MUScoop

http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=10922180&src=desktop&rand=ref~%7B%22ref%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%22%7D

I knew he bounced around but had no idea it was to that extent. Wow. Keep your head up, Van. Keep grinding.

Honestly, I didn't know you could spend $600 on a pair of sneakers other than some of these crazy limited edition ones.  I just have a pick-up truck mentality I guess.  I don't get it.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 15, 2014, 12:07:55 AM
Honestly, I didn't know you could spend $600 on a pair of sneakers other than some of these crazy limited edition ones.  I just have a pick-up truck mentality I guess.  I don't get it.

Haven't shopped for a pickup recently eh? ;)

Quote from: buckchuckler on May 15, 2014, 12:13:54 AM
Haven't shopped for a pickup recently eh? ;)

I buy mine used.  Cars depreciate so much the second they come off the lot new, especially trucks.  So I don't buy them new.  I'm driving an '06 right now

As much as I think Vander made a bad choice, the fact that this article exists means he has a good agent who's getting his name out.  And, if he's really giving his mother the ability to help him with his finances,  there's at least one and possibly two (the agent) responsible adults involved here.

Chico, it's dangerous to text while driving.

I've known it all along, and this is finally the confirmation I needed to say it:

Some greaseball agent out there just made upwards of $10,000 last year simply by convincing a young kid to make a very poor decision.

Quote from: WarriorFan on May 15, 2014, 01:54:05 AM
As much as I think Vander made a bad choice, the fact that this article exists means he has a good agent who's getting his name out.

Hopefully his former greaseball agent realizes that he, too, made a very poor decision.  And hopefully the new agent can really make him regret that decision.

I wonder how long before Vander shows up at practice in Blacksburg wearing VPI shorts.

And if he does, will the fire stoke hot enough to melt a Scoop thread?

Most people spend stupidly on a thing or two.  Few of us live like the greatest generation, anymore.  So I won't pick apart a ridiculous shoe splurge.  

Part of me wonders if these bus rides, moves, etc might be better for Blue in the long run rather than a deep tourney run where everyone's _________ his _____.

Wes, Jimmy & Jae found success, in part, because they had the hard road at one point or another, basketball-wise.  Might be good for Blue to spend sometime on that road.

Quote from: Benny B on May 15, 2014, 08:48:09 AM
I've known it all along, and this is finally the confirmation I needed to say it:

Some greaseball agent out there just made upwards of $10,000 last year simply by convincing a young kid to make a very poor decision.

And now the greaseball agent realizes that he, too, made a very poor decision.  Consider this a CYO move on his part.

Did you read the part where he's on his second agent?

Quote from: jesmu84 on May 15, 2014, 08:55:31 AM
Did you read the part where he's on his second agent?

Missed that. Mea culpa.  I'll edit.

I'm not sure his 1st agent could have netted out 10K.  Agents often times assume tremendous pre draft costs; training, temp housing, travel, etc.  Sometimes they take on more risk than the player.

Well, the grass is always greener.

Playing for MU looks like it would have been more fun if you are constantly being shipped from team to team... however going through bootcamp, all of the classes, practices, etc. and thinking about getting paid would have been tough.

Honestly, the kid has been humbled. He has the athletic ability and the work ethic. It's really just going to come down to if he can shoot. If he can, he can be a bench player in the league for several years and carve out a living.

What a great read; thanks for providing the link.

This should be required reading for every high school basketball and football player who is SURE he is going to be a stud making millions. Because as we all know, the vast majority don't get there. Even premier college athletes often are humbled by their professional counterparts.

I think that, like Jerel McNeal, Vander simply doesn't have an NBA skill-set. He's not quite good enough either offensively or defensively for a player of his build. If you are going to have their physiques, you had better either possess an amazing shot from 3-point range or incredible playmaking ability.

It doesn't mean Vander can't find his niche overseas and make a nice living, as Diener has done the last few years and so many others have done too.

Great article.  Maybe it was well known, but his Mom not talking to him after the draft was news to me.  That is pretty intense.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 15, 2014, 12:07:55 AM
Honestly, I didn't know you could spend $600 on a pair of sneakers other than some of these crazy limited edition ones.  I just have a pick-up truck mentality I guess.  I don't get it.

Is it that weird for a basketball player to want an excessively expensive pair of shoes?  Shoes are a core part of his profession and his passion.

He made some decent money out of school and spent some of it.  OK.  Can't really blame him for that.

How he approaches his future is more important than anything else. 

Quote from: 314warrior on May 15, 2014, 10:29:50 AM
Great article.  Maybe it was well known, but his Mom not talking to him after the draft was news to me.  That is pretty intense.

Is it that weird for a basketball player to want an excessively expensive pair of shoes?  Shoes are a core part of his profession and his passion.

And that's why he has to take his dates to Applebee's.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 15, 2014, 12:07:55 AM
Honestly, I didn't know you could spend $600 on a pair of sneakers other than some of these crazy limited edition ones.  I just have a pick-up truck mentality I guess.  I don't get it.

Also, don't assume that it's just one pair of sneakers.  It says, "...still being lectured by his mother for spending $600 on sneakers."  It could be four pair, or two, or one.  We'll never know.

http://www.zappos.com/men-shoes~F#!/men-shoes/CK_XAToC6xLAAQLiAgMHARg.zso?s=price/desc

http://www.footlocker.com/Mens/Shoes/_-_/N-24Zrj?Ns=P_StyleSalePrice%7C1&cm_REF=Shoes

Quote from: warriorchick on May 15, 2014, 10:33:58 AM
And that's why he has to take his dates to Applebee's.

He took his date to Applebee's because he's a) constantly on the road and b) he's 21.  Are your kids craving Carnevor, Eddie's or LPB yet?

I'm good with Lake Park, but much prefer Crazy Water, AP Kitchen, Odd Duck, and Bacchus over Martini's and Carnevor.

Quote from: The Lens on May 15, 2014, 11:39:05 AM
He took his date to Applebee's because he's a) constantly on the road and b) he's 21.  Are your kids craving Carnevor, Eddie's or LPB yet?

Exactly, and if you are in a new town and are too busy to find a nice local place, you go to a chain.

Quote from: The Lens on May 15, 2014, 11:39:05 AM
He took his date to Applebee's because he's a) constantly on the road and b) he's 21.  Are your kids craving Carnevor, Eddie's or LPB yet?

My 22 yo is a BWW fanatic. 

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 15, 2014, 12:07:55 AM
Honestly, I didn't know you could spend $600 on a pair of sneakers other than some of these crazy limited edition ones.  I just have a pick-up truck mentality I guess.  I don't get it.

Can pay any amount for shoes but does not put the ball in the hole. Not the best of judgment here.

Quote from: Class71 on May 15, 2014, 12:05:12 PM
Can pay any amount for shoes but does not put the ball in the hole. Not the best of judgment here.

Of course he was the leading scorer on an Elite 8 team...but whatever...

Quote from: The Sultan of Slurpery on May 15, 2014, 12:09:45 PM

Of course he was the leading scorer on an Elite 8 team...but whatever...

So what does that have to do with judgment?

You said he "can't put the ball in the hole."  Inaccurate statement.

Quote from: 4everwarriors on May 15, 2014, 11:52:44 AM
I'm good with Lake Park, but much prefer Crazy Water, AP Kitchen, Odd Duck, and Bacchus over Martini's and Carnevor.

I like Crazy Water, haven't tried AP or Odd Duck yet.  Need a few more years on me before I can role with the Bacchus crowd  ;).  I still think Eddie's has the best service in town.  Carnevor's atmosphere can impress...if you need to do that.

Zarletti remains our favorite.

Quote from: The Sultan of Slurpery on May 15, 2014, 12:25:46 PM
You said he "can't put the ball in the hole." 

This is where an Austin Grandstaff comes in

Quote from: The Lens on May 15, 2014, 12:47:18 PM
I like Crazy Water, haven't tried AP or Odd Duck yet.  Need a few more years on me before I can role with the Bacchus crowd  ;).  I still think Eddie's has the best service in town.  Carnevor's atmosphere can impress...if you need to do that.

Zarletti remains our favorite.

Sanfords hands down.

no one can touch the beef at McBob's

we will never return to Carnevour after being seated at the table in front of the bathrooms on our 1st visit, I had to scoot my chair up to the table everytime a guy had to use the pisser, the greedy bastards just had to squeeze another 2-top into that place  >:(

we got a giftcard for the Capitol Grill and are looking forward to trying that place, heard good things from family etc.

Quote from: 4everwarriors on May 15, 2014, 11:52:44 AMI'm good with Lake Park, but much prefer ... Odd Duck ...

Really? I was so disappointed in that place. Much preferred Braise.

Truth is, we have no idea what would have happened had he stayed. He could have broken his leg, had a horrible year or blew it up. What he did might still have been the best thing for his basketball career. As someone that knows nothing about what goes on with these guys between games, it was really interesting to hear just how unglamorous it is.

Quote from: Strokin 3s on May 15, 2014, 02:58:53 PM
Sanfords hands down.

Ahem, it's "Sanford".

Taking warriorchick jr. to Jackson Grill this weekend to celebrate her graduation.  Love that place.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 15, 2014, 12:07:55 AM
Honestly, I didn't know you could spend $600 on a pair of sneakers other than some of these crazy limited edition ones.  I just have a pick-up truck mentality I guess.  I don't get it.

I almost fell out of my chair laughing at that line. You were joking when you wrote that, right? No one could have possibly written that with a straight face.

Quote from: WarriorCode on May 14, 2014, 11:44:00 PM
I knew he bounced around but had no idea it was to that extent. Wow. Keep your head up, Van. Keep grinding.

Hell yeah. Hope he makes a roster next year so badly. If Buycks could do it, I'm confident Van can.

Quote from: warriorchick on May 15, 2014, 04:05:00 PM
Ahem, it's "Sanford".

Taking warriorchick jr. to Jackson Grill this weekend to celebrate her graduation.  Love that place.

Seriously?  One letter correction?  I doubt anyone had any problem understanding what I wrote as you proved yourself.

Quote from: Tyrion on May 15, 2014, 03:58:45 PM
no one can touch the beef at McBob's

we will never return to Carnevour after being seated at the table in front of the bathrooms on our 1st visit, I had to scoot my chair up to the table everytime a guy had to use the pisser, the greedy bastards just had to squeeze another 2-top into that place  >:(

we got a giftcard for the Capitol Grill and are looking forward to trying that place, heard good things from family etc.

They put you between the partition and the bathrooms?  Wow.  They must have really double-booked. 

BTW...nothing beats a Big Monday steak at Mo's.  Sean, Raff & Bilas spilling drinks past midnight.  I miss ESPN.

Just want to point something out...unless I missed a part of the article somewhere...it never said he spent 600 on ONE pair of sneakers.

All I am reading is that he spent 600 on sneakers.

Likely bought more than one pair at the time.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 15, 2014, 12:07:55 AM
Honestly, I didn't know you could spend $600 on a pair of sneakers other than some of these crazy limited edition ones.  I just have a pick-up truck mentality I guess.  I don't get it.

I didn't know DirectTV had you lugging their equipment around.


If you are trying to boast about frugality, a pickup truck isn't exactly the best way.


I will personally never judge someone for spending top dollar on a tool of their craft. Vander plays basketball. Shoes are probably the most important piece of equipment a basketball player will own. Its like a plumber owning his tools, a farmer with a tractor, or someone who actually needs a truck (painter, landscaper, etc.) owning a truck  ;)

Quote from: 4everwarriors on May 15, 2014, 11:52:44 AM
I'm good with Lake Park, but much prefer Crazy Water, AP Kitchen, Odd Duck, and Bacchus over Martini's and Carnevor.

Clifford's or Serb Hall for Fish Fry now that Turner's is gone

From the article ....

His mother, Rita, refused to respond to his text messages for two days, furious that he had left school without a degree.



Interesting, I had not heard his mother was against him leaving.  Was this known last year?

Does anyone know what Brent advised him to do?

Quote from: keefe on May 15, 2014, 04:56:25 PM
Clifford's or Serb Hall for Fish Fry now that Turner's is gone

Turner's isn't gone.  I have reservations for fish fry there tomorrow.

Quote from: Heisenberg on May 15, 2014, 05:09:17 PM
From the article ....

His mother, Rita, refused to respond to his text messages for two days, furious that he had left school without a degree.



Interesting, I had not heard his mother was against him leaving.  Was this known last year?

Does anyone know what Brent advised him to do?

I believed that was mentioned in one of the threads at the time.

Quote from: The Sultan of Slurpery on May 15, 2014, 12:09:45 PM

Of course he was the leading scorer on an Elite 8 team...but whatever...

https://www.youtube.com/v/Abr_LU822rQ

Quote from: Jajuannaman on May 15, 2014, 04:11:30 PM
I almost fell out of my chair laughing at that line. You were joking when you wrote that, right? No one could have possibly written that with a straight face.

Sorry, that's the deal.  I drive a used pickup truck.  I've had pick up trucks off and on for the last 20 years.  Could I be driving something a little nicer, higher end...sure.  I just don't.   I was equating it to the $600 shoes Vander purchased.  I don't see the point in it.  Don't need a high end car, $600 sneakers, $3000 TV, $2000 suit, etc.  Doesn't mean I'm riding around in a Ford Festiva with a $79 suit, either, it's just the high end extremes I don't get.  I'd prefer to be somewhere down the middle.

One of the big reasons I want out of California. The value for the cost is extremely overrated, beyond overrated....at least for me.  If others want to pay a premium for it, go for it, but I don't get it.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 15, 2014, 07:18:17 PM

Sorry, that's the deal.  I drive a used pickup truck.  I've had pick up trucks off and on for the last 20 years.  Could I be driving something a little nicer, higher end...sure.  I just don't.   I was equating it to the $600 shoes Vander purchased.  I don't see the point in it.  Don't need a high end car, $600 sneakers, $3000 TV, $2000 suit, etc.  Doesn't mean I'm riding around in a Ford Festiva with a $79 suit, either, it's just the high end extremes I don't get.  I'd prefer to be somewhere down the middle.

One of the big reasons I want out of California. The value for the cost is extremely overrated, beyond overrated....at least for me.  If others want to pay a premium for it, go for it, but I don't get it.

Even funnier! You're a parody of yourself at this point. Highly entertaining. Thank you!

Quote from: Bleuteaux on May 15, 2014, 04:39:13 PM
I didn't know DirectTV had you lugging their equipment around.


If you are trying to boast about frugality, a pickup truck isn't exactly the best way.


I will personally never judge someone for spending top dollar on a tool of their craft. Vander plays basketball. Shoes are probably the most important piece of equipment a basketball player will own. Its like a plumber owning his tools, a farmer with a tractor, or someone who actually needs a truck (painter, landscaper, etc.) owning a truck  ;)

I need a truck for what I do with it on the weekends.  No point in buying something you don't need, or overspending for something you can get of high quality at a lower price.

I understand your point on his craft...that's a good point.  I hope that was the case, and not $600 shoes that will have no bearing on his hoops functions, but rather because they looked cool.  To each their own, just don't totally get it.  Then again, I see some pretty crazy stuff out here with some focus groups and such.  If I had a dollar every time I saw someone that had a very expensive TV, top of the line phone and rims for the ride, but was living in a place that was unhealthy and borderline dangerous....you get the idea.  Different priorities for different folks.

It is hard to feel for someone who made a free choice.

The risk in leaving early is a worn bus in West Texas trying to make a living on what seems like beer money.

I give Vander credit for trying. I also think he was poorly served and I wonder how much of the strife and problems that surfaced in 2013-2014 were factors in Vander's decision to leave.

By the way, God love his mother. Her priorities were in the right place.

Quote from: Jajuannaman on May 15, 2014, 07:25:36 PM
Even funnier! You're a parody of yourself at this point. Highly entertaining. Thank you!

I'm glad to entertain.  Last week you said I wasn't funny at all because I hurt your liberal feelings.  Today, I'm knocking you out of the chair with laughter.

Talent.

Quote from: The Lens on May 15, 2014, 12:47:18 PM
I like Crazy Water, haven't tried AP or Odd Duck yet.  Need a few more years on me before I can role with the Bacchus crowd  ;).  I still think Eddie's has the best service in town.  Carnevor's atmosphere can impress...if you need to do that.

Zarletti remains our favorite.

My opinion is Eddie's does fish better than steak.

Quote from: dgies9156 on May 15, 2014, 07:29:23 PM

The risk in leaving early is a worn bus in West Texas trying to make a living on what seems like beer money.

The article paints a seemingly pretty bleak picture, but it sounds like the money isn't so bad. That $30,000 contract in the NBA is already about what my dad used to make when I was a kid. Add whatever he makes from those other teams he played for, take the fact that the teams probably have to cover certain living expenses on the road like hotels, food allowance, maybe cell phone bills, etc., and a person could easily live pretty comfortably. 3 months off a year while making an upper middle-class living playing a game you enjoy sounds like a dream job to me. Especially at 21/22 years old. Now, if you have to spend $600 on shoes and drop $5,000 when you go out to the club, then that's not going to last too long.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 15, 2014, 07:18:17 PM

Sorry, that's the deal.  I drive a used pickup truck.  I've had pick up trucks off and on for the last 20 years.  Could I be driving something a little nicer, higher end...sure.  I just don't.   I was equating it to the $600 shoes Vander purchased.  I don't see the point in it.  Don't need a high end car, $600 sneakers, $3000 TV, $2000 suit, etc.  Doesn't mean I'm riding around in a Ford Festiva with a $79 suit, either, it's just the high end extremes I don't get.  I'd prefer to be somewhere down the middle.

One of the big reasons I want out of California. The value for the cost is extremely overrated, beyond overrated....at least for me.  If others want to pay a premium for it, go for it, but I don't get it.

I got news for you, $600 is not a lot for shoes. You want high end? Go watch shopping. Get shoes custom made, etc. That's the high end.

Every normal person makes some purchases when they get out of school. Not every purchase is going to be 100% practical. It happens. It's ok.

Let's not get too uptight about it, hey? I think you're reaching.

Also, not everything has to relate back to how you choose to live your life.

Quote from: The Sultan of Slurpery on May 15, 2014, 12:25:46 PM
You said he "can't put the ball in the hole."  Inaccurate statement.

In your opinion. We are talking about NBA shooting guard talent. That is his competition. He does not have the height or strength to compensate so he needs to be a lights out shooter. Sad but true. I hope for the best for him. I think if he develops an efficient three point shoot he will get his chance.

If you don't agree that is fine but you still need to explain why he is not in the NBA. If it is not 3 point shooting then where does he need to improve?

Quote from: Class71 on May 15, 2014, 08:21:13 PM
In your opinion. We are talking about NBA shooting guard talent. That is his competition. He does not have the height or strength to compensate so he needs to be a lights out shooter. Sad but true. I hope for the best for him. I think if he develops an efficient three point shoot he will get his chance.

If you don't agree that is fine but you still need to explain why he is not in the NBA. If it is not 3 point shooting then where does he need to improve?

Consistency. Like the article said. Consistency across his entire game.

Quote from: warriorchick on May 15, 2014, 05:10:02 PM
Turner's isn't gone.  I have reservations for fish fry there tomorrow.

Really? We had our rehearsal dinner there many years ago. I thought I read here that it had closed. Great fish fry. No such animal in Seattle. Damn shame.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 15, 2014, 07:29:30 PM
I'm glad to entertain.  Last week you said I wasn't funny at all because I hurt your liberal feelings.  Today, I'm knocking you out of the chair with laughter.

Talent.

Think of the Seinfeld line: "And that offends you as a Jew?" "No! It offends me as a comedian!" That directly applies to your failed attempts at actual humor. In an ironic twist, when you're trying to be dead serious, you're unintentionally hysterical. Entertaining indeed!

Quote from: Guns n Ammo on May 15, 2014, 08:17:44 PM
I got news for you, $600 is not a lot for shoes. You want high end? Go watch shopping. Get shoes custom made, etc. That's the high end.

Every normal person makes some purchases when they get out of school. Not every purchase is going to be 100% practical. It happens. It's ok.

Let's not get too uptight about it, hey? I think you're reaching.

Also, not everything has to relate back to how you choose to live your life.

Whether or not $600 are expensive or not is relative to income. Thought I read D league players make $3000/month. $600 is 20% of the monthly income. Might be a tad high given the income? Sure there are times to splurge but if you want to create some wealth for yourself/family, nothing is better than saving early due to compound interest or reinvestment. Run the numbers. Pee it away early on and wealth will not be created for you or your family. Many millionaires are so because of their early saving habits, not huge incomes. Hard to believe but it is an accurate statement.

Quote from: jesmu84 on May 15, 2014, 08:32:51 PM
Consistency. Like the article said. Consistency across his entire game.

I guess I am more optimistic for him. I feel he is pretty solid in other aspects of his game but you don't that is fine.

Quote from: 4everwarriors on May 15, 2014, 07:40:25 PM
My opinion is Eddie's does fish better than steak.

The ahi tuna there is fantastic.

Quote from: warriorchick on May 15, 2014, 04:05:00 PM


Taking warriorchick jr. to Jackson Grill this weekend to celebrate her graduation.  Love that place.

Excellent choice. 

Keefe, Turners was pretty much closed for about a year and a half.  RC Schmidt rescued it.
He owns Water Street Brewery, and a host of other establishments.

Quote from: Heisenberg on May 15, 2014, 05:09:17 PM
Interesting, I had not heard his mother was against him leaving.  Was this known last year?

Does anyone know what Brent advised him to do?

Buzz told him what the advisory committee said. That Vander would be late second round or undrafted.

Vander let the wrong people get in his ear.

Quote from: Sir Lawrence on May 15, 2014, 09:03:13 PM
Excellent choice. 

Keefe, Turners was pretty much closed for about a year and a half.  RC Schmidt rescued it.
He owns Water Street Brewery, and a host of other establishments.

Thanks, Sir. Hopefully they kept the ambiance and quality of food. As far as I know, Milwaukee is the only place I have found with the Friday Fish Fry tradition which is likely due to the predominant Catholic population. That it survived Vatican II makes it all the more interesting.

The substitution of fish for meat is curious but based on Aquinas' Summa Theologica where he outlined meat as being from animals that breath air and walk on the earth. I recall reading that the behavioral definition of meat allows for alligators, crocodiles, and beavers to be substituted for meat. Personally, I have eaten gator and beaver but never croc. Of the two I much prefer eating beaver as gator can be gamey.

Quote from: Tyrion on May 15, 2014, 03:58:45 PM
no one can touch the beef at McBob's

we will never return to Carnevour after being seated at the table in front of the bathrooms on our 1st visit, I had to scoot my chair up to the table everytime a guy had to use the pisser, the greedy bastards just had to squeeze another 2-top into that place  >:(

I would not hesitate for one military second before vetoing that table. I don't know this restaurant but anyplace that thinks seating near the toilets and kitchen is appropriate clearly cares little for their food.

Quote from: Jajuannaman on May 15, 2014, 08:33:59 PM
Think of the Seinfeld line: "And that offends you as a Jew?" "No! It offends me as a comedian!" That directly applies to your failed attempts at actual humor. In an ironic twist, when you're trying to be dead serious, you're unintentionally hysterical. Entertaining indeed!

Seinfeld?

Quote from: Guns n Ammo on May 15, 2014, 08:17:44 PM
I got news for you, $600 is not a lot for shoes. You want high end? Go watch shopping. Get shoes custom made, etc. That's the high end.

Every normal person makes some purchases when they get out of school. Not every purchase is going to be 100% practical. It happens. It's ok.

Let's not get too uptight about it, hey? I think you're reaching.

Also, not everything has to relate back to how you choose to live your life.

I suspect most people think $600 is on the high end.  Certainly appears that Mrs. Blue felt that way, judging by the reaction of people on this board, I'd say the same thing.  One can always go higher, and yes one can spend a ton of money on watches, customer shoes, or whatever.

I believe I said to each their own, which is my way of saying do what you want.  Not uptight at all, you're reaching.  People can do what they want.  C'est la vie.   I just don't relate to it, but to each their own.  It was in the story, I commented on it. 

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 15, 2014, 09:49:10 PM
Seinfeld?

More of a Mad About You/Friends/Two and a Half Men guy I take it?

Quote from: jesmu84 on May 15, 2014, 08:32:51 PM
Consistency. Like the article said. Consistency across his entire game.

When you are 6-3 and skinny, you had better be able to hit 3-pointers or you had better have great point-guard skills. Vander can't do the former and lacks the latter. He's still young and still can improve, but at this point he's not really very close to having NBA talent.

Quote from: Jajuannaman on May 15, 2014, 10:14:59 PM
More of a Mad About You/Friends/Two and a Half Men guy I take it?

https://www.youtube.com/v/UBztjzDr0fM

Quote from: Class71 on May 15, 2014, 08:36:48 PM
Whether or not $600 are expensive or not is relative to income. Thought I read D league players make $3000/month. $600 is 20% of the monthly income. Might be a tad high given the income? Sure there are times to splurge but if you want to create some wealth for yourself/family, nothing is better than saving early due to compound interest or reinvestment. Run the numbers. Pee it away early on and wealth will not be created for you or your family. Many millionaires are so because of their early saving habits, not huge incomes. Hard to believe but it is an accurate statement.

Im not vander's accountant, but I think he made 30K with the Celts, and collected some nice checks in Europe as well.

Plus, these guys are regularly handed envelops full of cash (per diem).

Just to be clear, I'm not saying buying $600 worth of sneakers is a good idea, I just don't know if middle aged white guys need to get so uptight about it.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 16, 2014, 12:12:37 AM
https://www.youtube.com/v/UBztjzDr0fM

Ouch, dude. Learn to quit when you're behind.

Quote from: Guns n Ammo on May 16, 2014, 06:37:10 AM
Im not vander's accountant, but I think he made 30K with the Celts, and collected some nice checks in Europe as well.

Plus, these guys are regularly handed envelops full of cash (per diem).

Just to be clear, I'm not saying buying $600 worth of sneakers is a good idea, I just don't know if middle aged white guys need to get so uptight about it.

Seriously. Vander hasn't even turned 22 yet. I can think of a LOT dumber things I would have spent money on at that age if I had the money. But I didn't. Because I was a senior at MU, not a professional basketball player. Vander, by default, made WAY more than anyone else graduating this weekend. And he played for the Celtics for a stint. So he bought a $600 pair of sneakers with one of his checks. WHO CARES??

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 15, 2014, 09:52:48 PM
I suspect most people think $600 is on the high end.  Certainly appears that Mrs. Blue felt that way, judging by the reaction of people on this board, I'd say the same thing.  One can always go higher, and yes one can spend a ton of money on watches, customer shoes, or whatever.

I believe I said to each their own, which is my way of saying do what you want.  Not uptight at all, you're reaching.  People can do what they want.  C'est la vie.   I just don't relate to it, but to each their own.  It was in the story, I commented on it. 

Well, most people in Africa would think that your truck is high end. So what?

You called his purchase "high end" and "extreme". Your exact words.

$600 for shoes is neither of those.

That's it.

PS This doesn't mean I think $600 for shoes is a good idea, but I think we can all save some of the middle-aged guy righteousness about where a young, PROFESSIONAL should spend $600.

Quote from: Guns n Ammo on May 16, 2014, 07:13:58 AM
Well, most people in Africa would think that your truck is high end. So what?

You called his purchase "high end" and "extreme". Your exact words.

$600 for shoes is neither of those.

That's it.

PS This doesn't mean I think $600 for shoes is a good idea, but I think we can all save some of the middle-aged guy righteousness about where a young, PROFESSIONAL should spend $600.

I wouldn't quibble about the shoes but I would ask how he could justify dropping $5000 in a club just to impress a Chiquita? Now that is profoundly bone headed decision making. 

in 27 development league games, Blue's averages were close to his last year as a Warrior.

He shot .393 from the field, made .327 of his 3's, .763 on free throws, with 2.9 assists and 2.33 turn-overs. He averaged 16.8 points per game.

How much money you think Vander made last year?

Quote from: BCHoopster on May 16, 2014, 08:14:03 AM
How much money you think Vander made last year?

I'll say $80K, but honestly, I have no idea.

Quote from: keefe on May 15, 2014, 09:34:54 PM
Personally, I have eaten gator and beaver but never croc. Of the two I much prefer eating beaver as gator can be gamey.

Eating beaver is a Friday Lent tradition...

As for Turner Hall, after RC Schmidt closed the restaurant several years ago, it stood vacant for a year or two until the BMO Harris Bradley Center took over operating the restaurant, I think about a year and a half ago.  The fish fries and potato pancakes are as good as ever.

Quote from: Guns n Ammo on May 16, 2014, 07:13:58 AM
Well, most people in Africa would think that your truck is high end. So what?

You called his purchase "high end" and "extreme". Your exact words.

$600 for shoes is neither of those.

That's it.

PS This doesn't mean I think $600 for shoes is a good idea, but I think we can all save some of the middle-aged guy righteousness about where a young, PROFESSIONAL should spend $600.

I would think then, by your own example you just gave, that interpretation is entirely up to the person making it.  Be it the person in Africa about a pick up truck, or me thinking $600 for a pair of sneakers.  In your opinion it isn't, in my opinion it is.  Based on Mrs. Blue's comments and others here, I suspect that most people, in Africa or the USA, would think $600 for a pair of sneakers is on the higher end, but that's just a matter of opinion.

His money, he can do what he wants with it.  My hope is that he is smart about it.  You may or may not agree, but in my years in this industry I've seen 1 or 2 athletes not be very smart with money decisions...that is also a matter of opinion.

Quote from: Jajuannaman on May 16, 2014, 06:59:02 AM
Seriously. Vander hasn't even turned 22 yet. I can think of a LOT dumber things I would have spent money on at that age if I had the money. But I didn't. Because I was a senior at MU, not a professional basketball player. Vander, by default, made WAY more than anyone else graduating this weekend. And he played for the Celtics for a stint. So he bought a $600 pair of sneakers with one of his checks. WHO CARES??

Well, his mom cares. And, on last inspection, she is not a middle-aged white dude.

But really, she's the only one not named Vander who should care. None of us on this fan site should care how Vander spends the money he earns, just as Vander should not care about how any of us spend the money we earn.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 16, 2014, 08:57:02 AM
I would think then, by your own example you just gave, that interpretation is entirely up to the person making it.  Be it the person in Africa about a pick up truck, or me thinking $600 for a pair of sneakers.  In your opinion it isn't, in my opinion it is.  Based on Mrs. Blue's comments and others here, I suspect that most people, in Africa or the USA, would think $600 for a pair of sneakers is on the higher end, but that's just a matter of opinion.

His money, he can do what he wants with it.  My hope is that he is smart about it.  You may or may not agree, but in my years in this industry I've seen 1 or 2 athletes not be very smart with money decisions...that is also a matter of opinion.

You're not wrong, but I just think your words of "high end" and "extreme", and then using your pick-up truck as some sort of proof of your own logic was lame.

It's $600. It's not high end. It's not extreme. It's not a big deal.

Quote from: BrewCity83 on May 16, 2014, 08:38:27 AM
Eating beaver is a Friday Lent tradition...

As for Turner Hall, after RC Schmidt closed the restaurant several years ago, it stood vacant for a year or two until the BMO Harris Bradley Center took over operating the restaurant, I think about a year and a half ago.  The fish fries and potato pancakes are as good as ever.

I wonder why the Church authorized the eating of beaver and gator for Fridays and during Lent. Perhaps it was when there was a French Pope at d'avignon? In any event, the first time I ate beaver was in Quebec. I subsequently ate beaver in Russia where it was prepared rather differently.

Quote from: MU82 on May 16, 2014, 09:26:54 AM
Well, his mom cares. And, on last inspection, she is not a middle-aged white dude.

But really, she's the only one not named Vander who should care. None of us on this fan site should care how Vander spends the money he earns, just as Vander should not care about how any of us spend the money we earn.

Going on a little spending spree when you make your first big money is a time honored tradition.  Continuing to do so over and over again is dumb.

Quote from: The Sultan of Slurpery on May 16, 2014, 09:49:15 AM

Going on a little spending spree when you make your first big money is a time honored tradition.  Continuing to do so over and over again is dumb.

I remember one year I got a particularly nice bonus but I blew it all in one lost weekend on hookers, Dom, blow, and roulette. My wife told me not ever to do that again.

To be clear, we've moved all the way from endlessly debating the sagacity of Vander's decision to leave early, to endlessly debating the sagacity of his footwear purchases.

That's growth. I'm proud of us.

BTW, if I spent all day on my feet for my job, I might spring for some high end shoes too, whether I used them for work or not...

Quote from: barfolomew on May 16, 2014, 09:55:32 AM
if I spent all day on my feet for my job, I might spring for some high end shoes too, whether I used them for work or not...

From the looks of things, Vander spent more time in the NBA on his ass than on his feet so perhaps he should get some of those padded biker shorts

Quote from: The Sultan of Slurpery on May 16, 2014, 09:49:15 AM

Going on a little spending spree when you make your first big money is a time honored tradition.  Continuing to do so over and over again is dumb.

OK, but it's his dumb.

He isn't asking you or me or anybody else to contribute to his dumb purchases.

Quote from: keefe on May 16, 2014, 09:48:03 AM
I wonder why the Church authorized the eating of beaver and gator for Fridays and during Lent. Perhaps it was when there was a French Pope at d'avignon? In any event, the first time I ate beaver was in Quebec. I subsequently ate beaver in Russia where it was prepared rather differently.

Furrier in Russia than in Quebec?

Quote from: keefe on May 16, 2014, 09:48:03 AM
I wonder why the Church authorized the eating of beaver and gator for Fridays and during Lent. Perhaps it was when there was a French Pope at d'avignon? In any event, the first time I ate beaver was in Quebec. I subsequently ate beaver in Russia where it was prepared rather differently.

I have good photos of crocs at a Chinese restaurant in Tianjin.  One was sliced up on the cutting board already while the other sat in a cage waiting his turn at destiny.  That restaurant had an ample supply of unusual food.

Quote from: MU82 on May 16, 2014, 10:03:09 AM
OK, but it's his dumb.

He isn't asking you or me or anybody else to contribute to his dumb purchases.

No I understand.  I actually agree with the premise that our outrage with his purchases is misplaced.  In the end its not what he does in the first year that matters all that much.  It matters what happens from here on out and from the sounds of it, his mom has put some things in place and Vander looks like he will follow them.

Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on May 16, 2014, 10:21:23 AM
I have good photos of crocs at a Chinese restaurant in Tianjin.  One was sliced up on the cutting board already while the other sat in a cage waiting his turn at destiny.  That restaurant had an ample supply of unusual food.

I used to love to hit the Central Wet Market in Hong Kong on weekends. I grew up in Asia so these venues were old hat for me but my Nordic wife from Thiensville was rendered speechless and without appetite at first by the colors, smells, and sounds of the traditional Chinese marketplace.

The fish mongers and butchers all have chopping blocks and hatchets that clean or dress animal flesh to order right in front of the customer. I'll never forget the look on her face when an eeler took out a 6 footer and sliced it up while still alive. The various parts were still writhing and thrashing in the plastic bags as Cantonese housewives scurried home to prepare the evening's feast.

I have had snake curry and fish head curry in Singapore and India, raccoon and bear in China, fried cockroaches in Thailand, and dog in Korea.

Quote from: slingkong on May 16, 2014, 10:07:56 AM
Furrier in Russia than in Quebec?

Actually, there must be some genetic modification going on because today's beaver has very little if any pelt.

Quote from: barfolomew on May 16, 2014, 09:55:32 AM
To be clear, we've moved all the way from endlessly debating the sagacity of Vander's decision to leave early, to endlessly debating the sagacity of his footwear purchases.

That's growth. I'm proud of us.

BTW, if I spent all day on my feet for my job, I might spring for some high end shoes too, whether I used them for work or not...

Piety and poverty vow measuring contests are the new Crean threads.

Quote from: keefe on May 16, 2014, 09:48:03 AM
I wonder why the Church authorized the eating of beaver and gator for Fridays and during Lent. Perhaps it was when there was a French Pope at d'avignon? In any event, the first time I ate beaver was in Quebec. I subsequently ate beaver in Russia where it was prepared rather differently.

A lot of the time these dispensations were based on local custom or culture. It was generally from the local bishop, not from Rome (or Avignon). For example, bishops in dioceses with a large Irish-American population are known to grant dispensations from Lenten fasts on St. Patrick's Day. Beaver has been allowed as a "fish" (as have frogs, crocodiles, etc.). Dispensations were often given on an individual level for a few ducats. Read the history of the Rouen Cathedral in France, it has a tower that was built with funds from fasting dispensations (the "Butter Tower"). Sometimes the motivations could have been as a sort of subsidy to a local industry (beaver trapping for example). It was one more way for the local bishop to flex his secular power.

Bottom line, most of these allowances were made at the discretion of the local bishop.

Quote from: JakeBarnes on May 16, 2014, 11:02:24 AM
Piety and poverty vow measuring contests are the new Crean threads.

Can we get it into a play-in game for the Meme tournament?

Quote from: Guns n Ammo on May 16, 2014, 09:44:14 AM
You're not wrong, but I just think your words of "high end" and "extreme", and then using your pick-up truck as some sort of proof of your own logic was lame.

It's $600. It's not high end. It's not extreme. It's not a big deal.

To each their own.  To me, spending $80K on a car is high end and not needed....to others, it isn't "high end".  I'm more of a pick up truck guy...not a lame example, just what it is.  I'd rather use the money on the family, vacations, invest, education, etc.  To each their own, as you stated....Africa might view things differently just as I may, you may, or someone else may.  $600 for sneakers, I fail to see how that isn't high end for most Americans.  

The average price of men's sneakers in 2013 was $68.80.  Can you buy some for $600, $1000, $2000?  Yup.  To the average person, however, $600 is high end in my opinion.  You can argue it isn't, that is your right and your opinion, it just seems absurd and you're trying to make a point that doesn't stand up to every day scrutiny to the normal American, but whatever.

I'll keep this going, because I'm entertained.

How do we know he didn't buy 10 pairs at $60?

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 16, 2014, 11:48:06 AM
To each their own.  To me, spending $80K on a car is high end and not needed....to others, it isn't "high end".  I'm more of a pick up truck guy...not a lame example, just what it is.  I'd rather use the money on the family, vacations, invest, education, etc.  To each their own, as you stated....Africa might view things differently just as I may, you may, or someone else may.  $600 for sneakers, I fail to see how that isn't high end for most Americans.  

The average price of men's sneakers in 2013 was $68.80.  Can you buy some for $600, $1000, $2000?  Yup.  To the average person, however, $600 is high end in my opinion.  You can argue it isn't, that is your right and your opinion, it just seems absurd and you're trying to make a point that doesn't stand up to every day scrutiny to the normal American, but whatever.

The assumption being that he spent $600 on one pair.

If so, its a lot of money.  I doubt it was one pair though.

Quote from: keefe on May 16, 2014, 10:55:24 AM
I used to love to hit the Central Wet Market in Hong Kong on weekends. I grew up in Asia so these venues were old hat for me but my Nordic wife from Thiensville was rendered speechless and without appetite at first by the colors, smells, and sounds of the traditional Chinese marketplace.

The fish mongers and butchers all have chopping blocks and hatchets that clean or dress animal flesh to order right in front of the customer. I'll never forget the look on her face when an eeler took out a 6 footer and sliced it up while still alive. The various parts were still writhing and thrashing in the plastic bags as Cantonese housewives scurried home to prepare the evening's feast.

I have had snake curry and fish head curry in Singapore and India, raccoon and bear in China, fried cockroaches in Thailand, and dog in Korea.

So what are your thoughts on Durian?  It's the one food I've ever tried that made me gag the moment I took a bite.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 16, 2014, 11:48:06 AM
To each their own.  To me, spending $80K on a car is high end and not needed....to others, it isn't "high end".  I'm more of a pick up truck guy...not a lame example, just what it is.  I'd rather use the money on the family, vacations, invest, education, etc.  To each their own, as you stated....Africa might view things differently just as I may, you may, or someone else may.  $600 for sneakers, I fail to see how that isn't high end for most Americans.  

The average price of men's sneakers in 2013 was $68.80.  Can you buy some for $600, $1000, $2000?  Yup.  To the average person, however, $600 is high end in my opinion.  You can argue it isn't, that is your right and your opinion, it just seems absurd and you're trying to make a point that doesn't stand up to every day scrutiny to the normal American, but whatever.

Fair enough. I'll just drop it.

I just thought it was an interesting choice to say "high end" or "extreme", because to me, that implies that you think it's "wrong".

For the record, I choose not to afford a 2006 truck.  ;), and I've never spent $600 on sneakers, or several pair of sneakers.

Quote from: barfolomew on May 16, 2014, 09:55:32 AM
To be clear, we've moved all the way from endlessly debating the sagacity of Vander's decision to leave early, to endlessly debating the sagacity of his footwear purchases.

And moved on to discussing the eating of beaver.  Very unlike Scoop that not one immature joke has been cracked yet. 

Quote from: keefe on May 16, 2014, 10:57:33 AM
Actually, there must be some genetic modification going on because today's beaver has very little if any pelt.

It is my understanding that beaver pelts become thicker when they are in colder weather/water. If they are being raised for food, then my guess is they are exposed to less extreme conditions than in nature. I wouldn't be surprised if genetic modification also played a part.

Quote from: chapman on May 16, 2014, 12:22:57 PM
And moved on to discussing the eating of beaver.  Very unlike Scoop that not one immature joke has been cracked yet. 

Don't worry, I think slingkong snuck one in just before the statute of limitations expired.

Quote from: keefe on May 16, 2014, 10:55:24 AM
I used to love to hit the Central Wet Market in Hong Kong on weekends. I grew up in Asia so these venues were old hat for me but my Nordic wife from Thiensville was rendered speechless and without appetite at first by the colors, smells, and sounds of the traditional Chinese marketplace.

The fish mongers and butchers all have chopping blocks and hatchets that clean or dress animal flesh to order right in front of the customer. I'll never forget the look on her face when an eeler took out a 6 footer and sliced it up while still alive. The various parts were still writhing and thrashing in the plastic bags as Cantonese housewives scurried home to prepare the evening's feast.

I have had snake curry and fish head curry in Singapore and India, raccoon and bear in China, fried cockroaches in Thailand, and dog in Korea.

In Guagdong Province I do recall the engineers always saying to come back in a certain month as that's when snakes would appear on the menu.

I used to love to see the silkworms, sea urchins, various shellfish, etc. on display where you pick and they cook.  I skipped these although it always seemed the host would order something just to try and freak the westerners out.  I've had camel meat but skipped the jellyfish.

My favorite restaurant in China that I ate at (only once unfortunately) was in Tianjin and the restaurant name translated to as "The House of a 100 Dumplings".  They had Colin Powell & Laura Bush's photos on the menu cover as both recently had eaten there.  They had dumplings stuffed with everything including dumplings with everybody's favorite (verbatim from the menu) "Dog", "Cat" and "Ass".

Quote from: chapman on May 16, 2014, 12:22:57 PM
And moved on to discussing the eating of beaver.  Very unlike Scoop that not one immature joke has been cracked yet. 

It's such a ridiculous topic, with such obvious overtones, that we're actually being snarky and clever by NOT making those jokes!

Quote from: Guns n Ammo on May 16, 2014, 12:12:20 PM
Fair enough. I'll just drop it.

I just thought it was an interesting choice to say "high end" or "extreme", because to me, that implies that you think it's "wrong".

For the record, I choose not to afford a 2006 truck.  ;), and I've never spent $600 on sneakers, or several pair of sneakers.

What's infinitely more obnoxious than buying $600 gym shoes or an $80,000 car? Telling anyone and everyone (who don't give a sh*t) that, while you could easily afford both, you choose not to buy either because you're smart, a good dad/husband and an all around swell guy. Gag me with a spoon.

Quote from: Bleuteaux on May 16, 2014, 11:39:10 AM
A lot of the time these dispensations were based on local custom or culture. It was generally from the local bishop, not from Rome (or Avignon). For example, bishops in dioceses with a large Irish-American population are known to grant dispensations from Lenten fasts on St. Patrick's Day. Beaver has been allowed as a "fish" (as have frogs, crocodiles, etc.). Dispensations were often given on an individual level for a few ducats. Read the history of the Rouen Cathedral in France, it has a tower that was built with funds from fasting dispensations (the "Butter Tower"). Sometimes the motivations could have been as a sort of subsidy to a local industry (beaver trapping for example). It was one more way for the local bishop to flex his secular power.

Bottom line, most of these allowances were made at the discretion of the local bishop.

One of my favorite lines from Chaucer, "When a coin in the coffer rings, A soul to Heaven springs!" When people throw stones at the absurdity of people sending in money to televangelists I just laugh at the irony.

Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on May 16, 2014, 01:17:17 PM
In Guagdong Province I do recall the engineers always saying to come back in a certain month as that's when snakes would appear on the menu.

I used to love to see the silkworms, sea urchins, various shellfish, etc. on display where you pick and they cook.  I skipped these although it always seemed the host would order something just to try and freak the westerners out.  I've had camel meat but skipped the jellyfish.

My favorite restaurant in China that I ate at (only once unfortunately) was in Tianjin and the restaurant name translated to as "The House of a 100 Dumplings".  They had Colin Powell & Laura Bush's photos on the menu cover as both recently had eaten there.  They had dumplings stuffed with everything including dumplings with everybody's favorite (verbatim from the menu) "Dog", "Cat" and "Ass".

(http://bunkstrutts.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/fish-holes-6.png)

Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on May 16, 2014, 01:17:17 PM
In Guagdong Province I do recall the engineers always saying to come back in a certain month as that's when snakes would appear on the menu.

I used to love to see the silkworms, sea urchins, various shellfish, etc. on display where you pick and they cook.  I skipped these although it always seemed the host would order something just to try and freak the westerners out.  I've had camel meat but skipped the jellyfish.

My favorite restaurant in China that I ate at (only once unfortunately) was in Tianjin and the restaurant name translated to as "The House of a 100 Dumplings".  They had Colin Powell & Laura Bush's photos on the menu cover as both recently had eaten there.  They had dumplings stuffed with everything including dumplings with everybody's favorite (verbatim from the menu) "Dog", "Cat" and "Ass".

One of my favorite places in Hong Kong is a hole in the wall Szechuan place in Causeway Bay called "Cleveland." A buddy who flies for Fed Ex was passing through so we took him there for dinner. He was eating one of the appetizers with great relish though he had no idea what it was. He asked and was told it was jellyfish in chili sauce. His face twitched for a second then he simply replied, "Wow, that's effing weird." He proceeded to continue eating it with tremendous gusto.

The place is named for the street it is on, which is not from the city in Ohio but the city in the UK. Still, I asked a buddy to send me a Cleveland Indians pennant which I presented to the restaurant's owner. He hung it proudly on the wall behind the cashier's station. Years of diners were greeted by a smiling Chief Wahoo though most likely had no idea what the heck that pennant stood for.

Quote from: keefe on May 16, 2014, 09:53:08 AM
I remember one year I got a particularly nice bonus but I blew it all in one lost weekend on hookers, Dom, blow, and roulette. My wife told me not ever to do that again.

You didn't waste any of it?  I guess the being in the military does impart a certain level of discipline.

Quote from: StillAWarrior on May 16, 2014, 01:51:35 PM
You didn't waste any of it?  I guess the being in the military does impart a certain level of discipline.

It's never what you do but how you do it

Just found Chico's pick up truck details.  Way more financially sound than $600 on sneakers

Quote from: g0lden3agle on May 16, 2014, 02:01:21 PM
Just found Chico's pick up truck details.  Way more financially sound than $600 on sneakers

to be fair, he said he buys used.  And he lives in California.

Quote from: Hards_Alumni on May 16, 2014, 02:02:57 PM
to be fair, he said he buys used.  And he lives in California.

I know just giving him a hard time. 

Quote from: source? on May 16, 2014, 12:28:40 PM
It is my understanding that beaver pelts become thicker when they are in colder weather/water. If they are being raised for food, then my guess is they are exposed to less extreme conditions than in nature. I wouldn't be surprised if genetic modification also played a part.

Many of you probably eat from the beaver anus all the time without knowing it
http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/castoreum.asp

Quote from: Hards_Alumni on May 16, 2014, 11:53:50 AM
The assumption being that he spent $600 on one pair.

If so, its a lot of money.  I doubt it was one pair though.

Could very well be right, but according to Guns, $600 on one pair isn't high or extreme.   ;)

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 16, 2014, 02:17:22 PM
Could very well be right, but according to Guns, $600 on one pair isn't high or extreme.   ;)

Expensive? Yes.

Extreme? No.

Quote from: keefe on May 15, 2014, 08:32:57 PM
Really? We had our rehearsal dinner there many years ago. I thought I read here that it had closed. Great fish fry. No such animal in Seattle. Damn shame.

Wow... that's something I can say I have in common with Keefe.  Though I define 'many' much differently, I'm sure.

Quote from: keefe on May 16, 2014, 09:53:08 AM
I remember one year I got a particularly nice bonus but I blew it all in one lost weekend on hookers, Dom, blow, and roulette. My wife told me not ever to do that again.

Aaaaand... the similarities with Keefe come to a grinding halt.

Quote from: keefe on May 16, 2014, 01:46:33 PM
One of my favorite places in Hong Kong is a hole in the wall Szechuan place in Causeway Bay called "Cleveland." A buddy who flies for Fed Ex was passing through so we took him there for dinner. He was eating one of the appetizers with great relish though he had no idea what it was. He asked and was told it was jellyfish in chili sauce. His face twitched for a second then he simply replied, "Wow, that's effing weird." He proceeded to continue eating it with tremendous gusto.

The place is named for the street it is on, which is not from the city in Ohio but the city in the UK. Still, I asked a buddy to send me a Cleveland Indians pennant which I presented to the restaurant's owner. He hung it proudly on the wall behind the cashier's station. Years of diners were greeted by a smiling Chief Wahoo though most likely had no idea what the heck that pennant stood for.

That's a good story!  If anyone from Scoop is in HongKong they need to visit to see if the Chief Wahoo still hangs.

Quote from: Guns n Ammo on May 16, 2014, 06:37:10 AM
Im not vander's accountant, but I think he made 30K with the Celts, and collected some nice checks in Europe as well.

Plus, these guys are regularly handed envelops full of cash (per diem).

Just to be clear, I'm not saying buying $600 worth of sneakers is a good idea, I just don't know if middle aged white guys need to get so uptight about it.

Middle aged white guys that are uptight? Sounds a bit odd for you to say my friend. Believe as you wish.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on May 16, 2014, 02:17:22 PM
Could very well be right, but according to Guns, $600 on one pair isn't high or extreme.   ;)

The article explicitly states it was 3 pairs. $600 total. Reading comprehension is not nearly as fun as knee jerk reactionism

Quote from: Class71 on May 16, 2014, 03:34:27 PM
Middle aged white guys that are uptight? Sounds a bit odd for you to say my friend. Believe as you wish.

I AM NOT UPTIGHT YOU COME AND SAY THAT TO MY FACE I WILL FIGHT YOU

Quote from: GooooMarquette on May 16, 2014, 12:08:07 PM
So what are your thoughts on Durian?  It's the one food I've ever tried that made me gag the moment I took a bite.

Durian is an acquired taste. I actually don't mind it but it does have a strong sulphur/rotten egg odor that can be off putting. There are signs in hotels and cabs in Jakarta and Singapore advising that durian is not allowed in lifts and vehicles (though not for Thai rice whose scent lingers permanently in Singapore taxis...) I once attended a birthday celebration for someone where durian cake was served. As a fruit, people will comment on a durian's texture as an assessment of quality. The creamier or more buttery the texture the better.

Durian originated in Indonesia but is cultivated throughout SE Asia. I never gave thought to how it is grown but while golfing in Penang I noticed netting under tree foliage more than 100' up throughout the course. On the back nine my ball was on the first cut but the caddie moved my ball into the fairway some 20'. Since I was playing with some Japanese, they are sticklers for rules, I was concerned about this action but the caddie explained that there was no netting on the trees on that hole and so the ball needed to be dropped with out penalty into the fairway. The trees were durian and the netting catches the falling fruit. Since this hole didn't have netting it was required to drop out of the safety hazard.

In the clubhouse bar I read some articles from the New Straits Times framed on the wall about golfers having been killed and maimed by falling durian. As you might know a spiked shell 20 pound durian falling 100' will indeed kill anyone beneath.

(http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDc5yzUsKzE7HBZJo8KRHY5TZ-fn9IgK_DCMMkpaXFoIw05IPgUw)


(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WAIyd-SgW9A/TGbWa6m6W_I/AAAAAAAAFM4/E9NXhQPf4Ec/s1600/durian-1.jpg)


(http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTiUVTx7rVTkeUkT6gy1lJATMEbQcOeuwA5mCXToj3wxNJWWHyZcA)

Quote from: source? on May 16, 2014, 12:28:40 PM
It is my understanding that beaver pelts become thicker when they are in colder weather/water. If they are being raised for food, then my guess is they are exposed to less extreme conditions than in nature. I wouldn't be surprised if genetic modification also played a part.

The beaver was once prized for the lushness and luxuriance of its pelt. Trappers risked life and limb in the quest for high quality beaver. And gentlemen of distinction knew that only the best beaver would do when out in the public eye.

I know there is a correlation between the thickness and growth of beaver pelt during the colder months but I further understand that beavers lose much of their coat with the onset of warm weather when the beaver is known to spend more time in or near the water.

Your point on wild v. domesticated beaver is well taken. I believe that the more feral the beaver the less attention that is given over to grooming. Beaver living in close proximity to man tends to devote more time to appearance.

Quote from: keefe on May 16, 2014, 04:17:42 PM

(http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTiUVTx7rVTkeUkT6gy1lJATMEbQcOeuwA5mCXToj3wxNJWWHyZcA)

The signs in Singapore are great.  Litter or spit at your peril.  I recall a "No Trespassing" sign that had a pic of a guy with a semiautomatic weapon.  Decided not to climb that fence....

Other than the durian, Singapore has some awesome food.

Quote from: Benny B on May 16, 2014, 02:50:43 PM
Aaaaand... the similarities with Keefe come to a grinding halt.

Of course, you realize I was kidding?

But, as regards fish fries, my family thought it odd we were having a rehearsal dinner as fish fry until they got to Turners and the Milwaukee tradition was explained. Still, I recall my wife saying her parents sprang for 350 dinners at a country club while mine got away with 25 fish fries.

I should have demanded a zum sehen.

Quote from: GooooMarquette on May 16, 2014, 04:38:55 PM
The signs in Singapore are great.  Litter or spit at your peril.  I recall a "No Trespassing" sign that had a pic of a guy with a semiautomatic weapon.  Decided not to climb that fence....

Other than the durian, Singapore has some awesome food.

Oh, man, but that's a fact. Sundays after Mass we often went to the Apollo in Little India for Fish Head Curry. East Coast had chili or pepper crab. Lunch was often char kwei teow, nasi goreng, nasi lemak, laksa, mee goreng, etc... After a night of drinking or to cure a next morning hangover I headed straight to a roti prata stall for 5 pratas with fish curry. Chicken or mutton biryani, hainanese chicken rice, grilled chili stingray, etc... We often stopped at Newton Circus hawker centre for dinner and loaded up on various dishes then spent a couple hours catching up over luke warm Tigers. Singapore, with its blend of Chinese, Indian, Malay, and Indonesian cuisines, is one of the world's best food cities. 

Quote from: keefe on May 16, 2014, 04:17:42 PM
Durian is an acquired taste. I actually don't mind it but it does have a strong sulphur/rotten egg odor that can be off putting. There are signs in hotels and cabs in Jakarta and Singapore advising that durian is not allowed in lifts and vehicles (though not for Thai rice whose scent lingers permanently in Singapore taxis...) I once attended a birthday celebration for someone where durian cake was served. As a fruit, people will comment on a durian's texture as an assessment of quality. The creamier or more buttery the texture the better.

Durian originated in Indonesia but is cultivated throughout SE Asia. I never gave thought to how it is grown but while golfing in Penang I noticed netting under tree foliage more than 100' up throughout the course. On the back nine my ball was on the first cut but the caddie moved my ball into the fairway some 20'. Since I was playing with some Japanese, they are sticklers for rules, I was concerned about this action but the caddie explained that there was no netting on the trees on that hole and so the ball needed to be dropped with out penalty into the fairway. The trees were durian and the netting catches the falling fruit. Since this hole didn't have netting it was required to drop out of the safety hazard.

In the clubhouse bar I read some articles from the New Straits Times framed on the wall about golfers having been killed and maimed by falling durian. As you might know a spiked shell 20 pound durian falling 100' will indeed kill anyone beneath.

(http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDc5yzUsKzE7HBZJo8KRHY5TZ-fn9IgK_DCMMkpaXFoIw05IPgUw)


(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WAIyd-SgW9A/TGbWa6m6W_I/AAAAAAAAFM4/E9NXhQPf4Ec/s1600/durian-1.jpg)


(http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTiUVTx7rVTkeUkT6gy1lJATMEbQcOeuwA5mCXToj3wxNJWWHyZcA)

Many types of durian. I have even seen some in the US without the famous odor. Personally the odor is less than desirable for westerners. And yes the texture is very smooth but IMHO like slimmy nuts.

Having said that for those new to Asia's I would recommend Singapore as the first stop in making the transition. Here it is easy to speak English and can sample high quality, Thai, Indonesian, Mayalsian, Chinese, Indian and local dishes. If you wish to be extreme and cast caution to the wind travel to Western China and sample the food there. Personally I would not recommend it. Baby live mice, carp and eel are one thing but that is just for starters. They will look until they find something you will not be able to tolerate. It appears to be part of the initiation process.

I have to say Asia is my favorite part of the world and would encourage people to make the trip several times. The distances are hugh but the memories last a lifetime. You will not forget the different experiences in each country.

Quote from: keefe on May 15, 2014, 09:34:54 PM
Thanks, Sir. Hopefully they kept the ambiance and quality of food. As far as I know, Milwaukee is the only place I have found with the Friday Fish Fry tradition which is likely due to the predominant Catholic population. That it survived Vatican II makes it all the more interesting.

The substitution of fish for meat is curious but based on Aquinas' Summa Theologica where he outlined meat as being from animals that breath air and walk on the earth. I recall reading that the behavioral definition of meat allows for alligators, crocodiles, and beavers to be substituted for meat. Personally, I have eaten gator and beaver but never croc. Of the two I much prefer eating beaver as gator can be gamey.

I'm with ya brother, on that beaver eatin' thing.

Quote from: keefe on May 16, 2014, 10:57:33 AM
Actually, there must be some genetic modification going on because today's beaver has very little if any pelt.

Since beavers are warm blooded, there really is no good reason for a pelt whatsoever, hey?

Quote from: 4everwarriors on May 16, 2014, 08:01:32 PM

I'm with ya brother, on that beaver eatin' thing.

(http://gafy.com/images/150s_SEO/Save-a-Tree-Eat-a-Beaver-Shirt.jpg)

Quote from: keefe on May 16, 2014, 04:17:42 PM
Durian is an acquired taste. I actually don't mind it but it does have a strong sulphur/rotten egg odor that can be off putting. There are signs in hotels and cabs in Jakarta and Singapore advising that durian is not allowed in lifts and vehicles (though not for Thai rice whose scent lingers permanently in Singapore taxis...) I once attended a birthday celebration for someone where durian cake was served. As a fruit, people will comment on a durian's texture as an assessment of quality. The creamier or more buttery the texture the better.

Durian originated in Indonesia but is cultivated throughout SE Asia. I never gave thought to how it is grown but while golfing in Penang I noticed netting under tree foliage more than 100' up throughout the course. On the back nine my ball was on the first cut but the caddie moved my ball into the fairway some 20'. Since I was playing with some Japanese, they are sticklers for rules, I was concerned about this action but the caddie explained that there was no netting on the trees on that hole and so the ball needed to be dropped with out penalty into the fairway. The trees were durian and the netting catches the falling fruit. Since this hole didn't have netting it was required to drop out of the safety hazard.

In the clubhouse bar I read some articles from the New Straits Times framed on the wall about golfers having been killed and maimed by falling durian. As you might know a spiked shell 20 pound durian falling 100' will indeed kill anyone beneath.

(http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDc5yzUsKzE7HBZJo8KRHY5TZ-fn9IgK_DCMMkpaXFoIw05IPgUw)


(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WAIyd-SgW9A/TGbWa6m6W_I/AAAAAAAAFM4/E9NXhQPf4Ec/s1600/durian-1.jpg)


(http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTiUVTx7rVTkeUkT6gy1lJATMEbQcOeuwA5mCXToj3wxNJWWHyZcA)

After nearly 20 years in Asia, there are 3 things not allowed in my house:
a) Durian
b) Sambal terasi
c) MSG
Everything else, including plates of dog, cat, horse, snake, eel, fish lips (sichuan style), chicken feet, etc. has just been an enjoyable part of the journey. 

Nothing worse than getting on an airplane in Indonesia and sitting next to someone who's (illegally) smuggled some Durian on the plane.  The worst smell ever.

Quote from: WarriorFan on May 16, 2014, 08:36:23 PM
After nearly 20 years in Asia, there are 3 things not allowed in my house:
a) Durian
b) Sambal terasi
c) MSG
Everything else, including plates of dog, cat, horse, snake, eel, fish lips (sichuan style), chicken feet, etc. has just been an enjoyable part of the journey. 

Nothing worse than getting on an airplane in Indonesia and sitting next to someone who's (illegally) smuggled some Durian on the plane.  The worst smell ever.

Where have you lived? Corporate life we did stints in Tokyo x 3, HK x 2, Singapore, and Jakarta. If you are in Jakarta we lived in Kemang then Pondok Indah; loved the vibe there despite living through the Soeharto overthrow.

I am an adventuresome soul and have eaten every bit of animal put in front of me with little reservation. About the only things I wouldn't need to eat again would be monkey and dog.

One time, flying back to the States from Tokyo, at Narita I bought a large bag of dried squid which is a snack item in Japan. Once we got wheels in the well I ordered the coldest Kirin on the jet and pushed my seat back to enjoy a repast that only two pounds of dried squid can deliver.

From the sheer weight of the bag I calculated that my feast should last for at least a couple thousand miles. I was eating my squid with great relish, really savoring the piquancy of the chili seasoning while letting the pungent aroma of dried sea creature fill the air around me.

No sooner had I taken a sip of my Kirin Ichiban when a gaijin female cried out in a voice that must have shook the strakes of the airframe, "What in God's name is that horrible smell!" I figured someone in her vicinity had let the decrease in air pressure get the better of them with an involuntary release of a particularly toxic spray of flatulence. It was with utter horror that I realized from her stare she was referring to me.

As I stammered out an, "it wasn't me..." I noticed that her gaze had shifted from my face to the offending bag of dead sea animals. I was ready to tell her to mind her own business when my wife reached over, grabbed my bag of briny treats and gave it to a relieved flight attendant. When she got back to her seat my wife simply said, "What's wrong you. That stuff really stinks." 

I spent about 70 days in Japan for work this year and loved it. 

One of the most junior people I work with bought a squid snack and brought it to the conference room where we were working.  Once he opened it, the smell was overwhelming and terrible.  We made him throw it away outside of the room.  This turned just turned out to be one of the many bad judgment calls he has made at work and was recently let go. 

Quote from: WarriorFan on May 16, 2014, 08:36:23 PM
After nearly 20 years in Asia, there are 3 things not allowed in my house:

b) Sambal terasi

I guess you don't like seafood paste. The key ingredient in most SE Asian cuisine is balacan or shrimp paste. Like my dried squid, I love the musky scent of balacan in the morning. It smells like ...victory.

(http://076dd0a50e0c1255009e-bd4b8aabaca29897bc751dfaf75b290c.r40.cf1.rackcdn.com/images/files/000/539/322/original/original.jpg)


(http://www.malaysianfood.net/mf3(2hapswal).jpg)

Quote from: keefe on May 16, 2014, 09:18:46 PM
Where have you lived? Corporate life we did stints in Tokyo x 3, HK x 2, Singapore, and Jakarta. If you are in Jakarta we lived in Kemang then Pondok Indah; loved the vibe there despite living through the Soeharto overthrow.

Lived in Irian Jaya (2x), Jakarta (3x), Singapore (2x), and Beijing.  Have travelled everywhere in India, China, S.E. Asia.  Missing only Brunei and Cambodia from my S.E. Asia country list.  Also lived in Indo during the Soeharto overthrow. 

And I did concede for a time on the Terasi... as long as it was made outside and stored in a sealed container when indoors for Her Majesty's consumption. 

f uck me, this is one of the best threads that I haven't posted in.  had a lot of funny thoughts, but wanted to read through all this ish first.  now I forgot what I was going to write.  Just know that, in my head, ZFB dropped some epic jokes.

that said,

a nice pair of AE's can run $200-300.  excellent investment.
Beaver.
Chicos must be more of an S10 cat, haulin his single rider jet ski out to the reservoir to smoke reefer, grill and hang with hoopaloop.
If I'm gonna blow a bonus, it's not on roulette.  much better option to have a woman of the night throwin dice on the craps table.

Quote from: WarriorFan on May 17, 2014, 12:53:01 AM
Lived in Irian Jaya (2x), Jakarta (3x), Singapore (2x), and Beijing.  Have travelled everywhere in India, China, S.E. Asia.  Missing only Brunei and Cambodia from my S.E. Asia country list.  Also lived in Indo during the Soeharto overthrow. 

And I did concede for a time on the Terasi... as long as it was made outside and stored in a sealed container when indoors for Her Majesty's consumption. 

From where you lived I'm guessing you are in the earl bidness. My wife and I were some of the few Americans in Jakarta who weren't though I played for the Kuta Merah (Mobil Oil) baseball team. Since we were in Jakarta at the same time I'll bet we ran into each other or know some of the same folks through JIS, JYBA, the American Club, the Mercantile Club, Kemchicks, Jaya Pub, etc...

Were you part of the mass exodus after the riots and the Rupiah crash? I was actually busier after Bapak Harto got shown the door as I was GE Caps guy on the IMF workout group. We snapped up a lot of distressed assets and helped World Bank privatize a lot of First Family holdings. Soeharto, Tommy, and Bambang together owned or controlled almost half of the wealth while their cronies owned the other half.

Jakarta was like the wild west. The only rules was your own ethical code. I remember when I was first in Jakarta I would dutifully queue up at Immigrasi at Soekarno Hatta like a good citizen. After a while I noticed that bule I knew were using the Diplomat counter. When I asked how they could do that they said you just needed to have 10,000 Rp in your passport as you handed it to the Immigrasi guy.

What a difference from Singapore.

Quote from: GooooMarquette on May 16, 2014, 04:38:55 PM
The signs in Singapore are great.  Litter or spit at your peril.  I recall a "No Trespassing" sign that had a pic of a guy with a semiautomatic weapon.  Decided not to climb that fence....

Other than the durian, Singapore has some awesome food.

I think this is the sign you saw. Damn thing is ubiquitous in Singapore

(http://www.shel-bar.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Intrusion-22.jpg)

Quote from: keefe on May 17, 2014, 05:02:48 AM
From where you lived I'm guessing you are in the earl bidness. My wife and I were some of the few Americans in Jakarta who weren't though I played for the Kuta Merah (Mobil Oil) baseball team. Since we were in Jakarta at the same time I'll bet we ran into each other or know some of the same folks through JIS, JYBA, the American Club, the Mercantile Club, Kemchicks, Jaya Pub, etc...

Mining not oil.  I was younger then, and not yet her majesty's subject, so it was more like Satu Lagi, Amigos, BATS and an occasional foray into Blok M.  Definitely a make your own rules environment.  I didn't play baseball/softball but many of my friends did.  Played pickup hoops at JIS with all the teachers plus the Nike and Reebok guys and at Senayan with the Kobatama guys, played squash and Tennis at ISCI and occasionally with the SODS at Kemang 25.  Also was in Jakarta Touch Rugby club.  Stayed on after the crisis, mining business never stopped.  The right side immigration lane is Rp 100,000 now, and the air con at Soekarno-Hatta that broke in 1999 still doesn't work. 

Quote from: ZiggysFryBoy on May 17, 2014, 01:11:17 AM
f uck me, this is one of the best threads that I haven't posted in.  had a lot of funny thoughts, but wanted to read through all this ish first.  now I forgot what I was going to write.  Just know that, in my head, ZFB dropped some epic jokes.

that said,

a nice pair of AE's can run $200-300.  excellent investment.
Beaver.
Chicos must be more of an S10 cat, haulin his single rider jet ski out to the reservoir to smoke reefer, grill and hang with hoopaloop.
If I'm gonna blow a bonus, it's not on roulette.  much better option to have a woman of the night throwin dice on the craps table.

You may want to consult a croaker. Sounds like you're sufferin' from Half Heimers, aina?

What is the Blue article referring to in the header?

There's tangents and then there's MUScoop tangents.

Quote from: TedBaxter on May 17, 2014, 11:25:29 AM
What is the Blue article referring to in the header?

There's tangents and then there's MUScoop tangents.

I believe it's about the moral decision to buy $600 shoes (or was it multiple pairs of shoes worth $600?  We never got that answer.)

Quote from: WarriorFan on May 17, 2014, 06:05:01 AM
Mining not oil.  I was younger then, and not yet her majesty's subject, so it was more like Satu Lagi, Amigos, BATS and an occasional foray into Blok M.  Definitely a make your own rules environment.  I didn't play baseball/softball but many of my friends did.  Played pickup hoops at JIS with all the teachers plus the Nike and Reebok guys and at Senayan with the Kobatama guys, played squash and Tennis at ISCI and occasionally with the SODS at Kemang 25.  Also was in Jakarta Touch Rugby club.  Stayed on after the crisis, mining business never stopped.  The right side immigration lane is Rp 100,000 now, and the air con at Soekarno-Hatta that broke in 1999 still doesn't work. 

A Freeport dude. I knew Tammy Rodriguez who ran the girls program for Jakarta Youth Baseball - her husband was with McMoRan though they got divorced after she took up with the SS for the Pribumi National Baseball Team. That was at the time of the riots so you may have heard that sordid tale.

I used to drink at Satu Lagi in the Kristal. We would hit that place after our games at the JIS fields. If our games were at Senayan we actually did patronize some of the seedier bars in Blok M, where a man could satisfy both his thirst and more base hungers should those appetites rear their ugly head. My team would belly up at Top Gun though I never much cared for Blok M mainly because you had to fend off a predatory mix of hookers, hawkers, hobos, and hey Joe's.  

We socialized with Mike and Kathy Sullivan - Mike ran the Reebok biz in Indonesia. Also knew Tony Nava through JYBA - Tony ran the Nike biz there. The SS on my baseball team was with Nike. You might know him as he always played basketball at JIS. His name is Tom and he played college ball at St Peters in NJ. He actually knew Bob Dukiet.

What was great about living in JKT is ease of access to some great weekend getaways. Friday noon my wife would call and say she booked us on a Garuda flight for Bali we'd be there in a few hours. We actually both kept a weekend bag in our offices for just such eventualities. We spent more time in Lombok, though, and in particular the Gilis which was the far better, more rustic beach experience.

I played squash at the Mercantile Club and often participated in those tournaments the British Council ran at the Hilton Compleks.  

We were involved in the Bre-X scandal though, like Freeport, in a positive way. After Bre-X announced the discovery of the world's largest gold mine ever on Kalimantan their stock went from under a nickel to almost $300/share on the TSE. Overnight they were worth more than many Fortune 100 companies. And at the center of the PR campaign and financial shakedown was Bapak Harto.

A Bre-X team from Calgary approached us about getting our infrastructure fund involved but after some due diligence we came away very skeptical. A few months later the Filipino geologist "committed suicide" by jumping from a helo and Freeport backed out of the deal, announcing that the samples were manufactured.

You couldn't make up a story like that but in Jakarta that was an example of business as usual. Imagine an American Head of State shaking down foreign companies, insisting they each pony up millions into First Family companies set up to support a fraudulent enterprise. What I admired about GE is that we always stuck to our guns on ethical issues (which is also legal with FCPA) and we had no problem standing up on the basis of principle.

Quote from: WarriorFan on May 17, 2014, 06:05:01 AM
her majesty's subject

Since your wife cooks with balacan I am guessing she is Indonesian. That reminded me of a story involving one of my Brit colleagues who was marrying a beautiful Pribumi gal. Eka is from a fine family and her father is the Maharajah of Semerang who, naturally, expected the groom would convert to their Islamic faith.

My friend was raised C of E but had no problem "converting." But the process is rather involved and, because the bride's father is a prominent Rajah, the imams were taking the saving of Tim's mortal infidel soul rather seriously. As part of the conversion they needed to inspect his Johnson to ensure there was no offending foreskin. My colleague, like all Brits, was completely intact as the Lord intended so the Imam began to inquire about Tim's availability for scheduling the snipping as soon as possible.

Tim said the world began to swirl about him as he realized they were seriously going to put his 32 year old member under the knife in a primitive hacking ceremony that lacked the basic hygiene and dignity of an actual hospital. He actually thought of bailing on the whole deal because of this requirement but doing so would bring down the full wrath of the Indonesian establishment on his insensitive bule head.

Ultimately, Tim realized that this was Indonesia and that there were certainly work arounds available to an enterprising Englishman. In the end, an honorarium for the Imam's sekolah was arranged, a symbolic khitan ceremony was held where our hero promised to remain clean and control all of his baser urges, and the Imam certified the groom, still fully intact, as fit for Islamic betrothal.

Quote from: GooooMarquette on May 16, 2014, 12:08:07 PM
So what are your thoughts on Durian?  It's the one food I've ever tried that made me gag the moment I took a bite.

Saw this during my morning read of the BBC

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-27615446

Somehow, I missed the Durian part of this thread.  I took photos of it in a Chinese supermarket on my first visit as it was like nothing I had never seen before.  A couple years later my friend from Singapore explained what it was and how most Asian hotels banned guests from bringing in the fruit because the horrible smell.

Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on May 29, 2014, 10:59:01 AM
Somehow, I missed the Durian part of this thread.  I took photos of it in a Chinese supermarket on my first visit as it was like nothing I had never seen before.  A couple years later my friend from Singapore explained what it was and how most Asian hotels banned guests from bringing in the fruit because the horrible smell.

We used to take long weekends at Desaru in Malaysia. To get there you first drive through miles of Rubber Plantation then fruit farms. It was great because you could get pineapples, rambutan, papaya, mango, mangosteen right off the tree for just pennies.

During certain parts of the year they harvest the durian which is overloaded onto 1940s vintage trucks left by the Imperial Japanese Army. These things barely make 30 k/h but you can smell them long before you overtake them. 

I had a convertible in Singapore and once I suggested we take that to Desaru but my wife immediately said no, reminding me it was durian season. We would have reeked of sulphur for a week had we driven back in an open cockpit.