JGowans

Holy shit. That really was just about the wittiest thing I've seen in such a long time. Clearly you live on the edge. Your choice of literature surely confirms it.

Yes, Westlake might not be the best idea in the world. Last time I went, we were paintballing around Mt. Rainier. I forget the name of the wee town. Anyway, it was in the spring, and I was the dope in camo gear....I was easily spotted in the snow and got shot to smithereens. In the end I was so pissed off that I just stood up and tried to shoot something, anything really while I was being blasted from all angles. Once the beer wore off, I quickly felt the multitude of frozen paintballs that had been shot at me in my back, my neck, and all over the place really.

I'm there, Dryad! Can I come along too? I'm a nice sensitive chap and wouldn't at all be interested in staring leacherously at you all as you climbed

Malbec rules! I went to Las Lenas a couple of years ago and from Santiago to Mendoza to San Rafael to Las Lenas, we went through god knows how many bottles. Just as well cos the little mini-van we took over the Andes was driven by some crazy Chilean who probably couldn't see anything due to all the locals smoking like chimneys in the van with the windows closed. Malbec saved my life it did...honest.

Sounds like things might start heating up. I say we go for urban paintball warfare. Why don't we meet up outside the Westlake mall, count to ten, take cover and shoot? Just use the butt of your pistol / pump action shotgun to beat someone's ass if they refuse to admit defeat.

In reading the posts around here, it's pretty apparent that there's a lot of folks just don't get along. Instead of an all-out gun battle, I'd like to suggest we get together to paint ball the piss out of each other. Alternatively, we could rent 2 sumo suits and go at it that way. DFA against Trask in a sumo suit would maybe even be worth charging a cover. Whatever the case, let's make it happen. Either that or I'll see if we can get some folks on the Tough Guy competition on FX. What would make an interesting duel format and who would the combatants be? P.S. Thanks DFA for pointing out the spelling mistake.

You got beat by a gurl. Ha! I got beat by a lot of girls but this one in particular, I sprinted past her with about 200 metres to go. That's probably worse than being beat by her...typical guy with too much ego and not a lot of sense. I tried to find her after the finish but lost her in the sea of foil blankets. I'm guessing she would have called me out for sprinting away like that anyway.

Btw, one year, I did the NY marathon. I was having a really hard time with one of my knees locking up on me. Anyway, what got me through the last 2 miles was this absolute babe that passed me. I fixed my beady eyes on her amazing derriere and while I was hypnotized, I cruised through those last couple of miles following right behind her. I find myself running at Greenlake instead of Discovery Park sometimes for that very reason. It's amazing what a nice looking chick can do to prevent fatigue

I used to be a full-time runner. I'd train twice a day every day except for race days. Anyway, as a way to lessen the stress on the body, I'd do pool sessions twice a week. I know it may look dorky to the regular swimmers, but I swear by these types of sessions. Fairly intense, non-impact, and a good change up from pounding the pavement. Get in a good 45 minute workout doing various kicks and other exercises while holding on to the side as well as mimic your running without touching the bottom. Whenever I'm training for marathons now, I try to get back in this habit to help prevent injuries. If you find the exercises too easy, you can add weight to your wrists and/or ankles. Hope this was helpful.

Iceax, it's a killer deal, but I think I'll pass. She doesn't have very wide feet and I just don't think they'd be a great fit. I'm sure there's plenty other folks eyeing them though. Great boots for an amazing price.

Again, I have 73K on the clock of mine and I've never had anything wrong with it. What's so crap about that? Also, I've heard some horror stories about Audi but what's the point of going there?

I've got a Land Rover Disco and I don't understand why you all consider it a poseur mobile. As I mentioned before, back home, Land Rover is predominantly a working vehicle for farmers and cops. It is not just a car on a truck chassis unlike most of the other purported SUVs in the U.S. Making broad statements that no Discos go off-road is a lot of bollocks. There's even a Land Rover off-road club right here in the North-West. Admittedly, I'm not rich enough that I can afford to completely total my rig in off-road events, but it does get plenty off-road action around here. As for the Defender...if you're going to go that route, get the 110. I wish they sold them in the U.S. I'd be able to take everybody and their granny climbing then...holding on tightly as you slide back and forth on the bench seats. The 90 is just a wee thing that hasn't been sold in the U.S. since '97 I believe. I hear what you're saying about many SUV drivers, but I think that Land Rover is an exception being that it and the Toyota Land Cruiser have been creating generations of off-road enthusiasts for over 50 years. Don't tar us all with the same brush mate.

I've got to ask...how come you're selling them so cheap? Also, from I've read, it seems that these are suited for wide feet. Would you recommend them for a girl?

yeah, i'm interested. if you would, could you please post them?...

Big Truck, Small-dicked-sticker-wielding-righteous-tosser in my line of sight that's going to get crushed by aforementioned big truck if he tries to stick any shit on my rig. Did I guess right?

Yes, these are great recommendations, if you enjoy getting friendly with your local dealership technician. In the yuppie town I grew up in land rovers and range rovers were quite popular. I never could figure out why. They were in the shop about 10x more often than any other vehicle acoording to every one of my friend's family's who had the displeasure of owning one. I'd heard the same thing Josh before I bought one and went ahead and did it anyway...no regrets so far. It is pricey for service and so on, but the rig has never crapped out on me in any way. Back home in Scotland, these are working vehicles used by the cops in the countryside and farmers. They're made to be abused and handle most terrain. I've found that to be true with mine (although it hasn't been abused). The '99 model was the last year they were hand-assembled before being bought by BMW and then Ford.

this random nutter votes for the owl & thistle.

Time to downgrade and get a car. So, I'm selling my Discovery. V8 engine, about 185 HP, loads and loads of torque. Great on highway and definitely the best 4x4 I've had for out in the country. 73K miles on the clock. I'm the 2nd owner. I bought it with 23K on the clock. Never been anything wrong with it. Dual sun roofs, 6-CD changer, anti-lock brakes, cold weather package, leather & wood interior, just had the oil changed, new brakes about 8K miles ago. New air filter etc. I've taken good care of her but time to move on I think....Will part for $17K.

josh makes a good point. that's what i'm looking to pick up next...a wagon. having had an SUV for the past 3 years, i can definitely appreicate the power, ground clearance, and just the general utility of an SUV but when i think about the amount of times that i've truly needed that ground clearance or truly needed all that space (a single dude), it just doesn't make a whole lotta sense for me to have an SUV. Then again, the suby outback is the "i'm trying ever so hard not to be a yuppie" yuppie mobile. shit i guess there's no winning here. VW makes a nice 4x4 jetta & passat wagon. just a thought.

I'm selling my '99 Land Rover Discovery...$17K. yes, i am a yuppie. Having said that though, it's an awesome 4x4. i'm looking to get something less gas thirsty.

those would work but i don't think the size is right.

Getting my lady into climbing. Looking for a decent pair of plastic boots (Koflach Degree or similar I think size 8), standard ice-ax around 65cm and a pair of crampons in good condition (maybe Grivel G-10 or G-12). Second Ascent has all this stuff but they're not the cheap guys they used to be. /j

Nah, I gave it a body swerve. It was supposed to be some considerable avalanche danger and weather wasn't supposed to be too good. I think St. Helens in the Spring should be done in sun & sweet corn Seriously though, I'm hoping I didn't miss a good day but I didn't think the conditions were optimal. Maybe next week...

Sitting in my mounties MOFA class last night, one of the instructors made a comment that studies have shown that folks who spend an extended amount of time above 14,000 ft suffer from permanently decreased cognitive capacity. In other words, they're brain damaged. At that point, I kind of laughed and imagined Reinhold Messner a vegetable and wondered if Ed Viesturs is in some way a retard. Come to think of it, maybe the ones who are able to handle the suffering at high altitude are too brain dead to realize they're suffering? Anyway, I'm sure most of you have opinions on this topic eh?

Am thinking about the Worm flows this weekend (3/28). What's the scoop on conditions?