[Christmas Wish List]

I think I'd like an automated, infra-red sensing, nerf-disc dispensing defense cannon. Otherwise known as 'The Room Defender':

http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/ROODEF.htm

[Why are meetings so boring?]

Meetings, particularly boring ones, can be fun if you have some games to play at the expense of those doing the talking. One in paticular is 'Buzzword Bingo' where you get together with fellow players before the meeting, find out who's doing the talking, and write down a list of all the frequently used buzzwords they like to use (e.g. liase, channel, infrastructure, pipeline etc. for the IT Industry). You randomly deal out buzzword/s from the list to those playing. During the meeting, keep an ear out for every time your buzzword is mentioned, whispering 'bingo' each time. People not involved in the game will either smile if they know what you're doing, or just look at you strangely.

 

A variation of Buzzword Bingo is Bull$shit Bingo, which can be played either on, or close to your last day of employment at whatever company you work at. It's quite similar to Buzzword Bingo, since most of the time when a buzzword is used, it's all bull$hit anyway (e.g. "We've got a lot of work in the 'pipeline'"). This is especially true if the speaker is what's known as a 'bull$hit artist' (one who frequently talks bull$hit). So .... one buzzword per player, and you think up a total - which indicates how many times your buzzowrd must be used before you win. Upon reaching the total, the player stands up in the middle of the meeting and shouts "BULL$HIT BINGO!!!!". He/She then walks back to their office and awaits the marching orders.

 

See ... meetings can be fun

[SOS Ski pants and jacket?]

I don't know if it's of interest to you SkiBeaver, but I got an SOS Beanie at the beginning of our snow season here in Aus, and it's the best one I've ever bought. Being of the 'shaved' head variety, I'm particularly picky when it comes to keeping my noggin warm. The SOS beanie I got is wool on the outside and fleece on the inner. Even a full day of that Mt Buller 'Not quite snow' falling on my head, it was still warm & dry.

 

I don't know if it speaks volumes for their shellwear, but I'd certainly look at buying their products again.

[Where will you be at Xmas?]

It's 'Christmas in Kobe' for me with friends ... hopefully after a few good days in the Hakuba Valley just beforehand. Never been before (to Japan) ... so I'm getting excited!!!

[Advice and advice]

Man ... size 13 feet and a 250mm waist width!!! I have US12.5 and I can't get by on anything less than 260.

 

I've found purchasing things on eBay to be perfectly fine. I just did a quick search for "risers" in the Skiing & Snowboarding category and found some new Palmer risers ... so I'm sure as time goes on and the northern hemispehere winter approaches, you may get some from there.

[Step-In bindings]

I tired these ones last season in Australia:

http://k2snowboards.com/bindings/binding.asp?ProductID=46

 

It was more that I wanted to ride my friends K2 Union board they were attached to. But in any case, these were pretty new and I think K2 still make them. Overall I didn't like them much, but I think that was because the boots were a little too small since they weren't mine... I still prefer the strap.

 

I think F2 (German company) are also into step-ins - though they adopt the 'Intec' model I think.

[Budweiser]

I think Skol is a subsidiary of Carlsberg Malaysia .... I seem to remember one of my beer aficionado friends mentioning it anyway.

 

I agree with the Bud-haters here. It's heinous. But I guess it makes sense that Americans would love it, after all, they like Fosters Lager too. And pretty much every Australian (where Fosters is from) absolutely hates it.

 

Best beer I've ever tasted: Mountain Goat Hightail Ale, closely followed by Grand Ridge Natural Blonde (both Victorian microbreweries)

[The nationality poll]

I'm a member of the 15% that are Australians who have voted as of this date.

 

Note: I am not, however, a member of the 54% of idiotic Austalians who voted to keep our current Prime Minister (and his coal-burnin, forest-decimating, richie-rich cronies) in power.

[The etiquette of smashing into people]

Whereabouts in Oz window-cleaner?

 

I once sneezed a couple of times really unexpectedly as I was making a turn and crashed into the gound, sliding into the path of a learner who was slightly out of control, in the middle of a lesson. I immediately apologized, since it was my fault, and tried explaining that I'd sneezed, subsequently closed my eyes and lost control ... and just basically stuffed it all up. He was really nice, and let me help him up, and I stayed with him while he caught his breath. Then Mr European instructor comes down and starts hurling abuse at me, even after I've explained. Learner dude who I took out ended up telling his instructor to back off. It all ended well, and the guy I hit carried on with his lesson.

 

Other than that, I've never been in another incident with another person on the snow. Simply by following the age old rule of giving way to those downhill from me, and being careful and looking back up hill after I've gone into the woods to find a kicker or two and heading back out onto the run.

[Where have you skied or boarded? (countries)]

So, Roswell ... are you from Roswell?? I went there once with a UFO fanatic. It was pretty funny.

 

Anyway, my list is so small ... Australia. That's it.

 

But I'm broadening my horizons (hopefully) by travelling to Japan in December - hence why I'm reading all these posts (to find out the best resort/area to go once there)

[quick poll: Skiers and Snowboarders...]

Snowboarder here .... started at the ripe old age of 27 after many years skiing. Don't think I'll go back.

 

Heading to Japan for the first time this December, and while I have no idea what any of you look like, I'm sure I'll see at least one of you