sloopskipper has left 1370 comments

sloopskipper comments on I want to Learn How to Cook Sushi

I hope so, roci, but I only parroted what you said.

sloopskipper comments on I want to Learn How to Cook Sushi

rocinante says on May 11, 17:32 "Let me be the first to admit what we all already know for a long time: I'm snobby and arrogant on this forum." No way.

sloopskipper comments on I want to Learn How to Cook Sushi

bickerss says on May 11, 16:54: flag "yeah - bit rude i thought too!!!!" We certainly don't suffer from a lack of people who know everything, about eveything.

sloopskipper comments on Can I bring 1-3 flat screen TVs with me on flight?

I would think the boxes for a 42" must be huge. I can't imagine anyone going through that hassle to save a few dollars. And if it doesn't work whe you get it home, who ya gonna' call, Ghostbusters? And 42"? There is nothing on televsion, or video, worth that investment, IMNTBHO. Maybe better to go to the movies.

sloopskipper comments on $40,000 to invest, Hate Uk, Want to live in colombia, Barranquilla or Cartagena

"I" would be very wary of even "moving" to a strange country (all though I did it, and regret it), much less considering investing life savings in a business there. Visit, look, and experience it first (for as long as you possibly can). It "ain't a walk in the park". And if you don't have business experience where you live, even more reason to be cautious, especially with somewhat limited resources, and maybe no dependable income once you leave current employment. And I would not advertise here, or anywhere else, your investible funds available. There are sharks everywhere.

sloopskipper comments on I want to Learn How to Cook Sushi

If you search for sushi, and maybe recipes or preparing (you might add "- restaurants" to eliminate them, I'm sure that you can find many resources on the internet, like almost any other food type. google search, "prepare sushi", first page: How To Make Sushi- Prepare Sushi Recipe- Japanese FoodHow to Make Sushi. This UK based site contains instructions to make sushi for yourself. A really exciting new way of entertaining. www.sushi-guide.co.uk/ - 9k - Cached - Similar pages Making Sushi Maki Nigiri Japanese Sticky Rice More results from sushi-guide.co.uk » Making Sushi-Eatsushi.comBuy the Sushi DVD Hi, He-day! Watch as Master Sushi Chef Hide from California Beach Sushi in Newport Beach, CA prepares house favorites step-by-step. ... www.eatsushi.com/demos.asp - 11k - Cached - Similar pages How to prepare for a sushi party - Making your own sushi ...Instructions for preparing a sushi party at home. ... It's easy to prepare for it. Start from cooking sushi rice. Sushi Rice Recipe. ... japanesefood.about.com/od/sushiroll/ss/howtosushiparty.htm - 24k - Cached - Similar pages how to prepare fish for sushi - Japanese sushihow to prepare fish for sushi - sushi ingredients and raw fish. japanesefood.about.com/cs/sushietiquette/ht/ht_sushifish.htm - 23k - Cached - Similar pages More results from japanesefood.about.com » Sushi Fish - How To Buy Fish - Tips To Prepare Sushi Seafood ...Expert tips on how to buy and prepare sushi fish and seafood. www.sushilinks.com/sushi-recipes/how-to-buy-fish/index.html - 29k - Cached - Similar pages Sushi Recipe For Making The Perfect Sushi Rice | Sushi LinksPrepare Your Sushi Vinegar Mix the vinegar, sugar and salt together in a small saucepan. Heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves, stirring frequently. ... www.sushilinks.com/sushi-recipes/rice.html - 24k - Cached - Similar pages astray recipes: To prepare sushi riceBasic recipe ingredients: For 2.1/2 cups sushi rice: Directions: Prepare a non-metallic tub, preferably a wooden or glass (make sure it's not polished since ... www.astray.com/recipes/?show=To%20prepare%20sushi%20rice - 7k - Cached - Similar pages Learn to prepare Sushi22 Feb 2005 ... There’s a decent article in the latest Sunset Magazine about making sushi. I like to make it with thin slices of carrot and cucumber, ... www.43things.com/things/view/59756/learn-to-prepare-sushi - 25k - Cached - Similar pages Sushi Rice Recipe - How to Make Sushi Rice Video - About.comTranscript: How to Prepare Perfect Sushi Rice. Hi, I'm Chef John Mitzewich for About.com. Today I'm going to show you my method for making perfect sushi ... video.about.com/japanesefood/Prepare-Perfect-Sushi-Rice.htm - 19k - Cached - Similar pages How To Make Sushi Rice and Prepare Sushi Rice A video made by Sushi Monsters.com, on how to make and ... 3 min 50 sec - "You can find anything you want at Alice's Restaurant . . ." or on the internet.

sloopskipper comments on Worst Performing CEO make $$$$

Time for more stock-holder revolts. I voted to get Carl Icon on Motorola board. He didn't make it, but finally Ed Zander stepped down.

sloopskipper comments on THE UGLY AMERICAN STEREOTYPE

A good reminder, I tend to forget.

sloopskipper comments on USAID Extending Life of Colombian 'Alternative Development' Program

Sorry, but I don't find anything more recent on Narco News, on USAID website, or from a google search.

sloopskipper comments on USAID Extending Life of Colombian 'Alternative Development' Program

It popped on my my yahoo alerts and I didn't even notice the stale date, I'll have to chase it.

sloopskipper comments on tariff on import of used cars......

I was thinking more intermediate or long term.

sloopskipper comments on tariff on import of used cars......

I was thinking more intermediate, or long term

sloopskipper comments on tariff on import of used cars......

hmm, interesting, thanx. But I expect, like Panamá, when you dispose of the vehicle (unless you set it on fire), sombody will need to pay the tax, no? Here, the tax goes back to the value at the time it was imported. So, somewhere down the line, somebody might owe taxes on a $20,000 vehicle that's now only worth a couple grand, maybe less. But I am talking about the big fraud in Panamá where they claim with Pensionada visa you can import a new car, duty-free, every three years. NOT TRUE!. It is not an exoneration, but simply a cruel deferment.

sloopskipper comments on tariff on import of used cars......

Thanx ray, i wan't sure who answered that for me before. But the renewal after three months, then drivining out of the country, and beginning again seems, to me, to be too much of a PITA. And driving to Panamá? Not some I'd be too eager to do, and not too sure how much of a hassle it might be to ship a U.S. registered car out of Panamá. I know it sure was a pain bringing my Jeep in, from Puerto Rico. Doc, you also might want to check what is involved in shipping from FL. To get my car out of PR, the underside had to be steam cleaned, then inspected and blessed by the PR. Policia. Supposedly they were tardy in doing that, and my container missed a direct voyage and all ended up hung up in Cartagena, of all places. So, Jeep was there before me, jaja. Maybe is easier from the Continent. By the way, avoid Continental Relocation Services in Miami.

sloopskipper comments on Making changes

But, DAMN, it is SLOW!

sloopskipper comments on Making changes

webmanco says on May 9, 18:21: flag Double ditto! Update I see the edit button. "The edit button stays only for one hour, after that you can´t edit any post. It would be good to have it full time." Thanx, webmanco I agree, although I see his reasoning, I hate typos, and often make corrections much later, or have additional thoughts, and I have found that Firefox doesn't work well with PBH.

sloopskipper comments on tariff on import of used cars......

I have read that, used cars can not be imported, except for short term use, or with continual renewal of permits.

sloopskipper comments on Making changes

And can't see comments post with without refresh sometimes, and worked poorly, before, with Firefox as it sometimes timed out.

sloopskipper comments on Making changes

webmanco says on May 9, 17:37: flag "I would like the edit button back." Double ditto! Update I see the edit button.

sloopskipper comments on Making changes

Thank, Peter. The flag is LONG overdue!

sloopskipper comments on THANK YOU GUYS!

Welcome angelita!

sloopskipper comments on Bancolombia Jumps on Colombia Credit Upgrade Speculation

tomtom33 says on Thursday May 8th, 2008 16:11: "I was more a hippie wanna-be than anything. But I strongly embraced sex, drugs and rock n roll. Now that I am a retired bum, I can have my hair as long as I like-at last." Me too, now if I just had some hair to grow long, LOL. "Sloop, I have a feeling that a few things have changed for you over the years. I can only see the world through my eyes. And I am acutely aware of how absolutely stupid I was when I was younger. Therefore I project onto the kids of today. Hopefully they aren't as stupid as I was." Hoping that I am not QUITE as stupid, now.

sloopskipper comments on Too Good To Be True Exchange Rate?

Tinto, I hear ya' as I have burned on high end retail, and have avoided airliines, allthough I have be tempted, several times to buy LAN, and probably should have. Even though I had a NASD/NYSE stockbroker's license, which expired a few years ago, I am far from a really smart trader, although I have done reaonably well, never the less. However, don't ask about my Venezuealan gold mine, or even a Brazilean airline, at least for the moment. All I can say is that "I" am going to stick with Copa, for the time being. I have posted before that at Copa Investor's Day in January, I met and was able to talk with the entire Management team (all of Copa & the president of Areo República), and really thought that they had a story to tell. They seem to be a class act, with their finger on the pulse of travel in the Americas, and know how to bring economies to their operation. I think that you can hear a recording of the conference call (in English) at the Copa website.

sloopskipper comments on Bancolombia Jumps on Colombia Credit Upgrade Speculation

tomtom33 says on Thursday May 8th, 2008 15:26: "If one does not change as one gets older, one has not grown. I guess that there are some older liberals. I just can't understand why." Well, here's one, and I am way over 21, trust me.

sloopskipper comments on Bancolombia Jumps on Colombia Credit Upgrade Speculation

Are you sure Tom, I sure haven't. I still haven't decided what I want to be when I grow up.

sloopskipper comments on Too Good To Be True Exchange Rate?

Tinto, I forgot to mention that Copa is making arrangements to allow Continental to sell (back?) it's remaining 10% interest in Copa. That might be as, or more, important than not so great numbers for the quarter.

sloopskipper comments on Too Good To Be True Exchange Rate?

At that rate to accumulate 20,000 miles for a flight to Colombia it would cost me $600 + the $55 annual fee. I can buy a ticket cheaper, jaja. HELLO, American Express!

sloopskipper comments on Too Good To Be True Exchange Rate?

rocinante says on Thursday May 8th, 2008 8:10: "I never tried to deposit gringo checks in Colombia. I would guess they will not be accepted. My US addres has relatives living there that can deposit for me. But I get paid direct deposit into WAMU, my central bank, and hardly receive checks. I always OEW the IRS as I have 0 withholding." My reason for commenting about that is because I am thinking that an alternative way to transfers funds from the U.S., avoiding $22 in fees. I can originate paper checks, or even ACH transactions from St. George's, BUT, since we have no street addresses and no mail delivery it is not quite that simple. I haven't tried it, but I think if someone has an apatardo, I can do it. I think I can easily do an ACH transfer if I have recipient's R/T & account number. I am somewhat surprised that you have those services after all I have read here about the banking system there. It seems that U.S. Bank is the only one so far to do that. There is no exchange because all is done in dollars. From what I see, the fee is not being passed through from Visa, but simply from the bank. I have not seen it yet on my AAdvantage Visa.

sloopskipper comments on Too Good To Be True Exchange Rate?

Tinto, I just got off the conference call. In spite of growth, improving load factor and sustained performance from both Copa and Aero República, it seems it's all about fuel costs, even though they use future contracts. One advantage they have is their very young, and more fuel effecient, fleet. They have been replacing, and adding Embraer 190s, and dumping less effecient MD-80s. One analyst asked Pedro Heilbron what his take was on strengthening COP. He responded that he felt it would remain at 1700-1800 for the rest of the year. I have never seen a stock whip-saw like CPA, but I don' follow any other airline, except GOL which has only been sawing, no whipping. Copa seems rock solid, but ain't got no crystal ball. But, seems a keeper to me, for the moment.

sloopskipper comments on Too Good To Be True Exchange Rate?

I applied for a Capital One "No Hassle Card". They offered me, NO transaction fees, 2 miles per dollar, for a $39 annual. But I'm not so sure if a mile, is really a mile, on that card. I am in the process of shutting down my KLM/Northwest Visa and moving scheduled charges, because the bastards have begun charging me 3% for dollar denominated transactions here. I have rediscovered my American Express Blue card. It's not as universally accepted as Visa/MC, but so far I have only found Cableonda doesn't accept it. There is no annual fee, and no international transaction fees (at least on dollar transactions), and one point per dollar. I can transfer points to Continenta/Copa, point=mile. I used the Gold AmEx card at Bancolombia ATMs in Cartagena, and there were no fees, and it seemed a good exchange. I have no bills that I must attend to here, as electric, cable, and building assoction fees are all, either credit card, or auto paid by St. George's Bank. I was surprised that my variable electric bill could now also be paid. For a couple months my personal little banker went to the internet, found the amount due, and paid it. After what seemed to be the World's worst banking service at two banks, I now have better than I ever had in the U.S. Can you deposit gringo checks at Bancolombia?

sloopskipper comments on Too Good To Be True Exchange Rate?

Commerce Bancorp, doing business as TD Commerce Bank, is a Cherry Hill, New Jersey, based bank holding company that offers banking, insurance, brokerage, and investment banking services in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Florida, and Maryland. On October 2, 2007 it was announced that Commerce Bancorp will be acquired by Toronto-Dominion Bank. The acquisition closed on March 31st, 2008. The company will begin to rebrand Commerce Bank stores in mid 2008 and TD Banknorth stores in 2009, all reflecting the new TD Commerce Bank name. So, maybe there is no change for you, Roci?

sloopskipper comments on Too Good To Be True Exchange Rate?

Just curious, is that Commerce Bank, out of NJ? They opened an office in Harrisburg some years ago, and shortly thereafter were hammered for money laundering. But, not important. I have my stuff at Fidelity, with banking and an attached Gold AmEx card (without international transaction fees), tied to a cash account. Charges are automatically paid from that account. I must initiate a wire on the phone, but if I call before 2 o’clock, the funds are available at my Panamanian bank the next morning. I wonder why WAMU would be so slow. My previous Panamanian banks imposed a 15 working day float on gringo check deposits (although I can see the money leaving my U.S. account in 24-48 hours), but my new bank has only a 7-day, so now with a bit of planning I can make check deposits, and save the wire fees (Fidelity $15, and The Bank of Saint George, 7). I have no idea if you can use gringo checks in Colombia. Is there some reason you do not want wire directly to Bancolombia? I don’t see any reason why you need someone in the middle. I use PayPal, with a Pennsylvania bank and a credit card. I never had the idea to do inter-bank transfers that way (but I don’t have business account). But, I do pay Skype with it. I have sent/received money to/from individuals with PayPal, but think it was a bit slow. I had asked the question here, if it would be helpful to first, have an account with Bancolombia here, in order to more easily open an account in Colombia. Although they share name and logo, I suspect that it might not be too much different than dealing with any other two banks, but I have never learned if that is true. I wonder if debit cards are usable in Colombia. I think when I left Puerto Rico they were still not accepted (maybe at ATM, but not some places as signature credit card), even if they were Visa/MC logoed. They would not accept mine at PR Motor Vehicles. Bancolombia is not far from me, but I have yet to take the time to visit.

sloopskipper comments on Spirit Airlines -- My First (and maybe last) Experience

I had forgotten about the extra $10 in Santo Domingo. AA used to offer some last minute fares. I think it was $99 San Juan to Santo Domingo, but of course, plus the taxes. If I remember the regular fare was about $300, for a ride of about 250 miles (45 minutes), more than a buck a mile, before the huge increases in price of fuel. But, AA owned the market.

sloopskipper comments on What's your reccomondation for calling a colombian cell from the U.S.?

I don't miss that

sloopskipper comments on Flowers and Free Trade (NY Times video story)

self deleted

sloopskipper comments on Flowers and Free Trade (NY Times video story)

But Monpirri, your profile says you live in the U.S., what's that all about?

sloopskipper comments on Flowers and Free Trade (NY Times video story)

I had planned that, BUT, the news and currency exchange issues of the past months have given me reason to reconsider. I made my first little trip in October, but have been postponing a revisit.

sloopskipper comments on Flowers and Free Trade (NY Times video story)

"Simon continues to show ignorance on all fronts." I've seen that, and a few more. "20,000 comedians outa work, and we've got . . . . ."

sloopskipper comments on Flowers and Free Trade (NY Times video story)

Thanx, romy. A very good video. Not sure why I couldn't find it. Who knows, maybe FTA will be passed. Duty free for Colombian imports is only a temporary, but extended situation, from what I know.

sloopskipper comments on What's your reccomondation for calling a colombian cell from the U.S.?

But I drove about 50 ATMs, over about 1000 square miles with the system, with only 19.2, and 9600 bps point to point, and point to multipoint radios, in Pennsylvania, with mountain-top repeaters. The phone bill? $0.

sloopskipper comments on What's your reccomondation for calling a colombian cell from the U.S.?

Frank Rizzo says on Wednesday May 7th, 2008 19:25: "PM me...if you want links for the phone system....works great..." Thanx, but I have become a hermit here in "exciting" Panamá, LOL. I drive about 10 miles per week.

sloopskipper comments on What's your reccomondation for calling a colombian cell from the U.S.?

I used to do a long range, FCC registered, wireless with a 25 mile reach, with up to an "amazing" 512KB bandwidth (wasn't microwave).

sloopskipper comments on What's your reccomondation for calling a colombian cell from the U.S.?

"PBX", Private Branch Exchange, man, there's a term from the past.

sloopskipper comments on What's your reccomondation for calling a colombian cell from the U.S.?

"Also...we do a super long range cordless phone with 20 foot antenna on top of the building and houses....and you then put the long range phone with antenna on your car...and you get aobout 60km line of sight.. and you can connect this to the USB converter with the PBX line...so it operates just like a home line with skype in your car all around the city.." That's cool.

sloopskipper comments on What's your reccomondation for calling a colombian cell from the U.S.?

It WAS $38, but I think the renewal was 60, but still invaluable if you want to continue a life, financial, and otherwise in the US.

sloopskipper comments on What's your reccomondation for calling a colombian cell from the U.S.?

Yeah, Frank, but you don't really need anything near a full T for Skype. I only have a 200MB cable connection and use SkypeOut computer to computer, or computer to cell or landline with generally excellant results. And the same on WiFi at hotels from my laptop (showing a 56KB connection). Mostly the same with my Skype-In number. It is a Pennsylvania, A/C 717 number, which out-calls to my computer, or my Panamá cell phone. Incoming calls also two cents, from the USA. Outgoing toll free number are generally free, Worldwide, and to the U.S., tolled calls, two cents, from Panamá. If I can remember, from my AT&T telephony days, you should only really need 9.6KB for an ADCPM phone call. But I'm not really sure how that correlates with the internet.

sloopskipper comments on Flowers and Free Trade (NY Times video story)

Don't see it Tinto, even searching for "flowers" on home page (7 May) or drilling down to International/Americas on my daily feed from NYT. What is the URL for the actual story?

sloopskipper comments on Too Good To Be True Exchange Rate?

That's great! I remember when I was at Great Lakes, traveling to Madison for the weekend. We stayed at the Antler Hotel. Was probably $8 per night then, jaja. But it was a nice college town.

sloopskipper comments on Spirit Airlines -- My First (and maybe last) Experience

It can be pretty confusing. It seems Copa always includes everything, but I had to pay, maybe $30, to leave Lima, on AA.

sloopskipper comments on Spirit Airlines -- My First (and maybe last) Experience

For 104 bucks, I would certainly hope so. Although Copa does include that, they only show a single price for Taxes & Surcharges. I checked a Copa LAX-CTG flight for Friday, returning two weeks later. It's a LOT more money, buying so late, but the taxes should be the same, but they're not. Copa's total for taxes is $430.60, while you are paying only 242.60. Which would make you think that all fees are not included, but on the other hand it seems your $104 charge should pay exit tax for both of you at CTG. I don't know if there is a landing fee. That was $80 for me in Santo Domingo, but was included in an AA ticket. Taxes & Surcharges are sometimes nearly half the cost of a promo ticket on Copa. I have read complaints that Avianca, at least used to, not include a Colombian departure tax in the ticket. Wish I could be more helpful. I think there are some people here who have flown Spirit who would know.