I got some archery things on my Christmas list this year. Below are some of things I would like to have.
Arrow Shafts
Select One Dozen, Size 55/75, Cut to Length, Install Inserts, specify 30" shaft length
Bullet Points - these should be sold by the dozen, I would like 3 sizes.
Select 80, 100, and 125 grain, .295" for above arrow diameter.
Nocks - need at least 1 dozen of these for the arrows, but I would like spares because they do break on me
Select, Flo Orange
Feathers Not picky on the brand, just as long as they have this parabolic shape and are RW (right wing)
Select 3" 50 RW
One set of orange, one set of white
Also, some 5" 50 RW feathers in same colors.
Fletch Strip tool - there are two places to get them. The other place is martinarchery.com online store. In fact they sell feathers and fletching jigs, too.
A fletch clamp/jig - Choose straight clamp. Perhaps also get a RH clamp too. Other manufacturers make them in plastic and metal. This link is to a metal one; I'm not sure which I'd rather have. But this is the style I like.
Fletch Glue To glue on the feathers
Block Target - I'd like the portable or pro model. I like the bigger size of the pro.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Update
I haven't updated this thing in a long time. I'm still doing archery. Still not very good at it. Now that the time changed back, there has been no daylight after work to shoot out at the range, so with only one day week of practice, I don't think I've been improving my skill. And, it is getting colder lately....
Not much else going on around here. We are getting ready for Thanksgiving. Have started Christmas shopping.
Not much else going on around here. We are getting ready for Thanksgiving. Have started Christmas shopping.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Ouch!
My finger hurts. It is my own fault. I have taken up archery within the past few weeks. I have a recurve bow, and use my fingers to pull back the string. I spent last Saturday shooting for nearly 3 hours at an indoor range.
I joined a club to shoot at the club range - it is an outside range. The target range is constructed of hay bales. Hay bales work great as targets... except when you miss the bale. (I am not yet advanced enough in my archery skill to hit the bale EVERY time). Shooting out there plays havoc with my arrows. I had got two of them repaired last Saturday when I was at the indoor range (they also sell bows, accessories, and repair). After shooting an hour today, I have two arrows that need to be repaired. At this rate, I think I will need to learn and get the tools to repair/build my own arrows.
I'm having fun with archery, though I'm not good at it. There is a 3-d shoot coming up next weekend that I'm not sure if I will participate in. I am just starting to shoot at 20 yard targets, and I'm afraid that the 3-d targets will be at farther ranges. (I tried to shoot at a farther range today, and that's how I broke two arrows.) I would be in my own traditional class, so I wouldn't have to compete with compound bows, however, I'm not very good at traditional. I am curious to go out there and see how it is down so at least I know how to train myself for the next shoot -- but it isn't going to be much fun breaking all my arrows. I need a lot more practice than my poor, sore fingers can take!
I joined a club to shoot at the club range - it is an outside range. The target range is constructed of hay bales. Hay bales work great as targets... except when you miss the bale. (I am not yet advanced enough in my archery skill to hit the bale EVERY time). Shooting out there plays havoc with my arrows. I had got two of them repaired last Saturday when I was at the indoor range (they also sell bows, accessories, and repair). After shooting an hour today, I have two arrows that need to be repaired. At this rate, I think I will need to learn and get the tools to repair/build my own arrows.
I'm having fun with archery, though I'm not good at it. There is a 3-d shoot coming up next weekend that I'm not sure if I will participate in. I am just starting to shoot at 20 yard targets, and I'm afraid that the 3-d targets will be at farther ranges. (I tried to shoot at a farther range today, and that's how I broke two arrows.) I would be in my own traditional class, so I wouldn't have to compete with compound bows, however, I'm not very good at traditional. I am curious to go out there and see how it is down so at least I know how to train myself for the next shoot -- but it isn't going to be much fun breaking all my arrows. I need a lot more practice than my poor, sore fingers can take!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
I thought this was funny....
I got a letter from John McCain (not him personally, but from his campaign). It is a CRITICAL ISSUES SURVEY that needs to be filled out and sent to VICTORY 2008 within 7 days! The funny part is on the back, the final question has two options:
- Yes, I support VICTORY 2008 and am enclosing my most generous contribution of: ___
- Yes, I support VICTORY 2008 Program, but I am unable to participate at this time. However, I have enclosed $15 to cover the cost of tabulating my survey.
What is up with that? Pay someone to take survey; I thought was supposed to be the other way around. What is really happening is that RNC VICTORY 2008 needs money. The return envelope is one of those 'no postage necessary if mailed in the US' kind; however, there is a note indicating that if you use your own stamp you can "save much needed funds."
Anyone else get one of these?
- Yes, I support VICTORY 2008 and am enclosing my most generous contribution of: ___
- Yes, I support VICTORY 2008 Program, but I am unable to participate at this time. However, I have enclosed $15 to cover the cost of tabulating my survey.
What is up with that? Pay someone to take survey; I thought was supposed to be the other way around. What is really happening is that RNC VICTORY 2008 needs money. The return envelope is one of those 'no postage necessary if mailed in the US' kind; however, there is a note indicating that if you use your own stamp you can "save much needed funds."
Anyone else get one of these?
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Thinking about buying a house?
I don't know how many people read what I put up here, but if any of you are considering buying a house, I wish to pass on some knowledge that would have helped me out.
The first is your credit score. There are some things you can do to help your score over time, but it will take time to improve it. Basically, hold on to your oldest credit card, at least pay minimum due, and always pay on time. Oh, ya, check your credit report through annualcreditreport -- not the imitators.
Following along with your credit score, is your mortgage application. It would help on your mortgage application if you can keep from using your credit cards in the months before you apply. The mortgage people are going to look at your current balances, and assume that is debt you are going to pay off at the min payment -- regardless if you have a rock solid history of paying off your credit card completely every month -- which is really good thing to do! So, keeping your card balances to absolute minimums reduces the value of the 'liabilities' column when the bank calculates your net worth. -- Handy trick, but not necessary to get a loan.
How did I learn this?!?!? Well, this is going to be a shamless plug for a book I'm reading by Suze Orman called Young, Fabulous, and Broke. It is a good book that gives a basic explaination of the financial world as it pertains to young people in college or starting their careers. And, it is entertaining to read! If you never watched Suze Orman's show on tv, you should do it at least once. She has no reservations telling people you are doing a dumb thing. But she doesn't just say that, she has really good facts and math to backup her statements.
The second tip is take what the bank, realtor, etc. says about tax deductible mortgage interest, and flush it! You should look at the 1040 yourself and read where mortgage interest is deducted. It is in the itemized deduction section; therefore you must itemize all your deductions to take advantage of it. Therefore, if your mortgage interest for the entire year is, say, $8000 (and you had no other itemized deductions) you would be a dumbass to use your $8000 in itemized deductions because the standard deduction you could use instead is $10000. All I'm saying is to look at that itemized deduction worksheet - know which lines pertain to you, calculate your mortgage interest for the year, and then decide if it in your best interest to use the mortgage interest as a deduction.
And about itemized deductions.... I've been glancing it over and it seems there is provision in charitable contributions that you can deduct $.14 per mile for transportation to do volunteer work. There also seems to be a health expense section that includes insurance premiums. And a section to deduct state income tax - you Texans could do a sales tax deduction. That makes sense, why have uncle sam tax the money you paid as tax? They'd be taxing your taxes!
I know, reading tax forms and instructions is not fun. Especially if you only might need to know the information. At least read Suze Orman's book, it is entertaining at least, if you don't get any tips from it.
The first is your credit score. There are some things you can do to help your score over time, but it will take time to improve it. Basically, hold on to your oldest credit card, at least pay minimum due, and always pay on time. Oh, ya, check your credit report through annualcreditreport -- not the imitators.
Following along with your credit score, is your mortgage application. It would help on your mortgage application if you can keep from using your credit cards in the months before you apply. The mortgage people are going to look at your current balances, and assume that is debt you are going to pay off at the min payment -- regardless if you have a rock solid history of paying off your credit card completely every month -- which is really good thing to do! So, keeping your card balances to absolute minimums reduces the value of the 'liabilities' column when the bank calculates your net worth. -- Handy trick, but not necessary to get a loan.
How did I learn this?!?!? Well, this is going to be a shamless plug for a book I'm reading by Suze Orman called Young, Fabulous, and Broke. It is a good book that gives a basic explaination of the financial world as it pertains to young people in college or starting their careers. And, it is entertaining to read! If you never watched Suze Orman's show on tv, you should do it at least once. She has no reservations telling people you are doing a dumb thing. But she doesn't just say that, she has really good facts and math to backup her statements.
The second tip is take what the bank, realtor, etc. says about tax deductible mortgage interest, and flush it! You should look at the 1040 yourself and read where mortgage interest is deducted. It is in the itemized deduction section; therefore you must itemize all your deductions to take advantage of it. Therefore, if your mortgage interest for the entire year is, say, $8000 (and you had no other itemized deductions) you would be a dumbass to use your $8000 in itemized deductions because the standard deduction you could use instead is $10000. All I'm saying is to look at that itemized deduction worksheet - know which lines pertain to you, calculate your mortgage interest for the year, and then decide if it in your best interest to use the mortgage interest as a deduction.
And about itemized deductions.... I've been glancing it over and it seems there is provision in charitable contributions that you can deduct $.14 per mile for transportation to do volunteer work. There also seems to be a health expense section that includes insurance premiums. And a section to deduct state income tax - you Texans could do a sales tax deduction. That makes sense, why have uncle sam tax the money you paid as tax? They'd be taxing your taxes!
I know, reading tax forms and instructions is not fun. Especially if you only might need to know the information. At least read Suze Orman's book, it is entertaining at least, if you don't get any tips from it.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Ooooo Corvette ZR1
Sometimes I'll draft a post, and the forget about it. This one that I forgot about, so it is kinda old.
Has anyone seen this car? This is an awesome car... the OSU Dean of Arts & Sciences agrees with me! - by the way....
If our economy finds some way to run cars on ears of corn, moonshine, or hydrogen - I hope there is still gasoline available at a reasonable price for hobby cars, antique cars, etc. I really like to work on old cars, and if there is no gas to put in them... they'll lose that grunty exhaust charm. You know, the rumble.... Sure, there will be conversion kits to make your '57 chevy burn hydrogen, but the muffled wine of an electric engine is not the same as the ROAR from a gas burning, poison gas belching, tire burning muscle car!!
I really want to get this car! I gotta find a way to afford it. One way would be to put my Dad as the primary driver for insurance :). Corvettes hold their value, so I don't think I could pick up a used one on the cheap. '80s corvettes may be entering my price range, but they are 20+ years old!! I would have to rebuild it, most likely, and I don't do heavy work on cars. One hand, with something old like that, it may be possible for me to do the work. On the other had, it is a Corvette, and they didn't make half a million, so finding parts could be really difficult. Other cars, like a '67-'69 Camaro, have nearly EVERY part available from someone since they are popular cars to restore. Maybe I should get one of those... a 40+ year old car!!! They are very stylish.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/autos/0712/gallery.corvette_zr1/index.html
Has anyone seen this car? This is an awesome car... the OSU Dean of Arts & Sciences agrees with me! - by the way....
If our economy finds some way to run cars on ears of corn, moonshine, or hydrogen - I hope there is still gasoline available at a reasonable price for hobby cars, antique cars, etc. I really like to work on old cars, and if there is no gas to put in them... they'll lose that grunty exhaust charm. You know, the rumble.... Sure, there will be conversion kits to make your '57 chevy burn hydrogen, but the muffled wine of an electric engine is not the same as the ROAR from a gas burning, poison gas belching, tire burning muscle car!!
I really want to get this car! I gotta find a way to afford it. One way would be to put my Dad as the primary driver for insurance :). Corvettes hold their value, so I don't think I could pick up a used one on the cheap. '80s corvettes may be entering my price range, but they are 20+ years old!! I would have to rebuild it, most likely, and I don't do heavy work on cars. One hand, with something old like that, it may be possible for me to do the work. On the other had, it is a Corvette, and they didn't make half a million, so finding parts could be really difficult. Other cars, like a '67-'69 Camaro, have nearly EVERY part available from someone since they are popular cars to restore. Maybe I should get one of those... a 40+ year old car!!! They are very stylish.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/autos/0712/gallery.corvette_zr1/index.html
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