Not sure how I can be a nerd when I don't like comics ... or have I got it wrong?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
And I Didn't Think I Was One .....
Over at Roberta X's site I found a link to a Nerd Test ... here's my results:
Not sure how I can be a nerd when I don't like comics ... or have I got it wrong?
Not sure how I can be a nerd when I don't like comics ... or have I got it wrong?
New Shooter Report - Another Twofer
Well, sort of ... had a friend come up to the range with me yesterday. She had never shot before but had a go with my 9mm Springfield and a friend's ("hi" Bill), revolver. She enjoyed it so much she's coming again in two weeks and bringing her husband with her!!!
I've not got a photo (left my camera behind). I did take one of her on her phone - I'll see if she will send me a copy and I'll post it.
UPDATE: Here's the photo:
The second "newbie" was my mum! She has never had anything to do with shooting, but after watching the girls and hubby helping me reload the other night she decided to take up my offer to come to the range today.
I started her off on the .22 Ruger (after my 7y.o. shot off a magazine). She survived that, so I thought I would try her on the 9mm. I only loaded one mag (10 rounder) as I was sure she would shoot of 3 or 4 rounds and decide that was enough - boy, was I wrong ... I think she ended up shooting about 40 rounds! Just goes to show you can never tell.
Here's the photo.
I've not got a photo (left my camera behind). I did take one of her on her phone - I'll see if she will send me a copy and I'll post it.
UPDATE: Here's the photo:
The second "newbie" was my mum! She has never had anything to do with shooting, but after watching the girls and hubby helping me reload the other night she decided to take up my offer to come to the range today.
I started her off on the .22 Ruger (after my 7y.o. shot off a magazine). She survived that, so I thought I would try her on the 9mm. I only loaded one mag (10 rounder) as I was sure she would shoot of 3 or 4 rounds and decide that was enough - boy, was I wrong ... I think she ended up shooting about 40 rounds! Just goes to show you can never tell.
Here's the photo.
Today's Range Report #7
Well, I actually missed a range report from Nov 16th. That was a six stage medal shoot. The stages where quite challenging - one had two disappearing targets off one poper - not something I am good at (yet!).
Gun jammed a lot - I think I was pretty tired when I started the shoot. I had spent the morning chasing shot put balls at Little Athletics (which is worse than it sounds because there were 13 joeys - under 6's - who get to use a tennis ball and they don't 'put' it, they THROW them ... and they get 3 shots each). So I am thinking I wasn't actually holding the gun firmly enough.
The good things about the shoot was that I was in a squad with 4 other people - two of which were females! So for once, the girls out numbered the guys (we don't have many girls in the club). One of the guys had recently returned from the World Shoot in Bali and gave me lots of tips (thanks, Vaughan). The other good thing was my accuracy - on three of the six stages I got all "A's" (one was a 26 round course), on another stage I got all A's except for 1 C (let's not talk about the other two stages).
HOWEVER, I was SLOW. Due to the tiredness, jams and just general slowness :)
On the shoot yesterday (last organised shoot for the year), my accuracy was down a bit, BUT the gun behaved perfectly and my times were a bit better - well I tried anyway. The guys I was shooting with were giving me a hard time about taking so long - after one round the RO said to me that he was really close to yelling out "Stop looking at the target - pull the #$#@$# trigger!" on pretty much every target. The last stage was a "El President" (?) shoot. I tried to go faster - but it still took me over 14 seconds. I guess I'll get there eventually.
All good fun though!
Gun jammed a lot - I think I was pretty tired when I started the shoot. I had spent the morning chasing shot put balls at Little Athletics (which is worse than it sounds because there were 13 joeys - under 6's - who get to use a tennis ball and they don't 'put' it, they THROW them ... and they get 3 shots each). So I am thinking I wasn't actually holding the gun firmly enough.
The good things about the shoot was that I was in a squad with 4 other people - two of which were females! So for once, the girls out numbered the guys (we don't have many girls in the club). One of the guys had recently returned from the World Shoot in Bali and gave me lots of tips (thanks, Vaughan). The other good thing was my accuracy - on three of the six stages I got all "A's" (one was a 26 round course), on another stage I got all A's except for 1 C (let's not talk about the other two stages).
HOWEVER, I was SLOW. Due to the tiredness, jams and just general slowness :)
On the shoot yesterday (last organised shoot for the year), my accuracy was down a bit, BUT the gun behaved perfectly and my times were a bit better - well I tried anyway. The guys I was shooting with were giving me a hard time about taking so long - after one round the RO said to me that he was really close to yelling out "Stop looking at the target - pull the #$#@$# trigger!" on pretty much every target. The last stage was a "El President" (?) shoot. I tried to go faster - but it still took me over 14 seconds. I guess I'll get there eventually.
All good fun though!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Things I've Done - Meme
From over at Bayou Renaissance Man comes this meme of 100 things. You're supposed to make the things you've done bold.
THINGS I'VE DONE:
1. Started your own blog. You're reading it.
2. Slept under the stars. Lots of times.
3. Played in a band. School band only.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower. Only seen a small one though.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo. (and you wouldn't want me to!)
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child. Does sponsoring a child via World Vision count?
16. Had food poisoning. only once thankfully
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. Yes, worst experience, sleeping on the floor outside the loos on an overnight train in Romania.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked. All over Scotland - great fun.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill. I'm an Aussie, it's a mandatory requirement here!
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping. But you're not getting details.
27. Run a Marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. Love them!!!!!!
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise. If short (day) cruises 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.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke. see "sung a solo" above
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa. Technically, yes. I was born there but left when i was just a bub.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight. Lots of times - love doing this.
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. Some snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater. Saw Wall-E at one recently.
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. Does seeing whales from the beach count?
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp. Awful, awful, awful experience.
67. Bounced a check. Not intentionally though.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar. Took some with me on a hike into the Pyrenees ... sat at the top of this hill after a lovely walk eating it ... great memories.
72. Pieced a quilt. Small one, i don't have that much patience and i don't like sewing.
73. Stood in Times Square. Before going to a Moonie campsite!
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person. Sat and watched a lightening storm over the canyon!
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper. Mistakenly captioned as my sister's mum!!!
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House. Well looked at it from the gates - i'm not sure i'll ever get an invitation to enter it.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating. If a fish counts?
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. Two.
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. Unfortunately
99. Been stung by a bee. Only once.
100. Read an entire book in one day. Many, many, many times - once I start a book I don't like to put it down until it's finished.
That's 52 for me ... and you?????
THINGS I'VE DONE:
1. Started your own blog. You're reading it.
2. Slept under the stars. Lots of times.
3. Played in a band. School band only.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower. Only seen a small one though.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo. (and you wouldn't want me to!)
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child. Does sponsoring a child via World Vision count?
16. Had food poisoning. only once thankfully
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. Yes, worst experience, sleeping on the floor outside the loos on an overnight train in Romania.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked. All over Scotland - great fun.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill. I'm an Aussie, it's a mandatory requirement here!
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping. But you're not getting details.
27. Run a Marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. Love them!!!!!!
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise. If short (day) cruises 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.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke. see "sung a solo" above
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa. Technically, yes. I was born there but left when i was just a bub.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight. Lots of times - love doing this.
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. Some snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater. Saw Wall-E at one recently.
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. Does seeing whales from the beach count?
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp. Awful, awful, awful experience.
67. Bounced a check. Not intentionally though.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar. Took some with me on a hike into the Pyrenees ... sat at the top of this hill after a lovely walk eating it ... great memories.
72. Pieced a quilt. Small one, i don't have that much patience and i don't like sewing.
73. Stood in Times Square. Before going to a Moonie campsite!
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person. Sat and watched a lightening storm over the canyon!
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper. Mistakenly captioned as my sister's mum!!!
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House. Well looked at it from the gates - i'm not sure i'll ever get an invitation to enter it.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating. If a fish counts?
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. Two.
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. Unfortunately
99. Been stung by a bee. Only once.
100. Read an entire book in one day. Many, many, many times - once I start a book I don't like to put it down until it's finished.
That's 52 for me ... and you?????
Friday, November 28, 2008
Citizenship Tests
Lots of blogs I've read lately have links to the American Citizenship test ... I guess that this email I've just received is sent with the same intention, no?
Click to embiggen
Click to embiggen
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
New Shooter - Twofer
Took my girls shooting a couple of weeks ago - it was their first time holding a gun. Here they are with my Ruger 22/45. They also tried the Springfild 9mm but it was a bit heavy for them. I held the gun while they shot and they both asked when we could go again.
Here's one of my 5y.o.:
Here's one of my 7y.o.:
I'ld like to try them with an air rifle next.
Here's one of my 5y.o.:
Here's one of my 7y.o.:
I'ld like to try them with an air rifle next.
Sydney Trip
The purpose of my Sydney trip was to meet up with a bunch of "on-line" friends for a weekend (with a cursory visit to my head office and a few other places thrown in).
In all nine of us turned up (some with partners & families in tow). Two from Western Ausralia, one from Queensland, one from the Australian Capital Territory, two from Victoria and the other three from various parts of New South Wales.
It was a fantastic time of laughter, talking, chocolate, ice-cream, walking, climbing stairs (Sydney has lots of stairs) and generally hanging out.
Three of us decided to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb on the Saturday morning, while the rest lounged around drinking lattes ... well except the three mad things who went off to the local gym to do a cycle class!
Here's a picture of us three at the top of the bridge:
It was a VERY windy day ... but definitely well worth the money. Loved the climb (and I'm not one for heights) and the view was spectacular.
The only problem with the weekend was that it was over way too soon :( ...
Oh, here's a picture from my shopping trip - unfortunately I didn't buy anything (they didn't have the Mauser I wanted). In fact, they didn't have very much in the way of firearms at all. The US State Department is playing games with orders they placed in March and August.
In all nine of us turned up (some with partners & families in tow). Two from Western Ausralia, one from Queensland, one from the Australian Capital Territory, two from Victoria and the other three from various parts of New South Wales.
It was a fantastic time of laughter, talking, chocolate, ice-cream, walking, climbing stairs (Sydney has lots of stairs) and generally hanging out.
Three of us decided to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb on the Saturday morning, while the rest lounged around drinking lattes ... well except the three mad things who went off to the local gym to do a cycle class!
Here's a picture of us three at the top of the bridge:
It was a VERY windy day ... but definitely well worth the money. Loved the climb (and I'm not one for heights) and the view was spectacular.
The only problem with the weekend was that it was over way too soon :( ...
Oh, here's a picture from my shopping trip - unfortunately I didn't buy anything (they didn't have the Mauser I wanted). In fact, they didn't have very much in the way of firearms at all. The US State Department is playing games with orders they placed in March and August.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
I am a women - honest ....
by way of Sharp as Marble ...
"We think http://jigsawsthoughts.blogspot.com/ is written by a man (82%)."
from: http://genderanalyzer.com/
Does this mean I need to discuss nail polish & makeup more often?
"We think http://jigsawsthoughts.blogspot.com/ is written by a man (82%)."
from: http://genderanalyzer.com/
Does this mean I need to discuss nail polish & makeup more often?
SCHOOL -- 1958 vs. 2008
Scenario:
Jack goes quail hunting before school,
pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.
1958- Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2008 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counsellors called in for traumatized students and teachers
Scenario:
Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1958 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up mates.
2008 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.
Scenario:
Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.
1958 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2008 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.
Scenario:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1958 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2008 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.
Scenario:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1958 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal.
2008 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.
Scenario:
Pedro fails high school English.
1958 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.
2008 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that knowing English as a requirement for graduation is racist. Class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.
Scenario:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 26th January, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1958 - Ants die.
2008- BATF, Homeland Security, Police called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, Police investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
Scenario:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee.
He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1958 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2008 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.
***************************
While this is written from an American perspective - it's a valid comparison here in Australia also, unfortunately!
Jack goes quail hunting before school,
pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.
1958- Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2008 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counsellors called in for traumatized students and teachers
Scenario:
Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1958 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up mates.
2008 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.
Scenario:
Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.
1958 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2008 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.
Scenario:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1958 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2008 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.
Scenario:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1958 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal.
2008 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.
Scenario:
Pedro fails high school English.
1958 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.
2008 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that knowing English as a requirement for graduation is racist. Class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.
Scenario:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 26th January, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1958 - Ants die.
2008- BATF, Homeland Security, Police called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, Police investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
Scenario:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee.
He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1958 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2008 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.
***************************
While this is written from an American perspective - it's a valid comparison here in Australia also, unfortunately!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Away
Well I fly out to Sydney tomorrow, not back until Sunday - so no blogging from me for a couple of days.
Behave while I'm gone, won't you.
Behave while I'm gone, won't you.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Another Meme
By way of oldnfo
5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago
- working from home
- living a kid-free life
- playing HAM radio
- doing lots of camping
- sleeping in on weekends (see "living a kid-free life" above)
5 Things on My To-Do List Today
- Organise my stuff for my trip to Sydney on Wed
- Organise the stuff for the gunsmith so that he can do the sear / hammer / ambi safety & mag well while i'm away
- Pay bills
- Put some invoices in
- Ensure adequate space on credit card (for trip to Sydney)
5 Snacks I Like
- Apples
- Water crackers & cheese
5 Things I Would Do If I Was A Millionaire
- Random acts of kindness to family/friends
- Go on a world-the-world trip with family
- Buy the houses on each side of my house and turn into a large park area
- Purchase 5 - 10 acres of bushland near a good water supply (for the future)
- Donate to worthy organisations
5 Places I Have Lived (for various lengths of time)
- Kalgoorlie (Western Australia)
- Perth (Western Australia)
- London (England)
- Dusseldorf (Germany)
- Jerusalem (Israel)
5 Jobs I Have Had
- computer trainer (my favourite)
- Personal Assistant to Financial Controller
- assistant worker in Drug Rehab
- database administrator
- whatever my title is now
5 People I Tag to Answer
- anyone who is interested :)
5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago
- working from home
- living a kid-free life
- playing HAM radio
- doing lots of camping
- sleeping in on weekends (see "living a kid-free life" above)
5 Things on My To-Do List Today
- Organise my stuff for my trip to Sydney on Wed
- Organise the stuff for the gunsmith so that he can do the sear / hammer / ambi safety & mag well while i'm away
- Pay bills
- Put some invoices in
- Ensure adequate space on credit card (for trip to Sydney)
5 Snacks I Like
- Apples
- Water crackers & cheese
5 Things I Would Do If I Was A Millionaire
- Random acts of kindness to family/friends
- Go on a world-the-world trip with family
- Buy the houses on each side of my house and turn into a large park area
- Purchase 5 - 10 acres of bushland near a good water supply (for the future)
- Donate to worthy organisations
5 Places I Have Lived (for various lengths of time)
- Kalgoorlie (Western Australia)
- Perth (Western Australia)
- London (England)
- Dusseldorf (Germany)
- Jerusalem (Israel)
5 Jobs I Have Had
- computer trainer (my favourite)
- Personal Assistant to Financial Controller
- assistant worker in Drug Rehab
- database administrator
- whatever my title is now
5 People I Tag to Answer
- anyone who is interested :)
Friday, November 14, 2008
You Know You're an Australian If
by way of Artful Articulations
You know you're Australian if...
1. You know the meaning of the word "girt".
2. You believe that stubbies can be either drunk or worn.
3. You think it's normal to have a leader called Kevin.
4. You waddle when you walk due to the 53 expired petrol discount vouchers stuffed in your wallet or purse.
5. You've made a bong out of your garden hose rather than use it for something illegal such as watering the garden.
6. You believe it is appropriate to put a rubber in your son's pencil case when he first attends school.
7. When you hear that an American "roots for his team" you wonder how often and with whom.
8. You understand that the phrase "a group of women wearing black thongs" refers to footwear and may be less alluring than it sounds.
9. You pronounce Melbourne as "Mel-bin".
10. You pronounce Penrith as "Pen-riff".
11. You believe the "l" in the word "Australia" is optional.
12. You can translate: "Dazza and Shazza played Acca Dacca on the way to Maccas."
13. You believe it makes perfect sense for a nation to decorate its highways with large fibreglass bananas, prawns and sheep.
14. You call your best friend "a total bastard" but someone you really, truly despise is just "a bit of a bastard".
15. You think "Woolloomooloo" is a perfectly reasonable name for a place.
16. You're secretly proud of our killer wildlife.
17. You believe it makes sense for a country to have a $1 coin that's twice as big as its $2 coin.
18. You understand that "Wagga Wagga" can be abbreviated to "Wagga" but "Woy Woy" can't be called "Woy".
19. You believe that cooked-down axlegrease makes a good breakfast spread.
20. You believe all famous Kiwis are actually Australian, until they stuff up, at which point they again become Kiwis.
21. Hamburger. Beetroot. Of course.
22. You know that certain words must, by law, be shouted out during any rendition of the Angels' song Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.
23. You believe, as an article of faith, that the confectionary known as the Wagon Wheel has become smaller with every passing year.
24. You still don't get why the "Labor" in "Australian Labor Party" is not spelt with a "u".
25. You wear ugh boots outside the house.
26. You believe, as an article of faith, that every important discovery in the world was made by an Australian but then sold off to the Yanks for a pittance.
27. You believe that the more you shorten someone's name the more you like them.
28. Whatever your linguistic skills, you find yourself able to order takeaway fluently in every Asian language.
29. You understand that "excuse me" can sound rude, while "scuse me" is always polite.
30. You know what it's like to swallow a fly, on occasion via your nose.
31. You understand that "you" has a plural and that it's "youse".
32. You know it's not summer until the steering wheel is too hot to handle.
33. Your biggest family argument over the summer concerned the rules for beach cricket.
34. You shake your head in horror when companies try to market what they call "Anzac cookies".
35. You still think of Kylie as "that girl off Neighbours".
36. When returning home from overseas, you expect to be brutally strip-searched by Customs - just in case you're trying to sneak in fruit.
37. You believe the phrase "smart casual" refers to a pair of black tracky-daks, suitably laundered.
38. You understand that all train timetables are works of fiction.
39. When working on a bar, you understand male customers will feel the need to offer an excuse whenever they order low-alcohol beer.
40. You get choked up with emotion by the first verse of the national anthem and then have trouble remembering the second.
41. You find yourself ignorant of nearly all the facts deemed essential in the government's new test for migrants.
42. You know, whatever the tourist books say, that no one says "cobber".
43. And you will immediately forward this list to other Australians, here and overseas, realising that only they will understand.
**************
yep, yep, yep to all except #31 ... "ewes" are female sheep not the plural of "you" ... maybe that's my english heritage showing through.
Any other Aussie's out there?
You know you're Australian if...
1. You know the meaning of the word "girt".
2. You believe that stubbies can be either drunk or worn.
3. You think it's normal to have a leader called Kevin.
4. You waddle when you walk due to the 53 expired petrol discount vouchers stuffed in your wallet or purse.
5. You've made a bong out of your garden hose rather than use it for something illegal such as watering the garden.
6. You believe it is appropriate to put a rubber in your son's pencil case when he first attends school.
7. When you hear that an American "roots for his team" you wonder how often and with whom.
8. You understand that the phrase "a group of women wearing black thongs" refers to footwear and may be less alluring than it sounds.
9. You pronounce Melbourne as "Mel-bin".
10. You pronounce Penrith as "Pen-riff".
11. You believe the "l" in the word "Australia" is optional.
12. You can translate: "Dazza and Shazza played Acca Dacca on the way to Maccas."
13. You believe it makes perfect sense for a nation to decorate its highways with large fibreglass bananas, prawns and sheep.
14. You call your best friend "a total bastard" but someone you really, truly despise is just "a bit of a bastard".
15. You think "Woolloomooloo" is a perfectly reasonable name for a place.
16. You're secretly proud of our killer wildlife.
17. You believe it makes sense for a country to have a $1 coin that's twice as big as its $2 coin.
18. You understand that "Wagga Wagga" can be abbreviated to "Wagga" but "Woy Woy" can't be called "Woy".
19. You believe that cooked-down axlegrease makes a good breakfast spread.
20. You believe all famous Kiwis are actually Australian, until they stuff up, at which point they again become Kiwis.
21. Hamburger. Beetroot. Of course.
22. You know that certain words must, by law, be shouted out during any rendition of the Angels' song Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.
23. You believe, as an article of faith, that the confectionary known as the Wagon Wheel has become smaller with every passing year.
24. You still don't get why the "Labor" in "Australian Labor Party" is not spelt with a "u".
25. You wear ugh boots outside the house.
26. You believe, as an article of faith, that every important discovery in the world was made by an Australian but then sold off to the Yanks for a pittance.
27. You believe that the more you shorten someone's name the more you like them.
28. Whatever your linguistic skills, you find yourself able to order takeaway fluently in every Asian language.
29. You understand that "excuse me" can sound rude, while "scuse me" is always polite.
30. You know what it's like to swallow a fly, on occasion via your nose.
31. You understand that "you" has a plural and that it's "youse".
32. You know it's not summer until the steering wheel is too hot to handle.
33. Your biggest family argument over the summer concerned the rules for beach cricket.
34. You shake your head in horror when companies try to market what they call "Anzac cookies".
35. You still think of Kylie as "that girl off Neighbours".
36. When returning home from overseas, you expect to be brutally strip-searched by Customs - just in case you're trying to sneak in fruit.
37. You believe the phrase "smart casual" refers to a pair of black tracky-daks, suitably laundered.
38. You understand that all train timetables are works of fiction.
39. When working on a bar, you understand male customers will feel the need to offer an excuse whenever they order low-alcohol beer.
40. You get choked up with emotion by the first verse of the national anthem and then have trouble remembering the second.
41. You find yourself ignorant of nearly all the facts deemed essential in the government's new test for migrants.
42. You know, whatever the tourist books say, that no one says "cobber".
43. And you will immediately forward this list to other Australians, here and overseas, realising that only they will understand.
**************
yep, yep, yep to all except #31 ... "ewes" are female sheep not the plural of "you" ... maybe that's my english heritage showing through.
Any other Aussie's out there?
Thursday, November 13, 2008
EOIs Called for in Internet Censorship Trial
from: http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,24645568-5014239,00.html
AUSTRALIA'S mandatory internet filter is being primed to block 10,000 websites as part of a blacklist of unspecified "unwanted content", Communications Minister Stephen Conroy revealed in Federal Parliament.
The 10,000 blocked websites would include 1300 websites already blacklisted by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Senator Conroy revealed details of the Rudd Government's proposed web filter as he called for expressions of interest from internet service providers for a live trial of the technology.
As part of the trial, ISPs will test different methods of filtering the web with subscribers who volunteer. The trial is expected to last six weeks and will start before Christmas.
****
emphasis mine
read rest of article here.
Australians, please contact your ISPs and say that you don't want them to take part. We need to stop this going any further.
AUSTRALIA'S mandatory internet filter is being primed to block 10,000 websites as part of a blacklist of unspecified "unwanted content", Communications Minister Stephen Conroy revealed in Federal Parliament.
The 10,000 blocked websites would include 1300 websites already blacklisted by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Senator Conroy revealed details of the Rudd Government's proposed web filter as he called for expressions of interest from internet service providers for a live trial of the technology.
As part of the trial, ISPs will test different methods of filtering the web with subscribers who volunteer. The trial is expected to last six weeks and will start before Christmas.
****
emphasis mine
read rest of article here.
Australians, please contact your ISPs and say that you don't want them to take part. We need to stop this going any further.
Gun Stuff Follow Up
Well I got the barrel drilled out yesterday. When I drop a reloaded round in there now it sits nicely flush and it's much easier to extract than before. I haven't taken it to the range to play with yet (Saturday, hopefully) but I think it should be fine.
Ended up not costing me anything - gunsmith guy did it as a favour for the projectile guy ... got to laugh :) ...
I think I'll take my gun into the gunsmith next week and leave it for him to do the hammer, sear, ambi-safety & mag well rather than waiting for my friend (mentor) to do it. He's got enough on his plate and as I'm away in Sydney for a couple of days it's a good opportunity.
Then, hopefully, that should be everything I need to do to the gun.
I'll post pictures when it's finished.
Ended up not costing me anything - gunsmith guy did it as a favour for the projectile guy ... got to laugh :) ...
I think I'll take my gun into the gunsmith next week and leave it for him to do the hammer, sear, ambi-safety & mag well rather than waiting for my friend (mentor) to do it. He's got enough on his plate and as I'm away in Sydney for a couple of days it's a good opportunity.
Then, hopefully, that should be everything I need to do to the gun.
I'll post pictures when it's finished.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Gun Stuff
The guy who I buy my projectiles off suggested two things:
* I need to flare the cartridges more as the projectiles are getting "shaved", my crimp however is fine.
* The inside of the barrel needs to be drilled out a bit. The bullets are catching on the edge of the rifling. This is happening partially because I'm reloading the bullets longer than factory (so that they work in the 38super mags), but even the factory rounds are catching and are difficult to extract from the barrel.
He spoke to a gunsmith on my behalf about this and he's expecting me tomorrow to do this.
I'm a bit nervous, the person who has been my mentor regarding gun stuff is currently in Bali (some people!) and I'm not sure I want to go ahead with this without discussing it with him first.
However, he only gets back on Monday and I fly out to Sydney on Wednesday (for a week) which means that if I wait it will be a couple of weeks. Additionally, there's a medal shoot this weekend and it would be nice to have the gun performing 100% for this.
The gun actually works pretty well, it's just that it is difficult to clear.
He has also given me a reloading formula that he thinks will work for me and he suggests using small rifle primers rather than small pistol ones. I think I will reload 10 using these primers and his formula and see how I go.
Still not sure about the gunsmith tomorrow.
* I need to flare the cartridges more as the projectiles are getting "shaved", my crimp however is fine.
* The inside of the barrel needs to be drilled out a bit. The bullets are catching on the edge of the rifling. This is happening partially because I'm reloading the bullets longer than factory (so that they work in the 38super mags), but even the factory rounds are catching and are difficult to extract from the barrel.
He spoke to a gunsmith on my behalf about this and he's expecting me tomorrow to do this.
I'm a bit nervous, the person who has been my mentor regarding gun stuff is currently in Bali (some people!) and I'm not sure I want to go ahead with this without discussing it with him first.
However, he only gets back on Monday and I fly out to Sydney on Wednesday (for a week) which means that if I wait it will be a couple of weeks. Additionally, there's a medal shoot this weekend and it would be nice to have the gun performing 100% for this.
The gun actually works pretty well, it's just that it is difficult to clear.
He has also given me a reloading formula that he thinks will work for me and he suggests using small rifle primers rather than small pistol ones. I think I will reload 10 using these primers and his formula and see how I go.
Still not sure about the gunsmith tomorrow.
Gun People Are Nice People
I'm amazed at how nice and helpful I've found everyone I've come into contact with the shooting is.
Some examples:
* went up to the gun club I'm a member of (not the IPSC one) which is attached to a gun shop, I was looking for some mag holders. The ones in the shop didn't hold my mags securely enough, the guy behind the counter asked me when I needed them for - that weekend - so he offered to go home and get his personal ones for me to borrow! I didn't take him up on the offer but it was really nice of him.
* got speaking to one of the guys at the IPSC club about reloading. He asked what type of press I had - Dillon Square Deal - the following week he turned up with a whole lot of spare parts for the Dillon Square Deal which he no longer needed. He wouldn't take any money.
* contacted a member of the IPSC club about the phone number for the guy to buy projectiles from (as it wasn't listed in the phone book). He gave me the phone number, the address and alternative suppliers and the offer of a 1000 bullets if I couldn't source the ones I wanted in the timeframe I needed.
* rang the guy about the projectiles and he asked me how I was finding my reloads. We would have spoken about different issues and stuff for at least 1/2hr (they're performing quite well but the gun is difficult to clear with a round in the chamber). He suggested I bring the gun and my reloaded rounds and mag into the shop, which I did and we spent another good hour discussing options. He ended up ringing a local gunsmith to chat to him about a possible solution.
these events are in addition to the help and advice I've received on the range from different people.
Gun owners are nice people :)
Some examples:
* went up to the gun club I'm a member of (not the IPSC one) which is attached to a gun shop, I was looking for some mag holders. The ones in the shop didn't hold my mags securely enough, the guy behind the counter asked me when I needed them for - that weekend - so he offered to go home and get his personal ones for me to borrow! I didn't take him up on the offer but it was really nice of him.
* got speaking to one of the guys at the IPSC club about reloading. He asked what type of press I had - Dillon Square Deal - the following week he turned up with a whole lot of spare parts for the Dillon Square Deal which he no longer needed. He wouldn't take any money.
* contacted a member of the IPSC club about the phone number for the guy to buy projectiles from (as it wasn't listed in the phone book). He gave me the phone number, the address and alternative suppliers and the offer of a 1000 bullets if I couldn't source the ones I wanted in the timeframe I needed.
* rang the guy about the projectiles and he asked me how I was finding my reloads. We would have spoken about different issues and stuff for at least 1/2hr (they're performing quite well but the gun is difficult to clear with a round in the chamber). He suggested I bring the gun and my reloaded rounds and mag into the shop, which I did and we spent another good hour discussing options. He ended up ringing a local gunsmith to chat to him about a possible solution.
these events are in addition to the help and advice I've received on the range from different people.
Gun owners are nice people :)
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Meme - 7 Random Things About Me
wandering around the blogosphere tonight saw me in "The Wrath of Dawn" blog, who had tagged "everyone" (!!!) with the 7 Random Things Meme.
SO here goes - 7 Random Things About Me:
1. I was born in Nigeria
2. I did volunteer work with drug addicts in Germany
3. My first marriage proposal was on my 16th birthday !!!!!! (No, I didn't say "yes").
4. My favourite painter is Monet.
5. I prefer photos to paintings.
6. I prefer photos without people in them to photos with. Unless they're portraits. All my travel photos have (as far as possible) no people in them. I waited for hours sometimes at places to take photos without people. I do have a photo album of "Photos of People I Met While Travelling" though, but these are specific photos of people not "a photo op with a person in it".
7. I collect wrapping paper. I do actually use it (when wrapping presents) but i have quite an extensive collection. It took me over 15 years to use up my original collection. My current collection isn't quite that bad - yet!
Goody, that's 7 ... and yep, you're tagged too .....
SO here goes - 7 Random Things About Me:
1. I was born in Nigeria
2. I did volunteer work with drug addicts in Germany
3. My first marriage proposal was on my 16th birthday !!!!!! (No, I didn't say "yes").
4. My favourite painter is Monet.
5. I prefer photos to paintings.
6. I prefer photos without people in them to photos with. Unless they're portraits. All my travel photos have (as far as possible) no people in them. I waited for hours sometimes at places to take photos without people. I do have a photo album of "Photos of People I Met While Travelling" though, but these are specific photos of people not "a photo op with a person in it".
7. I collect wrapping paper. I do actually use it (when wrapping presents) but i have quite an extensive collection. It took me over 15 years to use up my original collection. My current collection isn't quite that bad - yet!
Goody, that's 7 ... and yep, you're tagged too .....
Today's Range Report #6
Fun, fun, fun, fun ... my gun behaved! I think I only had one jam in the whole shoot!!!
There were 5 stages. There were a couple of small stages: One with gun unloaded on table, start in a box a couple of metres behind. On signal, load gun and hit 5 targets at about 15metres all semi-obscured by no-shoots. Another with three paper targets, three poppers. Start loaded and holstered, on signal shoot the paper targets 2 rounds each, reload shoot paper (2 rounds) & steel. The third was three targets with three boxes. The first one (probably 25m from targets), shoot two rounds each target freestyle, move to the second box (20m) 2 rounds each target, strong hand and then from the final box (15m), 2 rounds each target, weak hand only. I'm pretty good with my weak hand so did well on that stage.
The other two stages were bigger (both 24 rounds each). Nothing stunning about the first one, but on the second one I got 21 of the 24 shots in the A zone (the other 3 in the C zone). So I was pleased with that.
Overall, I did have a few misses but no no-shoots and the majority (by far) of my shots are in the A zone - now I just have to work on getting faster!
The other good thing about today was my PTer came up with me to watch. She's not used a pistol before so I let her have a shot with my 22 first and then with the 9mm. After the shoot (she helped patch & pick up brass) she had more time with the 9mm and loved it :) She wants to come shooting with me again!
I got a couple of shots of her shooting, but i'll check with her first before uploading them, but in the meantime here's a couple of shots of the range itself.
There were 5 stages. There were a couple of small stages: One with gun unloaded on table, start in a box a couple of metres behind. On signal, load gun and hit 5 targets at about 15metres all semi-obscured by no-shoots. Another with three paper targets, three poppers. Start loaded and holstered, on signal shoot the paper targets 2 rounds each, reload shoot paper (2 rounds) & steel. The third was three targets with three boxes. The first one (probably 25m from targets), shoot two rounds each target freestyle, move to the second box (20m) 2 rounds each target, strong hand and then from the final box (15m), 2 rounds each target, weak hand only. I'm pretty good with my weak hand so did well on that stage.
The other two stages were bigger (both 24 rounds each). Nothing stunning about the first one, but on the second one I got 21 of the 24 shots in the A zone (the other 3 in the C zone). So I was pleased with that.
Overall, I did have a few misses but no no-shoots and the majority (by far) of my shots are in the A zone - now I just have to work on getting faster!
The other good thing about today was my PTer came up with me to watch. She's not used a pistol before so I let her have a shot with my 22 first and then with the 9mm. After the shoot (she helped patch & pick up brass) she had more time with the 9mm and loved it :) She wants to come shooting with me again!
I got a couple of shots of her shooting, but i'll check with her first before uploading them, but in the meantime here's a couple of shots of the range itself.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
And if it had happened to anyone but cops????
by way of http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24611137-29277,00.html
we have this story
Police leave guns scattered on road
UP to 15 guns confiscated in an amnesty were strewn over a busy Geelong road after falling out of a Victorian police vehicle while being transported for destruction.
Two police officer were taking between 10 and 15 guns to the state forensic science lab in Melbourne for destruction as part of a gun amnesty.
A police spokeswoman said the car was travelling on Bacchus Marsh Road in the Geelong suburb of Corio, south-west of Melbourne shortly after 9am (AEDT) today.
"They were being transported in the back of the (Ford) Territory. For some reason which is unknown the lock has popped and the firearms have fallen out, approximately 10 to 15 assorted different firearms,'' the spokeswoman said.
"The members (police) have realised immediately and recovered the weapons off the road.
"They did a stocktake and all the guns have been accounted for, and they continued on their way to the state forensic science lab where they've done a second stocktake and again all the weapons have been accounted for, obviously.''
She could not confirm what type of guns were in the vehicle, but insisted the weapons were disabled.
"The vehicle was transporting the guns and they'd been deemed safe because they'd been handed in as part of the amnesty, they certainly were not loaded with any ammunition whatsoever,'' the spokeswoman said.
There was "no danger to the public'', she said.
Firstly, if it had been anyone other than cops who let firearms fall out of a truck they would have been charged. As "when transporting a firearm of any type, the licence holder must ensure that the firearm is not loaded, that it is in an appropriate locked and secured case and that the firearm is not visible."
Secondly, they did two stocktakes and still don't know how many firearms were being transported??? Surely there can't be any rational reason why they say "between 10 and 15" rather than just giving the actual number, can there?
Thirdly, these guns obviously aren't the "dangerous" type, you know, the ones that jump up and kill people all by themselves (or at least take over the minds of the people and make them kill).
we have this story
Police leave guns scattered on road
UP to 15 guns confiscated in an amnesty were strewn over a busy Geelong road after falling out of a Victorian police vehicle while being transported for destruction.
Two police officer were taking between 10 and 15 guns to the state forensic science lab in Melbourne for destruction as part of a gun amnesty.
A police spokeswoman said the car was travelling on Bacchus Marsh Road in the Geelong suburb of Corio, south-west of Melbourne shortly after 9am (AEDT) today.
"They were being transported in the back of the (Ford) Territory. For some reason which is unknown the lock has popped and the firearms have fallen out, approximately 10 to 15 assorted different firearms,'' the spokeswoman said.
"The members (police) have realised immediately and recovered the weapons off the road.
"They did a stocktake and all the guns have been accounted for, and they continued on their way to the state forensic science lab where they've done a second stocktake and again all the weapons have been accounted for, obviously.''
She could not confirm what type of guns were in the vehicle, but insisted the weapons were disabled.
"The vehicle was transporting the guns and they'd been deemed safe because they'd been handed in as part of the amnesty, they certainly were not loaded with any ammunition whatsoever,'' the spokeswoman said.
There was "no danger to the public'', she said.
Firstly, if it had been anyone other than cops who let firearms fall out of a truck they would have been charged. As "when transporting a firearm of any type, the licence holder must ensure that the firearm is not loaded, that it is in an appropriate locked and secured case and that the firearm is not visible."
Secondly, they did two stocktakes and still don't know how many firearms were being transported??? Surely there can't be any rational reason why they say "between 10 and 15" rather than just giving the actual number, can there?
Thirdly, these guns obviously aren't the "dangerous" type, you know, the ones that jump up and kill people all by themselves (or at least take over the minds of the people and make them kill).
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
What would YOU do?
Recently there have been a couple of comments (on other blogs) regarding the censorship issue in Australia along the lines of "Well they let their guns be taken away ...".
This post isn't directed at anyone specifically but this comment has been rattling around in my brain for a couple of days now so I thought I might give it some air time.
The initial gun "buy-back" (read "confiscation") happened in 1997 after the 1996 Port Arthur tragedy (and other multi-victim gun murders that year).
At the time I had only recently been introduced to firearms (shooting shotgun and rifles with my husband) and although I was angry that the "we have to do something" mantra took precedence over any rational thought I didn't seriously consider not complying.
Sure, we attended the rallies, signed the petitions etc etc but when "push came to shove" we handed our guns in.
At the time of Port Arthur, gun legislation varied dramatically across Australia. Western Australia (where I live) had very strict legislation, Queensland (on the other side of the country) had (AFAIK) none. Therefore, pretty much anyone who owned a firearm in WA had it registered already. It is much easier to prosecute those you know about then those you don't, unfortunately.
The alternative to not handing the guns in would have been prison.
It is possible that we will (in the next couple of years or so) see even more stringent legislation passed (since the 1997 legislation there has been other legislation restricting barrel length & magazine capacity - which I wasn't affected by so I'm not too clear on the details).
I am now asking myself, if additional legislation was passed which meant that I could no longer keep any of my guns what would I do?
Given that I have two young daughters, would I be willing to risk going to jail over keeping my guns? If I did not hand them in willingly I would be arrested, jailed and have the guns confiscated anyway. Not sure I would be willing to do that to my girls.
However, the idea of not having any guns due to government legislation frightens me.
Would I participate in an armed uprising to protect these rights? At this stage, I'm not sure I can answer that question.
What about you? How much does owing a gun mean to you?
This post isn't directed at anyone specifically but this comment has been rattling around in my brain for a couple of days now so I thought I might give it some air time.
The initial gun "buy-back" (read "confiscation") happened in 1997 after the 1996 Port Arthur tragedy (and other multi-victim gun murders that year).
At the time I had only recently been introduced to firearms (shooting shotgun and rifles with my husband) and although I was angry that the "we have to do something" mantra took precedence over any rational thought I didn't seriously consider not complying.
Sure, we attended the rallies, signed the petitions etc etc but when "push came to shove" we handed our guns in.
At the time of Port Arthur, gun legislation varied dramatically across Australia. Western Australia (where I live) had very strict legislation, Queensland (on the other side of the country) had (AFAIK) none. Therefore, pretty much anyone who owned a firearm in WA had it registered already. It is much easier to prosecute those you know about then those you don't, unfortunately.
The alternative to not handing the guns in would have been prison.
It is possible that we will (in the next couple of years or so) see even more stringent legislation passed (since the 1997 legislation there has been other legislation restricting barrel length & magazine capacity - which I wasn't affected by so I'm not too clear on the details).
I am now asking myself, if additional legislation was passed which meant that I could no longer keep any of my guns what would I do?
Given that I have two young daughters, would I be willing to risk going to jail over keeping my guns? If I did not hand them in willingly I would be arrested, jailed and have the guns confiscated anyway. Not sure I would be willing to do that to my girls.
However, the idea of not having any guns due to government legislation frightens me.
Would I participate in an armed uprising to protect these rights? At this stage, I'm not sure I can answer that question.
What about you? How much does owing a gun mean to you?
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Today's Range Report #5
Good day shooting today ... was a bit unenthusiastic about actually going (have to be there before 9am and I didn't get home from a quiz night until mid-night last night!). Anyway, I went ...
There were 5 stages today, 2 squads shooting - about 8 or 9 people in each squad. It was an ICOR (Revolver) shoot rather than courses designed for semi-autos but it was fun.
Unfortunatey I forgot to take my camera with me so sorry, no pics.
One of the stages had a disappearing target. To make it appear you had to shoot a popper (which I managed to miss :( .. not sure why, another stage had three poppers and a similar distance and I managed to get all of them on the first shot - which was good as that was a limited shot stage)... this stage was "unlimited" so I just shot the popper again (and got it).
The downside to this is that the stage was 11 shots - shooting twice at the popper meant I had to do a reload :( ... This is only the second time I have shot at a disappearing target - I managed to get three shots off at it - but only hit it once (and hit the "no shoot" which was in front of it (but lower) once too - not happy!
... In all the courses of fire I only dropped two shots - both hit the adjacent no shoots. The rest of my shots would have been "A's" (in most cases) with IPSC targets - but were A's & B's (and the odd C) with the Icor targets.
I still had problems with the gun jamming on most of the stages - not all though. Not sure why. Lost quite a bit of time trying to clear the jams.
I think some of the problem is due to me not pressing the mags in far enough ... bashing the end of the mag seems to solve the jamming problems in some cases. Other times I have to actually lock the slide open to be able to drop the mag - very time hungry.
Anyway, I had fun.
Next Saturday I have my PTer coming to watch. I'll try and remember to take my camera.
There were 5 stages today, 2 squads shooting - about 8 or 9 people in each squad. It was an ICOR (Revolver) shoot rather than courses designed for semi-autos but it was fun.
Unfortunatey I forgot to take my camera with me so sorry, no pics.
One of the stages had a disappearing target. To make it appear you had to shoot a popper (which I managed to miss :( .. not sure why, another stage had three poppers and a similar distance and I managed to get all of them on the first shot - which was good as that was a limited shot stage)... this stage was "unlimited" so I just shot the popper again (and got it).
The downside to this is that the stage was 11 shots - shooting twice at the popper meant I had to do a reload :( ... This is only the second time I have shot at a disappearing target - I managed to get three shots off at it - but only hit it once (and hit the "no shoot" which was in front of it (but lower) once too - not happy!
... In all the courses of fire I only dropped two shots - both hit the adjacent no shoots. The rest of my shots would have been "A's" (in most cases) with IPSC targets - but were A's & B's (and the odd C) with the Icor targets.
I still had problems with the gun jamming on most of the stages - not all though. Not sure why. Lost quite a bit of time trying to clear the jams.
I think some of the problem is due to me not pressing the mags in far enough ... bashing the end of the mag seems to solve the jamming problems in some cases. Other times I have to actually lock the slide open to be able to drop the mag - very time hungry.
Anyway, I had fun.
Next Saturday I have my PTer coming to watch. I'll try and remember to take my camera.
Mini Chicken Burgers
Just made some mini-chicken burgers with my girls for their lunches this week. I'm not sure they will actually last that long but it was a successful first attempt.
Recipe
Chopped chicken thighs
Grated carrot
1 Egg
Bread crumbs
Mixed salad herbs
Oil
Water
Sorry, can't give you measurements as it was done by eye (working around two kids).
Mince / process the chicken until fine - use some egg & water to help with this process. Mix through the grated carrot.
Take a small amount of the mixture and roll into a ball, roll in bread crumbs mixed with the salad herbs.
Fry with a touch of oil in a fry pan until golden brown.
Drain on a paper towel.
Here's some of the finished product:
The girls' verdict was "yummy" and "Can we make this all the time?"
Recipe
Chopped chicken thighs
Grated carrot
1 Egg
Bread crumbs
Mixed salad herbs
Oil
Water
Sorry, can't give you measurements as it was done by eye (working around two kids).
Mince / process the chicken until fine - use some egg & water to help with this process. Mix through the grated carrot.
Take a small amount of the mixture and roll into a ball, roll in bread crumbs mixed with the salad herbs.
Fry with a touch of oil in a fry pan until golden brown.
Drain on a paper towel.
Here's some of the finished product:
The girls' verdict was "yummy" and "Can we make this all the time?"
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