30 Days Without An Ale or Bier...

...and I must say, it's about time I enjoy one or three tonight. I have been on a lower carbohydrate diet (note, I did not say low carbohydrate diet) during which I have cut out all candy (with the exception of maybe 5-6 lemon drops), all cake, all cookies, all chips, almost all pretzels and even a lot of my normal bread and other carbs intake. Back on April 13, I wrote up a post about this all in which I admitted I had one hard cider in the first two weeks of my diet. Now, that wasn't like I was being a teetotaler, I was still drinking hard spirits (no carbs) but yes, I even had cut back on them. back then, it seemed I had not lost a pound but I should point out that hen weighed a few days later, I was down 3 or 4 pounds. Not much but a start.

I have not weighed myself since back then and have absolutely no clue if I have lost any additional weight since then and I have not been exercising regularly, hell almost none at all as far a cardio goes and except for the fact I have been doing yard work a few days a week and going to home depot to pick up some heavy stuff another day or two per week, I would have almost zero exercise. before  go on much more, let me clarify something, while I have not weighed in lately to see if any poundage has come off, I am pretty sure I have lost weight so yes I do have a clue. Today, while putting down lumber and concrete blocks for a raised garden bed, with the shoveling and pushing around soul that went with it, my pants just about fell off three  or four times. I'm guessing I must have lost another pound or three. Not more than that mind you because I am still a fat slob but that is all it takes when I am not wearing a belt for my pants to start wanting to drop off. I have also noticed my face looks thinner or at least less rotund.

I guess that is all well and good. It would even be okay, I suppose, if I had not lost a pound. The main purpose of my diet was not so much to lose weight as it was to lower my blood sugar. I truly have no idea if that has been lowered or not, that will require a trip to my doctor for a fasting blood test. My guess though would be that I have had to have done so. If I get tested and the glucose levels have not gone down, I was border line diabetic, then something is amiss with the test or with my glands (the adrenal glands can cause diabetes when not functioning properly and once addressed blood sugar returns to normal). I imagine though that I was borderline diabetic because I glommed down high sugar and high carbohydrate snacks like a nonstop eating machine and did little exercise to burn it all off. Even when I started regularly exercising for several months, the levels did not go down much. So, in an attempt to avoid diabetes, here I am eating a lower carbohydrate and sugar diet. I hope it is working and sooner or later, maybe when we get back from Alaska in early June, I will have the appropriate tests to see how I am doing.

Tonight though, I am cheating on the diet. I just had a nice soft pretzel with some horseradish mustard on it and am still enjoying a V-Twelve Ale by Victory Brewing Company. As the name implies, it is 12% alcohol by volume. That is one heck of an alcohol level for a an ale and I must say that this particular Belgian style abbey ale lives up to what it says on the bottle's label - Liquid Luxury. It is one of the most delicious ales I have ever imbibed. I am not going to go into all that ritualistic yuppy-leftist tomfoolery, or right leaning-smug-snobbery, stuff about it tasting like it has hints of berries and nuts with an after taste of allspice and apples but I will say it is an excellent and great tasting ale. It comes in a 1 pint 9.4 fluid ounce bottle which is just enough to catch a bit of a buzz from one and a decent buzz from two, especially after the potato vodka and moonshine cherry cocktail I enjoyed before popping the cork on the ale. I strongly recommend it. If I can find more of it on my next trip to Costco, I will buy several of them.

Anyway, I figured that after 30 days of dieting (I started it on march 30), whether or not I have lost even a single pound, or have lowered my blood sugar or not, I was long overdue for a good ale or bier and this one is certainly as good as I could have wanted after that long of a drought.

If you ever want to check out some good beers and ales, I recommend Victor brewing Company. While I have only had five of the brews they offer to date, every one so far was excellent. See what they offer here: http://www.victorybeer.com/beers/.

All the best,
Glenn B

Obama and GDP Growth - A Disaster

Unless there is some sort of economic miracle for the United States over the about the next nine months, President Obama is looking like he is set to become one of the worst presidents ever (fourth from the bottom) relative to the growth of the GDP (kids, if you don't know what is the GDP, go back to school and pay attention and if your teachers don't know - well they should be fired). More here.

I seem to vividly recall how leftists and other assorted moon-bat liberals loved to harangue Ronald Reagans trickle down economics but truth be told he did better than the current NIC when it came to the growth of the GDP. My bet though is that now, the left will say the GDP is not an indicator of economic growth; after all what is a good leftist to do when they can't have the facts going their way? They twist it and turn the facts, lie about them and corrupt them until  they make right to suit themselves - even if the result is pure bullshit.

My thanks and a hat tip to PVQ for having the link on his FB page.

All the best,
GB

I Was Browsing Through Today In History Type Sites...

...when I saw that today was the wedding anniversary of a very infamous couple although, the he was much more infamous than the she since she was usually in the background. He was truly evil and she, she was somehow his lover, probably more in a twisted sexual way than anything else but the fact is they got married and it was likely out of love. It was a move of desperation for them; they both knew they did not have long to live. Yet, it probably was still an act of real love.

It is not something people often think about when considering the lives of these two people or just the more infamous one of the couple but there it is, they were married on April 29, 1945, full knowing death was upon them. In fact, just one day later - both Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun were dead (probably by suicide or murder suicide). I can't quite wrap my mind around which one of those acts, the marriage or the suicide or maybe both, showed us that Adolf Hitler had human desires, needs and emotions other than raging hatred. In his own terribly twisted mind, he needed and wanted a loving relationship like the rest of us and he could, probably did in fact, actually love someone.

There was no reason for him to marry Eva Braun otherwise. He  just as easily could have kicked her out of the bunker. Then again, maybe that would have been the more loving thing to have done. Anyway, it just struck me as freaky that such a monster as Hitler could really have loved anyone and that anyone could have loved an evil madman like him in return. No matter how much it boggles one's mind though, they were married. She signed her name "Eva Br Hitler" on their marriage certificate and of his love for her and her love for him there is little if any doubt. Just because you can love though does not mean you are not evil personified and what two words fit Hitler than those.

All the best,
Glenn B

I Prefer Cruz As The Nominee But He Is Getting...

...just a bit ridiculous in that he announced Carly Fiorina as his VP running mate at this early stage.

Is he out of his mind picking her now. No, I suppose not. I suppose there is some logic to it, at least to a man in dire straits like Cruz. That logic would be, that by announcing a woman as his running mate now, he main gain some momentum in the upcoming primary in Indiana. Wait a minute, did I just say that is logical - the desperation in that move  may really mean he is out of his mind. He is not going to win Indiana. He is not going to win the nomination. It is going to Trump unless the Rebooblikans screw him over and thus give Clinton the win by selecting anyone else as their nominee. Then, that could be exactly what they want to do, just ask Fred.

http://fredoneverything.org/the-mask-comes-off-putrefaction-most-foul/

All the best,
Glenn B

Everyman's Evening Eyeful

All the best,
Glenn B

Remington 721 Barrel

On the off chance one of my readers may need a barrel for a rifle of yesteryear, I am selling a Remington 721 barrel. See the ad at the link:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=555632009

All the best,
Glenn B

It's Sort Of A Trump Ad...

...isn't it?

All the best,
GB

Everyman's Evening Eyeful

All the best,
GB

What Voters Look Like

Actually, I think that is quite off he mark. The angry people, those who want to fight the establishment, are voting for Trump too and in much greater numbers than for Cruz. Let's face it, they are pissed off and want to do something about current politics and they are not sheeple by a longshot.

 

I much prefer Cruz , his politics are closer to mine than any other candidate in the running right now. As far his policies with which I do not agree go, I probably can tolerate them. That said, I must also say that I am beginning to believe that Cruz does not stand even as much of a chance as Kasich of winning the nomination and that is disappointing. Of course Kasich can only get in by the same old underhandedness with which we have become familiar on the part of Republicans in recent years. I know one thing, if Kasich gets the nod from the RNC, I will never vote for a Republican again.

 

I also know one other thing, if Trump actually gets the nomination you had best think hard deciding not to vote because he is the candidate as many say they will do. Not voting for him because you do not agree with him on some of the issues would only allow that piece of leftist white trash, Hillary Clinton, to destroy America. If there is only one thing I believe about Trump - and that I think you can believe too - it is that he truly wants to make America great again and because of that it will not be politics as usual if and when he gets in.

 

A hat tip to Sarah C who had that pic posted on her FB page.

 

All the best,

Glenn B

A Lot Less Of Everyman's Evening Eyeful...

...is probably forthcoming. One of my favorite readers has been visiting my sight a lot less lately because of the photos I post in Everyman's Evening Eyeful. I guess to some folks it is an eyesore not an eyeful. It may seem less than evenhanded on my part but since this lady's friendship means much to me, I think I'll be dropping the daily postings of Everyman's Evening Eyeful. You can easily find that stuff yourselves by doing a Google search or looking through Reddit.

I may just post them on the weekends, or one or twice per week, or something like that or I may stop it altogether. I need to think on it a bit. For now though, the ones I already have scheduled, which are about a weeks worth, will post as planned. After that, I can find something else to post.

Please note, she did not ask me to remove Everyman's Evening Eyeful, nor even hint that I do so. I am merely going to do whatever I do with it, cut it back or just stop posting it altogether, out of respect for her sensitivities. because I appreciate her feedback on my blog and because she is truly a very nice person and a good friend even though we have never met face to face.

All the best,
Glenn B

Everyman's Evening Eyeful

 

All the best,

Glenn B

Gunpowder & Alcohol Do Not Mix...

... and that goes for anyone including police officers.

A New York City Police officer, Brendan Cronin, who was arrested in April 2014 for reportedly randomly shooting two men as they sat in their car at a red light, has been sentenced to nine years in prison. He was facing up to 25 years and, I think, got off relatively easy after copping a plea by pleading guilty to attempted murder among other charges. He supposedly was so totally shitfaced drunk at the time of the shooting that when arrested he said did not remember anything. He also reportedly told arresting officers that he was "on the job" - a phrase meaning he was a police officer. Prior to the shooting, he reportedly had spent the day at the NYPD range at Rodman's Neck, in the Bronx. After that it is reported he went out drinking with friends (whom I suspect were other officers) in a bar near to the range during which time he consumed several drinks including multiple whiskies and beers. More here and here.

There was apparently no way out of this for him, otherwise I would bet he would never have plead guilty. There reportedly was a surveillance video of some sort, never released to the public, showing the shooting. It evidently would have resulted in his being nailed to a cross had he plead not guilty and gone to trial in my estimation.

Yes, the victims are both suing the city, the NYD and the shooter.
New York City probably will be paying mega-bucks to the plaintiffs due to this sloshed shithead shooter.

It is best never to mix gunpowder and alcohol but if you are going to drink while armed, then at least do so in moderation if you must do it at all and make sure you firearm has been unloaded, taken down and secured before taking the fist sip. It may save you some jail time, a lot of money and headaches and may result in someone not getting shot.

All the best,
Glenn B

Lest You Think I Forgot - Happy Passover...

...to all of you who celebrate it. I headed upstate on Friday evening and did not think of getting the greeting done before I left although I kind of, sort of, did not forget it was Passover's commencement at sundown that day. How could I forget in the traffic I hit while traversing NYC! Anyway, it is not over yet, it last for a few days more and I wish you a truly happy celebration of the passing over of your children by the wrath of God.

All the best,
Glenn B

Everyman's Evening Eyeful

All the best,
Glenn B

Is It Odd That I Have A Favorite Pot?

No, I don't mean a favorite variety of marijuana, I mean pot in which we cook things.

It used to belong to my great-grandparents. They made things like goulash or stewed paprika chicken in it. Whatever they cooked in it was delicious as far as I can remember, in fact I have never eaten better goulash than what Poppy used to make in it (but I must admit my wife's goulash is it's equal as is her paprika chicken the equal of Poppy and Mommy's).

As far as I know, it is pure and very thick aluminum although I guess it could be some sort of alloy. I am also going to guess that if you wanted to buy one like it today, it might not cost an arm and a leg but would set you back at least one of them. It probably wasn't cheap when it was first purchased either.

I cooked some really excellent seafood chowder in it not too long ago. Shrimp, scallops, squid, octopus or octopi as you prefer (or is it octopussies), and clams in red wine (this time it was Beaujolais but I also use sherry at times) with a little salt and pepper and a secret spice added. It was absolutely delicious but probably did a good deal of clogging a artery or three. Yesterday the wife made spaghetti and meat balls and simmered the meatballs in the sauce in that pot for hours. It was heavenly.

As for how long it's been in the family, I seem to recall it as far back as when I was a lad between 6 and 7 or so and my bet would be that Mommy and Poppy had it for years before that. It is a friggin family heirloom, I hope it stays in the family for a long, long, long time and that my descendants love it and what is cooked in it as much as I have done to date.

All the best,
Glenn B

Hmm, Is That Rotting Buttered Popcorn I Smell...

...or is it something else? That could have been the question that a movie theater asked herself before opening a door to an emergency stairwell from which a strong odor was emanating. It wasn't buttered popcorn at all but the week old decomposing remains of a woman who had died there. More here.

All the best,
Glenn B

I Must Be Losing My Mind - I'm Selling Guns (or at least trying)

Shit, I listed three guns for sale today - what is wrong with me!

As for the guns I am selling, with two of them - a Taurus PT140 G2 Millenium and a Savage Stevens Model 320 Security Shotgun (version with scope rail) - I will have absolutely no qualms about selling and being rid of them. I have absolutely no use for any handgun in .40 S&W, especially the PT140 G Millennium - it is the replacement Taurus sent me for the PT145 Millennium Pro (.45 ACP) that I sent to them under a recall. (By the way, I received a letter from Taurus last week saying I should expect to be contacted by them soon, at which time they will propose something to make me a satisfied Taurus customer again. That time has apparently not arrived yet and I am still waiting.) As far as the shotgun goes, it has a pistol grip. I do not like the pistol grip or shooting with it but let me tell you I know someone who loves it. My buddy Arthur I. Tis apparently cannot get enough of it cause he comes on strong after I shoot with pistol grip Model 320. 

If I sell the third one, my Marlin X7 in .308 WIN, that may result in a good amount of seller's remorse. I like everything about it except for the fact that it has an internal magazine. In that regard, I prefer my Savage Axis XP with removable box magazine. I also like the fact that the Savage's metal parts are stainless steel. Yet, the Axis has one heck of a stiff and creepy trigger and therein may lie the seller's remorse because the Marlin X7 has an exceptionally smooth and crisp trigger and it is adjustable down to 2.5 pounds. That is nice, very nice. I wish the darned Axis XP had Savage's Accu-Trigger but it does not.

Right now, I have the Marlin and the Taurus listed only in a local gun forum's firearms for sale area. It would be easy enough to pull the Marlin's sale offering, it's not like it's on GunBroker where any legitimate bid would mean I would be obliged to sell it. Speaking of GunBroker.com. that is where I have the Savage Stevens Model 320 listed.

I don't know exactly what has possessed me as of late but it's not like I am suddenly anti-gun or anything like that. Maybe I have an affliction that is affecting my better judgment, maybe not. Maybe I can just use the money, after all our Alaska trip is just over a month away and I could sure use some cash for that. That second one is the much more likely reason but I have to tell you, good reason or not, it will do nothing to alleviate the aching emptiness one feels when one suffers from seller's remorse.

All the best,
Glenn B

I'm Selling A Shotgun

I am selling my Savage Stevens Model 320 shotgun. If you are interested, you can see it here:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=554894548

Yeah, I know, I should have cleaned it better before taking pictures but truth be told, I was too lazy. Regardless, it is a decent deal on this shotgun since it is the version with the rail, which is the more expensive of the different offerings for this model.

All the best,
Glenn B

Everyman's Evening Eyeful

All the best,
Glenn B

Everyman's Evening Eyeful

All the best,
Glenn B

Everyman's Evening Eyeful

All the best,
Glenn B

Who Would Have Thunk It - A Helpful Guide From ATF (BATFE)

It is not often that firearms owners think of the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives as being helpful to gun owners, they often can be whether they meant to be or not. I have found them helpful when requesting information about C&R firearms and how to obtain a C&R license. Truth be told though, we should not ever be required to obtain such a license for any reason and thus ATF can be seen as a hindrance to our rights and liberties. After all, what are regulations but restrictions of liberties and rights. All that aside, the ATF does sometimes provide the firearms enthusiast with some helpful information. For example, they have a decent illustrated PDF publication that should be very helpful to someone not particularly familiar with firearms nomenclature.

It is not as complete on the subject as it could, or probably should, be and even contains at least one mistake (or somewhat less than fully accurate description of a part as it showed a magazine floor plate and indexed it as a magazine) that I caught at first glance but nonetheless, I think it should be helpful to inexperienced and experienced shooters alike who are seeking knowledge of firearms related terminology. See it here:

https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/docs/firearms-imporation-verification-guidebook-terminology-nomenclaturepdf/download

All the best,
Glenn B

Everyman's Evening Eyeful

 

All the best,
Glenn B

Some Fucker Tried To Open An Account...

...with my wife's ID today, or recently, through Capital One Bank. They contacted me about it today and dealing with that took all the time in my half hour lunch. I checked her credit report and mine this evening when I got home. It does not look like anything is amiss, at least not yet. As I understand it, it can take a month for something to show on the credit report. Anyway, it did show credit inquiries made by capital One on both her and me a couple of days ago. Now I have to call them back to see why they ran a check on me too, maybe just part of the checks they ran when the fraudster tried to open an account in my wife's name or maybe something else targeting me.

I have at least two credit protection plans at the current time, my wife at least one plan, none of them picked this up and reported it to us! What could I expect, I got one from a private company where my identity was stolen and another (including my wife's) for the U.S. government after OPM let thieves steal tens of millions of federal employees and retirees info. Oh well, am keeping my fingers crossed and will have to check with those credit & ID protection plans to see what is going on and why they did not catch it and report it to us.

All the best,
Glenn B

Everyman's Evening Eyeful

All the best,
Glenn B