Monday, May 18, 2009

Target Practice

Last Saturday I went to an indoor shooting range for the first time under the tutelage of my little brother.  First things first, ear protection and eye protection are required at all times inside the shooting range - just like in the movies where people have ear muffs and goggles :)  Another thing, people bring in what look like assault rifles, which is pretty scary.  But no worries, there are no maniacs here!  Just recreational target practitioners like yours truly.  It should be noted that guns are loud even with ear protection.  It took me some time to get used to the sound and not flinch each time I heard a gun go off.  I really hate the head/body targets... I opted for the concentric circle targets.  My brother got the body targets which he turned upside down so that it wouldn't be too disturbing to shoot at.  Oh yeah, gun powder smells cancerous. 

Here's some of the advice my brother gave me that made no sense whatsoever:

"don't aim, just shoot" (huh? what's the target for?)

"pull the trigger slowly" (I am)

"pull the trigger slower than that" (I am)

"let the gun scare you" (it does scare me)

"don't anticipate pulling the trigger" (umm, yeah)

"ok you know what to do....." (yes I do)

Now I want to buy a handgun for recreational purposes only and not for target practice on any live animals but simply to become an expert marksman - Thank you 2nd Amendment.  Safety first! 

I should mention that my brother was sweating profusely throughout this process.  Afterwards he told me this was not because he was worried about me... nope, he was more worried about whether I would damage the guns.  Siblings.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Pet Fish

My pet fish is dying or dead right now.  I named it "Mac" when I first got him from the pet store.   He's a blue betta fish and has lasted for over three years.  I'm not sure how to dispose of him - is flushing down the toilet too insensitive?  I think so.  But I don't know of any alternative.  Also, I'm not sure if he is really dead.  Three signs that he is dead: 1) he is not moving; 2) he is lying on his back at the bottom of the fish bowl (which I've never seen before); 3) he is discolored.  Maybe he's just sick.  When I first got him I would spend hours just watching him swim around instead of studying.  I am distraught. Should I get a replacement?