TDS Is Worse Than China Coof

Although I never agree with her politically, I do enjoy reading Comrade Misfit's blog Just An Earth-Bound Misfit, especially on Sunday mornings with her regular feature of Prop/Jet/Rotor Noise featuring military and sometimes rare aircraft in flight. I mean she is obviously a Pink Floyd fan, so....

But her post today cracks me up. The title is "Don't Let Them Live in Your Head Today" yet that is exactly what is going on with her and every other TDS sufferer. All the D/S/C propaganda media and Faux News wanted Nikki Haley to win, but there was and continues to be no way. I wish I could stomach an hour each of CNN and MSNBC to watch the meltdown post Iowa of Trump's historic win, but I am on shift for the FD and hunched over the toilet puking makes it hard to fulfill my duties.

As always, I wish Comrade Misfit well, and just imagine how much better the country would be if she and all the other TDS sufferers held the D/S/C's feet to the fire to follow The Constitution, actually improve the economy, close our borders, crack down on crime, etc. etc. instead of directing so much negative energy to one man and his supporters.

Been A Couple of Wild Weeks

I started composing this post on December 23rd, but have had so many interruptions between emergency calls, other things that have drawn my attention, and then the hustle and bustle of Christmas it is FINALLY finished.

 

I'm going to try to do this in chronological order of the photos. I know it has been a few weeks since I've put up a blog post, but don't worry... I have been trolling and shit-posting the hell out of #Libturds of all kinds on X (Twitter). Amazingly, I have not been suspended. Elon Musk has really reigned in the SJW censors they had on staff.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, I found out my cousin Christopher was here in New England visiting his mom, family, and friends. He served in the Navy on the west coast and left with full retirement, only to be immediately hired by the DoD because of his expertise. He still works for DoD but lives in South Carolina. I text poked him when I came across this photo at my brother's house. I am just a little older than he is. This photo is from Easter 1965 and was taken at my Memere's house. He and I are in the foreground, me on the left and him on the right. From left to right was my Memere, his mother, my mother, my aunt Terese, my maternal grandmother (Nana) with my sister on her lap, and in the back my uncle Donald. I have no idea who was in the high chair. My cousin and I tried to get together over Thanksgiving weekend, but it never happened because I had to work. I broke his balls for sneaking up here without telling me. We'll try again over the summer.

 

 

 

On November 28th, snow bands off of Lake Erie made their way across PA and NY/NJ to my neck of the woods. They call it "mood snow." This didn't amount to much more than what's in the video.

Next, this is yet another fine example of shitty Duracell batteries as documented by me a year ago with this post. I thought I had purged them from everything I own.... guess not. On December 2nd I went to put away my brush fire gear for the season and this EverReady headlamp wasn't working. This is what I found when I opened it up. The batteries are dated 2027. Into the garbage it all went. The other day, I discovered yet another device with Duracell batteries that was just starting to leak, my Midland clock radio that is our severe weather alert. What tipped me off that there was an issue was the battery indicator was not at full as it was supposed to be. I dumped the batteries and was able to clean the battery compartment and terminals to save the device.

The headlamp battery compartment

 

I was in WalMart the other day to buy some spare EverReady Energizer batteries for stock. As I approached the battery display, a woman ahead of me grabbed a package of Duracell AA's and accidentally knocked several to the floor. As I helped her pick them up, I told her of my problems with Duracell and how we at the fire department have swapped them all out. Plus the Energizer's were a couple of dollars cheaper. She put the Duracell's back, grabbed the Energizer's, and thanked me.

On December 4th, my chicken flock got one of their favorite seasonal treats, the large pumpkin we buy to set out with the mums for fall decorating. Using a large knife, I score the skin in several places and smash it open on a large rock in the chicken yard. They attack it immediately and get a few days enjoyment out of it. All that's left are paper thin pieces of the skin.

On December 7th, my shift partner and I did a transport to Hartford Hospital just before lunch time. The decision was made to save our lunches back at the firehouse for the following day and stop at one of our favorite places. I always get their "Burnt Ends" with two sides, cornbread, and a drink. We were so hungry we ate most of it driving back from Hartford. I was in a food coma later that afternoon.

We had a couple of heavy wind and rain storms. The first one was while I was on duty Sunday the 10th and Monday the 11th. The western part of the state got the worst of it but we were double staffed at the FD just in case. We made sure all the apparatus was fueled, and all the saws were running good. I found three saws with skunky old gas in them and replaced with fresh 2-stroke mix. We got several inches of rain and the local river was near the top of its banks. Only one call for tree/wires down.

 

For the past 40 years we have had a live tree, cutting our own at a tree farm. $85 again this year, but it is full, lush and green. My wife finished up with the it and did a fantastic job as usual. She weaves the lights in and out from the trunk so the entire tree is lit, not just the outside. 1500-1700 lights on the tree this year, she lost count. She also decorates an artificial tree in the corner of the dining room. That tree belonged to my parents and is pretty good for a fake. It is a themed tree, decorated with only Santa ornaments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exactly a week later Sunday the 17th into Monday the 18th we got another wind and rain storm, which hit the eastern part of the state worse this time. I was not scheduled to work and decided I wanted the time off right before Christmas. If it wasn't right before Christmas, I would have grabbed at least one extra shift. We lost power at the house just before 9 AM and with the storm howling there was no chance a power crew was coming out to fix it. I reported it to Eversource and went outside to set up my generator. I got fucking soaked but at least we had electricity again. Because of the wind and rain still occurring, I set up the collapsible shelter I fabricated to protect the generator from the elements. I listened to my scanner as my department and all the surrounding ones got hammered with calls. EMS calls, flooded basements, trees and wires down, etc. Once the storm went by, things calmed down big time. Just after sundown, power crews were on my road. Normally we don't get power back until all the main feeds are repaired, but this time the main feeds sustained no damage. I looked at my meter around 7 PM and the display was lit. I called my neighbor to let him know power was back on because after I shut mine down I heard his still running. I brought everything into the garage to cool down so I could re-fuel and stow the equipment. The rain gauge showed 5 5/8" total. I dumped it at 5 inches and we got another 5/8" as the storm wound down. The flooding was way worse this time with the local river in the parking lot of the firehouse only about 30' away from the building.

3 1/2" at 07:00, this was at 09:00

 

Below is my latest mortgage statement. I could not imagine trying to buy a house right now thanks mostly to the economic disaster we live in now. We pay less per month than what people are paying for a 1-bedroom apartment in a nice complex. My daughter is now living in a 3-bedroom apartment on the 3rd floor in a multifamily house in the city of New Britain with a roommate and is paying $1500 per month. We have anywhere from $200K to $230K of equity depending on which market analysis you look at. Our house was built for us, moving in April 2005, and we paid about $277K. As you can see, the biggest chunk of my monthly payment (and unfortunately the one that fluctuates) is the escrow for taxes and insurance. For whatever reason, the monthly payment dropped $40 per month with the latest escrow analysis. We re-financed in early 2021 to get the 3.125% rate because every month Chase was inviting us to refinance. Of course, they wanted us to cash out a ton of equity but we just re-financed the balance, leaving the equity alone.

Redacted (OF COURSE) mortgage statement

 

Finally, our Christmas celebration was nice and quiet at home with my wife's brother who lives in a group home and stayed with us for a few days and my daughter. My wife's other brother and his family went to Florida to spend Christmas with The Old Man so we got together with them before they left. My brother and his gang went to Vegas for Christmas. It was nice to be home since the FD schedule is different now meaning I do not work all 5 days M-F. I was off for Thanksgiving and will be off for New Years.

A Couple of Range Days

I have been hoping to do my mouse gun testing, but that hasn't happened yet. I have been to the range for other purposes that are in my opinion, just as good. This post has taken me a couple of days to write and publish. Busy-busy don'cha know!

Day 1 on Monday 11-20-23 

While I got to the range on this day, I did not get to shoot any of my own stuff. I only brought my range box with some tools, spotting scope with tripod, eyes & ears, and proper targets. Over the weekend, a fellow club member asked if I could help him zero a scope he recently mounted on a Savage Model 340 bolt action in .30-30 Winchester. The scope is a simple Simmons 4X and the turrets move in 1/4 MOA per click. He wasn't sure how to do it and wants to use it to take Whitetail Deer on his property at ranges of 100 yards or less, so I suggested going on my scheduled day off on Monday. I started by bore-sighting it in a rifle rest and then took a shot. First shot was real low but the windage was good. I cranked the elevation and took another shot. Closer but still low. Third shot after another guesstimate adjustment and I was on the target card. I use a Birchwood-Casey MOA grid target centered against a background of plain brown paper so its easier to see shots off target. I adjusted the scope one last time to get close to the center, but since this is not my rifle, I wanted the final adjustments to be done with him shooting the three shot groups. It became apparent that he needs some practice with his rifle in order to make the final adjustments. He was unable to shoot a decent 3-shot group. He said he will buy some more ammo and practice some more to get a good group for final adjustment he should be able to do himself.

While I didn't shoot my own stuff as planned today, I got to help a friend out so the day at the range was a good one, although cold. Doing any kind of gun stuff is a win in my book.

Day 2 on Friday 11-24-23

While at my brother's home for Thanksgiving, our favorite subject of guns and shooting naturally came up. My brother and his wife have several handguns (all S & W I believe), my Dad's Marlin Model 60 in .22 LR and a gorgeous Henry .22 Magnum her Dad had bought brand new prior to his passing that was still new in the box. They had not been shooting for a few years and used to go to the indoor range at Hoffman's Gun Center. The problem with indoor ranges is they don't allow holster draw or rapid fire. Plus Hoffman's makes you purchase their ammo that day to shoot on the range, so no hand loads. My SIL asked about my range and I explained the rules and regulations which are very few. It was decided that the two of them and our family friend would meet me at the range Friday morning at 10.

I got there first to open up the clubhouse since all guests are required to sign a waiver on their first visit before using the range. The waiver is good for the calendar year so after January 1st they'll have to fill out another for 2024. They showed up a few minutes later, filled out the forms, got the nickel tour of the clubhouse, and we headed out to the range. It's about a half mile drive out to the parking area by the firing line. We parked and unloaded our gear.

They liked the set up immediately. The firing line consists of a cement pad with 3 shooting benches and 3 walls and a roof with the side facing down range open. The back wall has rifle racks and a workbench. Target stands can be moved around as necessary. Swinging steel plates at 25 yards, backstops with rubber mats to staple targets to and a single 12" steel plate at 50, 75, 100, 150, and 200 yards. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Range rules are pretty simple.... Col. Cooper's Four Rules in effect at all times. All actions open and no one handles a firearm when shooters need to go past the firing line. I insist on using bright yellow chamber flags so there is no question. No glass targets and no shooting targets off the backstops. No full auto, no incendiary or A.P. rounds, and all calibers smaller than .50 BMG. Clean up your targets and brass when you're done. All shooting ceases by sundown. Our club has a bar so the NO ALCOHOL RULE is strictly enforced. None of them had a problem with any of the rules, so we got busy.

When they got the Henry I had bought a box of 50 CCI Maxi-Mag in anticipation of shooting it at some point. Well, I got my chance and it didn't disappoint. I repeatedly smacked the gong at 50 and 100 yards using the iron buckhorn sights. That action is so smooth and that brass receiver is so pretty. Afterwards, I had set up 3 target stands at 7 yards for defensive shooting practice. My brother broke a "Golden Rule" of mine by carrying his S & W Bodyguard .380 for a couple of years but never firing it.... EVER! Prior to him shooting it, I field stripped it, cleaned out the gobs of pocket lint, ran a dry patch down the bore, lubed it, and reassembled it. The gun ran great for him. Our friend Kevin shot his S & W 1911, his 9mm Shield, and his Governor using moon clips and .45 ACP. My SIL did not shoot. She had been away from it so long she was nervous and apprehensive about shooting, so she just watched everyone else. Next time I WILL MAKE SURE she shoots. She really needs to shoot, because she occasionally carries, and any hesitation could be fatal.

I had some .22 CB Shorts I purchased from a guy at the club to try. In all my years of shooting, I had never shot any. First, I loaded up my S &W K-22 Outdoorsman revolver with .22 LR and popped off six rounds. OK, now the shorties. Pretty quiet and dinged the plates at 25 yards with an audible sound since they were slower and weren't drowned out by the crack of the sound barrier. I then tried them out of my rebuilt J.C. Higgins Model #101.16 which is a rebranded Savage Model 87A from about 1947 since it has the Tenite plastic stock. These rifles are also called "gill guns" because the vented receiver resembles fish gills, and "Klick-Klack rifles" because of how they sound when fired. The bolt doesn't close to load the next round until the trigger is released. Here's a video from Youtube showing the operation. That rifle also came from my brother's FIL's estate, but was missing parts. My guess is someone took it apart to clean it, did not know how to put it back together, and lost the parts. I was able to scrounge all the parts to put it back in operation. Mine actually sports the smaller charging handle used on the Savage rifles instead of the large knob on the Higgins rifles. The tubular magazine holds 15 rounds of .22 LR, and about 30 of the .22 CB Shorts. I chose this rifle because even as a semi-auto, it has provisions for firing .22 L as well as shorties by locking the bolt closed. Plus it has a 22 inch barrel so I was curious if the shorts would make it all the way through. They did just fine, and are even quieter than if the rifle was suppressed. I tried shooting it without my hearing protection and the ding of the bullet hitting the 50 yard gong was louder than the shot. Chipmunks in my front yard are all going to die this spring from lead poisoning.

I had also brought my shot timer to play with and explained to the others what it was for. No one wanted to take me up on using it because they had not been shooting in so long. I demonstrated a timed Mozambique Drill without the holster at a B27 full size silhouette target. I held at the low ready looking down at the ground, and had the timer set for random start from 1 to 9 seconds and a par time of 10 seconds. Each time I was able to put two rounds center mass and one in the head in about 3 seconds at 7 yards. They thought it was neat but maybe next time. Not sure if they were impressed or not, but showing off was not my goal anyway. We spent about 3 hours total and everyone had a good time.

Holee Fook!

I don't go to Walmart very often, but there are a few things I will go there for on a somewhat regular basis. For example, this time of year with very dry cold air, we run a humidifier at night in our bedroom while sleeping. This requires distilled water, and WalMart is the most reliable place to get it from. We all know Walmart is a place of "characters," where the normies are sometimes the exception compared to the weirdos. I normally go to the Walmart in North Windham, while milder than most, the store is neat and clean and the weirdos are not too prevalent. The minority population is mostly Hispanic from the Willimantic area and tend to be mostly non-violent as opposed to large groups of violent Dindus.

Yesterday, because we were in the Manchester area, we went to that store. That parking lot, unlike the one in North Windham, was almost completely full and difficult to find a suitable spot for a full size pickup truck. I finally found one and went in. The first thing I saw were the entry gates. Yup, only one way in to the store so the criminals stealing shopping carts full of goods only have one way out, through the registers. Next I noticed the floor. It was obviously once covered with 12" x 12" tiles because you can see the marks. Now it is bare sealed concrete. The aisles are narrower than I am used to, and the main walkways have displays going down the center, making a direct route to the bottled water area clogged with people trying to negotiate around them. There was stuff just everywhere. The displays were a mess and there was goods and trash on the floor. There were very few white people among the "clientele" making this store in my America looking like some third world shithole. I grabbed 6 one gallon jugs of distilled water and headed for the registers. As I have said before, I don't work for your establishment and until I receive at least a 10% total discount for using self checkout, I ain't playin'! More on that in a moment. Anyway, I stood in line and made a minimum wage flunky checkout my water, and take the cash payment I gave him. I walked as fast as I could out to my truck to get the fuck out of there.

I also had to stop at Home Depot for a box of replacement LED indoor flood lamps. While the LED itself will last somewhere in the vicinity of 70 years, the electronics that convert 120VAC to the low DC voltage and drive the LED will burnout. I have replaced several LED bulbs already for this issue. It seems like if they work they work and last, but the ones that crap out... well. I guess financially I am ahead of the game because the prices of LED bulbs has come way down and the energy savings going from 65W per bulb to 13W makes it a wash. But the kicker here was the Manchester Home Depot has done away with all the manual registers, except for the Pro Desk at the far end of the store. Its not that the registers are unmanned, they have all been removed. Therefore, I walked my purchase all the way down to the Pro Desk to be checked out by an employee. I normally go to the Home Depot just down the road from the Walmart in North Windham and last time I went in there a couple of weeks ago, they still have employee manned registers for checkout. Guess I just need to stick closer to home.

PGR Mission 11-3-23

The Mission: Friday November 3, 2023, The Dignified Transfer and rendering of military honors for burial of six CT Veterans whose cremains have gone unclaimed for years and even decades.

The six U.S. Veterans to be honored are (in alphabetical order):

• TEC-5 Wilfred A. Carpentier, U.S. Army serving 1941-45. December 6, 1917-April 27, 1976, died in Derby;
• CPL Robert L. Coston, Sr., U.S. Army serving 1951-53. October 27, 1938-November 12, 2014, died in East Hartford;
• FA Michael Joseph Gruttadauria, Jr., U.S. Navy serving 1967-68. September 25, 1948-November 28, 2021, died in Hartford;
• A1C Joseph Henry O'Brien, II, U.S. Air Force serving 1951-61. January 25, 1937-August 13, 2021, died in Southbury;
• *SGT Bernice Greenstreet Record, U.S. Army Air Forces serving 1945-46. November 1, 1923-September 9, 2007, died in Cheshire; and
• *PVT Roland H. Record, U.S. Army Air Forces serving 1945-46. December 19, 1927- November 10, 1998, died in Waterbury.
  *A married couple

Here is a link to the story with video from WTNH TV-8 in New Haven

Here is a link to the story with video from NBC CT in Hartford

Here is a link to the story with video from FOX 61 in Hartford

There were also assorted radio, print, and online news services there as well.

 

I had been looking forward to this event for weeks, ever since I got the notice and was hoping conditions would allow me to ride "The Beast." I did the last one in 2021 and it was so awesome I wanted to be part of it again. Riding the bike means I will definitely be in the escort ride from the VA to the cemetery in Middletown. First thing was to be off work for the day which I was without having to swap shifts. I got up at 5:30 AM to take care of animals, shower, and get appropriately dressed. When I headed out at 7 AM it was only 25 degrees. I stopped for coffee, a breakfast sandwich, and hash browns at the local convenience store. It's a good 45 minute ride to the VA in Rocky Hill so I had plenty of time to eat and got under way at 07:30. I arrived a little early which was good. We hung out in the lot for a bit and got our assignments. At the VA Home and Hospital, the Patriot Guard Riders do the dignified transfer of the cremains. They all arrive in one hearse, and need to be separated and moved to additional hearses.

Because I had done this before, I was to handle an urn. Each urn was accompanied by a pre-folded US flag carried behind by another PGR member. Here is how it worked:

1) The first PGR member approaches the back of the main hearse

2) A salute is rendered and the urn is handed to the member by the funeral director.

3) An "about face" is done and several slow and purposeful steps are taken away from the hearse

4) A "column left, march" is done and the slow purposeful walk continues a few steps, where the lead member pauses briefly so that the flag bearer can execute their maneuvers and fall in behind the urn.

5) Both members slowly and purposely walk in formation to the rear of the assigned hearse and stop.

6) A left face, a few steps, and another left face and the member is in position to place the urn in the hearse as directed by another funeral director. The urn is set down and then turned 180 degrees so the name is facing outward. The member steps back and once again salutes the urn. The member then clears the area behind the hearse to make room for the flag bearer.

7) The flag bearer executes the same maneuvers and places the folded flag next to the urn in the hearse. He then renders a salute to the flag and clears the back of the hearse.

Because there were six urns and six flags, I got called up again to handle a second urn. It is an unbelievable honor to handle these cremains.

Once the Dignified Transfer was completed, law enforcement began showing up. There were two motorcycle cops from Middletown and several state troopers in Ford Explorer Police Interceptors. We got ourselves lined up for the procession to Middletown so we could head out smoothly. We hit the restroom as needed and milled around for a few minutes until it was time to saddle up. The motorcycle cops lead, followed by a state trooper, our PGR bikes and flagged vehicles, the hearses, and more state troopers bringing up the rear. The Rocky Hill, Cromwell, and Middletown police had all the intersections blocked off down RT. 99 up to the entrance ramp to CT RT. 9. As we entered RT. 9, CT State Police had the highway closed southbound so we could enter unimpeded, and the Middletown police had the entrances to RT. 9 south closed so we could get by. We got off RT. 9 at the Silver Street exit and Middletown PD had the intersections closed the rest of the way to the cemetery. We pulled in to the cemetery and were greeted by more PGR personnel standing a flag line, Middletown FD had their giant flag suspended from their ladder truck, media, veterans groups, citizen attendees, and of course.... the politicians.

The posting of the colors was a flop in my opinion. A dopey female Army E-4 at the rear of the formation did not know the proper way to carry an M-14 on "Right shoulder...ARMS!"... it was upside down. She at least had the butt in her right hand and the muzzle up in the air, but the rifle rested on her shoulder with the trigger facing up! She also did not render the proper presentation of the rifle at "Present Arms!" She stood there with the rifle lying trigger up on her shoulder the whole time. I am sure all my fellow veterans in attendance cringed as I did at this poor display of Drill and Ceremony. She had no business being front and center in such a position. The lead Sargent carrying his M-14 did it properly, and did the proper movements for present arms and order arms.

The politicians in attendance was Gov. "Jolly Ned" Lamont, LT. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, Senator "DaNang Dickie" Blumenthal, and Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim. The head of the CT VA Brigadier General, (Ret.), Ronald P. “Ron” Welch and CT Funeral Directors Association President Lionel Lessard were there and spoke as well. Also in attendance was Major General Francis J. Evon, the Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard. He actually came down the PGR flag line after our arrival and assembly to meet, shake hands, and thank every PGR member. He was formally introduced but did not speak. I have met him before at other events. A down to Earth guy for sure that remembers where he came from.

First off, as much of a douchebag Commie liar/stolen valor Blumenthal is, he does keep his speeches short and on topic at these events. That said, several PGR members said that if they weren't there representing the PGR, they would have definitely turned their backs when he got up to the podium, as would I. The only speech that seemed to go off the rails was Susan Bysiewicz, who takes every opportunity to play the woman card as her speech went off on a diversity tangent while referring to SGT. Bernice Greenstreet Record and her military service. Too bad the female E-4 rifle honor guard went and ruined the optic of female competence in the military, huh?

After the speeches, a single 21 gun salute was fired in honor of all six veterans, and a single ceremonial flag was unfolded, held outstretched briefly, then refolded in the traditional manner. The flag was presented to General Welch to represent the six families. The ceremony concluded shortly after and although we could stay for the actual internment of the urns, I was getting hungry and had other plans.

 

Trip to Hoffman's Gun Center

Because of this post from Pawpaw's House back on October 23rd, I decided to explore using a couple of my old "mouse guns" for backup duty possibly in an ankle holster. The older gun is a Raven Arms MP-25 in .25 ACP, and the other is a Beretta Tomcat in .32ACP. First I needed to find some appropriate defensive ammo for both. It turns out Hornady makes Critical Defense ammo in both calibers so I would have to get some. I just figured I would have to order it online. Because I was in Middletown not too far from Hoffman's in Berlin, that would be my next stop. I had no specific purchase plans, it was just that I hadn't been there in a long time and was going for a look-see. I browsed all the firearm showcases and found there to be a good supply of just about everything. As far as guns go, I believe my next gun is going to be the Ruger PCC with the M-Lock handguard, AR stock, threaded barrel, and the optional Glock mag well probably sometime before spring. When I went over to the ammo shelves.... lo and behold! the Hornady Critical Defense .25 ACP and .32 ACP in stock. Both were $24.99 for a box of 25 so I grabbed one of each. I then went over to the wall of holsters and found a DeSantis universal ankle holster made for small autos. Perfect and out the door for $101 plus change. Because of having to work all weekend, I haven't yet tried to put everything together. Once I do I will do a review post here.

A quick lunch at the Newington Burger King and I headed home. Between the frigid temperatures in the morning and being on my feet so long all day, I was wiped when I got home at 2:30 PM. I plopped on the couch with the doggos, turned on the TV, and zonked off for a bit before wifey came home.