Gunfighter: A Modern Warrior's Life

When Things Don't Go As Planned

So here I am. 

At my desk in my sweaty workout gear...  It's 7 A.M. and my shooters will be here to qualify in 30 minutes.  Before we shoot for qualification, I have a class to teach on the use of force.  You might be asking why I am blogging when I should be dressed and prepping for my class right now... if you're asking... I have a little story to tell you.

Almost three hours ago, I got out of bed, took a shower, brushed my teeth, etc... and then went into the kitchen, where I loaded/unloaded the dishwasher.  I then went into the basement, where I folded last night's laundry, which included Soccer Girls' T-shirt that she needs for day camp today, and the polo shirts that I wear as part of my uniform.  Next, I proceeded to iron my trousers, because I like to look good at work... that is before we start moving ammo crates etc... Finishing all of my tasks took until 5 AM, which is when I left the house (after taking the garbage out).

I drove to Alexandria (about 15 miles north on I-95, for those that aren't local) in good time and then parked in the lot near where I work, and did a 40 minute walk, while listening to Michael Jackson's greatest hits (Smooth Criminal has the perfect cadence for my stride, by the way).  I cut my workout short, because I knew I had to get ready to get started... so I dashed off to my building and started taking my gear out of the car. 

That's when it happened.

I was taking my uniform out of the car when I realized the the shirt on the hanger was NOT my black-polo-shirt-with-a-silver-and-black-badge, but a navy-blue-polo-shirt-with-Donald-Duck-where-the-badge-should-be!

F***!

So... how do you think my morning is going?

***Addendum***  I just found out that I have two remedial shooters coming to the range as well, this morning.  What fun.

The Return of Soccer Girl!

Waking up at the un-holy hour of 5 A.M. on a Saturday morning isn’t something that I regularly do… and there is a good reason for that.  I don’t get up that early on Saturdays, because my Saturdays are the only time I Get to sleep late (unless it’s soccer season, of course).

No, getting up that early would normally be greeted with some less than genteel words and a really grumpy and unhappy Gunfighter.  Today was different, though.  Today was special (I wrote this on Saturday evening).  Today, we were about to leave the house and make the nearly three hour drive to bring back from Girl Scout camp.

We were on the road at 6 A.M. and made good time down route 234 (which begins about a mile from our house)  Route 234 is one of the main East-West, cross county roads in Prince William county (along with the Prince William Parkway) and we took it all the way to it’s terminus near the Manassas battlefield, where we joined U.S. 66.

We went west on 66, through the western-most end of Prince William County, through Facquier and  Warren counties, and all the way to Front Royal (where there is a new Super Wal-Mart AND Target, to U.S. 81.  We took 81 south and really enjoyed that part of the ride.  You’ll remember my post about “flyover country"… well, this is another one of those areas… and only an hour’s drive from our home.

Route 81 is the other major north-south route through Virginia… it starts near Martinsburg, and ends at the Tennessee state line.  We enjoyed an early morning ride past several low hills that had crosses erected on them, all framed by small towns, and beautiful views of the Blue Ridge mountains. 

After just under an hour on 81, we arrived in the city of Harrisonburg, which is the home of James Madison University.  Since Harrisonburg was our jumping-off point for 30 minute drive on the back-roads that would lead us into the the George Washington National Forest, and the ll the way to Harrisonburg (see your Virginia maps).  As a matter of fact, we made it to Harrisonburg in just under two hours… arriving just before 8.  We stopped and had a quick breakfast at McDonald’s (oh give me a break, we were hungry… and we had to kill some time), before heading off down the back roads and small towns of the rural Shenandoah valley.  Places named Stokesville, Mt. Solon, Sangerville, and Bridgewater that probably don’t look much different than they did a hundred years ago (except for the newer houses).

The countryside was beautiful… rolling hills, well-tended fields, corn that’s as high as an elephant’s eye, the First Russian Baptist Church, The Mt Solon Pentecostal church, The Church of The Brethren, and a considerable Mennonite community.  We even saw a couple of horse-drawn buggies.

 

After about 20 minutes on these rural roads, we arrived at the camp, and in a few short minutes, we were back on the road with our precious cargo... who talked a mile a minute about her adventures.  SoccerGirl had a great time at camp, swimming, riding ($he want$ to take riding lesson$ now), and archery, being some of the things that she was in engaged in.

After another long ride, which didn't really seem so long, and a family trip to the bookstore (hey, that's what we do), we were all back home, in our natural habitat.

I'm glad she had fun, but, I'm glad she's home.  I really missed that kid

The Meme-ing of Life

I so totally stole this from a guy who was perusing my blog.

Thanks Night Writer!, and thanks for stopping by!

OK kids, the idea is to respond to each item giving a one-word answer... and no word can be repeated.

Here goes...

1. Where is your cell phone?  Desk
2. Your significant other?  Brilliant
3. Your hair?  Short
4. Your mother?  Chemotherapy
5. Your father?  Cool
6. Your favorite time of day?  Morning
7. Your dream last night?  Forgotten
8. Your favorite drink?  Ale
9. Your dream goal?  Remembrance
10. The room you’re in?  Cubicle
11. Your ex?  Idiot
12. Your fear?  None
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?  Alive
14. What you are not?  Maudlin
15. Your Favorite meal?  Fish
16. One of your wish list items? Kindle

17. The last thing you did?  Ate
18. Where you grew up?  Union
19. What are you wearing?  Uniform
20. Your TV is?  Loved
21. Your pets?  Dead
22. Your computer?  Busted
23. Your life?  Happy
24. Your mood?  Serious
25. Missing someone?  Daughters
26. Your car?  Plain
27. Something you’re not wearing?  Hat
28. Favorite store?  Wegmans
29. Your summer?  BUSY!
30. Your favorite colour?  Blue
31. When is the last time you laughed?  Today
32. When is the last time you cried?  Dunno
33. Your health?  Fair
34. Your children?  Loved
35. Your future?  Bright
36. Your beliefs?  Deep
37. Young or old?  Aging
38. Your image?  Tough
39. Your appearance?  Fat
40. Would you live your life over again knowing what you know?  Absolutely.

Missing Your Child

Last Sunday, we took soccergirl off to Girl Scout camp. 

She will be there until this Saturday.

It's weird in the house without her.

The thing is, this is n't the first time that she has been away from home.  Last summer, she spent a week with her grandfather (my dad) and had a fine time.  While she was gone, Mrs Gunfighter and I spent some nice evenings together, just not being super-busy.  We were glad to have her back home, though.

This time it's different.  I can't quite explain it, though... it's just weird.  Sure, it's nice to spend a couple of days being able to have an uninterrupted grownup conversation, but... I miss her voice.  I miss her energy.  I miss her silliness.  I miss her presence. 

I know that she is having a good time.  She is riding horses, swimming, having camp-fires and sing-alongs... all that good stuff which survives in my own memory from my Scouting days... but I can't deny the selfishness (is that a word?) that lurks within.

I want her to be at home.

I am looking forward to seeing her in less than 48 hours.

Our house needs her back home.

Get this widget!

...And The Winner Is!

 I'm not at all surprised by some of the names that you fine folks have come up with for my new service pistol (which is breaking in nicely with about 600 rounds through it so far).  There were some really great suggestions, and one or two that left me a little befuddled (I'll leave it to you to figure which was which.

Before I tell you which name I selected, let me show you the names that were submitted... there are a few comments that I need to make about some of them

Marilyn (as in Monroe):Truthfully, I couldn't get used to that because my gun is a tool of death and violence... it's edges are all hard and no-nonsense, which is totally opposite to various aspects of the late Ms. Monroe... that, and I don't really have a thing fro blondes... well, most blondes.

Luke (as in Cool Hand):  Would you believe that I never saw that movie?  It would seem to apply, but it just wasn't what I was looking for.

Lucille or Lucy:  Ain't nothin' funny about my pistols... when they come out of the holster, it's time to get down with the get down.  You know what I mean?

Esmeralda:  I like this name... unfortunately, I have a girl named Esmeralda on my soccer team.  Couldn't do it.

Slugo:  From the old Bazooka chewing gum?  You know, this was in my top three.  Masculine, tough, strong.

Larry:  Two thoughts came to mind with Larry.  The first was the Three Stooges.  Being a man, I immediately started laughing when the Stooges crossed my mind.  Why?  Because it's genders specific.  Sue me.  I also thought of the gentle, easy-going guy from my church, whose name is also Larry.  Even though Larry enjoys shooting, I couldn't give my gun his name.

Annie:  Ms Oakley was a target shooter... yours truly is a gunfighter, never the twain shall meet.

Sue:  This was another good one, as it reminded me of Johnny Cash... and who doesn't have mad props for Johnny Cash.

Sugar Tits:  No... this would be just wrong on every level.

Rover:  Hm.  Not so much

Boerboel:  I like the description that I was given of these loyal, tough , protective South African farm dogs, but to tell you the truth, my Dutch/Afrikaans pronunciation is so bad, that I would probably mispronounce it constantly.

Pamela (as in Anderson 'cause that girl has some big guns):  Yes, Pam's got big guns, but she is a right skanky ol' tart.  No dice.

Grok:  Another list leader!  It was hard to pass by ANY reference to Robert A. Heinlein's main character from "Stranger in a Strange Land"  Mad props to for suggesting it.  You, my friend, Grok in fullness.

Mjolnir (The Name of Mighty Thor's Hammer!):  DJBlackadam came up with a great name, and it almost made the cut.

Rex:  Again with the dog names... but I like this one better than rover.

Jules Winnfield: "...and you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee!"  Dude.  Still one of my favorite movie characters, ever.  Jules was all about a certain kind of justice, but I think I need to stay on the right side of the law, here.

 

So... where does that leave me?  It leaves my with the winner.

 

My new pistol's name is now, and forevermore:  Goliath!

 

Goliath... not that biblical Goliath, the one that was slain by little dude David.  No, I'm talking about the other Goliath, the faithful pet/conscience of young Davey Hanson of the Davey & Goliathclaymation series of the mid 1960's.

 

 

So why would I give my gun this name?  Well, there are a few reasons:  First, I plain ol' like the name Goliath.  Second, I grew up watching those animated shorts... the first time I went to a Lutheran Church with Mrs Gunfighter, the organist played "A Mighty Fortress is our God", and as soon as I heard it, I smiled and leaned over and whispered, "Hey! it's the Davey & Goliath song!"  To me, being reminded of those Saturday mornings as a child are very comforting.  My rediscovery of the joy of watching Davey & Goliath led Mrs Gunfighter to give me a Goliath bobblehead as a Christmas gift a few years ago.

 

So there you have it.  My new gun's name is Goliath.  Congratulations to Charrete, of Divergent Pathways!  Charrette, expect to hear from me about your prize by the end of the week!

 

Thanks for playing, everyone!

 

Last day for the NAME MY PISTOL CONTEST!

So far, I have received quite a few suggestions for names for my new pistol, and some of them are really good, but you still have time to get your in before the deadline. 

If you are dropping by at my blog after reading my post at Sunshine’s blog, scroll down or follow this link to see what I am talking about.

Remember, the deadline is midnight, tonight, so keep the suggestions coming. 

The prize for the winner will be an autographed target that I shoot with my newly-named pistol… and a special mention on shoot ‘em up Friday.

Find Me Here Today

I have been invited to post in a travel series over at the blog of a new bloggy pal of mine named Sunshine, over at her place: "And The Pursuit of Happiness"

I think that you should give her a read... and not just because I had something to say over at her blog.... and not because she thinks I look like PAul Newman.  Go  read her because she is sharp, funny, and a much better writer thank I am.

OK... go.  Click the link!

Gunfighter on Air

Join me at Modern Warrior on Blog Talk Radio, tonight at 11 PM.Tonight's subject will be blogging and other social media.

I'm still trying to figure all of this out, so just go to blog talk radio dot com, and search from modernwarrior.  You'll get there.

GF

A Contest (with a giveaway)

As I mentioned a few days ago, I have a new service pistol.  What I didn't tell you, is that I have the tendency to give my guns names.  Since I don't give a new gun the same name as a retired gun, I have to have a name for the new one. 

This is where you come in.

I am looking for suggestions for my new pistol's name.  I will entertain suggestions through Monday, July 21st, after which I will make a selection.

Entries may be sent via post comment  or by email to gunfighter1173 at gmail.com

If I pick your entry (multiple entries are not only allowed, they are encouraged!), I will send you a personalized target, shot by me with the pistol that you have named.

Fun, right?

So get to it, friends, Daddy's pistol needs a new name!

GF

Comments

Lucille or Lucy:  Ain't nothin' funny about my pistols... when they come out of the holster, it's time to get down with the get down.  You know what I mean?

Esmeralda:  I like this name... unfortunately, I have a girl named Esmeralda on my soccer team.  Couldn't do it.

Slugo:  From the old Bazooka chewing gum?  You know, this was in my top three.  Masculine, tough, strong.

Larry:  Two thoughts came to mind with Larry.  The first was the Three Stooges.  Being a man, I immediately started laughing when the Stooges crossed my mind.  Why?  Because it's genders specific.  Sue me.  I also thought of the gentle, easy-going guy from my church, whose name is also Larry.  Even though Larry enjoys shooting, I couldn't give my gun his name.

Annie:  Ms Oakley was a target shooter... yours truly is a gunfighter, never the twain shall meet.

Sue:  This was another good one, as it reminded me of Johnny Cash... and who doesn't have mad props for Johnny Cash.

Sugar Tits:  No... this would be just wrong on every level.

Rover:  Hm.  Not so much

Boerboel:  I like the description that I was given of these loyal, tough , protective South African farm dogs, but to tell you the truth, my Dutch/Afrikaans pronunciation is so bad, that I would probably mispronounce it constantly.

Pamela (as in Anderson 'cause that girl has some big guns):  Yes, Pam's got big guns, but she is a right skanky ol' tart.  No dice.

Grok:  Another list leader!  It was hard to pass by ANY reference to Robert A. Heinlein's main character from "Stranger in a Strange Land"  Mad props to for suggesting it.  You, my friend, Grok in fullness.

Mjolnir (The Name of Mighty Thor's Hammer!):  DJBlackadam came up with a great name, and it almost made the cut.

Rex:  Again with the dog names... but I like this one better than rover.

Jules Winnfield: "...and you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee!"  Dude.  Still one of my favorite movie characters, ever.  Jules was all about a certain kind of justice, but I think I need to stay on the right side of the law, here.