Changes

Hope nobody minds the changes to the sidebar. I've been using this as my start page so the weather window is handy for me. Of course the profile thing is mostly a lark. I've been trying not to post a lot of personal details here, but since I've already posted pictures of myself, and folks have been using my real name in the comments, I guess it doesn't matter.

Safety Award 3

Today's award goes to this guy, who is standing properly on his ladder. Unfortunatly this is the wrong ladder in the wrong place.



Water+Aluminum ladder+ electric drill

Shocking!

Kim The Gun Guy speaks

Non-gun-geeks might as well skip this post

Over at the Nation of Riflemen daily rant, there's a post that I've been anticipating for quite a while. The range report for the Mech-Tech-CCU has finally been posted.

Now to explain why this is so important...A long time back I bought into the concept of "companion guns." Basically, any long-gun/handgun pairing which would allow you to share ammunition between firearms, thus making it possible to carry a rifle and a handgun without having to double up on the ammunition you're carrying.

For quite some I'm I've toyed with the idea of getting an M1911 style handgun, but, as many a marksman has said, a handgun is what you use when you don't have time to get your rifle. So if I get an M1911, then I'd want to get a rifle to compliment it. Sadly, Marlin is no longer making their Camp Carbine, so the best rifle using M1911 magazines isn't available at any reasonable price.

Here is where the CCU comes in.

The unit by itself is not a firearm (it can't fire a bullet) but if you combine it with the lower half of a M1911, then you have a complete firearm which takes M1911 magazines and gives you the basic benefits of a long-gun. Take the receiver out of the CCU, put the M1911 barrel and slide back on, and you have a functional handgun.

With the stopping power of a 45acp and the accuracy of a rifle barrel together you end up with the best of both worlds.



Sounds like it's time for me to start saving up my pennies! (and plenty of them)

Safety Award 2

Continuing yesterday's theme, another safety reminder.

Never leave a load unsecured in the back of your truck.


At least he had good brakes.

Today's safety award

The proper use of ladders: what not to do.

Quote of the unspecified temporal interval

"One of the annoying things about believing in free will and individual responsibility is the difficulty of finding somebody to blame your problems on. And when you do find somebody, it's remarkable how often his picture turns up on your driver's license."

- P. J. O'Rourke

How far out is THIS?

I thought the X prize was ambitions, but THIS? I guess it could happen, but I can't see it being nearly as much of a hit as Nascar. It would be kind of cool though.

Ah school days

Visiting everyone back at the University of Illinois reminded me exactly why I was so glad to graduate. Mainly, HOMEWORK!! Sadly a student's work is never really done, even after class there's plenty of work to be done, whereas I now have free time (to do stuff like this) after I'm out of the office.

The other thing I don't miss was going to math class. I was never a natural at it like some people but I did alright so long as I didn't get frustrated.

OK, so I never did this, but I would have liked to hand in work like this on some occasions.

Firearms quote

From Matt at IOT (Illini On Target)

My military rifles, each summed up in one word:
Enfield No.4 Mk.I - Elegant
Mauser Karabiner 98k - German
Mosin-Nagant M91/30 - OUCH

When small blessings add up

I don't say it often enough, but my friends are really awesome!

Thanks to all of you I had a wonderful weekend.

Susan, Jill, Mike, and Megan for being such great company

Joe, for dropping everything to see me

Erin and Jess for always being there

Anna, for showing me how much fun it is to hang out (literally) in a tree and talk all afternoon

And of course, Eva and Steve for always looking out for me

(Hope I didn't forget anyone)

You guys rock my world!!!