Yep, it's Pinewood Derby time again, which means that houses all over the land are covered in a layer of pine sawdust and graphite, with sons and parents all excited about racing their cars against the other Scouts in the Pack for a shiny trophy, bragging rights, and maybe even a trip to the Regional races. It has been described as the "Superbowl of Cub Scouts", and there's a lot of truth to that - folks take their PWD very seriously!
This year is bittersweet for me for two reasons:
1. It's my last Pinewood Derby. TheBoy is moving to Boy Scouts next month, which means that I will be moving to Boy Scouts next month as well. We have a new Cubmaster lined up; he'll be watching me closely today to get a sense of what happens.
2. TheBoy has decided not to enter a car in today's race. For reasons known only to him, he didn't feel like building a car this year. I offered assistance, some ideas, etc. but he just didn't want to do it. He's going to be at the Derby all day (Mrs. G. is working, and the State frowns on leaving children home alone, go figure), so it's not like he's getting out of the event.
Either way, there will be some great racing, some happy kids, and some tired grown-ups...
That is all.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
Friday Funnies...
More larfs from OldNFO:
Yes, yes it does...
That is all.
COFFEE HURTS
I was eating lunch on the 20th of February last year with a friend and her 6-year-old granddaughter. She was pretty animated as she talked about school and friends and teachers. As I sipped my coffee, I asked her, "What day is tomorrow?"
She said "It's President's Day!"
She is a smart kid. So, I asked "What does President's Day mean?"
Waiting for her reply with something about Washington or Lincoln etc., she replied, "President's Day is when President Obama steps out of the White House, and if he sees his shadow we have one more year of unemployment."
You know, it hurts when hot coffee spurts out your nose.
Yes, yes it does...
That is all.
Eleven Years Ago Today...
...I became a dad.
Eleven years ago today a seven-pound, six ounce bundle of baby boy came screaming into the world and changed life as I knew it forever. No one ever prepares you for how completely and utterly your life changes when you have kids - they focus on the little things, like the lack of sleep during the baby phase, or the Terrible Twos, or potty training, or... But no one ever says, hey, this little screaming bundle of kid is going to have you standing on your front lawn one afternoon SHRIEKING at "those damn teenagers" to "slow the hell down before [they] kill someone"...
Being a dad has fundamentally changed who I am. A month before my son was born, I was overweight and smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. On his eleventh birthday, I've gone 11 years without cigarettes, am down to my goal weight, and work out on a regular basis. I've taken dramatic steps to make bold, positive changes in my lifestyle because I want to set a good example for my kids. I don't want them to see a smoker, or a couch potato, or an obese tub of goo who can't keep up with them.
Kids fundamentally change your life, no question about that. From the carefree lifestyle I enjoyed in my 20s suddenly replaced by a crushing fear of the unknown: What if I make a terrible dad? What if I repeat the mistakes my dad made? What if I drop dead tomorrow and leave my son never knowing his own father? And then you push onwards, because it's the thing that needs to be done.
You drop your child off at daycare, heart breaking because you have to leave them. You bring them to the bus stop on their first day of kindergarten, absolutely petrified of the changes in their lives. You watch them succeed, and your heart soars; you watch them fail and your world crumbles. And at every step of the way you try your damnedest to be there, either as a shoulder to cry on and a comforting word, or to clap and cheer and generally embarrass the heck out of them.
But most of all, you're just there for them.
Eleven years ago today a seven-pound, six ounce bundle of baby boy came screaming into the world and changed life as I knew it forever. No one ever prepares you for how completely and utterly your life changes when you have kids - they focus on the little things, like the lack of sleep during the baby phase, or the Terrible Twos, or potty training, or... But no one ever says, hey, this little screaming bundle of kid is going to have you standing on your front lawn one afternoon SHRIEKING at "those damn teenagers" to "slow the hell down before [they] kill someone"...
Being a dad has fundamentally changed who I am. A month before my son was born, I was overweight and smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. On his eleventh birthday, I've gone 11 years without cigarettes, am down to my goal weight, and work out on a regular basis. I've taken dramatic steps to make bold, positive changes in my lifestyle because I want to set a good example for my kids. I don't want them to see a smoker, or a couch potato, or an obese tub of goo who can't keep up with them.
Kids fundamentally change your life, no question about that. From the carefree lifestyle I enjoyed in my 20s suddenly replaced by a crushing fear of the unknown: What if I make a terrible dad? What if I repeat the mistakes my dad made? What if I drop dead tomorrow and leave my son never knowing his own father? And then you push onwards, because it's the thing that needs to be done.
You drop your child off at daycare, heart breaking because you have to leave them. You bring them to the bus stop on their first day of kindergarten, absolutely petrified of the changes in their lives. You watch them succeed, and your heart soars; you watch them fail and your world crumbles. And at every step of the way you try your damnedest to be there, either as a shoulder to cry on and a comforting word, or to clap and cheer and generally embarrass the heck out of them.
But most of all, you're just there for them.
3 for 3
That's TheBoy at last weekend's Camporee, where his WeBeLoS II den spent a good chunk of their weekend with the Boy Scout Troop participating in challenges, cooking meals, and generally learning what life in Boy Scouts is all about. He's still on the fence about joining, but I suspect with a few more outings he'll be hooked (and Dad will be on the hook...) :)
Happy birthday buddy - I love you!
That is all.
Just When You Thought It Was Safe...
Oh lord. As if the 2012 elections weren't enough of a farce...
Roseanne Barr seeks Green Party presidential nod
1. If she really thought she was part of the "99%", she wouldn't care about the media coverage, because she'd win in a landslide;
2. She's a real "woman of the people", what with her 46 acre macadamia nut farm on Hawaii; and
3. Certainly this has nothing to do with her acting career going the way of the dodo...
The Green Party, home of Ralph "I got my suit out of a Pringles can" Nader and Cynthia "RAVING SPACE LOON JOOOOOOOOS" McKinney. These are folks so nutty they get calls from the John Birch Society imploring them to calm down. This is a party that has consistently received zero electoral votes, which - to borrow a line from Dennis Miller - is the same number *I* got, and I didn't even run...
Ah, Roseanne, proving that you really will do anything for a laugh...
That is all.
Roseanne Barr seeks Green Party presidential nod
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Roseanne Barr said Thursday she's running for the Green Party's presidential nomination - and it's no joke.She's pulling the "99%" bullshit, and what's just striking are three things:The actress-comedian said in a statement that she's a longtime supporter of the party and looks forward to working with people who share her values. She said the two major parties aren't serving the American people.
1. If she really thought she was part of the "99%", she wouldn't care about the media coverage, because she'd win in a landslide;
2. She's a real "woman of the people", what with her 46 acre macadamia nut farm on Hawaii; and
3. Certainly this has nothing to do with her acting career going the way of the dodo...
The Green Party, home of Ralph "I got my suit out of a Pringles can" Nader and Cynthia "RAVING SPACE LOON JOOOOOOOOS" McKinney. These are folks so nutty they get calls from the John Birch Society imploring them to calm down. This is a party that has consistently received zero electoral votes, which - to borrow a line from Dennis Miller - is the same number *I* got, and I didn't even run...
Ah, Roseanne, proving that you really will do anything for a laugh...
That is all.
Something to Make You Angry...
Intrepid cub reporter Les sends in this rather infuriating story:
Details of teacher bondage photo probe emerge
Reading further into the story, though, it certainly seems reasonable - the police investigation took four months, the following year saw the case strengthened before charges were filed. While the gut reaction is to lock the dude away immediately, the initial call from the photo developer would only have resulted in misdemeanor charges - and he might have destroyed evidence of more serious crimes.
As it stands, if convicted he should spend the remainder of his life behind bars, with no access to other humans save the guards that feed him and escort him to the showers. Leave him out of general population - chances are his lifespan would be measured in minutes - just keep him away from all other humans until his sentence is served. Do not put his life at risk nor the lives of the men who guard him by subjecting him to other prisoners - simply keep him away from the humans.
And then on the day he is released from prison, let the parents of the molested children at him with baseball bats.
That is all.
Details of teacher bondage photo probe emerge
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Investigators waited more than a year before arresting an elementary school teacher after finding bondage photos apparently taken in his Los Angeles classroom, but a sheriff's sergeant says, "We always had our eyes on him."This man is accused of serious, heinous crimes against children. Whether he is guilty or not remains to be proven, but the article certainly indicates that the case is pretty solid. The timeline, at first blush, seems overly long: A photo processor called police in October 2010 to report disturbing photographs of children from that classroom, and yet he wasn't removed until January of 2011 - and not charged until a year later.
Mark Berndt, a 30-year teaching veteran, sits in jail with his bond set at $23 million on the 23 felony counts he faces of lewd acts on a child.
Reading further into the story, though, it certainly seems reasonable - the police investigation took four months, the following year saw the case strengthened before charges were filed. While the gut reaction is to lock the dude away immediately, the initial call from the photo developer would only have resulted in misdemeanor charges - and he might have destroyed evidence of more serious crimes.
As it stands, if convicted he should spend the remainder of his life behind bars, with no access to other humans save the guards that feed him and escort him to the showers. Leave him out of general population - chances are his lifespan would be measured in minutes - just keep him away from all other humans until his sentence is served. Do not put his life at risk nor the lives of the men who guard him by subjecting him to other prisoners - simply keep him away from the humans.
And then on the day he is released from prison, let the parents of the molested children at him with baseball bats.
That is all.
Another dispatch from...
(image courtesy of Robb Allen)
Friday Gun Pr0n #252
Numerically I'm only 10 off for this one...
Reader Evan contacted me last week about my Smith & Wesson 242ti. It seems he came across one recently and was interested in it, and asked my opinion of the gun. I relayed my impressions, told him that I was happy with mine, and he wound up getting the 242ti he'd asked about:
Welcome to Club 242 Evan!
That is all.
Reader Evan contacted me last week about my Smith & Wesson 242ti. It seems he came across one recently and was interested in it, and asked my opinion of the gun. I relayed my impressions, told him that I was happy with mine, and he wound up getting the 242ti he'd asked about:
Oooohhh...
Aaaahhhh...
That is one clean looking pistola there, Evan. I am impressed. So, apparently, was Evan:
Just to give you an update... I bought the pistol for $650 and took it to the range. I fired at least 60-75rds through it and it worked flawless. The trigger is like butter... I can shoot better with this gun better than any of the pistols I own, it's crazy accurate! I need to find some of those stripper clips, speed loaders, grips, and a few different holsters. I want to carry this once I get my permit, so I want to have a few options for carry. Any idea's and suggestions in those areas? Thanks again for your time in advance!I referred him to MidwayUSA and Brownells for the speedloaders (basically, the QuikStrips or TuffStrips or any other 7-8 round speed strip will work) and to Michael and Dennis for holsters. No matter which way he goes, he'll have a well-made, beautiful holster in which to carry his shiny new (to him) Smith & Wesson.
Welcome to Club 242 Evan!
That is all.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
ZOMG! They're STEALING the Icebergs!
Heh. Spike in Gunblogger Conspiracy chat linked me to this story:
Glacier thief arrested in Chile
That is all.
Glacier thief arrested in Chile
Climate change sceptics have acquired a new explanation for why glaciers are retreating: it's not global warming, it's theft.I'm just having visions of the shady trenchcoat wearing stereotype dude going "Psssst. Wanna buy a glacier" here...
Police in Chile have arrested a man on suspicion of stealing five tonnes of ice from the Jorge Montt glacier in the Patagonia region to sell as designer ice cubes in bars and restaurants.
That is all.
So Simple, a 10 Year Old Can Do It...
So last night, at dinner, we're discussing the day's events, and TheBoy starts talking about his day at school. Seems they had a fire drill or something, and he was reminded of the "Code Red" they had a few years ago. This is a "stranger in the building" drill, where the students are directed to huddle together in a far corner of the room.
He recognized instantly how stupid a plan that was. "If someone came in with a gun, they've got everybody in one place to shoot at!"
I told him that if someone comes into the school with a weapon, to ignore whatever the teacher's telling him to do and jump out a window and head for the woods. The school is all one level; there's a pretty densely wooded area not 200 yards from the school in a 180º arc. A shooter might get him, but they would really have to work at it. He knows from his various FPS games that a moving target is harder to hit than a stationary one, and that it's harder to hit things further away than up close.
It struck me, though, that a ten year old boy saw just how stupid the "mass shooter" plan really is. Having all the students congregate in one area of the room does one thing and one thing only: it provides the shooter with a static, close target. The kids would be much better served by having a modified fire drill of sorts where they all exit the building rapidly but orderly and head for the woods.
But as we all know, the drill is not about keeping the kids safe - it's about getting them used to the state "taking care" of them...
That is all.
He recognized instantly how stupid a plan that was. "If someone came in with a gun, they've got everybody in one place to shoot at!"
I told him that if someone comes into the school with a weapon, to ignore whatever the teacher's telling him to do and jump out a window and head for the woods. The school is all one level; there's a pretty densely wooded area not 200 yards from the school in a 180º arc. A shooter might get him, but they would really have to work at it. He knows from his various FPS games that a moving target is harder to hit than a stationary one, and that it's harder to hit things further away than up close.
It struck me, though, that a ten year old boy saw just how stupid the "mass shooter" plan really is. Having all the students congregate in one area of the room does one thing and one thing only: it provides the shooter with a static, close target. The kids would be much better served by having a modified fire drill of sorts where they all exit the building rapidly but orderly and head for the woods.
But as we all know, the drill is not about keeping the kids safe - it's about getting them used to the state "taking care" of them...
That is all.
Gunnie Groundhog Day...
I'd wager most folks are familiar with the movie "Groundhog Day". Bill Murray's Phil Connors is a self-absorbed TV weatherman who's in Puxatawney, PA covering the annual groundhog celebration featuring Puxatawney Phil the groundhog. He is forced to relive the day over and over and over until he finally gets it right, leading at one point to this humorous aside:
For me, it's a tough call. I've been a very fortunate guy - I've gotten to play with some serious NFA goodies both at Harvard Sportsman's Club and at the sooper seekrit range; I got to hang out with the cool kids at the Northcoast shoot; I've had range time with a quality bolt action rifle on a long range with a great spotter and coach; picking any one of these outings would certainly leave several other just as great times behind.
Except one. That's my Gunnie Groundhog Day...
What's yours?
That is all.
I was in the Virgin Islands once. I met a girl. We ate lobster, drank piña coladas. At sunset, we made love like sea otters. *That* was a pretty good day. Why couldn't I get *that* day over, and over, and over...Well, here's your chance. If you could re-live one gunnie day over and over, which would it be, and why?
For me, it's a tough call. I've been a very fortunate guy - I've gotten to play with some serious NFA goodies both at Harvard Sportsman's Club and at the sooper seekrit range; I got to hang out with the cool kids at the Northcoast shoot; I've had range time with a quality bolt action rifle on a long range with a great spotter and coach; picking any one of these outings would certainly leave several other just as great times behind.
Except one. That's my Gunnie Groundhog Day...
What's yours?
That is all.
Anyone Got a Spare $3K?
A friend sent me a link to the perfect coffee table for me:
That is just so stunningly geeky - and impressive workworking skills - that if I had the money to spend, I'd have bid on it already. I've got a buddy who's a fair hand with a chisel and sander; he built an absolutely stunning cradle when he found out that he was going to be a father - I wonder if I could commission him for another one of these?
You know I'd have to find one of the ST:TNG PADD covers for my iPad and leave it on the table...
That is all.
That is just so stunningly geeky - and impressive workworking skills - that if I had the money to spend, I'd have bid on it already. I've got a buddy who's a fair hand with a chisel and sander; he built an absolutely stunning cradle when he found out that he was going to be a father - I wonder if I could commission him for another one of these?
You know I'd have to find one of the ST:TNG PADD covers for my iPad and leave it on the table...
That is all.
Cool or Creepy?
Reader Dennis (not he of the holster fame) sent in the following article:
Remington's Model 700 EtronX Centerfire Target Rifle Redefines The Big Bang Theory
Now, I know folks (NFO, I'm looking at yoooouuuu) who won't put powered optics on their guns because, well, powered anything can fail. I can't imagine relying on an electrical contact for a firearm that I might use as a defensive weapon; I've seen far too many electrical devices fall prey to the elements, Senor Murphy, power loss, static, and a host of other problems to trust my life to an electrical trigger.
And don't even get me started about the gun control aspects. First off, anyone want to place any bets as to how many picoseconds would elapse between the time the "electronic trigger" hit the market and the LE community clamored for a device to block these triggers? Or perhaps the FedGov will mandate that all guns have this technology built in - with redundant governmental controls a la RoboCop so they can never be turned against our overlords...
But you know, I'll bet that's one of the lightest, most controllable triggers out there - I'd sure as hell love to shoot one!
That is all.
Remington's Model 700 EtronX Centerfire Target Rifle Redefines The Big Bang Theory
Consider it a shot in the arm for factory sporting rifles. Remington's new Model 700 EtronX centerfire target rifle and pesky varmint bagger is more than just another gun. It's the opening salvo in what could well be the next revolution in firearms. What Remington has done is take the mechanical trigger and related hardware required to energize and release the firing pin of its standard Model 700 and replace it with an electronic trigger and an electronic, versus the usual percussive, ignition system. Why? In a word--accuracy. In two more words--simplicity and reliability.Here's a schematic from the article:
Now, I know folks (NFO, I'm looking at yoooouuuu) who won't put powered optics on their guns because, well, powered anything can fail. I can't imagine relying on an electrical contact for a firearm that I might use as a defensive weapon; I've seen far too many electrical devices fall prey to the elements, Senor Murphy, power loss, static, and a host of other problems to trust my life to an electrical trigger.
And don't even get me started about the gun control aspects. First off, anyone want to place any bets as to how many picoseconds would elapse between the time the "electronic trigger" hit the market and the LE community clamored for a device to block these triggers? Or perhaps the FedGov will mandate that all guns have this technology built in - with redundant governmental controls a la RoboCop so they can never be turned against our overlords...
But you know, I'll bet that's one of the lightest, most controllable triggers out there - I'd sure as hell love to shoot one!
That is all.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Condition... Clear?
I'm trying to think of what the condition even more oblivious than white would be for the people in the article Stretch just sent me:
Police Warn Of Cell Phone Thefts In Minneapolis
These obliviots make life more difficult for the rest of us and are doing a grave disservice to the goblin public. By making themselves such easy, inviting targets, they're making the petty thieves jobs, far too easy. Eventually, the crooks will forget how to actually rob people, and will wind up starving to death once their perishable stealing skills have vanished... But seriously, with enough people in this condition less-than-white, thieves are going to get more and more brazen until what would have been a standard grab-n-run is going to turn deadly.
It's also interesting to note what is *not* being said in the article. They mention using a passcode and a "find my phone" app, which is good information; however there is nothing about "don't get so engrossed in your call that you tune out the outside world." How many times do you see someone so engrossed in their phone call that they step out into traffic/walk into something/ignore simple signs that most 5 year olds would see that there is trouble ahead?
Or should we start referring to smartphones as "Darwin boxes"???
That is all.
Police Warn Of Cell Phone Thefts In Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — It’s a crime wave happening around the country and it’s hitting the Twin Cities hard.
Thieves are stealing smart phones — sometimes right out of the hands of the owners while they are on the phone.
These obliviots make life more difficult for the rest of us and are doing a grave disservice to the goblin public. By making themselves such easy, inviting targets, they're making the petty thieves jobs, far too easy. Eventually, the crooks will forget how to actually rob people, and will wind up starving to death once their perishable stealing skills have vanished... But seriously, with enough people in this condition less-than-white, thieves are going to get more and more brazen until what would have been a standard grab-n-run is going to turn deadly.
It's also interesting to note what is *not* being said in the article. They mention using a passcode and a "find my phone" app, which is good information; however there is nothing about "don't get so engrossed in your call that you tune out the outside world." How many times do you see someone so engrossed in their phone call that they step out into traffic/walk into something/ignore simple signs that most 5 year olds would see that there is trouble ahead?
Or should we start referring to smartphones as "Darwin boxes"???
That is all.
Almost Forgot!
Happy Rush Day!
I saw Rush back in the '80s and '90s as part of the "Presto" and "Roll the Bones" tours. One of the things that really impressed me was how close to the studio sound the live act really is - very little "studio magic" or remixing needed for the Canadian power trio! Certain groups (Alice in Chains, I'm looking at yoooouuuuu) just don't have the same sound live as they do on the radio, and seeing them in concert can be disappointing to say the least. But not Rush, not by a long shot.
You didn't know it was Rush Day?? It IS 2/1/12...
That is all.
I saw Rush back in the '80s and '90s as part of the "Presto" and "Roll the Bones" tours. One of the things that really impressed me was how close to the studio sound the live act really is - very little "studio magic" or remixing needed for the Canadian power trio! Certain groups (Alice in Chains, I'm looking at yoooouuuuu) just don't have the same sound live as they do on the radio, and seeing them in concert can be disappointing to say the least. But not Rush, not by a long shot.
You didn't know it was Rush Day?? It IS 2/1/12...
That is all.
Let's Go to the Video...
As promised from my earlier post, here's a couple videos of me drawing my Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 from the Dragon Leather works Chimaera. First up, from the back pocket:
And second, from the right front pocket, my preferred method for pocket carry:
Now, I've had this holster for less than a week. I've had a chance to work with it a little bit, but not a terribly significant amount of time. I've probably drawn from it in the front pocket a few dozen times; less from the rear. And yet it took two takes each time to get a really good, fast draw. I'll admit to a bit of practice here - while I don't (yet) do the IDPA thing, I've worked significantly on drawing from concealment.
Dennis's new Chimaera is every bit as fast as any other pocket holster I've tried.
That is all.
And second, from the right front pocket, my preferred method for pocket carry:
Now, I've had this holster for less than a week. I've had a chance to work with it a little bit, but not a terribly significant amount of time. I've probably drawn from it in the front pocket a few dozen times; less from the rear. And yet it took two takes each time to get a really good, fast draw. I'll admit to a bit of practice here - while I don't (yet) do the IDPA thing, I've worked significantly on drawing from concealment.
Dennis's new Chimaera is every bit as fast as any other pocket holster I've tried.
That is all.
We Can Only Hope...
Issa threatens contempt proceeding against Holder if Justice fails to comply with Fast and Furious subpoenas
Only we'll mean yellow because they're afraid of harm coming to their investment...
That is all.
The head of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is threatening to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress if he fails to comply with congressional subpoenas for documents. Holder has until Feb. 9 to comply.Boy, wouldn't it just be a kick in the pants if Holder insists on dragging this into a full-blown special prosecutor investigation just in time for the 2012 election? Remind everyone just how corrupt and Machiavellian this administration is as we head toward November? How they trumpeted "never let a crisis go to waste"? The complete and utter failure of the mainstream media to perform anything even remotely resembling journalism when it comes to Operation Gunwalker will someday be referred to as a textbook example of yellow journalism.
In a four-page letter to Holder, Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., claims the Department of Justice has "misrepresented facts and misled Congress," which began its investigation of Operation Fast and Furious one year ago.
Only we'll mean yellow because they're afraid of harm coming to their investment...
That is all.
Another dispatch from...
(image courtesy of Robb Allen)
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