WHAT ARE YOU DOING TODAY (PICS)
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My partner Clara and our dog Chicken are driving through France to get to her family's country house in Auvergne. In Paris for my partner's birthday we had great food at La Septime. The day before we ate at The Yard, and the day after at Clamato. All recommended. Bread and coffee (and cinnamon rolls) from Ten Belles everyday. Did some fun rides in Paris and today a really great ride on newly surfaced roads around Cognac today. This weekend we head South.
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Don't know much about guns. This one doesn't look like made for hunting, rather for killing people.
Can't really see the fun.All guns are tools to make living things into dead ones. That this one is short-barreled and is made from polymer and aluminum instead of wood and steel makes it slightly more suited to one version of that task than another, but plenty of people hunt or just shoot paper with the same kind of rifle (minus the auto sear, obviously, but you can't see that from the outside).
…that said, "fun times" was definitely meant a little sarcastically. I enjoy the fine art of rifle marksmanship as much as any other hick, but I do this for a living because there's no way in hell I'm going to college without the GI Bill, not because I'm itching to use that thing on anybody.
@Nkwkfld looks delicious. Always wanted to go to France. Impressive as all hell that you did all that distance on a bike, too.
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…that said, "fun times" was definitely meant a little sarcastically. I enjoy the fine art of rifle marksmanship as much as any other hick, but I do this for a living because there's no way in hell I'm going to college without the GI Bill, not because I'm itching to use that thing on anybody.
We are not used to guns privately possessed over here. That's why I always get an uncomfortable feeling when I see someone handling a gun. I'm sure you're doing it with a lot of responsibility @Jestocost
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From one hick to another, shooting guns is absolutely fun IMO @Jestocost and you have a more noble reason for doing so than many: getting yourself an education by serving your country. Thank you for that.
That said, even as a gun owner, I would prefer a world without guns, even though they can help even asymmetric situations (like a big strong person attempting to kill a much smaller and less powerful person). And I envy @endo 's living in a society relatively free from guns. But the world has shown us, especially lately, that they can still be a necessary evil (and not even an evil if we're talking about putting food on your family's table).
I'll shut up about it now.
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I too joined the military for the GI Bill and without it my chances of getting a degree were slim to none. I grew up in a rural part of West Virginia where poverty is rampant and potential careers were/are non existent.
For large swathes of the U.S., joining the military is a great way to gain job experience, travel and see the world, receive medical and dental care that would be inaccessible to numerous American's, and the opportunity to go to college/university.
I applaud @Jestocost for his service. Thank you!!
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…after leaving the military, I moved to Canada where gun crime is extremely low and the average home owner does not have guns. It's quite remarkable to see the difference between Canadian and U.S. gun cultures and how people can get along without having to carry sidearms...
...and I'll shut up about it now.
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…@Nkwkfld righteous! Now run the Paris-Roubaix Race route, you'll find out in a hurry whether you have any loose fillings!
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@Jestocost Thank you for your service. I’m a Marylander, but spend as much time as I can in WV fishing and hiking.
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@Jestocost , I applaud your military service. From being a Vet from the USN, I totally understand you doing this. Thanks.
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Oh lawdy, I did not intend to make that much of the thread about me personally. My b, folks, but thank you all.
We are not used to guns privately possessed over here. That's why I always get an uncomfortable feeling when I see someone handling a gun. I'm sure you're doing it with a lot of responsibility @Jestocost
Ah. I grew up in a house with more firearms than people in it. Started shooting when I was twelve. Most of the people I interact with on a daily basis come from similar backgrounds, so I forget sometimes how unusual that kind up upbringing actually is. I apologize for getting defensive like that. Very US-centric of me.
@goosehd hello, fellow rust belter! I'm from Missouri, but the story there is much the same. Glad you made it out alright.
@mclaincausey at the risk of toeing the line on the 'no politics' rule, my general opinion is that it's better to have it and not need it, than to risk needing it and not having it. Though I understand why many would disagree. I don't regret my career choices, but my personal preference would be for it to not be necessary for anyone to do this just to get their degree. Maybe someday…
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…@Jestocost Si vis pacem para bellum.
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Oh lawdy, I did not intend to make that much of the thread about me personally. My b, folks, but thank you all.
We are not used to guns privately possessed over here. That's why I always get an uncomfortable feeling when I see someone handling a gun. I'm sure you're doing it with a lot of responsibility @Jestocost
Ah. I grew up in a house with more firearms than people in it. Started shooting when I was twelve. Most of the people I interact with on a daily basis come from similar backgrounds, so I forget sometimes how unusual that kind up upbringing actually is. I apologize for getting defensive like that. Very US-centric of me.
@goosehd hello, fellow rust belter! I'm from Missouri, but the story there is much the same. Glad you made it out alright.
@mclaincausey at the risk of toeing the line on the 'no politics' rule, my general opinion is that it's better to have it and not need it, than to risk needing it and not having it. Though I understand why many would disagree. I don't regret my career choices, but my personal preference would be for it to not be necessary for anyone to do this just to get their degree. Maybe someday…
Couldn’t agree more. Everyone should be able get a college or vocational education fully funded by the government IMO. It offers a high ROI to the government to have more educated people in society and the fact that the feds take a profitable interest on student loans is unacceptable. My degree has allowed higher income and a lot of incremental tax money for the government, and I get no concession for it. Just not fair that military service or crushing debt are the options for self-funded students.
Ok NOW I’ll shut up
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Ok so now I have to get some indigo hickory stripe overalls and blue checked Vans.
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Quick couple of hours at the Tate Modern with older kids this morning. Would’ve liked to spend longer but didn’t want to try their patience. Highlight for them was an interactive Yayoi Kusama “Obliteration Room”. Pretty cool, started off completely white and you could stick coloured stickers anywhere you like.
