Media, life, era, change?

The other day I saw a commentary on CBS Sunday Morning. Basically it said; " in the 40's and 50's children had a good 10 mile radius of acceptable 'play area'. In the 70's and into the 80's 1-3 miles and today parents do not want their children out of sight.

On my way to and from work, I drive past a playground. Today I saw a couple small children with parental supervision playing. One was on a swing, the other on the slide. No other children were present. In fact, rarely are children present without an adult.

I walk my dog along the bike path. We have significant miles of bike paths along the river. Since the flood of 97 dikes and homes have been moved, creating a large 'greenway' all along the Red River. My house is a stones throw from the dike so we utilize the greenway almost everyday. When I was a kid the river and the woods on either side were our habitat. Trails through the woods, fishing, forts, smoking stolen cigarettes, building fires and living like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn was the norm. The hard-pack bike paths that used to weave along the river are long gone, rarely is there a sign that someone has been playing in the woods. Families will travel along the asphalt path, kids complete with helmet and reflectors, parents coaching 'stay to the right, be careful'...no one strays from the path. No kids play alone.

"Be home at dark" was the rule when I was 11. By the time I was 13 'dark' was more closely aligned to "when the street lights come on, you come home". That and "don't go in the river" were the parameters, the world was ours to explore and we did. We didn't wear helmets, we ate carrots right out of the ground, crab apples right off the tree.

Now it is xbox 360 and the internet. Trust me, I like pwning noobs on Call of Duty4 with the best of em', and obviously I am here on the net...more hours per day than I like to admit. I believe the entire world is in this box in front of me, but a different world is out my window and down the street, over the dike and through the woods.

Recount

I thought the HBO film "Recount" was incredibly interesting. Sort of in the same vein as "All the Presidents Men". You know the outcome, but the process in getting to that outcome is one that most Americans know little about.

We are about to transfer power again in this country. If we can refrain from rioting in the streets after an election as close as the last two we will be fine this time.

I thought the film was very 'centered' politically. However those on the right may disagree. I wonder if anyone thinks much of Harris?

The Bitch of Living

Kimber Ultra Carry

I'll be shooting this today as well. Very small, very light, laser sights, .45 caliber.

Initial Reactions;
1. like, really LOUD!!!!
2. not terribly accurate...I am sure the gun if fine, I am the one that sucks
3. significant recoil, it lets you know you are pulling the trigger.
4. perfect conceal weapon with considerable stopping power.
5. Laser sites difficult to use at first.
6. Stress reliever.

The Desert Eagle .44

In about 3o minutes I am going to fire this weapon. My friend Gene always stated "every home needs a desert eagle". Today is for you buddy.

JUST BACK from shooting this canon.
Initial reactions:
1. Are you F*#$^ng kidding me? This is an explosion in your hand.
2. Better to be behind it rather than in front of it.
3. NOT a self defense weapon as it is difficult to draw down quickly for a second shot.
4. Whatever this thing hits it will kill or remove large amounts of tissue