Reason 1031 why I love this town

Bex and I just got back from Montana State University's traveling "Shakespeare in the Park" putting on a phenomenal performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." (Quite possibly my all-time favorite Shakespeare.) The kicker? The amphitheatre is about 100 yards from my door. And the show was on a donation basis, and earned every dime they made.

I wouldn't trade my life for anything.

Lokidude

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Top Shot - Trick Shots

Okay, after a week off for business, we're back to Top Shot this week.

This week is trick shots.  The weapons, on practice day, are a Winchester 1873, an S&W M&P revolver, and a Schofield (one of my favorite wheelguns of all time.)  They're training Annie Oakley's "mirror shot" over the shoulder with the Winchester.  With the M&P, they're replicating Ed McGivern's double-action one-handed "dot shot."  The Schofield is being used for a boilerplate exhibition shooter trick, blasting thrown cabbages.  Denny's putting on a decent show for Red in practice, and everybody did okay with the rifle, but the pistol work seemed very rough on them.  Blue shoots well enough with the rifle, does moderately with the M&P, and can't seem to hit the broad side of a barn with the Schofield.  Disappointing, considering they have JJ and Blake.

The team challenge involves Annie Oakley's shot with a mirror, then driving a literal tack with the M&P, then a thrown soda can.  The fourth shooter has to hit a half-size soda can thrown into the air.  3 shots per challenge, one point per shot.  The half-can of soda is worth 2 points each.


Red
Rifle - Pete 3/3
Naildriving - Denny 0/3
Full can - Brad 0/3 (he hit his first, but it was over the rope, instead of under)
Half-can - Kelly 1/3

Blue
Rifle - Tara 3/3
Naildriving - Chris 2/3
Full can - Iain 1/3

Blue wins, 6 points to 5.

On the nomination range, Brad votes for Kelly, and Kelly returns the favor.  Denny votes Kelly, and Pete votes for Brad, and makes a funny about his consistent voting.  This puts Kelly and Brad in the elimination challenge, and Kelly is displeased, to say the least.

The elimination practice is shooting hand-thrown pigeons with a shotgun, another exhibition shooter staple.  Both shooters seemed to be at about the same level, both shooting and throwing, but the practice didn't allow for them doing both.

Kelly and Brad both break their single bird, Kelly hits one of two on his second, and Brad hits both, to take a 1 point lead.  Kelly hits one again on his 3 bird round, as does Brad.  Kelly breaks 3 on his 4 bird round, while Brad hits 1.  Kelly breaks 2 his 5 bird round, 2 targets, and Kelly wins yet another elimination challenge.

From here on out, it looks like the competition gets much more intense.

Lokidude

Counting Down

In just over 11 hours, I fly out to Seattle for a week-long class. As a side benefit, I get to finally meet Gay_Cynic from the #gunblogger_conspiracy. Content will be obviously light.

"All My bags are packed, I'm ready to go..."

Lokidude

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Blogroll updates

It's been forever since the roll has been updated, and the pile is deep.  I promise to be better about procrastinating, I swear.

First, two updates:

Weer'd Beard went and got himself a big boy blog.

Salamander moved his blog on Wordpress.

New Conspirators:

ZerCool blogs over at Panem et Circenses ... et Plumbum. He's good people, with a taste for Smiths that make JayG and me jealous.

The OrangeNeck finally went and got himself a blog.  And he's every bit as good as we all knew he'd be.

Antitango writes over at Not a Tango, nothing to see here...  A former Marine, living in my hometown.  (I swear, buddy, I will get the chance to hook up with you one of these days.)

DaddyBear is over at Daddy Bear's Den.  A delightful combination of guns, Irish Woman, and the joys of parenthood.

Sarah over at Cranky Chicks with Guns is an utter riot.  Wal*Mart funny, guns, news of the weird...  A worthy read.

I've known Chris over at Simple Musings from a Guy With Guns online for a couple years now.  Sharp witted newshound with camera skills, and a love of the Second Amendment.

New Great Gunnies:

J Wilson is over at Wilsonblog.  The very least that can be said is that he has most excellent taste in guns.  More than that, he puts up some awesome pictures.  Enjoy.

My buddy Moose42 posts MHI fanfic and other awesome writings at Alone: King of One.

Molly Smith over at The Molly Minute...  She can't drive for a couple more years, but she's got the smile of true joy, and the ability to embarrass you with a handgun in a major way.

Go, read, enjoy.

Lokidude

On the Wyoming Governor's race

 I just sent the following email to Matt Mead, Colin Simpson, Ron Micheli, and Rita Meyer, the GOP candidates for Governor of the State of Wyoming.

In light of the upcoming GOP primary in the state of Wyoming, I have some questions about where you stand on issues related to gun rights, and the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.  I greatly appreciate your input on this matter, as it will be critical in aiding my decision of which candidate to support.

1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges our birthrights?

2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government, including city, county and state?

3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.

4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.

5. Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them concealed without a permit, as in Vermont?

6. Do you believe that Americans have a right to own, use and carry weapons of military pattern, and will you use the prestige of elected office to publicly promote that right?

7. Do you support or oppose registration of weapons? Why?

8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms?
Why?

9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?

10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?

Thank you,

Lokidude

The questionnaire itself comes from David Codrea at The War on Guns, and is available here.  A tip of the hat goes to Top of the Chain for directing me to the original survey.

I'll keep you posted on any and all replies I receive, and intend on sending the same questions to the candidates for the state legislature from my district.

Lokidude

Top Shot Week 5

The Good, The Rat, & The Ugly

Had to catch Top Shot on Hulu. No liveblog for you. PDB does a decent liveblog, and I'll post my impressions tonight.

Lokidude

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Making Progress

Just got a call from Dr. Evil, mechanic extraordinaire. Engine in the VW is 4 bolts from coming out, and will get pulled tonight when it's cooler. He has a line on a 1600, so the 1835 will be coming through in more of a hurry than I expected. We're working on the entire project list, and I'll be posting that as soon as it's complete. This car will make Q Division jealous.

Lokidude

Robb's motto

Found on Texts From Last Night: (865): Actions speak louder than pants. Lokidude

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Well that was quick

In an attempt to expand my legal CCW capabilities, I've been investigating nonresident permits from a few states. Florida looked the most promising, so I ordered their application kit early last week. They said to expect a 10 day wait. When we returned home tonight from our weekend with our families, waiting for me in the mailbox was a big manila envelope from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Less than seven days, and that number includes the big daddy shut-it-all-down holiday weekend.

Florida, so far, I'm very impressed. Keep it up.

Lokidude