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Monday, October 31, 2011

Be Warned

If you plan on buying a home any time in the near future, be warned that the process takes a whole lot longer than you would think is reasonable. The lenders, and the insurance companies are very finicky and require a lot more paperwork than in the past. And then there's the inevitable government BS as it sticks it's nose into every aspect of our lives.

It's been 4 weeks since the offer was made, and closing will not happen before Friday, if then.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Too Much Accumulation

The weather was great today, but I didn't go to the range or play paintball. Instead I was in my man cave sorting through gun related items. I filled a cardboard box with an assortment of stuff that will be put in the spring garage sale. I also filled a kitchen sized trash can 4 times and dumped the contents. It's amazing how much stuff is accumulated when there is room to store it. There won't be this kind of room in the new place.

As a bonus I found a red dot that I forgot I had. It was purchased to mount on my old pump action 30-30.

In The End Romney

The latest GOP front runner is now Cain. Ho-hum. When it's all said and done the presidential candidate will end up being Romney. He isn't conservative enough for me, but then again I can't remember a presidential candidate that has ever been.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

On The Home Front

It's going to be close, but if all the various paperwork gets done we'll be closing on the new residence Monday. Then the work really begins.

It's a good thing the Boss is handling everything from our end, or it would never happen. I don't have the patience to put up with all the bull that seems to be required these days. The last time we bought and sold a house was 13 years ago. It sure was a whole lot easier back then.

There are a few things we want to do to the new place that are a lot easier to do prior to occupancy.
Cable and phone lines to move/install
Electrical service upgrade
Vinyl tile to re-glue in the basement
Get fireplaces fixed and re-roofed, (at seller expense)
Replace baseboard for carpet installation over the hard wood floor
Install a dishwasher
Make room for our larger refrigerator in the kitchen
Replace wood molding, with something else, under the shower entrance in the basement bath
Remove glass shower doors from tub in main bath.
Install grab bars around tub (90 year old father-in-law is moving with us)
Install hand rail at steps to back yard, front door and into attached garage
Install wash tub in basement laundry area

And then the place we're now in needs re-roofed and chimneys repaired. Oh joy.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Stress Relief

Yep, I made it to the range for some trigger time. Spent time with the 22 Buckmark, Kimber 45, 44 Bulldog and AR15. I spent most of my time with the Buckmark re-introducing my trigger fingers to a trigger. I shot it 2 handed, right handed and left handed.

I ran some hand loads through the Bulldog, which is no longer a virgin. Didn't do too bad for an out of practice guy handling an inexpensive gun. I got to do something about that stainless steel front sight. Very hard for these old eyes to see.

The AR has a Bushnell Holo-Site that works rather well for me. I'm a big fan of red dot sights. The only problem with the Bushnell is that it seems to devour batteries. I don't know if it never actually turns off or what. Every time I take that rifle out the batteries are dead. I don't have that problem with my other red dot sights. I can see a replacement coming in the future.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

A Good Idea

It's been a couple of months now since I've been able to get to the range for trigger time.

Today when I was running the Boss around doing errands she said " Tomorrow get your little butt to the range and do some shooting" or similar words. Great idea there. I can certainly use some stress relief time.

Negligent Discharge #2

Other than the one mentioned below I've had 2 negligent discharges.


The second happened at a shooting range and involved my 50 caliber cap and ball rifle. When shooting a muzzle loader it's necessary to clean out the bore after a few shots, especially when using actual black powder. There is enough residue build up in the barrel to make seating the bullet difficult. The cleaning involves swabbing the bore from the muzzle, which tends to push residue into and over the hole between the chamber and the cap. So after cleaning the bore it is a good idea to fire a cap, without powder or bullet in place, to clear the passage.


One day I was shooting this rifle, and had cleaned it and then reloaded it when a neighbor asked me a question. The question became a conversation. When it was time to resume shooting I placed a cap on the nipple, pointed the muzzle toward the ground in front of the firing line and squeezed the trigger. Instead of the escaping gasses moving some blades of grass indicating that the passage was not obstructed, I launched a projectile into the ground. I forgot that I had actually loaded the rifle.


Once again muzzle direction kept anyone from getting hurt.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Negligent Discharge

The Boss bought me a paperback book called "Hunting Blunders and The One That Got Away" It's a little humorous, which I enjoy. It also has some Christian propaganda, which I generally skip over.

This book brought to mind several of my own blunders. The first was when I was a youngster in the squirrel woods.

I was on a relatives farm in Iowa, sneaking along a cattle trail that paralleled a small wooded river. I was carrying my grandfathers Winchester red letter 410 single shot. There jumping through the trees was a fat fox squirrel. Thinking a shot opportunity was imminent, I cocked the hammer. The bushy tail wasn't cooperating and disappeared in the leaves. It was now time to un-cock the little scatter gun. Thumb on hammer, squeeze trigger and lower the hammer . . . boom!

Those Winchesters have a very low profile hammer, that slipped out from under my thumb. The gun safety rules prevailed. All I did was blow a hole in the ground about 4 feet in front of me.

That was my first negligent discharge. I'm ashamed to admit that it was not my last in 47 years of hunting and shooting.

Common Sense

Last night and then this morning I saw interviews with Cain, the business guy running for president. I must admit that he impressed me with his business sense, belief in the Constitution, and general perceived competence. I hate to use the term common sense, because those without it use the term all the time. I think this guy has some.

Priorities

Today was one of the nicest, weather wise, that we've had in quite a while. So instead of heading to the range, how did I spend the day? I installed a new water softener and cleaned out a file cabinet.

So how did my priorities get so messed up?

Friday, October 14, 2011

Job Security??

I think I mentioned that my contract job turned into a direct hire position. Instead of doing disconnected mechanical designs I am now assigned responsibility for all mechanical systems in that part of the facility. We have about 10 machines that are used to grow silicon semiconductor crystals. All of which are being asked to perform in excess of their original intent.

These machines are rather complicated and use just about any type of engineered system you can imagine, short of nuclear. I need to work another 8 years before even thinking about retirement. I don't think I'll run out of work by then.

Some will say that's job security. Not me. Job security is ancient history, especially with the Gov always trying to fix things.

Been Busy, Busy

We're in the process of buying a new place to live, that's much smaller. With our aging bodies and arthritis, our present residence is a bit more than we want. Just the 2 of us live in about 2,000 square feet with a full basement on almost 3 acres that require mowing. Additionally, the father-in-law is in the attached apartment. BTW he's now 90. The square footage is somewhere around 2400 square feet that need our attention.

The place we're buying is about 1350 square feet with a completely finished basement on about 5/8 of an acre, with a detached 2 car garage that has an artist studio above it. Less maintenance and less than half the property taxes. It also cuts my 30 minute commute to around 10 minutes.

I don't remember all the inspections and other paper work crap the last time. It's been keeping both of us busy. At least our present residence is paid for, and with luck after sell we'll have a tidy sum left over.

With all of the above going on, our water heater has sprung a small leak, the water softener has quit working properly and the roof needs work. So tomorrow is water softener and water heater shopping, then hopefully the eldest son will assist in the installations. I enjoy his company, but I think we both would prefer to spend the time at the range teasing each other when a poor shot is executed.

Friday, October 7, 2011

No Change

Being home sick today, I've been switching between sleep and TV. I saw a short interview with the governor of Nebraska(?). It seems that state has a growing economy, doing the opposite of our Fed. Naturally bug Gov won't change.

Serious Doubt

It took a long time, but the old media has finally paid attention to "fast and furious", better known around here as "gunwalker". Despite the congressional hearings I have serious doubt the appropriate people will pay for their crimes.

And being distrustful of all things government, it's very possible this is linked to the very top to create an excuse for removing even more freedoms from the people.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Damn Busy

Sometimes life gets in the way of enjoying . . . life.

The weekend before last I was in Hell Michigan for our annual paintball trip. There were 10 of us this year, and as usual we had a good time.

While I was there the Boss made an offer on a downsized home for us. Surprisingly it was accepted without complaint. So ever since then she's been jumping through hoops getting all the inspections done. The locations of the well and septic tank are still unknown, and the fireplace chimneys are dangerous.

Last weekend was a 4 day affair spent in Holms County Ohio. That's an area north of Columbus with a thriving Amish community. It's a nice place to go to chill and be calm. And the food is excellent, we ate like pigs.

My sinuses started acting up just before we left. Usually a few days of decongestants makes all well again, but not this time. Last night the sinus issues spread all the way to my right eye. The cheek bone aches and the eye swelled shut. Yep, no work and a trip to the doctor today.

Several weeks ago I bought some new powder to try in the little 44 special. Still haven't had a chance to try it.

The new paintball gun was awaiting when I got back from . . . the paintball trip. I was finally able to try it tonight in the back yard. Awesome. Maybe someday I'll get a chance to shoot people with it.