Handguns (How to Shoot a 9mm Smith & Wesson or Glock)

Johnny Tyler: Is something on your mind?
Wyatt Earp: Just want to let you know you're sittin' in my chair.
Johnny Tyler: Is that a fact?
Wyatt Earp: Yeah, it's a fact.
Johnny Tyler: Well, for a man who don't go heeled you run your mouth kind of reckless, don't you?
Wyatt Earp: No need to go heeled to get the bulge on a tub like you.
Johnny Tyler: Is that a fact?
Wyatt Earp: Mm-hmm. That's a fact.
Johnny Tyler: Well, I'm real scared.
Wyatt Earp: Damn right, you're scared. I can see that in your eyes.
[Wyatt walks up to Johnny as Johnny reaches for his gun.]
Johnny Tyler: All right now.
Wyatt Earp: Go ahead. Go ahead, skin it. Skin that smoke wagon and see what happens.
Johnny Tyler: Listen, mister, I-I'm gettin' awful tired of your--
[Wyatt slaps Johnny hard in the face.]
Wyatt Earp: I'm gettin' awful tired of your gas. Now jerk that pistol and go to work.
[Johnny doesn't do anything and Wyatt slaps him in the face again.]
Wyatt Earp: I said throw down, boy. You gonna do somethin' or just stand there and bleed?
~from the movie Tombstone

Today I learned how to shoot a handgun. 2 actually - a Smith & Wesson and a Glock (both 9mm). Both are relatively small and light and seem very basic as far as how to use them.

First, load the clip (a clip holds 17 bullets). This was kind of difficult, especially the Smith& Wesson clip. A word to the wise - if your life ever depends on me reloading a clip for a handgun: sorry! We did use a clip loading tool, but I had trouble with that too.

Next, the clip goes in the gun. This was not hugely challenging.

Then, you pull back the slide on the top of the gun and it closes up and loads the bullet in to the chamber. You are now ready to start shooting!

Hold the gun just so (with 2 hands), take aim, and pull the trigger! You can shoot continuously until the clip is empty.

My son Ryan is far better at this than I am. His target (shot from 20 feet):

Wow! This was his first time shooting a handgun too! 2 bullseyes and almost every shot in the black. I will not post a picture of my target. Too embarrassing!

Note: I am not particularly into guns. Often people interpret that as being anti-gun. That is not the case. I just don't find them that fascinating. We did enjoy the afternoon shooting at stuff though.

Silly: Even though I KNEW guns were being shot, the first 1/2 dozen times or so someone fired I jumped! LAME!

Something else I learned: GPS does not always have the correct directions.

Funny (I should have gone snake-eyed!):

Friday Bonus Post: Absorbing a Drop of Water

In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans
~Kahlil Gibran

Very, very cool!

Corn Mazes - What? When?

Teucrium Corn Fund: 25.46, 0.00 (0.00%), Close
~NYSE

The first corn maze was created in Pennsylvania in 1993. It was the shape of a dinosaur and was created as a fundraising endeavor for flood victims in the midwest.

Adrian Fisher is credited with designing the original 3.3 acre Amazing Maize Maze. This was the start of a new fall tradition as corn mazes have become popular throughout the US.

It seems getting through the mazes can be very difficult: Family lost in Mass. corn maze calls 911 for help. That had to be excruciatingly embarrassing!

Note: We will be visiting a corn maze this year (for the first time).

Mangosteen: A Tropical Fruit

The mangosteen, queen of the tropical fruit.
~David Fairchild

I had never heard of this fruit until recently. I can't find it, even at upscale grocery stores. I really want to try one!

All about mangosteen.

Mangosteen fruits are deep purple in color and are similar in size to plums. They are not related to mangos.

It is a delicious fruit, by all accounts.

Note: An Asian market might be a place to find mangosteen fruits.

Another thing learned: Mangosteens were banned from importation to the US until 2006 (to prevent the Asian fruit fly being imported).

Farewell Dryer Sheets - I am using Aluminum Foil Now

Behind every working woman is an enormous pile of unwashed laundry.
~Barbara Dale 

Dryer sheets are truly horrible! Who knew?

I have been using dryer sheets for years. I have to admit that the smell has lately become a bit too much - not particularly "fresh," but the odor we have come to associate with clean clothes. If you ever hang your clothes out to dry on the line, you know that "fresh and clean" smell does not remotely resemble the smell of a dryer sheet.

Static cling, however, is also a real issue. Didn't you ever get to work only to realize there was a nylon knee-high clinging to the back of your sweater? I hate when that happens.

The solution is: Aluminum foil! A bit of foil, balled up and tossed in to the dryer eliminates static cling. It has no odor at all and is reusable. This really works! The last load of clothes I took out of the dryer included nylons, fleece and a ball of aluminum. No cling at all!

Note: Over time the foil balls become smooth and kind of cool looking.

Something else I learned while researching dryer sheet alternatives: You can cook oatmeal in a thermos. Just pour all the ingredients in (make sure the water is boiling) shake, and allow time to cook.

I Can Post from My Droid

After much searching and a few downloads and uninstalls, I finally seem to have found an app that works. Fingers crossed! I have to see if this post works, then I will know for sure.

And now I will be learning things on the fly! I am using an app called "Blogaway."

It works!

Something else I learned: I can schedule blog entries to post in advance! Yay apps! Yay Droid!

Monsters vs Kittens

"We're not on a crusade of any sort. Our main purpose is we feel that there aren't enough comic books or books for kids that really hit the target, that is that gives them excitement and humor together and are filled with surprises."
~Stan Lee

A new line of comics for kids multimedia imprint for children with "Monster vs Kittens" as part of the initial release. Alright, I will probably pick that one up for my kid, and take a look at it myself. How can you NOT be curious?

Stan Lee's Kids Universe.




There is Reggie the Veggie Crocodile (pictured above). A vegetarian crocodile. It seems a bit contrived.  Quote Mr. Lee, " "While we want these to be reasonably educational and good for kids — that goes without saying — but our main purpose to be entertaining ... kids have a great sense of humor if you can reach them the right way."

How exactly is presenting a crocodile that eats produce "educational?" Time will tell as the first offering of the new line will be released in spring of 2012.  Galleycat.

Note: I have never been a huge fan of comics.

Something else I learned: SoHo Publishing Company is looking for a Freelance Copy Editor/Proofreader.

Purring Promotes Healthy Bones

To err is human, to purr is feline.
~Robert Byrne

Like everyone, I have always assumed my cats purr because they are so happy with the affection I shower upon them. A purring cat is a happy cat ... right?

One of our cats got hit by a car the other night. He was gone for about 24 hours and then came home, bruised and sore and subdued. All things seemed well, he did not howl or cringe when lifted or petted, he was certainly hungry.

He even purred when we petted him. So of course we drew the conclusion that he was glad to be home, that he was well pleased that we love him so, and that he was not terribly injured.

It turns out that cats may purr as a healing mechanism!

"Scientists have demonstrated that cats produce the purr through intermittent signaling of the laryngeal and diaphragmatic muscles. Cats purr during both inhalation and exhalation with a consistent pattern and frequency between 25 and 150 Hertz. Various investigators have shown that sound frequencies in this range can improve bone density and promote healing." Scientific America

Note: The frequency of cats purring may be beneficial to people as well.

Something else I learned: Some, but not all, big cats purr.