza later (4,500 yen for two 10" thin crust pizzas - ugghhh) to fill us up though.
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In Texass, HUGE crowds turn out for the games. A lot of the High Schools with a football history have stadiums that would make a lot of colleges jealous.
When we played in the state championships (in Oregon), I think 15,000 turned out for the games each year. That's a lot considering it was December and cold and raining.
Small-town America goes ga ga over High School football. Friday Night Lights is very, very accurate in its portrayal of HS football in Texass and in general for America. It's one of the reasons I thought it was such a good movie.
I just learned the other day that the high school I attended is putting artifical turf in on the football field. That blows me away! That money could be better spent elsewhere, but it is all being privately donated. Goes to show the popularity of the sport!
I LOVE American football but concentrate mostly on the college game. I don't like the majority of pro sports any more. Too commercialized and too many rich little cry babies. Unfortunately, college is heading down the same path. High school may be the last bastion of the true spirit of the game and one of the reasons it's so popular.
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Sounds fine to me. It's not like the Japanese discriminate at restaurants
I was denied access to a few eateries in Japan because I wasn't Japanese. I blame a lot of it in Misawa on some Marines who caused some trouble over a decade ago, but c'mon. I've been turned away from places in Hachinohe a few times along with Aomori also.eh, whatevahs...... at least the Yakuza let us surf Shinko in Sendai. Gave us some good deals on beers too!
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The military do not need passports to travel from the US to the country where they are stationed. If a US military member stationed in Japan left for a personal trip to Thailand or Australia, they would have to get a passport.Quote:Originally posted by Kintaro:
I don't know if military need passports to travel outside the US....anyone?
Come to think of it, I don't know that many people with passports back in my home town. North America is a big area, however, and no, US citizens do not need a passport to travel to Canada or Mexico. That may be changing very soon though. -
(I hope this doesn't double post since my last post didn't show up)
I just heard about this on the radio coming in to work. I'm a bit in awe right now. My condolences to all that have been affected by this. Those of you in London - take care of yourselves.
This isn't the best time (or best thread) to really discuss this. However, my mind was going a million miles a minute thinking about this issue coming in to work. I have some opinions and thoughts on the subject I'd like to discuss later. For now, best wishes to all Londoners and British citizens.Quote:UNfortunately this kinda thing will only strengthen GWBs stance on proactive terrorist takedown strategies and invasions of other countries.
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Obviously I've never been to Everest. Just read up on what the climbing community is doing there and have heard some firsthand accounts from acquaintances that have been.Quote:Originally posted by Ocean11:
So it's not only beer that you're a connoisseur of then? Everest is a long way to go to sample a turd...Quote:Originally posted by Plucky:
Some good stuff has been done on Ranier and Hood and also Everest.
I mentioned Rainier and Hood because they are two of the most popular climbs in the world. -
I helped break a huge brawl up in Roppongi two years ago. Some Africans and some Italians were having a serious throw down, right outside the New York pub (or something like that).
I took a couple shots to the ribs, but luckily, a few other strangers joined in trying to break things up. We got things cleared before the police showed up. Not a great welcome on my first night in Tokyo!
Fighting is stupid and ignorant. Unless it's during a rugby game
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I wonder if Bollywood has a version of War of the Worlds........Quote:Originally posted by Ocean11:
I'm not seeing this film because it's an American product.
Haven't seen the movie. I'll rent it in 4 months. -
Sounds exactly like the US college football forums. And basketball. And baseball.Quote:Originally posted by giggsy:
Great Man Utd forum:
http://www.redcafe.net/forum.php?
Yep there sure is a lot of discussion going on. (A lot if it right now hatred directed at a certain Glazer family).
I think you'll find all the big clubs have them. Non-specific club forums tend to just overrun with fans from other clubs just mouthing off at each other.
Actually, does anyone know if a quality "general footie" forum?
They basically exist so us sports fans with no redeeming qualities can waste time at our jobs.
I spend wayyy too much time on my college's athletic forum. One of my best friends runs it, so I feel obligated I guess. -
After reading this......
People make fun of American football and its fanatics?????
Are there more specific sites you fans visit for more detailed discussions on strategy and so forth?
I participate in two forums for my alma mater's American football team, and things get pretty detailed there. A lot of X's and O's.
Fans of opposing teams can have some pretty heated exchanges. I imagine the same thing for 'soccer' elsewhere. I'd say the same for hockey, but hardly any Canadians know how to type
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the article did say mostly Americans voted.Quote:Originally posted by smellyfeet:
Is beer that good in the US, or is that just a ready-by-US-peeps website?
I like this quote: "In the end, the survey showed that, like politics, all beer is local"
See, in the western US, we fight about beers between states or regions (probably like wine in Europe). My friends and I from the US Pacific Northwest, argue about the best brewery on a certain stretch of the Oregon Coast.
The whole microbrew thing took off in the US big around about 1992. A lot of the breweries have learned to turn out a great product. They are tweaking European recipes in so many different directions that something good is bound to come from it!
I've had the great opportunity to drink beers from all around the world. I don't know if I'd say the US has the best, but damn, the breweries in the west nowdays put out some fine products.
I have to put this dig in - Japan beers leave a lot to be desired...... -
Thanks for that link. I'll look through it a bit more extensively tomorrow.Quote:Originally posted by Fattwins:
for used boat prices plucky check here
http://www.kayaknews.ca/yak/boats/can4sale.shtml
Key point push the paddle dont pull on it.
My friend John (same guy who is the mountain guide) rowed crew for Oregon State in college. He taught me a few things about paddling - not much though. It came back a little today and the whole 'push, don't pull' thing became my mantra. Funny you said that, because I didn't know if I was remembering crap info or the real thing
Let me check some things out this weekend and I'll PM if I have questions. Thanks for the reply!
Ocean - That's totally backwards from what I was envisioning. I've never seen anything like that. I also am not too familiar with Japanese bathroom slippers since I have a size 12 US foot I can't remember if I told that story or not from the Hachimantai Royal Hotel about me and slippers and the footwear policy in the hotel's breakfast buffet. Makes me laugh to think about it.
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Quote:Originally posted by Dims:I was too young to vote then. Don't blame me - I thought Reagan was a bad actor too!
Originally posted by Mr Wiggles:
[qb]
Seriously though, of all the great people that have come out of of the U.S, why pick a senile, stupid, B-grade acting, war-mongering, psychic-referring, monkey-loving winkled old fart with blood on his hands and whose finger loved to hover over "the button".
Imagine if there was no mass media boom. Meaning, only 3 channels of TV, a few AM radio stations, your local news rag and NO internet. Global Politics were stagnant from the year 1990 (Cold War seems like a decent cutoff) until the year 2100.
How would text books in 2100 read regarding this years (2005) news?
(It's rhetorical)
I've just been getting a chuckle out of revisionist history lately, especially dealing with the republican mantra.
I highly doubt George Bush is the most evil person ever. He is just really F'ing stupid and is controlled by some of the most evil people ever. Rumsfeld, Rove and the US Supreme Court have been huge embarrasments lately.
The world watches and I just don't think US citizens realize this. Being top dawg ain't easy. Britain learned this, the US better be taking notes now, and you know China is watching.
I should be safe in Alaska
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Trust me, a lot don't. At least the Air Force people I've worked with.Quote:Originally posted by Kintaro:
It was just a long shot guess...
I can't imagine all military personel support the Commander in Chief.
Remember my roomie in Misawa, 'B'. A Lt, soon to be Captain, that really doesn't like bush, read a little Chomsky, listened to Anti-Flag and Bad Religion..... But, uncle sam won't let him use his first amendment rights since he's an officer. That means, he can be court martialed for speaking out against the government. 9 out of the 10 I work with now are anti-bush (all enlisted, aka, non-officer). Listening to this guy 'Blank' speak is hilarious. He's full of pride considering he's not an office conformist
Why can't I PM you Kintaro?
Oh yeah, sorry to hijack - Furm is right with the limits in the US. -
I think I know what you're talking about. Really wide where you sit, but tapers off to a sharp, short point in the front and a little more rounded and blunt in the back?
Now that I think about it, I just bought a decent little lake kayak for fishing and dinking around.
I guess you can take fishing out of the equation above. Just lake, ocean and light river paddling. That would be perfect. I'll have to run up and take a look at some tomorrow.
Ocean - I'm not that tall at all. Only 5'11", but I'm wide and broad shouldered. I have really big legs too. Shopping for pants/trousers/jeans sucks. Fitting in to a hard-shelled kayak may be problematic too. I didn't think about that. Well, just have to see tomorrow. I'm sure they'll have something - fat guys like kayaks too
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It's cliche, but it's how I feel.
I'm 31.
I physically feel 50
I mentally feel like I'm 21
Toque, I didn't realize you were so young! No wonder reading your posts reminds me of when I was 19-26 (26 being first knee surgery). I do not wish upon you these ills, however.
No offense to anyone older
These last 3 years have taken their toll on me! New knee, new chapter in life though! -
I've fished from inflatable craft since I was a wee tyke (meaning, my family was too poor to get a proper boatQuote:Originally posted by Toque:
Better watch out with the hooksQuote:Originally posted by Plucky:
I bought a sit-on-top inflatable Coleman kayak today. I bought it mainly for fly fishing )
I really am pretty used to it and very careful. The kayak I bought had some "Super-Secret New Polymer More Resistant to Punctures!" At least it said that on the box
Fly fishing is actually pretty easy from an inflatable. Spin casting is a bit more dangerous in my experience. I've blown 2 rafts fishing for bass! Luckily, this kayak has 7 chambers, so I'm not too worried. And, I'm a good swimmer
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Seems like you know a lot about this subject. I have a couple of simple questions.
I bought a sit-on-top inflatable Coleman kayak today. It cost a whopping 70 US dollars. I bought it mainly for fly fishing from (caught some nice ones today too!).
BUT, I had a GREAT time just paddling. I've done a tiny bit of ocean kayaking in Hawaii, but really have done nothing serious. Today, however, I was able to paddle within 20 feet of a moose taking a drink out of the lake. I have some pics I took from shore I'll post later. Anyway, I just loved the feeling of gliding on the water. Since I haven't been able to surf, this just felt like a great substitution. I loved it!
1) I have one double oared paddle. How frickin' long does it take to get proficient at using one of these? I had spurts of greatness, but then would mess up and almost tip myself.
2) Any recommendation for paddling gloves? I gots some nice blisters!
3) If I wanted to get a serious hard-shelled beginner kayak, how much money am I looking at? Doesn't have to be US dollars - I can convert. Any reccomendations on brand or type to get?
I'd like something that is multi-use. Lake paddling, running up to maybe class 3 rapids (nothing higher), and comfortable to fish from. Does such a beast even exist?
If ya feel like it, just give me what you have off the top of your head. I can do some research on my own too. There are a couple of paddle shops up here and I've got the internet of course. Just wanted to pick your brain
Thanks man!
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Japan's attempt to control nature has gotten it in to a lot of trouble.Quote:Originally posted by slow:
But I think we can prevent flooding... The government do nothing to protect the safety of citizens there?
Best thing to do - don't build where it is likely to flood!
This coming from a guy who bought a cabin on a river that floods all the time Just last week, the water got within a foot of the top of the dike! BUT, it was the 3rd highest water level ever recorded, so.... the dike is actually working well.
Japan's natural hazards program gets a lot of good press for some of their more innovative ideas. Unfortunately, it's all surface glammer. The program does nothing to deal with the little tragedies that cause most of the damage. I'm refering to tunnels for EQ evacs, gigantic dams on rivers that have never had a history of flooding, stream channels concreted and paved (which can exacerbate flooding), the attempt to solidify mountain sides with cement..........
I'm not trying to be negative and I know a lot more goes in to this subject besides geologic fact (politiks), but damn, Japan has some screwy engineering solutions that have proven time and again not to work.
I really do feel for everyone that is dealing with these situations over there. That area of Japan has been hit HARD and from all angles. I hope they can be granted some peace soon! -
A girl I was dating got a 45,000 yen ticket going from Misawa to Morioka. She was doing about 35kph over the limit and was just stupid in not remembering where the cameras were. There are 2 sets of cameras from Misawa to the ski areas around Morioka - I was a gaijan and realized this. For some reason, a lot of Japanese I knew got tickets anyway. Beats me....
I do, however, have my speeding ticket I got in Misawa City framed and hanging on my wall
Speedtraps, man.... Waves were good and I was in a hurry to get home from work and grab my board. I almost ran the dimwit cop over that jumped in front of my truck after the speed detector started going off. I was doing a whopping 6 kph over the limit. yikes, lock me up! -
Gotta live gotta live... shit town! gotta live in aaa town gotta live gotta live... shit town! gotta live in aaa town!
Live - Throwing Copper
Thanks for reminding me of them! Since I got all of my old CD's stolen during my move to Japan (thanks to some crook in the US postal service), I'd forgotten about Live. Haha.
Sorry to be so random..........
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I've tried both now.
I choose oblivian over awareness during surgery
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However weird my first post in this thread seems, it is all true! We also had a kegarator (A 'fridge with 3 beer taps coming out the front) fully loaded at all times in the living room. This probably helped greatly with John's poo demonstrationQuote:Originally posted by veronica:
I thought that was a joke abou the book in your first thread Plucky! Obviously not!
Rules of filming
in Snow talk, trip reports, Japan avalanche & backcountry
Posted
I'm no expert by any means, but here are some comments on your comments:
I haven't filmed anything since last December. I travelled back to Oregon to watch my Alma Mater's big rivalry college football game then went surfing with my best friend for 3 days on the OR coast. In Alaska, however, I've just been taking tons and tons of pictures. I haven't busted the vid cam out once. I still have a bunch of footage from Japan to edit, but I just don't have a desire to do it now. Too many other things here to see and do!