UPDATE! Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more...

First congratulations to my newly minted students is in order! Thanks so much for being truly engaging throughout the day! I really get tired of saying "is this thing on?" or "hey people this is not television, talk to me!" during my 11+ years of being a IT instructor. I never had to invoke those words today! Motivated people that want to know subject matter and ask engaging questions is the best teaching environment EVER for an instructor!

The small down side is the subject matter and tools at hand are a bit more dangerous than an Excel spreadsheet (Well unless you are ENRON or something)! I am responsible for their safety as well as mine and anybody else roaming around. I must say that although an old saw is "those that can't, teach" is equally rebuked by the old saw "You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother."

I have not carried a briefcase in years, but today I did and the contents along with the "other bag" are much more entertaining than any quarterly report most carry:

I am truly humbled by two mothers that drove 4 hours round trip and a small business owner that left his trade in the hands of others to make the effort to hear what I had to say today. I hope they found it worth the effort.

Again, congratulations to my students today! You comported yourselves well on all three areas of testing, I hope you continue this! You know this is only the beginning! The true journey begins now.   

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more...

New shooter on the line! I truly love this task. More than the monetary compensation. I am truly passionate about getting new shooters trained. So once again an old friend has been called unto the breech once more (incidentally with a equally storied human friend I have not seen since this gun was made almost). I have used it to teach several first time shooters. I love this little handgun!

This is a Smith and Wesson Model 34-1 .22/.32 kit gun revolver chambered for .22LR. According to Mr. Roy Jinks, Historian for S&W, this model and variants began in 1911. This handgun was shipped from the factory in the early '80's. Big hair and leg warmers optional! A really nice gun to shoot and a perfect one to learn with.

The Other Arizona Law....

That went into effect (Senate Bill 1108) allows citizens to carry a handgun concealed without a permit. Link here.

h/t to S. Phillips

Bowling Pin Match Videos

One of the sponsors of the match threw up some youtube videos from yesterday.

First a young lady with a .45 puts them down nicely!



I am in the left foreground entering the times on a laptop.

Then we have someone clear the table in 3 seconds flat!


The match was a blast and I look forward to the next!

Retro Sunday-- The Bowling Pin!

Due to this important tactical training today Retro Sunday will return next week! Man its hot! Oh, I did not totally suck, but it appears that more training is required and the suggested tool kit worked great! Love running a Colt through its paces!

Gadget!

From "Are we Lumberjacks" comes this little gadget. Luckily I don't need one!

Perhaps it is too late.....

"Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have. The course of history shows us that as a government grows, liberty decreases."
— Thomas Jefferson

The Troopers Gal has this episode of total disregard for the Fourth Amendment linked on her blog. I am appalled and shocked. She however is much more blunt and I think rightly so in expressing her feelings on this matter.

Is the Bill of Rights in the dumpster behind the Capitol building or something?