Pop, Pop...

            Traffic on the floor this morning is looking positive. As many of you know, I work in an industry where discretionary income is the driving force. I’ve worried about what the national economic problems will do to my source of income. The cold, wet, nasty winter days eventually give way to the bright, somewhat warmer days of spring. Since the beginning of February, we’ve had several warm days with temperatures in the sixties. With these warm days come customers swarming the shop because they are ready to ride again.  I get tired of the slow days of inventory and “finding” things for my crew to do in the winter, and I always welcome the change that brings customers through the door. This translates directly to a positive impact on my income, and in this situation, the more the merrier.

            Locally speaking, the economic impact has not really been seen yet in my line of work. I am still seeing customers come in to spend their hard-earned dollars on everything from tires to windshields. Tax time is always a nice boost to our business and this year has proven no different so far. I can only hope it stays this way.

  Sitting on the couch last night, breaking open the new boxes of Girl Scout cookies, the wife chimes in.

"Baby, why do you do this? Why are you bringing things like this home?", as she bites into the new Dulce de Leche.

 I'm not as impressed with it as she, and I finish chewing one as she asks for another. I crack open the box of Tagalongs.

"That is the one", I said, as I chomped down into the chocolaty peanut butter goodness.

"Give me one".

 "Oh, these are mine", I retort. "Why do you gripe about me bringing them home in one breath, and ask why you can't have any in the next?"

 "Baby, come on", she replies.

 "I'm hiding these, and you can have the others", I say, obviously testing the waters.

 "Baby! That's not right. I'm your wife!"

 I reluctantly gave her another and then took the precious commodities into the other room for “safe keeping”. Hah.

 They really are ridiculous, and I’m an instant buyer when anything with chocolate and peanut butter is offered.

 Last weekend, I finally took the plunge and entered the local pistol shooting competition at the gun range. While I didn’t place last, I didn’t do as well as I expected or hoped. I was toward the bottom of the standings at the end, but it wasn’t the end of the world, and I’m officially hooked on pistol shooting again, even though I had to pick up my ego and throw it in the back of the truck on the way out.

  I go back and forth, with interest (and “me time” spent) bouncing from pistols to rifles and back again. Getting to shoot with good friends makes a difference, and it’s a ton of fun. Having most of the equipment I needed to get started also helps. The Glock 22 in 40 S&W is my tool of choice, and the Production (watch the cool video) class of USPSA is the game. It mixes real-life scenarios in with just plain fun. Targets are both paper silhouettes and steel plates, all shot while being timed. Rounds sent down range in any given stage can vary from 20 to 50 or more, depending upon one’s skill with a handgun and the amount of ammo one carries on hip. There are no limits to how much ammunition one can carry, but in Production class, magazines are limited to ten rounds each, and most competitors carry six magazines at the most. I’m sure next weekend will involve some more practice, because it was obvious I need it. I’m not a bad shot, but when the buzzer goes off on the timer, it changes the game more than you might think. Adrenaline and the pressure of being timed plays a part, and the quickest shooters with fastest times are usually at the top of the leader board at the end of the day because they learn to control what the body does naturally.

In Decline

   One of my best friends sent a text to me last night that put a smile on my face. It was a sign that I'm making a difference, even if it is in my own little world.

"Have u seen cover of latest Newsweek? I thought of u."

Of course, I'm not a subscriber, so no, I have not seen it. I will get to read it after she's finished, though. The cover basically states that we are all Socialists now because of the latest government bailout. Of course, I've known this all along, and have pointed out socialists and their agendas a few times in the past while hanging out with friends. This is what made Jen think of me when seeing the cover. It usually revolved around Clinton and his life partner Clinton. 

Of course, Pelosi is the worst of the active politicians, not to mention a complete imbecile, and she is one of the biggest supporters and compilers of this latest "Tarp II" or whatever the PR rhetoric is today. It's comprised of mostly pork and spending for specialist groups and will do little to help the economy. Unfortunately, there isn't an easy answer, but the path along which we're currently being led by the uneducated and ignorant in office is a path to destruction. Whether that destruction will be mild or catastophic has yet to come to light, but I am among the Austrian School thinkers that hope we can steer away from catastrophy. 

I read a good article this morning that clearly explains my thoughts. It's not nearly as heavy as some of the stuff I've tried to explain to my wife and good friends. Everyone can benefit, even if they don't agree with said viewpoint.

http://mises.org/story/3321

This website has tons of good articles, and if you have time, I recommend browsing. 

Coming Around

A month, almost to the day. A mere 24 hours short. That's how long it's been since my last post. Sure, a lot has happened, but I haven't really had anything to say, to put out there on the world wide internets. I haven't figured out whether I'm just not into it anymore or if it's a passing phase.

We (the wife and I) were at Angie and Jason's this weekend, having a blast, when something came up that prompted Angie to fetch the laptop. Oh yeah, we were watching, and freely commenting on, a show about the forty greatest metal songs of all time when Marilyn Manson came up. Of course, no discussion (with liberal assistance of adult beverages) of the guy is complete without mention of his hot wives (by Jason and I mostly), and Dita Von Teese prompted Angie to Google it all. Anyway, before finishing with said laptop and continuing our conversation about hot, famous chicks, Angie proceeded to travel to my blog and mention that there was not a recent post. Hmm. Yes, I know. At that point, with little prodding from Sailor Jerry, I said, "I'm done with the blog".

Well, I'm obviously not, as I sit here and write this, but it did get me thinking. Why blog? Why put it out there when it will just have to swim against the current that is the ocean of blogs already out there? I don't have an answer for that one. I think maybe it was a way to keep in touch with friends at first. I don't have many readers, though, so it's morphed into something more for myself. Something that lets me put my thoughts down on paper, if you will. While not really anything highly entertaining, and nothing really informative, it is something that allows me to vent. A release.

Over the past several months, and several blogs, I've chosen to stay away from talking about the economy. The reason for that is because of the fact that it is all completely petrifying. I am absolutely awestruck at how many so-called analysts and experts there are in this great country of ours that are absolutely clueless when it comes to basic economics. It is completely beyond me why these 'experts' seem to think that printing more fiat currency (i.e. government paper) will supposedly stimulate the economy. This country is already in an unprecedented amount of debt, and The Fed chairman and the appointed board think that they can always just sell more T-Bills and Bonds to subsidize this crazy "Federal Bailout". Basic economics, a class available to most in Junior High or High School, tells you that it is ludicrous to pay off one debt with more debt. Why does the federal government of the United States of America think it's possible for them? Because ever since the Bretton Woods agreement, our ego as the "world leader" has grown more and more every year, to a point where it is now getting us all (as citizens and taxpayers) in trouble. The complete detachment from a gold standard in 1971 started what will ultimately be, in my view, the destruction of the U.S. Dollar as the currency the world aspires to own, and maybe the destruction of the dollar as we now know it. If foreign countries continue with a plan to slowly remove themselves as buyers of U.S. T-Bills, T-Bonds, and U.S. investments in general, we will be in big trouble. This, to anyone that has even a modicum of economic knowledge, will lead to unprecedented inflation. Inflation of the likes we've never seen, and a U.S. economy in shambles. Goodbye government entitlement plans (ie Welfare, Medicare, etc). Goodbye government as we know it to be a controlling national entity. State governments would be your rulers in this world, many of which would likely secede from the union if that were to happen.

I know, I know, that's crazy talk. It really is, and I'm not sure I still have a complete grasp of what's happening. I hope it gets turned around, I really do. Unfortunately, buying a turnaround, labeled as "TARP", "Stimulus Package", or whatever, for something that amounts to several trillion dollars, is not the yellow brick road to an answer we all seek.

Nutty

I have talked about our friends many times already on this relatively young blog space on the world wide web. We have great friends all over the country. The Martins live in St. Louis, and just had a little boy in October named Trevor. We haven't been able to visit yet, but we hope to soon. We got a surprise gift in the mail the other day that put a huge smile on our faces. Being a part of our very close group of friends means appreciation for the finer things in life, and appreciation for the many good times we've had. We've always joked about a particular metaphor for girls being squirrels. Well, as our housewarming gift, the Martins sent us the perfect gift. A couple of nuts and a couple of squirrels. Memories are grand, and when something small like this puts a huge smile on our faces over and over again, it just makes us realize how lucky we've been to have such great friends. Love you K and C.

I'm finally starting to slow down a little this evening. The whole day was spent trying to stay busy. I was trying n0t to think about the huge playoff game the Steelers had this afternoon against the San Diego Chargers. Whew. It's all over now, and the Steelers looked great. There were a few plays here and there where they were less than spectacular, but Fast Willie Parker was like his old self, running all over their defense and helping us control the ball, the clock, and the tempo of the game. This opened up the passing game for Big Ben, and the rest is history. Now we get our arch-rivals, The Baltimore Ravens, next weekend at home. I can't wait for the battle. Of course, it's the late game again, so that means another Sunday of killing time until the big showdown. Maybe that's a good omen.

Switching Gears

Much time has passed, and many good times have been had since my last post. I’m going through stages in my short blogging history that have borne proof that I need start taking notes when I get ideas. One of the books I’m currently reading (one of four or five at any given time) is On Writing by Stephen King. He talks about how he comes up with ideas for his stories at random times, makes notes to himself,  and sometimes puts different ideas together to come up with the end result on paper. I think I need to start taking notes because it seems like every time I think about something being a great story, I’m not in a position to sit down at the computer and add it to my blog. That one problem, I’ve surmised after much introspection, is the main reason I have drifted into a pattern of going several days between posts. I’m not promising that I can rectify this immediately, but I will do my best to start taking notes and posting when I get a free minute.

The Browns were here briefly for the holidays because Jen and Scott finally said hello to their new pride and joy. Their daughter Paige entered the world on December 22^nd of 2008. Sean and Tammy came up from Dallas because we are all great friends (family, really) and they weren’t sure when they’d be able to make a return trip to see us all. They stayed with us here at the house for one evening of good times. In our group of close friends, which I think is currently at 13, we have often joked about living in a cul-de-sac when we’re all old enough to retire and resume our good times every day. I would love for this to happen sooner, and I get a great feeling when I see my good friends for times even as brief as twelve hours.

 Christmas was never really a religious experience for me as a child. My parents took us to church on Sundays when we were small, but after their divorce, it became an option. I opted out, of course, because my interest in things of the sort was already that of wonder. I have always been a leader and one to question authority. I’ve never blindly followed anyone or anything because I was told “this is the way”. I always managed to question it and back it up with my own discovery or research. This didn’t bode well for me at certain times in school, of course, but I think I turned out alright in the end. My mother may humbly disagree about my lack of belief in all things Christian, but I live a great life with far fewer complaints than millions of people in the world. 

Karen just so happens to go to church, and even though I don’t go with her, we manage to get along well enough because I see Christmas activities as a good tradition and a reason to get together with family and friends. The stories about Saint Nick are also something wonderful for millions of kids every year, I remember getting my first real BMX bike as a kid and getting my first Atari 2600. Those were big moments, and memories I wouldn’t trade for anything, so I will have no qualms in sharing some of these moments with children of my own, if that day ever comes to pass.

 I was bitten during the holiday break as well this year. Not physically bitten, but bitten by the bug to start shooting again on a regular basis. The last couple of years have seen months go by between my trips to the range, and I am always happier when I can go more often and put more copper and lead down range. Not too long ago I re-introduced a friend of mine to the wonderful world of firearms. He had a .22 rifle that was given to him by his grandfather, but had never really had anyone in his life that brought an interest in guns until we started hanging out. He’s the top technician where I work, and our mutual interest in all things motorcycle helped fuel a great friendship over the past eight years.

 JD has a fantastic shop behind his house where he works on everything from his motorcycles to his cars and guns. This shop was the place where he helped me rebuild an engine for my Yamaha TT500 flat track race bike, and also the place where we completely rebuilt the Dana 300 transfer case for my current Jeep CJ-7. Good times abound at JD’s. On a few occasions he would ask me about my guns, my interests, and after we both built nice custom rifles from old beater military Mausers, he was hooked. His purchases of old military arms are an investment as well as a source of enjoyment, so it’s always been justifiable. Recently, he forged a path toward competition pistol shooting. A mutual friend of ours got him fired up about shooting USPSA matches at the local range, and for a few months now, JD has done his best at trying to get me out there to join them. I’ve been reluctant because it isn’t exactly the cheapest sport, mostly because of the practice required. Shooting several thousand rounds a month is not uncommon, and I’m not in a financial position to take on a new hobby that could require so much time and cash outlay. After much rumination, I came to the conclusion that I already own much of the equipment required, and anything else can be readily borrowed from JD. He has toys galore already (after only three or four months of shooting) and has a spare of almost everything. Last weekend, I went out to the range with my guns and ammo to join JD, Butler, and Kevin for a few hours of steel popping and paper punching, USPSA style. I was caught- hook, line, and sinker-just like JD quietly suspected.

 I think I can start small and practice a little for now, just to see if it is at all feasible for me to join the fray. I could always liquidate a few assets from the collection if need be. I’m already looking forward to the match in January on the third Sunday. The only thing I thought may be an issue was the time away from the house on days when Karen is home. As luck would have it, matches are held on Sunday mornings, when Karen is at church. Perfect.

Blazing Inferno

I don’t have any children yet, but one of my sister’s lil’ Georgia Peaches is already reading at a very young age. For her birthday, I think I’m going to send a copy of the book that first lit my fire. The inferno that is the incessant pursuit of knowledge was sparked by that one book. I hated reading before that, sometime around the third or fourth grade, and I didn’t do much of anything aside from playing “war” in the woods with friends. I was always outside doing something or going on some sort of adventure. Discoveries of new places and the building of “forts” was a regular activity on the weekends from dawn until dusk.  Of course, this contributed greatly to Mom’s anxious moments and stress levels when I would come home with various wounds. No worries, though, because I think I turned out alright. 

            Soon after that first book, I became a huge comic book fan. I remember my first comic books like it was just yesterday that I treasured them, tension and drama increasing with each turn of the page. I am a firm believer in the power of reading, and I still read voraciously to this day. Last night, K and I sat down to watch a movie that we both meant to see in the theater. “The Dark Knight” was recently released on DVD, and one of my guys at work, Jon, let me borrow his copy. We saw “Iron Man” earlier this year at the theater with Scott and Jen, and we all loved it. It was the first great comic book movie. Most of them just don’t hold up well when depicted on the big screen. For whatever reason, something is usually lost. “The Hulk”, ”The Punisher”, and several other comic movies were far from good. “Spiderman” was good, but something just wasn’t the same. Casting has a lot to do with that, though. Even the “X-Men” movies didn’t really excite me, but maybe because I wasn’t a big reader of the comic. Don’t even get me started on “The Fantastic Four” movie. “Iron Man” changed that for the better. I loved it, and when a friend of mine (and fellow comic geek) said that “The Dark Knight” was better, I was skeptical to say the least. 

 “The Dark Knight” lived up to the hype and then some. Two and a half hours flew by like it was an hour. I must admit that in my heavy comic book reading days, I was a regular reader of these books: The Incredible Hulk, Batman, Detective Comics (Batman series), Iron Man, Spiderman, and Fantastic Four. These books made up the bulk of my interest, so I think I’m naturally drawn to these characters when it comes to cinematic adaptation. I’ve yet to see the latest version of the “The Incredible Hulk” with Edward Norton, but lackluster reviews have kept me from speeding over to the movie rental joint with reckless abandon. I haven’t bought any newly published comics since about 1995 or so, but I’ve bought some old comics (silver age mostly from the 60s) here and there to add to my collection. 

 It’s unfortunate that my little nieces live so far away because they are both big Spiderman fans. For now, the little house shoes with light-up Spiderman faces on them that I sent for Christmas will have to suffice. I’m sure I have a couple hundred comics I could let them read in a few years. Maybe someday, if I have kids, I’ll be able to share my comics and spark something good. I’d love to start the fire in someone new to the finer things in life. 

Wake Up

  Monday night, only a day after getting to see my beloved Steelers come through in the end for a resounding victory over the Dallas Cryboys, I was treated to a surprise appearance by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Versus. Well, I say treat, but in the end it was painful to watch. I caught the game right after the first intermission. Soon after starting the second period with the Buffalo Sabres, the Penguins looked to be in control of the game. They put one in the net to give themselves a nice cushion with a 3-1 lead. Well, as it played out, the Penguins played sloppily in their zone for the next thirty-five minutes, giving up ridiculous goals by not blocking out Sabres that were crashing the net. It was painful to watch the Pens fail on a 5 on 3 opportunity and 2 more power plays before it came to an end with the Penguins coming out on the losing end, 4-3 at home. 

  I haven't seen a game since then, because I only get to watch when they're on Versus, but I heard yesterday that they've been on a three game losing streak. Ouch. Well, last night, as I was watching the ESPN scroll, I saw that the Penguins finally woke up their offense with a huge win over the NY Islanders. 9-2 was the final count, with two unlikely players(Sykora & Dupuis) garnering hat tricks. The stars of the team, Crosby and Malkin, ended up with five assists and a goal between them. Not too shabby.  I'm glad to see they can rebound after some tough losses, and I'm hoping solid play will only build as they come up on the second half of the season.