Happy Whatever-you-celebrate.

Even if it's just "Wednesday."  Merry whatever. :)

10 Alternate Christmas Movies

So it's that holiday season, the decorations are up, and the presents are wrapped. The lights are twinkling, the tree is looking good and the snow may or may not be falling. You're digging the mood, a little cheery, a little dreamy as long as you don't talk about Christmas itself everything will be fine. You just want to sit down and relax, maybe watch a movie, but everything is Christmas themed.  Santa this and Reindeer that, it's spoiling your mood. If only I could find something to watch that would maybe keep me right in this twilight place.

Here are 10 suggestions that take place at Christmas, but aren't about Christmas. They are in no particular ranking order. Because hey, we already had enough fighting and arguing.    

Sci Fi / Horror

Night of the Comet - 80's Cult classic, Space Zombies, Teens ruling the world and the ultimate line for spoiled, bratty valley girls everywhere "See, Daddy would've gotten us UZI's."

Black Christmas - 1974 Some say the film that started the slasher genre.  The first creepy phone call heavy breather. Sorority girls terrorized at Christmas.

Gremlins - You know this one but you forgot it's Christmas.  Fun, creepy, don't get em wet and don't feed em after midnight.

Action

Rocky IV - 80's, Ivan Drago, Training montage in the snow and a fight on Christmas eve?  Enough Said.

Lethal Weapon - Awesome 80's, Awesome Buddy Cops, Awesome bad guy, Awesome action flick you forgot takes place at Christmas.

Die Hard -  Gaining in popularity this time of year as the best un-Christmas Christmas movie, but it's actually about a Christmas theme. Still it's pretty damn great.

Comedy

Better Off  Dead - Another cult classic. Teen Comedy rife with that aww nostalgia feeling for people my age. John Cusack in a drag race with Asian guys that can only speak English as Howard Cosell.

1941- The forgotten Spielberg comedy containing an all star cast.  It's not great, but it's good, and it takes place in mid December.

Grumpy Old Men - It's funny and snowy.  Jack Lemon, Walter Matthau and Ann Margret.  The add libs are great and don't forget to look for Burgess Meredith's outtakes.

Trading Places - Lot's of Christmas background, but revenge isn't really a Christmas theme is it?  Very Funny, some overt some dry humor, all good.

Honorable Mention Drama

Eyes Wide Shut - It's very dreamy and surreal, but also very heavy on context and plot. It is about a Christmas theme.  Unless you want something to really sink your teeth into skip until you can pay attention to detail.


Hope I may have helped and Have a Merry Christmas!

Attention Indy gun collectors: this is for you.

A friend works in the area and found out about a big auction hitting the block on Dec 1, 2013.

It's...well...impressive.  Go take a look.

I have a suggestion for teaching new shooters.

If your newbie is a photography dork, tell them to counterbalance like they would with their camera.  I've used this suggestion twice now and in both situations, said newbie was getting shots in the inner circle.

It's a bit of a forehead slapper, and I wish I'd thought of it before now.  It really does make sense...and it works.  Go ahead and use that tip next time you take a photography nerd out...see how they do once they internalize the idea.


In other news, got a little more time with the PX4.  Better reliability this time around.  Didn't really start to have FTFs until round 35-40.  Still need to get some +P to run through it.  Starting to like it about as much as I like my Bersa (and the Bersa is still my go-to carry pistol, so that's saying something).

Thank you.

Here we go.

I really have no words for this.

Well, crap. Woollard SCOTUS petition denied.

From this email:

The Supreme Court today announced it will not hear the Woollard case, allowing the ruling of the 4th Circuit to stand. That said, a denial of cert does not mean an affirmation of the ruling. This is a setback for 2nd amendment civil rights, but it is by no means the end.

Additionally, there are several other carry cases making their way through the court system. The 9th Circuit will hear a De Facto ban on concealed carry from Hawaii. (Hawaii has a system but doesn't issue permits) as well as several challenges from California. Should the Supreme Court act on one of these cases, it would impact the Woollard case. The case can be revived should one of these cases move forward. 

I didn't have much hope for Woollard at SCOTUS, but it sure would have been nice if they'd decided to hear it.

Maryland HQL license requirements (and other stuff).

I took a Utah CCW class through Mid Atlantic Firearms Training, and they added me to their mailing list.  Fortunately they're not spammy so I tend to pay attention when I get something from them.

Earlier in the week, they sent this out to customers.  I've asked permission to reprint it in its entirety here:

Mid-Atlantic Firearms Training  October 6, 2012

Folks, We are sending out this email as a courtesy to those of you who may have some questions regarding the new firearms laws that have gone into effect in Maryland on October 1, 2013.  This is known as the Firearm Safety Act 2013 aka SB281. Like many of you, I did everything I could to protest, discourage and stop this bill from being signed into law.  However, that did eventually happen and here we are 1 week later.  At this point, it is no longer theory or "what if", rather it is a reality and now we deal with it's implementation. We have been quite silent in sending out too many announcements as it became clear the law would go through as it seemed everything was in a state of flux and in reality, things are still in a state of flux.  However, we do now have some more concrete info we can share that will hopefully help you understand how this law may/may not affect you and if you will need to acquire further training under it's provisions.

Handgun Qualification License and Training Requirements I am going to outline the requirements for the Handgun Qualification License hereby referred to as HQL and the training requirements. Under the Firearms Safety Act 2013 also known as SB281, all new handgun purchasers must apply for and receive a Handgun Qualification License (HQL) before purchase.  This HQL must be presented to the FFL or gun shop.   There are certain individuals who exempt from the handgun qualification license: A Licensed Firearms Manufacturer. Active law enforcement officer or a person retired in good standing from a law enforcement agency of the United States, the State, or a local law enforcement agency of the State. A member or retired member of the armed forces of the United States or National Guard.  (This may apply to quite a few of you.) A person purchasing, renting or receiving an antique, curio or relic as defined in federal law or in determinations published by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  (For those of you who deal with C&R firearms) The above listed individuals or entities must provide acceptable documentation to the dealer or FFL prior to purchasing a regulated firearm.  Do your self a favor, save a trip and bring it with you. There are certain individuals who will need an HQL but are exempt from a further training requirement:    Have completed a Maryland State Police (MSP) approved certified firearms safety course Have completed a course of instruction and been issued a certificate of competency in firearms and hunter safety from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Is currently a qualified handgun instructor Is an honorably discharged member of the armed forces of the United States or National Guard. Is an employee of an armored car company who has a valid Wear and Carry Permit issued by MSP. Lawfully owns a regulated firearm.  If you own a regulated firearm prior to October 1, 2013, you are not required to complete the training and may apply for the Handgun Qualification License. Pay particular attention to the last bullet point as that will affect many of you.  In other words, if you already own a handgun you will NOT be required to take the HQL training course, BUT you will need to apply for the HQL if you want to purchase any future handguns. Soooo, the question is:  What if I need HQL Training?? If you are in the category of individuals who will need to take the HQL training course, we certainly have you covered as well as your other firearms training needs.  The course will be a 4 hour course mandated by law that includes the following main topics: State Firearms Laws Home Firearms Safety Handgun Operation and Mechanisms Live Fire Component (obviously we provide the gun and ammunition) For a more detailed course description please visit the HQL page on our site at: Handgun Qualification License Training As usual, we will provide a COMPLETE course including help with the application if needed and discounts on LiveScan Fingerprinting services(required by MSP).

I hope you have found this information helpful and if you need our assistance please know we are there to help you through this confusing maze of new laws as well as provide the quality training you expect and we demand of ourselves.  We ask that you share this email with family and friends who may be thinking of purchasing a handgun for the first time.  I can tell you there are "Instructors" coming out of the woodwork looking to capitalize on this "opportunity".  Please let your family and friends know of your positive experience with us and send them our way.    Sincerely,    Bryan Fletcher Mid-Atlantic Firearms Training

Going to be ignoring the blogosphere for a bit.

Have a new fuzzy thing trying to kill her toys and wear us out. :)

ATTN: MD residents who have legally purchased HBARs and AR10s out of state.

The police may be coming for you.

I'd like to know who's making all these random decisions without notifying the public.