Pushin' Spring...

Another frosty morning, but I look for signs of Spring anyway, my brother-in-law sent a picture of a crocus blooming in North Carolina, but I look for squirrels bounding along the trees and fence in back, and they aren't there. I check Facebook and find a cousin going on a biker charity food drive, temperature in the forty-so area, has Goldwing and good intentions, in Arkansas. I spend my time before the wife awakes deleting old emails, lots of old emails until I get down to the savers, two different accounts - and I have two work emails, too. How does such a recluse get so connected? although I don't dance on Facebook like some folks do, I did add books read to this year, I delinked some websites, finding one gone before I got there... every once in awhile I have to remind myself that real life is only imitated on the Internet, virtually friends and family are never going to take the place of reaching out and holding someone's hand or - not me! - giving someone a real hug. The vibrations and jello-like wiggles and bounces of a friend with a deep belly laugh are so much better than the ROFL mark on my screen. And although she may be the latest Swimsuit model on the beach, she is only two dimensional while that bank teller wearing her best revealingly (so daring and darling) can produce a smile if I get my act together and tease her just for our moment counting my money (three dimensions, warm and fragrant).

Okay, I am convinced, time to exercise, hit the road work, the motorcycle maintenance, shower and off to visit the Capital of Washington State and the Natural Resources Building for a briefing and a new challenge. Life is good, then they pull the plug and it gets better.

Well, we can start over, can't we?

Now, most of the people I know aren't completely overwhelmed by Bush's and Obama's Economic Crisis. Tulips just aren't that critical to most of our fortunes, so contracts for tulip bulb potential values aren't going to sink us when the Federal Government decides not to honor them nor subsidize them. Honest, and when my wife and I decided to buy a home (in every one of the five we have owned over thirty-seven years of marriage) we never bought one that I couldn't manage to pay the mortgage insurance and taxes and still buy food and utilities and clothing from my income. I also never thought of my home as my retirement income (reverse mortgage) nor as potential for borrowing against the ever increasing value of the home (have lived in too many homes that didn't increase in value - one is always enough for me). I don't know what my credit score is, I don't care, if you don't want to lend to me - then we are in agreement, cause I have only enough time left on this side of Paradise to pay off what I owe now, not some new debt (no, I am not supporting the debt of foolish Congresses and Presidents). Because I have been observing that Americans are supposed to live well above their means, to borrow and pay back forever (according to the commercials on television, and the infomercials, the current situation comedy - daily dramas and Oprah). My truth is that I have to be responsible and pay my way, I expect y'all will, too.

Now, that fine looking country over there, los Estados Unidos de América,(that has been blamed for selling all those guns to the Mexican Drug gangs, and buying all their drugs), that country is going to have a real problem living as high as they have been. Borrowing money on income they don't have and squandering what they have so they can do less and live largely lazy watching idiot boxes telling them how to be younger and beautiful and sexy. I see a bunch of debts coming due, needing to raise their credit limit and having to pay higher interest to borrow to pay off current debts and operating costs, and people and businesses going elsewhere for opportunity - instead of the land of higher taxes and more regulations and imprisonment and fines. Oh, you think you can sell this "I know what is best for you and you will do it my way or the highway!" I won't buy it, I have lived elsewhere, and I can again. Anyway, it will be interesting to see America fold to the pressure of their bankers (foreign nations of different values and opinions) to be perceived as a strong independent superpower (trying to stay ahead of the Chins, Li's and Saudis?).

And is it only I that see the terrorizing bubble-headed budgets that the Presidents have been playing with and proposing being an indication that even the government is going to live far beyond its means? I mean, if the President were serious he could rent those other rooms in the White House, charge more for his signature and photo opportunities and have special days at the mansion like they do at the ball fields and football stadiums. He could get his own bullet proof vest and concealed weapon and allow the Secret Service to go back to finding the counterfeiting criminals. But then where I would find a second job or start a business to add income in a personal family economic crisis, or all the adults and almost adults would get work or do more in the home and 'chip in' to make all the ends meet for our lives and our dreams - well, I guess some people just go out and party larger and harder, and hold up signs saying they will work for food while hoping to get a twenty in pity. What were they thinking, or weren't they?

I am too hard on the GOOD INTENTIONS of the people representing me in government, because I don't have faith that they will pay the price for their mistakes, they really expect me to pay the price - cause I am just that good a guy.

Well, because I am who I am, a quick story update about the prison library. The fellow I banished from the library for his behavior, the one that tried to kill me with my own bad blood pressure, tried to start some fights with my workers and was such a pain the Corrections Officers made sure he got his medications and was put in solitary for his security and everyone else's peace of mind. Yeah, the one I picked three special books for him to read while he was there and the information he had been looking for the night before. That guy walked up to my counter in the library and said that he wanted to say he was "Sorry". He had just been released from his two weeks in the Hole and was making things right. So we talked a little about why he was acting that way (drugs and fright flight) and how he was doing now. My big question was did he get the books I had picked especially for him, he had and he proudly told me that he read them all. Works for me!

When I was young...

I had too much money and so I purchased three rifles from Winchester of Hong Kong, didn't everyone? My father asked why my Model 70 was in 30-06 and my only answer was that I thought that was a good round (I had no real idea, but I knew that one worked for deer and Pennsylvania). Since I declared today a rest day from exercising I took the rifles out and looked at the Model 70 for scope mounting, and decided not to... cause I have no knowledge about scopes and the rifle as it stands now is pure beauty. I must be the right size, cause all my rifles fit me so well, or I fit them well, another day it is good to be me. Funny that I like all my rifles, want to really be perfect with the M1 Garand, but love the beauty and perfection of the Model 70. Maybe I could get both of them National Match sights... sure.

What I learned at work today...

Newsweek has another bright red cover, and declares that Obama has a Confidence Game going... working with inmates that always have a confidence game going I knew I recognized the entire Economic Stimulus Program as one of the biggest Confidence Games going... but I won't be the sucker, I didn't sign the promissory notes, nor vote on passage of the total foolish package. President Obama should have lined out the bad parts and sent it back. Not to worry, it doesn't matter to the inmates nor I.

Lots of good work done in the library, and the crowning point of my day was during the last thirty minutes. I got called a name, okay, not such a big deal, but I like being called Earl and I don't like being called "Boss" not by my crew or anyone else trying to "con" me (not that President Obama ever could - doesn't he smoke?) anyway an inmate approached and said "Jefe, the other Jefe over there said I had to make it right." and I was laughing in my heart so hard it cracked my best grin out over my face. I fixed his status so he could borrow books again and went over at closing and talked to that other Jefe about our new titles - and he denied he was a Jefe... I don't like Mexican and Mexican-American gangs, but I do like real people doing the best they can, more Mexican readers the better. Another Absent Father wants some good books on Creative Ways to teach his children ABCs and Numbers, and now I am, too. Good day, better night.

What political party are you? just interested...

The last political party I gave money to was the Democrats for the primary campaign of a Senator from Nebraska, Vietnam Vet and father. The last party I picked so I could vote in their primary was Democrat. But then although I believe in many things, I don't believe in the Democratic Party and I know that the Republicans aren't really better just different a little bit... Like I am a Life Member of the National Rifle Association (which I almost lump with those two major political parties - being so far away from me, my life and efforts for better'n) but I get to do more in shooting with the military and the Revolutionary War Veterans Association, CMP and Washington Arms Collectors (the last I haven't really done anything with but I read their news). Nope, I am Earl, and I guess it only matters that I care enough to be interested but not enough to think I should do something about any of the above or all of the above.

I have my life, and loves, and I have squandered much of my life - and enjoyed doing so. But I think working on being strong enough and disciplined enough to survive all the terrible stuff that is to come and to work hard on improving and increasing the LOVEs is where I am at for the near future - which is all I have left, having spent the first parts of my life enjoying more and building so little... you can get what you aim for, or not really see your target and just let fly.

If you have a patch, sew it on... yeah, sure...

Which takes more skill, the precision shooting or the wielding of the needle and thread, and which would I rather be doing? Buy the bullets, go to the range fire away as best one may, or take the thread, black, from the thread keeper in the sewing kit (GI 1 each) separate from others, lick the end and twirl, find the needle, find the eye of the needle (how do one's eyes get so old?) stick thread through the eye of the needle, even up the thread and knot the end. Then use several bad examples of sewing stitches upon the patch upon the jacket. Yes, I have heard about the machine age, yes, there is a sewing machine in this house, and I am not technically proficient nor so inclined, I will. How do women get that kind of patience, stitch after stitch, and they do it perfectly. My wife comes by to say farewell, off to her church, and she just notes my efforts - kind enough not to laugh. I know though, she sewed on the other patch, and her stitches are so nicely aligned and true art in function, she didn't have to laugh. Still the patch is on, and the sewing kit will be returned to the desk draw, to hide until the next venture into the speedy repair. It was easier to staple the patch onto the jacket for positioning, hum, if the staples were black I might have just done the whole thing that way....

How did my day go... well, I am a Rifleman... now!

It started out pretty good, beautiful weather, nice drive to Monroe, and we get to set the range up, three shooters and three instructors. I started with my M1, and for the one inch target my five rounds tore it up needed to move the sights slightly right, yes I dropped one. And then they went out, and their own way and I borrowed a rifle to fire the qualification with. Now I know more about 10/22s than I had before, but after cleaning up the magazines and ammunition I did on the second AQT make 219 and qualified for my Rifleman patch. Nice rifle but I want to fix the loosening sights on my M1 Garand, I do like it to work and I know it can do much better than I have been doing with it so far. Still, I - the shooter - did qualify and will get even better now the four minute mile has been broken... okay, just the 4 moa barrier. Will go over my documentation (BOOKS!) for guidance on the sights and locking them in. My next working with Appleseed is the 7th and 8th of March weedend, on the line, for my personal shooting I will have to work out on Range 15 of Fort Lewis on the weekends. I found shooting in the Carhartt Duck Bib Overall great! plenty of room, no pulse bump from constricted arteries and compressed fat, and the sitting position was easy to achieve a Natural Point of Aim and lock in and engage the targets. I will be doing all my serious rifle shooting in that gear - not that I am ever going to get that serious, but I might get some National Match sights for the M1 Garand.

Since it was such a beautiful Spring day and the motorcyclists were all out playing and traveling I stopped at a Harley-Davidson dealer to look at overpriced and very heavy motorcycles, HOGs - you know. I like some of the designs, but why the plastic look? gray plastic? is it a Glock thing? Anyway, if I were to advise H-D about their products I would get rid of the gray plastic plumbing look, but since I am not buying they are not listening. Oh, forgot to get Lotto tickets today I won't be moving off the Trusty Triumph any time soon. The best part of my visit to the dealers was the smile from the young lady, and I did nothing to deserve it but I smiled back anyway, she must have thought my bib overalls were cool... or that I was so harmless, like a grandfather... cool.

The Sun was out, the sunglasses needed...

Thursday afternoon as I got into the Caravan for the trip home the Sun was shining brightly, I put on the sunglasses and buckled the seat belt and put the machine in gear. Nice to go home with the Sun still up and shining, means that motorcycle weather can't be far behind, and Friday is the last riding day of this week - it is a date... So I got up and dressed and opened the garage door and rolled the motorcycle out to start it up. It is thirty-four degrees, frosty mostly everywhere, and foggy in butter knife cutting possibilities. Doesn't matter, get the boots on and grab the gear, if one has to be driven about something riding a motorcycle is a good way to go. With the fog I won't notice the fogging of the face shield, will I? Just riding in the gray cotton misty cold. The humidity is high, or those are really fat drops of cold cloud making the morning fog. Doesn't matter, only the ride, staying up and leaning hard and rolling up and out of it. Gets colder, since the gloved hands don't get warmer, I run out of the primary tank fuel, switch to reserve and ride on. So quiet, figuratively, and so alone and in control. Roll into the parking lot, shut down and leave the helmet.

Friday is clean up day, finish the unfinished week, wish I could go home early, but don't - talk books, tell the big old worker that F. Paul Wilson has a book about Jack before he got old enough to be a Repairman. Talk to one of my workers about David Drake, whom is the best writer in the current world according to the worker, I got happily stuck on Hammer's Slammers long before he (David Drake) wrote some nice postcards back to me while I was performing speed bump duties in Saudi Arabia in Desert Shield. We had lots of time to read as we waited for an opportunity to excel. I have finished building the March book cart of stuff to buy, will submit it on the 1st of March, doesn't pay to wait they could cut my budget again and I would rather be ahead than behind. I did a lot of talking today, even with other staff - very rare, but they have been talking to me about work, re-entry resources, motorcycles and today - rifles and shooting in Europe and here in the Northwest. I lock up after shutting down the computers, a good week of work - in four days, one more of five to go and February will be history, too.

I talk a little on the ferry, ride the bus to the parking lot and start smiling more as I get closer to the Trusty Triumph. Get the helmet, start the bike - remembering to put it on reserve tank, and ride off to re-fuel and go home. The Sun is shining, it is warmer, much, than it was in the morning, but the traffic is heavy and don't know about the economy where y'all are - the I-5 South lanes are a slow moving parking lot as I glance that way as I zoom over the bridge above the lost upon the highway to California... riding home is good the bike is responsive and I don't see the fearless woman on her Sportster, although I did yesterday, she has new black leathers with fringes, new to me. I think she goes home early on Friday afternoons. There must be a secret to missing all the red lights, but with too many cars there seems no hope. I do fill the tank up, and head on home. Roast, corn, potatoes and hot coffee the news tells me that Wall Street doesn't believe the Whitehouse about Bank NATIONALIZATIONS this weekend. But I am not holding stock (directly in banks now - my mutual funds are a different matter) in banks. I do trust my wife, my motorcycle and my M1 Garand - which I am off to shoot with tomorrow.

I shouldn't go to work today, stimulous is in the way.

I guess one of the things I like about growing up was my independence from my father's pay check, and managing my own money, making my own way. There were a couple times I was a bit short - and asked for help, and quickly paid him back. It was really great when I could see far enough into the future to manage my mortgages, auto loans, credit cards (not really as good on that as I could be). Nice thing about being responsible, of course, I will miss out on the extra money the government is going to reward the needy.

When we finished the tax filing for 2008, I was amused to find that my wife and I had donated more money to others in charities than we paid in taxes to the Federal government. Although I think the total tax picture (adding fuel taxes and other ones from state and county) might get them closer to even, how much tax is on ammunition?

I guess I don't really mind the government helping feed the hungry, cloth the naked, and shelter people from the weather. But isn't this the same government that can't get HDTV working on schedule? Yes, I am on HDTV, but that was because I don't need the assistance to get there, just the day and the hour - Sony and Comcast love folks that want wrestling in HD - have you seen any wrestling lately? the fireworks and fakes are more colorful for sure. Sorry, if you can't enjoy it because the government was supposed to assist your transformation to the Twenty-first Century. Maybe after the War on Drugs, the War on Terror and the HDTV problems you understand why I am certain (absolutely!) that the government has no idea how to fix an Economy - the one I live and work inside. Well, the government intentions are good and the Divas do look hot in the ring on HDTV, but it ain't wrestling. Smackdown tonight!

I do remember that one of the points of a campaigning Senator Obama was the endless war in the Middle East. Bush's War, but now that President Obama has increased the troop strength by 17,000 it is Obama's War. What is the purpose? What is victory? What is the price to that purpose and victory? And why if the military thought 30,000 was the Afghanistan Surge numbers, are only 17,000 being sent? If we drop five million unemployeed Americans on Afghanistan we can transform the entire country. That was one of my ideas for winning in Vietnam, too. Just bring all the unemployed of America to the war zone and it would change everything... but we wouldn't have HDTV on schedule, would we?

Dreams and reality... could be important...

The American Hunters and Shooters Association sent me the bumper sticker.
It won't go on my vehicles, but I was glad that they delivered on their promise, which makes me wary of all their other agendas and promises unsaid.

I woke from a wonderful dream this morning, and I am fat, the dream was of the military I am old but not as presently useless, and competing gently with young skinny kids in running, swimming and shooting. When a young seven year old girl comes up and introduces herself and we talk, as soon as I hear her name I remember her mother's name and she leads me away to meet her mother, so we go and I do. Too much about dreams may be about the me that never was but could have been, but the child was beautiful and so was her mother and that works. I am reading Daniel in devotions, which means one shouldn't dismiss dreams some times.

In the basket of daydreams is going to the NRA convention in Phoenix, Arizona, on my Trusty Triumph - day and a half down, two days coming back against the wind and the fatigue (information from another motorcyclist that has done it the same way I would - yes, he is a current inmate). Also, a more reasonable ride, to Boomershoot 2009, I have to ask for media pass - I don't think I am ready for the Precision Rifle Clinic - another year perhaps. But I would like to ride, watch and take pictures, and meet those that are enjoying the weekend. Yeah, where is that application for someone to pay attention to my dreams? Oh, email Joe Huffman. Thanks.

Boring... my life is just so perfectly boring...

Nope, didn't make the news, didn't even turn it on this morning, am listening to Easy Listening music. Devotions done, breakfast gruel eaten, exercises started after finishing my tax filing (need one fine lady's signature and stamps) will finish exercising and go jog along the road. Did read: Northview Diary, View From The Porch, and The Breda Fallacy. Breda has a Ladies Night, she knew I work while the show is on so I don't feel left out. Well, back to being better than the headlines and the heartaches and the helpless. No, I shouldn't get a life... I have the best already.

Pardon me, tax time, I am behind and got to go...

It is interesting comparing the 1040 from 2007 with the 1040 from 2008. Same President for both years, wonder what it will look like for 2009. How will I feel about taxes next year?

Closer than that Hero guy, much too close...

The Muppet Personality Test

You Are Dr. Bunsen Honeydew

You take the title "mad scientist" to the extreme - with very scary things coming out of your lab. And you've invented some pretty cool things, from a banana sharpener to a robot politician. But while you're busy turning gold into cottage cheese, you need to watch out for poor little Beaker! "Oh, that's very naughty, Beaker! Now you eat these paper clips this minute."

It's NOT the real LAW....

NO GUNS ALLOWED IN DC!

A few people don't like that idea, but that's the way it has to be. It's not me, folks, it's the law, and we will not break the law in any way, shape, or form; that's not who we are. We are here to change the law, not to become criminals. This march will be peaceful and law-abiding. End of story.

The above is from the 2nd Amendment March, and that is why we need another education system, the Law started with establishing the Constitution, and it went downhill from there. Before there was a Washington D. C. there was the approved and important Bill of Rights tacked on to the Constitution. Okay, quibble a bit, the establishment of the District is before the ratification of the Bill of Rights, but what you see as Washington D.C. was still mostly good intentions and plans for a swampy area around the Potomac River when the Bill of Rights was debated and accepted as the necessary part of the new government. So the real law breakers are all those swearing to defend the Constitution and enacting laws against the Rights of the People.

This is good to look at closely, it is the second time I have run into People of the Gun, trying to be good law abiding citizens and make changes in bad law and bad politicians and our temporary rulers. It is good to have real discussion, assemble without arms and provocation, and it is very important to maintain your citizenship because once they make you a riotous, dangerous, gun toting, felon you lose all those rights that they disregard already. And I don't think violence will cause much except death and destruction, so I don't hold with the fool stuff of taking up arms against much of anything. If you want to make more points disregard those fools in power - all the criminals are. Look at what the government is doing for illegal immigrants - every one a law breaker. Look at what they do for drug abusers and alcoholics. One day they will decide that carrying a gun is an addiction and we will receive treatment programs after we are caught. In Vietnam they are called Re-education Camps.

Back to basics, the idea and the activity of a mass demonstration in Washington, DC in support of the 2nd Amendment is a great idea - participate! Those that have to carry guns go to Arlington, Virginia and walk the among our heroes in their rest, talk to the dead that carried weapons in defense of our future and their past. Yeah, I know it is a National Park and someone will say bearing arms there is disrespectful, but they have been wrong before and probably will be again. If you go to DC, always visit Arlington and walk the graves and talk to the fallen, read the stones, know that your Founding Fathers were all in rebellion against the King over things like the right to keep and bear arms, taxes and self government (law breakers extraordinary!). Ask yourself where they would be standing if we were holding a peaceful demonstration in support of the basic law for Federal Government, I know Hamilton and Jefferson wouldn't be seeing eye to eye, but they did get their differences expressed and cobbled together a fine document. Go to the Demonstration, one warm happy body, at peace with self and the potential of America - Land of the FREE, Home of the BRAVE. Just remember, if you weren't so nice, you would be carrying, if there were not such fools in charge -- it wouldn't be against the law it would be an adult requirement. Vote them out in 2010.

Hibernation ended here today...

I have to get out there and stimulate the economy. Sure fuel prices have been creeping back up, still I had to cut the lawn and get rid of the leaves, attack the moss, stomp on the mole hills before they become mountains. And I know why bears are grumpy when coming out of hibernation, they go twist the wrong way when whacking a tree with dead bees and no honey, and they hurt their back, that's why. I was going to exercise gently and then go shoot, but responsibility got in the way. The yard looks a bit better, and after my left-over lunch (which I carefully ate around the rice and potatoes) my wife says she will take me out to dinner tonight - some pagan ritual probably - never know about Korean Baptist ladies.

I ironed my shirts and pants last night while watching men and women in a bit more than nothing dance and jump around the squared circle charming the chumps (yes, I was one paying attention - looking for the famous Ranger Chokehold), anyway, about my shirts and pants - it is time to buy replacements. Shirts, long sleeve, button down collar, size 16 1/2 33-35, color white, light blue or french blue, 100% to 80% cotton (six of them). Trousers, Dickies work trousers with cellphone pocket on right leg, reinforced knees, color steel or silver - but not white nor gray, 34 x 32, (six of them). That should help me look better, get my wife off my back a bit, and stir that economy. Those new shoes I bought, the Teva ones with the spider on the heel are very nice - one more pair of those. I also want a pair of Carhartt Duck Bib Overall to wear when I go shooting, seems some folks don't want the militia movement cammo worn and I have this weight and belt problem making my sitting shots bounce with my surging pulse beat. Love having a beating heart, just don't want the compression of my fat against the arteries to affect my shooting. Speaking of shooting and the economic stimulous package...

In the home are five clips of eight rounds of 30-06, and four loose rounds in the grab and go ammo can (.22 also but I never count them). In the Caravan are eighteen clips of eight rounds of 30-06, and sixteen rounds in a box, in one ammo can, and sixteen boxes of 30-06 (20 per box) and one box of Federal 30-06. Hardly enough for the depth of the Depression and Uncivil Disturbances about to show up at my front door. Nor is it enough to punch all the paper and steel targets I need to practice upon to get better at this American Rifleman position I aspire to... So I figure about five hundred dollars to CMP will get me about 1384 rounds of 30-06 in the ammo cans - with a give or take on the shipping costs. A couple more bricks of .22 would be good, the .45 APC and 9mm Luger are enough until I start shooting them for competition (never: too old, too slow, too un-needed - you know why men want bigger guns). Anyway, there are another hundred rounds of 30-30 and of 30-06 for the hunting rifles, and all kinds of bird shot and slugs for the shotgun.

Well, too much possibility of rain to wash the Caravan, although after a bit of reading I may sneak out and grease the chain on the motorcycle, bring the tires up to pressure if they aren't and prepare for sunshine riding on the Trusty Triumph, so much to do and only so much of me.

Well, there are heroes and there are heroes.... and I

ain't quite the hero some would want me to be but:

I also want to take this opportunity to let you know how fantastic Earl is and how much we really appreciate having him here at MICC. He is a pleasure to work with, always dependable, keeps things organized and running smoothly in the library and he did an outstanding job in the library to prepare for and during our ACA audit.

Thank you for the comment about Earl! He has a real "heart" for the branch and the work that he does there. I am happy that ACA went well for you and that we are able to help in that effort.

Economic Stimulus passed in Earl's era... and area

Well, the President wasn't doing it, the Treasury wasn't doing it, Congress grilled the Banker Boys (soon to be replaced by women!) about busying the bucks Bush blew their way, and HR 45 hasn't died a decent death (stomped deep into the mud works for me) --- so I went and stopped at the local retailer and looked for new shoes, bought two pair and that should be my fair share. The economy should be shaken and stirred now. One pair made in China and one pair made in Vietnam, help the W.O.G.s out of their slow down.

I came home and found my package from USAMidway, with 5 rd clips (2 ea), spotting scope (1 ea) and a Master Catalog #32 (dare I open it?). Wife was away, I heat the soup and wonder why my brother lives in a city with nut cases in charge of schools and fears of tape, wood and looks like a weapon of massive destruction.

I do know that everything the government regulates slows progress down - how fast can you go through an intersection with blinking red lights, as opposed to one with a timed signal, depends on the time of day, doesn't it? Just trying to read the instructions for the tax code a perfect example, that is a government program and a true performance indicator. Now, if you want to get the economy going - get a job, start a business (do both even better), buy essentials and something special for those you love and care for, go to bed, get up every day and repeat. You don't need credit to do this (nice to be able to borrow, but...) the economy is really the movement of goods and services, having real money and sound credit make it easier than bringing home an elephant you traded your labor for. If Newsweek and the new improved, ignoring the Constitution, government of President Obama think that socialism is the wave I want to ride - they aren't leading me anywhere -- and I don't push well either, old cranky man to be avoided. We have a Department of Education, and the high school graduates have more sex than I did at their age - but gosh, I had a real education and a future without having to try Community College - I didn't really have to do the first two years of college in 1972 when I started thinking about it, I could pass all the courses offered. But then the Federal government didn't have an education department - are we and y'all sure the government can handle this crisis? or are they going to make noise and allow us to fix it?

Remember: get a job, start a business (do both even better), buy essentials and something special for those you love and care for, go to bed, get up every day and repeat.

Don't want to go to work today...

Should just go back to bed and sleep until aroused... but then I would be adding to the overall economic failure of the Obama Administration, so get up and out and make the doughnuts. I caught the President making a remark about the steroid abuse in the Major Leagues, the tragedy is in the abuse in Pony League and High School not in the Majors where everyone was making lots of money for slow stupid death. And medically steroids are important for healing and growth. Now his thinking that the ball players are role models and should be above this was interesting, but didn't he just approve Federal Funding (more stimulus?) of embroynic stem cell research? Wait until you see the monsters we will get from that, amazing that he can't make the connection of good science and medicine used for all the wrong reasons by people for profit and pretty. Kind of like morphine and such - used properly a fine medicine, otherwise slow stupid death.

I liken the current frenzy to protect us from Economic Disaster, or Terrorist Attack, to the Body Armor of Knights of old, or those fine Infantry sitting in armored HMMVs. You aren't light on your feet, take too long to dress, spend too much energy in lift and motion and only work at thirty percent efficiency in combat. As the Federal Government protects us from all our follies and foolishness and failures - we will become less able to take care of ourselves - we will be looking for someone else to care for us. Well, maybe you will, I will be in hiding or just worn out paying for more taxes for all the wonderful protections in place.

So what happened to my problem?

Well, after I left the island he continued to cause trouble where he could, almost got pounded by my crew as he decided to talk bad about them. Then he went into his drama with the Corridor Officer, again. And finally he went for his medication after pill line was closed and upset the officers there. So he was handcuffed and allowed his medications and as I was going home he went into the Hole - F unit, for segregation and attention. If I were a real betting man I would put my money on he wanted to get out of his unit because someone was after him - or he had stopped taking his medication and was out of control. I think it was someone is after him and F-unit does mean you are safe from inmates. I pulled three books for him to read, Dorothy Dunnett's King Hereafter, Stephen Hunter's Hot Springs, and David Morrell's First Blood. That should hold him until next week.

In the mail comes Newsweek deciding we are now Socialists, Time magazine wants to get rid of Handguns (196?) and Newsweek calls us Socialists (proudly), at least the Swimsuit Issue of Sports Illustrated arrived - I looked it over carefully, none of the models represent me nor my dreams - I am so out of it. But noting things like I do, more smiles from the cheerleaders than the bikini'd babes on the beaches - boring and bored looking doesn't do it for me, I am going for the smiles that reach the eyes. I am going for American Supermodel V-rod Muscle 14 month calendar. She wasn't there.... failed again.

I miss basic training... or boot camp...

One was hiding in a herd of others and just had to keep moving at the Drill Sergeant's pace to graduation. When I was looking to buy a semi automatic rifle I thought about the M14 (currently known as the M1A) the one I had carried in Basic, Leadership Preparation Course, Advanced Individual Training, Officer Candidate School (Fort Benning's School for Boys) and then to my first overseas tour, Korea. Hmm, when did the M16 creep into my military life? Vietnam for sure, but weren't we still armed with M14s for the funeral details in Oklahoma and Texas in 1969? Not sure, maybe it will come to me - tomorrow, when it won't be fleeing furiously.

I could have purchased the M1A Springfield, but I have the DVDs Band of Brothers, Finding Private Ryan and Flags of Our Fathers, and the real kicker was Billy Jack had one in one of his movies (no I don't remember which). If you had asked the real reason, it wasn't particularly romantic - I was never a fan of shoot and spray - having never met hordes of the Kahn's Mongol Pony Soldiers and Chinese Red Army folk in mass attacks. And I was convinced that the twenty round box magazine was always in my way when I wanted to get close to the ground and still shoot my rifle, it was always in the way and I do like to hug the ground when fired upon... until I had to fix bayonet and charge, screaming a rebel yell (like that ever happened in this lifetime). So I did everything to get a fine M1 from the CMP folks, with bullets and instructions.

They didn't ship a Drill Sergeant to teach me properly, and so until recently I have had the most terrible time loading two cartridges into the clip for placing in the rifle. In military training, the assumption is you don't know anything and fear will set your mind free for filling with the finer points of military madness. Yep, it does work, I have been on both sides of the training. You have over a week of weapon training without bullets, carrying it everywhere, learning how to keep from hitting the soldier next to you with the rifle while marching forward and rear, right flank and left (and obliques for the Marines - so old school). You do exercises to sweat with it, you do tear down and assembly and name all the parts, and find the ones you think you can't put in upside-down (most you can't but some are made so you can but shouldn't). Any way I had fired on several ranges and over a couple hundred rounds and still didn't KNOW how to load two rounds, so I went back to the books. In the fine little pamphlet that came with my rifle, U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1 : READ THIS FIRST! was, on page 14, was TO LOAD A PARTIAL CLIP, and I read it and went and got the rifle and two dummy rounds and a clip, and practiced - something a Drill Sergeant would have had me do long before those first round down range on the twenty-five yard range... ah, I can do it well now, especially since I didn't have to invent a way to make it happen it really does work. Thank you, Mister Garand, another easy step on the way to becoming a much better American Rifleman.

I don't seem to be right for the job...

I missed a meeting with the Associate Superintendent for Programs, I had thought she was off the island and wouldn't be back the remainder of the month, the last was correct, but after Tuesday not today. The work day went well until a young looking felon started acting up in the evening, accusing one of my workers of yelling at him, then wanting me to do stuff for him, some of which I did, some of which I told him he could have if he wanted an ILL, that I could find the album that way. He came back wanting the information so he could buy the album, and I told him I wasn't going shopping for him. He got loud with me and I became tired of working with his handicap, and wasn't doing anything for him so he got louder and told me that I had lied and tried to manipulate me to giving him what he wanted (I am not allowed to give him what he needed). But when he called me a liar I got angry and my blood pressure was cooking so I kicked the desk. Which gave him ammunition, now I was threatening him. I told him to go away and sit down, which he did, after I cooled off I tried to talk to him again - and it didn't work, he wasn't old enough to have a real conversation with. Children are easier to talk to than adults that never grow up. So I ordered him to report to the Corridor Officer and tell her that he was ordered out of the library. He tried to tell me that he couldn't do that, but I told him that I knew better and that he had to follow my instructions. He left and I got back to work, and an officer came in to follow up and asked. We cleared the library on movement and I continued to work and the next group came in and the young failure returned quietly and I didn't see him until I sent everyone out and tried to lock up. When I went by him in the hallway I told him not to come back to the library until his counselor says he can, I will tell his counselor tomorrow about his behavior. I am not a cop nor a snitch, but I am trying to keep a working library open for more than the young fool.

But as I left the prison under the beautiful Full Moon and Cold Dark Sky I kept thinking maybe I am not the person for the job - missing appointments failing to placate the irate ignorant... I might be better as a has been, failed again... too cold for motorcycling far enough away from fools trying to kill me with my own blood pressure. I am not worthy.

Scout Sunday here, and where you are, too...

So I get up early to attend the Men's Breakfast at the church, where we have invited the Scouts and their leaders. It is nice to make breakfast in the company of men and talk over coffee - about politics, foolishness and life in general. The scouts arrive and we eat and talk - I wonder where the Bobcat rank went in the Cub Scouts - some kind of Tiger Cub replaced it? I was a Cub Scout, and helped my son's den when he went through the Cub Scouts in Korea.

The best part of my morning was knowing that I am still charming the ladies. Rod told me that his grand-daughter has a special wish for her birthday. I bit and asked what that was. Grace, the charming five year old, wants a helmet so she can ride with me on my motorcycle. The long legged redheads are safe for a few more years - I have a whole new group of ladies to charm, and you don't have a motorcycle yet? Well, you have been warned, guard your daughters well.

Just when I thought I could be free of cyber chains...

I get dragged into Facebook by one of my favorite ladies, sigh, and that gets me to stuff I didn't know Facebook has, "Give a Gun"? Which drags me off to another and then another and I am so behind already today. Someone asked for my contact information, and he already had my email in two areas, the telephone is only answered here by me when my wife might be calling - I do dislike politicians, pollsters and salesmen that call me "Bill". I must turn this machine off and go to my day - or it won't be mine. I have only a short time to get there...

I learn something everyday... just not like Benny Hill

It was a good wrap of the Library week today, quiet and slow and numbers posting on reports and some numbers still missing. No motorcycle ride today, the rain came back and I want to do some maintenance first. Still a nice day, dropped my wife off and went to looking around the internet - looking for plans for rifle ranges, looking for public rifle ranges and - I learned something. The Federal government gives grants for ranges - public and non-profit may apply. I find in this fine state of Washington, public park rifle ranges, money from the State and the Federal governments, and as badly as the reputation is for Massachusetts they even have public ranges and get and give tax revenues towards their maintenance, and Minnesota. Now I would think that in Illinois the money went into the Mayor's or Governor's pocket, but I don't really know. Well, I will have to stop thinking bad things about politicians and Washington DC for a few minutes today, then back to normal operating mode. The picture is from a story by KOMO4News, in a perfect world she would be a long legged redhead that ignores me, but she sure can shoot.

As I step outside the fence yesterday...

I get released from Prison every day, and am going to keep working on that certainty. I had a loaf of oat bread in my backpack (prisoner bakery school) and the sky was beautiful blue and Mount Rainer gleamed bright whitely across the Sound behind Steilacoom. There at the top of the little hill is where that picture of me on my Trusty Triumph should be taken, on a great afternoon like it was. Seems like all my pictures of me upon it and the road are in a parking lot, rest stop and boring. And riding isn't boring, but then I am not selling the motorcycles and no matter how many times one watches The Great Race, or some such almost reality programming - we don't have a cameraman or woman taking our pictures of boldly beating hearts leaning into the turn and twisting that throttle to power back up.

There were lots of motorcyclists and wanna-bees on the road going home yesteday - no flashing inverted Vs yet, too cool to cold, too anti-social (think bears woken early from hibernation - irritated and hungry), and I am not checking but my own fine motorcycle has water and splash stains and marks from rain riding instead of polished mirror finishes. I am so about the ride, that I forget the minimum image maintenance - being old I want more miles and belly laughing smiles than envious stares from those that just wish upon my happiness. It will be two years on the twenty-fourth of this month, and I have my registration updated, and my insurance company wants more money, sigh, and the weathermen say rain and colder are on the way -- but yesterday going home was great, especially the neighbor's grandchild on his training wheeled bicycle looking over his shoulder at me on my bike coming behind him at the court turn around. The one time I could have used the blasting bellow of a Harley, have you seen the Iron 883?

Change is a constant, know that or forget it, happens...

A couple magazines were talking about Darwin and Evolution, and one was trying to shout that Man was still evolving. Don't think the writer meant I was close to becoming an Angel, but I was better than my Grandfather and the long ago Great-greats. No truth in that, Man changes his environment to meet his physical needs, not dies off because the long haired men kept getting their locks caught by trees as they sped cross-country on ATVs, and all the high and tight or skin heads fathered all the children of our future. According to evolution, only vacuum breathers can go into space and colonize the Moon, none of us that have to drag oxygen need to apply.

Sure, they may have something with evolution, those that no longer have to hunt and gather twenty miles a day, seven days a week forever no longer have to think they will die off before forty-five when their teeth are ground down or fallen out and they can't eat enough. The NEW MEN will be able to eat lots of calories, exercise very little, and think only deviously and just interact with digital representations of storm and angst. They will be fathering the future of our society - oops! forgot the mad rush to sire children, doesn't seem to be happening - seems children have become and inconvenient truth (one has to raise them - too trying, sigh). Don't worry, there are sperm banks, the future is assured. Now you too can offer your genes to the pool of embryonic stem cell research, improving the species by the latest little gods, Science and Medicine. Wasn't there some kind of prohibition against offering your children up on altars to false gods - some long ago fantasy, I do read too much and it is getting tougher on those little letters.

Don't worry, folks, if I get bowflex I can be forty-one, in the best shape of my life and playing in a rock band. Or so I have been told.

Actually, I need to do the right stuff, for the animal that I am, since I am evolved, thank you Mom and Dad. This is self motivation and boring. Measure, devotions, exercise, eat simple, learn, work and create, love, dry fire daily, run that heart rate up in maximum sustainable pumping for thirty minutes or more, prepare to die for the evolution of the better of the species, and avoid doctors or medications that will cause weird things to happen for over four hours (now if you find a warm, breathing bundle of joy that can do that - hang on!). Got to go, life calls me, I will not become the future of humanity - I adapt to change so badly, the government doesn't have a bail this boy out policy. Obama (President Obama) can't get a couple thousand folks in Washington DC to agree on a cure for what ails the economy - and there are over three hundred million Americans (who are the economy) waiting for salvation. I can't wait - there is a Trusty Triumph in the garage that needs to roll out, a library in a prison that needs opened and a real lovely lady that will talk to me tonight as I fail to adapt... to change.

Pay the bills, file the tax form, photo drop....

Busy? Not me, just hanging on, just keeping on, got to go, don't cha know?

Snow Cat visited.