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Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Update on Hurricane Ian


The news said we weren't supposed to have rain at 7pm. 

However, the rain actually started in the early afternoon and hasn't stopped. By 6:30 the wind was whistling ominously and the trees were making like inflatable men outside of car dealerships. 

The news also says that we aren't supposed to experience Tropical Storm level wind and rain until tomorrow. I'll just be over here, holding my breath. /sarcasm

To be clear, I'm not worried. More like "This storm is probably going to be longer and nastier than predicted." Hurricanes are tricky buggers, and as hard as predicting the weather is, predicting hurricanes can be harder because of all the complicated systems involved. 

While I don't expect Ian to veer north and hit me, it might go further south and pick up warm water from the Everglades, which could keep it from losing strength. Or it might stall out over central Florida and make like Mother Nature's own floor polisher. Or it could spawn a bunch of nasty tornadoes and/or start fires with lightning strikes. Or any combination of the above. 

Worried? No. Concerned? Sure. I'd be a fool if I weren't. But so far, we're safe and have power and internet and are dry, and that's all we can ask for. 

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Keeping an I on Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian coming ashore Wednesday night

Ian projected to lose its power over land Thursday morning

Ian just a Tropical Storm by the time it reaches me

First, I want to thank everyone who has checked in on me to ask if I'm okay and/or if I'm bugging out or bunkering in. I know that Hurricane Ian looks scary, and for those folks on the Gulf Coast of Florida is is scary, what with it being a projected Category 4. 

Fortunately for me, I'm on the Atlantic Coast of the state and have about 200 miles of land between Ian and me, so by the time it reaches us it ought to be just a Tropical Storm, which is basically an uber-thunderstorm. We'll get some strong wind, but nothing which will damage a house, and a lot of rain --18 inches, last I heard -- but Florida is set for that. I have two artificial lakes near my house to handle runoff. 

The worst which could happen is we lose power for a while and I'm uncomfortable without air conditioning and internet access. 

Far more annoying to me is the fact that the airline, or perhaps the airport, canceled my flight from Daytona Beach to Dallas for GRPC. They probably have a policy about not flying in tropical storms, the pansies. 

The cancelation email said "We're sorry for the change and are working to rebook your trip. Look for an update from us soon." so maybe there's a chance they can fly me out on Friday. I haven't heard back from them yet, though. Maybe by tomorrow morning I'll know more. 

So I'm okay, and I'm confident my family and I will be okay. I'll keep you all posted as things develop. 




Monday, September 26, 2022

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 217: The Vegetables Before Dessert Roundtable

                         

In This Episode

It's an ACP Round Table! Erin, Weer'd, Oddball, David, and The Egghead all discuss:

  • the new credit card merchant code for firearms dealers and its potential outcomes;
  • an anti-gun politician who had her guns stolen in a very suspicious burglary;
  • New York's continued assault on the 2nd Amendment in the face of the NYSRPA v. Bruen ruling;
  • Washington, DC caving to Dick Heller's lawsuit against ammunition restrictions;
  • some "upbeat" anti-gun podcasts that seem to be mostly tears;
  • the untimely passing of Aaron Hogue;
  • and the KE Arms lawsuit, and how you can help them fight the good fight.




Did you know that we have a Patreon? Join now for the low, low cost of $4/month (that’s $1/podcast) and you’ll get to listen to our podcast on Friday instead of Mondays, as well as patron-only content like mag dump episodes and our hilarious blooper reels and film tracks.


Show Notes

Erin on Handgun Radio & at GRPC

Seriously y'all, I'm trying my best to write at least two posts a week, but 2022 is kicking my butt the way 2020 kicked most of yours.

That said, I did manage to accomplish something: I appeared on this week's episode of Handgun Radio!


As you would expect, I don't talk about firearms, but rather the Pink Pistols and Operation Blazing Sword. I wasn't sure what the dynamic would be, because on one hand I know Weer'd Beard likes to be be abused (which is why I abuse him on ACP) but on the other hand I wanted to be a good guest and respectful of the show. I asked Weer'd about it and he just said "The ACP Erin is best Erin". As it turns out, I needn't have worried. Ryan and Weer'd bust each others' chops like two fraternity brothers, and I had a great time. 

In somewhat related news, I'm going to be speaking -- I think -- at the 37th Gun Rights Policy Conference in Dallas, TX next weekend. 



I say "I think" for two reasons:
  1. I've been invited to speak, but the conference is in less than a week and I still don't know what day or time I'm speaking and what my topic and panel will be. Given that the agenda hasn't been published, I can't know with 100% certainty that I'm speaking until I have that information. 
  2. I'm within the Cone of Uncertainty for Hurricane Ian (currently a Tropical Storm, but it's projected to be at least a Category 1 when it makes landfall later this week. While it's fortunate for me that Ian is coming via the Gulf of Mexico and will hit the west coast of Florida first, and it's likely to expend its force there, the severe winds and rains might cause my flight to be canceled. Or the whole state might lose power. Or it might speed up to a Cat 5 and tear a path of destruction from coast to coast. 
So hopefully I will be in Dallas this weekend for GRPC, but right now it's still up in the air. 

Monday, September 19, 2022

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 216: Get Prepping!

                         

In This Episode

  • Erin and Weer’d discuss:
    • the lawsuits attacking both the Massachusetts and California Handgun Rosters, as well as the Massachusetts Assault Weapons Ban;
    • a Nevada county official who is charged with murder.
  • Next, David talks about top-break revolvers;
  • Xander brings us his Independent Thoughts on food storage;
  • and finally, the General Purpose Egghead returns to tell us what night vision technology is and how it works.




Did you know that we have a Patreon? Join now for the low, low cost of $4/month (that’s $1/podcast) and you’ll get to listen to our podcast on Friday instead of Mondays, as well as patron-only content like mag dump episodes and our hilarious blooper reels and film tracks.

Show Notes

Main Topic

Gun Lovers and Other Strangers

Independent Thoughts with Xander Opal

General Purpose Egghead

Monday, September 12, 2022

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 215: Anti-Gun Insanity

                         

In This Episode

  • Erin and Weer’d discuss:
    • the mass stabbing spree taking place in Canada;
    • the leak of a proposed ATF "amnesty" for rifle-caliber pistol stabilizing braces;
    • and some thoughts about the New York House of Representatives primaries, and how it might pertain to gun control.
  • Next, Weer'd fisks the Brady Campaign's Kelly Sampson's House testimony at the Assault Weapons Ban hearing;
  • David gives us a breakdown of New York City's new training requirements for concealed carry;
  • And finally, Xander brings us his Independent Thoughts on why registration is not useful in solving crimes.




Did you know that we have a Patreon? Join now for the low, low cost of $4/month (that’s $1/podcast) and you’ll get to listen to our podcast on Friday instead of Mondays, as well as patron-only content like mag dump episodes and our hilarious blooper reels and film tracks.

Show Notes

Main Topic

Weer’d Audio Fisk

Gun Lovers and Other Strangers

Independent Thoughts with Xander Opal

Monday, September 5, 2022

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 214: The News is Bigger in Texas

                         

In This Episode

  • Erin and Weer’d discuss:
    • the massive class action lawsuit brought by Uvalde families;
    • how the ATF is cracking down on people who bought solvent traps, and it appears that many of the recent encounters all bought their traps from one user, Rifle Remedy 2000;
    • the good news that a Federal Judge has ruled Texas must allow adults under 21 to carry firearms;
    • and Beto O'Rourke flip-flopping again! Now he's pro-gun... or so he claims.
  • Next, Xander brings us his Independent Thoughts how the media handles gun stories;
  • and finally, David discusses some factors on defending your house of worship from attack.




Did you know that we have a Patreon? Join now for the low, low cost of $4/month (that’s $1/podcast) and you’ll get to listen to our podcast on Friday instead of Mondays, as well as patron-only content like mag dump episodes and our hilarious blooper reels and film tracks.