30 December 2012

Hambones

Son In Law made a ham for Christmas dinner while I was at work. That left us a goodly bit of ham and a nice big ham bone. So what do you do with a nice big ham bone?

1 lb Great Northern beans
water
salt
garlic pepper
Chipolte Tabasco sauce
1 T flour (opt)

You could also use garlic salt and peppercorn medley grinders, whichever you prefer.

Put the beans in a crock pot and cover with 2" of water. Leave them to soak overnight, at least 8 hours. In the morning put in the ham bone, 1 lb of the leftover ham cut up into bite sized pieces, salt and pepper to taste, and Tabasco sauce. Turn the crock pot on low and leave it sit for 8 hours. Resist the temptation to lift the lid, the beans will cook better that way. After the eight hour cooking time has elapsed test the beans, they should be nice and tender. If you want to thicken the sauce stir in the flour. Give the bone to the dog and serve the beans with biscuits.

29 December 2012

Where There Is Bacon

there is life.

Brigid had a recipe up for bacon gravy a couple of days ago and I must admit that as big a fan as I am of sausage gravy it never occurred to me that bacon could be used in the same fashion. Nothing to do but try it!


The ingredients list is fairly simple, but mine is a little different. You need bacon, flour, salt, pepper and milk. I haven't tried the maple sugar, I'll have to pick some up for the next batch. I've never used half and half, but I'd bet it makes a really nice smooth thick gravy, I'll have to try it some time as well. I use the sea salt and peppercorn medley grinders from McCormick, the ones that Lawdog calls spice weasels (that one kicked over the gigglebox, so I call them that, too. My kids think I'm strange, for this and many other reasons), for the salt and pepper. I don't really measure anything so I can't give you exact amounts. Use this recipe for biscuits.

I cooked it up a bit differently as well. First I chopped 5-6 strips of thick cut bacon into 1" pieces and fried them up in a cast iron skillet until they were cooked all the way through. I took the skillet off the heat and stirred in two heaping tablespoons (not the actual measuring spoons, the large spoons that come in your flatware sets - Grandma always called them tablespoons and therefore so have I. The normal size ones are teaspoons) of flour to make a paste about the consistency of Elmers white glue.

This is a good time to put your biscuits in to bake. They will be done just about the same time as the gravy.

Once the flour had absorbed the bacon grease I returned it to the heat and poured in just enough milk to cover the top of the bacon. Stir that in with a wooden spoon over the same heat you cook the bacon in until it starts to bubble and thicken, then add more milk if necessary. Salt and pepper to taste, I use about 10 twists of the weasel on medium for the pepper and 6 for the salt. Take care with the seasonings, you can always add more later if you want but it is very easy to over-salt. Turn the heat down low and let it simmer for a bit while you take your biscuits out of the oven. Serve hot over fresh biscuits.

That's some good eatin'.


This recipe has received the Boots the Dog paw of approval.

26 December 2012

This Is Why

gun owners do not like registrations.*

There are only two reasons you register something, either so you can tax it or so you can confiscate it later on. This is why cars have license plates, so the state knows you have paid your taxes and fees on them. The fact that the police can use them for identification is secondary.

Gun owners who have subscriptions to the local rags should check to see if they are Gannett owned publications, and if so cancel with a full explanation.

Note to the press: we can and will turn the tables on you. What do you say we just ignore each other, and maybe we will go away?

*New link, the previously linked video seems to have been memory-holed.

25 December 2012

Merry Christmas

Christmas was her favorite holiday, and I'm happy to say I made it home for every one of them, no matter where I happened to be. It got pretty close a time or two.

The most memorable was the first cruise I did after we were married. We got back into Norfolk on the 20th of December in the midst of a winter storm. The winds were over 25 knots and we couldn't be docked, so we sat out in the basin. For two days we looked over the rail and saw the pier, and for two days families gathered on the pier to look at us.

We had satellite phones on the ships by then, and for the two days we were there the phones were open free of charge, the ship's Moral Welfare and Recreation fund picked up the check. That was an expensive two days for them because every phone was busy 24 hours a day for those two days. Each of us only got a few minutes before we had to hand it over to the next guy.

When I got through the only thing I had time to do was sing this. It is my favorite Christmas carol.



On the 23rd the winds died down long enough to put the tugs alongside to push us next to the pier and for the entire day we offloaded our gear while the officers worked mightily to secure flights to Florida for us. We ended up spending the night at the air terminal in Norfolk.

I got home at six PM on the 24th. It was the best Christmas ever.

Here's hoping this Christmas finds you safe and warm and in the presence of people you love. Remember those who are in harm's way and pray for their safe return.

Merry Christmas everyone.

24 December 2012

Christmas Eve

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.*


Off to work for me, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. 

*Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas, by Major Henry Livingston Jr.

22 December 2012

When They Outlaw Mustangs

Only outlaws will have Mustangs.



From the twisted sense of humor of MSgt B, thanks for the link!

Still Here

No fires, no floods, no earthquakes, no volcanoes, no alien invasion, no Sweet Meteor of Death.

I'm beginning to think the universe just isn't all that serious about wiping us out. Which is a real shame because I can think of at least a half a dozen people right off the top of my head who could use a good smiting.

On a positive note they can dispose of all the History Channel dreck about the Mayan Apocalypse, as well as that Cusack movie.

On a less positive note I guess that means I'm working tomorrow...

picture shamelessly stolen from H & B

21 December 2012

Something I've Learned

about the "international community" following the travesty in Connecticut - they understand as much about us as we do about them.To hear them talk they are experts on America and Americans,and yet they come up with things like this.

I have a feeling that since the media vacuum chamber here in the US wants desperately to be like quasi-socialist Europe the rest of the media world-wide (birds of a feather, doncha know) assumes that is the way we all think, and of course just like our own home-grown lefties they are constantly amazed at the opposition of red-state America to further impingements on our Constitutional freedoms.*

But what do I know, I'm just bitterly clinging to guns and God over here.

HT: Sean at An NC Gun Blog and Grass Roots North Carolina

*Apparently the term I was looking for is administrative control bias. Thanks Kevin!

On The Road

So I was out and about this morning getting some things done pre-apocalypse and a couple of interesting things happened.

The first thing that happened is my hunting partner texted me to see if I was going to head out to the woods again today. I texted him back that I had things to do so I would not be engaging in yet another futile attempt to find Bambi, then I got in the car.

He texted me back and the car read the text for me. It then gave me the option to text back, which I did simply by speaking the message I wanted to send. It had never done that before, so it must be a smart phone thing. Technology, ain't it grand?

The second thing that happened is that while I was pulling off the interstate I saw this getting on the entrance ramp. I had to look it up when I got home, apparently two brothers have built a huge banana on an F-150 chassis and are going to drive it around the world to raise money for Deep Vein Thrombosis. It is a good cause and a fun looking car (although since it is only in the 40's today I don't think I'd want to ride in it out on the interstate) so I'll be throwing a donation their way to help out.

According to MSgt B's sources TEOTWAWKI was supposed to happen at 11:00 AM. It is now almost 3:00 PM so I guess either the timing is off or it ain't gonna happen.

Guess I'd better get out there and do some Christmas shopping.

20 December 2012

Put Some Iron In Their Rods

Viagra apparently requires a prescription, but is there anything comparable that does not?

I propose we in the gunnie community supply whatever supplement is legal to purchase without a prescription to our Senators and Congresscritters to give them the gumption for the upcoming fight.

I think we should probably send a double dose to Weepy Boner.

What say you?

HT: Shall Not Be Questioned, from where I purloined many of my links.

19 December 2012

Sparking Outrage

I have a location suggestion for the next unhinged nutbag to go off on a murderous rampage.

I'll bet no one would protest at the funerals, although there might be quite a few show up just to make sure.

Christmas Plans

I'm working both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day because "some of our employees don't celebrate Christmas" and if there is even one person working in my areas I, being maintenance, have to be there.

"So why do those of us who do have to be punished for that?"

"Because shut up you racist and celebrate some diversity."

UPDATE: But wait, there's more. Talking to my operators I find out they were told at least one of them per area had to "volunteer" to work Christmas eve and day, even if they didn't want to...and none of them did. The CEO's number is unlisted, shame, because I think he would really enjoy a midnight serenade on Christmas eve. Call it a Christmas carol.

In the interest of keeping this blog mostly PG-13, I'm putting this NSFW video under the fold.

17 December 2012

Today

109 years ago, on a wind-swept North Carolina sand dune, two young men pushed a fragile contraption into position. One of them took up his station upon the ungainly thing, and moments later - for the first time - slipped the surly bonds of Earth in the worlds first powered heavier than air craft.

Three more times these Dayton, Ohio bicycle salesmen threw their unlikely invention into the air, finally achieving a flight time of almost 1 minute and a little over 850 feet...less than  the length of a Midway class aircraft carrier.

From those humble beginnings we mastered the air, then overcame the sound barrier, and then finally entered space and put our feet on another celestial body - all in less than 100 years. We have not been back for quite some time, but I have hopes that we will continue expanding our horizons in the future.

I don't know what the next 100 years will bring, but I have a feeling it will be nothing we ever expected.

HT: Anna's Clue Tank

16 December 2012

Storms

We had a thunderstorm last night. The old wives tale says that there will be snow within ten days. The weatherman has been predicting snow by Christmas, perhaps he will be right.

Brigid has a bit up about storms today, too.

Appropos of nothing, it looks like I'll be working Christmas Eve and Christmas night.

BoR Day

221 years ago today the first ten amendments to the Constitution, known collectively as the Bill of Rights, was formally ratified by enough states to become law.

Government lawyers and politicians at all levels have toiled to circumvent them ever since.

15 December 2012

Deliberate

I haven't commented about Sandy Hook on purpose.

AD says everything that needs to be said.

To which I will add, Victoria Soto and Maryrose Kristopik join the list of heros with Liviu Librescue. Victoria is on the list of victims, but thankfully Maryrose and her charges are not. Well done to both of them.

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

14 December 2012

No, Deer

Once again I am a miserable failure.

I did see one on my way home but she stayed on the side of the road and just watched me go past without trying to commit suicide by Subaru.

The season is coming to a close, so if I am not successful in the next few weeks I'll have to wait until next year.  That's the way it goes sometimes I guess.

The Droid I Wasn't Looking For

I'm getting a little tired of Youngest Boy's little girly friend calling me when I'm at work. She is supposed to know better, but brainless is another word for teenage girls.

I decided it was time for Boy to have his own phone, so I dropped by the phone store to add another line and a cheapo flip type phone. I was told that the flip phones are more expensive than the smart phones, so shouldn't I just get him a smart phone instead?

Him, have a fancier phone than me? Hells no!

So I got me one instead and Boy will get my old flip phone. Yes ladies and germs, I have finally been dragged into the 21st century. I now have enough computing power at my fingertips that, if I had a Saturn rocket and a three man crew, I could put a man on the moon. Come to think of it, there's probably an app for that...

This necessitated a complete change in my plan (of course it did) since I was grandfathered in on a Cellphone Provider A plan, and since Provider A has now been assimilated into the Provider V collective I could not fundamentally change it...such as adding a new line...and instead I would have to convert to a Provider V plan. This was not all bad, and in fact will actually save me a few sheckels even with the new phone line added.

Funny little side note, once upon a time I was with Provider V, but then one stormy Christmas eve they lost a tower and decided they wouldn't be replacing it. That meant to get a clear signal I had to go outside.  I raised hell with them and got the (newly signed) plan canceled free of charge since they weren't providing the service I had paid for and went to Provider A.  Later on Provider V bought out Provider A, and since Provider A had a nifty tower right there I can now make phone calls inside again with Provider V. Talk about the long way around. Can you hear me NOW???

So now I have a new phone that doesn't go nearly as far on a charge as my old phone, so it will be spending a lot of time hooked up to an electrical wire of some sort, but will do all sorts of magic elf box thingies as well as actually make a phone call (including GPS navigation, which was an option I deliberately did not get on the Mustang because luddite, but it looks like I have it now anyway). But, since Boy will not be getting his phone until after the Mayan apocalypse has passed and Christmas has come, I have yet to receive a phone call on my new phone.

Boy has received four.

Which is why I got the new phone in the first damn place...

13 December 2012

End Of An Era

TDP is gone.

Middle Daughter, who inherited the car after I got my new ones, finally got tired of trying to fix it. What finally laid it low was a check engine light that no one could properly diagnose; it has to be out to pass inspection and after throwing several parts at it the light was still on. This after a bottom end job and a transmission solenoid to fix up the lockup converter that wouldn't unlock, a common problem with the TH125 transmission.

The junk man came and got it Tuesday and the plates got turned in today. I dropped the insurance on it this afternoon. Whoever picks over its bones will get a good engine (the only thing that hasn't been touched is the rings, but the compression was good after the head work) and transmission, but the rest of it was crap.

I had a dream that included me sitting on a cooler drinking beer and laughing like a madman as they fed that car into a shredder and made blue confetti out of it. Unfortunately the place that got it doesn't have a shredder, so it remains only a dream. A good dream, but a dream nonetheless.

Laura loved that little car, and it was good for her for a long time. Rust in peace TDP.

Notes For The Left

We haven't started another revolutionary war not because we can't, but because we don't want to. We would rather try to solve our problems through policy and the ballot box. Some of us are still somewhat sanguine that it can be done this way.

Do not, however, mistake our reluctance for cowardice.

HT: Bob Owens

11 December 2012

Third Time?

Perhaps it will be the charm.

Once again on Friday I shall venture forth into the woods to seek out the notorious crasher of cars, Odocoileus virginianus, or as he is otherwise known, the North American Hoofed Rat. If he should be found his 00 buckshot pierced flesh will adorn my freezer and his antlers shall adorn my walls.

I shall dedicate this hunt to my younger brother (notice I didn't say little, he hasn't been my little brother since he was 16) who has been laid low by a crushing self-inflicted blow on the noggin resulting in a couple of crushed vertebrae in his neck (PSA - parking a 4WD pickup under an awning meant for a Mustang doesn't leave much headroom, and his normal mode of dismounting - stepping out onto the running board before stepping down on the ground - ate that up pretty quickly).

He's been operated on and doing fine, but is forbidden by his attending physician to venture forth into what little woods Iowa offers for himself. This is a fate worse than death to a dedicated deer hunter of his caliber (see what I did there? I crack me up, chortle chortle), but he should be OK for the fishing season.

Stay strong brother, and wish me luck.

09 December 2012

Kids These Days

Dear Hyundai Genisis,

Congratulations on your recent AMCI track testing success.

We see that you are spiking the ball in the end zone. We do understand that when you have nothing to be overly proud about every little victory seems huge. Enjoy the success, but please do try to remember that one track test does not a legend make.

Good luck. See you in forty years.

Maybe.

Sincerely,

Ford Mustang (AKA the original Pony car)

07 December 2012

Pearl Harbor Day

Every year we lose more and more of them.

Remember what they accomplished.


05 December 2012

New Addictions

I'm a big fan of xkcd but not really of web comics in general There are a few that are pretty good though.

Now there is another.

This one is a bit too close to be really funny though...

Thanks Erin!

Round

Apparently every well-formed 'Murrican card has at its corners an M1 Garand (but an M1A may suffice), a 1903 Springfield, a custom built AR of some sort, and a 1911 in the proper caliber of .45ACP. Much to my shame I have none of the above. Instead I have a Mosin 91/30, an Arisaka T30, a .223 Saiga and a Glock 36.

I don't think it counts that three of the above are on my Guns I Want list (1903 Springfield? Sorry, no desire for one) but maybe I can get a point or two for my Glock being a single-stack in the correct caliber.

04 December 2012

19

It just occurred to me what day it is.

The funny thing is...she could never remember it.

I still miss someone.

Since RA Asked So Nicely...

Merry Christmas!










OK, this one technically isn't Christmas...


03 December 2012

02 December 2012

Follow Up

No deer in my freezer.  I haz a :-(

No deer on my bumper either. This means that I didn't see any deer at all, all day. At least last time I saw one, even if he did try to commit suicide by Subaru.

Better luck next time.

30 November 2012

Artistic Expression

For those keeping score at home:

This is art.

















This is not.












You can tell the difference because Glen Beck didn't get an NEA grant for his work.

HT: Emperor Misha I

Halfway Ouchie

My upper jaw has now been disassembled and abraided. The toll so far is one tooth which will be replaced by an implant when 1) the bottom jaw has been similarly abused and 2) the funds become available. So far I've put more than 3K into the upper jaw with a similar amount to go for the bottom, and that doesn't take into account the cost of the implant.

Brush your teeth and see your dentist regularly kids, this becomes very important later on.

28 November 2012

Good Luck!

The Powerball lottery is up to 550 million dollars, over a half a billion. That's a whole lot of zeros. The drawing for the second biggest pot in Powerball history happens tonight.

The cash option, before taxes, would end up being 360 million dollars and some change. If the tax burden, local and federal, ended up being 50% that would still be a bit over $180 million.

They say that money can't buy happiness, but for $180M I think you could probably rent it for a while.

27 November 2012

Let's Try That Again

Friday I will once again venture into the woods in search of the North American hoofed rat.

Hopefully this time I will have more to show for my efforts than a cold rear and stiff joints.

But for now, work, and then Thursday another round at the periodontists.  Yay me.

24 November 2012

Updates

"Operation: Tamalanche" is coming to a successful conclusion. Raffles have been conducted, prizes are being handed out, and bills are being paid. The bratty little sister of the gunosphere did a bang-up job both naming the operation and providing the kind of support that most of us forget about. Sometimes, more than money to pay for the procedures, we just need something to make us smile. Well done Erin.

Yet another thing to be thankful for. I am thankful that I am allowed to be a part of a community like this one.

The lights are up both inside and out, a feat not accomplished in the past two years. This year...it just seems right. Unfortunately the candy canes that usually line the front walk did not survive the year, if I can't find more as the season goes on maybe I can find some in the after Christmas sales. It just doesn't seem the same without them. I could also use a couple more strings of lights for the roof.

It's easy to get wrapped up in things that annoy, confuse or frighten us, but this year I think I'll take the time to do what the season is meant for...think of possibilities and the things that are right instead of wrong. I have a lot to be happy about, and I'll bet you do, too.

On the agenda for tonight - Youngest Son wants to go to the skating rink again. He's had a great couple of weeks in school, a marked improvement over what came before, so off he goes. Dad won't skate, but there isn't any admission (they charge a "skate rental fee" even if you bring your own skates) and they have complimentary wifi, so I'll sit with my laptop and buy an outrageously overpriced soda and wait on him.

Have a great night everyone!

22 November 2012

Traditions


Happy Thanksgiving

Here's hoping everyone has a great day today.

Remember to be kind and considerate.


21 November 2012

Travel, Interrupted

We were supposed to be taking Brother In Law to Florida this weekend to get a welder he had purchased. The plan was to have Thanksgiving dinner with Eldest Daughter and then take Pop out to lunch on Friday. Alas, the welder guy isn't going to be home this weekend and so we aren't making the trip after all.

Eldest daughter and Pop are disappointed because I won't be there, Middle Daughter is happy because I'll be home, and I've missed yet another opportunity to take the Baja to Florida.

How sad is this, the Baja has been to sunny Florida more times than the Mustang convertible. Something is wrong with that statistic.

Verbosity

Using lots of big words in a sentence doesn't make you smart. It just makes you wordy, and often, boring.

Good Lord

Can someone please inform (butt)SHARK that "live pigeon shoots" use clay targets, not actual winged rats?

UPDATE: Seems that I am wrong, this event actually DID use actual winged rats. Thanks Kevin.

19 November 2012

Headline News

According to the local fishwrap car/deer collisions are on the rise. They attribute this to mating season, which every female of any species knows is the time where the male half turns into a giant genitalia. It just makes it all the more bitter that I sat five hours in a tree and saw nothing, only to come so close to filling out a deer tag with the Baja.

I have an idea. I think hunters should be able to line the roads with deer stands, pointing into the woods and with enough distance between them for good coverage. The stands would be outfitted with headlights and horns and hunting from these stands would be permitted at night.  Every once in a while, instead of spraying doe scent, the hunter would flash the lights and honk the horn. If the current state is any indication the deer will flock to these stands where they can be harvested.

No more wrecked cars, reduced carnage on our roadways, and full freezers. It's for the chiiiiildrennnn!

No.

Just no.

17 November 2012

Cashing In

I thought this scam had run its course. I guess California hasn't heard.

At first it's funny, but keep in mind that the businesses in California have to buy into this not-so-polite fiction that carbon credits mean anything for it to work. Just one Hank Reardon and the whole house of cards comes crashing down.

This is California however, so all the Reardons have gone to Texas by now.

On the up side, since California is supposedly at the forefront of every trend I should stock up on ink and paper. I'm sure I could find a jpg of Algore's signature on the 'net somewhere...

HT: Miguel at GunFreeZone

16 November 2012

In Search Of


It's cold in a tree stand, and it's a long way to climb.

It's even worse climbing down but at least gravity helps. This is not always a good thing.

I could have bagged my limit of tree rats, but I think 7.62x54R is a bit of overkill for them.

Speaking of 7.62x54R, Mosin Nagant is the very definition of "long gun".

I found Fusion cartridges so next time I'll use the Saiga. Max range is going to be less than 100 yards so it should do fine.

And finally, I saw more deer (one, to be exact) on the way home.

Operation: Tamalanche - An Update

It's working.

Thought you'd like to know.

Still a lot of nice prizes, if you haven't done so why not?

OK, off to the killing fields now. AAR...after.

Fingers Crossed

Oh Lord, please let it be so.

Lose Your Job?

Thank your union.

15 November 2012

Operation Tamalanche

I approve of this message.

(expletive deleted)

Another one of those nights where I'm going to drink myself to sleep and forget it ever happened.

Good thing last night was my Friday.

14 November 2012

Minutia

mi·nu·ti·a  [mi-noo-shee-uh] noun, plural mi·nu·ti·ae Usually, minutiae. Precise details; small or trifling matters: the minutiae of his craft.

Wounded Warrior Project, a charity to which I have donated and participated in fundraising efforts for, has apparently bowed to politically correct pressure. They have done good things in the past, and I wish them continuing success, but sadly it appears as if they are no longer interested in associating with my kind.

I got a tax bill for my sisters car, I am on her title because I am a co-signer on her loan. She lives in Virginia and it appeared as if the county I live in here in North Carolina wanted me to pay the taxes on it. After contacting the tax office I came to the realization that she lives in a county in Virginia of the same name as my county here in North Carolina. To add confusion to the mix the city in which the county seat is located has the same name as a city here in North Carolina, although the North Carolina city of that name is not in my county. I'll reserve my opinions on the subject of personal property taxes as applied to mobile property, suffice it to say I'm not a fan.

UPDATE: she never lived in the county of the same name, they just saw Virginia tags + the name of the county the car is registered in and sent a bill. Fortunately she has updated the address so this should not be a problem next year.

I have been invited on a jaunt in an effort to slay the evil and nefarious North American hoofed rat, AKA Odocoileus virginianus, or the common whitetail deer. I have several different options as to the tool to use in said dispatch; I can go with the Franchi, or go with the Mosin (yes I have soft tip ammo for it), or go with the Arisaka (the range will likely be less than 50 yards so I'm not worried about my inability to hit the broad side of a barn from the inside at long range), or maybe do something completely unusual and use the Saiga. .223 is legal here in North Carolina, and I've been looking at this for ammo.

But tonight, it's work for me.

12 November 2012

What I Did On My Vacation

If you are like my kids no doubt you are wondering where I went when I ran away from home.

Here's a hint.



This video was created by friend and Mustang Forums member JJ Wyatt.

11 November 2012

At The 11th Hour Of The 11th Day On The 11th Month...

To all members of the US Armed Services, thank you for your service. Happy Veterans Day.

To all veterans of military service worldwide, Happy Remembrance Day.

nummy!

I did another round of shredded pork today, but the roast I got was way too big for the crock pot. Into the oven it went, at 250 degrees, for about eight hours flipping every couple of hours. By the time it came out of the oven it was fall-apart tender, if it had been any better it would have eaten itself.

I just took a key lime cheesecake out of the oven, it has to cool for a couple of hours and then go in the refrigerator for about 3 hours. I should be heading off to bed about that time, I wonder how much of it will still be left when I get up. Maybe if I leave it in the springform pan...

Back to work tomorrow (technically tonight since it's after midnight, but I haven't been to sleep yet) so I'll be up all night doing laundry and such until the wee hours of the morning.

Everybody try to have a good week, ok?

10 November 2012

I Love My People

http://oldnfo.blogspot.com/2012/11/raffle-for-tam.html

http://injennifershead.com/?p=4432

http://www.lifein3d.net/2012/11/09/once-more-with-feeling/

http://zercool.blogspot.com/2012/11/something-something-to-something-cancer.html

http://lurkingrhythmically.blogspot.com/2012/11/you-find-someone-to-carry-you.html

http://maypeacebewithyou.blogspot.com/2012/11/tams-nose.html#links

http://www.dragonblasts.com/?p=222

http://mausersandmuffins.blogspot.com/2012/11/trials-by-fire-some-words-for-tam.html

http://www.ma-rooned.com/2012/11/we-get-by-with-little-help-from-our.html

http://www.agirlandhergun.org/2012/11/09/tam/

 http://mcthag.blogspot.com/2012/11/for-tam.html

 http://www.atomicnerds.com/?p=6219

http://thelawdogfiles.blogspot.com/2012/11/okay.html

This is just a small sample. One of our own is in need. She has not asked for anything, nor would she, but as Matt G said "we need her more than she needs us."

Lots of nice prizes being offered at some of these links. We would do this for nothing at all, but the fact that so many have stepped up with a "Hey, you know I've got one of these I'd be willing to donate to the cause" just illustrates the point.

These are my people. It's an honor to be allowed to associate with them.

Let The Games Begin

Layoff notices have started showing up in the mail.

We will no doubt very soon start to hear the squealing from the little piglets lined up at the trough when they find it is empty, and getting emptier.

The sad thing is these Obama voters who thought they were getting revenge on the evil capitalists will not be able to associate the layoffs with the election results, and when the economy hits the skids in a big enough way that the media finally has to pay attention no one will remember the stoopid riech-wingers who predicted it...just like no one remembers the prediction of Freddie and Fannie collapsing.

I might be living in my car by the time it's all done. I won't be able to license it because I won't be able to afford the car tax, but at least the car itself is paid for.

Maybe I should buy an old school bus...just in case...

09 November 2012

A Time To Give


Every year Virginia International Raceway hosts holiday laps to benefit the Salvation Army, and every year the Heart of Carolina Mustang Club participates.This year we had some help from Mustang Forums Carolina Chapter.

The day was bright and dry, but a bit chilly to start out. It eventually warmed up to the low 60s by noon. Track conditions were about as close to ideal as they could have been, and we had a lot of fun driving the course.


Many thanks to all who participated.

Tip Jar

You go hit it.

She can get better. This is good.

I still hate this fucking disease.

07 November 2012

The People Have Spoken

MOAR Hope and Change!

06 November 2012

Cast Your Vote

Today is the day, and like the song says...if you choose not to decide you still have made a choice.

Two things of note at the polling place today. First, the guy in the booth next to me when I started was OC'ing. Technically a no-no since the polling place was on educational property, but no one seemed to mind. I left mine locked in the trucklet.

Second thing is one of the candidates for a local race (county local) is a Mustang enthusiast. I saw her one day on the road and my little Firefly got a thumbs up from her, she was driving an 06 mint green V6 with her campaign signs on it. I had to look her up when I got home. She was at the polling place, I told her she got my vote just for the Mustang (not really but it helped).

I did not see any shenanigans at the polling place, which is to be expected since we're a little out of the way here on the back side of nowhere. In and out in less than 5 minutes, no muss no fuss.

I think JayG is wrong, BTW. Based on my SWAG (Scientific Wise-Ass Guess) method of counting car stickers and yard signs NC is going red this time, possibly in a big way.

I guess we will see tonight.

04 November 2012

That Was Nice

Two days of not being the answer to everyone's problems.

Back home now, back to work tomorrow.

Well, it was nice while it lasted.

02 November 2012

Lost Boy

I'm running away from home tomorrow.

I am quite deliberately not telling anyone where I am going. I am not publishing a route map, I am not filing a flight plan, and I am not disclosing my location.

This is killing Youngest Son because he is convinced that I am running off to have fun without him. And he is absolutely right.

I will have my phone in case I have to call someone, but otherwise it will be firmly set to the O-F-F position.

I will have the portable elf-box, so you may get a postcard from the road.

Or not...

Every Now And Then

my resolve to defend your right to say what you want regardless of whether or not I agree with you gets sorely tested.

I would still rather live in a country where you are permitted to be an ass in public than live in a country where you are not.

This Title Is Rated PG, The Content - Not So Much

I hate this fucking disease.

No, actually I don't even like it that much.  I just don't have the words to describe my deep visceral loathing of this particular affliction.

And what's worse...there's still nothing I can do about it.

27 October 2012

Cheeeesecake...

No, not this kind.



This kind.

Believe it or not it isn't that hard to make a good cheesecake. Yes it takes a bit longer than the no-bake kind but the results are well worth the wait. The basic recipe is as follows:

2 pkgs Cream Cheese (8 oz), softened
1/2 C Sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (get the good stuff, it's worth it)
2 eggs

Mix the first three ingredients with an electric mixer until smooth, add the eggs and mix just enough to blend them in and pour into a ready-made graham cracker crust, bake at  325 degrees for 45 minutes or until the center is almost set, let it cool, refrigerate for 3-4 hours and it's done.

To the basic recipe you can add several different flavors and if you really want to get fancy you can get a set of springform pans and make your own crust. A basic graham cracker crust is as follows:

1 c Graham Cracker crumbs
3 Tablespoons Sugar
3  Tablespoons butter, melted

Combine the crumbs and sugar, stir in the butter and continue to stir until the graham crackers have absorbed the butter and they are more or less evenly coated. Assemble your springform pan and press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom with the back of a spoon to make a smooth even layer. Don't make the crust too thick because it will be too tough, it should just fill the depression in the bottom of the springform pan. You can also press the crust up the sides of the springform pan, but again be careful not to make the crust too thick.

As an added note, you can use this crust in a regular pie pan as well if you don't have or would rather not use a springform pan.

You might have to make a double batch of batter when you are using the springform pans (or use a smaller pan) depending on how tall you want your cake to be, in my opinion the above recipe is good for a 6" pan but no bigger. Using the springform pans is easy, just press your crust into the pan, pour the batter into the pan, and bake as before. Personally I like the looks of a springform pan baked cheesecake better than the pie pans.

I made a pumpkin cheesecake this week for Middle Daughter's birthday. To the basic batter add 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (plain pumpkin, NOT the mix), 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and one dash each  ground cloves and nutmeg. Mix until smooth, bake as before. The pumpkin cheesecake is very good in a springform pan with 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice (or 1/2 t cinnamon with a dash of cloves and nutmeg) mixed into the crust.

Other variations are chocolate (4 squares semi-sweet bakers chocolate, melted), peanut butter (1/2 cup) or Key Lime juice (2 Tablespoons, if you like key lime pie you will love this). Another variation is to make two complimentary flavors of batter, layer them in the pan and run a knife through the layers to swirl them together. (This works extremely well with chocolate and peanut butter, it would work just as well with chocolate and 1/3 cup caramel ice cream topping.)

The possibilities are endless, but beware that once you start making real cheesecakes you won't go back to the no-bake kind.

Enjoy!

How Cool Is This

When Middle Daughter showed an interest in learning to shoot the first thing I did was buy her a copy of this book.

When we went to the range I called Range Partner and he brought his collection so that we would have a variety for her to try out, starting with the .22 High Standard. I want her to enjoy just shooting as much as I do regardless of whether she ever carries for personal protection, and going by the range day I think that mission was pretty well accomplished.

The author of the referenced book now has a website. If you have a lady in your life that you would like to introduce to shooting I highly recommend both book and website.

Also fellas, read it (book, website or both) yourself. It could prevent you from making some pretty basic and stupid mistakes when it comes to teaching your ladies how to shoot.  Including maybe making the decision to let someone else do it.

NOTE: Check out her link for TTAG. It's not what you think. Or at least it wasn't what I thought. Well done!

26 October 2012

Chocolate!



AAR

The 6.5 grain load felt to be the best. I had a bit of an issue with FTL/FTE but that was easily traced to the brass, the ones that failed to load properly also failed to eject properly. Hopefully another round through the resizing dies will correct the issue, if not I will bring a marker to the range next time and dispose of those pieces of brass.

The Arisaka is 4" high at 25 yards and 8" high at 100 yards. Azimuth is mostly OK, but I found the sights move too easily so I have to find a way to stake them back down. I was shooting factory loads so now I have more brass to reload. I have to check my inventory, I think I have some bullets. I also scored a couple of 50 rd cartridge boxes so I don't have to worry about the Styrofoam breaking down in the PCI boxes.

The new holster was poking a bit, but I found the issue and corrected it. This corner was digging in so I took a pair of clippers and rounded it off. After that no more digging, and it is as comfortable to wear as I hoped it would be.

150 rounds through the Glock, another 20 through the Arisaka and a chance to put some top-down miles on the Mustang before Sandy came to town, topped off by hamburgers on the grille.

I don't know if your day was as good as mine, but I hope it was a good one for you anyway.

25 October 2012

Range Time

Off to try my .45 reloads, I will reload the rest of my empty brass to whichever one does the best.

I'm also going to borrow Range Partner's lead sled and see if I can finally nail down the Arisaka's POI.

Before I go to the range I'm going to drop by my favorite MOD to see if they have cartridge cases suitable for 6.5x50.

Afterwards it looks like I'm going to log some more grille time.

A top-down ride capped by smoke and noise and then meat cooked over a fire, what could be better?

Okay...

Good News: The Family Research Council shooter is a terrorist.

Bad News: The Fort Hood shooter is not.
.
.
.
maybe someone can explain that one to me some day...

HT: Bob Owens

The Fugly Has Landed

A few months ago I ordered one of these from Dragon Leatherworks, and without warning or fanfare it arrived today. Of course I could not wait to tear into the box and see what was there.

First impressions: it is a handsomely made all-leather holster that fits the gun like a glove...as expected.  I ordered mine without fancy adornments since it is, after all, a concealed carry holster.

You can, however, order it in several different colors and you can order the body panel (the part that is plain leather) in a different color than the holster
body (the part that is black).

The holster is designed to go in the five o'clock position but I don't really like to carry there - I find it uncomfortable and burdensome to draw from that far around my overly ample belt-line. Fortunately I was able to reverse the belt in the loops and put it at my three o'clock where I normally wear it without any problems.

This holster carries a bit higher than my Galco Stow n' Go, which in turn carried a bit higher than the Galco Tuck n' Go, so once again there will be a bit
of a learning curve as I get used to it. 

I am also going to have to get used to the body panel, it is the first holster I have had that has one. I like it because it keeps the gun from digging into my side, but it makes it a bit difficult to get my thumb to the inside of the grip.

I will be using the Galco whenever I need to be able to take the holster off (for example, if I am driving somewhere that I can't have the gun such as a restaurant that serves alcohol) since I don't like handling the gun with the trigger guard uncovered but I am planning on using the Fugly as my everyday carry holster.

It will get its first test this afternoon at the range. I'll let you know how it goes.

24 October 2012

On The Schedule

A day off and Monster Hunter Legion.

Temps in the high 70's and a car with a top that goes down.

What to do...what to do...

22 October 2012

Musings Of The Day

From the WTF Files: Tim Tebow is an arrogant jackass. No wonder he plays for the Jets.

There are some people you wish would just go away.

Paper shields are extremely flimsy.

Unrelated to any of the above: people were put on this earth to annoy me, and the reason that so many of them still live is because it's illegal to kill them.

It's time for me to go catch some Z's. I hope everyone has a good day.

13 October 2012

St Judes



I was up early today heading for Fayetteville for the No More Chemo Cruise to benefit St Judes Children's Hospital.

I took some pics and some videos and even took my little Firefly down the strip where she clocked in a pretty respectable 13.1998 with the top down. It was my very first time on a strip with any vehicle so I wasn't too disappointed.

More videos and photos can be found here.

Fair Use

You keep using these words. I do not think they mean what you think they mean.

I like to put pictures up on my posts, in my headers, and generally sprinkled throughout the blog. I like pictures, probably because I'm a knuckle dragging mouth breathing moron and need the visual stimulation, but for whatever reason there it is.

Oftentimes I will take these pictures myself but just as oftentimes I will pull them from the 'net. Whenever I do pull them from the 'net I try to leave a link and credit the creator whenever possible. Sometimes the pics I find don't have attribution so I can't always do this, I do still leave a link to where I found it if possible (meaning if I remember where I stole it from).

With that being said if I use a picture of yours and you want credit, or if you just want me to take it down, please do shoot me an email (address at my profile link) or leave me a comment on the offending post (I moderate comments so I will see it as long as you're not a spambot, in which case you must die by fire) and I will take appropriate actions.  No muss, no fuss, no bullshit.

What I will not do is use someone elses work for profit without their permission (one of the many reasons I don't do ads on this here blog). Using someone elses stuff without their say so is just plain rude and could be illegal depending on the circumstances (ask Major Caudill if you don't believe it).

This PSA has been brought to you by the Association of Annoyed Gunbloggers. We now return you to your regular programming.

11 October 2012

CSM Plumley

Departing.

Fair winds and following seas Command Sergeant Major.

10 October 2012

Goodby Alex

We are all just pawns in game of life.

blugh

I'm usually unreasonably healthy. I can count the number of times I've gone home early on one hand. Four, and that includes the time I got sent to my rack with my eyes crossed after bashing my nugget against the sharp underside of an F/A-18 flap by way of the sickbay where I got seven souvenir staples.

On the way in today I had a bit of a headache so I popped a couple of Excedrin and went on my way. By first break someone had left the water running in my nose so I had a Zicam to go along with my soda. Another at lunch, and by last break someone had a tie-down strap around my skull and they were ratcheting it down one click at a time, there was a balloon in one nostril and an icepick in the other, and every once in a while they swapped places. To add to the misery Mister Balloon turned the water on in the side he was in and left it running until he left.

I called it quits and turned it over to my Sith apprentice at a half past five, by six AM it was readily apparent that it was the smart thing to do going by my decreasing depth perception and attention span. I'm off to self-medicate a bit and take a little nap now, good thing this was the last day of the week so I have time to recover.

And while I'm on the subject, you folks really need to get jobs where you can go to work at a decent hour when it's light outside, and does it really take three hours these days to get the kids to school? Oh, and Mister Garbageman, a bit of light or at least some reflectors on that dark jacket you're wearing wouldn't be a bad idea. Just sayin'.

If you are looking for actual content you will have to seek it out in the sidebar, there's nothing to see here. (move along)

07 October 2012

Barriers - Broken

One of the more interesting technologies to be developed in the past decade or so is Rapid Prototyping on 3D printers. The technology has evolved to the point where there are companies such as Shapeways that can mass produce objects using your CAD designs.

I've purchased railroad cars from them and so far they are pretty good, it seems to be the perfect way to economically produce items that would be prohibitively expensive using standard manufacturing techniques such as injection molding. If I only knew how to run a CAD program, or could find someone to create an Nn3 design for the East Broad Top M-1 that can be powered by a powered truck, I'd be in heaven. But I digress.

As the technology matures it will become less and less expensive and eventually will reach a point where 3D printers are cheap enough to be affordable by regular folks. When that happens all you will need is some proficiency with a CAD program and the items that can be created are virtually limitless.

Enter Texas law student Cody Wilson and his Wiki Weapon Project. Using a 3D printer he created an AR-15 lower and then built first a .22 pistol and then a .223 rifle out of it. And yes, it works; the AR-15 receiver carries a very little bit of stress, functioning mostly as a framework to hold all of the various parts in close proximity. The upper is the part that gets all the stress, but here's a bit of trivia...the lower is the part that has the serial number, and thus according to the BATFEIEIO it IS the firearm.

The owner of the leased printer has canceled its contract with him and repossessed the printer, saying that it was used for illegal purposes, but actually according to the law it is not illegal for someone to manufacture a firearm (as long as it is not fully automatic) for their own use as long as they are otherwise allowed to have them (we can discuss the whole "allowed" thing later) and they don't sell it. Regardless, this genie is now out of the bottle; it has been done once and can be done again.

The truth is the manufacture of firearms is not difficult, cave dwellers in Afghanistan are fashioning fully functional versions of the AK-47 even as we speak; it's receiver is bent sheet metal that can be built using common metal working tools (in fact you can purchase kits for this purpose). Those who wish for a gun-free world are whistling in the wind, if a cavewight in Trashcanistan can make them they can be made anywhere.

This technology will (eventually) put self-defense capabilities into everyone's reach, and as far as I'm concerned that is a good thing.

Yep



Have a great day.

05 October 2012

Morons Unite!

Please welcome moron(ette)blogger Anna Puma!

thatisall.

(actual content this weekend after the car show...with pics...maybe)

30 September 2012

Saucy

Last Friday I put another roast in the crock pot to become pulled pork.

Here in the Carolinas we have three different kind of sauces to use on pulled pork. In North Carolina we have two primary types; there are those who refer to them as right and wrong, but the traditional terms are eastern and western. The third is a mustard based sauce that is popular in South Carolina, I haven't tried it but it sounds delish so it might need some further investigation.

At any rate the Eastern sauce is vinegar based, rooted in the Scottish tradition when tomatoes were, so I've heard, considered poison (although I have also heard that it is due to vinegar being a preservative). The Germans brought us the South Carolina mustard-based sauces and the tomato based sauces were favored by the English in western North Carolina.

Regardless of the sauce, the Spaniards brought the pig and the natives showed us the proper way to cook them, over red hot coals. In eastern North Carolina they tend to go whole hog and in the Piedmont and western NC the use of large cuts such as shoulders are the norm. Either way the meat is traditionally smoked for a long period of time. I cheat by putting mine in a crock pot, but truthfully it is better when it spends 8-12 quality hours in the company of wood smoke.

This time around I was looking for an alternative to the store-bought tomato based sauces that have seemed to sprout up in my refrigerator so I thought I'd try my hand at making some of the eastern NC type sauce. It is actually pretty simple, consisting of vinegar and spices, and it turned out well. Of course I did have to add my own touches to it, you may choose to leave them out.

And without further ado, here it is!

1 cup white vinegar (I have seen recipes using only apple cider vinegar as well)
1 cup apple cider vinegar (two if you are not using white vinegar)
1 T packed brown sugar (I have seen recipes calling for as much as 1/4 cup, so add more if you want)
1 T cayenne pepper (I used red pepper flakes)
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (I used this but Tabasco would work just as well for a milder flavor)
1 t salt
1 t ground black pepper
ADDED INGREDIENT: 1 drop of Daves Insanity Sauce. Use this with caution, it gets its name honestly. I just put a bit on a toothpick and stir the vinegar with it until it is washed off. Throw that toothpick away immediately, you do NOT want to use it on anything else. Not even as a joke. Trust me on this.

Mix all of this up in a Mason jar with a tight fitting lid and shake it up every once in a while for two days as the flavors mingle, keeping it in the refrigerator between shakes. After two days shake it up really good again and decant it into a bottle (or just leave it in the jar) for serving. It keeps for a couple of months, so I've heard. The way it's getting gone I doubt it will last that long.

Enjoy!

28 September 2012

What A Revoltin' Development This Is

As you may have noticed I like pictures.

It took a while, but I have finally exceeded my limit in my Picasa web album, which Blogsnot uses for its photo storage. The new header pic (it's for October, which means it's early, which means I should have waited...D'oh!) was the last one.

As a result I had to actually buy photo storage for the blog. I have no issues with that, but I do have issues with the fact that it can take up to 24 hours for the expansion to kick in.

Until then, no more pictures for you! I know you would like to see how my new plate looks

but NO! I would like to put a bigger picture in my header. DENIED! You will have to deal with just text and LIKE it.

Oh well, I guess I'll have plenty of room for car show pics next weekend.

UPDATED: I guess that wasn't TOO bad...

24 September 2012

On My Desktop

Since you asked...


I have this one at work, stolen shamelessly from MSgtB. It's almost worth going in to work just to see her.


Now that it's almost a new month I'll have to find another RotM (Redhead of the Month) for my work desktop. I've been warned that this one was pushing the limits of good taste (Philistines! it's COFFEE!!!) so I'll have to find something more...subtle...


Alas, she's not a redhead. My search continues. After breakfast. I have a hankering for waffles and coffee...

HT: An NC Gun Blog

UPDATE: I'm guessing she would be right out as well.

Shame, really, as I've cropped out all the good bits so that she would fit on the desktop. Some people have no appreciation for art.

23 September 2012

Weekend Adventures

Saturday was supposed to be a display day with the Mustang club, but Friday night Eldest Sister called and asked for my help to move.  She needed my little trucklet and trailer to move the big stuff to her new place.

Youngest Son and I went up Friday night, stayed over and worked all the next day until after midnight helping them put everything in. I didn't get a picture of the rosebushes, but there are pink roses all along the front of the house bordered with those little lights that come on at dusk. It's a nice place, but my favorite part of the house was this:



Knotted pine paneling and matching bookshelves on one side of the fireplace, the other side is where her knotted pine entertainment center sits, it's a perfect match. I could just imagine my entire book collection on those shelves...well, maybe not all of it, but quite a bit of it anyway.

We got home this morning about 4:30 AM, I did my laundry and caught a little nap just in time to get up and spray some carburetor cleaner in the Idle Air Control Valve mounting hole on the Subaru before getting ready to go to work. The check engine light is presently extinguished, we will see how long it lasts this time.

I'm hoping next week is a little less busy.

21 September 2012

"Who Are You Voting For?"

I guess my reaction startled her a bit because she stepped back, clipboard in a defensive posture over her chest. All I really did was stop short with my hand on the door handle and abruptly turn my head towards her. "Romney" I snapped. "You are registered then?" she asked. I replied to the affirmative and she scurried away to bother some other mall-goer.

I really shouldn't have been so short with her I guess, she was only doing the job that...someone...put her up to, but I really didn't think it was her business. Funny thing though, an Asian woman who had been following me in answered that she didn't know who she was voting for but caught up with me once inside.

It turns out that she, too, will be a Romney voter, and for pretty much the same reason as me. Romney wasn't my guy...in fact I really didn't have a favorite although I liked Perry...but ol' Mitt has stepped up pretty well lately so I think I can vote for him without holding my nose. (I might still have to breathe through my mouth until I get back outside, time will tell.)

She said that she would be voting Romney because Teh One has done such a stellar job, and even if Romney was a total and abysmal failure he would still be orders of magnitude better than TFG. I told her not to forget the down-ticket races, that it is even more important to control the House and Senate, and she went off on her way.

I'm getting quite a bit of that in fact, when folks realize that I won't be pulling the "D" lever come election day they come clean and "admit" to being a conservative as well. They have just learned not to wear their political affiliation on their sleeves, it just saves time and irritation (case in point, Youngest Daughter had one of her customers tell her if she was voting for Romney then little miss O'bot would "have to sit her down and show her some pictures to get her mind straight" which is just the sort of thing that most of us don't really want to bother with. It's probably good I wasn't there, I have been known to get rude sometimes and oh boy can I find some pictures for her).


Anyway, as Roberta so succinctly put it, you can at least get rid of the worst offenders and the SCoaMF has certainly earned his spot (right next to James Earl Carter, and that's doing something right there to make Carter look good) on that list. That has to be worth something.

And if nothing else, voting gives me the right to bitch about it for the next four years.