Handcuff Sunday postphoned due to dead laptop.

Sorry guys! The regularly scheduled feature on this blog will be delayed, as will the rest of my WWW related life. Three years ago, I purchased an Acer Laptop. I was so happy with it, I made the mistake of concentrating my entire life on it. Now all my computer based life resides on a hard drive just the size of two zippo lighters side by side. It needs a power jack on the motherboard. According to Geek Squad it needs a motherboard replacement. This relic in my basement just got four hours of my attention to get it running again. Sometime after the first of next month I will be able to run my blog, and life, again the way I like. Until then I just will hope for the e-mail not to pile up too badly. This is the only box that can access the internet. And I must replace the power supply fan, with a neon blue LED fan.

Tomorrow I scour Spokane for a proper sized power jack.
Failing that I got an old full-sized VHS camcorder I can gut for the connector. As it works, I don't really want to do that.

This would drive me to drink if I still did.
(Weep Wail!)

Handcuff Sunday? GEROCO

Uses Standard Police Handcuff Key. GEROCO is GEorge Rose Company.
No Model Number, no Serial Number, No markings at all aside from GEROCO on one cheek piece, and Japan on the opposing ratchet. I got my pair for $3.95 plus tax in 1978. I'd gladly pay $25 for a pair in pristine condition today. Sold as a security guards cuffs, I guess they didn't feel right competing with Smith & Wesson, or Peerless for the police market. I just got a pair of handcuffs marked UZI that would stand inferior to these. The picture isn't of mine by the way. This was a set that worked 30 years in a mom and pop convenience store. Shoplifters would wear those in the back office while waiting for the cops, or the parents.

Handcuff Sunday? Any Takers?

Someone here in meatspace suggested to me that I should emulate the Mighty Tamara, or Phlegmmy, and run a weekly column on something I can write upon with authority.

Well at one point in my life, I was spending most Sunday Mornings in Handcuffs, usually for what happened Saturday Night.

But as I grew up, I decided I'd like to have to option open to rest, -unshackeled- on a fine Sunday Morn.

But I'd assembled an impressive handcuff collection.
I even can lecture to a crowd on the strengths, weaknesses, virtues, and shortfalls of most modern brands of handcuffs.

So if interested, leave comment. I'll decide to continue based upon feedback.

Finally Got my UZI after 31 years!

It's not the 'A' model I drooled over at Dutch's Pawn Shop back in the day.
Nor is it the 'B' that replaced the 'A'...
It's not the Mini or Micro models...

It's HANDCUFFS okay!

Actually my first pair being Geroco from Japan, I'm kinda spoiled.
I guess IMI just licensed out the use of the name.
The cover blurb on the box says 'Designed for official Police use'.
They wouldn't pass the DOJ-NIJ guidelines.
I don't have these memorized, so no points off, okay?

1. Left cuff should be mirror image of right cuff.
This is two 'right cuffs' hooked together.

2. all areas that are sharp, are to be made smooth and rounded.
Some pairs in my collection, I can whittle wood with the edges.
These aren't that bad, though they'd leave a mark on delicate wrists.

Update: The key is a small bitted one. The regular bit between the two cheekpieces is only 2/3rds as wide as a regulation set of cuffs. FAIL!

New Hobby!

I did some bookbinding 15 years or so ago.

Now with a supply of paper back books that are coming undone, I'm cranking out the old bookbinders' shop, I made. Re-binding paperbacks are no sweat. Jog all the pages 'til they're aligned, clamp in press, smear some variation of elmers on the spine, then glue the cover back on.

Can anyone tell me how to de acidify the pages?

I -Heart- Brigid!

Food, Firearms, and Soaring Poetry.

I get off a good one once in a while.

But she is consistently witty, informative, romantic, inquiring, brilliant.

Reading her blog, I am privileged to be illuminated by her very existence.

I worship that little Red-Haired Girl.

Unlike Charlie Brown, I dared to say so...

Read Her Blog, It'll make you a better man.

Even if you're a woman......

Letter from Boot Camp

I got sent this yea many years back. It's still a hoot!

Dear Ma and Pa,

I am well. Hope you are too. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled.

I was restless at first because you got to stay in bed till nearly 5 a.m. but I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing.

Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there’s warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food, plus yours, holds you until noon when you get fed again. It’s no wonder these city boys can’t walk much.

We go on “route marches,” which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it’s not my place to tell him different. A “route march” is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.

The country is nice but awful flat The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The captain is like the school board. Majors and Colonels just ride around and frown. They don’t bother you none.

This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don’t know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don’t move, and it ain’t shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don’t even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes.

Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain’t like fighting with that ole bull at home. I’m about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake. I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I’m only 5′6″ and 130 pounds and he’s 6′8″ and near 300 pounds dry.

Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.

Your lovin' daughter,

Gail (not 'Tam'?)


P.S. Speakin' of shootin', enclosed is $200 for barn roof and Ma's teeth. The city boys shoot craps, but not very good.

To Netbook, or Not to Netbook

That is the question!
Actually there is no question on the matter!
I examined the grand specimens, including the eee-pc, that "All the cool kids are using." They lack that DVD drive that I can't live without.
I love the blurring distinctions that are occurring. My TV is my Computer is my Phone, is my reference library.

I will cheerfully submit to the surgery to implant the hardware in my head.
Let's see Bill Gates sell me a new system every three years then!

Though I don't know how I'll play my DVDs on that....

game show TV!

Normally I don't watch Daytime TV. I was shocked to see Drew Carey MC-ing The Price Is Right.
Roomie was watching. One Contestant bids, second bids one dollar more, third bids one dollar, fourth bids one dollar LESS than first.

ME: What's wrong with her?
Roomie: What?
Me: She will only win if the item is exactly that price.
Roomie: Yeah, that is kind of stupid.
Me: KIND of stupid?

Dad: It isn't her PET that needs to be Spayed or Neutered.