Two days with a Green Beret – Defensive handgun training (day 1)

Posted by Alex on February 16, 2014
Posted in: combat. Tagged: , , . 1 Comment

It’s 6:30 AM and I’m having a fashion emergency.danielcraigintuxedo

This is rare for a Saturday, but most weekends I’m not so conflicted about what to wear while I make the husband breakfast. Today, however, wasn’t your average Saturday. General Defensive Handgun, my training for the weekend, starts at 8am sharp and I have no idea what to wear.

Trying to balance tactical and sartorial needs is more difficult than it sounds. I know from experience that the range will be freezing, and the classroom warm. The class overview calls for draws from concealment, tactical reloads, and shooting while moving. Does that call for a nice open-front flannel or a pull-over fleece?

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Training Log: January 2014

Posted by Alex on February 2, 2014
Posted in: training log. Leave a comment
It's not all blog posts and Vespers.

It’s not all blog posts and Vespers.

Recently a friend suggested that I keep a training journal of sorts; a simple means for readers (those appreciated few) to keep tabs on my various efforts. I thought it a good idea. If nothing else, reflecting on a regular tally of my efforts will give me sense for where I’m concentrating my time. Looking back on the previous month, I find that I’m satisfied, but not quite pleased. While I’m in no rush per se, this being a multi-year journey, I do have an extraordinary amount of ground to cover. Continue Reading

From Russia with Love

Posted by Alex on January 26, 2014
Posted in: film reivews. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment
Appropriately surrounded of course

Appropriately surrounded of course

Part 2 in a 24 part series of secret agent ‘research‘, this is my second 007 film review. If you missed my first, you can read my review of 1963’s Dr. No here.

Over the holidays my family and I watched From Russia with Love (henceforth FRWL) after a day on the slopes. Movie night has become a tradition on this annual trip and, with the month drawing to a close, I needed to watch my second Bond film to keep pace with my monthly review commitment – all in the name of research mind you. Continue Reading

Sunday morning at the range

Posted by Alex on January 5, 2014
Posted in: combat. Leave a comment
Those shells in the background are not all mine.

Those shells in the background are not all mine.

I had two objectives this morning at the range; start tracking my accuracy in a quantitative fashion and understand how it diminishes at greater distance. While I’ve had fun visiting the range every couple of weeks for the past few months, rattling off rounds at vampires and zombies isn’t really giving me a sense of progression. And with the whole quantified-self movement I thought it was time for some measurements. Perhaps more importantly, having a proper methodology not only gives me something repeatable, it legitimizes my efforts – at least in my eyes.

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Why?

Posted by Alex on December 21, 2013
Posted in: bio. Tagged: . 3 Comments
Just what in the hell have I gotten myself into?

Just what in the hell have I gotten myself into?

The simple questions are the most powerful. I’m reluctant to admit I was ill prepared, at least with a nuanced answer, when this question was posed to me. Sure, I’m writing a tongue-in-cheek blog chronicling my efforts to acquire secret agent skills. But why?

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Où est la bibliothèque?

Posted by Alex on December 13, 2013
Posted in: French. Leave a comment
Fluency awaits!

Fluency awaits!

I’ve never been very adept at picking up languages.

I suspect this is a result of two issues. First, I simply lack natural ability. There’s a handful of people who come by new languages effortlessly. I envy them. The second issue, and likely a compounding one, is that I probably enjoy the idea of learning a foreign language more than I like the learning itself.

It’s not for lack of half-hearted effort.

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The FBI’s physical fitness test for new agents – how hard could it be?

Posted by Alex on December 7, 2013
Posted in: credentials. Tagged: . 1 Comment
Will Obamacare cover my physical therapy?

Will Obamacare cover my physical therapy?

I’m reasonably fit.

By that I mean I go to the gym a fair bit. I play soccer in-between injuries. I lift weights, I run, I hike, bike, and ski. I’m, you know, active. However, I’m not really training for anything in particular. Like many I suspect I ascribe to the Jerry Seinfeld fitness philosophy – I want to look good naked (or at least not awful). Working against me is my self-diagnosed PCI. That’s Portion Control Issues. French fries, in particular, are my Kryptonite. And, having only recently moved into my 40s, I’m aware my most athletic days are behind me. Father time, as they say, is undefeated. Continue Reading

Dr. No

Posted by Alex on November 30, 2013
Posted in: film reivews. Tagged: , . 1 Comment
Dr. No

Original poster for the first Bond film. I have a framed copy in my office.

Part 1 in a 24 part series of secret agent ‘research‘, this is my first 007 film review.

Last night the humoring husband and I watched the first film in what would become a multi-billion dollar franchise, 1962’s Dr. No. As Bond films go, Dr. No ranks somewhere in the bottom of the top third of all films; well ahead of Die Another Day and Moonraker certainly, but behind From Russia with Love and Goldfinger. It wins points for being the first in the series naturally and, of course, for starring Sean Connery. Continue Reading

And then this happened….

Posted by Alex on November 23, 2013
Posted in: credentials. Tagged: . Leave a comment
I'm officially licensed to carry a concealed weapon in Washington.

I’m officially licensed to carry a concealed weapon in Washington.

Just a few months ago I would have classified anyone with a concealed carry permit as a whack job or a gun nut. And now I’m, literally, a card-carrying member. Let’s retrace a few steps to see how this happened.

Combat training is one of the important competencies on the list. It’s also the item du-jour so it’s receiving a fair bit of attention on the blog. When I started toying with the idea of getting my permit it was a lark; a process that I thought would generate good material. And while that’s true, it’s what I wasn’t prepared for that’s more interesting. I really enjoy shooting. Continue Reading