Gun Talk

Now being lucky enough to be born and bred in Texas, we have some liberties that I love. Being able to obtain a concealed handgun license is a great plus in my opinion. I first got my license when I turned 21, and my pistol of choice was a Glock, which my dad bought me. I kept it for awhile, but it was so big, I couldn't really conceal it. The only thing I did was keep it in my truck. I got out of the Marines and decided to take the course again. This is where things get funny.

I have had probably 7 different models of pistols since I first started messing around with them. I have had revolvers and everything else in many different calibers. When I got out of the Marines, I decided to get a new one. Now, I have been to the Glock armorer's course, and several Glock schools on shooting and it's capabilities. I guess I was just over all the Glock hype. I decided to get a Springfield Armory XD 9mm, with a 4" barrel. For some reason, the design of the pistol resembles the Glock, but it just felt so much better in my hand. The only thing I didn't care for was the trigger. It seemed like it was a little long and the follow-up shot was long too. I went online and ordered a trigger kit, and some other parts. I went into my inner-gunsmith zone and machined the trigger bar with a dremel tool, and outfitted my new trigger.

My work was a success. The pistol shot better, and quickly became my favorite range pistol. I was probably shooting around 1500 rounds a week and was deadly accurate. I signed up for my concealed handgun course, and had this lazy overweight instructor teach my course. He asked me what I was carrying, and I told him. He quickly said, "I'm sorry, my glock would shoot circles around that thing." My response was a little rude, but necessary. I told him, "Unfortunately for you, the pistol won't shoot itself, so you may think your Glock is great, but I promise you I would pump an entire mag in your chest before you can unholster that thing." I probably could have taken the higher road, but I get sick of these guys that think their brand pistol is better than all the others. If that was the case, all the other gun company's would be out of business.

Several months later, I bought and sold a couple of other pistols, and actually quit carrying one for a year or so. Other financial things came first, but with the growing violence in this world, it was time to carry one again. I couldn't think of anything greater than ordering another Springfield XD. I got pretty much the same pistol, except a two tone version. I was going to get the new XDm, but decided to go with my old version simply because I don't want the extra expense right now. I'm sure over the next few months, I will redo the trigger and make it more of my own. As of right now though, I can't wait to get out on the range and pump some rounds down range. And for any criminal that wants to try and attack me or my family, you better keep an eye out, cause I will be lurking in the shadows ready to turn your day upside down. Semper Fi!!!!!

C

Rushfit: Week #2

Well, I bet you all wondered what happened to me. Was the workout so hard that I lost the use of my typing fingers? Well I won't say it was that hard, but it has been trying. I am doing the beginner course right now, and even though the workouts are the same, its spread out a little more to reduce the fatigue.

My first week had the strength and conditioning workout, 3 days of cardio, abs and core strength, stretching for flexibility, balance and agility, and the mother of all workouts; Fight Conditioning.

I wish I could sit here and tell you I went thru every workout without stopping, but that was not the case. Day one, I got thru the firs 2 rounds, and was very slow in round 3. I was able to pick up the pace in 4 and 5, but there were a couple of things I just couldn't do. I was able to get thru the first week with little setback. I have to say that I did cheat a little, and missed a day of cardio, and didn't do my balance and agility workout. I have noticed a change already. I have lost 4 lbs so far, and I am eating a lot better. I try and drink a protein shake after my workout, and doing it in the evening seems to fight the tired bug I was having in the mornings.

I started my second week last night with the strength and conditioning workout. I am happy to report that I did better than the fist day. I can only expect to increase on these as time goes on. Right now I am scheduled to be completed with the 8 week program right before the baby is due. I sure don't want my new daughter to come out and see an out of shape daddy looking at her.

My overall goal is to become a better father and husband for my wife and kids. I want to be able to play and run around outside without getting so winded. I sometimes look at pictures from my Marine days, and wonder how I let myself go. I am bound and determined to get back into the shape I was when I was carrying my pack and gear on long patrols. I want to be able to wake up and not feel so tired and lazy. Also, I have a lot of clothes in the closet that no longer fit. I'd love to be able to fit into all of them. I think being in shape and regaining my confidence will also help me in my career. My wife and I want to take a honeymoon next year sometime. Hopefully after the baby, she will want to do some of this workout with me. I am hoping I can get thru all 3 phases before that happens.

I will update you all soon. Tonight is abs and core strength. RUSHFIT HERE I COME!!!!


C

Operation Rushfit Has Started

Well, I just started Week#1 of Rushfit. I forgot how hard it actually was. I was breathing hard just doing the warm up, and then got thru round 1 great before round 2 started. I took it a little easy thru #2, but tried my hardest to get thru the final three rounds. I actually had a visitor during the cool down. Emily came in to say goodnight, and decided to do some post work out stretching. She thought it was easy, but she wasn't there during the actual work out.

I find myself going into day 3, knowing I have abs and core conditioning tonight. I am pretty sore, and I know the working out is hitting everything, cause my whole body feels it. Last night was a cardio day, so I did some kickboxing, and running around with weights in my hands. I'm just trying to build more functional strength. I think that is my biggest goal right now. I want to be in much better shape, but not so I can stare in the mirror at myself and look at my muscles. I want to build an overall strong foundation that will keep my healthy for years to come. I know I will never be a "skinny guy", but being healthy and being able to play with my kids is a huge motivation for me. I tried to plan it so that I can be done with the first program before Keaghan is born. I figured a couple of weeks off, and I will start the next session. Hopefully Sarah and I can do some of them together. We have plans to take a honeymoon trip so we want to get in good enough shape to go.

It's funny, working out changes my mentality so much. When I am trying to get into shape, I eat so much better. I drink a lot more water and less soda. When I am being lazy, I catch myself eating all kinds of bad stuff. Like I said before, I hope that writing these posts will keep me pushing myself to get thru this. I'll let you guys know how things are going after I finish my first week. Until then, Stay Classy Planet Earth!!

C

Being Healthy

So this is the family. We are a good looking family if I do say so myself!! Somewhere along the way, I've let myself go some.(Sorry, I don't want to put of pics of how big I look) I don't know why, but I've gotten lazy. I'd like to think I am just gaining weight to keep up with Sarah and the pregnancy. Unfortunately, I can't tell people I am pregnant, and that's why my stomach is growing.

I spent 6 years in the Marines, which was basically getting paid to train and stay in shape. I think I did a pretty good job of it. For some reason, once I got out, I kinda gave up on it. Maybe I did too much while I was in there, and decided to take a long break. Either way, I really don't like it. What was my plan to stop this??

Well a summer of working outside and drinking a lot of water caused me to drop alomost 30 lbs, but the winter time caused the weight to come back on. We talked about going to Quick Weight Loss, but they want way too much money to do that program. Sarah suggested an alternative. Get a workout program. I did a little research, and came up with GSP Rushfit. Now, I like this for several reasons. I am an active mixed martial arts fan, and my time in the Corps led me to a brown belt instructor in Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. I finally got it in, and started my first week. By the way, having the measure yourself and take pictures shirtless was demoralizing and pretty scary!!!!!

I got thru the first week before a shoulder injury cause me to stop for a little while. I must say that by the end of the first week, I was sore but felt great about what I accomplished. Now, here I sit thinking of excuses every week as to why I haven't started again. My thought is that if I write a weekly blog about my progress, I will stick to it so everyone can read how it's going. Maybe that will push me to finish. The other thought, is that we have 9 weeks until our new baby Keaghan is due, and I can think of anything better than being a smaller dad when we first meet each other. I'd like to know that I was in some better shape, in order to keep up with Emily and Keaghan. Wish me luck, and I will keep you all posted


C

Turbulance

So, First off, I need to clear the air. I am not a perfect man by any stretch of the imagination. My wife calls me too sensitive, and I let things bother me a little more than they should. I do get a little snappy at my wife when I am disciplining our daughter and she enters with a comment. These things I cannot hide, and I know first hand how the truth hurts.

That being said, I try to excel in the other things that I can control a little bit. I am an avid laundry doer, and almost every night I do the dishes and empty the dishwasher since my wife does almost all of the cooking. (I do get to grill on the weekends) Although I don't work hard every day, I do get up and go to work and earn my paycheck. I feel like I am a great father to Emily as well. I strive to be the best husband and daddy that I can be. Everything is a learning process, and although my life has had ups and downs, I try to learn and grow from every event that happened.

Now that I have torn myself down and built myself back up, I got a little turbulance from one of my other posts. I spent about 45 minutes venting over one of my wife's friends. Well, my wife decided to post a link to my blogs on her facebook page, not knowing I had written all of that. Well you can see where this is going. My wife's friend went on and read all my posts. Aparently she wasn't a very big fan of the one I wrote about her husband. I never intended for her to read it, but the truth is, I really like her and I was hoping she would. She is a very sweet and down to earth girl. She deserves to have a great life, and unfortunately, I don't think she will get it where she is at now. Although I may have bad feelings towards someone, I always hope that they can prove me wrong. I think as people, we are more driven by people telling us what we CAN'T do then by what we can. Proving people wrong, is what makes us all great. How do you think these athletes reach the goals they do, or the singers and actors. Somewhere someone probably told them they would never become a professional in their area.

I know I am just a little guy in this big old world, but if I said something that got under your skin, or it somehow lights a fire to prove me wrong, then maybe one day you can come thank me for giving you that drive. That's all anyone can hope for. It's just being able to make a change in someones life, in order to make it that much sweeter. For me, I am about to be a daddy again and I can't wait. I hope the little lessons I used in life will help me in the trying times of raising our children. That's all I can ever hope for. Well, I am off to do some work. The weekend is almost here, and it's time to get things over with. Have a great end of the week everyone.


C