Mining Drafts

I just checked the dashboard because I thought I had an unfinished post or two out there. It turns out I have about 20. Some of them are uber-post rants, and others are just half-formed thoughts, still-born due to time pressures or distraction. I need to clean that up.

Newbius

All that and Brains, too!

She is my best friend, the mother of my children, and my soul-mate. I love her dearly.

Happy birthday, Mrs. Newbius!

Newbius

Live long and prosper

Happy 89th birthday to my Grandmother. She has lived through wars, economic depression, multiple Democratic presidents, and survived 2 husbands. She is also a Great-grandmother to my children, and Great-great-grandmother to my niece's daughter.

Love you Grandma!

Newbius

Blogger-versary

Three years ago I put my first post out there for any and all to see. It wasn't much, but it was my mission statement for what I wanted to do here. I did not know at the time that this would turn into anything. It was (and is) intended as an outlet for me to say what I feel needs to be said, without breaking televisions, or alienating my family, or scaring the pets.

Since then, I have met the most wonderful group of people-the "gun-blogger" community-through interaction on this blog. You people are amazing. I am proud to call many of you my friends.

For all who have stopped in over the past three years; for all those who have linked to this page; and for all those who have added their wisdom and insight through comments: THANK YOU.

Pax,

Newbius

Pizza recipe is changing

I have been playing with the recipes for a couple of reasons. I want to make the dough lighter, and also want to make it easier to produce consistently. To that end, I have removed the olive oil from the dough recipe. I have also gone to a wetter dough, using a cold-rise technique with a longer fermentation (3-5 days).

The results have been very positive, as has the feedback from my guinea pigs guests. This is another whole level above what I have been doing before and the taste and texture are really shining now.

I am still tweaking, but here are a few tidbits: Radically cut down on the sugar. Eliminated the olive oil. Hydration >65% (it is a sticky dough that must be handled with gloves). Divided by weight and then refrigerated for minimum of 3 days at 34F.

Once I have finalized the weights of the crust by pizza diameter, I will post them here.

I know this is kind of a tease...but I might be going commercial with this and want to keep some things close to the vest. If you have the savvy to figure things out from what I have posted, then you really don't need me anyway. :D Good Luck!

Newbius

Still Here

36“No one knows when that day or hour will come—not the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father, 37because just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. 38In those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage right up to the day when Noah went into the ark. 39They were unaware of what was happening until the flood came and swept all of them away. That's how it will be when the Son of Man comes. 40At that time two people will be in the field. One will be taken, and the other will be left behind. 41Two women will be grinding grain at the mill. One will be taken, and the other will be left behind.

42“So keep on watching, because you don't know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But be sure of this: if the owner of the house had known when during the night the thief would be coming, he would have stayed awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44So you, too, must be ready, because at an hour you are not expecting him the Son of Man will come.” Matthew 24:36-44 (ISV)

Anybody who proclaims that they know when the end of the world will come is either a thief or a liar. Our charge is not to try and divine the moment of Messiah's return, but instead to recognize the signs of the times and prepare accordingly.

Have a great day!

Newbius

Vicious Circle 94

NSFW, of course (Not really safe for anything to tell the truth). Vicious Circle 94, in which your humble scribe consumes way too much bourbon...

3+ hours of pain and suffering through the haze of altered mental states and much laughter.

Newbius

QOTD-Middle Child

Discussing whether I have communicated with Alan Gura lately...

ME: No, he's a busy man right now.
Him: Well, he is a celebrity.
ME: Alan Gura is a rock star
Him: Actually, he's really a shooting star

Yes. Yes, he is.

It is 5:00 somewhere

I will quote Dorothy Parker, for the truth, if not the exact act:

I love to drink Martinis
Two at the very most
Three, I'm under the table
Four, I'm under the host

:)

Newbius

ETA: You can find some of her other gems HERE.

Oooh! Shiny!

Just a quick note. The Mrs. has basically decided upon a gun that fits her and that feels comfortable to her hand.

Since it is a lightweight compact 1911, the next question is: 9mm or .45? If I was buying for myself, I would go for .45. For her, will the recoil be much less in 9mm? It has been a long time since I shot 9mm.

Opinions?

Newbius

Quiet Enjoyment

While at the NRA Convention, we were invited to dinner and drinks at The Tilted Kilt. JayG covered this story in some detail, but I thought I might add some context to it.

We are in a sports bar. The group size is 30-40 people. The beers have flowed a little bit. We are in the presence of three actual celebrities (Breda, Unc, and JayG), as well as two Top Shot winners (Iain Harrison and Chris Reed) and some people who are just plain glad to be alive. Into this mix, "Grumpy Old Guy" and his buddy "Pouty" sit down near our group. The noise level is well over 100dB. Pictures are being taken...

So, in this atmosphere I take the below picture and Grumpy Old Guy cold stares me and jumps up.

Click to Embiggen

I am on the other side of the tables from him, but Iain Harrison and Breda are right next to his table (and the subject of the picture taking), and Grumpy Old Guy basically gets up into Iain's grille and says we are disturbing his quiet enjoyment(!?!) of the place with our flashes. Said we should quit having fun, or something (I didn't hear the rest of the exchange). Then he stomps back to his table and grumbles at his friend...

I decide to take another picture. Then, I sit back down.

Click to Embiggen

Grumpy Old Guy is now cold-staring me like I am a criminal and maybe hoping to intimidate me into being a good little boy... (Yeah, right!). So, I get out the HD Video camera (no flash on that one) and begin filming him. Yes, I know it was childish...but I had had enough. Apparently, he did too, and called for his check and left. If he had continued being such an overt sourpuss to us, I was ready to ask the manager to put the replay of the Royal Wedding onto the big screen above us. I am sure it wouldn't have cost me more than $100 to get it up there.

No, I am not a nice guy. ;)

Pax,

Newbius

Support those who support you

Yesterday I cleared out my email box of offers, spam, real messages, and news items from around the nation and world. Noteworthy is the regular email that I get from four groups I belong to: Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL), US Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), the National Rifle Association (NRA), and the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). These emails detail the issues being worked in the fight for my rights. Why four? Because these groups educate, fight for and defend my right to self-defense at the personal, local, state and national levels.

USCCA is a great resource for news and information relating to carrying your weapon. They have informative videos, pamphlets, and forums to discuss the practical and legal issues involved when you make the decision to carry your gun.

VCDL works the local events, demonstrations, and gun shows; and also coordinates advocacy lobbying at the state legislature.

The NRA does education, instructor training, industry news, and lobbies at the state and federal levels. They also do some litigation work, but their primary arm working in the legal area is their Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) which scores politicians every election cycle.

The Second Amendment Foundation is focused on litigation at the state and federal level to roll back existing infringements on our rights. They were the people responsible for bringing you the McDonald decision, and were an amicus in Heller. SAF is currently working on landmark litigation in the strongholds of Jim Crow Gun Control areas like Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Virginia, and Washington DC.

I value my civil rights. I have put my money where my beliefs are and I support these groups financially. If you value your Second Amendment civil rights, you should support them too. If you are not already a member of USCCA, your local and state organization, the NRA, and the SAF, then join them ASAP. These groups are working for your rights daily. They need your support. If you cannot send them money, donate your time and get active. Do it. Today.

Pax,

Newbius

1000 Words - for Breda

Yes, Breda, they really do shop at the same store...

:)

Newbius

Friday Night Pizza

It looks like tonight is the night for resumption of Pizza and Games at Casa Newbius. I was thinking that "Friday Night Pizza" might work as a restaurant name (or the title of a book on raising kids, either one). It looks like it will be a party of 20, and I would invite Alan Gura if he was in town. :)

Newbius

Thank You

I have several "thank you's" to get out from the NRA Convention before I return to my normal state of forgetfulness. SayUncle had a party and invited me (Thanks!), and Caleb and Dustin from LuckyGunner.com picked up the tab. LuckyGunner is the place to go for you ammunition needs, and they are great people too. Please send them some business.

Crimson Trace held a blogger get-together and it was a great time (service sucked, the people were awesome). Iain Harrison was a gracious host and was a joy to meet. Thank you Iain!

The Second Amendment Foundation hosted an evening with Alan Gura, Dave Kopel, and John Lott on Saturday night. The lovely Breda put it together, and Alan Gottlieb brought us the latest news in the fight for our civil rights. These people deserve your support, and you can click the link on the upper left of this page to send them something. Thank you Breda and Alan for putting this together.

OldNFO hosted an after-party on Saturday, and the bloggers hung out at Lidia's and had cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Good times. NFO is a true Southern Gentleman, and a good friend. Thanks again.

Sunday at the convention was interesting in many ways. The NRA goes out of their way to embrace New Media, and this year was no exception. At the close of the convention, the NRA Museum display of historic 1911's was broken down. As a treat to the bloggers, we got a private showing of these important specimens, with detailed back-story on each item given by Senior Curator Phil Schreier, and ably assisted by Jim Supica. If you are ever in the Northern Virginia area, stop in to the NRA National Firearms Museum and take a tour. Entry is free and the displays are outstanding. Thank you Phil and Jim.

A final "thanks" goes out to David Codrea and Mike Vanderboegh. They have been tireless in their pursuit of the miscreants at ATF through their reporting of the "Gunwalker" scandal. I got to meet them both in person for the first time at the convention, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them. Thank you again for your continuing work on this important story.

Newbius

Responsibility

Part of being an adult is getting out of bed and facing the world and your responsibilities. Part of being an adult is owning up to the consequences when you fail to do so.

Time to grow up.

What would Overton say?

One of the most important aspects of the NRA convention is the opportunity to meet people and exchange ideas. I had a chance to sit with, talk to, and banter about ideas with people who occupy the entire spectrum of thought on Second Amendment issues. I am a "no compromise, not another inch" "Threeper", yet I understand the necessity of an organization like the NRA. The NRA exists to cater to the "Middle 60%" of the gun owners. In doing so, they will annoy the extremes at each end of the gun owner spectrum "Fudds"-(for lack of a better term although I disdain the term personally)-and "The Three Percent".

In my earlier post "Three Percent Bitch", I advocated for our end of the spectrum to engage and take over from within. To make the NRA into our 800-pound gorilla. At least one Threeper wrote me off as an apologist and shill for the group. I know I pissed off a few more who didn't bother to comment. So be it. But, here is the rub: as a political organization, the NRA interfaces with politicians who are afraid of the fringe 40%. The NRA, as an organization, only really understands their own middle 60%, and is ALSO afraid of the fringe 40%. They are a group of moderates, talking to a group of moderates, who only want to get along and not take radical and unpopular stands on issues.

Here is where this benefits us. We need to move the Overton Window on them. It was moved against us gradually over many years, until guns were seen as outside of the mainstream. We need to normalize guns again. Part of that strategy is push the "fringe" farther out. Like it or not, the Threepers are considered "fringe" by the mainstream. We are written off as crazy, absolutist, uncompromising, etc.. Let's fix that.

Here is a core truth: We need the NRA. Here is another core truth: The NRA needs US.

We lose sight of the fact that, while they have sinned against us in the past, they are still listened to in the halls of Congress. We need to understand that our voices are heard the loudest when the biggest mouth is singing our song. Like I stated in Three Percent Bitch, we need to engage them from within and bend them to our will.

The NRA needs us too, and they don't yet understand why. They need the Threeper movement to push the Overton Window. We need to push the window towards the Constitutional Ideal; of Constitutional Carry without restrictions, nationwide. In doing so, we push what our goal is loudly and force the less "extreme" measures that relax restrictions into the 'normal mainstream' of thought and acceptability. And, we keep pushing.

Together, we Liberty-minded gun owners and Second Amendment advocates can accomplish much. To do so, we need to quit sniping at each other (well, most of the sniping), pull together, and act. Failure to do so has allowed the enemies of Liberty to push the window towards Statism at the expense of our freedoms.

The gun banners and leftist politicians use the Overton Window against us. It is time to turnabout and do the same to them. Are you with me?

Newbius
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QOTD-Oldest Son

From my oldest son, via Facebook:

"Why is it when someone says "No offense" they really mean "Kiss my ass"?"

That one is pure win.

Newbius

Crossbreed Supertuck

In January of this year, I purchased* a Crossbreed Supertuck in horse hide for my XDm-45. The fit is very comfortable due to the generous amount of leather, and the retention is good. I wear the holster at the "4:00" position just behind my right hip, and it conceals very well.

When I stopped into the Crossbreed Holsters booth Friday afternoon to thank them for my holster, I was asked to show it to the crowd of people there, because there was disbelief about the ability to cover a full-sized gun. (I am not a "booth-babe"-too fat and not enough leg-but I got to model it for them, go figure.) Many people were surprised at how well the holster forms to the body and positions the gun for concealment.

Later that Friday night, we were invited to the Crimson Trace party at the Tilted Kilt restaurant (see JayG's post), where they apparently have a policy of disallowing firearms. I say "apparently" because they stopped each of the people openly-carrying and requested that they disarm and store either in the restaurant safe, or their vehicles. ZerCool and I arrived together. He, open-carrying his 1911. Me, conceal-carrying my XDm-45 under a tucked-in T-shirt. They asked him to disarm and looked VERY closely at my waist, but let me pass without question.

Read that again. They looked closely, and let me pass because they could not see my double-column full-sized .45 under a tucked-in t-shirt. I was not wearing a billowing t-shirt. I was not wearing a jacket, or sweater, or any other cover garment. I was wearing a regular t-shirt, tucked in all the way around and over the gun. I was not asked to disarm, as they could not determine that I was armed. You cannot ask for better performance than that.

Front, Back, Side, and exposed views:

From Blogger Photos

From Blogger Photos

From Blogger Photos

From Blogger Photos

Thank you again to Crossbreed Holsters for making my Supertuck. I am very pleased with it and recommend it wholeheartedly as a satisfied customer. If you are in the market for a reasonably-priced Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) holster that is 'tuckable', give them a look.

Pax,

Newbius

P.S. The belt is from The Holster Site (a gift from my mom-in-law) and supports everything very well. If you need a good carry belt, give Mike a call.

*FTC Disclosure: I paid full retail price for this product, and am a happy customer. If it had sucked, I would report that instead. It most definitely does NOT suck.

Eric Holder questioned

Today the House Judiciary Committee asked a lot of tough questions of AG Holder, including about "Fast and Furious" and "Gunrunner". His responses?

I haven't seen that many ducks since waterfowl season...

Newbius

Bin Ladin assumes room temperaure

Our esteemed military then showed true class and prepared the body for a dignified burial at sea.

I only hope that they chummed the water first.

Newbius
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Home again Home again

jiggity-jig. Just arrived. Did some touristy stuff on the way back to Virginia. Saw 2 Frank Lloyd Wright homes (Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob). Very impressive. I will have much more to say about NRACON2011 in the coming days. It was an awesome time with some amazing friends.

I met many of the people who reside on my blog-roll, and they are really as awesome in real life as they are in print. More to follow. Right now I am enjoying an adult beverage...

Pax,

Newbius

Gun Shopping at NRACON2011

For the last few years I have been prodding my bride to take an interest in self-defense. I have told her that whatever gun she liked, no matter what it was, I would get it for her without question. Most recently, she has come around to the idea and is at least willing to humor me in the quest for a gun that she would like (and would carry). So, with a little trepidation, we set out to find something that fit and was manageable.

Into the 'acres and acres of death and destruction' we went. Braving the crowds, we patiently waited for our turn to fondle the hardware at all of the major manufacturers present. On Day One (Friday), we found a lot of guns that ranked either "Meh", or "Eeww, no", and after a while they kind of ran together. So we took a break and assessed.

After some thought we decided that, if the guns she handled didn't feel special, then we put it down and moved on. No sense trying to remember something that wasn't memorable. At the end of the first day, the list was getting pretty short on guns to try. The most comfortable of the bunch at that point was the Springfield Armory XDm-9 Compact. (Not bad...)

Day Two broke beautiful and clear, and we arrived with the goal of trying the remaining guns, and re-trying some of the memorable guns from day one once again. Once again into the breach. We stopped at the Colt booth,she picked up the Defender, and she said... "I really like this one". The clouds parted, Angels descended from on high in a shaft of bright light singing joy and praises, and my entire world paused silently for a brief instant. That was the first and only time she has said that after handling many dozens of guns...and we may have a winner!

So now, we go back to get through some stuff I was steering her away from at first, like airweight snubbies (story later), to cement the wisdom of her choice firmly in her mind. I expect we will wear tracks into the carpet at the Colt booth to confirm things, and maybe check out a few similar 1911s at other booths. But, it really looks like the Colt may be the one, unless OldNFO wants to sell his C&S. :)

See you at the Show.

Newbius