samurai

Ger- I don't know if/when I'm going back. I'm developing a project now that won't require me to be in any one place. November is my goal to be out of my current school, though, and will open opportunities to utilize that lump sum elsewhere. (I'd rather be in charge of my pension.) KOM- I believe the US does have a reciprical agreement and that is a nice system.

I never had it explained to me. I had only heard a thousand variations of how our pensions get reimbursed to us after we leave Japan. Finally, I found a link- http://www.sia.go.jp/e/pdf/english.pdf I can only assume there are others here that have been as frustrated as I in seeking answers to tax refunds after returning to their native countries. It's quite the handy 11 page PDF.

Originally Posted By: Tubby Beaver So Samurai, who is FR an alias for? I don't know. I just noticed the low post count doesn't match the excessive sputing, depth and sheer length of that post. It seems the author is comfortable enough with us to share that extreme view, which seems a bit strange being as FrankRyan is never around. I could place an educated guess on a few posters who would have the creativity to come up with that, but have no desire to do so. I'd likely be wrong. I just thought it was an interesting observation.

Originally Posted By: FRANK RYAN I love to talk about this with new girls. I am open about talking about being in multiple relations at the same time. My view is when talking about the subject is, Pick your most desired / loved thing in the world minus kids and family (I usually relate to ice-cream when talking to the girls but could be anything) "Could you eat the same type of ice-cream only for the rest of your life or occasionally do you like to try new flavors" Some will say *YES* to only eating one flavor but most will say *NO*. Now I know most people will say "There is n

shut up! I'm still thinking about the hair.

IAP- we should meet for some avi-science. I'm an American Avalanche Institute Level 3 forecaster and hold a pass at Zao. I have never seen any avi-control work being done at Zao, but would be interested to study. (That stuff above Paradise requires attention, in my opinion. those are 100-year slide paths that could run onto the piste/gelende below.)

I really enjoyed Apacolypto. The visuals when they get to the capital city are awesome.

the gerbils working the street in Peru are cheap. hot and juicy, too. (actually, those are guinee pigs that are bbq'd and sold by street vendors and I don't know if Gere prefers them or not.) crazy bump, btw

I want that box set. also my favorite comedy series of all time. the show about nothing.

Originally Posted By: Go Native Being incredibly intelligent I've always found myself surrounded by idiots... As one gains wisdom, he is perpetually doomed to the torment of idiots. One can't have it both ways. Another element of that expression is Change. I often gripe with my wife about how outdated my school system is and how much work it's going to take to modernize it. Then she reminds me that if it weren't out-of-date, I wouldn't have those dreams in the first place. So... thank god they're idiots living in the past.

language isn't quantitative. One can give a vocab test, but that doesn't signify anything other than memorization skills, which has nothing to do with communication. I teach communication. They get written tests to make the school happy, but half their grade is actually effort, motivation, and study habits. They know this too. The more notes they take, the more effort they apply, etc, the more the latter part of their grade goes up. I could give a rats-ass about how they can perform on any written test. Then again, I don't come from a heirarchy-based society. Hence, my juggling for

don't get me started on idiots, FT. But I don't necessarily blame them, per se. I generally blame the system for turning those idiots into who they are. A hierarchy-based work ethic that promotes according to seniority and not merit is doomed to develop idiots. I won't be with my school much longer either. Putting up with the system is just way too tiring. It's amazing how often I get interupted when I'm having a live meeting with collegues overseas, developing next year's educational software. I never get bothered at my desk here unless I'm wearing a mic and talking to

good to hear it, KOM! I'll share some news with you though... they get better as you grow into them. My gotama is one of the few skis in my life for which I have continually developed a further appreciation. Usually they feel old after a couple of years. Take care of them, and they'll treat you right. Now... turn those bindings up a bit. (I like the 10 suggestion above). It's a big ski.

no advertising on SJ? then how does the whole world know that FatTwins runs a lodge in Hakuba? Is it because of other people like me posting that info?

Okay Kuma, you defended yourself well. I get it a bit more. I can totally grasp throwing a kick-flip over a gap. I can see where you're going with trick-progressions as well. but I'm also willing to suggest that the amount of rotations hasn't maxed yet. I don't believe that freestyle is tapering-off due to a restriction in bindings. On the contrary, I observe the industry slowing down their requirements. 5 years ago, big-air skiers were throwing double-inverts to win comps. (misty 5 to rodeo 5 in one air.) You don't see that now because it's fricking gigantic, and these days it's a

okay, the reality is that nobody is perfect, everybody makes bad decisions, society is based on punishment and forgiveness in order to allow for growth and Americans love flashy, highspeed, big air tricks that carry big risks and require big balls. Now go pout about why whatever hero is mentioned is unacceptable to your standards.

the cynicism is quite over the top.

Originally Posted By: Kumapix the idiot tv lady just asked me " so, what do you do with a noboard?" Are there any other questions? I'm still trying to figure it out. I've been following the thread, refraining from teasing, but I just don't get it. I just don't see what a noboard gives a rider that a snowboard with bindings doesn't- aside from less tools that result in some form of freedom that is often cited as more difficult. Would anybody here prefer a day of noboarding over snowboarding? Just curious if anyone is willing to ditch their bindings for what is being viewed as

what about - single prisms - sheaths - capped bullets - isolated bullets - hollow columns - hexagonal plates - stellar plates - simple stars etc... http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/class/class.htm I have a friend with a beautiful stellar dendrite tribed-out and tattooed on his back.

for mamabear citing the "nicest thing anyone has ever said" to helen hunt.

"You make me wanna be a better person." who said it? which movie?

I'll combine the two. It just takes much more planning when family goals arrive. Let's call it a pause, or a temporary adjustment. (I think we got side-tracked.)

Originally Posted By: Go Native Originally Posted By: samurai If I wasn't married, I'd still be smoking chron and skiing 150 days a year and I wouldn't have the drive to succeed financially that I currently do. She made me wanna be a man, and if I do succeed in life, it's because of her. I'll never forget that. So being a man means being successful financially? Interesting... Not necessarily. And- I don't want to get into a debate. I was just referring to the financial success required for securing a future for a family vs being a ski bum.

hang it. (there is a reason all the shops display them hanging.) also, get some silicone moisture absorbers from jusco, or wherever you buy them. mold happens in confined spaces. And once it grows- that sh*t doesn't go away.