...folks out there in the USA who have my name, at least according to some web site I just visited. Rita, at the Jungle Hut, had an interesting link to http://howmanyofme.com/ on her site. It was basically an icon showing that she was the only person with her particular name in the USA. There was a link on the icon, so I figured why not give it a try. My name is nowhere as unique as is hers, but it is on the less common side with only 18 people in the USA supposedly having the same name as me. I fell between Jesus Christ (6 people in the USA with that name) and Daniel Boone (with 354 people in the USA having that name). Try it for yourself by clicking on the below link:
Now don't take this too seriously, they readily admit that the accuracy of this thing falls between a Magic 8 Ball and taking 300 million surveys. I can say for sure it is not bang on because I just ran some family member names, and at least one aunt's name came up with zero people in the USA having that name. I just spoke to her the other day, so I imagine, unless she was recently abducted by aliens, it is not 100 percent accurate. Have fun with it.
All the best,
Glenn B
Friday, April 13, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Walking In The Rain...
...has not always been one of my favorite things, although I will admit that it is not one of he worst things I have ever done. In fact my uncle used to love doing just that, or so he told me when I was a lad. Through a number of circumstances that were avoidable, but better not avoided, I wound up doing just that this morning.
I began the day by waking up much too early after working a late night shift last night. The reason for the early wake up was that the Ford Taurus was acting up and needed to go to the shop. Last time, before awakening, that I had looked outside was at about 1:ooAM, and it was overcast with the aroma of an imminent a spring rain in the air. This morning when I got up at about 7:30, it was pouring, and windy. Oh well, off to the Ford Dealer's Service Center. I was lucky that they were letting me bring it in today, having waited until the last minute to call them before my day off today. Yes this week I am working the weekend days, so today and tomorrow are my days off. The Taurus has been a pain lately, the service engine light coming on for a month or two, and my regular local mechanic unable to figure it out. Then in the last week it started stalling, so I figured maybe Ford could figure it better.
I dropped the car off and walked to the local Long Island Railroad Station, in Floral park, NY, through a downpour the likes I have not walked in in a long time. The wind had the rain coming down almost parallel to the ground at times, and my over sized umbrella did little good to keep my bottom half dry. Oh well, at least I had the umbrella that had been in the back of the Ford. usually I just tough it if out in the rain by putting on a cap and pulling my jacket collar tightly closed. As luck would have it, I had only a few minutes wait for the next train to Penn Station in New York City. I had a doctors appointment which I would have usually gone to right from work (I work in NYC), but today I had to trudge there from home. Normally I would have cancelled an appointment where my works days had been changed like this, but I recently missed and changed a few other appointments with the same doctor, so I figured I had best keep this one just to be courteous.
After about a half hour or 40 minute train ride, I was in midtown Manhattan. I walked from 34th Street and 7th Avenue north up Seventh Avenue. I stopped for a quick breakfast, then hit the pavement again looking for something to do until my appointment at 2PM. I had a few hours to kill, and walking in the rain for a few hours was not tops on my list. After a few minutes the thought hit me that I had not visited the main branch of the NY Public Library in years, so I headed up to 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue. I figured the library would be a better place than most to spend some of my time today.
I have to tell you, the NY Public Library's main branch is an impressive institution. It covers at least one half of a city block from 5th Avenue toward Avenue of the Americas, and the whole city block between 41st and 42nd Streets. The architecture is pretty impressive, on both the outside and inside of the building. The ceilings inside are fabulously muraled and inletted and relieved with gilded scroll work and art work. The woodwork throughout the library is quite elegant and impressive. It is a nice place to walk around, inside or out (hopefully not in the pouring rain), while enjoying the building itself. There are also some exhibits on display that are worth seeing. One I stopped by was a display of Russian literary works, complete with marvelous illustrations. Another gave a history of the library itself. Of course, it is also a great place to come to relax and read a book or periodical, do research, do homework, use the Internet (yes they have quite a few PCs with free Internet access), and so forth.
Another thing you can do here, is sit down and type up a rant for your blog. There are few real distractions, maybe the pretty blond German lass (at least she is speaking German to her friend) sitting next to me is a bit of a distraction, but otherwise there are few. People are very reserved and quiet, as they should be in a library - something I do not often find in libraries on Long Island which are much more noisy than this one. This one though has the air of a real library about, none of those cheap plastic chairs and Formica table tops here, this is the real deal, so I guess people are more prone to act as they should act when here since the mood has been set by the decor of the place. In addition there are numerous security people, and librarians, whom I am pretty sure would tell you, politely, to quiet down if you got too loud, but I have not seen them need to do so in the more than one hour that I have been here.
Ah, there was one other slight distraction, but he just got up and left the PC on which he was surfing the Internet, which was at the table in front of me just off to my right. When I sat down, and looked around, I noticed he was watching porno movie clips, and I almost fell out of my chair. A young girl of about 12 years old (my guesstimate) was sitting directly next to me and he was right in front of her at the next table. Pretty disgusting, but guess that is the 1st Amendment at work, such are the protections under our Constitution as fought for by the likes of the American Civil Liberties Union. What a shame they at least do not have a separate area for such viewing away from where kids can see that stuff, but heck I guess they even allow kids to access it, I mean what would have prevented the child sitting next to me from going to that same site! Oh well, it is the only negative thing I have encountered here so far in my visit today.
Well maybe there is another negative, but that is subject in my view at this moment, because I only have 9 minutes of Internet access remaining. Once I got here, I had to apply for an Internet access card, free mind you, and I got it within about 5 minutes, with my photo on it and all. Then I went to the info desk where I registered for PC use, and got a number. I had to wait about 20 minutes, they got to use a PC for Internet access for 45 minutes. Yes I have been writing this for about 38 minutes already. Truth be told though, I guess that is a good deal - 45 minutes of free Internet access at a pop.Then I can sign up for another time slot if want. (My mistake, I found out later you can only get Internet access once a day at the library.) I just got a 6 minute warning window pop up on the screen, pretty considerate of the library to add that touch, so you know you may have to get finished soon and not lose work. I like it.
For now, I am going to finish up, I then will read a book for awhile; maybe Brahm Stoker's Snake's Pass.
All the best,
Glenn B
I began the day by waking up much too early after working a late night shift last night. The reason for the early wake up was that the Ford Taurus was acting up and needed to go to the shop. Last time, before awakening, that I had looked outside was at about 1:ooAM, and it was overcast with the aroma of an imminent a spring rain in the air. This morning when I got up at about 7:30, it was pouring, and windy. Oh well, off to the Ford Dealer's Service Center. I was lucky that they were letting me bring it in today, having waited until the last minute to call them before my day off today. Yes this week I am working the weekend days, so today and tomorrow are my days off. The Taurus has been a pain lately, the service engine light coming on for a month or two, and my regular local mechanic unable to figure it out. Then in the last week it started stalling, so I figured maybe Ford could figure it better.
I dropped the car off and walked to the local Long Island Railroad Station, in Floral park, NY, through a downpour the likes I have not walked in in a long time. The wind had the rain coming down almost parallel to the ground at times, and my over sized umbrella did little good to keep my bottom half dry. Oh well, at least I had the umbrella that had been in the back of the Ford. usually I just tough it if out in the rain by putting on a cap and pulling my jacket collar tightly closed. As luck would have it, I had only a few minutes wait for the next train to Penn Station in New York City. I had a doctors appointment which I would have usually gone to right from work (I work in NYC), but today I had to trudge there from home. Normally I would have cancelled an appointment where my works days had been changed like this, but I recently missed and changed a few other appointments with the same doctor, so I figured I had best keep this one just to be courteous.
After about a half hour or 40 minute train ride, I was in midtown Manhattan. I walked from 34th Street and 7th Avenue north up Seventh Avenue. I stopped for a quick breakfast, then hit the pavement again looking for something to do until my appointment at 2PM. I had a few hours to kill, and walking in the rain for a few hours was not tops on my list. After a few minutes the thought hit me that I had not visited the main branch of the NY Public Library in years, so I headed up to 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue. I figured the library would be a better place than most to spend some of my time today.
I have to tell you, the NY Public Library's main branch is an impressive institution. It covers at least one half of a city block from 5th Avenue toward Avenue of the Americas, and the whole city block between 41st and 42nd Streets. The architecture is pretty impressive, on both the outside and inside of the building. The ceilings inside are fabulously muraled and inletted and relieved with gilded scroll work and art work. The woodwork throughout the library is quite elegant and impressive. It is a nice place to walk around, inside or out (hopefully not in the pouring rain), while enjoying the building itself. There are also some exhibits on display that are worth seeing. One I stopped by was a display of Russian literary works, complete with marvelous illustrations. Another gave a history of the library itself. Of course, it is also a great place to come to relax and read a book or periodical, do research, do homework, use the Internet (yes they have quite a few PCs with free Internet access), and so forth.
Another thing you can do here, is sit down and type up a rant for your blog. There are few real distractions, maybe the pretty blond German lass (at least she is speaking German to her friend) sitting next to me is a bit of a distraction, but otherwise there are few. People are very reserved and quiet, as they should be in a library - something I do not often find in libraries on Long Island which are much more noisy than this one. This one though has the air of a real library about, none of those cheap plastic chairs and Formica table tops here, this is the real deal, so I guess people are more prone to act as they should act when here since the mood has been set by the decor of the place. In addition there are numerous security people, and librarians, whom I am pretty sure would tell you, politely, to quiet down if you got too loud, but I have not seen them need to do so in the more than one hour that I have been here.
Ah, there was one other slight distraction, but he just got up and left the PC on which he was surfing the Internet, which was at the table in front of me just off to my right. When I sat down, and looked around, I noticed he was watching porno movie clips, and I almost fell out of my chair. A young girl of about 12 years old (my guesstimate) was sitting directly next to me and he was right in front of her at the next table. Pretty disgusting, but guess that is the 1st Amendment at work, such are the protections under our Constitution as fought for by the likes of the American Civil Liberties Union. What a shame they at least do not have a separate area for such viewing away from where kids can see that stuff, but heck I guess they even allow kids to access it, I mean what would have prevented the child sitting next to me from going to that same site! Oh well, it is the only negative thing I have encountered here so far in my visit today.
Well maybe there is another negative, but that is subject in my view at this moment, because I only have 9 minutes of Internet access remaining. Once I got here, I had to apply for an Internet access card, free mind you, and I got it within about 5 minutes, with my photo on it and all. Then I went to the info desk where I registered for PC use, and got a number. I had to wait about 20 minutes, they got to use a PC for Internet access for 45 minutes. Yes I have been writing this for about 38 minutes already. Truth be told though, I guess that is a good deal - 45 minutes of free Internet access at a pop.
For now, I am going to finish up, I then will read a book for awhile; maybe Brahm Stoker's Snake's Pass.
All the best,
Glenn B
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
A Day Of Renewal...
...is what today wound up being at least for my soon to expire annual membership at the Westside Rifle & Pistol Range located in midtown Manhattan, and for my Collectors of Curios and Relics FFL license for another three years. As I look at it both of these are two worthwhile investments.
I have only used the FFL C&R license about 3 or 4 times to purchase firearms that were shipped directly to me instead of through a dealer. Still that made it well worth it, and well worth it to renew for a second renewal, at only $30 for three years. The renewal cost is about what it would cost me, at the low end, to have an FFL holder around where I live accept and transfer a rifle for me. I have had my eye on another Yugo SKS, and hope to buy one as soon as they become available once again at surplus dealers like Classic Arms, or Inter Ordnance.
As far as my range membership goes, I paid $100 for an annual membership renewal. I have heard from some people that they think said price is a ripoff. I actually think it a great deal for anything of that nature in the middle of New York City. I easily used said range at least once per month over the last year, and it was probably more like 15-20 times. Yes it works out to quite the bargain. Of course, the regular price is quite a bit higher, this is a discount price for LEOs, and one that I could not turn down.
While I was at the range earlier this afternoon to renew my membership, I also decided to get in some shooting. I didn't have all that long to shoot since I got there at about 2:15PM and had to work a 4x12 shift; but that little bit of shooting I did was also another thing that was well worth my ammo expenditure, the range membership fee, and my time. I only shot up about 300 rounds of 9MM thorough one of my Beretta 92Fs pistols, but I had a blast (pardon the pun). Besides just having fun, I shot about as good as I have in years, and all in all I wound off relieving a lot of stress. I almost always find my time at the range shooting to be very relaxing - something about the concentration, the complete focus on something I enjoy, that just seems to wipe away any stresses.
So no ranting about politics, world events, or other things for now, I am just too relaxed to bother with that stuff right now. I'll probably get back to the regular grind tomorrow, or later tonight if I have the time. Right now my break is just about over, back to work for me.
All the best,
Glenn B
I have only used the FFL C&R license about 3 or 4 times to purchase firearms that were shipped directly to me instead of through a dealer. Still that made it well worth it, and well worth it to renew for a second renewal, at only $30 for three years. The renewal cost is about what it would cost me, at the low end, to have an FFL holder around where I live accept and transfer a rifle for me. I have had my eye on another Yugo SKS, and hope to buy one as soon as they become available once again at surplus dealers like Classic Arms, or Inter Ordnance.
As far as my range membership goes, I paid $100 for an annual membership renewal. I have heard from some people that they think said price is a ripoff. I actually think it a great deal for anything of that nature in the middle of New York City. I easily used said range at least once per month over the last year, and it was probably more like 15-20 times. Yes it works out to quite the bargain. Of course, the regular price is quite a bit higher, this is a discount price for LEOs, and one that I could not turn down.
While I was at the range earlier this afternoon to renew my membership, I also decided to get in some shooting. I didn't have all that long to shoot since I got there at about 2:15PM and had to work a 4x12 shift; but that little bit of shooting I did was also another thing that was well worth my ammo expenditure, the range membership fee, and my time. I only shot up about 300 rounds of 9MM thorough one of my Beretta 92Fs pistols, but I had a blast (pardon the pun). Besides just having fun, I shot about as good as I have in years, and all in all I wound off relieving a lot of stress. I almost always find my time at the range shooting to be very relaxing - something about the concentration, the complete focus on something I enjoy, that just seems to wipe away any stresses.
So no ranting about politics, world events, or other things for now, I am just too relaxed to bother with that stuff right now. I'll probably get back to the regular grind tomorrow, or later tonight if I have the time. Right now my break is just about over, back to work for me.
All the best,
Glenn B
Monday, April 9, 2007
Links to Interesting Bloggers...
...those whom I have found, to date, to be worthy of my time and effort to read them are listed on the right side of my page under the heading: Grumps, Geeks, and Geniuses - Bloggers All Worth A Read. Yes, of course, that link list is quite subjective, and is according to my own tastes. I think anyone I have placed into that link list has a good to excellent blog, is interesting (at least to me even if my ideals do not match with theirs), shows a certain amount of intelligence, and is worth a link. I list them in alphabetical order not to show any favoritism. I have my favorites, those I read everyday whether or not I have the time to spare, but who they are does not matter. if you read them, and wind up liking them, you will pick your own favorites.
The link list to other bloggers' sites keeps growing, albeit slowly but steadily nonetheless. In that way, as I expand my own horizons, I hope also to allow my readers to follow suit. Not to follow me by liking what I like, mind you, but to expand at their own speed down the often jumbled pathway of links as they see fit, or to blaze their own trail so to speak. One of the truly wonderful things about the Internet, especially the so called Bloggosphere, is the ability to link. Through links you can discover people's sites you would never otherwise have found on your own. Finding those sites will allow you to see ideas in writing you may not have otherwise seen. Yes, linking can be a good thing; and I try to supply links to sites I feel have quality content. Usually when you click on one of the links I have supplied, you will find that the site to which I have linked also links to a host of other sites. A wide number of pathways has opened up to you in the virtual world of the Bloggosphere.
Sometimes when you click on those other links, you wind up at sites where you realize you would rather not be. Other times, you wind up at places that seem full of interesting idea, be they in agreement or disagreement with your own. Sometimes you bookmark these sites, other times you link your own site to them, yet at other times you just wind passing through and not going back. If you choose to not revisit a site, such is your choice, based upon your own likes and dislikes; but be careful not miss opportunity. Before leaving a site behind forever, give at least a cursory look at the other sites to which it links. You may find a real gem hidden in the muck, bloggers do not always link to sites just like their own, and this is what keeps blogging links so interesting.
Another reason I link to sites, besides just finding them interesting or enjoyable, is to return a courtesy. If I have found that someone links to my site in their link roll (blog roll or whatever) I usually link right back to them. Of course I look over their site first, but as it seems if they link to me it is usually a site, if not of the same likes as mine, that is one that is interesting in a fairly civil manner. Some bloggers have apparently done likewise by linking to my blog, some have not for whatever reasons. I kind of wish some of the others to whom I link would return the courtesy, but who am I to say whom they should include on their link lists. Whether or not they return the courtesy to me, I find their blogs interesting and supply the links so you too can visit their sites to see if you find them likewise.
My hope is that you visit some of those linked sites, and that you at least find some of them of interest to you, and that through the links they and I have supplied, you will expand your own horizons and help others to do likewise.
All the best,
Glenn B
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Easter
Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate, and a happy day to those of you who do not.
Me I'll be working 4x12 tonight, oh joy.
All the best,
Glenn B
Me I'll be working 4x12 tonight, oh joy.
All the best,
Glenn B
I have been tagged...
...for of all things, the Thinking Blogger Award. Now there is something that made me stop, and think. First of all I thought about what it meant to be 'tagged', then what was exactly this Thinking Blogger Award, then why would someone want to give it to me, and what were the consequences. To find out more about the award I first visited the site of the person who 'tagged' me with it. That person would be Jen from over at Pen of Jen. Jen had sent me a few messages saying she had tagged me, and that I should check it out. I went directly her post @ "The Thinking Blogger Award" to see what all this fuss was about. Once there I saw that Jen had been 'tagged' by Rita (aka the Jungle Mom) from over at the Jungle Hut. I read on and saw that Jen had then posted 5 bloggers in her thread, all whom she thought were bloggers that made her think about things. I was the second blogger she mentioned, and she said some really nice things about me and my blog. I was truly surprised that anyone appreciated my blog so much; but there is a catch, albeit one that now makes me think.
The catch to all of this, and you probably have guessed it by now, is that I am now supposed to name 5 bloggers who are thinking bloggers that make me think. The rules for all of this, and the history of it, can be found at: Thinking Blogger Awards @ http://www.thethinkingblog.com/2007/02/thinking-blogger-awards_11.html. The rules are pretty simple, and in essence are: once 'tagged', and only if 'tagged' with the award, you are to write a post with the names of 5 blogs that make you think; then link your blog to the Thinking Bloggers Awards page so folks can get more info about it, and find out where the meme (whatever that may be, started). In a word: simple. In reality, not so simple. Which 5 blogs, written by bloggers who make me think, do I select. This should not be a real problem, most blogs I read make me think. I guess though it would be best to be somewhat selective and try to pick out the 5 that at least make me think a lot, if not the most. Okay, that is what I will try to do, and by the time I actually take this post out of 'draft' status and publish it, I will have selected 'tagged' them and posted them below. As to whether or not I will contact any of them to let them know that they have been tagged, nope I probably will not. If they come by my site, they will see I have done so; if not they may hear from someone else that I have done so. I don't have most of their email addresses, so I'll leave it at that. As to whether or not they will play along, who can tell. I am sort of surprised that I decided to continue with this, but I am doing that for Jen because she was nice enough to include me on her list.
Okay, here are my 'tagged' selections as bloggers/blogs that make me think:
1. The Other Side Of Kim by Kim du Toit - I read Kim's rants on a daily basis. I used to contribute to his sites, both the blog and his forums frequently, but he and his wife, and I had a disagreement (me with both of them) that we apparently have not gotten over yet; and I guess I am none to welcome to post there any longer. Of course that does not make his blog any less interesting to me, so I still read on. Good stuff is, after all, good stuff despite personal disagreements. It is one of the most interesting sites I have come across commenting on things like: current politics, world events, firearms, education, the arts, and popular culture; all with a fairly conservative view on most, but not all subjects.
2. DebbieSchlussel.com If Deb Schlussel does not get you to thinking with her blog, well I don't know if anyone can motivate you to think. She is right out there in the face of things that she finds a threat to our nation, be it terrorism, sloth or inadequacy in government, the pitfalls of the MSM; but she is also right there to praise the things that she sees as worthy of praise. She cuts no corners and holds no punches in her review of current events, government, politics, terrorism, the media, entertainment, illegal aliens and on and on. She is a blast of outright straight talk on all the issues she covers.
3. Pen Of Jen Yes I will throw a 'tag' right back at her, but not just as a pointless gesture of quid pro quo (did I get that right?), but rather because Jen's blog does make me think, and it makes me think about how others, who are somewhat different than me (nicer than me, and religious) think. Her sight is one that talks a lot about family values, morality, and current events. No she is not out and out preaching to anyone, but she also talks about religion in a way that makes me want to read what she has to say. Her blog is one of the more pleasant ones which I have come across, and besides that it makes me think.
4. An Englishman's Castle by an Englishman on the other side of the pond, who gives us the perspective, from over there, on world events, local events in the UK, events in the EU, and the diminishing rights of people in England. The site is a true wake up call for people over here in the USA; if we follow the scattered brain plans of the ultra-leftists, we will soon have the same problems they do in the UK. In that way this site provides us a warning of a clear and present danger; one that is already bringing down much of England's better points, and that may spread to our own shores if we allow liberalism to go unchecked. Yet the Englishman stands tall in his castle ready to speak out for what is good in his home country as well.
5. The Law Dog Files by LawDog. Another one that makes me think, this one about: current world and US events, politics, morality, family, doing the right thing, firearms, right versus wrong and so forth; with some movie reviews too. A nice well written blog to visit, and some of the posts set you to thinking about things which you may have overlooked recently.
Please don't forget, there are plenty of others that make me think, don't feel neglected if you were not included in my 5 picks, this was no easy task.
As for these 5 bloggers finding out they have been 'tagged', heck I don't know how to contact at least three of them. One that I do know how to contact probably would not read my email, or at least has not responded to my recent emails. So that leaves one I could tell about this. I think I will just let them find out about it in their own time if they ever decide to visit my site for a read, or if someone else sees this post and tells them about it. Then they can decide if they want to play along or not.
All the best,
Glenn B
The catch to all of this, and you probably have guessed it by now, is that I am now supposed to name 5 bloggers who are thinking bloggers that make me think. The rules for all of this, and the history of it, can be found at: Thinking Blogger Awards @ http://www.thethinkingblog.com/2007/02/thinking-blogger-awards_11.html. The rules are pretty simple, and in essence are: once 'tagged', and only if 'tagged' with the award, you are to write a post with the names of 5 blogs that make you think; then link your blog to the Thinking Bloggers Awards page so folks can get more info about it, and find out where the meme (whatever that may be, started). In a word: simple. In reality, not so simple. Which 5 blogs, written by bloggers who make me think, do I select. This should not be a real problem, most blogs I read make me think. I guess though it would be best to be somewhat selective and try to pick out the 5 that at least make me think a lot, if not the most. Okay, that is what I will try to do, and by the time I actually take this post out of 'draft' status and publish it, I will have selected 'tagged' them and posted them below. As to whether or not I will contact any of them to let them know that they have been tagged, nope I probably will not. If they come by my site, they will see I have done so; if not they may hear from someone else that I have done so. I don't have most of their email addresses, so I'll leave it at that. As to whether or not they will play along, who can tell. I am sort of surprised that I decided to continue with this, but I am doing that for Jen because she was nice enough to include me on her list.
Okay, here are my 'tagged' selections as bloggers/blogs that make me think:
1. The Other Side Of Kim by Kim du Toit - I read Kim's rants on a daily basis. I used to contribute to his sites, both the blog and his forums frequently, but he and his wife, and I had a disagreement (me with both of them) that we apparently have not gotten over yet; and I guess I am none to welcome to post there any longer. Of course that does not make his blog any less interesting to me, so I still read on. Good stuff is, after all, good stuff despite personal disagreements. It is one of the most interesting sites I have come across commenting on things like: current politics, world events, firearms, education, the arts, and popular culture; all with a fairly conservative view on most, but not all subjects.
2. DebbieSchlussel.com If Deb Schlussel does not get you to thinking with her blog, well I don't know if anyone can motivate you to think. She is right out there in the face of things that she finds a threat to our nation, be it terrorism, sloth or inadequacy in government, the pitfalls of the MSM; but she is also right there to praise the things that she sees as worthy of praise. She cuts no corners and holds no punches in her review of current events, government, politics, terrorism, the media, entertainment, illegal aliens and on and on. She is a blast of outright straight talk on all the issues she covers.
3. Pen Of Jen Yes I will throw a 'tag' right back at her, but not just as a pointless gesture of quid pro quo (did I get that right?), but rather because Jen's blog does make me think, and it makes me think about how others, who are somewhat different than me (nicer than me, and religious) think. Her sight is one that talks a lot about family values, morality, and current events. No she is not out and out preaching to anyone, but she also talks about religion in a way that makes me want to read what she has to say. Her blog is one of the more pleasant ones which I have come across, and besides that it makes me think.
4. An Englishman's Castle by an Englishman on the other side of the pond, who gives us the perspective, from over there, on world events, local events in the UK, events in the EU, and the diminishing rights of people in England. The site is a true wake up call for people over here in the USA; if we follow the scattered brain plans of the ultra-leftists, we will soon have the same problems they do in the UK. In that way this site provides us a warning of a clear and present danger; one that is already bringing down much of England's better points, and that may spread to our own shores if we allow liberalism to go unchecked. Yet the Englishman stands tall in his castle ready to speak out for what is good in his home country as well.
5. The Law Dog Files by LawDog. Another one that makes me think, this one about: current world and US events, politics, morality, family, doing the right thing, firearms, right versus wrong and so forth; with some movie reviews too. A nice well written blog to visit, and some of the posts set you to thinking about things which you may have overlooked recently.
Please don't forget, there are plenty of others that make me think, don't feel neglected if you were not included in my 5 picks, this was no easy task.
As for these 5 bloggers finding out they have been 'tagged', heck I don't know how to contact at least three of them. One that I do know how to contact probably would not read my email, or at least has not responded to my recent emails. So that leaves one I could tell about this. I think I will just let them find out about it in their own time if they ever decide to visit my site for a read, or if someone else sees this post and tells them about it. Then they can decide if they want to play along or not.
All the best,
Glenn B
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Rap Music I Can Tolerate, and Maybe Even Enjoy!
I am not, or at least never was a fan of Rap music or Hip-Hop. My son listens to it frequently, I let him so long as I do not hear it calling for rape, pillage or plunder. As for me, I just don't like it; so if my son and I travel in our one car with the CD player (our other car only has a tape player) we listen to one another's favored CDs. Therefore my son knows the words to a bunch of Johnny Cash songs, and a bunch of 60's and 70's rock and roll, etc. I still do not know the words to Rap music songs, I kind of zone out to it, most of the time, when he plays that stuff.
Yet, if more Rap songs (or would it be Hip-Hop) had lyrics like the one I just listened to thanks to a link courtesy of Random Nuclear Strikes; maybe I would have been a fan of listened to such music on rare occasion, and paid attention. A link to the song in question, No Holds Barred, can be found in this post at RNS @
http://www.softgreenglow.com/wp/?p=3635.
I feel for the armed burgular, or other bad guy who wishes to harm someone, who breaks into that rapper's castle; not that I feel bad mind you, it is rather the warm gushy feeling of content the feeling of knowing justice has probably been done.
Best regards,
Glenn B
Friday, April 6, 2007
NYCTF...
...turned out to be a no go for me. I got the news today. Silly me, I had thought maybe I would get it. Made me feel pretty miserable to lose this opportunity, but life goes on. Yet for a time, it will be ever so much more difficult after this blow. I guess I'll be stuck in my current job about another year or so before I can retire, and that means Monday mornings will continue to stink big time. Oh well, one hope smashed, another yet to be born and worked upon.
All the best,
Glenn B
All the best,
Glenn B
Easter Weekend
Happy Easter Weekend to those of you who celebrate it, and also to those of you who do not.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Happy Passover Wishes..
Whoops, late again with holiday wishes. Oh well!
Happy Passover to all of you who celebrate it, and even to those of you who do not.
All the best,
Glenn B
Happy Passover to all of you who celebrate it, and even to those of you who do not.
All the best,
Glenn B
American Boobs...
...have somehow risen to the point of being spokespeople for the far left, and far right in this country, although I will admit the most prominent and loud mouthed examples seem, to me, to be on the far left. I had not planned on writing a rant on this subject tonight, but I just read this piece: Rosie says that the Muslims are What? was just over at the Pen Of Jen. While some of Jen's readers commented on Muslim versus Christian values, I felt it appropriate to comment on Rosie O and her type.
My comment was as follows:
"Rosie O is, in my opinion, a worthless boob. She is, as I see her, an audacious blabbermouth only because no one would pay her any mind if she were not exactly that. That is because she seems to lack talent in any other regard. Yes that means she does have talent, if you will excuse me for calling being an audacious blabbermouth talent.
Too bad so many in the USA have come to find her type not only amusing but somehow see her type as intelligent, enlightening, or great. I guess it goes to show that a great many people are easily swayed in their views by those I believe to be little more than boisterous air heads. It does not say much for those of them who find this type entertaining, but them again, this is reflected in the culture of an America that has established the following as hallmarks of American Greatness: American Idol, Judge Judy, Reality TV "starring" Victoria Gotti, MTV, BET, and so forth.
As for me, I'll take 'Leave It To Beaver' or 'Good Times' reruns over any of them. I don't see my preferred type of show as being a hallmark of greatness, but rather as being the type of show that reflects upon the values of good family life. I much prefer a show like that to anything in which Rosie O. would likely be ever to appear."
That is, of course, just my opinion as one man; but my guess is others feel likewise.
All the best,
Glenn B
My comment was as follows:
"Rosie O is, in my opinion, a worthless boob. She is, as I see her, an audacious blabbermouth only because no one would pay her any mind if she were not exactly that. That is because she seems to lack talent in any other regard. Yes that means she does have talent, if you will excuse me for calling being an audacious blabbermouth talent.
Too bad so many in the USA have come to find her type not only amusing but somehow see her type as intelligent, enlightening, or great. I guess it goes to show that a great many people are easily swayed in their views by those I believe to be little more than boisterous air heads. It does not say much for those of them who find this type entertaining, but them again, this is reflected in the culture of an America that has established the following as hallmarks of American Greatness: American Idol, Judge Judy, Reality TV "starring" Victoria Gotti, MTV, BET, and so forth.
As for me, I'll take 'Leave It To Beaver' or 'Good Times' reruns over any of them. I don't see my preferred type of show as being a hallmark of greatness, but rather as being the type of show that reflects upon the values of good family life. I much prefer a show like that to anything in which Rosie O. would likely be ever to appear."
That is, of course, just my opinion as one man; but my guess is others feel likewise.
All the best,
Glenn B
Allowing Illegal Aliens To Remain...
...within our country is something to which I am opposed to the extreme; but as is usual there are exceptions. Now you may find it to be a bit unusual for me to come out and say sure there should be exceptions to my thoughts about getting rid of illegals as quickly as possible, and preventing others from coming to our land. I will readily admit, I do not in any way have any exceptions to my ideas about prevention of them entering, I think that needs to be tantamount in our nation’s politics and laws. It is a matter of national security and national well being. I do, however, have an exception to the idea that all of them who are here already should be removed from our country as quickly as possible. Sorry if that disappoints you, but after you realize what is my exception, maybe you will not be so disappointed with me.
You see, there is a certain type of illegal alien whom I think should remain here, if not forever (as long as he or she lives), then at least for a very long time indeed. The type to which I make reference is this type:
"A Mexican national accused of causing the crash that killed "A Christmas Story" director Bob Clark and his son will face deportation proceedings once the charges against him are resolved, officials said Thursday." (from FoxNes.com @ http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Apr05/0,4670,DirectorKilled,00.html.
Yes, I see absolutely no reason to quickly remove/deport this alien should he be found guilty of killing these two legal U.S. residents/citizens. As a matter of fact, I think if he is found guilty, he ought to go away for a very long time, let's say at least 25 years, but that is my opinion; then deportation or removal (yes there is a legal difference between the two) for him. If he ever reenters the USA illegally after that, he should be jailed for a longer time, but again that is my opinion. Illegal aliens are getting away with numerous crimes again and again and again without paying the price or being deported. This is something about which you should be complaining to your elected officials on a regular and recurring basis, until the problem is solved. Politicians bank on the people forgetting the issues, then they vote in whatever manner they believe favors them politically. You can make certain that they would believe it political suicide to vote for amnesty or other such things by keeping them fully aware that you oppose illegal entry of aliens into the USA, along with all of its consequences.
All the best,
Glenn B
You see, there is a certain type of illegal alien whom I think should remain here, if not forever (as long as he or she lives), then at least for a very long time indeed. The type to which I make reference is this type:
"A Mexican national accused of causing the crash that killed "A Christmas Story" director Bob Clark and his son will face deportation proceedings once the charges against him are resolved, officials said Thursday." (from FoxNes.com @ http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Apr05/0,4670,DirectorKilled,00.html.
Yes, I see absolutely no reason to quickly remove/deport this alien should he be found guilty of killing these two legal U.S. residents/citizens. As a matter of fact, I think if he is found guilty, he ought to go away for a very long time, let's say at least 25 years, but that is my opinion; then deportation or removal (yes there is a legal difference between the two) for him. If he ever reenters the USA illegally after that, he should be jailed for a longer time, but again that is my opinion. Illegal aliens are getting away with numerous crimes again and again and again without paying the price or being deported. This is something about which you should be complaining to your elected officials on a regular and recurring basis, until the problem is solved. Politicians bank on the people forgetting the issues, then they vote in whatever manner they believe favors them politically. You can make certain that they would believe it political suicide to vote for amnesty or other such things by keeping them fully aware that you oppose illegal entry of aliens into the USA, along with all of its consequences.
All the best,
Glenn B
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Headlines That Do Not Deserve To Be Headlines...
...seem to be an all too often occurrence. Maybe it is because of all the competition in the news media, what with the numerous newspapers, the online media sites, the new magazines, the tabloids, and the television and radio media. Still though, despite the amount of competition to grab a headline, there are certain things that just don't seem worthy of the headline spot.
For example, today I am spending the day with my mom, and she pointed to the New York Daily News (the newspaper), and said to me: "Does that deserve to be a headline, the Daily News should be ashamed of itself". I took a gander at the headline to which she had pointed, and there on the cover of the April 4, 2007 final city-edition of the NY Daily News was printed the following headline above a picture of Rolling Stone Keith Richards:
I Snorted My Dad
Now can you imagine that headline gracing the front page of your local newspaper. I imagine that it, or something close to it appeared on newspapers and other media throughout the USA today; yet I could imagine much better headlines that would have been, in my opinion, much more newsworthy. There are several wars and violent outbreaks, uprisings, and the like taking place in the world today. There are the 15 British sailors still held captive (yes I know their freedom was promised, but last I saw their releaser is set for tomorrow). There are natural disasters that take place everyday. There are murder mysteries, their are missing persons, there are found persons, there are babies being born, their are politics being made (such as the Congress voting to ban the term Global War On Terrorism in official publications - go figure), there are political nominations being made, there is the run for the presidency of the USA, there are obituaries, there is even a story about a 5 footed toad - all of which, I think, would be more headline worthy than Keith Richards claim to have mixed some of his dad's ashes (post cremation) with cocaine and then snorted them.
A headline along those lines is something I would expect on the Star or National Enquirer. Who knows, even they may have had a more newsworthy headline on their latest edition. I just cannot imagine what it is that brought the editors of the New York Daily news, or any other newspaper to place such a headline on the front page in front of all the other news that is out there. I was disappointed that Fox News television had a spot on this earlier today. I was likewise when I saw or heard it elsewhere. Sure, people may have interest in Keith Richards, and what he says, and claims to have done (although the latest I heard was that he said this was a joke and he never really did it), and maybe there is a place for it in the entertainment section of the news. Yet, I must ask: Should so called 'news' like that be newsworthy enough to make the front page headlines? Apparently my mother does not think so, and for at least the second or third time in my 51 plus years as her son, I agree with her 100 percent!
I will be emailing some of the local news media in my area, and some of the national news media to voice my discontent with their headline content. Yes I know they have a right to print it, but I too have a right to voice my disgust over what they find newsworthy when so many more important things are happening in the world today.
All the best,
Glenn B
For example, today I am spending the day with my mom, and she pointed to the New York Daily News (the newspaper), and said to me: "Does that deserve to be a headline, the Daily News should be ashamed of itself". I took a gander at the headline to which she had pointed, and there on the cover of the April 4, 2007 final city-edition of the NY Daily News was printed the following headline above a picture of Rolling Stone Keith Richards:
I Snorted My Dad
Now can you imagine that headline gracing the front page of your local newspaper. I imagine that it, or something close to it appeared on newspapers and other media throughout the USA today; yet I could imagine much better headlines that would have been, in my opinion, much more newsworthy. There are several wars and violent outbreaks, uprisings, and the like taking place in the world today. There are the 15 British sailors still held captive (yes I know their freedom was promised, but last I saw their releaser is set for tomorrow). There are natural disasters that take place everyday. There are murder mysteries, their are missing persons, there are found persons, there are babies being born, their are politics being made (such as the Congress voting to ban the term Global War On Terrorism in official publications - go figure), there are political nominations being made, there is the run for the presidency of the USA, there are obituaries, there is even a story about a 5 footed toad - all of which, I think, would be more headline worthy than Keith Richards claim to have mixed some of his dad's ashes (post cremation) with cocaine and then snorted them.
A headline along those lines is something I would expect on the Star or National Enquirer. Who knows, even they may have had a more newsworthy headline on their latest edition. I just cannot imagine what it is that brought the editors of the New York Daily news, or any other newspaper to place such a headline on the front page in front of all the other news that is out there. I was disappointed that Fox News television had a spot on this earlier today. I was likewise when I saw or heard it elsewhere. Sure, people may have interest in Keith Richards, and what he says, and claims to have done (although the latest I heard was that he said this was a joke and he never really did it), and maybe there is a place for it in the entertainment section of the news. Yet, I must ask: Should so called 'news' like that be newsworthy enough to make the front page headlines? Apparently my mother does not think so, and for at least the second or third time in my 51 plus years as her son, I agree with her 100 percent!
I will be emailing some of the local news media in my area, and some of the national news media to voice my discontent with their headline content. Yes I know they have a right to print it, but I too have a right to voice my disgust over what they find newsworthy when so many more important things are happening in the world today.
All the best,
Glenn B
Monday, April 2, 2007
It's Just Another Day In Paradise
Yep, you have probably either heard me say, or seen me write it, when someone asked me how things are going. My reply of: "It's just another day in Paradise" has sort of become my standard reply. I started using it more and more frequently on October 5, 2005, the day I became eligible to retire from the federal service; and I say it around my office an awful lot. Folks at work just think I am being mildly and amusingly sarcastic. While that maybe it to a small degree, that is not it for the most part - not really.
You see I first started using that saying right after the big tsunami on December 26, 2004. After watching the news about all those people, the resorts, the villages, the roads, the railways, and the like being washed away I had a disturbing thought of a beer (I think Heineken) advertisement pop up in my head. It was the one with the beach scene, someone grabbing a cold beer, and throwing away their cell phone or beeper into the surf; and all I could think was that some guy like that had just thought - "Its just another day in paradise" and the next thing he knew, he found himself 20 miles out to sea hanging onto the trunk of a coconut tree. Yes, it made me sure that whatever life I was living, it's just another day in Paradise compared to that, and to other things that people suffer through.
So yes I have said it, and written it an awful lot over the past few years - and yes I mean it. I have realized, more and more, over the past few years that my life is akin to living in Paradise. I have a good family (despite family hardships, disagreements, arguments, grudges, marital stress which all are pretty bad at times, bad enough for counseling at times). I have a great life despite having a job that I have come to hate. The job sucks eggs or worse, but it is still a good thing if only because I have a job and it pays the bills and helps provide Paradise to me and the family. I have a house that is not a mansion, and is on the small side. Yet, it is one that is fairly solid despite needing a new main stairway, work on the roof, new gutters, landscaping or at least a decent lawn, painting, and is infested yearly by carpenter ants (I just bought this year's supply of ant poisons). I pay taxes out of my ears for my too small old house, and on my income, and on things I buy in the form of sales tax; but I guess those taxes give me something back that folks in other countries don't have. Living in the United States of America is worth most of dollars I pay to the tax man. I have my health to a fairly decent degree regardless of all my chronic aches and pains, my ailments, high blood pressure, numerous and fairly traumatic injuries, and too many operations over the years; and I am able to work even if the job stinks. My family has their health to a better degree than me and that is a very good thing. We have our hobbies and interests, we watch TV, we read, we have our pets, and we have other hobbies an interests. My daughter is a college graduate. My son, who is 17 still spends a lot of his time with me enjoying some hobbies and interests, and both of my children spend a good amount of time with my wife too. All in all, it's just another day in Paradise - really it is, I kid you not.
I think though that an awful lot of people in this country actually seem to forget how great we on the whole as Americans have it. Sure some do not have it as good as me and my family, and some have it much better; but all in all people in this country, even our poorest people have a life that is much better than many around the world. Still as I said, people seem to forget this. I do not know why or how they forget it, but they often do. I guess in a way it is understandable, you get used to your own levels, and want to improve. You wind up not seeing what you have already as being all that great since you sought of take it for granted having had it for so long. When others around you have it better, you want yours to be better too. So you are left wanting, and you wind up trying to figure out how to improve your lot.
Some people improve their lots through hard work. They work harder, give better performance, and get promoted. Or they go to school, learn something new, or improve old skills, and get a raise or a better paying job. Others will not improve themselves so much, but may work harder and do overtime, or get a second job; but they still work hard to improve their lot. Yet others will try to take the easy street, and will try underhanded or illegal means to reach an end of a better lot in life. Still others will just moan and groan and complain and put their hands out as if we who are doing better than they owe them something, when in fact they could do it themselves if they were just not out and out lazy scalliwags. Of course some are fairly satisfied with what they have, or with their ability to provide for themselves and their families. Improvement is not a bad thing, nor is satisfaction. Take either one, but if you want to improve, please do not do it at my expense - don't be the type of person who has enough already, does not realize it, wants more, and wants it from me for free.
This last type of person, the one who thinks that others owe them a freebie, a handout, charity, or compassion get to me - especially those of them who already have fairly it good and who want more on the dole without working for it. I can not stand people like that, not one bit. I do not owe anyone anything because they have decided not to work as hard as I have, or as you have, or even harder, to achieve a better standing in life. I especially can not stomach those who ask for handouts from regular guys and gals like me when they already have more than regular Joes and Janes like me and you. These folks get to me even more than those who have a little and who want handouts. The audacity exhibited by someone who is fairly well to do, yet who asks for handouts for free, is beyond my tolerance.
Yes I own a house, and I actually almost really own it outright, give me another year or two of payments and it will be mine. Yes I have two cars (one is over ten years old, close to 12 I think), the other is 2 years old and was the low end model with hand crank windows, no electronic locks or any other luxuries like that. Having a car is a luxury, but we do not own luxury cars for sure. Yes we have pets. Yes we have some other nice possessions, for instance I have a fair number of firearms, my wife has a Hummel collection and so on. Yet, we do not own a boat, we do not have a swimming pool, we do not own a large house, we do not have a large piece of property, we do not own a second residence, we do not own a country place, we do not own any recreational vehicles, we do not own even a fair amount of jewelry (yes we have some but that is minimal), we do not have health club memberships, we do not - oh you get the picture.
Now let me paint a little more onto that picture, let me paint another guy and his family into it. There are some folks out there who own: a bigger house than we do, have the house sitting on a bigger lot, have a swimming pool in the backyard, have central air-conditioning, have multiple luxury vehicles (certainly more luxurious than either the Ford Taurus or the Toyota Corolla that we own), have wonderful collections of personal effects, travel frequently, have digital this and digital that, have numerous computers at home, have big screen televisions, and on and on. These same folks are quite fit, fit enough to work at least one job, maybe even two. Yet they choose not to work, or choose to work at a job that pays a low end salary, and rather who are out there asking for guys like you and me to give them money whenever they need or want something better in their lives. I have seen people, who owned brand new Cadillacs, shopping at the grocery store while using food stamps, and complaining to the checkout clerk when the clerk told them they could not buy that necessity of life called beer with the food stamps. I know of others who frequently travel around the world both on pleasure and work related trips, who own pleasure watercraft, who have two houses, yet who incessantly ask others for handouts. What kind of a society is it in which we find ourselves when regular Janes and Joes actually give these people our hard earned money, at the expense of our own well being, free for the asking? This is not charity, charity is something you give to someone who has a need. This is insanity. I just don' t understand how it is that able bodied Americans get away with asking for, begging for, or demanding more and more in the way of financial aid or handouts of any sort. No, let me correct that, what I do not understand is that hard working Joes and Janes in the USA keep giving into to those demands, and keep giving away their own hard earned wealth, to foster a welfare mentality even among those who already have it made so well as to drive around in luxury cars, have pools in the backyard, and in general have a life of comparative luxury.
Please don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with providing charity, handouts, assistance or welfare to those who really need it such as the elderly, the physically and mentally handicapped, people who have lost work temporarily due to illness or other reasons. There is something wrong though with giving it to those who do not need or deserve it, and who continuously mooch from the rest of us without giving back their fair share to society. There is no reason to give assistance to someone who is able to work, and who can get a job (even if not one to their liking so long as it pays the rent and for the bacon) that is unless you give them a job as a form of welfare. Working for what you have, and for what you want to have, has the uncanny ability to make people respect themselves. It also has the amazing effect that it improves society as a whole, and makes us all the richer for it. It is not easy to have to work for what we want, and we may never achieve all of our goals by working toward them, yet that is no excuse for sloth. Even if we fail to achieve a certain goal, if we are not able for example to buy a Mercedes Benz, or to live in a bigger or better house, we have achieved something else that maybe worth all the more. We have achieved self respect, and the respect of our families, friends, and coworkers, and the effect that our children will most likely follow in our footsteps. If you have a good work ethic, and instill it into your children, they will probably become contributing members of society, just as were you; and maybe someday they will buy you that nicer car or bigger house (or at least invite you to live with them when you can no longer make it on your own). What a better thing than that could happen in your old age is beyond me; and if it ever happens to me, I will know without a doubt: "It's just another day in Paradise" - and I worked damned hard to earn it.
All the best,
Glenn B
You see I first started using that saying right after the big tsunami on December 26, 2004. After watching the news about all those people, the resorts, the villages, the roads, the railways, and the like being washed away I had a disturbing thought of a beer (I think Heineken) advertisement pop up in my head. It was the one with the beach scene, someone grabbing a cold beer, and throwing away their cell phone or beeper into the surf; and all I could think was that some guy like that had just thought - "Its just another day in paradise" and the next thing he knew, he found himself 20 miles out to sea hanging onto the trunk of a coconut tree. Yes, it made me sure that whatever life I was living, it's just another day in Paradise compared to that, and to other things that people suffer through.
So yes I have said it, and written it an awful lot over the past few years - and yes I mean it. I have realized, more and more, over the past few years that my life is akin to living in Paradise. I have a good family (despite family hardships, disagreements, arguments, grudges, marital stress which all are pretty bad at times, bad enough for counseling at times). I have a great life despite having a job that I have come to hate. The job sucks eggs or worse, but it is still a good thing if only because I have a job and it pays the bills and helps provide Paradise to me and the family. I have a house that is not a mansion, and is on the small side. Yet, it is one that is fairly solid despite needing a new main stairway, work on the roof, new gutters, landscaping or at least a decent lawn, painting, and is infested yearly by carpenter ants (I just bought this year's supply of ant poisons). I pay taxes out of my ears for my too small old house, and on my income, and on things I buy in the form of sales tax; but I guess those taxes give me something back that folks in other countries don't have. Living in the United States of America is worth most of dollars I pay to the tax man. I have my health to a fairly decent degree regardless of all my chronic aches and pains, my ailments, high blood pressure, numerous and fairly traumatic injuries, and too many operations over the years; and I am able to work even if the job stinks. My family has their health to a better degree than me and that is a very good thing. We have our hobbies and interests, we watch TV, we read, we have our pets, and we have other hobbies an interests. My daughter is a college graduate. My son, who is 17 still spends a lot of his time with me enjoying some hobbies and interests, and both of my children spend a good amount of time with my wife too. All in all, it's just another day in Paradise - really it is, I kid you not.
I think though that an awful lot of people in this country actually seem to forget how great we on the whole as Americans have it. Sure some do not have it as good as me and my family, and some have it much better; but all in all people in this country, even our poorest people have a life that is much better than many around the world. Still as I said, people seem to forget this. I do not know why or how they forget it, but they often do. I guess in a way it is understandable, you get used to your own levels, and want to improve. You wind up not seeing what you have already as being all that great since you sought of take it for granted having had it for so long. When others around you have it better, you want yours to be better too. So you are left wanting, and you wind up trying to figure out how to improve your lot.
Some people improve their lots through hard work. They work harder, give better performance, and get promoted. Or they go to school, learn something new, or improve old skills, and get a raise or a better paying job. Others will not improve themselves so much, but may work harder and do overtime, or get a second job; but they still work hard to improve their lot. Yet others will try to take the easy street, and will try underhanded or illegal means to reach an end of a better lot in life. Still others will just moan and groan and complain and put their hands out as if we who are doing better than they owe them something, when in fact they could do it themselves if they were just not out and out lazy scalliwags. Of course some are fairly satisfied with what they have, or with their ability to provide for themselves and their families. Improvement is not a bad thing, nor is satisfaction. Take either one, but if you want to improve, please do not do it at my expense - don't be the type of person who has enough already, does not realize it, wants more, and wants it from me for free.
This last type of person, the one who thinks that others owe them a freebie, a handout, charity, or compassion get to me - especially those of them who already have fairly it good and who want more on the dole without working for it. I can not stand people like that, not one bit. I do not owe anyone anything because they have decided not to work as hard as I have, or as you have, or even harder, to achieve a better standing in life. I especially can not stomach those who ask for handouts from regular guys and gals like me when they already have more than regular Joes and Janes like me and you. These folks get to me even more than those who have a little and who want handouts. The audacity exhibited by someone who is fairly well to do, yet who asks for handouts for free, is beyond my tolerance.
Yes I own a house, and I actually almost really own it outright, give me another year or two of payments and it will be mine. Yes I have two cars (one is over ten years old, close to 12 I think), the other is 2 years old and was the low end model with hand crank windows, no electronic locks or any other luxuries like that. Having a car is a luxury, but we do not own luxury cars for sure. Yes we have pets. Yes we have some other nice possessions, for instance I have a fair number of firearms, my wife has a Hummel collection and so on. Yet, we do not own a boat, we do not have a swimming pool, we do not own a large house, we do not have a large piece of property, we do not own a second residence, we do not own a country place, we do not own any recreational vehicles, we do not own even a fair amount of jewelry (yes we have some but that is minimal), we do not have health club memberships, we do not - oh you get the picture.
Now let me paint a little more onto that picture, let me paint another guy and his family into it. There are some folks out there who own: a bigger house than we do, have the house sitting on a bigger lot, have a swimming pool in the backyard, have central air-conditioning, have multiple luxury vehicles (certainly more luxurious than either the Ford Taurus or the Toyota Corolla that we own), have wonderful collections of personal effects, travel frequently, have digital this and digital that, have numerous computers at home, have big screen televisions, and on and on. These same folks are quite fit, fit enough to work at least one job, maybe even two. Yet they choose not to work, or choose to work at a job that pays a low end salary, and rather who are out there asking for guys like you and me to give them money whenever they need or want something better in their lives. I have seen people, who owned brand new Cadillacs, shopping at the grocery store while using food stamps, and complaining to the checkout clerk when the clerk told them they could not buy that necessity of life called beer with the food stamps. I know of others who frequently travel around the world both on pleasure and work related trips, who own pleasure watercraft, who have two houses, yet who incessantly ask others for handouts. What kind of a society is it in which we find ourselves when regular Janes and Joes actually give these people our hard earned money, at the expense of our own well being, free for the asking? This is not charity, charity is something you give to someone who has a need. This is insanity. I just don' t understand how it is that able bodied Americans get away with asking for, begging for, or demanding more and more in the way of financial aid or handouts of any sort. No, let me correct that, what I do not understand is that hard working Joes and Janes in the USA keep giving into to those demands, and keep giving away their own hard earned wealth, to foster a welfare mentality even among those who already have it made so well as to drive around in luxury cars, have pools in the backyard, and in general have a life of comparative luxury.
Please don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with providing charity, handouts, assistance or welfare to those who really need it such as the elderly, the physically and mentally handicapped, people who have lost work temporarily due to illness or other reasons. There is something wrong though with giving it to those who do not need or deserve it, and who continuously mooch from the rest of us without giving back their fair share to society. There is no reason to give assistance to someone who is able to work, and who can get a job (even if not one to their liking so long as it pays the rent and for the bacon) that is unless you give them a job as a form of welfare. Working for what you have, and for what you want to have, has the uncanny ability to make people respect themselves. It also has the amazing effect that it improves society as a whole, and makes us all the richer for it. It is not easy to have to work for what we want, and we may never achieve all of our goals by working toward them, yet that is no excuse for sloth. Even if we fail to achieve a certain goal, if we are not able for example to buy a Mercedes Benz, or to live in a bigger or better house, we have achieved something else that maybe worth all the more. We have achieved self respect, and the respect of our families, friends, and coworkers, and the effect that our children will most likely follow in our footsteps. If you have a good work ethic, and instill it into your children, they will probably become contributing members of society, just as were you; and maybe someday they will buy you that nicer car or bigger house (or at least invite you to live with them when you can no longer make it on your own). What a better thing than that could happen in your old age is beyond me; and if it ever happens to me, I will know without a doubt: "It's just another day in Paradise" - and I worked damned hard to earn it.
All the best,
Glenn B
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Good Eats...
...with fine company are something that makes a family get together so nice. We had my wife Linda's side of the family over this afternoon, and had a great Italian Cheese and Meat Pie (3 meats, 6 cheeses) cooked by the younger brother-in-law Hans, then had a nice dinner of Leg of Lamb, Homemade Gravy, Asparagus, Corn, Mashed Potatoes, and Homemade Red Cabbage all cooked by Linda. It was simple fare, nothing fancy, yet was mouth watering, absolutely delicious, and quite filling. Linda is a great cook. For desssert we had some Apple Crumb Cake that the older brother-in-law Alex brought along, some Chocolate Lover's Brownies that Linda baked, and great coffee.
'Just Another Day In Paradise' indeed!
All the best,
Glenn B
'Just Another Day In Paradise' indeed!
All the best,
Glenn B
Enough Time To Clean Some Guns...
...is exactly what I have before our dinner guests show up later today. I have about 2 hours, maybe enough time to clean 2 rifles and my shotgun, with a decent job done. I hope it is also enough time to get the magazine tube cap off of my 870. For some reason, after shooting at the Trap Range yesterday, it would not unscrew for the mag tube. We only ever tighten it by hand and it has never stuck before, so I figure it is nothing a little Breakfree CLP cannot cure. Oh well, let me get going, I have to get it done now so the aroma of the Hoppes dissipates before company arrives.
All the best,
Glenn B
All the best,
Glenn B
Palm Sunday
For those of you who celebrate, have a happy Palm Sunday. Today my wife has invited over some of the family for dinner. It should prove to be a nice day indeed. As for me, I stopped being religious years ago, although I will readily admit, even though I am not one for organized religion, I live by the majority of the morality taught to me in those bygone days. Yes religion and its messages can be good things when not taken to extremes, sadly though it seems, to me, that too many take it to the extreme.
Enough philosophizing for me for today, now back to the original message. If you celebrate Palm Sunday as a holy day, enjoy it as much as possible. Have a happy Palm Sunday.
All the best,
Glenn B
Enough philosophizing for me for today, now back to the original message. If you celebrate Palm Sunday as a holy day, enjoy it as much as possible. Have a happy Palm Sunday.
All the best,
Glenn B
Saturday, March 31, 2007
A Son, A Shotgun, and Some Shells...
...are a combination that amount to a good time at the Trap Range. I had expected to spend a good part of the day at the range today, but as things would have it I wound up having to watch my mom last night and for part of today. My sister-in-law came out to relieve me today and brought my son Brendan with her. Brendan and I then headed to the range. We only had just over an hour to shoot so we went to the Trap Range.
We only have the one shotgun, an 870, so Brendan shot the first round. He only hit 4 of the clays. I shot next and hit 10 out of 25. Brendan then shot the next two rounds and got about 6 on his second round, but improved to 12 on the last round. He changed his style a bit by that third round and it seemed to make a good deal of difference and he improved considerably. This was the first outing to the Trap Range for us this year. Hopefully we will get to shoot there at least a few times during the spring and summer.
It sure was a nice day for this today. Temps in the low to mid 50s, slight breeze, blue skies; and some quality time spent with my son. Brendan got some color; and the freckles started to come out on both of us. Things don't get much better than that! If we had had more time, we would have hit the rifle range too, but things just did not work out that way. Maybe next time for the rifle range. All in all though it was a great time if only a short one; but then I guess we have to take happiness as it comes to us.
All the best,
Glenn B
We only have the one shotgun, an 870, so Brendan shot the first round. He only hit 4 of the clays. I shot next and hit 10 out of 25. Brendan then shot the next two rounds and got about 6 on his second round, but improved to 12 on the last round. He changed his style a bit by that third round and it seemed to make a good deal of difference and he improved considerably. This was the first outing to the Trap Range for us this year. Hopefully we will get to shoot there at least a few times during the spring and summer.
It sure was a nice day for this today. Temps in the low to mid 50s, slight breeze, blue skies; and some quality time spent with my son. Brendan got some color; and the freckles started to come out on both of us. Things don't get much better than that! If we had had more time, we would have hit the rifle range too, but things just did not work out that way. Maybe next time for the rifle range. All in all though it was a great time if only a short one; but then I guess we have to take happiness as it comes to us.
All the best,
Glenn B
Friday, March 30, 2007
Great Deal on .35 Remington Ammunition at Sportsmansguide.com
I just went shopping online for some .35 Remington Ammunition. In the past I have used 200 grain Remington Core-lokt and Winchester Super X with good results. I bought some last year when I saw the prices going up, and I have a hundred or so rounds at home, but I figured since the weather is getting nice, and Brendan and I will be spending more time at the range, it was time to shop for some more so we can shoot as we please. Last year the least expensive I could find in stores, and online, was going for about $15.00 to $17.00 a box.
This year it seems the price has jumped to about $18.00 or $19.00 per 20 round box at most places, up to what I believe to be an astounding price of $32.25 at one website http://www.outdoorsuperstore.com/product.asp?prod=286861. So, you can imagine my pleasant surprise when I saw that Sportsmansguide.com had Winchester Super X PP at 13.97 per box, or $13.27 per box if a club member - which I am. I bought 200 rounds which equals a case. If you have a rifle chambered in .35 Remington, you may want to check this out at: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/b...spx?c=96&s=962.
The total price of my order for just the ammo would have been as follows: $132.70 for the ammo plus $15.99 for shipping = $148.69 minus $10.00 coupon = $138.69. This would be a bottom line of $13.87 per box. I think this is not a bad deal, in fact I think it is a great deal, from what I have seen of the prices on this exact same ammunition at other sites and in stores, and no tax charged. (Note I said the price would have been because I also ordered something else, so it was abit higher. The actual ammo price though, with shipping, and with the discounts, was just as I have shown.
This year it seems the price has jumped to about $18.00 or $19.00 per 20 round box at most places, up to what I believe to be an astounding price of $32.25 at one website http://www.outdoorsuperstore.com/product.asp?prod=286861. So, you can imagine my pleasant surprise when I saw that Sportsmansguide.com had Winchester Super X PP at 13.97 per box, or $13.27 per box if a club member - which I am. I bought 200 rounds which equals a case. If you have a rifle chambered in .35 Remington, you may want to check this out at: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/b...spx?c=96&s=962.
The total price of my order for just the ammo would have been as follows: $132.70 for the ammo plus $15.99 for shipping = $148.69 minus $10.00 coupon = $138.69. This would be a bottom line of $13.87 per box. I think this is not a bad deal, in fact I think it is a great deal, from what I have seen of the prices on this exact same ammunition at other sites and in stores, and no tax charged. (Note I said the price would have been because I also ordered something else, so it was abit higher. The actual ammo price though, with shipping, and with the discounts, was just as I have shown.
By the way, no I do not receive any compensation in any form for posting stuff like this. I just figured that at about $4 to $5 saving per box of 20 rounds, this is one tough deal to pass up. I also thought that since I have bought as much as I can afford right now, why not let other .35 Remington lovers out there get in on it. In this day and age of anti-gun nuts, we who appreciate firearms and shooting need to stick together.
All the best,
Glenn B
Chocolate Jesus...
...is getting an awful lot of media coverage by the mud slinging media as Michelle Malkin points out @ http://michellemalkin.com/archives/007208.htm. As she mentions, the media would not likely be posting irreverent pictures or representations of Mohammad just before Ramadan, but they are all to ready to post pictures of this insult to Christianity just before Easter. Now I could understand a Chocolate Jesus as being a piece of art that ACTUALLY SAYS SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO CHRISTIANS WHO THINK EASTER IS ALL ABOUT EASTER EGGS AND CHOCOLATE BUNNIES, AND WHO HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE CHRIST PART OF IT, but I do not think this the intent of the person who sculpted this piece. One reason that I do not believe such is because of the lack of a loin cloth in the depiction. I cannot understand why this current representation has to be one in which Jesus' private parts are left uncovered, and the overall depiction of Jesus is rather ugly, or is ugly at least in my opinion. It seems to have been sculpted not just to arouse religious devotion, or to make people rethink Easter, but to insult. So my guess is that the so called food artist, who at other times has reportedly covered walls in cheese, does not give a hoot about Christianity and only wanted to get maximum shock exposure for this, as I see it, lurid work.
As far as making a big stink about it, I believe that the offended Christians are going about this all wrong. Sure they can be offended, the depiction seems meant to be insulting, in my opinion, or at the least to be offensive; but I believe it inappropriate for them to try to boycott the show, or the place in which it is shown (as I remember reading that they are calling for as explained on www.FoxNews.com). I believe it would be much more appropriate, if actually legal, for them to flock to see this exhibit in great masses this Palm Sunday, and then (if legal) smash it into pieces and eat it until there is not a morsel left over. This way they would accomplish a few things. They would give the media more to chatter about, they would give the so called artist more exposure, they would get rid of the offensive piece before Easter (when by the way, I believe it is scheduled to stop showing), and they would enjoy some chocolate thereby making sure food does not go to waste.
All in all, the biggest accomplishment, as I see it for Christians, would be getting rid of the sculpture in a more Christian, or at least less violent, manner as opposed to rioting, killing, maiming, and calling for a Crusade. Now, please mind you, I am not advocating that anyone do anything illegal, and I oppose any illegal actions; but the thing about smashing it and eating it simply seems to me to be a figurative just dessert for the artist and a fitting end for his so called art. As it is though, I am willing to bet that Christians, in large numbers, will not do anything illegal like destroying his work, nor do I think that they will riot in the streets, kill others, injure others, or threaten to begin a holy war over this depiction of Christ! This is not because they are weak, but because they - for the most part - are indeed Christian. They live by a morality that they apply not just to outsiders but also to themselves - unlike the followers of another religion which readily comes to mind in these trying times. This makes Christians an easy mark for the media, who for the most part, are seemingly much to squeamish to offend anyone whom they believe might actually take violent action over being so offended. The media, and other groups, should be careful though because, as I believe it, you can only push even folks like Christians just so far before they stop turning the other cheek.
All the best,
Glenn B (a used to be Catholic)
As far as making a big stink about it, I believe that the offended Christians are going about this all wrong. Sure they can be offended, the depiction seems meant to be insulting, in my opinion, or at the least to be offensive; but I believe it inappropriate for them to try to boycott the show, or the place in which it is shown (as I remember reading that they are calling for as explained on www.FoxNews.com). I believe it would be much more appropriate, if actually legal, for them to flock to see this exhibit in great masses this Palm Sunday, and then (if legal) smash it into pieces and eat it until there is not a morsel left over. This way they would accomplish a few things. They would give the media more to chatter about, they would give the so called artist more exposure, they would get rid of the offensive piece before Easter (when by the way, I believe it is scheduled to stop showing), and they would enjoy some chocolate thereby making sure food does not go to waste.
All in all, the biggest accomplishment, as I see it for Christians, would be getting rid of the sculpture in a more Christian, or at least less violent, manner as opposed to rioting, killing, maiming, and calling for a Crusade. Now, please mind you, I am not advocating that anyone do anything illegal, and I oppose any illegal actions; but the thing about smashing it and eating it simply seems to me to be a figurative just dessert for the artist and a fitting end for his so called art. As it is though, I am willing to bet that Christians, in large numbers, will not do anything illegal like destroying his work, nor do I think that they will riot in the streets, kill others, injure others, or threaten to begin a holy war over this depiction of Christ! This is not because they are weak, but because they - for the most part - are indeed Christian. They live by a morality that they apply not just to outsiders but also to themselves - unlike the followers of another religion which readily comes to mind in these trying times. This makes Christians an easy mark for the media, who for the most part, are seemingly much to squeamish to offend anyone whom they believe might actually take violent action over being so offended. The media, and other groups, should be careful though because, as I believe it, you can only push even folks like Christians just so far before they stop turning the other cheek.
All the best,
Glenn B (a used to be Catholic)
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Anticipation can be agonizing, but well worth it.
I have had this unfamiliar feeling over the past week and a half ever since I was interviewed for a teaching job in the New York City Teaching Fellowship program. I cannot think of anything in many years that I have faced with so much anticipation, anxiety, hope, and dread since my first few weeks flying as an Air Marshal just after 9/11. This time around the feelings of dread are much less, life will go on if I don’t get the job, because I will still have my current job if I do not get the new one. Whereas, as an Air Marshal, my life sort of depended on me getting the job done right.
Still, though I have been on an emotional roller coaster. If I don’t get the new job, I am stuck at the old one from which I am ready to retire. That’s okay but the job stinks. Heck, I would say that even ¾ of the people who are not yet eligible to retire are ready to retire; that is how messed up the job has become over the last few years. So the thought of not getting the new position gets me down. Then again, the thought of being selected for a teaching spot has me about as happy as one can be. I have not felt so much anticipation ever since waiting for that first kiss, from a very special gal, so many years ago. When I got it, the kiss that is, it was all worth waiting for; and so to I am sure would be a teaching job. I hope I get it, I do, I do.
If I do not get it, I have options. I am eligible to go out on retirement, and to collect my pension. The lure of that Siren’s song is almost too much to bear. I would almost be willing to crash my ship ashore with no hope of getting another, or in other words I am just about ready to retire with no second career job waiting for me, because the allure of retirement is that strong. I have not retired though because I have a family, and I have obligations, and those bill collectors get pretty upset if you don’t pay your bills on time. So even though the retired life calls my name in a sultry voice, I have tied myself to the mast; and I will wait until I get a second career lined up. Like Odysseus, there will be no falling to the lure of the Siren’s song for me; not just yet anyhow.
As for my reasons to keep on working until I can get a second career, no I am not madly in debt. In fact, if I retired now, my debts are pretty minimal, but I do want to continue to lead a comfortable life with my family, and a meaningful one at that, so I figure I’ll keep working. Teaching seems like a way to do something I want to do toward leading a meaningful life after retirement. I want to be able to help guide our nation’s youngsters down the road to becoming contributing members of our society. For the past 27 plus years, I have arrested quite a few of them who did not make it down that road by the time they had met me. Instead they tried to take the short cut down Easy Street, only to wind up on that bumpy back road called Hard Knocks Drive. At first I thought being a counselor would be the way to go, but after thinking about it, then discovering the NYCTF program, I decided that teaching would help me get to more of them, and therefore I could do something on a grander scale than just one on one counseling sessions. Heck I could reach them not only before they were arrested (or after the arrest) but even before they thought of going out to commit a crime. Giving them a better chance would be giving our society a better chance. I kind of like the idea, and I am no air headed idealist, I am a practical guy, and practicality is what has turned me toward teaching as a choice for my second career. The better educated kids our schools turn out, the better off for the USA in the future.
I am still far from my goal of becoming a teacher, they have not offered me a position yet. I am very hopeful that they will. It has sort of been like waiting to see if I would be able to get that first kiss oh so long ago from the gal I married. Hopefully the wait for the teaching fellowship will wind up with a similar result of my wait for that kiss. The result of that kiss was a long lasting, loving relationship, with my first, only, and current wife. It has been a relationship that has taken an awful lot of work to keep it going, and one for which I needed a deep rooted passion to keep alive. Married life has been quite the good thing; and so, it has been well worth the effort. I can only hope - that just like waiting for that first kiss was well every moment of agonizing anxiety filled anticipation that I suffered through - my waiting to hear the results of this job interview will work out in a similar fashion.
All the best,
Glenn B
Still, though I have been on an emotional roller coaster. If I don’t get the new job, I am stuck at the old one from which I am ready to retire. That’s okay but the job stinks. Heck, I would say that even ¾ of the people who are not yet eligible to retire are ready to retire; that is how messed up the job has become over the last few years. So the thought of not getting the new position gets me down. Then again, the thought of being selected for a teaching spot has me about as happy as one can be. I have not felt so much anticipation ever since waiting for that first kiss, from a very special gal, so many years ago. When I got it, the kiss that is, it was all worth waiting for; and so to I am sure would be a teaching job. I hope I get it, I do, I do.
If I do not get it, I have options. I am eligible to go out on retirement, and to collect my pension. The lure of that Siren’s song is almost too much to bear. I would almost be willing to crash my ship ashore with no hope of getting another, or in other words I am just about ready to retire with no second career job waiting for me, because the allure of retirement is that strong. I have not retired though because I have a family, and I have obligations, and those bill collectors get pretty upset if you don’t pay your bills on time. So even though the retired life calls my name in a sultry voice, I have tied myself to the mast; and I will wait until I get a second career lined up. Like Odysseus, there will be no falling to the lure of the Siren’s song for me; not just yet anyhow.
As for my reasons to keep on working until I can get a second career, no I am not madly in debt. In fact, if I retired now, my debts are pretty minimal, but I do want to continue to lead a comfortable life with my family, and a meaningful one at that, so I figure I’ll keep working. Teaching seems like a way to do something I want to do toward leading a meaningful life after retirement. I want to be able to help guide our nation’s youngsters down the road to becoming contributing members of our society. For the past 27 plus years, I have arrested quite a few of them who did not make it down that road by the time they had met me. Instead they tried to take the short cut down Easy Street, only to wind up on that bumpy back road called Hard Knocks Drive. At first I thought being a counselor would be the way to go, but after thinking about it, then discovering the NYCTF program, I decided that teaching would help me get to more of them, and therefore I could do something on a grander scale than just one on one counseling sessions. Heck I could reach them not only before they were arrested (or after the arrest) but even before they thought of going out to commit a crime. Giving them a better chance would be giving our society a better chance. I kind of like the idea, and I am no air headed idealist, I am a practical guy, and practicality is what has turned me toward teaching as a choice for my second career. The better educated kids our schools turn out, the better off for the USA in the future.
I am still far from my goal of becoming a teacher, they have not offered me a position yet. I am very hopeful that they will. It has sort of been like waiting to see if I would be able to get that first kiss oh so long ago from the gal I married. Hopefully the wait for the teaching fellowship will wind up with a similar result of my wait for that kiss. The result of that kiss was a long lasting, loving relationship, with my first, only, and current wife. It has been a relationship that has taken an awful lot of work to keep it going, and one for which I needed a deep rooted passion to keep alive. Married life has been quite the good thing; and so, it has been well worth the effort. I can only hope - that just like waiting for that first kiss was well every moment of agonizing anxiety filled anticipation that I suffered through - my waiting to hear the results of this job interview will work out in a similar fashion.
All the best,
Glenn B
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Nice Day At The Range
I spent most of the morning today cleaning my issue H&K MP5, my issue 870 and my issue Glock 19. Only the shotgun needed cleaning, but it was a job I enjoyed doing on all three weapons. Make no mistake about it, these three firearms are my weapons when I am working. Hopefully I'll never have to shoot anyone with them, but I like to keep em ready to shoot well, even if only at the range.
This afternoon, I spent most of my time at the range for quarterly qualifications. I disappointed myself a bit with the Glock 19. I shot for score twice, the first time getting a 141 out of 150, the second time around I got a 147. Should have been a 150 second time around, but I made mistakes. Then I shot perfect with the shotgun, 5 out of 5 - yes we only shoot 5 shots at 25 yards to qualify. It was a fairly nice group as usual with the 870 in my hands. Then I shot a 247 out of 250 with the MP5; that really was a disappointment because I was shooting right on all the way, then my glasses fell off while shooting a few three round bursts. I kept shooting just like if it had been the real deal in the street, and put three rounds just out of the center ring losing 3 points. Oh well, stuff happens, and you have to keep on going.
All in all it was a great day. The weather was fine with temps in the mid fifties to low sixties, a slight breeze, and bright blue skies. The range officers were pleasant as usual, and that makes for fun shooting. Besides the qualifications we shot tactical stuff from behind cover. First though we ran about 40 yards or so, just enough to get a little bit pumped, then into the range sort of blind. Had 6 targets face, had to get behind cover, then fire at the bad guy targets. Only had 6 rounds per mag, but had to empty all the mags, so reloading would get done .I got em all, and did not shoot the good guy target. I also had a failure to extract, then the next round failed to feed. Did the tap rack, but did not reengage because it was obvious I had to strip out the mag, and reload a new one because it had not cleared. The range officers were quite pleased in how I handled the malfunction, and said so to me; that was nice of them. I am wondering why this one happened in the first place. It is not something that happens with any regularity for me, so I'll have to check the pistol over tonight. The range officers were quite pleased in how I handled the malfunction, and said so to me. It was nice of them to let me know I did that well, because they sure let you know if you foul up, and so they should do both.
All in all it was a great day, outside, and at the range.
All the best,
Glenn B
This afternoon, I spent most of my time at the range for quarterly qualifications. I disappointed myself a bit with the Glock 19. I shot for score twice, the first time getting a 141 out of 150, the second time around I got a 147. Should have been a 150 second time around, but I made mistakes. Then I shot perfect with the shotgun, 5 out of 5 - yes we only shoot 5 shots at 25 yards to qualify. It was a fairly nice group as usual with the 870 in my hands. Then I shot a 247 out of 250 with the MP5; that really was a disappointment because I was shooting right on all the way, then my glasses fell off while shooting a few three round bursts. I kept shooting just like if it had been the real deal in the street, and put three rounds just out of the center ring losing 3 points. Oh well, stuff happens, and you have to keep on going.
All in all it was a great day. The weather was fine with temps in the mid fifties to low sixties, a slight breeze, and bright blue skies. The range officers were pleasant as usual, and that makes for fun shooting. Besides the qualifications we shot tactical stuff from behind cover. First though we ran about 40 yards or so, just enough to get a little bit pumped, then into the range sort of blind. Had 6 targets face, had to get behind cover, then fire at the bad guy targets. Only had 6 rounds per mag, but had to empty all the mags, so reloading would get done .I got em all, and did not shoot the good guy target. I also had a failure to extract, then the next round failed to feed. Did the tap rack, but did not reengage because it was obvious I had to strip out the mag, and reload a new one because it had not cleared. The range officers were quite pleased in how I handled the malfunction, and said so to me; that was nice of them. I am wondering why this one happened in the first place. It is not something that happens with any regularity for me, so I'll have to check the pistol over tonight. The range officers were quite pleased in how I handled the malfunction, and said so to me. It was nice of them to let me know I did that well, because they sure let you know if you foul up, and so they should do both.
All in all it was a great day, outside, and at the range.
All the best,
Glenn B
The Man has a point...
...and my money goes with the ex-husband. He says he was ordered to pay alimony to a woman who had been his ex-wife, and not to the man into which his ex-wife has changed. Sound weird? Well, yes it is. You can read about it here: Florida Man Says Ex-Wife's Sex Change Should End His Alimony Obligation. I can understand divorce, and I even think that temporary renewable marriages maybe the way to go, but transsexuality is not my bag. Nor my wife's (thank the heavens). I think it is an abomination of humanity, nature, morality, and normality. So yes, I think the ex-husband has a point, especially since his ex-wife now has one too! It is a sick world in which we live.
All the best,
Glenn B
All the best,
Glenn B
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Wolf Ammunition Company...
...apparently stands behind their products. Quite some months back, I bought a 1,000 round case of Wolf military Classic in 7.62x39 caliber from Sportsmansguide.com . It apparently was defective. After firing 100 rounds, I realized that many were having problems with the primers. I emailed Wolf Ammo asking them what to do, they asked that I send them some info. I mailed it to them as requested. Either they never got my letter or ignored. I forgot about it for several months. When I remembered it, I sent them another email reminding them of the problems. They sent me a UPS shipping label at their expense, and I returned the ammunition to them about 2 weeks ago, or a little less, yesterday. I received the replacement ammo last night. I am a little confused as to why I received only 800 rounds in the exchange when I returned 900 rounds to them. There was a fine razor cut in the box, later covered with tape, that could indicate some theft at UPS, but I do not know. I will have to contact Wolf to ask how many rounds they shipped to me. If they shipped more than 800, you can bet I will file a complaint with UPS and with the police; because that would mean someone had sticky fingers. Of course it may have just been a mistake at Wolf, maybe they counted 900 rounds when it was actually 800. If that is the case, I will ask for the other 100 rounds, but if they do not send them what should I do but let it slide since 100 rounds hopefully will not make or break me. I am hoping it was just an honest mistake and not a theft while in transit. I would hate for some dirtbag to be using my ammo!
Oh well, despite the count returned to me, my original point still stands that Wolf Ammunition stood behind their product. I was very pleased with how they handled their customer service, except for the short count, and I am none too sure that is their fault yet. Hopefully they will handle that as nicely if they made a mistake. I will certainly buy their products again in the future.
Glenn B
Oh well, despite the count returned to me, my original point still stands that Wolf Ammunition stood behind their product. I was very pleased with how they handled their customer service, except for the short count, and I am none too sure that is their fault yet. Hopefully they will handle that as nicely if they made a mistake. I will certainly buy their products again in the future.
Now that I have the ammo, Brendan and I can have a blast with the SKS this weekend.
All the best,Glenn B
Another Day In Paradise...
...is what I say to folks at work when they ask me how things are going. Actually work stinks, but it could be worse. I put up with it mainly because I need the money. I guess being eligible to retire makes things a little easier to handle. Yet, if you were to ask me about how I expect things to go at work tomorrow, I would say 'Another Day In paradise" and really mean it. Quarterly firearms qualifications are tomorrow, and for me that means a good day at the range. Not so good as when I was a firearms instructor, but at least good for a day. I'll be firing the Glock 19, the H&K MP5, and the 12 gauge Remington 870. That always makes for a good day.
Then for this Saturday, I have plans to go out east on Long Island to the Brookhaven Range with my son Brendan. I imagine we will shoot some trap, and then go to the rifle range and shoot the SKS and a few other rifles. That should make for an even better day. I have never enjoyed a shooting partner more than my son or daughter (or my wife the one time she shot). Making it a family day, even if only my boy comes along, is a very good thing indeed.
Getting in some shooting twice in one week will be wonderful too. I am truly looking forward to it. Safe shooting.
All the best,
Glenn B
Then for this Saturday, I have plans to go out east on Long Island to the Brookhaven Range with my son Brendan. I imagine we will shoot some trap, and then go to the rifle range and shoot the SKS and a few other rifles. That should make for an even better day. I have never enjoyed a shooting partner more than my son or daughter (or my wife the one time she shot). Making it a family day, even if only my boy comes along, is a very good thing indeed.
Getting in some shooting twice in one week will be wonderful too. I am truly looking forward to it. Safe shooting.
All the best,
Glenn B
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