Goldfinger

Posted by Alex on May 3, 2014
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Pussy, Pussy Galore. Who were you expecting?

Part 3 in a 24 part series of secret agent ‘research‘, this is my third 007 film review. If you missed my last, you can read my review of 1963′s From Russia with Love.

Google ‘best bond movie’ and you’ll get a variety of opinions. Purists will tell you From Russia with Love (FRWL) is the superior film. And it’s no doubt in the top five. Contrarians will claim On Her Majesty’s Secret Service deserves consideration. Certainly George Lazenby was a more than serviceable one-time Bond. And the conclusion was a dour and emotional scene that is unparalleled in over twenty films. But we both know it’s Goldfinger don’t we? Of course we do.

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Prepping my ‘Go’ Bag

Posted by Alex on March 30, 2014
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Recommended reading optional.

Those books in the background may not be an accident.

Any agent worth his Walther will tell you that you need a proper ‘Go Bag.’

When things go south, and that can happen in a hurry in this profession, you might just need to disappear at a moment’s notice. And a proper Go Bag contains the just right essentials that can be the difference between your new life as a humble fisherman in Chile and a double-tap to the head.

Speed is a key element. If you’re in need you’ve likely run afoul of someone who has means and who means business. This might be your standard international terrorist or even your former colleagues. Those towel-snapping mates you bonded with during training sessions on ‘The Farm’ can go from bro to foe in milliseconds.

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Two days with a Green Beret – Defensive handgun training (day 2)

Posted by Alex on March 16, 2014
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Sunday morning firearm training on a hangover? Not my finest hour.

Sunday morning firearm training on a hangover? Not my finest hour.

(This is part two in a two part series – you can read about my first day of defensive handgun training here)

Shit.

It’s 6:00 a.m., still dark outside, and I haven’t done my homework. As I fumble for the ridiculously small off-switch on my alarm clock, I realize I also have a hangover. I knew I should have finished my reading last night after getting home, but another episode (possibly two) of The Walking Dead was more compelling than reading a training manual for armed security guards. Turning down the third glass of Merlot would also have been a good idea.

Hindsight be damned.

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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
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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
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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
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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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