Cowboy Blob's Saloon and Shootin Gallery

I'm not a real Cowboy, but I play one in the movies.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

I've Got the Bestest Friends!


Just in time for the Super Bowl!

Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club!

Four varieties from two breweries!

Three bottles each!

That means I can drink two and save the third for a Saloon Beer Tasting when Jon and Bob come down for the Zombie Wars this month!

From Sand Creek Brewery (Black River Falls WI), there is English Style Special Ale and Woody's Wheat. From Lancaster Brewery (Wilkes-Barre PA!!!), there is Winter Warmer and Milk Stout.

I'll save the reviews for when the guys get here. I'll be too busy watching football.

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Cactus Star



Another CB-designed match with some creative and some dizzy adaptations by the set-upcrew went rather well. I did awesome(ly) on this stage, only to have my buddy Jon kick my axe with a Remington 870 pump. Still, it looks rather nice, besides the terrible case of Dunlap's Disease I've got.

Remember, until the next batch of IPSC targets, the brown targets we avoid, the white ones we shoot.

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Heh.

Jon got his wife and I T-Shirts for Christmas from our favorite web comic, Order of the Stick (see the link on the sidebar). Guess who got which?

Hint: I'm the Republican.

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Monday, January 26, 2009

Weekend Caption/Photoshop Contest

Sticky until Monday -- Scroll Down for New Stuff

Got a better caption or photoshop for this Reuters photo? You could win a coveted Blog Ad on my side bar!

Original:

President Barack Obama is seen during the signing of executive orders about the closing of the military prison at the U.S. military base in Guantanamo, Cuba, in the Oval Office on the second official day at the White House in Washington, January 22, 2009. At left is Vice President Joseph Biden.

(Larry Downing/Reuters)

Leave a caption or photo link in comments, or Email a pic to me at the address in my profile. If you're sending a large animation, please provide a hot-linkable URL.

You need not own a blog to win! I'll advertise your favorite charity, web site, or even your old Crayola crayons!

Check out the links in Drinks Ordered for photoshops!

Judging begins Monday p.m.

Winner!

John D. of Nobody Move! wins with:
"Two hours and forty-five minutes into a sales pitch for a fancy new pen, President Obama quietly vows to fire the staffer who invited Billy Mays to the White House."
Other Contests:

Gone Rick Motel
Outside the Beltway
Support Your Local Gunfighter
Family Security Matters
Right Pundits

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Naive & Abroad in Mexico

I don't know what gave Mr. Wilder the impression that I was any good at book reviews (I know it couldn't have been my latest one), but he sent me a draft copy of his latest collection of insight and anecdotes and asked me to review it in January.

I've lived in Tucson for 12 years and I have not had the slightest urge to venture a little ways south into that mudhole of crime, corruption, and chihuahuas that they call Mexico. Marcus obviously did, and for some reason kept going back (well, he's the adventurous sort who heads off alone into remote Pakistan, so what can I say?). Wilder shares his look into what it means to be Mexican and bars no holds. And holds no bars. If you're truly interested in Mexican culture and psychology, this book should be your first read. Read excerpts to a loyal Mexican only through a thick pane of Lexan with some air holes drilled through. I wonder if my college bookstore has this?

Seriously, I greatly admire the hard-working Mexican-Americans who share my community, but the La Raza/Aztlanist racists can go take a long walk barefoot through a cholla forest. Wilder predicts that a regaining of Mexico's lost territory (the American Southwest) is almost inevitable. I hope he's wrong. California is messed up enough already.

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Sunday, January 25, 2009

No Kidding!

I'm a Ford Mustang!



You're an American classic -- fast, strong, and bold. You're not snobby or pretentious, but you have what it takes to give anyone a run for their money.


"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.



h/t to Lil Bro

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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The BinkerMom Didn't Fall Far from the Tree

Just like her Mom, the Binker was born inconveniently close to Christmas (only less so).

When it was time to open the present from Lil Bro, the BinkerMom told her that since it was wrapped in aluminum foil, it must be a ham and cheese sandwich. I suspect she may have believed that BS for a second or two, then was a good sport about "hamming" it up for a picture.

(I can imagine Mom or Dad making the same joke.)




BinkerMom doesn't spell so well after a hard day at work, so when she said the Binker had a picture of "Lenon" by her bed, I feared that my Baby Sis was trying to raise a freakin' Communist.

I'm still not so sure.

I hear they're taking her to a Beatlemania concert. What a lucky kid.

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Come and Take Them!

Y'all Know I'm a Moron

Somehow, I thought that the DVD that came with the lesson book for Final Cut Pro 6, a professional grade video editing software suite, actually included the FCP program. What the hell was I thinking? That program costs about a grand, even with my student discount! Looks like I won't be doing any home editing of school projects on the Mactop... though my film project will be converted to digital for editing and I'm allowed to use any editor I wish.

Since USB jump drives ain't gonna cut it for video, I just ordered a 500GB LaCie portable external HD to store my raw video. That's a tad more room than the prof said was necessary, but it'll hold at least two classes worth of work.

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Man, Oh Man

Studnut life is going to get crazy this semester. I'm taking a Video Production and a Cinematography class and they both take for granted that I know how to edit and read scripts. Concurrently, I'm taking a video editing class and a screenwriting class, prerequisites for the first two, but concurrent enrollment is allowed -- but not recommended. I wish those last three words had been included in the course descriptions. Gonna get real interesting.

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It's Zombie-Whackin' Time!

Situation:
Enemy Forces - At this time, information on the enemy is scattered at best. The enemy seems to be people previously thought to be dead.


Friendly Forces - Friendly forces are limited. There seem to be few people available who are both prepared and trained to engage these hostile forces.


Mission:
All units receiving will rally at Pima Pistol Club (32.458360N, -110.906789E) NLT 0830 21FEB09 to defend prescribed area against incursion.

Execution:
Commander's Intent - At this time, survival is our primary goal. Stay tuned to receive more information.

Concept of the Operation - Again, to stay alive. As we receive more information from intelligence, we will have a more concrete plan.

Service Support:

Administration - We will take no prisoners. Since it appears to be a contagion, at this time, we will not have any CASEVAC plans.

Logistics - Each individual will be responsible for arriving with at least 200 rounds of ammunition for their rifle, and 75 for their pistol. Water is also suggested

Command/Signal:

http://tinyurl.com/9nggqe

arizonaacts@gmail.com

Monday, January 19, 2009

Weekend Caption/Photoshop Contest

Sticky until Monday -- Scroll Down for New Stuff

Got a caption or photoshop for this unsourced photo? You could win a coveted Blog Ad on my side bar! Leave a caption or photo link in comments, or Email a pic to me at the address in my profile. If you're sending a large animation, please provide a hot-linkable URL.

You need not own a blog to win! I'll advertise your favorite charity, web site, or even your old webcam!

Check out the links in Drinks Ordered for photoshops!

Judging begins Monday p.m.

Winner!


Lil Bro wins with a Jack Bauer impersonation:
"Blue team, the roll is nearly empty in 23 west, expedite! Red team, we have Cheetos, correction Baked Cheetos, hanging in vending machine 5."
Other Contests:

Family Security Matters
Gone Rick Motel
Outside the Beltway
RT's Ponderings
Wizbang
Support Your Local Gunfighter

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Sunday, January 18, 2009

Celebrate Diversity?

The ACTS January Match has done Saint Marty proud. The match winner Aaron sported an iron-sighted Ruger Mini-14 with brand new faux-concrete furniture. One of the hardcore Agoge shooters who beat me had an AK. I finished 6th out of 25 shooting (I was one of two in the Open Division in a very Open-unfriendly match). That's the POF-Meister (far right). The Streamlight light/laser was just on to see it it was feasible for the "Mogadishu Mile (Stage 4)." No, it wasn't a go. I actually did well, thanks to the Cooley brake and my own awesomeness (oh, shut up!).

Okay, I did well because I've become more comfortable in firing from all the awkward attitudes ACTS forces upon you. I still curse the name and all offspring of the designers of each stage, but I soldier on and didn't seem to do badly, once I cleared my firing pin channel of the gunk that had almost turned it into a single-shot. Yeah, I ran the "Mogadishu Mile" (Stage 4) knowing I'd only get one shot... but still; I didn't even consider transitioning to my pistol... because *damn* I don't come to these matches to shoot my *^%#$#%^ pistol!

Here's some of our not-so-greatest hits:

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I Win


Yesterday in Tamaqua PA (left), Tucson AZ (right).

I miss the family, but I'm happy as a beagle to be warm again.

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Friday, January 16, 2009

A Pilot's Pilot

Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III is a hero, undoubtedly, but to attribute his water landing to the Hand of the Almighty ought to be more than any current or former U.S. Fighter Pilot worth his or her salt can take. I mean, really, aren't they selling New Yorker bystanders and rescuers kinda short, too? This man mastered the F-16 Fighting Falcon F-4 Phantom and achieved the captaincy of a state-of-the-art Airbus airliner... what's a thing like ditching the aircraft into the icy waters of the Hudson? Don't they train for that?

I hear General Mills wanted to put Captain Sullenberger on their Wheaties box, but the man insists he eats his roofing nails topped with Wheaties, not the other way around.

Captain Sully qualified with his personal weapon (left) for the Armed Pilot program, but the cost of .50 BMG Glaser Safety Slugs made him resolve to beat would-be hijackers to death with his fists.

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Thursday, January 15, 2009

New Jersey?

I was wondering if I'd had more time on my hands this New Year whether I should have put up a Pay Pal Button on my side bar to buy me an NFL team jersey in time for the Conference Championship games. I am 1.000 for losing post-season games while wearing an jersey of the team for which I'm rooting. Throw enough bucks my way and I'll buy and wear your enemy team's jersey, thereby dooming them to failure! If you're an Eagles fan, your contribution could get me a nice red Number 1 jersey of kicker Neil Rackers (in the tradition of my Al Del Greco fascination) or y'all local folks could put me into a nice green non-McNabb jersey! I'm kinda torn this game, but I'll probably pull for the home team just so I can trash-talk/text with Lil Bro.

I'm definitely a PA Boy for the AFC match-up, even though I wouldn't mind sporting a purple #20 to commemorate free safety Ed Reed's awesome season... and bringing it to an end with a crushing defeat by the Steelers, all thanks to the mighty power of my jinx.

Or maybe I should save it for the Super Bowl.

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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Sakes Alive! The Binker's Five!

Trip Report

Not much to complain about, really! The biggest construction slowdown was west-bound I-10 in NM, and I hit that at the right time of night. I beat all the inclement weather I saw forecast for the route; my only real challenge was getting the Ranger up Mom's plowed-but-still-snowy driveway.

Things to do differently? On my next half-dozen Super Eclectic Road Trip MP3 CDs, I'll limit the Min Hae-kyong additions to her first collection (the listenable one). And eliminate repeats by re-burning all the stuff that didn't use the on-line database on my first try. And not so many show tunes. Not that there's anything wrong with that....

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Mission Complete


Made it back to the Land of Starshine just before midnight. Everything went rather smoothly except my credit card cut out on me (again) halfway across the country. It seems they were alarmed that somebody was taking the same path I take twice a year and was actually heading back to my home address! Oh n0es!!!

I'm sorry that the weather cut short some of the side trips I had in mind. There's always this summer....

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Sunday, January 11, 2009

Weekend Caption/Photoshop Contest

Sticky until Monday -- Scroll Down for New Stuff

Got a caption or photoshop for this photo of Lil Bro? You could win a coveted Blog Ad on my side bar! Leave a caption or photo link in comments, or Email a pic to me at the address in my profile. If you're sending a large animation, please provide a hot-linkable URL.

You need not own a blog to win! I'll advertise your favorite charity, web site, or even your obsolete body armor!

Check out the links in Drinks Ordered for photoshops!

Judging begins Sunday Night (I hit the road Monday a.m.).

Winner!

Maggie Mama with:
In his next life Lil Bro wants to be The Dark Knight.

Please send me some Blog Ad info!

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Saturday, January 10, 2009

I Lost

I raced the blizzard back to Hoofytown PA and came in second place.  I slid to the bottom of the driveway and put the Ranger in Mom's garage, hoping her neighbor can plow us out soon.  

I'm going to hibernate tomorrow until the football game.

Oh, yeah, YAY CARDS!


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Windows Emulator

Alan tried out his new Windows partition on his great big Mac... downloaded Steel Panthers MBT too!  unfortunately, we couldn't get it to run in the full screen mode and had to play it in the 800 x 600 resolution.  Still, we had fun spanking the French with our Israeli combat team.

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Social Cat


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Thursday, January 08, 2009

Holy Halite. Batman!


Got sunshine today, but subfreezing temperatures, so I had to dig out a bag of rock salt to make the driveway passable.

I made it to Laurel, Maryland, during the height of rush hour.

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Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Winter Wonderland

Probably not going anywhere today.



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Tuesday, January 06, 2009

They Know Something

Scads of birdies tanked up at Mom's Bar & Grill & Suet Cake today, somehow sensing the storm coming later.  It's slicker 'n whale snot out there with ice tonight.  Pray the power stays on.

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Monday, January 05, 2009

Weekend Caption/Photoshop Contest

Sticky until Monday -- Scroll Down for New Stuff

Got a caption or photoshop for this photo, scarfed by Lil Bro from a Milblog on my blogroll? You could win a coveted Blog Ad on my side bar! Leave a caption or photo link in comments, or Email a pic to me at the address in my profile. If you're sending a large animation, please provide a hot-linkable URL.

You need not own a blog to win! I'll advertise your favorite charity, web site, or even your obsolete body armor!

Check out the links in Drinks Ordered for photoshops!

Judging begins Monday Night.

Winner!

RT of RT's Ponderings wins with:  "We're on a mission, a mission from God."

Other Contests:

Support your Local Gunfighter
Family Security Matters
Gone Rick Motel
Right Pundits
Outside the Beltway
RT's Ponderings

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Printer Problem?



h/t to Chief

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Eww, Yuck, Phew!!

Came over to Lil Bro's and poured myself a Rum and Caffeine-Free Diet Coke.  After a sip, I wondered why he tried to poison me with BRAKE FLUID!  Turns out the soda expired in 2005 and sat in his fridge for almost 5 years!  Dude!

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Saturday, January 03, 2009

Fit to Fight

Fun



h/t my Communist Cousin

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Thursday, January 01, 2009

Bobcat or Tabby?

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In Case You Were Worried

...about Mom's missing recycling bin, I hiked down the field and found it just where I predicted the prevailing winds would carry it. The hike down was pleasant, but trudging back up the hill was a literal pain the ass... that's a lot of incline for someone who's been a couch potato all winter.

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