I’ve had my classroom CPL training (Concealed Pistol License) and have taken the written test.  Now to go to the range and do the three hours of shooting instruction – and the shooting test at the end.

I’ve learned quite a bit from these classes.  First rule of handling a handgun: Never point it at anyone, even if it’s unloaded (unless, of course, you are pointing it at your assailant!).  I didn’t realize how HARD that was until I went to Gander Mountain yesterday to buy a handgun.  While looking at it, just turning it from side to side on the glass counter I accidentally pointed it at Roger several times.  In holding it and testing the feel of it, I had a hard time figuring out where to point it.  I ended up either pointing it up or at the wall behind the counter.

I also learned a bit about self defense.  And a rule that was totally opposite to what I was taught when I was much younger.  ”NEVER BACK DOWN” When I was younger, I was taught not to fight – that it would make it worse.  Now the rule is don’t back down, don’t give up, don’t give in or you will end up dead.  That is for personal attacks, not someone snatching your purse away from you.  I also learned there were several rules to defending yourself.  You have the right to stop someone from attacking you, but you cannot use deadly force if they are stealing your iPod off the counter (unless they are pointing a gun at you while they are taking it).  So while you can protect your property, you cannot use deadly force unless you are threatened with deadly force.  

I’m really glad I took this class.  I feel that after a few times at the range I’ll feel comfortable with this, and will be able to use it to defend myself if the need ever arises.  

This is the one I bought. It fit my hand well, was well balanced, and carries 15 rounds in the clip.  So even if I’m a bad shot, if I am attacked, I get 15 chances to stop my attacker.

I just read this blog by Henry Rollins – best known for his song “Liar” – on the Steubenville Rape case.  Good read.  He is more intellectual than I would have given him credit for.

http://henryrollins.com/dispatch/detail/dispatch_03-17-12_los_angeles/

I think pretty much everyone who reads my blog knows @Megabyyte, but in case you don’t, she is a very nice young woman who is going to be walking for the March of Dimes “March for Babies” in April and could use your donation!  Large or small, anything will help 

I donated $25 to this cause, I’ve posted this message several times, and so far as I can tell, I am the only person who has donated.  

@Megabyyte is one of the most popular bloggers right now, and I can’t understand this.  Maybe I need to tag all of her friends.  These are only the ones that have commented on her blog in the last day or two.  I hope they will help spread the word on this. 

@donkey-guy-10
@plantinthewindow
@Inciteful
@buddy71
@Annieothergirl
@olwd
@SlickRick297
@xplorrn
@PorcelainDoll_xo
@Its_PapaBear
@chocodawg_ld
@isitreal_no
@AngelAsh_86

 I challenge anyone who calls her a friend to donate even $1 to this cause, to show her your support and how proud of her you are for doing this walk!   If anyone is worried about privacy or anonymity, they can give anonymously.

And in case you are wondering, I don’t really know her at all.  Just from reading her blog here.  She also hasn’t asked me to help her in this.  I just believe in this cause and I can’t do the walk myself, so I would like to see her meet her goal.  And if I could afford the whole amount myself, I would have donated that much.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/Megabyyte

I’ve decided I can’t have any dairy at all.  Even a small amount of butter will cause me gastric distress.  I thought yogurt was okay because of the live cultures and finally decided that it wasn’t because of all the gastric distress (that I put off to other things).  I *LOVE* all things dairy and now even yogurt is off the table, and that was my ‘healthy snack’ – I would eat a 4 ounce greek yogurt instead of a couple of cookies.

I think pretty much everyone who reads my blog knows @Megabyyte, but in case you don’t, she is a very nice young woman who is going to be walking for the March of Dimes “March for Babies” and could use your donation!  Large or small, anything will help

http://www.marchforbabies.org/Megabyyte

Since about Christmas, I’ve been having chronic nosebleeds.  I have looked up nosebleeds on several sites (mostly medical, like MayoClinic.com) and for the most part, it seems they are harmless and usually caused by dry air.  However, according to our whole house humidifier, the house is at about 50% humidity, and my smaller room humidifier says my bedroom is between 50 and 60% humidity at all times.