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.

Two tickets to the gun show?

Well, technically it was only one ticket, as the Rabbiteach was a bit under the weather (actually a lot under the weather). I went a bit earlier then usual, but didn't think it would be a problem. In fact, I figured I would get there before most folks. Wrong again. The line was probably 150 yards long and easily had 250 people in it. Each willing to pay a Lady Godiva (technically it would have been less but I like the Cockney Rhyming Slang) to get in and look around.

Prices were ridiculous. Not a little off, or slightly higher. Ridiculous. Glock Sub2000 9mm was $429 (MSRP is $406). WASR-10s were listed at $699 ($429 1 month ago). Glock 33 round mags $49. I bought a couple 30 round Pmags at $17 a piece (about $1 higher then usual), but that was it. Stripped Superior Arms lowers were selling for $150 and had a line 30 people deep to buy them. I wanted to pick up a Saiga-12, but they wanted $900 for them. No thanks, I will get on a waiting list for half that price. People were silly.

After fighting my way out of the parking lot, I went over to GT's, and bought some of the Federal shotgun ammo. They have the LEF127RS slugs that I like (who wouldn't like a 1oz slug traveling at 1610 FPS?) and the Flight Control OO LE12700. I also grabbed a couple boxes of the Speer LE Golddot ammo. My rifles lurv the 223 Rem 64Gr. GDSP.

Maybe some pictures this weekend if the weather is nice, I have lots of stuff I need to photo and the boss will be at an English Teacher thing. Might be time to try and find a fixed 50mm lens for the Camera, or get really artsy and find a fisheye lens.

Retail therapy of a different sort.

Alternate title "Zombies beware". I bought a Kel-tec Sub 2000 9mm carbine. I was a bit skeptical, but figured it might be a good investment (along with a handful of 33 round Glock mags). This thing is a hoot! I ran it through a quick test (100 rounds or so), and was delighted at the grouping and ease of use. The one issue I had, was a fail to eject (FTE), but I think that was somewhat a fluke since the casing actually flipped around backwards and pinched between the bolt and the chamber. I don't anticipate this failure happening again, but will keep an eye out for it.

As mentioned, accuracy was good. At 25 yards I chewed a fist sized hole in the target about 4 inches right of the bullseye. I will adjust the sites eventually, but with a little adjustment to my shooting was able to move the group to the left.

In related news, I forgot how annoying indoor ranges can be once hunting season starts. Don't get me wrong, I love hunting, but setting up next to a guy shooting the latest and greatest magnum cartridge with extra porting can get fairly annoying, especially when shooting smaller calibers in the lane next to them. I realize it wasn't their fault, and talked to the RO to get my lane moved, but the fact that the RO thought it was a good idea to put them right next to me makes me wonder. There is nothing like trying to shoot small groups in paper with a .22 and feeling the concusive blast from one (or two) lanes over. Heck, I was impressed some of these guys could keep it on the paper with the flinch they were developing. Then again, at least they were getting out and shooting.

In other news, I have been keeping steady with my weight. I had a scale malfunction yesterday. When I first stepped on, it read 221. A re-weigh put me at 224. Not a huge difference I know, but when trying to get to a lower weight class 3 pounds is big. I also got my first stripe on my Blue belt, so I have that going for me. After NAGA Dallas, I think I'm going to start the tattoo on my other shoulder.

The government we deserve ...

Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. - JFK

Today we should change that to "Ask not what you can do for your country, but what you believe your country should do for you." I wasn't surprised by the election results. In fact, it went down about the way I expected. However, that fact doesn't make me any less disappointed. I'm not disappointed that people got out and voted, but I am disappointed that people actually believed what the candidates said versus what they have done in the past.

One of my hot buttons is firearms. I believe the 2nd Amendment makes the rest possible. PE* Obama has consistently voted against individuals being able to own and defend themselves with firearms, yet people actually believed him when he said he wouldn't restrict firearms if elected. He has consistently said he wouldn't raise taxes, but he doesn't consider letting the Bush tax cuts expire to be raising taxes. Actions speak louder then words.

I firmly believe that a large portion of the population has been duped into voting for someone based on the National equivalent of a Highschool Class President. Empty promises and lip service to change. However, McCain wasn't much better. The difference, was that we had a longer timetable on the road to hell under McCain then we do under Obama. Biden himself admits that they are going to make lots of unpopular decisions, and that the US will be tested at the global level based solely on who was elected. I think that speaks volumes.

Just remember, as the federal government starts to eat away at your freedoms, as that maximum tax line starts to creep toward your bottomline, and as more people start to feel the burden of supporting those who are unwilling to carry their fair share remember that we caused this. This was the choice of a large percent of our country. When we look for blame, you can look to the mirror, your family, and your friends. We get the government we deserve.

As for me, I have to buy more mags and ammo. January 20th isn't that far off, and the freedoms I currently enjoy will be severly curtailed in the 1st 100 days. That is, unless Atlas Shrugs.



*President Elect

Finally, a post that isn't a meme/filler

Been busy lately, but then again you rarely hear people say "Man, I haven't had shit to do lately. Sat around and did nothing for the last couple of days!".

I need to get to a range that will let me shot buckshot. I have two shotguns that I need to pattern about 5 different types of rounds. Everything from 00 buck, 1 buck, 4 buck, and several different slugs. Speaking of shotguns, I know I mentioned it, but GT's has awesome prices on used firearms. If you get a chance, check them out. Because they sell primarily to police they are a bit intimidating, but man, talk about a kid in a candy store.

I also spent some time in the Apple store today. I tried once previously, but the stench of SMUG from the iD10T who was working there drove me out. I decided to suck it up and go get an iPhone. They may be supported by the biggest fanbois in the world, but they do make a decent phone (which is more then I can say for Motorola these days).

Rabbiteach and I did a little hiking this weekend. We went to Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve on Loop 360, and did a short hike. She isn't ever going to be an outdoorsey gal, but it is definately growing on her. I think we would have been the long loop, but we started too late and the heat was getting to her.

In other news, apparently my truck is invisible. Who knew that Dodge had perfected a cloaking device for vehicles. Now if I could only figure out how to activate it (or more specifically deactivate it), as I keep accidentally hitting the cloaking field while I'm out driving. That would surely explain why the 16 yo girl decided that she needed to be in the lane I was in, and decided that instead of waiting for my to go buy decided to pull through me. Fortunately I was able to get out of her way (insert sarcasm where appropriate). In fact, in the space of 6 miles I was nearly involved in 4 accidents, and none of them were my fault. One guy rolled through a stop sign, one person pulled an illegal U turn, and another person turned in front of me. Nothing like what happened to AD, but still it was amazing.

One more little rant. This is Texas. It's Summer. Of course it is going to be hot. If you go outside in the middle of the day, expect it to feel like the surface of the Sun. I can't stand to hear people bitch & moan about the heat. This isn't a surprise, you didn't go to sleep in Canada and wake up in Texas, did you? Then why complain? It only bugs the crap out of those around you.

Two posts in one day?

Slow it down! I'm getting way ahead of myself. I did however forget to mention a new link. Home on the Range! Guns and cooking? Sounds like my perfect day. Not that I have tons of readers (although if you weighed them all together I might be able to hit 2k lbs), but check her out.

Witty post title ... maybe some song lyric or other.

July is always busy, what with my anniversary, vacation, July 4th, my birthday, FIL's birthday, wife's birthday, and BIL's birthday, it is downright insane. Throw in that pesky work thing, and I can barely find time for anything. This explains my lack of BJJ posts (to the delight of some I'm sure), but also puts me in a less joyful mood.

You see, something in the way I was brought up, says that if I am not active in some way or another, I start to get cranky. Before BJJ, paintball was my outlet. I guess I need something that leaves bruises. If I wasn't such a baby, I might be a masochist. Maybe a passive aggressive masochist? I want to be hurt, but am going to complain about it? Anyway, my point was that BJJ makes me a nicer person, and I look forward to training this week since I didn't get to go last week.

The dreamcicle AR is coming along. I had to order a couple parts, that should arrive in a week or two. The lower kit installed easily enough, and was actually easier then I thought. I think I will go with a standard 5.56 upper. That way I can use matching PMags from Magpul (Incidentally, I would love to work for this company. Anyone know anybody who works there?).

I have several pictures I need to take. Two knives, a shotgun, and some old circuit boards I think would make neat macro images. Maybe combine the knives and the boards together. Tattoo is healed (mostly). The peony is still peeling a bit, but has turned more blue. It will need a touchup, but that should be quick, and I will probably have that done when I start the other work. (Down the road, but hopefully this year).