Catching up

Yes, we (Shorter Half, Michael W. and I) drove 2+ hours (in the rain, uphill, against the wind) just to get to the DC Blogmeet last Friday. And then did it all again to get home. But it was well worth it. Besides being able to present my blogfather, JayG, with a small token of appreciation , I got to meet Alan Gura. I did my best not to squee in his presence, but I'm not sure I was successful.  I got to meet lots of other bloggers, too, including my "co-start" T-Bolt, from B&B Guns last year.




For some reason, JayG looked a little nervous when he was handed this.


Thanks to Newbius for putting it together!

Guess who I got to meet today?

Michael W. is visiting for the week, so he and I went to The Range and met up with CTone from Legions Fate this afternoon. CTone’s a heck of a pistol shot, especially considering he prefers rifles, and was very encouraging to this n00b. He generously let me shoot both his Walther PPK and his 1911.

Michael W. has been doing law enforcement firearms training for around 25 years and it’s always great having him stand behind me and give me advice. Michael let me shoot his Mark VI Webley .45 ACP and his Chief .38 special. I shot ALL four of them better than my own gun today.

I really liked the Walther. Hmmm … I do need a smaller carry piece.

Lexington and Concord

The Second British Civil War, a.k.a. The American War for Independence began in April 19, 1775.

The NRA offers this print to certain Charter Class of Heritage Society Ambassadors.

"The Fight at Concord Bridge” by Harry Jaecks

There were three models used for this -- photographed several times in different poses. One was in drag. That would have been me. You can tell which ones I am by the leg length. And if you can't tell that way, I'm the guy that's broader in the beam than the rest.

And on slightly more relevant note, let me offer a replay from last year.

Gunnie Prom

JayG talks about what Breda coined as the Gunnie Prom at Pittsburgh in two weeks.

I acquired new shoes for the event. It all started when I paid to have Larry Corriea redshirt me in Monster Hunter Alpha and I get killed by a werewolf. So when I saw these shoes, I wanted an excuse to get them. A gunnie get-together seemed like just the thing. That, and to perpetuate the rumor that I'm 7' tall.

(And Breda said I could. So there.)

QOTD

"Shooting is zen with noise and smoke."

From Michael W.

Daughter Blogging

Sweet Daughter asked if she could do a guest post.

Fluffy Snuggles is the best cat in the whole wide world because she is never bad. She is always the best kitty at school. (She goes to cat school.) The fluffy tail of hers … she likes it when I pull it for some reason. When she wags it she is always happy, when she doesn’t she is mad. It’s always backwards for being a kitty, because kitties wag their tails when they’re mad. And it is Sweet Daughter’s cat. (Yes, SD refers to herself in the third person when "cat talk" is involved.)

(“What year did I get this?”

“You got Fluffy Snuggles in your Christmas stocking last year, so it was 2009. “)

I got this kitty in 2009.

And without further ado, let me present Fluffy Snuggles and friends.

Here is photograph of Fluffy Snuggles, Pumpkin Tumpkin Socks, and Diesel (named after the dog at her old daycare.)

 
And here is SD’s picture of the same, done last December.

18th century pro-tip …

Don’t put your 18th century clothes in the dryer. If you’re not comfortable spreading them in the grass to dry (which is great for whiter whites, BTW), hang them on the clothesline, or let them drip dry on hangers. Fluffy, softened linen is just one of those anachronisms that’s easy to avoid. And dryers eat inexpensive linen. If you can tear your $6 a yard linen, there’s a good chance it’s not going to stand up to even moderate use, even if you wash it on “gentle” and hang it to dry. Ask me how I know. If you’re going to spend all that time hand sewing, or even hand-finishing a linen garment, spend a little extra money and buy from a reputable merchant.
And for the love of all that is good and holy, don’t wash your 18th century clothes with scented detergent or use fabric softener. If I can smell your “Blackberry and Hydrangea” self from 15 feet away, you’d better be bringing me fruit and flowers.