Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thought it was about time for another roll call, who are you what do you want to tell us about yourself etc.

I'm Dave Colling

Like most of us, been catching and checking out critters since I was a kid. Now pushing 48 years old and still a kid at heart catching and playing with critters

Lived in sunny California since I was 9. Moved to San Jose 25 years ago to work for IBM and have been here ever since.

Met my wife, Desiree, 22 years ago, literally ran into each other in a hallway at work. Exactly 2 years later we were married. Seriously the love of my life and the best thing that ever happened to me. Most if not all the high points in my life are either directly related to our relationship or at least well supported by it.

We have two daughters:
Andrea is almost 17, a senior in high school and my animal lover. She helps me quite a bit taking care of the snakes. She's vegetarian so won't help or have anything to do with feeding but will and does help with cage cleaning.

Jessica is 14, a Sophomore in high school is not so much into animals but is quite the social butterfly. Always has some activity or another going on. Now she's doing color guard, part of the high school marching band, the group with the flags. Lol, she's in marching band and her instrument is the flag!!

My first captive snake was a WC gopher snake about 22 years ago. I caught many snakes as a kid but mom would not let me keep them.

Like many of us, one leads to another lol, I got my first BRB in 1988, yeah, 20 years ago!! And been adding to that collection ever since.

My other hobbies include....

Woodworking - made many of my own cages and have even made new cabinets for our Kitchen. My father in-law being a cabinet maker by trade didn't hurt but even he will tell you, I did this mostly on my own. Kinda fun to see him showing off my cabinets when we have people over. He and I are like two peas in a pod.

Snow skiing - started skiing in high school (way before snow boards were invented) and still go every year.

Water skiing - Started water-skiing around 20ish years ago and took right to it. Not a huge difference from snow skiing (other than the water is much warmer) and that has evolved into water-skiing without actual skis!! I still slalom but now do a lot of barefoot skiing.

Here's a pic of me "walking on water"

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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Sounds like you've had a fantastic life so far, Dave! I hope I'm still breeding BRBs 20 years from now. Great picture of you, by the way.

When was the last time we had one of these posts? A year ago? Seems like it has been a while. Well, I'll join in. Here is a bit about myself.

My name is Aubrey Ross, and I live in Madison, WI. I'll be 24 in two weeks, but I don't think I'll be getting any snakes for my birthday, lol. Well, maybe a few from myself, tee hee!

I've always loved animals, and have been fascinated with reptiles ever since I was catching little lizards in FL when I was very young. I bred my geckos for several years while I was in Middle and High school, and I still have them. Mom would never let me have a snake, so I didn't get my first one till just a few years ago. My how my collection has grown since then. I haven't counted recently, but I'm pretty sure I have around 60 snakes, 20 of which are BRBs!

I've been flying planes since I was 15, and have had my license for 5 years now. I absolutely love it, and wish I could fly more often. I always pick the expensive hobbies!

I also like to play the didgeridoo, archery, and ride motorcycles. Sadly my bike died a while back and haven't ridden since. I also love KITTENS!! Sorry, that was uncalled for, lol.

I met my significant other, Ethan over two years ago. We pretty much hit it off right away and are still going strong! I am so lucky to have him, and we get along so well. He even encourages my addiction to snakes, lol! Here he is with my boy, Flax.

So now I am working at my local airport, doing pretty much whatever needs to be done at the general aviation FBO. I fuel, tow, and clean planes. Helping pilots and passengers with luggage and driving them to hotels are some other things I do there. I love my job! How many people can say that? Oh yeah, I can also wash my car during down time, lol!

So that pretty much sums things up for me. Now, let's hear from the rest of you!

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Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

hey how about that didgeridoo lol thats awesome, i gut to play one in band back in highschool, it was just a makeshift PVC but it worked. i never master the channel breathing (have you?) but i was allways impressed with the sounds you can get from those things.
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-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

That is col that your school had the PVC didge project. We never did that in our school.

Yeah, I can do the circular breathing. Was tricky at first, but now it just comes naturally when I play.
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Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

Hey Aubrey, Sounds like you've had a fantastic life so far as well, keep it up!!!

Love those flying pics!!!!

And the S/O that supports us in our addictions - a real gem!!!
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Hey guys my name is Pete and I'm fairly new to the forums. Im from Cincinnati, Ohio and I'm 18 years old. I just graduated High School in June and I am starting at the University of Cincinnati in a week.

I have one sister (8 years old), and 2 brothers (16 years old and 1.5 years old lol). My brother Brett who is 16, posts on the forums somtimes from my name, as we are both, very into snakes.

Ever since I was a little kid I have always been catching reptiles and amphibians and have always liked them. I got my first snake which was a Cal King about a year ago, but I sold him as I got more interested in Boas. I got my first BRB about 2-3 months ago and they are now my favorite snake haha. I still love other kinds of snakes too; and I would love to have a big collection, but due to my mom I cant lol.

Some other things I do..

I have been riding 4 wheelers or ATVs, since I was about 10 and I still go riding almost every Sunday. My dad, brother and I have traveled to alot of states to ride different places throughout the United States.

I also go fishing alot and I like almost anything that can be done outdoors.

And thats about all for me lol thanks for reading.
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0.1 BRB
1.0 Columbian Red Tail Boa

Hey Pete, thanks for sharing your story! Hope you stick around on the forums.
-----
Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

I will definitely be on these forums alot lol they are very interesting. And everyone on here is very friendly and helpful.
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0.1 BRB
1.0 Columbian Red Tail Boa

Hey Pete, welcome and will be expecting pics of your current female and her future mate after he arrives.

Funny, I spent part of my childhood (lol, said like it actually ended) growing up in Dayton. We moved to California when I was 9.

The ATV's sound like fun, used to have a dirt bike when I was younger.
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Thanks Dave; and I can't wait to get the little guy lol.
-----
0.1 BRB
1.0 Columbian Red Tail Boa

What a good idea this is dave, always wondering what everyone did and looked like!!

Well as you know i live in Finland, i got my first BRB about 2years ago and things have sky rocketed since then.
I actually come from Tasmania, Australia and compete in a sport called orienteering, some of you may know what it is, some not, basically a cross country running race with a map is the easiest way to describe it. Its bloody small in the states, not too big in australia, but i can nearly earn a living off it over here, where it is the biggest summer participation sport in scandinavia. Basically i ran a junior worlds in 99 in europe, and never went home Been here racing since.

I had a facination with snakes throughout my childhood, and would have ended up with a carpet python or the like, but there are more laws in australia for the keeping of reptiles, and tasmania certainly wasnt the easiest. Back then i bred and showed rex rabbits, started off with one, 2 years later i had a few hundred, and kept the collection up for 5-6 years, before the running just took up too much time. I bred many of the first rex morphs in australia.

After a 6-7 years of living in finland, sweden, norway then back to finland i have finally settled here, and wanted some pets, a dog or cat, doesnt fit with my life style as i spent up to 4 months away every year racing and on training camps, but my first BRB Bob, fitted into the equation perfectly.

Then came 2 adult females, then a offer for some anerythristics from a czech breeder, and well now, you see what has happened im hooked.

My life consists of, running approx 120miles a week, working part time in a aussie themed bar in central helsinki, looking after the snakes, spending too much time on the snake forums, and trying to convince my girlfriend, that her toy poodle looks more like a rat than a dog

pic is of me running 2006 worlds

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Dave

2.2 Normal BRBs
2.1 Anery BRB
4.4 66% poss het anery BRB
2.5 66% poss het new european line hypo
1.1 het hypo BRB

In the mail from the states
1.1 something special BRB

aims to work out what all my 66% hets really are, and then go from there. Sky the limit, well maybe

WOW dave that is fantastic running!!!! congratulations thats amazing...

being a bit of a runner myself i can somewhat relate but 120 a week!!!! that is impressive.

you said you could almost make a living off racing, does that mean you place in most ar all of your races? also what kind of distances are involved in the race itself, and how long does it take?

you use a map does that mean there is no set path or trail?
-----
-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

cheers saagbay, have put the pic of some race i did in italy last year. Not the best pic, but it 0330am here, and i couldnt really be bothered going thru the computer to find something better.
long story short
3 individual disciplines
sprint - 12min winning time, approx 3.5km
middle distance 35mins 5-8km depending on terrain
classic distance 90mins, 14-20km depending on terrain

you havent seen the map before, you pick it up on start line, then procedd around the course, getting the controls in the number order, but the way you get between each control, is up to you. Start interval is 2mins, so you got someone starting in front and behind of you. fastest elapsed time wins.

There is some prize money at the right races, but much more if you were road running. Basically you i run for my country at worlds etc, then a club here for locals and relays. Clubs look after you well, when in sweden, i didnt pay rent, i got given a car, and all racing is paid for. So anything earned from races or sponsors is pretty much living money

Its let me travel the world, raced in maybe 45 countries. And yes ive put down a few kms in the last 10yrs, i dont think i will be walking properly when im 50yrs old, but you only live once right!!
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Dave

2.2 Normal BRBs
2.1 Anery BRB
4.4 66% poss het anery BRB
2.5 66% poss het new european line hypo
1.1 het hypo BRB

In the mail from the states
1.1 something special BRB

aims to work out what all my 66% hets really are, and then go from there. Sky the limit, well maybe

i dont think i will be walking properly when im 50yrs old, but you only live once right!!

you'll be fine as long as you dont stop running, because thats when the problems start....

i read an article about the man who organizes the Boston marathon, he doesnt run during because he is to busy but every year the day after he does it backwards finish to start. now i know thats not all that impressive there are people who run many marathons every year. but a month after that on his birthday, he runs his age in miles. just turned 54 so the 54 miles, if i am doing my conversion right a marathon 26.3 mile is 43-44 K i think so 54 would be 90K.

anyways what im getting at is age is irrelevant, there are people that run triathlons in their 70s and 80!!
-----
-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

Dave,
...That is way impressive.
Jeff

>>cheers saagbay, have put the pic of some race i did in italy last year. Not the best pic, but it 0330am here, and i couldnt really be bothered going thru the computer to find something better.
>>long story short
>>3 individual disciplines
>>sprint - 12min winning time, approx 3.5km
>>middle distance 35mins 5-8km depending on terrain
>>classic distance 90mins, 14-20km depending on terrain
>>
>>you havent seen the map before, you pick it up on start line, then procedd around the course, getting the controls in the number order, but the way you get between each control, is up to you. Start interval is 2mins, so you got someone starting in front and behind of you. fastest elapsed time wins.
>>
>>There is some prize money at the right races, but much more if you were road running. Basically you i run for my country at worlds etc, then a club here for locals and relays. Clubs look after you well, when in sweden, i didnt pay rent, i got given a car, and all racing is paid for. So anything earned from races or sponsors is pretty much living money
>>
>>Its let me travel the world, raced in maybe 45 countries. And yes ive put down a few kms in the last 10yrs, i dont think i will be walking properly when im 50yrs old, but you only live once right!!
>>-----
>>Dave
>>
>>2.2 Normal BRBs
>>2.1 Anery BRB
>>4.4 66% poss het anery BRB
>>2.5 66% poss het new european line hypo
>>1.1 het hypo BRB
>>
>>In the mail from the states
>>1.1 something special BRB
>>
>>aims to work out what all my 66% hets really are, and then go from there. Sky the limit, well maybe

cheers jeff, but right back at you
You drive a sports car, collect guns
Flew helicopters for a living, and have one bad arse moustache
-----
Dave

2.2 Normal BRBs
2.1 Anery BRB
4.4 66% poss het anery BRB
2.5 66% poss het new european line hypo
1.1 het hypo BRB

In the mail from the states
1.1 something special BRB

aims to work out what all my 66% hets really are, and then go from there. Sky the limit, well maybe

Wow Dave, that's awesome! Great picture too.
-----
Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

Hey Dave, Thanks, I did this about a year ago and was a big hit so I figured I'd try it again as forum members come and go. Us older regulars don't know the newer ones and the newer ones don't know anyone. Beyond the normal forum stuff that is. This gives everyone a chance to go as OT as they want, with pics etc. And for the rest of us to get to know the others better.

Yeah, you're good and addicted!!!!!

Wow, 120 miles a week.....even at a good pace that's a couple of hours every day. So do people doing the orienteering take different routes? Some sticking to trails while others take a straight line approach?
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I, also, think this is a great idea. As someone who’s really pretty new to the forums, it will be great to learn more about y’all.

My name is Chris Dohna, I’m 21, and about to begin my last year at the University of California, San Diego.

I’ve already finished the classes I need for a BA in Philosophy, and am hanging around to sort out what I want to do, finish a Political Theory minor, and write an honors thesis.

I’ve been the chief editor of a philosophy research journal, Intuitions, for 2 years. That job basically entails organizing, advertising, writing the non-research-parts, hiring peer reviewers, reviewing, and editing the academic publication.

Now that I have found philosophy, I really can’t imagine doing anything else in school. I specialize in ethics, and particularly enjoy the traditions of existentialism, Buddhism, and the metaphysics of quality. Some of my earlier views can be found as half the subject of a cover story in the San Diego Reader: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2007/jun/14/philosophy-majors-sit-around-and-think-about-thing/

Currently I’m trying to use a lot of the ideas in those systems to develop a “radical ethicism”, which would use ethical concerns and intuitions first to then know about metaphysics (does god exist? What is real? etc.), to re-define what counts as reasons for something, and to re-define what we ought to want from an ethical society. I’m also, as you probably could have guessed by now, “president” of the UCSD philosophy club.

I also just started working part time with the California Student Opportunity and Access Program as a College Peer Advisor, which basically means I work in “traditionally underprivileged” area high schools, and help kids decide what higher education path is best for them, help them do the academics to be qualified, apply to college, select a college, and get financial assistance to pay for college.

I love teaching, and think it’s got to be part of my future. Plan A right now is to apply to the Teach For America (http://www.teachforamerica.org/) program, which sends new college grads to areas that need teachers and sets them up with a 2 year teaching assignment. Going back for grad school to become a professor is definitely appealing.

I’ve been born and raised exclusively in San Diego county, and now live on Mission Bay.

It’s the best city on earth. Hobbies include some landscape art photography (website: cdohna.googlepages.com) and a little bit of road cycling.

My first snake was a wild caught San Diego gopher snake that dad caught in the backyard when I was just 9. He’s now 12.
Max

Only last year I decided to add a second, an albino banded Cal King.
Manny

Earlier this year I decided I wanted to move into some boid species, and I got my BRB.
Mucalinda

At NARBC Anaheim, I picked up my first python, a normal not-het-for-anything BP.
Maya

I already know I’m probably going to pick up something at the LA super show in January. For me, my animals are just pets, though I’ve already had a roommate volunteer to provide some investment capital to make breeding work…

But I think that's it for now. Thanks for looking. Here's one of me:

It's been great learning more about some of us do with the rest of our time. thanks again dave!
-----
-Chris
cdohna.googlepages.com
1.0.0 WC SD Gopher Snake, Max
1.0.0 CB Albino Banded Cal King, Manny
0.1.0 CB BRB, Mucalinda
0.1.0 CB BP, Maya

I hate to respond to my own message, but it dawned on me as soon as i posted that the most relevant pictoral feature of UCSD was left out: the snake path! It's an art piece installed in 1992 outside the library. So, what kind of snake do we think it is?

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-Chris
cdohna.googlepages.com
1.0.0 WC SD Gopher Snake, Max
1.0.0 CB Albino Banded Cal King, Manny
0.1.0 CB BRB, Mucalinda
0.1.0 CB BP, Maya

a bloody big one, thats what it is!!
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Dave

2.2 Normal BRBs
2.1 Anery BRB
4.4 66% poss het anery BRB
2.5 66% poss het new european line hypo
1.1 het hypo BRB

In the mail from the states
1.1 something special BRB

aims to work out what all my 66% hets really are, and then go from there. Sky the limit, well maybe

it was a snake!!
I go to UCSD too (we should go have a beer sometime at the pub).
I've walked that path a hundred times, and I never knew it was a snake... LOL!! AWESOME
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7.22 BRB
10.20 BCI
1.1 Mandarin Rat Snakes
0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa
0.2 Corn Snakes
2.8 Leopard Geckos

LOL!!! Just goes to show ya, even he man made, non live, ones are good at hiding???
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I guess so!
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7.22 BRB
10.20 BCI
1.1 Mandarin Rat Snakes
0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa
0.2 Corn Snakes
2.8 Leopard Geckos

Really?? And they say college students have their heads stuck in the clouds...

And a drink at the pub sounds great! KS message or cdohna@ucsd.edu are both acceptable. I'll be on campus every MWF, and maybe T/T in the late afternoons/evenings.
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-Chris
cdohna.googlepages.com
1.0.0 WC SD Gopher Snake, Max
1.0.0 CB Albino Banded Cal King, Manny
0.1.0 CB BRB, Mucalinda
0.1.0 CB BP, Maya

WOW, great photos! That building is awesome, and you know I LOVE the snake sidewalk. Hmmm... maybe I should do that on my driveway for a future house.... you know, when I'm rich, lol!

When I first saw it I wanted to say it is a Prairie Kingsnake. I found a picture online and it looks similar. Here is the picture I found:

Do you know what it is?
-----
Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

prairie KS is definitely the best candidate i've seen so far. Maybe I'll move it over to the What Kind? forum and let those guys have a chance at it.
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-Chris
cdohna.googlepages.com
1.0.0 WC SD Gopher Snake, Max
1.0.0 CB Albino Banded Cal King, Manny
0.1.0 CB BRB, Mucalinda
0.1.0 CB BP, Maya

Road biking eh? I've been doing that for a few years myself, mostly commuting, with the occasional recreational ride thrown in. I don't have an extra fancy bike or anything ('04 Trek 1200, decent basic bike), but I have a good time with it. For the longest time I didn't believe in spandex, but then I tried a pair of bike shorts, and man does that make a nice difference, comfort-wise. I was surprised at how much I notice the aero advantage too, especially combined with a form-fitting jersey. One of these years I'll have money to upgrade a bunch of things, buy clipless pedals, etc, but for now it stays pretty basic unless something breaks, and when that happens, well, it doesn't make sense *not* to upgrade, now does it?

As far as snakes go, I don't currently have any, but will probably get a BRB within the next year or so when/if my GF and I can move out of our apartment and into a house. Currently we've got a leopard gecko and a crested gecko, and while she's a bit cautious about the whole snake thing, I think the thread about the mother BRBs trying to make stillborn babies be alive may have pushed her over the edge by making them look like caring animals - thanks guys!

As far as what I do goes, I'm currently underemployed for my skillset, working an overnight shift at Target. I've got a computer science background and hope to be employed in that field eventually.
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

I think every new road-biker goes through a transition period. It begins with, "spandex? are you kidding? those look ridiculous!" This is, of course, true. Especially if you're not already in road-biking shape. But then the more time you spend on the bike, the more you begin to identify as a road biker. Eventually you try some. At that point, you may feel a little embarrassed, but you'll never go back. My theory is that the spandex is a decision to sort of share in mutual slight embarrassment to signal to others your commitment to being a real roadie, and to be allowed into the club you've surely spent umpteen dollars on the equipment for. it would be a waste, otherwise.

I've been really lazy about the road biking all summer. I need to do more of it. I got into it as a fun way of getting healthier after i quit competitively throwing discus and shotput, as that doesn't give you the best body type, especially after you've stopped the heavy lifting. Laziness is an issue for some of us.

Those of us that have BRB of course encourage it. Mine is only a 2008, and is already, I must say, the calmest of my 4. She's great. So good luck with the convincing. If not, someone who I'm sure is a philosopher reminds us: "It is always easier to get forgiveness than permission."
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-Chris
cdohna.googlepages.com
1.0.0 WC SD Gopher Snake, Max
1.0.0 CB Albino Banded Cal King, Manny
0.1.0 CB BRB, Mucalinda
0.1.0 CB BP, Maya

i here ya there i have 1 pair of shorts and two shirts, thats only because i happened to find a really good sale one time i actually had money for it. last summer i did awesome on my treck 1500, but this year i have been doing more mountain biking so i have only been on my road bike a few time, but i so ride to work every friday. but yes i fit in the category of not getting near as many miles as i would like to this summer
-----
-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

Likewise - so far I've only got the one pair of Castelli shorts, cause I found them on clearance, and one jersey I got as a result of raising money in Tour de Cure (a diabetes benefit ride). I will definitely get more as funds allow going forward - washing shorts after every ride isn't really a great option, so I end up not always wearing them, and as a result, sometimes I've got a sore butt. (For anyone reading this part of the thread who's not in the know about bike shorts, they're designed to be worn w/o underwear, so, wearing them more than once is essentially equivalent to re-wearing sweaty underwear - ick!)

I almost bought a 1500 myself, but at the time I couldn't justify the price difference to myself - if I remember right, it was about $200 more and it didn't really feel much different to ride, at least over the short distance I got to do a test ride. I think it had one step up in components on the rear end and some nicer, lighter wheels; basically the components I'm likely to put on mine when I eventually wear the stock ones out. I think when I eventually have to buy a whole new bike (hopefully not for a long time), I'm going to ask if it's possible to go on a bit longer test ride to really get a feel for it. Might be hard to get them to let me do 10 or 15 miles as a test though. I guess it'd take knowing the sales staff really well so that they trust you.

It's funny, my sig on another board I frequent says "Mountain bikes are for slow people!" Of course, I have nothing but respect for the people who do off road, downhill, etc, but the ones who ride MTBs on roads and paved trails just seems silly, noisy, and slow to me - I've yet to meet one I haven't passed.

Anyway, good riding to both of you - may you see and be seen by all the people driving cars.
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

It's funny, my sig on another board I frequent says "Mountain bikes are for slow people!" Of course, I have nothing but respect for the people who do off road, downhill, etc, but the ones who ride MTBs on roads and paved trails just seems silly, noisy, and slow to me - I've yet to meet one I haven't passed.

its funny you say that because the mountain bike i have now i have had since i was 14 years old maybe and i used to ride that everywhere!! i didnt know any trails to go on so it was all road... that was untill i got my 1500 two or three years ago and WOW what a difference, but even back then i did a fourth of july 3 mile race on a knobby tire mountain bike i was wearing denim shorts and a baggy tee.. lol it was great i came in 4th place over all and first by a long shot for my age group. the first 3 guy where the road bike with the shorts and jerseys and i was right behind them lol
-----
-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

The biking discussion is interesting but please no butts in spandex photos.

>>It's funny, my sig on another board I frequent says "Mountain bikes are for slow people!" Of course, I have nothing but respect for the people who do off road, downhill, etc, but the ones who ride MTBs on roads and paved trails just seems silly, noisy, and slow to me - I've yet to meet one I haven't passed.
>>
>>
>>
>>its funny you say that because the mountain bike i have now i have had since i was 14 years old maybe and i used to ride that everywhere!! i didnt know any trails to go on so it was all road... that was untill i got my 1500 two or three years ago and WOW what a difference, but even back then i did a fourth of july 3 mile race on a knobby tire mountain bike i was wearing denim shorts and a baggy tee.. lol it was great i came in 4th place over all and first by a long shot for my age group. the first 3 guy where the road bike with the shorts and jerseys and i was right behind them lol
>>-----
>>-Stephen-
>>-Step-
>>-Steve Lightning-
>>
>>0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
>>1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
>>1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
>>1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
>>0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
>>0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)
>>
>>hopeful for not to distant future:
>>--Brazilian rainbow boas
>> 2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
>>-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

>>The biking discussion is interesting but please no butts in spandex photos.
>>

Hey now, my butt looks good in spandex. Lucky for you, I don't have any photos at the moment, though.
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

Impressive finish there, even considering the relatively short distance. I've yet to see someone on a mountain bike who can keep up with me on a road bike even over a short distance, especially if I'm pushing hard, and I'm not exactly an amazing physical specimen. You must have been in really good shape and/or had a lot of adrenaline going to do that.

The reason I ended up getting a road bike is that during my commute to work on my old mountain bike that I'd had since I was 15, I actually managed to break its frame. One too many impacts on some of the rough surfaces we have in the Twin Cities area, or just a weak point that finally went I guess. Thankfully, Trek has a lifetime frame warranty and at least gave me a credit toward a new bike. Of course, the new bike was more than 4x the value of the credit, but at least it was something.

Like you, I noticed a HUGE difference. At the time, I was commuting 13 miles (one way, so 26/day) to work, and it dropped my average time by 10-15 minutes in each direction. It was amazing for me.
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

Hey Chris, as always, welcome to the forum!! AS you and most all figure out, this is an awesome forum, flaming is quite frowned on. And not so picky about sticking on topic.

Wow, love your landscape work, great shots!!!!

So, as a philosophy major.....

If a man speaks in the forest,
and there is no woman to hear him,
Is he still wrong?
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Thanks a lot. I'd like to shoot more, but with full-time school, 2 part-time jobs, running philosophy club, and doting on 4 snakes, there's less time for it these days.

If a man speaks in a forest, and there is no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong? Well, that depends...

The Pyrhonian Skeptic will say theres no way of knowing anything, ever, not even that there's no way of...

The Moral Intellectualist will say that as long as the man attempts to be right, he is doing the best he can.

The Idealist will say that the man and woman as minds are real, but of course the forest between them is not, so of course he's still wrong.

The Rationalist will say that the man is wrong in virtue of the fact that he didn't flawlessly reason from the only solid fundamental axiom, that he exists.

The Empiricist will say that we need much more than one instance to generalize from before we can even think about asserting that the man might be right.

The Transcendental Idealist will say that though the man may appear right, and the forest may appear real, their true natures cannot be known at all.

The Hegel-ian will assert that, through the fundamental truth of dialectic, the man and the woman are both right and both wrong.

The Schopenhauer-ian will argue that there's just no reason for the man or woman to have any will to live.

The Nietzsche-ian will scream something incoherent, but roughly including the murdering of man, woman, and god with a rusty hammer.

The Solipsist will ask, how can a man ever be sure he's speaking in a forest? how can he know the forest and women aren't just presented to his mind?

The Objectivist will say that all that matters is that the man act as if he is right, forgetting of any concerns regarding others.

The Heidegger-an will just keep asking about what it is *to be*.

The French Critical Theorist will point out that Americans are trapped in an endless cycle of bad marital relations, and consumerism, and materialism, and vanity, and...

And finally, the Existentialist will say that there is no Truth, only truths, and that all that matters is that alone in the forest, that man has asserted his freedom (from woman).
-----
-Chris
cdohna.googlepages.com
1.0.0 WC SD Gopher Snake, Max
1.0.0 CB Albino Banded Cal King, Manny
0.1.0 CB BRB, Mucalinda
0.1.0 CB BP, Maya

And last, but by no means least.....

The philosophy student will deflect answering the actual question with the quotes and philosophies of others.

Sorry I just could not resist

>>Thanks a lot. I'd like to shoot more, but with full-time school, 2 part-time jobs, running philosophy club, and doting on 4 snakes, there's less time for it these days.
>>
>>If a man speaks in a forest, and there is no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong? Well, that depends...
>>
>>The Pyrhonian Skeptic will say theres no way of knowing anything, ever, not even that there's no way of...
>>
>>The Moral Intellectualist will say that as long as the man attempts to be right, he is doing the best he can.
>>
>>The Idealist will say that the man and woman as minds are real, but of course the forest between them is not, so of course he's still wrong.
>>
>>The Rationalist will say that the man is wrong in virtue of the fact that he didn't flawlessly reason from the only solid fundamental axiom, that he exists.
>>
>>The Empiricist will say that we need much more than one instance to generalize from before we can even think about asserting that the man might be right.
>>
>>The Transcendental Idealist will say that though the man may appear right, and the forest may appear real, their true natures cannot be known at all.
>>
>>The Hegel-ian will assert that, through the fundamental truth of dialectic, the man and the woman are both right and both wrong.
>>
>>The Schopenhauer-ian will argue that there's just no reason for the man or woman to have any will to live.
>>
>>The Nietzsche-ian will scream something incoherent, but roughly including the murdering of man, woman, and god with a rusty hammer.
>>
>>The Solipsist will ask, how can a man ever be sure he's speaking in a forest? how can he know the forest and women aren't just presented to his mind?
>>
>>The Objectivist will say that all that matters is that the man act as if he is right, forgetting of any concerns regarding others.
>>
>>The Heidegger-an will just keep asking about what it is *to be*.
>>
>>The French Critical Theorist will point out that Americans are trapped in an endless cycle of bad marital relations, and consumerism, and materialism, and vanity, and...
>>
>>And finally, the Existentialist will say that there is no Truth, only truths, and that all that matters is that alone in the forest, that man has asserted his freedom (from woman).
>>-----
>>-Chris
>>cdohna.googlepages.com
>>1.0.0 WC SD Gopher Snake, Max
>>1.0.0 CB Albino Banded Cal King, Manny
>>0.1.0 CB BRB, Mucalinda
>>0.1.0 CB BP, Maya
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Answer? Come on now, everyone knows philosophers don't provide *answers*...

deflect? I was going for a little bit of funny... oh well. As someone who likes Existentialism, I'm with the last one. But as an ethicist, it seems clear that it's probably best for everyone to say the answer's just "yes."

Clearly, there is work yet to be done.
-----
-Chris
cdohna.googlepages.com
1.0.0 WC SD Gopher Snake, Max
1.0.0 CB Albino Banded Cal King, Manny
0.1.0 CB BRB, Mucalinda
0.1.0 CB BP, Maya

i also will fall into that

i am Stephen Anthony Agbay, born and raised just outside of Worcester Massachusetts. i am the youngest of three boys all 2 year apart, literally Tony and Brian where to the day. as a kid i was always getting lost, usually out in the woods where i would disappear for hours quite often climbing up in a tree and taking a nap.

my first snake was a big w/c garter named Killer, after keeping him for a while the collection quickly grew to several garter snake and one w/c milk. this lasted for quite a while then one x-mass my brother brian got a ball python which he appropriately named Montie. and the following x-mas i received my first corn snake. from there the collection was up and down at one point i was up to 3 corns and brian and i had 7 snakes total (which back then was alot but looking back now isnt all that impressive lol)

last year i move out here to Albuquerque to be with the love of my like Desiree Page. we met over the internet about 7 years ago and took us 5 years before we finally decided to pick up the phone... several HUNDRED $ worth of phone bills later i got on a plane... 9 trips back and forth between us and one year later i packed up and we made the drive across the country together.

as far as hobbies i love being outside, sports include running, biking (road and mountain) disc golf, tennis, hiking, even better than all of that is doing all of that with my better half!! i also am a big fan of music, i drum a bit.

two weeks ago Des and I went hiking in the mountains right here in ABQ it turned into a 9.5 mile hike with an altitude gain of 4,000 feet

im not going to bother posting the pictures but if any one cares to look, there are some that came out really nice!! let me know what you think s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii160/saagbay/august hike/
-----
-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

Thanks fo sharing your story, Stephen. That picture of you guys is great. Makes you look like you are standing on a cloud way high up!
-----
Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

Hey Step, Glad you posted.

LOL, so that's your Desiree Lynn?

Here's mine....

(she hates getting her picture taken)
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

lol yes that is my Desiree Lynn aka Babe, thats too funny
-----
-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

Lucy Rat snake!!!
-----
=========================================================
Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
=========================================================
Thanks,

I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

... any Balls? Pet rocks, that is.

>>Lucy Rat snake!!!
>>-----
>>=========================================================
>> Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
>>=========================================================
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Frank Roberts
>>
>>
>>
>>I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

>>... any Balls? Pet rocks, that is.
>>
>>
>>>>Lucy Rat snake!!!
>>>>-----
>>>>=========================================================
>>>> Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
>>>>=========================================================
>>>>Thanks,
>>>>
>>>>Frank Roberts
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.
-----
=========================================================
Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
=========================================================
Thanks,

I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

-----
Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

>>
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

>>>>
>>-----
>>Thanks,
>>
>>
>>Dave Colling
>>
>>www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com
>>
>>
>>
>>0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
>>0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)
>>
>>LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
>>26.49 BRB
>>20.21 BCI
>>And those are only the breeders
>>
>>lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats
-----
=========================================================
Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
=========================================================
Thanks,

I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

I am 55 years old. I was born on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana but moved to central Florida by the time I was 5. In 1964 my brother caught an Eastern Garter Snake which had babies for us. I have been fascinated with snakes and have been hunting and keeping and breeding them every since. Central Florida in the 60s was one of the best places on earth to hunt snakes. My brother and I caught and sold and traded a bunch of them. Our best year was 1969 when we caught just over a thousand snakes. We also bred several different colubrids. In 1965 we hatched Yellow Ratsnakes and Black Racers and added Cornsnake breedings a year later. I was still breeding Kingsnakes and Cornsnakes on and off through the early 80s. We got our first Boas and Pythons around 1966. We got our first Rainbow Boa a Colombian in 1969. I saw Brazilian Rainbow Boas at about the same time and always wanted some of them.
...I joined the army in 1972 and flew helicopters. Most of my time was in CH47 Chinooks. I found these two PICs of what I liked doing most in Chinooks which was hauling sling loads.


Much of my time in the army I was too busy traveling to keep many snakes. I did get to hunt in some interesting places though. I have seen a lot of the world and still love to travel. In the late 80s I started keeping Burms and bred them a little. I caught another Colombian Rainbow Boa in Panama in 1989 before Just Cause and I still have it. I got rid of the Burms when I went to Desert Storm. I started building a collection of Rainbow Boas and Surinam and Guyana Redtail Boas after I came home in 1991. I retired from the army in 1993. I produced litters of Rainbow Boas of three different subspecies a few months later. I had no success with the Bcc though I did produce slugs and stillborns a couple times. With the success breeding Rainbows I traded all the Bcc for more Rainbow Boas. I worked with and bred Irian Jaya and Jungle Carpets during the mid to late 90s. I used to go to quite a few shows around the southeast but now only visit a few of them. I have had a table at the Orlando/Daytona Expo since 1993. Some of you may have seen me there. I currently keep 6 different subspecies of Rainbow Boas and dabble in Surinam Redtails.
...I went back to college after I retired from the army and I now work one night a week as a nurse on an orthopedics floor in a level one trauma center. I have been married to Karen for 37 years

Karen teaches school and wants to work a few more years before retiring. I am ready to retire now but keep working parttime just to keep Karen happy. I may go ahead and retire first and send her postcards from my travels. We have two married daughters and one granddaughter Catherine

...My other interests are fast cars and kayaks. This is my ZO6. I am keeping the mileage off of it as much as possible and my daughters will have to take the keys away from me 30 years from now.

We mostly use the kayaks in salt water along the Georgia coastline but this PIC was taken of Karen and I at Itchetucknee Springs in Florida. My yellow kayak is a Necky Elaho and Karen's blue one is a P&H Capella. I love to play in the surf in my kayak.

We also hike as much as we can and spend a week or two every summer in the mountains. Over the years I have gotten into and then out of hunting and offshore fishing. I loved both pasttimes but they were taking too much of my time away from snakes. I am very interested in knives and firearms and I collect Randall knives and old west style guns.


Jeff Clark
Savannah, GA
Oh, this is my buddy MacTavish

Very cool story, Jeff. I love all the pictures you added! Those Chinooks are such awesome machines. Apparently we had 3 or 4 of them come all at once to where I work last month, but I wasn't working then... shucks! We did have a big ol' CH-53 come in too, I got to see that one at least... BIG helicopter!
-----
Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

Jeff,

Your granddaughter is cute as a button. My wife and I wanted a daughter, but that obviously didn't work out. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to have a granddaughter in the future.

Very nice Corvette! I really like the C2's ('63-'67) as well, but by the time I became interested in them, the prices were way higher than I would be willing to pay.

If you like fishing, you should try local ponds using ultralight tackle. It's so much less hassle and much less time consuming than the offshore thing. Granted, you won't catch a 400 lb. tuna or a giant marlin, but that carp my son caught was over 20 lbs., and he battled it for a good 20 minutes on 8 lb. test. And catching largemouth bass is a ton of fun on tiny tackle.

Thanks,
Ed

Must be really fun to fly such a huge piece of machinery - way cool!!!
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I'm Christy Melton and turned 25 in July.
I've loved snakes ever since I was a kid too. My mom was into horses and we'd be riding on a trail and I'd jump off the horse and go running off into the woods. My mom says I'd catch up a few minutes later waving some reptile in my hands. She HATED reptiles, so I never got to keep one. I finally got one in college, a corn snake, over 7 years ago and had to hide her in the closet because pets were not allowed. I still have her and lover her to pieces, and the collection has been growing ever since. I'm hoping to have my first litter in the spring. My favorites are BRBs and BCIs, but I have a few colubrids too.

Who I am outside the snake world is multifaceted to say the least. My day job is a PhD student at UCSD (with Chris apparently). I've been at it a year and finished my masters and am starting my thesis research next week... and I'm really stressed about it!! I'm an organic chemist that works on drug discovery/delivery methods. But I'm an all around Nerd that really likes anything biology or chemistry related, especially genetics!

Through TAing, I've also found that I love teaching. I seem to have a knack for infecting my students with my enthusiasm for blowing things up in the lab, or at least lighting things on fire... LOL! But in all seriousness, it's extremely rewarding.

I moved to San Diego from Chicago a year ago and will never move back! I learned how to snowboard early last winter and LOVE IT!! For the first time in my life, I can't wait for winter!!

I ride a motorcycle too (yea Aubrey)!
I also used to breed rex rabbits (like Dave) as a kid for a few years before breeding mini rexes for several years, until college.

I DJ Drum n Bass and used to be a rave promoter back in Chicago, before grad school. I'm still very much into electronic music!

I love to dance, I've been taught everything from Ballet to Exotic!!

I love anything... ANYTHING outdoors. Hiking, camping, rock climbing, kayaking... ANYTHING!!

I've been dating my boyfriend for 3 years... he's great!! He moved with me from Chicago to San Diego and has been very... tolerant... of my snakes. He helps me feed and clean and poke and prod. We recently bought our first house in Linda Vista (suburb of San Diego), and it's an older house with all the inherent problems that go along with it, but it's 4br, 2ba, and has a pool and a fireplace and is way nicer than we thought we could afford, so we are grudgingly fixing it up. Eventually it will be my dream house... some day

I guess it's amazing how much you can have in common with people you don't know that much about!! Good call on the roll call!

Sorry I don't have any good pics of myself doing awesome things, I should take more, but here's a pic of just plain ole me! If you ever see me at a reptile show... or around campus... say hi!

-----
7.22 BRB
10.20 BCI
1.1 Mandarin Rat Snakes
0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa
0.2 Corn Snakes
2.8 Leopard Geckos

Very cool Christy. Yeah motorcycles! Congrats on buying your first house! That is quite an achievement. I would love to have my own house someday, but it doesn't look to be in my near future. Hey, perhaps we'll run into each other at a show sometime!
-----
Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

Hey Christy, Thanks for replying.

Yeah, it is funny how many of us have so much in common and DUH, the love of the outdoors is probably the biggest common thread we all seem to share!!!
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Well, not that two guys OLDER than me posted their bios, I feel a little more comfortable posting mine. :0

Born: Bronx, NY in 1965
Moved to: New Jersey in 1970

Grew up in central New Jersey. Always had some type of reptile/amphibian in the house, including garter snakes, painted turtles, snapping turtles, armadillo lizards, anoles, frogs, etc.

I escaped NJ to attend college at Florida Tech in 1983 to get my BS in Computer Engineering. Melbourne, Florida was like a tropical paradise for me, with all the herps and the great variety of fishing spots. I frequently caught corn snakes and rat snakes, and was fortunate enough to find a few gopher tortoises down in the W. Palm Beach area. I probably would have stayed in Florida after graduating, but the job market was non-existent after the shuttle exploded in '86. I ended up getting my first real job in Raleigh, NC, where I met my wife Suzi, and we've been in the area ever since. We've been married for 16 years, and it's been a great ride so far. We have three sons, you can probably guess their names. Right now they are the focus of our lives. I'd tell you about them but I'd never stop talking... Oh, and I somehow managed to get an MBA a couple years ago, although it hasn't done much for my career. I'm still a software engineer trying to keep afloat in the crazy world of high tech.

I have two snakes, an eastern Indigo and an Argentinian Rainbow Boa. Sometimes I wish I were in the position to get more, but I'm realizing that having less snakes allows me to observe and interact more with the the individuals that I have, as well as provide them with a more natural habitat. WE also have a 140 lb. St. Bernard and a B/W cat named Felix. My other major hobby is collecting fossils, mainly shark teeth. Besides being a wannabe herpetologist and paleontologist, I enjoy fishing, playing baseball/softball, running (not 120 miles/week, though, just enough to keep the belly down), weightlifting, martial arts, etc. ( Right now I can't do anything except run since I injured my shoulder, though. Surgery is scheduled for next week.) I would also like to learn more about photography since I would like to take nature/wildlife pictures.

Here are some random pics...

Some pet turtles that I found on vacation in Central Park, first on is a black-head phase:

This one is a red-head phase:

Trying to teach my youngest to look mean on the subway so no one would mess with us. I think the touristy CSI hat ruined the vibe, though..

One of my nicer fossil megalodon shark teeth...

My oldest son with a huge carp he recently. My dad, who miraculously survived a dissecting aorta about 12 years ago, still likes to fish and horn in on the photos of other peoples'
catches

hey ed great pictures

what do you do for running and martial arts?
-----
-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

Thanks Stephen. My running is more like joggin these days. I recently was able to complete the 2 mile lap around my neighborhood lake without dying/stopping. Regarding martial arts, I've taken judo/juitjitsu and hapkido. Had to stop for several reasons, but I'd like to get back into it soon.

Thanks,
Ed

>>hey ed great pictures
>>
>>what do you do for running and martial arts?
>>-----
>>-Stephen-
>>-Step-
>>-Steve Lightning-
>>
>>0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
>>1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
>>1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
>>1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
>>0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
>>0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)
>>
>>hopeful for not to distant future:
>>--Brazilian rainbow boas
>> 2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
>>-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

thats cool yeah i claim to be a runner myself but its more like jogging, i did cross country back in high school and it was a blast!! just about came in last every race but i didnt care it was fun. ive been on and off ever since, im not in the best shape ive ever been in right now but Desiree and I just signed up for a 5K so that should give us some motivation.

martial arts is great for so many reasons i have an uncle who runs his own studio and i was taking Wing Chung for a while till i moved here, and just cant wait to get back into it!
-----
-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

I can relate! I ran CC in high school, it was one of the few high school activities of which I have some memories. The problem I have now is that my mind still thinks I'm 18, but my body completely disagrees.

Good luck with the Wing Chung. Is that more of a Karate style?

Thanks,
Ed

>>thats cool yeah i claim to be a runner myself but its more like jogging, i did cross country back in high school and it was a blast!! just about came in last every race but i didnt care it was fun. ive been on and off ever since, im not in the best shape ive ever been in right now but Desiree and I just signed up for a 5K so that should give us some motivation.
>>
>>martial arts is great for so many reasons i have an uncle who runs his own studio and i was taking Wing Chung for a while till i moved here, and just cant wait to get back into it!
>>-----
>>-Stephen-
>>-Step-
>>-Steve Lightning-
>>
>>0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
>>1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
>>1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
>>1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
>>0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
>>0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)
>>
>>hopeful for not to distant future:
>>--Brazilian rainbow boas
>> 2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
>>-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

Wing Chun Gong FU, it more like kung fu or tie chi in that the wole idea is to stay lose. it has to to with folding and unfolding, there are meditative forms. one of the exercises is called Chi Sao (sticky hands) its where you stand face to face with a partner with your hands up touching thiers one on the inside one out. and the point of this is to learn to react by feel, and you still throw punches but instead of out right blocking its more of a redirect, and the object in to get in on the opponent or take their balance. its really cool stuff ive done this with my uncle many time and he shows me small subtle slight movement every time he got in on me its amazing what a half degree turn of the wrist can do lol. and the other thing with that after a while he said okay now see how you did there i want you to do it again but with your eyes closed.... i swear your eyes only fool you and make things confusing, i did a hundred times better going of of touch with my eyes closed!
-----
-Stephen-
-Step-
-Steve Lightning-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

Who you calling "older" I ought to get up outa my wheelchair and whack you with my cane. You insolent young whippersnapper!!

Cool bio and good luck with your shoulder surgery, what are they gonna do?
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Thanks Dave.

After reading all the bios of these twenty-somethings, I don't feel like a whippersnapper anymore. But it's nice to see some fellow geezers who are still young at heart. That's what got me in trouble with my shoulder, though, I attempted to gun down someone at home plate AT A COMPANY PICNIC SOFTBALL game. Threw a perfect strike, too, but the catcher (a guy from India who never saw a softball in his life) didn't know to tag the runner. So the runner was safe. More unfortunately, my labrum (or at least some of it) detached. So the technical term for my surgery is "Arthroscopic labral debridement". I think that simply means that the loose cartilage will be removed. Next year I will suggest shuffleboard for the company picnic activity.

Thanks for asking.

Thanks,
Ed

>>Who you calling "older" I ought to get up outa my wheelchair and whack you with my cane. You insolent young whippersnapper!!
>>
>>Cool bio and good luck with your shoulder surgery, what are they gonna do?
>>-----
>>Thanks,
>>
>>
>>Dave Colling
>>
>>www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com
>>
>>
>>
>>0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
>>0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)
>>
>>LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
>>26.49 BRB
>>20.21 BCI
>>And those are only the breeders
>>
>>lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

LOL, company picnic, why does that tend to bring out the competitor in some of us? Several years back I was at a company picnic, playing a friendly game of sand volleyball. Co-worker had to charge on top of me to get the ball that was coming right at me. stepped on my foot, pinkie toe to be exact. My foot went one way and my pinkie toe stayed. Was pretty ugly, toe sticking sideways off my foot. Duh, broken, duh, nothing to be done except lash it down to the next one over. Was leaving the next day for a week long camping and boating trip. Dang it hurt to put my ski on of course I still ski'd, several times. Worse part is the $%$#@$# never would admit any fault, not even that he was involved at all. I did it all by myself.
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Dave started a similar thread over on the Boa forum and except for participation by a couple of people it did not go far. There do seem to be a lot of new people there and so I would have thought they would have jumped in and participated. Over the years there have been many people who posted regularly there for awhile and then moved on. The place does not seem particularly unfriendly but more like they do not make the extra effort to make the forum work. If there are any lurkers who have not posted to this thread for any reason whatsoever I would like for them to at least PM one of us and let us know what we can do to make this forum even better.
Jeff

>>Thought it was about time for another roll call, who are you what do you want to tell us about yourself etc.
>>
>>I'm Dave Colling
>>
>>Like most of us, been catching and checking out critters since I was a kid. Now pushing 48 years old and still a kid at heart catching and playing with critters
>>
>>Lived in sunny California since I was 9. Moved to San Jose 25 years ago to work for IBM and have been here ever since.
>>
>>Met my wife, Desiree, 22 years ago, literally ran into each other in a hallway at work. Exactly 2 years later we were married. Seriously the love of my life and the best thing that ever happened to me. Most if not all the high points in my life are either directly related to our relationship or at least well supported by it.
>>
>>We have two daughters:
>>Andrea is almost 17, a senior in high school and my animal lover. She helps me quite a bit taking care of the snakes. She's vegetarian so won't help or have anything to do with feeding but will and does help with cage cleaning.
>>
>>Jessica is 14, a Sophomore in high school is not so much into animals but is quite the social butterfly. Always has some activity or another going on. Now she's doing color guard, part of the high school marching band, the group with the flags. Lol, she's in marching band and her instrument is the flag!!
>>
>>
>>My first captive snake was a WC gopher snake about 22 years ago. I caught many snakes as a kid but mom would not let me keep them.
>>
>>Like many of us, one leads to another lol, I got my first BRB in 1988, yeah, 20 years ago!! And been adding to that collection ever since.
>>
>>
>>My other hobbies include....
>>
>>Woodworking - made many of my own cages and have even made new cabinets for our Kitchen. My father in-law being a cabinet maker by trade didn't hurt but even he will tell you, I did this mostly on my own. Kinda fun to see him showing off my cabinets when we have people over. He and I are like two peas in a pod.
>>
>>Snow skiing - started skiing in high school (way before snow boards were invented) and still go every year.
>>
>>Water skiing - Started water-skiing around 20ish years ago and took right to it. Not a huge difference from snow skiing (other than the water is much warmer) and that has evolved into water-skiing without actual skis!! I still slalom but now do a lot of barefoot skiing.
>>
>>Here's a pic of me "walking on water"
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----
>>Thanks,
>>
>>
>>Dave Colling
>>
>>www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com
>>
>>
>>
>>0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
>>0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)
>>
>>LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
>>26.49 BRB
>>20.21 BCI
>>And those are only the breeders
>>
>>lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

>>Dave started a similar thread over on the Boa forum and except for participation by a couple of people it did not go far. There do seem to be a lot of new people there and so I would have thought they would have jumped in and participated. Over the years there have been many people who posted regularly there for awhile and then moved on. The place does not seem particularly unfriendly but more like they do not make the extra effort to make the forum work. If there are any lurkers who have not posted to this thread for any reason whatsoever I would like for them to at least PM one of us and let us know what we can do to make this forum even better.
>>Jeff

OK Jeff, Ill out myself.

I do not keep rainbow boas, but I have spent much of this week getting to know all of you! I LOVE these kind of posts! I think the rainbow community is much like the blood community. We are a tighter knit group of people. But I have to thank everyone for responding! I has been wonderful reading this.

You all do a great job of making people feel involved.

I spose for good measure I will post something about myself quickly.

As I said I do not keep rainbows at all. I did have a rainbow in my rescue a few years back. That booger was the master escape artist. Hoodini has been adopted and is doing well in a home now. I obviously am one of the hosts for kingsnake and have been around for many years. Some of you who have gotten T-shirts in either Tinley Park or Daytona may have met me. Basically an all around animal person. I love my herps, I love my dogs, I love my cat and my husband. I run a reptile rescue here that has too many animals to name, but I have a nice growing personal collection of some varieties of blood pythons as well as a few very special educational iguanas. Naturally some of my animals (the burmese) are rescue rejects. I sit on the board of directors for the Chicago Herp Society, and find that to be TOTALLY rewarding as well as a time to feel "normal". When working in a world of conservative people who freak when they see a snake on TV, owning as many as I do is hard to be considered anything but insane. I also sit on the board of a bull breed dog rescue.

Just a quickie, and no where near as detailed as you all did, but if you happen to be in Tinley and see a blonde woman working the kingsnake.com booth, please say hi!

And once again this is a very cool post
-----
Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

The main reason that I haven't replied yet is mainly lack of time. Since I don't have English as my native tongue, I normally want to take my time to post, just to get as much as I can right. To read and just lazily lurk around don't takes nearly as much work.

But I will try to take the time to post a proper reply later today.
-----
/ Andreas

My name is Danielle Shoback, I'm 18 years old, live in NJ and go to Rutgers University, I'm in for Pre-Vet but that might change, for now it drives me insane how all of my Animal Science classes talk only about horses and dogs!

I haven't been on the forums much in general because of schoolwork, but hopefully that will change soon. I currently have a BRB and Leopard Geckos at home, and a BP I just got for my dorm a week ago (I really lucked out getting a roommate that was cool with snakes)! I've only had reptiles for about 2 years now, my first was a Variable Kingsnake. My mom's policy was always "if you can learn about it, take care of it and afford it, you can have it," which means I've had most basic pets under the sun, but strangely never a dog. I currently work at Petsmart (gross place, my dream someday is to shut them all down) so that somebody there knows enough about reptiles to sell them to other people.

Anyways I hope to be around here more often, especially since next year I'll be in off-campus housing and maybe could start working on breeding something other than Leopard Geckos!
-----
Danne
---------
1.0 BRB "Monroe"
1.1 Leos "Bowser & Peach"
0.3 cats "Beast, Smokey & Thelma"
0.2 Dumbo (non-feeder) rats "Josie & Holly"
0.4.2 fish

Danne,
....Nothing wrong with learning all about the more traditional veterinary stuff. ANYTHING you learn is for the good. There were even courses I took getting my nursing degree that help with snake breeding. A veterinarian in most places would have a tough time making a living only working with exotics.
Jeff

>>My name is Danielle Shoback, I'm 18 years old, live in NJ and go to Rutgers University, I'm in for Pre-Vet but that might change, for now it drives me insane how all of my Animal Science classes talk only about horses and dogs!
>>
>>I haven't been on the forums much in general because of schoolwork, but hopefully that will change soon. I currently have a BRB and Leopard Geckos at home, and a BP I just got for my dorm a week ago (I really lucked out getting a roommate that was cool with snakes)! I've only had reptiles for about 2 years now, my first was a Variable Kingsnake. My mom's policy was always "if you can learn about it, take care of it and afford it, you can have it," which means I've had most basic pets under the sun, but strangely never a dog. I currently work at Petsmart (gross place, my dream someday is to shut them all down) so that somebody there knows enough about reptiles to sell them to other people.
>>
>>Anyways I hope to be around here more often, especially since next year I'll be in off-campus housing and maybe could start working on breeding something other than Leopard Geckos!
>>-----
>> Danne
>>---------
>>1.0 BRB "Monroe"
>>1.1 Leos "Bowser & Peach"
>>0.3 cats "Beast, Smokey & Thelma"
>>0.2 Dumbo (non-feeder) rats "Josie & Holly"
>>0.4.2 fish

That said, the more vets out there who know exotics, the better. Reptiles seem to be becoming more and more popular as pets, so the need is definitely there. The last time we took our leopard gecko in to our preferred vet (she was on an extra long fast, to the point where we were getting worried), we were sitting in the waiting room next to a jungle carpet python.

As to working at PetSmart, my brother, who is in vet school right now (eerily similar path in life...) used to work at one, and eventually became a junior level manager in charge of the reptiles, etc. He got so frustrated with the fact that they wouldn't let him change how the animals were kept to better conditions that he was very relieved when he was finally able to quit. He went to a job paying much less, but he was a lot happier. Of course, now he's doing what he really wants to, so it seems to have worked out ok in the end. Just know that someone out there understands the pain and frustration of working for PetSmart when you actually care about the animals.
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

Thanks guys You're probably right about being an only-exotics Vet, Jeff, it's still a nice dream though, huh?

Also that is a little strange, haha, good to know I'm not the only one though. I could list the things wrong with their protocol setups forever, ie - any reptile they keep on aspen bedding gets it changed once a month (this is all of their snakes) and kept dry under those baking lights, they also keep baby leos on sand, and I even had to argue with my boss to be able to separate the various cannibalistic colubrids we have. And don't even get me started on the overcrowding conditions of the anoles. Just gross.

Anyways thanks for the welcome guys, I'll try to stay more active since this is a really great section of kingsnake. See you all around!
-----
Danne
---------
1.0 BRB "Monroe"
1.0 Pastel BP "Sebastian"
1.1 Leos "Bowser & Peach"
0.3 cats "Beast, Smokey & Thelma"
0.2 Dumbo (non-feeder) rats "Josie & Holly"
0.4.2 fish

I guess it's time to keep my word and get this done.

My name is Andreas, I'm 35 and live on the Swedish west coast. I make my living building boats, yachts mainly 54 and 62 feet even though i have an teachers exam (kids 10-16, and with history, religion and social science as my subjects).

I was more or less born into an animal interest, my grandfather worked a large part as an horsegroomer, and so did my mother, which ended up with my parents getting a small farm, mainly dairy cattle but many other things as well as horses, pigs and an assortment of poultry and so on, so there's always been animals in my life.

My first experience with snakes came when i worked in a pet shop, which I did for a few years prior to my teachers exam. We got a boa constrictor in a trade. Snakes wasn't a very common thing in Sweden back in those days, since it was illegal to import any kind of reptiles, with an exception for a 6 month trial. Thankfully that changed with the Swedish entry in the European Union.
This boa was later traded again for an Sinaloan milksnake, which I bought almost at once. That was my first snake, and the snowball had started to roll. And that was in 1991 and I haven't been without snakes since then, but I must admit that I was more oriented to lizards, mostly monitors during a couple of years and almost without snakes altogether during my studies, just a pair of sinaloan milks.
Most snakes Ive kept have been Lampropeltis and species that used to be called Elaphe, but also a few kinds of boids and vipers.

Today have have a small group of animals:
1.1 Cuban boas
1.2 Braz. rainbows
1.1 Yellow anacondas
1.1 Whitelip pythons

Other than that I have an 6 year old "pitweiler", a few aquariums and an greenbottle blue tarantula.

And when I have a spare moment, I like to play with little toy soldiers, been playing tabletop wargames (mostly Games Workshop's Warhammer Fantasy Battle) just as long as I've kept reptiles. To think of it I started both addictions at the same year, 1991, a bad year for my future economy. =)

As an European I also have a big passion for football, the real kind there you use feet to play. I'm both an supporter of the team IFK Göteborg, haven't missed a single home game in over 2 years by now as well as being a coach for a women's team in the lower (5th.) divisions. Got tricked into that by my nieces and got stuck.

One of the boat models that I build for a living.

-----
/ Andreas

Nice bio and cool day job, thanks for sharing!!!
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats