Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Some environmentalist drive me nuts

Recently I have come across a few periodicals or newsletter type publications promoting the protection of certain environmental areas or species. While reading them I thought of how nice it was to see that someone cares and how people are actually trying to make a difference. They what to save a species, or number of species, or are trying to save an area, etc. Great. I personally think we should all at least try and do a least a little to preserve or better our own world.

But I then realized that many of these publications are on paper. Some are on what is clearly recycled paper, which is okay, but others are publishing great, big, multi-page products made with thick glossy paper that is of a large format. I'm not referring to a couple of pages either, some of these things are huge.

Why? How is using all this paper helping? What logic is in use here? Save the fish, screw the trees?

Today, practically everybody has a computer and an internet connection. Why not publish on the web. Since the computers are already there, the environmental impact of their creation has already occurred. Why not use the computers instead of wasting paper? Email out some newsletters.

Some might say that these paper publications can all be recycled and used again. Ya right, everybody recycles paper! If we were all that environmentally conscious, we wouldn't need to read about saving our planet. we'd already be doing it.

Maybe my ignorance is showing here, but seriously, isn't there a more environmentally way to spread the message?

What do you think?

Monday, June 16, 2008

Camping in the rain sucks

Never trust the weather man.

Tammy, Maxwell, and myself went camping last week. We left for the Prince Albert National Park on Thursday morning. It rained during the 2.5 hour trip there, and continued raining non-stop the whole time we were there.

Tammy and I have never camped together before, and of course never set up a tent together before. We weren't exactly smiling during the process. Setting up a tent in the pouring rain sucks. It was so miserable, it was funny. We were soaked, sliding around making a mess.

The rain never let up. Other than bathroom breaks, which involved ponchos and hurrying to the facilities, we stayed in the tent and tried our best to entertain ourselves.

Tammy is now considering the purchase of a tent trailer. Just wait until she finds out what on is worth.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Bad day at the range

I think I am actually getting worse at shooting.

I went to the range after work yesterday, and didn't exactly set any records. I was sighting in a new scope and trying out the new Choate stock on the Savage .223. This is the second time I have shoot this rifle, and I have to admit, I think I am starting to shoot worse than ever before. My groups were all over. I was lucky if I could keep them under 2 inches at 100 yards. This just isn't acceptable for me. I normally keep used targets for reference, but I tossed yesterday's. At one point I finished off a box of Winchester 55 grain cartridges, started a fresh box and found that my point of impact was about 2 inches higher than the last box. What the hell?

I don't get it. I used a bipod (which I prefer), and had sand bags to ensure I was steady. I can think of a pile of excuses. Maybe I just need to get used to the stock and scope (and new rifle). I admit that I can adjust the cheek pice so I can get a good cheek weld and maybe try adjusting the length of pull on the varmint stock.

Maybe I should just stop whining, get things adjusted, then try shooting a bit more. After all, I haven't shot more than 100 rounds in over a year. maybe I am jusst out of practice.

Monday, June 2, 2008

I took my 4 year old to the range

Yup, I took Maxwell, who was just a few days into his fourth year, to the range. We got up just before 6:00 Am to get there about 7: 00 AM. This is the best time to go, since there is less people around, and the temperatures are pretty nice.

Maxwell wasn't exactly thrilled to get up that early, but soon felt better once I reminded him where we were going. It was his first time, and I could tell his imagination was running wild about what "the range" might be. We hit the road and made it about 5 minutes out of town before wehad to turn around. Maxwell wanted to bring his shotgun. So after a quick return trip home for his toy, and a quick stop at Tim Hortons for an extra large double-double, we made it to the range to see that my buddies were already there and hitting paper.

Maxwell loved it. I didn't bring any firearms this time, as I just wanted him to feel safe and comfortable about the range, with it's benches, different people, and gunshots. I had already coached him in the car about the importance of keeping his ear protection on, and staying near me. He made me proud. He stuck to me like glue and looked great in ear muffs.

He soon realized that there was .17 MR and 22 long rifle brass lying around, and spent his time filling his pockets. He even sat at a free bench with his plastic over-under shotgun and firde a few shots. The guys were great, shaking his hand like a gentleman and making him feel welcome. It was truly a great first experience for a 4 year old boy.

I can't wait to take him again.