My god...it rises from the GRAVE!!!!
Things have finally settled down, both at home and at work, and I just thought I'd give everyone an update (and pics!) on what happened. And yes, sgtar15, plans are in place to hie mine ass Pennsyward...as soon as I find a place that is A) not too far from work and B) has a sign-off friendly CLEO.
The bro and his g/f got here last friday, and departed on the 31st. I want to thank everybody for the advice. I decided to try and take the high road, and ignore what I could and respond respectfully but firmly to the rest. Funny how these things go....I was so prepped for sparks to fly between the mom and the g/f, but everything I expected pretty much didn't happen. Our mother and the bro's g/f got along quite well, and generally, the boat stayed on even keel. I guess it helped that they all had a common target: me.
I can't for the life of me get it. For some reason, everyone took a kind of sick glee in verbally thwacking me on my eating habits. I'm a simple guy, I like simple things. Give me a rare steak, baked potatoe, and some steamed string beans or kayrots and I'm just fine. I don't eat anything fungus, I don't slobber over creme broule or the latest Wolfgang Puck masterpiece, and I'm not keen on a lot of the more esoteric veggies out there. But why the FUCK do they have to dwell on it? It was like they were laughing at me for being this culinary retard....but I held my tongue, and all was ok.
The one good thing is I did get to go shooting Saturday morning. The look on the g/f's face when I mentioned it was priceless (kinda like something out of Fear Factor). Have to give her credit, though....I know she doesn't like guns, but I didn't hear anything about it from her. And when my bro brought them down to show her (my God, I was DYING...I could hear how freaked she was at first...'IS IT LOADED?! IS IT LOADED!?'), she eventually asked question and wasn't at all argumentative or combative. So I didn't have to shoot her now. [devil]
Here's the obligatory pic that I did promise (I actually went that day and picked up a Canon S30 digital camera):
[img]http://photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=3415[/img]
On the left is my bro, the patent lawyer...the middle is my mom, and on the right is the bro's g/f. And no, I can't answer the hit it question. I've got this wierd mental fuckup....if a girl is seeing someone else, she's absolutely Out Of Bounds in my playbook. Besides, she's not my type.
The kicker of weekend.......my mom decided to go shooting with me. Did kinda surprise me, since at first she flipped out at the idea of my getting a handgun.
[img]http://photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=3412[/img]
Proof that the AR knows now boundaries whatsoever. I honestly think she had as much fun with the AR as I did.
....and the reason I wanted to get out there....
[img]http://photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=3411[/img]
That's me down at Fort Dix. I'd picked up the M70 Stealth .308 almost two months ago, and just never had the time and the accessories to get out to the range.
Hard-Case: Hey, Bud! How are you? Have you had a chance to shoot the M70 Stealth yet?
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Greywolf2112, I am pretty even keeled, considering that haven't found out yet whether I have to run up to NYC tomorrow to see the bro off....yourself?
Oh god...you should have heard her expression when I brought the M70 down, kicked the bipod open, and plopped it on the counter next to her! Her first question: '...is that a sniper rifle?'. He second '...is that the one the guys in DC used?' Looked at her straightfaced and said 'no, the last one you held was EXACTLY like the one they used (I've got the XM15-E2S-M4 type but without the brake). I was evil...I admit it!
I've got to say thanks again for the M70. Now that I've had a chance to take her out, my wallet is screaming for all the ammo I'm going to use up (working 10 minutes from the Ammoman is a GOOD THING!). The action was very smooth, the optics were nice and sharp, and the recoil was very light and controlleable. Hell even my MOM got a kick out of it.
[img]http://photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=3413[/img]
100 yards (I know...I still haven't gotten skilled at indoor photos with the S30 yet). My first grouping was a hair over 2 inches, and that was after running 200 yards to set up the target quick before the ceasefire ended. First time on the Stealth, first time with a .308, first time on a scope, and first time on a bolt action since the .22s in the Boy Scouts, in 30ish degree weather and about 10mph wind. I am WAY more than happy, and I know it'll only get better as I improve.