This Sunday I...

...will be manning a table at the Texas Scooter Times Summer Swap Meet in Dallas. My friend Phil and I will be looking to sign up new members for the Texas State Rifle Association.

This looks to be a real good time.

If you happen to end up there, look me up.

An Important Message for Texas Voters

From my friend Ken. Ken is one of the organizers for the Dallas Tea Party Group and the Director of the North Texas Gun Owners.

From Ken:

I'm going to ask you, right now, to mark the date MARCH 2, 2010 on your calendar. If you don't recognize the date, don't sweat it. Unfortunately, March 2, 2010 will come and go without much notice from the substantial majority of Texans.

It won't, however, go unnoticed owing to a lack of importance. QUITE THE CONTRARY. March 2, 2010 is an election day, when the outcome of most of our federal and state races will be determined.

Now, you may be forgiven for thinking, as most do, that most outcomes are decided in NOVEMBER, but you would be wrong. In MOST races, the voting taking place in November is merely a FORMAL RATIFICATION of the results of the primary election in March.

In other words, MOST races are essentially decided once the primary election is finished. This is particularly true in legislative races, which involve districts SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED to ensure that one party or the other will ALWAYS win a particular district. The substantial majority of races are not competitive in the November election, because they are not INTENDED to be. It's called "gerrymandering", and it's designed into our political system at every level. As politicians will tell you, "it's not a bug--it's a feature!"

In MOST races, the ONLY realistic way to affect the outcome of the GENERAL election in NOVEMBER is to affect the outcome of the PRIMARY election in MARCH. In most cases, by the time you get to November, THE GAME IS ALREADY UP.

The CRITICAL point is this: whatever change you may hope to get done in the next election cycle, you must go from March 2, 2010 and work backwards to TODAY. Yes, there will still be PLENTY of work to do after March 2, but the number of possible outcomes will be substantially diminished at that point. In each race in which the citizens fail to get a GOOD candidate on the ballot, they will be faced, ONCE AGAIN, with a choice between CRUMMY and AWFUL.

Let's not let that happen.

Let's go get 'em.

- K

We have some very critical primary elections coming up this go around. From high profile races like the Texas Governor race and the battle for Kay Bailey Hutchison's Senate seat to quite a few Texas House and Senate seats. This is our opportunity to let those who obstructed the passage of the Parking Lots and Campus Carry Bills know just exactly how we feel about their poor judgement.

Medifast Diet - Week 9

Well I did it, this week I passed the first real milestone on my weight loss journey. I am no longer officially "Obese". I am now just an Overweight American. And you know what? For the moment that feels pretty darn good.

In my ninth week I lost 4.5 pounds. My total weight loss over the past 9 weeks is 49 pounds! I have grand children that weigh less than that.

I mentioned earlier about some issues that I had concealing a 1911 as I was losing weight, the shirts just seemed to cling to the grip of my Kimber. I pretty much resolved that issue this weekend. I purchased some clothes that actually fit and moved the carry position of my pistol back along the belt a bit and all is good once again.

It is probably time I traded off some of my gear that no longer fits. I'll have to take some pictures so if you are interested you can see what I have to trade.

If you are at all interested in learning more about what I am doing to lose this weight, head on over here. There are two videos there that will be worth your time to watch.

I've lost near 50 pounds in 9 weeks. How cool is that?

Medifast Diet - Week 8

You know, I really should stop calling it a diet and start calling it what it really is, a life changing program.

I have just finished my eighth week on the Medifast Program and I am already half way to my goal. I lost four more pounds this past week, that makes 43.5 pounds in eight short weeks and I feel great! Early on in the program some of my friends expressed concern that I was committing to a portion controlled 900 calorie a day diet, but look at the results. I am losing the weight, I have more energy now than I have had in years, I am gaining muscle and stamina via my exercise routines and I am getting quicker every day. One thing I have discovered is that thinner fingers do make for a better grip, my Kimber feels even better in my hands now.

I am so impressed with this program that I have decided to join forces with the folks at Take Shape for Life and help promote this plan to others who need to lose the weight. The plan is a simple one, not always easy, but simple. If you are interested in learning more, head on over here and check it out.

Eight weeks ago I was Severely Obese, by the end of this next week I should no longer even be classified as "obese". If you have ever had a doctor tell you that you are obese, you know how cool it is to be able to get your BMI back into the "Overweight" category. What is even better is the fact that it won't be long before I am back to being in the "Normal Weight" category. I can't wait.

Eight weeks on this plan and 43.5 pounds are gone, can't beat that with a stick.

I Knew That...

...the propane tank exchanges that are popping up at gas stations, grocery stores and just about everywhere else were more expensive than getting a tank filled by a propane supplier, but I didn't realise just how much more expensive.

We started exchanging tanks for the convenience. Turning in a tank or two while at the hardware or grocery store just meant one less trip to the propane fill station. It was not long before I noticed that our 20 lb. tanks were being labeled as 17.5 lb. tanks. A bit irritating but the price of fuel was going up and this kept the exchange price the same (basically $20 to $22 depending on where you went). Last month V exchanged a couple of tanks and came home with 15 lb tanks. I was pissed. I went back to Lowe's to find that they were only filling tanks to 15 pounds now.

That was it for me. No more tank exchanges, no matter the convenience.

Yesterday I went to Godfrey Propane to fill a 20 lb tank and my backup 13 lb tank. Guess what, they filled the 20 lb tank to 20 pounds for $15.00. That is 5 more pounds of gas for $5.00 less than at Lowe's. Lowe's propane = $1.33/pound. Godfrey's Propane = $.75/pound, and you will get a full tank at Godfrey's.

Exchanging propane tanks = one bad idea for you, one great idea for the folks who came up with the idea.

Medifast Diet - Week 7 (two days late)

V called me at work Monday afternoon saying that one of our toilets was "leaking from the tank", so on the way home I picked up new tank and wax seals. I get home to find that the tank is cracked top to bottom and end up having to replace the toilet. Yippie!

But hey, at least it was a good week on Medifast. During Week 7 I lost another 4.5 pounds for a total of 39.5 pounds lost. I'm near half way to my goal. The program is very simple, has to be for me to work it. Do X plus Y and stay away from Z and you will succeed.

Here is an image of me taken at Blackwater last year (I think by Joe Huffman)

And here is one taken by V last Sunday:

One thing that I have noticed about losing weight is the fact that it is harder to conceal a 1911 type pistol. I never gave a second thought to throwing on a pair of shorts and a Tee shirt and heading out to the store or wherever. Now some of the same Tee shirts that did such a good job before are really showing the outline of my gun. Purchasing smaller shirts will most likely fix that problem, but it caught me by surprise.

Another thing I have learned so far on this weight loss journey is that a shooting mat makes one heck of a good exercise mat. 'nuff said.

Last week V and I drove down South near Houston to pick up the Step Son and move him in with us. On the way down, on Highway 45, we stopped at Buc-ee's for coffee and a quick break. I have to tell you that place has the best public restrooms I have ever been in. I have been in most of these United States and various countries throughout the world, and when I say the best, I mean it. V and I were both very impressed.

On the way back we stopped at Chili's in Corsicana for a late lunch (I had my Medifast meal before stopping so had tea at Chili's). Behind the Chili's was a Gander Mountain so we decided to take a quick peek to see how they were set on ammo.

It was like ammo heaven. Isle upon isle of ammunition, the pistol ammo behind the counter. They had .45ACP, they had 9mm, heck they even had .380. Needless to say V and I purchased some ammo.

All in all a good week. I continued to lose weight and we found a store with ammo on the shelves. The fact that V and I are no longer empty nesters is.... well it just is. It's just one of those things you have to deal with.

Medifast Diet - Week 6

Week 6 is in the books, and it was the my second best week for weight loss. How good was it? I lost 7 pounds this week. I am very pleased with that success, and with my overall weight loss of 35 pounds in 6 weeks.

This past week plus a bit was the start of my exercise regimen. As I mentioned last week, I was exercising to the DVD, Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred. After that workout I would go for a walk to cool off. I did this routine for eight days straight and took a break on Saturday. The Fourth of July was a busy day for V and I, and doing these exercises just did not make the itinerary. There was a very noticeable improvement by the eight day, my endurance has measurably improved and I have made measurable progress.

On Sunday I worked out to the Jillian Michaels: No More Trouble Zones DVD. This is a 40 minute circuit training workout that will kick your rear. Jillian Michaels is a daemon after all. Half way through the program my mind was telling me that I had done enough, that I could work my way up to the full 40 minutes a day at a time. Three quarters of the way through the routine I had decided that Jillian truly was a daemon and was cursing her under my breath. When Jillian announced that we were through, I was surprised it was over. I have recruited my shooting mat for duty as an exercise mat. It is a good thing those things are water proof because it was soaked.

I don't much like exercising, but I really do like the results. V is also liking the thinner me.

Another who is liking the results of the weight loss is my Pulmonologist. At last weeks appointment, not only was my weight down, but so was my resting heart rate and blood pressure.

I do apologize for the major reduction in blogging of late, but it is important that I focus on getting fit and trim. I will try to make the posts that I do publish worth your while and it really won't be long before I am back at it full time.

Governor Perry, Senator Hutchison, and EBR's

The 2010 Governor's race here in Texas is already heating up. Our Senior Senator, Kay Bailey Hutchison, has decided to challenge Governor Rick Perry in the Republican Primaries next year.

This is exciting. Two very popular politicians running for the same position should make for some good politics.

Reader Jay from Houston sent a link to an AR15.com thread with images of Governor Perry at LaRue Tactical. Like Mark LaRue says, "Bet our Texas Governor can out shoot y'all's Governor".

Here is Governor Perry being spotted by Todd Hodnett as he shoots 1/2 MOA groups.

Here is a close up of Governor Perry's form on the bench.

Seems our Governor likes to shoot EBR's. The fact that he can shoot sub MOA groups shows that his range time includes more than just photo ops.

What does Kay Bailey think about EBR's and EBR owners?

The following video was clipped from a presentation at the Heritage Foundation concerning an individual right to keep and bear arms. Even though Senator Hutchison joined with fifty-four other senators, 250 representatives, and Vice President Cheney to submit an amicus brief in favor of Heller in the SCOTUS DC v Heller case, she still supports an Assault Weapons Ban.

This one statement shows just how far off the mark she is with her definition of an individuals right to keep and bear arms. I have comments on this issue previously, and have contacted her office concerning these remarks. I know for a fact that at least one member of her staff is reading this blog and knows of our concerns over this issue. The Senator's response so far has been less than adequate.

There will be more to come comparing and contrasting the records of both these politicians concerning our right to keep and bear arms.

Sorry about the quality of the video. I somehow got the sound track a couple seconds off track from the image. I'll continue to tinker with it and see if I can get it right.

Girls and Guns, The Playmate Edition

Playboy Cyber Girl of the Year, Sharae Spears, hits the gun range with the head of Playboy security.

I had been called a straight shooter before, but until this year it had a different meaning. In March I shot a gun for the first time, and it has since become one of my favorite hobbies...

It looks like they did a good job with her on the safety fundamentals. There was one brief finger on the trigger issue early on, but all in all she was very safe.

I would have thought that the head of security for an organization as large and diverse as Playboy would be a much better shot. I guess that is why management manages and the boots on the ground take care of taking care of business.

For more on this shoot, and Sharae Spears, head on over here (first link is safe for work, after that you are on your own).