The Monday Update

Weapons & Such 2012

2012-01-23T21:17:00.003-05:00

All this month, I've been feeling like I've had my back to the wall, dueling with bullshit scenarios that all at once decide to rear their ugly head. From trips to the ER with my son to a broken down Jeep, to the whole family getting sick, there have been few things that have brought me back to Sun-Tzu like focus, two of which are thus:

1.) Prayer.

2.) Cleaning my weapons, i.e., guns.

I know it sounds banal to some, but there is nothing like taking some alone time to focus on your weapon(s). In this instance numerous weapon's lubrication and mechanical health. The smell of the oil and spent powder one encounters are the smells of war, at least when it comes to paper targets. And with that said, like the bullseye, said odors draws a person's mind into focus as well as to an avid appreciation of the tools of man.

After I was finished oiling up some weapons and wiping things down, after just a crazy couple of weeks, I felt renewed, refreshed, and refocused by paying attention to my go to pieces. So in the spirit of MadOgre and Martin's Blog (the last of which my computer OS will not let me comment to save my life), I will state my 3 weapon's goals for the year:

1.) Optics and hardware for the AR. Looking at a Red Dot, quad rail, handle and rear flip up site specifically, not to mention a carrying strap. Add in a few more P-Mags from JABTAC and bulk 5.56 and this weapon will be ready for domination. Add in a tactical carbine class and it will be all sweetness and light in the firearms department.

2.) 2nd Glock. Three is two, two is one, one is none. It would like to see a G17 RTF or additional Gen3 added to the cache. Having two of one's carry weapon is not a bad idea for numerous reasons. It's time to put my money where my mowth is and keep an extra just in case. Besides, a G17 is a fine investment. Hell, why not have 3?

3.) Gun Safe. One of the struggles in my house is the lack of space. I like to have things set up in stations, and an aptly placed gun safe would go a long way to improving my level of organization. I have guns placed strategically about the house, but those notwithstanding, I'd like to have a dedicated location for my weapons and other valuables.

I could go on ad nauseum with my weapon wish list, but I will stop now. Suffice it say, it always feels good to add to the supply. And with that,

Here's to wishing you all a zombie free 2012!

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Montgomery Co. & Thereabouts

2012-01-02T11:53:00.002-05:00

We brought in the new year with some friends who live in Blacksburg, Va. Located three hours south of our permeneant dwelling, it is an entirely different world, ready for exploration. The above picture is of the New River flowing through nearby Giles County, where it enters Virginia from its western counterpart.

We had a nice time in Blacksburg, to be sure, but one of the draws for me are the unfamiliar yet spellbinding mountain patterns down there.

Blacksburg is the home of Va. Tech, and is surrounded by near and far off mountains. The town is elevated on hills which provide glorious views and rolling countryside, but for all practical purposes is mostly quiet, notwithstanding the college football games that draw fans from all over the state.

Some places in our country are very hyped and get a lot of national exposure, but the Blue Ridge and Appalacian Mountain ranges in Va., where they exist on the the Western side of the state and into West Va. rarely recieve what I believe is their proper homage.

It is the locale of rednecks, hillbillies, hikers, and history long-forgottten, according to much of the "common wisdom" that seem to circulate around these parts. The reality, however, is that these lands are largely untarnished and unexplored, and hold the promise of scenic vistas and grand adventure.

Looking at the topographical maps on google after our trip and scenic drive, it is clear that this is an explorers paradise. As I reflect on the coming year and how to spend our time, spending more time waterfalling is becoming part of the plan.

Va. is gorgeous country. Many areas are unsung because of ignorance or normalcy bias. However, as our feet hit the ground throughout 2012, my intention is to make time to investigate some of these far off lands firsthand and see what I've been missing.

To that end, here's to wishing you a grand 2012.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

The Year in Review

2011-12-17T20:00:00.002-05:00

Well, it's been a quick but eventful year.

The wood floors have been refinished. I've learned to build furniture and have become part of a woodshop, while adding a few pieces to my own home. My kids are a year older. I went on a real vacation and visited Asheville while living in a timber frame house for a few days. I've stood under a waterfall with the love of my life as well as slid down another repeatedly. I finished the drywall in my home's sole bathroom. I've been fortunate to hang out with friends both near and far, and have read a few new books.

I really can't complain.

As winter begins in earnest, I have found that I like to take time to catch my breath and reflect, to take stock of what's been accomplished over the year and what lies ahead. While 2012 will be an epochal year for our country (think elections, not zombies necessarily), I hope it will be prosperous.

Not everyone thinks in terms of new resolutions at this time. They dislike lying to themselves or thinking that just because it's a new year they have to do something. Others know that if there's something that you need to resolve to do, you usually need to do it now, not at some arbitrarilly pre-ordained time, such as Jan. 1. Myself, I am thinking in terms of goals and what I want to accomplish in 2012.

Other than capping a few zombies, whose population seems to be on the rise, I'd like to do the following:

1.) Finish the bathroom (for real)

2.) Run a 5k

3.) Join the woodshop full time

4.) Pay off my installment debt

5.) Design and begin building/prepping for a timber framed addition to my house

Not sure how I am going pull off all these projects, but I think these goals are mostly achievable if I set my mind to it. I don't want to be working on my house forever and have it be an eternal project. I want to get it done and stop screwing around. I have the vision now for it, so the time has come to get to brass tacks and stop screwing around.

Here's looking forward to the run ahead...

Over and Out,

--Nick

The Year in Review

2011-12-17T19:32:00.003-05:00

Well, it's been a quick but eventful year.

I really can't complain.

Myself, I am thinking in terms of goals and what I want to accomplish in 2012. Other than capping a few zombies, whose population seems to be on the rise, I'd like to do the following:

1.) Finish the bathroom (for real)

2.) Run a 5k

3.) Join the woodshop full time

4.) Pay off my installment debt

5.) Design and begin building/prepping for a timber framed addition to my house

Here's looking forward to the run ahead...

Over and Out,

--Nick

Back in Munster and Thereabouts

2011-11-29T21:46:00.002-05:00

Well, we had a bodacious trip to the midwest, and it was with some sadness to that the time had come to leave.

Monday night we left the homestead to acquire the necessary fuel for our trip, consisting of a bit of 87 Octane and a venti mocha from Starschmuck's. Through intermittent and dense fog, I guided the van through the night betwixt high mountain passes, stopping only to visit the privy and salute West Virginia for its architecturally attractive and squeaky-clean rest stop high atop the scenic ridges along I-68.

We made it to Indiana that morning, catching a few zzz's east of Indianapolis, before arriving at our first stop, the Schap residence. Our time there was too short, but consisted of good laughs, socializing, late night/early morning walks through the Old Town, not to mention a fine pipe smoke and brew from Lafayette's hometown brewery, courtesy of one M. Schap. We couldn't have asked for better hosts and were happy to see them in high spirits.

Arriving in Lake County is always a bit surreal for me, and I kinda turn into a different person. It must be an element in the air from the steel mills' smoke stacks or something, but my usual giddiness returned when the wheels of our van crossed over the county line and finally into Munster early that afternoon. Our family joined my parents for our now customary trip to Cabela's, where I stocked up on shirts. A fly rod also made it's way into my cart and some cool older dude gave me a $10 off coupon at the register since he couldn't use it. I hope to put the rod into action in the near future and acquire a taste for the local Brook Trout that gets stocked around here.

After a tasty and very satisfying trip to Sanfratello's in Glenwood, IL, my first hometown, I met up with Tim D. and his brother at Three Floyds in Munster. We waited 45 minutes outside for our seat and fought the chill with an endless supply of hometown hilarity. Finally, after many visits to the brewery, I obtained and quaffed some Calumet Queen and their brash hefe-weizen, Drunk Monk. Tim and I departed to the pool hall, Johnny's Tap, and finally Munster Donut to relive old times before retiring at 3am.

Turkey Day was a blur, after waking and visiting my dad's work, where I acquired an olde jointer, and then crashing for a few hours at my parents, I woke up to the arrival of the rest of my family, who I had not seen in over a year. The food was great and everyone had lots to say regarding their political feelings. I abstained from speaking to much and establishing whole-scale assualts, not only to preserve what semblance of familial feeling I have left, but also to see what and how others in the region are thinking. I also enjoyed some wine from Von Jakob in Southern Illinois.

Friday began with breakfast at hallowed ground, The Commander on Ridge Road. The fare was delicious, as usual, and wholly pleasing the palate. Afterwards, Clare and I visited my wonderful Aunt Marsha, while simultaneously acquiring her son Tim to join us for the day in Chicago. Before we left, Aunt Marsha treated us to Kreshiki's--my favorite polish pastry, but one that I had not had in half a decade.

Our itinerary first delivered us to Intelligensia on Broadway and then back into the loop to the dock at 1 N. Dearborn. Bobby, Tim's brother, generously gave us his parking space, where he worked, to allow us to visit the Christkindl Market across the street, and then Macy's, for free. After working up an appetite by waxing philosophical Tim steered us to one of his old haunts for lunch in Little Italy, Pompei Bakery. Established in 1909, I believe, Pompei has been serving up world class lasagna and other treats for a long, long time. This was the first time I made a visit, but it definitely won't be the last.

After another cup of Intelligensia, we sped home under the cover of darkness and dropped Tim off, before arriving at my parents for leftovers. Stuffed, I had a token piece of Turkey and watched the Black Hawks with my dad achieve victory over the L.A. Kings.

Saturday brought us back to Chicago, after a home cooked breakfast at my parents'. We were given complimentary tickets to the Museum of Science and Industry from one of my mom's friends. While the place was loco, we did get to see the model ships, U-505, the circus and riddle section as well as the fairy castle and Yesterday's Mainstreet.

Leaving the Museum we then ventured to Lincoln Park zoo after getting some smoothies in the rain at Jamba Juice. The zoo was awesome--we had it all to ourselves because of the weather. At nightfall, the zoo lit up into a Christmas wonderland that was definitely magical amidst the big city and was but another classic experience there and example of the city of doing things right when it comes to having class and putting on a good show.

We went home, sad that this was our last day in the city, but our frowns were turned into smiles when we met my parent's at Eduardo's in Munster for some sumptuous deep dish.

The next morning we awoke for 10 AM mass at the Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Munster, IN. That place just makes you want to be holy, and afterwards we joined my sister's family for breakfast at one of the many divey Greek-restaurants nearby.

We took the rest of the day to get ourselves together before going out for a last supper at a new Mexican restaurant. In the morning, we quickly bid our adieus, snagged some Munster Donuts and coffee and began the trek to Youngstown, Ohio, where we met up with my friend's Jason's dad and had a look at some 100-year-old wood he wants hauled off. We stayed at the Fairfield Marriot in Poland, watching Pawn Stars and Picking Pickers or whatever into the night before heading home the next day.

All in all it was a good trip. Most of my trips blend together, so I wanted to put events down in writing so I can refer back to them from time to time and reminisce when I have the chance. It was certainly very fun and enlivining to be back in the region, especially at this time of year when people are feeling nostalgic about their hometown (as regards to the movie "A Christmas Story"). It was good to reconnect and see friends and family and remember home.

But it was good to get back into the mountains and check back into the hollar, too.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Shenandoah Fall & Stuff

2011-11-12T00:26:00.003-05:00

This has been one of the prettiest Fall seasons I can remember here in Va. The leaves in the mountains are nearly finished with their magnificent display of color, while the forests at work, this past week, have been at their peak. In a sense, it has been like being treated to two distinctly different Falls on my daily commute, but I see no reason to complain.

The crisp weather and winds that have swept through here, sans rain for the most part, have been perfect for reflection, on the season, the year, and the days ahead. Below, are a couple of my ruminations and plans, going forward as I look ahead to the winter and first months of 2012.

Wood: We have made even progress through our wood pile this past two months. Because the weather has been so cooperative, and also because my wood pile has been seasoned, I am getting more bang for the buck with the stove. On hand, I have a significant amount of seasoned locust and red oak, not to mention a massive pile of white oak, waiting to be sawn. Our freak snow storm from two weeks ago took down enough branches to supply me for kindling for 3 seasons. It was ridiculous. They have been piled high to be allowed to dry out.

Tax Season: This Tax season can't come soon enough, for me at least. I've been looking forward to it immensely. I have a number of projects and things that need to be finished around here with the extra cash, that will hopefully bring us to the next phase of life in the holler--expansion. But first, I would like to see a perimeter fence installed along our property line, to allow both our kids and our (other) animals some defined space. Secondly, it is high time we purchase a well hand-pump for emergency purposes.

Weaponry & Supplies: In addition, adding a red dot and a few other accouterments to the AR, as well as another batch of 5.56, 9mm, 00BK, and new Glock mags to the cache, and rounding out the first aid supplies and larder are on the list. Along with knocking out a debt or two, I think we will be as well situated as possible to face the tumultuous seas that will surely spill onto our shores and envelope humanity during the zombie 2012 apocolypse.

Bail-Out Bag: I've ditched my formless Jack Bauer wannabe bag for EDC in favor of an affordable attache, aka "Bail-Out Bag" from L.A. Police Gear. For the price. S29.99+shipping ($42 total), I am hella impressed. There is a pocket for everything and more, and I can always find my shit. It's easy and pleasurable to stay organized with this thing, which when you are in a hurry or bad situation, is key. No rummaging through your bag for the hatchet--it's right there!

The new bag comes with two pistol concealment compartments on each side, making bag carry less of a hassle for those times one is so inclined. Combined with a 3-day pack from L.A. Police Gear--my over night bag, if you will--I feel well-poised to cover most of my bases where gear is concerned.

Gear in General: Over all, I have found the most workable scenario, at this point is a 3 tiered approach: 1) What you have on you; 2.) What you carry with you, in the building and leave while you wander about (as my job demands while I am at work); and 3.) Essential supplies in your base of operation (vehicle) to help get you to home base in case of an emergency. These 3 tiers seem to work well with one another, and having a functional bags makes it that much smoother and better.

Ok, I am about to crash. Good night.

--Nick-Dog

To Catch a Thief...

2011-10-25T17:56:00.006-04:00

We got him.

Today, while at work, sitting at my desk near the front entrance, I heard the cover plate to the collection box clang to the floor. I knew something was amiss, and before I knew what I was doing I was up out of my chair chasing after an 18-year-old thief. When he saw me and I shouted "Stop! Thief!" he sped up, booking it through Mary's Garden down our main driveway towards the neighborhood.

Luckily for me, Melvin, my assistant, is always looking for a fight, and he was quick on his feet and engaged him immediately, when I yelled, "Stop him, Melvin! He's a thief!"

Melvin was painting the entrance gate, and saw this fool and me chasing him. The thief had a pair of scissors in his hand, which he used to pry open the poor box, and made it past Melvin, who then engaged in pursuit. Melvin, who is wicked fast, gave chase, even though his shoe fell off. He continued nonetheless, all while talking shit to the kid.

Seeing this and that I was being outpaced, I turned around, ran to the van, picking up my phone that I had dropped on the way, and sped off into the neighborhood to find the would-be thief pinned to the ground with Melvin on top of him, talking--no, yelling--at the punk. I called 911, the cops arrived shortly, we filled out our statements, the cops thanked us for getting this dip, and the vagabond left in cuffs.

LESSONS LEARNED

1.) I have played previously this scenario over in my head several times. "What if ?" Now I know, what if. You can have a plan for what you will do, but in the end you act on instinct.

2.) I need to run regularly. I lost my breath quickly. Too quickly. If it wasn't for Melvin chasing this bastage down, we may not have found him.

3.) Stealth. Hindsight is 20-20. My approach worked, but if I had just booked it from my office without shouting anything, I may have prevented this dude from furthering his adrenaline rush and speeding up. I did succeed, however, in driving him out directly, giving chase and alerting Melvin in the process. In retrospect, I could have taken a different exit and possibly cut this kid off, with him least expecting it.

4.) All my EDC tools flew from my pouch while I was in pursuit. Time for a new pouch.

5.) Win the psychological battle. This kid was not tackled. He was talked into submission after being cornered and ordered to the ground. He knew he had done wrong, and is lucky it went so well for him. His conscience worked against him and so he eventually listened to us. We were lucky as well. Not every thug is so obedient.

6.) Bystanders. People are unprepared for conflict. People were outside. County construction workers witnessed the chase. Everyone simply watched, mesmerized something was happening.

7.) Mentally, I was in the game, but my physical condition sucked and deteriorated way too fast in the adrenaline dump.

8.) It would have been helpful to stretch this morning, have been wearing running shoes instead of steel toe work boots.

9.) Adreniline changes everything and puts you on a different mental plane. Fight or flight. In this case, sheer overwhelming verbal violence/force frightened the thief into submission.

10.) Murphy's Law Rules. I damn near twisted my foot running through this garden. This kid ran right into Melvin's path. Melvin's shoe fell off. The kid gave up relatively easily. Etc. Etc. In a live situation, things happen that we just can't forsee, though we have to be prepared for it as best as we can.

Stay safe out there. Be prepared.

Some days the dragon wins, but on other days you catch the thief under the best of circumstances.

This was that day.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Varied Horizons

2011-10-17T03:19:00.006-04:00

I have a lot to say, having been away from the Blog for a bit. So I'll just get right into it.

Today, we made the trip back out to Lost River State Park in West Va., easily one of the nicest and most serene forests I've visited. The fall colors scintillated in the sunlight from underneath the vast canopy, while the creek that runs through the park chortled with vitality and strength from the recent rains.

As always, our trip here feels much needed, almost like a pilgrimage. When we find ourselves there, we have this place to ourselves on the whole. The other visitors we come across are usually a joyful lot. picnicking or partying under a pavilion with their families. The park ranger was cool too, not to mention that he was fortunate to carry a Glock on his hip as part of his duties.

Visiting Lost River allows one to forget the world and assess it properly, to refocus and breathe anew. Far from the smelly jackasses on Occupy Wall Street who continue to foment revolution, out here in the sticks the seasons continue their natural cycle, heedless of the Left and their ilk.

Indeed, the world is spinning out of control. It remains to be seen if Europe will manage to find another temporary fix for its financial woes and whether the United States' own standard of living will immediately plummet. Regardless of whatever else we face, I am in agreement with Jack Spirko: an economic Depression is coming and that it is now unavoidable.

Reading Clare's ancestral histories of late has provided a clear insight on how her forefathers weathered the Depression and the years that preceded it. Several things stand out. Though poor, they were excellent farmers, who made farming a near art-form by way of hard work and a strong cultural pride. While others wanted, they never starved. They worked like beasts, wasted nothing, and built their lives from scratch, sharing in a strong local community.

Did I mention that they did not have any electricity or indoor plumbing until the mid-40s, or that the first tractor was purchased in 1948, replacing their mule-driven plow?

In our own day farming and even small scale gardening is a ton of hard work, which requires a great deal of follow through and commitment. Community rises out of necessity. Innovation and self-sufficiency require determination and imagination. Opportunities have to be seen for what they are and seized.

What am I getting at here?

Our candy-ass generation is in a whole lot of trouble.

Prep On,

--Nick-Dog

Musings: Do I Miss Chicago?

2011-09-25T22:07:00.009-04:00

Sometimes I get nostalgic and dreamy about "the region" and Chi-town, but I usually stop myself.

Why be nostalgic? What is the damn point? I left. I'm gone. That's it. There was a time where I felt a ton of pride at being from Chicago. I still do. Yet while I grew up in the rust belt and had experiences that were certainly unique and definitely defined by place, I always desired to leave the area in search of adventure and perhaps something more.

Home will always be home I guess. I can't change that and would not. All of my close friends that I grew up with left to find their own way. Jason and Tim ran off to Cali, while Jake married Tim's ex and moved to Valpo. Jimmy D is a master electrician at this point and owns the house he grew up in.

All that said, I could have gone back. I could have returned to a life of WTF, where the seasons of the year are as much hockey and baseball as they are spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Occasionally I ruminate about what it would have been like to purchase a bungalow, fix it up, go to Sunday mass in a handful of regional Churches that look like an old school cathedral. To forget about what's happening in the world and follow the Hawks' every game, hitting up the best pizza known to man at my very whim, and being around lots of people who think in the same "regional" way.

The good news is I am not totally deprived, to my way of thinking. Good pizza exists east of Chicago, although it's taken me years to discover it (it's authentic Chicago style, of course), and the mountains and valleys make up for lack of Blackhawks' and White Sox coverage.

At the end of the day, I would rather be on a couch in front of a fire place in a country cabin (or the proximation of) with a cup of tea than chillin' in a Lincoln Park flat with my Intelligensia. To be sure, I've had my taste of city life excitement--in Georgetown in Washington, DC--and realized during that time that I'd rather be in the mountains in front of the hearth.

Now that I am here, I can honestly say that I am satisified with my decision and that my desires were not unfounded.

Still, sometimes the homesick nostalgia lunges for my throat. At this point I beat it down with ease and it's my choice to think about home. But really, while home is a place, it's also in your heart. It's also where you choose to rest your head for the night. Many people have passed through Munster and Chicago since I've lived there and rode my bike to Route 30 to visit 10th planet. It's a changed place since then, as all places change, but the memory and the nostalgic factor in the earth underneath it all remain. And there's more Schoop's too.

Regarding returning for a visit, it's mixed bag, hit or miss. Sometimes people are on their A-game and life is good. At others, people are dwelling in darkness and the shadow of death. I guess I'm glad they're real, but in the end it's all a toss up, and that's just family I'm talking about.

It's cool to be from some place. It also can be cool to venture out to go some place and live there as well. If there's one thing I've learned, however, it's that regardless of whether or not you're playing bocce and drinking a Corona on your 1/10 acre plot in Munster, the grass has an odd way of seeming greener on either side of the fence.

But really it's greener in the mountains. Really.

Over & Out,

--Nick-Dog

Western NC Adventure

2011-09-08T06:16:00.002-04:00

Well, in about 4 days or so, I got to do just about everything I've always wanted to do. The only thing is, our vacation had to end.

Instead of making an extended beach trip, we drove down to Black Mountain, NC this year to see what we've been missing in the Appalacian State. Unfortunately, it is more than we would have liked to admit.

Day 1: Driving into Asheville was stupendous. Our kids were great and we left under the cover of darkness and fog. In Blacksburg we broke our fast at Gillie's, my favorite breakfast joint East of NW Indiana, aka "the Region." With full stomachs and extra coffee, our route continued through the hills in Tenessee directly into the Blue Ridge proper, which form an enormous fortress wall to the surrounding countryside. Entry was exciting as hell to this flatlander. Going through these guys blew me away.

We landed at our accommodations, a cabin called "Byrd's Nest," at half past 3PM. The structure, a cozy artistic timber-frame, serenely bestrides the mountain summit, overlooking the hills around it. From our bedroom window we watched the sunrise in majesty each morning over the Blue Ridge as our kids begin their daily routine of mayhem.

Day 2: We spent our first morning getting acquainted with our immediate surroundings, making a trip into the quaint town of Black Mountain. That day and each day thereafter began with a trip to The Dripolator Coffee House. The coffee was supreme, and quickly became an all-time favorite.

Black Mountain is a chill town filled with numerous crafts from relatively local artisans, and had shops that catered to nearly all of my interests. Craftsmanship and things handmade are cherished in the area. Like most of Western NC that we visited, Black Mountain stood in stark contrast to the pretentious, self-important Northern VA area in which we generally dwell.

For lunch we picnicked amidst a park/creek/retreat in the small town of Montreat. The setting was beautiful and perfect for the kids.

Day 3: Waterfalling adventure. With Dripolator in hand, we took to the Blue Ridge Parkway to stop first at Sliding Rock Waterfall and then at Looking Glass, Bridal Veil (the lame one), and Dry Rock falls.

Sliding Rock was the most fun and we had it virtually all to ourselves. Basically, it's an 80-foot or so waterslide in 50 degree mountain water. You sit down and scream for your life as you smoothly descend with ever increasing speed into an 8ft deep pool. The water was shocking at first. Once my body acclimated to my personal insanity, I didn't feel it at all and it actually became quite refreshing.

The other falls were beautiful to behold as well. Our drive was full of switchbacks on a US highway, taking us all the way to Franklin, NC and ended at an Asheville Brewery for Pizza and decent craft beer.

Day 4: We returned to Asheville to peruse the shops, with lunch at a place called "Boca," which is Spanish for "mouth." That evening I joined Clare's dad and brother on a trip to Troy & Sons moonshine distillery for a tour and then a beer at Highland's Brewing Co. We celebrated that night with a game of cranium as we fantasized about how fun it would be to live in Black Mountain and own Byrd's Nest.

Day 5: It was hard leaving. The grass is always greener on the other side, and I was able to sample living in a beautiful cabin at the top of a mountain, after visiting waterfalls, creeks, pottery stores, Dripolator, and all the rest. You couldn't make for a more biased opinion from me, I guess, regarding the place, but no matter how you cut it, Western NC is simply breathtaking.

Anyway, we hopped on the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiked Linville Falls, and continued to Boone, where we were happy to find a bustling college town and some Mellow Mushroom Pizza. Being Labor Day weekend, all the hotels were booked, but we were lucky to find a room in Abingdon, VA. We drove back via Damascus, an Appalacian trail town, and obtained our lodging.

Day 6: We raced north on I-81 to Blacksburg for mass at St. Mary's, and joined Clare's brother and girl friend for brunch at Cracker Barrell. The trip home ran smoothly and we were deposited in Strasburg by 6PM.

Summary: Black Mountain, NC and the area that surrounds it, is the jam, notwithstanding some of the liberalism in the place. But you don't get that sick feeling of liberalism that you get in San Francisco or Adam's Morgan. The area is completely chill, with mom and pop institutions dominating over the big-box stores. The beauty of the mountains fosters tranquillity, creativity, and adventure. With the exception or Spruce Pine, NC, all of the town we visited were upbeat, not depressed and down on their luck.

In a word, I would definitely go back.

Peace Out,

--Nick

Into the Tumult...

2011-08-22T00:13:00.005-04:00

Beware, it's late and I'm rambling.

While the world continues it's plunge into uncertain times, I feel at peace knowing that I no longer have to look for "the sign" that the SHTF is here, at least to my mind.

I guess you could say that's a good thing, that is, the feeling of liberation from anticipation of what is perceived to be inevitable. I just don't care at least in the same way. I am more worried about getting the next bag of rice or chilling with my family, than the next news story stating that we are running off a cliff. At this point, the plummeting is just a matter of acceptance of society at large.

And that brings me to my point: it is difficult not to focus on what we anticipate in earnest and put our minds to the tasks at hand when the spectre of what's anticipated always seems to be looming on the horizon. If you're like me, you keep looking up, waiting for the next lightning strike, becoming distracted and hoping you don't get zapped in the process.

Not that it does one any actual good to know "the day and the hour." When lightning flashes, it's instantaneous, and that's it. There's not a whole lot one can do about it, except not hold a metal rod while pissing under a tree.

The whole idea is to stay out of and weather the storm.

And that's what a bunker is for.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Cabinet Shop

2011-08-15T19:59:00.002-04:00

The next major stage in my preparedness adventure, is to work from home, or relatively close to it.

My goal is to create my own cabinet shop--that is, Strong Oaks Woodshop, Buckton Division--out back for part to eventually full time action. I am scheming, yes, and quite honestly, I am not too far out from that goal in terms of having the space set up. Maybe not perfectly at first, but enough to spend more time out there and start banging together projects, such as tables and the like.

In my plans I am looking to switch out my jointer, radial arm saw, and Jet Table Saw, to fund purchases for what I really need: a planer, sliding bevel miter saw, and a more robust--stable and powerful--table saw.

My other ideas include an outfeed table for the table saw, a covered outdoor section in front of the building for activities like sanding simply working outside, and eventually an addition out back to the building.

Anyway, transitioning from working hella far out there to close to home is not easy and takes time, focus, and effort. I suppose if it were easy, everybody would do it, instead of just hopping in to commute wherever each day, picking up a Starbucks along the way to make the 1 hour plus drive more bearable.

This way, I don't have to worry about checking into a mental institution to feel better about myself, as I will shall be ever close to the high levels insanity at home.

Hopefully, that all works out.

Peace,

--Nick-Dog

Certain Doom

2011-07-29T20:49:00.003-04:00

Well, it's official. The Republican majority leaders are cowards who have sold us down the river.

And now we are irrevocably screwed.

I've had my *mayday* moment. If there was a time to head to the hills, this should be it. Collapse is certain. My optimism about this nation's future has been wiped away by a hard, 200-proof dose of reality.

The establishment does not give a damn, and anything beyond this point will be too little too late.

Whether we look like Argentina or "The Road" at the end of this mess is anyone's guess.

For the prepared, it's a race against time and the tide has turned.

It's on.

--Nick-Dog

In Memoriam of Dr. Carroll

2011-07-23T23:02:00.008-04:00

While I was attending Christendom (1997-2001), several guest speakers who came to the college were fond of saying that "we stand on the shoulders of giants."

Well, one of those giants is Dr. Warren H. Carroll.

During my time, few among the student body knew the man personally, and those that did may recall, not only his favorite sayings, but that he was a man one does not approach lightly. While he was generally very kind, he did not wish to be bothered with trifles. He set a tone, and unless you were of the bumbling stripe, you adhered to it.

Since his passing, much praise has been heaped on this man, and rightly so. Before Ex Corde Ecclesiae was ever issued, Dr. Carroll saw the desperate need to for renewal in authentic Catholic higher education, for a curriculum that would shape warriors to storm our apostate world with the sword of truth.

In addition to establishing a college that could rightfully be termed the "Westpoint of the Catholic Higher Education," Dr. Carroll researched and wrote profound historical narratives that today remain unmatched. With Robert Leckie's style of presentation and Daniel-Rops historical vision, Dr. Carroll did not hesitate to lay seige to modernity's false white towers as he pressed his historical narrative.

He remained fully engaged, ever focused and never wavering, until he could no more. For him there was no "debate." There is only the Truth, with a capital T, and that Truth is a divine person named Jesus, who will set you free.

Like many others, I was priveleged to have been a pupil of his. I traveled oversees to Spain with him and because of him to see and study the great monuments of Catholic history: the shrine at Fatima, Queen Isabels' birthplace at Madrigal de las Altas Torres, Philip II's unrivaled monastery-basilica-palace, El Escorial, the Valle de la Cruz, and the Alcazar of Toledo, among others.

Nothing inspired Dr. Carroll so much as the purity of purpose, faith, and heart of his personal heroes, those who rode the tide of history and turned it with their indefatigueable will. And now, thanks to him, in our lives, it is not likely that anyone will inspire us quite like Dr. Carroll, whose total impact, while felt, yet remains unquantifiable.

It may sound presumptuous to say that this man is in Heaven, but I daresay he is. What he built irrevocably changed my life for the good and did the same for thousands of others. Saints impact thousands, helping them to work out their salvation. This leads me to conclude, only by saying thus:

Dr. Carroll, pray for us!

GYST

2011-07-19T21:39:00.008-04:00

Myself and a fellow prepper compared notes this past week at the range and beyond. Here are several insights I came to in the process:

1.) K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple stupid) -- when it comes to preparedness, the simpler, the better.

2.) Whatever you do, stay consistent. Be conscious about it, not laisez-faire. Create habits that work for you, not against you, such as carrying your knife in the same place every day. When you reach for it, it ought to be there.

3.) Properly prepare your EDC. EDC stands "for everyday carry." I was called out for my bullshit attempt at a first aid kit, which was prepared with the idea that "I will buy one soon" and somehow soon always gets put off. Don't make life harder by continuing to inconvenience yourself by lack of essential gear for daily life. What are you going to say when it hits the fan and you need __________? "Well, I was going to buy it soon..." Sorry pal. Game over. Next.

4.) Don't put off essentials. Why oh why do we do this? Whether it's your every day carry, or purchasing some other necessary tool for life, such as a gun or whatever else, don't put it off. Get off your ass and make it happen. Don't look to others to be prepared for you. Have your shit together. No one else can do this for you.

5.) In general, get off your ass. Man the f-up. Take charge of your situation. Don't go half-assed for more than a milli-second. Do or do not. Be or be not. Face reality and deal with it. Do not pretend you did. Face your own bullshit and deal with it. Be the role model you seek.

Whether it's daily life or a major SHTF, shit's natural trajectory is to head towards the fan. It's coming. Be ready. No one can fill your shoes but you.

--Nick-Dog

Where We Are

2011-07-11T14:31:00.010-04:00

As I write, I have just finished reading an article on how the major dollar store chains failed to meet their quarterly objectives, because the people who typically shop at those stores, are making less money (and so therefore have less to spend).

Have you noticed how more and more news articles and shows are using the words "depression" and "collapse" in their regular dialogue? Few people actually know what the hell is going on, but suffice to say we are in a new spiral of decline.

Perhaps Jim Rawles of Survivalblog.com says it best: we are in a new era of spikes, which will ultimately culminate in a economic derivatives collapse like we have never seen, taking the whole world's economy with it.

Not to be all doom and gloom, but I am in agreement with him when he says now is the time to take your money out of the market and place it into "tangibles," things that have value in the here and now to house, feed, or protect you and yours. Versuses, you know, say keeping your money in a nameless stock.

As I've said before, I am no economist. I am, however, pretty damn good at seeing "what is," and "what is" is a freight train heading in our direction that has the words "We're Screwed" written on the front of it in neon yellow.

But before it hits and skids off the tracks, I will join my fellow sheep and pretend that this was all so very unexpected and unfortunate, and build another AR when no one's looking.

Best to you all.

--Nick-Dog

Making the Hard Calls

2011-06-28T00:16:00.004-04:00

Today I had to make a deliberate hard call in which I had time for sufficient reflection.

The nature of a hard call is the elusivity of its projected ramifications and being able to judge which is the better way. You can't quite put your finger on it or make a sound judgement of all the particulars in either direction, but yet a choice must be made.

Sometimes that's a choice that has far reaching consequences on people and things with an unclear trajectory on either side. Like apples and oranges, some paths are incommensurable, which means there is no common measurement by which they can be judged other than that they are round and called fruit, or difficult and treacherous.

While some decisions are not easily distilled, one guiding principle I sometimes employ when other questions don't seem to matter is thus: who should I piss off? This question often tramsforms a seemingly baffling or confusing scenario into one with a clear line of action, elucidating new data in the process.

Whether it's between countries or people on the street, knowing who to piss off can be the difference between life and death. The Japanese Samurai had a saying: timing is everything. Even the best defense is worthless if the timing is off in its delivery. Similarly choosing the right moment to make an enemy or make a friend is key in getting out of the line of attack.

Some things are perfectly predictable if we are aware, pay attention, and know what to look for. The danger is that we get lazy in our vigilance. This can never happen, but if it does, you can be sure that sooner or later, it won't be a predictable fastball down the middle coming at you, but a knuckle ball to the face.

The question is, do I walk or charge the mound?

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Chairs & Lairs

2011-06-18T21:55:00.006-04:00

Ok, just chairs.

These guys were neat to make and seemed to take forever. It's hard to remember that, when you are building a set of chairs, you are not building a single piece of furniture, but multiple pieces of furniture.

They just shipped out to Cali this past week. And that feels good.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

An Ode to the Jeep...

2011-06-10T20:55:00.011-04:00

Last night was one of those nights where freaky things just happen.

It reminded me of a night I had about a year ago, when I was driving home at about 9PM after a 12-hour work day. I was on I-66, watching what I thought was heat-lightning flash its way across the sky miles ahead. I had just got off the phone with Clare, who had just left for home from her mom's. It wasn't long before I realized that the bolts illuminating the mountaintops were not heat-lightning at all, but the real thing.

When I made this realization, I called Clare back immediately and strongly urged her to return to her mom's and spend the night. Instinctively, I knew I was in for it. The storm, about 5 miles ahead, was moving very fast, with its black clouds looming ominously in the distance. I considered turning around, but I didn't think I could outrun or outmaneuver the flashing behemoth that rumbled before me. No place seemed quite appropriate to hold up, I thought, as I passed mile marker 27.

Mysteriously alone, with the wind buffeting my Jeep, I stopped and threw her into 4-wheel and then continued on my way. When I rounded the corner by Delaplane, the I was confronted by the monstrosity before me, and found myself staring straight into the face of a dark and angry Leviathan. With the wind howling profusely and leaves scattering everywhere, I told my wife I loved her and simply said, "I gotta go." I dropped the phone and then gripped the steering-wheel with both hands for dear life, just as the next gust of wind slammed into the Jeep.

What followed was one of the most spectacular and frightening nights of my entire life. Lightning flashed everywhere at one-two second intervals with bolts of lightning striking hapless and hitherto unsuspecting objects to my left and right. I waded into the storm as into the valley of death, while sheets of endless rain threatened to crack my windshield and derail my vehicle. I must have said my Act of Contrition about 8 times, and figured if God was going to take me, he was going to take me right now, or in a few minutes.

Still the Jeep--my fast moving faraday cage--carried on.

I have never been so proud of my vehicle or thankful that I drove a Wrangler 4x4 as this night. The flash flooding that ensued on the highway was outclassed by the vehicle's impressive 31-inch Mud Tires. As the light show intensified, I dropped her into 3rd or 4th and took up residence in the fast lane, passing those few poor bastards unfortunate enough to be on the same road with me in their little sedans, hazards blinking. In Linden the flashing became so intense I was blinded and deafened by the roar of thunder crackling all around me. The SHIT was HITTING the FAN. And it was a big fan at that.

Still the Jeep carried on. And led.

When I made it all the way through the pass to the valley beyond, the worst of the storm was clearly behind me. I breathed a sigh of relief. I was alive and intact. That was all that mattered.

Arriving home, I found I was still shaking, partly from holding the wheel to keep the Jeep straight while tilting against the wind and rain, partly from fear. It is an experience that is now emblazoned in my mind, like an indelible mark on my soul.

So yesterday, when I was driving home and saw the lightning passing by me to the south, I was thankful it was not the same storm--almost a year ago to the day--that was gathering to descend upon me. I was fortunate to bypass it.

Hours earlier, Clare had texted me that the power was out in our area and that a Medivac had landed nearby. I arrived home to find that the power was still out, but I was grateful for my preps in the areas of readily accessible water, candles, flaslights, and, of course, my sidearm. The whole place was unusually quiet and there was no rush or subconscious anxiety to update the blog or check out facebook or read the news online. Just darkness.

Oftentimes one is tempted to fantasize about a life post- or sans-technology. One might find peace and solace in such a reverie, but while that is powerful consideration, the reality is I still want to be able to run my table saw and turn on the air conditioning.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

Raising the Barr

2011-05-17T20:14:00.005-04:00

Down here in the BOL, a 1.5" Barr Timber Framing Chisel has finally made its way to the tool box. I've been drooling over it for a year, and decided that now was the time to make the purchase. Anything by Barr Quarton is top shelf, and the wait did nothing to dim my excitement to own one. To say the least.

Being in the wood shop has become a quiet addiction. Yes quiet. I'd rather be there more than anywhere else except home or exploring, but I try not to talk about it (except on the blog or FB) overly much. The work, though fun, is serious and should be approached seriously and respectfully. I also think this thing is getting bigger by the day. Even in a slow economy, the orders are coming in and piling up. It's hard to make heads or tails of this, but it's definitely a bright spot, you know, before Armageddon hits, in say July or whenever.

Just in time for summer vacation.

Anyway, just thought I'd post up and change the scenery around here a bit. Peace out, peeps.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Setting Up Shop

2011-05-09T21:33:00.006-04:00

(Jewelry display table in heart pine)

As usual things here have been hella busy. When not at work, commuting, hanging around my wife and kids, or sleeping and doing chores (I usually do those at the same time), I have been at the wood shop.

We just finished a set of chairs and a table. While I have been instrumental in making the chairs happen, laying and cutting out the pieces, and sanding them, Mike has done the lion's share of the work. You would not believe how damn much time it takes to make a single chair, but the result is pretty sweet. I don't know if we'll get pictures up of this batch, but there will surely be others.

Above is a jewelry display table I made with 4 working drawers. It is going to a store. This was a fun project, especially since it was made from several pieces of scraps that looked much more suited for the burn pile than a showroom. Can you believe it? Pretty cool stuff, and I am glad to be a part of it.

Things at the house are moving right along. I wish I had more done, but all things in good time. We'll see what happens.

All the Best,

--Nick-Dog

Investing in Life

2011-04-25T21:37:00.003-04:00

Today, like yesterday, was a magnificent day. Picture perfect by every measure.

I took an offroad adventure to McDonald's Mill in Strasburg, Va., to secure 12 bundles of slab wood. I mentioned this before in a previous post, but had no luck getting a call back. I figured if I showed up in a muddy Jeep and work boots to place my order, it would show that I am serious about my purchase and have the opportunity to prove that I am in fact a worthy candidate and ok to do business with.

Out here that's generally the way with most of my fellow blue collar, local folk. They say yes, but don't deliver the goods until you prove that you are respectful and not a threat to their way of life. Since I've made this realization, life out here has gone much, much better. People here aren't Fairfaxian snob asses. They are real, basically good, but distrustful of folk they don't know until you prove them otherwise. I assume this is very much the way of the old south in this area. Every place has it's own distinct cultural norms. It's taken me a long time to figure this out, but now that I have, life seems to go smoother.

On my way back from errands, which brought me to Edinburgh, I decided to make my return home via Fort Valley through Edinburgh Gap. Fort Valley is a substantial valley within the valley that is the Shenandoah Valley, occupying the northern part of the region and splitting it into thirds.

Fort Valley is the locale George Washington was going to use as a bug out location if the Revolutionary War saw another winter. It's easy to see why. The relatively narrow valley is fertile, has multiple fresh water sources flowing into cedar creek, and mountains surrounding it on virtually every side and a long narrow gorge at the main entrance. It could be easily defended by a disciplined force and when you are there it seems like the farthest place from anywhere except Eden. Yes, it's breathtaking.

The ascent up the mountain through the gap was glorious, as it followed alongside creek beds making their way down into the valleys on either side. Because of the recent substantial rains, the views include numerous little waterfalls here and there and the top, I discovered has a couple ATV trails.

After a bit of exploring I returned home by way of the Fort's main road, enjoying prime mountain views and spring breezes while making good time in the process.

Arriving back at home and seeing the newly cut grass was refreshing. While cutting it on Saturday I thanked God for being able to live here and prayed that I would never have to leave. And that brings me to the title of today's post.

When you are investing in your life, planning for the long term by establishing roots and making moves to be somewhere permeneantly it changes your vision and how you feel about a place. For example, our new wood floors and furniture have made us feel that we have a new lease on life and that we are here again for the first time. The house also feels more complete and what is more, we all enjoy being here even more. As things continue to take shape, I am feeling more and more connected to my property, the land and dwellings that inhabit it. I hope that in the years to come it will become a place that my children and their children will cherish and always find peace and prosperity here.

So, even though the world spirals into oblivion, I pray that this place remains and develops as God wants it to be: God's Country.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Botvinnik

2011-04-22T20:33:00.009-04:00

I've been really into the idea of studying Mikhail Botvinnik lately. Today I happened upon his "One Hundred Selected Games," which is a classic exposition of the Russian School of thought on chess. In fact, Botvinnik is the stereotypical stoic soviet chess master that you probably think of when the words "Russia" and "Chess" come to mind.

First published in English in 1951, his writing is a clear glimpse into the mind of the soviets and how they approached chess and just about everything else. Regarding chess, he unflinchlingly analyzes his own games and gives dominating principles to those who would follow in his footsteps, which might be summarized thus:

"Out-study, out-prepare your opponents beforehand and have the greater will to win."

Botvinnik used to say that if you lose a game, it's because you didn't want to win bad enough.

That's true enough in chess, but the lesson has applications just about everywhere else. Food for thought.

--Nick-Dog

The Collapse is Underway...

2011-04-12T14:35:00.003-04:00

Not to be a downer, but...

The failure of the Republicans led by Boehner to slam the ebrakes on government spending is the one and only signal I need to know that the Repubics are going to allow the economy to head over the cliff. Maybe not all of them. Maybe the Ryan Budget will pass and be adopted in its entirety, but my own opinion is that the damage is already done and that we are essentially screwed.

It's kinda like the earthquake in Japan. The time is now to get to the high ground before the Tsunami comes ashore.

After watching After Armageddon on YouTube in my down time at work, I can't say I'm psyched.
The time is now to have your stuff in order, before inflation hits the shelves more severly than it already has, and before Saudi Arabia goes up in smoke and with it the rest of our oil based economy.

So my shout out to you at this moment is: Get Your Shit Together before you can't afford to get shit, or there isn't any left to obtain. The first swells are coming ashore.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Refinished

2011-04-03T22:39:00.006-04:00

It's been a whirlwind and exciting week!

After 3 years of living with stained, icky unfinished hardwood floors, we finally had them professionally refinished. The effect is really stunning. Red Oak stained a mahogony semi-gloss in the living room and hallway now gives the house a sohpishticated feel. The heart pine in the kitchen--which looked like it may never recover--is now downy and full of depth and resplendent in it's natural character. Mad props to H&H Hardwood for a such a spectacular job!

It really feels like a new house!

And now we have a new kitchen table, standing glorious and imperious on our new wood floors. Sweet.

It took a while to build, but not that long. All of the reclaimed barnwood came out of a barn in Linden, Va. that was built in 1901. The table top and skirt is wormy American chestnut and the legs are made from Sycamore 4x4s of all things. Finsihed with 2 coats of penetrating oil and 2 coats of water polyeurathane by General Finishes, this piece is a testimony to beautiful wood and craftsmanship.

This may be the first table I build, but as it happens it will not be the last. Mike S., the proprietor of Strong Oaks Woodshop, who guided and instructed me throughout the construction process, has asked me to come aboard as a partner in the business. I am humbled and excited, and will now be spending a significant amount of my waking hours building beautiful furniture and having fun doing it, not to mention dismantling barn(s).

Peace,

--Nick-Dog

Distributism: A Catholic Philosophy?

2011-03-19T03:27:00.010-04:00

As I write, it is one of the most beautiful nights I've experienced in a long time. It's 3AM, the windows are open, and a chorus of Spring peepers resounds in the forest, carried into the house on a cool, soft breeze. Tea is brewing. Tonight is the kind of night so many storytellers seek to capture through the art of their pen.

Later this morning, I will be heading out to a local furniture-maker's house to work on a barnwood kitchen table for our house. As we were working last weekend, my congenial host mentioned in passing that he had started reading some works on Distributism, an economic philosophy promoted as a Catholic alternative to capitalism and socialism by great thinkers such as Hillaire Belloc and G.K. Chesterton.

Wikipedia's broad definition is accurate enough for the purposes of this blog:

"The ownership of the means of production should be spread as widely as
possible among the general populace, rather than being centralized under the
control of the state (socialism) or a few large businesses or wealthy
private individuals."

Again from Wiki, Chesterton's summary:

"Too much capitalism does not mean too many capitalists, but too few capitalists."

It is not my intent here to refute or sell this philosophy as whole, but to offer several considerations that aren't frequently articulated in those few circles where Distributism is a known quantity of interest and discussion.

My opinion is that this economic philosophy is generally more of a romantic reaction to the abuses of unregulated capitalism and socialism than a scientific system of trade. And in some ways, that is the point: rampant materialism is eschewed, and while Chesterton and Belloc may well-be credited as Distributism's originators, they never created a manual of societal implementation that I know of, except to say that it is an economic philosophy patterned according to the Middle Ages and some of its traditions.

Those traditions would include a guild system for each craft, holding each craftsman to a common standard, conferring on him a personal idenity and involving him in the community as a whole. A focus on the family as the primary social unit responsible for the proper evolution of a sound society, working at home on one's own property, hand in hand with a Christ-centered vision of hard work and rest.

These notions have their place, and while I am no Enlightenment or materialist thinker by any stretch, as an American in the 21st century, its hard, at least for me, to see this philosophy or parts of it as more than a personal way. Yet there have been many adherents who insist that this is the most Catholic way, meaning en total. And this is where I take umbridge.

Distributism has not been responsible for feeding the world. Capitalism has.

Distributism has not been responsibile for providing medicine the world over, medical advancements, and cures for numerous sicknesses. Capitalism has.

Distributism has not been responsible for sound sanitation, plumbing, and climate control, and the protection of life associated with that. Capitalism has.

I could go on, but you see were I am going, I hope. If you don't, let me spell it out: capitalism and the technological/societal developments thereof has provided more charity and compassion, and alleviated more human suffering, through it's system of production and means of distribution than distrubutism has and undoubtedly could. There I said it.

This is not to say capitalism is without its faults. Of course not. And that brings me to my next point: there are no perfect economies in this "vale of tears." Our Lord said, "The poor you will always have with you," and he meant it.

Nevertheless, there are perfect ideas, or ideas that have the semblence of perfection, such as owning the means of your own production. That's actually as capitalist as it is distributist. But again, we abut against another human reality in this discussion and where I believe there is a deficiency in the reasoning of Distributism at this point. Namely, that not every human being is called to run a business or own the means of their own production, because not everyone can, i.e., has the talent or desire to do so.

But what of regaining the sense and bringing about a renaissance of personal craftsmanship? That is a noble and great thing. But distributism is not the only philosophy that espouses this. In the area of regaining a renewed sense of "the craftsman," The Arts and Crafts Movement, certainly sought to initiate a return of the creative human element to daily life in all it's trappings. More modern articulations of this desire exist as well, and we see it in the work of architectural and design realists (for a lack of better word; meaning people who see the human condition for what it is), such as in The Not so Big House, where the idea is not to live in a McMansion of epic proportions but a well-designed home built to a human scale.

Finally, a word about distributism's proponents. My experience is that the strongest proponents of this philosophy are semi-elitist though perhaps well-meaning intellectuals who wish they were aristocrats and living in a world where their thoughts carry more weight than they currently do.
While Chesterton fancied himself a distributist with his cute "Three acres and a cow" self-portrait, he survived not by working in the fields, but by the tip of his pen.

Nevertheless, I have friends living very admirable lives, working at home about whom the Distribitists Guilds of St. Joseph and St. Dominic would be proud, "Men rich in virtue studying beautifulness living in peace in their houses."

Perhaps one day I will be one of them.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Recent Happenings on the Homefront

2011-03-07T06:00:00.004-05:00

It's been awhile since I've hit the blog. A few things I've been doing around here of late:

Chess: I was recently asked without being asked to be the chess coach for the school where I work. Being a chess nerd, I volunteered myself to teach the kids the game and give them some structure. The first lesson went swimmingly. I spoke for 20 minutes, fielding a ton of questions, and kept the kids from going all out zoo. I am using Fred Reinfeld's book, "How to be a Winner at Chess" as my guide.

Reinfeld is a superb author, having written over a 100 books on chess in his lifetime, in addition to other works on coins, history, and checkers. His style is emminently approachable with most of his books oriented toward the beginner. The first book I read of his while in high school, "The Complete Chessplayer", completely changed the way I played the game, giving me an edge ever since.

In an effort to sharpen that edge to razor sharp in my down time, I ordered 6 more of his books, including "Winning Chess: How to See Three Moves Ahead," "1001 Brilliant Ways to Checkmate," and "1001 Winning Chess Sarcrifices and Combinations." I am also looking into a part time gig of coaching chess after school for other schools. We'll see what happens.

Wood: The weekend before last, I spent a large amount of time behind a chainsaw, cutting downed wood from our locust trees into digestable bits for the woodstove. The lion's share of this work is done. However, most of the remaining wood that I had delivered also needs to be down sized, as well as a good portion of the locust previously cut and split. My goal is that by the end of this sping, more or less, I will have 2 years worth of firewood, split, cut and stacked, for the upcoming winters.

To that end, I am checking into a new wood source, a local saw mill that sells 10 ft. pieces of slab wood by the truck load to the tune of $25. Yes, I will have to cut the pieces to size, but considering I have been doing that anyway in the winter, what's the difference. I will be giving the mill a call today to see how quickly I can arrange 10 truck loads. I think that will set me up nicely and keep me more busy than I want to be.

Woodworking: A couple of weeks back scored a sweet deal on a Jet jointer. I just couldn't pass up. This has given me the edge I need in woodworking, no pun intended, as now I can mate two pieces of wood properly (seemlessly). My first project is that of small stool for Anastasia and Isabel for use in the bathroom. At present, they are using their plastic princess privy as a stand. I've cut and jointed the stock for the top and I will begin doing the skirts when I come home from work. I will glue up the top and glue and pocket screw the base skirts into the top. I think.

I say that because I am still very new to woodworking, almost totally green to fine woodworking. The structures I've built that resemble furniture, such as shelves, are crude by aesthetic standards but strong. Next on my list is a kitchen table, provided I actually obtain the lumber. It's on order--it is available, but getting it planed (a service for which I am undoubtedly grateful) is taking some time at the moment. In the meanwhile, I will finish my practice stool first.

Spring: There are so many other things to put in order for the year, it's overwhelming. The garden. The compost pile. Landscaping. Remodeling. Staining. Painting. The list is endless, or close to it. Occasionally, it simply feels overwhelming and thus really hard to stay focused. I love Spring, especially in Virginia. It's magnificent. I intend to enjoy it, even while doing all of the above.

Peace Out and Prepare.

--Nick-Dog

Debt

2011-01-27T17:30:00.005-05:00

Now would be a good time to begin preparing for a currency collapse. The state of VA is exploring the possibility of printing it's own money in the event of a total collapse of the dollar. Dont' believe me? Well, here ya go, and more states are thinking the same. Meanwhile, Congress is quietly discussing how insolvent states might legally declare bankrupcy. That is in addition to cities, counties, and municipalities being insolvent.

No, no, no. A currency collapse can't happen here, you say. Well, the math doesn't lie, but the government and media does. Stop being a tool and take steps to protect yourself.

The 2008 crash was just the beginning, the warning, the wake up call. We are on a fiscal highway to perdition. Our lives are about to change dramatically, some time in the relatively near future. At least that is my core conviction, especially now that the words "national debt" seem to be front and center now in the national conversation.

Preparedness is not a solitary event, a singular moment in time where you go to Wal-Mart and stock up on Spam and then forget about it for 10 years. No, it's a way of life that you choose to follow because you see past modern conveniences, knowing that they and our cushy lifestyle may one day disappear. It's a realization that our present reality is almost entirely predicated on unlimited resources and energy. The truth is, someone other than me once said, we are 9 meals away from anarchy.

You do what you want. This blog has been my sounding board about mental and physical preparedness, whether it be about guns or preps. As of this writing, I have lost most if not all but one reader I think, because I am not content to be another sheep bleating helplessly in the wind. My words are a downer for many for sure. Who wants to think about life in a lawless Shanty Town, the disappearance of the middle class, government corruption, bank holidays, rampant inflation, black marktets, and endless crime? I don't, but I have no choice, because that is a possible reality for us: an Argentina like fall from grace from which we may never fully recover.

Get your shit together. Go scare the piss out of yourself, if you haven't already, and visit Ferfal's blog. Start from the beginning. Look long and hard at the images of what's happening there right now and in the past few years and ask yourself if you could live like that.

The time is now to prep. The hourglass is nearly empty, and it may not get another turn.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Out on the Precipice?

2011-01-08T14:02:00.005-05:00

One day or the other, I think we will be, as a country. Perhaps we are already there.

Indeed, I have become increasingly pessimistic about the future of our country, but ironically have increasing optimism about the direction of life here in the hollow, notwithstanding the uncertainty of the road ahead for all.

The country is on the brink of economic collapse. How long we will teeter on the precipice is anyone's guess, but now, more than ever, is the time to get one's house in order, before inflation hits and we are irrevocably screwed. Out best hope is to contain the damage done by the 110th congress and dramatically roll back the government. If this doesn't happen now, the proverbial SHIT is going to HTF, Argetina style. Even if Congress did everything right from here on out, it may be too little, too late.

Our insolvency as a nation is not an intellectual hypothesis. This is the cold, hard truth. Our country is bankrupt. Even if all Americans were to pay 100% of our income to the Fed., we would still not have enough money to cover our obligations. Right now, the rest of the world is positioning itself as best it can to prepare for the fall of the dollar, but whatever they do, it won't be enough.

I can see this playing out in one of two ways. First, the socialist solution: A new reserve, multi-national currency that is imposed on us "for our own good," in which the U.S. remains a key player at table. Or, similarly, China, Russia, and/or the Gulf Oil states form a new currency in which oil is priced, abandoning the standard of the dollar. But as far as I'm concerned, the dollar's future is screwed. It is a failing currency, even if we haven't accepted it yet.

Maybe I am wrong. I am not an economist, but I know how to balance a check book. Right now, one of the nation's check books is $14 trillion in the hole, with no end in sight.

I have begun purchasing Silver American Eagles as a small means by which to cover my backside against financial Armageddon. I have some gold, but not enough disposable income right now to purchase by the ounce. I wish I began purchasing PMs earlier, but I had other necessary expenses to cover, but still, where there's a will, there's a way.

In addition to making up for a lack of precious metals, my prepping goals for the new year revolve around a successful garden and chicken flock, and learning to hunt. I will be constructing a composting pile shortly to get our gardening soil ready for action, and have other related tasks to handle.

Meanwhile, I advise all of you to put your stuff into place. We are in the midst of the Great Recession, with almost 20% underemployment and a gloomy outlook on the horizon. Take the steps now to protect yourself. We have been so blessed in this country. The sun has shown upon America for a very long time. Yet, inevitably, the sun must set.

Just be ready when it does.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Addicted to Chaos

2010-12-10T20:11:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I am.

Part of the reason I am an addict of mayhem is because I moved into a home that needs myriads of repairs, repairs that need to be done while I live there with 3 kids and a lovely wife.

Don't get me wrong, I dig my house, but I've come to the conlusion that I am a perpetual project starter, but not a project finisher. I get bored by the end game. In the back of my head, I think, "Well that, I can finish that whenever. It will only take X________ amount of time." Then years go by and I am left scratching my head wondering why there are 30 projects that still need completion.

As I write a new year is one the horizon. My goal for this upcoming year is to do as much work as I can to my home. I need to. The place looks a lot better than when I purchased it, but it still feels undone, unfinished, and consequently chaotic. Uncle Sam, you can't pay me back fast enough, because I have a lot to get done around here. Give me my check and say go. This shit needs to happen.

If it wasn't that I was so easily distracted, I could finish each project in the house and be done with it. But it is not so. While in the midst of one thing, another demonstrates a more urgent need. If only I could rip it all apart and put it back together at once, life would be a lot easier. That and a lot of money. Well, easier said than done.

Like hunting for your own food, I think it is a manly thing to build your own home, to rework it yourself, from the bones out, as necessary, as desired. I get juice from Lowe's when I don't have the stress of a project and commensurate lack of funds looming over my head. I just stand there and feel the power, but even then, they lack stuff. Stuff for fine woodworking and rough cut lumber. But overall, they kick ass. Yes, I am rambling.

In a word, I have found it is harder for me to finish what I've started than to start anew. This needs to be remedied in the coming year. Whatever I begin, I finish. It must be done.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Sticking with Leupold

2010-11-25T11:46:00.003-05:00

I had been waffling on the idea of keeping my big caliber rifle, selling or trading it in favor of finishing my AR build or buying a Mossy 590, something basically, that would see a lot more active duty and use than a big bore rifle.

The 300 WSM (Winchester Short Magnum) is something of a niche caliber out this way, with most devotees sticking with the more popular 300 Win Mag or more frequently a .308. This is why, I think, I have not been able to move this gun very easily at a reasonable price online. You gotta want a 300 WSM in a Remmy 700 SPS, just like I did.

But the WSM is a good caliber by all reports. It will get it done in the field. One reason I have not shot my gun is because I had not yet invested in some serious glass.

There has been a recurring discussion over at Wethearmed.com regarding optics and best bang for the buck, with the end result recommendation of going out to a gun store and looking through as many scopes as possible to get a feel and sense of what you are paying for in each price range.

To my happy surprise, I found that Gander Mt. in Winchester has revamped their weapons area, which now includes a small section of dummy stocks and mounted scopes. It's a brilliant idea, IMO, since it allows the consumer to look through at his leisure all the available scopes without having to pester and feel pressured by the guy behind the gun counter.

To my surprise, I liked Leupold's top end VX-1 the best. The glass was shockingly clear and put everything in nice relief. I'll be purchasing the VX-II in 3-9x40 since that is the top end of what I can afford come tax time. The new VX-IIs are actually the world class vx-IIIs of a several years ago, according to what I have read on the interwebs.

It was also recommended to the check out Nikon. Nikon was nice and clear but not to my taste. I actually preffered the VX-I over Nikon's Monarch and Buckmaster. Maybe that's because I couldn't see them out in the field, but alas, that was to my surprise after everything I've read.

Anyway, I just wanted to put that out there as food for thought. I will also be purchasing a Harris bipod for the rifle and maybe a few other goodies. But right now it's time to think about Turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving!

--Nick-Dog

Words from the Past

2010-11-18T22:23:00.002-05:00

First, and most importantly, a brief announcement: Kieran Nicholas Marmalejo was born on November 14, at 6:09am, weighing in at a healthy 8 lbs. 6 oz. and 20 and 1/4 inches long. We are glad to have him and I am very proud.

He's a few days old now, and I am up while everyone else is asleep. This week has been wonderful, but it has been an adjustment too. It's 3 on 2, or, if you prefer, a 3 and 2 year-old verse the home team, or something like that, with a baby brother in reserve. The one thing that has been becoming increasingly and now crystal clear over the past several months is that time is at a premium.

While reflecting on this, and on my many projects, interests and hobbies, I recalled a post I wrote sometime ago on renovating the bathroom, a process which is finally reaching it's conclusion.

The one thing I want to highlight is that as things become more complete, life becomes more sane. Our exterior life is often an accurate reflection of our interior dispositions. Even though things are often crazy around here, when I see things getting organized and getting done, I breathe easier. I see the "tranquility of order" and long for some of that myself.

I just wish it would stay a little longer when it does arrive.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Rats 1, Nick 0

2010-11-11T19:47:00.004-05:00

A year seems like a long time, but the number of items we own often go unused or get brushed aside for a year or longer. My shed is a good example of this.

My shed has mostly been a pathetic disaster of personal items, tools, debris, and who knows what else. Today I took a hard line and began emptying it wholesale. Before I knew it, I had a vast pile of scrap, unused items, and the remnants of a rats' nest. In fact, I could hear the damn things squeaking away every so often as I shoveled their home into Glad bag oblivion.

It was quite a mess. But I was not depressed. Actually, I was fairly juiced because I am starting to see the vision for it as a functional workshop, notwithstanding my rodent problem. In cleaning it out, I created a ton more space, making ample room for the Jet table saw, the Craftsman radial arm saw my dad passed on to me, and my recently acquired Rockwell drill press, which I bought today for a steal ($60!).

In fact, my wood scrap problem has gotten to the point that I have enough wood for functional workbench and and series of shelves. My strategy in dealing with the rat/mouse problem is to remove all goat and chicken grain from the workspace and make the area very spartan. Mice and their ilk tend to love warrens and locations that resemble them. Hopefully, between thoroughly cleaning and emptying the place and putting down poison, this problem will remove itself. Time will tell, but at this point, I kind of expect at least some mouse and rat activity.

The remaining half of my strategy involves keeping everything stored away neatly, in tool boxes, or hanging along the wall, as appropriate. At least this way if the vermin do come, my tools have some protection from their dung and cleanup will be fairly swift. This is the hope anyway. Since I am not made of money, I have to make this space work, like it or not.

I do take some solace in looking at my neighbor's work shed--which is a third the size of mine, but piled in a quasi-organized fashion from floor to ceiling with tools and anything else you might need for building just about anything. If he can make his shop work for him (he does all of his sawing outside), then I can certainly make mine work for me.

Anyway, I am inspired at the moment with my progress. Hopefully, my strategy will deter or kill the emmisaries of the mouse kingdom. If it doesn't, nothing will change, but at least amidst the wasps and mouse dung, I'll be able to find my tools.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Gun Pics

2010-10-27T14:54:00.005-04:00

Lessons from Furniture Making

2010-10-23T07:21:00.003-04:00

So I have been really into working with wood for a couple months now. I mean, I've been watching numerous podcasts regarding how to make furniture from scratch and it has helped me immensely in my day job as a maintenance guru and also to understand wood and working with it a whole lot better.

As I've mentioned elsewhere and here I think, I am working towards a hand tool only shop. I say that, but the reality of what works comfortably for me, I think, is a blended shop, which is a mixture of power and unplugged hand tools.

I don't think I could give up the convenience of a Power Miter Saw, for example, or a circle saw. My saws are sacred to me. Cutting 2x4s to length, spindles, trim, or whatever, in easy, accurate, and repeatble fashion on my Hitachi Miter Saw at work is the cat's pajamas. Ripping stock on the table saw opens up doors that previously didn't exist. Throw a router, jig saw, some clamps, a compressor and nail gun in there, and you are set up to conquer foreign lands.

In fact, this is my exact set-up at work. I have a large rolling workbench (which I will soon outfit with massive rubber-tired casters) that supports all my goodies. I call it "rolling thunder" and I put it into action for the first time yesterday. I am going to add custom storage onto it, but it is essentially up and running. It is designed so that I can show up basically anywhere at work and be ready to dominate at a moment's notice. When it is not being transported to a distant location, it is in or outside the garage as a functioning workbench, doing all the same tasks it would do elsewhere.

But the more hand tools you incorporate in your work, the better you become, I think. It makes you become more innovative when you learn how things are/were done without the help of power tools. At least it does for me. For example, with the use of quick clamps and 2x scrap, I quickly created an as-need planing stop on my bench for measuring boards to length with a template instead of tape. This is a faster and more accurate way to go. As I was clamping, I realized I had leveled-up in work. This is not something I would have done instictively a year ago. I'd still be scratching my ahead.

Anyhow, I hope you are well, alive, and kicking.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

It's that time again

2010-10-05T21:17:00.004-04:00

Time to fire up the woodstove, that is.

We recently cut down 2 black locusts, which were perilously above our house. Thankfully, they came down without a hitch, and now I have a ton of future firewood to cut, split, and stack outside. Black Locust actually burns well green, meaning it will hold a flame and produce heat, but not as much heat as if it were seasoned, of course.

Still, it will suffice for the early part of the season. I called my first order in on Friday and it should be here about this weekend. It's a mix of hardwoods: ash, walnut, locust mostly, with possibly a little bit of oak. I may decide to call in a cord of fully seasoned oak at some point to get us through the coldest months, but it will just depend.

I meant to have wood brought to me at the end of the last heating season, to dryout and be ready for the winter, but alas, my funds didn't allow it. Next year, perhaps.

Heating with wood is a mixed bag in some ways. There's nothing like a fire to sit around, but the romance wear's off somewhat when you have to go outside with a chainsaw in the snow to make a piece fit in your stove, or when you are ass-tired or sick and have to start a fire from scratch. It can be a royal pain, but in the end, it's still pretty awesome.

Back when we lived in our D.C. apartment, the heat was controlled by an old steam system and a boiler. This heat was easily ideal. We never froze, but if the power went or gas out we would have been shafted mega. It never happened while we were there but it could have. Still, snuggling up next to those radiators was pretty damn wonderful.

My own opinion on the best system is that self-same steam heat--through radiators--combined with a woodstove. It also depends on the design of the house. Stoves do better when the heat can rise upwards, but radiators are more effective with a sprawling or awkwardly laid out home. We have a propane furnace as well to fight off the sub-zero weather, but I would gladly trade it for those radiators, especially when it comes to the bill.

So, yes, it's heating season. I'll be spending my weekend stacking wood and kindling to get us ready for the cold. I've learned my lesson well last season that you want your wood ready and your house sealed against the cold.

Until next time, peace out!

--Nick-Dog

Of Planes & Workbenches...

2010-09-26T10:22:00.007-04:00

Ok, you know you need at least a refresher post when you are sick of seeing your olde post.

After finishing John English's book on Hand Planes, I picked up Christopher Schwarz's book, Workbenches: From Design and Theory to Contruction and Use. Both were good reads and served as a fitting entry point into the realm of hand tools.

English's book is simple and straightfoward. He covers all the planing and scraping tools, with a history of major brands and offers his respectable opinion here and there. His book was an eye-opener and pleasantly illustrated. I'm sure that there are other books out there that are as just as good or better, but this one just happened to be on the shelf at my local Borders.

Schwarz's book, however, is an entirely different matter. It is profound, a book that makes you reconsider everything you know about woodworking and workbenches, even if you knew nothing in the first place. For the woodworker, the workbench is the most important tool in the shop, but a work bench is one of the most important tools in any shop.

You can do an amazing amount of work with a well-appointed bench, and Schwarz's book shows you how and is an excellent starting point for bring your own ideas to bench design. In addition, the book offers two plans for two distinct benches, which, in my opinion, are alone worth the price of the book. These benches, (one of which is pictured above), are not just serious tools, they are works of art as well.

In the book Schwarz poses the question, "Do you really need a massive, old-school workbench in your shop?" All I can say is, no, but after reading his book there's something wrong with you if you don't want one.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Labor Day Ramblings

2010-09-06T06:39:00.006-04:00

I am a morning person. I tend to get things done more precisely and efficiently in the mornings than during the day. Perhaps that's why my body decided to get up at 4:33 AM today. My mind is fresh. My inspiration, unthwarted. And my energy, at peak.

My obsession with woodworking has continued unabated. Each day I wake up, and each day I wish I was working in my own shop, sharpening tools and creating furniture, cabinets, and other useful things. While I do not eschew power tools, I find myself increasingly drawn to using hand tools predominately. I am saving up for a set of chisels and a book on hand planes. As mentioned previously, I am also brainstorming on building a shop out back exclusively for working with wood. In the meantime, however, certain house projects demand completion and are front and center.

We are all recently returned from Myrtle Beach. What an awesome place! We stayed at Myrtle Beach State Park, which, with the exception of the occasional jet taking off, was an oasis of tranquility amidst the commercialized insanity. The ocean water was refreshing and revitalizing, and wiped away months of stress in minutes. We all left extremely chi'llaxed, especially me. I got a new lease on life, a new focus and new perspective. Don't get me wrong, the world is still going to blow up, the SHTF is on the horizon, but I can at least be a peaceful (Glock-wielding) person.

Before we left for the trip, I completed our walk-in outdoor chicken enclosure. It works great gives greater peace of mind over our chickens (hitherto they were free-ranging toward the road). With that, the core of the infrastructure for our goat-chicken set up is done for the year, notwithstanding some painting, reinforcing and fine tuning.

I am going to head out now and grab some more coffee. In the meantime, do what inspires you and enjoy your Labor Day.

Over and Out,

--Nick

200th CraZy Post!

2010-08-22T19:37:00.002-04:00

I've been getting the juice for wood-working and doing sizable projects at home. At work, I am refurbishing old, graffitied lab tables, turning them into like-new stained and sealed masterpieces. Masterpiece might be a bit of an exagerration, but they are, in fact, turning out far more superior than I expected. Which is good. This work has provided me with plenty of inspiration, and this brings me to me weekend adventure.

After deliverying a trailer load of trash to the Bentonville landfill, an ordeal in and of itself, I made plans to visit our local Rockler dealer in Winchester, McFarland's Mill. Their shop has a good dose of all the miscelaneous items you could need, and sells some serious hardware, too. But main reason for going was to peruse their rough cut timbers for a couple of wood-working projects. Clare, my lovely-wife, has been asking me about making castles for a long time, and so after giving the task some consideration decided to see about obtaining some real hard wood, not Lowe's grown in China items.

I also have it in my mind to try my hand at making some cutting boards after recently re-watching a how-to video over at the Wood Whisperer.

Anyway, walking into the hardwood room was just awesome. I was expecting more wood to be in stock, but what they had was really cool, albeit pricy for what I wanted. They were out of purple heart and the lone piece of rock maple they had remaining was just too pricy. Instead I snagged a couple of smaller pieces of dark walnut and a nice 2-inch thick slab of cherry. The grains and colors are stunning, and when they are sanded an finished, hopefully they will be mind-blowing.

My first prototype is that of Rapunzel's tower, to be sold in my wife's gnome shop (pics to come), provided it meets with her approval. Right now she is impressed, but I am far from finished. I too am pleased at how things are turning out, but as with any project I am desirous of more tools to work with (what tool junkie wouldn't be?) to make the process easier. Right now I have enough wood I think to do three towers and two cutting boards. Now I just need a jointer and a planer and I'll be rockin'.

That said, what I really want to do now is save up the cash to erect a 20x20 wood shop out back. Right now I have a mouse-infested barn that it is more well-suited to farm equipment and hay than my feeble attmepts at fine wood working. Going out there and finding mouse droppings and twigs on or around your tools is frustrating as can be, not to mention the hornets that tend to take up residence, or the rat I saw Friday night. Yeah, it's enough to make me scream sometimes.

So, that is the plan. New building which hopefully will lead to lots of side work and fun projects, and hopefully growth in skill.

Godspeed. Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

P.S.--Buy your preps now before the world blows up!

Get It Done!

2010-08-17T22:06:00.003-04:00

So, this weekend I put the hammer down and went full-speed ahead on one of the mandatory, pre-winter, pre-baby projects that had hitherto been looming on my mind's horizon for months: re-insulating the exterior wall in our bedroom and deleting the old front door to the outside.

Last winter, and the winter before that, I froze my arse off. I swore to myself this last time that I would do whatever it took to replace that old door and whatever was behind the drywall with with beautiful R-19 insulation. It's nasty to install, but the pay off is well-worth it. I believe what was pre-existing was R-13, so I swapped it out for the good stuff. I was going to go with R-39, but aside from being pricy, there simply is not enough room for it to expand in our walls, so I stuck with the standard R-19

The project went remarkably smooth. I took a few pictures after the demo was done, but since they strike me as hideous, I will not post them. After installing the new insulation, I covered the interior of the wall with 1/2' OSB plywood, per my mountain-man carpenter neighbor's suggestion--a piece of advice he has followed himself in his house with great success. In fact, last fall, using this technique, he renovated his bedroom, which sits on the north side of the house and consequently gets blasted by the prevailing winds, and stayed warm all of last winter.

I've already noticed a difference with the A/C window unit we have in there. The place stays COLD until you open the door. Nice ice box cold. I'm hoping that come winter it will stay nice and toasty warm.

Installing plywood before the drywall is more work, but it the results are better: the room feels more solid (it is); the room is much quieter; and the extra layer or ply helps with the R-factor, or adds another layer of insulation, sealing out undesireable weather.

Anyway, I just felt the need to get moving on this, even in the midst of my 31 other projects I have going on around here. Slowly, but surely we are becoming more organized and slight more sane-seeming. Possibly. I don't know, but it sure feels nice to have this one off the shoulders and off the horizon.

Until next time...

Over and out,

--Nick-Dog

Thirst for Adventure

2010-08-07T08:48:00.006-04:00

Quenched.

This morning I was up at 2AM, restless as can be. I've been fiending to spend some serious time in the woods for the past week, and today these moments had arrived.

The pics above are from the hike up to Buzzard Rock. It's two miles one way of moderately difficult terrain. Appalacia's infamous rocks line the trail in parts, making it the hike a bit more challenging. According to hikingupwards.com, the ascent is a mere 650 feet, but there's a lot of up and down along the way.

This was THE perfect hike for today. Before the trip, I emptied my milsurp bug-out bag (which needed to be cleaned out anyhow) that I keep in the vehicle, added 2 liters of H20 in USA made Nalgene's, some trail mix, the foldable doggy bowl, a banana, and some sugar cookies neatly packed in tupperware, this last ostensibly for the dog.

Leia and I were out of the house at 6:01 and at the trail head at 6:09, while my family was still asleep. Having not been out on a trail by myself in a long time, I was bit apprehensive first about plunging into the forest alone, just because. I was reassured, however, by the legally concealed Glock on my hip and my canine companion's enthusiasm and lust for adventure. After the initial adjustment to the change of scenery, I was overcome by the peace of the mountain and the Eastern Forests and energetically pursued the climb.

Leia and I made it to the first summit and overlook at the right moment. Even though she was tired, Leia did not want to stop until we made it, which was remarkable. She didn't want to continue upwards from there, though, so we copped a spot and pulled out the supplies. I gave Leia a sugar cookie, and she promptly buried it, which made me laugh. I gave her another, and she buried that one too. I guess these were gifts to the mountain, unless she plans on coming back to retrieve them later. Makes me wonder what I have buried in my yard.

One awesome thing about the trip was that it was still very cool under the forest canopy, making the temperature ideal for a hike. At the top, the steady breeze was chilly on sweat. I was wearing one of my fly-fishing Gander Mountain long sleeve shirts and jeans, but I wish I had a warmer garment.

>After snapping a few pictures and basking in the moment, we began our descent to civilization. As always, I was impressed with Leia's ability to pick her way through myriads of rocks, and I was heartened to see some skip return to her step as we began the up and down portion which signaled that we are on the last half of the trail.

We made it out to the Jeep by 8:01. I was impressed. Clare and the kiddos would just be waking up, and I satisfied my desire to be alone amidst nature and the denizens of the mountain.

A couple of reflections before I close. My work boots, which are stiff steel-toed Red Wings, from there Made in China Worx line, performed awesomely. I mean these things delivered better than anything I've worn previously on a hike; they made the troublesome stones along the trail much easier to navigate safely and kept my ankle well-supported during the occasional slip. Overall, I'd wear these things again in a heartbeat, but I am interested in seeing what Red Wing has to offer in their line of actual hiking boots.

Traveling light and traveling smart cannot be overemphasized. As always on a hike like this, my thoughts drifted to those intrepid souls who thru-hike from Georgia to Maine or elsewhere. Ultra-light is the way to go, especially since that frees up room for more ammo. But seriously, for things like a bug-out bag, where what's in your bag is your life, each item, at some point, needs to be carefully selected, especially if you have to travel through mountainous terrain.

One last thing. Waking up ass-early and getting out doing something awesome before the day starts is the way to go. Sometimes you just need to get off your internet ass and do something. I am really glad I did.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Goats et al

2010-07-29T21:30:00.009-04:00

Et al. It's an abbreviation we use in English for the Latin term, et alia, which means "and all that other stuff" or "everyone else."

Goats: It' s been an interesting couple of weeks. I spent my 100 degree days pulling goat fence off a mountain and then installing it on our property, only to have the goats escape and make a mockery of my work. They are peaceful animals, but they don't take to prison well. We are going to have to build a serious fence using cemented posts because the metal stakes aren't cutting it. Between that and cutting out some of overstretched deer fence, we should be ok. Give these guys a whole the size of their head, and you've got problems...

Back: In the process of the above, lifting 80 lb. bags of concrete with bad form, I pulled a muscle in my lower back, which has been bothering me for nearly two weeks. However, today I discovered the magic of Aleve, and I'm back in business as they say. So I chose to buy some for the home pharmacy. This way when the SHTF, and I am outside finishing my survivalist compound, and pull a back muscle, I can pop a few pills and still be ready for guard duty. Seriously, this stuff is rockin'. I went ahead and purchased the generic. Same stuff, lower price.

D&D Diversion: So being kinda laid up and all, I took a stroll down memory lane with Google and downloaded the 1988 Dos version of the game, Pool of Radiance, not to mention the code wheel, Adventurer's Journal, and clue book. Despite it's age, this game has it all: imaginative plot, cool tactics, and personality. The player really feels he is knee deep in another world. Maybe it's because this is the first real fantasy game I ever played. Perhaps, but it's still the best, even with it's several shortcomings.

SurvivalBlog: I've been tuning into SurvivalBlog.com, for lack of anything new and intelligent out there on the forums. SurvivalBlog.com is one of the best resources out there, in my opinion, for articles on SHTF scenarios. Not everything captures my interest, but enough to get me to come back a couple times a week. I imagine their archive is a mine of data and worth perusing. Anyway, once you understand the basics of preparedness, it's all about how far one takes it from there. We are at the (wannabe) homestead level, though it leaves me pulling my hair out when my neighbor shows up to announce that he has my goat...for the 9th time.

But better than survivalblog, is Backwoods Home magazine. Probably the same characters frequent both, but Backwoods is THE best, IMO, source regarding homesteading. They are serious, and seriously cool and more insane than me at that.

Latin & Classical: I've been tuning in to Classical music on the way to work. It helps calm my nerves on my commute after listening to how O and the democrats are destroying the country every day. It's this November or never. We need some authentic hope, and real change. I also want to give Latin a serious go--for it's own sake, because I am really challenged by it, and could fancy myself one day teaching it--but making that a reality is a steep climb. I need to finish my desk first, which requires me to finish my office area in the loft. Process. Process.

That's it in a nutshell, for now.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Tactical Milking Goats

2010-07-18T21:44:00.008-04:00

Clare and I hooked up with two goats this past weekend. One is in milk, the other will be ready this fall to get pregnant, with kid(s) to come in the spring.

The way this all transpired is a Godsend. Truly. We weren't even planning on goats until next year, but not only did we get the goats, but we also received the fencing, hay, feed, and all the other miscellaneous stuff that goes with them. It's pretty crazy to be honest, but cool from a back to the earth and S&P (survival and preparedness) perspective.

It makes me wonder, though, about what's coming.

It could be that this was just a fortunate stroke of goodness that came our way. OR, it could be like God saying, BE READY. For what, I'll leave that up to you.

Either way, I like the goats, and I am really glad to have them as part of our homestead.

I'll be picking up the remainder of the fencing tomorrow, and start installing the fence around their pen and the chicken coup. This is all crazy to me, but it's really neat to be out there with a couple of new buddies while I work. Between the chickens and the goats, I have plenty of company.

That's it. I mean, we have goats now. We just need to catch up with this decision and make the necessary changes in our lives to accommodate them. Once we have that done and the garden finished it will be sweet sailing, I hope. But, as always, there will be more to do and more projects to complete.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

PS--Stop waiting and buy your guns.

Marlin Glenfield Model 60

2010-07-09T05:40:00.006-04:00

I've been waiting to purchase one since last Fall, and finally scored a sweet deal yesterday with a cool chap on www.vaguntrader.com. No waiting in line (except on I-95) and no fuss. The gun was exactly as described and it was nice meeting another gun dude. Purchased new in 1976 by the man's father, this was left on the gun rack for years and saw perhaps 100 rounds down the tube.

The condition of this firearm is like new, albeit with a few repaired scratches, and the etching and coloring on the stock is simply beautiful. This is your a-typical backwoods .22 from the 70s. The scope is a Redhead Outlook with a 3--9x40. It's a cheap optic, but it will do for now. For $130 for the package, I really couldn't pass on this deal, especially for a rifle in such pristine condition.

Anyway, pics to come, and hopefully lots of shooting too.

--Nick-Dog

Of Dark Elves...

2010-07-04T20:23:00.004-04:00

The last few days I've been more listless than I can remember being in years. Normally, I feel a sense of purpose, a personal drive, which carries me through my day. But this torpor is difficult at best to endure. So I found myself seeking an escape--nay, motivation--and gravitated to some books I've been meaning to re-read at some point. The Dark Elf trilogy, by R.A. Salvatore. Of all his works, these are the most inspired. After 20 years of just seeing them on the shelf, I was pleased to find that the story still completely delivered. Drizzt Do'Urden is a bad ass of epic proportions, and his story as related through this trilogy is intense.

Anyway, I normally eschew the realm of fantasy, not out of animosity for the genre. Far from it. I keep it at a distance because I know my weakness. I could be consumed by it. So on a very limited basis, I allow myself the occasional foray to the realms of the imagination, this time to the Underdark, to the forbidden world of the Drow, (aka, Dark Elves).

Indeed, it has been less forbidding than my own backyard.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Stuff on my mind

2010-06-27T22:58:00.004-04:00

It's been a bit since my last post. Last Monday we arrived back from our annual trip out to Chicago. It was great to be out in the Midwest, but it is great to be back

On our return trip, I was tested in ways I did not expect.

First, after a pit stop at Cabela's in Wheeling, I swung into the nearby gas station. As I parked, a sketchy-looking female emerged from behind the building near the dumpster. We made eye contact, and I watched her swing behind my minivan. As I exited the vehicle, I checked my six to see her coming around to ask me a question. I did not like this--my own van was possibly being used as interference for a second person to sneak up on me from behind. Subconsciously, I put space between myself and the van so that it would be harder for a second person to close the distance quickly for a surprise attack. The doors to the van were locked and the key was in the ignition. I angled myself so that my strong side was away from the girl as she made her request for money. I said no, watched her walk away, and then entered the building.

While standing in line to check out with my waters. I watched another sketchy fellow enter and purposefully give me a hard look. I met his gaze and concluded my business passing him on the way out. My only thought is that he was either just another jerk out there or her accomplice. Either way, I got in the van and continued on the trip.

The thing here is even though I reacted pretty well, I was not on my A-game and it bothered me. I was 10 hours into a 14-hour trip. I just walked out of my favorite store. And I was on vacation in unfamiliar territory. Positionally, I was at a distinct disadvantage. But I was at least not clueless about being attacked and I was ready to drop this chick without having to draw my weapon.

What could have happened? Nothing, or a full blown mugging attempt. If someone approached from behind and I looked she could have produced a knife or gun and attacked. It could have been ugly, with my family being right there to watch. I'm just glad everything worked out. This had me silent for quite awhile, running over the events in my mind. When someone circles to backdoor you, you know something is up.

Secondly, Clare began choking on a seemingly innocent pretzel while I was in the driver's seat doing 70 on I-79 South in WV. With no room to pull off on either side it was a husband's nightmare. In a catch-22, I swung into the median as quickly as I could, and then once things were slightly more stabilized I juiced out of there a half mile ahead where I was able to get onto the shoulder.

Pulling onto the shoulder on an interstate is always a sketchy thing. It't the last place you want to be, but sometimes you gotta deal with existing circumstances in a hurry. We got Clare changed quickly and headed out to finish the trip.

When we finally arrived home, I opened the door to an odiferous dwelling. The smell of rotting, molding food assualted my senses and we discovered that the freezer door opened, that everything melted inside and began growing mold. A total mess, which we cleaned the next day. Things appear to be running better now, but it was not exactly a friendly welcome home greeting after a long-ass trip.

Since I've been back, I've had a new lease on life and getting things on our homestead in order. My goal is to accomplish one significant improvement to the house or property each day, so we can see some progress. Also, my boss is leaving for a new assignment and this has provided an unexpected sense of liberty. The new guy is coming to be sure, but the game will be different and likely there will not be so many items on the table at the outset.

Transitions and odd connections seem to be occuring all around me right now, as if the pieces on God's chess board are being aligned. It could be nothing, or not. I don't know, but I think this is a good time to polish the gun and buy a few extra magazines. Let us remember that July 4 is a terrorist holiday and that we need always to be on guard, especially when we think it's time to celebrate.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

Range Report, Day 1

2010-06-16T20:53:00.003-04:00

Today, I visited Willow Slough shooting range in NW Indiana with my 14-year-old nephew, Kevin. I called ahead to make sure we could shoot, as he is a minor and I'm from VA. Everything checked out, and we arrived 20 minutes early to burn some lead.

The range was clean, and the range officer was straight up, but the kind of chap who has a bumper sticker on his truck that says "9 out of the 10 voices in my head say 'Pull the trigger.'" We signed in and followed the rules to letter.

We shot from 25 yards. I emtpied two clips. I am really pleased with how well I was controlling the gun in terms of recoil today. The sights were back on the target each time focused on the 10 spot. I put one in there, but I'm not sure if it was more luck than skill. That being said, I am feeling my grip is much better. 13 out of 34 shots, after not shooting for a year, hit the paper. My load was the ubiquitous Remington 115 grain in 9mm. Adequate for shooting the side of a barn, but not to much else. Either that, or I just really don't know what I am doing and need some solid instruction. Either way, I'll take the instruction.

I am totally juiced about heading out to the LCC tomorrow with Martin S. with 4 different loads. The Remington, Federal 115 gr., Blazer Brass 115 gr., and Lawman in 115 gr. I am thinking the Lawman will be the superior round, as it is the closest to the Speer Gold Dot, which has been highly accurate. Anyway, we will see. I will get back to you after WE BURN SOME AMMO!!!!!

--Nick-Dog

The Tacticool Toolbag Primer (Revisited)

2010-05-30T10:56:00.009-04:00

I make my living fixing stuff. I love it. I love what I do. If you would have asked me 15 years ago if this would be my profession, I would have told you "No way in Hell, Jack!" Honestly, it's crazy how things change.

Tools are a passion of mine. Growing up in and around my Dad's garage, especially when I was told to clean the dang thing, I looked at a lot of tools and learned about them and what they could do. By being around my dad and brother fixing stuff I learned through osmosis and sometimes instruction on how to repair or build things. These guys built skyscrapers. There is nothing they could not handle, and they always had the best tools for the job.

I may very well have become an iron worker if my dad encouraged it, or would have joined the military if I wasn't dissauded at a young age. But as life has it, the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. The life of a preparedness-minded maintenance dude agrees with me.

Anyway, above is my emergency response bag. This is the one I have at home. I have one at work that is nearly identical with some minor differences. At either location, I can handle 85-90% of maintenance problems that arise. Everything from electrical to plumbing to carpentry to whatever. Usually, there's a tool in the bag that will do the trick.

I got the idea for the tacticool electrician style bag from our excellent HVAC guys, who have to climb on roofs and other places every day to do their job. We all have tons of tools, but the essentials are left in the bag for when duty calls. Excitedly, I put one together at work and then began building one for home about three years ago. The contents are, in my opinion, essentials listed below for your consideration:

1.) Hexnut drivers (Standard). You never know know when you'll need one of these. I keep these on hand because they are solid and keep me from running to grab the ratchet set too often.

2.) Screwdrivers. An obvious must. I prefer Klein Long Shanks. These are #2. At work I also have tiny small #2s for the occasional tight spot. And tiny regular and philips screwdrivers for opening electronics, repairing glasses, and what not. Also included above is an awl. It's the pointy thing next to the screwdrivers.

3.) Volt Tester: It tells you if an outlet or wire is hot. Above is a red GB instruments product. It works, sometimes. In the future I will purchase one by Fluke, because I simply don't trust the GB.

4.) Multimeter: Reads voltage, amps, etcs. As one electrician told me, always double check with the multimeter to see if a wire is hot, even if you've used a volt tester first. You just never know.

5.) Tape: I keep electrical tape on hand, as well as white and yellow tape for water and gas plumbing respectively. I don't carry plumbers putty in the bag, simply because if I need that, I usually need a whole bunch of other stuff, and I keep that in a seperate dedicated plumbing tool box. Also good to have if you are working with gas is some of the gas-bubbly. It's basically a liquid that you put on a fitting, and if it bubbles up, you know you have a leak.

6.) Safety glasses: The ones above are tinted. It's good to have a couple laying around. Don't risk jacking your eye if you can't find them. That's why it's good to have more than one, especially when working with wood.

7.) Wire Strippers: A necessity if you are working with wire. Mine are Kleins

8.) Drywall saw: When you need it, nothing else suffices. Similarly, I keep two box cutters in the bag, in case one gets misplaced.

9.) Extra screw driver: Just in case. Has multi-sized heads.

10.) Mini-Crow bar/nail puller: Perfect when you need to bash something. Or get out a nail you can't reach with a hammer.

11.) Hammer: An absolute must. I prefer a 16 ounce Estwing. Well-worth every penny, especially when you gotta do a lot of pounding.

12.) Spark igniter: I keep one on the bag in case I need to access a torch. I don't use it much, but it looks bad ass hanging there.

13.) Pliers: Sidecutters, Diagonal cutters, and needlenose (both long and short, if possible). I like Klein's. Channelocks are good too.

14.) Adjustable Wrench/Channelocks: I grew up just calling them Channelocks, because that's what my dad and brother owned. You need 2 different sizes. 12 inch and 8 inch. That should handle most issues related to plumbing, unfastening, or what have you.

15.) Flashlight: Duh. Sometimes you will need to see in a place where it's dark. I have a simple mag lite in the bag, although I should probably eventually switch it to an LED maglite.

16.) Metal File: Especially handy for plumbing with copper, or working with any type of metal for that matter.

17.) Adjustable mirror: These things are like two bucks at Autozone. They are very handy for inspecting unaccessible spots. This is the most recent addition to the bag.

18.) Tape Measure: Another essential. I also like to have a small level in the bag, but right now it's on my framing belt.

19.) Wood chisel: At work I also keep a metal pin/chisel as well for the unexpected, but for home it's just not practical. Has many good uses.

20.) Screw Tackle Box: This thing is great and keeps commonly used items organized. I always keep plenty of wire nuts, self-tapping metal screws, washers, and drywall screws in minel. I also have a miscellaneous section with a a hodgepodge of oddball screws, nuts and nails. You just never know when you are going to need something, and there is a special victory in not having to run to your shed or Lowe's to grab it when you find it in your bag.

One last thing: You need a good solid, 18volt cordless screw gun. I carry it seperately, as well as a small "bit" book, that contains multiple bits and drivers. Definitely a must have at some point. I am among the masses who needs to upgrade

My final advice is to not skimp on your tools. As for me, I had a few already, bought the bag, and then dedicated $20.00 from each paycheck to load it up until I was satisfied. I didn't take long before I was ready to rock.

Other tools make there way in and out of the bag as needed, but the ones listed above are the ones I view as essential to have on hand. A tool bag such as the above is also nice because it's easy to carry into battle and you can see what you've got at a glance. Stuff falls to the bottom from time to time, but if you love your tools the way I do it's refreshing and inspiring to reorganize.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

Knee Deep...

2010-05-26T22:10:00.002-04:00

I've been MIA from my usual haunts this week, as I've been standing knee deep in insulation--blown-in AND batts--at work, not to mention rest of the debris. We are doing an office retro-fit and I am everything from day laborer to project manager on this job, from dawn to dusk.

It will be good to get this one out of the way. There's been a lot of build up over this project, and once it's over, life as a maintenance guy, I hope, will become somewhat normal.

Anyway, I wanted to post up and say yo, what up.

Peace Out, homies.

--Nick-Dog

Hitting the Spot

2010-05-16T21:25:00.005-04:00

I've had it in my mind for a week or so that I would be returning to West Va. for my birthday, specifically to Lost River State Park.

What I did not intend until the last minute was going the long way, and by long I mean roundabout. The scenic route. The one you take only when you get lost or are going somewhere else. Yes, that would be the route I took.

I gave the map a cursory look on Google, but neglected to zoom in. The road Atlas I looked at while at the truck stop was little better. In fact, I thought I had gained clarification. Only when I stopped to ask for further clarification just short of Orkney Springs did I realize the breadth of my (mis)adventure. I recalled a certain unmarked fork in the road, where I zigged instead of zagged and chose the path less traveled. We nearly turned back, but my intrepid and understanding wife, wanting me to get it out of my system and have a good birthday, convinced me otherwise.

I'm glad she did. I enjoyed our return to the park immensely, despite the length of the trip. The cool thing is we got to see parts of Va. we've never seen, much of which was simply breathtaking and some of which was reminiscent of "The Road." The stretch of 42 from Woodstock to Basye is one to remember for sure.

Anyway, Lost River is my favorite state park, an isolated oasis of tranquility and beauty. It is way the hell out for sure, but worth it in spades. I can't say enough about this place, and many others in West Va. So in keeping with the spirit of keeping a place like this unknown and unsullied, let me just state for the record that West Va. sucks and Lost River is the place where unwashed rednecks hang out with banjos.

Godspeed,

--Nick-Dog

--

In case you haven't noticed...

2010-05-11T19:11:00.007-04:00

The world is circling the drain.

Greece goes belly-up and the DOW drops a grand? 1.5 trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see. Bailouts here, there, and everywhere. Here a trilion, there a trilion. What the hell is a billion anymore, really? And we are supposed to be pissed about CEO bonuses?! Give me an FN break.

If there was an event to signal that the light has gone from hazard yellow to "Oh shit!" red, it was the Greece/Dow plummet. At least for me. Either way, the fact is that every first world economy in the world is in the red, and the world is starting to notice. Our own country is bankrupt. The full faith and credit of the United States is presently a fiction that others choose to believe so things can chug along as if nothing is wrong, but the fact is that the system is so corrupt that eventually the only way left to go will be a systemic collapse.

Combine the above with the fact that terrorists are still on the hunt and hell bent on destroying America, and our problems don't get any smaller. If you've ever been at sea, this is the moment you say to yourself, "We're in the shit!" You realize that you are in the middle of the rough sea, with no end in site in any direction. Yet you chart your course nonetheless and weather the storm as best as possible.

This morning, even the local conservative radio host, Christ Plante, who is awesome, was asking the question, how are you preparing for the seemingly turbulant times down the road? I wish I could have listened to the whole show, but the bottom line is that people are taking notice and taking matters into their own hands. One caller in particular said "I'm making sure my guns are clean and I've started my first garden." That's a good indicator of where we are at present.

Friends, now is the time to get your shit together, if you haven't already. Now more than ever. Now is the time. Once the economy collapses, that's it, there's no hitting the reset button and no turning back. Right now, in other places in the world, a collapsed economy is the daily reality, along with corruption, starvation, oppression, and disease.

People who say it can't happen here should remind themselves of ancient Rome before the fall, or of Byzantium, when the empire struggled to maintain its borders against their enemies (some of whom we are fighting now, mind you). While times may change, the human predicament most certainly does not. Barbarism is not bound by place or time, and extended times of peace and prosperity are the exception rather than the rule.

A new dark age looms on the horizon. Now is the time to overcome.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Some good news...

2010-05-05T06:58:00.003-04:00

I looked again more thoroughly at the gun laws. It appears that the law I cited about shooting within 100 yards of a road was either a) an older law that has since been overturned/re-written; b.) in reference to a state law that allows individual counties to outlaw shooting up to within 100 yards of the road.

So this means I can shoot on my property.

I will still further research this and perhaps make an anonymous phone call to the county or to the sherriff.

This makes me very happy, as I sorely missed looking at the .22 hanging above my door and feeling like I could go out and shoot.

Also in good news, I finished the book project I've been working on. More about this later, if it actually gets published, but this means I have some money coming my way to spend, in part, on guns.

I would like to purchase a scope for the rifle (.300 WSM) and a new/newly used shotty. My budget scope is a Leupold VX-II for about $300. I need to do a little more research, but I
don't really see a need to shoot out farther than 500 yards (at this time). I could easily spend 2 or 3 times that amount, but it's hard to justify right now.

If I go this route, which seems probable, I am looking for an 8-shot Mossy Persuader, with the butstock. Something very tacticool. An end of the world pump gun. This will round out my arsenal nicely.

(Also on the docket is a .22 Marlin 60, whenever I can find an old school one around here. I will snap it up when I find it.)

Peace Yos,

--Nick-Dog

Severly F'n Pissed

2010-05-01T12:56:00.005-04:00

Above, 10 acres in West Va. for $29,000, about 1-1.5 hours from here.

Yes, that's right. Here's why:

"Don't start! Tell him if he does it again I'll call the law!"

This was the response I received, shouted from somewhere on my northern neighbor's property, from the crackle of a the Marlin Model 80 .22 rifle.

Unfortunately, the law is on her side. In VA, you need to be at least 100 yards from the road to discharge a firearm. I was initially advised by my other neigbors, who are actually closer to our house, that it is ok to shoot on the back 50 since "no one around here really cares." Heavy D, however, who lives to the north is now suddenly upset by my occasional shooting.

These are the same people who shout all the time outside yelling at their kids/relatives/whoever for the whole damn neighborhood to hear. And now duddenly, my May Day salute is offensive.

There is a diatribe of expletives that wish to spew forth from my mowth/fingertips, but I will spare you the details. You see, it's not that they had a problem with me shooting that bothers me. It's that the manner in which the threat was delivered was totally disrespectful. If she had come over and said, "Hey Nick, I know we live in the country and all, but I am really uncomfortable with you shooting here, could you please stop?" I would have been more than cool and would have appreciated the vote of confidence.

That and they have had plenty of opportunities in the past to address me about their concerns. So, WTF? Now it's a problem? Passive aggressive doesn't fly with me. Not one bit.

"Then stay the hell away from my pears" is how I should have responded. Yes, they have confessed that they pick pears from our trees, occasionally.

So anyway, you can imagine that I was pissed by being corrected in this fashion. As so often is the case, it's not what you do, it's how you do it. Writing this out for the world to hear/read makes me feel better.

I am now dead serious about taking action to buy cheap rural land in west va, on which to hunt, zero my rifles and hang out as I see fit. There are no ranges in my locale to speak of, except the Izaak Walton League. But you have to be a member, you can't take friends, etc. In fact, most ranges out here tend to fall under the members only category. It's kinda gay, but understandable.

So anyway, that's my beef. All I needed was an excuse to bug out to West VA. Now I know I have one.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

My Wilderness Instructor Belt Has Arrived!!!!

2010-04-26T19:43:00.004-04:00

Yippee Kai-Yay Muthas!!!!!!

I finally received my much needed, much desired Wilderness Instructor Belt. It is THE SHIT. Tensile Strength over 4 ton+Made in the USA+Bad ASS=EPIC WIN.

I love my new belt. I shoulda bought this long ago. Well worth it in every respect. My gun is happily situated on the hip, and my Corona is happily situated in my mowth.

Over and Out, Suckas!

--Nick-Dog

Further Thoughts on Renovations

2010-04-23T16:19:00.003-04:00

A look at old houses.

As you may know, I've become something of a construction enthusiast over the past couple of years, analyzing various homes in terms of their potential vs. their problems. I get juiced when I see a project in the works on an old home, especially an old country home. Beautiful houses are not made for magazines. They are made to be lived in.

Here's some thoughts on evaluating an old home. It's just a list of things I'd like to keep in mind before looking at a home as an investment. I just can't help it--I really dig real estate.

Ok so you think you've found your new home/project. You like what you see. First thing to really evaluate is the foundation. I recently did a walk through on a rehab in Strasburg. A really pretty house with gorgeous refinished original wood floors, new drywall, electrical tidied up, new appliances in the kitchen, steam heat, wood stove, etc.

And then I walked downstairs. The basement was dark and dank. I could see the moisture on the walls and the rust on the pipes. Bad sign. This doesn't mean walk away, but it spells trouble for the future and this issue will have to be addressed. If you really like a home, you have to be willing to live with it's foibles. If you are going to try and pass it off as a flip, then well, you need to make sure the rest of the house is so nice that the people who buy it are willing to overlook the basement.

In addition to mold, moisture, and rust. Look for cracks along the walls and floor and evaluate the plot of land the house sits on in terms of drainage. If it's on flat land, as this one was was, flooding of the basement may be an issue. French drains and a sump pump are really the only solutions, the latter being the back up plan.

BTW, the house was originally on the market for $99,000. Asking price for this newly renovated dwelling is $167,000. They did a nice job. I'd say it's worth about $150,000 tops.

2.) Planning your renovation. Maybe the wheels are spinning and you can see massive potential in the house. This is good, but the voice of reason, the skeptic in you must win the day. I mean if you are already looking at a potential fixer-upper, you are already an optimist. When you are planning renovations, even off the cuff however, the realist in you must carry the day. Think it will cost $1500? Double it. Think it will take you a month? Consider it three. Think you will realistically work on the place after your 9-5 and on weekends? Cut that time in about half. Now you are getting a more realistic picture, if you are like me, who has to learn the hard way.

3.) Assess reality, not fiction. Look at the whole picture. If a home is out of whack, you need to love out of whack homes. This means that if you see the ceiling drooping, or the floor sagging, or the wall out of plumb here and there, that's what you'll be working with unless you decide to delete old walls to add new ones. When you work with the imperfect, life is always harder and the project will take longer. In some ways, the results will seem more natural in the end. It just depends.

4.) That brings me to my next point. Don't expect everything to simply come together in the finishing touches. It's still going to look out of whack to some extent if it's an older home. You just don't want it to look ghetto.

5.) My final point is to start with a plan, not an idea. Yes, yes, I know, ideas spawn plans. But before you break out your tool box, know exactly what you are going to do each and every step of the way. Have a drawing. With details. You don't have to be an architect, but a drawing does so many thing an idea in your head does not. It organizes your efforts and gives you a realistic "picture" of the final product. Some people even build models. Whatever gives you your vision, don't start unless you have a drawing, and one that includes not just placement of furnitures and built ins but also tracks your plumbing and electrical.

There are many more items I can add, but this will have to do for a moment. The house shows all get rendundant after awhile. At somepoint you just say F-it and whip out the hammer.

Peace Yo's,

--Nick-Dog

Hitting the Reset Button

2010-04-17T11:14:00.005-04:00

Time for a new post.

Last weekend was a supreme occasion for me. I woke up early Sunday morning, checked out Netflix and clicked on watching Conan the Destroyer. I haven't seen this movie in years, but it was a superb way to begin the day and, crazy as it may sound, put a whole bunch of things in perspective.

First, the movie. Arnold in his prime. The dude is massive and imposing, and the point is duly made throughout the film that he is the strongest mofoe anywhere. He's brutish and thugish and has no compunction lopping off heads at will. I love it. You just can't get this level of vintage brutality these days.

Many prefer Conan the Barbarian. Indeed, it is a more intense and dramatic film. The soundtrack is the arguably the greatest that has ever been produced for any movie at any time. And there's some wicked battle scenes. The Destroyer is good, nay, very good, but not quite the first film in all its epic originality. Some people call this stuff campy. I call it great.

"Time enough for the earth in the grave."

Watching this film was so much fun, I can't tell you. It was like hitting the reset button on my life. A little Conan puts it all into perspective. Seeing him blast that camel on the top of its head with a clenched hammer fist made everything feel better. I can't describe it any better than that.

"Oil the Sword. Feed the Horse." Words to live by, my friends.

Peace Out, Homies.

--Nick-Dog

Smithwicks & Slugs

2010-04-02T17:55:00.002-04:00

On St. Patty's Day, I found myself at Walmart aquiring a 6-pack of my favorite Irish brew. I also added a couple 5-packs of rifled 2 3/4 12 gauge slugs to the basket. A perfect combination, but it had me thinking: every time I stop at Walmart, I am going to pick some 12 gauge slugs or buckshot. It's an easy way to stockpile ammo without feeling the hit to badly. In a time of crisis, you have what you have and that's it.

Sun Tzu--or someone bad ass--once said, "The great general is not the one who wins 100 battles, but avoids 1000."

I mentioned this recently when talking about my own modus operandi with a fellow martially-minded person. The art of avoiding trouble is every bit as important as learning how to exit or neutralize trouble when it occurs. I find if you think ahead you can avoid all but the realisitically unexpected events, such as Billy-Bob and Tyrone skulking through your backyard with a pocketful of xBox. At that point, one should be so ready that the surprise is on them.

Being ready. Vigilance. Alertness. This is what seperates the warrior from the wannabe. The warrior lives by intention, not by luck. He welcomes luck, but strives to not be dependent on it. Instead he is aware. He who is aware can win many battles by seeing them before they happen, and cutting off his enemy at the pass. Whether it's avoiding the critique of a cranky boss or the jerk-ass driving 25 in 5mph zone, being aware in the present moment can be the difference between a good day or bad one, between business as usual and ending up in the hospital.

We should never underestimate the importance of our own awareness. It is the most critical skill of the warrior, one that needs to be continually refined, practiced, tried-out, honed, lived, and polished.

There are many stories repeated by students of O'Sensei, the founder of Aikido, who told his students to try and surprise him, if they ever found the opportunity. Despite many of them trying, even while he slept, none of them suceeded in doing so. He would stir from his slumber, sensing their intentions. Or walking down an alleyway alongside the dojo, he would feel them waiting behind a corner and change course. Such is the mark of a true master.

The most important skill of the warrior is a supreme awareness. But when that fails, start blasting.

Over and Out,

--Nick-dog

Talking Shop

2010-03-29T19:51:00.005-04:00

(The Mazarrati of Saws: Wenzloff & Sons, Dovetail and Carcass saws from www.wenzloffandsons.com)

I've been spending my free time reading up on wood and wood working. It's been an inspiration for me to get my ass in gear and work on making our mini-barn into a small shop.

The first thing I did was purchase a JET bench tablesaw. I don't have room for anything larger, so this will have to do. I plan on building an outfeed table for it, but for now, as I get the place into the semblance of order, it's in the box.

Next I ripped out the prexisting cabinetry and counter top. There was no salvaging it. The cabinets had no back to them, allowing mice to make their homes in this thing and making storing your goods securly (from mouse dung) an impossibility. Now I am in the process of installing 1/2 plywood panels along the walls to insulate from varmints. I am using screws so I can add insulation down the line if I so choose, but right now my main concern is keeping mice at bay.

Now that I have a single wall basically done, the next step is to build my first bench. My current plan is to create a base cabinet on either side with an interior shelf in which to store my power tools and other goodies. It will not be a perfect or glorious bench, but it will get the job done. An 18th century wood workers bench would be cool and all, but right now I simply need a clean, functional location to build and repair stuff.

For the woodworker, there are two types of shops: plugged and unplugged. I've been tuning into the posts and podcasts over at Logan Cabinet Shoppe for the latter. As for a more commercial endeavor, www.thewoodwhisperer.com, is a great site too.

As romantic as a traditional, hand tools only shop (for woodworking) sounds for some, for me it is impractical albeit cool. Not just because of time, I suppose, (and my general impatience) but also because non-stop handsawing and similar motions aggravate an old injury I have in my right shoulder muscles. I guess I could learn to be left-hand dominant, but that's another story.

Anyway, my hope is to use this space for projects around the house, but also to produce furniture for the home that will stand the test of time. Not the MDF shit we all have in our houses. And yes, possibly the occasional Etsy sale in my wife's shop.

I'll also have a location where I can clean the gun and meditate on the art of the warrior. But those thoughts will have to wait until a subsequent post.

Peace Out,

--Nick

A Dios "Pariah"

2010-03-19T23:14:00.007-04:00

She served me well.

I have finally parted with it, after my 3rd post. It was only a few miles short of 265k miles on the clock when I signed over the title. Can you believe that?! Wow. And I got $1600 for it, basically sight unseen. The buyer didn't even take a test drive. In a word, I got away easy.

Honestly, I think the car was about to explode. No, seriously. I have treated it well and took care of it, but with that many miles you simply never know what's going to happen next.

That said, I wish them the best. Me, I'm happy as a clam. I get to graduate to the Jeep Wrangler as my daily driver and look for a new vehicle for my lovely wife. And I no longer have the Mustang to worry about. It's crazy, but even though I was pretty confident in that car--more confident than most--it's a weight off of my shoulders. I guess subconsciously I was worried about it more than I realized.

I delivered the car just north of the District, driving through some of my olde haunts in the process. Even though I am happily bugged out to the country, I thoroughly enjoy the feeling of being in midst of D.C's non-K Street precincts. There's a pretty lively beat, even if you do have to roll up your windows. And while I took 2 buses and 2 trains to get to Vienna, the western most point on Metro orange line, I enjoyed the thrill of the adventure and the fact that I didn't have to drive to navigate through the city on my way back.

To be sure, I love country life, but it is a fitting swan song for my car to have made its final race with me through D.C. Thank you, "Pariah." You've always beens good to me...except that one time before New Year's. But it was probably for the best anyway.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Going to Seed? WTF!

2010-03-04T04:30:00.005-05:00

You know, it's been a strange week. A really strange week. I have to ask myself if I am losing it or what. Almost.

First, my wife gets some fabric and I actually feel some sort of excitement over it. Yeah, seriously. Maybe it's due to the mad success of her Etsy shop, or just to the fact that gnomes are inherently cu..., I mean interesting.

Secondly, for the first time in my life I am excited about seeds. Garden seeds. That is, organic, heirloom garden seeds. I am barely a gardener, though I've been successful with Bonsai. But when our neatly packaged seeds arrived from Etsy, I was overcome with inexplicable glee. Not because they will serve as the basis for my anti-Obama survivalist garden, but because they are seeds qua seeds. Real seeds that offer power to individuals to feed themselves, year after year. Very cool!

Also strange is that I have firmly commmitted myself to sell my Mustang. Even though it's only a "car," this war horse has been a HUGE part of my life. When everything went to shit long before I met my wife, at the end of the day it was me and my Mustang heading off into the sunset, flipping the bird to our enemies. Defiant and stylish, this car has been a boon. I could not have asked for a better car, but now with 263k on the clock, it's time to move on and pass the torch of Black Mustangdom to someone who has the time and the cash to bring it to its proper glory.

That and the fact that we are heading for continued and even more difficult economic times. A gratis car project sounds cool and very American, but only if you have the extra cash and a home speed shop. I have neither and cannot justify the expense, when looking at all of our house/property plans. I cannot see restoring a car for 5 another years or more. I don't know if I'll even be interested in something like that. Probably, but the timing will have to be right.

The flip side of all of this is now I will be driving the Black Jeep TJ, and that my friends is a good thing.

The final element of my crazy week is the mania, which has gripped this house. I can't escape my crazy kids at any hour of the day except four in the morning and even then I am pushing it. I am waking up at 3 and 4 AM and not able to fall back asleep. I guess this is what happens when you have so much to do, but no where near enough time.

Hopefully, when Spring comes this will all change and everyone will be peacefully playing in their respective dens. But I am not counting on it. Not in the least.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Apocolyptic Winds at the Weekend's Precipace

2010-02-26T05:00:00.005-05:00

When it gets windy, there's whispering and howling on our front porch. Tonite it's been screaming as we endure the up to 60-mph wind gusts. It is an eerie sound, and I am brought back to the movie, The Road, despite my complete desire not to go there. But if I do, I want more shotgun shells and a cool shotgun bandolier/scabbard for the weapon.

Who am I kidding? I want thay anyway.

I've been following the political-economic situation uber-closely for months. Probably too closely. I should probably spend my time being more productive. One thing I cannot quite get over is how back in late 2007, the media kept asking the question "Are we in a recession? (x1000)" when the average American was living way high on the hog. They were trying to do their part to fabricate the crisis we already in, not that we needed any help. But you hear what I'm saying. The economy was hopping, but they wanted Armageddon on Bush's watch.

I just wanted to get that off my chest. Moving along...

I am ready for Spring, whevever it decides to come. And speaking of springs, we have opted to invest in a Berkey Water filter soon in hopes that we will actually be able to drink our own tap water without grimacing. This means that my monthly jaunts to the spring down the road will now be only occasional, providing that the Berkey works as it should. I love the trip and all, but it's very time and gas consuming. It's also a therapeutic excuse to escape and go back to nature and was highly enjoyable. I may end up going back more often than I think, if I get withdrawl or something. We'll see.

Ok, this is just an early morning post to get the day started. I am a master procrastinator and should be finishing up my book, which = another shotgun and several cords of firewood. On that note, I better get going.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Timber Frames

2010-02-21T14:14:00.004-05:00

I am presently reading The Timber Frame Home by Tedd Benson. This book is terrific, but not light reading. Benson is a part-poet, designer, and builder who argues convincingly about the awesomeness of timber frame homes: their sturdiness, architectural appeal, and longevity. He introduces the novice to the numerous facets of design and nomenclature, and in doing so, brings the craft to life.

Presently, I am dreaming about adding a modest addition to our house, which will increase our home's living area and give us room to grow. Our house is cozy and we love it, but eventually we'll need more space. I am planning now so that we can work towards something that is not only functional, but hopefully beautiful.

The other side of this is that one day I would like to build a modest-size, cabin-syle house from scratch as an investment and then sell it. It would be small in scale, but beautiful. In fact, it is much easier to build from scratch than to work with an existing, imperfect structure, but that's another topic. A couple of custom houses and I think I could retire comfortably. But to be honest, I don't know where I'd find the time.

Speaking of which, I think I better get something done on our house...

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

Wintry Musings

2010-02-15T08:16:00.003-05:00

When it's all said and done, this has been a great--and I mean fantastic--winter.

There's something really special about being in the snow plastered mountains, particularly the Snow Covered Blue Ridge. I mean the mountains are excited. I had that feeling passing through Markham on I-66 on my way home two Thursdays ago. Their anticipation, if you can call it that, was palpable, even as the weathermen continually upped the snow fall amount by the hour. Anyway, my point is, the place is renewed, the way being bathed in snow can only renew you. Sounds weird, maybe, but if you ever played in a thunderstorm you know what I mean.

Out here we don't get a lot of snow, usually, so when the storm of the century arrives, it's really a major event. I also feel more settled into our home than we have ever been, and I am excited for our following years here. As we complete the infrastructure, it will be easier to kick back and enjoy the seasons. Maybe it's the snow, but I love it here and feel more a part of this place and this area than I ever have been. And that's saying something.

The last couple of days, despite the cold, which doesn't bother me that much provided I'm bundled well, I've made sure to get our snow dog out for a walk. She is more excited than I have ever seen her, too. I mean, this is the weather she was meant for and she just wants to roll around, snuggle, and worm her way into the powder. It's great to see her in her element. These dogs have an inner spirit that is so pure and true it's awe inspiring. Huskies are high maintenance, but it's because they are so completely alive.

This morning I had a particularly challenging time starting the fire. Last night, I had it cranking. All the lights were off, and sitting in front of this thing looking out the window to the sky, I could see most of O'Rion with his tell-tale belt sparkling through the tree. It was a supreme moment, and one of the reasons I love life in the hollar.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

Snowpocolypse 2010

2010-02-09T19:34:00.004-05:00

So we've been getting slammed by the snow. Somewhere between 24-30 inches from the initial storm. As I write, the next storm is making landfall, bringing us another 8-20. We'll see. Mother nature is relentless this year. The Farmers' Almanac predicts snow every 4 days for the month of February. So far, they've been right. That feels kind of eerie, to be honest.

I've been snowed in as a consequence, since the Fed Gov't is closed and I run on its schedule. My main concerns have revolved around keeping us well-supplied and warm, not to mention dug out. This last includes the roof, which was a Herculean task even for a house as small as ours. Knowing that there would be roof collapses around the region due to the snow, I did not want to be on that list. I burned a lot of calories in the process and am grateful for my neighbor and his tractor for assisting with the driveway.

VDOT has done a great job with the main roads and with our road, though I believe someone in the neighborhood works for the state. That may have helped. The town's roads are still in piss-poor condition, making trips hazardous and slow.

Guns: I picked up some 2 3/4 rifled slugs yesterday, as part of my committment to keep the shotgun well-supplied, in addition to another box of .22. I will be purchasing a bandolier or two for shot shells in case I need to leave in a hurry. I have some money coming to me soon as well, and am considering creative ways to allocate it. I have an AR build I need to finish and need a scope for the rifle. Other considerations include an additional shotgun or Glock or Marlin Model 60. Given the recent re-appearance of .223 on the shelves, I am leaning towards finishing the AR and stocking up. So many guns too little money. Maybe I'll just buy a chainsaw instead.

Wood: In a month or two, I will be investing in 4 cords of hardwood for next winter. Four cords seems to be about right for a winter, with some to spare. I've found an awesome wood-source via craigslist and I've been really pleased so far, especially with the Ash. If I let it season an additional year, so much the better. It's one more thing off my mind, and if the SHTF, I'll be good on wood for a winter.

Garden: One of things that will be center stage this spring will be the focus on a garden of raised beds relatively close to the house. We are turning to Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds for our supply, as Southern Seed Exchange associates to closely with the left for our liking. Baker Creek is on the front line of fighting large corps. and providing people with the tools they need to maintain their own self-sufficient garden. Getting our garden mostly right this year is truly key. Once we've established a good mode of operation, it will be easier to continue from year to year. But right now we are starting from ground level to get this thing up and running. I look forward to it.

Chickens: Our other goal this year is to add chickens. The coupe may need to be re-worked, but I am largely confident in chicken ownership. I am considering a new .22, which I mentioned above, to keep out predators, such foxes and bobcats. An AR might do the job just as well, though.

There are other house projects after the bathroom on the horizon as well, but the above is the main focus. Once this stuff gets done and it's more just a matter of maintenance, it will be time to celebrate and continue on from there.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Anthems

2010-01-25T22:52:00.002-05:00

I wanted to post up something a little more positive than my last post, and it's about Anthems or theme songs.

I have been expanding my appreciation for country in recent weeks and have been basically waiting for "Bonfire" and "Out in the Backwoods" to come on the radio.

I am not a full-blown twangified hick, although Clare is certainly worried I'm heading in that direction. I just like to rock out and hear things that resonate with things I hold dear: guns, knives, fire, trucks/jeeps, and life in general "out in the sticks." I mean, when a song begins with the lyrics "Rifle in a gun rack hanging in the back glass/ buck knife on my belt..." that pretty much has my complete attention right there, and sums up how I want to be set up in general...

I like country, but bluegrass is my absolute favorite and preference in the americana department. I mean, I could really get into some serious bluegrass, preferably on some dude's cabin porch out here, but I'd likely have better luck finding a bonfire.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

MFL 2010

2010-01-24T20:52:00.006-05:00

This past week went by steadily, but looking back on it, it's a blur.

My dad came out for the MFL, which took forever to start. We started walking early through the crowds, as our legs were stiffening up as we waited for over an hour for things to get underway. We were at the foot of the ascent up to Capitol Hill when the March met up with us. We joined in just behind the front-line banner carriers as people shouted down Roe.

I think it was a really good experience for my dad to see this political action first hand, as he is a Knight of Columbus and the Knights are greatly responsible for assisting with March's organization and pro-life activities in general. For me, it was just another march. I surprised an old acquaintence by saying hello and fortuitously met up with the group from Holy Family, where I work. I kept an eye on my dad, let him wander as he chose and kept the trip on track flawlessly. Skill and the grace of God made everything go like clockwork and we were some of the first ones out after we did our due diligence in front of the Supreme Court.

A couple of observations. First, each year the march is more and more made up of young adults. The older pro-life leadership has failed to overturn Roe, but their persistence in action has effectively passed the torch to the next generation.

I worked for the pro-life movement for two-years in the area of education and inspiration. I have personally witnessed the great deal of in-fighting amongst pro-lifers, to my dismay but I suppose not to my surprise. Each organization says they are or represent the grassroots, that they have the answer or way to overturn Roe, but yet cannot unite except at the March. This is where each of them tries to make their presence felt in such a way as to show that the March is their enterprise and they are leading it, or are essential to it being 'the true march.' Not all groups act this way, the best do not, but the majority act as if it's their show.

So, as I waited and waited for the walk to ensue, I saw various representatives of said groups purposefully scutter to and fro in the vain attempt to seem important and have presence. But knowing a bit of each of their stories first-hand I remain unimpressed, not because of their intentions necessarily, but because of their weaknesses. Were they there for themselves or for the cause?

You see, in the off-season these .orgs have to raise money and seem important to stay afloat and do their 'work.' My experience has been that the 'work' is often the battle over territory, power, influence, and money amonst pro-lifers. They vie against each other for the pro-life pie--the pro-life donor--and yet somehow remain influential amongst their enemies.

Every organization has to survive, but in the world of pro-life non-profits there is little if any peaceful coexistence. To call it 'cut-throat' would not be an exagerration.

Anyway, so seeing these people, brought these grim recollections to mind. The fact is, the power of the pro-life movement is with education and with the youth, not any particular association, although I would certainly agree that each has their place. The fact that there is a march and one increasingly filled with young people is a testimony to the power of the message and the Holy Spirit, not to any one group.

For my own part, I was happy to stand to be counted but be the gray man. Change begins with the individual, not with a group. History is almost always made by the minority. While the March is a damn important event, it's even more important to be an agent for God on the homefront. I would financially and personally support a local CPC before most .orgs.

And with that I leave you with my reflections, for whatever they are worth. Change begins at home.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

Poised to Strike

2010-01-14T09:36:00.003-05:00

What's up, peeps?

Sorry for the lack of consistent updates, but as I intimated in previous posts, I've been hella busy. I have had my shoulder to the wheel since the beginning of the year and "have filled the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds of distance run." So you'll excuse me, I hope, if I am temporarily inconsistent with my ramblings.

I have spoken with some of you about the need to be prepared, here and there. Preparedness is about being centered and stable, not being a bunker-dweller. I realize that sometimes I may come off as the latter, but in my own mind, I consider preparedness is a lifestyle that acknowledges that the S can HTF at any moment, and it's best to be as ready as possible.

The key to handling any conflict is awareness: Knowing your enemy before he knows you. Seeing conflicts and conflict patterns before they happen. Going with your gut and making calculated decisions based on your intel and an honest/realistic assessment of all situations. This is hyper-dramatic sounding, perhaps, but the art of staying safe and protecting your kiester isn't magic. It's a skill, and it's something that has to be consciously developed and practiced on daily basis over time.

Being prepared is about developing good habits that will aid you in a crisis situation. If the S has already HTF and you're running to the store to fill your cupboards and gun safe, you're too late. On an individual level, it's about putting your gun on and off the same way every time. It's about being organized personally, so that if the alarm sounds in the middle of the night, you are already in the best possible position to handle that situation: your boots, car keys, clothes for the next day, gun(s), and every day carry items are at the foot of your bed, ready to go. In 60 seconds, you have all of your absolutely essential shit already there and you aren't caught off-guard. You are in a position to help yourself and others.

On a national level, it's about seeing the interdependence of the numerous systems we rely on to live our daily lives, and knowing that if any of those systems fail signficantly or goes away, our own lives and those around us will be severely impacted. With the present administration and state of affairs in the world, the crisis looms large, but all is not lost.

I have so much to say on being prepared. It's been on mind since I made my first gun purchase in Sept. 2008. What can really happen? Where is our country headed? What can be done? Am I ready to handle a crisis event in my own life? And so on. Yet there are many who say it better, or articulate my own thoughts.

I don't know what the future will hold. My gut tells me the roller coaster has only just started, and that it's best to have one's shit together sooner rather than later. Check out the www.thesurvivalpodcast.com if you are looking for ideas to do just that. I am scrambling to put life on the homestead in order myself, but honestly I need to do that anyway, whether or not the SHTF.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

The Proper Way to Catch a Shark

2010-01-02T12:25:00.005-05:00

A short one.

I had an interesting dream last night. I was fly-fishing for the first time out here on a Virginia creek, possibly nearby Passage Creek. Within moments, a hostile 6ft shark took the bait and I reeled him in. He was pretty viscious and wanted blood. As he came to shore, I was several feet away, pulled out my Glock 17 and emptied most of the clip into the shark's head, leaving an extra few in the magazine for possible future hostiles.

The moral of the story? It's always good to carry.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Wood Heat

2009-12-29T09:35:00.003-05:00

It's a thing I love to talk about and learn about--heating with wood. Some might call it pyromania, but it's always been my dream to have a hearth and heat with it. It's a most natural inclination, perhaps, and I believe it's the most satisfying.

I just got back after seeing "The Road," so this blog-post is partly an attempt to focus my mind on something other than the movie's disturbing portrayal of TEOTWAWKI. If you are seeking a movie that's depressing but very well done, check it out. After watching it, I think I need to purchase more shotgun shells.

Anyway, woodheat. This is my second season of heating our house entirely with wood heat. This year, we've turned on the furnace mostly for convenience's sake, and at that only a handful of times. Our propane furnace is efficient, but propane is wicked expensive. Hence we try to avoid it whenever possible, using it only as a back up.

Wood: In some ways, a wood heater is only as good as the wood you feed it. I am presently burning our seasoned reserves, and the differences between seasoned wood and unseasoned wood are stark. With seasoned wood, you increase your burn times immensely, in addition to your heat output. There is also less ceocrete (soot) to worry about forming in your chimeny. Seasoned wood costs more, but you'll get more from it.

I've been heating entirely from scavenged wood. In the fall I began taking a chunk a day from work, splitting and stacking it in the present pile area. Works well, but it takes a while when all you have is Mustang trunk. Ideally, I would have split and stacked all the wood I needed for winter back in the early days of Spring. Nine months or longer is the ideal seasoning time, and the longer the better. Anyway, I was not able to make it happen back in the spring, but this year, now that life seems a little more normal, I'll be making it happen.

Stove: I have a used Jotul F3 woodstove. It's sweet except that it's made for a combustor, which I don't use. The combustors burn up excess emissions on these models and were known, supposedly, for clogging quickly. I have followed the previous owner's recommendation of not using it and the stove works fine.

That being said, while it is a pretty stove, I wish it had a larger fire box. I would like to load it up at night and not have to worry about waking up to feed it. So the bigger the box the better in terms of loading frequency and heat output. If our stove was any larger in our current space, it would take up the whole room and make it a suana. When we add on, God-willing, in the years ahead, we will move the present stove into our living room and purchase a larger version of the one we have for the addition. I will purchasing one to be set up without a catalytic combustor.

Chimney, Flue, & Draft: Sounds like the name of a 70s band, or an English law firm. Anyway, it's critical to make sure your chimney is installed correctly. I don't know much about the process, except that your chimney, like the exhaust system of the car, directly impacts your stove's efficiency and the amount of draft and/or pull you get from it.

This year we have been far more successful, I think, about working the woodstove. That is to say, adjusting the flue and level of draft coming in. Slow burning coals is the goal. Wood selection certainly helps in that regard, but basically it's something for which you acquire the feel for one's particular setup.

Chainsaw and Axe: When I purchase a saw, it will be a STIHL MS390 Farm Boss with a 20" bar. I have one on loan from work, so I am not in dire need. While any saw will do, chainsaws are touchy beasts and have to be loved and used frequently so the engine does not develop issues. Chainsaws are easily the most dangerous hand tool out there, with some 50,000 accidents occuring every year. I follow these main rules when sawing:

1.) Do not cut when I am tired (most chainsaw accidents occur at the end of the day);
2.) Do not cut with my body directly behind the saw;
3.) If I feel uncomfortable for any reason about cutting, I calmly stop and reassess the situation. Sometimes I just walk away.

I have heard wood splitting be called everything from a "pain in the ass" to "soul-building." For me it's mostly the latter. I love splitting wood. It's great exercise and gets your mind off stupid crap. My personal axe is a light, flanged head True Temper with fiberglass handle. Thing works great for my style of splitting and is an essential tool out here on the homestead.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

Snow Preps

2009-12-21T09:28:00.005-05:00

(The view from our yard after the 2009 Blizzard.)

Well, we were plastered with 22 inches of snow this past weekend. It was gorgeous and amazing to behold, and fun to go play in. My play consisted in shoveling out my walkway, deck, and top of the driveway. Below are my wintry thoughts and reflections on being prepared for serious snow.

1.) Shovel. I purchased a new industrial grade shovel at Lowes before the storm hit. It's not a snow shovel at all, but a fiberglass square shovel made for shoveling loose debris. This makes a whole lot more sense to me for my situation and is a lot more functional year round for tasks other than snow shoveling. Because of it's smaller size, it's also much more versatile, as in handling the 3 foot snow drifts in front of my driveway.

2.) Tractor. Wish I had one. My neighbor came over with his Kubota with front-end loader, to push the drifts back from the corners of my driveway so the snow plows wouldn't plow me in. What took him 10 minutes would have taken me 10 hours. It's on the list of nice to haves down the road, along with that diesel Ford truck.

3.) Snow vehicle. I have a Jeep Wrangler 4x4 equiped with new 31 inch mud tires. This thing kicks astroids in all kinds of inclement weather. Storms, snow, whatever. Though it's not very spacious inside, it gives us an edge if we need to bug out. God-willing, after tax time, she'll be paid for and be my permenant BOV.

4.) Heat Source. That is, other than electric based. Even my propane furnace has electric controls, so we'd be screwed if we lost power and didn't have a wood stove. It happened last year for a couple of hours, during an ice storm and temps in the single digits. Luckily, I was able to get a fire started.

5.) Wood, that is, if you heat with it. It is critical to protect your wood and make it accessible before a big snow. I spent the first hour of the blizzard hauling 3-4 days of wood into our enclosed porch. Walking for 80 ft. through 2ft snow drifts to gather wood sucks and should be avoided at all possible.

6.) Generator with fuel. Damn, I wish I had one. Had we lost power, having a generator would allow me to run my furnace (that is, if it was a hardwired genny back up). I am considering investing in a propane back-up for that very reason. It would also give the ability to run the well (for which I would like a bison hand pump).

7.) Chainsaw with treated fuel, bar oil, and extra chain. Again, I wish I had one. I use the one at work for all my wood cutting, but in an emergency, a chainsaw is an unbeatable tool to have to deal with fallen trees or emergency demolition. And, of course, cut your woodstove wood.

8.) Food and water. This should probably be at the top of the list, but this applies for all emergencies, not just snow.

9.) Ice pellets. I bought a bag of this stuff for the walkway to our vehicles. Hopefully it will work well and last for the duration of the snow melt.

10.) Plenty of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. There's nothing like a warm beverage to boost morale and warm up your spirits after time out in the cold. Before and after shoveling, a hot beverage makes your labors seem less cumbersome than they were and helps you relax and warm up quickly. When you are warm you are able to work better and less prone to injury.

In closing, I would like to say that the ability to keep up with a storm as it's falling is critical to making it a fun event instead of a crisis event.

Peace Out. Merry Christmas.

--Nick-Dog

157th Post

2009-12-06T10:19:00.005-05:00

Can't believe I've put up that many, but I am glad that I have.

I skipped a week since I've been busting a move on an editing project I'm tackling. I am about 10 yards away from the goal line at this point, in the final minute of the game, but you know how long that takes. I am looking forward to finishing this behemoth because it will free me up for all the stuff in life that has been on the backburner.

Yesterday, we spotted a red fox bound through the yard as the snow continued to fall. It was awesome. Right outside our kitchen window and then *shoom*, off into the forest behind our shed. I'm sure he had lots of tricks up his sleeve. He was freakin beautiful. Not the kind of animal I'd want to shoot or hunt, just the kind I want to admire. I'll save the guns for the bobcats.

I've been obtaining a greater appreciation of the versatility of the shotgun lately. I think this comes from my reading at www.wethearmed.com, www.madogre.com, and Martin's Blog. (I know I should be working, but sometimes you need a break). You can just set them up in so many different ways to do a variety of things, including handle SHTF. Two Remington 870s and 2 Glocks and you have plenty of firepower and reliability to take care of most situations.

That's going to be my standard advice for SHTF gun questions and discussions from now on. Two and two. If you can't defend yourself with this stuff, you probably need to reevaluate your plan. I recall watching a video of an Arizona home-owner repelling 4-5 armed thugs, one of whom had an AR, with a shotgun. If you need more than that, you are probably defending the castle wall against an onslaught of zombies, or taking the castle.

Right now I am running a Maverick 88, which was given to me as a wedding present. It's a great gun, especially with the 18.5 in HD barrel. I have it set up with 2 3/4 00BK. It's not very tacticool, but I have 100% confidence in it's reliability. I'm considering purchasing another one for redundancy before buying some 870s. Having two of the exact same setup is a powerful way to go, IMO, and makes for a good armory.

Ok, over and out. I have work to do.

--Nick-Dog

More on Staying Prepared

2009-11-21T06:44:00.007-05:00

Staying prepared. Just a couple of comments today because I am under a deadline.

Two things I have done to increase my overall preparedness, that have made my life better/easier overall:

1.) I put together a preparedness journal stating my own personal goals, it charts my progress on projects that I have a round the house. I call it a preparedness journal, but really it's more like a Captain's Log. If I have a brilliant idea, or question about something meaningful that I don't want to forget, or simply a goal I want to achieve, like cleaning the shed, I write it down. There's just so much stuff to keep track of these days, I now have to write things down if I want to accomplish anything, or I forget or feel overwhelmed by it all.

More on that: As I've mentioned previously, life flies by so quick, before you know it another day as passed. If one hasn't been diligent about his or her projects, suddenly you ask yourself where the week has gone and what have I really accomplished.

Looking back over your journal, where you've crossed out things that need to be done, projects that you've planned for or that have come up, it's a lot easier to note your progress and chart your trajectory. There's just a sense of much reduced anxiety and aimlessness. You see where you're going and where you've been. Much like a ship at sea, if you have no focal point on the horizon, but land behind you, you look back every so often to a point you've picked out and line it up with your stern. You keep your eye on that point every so often to make sure you are on course.

2.) Making sure I have a knife, multitool, and flashlight on my at all times. (When I am not at work, I add a sidearm to this list) Everywhere I go, I keep these essential tools with me, not in a 72-hour bag I rarely use. I purchased a Maxpedition M-2 (shown above) belt pouch, which Clare jokes with me is a fanny pack, though it's not. It's about the size of a mid-level digital camera case, and it has been invaluable. I keep all my daily carry gear in here and there's lots of room to spare, as in for an extra magazine, matches, a bit of medication or first aid items. This little buddy seams to be built to last and has been an awesome purchase.

I just want to emphasize how life gets easier when you have the tools you need on you or close by. Now that it's daylight savings time, I can't tell you how helpful it is to have an LED flashlight on hand, or at work to have a coouple of knives and a flashlight with me at all times. Life become easier, and what used to be a pain in the arse, becomes easily manageable.

Having appropriate tools also makes you less likely to skip a step in looking out for your safety. I am especially thinking of a flashlight. Having a flashlight at night as you are walking to the wood pile, or to your car, gives you an advantage, psychologically as well as physically. The last thing you want is a critter sneaking up on you nearby, especially if it's a vagrant or your own cat who's trying to stalk you. :)

Peace out yos.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Inspiration vs. Perspiration

2009-11-15T13:34:00.002-05:00

"Just do it."

I often spend oodles of time looking for the inside scoop. Too much time. Speaking for myself, there comes a point when you should just be aware of the main points, make an informed decision, and move forward.

That can be hard to do, with so many distractions pounding it's way into our daily lives. Whether it be through entertainment or work, it is easy to become sidetracked, distracted, and even uninspired to take command and do the stuff that should and needs to be done. Even when at home, family life has a way of taking priority--as it should--over the best laid plans.

Sooner or later, however, a moment of opportunity presents itself. You have the time to do "it," whatever "it" may be. After days of rain and cold, the sun begins to shine once again. One has the time, but does one have the will?

Doing what needs to be done when it's uncomfortable or not-entertaining in some way, determines how much we can truly accomplish. If we remain complacent until the angle of the moon and the sun meets our perfect standards, chances are we will be waiting for a long time.

So let me finish this rambling post with a thought: sometimes it's simply time to get off our ass and get to work.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Back on the Mat

2009-11-08T19:02:00.003-05:00

(Me training outside in Reno in October 2004)

After more than a year hiatus, I returned to the dojo to train in earnest and watch a nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) test. I also was able to see the new dojo for the first time, and it is truly awesome.

It felt good to launch some people and scream while swinging a heavy stick at people for an hour. My nerves are still tingling from feeling totally alive out on the mat. As I have taken my place in my new life in Front Royal, I felt I duly took my place in the new dojo, which had been inaugurated by the visit of Saito Hitohiro Sensei from Iwama Japan two weeks ago. It was really just amazing to be a part of this place and be standing in the fulfillment of many, many long hours of planning and hard work.

For those of you who don't know, back in May 2002 I joined Aikido in Fredericksburg as an enthusiastic and devoted young martial artist, aspiring to be the embodiment of martial grace and strength gleaned from long hours of hard training. My sensei had only recently moved from Reno, where he was sensei of many years, to Fredericksburg, VA, with the intention of building a world-class dojo on his own property with quarters for uchi-deshi (live-in students) and plenty of space besides for training. An East Coast Iwama headquarters, if you will.

I followed the group from the time it rented a dusty corner dojo as part of a quasi-martial arts co-op in a deserted mini-mall, training once in the parking lot at night because someone had locked the door. To training in a moldy big box gymanistics stadium/roller rink, which had the most irritating boom box music playing for the pom-pom group.

To retrofitting an industrial complex into a serious albeit temporary training space, which is where I took my black belt test. Indeed, I had always wanted to be a part of the core group of a dojo start up, and this dream of mine, like so many others, was realized.

My life then moved away from active Aikido training for awhile, but today I know my training and presence in the new dojo was my re-initiation to the serious study of the martial ways. I won't be down there often enough to sign up for a monthly membership, but often enough that I can begin to hone my own skills and take the journey to nidan myself in a couple of years and to places beyond.

I am looking forward to it and some better health in the process.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Accomplishments de Weekend

2009-11-01T20:00:00.002-05:00

I expanded my pantry by 50% or so with the addition of new homemade shelves. It took forever because it just always does around here. But now I can breathe easier, as our mud room/furnace room/craft room/pantry is more organized with items no longer living haplessly on the floor.

I also replaced an outlet in the process, organized the entire pantry, and took stock of our stores. In the process, I found several items that were at large and others about which I had totally forgotten, such as preserves from some place up in Niagra that was given to us over the summer. Cool.

Lastly, I purchased the special 20th Anniversary Issue of Backwoods Home Magazine, whose website is now in the links section here at the Update, along with The Survival Podcast. Both are excellent resources for everything you need to know on prepping for SHTF or homesteading. Well worth the look.

I just wanted to vent here that I feel so much better now that the new shelf has been built and in play. It's been on my mind for a long time. The place just feels better with most of the crap of the floor in it's own proper place, and that's what were going for here. Organization.

So that's it from me for now. 2 posts in 2 days. Peace out, yos.

--Nick-Dog

Creating a Good "End Game"

2009-10-30T19:36:00.003-04:00

Ok, I know it's a been nearly 3 weeks since you got an Update. I just haven't been inspired to write a post. I've been mostly in absorption mode, focusing on my own trajectory out here in the back country. Well, it's not that back, being within an hour and 10 from D.C., but far enough. Another hour and 10 and you are on the fringe of civilization, Walden style.

In chess, you have various stages of the game: the opening, the middle game, and the end game. Masters and advanced players orient their entire strategy from the first move to a successful end game. If they win in the middle, excellent. That's good too. But generally speaking, getting up a pawn and obtaining a superior tactical position, one way or the other, is where victory is found.

This has had me thinking about my own "end game," in life that is. When all is said and done, what does that "end game" look like? What factors are it contingent on? What am I gaming for? Is the result I am dreaming of obtainable now? And so on.

I've got a lot to say on this topic, but if I lived the way I've seen others do, by age 65 I would own jack shit, be up to my ears in debt, and need to work until I was 75+ just to continue keeping up with my lifestyle. That's not retirement, that's slavery.

I plan on owning my own house, being mortage free, and relatively self-sufficient by age 45, if not much sooner. I don't want to wait until I am 65 to retire. Hell no. WTF is that? Seriously. Are any of you juiced about working yourself into a grave? I think it's important to give of yourself throughout your life. That's different. Hopefully, well before 65 you are only working to be a contributor and because you enjoy it, not because you need to to avoid collections.

But becoming free of this mindset doesn't just happen, however. One must live differently and make savvy financial choices and sacrifices now. An early retirment is built now. An excellent quality of life is built now. It's not a free trip to cloud 9 just because one has turned 65. Do the things you love now, before you are too damn old to care about doing them, if God forbid, you are destined to be that crochety. Give a shit today about your future, before it's too late.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Finding an Edge

2009-10-11T06:21:00.007-04:00

(Photo from Toolmonger.com; planes by Steve Knight)

I've been spending a significant amount of time this week learning the finer points of carpentry and joinery at the level of creating wood furniture, such as tables, cutting boards, case etc. It has given me a deeper appreciation for the amount of effort, time, and skill that goes into making a custom piece of furniture. Of course, you can bang some 2x4s and plywood together and have something functional, but it would be crude.

What got me started on this path is a combination of things. As a maintenance guy I have to fix or replace stuff all the time, and what I discover is that such and such a thing is meant to break because it was made like junk to begin with--essentially some kind of saw dust and glue (MDF) with a veneer on top attached by a few screws. Mass produced garbage.

Even a lot of high end furniture, if it wasn't built entirely by hand, is a kind of MDF with veneer, albeit of a higher grade than the wal-mart variety. Most of your modern cabinetry, same thing. I've seen "custom" shops at home shows sell cabinetry that is just MDF with venneer but market their product as hand-made. Huh? If it's not wood, it's not wood. Fake wood is not wood. Sawdust and glue is wannabe wood and doesn't count.

Anyway, seeing the lack of quality out there and the attached price, I'd rather spend the money and the time at this point to make my own custom furniture, than pay somebody else for most things to buy a piece of crap. I want my furniture to last generations, to feel permeneant, not fake.

So quality and affordability are definitely motivating factors for me, notwithstanding the cost of tools, which gets expensive once you start purchasing things like jointers and planers. That said, once I make some stuff and am confident in my own products, I will begin to sell them and pay for those tools. Besides I need to find an edge as a maintenance guy.

Right now, I am still somewhat at the level of learn on the fly, jack of all trades . I can do a lot of the basics confidently at work, and even at higher levels of proficiency in some areas, but I need a more thorough grounding in a trade on which to build. Fine woodworking is it for me. I want to get to log cabin building, honestly, but I do not have the capital let alone the time and equipment to do more than study how cabins are built. I am not sure which I'd like better, fine wood working or log cabin building, but what I do know is that I'd like to put my wood furniture in my log cabin.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Driven

2009-10-05T19:38:00.003-04:00

This morning, I drove to work under the cover of a bright full moon. I was focused and on my way to work early to handle an electrical problem, and thank heavens, or the creator of Heaven rather, that it was solved with the flick of a breaker.

That said, I began to reflect on my thoughts over the weekend regarding the future and even present demise of the dollar. I am not an economist, but I know enough about liberals and failed states to understand that you cannot create money out of thin air, bury yourself in debts that you cannot repay, and expect to become or remain fiscally solvent.

What happens to an individual in America when they borrow what they cannot or will not pay back? Their credit rating tanks and banks will no longer lend to them. They are destroyed financially from the perspective of the lender and it usually takes years to repair the damage.

Well, guess the hell what? The federal government does not have a credit score per se, but has over $53 TRILLION DOLLARS in unfunded obligations, a.k.a., social security, medicare and medicaid. Does the federal government ever intend to honor this debt. NFW. It just won't. Perhaps they are trying to tank the currency intentionally so that they can pay the debt off in worthless dollars, but it would destroy the country in the process.

Obama Breadline America is not something I am looking forward to, but is inevitable to my mind on our current economic trajectory. China has done more than saber-rattling with other countries to discuss moving away from the dollar as a reserve currency for the world. Now they, our biggest enemy, are plotting with the arabs to trade oil in a currency other than the dollar, which is bad for the U.S. in terms of its financial and political dominance.

My point: we are screwing ourselves royally. Most Americans do not realize that we are sitting on a powder keg that is about to blow our asses into the sky in 53 trillion different ways. We need to claim back our individual liberty and the spirit of rugged individualism. Not just in the political arena, but the way we live our lives every day.

I am not a shill for the tin-foil hat crowd. Empires have risen and fallen since the dawn of history. We simply cannot take America's greatness for granted. The time is long past for complacence. The "shining city on a hill" will only remain glorious for as long as we are willing to preserve it and stay driven in our vigilance to keep it bright.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Morning Production

2009-09-27T08:15:00.007-04:00

Well, it's been a darn fast week. I woke up extra early yesterday and beat the Koreans to the spring and the sun to the horizon. Out in the middle of nowhere, between VA and WV, I was glad I was packing heat. It can be eerie when you are out there alone. Last time, I was with companions and nearly accosted by a baying dog. Luckily for him he was more bark than bite.

Still, the spring itself is a naturally peaceful place and still flowing well, given the lack of rain in recent weeks. I finished quickly and just sat down to roll out as the next patron rolled in. The early bird gets the spring water, or something like that.

The parts counter at Chrysler opened at 8, and I had all the water delivered and put away at home by about that time. I had to order a small contact terminal for the center high-mounted brake light over the tire on the jeep and install it to pass Virginia's draconian inspection procedure. It came, but without the rubber grommet I needed to mount it in the hole. Fortunately, for me it was early. My red tag was about to expire and the inspection shop I went to stops taking vehicles at 11:15. I had 3 hours--plenty of time for some coffee and mechanical work.

I went across the street from Chysler to Napa Auto Parts and came away with a 10-pack or so of small rubber grommets that I thought would work. After I came home and had a cup of coffee with my lovely wife, I started my second and went to the shed where I parked the Jeep.

The challenge? Getting the wires that had falled into the fenderwell somewhere back into their respective holes. Having worked with electricians, fishing wire is not foriegn to me. So I fished the pilot wire through their holes, checked the other terminals to see which was black and which was white, and go to work connecting the pilot wire to the lost wires and fished them back through.

I used two rubber grommets to achieve the right space, actually, closed the gate, tested it and shizam, the light worked. And with plenty of time to spare. Victory!

The mechanic even asked me how I did this, so I figured I saved myself some significant coin. It's stuff like this I enjoy doing on my Jeep, where I actually have a clue, the time, can break the rules a bit, and achieve the desired result. It was even more fun with the caffiene and being so near all of my tools. (I usually have to drag them across my property because I am working on the upper driveway, where it's flat).

I got all this done by noon and spent the rest of the rainy day inside, watching Robin Hood (the version for T.V. from 1991--I've always wanted to watch it) and doing some serious study of chess with Jeremy Silman's book, How to Reassess Your Chess. So far it's excellent and I am really enjoying it. Playing online or general is great, but at some point you need to take the time to study the game if you really want to improve. It's just amazing that I was able to do this today, considering the mayhem that generally ensues around here.

In general, I just like it not to be under the gun so much these days by projects around the house. There's still plenty to do, but the urgency is less because things are getting done and ungodly apple pies, made from our trees' apples, are being consumed.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Twi-lite Musings

2009-09-19T19:38:00.008-04:00

This evening, we had clear skies and a rosy sunset, my absolute favorite. It was just fabulous to be outside, tinkering around, watching the sunset, the cat, my daughter run around with her balloon, and the transplantation of our zebra tomatoe plants. Wow, life is truly sweet today.

So much to talk about. This morning, I woke early, did some bokken work and stretched before my children came to join me in the living room. Once I was able to escape outside, I tackled the relatively simple project of stapling two new screens up on our porch where the other screens had been ripped. My main concern is my adventurous daughter climbing and then spilling off the porch, scathed or unscathed. It had been on my mind for months to do this, but I never seemed to be able to get around to it. Now that it's done, it frees up energy for other things and I can breathe easier.

We hit the farmers market, which had been picked pretty clean. That's what happens when you go late in the day, I suppose, but I was really just tagging along. When it comes to the pantry, my lovely wife has all of our bases covered, pretty much.

We then ventured over to the Front Royal flea market, one of the better all-around flea markets out there. I mean, you can still find sweet deals there. Over the years I have found all sorts of wonderful, neat items, such as Spanish swords and block prints of the surrender of Granada.

Today, I came across a scoped Marlin 336W lever-action in 30-30. As mentioned previously, this gun in the SC version is one that I want, I'm just not paying $375 for it. There's lots of these guns out there, so supply is not an issue. I will bide my time and save, as much as I would just love to have one "today."

From there, we soon ended up at the Ole Time Festival of Edinburg, VA. We visited some llamas, toured the old mill/musuem, and checked out crafts and shops. I also discovered Murray's Fly Shop!

Earlier this year, I experienced what could only be called the "call of the fish." Without even knowing "why" exactly, I wanted to be fly-fishing for trout on rivers and creeks. It was like waking up one day, and boom, you just know you need to be fishing. No rhyme or reason. Just boom. That said, I actually want to have a clue about what the hell I'm doing, so I have been wanting to take fly fishing classes locally at a reasonable price. Well, now it seems like I have found the right place to begin!

I have also discovered another amazing place, this one online, called the Wood Whisperer. Notwithstanding the cheezy-ass name, this is an awesome resource for serious wood work for both the advanced and beginners. I want to take my knowledge of carpentry to the next level, and this seems like a great location to do that. It's what got me back outside today in the shed, making it a more organized space where my tools are actually accessible. They used to be, but you know how it is....

Over & Out,

--Nick-Dog

Bug-Out Chic

2009-09-13T21:43:00.002-04:00

Weekend Accomplishments

2009-09-13T20:29:00.007-04:00

So we went down to Charlottesville this weekend to check out the Heritage Harvest Festival. As noted in the video, with the exception of the view, the event was a serious bust. There was one or two decent booths, but the emaciated liberal eco-scum that inhabit environments like this appalls me. They say they believe in sustainable farming, but are the same drones who support Obama and his draconian energy policies, which will drive farmers out of business.

Notwithstanding the above, the view was breathtaking; the weather, superb. A great day for a tea party.

On Sunday, I spent a leisurely afternoon building shelves in our utility room to accommodate and showcase our canned goods. It turned out a lot better than I thought it would. I seriously enjoyed my time with the jigsaw, getting into the rhythm of notching the shelves. I got lucky with my template on the first shot, obtaining a mostly tight fit between the supporting beams on the wall. Frankly, it was just kick ass to be outside in the shed, cutting wood on a cool, sunny afternoon.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Hero

2009-09-10T06:30:00.003-04:00

I just wanted to make a quick post to salute representative Joe Wilson, R-S.C., for giving the Obama the proverbial middle finger during his Castro-esk health care pep talk. "You lie!" was his actual comment, but it definitely had the effect of the bird.

Representative Wilson later called to apologize, saying "his emotions got the best of him" and that his comment was "inappropriate." You know what, it was perfectly appropriate. Screw propriety. The country's future is on the line and we are supposed to be concerned about ettiquette and offending Obama? Ettiquette be damned. The representative represents the people, and that's how the people feel.

Welcome to the tea party Comrade Obama. You are a damn liar and have sounded this country's death knell with your reckless policies.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Amish Driveby

2009-09-07T13:29:00.005-04:00

Doesn't happen often, but when it does, it looks cool. :)

I am enjoying the long weekend, with today being sort of "Labor at home" day. I am in between putting up pieces of drywall in the eternal bathroom renovation/rebuild project. I have already succeeded in giving myself a haircut, and we are prepparing to can a slew of seckle pears from our tree, which has produced wonderfully this year.

We are trying to get our stock in order and trying harder to make use of the produce from our fruit trees. We are also planning in earnest to do some serious planting in the Spring for our garden. Actually we have two, an herb/vegetable garden and a purely vegetable garden, the latter being a large one. Because the deer and groundhog sacked the plants away from the house, I will be building a fence in the future in addition to clearning our raspberry patch.

There's lots to do, and complicate that with renovating a house at the same time, it makes it difficult to prioritize, let alone find the cash. So many projects too little time.

I wanted to get this off my chest: I recently had a run in with one of the county inspectors for my work. He was damn rude to me, and so I filed a respectfully written complaint with his HR department. Within 24 hours I not only had a response from the county's HR dept, but also I had his boss calling me on the phone to apologize, explain the situation, and beg to give the guy another chance. I think this will be the last time the haughty inspector screws up like this. Sometimes the pen is mightier than the sword. That's why I train with both. :)

Anyway, one point I drew from this experience is how some bureaucrats take themselves so seriously, are so into their codes and so forth, that they cannot be plainly spoken with about a point of concern. No, you have to go to the supreme boss at HR, file a complaint, make the guy scared of losing his job (if you are lucky enough to have them take you seriously) and so forth, to get his attention. Imagine if this was a faceless bureaucrat for government run health care, making the decision about whether or not your son or daughter dies. This would be a nightmare scenario to say the least.

Pres. Obama, you are not my doctor, comrade.

Finally, I just wanted to include in this update that I have been listening to www.thesurvivalpodcast.com. I really enjoy listening in and have been especially getting into his recommendations for year round gardening. I just can't read a book on gardening--to damn boring for me right now--but I can listen to someone passionate talk about it, especially while I wash the dishes.

Alright, over and out. Enjoy your Labor Day, yo's.

--Nick-Dog

Update to Sidebar

2009-08-30T08:28:00.006-04:00

Hey folks, it's Sunday morning, bright and sunny. This week zipped by, but for me that's been a good thing. School is starting, and the teachers and administration were in all out panic mode to get prepped. We got 'em where they needed to be, but as always there is plenty of work waiting for me when I get back tomorrow.

You'll notice a few more goodies on the sidebar in the links section. For the survival-minded, I put in a link to Ferfal, aka "Surviving in Argentina," which will fan the flames of urgency to be prepared. While we are not Argentina, the rapid decline of a once prosperous country is eye-opening and shocking. Ferfal has posted religiously and is something of an icon for modern survivalists. I've read his blog from start-to-finish, and it's well-worth your time. Lots of shit that you probably never knew happened, happened. It's enlightening and somewhat scary.

Also in the mix, as promised, is a link to WetheArmed.com. Started by Madogre and a couple of other guys, there's tons of good technical info on there for the firearms enthusiast-connossueir. It's also the only gun forum I can view while at work (as in during lunch). The rest have been blocked by the new firewall for "weapons."

I tout around a Phantom Light Holster everyday from Raven Concealment Systems, and now they are in the sidebar. Their store is over at The Malabar Front, a reference to the line of resistance of the Orwellian state. Considering where things are going right now in this country, the title is appropo.

Finally, I added Jethro Tull to the side bar. As most of you know, I am a Tull fanatic and have been for a long time. Ian Anderson is the musical genius behind the band, not to mention Martin Barre. While their music is modern rock with influences from various times and cultures, the band is perhaps best known for Ian's sometimes classy, sometimes crazy minstrel persona that comes out in their music.

That's it for now. Enjoy your week.

--Nick-Dog

24, 1984, preps

2009-08-23T20:53:00.004-04:00

Well, we just finished Season 4 of 24 a few days ago. As I mentioned earlier, this has been the best season by far. Non-stop domination. There were so many great scenes in this installment, it's tough to pick out the best. One of my favorites is the staged robbery scene from which the above pic has been taken. This shows Jack at his best--on the edge!

I recently finished reading 1984 by George Orwell. Not the most edifying work, but I am glad I've read it. Now I know what all the hype is about. You can basically read the first 50 or 60 pages and get the gist of the world. The rest of the story is just the author's sick and twisted sense of humor being perpetrated on his hapless audience.

At present, I'm reading the Aeneid for leisure and A.G Sertillanges The Intellectual Life for study. At about this time every year, I start feeling the back to school ju-ju in the air, feeling that I should be studying, even though study is not presently a requirement for anything in particular in my vocation. I find myself fancying grad school and embarking on some great work of scholarship, but this never materializes. In about a month or so this present desire will give way to my desire for the smell of burning leaves, chopping wood, and hanging out by the wood stove.

I have more than half a cord of wood or so. It's split, stacked, and dried. I will likely purchase a couple cords in the coming months for the heating season and forgo the incessant foraging. I love cutting and chopping wood, but I want to spend my time in the garden patch this winter, clearing brush and debris. I am sure I will get some wood splitting in somewhere along the way, though. Propane is just ungodly expensive when you are getting filled up every two months. We will see how heating with wood goes.

I watched a documentary called Urban Dangertoday, available online. Actually, I skimmed through the last half of it. An interesting albeit cheesy documentary on homesteading/prepping. There's some good points about self-sufficiency and living off the land made in it, but unless you are a devoted or beginning prepper, it's probably just really lame. Myself, I picked up a few good tips from U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, a depression survivor who built a neat little cabin in the hills. If you decide to watch any of it, his cabin walk-through is the best part. The rest you can skip.

Ok, that's it for now. Hope you all had a great weekend.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Forest Walk, Creek Swim...

2009-08-16T18:04:00.008-04:00

Today, Clare and I went with some of the Hatkes down to a secluded spot, pictured above, in Passage Creek. The creek, about 5-8 minutes from our house, winds through Fort Valley and a narrow gorge, terminating at the Shenandoah river. The creek, possibly the cleanest creek in the state, is stocked with Trout several times a year, and though it gets fished hard, has many neat spots for fishing.

The spot pictured above is actually the swimming hole we visited, although only half of it is shown and the water was a bit lower today. One really nifty thing about this location is that there is a bit of a sandy shoal on which to hang out and launch your swimming expedition. It is actually quite deep in the middle of the creek, with enough space to do laps if that's your fancy, or jump off the rope swing.

Me, I was just happy to get in the water. The setting is almost western, with plenty of yellow pine lining the canyon. The relaxing sound of water splashing into the basin creates a splendid backdrop on which to relax and enjoy yourself, provided there are no yocals.

Actually we passed some yocals today as we slowly meandered toward our spot. Unfortunately, "Ginger," what looked to be a pit-bill mix, was not taking too kindly to our passage and starting to get out of hand. Its owners took control of the situation and further secured the leash, but it was certainly not the way I was hoping to start off our time at the creek.

As I watched this scenario unfold before me, I was going into the "zone," wherein the mind and body become broadly focused on the totality of a situation in preparation for a martial response. In this case, that was response was to draw my sidearm and put a 124 gr. hollow point bullet in the animal's rib cage. I am certainly glad it did not come to that, but it was one of those moments in which I was glad I was carrying. I would have not wanted to look on in horror, helpless, while watching someone get mauled.

For the record, I love dogs, but if you are out in public with an unsecured and potentially hostile animal, I will ask questions later--after I save my own ass.

In any event, it did not come to that and no sooner had we arrived then we had the place to ourselves. Swimming in the creek was uber-relaxing, the kind of thing you see in a tourist advertisement for a particular state or park. It was a real blessing to be able to spend a good chunk of our day there, and I look forward to returning.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

Antietam

2009-08-09T20:11:00.005-04:00

So I finally made the pilgrimage out to Antietam. All I can say is, "Wow. This is a civil war enthusiast's dream."

We made the drive up via Harpers Ferry and Boonsboro, Md. Scenic and beautiful, we overshot our left turn to Sharpsburg by several miles. As it turns out, our turn wasn't marked by a sign, or at least well-marked, from the direction we came. But as we double-backed, we were dutifully guided by a hallowed brown sign. Thank goodness.

We crossed over the "middle bridge" of the battlefield continuing through Sharpsburg to get a feel for the town. Civil war historians do not lie when they call this town "small but quaint." The architecture is indeed quite pretty and pleasant to behold, especially when considering that the town, because of the war, is a historic landmark.

To the town's east is the National Battlefield. I do not think I can do it justice but I will try. The visitor's center is small but exciting. There were more live presentations at the center scheduled in one day than some battlefields get in an entire year. (Or so it seemed to me.)

On top is a glass enclosed observation deck that commands a stunning view of 2/3 of the terrain.
From that vantage point outside, we had the privilege of sitting in on a "battlefield orientation" in which the essential details of the battle were explained flawlessly and dramatically by the park ranger. I loved it. We are talking no-holds-barred pure and utter domination here. It was like being in a classroom, but instead of a chalk board behind the teacher, there stood, in it's full array of glory, mile upon glorious mile of exquisitely preserved battlefield.

Yes, it is clear that this is a civil war buff's true bastion. After the orientation, inside the observation deck, there was a presentation on the rifles of the battle and war about to begin, but with 2 fussy children, we needed to move on to snag ice cream and take the driving tour.

This brought us to the "lower" bridge, aka "Burnside's Bridge," the third theatre or front of the battle. Despite the fact that thousands of people died nearby, this edifice is one of the most romantic places I have ever been. It is the stuff of poetry and legend, something that you might find in a collection of writings by Wordsworth or Tennyson. I initially didn't want to stop because we had just got the girls situated, but all of them protested a mere driveby. And I am glad they did.

After jetting out of Sharpsburg, we crossed the Potomac into Shepardstown, Wv. and were delighted to discover a cool town. Home to a university, Shepardstown, founded in 1720, while small, boasts a street that is like a "Diagon Alley" for Nick and Clare. Cafes, book nooks, boutiques, and other interesting establishments line the street from end to end, begging further exploration. We'll return, but I'll be sure to avoid the cafe with the usual liberal propaganda hung all over the place.

In sum, Antietam is a fantastic place to visit. Perfect for a romantic weekend getaway with plenty of stuff nearby to visit and see. We will definitely be back.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Tactical Considerations

2009-07-28T18:16:00.004-04:00

I've been spending a lot of time of late at www.wethearmed.com--I'll be adding it to the sidebar--which is an excellent site for the firearms enthusiast. Very intelligent techinical discussion on a wide variety of topics. The site also happens to be unblocked by the new firewall at work, which allows me to read something interesting during my lunch break other than the headlines at Drudge. It appears there is a problem with the topic of 'weapons.'

Please.

I've been investigating outdoor range options here locally ever since our bodacious trip to the midwest. On our way back, I visited the Linden Conservation Club with Martin S. in Indiana, and it was a true good ol' boy experience. They have a skeet setup that is enviably boss, with various automated clay launching stations to test your abilities at a variety of angles. Really cool and incredibly reasonable in terms of the price, not to mention the occasional serving of complimentary beans.

The local Izaak Walton league in Warren County offers some range possibilities, but the devotion to shooting on their vast 155-acre property is sadly lacking as far as I can tell. The IWL is not out-out-the question--the property is gorgeous--I just want to check out all my options first.

Good news. I just heard back from Tactical Machining out of Florida, and they are selling complete uppers for $615. (For those of you who read this and don't know, it's the barrel/top portion of an assualt rifle(AR).) That is a sick deal, considering the availability and quality coming out of their shop. Availability on the AR market as a whole is scarce or insanely overpriced. Another option is Crusader Arms, another new start-up that will produce premium weapons, but there is a premium to the cost as well. I am trying to keep the build under $1000 minus optics.

I love shooting rifles. I really do. I simply can't wait to complete the set up of my first "evil black rifle." My nickname of "Dr. Evil Laugh" will then take on an entirely new meaning.

That's it for now. I am trying to entertain my fiesty red-headed daughter while I type. More later peeps.

--Nick-Dog

The Zen of Oil

2009-07-22T21:25:00.005-04:00

(See Clare's Blog for stellar pics of our Chicago vacation.)

It was actually somewhat meditative for me to change the oil and rotate the tires on the Mustang this evening. I didn't realize it until I noticed myself pouring the Mobil 1 Synthetic into the engine rather smoothly, that is, without mishap.

It was pleasant but strange. I half wanted to be outside working, as it was so beautiful this evening, and the other half of me wanted to be inside slouching on the couch, chillaxing. Apparently, I inadvertnetly found some sort of equilibrium and each of those things canceled each other out, while I went through the motions almost as if I was on autopilot.

Sometimes we know what to do to solve a problem or crisis, but want to procrastinate. It's not that the problem is so difficult it can't be solved--we know the steps--we just don't want to put in the time to make whatever solution possible happen. And yet, if we just put in the time, the solution will all come together...eventually.

And yet, as I find myself at the grand age of 30, I do not think kindly of time. As the clock ticks, this world passes away. Opportunities missed are lost to the often misty corridors of memory, to be revisisted only on occasion. As we age, time seems to speed up, making the visitation of memories long past, more difficult, more of a sacrifice.

Today as I was traveling home, a speed demon cut me off from the right, with barely an inch for room to pass. He certainly risked his own life and mine. On the one hand, I feel he deserves to go to prison for the stunt, on the other, what practical recourse does a civilian have in an incident such as this? An accident did not occur, but it could have? I could have become enraged, but what good would it do? I am not a cop, but if I was, I would have placed him in cuffs. And the irony of the situation is that he was only a car ahead of me 10 minutes later when getting off the interestate.

The point is, if there is one in this post, sometimes it is pointless to rush. Timing is everything, as Sun Tzu, I believe, once said. Choose your battles. Time is of the essence. Wasted energy is energy you can't get back. Pray for the bastard and move on.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

Vacation Thoughts

2009-07-13T08:01:00.003-04:00

As I write, I am sitting in NW Indiana, looking forward to a day in Chicago, visiting the Shed Aquarium.

The first order of business this morning, however, will be my visit to a relatively local cafe that serves Intellegentsia Coffee that I will bring back for us.

So far this has been an outrageously kick ass trip. My brother and sister came over to my parents impromptu the afternoon of the day we got in and it was just great to have them over and see them. And now that the Bamster has been in office for 6 months, I have tons of ammunition with which to convince the unbelievers in my family that he is a socialist.

Yesterday, Sunday, we went to mass at the Discalced Carmelite Monastery in town, snagged a midwestern skillet at Round the Clock, visited the park, Gayte's Ice Cream, took a neigborhood walk, and went to Cabela's in Hammond, one of my absolute favorite places around.

I saw a used Glock 37 for $400. That's the .45 GAP round. If I was in the market, I would have snapped it up. But I am pretty well set up on firearms for the moment. I do need a back up gun pistol in 9MM for the G17, but that's about the extent of my authentic needs right now. That and an upper, but it will have to wait, too.

Looking forward to the rest of the trip. It's been great. Just wanted to chime in quickly. Peace out yos.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Celebrating Independence Day

2009-07-02T20:35:00.007-04:00

This evening I arrived home and put together a little craft project for the Marlin. After reviewing some homemade gun racks online, I gathered some scrap wood from the shed, drew a template, and began cutting some pieces with the Craftsman jigsaw my dad gave me.

I remember this saw vividly from my youth. I had asked my dad to cut 2 scimitars for me for Halloween when I was in 6th grade or so. I was about 12 years old, and watched him cut the curves in the blade with this particular saw. In fact, it's so old school it actually says "Made in the USA" on the side. Try finding an electric anything in the tool world these days with that stated anywhere on the tool and you'll be looking for a long time.

So anyway I took my inherited saw and cut out the template for the rack's sides. After a couple of screw ups and mishaps with breaking them, I finally was able to put together the 2 side pieces on the center piece and hang it over the door. The result, I think, looks quite natural.

I am really proud of this little project. A Coors, some sawdust and a few shots with the nail gun later and it was done. The .22 nestles in the rack perfectly and is easily accessible near the rear door. You never know when you need a long gun for something out here.

As I've stated elsewhere, I purchased this firearm as the "backwoods" gun for the house. The backwoods. Since I was a kid, this word captured the essence of man's life of survival and play with and in nature for me. I went into the backwoods to start fires with my brother, smoke pipes in a lofty tree, fishing, and hone what survival skills I had. In my mind the backwoods has always carried with it a nostalgic, even primal, meaning. It is a word that designates that other place you go as man to be fully man, where the drudgeries of life evaporate and man can naturally seperate the BS from his true self.

Perhaps I am not the only one who thinks like this. There's even a Backwoods Magazine dedicated to conservative homesteading.

You know, it's good to make your own stuff if you can. You have more control over the quality of the process and the outcome. So much is junk these days--MDF kitchen cabinets, for example--and people pay thousands for it. Screw that. I prefer to make my own stuff to be used, and flawed though it may be, I'm proud of it. That's what indedependece is all about.

Happy 4th of July to ye all.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

50 yards

2009-06-28T19:46:00.004-04:00

Fun with the .22

2009-06-28T19:28:00.007-04:00

Below this post is some gun talk, above are some pics from this Sunday afternoon. I bought a .22 LR at a pawn shop, taught Clare to shoot it, and her dad joined in on the fun. I got some video too, which will be up in time. Enjoy!

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Screw the Jar!

2009-06-28T19:00:00.002-04:00

Well, this weekend, after visiting Front Royal's new trendy farmers' market on Main Street, I decided to check out the pawn shop across the way for a cheap .22 LR. When I saw the solid looking Marlin Model 80 for $75 (sans clip--I'll have to order one) I couldn't pass on the deal. It just felt right, and that's all I needed to know.

This means I'll have to pass on my allowance for a little while, but so many shooters and homesteaders believe that this handy gun is an essential piece of equipment for everyday country living, I couldn't miss the opportunity to purchase the little Marlin.

After cleaning the gun and firing plenty of rounds, I was feeling strong and decided to bring out my Remington 700 SPS chambered in .300 WSM for the first time. After shooting the .22, the SPS felt like a cannon. After the first shot, I learned real fast that this weapon is presently well-beyond my abilities as a shooter. I now have major respect for large caliber weaponry.

That being said, a whole new world of shooting has opened up for me with that gun, albeit an expensive world. Until I mount a decent scope on it, I will hold off on firing it. It's $2.00 a round for the .300 WSM. For $6, I can purchase 100 rounds of .22 LR, which makes the .22 even more exciting to fire. That, and it's less like to piss off the neighbors.

Early to Rise

2009-06-27T05:29:00.011-04:00

I've been up at the crack of dawn several days this week, energetic and ready to go. Even though it's Saturday, the same is true this morning. I guess I have to get some things done...like update my blog. LOL.

This week has been a good week. I am nearing completion of building a new school office for the church. The task is actually rather simple, except that I am often regularly interrupted. There is a certain amount of necessary discussion that accompanies every renovation project, but it goes over the top because it's summer and everyone wants to escape from their office job and see what I'm doing.

Remarkably. we've made lots of progress. Next week will see the installation of new tile in spots, a secretary sliding glass, cabinets and a sink, cove base, and everything else I can get done. I am really, really looking forward to the end of this project. When it's done it will be one very large item off my plate and perhaps I won't feel like I have to wake up at 4AM anymore.

I carried concealed all week. It was great! I mean really, just fantastic. I found the sweet spot on my hip for the holster to just disappear and not even be noticed while driving the Mustang. The Jeep is another story, but since the Mustang is what I drive the most, I consider it a victory. My next gun-related purchase will be the TLR-1 Streamlight. Time to save.

My new method of buying toys--stuff I want but can't prove I necessarily need--is to deposit my allowance and spare change in a large jar and wait until I have enough money to purchase the item. This method, simple as it is, has focused my purchases and has worked rather well in my case. Do I get this or that? No, the JAR must have it! And so it goes from there.

Believe it or not, it's already high time to gather firewood for the winter. I have about a face cord of oak and maple so far, but I am going to need about 6 times that--3 full cords--for the winter, if not more. I plan on heating as much as we can with wood. The furnace sucks propane like no tomorrow, and propane is ass-expensive around here.

So that's it for now. The allowance goes to the money jar and there is much work to be done around the house this weekend. My plan was to rip up the sink and counter area. I'd like to get that done, but it may go on quasi-hold because I am now more interested in the idea of picking up a specific counter I saw at Ikea yesterday that I think would match perfectly the decor and motif of our kitchen, in addition to not breaking the bank.

More later. The pic above is from 24: Season 4 for good measure, and it's non-stop kick ass.

Over and Out.

--Nick-Dog

The Making of a Mall Ninja

2009-06-20T10:52:00.006-04:00

It's Sat afternoon, and I am flying solo here at the house with Anastasia. It's been a low key day. Almost a little too low key, but I am getting stuff done to try and keep this place a well-oiled operation. :-)

I have a lot to say. Pardon my rambling. I am prone to get lengthy.

I just received my Phantom Concealment Holster from RCS. It's a little less glitzy than I was expecting but it makes carrying concealed far easier. I can go outerwaist band in an untucked tee-shirt with a full size Glock and I don't print unless I am turning. Impressive. The nice thing about this holster is that I got it set up for a tactical light (TLR-1) attached to the gun, but I can still use the holster if there is no tac light attached, which is a good thing, since I still need to buy one.

I still have problems in the car fitting into the seat without the holster digging into my side. I will work on adjusting it, but I wonder how helpful that will be. The Phantom is definitely a big step up from my Fobus(ted) Roto holster, but the 50 day wait was long and painful. I might go with Comp-tac next time around or a CrossBreed hybrid. All these guys make a fine holster and have a good reputation. I just don't want to wait forever and a half for the product. I suppose that sometimes that's the price of excellence

I will let you know how the Phantom ends up working out with pics. All in all, it's a really sweet holster.

I've decided to stick with 9mm. I was going to purchase another G17 to have on hand for SHTF, but since Glock came out with the RTF frames (rough textured finish), I am reconsidering this move. It's not like I have the money anyhow, but there's always financing via Budsgunshop. That would mean my allowance goes to pay for a gun each month but it might be worth it for the CZ SP-o1 Phantom I mentioned a while back. I love most CZs I've handled and the Phantom makes me drool. I probably shouldn't think about this, but I am. It'd be a hard fight every morning to decide what to carry, but at least I'd be well set-up for a mall ninja.

All this means I would hold off indefinitely on the .357 Sig caliber and just hang with 9mm. Frankly, after checking out the larger calibers in the store, going with a lighter model makes a lot of sense to me, especially given the ammo shortage from hell. I was able to pick up a box of plinking ammo at Walmart last week, but still. Unless your shooting .22, .270 or 7mm, you're just outta luck.

Ok, switching gears here...

Without really thinking about it, I have been sporadically training in earnest the karate I learned years ago. Okinawan Goju Ryu to be exact. Watching some videos on youtube of Morio Higoanna helped with this inspiration. Pretty damn inpressive at 69 years old.

I have met him in person several times and received my shodan under him years ago. He was amazing then, but now he is purely phenomonal. He is so humble. If you met him person, you would never know he was a martial artist, let alone a 10th Dan. When I shook his hand, it was light as a feather. I'll never forget that for as long as I live.

I think now that I am 30 I appreciate more than ever the value of my hard training in the karate dojo. The art, as preserved via the IOGKF, is still practiced today more or less the same way it was practiced 100 years ago, except that the teaching is more open (as in available) than ever. This means that all the traditional ways of doing things, the odd, traditional training tools, are still used. It's a lot of fun and a cultural treasure.

Things at the house are going well. I am making progress slowly but surely. It's hard to carry on daily life and renovate at the same time. Speaking of which, duty calls. It's time also past time to start stacking firewood. I cut some up this morning, but then the rain came, putting the kabosh to my early morning productivity.

That's it for now. Drink tea and kick ass.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Season 3: Hit and Miss

2009-06-11T23:43:00.005-04:00

Just a few short words about Season 3. It was good. Not as good as I was hoping, not as good as the excellence that was Season 2, but it was good.

The first part of the season, IMO, was shaky in terms of the storyline. It was a bit too imaginative, remaining entertaining because watching Bauer blow stuff up is always fun. Much of the season's first half requires a heavy suspension of disbelief so you can play along. Part of me wonders if that's what the writers want, you know, to let you know that hey, this is Hollywood after all. You're not supposed to take 24 that seriously.

You're not?!

The second half was vastly superior to the first half, much like a good book you can't put down. The story goes some places that were a bit of a distraction from all the action, but the juice factor stays high throughout, just like the entirety of Season 2.

In case you're wondering, that's Jack suiting up with a Remington 870 at the beginning of the Season. A nice gun for handling scum.

Peace Out yo's,

--Nick-Dog

Neighborhood Happenings

2009-06-07T16:11:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I was changing the oil at about 10:30 AM when I heard what sounded like a large piece of lumber being slammed down on some other lumber. I also thought it could have been a gun, but since gun shots are fairly common around here, I didn't think it was too big a deal.

Then I heard it again. And as it turns out, it was a bit of a "big deal."

Later that day, I found out from my excited neighbor next door that he found a bobcat trying to get into their chicken coup. He keeps a .22 above the door (and advises me to do the same) for neighborhood varmints and the like. He thought it was just a local cat, and was just going to scare it away, until it jumped off the roof of his chicken coup. That's when he realized, "Oh, damn. That's a bobcat."

The irony is at about that time, lots of people were outside, moreso today, tending their yard, folding laundry, etc. Clare and Anastasia were in the back. The neighbor's wife was out smoking a cigarette, watching what she thought was a cat lick up water from a puddle near one of their structures. In a word, it wasn't exactly prime time for a predator to be out and about, or something most people would anticipate, especially so close to human activity.

Anyway, he capped it once, and then again while I worked on my Jeep. I didn't see it but it's at the taxidermist. For me, it's another reason to carry regularly, even in the yard, and to have a .22 above the back door. That was one varmint too close for comfort.

We had a couple of houses in the vicinity get purchased. We are still wondering if the occupants will ever move in. At the farmhouse down the road, I saw the new owners--a man, wife, and little girl--hanging around the house. Maryland tags were on the car.

That first night, apparently, they were outside when their redneck good ol' boy neighbor spotted a racoon in a tree. A raucus ensued when the redneck--nothing pejorative intended here--brought out a long gun and shot him out of the tree. Those Maryland people fled like hell back into their house.

My thoughts: welcome to the neighborhood.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Ikea Canopy Bed

2009-06-06T10:11:00.004-04:00

If you are local to the D.C. Metro area and are looking for a Queen size canopy bed in dark brown, let me know. I have pics here.

I am asking $175 and have this item posted up on Craigslist.org. We'd keep it, except that our space is too small to accommodate it.

Please let me get this thing off my porch! Thanks!

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog