Outrageous Malfunction

Boomershoot 2008, is over; I’d like to reflect on the events of the last few days.

Anna, Arden, and Meghan painted targets this year. Some had uplifting messages, like “HAHA YOU MISSED” and “YOU CAN’T HIT ME”.

Once the targets were set, it was time to get shooting.

Everyone waited with bated breath for the highlight of the year, the totally awesome Earth-rending fireball that totally kicks ass.

Unfortunately, Joe set up the fireball this year; if you were unhappy with it, let him know he should let the pro do it for 2009. Bring nomex.

Fireball Video

Some people chose to fly kites;

some chose to pick flowers.

Two newbies were in my care this shoot; Mark Duell Sr and Jr. Using my Nikon D40 with a 70-300mm VR lens as a spotting scope, I was able to talk them in to connecting with targets. Jr got two; Sr got one.

Mark Duell, Sr showed up from California for some father-son bonding; he got burnt:

Mark Duell, Jr showed up from Texas. Here he is, engaging targets at the 385 yard line:

We blew up a toilet for Dave Barry:



Toilet Video

It was here our troubles began. The fireball set the stubble behind the berm on fire. Joe and I called a cease-fire; Mark Jr and I drove over at Mach 2 and started stamping the fire out. Joe flew over on the ATV and started running over the leading edge of the fire, where it was too hot for Mark and I to step on it. I fell off the front of the berm (yes, I have video. No, you can’t see it) and Joe flipped the ATV over. Joe can speak to his injuries, but mine were minor (my knee swelled a litte, but it was OK after the drive home).

The day ended well. Now for 2009.

Dear Joe –
You are great Americans. Thank you, from the bottom of my lone remaining regular commode.

Sincerely,
Dave Barry

Yay!

“When my wife was cleaning the blood off, she said ‘I think it’s all his,’.” Kieta said.

Blind homeowner captures intruder

Paul Graham wrote a nice essay on how to disagree. The team at CreateDebate made a great graphic illustrating his essay; check out Paul Graham’s comment.

there is a company in Washington, Oregon or Idaho that raises Bavarian free-range pigs. I’ve googled and I can’t find it; could someone help? The owner has a blog where he talks about going to Europe to see how the pigs are raised. I ask because a local place I like to eat is looking for free-range pork; I’d like to hook the two of them up.

ETA: Found it.

If people on the dry side ever wondered how Seattle’s mayor feels about them, wonder no more.

“We are held back because our state and federal government still believe our economies are driven by wheat farms and timber logging.”

Nickels spokesman Marty McOmber later said the mayor’s comments at lunch — such as, “I am serious when I say we ought to talk about independence” — were meant to be tongue-in-cheek. The mayor was venting his frustration after the state opposed transportation projects and gun-control legislation he wanted.

“We have rural legislators making decisions on things like the viaduct and whether we can keep our city safe,” Nickels said.

Source

• pull battery
• replace battery
• hold DPAD-UP
• power on
• follow instructions

Two guys stole 1.5 million copper bullet cups from Lake City. They’re facing serious federal time for the theft; it is unknown what happened to the bullet cups.

Joe writes:

What would happen if some KKK member in political power put pressure on Wal-Mart to “retain the recorded images” of blacks/Jews/Gays that made purchases “in case law enforcement wants to view them later as part of an investigation”?

The bar is even lower. What if one employee that is a member of the KKK copies off all of the names, addresses, and photos? Remember, 4473s have to stay in the bound book at the FFL location. Digital records don’t. The bar for abuse is very low indeed.

The next ten days show at least 10% chance of precipitation each day. Chances of a mud-free shoot are slim.