But apparently in Chicago, the land of collapsing city budgets and public pensions, the impossible is just something they are going to have to learn to deal with.
An armed man attempting to rob a neighborhood store was shot and killed by a customer who had a concealed carry license, Chicago police said Sunday.
You know, I bet they'd really like it if one of those impossible things could happen to their city budget as well.
Sunday, November 01, 2015
Saturday, October 31, 2015
The things one learns
As a part of my push to outfit my vehicles with communications gear, I have come upon the need to learn about 3.5mm audio plugs. I had no idea that the subject had the history and complexity that it does. Amazing.
Now if it wasn't so blasted hard to find 3.5mm mono audio plugs of reasonable quality. Who would have thought we'd ever miss Radio Shack so soon?
Now if it wasn't so blasted hard to find 3.5mm mono audio plugs of reasonable quality. Who would have thought we'd ever miss Radio Shack so soon?
Sunday, October 25, 2015
For your browsing security
I have enabled the Blogger https:// capability for the blog. Now you can see what I'm not posting with greater security.
There were plans for a nice post today, but a crapped out mission critical server at the higher educational institution of ill repute demanded my presence. For a grand total of 10 hours. Sunday? What Sunday?
I'll try and scrape up some time this week.
There were plans for a nice post today, but a crapped out mission critical server at the higher educational institution of ill repute demanded my presence. For a grand total of 10 hours. Sunday? What Sunday?
I'll try and scrape up some time this week.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
As they say, "Long time, no speak"
By way of explanation, it's been both a busy and a painful week plus. Busy, both at work (*sigh*, life in a terminally short-staffed IT shop) and at home, because someone at Weather Control screwed up the seasonal programming and we've went from summer to late fall in a few brief days. Painful, because I'm dealing with another outbreak of migraine attacks. The new treatment regimen was working pretty well for almost two months, and then, well, something happened. For slightly over a week now, I've had one every other day. It kind of cuts into your spare time, to say the least. Doesn't help me out at work, either. It's a little surprising they put up with me at this point.
At any rate, there are some things going on. Unfortunately, there is no gunny goodness at all to talk about. Haven't been to a gun show, haven't been to the range. I am trying to carry around the house and anywhere that isn't work (which is a partially gun-free zone) as much as I can. The main thing is so I stay used to the feel of a carried gun on my body, and I don't fall back into the new concealed carrier thing of constantly checking the gun. It's amazing how short a period of time it takes to forget what having a gun on you feels like.
Having earlier mentioned the coming of an early fall, there are tasks around the Freehold itself to be accomplished. Temperatures took a nosedive last night to below freezing, which led to a hurried bringing in of the outdoor plants, and a quick placement of a heater in the travel trailer affectionately known as Plan B. We still have plans for at least one more outing in Plan B this year and depending on weather might try one more after that. I'd kind of like to try the coast again, time permitting. But eventually, Plan B will need to have it's plumbing drained and things that shouldn't be frozen brought in for the winter.
It's also time to do my chimney sweep imitation. That's scheduled for this afternoon. Always an awkward task, due to the construction and placement of the chimney stack. Awkward as it is, I'd rather do that than have the chimney catch on fire one night.
We will also need to carry in some firewood. For now, we won't carry much, since the temperature will not stay down long. But the time for dragging it in by the yard trailer load will come soon enough. We're going to be burning a lot of pine, so we go through a lot of wood. But the pine is free--as long as all the work that goes into cutting, bucking, splitting and carrying it aren't counted.
I'm also working on upgrading the communications around here. With some help, I am approaching having a dual band ham rig installed in our tow vehicle, and I have one ready to install in my daily driver. I'm also looking to score a couple of the newer hand held CB radios as well. I still have my old base and mobile from back in the 70s (Oh yes, I had one and used it), and they do still have a certain utility, especially on the road.
I have not gotten my ham shack set up at home, however. If I can just get the basement cleaned out, I'll have room to do it. I probably ought to have a construction dumpster dropped off in the driveway and just start throwing things in it until it's full. I bet I'll find room for a ham shack. Instead I'm working my way through, consolidating, donating and throwing away a bit at a time.
Together with Mrs. Freeholder and Daughter, we are rebuilding the pantry. We had pulled it way down so that we could change the makeup of the stock in it. That is in progress as sales permit.
And one tab I need to clear. You need to trot over to SurvialBlog and read "The Harsh Truth About Bugging Out of Cities" by Patrice Lewis. There are also several well-written responses to that article scattered in the posts after it was published as well. I have never subscribed to the notion that there will be a "Golden Horde" rummaging about the countryside after a serious Fall Event, and Ms. Lewis has taken the time and effort to debunk the notion. Frankly, I'm a little surprised it got published on Rawles' web site.
And all that said, it's time to start moving. The plants need to be hung in their winter homes, and by the time that's done, it's chimney time. No rest for the wicked.
At any rate, there are some things going on. Unfortunately, there is no gunny goodness at all to talk about. Haven't been to a gun show, haven't been to the range. I am trying to carry around the house and anywhere that isn't work (which is a partially gun-free zone) as much as I can. The main thing is so I stay used to the feel of a carried gun on my body, and I don't fall back into the new concealed carrier thing of constantly checking the gun. It's amazing how short a period of time it takes to forget what having a gun on you feels like.
Having earlier mentioned the coming of an early fall, there are tasks around the Freehold itself to be accomplished. Temperatures took a nosedive last night to below freezing, which led to a hurried bringing in of the outdoor plants, and a quick placement of a heater in the travel trailer affectionately known as Plan B. We still have plans for at least one more outing in Plan B this year and depending on weather might try one more after that. I'd kind of like to try the coast again, time permitting. But eventually, Plan B will need to have it's plumbing drained and things that shouldn't be frozen brought in for the winter.
It's also time to do my chimney sweep imitation. That's scheduled for this afternoon. Always an awkward task, due to the construction and placement of the chimney stack. Awkward as it is, I'd rather do that than have the chimney catch on fire one night.
We will also need to carry in some firewood. For now, we won't carry much, since the temperature will not stay down long. But the time for dragging it in by the yard trailer load will come soon enough. We're going to be burning a lot of pine, so we go through a lot of wood. But the pine is free--as long as all the work that goes into cutting, bucking, splitting and carrying it aren't counted.
I'm also working on upgrading the communications around here. With some help, I am approaching having a dual band ham rig installed in our tow vehicle, and I have one ready to install in my daily driver. I'm also looking to score a couple of the newer hand held CB radios as well. I still have my old base and mobile from back in the 70s (Oh yes, I had one and used it), and they do still have a certain utility, especially on the road.
I have not gotten my ham shack set up at home, however. If I can just get the basement cleaned out, I'll have room to do it. I probably ought to have a construction dumpster dropped off in the driveway and just start throwing things in it until it's full. I bet I'll find room for a ham shack. Instead I'm working my way through, consolidating, donating and throwing away a bit at a time.
Together with Mrs. Freeholder and Daughter, we are rebuilding the pantry. We had pulled it way down so that we could change the makeup of the stock in it. That is in progress as sales permit.
And one tab I need to clear. You need to trot over to SurvialBlog and read "The Harsh Truth About Bugging Out of Cities" by Patrice Lewis. There are also several well-written responses to that article scattered in the posts after it was published as well. I have never subscribed to the notion that there will be a "Golden Horde" rummaging about the countryside after a serious Fall Event, and Ms. Lewis has taken the time and effort to debunk the notion. Frankly, I'm a little surprised it got published on Rawles' web site.
And all that said, it's time to start moving. The plants need to be hung in their winter homes, and by the time that's done, it's chimney time. No rest for the wicked.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
I was afraid of this
While I did not know Frank James personally (as "in person"), I had corresponded with him on a few occasions, and was well aware of his stroke and his difficulties in recovering from it. A few days ago a sentence I noticed in passing started me wondering, and now I've confirmed that Farmer Frank died as a result of the effects of that stroke in mid-September.
Frank James was one of those men that we don't see much any more, a gentleman. He was willing to take time from his schedule and answer questions for some anonymous Internet nobody like yours truly, and I am more knowledgeable for his doing so. I always enjoyed his blogging, both about guns and about the trials, tribulations and joys of the farming life.
I think the thing that makes me smile about Frank was the post he wrote about buying what I called his "mid-life crisismobile", a new Mustang. I'm glad he got it and was able to enjoy it for a while.
Frank, you left us too damn soon. We're going to miss you.
Frank James was one of those men that we don't see much any more, a gentleman. He was willing to take time from his schedule and answer questions for some anonymous Internet nobody like yours truly, and I am more knowledgeable for his doing so. I always enjoyed his blogging, both about guns and about the trials, tribulations and joys of the farming life.
I think the thing that makes me smile about Frank was the post he wrote about buying what I called his "mid-life crisismobile", a new Mustang. I'm glad he got it and was able to enjoy it for a while.
Frank, you left us too damn soon. We're going to miss you.
Friday, October 09, 2015
I suspect they don't see the irony
(Via the Drudge Report)
It seems some Democrat legislators need armed guards to protect them while they call for disarming the populace.
Dear asshats, there is a process for amending the Constitution. Use it or STFU. We're all tired of your grandstanding BS. You don't stand a chance and you know you don't stand a chance. You're on the wrong side of history.
Don't you have an excercise equipment manufacturer to sue or something?
It seems some Democrat legislators need armed guards to protect them while they call for disarming the populace.
Dear asshats, there is a process for amending the Constitution. Use it or STFU. We're all tired of your grandstanding BS. You don't stand a chance and you know you don't stand a chance. You're on the wrong side of history.
Don't you have an excercise equipment manufacturer to sue or something?
Wednesday, October 07, 2015
Epic rant
Just in case you have missed Charles C. W. Cooke's epic rant aimed at the gun banners, you really ought to go check it out.
Come on, pajama boys. If you think you're up to the task, bring it on. I want to see a few of you walk down my driveway intent on confiscating my guns after you get the Second Amendment repealed and all your shiney new confiscation laws passed.
Come on, pajama boys. If you think you're up to the task, bring it on. I want to see a few of you walk down my driveway intent on confiscating my guns after you get the Second Amendment repealed and all your shiney new confiscation laws passed.
Padre, that'll be 6 Jeff Coopers
"Flock backs priest accused of pointing gun at Cowboys fan in Giants country" reads the FoxNews headline.
Urk?
It seems that Rev. Kevin Carter, pastor of St. Margaret of Cortona Church in Little Ferry, NJ, asked to see a young parishioner the morning of Sunday, September 13 before Mass. It seems the lad's mortal soul was in danger--he is a Dallas Cowboys fan, and had shown up in his Dallas jersey in Jersey, in Giants country.
As a life-long Washington Redskins fan, I can understand the good padre's concern. However, a mass violation of Col. Cooper's rules before Mass is not how to go about dealing with the situation.
Apparently, the good reverend pointed a long gun, later found to be a functional Civil War musket, at the young man in question, eventually netting himself one count of fourth degree aggravated assault by pointing a firearm and one count of third degree endangering the welfare of a child when someone narced him out.
A witness said that the entire episode was "...was all loud and good humored fun and nothing but, as everyone involved, including the boy, was clearly laughing. In fact, boisterously so."
If the musket in question had happen to have been loaded, and the good reverend had just happened to have pulled back the hammer--all in good humored fun--and pulled the trigger--clearly laughing--and perforated the young man with a .50 caliber or larger lead ball, would we all be laughing?
Padre, the gun is always loaded. We never point it at anything we don't plan on destroying. I hope the court goes lightly on you, because you obviously didn't plan on actually harming anyone. But you're a stone stupid idiot around guns, and someone needs to school you, hard. Even without a ball in the musket, a discharge at point blank range can kill.
Go forth and sin no more.
Urk?
It seems that Rev. Kevin Carter, pastor of St. Margaret of Cortona Church in Little Ferry, NJ, asked to see a young parishioner the morning of Sunday, September 13 before Mass. It seems the lad's mortal soul was in danger--he is a Dallas Cowboys fan, and had shown up in his Dallas jersey in Jersey, in Giants country.
As a life-long Washington Redskins fan, I can understand the good padre's concern. However, a mass violation of Col. Cooper's rules before Mass is not how to go about dealing with the situation.
Apparently, the good reverend pointed a long gun, later found to be a functional Civil War musket, at the young man in question, eventually netting himself one count of fourth degree aggravated assault by pointing a firearm and one count of third degree endangering the welfare of a child when someone narced him out.
A witness said that the entire episode was "...was all loud and good humored fun and nothing but, as everyone involved, including the boy, was clearly laughing. In fact, boisterously so."
If the musket in question had happen to have been loaded, and the good reverend had just happened to have pulled back the hammer--all in good humored fun--and pulled the trigger--clearly laughing--and perforated the young man with a .50 caliber or larger lead ball, would we all be laughing?
Padre, the gun is always loaded. We never point it at anything we don't plan on destroying. I hope the court goes lightly on you, because you obviously didn't plan on actually harming anyone. But you're a stone stupid idiot around guns, and someone needs to school you, hard. Even without a ball in the musket, a discharge at point blank range can kill.
Go forth and sin no more.
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