Archive for October, 2004
When did I get so old?
I was getting used to the fact that I don't heal as fast as I used to… and that the ground hurts more when I bounce off it. But earlier this year I experienced my first heartburn after a few slices of pizza (covered in red pepper flakes.) And now this… I had two cups of coffee around 9pm and I couldn't sleep all night.
It must be all downhill from here.
Got my voter's registration card yesterday.
Registered Libertarian… but voting for Kerry.
A strange sensation at today's company meeting… I felt good, but at the same time had this strange swelling sensation in my chest. Oh, my… was that company pride?
I'm still getting used to working for a company that has it's shit together.
Joined a sportsman's club, bought a handgun, and now…
I bought a '97 Dodge Dakota Sport Club Cab. I guess I'll blend in a bit better at the club now too… I didn't just have the only Italian sports car in the parking lot, I think I had the only car in the lot.
Initial impressions: It drives pretty nicely for a truck. It manages to stay relatively flat in turns without wallowing too much… it does get a little bouncy at times (over larger low frequency bumps) but otherwise it postively devours bumps that would upset my Alfas (no surprise.) It has the 3.9l V6 and an automatic transmission. The hope being that Deb will be able to use it when she needs to. I am so far very pleased with the AT's function. The truck is no speed demon, but it doesn't hunt for gears at highway speeds and is generally pretty easy driving.
…bang, bang, bang…
I shot an IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) course last Thursday. The course consisted of 10 torso targets arrayed at various angles and distances (most less than 20yards), and a few metallic drop targets. On this course, the goal was to shoot each paper target twice, and the metallic targets once in the fastest time possible. Obviously this involved some reloading, so a few spare loaded magazines are necessary to complete the course… minimally 22 shots were needed.
The course of fire starts with the gun holstered and the shooter standing behind a barricade. When the signal is given, the shooter draws, and procedes to shoot the course, reloading as necessary. The order in which to shoot the targets is left to the discretion of the shooter… Some strategy is required to solve more complicated target setups, especially when moving targets are involved.
I was surprisingly accurate in my first few trips through the course… although I was quite slow (compared to good shooters.) My best time was about 35 seconds. The instant magazine changes as seen on TV are harder than they look. I bungled it the first few times. I can blame one of the slow times on someone tripping over the power cord that was powering the lights. I was merrily shooting away when it went almost pitch black. I looked back at the range officer and he indicated to keep shooting (“use the force”). I was finding targets with the muzzle blast from the previous shot… and wound up shooting nearly as well as I did with the lights on. What a hoot.
I drove home as relaxed as I can remember being. I could see how someone could get really into this sport… it's like a video game with real bullets. Plus, I have to admit that a full sized 1911 holstered on your hip is quite the fashion statement.
Today was my first day of work at my new company… and the first full day of a brutal cold.
Normally I'd have zero problem pulling the trigger on a sick day… but what about when it's the second day of a new job? What about when you have a fever of 102F?
Ugh.
Disclaimer: To my new coworkers and anyone else googling me… honestly, I'm not a “gun nut.” I do like shooting though, and have started trap shooting again after a 15 year layoff. I never owned a pistol (non-airgun) before but the club I just joined (Pitcarin-Moroeville Sportsmen's) has nice indoor and outdoor ranges.
To that end (after a week or two of extensive research) I purchased a Dan Wesson 1911 .45ACP Pointman Aussie, direct from the factory through Gunbroker.com (think E-bay for guns.) The transaction was remarkably easy. All I need to do was contact a local dealer, to arrange shipment and transfer and mail the FFL to Dan Wesson. A few days later the gun was waiting for me to pick it up.
FedEX did a great job of fucking up the delivery. First they attempted delivery at 11:20am to a business that does not open until 12pm. Sometime between then and the next delivery attempt they managed to nearly destroy the package… which they just reboxed and delivered. I almost shit my pants when I opened the box to find a smashed, burnt, and nearly shredded gun case. I have no idea how the gun managed to escape unscathed.
I took Deb and my mom shooting yesterday, and I took my friend Andrew shooting today. Andrew learned amazingly quick and did some real nice shooting.
Everyone had a blast. I was surprised to find the .45acp remarkably easy shooting. No one had problems with the recoil… and with some practice we all were shooting ok. It's going to take a lot of practice to really get good though.
Last day of work.
A few fun rounds of trap shooting.
And a much better than expected debate.
Good times.
