BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Decided to experiment and expand my repertoire.  Had a bag of shrimp left over from New Years and a package of bacon (which no fridge should be without) so went ahead and tried to make one of my favorite sports bar meals. 

Ready for the broiler.

 
Side of fried potatoes

Threw some of the extra bacon and shrimp into a pan to fry up.

The final result

Not 100% of what I was going for but the spawnlings all said they really liked it. Think I'll do it w/ jumbo shrimp next time, maybe on a skewer instead of toothpicks.

Save GunFreeZone

Mig needs some help keeping GFZ up and running.  

I have to upgrade, I need your help and unfortunately there is no Bloomberg equivalent on our side. My goal is to raise $650 to lock down service for the next three years. That should cover hosting, domain name, privacy and other security stuff so the site does not get hacked/abused/etc (they have tried in the past). I have set accounts in both PayPal and Venmo under miggy357@gmail.com 

 One of my daily morning reads.  Help if you can.

(Hopefully a) Happy New Year

It's nice to know that even though I'm not posting very much, my most innocuous stances can still generate hate and discontent towards me in the comments (not posted due to graphic nature).

I mean seriously dude?  Chill.

Either some really positive things on the horizon for the year or else heart attack/stroke.  Could go either way. 

Star Wars ep VII: The Force Awakens; a Perspective (No Spoilers)

Saw the movie last night.  I entered the theater cautiously optimistic (remembering the burn that was Ep I) and came out giddy.  Most of the reviews I've seen from friends have put it in the top tier of the SW films w/ V (ESB) normally being the #1.  Only a few have been outright negative w/ some valid concerns.  Some things to take into context/perspective before you see the film and after if you didn't enjoy it for the same reasons.

The 3D effect was the best I've seen so far.  Some films seem to promote it as an after thought. I ducked a few times during the show. 

The visualizations were outstanding.  Imperial/First Order gear looks even more evil than it did in the original trilogy.

Don't take it seriously.  SW was originally a one shot cowboy drama in space.  They are all 'kids' movies, some more-so than others.  While some scenes may be a bit more 'adult', overall they are designed as adolescent science fiction.

Don't overthink the films.  Yes there are plot holes in all of them nor are they 'hard' science fiction.  If you try and pick them apart as such you will only end up not liking them.

If you are as much of a movie-hound as I am, there is no such thing as an original plot or story.  You will be able to pick out bits or figure out what's going to happen in almost ANY film.  SW7 is not different.  You will see heavy elements from the original trilogy.

There is no Jar Jar so no matter what it is better than Ep I. 

Take the movie for what it is and enjoy a return to your childhood.

My Xmas Gift

A bit back I had the chance to order a very rare and unique die.  I decided I was worth it (and anyone who knows me would agree) so went ahead w/ it.

What was this unique die?  Why one that would be the envy of any caveman gamer.  A 20-sider made out of Mammoth tusk ivory from Artisan Dice.  I received it last night and my other neanderthalic group members wailed and gnashed their teeth in jealousy.



I risked one (very gentle) christening roll.  A 17.  So not only a piece of are but also potentially lucky.

The full set included a cedar case, Cert. of Authenticity w/ spare chip in case of testing, and an extra die of which I'm getting details on made of 'Red Heart' for the long wait.It rolled a nat 20.



If I win the lottery, I would love to get a set of the Rosewood or Bogwood dice.

I'm On A List

NSA, FBI, BATFE, Santa.... all sorts of lists. 

Why? 

Well I committed an act that will likely flag me on all of them. 

I bought two handguns in a week. 

Shocking I know. Obviously an ISIS inspired plot to end American civilization. 

Or.....

They're Xmas gifts for the C-in-C and my mom*.

First up in the C-in-C's new carry piece.  Looking at various easily cocked semi-auto's, we decided on a Walther model.  The PK380 was her first choice but that would include me having to buy new food to feed it.  Instead we went w/ a CCP in 9mm, purchased used from my buddy Caleb. She asked "What if I don't like it?".  Well thankfully guns are non-consumables and I already have two people interested in it if it isn't preferred.



Also during Thanksgiving, I did a check on my mom's little KelTec P32.  We discovered she couldn't pull the slide back on it anymore so we did some discussion on what should replace it.  A revolver was chosen.  At the show last week, I found a Ruger LCR in .22lr from Zancha Guns.  Not much but w/ her arthritis it's about all she can handle and it's better than nothing. 




A family that shoots together stays together. 

*all laws followed.

Wildcat Rounds and .510 Whisper

It's good to have friends.  One of mine is one of those wonderful individuals that has all the licenses etc. to manufacture bang sticks w/ fun switches, cans, and all sorts of other goodies.  He also really likes to show off these toys to his friends and take them out to play when he can.

While I was over there working on a transfer the other night, he asked if I was in a hurry.  I replied 'Not any more' when he pulled out a custom rifle (probably costing more than I make in a year) w/ custom suppressor.  It fired what is called a 'Wildcat' round, all custom machined, in a caliber called .510 Whisper.  Basically a .50bmg bullet in a cut down .338 Lapua casing. I got the fun of firing an API round at a 150m target.  No hearing protection.  It resulted in a pop.... BOOM!!! followed by schoolgirlish giggling.

Some of the other rounds he's made for various guns:

Hopefully I'll get to test some of these as well.  It's good to have friends.

Ugly Gun: Norinco SKS

I like SKS's.  They've definitely grown on me over the years.  This one that I was shown yesterday, however, looks like it was made in a cave in Afghanistan. 

First the overview for an initial WTF?:

Now some closeups:

Lovely JB weld holding on the misplaced scope. Eye relief is about 1.5" to far forward. 

The deflector plate held on w/ a sheet metal screw.

 The side mount scope mount set in by cutting the frame:

Not shown but he used some kind of stain or paint on the top of the forward grip to make it 'match'. 

Even though it's just a Norinco, I almost cried.