Even in absence from publishing, I am on the watch for good stories and other items that will provoke my readers' neurons into firing at unprecedented levels. Well, really I just want you to think a little more critically about your surroundings.
Unfortunately what surrounds us is the title for this post; absurdity. Every new day there is a story that completely makes myself go "face-palm" and wonder how we have let our country degrade into such tumult. Mark Styne sitting in for Limbaugh today used the Space Balls line "LUDICROUS SPEED" today and yesterday, Say Uncle finally gave me the headline story to run with the absurd post title. While I am not shocked that a citizen got tossed from a city council meeting for rolling their eyes at their elected officials, it does make me feel disgusted that such stupidity reigns from those in charge of the asylum. More "new normal" that must be created in an effort to destroy the traditional civil society.
The more that we see these absurd stories, the less sensitive we become too them, or at least that is the theory from the establishment. For the last five or so years, many people have heard the life cycle of the republic, but never did I realize just how far along the decent into servitude we have slipped until I awoke to pay great attention about my surroundings. Yes, I'm sure some of you are saying "but we're still better off and you're just over reacting," but ask yourself how it is we can go from an outrageous headline to outrageous headline. Go pull up the DrudgeReport on any given hour of any given day and you'll find several topics that want to make you shake your head in shame. From the linked city council meetings, to immigration, to GPS trackers, to the First Family's gallivanting, to capital hill, to town hall and back, it is not hard to be completely amazed (not shocked but amazed) at the transgression away from our National founding. Mostly our forefathers wanted to be left alone, now we would gladly pay hard earned money for added privacy!
Unfortunately, ignorance is not bliss, but education of the situation is far worse; it drives ya down right nuts at times. Until we have fully corrected a new return to Constitutional governance, I doubt we will ever feel completely secure in our lives from absurd news. Perhaps, the colonials felt the same way up until the point they said enough is enough. Either way, we have found a normal that is not acceptable to the majority of people in this country as we are seeing the start of a second "Reagan Awakening." Let us just hope that this one is not squandered in the ways the 80s were. Our non-frugality has almost assured us this one will have to be different.
Please, if you find more absurd stories, send them my way to wherespatton (at) gmai (dot) com.
01 September 2010
Slice of Life: Good Day Fishing, Means A Good Day
As the saying goes, a bad day of fishing beats a good day of work, so what happens when you have a good day of fishing? Well, that means even when you snap one of your rods in half and get beat by your wife for the biggest fish, it's a damned good day.
Two weeks ago, the family foursome (the wife, parental units, and I) were out on my dad's boat down near Chincoteague, VA. A peaceful day started out fairly uneventful and in search of the fish we went. The waters down around the Virginia island can be quite shallow and quickly changing which means that the captain (read dad) has to be on his game at all times. This time he was, and we had an excellent day at hooking up to 60 Croaker. Definitely one of the better days I have had saltwater fishing in the last five years and it reminded me why I buy a fishing license every year. Everything is better on a boat!
I can't wait for the fall flounder season and the prospects of surf fishing from the beach in October certainly are on my mind after that productive day. Maybe I might let my wife catch the biggest fish again. ;-)
Two weeks ago, the family foursome (the wife, parental units, and I) were out on my dad's boat down near Chincoteague, VA. A peaceful day started out fairly uneventful and in search of the fish we went. The waters down around the Virginia island can be quite shallow and quickly changing which means that the captain (read dad) has to be on his game at all times. This time he was, and we had an excellent day at hooking up to 60 Croaker. Definitely one of the better days I have had saltwater fishing in the last five years and it reminded me why I buy a fishing license every year. Everything is better on a boat!
I can't wait for the fall flounder season and the prospects of surf fishing from the beach in October certainly are on my mind after that productive day. Maybe I might let my wife catch the biggest fish again. ;-)
QOTD: Punchbowl
Punchbowl: noun 1) A social entertainment device; 2) A large bowl with which fruit punch, fruit, and alcohol are mixed to provide lubricity of a social gathering; 3) Alternate Definition for Federal Reserve Meetings
That was the reply this morning with AK Fan said "I would love to sit in on a fed meeting and listen to their actual concerns." We were discussing the link to the zero hedge article and yours truly came up with the alternate definition of a punchowl. Remember, unlike Helo-Ben, please drink responsibly.
A Federal Reserve meeting is just a bunch guys standing around a bunchbowl lighting cigars with $1000 bills.
That was the reply this morning with AK Fan said "I would love to sit in on a fed meeting and listen to their actual concerns." We were discussing the link to the zero hedge article and yours truly came up with the alternate definition of a punchowl. Remember, unlike Helo-Ben, please drink responsibly.
31 August 2010
Return to Blogging: Hopefully Tomorrow
Sorry for the few day absence it's been pretty busy at work and in life lately. Posts coming tomorrow!
27 August 2010
Slice of Life: Friday Bonus Double Post; Gun Range w/ Foxtrot Uniform
Obviously with my newly received VA Non-Res CHP, I had to go to the gun range, and I did that last night with a good friend of mine, Foxtrot Uniform (he told me to use it, I swear). With the cost of ammo lately, and now with my permit in hand, I wanted to closely examine if I had the best arm for carry duty.
The first handgun I ever purchased was a 1911. Something nostalgic and American about John Browning's design with your bugger hook on the bang switch, but as much as I love that arm, I never intend upon it to be much more than a pleasure / target gun. So that necessitated picking up an 4" service model XD in .40 from a friend who was selling it about 4 years ago. I've shot that gun plenty, but then the little birdy in my ear (read AKFan) has been telling me to ditch it for a 9mm Glock. Having shot an old G21 when buying my 1911, I about wanted to shoot myself with the Glock 21. I've been thinking of switching to an XD(m) in 9mm to compensate for the soon to be departure of the .40. I listened to AKFan and test drove a Glock last night.
After renting a Ruger LCR (Foxtrot Uniform wanted to give that one a run), a Glock 17 fourth gen, and a Beretta 92 (the latter two in 9mm), I have to say I'm done with the .40 game. High pressure rounds mean recoil and harder second shot placements. I used to be the kind of shooter who preferred more power at the expensive of sensible control, but as usual, AKFan has finally trained me to become a believer of doing things the "right way" versus the marginally harder way.
The G17 was a dream to shoot for a service model and could quite potentially become my future carry gun. Good, consistent trigger squeeze, with good break meant my first shot was dead center X on a full sized target. Follow up shots for the 13 rounds at a reasonable combat pace yielded 2 "fliers" in the 8 ring at 10 yards. I know I don't shoot often enough, but, the last time I shot my .40, I didn't have nearly that consistency. Maybe part of it was me, but not having the gun practically jump out of your hands every shot means you can focus on pulling the trigger and getting back on target rather than re-grasping the gun.
The 92 was also nice. If I had to pick a handgun in 9mm to strap up for "duty" operation, I would seriously consider this one. Being a DA/SA means the first shot (unless cocked and locked) is long and heavy, but it was consistently smooth as well. In SA mode, the trigger was like a chem class glass rod snapping in two with short travel and reset. I contend it may be better than my 1911. If I didn't have to compromise and stick to a budget, there is the chance I'd be buying two new guns, but I don't have a need to be that spendy at the moment.
In summary, a night at the range with a buddy is always good therapy. Especially when you get to come home to a loving wife who wants to go out to dinner afterwords with her friends. Hat tip to a gem of a chick who even ponied up for dinner and congrats to her and her new fiance on their engagement.
Until next slice of life, keep the "front towards enemy."
The first handgun I ever purchased was a 1911. Something nostalgic and American about John Browning's design with your bugger hook on the bang switch, but as much as I love that arm, I never intend upon it to be much more than a pleasure / target gun. So that necessitated picking up an 4" service model XD in .40 from a friend who was selling it about 4 years ago. I've shot that gun plenty, but then the little birdy in my ear (read AKFan) has been telling me to ditch it for a 9mm Glock. Having shot an old G21 when buying my 1911, I about wanted to shoot myself with the Glock 21. I've been thinking of switching to an XD(m) in 9mm to compensate for the soon to be departure of the .40. I listened to AKFan and test drove a Glock last night.
After renting a Ruger LCR (Foxtrot Uniform wanted to give that one a run), a Glock 17 fourth gen, and a Beretta 92 (the latter two in 9mm), I have to say I'm done with the .40 game. High pressure rounds mean recoil and harder second shot placements. I used to be the kind of shooter who preferred more power at the expensive of sensible control, but as usual, AKFan has finally trained me to become a believer of doing things the "right way" versus the marginally harder way.
The G17 was a dream to shoot for a service model and could quite potentially become my future carry gun. Good, consistent trigger squeeze, with good break meant my first shot was dead center X on a full sized target. Follow up shots for the 13 rounds at a reasonable combat pace yielded 2 "fliers" in the 8 ring at 10 yards. I know I don't shoot often enough, but, the last time I shot my .40, I didn't have nearly that consistency. Maybe part of it was me, but not having the gun practically jump out of your hands every shot means you can focus on pulling the trigger and getting back on target rather than re-grasping the gun.
The 92 was also nice. If I had to pick a handgun in 9mm to strap up for "duty" operation, I would seriously consider this one. Being a DA/SA means the first shot (unless cocked and locked) is long and heavy, but it was consistently smooth as well. In SA mode, the trigger was like a chem class glass rod snapping in two with short travel and reset. I contend it may be better than my 1911. If I didn't have to compromise and stick to a budget, there is the chance I'd be buying two new guns, but I don't have a need to be that spendy at the moment.
In summary, a night at the range with a buddy is always good therapy. Especially when you get to come home to a loving wife who wants to go out to dinner afterwords with her friends. Hat tip to a gem of a chick who even ponied up for dinner and congrats to her and her new fiance on their engagement.
Until next slice of life, keep the "front towards enemy."
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