15 February 2013

Jesus has it been four years?!? Major update coming to this blog. Still into zombies, guns, and gaming, and I'll be adding a section on good coffee too. I'll keep ya posted with the latest developments, like this meteor in Russia that is potentially carrying the plague to end all life on the planet, or merely create zombies. Stay safe!

18 September 2009

Kanye West

Ok this has nothing to do with Zombies, Gaming, Guns. . hell it has nothing to do with anything really. .

But I want to get it out there. .

Kanye West is a muther fucking douchebag cocksucker. .

That is all.

09 September 2009

Fucking three months . . . sheesh

Well, life has been a goddamn rollercoaster for me this past few months. . reconnected with some friends, totally lost another, house is getting foreclosed on, and ignorant bastards are judging me for all kinds of ridiculous crap.

I say . . .

Fuck them all and let the walking dead devour their very essence into a black abyss of dirt and worms.

wow. . .

Ok anyway on a cheery note, I'm finally making plans to move back to a more positive environment with good quality friends. Nice!!!!!!

3 months is long enough. . I need to do some major updating to this blogsite. Upcoming features will be some SurvivorMan links and information, upcoming outdoor trips, more weapon photos, more tips on firestarting and hopefully some demo videos, and of course. . .zombies.

Never, never, ever, go into the dark room without a flashlight and a gun. . .

Leaded

Science Proves Zombies Will Kill Us All

Science Proves Zombies Will Kill Us All

Shared via AddThis

09 June 2009

Governor Humungous

People, I have found a solution for the California woes.

May I present. . . .

The Lord Governor Humungous

08 June 2009

So fucking pissed. . .California can suck my ass.

More budgetary bullshit.

I normally don't come on here and talk about work but for fucksakes. . .I need to vent.

My department currently has 1131 deputies working full time. A lot you say? Well considering the fact that Sacramento County has over 1.36 million people living in (7) Seven incorporated areas and (23) Twenty-three unicorporated areas with a total size of over 994 square miles, and considering that the actual patrol division has 651 personnel assigned to it, that leaves a current ratio of 1 patrol deputy to 2090 people.

Out of a $190 million dollar budget deficit in the county, the board of supervisors has saddled the department with $84 million dollars of responsibility.

What does that mean for us?

A reduction of the patrol division by 300 deputies. Flat out. One division, our most dangerous and violent area known as Central, will be reducing from 120 to 30 deputies overnight.

In addition, 370 personnel, including 300 deputies will be laid off. The detective positions will be turned into patrol positions, leaving a skeleton investigative staff. Unconfirmed rumors also dictate that the Special Enforcement Detail, Aero division, K-9, and most other special divisions will be eliminated or seriously depleted.

That leaves approximately 831 deputies left to protect 1.36 million people, supervise 5000+ inmates in (2) two jail facilities, and about 60-80 patrol officers to cover several shifts for the ENTIRE COUNTY.

My shift, which currently has 30 deputies assigned to it, will lose 18 of them. Friends of mine, with families, houses, etc. And I can't do a damn thing about it. And our Union can't do a damn thing about it. (Or won't)

And the kicker is, the Union is negotiating a contract extension proposal. I look at it this way. If we are losing people, then to hell with ANY raises (for the time being). Some of the more brainwashed folks (the ones not getting laid off) are looking at their own futures and apparently can only see dollar signs instead of REAL people losing their homes and ability to provide for their children/families.

I'm at a loss. I don't know exactly what to do or how to react. One (1) of the guys getting the axe works with me directly and he is GOLDEN. Great person, hard worker, getting married in September and he is DECIMATED.

Fuck California, Fuck the Government, and FUCK any civilian that talks shit about Law Enforcement being overstaffed and overpaid.

20 May 2009

Short post, nothing huge. .some parts for my 1911

If you are looking for parts for a plethora of weapons, then Brownells.com has it (well, most of the time).

Just ordered an extended slide release, buffer pads for my guide rod, and a larger bushing with a smooth (melted) face. All in my quest to fully customize my TRP.

I'll post some pics when I attach the parts to my pistola.

Never turn your back on a zombie.

14 May 2009

Star Trek. . . .yeah yeah, I know it ain't zombie related, but I'm a trekkie for fuckssakes.








This is essentially a copy and paste of a post I put up on my Yahoo group site that I belong to with some close friends of mine, with modifications as to names and things. . .here goes:

As far as the new Star Trek movie is concerned, for a die-hard TOS fan such as
myself, and I think I speak for THE GM and NTTS BRAIN per our discussion of the movie,
I rate it a 7 out of 10.

The film has to be taken objectively, and in doing so I put myself in the shoes
of those that have never seen any Star Trek tv series or movies. In that
regard, it was an entertaining movie with great special effects (the fight
scenes were poorly shot and seemed very cheap. The close shots and quick cuts
of the fight scenes, mentioned by THE GM, made me believe that they didn't want
to spend a lot of time choreographing the fights.

The visual effects were stunning, bright, sharp, and sexy.

As a trekkie fan however, the movie didn't quite meet my expectations. In my
opinion, none of the movies compare to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. There
was no continuity, but that was clearly stated in the reviews of the movie, so I
had to swallow this as an "Alternate Reality of the Star Trek Universe."

In that regard, I have to say that the movie was good but not great. I didn't
walk away with that "feel good" feeling that I normally have with great movies.
Of course, my version of great is obviously far different than any of yours. My
perception isn't based on a heightened sense of spirituality, a high IQ, a
liberal attitude, a happy-go-lucky personality, a
workaholic-who-just-wants-to-relax-and-see-a-movie sort of view, or a Star Trek
Next Generation fan. My perception is based on growing up watching William
Shatner and Leonard Nimoy and the rest of the crew of the old,
cheap-effect-looking starship running around and saving the universe.

Did the old series effects bother me? Not a bit. Because the characters were
believable and made me feel good after watching it.

This new movie is a movie for the NOW generation. Anyone that says that it is a
movie for everyone is HIGHLY mistaken. I like continuity and memorable
characters and references back to the old days.

I compare this movie to guns:

The old series is a reliable .45 Officers model. No special sights, no fancy
shmancy parts, nothing but proof in the quality of it's performance. A weapon
that has aged well and can appeal to everyone from the target shooter to the
combat handgunner.

The newer films are like race guns. High Tech, fancy, expensive, and meant for
one purpose, a target. In the case of this movie, I felt the target was a
certain age group and type of movie viewer. It doesn't appeal to everyone
necessarily but it is entertaining nevertheless.

Will I buy it on Blu-ray? Surely. Do I place it in the all time greats of
science fiction? Eh...probably not.

Although Uhura looked damn fine.

(All pictures gathered off of FLICKR from random peoples, sorry I didn't write down the names of who I grabbed them from)

Damn I'm getting bad. . . gotta fix that . . .Here's some eye candy .

So it's been a while since my last post. Same ole-same ole . Work, Life, still dealing with the last bits of my divorce, upcoming gaming convention, buying gun parts and tactical gear. . . life is grand but busy.

Anyway, I wanted to post some eye candy for you all to see. This is one of latest purchases for my SpringField Armory TRP .45.

I picked up a pair of new handgrips that fit my personality just fine. I won't tell you about the Ebay seller that I bought it from because I would only end up talking a drastic amount of shit about how long it took to get these grips. But anyways, here we go:



I also picked up three Wilson Combat 500B Elite Tactical Magazines in black. . . 8 rounders. . for luck.
They feed pretty well and I haven't had any technical issues with them . .soooo . . . yeah. . .

And they go with the theme of the weapon nicely.

For a holster I ordered a Galco Yaqui Paddle in Havana color with a matching double mag holder, both in paddle format (easier to take on and off and I can wear it with shorts).

Only thing I'm waiting on is the holster. LAPoliceGear.com, where I ordered the holster from, has it backordered. POOOOP!!!

*UPDATE* Contacted LAPoliceGear.com . . . .fucking JULY!!! for the holster to come in!!!!! Holy PiSS!

See you in a bit. . .and remember, keep your head on a swivel.

10 April 2009

The next weapon . . . .Springfield Armory TRP .45 cal.

Yes, a Springfield Armory Tactical Response Pistol , .45 cal., 5" barrel, Armory Kote. Picked this baby up for $1000 and the going rate for it is approximately $1100-1500 on Gun Broker.

I still need to pick up some Wilson Combat 47D 8 round magazines (I'm ordering ten magazines) and a decent open-top paddle holster.

Some Pics:




The first of the new gun acquisitions . . . Colt Python







The Colt Python is a .357 Magnum caliber revolver manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut. The Colt Python is considered to be a premium American revolver. Along with the Colt Peacemaker it is considered to be one of the finest revolvers ever made by Colt.

Colt Manufacturing Co. announced the termination of its production of Python revolvers in October 1999 due to lack of sales and rising production costs.

The Colt Python is a double action handgun chambered for the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge built on Colt's large I-frame. Pythons have a reputation for accuracy, smooth trigger pull and a tight cylinder lock-up. The Colt Python was first introduced in 1955 as Colt's top-of-the-line model and was originally intended to be a large-frame 38 Special target revolver. As a result, it features precision adjustable sights, a smooth trigger, solid construction, and extra metal. Pythons have a distinct appearance. A full barrel underlug, ventilated rib and adjustable sights combine to give the gun its unique look. Originally, Colt manufactured Pythons with hollow underlugs but left them solid to add stabilizing barrel weight. When the revolver is at full cock, just as the trigger is pressed, the cylinder locks up for the duration of the hammer strike. Other revolvers have a hint of looseness even at full-cock. The gap between the cylinder and forcing cone is very tight, further aiding accuracy and velocity.

(cited from Wikipedia)

I checked my serial number and found out that the weapon was created the year I was born! 1971!

I picked this baby up for $1000. According to GunBroker.com, the pythons are going for anywhere from $1100 to 1600 bucks.

Awesome weapon, nice weight and feel to it, and a super smooth action.

More weapon pictures to come!

09 April 2009

I hope you relish this as much as I. . . .

This has absolutely nothing to do with Zombies, Guns, or Gaming, but I had to post it for the sheer humor.

Hehe


08 April 2009

Whoo-weee! Lots going on. . .

Well well well, Leaded, where have you been and what the hell have you been up to?

Let me tell you, after dealing with some ex-wife crapola, breaking the bank to purchase some extremely "killer" deals with some handguns and shotguns, and preparing for a weekend of range time and gaming with my good friends, I am mentally taxed. I'm also nursing a case of diarrhea, but nuff' said.

Let's talk about the important stuff. GUNS.

Due to a financial bind that a close friend of mine (whom I will call "The Armorer") was having, he had to off-load a crap load of guns at cut-throat prices, a "fire" sale if you will, no pun intended. All in all, he was trying to get rid of twenty-five (25) guns, so he opted to sell to his close friends and coworkers.

I reviewed the list of items and here are the ones that I chose and the prices that I got them for:

1) Springfield 1911 .45 cal. TRP in Armory Kote (like a blued finish) with two (2) Magazines
MSRP: $1300-1600, Leaded's Price $1000

2) Glock 30 .45 cal. Compact with five (5) ten round magazines
MSRP: $490-600 + $110 in magazines., Leaded's Price: $400 Flat

3) Colt Python .357 Magnum 6" Barrel Factory Royal Blued
MSRP: $1100-1300, Leaded's Price: $1000

4) Benelli M1 Super 90 12 Gauge Autoloader
MSRP: $1000-1200, Leaded's Price: $800

5) Mossberg J.I.C. 12 Gauge
MSRP: $350-450, Leaded's Price: $300

Total Savings on the high side: $5150-3500= $1,650.00

Not too shabby. Now all I have to do is photograph them for you all to see and get a few accessories (Holsters, Speedloaders, Magazines, Tactical Thigh Rig, Slings, extra specialty tools.)

NEXT,

Range time this Saturday. Of course with new (used) guns comes the inevitable. Playtime. Nuff' said.

Also, several of the buddies are coming up to race, game, and acupuncture (yes, acupuncture), through the weekend. Good times, Happy Easter. Hehehehehe. . . .

Side Note: I coordinated some dry-fire tactical drills tonight with the coworkers involving a pepperball launcher, a 37mm Launcher, Tactical Shield, and a Hands-free officer. Good times, the team looked and performed great. Love that 37mm.

I'll throw the pics up tomorrow.

05 April 2009

Happy Birthday to the Discourser!

I want to wish the Discourser a great birthday. This is a guy that has definitely had his hands full with work, family, and the general heartaches of life.

Enjoy it my friend! You earned it!

27 March 2009

Holy Shit it's been a while. . Let's talk Tactical Village

Sorry folks, but the damn real world caught me and pulled me into the abyss of bullshit. One side note, I did take part in my normal Advanced Officer Training and as part of the curriculum they gave us an opportunity to take part in a "Tactical Village."

Here's a link to what I'm talking about:

Northern California Regional Public Safety Training Center

It consisted of several scenarios involving tactical entries into a makeshift house and a series of makeshift office spaces simulating the District Attorney's office.

The weapons we used were standard department issue Sig Sauer P226R .40 cal. pistols loaded with Simunitions rounds (Sort of a hard detergent round that comes in multiple colors and stings like a bitch when you are struck).

The scenario involving the house involved a partner and I entering what was supposed to be a response to an alarm call at a home. We entered, made our presence known and meticulously cleared each room until we came across a long hallway with four doorways (two left, two right). As we cleared the hallway, I approached the last two rooms and WHOOSH!

A possible suspect ran across my field of vision and dropped what seemed to be a white toaster (later found to be a white duffel bag filled with something hard). At this point, I didn't see a weapon, and like a good partner, my backup grabbed my belt from the rear and backed my out of the hallway to the front room where we assumed cover at the left corner entry area to the hallway. Tactical retreat.

At that point, I was almost behind cover when I saw what looked like an AR-15 come out of the room at the end of the hallway and fire one round towards us.

Had my partner not pulled my back into a tactical retreat, I am sure we both would have been meat.

The theory that tunnel vision and slow-motion occurs during a stressful situation is no joke. I could literally see the round flying down the hall and I heard the "whoosh!" past my head. No contact.

We radioed in for back-up and informed the evaluator that we were retreating from the house due to the type of weaponry involved (AR-15 vs. handguns = AR-15 wins).

Evaluator agreed. Good job.

Another set of scenarios dealt with a normal day where two officers are going to the D.A.'s office to review a report. Nothing big or stressful right?

Wrong.

The first door I arrived at I politely knocked and opened the door to. . .

A man with a butcher's knife in his left hand and the District Attorney over his lap. Again, tunnel vision and slow motion as the butcher swung the knife in a downward motion to the D.A.'s back.

Out comes my .40 and out goes (8) eight rounds into his heart. Radio traffic for Code 3 cover, EMS, shots fired, ahhHH!H!H!

Done. Good job.

Next door, . . . .

Knock, knock. .

Open. .

Man with pistol pointing my direction and D.A. on the ground, I think he was tied up.

Slow motion drawing of my pistol and simultaneous fire from his pistol and mine. I move slightly to the right for cover as I fire. (6) Six rounds to the heart. (3) Three of his rounds whizz past my left arm and strike the wall behind me. Partner unloads (6) six round as well and strike in a fist sized group just south of his right lung.

At this point my radio traffic goes to poop. I call for Code 3 cover, EMS, Fire, Swat, THE WORLD!. . .hehe. . after a few seconds of thinking it through and evaluator assistance, I reduce the Code 3 cover and inform main via radio of the update, Officer involved shooting, (1) One suspect down, D.A.'s office, all units reduce, send EMS.

Good Job.

At the last room, I had to stop and give myself a second to do some combat breathing to slow my heart rate.

Breath, breath, knock, knock. .

Open.

Man with a bat to the left, D.A. tied up and seated in a chair.

I immediately draw my weapon and start barking out commands for the suspect to drop the bat and get on the ground.

He screams colorful expletives back at me.

I tell him "Put the bat down or you are getting shot."

He puts the bat down and lays down face down, arms out, palms up.

Cuff, Cuff. Search, remove weapon, call backup and EMS, check D.A. for injuries.

Done deal. . .

The tactical village was designed, interestingly enough, by some L.A. movie studio. It is equipped with multiple rooms built into a warehouse, a second floor observation catwalk, CCTV monitoring, movable parts and walls, and fully furnished.

Great stuff. . .

Anyways . .I'm looking into picking up a barely used Glock 19 9mm pistol with two high cap mags and two regular mags for a decent price. I'll update you with pics when I get it.

Be prepared and train your mind to expect the unexpected.

28 February 2009

Scored a great deal. .

On a Leupold Mk. IV scope for my .308 Rifle. This scope typically runs approximately $1800 to $2000 dollars and, through an underground connection hehe, I was able to secure it's delivery for $850.

I'll post pics of the scope attached to the rifle at a later date.

If you hear scratching at the back door, it probably isn't the dog. . .

The moment that I have been waiting for . . .














Smith and Wesson Model 360 Airweight .38 special with a Galco S.O.B. (small of back holster) in black leather and Safariland Comp I Speedloaders carrying Hornady 125 grain .38 Special JHP/XTP ammunition. The weapon itself weighs about 15-16 ounces.

The larger of the Kukris is a The Khukri Machete (All-Rounder) The machete is 14 inches long and weighs approximately 1200 grams (2.645-ish pounds)

The smaller is a
The Khaki Issue with a complimentary blade stand The Khaki Issue is a 12 inch blade weighing approximately 850 grams (1.874-ish pounds).

The stand is a standard wooden stand in black stain and lacquer.

The sheathes are made of buffalo hide and are tanned and fitted to the kukris. As you can see by the photo of the top of the machete, the blade is extraordinarily thick, almost 1/2" at the spine which adds to the hefty feel of the blade. The handles are made of carved hardwood and each blade has a full tang. Awesome.

I am a happy camper.

Look over your shoulder. . . !

21 February 2009

Revisiting the Urban areas, . . planning . . .planning. . and mo' planning

Ok, so like most people, you live in or near an urban area, probably a suburban nightmare of a place, in a tract home with crappy defenses, and a series of strip malls or even a large mall nearby.

You probably have 2.2324588930 or so children, have two vehicles like the soccer mom SUV and Dad's Beamer.

You are a casual camper, mostly car-camping, have most of your camping gear strewn about the garage and closets in the house, have canned goods in the pantry, a couple of flashlights you bought on sale at Walmart five years ago (only one of them has batteries), and your home is plagued with sliding glass doors and windows where the undead hordes can smash through.

Your first aid kit is split between the bathroom cabinets, drawers, the kitchen knick-nack drawer, and a box in the closet (you haven't checked the first aid kit since you bought it five years ago), and the only weapon you have in the house is an aluminum baseball bat that you bought for your son.

You got one of those emergency information guides from the city a while back, you know, the one with the magnetic backing that you can stick on the refrigerator door? but you still haven't read through it or filled out the spaces for contact numbers and things, and you haven't gone over any sort of emergency plan with your family because. . . . well . . . there's always tomorrow.

YOU SIR, are fucked.

Does this sound like many people that you may know? or hell, it may even be you. Not to worry, because if you are taking the precious time out of your day to read my insane blog, you are well on your way to start preparing yourself for H.O.E. (Hell On Earth).

Emergency Planning is all about the mindset that you have. In the event of an emergency, many people that have not thought it through are left to scramble around in hysteria.

Merely changing your mindset and taking a day to prepare will increase your chances in the event of H.O.E.

The reason I mention Urban areas is obvious. In a Z.E. (Zombie Event), the more people that you have around, the more zombies you will have. No brainer here. Although rural living takes more planning and equipment, those fortunate enough to live in the sticks have an easier time dealing with and circumventing the undead.

If you are one of the unfortunates, myself included, then planning is key. Determine at least (3) three routes out of the area and map it out. Drive it or walk it if possible to do a bit of recon prior to a Z.E. occurring. Have these maps handy with your 72-Hour bag!

The routes should include possible stops for supplies, weapons, ammunition, or even a better vehicle. If it is a walking route, make sure that your 72-Hour bag can be carried comfortably and securely (i.e.: a backpacking bag, you know, one of those 5000+ cubic inch bags for week-long treks).

Get the hell out of dodge. Unless your home is a fortress with a long term supply of food, water, and ammo, your best alternative is to plot a course for a rural area.

Also, get to know your destination. The one I picked is a set of lakes in the High Sierras, accessible by vehicle and it provides a good source of water, food, shelter, and seclusion. If I need to travel to an area for supplies, then it is approximately 20 miles from a gas station and 30 miles from an urban area. There is also a choke point between two steep hills where one of two roads enters this area; great for sniping, recon, etc.

My route also includes a stop at some of my coworkers homes for weapons, ammo, equipment, supplies, and vehicles. They are well versed in this plan and prepared for an emergency. Also, we share a good range of skillsets that will strengthen our ability to survive this crisis.

Well, nuff said. More to come. . .

Panic = Fear = Delay = Food for worms. Don't Panic.

20 February 2009

KublaCon 2009 . . Burlingame, California . .Hyatt Regency Burlingame

Well for those of you that have no frackin' idea what I'm talking about, this is basically a gaming convention in the Bay Area (California).

"Gaming" includes pen-and-paper role playing games, military strategy table top games, boardgames, card games, live action role playing games, etc. etc. . you get it. Everything you can think of in terms of good ole' fashioned gaming (Not gambling or computer games though).

I say ole' fashioned because it is the gritty stuff that games are made of; rolling dice, character sheets, moving playing pieces, talking, discussion, problem-solving, scenarios, socializing, and essentially, being in FRONT of, face-to-face with real live people! Not sitting in your underwear and a smelly fracking robe, sucking on a two-liter bottle of Pepsi, barking at your girlfriend to make you some food while you play Star Wars Galaxies for 18 hours of your miserable existence a day.

I'm talking about getting out and mingling with other nerds! Yaaaaaay!! I got mail!!

It's something that I have been involved with for the past 22 years and something I will continue to be involved in until I'm food for worms.

The main reason that I have stayed involved is that it gives me a chance to get together with my lifelong friends (25+ years). I still find it amazing that we have stayed together for this amount of time.

In addition to participating in the gaming convention, I also contribute by "running" games, or GM'ing (GameMaster). This year, my game involves a graphic horror genre (go figure).

Here's a synopsis of the event:

Title: DID YOU JUST HEAR SOMETHING?

You are at home, a quiet neighborhood nestled in the heart of a rural community, relaxing to the sound of rain and the gentle rustling of the leaves in the trees outside your window.

Your eyelids are half closed as you begin to fall asleep, the television volume barely audible . . . a dog barking in the distance. .

Then a sound outside startles you. .

There it is again. . . .

Well, there ya go. If you are interested, take a peek at this website:

Kublacon 2009

Keep your weapons clean!

4 more days til I pick up the new pistola. . .

FRAK YES! actually, . . 87 hours and 42 minutes-ish.

FRAK YES!

Khukri and me!

Morning folks, Leaded here at 0628 hours . . fiending over a cup of Joe (which I'll probably grab in a little bit from my favorite local coffee house, It's a Grind).

Well well well, after a long search for the much desired blade, I think I have found it at a shop in Nepal, a place called the Khukri House .

The store was referred to me by a co-worker as we were both searching for a good place to buy a quality Khukri. For those of you that don't know what a khukri is (the spelling can vary . . kukri, khukri), the history of the knife is as follows (as described by Wikipedia):


"The Kukri is a curved Nepalese knife used as both tool and weapon. It is also a part of the regimental weaponry and heraldry of The Royal Gurkha Rifles. It is known to many people as simply the "Gurkha Blade" or "Gurkha Knife". Also widely used in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand state of India, where it is called Kaanta or Dafya (in Kumaoni).

The kukri is basically designed for chopping and stabbing purposes as a weapon of war, but it still can be used in other household or daily tasks, such as: building or digging a furrow, to cut meat and vegetables, to cut trees etc. It functions as a cross between a knife and an axe.[1]

Depending on the purpose, its design and manufacture varies. Blades are usually 3 - 10 cm wide and 30 – 38 cm long, but size varies depending on its purpose. Blades are deflected at an angle of 20° or more, with a thick spine and a single sharp cutting edge; this causes the end section of the blade to strike square on, greatly increasing chopping effectiveness.

Kukri blades are often forged from leaf springs intended for the suspension of trucks. The tang of the blade usually extends all the way through to the end of the handle; the small portion of the tang that projects through the end of the handle is hammered flat to secure the blade. A kukri blade has a hard, tempered edge and a softer spine. This enables it to maintain a sharp edge, yet tolerate impacts. They are also balanced so that they will rest in a vertical position if supported on a fulcrum, e.g. a finger.

Traditional kukris usually have handles made from hardwood or water buffalo horn. These handles are often fastened with a kind of tree sap called laha (also known as "Himalayan epoxy"). With a wood or horn handle, the tang may be heated and burned into the handle to ensure a tight fit, since only the section of handle which touches the blade is burned away. In more modern kukri, handles of cast aluminum or brass are press-fitted to the tang - as the hot metal cools it shrinks and hardens, locking onto the blade. Some kukris (such as the ones made by contractors for the modern Indian Army) have a very wide tang with handle slabs fastened on by two or more rivets, commonly called a full tang (chiruwa) configuration.

Traditional profiling of the blade edge is performed by a two-man team; one man spins a grind wheel forwards and backwards by means of a rope wound several times around an axle, while the sharpener applies the blade. The wheel is made by hand from fine river sand bound by laha, the same adhesive used to the affix the handle to the blade. Routine sharpening is traditionally accomplished by passing a chakmak (smaller, harder, unsharpened blade) over the edge in a manner similar to that used by Western chefs to steel their knives.

Kukri sheaths are usually made of wood with a goatskin covering. The leatherwork is usually done by a sarki. Traditionally, the scabbard also holds two smaller tools called the karda and the chakmak. The karda is a small accessory blade used for many tasks. The chakmak is unsharpened and is used to burnish the blade. It can also be used to start a fire with flint. Attached to older style scabbards there is sometimes a pouch for carrying flint or dry tinder.

Kukris usually have a notch or a pair of adjacent notches (the "kaura" or "cho") at the base of the blade. Various reasons are given for this, both practical and ceremonial: that it makes blood and sap drop off the blade rather than running onto the handle; that it delineates the end of the blade whilst sharpening; that it is a symbol representing the Hindu goddess Kali. A kukri can also have one or more fullers, including the "aunlo bal" (finger of strength/force/energy), a relatively deep and narrow fuller visible in the modern example above, as well as one or more "chirra", which may refer either to shallow fullers in the belly of the blade or a hollow grind of the edge [1]. This groove is said to symbolize the spear of the god Shiva. There are other stories about the meaning of these decorations. Very often the knifesmith will put his own maker's mark near the handle as well."

Again, I referenced Wikipedia for this information to give a much clearer description of the blade rather than fumbling through it with my limited vocabulary.

I chose this store to purchase from because of the quality of workmanship and materials utilized. Also, the website gave excellent insight into the history of the Ghurka as well as the Khukri.

My experience with the purchase was very "personal" as I was sent emails from a woman in Nepal named "Malina" who is a customer service representative for the store. She made sure to keep me informed of the completion dates and shipping info on a timely basis.

The store also has great photos of all of the blades as well as accessories. There is also extensive information on the care and maintenance of the kukris.

I'll post some homemade photos of the knives when they arrive (around ten to fourteen days). I would copy and paste the company photos of the blades but they were EXTREMELY SPECIFIC about copyright infringement and so on. . .so I'll take my own photos for you to see.

If you are interested in viewing the blades that I ordered at their website, here are the links:

The Khukri Machete (All-Rounder) The machete is 14 inches long and weighs approximately 1200 grams (2.645-ish pounds)

and

The Khaki Issue with a complimentary blade stand The Khaki Issue is a 12 inch blade weighing approximately 850 grams (1.874-ish pounds).

The store will also do engraving including pictures (such as, oh, Star Hero symbols? hint, hint).

Take a peek . . . and remember,

Shoot them in the head.



Check your six. . .

Emotional Preparation . . .the killer in the dark . . .

In many survival situations one of the greatest dangers to the human spirit is the emotional damage caused by a traumatic event.

Let's make one thing clear, the ubiquitous undead have no emotions, experience no fear, love, or hate, and absolutely WILL NOT STOP, . . . .until you are dead. Ok, pardon the Terminator movie paraphrasing, but I elucidate my meaning.

As humans, we are subject to all of this and more. Now, I am not saying that we are to become robots, but there is a time and place for emotional responses, and in a survival situation, there is very little room for error. Zombie events are dynamic and survival is based on quick and decisive resolutions.

I understand that when there are multiple lives involved, complex situations occur that can have a negative effect on survival, which is why I prefer to be solo. Regardless, we are human and will make mistakes, but we can have some control in a zombie situation so we can significantly reduce those mistakes.

As a disclaimer, I am NOT a counselor or psychiatrist by any means. The knowledge I am providing here is from my own experiences, training, and research. It is VERY basic information and you should do more research for your own edification.

1. Food/Water - Rest - Exercise. Very basic and no-brainer. Essentially this is what everyone should be getting, and no, this isn't a commercial. Before and during the event, these are necessary for emotional health and survival. Pretty obvious. I know that in a post-apocalyptic world these things may be difficult at times to acquire, but they should be priority one.

Remember, nothing fancy. Food/Water is going to taste like shit sometimes, as long as it is edible/drinkable and safe. Rest won't always be an (8) eight hour beauty rest. Sometimes a cat nap is all you can get, so take it.

Exercise is the easiest component. Don't overwork yourself to the point where you can't lift your shotgun and plug a zombie in the head. Pushups, situps, jogging, jumping jacks, burpies, squats, stretching, hand-to-hand practice, etc. are all excellent activities because they don't require any special equipment and some of them can even be done in cramped quarters.

2. Keep busy. Simply put, whether it be weapon maintenance, logistical planning, reviewing maps, preparing food for travel storage, playing chess, etc. Nothing keeps depression away like keeping busy.

3. Humor - Conversation - Discussion

Keeping the mind busy is just as important as keeping the body busy. Humor is one of the best ways to boost morale and conversation and discussion provokes thought within the group. Analysis of strategies and mental scenarios can help you deal with traumatic events. If you see someone fading away into a catatonic stupor, attempt to involve this person in simple but necessary tasks and slowly build that person back up to reality. NOTE: Weapon Cleaning is not a suggested task.

4. When you get a chance, do the things that you enjoy. Whether it be reading, writing, jerking-off, playing guitar, etc. .

Remember not to compromise your safety, but being able to do something that you enjoy, even in a desolate and dark hell, will help to maintain your sanity. I suggest porn or poker.

5. Last, but definitely not least, accept your mistakes and persevere. Survival, not self-pity and guilt, is the focus. We cannot control the outcome of everything, but we can certainly train ourselves to control how we react.

More to come. . . sorry for the absence. . .pics of the new pistol to come next week. . .

13 February 2009

Not that I'm a suspicious person but. .

It is Friday the 13th after all. Therefore, I plan to recheck my weapons and supplies cache today. I always get an eerie feeling around this day, regarded a holiday by some emo or goth types I'm sure.

It's still raining like piss out there and it doesn't seem like its going to let up. Granted, we need the rain and the snow up in the mountains, and I don't have to wash my truck, but I could do without the spot flooding.

Look over your shoulder and be prepared!

New pistola . . . Smith and Wesson Model 360 Airweight. . .38 Special

Well well well . . . .Lead, you have been slacking. . . .sorry folks. . .long week at work and other bullshit has kept me away from keeping up my blog.

I apologize profusely.

But. . . .(drum roll please) . . . .

I have purchased yet another weapon that will be carried on my person at all times.

A compact Smith and Wesson Model 360 Airweight revolver in .38 Special.

SO SMALL! You say . . .

Yes, but practical for my needs. And for it's size, loaded with Speer 135 grain +P ammunition (Speer 135 gr. .38 Special Gold Dot Hollow Point), it punches guts and bone.

The round travels at about 866 feet per second with a muzzle energy of approximately 225 ft./lbs.

When I pick the pistol up I'll post some pics of it and the ammunition. This is regarded as an excellent back-up pistol for off-duty use. The pistol weighs approximately 15 ounces and is small enough to be carried while wearing shorts or on your ankle.

And for the price ($475), it was a complete package hehe.

More to come. . .

07 February 2009

I would be remiss in my duties . . .

if I didn't include more on guns . .

My favorite zombie killer, a 12 gauge shotgun. Preference would be towards my Remington 870 Police Magnum (Wilson Arms/Border Patrol Model) since it is a pump shottie, but I included a photo of my favorite shotgun, a Remington 1187 with ghost ring sights.



Mostly for some close quarters situations, I also keep it handy for those unfortunate few that "accidently" wander into my home uninvited.

I recommend 00 Buck and a handful of slugs as your ammo loadout.

Forget all that you once knew . . .and just survive!

Arggghhh. .. . . .lack of caffeine headache. . ..

OHhhhhhhh argghh. . . . the classic near migraine resulting from the lack of caffeine. . . . OMFG!

Omw to I.A.G. (It's a Grind) for some joe. Gotta get some work done too. .

Got new neighbors moving in across the street. Gotta do some recon on them before I expose myself (not literally, just a meet-and-greet).

Gotta get out of this neighborhood though. Suburban wasteland, poorly constructed tract homes, shitty escape routes, and food for worms.

Ideally, a warehouse with high windows, a large entry door where I can drive my truck inside, cameras on the surround and on the corners of the buildings, a second floor loft area, and a wide open space below for a workshop/reloading area/etc. located on the edge of an industrial area with good escape routes through rural areas.

Check your six. . .

Great photo from Rahshia Linendoll Sawyer . .


Leaded Coffee . . . .Nuff said.

by Rahshia Linendoll Sawyer

Be equipped and prepared at all times!

Inconvenient, too much to carry, looks like shit, blah blah blah, and then the one time you need it, you don't have it and then you are quite fucked.

You have one life. That's it. Does that mean drive around in a tank when you want to get some coffee? Hrmm, maybe discretion is the better part of valor.

But at home? When home invasion robberies and potential zombie incidents are a concern?

Why not be prepared?



(HK USP .40 cal Full Size with an extra magazine in a tactical thigh rig and a 60 lumen LED flashlight)

It's not that uncomfortable and it's easy to remove when you go to bed (I like to keep this, for close encounters, in addition to two shotguns, but hey who's counting).

I pity the day some zombie bastard or home invasion puke breaks into my house.

For the not so paranoid, I recommend a good escape plan, a house alarm, getting to know your neighbors, know your emergency contact numbers, have a cell phone or house phone near your bed, make sure your windows and doors are locked at night, and place some kind of noise maker on your doors, like a bell.

I also sleep with my bedroom door locked and a quick bag with my keys, gun, ammo, wallet, cash, knife, and flashlight handy near the bed.

Be Prepared!

Movie Review: Dawn of the Dead 1978 and 2004

One of my all time favorite zombie films was Dawn of the Dead by George Romero in 1978. I mean, who wouldn't want to hold up in a castle-like structure beating back the hoards of undead and surviving off of J.C. Penney's and a Food Court?

Well, ok it wasn't a castle and when zombies come, I would hope most people have enough sense to AVOID malls like a plague.

Let's talk about the 1978 version:

Entertainment value? I give the movie 4.5 out of 5 brains. .5 less for ending too soon.

Strategically speaking? Horrible choices. I mean, training the woman to fly the helicopter was smart. Teaching her to shoot somewhat, even better.

But Flyboy? I think I would have buried him in his own fecal matter or fed him to the walking undead garbage disposals. Pure Idiot.

The concept of taking what you can get in a survival situation is essential but expecting to defend an entire mall from zombies and other looters? No chance. You are better off grabbing what you can and moving on to find fuel or perhaps get a more practical method of travel.

Grab the guns, ammo, some food, practical clothing, maps, etc. and get the hell outta dodge!

2004 Version:

Ving Rhames is badass in this movie but he can't drive worth a shit, considering he is supposed to be a police sergeant. I wanted to see gratuitous sex with Sarah Polley and Lindy Booth, but the scene with Kim Poirier and Ty Burrell was decent.

Ok, moving on. . . The mall again, poor selection, but at the time they didn't have a chopper or any transportation for that matter, so it was the closest choice. Lucky for them, the mall was locked down fairly tight by the mall cops, a particularly overzealous bunch but smart for being paranoid nevertheless.

Ok, I want to jump to the guy in the gun store across the parking lot from the mall. They kept rattling their brains on how to get over to the guy without being made into lunchmeat.

Their solution, underground passage to the front of the gun store, then a short stint through about 20 or so undead meanies. Not too bad but they placed themselves in unnecessary danger in that last 20 feet from the manhole cover to the front of the gun store. Also, they should have covered their retreat a little better. Underground, in the maintenance tunnel, they walked through a doorway with a metal gate. A length of chain and someone waiting in the tunnel as they ran past would have solved the problem of the baddies following them. As the group retreated through the gate, the person waiting there would pull the gate shut and then secure it with the chain. Voila!

Another method to get to the gun store:

The truck that Lindy Booth (Nicole) drove to the front of the gun store was a 5 ton delivery truck with a 12 foot tall cab. She was able to successfully negotiate the zombie hoard and park in front of the store.

My suggestion: Modify the truck so that there is a roof hatch in the box in back and have the front cab reinforced to withstand a beating.

Drive over to the gun store and park as close to the front of the store as possible, giving the zombies no leverage to tip the truck. The driver and a passenger can stay secured inside the cab and perhaps you can open up a hole between the cab and the box so the driver can get out safely.

Have an extension ladder in the box in back popped through the roof and another ladder on top of the roof of the box. Secure the second ladder to a second story window with rope and climb in through the second floor window.

The box is about 12 feet tall which is tall enough to be out of reach of the undead meanies.

Once inside, give food to Andy, the gun store owner, and then start unloading a SHITLOAD of equipment. As the equipment is loaded, it will give the truck extra leverage to motor through the masses.

Once the truck is loaded, start shooting as many zombies as possible to clear the way for the truck. Once that is done, motor back to the mall and VOILA! Guns, Ammo, Andy, and a nice truck to use for later.

The same technique can be used for unloading the equipment at the mall as well.

Ok now the two mall vans. Not bad but I would have spent more time planning a route around the city if possible.

ALSO. NO FUCKING CHAINSAWS IN THE PASSENGER AREA PLEASE. Guns ok, but the old guy with a chainsaw sawing through the blonde hottie is not my idea of surviving.

I would have chosen better trucks to use, like the 5 ton delivery truck perhaps. It has better torque and can be weighed down with equipment for more stability.

The selection of clothing they chose, hrmm. . . useless. I would have gone to the sporting goods store and put on some padding, hell even a good leather jacket, gloves, and good boots would have been a better choice.

Still, I enjoyed both films. Hell they are classics for chrissakes. How can any true American zombie lover not like Dawn of the Dead?

5 brains out of 5.

Remember, always look over your shoulder!

05 February 2009

Coffee . . . .mmmm. . coffee. . . .rrrr .. coffee

So here i sit at 0844 hours and the rain is still coming down in this crappy bedroom community my ex-wife chose for me to live in (I will be moving soon to a more secure location).

And I haven't had a cup of coffee in 12 hours.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! (Let's out a primal scream similar to the one Arnold Schwarzenegger let out in the movie "Predator")

I'm on my way to a favorite coffee shop of mine in a nearby strip mall. Free Wi-fi, great customer service, awesome coffee, and electrical outlets near the ground! The plethora of attractive women has some slight influence over my decision to come to this shop, but only slightly.

Mind you, for anyone that knows me, I appreciate a small, neighborhood-style coffeehouse that serves a mean cup of coffee. Not necessarily franchise free, but small enough that the coffee doesn't taste like someone took a dump in the grounds. A place where the baristas actually know your name and face, remember your drink, and remember the conversation you had with them last week!

Two of my all time favorites near where I live are It's a Grind and The Naked Lounge. The second one is not a strip club, although the idea of a strip club/coffeehouse and roastery has crossed my mind.

Two of my favorites, besides a simple cup a' joe, are the Large Soy Tuxedo and the Large Naked Mocha. If you are in town, try em' out. Highly recommended.

04 February 2009

Check on my blog for links to several good survival sites!

As this blog progresses, I will be posting different survival site links that give good tips on survival.

Let's talk about a bug-out bag (72 hour bag).

Essentially, the bug-out bag is a bag or container that has everything you would need to survive for at least 72 hours.

Now I know that depending on your location and situation, your bag can contain a variety of items, but a standard load-out should include:

(items were cited from SurvivalTopics.com)

Food and Water for at least 72 hours (MRE's and backpacking meals are good)
First Aid Kit
Disaster Plan with location and contact information of emergency services
Maps, Compass (GPS unit)
Emergency Shelter such as tents and tarps
Fire-starting supplies
Cooking supplies
Clothing
Warm Blankets
Tools (A good multi-tool, a damn good knife)
Weapons and Ammunition
Pet Supplies (if needed)
Radio
Lighting
Water purification (chemical, filter, etc)
Signaling (whistle, signal mirror, flares, etc)

Additional things to consider:

Cellphone
Cash Money! I would recommend at least $300 in small bills
Copies of your Passport, Identification, etc.
Porn! (or entertainment for the kids)


More to come!

03 February 2009

Nooooo! I missed a day! Nooooo! Water and Fuel Storage.

It was because of work, trust me. It is so suitable that I work a true 12 hour graveyard shift and I post on a zombie incident survival blog. I quite literally blacken out my windows at home, turn the television on very low volume, and have a nice long turd before falling fast asleep.



When I'm not falling fast asleep, I flip on the ole' PS3 and work on my hand-eye coordination by playing some Call of Duty:World at War Online. Damn kids these days are good! or they cheat really well. . . bah. . . 4 to 1 kill ratio isn't too bad, or so I say.

More on Zombie Survival:

Organization in the home is key. Get rid of the JUNK! Organize your survival supplies into a centralized area. I use one wall in my garage using shelving and two large wheeled storage containers. I like this method because it allows me easy access to all of the items, it let's me see them all in one area, and I have room to work (the garage floor). Also, it is located near the vehicles so I can easily transfer the items to the truck quickly.

Remember, if you store things like extra water and fuel, you want to change those out regularly. Conservatively speaking, and to keep everything fresh, you want to change it out every couple of months. You can use bottled water which stores well, or if you pour your own tap water into containers (I recommend 5 gallon containers for ease of transport) you should look into liquid household bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite/ .5 teaspoon per 5 gallons) or iodine (100 drops per 5 gallons) for storage.

BOILING WORKS TOO.

Fuel should be stored in metal fuel cans away from hot water heaters, flame sources, electrical outlets, etc. A shed would be good. Change the fuel out every 1-2 months with fresh stuff and keep enough for at least an additional tank (28 gallons for me).

Food: I recommend MRE's, canned goods, backpacking meals, and other non-perishable items that can keep for some time.

More on survival goods later!

01 February 2009

Happy Birthday to the SuperGoober!

Had a great dinner last night with the SuperGoober, The Professor, The Acupuncturer, The Discourser, Ntt, the rest of the group, their significant others, and even a baby!

Good times had by all and great food. All the while I was wondering how I would survive a zombie incident in the restaurant. Urban area, not many exits, lots of people.

FOOD FOR WORMS!

30 January 2009

Fucking Hilarious!

Thank you to the Acupuncturer for sending me the link to this video from Austin, Texas.

http://www.kxan. com/dpp/news/ Road_signs_ warn_of_zombies

Preparation is key!

Ok so I'm a coffee drinker .. .

Short note:

I have to recommend the best Kona coffee I have ever tasted. .Kona Joe's Peaberry Kona Coffee. I think you can only get it from Kona-Kailua in Hawaii but once you've tried it, you will never go back to that generic, burnt crap from S---bucks.

Kinda pricey, but if you like your coffee like i do, then it's worth it.

Look behind you!

Leaded, Why gaming? I mean, Zombies and Guns, sure, but. . .gaming?!?!

Certainly gaming, specifically role-playing games (pen and paper). Video games are nice, but pen and paper role playing games force you to think and plan and assess. Hrmmm . . . sound familiar?

The US Military does it all the time with wargames, law enforcement does it with emergency planning and "scenario training," and civilians do it with "therapy."

See my point?

I have been an avid pen-and-paper role player for over 24 years, ever since my first game of Top Secret where I was introduced into a world of spies and 007-type scenarios.

Can you see how it relates to preparation for zombie incidents?

More on this later. .

29 January 2009

Let's talk about groups, shall we?

SuperGoober and Garandman both had a couple of questions regarding the organization of groups or teams, and the use of a high caliber longarm, such as the M-14. How are they related?

Let me elaborate.

The firearm package that I described in an earlier post was designed around the solo survivalist, dealing specifically with the undead. In fact, if we broaden the spectrum to general survival, I would also include a good .22 rifle for hunting and, if you have time and high ground, killing zombies by going for headshots and soft tissue shots in the head (eyes and nasal bridge to cause damage to the brain).

Now, back to the group thing. Having a wider variance of weaponry will definitely call for more than one person, considering the weight involved in carrying different caliber ammunition. You could switch out the M-4 for the M-14 or M-1 Garand, but in my opinion, if you are solo, you want to be consolidated and have multipurpose weaponry.

In a group setting, two or more people can opt to carry a wider variety of weaponry, so in this case, having a high caliber, longer range option is possible.

With groups, you have to be concerned about dynamics. ANY hesitation in decision-making is like a ticking bomb waiting to happen. Sure a group of friends can get together and have a party but in a survival setting, where stress is a HUGE factor, the ability to overcome and adapt to the setting is CRUCIAL.

What kills people in a stressful survival situation is the irrational bullshit that most normal people succumb to. For example, emotions, especially when one sees a family member who has been turned a walking undead cesspool, can produce deadly situations. WAKE UP! (slap to the face) and SURVIVE!

My recommendation: IF you can overcome the bullshit, have good group dynamics (I would recommend people that you have known for some time, have a good mixture of skillsets (IE: Survival, weapon skills, navigation, medical skills, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, etc,), and are prepared, then groups can work.

Strategy:

Preparation is the key. Everyone should have a fifteen minute bag. What I'm talking about here is a survival kit, similar to a general survival kit that will allow them to leave their home/location in fifteen minutes.

Why fifteen minutes?

In the event of a zombie incident, I agree with SuperGoober regarding his assessment of news and radio reports. These incidents will be discarded as rioting or large disturbances in localized areas. In a perfect world, this is the moment where you should begin to put your emergency plan into effect. However, in the real world, most of us would be thinking "wow, that's interesting, gee, I hope everyone is ok and the police get that situation under control, I sure hope it doesn't come into my area!"

FOOD FOR WORMS. You just don't know it.

AT MINIMUM, your gear should be placed in a location that is easy to get to, make sure the location you are at is secure, get your maps out, and start making calls to your other team members. If you have another person with you, give them clear and concise instructions to assist you (maybe loading gear, gathering food, clothing, etc.)

When the situation is beginning to expand and the emergency services begin to widen their perimeters, you have approximately fifteen (15) minutes to get your shit ready to go.

At this point, load the vehicle (Preferably a truck or van) and start the move. Get to a predetermined meeting location if you are meeting other members of your team (this will be dynamic based on the location(s) of the zombie incident.

When the Emergency BroadCast System is put into effect, you should be well on the way to your meeting area.

I will go into more detail on group strategies and equipment packages soon!

Zombie Soundboard

Night of the Living Dead Soundboard

28 Days Later Soundboard