I Guess It Killed Me Years Ago...

...but no one told my taste buds and I still love it.

All the best,
Glenn B

Maybe Just A Coincidence...

...but a bit scary nonetheless.

All the best,
GB

A Childhood Memory

If you remember hearing this, then you know we need more of the like today:

Hat tip to Richie M.

All the best,
GB

This Could Be The Sale For Wirecutter

Sportsmansguide has a military surplus sale going on for the next few days, ending on August 13. I have no clue as to whether or not the prices are good but if they are good on these two linked items then this could well be the sale for Wirecutter over at Knuckledraggin My Life Away:
 
Italian Military Barbed Wire:
 
Key Features

• Italian military issue
• Heavy gauge double strand wire
• 4-point barbs every 5 inches
• Galvanized for long life
• 250 yards, 60 lbs.
• New condition

 British Military Surplus Wire Cutters, Like New:

Key Features

• British military issue
• Made in United Kingdom
• Metal folding handles
• Compact 10 x 3" folded

Of course, if any of you are feeling generous, you may want to buy him a gift!

All the best,
Glenn B

Kids and Guns

 

All the best,

GB

Not Me

There is no way I'd try to milk that OR ITS HUMAN EQUIVALENT.

All the best,
GB

People Wonder Why I Like Tortoises & Turtles So Much

 

Not wondering any more are ya!

By the way, that is either a Yellowfoot or Redfoot Tortoise also known as a chick magnet. Live and learn.

All the best,
GB

Border Alert

 

The way it should be.

 

All the best,

Glenn B

 

 

John Was Suddently All Thumbs

 

All the best,
Glenn B

Dogs' Life Spans Explained

 

 

 

All the best,

GB

Who Gives A Damn

So Aaron Carter has outed himself as a bisexual. More at the source. I have to not only wonder who gives a damn but also who would even give a shit to him for that shared knowledge. I would bet Ben Franklin would not have even given him a half penny for those thoughts.

As for me, first of all, I had to read the article just to learn he is in the entertainment business and is a singer of some sort. Other than that I had never heard of him before, so what is the big deal and why did that deserve being in a big news item over at Fox News (or any other media outlet). I am guessing it is all a publicity thing and that the publicity will do some sort of good for his singing career because maybe his abilities (or inabilities) were not doing it for him.

All the best,
Glenn B

RIP

The U.S. Army has identified two soldiers killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan on Wednesday as:
 
Sergeant Jonathon Michael Hunter, 23 years old
 
Specialist Christopher Michael Harris, 25 years old

What a waste of two of our finest young men. I am beginning to think maybe we should just nuke Afghanistan and be over with it; then go for Iran and Iraq as well. It would be a good warning to the frigging North Koreans, the Chinese, the Russians and the rest of the world.

It could almost make one say Fuck Islam that Islam is not a religion of peace nor even a religion.

All the best,
Glenn B
 

Their Not Watching...

...but it is almost certain that they're watching!

Yikes!

 

All the bet,

Glenn B

 

Too Big or Too Much - No Way

All the best,
GB

Oh Those Evil Tomatoes...

...may yet be the undoing of one particular aspect of law enforcement's war against drugs or at least turn into a financial boom for one family and an expensive bust (financial and legal wise) for one police department. Back in 2012, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office reportedly raided the family home the Harte family, the adults in which were reportedly avid tomato growers. It seems that sometime back in 2011, their family van had been observed by police while in a hydroponics store's parking lot. After a seemingly subsequent brief and shoddy (not shotty as it says at the source)investigation, the Sheriff's office obtained a warrant to search for marijuana and raided the Harte's home as part of Operation Constant Gardener. 

That operation evidently begins many of its investigative cases by surveilling the parking lots of hydroponics stores and taking down license plates of those who visit the store. The sheriff's officers apparently had been so confident they would find the illicit drug that they reportedly had scheduled a news conference about this particular raid prior to it taking place. What they found though was a hydroponic garden of tomatoes and not even one tiny bit of the marijuana that they had been so certain they would find.

The Hartes sued for violation of their rights - and if the Hartes are innocent asit seems then who can blame them, except maybe someone working for the government, the government which stands to lose lots of money! Their lawsuit was thrown out of court in 2015 and that decision stated that the officers were immune from prosecution. That all changed in late July of 2017 when there was some relief for the Hartes. A three judge panel (I am guessing a federal appeals court) ruled that their rights were indeed violated and that their lawsuit may proceed. They are seeking 7 million in damages. More at the source.

I was in LE for 32 years and have to say that the initial surveillance was okay under the law. You see someone go into a hydroponics store and come out with what is commonly used to grow marijuana and that is enough to initiate an initial investigation. To me though, this case seemed to go downhill from there (mind you I am basing this completely on the assumed veracity of the article) and less than sufficient investigative work was possibly performed. That may have led to rights violations. I cannot convict the cops without knowing their side and a court of law is the place to convict them (not my blog) and am anxious to hear the outcome of the lawsuit. Just like anyone else, they are innocent until proven guilty. Yet, if the facts in that article are correct without any mitigating factors in favor of the Sheriff's department, then I think they are going to pay big time and possibly have to review and change their investigative tactics.

A hat tip to Peter Q for the link.

All the best,
Glenn B

Far Away Up In The Hills...

... is where I have been since Monday. I took a trip to see my brothers-in-law in upstate NY. Had a nice time and while I had time to blog I did not bother since the one whose place it is does not have Internet access; blogging on my phone is a veritable pain in the arse.


To make a long story short, I went fishing twice and caught nothing but relaxation, we took a drive up to Ausable Chasm where we went on the 4 mile hike through and above the chasm, I took a 3.5 mile hike yesterday through Lassellsville State Forest to scope it out for hunting (decided I probably will look elsewhere), got crocked at least one night - Monday, had a couple another night - Tuesday, then abstained Wednesday and Thursday. Ate some great eats every day. Excellent company throughout. All in all, an excellent trip. Hope to do it again soon.


More blogging later this weekend.


All the best,
Glenn B

Kung Fu Firebending

I am often amazed at what someone can construct with just a little bit of know how. Adding a little Kung Fu to it all jazzed it up some.


Directions on how to build them are at this link but please note: I am supplying the link only as an educational point of interest (as educational reading material) and am not advocating or even suggesting that you try to build one of these yourself (as they are probably inherently very dangerous) and as the guy in the video says - this is not something for a novice to attempt. In other words - I strongly suggest not trying to build one or more of them and must say - don't try this at home kids or adults. By going to the linked site you assume all responsibility for your own handling and or use of the information on that web page, anything you do with it and for any result:


https://www.hackster.io/Advanced/punch-activated-arm-flamethrowers-real-firebending-95bb80


Heck, you might even call them fire-arms!


All the best,
Glenn B

Hungarian Goulash and Fences...

...are two things that Hungarians seem to do better than most. The goulash thing is a given but who knew about their fence building capabilities until now, at least if what is reported on in this article is true. It is far past time for European governments to wake up to what is happening to their countries and their people and to do something about it to stop the invasion that has been taking place for way too long. It would be an excellent idea if our government did likewise and actually put up the damned wall already (although, a fence like Hungary's would be good enough).


All the best,
Glenn B

Be Careful of What You Ask For

Source: https://9gag.com/gag/aZgW3X3

All the best,

GB

I Took The Plunge...

...into the depths of my pockets and ordered the Marlin 1895 GBL that I wrote about in my post immediately prior to this one. I have to say that the gentleman, Shawn (or Sean), whom I dealt with at Tanner's Sports Center was quite helpful, courteous and professional. It is not all that often, in today's world, that I get to deal with someone like that and wanted to note my appreciation
here.


Now to start thinking of how to make several extra bucks to be able to afford some ammo for this beast. The ammo is pretty expensive at well over a buck a round. That may finally be the incentive I need to break out my reloading kit and actually get to reloading.


All the best,
GB

This One Caught My Eye And I Fell In Love...

...and I would have ordered one today, had the guy in charge of the gun dealer's online department gotten back to me. I called their main number and was given a number to call for online sales since they are offering this rifle at the offered price GunBroker.com. I then called their online department three times and left messages after the second and third calls but have received no return calls (I guess the guy had been busy.). So, I called the store number again. I was told that the online department is open again tomorrow and someone will contact me about this rifle and me buying one:

The gun is a Marlin 1895 GBL in 45-70 Government. I already have a bid on a Marlin 1895G Guide Gun in the online portion of the upcoming Hessney Rod & Gun Auction set to be held live on August 12th. They start the auctions online but it is ultimately a live auction on the auction date.  Now, I am pretty sure (but not certain) that my high bid amount online will not hold and someone else will outbid me either online or at the live portion of the auction. There always is the chance though that my bid on that one will stand, since it is not too far off from former selling bids for the same model). So, if I buy the 1895 GBL now, I could wind up with two similar guns when the other auction ends in mid August. 

You may be wondering then, why buy this one now while my bid may win on the 1895G at Hessney and thus I'd be stuck with two of almost the same rifles? Well - I just found out a couple of days ago that Marlin is offering a $100 rebate on them. That discovery was made right after I placed a bid with Hessney Auction Company on the 1895G. What crappy timing. The price on the 1895GBL (the one being offered via GunBroker) including the buy it now price, shipping and the FFL fee on my end, is the best price I have seen for this model and then there is a $100 to sweeten the deal. The one at Hessney is not eligible for the rebate because the auction will be held after the rebate period ends. There also is the fact I much prefer the 1895 GBL over 1895 G. The advantages of the 1895 GBL over the 1895 G are that magazine tube of the GBL holds 6 rounds as opposed to 4 of the G, it has a large lever and can be operated while wearing gloves, it has a pistol grip stock as opposed to straight stock, it has that really nice looking laminated stock. That makes it the gun for me.

Well, what really made it the gun for me is that I won a raffle back in June and instead of taking the prize (a Henry Big Boy rifle), I opted for cash. That money has just been waiting to be spent and I figured I would spend it at the Hessney auction in August. I had been viewing the Marlin page for the 1895G and consequently came across the 1895 GBL and was immediately bitten by the I gotta have it bug. So, I will put that money toward it. The only messed up thing about this all is if I wind up with the high bid on the 1895G at Hessney, I have no clue where I am going to get the money for that one. I kind of doubt I will have the high bid since I set my high bid at $350 but you never know. It could wind up that a bunch of other folks who had a similar interest in the 1895G at Hessney also heard about the Marlin rebate offer which is applicable to all Marlin 1895 rifles as well as some others. Maybe they will get theirs now and bidding interest for the one at Hessney will be nil beyond my bid. That is a chance I am willing to take though, in my experience the one at Hessney will go for at least $50 to $100 more than my current online high offer. Had I not seen the deal on the 1895 GBL, I had been planning to bid a bit more on the G at the live auction. Then again, if I buy the GBL tomorrow, I may not even attend the auction (whom am I kidding).

Of course, this all depends on whether or not the dealer for the GBL gets in touch with me tomorrow to answer a few questions for me. I'll only close the deal if they give me satisfactory answers to my questions. I need to find out if, I order it online tomorrow, the receipt will reflect tomorrow as either the order or purchase date. I need to assure that so that I will know if it will qualify for the rebate which requires the purchase be made by July 30. Sometimes, when you order online, they do not charge your credit card until they send the item and everything on the receipt reflects the sale and order date as the day it shipped. That would not work in this case. A rep at Marlin assured me that the receipt or invoice only need show either the billing or the order date as by the 30th, they do not care when I pay for it if the order is shown as made before the 30th. Maybe I am worried about nothing but I want to rest assured the purchase is eligible for the rebate so I am waiting to speak to the dealer's rep tomorrow about the date thing. Then, I can use that rebated c-note on a few boxes of ammo for the 1895GBL.

All the best,

Glenn B

Break On Through

...to the other side. Yeah those were some of the words from the tune Break on Through by The Doors but no this is not a post about that song or about The Doors. Still, there is a little to do with each of them in the accompanying video because not only are the subjects of it breaking on through to the other side, babies taking a  chance with us, but they are doing it through their own unique doorways.

Following the advice of Jim Morrison, the first of two  Hermann's Tortoises hatchlings is beginning to 'break on through to the other side' as it is making its way out of its egg on the night of July 27, 2017. My female laid four eggs back in very late may or very early June, only two were fertile. At five years old, this is only the second breeding in which the male fired live rounds - so to speak. They also produced a baby back in February, so he probably started live fire in the fall of last year.

If you were not bored to tears by this, you can also see Break On Through Part Two at this link: https://youtu.be/PkhWLDQ6SY8; it was made a short while after part one and shows both eggs hatching.

All the best,
Glenn B

Simplicity

DNZ B Series Skinner: A deal at only $45.00 at the Hessney auction April 2017.

Essentially leather, 440C steel and walnut wood. Of course it took some good amount of craftsmanship thrown in there to get the end result. It's a DNZ Trading Company 8" Skinner by Kevin Johnson.

Not bad looking at all. I like the simplicity of its design. May have to wear it on my next hunting trip to see if it brings me luck and to see just how good it is as a skinner if indeed it does bring me luck.

All the best,
Glenn B

I'll Be Back

The Terminator was/is one of my favorite movies starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. While watching the movie, you virtually had to know that sooner or later wars would be fought by robots with artificial intelligence and then that sooner or later it would come back to bite mankind in the arse. Well, a lot of time has passed since the first airing of that movie. The time for sooner or later seemingly has come to pass relative to the robots and now maybe it is only a matter of time until they turn on us:

"Earlier this month, the Russian weapons manufacturer Kalashnikov Group made a low-key announcement with frightening implications. The company revealed it had developed a range of combat robots that are fully automated and used artificial intelligence to identify targets and make independent decisions." More at the source: http://newatlas.com/kalashnikov-ai-weapon-terminator-conundrum/50576/

The Terminator movie may have been more than a mere sci-fi thriller, it may have been a prophecy of mankind's doom and that may be coming sooner than we expect. I would hope otherwise, more along the lines of us still in charge and saying things like: Klaatu barada nikto to peacekeeping robots as opposed to giving free reign to warrior robots made of titanium alloys, electronic circuitry and computer chips. If it comes to it though, I tend to think that resistance will not be futile but may become our toughest challenge. Regardless, I'll be back. 

A hat tip to Mike G for the link to the article.

All the best,
Glenn B

Don't Drive Under The Influence

I have tried not to do so over many years now. I will admit, I have done it before but hypothetically speaking, if not for having done it once recently, then I would also say it has not been for many many years. In that recent hypothetical instance, I wound up going out and getting so drunk that I did not even do what I normally would have done if I got drunk and had my car. That would have been to sleep it off in the car. Hell, have not even done that in years because I usually get plastered at home or at a bar within walking distance. Otherwise there are taxis and public transport; heck when down in AR visiting my son we took cabs to bars. Anyway, I know, my hypothetical case has no excuse and it will not happen again hypothetically or otherwise especially after the hypothetical talking down I got from my wife. No harm done but that was hypothetical luck!

For a young lady in CA though, things were different. A report says she was driving under the influence while making a video of herself at the wheel. Watch the video and take a good look at her face when she says "Woooo...". She looked plastered to me, very much so. She loses control of the vehicle right then. The car rolled, winding up in a field. The report says her sister, who was in the back seat not wearing a seat belt was ejected from the car and died due to her injuries. The girl evidently continues to make the video and live stream it. More at the source including the video with audio. Had it imbedded here but removed it cause it came out very small and the audio just kept playing whenever I opened my blog, could not stop it without removing it.

Notice one thing in the video, the driver was seemingly so intoxicated as to the point she stood there watching her sister die, while recording herself talking about it, instead of dropping the camera and attempting to render first aid. At least the other woman/girl in the video seems to be attempting to flag down help by waving her arms in the air as the driver evidently continues making a video with narration. What the fuck is wrong with the youth of America today - no matter how drunk - why was making the video and talking about herself her apparent first priority throughout this tragic event in which her sister died! 

I never want to be that drunk and if this video is not enough to convince me, you or anyone not to get intoxicated and drive, then maybe nothing could do so.

Be careful out there.

All the best,
Glenn B