IGAF

Author’s note 05/08/13: I put the Glacier story back up because my mom likes it and told me she missed having it up there.  Okay.

 

I took down the Glacier story because it sucked, and as the title of this post might suggest, I Give A Fuck.  “Clear eyes” and “eighteen” are way better… read those if you’re bored.  I have a different perspective a year after the trip, and as such I might be able to write a better story now.  Who knows.  A lot of shit happened on that little walk in the woods and most of it is hard to write about.  BOOFUCKINGHOO, amirite?  Stay tuned.

In the meantime, THIS IS THE FUNNIEST THING I’VE SEEN IN EVER.

I’ve got a lot of cool mini-stories that I’m trying to figure out how to post.  Times I got lost, animal encounters, dancing naked in the desert on a full moon night.  Normal shit.  Perhaps it would work in a single entry, one-story-per-paragraph format, starting out with “OK, so this one time, at band camp…”  I don’t know yet.  We’ll see.

Stay thirsty, my friends.

it starts with a spark

The Bob Marshall Wilderness is calling my name.  As I was typing yesterday’s post, I was speaking to my buddy from the Glacier trip, and we got to talking about Montana, round two:

“[the Bob] would be right up your alley.  Long charges with a side climb or two, to acclimate you to some exposure.  It’s a good thought.”

The allure of Montana is too much to resist.

There is nothing as wild, nothing as beautiful, nothing as dangerous in the lower 48.  That means something.  It’s supposed to be hard.

More to follow.

-Kirk

“Not quite the A.T.”  Photo credit to Ryan Jordan.  For inspiration, check out this photo essay of his 2009 Bob Marshall Wilderness traverse.

but i digress

Actually, I can’t digress, really, if there is nothing from which to digress.  My type-fu lately has been absolute shit, and I cannot figure out what to do about it.  On one hand, the argument can  be made to “just go write”.  On the other hand, even on my best day, it is a laborious effort that often leaves me pondering word selection for upwards of a minute… I struggle with finding the flow and tucking in, riding it.  When it’s flowing, it’s fucking great.  When it’s not, it’s like masturbating with 80-grit.

RE: novel writing.  Progression is slow.  Life demands are trumping my desire to thump this motherfucker out.  The file is still active.  My mindset wavers.

Winter up north sucks.  There is not much to do (especially with two young’uns), and as a human that likes doing things, this drives me bugshit crazy.  I can’t deal.  Also, as someone who writes about the things he does, all this lack of doing leaves me thin on experiences about which I can pontificate.  I spend my days in the Sensory Deprivation Cubicle, executing various work related projects, reading miscellany, or buying/selling/bartering for gun parts online.  However, there is a light on the horizon: with spring’s cautious arrival, I’m starting to venture outside again… taking little hikes with the kids, zeroing in the new rifle, coaching tee-ball, dicking around in the garage.

I’m starting to scout locations for a summer backpacking trip (note: probably not Montana).  I NEED TO GET THE FUCK OUTSIDE.  Long range.  I’ve got a new pair of Asolos broken in, a new one person tent, and my cream-your-jeans-awesome new Osprey Aether 60 pack just waiting for their maiden voyage.  Areas of intrigue include: White Mountains NF (NH), Monongahela NF (WV), Red River Gorge (KY), Adirondacks (NY).  I may have a first-timer with me, which will play a role in to my decision.  Gotta find a good, rugged-but-not-too-rugged spot with a high “bang for the buck” factor.  You may recall the end-user feedback I received the last time I brought a virgin out into the wilderness with me.  Apparently my route selection can be a little challenging.   More on this story as it develops.

I’m big into the guns and training/mindset scene, since always, to one degree or another.  As I accumulate more of both, I read more about both, and I love few things more than acquiring knowledge on subjects I’m passionate about.  Gun and training related stuff that I’m big on:

• Pat McNamara – Awesome human, awesome instructor.  I’ve already posted an AAR for one of his courses here, and I read both of his books approximately twice a year.  Buy TAPS here and SENTINEL here.  Buy them.
• Kyle DeFoor – Another awesome human, and, from what I’ve heard, an awesome instructor.  While I have not yet taken a course taught by Kyle, I am an avid reader of everything he puts out into the world, and I’ve found some inspiration in almost every piece of material thus far.  As a former member of certain NSW/ JSOC Tier One SMU elements, you can be damn sure Kyle DeFoor is bringing applied science to the theories behind marksmanship and gunfighting.  My personal favorite article from him: Paper and Steel Don’t Lie.  Gets a motherfucker motivated.
• Alias Training – Training coordinator Paul Hotaling’s company, offering an incredible selection of instructors and venues across the country.  Check them out, and shake your head in awe at the number of former SMU assaulters Alias schedules classes for.  Good lawd, that’s a lot of shooters.
• Aervoe Spray Paint – Turned my black rifle from this to this.
• The WeaponsMan – Former 18B (SF Weapons Sgt., aka badass ninja of death), handy with a keyboard, continuously seeking elevated levels of knowledge about a dearth of subjects.  But mostly firearms, and firearms-related topics.  His research abilities, desire to “Read the Whole Thing”, and acerbic wit combine to deliver information in an concise, palatable format.  But don’t take my word for it… go Read the Whole Thing.  Plus, he hates Mike Bloomberg and Andy Cuomo as much as I do.

That’s all for now kids.  Be safe, have fun, question authority.

-Kirk