FTA2R

udvar-hazy is about 20 min from me....it's close to Dulles. it's big for sure, and has an IMAX. just keep in mind that traffic may occur at any time, including weekends. no traffic, it'll take ~ 30 (+/- a few) to get to Chantilly (location of Udvar-Hazy). it will be much much less crowded, but check hours. Georgetown is not that hard to get too...can take a cab (but not metro, unless you want to walk from Foggy Bottom-GWU (20 min walk, depending on how fast you walk) Yeah, the war memorials are a must....and I personally like Jefferson, esp. at night Neil, yup, I applied to XM a few years ago - it's fairly well known they're not in a good part of NE (sounds like it's better). a co-worker used to work there, i think she said they had escorts to the lot if you worked late. check out "washington post going out guide" to see if anything special is going on in town when you come.

Welcome to DC! I live outside of DC and was working downtown (Chinatown) for the past year "Location one is near Dupont Circle. Location two is near the Convention Centre. Which location is preferable for a bunch of dumb tourists? Priorities are location and ease of transport to the museums and landmarks and low probability of getting robbed." I worked right across the street from the convention centre- it's walking distance (adjacent) to Chinatown, which can be a bit of freak show, LOL (it'll be rocking Sat. night when my Capitals have their home opener at the Verizon Center!). Plenty of bars and nightlife in Chinatown. Both Dupont and Chinatown have their own metros (locals know the metro sucks for rush hour reliability but you should be fine). If you take the Metro during rush hour, stay on the right if you're on the elevator - we don't mess around, LOL. People will mow you down (yes, they literally run) to make their train. And the metro doors do not have sensors, so DO NOT squeeze in as the doors are closing. I've saved several peoples arms from being crushed by doors. Chinatown metro at night- you may see people acting like idiots (it was one of the most "troublesome" stations last year). Dupont = red line (most mechanically troublesome line); Chinatown / Gallery place = multiple lines (so there's another reason to stay in Chinatown). Dupont is much more "happening" and interesting (IMO) and yes, it's HQ for the DC gay community (though there's plenty of non-gays hanging out there, too). i'd say Convention Center is better for tourists - all the stuff you want to see is basically at the National Mall area (the area b/w Constitution Ave and Independence Ave). You are much more likely to see the secret service transporting "someone special" around the area b/w the White House and Capitol - for locals, i think it's more of an annoyance (more traffic) than anything else, but for tourists, I think it's probably pretty cool. There are double decker tour buses and actually now the big thing is the segway tour through the city, which I want to check out. The NEWSEUM is very cool (about $20 to enter) and you'll get a GREAT view of the Capital (Rotunda building). Air and Space is a staple museum. Tons of art museums, too. I haven't even been to 1/2 of them and I've been living here for a long time. Spy museum is cool - right across from Gordon Beirsch, too, and the Verizon center. As for safety, it's DC - it's not Irvine, CA but it's not Cambden, either. You'll see hood rats and mentally ill people walking around Chinatown (one guy threatened to kill me a few months ago after I "exposed" his scam, lol), and come 2AM, Adams Morgan is a straight up freak show on a Sat. night - but it's fun! Check out "Madam's Organ" for live blues - it's a DC institution. The one place I would avoid at all costs is "Anacostia" (yes, you may get killed); As a tourist, you should be fine staying in just Northwest (NW) DC, unless you venture to the US Capitol, which I believe is the geographic center of the city. DC is clearly becoming safer as they are developing more and more of it, but you will definitely know if you took a wrong turn. You should be fine. There are NO direct metros to Georgetown, FYI! Hanging on the waterfront can be fun - it's definitely a different (WASPier) crowd than Adams Morgan and Chinatown. M St. is the main drag through "G-towne" and it's definitely worth a walk, especially on a nice fall day. You can easily walk across the key bridge into Rossyln, VA if you want (but there's no real reason to). You may want to consider taking a "see the monuments by night" boat cruise, too. DC is on the Potomac River. The JEFFERSON memorial is really beautiful, especially at night. By night, it's a very pretty city, with all the monuments lit up. Consider just walking along the National Mall (but be up for walking up to a few miles) Hit me up via email if you have any specific questions, I'll try to answer best I can. If anyone else is in the area for work or play, hit me up if you want to get a drink. I have a new client and work in both MD and VA, so some days it's easier for me to get downtown (traffic is 2nd worst in the country ugh). Neil, I'm sort of curious what brings you out here.

Burton Alp 157 (from '98, I believe). WW: 200mm Ships from: 20190 (or a few miles from there, depending on the shipper). Payment: paypal. I rode it a few times over the course of 1-2 seasons (several years ago) and haven't touched it since. Currently has a stomp pad (which can probably be removed). Good / very good condition. Perfect for a rock board, first alpine, or just something more forgiving If no responses by Friday, I'll likely post on eBAY (or perhaps just try again close to the season). Would rather someone be riding this board (it's just sitting here). email me from my profile - I'll gladly provide pics and any details.

overall impressive, though i personally wouldn't call him "the best" his intro reminds me of Zoro's (famous funk drummer) video - except Zoro could probably play it on one snare.

$150 Hi, This is the iJoy electronic balance board; it is controlled by a remote and has 3 speeds / motions. I just have too many toys & would rather see it put to good use. Retails for $480 on amazon - yes, $480. I'm just looking to get rid of it....so, I think this is a good deal. I think that this board can be particularly valuable if you find creative ways to use it (and, of course, use it regularly). One- legged squats, etc, while the board is oscillating. Or, if you just want to use it more as a fun toy, your guests, definitely your kids, and (perhaps your pets) will most likely want to try this.... Please see the below links for more info (and a video demo): http://www.humantouch.com/ht-board.html will ship anywhere from zip 20190 - you pay all shipping costs email me through BOL w/ ?'s thx

i play - just left a band, actually. i have a Roland TD-6 electric kit (at least 5 years old now, but in good condition), had a 5 piece Pearl Export previously played snare in marching band (high school), took formal instruction for a few years as a kid, but haven't seriously been into it in years. anyone covered "don't stop believin?" by journey? i'm set to jam with co-workers (several of them managers) - so i gotta be able to fake this at least 50 - 75% LOL. watched a great youtube vid of steve smith demonstrating the poly rhythm - he plays the HH w/ his L hand, and the cymbal bell / tom pattern with his right - should be fun practicing. Scott (WVSiverstone) is a percussionist - went to Juliard if i'm not mistaken! (or one of those highly regarded music schools) i've enjoyed using those "bundle stick" things the past year - they are like a bunch of chop sticks put together - broke a few (of the individual sticks, that is), but they did the trick. ps some best buys are selling instruments now - they have a whole music section - fun to test the kits!

yeah, i'm pretty sure the desert tribes in africa do cover themselves fully - realize that's also dry heat (as far as i know)....

" Post April 15, what are you doing about the "Income tax"? " not sure if this counts, but i gave a big ole middle finger as i drove by one of their big buildings on the way to work today....rage against the machine, maaannn! hahah i ponder the stigma attached to working for such a loathed agency, lol

some interesting discussion and GREAT pics! haha my co worker said her sister inquired about becoming Bikram certified - 9K!!!!! (and I think a 4 - 9 week committment)

Bullwings, After reading several articles / forums and just thinking about it for a bit, I think you have many good points. "Oh and one other thing, for us guys, it's bad for your testies. There's a reason you have this sack that hangs AWAY from the rest of your body" i never even thought of that! Yeah, I'm thinking a lot of these women are equating sweating with losing weight - which it is- but just water weight, which, as you noted, will be gained back soon. Now, the heart rate is definitely elevated and i'm sure muscular endurance increased a bit and flexibility increased and perhaps even core strength increased, but I personally can contract my muscles harder at "Normal" temps....and I think a lot of the positive feeling is probably assocated with sweating so much and the relaxing feelings that occur after (but any good workout should do that).... oh, and the toxins escaping? i'm not 100% bought on that..... one person described it as aerobics in a heat box - it obviously diverges from the practice of traditional yoga and subscribes to "no pain, no gain" - though it seems we're agreeing the law of diminishing returns is clearly in effect here. My main concern is dehydration - i felt like i was the only one regularly drinking.

So i just tried Bikram Yoga for the first time a few hours ago- a female co-worker (and health nut) has been asking me to come with her for a while. from their website: "Classes are 90 minutes long and are conducted in a room heated to about 105 to 110 degrees" Are there any regular practioners of this type of yoga here? If so, how has it impacted your riding? my thoughts: 1. great workout which I personally found tough - far more tiring than any of my recumbent bike workouts (which I've worn full sweats for several times)- heartbeat was elevated a lot. The heat just drains the absolute crap out of you, at times almost feels suffocating. supposedly the body gets somewhat used to this - reminds me of doing martial arts in a garage with no A/C several summers ago. I simply could not do several of the poses b/c (probably like a lot of guys), lower body flexibility is not something I have a lot of. You WILL be steadily dripping sweat from every gland possible. 2. i purposely didn't go too hard (and they recommended not to) b/c it's the first time - though I did have some concerns about losing too much water, i apparently didn't lose more than a pound (though my face was completely red!) 3. lots of hot girls wearing almost nothing! :)....and some good bending poses! 4. I'm still not completely sold on the "detoxyifying" effect thoughts?

who are very good / excellent riders.... wouldn't actually have to mention how good they are - b/c people already know (and b/c saying "i rule" is just lame to begin with)...and they're not loud / outspoken guys to begin with... i recall hearing about a psychological phenomenon that described most people thinking they are more skilled than they actually are...maybe it's just human nature.

respect. i guess it's easy to forget there are risks.....

"He was the author of remove slalomskateboard technique to snoboard field." i'm not exactly sure what you meant here, but i met him a few times, b/c he lived here in my area, and i saw him ride locally, and i was definitely very impressed. i heard he moved back to Russia- i guess you see him?

oh yeah, i see it....dude, that's one hard squigi you're workin' in that video! lol j/k seriously, do you know Vlad Popov? i think he's back in Russia and in that whole CMC / PSR / slalom crowd....

i was there (all white, red factory prime) - but only on snowdancer, as it was my first day this season on plates - finally felt warmed up after 2 hours in. i ran into and met Loupa - he was also on plates (ultra primte).... i may have seen you, not sure Zoltan was also there, rocking the Donek freeride conditions got softer, but i was having so much fun i never even rode my softies (which wasn't the plan) lines were absolutely ridiculous.....the "ROI" on snow dancer on a weekend is horrendous....one reason why i normally go to SRT. i think Loupa said the Scott and Holly were there early morning.... what trails were you on? i don't have the legs this season (not today) to do the Limelight at speed.....was it bumpy? it certainly can get that way

I was RIF'd years ago....when a lot of companies gave pretty nice (2-4) severance packages - i doubt that happens anymore. Then I was also laid off (blessing in disguise)....i'm a firm believe in what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...I learned a lot being w/o a job for a few months (the first time around, that is). it was definitely a little slice of humble pie, and I'm glad I tasted it. Granted, the economy is much worse now, but hopefully people have some money saved up. Definitely go on UI (unemployment insurance) if you can. for job searching, i've had good luck on monster and dice.com (IT oriented), but my current job i found at a professional networking event, and I highly recommend these to people. Similarly, if you can give a good first impression (confident, articulate, well-dressed, etc.), you should check out a career fair - but you'll have lots of company (read: competition) worse comes worse, you take a less than ideal job to pay the bills. you do what you have to do, right? These days, I don't think anyone is gonna question that. if you're not in an area with a strong job market, consider pursuing a professional certification (if applicable)- something to differentiate yourself....and network, network, network (this really does get easier once you get into the mindset). if anyone wants to do IT consulting (esp. project management and/or Java), shoot me a line.

i've been considering a trip to everest/nepal so i've been doing some reading...not that anyone hasn't mentioned this but... 1. get there a day early to acclimitize... 2. absolutely get a camelbak- i swear it lets me last longer. you'll wonder how you rode w/o it. 3. easy on booze (I don't drink at all the first night) 4. you don't have to go 6 days in a row (in fact i recommend you don't) 5. maybe go easy the first day. "HAPE would be uncommon at 14000', but not out of the question. " i know a guy this happened to, and it was totally his fault. he's very good, but goes 100% all the time, from the moment he gets off the plane. that's just hsi personality, but some guys are trying too impress; i'm not. i was pretty shot after 3 days of carve camp at mammoth and was in much better cardio shape at the time. just go and have a good time, and listen to your body (obviousy you know that). i do think Diamox may be a bit of overkill, but i'm not a dr.; for everest, it's a must, even getting to just base camp. ps anyone ride with a breathe right? i've started sleeping with them and i think it does help a bit (if put on correctly)

i figured the notches were in increments, but it's just so much easier with the nubmers there....i found some old discs with numbers

setting my new Burton Cartels up to ready for tomorrow, my first day of the season (late start this year)... there are no angle markings on the bindings! wth? how am i supposed to know what angles these things are at??? are all bindings like this? i may be returning these... any help is appreciated thx

Dave, my understanding is that the rental market for Inaug wasn't quite as big as they thought...my brother is in Arlington, a few miles from DC, and for whatever reason, isn't renting his place. Pebu, don't hate. Manassas doesn't have the greatest rep- for a number of reasons. it's been in the news lately b/c of frequent illegal immigrant crackdowns. I used to work there, right off the main drag...and some parts of it are just not good areas. Granted, there are some monster homes in parts of Prince William county, but Manassas is a 'burb... and it's right off 66, so of course traffic is bad. Only LA has worse traffic, but as a town, it's generally considered a very cool place. Lot of actual Washingtonians just use Metro to get around. Plenty of private roads and tons of land in the immediate and just outside the immediate area.

doubt anyone is, but i figured i'd ask.... anyone planning on coming? *note: this is not a political thread (just a question)

i have a 156 alpne you can ride for free...u would need boots though..i'll lend you a pair of bail bindings... where do you live? i'm off the toll road, work in DC though

"Whitetail in Pennsylvania." good 'ole 'Tail! you work in McLean? i'm around there sometimes....

that will likely accept the challenge. he's bombed a few advanced runs and hit 55mph (freeride board)...he's pretty fearless..i'll let him know and keep you posted.