After that we went on to Lenoir NC for their monthly cruise-in:
I’m Baaack
1 month ago
04 August 2013
Crusin'
Saturday was a car-filled day. First Boy and I loaded up and went to Cars n Coffee in Cary NC:
Then we went and enjoyed some shooty goodness with Range Partner where I patterned the EBS Project (an inch high at 10 yards, I can live with it) and shot up the reloads that I had run back through the dies again, with surprisingly few issues this time.
After that we went on to Lenoir NC for their monthly cruise-in:
And now, after being up all day Saturday I get to be up all night so I can sleep in the day and work all night Sunday.
After that we went on to Lenoir NC for their monthly cruise-in:
02 August 2013
Another One Down
The last of the junk cars that I do not own is leaving as I speak. One left, but at least that one I hold the title on.
30 July 2013
29 July 2013
It's Almost As If
those crazy lunatic gun nuts...weren't so crazy after all...
http://gunfreezone.net/wordpress/index.php/2013/07/29/i-dont-mean-to-gloat/
Submitted without comment...because really, what more can be said?
http://gunfreezone.net/wordpress/index.php/2013/07/29/i-dont-mean-to-gloat/
Submitted without comment...because really, what more can be said?
28 July 2013
Navy Hymn
For those of you who have never heard it, this is a great version put on by the Navy's country band, courtesy of commenter Tim.
http://youtu.be/Cwns5gXrrow
Thanks for the link shipmate!
http://youtu.be/Cwns5gXrrow
Thanks for the link shipmate!
27 July 2013
So
This came in today:
I think it goes pretty well with the back window stickers, don't you?
Also, I have verified that both of my new downhill neighbors are not only shooters, but he is also a member of the Mosin Militia. I'll have to invite him and his wife out to the Triangle Open Carry meetups.
That's worth knowing.
Also, I have verified that both of my new downhill neighbors are not only shooters, but he is also a member of the Mosin Militia. I'll have to invite him and his wife out to the Triangle Open Carry meetups.
That's worth knowing.
This Makes Me Sad
Pretty redheaded girls who have to take their own pictures. There should be some way they can get someone else to take their pictures so that they can just act natural...meaning, be beautiful.
Consider this an open offer ladies, I may not be a professional but I do know what buttons to push.
And while we're on the subject...what the hell is wrong with millionaires? Give me a couple of M's to toss around and watch me change that perception toot-sweet.
Picture obviously stolen from Bob at the Chive. Bob is a genius, he has redheads sending their pictures to him all the time. How do I get a gig like that?
26 July 2013
EBS Project: The Finale
I finally got the last pieces I needed for the EBS project.
I needed a sling, and since the buttstock cheek adapter with shell holder was such a bust on all points I decided the best thing would be a sling with shell loops. Imagine my surprise when I discovered, at the local mart of walls, a Blackhawk sling that has 15 loops for an assortment of shotgun shells.
I put a forward sling swivel on the tac rail and bought a set of sling swivels, using only one, for the stock so that the sling would have a place to attach. The sling has been installed and the initial impression is that it should fill the bill quite nicely.
I also put another spacer on the stock, and now I can get a cheek weld immediately without having to adjust my position on it, so it seems that was exactly what I needed to fix that issue. I'm thinking the next pattern session, whenever that ends up being, will go swimmingly.
And with these components, the Evil Black Shotgun project is now complete...for now...
I needed a sling, and since the buttstock cheek adapter with shell holder was such a bust on all points I decided the best thing would be a sling with shell loops. Imagine my surprise when I discovered, at the local mart of walls, a Blackhawk sling that has 15 loops for an assortment of shotgun shells.
I put a forward sling swivel on the tac rail and bought a set of sling swivels, using only one, for the stock so that the sling would have a place to attach. The sling has been installed and the initial impression is that it should fill the bill quite nicely.
I also put another spacer on the stock, and now I can get a cheek weld immediately without having to adjust my position on it, so it seems that was exactly what I needed to fix that issue. I'm thinking the next pattern session, whenever that ends up being, will go swimmingly.
And with these components, the Evil Black Shotgun project is now complete...for now...
Please Tell Me
why you would buy a convertible and ride around when the sun is shining and it is above 65 degrees with the top up?
Below 65 I can see, it gets kind of chilly especially when the sun starts to sink, but when it's bright and sunny and warm I can't see any sense to it at all.
I didn't pay extra for a drop-top so I could ride around in the shade.
Below 65 I can see, it gets kind of chilly especially when the sun starts to sink, but when it's bright and sunny and warm I can't see any sense to it at all.
I didn't pay extra for a drop-top so I could ride around in the shade.
23 July 2013
I Wish I Was Still On Vacation
My Sith apprentice is out sick for the week. Fortunately the folks from the opposite shift agree to fill in for him, which is very good since we've been busy all week.
Last week I was sitting on the beach. This week I'm up to my armpits in grime. Yay me.
I hope my Sith apprentice gets better soon.
Last week I was sitting on the beach. This week I'm up to my armpits in grime. Yay me.
I hope my Sith apprentice gets better soon.
21 July 2013
What's A Grit?
You don't live south of the Mason-Dixon line without at least hearing about grits, a staple of Southern breakfast in the same manner that cream of wheat or oatmeal is in northern climes. There are probably as many ways to serve grits as Bubba Gump knows how to fix shrimp, and one of those ways is shrimp and grits.
Shrimp and grits are a favorite on the coast, not surprisingly, where the boats come in loaded with fresh seafood which is generally frozen and packaged for sale inland. The catch that would not survive the trip inland often found its way into various recipes on the seashore. I had not heard of shrimp and grits until I moved to North Carolina, even though I have been south of the Mason-Dixon almost exclusively since I was 18.
On our foray to the coast I happened to spot a restaurant that was so proud of its grits that they put them in their name, so I knew the time had come to sample shrimp and grits. Afterwards the only regret I had was not having them earlier.
Of course as soon as I got back home the first thing I did (well, the second, after walking my dog who was insanely glad to see me, as always) was look up recipes for shrimp and grits. It amused me to note that there seems to be as many recipes for shrimp and grits as there are shrimp in the sea. They go all the way from ostentatious to simple, this one seemed pretty simple but I finally pieced together my own recipe from bits of other ones. It's not quite what I had at the coast, but although different it was just as good.
And without further ado, here we go!
Shrimp and Grits
Prep time: 30 to 45 minutes
The cheesy grits, which are good all by themselves if you so desire:
1 cup grits. You can use quick grits, but like the man said, no self respecting Southerner would ever eat instant grits.
2 cups shrimp stock (see below). You can also use 2 cups of water with 1/2 tablespoon salt if you don't want to make the shrimp stock, but don't add any salt if using shrimp stock. It doesn't need it.
2 cups milk
4 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, finely shredded
4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, finely shredded
4 drops Tabasco sauce (optional)
The shrimp:
1 pound unpeeled, medium-size shrimp, bonus points if you get them fresh from the boat
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
4 strips of bacon
6 ounces sliced mushrooms, about 3 cups
8-10 green onion bulbs, chopped fine
1 medium sweet red (or yellow or orange) bell pepper, chopped fine
1 garlic clove, finely minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup shrimp stock (or chicken broth if you don't make shrimp stock)
Tops of green onions, thinly cut on diagonal for garnish
Peel and de-vein shrimp, saving the shells to make the shrimp stock if desired. Do this by boiling the shrimp shells in 4-5 cups lightly salted water for as long as it takes you to chop the vegetables (helpful hint, slice up the green onion tops for the garnish first, then chop the bulbs). Strain out the shells and retain the broth.
Bring 2 cups shrimp stock and the milk to a low boil and gradually stir in the grits. Cover and cook until thickened, stirring frequently. For quick grits this will take 5-10 minutes, for regular grits it can take 30 minutes or so. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese and hot sauce. Stir well to fully mix in the melted cheese, then cover to retain heat and moisture and set aside.
Fry the bacon until crisp in a 10" cast iron skillet. Remove bacon from skillet, leaving the drippings in the skillet. Set the bacon aside on a paper towel to cool.
Combine the peeled shrimp, lemon juice, salt, and ground red pepper in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside while you cook the vegetables. Do not let the shrimp sit any longer than 20 minutes or the citrus will begin to cook the shrimp.
Add the mushrooms, onion and bell pepper to the bacon drippings and cook, tossing and stirring, until the mushrooms are tender and the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste, add the garlic and cook an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring well. Sprinkle flour over vegetables, mix well and cook, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes or until flour begins to brown.
Add the shrimp mixture and 3/4 cup shrimp stock and cook, stirring constantly, until the shrimp turns pink and the gravy is smooth (about 6 minutes). If the gravy is too thick add shrimp stock as necessary. Crumble the bacon and blend it in.
Dish the grits into individual bowls and top with the shrimp mixture. Garnish with green onion tops. Serves 4-6.
Enjoy!
Much of the above recipe was adapted from one I found at My Carolina Kitchen. Lots of good eats over there, go check them out.
Shrimp and grits are a favorite on the coast, not surprisingly, where the boats come in loaded with fresh seafood which is generally frozen and packaged for sale inland. The catch that would not survive the trip inland often found its way into various recipes on the seashore. I had not heard of shrimp and grits until I moved to North Carolina, even though I have been south of the Mason-Dixon almost exclusively since I was 18.
On our foray to the coast I happened to spot a restaurant that was so proud of its grits that they put them in their name, so I knew the time had come to sample shrimp and grits. Afterwards the only regret I had was not having them earlier.
Of course as soon as I got back home the first thing I did (well, the second, after walking my dog who was insanely glad to see me, as always) was look up recipes for shrimp and grits. It amused me to note that there seems to be as many recipes for shrimp and grits as there are shrimp in the sea. They go all the way from ostentatious to simple, this one seemed pretty simple but I finally pieced together my own recipe from bits of other ones. It's not quite what I had at the coast, but although different it was just as good.
And without further ado, here we go!
Shrimp and Grits
Prep time: 30 to 45 minutes
The cheesy grits, which are good all by themselves if you so desire:
1 cup grits. You can use quick grits, but like the man said, no self respecting Southerner would ever eat instant grits.
2 cups shrimp stock (see below). You can also use 2 cups of water with 1/2 tablespoon salt if you don't want to make the shrimp stock, but don't add any salt if using shrimp stock. It doesn't need it.
2 cups milk
4 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, finely shredded
4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, finely shredded
4 drops Tabasco sauce (optional)
The shrimp:
1 pound unpeeled, medium-size shrimp, bonus points if you get them fresh from the boat
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
4 strips of bacon
6 ounces sliced mushrooms, about 3 cups
8-10 green onion bulbs, chopped fine
1 medium sweet red (or yellow or orange) bell pepper, chopped fine
1 garlic clove, finely minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup shrimp stock (or chicken broth if you don't make shrimp stock)
Tops of green onions, thinly cut on diagonal for garnish
Peel and de-vein shrimp, saving the shells to make the shrimp stock if desired. Do this by boiling the shrimp shells in 4-5 cups lightly salted water for as long as it takes you to chop the vegetables (helpful hint, slice up the green onion tops for the garnish first, then chop the bulbs). Strain out the shells and retain the broth.
Bring 2 cups shrimp stock and the milk to a low boil and gradually stir in the grits. Cover and cook until thickened, stirring frequently. For quick grits this will take 5-10 minutes, for regular grits it can take 30 minutes or so. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese and hot sauce. Stir well to fully mix in the melted cheese, then cover to retain heat and moisture and set aside.
Fry the bacon until crisp in a 10" cast iron skillet. Remove bacon from skillet, leaving the drippings in the skillet. Set the bacon aside on a paper towel to cool.
Combine the peeled shrimp, lemon juice, salt, and ground red pepper in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside while you cook the vegetables. Do not let the shrimp sit any longer than 20 minutes or the citrus will begin to cook the shrimp.
Add the mushrooms, onion and bell pepper to the bacon drippings and cook, tossing and stirring, until the mushrooms are tender and the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste, add the garlic and cook an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring well. Sprinkle flour over vegetables, mix well and cook, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes or until flour begins to brown.
Add the shrimp mixture and 3/4 cup shrimp stock and cook, stirring constantly, until the shrimp turns pink and the gravy is smooth (about 6 minutes). If the gravy is too thick add shrimp stock as necessary. Crumble the bacon and blend it in.
Dish the grits into individual bowls and top with the shrimp mixture. Garnish with green onion tops. Serves 4-6.
Enjoy!
Much of the above recipe was adapted from one I found at My Carolina Kitchen. Lots of good eats over there, go check them out.
20 July 2013
What I Did On My Summer Vacation, Part 2
Thursday morning Boy and I loaded up the Scoobytruck and headed east to the outer banks. We got to the Oregon Inlet Campground, Cape Hatteras National Seashore about 2 PM and started to make camp.
Our Coleman tent poles suffered from broken elastic, it's the first time we've had the tent out this year. Fortunately, we had duck tape (made from real ducks?)
Tent up and ready for occupancy.
Wright Brothers monument, Kill Devil Hill NC
Replica of the 1903 Wright Brothers flyer. This is an operational reproduction that has actual flighthours minutes logged on its airframe.
Bodie Island Lighthouse
These kites are being used as motive power for surfboards. It's called kitesurfing.
You never know what you're gonna see. Yes, that's a cow kite.
Saturday morning we headed on home. Tomorrow vacation is over and I get to go back to work.
It was nice while it lasted.
Our Coleman tent poles suffered from broken elastic, it's the first time we've had the tent out this year. Fortunately, we had duck tape (made from real ducks?)
Tent up and ready for occupancy.
Wright Brothers monument, Kill Devil Hill NC
Replica of the 1903 Wright Brothers flyer. This is an operational reproduction that has actual flight
Bodie Island Lighthouse
These kites are being used as motive power for surfboards. It's called kitesurfing.
You never know what you're gonna see. Yes, that's a cow kite.
Saturday morning we headed on home. Tomorrow vacation is over and I get to go back to work.
It was nice while it lasted.
16 July 2013
Bodges?
We don't need no steenking bodges!
In an effort to further irritate certain people (not really but it will probably have that effect) I've ordered one of these.
The four tabs I've chosen are: camping, fishing, military and 100K miles. In another 45K I'll order the 200K mile tab.
I also suggested a shooting sports tab, but truthfully I don't expect anything to come of that.
When it comes in I'll take some pics.
In an effort to further irritate certain people (not really but it will probably have that effect) I've ordered one of these.
The four tabs I've chosen are: camping, fishing, military and 100K miles. In another 45K I'll order the 200K mile tab.
I also suggested a shooting sports tab, but truthfully I don't expect anything to come of that.
When it comes in I'll take some pics.
15 July 2013
What I Did On My Summer Vacation, Part 1
Yesterday Boy and I loaded up the Subaru and went fishing.
I didn't feel like cleaning them, so back into the lake they went.
This morning we both got up and did our homework, his was sent home for him to keep him sharp while Sis is out, and mine I've been neglecting for my associates degree. Calculus, oh what fun. After that we went to various places to get various things, including a 4MB RAM stick for the new computer and some games for Boy.
And speaking of games, when I got home this had come in the mail:
I put it right in, following the instructions on the screen it was simplicity itself, and then I went for a ride to test it out. My main intent was to tighten the transmission up, and it certainly did that; no more delays on the throttle when almost stopped and it hits a lot harder at the shift points. I can get a satisfying little chirp out of the tires when the trans shifts at WOT.
The only thing I noticed different from stock (besides the crisper shifts and lack of irritating throttle delay); when moving slow the transmission stays in the lower gears, it works real hard at keeping the RPM's between 1 and 2K when you are not on the throttle. Otherwise everything seems to work just as it did before, only better.
I think I like this vacation so far.
The catch of the day was 3 catfish ranging from 8 to 10 inches and a 8 1/2 inch white bass. There was also a 6" striped bass that immediately went back into the lake to get bigger. Boy only managed to snag his line 4 times, losing the same amount of tackle. That's a switch, usually he gets the fish and I only get my worms stolen.
I didn't feel like cleaning them, so back into the lake they went.
This morning we both got up and did our homework, his was sent home for him to keep him sharp while Sis is out, and mine I've been neglecting for my associates degree. Calculus, oh what fun. After that we went to various places to get various things, including a 4MB RAM stick for the new computer and some games for Boy.
And speaking of games, when I got home this had come in the mail:
The only thing I noticed different from stock (besides the crisper shifts and lack of irritating throttle delay); when moving slow the transmission stays in the lower gears, it works real hard at keeping the RPM's between 1 and 2K when you are not on the throttle. Otherwise everything seems to work just as it did before, only better.
I think I like this vacation so far.
14 July 2013
Vacation
Unlike Range Partner, I'm on a break this week to burn up some time off to keep from losing it at the end of the month. I will have a total of ten days off, starting last Thursday.
I plan to drown a lot of worms and maybe take Youngest Son camping on the Outer Banks where we will climb a lighthouse or two and see where the Wright Bro's made their world-changing flight.
Maybe I'll even get a blog post or two in.
I plan to drown a lot of worms and maybe take Youngest Son camping on the Outer Banks where we will climb a lighthouse or two and see where the Wright Bro's made their world-changing flight.
Maybe I'll even get a blog post or two in.
12 July 2013
New Computer
The old one is completely dead. I have disconnected everything that I had previously connected, including a second hard drive, external hard drive and video card. At this point it was completely returned to its as-delivered configuration. Any time it would attempt to boot I would get a hardware failure. Reloading the hard drive did no good, so I swapped in a completely different hard drive and got the same exact failure. Prognosis...it was old and needed to be replaced anyway.
Off to the computer store I went. I settled on a Lenovo H430 but I put my wireless keyboard and mouse on instead of the supplied wired units. I thought at first it had an internal wireless card, but if it does I don't know how to turn it on. No biggie, the wireless adapter I had works just fine. Twice the RAM as the old unit, 1 TB HDD and a 3.4G clock gives me a lot more bang than the old one, and for less than 4 bills.
It'll do I guess.
Off to the computer store I went. I settled on a Lenovo H430 but I put my wireless keyboard and mouse on instead of the supplied wired units. I thought at first it had an internal wireless card, but if it does I don't know how to turn it on. No biggie, the wireless adapter I had works just fine. Twice the RAM as the old unit, 1 TB HDD and a 3.4G clock gives me a lot more bang than the old one, and for less than 4 bills.
It'll do I guess.
10 July 2013
Spammers Must Die
Horribly and painfully.
Today I got a spam email with my dead wife's name in the "from" line.
I don't think there's a jury in the land that would convict me.
Today I got a spam email with my dead wife's name in the "from" line.
I don't think there's a jury in the land that would convict me.
Now What
It looks like the main computer is on the fritz now.
It started when Grandbaby-Boy pulled the monitor cord out of the back. My fault for not screwing it down, I guess, but I could have sworn I did that when I put it in. Anyhoo, when I put that monitor on the 'puter it needed a new video card to drive it. I plugged it into the old port when I tried to reconnect it, and when it didn't work I rebooted the computer.
Bad mistake.
By the time I had figured out that I needed to plug the monitor into the new video card output the computer was stuck in a loop, it would start to boot up and then kick back out into the start screen (the one where you have the option to get into the BIOS), then it would start to boot up and kick back into the start screen, over and over and over again.
So I tried a repair on the XP installation. That didn't work. So then I tried a reinstall without a format. That didn't work either, and now I get a blue screen of text telling me about a critical error involving a new hardware installation, which there isn't one.
Last chance, I'm going to try an install with format. Since everything is backed up to the external hard drive (where most everything is stored anyway) I shouldn't lose anything but time.
If this doesn't work it looks like I'll be computer shopping.
It started when Grandbaby-Boy pulled the monitor cord out of the back. My fault for not screwing it down, I guess, but I could have sworn I did that when I put it in. Anyhoo, when I put that monitor on the 'puter it needed a new video card to drive it. I plugged it into the old port when I tried to reconnect it, and when it didn't work I rebooted the computer.
Bad mistake.
By the time I had figured out that I needed to plug the monitor into the new video card output the computer was stuck in a loop, it would start to boot up and then kick back out into the start screen (the one where you have the option to get into the BIOS), then it would start to boot up and kick back into the start screen, over and over and over again.
So I tried a repair on the XP installation. That didn't work. So then I tried a reinstall without a format. That didn't work either, and now I get a blue screen of text telling me about a critical error involving a new hardware installation, which there isn't one.
Last chance, I'm going to try an install with format. Since everything is backed up to the external hard drive (where most everything is stored anyway) I shouldn't lose anything but time.
If this doesn't work it looks like I'll be computer shopping.
08 July 2013
Great
Dog has had the squirts all day, a fact I found out much to my amusement when I got up this afternoon. I've been busy with the carpet cleaner for a while as a result, and I swear the next kid that thinks it's a good idea to bring an animal into this house is going to have a bad case of resoled lower colon.
I keep this dog because he was Eldest Daughters Christmas present to her mom when we first moved into the house (that smelled like fresh paint and new carpet at the time). He's not a bad dog as dogs go, but he certainly does deserve a better owner, one that has the time to spend with him.
After this memorable start, though, the day has to get better...even if I do have to go to work.
I keep this dog because he was Eldest Daughters Christmas present to her mom when we first moved into the house (that smelled like fresh paint and new carpet at the time). He's not a bad dog as dogs go, but he certainly does deserve a better owner, one that has the time to spend with him.
After this memorable start, though, the day has to get better...even if I do have to go to work.
Waterlogged
I'm starting to wonder if we are ever again going to see a day without rain. It has rained at least a little, and usually lots more than that, every day for the past couple of weeks and the weatherguessers say it will continue to be this way at least for the next week.
I'm thinking instead of an RV I might want to get a houseboat...and then again, if it keeps up like this I might have a houseboat whether I wanted one or not. The EPA will likely be around in a bit to tell me I can no longer mow my lawn because it's become a wetland. I have a feeling that Boy wouldn't complain.
Yes, I know, there are some of you out there that would kill for rain. Believe me, I'd like to send it to you.
I'm thinking instead of an RV I might want to get a houseboat...and then again, if it keeps up like this I might have a houseboat whether I wanted one or not. The EPA will likely be around in a bit to tell me I can no longer mow my lawn because it's become a wetland. I have a feeling that Boy wouldn't complain.
Yes, I know, there are some of you out there that would kill for rain. Believe me, I'd like to send it to you.
06 July 2013
Gun Post
I really need to get back into my dry-firing routine.
In other news, I'm slightly considering joining a range that has opened up somewhat close-ish to me. $400 initiation fees and $250 a year. Seems a bit steep to me, and it's about as far to the east of me as Range Partner's range is to the west of me, hence the "slightly considering" aspect of the whole deal.
On a positive note, I've figured out the trick to shooting the Arisaka. If you line the sights up in the traditional manner it shoots all manners of high. However, if you level the ears on each side of the front sight on the rear sight you still have the point of the front sight visible in the V of the rear sight, and that puts the bullets right on target.
I only shot it at a 25 yard range, adjusting the windage and my technique until all the shots consistently went into the black, but given that it's the first range session I've been able to accomplish even that I'm overjoyed. I'm also overjoyed that on a bench rest rather than in my shaky hands it groups excellently.
Next time I'll bring more ammo and shoot out to a 100 yard range, then maybe try it out to 200 yards as well. If I can get it to target and group as well at 100 and 200 yards as it did at 25 I'll take it Bambi-missing and maybe to one of the Vintage Military Bolt Action Rifle matches I've been meaning to attend.
The range also had a new steel target, and Boy and I had a great time with the Saiga making it ring.
I also patterned the EBS Project following an addition of a spacer to the stock. Without the spacer I wasn't able to get a good cheek weld. With the spacer it's better, but maybe just one more spacer would do the trick. Also, the Glock continues to eat factory loads without any troubles after the spring change, if you have an early G-36 with FTF/FTE issues I highly recommend the spring change to cure it of that particular evil.
Afterwards we helped Range Partner with some building materials relocation. Another great day making smoke and noise, and an outstanding way to celebrate on this Independence Day weekend.
In other news, I'm slightly considering joining a range that has opened up somewhat close-ish to me. $400 initiation fees and $250 a year. Seems a bit steep to me, and it's about as far to the east of me as Range Partner's range is to the west of me, hence the "slightly considering" aspect of the whole deal.
On a positive note, I've figured out the trick to shooting the Arisaka. If you line the sights up in the traditional manner it shoots all manners of high. However, if you level the ears on each side of the front sight on the rear sight you still have the point of the front sight visible in the V of the rear sight, and that puts the bullets right on target.
I only shot it at a 25 yard range, adjusting the windage and my technique until all the shots consistently went into the black, but given that it's the first range session I've been able to accomplish even that I'm overjoyed. I'm also overjoyed that on a bench rest rather than in my shaky hands it groups excellently.
Next time I'll bring more ammo and shoot out to a 100 yard range, then maybe try it out to 200 yards as well. If I can get it to target and group as well at 100 and 200 yards as it did at 25 I'll take it Bambi-missing and maybe to one of the Vintage Military Bolt Action Rifle matches I've been meaning to attend.
The range also had a new steel target, and Boy and I had a great time with the Saiga making it ring.
I also patterned the EBS Project following an addition of a spacer to the stock. Without the spacer I wasn't able to get a good cheek weld. With the spacer it's better, but maybe just one more spacer would do the trick. Also, the Glock continues to eat factory loads without any troubles after the spring change, if you have an early G-36 with FTF/FTE issues I highly recommend the spring change to cure it of that particular evil.
Afterwards we helped Range Partner with some building materials relocation. Another great day making smoke and noise, and an outstanding way to celebrate on this Independence Day weekend.
01 July 2013
Arrrgghh!!!
Rudely awoken at 2:30 PM by the telephone, a bill collector trying to collect on Favorite Niece's student loan (I'm a co-signer, a decision I've had cause to regret every 2 or 3 months) even though 1) she's still in school and 2) she's been paying on it. Lest you forget, I work nights, 12 hour shifts, so I sleep during the day.
This is particularly annoying since it's an ongoing thing. Every 2 or 3 months they call me, and I call Favorite Niece, who calls them and gets it all straightened out, only to have it happen again 2 or 3 months later. Apparently their records aren't geared to have payments made early; she makes early payments that are credited, but not applied towards the current month. Don't ask me how that works, I don't know.
The worst part, of course, is now I'm sleep deficient for my long night at work since once I'm awake I can't get back to sleep.
It's gonna be a long night...
This is particularly annoying since it's an ongoing thing. Every 2 or 3 months they call me, and I call Favorite Niece, who calls them and gets it all straightened out, only to have it happen again 2 or 3 months later. Apparently their records aren't geared to have payments made early; she makes early payments that are credited, but not applied towards the current month. Don't ask me how that works, I don't know.
The worst part, of course, is now I'm sleep deficient for my long night at work since once I'm awake I can't get back to sleep.
It's gonna be a long night...
29 June 2013
Anyone Else Getting This?
My Email spam has reached the height of culture. The titles are in French.
That doesn't keep me from deleting them, I just thought it was interesting.
That doesn't keep me from deleting them, I just thought it was interesting.
23 June 2013
Idle Thoughts
Watching that new Subaru commercial, where the guy is going everywhere and painting shitty pictures, gives me an eye tic. Particularly when he tells his wife that the one picture is upside down. I'd just like to punch him to the floor and say "There, how does it look now?"
It makes me think that Subaru is fighting hard for the "pretentious douchebag who can't afford a BMW" demographic. Sad, really, cause I truly like my Baja.
It makes me think that Subaru is fighting hard for the "pretentious douchebag who can't afford a BMW" demographic. Sad, really, cause I truly like my Baja.
Short Weekend
Not really short, I guess, since it had the requisite number of days, but like always they seemed to fly right by and be over before they had any right to be.
It started on Thursday, as mine usually do (I work Sunday nights, my weekends run from Thursday to Saturday on my long weeks and Wednesday to Saturday on my short ones...and before you think I'm a lucky spud for having four day weekends, 1. yes I am and 2. I work 12 hour days), with a message on my dashboard saying it was oil change time soon. That came as a bit of a surprise since the sticker on my windshield clearly stated I had another hundred miles or so, but since I had a long-distance weekend planned I thought it would be a good idea to go ahead and change it.
Anyway, I went to see if I could score some more .22 ammo, and failed miserably, then went home to catch about 4 hours of sleep before having to get up to go to the dentist. The crown prep went well, no root canal needed, and now I have a huge hunk of white plastic covering the tooth stump until the crown gets made and sent to the dentist, about 2 weeks from now. This one is going to be porcelain instead of white gold like the other one, but since it's so far back I really don't think it will matter much. Thursday ended with me getting everything ready for that long-distance weekend.
Friday I got the oil, went to the feed store and got my registration renewed (gotta love rural North Carolina), and picked up the other things on my shopping list for the house and such. I got home and discovered my car sits too low to be able to put it up on the ramps, so I had to jack it up to put the ramps underneath it. Fortunately Son In Law has a lo-profile jack.
Drain the oil pan, remove the three bolts over the front cover, spin off the oil filter and discover that Ford has cleverly placed the front radiator support brace perfectly to intercept the hot oil stream from the filter. Clean everything up, new filter, reinstall the cover and the drain bolt and jack the car back up to remove the ramps. Eight (yes, eight) quarts of 5W20 dyno-synthetic blend (the Coyote's oil fill spout requires the use of a funnel, for what it's worth, and I need to get one with a bigger spout) and that job is done for another 7500-10,000 miles (whenever the dashboard readout tells me it's time again). It was the first time I had ever changed the oil on that car, having bought the extended service warranty, and I think it went pretty well.
Friday evening found me in Alexandria, Occupied Territories Virginia for a get-together with like-minded morons. No pics by agreement, but it was fun to get together and put some faces to some names. Saturday morning found me on the road home, and Saturday afternoon I was back at home base.
The car's odometer reads a bit over 59,800 miles now, less than 200 miles from the 60,000 end-of-warranty period. Time to contact mycrack parts dealer for that tune, by the time it gets here the warranty will be out and the tune can go right in.
Back to work Sunday night. Gotta pay for that tune somehow (not to mention the dentist).
It started on Thursday, as mine usually do (I work Sunday nights, my weekends run from Thursday to Saturday on my long weeks and Wednesday to Saturday on my short ones...and before you think I'm a lucky spud for having four day weekends, 1. yes I am and 2. I work 12 hour days), with a message on my dashboard saying it was oil change time soon. That came as a bit of a surprise since the sticker on my windshield clearly stated I had another hundred miles or so, but since I had a long-distance weekend planned I thought it would be a good idea to go ahead and change it.
Anyway, I went to see if I could score some more .22 ammo, and failed miserably, then went home to catch about 4 hours of sleep before having to get up to go to the dentist. The crown prep went well, no root canal needed, and now I have a huge hunk of white plastic covering the tooth stump until the crown gets made and sent to the dentist, about 2 weeks from now. This one is going to be porcelain instead of white gold like the other one, but since it's so far back I really don't think it will matter much. Thursday ended with me getting everything ready for that long-distance weekend.
Friday I got the oil, went to the feed store and got my registration renewed (gotta love rural North Carolina), and picked up the other things on my shopping list for the house and such. I got home and discovered my car sits too low to be able to put it up on the ramps, so I had to jack it up to put the ramps underneath it. Fortunately Son In Law has a lo-profile jack.
Drain the oil pan, remove the three bolts over the front cover, spin off the oil filter and discover that Ford has cleverly placed the front radiator support brace perfectly to intercept the hot oil stream from the filter. Clean everything up, new filter, reinstall the cover and the drain bolt and jack the car back up to remove the ramps. Eight (yes, eight) quarts of 5W20 dyno-synthetic blend (the Coyote's oil fill spout requires the use of a funnel, for what it's worth, and I need to get one with a bigger spout) and that job is done for another 7500-10,000 miles (whenever the dashboard readout tells me it's time again). It was the first time I had ever changed the oil on that car, having bought the extended service warranty, and I think it went pretty well.
Friday evening found me in Alexandria, Occupied Territories Virginia for a get-together with like-minded morons. No pics by agreement, but it was fun to get together and put some faces to some names. Saturday morning found me on the road home, and Saturday afternoon I was back at home base.
The car's odometer reads a bit over 59,800 miles now, less than 200 miles from the 60,000 end-of-warranty period. Time to contact my
Back to work Sunday night. Gotta pay for that tune somehow (not to mention the dentist).
19 June 2013
Predictable Results
I don't remember where I saw this story first, but I'll give Old NFO the credit because that's where I saw it last. At any rate, the line that jumped right out at me was “We don’t feel neighborhood watch is sufficient, and we don’t feel the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office is sufficient.” (emphasis mine)
I think it was Sean that remarked the laws aren't there to protect me from you, they are there to protect you from me. I couldn't find the post, but his point was the laws are agreements between the Citizen and the State whereby the State will prosecute criminals via the courts and save the Citizen the trouble of having to deal with the criminals themselves (not to mention cleaning up afterwards).
The flip side of that, of course, is that when the State fails in that bargain eventually the Citizen can - and will - take care of the problem themselves. This was in fact one of the reasons the Second Amendment was adopted, so the Citizen would have the means necessary to defend himself (and the State).
More and more it seems the Citizen is becoming aware of this, which in my opinion is a good thing.
(For anyone who will cry vigilantism, you would do well to look up the etymology of the word.)
I think it was Sean that remarked the laws aren't there to protect me from you, they are there to protect you from me. I couldn't find the post, but his point was the laws are agreements between the Citizen and the State whereby the State will prosecute criminals via the courts and save the Citizen the trouble of having to deal with the criminals themselves (not to mention cleaning up afterwards).
The flip side of that, of course, is that when the State fails in that bargain eventually the Citizen can - and will - take care of the problem themselves. This was in fact one of the reasons the Second Amendment was adopted, so the Citizen would have the means necessary to defend himself (and the State).
More and more it seems the Citizen is becoming aware of this, which in my opinion is a good thing.
(For anyone who will cry vigilantism, you would do well to look up the etymology of the word.)
16 June 2013
Happy Father's Day
Call your Dad.
Even if you don't get along with him. As I told one of my friends who didn't get along with his Dad, if these must be the last words you ever say to him, say "I love you Dad" and then just hang up the phone. He did, and a year later his Dad was gone.
Best advice I ever gave.
Even if you don't get along with him. As I told one of my friends who didn't get along with his Dad, if these must be the last words you ever say to him, say "I love you Dad" and then just hang up the phone. He did, and a year later his Dad was gone.
Best advice I ever gave.
15 June 2013
Range Day
Boy and I met Range Partner this morning after breakfast to spend some quality time making smoke and noise. Along for the ride were the two .22 rifles to be bullseye sighted (as opposed to pretty good sighted which is what they were). Also along for the ride were my freshly re-crimped reloads that had been tested good on the reloading bench with the Glock barrel.
The .22 shooting went well, about 30 rounds through each from the bench rest had them hitting bullseyes right where they were aimed. I shot eight of my reloads through the Glock without any problems, and then they wouldn't go into battery again. I stripped the gun and checked the reloads through the barrel and it was like I had never run them back through the crimp die. The 100 factory loads I brought chambered fine.
I shot the 100 rounds of factory ammo for the badly needed practice and then we finished up the day with the .22's at 25 yards, Boy on the scoped Model 60 and me on the iron-sighted Model 795. He had been bragging on his shooting prowess, so I made him a challenge; each of us would shoot 30 rounds and then we would check the targets and see who was better.
30 rounds later and it was pretty clear the old man still had it. We swapped rifles and repeated the challenge with the same results. After that I didn't have to hear about what a great shot he was any more. He shot his last 25 rounds through the Hi-Standard and I shot my last 25 through the 795, and that finished off one of the two boxes of ammo that I had picked up on Friday morning.
After the shooting was over we packed up and headed over to one of the Mustang Forums members houses to help with a header install on his '12 Mustang. The day was finished up with a ride to the shoe store to get another pair of Converses for Boy who had out-grown the ones he was wearing. I was shocked to see that the shoes that Mom bought for me because they were cheap weren't so much anymore; I guess that's what happens when they get featured in a Will Smith movie.
All in all a pretty good day.
The .22 shooting went well, about 30 rounds through each from the bench rest had them hitting bullseyes right where they were aimed. I shot eight of my reloads through the Glock without any problems, and then they wouldn't go into battery again. I stripped the gun and checked the reloads through the barrel and it was like I had never run them back through the crimp die. The 100 factory loads I brought chambered fine.
I shot the 100 rounds of factory ammo for the badly needed practice and then we finished up the day with the .22's at 25 yards, Boy on the scoped Model 60 and me on the iron-sighted Model 795. He had been bragging on his shooting prowess, so I made him a challenge; each of us would shoot 30 rounds and then we would check the targets and see who was better.
30 rounds later and it was pretty clear the old man still had it. We swapped rifles and repeated the challenge with the same results. After that I didn't have to hear about what a great shot he was any more. He shot his last 25 rounds through the Hi-Standard and I shot my last 25 through the 795, and that finished off one of the two boxes of ammo that I had picked up on Friday morning.
After the shooting was over we packed up and headed over to one of the Mustang Forums members houses to help with a header install on his '12 Mustang. The day was finished up with a ride to the shoe store to get another pair of Converses for Boy who had out-grown the ones he was wearing. I was shocked to see that the shoes that Mom bought for me because they were cheap weren't so much anymore; I guess that's what happens when they get featured in a Will Smith movie.
All in all a pretty good day.
14 June 2013
Up And Around
I was out the door early today, the box store down the street from where I work was supposed to have .22 ammo in stock this AM. I got there a little before 7 and there were four boxes, I got two of them and the guy right behind me got the other two.
The Subaru got it's new lights today.
At first I thought the new light lenses were flatter, but when I got them out and side by side it turns out they are an exact match.
I had to use the old brackets because the bolt that holds them to the bumper cover on the new ones has a taper, which was just enough to keep the retaining nut from threading on. If it hadn't been for that (and if I wasn't such a perfectionist for it to make a difference) they would have been exact replacements.
Darn that auto-focus, it's not a good picture of the bolts, but you can see the issue. It turns out OK though because I liked the original wiring harness better and the original brackets seemed to be made of sterner stuff than the replacements.
The covers went right on as well, so everything is as it should be.
And now, with that done, the rest of the day is free. It's sunny and warm, and I have this convertible...
The Subaru got it's new lights today.
At first I thought the new light lenses were flatter, but when I got them out and side by side it turns out they are an exact match.
I had to use the old brackets because the bolt that holds them to the bumper cover on the new ones has a taper, which was just enough to keep the retaining nut from threading on. If it hadn't been for that (and if I wasn't such a perfectionist for it to make a difference) they would have been exact replacements.
Darn that auto-focus, it's not a good picture of the bolts, but you can see the issue. It turns out OK though because I liked the original wiring harness better and the original brackets seemed to be made of sterner stuff than the replacements.
The covers went right on as well, so everything is as it should be.
And now, with that done, the rest of the day is free. It's sunny and warm, and I have this convertible...
13 June 2013
In The Mail
My goodies came in.
First, the lights for the Subaru. They're a bit different than what came on the trucklet, the lenses are flatter, but that shouldn't make a great deal of difference as long as the mounts are right.
It's a good thing they were well packed, it looks like the gorilla squad was in charge of handling.
Also, two extra magazines for the 795, so now I'm all set for Appleseed.
It rained like hell this afternoon, but now that it's gone the forecast is dry and sunny for the next couple of days. Just right for getting the lights put on the Subaru and doing some shooting.
First, the lights for the Subaru. They're a bit different than what came on the trucklet, the lenses are flatter, but that shouldn't make a great deal of difference as long as the mounts are right.
It's a good thing they were well packed, it looks like the gorilla squad was in charge of handling.
Also, two extra magazines for the 795, so now I'm all set for Appleseed.
It rained like hell this afternoon, but now that it's gone the forecast is dry and sunny for the next couple of days. Just right for getting the lights put on the Subaru and doing some shooting.
07 June 2013
She Don't Like, She Don't Like, She Don't Like...
Reloads.
My Glock, that is.
I attempted to put a few rounds through it at the Blogshoot but the darn thing wouldn't go back into battery, I had to smack the back of the slide every time. The round would eject, and then the next one wouldn't go into battery until I smacked the back of the slide again. The factory loads worked great.
Today I broke it down and tried fitting the rounds into the barrel. Both the earlier reloads and the latest ones with the moly bullets did this:
but the factory loads were flush.
The reloads would seat all the way if I pushed them in, but then I had to pry them back out. The only thing I can think of is either the dies aren't set right or my Glock is being a picky bitch. Of course, there's nothing to say it can't be both.
I'm going to let Range Partner try the reloads, and maybe I'll invest in a Wolf barrel to see if that cures the pickiness, but until then I guess I'll stick with factory loads. I hope that it's something I'm doing wrong and can correct, with the present state of ammo factory loads are a pain to find.
In other news, my broken tooth is scheduled for a crowning. It's right across from the last one, so now I'll be balanced, at least in the bottom row of teeth department.
I also have a pair of foglamps coming in for the Scoobytruck, when I got it they were fine but within a couple of weeks they had been BB-gunned by a person or persons unknown (I have a feeling one or both of my boys were in the mix somewhere despite their denials). The left one came apart when I took it off the ramps after changing the oil on Wednesday, so it's time for new ones.
And last but not least, AGirl is hanging up her blogging spurs for a bit. I hope she can pop in once in a while now and again.
The remnants of TS Andrea are sliding through the Refuge for the next couple of hours and we expect to see scattered thunderstorms into next week.
That's it for now. I'll be ensconced in skating hell tonight for a few hours while Boy completely ignores me and chats up the girls, maybe I can get some homework done.
And maybe not.
UPDATE: A little adjustment on the seating die and all is, once more, good to go.
My Glock, that is.
I attempted to put a few rounds through it at the Blogshoot but the darn thing wouldn't go back into battery, I had to smack the back of the slide every time. The round would eject, and then the next one wouldn't go into battery until I smacked the back of the slide again. The factory loads worked great.
Today I broke it down and tried fitting the rounds into the barrel. Both the earlier reloads and the latest ones with the moly bullets did this:
The reloads would seat all the way if I pushed them in, but then I had to pry them back out. The only thing I can think of is either the dies aren't set right or my Glock is being a picky bitch. Of course, there's nothing to say it can't be both.
I'm going to let Range Partner try the reloads, and maybe I'll invest in a Wolf barrel to see if that cures the pickiness, but until then I guess I'll stick with factory loads. I hope that it's something I'm doing wrong and can correct, with the present state of ammo factory loads are a pain to find.
In other news, my broken tooth is scheduled for a crowning. It's right across from the last one, so now I'll be balanced, at least in the bottom row of teeth department.
I also have a pair of foglamps coming in for the Scoobytruck, when I got it they were fine but within a couple of weeks they had been BB-gunned by a person or persons unknown (I have a feeling one or both of my boys were in the mix somewhere despite their denials). The left one came apart when I took it off the ramps after changing the oil on Wednesday, so it's time for new ones.
And last but not least, AGirl is hanging up her blogging spurs for a bit. I hope she can pop in once in a while now and again.
The remnants of TS Andrea are sliding through the Refuge for the next couple of hours and we expect to see scattered thunderstorms into next week.
That's it for now. I'll be ensconced in skating hell tonight for a few hours while Boy completely ignores me and chats up the girls, maybe I can get some homework done.
And maybe not.
UPDATE: A little adjustment on the seating die and all is, once more, good to go.
Big Brother Is Watching You
The other than network news has been full of the revelations, prompted by the Verizon order revelation, that the Government is watching us. That the .gov is collecting domestic call logs under the dubious cover of the Patriot Act and FISA (here's a hint...the F in FISA means Foreign, not Federal) is troubling at best, and downright frightening at worst.
Here's a hint to all the would-be political masters on Capitol Hill (or Beacon Hill, or whatever snobby knob your sacred cows gather on); never grant political powers to your friends that you wouldn't grant to your enemies, because your friends aren't always friendly and your enemies will one day be in charge.
Here's a hint to all the would-be political masters on Capitol Hill (or Beacon Hill, or whatever snobby knob your sacred cows gather on); never grant political powers to your friends that you wouldn't grant to your enemies, because your friends aren't always friendly and your enemies will one day be in charge.
04 June 2013
Only One Chance
You only get one chance to do things right. After that you are doing it over.
In the case of firearms safety if you are lucky all you have to do is do it over. Most safety rules are written in blood, and in the case of firearms safety the four rules have gallons of ink to illustrate them.
You have to violate at least two of those rules to have a bad day, and the correct course of action when it is pointed out to you that you have violated even one is...DON'T DO IT AGAIN! What you don't do is double down and try to put the pressure on the one who tells you about it.
Each one of us has our Delta Sierra moments. I had one this weekend in fact, while I was showing off Grand-dad's High Standard. I handed it to someone in the room...names aren't important, but keep in mind I spent the whole weekend with gunnies...and he looked at me strangely, dropped the magazine and checked the weapon clear.
It took me a few seconds to realize what I had done, and by then the moment was over, but when the "D'oh!" finally hit me it was all I could do not to melt through the floor. Nothing was said, but nothing needed to be. I had screwed up royally.
I'm glad to say the error was not repeated, and it never will be, but I'll remember that look for the rest of my life. Here I was, in the company of shooters, trying to make a good impression, and there was that pooch...
Nothing was hurt but my pride, and that's the good thing.
Stay safe. You only get one chance.
UPDATE: Sean has firewalled the post, apparently in response to being told he was over-reacting to being muzzled. I guess some people don't have a problem with it. My mind is boggled.
In the case of firearms safety if you are lucky all you have to do is do it over. Most safety rules are written in blood, and in the case of firearms safety the four rules have gallons of ink to illustrate them.
You have to violate at least two of those rules to have a bad day, and the correct course of action when it is pointed out to you that you have violated even one is...DON'T DO IT AGAIN! What you don't do is double down and try to put the pressure on the one who tells you about it.
Each one of us has our Delta Sierra moments. I had one this weekend in fact, while I was showing off Grand-dad's High Standard. I handed it to someone in the room...names aren't important, but keep in mind I spent the whole weekend with gunnies...and he looked at me strangely, dropped the magazine and checked the weapon clear.
It took me a few seconds to realize what I had done, and by then the moment was over, but when the "D'oh!" finally hit me it was all I could do not to melt through the floor. Nothing was said, but nothing needed to be. I had screwed up royally.
I'm glad to say the error was not repeated, and it never will be, but I'll remember that look for the rest of my life. Here I was, in the company of shooters, trying to make a good impression, and there was that pooch...
Nothing was hurt but my pride, and that's the good thing.
Stay safe. You only get one chance.
UPDATE: Sean has firewalled the post, apparently in response to being told he was over-reacting to being muzzled. I guess some people don't have a problem with it. My mind is boggled.
03 June 2013
02 June 2013
I Would Like
to see a situation where, if someone tells you that you are f*cked up like a soup sandwich, the follow-on conversation deals with how to take the soup out of your sandwich rather than the fact someone said the word f*ck to you and hurt your feelings and made you feel bad by pointing out your obvious incompetence.
Take the soup out of your sandwich and then you won't have to hear about your deficiencies, this solves both problems. It all seems so simple...but I suppose this is what we get with all the various "studies" degrees. Worthless people get promoted to positions of power (or hired in a mis-named "HR Department") and now we reap the inevitable rewards.
I don't know what brought that on. I suspect it has something to do with this. Flame if you wish, but at least have the integrity to admit, if only to yourself, that there is some truthiness to it. Individuals may be different, but groups are predictable. Flak and targets.
Take the soup out of your sandwich and then you won't have to hear about your deficiencies, this solves both problems. It all seems so simple...but I suppose this is what we get with all the various "studies" degrees. Worthless people get promoted to positions of power (or hired in a mis-named "HR Department") and now we reap the inevitable rewards.
I don't know what brought that on. I suspect it has something to do with this. Flame if you wish, but at least have the integrity to admit, if only to yourself, that there is some truthiness to it. Individuals may be different, but groups are predictable. Flak and targets.
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