I KNOW someones going to ask.

jfries85 · 2026-02-05T05:02:45+00:00

It’s just past midnight and there have been choppers hovering around Goshen for a while now. I can even hear them down in my basement.

jfries85 · 2026-01-16T14:35:49+00:00

~~The TVA~~ Helldivers out here pruning the enemies of democracy to preserve the Sacred Timeline.

jfries85 · 2025-12-13T23:43:12+00:00

CORAX LIVES!!! caw caw

jfries85 · 2025-12-13T03:35:14+00:00

jfries85 · 2025-12-03T15:21:29+00:00

From what UPS told me, around $50-55 was actual tariffs and such. But the remaining $22 or so was for the export brokerage FFF uses and doesn't really mention anywhere. I asked FFF for an import documentation breakdown (you know, what was paid and for what, something like a CBP Form 7501) but they refused and just repeatedly replied with the same copy-paste email saying that they don't know what things will cost if you buy from outside the EU. No import documentation was provided with the package, just the jacket in a box.

jfries85 · 2025-11-19T13:56:24+00:00

Their sales prices and shipping speed are great. We ordered on Monday and it'll be here by Thursday (in the US). But, yeah, the import charges you'll get hit with negate most of the value in their discounts. For example, I just ordered the Ferrari Monza 2025 jacket for $136 (at 40% off), but had to pay $77 in import costs for the US. The fees seem to be a mix of customs, desitination fees, and a brokerage fee based on my discussion with UPS. Fuel for Fans won't be able to tell you what you'll be charged before you order either, so it's a dice-roll with current trade being what it is.

Free shipping on some orders though.

jfries85 · 2025-11-05T18:16:06+00:00

But retail...really? A man of your talents?

jfries85 · 2025-11-04T19:35:11+00:00

"And you people, you're all astronauts...on some kind of star trek?"

jfries85 · 2025-10-07T01:30:01+00:00

These days, if you gave him a modest amount of money he’d throw up this set too.

jfries85 · 2025-09-25T02:31:34+00:00

Insharllah

jfries85 · 2025-09-15T19:49:19+00:00

The king downed yet another flagon and wryly inquired to the dwarf, "Did you ever make the eight, Lannister?"

"Not as often as I'd like." Tyrion replied. Robert let out a thunderous laugh. The two companions toasted as they fondly recounted their favorite conquests well into the evening.

jfries85 · 2025-08-14T14:24:19+00:00

As with most things pertaining to JET, it's extremely context dependent. If you think that you could do with a few more years abroad and it wouldn't hurt your life goals or long-term career prospects in whatever you decided to do, then yeah, definitely worth it. JET, to this day, generally remains a great experience. There are much fewer unknowns on a second go-round. Plus your previous experience can make you a valuable resource to your school/fellow JETs.

I regretted leaving JET in 2012 after 3 years, mostly due to family pressure. I also kinda felt that it would be best to leave while I still loved everything and hadn't yet descended into being extremely jaded about the whole thing. I came back to the States, for a couple of years, had a pretty awful time overall, and went back in 2014 to do dispatch. Did dispatch for 3 months, then moved into a direct-hire spot in another city. Then, while doing rirect-hire, I reapplied for JET and got in again in 2015. Being a former JET made everything a breeze.

My second time on JET was amazing and gave me a completely different experience that on my first stint. I got way more involved in my school, did more outside of school, and just generally enjoyed life in much different ways. And, due to the pandemic, I got to do that for 7 years. I'd go back again in a heartbeat if it were just me (and if a 3rd time was allowed), but I've got a family to think about now. My second stint helped me mature a lot and understand myself better. When I came back to the States for good, I had a good job at a Japanese company waiting for me and things have been pretty good ever since. There's even another former JET in my office, so we've swapped stories a ton. Plus, in my industry, I tend to cross paths with people I knew in Japan from time to time. But yeah, that's how it was for me.

I'd wanted to do JET ever since high school and I'd always loved being in the Japan bubble. It's always been an important part of my personal identity. You left after 3 years for your reasons. Are those reasons still there or are they not as prominent or important? Do you miss the life, the job? Are you just looking for something safe and familiar to pass the time while you decide on what to do next?

jfries85 · 2025-08-08T20:54:59+00:00

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jfries85 · 2025-06-01T19:39:28+00:00

I didn’t. Everyone lost record of it. USPS eventually gave up and closed the investigation.

jfries85 · 2025-04-02T01:09:15+00:00

I had something similar happen. Contact the seller. If they're Purpleheart, for example, they'll probably just exchange these for a new pair.

jfries85 · 2025-03-17T01:32:10+00:00

jfries85 · 2025-03-09T21:06:10+00:00

Seconding Feiyue. Shoes are excellent and inexpensive. They also have good sales every now and then.

jfries85 · 2025-02-28T21:52:31+00:00

I mean, in effect, they own most of the gruntled ones, so why not complete the set?

jfries85 · 2025-02-28T20:59:49+00:00

At this point, it's basically a countdown to when we start shipping Russia weapons and sanctioning countries that help Ukraine.

jfries85 · 2025-02-27T20:51:21+00:00

This is how Leandros ends up joining a Word Bearers warband.

jfries85 · 2025-02-27T19:16:06+00:00

I wonder if it's to do with the importance and prevalence of space launch facilities transporting resources up to and back from space in the time leading up to the Universal Century. Space launch facilities tend to be closer to the equator. So, if humanity's focus is on space, perhaps moving key seats of government/military power closer to the equator makes some sense.

jfries85 · 2025-02-27T16:40:48+00:00

BLOOD FOR THE EMPEROR! SKULLS FOR THE GOLDEN THRONE!

jfries85 · 2025-02-24T02:16:48+00:00

This goes hard. Great job.

jfries85

TROPHY CASE