hip check

Absolutely made it across ;) The Defenders are beasts, true. However, I prefer a little more comfort and quiet when I'm out and about. I also get more flex from my suspension, fit more stuff in it and can cruise on the highway for hours. A 'real' Land Rover would be an 88" Series IIa with a Safari top...

I'm driving a Land Rover G4 Discovery. I imported it from the US to Canada in January. I quite enjoy it.

How about some Mason Jennings, Old Crow Medicine Show, Joseph Arthur, Ron Sexsmith, or The Decemberists. I can't tolerate them all the time, but in the appropriate doses they can be good.

My own philosophy is this: "The customer is not always right, but they are always the customer." Without customers, the store/service is non-existant. Do what you can to keep your current customers and gain new ones. This does not mean that losing a few is going to kill the business, either. Also, it can actually help the business grow if employees see the owners/managers stick up for them. The customer shouldn't see the manager go over the employees head - that's just not cool.

A reasonable idea, but with so many rockered blades out now (as opposed to flat bottom blades) the angles could be off several degrees just by measuring the blade's bottom differently. There should be a lot of standardizing done - flexes, lies, weights... Won't likley happen since there is no governing body, as with most industries.

To add a small comment to the stick flexing discussion. I realize 85 flex is pretty much the same across the board between Easton models. But my reason for flexing a stick is to find out how a Whip or Regular in TPS, or Mid-Flex in CCM, or 280 in Innovative compare to that standard 85 flex. I'm probably not going to trust some post on a forum saying that they are close or not. I would want to know for sure myself. I understand the shafts flex during passes and shots, so a flex (within moderation, yes) in the store shouldn't damage the stick. I think the "You Break It, You Bought It" signs are a great idea, too.

I have an old pair of the CCM skates with the Reebok pump in them. They have old Bauer frames on them. I cut the nylon off the toes and drilled 4 small (think pencil-sized) holes at the base of the toes for some ventilation and to assist in drying them out. Since I don't play inline any longer they are being used by a friend. Haven't seen them for a couple years...

I've got two drum kits I use. My DW's, pictured below, and a mix of and old Ludwig jazz kit from the '60s with some smallish toms.