Jason Harris

I don't believe it is accepted as much as it's tolerated, particularly since it's possible it could be illegally discriminatory to not hire someone solely because of the tattoos. However, I have no idea whether our laws address tattoos. On the other hand, I've had conversations with business owners who have said if two applicants are equal, they wouldn't hire one who had noticeable tattoos, because they wouldn't want to take the chance of offending customers. For that reason, if one were to get tattoos which can't be hidden, I'd suggest making sure the resume is superlative. Oh, and regarding the push for legalizing marijuana, I suspect there are some rockers from the 60's who might disagree with the notion this a recent sentiment.....

When I was younger, few people had tattoos. People who had been in the military often had a tattoo, as well as people who hung out in groups/gangs. The only person from my peers who had a tattoo was my brother. However, watch an NBA game from the early 90's, and it's quite obvious tattoos have been a fad over the last 10-13 years -- one that is likely here to stay. I remember visiting my friends in New England around 1995, while i was living in SD, and I told them they'd be seeing tattos and goatees shortly. They gave me a funny look, so I told them, "Most fads start in Southern Cal. I guarantee you that you'll start seeing guys growing goatees and having a barbed wire type tattoo." Sure enough.... About four years after that, it was girls putting pin striping on the nape of the back. Maybe five years ago, people started added Chinese characters. The last two to three years, I've noticed the trend is to have multiple tattoos. It appears some people have tried to create an element of composition as they transition into each other, almost like a mural, while many appear to be adding tattoos randomly. However, because getting a tattoo has clearly become a rite of passage, one concern I have for the kids who are having ink in more visible locations is it might hurt them occasionally in the future. In other words, tattoos on the neck or hands can't be hidden when needed, such as in job interviews.

Actually, Blue Collar Man and Renegade are great rockers. By the way, did you ever see the "Behind The Music" episode on them? Apparently, Dennis De Young really liked concept albums and pushed the other members of the band to write songs in that vein for Killroy Was Here. Then he wanted them to act out the album during the concerts, to the point of people booing them off the stage, because they wouldn't play music for the first fifteen minutes of each show. So, while discussing the break up of the band after that tour, Tommy Shaw shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know. I guess I just ran out of songs about robots....."

I understand the savings is significant, but there are a couple of things to consider. The savings likely will be less, since most retailers give free sharpeners to customers who buy skates. More importantly, it is to your advantage to help keep your LHS in business, as there will be times you will need an urgent sharpening/tape/laces/etc. If too many people use the LHS' time to fit skates, then buy online, that lost profit may cause dire consequences to the store.

These are older bands, but I'd call them the two most under-rated bands in Rock History, especially since most people in the US consider them to be one-hit wonders. However, they are both hard rocking bands with great lyrics and melodies. The first one recently had their "Live And Dangerous" album voted as the best live album ever by the readers of Musician or Guitar (or something). (I don't agree with that -- I'd go with the "Allman Brothers at Fillmore East".) The second band's first three albums went 3-1-2 in the UK, and they were somewhat akin to the Grateful Dead in terms of their popularity live. Thin Lizzy Big Country

I probably have about 150 sticks left between G1's, TF1's and Evolutions.

Whoops. Pretty timely with the "watch what you type" thread, eh?

Too true, SRI, too true. As much garage can attest.... :D

My experience is it's been up to personal preference. Mark in Canada liked the TF1's best, while I liked the G1's better. Then I tried the TF Evolution, whose springiness I liked better, but I've come to realize I don't like 5.5 lies or hooked curves. Basically, I like the Modano and only the G1 had the Modano.

I've seen kids bend the sticks WAY more than slo mo's I've seen of slapshots. They'll bend it as far as they can toward the floor, then they'll give it a last little push. I guess they won't to know whether it "bounces" at this point, but I'm convinced most of them do it because they think they're supposed to do it.

Sorry for not responding earlier -- I didn't realize anyone had posted. The TF10 is 360 grams. Regarding stores in Toronto, you should contact Mark County of Salming Canada (info@salmingcanada.com). I never noticed this myself, but some people have said the PG1's might be a touch longer in the fingers

Thanks for the kind words, Joe. I don't know whether any of the stores with internet presence will ship to Australia, but three of them are members here: No-Icing Sports Puck Hog Hockey Sher Sports Bear in mind that some might be hesitant to ship to Australia because, technically, packages have to be limited to 48" in length. I've sent longer but the possibility exists that someone in your postal service could reject it. (I believe that it's Australia who's limiting it to 48", because Canada and the UK will both accept 108" in total girth.) I found this information on Salming's store guide for an Australia distributor, but I don't know how active he is: Salming Sports Australia Anders Holmen Suit 12. 21 Sydney Road NSW2121 North Epping +61 414 975 722 sales@sdsale.net

I can't remember whether I described it as Shanny-like, or whether someone said my description sounded Shanny-like....

Well, those are different issues. Leaving the skates to be sharpened versus ignoring someone while talking on a cell phone. On that topic, I hope that one day high schools come up with "Cell Phone Etiquette" classes, because lack of cell phone etiquette is possibly the number one sign that the apocalypse is upon us. I cringe when I'm standing in line and can't really hear the people who are just behind me having a conversation, but the guy on the phone five people away is talking loud enough for everyone to hear his life story. I can sort of accept business calls coming in, although LEARN HOW TO NOT TALK SO F*CKIN' LOUD!, but when they don't have patience to wait in line and have to call their buddy to see what's going on tonight..... Then they keep on talking as they give the cashier their order. Not a step to the side as they finish the conversation or a "Hey, lemme call you right back," but keep on talking as the peon accepts the order. Do I understand you feeling slighted by those people? Absolutely.

It's possible the guy has frequented a store in the past in which leaving them at the counter was the routine. At my main rink, there's padding on the counter to the right of the register. Everyone knows to leave their skates there, especially if no one is around, since he's most likely in the back sharpening. I suppose people would hold onto their skates if they needed a different service.

My observation on the flexing, at least with regards to those seeing how close it can bend to the floor, is it appears many people are doing it because they've seen others do it. Think about it. I've seen people put their entire body weight over the stick to see how far it will bend, but outside of Brett Hull with his 65 flex (or whatever it was) who will EVER bend a stick anywhere close to that degree on the ice? Once or twice, I've had players say they can feel the flexpoint is "here" versus "there on that stick." Yet many of them seem like they're flexing the stick as much as possible because....well....it seems like you're supposed to do it.

What part of Colorado?

I don't know anything about the Pulse, Cheechoo -- I don't think it's ours.

It's a sandpaper grip. Depending how much you move your hands, it will probably last anywhere from two to eight weeks, before it smooths out.

That's probably a good thing, Buzz, or the English could have been very challenging indeed.....

It compared the two tonight. The 46 is close to a Shanny, but the toe is slightly less open and it looks like it starts its curve closer to the heel than Shanahan does.

I met Mikael briefly today. The Red Wings play the Avs tomorrow, so I visited the rink to meet Mikael and the RW's equipment manager. For at least one day, I think I saw why he's having a breakout year. He and his linemate were the last to leave the ice, as much as half-an-hour later than some of the players. It definitely reflected a good work ethic to see the two of them out there when everyone else had left. I've heard from Sweden that he's a nice guy, and I would concur. I thanked him for having such a solid year, because it's helped build awareness. :)

Yes, but we're using a new design with lighter materials this year. Hopefully, the durability is comparabe.

1) I'm quite confident you will like the tracksuit. 2) Yes, the Evolution has a different grip than the TF10, which is very grippy. Again, I think the best description is a smooth "grip." 3) I didn't have the opportunity to visit other booths at the tradeshow, so I'll have to compare the taper when I visit shops in the next few weeks. 4) Actually, Rikard told me they didn't change anything on the Evo, since it was introduced so late in the year. Having said that, my recollection is it was supposed to be 435 gm, yet now it's 465 gm while the Precision is 435 gm. However, I could have misunderstood. Regarding the combo, it appears to be the same production design as the OPS. However, the color combo is a bit disjointed, so Rikard said we can easily change the blade's color to transition into white prior to production.

Hoppe was around 50-55 and he was quite a character. He bought a leather Maple Leafs jacket for his Harley. Then he told us he had three houses in Germany, Switzerland and Brazil -- to enjoy the atmosphere of Mardi Gras, shall we say?