THE PRETTY PISTOLERA

I Heart Ollie

Can you tell I am way. way, way behind?  Just now getting around to uploading all of the NRA Convention pics.  Sorry for the delay, but, oh my goodness, don't we clean up nice?

The highlight of the NRA Convention was the banquet honoring Lt. Col. Oliver North and John Stossel.  John is a huge Ollie fan, so he was tickled to go.  I got to buy a new dress and get dolled up, so I was happy. 

To be honest, I never paid that much attention to Lt. Col. North.  I slightly remember the Iran-Contra hearings as a kid, but I was more into Family Ties and The Facts of Life at the time.  (You were my first crush, Alex P. Keaton!).  As an adult, I'd watch him on Hannity and Colmes and agree with him, but no real feelings one way or the other. 

I am here to tell you... I heart Lt. Col North.  Holy cow!  His speech was inspiring and spot-on.

For those of you that were there, I am sure you had a great time.  If you missed it, sorry, it's not on YouTube.  Already looked.  If anyone finds it, let me know I would love to share it.

Oklahoma!

Here is some video from the Oklahoma State IDPA Match last weekend. There is an Oklahoma YouTube Playlist on the Pretty Pistolera YouTube Channel, too. You can see more video of both me and John, and you can check out some of the stages.  Before you break out the popcorn and enjoy all of the super-fun gunny video goodness, please note the following:

• John is sporting a nuts hat.  He thinks it is hilarious and distracts the other shooters.  (Bet you can guess what I think).
• Hot pink ear protection rocks. So do plaid scarves.
• The camera adds ten pounds.  Be sweet.

Another Lesson Learned

What a weekend! The Oklahoma State IDPA match was great.  The attitude and spirit of the safety officers, staff, and shooters was truly refreshing.  I've been to several sanctioned matches with John (as a spectator) and never felt at ease as I did this weekend.  I was nervous about shooting such a big match so soon.  But, no one cared that I was new and shooting in my first big match. There were no snickers as I raced towards the record for the most points down.  I truly enjoyed myself. 

I have to give super-mega-kudos to the staff.  They were fabulous.  I did not hear one complaint.  I did not witness one bit of drama. Great job to Match Director Curt Nichols and his team for putting together a first-class match.

I am still wide-eyed over the facility (US Shooting Academy).  It  was unbelievable.  Check out the video of the place.  Wow. 

Looking at my score I totally sucked eggs.  However, I had a big ah-ha moment when John shared his infinite wisdom as we discussed the weekend:

Tracy:  I really had no business entering such a challenging match.   I can't believe everyone was so nice to me. 

John: Stop that.  You want to do a triathlon, right?

Tracy:  Yeah, why?

John:  Do you expect to win the triathlon?

Tracy:  (laughing)  Are you kidding?  I just want to finish!

John:  (Making "crazy face.")

Tracy:  Got it.

Bottom line... I had a great experience this weekend.  Videos to come later this week.  Stay tuned.

Class Notes

Here is my recap of the NRA Instructor Certification class I took over the weekend:

• Had a 1.25 hour commute each way
• Had to explain how to clean a pistol.  Guess how many I've actually cleaned in my lifetime?
• Got a speeding ticket on the way to the range Sunday morning.  
• Only got to shoot 15 rounds.  Big disappointment.
• Had to complete and present a budgeting exercise.
  
• The class was scolded because the trainer felt our notes were sub-standard.  He collected our notes and had the stones to make negative comments on our note-taking abilities. 
• I was the only student to score 100% on both tests. Who had crappy notes?

It was a very long weekend.  Why did I do this, you ask?  Sometimes John needs a lovely assistant to help out with his bigger classes.  Now I can help.  However, I will not be training anyone on how to clean a Glock.

Pretty Pistolera's Weekend Update

A very long week is now over. 

I was on the road Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday was somewhat normal.  Thursday and Friday I was sequestered in all-day meetings.  I've barely seen sunlight.  And, the weekend was another two days holed up in a classroom.  At least this weekend was gun related.  I took the NRA course to become a certified trainer.  Two whole days.  8 AM to 6 PM, Saturday and Sunday.  I could blog on and on about my 20 hours of NRA indoctrination, but I am just too tired. 

It was kinda like Public Speaking 101 meets Marksmanship 101.  That's not in the college course catalog.  Although it should be.  Details later...

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.

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.

 

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."

We're Back

We are home from SHOT Show.  I was on a 7:00 AM flight this morning after three full days in Orlando (five days for John).  I spent a lot of time at the convention center looking for blog-worthy gunny stuff.  I found some fun things to talk about... stay tuned this week for a full recap. 

In addition to my gunny goodness search, I had a few personal things on my to do list:

1. Find CCW-friendly handbag for weekend use.
2. Meet Irlene Mandrell.  John mentioned she made an appearance at last year's SHOT Show.  (I heart her, remember?  See bullet point labeled "curiosity.")
3. Get a little rest and relaxation at warm, sunny hotel in Florida. 

The personal to do list report card is as follows:

1. New handbag:  Bingo!  This one was easy to accomplish. 
2. Irlene:  Missed her at the SHOT Show which was a major disappointment.  However, after John and I made it through security this morning we popped a squat at the communal shoe-tying-bench... and guess who was right in front of us?  Irlene!  And Louise!  I was not coherent at 6 AM when I met her, but I promise I was absolutely ecstatic.
3. R&R:  Didn't happen. The weather was too cold to catch a ray of sunshine.  And, even if the weather was fabulous, we stayed at The Sucksalot Inn* where R&R stands for repulsive and so not relaxing.  You really, really, really do not want to know the details. 

*Please note the name of the hotel was changed to protect the bum they allow to sleep in the lobby. We encountered him at 5 AM this morning as we were checking out. 

Rants in My Pants...

Holy icicles, Batman!  It is five degrees outside.  I hate the cold weather.  And, I do not enjoy the holidays (bah-humbug).  So, you guessed it, I am a happy camper these days. Saturday was especially awful. I had to go to a mall.  Normally, I love the mall.  I just do not go during the holiday season.  I hate the crowds. Parking is a mess. And so many people are nasty this time of year. Side note: the nastiness is unnecessary. I don't spew my winter venom on others so I expect reciprocity. Sometimes I actually demand it.

Anyway, Al Gore to the rescue for mall-free Christmas shopping!  Ever since he brought us the Internet (hee hee) I've thankfully done all of my Christmas shopping on-line.  I've been mall-free during the Christmas season for many years.  Unfortunately, my streak came to an end on Saturday.

When we were in NYC my mother announced that she did not want any lotions, potions, bath stuff, etc, for Christmas.  I was told "I have enough of that."  Guess what I bought her on-line weeks ago?  A lovely, spendy, all all-around grand fragrance gift set that any girl would love.  A schlep to the mall was in order to rectify the unwanted Christmas gift.  I was miffed that I had to "Family Circus" my way to the mall to dodge the major freeway construction that lies between here and there.  I waited patiently for parking. Stood in line. Bought a new, adorable dress for me. Stood in line. Returned Mom's first Christmas present.  Bought a new fabulous blouse to go with new fabulous boots. Stood in line some more. Bought some mascara and lip gloss. Stood in line.  I finally found Mom a new Christmas gift.  For the record, the new gift is not as good as the original gift. Sorry, Mom. 

I told Mom Sunday night that she officially did not get any smell-good stuff for Christmas this year.  I was kinda proud that I survived a December trip to the mall.  I about choked when she told me "well, a new fragrance would be great. I always can use more perfume."