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
Monday, May 2, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
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
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
Saturday, April 30, 2011
NRACON2011 - Day one
After a long night with much stress and little sleep (See below), we finally hit the convention. Some observations:
Pittsburgh traffic planners make the guys in DC and Northern Virginia look like geniuses.
The NRA is very good at branding...although I did not see an NRA Canned Ham. Maybe next year.
The Duck Tour drivers are really not going to run you over, even though the overhang on the bow looks like it will.
The guys from Lucky Gunner and Crimson Trace put on amazing parties, and the Tilted Kilt is worth your time, even once. (Although, a few of the waitresses were hired for reasons other than their intellectual prowess...sorry, no pics.)
There are enough "Bubbas" in suspenders and coveralls walking around to lend some 'truthiness' to the stereotype.
If you ask the right person at the right time, you WILL get an additional discount on some things for paying cash.
Most of the vendors are passionate about their products, some to the point of rabidness at times. ;)
The H-S Precision booth was mostly empty, most of the time.
The gun bloggers are the most fun to hang out with.
More detailed stuff as I ready the posts.
Pax,
Newbius
Pittsburgh traffic planners make the guys in DC and Northern Virginia look like geniuses.
The NRA is very good at branding...although I did not see an NRA Canned Ham. Maybe next year.
The Duck Tour drivers are really not going to run you over, even though the overhang on the bow looks like it will.
The guys from Lucky Gunner and Crimson Trace put on amazing parties, and the Tilted Kilt is worth your time, even once. (Although, a few of the waitresses were hired for reasons other than their intellectual prowess...sorry, no pics.)
There are enough "Bubbas" in suspenders and coveralls walking around to lend some 'truthiness' to the stereotype.
If you ask the right person at the right time, you WILL get an additional discount on some things for paying cash.
Most of the vendors are passionate about their products, some to the point of rabidness at times. ;)
The H-S Precision booth was mostly empty, most of the time.
The gun bloggers are the most fun to hang out with.
More detailed stuff as I ready the posts.
Pax,
Newbius
Friday, April 29, 2011
The 3 AM call
Who do you want to answer the phone when it rings at 3:00 AM...or 3:30?
This time, my bride answered. It was my daughter calling to tell us that a) my phone was not working (she called my wife's cell), and b) my son was on the way to the hospital. Just like that. So, after a whopping 3 hours of sleep, I am now wide awake trying to figure out how to assist from 300 miles away.
Tried his cell phone, no answer. Tried the girlfriend's phone, no answer. When I finally reach my son's cell phone, he answers
I hear the medics in the background as they get his vitals and finish strapping him into the bus. The medic comes onto the phone and basically tells me he is fine, and going to Fairfax Hospital. Then the medic hangs up the phone.
"He's fine, and going to the Hospital"??????????!!!!! Those statements are facially incompatible. I try and call back but no answer, so I call my cell provider instead to work out the issue. (Reboot, reboot, enter some codes, reboot, hold...hold some more, reboot, fixed.)
Well, the reason the medics were called was because he had severe abdominal pain,, Debilitating abdominal pain. Nearly passed-out levels of pain. In other words, he hurt. They thought it was appendicitis. His friends called 911 when he nearly fainted. So, a trip to the hospital, some pain killers, 6+ hours and 3 iodine/radiology tests later, still nothing conclusive.
I checked in nearly hourly by phone, while suffering through a never-ending series of inane gushing American Newsreaders (on every channel) glorifying the marriage of another Elite English Welfare Recipient. You would think we were still loyal subjects of the Crown, to hear them go on about the whole thing.
So every phone call is the same: Nothing new, no results. I take a walk around the hotel.
Finally, out of frustration, I call him back. His room-mate answers the cell phone (he has great friends who stuck with him throughout). I tell the room-mate to tell my son it is probably just gas, and to 'man-up' and deal with it. We have a good laugh about the situation.
He relays the information. :)
An couple of hours later, while stuck in traffic trying to get to the NRA convention, my son finally calls me back. Says he is being discharged. They can't find any evidence of appendicitis (good), and think it is probably...constipation (lolwhut??). They prescribe some meds that *will* get things moving, and advise him to stay near a bathroom for a while just in case they do their thing. Then they kick him back onto the street. Call it the "$4,000 suppository".
Kids these days...(sigh)
Newbius
This time, my bride answered. It was my daughter calling to tell us that a) my phone was not working (she called my wife's cell), and b) my son was on the way to the hospital. Just like that. So, after a whopping 3 hours of sleep, I am now wide awake trying to figure out how to assist from 300 miles away.
Tried his cell phone, no answer. Tried the girlfriend's phone, no answer. When I finally reach my son's cell phone, he answers
"Hi-Dad-everything's-fine-yeah-the-paramedics-have-me-on-a-gurney-and-they-have-an-IV-started-but-we're-good-here. What's up?"*blink* *blink*!??!?!!!! What?" (I hate it when he does that...)
I hear the medics in the background as they get his vitals and finish strapping him into the bus. The medic comes onto the phone and basically tells me he is fine, and going to Fairfax Hospital. Then the medic hangs up the phone.
"He's fine, and going to the Hospital"??????????!!!!! Those statements are facially incompatible. I try and call back but no answer, so I call my cell provider instead to work out the issue. (Reboot, reboot, enter some codes, reboot, hold...hold some more, reboot, fixed.)
Well, the reason the medics were called was because he had severe abdominal pain,, Debilitating abdominal pain. Nearly passed-out levels of pain. In other words, he hurt. They thought it was appendicitis. His friends called 911 when he nearly fainted. So, a trip to the hospital, some pain killers, 6+ hours and 3 iodine/radiology tests later, still nothing conclusive.
I checked in nearly hourly by phone, while suffering through a never-ending series of inane gushing American Newsreaders (on every channel) glorifying the marriage of another Elite English Welfare Recipient. You would think we were still loyal subjects of the Crown, to hear them go on about the whole thing.
So every phone call is the same: Nothing new, no results. I take a walk around the hotel.
Finally, out of frustration, I call him back. His room-mate answers the cell phone (he has great friends who stuck with him throughout). I tell the room-mate to tell my son it is probably just gas, and to 'man-up' and deal with it. We have a good laugh about the situation.
He relays the information. :)
An couple of hours later, while stuck in traffic trying to get to the NRA convention, my son finally calls me back. Says he is being discharged. They can't find any evidence of appendicitis (good), and think it is probably...constipation (lolwhut??). They prescribe some meds that *will* get things moving, and advise him to stay near a bathroom for a while just in case they do their thing. Then they kick him back onto the street. Call it the "$4,000 suppository".
Kids these days...(sigh)
Newbius
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
I get it
Often, when perusing Patriot-oriented websites, I see reference to the White House occupant as "Pres__ent". Which, when thought about, is a nice representation of the man who voted "Present" for most of his political career, and who has yet to show his "ID" (birth certificate).
PresIDent ObeyMe could not be reached for comment on this issue...
Newbius
Pres
Newbius
Saturday, April 23, 2011
The Alan Gura Chair
Last night we had a gathering of Bloggers from the MD-DC-VA area. Unknown to most at time of invite was the fact that Alan Gura had also accepted my invitation to attend. Alan is an amazing person, well-versed in his field, and a stalwart advocate for our civil rights. He is a genuinely nice man, to boot.
Now, my wife was attending this gathering as well. And, while not a "gunnie" in the traditional sense, she tolerates my passion and supports our position. She was mildly amused about the way the introductions went:
(click to embiggefy)
:D
Newbius
Now, my wife was attending this gathering as well. And, while not a "gunnie" in the traditional sense, she tolerates my passion and supports our position. She was mildly amused about the way the introductions went:
Hi, over here we have CJRMultigun, SID, Andy from 'Bus Error', Alan Gura, ....(GASP!!!!!!)....., The Miller, T-Bolt...It was almost comical at times. Anyway, she was amused enough about it to memorialize the event in photo. With all the reverence I can muster then, I give you the spot where he sat...Seen below, I present to you The Alan Gura Chair:
:D
Newbius
And a good time was had by all
Had a wonderful time with the DC-Area bloggers (and special guest, Alan Gura!). Will post more as soon as I can get things formatted. Thank you all for attending.
Newbius
Newbius
Friday, April 22, 2011
Reminder - BlogMeet TONIGHT!
Tonight is the big night. The blogmeet happens at 7:00 at Rock Bottom Brewery in Bethesda. Meet up with Jay from MArooned, as well as your local bloggers from the DC area. We will have a special guest attending, and you don't want to miss this.
See you there
See you there
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Yes. I am still here
Just busy is all. I do have reservations for 20 for tomorrow's blogmeet, and the RSVP list is still under that tally. If you are going, please "roger" up.
Newbius
Newbius
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