Quote: Huge Bear @ January 17 2009, 2:41 AM GMTActually, "Japs" is a good one; I think in the UK it's borderline
As ever, it depends on intent.
Not online? Then sod off. Page 9
Unsurprisingly, I see no inherent problem with the term 'Paki'. But this is a different thread of discussion altogether...
Quote: DaButt @ January 17 2009, 12:32 AM GMTJust a gas fire in my house, but it's better than nothing. Tomorrow I'm buying one of those outdoor fire pits so that I can sit around a toasty fire on the specially designed circular fire pit area of my deck.
Here's a fire I started with a knife and flint last weekend in the Mojave Desert.
Way back in the 60s I made a number of flying trips to the USA from UK, and I think I was more worried about survival than of 'crashing'. So I used to carry a survival firelighter which is a block of magnesium with a flint embeded along one edge. You need a sharp pocket knife as well, you shave off a few bits of magnesium as 'tinder' and then wipe the sharp edge of the knife along the flint to make sparks to ignite the magnesium shavings.
A nice simple gadjet, which lasts lots longer than a box of matches and not harmed by any wetness, but of course back then the terrorists had not invented airplane hijacks. You would not be allowed to carry penknife & magnesium block in the cabin nowadays, and its not terribly useful as a survival tool when packed in hold baggage. 
Quote: billwill @ January 17 2009, 2:05 PM GMTSo I used to carry a survival firelighter which is a block of magnesium with a flint embeded along one edge.
That's exactly what I used to start the fire. The magnesium wasn't necessary, I just ignited a bit of fluffy plant material that the desert ants collect in big mounds.
Birch bark is awesome.
Quote: Curt @ January 17 2009, 2:52 PM GMTBirch bark is awesome.
There's a noticeable shortage of birch trees in the Mojave Desert. 
Quote: Moonstone @ January 17 2009, 1:01 AM GMTI do! I've never ever flown. Sometimes on the bus back to my home town we go through the airport and I see the planes and think f**k that!
It's more a fear of crashing than a fear of actually flying though, but I suppose they amount to the same thing?
Have you ever been in a helicopter? Would that be better or worse?
Quote: DaButt @ January 17 2009, 2:53 PM GMTThere's a noticeable shortage of birch trees in the Mojave Desert.
Ant hill leftovers it is then!
Quote: Bad dog @ January 17 2009, 3:00 PM GMTHave you ever been in a helicopter? Would that be better or worse?
Flying in a jet doesn't bother me, but my helicopter flights scared the crap out of me. Maybe it was because they were military helicopters and there was only a strap to keep me from falling out the door, but I wouldn't recommend a helicopter ride for someone who is trying to conquer the fear of flying. They're loud, shaky machines that are basically trying to tear themselves apart the entire flight. Airplanes are gentle, gliding works of art in comparison.
I love flying. Can't wait for my flight to Cuba it's gonna rock.
I'll be walking into the plane from cold jacket and toque wearing weather and coming out of the plane after a few hours to warm shorts weather.
*looks out window* I wish I was there right now. 
Planes can be large and intimidating, I wondered if a passenger helicopter would be less so. That might be something to try in order to work towards getting onto planes.
Quote: Bad dog @ January 17 2009, 3:00 PM GMTHave you ever been in a helicopter? Would that be better or worse?
Now that's actually an interesting one!
I do hate flying, but on the other hand I've always had a bit of a fascination for helicopters. I've never been in one, but I think yeah, I might just be able to put aside my fear of flying for the opportunity to have a ride in one.
I would most probably still be shit scared, and I don't know if it'd change my mind about planes, but I reckon I'd do that juat as a one off.
That's interesting, you might be able to do that as a kind of one-off adventure and see how you get on. It might help to pave your way towards trying a short plane trip.
I'm not that good with heights, but I've been on a plane and a helicopter and it didn't bother me at all. I didn't think about the possibility of a crash either.
Quote: Curt @ January 17 2009, 3:18 PM GMTI'll be walking into the plane from cold jacket and toque wearing weather
What the flip is a 'toque'?
Quote: Aaron @ January 17 2009, 7:09 PM GMTWhat the flip is a 'toque'?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuque
I think I was introduced to the word about 25 years ago by this song: