samurai

burp in their face.

I don't watch it. I don't pay. Sky Perfect in this house.

you got yourself a rocking ski! Be careful early season! get a base-prep wax on them so your wax jobs last longer. They're big skis and they suck when they're sticking to the snow. They're also exhausting when they stick to the snow. Have the shop set them at 1 degree base bevel and 2 or 3 degree side bevel. Buy a matching 2 or 3 degree side bevel guide, a clean file (for smoothing out damage) and a diamond stone for daily polishing. Only use the file when you have rock damage. But a quick swipe with a diamond on a daily basis will keep them like new forever. (use the stone wet.)

sorry for my "snowjapan", I just meant other posters as we flame the war.

I have a warrant out for my arrest in Montana for not paying a traffic violation. I got a ticket for running a stop sign in a neighborhood, between a baseball field and the local super market... on my bicycle. I told the judge I wouldn't pay it. She said; yes you will. The next week I graduated Uni and left town. That was 6 years ago. I have no plans of ever returning to that town, and if I ever do, I can simply pay a fine and accept that I was wrong to run a stop sign on my bicycle. (Assuming I fear getting pulled-over or any other infarction that would result in showing poli

well said FT. I like excuses to buy new skis. And the learning curve would be a blast. When you purchase for versatility, as the 177 would give you, you have to sacrifice something. But I don't think your sacrifice with the 177 is all that big. as far as others are concerned, there are heeps of of skis I could recommend that would make you happy. Is there anything specific that you have access to? Salomon has a big presence in Japan and they are also very user friendly skis. The gun comes to mind as a ski that is left over at a shop in sendai. or was. and I would recommend th

just a few months of privates sounds like wwaaaay more of a headache than I would care to indulge for a few months of riding. Just save your cash, budget yourself and skip all the research, set-up, scheduling, management, blah, blah and do it right. You're not going to come out ahead by working a few hours a week to ride everyday. Just do it like the broke pros do it, save and budget. 99% of the guys on the world tour aren't rich or have any financial support. I know, that was me. and I see people pull off entire seasons abroad all the time. "But I just want a job to cover the bill

Matsushima is a cool place. I ate octopus eggs there for the first time. holy aphrodesiac. (sp?) great pics, soubs.

I don't recognize his name, but I sure as hell recognize his lighting. I read (if it was him) his first covershot-excitement thread over at TGR a few years back. I don't follow the scene, (I used to) but I know photo-genius when I see it. This could be the same guy, or just an amerging trend. Either way, I like to see it. I appreciate sick lines making covers, but photogs have their own skill they can bring to the game. And I like it when I see those skills. more please.

dude, you're not following the argument. He wasn't tasered for speaking. I don't even like Kerry. (read above) But do keep arguing something different in every post. It's kind of fun now.

beyond my comprehension? the path of least resistence? Get over yourself, dude.

Gary- Don't misquote me out of context. I agreed that 5 people should have been able to carry a handcuffed man. That doesn't excuse pushing officers around the room. Do it... go push an officer and tell me what happens. In any country. And... I don't like these "punching your employee in the face for being late." analogies. Let's stick with what happened. Nobody punched anybody in the face for being late.

Another thought for you. 177 = majority of time on piste. 183 = majority of time off piste. (Truthfully, once you become comfortable on this ski, you will be chasing terrain off piste.) Perhaps you can view the Gotama as an acquired taste. Admitedly, I didn't like it at first. It was too straight and boring on piste. But then I rode it off piste. It's not my piste ski. If this will be used very often on piste, you may want to consider the 177 but only for the sidecut it provides. The shorter length = more drastic sidecut = more fun arcing turns. That's it. Pe

How in the world does this link to the geriatric in her wheelchair or the epileptic tasered to death because he wouldn't stop moving? Okay, troll above has suckered me in. I'm now out of whatever conversation trolls are trying to argue. get over yourself, troll. the key-beneficiaries to your argument have stopped reading.

He wasn't being annoying. He was pushing officers who were trying to escort him out. Yes, they tasered him when he was on the floor. Pretty lame. But let's not forget about the "burly" security officer CARRYING him while he fought. How about the female officer who was considerably smaller than him being pushed aside? What about her safety? Yeah, he was tasered while on the floor, after saying; "Don't taser me dude." But I have to wonder how much he just wouldn't settle down with, how many... 5 officers on him? Are all 5 really incompetent or was the guy just impossible to control?

KOM- I ride a 183 Gotama/fritche. I'm just a bit bigger than you. 77kgs. If this is going to be your primary ski, you may want to consider the duke. I don't have any experience with it, but I quite dislike the "play" in fritches. They're really flexible bindings. I don't notice it in pow, but once I hit groomers, it's as plain as day. (but I do like how lightweight they are in pow.) I'd recommend the 183. Gotamas ski really short. I personally wish I had the 190. My next pow ski will not be below 190. Also, length = float = maneuverability. I ski really tight trees and still wi

Well said, Gary. I think most teachers at Nova are good and the stereotype arrives from the few bad apples. It's too bad too. In which field is your research? Mine is Instructional Tech.

mitsu dake?

I don't actually ride with my hood. I too wear a helmet. I just like my hood in the parking lot or whatever, when it's wet. I also like how it keeps my neck warm below my helmet.

According to Jet's website, only about 1/3 of teachers they hired came over to Japan for the sole purpose of teaching. It's quite conceiveable, and arguable, that 60 percent of teachers in Japan are here for reasons other than teaching. Gaining international experience, traveling, seeing Japan, money, etc... are all reasons why teachers have come to Japan. Here's my 2 yen, as a teacher in Japan, one of 3 things happens to you... a- you teach for a bit, then quit. b- you pursue it as a career and switch jobs and further your own education (hence the recent boom of Master's degree seekers)

On gnarly days I use my down as a layer under my shell. On dry days, I often ride with just my down. I love it. but just having a down jacket as your primary riding jacket really limits your options. I'm currently looking for a below-the-bum, water-proof, secured-hood down jacket if anyone has any suggestions. It doesn't have to be completely waterproof, but it does have to be at least 10,000. secured hood, none of this removable stuff. (for the cool factor.)

If you want goretex, find a non-insulated one and layer yourself. It's dryer and more versatile. If you just want a goretex shell, check out cabelas.com, a U.S. hunting outfitter that has nice/simple shells for cheap. If you want a specific brand, untracked.com, backcountryoutlet.com, can be good. sometimes there are nice sales at sonomaoutfitters.com on high end mountaineering gear.

"Samurai, can I see you and [Erika] in my office please... Okay, I just wanted to bring you guys up to speed on our dress code. I need to remind you guys of the importance of arriving dressed for work and well shaved. You two are fine, but I have to give the same speach to everyone." Erika; "Good, I'm not about to shave anything for you." {exit office} Me; "I can't believe you just said that." Erika; "I can't believe he just said that. F***ing wanker."

fair enough. common too.

......... ....... ..... ... .. . signed, the silent majority.