Au Gres River mini report 4-13-09

Posted by Greybeard on Apr 13th, 2009 in Fishing | Comments Off

Cold and overcast,  with  a cold 10 to 15 mph gusty breeze.   That’s not stopping about 15 boats from fishing,  downriver from the  city/state launch though.   The open water was to rough for small boats,  but at least one ventured out there.   This cold and wind has been hanging in there for about two weeks now,  I’ll sure be glad to see things warm up just a bit!

Why I won’t watch CNN

Posted by Greybeard on Apr 9th, 2009 in News and weather, Political | Comments Off

Rick Sanchez

Perfect example of propanga and attempted brain washing by a network news program.  Half truth,  conjecture,  and out right lies.  Not to mention,  RUDE!

Still got it, (at least a little bit)

Posted by Greybeard on Apr 9th, 2009 in Technology and Music | Comments Off

Surprize!  A posting in my Technology category.

Today a former client, (I’m retired) brought in  a Dell desktop computer,  (1)ghz processor, 512mb of ram, Running Windows NT.  It was kicking him out of Excel when he tried to “bold” a word,  and wouldn’t start Word at all. 

It was dirty and reporting a few undiagnosed errors, so I cleaned it up,  and reseated all the chips and boards.   I also ran Norton Systemworks on it.    Success!  It’s now working again.   I finished by removed an expired copy of McAfee AV,  and installed a copy of AVG Free.   This machine isn’t used on the Internet,  or any network for that matter,  so I figured that his older copy of ZoneAlarm,  was still working and would serve him just fine.

This was a real nice machine at one time.  Dual 100mb network cards,   rear and front USB ports,  a Sound Blaster Pro card,   and it even had “server class” memory in it.  It has ducted cooling fans,  and all swing away units,  (example:  the power supply, swings up and out of the way, if you need to work on the motherboard.  Plus the button opening case,  is lockable.  I didn’t bother checking the video card,  but it looked high end for it’s era.

I forget how time consuming this stuff can be,  we’re getting a rare for this time of year,  nice day.    I’m headed outside!

It appears things are changing already

Posted by Greybeard on Apr 8th, 2009 in Shootist | 1 comment

At the end of my shopping day yesterday,  I stopped by the County building to pick up the renewal forms for our Concealed weapon permits.

  This will be the third time it’s been renewed,   so we’ve been acceptable for the last Eight years.  I’m  still carrying the same Glock,  and practicing about once a month.  So far it’s been pretty easy,  I haven’t even had to think about putting a hand to the Glock in  a defensive action, though there were a few times that it’s weight was quite comforting.   If you look at the photo closely you’ll notice there are two packets,  my wife got her first permit on the same day in 2001.    Our intitial application required us to take a comprehensive training course,   get finger printed,  and have a passport acceptable photo.  It was good for three years.  When the renewal time came around,  the Sheriff, waved the training course as long as we stated that we were regularly practicing,  and the passport photo wasn’t required since they already had the original.  It cost me $90 for the class,  and about $65 for ammo for the class.   The photo cost around $15,  and I think I remember being charged $15 or $20 to be finger printed.   I beleive the original permit fee was $90.  The was no “board appearance” required.

Now,  Eight years later,   and a new Sheriff.   1. I’m told that we need to take another training course  2.  Get fingerprinted again (I guess maybe our prints have changed?)  3.  Get another set of passport quality photo’s  4. Pay $105 dollars as a application fee.  5.  Go before the County Concealed Weapons Board,  to see if we can get approved (fee not refundable).

Yeah,  I’m feeling a little put out by our new Sheriff’s changes in the requirements.  I’m guessing this renewal is going to cost me close to $300 (times 2).  I fully intend to check with the Michigan State Police and the Attorney Generals office to see if the new Sheriff is just trying to make our Second Ammendment Rights more difficult,  and expensive,  but  I don’t really intend to press the issue.   (just take’n notes, I vote.).    With the rises in ammo costs,  application fee’s,  and the amount of time it takes to complete all the processes,   It is definately more difficult now, to exercise your rights that it was, eight years ago. 

Michigan State Police Renewal documentation.  HERE

Shopping

Posted by Greybeard on Apr 8th, 2009 in Fishing, Shootist | Comments Off

   I had errands to the South today,  so on the way back I did a little shopping.

You’re looking at a Cotton Cordell  jointed Deep Diver,  a Worden jointed Flatfish,  a Brad’s Wiggler “with e-chip“,  and a Mepps Agila  Streamer,  along with a couple of packages of snelled Matzuo circle hooks,    a pack of Lindy No-snag Snell hooks and a 100 yard roll of 10lb test Sufix Siege line for my river fishing reel.   The hooks,  and the line were in the 2 fer a dollar bin,  but the baits weren’t.   Hard baits are getting expensive!   The hold mess is laid out on a BeckMan Gear Tender that I got for 4 bucks.    It’s designed to hold 4 planer boards  or a bunch of Dipsy Divers and roll up into a nice tight package.

(In case you can’t tell,  I’m really trying to keep my mind off of politics)

Other items looked at but not purchased,   a 55lb thrust long shank trolling motor $300,  a Stoeger 20 gauge O/U, with 26 inch barrells and screw in chokes,  $360,  and ammo for my Remington .300 SAUM,  (0uch!)   maybe I should have checked ammo prices before I picked up this Edsel.)  $48  for 20 rounds.