Monday, October 26, 2009

More Road Rants

Maybe I'm a bit of a fuddy duddy but,

When it is lightly raining out and the speed limit on the road is 65, I shouldn't have pretty much everyone passing me as I do 70 in the slow lane.

That might explain why in a 20 mile commute from hotel to class, I saw no less than 6 wrecks. 2 bad enough to block more than 1 lane and require ambulances. I just don't get it.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Observations from the road

Traveling today afforded me the opportunity to people watch and generally get out in public. At DFW airport I stopped for a bite to eat between flights and boy are some people assholes! The guy in front of me at the sandwich shop went off on the counter help because he didn't feel they put enough fixin's on the sandwich. I mean went off to the point of the poor woman behind the counter excused herself from the line and went in the back to compose herself. This guy was just being an ASS. No politeness or common courtesy at all.

Do people not realize they are traveling? I'm sorry women but even though you may look good in high heels, like in serious spikes, if you are traveling and have to catch a connecting flight in a massive airport complex while lugging a massive purse, backpack and rolling bag, maybe you should consider shoes that are made for walking. And when you slip while trying to wear heels and run to catch a flight, do not blame the airport floor for causing you to fall.

TSA exists and has for a while. The procedures are pretty standard and suggestions are available form all over. Don't wear clothes and accessories loaded with metal the make you have to practically disrobe to get through and complain that the line is taking too long and moving too slow.

Enough ranting for tonight. Must find restaurant and kill food.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

On the Road Again.......

Got word late yesterday that I am headed to Raleigh NC for training. Like Now!

Gonna miss this weekends classes, fortunately there are enough instructors that I can slide and the class will still go on. Should be perfect weather like it was last weekend so everyone should have a good time. Just hate to miss out. I really do enjoy seeing shooters progress and learn new skills. Especially the smiles on their face when it finally hits them the difference between arrival performance and that during later parts of class.

So, any dining suggestions for the Raleigh area?

Monday, October 19, 2009

Range Weekend AAR

Saturday was a long day, started with Basic Pistol 2 at 9AM, Defensive Pistol Skills 1 in the middle and ended with Introduction to Low Light / Night Shooting at 9:30PM. For me that meant leaving the house at 6:30A and getting home around midnight. The cats were not terribly happy.

Long but good day. Lots of new people and a few actually learned something. Really everyone said they had a good time and learned so it was a great day. Saw a few people who made it to the end of the day much improved. That is the goal after all, get better. A few learned that the gun they had was not really the right gun for them. Now they know how their gear works under lots of stress and how they work under stress. Even the scenario force on force drills at night went well. Everyone already got the message that if there is nothing in there worth dieing for, Don't go there! They still got to learn why trying to clear a house at night just flat sucks. Especially if you are trying to do it alone.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Ah what a day

The Anointed one has decided to grace us back woods inbred rednecks with a visit so things around here are a bit weird. USSS has been in town for a few days checking things out and informing us of the modified schedules that we are going to have to work around. WOOOOHOOOO, leave work early today!

I do not envy the USSS officers their duties. With the current climate of resentment towards the Socialist agenda that BHO is pushing and this being one of the last bastions of conservative secondary education, their job is tough. I will say they very much appear to have their act together. I have the greatest respect for the men and women who serve on the presidential detail as well as all the local agents that have been brought in to compliment their ranks. They are definitely professionals doing a tough job.

On the aircraft front, while having a C-17 come in is an awesome sight, there is nothing like the feeling of a flight of heavy Helo's coming in together. During preparations for this visit, a group of Marine Helo's came through to check the area out and deliver people/stuff. When the ground shakes and the building rattles and you can feel the pounding in your chest, there is definitely some work being done by the Helo's to try and beat the air around them into submission. I would have posted pictures but the USSS folks asked us not to be taking pictures when we came out to watch them approaching. Sorry. Besides, pictures are no where near as impressive as the feeling!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Just Flew In

And boy are my arms tired!

Spent a couple days at a customers facility going over equipment for an upcoming test. Fun to get away for a couple days. Much better than living on the road like I used to.

Hectic at work now and going to get busier for the rest of the year. What a problem to have in this economy.