Hostile takeover?

Hat tip (hehe get it) to Paul F http://pity-sake.blogspot.com




Hostile takeover of Budweiser and the new face of America.
Yeeehaw!

Back from blogmeet.

It was a blast. Great people, great food and great times.

It was good to reconnect with the people I met last year and meet a few other folks for the first time. I tried to make it around to spend time with everyone and I think I succeeded.

The beer was flowing freely and eventually the party would migrate downstairs to the river where there was a fire pit, canoe, and fishing gear. I didn't get in the water myself, partly because I didn't bring swimming clothes and partly because I was having so much fun watching people fall down. Of course me and few more hardcore partiers were there to help people up and pick up the pieces of broken lawn chairs.

I got to meet and talk to
Erica
Walrilla
Fat hairy bastard
Supergurl
Becky
T1G
Grouchy old cripple
Leslie
Holder
Jerry
Running behind
Nancy
Pup
And a lot of other cool spouses and lurkers.
If I forgot to list you, I blame the alcohol.

Often times the conversations would end up on the most hilarious topics. After the inhibitions lifted the jokes started flying. Topics included: horse screwing etiquette, the history of ancient Rome and how to engage in oral sex when faced with an abnormally large clitoris.

I don't think I've laughed so hard in my entire life.

The first night the party wound down around 2am and stupidly I had picked the top bunk of a hand hewn cedar bed. It was a mistake I would soon regret. I didn't test the bed before I got into it and failed to realize I had to climb a rough hewn stick ladder to get to the top bunk and hoist my carcass onto the matress. I seriously feared the bed was going to collapse and I was going to crush poor Jerry on the bunk below.

All the guys in the room made a pact that we would not get pissed at any snoring. Everything was cool until the farting started. I could hear ass grenades and exlposive gas going off all throughout the house. It got me to laughing again and I eventually went and slept on the screened in porch in two chairs pushed together so I wouldn't wake everyone up.

Nancy, Pup and I cooked breakfast the next morning, biscuits, sausage gravy, bacon, scrambled eggs and fruit. Then later that night everyone pitched in and there was Walrilla's home made chili, corn bread, tomato clam salad, guacamole salad,brisket, barbecued ribs and walrilla's outstanding vinegar pie for desert.

I ended up staying up all night with a few of the folks with heartier constitutions. We sat by the river till daybreak. I collapsed in a hammock on the porch for a couple hours, said my goodbyes to those who were awake and made an airport run into town with That one guy so he wouldn't miss his flight. I was thankful he was in the car with me because I was worried about driving the 100 miles after not really sleeping for two days.

Overall it was a terrific time.

I'm off

I'm getting ready today for the blogmeet tomorrow. I'll be back for regular posting on Monday.

Here is the video I made for Barbara the winner of the 100,000th visitor award.

She said she liked Springsteen so I used my favorite song by him.

Learning to shoot.

I've been around handguns and shooting since I first fired my Uncle's Walther PPK almost 25 years ago. I've learned a lot along the way and have introduced many folks to the safe use of firearms.

Once one gets past the irrational fear of guns that has been pounded into our heads for the last several decades and sees that a firearm is only a tool with no inherent evil soul lurking inside, the learning can begin.

Women are the easiest to teach. They usually have no prejudices or preconceived notions about guns and are more than happy to learn the rules on safe handling. I also find that women make the best first time shooters. I have some theories on why but no real proof.

Men on the other hand often let their testosterone get in the way and will often challenge what I'm teaching by quoting what their uncle said or what they saw on CSI Miami. Many times it's just the fact that some people can't let go of their ego for a few minutes so they can actually learn something.

The most important thing is safety. Here are Gun Guru Jeff Cooper's rules:

RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED

RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY

RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET

It is really hard to teach folks to keep their booger hook off the bang switch. I have cut range sessions short when I see folks on adjacent lanes waving their guns back and forth with their finger on the trigger. It's unnerving, Especially when they are cops and should know better.

The biggest problem new shooters have is fear of recoil. Honestly, recoil is mostly a non issue when it comes to most standard handguns. I have taught 9 year old girls to shoot a .44 magnum

accurately.

With a revolver, a two handed grip works best with the wrist straight and the hand firm but relaxed. Just roll with the recoil and don't try to fight it. Many revolvers will roll upward in your hand instead of giving you a hard kick.

With many Semi-automatics you will find they function on the force of recoil. The trick is to not limp wrist when firing. Your arm will raise with the recoil but the sum effect will be quite mild.

I had a lot of veterans tell me the kick of a .45 automatic was more than they could handle. With the proper grip and stance a .45 is a pussy cat. I believe that poor training in the old days turned a lot of people off of handguns.

Many small pocket pistols work on blowback. That means it harnesses the power of the expanding gun powder to cycle the gun's action and chamber a new round. With a small pistol this can be unpleasant, especially to someone with large hands. Pocket guns are great for emergencies but I wouldn't recommend one for recreational shooting. I've got the scars to attest to that ...

If you want to get into shooting, it's a good idea to join the NRA. They offer many free and low cost safety courses and additional training by certified instructors. There are even women's only classes.

Most states now allow ordinary citizens to carry a handgun for self defense. I think it's a great idea especially for women to be armed, as they are so often the targets for predators.

More thinking.

I was cleaning up my blog links and was surprised on how many blogs were deleted or hadn't been updated in months. I lost track of some blogs and re-added them to my read list.

Some blogs are now invite only and I wasn't on the guest list... Hehe. Oh well.

I'm off to a blogmeet on Friday. It should be a good time. I can finally meet up with some folks I've been reading for a couple years and get to see them in person. I sometimes get nervous around new people and stick my foot in my mouth but hopefully I can overcome that.

I was thinking of the whole liberal vs conservative thing after reading some of the comments from yesterday. It seems that few can really put themselves into a particular category. On the outside someone might look and act one way but when you delve deeper there are many things that just don't fit the mold.

Personally I have a few core issues:

I support 2nd Amendment rights absolutely.

I support 1st Amendment rights (With NO exceptions for supposed hate speech or non politically correct material) Once you start criminalizing unpopular speech, where does it end and who gets to decide where to draw the line?

I want small government and less handouts to the shiftless. People are not entitled to free health care. People are not entitled to free housing, free food, or a free ride on the backs of hardworking tax payers. Charities can help folks in an emergency then it's up to them pull themselves up and provide for their own family.

I think the government has no business butting into people's lives regarding marriage, sex or living arrangements. Morality is a personal issue that cannot be legislated.

On the flip side, the government has no right to force me to accept alternative lifestyles and shove their version of God down my throat. Teaching "tolerance" in public schools...Bullshit! That's the parent's job. Schools are for math and reading not political indoctrination.

Oh well, I'll climb off my soapbox now.

Here is some free speech for you. NOT WORK or KID SAFE

Something a little different.

I was reading blogs and news items last night and I started thinking about the people that piss me off. Whether it be foul anti-American rhetoric, spreading messages of hate, poorly conceived political stances or just plain old fashioned vanity and stupidity.

I decided to make a video highlighting these idiots. You may or may not agree with who I chose. I'm cool with that.

100,000 We have a winner!

UPDATE:

Visitor 100,001 is

http://barbara-007.blogspot.com/. Barbara/Layla

100,000 stumbled in on accident and did not identify themselves.

.

Yeah it's just a number. It took me two years to get there. I have to admit that 90,000 of those visits logged exactly zero seconds on my blog after they failed to find goat porn or gay gym teacher photos...seriously!

I figure I'll celebrate by making a video of some sort and dedicating it to the 100,000th visitor.

This may or may not be a good thing!

I wonder who it will be...

Saturday musings

My son is a really good kid but as he approaches puberty, his smart ass comments are getting more and more irritating. I've jumped his shit several times but it seems he has no clue how inappropriate his comments are. I think he is genuinely sorry when I call him on it although it does keep happening. The worst part is when he contradicts me in front of people and then argues when I try to correct him. Arrrggh!

My youngest daughter doesn't seem to have any developmental delays or disabilities and I am grateful. Problem is, she is starting to pick on her older sister and saying hurtful things to her as a way to assert dominance. I hate to see this mean streak manifest itself. She is under the impression that if I didn't see her do it then it didn't happen. Wrong! I protect all my kids even from each other.

Tonight I'm going to barbecue some ribs and maybe some hotdogs. I always throw some vegetarian burgers on at the end for myself. Real meat takes skill to cook. Fake meat just needs basic thawing.

Speaking of fake meat, the makers of these meatless patties must think vegetarians have no taste buds. Some of the shit they put out there would gag a maggot. I've tried to write to the makers of garden burger, boca and morningstar but they don't seem to be interested in my opinions. Maybe if I write them again I should leave out phrases like "The smell of your food could knock a buzzard off a shit truck."

My mother sent the kids target gift cards in the mail. I guess that is supposed to make up for her never seeing her grandchildren. Maybe I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

I talked to my family in Missouri, they are staunch democrats and always have been. Except this year! Muahahahaha!

I can't help but laugh at all the conservative democrats that have been voting for elitists, socialists and traitors for all these years out of party loyalty. I think this time the Democratic party has gone too far and has totally lost touch with their base.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Meme

I saw this today but lost track where I found it. If you've done this meme too, mention it in the comments and I'll come by and look at it.

I am : Wiser than I used to be

I think : People need to pay more attention to logic and reason and less to emotionally driven fallacies.

I know : That self delusion is an epidemic.

I want : More truth and less bullshit.

I have : Divested myself of drama queens and energy vampires.

I wish : I could get over this health rut I'm in.

I hate : Idiots that spew lies from their mouths with every breath and then when someone calls them on it, they claim the attacks on them are mean spirited and biased.

I miss : Dollar per gallon gas.

I fear : Paying $150 for a tank of regular.

I feel : That America needs to stop bailing out the world with our tax dollars because no matter how many billions we give, we are still despised for it.

I hear : That Bill Gates and Warren Buffet formed a foundation that will send their entire fortunes to Africa to fight Aids (200 billion)....What about sick people here in America?

I smell : Pretty good..I got cologne for Christmas

I crave : Thai food. Chinese broccoli with Tofu and ginger.

I search : For truth supported by unbiased facts and evidence.

I wonder : Where this country will be in 10 years.

I regret : Not telling more people to fuck off sooner.

I love : My family, antique guns, dogs and offbeat humor

I ache : Whenever I have to crawl on the floor to look for something.

I am not : afraid of confronting people who wrong me.

I believe : There are many paths to enlightenment.

I dance : To make my kids laugh.

I sing : My own dirty versions of popular songs to make my wife laugh.

I cry : When I rub jalapenos in my eye.

I don't always : Remember to write letters or call relatives

I fight : When necessary to protect myself and others

I write : Because it helps me figure things out.

I win : At trivia games

I lose : my keys, wallet, flashlight etc...

I never : Ask someone to do what I'm not willing to do myself

I always : Try to be polite

I confuse : people's names and faces all too often

I listen : To politicians speak but I don't hear anything.

I can usually be found : pecking away at my computer keyboard.

I am scared : of insane road raging drivers who have no concern for their or anyone Else's safety.

I need : More exercise and less computer chair.

I am happy : Most of the time

I imagine : a world without gaping assholes masquerading as humans.

lolcats 18

I got a couple of Emails from people I don't know asking for a new lolcats.

I hear and obey.

Visiting dad.

Went to see my dad for a belated fathers day.

His wife was throwing a fit so she didn't leave the small extra house all day...not even to say hi to my kids. I really don't mind, she is a nothing but a chaotic and disruptive presence.

I recorded a bunch of stuff from this guy to MP3. My dad turned me onto his book when I was a kid and I thought I would surprise him with some live recordings.

We filled up the kiddie pool with well water and the kids splashed around in the 103 degree heat.

I bought some Tecate and a bag of limes so dad and I could chill out on the porch and have philosophical conversations.

His knees are finally replaced and healed. He is getting around much better.

Another dog has adopted my dad. He didn't want it, but it kind of hung around until he gave up chasing it off. It's an older female Rottweiler with a sweet disposition. My kids doted on it and named it Stacy.

Coyotes ate my dad's chickens and bit off his goat's testicles. He had to put the poor guy down. I bought him a Rock Island .45 a couple of years ago and loaded him some 185 grain jacketed flat points for home defense but he uses them to put down wounded animals and stuff that gets hit on the highway.

I brought my new air rifle out there for him to try out. We shot cans and bottles from the porch. It's a cool little gun. I got it at Academy for $79 bucks and it shoots a .177 lead pellet at over 1000fps very accurately.

It was a good day.

More stuff

Store bought Kimchee is disgusting. It tastes like furniture polish. I need to find a good Korean market.

With gas fast approaching 5 bucks a gallon, people still drive like lead foot..they must be made of money. I usually end up passing them at the gas station.

I'm really hating pop culture. There is nothing there for me. Who runs this media whore machine?

As I get older, I'm starting to care less about being politically correct. I think everyone knows the truth but won't be honest with themselves or others.

I have to learn to watch my language, A guy almost rammed into me on the freeway yesterday and my 7 year old daughter asked me if the guy was a cocksucker or a dick wipe.

My son who has a severe apple allergy, drank a capri sun juice drink that indicated "no apples" on the label, got sick as hell off of one today. He had vomiting and diarrhea for 6 hours so I missed fathers day taking care of him. I don't mind though. The kid needed me there. I'm calling the fucking bastards at Kraft to see if they have any explanation.

When I drink, I get happy and silly. When some others drink they get stupid, sad and mad. I would hope that those people would learn their lesson and start popping pills instead.

Random vacation post

My wife changed vacations with a co-worker, so she's been home this week, which doesn't give me much blogging time. Her computer is right next to mine and I don't like to write stuff when people are looking.

It's been a nice week so far. I made beds for the kids downstairs so they can stay up late and jump up and down as much as they want without caving the ceiling in. It also lets us sleep an extra hour or so in the morning.

I went outside to barbecue some fajitas yesterday and when I opened my barbecue pit, I could see my feet. I got the thing for fathers day 2000 and it finally went kaput. We immediately went out and bought another one. It's bigger but made of much thinner metal. I'm going to have to take care of this one religiously if I want it to last.

Someone mentioned making fish on the grill, so I went to the store and bought several whole Tilapia, some lemon, seasoning and herbs. I really had no idea what the hell I was doing and had never messed with a fish before. So I just made it up as I went along.

I split the fish from chin to asshole, sprinkled the inside with seasoning rub, stuffed in some lemon slices, some fresh cilantro and oregano, wrapped it in foil and threw them on the pit.

My poor wife had to pull the bones out of the fillets before we could feed them to the kids but she said the fish was tasty albeit a little hard to eat. Next time I'm getting fillets.

I took the boy to see Kung Fu Panda. I was pleasantly surprised. Good movie.

My youngest daughter was playing with the hose in the back yard and she ended up making mud. She ran inside, then she panicked. When she panics she runs in circles. I heard her crying so I went downstairs to see what was the matter. I almost shit myself. It looked like a scene from a cartoon. Muddy footprints everywhere. I sent her to bed and broke out the steam cleaner. It was kind of funny in retrospect. It just reinforces my belief that my kids will eventually wreck this house to the point where I'll have to renovate or move.

I got a letter from uncle Sam telling me that I'll get $2100 in stimulus in a couple of weeks.
I thought it was supposed to be much less. Hot Damn! I'm going to fill up both gas tanks and the lawnmower then go out to eat if there is any left.

Back from the beach

We had a good time at the beach. It's only 130 or so miles to the coast so the trip really isn't that arduous. Our condo was three bedroom three bath with a kitchen, washer and dryer and a large balcony.

The biggest issue was how they placed us at the farthest end from the pool, beach and picnic area. It was a major trek anytime we needed to get something or someone had to pee.

Like I mentioned before, I did all the cooking. One night I did hot dogs, hamburgers and grilled vegetables out in the common area that had several small barbecue pits and picnic tables. The place was like a wind tunnel so it was hard to eat without everything blowing away.

The next night I did shrimp, steak and asparagus. This time I seared the steaks on the pit and brought them inside and let them rest in the oven while I made the rest of the food. It worked out much better. The food was a hit.

The shrimp was simple.

Peel a pound of frozen shrimp and set aside in a bowl.

In a large skillet on medium heat melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the shrimp, toss lightly and squeeze the juice from 2 fresh lemons over the top and add a pinch of salt and a pinch of cracked black pepper. As soon as the shrimp turn orange, remove from heat and put them in a serving bowl.

We went to the ocean a few times but the sea was very rough and the undertow was treacherous. I had to keep a very close eye on the kids. There was also a large influx of the Portugues man-o-war jellyfish. My daughter just thought it was a pretty purple bubble and went to touch it . Luckily we got to her before she got stung.

The next morning I took the kids for a walk along the beach to look for shells and there were hundreds of live jellyfish everywhere. They were fascinated by all the different creatures that we saw on our short walk.

Coming soon to a voting booth near you!

Goings on

I'm heading to the beach as soon as school lets out. I've been nominated to do all the cooking and barbecuing at the condo. No big deal. I'm fast and efficient.

We are going with my nephew, his wife and kids and his in laws. I'm pretty excited about going because my nephew's wife's family sort of adopted us. My nephew was pretty much disowned for who he married, so I guess me and the wife are all he has as far as blood relatives that give a shit about him and his kids. We fill in that family gap I suppose.

We've been taking my oldest daughter to a child psychologist to get her tested for learning disabilities. I was wary at first but we needed to get her officially protected at school. After a shitload of tests, they figure a brain injury damaged her short term memory. As a baby she was being watched by an 8 year old cousin while her biological mom popped pills. She fell from a balcony and sustained a busted spleen and a concussion. Lucky for us, this is what got her into the system and away from her fucked up biological family.

So now she's got official paperwork that guarantees accommodations. We'll see if the school still tries to fuck around next year.

I joined netflix and have been watching all the old movies I liked as a kid with my son. I always made a habit of never watching a movie twice so now 25 years later I can enjoy them all over again. We are almost through the Schwarzeneggers, and are working on the Rambos and Monty Pythons.

Tonight we watched Flash Gordon. Not as cool as I remember at 11 years old but still entertaining in a cartoonish way.