so I rode to work today, everything felt like it should have. It's good to know that someone who worked at a bike shop and a machinist don't think that i'm putting my life in too much danger by riding this fork. lol unless you were being sarcastic and bustin my balls. in which case is also fine, i deserve it!
but i still dont know what fork to go with. I would love a replacement 531 sloping crown fork with some chrome socks. but obviously that may not be available. but other than that, the main thing i see that is reasonably priced is the Soma. oh that and a few CARBON forks

.. hehe