The Packing Rat

Derek’s monthly update.

Derek does the smart thing and installs an automatic garage door opener, solo.

Derek’s inebriated thoughts on social value, with SF edition stalker photos.

Aside from the gorgeous animation, I thought the music and sound were quite effective.

Derek’s “stalker” photos from Las Vegas.

Derek discovers black & white photos make crappy photos look better.

Derek visits an indigenous American people museum.

Derek writes about nonsense.

After a year long hiatus from blogging, and sparse photography, hiking, and all other things I consider fun, I needed a pseudo-reset with nature. Notwithstanding personal fulfillment, the absence of nature was noticeably affecting my mood.  Lesson learned to not avoid taking personal outdoor day trips every now and then.  Work/life balance – right? Visited […]

For awhile, I contemplated on a second vehicle; a truck for more utility and because truck. A while back, I drove a Nissan 1985 pickup and a 1993 Toyota SR5 pickup.  They were a blast – both were reliable junker trucks that took a beating and I wasn’t self conscious about the worn dull, rusty […]

Among the firearms I took out recently was a Ruger SR22. If you recall, I posted a short disassembly video of the SR22 from SHOT Show 2012. I finally purchased one this week. Probably my first new handgun purchase in awhile. First several rounds seem to have POI consistency issues; however, after about 100 rounds, […]

Spring Pizza.  It’s fall.  Don’t care.  Used a wheat/white flour mix for the dough.

I relocated: – Moved all of my junk. – Planted a Trident Maple and two Shangtung Maple trees. – Had vinyl plank flooring installed.  Stripped and reinstalled floor boards. – Bought a new bed (so damn comfortable). – Installed new door knobs, strike plates and deadbolts (ASSA brand). – Installed pendant light with three-way switches. […]

I tend to have little sentiment for photos; however, one exception is one I took with the World Trade Center from Liberty Island, circa 1998.  Don’t worry – I’ve been told I have better sense in dress now.

Sunday morning, I wasn’t feeling too well, so I skipped the Cowboy Action Shooting event at Gun Blogger Rendezvous VII. Drove home, and immediately fell asleep with a minor headache. The headache lasted throughout the following day. Though it progressed, I survived just fine. Dr. Joe’s cure wasn’t readily accessible. Self-serviced, but symptoms persisted. Did […]

Spent another day at the range this afternoon with more wonderful folks: one license to carry student and several other guests.  Definitely on the warmer side this afternoon.  Pushed a couple hundred rounds of Speer Gold Dot 124gr 9mm through the GLOCK 19 to confirm new Warren Tactical .185″ front sights with success.  It appears […]

I spent this afternoon at Sacramento Valley Shooting Center working on a few selected drills and reconfirming POI with a shorter front sight from the GLOCK 19. Instead of the .215″ I had, I replaced it with a .185″ – both of which were manufactured by Warren Tactical. Point of impact with the .215″ was […]

3/4 cups of dark brown sugar. 2 cups of fresh, whole cherries 1 cup of bourbon I recommend dissolving the brown sugar in small quantities of bourbon, as opposed to the entire cup. Unsubstantiated, or otherwise, I was concerned about alcohol evaporating too much.  Last minute, I decided to pit and crush the cherries.  Pulling […]

Derek shuts down Facebook and becomes productive again.