Cosmic

I enjoy the Bitcoin Morning Brief on YouTube with Jimmy Song and Tone Vays. I used to like World Crypto Network (where I first discovered these guys), but since these guys seem to have left WCN, WCN is not really the same as I thought that Jimmy and Tone carried the conversation. There is a lot of misinformation about Bitcoin all over the place, and people talking about the stuff who do not really understand it. I like YouTuber Crypto Daily also. He is more of a comedian, but I am yet to find him peddling information that is obviously wrong or misleading. There are plenty of other shows, but too many are just sharing their opinions on why what they invested in (Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, etc.) is "great and here's why you should too!." That type of talk just irritates me to no end.

Yea it is easier to watch the "pullbacks" when only in with house money.

Be careful guys. I mean if you are just in $2K and are not at risk of defaulting on the old mortgage, then you know that you will be fine. But, just a concern(s), from a guy who loves Bitcoin/Litecoin/crypto: Bitfinxed has a theory on how the price has made this record move: https://twitter.com/bitfinexed Do I have a moral issue, as a Bitcoin holder? HELL NO! I will take my profits any way I can get them. However, if this is a pump and dump, to synchronize with the pending opening of CME/CBOE/NADSAQ non-Bitcoin settled futures markets, then we can potentially go back down as fast as we went up. How low will we go? I suspect not too low, as I understand that billionaires are waiting on the sidelines for the next dip. Is my intel reliable? Absolutely not! So, the floor is the limit, but I will certainly be buying if we go way down, as I know may other fellow non-billionaires will also be doing.

No cup holder unfortunately.

I had a couple of True A6.0 blades. They both snapped about 3/4 inch away from the top of the hosel. I think that the open top hosel is the problem. True customer support was great and they warrantied me out. Their blade had the best feel for 2 piece that I ever experienced, by far and way, and pretty much on par with the blade feel of my Tacks 7092 one piece (which I greatly appreciate). However, I think that the open top hosel may be the only one of its kind, and the lack of material there compromises the strength of the area around it. So, no more True blades for me, obviously. I have one True A4.5 shaft and it's a tank and still going strong.

That Barkov looks alot like CCM's retail P30 (which I am still loving). Can anyone elaborate on the difference that has seen/tried both?

Recent Stick History: STX Surgeon RX2.1, Warrior QR Pro, Easton Mako shaft with Warrior blades 6'2, 215 lbs Position/ style- Winger/ JVR- I like to stand in front of the goalie, create a problem for the opposing D men, and try to deflect shots and knock home rebounds. I can fire some wristers too, when opportunity presents. Definitely not a dangler, not a great skater, but I am strong enough and have an athletic background. Sometimes I put my whole body into my shots, which slows my release. Other times, I like to shoot without any load, which makes for a weaker shot but a quicker/ more masked release. CCM Tacks 7092 P30 75 Flex Grip After having been through about 10 blade patterns (Easton Igninla retail, P88 Kane, P28 Yakupov, P92 Backstrom, PM9 Stamkos, Base BC71 Malkin Pro, Sheiffele pro stock shaved down at the toe), in the last couple of years, I saw the IceWarehouse CCM P30 blade video. I had to question if I was dreaming, as I often thought that a P88/P28 hybrid would be perfect for me (which it turns out to be). I had heard great things about the Tacks sticks- specifically the Ultra tacks, and then saw that the 2.0 line was going back to some Ultra Tacks features (like the soft handle), so I gave the stick a try. Blade/Feel: Incredible. I have never enjoyed a stick with terrific puck feel (I heard that certain sticks had good feel, just never tried them), as I have never splurged on a top-of-the-line stick (either go one down from top, or 2 piece). This blade is crisp. I do not like a dampened feel, and I have never felt pingy. This blade is also very stiff, which I like, as I am 6'2, 215 lbs and work out alot. So, when I feel that I have flexed the blade, and then the puck does funny things, I am not happy. This blade is always reliable. When a pass hits the blade, it makes a "crack" sound as when a wooden bat hits a baseball, and the feedback in the hands is perfect as well. I know the puck has arrived, but there is no vibration, and it just gives a nice feel into my hands. I think that the blade is last year's top of the line Super Tacks or Ultra Tacks blade. I would love to try the 2.0 blade, as I can only imagine it must be better (or perhaps not, and I am just speculating), 10/10 Shaft: I had not used a mid kick, so this was a bit of an adjustment at first. (Now, I struggle with using my QRL pro stock low kick.) The mid kick, coupled with the soft handle and stiff hosel, does not seem to make me lose any speed of release on wrist shots. Everything is much more accurate though, since I feel I can control the blade a little better, when the stick is flexing in my hands, instead of way down at the blade. This is more a Cosmic/ relationship with low kick and mid kick issue, than a Cosmic relationship with this 7092 Tacks stick in particular. As I never used a mid kick before, I did not really know what to expect. Everything seems good now that I have adjusted. Just a note, that I added an internmediate STX Surgeon RX2 end plug, to give me a more natural finger wrap on my top hand. When I have an STX Surgeon RX2 or this extension as the end plug, then I pretty much catch every routine pass. With a traditional T shaft geometry in my top hand, catching easy passes can quickly become a trainwreck. 9/10 Flex: When this stick was fresh out of the box, the flex seemed perfect. However, once I "broke the stick in," (fired a ton of shots, and compromised the integrity of the fibers- standard for any stick that I get my hands on), and have since used it in a couple of competitive games, it is now too whippy. My fault. I heard that it was a stiff stick, so I went admittedly low on flex. I should go either 85 or 95, and will likely buy both in the near future, and figure out which one suits me best. No rating really necessary- the stick flexes where it is supposed to flex, it rips shots, and it does what it is supposed to to. For casual outings, I think the 75 ought to continue to work for me. For more intense games, I think I need 85/95 flex. Weight: I think the weight is around 450-460, pretty ok'ish for this price point. Very well balanced, so it is hard to tell the difference between this and my pro stock QRL, if I have my eyes closed. 9.25/10 Shooting: It is hard to separate the P30 blade pattern from anything having to do with shooting. In order to do so, I would need a bunch of sticks with the P30, so I can rate the different sticks. I think that Tthe blade pattern (P30) makes my shots spot on. I literally scored about 15-20 goals in pickup a couple of nights ago (it was 2 hours, and we had 2 subs, and for whatever reason, the other team's speed, that had subs, was mirroring our team speed). So, just having time to get to where I wanted to shoot, pick a spot, and then get the puck past goalies from spots in close enough (15-25 feet) that they had no chance to react, says something for the accuracy features, as well as the power and quick release that this stick offers. A couple of nights later, in a competitive game, I do not even think I got any shots on net, because I was leaning on the stick so hard (to prevent stick lifts) that I was noodling it and could not control passes or get my shots off. This was when I realized that I need a higher flex. Again, not the fault of the stick, just my own failure to know ahead of time, how this stick would react to the full force of my weight on it. 9.5/10 Durability: After 1 skate, I noticed some little dents in my first stick's blade. I contacted CCM Warranty, they sent me a 2nd stick, and said "keep the first stick." (Thank you again, CCM) No dents in either stick since then, and both are going strong. 9.25/10 Verdict: This is a great all around stick. I have really no feedback for how to improve. My main intention of writing this review, is to provide CCM people reading this form, feedback on how the P30 is working with this stick. Love the blade pattern, the stiffness of the blade itself, and the soft upper handle and mid kick, and how everything ties together. All of these are new features for me, and they seem to be working harmoniously. The only issue that I am having is dialing in my flex, but anyone who knows me (Farmer's walks with 100 pound dumbells in each hand, leg press with 7-45 pound plates on each side, lat pulldowns with the entire rack, pushups with a Swiss ball under my hands, and another under my feet, etc.), and sees the 75 flex always responds the same way, "Are you serious? You need 90-100 flexx!" What I have learned, is that in low intensity games (where I am shooting with lazy mechanics, and not leaning hard on my stick), this flex is indeed pretty much perfect. However, in higher intensity games, this stick is noodling under the force on my leaning into it on stickhandling and shooting. Regardless, this stick is pretty much perfect, with the slight modification that I make, to accommodate my my lack of hands: the Surgeon RX2 end plug). Most guys like the T shaft geometry though, so this is more of an issue of mine, than an issue with the stick.

I read somewhere that the W28 Gallagher is a bit more closed than the previous W28 Yakupov. Is the W28 unchanged? Or, did you tone it down a bit? FWIW, I tried the X28 (STX Surgeon RX2) and found it to be too open. I love the P30 (CCM Parise retail). So, I'd welcome a toned down W28, if that is what you did.

I have been using the CCM Super Tacks for a couple months, 2x/week and love it. It does not look durable due to the thin fabric and velcro, but so far it is holding up pretty well. The last few offers of girdles in the Bauer Supreme line, I have seen durability issues with, in the reviews on the retailer sites and YouTube. I was previously unfamiliar with the "HP/HP Pro" though.

Overboard?!?! id say that looks about perfect; you just need somewhere else to garage your vehicles, to allow you to extend the surface.

So last night I was playing D and took a direct shot on the inside of the thigh (right where the PORON is). It was from a kid on U-16 National Team of the country I live in (the old Canadian guys shoot twice as hard as the local kids), but still, the puck is hard, and the kid who shot it has a decent shot. I felt it, it minorly hurt and I figured I'd be fine. I see a faint hint at a bruise there today; tried to take a pic but in the pic there is no evidence of anything so it's not even worth posting. And when skating (or sitting or anything), I do not even notice the extra protection.

I think you are wearing the CCM Ultra Tack shin guards, yes? I tried them on the CCM Super Tack shin guards in the store, and was surprised how shallow the fit felt, relative to my 20K Pros. So yes, I agree that this knee padding is too thick for just about all knee pads, except for the 20K Pros (since they also have a hole in the knee where other shin guards have some padding).

I did not buy the pants specifically for that inner thigh padding, but even if I did, so what? I wanted the knee padding; and I just saw the inner thigh pads as an added bonus. There is one pant (STX Surgeon RX2) and one girdle (Bauer Supreme MX3) that has what seem to be plastic pieces backed by foams, for skaters who want protection in this area. I never bought either, I just noticed it, as well as the lack of padding in this area in my girdle (and every pair of pants that I have ever owned). So, if these pads do not interfere with the skating or movement, then why would one not want to have padding here? I took one puck to this area about a year or so. I was playing forward, trying to support a flurry we were putting on the opposing goalie, and a panicked D-man did a weak lob/chip clear attempt, that I think was going to just scrape my inner thigh and go clear behind me. Instinctively, I angled my inner thigh to knock down the clearing attempt, and it hit into my inner thigh and let me make a play. The D man did not put much on the puck, and it was not hurt, but it left about a 3-4 inch bruise for a week or so that had me thinking, "Wow, from just that?" I also recall a post from about a year ago, a guy here who, as a D man, just instinctively blocked a shot with his inner thigh from the point. I think he ruptured some artery or something or other, and was advised by his doctor not to return unless he could figure how to protect the area. Better to have padding and not need it, then need it and not have it, when that time comes. I realize we cannot prevent and protect from everything, and do not kid myself into thinking that is what I am doing. But why not cover as much as possible, when it is comfortable and easy?

I had to special order these from HM Europe; not sure if they are available yet in the USA. These are the Bauer NG Elite Goalie Padded Jock. I use them for skater, as the Reebok 20K Pro do not have much knee cushion for hard falls and crashes (as I have learned), nor does my CCM girdle have any protection on the inner thigh: Customized with tailbone guard from last model. The CCM Super Tacks Girdle has minimal tailbone protection IMO. Past pants that I had worn had better tailbone cushioning. I fell on my tailbone 30 years ago playing ice hockey, and will always remember the terror:

Returned the Supreme 1S gloves (fingers in the 13s were too small, and the backhand in the 14s was a bit loose):

I stood on a regular body weight digital scale, and the girdle came out to about 4.2 pounds, including the shell (which converts to about 1900 grams). I am not sure if the girdle is lighter and the scale is messed up or what. Also, the shell has a padded belt, like the old Bauer Supreme shells of recent past, so that is adding a bit. Overall, when playing, the girdle feels like nothing compared to those clumsy pants that I was wearing previously. Very happy with the purchase, thus far- we will see how the durability is.

Large in Super Tacks Girdle. 34 inch jean size. You got it (and Large in SuperTacks girdle).

Played first pickup tonight with these, and absolutely loved them. I have been wearing these super heavy Warrior Franchise Pro Stock pants that I picked up at a team sale, which I absolutely loathe (so heavy and cumbersome and they are too big for me/ size Large when I must be a Medium in these). Before these, I was in the Warrior Dynasty girdle, which I like ok, but am not thrilled about. After just one skate, these are infinitely better than the Pro Stock pants, and noticeably better than the Dynasty retails. More to come- I do not like the attachment points for the shell; this is one area that the Dynasty "girdle" definitely has the Super Tacks girdle beat, hands down. Aside from this, I am yet to notice anything that I do not like.

And as I write this Bitcoin is all over the map lol

I like Tone Vays, who claims (or someone else claims about him) to be a former VP at JP Morgan: I like Francis Hunt too: I learned how Bitcoin worked from a guy in my office. Then, I backtracked and took a crash course essentially from these two guys, on how markets work. I've had hundreds of people try to explain markets to me previously, but their voices, their drones, ugh- they always just bored me to tears so I could never wrap my mind around the concepts. For whatever reason, Tone Vays and Francis Hunt, I find to be compelling- I think their voices, I just like. They are both traditional investors who are Bitcoin enthusiasts.

PS- I was thinking further on that response that I wrote. Another (favorable) scenario for BitCoin, that is less "radical" than my skeptical and distrustful thinking on the established institutions is this: If the Winklevoss brothers get their ETF, and the guys who make the investment retirement portfolios (or whatever you call them- 401Ks, Roth IRAs) for Americans who do not want to be bothered to select their assets in their portfolio, then I would imagine that the portfolio managers may throw some Bitcoins into the folk whose retirement goal is 5-20 years out. That drives the demand and price up of Bitcoin and gives it some traction amongst the mainstream. So yea, I do not really care one way or another if the system fails. I just abundance of wealth to be requirement for living on this planet, and see more scenarios where Bitcoin facilitates this. Again, this is not financial advice, just speculation, from a speculative, impulsive guy who does not want to give advice (and just appreciates hearing himself think, through this medium which is our Forum).

I should correct that, perhaps I am not betting against the economy. The gross economy may grow, but if this is simply due to the rich getting richer (the lobbied up corps and banksters), the middle class is squeezed out, and the poor just keep getting more poor, then is that truly growth? Will this situation lend itself to the masses continuing to have faith in traditional means of saving? I doubt it, so, thank you for inviting me to clarify. I consider myself to be betting against the masses continuing to buy in to the legacy institutions, which are not dynamic financial instruments at all. For example, in my Roth IRA, in order to get tax amnesty, I need to go through some miscellaneous guy and his random company, pay them 1.5% of my capital, to then buy VanGuard. The guy says that the money is necessary to pay the people who administer the account. What the hell is so hard about ticking a box that says, in essence, "This guy is saving for retirement so he does not leech the system. Forgive him of his tax." Legacy system - obsolete - evolve or dissolve, please. Anyway, I ran the math, and 15% capital gains tax is about equivalent to this guy's 1.5% total wealth tax that he levies. I should add, that I get no choice at my work in regard to who "manages" my Roth IRA. I quote manage because I go into the software, and I pick the stocks. What the heck does my guy do for me? Nothing, except maybe file some forms to another legacy institution, which creates this nuisance in the first place, to then give this guy a role in the machine of futility. Then banks, and bank accounts. So lame- where's my interest? 0.01% really? Ok, so I have ease of access to small amounts of my money, and what, this is so hard for the legacy system to manage, that they cannot pay me interest? Yea, ok. What do I look like I fell off the turnup truck? Anyway, Bitcoin is all in one- an international bank account that gives big interest. I t can also serve as a Public Trust Social Security fund- at least that is how I plan to use it as I am in for the long haul. In the short haul tho, I like that I can do what I want, when I want, without needing to ask permission from people in expensive buildings with expensive suits (which we pay for) who help me get the bureaucracy that is them, out of the way. Just so analog, the legacy system. Anyway, I like to think I am ahead of the curve, in my realization of my underwhelmedness at the utility that the legacy system provides, in conjunction with my appreciation of this alternative. As more move to this headspace that I am in, I ought to be rewarded for getting here first, according to my understanding of the Bitcoin machine. Do I think this is "Fair?" Like I get to the bus stop first, so I get to choose where I sit? I do not care; I do not think in these terms. It is a means of generating an abundance of wealth (which appears to be a requirement for living on this planet), so I am generating wealth at Bitcoin speed.

I am not sure what margining accounts means. I tried to read up on it, but reading traditional financial material just bores the hell out of me and puts me to sleep (from a quick Google search): https://www.finra.org/investors/understanding-margin-accounts-why-brokers-do-what-they-do If Tone Vays or Francis Hunt could explain it, in a video (I like their voices, they do not put me to sleep) then I could probably get it. I just buy it and sit on it, and am hoping for a Critical Mass Adoption Effect that is gonna make this jump. Sort of like "The Big Short," buying into this is like betting against the economy, which I tend to think to be a safe bet. Obviously, I know little on investing, and am admittedly not even terribly interested in the matter (I just require wealth to live on this planet, and am open to receiving abundance of wealth so I open the channels for reception and accumulation), so please do not take this as financial advice. Anyway, on margining accounts, I doubt it is available. One of the apparent "points" of Bitcoin is P2P investing, selling, which would seem to inherently require having cash on hand and just doing it yourself. No market close, no loans, no calls. I know you can short a coin, with one app, but Francis Hunt advises against shorting, and I am not sophisticated enough anyway to start putting shorts out there. Margining accounts seems to be something that your broker (or whatever 3rd party) does (I got confused when they started talking about "Calls," and I am not researching that today HA!- maybe tomorrow I will learn it).

Yes and no. Yours are made in China. The Jofas that have the great rep are the ones made in Sweden. If you hang around Sports2K long enough, then you will see that the Jofa porn guys hold "Made in Sweden" in the highest regard. Years ago, I think the factory in Sweden shut down, or all retail ops got moved to China, or sth (someone else can chime in with history if you care). At that time, the materials coming out of the Sweden factory were all top notch as far as protection and quality, but a bit heavy/ bulky/ not as mobile as today's top retail gear. Still, these items are in heavy use by the pros (elbows and shins especially, you can see about half the pros are in old, banged up Jofa gear that looks to be from the Sweden era), but for most of us beer leaguers, we can get by with the newer/ lighter/ not quite as tank'ish/ durable gear. So, personally, I would not jump on CCM 19K, unless maybe I was playing full contact and had an equipment manager at the ready who could sew stuff up for me. I do not think you are being OCD at all. I think you had misplaced, high expectations, and am not really surprised by your experience. Make sure it says "Made in Sweden" if you want to try again, for the vintage/ retro experience that I think you seek. (I am in STX Surgeon 500 elbows- they suit me fine in terms of mobility/ durability, and I have taken some hard colisions and falls on them- if I could change one thing, I'd want them to be lighter but my guess is they are lighter than anything JOFA/ 19K).