The Breda Fallacy

give thanks...

2009-11-26T10:45:00.003-05:00

...for chicks with guns - beautiful, deadly and free.

Enjoy your day, everyone!

Ahem.

2009-11-25T15:15:00.001-05:00

Gun Nuts, the Gun Show Show

2009-11-24T11:10:00.004-05:00

My first gun show experience was more than a little overwhelming - I didn't know what to ask or what to look for - so I mostly just walked around smiling and saying "No, thank you," when someone offered me a gun to hold. By the time the next gun show rolled around, I had a little more shooting experience and knew what I liked...and then was promptly told by a seller that a Colt 1911 was much too big for my delicate female hands.

So tonight Caleb and I will be talking about gun shows (otherwise known in the 2A community as FUN shows!) - the tips & tricks, the do's and don'ts, the misconception about the dreaded "gun show loophole", and more*. If you have a great gun show story or have ever been one of the sellers at a gun show, please call in! Our number is (347) 539-5436...we want to hear from you.

Join us live tonight at 9PM EST for Gun Nuts Radio! I'll be the one on webcam, hosting the fastest hour on the internet!

*for instance, why do the Cleveland-area shows never have any jerky? HELP!

Get off my lawn.

2009-11-23T10:42:00.003-05:00

Well, I finally did it. I shot a Garand. Not well, but I did shoot it.

Stingray was spotting for me as I tried to hit the reduced silhouette 250 yards up the hill. I was getting closer with each shot but, wow - that rifle is heavy. I finished one clip (ping!) and just couldn't do anymore. It's a good thing we weren't depending on petite women with wimpy little noodle arms to win World War II or else we'd all be goosestepping and roasting schintzel over the crematoriums.

good gravy!

2009-11-22T10:30:00.005-05:00

For last night's supper, I attempted FarmMom's legendary pan gravy.

Didn't do too bad for a Yankee.

Just remember that when you add the milk, stir like a person possessed. Bombs could be going off, zombies could be invading but you must KEEP STIRRING.

back at the asylum

2009-11-21T10:24:00.003-05:00

Public libraries are as open and accessible as a town square. The buildings are well lit, warm, brimming with a wide selection of free entertainment and managed by friendly librarians who are paid to listen attentively and help you find the information you need.

Needless to say, libraries attract crazy people.

Our library has its fair share of crazy, in varying degrees: Snotman, VHS Lady, and Wind Power Man who wears shorts even in winter, OCDguy, the woman who plucks in public, Jesse the masturbating hobo, the guy who barked like a dog, a rotating cast of drunks, the young woman who dresses like JLo and tells everyone about her anger management problem and Dial Soap Woman, who I had heard tales of but until this week, hadn't met.

Dial Soap Woman has a vendetta against the makers of said soap because, you see, they poisoned her whole family, including her cats. She is on a mission to inform the world of the dastardly deeds of Dial Soap. She is also considering a lawsuit.

She came up to my desk wanting to send a missive to another one of the companies on her black list. Not soap this time, surprisingly enough - I helped her navigate the AT&T website after listening to her prattle on about coverage zones. In situations like this I do the Smile&Nod followed up with an "Okay..."

("Okay" is a useful response in situations like these - it sounds affirmative without being too encouraging. When dealing with the crazy it is good to be as bland and deflective as possible. Don't ask questions, don't respond emotionally, and don't let them get that close to you. Trust me, you do not want to rile the crazy.)

Anyway, I got her to a place on the site where she could leave a comment and let her have at it. She came back to my desk a little while later.

"I also want to send another message to Dial Soap. They only sent me twenty bucks last time. But I want the whole entire world to see it. The children's librarian told me if I want to do that, I need to start a blog."

Oh, shit, I thought. "Oh, really?" I said aloud.

"Yes, a blog."

"Mmhmm..." I was thinking not-very-nice thoughts about the children's librarian.

"Do you know what a blog is?"

I smiled. "Nope."

fair warning

2009-11-21T10:05:00.003-05:00

I am now and forevermore going to be deleting comments by mikeb302000 because all he ever does is come here and try to stir up arguments. This is not a person who wants a real debate, or who can be swayed to a more 2A-friendly mindset. He's a troll, despite all attempts to appear otherwise. He knows nothing about guns except he that he hates them, and us. He's also been using my blog to link to his own posts in the comment section, seeking blog hits and attention and I simply won't allow that.

Anonymous comments will be closed down until further notice as well.

totally not intentional.

2009-11-20T11:42:00.004-05:00

I swear.

zen of the rifle

2009-11-18T11:32:00.005-05:00

Prior to Blogorado, (and aside from plinking with a 10/22 at an indoor 50 ft. range) I had shot rifles twice - once at Appleseed and once at my friend Heath's farm. I don't really know anything about zeroing, windage, clicks, or elevation...

I just know I love to shoot. Or rather, I love everything that leads up to pulling the trigger.

(the view through the scope. The target is in the upper left quadrant.)

That barrel was so small and so very far away, even through the scope. I was told it lasered in at 970 yards - but all I knew was that it was somewhere out there on the horizon and I wanted to hit it with a bullet. Somehow.

I tried to get my breathing under control as I searched for my target through the scope. I watched my own heartbeat make the crosshairs dance. I tried to touch the rifle without really touching it. I willed myself into stillness.

(me at Blogorado, shooting the M24, 970 yards)

I exhaled. Readjusted. Ignored the wind that had been plaguing my shooting all day. Tried to find that moment when you know you should squeeze the trigger.

And missed.

I remember watching my first shot send up a big plume of dust somewhere low and to the right of the barrel.

I sighed and began my meditation again. Just me, the rifle, the wind, and a steady slow movement of one fingertip. I sent the last 4 shots through the barrel. Direct hits.

OldNFO told me later that I took too long making my shots and in retrospect, I suppose it's true...I could have stayed out there all day, savoring the process. There is great peace to be found on the high plains, the warmth of the setting sun on your face, waiting for that moment of hush behind a rifle.

Gun Nuts tonight!

2009-11-17T07:53:00.005-05:00

I'm back! Did you miss me? I heard rave reviews about past the two Gun Nuts shows. Caleb, as usual, did an excellent job of rounding up some fascinating guests and I'm almost sorry I missed it.

Almost. I was on the high plains shooting a sniper rifle, you know.

So tonight we'll be talking about my trip, how awesome it was to shoot with other bloggers, crazy stuff in the news, defensive ammo and MORE (probably, knowing us.)

Join us LIVE tonight at 9PM EST at www.blogtalkradio.com/gunnuts. Don't forget to sign in for the chat! It's going to be a fun show, hope to see you there!

two heads are better than one

2009-11-16T08:20:00.007-05:00

Happy MOO(moo)nday.

BlogoradoVille has a great, funky little museum, full of Old West Americana and fascinating ephemera - and a surplus of two headed critters. I drank bottled water, just to be sure.

Had a ball (part 3 - "Let me 'splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up." )

2009-11-15T11:13:00.005-05:00

Ambulance Driver and I get better acquainted.

I'll be sharing little details and posting photos (once I get them all downloaded and edited) but if you want all the various and sundry details of what was, undoubtedly, one of the best weeks of my life, you'll have to read elsewhere.

The Atomic Nerds give a hilarious account of events (parts 1, 2, & 3)

Christina_LMT wrote up an excellent range report (but I'm sure she didn't list every gun that was there)

OldNFO shares his favorite memories and AepilotJim has the post-Blogorado blues.

Snarky is summarizing day-by-day.

Gay Cynic open carries for the first time. (as a little aside here - On Friday, before we went to visit the horses, the whole motley bunch of us were standing on the sidewalk, admiring the saddles. I stepped back, a bit bemused at the scene. Ah, Blogorado - where you can have a gay man, a librarian and a Texan in a kilt all enjoying each other's company, the warm sunny day, and the freedom of open carry. It was a thing of beauty.)

The gorgeous Phlegmfatale (I'm not kidding, folks. It was like a movie star made an appearance at the range. I'm still dazzled.) gushes over gravy. And no wonder, the food was excellent - best chicken fried steak I've ever had. Okay, it was the ONLY chicken fried steak I've ever had, but I have it on good authority that it was one of the best EVER. (& Farmmom is going to be blogging the recipes!)

I really cannot say enough about Farmgirl, her parents, and her Mamaw - fine, generous people who worked so hard to host a bunch of strangers. They fed us, took us in, and treated us like family. A simple "thank you" seems insufficient but there it is - from the depths of my heart.

Had a ball (part 2)

2009-11-14T11:41:00.006-05:00

On the morning following my little, um...testicular adventure, some special targets were set up on the pistol range.

Labrat came over and informed me that LawDog wanted me to have the first go at the "ladies' targets."

"What makes them ladies' targets? Are they pink or something?"

Labrat smiled. "He also says you have to use Stingray's hand cannon."

"Okay..." After having eaten balls the night before, I'd pretty much resigned myself to trying new things without questioning. That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger, etc. (Or will at least serve as interesting blogfodder.)

Anyway, we walked down to the range and found out just what ladies' targets were...

Oh.

Heh.

LawDog told me that they all had decided to let me take the first shot, to make up for my culinary surprise the night before. It was something of an apology, at least.

I was handed the already loaded Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum, spied my target through the scope and gently squeezed the trigger.

Wow, what recoil! It's a gorgeous pistol and a lot of fun to shoot but had a bang that rattled right through my bones. I was quite lucky to have had those handsome assistants ensuring that I didn't end up on my butt.

I made the shot, of course. With that pistol and scope, how could I not? The only thing I had trouble with was choosing between left or right...

So I split the difference.

(& shot him in the toodles.)

Had a ball in blogorado! (part 1)

2009-11-13T08:46:00.004-05:00

Farmgirl offered me a bowl of what appeared to be chicken nuggets.

"Would you like to try a little appetizer we made? We call them scrappy nibbles."

I took one. "Mmmm, deep fried," I thought. I like deep fried. "What''s in them?"

"Meat."

Oh, okay. I like meat. I popped it in my mouth. Hmm. A little chewy, but not bad. I went back to my beer and didn't think any more of it...until I wanted another snack. I went to the table and found that there were a few scrappy nibbles left. Mmm. Deep fried meat. I had been shooting all day, was tired and hungry, and they seemed the perfect thing. I picked one up and turned to go back to my seat. Farmgirl was there, smiling again. I put the crispy nugget in my mouth and began to chew. Farmgirl then says, "Do you know what those are?"

I noticed everyone in the room was staring and grinning at us.

"Uh...meat?" I said, hopefully.

"Yes, it's meat," Farmgirl said, pausing dramatically. I was still chewing but starting to second guess swallowing. "Breda. Those are testicles."

".........." I didn't believe it. To me, a Yankee, eating testicles is mythology. People don't do that.

Everyone was laughing.

"Okay, wait." I still had the thing in my mouth, half chewed. "Seriously, wait. Really?"

"Breda, you already ate one! And liked it!"

And then I remembered where I was...Colorado. Near the Rocky Mountains. Rocky mountain oysters. Oh, dear Lord...

(stay tuned for part 2)

Hit.

2009-11-12T12:54:00.003-05:00

I can't wait to go back to work. Someone is bound to ask, "So, Breda. What exactly did you do on your vacation?"

I fell in love with a sniper rifle.

FarmDad said it got boring, watching me ring that gong.

(& after I watched that video for the first time, I realized that there was all this conversation going on behind me. I was so in the zone, I didn't hear any of it.)

unpossible.

2009-11-11T14:08:00.002-05:00

Clearly, I must be an amazon.

- someone is going to tell me I'm doing it wrong, I'm sure.

- happy birthday, KdT.

stop it.

2009-11-11T11:52:00.005-05:00

To everyone who took the time to critique and evalute and rehash the 10 whole seconds of me shooting the M-14, thank you for your comments. But...I'd also like to clarify what was happening in that video.

1.) M-14s are really freaking heavy, my arms were already tired, and I was fighting a bit of elevation sickness. Plus, you know...small Breda is small.

2.) Aepilotjim suggested I use a tactical, forward facing stance that I had never tried before. As you can see, it didn't work out that well and just happened to be caught on video. I thought it was funny so I posted it.

3.) I know I need to "lean into it." Boy, do I know. But try something for me. Stand up and assume the off-hand rifle shooting position. Now attempt to lean into it without bending the ankle of your front foot. Keep your foot solidly flat on the floor. Your ankle must remain at a 90 degree angle. Now add in recoil and a heavy rifle and attempt to maintain your balance.

4.) And, despite all that, I was hitting the paper and stepping back up, post-recoil, to try again.

5.) Same rifle, different stance:

Now hush.

pop, ping.

2009-11-09T09:57:00.000-05:00

fun with non-gunnies, part 2

2009-11-09T08:37:00.002-05:00

Scene II, late night in a tiny Colorado town,

Breda is standing on the walkway outside Snarky's room. The two women have just met and are having a cordial chat before retiring to their respective rooms. A few doors away, some people are having what appears to be a party.

A young man staggers out of the room, beer cup in hand. He stands under the light, swaying slightly. Breda notices him briefly and turns back to her conversation. A few moments later, the man asks, "Is that a gun in your pants?"

Breda, who has been open carrying since she arrived in Colorado, says, "Yes. This is a gun in my pants."

The young man stares at Breda blearily for a moment and then resumes his questioning. "What kind is it?"

"A Bersa Thunder .380."

"Whoooooa." The young man seems impressed, if slightly confused. "Is it loaded?"

"Yes," Breda replies. "It's loaded."

"Can I see it?" the young man asks hopefully.

Breda stares at the young man, her brow furrowing in disbelief. "No. No, you may not."

Time to go back to the room and lock the door before things get any weirder.

M-14

2009-11-08T12:35:00.001-05:00

I will shoot anything put in my hands.

a big hunk of world...*

2009-11-08T09:58:00.004-05:00

* from Lady & the Tramp. Thanks for the reminder, Little Miss Ambulance Driver.

updates

2009-11-08T05:09:00.002-05:00

Old NFO is doing a great job of summarizing each and every exciting day. I'm not sure when the man sleeps.

UPDATE: AepilotJim has more gun day details!

Farmgirl, the hostess with the mostest, is blogging about her motley crew of guests.

Gay Cynic is enjoying Colorado open carry and evil black rifles.

Christina_LMT will be reporting on her first real shooting day experience. The ear-to-ear grin I saw tells me she might have like it. A lot.

More to come (and even from me, I promise.)

fun with non-gunnies, part 1

2009-11-07T09:47:00.004-05:00

Scene I, a check-in counter at an airport in Cleveland, Ohio

Breda walks toward the counter, wheeling a large red suitcase behind her. After handing the airline employee her photo I.D. and acquiring her tickets, Breda announces, "I need to declare firearms."

The airline woman blinks, pauses for a moment, then asks, "Are an officer of the law? Are you with the police?"

"Uh....no." Breda replies, wondering to herself if she could possibly even look like an officer of the law.

The airline woman looks at Breda quizzically and says, "Okay. Well, I have to check them."

Breda manages to open the suitcase after a brief struggle with its weight. She unlocks and opens the hardsided case, revealing two pistols and two magazines.

"Oh. My. Goodness," says the airline woman. She seems to have been expecting one gun.

Breda smiles brightly.

There is a pause, and the passenger waiting in line behind Breda is staring, mouth agape.

Then the airline woman asks, "How do I know if they're unloaded?"

Breda sighs, knowing she still has to get through TSA after this.

NM

2009-11-05T09:57:00.007-05:00

When I landed in Denver, I had already been traveling most of the day. I had crossed time zones and watched out the window at a patchwork of changing colors as I headed west. I hurried off the plane to find my next flight and as I walked to the other, very distant end, of the terminal I saw the sun set behind the Rocky Mountains.

I arrived at the gate only to find that both front wheels were laying on the ground next to the plane that would take me to Albuquerque.

Needless to say, I reached New Mexico well after dark. The silhouetted landscape hinted at desert and mountains, but I'd have to wait until the next morning to actually see it.

And oh - it was definitely worth waiting for...

The Atomic Nerds are wonderful hosts, treating me to a tour of Los Alamos and more chile than I probably should have eaten.

The most amazing thing is that my adventure has only just started. Colorado is waiting.

blogorado

2009-11-03T08:59:00.004-05:00

This afternoon, I am getting on an airplane to Chicago, then getting on another airplane to Denver, then getting on another airplane that will bring me to my final destination out west.

I'm going to be hanging out with friends, learning to ride a horse, shooting lots of guns, eating too much bacon, petting cows, having major fangirl moments when I meet other bloggers, having my photo taken with a taxidermied two-headed calf, drinking plenty of beer and hopefully, if the gods of the interwebz are with me, blogging it all.

Now everybody think nice, happy, "keep the plane in the air" thoughts for me, ok?