Siren

Investment Biker by Jim Roger. Not particularly well written but interesting story of a guy (an investment banker) who travelled the globe (Ireland to Japan crossing Europe, Siberia and China and back, down Africa, over to Australia, then South America and back to the US) on his bike accompanied by his young girl friend.

Quote: i dont wanna get my arse kicked just cause im wearing protection. I have the same question - especially on steep. Siren

Ocean/Bad, Apparently these are this year's latest. Good looking but not cheap http://www.shr-binding.com/shr.html Siren

Not entirely relevant the subject under discussion but try this out. http://www.bolle.com/xboarder/xboarder.htm Take a while to load but it is fun/free.

Ah, here is the poet!! Hate the outside world but can't stand the loneliness of the cave? Join us!!

Hi Miltie! Having said what I said about Viento, I won't underestimate the research power of a big company like Victoria (which owns Viento). They have probably done their maths and figured if they can dupe x number of gullible punters to make an impulsive purchase each year, they can maintain the high margin. In addition, most of the profits would probably come from the high volume freestyle goods rather than the alpine stuffs which are offered just to set them apart from the smaller shops in the area. But you are right. Generally I think Japanese consumers don't have much of a

Interesting discussion here. I have great admiration for people like Nils who is trying to do something he really believes in and wants to share with others. However, I really don't care too much about the great debates about skier vs snowboarder or freestyle vs freeride. There is a better way but never one best way to do things as we know. For the resorts that aren't interested in the business of snowboarders for reason only obvious to themselves, that's fine with me too as long as that is not the only place on earth I can go in the winter. Often, they are not even the better resorts.

Went to Jinbocho again this afternoon and found that the Minami shop stocks quite a wide range of boots and bindings other than Deeluxe and the price seems much more reasonable. It made me wonder why a big store like Viento stocks mainly Deeluxe brand. They should realise this is the internet age and it is a foolhardy marketing strategy to think that they can limit customer choice by trying to peddle a particular brand at an unreasonable premium.

Kamoshika and Ocean - well done! By the by, the formal title of the Queen is 'Our Gracious Sovereign Lady Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain Northern Ireland and Her other Realms Territories Queen Head of Commonwealth Defender of the Faith'

Quote: I get whipped more than others ... We can't say that on TV, Mogski.

That's is a cool mean helmet!

I tried out the boots in one of the shops in Jinbocho, found my size and bought it on line. Altough I like my boots to fit perfectly (and grateful for some of the advice offered to me at the shop), I don't think it is wise to pay double just for that. It is certainly ridiculous to fork out 72k (the new Deelux Le Man, which incidentally looks really cool with the adjusting damper at the back) for your first pair of hardboots. For now, this should do. If you are really cost-conscious, as Miltie pointed out, there are quite a lot of used boards (some with bindings) on Yahoo! Auction which sh

Yes, a good article - I wish we have more of these. The Japanese snowboarding magazines are equally bad. I used to buy them a lot in my earlier years but really there isn't much content if you take away the ads and trick photos. Ocean/Bad/Miltie, I ordered my hardboots last week from Bomber and the last piece would be the bomber step-in bindings (plus the TC heels) which I have to wait until Bomber re-opens its store on 1 November. Visited Viento during lunch time two days ago and they do have a good selection on the 2nd floor. Most of the models are quite pricy but there are al

This is interesting. Let me try. As far as I know, there are three uses of が: 1) but... 2) Emphasis e.g. あなたは悪くない。私が悪い。(You are not bad. I am!) 3) Used in relation to certain objects which sensitivity is considered important. This use is normally abstract and difficult for foreigners. e.g. お金が大切。(Money is important)

Mikazooki (does it mean new moon), Thanks for the information - I think everyone who like mountain sports should take out the insurance. Do you know the company that offers them? Siren

I am not sure why he was selected to drive for a F-1 team but it probably has to do with his background (having a bengoshi father certainly helps) and what appears to be a marketable image. To retire from a race because of a mechanical failure is one thing, running off the race track frequently and crashing the teammate exiting a tunnel (in Monaco) really makes one doubt if he has what it takes in a sport not designed for the faint-hearted.

I posted this thread because I was so upset watching the TV programme about the poor families who were told basically to leave their loved one to die or part with what could be their life-saving. You could argue of course that the victims should have stayed within the safe boundary of civilised life and not embark upon 'hazardous' activities such as hiking in the mountains but I think the penalty is completely out of proportion to the extent that it offends the sense of fair play. In the TW programme, no mention of any governmental or official involvement is made and the rescues were more or l

They should only let Taku on when he demonstrates the ability to finish at least two races in one season

You are too kind, good sir. Unfortunately the tie-on antlers are frown upon this year.

Just to be on the safe side (and because it is free), please note that what I say below is not legal advice should not be relied on by anyone without seeking proper legal advice and I am not responsible (and therefore cannot be held liable) for any actions or steps taken based or relying on what is said below. In theory, bankruptcy trustee have multi-juridiction power subject to the administrative and judicial cooperation of the country in which the bankrupt resides or where his/her assets are. What about filing for bankruptcy?

It seems that the only rescue the Japanese is good at is when it comes to Japanese banks!! I heard about the ambulance thing too but fortunately haven't had any personal experience. Just show that, minus the economic performance, Japan is really just a developing country. Jared, by the way, the Official Receiver or Bankrupcy Trustee can also take away your carve board.

Just watched a TV programme which touched on the cost of rescue. The long and short of it is that if you are lost or have an accident in the mountain or at sea and have to be rescued, you have to pay for the costs of the rescue. Two victims reported in the TV programme paid, respectively, JPY11,000,000 and JPY17,000,000 (no I didn't accidentally add a few zeros) for the costs of search party and the search helicopter. The private helicopter company (it seems that it is not an official or governmental problem) charged the full commercial rate at JPY700,000 per hour not including 'waiting c

C.a.R.V.e, definitely.

Excellent! (but it is too late now. the disease has turned into an outbreak)

Hooray!!!