Friday, August 31, 2012

Michelle 0bama Gives.....Shopping Lessons?

I saw this over at wirecutter's place, and his response to it was so on-the-money that I had to repost it here.

This is just another example of the democRATS "Do As I Say, Not As I Do" thinking.

(CNSNews.com) - As part of her anti-obesity Let's Move campaign, First Lady Michelle Obama is now presenting a brief online course: “Supermarket Shopping 101.”
The course, which now appears on the letsmove.gov website, provides novice shoppers with tips such as “steer clear of the cookie, snack and soda aisle.”
More of this ridiculous bullshit here

And Kenny's response:

What the fuck is she doing "presenting" a course on shopping? When was the last time she ever went shopping for her own food? When was the last time she went to the store and had to buy generic because the better quality brand name item was 75 cents more expensive? When was the last time she thumped a watermelon to see if it was ripe? Don't answer that one..... When was the last time she had to wrap her kids' lunch in tinfoil because she couldn't afford to buy baggies until Friday? When was the last time she skipped a fucking meal so her kids had plenty to eat? When was the last time she ate Top Ramen with an egg and some slivered leftover ham in it and considered it a fucking treat? When was the last time she checked her bank balance before she went to the store so she wouldn't be embarrassed if her card was refused because there ain't enough money on it? When was the last time she put a picked clean bone in the freezer so next week's beans will have at least some flavor to them?
You want me to keep going?

Well done, Ken!!

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Obamanation

The Feral Irishman found this.

THANKS!






And here's  link to an interactive version of the painting, explaining all the symbols used.

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Thursday, August 30, 2012

Might Get Some "Weather" Tonight

The temperature's dropping, the humidity has dropped like a rock, and there's HUGE thunderheads off the the North and East.

The National Weather Service has issued Flash Flood Alerts, and the weather app on my phone has been screaming at me for attention.

Might a get a drizzle or very light shower, but if you're up in the foothills....HEAD FOR HIGH GROUND!





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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Who Am I?

I'm sure this has been floating around the Web, but it's the first time I've seen it.



I was born in one country, raised in another. My father was born in another country.

I was not his only child. He fathered several children with numerous women.

I became very close to my mother, as my father showed no interest in me.

My mother died at an early age from cancer.

Although my father deserted me and my mother raised me, I later wrote a book idolizing my father not my mother.

Later in life, questions arose over my real name. My birth records were sketchy.

No one was able to produce a legitimate, reliable birth certificate.

I grew up practicing one faith but converted to Christianity, as it was widely accepted in my new country, but I practiced non-traditional beliefs and didn't follow Christianity, except in the public eye under scrutiny.

I worked and lived among lower-class people as a young adult, disguising myself as someone who really cared about them.

That was before I decided it was time to get serious about my life and embarked on a new career.

I wrote a book about my struggles growing up. 

It was clear to those who read my memoirs, that I had difficulties accepting that my father abandoned me as a child.

I became active in local politics in my 30's then, with help behind the scenes,

I literally burst onto the scene as a candidate for national office in my 40s.

They said I had a golden tongue and could talk anyone into anything.

I had a virtually non-existent resume, little work history, and no experience in leading a single organization.

Yet I was a powerful speaker and citizens were drawn to me, as though I were a magnet and they were small roofing tacks. I drew incredibly large crowds during my public appearances. This bolstered my ego.

At first, my political campaign focused on my country's foreign policy.

I was very critical of my country in the last war, and seized every opportunity to bash my country.

But what launched my rise to national prominence were my views on the country's economy.

I pretended to have a really good plan on how we could do better, and every poor person would be fed and housed for free. I knew which group was responsible for getting us into this mess.

It was the free market, banks and corporations.

I decided to start making citizens hate them and, if they became envious of others who did well, the plan was clinched tight.

I called mine "A People's Campaign." That sounded good to all people.

I was the surprise candidate because I emerged from outside the traditional path of politics and was able to gain widespread popular support.

I knew that, if I merely offered the people 'hope,' together we could change our country and the world.

So, I started to make my speeches sound like they were on behalf of the downtrodden, poor, ignorant, to include "persecuted minorities".

My true views were not widely known and I kept them unknown, until after I became my nation's leader.

I had to carefully guard reality, as anybody could have easily found out what I really believed, if they had simply read my writings and examined those people I associated with. I'm glad they didn't.

Then I became the most powerful man in the world. And then the world learned the truth.


Who am I?

ADOLPH HITLER

If you were thinking of SOMEONE ELSE, you should be scared, very scared!

Monday, August 27, 2012

RCBS "Rock Chucker" Kit

Well, I went over to my buddy's business today to pick up my mail and my packages.

Besides the RCBS kit, I'd ordered a bunch of books on the X-15 Research Aircraft and the XB-70 Valkyrie Experimental Bomber, and another book on the M1 Garand and M1 Carbine..

It took me about 15 minutes to bring everything in from the Jeep once I got home.

I'm really impressed with the RCBS "Rock Chucker" kit! I knew it came with the big items I wanted, like the press and a scale, but I'd either forgotten, or didn't look at everything listed in the description.

It came with a hand primer, and an automatic powder measure, along with a bunch of other little things. Every box I opened was "Oh Boy!" to the point my sweet wife came over and started looking at all the goodies.

We talked about reloading yesterday when I was plopped on the couch relaxing, and I showed her pictures of all the equipment, and explained all the steps in reloading empty cases.

She agreed it was a good aspect of the hobby to know and understand, and said I'd probably "Do everything exactly by the book, and get really good at it".

At this point (Rank Beginner) I'm just looking to get performance comparable to the factory loaded ammo I buy, learn a bunch, and save a few bucks. Perhaps at some future date I'll do some experimentation to develop loads suited to my particular guns, but as Ellie Arroway's Dad told her...."Small steps".

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Saturday, August 25, 2012

Neil Armstrong Dies at Age 82

A true pioneer, and a fine man.

May he rest in peace........

Further details here.

And here.

And here.

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SoCal Blogshoots?

Are there any out there?

I keep reading on all the other blogs about how much fun all you fine people have going to them, but I've yet to see any mentioned for Southern California.

The local NRA group held a "Fun Shoot" a couple of weeks ago, but alas, I was out bouncing around on the ocean for work.

Hmm.....maybe I should check with the ranges I go to and ask around some more, but I've never seen any gatherings "advertised" as a blogshoot.

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Thursday, August 23, 2012

ETA Sunday, About Noon, +/- God Knows How Much.....

We're about 2/3rds of the way back to Long Beach, and should either be at the Pilot Station, or pier, at 10AM/Noonish.

Still a *bit* too early to pin down an exact time, but I sure as H3LL hope it's not 10 freaking PM like it was last time!

I'm going to take my two bonus/incentive days immediately, and an extra day of personal time to go see my Doctor. My leg is getting better, and the Mother Of All Bruises is _starting_ to fade, but I'm still limping, I can't put my right leg over my left to put my shoes and socks on, I still have a big, sore lump where I "hit the deck", and my entire right thigh goes numb if I stand in one place for more than about ten minutes.

And I think I wrenched my left shoulder as I was going down. I didn't black out when I hit, but there's a bit of a timeline gap between realizing my feet were in the air and I was looking at the sky, to when I remember lying on the deck with two of the Russian guys running over to help me get up. I was still holding on to one of the stair rails with my left hand, and my arm was kinda back behind my head.

I'm sure I'll get referrals to Orthopedics, and probably Neurology, and I wonder what, if anything, they find.

For now I'm taking Ibuprofen, staying off my feet as much as I can except when I have to go do things, and trying to get as much sleep as I can.

Talk at y'all later.........

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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Case Trimmers?

Well, the Brown Truck of Happiness has delivered my RCBS "Rock Chucker" kit, along with the dies and other goodies I bought, BUT I still need a case trimmer.

Seems like there's quite a few choices out there, and I'd rather go with suggestions from my friends out here that have the experience I still lack.

Since we won't be getting back until Sunday, I still have plenty of time to order one and have it waiting for me.

Recommendations, suggestions, and actual use reports are welcome and greatly appreciated!

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Monday, August 20, 2012

GROAN.....Endless Meetings!

Even though the launch went fine, we still have to do all the debriefs, and go over "Lessons Learned", and play various "What If...." scenarios.

One of the Lessons Learned was something I've been harping about for some time now.

One of our telemetry receivers shut down at about L-3 hours due to an over temp condition. While others were agonizing over "What Do We DO!?!", I grabbed my Surefire G3 and went around to the rear of the rack.

Sure enough, the filter on the cooling fan was PACKED full of crud. After getting approval from the system owner, I pulled the fan, slid the filter out, blew it out with canned air, and put everything back together.

I was finished, and the receiver was back receiving, about 15 minutes before the Official Committee To Find Out What Happened came out of the conference room.

They were stunned I had it "fixed" so fast.

And then I pointed out that I'd been telling TPTB for several years that little things like this will cause a launch abort one of these days. If this had happened an hour or so later in the count, there's a good chance we would have scrubbed the launch, at a rather HUMUNGOUS cost compared to the value of the fan, filter, and whole damn receiver.

At least I wrote down all the information on the label on the fan so we can order some spares. Spare fans like this probably cost $10~$15, and are readily available.

They interesting thing is that we just got these receivers back from a "Full Calibration, CLEANING, and Adjustment" from a factory authorized service center!

And they charged us about $1500 EACH to go through these old codgers and "certify" them.

I'm willing to bet there'll be just a few phone calls made over the next few days.........

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Yep, It Worked Again

Successful launch, and I tracked it over the horizon.

Next up is an upper stage burn, then spacecraft separation.

But since my job is done, and I have to go over and tear down and stow equipment tomorrow at 0800, I'm going to bed!

Goodnight, all.........

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Saturday, August 18, 2012

L- 2 Hours, 30 Minutes, and Counting.....

And we are GO to begin fueling the launch vehicle!

Launch will be streamed live on USTREAM.

L-8 Hours and Counting.....

Tonight's launch of Intelsat-21 will be available for viewing at the Intelsat website.

I spent 14 hours over on the Launch Platform yesterday getting antennas aligned and working through some "issues" we had.

They've NEVER "problems", even though they are, but rather "issues".

I'm sure you all know the drill!

Enjoy the launch if you're up that late!

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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Firefly

Since we've been delayed 24 hours, I've been watching the Blu-Ray discs of "Firefly".

I watched "Serenity" a couple of months ago, and now I wished I would have waited until I'd watched the series.

It was a stunningly good series, and highly underrated while it was being aired.

I just finished the first disc, having watched the first 5 episodes, and I'm up to where River has finally stated speaking to the other crew members. I particularly liked the way she "charmed" Badger.

And sweet little Kaylee has started showing some open signs of her infatuation with Simon.

I've had these discs for a couple of years, and just now got around to watching them.

I don't believe I wated so long to watch such a well-made series.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

We've Arrived......

At the launch site, that is.

We're starting L-3 operations so I'll be pretty busy the next few days.

Launch is set for August 17th at 2356PDT.

More info can be found at the Intelsat website.

CUL!

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Friday, August 10, 2012

Obama Whines Michelle Doesn’t Collect Salary As First Lady

Good Lord above!

What doesn't this poser of a "president" want now?
Isn't it enough this POS has almost single-handedly destroyed the American economy, put our great grandchildren in hock, and made a laughingstock out of us?

If we don't get this unprintable piece of SHIT out of office, along with a good chunk of his crooked, communist cronies in November, our beloved Country is surely doomed.

To borrow a phrase from wirecutter:

FUCK OBAMA!

Read about it here, at Freedom Outpost.

RCBS "Rock Chucker" Ordered

I received an email from Midway that I had some special "Birthday Deal" pricing available, so I looked over what they had for relaoding gear, and then ordered the Rock Chucker kit, and some accessories.

I bought three die kits, in 45ACP, 357 Magnum, and 30-30 Winchester, some "decapping pins", an internal/external deburring tool, and a primer pocket cleaner.

The total, with shipping and an NRA "Round Up" contribution, came to $430.

I'm sure I'll be spending more, as I'd like to get a digital scale, sets of dies for 30-06, 308, and 40S&W, and probably other things that I'm sure I'm going to need!

AND I'll need some case cleaning supplies, too.

What do you guys use for cleaning your cases? One of the tumbler/vibrator types with various media, or do you do the "wet" cleaning with commercial cleaning solutions like I've read about? I'd think the tumbler/vibrator types would be easier, as you don't have to worry about flushing out any chemicals from the cleaned cases, and then drying them.

So, I still haven't gone over the $600 self-imposed "limit" I told my sweet little wife I'd hold myself to.

And I'm studiously reading the "ABCs of Reloading", and the "Modern reloading" books I brought with me.

I doubt if I'll ever try to work up "special" or "match" loads on my own. I'd rather just stick with the published loads, and use this gear to get my shooting costs down to where I can go out more often. The ammo cost isn't a big factor now, but that could change at any time.

Hmm.....probably ought to start looking at getting some primers and powder, too......

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Thursday, August 9, 2012

ouch, Ouch, OUCH!

OOPS.....had a minor accident today at work.

It's been drizzling out here, and when I was outside, coming back from an equipment space with no inside access, I slipped and fell.

Now, I'm *always* careful onboard, and even when we're tied up at the dock back at our Home Port, I use BOTH handrails when traversing the stairs, or 'ladders' in ship-speak.

I was two steps from the bottom, holding both rails, when my feet went out from under me.

BOOM! All 200 pounds of me came crashing down on a wet, steel deck, from about three feet in the air.

I landed on my right hip, just aft, and bit below, of the big pelvic bone. Took me a couple of seconds to realize HOLY SHIT, I'M ON THE DECK! and get my bearings again.

Two marine crew members came over, helped me up, and asked if I wanted to go up to the hospital. I shook myself a bit, and decided nothing was broken, so I told them no, and in a bit of a daze, went back to the EGSE room where I normally work.

My at-sea Manager (a good guy) was there, and after I told what had happened, he sent me to our Safety guy to file a report. The Safety guy wrote everything down, inspected my shoes to make sure they were "approved" (they're non-skid) and said going to the ship's Doctor was my call, but he recommended it.

So, back up to the 3rd bridge deck, and into our little hospital. I talked to the Doctor, and then he gave me an exam, and asked a bunch of questions. At this point, it doesn't look like I broke anything (I've broken stuff before, and believe me, I would have been screaming bloody murder while laying on the deck when this happened!), but I have a huge bump (pardon me, "Hematoma" in med-speak) on my hip almost the size of my fist, and he says I'm going to have one doozie of a bruise in a few days.

Now since we're scheduled to launch on the 17th, that means I have to go over to the platform on the 16th to set up a bunch of equipment. Thankfully I get to go on the helicopter, and the helipad is on the same level as our equipment shelter. The only problem at this time is I have to climb a ladder carrying my tool bag up to the top of the shelter, and if I'm not limber enough to do it...............

For now, I'm just going to take it easy, and try and keep somewhat mobile, because if I sit down for more than about 15 minutes, it's kinda hard to get back up.

And I haven't told my dear wife yet........

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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Decisions, Decisions.....30-06, or 308?

Well, I'm about *this close* to ordering an M1 Garand from the CMP.

I'm going to get one of their "CMP Select" grades, that's pretty much been remanufactured, with new wood, but one naggling little choice remains.....

Do I order one in "period correct" 30-06, or go with the more "modern" 308?

I've read up on the ballistics of both, and while they're fairly similar, they each have their strengths and weaknesses.

My thinking is that if/when the Schumer hits the fan, 308 might be a tad easier to come by than 30-06.

What say you?

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Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Out At Sea Again....Light Posting For A While

I'm out here to support boosting another up for Intelsat, so I have to be careful what I post.

I'll try and get a few things up over the next couple of weeks.

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Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Three More To Go....

WELL....my lovely wife and I sat down and went over our finances, how much I'll get from S.S., and the pensions I'll get from three previous employers, and we decided I can retire next year.
I'll still do some consulting work, and since clients I had before my current employer called me back a year ago April are still
calling me asking if I can do some work for them, I think we'll be just fine.The "Three More To Go" title relates to the fact that I'll only have three more launch campaigns to go on before my "R-Day".
I'm leaving Sunday morning for the current mission, then there's one around the end of November, and one more in late January/early February.
After that, they have NOTHING on the manifest, and the grapevine indicates nothing in sight, either.
Who knows, I might get laid-off again before I **officially** make my plans known, in which case I'll take unemployment for as long as I can get it.
I have several opinions about why they don't have customers lined up, but I'll save those for next August.
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Why Gun Control Made Aurora Shooting Inevitable

There's a very good article over at the California Political Review website about the shootings in Aurora.
The writer doesn't own a gun, but he supports our Second Amendment rights.
Give it a read, I think you'll find it very good.

Annnnd.....We Got Zip.....

 Total snow was about 6~8", but half o0f it melted as soon as it hit, and we never had more than 3" on the ground at any one time....