You Get More Than You Pay For Sometimes

As you may or may not be aware, besides being a shootist and gun rights lover, I am an avid reptile & amphibian keeper. I keep critters like Bearded Dragons, Crested Geckos and Hermann's Tortoises among others. I also keep some aquatic or semi-aquatic species of herps to include some False Map Turtles and my latest acquisitions - three Iberian Ribbed Newts. I keep some fish in with the turtles and newts and have one tank dedicated to only fish (and some snails and Ghost Shrimp).

I have been perusing the available selection of air pumps lately figuring a couple of my tanks, on the same pump, could use a stronger one that I currently have. Then today, when I went to the monthly meeting of the Long Island Herpetological Society (my local herp society), a friend/member dropped off a Profile 9500, dual output, adjustable flow, air pump with another friend/member. I took one look and said I could use that and that I would give a $5.00 donation to the LIHS for it and it was mine. It was in as new condition in  scuffed-up box. I think it was taken out of the box, plugged in to see if it worked and then put back into the box and left that way.

I just hooked it up to the two tanks in need of a stronger pump than the one I had on them. I am amazed at the amount of air it spews out. The air stones inside my tanks had not much more than a trickle of air coming out of them and the two internal box filters, one in each tank, were bubbling steadily but on the slower side. Once the new pump was hooked up, the air-stones were bubbling like a pot of water on the boil and the internal filters looked to be on overdrive. I had to tone the flow control down to what would appear to be about 25% output to set it to my liking. To say I am happy with my purchase is an understatement.

I did some checking on the Internet. I could only come up with one place currently selling this model. It appears that not only has this pump model been discontinued but I am guessing the company either went out of business or changed its name as I could find no products from them offered online. The place that had it listed was selling it for $26.99 and another site that showed it as discontinued said it had retailed for $29.99. Had I been able to buy it locally, with tax, I would have paid about $32.58 for the higher listed price. I guess sometimes you get more than you paid for, even when doing it honestly. I think I'll have to throw at least another $5 to the LIHS as a donation. Hopefully the company did not go out of business because these fall apart in a month and I also hope it will last me at least a few to several years.

All the best,
Glenn B

Today In History - The Halifax Resolves - First Offical Call For Independence

On April 12, 1776, the colony of North Carolina authorized it's delegates, to the First Continental Congress, to vote for independence by way of the Halifax Resolves. This was an important step because for the first time in the history of the American colonies, the recommendations found within in the Halifax Resolves were not directed at a single colony but at all of the American colonies combined. Virginia soon approved similar measures and as you are aware, or certainly should be aware, on July 4, 1776 - the Declaration of Independence became this country's birth certificate of sorts and our first legal document as a free nation.

All the best,
Glenn B

I Miss Hula-Hoops

 

She is very good at it, don't ya think?

 

All the best,

GB

I Think I Am Going To Sell A Gun Or Three...

...out of those among my meager collection. I have no idea yet which one(s) to sell but could certainly use the cash. Of course, when I think of those from which I would be willing to part, only the clunkers come to mind. A bit more thought makes me realize, I just used the wrong word because I have no clunkers - it is just that when thinking of selling anything some older guns in good condition but of little value come to mind first and foremost as those to which I would only slightly begrudgingly say adieu. Alas, selling one or even two of them, maybe even three (if I have that many like that) would produce only an iota of the cash for which I am strapped. Decisions, decisions, decisions. All I can think is:

You cursed brat of an addiction! Look what you've done! My brain is melting, melting! Oh, what a world! What a world - with such decisions, decisions, decisions! Who would have thought a good little amount of debt like mine could destroy my beautiful gun collection! Oooooh, look out! It's going! Oooooh! Ooooooh!

Really now, I do need to think of something or other to sell. I have been wondering, what should it be! Along those lines, I pulled up my firearms inventory and realized - oh shit - I haven't updated my inventory since around 2012 and even for back then it did not look complete. I would have sworn I did a count of each one I had not too long ago but time flies as they say and guns sure do seem to have a habit of accumulating. So now, before I can even consider selling a thing, I find myself tasked with doing a firearms inventory to find out exactly what I still have, or have gotten new since, or don't have any longer, since I compiled the last one. Maybe it would be a good idea even if I don't decide to sell any of them. It would most likely be good to know exactly which firearms I own in the event of a theft, a fire, or some other catastrophe that might damage or destroy them and also not a bad idea to know just to be aware of what I have around. Heck, I might even find something I forgot about that is fun to shoot and will have to take it to the range. Still though, I would have sworn I did this not that long ago, it irks the hell out of me that I cannot find the inventory file, for the inventory I think I did, on my laptop.

All the best,
GB 

PS: Eureka! I found a more recent inventory of my firearms; well, let me say inventory of sorts because while it lists all of my guns it does not show serial numbers. I made up a list for firearms maintenance purposes when I gave the guns a really good going over and cleaning back in April and also last June. I guess the little grey cells were not as confused as I was beginning to think they may have been there for a moment. Perhaps it would still be an excellent idea to do a complete inventory just to make sure I got them all and to write down the serial numbers and other pertinent information for all of them.

A Brace of Glocks

I have never thought Glocks all that good looking as far as pistols go, that is until now.

All the best,
Glenn B

Another Candidate For The Walking Dead

Recently, I wrote up a post about my candidate for the next character to be added to The Walking Dead as a kickass zombie fighter and a good looker at that. I included a photo of an Asian babe that someone said reminded him of a ladyboy (yikes). So, I have picked yet another candidate for inclusion in the show as a long term member of the group.

 

I think she has some of the necessary attributes but can't figure out why in Hades she has on a set of shooting muffs. Sort of ruins the mood created by the feisty looking young model. At least this one cannot be confused by the confused for a ladyboy (at least I think not). She may or may not be Asian but she would do nicely regardless of that. I also like the get-up (except for those shooting muffs) and I love the nuke em  until they glo-green shotgun shells.

 

All the best,
GB

 

Been Working All Week...

...and two days the week before and am certainly not used to that many hours in a row. I have two more fulltime weeks to go covering for someone else on my job. Thus the lighter than usual blogging. I will try to make that up a bit over the weekend and hopefully can write up some posts ahead of time for the week to come. Anyway, my next to last post (two posts prior to this one) should at least appease my straight male readers and maybe my last post will appease those of a more conservative or libertarian ilk.

All the best,
GB

Like Hillary - He Loves To Take Credit When To His Advantage...

...and again like Hillary - he is quick to shift blame when it falls squarely upon his shoulders.
 

Sadly, the only Demoncrat (hint - her name is Hillary) who appears as if she will be running for the presidency in 2016 would be much, much, much worse than him. Bear that in mind if you are a Conservative, Republican, Libertarian, Independent or even a truly moderate Democrat - only you can stop her in 2016.

All the best,
GB

Happy In The Face of Death

A friend sent me an email telling me his neighbor wanted to jog with him but he went to his doctor who recommended against it because of the condition of his heart. He gave his neighbor my number and I went jogging with her without first consulting with my doctor even though my friend said maybe I should check first.

I am now in the cardiac intensive care unit at my local hospital, not so much due to the run but rather to the fun that came afterwards. She was quite appreciative of my agreeing to jog with her and invited me over to her place where she slipped a few Viagras into my beer. The sex was wild and lasted 7 hours and even though I am in the ICU of cardiac care, I am happy as I await either an emergency transplant or death.

Yeah right! Anyway, a hat tip and my eternal thanks to Herr Rich M for that one!

All the best,
Glenn B

National Beer Day - Hurry There Is Still Time...

...to enjoy a beer or three before it ends. Yep, that means that today, April 17th, was National Beer Day. See more about it and about beer here.

All the best,
GB

I Cannot Comment On How It Started...

...because the video begins after the initial encounter. However, I can say without one shred of doubt, that I would not trade places with the cop in it right now for all the tea in China because it looks to me as if he unjustifiably and brutally murdered someone. That cop reportedly (and as is seen on video allegedly of him and another man) shot a man in the back as he fled the officer and seemingly posed no threat to anyone. The officer is white, the victim - who died - was black. There is a lot more to it, read the NY Slimes Times article and watch the video that accompanies it here. The video sure appears to be damning on the face of it. If you ever wondered why cops are sometimes called "pigs" (and it has nothing to do with pride, integrity or guts), this may be the perfect reason.

If jurors see that video, the  officer is going to be hard pressed, extremely so, to give any justifiable reason for shooting the guy he shot. As with everyone, he is due his day in court and is innocent until proven guilty but I am a realist too and can easily envision him doing life or maybe even getting fried if SC is a death penalty state. Who knows though, his lawyer may find some way to get him off but if he does get ready for long term rioting. While I cannot condone rioting, I would fully understand the outrage if he winds up being acquitted, at least based on what little I know so far but as I said that video looks damning.

I also would not want to be any LEO anywhere near Charleston over the next couple to few months. It might get almost surely will be very bad after that shooting with violent protests and riots. I must say though, the one thing that Charleston has going in its favor is that the officer reportedly was charged with murder as speedily as he was charged.

On a personal note, I am concerned for a couple of dear friends who are visiting Charleston this week. They likely got there on the day of the shooting and are supposed to be there for a week. I am hoping they stay out of harm's way if the SHTF.

All the best,
Glenn B

Road Rage And Some Good Advice...

...can be read about in this article. The advice is given by the woman who was in the car the occupants of which (her family) allegedly were threatened by a chain saw wielding man. Yep, she gave some great advice after the fact, hopefully others will follow it before doing what her husband did. He reportedly put his whole family in harm's way by following the guy's car because the guy was supposedly driving like an idiot. Then the husband reportedly positioned his car, with his family in it, so the guy's car could not leave a dead end street onto which it had driven. The guy then allegedly approaches the family's car with chain saw turned on and threatens them. Why the husband, who had his wife and kids in the car, sat there and did not pull away is unfathomable. Don't be either an asshole chain saw wielder or an asshole of a father who puts his family's life in jeopardy like that.

All the best,
Glenn B

He Would Not Be My Top Choice For President...

...however, if Rand Paul wins the nomination, of any party, I will vote for him over the likes of Hillary Clinton or anyone that the Demoncrats will nominate. He announced his candidacy today. More here.

All the best,
GB

My Candidate For A New Character For The Walking Dead

She appears to be made for the role of a kickass female zombie fighter. She has a SS (or chromed) pistol to resist corrosion from all the zombie guts and gore, she has a decent looking harness (and I do mean looking and am not commenting on quality) with pouches for spare mags, she is showing us she can shoot lefty and is obviously a righty (based on how she is wearing the holster) and she has that look in her eyes that makes me think she could get serious about killing zombies (if such were a serious issue).

Furthermore, she smokes - showing she does not give a damn about the health hazards of smoking and who, in their right mind, in the middle of a Zombie Apocalypse, would give a shit about the hazards of smoking! In addition, she is a looker. Besides all that, she is wearing the perfect color nail polish for the role!

What in hell is wrong with the Walking Dead folks for not hiring her, or her look alike, to play a major part on the show! Screw Glenn being the only long term Asian on the show and in the group. Why not add someone Asian, sexy and appealing to men (as in straight men).

All the best,
Glenn B

Happy Easter & A Belated Happy Passover

To all of you who celebrate Easter as part of your faith, with more than just a nice family meal and Easter Baskets full of candy, I wish you a very happy and joyous Easter. He has risen and will rise again yet to heaven.

And shame on me, I forgot to wish this in a timely manner, to all of my Jewish readers: I hope your Passover was a blessed one.

All the best,
Glenn B

The Easter Bunny Has Arrived...

...and she didn't bring any candy.

Oh well, I can see what she has in mind as much more enjoyable than candy and better for you too.

Happy Easter to all you heathens out there (like me) who celebrate it only as a reason for a family get together (which in an of itself is not a bad thing at all).

All the best,
GB

If Resorts World Is Serious About Assuring It Never Happens Again...

...they will either restrict the type of person they allow into it, stop selling or providing free alcohol, or have kick-ass bouncers stationed every 20 feet within the premises with instructions to immediately throw out the rowdy bums.



Something tells me though, now that this riot has taken place, the only way to avoid future melees like that inside that particular casino would be to shut it down. The animals have gotten their first taste of blood there and are sure to come back for more. Of course, if N.Y. City did more than just ticket a few folks, or arrest some for disorderly conduct, maybe that would have a desirable effect too. Then again, this was in the city where the mayor, Bill de Blasio, bends over backwards to appease certain groups of ne'er do wells and I bet he does so regarding this too. Then again, we'll see, since the casino is sure put a lot of money into the city coffers maybe de Blasio will grow some balls. If he takes any action though, I would say it would be a bet with odds in favor of him feeling the pinch of the casino's might on his tiny pair that might make him order a real investigation resulting in arrests, convictions and jail time for the offenders. More here.

To end on a personal note, I have been to that casino, I think twice now. A third visit to it, by me, is highly unlikely.

All the best,
Glenn B

Cleaning Up The Dog Shit Would Save Lots of Money...

...over the current plan to use DNA testing to ID the dog owner's whose dogs have left behind their loads so you can bet the current plan to do so, by several Seattle homeowners associations and apartment & condo owners, will b take up by the city government there in no time. Now mind you, I am not faulting apartment or condo complex owners, nor home owners associations. I mean let's face it, if you own a dog and live in an apartment or condo, you should not be allowing your mutt to shit in the hallways, the elevators or on the roof. I am sure though, city officials will see this as yet another way to keep dog owners under their thumbs and they will commence this this as soon as possible on a citywide level. If they do, you can bet it will spread nationally as new policy within cities, counties and states across the nation, in no time.
More here.

All the best,
Glenn B

Dealing With Assholes

I'll be working for the next three weeks straight. It's probably needless to say but I'll say it anyway: By the time it's over, I will have dealt with at least one ignorant, itinerant, ignoble, inflamed, immigrunt asshole each and every day. Most of the aliens with whom I have contact seem like okay folks but there is always at least one asshole a day to deal with and sometimes there are several. I almost wish I could deal with them other than how I am allowed but I'll just have to dream about that.

At least 'l have some soothing dreams.

All the best,
GB



My Neighbor Told Me It Was So Nice Out Today...

..that all she could think was that the next thing she knows it will be the 4th of July. She literally was jumping for joy over that thought and I enjoyed every moment of it.

All the best,
GB

Damn Snaps Must Have Been Made In China!

And I am beginning to like Chinese manufactured products a whole lot more than before.

All the best,
GB

The Confidence Of This Jaguar Is Amazing

I say confidence because it is pretty obvious that this is not an inexperienced cat when it comes to hunting a caiman. This video was reportedly shot in the Pantanal Wetlands of Brazil.



Not only does it take to the caiman's habitat to stealthily approach, but once it grabs its prey, what does it do but go right back into the caiman's preferred habitat - the water. The caiman is almost undoubtedly the stronger swimmer than the jaguar; but nonetheless, this big cat has the confidence to drag it right back into the water and then swim with the crocodilian in its jaws. It knows it has given it the coup de gras and is sure of it. It was one well thought out and probably previously accomplished feat on the part of this jaguar, at least - I find it hard to believe that jaguar never did that before. It is truly the king of its jungle by far.

While YouTube was where I found the above video, a different version ( because there is more of the beginning of it and less of the end) can be found at National Geographic here and I really recommend watching that version too because there is some narration as the hunt runs its course:

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/news/jaguar-attacks-crocodile

The jaguar is truly one awesome hunter.

All the best,
Glenn B

Easter Egg Hunt That Is Just Wrong

I am pretty sure that whoever put up the words on the sign meant to spell 'annual' butt maybe they had something else on his (or her) mind. Then again, who does an Easter Egg hunt the week after Easter! Maybe it was meant to be just what it said.

 

 

Happy Easter, hope that didn't ruin it for you.

 

Hat tip to John D for having that on his FB page.

 

All the best,

Glenn B 

 

First Impressions Sometimes Shouldn't Get A Second Thought

People often seem wary about those who rely on first impressions, especially negative ones, but when someone presents himself or herself in a certain manner (as in a less than desirable one) at certain times, especially at significant events, then why shouldn't we rely on first impressions to sway us in how we view the person making the less than desirable impression. Sure, we can be forgiving sometimes and make allowances that give those types of people a second chance by making us reconsider our first impressions of them and maybe even cause us to look at them more favorably based upon our second thoughts.

Yet, we need to be very careful in doing so if there truly was good enough reason on which to base unfavorable first impressions of them. All too often it is found that first impressions were correct and the only reason we relented from holding them was because the person in question came back to us acting as if he or she was a little angel, ass kissing, cheating and deceiving their way into our good favor. (Or having a spokesperson doing it on their behalf with added begging and cajoling because of whatever good relationship exists between them and because they are trying to reap whatever benefit you or I can bestow.)

I think an example, maybe the perfect example of just such a thing - wherein first impressions should never have been given a second thought - is to be found in the case of Anthony Stokes who just under two years ago received a heart transplant. At first, doctors and whoever else was responsible for placing someone on a transplant waiting list denied the teen that privilege. They seemingly did so based upon their first impressions of him and those were reportedly based, at least in part, upon his "troubled past" (source) and the belief he would not comply with medical requirements made of him related to the transplant. Well, based on what I have read, I am guessing the teens mother seemingly pleaded for him, religious and or social groups got involved on his behalf, the news media bent over backwards and everyone seemingly ignored his so called trouble past. Anyway, that is how this quote makes it appear to me:

"Anthony's mother, Melencia Hamilton, told CNN affiliate WGCL-TV that doctors said Anthony would live only three to six months if he didn't get the heart transplant.

In the meantime, the story became public in local media. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Georgia chapter got involved because Anthony's family called, and the organization has "a longtime relationship with the child," said the Rev. Samuel Mosteller, the chapter's president," (source). 

So, somehow, after not too long, mommy's little angel, deserved or undeserved, got another chance. The medical authorities soon relented and put him on the list. The result - he got a heart (and I must sadly add that I think someone more deserving could have gotten). About a month after the transplant he reportedly told a reporter that the transplant would help him stay out of trouble! Wow, it seems someone may have remembered his troubled past after all even if it was only himself - but as you will see it apparently didn't help.

Yes, it does seem to me as if the media was doting over him too. He also reportedly said this to the reporter: "So I can live a second chance. Get a second chance and do things I want to do," Did you notice the important thing therein - the getting a second chance so he could do what he wanted to do, with no inclusion of so I can help others or so I can live a better life (but maybe he did say that and the media left it out) but then again, maybe therein was the first hint that the medical authorities' first impressions had been right.

He lived for about another two years and seven months. In that time, he reportedly was arrested this past January for possession of tools for the commission of a crime and criminal attempt (source).Then he died in a vehicle crash but not before the car he was driving, and that the police reportedly say he had carjacked, allegedly struck a pedestrian causing injuries that caused her to be hospitalized (source). The crash reportedly was the result of Stokes fleeing the police. The police have said they were chasing the Strokes who allegedly was driving the stolen vehicle and who was also a suspect in a home invasion during which he allegedly shot at an elderly woman (source). There is no reason at this point, of which I am aware, to doubt the police.

He is dead now and I wonder if the heart can be used to save another life or if he destroyed it as he seemingly did his own life. The car he was fleeing it was totaled, and I mean badly.
I also wonder (and I hope like hell that the doctors are wondering) - could they have used the heart, that at least I believe they wasted on him, in saving the life of someone who was worthy of his or her life being saved! Here is why I wonder that last part:
 
"Federal records show that 3,400 people were on waiting lists for heart transplants in 2012, but only 2,000 of these procedures were performed. While waiting for a heart transplant, 331 people died." 

Anthony Stokes did not die back then - he lived - even if merely a terribly wasted life of crime as it seems to me. Along the way, his getting a heart denied that very same heart to someone else: he turned to, or continued, a life of crime and evidently violent crime at that; he apparently regarded the lives of others as cheap (as evidenced by his allegedly shooting at an elderly woman and driving recklessly resulting in him injuring another); and he clearly was - at lest to me - unworthy of the second chance that had been given to him. 

Was just his life was wasted? In fact, it wasn't a single wasted life, I think it was at least two lives wasted, and others almost wasted by him. It appears to me to be at least two lives wasted all because he was given a second chance - his life and the other one that was lost due to some deserving soul not getting the heart that Stokes received and dying while waiting for a heart. Sometimes, we need to face the hard cold fact that some lives are not worth saving. When we have a very unfavorable first impression of someone, something so strong as to make us feel his or life is not worth saving, maybe we are right and those first impressions sometimes shouldn't get a second thought.

All the best,
Glenn B

Ordering A Wedding Cake At A Muslim Bakery...

...,would probably not be all that difficult to do, that is unless of course you want a gay wedding cake (or would that be a cake for a gay wedding).

Watch the video, it will, or at least should, clue in some folks as to the right to religious freedom and maybe some other things like arsehat leftist policies, Sharia Law (because the Muslim baker surely isn't following US law is he - or is he?), us losing our rights one step at a time at yada, yada, yada.

The bottom line, the opponents of the religious freedom type laws are total leftist loons.

All the best,
GB