...since I'm heading into a really tough couple of weeks.
Match yesterday did go as well as I hoped, but (as you know if you follow the Twitter feed) I did manage to carve out a category win by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin. Interesting point..you know how I've said every match is a learning experience? One stage was pretty interesting, because no matter how we gamed it, there wasn't a "logical" way to run it. Sooner or later you'd have to do an awkward transition to the next gun. I actually like stages like that...back in old IPSC days, I used to love to write stages that required the competitor to think.
I plotted out a gamey sequence that I thought would work well, then proceeded to fail to execute said plan.
Lesson Learned: Back when I did some hi-zoot windsurfing, the really good sailors had a saying -- never buy anything too trick to sail. Same goes for planning...it's easy to come up with a tricksy plan; much harder to execute he plan within the sub-30 second timeframe necessary for success.
After the match we spent some time with the contractor, a good friend and IDPA shooter who built the current Secret Hidden Bunker, on the property where the new, improved Bunker is going to be built (with a little luck). We staked out the house site and driveway, and hopefully we'll begin moving dirt this summer. The plan is for an off-grid solar house heated by propane, with a propane back-up generator.
I think I mentioned that right after we purchased the property a few years back, I was at a speaking engagement in Florida where I met a woman who lived in the area. "Oh my god!" she said. "I hope you haven't closed on the property. You definitely don't want to live up there! The whole place is full of survivalist types with guns!"
Fans, I hope!
Next week is all machineguns all the time. BTW, I'm thinking of doing a guest appearance on a big deal Discovery Channel special, talking about (surprise) guns. Will make a decision early next week.
Nice couple of spring days! Snow tonight and tomorrow...
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8 comments:
Thought about geothermal? With in floor radiant heating? Heats and cools.
Michael,
I hope you can put in a gun range on your property. I envy those who have that luxury.....
Propane is a great way to go. You can use it for refrigeration. It is a great fuel for generators because it burns clean. Maybe you could consider going with diesel...more energy per gallon so it will last longer and run more economically. You can also get a Lister style slow speed that doesn't need electronic fuel injection subject to EMP....I'm just saying. That's what's on my wish list. Also take a look at Lehman's for some interior propane lights for home.... Propane is a great fuel for cooking, refrigerator/freezers and lighting. I'm thinking diesel edges it out in generating electricity.
My 2 cents...I'm and engineer...can't help it.
Can't spell or write very well either...typical engineer.
You live in the mountains of Colorado.
You have 11 months of winter and 4 weeks of crappy skiing.
What's the back up plan for when the propane can't be delivered ?
Tom Bogan
As long as said Discovery Channel show isn't the enormous pile of suck and fail that is "Sons of Guns", aka"The Gun Show for People Who Don't Like Gun Shows and Love 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians'", go for it!
As long as you're dependent on a delivered fuel source you are not off the grid.
Geothermal would be the way to go provided you have enough solar panels to handle the load. Ideally a wind turbine or two would go a long way to supplement your electricity needs provided where you're building gets enough wind to turn the prop on a regular basis.
Also, consider solar hot water heating as a way to reduce your reliance on electricity or gas to heat your water.
I think it's myoptic to think you need to be off the grid forever more or at all unless you're extemely remote. Hence, I go with propane for refrigeration/freezing since it is so economical and long lasting. http://www.warehouseappliance.com/propane_gas_refrigerators.htm
These things use far less propane than you may think. The 19 cubic foot model (14.4 refrig and 4.4 freezer) burns only 88 gallons a year....about $180 worth of propane if you buy it for a "full size" home propane tank off season. I am thinking that's cheaper than running one on electricity for the year and a heck of a lot cheaper than buying solar cells and wind generators with the system behind it to have a cold box to store food in. 88 gallons a year says I can run one for 4-1/2 years if that's all I run from my tank full.....not bad. Cut that down to say three years...if we don't have some services restored by then there will be so few people it probably won't matter you'll be fully integrated back into an agrarian society.
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