American Specialty Ammo posted a picture of a .950 JDJ rifle on Facebook (in which I had a passing interest), and one commenter linked to a YouTube video of the rifle actually being fired. Talk about bad-ass!
If I could only afford one larger-than-half-inch-bore rifle, I think I'd have to take the .950 JDJ over 20 mm. I mean, just think of the incredible amusement in having a .950-caliber (24.1 mm) firearm that's not Title II!
2012-11-29
2012-11-20
Generators
I've been looking into buying a generator for quite some time as part of preparedness planning. The practical elements: with a refrigerator and deep freezer full of food, not having electricity for a week could mean major spoilage. Furthermore, without electricity, the gas furnace won't work, since the ignitor and blower motor both require juice to run. (I have a propane heater that doesn't require electricity and a small wood stove, but both exhaust into the room and so would be a last resort.)
Three years or so ago I was at an out-of-state Honda dealership and they had literature for other Honda equipment, including tillers and generators. The EU2000 model struck me as neat due to its low noise levels, fuel economy, and the option to cascade the companion model for greater capacity. Still, generators are expensive, have to be maintained (and run periodically), and require sufficient fuel be stored.
A friend told me that a good place to buy the EU2000 is Mayberry's, as they have a low price and free shipping. This was right around the time that "Superstorm Sandy" hit, and Mayberry's, located in New Jersey, was without power and had sold out of most of their generators anyway. Another place I found to buy the EU2000 is Wise Sales, which in Illinois.
Regarding fuel storage, I had been led to believe that regular gasoline has a fairly short shelf life. Other reading I've done (such as on Wikipedia) and discussions with prepper types indicates that gasoline without ethanol is fairly stable. A 30-gal drum full of ethanol-free gas, which is available locally, could run the EU2000 full-bore (2kW at 1.1 gal every 4 hrs) for 9 days, or at quarter duty cycle (500W at 1.1 gal every 9.6 hrs) for three weeks.
This is seeming more and more like a worthwhile expenditure.
Three years or so ago I was at an out-of-state Honda dealership and they had literature for other Honda equipment, including tillers and generators. The EU2000 model struck me as neat due to its low noise levels, fuel economy, and the option to cascade the companion model for greater capacity. Still, generators are expensive, have to be maintained (and run periodically), and require sufficient fuel be stored.
A friend told me that a good place to buy the EU2000 is Mayberry's, as they have a low price and free shipping. This was right around the time that "Superstorm Sandy" hit, and Mayberry's, located in New Jersey, was without power and had sold out of most of their generators anyway. Another place I found to buy the EU2000 is Wise Sales, which in Illinois.
Regarding fuel storage, I had been led to believe that regular gasoline has a fairly short shelf life. Other reading I've done (such as on Wikipedia) and discussions with prepper types indicates that gasoline without ethanol is fairly stable. A 30-gal drum full of ethanol-free gas, which is available locally, could run the EU2000 full-bore (2kW at 1.1 gal every 4 hrs) for 9 days, or at quarter duty cycle (500W at 1.1 gal every 9.6 hrs) for three weeks.
This is seeming more and more like a worthwhile expenditure.
2012-11-15
Desiderata
I came across this prose in someone's profile on Facebook. Seems like good advice to me.
Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.(Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, 1927)
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
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