Brian425

I'll be in London starting Monday for 18 days. Where can i watch the NFL in London? I will be staying in the Grange St. Pauls right near St. Pauls Church. Thanks, Brian The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Shah, Go and enjoy the trip. I have never been to Iran, so I cannot make comparisons. All I can say is that it takes a long time to change a country of 1.2 billion people. They have made progress. I've seen the changes and my wife's family tells me it is getting better. There is a lot to learn in China. They are one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Just enjoy the trip. Try the massage parlors, I hear everyone leaves happy. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Mike, Thanks for the offer; but, I am more comfortable on something in the 170 to 190 range. lol Transport should not be a problem. Worst case is I rent a car for the weekend. I'm sure with enough effort on my side, I can find a ride if I am willing to pay gas/petrol and tolls. Thanks for the info. B The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I've traveled a few times to China. I really do not know about the strip clubs. I know there are a few in Macau (Think Asia's Las Vegas.) As far as the human right issues, some of your points are valid. I think what you will see is far more capitalism than communism. From my perspective, a government that is far less intrusive on day to day life than you would expect. The government rules with an iron fist; but, that fist is rarely around. Wearing a Free Tibet T-Shirt is just going to make you a target for no reason. Wear a FTP or Cops Lie t-shirt and see how cops treat you here. I can gauantee you the NYPD will cut you no slack for a shirt that is seen as disrespectful to them. Why would you think anyone who represents the Chinese government would be any different. Believ it or not, you can protest in China. You just need to learn how to do it. (See the stikes in the auto plants.) You can get uncensored internet (from a tech savy capitalist.) And yes, I know of Falun Gong/Falun Dafa. What few people know was that Falun Gong grew over 10-20 years to 70 million followers. They protested when the felt that the government was unfairly portraying them in the media. The Chinese Government's perspective is that it is a psuedo religion similar to Scientology or Jehovah Wittness. The brutal crackdown came after the religion was banned and Falun Gong protested with 10,000 memebers in Tiajin. We have seen Tiananmen Square. What few remember is that the protests went on from April until June 4th. The protests were sparked by the death (heart attack) of Secretary General Hu Yaobang. His complaint was that Deng Xioping was not implementing political and economic reforms in the country fast enough. After 2 months of growing protests, the government cleared the square. What you need to understand about China is that the government is capable of extreme brutality at times. They key is that you will be warned 99% of the time that the crackdown is coming. It is up to you to decide what you want to do. I am not saying this is right; but, it's the way it is. In reality, I have seen some real positive changes in China in 10 years. In personal freedoms, in economic freedoms, in most walks of life. China is on my list of possible places to retire. Enjoy your trip. There is a great deal to learn, just open your heart and mind. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I'll be in a hotel near Canary Wharf. (I have not picked the hotel yet.) I am not terribly worried about cold and dampness. I live in New York and have jumped up until late November. If the locals are jumping, I am game. Maybe I will grab that flying cattle car called Ryan Air and hit Spain for a weekend. Even if I do not jump, the vibe at a DZ may be just what I need to relax from what is going to be a hectic work schedule. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

So it looks like I will be in London for most of November and December. Will there be any jumping? Any recommendations? I'll probably rent a rig rather than haul my rig over for one or two weekends of jumping. Thanks, Brian The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I may have an opportunity at an Investment Bank in NYC. Does any know the rate VP level consultants are getting? The position is mine as long as we can agree on a rate. It may be corp to corp or W2 through one of their preferred vendors. Thanks, Brian The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I've been jumping a Safire1, 189 since right off student status. I am about 180-185 out the door with gear. As with all advice, check with your instructor. I love the canopy. It opens nicely and has never slammed me. I do not roll the nose. I never found the need to. For me, rolling the nose just made the opening alot slower. The canopy is responsive and consistent. It has a nice strong flare. I would recommend it as a novice to intermediate canopy. Buy it and fly it for a lot of years. Brian The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

My boys are 2.5 and 4. They come with me to the DZ. As far a conversations go, they understand that there are many things in life they can't do or have to wait until they are older. (driving, using the table saw, etc.) For me personally, I find it much easier to be as upfront and honest as possible. They know about my accident and that you can get "very big boo boos or die skydiving." I do not believe that they completely understand the concept of death; but, they know that dying means they will never see you again. I am comfortable taking them to the DZ and having them around skydivers. 99.999% have been incredibly kind and gererous to them. My only real issue is that they end up with far to many sweets and treats when they are at the DZ all day. And of course some of the interesting word and phrases they have learned. (fat bastard in Russian???) Let them see and experience life. Let them pretend to be or do everything and anything. That is how kids start to learn about the world. I will try to protect my kids from the "hold my beer and watch this stupidity." The rest, they will need to learn from watching others screw up and their own share of hard knocks. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Sometimes I miss Ivan. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Sorry Airdvr, you contributed to mama boy's condition. The simple fact is that a grown man should be able to find something on any menu that they will eat. In this case, 3 people potentially did not eat where they wanted to because mama's boy did not agree to the menu? I hope you enjoyed the beach while mama's boy sat in the hotel. Mama's boy needs a kick in the can and you really should have put your boots on. B The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I think this it tragic. For both the boy who died and the boy that ran him over. The simple fact is that children get hurt and die playing football, at the playground, etc, etc. I have two small boys ages 2.5yrs and 4 yrs. Both are currently riding motorcycles (Yamaha PW50). Do I want them to race, I'm not sure. It will have to be their decision. I do want them to undertand that some things carry great risk; but, can be very rewarding. I will not stop my kids from doing something just because it is risky. Life is full of risks and we cannot protect them from everything. We need to understand the risk and try to mitigate the risks. As a father, I'll do my best to help them avoid the stupid risks (the hold my beer while I xxxx type.) The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

Plain and simple, we need an agreed upon landing pattern. I personally don't care which direction you choose, into the wind, cross wind, down wind, any wind. Just agree on it an stick with it. It really makes it much easier and safer for everyone. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

I'm trying, im trying to drink away the part of the day That I cannot sleep away Modest Mouse - Polar Opposites The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

No question, it would be sell the rig. I'm a firm believer that if you always take the easy way out, you never learn the lessons of life. I've had some tough times in my life. My Dad offered several times to give me money to give me a cushion. I always told him, no thanks. I love and appreciate all he does for me; but, the choice to suffer through the tough times taught me how to better prepare for them and the knowledge that bad times always pass. My personal belief is that asking someone for money should be an absolute last resort. The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.