wrangler

This is the post I was looking at, don't see a ref in any of the pictures. And, as he said, he's on the wrong side for a faceoff in the third picture. http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/470-photos-of-yourself/page__st__3120__p__864396#entry864396 Color me confused.

What ref? You sure you're not looking at different pictures? I didn't see anything in the post here like what you describe.

Looks like a stick, or at least a shaft.

Yeah, more padding is especially nice since I upgraded my weight by 80 lbs. since I got the old stuff. I hit the ice a bit harder than I used to.

Equipment changes in the past year: Last year's equipment - my old stuff Shoulder Pads: Johnson J-42D (1965?) Elbow Pads: Cooper EK23 (1972?) Shin Guards: Cooper 10533 (made for Sears-1967?) Ankle Guards: Cooper 10555 (made for Sears-1968?) Pants: Cooper HP18 (1978) Gloves: CCM 501115 (1973?) Had to buy a helmet for the first time Helmet: Bauer 5100 w/NB 9500 cage Skates - Bauer Black Panther (1972?) CCM Super Tacks (1975?) Current equipment: Easton Synergy 300 shoulder pads CCM MHP520CHL.SP pro stock pants, Blackhawks colors Reebok 8K shin guards Reebok 10K elbow pads Eagle PPF+ Tufftek gloves Skates - Nike Bauer Supreme One95

It sucks that we even need to have this discussion; the problem hurts all of us.

It's not necessarily lying. A potential skate buyer might not be committed to new skates to the extent he'd want to go on the hook for a fee if he didn't buy, but might end up buying if he tried them on and liked them. The fee is an impediment that will weed out some that you'd like to weed out, and some that you wouldn't. It's hard to know if it would help you, on balance. Some folks like me would just see the sign and go to another LHS, after getting the feeling of not being welcome. I'd never try to get the details, or exceptions, or try to talk my way around it. I'd just go down the street to the competition.

The picture's in the mirror, and a bit out of focus.

It says Tommy looks at things backwards and lacks focus.

If "he" is me, yes, I gave myself as an example, but don't have a clue how tolerant others might be. The "fitting fee" is simply something I don't want to support. As you mention, I'd also spend my money on other needed items at a competing LHS that didn't charge such fees.

I think most of us have had at least one encounter with these billing computers over the years.

I hope your future doesn't come to pass. I think it's a bit on the pessimistic side; I see a place for the LHS, even if they say HM, PH, or TH above the door. I don't see 100% online retailing for items that people wear. I think there will always be a demand for seeing and trying on such things. As to the rinks, we've got at least one here that has a TH shop on the premises, though I'm wondering what will happen there, since they recently opened a big store not that far away. I'd think that with all the leagues, there's always a need for stuff there, but we'll have to see if that need can support the store in the long run. You make a valid point that the smaller the operation, the tougher it is in terms of inventory size and turnover, a problem which is only exacerbated by the continual product line changes. We'll see.

I'm with you on supporting the good LHS. We need the LHS to check out equipment, and if we don't spend money there, they'll disappear. I buy some stuff online, but if I check out equipment at the LHS, I'll buy from them if they have what I want.

I'm not quite sure how to take that; I can read it a couple different ways.

I'd go to another LHS, get fitted, and buy there. I wouldn't agree to pay $25 to find out what fits, what's available, and if the staff knows its stuff.

Ya gotta have heart.

Well, you should certainly get full marks for your attention to the men's morale.

I'm not asking.

How'd you like them?

Great, at least you know you're going, now. It'll change your head. They told us the first day, once you start, "You'll never look at anything the same way".

I've been listening to these guys for several years. My wife and I saw them in Chicago, and I got their new (at the time) CD "Something Beautiful", with that song on it. The concert was incredibly energetic, and everyone sang along with every song. Some goofs, I assume the house, ran a smoke machine and played with colored lights for their whole performance. Strange. Push Stars opened for them, and Chris Trapper came out later to do a couple of his tunes with Great Big Sea. I really like his songwriting, he's got a distinctive style, but I prefer Great Big Sea's versions of his tunes. He does good lyrics, so it was a shame the audio mixing for his group was like a lot of concerts -- turn up the instrument sound so high you don't have a prayer of hearing the lyrics.

Too bad you can't light a fire under the other potential employer. Well, you know what they say about a bird in the hand -- HEY! this damn thing bit me! Anyway, a 6 month job gives you time to explore other options while working in the meantime. Good luck with the decision, could be aggravating either way, depending on what happens afterward.

A natural fit for this thread. Lotsa fun, every time up was with a friend I don't see that often, coaching and seeing them improve is rewarding, too.

Last weekend, my annual get-together with friends, flying skiplanes.

It's amazing. Look at Peter Mueller.