I'm a survivor like that

Created by Oatmeal

Shamelessly stolen from Breda.

Lokidude

Housekeeping

I realized today how remiss I've been with updating my blogroll, particularly with regards to folks that had me rolled, that I wasn't reciprocating. I know, bad blogger, no cookie. That, and the blogroll was getting a hair out of hand, so I did some organizing, as well as updating.

The Conspirators are frequent and regular denizens of the #gunblogger_conspiracy IRC channel.

Great Gunnies are other gunbloggers I follow regularly. Some of them make appearances in the IRC, but they're not as regular as the Conspirators.

Folks I Really Know are just that, folks I know and follow from meatspace. Yeah, a couple of em are family, but so be it.

Odds & Ends is, well, a catchall for everything else.

Anyways, they're there, they're cool, and they write. You should pay them a visit. If I've missed anybody, drop me a comment or an email and I'll put you in.

Lokidude

Just lookin for a good time...

The name says it all. I need to unwind, and I need happy, fluffy, fun music to do that to. Lady A fits the bill perfectly tonight. Sorry about the light posting, it's been a long week.



Sometimes we all just need a good time.

Lokidude

Something caught my attention tonight

I'm not really a "party man." I'm registered as a Republican, simply because my state has closed primaries, and I want to be able to influence what candidates I see on final ballots. That said, I like most Brand R politicians about as much as I like most Brand D politicians. Which is about on par with how I feel about used car salesmen, journalists, and hippies.

Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, here comes the rant.

I'm seeing a huge number of people on the left saying we need to "ram through" certain bills and initiatives. Really? Ram through? That implies force, and lots of it. Is your proposal so weak that it can't stand on it's own and gets the votes it needs on its merits? My Dad taught me when I was young that if I needed to force something to make it work, odds are that something was wrong with what I was doing.

I'm dead certain that pols on the right are just as guilty of using persuasion, force, and dirty pool to get legislation passed. Washington is, after all, an equal-opportunity clusterfuck. But I don't ever remember seeing John Q Republicanpartyminion stating openly that certain bills needed forced through the Congress, especially not on the scale I'm seeing with the current D agenda.

If I'm wrong, please tell me. Specifically, I'd like to know which pieces of legislation Republican supporters were advocating "ramming through," not just arguments made by one or two ultra-right whackjobs (I'm discounting Fred Phelps, Chris Buttars, and their ilk on the whole, as being borderline nucking futs.)

Lokidude

If only outlaws will have phasers...

Then I intend on being an outlaw.



That is just far too cool. I want one. Directions HERE.

Found through Topless Robot.

You'll shoot your eye out, kid.

Lokidude

Currently lighting angel wings with torches

Some days, you just need to get pissed and rock. Today is that day. Headache, whacked a pheasant in the work truck, it's time to tear it up.



Lokidude

Quotes of the Teabagged Election.

<cjrmultigun> I've always said that the Tea Party movement doesn't have a hair on their collective ass if they fail to embrace the term "teabagger."
<cjrmultigun> Something like, "Rubbing the balls of freedom in the face of tyranny..."
<Gay_Cynic> teabagger...well, it's just tacky except among friends..

Lokidude

I'll be investing in a coffee shop in hell

Scott Brown has apparently claimed the seat formerly held by Dead Ted, the Murderer of Chappaquiddick.

Go Scott Go!!!

In honor of my favorite Massholes, JayG and Weer'd Beard...

Arrrr

That is all.

Lokidude

Teaching Bleg

I got a phone call last night. A friend of a friend is having problems with her soon-to-be ex-husband. She's concerned for her safety, and wants to learn how to shoot. She's going to pursue her CCW, and has a restraining order already in place. I know how useless restraining orders are, but at least they give the police something to prosecute, and a reason to cuff and stuff him if he gets out of line. It seems I'm the designated gun expert amongst my friends, even the gunnie ones. To quote both my buddy Russ and his wife "You're the biggest redneck we know!" Guilty as charged.

Therein lies my bleg. I've taught more than a few people to shoot, and I feel like I do a good job, but I'd like to have a more formal structure than I've used in the past. I'll also be pursuing my NRA Instructor certification, in large part because that will let me count as the "safety instruction" portion for a great number of state CCW processes.

My current "lesson plan" goes like this:

The Four Rules. These have to be learned and committed to the heart before we go any further. Most folks seem to pick them up fairly quickly, and need only occasional correction.

Specific instruction on the particular guns we'll be using. Where the safety, mag release, etc. are located, how to manipulate them, and how they work. How to load ammo into magazines, load magazines into the weapon, and safely chamber a round.

Once live fire starts, I usually start with a Browning Buckmark in .22lr, and move up to light .38SPL loads in my S&W 19. Live fire after that depends on the student, and what they're comfortable firing.

At all times, I make sure that the student knows that they're welcome to ask any question they have, and I'll answer anything to the best of my ability.

Bear in mind that the vast majority of the people I teach are true new gunnies, never having fired a gun before in their life. They're not usually into 2A politics yet, and may have not even thought of pursuing CCW. With that said, what would you add or change in my plan. And a special bleg to new(er) gunnies, what in particular in your instruction struck a chord with you, or what would you have liked to be included?

Thanks in advance.

Lokidude

All Apologies

Sorry for the light content over the weekend. I was sick as hell, still don't feel what I'd call "great," and the blog got ignored. However, I have some big posts in the works, I promise I'll get them up soon.

Lokidude

Makin teh funneh

Marko got an interesting hit on this week's Search Term Safari that I just had to take a stab at.

fun remark on .25acp

Okay, here goes... It makes a great backup gun for a cup of joe.

Or...

It still manages to trump a knife.

Lokidude

The Blogfather

Xavier spooked us all by hanging it up.

An outpouring of love got him to change his mind.

The man doesn't know, can't know, and probably never will know, but he's the closest thing to a blogfather that I have.

I've been reading his blog very near it's beginning. He wasn't the first blogger I read, and I still read some of those other blogs from my early days, but Xavier's writing struck a particular chord with me. His writing style and knowledge were welcoming. His incredible variety of topics made me feel like you didn't have to have a massive directed focus to be popular and widely read. Guns, bikes, dogs & fish, medicine... He made my own ADD-scattered interests seem normal.

I've never met him, likely never will. I doubt he'll ever read this. While he's not the only reason I started writing, he was a very large inspiration.

From the bottom of my heart, Xavier, best wishes and my sincerest thanks.

Lokidude

Velly intelestink...

Quoth my fortune cookie tonight:

You will enjoy doing something different this coming weekend.

Unless Bex comes home a couple days early, this weekend could get a bit interesting.

Lokidude

My childhood has just been violated

Below is the trailer for the A-Team movie. Now, I loved watching the A-Team as a kid. I mean, seriously, if you didn't, foo, I pity you.



I'm not sure what to think. I mean, on one hand, it's the A-Team. On the other hand, they're messing with the A-Team, and there are so many ways that Hollywood could utterly screw this thing, in an outhouse.

I hope they at least use the title theme, instead of just hinting at it in the trailer.

Lokidude

Livin the bachelor life...

Bex went to Salt Lake for a week to handle wedding stuff, so I'm flyin solo this week.

Of course, I'll be taking master classes at the Robb Allen Institute of Better Living.

Lokidude

JayG Sighting in PA?

As the story goes, some PETArd activists might have bitten off more than they could chew.

The organizer said a group of concerned animal rights activist groups, “growing tired of throwing fake blood and shouting profanities at older women wearing leather or fur coats,” decided to protest the annual motorcycle club event “in a hope to show them our outrage at their wanton use of leather in their clothing and motor bike seats.” “In fact,” said the organizer, “motorcycle gangs are one of the biggest abusers of wearing leather, and we decided it was high time that we let them know that we disagree with them using it…ergo, they should stop.”

So, we have our premise.

“They peed on me!!!” charged one activist. “They grabbed me, said I looked like I was French, started calling me ‘La Trene’, and duct taped me to a tree so they could pee on me all day!”

“I…I was trying to show my outrage at a man with a heavy leather jacket, and he…he didn’t even care. I called him a murderer, and all he said was, ‘You can’t prove that.’ Next thing I know he forced me to ride on the back of his motorcycle all day, and would not let me off, because his girl friend was out of town and I was almost a woman.”

Oh, the humanity!

And in the bikers' defense?

“We were having a party, and these people showed up and were very rude to us. They threw things at us, called us names, and tried to ruin the entire event. So, what did we do? We invited them to the party! What could be more friendly than that? You know, just because we are all members of motorcycle clubs does not mean we do not care about inclusiveness. Personally, I think it shows a lack of character for them to be saying such nasty things about us after we bent over backwards to make them feel welcome.”

Huh. I thought Jay said he put the Harley away for the year.

Lokidude

On proper manners

I went with my parents to Cabelas this morning while Bex was doing bride junk. Picked up a Lee Auto Disk Pro powder measure and a Lee 4-die .45ACP die set. But that's not the point of this.

On the doors, there's a large sign asking that all firearms be checked in at customer service. This sign also states that CCW firearms are exempted from this rule. I have zero problem with this, as I fully understand the purpose behind it. They've had problems more than once with people coming in looking for holsters and accessories for their CCW guns, and drawing said guns, locked and loaded, to test-fit.

Mom saw the sign, but missed the bottom part exempting CCW guns. She then proceeded to tell me I had to check my gun. Out loud, in public. I pointed out the exemption clause, and when we turned around, the door greeter asked (rather politely, actually) "So, which one of you's carrying?" He and I had a good conversation about CCW, and their rule on guns. He (and his entire company, obviously) is rather pro-concealed carry. I was very lucky with regard to the store we were entering. It could have gone very differently if we'd been entering a less-than-friendly retailer.

Now, I told you that story so that I could express this moral: It's bad manners to advertise that someone is lawfully carrying a gun. I took my mother aside a while later and explained this to her. She simply didn't know better, so I can't hold any of it against her. But look at it this way. If you knew someone happened to be carrying $5000 in cash on their person, would you publicly point this out? Of course not. At the very least, it makes the person very uncomfortable. At worst, it potentially puts them in danger. Was I in danger today? Not very likely. But my conversation with the greeter started out rather uncomfortably. Just be aware, so you know how better to deal with the CCW holder in your life.

The more you know....

Lokidude

For My Better Half

It's Bex's birthday today, so tonight's song is for her. I don't know most days how I got so lucky, but for some reason, she loves me, and I'm not about to question that.

And seriously, who wouldn't love a girl who considers going shooting or a trip to Cabelas "fun times," and who gripes because she has to get her nails done for wedding pictures?

Guys Like Me
Uploaded by jgz2222. - Explore more music videos.

I love you, honey.

Lokidude

Oh God, The Humanity!

Xavier has a post up that causes me physical pain.

Hey, pain is pain...

Lokidude

Suck-urity What?

Michael Yon was handcuffed and detained at Sea-Tac for refusing to reveal his annual income to TSA.

When they handcuffed me, I said that no country has ever treated me so badly. Not China. Not Vietnam. Not Afghanistan. Definitely not Singapore or India or Nepal or Germany, not Brunei, not Indonesia, or Malaysia, or Kuwait or Qatar or United Arab Emirates. No county has treated me with the disrespect can that can be expected from our border bullies.

The story broke on his Facebook Fan Page (not yet on Michael Yon Online.) Michelle Malkin has more on Yon, and other tales of Punch and Judy TSA.

The big thing is, he's right. His annual income is irrelevant to any government agency outside the IRS. And even if they were asking about him carrying cash, that's not TSA's area of responsibility. If he's carrying in excess of $10000 USD, he has to declare it, sure, but that gets handled by US Customs, via FinCEN Form 105.

Something tells me a Green Beret, and a man who willingly goes unarmed in war zones, isn't going to take this lying down.

Lokidude

On Wedding Options

Discussion today at the House of Dude:

Bex: We have things to decide when you get home.

Me: Such as?

Menu for the luncheon.

Okay?

We have some options that we can choose from.

Options packages? I want the one with the manual and the bigblock.

Lokidude

This Oughta Interest JayG...

Especially considering his recent brush with Lt. Col. Brown himself.

Curt Schilling comes out very strongly in support of Scott Brown.

I won’t get into specifics, since if this matters you already know them. Our Government is dead set on passing health care legislation the people have made clear we don’t want. Hell they don’t even know what it contains but they’re sure as hell going to try and pass it anyway.

The kickbacks, the corruption, the lying, the phoniness of it all, it’s sickening and only getting worse. The numbers are now beyond comprehension, and there is no one, in office right now, that is giving a hint of those numbers getting smaller or being reduced, it’s just not going to happen, but we can change that.

If this state does the right thing, and elects Scott Brown, it will, in addition to being a comeback/upset of 2004 proportions, put a screeching halt to the Democratic parties fast tracking this country into an abyss.

Boston's own self-made World Series demigod just made one hell of a statement. Go RTWT, it's very much worth it.

Lokidude

Automotive Irony

After a comment exchange with BillyBob over at Hell On Earth (a nice guy, BTW, and slated for the next round of blogroll updates), I felt compelled to point out a little bit of automotive irony.

BillyBob inferred that I'm a "Ford guy," from some comments I've made about his car posts. I replied that I've always considered myself a Chevy kid. The sick irony of this is that there's only one Chevy in the immediate family anymore, and that's owned by Baby Brother. Yes, I used to own that Chev, but now, it's kinda a lonely bowtie in a Blue Oval Army. Mom and Dad have 4 Fords between them. I have a Ford and a Mazda (which is nothing more than a rebadged Ford anyways), in addition to my beloved VW.

That said, my first automotive love has always been first-gen Camaros. Those are followed very closely by 58-62 Corvettes, back when they were sports cars instead of muscle cars, and with those gorgeous lines and beautiful split headlights.

My only automotive regret remains not buying Goliath, my grandmother's 83 Scottsdale. 4 doors, long bed, reinforced rear end. Roughly 25000 on the rebuilt Tonawanda 454 (man, that was a mighty engine!) and 15000 on the rebuilt tranny. The brakes wouldn't hold her, if you wanted to launch, the proper method was to take your foot off the brake, mash the go-go pedal to the floor, and hang on for dear life. I could afford the $2000, but I was getting married, and was advised that it was an unwise purchase. While that advice remains true with respect to the circumstances, in retrospect, I really should have bought that truck.

Ah, well, there's always another vehicle to wrench on.

Lokidude

You want a resolution?

Okay, here's my first resolution for 2010.

I resolve to take up competitive pistol shooting this year. I further resolve to place consistently in the top 50% of my ranked class in any given competition by July, and to remain at that level throughout the remainder of the year.

So let it be written.

Lokidude

Somebody wrote me a theme song...

Seriously, this Aussie is channeling my soul. I'm more than a hair jealous of the grenade launcher and belt-feds. Still, I'd like to buy the man a beer, and go shooting with him.



Tee hee hee.

Lokidude