a ding in the universe

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

—Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Speech, 2005

never where

Alternatehistories on etsy

new favorite thing

Instagram. Social media made visual. Snippets and glimpses of life. The mundane made beautiful.

Add me (bredamita) if you're a user!

pedal to the mettle

W & the Wounded Warriors. Good men, good cause.

Slow curry

Crockpots are so handy in the summer - especially when you don't have air conditioning and are craving something heartier than a salad.


2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Handful or so of baby carrots
1.25 lbs. stew meat (I used beef, but lamb would be good too)
Half an onion, chopped
1 or 2 jalapeños, chopped (seeds and ribs removed)
1 can (14.something oz, I forget) plain diced tomatoes
1 cup coconut milk (light or regular, your choice)
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons regular (not hot) curry powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Sear the meat in a hot pan and then layer the ingredients as listed, sweet potatoes first. Cook about 8 hours on low.

Not totally required but toss in a handful of dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots, whatever) about 6 hours into cooking for extra yumminess. The sweetness is a good balance to the heat and spices.

Serve with basmati rice.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dragon Leatherworks

Things that have been made skillfully and thoughtfully by hand have an incomparable beauty - and something that's been custom made especially for you by a talented craftsman is quite a treasure indeed. That's why I'm pleased to be able to endorse the Talon holster from Dragon Leatherworks.

(please enlarge photos for clearer detail)

The Talon, originally designed with the 1911 in mind, was a perfect choice for my Bersa Thunder .380. It wears comfortably (even with a skirt, ladies!) and the surprising amount of retention this holster offers, along with its amazing good looks, makes it a perfect option for open carry.


My Dragon Leatherworks Talon is one of a kind but because each is made by hand from gorgeous high quality leather, one at a time, with extraordinary attention to detail - yours will be too.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Beer porn

I hung out with these guys at the brewery this evening.




Mike Fallacy, Bubblehead Les, William the Coroner. (I've been assured they didn't coordinate their outfits.)

Good times.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Airborne Angels

One inspiring woman, and thousands of brave Americans overseas, need your help.

down with O.C.

Hey, a couple of friends and I are planning on doing nothing of note on Sunday, June 5th. There may even be t-shirts to commemorate this somewhat trivial nonevent.

Want to join us?* (Of course, if you're in my area, hit me up -  maybe we can be unremarkable together!)

*Open carry only if you can, legally. Also, bonus points** if you email me photo evidence!

** bragging rights and the sweet, sweet taste of freedom are the only prizes that will be awarded. Maybe. Or at least until I can come up with something better (highly unlikely)

nice shot, man.

This revolver takes a photo each time you pull the trigger.
I'd like to see that scrapbook.

better living...

with bionics.

Lissa's Mike ran a 10K alongside some real superheroes.


Donate to Wounded Warriors today. (May is Military Appreciation Month!)

for your listening pleasure

The Library of Congress has created National Jukebox, a trove of historical recordings that you can listen to for free!

For example, you can hear a speech by Teddy Roosevelt...



Enjoy (& remember to thank a librarian!)

monopod

I have been known to use my prosthesis as a leg rest, popping it off and propping up my residual limb. I have attempted to use it as a tool when lacking a hammer and I've even played mean tricks on substitute teachers in grade school - sitting at my desk with my leg on backwards, smiling blandly and acting as if nothing was amiss. (2nd grade, I think. The impishness started early.) It's an excellent shin kicker and you never have to worry about someone stepping on your toes but this? This is frickin' AWESOME...

H/T EveryDayNoDaysOff

look sharp(shooter!)

Even though it was just her second year of shooting, Jean Yocum maintained an average of 99 out of a possible 100 in all rifle matches - while wearing a stylish 1930's moon manicure. (click to zoom in!)

April 6, 1939.

(full story at Shorpy's)

bug out girl

A feminine version of those mini-emergency kits - much cuter in your handbag than an Altoid tin.

@ the movies

I very rarely go to the theater anymore - mostly because I'm cheap and try to avoid having to deal with the public if I'm not getting paid for it. I also know that if I just have a little patience, I can get whatever I want from Netflix and view it from the comfort of my sofa while drinking booze. This beats sitting in an uncomfortable chair in the dark, surrounded by a bunch of strangers (& without a decent adult beverage!) - hands down, every time. Besides...having to turn around and deathstare the one jerk who insists on narrating the entire film for his friend who keeps crinkling his candy wrappers completely ruins my social entertainment experience.*

Once in a while, though, there comes a movie that requires a big screen viewing. I think Sucker Punch is going to be one of these, at least for me. Mostly because of this:

I don't really know what the movie is about and I don't even care. Chicks with guns and steampunk airships and a pink bunny face giant robot of death? I'll be at the matinée.

___________________________
*word to the wise: don't sit behind a librarian at the movies & think you can get away with talking during the good parts. The shushing will be brutal and swift.

sixshot slingshot

Check out Jörg's youtube channel - he's incredibly creative (two words: machete. slingshot.) and I think the German accent makes his videos even better.

the pie that won the internet

Macaroni and cheese and deep fried mac'n'cheese ball pie, with a bacon lattice top - a tribute to Paula Deen for Pi Day, 2011.

I'm speechless.


Recipe from Desserts for Breakfast, a lovely blog of many yummy things.

what lies beneath

Amazing!
(but I'm still getting a giant bag of diatomaceous earth in the spring.)

braveX2

Heroism doesn't always mean risking your life for those you love.

Sometimes it's as simple as looking inward, accepting your truth, and helping others to be unafraid of their own.

(as an aside, it looks like the Colorado Springs chapter of the Pink Pistols could use some help.)