Glenn

I think it's time we let this one rest. We've said our peace, he's said his. The mods and I are keeping a lookout for him, as always.

This apology was sent to me:

This is about as black and white as it gets. What they did was wrong. Period. Now it's up to the commish to back his words and make an example of them. If it were me, they'd be banned from playing next year. But since that's not possible, then fine the crap out of them, ban Belichek, and take away their draft picks for the next 5 years. Just as NASCAR is cracking down on cheaters, so should the NFL.

I noticed that too!!

Daaaang. Reminds me of the big windstorm we had 14 months ago. We had 110 mph winds clocked at our house. Thought the roof was going to come off and windows were going to cave in. Lot's of damage in the region, and up to 10 days without power for some people. We got by with a downed fence and 3 days without power. That was like a hurricane. Can't imagine a tornado. Mother Nature sure has a way of putting us in our place, doesn't she?

I saw it heading straight over Memphis and towards you and it freaked me out! Glad you're ok!!

I SAID HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

That's awesome! Where can I get one of those? Sweet cake, sweet wife.

I won't say anything then. :

I used Lake Fork Taxidermy last year. Excellent work, but slow. They shipped it directly to my doorstep. I provided length, girth, weight, and pictures. Price was within your budget. http://www.lakeforktaxidermy.com/

I have a plethora of the originals, and still use them today. Alewife is my favorite color. They're durable and catch fish! Still use the Senko, but I really like using lures that aren't as popular anymore. They seem to become more effective as less and less people use them. I have plastics up the ying yang. More than I'll ever fish. So I often use old stuff just because the fish don't see them very much. 'Course I'm always getting new stuff constantly, so the pile continues to grow. LOL

You need Illustrator, not Photoshop. And you can't turn a PSD into a vector image. Been there, tried that, gave up. Doubtful you want to shell out the 600 bucks for the program, so you're on the right track asking for help. Wish I could help, but I don't have Illustrator (yet).

No, not really. The technology doesn't change much, but the shells do. There's always a different type of shell being introduced, such as the aqua shell (it lands on water and then goes off). The computer program gets better every year, but that's expected. Doesn't mean it's better though. This year the Space Needle show didn't fire due to a computer glitch. I was laughing in my living room. LOL. Glad I don't do that show anymore. About the only significant "new" thing in "technology" is how Disney fires their shows. They don't use a lift charge to fire the shell up. They use compressed air instead. It makes placement of the break very precise. Obviously, this can only be done for permanent shows. This is "new" by pyro standards.... it came out about 10 years ago. The "technology" doesn't really change much.

Looks like Ronnie had the closest prediction.

WOO HOOO!!! I'm not a Giants fan, but THE NFC TAKES HOME THE TROPHY - FINALLY!!!!!!!!

I vote for the Richard Simmons commercial.

Ya, I hear ya. My fist handlight show was both terrifying and a rush at the same time. Imagine M250's blowing off at arms length, knowing that any time, one cold misfire and kill you. I was shaking afterwards from the adrenaline rush. There's a video somewhere of me taking my motorcycle helmet off and smoke pouring out. LOL Muddy - it varies a little from state to state, but essentially, to get licensed, you must take several safety training classes, get trained on Pyro-Digital (the computer firing system - my specialty), do 6-10 shows as an "apprentice" within 2 years (must document all shows), and then pass a written test that covers all the rules, regs, laws, etc. PLUS submit 5 letters of recommendations from licensed pyros you worked with during your apprentership. For more info, see http://www.pyrospectaculars.com/techniciantraining.html Then you must do several shows a year to keep your license active. Would be very helpful if you have people skills, as you'll have to manage a crew, a demanding client, and a nervous fire chief. It's fairly rigorous, but if you really enjoy it, you don't really notice. That said, the job is VERY physically demanding and dirty. Very long hours too.

I think you've both said your peace.

You can and will get killed doing that. I cannot understate that. I've known a few pros who have been injured or killed, and they were trained, licensed professionals. Trust me, you do not know what you're doing. Unless you have gone through the certification courses and passed your exam, you do not know what you're doing. Hand firing a 6" mortor SHOULD scare the bejeezus out of you. Try being me and firing a 10" mortor. Or being in a show where 3, 12" mortors fire simultaneously with 8 10-inch and 15 8-inchers. I witnessed apprentice pyros running away when that happens. I didn't, because I know what's safe and what isn't. That was during a finale of 1,500 shells in 30 seconds, covering a 1 1/2 miles of sky. Painting the sky with fire. What a rush! But, again, unless you're licensed, DO NOT... EVER... even GO NEAR class 'B' fireworks again!!

That rides pretty heavily with me, considering I'm a pyro. I am a total firework junkie. My father in-law runs a firework stand every year, so I get the 'good' fireworks at cost (the repeaters...or multi-action as they are sometimes called). He is also a pyro, and spends the bulk of his budget on the 'good' fireworks. I spent $500 last year and our display lasted 2.5hrs. This did include beer drinking though... That's a little scary if you ask me. I don't trust the cheap class "C" fireworks AT ALL. They're all very unpredictable, incosistent, and in my opinion, the most dangerous class of fireworks around. Add alcohol to the mix, and you get a ride in an ambulance. Class "B" is far better, because they're built to exact standards (exept Chinese brands). The European fireworks are amazing. Not only that, only licensed pyros can use them (unless you get them illegally - then you're literally risking your life by "playing" with them). I designed and shot a few shows using class "C" fireworks (mainly high school homecoming games. We had to use the smaller stuff due to regulations.) And I hated using them. You can't time anything with them, and misfires are frequent. Some of them even disintigrate while they're going off. Designing shows w/Class B fireworks is a cakewalk by comparison.

I'm right there with you on that. That plus I'd like to see the NFC win. Really the only reason I'm watching is for the commercials.

Isn't that what Versus and OLN initially tried to be? Seems I've heard this story before. :

I feel so lonely. Seriously though - I'd fish with anyone here. Every person I've met from here so far has had rich stories and interesting backgrounds. Not to mention I always learn a fishing trick or two from every person I meet. I hope I get the chance to meet folks at the Classic, and fish with several at Guntersville.

Nice profile, Raul. There's a lot I didn't know about you. Didn't realize you're the class of '83 like me. Congrats on making the "Elite" list. Well deserved!

Yup, I know of them. They're very well-known. They're primarily on the east coast. I worked for the Souza family - Pyrospectaculars. Grucci and Souza families...sounds like mafia doesn't it? ;D