What a thoughtful and useful gift from my friends at work! A pair of Wiley X Valor polarized sunglasses.
So all I need now is to grow a beard, buy a shemagh and I can be an operator operating operationally like this guy =)
Dude, Srsy? Why don't you just use that pedal on the right hand side of the floor board and leave. Oh, and if you are going to fall out the back of a vehicle like a drunken hooker at least be wearing some platform heels and a mini skirt, K?
Many thanks to my friend over at eIAft for the video! He is a great instructor and passionate about what he does.
Thanks again to my friends for the gift and I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas. Mine has been postponed until Saturday.
I grew up here and that is still the traditional greeting this time of year. Fill in with Hanukkah, meh, etc. as you see fit.
As usual, I win a company Holiday lunch table ornament. Instead of PTO or gift cards sigh....
Of course it suffered some damage on the ride home!
I have many gifts, I wanted to point out that although some say Blogging is dead I without this medium would not have met so many special people in real life. Some dude with dogs in WV, a barrister in MI? An ER doc in OH (I think) a walking encyclopedia on everything that goes bang in IN, another special talented blogger and author there as well? Some old guy that likes to travel in VA =) ? And so many more. If I did not call ya out don't take offense. And that is the point of this gift. There are SO many of you. Thank you for reaching out as well. I want to continue that and look forward to meeting many more of you face to face in the coming year. You have been warned =) I live in a small town and I do have friends here but it has been great to meet so many others!
I wanted to get this post out tonight before it gets crazy for everyone. I suggest in the middle of the madness that you mentally step back and enjoy. These times are fleeting and even with the madness involved should be savored.
I hope all of you look at the magic of this season with the eyes of a child and it is special for you.
So now. What gift for a special lady? Covered!
I knew you and I would get back together again, just a matter of time.
The 64.5 Mustang has the old Eaton power steering on it and now it seems to have adapted a NASCAR setting. Simply meaning "GO LEFT" all the time. There are many things that can go wrong with this system. So I referred to the ancient revered documents for guidance.
Believe it or not, the Ford Motor Company offered them starting in 1955 as a dealer installed option. It was tied into a "Arrive alive in '55" ad campaign. They were not Federally mandated until January 1, 1968.
Finding cars with them prior to the mandate is somewhat rare. Compounding the issue is the fact that dealers could install them prior to the law. This 1964 and a half had them. It appears to be a factory install. Sadly, one belt was cut.
The dealer belts seem to be quite different than factory ones. I had one goal. Replace the buckle hardware for the one that was cut. All the webbing is going to be replaced anyway. 50 year old fabric I don't trust.
Here are the dealer belts I scored on fleabay. The boxes call out a "C5" number stating that the boxes at least were labeled for 1965. On top of one of the boxes is the cut belt from the car.
I'm after the label on the cut one to affix to the the new webbing and buckle.
Date code 7-64. Totally correct for this car.
Here is the bottom of the buckle from the car. Note it sports the correct FoMoCo and date stamping of 1-64.
Then here is the bottom of the dealer buckle. A lot of difference here.
This buckle is sporting a "C3" number denoting a 1963 part yet stamped 1-64. The Ford oval stamping has been replaced with a "Rotunda" as well. Oh, BTW. I need a Macro lens for this camera it seems!
The label on the webbing is totally different as well on these belts.
They also have some markings on them as well that would be excellent for a NOS person but not suited for something that will be driven.
There are some small variances in the buckles as well, but I will take what I can get!
Original is on the bottom, the dealer accessory on top. Close enough!
The grain is much deeper on the original.
Why do I do this? Well, details matter and my Mother will be driving this car.
Keeping a 100 pound meat sack restrained in a 2.5K pound car if it goes bad has made leaps and bounds of advancements in 50 years. Best I can do right now though!
Hey, NFO, My Father found one of the first nav charts you were issued.
He thought it might be handy right now for ya!
Seriously, does this look like the real deal?
My friend Brigid has a wonderful post up tonight on Pieces of History and as happens occasionally I was rummaging around here tonight as it is a rainy day here.
I found this:
I bought this little train set from Monroe Hardware when they announced they were selling everything and moving out of downtown Monroe. Sad really. The building is still there and I remember walking down the wooden floors so worn down by many shoes over the decades.
A faithful reproduction of the "Hooker Chemical" scheme from back in the day, but sadly I think that would mean silicone and meth now.
Then this:
See the difference in packaging? Doesn't the "Southern" look so much more appealing than the box below sitting on a retail shelf? This was made during the much derided "MPC Era". Another footnote in history. Inside we find this:
And everything else to run a train set. At least it says "Made in America" as Lionel is made in China now.
"Pieces of history" my friend said. She wondered who in the future would cherish or discard items. This train is one of my most cherished possessions.
Not even a cataloged set. Apparently the hobby shop cobbled up something for my parents to buy from loose rolling stock. A much derided "Scout" engine to the purists. No matter. To me it is priceless for what it is and what it means. My Mother kept this train for decades and presented it to me a few years ago. I thought it lost in the haze of my youth.
So now we do still run across some items of interest.
ZW and KW train transformers. The largest made. They command a premium now as actually putting 275 watts of AC power on some metal track laying in the floor of the living room would make a corporate lawyers head explode now.
I fear in the age of Xboxes, PS, tablets, etc. that the era of these is done. I don't know who if anyone will be stewards of these pieces of history in the future. Sad, but I am glad they are here to remind me of the sacrifices made so long ago so I could run over green army men with my train!
Way back when a TDR was expensive and huge. I had to sign for one and return the thing when I was done. Now? Pffft!
This just showed up at the house.
Heh! I love upgrading "electronally".
Very close to here. VERY close. If you run a car into a subdivision median divider made of concrete, rock, and steel at about 100 MPH, well all I can say is I'm thankful for that sign. If there was nothing to stop him, he would have possibly taken innocent lives in their home.
Correct hood hardware for 50 year old or so Mustangs is a rare treasure to behold. Difficult to find, harder to maintain.
When you do find the correct parts though, it is a wondrous thing!
Before anybody gets bent, I called the friend in the above picture and she thought that it would be awesome now in this context after over 25+ years.
She should know.
Then there are some dudes standing in front of Mustangs. She should have been in the picture as well.
She earned it!
Meeting someone that says they have a firearm for sale is always problematic. I will offer these tips as I will meet someone tomorrow about a *pony snake*.
Meet in a controlled place such as a friendly range that knows you. Never go to the sellers house! Do your homework on the hardware in question. Be prepared to have the proper purchase permit or a copy of your CCH permit (in this state anyway) to present to the person. Get a bill of sale from them! If at all possible have it witnessed by a third impartial party.
Let's face it. You are going to be carrying cash or a negotiable document.
Wish me luck!
And after two plus decades promises kept. I found a little car as I was known for then. This one is special. For many reasons it is so but foremost was the fact it was one of the first.
My Father bought it. We went through the mechanical restoration. Then it got weird. Under a settlement with attorneys to this day I cannot say anything bad about the body shop that viewed this car in that shop as an asset during the paint and body work as he tried to sell his busness. I trusted this person as the two other cars here were done there. That did not happen this time. The only thing I can legally say here is to stay away from any "restoration shop" within 20 miles of Walnut Cove, NC. Sloppy work. They had it for over a year. That killed the mechanical restoration.
Now, my Mother was always told this was her car. She wants to drive it now. That means much to me as I only remember in my youth riding in a Mustang. The 1971 that was her's is here with me now. The 1967 I remember as well.
Yes, I have been told many times that it is best not to fall in love with a car. They are things to be bought and sold at the end of the day. That is true, but I nor my Father will deny her this. It is a fun, easy car to drive.
This tag will be on the back of it soon.
I have waited a long time for this.
John Newland directed the first season Star Trek TOS episode "Errand of Mercy." He was also known for another little TV series. Filming began the week of NASA test AS-204, resulting in the death of three Astronauts. 185K budget, six days for filming. At the studios owned by Lucille Ball.
At the same time. It killed him and injured others. Louis Slotin was working on supercriticality experiments on a fission plutonium bomb.
I'm thinking this is how NOT to do a test with live Plutonium.
The screwdriver slipped and the mass went critical. He stopped the reaction but he was dead already. In fact nine days later.
Sergeant
Jeffrey Wayne Greene
Killed today in what appears to be a freak accident.
RIP Sir and thank you for your service to my community.
Stop calling me right now. I can't give you more cash. I have a lead on another one of these right now.
Sigh... I need another one like a hole in the head. I need professional help!
Here we go again! Sigh.... Why, oh why can't these guys figure it out?
From Patriots Point SC. Thank You Veterans!
We've secretly replaced Old NFO's ammo with laughing gas. Lets see if he notices the difference!
Photo courtesy of The Shekel.
Not that bad though. This weekend is this. I know Friday at work I will see the small GA aircraft running the pattern for the show. I will hear the sound of the radial engines as they arrive at the airport. I live really close to where this is going on. I can see the aircraft from my front porch as they perform during the show. The sound of these old aircraft now are an old friend to me that announce the fall of the year.
I have a Husband and Wife however that want to take a private basic pistol class Saturday. They will be spending money and time. A baby sitter is also involved. They want to get up to speed for a NC CCH Permit.
I cannot deny them. I will be with them on Saturday. Perhaps I can get to the show on Sunday.
I love what I do. I like to think it makes a difference in some small way. Small sacrifice to make on my part.
I had a great time meeting old and new friends again this past weekend at Lagniappe's Lair Blogshoot! There does not appear to be any pictures of me shooting anything but I promise, I did! Old NFO brought some *ahem* Ponies. Pediem brought a fantastic S&W Autoloader as well.
I did not know that I would be so busy running a pin shoot! Everyone had fun and it was great to host one up there.
Nancy goes at the pins with a black powder Brown Bess!
Then after one pin still stands, she charges it! That was the highlight of the day for me.
The next day a visit to the Lair to meet the four legged creatures that share ML's space and to see Aaron again.
Oh, Murph, you are supposed to bring traffic TO your Blog, not repel them! Posting pictures of me is a surefire way to drive people away, I just trust that your friends in the pic will cancel me out.
Murph, If you do this again a couple of suggestions. We need a photographer and a less "reactive" table for the pins!
I had a great time, we raised money for a good cause, and I got to see friends. How could it have not been a great weekend?
*cough*, maybe not so much. I'm bringing this stuff for the prize table for the pin shoot this Saturday hosted by the best driver on the planet Murphys Law. If you do not believe me, just ask him.
As an added bonus, you MIGHT get the book signed by the Author. As with so many famous people he is: "Scheduled to attend."
All kidding aside, cancer has touched my family and this is a good cause. My Father was one of the first to have his prostrate removed by a DiVinci robot over 10 years ago due to that cancer. My Mother has just been through a double mastectomy due to breast cancer. This stuff sucks. Anything you can do would be appreciated.
I would much rather prefer to see you at the Blogshoot this Saturday as well! A great bunch of people and a good time is to be had!
Or a weak facsimile of such this weekend. Labor intensive and not that great but it beats nothing! Want some? Just some Hydrogen gas venting and 6 or so minutes later, voila! Crappy coffee!
Beats no coffee!
For the last several months my trusty Peltor ear muffs on the range have well, hurt! Then we dig a bit deeper as I don't want to wear them all day next Saturday in the condition they are in. Nor do I want to throw out some more bucks for new ones!
Guess what. The old foam ear cups are toast. I ordered some gel filled replacements and you an see the difference!
So, on the bottom we have the old foam muffs. On the headset itself, we have new spanking gel filled stuff. Supposedly, they fit ANY Peltor model. They feel wonderful!
Take care of your range gear as well as the hardware!
So I'm talking to my friend tonight trying to stage properly for his Blogshoot next weekend. What does he do? Tell me about some 30-06 Greek ammo on some website.
Dang enabler! I just scored this last week.
Much like a dog running to the bell I ordered some. If you see me at the Blogshoot and I am eating MRE's or Ramen noodles, now you know why!
.
HAHAHAHA!....Breathe...... HAHAHAHAHA!
So my friend and all around awesome person is having a Blogshoot to raise money for cancercare.org. Besides having all the toys and hating on the Colt's around here he is a great guy and has some interesting things that go "BANG".
Behold the evil below. Be afraid, be very afraid.
These things will stand away from you at about 12 yards or so. You will try to shoot them. They will mock you by still standing after you fire at them. They have caused men and women to lament and wail the fate that has befallen them. The fact that you are under a timer and people are watching adds to the level of torment.
Come on out! It will be fun! These will be imported pins from North Carolina. Evil Rebel Tarheel Pins =)
Pins donated by my good friends at my home range. Thanks y'all!
This is my Bowling pin killer. An old Series 80 Colt Combat Commander. We have been through much together.
I'm really happy to push the timer button on you, but it always comes back to me shooting the pins. I love this thing for doing that yet now it seems the original grip safety and the trigger are not getting along. Sigh.... I have small hands for a guy and my first response was to order a Wilson Combat safety with the raised bump on the rear to insure I have disengaged it. One is on the way yet I ask you for guidance.
I bought this new in 1986. I carried it for a long time.
Help!
So my friend Murphy is having a Blogshoot. For a good cause and a great time to be sure.
He wants to do a bowling pin shoot after talking to him tonight. I'm cool with that and would be honored to run that little fun thing. Bowling pins are 4.5 inches across at the widest point. Hit the white part is standard wisdom! If I do this in WV DON'T do this!
I use it a lot when asked but I say to anyone that does so this: "The largest handgun you can conceal and carry comfortably all day in the largest caliber you can shoot well."
For a dear person to me it is this:
Smith and Wesson Model 30-1 in .32 long. She is good with it!
Now a greater challenge to defend her life is here. No tools we have at our disposal are useful in this case. No training to be had. This is the part that is the hardest to deal with. Breast cancer and the double mastectomy is scheduled for tomorrow.
I hope you will send your prayers, well wishes, good thoughts, whatever you do in these matters on her behalf.
I will give her another reason to come through this:
If she finds out I put this picture on the interwebz, she will do everything in her power to come through this and kill me =)
So I wander up to Concord, NC today and whip out my tricked out name badge to see what is going on. It has been three years or so since this event was here.
Your humble host! I suck at selfies it seems =)
We get to it. There was a sign prohibiting concealed carry and so I went back to the car and dumped the Bodyguard. There were many CMPD and other LEO there.
I always choose times when the event is open to the public instead of members only. It gives me a feel for how relevant the Colt name is to the public. They did advertise on at least WRFX in Charlotte NC for some weeks, but a classic rock FM station? Perhaps clever in targeting that (me) age demographic or money wasted.
There were exhibits and vendor tables. There seemed to be less than the last time of both. Exhibits there were impressive. I apologize for the craptacular iThingy photos.
Everything is expensive. RIA is there of course and there was an auction tonight for members. I vacillated on staying and going to the dinner and auction, but. There were NO younger people there. That is saying something as I am no spring chicken. What I bought 3 years ago for 300 or so was going for 900. I came with a mission though. Find grips for my Python.
Score!
Of course they cost WAY too much, but look much nicer that the aftermarket things that were on it.
Before
After
A young friend of mine asked me over a year ago what will happen to Colt when all us old dudes die off. He sorta asked it in jest and he owns and appreciates them too. That is a profound question. The Historian was not there this time that I could see. Historian letters take SIX months and that is after your check cleared? There is little to no retail presence here for new Colt's.
I seem to be in an abusive relationship. They always meet me with disdain and ask more of me. Yet I come back. I really have no answer to someone that asks why they should pay the premium price new Colt's demand except that they have that rampant pony on them. I hope this is not a dead horse.
Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the convention and the vendors and exhibitors were really pleasant.
I left and had a cheeseburger with my Mother.
So many books. So little time. My friend has written a book. I know her to be a talented writer. She can pull you in and make you feel as if you were there with her. She can pull emotions from you like she was simply changing a light bulb.
She writes of life. Its glorious triumphs and smoking crater defeats. Yet there is a noble creature on four paws that intruded into her life. Was she a better person because of the four pawed intrusion? That is a question I think will be answered here.
I have hesitated to read this book as a dog wandered into my life some time ago as a wife's dog when we met. I loved this dog and when the awkward time came when the divorce was going down and my wife and I lived in separate rooms this creature came to me. Wasabi snuck into my life. On four paws as they always do it seems.
I can't wait to read this book!
Go get it here. Or on amazon.
