Weekend open thread

| September 21, 2013

I’m taking some mental health time off. You guys go ahead and talk among yourselves. Drop off links, call each other names, exchange recipes, whatever it is you do in these things. Maybe some of the others will write something for you, but I need a break. Enjoy.

Category: Open thread

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Pam

Why is ABC in Colorado Springs showing some college football game at 1800 hrs other than Michigan and Conneticut? WTH? Go Blue.

Ex-PH2

Perry Gaskill, thanks for the tips.

I also have the D50, which is a workhorse of a camera for an amateur format, and later bought the D300, which I dearly love.

I stopped shooting medium format because the cost of film processing is now exorbitant, period, and sold my big Mamiya RB67 – another workhorse – and my other Nikons, except for my F2, which I bought long ago from a friend of mine after he came back from Vietnam. Sometimes I miss film, but digital has real advantages.

So I will use the TV format, and see if I can coax Mikey into doing the cheetah stud dance, and then see which of my AV software things work best for it. I think I do have MPEG in CS3, but I have to check.

OIF '06-'07-'08

Take one Marshall 100 watt Reissue Super Lead Amp, blend both channels, add a Ibanez Tube Screamer and a Gibson Les Paul, then crank both volumes controls of the amp up to 5. Classic Rock tone, but damn, my ears hurt.

2/17 Air Cav

Just saw two GREAT commercials during game. First was one for Notre Dame featuring an attractive, well spoken, angelic-like young lady whose father recovered from some cancer. Second was an AFLAC with the duck. He’s practicing his “AFLAC!” in different voices. I thought I was gonna die.

Just Plain Jason

John C

I am a big Idris Elba fan and I just started watching the show. I think a lot of people missed out on seeing him in Pacific Rim.

68W58

So, apparently a certain religious group, which will remain nameless, continues to have “bloody borders”-http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2427892/Nairobi-mall-Gunmen-massacred-22-Kenyan-shopping-centre-targeted-non-Islamics.html

GiducksSandFilledPussy

Just took one hell of a Giduck…

JohnC

55Just Plain Jason Says:

Yeah, I like Elba too. He kinda has the same “commanding-black-guy” timbre as Dennis Haysbert (The Unit; All-State commercials), except it always takes me a minute to recognize it’s Elba (e.g., in The Wire, Prometheus, The Office, etc.).

Incidentally, I’m told rumors abound of an Alice Morgan spin-off (though, sadly, I suspect a topless scene is still unlikely).

F. Brownwolf

Today, I visited the local Native American Veterans Cemetery in Shiprock, NM and randomly strolled around the grounds reading the names of the fallen to myself. They sacrificed far much more than I ever did during my service and I wish I could have done more for my country….

AW1 Tim

@48:

One of my favorite childhood memories was walking to the corner Mom & Pop store with my mom, getting a bottle of RC Cola and a Moon Pie, and sitting out on the front porch enjoying them.

I’ve always liked the taste of RC Cola.

MCPO NYC USN (Ret.)

Peter Frampton – Greatest guitar player ever!

Then he cut the album “I’m in You.”

But before that, particularly the early stuff like the time he recorded an entire album in a castle.

Yeah … I need another beer!

I M Simpleton

Recipes? I like 5 of HP-38 with 115 gr, served with a Glock 26.

Biermann

I bought a S&W AR today, shhhhhh, wife says its a Christmas present.

Ex-PH2

Recipes: bacon mac & cheese.

NHSparky

Did the local fair with the family today. Fried EVERYTHING. Topped it off with a SCHOOL BUS demolition derby. Yes, you read that correctly. School bus.

It. Was. AWESOME.

Now I’m going to spend tomorrow getting the new computer up and running, provided I can keep this damned popup from driving me insane (and I’m not sure how to get rid of it.)

JohnC

I’m new to the tactical community, so I have equipment questions for those in the know.

I received an ad for something called the Operator’s Tactical Checkbook. Is this what Harrison Ford used to buy the helicopter in Clear and Present Danger? How many attachment points do I need on my checkbook?

AW1 Tim

I’m working in the lab on a new product that will hopefully make both my fortune and my reputation, the former more important just now than the latter. 🙂

I’m working to develop a gunpowder that, when burned, gives off the scent of cooked bacon. I figure it will make many, many, men happy and terrify our enemies.

Besides, who DOESN’T like the smell of cooked bacon?

So anyways, I’m gonna need investors. And beer. Lots of beer. Oh, and some bourbon too. Lots & lots of bourbon. But mostly investors. And beer. And bourbon.

I’ve been toying with the idea of calling them “Pork Rounds”. 🙂

Anonymous

You need a minimum of one for the bayonet; one for the Gerber multitool; one for the rappelling line; and one for your whiskey flask. All others are optional.

Ex-PH2

Anonymous was me. Cleared the cookies, forgot to reload my thingy.

Ex-PH2

@67 AW1Tim, it will make many, many people HUNGRY, not happy. They will be looking for pancakes and maple syrup. But I like that idea. I could contribute $.76 to the project.

Hondo

F. Brownwolf: I understand the feeling, amigo. But here’s a bit of perspective.

You have no reason to feel you didn’t do enough. You served. You were not called on to deploy and fight. There is no shame in that. So long as you did your assigned duty, you did more than most.

Not everyone receives orders to go in harm’s way during a war. Timing and other commitments mean that only a fraction of those serving will serve in combat, even during a war. And for many, service is during a time of peace – so for them, no opportunity to serve in combat will exist.

As an example: during Vietnam, between 8 and 9 million served in the US military. Only around 3.1 million ever deployed to SEA, and of those only roughly 2.6 million ever set foot in Vietnam proper.

However, without the service of the rest of those 8+ million those deployed could not have done their duties. The nation had other commitments; other missions still needed doing. Plus, some support must be performed from CONUS or other locations outside the combat zone.

I guess what I’m trying to say is this: all honorable service is worthwhile. Preparing for combat is why we served, but not everyone gets sent to war. Some serve in combat; others support from a distance; others serve when there is no war. It all contributes to the overall effort.

Ex-PH2

I beg to differ with MCPO NYC Ret on greatest guitar ever.

My choice would be Julian Bream.

The Dead Man

Anyone have any experience with PI work by any chance? Did my first rookie case which was uh, special. Nothing like tattling on places broadcasting a boxing match without a license. Just looking to see if this is something I should cough up cash on for the union (Yes yes, I hate unions, but tripling payouts at a once a year payment that also covers my licensing..)

Continuing with the gun chat, have any of you ever used the +p 9mm USM4 Hollow Points? Only ammo left at the local shop that wasn’t range ammo for my CCW, wondering if it’s worth it, if it overpenetrates like a lot of 9mm or any other quirks I should worry about.

MCPO NYC USN (Ret.)

@ AW1 Tim … I know a great idea when I hear it. I will cash out of my TSP and because I have power of attorney over my most lovely wife, I will disappear her retirement account as well (our little secret). Where do I send the cash?

MCPO NYC USN (Ret.)

@ 73 … The Dead Man … absolutely not!

Once done, they own you. In addition, a number of ethics issues I could raise as well.

A PI investigates, gathers evidence, and presents findings to client for their disposition. If criminal activity is involved depending on jurisdiction you have an obligation according to your license and bond to report such activity at the appropriate time during your investigation based a serverity of violation.

But what do I know!

PI work above board can be lucrative!

Oh sorry … for all the Army guys out there, lucrative means profitable.

JohnC

Oh god, copyright? What’s next, weddings? Wedding videos?

(Isn’t figuring out this stuff sorta your job?) I know nothing about PI; but, I’m assuming you mean a professional association, as unions for private contractors seems … weird. I’d wonder how much information do you have to relinquish (fees, etc.)? A PA may be helpful if you’re just starting out. If it’s actually a union, I’d search the court records to look for any red flags

I’ll give you the same word of advice that I’ve given bouncers (make the appropriate changes): Hurt someone on the job, and some bars will say, “Oh, he wasn’t working that night. Nope, he broke that guy’s nose on his own time. He was carrying a gun? Oh, we’d never give him permission.” Make a record, make a record, make a record.

That guy

@53
A) Satellite Amplifiers. Get a Neutron and an Atom and you’ll never need another amp.
B) Get a Gretsch Falcon like a big boy.
C) Gretsch White falcon + Neutron Amp + Ibanez distortion pedal= rock and roll.
D) I spent all night listening to Billie Joe Shaver
E) Unknown Hinson is a better guitarist than Pete Frampton could ever hope to be.

Ex-PH2

I’m having bacon mac & cheese for dinner, and then watching a movie with butter on my popcorn, and I don’t care who knows it or what they think about it.

That guy

@78
Everything is better with bacon. I no longer cook ‘chicken alfredo’. It is now bacon wrapped chicken alfredo.
And I have ALWAYS added a little extra butter, ever since I was a kid. And some salt.

Brownwolf

Mr. Hondo,
Thank you for your kind words of wisdom. I served with the US Army (active duty) during the 1990s and sometimes I don’t know what I am amongst fellow veterans. I miss the comradarice, the bullshit talking, the antics, the training exercise deployments to friendly foreign countries or around the corner, red, green, gold, black cycles, barracks living, army chow (especially the biscuits & gravy), PT every morning, etc…

Anyway, I have been lurking on TAH for almost two years now and on occasion I’ll throw my two cents in when silly posers are dragged into the spotlight and their ribbons, badges, medals, decorations, and other acroutements are laughable tell-tale signs of a lack of previous military service. Also, I enjoy reading how Big Army has not changed since my army days….

I really don’t know were I am trying to go with this message but I do appreciate what TAH does online and I enjoy coming here to read Jonn and others’ writings. I’m probably just trying to kick myself out of the two-year lurking status but I still have my qualms with that issue.

Brownwolf

JohnC

On bacon:

Thin-sliced, perfectly crisped bacon, smothered in butterscotch paste, with dehydrated apple ribbons, garnished with pepper and thyme.

Bacon and egg ice-cream, with side of orange marmalade.

OWB

Yum. Grilled cheese with bacon! Opted out on the bacon on mine this evening. Just used some homemade bread cut thick, fresh butter, 4 kinds of cheese with some home canned sweet dills on the side. Hey! Ya gotta have more veg than just the peppers in the pepper jack cheese!!

MCPO NYC USN (Ret.)

This morn we had bacon and cheese amollettes (think that is a French word), bacon on the side, OJ and bubblie topped with a sliver of half cooked fatty bacon … While my son sang “Makin’ Bacon Pancakes” for like 20 friggin’ minutes.

The bacon centered bruch was fun.

However, whoever from TAH that introduced me to “Makin’ Bacon Pancakes” can never be forgiven.

Ex-PH2

My mac and cheese was to die for.

I decided to forego the bacon and went with smoky ham, because I am down to the last few slices of it and need to use it up. So I minced four slices of the ham in the little food buzzer, used shredded taco cheese (with chili powder) and penne pasta.

Heat your oven to 350F. Have a cookie sheet for the mac and cheese pan to sit on so there’s no mess.

Cook the pasta to al dente.

Make the roux with butter and minced garlic – the amount of garlic is to YOUR taste, but I love garlic so I was generous.

Add about 2 tablespoons, maybe more (I used 3) of flour and stir a lot. Add enough 2% or whole milk to create a nice, thick gravy, add black pepper (to your taste) and then add some of the minced ham and about 2 cups of shredded cheese (your choice of flavors), and stir thoroughly.

Add the pasta to the cheese sauce and stir thoroughly, then pour it into your baking pan. Top it with the remaining minced ham. Top that with more shredded cheese.

Put pan full of mac and cheese into oven for 25 minutes, until cheese is slightly brown. Remove, plate, and enjoy.

I almost fell off my chair with the first bite.

Also, for veggies: celery and baby carrots and radishes.

The amount of pasta depends on how many people you’re serving, but I was making it for just me so I used 1 cup of penne. Any short pasta will do. If your kids don’t love something like this, I will feel very sorry for them.

MCPO NYC USN (Ret.)

To Brownwolf:

In some states lurking is illegal. What you meant to say was, “I have been conducting unconventional observation and surveilance”.

Sounds much better than saying the word “lurking” twice.

Besides that HONDO is a good man and Jonn runs quite the site for Vets to hang out in. The issued selected are ones we are all concerned with.

Couple of rules: my wife is hot, don’t hit on her; there is a guy here with a glass eye, don’t stair at it; and if anyone ever asks where the best looking females Vets hang out … Tell them TAH!

Belly up.

NHSparky

@82–you do realize that Dunkin Donuts now serves a Texas Toast grilled cheese sandwich with bacon?

Oh yeah, now I gotta get one soon.

Ex-PH2

NHSParky, McD’s now has a cheeseburger with bacon.

Master Chief, on behalf of all the females here, you’re a doll!

OIF '06-'07-'08
Brownwolf

To MCPO NYC USN (Ret.),

Lurking!, who wrote “lurking”? (with a shit-eating grin on my face).

Anyway, does the glass eyed fellow’s “glass eye” inadvertently wander onto your hot wife’s direction on occasion? Just kidding.

By the way, I had some grid-squares this morning and the chem light batteries are still charging on the stand.

I’ll try to contribute a little more on occasion minus the “conducting unconventional observation and surveillance.”

Is “belly up” a Navy term?

Frankly Opinionated

FYI: I just stopped by at Daniel Dumbasski’s Glass River Fly Rods Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Glass-River-Fly-Rods/169579503187960?fref=ts , and find that he still has not deleted the post with this script: “Hello I am Daniel Anthony Dembinski owner of Glass River Fly Rods. I would like to take this time to tell you why you should by your next rod or bamboo fly rod from me. I am a disabled veteran from desert storm, ex seal and proud of what I did for my Country. If it was not for Master Cheif Reyes who started me on fly tying as a way to calm down from missions and tranning. Later on I start building rods I even built my first I cought a Black Tip Shark on. I spent a lot of time tying flys in the hospital after surgery. I have done a lot sense then. I studyed BamBoo Fly Rod making From one of the builders in the U.S. and sense then I have honed my skils and art. I want and would like to take the time to build you a rod that you can pass on to your children and grandson and or daughter. I would like to build a present that you could give your Loved ones. I enjoy building pack rods, and love building that 2wt fly rod for the lucky brook trout or blue gill. I will be launching my web site on Dec 7.2012. I will have all my prices, but if you can’t waite you can contact me here or by email (deleting the contact info that is readily available at the link above) or at XXX-XXX-XXXX.” I have given him a detailed, step by step, tutorial, over the phone, on how simple it is to delete a facebook post. He claims that he has told his child/children of his falsehoods, so why doesn’t he ask them to help him to clean it all up. To date, I have made phone contact with 6 fly fishing associations/groups, and each has assured me that they would like their membership to know of his inability… Read more »

Ex-PH2

@89 – More like whaling, maybe?

OIF '06-'07-'08

@90, now why does that not surprise me! Danni Boi has been trying to play us from day one. I never bought his BS from day one.

MCPO NYC USN (Ret.)

Belly up is actually Navy term. But it means belly up to the bar in this case.

EX-PH2 … Here to serve.

Andy

so, did anyone catch the 2nd to last episode of Breaking Bad? Holy crap is all I can say.

OWB

@ #86: No, I did not realize that, but so noted. I generally do add some bacon when making grilled cheese with just sharp cheddar cheese, liberally slathering the inside of the bread with pepper butter and the outside of the bread with butter. (No, not margarine. No, not low fat or any other imitation of real butter.) We keep some snack bags of already cooked pieces of bacon just for adding to grilled cheese sandwiches!

But, all we had this evening was light bread, and several odd pieces of cheese. Adding bacon just didn’t seem fittin’ tonight.

Ex-PH2

I make hash with bacon grease.

Both of my grandmothers lived well into their 90s. Both of them used butter. Both of my grandfathers passed well ahead of my grandmothers. My mother lived well into her 90s. She didn’t like butter. It was too expensive. She used margarine.

I’ve heard that lard is more digestible than veggie shortening, except for olive oil, grapeseed and poppy oil, and pure corn oil.

There is no substitute for real flavor.

Just An Old Dog

I made some Bangers and mash tonight. Turned out decent.
Watched about 6 episodes of “Bar Rescue” on Spike TV. Its amazing how people let their businesses go to shit right under their noses.

JIm

For gear heads, 225 slant six ‘Cuda drag car:

Brownwolf

MCPO NYC USN (Ret.) & Ex-PH2,

Thanks for the cross-training on the Navy parlance. I just had to make sure what that term meant from some sailors before I befuddle myself silly. During my buck private E-1 period, I was tricked by the E-4 mafia to ask our battalion CSM if he knew where the PRC-E-9 was at? It didn’t go well for me nor for the members of that E-4 mafia when the CSM asked “WHO” sent me to him…. That was almost twenty years ago!

Hack.Stone

And, another Paul Wickre thread is closed out. Completely off topic, I have one remaining ticket for the beer festival this Saturday in front of National’s Park, 13:00 – 17:00. If you want to go, pay me the face value, $39, and you can join me and Bobo, and maybe a few of TAH commenters there. You can hit me up on Facebook, or John can give you my email.

https://www.livingsocial.com/events/cities/1-washington-d-c/741670-livingsocial-s-craft-beer-and-food-truck-festival

Don’t confuse this event with the one at National Harbor, just down the road, same day and time. So much beer, so little time.