THE PRETTY PISTOLERA

Things I Know to be True

These are just a few things I found during my cyber-space surfing this weekend.  As nutty and uncertain as this world is, I know these things to be true:

1. This guy will not a have a problem getting a job in this economy.  His commercials are brilliant.
2. 44 cents to get an envelope from New York to LA is still a bargain. 
3. AR15.com is endless.  And addicting.  

Pretty Pistolera's Weekend Update

John and I strongly believe that Valentine's Day is a "Hallmark Holiday."  Society tells you that you're a jerk if you do not spend a bloody fortune on flowers, chocolates, and a fancy dinner.  Ever been to your favorite restaurant on Valentine's Day?  It is usually full of youngins on their third date, and the wait staff is completely irritated.  Therefore, you suffer from trickle-down irritation. 

We make a point to enjoy a very nice dinner every Saturday night a non-chain, entrepreneurial restaurant.  This Saturday, since it was V-Day, we stayed home. We happily switched our date night to Friday and had a frozen pizza instead.  All was well in the John and Tracy house this weekend.

Then John was full of surprises.

He bought me a Valentine's Day gift.  A really, really, really nice gift. 

I feel bad I didn't get him anything.

You're Not My Valentine (Sorry)

My dearest Starbucks,

I love you.  I really, really do.  I have touted you as one of the happiest places on this non-warming planet.  I ask you, who leaves a coffee house unhappy?  No one can be grumpy after they get a frothy, yummy, warm and tasty caffeinated beverage in their hands.  These are the reasons I love you so. 

However, my sweet Starbucks, our relationship must come to an end.  I've found a new latte lover.  We've started seeing each other almost every morning. They advertise on my favorite talk radio station and they serve locally roasted coffee (it's really good, too).  They seem like good people and I want to do my best to support them. Starbucks, you have lots of friends visiting every morning.  Trust me, it won't take you long to forget me.

I hope you understand the reason for this break-up is me, not you.  I have simply decided to start my own economic stimulus plan.  I want the locally owned coffee house to make it through these tough times.  As long as I am able to spend $4 for a cup of coffee every morning, I am going to support the guy with the entrepreneurial spirit. 

Love,

Tracy

Rants in My Pants

I normally do not do the political rant thing because there are too many people that do a better job.  However, today I will rant.  I am absolutely appalled at this new "stimulus" bill!  Appalled!  Another $820 million dollars?  For what exactly?  I have an above average IQ and I can't figure out where the "stimulus" is.

I was listening to my boyfriend, Sean Hannity, on the drive home from the office tonight. (Don't fret, John knows all about Sean.  However, Sean doesn't know about Sean, but that is a different story).  Sean had soundbites of stimulus supporters saying that now they "don't need to pay their mortgage or make the car payment any more."  And some random dude that has worked at Mickey-D's for four years is now going to get a raise!  Seriously?  People really think mortgages and car loans will be forgiven? 

I don't live in Maine or Pennsylvania, but I did send the following email to the Republican senators that voted for this ridiculous bill: 

Senator Collins/Snowe/Specter, 

I am horrified that you voted for this "stimulus" bill.  I do not live in [your state] and, therefore, cannot vote against you in your next election.  I will, however, happily donate money to your opposition.  

I urge the rest of you to do the same.  Also, send your local Senators and Representatives that have their heads screwed on straight a word of encouragement. 

PS - one more thing to the asshat that works at Mickey-D's... if you get a raise it will be because of your evil corporation has its act together and is driving customers into your restaurant for you to take their money.  Fewer customers means less revenue and that equals no job, moron.  You should be thankful your employer has a strategy in place to make hay in these tough times. Their January sales were good and their stock price looks better than most of the ones in my portfolio. 

Pretty Pistolera's Weekend Update

Not much to share.  I was in New York all of last week.  I spent the weekend catching up on two things I desperately missed while I was in New York...  sleep and exercise.  My running program is going good and I slept until noon both Saturday and Sunday.  The weather was fabulous this weekend.  I would've loved a trip to the range, but exercise and sleep trumped trigger time this weekend. 

Two random things:

1.  I finished my book on the plane.  No Shortcuts to the Top was a great read.  It prompted me to consider Mt. Rainier as a start to mountain climbing.  I found some great four day summit trips for beginners.  

2. John bought Winston a new toy.  It is a beaver skin or something.  No stuffing, just a limp piece of fake animal skin.  I am not normally grossed out by such things, but it was a surprise on the living room floor.  Needless to say, Winston loves it.

 

Classes for Chicks

I was having a lovely conversation with a young lady named Michelle the other day.  We got on the subject of shooting, girls (shooting comma girls, not shooting girls), and guns.  She told me about a friend that just got into hunting and she loves it.  Michelle mentioned her friend was taking classes through the something-something-conservation-blah-blah-blah.  I finally had some free time to get Google-geeky and do the research. 

Found it!  The Missouri Department of Conversation has hunting classes for women.  For women!  How cool is that?  There is a Bird Clinic and Hunt and a Turkey Clinic and Hunt.  Girls only, no boys allowed.  As I was surfing through the site I also discovered co-ed skeet and trapshooting classes (squeeee!).  As for the Hog Eradication 101 class, I'll pass.

UPDATE:  Oops.  I meant conservation, not conversation.  I actually looked at the word five times to make sure I didn't screw it up.  Give yourself bonus points if you caught the type-o.

RIP

Not sure what to say about this... 

The (Almost) Forgotten Discovery

I keep a Mag-Lite in my car for a couple of reasons.  First, I might need a flashlight.  Second, it could be used to knock a dirtbag in the head.  I found a nifty accessory for my Mag-Lite at SHOT Show.  It's called Bust A Cap.  It's a tactical glass breaking piece that replaces the existing end cap of the Mag-Lite.  It turns the flashlight into a "break-in-case-of-emergency" device.  You never know when you might need one.

Pretty Pistolera's Weekend Update

I did something today that I've never done before.  I watched an entire football game.  The whole thing.  All four quarters.  And the half-time show.  All of it.  I hate to admit it, but I kind of liked it.  Granted, it was the Super Bowl, and we were at a party, but it was still fun.  I cheered and jeered along with everybody else.  I had no idea that I picked up football knowledge over the years.  I almost had a clue what was happening.  I am very proud of myself.

The game was good, but I thought most of the commercials were below average.  My favorite was Cash4Gold.com with Ed McMahon and MC Hammer.  The only thing the commercial was missing was Gary Coleman.  It's that "whole birds of a feather" principle.

My second favorite was the Bridgestone Tires commercial featuring Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.  I loved it when Mrs. Potato Head switched her eyes to the angry ones.  It reminded me of the time I tried Botox.  It froze my forehead stiff for four months.  It made John crazy because my facial expressions were harder to read.  As he put it, I disabled my "early warning system."