Twi-lite Musings

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

Weekend Accomplishments

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

(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

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

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

Fun with the .22

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spyderco

Ah, Spyderco.

I finally have an EDC (every day carry) knife that I am proud of: the Spyderco Rescue Jr. in 78mm. It arrived yesterday in the mail from Oregon Knife Shop in less than a week. Thanks dudes!

I proudly strapped it to my belt this morning, whipping it out later in the day to cut some thick zip ties and 1/4 in. cardboard. It went through this crud like hot butter. It was as if the knife said, "C'mon. Did you really think I couldn't cut that?" Later I took it to some hard plastic, and the knife handled it flawlessly.

Frankly, this is the best damn knife I have ever owned.

The contours of the blade fit my hand like it was personally made for me. Remarkable. There is a tangible quality to the steel, which makes you instantly realize, "Oooo. This is a different kind of knife." The edge is wicked, and Spyderco's trademark "O" hole in the blade makes it super easy to flip this bad boy open. I was a little skeptical about that at first, but not any more. No sir. In a word, this thing is sweet.

Before purchasing, I was looking for a relatively low-cost quality folding knife for some time. I didn't want to pay more than 100 dollars for a blade that's going to see a lot of action. But I also didn't want to spend too little money and get a piece of junk. My homies on GlockTalk recommend Spyderco for both of these reasons, and I noticed the company has quite a devoted following by the number of endorsements.

That said, I decided to go with the Spyderco Rescue Jr. after reading this article over at Modern Combative Systems. Mr. George Matheis, who runs the company, is a real warrior and has some great things to say about self-defense and self-awareness. As of yet, I can't say I've gone wrong in taking his advice.(Be sure to check out his post on the "Bag of Evil."

So yah. I've got a new knife and am really happy with it. It's pretty bad ass. I like orange, so I picked orange. 'Nuff said.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

24, Season 2: Right on Target

I know I've been posting a lot recently, but that's what happens when I have a lot to say and am sitting in front of a keyboard.

We just finished Season 2 of "24," and it totally kicked ass. I mean it was tight and superb. No Terri Bauer (thank heavens), which makes for a way better season.

The whole season was awesome, but I particularly like it when Jack draws his gun on regular citizens to threaten them and emphasize his point. For example, he is rushing the corral dude into the hospital, and the hospital staff starts shouting, "Sir you can't bring him in here like that!!! We are calling the police!!!" Jack draws his pistol points at the lady and screams: "Ma'am I AM THE POLICE NOW OPEN THAT DOOR!"

Awesome.

The second incident is when he and Sherri Palmer hijack an SUV after crashing in the aquaduct. Jack points his gun at the guy, demanding he hand over his keys. Once he does it, he says "Thank you" sincerely. I love it.

I am looking forward to Season 3. I can't wait. I also don't want to wait to save up enough money to purchase an HK MSG90A1, pictured above. How cool would that be?

One of these days. Maybe.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

Bumper Sticker

Today I saw a left over bumper sticker from the election on someone's truck, which sums it all up for me in terms of my politcal feelings then and now: "Elect McCain or were really screwed!"

I couldn't have said it better myself.

This is no exaggeration. Barack Obama is intentionally bankrupting our nation with the largest, most reckless budget in world history. Over the next 10 years we are going to be in the hole trillions of dollars each year and no one will be there to buy our debt. Meanwhile our many enemies--Russia, China, Iran, Venezuela, the drug cartels, etc.--are plotting our downfall.

The writing is on the wall. We are screwed. And there is no way out of this that I can think of unless we elect a new, fiscally responsible Congress that is less interested in hope and change and more concerned about the health and safety for our nation, interested enough to turn back the clock on Barack's reckless spending.

I know there are closet libs out there who tune in every now and then to my blog. If what I am saying offends you--that Obama is intentionally bankrupting our nation--what other conclusion can you draw when he has even said himself that his own deficit spending is unsustainable? I mean, this is jack-assery at its' finest. Either he dumb, or he is a committed, outrageous ideologue. Take your pick. Either way, the long term future of our country doesn't look good.

Which brings me to the second subject of this post. Prepping. What would you do today if you knew that in 5-7 years we would be heading towards a serious depression, a time when our currency is going to be worthless? Right now, this is an important question to ask yourself, because if we are unable to halt the Alinsky era of 'hope and change' we are screwed beyond imagining. It's not just the spending. It's also our enemies. They are real, insane, and want millions of us dead. And Obama is too busy trying to remake our society in his own image to pay any attention to them.

I also want to say that there is a lot of panic going on out there. Guns are selling like wildfire, and ammo is scarce. Have you seen the adds for seeds for "crisis gardens?" It's crazy. People are afraid of what Obama is doing to our nation, what he isn't doing for it, and what our enemies are preparing to do to us.

Where the hell is Jack Bauer when you need him? Oh, I forgot. The administration is undermining it's own intelligence service. Nevermind.

So ask yourself the question. I am not saying give up the political fight and build a bunker. I am saying we need to be ready if the political fight is not decisively won. What happens now in our country will seriously direct its future for the next 50-60 years. Frankly, I don't want to spend that time wishing for the good old days.

Peace Yos. Over and out,

--Nick-Dog

Marques de Borba at 30

I finally opened it. After about 8 years of me aging it personally, I took the advice of Parker, the famous wine connossuier, and gave it a try. The results were phenomonal, delectable, and exceeding all expectations.

Back in 2001, I dissipated my income on expensive wines, cigars, and other luxuries. I should have purchased firearms too, but that's another story.

Anyway, the best wine I got into at the time was a cabernet from an up and coming vineyard out of Southern Portugal, called, "Marques de Borba." All in all, I purchased about 7-8 bottles, enjoying most of them after hours with friends and a cigar while working at RMA. Yeah, it was a while ago.

The wine was rated in the 90s (out of a possible 100) by Parker of the Wine Spectator. He's famous for his nose and capacity to remember wines by name that he tasted 10 years ago. He recommended that the Borba wine would age to perfection in 8-10 years. My bottle was a 1999, so into the liquor cupboard it went.

I have carried this bottle with me everywhere I've lived and been, wondering always when my mind wandered to it, about how it would taste come de-corking time, dreaming that it would either be excellent beyond belief or that it would suck because the cork had failed, pure and simple. Fortunately, the experience has been the former.

After 10 years, the Marques de Borba has incredible depth and, if chilled, unfathomable vibrance. The wines velvety texture reveals prominent notes of blackberry with noticeable hints of cardamom. The result is a potion that fosters serious, deep contemplation at the merest sip.

I cannot extol the virtues of Borba enough. The right time to imbibe ended up being the occasion of my 30th birthday, by far one of the coolest gifts I've given myself over the years for my birthday.

Now I need to find a wine to age for my 40th b-day. Peace out homies. Don't drink and drive.

--Nick-Dog

"Some" ads...

I just added a whole bunch of ads to the Update, consisting of all my favorite gear. Everything I've posted is either stuff I own, have owned (and want back), or will own.

I will never recommend or post something that I think is a piece of shit. You have my word.

As you know, I love talking about my favorite stuff. Considering Amazon sells everything short of the guillotine, you can bet that if I find something cool and it gets mentioned on the blog, or I just think to add something, there will be a new link.

Patronize, if you will, by clicking on the link and I, obviously, benefit financially from your interest should you decide to make a purchase.

One excellent feature on Amazon is the myriad of customer reviews. If it's sold on Amazon, chances are it's been reviewed. It's a good place to check on something, even if you are buying in a regular store, before making a purchase.

So, if you are looking for something for your better half or for yourself, you will likely find something cool in the ads. If nothing else, it'll get the wheels turning.

Peace out, yo's. I hope you enjoy the new sche..., I mean, "feature."

--Nick-Dog

G17 on duty, from one of my favorite scenes in Season 1

Season 1

Season One of "24" is in the can. Not as good as I was expecting, and definitely not as tight. After watching "Heroes," I was hoping for something that would deliver in the same vein. However, the are two very seperate shows with highly different stories to tell.

Overall, Season 1 gets a B from me. Jack Bauer is awesome, hands down. Palmer became better and better as the show went on. Terri drove me nuts the whole time--she looks like she should be out driving a Suburu with an Obama sticker. Milo was cool, but I don't think he'll be back.

The show's weaknesses did not come from poor acting, but poor writing. Jack would have never married Terri in real life. She was/is a total basketcase, something that George states in the final episode. The characters do stupid things that seemed out of line with their presented personality. Most notably, Terri walking CTU at the end in search of you know who. No way. There are other moments like this in the story, and they strike me as gratuitous fancies of the writers, not objectively probable or likely scenarios.

That brings me to my second main criticism of the show. While everything on TV is intended to be emotionally manipulative to the viewer, the story bends over backwards to accomplish this to the detraction of the narrative. The whole twist of the second mole we find out in the end feels so gratuitous and lame, inconsistant with the rest of the story. Broken relationship on top of broken relationship the whole time, with twists on trust, meant to keep the viewer in suspense. One has the impression that the script writers are unformed hedonists, eating potato chips and reading filth, while laughing at you as they go along, writing, in hopes that they bring you back for another hour. There is little trust in the power of the overall narrative, or the sense of redemption that makes a story powerful.

No, Season One should have stayed on a stricter course and just told the story, instead of trying to destroy each character personally as much as possible throughout. Life only has so many nail-biters per day.

All that aside, I tolerated these defects to watch Jack unleash some lead. I'll continue eventually with the story, I think, but I hope that it's a much more mature in the script the next go around.
Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Filthy Materialist

There are only 3 good things about Northern Virginia--Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and the NRA.
The rest, barring a few aikido schools, I could do without.

Clare and I visited the first two today, and purchased enough of our staple items from those stores for a couple of months and then some.

I am more of a Trader Joe's fan than a Whole Foods fan these days, because Trader Joes is a way better deal. $2.50 for bath gel, $3.29 for wine, $1.69 for the best salsa, etc. Their prices are stellar. Whole Foods is THE Food Shrine of Food Shrines bar none, but the wallet can only handle so much. Their produce is the best, and their knock off brand, 365, knocks it out of the park more often than not. Still, the main reason we go to Whole Foods is their Olive Oil, Baguette, and Cheese. And the occasional canoli, of course.

Rod Dreher opines in "Crunchy Cons" that he feels like the only conservative in the whole damn store in places like Whole Foods (just look at all the Obamaphile bumperstickers in the parking lot) but argues that it is a conservative virtue to support organic food and sustainable agriculture. In Genesis--a book the liberal statist so often happily forsakes--one of the first commandments given to man is to cultivate the Earth. No matter how it's packaged, whether a countryfried market or shiny retail food store, man's destiny is that never far away from the ground. We can't forget that.

That being said, I choose my battles and visit said food shrines selectively. I go on occasion. Because afterwards, I always feel the need to detox myself from the taint of Fairfax and the liberal oracles of gluttony.

But a case of Charles Shaw is worth it.

Peace Out,

--Nick-Dog

112th Post

Well, it's the 112th post here at the Update. It's kind a surprising to have posted that much, but 'tis true.

Clare and I are presently in midst of Season 1 of 24, more than half way through. It is an excellent show--everything I was hoping it would be. Now I can talk shop with other fellow 24 junkies, while I tote around my Jack Bauer bag, courtesy of my loving wife for my birthday from Amazon.com.

I did find, however, an even cooler albeit less civilian-looking messenger bag from Tickbite Tactical. Yes, you read that right, Tickbite Tactical, and they have an awesome bag. Check out their "Heavy Duty Messenger Bag" to see what I mean.

This past weekend Clare and I mosied on up the trail alongside Crabtree Falls here in Virginia. It's a two-mile hike with recurring switchbacks to bring you farther up the mountain. The hike was easier than handling the 30 lb. fuss on my back, who clamored for the jeep and everything else the whole way up. Joking aside, given my present lack of being in excellent physical shape--I made it to the upper falls without issue.

Which brings me to the theme of my post. Slow and steady wins the race, at least where I am often concerned. I thought I was dogging it, truly, but I made the decision from the outset not to rush but to take my time. To my surprise we made it up faster than expected while soaking in the overlooks. Crabtree falls is one of the best falls in Virginia, possibly the best depending on what you're looking for. White Oak Canyon's lower falls for me, however, take the cake.

BTW, in case you are wondering, the new pic on the blog is of Elkala Falls in WV.

So we've been really good about making the most of this Spring and getting in some hikes.

I am considering joining a local gym that is on my way out of town in the mornings. I figured if I could get in there 3-4 a week before work--I am a morning person--I could get a lot more buff, lose the gut, and have and even better excuse to shave the head. The long and short of it is they have a pool and I love to swim.

So now that I am not training in the dojo like the fiend I once was, it's all up to me to continue my aikido practice. Thus far, this has consisted of stretching, jo and ken suburi at home and a once a week session with the ninja on the other side of town. However, the arena of physical conditioning is lacking, and the 2.5 hours in the car each way don't help.

So that is the scoop. That and I want another Glock, but what else is new? In case you are wondering, it will be the Glock 31, chambered in 357 Sig. Virtually all the joy of the 357 Magnum chambered in a 15 rd. semi-auto pistol from Gaston Glock. That sounds really damn good to me.

Peace out yos. I hope all is well.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

The BOL & More

Wow. It' hard to believe it's been almost a year since we moved in, but in a week it shall be so.

I am so grateful to be living out here. It was a struggle to find a home, particularly one we could afford, but it I am always amazed how this place has worked out. Above is a pic taken from this evening after the sun had set of the mountains. Combine that with a delectable breeze and a chorus of tree frogs and that makes for a most serene setting.

Things here at the BOL have come along splendidly over the past year. The grass is mowed. New landscaping is in. Trash has been cleared out. We have 2/3 of a really cool bathroom and so on. Time has flown. It is just a joy to be here and have this opportunity to live in Eden after the fall. That is certainly Virginia to me. Eden after the fall.

In like news earlier this week I made it back out to the Spring. That is the Jeep, the Glock, and I. The water is remarkable and I felt in tune with the earth and its gifts obtaining it myself out of the mountain. If only the quasi-hoopty handn't shown up and started a line of cars, it would have been a complete back to nature experience. Being up in the hills, alone, I was happy to be open carrying the Glock, especially when a caprice with tinted windows rolled in. Not what I was expecting. I wasn't rushed or messed with. Gee, I wonder why?

I obtained my CHP on Weds. of Holy Week! This means I can lawfully carry a pistol concealed in the state of VA. It's great to have the option now to conceal, my preferred method of carry. I alternate from open to concealed to open, depending where I am. Up in the hills, gathering water for the homestead, I'll carry openly, thank you very much. I prefer concealed carry in highly trafficked areas, however.

I have decided to answer any question about why I carry using the PC terminology of the current administration: Let' just say it's my "Outside the Waistband Contingency Plan," if you know what I mean.

That being said, I purchased a new holster for concealed and open carry. It's the Phantom holster for Glock and Tactical Light by Raven Concealment Systems. While I don't have a tactical light for the gun yet, that's ok. I have 40 days to get one, as the company is that backed up in producing their holsters, which are made to order. I am looking forward to the upgrade.

Clare and I are preparing to embark on a "24" watching Bonanza after seeing the first several episodes of the 1st season. Ironically, I was reinspired to check out "24' by purchasing a recreation of the Jack Bauer messenger bag from amazon.com after reading a review about rethinking the Bug-Out Bag. Instead of using a "break in case of emergency" type bag, have a bag with gear that you use or need every day. Clearly, you won't need everything you pack in the bag all the time, but it's better to try and carry gear you will actually use regularly or quasi-regularly. This isn't to bash the BOB. I still have mine. It will just be set up differently.

Anyway, a new bag is on the way as I organize my life to make it "tacticool."

Ciao people. Have a great weekend!

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Emphasis

Ah, good old Epicetus. As if to emphasize my point from the previous post, I found this gem from Roman times:

"What ought one to say then as each hardship comes? I was practicing for this, I was training for this?- - Epictitus"

Indeed.

Peace Out Yo's.

--Nick-Dog

SHTF

As I write, I take note that I am up earlier than most, at 4AM. Imagine that you are among the first people that day to see the world around you melting down in the news. Whatever the cause or reason, the S is HTF. You have only a couple of hours of waking time before others take notice and storm Wal-Mart and everywhere else to get their preparations.

The question: but what are you going to do?

A lot of ink has been spilled on this topic, and I suspect that will only continue. Are you prepared? Are you ready?

I go through phases of getting prepared and then worrying about the day-to-day things that are actually within my control and sphere of influence. Prepping is mentally exhausting if you take it too seriously, so I do what I can do and try not to worry about it. But I also only try to buy things that will last and that I will want to have in case the SHTF.

We take our modern way of life for granted, and build our personal foundations around those conveniences. If it were all to suddenly disappear, or disappear in part, that's serious SHTF.

Key Concerns include:

1. Where you live
2. Safety & Personal Protection
3. Water
4. Weather/Heating/Cooling
5. Food
6. Energy
7. Sewage
8. All the shit you are going to need, but can't get because the world is in chaos.

I hope the wheels are turning out there.

Some things I personally recommend. They can't hurt you, but you will happy you have them if the SHTF:

1.) Pistol, shotgun, rifle (in that order) and ammo (good luck finding it)
2.) Concealed carry permit
3.) Get home bag, especially if you commute
4.) Medic Bag for the house (depending on where you live, ambulances can take time)
5.) Fireproof container for important documents
6.) Self-Defense training if you have none
7.) Food and Water for at least 2 weeks for everyone in a household
8.) A garden (if possible and realistic)
9.) Chickens (ditto)
10.) Extra maintenance supplies for your house and cars: lightbulbs, filters for water and HVAC, oil and oil filters, etc.

This list isn't gospel or anything, but it makes sense to me. I've only had to bug out once in my entire life, and here's what I wish I would have had at the time:

1.) More money
2.) More organization
3.) A pistol

That being said, the most important thing on that list long term is organization. If you have personal organization, you can get money and a gun. But in a crisis, whether it be local or global, familial or societal, personal organization is, IMHO, the most important aspect your preparations, bar none.

If you are not mentally or emotionally prepared for a crisis in your life, if--when--a crisis hits, it's going to slam you to the mat, real hard and real fast. You won't know what hit you, and the other stuff won't matter if you aren't mentally and emotionally prepped. You'll be in la-la land or worse. You can't prepare for everything, but I recommend you try. You don't want to be on the floor if you can avoid it.

Experience is the greatest teacher, but unfortunately, it's because you take the test first and study afterwards. You try to reverse that process if you are smart.

The greatest service you can do for yourself and your loved ones is to make sure you have your own personal shit together. People who have their shit together, or seem to, are inspiring. They are also the people you want to turn to in a crisis, people you want on your side. But if you are not on your own side, may God help you and I mean it.

BTW, I recommend checking out ferfal.blogspot.com for more information on how SHTF occurred in Argentina in 2001 and what it's like living down there in the aftermath. I've read it in its entirety and his thoughts are worth checking out in full. Awesome blog and dude.

This became a very long post. Unintentional, but that's what happens when discussing the things I like.

Peace out, Yo's.

--Nick-Dog

Open Door Policy

Friday morning I woke up early, as usual. I waltzed--well, maybe more like clambered--into the kitchen to start some tea, when I noticed immediately that the door to my shed was swung wide open. It's never left like that. Ever. If it is, it's very unusual for me to forget or not to notice when I come home.

Ironically, I wasn't worried. That was the gut check. Still, it wouldn't be the first time a stow-away or thief had invaded an outbuilding where I lived. The thing is, the door knob has a ghetto rope on it that would prevent the door from just swinging up open. The way it's set up, the rope has to be removed by hand. So either Clare or I forgot to shut the door at one point, or someone else did.

As I got dressed, I asked Clare if she had gone to the shed the day before, and she said no. So I grabbed my Glock, loaded and cocked it, and went out there to see WTF is up.

I cleared the chicken coup then the shed. Nobody home. Nothing seemed unusual or out of place. I shut the door and that was that.

I know there are some out there who would say that if you even think your home or property has been invaded, you should call the police and not try to handle it yourself. If there is clear evidence of a break in, such as a shattered glass or a breached door, ok, no objection. But I am not going to call the cops for a shed with a door I may have left open. Had someone been in the shed, they would have been questioned and then, depending on the vagrant, shooed away or held at gun point while I call 9-1-1 on my cell. Or, if they had been violent, they would be capped. No questions asked.

Contrary to popular belief, I am not a trigger-happy moe-foe. Simply put, the worst can happen.
If you have a gun in your hands or at your side, the odds, generally speaking, are greatly increased in your favor. You have more options. You don't have to play dead to dial 9-1-1 like the secretary did this week in Binghamton, New York, while a crazed shooter, a Cho-wannabe, kills 14 innocent people because his life took a turn for the worse. No, you keep your SA, draw and shoot the mother. That's what you do.

Do not be a sheep. Thinking anything can't or won't happen doesn't make it so. If you haven't yet purchased a firearm or two to protect you and your family. Ask yourself, what are you waiting for?

Best to you all. Over and Out.

--Nick-Dog

RRA LPK

AR parts kit, ordered.

--Nick-Dog

Weekend Thoughts

My weekend started out on a good note, when I received word that my new AR Lower from Tactical Machining is in! For a mere 140 bucks (shipped) via GlockTalk, plus a $20 transfer fee, the centerpiece of my battle rifle (Clare's favorite topic) is here, shown above.

Tactical Machining is a new AR start up out of Florida by serious enthusiasts who recently purchased a new forge to produce top quality products. From all accounts they are great guys. My customer service experience was excellent and to get a lower from anyone, let alone one with a custom touch, is exceptional. Two thumbs up to Tactical Machining! I highly recommend them.

On a similar note, my transfer experience with Virginia Arms went very well, too. Their transfer fee was by far the least expensive and their customer service was excellent. The shop was packed. I couldn't believe how many people were in there, as well as the number of employees for a relatively small gun shop. But it is clear that they do the business. What was also very nice is that every employee was over-the-top polite. Just another example of how an armed society is a polite society.

Yesterday, as Clare details in her blog, we took an impromptu trip to the city. The mist and light rain coupled with seasonable temperatures made for a cool walk through the zoo. We went to the Basillica for mass and stopped by Teaism on the way out. Their apricot tea cakes, along with the tea, being the main attraction.

As I write, it's mid-morning, and the sun is playing peek-a-aboo. It's hard to believe that its less than two weeks to the Triduum and this thing called Lent is over. It seems like it only just began. I hope it's been a spiritually strengthening time for you all. This is one of the few times I can really say I was looking forward to Lent, to going under the microscope of more intense self-examination and really trying to improve my wanton ways.

On that note, I hope you have a splendid week. Peace out, yo's.

--Nick-Dog

Pics as promised...

Still juiced from last weekend... New post forthcoming.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Weekend Adventures

This past weekend I adventured into close and distant lands.

Saturday after noon saw me at Passage Creek in George Washington National Forest with our incredible rock-climbing husky, Leia. She did well and seemed to relish the opportunity to be out in the wild, until her paws were so wet it was difficult for her to be stable on the many, many rocks.

The sweet thing about this area is that it's less than ten minutes from my house. Before I know it, I am surrounded by nature at it's best out here--mountains, rocks, gorges, streams and trees--and the cares of the world fall into nothingness. Heading out to GW gave me a lot of peace this weekend. I see this becoming a ritual, a regular part of my weekends. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries stocks the creek with Trout, as with many other inland Virginia waters, and is an angler's paridise.

I am really pleased with how familiar I am becoming with our area. It's starting to feel like home. Just this week I learned that our road continues to loop around down to the Shenandoah River where it meets the same Passage Creek mentioned above and heads back out to the main road. I had initially thought this area was private property, because like every tree is posted, but alas, it is not. There is also a local gunsmith on the road, whose services may come in handy if the SHTF really, really bad.

On Sunday, we took a jaunt after Mass in Winchester to Berkeley Springs. It was a fun ride, and while the town is scenic and the State Park in the middle of town is really cool and has a great feel to it, the rest of the experience in terms of the town was a bit of a let down. Berkeley Springs is an odd mix of New Agers and WV rednecks who cater to the D.C. elite class who travel there for a spa experience. It's just bizarre.

The finale to this whole experience came just as we were leaving. We were parked in front of the New Age store, Portals, and this dude was out there meditating and carrying on a conversation with another seeker on the sidewalk. He was sitting inside a copper atom. Yes, an atom. Picture copper tubing in the shape of helixes welded together and this hilariously goofy bearded guy sitting on an undersized black pillow, with a blissful smile on his face. My wife made the mistake of looking at him too long while walking by to check out a shop before we left, and he responded, "You can sit down, if you like." LOL. This was so great. She was laughing, and politely responded, "No thank you" while I continued to put the kiddos in the car. I don't think I will ever think of Berkeley Springs in the same way again.

After we left, and continued to laugh about our friend in the atom, I decided to take the scenic route back home, which was the best idea I had all day. We took 127 (from 522) to 50, and then 29 South down to 55 and then back East over to Strasburg. West Virginia gets a lot of flack for being hill-billy, but the drive was incredibly breathtaking, some of the most beautiful country I've seen in a long, long time. 127 takes you up into the mountains, through hollers and river glades punctuated by old stone farm houses and stunning vistas. The trek down 29 follows North River through a scenic valley for miles. It is nearly entirely unpopulated except for farm houses here and there, and you just keep going.

Finally, you meet up with Lost River, another anglers' paradise, situated at the base of tall, winding mountains. The effect is just boss. Before we entered Wardensville, I got out at the summit of one mountain to snap a few photos, which will be forthcoming, and you just feel powerful out there with both feet on the ground.

Just as we crossed the state line in VA, Clare spotted a water bottle filling operation at a natural spring at the top of the mountains. We doubled back and this hilarious older Asian couple were filling at least 30 5-gallon jugs at the spring. They were happy to help me fill our water bottles and were entirely amused when I bowed and said thank you in Chinese. They thought that was cool and let me know they were Korean.

We got back home and there was still plenty of light on this perfect Spring day. Through the trees at the rear of our property the tall sillouhette of Signal Knob and Fort Valley can be clearly seen with the sun setting over them. It is such a blessing to be living out here. Thank you God for that grace. We all were outside walking around and just enjoying the beautiful cool weather. I can't imagine any other life than this one, as it is so satisfying to be our here in nature's glen.

So that's about it for now. Another week begins tomorrow. If it goes as fast as last week did, it will be Saturday before you know it.

Thanks for reading. Peace out, yo's.

--Nick-Dog

Marlin 336 & Other Things

Well, it's Monday, but perhaps you've noticed I've been on a posting spree this past week, talking about guns.

I could talk ad nauseum about firearms, but due to time constraints my posts are often times far and few between. At least weekly, most of the time.

Now that I have my tax returns all filed, I am capable of analyzing my situation for what it is and considering my future purchases. On the docket are 3 considerations:

New used Marlin 336 lever-action for the property, chambered in 30-30. The idea of owning a lever action hit me after reading several reviews of this American icon. It didn't help that I just re-watched what is probably my favorite classic western, The Magnificent Seven. No one demonstrates total bad-ass quite like Yul Brenner. Anyway, with the Marlin I can basically safely hit anything that belongs to me from my porch, and even things that don't. Aften inspecting a few Marlins, I can basically say I got the bug.

New AR lower from Tactical Machining. For those of you not fluent in assualt rifle parlance, this is the piece upon which an assualt rifle is built, and it has the serial number for the government to track the firearm. The AR-15 is a versatile firearm and can be built in a multitude of different ways, piece by piece, but the lower is what the government tracks. In the short run, this piece is inexpensive, but after the gun is built, it would pricy. The main thing is having the lower would allow me build the firearm at my leisure as time and money allows, and as mentioned earlier, one never knows just when Obama might start to feel a new Assault Weapons Ban would help stimulate the economy, or the growth of the state.

New CZ 75 SP-01 "Phantom,"... for Clare. This, too, would also be effected by a ban because the magazine holds an excess of 10 rounds or whatever their arbitrary number is. A fine firearm, you've seen my thoughts on it in a previous post. Clare is a bit warm to this idea because it salutes her loyalist Czech ancenstry. One of her great forbearers owned an armory and made ammunition for the king. I am sure he would he be most glad to know that his great, great American Son-in-law owned and carried a premium Czech Firearm to protect his descendants.

Alright, so that's it for now. I know some of you are NOT gun junkies. I apologize if my blog is a bit dark for you. I will mix it up again in time, but as for now years of firearm deprivation fires my newfound enthusiam.

Over and Out.

Peace,

--Nick

Q&A

Martin, you asked a good question: AR or new semi-auto pistol?

Getting an Assault Rifle would be great, but in order for me to make it affordable, I'd have to buy it in parts. The thing is, parts are scarce right now and pricy, mostly, and will continue to be so as Chairman Obama continues to swing the country leftward. A build would cost about a grand or so, and the CZ has me wondering if I really want to spend that money on an assualt weapon when I could be investing in other preps, like a pistol, a new bug out bag and other fun stuff.

At this point, I would only be spending a little less on an AR purchasing it in parts than I would be if I bought an entire kit or purchased it assembled.

Also, with ammo prices being so high, another caliber, even if only .223, would be an additional cost to stock appropiately. So this has me thinking that maybe it would be best to just get another 9mm for carry or for when SHTF. The CZ is at the top of my list.

That being said, I am pissed that Obama's press corps, the liberal media, is spewing doom and gloom prophecies again about a global recession. I remember when this whole thing started back in the fall of '07 and they were using the same scare tactic, perpetually asking, "Are we in a recession?"It was constant. Now we're back to that again.

Thank you Chairman Obama for sucking so completely.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

CZ SP-01 Phantom, taking a Gander at Gander

Nothing says kick ass like a black gun, especially one from CZ.

I had the distinct pleasure this morning visiting Gander Mountain in what was ostensibly a quest for ammo. Having seen this particular model on their shelf last week, I couldn't resist the temptation to hold, inspect and aim this black beauty.

Saturday morning is the time to go to our local Gander. Local patrons at that hour tend to be codgers searching for a deal. It's a nice atmosphere. I prefer Gander because there is so much less pressure from the sales folk to purchase a gun than from the specialty stores in this area. At least that has been my experience. Still, they want you to buy, but I had enough self-control to limit myself to a "research expedition" only.

My fascination with CZ's SP-01 first began several years ago after reading a glowing pistol review in an issue of Guns & Ammo that I just happened to pick up at a redneck gas stop. Not that I have anything against rednecks, it's just that most fast-mart type places don't have their gun magazines front and center. But this one did and I was easily enticed. So that day I got a little something extra along with my purchase of gasoline.

Since then, it's been on my mind to give this gun a look. Chambered for 9MM, it fit my large hands well. My grip was very comfortable and high on the pistol, which is pleasantly light and well-appointed, and pleasant to grip. The slide, overly slicked by some Gander employee, oozing so much CLP that the embarrased employee had to wipe it off, came back with relative ease. The trigger pull felt a bit long but nice nevertheless. The gun felt natural to aim and hold. Simply put, I could tell I was in the presence of a fine weapon of superior craftsmanship and thought.

It put me in awe of this gun. Suddenly, I was thinking, "I could buy this thing," and I knew I had to step away from the counter and check out. I came to buy ammo, not another gun. Had the price been lower, I might have rethought my options and put it on layaway, but alas it was not to be.

At least not today, anyway.

In the final analysis, the next 9mm I buy, barring an act of government, will be the CZ Phantom. When I pull the trigger, I'll let you know.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Be sure

To check out Martin S's cool new blog! It sure doesn't seem "off-topic" to me. :)

Right on, brother. Right on.

Over & Out,

--Nick-Dog

Sunday Morning Thoughts

It's a typical weekend morning here at the homestead. I'm up early, the tea is brewing, the wood stove is burning, and I am surfing. After our brief dalliance with 60 degree weather, I am definitely ready for Spring to come. Instead, for March 1st, we have about an inch of snow. I guess I just didn't wish hard enough.

We are embarking on a few new projects. We are replacing our dated, non-matching white kitchen handles with iron twigs. I am buying a couple every 2 weeks to keep the cost of the investment painless. Two are up already, and they are making a big difference. In general, the kitchen's style is that of the wood elf, which is what I like, really. And I am happy to say we are moving more in that direction with the new hardware.

Some might be tempted to call our kitchen "Hobbitish." If they mean, "as in from the book," I would agree, but it is not so lavish as to be compared with Bag-End.

We are making preparations for a "victory garden." I mean, an organic, heirloom garden. We will also work on cultivating our fruit bearing trees and plant a few new ones, as well as rescue our honeysuckle-attacked raspberry and blackberry bushes. This last is a daunting task, as the previous garden has been nearly overtaken.

The other side of our yard work, is to add some new landscaping. I am thinking crepe myrtles and pampas grass near our house for starters. Our cottage is a mix of so many styles, the outside being that of a mountain beach house. I am taking my inspiration from the landscaping prominently seen at Virginia Beach.

The wood stove has succeeded valiantly to date. We have numerous fallen and dead trees at work that need to be sliced and diced and removed from the property. I often spend 30 minutes or so after work cutting up prime burning wood. I have had good luck with dry silver maple, but while it burns nice and hot, aged oak is still the clear winner in terms of the best wood to burn. It's clean and lasts a long time. In some ways, though the stove is appropriate for our home's size, I wish it were larger so I could stack enough wood in it for it to burn all night.

That said, I have co-opted the foundation of an old out-building here to use for stacking wood. I hope to have several cords, split, stacked, and ready for the next heating season. It will be a lot better than having to worry about wood in the middle of winter, although that is in some ways the best time to find seasoned hardwood, at least to cut it and drag it out of the woods anyway.

After some thought and fantasizing about the project, I am looking into purchasing a stripped lower receiver to begin building myself an assault rifle. Now that the Obama regime has stated its desire to reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban, it's now or never to make said purchase. The difference between this ban and the last one is that a new one would likely have no expiration date.

It's actually surprisingly easy to build an AR, and you can build one that's pretty kick ass for about $700-$800. As for myself, I just think it would be really cool to build my own Assault Rifle, a customized weapon. This means the purchase of the Zeiss Scope I want goes on hold and I put my energies in a different direction. I have also thought about purchasing a re-furbished Glock 37 as well, simply because the ban would effect that weapon, too.

Too many guns. So little time.

I walked our property once again yesterday, something I do from time to time. It amazes me how big this place really is. There's a veritable ton to do. I wish I was home full time to "tend my own garden" so to speak, but I guess I will just have to be content with being a weekend yard warrior for now.

Ok, that's it for the present. Hope you all are well.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog