FlyingJ

I also like to try and be unique when possible. When I lived in NY my barber was a big jazz fan, so he used to give me a discount and I would not tip him, but when he wanted to hear some jazz he would let me know and I would get his name on the list at a club so he didn't have to pay the cover. In the end I think both of us ended up happier than if I were paying full price and he was receiving a few bucks tip. Killing threads since 2004.

I always tip very well when deserved, and when service is lousy I usually tip minimally (in order to show that I didn't just forget). That said, when I don't think a monetary tip is deserved I will often leave some sort of brief note something along the lines of "would have been nice to have had more than one refill on water" etc. Had a waiter complain to me when friends at a different table were obnoxious and didn't tip. He was good, but by no means should have complained to me. I gave him a pretty small tip and left a note that it was totally inappropriate for him to have complained to me. Went back there about a month later and he remembered us, apologized over and over and then gave us our desserts for free. The other thing that is tough is that everyone has shitty days. If it seems to me like the service isn't that great because someone is just having an off day I will still usually tip pretty well. Killing threads since 2004.

I just wanted to finally get my ass out to a dz to do a tandem, and wanted to drag my dad with me. Done! And now I'm halfway through the goal made about halfway down from 14k that day. Hopefully I'll finish up AFF this weekend and get a few jumps towards an A! Killing threads since 2004.

My dad would love to hate that I've just started skydiving, but really can't since it was his idea (after a few years of prodding) to go do a tandem with me a couple months ago! He does hate the financial aspect of it. He has a right to voice his opinion considering I am temporarily living under his roof while looking for a volunteer position with AmeriCorps (that won't pay any money). He just can't understand how I would rather spend every cent I have on doing something like this and just get by as opposed to saving my money. Gotta love mom though. Her response the last time he was whining was "listen, it's something he'll never forget. What the fuck do you have to remember from this point in your life?" Turns out he had the birth of his third child, but regardless, way to go mom! I get a little relief now and then as I have a brother out in California working with the National Forrest Service that has recently decided he wants to be a forrest fire fighter. Thanks Bro for taking some of the heat (no pun intended) off of me! Killing threads since 2004.

At least you didn't end up with a headless body in the seat next to you... Could have been worse Killing threads since 2004.

I hear it works only if taken with alcohol. Killing threads since 2004.

see attached... Killing threads since 2004.

And I thought I have had some bad "hangovers" in my life. Killing threads since 2004.

The one thing nobody has asked yet...WTF was the passenger doing halfway out the window anyway? Looks like this might be a pretty good lesson in wearing your seatbelt too! Killing threads since 2004.

I was freaking out when I heard that this morning. I went to high school with a guy by that name and the radio didn't mention that he was only 21. Can you even imagine if he had woken up really not knowing what happened, and then woke up covered in blood and went outside to see that? WTF!!! Killing threads since 2004.

Just got a phone message and it turns out my sister went to the show and loved it. I'm glad I gave her the tickets, because even though it turns out it didn't rain downtown, the lightning and thunder loud enough to make the windows shake at home would have kept me firmly planted on the couch if I had been the one going. Killing threads since 2004.

One nice thing I've found about AirTran is that the charge to upgrade to first class is cheaper than other airlines if it is available. I flew Airtran between LaGuardia and Atlanta a few times, and at LaGuardia they (or they did) have only one single gate, which meant you always spent time sitting out on the runway - for me, for more than an hour on two different occasions. The upgrade was only $25 (don't know if that is normal or just happened to be a special situation the two times I've done it). Worth every penny when just sitting there at the end of a long trip!!! Killing threads since 2004.

This kind of depends on how much your fine would be, and how many points you already have on your liscence, but...I wouldn't try to appeal, but plead guilty and then ask the judge that in lieu of the ticket/fine/points on your liscense if it would be possible for you to take a defensive driving course. I received a ticket once that was going to cost me upwards of $350, so I asked the judge if there was anything that I could do to lower the fine and mentioned that I had a friend that had been ordered to take defensive driving. She agreed, erased the ticket and I had to spend about 4 hours in a classroom watching movies, which cost me about $75. To top it off, I sent the "graduation" certificate to my insurance company and they gave me a discount for having taken defensive driving. In the end, I actually saved money because of the ticket. Killing threads since 2004.

Just think, you could have been in the middle seat between two of them. Killing threads since 2004.

I hear ya! Never a dull moment. I'll be honest that I'm actually glad not to be around. The RNC was renting space from my organization and I was the point person on a party being hosted for all of the GOP governors w/ the pres involved. Nothing to do with my political feelings - I'm just glad that I'm not there to have to worry about all of the normal event logistics and then protesters and everything else that comes along with it. That is actually the only thing I've come across so far that has made me glad to have moved (of course having a car now to actually get to a dropzone is kind of nice). Have fun this week! Killing threads since 2004.

Just watch out for the garage windows Killing threads since 2004.

It is an amazing experience out there. I haven't been to any other grandslams, but the energy there is unreal. If you have the chance try to get some early round day session passes. You just wander the grounds and see piles of huge players playing within 10 feet of where you are standing, and then you can just hang out on the promenade and watch the marquee night matches on the jumbo screen. Just amazing, especially on a nice cool night. Killing threads since 2004.

The U.S. Open is gearing up and ready to go and I'm hating that I'm not going to get to go this year. For the last 5 years I've spent at least 5 days out at the Open each year and love every second of it, but alas, I'm in GA now. I actually had plans for flying up to NYC for a week at the Open but decided to put that chunk of money towards AFF. Still think it was a great decision, but it means just watching on TV. Oh well, maybe next time. Any other tennis fans out there? Predictions? Killing threads since 2004.

Can't say I'm there with ya tonight. Had a couple but that will be it for tonight. Last weekend was big, and next weekend will be big so we just need to take it easy this weekend. Killing threads since 2004.

Well happy birthday to both of you then! I wasn't going to have another beer tonight, but I guess I'll have to now! Killing threads since 2004.

We'll see I guess. Still thinking about asking for another ticket and going myself, but I kind of doubt it, especially since the weather is supposed to be crappy tomorrow night! Killing threads since 2004.

I liked the comparison to instant replay made last night during the interview with Hamm. They compared the appeal process to instant replay in American football. It's there for a reason, if someone doesn't like a call they can appeal and if it turns out they are right action will be taken. However, it has to be done then. In football you can't end the game and the next day look at it again and decide that it was a bad call and protest. Same thing in gymnastics. They have a system in place, it wasn't put to use, and this is the outcome. I think the gymnastics federation people are a bunch of peckerwads. I mean come on! Hamm has said multiple times that he will abide by whatever decision the federation makes, and for them to try and pass it off on him by "requesting" that he give back the medal? WTF!!! Killing threads since 2004.

I was given a handful of tickets for his concert in Atlanta tomorrow (Sunday) and thought about going but decided to give them to my sister instead. Guess I'm glad I did! She is a huge fan though, so hopefully she won't be dissapointed. Had a bad experience with Mayer being a pain in the ass a few months ago. Planning a fundraising concert in NYC, we had a great lineup but wanted one more person. Bob Dylan was on the program, and we thought Mayer would be great to attract a younger crowd. He was totally into it until he found out that Dylan was on the program. Apparently he gets compared to Dylan a lot (????) and doesn't like it so he decided against playing the gig because he didn't want to be on stage with him. WTF!!! How about putting the fragile little ego aside to help raise some money! Killing threads since 2004.

And those brownies really hit the spot. I even brought some home with me (though sadly I didn't know it until the next day when I looked at the seat of my shorts to see that I had sat on a piece that someone dropped!!!) jason. Killing threads since 2004.

Definitely cheddar Pepperidge Farm Goldfish. I don't ever get a craving for them, but if I happen to eat one you can consider the bag/box, regardless of size, gone. Killing threads since 2004.