Astonishing no-one who has been paying attention, but perhaps very surprising if you only watch what news comes out of the idiot box, two stories we very much hope you won't notice, so we'll publish them on the weekend while you are busy with sports:
Ireland takes an IMF bailout (instead of taking the bitter pill they, like the USA, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, etc. all need)
Even The Obama can't bring peace to the Middle East when one side insists the other refrain from utilizing their nation's capital city.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
The Club Is Full.
In the Disney version of Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare greeted Alice by hollering at her "No room! No room!" and tried to shoo her away from their mostly-empty table.
Well, that's us. North Korea and Iran have every right as sovereign nations to use nuclear power generation facilities for peaceful purposes. They are both apparently well on the way to doing so. And
- here's the sticky wicket -
both nations are governed by human rights-violating tyrants who wish in public that they had more power and/or fewer neighbors. Oh, and the same technology they are looking to start using has the potential to be turned into the most destructive device ever invented.
It's an interesting question: does the guy who threatens everyone on his street with knife violence get to have kitchen knives? How threatening does he have to get before you go in and take all his knives away? And then what does he use to cut his tomatoes for his sammiches?
Well anyway, apparently high technology for nuclear power is more important than feeding the people of North Korea or getting them electrical power . . . it turns out that the NorKs have a couple thousand uranium enrichment centrifuges going and we "didn't" know about it.
. . . strictly for peaceful purposes, of course . . . .
Well, that's us. North Korea and Iran have every right as sovereign nations to use nuclear power generation facilities for peaceful purposes. They are both apparently well on the way to doing so. And
- here's the sticky wicket -
both nations are governed by human rights-violating tyrants who wish in public that they had more power and/or fewer neighbors. Oh, and the same technology they are looking to start using has the potential to be turned into the most destructive device ever invented.
It's an interesting question: does the guy who threatens everyone on his street with knife violence get to have kitchen knives? How threatening does he have to get before you go in and take all his knives away? And then what does he use to cut his tomatoes for his sammiches?
Well anyway, apparently high technology for nuclear power is more important than feeding the people of North Korea or getting them electrical power . . . it turns out that the NorKs have a couple thousand uranium enrichment centrifuges going and we "didn't" know about it.
. . . strictly for peaceful purposes, of course . . . .
Saturday, November 20, 2010
One Final Traipse
Our house is across a greenbelt from another row of homes. The rear-facing windows in the living room show only our back fence and the trees growing behind it. Living here feels rather like living in the middle of nowhere, thanks to this view. Thanks to the City (my the City), this is going to change drastically.
Every once in a while, I would take one or two of the older children on a hike through the woods behind our house. Today is the last time that will happen, at least with the woods as they knew them. I took #2 and #3 out and broke the news as easily as I could by starting from our usual stopping point: our back fence. Usually, we'll start at the street and work our way 'home' through the woods, concluding in a bravery-inducing (read: scary) jump over the fence.
Our trailhead today:
A little creek usually runs back here, except in times of severest drought. This is the reason we will be losing our woods. When a heavy rain comes, this rises about ten or twelve feet, and flow is greatly restricted because it's a jungle where there really ought to be a drainage culvert. This is what happens when you don't clean your drainage for 25 years: people get to be fond of the 50-foot tall weeds!
Sorry these pictures aren't the greatest, they were taken on the fly as we tramped through the woods.
It was right about here that I started explaining to #2 why this would be our last "exploring". At first he didn't get what I was driving at, when I asked him what happened to the trees. He said they were laying down, without understanding they were laying down because they had been felled.
The road is the end of the road. I tried to keep #2's mind on fun things by telling him that they were using a machine like the one on "Swamp Loggers" or whatever it's called on the Discovery Channel, to pull the felled timber out.
And here is a look back at what used to be our usual trailhead. It used to look almost exactly like the first three shots, solid trees with a hillside to go down to get to the passable sections of, if not regular trail, at least walkable woods.
Now look. They squished the river's course all flat with their machines in the course of clearing out the timber. I suppose the men will have to go in with a Bobcat and clear out all the clay to make a watercourse run down the middle again. I hope they will leave the trees on the sides at least, but it's a faint hope.
Oh well, it was quite nice while it lasted. I guess we'll have to plant trees on our side of the fence now to get some privacy back. Mmmm. . . maybe pecan trees, and fig trees, and peach trees! Maybe the next place we live will have some honest woods that won't be considered a hazard by the local authorities, where we can romp and camp and do whatever the heck we want.
Oh, and perhaps there will be fewer mosquitos . . . did I mention the creek is more of a swamp between the times when it's running and the times it's dry?
Every once in a while, I would take one or two of the older children on a hike through the woods behind our house. Today is the last time that will happen, at least with the woods as they knew them. I took #2 and #3 out and broke the news as easily as I could by starting from our usual stopping point: our back fence. Usually, we'll start at the street and work our way 'home' through the woods, concluding in a bravery-inducing (read: scary) jump over the fence.
Our trailhead today:
A little creek usually runs back here, except in times of severest drought. This is the reason we will be losing our woods. When a heavy rain comes, this rises about ten or twelve feet, and flow is greatly restricted because it's a jungle where there really ought to be a drainage culvert. This is what happens when you don't clean your drainage for 25 years: people get to be fond of the 50-foot tall weeds!
Sorry these pictures aren't the greatest, they were taken on the fly as we tramped through the woods.
It was right about here that I started explaining to #2 why this would be our last "exploring". At first he didn't get what I was driving at, when I asked him what happened to the trees. He said they were laying down, without understanding they were laying down because they had been felled.
The road is the end of the road. I tried to keep #2's mind on fun things by telling him that they were using a machine like the one on "Swamp Loggers" or whatever it's called on the Discovery Channel, to pull the felled timber out.
And here is a look back at what used to be our usual trailhead. It used to look almost exactly like the first three shots, solid trees with a hillside to go down to get to the passable sections of, if not regular trail, at least walkable woods.
Now look. They squished the river's course all flat with their machines in the course of clearing out the timber. I suppose the men will have to go in with a Bobcat and clear out all the clay to make a watercourse run down the middle again. I hope they will leave the trees on the sides at least, but it's a faint hope.
Oh well, it was quite nice while it lasted. I guess we'll have to plant trees on our side of the fence now to get some privacy back. Mmmm. . . maybe pecan trees, and fig trees, and peach trees! Maybe the next place we live will have some honest woods that won't be considered a hazard by the local authorities, where we can romp and camp and do whatever the heck we want.
Oh, and perhaps there will be fewer mosquitos . . . did I mention the creek is more of a swamp between the times when it's running and the times it's dry?
Friday, November 19, 2010
I'm Psychic, I Knew It.
The National Ammunition Day website is closed. Therefore it is no surprise that both Uncle and I forgot about it. I knew it was coming, but I may have been confusing the date with some other made-up holiday coming up soon. Oh well.
. . . I guess I'll have to celebrate tomorrow, then.
. . . I guess I'll have to celebrate tomorrow, then.
Gun Porn: Ruger 10/22 Beater
If you ever wondered what somebody means when they say "truck gun" this is it for a .22. Small, cheap, and beat-to-heck looking, you can throw it in the back of your truck (or trunk of your car) and never worry about it being beaten up. This gun looks like was rode hard and put away wet, literally.
As always, Blogger kills the image quality. Click any image to see it a bit clearer.
From a few feet away, it looks like something is wrong.
Look closer, and it is wrong. It's rusted from one end to the other. The stock is all dinged up. The paint is scratched up. It's rough. This is about the epitome of a truck gun, cosmetically speaking.
There used to be a scope. A long time ago. It used to be clean, too, but that was also a while back
The bore is surprisingly bright, with sharp rifling. Judging from the neglect evident on the rest of the rifle, probably the only thing that saved this bore is that modern .22LR factory ammunition is almost a bore cleaner in every shot.
Note the vintage of the serial number:
The serial number says it's almost as old as I am. Hmm.
As always, Blogger kills the image quality. Click any image to see it a bit clearer.
From a few feet away, it looks like something is wrong.
Look closer, and it is wrong. It's rusted from one end to the other. The stock is all dinged up. The paint is scratched up. It's rough. This is about the epitome of a truck gun, cosmetically speaking.
There used to be a scope. A long time ago. It used to be clean, too, but that was also a while back
The bore is surprisingly bright, with sharp rifling. Judging from the neglect evident on the rest of the rifle, probably the only thing that saved this bore is that modern .22LR factory ammunition is almost a bore cleaner in every shot.
Note the vintage of the serial number:
The serial number says it's almost as old as I am. Hmm.
Missile Defense: Good For . . . Most Countries
The President is talking about a new missile defense shield in Europe. I have mixed feelings about it being owned by Europeans (who are infamous for having the odd rebellion every once in a while) but that's not the point of this post. I am suspicious about the timing of this subject, coinciding as it does with talks about New Start, and I have the creepy feeling he'll try to bundle the new missiles in with the new treaty should he (God forbid!) ever get it through the Senate; but that's not the subject of this post.
No, my point today is to remember what President Obama is NOT doing. He is not going to try to put missiles in Poland. This is yet another jab in the eye of the Polish people, but at least it didn't come on September 17 (this year).
No, my point today is to remember what President Obama is NOT doing. He is not going to try to put missiles in Poland. This is yet another jab in the eye of the Polish people, but at least it didn't come on September 17 (this year).
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Gun Porn: Winchester Model 1400 MKII 12 Gauge Semi-Automatic Shotgun
This was somebody's field piece and it was NOT properly cared for. From a yard away it looks okay:
(as always, Blogger kills the image quality. Click any image to see a better version)
Then you take a closer look. There is RUST sprinkled here and there, especially by the gas ports and the muzzle end of the barrel. And the forearm has a CRACK in it. The forearm on the 1400 Mark 2 is a cosmetic piece, but you never like to see cracked wood furniture on a gun. Plus, the gas valve has caked-on fouling. I'd hate to think what will happen in a few more years (decades?) when the next owner ALSO does not clean the action, and the barrel mounting ring welds finally get eaten through by rust . . .
The action cycles smoothly and shows surprisingly little wear for the amount of fouling there was in the gas valve.
The exterior was either poorly finished to begin with, or it was cleaned with the wrong types of solvents . . . there are THREE colors of metal within a couple of inches, at the joint and transition between the barrel and the receiver.
The choke is a screw-in type, in this case a Modified.
The barrel is mirror-bright, except at the gas ports and inside the choke.
The business end:
It bears all the usual markings, plus the fancy molded picture of a bird of some sort taking off from sci-fi scenery on the Taiwanese "Upland Game" recoil pad
(as always, Blogger kills the image quality. Click any image to see a better version)
Then you take a closer look. There is RUST sprinkled here and there, especially by the gas ports and the muzzle end of the barrel. And the forearm has a CRACK in it. The forearm on the 1400 Mark 2 is a cosmetic piece, but you never like to see cracked wood furniture on a gun. Plus, the gas valve has caked-on fouling. I'd hate to think what will happen in a few more years (decades?) when the next owner ALSO does not clean the action, and the barrel mounting ring welds finally get eaten through by rust . . .
The action cycles smoothly and shows surprisingly little wear for the amount of fouling there was in the gas valve.
The exterior was either poorly finished to begin with, or it was cleaned with the wrong types of solvents . . . there are THREE colors of metal within a couple of inches, at the joint and transition between the barrel and the receiver.
The choke is a screw-in type, in this case a Modified.
The barrel is mirror-bright, except at the gas ports and inside the choke.
The business end:
It bears all the usual markings, plus the fancy molded picture of a bird of some sort taking off from sci-fi scenery on the Taiwanese "Upland Game" recoil pad
I Sure Am Glad I Got Sick
I'll spare you the disgusting details but I missed work this morning due to personal illness. I dragged myself in for the 2nd half of my shift and glad I did because my Darling Wife's everyday life is insane taking care of the Zoo. Then I came home and crashed on the couch until bed time, when I went to bed.
Anywho, as I lay there miserable on my bed I was thinking how glad I am that it was me and not her who got sick. . . my hair is already thin enough without having to care for all the children and nurse a sick wife so thanks God for that!
Anywho, as I lay there miserable on my bed I was thinking how glad I am that it was me and not her who got sick. . . my hair is already thin enough without having to care for all the children and nurse a sick wife so thanks God for that!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Gun Porn: Stevens/Savage 62 .22LR Self-Loading Rifle
This is a squirrel gun if ever there were one. It' not my bag, but if you're into this sort of thing, here's another one just for you.
As always, blogger kills the image quality. Click images to embiggen.
It's a low-dollar rifle mounted with a correspondingly low-end Tasco scope, which is in better condition than the rifle itself:
The rifle is obviously used, and has probably been carried "over the river and through the woods" quite a few times. Note the "grab the barrel to pick up the rifle" wear on the barrel and "stand it up on the buttplate" wear on the buttplate.
The Savage Arms indian head medallion is on the stock, but the barrel is roll-marked Stevens.
.22LR only. No magnums, shorts, or CBs as is the case with most self-loading .22s I've seen. The main redeeming quality (aside from the inherent nature of the beast): The bore is mirror-bright with sharp rifling. The muzzle isn't exactly 100% but I haven't seen a bore on a used gun this bright since the Uzi came through my hands.
The action was filthy when I got it and it didn't get much cleaner because cleaning a little baby chamber like that is a hassle, and this'n h'y'er a'int mine.
As always, blogger kills the image quality. Click images to embiggen.
It's a low-dollar rifle mounted with a correspondingly low-end Tasco scope, which is in better condition than the rifle itself:
The rifle is obviously used, and has probably been carried "over the river and through the woods" quite a few times. Note the "grab the barrel to pick up the rifle" wear on the barrel and "stand it up on the buttplate" wear on the buttplate.
The Savage Arms indian head medallion is on the stock, but the barrel is roll-marked Stevens.
.22LR only. No magnums, shorts, or CBs as is the case with most self-loading .22s I've seen. The main redeeming quality (aside from the inherent nature of the beast): The bore is mirror-bright with sharp rifling. The muzzle isn't exactly 100% but I haven't seen a bore on a used gun this bright since the Uzi came through my hands.
The action was filthy when I got it and it didn't get much cleaner because cleaning a little baby chamber like that is a hassle, and this'n h'y'er a'int mine.
Thinking Of You
I heard a girl call in to a show on the radio who had the same name as and sounded a little like the girl I used to go with
. . . and it hurt. It is sometimes a surprise how such deep, old emotions are still there, waiting to be invoked in a moment.
No, you don't get details. Some things are classified.
. . . and it hurt. It is sometimes a surprise how such deep, old emotions are still there, waiting to be invoked in a moment.
No, you don't get details. Some things are classified.
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