Why Republican Men Are Happy

Thanks to Mark's wife for sending this to me :-) Click the image to enlarge!

Dave

The Lost Symbol

THE LOST SYMBOL
Dan Brown

I decided to read this book based on a recommendation from a friend. I have never read anything else by Dan Brown, so I really didn’t know what to expect. My friend told me he couldn’t put it down. I’ve had the opposite problem with a lot of books I’ve read…I easily could put them down because they weren’t all that good. I love to read, but the book has got to keep me interested.

I’ll go ahead and say that I’m giving this one five stars. Is this the best novel I have ever read? No. But it is one of the most suspenseful, riveting, difficult-to-put-down novel I have ever read. I was reading for two hours at a time, which is something I never do. I was reading with the TV blaring, my daughter playing loudly, my wife talking on the phone, all at the same time, and I was focused. This novel grabbed me and held my interest.. I love how the chapters are short, the action is fast, with lots of twists and turns and cliffhangers throughout the whole book.

It's not literature, it's entertainment. Nothing more. Judging it by that standard, it gets the five stars.

Dave

Killer Instinct

Killer Instinct
Joseph Finder

I finished reading this book over the weekend, and thought I'd post a review. The only other book I have read by Finder is Power Play, which was good and is why I decided to read another one by him.

I like the premise of the story, which is about a sales exec whose career is going nowhere until he meets an ex-Special Forces soldier. They become friends and the sales exec gets him a job at his company. After that, good things start to happen for the sales exec, while bad things start to happen to his enemies. He finally realizes that his new friend is behind everything good and bad that's been happening. He gets in trouble when their friendship starts to go bad.

I don't want to give anything away about the book, so I'll just say that I didn't think the writing was as good as it was with Power Play, and I think Finder forced his way through the book, much like I had to force myself to finish it. I'd only give this one a 2 on a scale of 1 to 5.

Dave

Does Kiffin Out Equal Gruden In?

Lane Kiffin essentially gave everyone in Tennessee the finger after one season. I was very pissed off just like most Vol fans, but I soon realized this could be a blessing in disguise. If the result of Kiffin leaving ends up with Jon Gruden coming in, that would be great. I'd trade Kiffin for Gruden any day of the week and twice on gameday. There are rumors that Gruden coaching at UT is a possibility. I've got my fingers crossed.

"Chucky"

Dave

Fobus Holster For A Revolver

Thanks For The America!

So, Mark calls me this morning and says, "Do you still want to make a bet on the Georgia-Tennessee game?" I said sure. We decided that we would wager a CAO America cigar on the game. Based on the line that I looked at, Georgia was favored by 1 point. So Mark was willing to give the point and the friendly wager was made.

FYI, Mark lives in Georgia and is a Bulldogs fan. I live in Tennessee and am a Vols fan. Final score of the game: Tennessee 45, Georgia 19. Enough said :-)

I do like the America, but somehow I think I will enjoy this next one even more than usual. BTW, Mark, no pissing on the cigar before you send it or anything like that!

Dave

Anniversary Cigars!

Today is my wedding anniversary, and the above pic is what my wife gave to me. You see in the picture one of my very favorite cigars…the Oliva Serie G maduro. One that I have never tried before, the Camacho Triple Maduro, which is supposed to be the world’s only all maduro cigar. Yes, Mark I’ll let you know how it is :-)

Also, you see the red tin containing 10 CAO maduro mini cigars. I’ve already tried one of these. I’ll give it a 5 on a 1 to 10 scale. But then the big dog is the tubed cigar to the right. This is the Zino Platinum Double Grande. She said she wanted to get me one “expensive” cigar. She tried to get a Titan, but the place didn’t have one. This Zino is a $32.00 cigar. I can’t wait to smoke it, and I’ll write a review once I do.

Happy Anniversary to my wife, and thanks for the smokes.

Dave

R.I.P. Bodhi

My wife called down the stairs to me and asked if I had heard about Patrick Swayze. Everyone knew that it was coming for a long time, but I still hated to hear it. I didn't know him except through the movies I watched and interviews I heard, but he has been one of, if not my favorite, actor for years.

The first movie I saw with him was Red Dawn. If you haven't seen it, watch it. Damn good movie for its time during the Cold War. As usual his character was great. My absolute favorite movie of his is Point Break. I have seen it many, many times...I may watch it again tonight.

A great actor, and someone I think I would have really enjoyed sitting down and having a beer with. There was nothing really negative ever published about him that I can remember. He was one of the few people in Hollywood I would really like to have met.

The image above is in the public domain as far as I can tell...if I'm wrong, let us know and we'll remove it.

Dave

Thanks For The Beretta

I just want to say thanks to my bro-in-law for loaning me this .40 caliber Beretta. This gun rocks. I love shooting it. I'm going to get one just like it somewhere down the road.

Dave

Big Orange Time

It's getting close and I'm starting to get Vols Fever. The first game is this coming Saturday. Check out the orange Bud Light above! I picked up a case of those bad boys today. Does the plate look familiar, Mark? Thanks again.

It's tough to say what kind of year the Vols will have, but hopefully Kiffin will be effective as head coach and there will be great games ahead. There will probably be some trash talkin' on this blog when Tennessee plays Georgia on October 10th. For those of you that don't know, I live in Tennessee and am a Vols fan, and Mark lives in Georgia and is a Bulldogs fan.

Dave

Bachelor Night

This post is a little late, but this past Friday night my wife and daughter were out of town, which left me to have a bachelor night. As it turned out, there was a preseason NFL game on. The Tennessee Titans were playing the Dallas Cowboys at the new Cowboy Stadium.

The above picture is what I fixed myself for supper. It was pretty damn good. Here's the recipe: (1) large size Stouffer's lasagna, (1) can green beans, (2) slices of texas toast, (1) six-pack of Bud Light. Not a bad meal for bachelor night while watching the game.

Dave

When Lightning Strikes...

This is just a few miles from my house. The storm was intense, but it only took one strike to do this.

Dave

Tennessee Handgun Carry Info

I came across a great blog post today outlining Tennessee's carry permit laws: When you can use it, and where you can't carry it. I remembered most of it from the permit class I took, but it was good to get a refresher. The link to the article is HERE. I went on to read some more of this man's blog, which was very good. (Mark, be sure to check it out). The address is www.lesjones.com.

On a side note, even though Mark and I talk about drinking, guns, and other things on this blog, we are responsible gun owners and citizens. Neither of us EVER handles a firearm if we have had anything to drink, and we obey all gun laws. Gun safety above everything if you are a gun owner, and remember that the barrel should NEVER pass across anyone or anything you don't intend to shoot...even if the gun is unloaded.

Dave

Ace Is Back...

Everyone that knows me knows I'm a longtime KISS fan. I have always been a fan of Ace Frehley too. The above pic is a screen grab of his new website (one of the coolest I have seen in a long time, I might add). He has a new album coming out in September called Anomaly, and the countdown has begun. I will be picking up this album as soon as it's out, and I will review it here. It's good to see Ace back in the "Groove". Everything I am hearing is that the album will be in the same vein as his '78 solo album. I can't wait. To find out more, click HERE.

Dave

Cheap-Ass Whiskey

Who would have thought it? My whiskey of choice is Gentleman Jack. However, here lately, I've been trying out some cheaper alternatives given the state of the economy and my economic situation. I generally will drink Gentleman Jack straight, and mix anything else. I mixed a glass of Canadian Mist and Sprite, and was pleasantly surprised that it was very good. Granted, Canadian Mist is nasty straight, but if you do a 30/70 mix with Sprite, it's pretty damn good (30% Mist, 70% Sprite). Gotta tell ya, I enjoyed it.

Dave

"Sticky" Holster Review

I recently purchased the above holster for my Ruger LCP. It is an inside the pocket holster that is supposed to keep the gun from moving around and keep it upright. They call it “sticky” because it is made of a “special high-adhesion fabric” that makes it resist slipping around in your pocket.

I wear cargo shorts most of the time and like to carry in the side pocket. I thought this holster would be exactly what I needed…and it is. It works great. It does prevent the gun from sliding around, and keeps it upright. The way the outside of the holster grips the fabric inside my pocket makes it easy to draw the gun while the holster stays in place. I also like the fact that the holster covers the trigger since this gun has no safety.

If you have an LCP, and carry in the pocket, I would recommend this holster. They’re easy to find…just do an eBay search.

Dave

R.I.P. Steve McNair

Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair was found dead in a Nashville condo yesterday. I was at a family cookout when I heard the news. As a Tennessean, and a Titans fan, I can say that while he had some minor brushes with the law, he did really seem to be a good guy. He did a lot of things in the community and came cross as being down-to-earth. I loved watching him play for the Titans, and he is leaving this life way too young. We don't know at this point the circumstances surrounding the murder, but it sounds like a murder/suicide based on what they are saying on the news. He had multiple gunshot wounds (including in the head), and the woman that was with him had 1 gunshot wound to the head.

He will be remembered for his toughness in the NFL and for being one of the most all-around athletic and talented players of the game. Click HERE to read more about him.

The above photo is believed to be in the public domain. If this is incorrect, please let us know.

Dave

Michael Jackson News

Is anyone else tired of this? Almost all news in the country seems to have shut down to concentrate on this guy. They spent years demonizing him (probably justifiably), but are doing the opposite now. Whatever...I'm sick of hearing about him. I mean really...let's put things in perspective.

Dave

A New Carry Gun...

OK, I've been wanting a small carry pistol that will just slip into the pocket of my short pants. I have been comparing the Kel-Tec P3AT and the Ruger LCP. Both .380 cal. Everything I have read said they are both good guns, but overall people seem to prefer the Ruger. I have a friend with an LCP, and I really liked that gun, and that's the one I really wanted.

I went to a gun show today and quickly scoped the place out. I saw two LCPs and several Kel-Tecs. The LCP I bought was new and the price was right. Before I got out of there I had two people ask me if it was for sale. I'm looking forward to shooting this little animal. I'll let you know how it goes. Click the pics to enlarge.

I got the quarter idea from Mark.

Dave

Summer Selection -- Part II

Got 'em! Thanks, Mark! I received the package he mentioned in his last post, and last night we hooked up on the phone and smoked the Padilla Obsidian. This is a full-bodied smoke that is very strong, and rich on flavor. I liked it and Mark loved it. It will be an interesting summer as we work our way through this great collection of cigars.

Dave