ken-
thanks thats a big help.
re: " knock on it and say, "Hey ass wipe, give me my gear back, no excuses, I want it back now!"
sadly it just isn't that simple
a) he lives in a different state
b) he has major anger issues. Which, although debatable- IMO no amount of gear is worth my ass being in his line of fire...
but its a nice thought if he was 'normal'