dr. sandman

Thanks guys, that's some encouraging info!! My daughter is a H.S. Junior this year so that gives us some time for things to come together. She wants to study to be a Doctor of Pharmacy like her ol' man, so that really limits which institutions she can go to - but it sounds like she could be a one woman team if nothing else. Thanks for your commitment to the betterment of the racing community!

Without a doubt, IMHO this is the best response in this whole thread - and from who better than our mechno-techno BOL founder!! Keep it real:)

Thanks, that's an interesting site. The exchange makes the cost of the Spirit worth looking at. They do look fairly comparable to either the Hobie or Ocean Kayak. Hope to "test drive" some in the near future. Thanks boarderboy73, that's some very useful input - right in line with what we are looking for!

Thanks Joe, as if I needed something else to throw $ at!!:o Sometimes it's more fun to find ways to spend someone else's money!! Seriously, that is a nice exhaust - I like the fact that it's nissan warranty!

Thanks for the info I'll check around 7 let you know how it comes out. Thanks!

Re Donner - you know it!! I'll send you what I can.

Lots of good input! Any more?? Keep in mind we just got past 23 straight days of 100+degee weather!! So getting wet is part of the plan!! We are both stubborn so the tandems and canoes are pretty much out:rolleyes: . Year round won't really be an issue, because if it's too cold to be in the water, I'll be on the slopes. Sit-ins, while they are more manuverable, faster etc., don't lend themselves to easily getting in and out of the water (i.e. taking an intended dip). Randy, I saw the pedal/paddle Hobies - they're pretty cool! Guess we'll see if any one will rent or demo, and go from there.

I'll try to shoot some pics of it in the next few days and post. A buddy was making a waterski, to me a snurfer was a much more appropriate use of the "method". We took a 1/4"(?) x 12" sheet of metal, progressively heated it and ran it through the roller machine (whatever it's called?) by hand to create the proper curve. Then we took maybe 1/16" vaneers and one by one glued them against the curved metal. For bindings, I got one the the rancher girls at school to hook me up w/ some 4" wide leather and attached it with hand shaped stainless plates and screws. The base was interesting - the plan on the waterski was to progressively rout a concave surface - instead, for the snurfer, I decided to go for a tapered-wedge-shaped protrusion with a piece of aluminum t-bar set in the center to give a hard skag/rail effect. (think of a v-hull on a boat(?)) In addition I added some "skerfs" to the sides of the board using 1/4"x1-1/2"xapprox.1' aluminum attached to the rear of the board with the rear most portion of the skerfs allowed to fan via partially driven screws. For the hand rope I used a piece of rope, with a lashed loop that was dipped multiple times in pliar handle rubber. (unfortunatly, over the years the rope has disappeard). It was more beautiful in construction than in use, we rode it several times but never really "hooked up" on it. Probably it's best use was for hauling kegs to the cabin at Donner Lake!:D

One of my two guard dogs - this one was crashed on a pillow in the 'Burb coming back from CNISSF State Championships at Mammoth this past winter. Used to have a red Doberman - what a great dog - but had to give her away when I went to college. Since then we've had toy poodles - great because they don't shed and thus I can breath clearly without constantly snarking due to pet dander. (cats cause me to wheeze so much I need an inhaler:( ). Never saw myself with small dogs, but the are extemely intellegent, great for traveling, don't each much and their tootsie rolls are much better to deal with than the Lincoln Logs that the Dobie left behind! I also use a couple others, one racing at 2005 USASA Nationals at Copper Mtn. and the other is my modest quiver. (note the handmade "snurfer" from highschool woodshop circa 1980:biggthump

O.K. The bra/condom/mask/black thingy on the front of the Z is off. Still might use occasionally for those "messy" drives, unless I can track down a "clear bra" installer in my area fairly soon. Fin: Do you have any general installer info for the Clear Bra? Their web site only shows SLC, Portland, Burley(of-all-places) Idaho, and SoCal as dealers. Was hoping for sac/bay area. Any one with any info??

Congratulations on your beautiful daughter!! Family life rules!!

O.K. but I'll post tomorrow when I have some time. (don't get too excited - no lawyers, but my wife did make one cry! (and it was a him !!)).

Don't even get me started on real estate agents:flamethro

With a young racer of my own with decent-to-excellent potential, this strikes close to home. I AM her sponsor. I am her coach, trainer, driver, tuner, boot fitter, confidant, and so on. Not griping, I feel so fortunate to be able to share this with her! (no to mention that is what helped bring me to BOL!) We have contacted local shops and some mfgrs directly. So far only one local shop offered to help with discounts and contacting their vendors to see what is available. As we all know, go into any shop and see how much alpine equip you can find. No matter where I am, I check out the local shops and so far only a very few have had any alpine gear. I know this is ultra-redundant, but as many threads have previously addressed, our gear doesn't stoke the mfgrs fires so therefore it isn't a market focus. So what can we do to make Alpine more desireable? We raced in USASA (min. 3 hr trip each way) last year for the first time and although there may be some shortcomings, at least they are making a concerted effort to flood alpine exposure (and the other diciplines) to the areas that host the competitions. Locally we only have the high school leagues - these offer a great starter program for kids. I've had a falling leaf at the beginning of the season improve enough by season end to qualify for states! But even with the State Championships at our local mountain, can you imagine that even with muultiple calls and knowing at least two of the local "media moguls" personally, we couldn't get so much as a blurb in the local media regarding the fact that 3-400 of the best high school racers (ski & board) from all over the state (and there $$$ dropping families) are in our community??!!?? Yah, it's a pathetic shame. Of course given the wide range of abilities, and limits of NO, ZILCH, NADA financial support from the school district there is only so high of a level of competitor that this venue can foster (thus our involvement in USASA). Regarding age. As you've mentioned, USSA pours tons of resources, even if just by organizational support, to the very young ski racers and on up. If they want a strong board team, it would follow that similar support should be given to the young boarders. (and I'm with you Kent - I would prefer to see some radical improvement) The college scene shouldn't be overlooked - look at the ages of the US Alpine team members from Rays post: http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?t=6735 Looks like it's the college age + that are making the team? Ghostrider: What colleges have actual "sanctioned"(??) teams that are above "club" status and thus better supported by the school? I've checked the USCSA site some time back and didn't have much luck. (doesn't help that my racer has a specific educational goal that most of the USCSA schools don't offer). You've all given us lots of good food for thought. Randy, keep us posted on your ideas.

LMAO!!!! That's great! I'm usually the only one in the crowd who laughs and gets excited when "the new phone books are here!!" time of year comes around. Great work Shred!

So now it's 6 months later. I still have about the same level of pain as I did in March/April, and certain positions are extremely painful. My son fractured his fibula, so we've made several trips to a Bay Area sports med. specialty group so I figured a 3rd opinion wouldn't hurt. This Dr. looks at the x-ray from my local ortho and says "so did he tell you it was fractured? So, he orders an MRI and sure enough, classic "Snowboarders Fracture" (talar process) - I should have payed more attention to Cindy: Girl - you made a better diagnosis than 2 of my local docs!!So now, I had a cortisone injection about a week ago to attempt to reduce the scar tissue - no relief yet. If that doesn't work (less that 50% chance that it will) next option is orthoscopic surgery to try to reduce the scar tissue. If that doesn't work, then it's fusion surgery which will still allow up/down movement but no twist. Not good. Had it been properly diagnosed (per Cindy's advice), I would have been in a non-weighbearing cast for 6 weeks, a boot for another 4 and would have most likely had considerably better resolution of the problem. Maybe I'll get to ride this season. Just wanted to post this to make you and yours aware of this. see attached article: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020901/785.html

I don't know diddly about longboarding, but I have immense respect for the nuggets you all have! My son rides a long board, and I've tried in a parking lot - I can totally see why you are drawn to it. I'm just an old wuss and don't like how the pavment manages to take home more flesh than I do:rolleyes: Absolutely AWESOME article and photo!! It's great that your local media isn't afraid to affirm some "non-conformist" activities. !!

Dan Sandy, so Sandman has always kind of just happened. Tried to register as Sandman but it was taken, so since I'm a Dr. of Pharmacy and deal drugs that make people sleep:sleep: ..................... Dr. Sandman was next best - usually it's just Sandman - I use if for FRS, CB, chat, etc.

And the dude's a Dentist?? What a cheese ball. His p.r. person says it shouldn't affect his practice because he's an "excellent dentist"???? If that isn't a semi-trailer full of horse puckey, I don't know what is. In my profession, any act of "gross immorality" can result in the governing board taking action against the license. Don't you want someone who's yanking and grinding on your choppers and billing huge amounts of $$$ to you or your insurance to be of good character??? Wow. p.s. at least he won the title!! ( )

Looking to purchase a couple "sit-on" kayaks for wife and self. We are total novices - looking at HOBIE Lanai and Maui vs. OCEAN KAYAK Caper and Prowler (hers/his respectively). We are primarily looking to use them in realitively calm ocean bay waters, lake waters and possible C-II(?) or less river water. We will use them to explore, swim, maybe ride some waves(??) and maybe fish from. Any one with any experience with this and any guiding input? Fully outfitted prices are within a couple Bens so functionality/ergonomics, etc. are the factors I'm considering. At this point I'm sort of leaning toward the OCEAN KAYAKs - I like some of thier features. However the HOBIEs are lighter, load easily load on factory roof racks/pole racks upside down w/ no cradles, have built in paddle holders, accomidate a light-weight-Hobie-specific dolly and come with factory seats. Any input is appreciated - hope to purchase in the next week or so. Keeping in on the water, frozen or otherwise;)

VERY awesome. If those pics don't stoke you, perhaps you need to be revived from your dirt nap!! Thanks for the wish-I-was-there!! p.s. check tahoecarvers for my one and only effort so far at non-powered riding on non-frozen water

Why do Euro's put teflon on their carving gloves?? :rolleyes: Answer: to prolong the life of what's underneath it!! :) I would like to do without it, but the roads in my area are laden with hoards of bugs, and lots of rocks being kicked back by the countless 18 wheelers that swarm our roads. In fact, 2 days ago, we drove down to Sacramento and had a nice rock hit the windshield - nice starburst - had to have it fixed by a glass repair outfit (car is barely 30 days old!! ) Fact is, you're right! Have to take it off every time I wash the car, and can't use it in winter: If the backside (felt like backing) of the "bra" or as NISSAN refers to it "NOSE MASK", gets wet and stays in contact with the paint, it can cause a permanent hazing or fogging of the paint. So it has some major drawbacks making me wonder if it's worth the trouble or not. A friend of mine has a '05 BMW 645 ci (spankin' bad aRSE ride!!) and it comes with a clear nylon(?) type material bonded to the whole front of the car, to about 1/3 up the hood. Now that seems to be a great solution - protect the paint without "masking" the beauty of the vehicle. Scott, check: http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article_id=6846&page_number=5 and http://motortrend.com/roadtests/coupe/112_0408_sportconv/index13.html - you tell me?? "Lame rip off"?? Maybe, maybe not, but I bet I'll beat the TT off any line and around any corner. I'll drive my 'Burb in the snow, and guess who'll be making more/longer payments?? p.s. what did you say you drive? Paul and Fin: NICE pics of the older Z's!!

Congrats on a beautiful and healthy daughter. Trust me, she will light up your life!!

Hey Fin, That is one awesome site. But are you trying to ensure that I dont have the ability to upgrade to the TD2's??!!?? So the 8 was tough on your Z's axles? How did you manage to keep the front end sprung? Aftermarket coils, or what?? Also, how did your rack & pinion bushings or even more so the strut rod bushings fare? I used to be an ASE brake & front end technician and was considered the local guru when it came to resolving front end shimmys and brake squeal on the 2xxZ's. They were major fun to test drive :lol: Can't wait to hear about the heat!! Bill, I saw the picture of your trike on the x-country post - that looks like an exciting ride! What, the 2.8 wasn't fast enough!?!? Summer's too long.

Check these out: http://www.wardogcreative.com/wear/stickers.htm and these: http://www.wardogcreative.com/wear/ Also, Fin, maybe you could consider a sticker version of the "business" card??