M2

Timely...this just came out today from ConsumerReports.org... Cheers! M2

California is a whole other bag of mixed nuts... UW-BB is in Seattle, and Washingon state is a helluva lot more "gun friendly" than the Republic to its south. Just remember you have to have the "California-friendly" 10-round mags if you ever decide you want to visit... Cheers! M2

I'll second that, I have 800+ rounds through mine without a single FTF/FTE. The 9mm version of the XD passed the Glock Torture Test--20,000 rounds and was frozen, buried in mud and doused in sand--with flying colors, and as I said the grip angle is more like a M1911 therefore more comfortable to me. Hold 13+1 of 45ACP, enough to keep me happy! It is about the slimest double-stack I have ever fired. I have internal guide rod laser sights (LaserMax) on mine and they work great. I trust it more with my life than I ever did the Beretta M9! Cheers! M2

I must be getting old, I haven't heard of any of those groups. Are you sure they are bands? Now we're talking! But I had to look up Dierks Bentley...from Wikipedia: "Bentley is a country music singer...(who's) musical style is considered to be more traditional than many of his contemporaries and often contains traditional themes of lost or forbidden love, drinking and cheating"...sounds promising! Cheers! M2

Have you checked the BX? Seriously, I have bought my wife diamonds there in the past and when they were examined by a reputable jeweler, they were amazed at the high quality for the price. Matter of fact, I just bought her a 1 ct total weight ring (joint Mother's Day/Anniversary present) and got a good deal. I don't know about a $9K ring, when you get in that price range you'd be better off buying an airplane ticket to Antwerp, Belgium and getting one from a broker there. You should pay a couple thou for a nice ring, but when you get into the price range of a small car I think you might want to be a helluva lot more careful on what you buy! Cheers! M2

I just ordered Herb Alpert's Rise, but I also bought Z Z Top's Rancho Texicano yesterday for riding around in the Jeep (replacing Ted Nugent's Greatest Hits). I also love 70s funk and 80s New Wave. Kinda shows you the wide genre of music I listen to... Cheers! M2

If you are committed to the .40, I would suggest trying a Springfield XD-40 or a Glock 22 or 23 (standard or compact, respectively). I prefer the XD due to its M1911-type grip angle. However, I am a .45 fan, so I probably a bit biased towards the Springfields (I have a XD-45ACP). Nothing against the .40, it is a common caliber for law enforcement agencies, I just like the larger caliber of the .45 myself. Honestly, although I don't have firsthand experience with the three models you listed, as far as I know you won't go wrong with any of them. Cheers! M2

This is some of the best advice you will ever get from this forum, and some that will last you long past your USAF career. If you truly believe this will be your partner for life, then show her how much that means to you. Get your priorities straight from the onset, and life will be a much easier ride. And congratulations on the engagement! Cheers! M2

Anyone who doesn't make an effort to talk to any of the USAF heroes (and I will let you decide who falls in that category) is an idiot. And don't limit yourself to USAF vets, I had the honor to escort USMC flyer and MOH winner James Sweat at the Gathering of Eagles back in 96 and it was a hoot! I can't go into much detail, but I will say that those guys still know how to have a good time and could teach a lot to the current AD folks (myself included!). I am sure I am not the only old guy on here who remembers Project Warrior... The Marines did something similar back in the early 90s. Notice no mention of the word 'cyber' or any other similar flatulence. History is a great thing, especially when it teaches you lessons you don't have to learn the hard way! Cheers! M2

Actually, I have a bud who is a contractor in Kabul at the moment who says he can get them; but he is still hesitant to send one back. I asked both him about finding me a sling and both came back stating anything weapons-related—to include something as simple as a sling—is against regulations. I have a bud in Fallujah who told me the same thing…I think they have been read the riot act about anything weapons-related, and I don't blame my bud in Kabul as he has a good gig and I wouldn't want him to jeopardize anything for something as trivial as a bayonet for an AK. I am in no rush, I just thought I would ask and I might try MeowMix (thanks HD!). As for the look, there is a reason for it but discussing it here would violate the rules of the squadron bar…plus it’s not that interesting. Cheers! M2

That was several months ago...I stopped shaving completely last month. It has gotten a lot worse... Cheers! M2

(Click on photo for full-sized pic) Cheers! M2

Little maintenance costs on an Aprilia? Are you shitting me? I worked with a guy who had a brand new Futura when I was in Belgium, and I had to help him load it on a pick-up when it crapped out. My 14-yr-old Honda ST1100 was more reliable. I like Aprilias and Ducatis, but there isn't an Italian marque out there that is cheap to run or maintain. And there is a big difference between an SV650 and Italian V-twins, namely the price! Cheers! M2

Preferably a black one, as that is the color of the furniture on my Yugo underfold. SAXET has a show coming up 2-3 June here in San Antonio, I guess that will be my best bet. The monthly shows they had here went TU due to the loss of the venue (Airport Convention Center). Most on-line sources are ~$50 for Yugos or E. Germans, used to be you could find them for $10-12. Much like 7.62x39 ammo, the price of everything AK-related seems to be going up rapidly... Cheers! M2

OK, this forum has generated some miracles in the past, so I'll give it a try… I am looking for a Yugo or East German bayonet for an AK-47 (specifically, an M70AB2). If anyone has any sources or knows of one at a good price, drop me a PM or post here. Not looking for a standard AK bayonet, need one in black (hence the Yugo or East German specification) and in new or near new shape. I'd prefer a Yugo, but I am not choosy if the price is decent. Cheers! M2

Good analogy! I love V-twin sportbikes, and the Ducatis much like every other Italian marque make great-looking machines, but mechanically they are a nightmare and expensive to own. The SV gives you all the characteristics of a Duc without the ass pain! Cheers! M2

I've had my bike rolled into the same crate as my couch, but usually they will pack it in its own separate container. But if you are hauling yourself, it can easily be put into a U-haul. Probably better off being inside a truck instead of on a trailer, unless you are planning to drive straight through... Cheers! M2

I am sitting in Atlanta-Hartsfield during a six-hour layover, and I am amazed at all the Army bubbas running around here in their ACUs. There has to be at least a dozen of them in the food court where I am sitting. I know the USAF policy was blues-only if flying commercially, with exceptions of course. But if I had to guess I would say the Army seems to be encouraging its troops to travel on commercial air in ACUs. Is this the result of yet another clever Army recruiting campaign? Or is the Army so anal that it doesn’t allow its troops one set of civilian clothes to wear while traveling on commercial flights? To be honest, it reeks of that beer commercial a while back, where everyone in the airport terminal starts clapping when some troops walk through it… Well, back to my $4 cup of coffee! Cheers! M2

Hard to say, I am no expert on the CJ5. But from the pics, it is a little banged up and I would think anything with 200K on it would go cheaper. Go check out this web site to find out if you got your money's worth. Are you out at Randolph? Cheers! M2

No doubt, Budvar is quite enjoyable, Bud is not... But like many great European brews, I fear Budvar would be wasted on most Americans. Nothing personal, but your average American beer drinker prefers mass-brewed pisswater. Cheers! M2

Actually, Budwar, the Czech beer that Budweiser gets its name from, isn't that bad. I drank a lot of it when I was in the Slovak Republic many years ago. What is interesting is that it's called The Beer of Kings! They just reversed it for Bud... Cheers! M2

Nothing creepy about it, just wanted to know what all the commotion is about. Hell, you could've posted a pic of any old tart off the Internet, how in the hell would any of us know? Anyhow, I guess a lot has changed in the last 20+ years since I was an AFROTC cadet. Shit, no one ever gave us ID cards (had one from the Reserves); and no one in our cadre gave a rat's ass as to who we were banging, as long as said action took place outside the Det (and it didn't always). But as you said, you're not breaking up with her, so you will learn a very valuable lesson that will serve you well in your career--how to get past dumbfuck policies and shoeclerks and focus on what's important. Just don't get caught. Cheers! M2

Congrats, you have earned it! You've done more for this country than approximately 90% of its citizens (Nearly 26 million Americans living today have served in the military--24 million of these veterans are men, and nearly half are over age 60. There are 301 million people in the US [Source]). I did some quick research on noncitizens serving in the military, and found some interesting facts... Be proud, this is a major milestone in your life. Good on ya! Cheers! M2

Dude, you've just absolutely, positively guaranteed you are going to Barksdale... Cheers! M2

Trogdor I am debating the lift/tires dilemma myself; but check out this web site. it will help you make up your mind... And don't forget you need a Texas OHV Decal to ride in the places MacGyver listed, you can buy them at the places listed here... Cheers! M2