None of the funding...
The Advanced Combat Rifle competition:
I remember reading about this when it was going on.
As a Twilight: 2000 GM and player, I was rooting for the G11!
31 May 2018
Dear David Hogg Et Al
I bought trash bags today.
Because of your persistent tantrums, I bought trash bags from Publix.
Shopping today was, indeed, a pleasure.
I have lots of shopping choices, and you helped me decide where I went today.
Congratulations!
Because of your persistent tantrums, I bought trash bags from Publix.
Shopping today was, indeed, a pleasure.
I have lots of shopping choices, and you helped me decide where I went today.
Congratulations!
Epic Fail
In the past three months we have not gone a week without calling 911 because The Boy has had an elopement.
Literally every time I've taken him someplace besides school he's run.
School has decided they will not transport him at all.
I don't have a car suited to commuting like I've been putting the poor Precious through.
Never mind that I can't get around the car fast enough to catch him if he runs the second he opens the door.
We've a selection of bad outcomes to choose from.
The school is starting to make the same noises the county schools made when they wrote him off and punted him to the place he's currently in.
Likely where he's going to end up is as a ward of the state languishing in a group home.
Dammit.
Literally every time I've taken him someplace besides school he's run.
School has decided they will not transport him at all.
I don't have a car suited to commuting like I've been putting the poor Precious through.
Never mind that I can't get around the car fast enough to catch him if he runs the second he opens the door.
We've a selection of bad outcomes to choose from.
The school is starting to make the same noises the county schools made when they wrote him off and punted him to the place he's currently in.
Likely where he's going to end up is as a ward of the state languishing in a group home.
Dammit.
We Love The Panther
I was a tanker.
I am a model maker.
I read about the minutia of armored vehicles like jocks study baseball statistics.
I know about all of the numerous flaws in the Pzkw Panther.
The engine is underpowered.
The transmission is fragile and overloaded.
The interleavened roadwheels are a maintenance nightmare.
The gun is under balanced in traverse.
The sights are excellent, but have a teeny field of view.
Why do we love it?
The long ass 7.5cm KwK 42 is a GREAT tank gun. So good the French kept made a variation and used them into the 1980's.
It's honestly the first modern main battle tank by design. The first one to intentionally balance armor, armament and mobility.
It just wasn't very reliable. That's a double whammy of the mechanical parts being designed for a much lighter vehicle and outright sabotage by the slave-labor making them.
I am a model maker.
I read about the minutia of armored vehicles like jocks study baseball statistics.
I know about all of the numerous flaws in the Pzkw Panther.
The engine is underpowered.
The transmission is fragile and overloaded.
The interleavened roadwheels are a maintenance nightmare.
The gun is under balanced in traverse.
The sights are excellent, but have a teeny field of view.
Why do we love it?
The long ass 7.5cm KwK 42 is a GREAT tank gun. So good the French kept made a variation and used them into the 1980's.
It's honestly the first modern main battle tank by design. The first one to intentionally balance armor, armament and mobility.
It just wasn't very reliable. That's a double whammy of the mechanical parts being designed for a much lighter vehicle and outright sabotage by the slave-labor making them.
Scam Detector
I am not sure how Erich Pratt got my email address.
Probably nothing nefarious, I likely gave it to GOA and forgot why. I might even have donated or "became a member".
A while back I created a "gun spam" folder and made a rule that dumped the emails from several sources of gun related stuff into it.
Mostly emails from places that I'd signed up for a gun giveaway or something.
Gunowners of America is in that folder too. Because the unsubscribe button doesn't work and Erich sends me 3-5 breathless messages everyday.
Lately, though, I've noticed his emails are appearing in my normal in-box.
This is because he's using a different email address and the filters I'm using are based on the email addy of the sender.
I hate spammers.
Pratt is a spammer.
Probably nothing nefarious, I likely gave it to GOA and forgot why. I might even have donated or "became a member".
A while back I created a "gun spam" folder and made a rule that dumped the emails from several sources of gun related stuff into it.
Mostly emails from places that I'd signed up for a gun giveaway or something.
Gunowners of America is in that folder too. Because the unsubscribe button doesn't work and Erich sends me 3-5 breathless messages everyday.
Lately, though, I've noticed his emails are appearing in my normal in-box.
This is because he's using a different email address and the filters I'm using are based on the email addy of the sender.
I hate spammers.
Pratt is a spammer.
30 May 2018
Indian Gun
Plus an artsy sepia tone with her '92 in .357.
Channeling Erin
Erin wrote:
If you think it was wrong for Roseanne to say, “muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.” about Valarie Jarrett and she deserved to be fired but it's OK for Bill Mahr to call President Trump part orangutan and retain his job: You're a hypocrite.
If you think the NFL was right to dump Kaepernick but ABC was wrong to dump Roseanne, you're likely a conservative who doesn't understand business decisions.
If you think ABC was right to dump Roseanne but the NFL was wrong to dump Kaepernick, you're likely a progressive who doesn't understand business decisions.
In either case, you're a hypocrite.
If you think it was wrong for Roseanne to say, “muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.” about Valarie Jarrett and she deserved to be fired but it's OK for Bill Mahr to call President Trump part orangutan and retain his job: You're a hypocrite.
Dearie It Wasn't The Ambien Per Se
While the Ambien lowered her inhibitions enough to SAY what she said, it didn't create the thoughts.
Ask Mel Gibson!
Ask Mel Gibson!
29 May 2018
Brownell's Speaks
Brownell's has indicated they are aiming for "end of June" for delivery of their spiffy retro AR-10s.
They caution, however, that end of June would be "tight."
They caution, however, that end of June would be "tight."
Pistol Qual
I sometimes think I fired more 105mm and 120mm than .45 ACP or 9mm while I was in the Army.
That's because we took the tanks downrange twice a year but only did pistols annually.
In basic we were still with the M1911A1's and we used the man-sized knock-down targets.
Those things were shot to Hell and lots of guys would have qualified on their first pass if the hadn't hit the bit hole in the middle of the target.
I think that 10 yards was the maximum range and the close targets were like 5 yards.
The next time I qualified was, again, with an M1911A1 at my line unit.
This was paper targets at 7 yards. Several 6" circles on a big sheet of paper to do each stage of the table.
My last qualification should have been with our new M9's. I did it with a Glock 17. That's from turning in our .45's and the ammo and getting 9mm NATO ammo, but no guns thanks to some sort of production shutdown from QC issues with the M9 in Maryland.
Army ammo, privately owned pistols, Hollywood Range at Graf. Well maintained knock-down targets scattered around a fan shaped pattern with ranges out to 25-30m. Most targets in the 10-15m distance.
Same tables I referenced in a earlier post.
EASY shooting.
But just three official trips to the pistol range for three years of service.
Once I had the Glock, though, I went more often to the Rod and Gun Club range. Learned a lot more about shooting there too.
That's because we took the tanks downrange twice a year but only did pistols annually.
In basic we were still with the M1911A1's and we used the man-sized knock-down targets.
Those things were shot to Hell and lots of guys would have qualified on their first pass if the hadn't hit the bit hole in the middle of the target.
I think that 10 yards was the maximum range and the close targets were like 5 yards.
The next time I qualified was, again, with an M1911A1 at my line unit.
This was paper targets at 7 yards. Several 6" circles on a big sheet of paper to do each stage of the table.
My last qualification should have been with our new M9's. I did it with a Glock 17. That's from turning in our .45's and the ammo and getting 9mm NATO ammo, but no guns thanks to some sort of production shutdown from QC issues with the M9 in Maryland.
Army ammo, privately owned pistols, Hollywood Range at Graf. Well maintained knock-down targets scattered around a fan shaped pattern with ranges out to 25-30m. Most targets in the 10-15m distance.
Same tables I referenced in a earlier post.
EASY shooting.
But just three official trips to the pistol range for three years of service.
Once I had the Glock, though, I went more often to the Rod and Gun Club range. Learned a lot more about shooting there too.
Taking A Good Idea Too Far
Making sure your weapon is empty: Good Plan.
Institutionally and obsessively checking that weapon so many times you're actually breaking guns: Bad Plan.
Diamond's clearing barrel thing reminded me of something I'd read about from more than one source.
They're making the troops do this every time they pass a clearing barrel, and those things are popping up like they're some kind of cash crop.
Then there's that click. It's got to go CLICK.
The M16 and M4 aren't double action, that means you've got to charge the weapon to get the hammer cocked to get a click.
The troops are charging their rifles so often they're starting to break lugs off the bolts from the repeated slamming on the empty chambers. ("This wouldn't happen with an M14!" --W. Fleetwood)
A recurring thought about this and the military.
Sooner or later, Sir, we're going to have to trust them with ammo.
Sooner or later, Sir, we're going to have to trust them with their weapons loaded.
Sooner or later, Sir, we're going to have to trust them to shoot their weapons while we're forward of them.
Institutionally and obsessively checking that weapon so many times you're actually breaking guns: Bad Plan.
"[E]very soldier had to demonstrate his or her weapon was empty by pointing it down toward a barrel of sand and pulling the trigger, causing it to make the “click”"That almost seems reasonable, right?
Diamond's clearing barrel thing reminded me of something I'd read about from more than one source.
They're making the troops do this every time they pass a clearing barrel, and those things are popping up like they're some kind of cash crop.
Then there's that click. It's got to go CLICK.
The M16 and M4 aren't double action, that means you've got to charge the weapon to get the hammer cocked to get a click.
The troops are charging their rifles so often they're starting to break lugs off the bolts from the repeated slamming on the empty chambers. ("This wouldn't happen with an M14!" --W. Fleetwood)
A recurring thought about this and the military.
Sooner or later, Sir, we're going to have to trust them with ammo.
Sooner or later, Sir, we're going to have to trust them with their weapons loaded.
Sooner or later, Sir, we're going to have to trust them to shoot their weapons while we're forward of them.
28 May 2018
Girding My Loins
I suggested to my buddy, JT, that perhaps some gaming would distract us from our individual mental malaise.
After some back and forth about what kind of setting he'd like to see we settled on GURPS: Traveller: Interstellar Wars (IW).
I know the broad strokes of the interstellar wars from the overall history of Traveller.
This is more detailed.
The default campaign, is set in 2170 AD (1291 VI, IY -2351) right smack between the Third and Fourth Interstellar Wars in a period known as "The Empty Peace." This is also just after The United Nations morphs into The Terran Confederation.
I've read through IW before and made a sample character or two, but without players I wasn't paying enough attention.
Now I have ahapless victim valuable player, so I have to get my butt up to speed and throw out some obstacles for him to overcome.
In a lot of ways it's strange to run in this early time period. No Vargr. No other major races at all, actually. 2097AD (1237 VI) is when the Vilani meet their first ever major race besides themselves. Us.
They were as shocked about finding someone who'd figured out the jump drive on their own as we were about first contact being with humans.
I'm excited!
After some back and forth about what kind of setting he'd like to see we settled on GURPS: Traveller: Interstellar Wars (IW).
I know the broad strokes of the interstellar wars from the overall history of Traveller.
This is more detailed.
The default campaign, is set in 2170 AD (1291 VI, IY -2351) right smack between the Third and Fourth Interstellar Wars in a period known as "The Empty Peace." This is also just after The United Nations morphs into The Terran Confederation.
I've read through IW before and made a sample character or two, but without players I wasn't paying enough attention.
Now I have a
In a lot of ways it's strange to run in this early time period. No Vargr. No other major races at all, actually. 2097AD (1237 VI) is when the Vilani meet their first ever major race besides themselves. Us.
They were as shocked about finding someone who'd figured out the jump drive on their own as we were about first contact being with humans.
I'm excited!
Cautiously Optimistic
Ran some errands today.
Still running at the end of the running around!
Fingers crossed!
Still running at the end of the running around!
Fingers crossed!
Priceless
Sun load sensor: $40 from the Chevy dealer.
HVAC control module: $300 from ebay.
Finding out it's apparently a 2¢ fuse: Priceless.
It was working fine when I left to a friend's house yesterday.
It wasn't working when we got done with lunch.
I am amazed that I didn't scream.
Being car guys we tore The Precious apart in his driveway. He's paid for the digital version of the service manual and it's 1,000% easier to use than the paper version I have at home.
This is where I discover that there are TWO 10a fuses for the HVAC inside the car, and a 40a fuse under the hood.
Since the 40a runs to the blower motor, and looked fine, we checked the fuses in the car. They too looked fine.
Check the codes with his Tech 2. U1000 and U1153. Those add up to "something on the bus has failed, but the troubleshooting section are all about wiring.
Get out the test light and find that there are two switched leads and one B+ lead going into the HVAC module.
We find that we have a good ground.
We find that we have power at both switched leads that switches like it's supposed.
We find that we don't have power at the B+ lead.
Check fuse again. Still looks fine.
Install new fuse.
We find we have power at the B+ lead.
Put everything back together and clear codes.
It works fine all the way home.
I'm not completely confident we've fixed it, but I have hope!
HVAC control module: $300 from ebay.
Finding out it's apparently a 2¢ fuse: Priceless.
It was working fine when I left to a friend's house yesterday.
It wasn't working when we got done with lunch.
I am amazed that I didn't scream.
Being car guys we tore The Precious apart in his driveway. He's paid for the digital version of the service manual and it's 1,000% easier to use than the paper version I have at home.
This is where I discover that there are TWO 10a fuses for the HVAC inside the car, and a 40a fuse under the hood.
Since the 40a runs to the blower motor, and looked fine, we checked the fuses in the car. They too looked fine.
Check the codes with his Tech 2. U1000 and U1153. Those add up to "something on the bus has failed, but the troubleshooting section are all about wiring.
Get out the test light and find that there are two switched leads and one B+ lead going into the HVAC module.
We find that we have a good ground.
We find that we have power at both switched leads that switches like it's supposed.
We find that we don't have power at the B+ lead.
Check fuse again. Still looks fine.
Install new fuse.
We find we have power at the B+ lead.
Put everything back together and clear codes.
It works fine all the way home.
I'm not completely confident we've fixed it, but I have hope!
For The Fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
-- Laurence Binyon
Today is not about sales. It is not about summer starting. It is not about grandma.
It's is about those who served and have passed beyond the vale.
I want them all back.
To Bear, Bernie, Bob, Davy, Fred, Hognose, Jerry, Lex, Rabbi, Rich, and Robert. The world is better that you were in it and worse that you have left.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
-- Laurence Binyon
Today is not about sales. It is not about summer starting. It is not about grandma.
It's is about those who served and have passed beyond the vale.
I want them all back.
To Bear, Bernie, Bob, Davy, Fred, Hognose, Jerry, Lex, Rabbi, Rich, and Robert. The world is better that you were in it and worse that you have left.
27 May 2018
And They Once Had It Perfected
Watching Indy.
The coverage of the race is miserable.
I want to watch the race.
I can't do that with tight focus on a single car at a time and relaying, essentially, the same shot from camera to camera.
All I can really see is that a particular car is running.
It's sad because ABC's Wide World of Sports used to have the very best roundy-round racing coverage. You could get a sense of what was going on in the overall race, even last place, and they only got in tight when there was something to see while you were in there.
The color commentary is... is... Well, I have it muted.
The coverage of the race is miserable.
I want to watch the race.
I can't do that with tight focus on a single car at a time and relaying, essentially, the same shot from camera to camera.
All I can really see is that a particular car is running.
It's sad because ABC's Wide World of Sports used to have the very best roundy-round racing coverage. You could get a sense of what was going on in the overall race, even last place, and they only got in tight when there was something to see while you were in there.
The color commentary is... is... Well, I have it muted.
Six Revisions In Nine Model Years.
I looked up the interchange part numbers for my HVAC module. Mine's 15858813.
"Manufacturer Part Number (25938052), Other Part Number (15222526, 15858813, 15235202, 10385389, 10395614)."
That's five obsolete numbers and one good one.
What would be difficult to discover is what changes between part numbers.
I also confirmed that the HVAC in C6's weren't subject to options. That means that there should be a single part for all years... but something caused GM to abandon the part they used in 2005 and replace it five times with a different revision.
I also love how GM nukes a whole part number to propagate a revision. It really removes doubts about if you've got the revised part.
"Manufacturer Part Number (25938052), Other Part Number (15222526, 15858813, 15235202, 10385389, 10395614)."
That's five obsolete numbers and one good one.
What would be difficult to discover is what changes between part numbers.
I also confirmed that the HVAC in C6's weren't subject to options. That means that there should be a single part for all years... but something caused GM to abandon the part they used in 2005 and replace it five times with a different revision.
I also love how GM nukes a whole part number to propagate a revision. It really removes doubts about if you've got the revised part.
26 May 2018
Use Antifreeze!
"It doesn't get cold enough to freeze in Florida, I don't need to run antifreeze."
Antifreeze is also an anti-corrosive agent. That's the impeller from Marv's Frontier and that quote is from his step-brother who willed him the truck.
In case you were curious about what that impeller was supposed to look like.
Godspeed Captain Bean
Alan Bean has left Earth again, for the last time.
I am going to outlive everyone to have walked on the moon.
I would never have imagined this when I was a kid.
I am going to outlive everyone to have walked on the moon.
I would never have imagined this when I was a kid.
Making It More Illegaller
http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/city-of-tampa-takes-action-on-bayshore-speed-limit
Two idiots were street racing and hit and killed a mother and her baby.
Yes, lowering the speed limit from 40 to 35 will keep that from happening again.
Here's your sign, Mayor Buckhorn.
And you know it's pointless too because you say, "These young men made a really bad decision and killed two people as a result of it. There is no flashing light, there is no speed limit sign that would have changed that outcome."
But we must do SOMETHING!
THIS is something.
We MUST do this!
Wanna guess what party Mayor Buckhorn belongs to? You'll never guess.
Two idiots were street racing and hit and killed a mother and her baby.
Yes, lowering the speed limit from 40 to 35 will keep that from happening again.
Here's your sign, Mayor Buckhorn.
And you know it's pointless too because you say, "These young men made a really bad decision and killed two people as a result of it. There is no flashing light, there is no speed limit sign that would have changed that outcome."
But we must do SOMETHING!
THIS is something.
We MUST do this!
Wanna guess what party Mayor Buckhorn belongs to? You'll never guess.
Y Body Repair Flow Chart
Check for codes with your Tech 2.
If no codes, check the wiring diagrams and see if the two things acting strange share a circuit.
Check the fuse. If the fuse is good...
Check to see if the things are plugged in. If they are plugged in...
Check for voltage at the appropriate spot. If you have voltage...
Replace thing with solid state logic built into it because GM.
I am confounded that while there's nothing mechanically wrong that the system is dead because it's computerized.
I happen to like hard switches and a lever that's hooked directly and mechanically to the blend door. Those things still work on my 300k mile 1991 Biscayne SS! The AC is mechanically broke on the Biscayne... Boy-proofing just devours all the maintenance funds here.
What was that line from Star Trek? The more complicated you make the plumbing, the easier it is to stop it up.
If no codes, check the wiring diagrams and see if the two things acting strange share a circuit.
Check the fuse. If the fuse is good...
Check to see if the things are plugged in. If they are plugged in...
Check for voltage at the appropriate spot. If you have voltage...
Replace thing with solid state logic built into it because GM.
I am confounded that while there's nothing mechanically wrong that the system is dead because it's computerized.
I happen to like hard switches and a lever that's hooked directly and mechanically to the blend door. Those things still work on my 300k mile 1991 Biscayne SS! The AC is mechanically broke on the Biscayne... Boy-proofing just devours all the maintenance funds here.
What was that line from Star Trek? The more complicated you make the plumbing, the easier it is to stop it up.
Why Does The Government Get It Off
Of all the holidays that the government should be working it's Memorial Day.
The government is the reason so many of those people are dead, it shouldn't get even the smallest reward for it.
The government is the reason so many of those people are dead, it shouldn't get even the smallest reward for it.
25 May 2018
Brownell's BRN-10 Update
Brownell's is teasing Willard!
Outcry from the retro-addicts forced Brownell's to delay the release of their retro AR-10 to develop a front sight base that looks more retro than a bog-standard AR FSB.
No amount of holding his breath and stamping his feet and saying, "screw fidelity, I want mine NOW!" has caused them to ship one to Willard. Ah, the joys of pre-ordering!
No amount of holding his breath and stamping his feet and saying, "screw fidelity, I want mine NOW!" has caused them to ship one to Willard. Ah, the joys of pre-ordering!
Pistol Table
When I scoff at the idea that I was actually trained by the Army to be an actual expert in shooting a pistol, despite the Expert marksman badge hanging on my uniform...
This is why.
You'll note that it's still geared to an M1911A1's magazine capacity.
Despite the 31m maximum range, you merely have to hit a full-size torso target anywhere. I think that's the same size as an IPSC cardboard cut out. Hitting that anywhere on the cardboard would count.
The amount of time to engage each target is generous and the targets are easy to see.
The purpose of the Army training is more along the lines of learning us to not shoot ourselves or each other. Then proving that with live ammo.
This is why.
You'll note that it's still geared to an M1911A1's magazine capacity.
Despite the 31m maximum range, you merely have to hit a full-size torso target anywhere. I think that's the same size as an IPSC cardboard cut out. Hitting that anywhere on the cardboard would count.
The amount of time to engage each target is generous and the targets are easy to see.
The purpose of the Army training is more along the lines of learning us to not shoot ourselves or each other. Then proving that with live ammo.
There's Medicine For That
My back hurts, I sit wrong to ease that pain.
That makes my sternum hurt.
They make this medicine called "ibuprofen" that miraculously causes the pain to stop.
You can buy it at any grocery store without any kind of background check or prescription!
WHO KNEW?
That makes my sternum hurt.
They make this medicine called "ibuprofen" that miraculously causes the pain to stop.
You can buy it at any grocery store without any kind of background check or prescription!
WHO KNEW?
24 May 2018
Who's Feeling Generous?
Just got back from the VA.
The chest pains are almost certainly from heartburn, and I might have a slight, partial tear in my esophagus.
Definitely have anxiety and I'm getting some pills for it.
Waiting for this bill... Not sure what the VA charges when it's not service connected.
Then!
The AC on The Precious crapped out.
Diagnosed it as the control panel, thanks overcomputerized cars!
I can't just gut it out with the windows down because Mr Flight Risk, The Boy, might just climb out. It's Florida, running with the windows up without AC is courting heat stroke.
Replacement controller is about $300.
GRUMBLE.
Doc says my panic and anxiety are caused by generic stress and I don't need more.
It's enough to drive you to drink.
The chest pains are almost certainly from heartburn, and I might have a slight, partial tear in my esophagus.
Definitely have anxiety and I'm getting some pills for it.
Waiting for this bill... Not sure what the VA charges when it's not service connected.
Then!
The AC on The Precious crapped out.
Diagnosed it as the control panel, thanks overcomputerized cars!
I can't just gut it out with the windows down because Mr Flight Risk, The Boy, might just climb out. It's Florida, running with the windows up without AC is courting heat stroke.
Replacement controller is about $300.
GRUMBLE.
Doc says my panic and anxiety are caused by generic stress and I don't need more.
It's enough to drive you to drink.
23 May 2018
I'm Better And I Know Best Because I Got Military Training
BOW BEFORE ME MORTALS!
Because I'm really, really good at cleaning toilets, buffing floors and picking up cigarette butts.
I also know how to mow lawns.
I can make beds and iron clothes.
What, you meant combat skills?
I can put a 120mm round into a tank target at 5km.
I can mow down infantry with a coaxial machinegun.
I can break track and do a complete PMCS on an M1 series main battle tank.
Well, I could. Judging from pictures, there's been some changes to my mount over the years, so I might have to break out the book to do some of what I used to know by heart.
While I was "trained" in the use of a pistol and rifle (and SMG) I don't think those skills were worth much since they were all super simple tables at short ranges. We were expected to crew tanks after all.
Because I'm really, really good at cleaning toilets, buffing floors and picking up cigarette butts.
I also know how to mow lawns.
I can make beds and iron clothes.
What, you meant combat skills?
I can put a 120mm round into a tank target at 5km.
I can mow down infantry with a coaxial machinegun.
I can break track and do a complete PMCS on an M1 series main battle tank.
Well, I could. Judging from pictures, there's been some changes to my mount over the years, so I might have to break out the book to do some of what I used to know by heart.
While I was "trained" in the use of a pistol and rifle (and SMG) I don't think those skills were worth much since they were all super simple tables at short ranges. We were expected to crew tanks after all.
And We Hate Him For It
Willard was right!
The 1890 Police model was a Remington.
Now I have to remember what gun I was thinking of when I disagreed with him.
Uberti makes a clone in .357 Magnum and one of the local stores has one. I would have thought it too obscure for making a clone, let alone a sub-variation of one.
The 1890 Police model was a Remington.
Now I have to remember what gun I was thinking of when I disagreed with him.
Uberti makes a clone in .357 Magnum and one of the local stores has one. I would have thought it too obscure for making a clone, let alone a sub-variation of one.
Face Your Accuser
In case you ever wondered why the 6th Amendment contains the confrontation clause, what's happened to Bloke on the Range is a great private sector example.
This is also why we need to massively purge our laws and regulations.
If you literally cannot know that you're breaking the rules; how can you avoid breaking them?
If your only contact from the people in charge is the beginning of punishment for breaking a rule you had no idea existed, what then?
It's not happenstance that things are set up this way.
This is also why we need to massively purge our laws and regulations.
If you literally cannot know that you're breaking the rules; how can you avoid breaking them?
If your only contact from the people in charge is the beginning of punishment for breaking a rule you had no idea existed, what then?
It's not happenstance that things are set up this way.
Implacable And Unaccoutable
YouTube has terminated Bloke on the Range's channel.
His appeal appears to have been auto-denied as well.
I don't know who to send an email to to request his reinstatement, but we shouldn't have to.
The liberals are successfully managing to systematically silence us.
His appeal appears to have been auto-denied as well.
I don't know who to send an email to to request his reinstatement, but we shouldn't have to.
The liberals are successfully managing to systematically silence us.
Gotta Love Them
Of late I've been getting some pretty serious heartburn.
And it's of the sudden onset variety.
That's led to more than my fair share of panic attacks.
I've discovered that knowing that I'm having a panic attack doesn't do much to slow the heart down and relax.
A couple of hours of steady breathing exercises and actively trying to relax usually does the trick.
It's fascinating in a morbid kind of way that knowing that my chest pain is gastro-related does nothing to prevent the panic.
It's like there's a subroutine that goes, "pain in this region will cause a panic response from the lizard brain, ignore higher functions and enjoy the adrenaline."
Gotta love it!
And it's of the sudden onset variety.
That's led to more than my fair share of panic attacks.
I've discovered that knowing that I'm having a panic attack doesn't do much to slow the heart down and relax.
A couple of hours of steady breathing exercises and actively trying to relax usually does the trick.
It's fascinating in a morbid kind of way that knowing that my chest pain is gastro-related does nothing to prevent the panic.
It's like there's a subroutine that goes, "pain in this region will cause a panic response from the lizard brain, ignore higher functions and enjoy the adrenaline."
Gotta love it!
22 May 2018
Irony Alert?
The M1911A1's from the CMP must be shipped to a Type 01, 02 or 07 FFL.
If I, a Type 03 FFL, were to win the lottery and pay for one would then have to enter it into my bound book because it's a C&R firearm.
I love the silliness sometimes.
If I, a Type 03 FFL, were to win the lottery and pay for one would then have to enter it into my bound book because it's a C&R firearm.
I love the silliness sometimes.
Encouraging
Inside look at the CMP M1911 and M1911A1 pistols.
It tempts one it does.
Despite the onerous extra steps than getting a Garand and the lottery disbursement...
And needing $1,050 by September if I won what appears to be 1 in 10 ticket. I probably did the odds wrong.
But if they're expecting 75,000 applications for 8,000 pistols that's close to 1:10, right?
What could go wrong?
It tempts one it does.
Despite the onerous extra steps than getting a Garand and the lottery disbursement...
And needing $1,050 by September if I won what appears to be 1 in 10 ticket. I probably did the odds wrong.
But if they're expecting 75,000 applications for 8,000 pistols that's close to 1:10, right?
What could go wrong?
21 May 2018
Experimental
I just realized that I'll try a different scotch at the drop of a hat.
But to get me to try a different bourbon, someone has to recommend it.
But to get me to try a different bourbon, someone has to recommend it.
Intent
From reading the supporting materials for the 2nd Amendment, I think it's pretty clear that the founders wanted the common citizen to have the same weapons as the standing army, if any.
They were less certain they wanted a standing army than they were sure they wanted armed citizens.
If you go full-no-true-Scotsman about the 2nd Amendment, you have to demand a repeal of the NFA so that we can go out and buy the proper small arms and scream that anything less is... I dunno, treason or something.
I'm no true Scotsman.
But the people who wrote, debated, passed and then ratified the ten amendments that make up the Bill of Rights would be appalled at what we endure from our government.
I think they'd, likewise, be thrilled we'd made the conceptual leap that things like radio, television and the internet are speech.
But I also think they'd have started shooting quite a while ago.
We've come so far, but lost so much.
They were less certain they wanted a standing army than they were sure they wanted armed citizens.
If you go full-no-true-Scotsman about the 2nd Amendment, you have to demand a repeal of the NFA so that we can go out and buy the proper small arms and scream that anything less is... I dunno, treason or something.
I'm no true Scotsman.
But the people who wrote, debated, passed and then ratified the ten amendments that make up the Bill of Rights would be appalled at what we endure from our government.
I think they'd, likewise, be thrilled we'd made the conceptual leap that things like radio, television and the internet are speech.
But I also think they'd have started shooting quite a while ago.
We've come so far, but lost so much.
Little Details
Watching Wonder Woman...
The Fokker E.III that Steve Trevor steals actually uses wing warping!
One gets used to the movies messing this stuff up, but occasionally they get it right in a movie that has nothing to do with the planes.
Tropic Thunder is another good example. The A-4E's are period correct for the time frame of the Vietnam part of the movie.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe got the bomb release (and cockpit!) for an He.111 correct.
Flyboys... a movie about WW1 fliers... Sometimes the planes are rolling against their controls.
The Fokker E.III that Steve Trevor steals actually uses wing warping!
One gets used to the movies messing this stuff up, but occasionally they get it right in a movie that has nothing to do with the planes.
Tropic Thunder is another good example. The A-4E's are period correct for the time frame of the Vietnam part of the movie.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe got the bomb release (and cockpit!) for an He.111 correct.
Flyboys... a movie about WW1 fliers... Sometimes the planes are rolling against their controls.
Maybe That's Why You're Going Out Of Business
One of the local pawn shops is going out of business.
In fact, the only reason we darkened their door today was because of the "going out of business" sign.
Previous trips had taught us that they priced their good condition guns as if they were in unfired condition.
So we very rarely checked to see if they had anything worth buying and after a few, widely spaced, trips where the answer was, "no," we stopped going in there.
Today we found that they had come down on price considerably on some of their remaining guns.
Enough that Willard was willing to plunk down on three of them.
Now we hit several snags.
Willard is wanting to buy three different pistols. A $400 1963 made Colt Detective Special, a $375 Manhurin made .32 PP and a $350 .45 SAA clone.
He made an offer of $1,100 out the door.
"NO!" says the sales lady. $1,125 plus tax, plus FDLE call. $1,208.75.
"$1,200 then?" says Willard?
"No, and if you don't want them we've got three other gun shops coming in this afternoon and they're going to pay us what we want. By Wednesday there won't be any guns left!"
So Willard trims his purchase down to two guns, dropping the SAA from the list.
They get the price settled to asking, plus tax plus call in.
Then she informs Willard, "We don't allow multiple handguns to be sold on the same day." Owner's policy because of the extra paperwork.
Willard MANFULLY restrained himself from saying what he was thinking, "No wonder you're going out of business! I have money on the counter and you're telling me you don't want it!"
"Can I buy one of them?" I ask.
"Sure!" she says. So I did. I'll see if Willard is still interested in my Detective Special in couple of days. I'd show you a picture but I forgot it in his car. I trust him.
Because they were refusing multiple sales because of the paperwork, I was sorely tempted to overload her hamster wheel and produce my C&R papers and have her figure out a dealer to dealer transfer. (Hint, it's the same as a normal purchase just you have to have a copy of my FFL number and write it on the 4473.)
In fact, the only reason we darkened their door today was because of the "going out of business" sign.
Previous trips had taught us that they priced their good condition guns as if they were in unfired condition.
So we very rarely checked to see if they had anything worth buying and after a few, widely spaced, trips where the answer was, "no," we stopped going in there.
Today we found that they had come down on price considerably on some of their remaining guns.
Enough that Willard was willing to plunk down on three of them.
Now we hit several snags.
Willard is wanting to buy three different pistols. A $400 1963 made Colt Detective Special, a $375 Manhurin made .32 PP and a $350 .45 SAA clone.
He made an offer of $1,100 out the door.
"NO!" says the sales lady. $1,125 plus tax, plus FDLE call. $1,208.75.
"$1,200 then?" says Willard?
"No, and if you don't want them we've got three other gun shops coming in this afternoon and they're going to pay us what we want. By Wednesday there won't be any guns left!"
So Willard trims his purchase down to two guns, dropping the SAA from the list.
They get the price settled to asking, plus tax plus call in.
Then she informs Willard, "We don't allow multiple handguns to be sold on the same day." Owner's policy because of the extra paperwork.
Willard MANFULLY restrained himself from saying what he was thinking, "No wonder you're going out of business! I have money on the counter and you're telling me you don't want it!"
"Can I buy one of them?" I ask.
"Sure!" she says. So I did. I'll see if Willard is still interested in my Detective Special in couple of days. I'd show you a picture but I forgot it in his car. I trust him.
Because they were refusing multiple sales because of the paperwork, I was sorely tempted to overload her hamster wheel and produce my C&R papers and have her figure out a dealer to dealer transfer. (Hint, it's the same as a normal purchase just you have to have a copy of my FFL number and write it on the 4473.)
Nope
Fox News asks if this sign is an example of reverse racism.
Nope.
That's just plain old racism.
Reversing whom is racist doesn't change that it's racism.
Nope.
That's just plain old racism.
Reversing whom is racist doesn't change that it's racism.
20 May 2018
Too Much Freedom?
This is a gaming post, not a political one.
I think I've established that I'm a fan of GURPS.
I know several gamers whom hate it because it's got a character creation system that's complex and cumbersome compared to most other role-playing games.
Aside: your computer doesn't have a role playing game on it; so I am not going to say "table-top RPG" like the computer "gamers" want.
GURPS is a point-based, skill driven system.
What this means is you get a pool of points to spend to create your character "spending" your points on traits and skills and getting credit from flaws.
What determines what your character can do is primarily derived from what skills you purchased and what level you raised them to.
It takes a while to make a character.
The beauty is, once you've made your character, everything you need to play further is already on your sheet. Only the situationally defined variables assigned by the GM are missing.
It's a system that, literally, allows you to make any person you can imagine within the limits of the points given by the GM.
This induces vapor lock in players who're more accustomed to systems that actively walk you through the character generation process.
Think back to AD&D. The first step is randomly generating the stats. That give you a limited set of choices for your character class depending on how well or poorly you rolled for any given stat. Once you've chosen your class you're done making decisions about your character except for picking out spells (if any).
Later editions of D&D added some skills, but I've never played them so can't talk authoritatively on them; but the character class is still the main choice and subsequent choices fall from that first choice.
Traveller was the same thing in the main. You randomly generated stats. Then you picked a service (if your stats were high enough for it) and then just followed the table until you died in character generation, got mustered out by a bad roll or simply quit rolling. Even service choice could be taken away if you rolled poorly.
Game after game follows this mold.
GURPS and Hero are the two main exceptions, and both have people complaining about the same issue. It boils down to a lack of guidance from the rules to determine what a character should have.
I think that players don't really like the freedom. Time and again I've watched players struggle to make their character with GURPS and spend hours picking out five skills. Yes, their character is GOOD at those five things, but as play progresses and they are confronted with situations which don't need those five skills... they get mad. They blame the GM, they blame the rules.
They don't blame themselves.
GURPS introduced character templates as a way to guide the players. A template gives a list of stats, skills, advantages and disadvantages.
Guess what the players do.
They take the template and virtually nothing else. So in a GURPS: WW2 game I end up with at least 70% of the players with the identical character.
They treat the template as a requirement that cannot be altered or changed. Says here "Guns/TL7 (rifle) 12" so they buy the skill to 12 and leave it. No higher, no lower.
No matter how many times I say the templates are guides not manifestos.
I think I've established that I'm a fan of GURPS.
I know several gamers whom hate it because it's got a character creation system that's complex and cumbersome compared to most other role-playing games.
Aside: your computer doesn't have a role playing game on it; so I am not going to say "table-top RPG" like the computer "gamers" want.
GURPS is a point-based, skill driven system.
What this means is you get a pool of points to spend to create your character "spending" your points on traits and skills and getting credit from flaws.
What determines what your character can do is primarily derived from what skills you purchased and what level you raised them to.
It takes a while to make a character.
The beauty is, once you've made your character, everything you need to play further is already on your sheet. Only the situationally defined variables assigned by the GM are missing.
It's a system that, literally, allows you to make any person you can imagine within the limits of the points given by the GM.
This induces vapor lock in players who're more accustomed to systems that actively walk you through the character generation process.
Think back to AD&D. The first step is randomly generating the stats. That give you a limited set of choices for your character class depending on how well or poorly you rolled for any given stat. Once you've chosen your class you're done making decisions about your character except for picking out spells (if any).
Later editions of D&D added some skills, but I've never played them so can't talk authoritatively on them; but the character class is still the main choice and subsequent choices fall from that first choice.
Traveller was the same thing in the main. You randomly generated stats. Then you picked a service (if your stats were high enough for it) and then just followed the table until you died in character generation, got mustered out by a bad roll or simply quit rolling. Even service choice could be taken away if you rolled poorly.
Game after game follows this mold.
GURPS and Hero are the two main exceptions, and both have people complaining about the same issue. It boils down to a lack of guidance from the rules to determine what a character should have.
I think that players don't really like the freedom. Time and again I've watched players struggle to make their character with GURPS and spend hours picking out five skills. Yes, their character is GOOD at those five things, but as play progresses and they are confronted with situations which don't need those five skills... they get mad. They blame the GM, they blame the rules.
They don't blame themselves.
GURPS introduced character templates as a way to guide the players. A template gives a list of stats, skills, advantages and disadvantages.
Guess what the players do.
They take the template and virtually nothing else. So in a GURPS: WW2 game I end up with at least 70% of the players with the identical character.
They treat the template as a requirement that cannot be altered or changed. Says here "Guns/TL7 (rifle) 12" so they buy the skill to 12 and leave it. No higher, no lower.
No matter how many times I say the templates are guides not manifestos.
Why Do Mass Shootings Happen?
This is a discouraging explanation.
If this explanation holds true, then it's incumbent on the mass media to stop obsessing on these events.
The reporting is allowing the spread of the "riot".
But then, the press never did seem to understand responsibilities go with rights.
If this explanation holds true, then it's incumbent on the mass media to stop obsessing on these events.
The reporting is allowing the spread of the "riot".
But then, the press never did seem to understand responsibilities go with rights.
Left Earth Orbit
Leaving Earth orbit.
I keep hearing this phrase for the moon missions.
While they were orbiting the moon, they were orbiting something that orbits the Earth.
They didn't leave Earth orbit...
I keep hearing this phrase for the moon missions.
While they were orbiting the moon, they were orbiting something that orbits the Earth.
They didn't leave Earth orbit...
19 May 2018
Just Fence Me In
Before:
After:
We're now privacy fenced on two of three sides of the back yard.
Thanks to JT and Marv for the excellent assistance!
After:
We're now privacy fenced on two of three sides of the back yard.
Thanks to JT and Marv for the excellent assistance!
Armed Forces Day
TODAY is the day you say thanks to those still in uniform.
Even the Air Force.
Find a restaurant where they hang out after hours and randomly pay the bill for the table anonymously.
Find a proper receptacle for your butt!
Get them laid.
Even the Air Force.
Find a restaurant where they hang out after hours and randomly pay the bill for the table anonymously.
Find a proper receptacle for your butt!
Get them laid.
18 May 2018
Lot 17
St George Single Malt Whiskey
You can't call it scotch, because it's made in California. But it's a 15 year scotch otherwise. No peat, seaweed, or corpses. Almost sweet.
And look, ye purists, no ice!
And look, ye purists, no ice!
There Goes THAT Narrative
The murder weapons appear to be a shotgun and a .38 revolver stolen from the murderer's father.
A far cry from the dreaded "AR-15 type weapon" the gun-grabbers masturbate about being used.
The Texas Lt Governor, Dan Patrick, has said it was a Remington with a 4-5 shot capacity.
Legal under the Brady Act!
A far cry from the dreaded "AR-15 type weapon" the gun-grabbers masturbate about being used.
The Texas Lt Governor, Dan Patrick, has said it was a Remington with a 4-5 shot capacity.
Legal under the Brady Act!
17
The murderer is seventeen years old.
Too young to buy a gun from an FFL. Even in Texas.
According to wikipedia, Texas has no age restrictions on possession.
Taking a gun to school appears to be a felony unless you have a carry permit and aren't being "reckless" with it. You can't get a Texas Toter's Permit until you're 21 (except for active mil who can be 18).
Oh, has anyone noticed THIS teeny little law? While we're all frothy about the idea of banning every gun under the sun and creating more magic lines on the ground to stop school shootings we always seem to forget that murder is illegal.
In every state.
Really.
Even Florida.
Wow! It's like criminals don't obey laws or something!
If passing laws stopped crime then we'd have been done decades if not millennia ago.
If banning weapons from civilian possession prevented civilians from getting hold of some, there's quite a few conquering nations who'd have had much less trouble with their conquests. Even the National Socialists, Soviets and Red Chinese failed to get all the guns.
The IRA managed to remain armed for how long? Ireland is an ISLAND kids.
Speaking of the IRA, banning the manufacture and use of explosive devices didn't slow them down much, did it?
Maybe it's time to focus on the schools themselves. What are they doing that's breeding people who want to kill as many of their fellow students as they can?
I'm betting we're going to hear about the Santa Fe, TX murderer being bullied.
Just like Columbine. Just like Parkland.
Maybe it's time to return schools to local control rather than one-size-fits-all Federal control.
Too young to buy a gun from an FFL. Even in Texas.
According to wikipedia, Texas has no age restrictions on possession.
Taking a gun to school appears to be a felony unless you have a carry permit and aren't being "reckless" with it. You can't get a Texas Toter's Permit until you're 21 (except for active mil who can be 18).
Oh, has anyone noticed THIS teeny little law? While we're all frothy about the idea of banning every gun under the sun and creating more magic lines on the ground to stop school shootings we always seem to forget that murder is illegal.
In every state.
Really.
Even Florida.
Wow! It's like criminals don't obey laws or something!
If passing laws stopped crime then we'd have been done decades if not millennia ago.
If banning weapons from civilian possession prevented civilians from getting hold of some, there's quite a few conquering nations who'd have had much less trouble with their conquests. Even the National Socialists, Soviets and Red Chinese failed to get all the guns.
The IRA managed to remain armed for how long? Ireland is an ISLAND kids.
Speaking of the IRA, banning the manufacture and use of explosive devices didn't slow them down much, did it?
Maybe it's time to focus on the schools themselves. What are they doing that's breeding people who want to kill as many of their fellow students as they can?
I'm betting we're going to hear about the Santa Fe, TX murderer being bullied.
Just like Columbine. Just like Parkland.
Maybe it's time to return schools to local control rather than one-size-fits-all Federal control.
Still Not Me
Not my guns.
I wasn't there, didn't do it.
But somehow, someone will figure I need be punished for the actions of others.
How many laws broken before the first shot?
I wasn't there, didn't do it.
But somehow, someone will figure I need be punished for the actions of others.
How many laws broken before the first shot?
I Did You Mewling Fucking Quim
Serve my country? Got the DD214, getting the disability checks.
More than you've ever done.
I suspect, more than you will ever do.
Fucking bitch. Armed Forces Day is tomorrow and Memorial Day is around the corner. Bet she's got not a clue about how abrasive her timing is.
More than you've ever done.
I suspect, more than you will ever do.
Fucking bitch. Armed Forces Day is tomorrow and Memorial Day is around the corner. Bet she's got not a clue about how abrasive her timing is.
17 May 2018
Big-Uns
Curious about a comment here I looked up High-Point's .45 ACP offering.
I looked because it was touted as being preferable to a 1911 if one were to insist on a single stack in 45.
It's larger in every dimension. Heavier empty than a 1911 is loaded.
Bigger and heavier in exchange for much cheaper and two extra shots.
Nah. I don't think I will.
The other gun mentioned was a Glock 21. I have one of those. It's not a comfortable carry gun here in Florida. It's too big in every dimension to get away with IWB under a loose t-shirt when it's 90/95% here. The size and shape conspire to make something poke at your covering garment in a way that gives the game away.
I tried and tried to carry it here and have a box full of G21 holsters to prove it.
It shoots great though! A bit lighter than a loaded 1911 even when loaded with 13+1 rounds too.
My carry problem reoccurs with most every full-size double stack gun. So far the only three guns that have disappeared for me have been a 1911, Glock 17 and a Browning Hi-Power. The 17 fading surprised me since it's the same shape as the 21, just smaller. It's made me consider a Glock 19, to be honest.
I looked because it was touted as being preferable to a 1911 if one were to insist on a single stack in 45.
It's larger in every dimension. Heavier empty than a 1911 is loaded.
Bigger and heavier in exchange for much cheaper and two extra shots.
Nah. I don't think I will.
The other gun mentioned was a Glock 21. I have one of those. It's not a comfortable carry gun here in Florida. It's too big in every dimension to get away with IWB under a loose t-shirt when it's 90/95% here. The size and shape conspire to make something poke at your covering garment in a way that gives the game away.
I tried and tried to carry it here and have a box full of G21 holsters to prove it.
It shoots great though! A bit lighter than a loaded 1911 even when loaded with 13+1 rounds too.
My carry problem reoccurs with most every full-size double stack gun. So far the only three guns that have disappeared for me have been a 1911, Glock 17 and a Browning Hi-Power. The 17 fading surprised me since it's the same shape as the 21, just smaller. It's made me consider a Glock 19, to be honest.
16 May 2018
But They're Easy To Catch
Flogging this dead horse some more. Dead horses are easier to catch than live horses, plus you don't have to break them.
The USGI M1911A1 market has set some expectations for some people looking forward to their lottery entry at CMP.
Expectations that don't think will be supported by reality.
You've got to remember the route the guns on the market now did not get to civilian hands by the same path as the guns the CMP is presently sorting through.
More than a couple of those ex-GI guns went home in some GI's pocket or duffel. Literally stolen property that the military simply wrote off and has zero interest in investigating.
Some are guns which were given away at retirements. These are the real cream of the ex-GI crop.
Some are guns which were surplussed from an earlier time where the politics were different. Back when it was the DCM rather than CMP.
Let's timeline this a bit...
Take-home guns which don't have a criminal investigation trying to find them are the ones which were combat-loss'd. This sets the age and condition being closely related to which war it was loss'd in. Grampa's WW2 bring-back is probably going to be in better shape than my Uncle's 'Nam gun because it spent 20-30 fewer years in service.
DCM guns will be in better condition than CMP guns because of the same lack of service.
The CMP guns are the survivors from 1945 through 1990 (or so). While these guns might be the best of the guns remaining when the M9 finally supplanted the M1911A1, it doesn't mean they're in good shape at all. I don't recall an ordnance rework plan for the turned in pistols. I recall that the plan at the time we turned ours in was the very best guns were to be put in storage and the rest parted out with serviceable parts being retained with the rest getting destroyed.
Judging from vendors tables at gun shows, lots of parts didn't get stored or destroyed.
A goodly sized hunk of the stored pistols got destroyed during the Clinton administration without regard to their condition.
Something that I think supports my idea that these aren't very nice guns is the low-expectation description grading CMP has given and the lack of photos from the sorting process. They've shown us pictures (and video!) of the Philippene Garands coming back, so we know they're not camera shy there.
I'm willing to TAKE those pictures if the CMP wants to invite me up!
The USGI M1911A1 market has set some expectations for some people looking forward to their lottery entry at CMP.
Expectations that don't think will be supported by reality.
You've got to remember the route the guns on the market now did not get to civilian hands by the same path as the guns the CMP is presently sorting through.
More than a couple of those ex-GI guns went home in some GI's pocket or duffel. Literally stolen property that the military simply wrote off and has zero interest in investigating.
Some are guns which were given away at retirements. These are the real cream of the ex-GI crop.
Some are guns which were surplussed from an earlier time where the politics were different. Back when it was the DCM rather than CMP.
Let's timeline this a bit...
Take-home guns which don't have a criminal investigation trying to find them are the ones which were combat-loss'd. This sets the age and condition being closely related to which war it was loss'd in. Grampa's WW2 bring-back is probably going to be in better shape than my Uncle's 'Nam gun because it spent 20-30 fewer years in service.
DCM guns will be in better condition than CMP guns because of the same lack of service.
The CMP guns are the survivors from 1945 through 1990 (or so). While these guns might be the best of the guns remaining when the M9 finally supplanted the M1911A1, it doesn't mean they're in good shape at all. I don't recall an ordnance rework plan for the turned in pistols. I recall that the plan at the time we turned ours in was the very best guns were to be put in storage and the rest parted out with serviceable parts being retained with the rest getting destroyed.
Judging from vendors tables at gun shows, lots of parts didn't get stored or destroyed.
A goodly sized hunk of the stored pistols got destroyed during the Clinton administration without regard to their condition.
Something that I think supports my idea that these aren't very nice guns is the low-expectation description grading CMP has given and the lack of photos from the sorting process. They've shown us pictures (and video!) of the Philippene Garands coming back, so we know they're not camera shy there.
I'm willing to TAKE those pictures if the CMP wants to invite me up!
Not So Cute
Sometimes that porg, he looks right into ya. Right into your eyes.
Y'know the thing about a porg, he's got... lifeless eyes, black eyes,
like a doll's eyes. When he comes at ya, doesn't seem to be livin'...
until he bites ya. And those black eyes roll over white, and then... oh,
then you hear that terrible high-pitch screamin', the grass turns red,
and spite of all the poundin' and the hollerin', they all come in and
they... rip you to pieces.
What's In The Box?
I tripped over the box in the garage again.
What's in that box?
Several, valuable, BM-59 magazines is what.
I don't have a BM-59.
This is not my box. This is Willard's box.
I cannot, for the life of me, remember why we put it in my garage.
What's in that box?
Several, valuable, BM-59 magazines is what.
I don't have a BM-59.
This is not my box. This is Willard's box.
I cannot, for the life of me, remember why we put it in my garage.
15 May 2018
On Tracking The Panic
My little hourly log of blood pressure has me solidly convinced that a single reading should not be acted on too decisively.
I've had two extremely high readings then got normal a minute later.
Ask for a second or third reading to make sure the machine is reading consistently!
I've had two extremely high readings then got normal a minute later.
Ask for a second or third reading to make sure the machine is reading consistently!
Panic Tracker
Last night I made a nice orange chicken meal from a frozen kit.
It was very tasty, and I ate far too much of it too soon after another meal.
I got a confluence of my back hurting from sitting wrong, heart-burn and my heart skipping a beat (which it's done occasionally since childhood) while I was listening to my heart pounding in my ears.
PANIC ATTACK!
Knowing that it was food and stomach related didn't help a bit.
But we have this spiffy blood-pressure cuff, so I took a few readings during the event.
Peak-freakout, at about 7:40 PM was 134 over 81 with my ticker running 110 per minute just sitting at my desk gulping for air.
I spent the next six hours trying to relax and calm down. At 9:00 PM I'd managed a 113 over 73 at 90! But that spiked back to 134 over 84 at 86 by midnight when I shut off the lights and moved into bed to lie there for the next three hours watching movies waiting for the heartburn to subside.
This morning I got 106/73 with 79 bpm at 9:20 AM and 115/73 with 74 bpm at 10:33 AM.
I feel MUCH better.
PS: the cuff has a handy little "health indicator" which shows a P if your systolic goes over 120 or your diastolic goes over 80. It changes to a 1 if your systolic goes over 130 and changes to a 2 when your systolic goes 140 or more or your diastolic hits 90 or more.
Those correspond to stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension.
It was very tasty, and I ate far too much of it too soon after another meal.
I got a confluence of my back hurting from sitting wrong, heart-burn and my heart skipping a beat (which it's done occasionally since childhood) while I was listening to my heart pounding in my ears.
PANIC ATTACK!
Knowing that it was food and stomach related didn't help a bit.
But we have this spiffy blood-pressure cuff, so I took a few readings during the event.
Peak-freakout, at about 7:40 PM was 134 over 81 with my ticker running 110 per minute just sitting at my desk gulping for air.
I spent the next six hours trying to relax and calm down. At 9:00 PM I'd managed a 113 over 73 at 90! But that spiked back to 134 over 84 at 86 by midnight when I shut off the lights and moved into bed to lie there for the next three hours watching movies waiting for the heartburn to subside.
This morning I got 106/73 with 79 bpm at 9:20 AM and 115/73 with 74 bpm at 10:33 AM.
I feel MUCH better.
PS: the cuff has a handy little "health indicator" which shows a P if your systolic goes over 120 or your diastolic goes over 80. It changes to a 1 if your systolic goes over 130 and changes to a 2 when your systolic goes 140 or more or your diastolic hits 90 or more.
Those correspond to stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension.
Perhaps Priced Appropriately
The CMP M1911A1's might be priced well below market.
Hit gunbroker and find an Ex-USGI M1911A1 for less than $1,000.
Now, would you fire that gun without doing some repairs?
I remember balking at the prices for what you got when CMP made their first tentative pricing announcement.
Turns out that a nice M1911A1 made by Remington-Rand is a $2,500-$3,000 gun.
A franken gun with the frame made by one maker and the slide another will be $1,500-$2,000 depending on the level and skill of the refurbishment and refinishing. This gun, sadly, is what will be representative of what CMP likely has.
I think I will be happy with my Springfield Armory clone.
Of note: Remington Rand made more M1911A1's than anyone else. This is the most common maker and the M1911A1 is the most numerous model.
Also note: there will be no surprise hidden gems coming out of CMP's 1911 lottery. They've reserved an auction price level for those. Buyer be aware.
Hit gunbroker and find an Ex-USGI M1911A1 for less than $1,000.
Now, would you fire that gun without doing some repairs?
I remember balking at the prices for what you got when CMP made their first tentative pricing announcement.
Turns out that a nice M1911A1 made by Remington-Rand is a $2,500-$3,000 gun.
A franken gun with the frame made by one maker and the slide another will be $1,500-$2,000 depending on the level and skill of the refurbishment and refinishing. This gun, sadly, is what will be representative of what CMP likely has.
I think I will be happy with my Springfield Armory clone.
Of note: Remington Rand made more M1911A1's than anyone else. This is the most common maker and the M1911A1 is the most numerous model.
Also note: there will be no surprise hidden gems coming out of CMP's 1911 lottery. They've reserved an auction price level for those. Buyer be aware.
I Got Nothin'
While I took the weekend off from the drama, it awaited me for the week.
Progress is being made, but it's consuming far more time than it should.
Progress is being made, but it's consuming far more time than it should.
14 May 2018
Busy Weekend
A busy weekend without drama!
Went retirement house shopping with Marv.
Took Willard out to lunch for his birthday.
Rode along with another friend and did Big Top Brewery and Dissent Brewery.
Hung out with Marv and JT to watch Expanse and Westworld.
All fun, no drama.
I needed no drama for 48 hours.
Went retirement house shopping with Marv.
Took Willard out to lunch for his birthday.
Rode along with another friend and did Big Top Brewery and Dissent Brewery.
Hung out with Marv and JT to watch Expanse and Westworld.
All fun, no drama.
I needed no drama for 48 hours.
12 May 2018
No Overlap
I am watching a couple of documentaries about our current efforts in Afghanistan.
I realize that there's zero overlap between my experiences, Willard's experiences and theirs.
There's lots of parallels.
No overlap.
It's strange.
I realize that there's zero overlap between my experiences, Willard's experiences and theirs.
There's lots of parallels.
No overlap.
It's strange.
11 May 2018
Something Stupid I Got Away With
In the way back days when Colt still made Anacondas I bought a brand new in box 4" barreled .45 Colt version.
Being the tinkering kind, I also bought a set of Hogue grips for it.
Because it was a super-tight fit there was much wrestling with the gun and am certain I pointed it at various parts of my anatomy more than once.
When I finally got them on the gun I noticed two things.
First, I'd managed to cock it.
Second, I'd forgotten to unload it.
Who knows how close to shooting my dumb ass I'd come.
It's sobering.
Being the tinkering kind, I also bought a set of Hogue grips for it.
Because it was a super-tight fit there was much wrestling with the gun and am certain I pointed it at various parts of my anatomy more than once.
When I finally got them on the gun I noticed two things.
First, I'd managed to cock it.
Second, I'd forgotten to unload it.
Who knows how close to shooting my dumb ass I'd come.
It's sobering.
Have They Tried Raising The Minimum Purchase Age To 21?
School shooting in California.
The alleged shooter is 14.
But you have to be 21 to buy a handgun and 18 to buy any other gun.
You can't get around the age minimums because all purchases have to go through a licensed dealer.
Handgun buyers need to pass a safety class.
California gun owners must register their handguns and so-called assault-weapons with the state.
It's illegal to have a firearm within 1,000' of a school boundary unless adhering to some very specific exception.
So, clearly this is fake news and the so-called shooter is innocent because it would have been impossible for him to break that many laws to get a gun and go to a school and shoot someone.
The alleged shooter is 14.
But you have to be 21 to buy a handgun and 18 to buy any other gun.
You can't get around the age minimums because all purchases have to go through a licensed dealer.
Handgun buyers need to pass a safety class.
California gun owners must register their handguns and so-called assault-weapons with the state.
It's illegal to have a firearm within 1,000' of a school boundary unless adhering to some very specific exception.
So, clearly this is fake news and the so-called shooter is innocent because it would have been impossible for him to break that many laws to get a gun and go to a school and shoot someone.
Sorry Sir
I'm sorry, Sir, your race card has been declined.
Ex-congressman says he's 'given up on America' after sentenced for 3rd conviction.
Kids,
If America was truly racist there'd have been no way a poor black man from Mississippi could have earned a Rhodes Scholarship and graduated Harvard, then proceeded to become a Congressman.
His ass would still be poor and in Mississippi.
It wasn't racism that caused you to bang an underage girl.
It wasn't racism that caused you to commit fraud with your campaign fund.
It wasn't racism that kept you from declaring your income and filing taxes on it.
Want to hear something ironic?
Former Congressman Reynolds behavior is predicted by racists who take the position that blacks simply cannot learn to behave.
Congratulations Convict! You are so damn stupid about things you make racists look smart.
That took work.
Ex-congressman says he's 'given up on America' after sentenced for 3rd conviction.
Kids,
If America was truly racist there'd have been no way a poor black man from Mississippi could have earned a Rhodes Scholarship and graduated Harvard, then proceeded to become a Congressman.
His ass would still be poor and in Mississippi.
It wasn't racism that caused you to bang an underage girl.
It wasn't racism that caused you to commit fraud with your campaign fund.
It wasn't racism that kept you from declaring your income and filing taxes on it.
Want to hear something ironic?
Former Congressman Reynolds behavior is predicted by racists who take the position that blacks simply cannot learn to behave.
Congratulations Convict! You are so damn stupid about things you make racists look smart.
That took work.
10 May 2018
What Price Cachet
I hankered for an M1911A1 since I got out of the Army.
Mine was a Colt frame with an Ithaca or Remington-Rand slide (I can't remember which, just that I know my pistol wasn't marked Colt, but the serial number, 1164935, is definitely Colt).
My dad gave me his Remington-Rand. I stupidly sold it, bought it back and traded it off for a Glock 21. I was happy for a while, but the hankering returned.
An AMT Hardballer in stainless didn't scratch the itch well enough.
For years now my M1911A1 needs have been served by a Springfield Armory 1911-A1 USGI model. I bought it brand new in 2006 for the lofty sum of $517. I replaced the wood stocks with NOS brown plastic just like my issue gun had.
There's lots of detail differences between the gun I was issued and that Springfield, but it's 80% there and that's enough for me, even if it's Brazilian. But they don't make this specific model anymore.
Auto-Ordnance sells a repop M1911A1 that has fewer detail differences yet. Brownell's only wants $469.99 for it.
Rock Island Arsenal / Armscorp sells a 1911A1 clone at MSRP $530 which is similar to the farbs on my Springfield.
I think the RIA is made in the Philippines, I am not sure where Auto-Ordnance is made.
These are not used or abused guns. They're brand new, albeit not the utter top end.
All three choices do a good job of mimicking the real thing at a fairly affordable price.
They lack the cachet of the real deal. They also lack the 40-50 years of abuse by GI's.
Which brings us back to the CMP...
I remember good old 1164935. It didn't have a front sight. It had distinct evidence of the hatch coaming nailing the mainspring housing and grip-safety. It definitely rattled when you shook it.
My gun was one of the better ones too.
People pay a premium for the real deal. A well worn Remington-Rands have asking prices of $1,500 to $2,500 on Gunbroker as we speak.
Mine was a Colt frame with an Ithaca or Remington-Rand slide (I can't remember which, just that I know my pistol wasn't marked Colt, but the serial number, 1164935, is definitely Colt).
My dad gave me his Remington-Rand. I stupidly sold it, bought it back and traded it off for a Glock 21. I was happy for a while, but the hankering returned.
An AMT Hardballer in stainless didn't scratch the itch well enough.
For years now my M1911A1 needs have been served by a Springfield Armory 1911-A1 USGI model. I bought it brand new in 2006 for the lofty sum of $517. I replaced the wood stocks with NOS brown plastic just like my issue gun had.
There's lots of detail differences between the gun I was issued and that Springfield, but it's 80% there and that's enough for me, even if it's Brazilian. But they don't make this specific model anymore.
Auto-Ordnance sells a repop M1911A1 that has fewer detail differences yet. Brownell's only wants $469.99 for it.
Rock Island Arsenal / Armscorp sells a 1911A1 clone at MSRP $530 which is similar to the farbs on my Springfield.
I think the RIA is made in the Philippines, I am not sure where Auto-Ordnance is made.
These are not used or abused guns. They're brand new, albeit not the utter top end.
All three choices do a good job of mimicking the real thing at a fairly affordable price.
They lack the cachet of the real deal. They also lack the 40-50 years of abuse by GI's.
Which brings us back to the CMP...
I remember good old 1164935. It didn't have a front sight. It had distinct evidence of the hatch coaming nailing the mainspring housing and grip-safety. It definitely rattled when you shook it.
My gun was one of the better ones too.
People pay a premium for the real deal. A well worn Remington-Rands have asking prices of $1,500 to $2,500 on Gunbroker as we speak.
Yup Read It Wrong
I thought I'd read that Moms Demand Action had given money to Ellen's in Dallas...
It was the other way around.
Ellen's dropped $15k at Moms.
If you live in Dallas or are just visiting the downtown area, remember them and eat someplace else.
Never mind that $15 for two eggs, 2 slices of bacon, some grits, cheese and toast is fucking stupid.
They should be out of business for charging those prices!
It was the other way around.
Ellen's dropped $15k at Moms.
If you live in Dallas or are just visiting the downtown area, remember them and eat someplace else.
Never mind that $15 for two eggs, 2 slices of bacon, some grits, cheese and toast is fucking stupid.
They should be out of business for charging those prices!
09 May 2018
Pricing Posted
CMP has priced the 1911 type pistols at fair market value in accordance with CMP's enabling legislation.With no less than three NICS checks to get your gun, and having to use a local FFL instead of my C&R, the juice just isn't worth the squeeze.
Service Grade $1050. Pistol may exhibit minor pitting and wear on exterior surfaces and friction surfaces. Grips are complete with no cracks. Pistol is in issuable condition.
Field Grade $950. Pistol may exhibit minor rust, pitting, and wear on exterior surfaces and friction surfaces. Grips are complete with no cracks. Pistol is in issuable condition.
Rack Grade $850. Pistol will exhibit rust, pitting, and wear on exterior surfaces and friction surfaces. Grips may be incomplete and exhibit cracks. Pistol requires minor work to return to issuable condition.
Auction Grade (Sales will to be determined by auctioning the pistol). The condition of the auction pistol will be described when posted for auction. Note: If you have already purchased a 1911 from CMP you will not be allowed to purchase an auction 1911. If you purchase an auction 1911, your name will be pulled from the sequenced list. No repeat purchasers are allowed until all orders received have been filled.
The shipping cost is included in the price.
Never mind that it's a lottery. You send in your packet and you hope to be drawn if more applicants than guns sent theirs in too.
I am not sure if they're going to have separate lotteries for each grade or if they're going to call you up and say, "your number drew a Service Grade, got the money?"
With brand new Colt Series 70's running $870 MSRP and Springfield's MilSpec at $670... the cachet of "genuine Army issue" feels weak to me.
Actually That's Not That Much
 |
| Stealing Miguel's Bandwith |
Chickenfeed.
Ellen's is open 14 hours a day, 7 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week. Or 98 hours a week.
Their average entree costs about $15 (low end estimate because the "brunch and breakfast" items are cheaper and they sell themselves as a brunch place).
So this generous donation makes up for 1,000 entree orders.
Google Maps says they're busiest from 10-12 and busiest on Saturday.
They're not a big place, a mere 32 seats.
If the Saturday numbers are max capacity, or 64 customers for two hours... then the place is running about 10 customers an hour most of the time with peaks of 15 or so.
Congratulations, you sold out and are proud to have raked in less than a week's worth of receipts.
If only half your customers decide to eat someplace else because of your "new" political position, Moms demand has covered your losses for two weeks or so.
Have fun with the other 50!
Especially since restaurants run at exceedingly thin margins. It's rare to find a place that could take a 10% loss in business, let alone 50%. There's almost certainly 10% who aren't going to eat there any more, so Moms Demands bought you 10 weeks. Tops.
Your wait-staff is going to start hunting for greener pastures because that $15k from Moms Demand isn't covering the lost tips.
Get woke, go broke.
Better Stop Taking Ad Money From Colleges Too
The rationale for refusing money from bail bondsmen applies to colleges funded by student loans too.
Frustrated
I have heard from every single one of the professionals who deal with The Boy that he needs to be in a secure group-home.
Once they deliver that verdict, they turn their back and slam the door in my face.
Thanks!
I don't even have a hint of who takes his insurance, APD funding or SSI and will thus place him.
Once they deliver that verdict, they turn their back and slam the door in my face.
Thanks!
I don't even have a hint of who takes his insurance, APD funding or SSI and will thus place him.
08 May 2018
Grouchy
It's been a Hell couple of weeks.
The Boy has spent more time in mental health facilities than home and he's back in today too.
The frequency of the triggering events is increasing and nobody can explain why.
This contrasts sharply with the two years ago prognosis where it was thought certain he was on the track to being minimally supervised and somewhat productive and independent.
Now the prognosis is more along the lines of very secure and supervised group-homes.
We're not happy about this at all.
The Boy has spent more time in mental health facilities than home and he's back in today too.
The frequency of the triggering events is increasing and nobody can explain why.
This contrasts sharply with the two years ago prognosis where it was thought certain he was on the track to being minimally supervised and somewhat productive and independent.
Now the prognosis is more along the lines of very secure and supervised group-homes.
We're not happy about this at all.
07 May 2018
Seems Like A Bad Plan
I'm not sure making Oliver North the figurehead president of the NRA is a good idea.
Seems like it just gives the other side ammo.
Seems like it just gives the other side ammo.
Actually It's All You
Reading this:
She says,
You are ruining yourself, he's not even passively helping you.
Your reaction is your decision.
Your reaction, and prejudices, tell us you are a mean spirited and hateful person.
While you're reconsidering your worldview thanks to a helpful redneck, you might want to consider that you're the problem not everyone else.
She says,
"As I drove home, I felt the full extent to which Trump has actually diminished my own desire to be kind. He is keeping me so outraged that I hold ill will toward others on a daily basis. Trump is not just ruining our nation, he is ruining me. By the end of the drive, I felt heartbroken."That's not President Donald Trump doing that to you, that's YOU doing that to you.
You are ruining yourself, he's not even passively helping you.
Your reaction is your decision.
Your reaction, and prejudices, tell us you are a mean spirited and hateful person.
While you're reconsidering your worldview thanks to a helpful redneck, you might want to consider that you're the problem not everyone else.
06 May 2018
Something To Ponder Dave
The NRA is scared- that's why they brought out the President and the VP for the first time to their convention.The young people will win. #USAoverNRA
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) May 4, 2018
Dave,
Stop and consider this for a moment:
You just said the NRA brought out the President and the Vice-President.
The most powerful men in the world, in your opinion, are at our beck and call.
Think HARD about what that must mean. Think of the implications. If you can.
Tickets Aren't Even On Sale Yet
McCain says he doesn't want President Trump to attend his funeral.
Speaking for myself, I don't care who attends as long as there IS a funeral for Maverick and he's buried.
He can give a speech before laying in the box and being covered for all I care.
Speaking for myself, I don't care who attends as long as there IS a funeral for Maverick and he's buried.
He can give a speech before laying in the box and being covered for all I care.
My Ears Perked Up
I am sure I am using the term "dog whistle" wrong.
But when that Ellen's place wrote, "reasonable and effective gun regulations" they were blowing a dog whistle.
That phrase means "gun control" to we pro-gun masses. That phrase means "gun control" to the gun banners too. To the uninvolved it is supposed to appear to be less extreme than it's meant.
I cannot believe that anyone who would use that phrase so precisely had no idea what it meant to gun owners. Miguel has a nice screenshot that sure looks like it confirms my opinion.
In that first link to Miguel's though you'll see two receipts.
Why is that?
Because the gun owners heard the dog whistle and responded instantly and firmly.
The only reason for him to make such a sudden change was if his restaurant was suddenly empty of customers. It's what we call an "oh FUCK!" moment.
I've mentioned before that gun owners are known to hold grudges.
Now the owner is pulling the victim card because his backpedaling didn't restore customers to seats.
It reminds me of a criminal complaining that he's been victimized because he was shot while burglarizing a house.
Sorry, Joe, but you blew the whistle; and we heard you. You don't get to unblow it because you find that making such a statement has consequences you don't like.
I've said it before and I will say it again, if something has nothing to do with the product you're selling, don't talk about it in association with your business.
If you're running a business, and feel that you must be political, be sure you check to see if your customers agree with your politics before you spout off. Otherwise you might find yourself without customers. You could be without customers for a good long time.
The gun control crowd doesn't seem to buy much in support of businesses that pander to them.
We gunnies are definitely willing to never darken their door again. Even if there was a long and happy relationship prior to becoming woke.
But when that Ellen's place wrote, "reasonable and effective gun regulations" they were blowing a dog whistle.
That phrase means "gun control" to we pro-gun masses. That phrase means "gun control" to the gun banners too. To the uninvolved it is supposed to appear to be less extreme than it's meant.
I cannot believe that anyone who would use that phrase so precisely had no idea what it meant to gun owners. Miguel has a nice screenshot that sure looks like it confirms my opinion.
In that first link to Miguel's though you'll see two receipts.
Why is that?
Because the gun owners heard the dog whistle and responded instantly and firmly.
The only reason for him to make such a sudden change was if his restaurant was suddenly empty of customers. It's what we call an "oh FUCK!" moment.
I've mentioned before that gun owners are known to hold grudges.
Now the owner is pulling the victim card because his backpedaling didn't restore customers to seats.
It reminds me of a criminal complaining that he's been victimized because he was shot while burglarizing a house.
Sorry, Joe, but you blew the whistle; and we heard you. You don't get to unblow it because you find that making such a statement has consequences you don't like.
I've said it before and I will say it again, if something has nothing to do with the product you're selling, don't talk about it in association with your business.
If you're running a business, and feel that you must be political, be sure you check to see if your customers agree with your politics before you spout off. Otherwise you might find yourself without customers. You could be without customers for a good long time.
The gun control crowd doesn't seem to buy much in support of businesses that pander to them.
We gunnies are definitely willing to never darken their door again. Even if there was a long and happy relationship prior to becoming woke.
Last Flag Flying
Amazon, for some reason, decided to combine "The Last Detail" with "Taking Chance".
For all the acting talent, it doesn't quite work. It's a bit too disjointed.
For all the acting talent, it doesn't quite work. It's a bit too disjointed.
05 May 2018
Do Not Fret
If you're being all maudlin about whom died or didn't die in Avengers Infinity War...
Just remember that unless your name is Ben Parker or Gwen Stacy you've an excellent chance of being resurrected.
Just remember that unless your name is Ben Parker or Gwen Stacy you've an excellent chance of being resurrected.
Pressure
Traveller Physics 250:
Gravity, it was found, was like all the other forces in that it "pushes" rather than "pulls".
This is why there are repulsor bays, and not tractor beams. Gravity doesn't pull.
It presses into areas of high mass, with an increasing "pressure" as the mass increases.
It was discovered that this pressure, once TL9+ math was applied to the equations, readily accounted for the missing mass in the universe.
Traveller has no dark matter. Traveller is also NOT the real universe.
The gravity pressure model allows for, among other things, reactionless thrusters, jump-drives, gravity pumped fusion power plants, artificial gravity, contra-gravity, meson-weapons and grav-compensators.
We mere moles and trolls at TL8 literally cannot comprehend the mathematics which explains it.
Before you refute my silly double-talk, remember I am not proposing this as a real model of how the universe works, but as a means to apply some science-fiction crunchy coating to some space-opera technology.
Gravity, it was found, was like all the other forces in that it "pushes" rather than "pulls".
This is why there are repulsor bays, and not tractor beams. Gravity doesn't pull.
It presses into areas of high mass, with an increasing "pressure" as the mass increases.
It was discovered that this pressure, once TL9+ math was applied to the equations, readily accounted for the missing mass in the universe.
Traveller has no dark matter. Traveller is also NOT the real universe.
The gravity pressure model allows for, among other things, reactionless thrusters, jump-drives, gravity pumped fusion power plants, artificial gravity, contra-gravity, meson-weapons and grav-compensators.
We mere moles and trolls at TL8 literally cannot comprehend the mathematics which explains it.
Before you refute my silly double-talk, remember I am not proposing this as a real model of how the universe works, but as a means to apply some science-fiction crunchy coating to some space-opera technology.
PRNDL
I keep hearing about "gender neutral".
Why aren't we talking about "gender park" "gender reverse" "gender drive" and "gender low"?
Why aren't we talking about "gender park" "gender reverse" "gender drive" and "gender low"?
Let's See Who Complains
Iowa has passed the strictest restrictions on getting an abortion in the nation.
Now, will anyone who might actually have a baby complain?
I remember these tedious debates and whom got the most butt-hurt about suggestions to put restrictions on abortions.
Women who have no plan to ever have kids.
A rather large preponderance of lesbians, in fact. If there was ever a demographic that shouldn't have to worry about needing an abortion...
Another large group was nominally straight women whom were so abrasively Feminist their odds of having sex with a fully conscious and willing partner of the opposite sex bordered on zero point oh GOHDS! I am sick of counting the zeros...
Now, will anyone who might actually have a baby complain?
I remember these tedious debates and whom got the most butt-hurt about suggestions to put restrictions on abortions.
Women who have no plan to ever have kids.
A rather large preponderance of lesbians, in fact. If there was ever a demographic that shouldn't have to worry about needing an abortion...
Another large group was nominally straight women whom were so abrasively Feminist their odds of having sex with a fully conscious and willing partner of the opposite sex bordered on zero point oh GOHDS! I am sick of counting the zeros...
Meh
I finally saw Black Panther now that it's out on home media.
Mostly entertaining, but underwhelming to me.
I just didn't have the sympathy for Erik Killmonger that everyone (reviewers) said I was going to have.
The theme of "you're rich and powerful so you MUST help the poor and powerless overthrow dey oppressors" that kept getting repeated is only resonate with someone who is empathetic with SJW norms.
The people making these films keep forgetting there's comics that explain, in depth, why Wakanda cut themselves off from the world and hid, not just from the colonial powers, but the rest of Africa.
They are a deeply bigoted people, in fact. It's in the books!
But they've also had their worldview supported and reinforced by observing what happens in the rest of Africa. And the world.
The reforms that T'Challa brings are to make the place more Swiss-like. They begin to open up to the rest of the world, while keeping it at arms length.
At one point there's even a discussion about being proactive and doing what Killmonger advocated in the movie.
King T'Challa is reminded that it took them hundreds of years to reach their present level of advanced technology; Howard and Tony Stark matched them in less than 40. Tony is far from alone in making super-advanced tech, never mind how much extraterrestrial tech is floating around The Marvel Universe. Even Canada has super-tech on par with Wakanda from James McDonald Hudson, Roger Bochs and Madison Jeffries.
The last thing Wakanda needs is to present a clear and present danger to the rest of the world.
Mostly entertaining, but underwhelming to me.
I just didn't have the sympathy for Erik Killmonger that everyone (reviewers) said I was going to have.
The theme of "you're rich and powerful so you MUST help the poor and powerless overthrow dey oppressors" that kept getting repeated is only resonate with someone who is empathetic with SJW norms.
The people making these films keep forgetting there's comics that explain, in depth, why Wakanda cut themselves off from the world and hid, not just from the colonial powers, but the rest of Africa.
They are a deeply bigoted people, in fact. It's in the books!
But they've also had their worldview supported and reinforced by observing what happens in the rest of Africa. And the world.
The reforms that T'Challa brings are to make the place more Swiss-like. They begin to open up to the rest of the world, while keeping it at arms length.
At one point there's even a discussion about being proactive and doing what Killmonger advocated in the movie.
King T'Challa is reminded that it took them hundreds of years to reach their present level of advanced technology; Howard and Tony Stark matched them in less than 40. Tony is far from alone in making super-advanced tech, never mind how much extraterrestrial tech is floating around The Marvel Universe. Even Canada has super-tech on par with Wakanda from James McDonald Hudson, Roger Bochs and Madison Jeffries.
The last thing Wakanda needs is to present a clear and present danger to the rest of the world.
04 May 2018
Pedant Dilema
A question was asked, "Do you own a 1911?"
That seems simple, doesn't it?
You could say that I own two.
You could also say that I own zero.
Willard owns a genuine (refinished mixmaster) M1911. So he owns one! I think this is also his only USGI 1911.
He also has a bursting at the seams box full of others.
Others...
My Colt Government Model in .38 Super isn't an M anything. Series 80 lockwork, stainless barrel, wrong caliber... It's not even an M1911A1.
The Springfield Model 1911-A1 GI is the spitting image of a parkerized M1911A1 but that whole A1 thing makes it both a 1911 and not a 1911. Plus the silly lock set into the mainspring housing...
Speaking of mainspring housings: Does anyone make a blued, arched housing with a lanyard ring with lengthwise grooves in it. Like a USGI one, actually. I want one for my .38 Super and have be unable to locate one that didn't once belong to Alvin York or Frank Hamer judging from the prices (never mind that the wear on a vintage part won't match the barely used gun...)
That seems simple, doesn't it?
You could say that I own two.
You could also say that I own zero.
Willard owns a genuine (refinished mixmaster) M1911. So he owns one! I think this is also his only USGI 1911.
He also has a bursting at the seams box full of others.
Others...
My Colt Government Model in .38 Super isn't an M anything. Series 80 lockwork, stainless barrel, wrong caliber... It's not even an M1911A1.
The Springfield Model 1911-A1 GI is the spitting image of a parkerized M1911A1 but that whole A1 thing makes it both a 1911 and not a 1911. Plus the silly lock set into the mainspring housing...
Speaking of mainspring housings: Does anyone make a blued, arched housing with a lanyard ring with lengthwise grooves in it. Like a USGI one, actually. I want one for my .38 Super and have be unable to locate one that didn't once belong to Alvin York or Frank Hamer judging from the prices (never mind that the wear on a vintage part won't match the barely used gun...)
8,760
One year.
The BelOMO PK-01VS has been on for a year.
Still going! I have been using an Energizer Ultimate Lithium battery, so that could be part of it.
Change the battery on your birthday territory is excellent, especially when it's a goo $500 cheaper than an Aimpoint Comp M4 and it includes the mount for an AK which puts it at a comfortable height instead of slightly too high.
Thanks to the fine folks at... well I promised not to say. But if they're still reading, they're thanked!
Вялікі дзякуй!
The BelOMO PK-01VS has been on for a year.
Still going! I have been using an Energizer Ultimate Lithium battery, so that could be part of it.
Change the battery on your birthday territory is excellent, especially when it's a goo $500 cheaper than an Aimpoint Comp M4 and it includes the mount for an AK which puts it at a comfortable height instead of slightly too high.
Thanks to the fine folks at... well I promised not to say. But if they're still reading, they're thanked!
Вялікі дзякуй!
03 May 2018
Took A Test Drive
The little control pod's location ended up being not quite right.
Luckly I chose a not-too-sticky tape for my initial placement rather than going with the industrial stuff that came with the cord.
Rotating it 90˚ keeps it from tickling my knee so much.
 |
| Before |
 |
| Now |
...And Done
The taps...
The top tap is for the NPP exhaust switch which lets me open the muffler bypass valves. OEM exhaust cut-outs!
The lower tap is for the radar detector.
Everything all buttoned back up. Happy day!
The top tap is for the NPP exhaust switch which lets me open the muffler bypass valves. OEM exhaust cut-outs!
The lower tap is for the radar detector.
Gutted
The bracket is out for delivery, so I have to wait until my postal carrier gets here to do a final routing for lengths and button her back up.
Remember, if they don't find you handsome, let them at least find you handy.
Oh GM Don't Stop Being You
GM and electricity are in a strange relationship.
Wiring sizes are 'gage' instead of 'gauge'. I hear to save a teeny amount of ink over LOTS of documentation.
And the cryptic ISRVM/HVAC circuit in my Vette.
HVAC is easy: Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
What could ISRVM be?
Considering it's on the same circuit as the HVAC, you might think it to be some sort of climate control part, right?
Nope.
InSide RearView Mirror.
They saved a letter by saying ISRVM instead of saying Mirror.
The mirror does lots of things on a C6, so giving it a circuit makes sense.
After all, that's where the OnStar® button is... wait that has it's OWN circuit.
Two map lights are in the mirror... wait those have their own circuit too.
The mirror automatically dims at night and has a compass in it. THAT is what this fuse runs in the mirror.
Why am I delving into the mysteries of the C6 electrical system?
Because I am sick of the suction cup which holds up my radar detector giving up the ghost in the hot Florida sun and dropping it to dangle from the Invisicord wires and the mirror.
So I got a bracket that screws into the hole for the passenger side sun-visor clip and Escort's own DirectWire SmartCord®.
The ISRVM circuit is where I had the Invisicord tapped into before, just doing it at the fuse instead of the mirror's connector this time.
The instructions are... sparse. Like non-existent. They're making the assumption that you know the wire with the inline fuse is hot and the wire with the loop is ground. I know people who wouldn't be able to figure that out.
I did.
One mini-fuse tap later I have it mocked up in the passenger seat and it works like I want. Now I just need to route the wire from the detector's location, down the a-pillar, through the dash and out someplace near the center console so I can easily reach the controller pod. Then route the power leads from the controller pod through the dash and down to the fuse panel under the passenger foot-well.
FUN!
Wiring sizes are 'gage' instead of 'gauge'. I hear to save a teeny amount of ink over LOTS of documentation.
And the cryptic ISRVM/HVAC circuit in my Vette.
HVAC is easy: Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
What could ISRVM be?
Considering it's on the same circuit as the HVAC, you might think it to be some sort of climate control part, right?
Nope.
InSide RearView Mirror.
They saved a letter by saying ISRVM instead of saying Mirror.
The mirror does lots of things on a C6, so giving it a circuit makes sense.
After all, that's where the OnStar® button is... wait that has it's OWN circuit.
Two map lights are in the mirror... wait those have their own circuit too.
The mirror automatically dims at night and has a compass in it. THAT is what this fuse runs in the mirror.
Why am I delving into the mysteries of the C6 electrical system?
Because I am sick of the suction cup which holds up my radar detector giving up the ghost in the hot Florida sun and dropping it to dangle from the Invisicord wires and the mirror.
So I got a bracket that screws into the hole for the passenger side sun-visor clip and Escort's own DirectWire SmartCord®.
The ISRVM circuit is where I had the Invisicord tapped into before, just doing it at the fuse instead of the mirror's connector this time.
The instructions are... sparse. Like non-existent. They're making the assumption that you know the wire with the inline fuse is hot and the wire with the loop is ground. I know people who wouldn't be able to figure that out.
I did.
One mini-fuse tap later I have it mocked up in the passenger seat and it works like I want. Now I just need to route the wire from the detector's location, down the a-pillar, through the dash and out someplace near the center console so I can easily reach the controller pod. Then route the power leads from the controller pod through the dash and down to the fuse panel under the passenger foot-well.
FUN!
Sweet Relief
There were new orthotic inserts in the mailbox today.
Thanks Veteran's Administration and US Taxpayers for this bounty!
Thanks Veteran's Administration and US Taxpayers for this bounty!
02 May 2018
What's Japanese For Hummer (フェラチオ)
Putting F-35 brains into the F-22 for Japan.
It's an obvious, but difficult, idea.
Something I'd propose to make it easier on Japan and thus easier for us to buy some too is to allow Boeing to bid on the production contract.
The F-22A assembly line is supposed to be archived and stored. Put it any place a manufacturer has space, even if it's Beechcraft, Piper or Cessna!
The resulting plane would be F-22B using the US designation series if they use it right (they often don't). A Japanese model of the F-22B would be F-22BJ.
They will probably call the Japanese version F-22J...
It's an obvious, but difficult, idea.
Something I'd propose to make it easier on Japan and thus easier for us to buy some too is to allow Boeing to bid on the production contract.
The F-22A assembly line is supposed to be archived and stored. Put it any place a manufacturer has space, even if it's Beechcraft, Piper or Cessna!
The resulting plane would be F-22B using the US designation series if they use it right (they often don't). A Japanese model of the F-22B would be F-22BJ.
They will probably call the Japanese version F-22J...
01 May 2018
Well, Get On With It Then
Paul Feig says he will go to his grave proud of Ghostbusters (2016).
Today would be fine for you to do that, Paul.
Yesterday would have been better.
With all the talented people who're dropping dead lately, why is it that you keep clinging to life?
Go to the light, Paul!
Today would be fine for you to do that, Paul.
Yesterday would have been better.
With all the talented people who're dropping dead lately, why is it that you keep clinging to life?
Go to the light, Paul!
I Kinda Miss The Parade Coverage
A staple of growing up in the Cold War was the annual coverage of the military parade the Soviets would throw in Red Square.
For a scale-model making geek, it was awesome!
I don't know if they still do the parade, but they don't mention it in the news like they used to.
Russians are probably too capitalist for our press to salivate over now.
For a scale-model making geek, it was awesome!
I don't know if they still do the parade, but they don't mention it in the news like they used to.
Russians are probably too capitalist for our press to salivate over now.