Vanessa and I were talking last night about how it was unfortunate that we were so busy this weekend and didn't have any time set aside for each other. The snow and ice sure fixed that. I'm thankful for the time that I've got to spend with her with the cancellation of the action pistol match, her guest speaker, and even church.
Snow and ice is cool for about one day and then I'm over it. I'm really glad that Pat and I got in some range time on Friday. Our skills shouldn't suffer because of the weather. I need some more components to keep my press up and running. I always run out of components right before some major down time. Murphy's law seems to be present in reloading.
Holly the dog has been very loving today. Is she really a good dog or is this part of her master deception plan? I hope she keeps running away so the neighborhood can have some drama without anything really serious happening.
The new workout plan is killing me. Complacency kills so I'll continue to mix it up. It's really hard to stay motivated when it's just you and it's cold.
I just submitted my first Liberty masters program paper. I personally think it is horrible but those are usually my best grades. I got a C on the best paper I've ever written and a 98 on the worst. I'm very sure that most professors don't even read the papers. The fight to finish the program before mobilization is in full swing. It's tough being a dorky white guy having to shoulder the burden of our country and society, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
20 January 2008
17 January 2008
Snow Day
It's a snow day here in the G.A. This gives us some extra time with our friend Scarlet from Ft. Leonard Wood Missouri. We've done a lot of catching up.
I saw on the news this morning that Sec. of Defense Gates made a statement that our (NATO) advisers are not properly trained to fight a counter-insurgency. NATO flipped out of course. Any body that knows about the way we fight understands that we don't follow our own doctrine. Doctrine is just a guide. The situation will dictate and the overall counter-insurgency mission will remain the same, kill insurgents and/or destroy their mental, physical, or emotional ability to accomplish their mission (insurgency). Everything leading up to the accomplishment of the mission will mold to the situation. That's what sets us apart. Speed, endurance, intelligence, and a little bit of insanity focused in the right direction.
I saw on the news this morning that Sec. of Defense Gates made a statement that our (NATO) advisers are not properly trained to fight a counter-insurgency. NATO flipped out of course. Any body that knows about the way we fight understands that we don't follow our own doctrine. Doctrine is just a guide. The situation will dictate and the overall counter-insurgency mission will remain the same, kill insurgents and/or destroy their mental, physical, or emotional ability to accomplish their mission (insurgency). Everything leading up to the accomplishment of the mission will mold to the situation. That's what sets us apart. Speed, endurance, intelligence, and a little bit of insanity focused in the right direction.
13 January 2008
What a load for the .45!
Still experimenting with new loads. The first batch I made were too long and would not feed well. The second batch's primers were seated too deeply. The third batch were too hot and were blowing the primers. I've finally got it I think.
Here it is:
3.5 grains of Hogdon Clays (no. 9 bushing on RCBS little dandy powder meter)
Remington 2 1/2 large pistol primers
200 grain round nose Oregon Trail laser-cut lead bullets
CCI Brass
50/50 ran smooth with no malfunction. Very smooth recoil with limited side to side movement. Maybe this will help on those stations that have to be fired one-handed. Will I be brave enough to run them in the match on Saturday? We'll see.
Recession or Not?
Everyone on the news is talking about a recession. Are we really in a recession? I won't know if we are or not. I don't have enough assets to really notice. During World War II America came to the front and started producing whatever was needed for the war effort. That's why Singer, known for their sewing machines, produced those very collectible WWII era weapons. The war on terror is different for some reason. No one even knows there's a war unless they're looking at death tolls on CNN. I wonder why they don't show the death toll for any major American city for comparison. Anyway, why does our economy ignore the war. Maybe it's not a recession. Maybe we're a nation at war.
I personally, am recession proof. Allow me to explain:
I get paid by the US Army when things get really bad. If they are so bad that I end up overseas, that's tax-free money. Also, I have lots of firearms. The price of firearms go up significantly as situations get worse; the situations can be as minor as democrats getting elected into office. These firearms with other basic knowledge can provide my family and others food if no other means are available. At this point, which is very far out, the stock market and bank accounts won't mean anything. Remember, it was only 78 years ago that everything bottomed out in the great depression. Everything remains relative.
I personally, am recession proof. Allow me to explain:
I get paid by the US Army when things get really bad. If they are so bad that I end up overseas, that's tax-free money. Also, I have lots of firearms. The price of firearms go up significantly as situations get worse; the situations can be as minor as democrats getting elected into office. These firearms with other basic knowledge can provide my family and others food if no other means are available. At this point, which is very far out, the stock market and bank accounts won't mean anything. Remember, it was only 78 years ago that everything bottomed out in the great depression. Everything remains relative.
10 January 2008
Irons in the fire
I seem to get nervous when I don't have a million things going on. I've always known that I have more fun working under pressure for some strange reason. I've always felt like I'm getting dull if my nose isn't grinding on the whetstone.
Vanessa is online and running strong again. It's a pleasure having her awake. I need to sell the car(s) and I start the masters program at Liberty on Monday. Work is picking up at the Detachment because of a number of factors. Work is also picking up at the Unit.
Soldier's in third platoon have a long way to go before deployment. Literally hundreds of tasks are in the works. I know how to shoot, move, and communicate. The trick is getting my Soldiers to do the same before the trip. I was rejected for the active gig because I make too much money. I wish I had more problems of this nature.
Vanessa is online and running strong again. It's a pleasure having her awake. I need to sell the car(s) and I start the masters program at Liberty on Monday. Work is picking up at the Detachment because of a number of factors. Work is also picking up at the Unit.
Soldier's in third platoon have a long way to go before deployment. Literally hundreds of tasks are in the works. I know how to shoot, move, and communicate. The trick is getting my Soldiers to do the same before the trip. I was rejected for the active gig because I make too much money. I wish I had more problems of this nature.
08 January 2008
Love, guns, and sweat
Today was a great day. The tuition assistance rush has started at work. I accompanied Vanessa to the grocery store and a romantic dinner at Wendy's. I love hanging out with Vanessa because we get to spend time together while doing otherwise grueling tasks. She is awesome and without her my quality of life would not exist. I especailly love how she calls me out on everything. The pregnancy past 13 weeks is awesome, maybe we will have more kids one day.
I reloaded some Speer plastic practice rounds. They were really fun to shoot out of my 45 acp. They don't cycle the action and they are dirty but they're still fun. I was impressed with the accuracy, they are more accurate than I am. They'll be great for young shooters (age has little to do with it) to train. They have no recoil so it is easy to detect flinch or torque. I've never had so much fun firing a $1,000.00 cap gun. They're reusable too. It comes down to about $.3 per shot, just the cost of the primer.
I've got a ruck march at 630 tomorrow morning. It's only about 6-7 miles, I hope the feet hold out. I haven't had all toe nails since I joined. In WWII the infantry Soldiers walked an average of 22 miles per day. Oh yea, and they were fighting some of the way. I think about this when my body wants to quit. The furthest I have ever rucked is 12 miles. I've done it twice and it hurt bad both times. The first time I had between 55 and 65 lbs and the second 35-45 (about 10 lbs of water) . By the end the weight makes little difference. The human body is an amazing machine and capable of so much more than the average person ever cares to find out. I choose to push the limits and enjoy the endorphin rush for some reason. Oh yea, and the health benefits.
I reloaded some Speer plastic practice rounds. They were really fun to shoot out of my 45 acp. They don't cycle the action and they are dirty but they're still fun. I was impressed with the accuracy, they are more accurate than I am. They'll be great for young shooters (age has little to do with it) to train. They have no recoil so it is easy to detect flinch or torque. I've never had so much fun firing a $1,000.00 cap gun. They're reusable too. It comes down to about $.3 per shot, just the cost of the primer.
I've got a ruck march at 630 tomorrow morning. It's only about 6-7 miles, I hope the feet hold out. I haven't had all toe nails since I joined. In WWII the infantry Soldiers walked an average of 22 miles per day. Oh yea, and they were fighting some of the way. I think about this when my body wants to quit. The furthest I have ever rucked is 12 miles. I've done it twice and it hurt bad both times. The first time I had between 55 and 65 lbs and the second 35-45 (about 10 lbs of water) . By the end the weight makes little difference. The human body is an amazing machine and capable of so much more than the average person ever cares to find out. I choose to push the limits and enjoy the endorphin rush for some reason. Oh yea, and the health benefits.
07 January 2008
Hiking in the mountains
Police ended up finding the Emerson girl that has been missing from Vogel State Park. Thank God for that so the family can have some degree of closure. It hurts me that we don't live in as safe a place as we think.
I read on AJC.com that Hilton will seek an insanity plea. I feel safe in this because my CJ degree tells me that less than 1% of insanity plea-seekers actually get it. This is due to the fact that it is actually a not guilty plea. There are several boring books on the topic if you are interested.
Certainly nobody is to blame except the guilty party (Hilton is still innocent until proven guilty). I feel guilty that our society, or at least my sub-culture, had not informed the poor Emerson girl about her right to carry a firearm for personal protection. Situations like this are the reason I put up with constant jokes from family and friends and the extra responsibility of carrying concealed. I will be in court claiming self defense and the "insane" can plead dead.
I know from scripture that God is beyond our human understanding and I know that everything is forgivable. I struggle with the fact that the guilty party has a chance to accept Christ, but it is just that. Fact.
I read on AJC.com that Hilton will seek an insanity plea. I feel safe in this because my CJ degree tells me that less than 1% of insanity plea-seekers actually get it. This is due to the fact that it is actually a not guilty plea. There are several boring books on the topic if you are interested.
Certainly nobody is to blame except the guilty party (Hilton is still innocent until proven guilty). I feel guilty that our society, or at least my sub-culture, had not informed the poor Emerson girl about her right to carry a firearm for personal protection. Situations like this are the reason I put up with constant jokes from family and friends and the extra responsibility of carrying concealed. I will be in court claiming self defense and the "insane" can plead dead.
I know from scripture that God is beyond our human understanding and I know that everything is forgivable. I struggle with the fact that the guilty party has a chance to accept Christ, but it is just that. Fact.
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