Tomorrow I'll be visiting the hospital at about 7:30 with surgery scheduled for 10:00 AM. The Boss and I ran a few errands and then had my "last supper". No food or drink of any kind after midnight, and then just barely eatable stuff for a few days while being hostage to nurses and drugs before coming home.
The remainder of this week is bound to be a whole lot less than pleasant. Hopefully the pain in my hip will come to be just a memory.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Weekend Paintball
We returned from our trip to Hell about 9:30 last night. The others were tired and sore from playing paintball. I was just in pain.
Unfortunately I wasn't physically able to participate this year, but I went anyway. It was great to spend some time away from daily life with the guys, doing what guys do.
This year the World Team kicked the Tippman Teams butt. Of the 7 years I've been there, the competition has seldom been this one sided.
A few photos taken in the staging area.
Unfortunately I wasn't physically able to participate this year, but I went anyway. It was great to spend some time away from daily life with the guys, doing what guys do.
This year the World Team kicked the Tippman Teams butt. Of the 7 years I've been there, the competition has seldom been this one sided.
A few photos taken in the staging area.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Going to Hell . . . Again
In a couple of hours we'll be leaving for our annual trip to Hell. This year will be a relatively small group of us, only 4. Last year we numbered 15.
Four of us going and only 3 will be playing. I've never missed one of these games since my first trip about 5 or 6 years ago. I'll be there, but the hip is bad enough that I just can't play. I could barely play last year.
Hopefully the surgery next week will fix all that.
Four of us going and only 3 will be playing. I've never missed one of these games since my first trip about 5 or 6 years ago. I'll be there, but the hip is bad enough that I just can't play. I could barely play last year.
Hopefully the surgery next week will fix all that.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Private Range
Last Sunday the Boss and I drove to a park in a neighboring town to participate in a walk intended to raise money and awareness for ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. My daughter-in-law's mother died of this horrible disease a couple of years ago. Rather than hobble around on my cane, the Boss elected to donate $100. Actually we would've donated the money anyway. We showed up to support the daughter-in-law.
While there her father asked me to design a shooting range for him to be located on the farm land he owns. Goody, goody!! Not only will that give me a closer place to go shooting, the Boss will be more inclined to do some shooting as well. She dislikes formal shooting ranges with a bunch of strangers around. Besides the range where I'm a member doesn't allow the normal plinking targets like expended shotgun shells. They only allow paper and clay targets.
He didn't even give me a maximum dollar expenditure for the range, though I'll try to keep it reasonable.
While there her father asked me to design a shooting range for him to be located on the farm land he owns. Goody, goody!! Not only will that give me a closer place to go shooting, the Boss will be more inclined to do some shooting as well. She dislikes formal shooting ranges with a bunch of strangers around. Besides the range where I'm a member doesn't allow the normal plinking targets like expended shotgun shells. They only allow paper and clay targets.
He didn't even give me a maximum dollar expenditure for the range, though I'll try to keep it reasonable.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
No Evidence
So far I haven't seen any evidence that the Obama care will do anything but increase costs across the board. The other day I saw a news broadcast from a mid sized business in northern Ohio. He claims that his company insurance cost is increasing by 25% this fall. And now I read this.
I'm presently working as a contractor for a company that basically doesn't want to direct hire anybody due to business uncertainty in addition to anticipated increased cost of employee benefits. Thanks to the evil party in power, I may never be a direct hire again. Unemployment may never return to more comfortable levels again either, unless this insanity is reversed.
I'm presently working as a contractor for a company that basically doesn't want to direct hire anybody due to business uncertainty in addition to anticipated increased cost of employee benefits. Thanks to the evil party in power, I may never be a direct hire again. Unemployment may never return to more comfortable levels again either, unless this insanity is reversed.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Useful Dimension
Using a revolver for hunting is an entirely different shooting methodology that for self defense. In the hunting world it doesn't really matter if the gun actually fits the hand because one handed shooting is not required. As long as I can hold it with both hands and reach the trigger, a little practice will be sufficient for deer sized killing hits out to about 100 yards or beyond.
In the concealed carry, self defense world, gun to hand fit is very important for multiple reasons. 100 yard hunting precision is not necessary, but fast shooting and maybe one handed is. So if you have small hands like I do, most hand guns are just way too big.
Most manufacturers publish dimensional data for their products, but few if any publish anything about trigger reach. The few that do appear to measure trigger reach in a straight line, which is actually a useless dimension. To be of any use to the consumer it should be defined as the surface distance from the center of the weapon where the web of the hand is positioned, around the grip and frame to the center of the trigger. I use a string to measure it. That's the distance that the trigger finger must transverse.
My 1911's are slightly modified with thin grips and a short trigger. The trigger reach as I define is 3-1/8 inches. I bought a Kahr PM9 because it is slightly smaller than a 1911 and lighter, though I prefer the 1911. The trigger reach on the little 9mm is 2-7/8 inches. Both of those gun types have the longest reach that I can shoot using one hand.
Wouldn't it be nice if the manufacturers actually published useful dimensions.
In the concealed carry, self defense world, gun to hand fit is very important for multiple reasons. 100 yard hunting precision is not necessary, but fast shooting and maybe one handed is. So if you have small hands like I do, most hand guns are just way too big.
Most manufacturers publish dimensional data for their products, but few if any publish anything about trigger reach. The few that do appear to measure trigger reach in a straight line, which is actually a useless dimension. To be of any use to the consumer it should be defined as the surface distance from the center of the weapon where the web of the hand is positioned, around the grip and frame to the center of the trigger. I use a string to measure it. That's the distance that the trigger finger must transverse.
My 1911's are slightly modified with thin grips and a short trigger. The trigger reach as I define is 3-1/8 inches. I bought a Kahr PM9 because it is slightly smaller than a 1911 and lighter, though I prefer the 1911. The trigger reach on the little 9mm is 2-7/8 inches. Both of those gun types have the longest reach that I can shoot using one hand.
Wouldn't it be nice if the manufacturers actually published useful dimensions.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Way Too Big & Powerufl
Freedom, meaning we aren't locked in a cell (at least most of us) nor chained to a post, still exists in these here United States. Having said that, liberty has been expiring a slow death to the point of resembling an insect laying on it's back with legs in the air.
Whether we are fully conscious of it or not, the government controls nearly every major aspect of our lives in almost every conceivable degree. . . . But just how powerful should government be, and how far should its influence permeate our daily lives?
Whether we are fully conscious of it or not, the government controls nearly every major aspect of our lives in almost every conceivable degree. . . . But just how powerful should government be, and how far should its influence permeate our daily lives?
Kel-Tec 380
I happen to have one of these, and happen to agree with this author.
I seldom carry mine, since I prefer something with a bit more muscle.
I seldom carry mine, since I prefer something with a bit more muscle.
Neat Pictures
Yesterday morning I went back to the hospital for an echo cardiogram. The Doc. heard a faint murmur and wanted it checked further before surgery. It was actually rather interesting.
I lay there watching my heart valves open and close with the contractions of the chambers, and Doppler effect showed the direction of blood flow. Even the different sounds were of interest.
Now that was worth the price of admission.
I lay there watching my heart valves open and close with the contractions of the chambers, and Doppler effect showed the direction of blood flow. Even the different sounds were of interest.
Now that was worth the price of admission.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Woods (or Range) Report
The Boss, her sister and brother-in-law joined me at some private property today for some plinking, and that we did. We also spent some time sitting in the beautiful weather and blabbing.
About 2 years ago the brother-in-law purchased a Sig .22 rim fire called the mosquito. From day 1, and even after a trip back to Sig it's been nothing but trouble. He finally found that CCI Mini-Mag ammo will function in the pistol, and nothing else. He traded "that piece of crap" as he called it, and bought a Ruger with the 45 grip frame. The Ruger was with him today and it digested all sorts of 22 rim fire without so much as a hickup, as did my Browning Buckmark. We were shooting from a can containing all sorts of odds and ends ammo.
He also brought along his AR that he assembled himself for it's initial trial. He loaded a magazine with some reloaded 223 and proceeded to shoot a 5 shot burst at full auto. That surprised me a little, so I asked him if he put a select fire mechanism in there. He replied negatively. He fired a few more full auto bursts and so did I. Now that was a blast of great fun, though it wasn't supposed to work that way.
I brought my own AR and a small supply of PPU ammo because I wanted the Boss to give it a try. Unfortunately she refused, so I loaded some in the brother-in-laws AR. I didn't want to use up his ammo. Anyway, with my stuff it would fire 1 round only. I guess he went full auto due to the floating firing pin and the Winchester primers he used. The harder primers in the Mil. stuff didn't have that problem. Looks like he has some tuning to do.
The Boss ran a few magazines through her little Bersa 380. She's starting to get a little better with it, but we need to get it out more often than every 3 months. Yeah it's been 3 months since I squeezed the trigger on anything, and then it was only a single Mag through one of my 45s.
Today I ran 4 Mags of 9mm through the Kahr PM9, 1 through her Bersa and several hundred round of 22 through the Buckmark. My skill level approached my norm towards the end of the session. With my scheduled surgery coming in 2 weeks, unfortunately it's going to be another few months before I can launch lead the next time.
About 2 years ago the brother-in-law purchased a Sig .22 rim fire called the mosquito. From day 1, and even after a trip back to Sig it's been nothing but trouble. He finally found that CCI Mini-Mag ammo will function in the pistol, and nothing else. He traded "that piece of crap" as he called it, and bought a Ruger with the 45 grip frame. The Ruger was with him today and it digested all sorts of 22 rim fire without so much as a hickup, as did my Browning Buckmark. We were shooting from a can containing all sorts of odds and ends ammo.
He also brought along his AR that he assembled himself for it's initial trial. He loaded a magazine with some reloaded 223 and proceeded to shoot a 5 shot burst at full auto. That surprised me a little, so I asked him if he put a select fire mechanism in there. He replied negatively. He fired a few more full auto bursts and so did I. Now that was a blast of great fun, though it wasn't supposed to work that way.
I brought my own AR and a small supply of PPU ammo because I wanted the Boss to give it a try. Unfortunately she refused, so I loaded some in the brother-in-laws AR. I didn't want to use up his ammo. Anyway, with my stuff it would fire 1 round only. I guess he went full auto due to the floating firing pin and the Winchester primers he used. The harder primers in the Mil. stuff didn't have that problem. Looks like he has some tuning to do.
The Boss ran a few magazines through her little Bersa 380. She's starting to get a little better with it, but we need to get it out more often than every 3 months. Yeah it's been 3 months since I squeezed the trigger on anything, and then it was only a single Mag through one of my 45s.
Today I ran 4 Mags of 9mm through the Kahr PM9, 1 through her Bersa and several hundred round of 22 through the Buckmark. My skill level approached my norm towards the end of the session. With my scheduled surgery coming in 2 weeks, unfortunately it's going to be another few months before I can launch lead the next time.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
A Few Thoughts
It's irritating not being able to do the things that were so easy a year ago.
Yesterday I paid the adopted grandson to change 5 light bulbs in the car barn, because I can't trust my bum hip on a ladder. Then he helped me purchase 6 bags of softener salt and a couple of heavy treated timbers. I can lift them as long as I keep the extra weight off the bad leg, but I can't carry them at all.
--------
Tomorrow is a holiday, but I'm going to work anyway. Being a contractor I don't get any pay unless I'm actually there doing something. Last week was a short pay week due to medical appointment, and this week is a double wammy because of the holiday and another medical appointment. Then I'll be off for a week or two due to the surgery, so I need all the $ I can get.
---------
I've grown weary of the political BS of late, and repeating myself on a regular basis.
It's not racist to want our border secured, and said law breakers imprisoned or deported!
It's not wrong to know that every person of the Muslim belief is a "potential" enemy!
It's not unconstitutional to express religious beliefs in schools.
There's nothing wrong with knowing that social programs encourage dependence on those programs, and that graduated income taxes punish the successful and reward the parasites.
There's nothing wrong with knowing that high government spending grows only the government, which is itself a parasite on society. The end of the great depression was the exception where high spending for the war actually grew our private industry. Up until that time only government was growing.
It's obvious that any GDP growth rate less than 3% is actually stagnation at best, not a recovery. 3% is our approximate population growth rate.
It's obvious that requiring people and companies to buy health insurance drives up the cost. Health insurance costs are already rising in anticipation.
If the Fed. Gov't. would just get out of the way, our economy would most likely fix itself. Since they won't, we'll be in this shape for some time to come.
I can only think of a couple federally elected office holders who deserve a vote. All others, regardless of political party should be fired, including all the bureaucrats.
Yesterday I paid the adopted grandson to change 5 light bulbs in the car barn, because I can't trust my bum hip on a ladder. Then he helped me purchase 6 bags of softener salt and a couple of heavy treated timbers. I can lift them as long as I keep the extra weight off the bad leg, but I can't carry them at all.
--------
Tomorrow is a holiday, but I'm going to work anyway. Being a contractor I don't get any pay unless I'm actually there doing something. Last week was a short pay week due to medical appointment, and this week is a double wammy because of the holiday and another medical appointment. Then I'll be off for a week or two due to the surgery, so I need all the $ I can get.
---------
I've grown weary of the political BS of late, and repeating myself on a regular basis.
It's not racist to want our border secured, and said law breakers imprisoned or deported!
It's not wrong to know that every person of the Muslim belief is a "potential" enemy!
It's not unconstitutional to express religious beliefs in schools.
There's nothing wrong with knowing that social programs encourage dependence on those programs, and that graduated income taxes punish the successful and reward the parasites.
There's nothing wrong with knowing that high government spending grows only the government, which is itself a parasite on society. The end of the great depression was the exception where high spending for the war actually grew our private industry. Up until that time only government was growing.
It's obvious that any GDP growth rate less than 3% is actually stagnation at best, not a recovery. 3% is our approximate population growth rate.
It's obvious that requiring people and companies to buy health insurance drives up the cost. Health insurance costs are already rising in anticipation.
If the Fed. Gov't. would just get out of the way, our economy would most likely fix itself. Since they won't, we'll be in this shape for some time to come.
I can only think of a couple federally elected office holders who deserve a vote. All others, regardless of political party should be fired, including all the bureaucrats.
Friday, September 3, 2010
So What Would You Expect??
Magistrate Recommends Dismissing States’ Gun Suit
He is after all a "Federal Magistrate". Can't be any bias there.
He is after all a "Federal Magistrate". Can't be any bias there.
That Was Weird
Today was one of the strangest days I've ever had in my engineering career.
I've been a "temporary" contract worker for about 7 months, and I'm scheduled for major surgery in 3 weeks. I knew they were going to find somebody to take my place while I was unable to work. I still don't know, officially, if they want me back when I'm able, but I suspect they do.
Anyway, I was on the phone with an application engineer of a potential component supplier when my boss plopped a few sheets of paper on my desk and left. After the phone call ended I saw that he put 2 engineer resumes there, and 1 was marked with 3:00 today. It was 2:00 at the time so I went and asked what it was all about. Well, . . . . 3:00 found me as part of a small team interviewing my potential replacement. That was weird. I've been on both sides of the interview before, but never to fill the position that I presently held.
I think they want me back because my boss, who was there for a brief time, explained that someone was wanted to fill the gap during my absence, and that the duration is expected to be 6 to 8 weeks.
I've been a "temporary" contract worker for about 7 months, and I'm scheduled for major surgery in 3 weeks. I knew they were going to find somebody to take my place while I was unable to work. I still don't know, officially, if they want me back when I'm able, but I suspect they do.
Anyway, I was on the phone with an application engineer of a potential component supplier when my boss plopped a few sheets of paper on my desk and left. After the phone call ended I saw that he put 2 engineer resumes there, and 1 was marked with 3:00 today. It was 2:00 at the time so I went and asked what it was all about. Well, . . . . 3:00 found me as part of a small team interviewing my potential replacement. That was weird. I've been on both sides of the interview before, but never to fill the position that I presently held.
I think they want me back because my boss, who was there for a brief time, explained that someone was wanted to fill the gap during my absence, and that the duration is expected to be 6 to 8 weeks.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Future Fun
The Boss and I spent about 4 hours this morning at the hospital jumping through preparatory hoops for my surgery at the end of the month.
- Admissions paperwork
- Physical therapy training
- Occupational therapy training
- Blood drawn
- Pee in a cup
- Swab the nose for MRSA, that flesh eating disease
- Cardiograph
- Blood pressure
Then next week is a visit to an internal medicine specialist.
I was surprised to learn that for 3-6 months after surgery I'm not supposed to cross my legs, not even at the ankles. I'm not supposed to bend my leg towards my torso more than 90 degrees, nor turn the toes of my foot inward. All because of the possibility of dislocating the new hip joint.
So, I can't sit the way I normally do. I have to be very cautious the way I get in and out of bed, the car, and up and down from a chair. And to make matters worse, just about all toilets will be too low for me to use. What a joy that's going to be.
- Admissions paperwork
- Physical therapy training
- Occupational therapy training
- Blood drawn
- Pee in a cup
- Swab the nose for MRSA, that flesh eating disease
- Cardiograph
- Blood pressure
Then next week is a visit to an internal medicine specialist.
I was surprised to learn that for 3-6 months after surgery I'm not supposed to cross my legs, not even at the ankles. I'm not supposed to bend my leg towards my torso more than 90 degrees, nor turn the toes of my foot inward. All because of the possibility of dislocating the new hip joint.
So, I can't sit the way I normally do. I have to be very cautious the way I get in and out of bed, the car, and up and down from a chair. And to make matters worse, just about all toilets will be too low for me to use. What a joy that's going to be.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
