Actresses Making Music

Scarlett Johansson - “Falling Down” Music Video

I'm not sure how I feel about an actress doing a Tom Waits cover. Apparently Tom gave his approval, which means something.

But still...

Privateers

Kim du Toit has a great solution to the piracy problem around the horn of Africa. The U.N doesn't have the ability or the will to take care of this.

"Indeed, if some enterprising billionaire were to offer the funding to equip a mini-fleet of privateer vessels (instead of pissing it away on nonsense like Alleviating Third World Hunger—which sounds wonderful, but achieves nothing), I think I’d volunteer right quickly to crew one of them. My gout-induced lack of mobility is irrelevant on board a ship, and what I lack in seamanship and such, I will more than make up for with weapons prowess, and bloodthirstiness which would make these so-called pirates look like a bunch of Baptist Sunday-school teachers."

The U.N. wants to be a world government, but would only be capable governing like the Alliance government on the TV series Firefly. They want everyone under their control so we can be meddled with or ignored as they see fit.

Peace.

Abney Park

I've recently discovered this band.

For some reason, they remind me of Boiled in Lead. Abney Park plays a form of fusion music that contains metal, goth, Celtic and Middle Eastern influences. They seriously rock hard.

It's surprising they put so much effort into their steampunk aesthetic. Often, bands that take their image too seriously are lacking in the talent dept. Abney Park must be taking pleasure in every aspect of their scene.

I never thought I'd ever rock out to music inspired by Victorian era sci-fi.


Life is sweet.

Another case for black rifles:

Oleg Volk hits it out of the park with this article.

His point? Weapons available to civilians are refined to a higher degree due to customer feedback.


The AR-15/M-16 is an example. Decades of use by hunters and competitors have transformed a barely serviceable gun into an almost perfect platform. Certainly, the AR has its detractors, but so does every other product made at any time, anywhere.

Please read his article.

Stuff

Apparently I need to see Ironman. That's probably true. My building project has been dominating my evenings, so I'll wait for the DVD.

Activity down at the gun club has begun. I was working with a new shooter last Wednesday and have noticed the following:

1) Use of the sling is almost a lost art.

2) Newbies tend to shoot way to fast.

3) My CZ 452 LUX (.22 lr) is a great rifle for teaching beginners. It's pretty, so people like to pick it up, and the controls are similar to what one would find on a "big rifle".


Peace.

On Hiatus

Haven't felt like blogging for while. I've got to respect bloggers that can do it religiously. I can't seem to pull it off. Other stuff takes up my free time and makes me tired.

Home improvement:

I've been renovating part of my house. It's cool. Self-expression through craftsmanship.

Archery:

I helped teach a local community ed. class again this winter. As a whole, they did well at the Minnesota State Tournament, hosted by the Saratoga Archery Club. I also shot on a league, which kept me shooting my bow all winter. Hopefully 3-D matches will keep me shooting all summer and sharp for deer season.

Recent films:

Have not seen any films of note.

Recent books:

The Postman by David Brin

Guns:

Zilch, Nada. Haven't been in my reloading room in months