For motorcyclists, winter is the time of year when we fix our bikes, buy gear and dream of spring. I'm in the market for new helmets, so I was happy to see that Motorcycle Cruiser has reviewed 7 different flip-front helmets. They all passed the Snell tests (although none of them are officially Snell certified).
I have the HJC, and a bud has the Nolan. We swear by them and I will never get another helmet that lacks a flip front.
I crash-tested a HJC a ways back. Smacked the chin bar good, which left a nasty mark on the chin bar but protected my winning smile. That proved its worth to me.
Incidentally, if you have a flip front, realize that the chin bar is much stronger if it is locked in place than if it is in the up position. I put my helmet on the back of my bike with the chin bar up. It fell off, impact was on the bar. While it locks down just fine, it doesn't stay up as well as it should anymore.
Also, you really shouldn't ride around with the chin bar up. Aside from the fact that almost 30% of head impacts are to the jaw, a good bump can cause the chin bar to fall partially, which renders you blind. I learned that one the scary way.
Flip fronts are great if you're smarter about them than I am.
We had about 35 people at the peak, which was nice because it never got too crowded to dance. Only one nice champagne glass broken, some minor spillage, and relatively minor drama. The bathroom and the office were the hookup spots, and I provided one couple with condoms, denied condoms to a second couple. People were fairly discrete with their less socially acceptable vices. Only one hat was microwaved. There was only one uncontrollable crying jag. Two men wore capes, although one of them removed his when he arrived. I got two massages. The gentleman who won Best Dressed last year won it again, although I'm not sure if that was for entire ensemble with the skirt or for when he lost the skirt and was prancing in his tightie whities. Last guest left at 5pm or so, but he napped for a bit with a pretty young lady in the office, so I'm not sure he counts. I went to bed at 7 and slept for a few hours before getting up to clean. Yech.
Among the party detritus, we found a pair of boots with a broken heel and figured somebody left barefoot until Em got a text message from a guest admitting she swiped a pair of shoes.
My Resolution: Don't throw dinner parties for 14 people the same night you invite 50 people to party through dawn.