2012.01.26
Bubble?
So, there's a new book out about elite people living in bubbles.
Someone managed to create a quiz based on the idea. (Hat tip to Texan99 at Grim's Hall.)
And I scored a low value of 6. (Unless a Jeep counts as 'common-man vehicle' in the pickup-truck question...I don't eat out often enough to visit the restaurants in question...nor do I watch television enough to risk watching Oprah...)
Either I live in a moderate bubble, or I'm a recluse.
Someone managed to create a quiz based on the idea. (Hat tip to Texan99 at Grim's Hall.)
And I scored a low value of 6. (Unless a Jeep counts as 'common-man vehicle' in the pickup-truck question...I don't eat out often enough to visit the restaurants in question...nor do I watch television enough to risk watching Oprah...)
Either I live in a moderate bubble, or I'm a recluse.
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2012.01.20
Even More Data
Something I noticed earlier this week (courtesy of Weerd).
George at Newbie Shooters has looked at the (US Dept. of Health) CDC statistics on death.
First, he looked at accidental deaths in a given year. (He used year 2007, somewhat like I did...it was the most recent data available.) His chart shows percentages of the total number of accidental deaths, as well as a count for each category. By far, the largest category is accidental death by motor-vehicle. Accidental death by gunfire is in the same ballpark as accidental death by falling. Approximately ten people die by accidental drowning for every person who dies by accidental gunfire.
Then George looked at all deaths in the U.S. for the same year, sorted for the top 24 causes of death. (Oddly, the method he used from the CDC website grouped "All Other Causes of Death" together, aside from the top 23 causes of death, and got that grouping into position number 3 on the list. Even more oddly, George calls the chart a top-20 listing when I can count 24 entries...)
Seventeen of the top 24 categories for cause of death in the U.S. are specific medical problems. Suicide is in positions 15 and 16, split almost equally between suicide-by-firearm and suicide-by-non-firearm. Firearm homicide is in spot 21, between Aortic Aneurysm and AIDS.
Finally, George compares death by firearm to all deaths in the U.S. over an 8-year period. He gets a consistent rate of about 1.2% of all deaths in the U.S. are death by firearm.
To be very clear about this conclusion: even with the problems of crime in America, the number of deaths by firearm in the U.S. are dwarfed by multiple medical causes of death. Also, the number of accidental deaths in the U.S. by motor vehicle dwarf every other accidental death category.
While I can't say that guns are safer than cars per hour of use (because more of people in America drive every day than carry a firearm every day), I can say that fear of death by gunfire should dwarf fear of death by other causes.
Not that I'm going to stop carrying a concealed firearm anytime soon.
But an argument could be made that careful driving and paying attention to the health of my heart has more impact on my lifespan than carrying a pistol does.
George at Newbie Shooters has looked at the (US Dept. of Health) CDC statistics on death.
First, he looked at accidental deaths in a given year. (He used year 2007, somewhat like I did...it was the most recent data available.) His chart shows percentages of the total number of accidental deaths, as well as a count for each category. By far, the largest category is accidental death by motor-vehicle. Accidental death by gunfire is in the same ballpark as accidental death by falling. Approximately ten people die by accidental drowning for every person who dies by accidental gunfire.
Then George looked at all deaths in the U.S. for the same year, sorted for the top 24 causes of death. (Oddly, the method he used from the CDC website grouped "All Other Causes of Death" together, aside from the top 23 causes of death, and got that grouping into position number 3 on the list. Even more oddly, George calls the chart a top-20 listing when I can count 24 entries...)
Seventeen of the top 24 categories for cause of death in the U.S. are specific medical problems. Suicide is in positions 15 and 16, split almost equally between suicide-by-firearm and suicide-by-non-firearm. Firearm homicide is in spot 21, between Aortic Aneurysm and AIDS.
Finally, George compares death by firearm to all deaths in the U.S. over an 8-year period. He gets a consistent rate of about 1.2% of all deaths in the U.S. are death by firearm.
To be very clear about this conclusion: even with the problems of crime in America, the number of deaths by firearm in the U.S. are dwarfed by multiple medical causes of death. Also, the number of accidental deaths in the U.S. by motor vehicle dwarf every other accidental death category.
While I can't say that guns are safer than cars per hour of use (because more of people in America drive every day than carry a firearm every day), I can say that fear of death by gunfire should dwarf fear of death by other causes.
Not that I'm going to stop carrying a concealed firearm anytime soon.
But an argument could be made that careful driving and paying attention to the health of my heart has more impact on my lifespan than carrying a pistol does.
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2012.01.17
Day at the Museum
Yesterday (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) was a day off of work.
I decided to spend the day at a museum.
Locally, the most interesting museum is the Henry Ford Museum. A brainchild of the famous auto-maker, the Museum is a record of the part that technology has played in American history. The museum also managed to spend some exhibit space on the American journey towards Civil Rights.
The Civil Rights exhibits were augmented for MLK, Jr Day. While I enjoyed those exhibits, I spent more time looking at the Dymaxion House.
There was also a corner of the Made In America exhibit that had a number of antique firearms. The most modern was a pump-action shotgun, curiously labeled as a 'trombone-action'. Among the others were classic Kentucky Rifles, as well as multiple Smith & Wesson and Colt revolvers from the mid-1800s.
Finally, the airplane exhibits were also interesting. As was the train exhibit, including one of the largest steam locomotives ever built.
It was an enjoyable way to relax.
I decided to spend the day at a museum.
Locally, the most interesting museum is the Henry Ford Museum. A brainchild of the famous auto-maker, the Museum is a record of the part that technology has played in American history. The museum also managed to spend some exhibit space on the American journey towards Civil Rights.
The Civil Rights exhibits were augmented for MLK, Jr Day. While I enjoyed those exhibits, I spent more time looking at the Dymaxion House.
There was also a corner of the Made In America exhibit that had a number of antique firearms. The most modern was a pump-action shotgun, curiously labeled as a 'trombone-action'. Among the others were classic Kentucky Rifles, as well as multiple Smith & Wesson and Colt revolvers from the mid-1800s.
Finally, the airplane exhibits were also interesting. As was the train exhibit, including one of the largest steam locomotives ever built.
It was an enjoyable way to relax.
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2012.01.16
Brewing
My whole house smelled of barley and hops last night.
A bit of the smell is still hanging around. Home-brewing is a fun hobby to have around.
(Alright, it's not my hobby. A house-mate brews when he can afford the supplies. It's fun to watch, and fun to enjoy the results.)
A bit of the smell is still hanging around. Home-brewing is a fun hobby to have around.
(Alright, it's not my hobby. A house-mate brews when he can afford the supplies. It's fun to watch, and fun to enjoy the results.)
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2012.01.12
From The Preacher
A few days back, some blogger posted about New Years Resolutions and self-control.
The subject reminded me of something, but I couldn't describe it accurately until today.
The post about self-control quoted a different article, which said
It could almost be phrased like some preachers I've heard. It is easier to avoid temptation than to resist it, the saying went. Whether the temptation was a lifestyle of dissipation or an act of adultery, temptation was easier to deal with by avoidance of opportunity than by exercise of willpower.
A habit is a powerful thing.
The subject reminded me of something, but I couldn't describe it accurately until today.
The post about self-control quoted a different article, which said
The study, led by Wilhelm Hofmann of the University of Chicago, showed that the people with the best self-control, paradoxically, are the ones who use their willpower less often. Instead of fending off one urge after another, these people set up their lives to minimize temptations. They play offense, not defense, using their willpower in advance so that they avoid crises, conserve their energy and outsource as much self-control as they can.
It could almost be phrased like some preachers I've heard. It is easier to avoid temptation than to resist it, the saying went. Whether the temptation was a lifestyle of dissipation or an act of adultery, temptation was easier to deal with by avoidance of opportunity than by exercise of willpower.
A habit is a powerful thing.
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2012.01.11
Well said
This young woman (and mother) is a new member of the online gun-nuts community.
She describes the community well.
I didn't have much to do with her case directly, but now I want to find someone to help. Just to do my part for this world.
She describes the community well.
I didn't have much to do with her case directly, but now I want to find someone to help. Just to do my part for this world.
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2012.01.10
The Help
Last night, I was invited to a relative's place to view The Help.
The film is surprisingly good. It tells a story that preaches without being obnoxious. It also manages to bring out compassion towards the black-skinned women who are hired as 'the help' without making those women into angels.
Another point that the film attempts to underscore is that while not all white-skinned people in the Deep South were equally hateful towards the local black-skinned people, they felt a severe social pressure to behave in a hateful manner.
I don't know whether this makes good history. I suspect that it is a good recreation of the social milieu.
In that, I realize how much the social atmosphere in America has changed over the past half-century. The country isn't perfect now, but we've managed to remove certain shameful attitudes from the list of socially-approved behaviors.
The film is surprisingly good. It tells a story that preaches without being obnoxious. It also manages to bring out compassion towards the black-skinned women who are hired as 'the help' without making those women into angels.
Another point that the film attempts to underscore is that while not all white-skinned people in the Deep South were equally hateful towards the local black-skinned people, they felt a severe social pressure to behave in a hateful manner.
I don't know whether this makes good history. I suspect that it is a good recreation of the social milieu.
In that, I realize how much the social atmosphere in America has changed over the past half-century. The country isn't perfect now, but we've managed to remove certain shameful attitudes from the list of socially-approved behaviors.
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2012.01.08
Light a Candle
Though, honestly, an LED with strobe is better for self-defense. Modern LED's have better lumen-levels than most candles, and strobe options can shock an attacker.
[Edited To Add: Don't forget that a bright light, in conjunction with a firearm, can do much more than a bright light alone.]
Still, I am observing the unofficial 'Light A Candle' day.
So it's a Zippo, not a candle. I had a Zippo handy, and there are no candles in the house at the moment.
One tool for light, one for suppressing violence.
[Edited To Add: Don't forget that a bright light, in conjunction with a firearm, can do much more than a bright light alone.]
Still, I am observing the unofficial 'Light A Candle' day.
So it's a Zippo, not a candle. I had a Zippo handy, and there are no candles in the house at the moment.
One tool for light, one for suppressing violence.
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2012.01.04
Passwords
The other night, I got into a conversation involving passwords.
It reminded me of several things. First, there are good ways and bad ways to pick passwords.
Second, if a person has more than a handful of web-based logins to remember, there is a really great tool to help manage passwords. It is called Password Safe, and was originally developed by Bruce Schneier. Current, Password Safe is managed by a team of open-source developers.
If you're a Linux user, there are similar tools available. But this tool is designed for Windows users, and is very useful.
Password Safe bonus feature #1: it can be installed on a memory stick and used as a portable program.
Password Safe bonus feature #2: it can also generate random passwords for any account.
It reminded me of several things. First, there are good ways and bad ways to pick passwords.
Second, if a person has more than a handful of web-based logins to remember, there is a really great tool to help manage passwords. It is called Password Safe, and was originally developed by Bruce Schneier. Current, Password Safe is managed by a team of open-source developers.
If you're a Linux user, there are similar tools available. But this tool is designed for Windows users, and is very useful.
Password Safe bonus feature #1: it can be installed on a memory stick and used as a portable program.
Password Safe bonus feature #2: it can also generate random passwords for any account.
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2012.01.01
2012 Sitrep
2012 Situational Report
A new year is upon us.*
Big Stuff
On the National level, the madness of Election season is coming. Indeed, it has been developing for the past few months.
The Assistant Village Idiot notes how it affects his home state.
I've noticed that the President who used to talk about the injustices associated with the War on Terror is now supporting many of them.
I've also noticed many other instances where Team Red's talking points are mostly about whether or not Team Blue did the thing that Team Red defended last time around.
At the State and Metro level, I notice that politicians in Detroit and in Lansing have been talking about the budget problems of the City of Detroit. It's been a mess for years, exacerbated by the decline in City population.**
On the local level...not much has pegged my radar. I've been wondering about seeing if I can plug into the local Police agency for a few ride-alongs. But I'm not sure how to go about doing that. (In related news, I am very happy that the suburbs have at least one order of magnitude smaller crime-rate than the City. And a very different pattern of criminal behavior.***)
Home Stuff
I notice that signs of economic stress have not abated in the wider world....
more...
A new year is upon us.*
Big Stuff
On the National level, the madness of Election season is coming. Indeed, it has been developing for the past few months.
The Assistant Village Idiot notes how it affects his home state.
I've noticed that the President who used to talk about the injustices associated with the War on Terror is now supporting many of them.
I've also noticed many other instances where Team Red's talking points are mostly about whether or not Team Blue did the thing that Team Red defended last time around.
At the State and Metro level, I notice that politicians in Detroit and in Lansing have been talking about the budget problems of the City of Detroit. It's been a mess for years, exacerbated by the decline in City population.**
On the local level...not much has pegged my radar. I've been wondering about seeing if I can plug into the local Police agency for a few ride-alongs. But I'm not sure how to go about doing that. (In related news, I am very happy that the suburbs have at least one order of magnitude smaller crime-rate than the City. And a very different pattern of criminal behavior.***)
Home Stuff
I notice that signs of economic stress have not abated in the wider world....
more...
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2011.12.31
2011 AAR
After Action Report, year 2011...
more...
more...
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2011.12.30
Home project (phase 1)
One of the great things about having a week of vacation is that I can devote a lot of time to at-home projects.
One of the great things about having a week of vacation is that I can spend a lot of time lounging around.
Sadly, I didn't really accomplish either of those objectives. Though I think I managed to split the difference.
The at-home project is most of the way through the Remove the Old Stuff phase.
The goal of the project is to turn the family room (a converted-garage) into something better-insulated. So far, I've removed most of the dropped-ceiling, and exposed the bare rafters above it.
Before I put drywall (and much better insulation) up against the rafters, I should replace the ceiling-lights. Doing that may also involve re-wiring most of the room.
This project would also be a good time to remove the wood-paneling which was glued onto wall-board on the walls. This will likely involve replacing all the wall-board, which may make the wiring project much easier. But this would increase the trash generated by a significant amount. And delay final completion of the project.
But the room will look much better once the wood-paneling is removed. I think that effort will be worth the result.
One of the great things about having a week of vacation is that I can spend a lot of time lounging around.
Sadly, I didn't really accomplish either of those objectives. Though I think I managed to split the difference.
The at-home project is most of the way through the Remove the Old Stuff phase.
The goal of the project is to turn the family room (a converted-garage) into something better-insulated. So far, I've removed most of the dropped-ceiling, and exposed the bare rafters above it.
Before I put drywall (and much better insulation) up against the rafters, I should replace the ceiling-lights. Doing that may also involve re-wiring most of the room.
This project would also be a good time to remove the wood-paneling which was glued onto wall-board on the walls. This will likely involve replacing all the wall-board, which may make the wiring project much easier. But this would increase the trash generated by a significant amount. And delay final completion of the project.
But the room will look much better once the wood-paneling is removed. I think that effort will be worth the result.
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2011.12.27
Odd find
I spent a couple of days off-grid over the weekend. That allowed me a chance to read, in full, one of my Christmas gifts.
The gift was a surprise, and is related to the TV series Castle. The series almost belongs in a guilty-pleasures category. It's not a genre (police procedural) or medium (TV series) I normally seek out.
My original interest in Castle was that it starred the actor who portrayed Malcolm Reynolds in Firefly. However, I discovered that I can enjoy a well-done mystery story. And I enjoy the way the characters in Castle were written and acted.
more...
The gift was a surprise, and is related to the TV series Castle. The series almost belongs in a guilty-pleasures category. It's not a genre (police procedural) or medium (TV series) I normally seek out.
My original interest in Castle was that it starred the actor who portrayed Malcolm Reynolds in Firefly. However, I discovered that I can enjoy a well-done mystery story. And I enjoy the way the characters in Castle were written and acted.
more...
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2011.12.24
Christmas Eve Music
A little music for Christmas Eve, with an accompanying video.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
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2011.12.22
It must be a holiday
Because I have time and energy to think about blogging again.
Or something.
(The calendar says it is a holiday, the office is closed tomorrow and all of next week.)
Anyway, something I saw on-line turned my number-cruncher on.
The item that triggered this was a post on wolves over at Ann Althouse's blog. In that post, Ann asks whether there are too many wolves in her home state.
more...
Or something.
(The calendar says it is a holiday, the office is closed tomorrow and all of next week.)
Anyway, something I saw on-line turned my number-cruncher on.
The item that triggered this was a post on wolves over at Ann Althouse's blog. In that post, Ann asks whether there are too many wolves in her home state.
more...
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2011.12.20
Setback
Great post over at Weerd's place.
The subject of the post is setback, and its effects on bullets.
Most gunnies don't have to worry about setback. Unless they have a semiauto pistol, and a round (or two) that repeatedly gets chambered, extracted, and re-chambered without being fired.
Weerd has a good description of the whys and hows of setback, and the potential for explosive results. After reviewing his comment, I am reminded that I recently decided to do more dry-fire practice. (The reason: I'm not yet accustomed to the trigger on the Ruger, and I somehow developed a push during firing that gave me lots of low hits.)
Setting up for dry-fire with my Ruger requires me to clear the chamber, lock the slide, eject the mag, release the slide, insert an empty mag, and pull the trigger. After completion, it would be easy to simply insert the full mag, chamber a round, eject the mag, and top off with the old round-from-the-chamber.
This pattern, if repeated, would make set-back very easy for the two rounds that sit at the top of the mag. However, I usually empty out the mag on range trips.
For my own safety, I should empty the mag, check the top rounds for set-back, and re-fill the mag in a different order after the dry-fire exercise.
It's good to learn these things by reading about them, rather than experiencing them.
The subject of the post is setback, and its effects on bullets.
Most gunnies don't have to worry about setback. Unless they have a semiauto pistol, and a round (or two) that repeatedly gets chambered, extracted, and re-chambered without being fired.
Weerd has a good description of the whys and hows of setback, and the potential for explosive results. After reviewing his comment, I am reminded that I recently decided to do more dry-fire practice. (The reason: I'm not yet accustomed to the trigger on the Ruger, and I somehow developed a push during firing that gave me lots of low hits.)
Setting up for dry-fire with my Ruger requires me to clear the chamber, lock the slide, eject the mag, release the slide, insert an empty mag, and pull the trigger. After completion, it would be easy to simply insert the full mag, chamber a round, eject the mag, and top off with the old round-from-the-chamber.
This pattern, if repeated, would make set-back very easy for the two rounds that sit at the top of the mag. However, I usually empty out the mag on range trips.
For my own safety, I should empty the mag, check the top rounds for set-back, and re-fill the mag in a different order after the dry-fire exercise.
It's good to learn these things by reading about them, rather than experiencing them.
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Family
This past weekend, I spent some time getting re-acquainted with a relative.
He was in town for a weekend.
Among the stories he told were stories related to his new job as a policeman in a major city.
He's in a hard precinct, but he enjoys the challenge. His work life varies from boring to interesting to challenging. The stories varied. One involved checking for vandalism at the local school. Another involved a young man who had gone to the special room at the gentleman's club...to have his wallet disappear from a coat-pocket.
The other relatives in the area gathered also; mainly because he was staying at one of their houses. Everyone present regaled each other with stories of the past, stories of travel, stories from absent members.
We also spent some time playing Munchkin. Definitely a fun game.
This combination of relatives won't be around for Christmas itself. While a small sadness, it doesn't reduce the joy from this off-Christmas weekend.
Upcoming: the Christmas holiday itself.
He was in town for a weekend.
Among the stories he told were stories related to his new job as a policeman in a major city.
He's in a hard precinct, but he enjoys the challenge. His work life varies from boring to interesting to challenging. The stories varied. One involved checking for vandalism at the local school. Another involved a young man who had gone to the special room at the gentleman's club...to have his wallet disappear from a coat-pocket.
The other relatives in the area gathered also; mainly because he was staying at one of their houses. Everyone present regaled each other with stories of the past, stories of travel, stories from absent members.
We also spent some time playing Munchkin. Definitely a fun game.
This combination of relatives won't be around for Christmas itself. While a small sadness, it doesn't reduce the joy from this off-Christmas weekend.
Upcoming: the Christmas holiday itself.
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2011.12.12
Numismatic Find
A small thing happened last week.
The vending machine gave me something unique in change. It was very unexpected. I think the date reads 1929.
Indian Head nickel, worn from years of use. It's definitely a surprise.
The vending machine gave me something unique in change. It was very unexpected. I think the date reads 1929.
Indian Head nickel, worn from years of use. It's definitely a surprise.
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2011.12.07
History
On this day, 70 years ago, the United States was attacked.
As indicated by Roberta X, it ought to be called Pay Attention To The RADAR Day. Instead, it is called Pearl Harbor Day.
More details available here, and details about the use (and misuse) of RADAR that day can also be found here.
As indicated by Roberta X, it ought to be called Pay Attention To The RADAR Day. Instead, it is called Pearl Harbor Day.
More details available here, and details about the use (and misuse) of RADAR that day can also be found here.
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2011.12.05
Long Weekend
The weekend was long, in the sense that extra events on Friday, an event on Saturday, and another on Sunday kept me away from most blogging.
I've also spent some time preparing and review Christmas lists. Maybe I should see if anyone needs one of these. (Tip o' the hat to some blogger.)
I've also spent some time preparing and review Christmas lists. Maybe I should see if anyone needs one of these. (Tip o' the hat to some blogger.)
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