Not the only predator in the forest

Sitting under the tree watching the bucks play is a great way to pass the morning. I wasn't hunting deer, but rather hogs. They had been tearing up the place. Literally. A hog wallow under the deer feeder, a spot 30 feet across near the road. Pasture land that is needed to sustain cattle looks like someone went after it with a tiller.

This particular hunt I didn't see any hogs, but I had settled into a nice spot and didn't feel like heading back to the house yet. The sun was warm, cutting the chill from early morning. I had setup downwind of the feeder, and watched with no small interest as first the does and then several bucks headed from their bedding area out to a corn feeder. As they approached a particular area, they would also flash the white tail and get skittish. Circling almost all the way around to my side. Nearly getting my scent, but at the last second heading back towards the feeder. A bachelor group of bucks comes crashing through the woods from the East without a care in the world. Making enough noise to spook the button buck and doe eating on the far south side of the feeder.

Oblivious to my presence, they head up to the feeder. One particular clump of brush has their attention. The Alpha in the group refuses to give ground. A stomp then a loud chuff show his displeasure. Several more steps then another chuff. Finally, a lanky bobcat struts from the brush. He isn't in a hurry, and like me, he isn't after venison. He trots off to the East, like only a cat can do. No rabbits or coons today, but he has other spots to hunt.

It's good to remember, that you aren't the only predator at the feeder.

Huh, What?!?

Been away awhile. No good excuses, or fantastic stories of Smelly Pirate Hookers, just didn't feel like writing. It happens. As should be expected, life continues to roll. This one is a story of caution.

At the ripe old age of 34, I was told I am a candidate for hearing aids. Joy! Well, not really joy, but there is good news (at the end of the post). Apparently years of Shooting, Rock & Roll, and a bit o' time working in loud plants can hurt your hearing. Especially if you don't wear hearing protection. Like most kids/teenagers, I was convinced I was bullet proof. As I grew older, I saw the error of my ways. More specifically I heard the error of my ways in the form of Tinnitus.

People hear Tinnitus differently, mine is an always present high pitched ring that sounds like feedback from a microphone, while others associate it with crickets, or even a low hum. There isn't a cure for it. It's always present. Most times I can tune it out, but night is the worst. I have to sleep with a fan or some other white noise to drown out the ring. In reality it sounds worse then it really is (no pun intended).

Now, the good news. I'm not a lost cause. I don't need the hearing aids just yet. As I age, and my hearing goes into the expected decline I most likely will need them all the time, but the loss I currently suffer mainly impacts speech with background noise. I can recognize that something has been said, but the words don't register (women's voices particularly - because of the frequency). One on one it doesn't have much impact, but in an area with background noise, I will probably have to request something be repeated, especially if I'm not looking at you.

So, what can you do to protect your hearing? Easy! wear hearing protection! When I shoot indoors I wear both plugs and muffs. I picked up a cool set of Peltor hearing muffs, that allow you to hear regularly, but cut out at higher decibel levels. If I go to a concert (rare, but it does happen on occasion), I picked up a set of in ear plugs. They are almost invisible, and allow you to hear regular conversation but block harmful noise. Next on my list is to replace the custom plugs I lost (should be $60 or so at the gun show). $60 custom molded plugs, and $100 Peltors are cheap when you consider the hearing aids I'm looking at run about $3000 an ear.

What motivates

Roughly two weeks ago, I had an interesting interaction with my CF coach. During a particularly tough workout, I was behind. I had just toughed out my last exercise, and was spent. He announced 44 seconds to go. I knew that I wouldn't be able to finish the set, so I grabbed my water instead of making a vain attempt at trying to (usually poorly) try to finish a couple of the exercises. He tried the guilt routine. I don't respond well to the guilt routine.

Him -
"You are going to just quit with 40 seconds left?!?"

Me -
"Yep."

Him -
"Wow?!?"

Fast forward to Tuesday, another grueling workout (notice a pattern here?). One of the guys in the gym is a yeller. Screaming and roaring in the gym to "FINISH STRONG!" and "BANG IT OUT!" His screaming actually decreased my speed, because I was annoyed rather then inspired.

Early in my sales career, I realized that not everyone is motivated the same way. Unfortunately, not everyone has figured that out. So how do you broach that subject, especially with someone like a trainer? A quiet word of encouragement is much better for me then screaming. A calm "Come on, give us one more." will often yield more results with me then any attempt at provocation or embarrassment.

It is an interesting problem, and frankly one that I don't have an answer for. So what is the best way to motivate you?

An interesting conversation

Thursday, after torturing me for a bit, my Crossfit Coach and I started talking about Martial Arts. It crossed over into religion a bit, but my general idea was that Martial Arts are more then just tying a belt around my waist and spending time in the Dojo. Running, lifting, sparring, shooting, nutrition, these are all parts of a Martial Life.

I've mentioned it before, but the main reason I work out, is to attempt to achieve a level of fitness that will make me better at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It does that, my strength and flexibility is steadily increasing, and my endurance is going up as well. It also helps all of my martial activities. Let's face it, being able to run 1/8th of a mile (or more) without falling over helps breathing control and heart rate, which is important in firearms competition, hunting, and even if the S hits the proverbial fan. How many times have you seen someone at the range who gets winded walking to the 100yard line to change targets? That person might be the best shot in the world, but how good a shot will they be when their heart rate is 180+ and they are desperately trying to suck in Oxygen to keep from passing out?

I'm not saying I'm going to be hitting any Ironman competitions anytime soon, but I will run a 5k this year. Just some food for thought.

Well, that isn't fun.

I dislike when someone rains on my parade. Even when the rain is necessary. The conglomo that I work for managed to not screw me out a nice commission, and I was flush with cash. Paying bills was on my radar, as was a nice used Glock I had been drooling on at the local gun store. That is when my wife dropped the proverbial bucket of rain on my plans. "I know you want that pistol, but maybe you should think about a gun safe."

She is of course 100% correct. As usual. I've needed a safe for awhile now. Firearms stashed in closets, under beds, and even in corners. That coupled with the recent "taking of things from my truck" has us both a bit worried. If we ever had a break-in the thieves would have a field day. Lots of toys, and thousands of rounds of ammo. So, off to start looking at safes.

I do have some fun things wining their way to me though! New (to me) camera! A Yashica Mat 124 120 film camera. Looking forward to taking pictures with it. The last roll of 120 film I had developed didn't come out. At some point the film was exposed. The risks you take, although I'm sorry I lost some of those shots. I think I can re-take them, but I just have to go down to San Marcos/Wimberly again.

More pictures coming shortly.

A quick one

I'm pleased with my "toy" film camera. So much so, I think I'm going to keep shooting film for awhile (maybe even buy an old cam on Ebay). I'm not forgetting digital, but like most older things it just has more soul. Think the deep bluing of an old 1911, an old church pew, the honest wear on an older shotgun, the deep brown of a saddle polished by years of use. Soulful.

Updated my Blogroll

Made some changes to the blogroll. Nothing major, but I wanted to add a couple that I have been reading, and a new one from a buddy of mine.

Ordered by memory, and not by any other significance:

Beef's blog. OK, his name isn't Beef, but I've called him that ever since I met him. He started Crossfit a couple weeks after I did. A dedicated power lifter in High school, I bet he can easily lift more then me. With one hand.

Paladin's blog. An animal control officer, I first stumbled across him at Brigid's blog, but quickly realized I had watched several of his videos already. His blog is full of useful info, and he enjoys photography as well.

Straight Forward in a Crooked World. Wow, his Defense Against the Dark Arts series is incredible (yes, I did steal that from Harry Potter). I don't recall where I first saw this blog mentioned, but have been following it dutifully for awhile. If any advice can help out when the excrement hits the oscillating blades you will find it here.

As always, this blog and the links I post are mainly for my own ease of use. I know I can hit my blog then branch out to several others (makes it easier for me to get my fix). No return links are required.