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

To Carry or Not to Carry...

LOL. I laughed so hard I almost cried when I saw this--it's one of the absolute funniest things I've seen in a long time.

Personally, I believe that carrying a sidearm at all times is a good thing, even while at home. From the very beginning, the Monday Update was started with the main goal of inspiring others to increase and maintain their situational awareness (SA), to avoid becoming a victim of unfortunate circumstance and others' haplessness. A mantra of this writer is a maxim from a great strategist whose name presently escapes me: "The great general is not one who wins a hundred battles, but avoids a thousand."

Criminals don't wait until you are perfectly comfortable to perpertrate a crime--they want you in the hurt locker, totally vulnerable or absent. But, ironically, I also have concerns about carrying a pistol in my house with children there, the very ones I am there to protect and shield from any danger. I wish my dad carried when I was a kid. My uncle did. When we were all in the middle of BFE Minnesota on a fishing trip in the Boundary Waters near Canada, I only really felt safe because I knew my Uncle Butch was packing heat.

As a kid, I considered it bad ass to see a respected adult carry a sidearm and did not question the decision. I'd want to emulate it in due time. Yet as an adult in today's world, it seems so taboo to carry, openly or concealed, especially with family around.

Two weeks ago, Clare and I visited her friend's house in PA. Her husband, Jason, is a state trooper and Iraq vet. He's a devout Christian and ultra-responsible. When I asked if he carried off-duty his response said it all: "Everywhere."

We need more responsible men in our society who will not stand for criticizism from those who advocate being the next unarmed victim of a violent crime. If your house is suddenly besieged by 4 armed thugs, you need to be respond in seconds--your critics will not be there to protect you. To quote a recurring maxim of MadOgre, "Pacifism is a privilege of the protected."

Before I close, let me say this: Most normal victims believe before a crime that it "couldn't happen to them," that crimes are something that "happen to other people." Don't let that person be you.

Over and Out,

--Nick

Bathroom of Doom (Director's Cut)

Some before and after action. Here are some of the pics, as promised. Above, sweet sweet demolition in progress, though it felt more like regress. You can see how I was trying to preserve the toilet for as long as possible, before going to the saw-dust toilet of death. I title the first photo, "Gloom Beckons" and the second, "Isle of Despair." That bucket of water is what I used to flush the toilet when I had the water off. You'd actually have to straddle the floor joists and insulation to lift it up and dump the water in the back of the toilet. Lovely, eh?

As you can see, in this last pic, I've dished out my fair share of sackage too. This is where things stand. I just need to finish those walls, ceiling and the rest of the details, which will take some time yet.

I will post final bathroom pics/details again when I am done-done with the project.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

There's no way...

Obama is going to make it four years in office as President. I mean, did you see this guy's first official press conference yesterday? It was a total bomb, an utter disaster. Uh-bama was a boring, stuttering bufoon. His blather wasn't even coherent a good portion of time. The Uh-bama press office--and no, I am not referring to the main stream media this time--should just issue its press releases as a series of "uhs" with "hope and change" and "destroy America" at the end and we'd suffer a lot less and get to the point much faster.

If he makes it the full four years without resigning, it will be because the media dragged him through to the finish line. And they will try, to be sure. Some out there are calling this man brilliant, but if this is brilliance then I'm a bearded gnome. This guy can't even answer questions straight. No wonder Iran is eager to talk with him--they are going to take full advantage of Uh-Bama and it's not going to be pretty. Our enemies like Uh-bama; that should tell you something.

One final thought in this vein: it's a lot different to campaign for the highest and most powerful temporal office in the world than it is to be President and shoulder the offices' responsibilities. Uh-bama is crumbing faster than a Ritz cracker. I just hope he doesn't take the rest of the country with him.

Alright, that's it for now. Just a small rant against our fearless leader before he creates breadline America with this damn trillion-dollar spending debacle.

Buy your guns now, before he decides the government needs to run that industry, too.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

NO!

House Thoughts

Wow. 2 posts in 3 days. I am starting to set records over here.

I have been pondering much about our house renovation(s) of late. So I am going to take this opportuninty to sound off on this subject, cause, well, cause I damn well feel like it.

Before we bought this place, both Clare and I watched HGTV like fiends, me moreso than Clare I think. It got to the point that I could spot a re-run in 30 seconds or less, but that's what you get when you watch for 6 hours a day. Let's just say I wanted to be in the know.

Fastforward to our home purchase. Having some backround in tearing up houses and then putting them back together, I had a pretty good idea of what is involved in a remodel, renovation, and maybe even a partial rebuild. The one thing I was not prepared for, however, was going it alone, doing the large share of the work by myself.

Many good people have volunteered along the way to assist me. But it has been sort of a right of passage for me in remodeling this bathroom, for example, quasi-alone. It's one thing to show up to work everyday and put in 8+ hours on a remodeling project you don't live with. It's entirely another to come home after 8+ hours of that kind of work to home with no plumbing and boxes everywhere, because you thought you were a total tool time bad ass and could be finished in 5 days.

LOL. Well, maybe not finished finished, just father along than demolition.

Anyway, I've learned as I go, so to those people who would have gladly helped and volunteered despite their inexperience, I say thank you. To my dad, who helped save and kick my ass, I say thank you times infinity.

You see, the one thing you want to have when tackling a big home project is a friend or family member who has some experience building things. No offense to the inexperienced. It's just that that person who has more than semblance of clue boosts your morale more than words can say.

There have been many times I looked at the bathroom, see unfinished plumbing, a pit with the some old walls, and experienced despair. My morale plummetted to the depths. No amount of HGTV could have prepared me for that! It wasn't because I didn't have a plan, just that I didn't have my crew of 15 craftsman to make it fun and get everything done in a week and under budget.

SO, my first recommendation of someone thinking about going it alone in fixing their house is to be very generous with yourself with regards to how much time, effort and money you think you are going to spend. While it is far superior to do work yourself, save money and insure a kick ass job, paying a contractor to do the work has the benefit of getting it down quickly and hopefully right. But if you are like me, then you will only be satisfied when your hand is behind the project because you know it was done right, or that some things were and some things weren't. But you, not some contractor who doesn't give a damn, makes that decision.

Secondly, even if you have a new house, be prepared for the unexpected. When you feel that sinking feeling and are saying "oh shit, oh shit" to yourself over and over, just know that someone else, many, many people have gone before you in experiencing the same thing and lived to tell the tale.

The other thing, especially for anyone considering a fixer upper in addition to family and a normal 9-5, is that you can only go so far alone before you burn out or get sidetracked with something more urgent. For example, Anastasia's room needed carpet replacement immediately, but because I was burnt out and still had no plumbing, I delayed longer than I would have liked. We made her accommodations work, but it was less than ideal in my opinion. She has a new floor now, which looks and seems to work great, but I wanted it done a while ago and I wanted it done my way, so I know the quality of the construction underneath and the job itself.

All homes are a work in progress. Maintenance starts now and is a never-ending process. It can be overwhelming to stand before everything that needs to be done, see it as such, and not even know where to begin. I wrote a long to-do list for the house for 2009. When I got to item 25 or so, I just threw the damn thing away. You can only do so much. You only have two hands when you are going it solo. And that means, you can only do what you can do and that's it. If you push too hard for too long you will burn out, grab the oh shit bar and put on the brakes. Hopefully, though, if that's you, it won't happen.

All right, I just wanted to put this info out there for that one person who is facing or will face a daunting home task and has no where to turn except Lowes.

I promise you if you act like you're a bad ass who knows what they're doing, you'll impress somebody. And who knows, you might know more than you think!

Over and out,

--The Dominator

Rambles

It has been a while, but hopefully this quick ramble finds you well and distracts you pleasantly for a minute or two.

I just finished re-reading The Hobbit. I haven't read it in years. I was home for two days from work and really just couldn't put it down. I had begun reading another fantasy work, but began getting frustrated because, like so much fantasy out there, it suffers from the same personal and moral failings as the author. Hence, I turned to the classic Tolkien to remedy the situation and was not disappointed, not in the least bit.

The new tea order from Upton is in! Ah yes. I picked up a 2008 first flush of the Arya Estate Darjeeling and a tea from Nepal, which is presently brewing. The former is excellent and came highly recommended from my friend out west and fellow tea enthusiast, Jason B. The latter smells awesome and so different from other teas. Since college, I have striven to sample and explore teas from Nepal. I like teas from the region because they are grown at altitude in the Himalayas and are so unique and distinct in their flavor. This latest, which I am now sipping, is fantastic.

I purchased a new stock shotshell carrier from Cabela's for the shotgun. It looks and works prime. Honestly, it dresses up the shotgun and makes it a bit more practical. I need to mount the gun now in an accessible though inconspicuous place, and I need to pick up a safe for the pistol. Guns are an expensive hobby, but when I pump the shotgun or rack the slide, it brings a smile to my lips.

Yesterday, I had a prime Jeep moment. I needed to get out of my yard to work because the Mustang was stuck. No sooner than I threw her in 4 wheel low, and hit the throttle than I was gripping like a fiend and juking up and over a snow/ice covered hill in the yard. The thing is awesome and bad-ass to drive.

Obama's new administration continues the suckfest unabated since day one. If it wasn't for conservative talk radio, I'd feel so frustrated with the socialist actions of our government. I am so glad I do not own a TV. Like so many other possessions, it ends up owning you.

That's it for now. Time to get a move on. Until next time.

Over and Out,

--Nick-Dog

Bullet Points

Clare pretty much hit on the head that she could write a whole book about our trip to Chicago, let alone the rest of my break from work. Here are the highlights in quasi-bullet form.

Some of you may recognize the shot gun in the picture as the gift you gave me for my wedding--my personal favorite, I might add--except that it may look a bit shorter to you. Well, if you thought so, you'd be right. I purchased an 18.5 inch barrel from the factory, which installed easily in about a minute. It took more time to unwrap the thing. I tested it at about 20 yards and the Maverick performed flawlessly. If anything, the gun is now even more fun to fire.

Clare and I went up to the National Gallery of Art to check out the Pompeii exhibit. Pretty damn cool, if I may say so myself. In a word, the exhibit featured artifacts from the ancient homes of the rich and famous. Detail on the bronze work was incredible, and of course the sculptures are were astounding. A couple of my favorite pieces included a 1st century B.C. mosaic of Plato instructing his disciples and 2 griffon carved marble pedastals for a table. Also featured, was the head of Nero and Julius Caesar, which, for the historian, adds a fascinating new element to one's historical vision.

I spent most of my time at home chilling out--maybe zoning out is a better choice of words--after our week-long enduro in Chicagoland. We had a great Christmas and fabulous trip. I think much of that is due to our highly organized schedule. Specific highlights included a trip to Commander for one of the best skillet breakfasts I've had in my entire life, a trip to Intelligensia on Broadway downtown, and trekking across the snowy wasteland of Lincoln Park in our quest for the Polar Bear that decided not be there. I could easily get used to living on the North Side for part of the year and in Virginia for the rest of it, I think, if I was happily and independently wealthy.

My new year's reflections are many and multifarious. What the hell does that mean, you ask? I don't really know, except that this year will mark my 30th B-Day. Holy cow. 30. The big 3-0. It's hard to think I am going to be done with my roaring 20s and be 30. For starters, it's a big wake up call for me. A reminder, to not let life pass me buy but to make the most of my talents and treasure in this time on earth. Secondly, it's also a call to gratitude. I am entirely grateful for my family, faith , and friends. True riches in this life are things we cannot buy, unless, of course, your talking about guns. LOL.

And finally, it's a call to reflect, to take a hard look at ourselves, at our goals, attitudes and accomplishments, at who we've become and are becoming. I thought I would have saved the world by now, but apparently that's going to take some more time.

So there you have it, the first Update of '09. Don't less this year pass you by without kicking it's ass! Don't let up. Don't give up. There's only one way to win, and that's with determination. Second place is the first loser and you haven't lost until you are dead, or until you decide to give up in whatever it may be.

So fight! FIGHT! Rise up and kick some ass and take this year by storm!!!!

Over and Out,

--Nick