Nolan

While I'm not a professional, I've posted all but one (I failed to turn on the HoserCam before making ready) of the 2004 Nationals stage videos at hosercam.com. Just for clarification the Dark House stage video is not a scoring run taped after I had shot the stage for score. Jay was kind enough to let me run the stage again using my HoserLightCam headset. I held the receiver and camcorder in my left hand because it won't receive through the steel interior walls of the Dark House. It worked great until I used the receiver to open the doors, Oops! Nolan

"At this point in time" Aww Geez, 5 freakin' words to say "Now" of course there is also the old 3 two letter words for short... "Is it in?" No, Tightloop, it ain't from personal experience!

First off I want to sincerely thank everybody in USPSA that designed, built, worked, and perspired to produce this the best Nationals that I've ever shot! Now if only I had shot as well as you guys ran the match As a shooter I thought the shooting schedule was great. Anybody that has any complaints should take a deep breath, back away from the caffeine and get a grip on reality. If PASA had gotten the same weather it has in the past the built in safety margin would have been a godsend. As it was just be thankful for the unhurried pace. As a vendor I thought the shooting schedule was great. Anybody that has any complaints should try shooting and running a vendors table. As to the complaints about only 2 vendors showing up on Saturday, sorry man but my truck was dirty so I had to wash it! If anybody felt slighted I'm sorry my schedule wasn't perfect for you, but I did my best. The stage designs this year were great. There was a good mix of speed (Hosers!) accuracy ($%@# No-Shoots!) movement and moving targets. I really enjoyed all of the stages (OK going prone on Get It Done sucked, but I dealt with it in my usual fashion by putting on even more clothing so I wouldn't get dirty!) The staff was great and I really want to thank everybody for their patience with me setting up the HoserCam. Although one RO was about ready to call the bomb squad when he found my orange HoserCam box on the side of the range with the power switch turned ON. I shot with Squad 32 and had a great time, fortunately there will NOT be a Candid Camera segment posted to HoserCam.com as I am pleading the 5th amendment The scheduling on Saturday wasn't great, but I had planned on leaving Sunday morning anyway so it wasn't a problem for me. The Prize table distribution looked far worse than it actually was. Part of the failure was clearly ours, the shooters. Our behaviour certainly didn't help the situation and then loudly complaining about it over the efforts of the poor guy trying to call the names certainly didn't help anymore than the pot shots taken here. Sniping after the fact is always easier than actually trying to help with the problem at the time. With a small bit of effort I was able to find my place on the results list, listen to the names ahead of mine on the results being called and going into the prize room on time, only to find that "GASP" an organized effort had everybody lined up in proper order. Names were checked then you were allowed in to pick your prize in a very small group. Thanks again guys I think you did a great job considering the circumstances. Yes it certainly could have been better, but I have also seen far worse. Nolan

Kevin, An old thread here advised throwing a used dryer sheet in the tumbler along with the dirty cases to absorb some of the dirt to help keep the media clean longer. Since I don't use dryer sheets I started using a half sheet of "Grab-it" unscented dry dusting cloth with each tumbler load of brass. So far it works better than the dryer sheets. Grab-It Nolan

He won't be wearing a seat belt next time unless the bus ride to the afterlife has them! The Dale Ernhardt Tee-shirt tells it all There is a camera in the car because he's either driving a Taxi or some other fleet type automoble. The first version of this video clip that I saw also had the G-forces displayed, IIRC it hit -9 G's. For more information on the DriveCam go to DriveCam Nolan

Brian, You might want to add: "I absolve any law enforcement agency of liability to myself during any hostage rescue attempt that fatally wounds the hostage takers should I be taken and held hostage." I am not a lawyer and I haven't even slept in a Holiday Inn Express, so in other words "I won't hold you responsible if I am taken hostage and you wound or kill me in the rescue attempt, but only if you kill the MoFo's who took me hostage!" Nolan

Tightloop, go test drive a new 300C or Magnum wagon with 5.7 Hemi (345hp & 390 torque.) I've driven both and they're both a lot of fun when you turn off the traction control. The 5 speed (Diamler) automatic is the best automatic I've ever driven. It has a manual shift feature that amazingly enough actually shifts RIGHT NOW! instead of 'yawn, I'll get around to shifting when I damn well feel like it.' The rumor is '05 will have a 425hp 6.1 Hemi and all wheel drive.

Erik, Make a tape or DVD of you doing Bill Drills/plate rack/poppers and send one to each casino in Reno with a copy of your resume. Tell them you're willing to do plainclothes security work or deal cards. With finger speed like yours they'll have you dealing off the bottom of the deck in no time! Nolan

Broken Link?

I used to really like alfalfa sprouts on my sammiches, but now I can't tell if I'm chewing sprouts or moustache. It tastes about the same Nolan

And here I thought you were talking about the Assault Weapon Ban sunset?!? Nolan

Thank you for the cards, emails, and personal expressions of support and sympathy due to the death of my father. Sincerely, Nolan Smyth

Alvin, Just like in shooting, take every rider training course that you can. 92% of all motorcycle fatalities have NO professional rider training. The 8% that took training probably slept through the class! Nolan

Reminds me of this video Numb-Nuts Warning: male Nudity & Stupidity What a combination

Yup! One of the A'holes at work let me 'borrow' his! I thumbed the switch, ignored the zap and acted (I would have said normal, but that ain't happenin') as if nothing happened. Since it's not a ballpoint pen I couldn't write on the form I was trying to fill out so I just handed it back. Then got a good laugh when said jerk thumbed the switch to see if it was working! I've got to take this boy to the range to see what he does with a high primer (look down the barrel after it goes click and pull the trigger again?) Nolan

I hate that last week I smashed (blood spurting, screaming curses) my bad big toe and had to wait a day to see my doctor so that he could send me to a specialist so that I could get the crushed remains of the toe nail removed. I get the appointment the next day to see the podiatrist, but before I can get there I get a phone call that my Dad has passed away! So far 2004 has really sucked! Nolan

Rob, It ain't got wheels man! Ya gotta have wheels! Like this: Nolan

Might I recommend the excellent "Mr. Bean" TV series on VHS or DVD. Of course there is a drawback. I watched most of the series over the course of a week and now my sides hurt..... from laughing so hard. Nolan

Happy BirthDay!!! Nolan

You might want to try that in practice first before you try it in a match (especially with a @#$%^ no-shoot covering half the target in a weak-hand only string!) Nolan (Alpha, Mike, No-Shoot)

Maybe I should start a new thread entitled "when Limited shooters design stages" but I'm too lazy. Same club as in my previous post had a stage for the Open match designed by a Limited shooter. The stage had a Cooper tunnel with a very small port maybe 6 inches high by 8 inches wide for engaging a number of targets. The port was cut into the middle of a solid sheet of plywood and located about 18 inches off the ground. Nolan

I'm sure all of you know that most of the 2003 Nationals stages are on the HoserCam website at: 2003 Nationals I will be at the 2004 Nationals with the HoserCam as well (hopefully with a lot less gun troubles and cussing on tape!) Nolan

Kathy, I feel both your pain! Right in my ACL! I was really looking forward to seeing you and David at the Nationals. Nolan

What? No more 6 inch square plates partially behind soft cover at 20 yards weak hand only through the 6 inch swivelling tube 12 inches off the ground? Wow, where's the challenge without stages like that? Nolan By the way the above description is from an actual stage.

Erik, Wrong Answer! The correct answer is ELEVEN! Count down from 10 on the first hand 10-9-8-7-6. Count up on the second hand 1-2-3-4-5. 5+6=11