Gawain

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We'll be on the air in about 2 hours. If you want me to ask any specific questions, please post them here and we'll work them into the conversation (we'll try anyway, it's only a one hour program).

Question 1: "Will you please re-print the book and/or would you please release an e-book edition?"

Question 2: (ask question 1 again until he says yes)

Ditto

Asked and answered off the air..."No."

Also, he is willing to sign your copy, PM me if you want me to make the arrangements. He is still working on his gallery and we agreed to link up again soon and stay in touch.

I will ask him again when I see him.

Resold used books makes that man no money. I want to give him my money to read his book. I am not alone. Why is this so hard?

I will advise him of that.

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We'll be on the air in about 2 hours. If you want me to ask any specific questions, please post them here and we'll work them into the conversation (we'll try anyway, it's only a one hour program).

Question 1: "Will you please re-print the book and/or would you please release an e-book edition?"

Question 2: (ask question 1 again until he says yes)

Ditto

Asked and answered off the air..."No."

Also, he is willing to sign your copy, PM me if you want me to make the arrangements. He is still working on his gallery and we agreed to link up again soon and stay in touch.

I will ask him again when I see him.

We'll be on the air in about 2 hours. If you want me to ask any specific questions, please post them here and we'll work them into the conversation (we'll try anyway, it's only a one hour program).

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If I overnight my copy for you would you have him sign it for me?

Sorry man, didn't see this post till late last night. He has a gallery not far from here and I expect to link up with him at a future time after the show. I am sure I could get him to sign it then. Interested?

For years, I wanted to own a copy, but copies, even used ones have been out of reach. I found an outstanding, near new quality Third Edition at a Goodwill store of all places. Amazing.

Hey guys, haven't popped in for a while and thought I would pass along an update about things. Business and school have been tangling up my time sufficiently that I've been grounded for about two years, not the end of the world, I've been grounded for longer and made it back in the sky, so I am confident I will make that happen again.

Since then, with my primary business slowing down, I started a new venture here in Sacramento with a one-hour veteran radio show, "Veteran Radio." The program discusses the myriad of issues veterans from different generations face. The show has been running weekly since late March.

This Saturday, at 11:00am pacific, I will have Maj. Brian Shul as a guest for the whole hour. Maj. Shul is the author of the collectible and highly sought after book, "Sled Driver: Flying the World's Fastest Jet."

I recall many times here in the forums people sharing the story about "Aspen 20" asking for a ground speed check from ATC to show the rest of the "mortal" aircraft what true speed was, so I am sure there are fans who wish they could afford his book (some copies go for thousands of dollars).

I also know that there are a lot of pilots that roam around here, and as skydivers we too have a bit of an aviator's ear and are pilots under canopy.

Well, I don't have the book, but I'll have the book's author and we'll talk about Vietnam, his work on the A-10 and obviously his time flying the Blackbird.

For those that aren't in range of 1380 AM in Sacramento, you can stream it live on www.KTKZ.com at 11:00am pacific this Saturday, October 6th.

Maj. Shul will be live in the studio and if the conversation permits, we will take listener calls.

So that's what's up!

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I went by the ATT store; they said "we can't unlock it so that you can use it with some other company.". It's not like I'm using it with them!

It's a Nokia 6085 (I think), or else something like htat. Basic. So I took it to a guy at an independent cell phone store and he said he could unlock it.

I'm really just hoping for the cheapest way to get basic phone service -- talk, messages, text, for a month, in Brazilian urban areas. Nothing really difficult, frankly. I'm assuming I cna buy a sim card at the airport; I probably can just rent a phone, too if this doesn't work.

Wendy

Does it look like what I've attached? If so, it should work in some markets overseas, but not guaranteed. There were two versions of this built, supporting different frequency bands (850/1800/1900 and 900/1800/1900). Once you have a local SIM it won't be an issue. There are cheap rentals or purchase handsets, etc.

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Call AT&T customer service/tech support, tell them you have an old AT&T phone that you need to carrier unlock so you can use other SIM cards, and they should help you out.

Now, if the phone will work there or not, I don't know, there are a couple different frequency bands out there and not all phones can use them (this is where having a "quad-band" phone pays off), so good luck!

What Ski said, what is the brand/model of the phone you're thinking of using?

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Great information here, very helpful. Thanks, everyone.

So, what did y'all get?

It really depends on your priorities. My list isn't short, but it's simple. Here's my take (and yes, I've used them all to one extent or another):

***BlackBerry Pros: Decent battery life, very reliable messaging/email, BlackBerry Messenger, plenty of applications, well built hardware, stable OS, easy multitasking, outstanding notifications, highly secure, if your business uses BlackBerry Enterprise Server you'll never have to backup your device
***BlackBerry Cons: The hardware is sometimes not able to efficiently handle the OS demands, emails are sometimes truncated, HTML is not rendered very well, the web-browser is web-kit based but it sucks, PIM integration is average, Facebook app is so-so

***Android Pros: Highly customizable (even if you don't "root" it), if you have Gmail the email is excellent, tons of apps, built-in voice recognition is amazing, the browser is very good, native apps perform well, very good PIM integration, Facebook app is excellent
***Android Cons: Horrific battery life, multitasking not intuitive, OS is not always stable, if you don't use Gmail expect issues with email, Exchange Active Sync is hit-or-miss, security issues

***Apple iOS Pros: Highly stable, simple interface, tons of apps, decent multitasking, decent battery life (people like to knock on Apple/iPhone, but their sh!t works), Facebook app is excellent
***Apple iOS Cons: Not easily customizable, jailbreaking can cause as many problems as it fixes, notifications are below average

***WindowsPhone 7 Pros: Clean interface, intuitive, decent number of apps, redefines the segment of interfacing with the "cloud" for social and PIM integration
***WindowsPhone 7 Cons: No IM client, no tethering, hotspot ability, or USB drive ability, limited multitasking, no customization ability

If reliable email is your priority, or a comfortable physical qwerty keyboard for messaging, nothing - nothing will beat a BlackBerry 9900/9930 series.

When it comes to cameras, et al, it really depends on the manufacturer. The Apple camera is excellent, as are the cameras in HTC devices (whether Android or WP7). BlackBerry cameras are not as good. If you're interested in Android, I strongly suggest you wait for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

I don't know who your carrier is, but Verizon is tops in my book. You'll pay more, but you get what you pay for in my opinion. AT&T and Sprint simply do not invest in their network the way VZW does.

If you get a 4G/LTE device (whether on VZW or AT&T), then expect less than average battery life. The 4G speeds are awesome, but they like to drink power from the battery.

In case I was too technical: Some of my lingo... PIM - Personal Information Management (address books, social networking, etc). 4G is in reference to the newest network generation being rolled out. Notifications - meaning how you are notified about emails, texts, instant messaging etc. By "rooting" or "jailbreaking" I am referring to a semi-common practice of gaining access to all of a device's operating system capabilities. The procedures are fairly simple and it doesn't necessarily ruin the device.

Expect to spend between $200-$300 per device no matter what. One thing you'll notice is that none of these will provide the battery life of your "dumb" phones. Expect to charge them daily, or have a vehicle charger if you find yourself using them a lot.

If you're on Verizon check out these models:

BlackBerry Bold 9930
Apple iPhone 4S
Samsung Galaxy Nexus (not out yet, maybe next week)
HTC Trophy

Those are the "benchmarks" for each OS. I had a new Motorola Droid RAZR for about 3 days and returned it. I didn't like how it refused to fully sync with my Exchange servers, and the haptics were very weak (haptic feedback meaning how it would quickly vibrate to acknowledge a keystroke or selection). If you don't want the latest and greatest, also check out the HTC ThunderBolt or Samsung Charge (VZW).

It's different strokes for different folks. YMMV, but worth playing with them all if you're in the market. Go to the store for sure, and look at them all before you let a rep make a decision for you.

edit to add: knowing what I know, for a "new" user, I'd probably look at the iPhone or Android Galaxy. If you want something truly "integrated" (does movies, music, everything at once) and makes it easy to get all that content from one source, then Apple with iTunes and Windows Phone 7 with the Zune Marketplace are the two to watch.

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Ski: if you are THAT uncomfortable with a chick flick, get yourself uncloseted and enjoy the movie.

This.

Ski...just come on out now. It's okay.

The movie is hilarious.

Or funds, but I would make the investment just for these two:

http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/mediacentre/newsreleases/pr11lilyandmaddisonblindgreatdaneguidedog.aspx

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3886615/Do-you-have-a-blind-spot-br-for-pooch-with-guide-dog.html

I've seen the story pop up in various social media circles and we always seem to be kind to our animal friends here. I hope they find a home together.

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I have a job offer with a major medical staffing company for a position as a regional director. The region is the west coast basically, WA, OR, CA, ID, NV, and UT. The stipulation is that I have to live somewhere in one of those states. This job is a really good career move for me not to mention a nice raise in pay. So I am going to take the job.

I lived in Seattle WA for a short period of time but other than that I dont know much about the west coast, I was looking at CA but the cost of living seems really high. Right now Im thining Reno NV but Im still really up in the air about it.

Other than skydiving I am a very active runner, cyclist and swimmer I really want to try to find an area where I can at least skydive run and bike year around. Im currently in Florida where I can do all of the activities basically year around. Any input as to anything or any place I should consider?? thanks

Chuck Bryan

You might want to consider Las Vegas as well, housing prices are very, very attractive. I wouldn't rule out CA 100%, but it can be the most expensive option. I lived in Portland, OR and loved it. Skydive Oregon is only 40 minutes south too. Given the territory you'll be managing, if you need to travel, Las Vegas, California (Sacramento/Davis/East Bay area/San Diego...anywhere), Portland, Oregon may be the best in terms of direct, convenient flights to the other major metro areas, etc. as well....my $.02. Congratulations on the new job.

If you're considering an iPhone, also consider Windows Phone. It's very stable and for the time I was using it, I was quite surprised. Works very well.

I'm still a fan of BlackBerry though. The new hardware is solid. The new Bold 9900/9930 has a heavenly keyboard too. No complaints with it (I'm also on BES too, so I have the best of all worlds).

If you're considering Android, I would probably wait, there's going to be a whole new wave of new devices coming out soon with much fresher Android OS versions.

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Contact Melanie at Skydive Elsinore. She could probably help you get folks organized from Elsinore and Perris. She's the pinnacle of awesomeness. Even if she can't help you directly, she knows all the right players to make that happen.

"Locks for Love" is a really good cause.

If you men Mel Curtis she is no longer at Elsinore

Well that's what I get for not staying in the loop then...well, she would still know who to link you up with though...

Contact Melanie at Skydive Elsinore. She could probably help you get folks organized from Elsinore and Perris. She's the pinnacle of awesomeness. Even if she can't help you directly, she knows all the right players to make that happen.

"Locks for Love" is a really good cause.

Been buying and selling stuff on eBay all year via PayPal only and have not encountered the issue you described. My only inconvenience with them is that I can only shift $500 per month out of the account if I want to (it's not my "bank" per se)...

Wow Matt, that seemed sorta sudden...all the best. Does that mean you won't be hanging around here anymore?

Amongst my favorite web-sites.

Other related sites to check out are linked there too:

wrongnumbertexts.com and twittiots.com

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Now, to the nefarious purposes, I think there is some genuine concern for states (like California) that have veteran courts. As a vet, I kind of like the idea, but am concerned that it opens itself to abuse in some way.

What's that all about? Veterans get our own court system?

Depends on where you live. In California for instance, not every county has implemented it. My understanding is that out here, it's primarily a hybrid of drug and mental health courts. Some states have more to it, some less I suppose (like criminal courts for vets etc).

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. . . I would be worried that it eventually leads to an atmosphere of subtle discrimination against those individuals without the veteran stamp on their licenses.

Like what?

Ever read Starship Troopers? In it, Heinlein creates a society where only those that have served in the military have rights. While that's an extreme and clearly fictional example, lets say we went down the road a few years and some crooked election official or voter registration clerk decided he was going to "lose" any registration from say, every 10th person that didn't have the Vet stamp on their licenses or even vice versa in an effort to subtly influence an election.

I dunno, maybe that's a bad example, I can't think of something better right now. I'm tired and it's late. That said, if I was wide awake or if I was a more devious person, I might be able to think of something way more evil.

I'm just thinking it probably shouldn't be coupled to the most basic form of ID used. That somehow, someway, somebody is going to use it for some nefarious purpose.

Heinlein, I felt, made it more than just military service, but defining a difference between a civilian and a citizen. Yes, citizenship was only achieved through one's service in the military. The link wasn't arbitrary though.

What I liked about that book was how so much of what was being talked about then (1950s) is still the same issue today (and the perception of the breakdown of society in general).

Now, to the nefarious purposes, I think there is some genuine concern for states (like California) that have veteran courts. As a vet, I kind of like the idea, but am concerned that it opens itself to abuse in some way.

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I'm starting to shop a little for a new(er) truck.
Future plans include a towable RV and possibly a boat.

Any thoughts on having a supercharged engine?
Is that a no-no for towing?

I would avoid the supercharged engine as the modification will typically require a reduction in compression ratio and thus require premium fuel. While supercharging does great at helping towing, it really helps you drink the fuel too. If you decide absolutely that's the way to go, the Whipple Supercharger kit is pretty sharp. I had one in a 1999 Suburban 2500 with a big block V8 (7.3L/454 cu in). Gobs of torque, effortless towing and never got better than 12 MPG with a 42 gallon tank and 91+ octane fuel and $150 per fill-up...I don't have the truck anymore. I replaced it last year with a 2007 Silverado pick-up with a 5.3L V8. Better power, but less low end grunt, equal to better towing capacity and much better mileage.

The other issue with superchargers on trucks is if the back-pressure is too high going through the catalytic converter and exhaust, the baffles and chambers will eventually fail and you will see a big decrease in performance as well as fail any smog/emission tests. Plus, it's one more item to fail if it's not installed properly.

If you aren't towing super long or heavy, requiring a fifth wheel, a 1/2 ton series will serve you okay. If you get to an RV longer than 20 feet or weights beyond 7-8,000 lbs, maybe look at a 3/4 ton with a diesel.

Another huge factor, more important than the power for towing in my opinion (a well equipped 1/2 ton will be able to handle over 10,000 lbs towing), is the brake controller. The Prodigy P2 brake controller is simply the best on the market. Easy to program, easy to use, and very reliable. Spend the money on it.

If you decide you want to tow with a fifth wheel, it will probably be best to upgrade to a diesel, as those trailers are heavier. Diesels obviously perform very well and last a long time. Chevy in my opinion holds an advantage with the Allison transmission, Dodge with the Cummins engine, and Ford with the chassis. If you find any pushing the miles beyond 175,000, check the state of the fuel delivery system. If they've replaced the line and rails, you'll be good to go, otherwise walk away.

I've not historically been a "Chevy" man, in fact, I bet there are all sorts of posts of me going back years of me bashing GM products, but I've been pleasantly surprised by how my truck has handled what I've thrown at it the past year. I've also been impressed simply by what American trucks in general can handle, and I live in an area where many spend nearly as much time off road as they do on road. If you can swing it, you'll likely find a good market of 2006/2007 model years out there. Fords will run a little more expensive, Chevys in my opinion, will have more bang for the buck. With gas prices in limbo right now, and a likely weakening of the dollar in light of today's announcements, you should have no problem finding a solid low mileage truck.

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Some times I ask, "Is this a sales call?", and they still lie to me, sometimes directly to my face.

That wouldn't be a sales call if it were directly to your face.

It's a "call" in the context of, "I'm going to call on my next door neighbor." That does not mean I'm picking up the phone and making a call.

They're following a script. It's common for high-volume cold calling environments with a short sales cycle.

The door-to-door salesman is nearly extinct. Make sure you aren't being probed by scammers or thieves on the door-to-door. I don't know about other states, but in California, you need a special credential to conduct door-to-door sales, cold-calling on residences.

Perhaps one day, one of them will have just the widget you needed.

Billy is on the road, and not able to upload, but he wanted very much to share, as soon as possible, his experience with Shah...see below...

I love Harriers.