Dear Teacher...

I try to stay FAR away from politics on this blog: I figure there are LOADs of better commentators out there, that have already said anything I'd want to say and done a better job than I could. But sometimes, something manages to work it's way past my filters. This is one such instance. The meat of it:

While he answered her father's question about health care, he gave Kennedy a note, excusing her absence from her last day of fourth grade at Aldo Leopold Community School in Green Bay.

"It says 'To Kennedy's teacher: Please excuse Kennedy's absence. She's with me. Barack Obama,' " said Kennedy.

Now, I still don't like Mr Obama. I consider his policies nothing more than socialism. I truly think that he's leading us down the garden path to our own destruction. And I will continue to think of him as our "Teleprompter in Chief". That said...

This one move showed a load of class that is refreshing. This is something that little girl will carry until she passes on: "the day the President excused me from school". And I'll give our TOTUS some credit for that...

Pot, meet Kettle. Kettle, Pot.

There's been a huge kerfufle on conservative and libertarian boards about the dichotomy between the coverage of the murder of an abortion doctor and the murder of a soldier at a recruiting station. I tried addressing this on APS, but decided it would make a good blog post.

To make sure we're all working off the same page here: we have one crime (A) committed by a member of the uber-right, who murdered someone he felt was killing innocents*. In the other crime, we have another murder (B), committed by a jailhouse Islamic convert, opening fire on a recruiting station (killing one and wounding another). Everyone with me so far? Good.

So... two serious crimes, both high profile, and both happening fairly close together in timeframe. One (A), the President has gone on record condemning, and calling for a major conspiracy investigation on. The other (B), our Teleprompter-In-Chief merely called "regrettable". This dichotomy, of course, has the Right up in arms. But there are things to think about here.

First off (and the one that got me right away): the crimes have one major difference between them. One, the victims were soldiers: not a major constituency of the Left. The other, the victim was heavily involved in a "cause" that the TOTUS has gone to extraordinary lengths to back (look up Obama's record on abortion). So we have one crime the Left can decry, and one they would feel ambivalent about (if not outright condone). Yes, it's terrible, but it's also life. But let's look at it from the other direction for a second...

Many on the Right have expressed the feeling that, although they wouldn't have pulled the trigger themselves, the abortion doc's killing was just "a murderer being murdered". While they haven't gone so far as to say the shooter should get off, you can get a feeling of a certain tacit approval from some.

I hate to be the one to point it out, but the shooter in the recruiting station case COULD make a similar claim for his actions: "I was just trying to protect innocent Muslims from American agression".

In crime A, we had someone with strong convictions against a legal activity take the life of someone involved in that activity. Oh, wait: the same COULD be said for B. Hmmm...

Here's an idea: how about we look at the crime committed, ignore the possible motives (beyond checking for self-defense) behind it, and actually condemn the murderers as such? Drop the rhetoric of "terroristic** acts", and simply punish the criminals for the actual crime they committed (without having to go into panty-shitting hysteria)?

One other difference between the crimes: with the soldiers' attacker, I haven't heard of anyone else being implicated. At the same time, the doc's killer has said that there will be more killing, implying that there are more people out there willing to take the life of an abortion doctor. Given that, I guess I can understand a conspiracy investigation...


*NOT going into the debate on abortion here: not now, not ever.

** I have to giggle at the fact that spellcheck tags "terroristic" as a mispelling. Says something, doesn't it?

Don't drink and... drive a sub?

Heh... I had to chuckle.

Seems a Chinese sub collided with a sonar array towed behind the destroyer USS John McCain on Thursday. Why the chuckle, you ask? Because I know something about the "rivalry" between those destroyers (Arleigh Burke class) and subs.

See, when the were originally designed, they were meant to kill subs. During a wargame back in the 90s,, the Burke herself pinged, locked, and "fired on" a fast attack sub... all before the sub in question could lock on the Burke.

Until the Arleigh Burke, subs considered surface ships "large, slow targets". When the Burke hit the waves, that assumption changed.

What does this have to do with the story? Well, there were a couple people who seemed a little worried that this might have been intentional: some form of the Chinese "testing" us. Not likely.

Had that sub actually wanted to "play", there would now be another big steel cylinder resting on the ocean floor near Subic.

As for my title: I just get a giggle out of the image of the "driver" being drunk, and the skipper yelling at him as he tries to stammer "but it was just one beer!"

Slightly new coverage here...

I've been giving it some thought, and decided to add some more political content aboard the Privateer. Nothing too extreme, but I'd like to cover some of the "local scene" here in the land of Cheddarheads...

Without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to Dave Zweifel. He's the editor emeritus at the Capitol Times in Madison. And he just wrote this , er, interesting piece. Some snippits:

He figured -- correctly, as it turns out -- that he would be able to get his amendment attached to the credit card bill with help from his Republican colleagues and a handful of Western state pro-gun Democrats. That would then force the members of Congress who favor some control on guns to either kill the long-awaited credit card reforms or approve them along with the completely unrelated provision to allow guns in the parks.

Likewise, President Barack Obama would have to live with the amendment unless he was willing to veto the credit card reforms.

This practice has a LONG history in legislation. It's usually called a "poison pill". Gun owners have gotten them shoved down their throats (or up other orafices) many times in the past...

But it has left a bad taste in the mouths of not only many members of Congress, but citizens who believe this isn't the way democracy ought to work. If you want to allow guns in the parks, then vote on it. If you want credit card reform, vote on it. What kind of parliamentary system allows two completely unrelated matters to be joined?

And how many times, laddy-buck, have we seen unrelated "progressive" measures attached to unrelated legislation? Sauce for the goose, no?

The irony may come when the NRA puppets in Congress succeed in adding a pro-gun amendment to whatever health coverage reform legislation eventually emerges this year.

I'm hoping for the machinegun registry to be reopened, myself.

Go forth, read the whole thing. Wow, how they whine when one of their favorite tactics is used against them!

Filler, but funny...

Just read some of the obituaries from Car and Driver magazine. Some choice snippits:

Rest in Peace

HUMAN MEMORY
After a famously long career spanning more than 200,000 years, human memory died this month. For millennia, memory had been considered an invaluable evolutionary tool, preventing, as it did, Homo sapiens from committing the same stupid mistakes eight to 10 times in a row in front of their spouses. Memory’s slow and sad decline was first noticed when U.S. drivers could no longer remember when to use fog lights and thus left them on always. In the summer of 2008, memory suffered a second—and fatal—blow when North Americans, in the space of 120 days, could no longer recall $4-per-gallon fuel and went back to buying pickup trucks for style’s sake.

Human memory is survived by knee-jerk reactionaries and blowhard radio talk-show hosts, who have promised to fill in.

In Passing

RENTAL-CAR ABUSE
A national survey conducted by Hertz, National, Alamo, Dollar, and other rental agencies revealed the heretofore unannounced death of gratuitous rental-car abuse by white males under the age of 30.

“We were shocked when we analyzed the data,” said a Hertz spokesman. “But it’s increasingly clear that young men just aren’t putting the transmission into reverse at 50 mph, aren’t redlining engines for very much longer than five minutes at a time, and aren’t using the headliner as a napkin anymore.”
The rental community had previously assumed that abuse could be kept moderately healthy by automotive journalists. In lieu of flowers, friends of rental-car abuse are asked to make donations to the Aamco family.

Go to the link, and read the rest.
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I promise there will be more posts soon: life caught me this past couple weeks. Maybe Sly will return with news about how his oldest son has been grounded until after the end of the world...

It's good I don't have kids...

Because of things like this. The story:

BARLETT, Kan. -- There's controversy at a Kansas school after a teacher shaved the head of a 6-year-old boy because of his haircut.

Derby McReynolds had his hair cut in a short Mohawk.

Bartlett school officials said that was unacceptable, and sent him home.

His parents trimmed the boy's hair to what they said resembled a military cut.

The next time Derby went to school, the principal had a faculty member shave the boy's head.

"They said we were being unfair to Derby, by letting him cut his hair cut that way. He wanted it that way. If you ask me, they were being unfair to Derby by not allowing him to keep his hair the way he wanted it," said Casey Sandusky, the boyfriend of Derby's mother.

"The school district in general is always trying to balance that student's individual right of expression with the expectations of the building of each of the teachers, of parents and other students," Labette School Superintendent Dr. Chuck Stockton said.

His parents said Derby is wearing a hat until his hair is long enough to cut into a Mohawk again this summer.

Reminds me of a case here at home, where the daughter of a friend of the family was overheard telling a friend she thought she might be pregnant. Word got back to the guidance counsellor, who took it upon himself to restrict her to his office until she took a pregnancy test.

Now I don't know about y'all, but if a child of mine had something like this happen, I'd be looking for some time alone with whichever school drone was the perp. And chances are, they would think long and hard about EVER doing something similar to another kid.

Yes, children don't enjoy the same set of rights as adults. But things like this go way beyond what's acceptable. The sad part is, parents don't fight back, to keep the admins in check.

Kinda like how we let the gooberment keep getting away with stuff...

H/T to Jay G

New blog: go, read, send the link to others!

So... was in the BACA Nation chat room Sunday night, and a blogger was mentioned. A blogger who, surprise surprise, blogs about child abuse (primarily sexual) and ways of combating it.

Y'all go over and check out SMP's work at The Ultimate Evil. Worth not only a read, but I'd appreciate if anyone with a blog picked up the torch and posted a link: more exposure is a good thing in this case!

Customer service

Don't know if I have any readers (other than Peter) down in LA, but I thought I'd post a link to AD's latest "experience" dealing with a cycle shop. Go here to read what customer service isn't...

Sticky: BACA Nation

So yesterday, I was watching the live broadcast of the BACA Nation Radio Show, and I noticed a lil' button that said "embed". And that got me to thinkin' (never a good thing). So I thought "Hey... why don't I embed the show in my blog!".

Want to "tune in" live? Show's on from 7-10 Central time. If you can't catch it on your radio, check it at www.bacanation.com (where there's a chatroom with the hosts, and a webcam of the studio). Just click on the link at the top of the page that says "live"...

Here goes nuthin'

Well... just sent my first piece off to a real-live publication. Hopefully, they'll like it enough to give me the occassional piece (for real-live money)...

Y'all may have noticed that I've dropped the Freedom Roads banner off the top of the page. That's because they've gone Tango Uniform. But the experience gave me a bit of a bug for writing, so we'll see how the title "freelance writer" works out for me...

Pirates

If there's anything a privateer hates (other than those customs bastards), it's a pirate. Especially a pirate that picks a fight with a major naval power:

"From now on, if we capture foreign ships and their respective countries try to attack us, we will kill them (the hostages)," Jamac Habeb, a 30-year-old pirate, told the Associated Press from one of Somalia's piracy hubs, Eyl. "(U.S. forces have) become our No. 1 enemy."

Now, it's been a fair while since I was actually out to sea, but I remember my shipmates (both those in blue and those in camo). And I KNOW what their response would be to this: come get some.

Read the article here. What do y'all think the response is going to be from Washington (and our Appeaser in Chief)?

Caught this @ Liberty Girl

Ya know, sometimes you just have to step up to the plate...

These folks want you to join their network, and report any "anti-Obama Activity".

Tell y'all what, Cupcakes: I'm reporting myself. Since your Messiah is an avowed (though unadmitted) socialist, I am completely against him and what he stands for.

Hope y'all have fun with your little project...

Multiple good things (for once)

So... it's been a good week aboard the Privateer. In multiple ways...

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Obviously, got my computer working again. When Windoze got lobotomized, I decided to try Ubuntu. So far, I have to say I like it...

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With the return of warmer weather, has come the return of two-wheeled transportation. This has been a mixed thing of late: haven't been able to replace the infamous Hondapotomus yet. To make matters worse, she would NOT start, not for anything. However, replace the battery, and she's again on the road (which makes Spoon happy: means I'm not stealing HER scoot anymore).

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Something to file under "News of the Unexpected": a couple years back, I taught Nancy (my mom-in-law) to shoot a handgun. This last few weeks, she decided she had to "prove she was serious about it": she went out and took (and passed) the NRA Basic Handgun Course. Came as a supprise to me: she's a good shot, but I had no clue that she was taking the class. And she's already considering the idea of concealed carry (if we ever get it in this Gawdsforesaken state)...

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Now maybe, just MAYBE, we're off the rocks and can start sailing forward again!

Dating Advice for Bikers (and similar folks)

I had meant to publish this in the Feb issue of the magazine. Things got in the way, but I figure it might be fairly timely now...

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Ok… some of my more astute readers may have cottoned to the fact there are… women… in my life. And, in talking to these fair folk, it occurs to me that some of the Y segment of the population could use some gentle advice.

Let me translate that for y’all: I’m gonna give you some ideas, so that I don’t constantly feel the need to apologize for the failings of my gender.

First off: if you wouldn’t do it to your mother (or would be irritated if it was done to your gal), don’t do it or say it to a girl you see in a bar. “Hey, you have nice titties!” just isn’t the show-stopper pick-up line you think it is. Ditto walking up and grabbing the aforementioned pieces of a lady’s architecture. You MIGHT, if you’re VERY lucky, be able to do that later in private. But those aren’t what you shake on someone when you first meet ‘em.

Next item: maybe, drop “bitch” from your vocabulary. Most women don’t like the term, and get cranky when referred to as such. Stick words like “whore”, “slut”, and any similar in the trash too. Not only do they usually not work for you, but they make life damn difficult for the next few guys out there.

And one of the big secrets, which most completely miss out on: it’s the little things that matter. Yes, that diamond ring, new Sof Tail, or similar extravigence might make her “drop her panties” immediately, but it’s the little things that will have the longest effect. I’m talking about just sending a random text message, to let her know you’re thinking of her. Or picking up a flower “just because”. Out on a ride with the guys? Most gas stations have little things that, if you think about it, your gal would just melt over. One of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen on Spoon’s face (other than at a machinegun shoot) was when I presented her with a lil’ stuffed “biker monkey”. Why, you ask? Because it showed that, while I was away, I had thought of her.

I can hear y’all now: “Strings, you just don’t know how to deal with women!”. Yeah… that’s why, if you ever meet me in person, there are usually two gorgeous ladies with me: because I don’t know what I’m talking about. Trust me guys: these three pieces of advice will take you VERY far!

Frelling computers

So... while Sly was posting about his awesome news, I had a lil' glitch: basically, I ended up with a virus that resulted in a couple important windoze files going walkabout.

Did you know that dll files are necessary? For things like windoze running, and suchlike? Woulda thunk it?

So... scramble for the last week or so was to find someone with a decent XP disk, so I could rebuild the machine. Of course, the closest I could find was my old Win2K disk (and several folks with Vista disks *shudder*). What IS a poor blogger to do?

Why, load Ubuntu, of course!

For the foreseeable future, I'll be banging away on a machine that has a different OS than Bill Gates' monster. And so far, THE only problem I've had with it is not being able to get iTunes set up on the damn thing (but I have hopes).

Oh... as a result of my question, I'll be giving my camera a lil' bit of a workout: once a week, I plan on posting a piece out of my safe, along with whatever personal history it has and such. We'll see how long that'll last for... ;)

Second Chances

OK... OK... I'm Posting already..... Its only been a few minutes......er.... days.........ok too damn long since I posted last. As to date my posts have not been anything that is really about me and who I am, no substance of how deranged is Slytly Deranged. This will be no different....

A lot of changes around here since my last post, I now have custody of my 16 year old son. I am overjoyed with this. I could write about it all day long and still never get out my feelings about him or how happy I am to have him. I could......but I won't. Two reasons....1.) If I did, this post would be different from my previous posts and I have already mentioned that this post would not be much different.....2.) I would rather you see his words about how he feels about being here.
I pulled the following from his myspace blog. These are his words, copied and pasted, no editing on my part:

A new school, a new home, sounds like an everyday thing in my life at this point huh? Well, this time it's different. I now have a place where I'm staying. I have a house and a school I don't have to leave anymore. It feels good to finally have some stability in my life. I get to have friends here that I won't leave two months from now, or just jump up and move without even saying good bye to them. I finally have a place where I can be me, but also I have a place I can care about. I used to not really care what anyone thought of me because I knew sooner or later, I'd be gone, far away from that place and probably never coming back. Granted, what I did to get here was nothing short of bad, I pretty much killed my mother with heartbreak. But when I think about how much better I'll have it here, I know I had to do it.... Here.... I don't have to worry about college tuition or a job or anything like that. Here, I can have everything I want because I now hold the tools I need to get them. When I was there, I was so un-happy all the time because all I would worry about was my future, here, I have another chance to re-write my future to a better ending.... My second chance in life.... Maybe one day you will all get one yourself.

Opinions wanted about content...

As I'm reading through my "daily blogs", I realized most are, in one form or another, "gun blogs".

Now, I've made no secret of the fact that the crew and command of the Privateer are all VERY much in favor of our country's Second Amendment. But I haven't really said much about guns here. No range reports, no real gun pron, no discussion of the BS we put up with here in the Land of Cheese...

So... I figured I'd let the two of you decide: want to know about what the crew of HMS Privateer uses in our forays?

Ye gawds!

Damn... missed most of a month!

Been busy: working, getting bikes up and running (had Spoon's Kaw out a couple times, but the 'Potomus is still arguing with me). Getting things ready for Child Abuse Awareness Month (having a kick-off party for it next saturday at the Moose: I'll post details monday). Generally, trying to keep life from spinning out of complete control... ;)

Not sure how much posting will be done this coming month: April is always brutal aboard the Privateer. We'll see how it goes!

Passage of crew...

Well, another "crew member" here has passed away: one of the cat's health took a nose-dive the last couple days, culminating in a lifeless body a couple hours ago.

Tinker had been doing a tremendous job of attempting to fill Squee's position as "mommy's kitty". And now, she's gone.

Yet another that will be missed... :(

college?

Peter posted an interesting list of courses offered (for credit) at some universities. Here's the quick rundown:

* Arguing With Judge Judy: Popular 'Logic' On TV Judge Shows
* Underwater Basket Weaving
* The Joy Of Garbage
* Zombies In Popular Media
* Cyberporn And Society
* Far Side Entomology
* Myth And Science Fiction: Star Wars, The Matrix, And Lord Of The Rings

He goes on to ask readers if they'd be willing to pay for their children attending such classes. I'm gonna take a slightly different track...

Was discussing the whole college thing with Spoon. Seems a college degree doesn't mean as much, anymore. Hell, I dated a girl that got a degree in Spanish & Latin American Studies... then got a job teaching english in Japan!

We've all heard of folks that get a degree in (insert whatever major), only to find out that for it to mean anything in the job market, they need further education. Not to mention the number of kids in college that seem to dual major in "Binge Drinking" and "Promiscuis Sex".

I'm gonna advance a theory here: I think college has become overly pushed on society. And there are a couple reasons behind this.

First off, we've been given a sense that everybody should be an executive (or similarly physically non-taxing position). What we've failed to take into account is that there are only so many such positions out there. Nobody wants to be a ditch-digger, but SOMEBODY has to do it. Yet, thinking back to high school, the huge push was to go on to "higher education*" to make something of yourself.

Second issue here: many college kids today seem to treat the (however many) years of college as an extended adolescence, with mommy & daddy footing the bill for the search for more excess.

Could it be that, courses such as those listed, MIGHT just point to a needed revamp of our whole education system? That, just maybe, the whole "well rounded education" might not be as good a thing (or as necessary for everyone) as once thought?

Just sayin'...

Admit

In the interest of sanity,
I must admit, I am insane.
In the interest of lunacy,
I must admit, I am mundane.

If I am to be honest and fair,
To those who know me best,
I must admit I am not great,
That I am flawed at best.

Jason "Slytly Deranged" Carroll
3/1/2009 4:59 am



This has been rolling around in my head all day, thought I would get it out.

Sigh...

No rest for the wicked, right?

Spent most of the day helping one of my members move.

Left there, to drive 2 hours to a biker get-together: supposed to meet some people there that want to form a new BACA chapter.

Tomorrow, I have to go to one of the other chapter's meeting, to explain the state's new phone system. Then maybe to Milwaukee to help my sis with something.

I might, at some point, get a chance to breathe.

Greetings and Salutations

Greetings and Salutations, or Gruntings and Salivations, if you prefer.

I am Slytly Deranged and I will be guiding you through this maze of twists and turns and dizzying loop-de-loops I commonly refer to as My Life.

I am not, nor will ever be a polished, polite, pretensive individual. If you are looking for "Oh-my-that-warms-my-heart" type of blogging, take this opportunity to click the back button on your browser now. It will save the both of us some time and you some disappointment. However, if you are looking for a good laugh, a strange time, or at times a thought provoking blog, hang out, take a look and feel free to comment.

I am sure that there will be posts I make that you will not agree with. By all means, call me out on them. Comment and tell me that I am a stupid idiotic moron. I welcome the debate. Debate and disagreements, when debated and disagreed to their full potential, are how minds are changed.

If we can change minds we can change the world.

I am under no illusion that my blog will directly result in any great change in the world. I am no greatly respected writer or politician. I am not from a family of "Old Money". I am not a great philosopher who will be quoted and studied eons after my death.

There will be no universities with departments set up to analyze my musings and rantings. There will be no great dinners held in my honor or memory. There will be no earth shattering revelations contained in my blog.



Im just another asshole with a blog.

A blog that you just read.

SD

New crew on the Privateer...

Heh... talking to my brother Sly (y'all got to read one of his pieces awhile back), and he mentioned having some songs he's thinking of writing. I offered him a slot on the crew aboard here, and he said "yes".

He isn't the brightest, is he?

So y'all welcome my brother by another mother, Slytly Deranged. I guess he can be ship's powder monkey, or something.

Just so long as he keeps that damn 'shine to himself!

Holder, Pelosi, and the AWB

Ok... so everyone knows about Eric Holder's comments regarding the new administration wanting to reinstate (and make permanent) the now-gone Assault Weapons Ban, right? So I don't have to rehash the whole story?

And y'all know that Nancy Pelosi (C, CA) made a statement about how that's not on the agenda right now? We're up to speed on that too, right?

Good... I hate having to rehash everything.

So... I'm gonna make a lil' prediction here. We WILL be seeing a reintroduction of the AWB, sometime between 8 months and a year from now. And it'll be an AWB on a combination of acid and steroids: bigger, meaner, and completely divorced from any concept of reality. I fully expect it to include wording making it illegal to touch anything from the flint-lock on up. And it'll have one other major difference from the previous ban.

This one won't be meant to pass. It's gonna be complete smoke & mirrors.

The Dems remember '94. They remember passing the previous ban, and how bad it backlashed against 'em. And they're hearing all the talk of what happened then. So I'm thinking Holder's comments were meant to start setting the stage. One of the CA folks will intro the bill (my guess would be Feinstein), and it'll be a HUGE battle. It'll be defeated, but only through the help of the newer, "pro-gun Dems". And it'll be enough of a distraction to help keep a Dem majority in both the branches of our legiscircus through the '10 elections.

The "real ban"? That'll come up immediately after the '10 elections, and will probably cruise right on through...

Aww, what the hell?

So I'm tooling through the blogosphere, minding my own business, and make a (belated) stop by Don Gwinn's place.

I like Don. He's always been a good board mod. He has a cool writing style. He wears a "Jayne hat". And lately he makes it sound like Illinois is gonna get concealed carry soon.

Wait a minute... I did NOT read that right, did I?

For a LONG time, my only consolation in this Gawdsforsaken frozen waste was that our gun laws were better than Illinois. No FOID, pretty easy to get signed off on suppressors and FA. Granted, we didn't have CCW, but neither did Illinoying.

Now, I find out that there's a bit of a push on down there, to correct their CCW lack. AND, they've had civil immunity* for four years!

Don, I don't like you no more... :(




*Basically, if you're involved in a self defense use of force, and the courts rule that it was a justified use of force, the goblin (or his family, if he passed over) can't sue you for damages.

Oh. Oh, my.

Caught this via Skippy: "Wannabe Vampires Are Totally Pissing Off Real Vampires".

I don't even know where to begin.

I'll admit, I've seen some serious freaks in my life. Hell, I've dated a couple of 'em (hey, they were hot). But this whole vampire thing?

Can somebody please bitch-slap Anne Rice now, for what she's inflicted on us?

Yes, "psychic vampires" can be considered a real thing. Everybody knows someone who just seems to sap the energy out of people. But explaining it as "vampirism"?

Worse, being basically proud of the fact?

Ok kids... time to come back to planet Earth.

Oh. My. Gawds.

So I'm cruising around, and catch this over at Atomic Nerds: 8 Year Old Girl Arrested for "Battery".

What. The. Hell?

I can kinda see some of the Zero Tolerance BS, and I could see the cops being called for a similar situation with a teen. But with a frelling 8 year old?

What kind of teachers can't handle an 8 year old in "fight or flight" without calling the police? I mean, all they had to do was get in the way, there was no need to go "hands on".

And the cops? Booking an 8 year old? Huh?

I suppose it coulda been worse, she coulda been tased.

Folks I have NO higher education. But even I know that, if an attempt to physically restrain a child results in their wigging out, the best thing you can do is back off. You'd think educators (you know: college degree an' all) would have been given that clue.

I'm glad I don't have kids: there would be some "educators" either looking at lawsuits, or hospital stays...

Does he ever stop getting funnier?

Lawdog has, apparently, seen a movie/read a book that features Ye Old Plot of "Unknown Heir must Save World". Something in this version of said Plot has kinda tweaked him.

Go. Read. I'll be here...

Back? Cool.

I have a new project now: I simply MUST make a "Sacred Swizzlestick of Horus". Good thing I'm getting supplies this week...

Recent news

I'm going to go on record and say that food poisoning sucks. Although I'm beginning to think that what's been happily kicking my ass the last few days is actually stomach flu.

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Chapter news: I have one member who's cancer has returned, one who's pregnant, and I'm just EAGERLY awaiting the next development. Anyone want a BACA chapter, cheap?

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My sister AJ just picked up a portable jeweler's bench. I must say, I've conceived a lust: thing is just perfect! And I THINK, with just a lil' work, it'd truely BE "portable" (needs a latching top and handles: not too difficult). Now if I can just remember where she said she got it!

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I have a confession to make: my slim posting is because most of what I have to say would revolve in the Realms Political, which I want to avoid here. There's two reasons for that:

1) Current politics depress the hell out of me

2) There are other who say what I want to, only much better.

I should have something child abuse related up in the next day or so...

the more things change, the more they stay the same...

Well, the Privateer has stepped into the technology age with a vengence: today, I picked up a crackberry, to replace the old Nokia that's been giving me problems over the past year.

And why did Spoon allow me to get the digital equivalent of cocaine? Because I made a mistake: 9 years ago, on this date, I said "I do"...

Man is not complete until he's married. Then, he's finished! ;)

One day, I'll find time to make digital copies of the day. Honestly, I don't remember most of it: I had been up WAY too long, and barely had the brain power to walk and breathe at the same time (chewing gum was right out)...

Something for those with young ladies in their lives...

My friend Peter posted this today, and it reminded me of something...

Not going into who wrote the following: that information isn't needed. I had this person write out her story, for me to share with others.

If you have younger women connected to you, especially if they have that whole "I'm immortal" thing going on, have them read this. I've edited it only for layout: the words are all hers:

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At the end of eighth-grade, when I was thirteen; I was walking home from school. When I was ten houses down the street from my house, there were two or three guys outside talking. They stared at me from the moment I turned the corner and started waslking down Prospect.

When I got a little closer, they started talking to me and I don't really remember what happened after that but somehow I ended up in one of the bedrooms on the second floor of the house they were in front of. I was raped in that house by two boys at the same time. The first person I told was my best friend, she called me a whore for what happened to me.

After that I did not tell anyone until I met with Strings from BACA in 2006. I didn't tell anyone because I was afraid of what they would call me after hearing those words come out of my best friend.

Today, ten years later, it still affects me. Every relationship that I have been in, I always think that they are using me for sex and then will leave me; thinking that about everyone who truly loves me has made me push them away. I feel like I am not worth anything to anyone but for sex.

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Folks, let your daughters/grand daughters/whathaveyou read through this. It's STILL a problem for her, even after all these years. These are wounds that do NOT go away, and can come back and ruin life decades later.

"No child should live in fear". Unfortunately, many do. The first step in keeping that from happening is educating them...

Holiday Announcement

Just thought I'd wish all three of my readers a happy Burns Night!

Side note: former crew member Squeaker is actually a decendant of Bobby. Adds a bit of a personal note to it!

Addition to the blogroll...

Caught word of him over at AD's place. Good read, and (unless I miss my guess), he hails from the same area as my favorite named BACA chapter.

Y'all go and take a readthough of Toad Suck Blues

The rest of the weekend...

Well... my thoughts of liveblogging feel through an alchoholic fog on Friday.

The day went well, with the opening ceremony and the start of the meeting. Things were smooth (except for some leg cramps: I have GOT to learn to be more patient, and avoid the stairs. Or get in better shape). The the evening arrived, and with it, Crown...

Would have been fine, except I just could NOT stop myself. I don't drink often, so I sometimes forget my limits. My big brother Horace did NOT help: he just HAD to mess with my reality, by apologizing for "teasing you about wearing a skirt".

Felt like I had slipped into Bizzaro world: HORACE, APOLOGIZING? Needed more alchohol...

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Woke up Saturday at 9... which is when the meeting was supposed to start. Managed to get up, dressed, and across the hotel in 5 minutes... still a lil' drunk. Spent most of the meeting trying to keep my stomach under control, and stay awake. Went back to bed afterward, and slept 'til 9...

The rest of the evening went fine: hung out with my brothers & sisters, listened to some great music (and some not so good karaoke), got a tour of the BACA Nation bus (if you haven't listened to 'em, hit www.bacanation.com), and just generally had fun.

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Didn't want to come home, except Spoon was here, not there. The trip home was uneventful: slept most of the way.

There were some... developments... at National, that will probably mentioned here as they come to fruition. Stay tuned!

Thursday at National

Well, as seems to be a tradition, my first day of National starts with insomnia: could NOT get to sleep last night. About the only thing a room does for me my first night down is give me a place to leave my stuff. This year, arriving an extra day early, means most of the people that would normally be up to visit with are (sensibly) asleep. Oh, well…

I’m gonna handle each day as a live blog: I’ll write it as I go, and post it all later. Should be… interesting…

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Day started out ok: mainly just hanging out, surfing the net, and BSing with my brothers and sisters as they arrived. Oh… and freezing my nether regions every time I wanted a smoke (couldn’t smoke in the hotel). And, as is usual, helping out where I could.: I can only sit around so long, before I have GOT to try and help with things.

And I DID have loads of fun. Of course, that meant I also got a total (as of somewhere around 1am fri) of three hours sleep since Monday…

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More later. And I’m not sure if I’ll be able to provide pics: frelling camera died… 

National, Pt II

Well well... ran into my big brother Guru, our International PR... well... guru. And he mentioned he's one of my readers.

Ya know bro, you could leave a comment once in awhile! :P

Today's been fun: just hanging out and relaxing, with the members of my massive extended family. THIS is where I feel most "at home": amongst a bunch of folks dedicated to fighting child abuse. They can sometimes be a lil' unpolished, but they're my brothers & sisters.

More tomorrow...

BACA International Convention

Well... I've safely arrived at National. And within the first hour, got felt up by one of my sisters (wonder how many times THAT'S gonna happen this year). Already met up with a bunch of folks I haven't seen in a year, and the feeling of "back with my family" has already started...

Gawds, it's good to be "home"! More through the weekend...

A prosecution too far (with apologies to Steven Ambrose)

So... we have a case in Greensburg PA, where 6 teens (3 boys, 3 girls) are charged with creating (or possessing) child pornography. Seems the girls took nude and semi-nude pics of themselves, and sent them to the boys.

Now, these kids get to have their lives ruined. All because a poorly worded law is being taken to it's lunatic extreme.

Reminds me of another case, where a teenage girl was busted for creating child porn: she had been taking pics of herself, and sending them out. Again: life ruined.

Folks, whenever a new law is proposed, THINK about the fullest extent it can be twisted to. Trust me: regardless of what is intended, someone is gonna run it all the way out to the edge.

H/T to Marko, who says it all far better than I can...

Leavin' for National...

Well... pulling the all nighter. I leave for the BACA International convention in 5 hours: my ride's picking me up at 0930.

It'll be good to see my brothers & sisters again, and share in the bonds that I've formed over the years.

Like I said before: I'm gonna TRY and post pics while I'm there. Depends on whether or not I have time to get any: I'm torn between hiding in my room practicing, going full-tilt flirt, or volunteering for security. We'll see what happens.

If I have any readers in the St Louis area, feel free to drop in and look me up!

Damnit! Something in my eye...

Found via Armed Polite Society:

Sometimes when old Marines die they do fade away into unmarked graves in Potter's Field.

Such might have been the case for Gaspar Musso, USMC 925050, who fought in the Battle of Tinian in the Marianas Islands in 1944 and who died Nov. 15 at age 84 in a Brooklyn nursing home.

Enter Police Officer Susan Porcello, a PBA delegate at the 68th Precinct in Bay Ridge and one of those big-hearted New Yorkers who still make this the best city on Earth.

"No way was I going to let this brave old Marine who fought for his country in WWII get buried in Potter's Field," she says.

Porcello first met Musso back in July when she responded to a 911 ambulance call to the retired insurance broker's one-bedroom apartment on, appropriately, Marine Ave.

"When my partner, Eddie Ennis, and I arrived at his apartment Gaspar seemed a little bit down about himself," Porcello says. "He said he felt alone in the world. We talked to him a bit and as I looked around his tidy apartment I noticed that he had served in the military - the Marines to be exact."

Porcello asked him about family and friends. "Look around you, what do you see?" Musso said. "I have no family or friends."

To which Porcello said, "Well, I'm your friend."

Right there, with those four beautiful words, Gaspar Musso was destined to die with the dignity he'd earned with a rifle in his hands, fighting in a USMC uniform, in a war that saved civilization.

If she didn't already wear a badge, you'd want to pin a star on Susan Porcello.

Musso, a diabetic with a host of other age-related maladies, had accidentally overdosed on his prescription medications. Porcello accompanied him to Lutheran Medical Center.

"I told him I'd be back to visit him and take him to a senior center where he could make some friends," said Porcello, who comes from a big Italian family with a mom, dad, three sisters and a brother.

"I told him I was making him my 'Grandpa,' and if he liked, he could spend Thanksgiving with my family. Eddie and I discussed alternating holidays with Gaspar so he wouldn't be alone for any of them."

Two days later Musso was placed in critical care. Porcello asked hospital staff where he'd be buried if he didn't make it. "Potter's Field," said one administrator.

"This infuriated me," said Porcello. "There was no way I was going to let a man who fought for our country be buried in Potter's Field. Not on my watch!"

Porcello told the hospital to keep her apprised of Musso's condition. She had a local priest visit him. Porcello even asked NYPD's Missing Person's Squad to search for next of kin.

No luck.

Musso had been an only child to Anthony and Marie Musso, both deceased. He had no other relatives. Musso's only friend, an upstairs neighbor, had died the year before.

After his health improved, Musso asked Porcello to become his official health proxy.

She transferred him to Caton Park Nursing Home, where he was treated extremely well. She visited him often, learning that Musso was born May 7, 1924, joined the USMC in December 1943, finished training at Camp Lejune in March 1944 and was fighting with the 2nd Marines on Tinian Island by July 1944.

"I visited Gaspar on Nov. 13, bringing him rosary beads, a Bible, and his reading glasses," she said.

"The next day, Nov. 14, I returned and found Gaspar sitting up in a chair, dressed in his own clothes. Looking great."

Porcello washed his hands and face, trimmed his nails and eyebrows and asked if he was coming to her house for Thanksgiving. "I'm trying!" he said. He also asked Porcello to bring him a Christmas wreath for his room.

The next morning Porcello received a phone call saying that Gaspar Musso had died peacefully in his sleep.

No way was she going to let her good friend be toe-tagged and buried in Potter's Field.

Porcello paid out of her own pocket for a wake at McLaughlin's on Third Ave. and a mass at St. Patrick's Church in Bay Ridge, where a crowd of good-hearted cops from the 68th Precinct filled the pews, six serving as pallbearers. Sgt. Angel Rosa of the 68th, also a Marine, arranged for a USMC honor guard at Musso's funeral.

Then taps blew over Gaspar Musso, United States Marine, as he was buried next to his mother at Resurrection Cemetery in Staten Island.

With the dignity he deserved.

Semper Fi.dhamill@nydailynews.com

Oh, by the way...

I'll post a larger version of the "Size Matters" pic later. Unfortunately, the original version was WAY too big (despite blogger saying it was "small", and in resizing, it wouldn't let me see any other version (note to self: don't do anything resembling "technical" late at night).

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In other news, I'm at T minus 33hrs 54min until I leave for St Louis, and the BACA International Conference (otherwise known as "National"). I will do my best to post at least one pic from the event, somehow. Anybody in the St Louis area that wants to stop in during the evenings (I'm stuck in the BoD meeting during the days), I'll be around from Wednesday night through Sunday morning. Drop me a line a lil' beforehand, and I'll give you my number. Or show up at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark; 1 South Broadway and ask whichever patch you see where you can find "Strings, from Wisconsin".

I feel so ashamed... :(

I'm an embarrassment to Barack!


I only scored 17 on the Obama Test

Darn. And I felt so full of hopeychange before I took the test...

Public service for peds...

Over at Marko's place, there's his latest "Monday Search Term Safari". At the end of this latest installment, he gives some advice: "And, seriously–stop looking for underage porn, Comcast user in Minneapolis".

This post is for that user.

First off: I hope you follow the advice. Barring that, keep yourself ON the net: offend offline in meatspace, and you'll get to have fun with my brothers.

Second: if you want to find the REALLY juicy stuff, hit this site: has everything you need and deserve...

Seriously though: just knock it off, and get yourself some help (or get society some help: a .357 and one round would be perfect).

Size matters...

Just sayin'...

Maybe I have a problem

So I'm watching History while surfing, and they're talking about the apocolypse. One of the signs mentioned is "death from above", and they illustrate it by mentioning an asteroid hitting NYC.

Does it make me a bad person that my first thought was "Hey... so long as Bloomberg gets hit too..."?

I REALLY shouldn't pay attention to politics: makes me a mean-spirited person...

And to start the New Year off right...

I add a second job to make ends meet!

The magazine is going, but I'm honestly begining to think I need to find a different project: I have some problems with how this one is being run. So odds are, that banner at the top of the page will be changing here soon...

In the meantime, I'll be doing retail inventory for a spell. If nothing else, that'll help me pick up that new Triumph I've been drooling over...

Are we Rome?

So... someone on APS made the comment "Are we Rome? Yes, we are.". Which brought the reply "So America is going to remain a Republic for two more centuries, and then rule the world with an iron hand for 6 more? Cool!"...

I made a quick comment on the thread, but I want to expand here.

IF America is Rome, and we're going to follow the same path, then our fall will be at the hands of...

The Canadians.

Yes, in 800 years, the howling Canadian hordes will sweep out of the frozen north. With sword and torch, they will lay waste to our grand cities and plunge the world into a New Dark Age...

The sad part of this? I haven't had a single thing to drink, but this gave me the giggles...

Just a wish...

Here's wishing both of my readers a happy New Year, from the crew of HMS Privateer

From a brother of another mother...

Ok... one of my BACA brothers sent me this the other day. I don't think it really needs any preamble.

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America The Beautiful

America the beautiful, Government steals thy God from Thee
America the beautiful, mind control used on you and me.
America the beautiful, where the terrorists all roam Free,
Elected, from sea to shining sea.

America the beautiful, where the corporations live
America the beautiful, home where special interests give
America the beautiful, where congress will abuse the citizen
And say the means justifies the end.

America the beautiful, our borders are opened wide
America the beautiful, where evil doesn’t have to hide
America, the beautiful, where tyranny and corruption abide
Our Bill of Rights greedily pushed aside.

America the beautiful, for the people and by the people
America the beautiful, our politicians praised for being deceitful
America the beautiful, elected to a false catherdral
Patriotism requires more than kneeling ‘neath that steeple

America the beautiful, this country belongs to us
America the beautiful, not the people who abuse our trust
America the beautiful, the time has come to readjust
And take our country back from the unethical and the unjust.

Jason "Slytly Deranged" Carroll
11-17-06

Dipping into the sewers...

Now, as a general rule, I like to stay away from politics here. I argue about it pretty much everywhere else, so I try to keep this lil' corner clear.

Then I catch something like this, and all bets are off. Some snipits...

Caroline Kennedy said she was "surprised and dismayed" by her own voting record, after failing to cast her pick for the very Senate seat she now hopes to take over.

Anyone else having trouble wrapping their head around "dismayed at her own record"?

Kennedy offered no excuses for why she failed to vote in a number of elections since registering in New York City in 1988, including in 1994 when Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan was up for re-election as the state's senior senator.

She had gotten into Unca Teddy's secret stash?

"I was really surprised and dismayed by my voting record," she told the Associated Press. "I'm glad it's been brought to my attention."

Wait a sec: she's glad it's been brought to her attention? She didn't realize she wasn't voting? Isn't that kinda like not realizing you're not breathing?

In her first sit-down interview since she emerged as a Senate hopeful, the 51-year-old daughter of President John F. Kennedy said she has always pondered jumping into politics, but waited for the right moment.

Could I suggest maybe waiting a lil' longer, and doing it after you can keep track of what you're doing?

And the sad part is, she probably WILL get the seat...

Christmas Traditions

Everyone's got their holiday traditions. Maybe it's Christmas Eve at the grandparents', or an eggnog toast before bed. Some have established rules for when gifts are exchanged, or who goes where, or what-have-you. In our family, the traditions have always been fairly simple...

First off, I have NEVER had either turkey or ham for Christmas or Eve: it has ALWAYS been lasagne. With mom being Italian, it made sense. Christmas Eve was "catch-as-catch-can", finding whatever for food while mom went to Mass (dad and I were forbidden: putting either of us in a church on a solmen occassion was a recipe for disaster). Then Christmas day, we'd load the pan (a turkey roasting pan) full of Italian goodness into the oven right away in the morning, so that it'd be ready for people to gorge themselves later that evening.

Second thing I remember was gifts. In our family, THE important factor wasn't the cost, or the usefullness, or even the thought: it was the size of the package. Which sounds bad, until you realize the gift itself was secondary to the amount of ammunition the wrapping paper provided. Yes, everyone (including my mother) would end up in a wrapping paper fight. Usually, we'd still be finding balls of paper in July.

The last "tradition", you could say, was mom's habit of inviting ANYONE we knew that didn't have a full schedule that day. To illustrate: my first year in the Navy, she invited the base commander from RTC Great Lakes, as well as my Company Commander from boot.

And so our Christmas went. With the advent of Spoon, things changed just a little: Christmas Eve would be at her parents (which is where we'd also exchange gifts, and have the war), with Christmas Day at my mine. Understand here, the only thing different on either day was the location: the cast of characters was pretty much the same.

After a couople of years like this, mom passed: Christmas that year fairly well sucked. As in "large rocks off the seafloor". But we've soldiered on. Last year, dad and Spoon revived the tradition of lasagne...

What's this all leading up to? Well, this year (actually, while I'm typing this), *I* get to make the thing. I'm pretty good at sauce (which is simmering less than five feet from where I sit), but the rest is unknown territory.

Hopefully, it'ss turn out ok. If it doesn't, I'm blaming my mom-in-law (she's supposed to help with the actual construction). I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

Oh, yeah. If you're in the Manitowoc area, you COULD always pop in: the tradition of inviting all-and-sundry to dinner is still there...

The strangest things you learn...

So Spoon and I were watching some drivel in History about holiday foods. One topic that came up was the ubiquitous fruitcake ("the Rodney Dangerfield of the food world"). In amongst all the usual stuff (created in X, were handed out to women in England, blah blah blah), was an interesting lil' tidbit:

According to some guide or other, fruitcake has the same consistency as mahogany.

I looked at Spoon, smiled, and asked if she'd like fruitcake grip panels for her Kimber.

Oh... Squeaker? If you're reading this, how about a nice fruitcake handled knife for your F&I stuff?

Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot?

From Better and Better, we hear about a woman in PA who is being charged with animal cruelty.

What did she do? She's (if I understand correctly) giving kitten piercings, and marketing them as "goth kittys"...

Ok, I'll agree that popping a ring in a kitten's ear isn't the most "humane" idea anybody's ever thought up. But it's worse than a parent doing the same to their 1 year old daughter... how?

More to the point: if we can go after this woman, for something so frelling minor, how can we explain all the ones that slip through the cracks?

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If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you know that I'm VERY active in the fight against child abuse. A case was brought to my attention in nearby Appleton. Several children, raised by parents that social services describe as "hopeless". And yet, as dysfunctional as this family is, the children are left in the care of the "hopeless" parents.

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So... let me make sure I understand things. We'll knowingly leave children in a living situation that basically guarantees more dysfunctional lives, but we'll "rescue" kittens from someone doing the exact same thing many parents do without repercussion?

Sorry folks, but I am at a complete loss...

Differences

So... today we FINALLY got intrawebs access at our new berthing. This has been something of am irritation to us: we'd occasionally catch the public access wifi, but it was spotty at best, and only worked with my ladpot. We HAD scheduled an install, which we had to cancel to pick up 2 new cars (yes: both Spoon & I had to replace our vehicles at the same time. Talk about suckage).

So... plans were made, money set aside, and we were told the installer would be here "between 10am and noon". Guy called us at 0955, and was the most awesome installer I've ever seen: made sure we had signal, helped set up to make sure the net worked, even advised against the "self install pack" because it adds needless software to your machine. Finally got out of here at 1210 or so.

Which was good: my chapter VP was getting access installed today too, and called me for help. Now, keep in mind that this is the same company here. At her berthing, the guy made sure the cable had signal, handed her the modem and self install pack, and told her "follow the instructions" and left. The modem he handed her had the wrong transformer, and she had ZERO idea how to set the damn thing up anyway.

Two employees, from the same company. But WOW, what a difference in attitude!

On self defense

Jay G connects two posts by other bloggers: go forth and read. If you're interested in self defense (whether armed or not), this is all relevant.

The first post (by the illustrious Law Dog), is about the equipment issue. Unfortunately, far too many people look at everything as an "equipment problem", when far more often it's a training or mindset problem. Personally, I follow the Marine concept: "Be polite. Be civil. And have a plan to kill anyone you meet"*.

The second post, by Breda, talks more about mindset. And as Jay points out, 99 times out of 100, just projecting that you will NOT accept incivility will work. For that one time though, you'd better have the training and mindset to back up your projection...





Yes, when you first meet me, I'm detailing in my mind how to remove you from existence as quickly as possible should the need arise...

Stolen shamelessly...

From Voodoo Medicine Man:


To my family physician, my lawyer, my friends, and all others to whom it may concern:

I, Strings, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my LIVING WILL. If the time comes when I can no longer take part in decisions of my own future, let this statement stand as an expression of my wishes and directions while I am still of sound mind.

If I suddenly begin to take an unexplained turn for the worse, before any drastic or irreversible decisions are made, it is my desire that someone first check to make sure my attending physician is not Dr. Jack Kevorkian.

Should my attending medical personnel determine that an organ transplant is necessary, it is my expressed wish that, if at all possible, the baboon be of the same faith as me.

If a kind soul takes it upon themself to read aloud to me, it is my fervent wish, as it was during my non-incapacitated life, that they skip directly to the dirty parts of the book, and then read those passages over and over and over again.

It is my expressed want that no family member, friend or acquaintance shall enter my hospital room bearing one of those tacky "Get Well Soon" helium balloons. Likewise, any get well card sporting Garfield the Cat shall immediately be returned to its sender.

I wish my TV set off whenever "Oprah" or “The View” are on.

If at all possible, I prefer "Depends" over "Serenity."

I would prefer that my visitors leave their small children home if all the kids are going to do is stare at me and play with my toes.

When it comes time to change my Foley catheter, I would prefer a nurse with untreated Parkinson’s disease perform the procedure while singing "Barnacle Bill the Sailor" to me.

At no time, even on the occasion of my birthday, do I desire to have a party hat placed on my head.

While I am not morally or ethically opposed to so-called “life sustaining equipment," I am vehemently opposed to the concept of hooking up such machinery to "The Clapper."

I agree to sponge baths only if given by a member of the opposite sex. Several members of the opposite sex at once is certainly acceptable and, in fact, preferred. Ditto for any "therapeutic Jacuzzis" that may be prescribed.

Please kill anybody trying to enroll me in Wii-Hab or similar nonsense.

It is my strong desire that in any and all elections that may take place, my absentee ballot be marked for the individual running opposite Barney Frank.

In the unfortunate event that the time comes to donate my vital organs, it is my wish that in all donations, a receipt be obtained for tax purposes. Also, do not give my organs to anybody associated with the IRS or the United States Postal Service—let those bastards die a slow and painful death.

No Jello or Ensure. Margaritas with Patron Tequila (preferably the Grand Platinum variety) will be acceptable.

When it comes time for me to give up the ghost, make sure the embalmer leaves a smile on my face.

This statement is made after careful consideration and is in accordance with my strong convictions and beliefs I want the wishes and directions here expressed carried out to the extent permitted by law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal to this my LIVING WILL on this the 14th day of December, 2008.

In the market...

Wanted to buy or steal: one used time machine. Must be able to make small jaunt of 24 hours backwards: forward not needed. If you can help, please call...

I have roughly 72 hours worth of BS to fit into the 48 hours of the weekend. If I suddenly go silent, it's probably due to my head exploding...

My post about lies: to an audience of one.

I'd like to make something of an apology to one of my readers. My post about lies, while absolutely true, could be seen as a bit harsh given the surrounding circumstances. and I figured that posting this might help the situation.

If you didn't feel slighted by that post, you might want to skip the rest of this one. Not that I mind who reads it, but it's intended audience is one person.

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You didn't lie, but you also didn't communicate. Hopefully, I've set things as right as I can now: we won't be having any misunderstandings.

I DO stand by that letter, and what we talked about after you read it. And I DO wish you nothing but the best. Feel free to call if you want, or need me for anything. In the meantime, I'll not pester you.

Just for the record...

When you're involved in a group that has regularly scheduled monthly meetings for it's local chapter (the second saturday of the month), and the parent group has the locals host the annual Holiday Party the week before, you MIGHT want to suggest that the local people also hold their meeting at the same time...

did the Holiday Party/State BoD meeting last saturday. Now I have to go BACK to Milwaukee for their chapter meeting THIS saturday. As if I wasn't feeling ragged around the edges already...

Just Because...

Ok, it's been done on several others' blogs. No, I wasn't tagged, nor will I tag anyone...

100 things I've done - items I have done are in bold.

1. Started your own blog. Ummm... srsly?
2. Slept under the stars. Yeppers
3. Played in a band. For a lil' bit in high school (we talk about getting things started again, Spoon and I)
4. Visited Hawaii. WestPac...
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity. Almost every damn day...
7. Been to Disneyland.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch. Taught myself most of what I know about lost wax work...
15. Adopted a child. Counting BACA "Adoptions" here
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked. Both done it, and picked 'em up...
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a Marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise. Heh... does WestPac count?
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing. If you count a rock wall
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain. Painful memory now... :(
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies.
62. Gone whale watching. Used to see 'em from ship occassionally
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.
77. Broken a bone. Yep... running away from a sorority girl
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle. Heh, heh, heh. I hadn't realized that the 'Potomus would go that fast...
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book. Does a column in a magazine count?
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible. LONG ago...
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

Climate change and a new article

Ok... the next cocksmoker who says anything to me about how humans are causing global warming is getting anally violated with a large chainsaw. I'm just sayin'...

Spent a couple hours digging the cars out of a pile of "global warming". Are NOT happy.

And I'd like to go on record to state that changing 4 tires in the middle of a snowstorm sucks big boulders off the seafloor.

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In better news: OCC had made a chopper for Manitowoc Cranes, which is now on display at a local store. And it looks like I'm going to get to do a write-up on it for the mag! THAT should be fun!

There are some things I can't stand...

Everyone has a pet peeve: something that drives them absolutely wild. For me, probably THE biggest issue is lying.

Now, I understand some lies: we all lie to the cops, and suchlike. But to needlessly lie to someone you're close to... that's the epitome of low, and shows a complete lack of regard for the person being lied to.

Any relationship, from the barest of friendships to lovers, requires trust: you have GOT to trust that whoever's in the relationship with you will be honest. When that trust gets violated, it's problematic at best. Yes, there are times when the whole truth isn't a good idea: we've all been there. But usually the truth is better. And a needless lie, for the sole sake of not "being the bad guy"? Nope... doesn't pass muster.

I've been having... problems, lately. It's made my posting sporadic and depressing. That will be changing, from now. Not to say everything will be sunlight and roses, but the personal issues have pretty much solved themselves.

I'm sure some here have some clue what I'm talking about, specifically. I ask them to not say anything, in comments or email. Suffice it to say that I got hurt, and now I'm getting better. 'Nuf said.

Give me a day or two, and we'll get back to regular posting (I promise).

On a side note: maybe against my better judgement, I've given Spoon (my "first mate") access to post here. Not sure how often she will, but I figured "What the Hell". When she posts, please be gentle... ;)

One of THOSE days... :(

Ever have one of those days? You know: where you just do NOT want to get out of bed?

I'm having one now. Unfortunately, I never even GOT to bed...

Tonight is the board of directors meeting for BACA Wisconsin. I have NO choice but to attend, since I run the show. Unfortunately, I get to deal with personal issues, idiots, and now frigging SNOW. If there IS some form of divinity, They're getting a hell of a lot of fun out of me right now!

Begining to feel like all I have to say is depressing. Sheesh!

GAH!!!

Someone, please, just shoot me now!

Personal troubles... magazine having issues (no pun intended), BACA members (and whole chapters) getting messed up...

Pretty please, shoot me now?

Amen, brother!

Posted by JayG here.

I've mentioned my irritation with the whole "sheepdog" thing: this post exemplifies why.

Yes... honest citizens carrying concealed makes for a safer community. And I understand the concept that crooks don't know who's armed, so they're less likely to make an attack. But that whole "sheep/wolves/sheepdogs" thing strikes of people looking for trouble... and that doesn't help our cause.

Yes, most people are "sheep". Yes, there are "wolves" out there that prey on them. And of course, there are the "sheepdogs" (which is how I see the police). Me? I'm the badger off to the side, shaking my head at the whole mess...

What IS an "American"?

This thread over at Armed Polite Society got me to thinking. Y'all know, this is NEVER a good thing!

Anywho... I'd like to pose a question to anyone reading this. It may seem like a simple question, but I think the answers you'd get out on the street might surprise you.

The question? "What IS an American?".

Not talking about a legal definition. What do YOU think would be the defining characteristics that say "Joe is an American"? Every nationality has something: what's ours?

After some responses, I'll address my thoughts on it. I'd like to see what others think...

The Tale of the Hondapotomus

Ok… you’ve all heard me mention my bike, the illustrious Hondapotomus. You’ve heard me curse it, and all the troubles I’ve had with it. You’ve read the stories of all the places it’s taken me. And you’ve seen the pics of it resting in the ditch after my lil’ accident. Maybe now, it’s time for me to tell it’s story (so far)…

After I had been riding for a couple years, Spoon decided she wanted to actually have her own bike. I was, at the time, looking at upgrading from the Kaw, since it’s kinda on the small side. So the plan was hatched: I get a bigger bike, and Spoon takes the Kaw (which she, Squeaker, and many others have learned to ride on)…

A friend had a bike for sale, and I wanted it. Actually, I desperately wanted ANY new ride: I developed a serious case of new bike fever. Unfortunately, my friend sold the one he had available before I could come up with the dough. Actually, I got the money roughly a week after he had sold it. So I had a grand, and a SERIOUS jones for a new scoot…

I started checking the classifieds, for ANY bike in that price range. And a guy in Valders had listed a ’76 Goldwing for around $1100. I made contact, looked it over (through rose-coloured glasses), and talked him down to $900. After I got it home, I started finding the problems…

First off, the stereo wouldn’t work right. I pulled it out, finding that it’s power supply was via an ungrounded extension cord, and that one of the speakers didn’t even have wires. Then we decided to check fluid levels: we were good until we got to the front brake reservoir: it was filled with transmission fluid (which I, mechanically declined as I am, recognized as a bad thing right away)…

So… a little electric work, clear the front brake lines, and we should be good to go. Drove it over to the DMV, and got a plate. We’re on the road!

But wait: a friend of mine wanted to take it for a spin. He was gone for less than ten minutes when he called: it wouldn’t go anymore. It was still running, but it wasn’t moving. Seems the universal joint on the drive shaft had broken.

Trailer it home, take it apart, and start looking for a replacement. The local Honda dealer could get one for a couple hundred: the local salvage yard had one for $100. Let’s hear it for used parts! But the joy was short lived: no, it didn’t break again, but we should have taken video of the process: could’ve won some money. But hey… we’re on the road again, right?

Nope. Wasn’t more than a month later, and the temp gauge went stratospheric after the bike warmed up a bit. Which was odd: the engine was still comfortable to touch, but the gauge was claiming that it was hot enough to melt rock. And the fan was NOT kicking on. Off to the shop, where THEY couldn’t figure it out either. But the handy mechanic took care of the problem: he hooked the fan up to a toggle: under 45mph, turn fan on. Over 45, turn fan off. Right AT 45? Flip it on and off constantly. But we’re good now, right?

Well… for a little while. See, the starter switch (the “make it go” button) was having… issues. And one day, shortly into the next riding season, it too gave up the ghost.

By this point, motorcycle repair via 12 ga rifled slug was sounding VERY attractive. But I came up with a novel solution: I pulled the wires out, ran ‘em into the fairing, and hooked up a simple toggle switch (to this day, that’s how you start the beast). NOW, we’re good to go… right?

For the most part, yes: until a few months ago. See, the back tire was getting, well, let’s say, “long in the tooth”. And EVERYBODY has taken great joy in pointing out that they TOLD me not to ride it without changing that tire. But, me being me, I went ahead.

And promptly had a blow-out at 75. I’ve already talked about this, so we don’t need to go into details.

So then I spent a couple days trying to get the Beast back up: check the rim, replace the back tire and tube, come up with a new system for tail light and tag. And, for the most part, she’s back on the road. Of course, the electrical decided to cause some more troubles: had everything working fine, shut the bike off, started it back up, and everything on the ass end went crazy. But it served through the rest of this season.

Before next season, I’ll be replacing the old girl with either a Harley Tour Glide, or a Triumph T-Bird (depends on what I find). The ‘Potomus? She’s being passed on to my VP and her hubby-to-be.

So… that’s the story of my love/hate relationship with a bike that’s almost as old as I am. Have to admit, she’s been a learning experience!

To quote Law Dog:

Sweet Shivering Shiva! When did I get enough interest generated to find 15K hits?

Wow... the intertubes must be VERY dull lately!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes! (V2)

OK... we're undergoing some refitting here aboard the Privateer. Nothing TOO major...

Hopefully, the changes will result in more content for the three of you... ;)

Gearing up for BACA National

Well... looks like it's that time again: registration for the BACA National Convention has started.

I'll be in St Louis MO from 14 Jan through 18 Jan. Kinda busy during the days, but anyone in the area is welcome to contact me and make arrangements to meet up in the evenings.

Squeaker will be with me, as will Tact (and of course, all my other brothers and sisters). Should be a hoot!

Election Liveblogging from Wisconsin

Ok… live from Manitowoc County Republican Headquarters!

Starting this shortly after Ohio got called by Fox for Obama. The current mood is “we’re screwed”. Gotta love that possitive attitude!

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Roughly 2130: talk here is about how to endure an Obama Presidency. Always want to laugh at the folks that talk about revolution at these times: like Joe Sixpack is going to revolt so long as there’s Monday Night Football…

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Side note: I have GOT to remember not to wear my colors at these things. BACA’s not supposed to have any political affiliation…

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Ok… somebody explain to me how they can call a state one way or another with less than 10% or the precincts reporting?

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Just a little comparison: last cycle, I spent time at the Republican Headquarters. Then, it was a larger space with a LOT more people. This time, we’re in a smaller space… and it’s almost empty. Kinda sad, actually…

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WAY too much doom 'n' gloom. So Obama is winning. All that REALLY means is that conservatives go from being in charge to being the loyal opposition. C'mon folks... presidents come and go...

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Fox just declared the election for Obama: current time is 2202...

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And it looks like folks here have given up: closing down the shop...

Suffering Electile Disfunction

Yes, I voted: walked over to City Hall, and cast my ballot for Beelzebub. Hopefully, he and the lady can pull enough electoral votes to defeat Asmodeus tonight.

Maybe I'll head down to the local Republican headquarters, to catch the results...

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Yep... there's been a few changes here on the Privateer, pretty much all for the good. Unfortunately, that makes for light posting...

First off, we're in new berthing: Spoon and I moved out of where we were (which I'm going to say as little about as possible) into a new apartment. Not completely moved in yet: we've been remodeling as we go. Should be finished within the first couple weeks of November.

We've also managed to pick up a pair of new long boats for non-riding weather: Spoon's in a nice Honda Accord (the "mom-mobile"), while I've regressed and picked up a '92 Eclipse (affectionately called "Bitchy", and wearing a "ticket-me-red" wrapper). No word yet on a new bike: going to be looking this winter, since I want to start the riding season on a new scoot.

BACA goes well: FINALLY bringing this state into compliance. Granted, there's been some kicking and screaming, but we're getting there.

Work's going... if my partner & I can ever get rid of the owner, we're sitting on a gold mine. Unfortunately, the owner wants us t dig thew mine with sandbox shovels.

Staying out of the political stuff: just want it frelling over. Been installing restraints and such in the handbasket, so maybe the trip down will be a lil' safer...

More later...

Experiments with Open Carry: rd 1

Ok... so, a couple weeks ago, I decided to start experimenting with open carry. Now in Wisconsin, OC is perfectly legal, but heavily frowned on. Not to mention difficult, since having a loaded gun in a vehicle is considered "improper transport of a firearm"...

Anywho... Spoon & I normally go for a walk every night: good exercise, and good for discussion. Couple Sundays ago, I added my S&W model 19 to my belt, along with a couple speedloaders (I refuse to carry a gun without reloads). So y'all understand, I wore it at roughly 11 o'clock, so it was right there in front of Gawd and ever'body.

Now, for anyone who has paid attention to the "debate" about open carry, you should be expecting a story of my arrest and subsequent charges of "Endangering the Public", "Disturbing the Peace", or other similar misdeeds. Unfortunately, I would have to file such a story under "fiction".

Even though I made a point of talking to a couple officers, NOTHING HAPPENED. Honestly, I don't think anyone (at all) noticed the revolver on my hip. For four nights running.

When my shoulder improves (do NOT want to deal with any issues until my right clavicle is again "bone" instead of "pieces"), I think I'll switch over to the pearl grips (yeah, go ahead and laugh: they're comfortable) and try the experiment again. If that doesn't get a response after a week, I think I'll just have to start calling BS on the "dangers of OC"...

current events

I had a great series of posts I was gonna run about the supposed evils of open carry, and my experiment therein: spent a good portion of the last week OCing my .357. Unfortunately, that has to be put on hold.

Was getting ready to regale y'all with the joys of moving into the new apartment. Although the move's gonna happen, I'm not gonna be all that involved in it.

Today, while playing in a charity capture the flag tournament, I went ass-over-teakettle. Resulting in one of the cleanest broken clavicles ever seen.

Hopefully, I'll be speaking to a surgeon this week about getting screwed. But it looks like the riding season is over for me this year.

Posting will continue to be light: this one-handed stuff sucks. But I'll try and keep y'all updated...

Not a good day

Shortly after I started dating Spoon, a cat got left at her mother's house. He was a tuxedo, and fairly friendly. He'd already been "broken" and declawed. We had no idea why he was abandoned. But he latched on to Spoon like velcro, and we called him Squee.

That was 12 + years ago. Everywhere we've gone, Squee has been with us: mothering the other cats, pestering Spoon, and just generally being one of the better cats we've had.

Today, due to complications in removing fibrous cists a couple months back, we had to have this animal, Spoon's companion for almost as long as I've been around, put to sleep. While she was at work, I held her boy as he died.

Going to be a bit before there are any more happy thoughts. Will be postihng pictures sometime in the next day or two...

The "sheepdogs" thing

Ok... I think most of y'all have heard this one. Goes like this:

"Most people are sheep: unable to defend themselves from the wolves. But some people are sheepdogs: armed just like the wolves, but there to protect the sheep. Unfortunately, the sheep can't tell the difference between the two: they see predator teeth, and equate the sheepdogs with the wolves, treating them with the same fear. But the only reason they're safe is the sheepdogs are willing to defend them".

There are a bunch of variations on this, most being passed on as "my father told me..." type stories. And they get brought up ANY time someone questions the intelligence of concealed carry for law-abiding citizens.

Now, so y'all understand: I'm a lobbyist for CCW here in Wisconsin. I support it enough that I have spent a fair amount of time busting my ass to try and bring us in line with the rest of the country. And I'M getting tired of the "sheepdog" thing.

Look... it may seem selfish, but my only reason for wanting to be able to legally carry a self-defense tool is to protect me and mine. Would I intervene if I saw someone being attacked? Most likely. But that is NOT why I would carry.

A CCW permit is not a "super hero license". All it is, really, is a way for the government to collect money on your decision to protect yourself to the best of your ability. The "sheepdog" folks (with the exception of those in law enforcement), come across as looking for trouble: something those of us fighting for the right to carry do NOT need.

Ok... I'm done ranting.

Why do it?

Probably THE biggest question I get asked about BACA is "Why do you do it?". People hear about all the sacrifices that members make, how far we're willing to go to help our kids, and they can't help but ask "Why?".

Check out Sabra's post here. I read these stories, and think "There goes another one I could have helped". It's a powerful motivation to help.

And the REALLY scary part? The stories she tells in that post aren't the worst that happens, even here in the US. Google "domestic human trafficking", but be warned you might get nightmares.

That's why I do what I do.

Expanding on my last post...

Ok...

So... one case we're working on kinda blew up: perp got out (they keep postponing the trial), and immediately made contact with the victim. Went to jail again, and got out again after a few days. We went Level II (means we mounted a guard rotation on the victim's house) for a couple days, until perp-boy went away again. Fun times!

The mag is goin' well... for the most part. I'm now the associate editor, and it looks like I'm going to be taking over full Editorship: the layout guy and I are going to buy out the owner. We've finally gotten tired of having out time wasted by the guy: spent a full week, waiting for the owner to bring us the material for the last issue. Good things ahead on THAT front!

There've been the usual run of small personal problems too. But they're more in the nature of minor irritations.

So... more to come soon!

Life explodes

Well... things have gotten interesting again. Can't go into detail: let's just say it should be interesting. I'll post more as things develop.

Oh... didn't get the Harley... :(

Eye-opening experience

Ok... so let me set the stage for this a bit.

For those who couldn't tell from the few photos, Sarah has a trach tube. This is from a house fire when she was 16. One of the things she told me about when we met was a "burn camp" she went to, that helped her overcome the emotional trauma the fire caused.

Ok... seems there's a local HOG chapter that does what they call a "Hearts on Fire" run out to the camp every year. They do a couple fundraisers, but the highlight for them (and for a bunch of the kids) was tonight: the ride out (there were 100 bikes for this year) to visit the kids.

I'll get the pics up in a couple days. Was WELL worth being up and running for 12 hours on this alone to cover the event!

Hmmm... another magazine?

Hey... would the two of you think worse of me if I started writing for another magazine?

Seems I might have an offer, from (of all places) Kink magazine. Wouldn't interfere with my current gig, would mean more money, and possibly even more job offers.

Here's a site that shows a couple covers: not sure if I'd be able to do this or not.

So... what say y'all.

A call-out to those of you who ride...

Hey all...

Seems Chris, Crystal's husband over at Boobs, Injuries, and Dr Pepper has a small problem:

Crystal won't let him get a scoot.

I think maybe we all need to email her, and help her see the error of her ways. Thankfully, she does NOT have my mailing address...

Go here, and let her know that motorcycles aren't dangerous! Let's help our brother out here...

Problems in NH

Via Tam, we get this. poor Marko, dealing with such a heinous crime!

Read the comments: they carry a class 3 beverage alert!

It's not the years, it's the miles...

So... been doing quite a bit of travel this season, what with the new gig an' all. Decided to see how much distance I've covered in the saddle so far: came out to a little over 2300 miles. Gonna be a 3-4k season easy. And that's only if I DON'T do any major roadtripping after getting the new bike.

Always fun though, to be talking to some RUB on his sparkly new HD, and have him giving me shit about my scoot. The look on their face when you ask them how many miles they've logged, and their total since they started riding doesn't equal what you've done this season (so far)...

Not something I would normally go for...

I consider Larry Correia a friend. When he opened FBMG, I passed out handfuls of business cards at BACA National to anyone from Utah. Spoon, Squeaker and I all proudly wear MHI patches on our colors. And, when the money is FINALLY there, I'll be sending Spoon out to him to pick out her SMG. But this one takes the cake...

Folks, my mother also suffered from breast cancer. She beat it, but I'd REALLY rather no other woman ever has to go through that. So the Privateer will be pooling some money, and buying some tickets this week. Heck... we might even win! I'm sure Spoon would love a pink rifle!

The tickets are $5 a piece. Surely y'all can each afford a five spot to help save the boobies?