Now you just have to find a auto shop located at the bottom of big hill, coast it in there and say "I think I'm having some engine trouble. Could you take a look at it?"

>> ^Reefie:

How many of you who are saying the car driver didn't deserve that actually commute to work daily by bike? None of you? Thought so!


I've done both. I have to say, 'round here at least the Cyclists are worse than the motorists. I often drive up a major artery where cyclists block an entire lane to themselves when there's a dedicated bike path one block away that runs parallel. There's a big hill on the arterial road where a cyclist was killed a few years back because they were going well over the speed limit and some woman opened her car door at the wrong moment.

I also had a time when two cyclists zipped past me and blocked the path for my right hand turn (I was signaling) I chirped the horn at them and one of them started wailing on the side of my car.

Most cyclists are good citizens. Some are absolute militant assholes who ought to be run over once in a while to teach them some manners.

I've been to all those places and then some. The wife and kid are going to Japan to see the wife's family this week and staying for some 3 weeks. I was to go, but had to cancel due to work obligations. I am rather upset about it actually.

If you get a chance. Go. Miyajima is very beautiful. If you time it right, you can see some amayzing 'No' plays. Go up the big hill there to see the monkeys. I spent a night in the area. It is worth it. Easy access to Hiroshima across the water. See the war museum (a humbling experience). Try Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki for lunch. Great stuff.

Fuji was also a wonderful trip. I spent 4 days at a Ryokan. Amazing traditional food. Bathhouse, and everywhere in was views of the mountain. From the room, the bathhouse, everywhere. Expensive, but worth every single darn penny. Also went up Fuji for some CRAZY panoramas. You do not have to go to the top to get amazing views. Easy to get a bus ride up to about the half way mark. Great for the young or old, or those who cannot hike the mountain. Shelter and services are there. Don't be fooled. It is a HUGE mountain you will be above the cloud line most likely. See the sunrise. It is something to not be missed. Scream banzai as the sun rises (leave the old WW2 movie prejudices behind.. shouting banzai has nothing to do with dive bombing).

Other places to see. Kyoto (temples, Maiko dance), Himeji (amazing castle), Nara (giant Buddha, temples, and wandering deer). If you can.. go west towards Beppu and Nagasaki. The Kyushu area has the best natural hot spas. Nagasaki has great seafood and fusion with Chinese and Dutch influences. The war museum is also a must stop. Learn a bit about the US and Australian POW's interned in a camp there that were killed by the 'bomb', which we in the west simply do not learn about in school.

Learn a bit of the language, absorb the culture. Have fun. It is easier to get around Japan than you realize. Most major train lines and roads in the larger cities have English lettering to help tourists.

Food isn't that expensive, and bargain hotels can be found easily enough. Even better if you know a local to tour you around!

That's a lot of tape, not a cheap way to go about making sculptures.

My turn. How would you like to go for a hike on the side of a big hill with a concrete walkway that's falling apart?
http://www.videosift.com/video/Scariest-hiking-trail-in-the-world

TheSofaKing> that's because what you saw was "ski jumping" while the correct term for the crazy stunt seen in this video is "ski flying" - the only difference being of course the size of the hill. the jumpers on these big hills effectively use a so-called V technique and glide along the curvature of the hill on this cushion the air provides at speeds around 100km/h. there is also a separate world cup competition in skiflying. the record jump was performed in Slovenia at Planica ski center where most of the record flights of the past decades took place. as you can see we slovenes are a bit crackpot about skiflying

I would just like to hear the conversation between these guys before they decided to do this. I'm sure one of them was trying to convince the other two it was a good idea.

"Hey man, let's go down that big hill over there on a couch.... Ahh come on.... We'll wear helmets!"

Not long the other two say, "ok, as long as we have helmets"