RayInJapan

Momo and I will be having a daughter. Went to the doc on base today - their $125,000 ultrasound machine couldn't tell the sex because the young lady was doing the right thing and keeping her legs closed - the ultrasound technician was a guy. So Momo went to the japanese clinic and a lady nurse was able to see the baby had no chimpo - told us we'd be the proud parents of a baby girl when she comes out in June... We have video of her from when Momo first went to the clinic and the baby looked like a small kidney bean. Its kinda cool cause over the last 20 weeks, we've seen the

Damn, I better hurry up and learn to ski then so I won't get hurt. Saw on the news yesterday, a skier in the US crashed into a tree and died. Wasn't wearing a helmet. Don't tell that story to your school though cause then they'll think skiing is dangerous too...

Very good analysis Thunder...spot on...

Sometimes I wish there were "snowboarders only" resorts... not always, but sometimes...

I never ride with the board flat for the reason you describe. I always use an edge for control. The edge I use is determined by the side angle of the slope or by the pain in either my calves or thighs. The only exception is leading into a jump - then I'll ride on the flat part of the board when setting up for a straight jump.

But you've had powder right 97? So multiply that by 2, and you know what to expect when you finally do...

Take the BEST sex you've ever had, divide it by 2, and you have the joy you get from riding in powder.

clark is cool..."new axis of evil"...I like that.

King sized bed for me! I need room to stretch out when I sleep plus the provide more room to "play"

What I want to know is, how in the hell do you find the time to take the pictures? Everytime I bring my camera, I end up not taking pictures. Usually cause I'm having so much fun in the middle of a good powder run, and I'm too selfish to stop and take pics of someone else. And of course no one is around to take pics of me...

Personally, I think the only thing wrong with this is the fact that Bush proposed it, and when it happens, he'll get to take credit. I'm not a Star Trek geek - don't even have a telescope. But think about it - mankind eventually has to make them old sci fi movies come true; why not get started now? I don't think it should be a US project though - it should be a mankind project...

Teledude - I kinda disagree slightly - if you can't do it without a helmet, all the more reason to wear a helmet to protect yourself from the inevitable. I will agree there are some folks who totally lack coordination and are probably better off as ski lift operators versus actually getting on the lift. However, most folks are not born with the skill/knowledge to reach new heights - most folks have to actually go out and practice the skill and learn what to do, and what not to do. It might take some folks one try, and others a hundred, but eventually, everyone but those who

I should have added this - there is a blood test they can do for gout that will tell you if you have it or not...

Maybe - depends on how old you are...could be a thing called gout (spelling?). Don't know much about it other than the doc told me I don't have it, and that it affects circulation in the feet - something about some kind of crystals forming...

I can't watch a movie WITHOUT eating popcorn. Don't know why - maybe its cause I like popcorn, and thats usually the only time I get to eat it...to lazy to buy it in the store and throw it in the microwave...

I have last years Pro-C FS boarder X model. They don't seem to make a boarder X model this year so I don't know exactly what the difference is. I'm really happy with them except for one thing - they are heavy. They make great all mountain bindings, and are especially easy to get in/out of in deep powder. My wife uses FL-5s and loves them too. The flows are much easier to use than regular straps and easier to get into/out of than my Burton PSI step ins. No complaints what so ever except for the weight which doesn't make them very good for freestyle stuff. But for plain ole tearing

Are you going to board or ski? Either way - expect to fall - alot! But don't worry about that - everyone falls. I find that most new snow boarders take about 3 days of riding to finally get the hang of it... But like I said - don't worry about falling. You're going to do that, and continue to do that if you push yourself to get better...

I wear mine - have worn one from day 1. Its saved my head more than a few times - especially in the trees. The way I figure, I can afford to break a leg, arm etc but I can't afford to break my head. Death isn't something I want to deal with right now... I don't even notice its there. Other bennies too - keeps my head warm, and gives me the confidence to push myself closer to the edge without having to worry about splitting my noggin open...

Momo was saying the same thing while we were watching it...funny thing is - they sold 2 million copies of their 1500 yen single last year. If they only made a $1 each off each copy, they're a hell of a lot richer than I am even if they can't sing...I think its their personality mix that sells the most..

Good buy MS - I have a custom 162 I bought last season thats served me well. I have PSI step ins and Flow Boarder X that I mount on it depending on my mood...

But what was the rest of her bod like? From the front that is...

Cool - I'll let you know for sure...I have this discount thing for HF that allows me and 4 guests to buy tickets 1/2 off up to 5 or 6 times - also lets us stay at the hotel 1/2 off too. I'll take a look at it tonight and let you know. This weekend is a 3 day weekend though for Japanese so I wonder if it will be crowded up there.. Yeah - I drooled all day yesterday looking at the Hakkodas and the great weather up there. I think the rest of this winter will be spent waking up and looking at the mountains - clear - head to Hakkoda. Cloudy/snow - head to Hachimantai...

On groomed slopes, blizzard is best for me unless I can't see 50 feet in front of me...Blizzard/heavy snow usually means all day powder even on groomed slopes..."the next day" for groomed slopes doesn't usually = powder. "In the trees", I much prefer the day after if I can be part of the first group out there... I have been snowboarding at Hakkoda when I couldn't see 30 feet in front of me and hated that big time...

Plucky - are you going up there with the mogul mashers? Trying to decide where to go this weekend...saw the MM are going there...

6 so far this season - not bad considering the kurage have made the snow less than desireable so far...but tonight and tomorrow promise 50-100cm in some places up here in Northern Tohoku...the same for Hokkaido I'm sure...