Dirtypool40

[dirtypool40]

Rough local match under rainy skies.

Started off having to step back in a box, and dropping one delta, for a slow time, by about a second, but an ok start.

Next stage, one NP mike, and one real mike, rushing because I didn't pay attention to drop turner timing in the walkthrough, other than that solid run.

Next stage one proc for trigger freezing out of a box, but good run other than that, couple of extra shots. HIGHLITE of the day; a .81 draw to a 10y popper. They asked me how fast and I guessed .92, it just didnt' feel that fast, I guess it was just a good jump or triggering the gun with my eyes. Who knows, but I think that's my fast draw in a match.

Next stage careful solid run, down three points on a muddy tight field course. Very Aceptable.

Next stage WAY too careful on the classifier (99-55) and ended up with good points but a SLOW time that snapped my 4x GM score match streak.

Last stage, two boxes, paper then steel, paper nice and crispy, steel guarded by NS targets, who reched out and grabbed two of my lazy shots.

Overall pretty lackluster, but it was tough to get going. Rain and cold, and well, seemed like the real me was juuusst under the surface all day.

They tell me I won Limited, but I had to leave early for work. more when I see scores.

Edited February 4, 2007 by dirtypool40

[dirtypool40]

Couple decent short practices with ZHunter this week, but a dismal match yesterday.

My two bad, old habits showed up;

SLOW first stage.

Not finishing up an array and dropping a "D" or "Mike" as I swing away. I dropped four mikes, and a NP rushing on a stage I didn't really prep to finish.

That was actually a cool stage, a 30 second par time, shoot all the steel then if you have time go back to get the paper. I went first on our squad and with no idea how long things would take didn't even prep to get more than one of three banks of paper.

I rushed a lot, but still got everything, waiting for a beep before I would dash off hoping to get the next array, all in all very "monkey & football" style, but all of us left that stage giggling about what a cool stage it was.

Even with the NP Mike, it was my "best" stage, so I continue to finish better than I start.

I guess I need to remember to have fun, that's some sort of mystic key for me. Grinding and trying don't work, having a blast does.

See you all at the Open...

[XRe]

Not finishing up an array and dropping a "D" or "Mike" as I swing away.

I did that three times today - for three misses. Actually, they happened in a way that they really highlighted the need to focus on that skill for me... The bright side is that if you know what you're doing, you're on the way towards fixing it, too... Just frustrating while its happening...

[dirtypool40]

I got out for a light practice Monday afternoon, I had the day off from the new job for INS interview, don't ask...

Anyway, it was raining lightly, but we had fun, kept it light.

I shot through the bianchi par plates twice, once dropped three and once clean. I'm doing them like I always do, 1 run each going in, then one each going out (25,20,15,10,10,15,20,25 starting LR in then RL out). I've added alternating sides, so I have to snap my eyes, and the transitions soak up a little more time than going straight across. Still I try to stay ahead of the par, seems like roughly 3 sec ahead at 25y, and down to barely 2 sec ahead at 10y to cinch things there.

We also played around on some quick swinger set ups from Saturday's match. Nothing standard I could report to set up, but normal, activator, two targets and try to "trap" the swinger stopped at the end of it's travel.

It was a good "take your time, but hurry up" drill, and practice calling sights. We shot a little on close then far, same deal, slow down, see what you need to see.

All in all it was just what I needed, and I feel pretty good.

I have a lot of changes going on in my life right now, but my GEAR is not among them. Same MC2 Blaster I've had for ten months or so, same 21 rounders (more to come on those shortly) same 172pf load I shot the Nats with, same kydex and pouches.

I feel a little under-practiced, excited to shoot and see friends and hungry for the match, and maybe that's good. It's gonna be grrrrrrrrrreat!!!

Edited February 14, 2007 by dirtypool40

[dirtypool40]

ARGHGHG!!!!

USPSA posted my Raw Deal % as "only" 96.28%. Ohio was right on for the other two, so what gives???

And no, with a measley 96% I didn't make GM this time.

[dirtypool40]

Lot of chages in my life right now, new job and moving to Orlando. Shooting is moving to the back burner again. For now. Good times are coming.

I had a blast at the FL Open this past weekend. Finally got to meet Benos buddy Dave Re and got to shoot with Pat and Mark from NM who I haven't seen since the TJ course in 05. GREAT guys, if I didn't fire a shot and just hung out with them it would have been a great weekend.

As to the match, well, there was good and bad.

The bad first; I never really got going. Times were lethargic on more than half the stages. Sure it was cold, but someone was moving fast, why wasn't it me?

Points were loose and at one point I started to "DE-volve" and look over the sights as a I scored every shot. Please see "slow times" above and link this as contributing. Once you quit calling shots (vs. scoring them) and trusting your eyes as the trigger, it's a rough downhill slope.

I had one (and only one, so that's good) CRASH. Stage 5 Dentist. I came back late from lunch to miss the walkthrough and hear "Dude, you're on deck." I didn't have the sense to beg to be "DFL" so I go the plan from a buddy and shot in my spot. My head was not on straight and I was a mike, 4-5 seconds and a BUNCH of points off a good run.

I had a solid, crisp run going on stage 7 only to have a popper stay up as I moved past the fault line. There was a calibration, a timer malfunction, and then I re-shot. I missed the front position I had just smoked and walked off the stage shaking my head, knowing I had left 2-3 seconds out there.

I did the same thing on "Moto-x" (stage 4 I think). I had a decent run, but missed the activator, pulled to the static, back the activator, an extra shot on the swinger, and then back into a position for an extra shot on the static. Not clean and crisp to be sure.

The good;

There actually was some good this year and that's a big plus.

In spite of things I had my best FL Open yet. 8th overall, 84% and I had enough sense when things started South to stay clean. I shot about 91.5% of the points available. That's not great, but I was having a rough time of it. (As reference, TT had the most "normal" match of the three pack who lead things, and he shot almost 95% of the points).

The Moto-x stage I cried about above I was 4th at about 1.5 seconds off the pace.

The stage I re-shot, and felt 2-3 off the pace I ended up 2nd, less than a second off. Clearly there was a stage win I missed a chance on.

I remembered to have fun, even when things were pissing me off and I was having a bad time of it.

The stages were not overly complex, and I feel I had a solid plan for each. I don't have "getting lost in the stage" as an excuse anywhere, I just didn't shoot that well.

I ended up 3rd "Master", behind somewhat Super Squad (GM+) masters like Ted Puente, and Estuardo Gomez. I guess I can make the claim (like Area 8 last year) that I was 1st "real" master classer if I want to be a weenie about it.

Whatever, I want WILL be a competitive GM, and I'm not going to squabble about goofy class BS.

And Hey!!! I didn't minor. WOO HOO 175pf baby!!!

later.

Edited February 22, 2007 by dirtypool40

[dirtypool40]

Mediocre local match.

HOA Lim, but way too many shots on steel to be in the hunt for Match HOA.

Congrats to Matt BlkBird on a GREAT performance today.

[dirtypool40]

I learned a hard lesson from looking at the scores from the local match.

I knew it was a rough match, but since I was "clean", and won Limited buddies were saying it was not that bad. I got the whole "you won, don't be a jerk about it by saying you shot bad" speech.

Sure, I only shot three or four Deltas all day, and no mikes. But the thing that killed me was yanking the gun off steel before the shot broke. There were lots of those little guarded plates I did so well on last month, and small poppers. (PaulW was right, it was the extra shots last time that made the difference and those same extra shots that kille dme this time. I hate it when you're right Sempai )

Looking the the scores, and using the same points, only "normal" times, nothing smoking, just normal I dropped over 100 match points in time alone standing there whiffin' the steel. To put it in perspective if I had shot normal times on the steel and wiffed 7 mikes on paper I would have finished the same. (Mike being -10 and 5 points for the Alpha you didn't get, so 15 points per, x 7 = roughly 105 points for 7). Hell, in theory I could have won the match with 3 mikes!!!

You'd think I would've learned that after watching Smitty kick my butt going one for one all the time, and you'd think I'd have the skill from shooting plates and paritals every practice, but having the discipline in a match is another story.

Well, let's hope it sinks in this time.

Edited February 27, 2007 by dirtypool40

[dirtypool40]

Just a little note update, no practice or match to report.

Going to test fire some minor loads for the SV black Rail gun tonight. The IDPA State match is this weekend. I think we have the slide locking thing worked out and I'm looking forward to a fun time squadding with PaulW, SMitty and Jeff D, seeing some old IDPA friends I started with 8+ years ago.

There's a rocky stretch of road coming, and I won't be able to load or really practice for the time being, but there's good reason for it, and I'm looking forward to the results in the long term.

I've made some really solid friends on here and they are helping me through a major change.

I'll get back out and get serious, it's just not in the cards for this Spring season.

No regrets, onward and upward.

Edited February 28, 2007 by dirtypool40

[ihatepickles]

I hope this doesn't rub salt in the wound, but are you going to make GM before your layoff?

[dirtypool40]

I hope this doesn't rub salt in the wound, but are you going to make GM before your layoff?

Well, I'm sitting at like 94.7 so I think I only need one, anything over 95 should do it. But like I said, I can't really practice or load right now, so I would have to say the odds are aginst me.

Next ones to drop off are 85, 92, 84% in that order so who knows.....

I don't want it unless I deserve it.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Edited February 28, 2007 by dirtypool40

[dirtypool40]

Last night I shot an indoor IDPA match, trying out the ESP rig for this weekend. Thanks to PaulW I even had rounds to shoot.

We did my all time UN-favorite start, loaded, from the IDPA box, which IS just dangerous, but I guess as a lazy matches gun test it serves some purpose. My loaded gun slipped in without so much as grazing the sides. Hell, I had more room than a lot of the Single stack guys.

Overall I shot very conservatively, but only dropped one point until the last stage of strong hand weak hand, where I dropped 6 points in 18 rounds. Down 7 for the night. Times were close to whoever was fastest so I was right there, if a little slow.

The Gun locked open only when It should (three times the last stage ) and ran great. I haven't shot an IDPA big match for a couple years so I am looking forward to it. That's where I started, jeez, 9 years ago, and I still see some of the guys I met at my first match every time.

This will be only the second time I have participated in the state match as a competitor only. In 2003 I just shot but every other year since 98 I have either designed and run, run stages, run the food or done something to help.

Brian is a good guy and I know he'll do a good job and run a fair match. Last time it was at this range (04??) there was a little anti-shooter bias, but I don't expect to see that this time.

I see IDPA as a chance to shoot a different set up, in some scenarios we don't get to play with in USPSA very much. Now, if I can just keep from being distracted by the sexy props and puzzles.

[XRe]

I see IDPA as a chance to shoot a different set up, in some scenarios we don't get to play with in USPSA very much.

The cross training and tighter bias on accuracy will be good for you, too Go kick some butts!!!

[dirtypool40]

Thanks Dave!!! (When do we get to squad together at a big match???)

I'll be squadded with Smitty, PaulW, Jeff Degracia (serious IDPA Master) and several other solid shooters so it should be a "super squad" type expereince.

I still don't understand the rules well enough to know if there's a "shooter's bill of rights" or not and what I am entitled to as far as calls. Seems like a lot is still left up to the mood of the RO, RSO, TTG (tactical tour guide ) uh..... dude with the timer.

Sorry, that pesky humor breaker popped. Again.

I shooting the "Mall Ninja Supremo" and I"m totally getting into the mindset!!!!

[XRe]

Thanks Dave!!! (When do we get to squad together at a big match???)

Hopefully in this lifetime...

I shooting the "Mall Ninja Supremo" and I"m totally getting into the mindset!!!!

They should just hand you the trophy when you show up....

TTG... that's rich!!!

[dirtypool40]

They should just hand you the trophy when you show up....

TTG... that's rich!!!

Well, maybe years ago IPSC guys would run away with it, but now there are IDPA specialists that know the game soooo well, and have those sexy .15 splits for -0 on every target. Besides, being known as is an IDPA only shooter definitely gives you more leeway (read: benefit of the doubt) in how you are allowed to run a course. Without starting a fight, it's kinda their version of a secret handshake.

Lastly, I am squadded with two IPSC GM's and a seasoned IDPA master, and I have heard there is at least one more IPSC GM coming.

So, I hope for a clean, solid match, and to be in the hunt. I like the battle. Easy victories don't test or teach you anything.

PS: I also hope it's made up of fair shooting tests and not "trick-fudge" shooter traps you have to "know the password" to shoot clean. 03 was HORRIBLE in this respect. I actually had the TTG laughing at me in a couple of cases when I went to unload becasue he was soooo happy his little joke worked on me. Yeah, that's a fair test.

Back to happy thoughts, it's a big match, squadded with friends, 1/2 hour from my door, with gorgeous weather, shooting a gun I love. Good times man!!!

Edited March 2, 2007 by dirtypool40

[dirtypool40]

Shot the match, had fun.

Gun developed hiccups, weird, double feed malfs all match.

When it ran I was ok, but I had way too many malfs to be truly in the hunt.

Stages were good, SO's / TTO's still MOSTLY acted like napoleonic rookies. You can stow mags on the move here, but not there. You can load while you move to cover here, but not there. Overall it left me frustrated, asking questions right up to the beep and shooting at a "mother may I" pace.

One stage had the single worst walkthough I've ever witnessed in 9 years of shooting. I had to watch three shooters run the course and ask questions to figure out what the hell they wanted me to do. The stage brief was all about what we couldn't do, how they were going to punish us and keep us under control. It had very little to do with the stage proceedure.

There was another case of a changing walkthrough from shooter to shooter, and a little bit of "because I said so and I'm the boss" but not as much as in earlier years.

On the plus side, an SO I asked a question of came back the next day to tell me he looked it up and there was no rule on it, so his ruling had been wrong and he should have let me do what I had asked about. I was REALLY impressed, that NEVER would have happened in years past.

IMO IDPA still has some maturing ahead in the rules and their application department, but it was fun, and good to see old friends. Yes, I wish I had shot better, but I will next time....

Edited March 6, 2007 by dirtypool40

[dirtypool40]

My buddy Jeff DeGracia shot a solid match and won SSP, beating MONSTER 18 year old IDPA specialist Donnie. Jeff knows this game, and shot it exclusively for the last couple years.

Always good to have a front row seat for a great performance, even if it wasn't my own.

[dirtypool40]

Lackluster local match today at Malabar. I won Limited, but not by doing anything special or even solid. I had one really rough stage with a mike, everything else was just kinda lethargic.

Turns out I won Limited, but never really shot well. I continue to start poorly and gain during the match. I won two stages over the field (Open included), but still felt lethargic and sloppy.

I describe it as feeling like someone has backed the grip to frame screws off, and my gun just kinda flops in recoil, no tracking, no shot caling, and the hits kinda go where they want to.

Still on a longer distance box to box, drill type course, I shot very conservative and beat the field, even though I dropped some Charlies, so movement was ok. On the downside of that course, I was lucky to catch a bravo on one target I didn't call on a "last" target in an array, so clearly I have not cleaned up that problem.

Well, no practice, no way to load, head not in the game, what did I expect?

No excuses, I did the best I could at the beep.

Edited March 12, 2007 by dirtypool40

[dirtypool40]

Shot the six stage "mini-open" where we re-shoot stages from the FL Open.

Gosh was this ugly...

I started off ok, still sluggish on first stages, but I picked up 5 or 6 of those 7 seconds I was looking for on stage 2 at the Open. Just slow feet on the cold first morning of the FL Open I guess. My main problem showed up, and I dropped an "Alpha Mike" on the last target standing still at about 12 yards. No excuses, just lack of finish.

Next stage was alright, and a decent run on #7, Plumber, about the 1.5 seconds faster than my Open times, completely different plan.

Then my "give-a-damn" broke and the last three stages I shot like I was pissed about having to be there. It was embarrassing. YUK!!! Mikes, extra shots, missed positions.

Time for a refresher break, to clean my life up, get my head on straight remember I love this sport and it's supposed to be fun. Damnit.

Edited March 12, 2007 by dirtypool40

[Tim James]

Time for a refresher break, to clean my life up, get my head on straight remember I love this sport and it's supposed to be fun. Damnit.

Heck, I felt like I needed a break on Saturday and I've only shot once in the last 3 or 4 months! The only time I practiced was the Friday before the match and wasn't really feeling it, and I started getting a little nervous about having to repeat my previous month's good performance (for me), so I wanted to nip that attitude in the bud. I come out to have fun, but I unconsciously feel uneasy when I haven't practiced or participated in a while. Same thing happened back when I did autocross: I tell myself I don't care about the times, but it still ends up being less fun.

I decided to stay home to do jobs around the house and play with my new computer. Had a great day! Hope to see you out at Port Malabar in April. Girlfriend will be out of town that weekend so I plan on doing USPSA and IDPA. Going to try to get my little sister out as well.

[dirtypool40]

Good points Tim. But by all means come out, and squad with us when you can.

I'm hoping to be out in April. I need a while to sort things out.

I'm in a catch 22, I have enough of my ammo to shoot the State match if I don't practice before then. The "good" news I don't really have a way to practice anyway.

This is a fun sport, and I need to remember that. I start shooting well and I tend to lose sight of that and just worry about match performance.

Nobody's getting rich doing this, just enjoy the time in the sun with friends.

Edited March 13, 2007 by dirtypool40

[dirtypool40]

I got to look at the IDPA State match scores. In ESP MA Donnie was 1st at 250ish, Shay at 270 and I brought up the rear at 280.

CDP HOA was MA Jim Bodkin at 292, PaulW shooting CDP came in at 314. 9+8 is how many again Paul?? Are you sure???

Bench racing the scores can be pretty frustrating....

Stage 1 I dumped 15 seconds in dumb "forgot to shoot the head shots at 6y misses" on one string, and was still "only" ten off a winning pace.

I won stage 3, stage 4 by four seconds, and was a tenth off the winner on 7. So when the gun ran, and I understood what the hell I was supposed to do, I was "in the hunt".

For example, On 8 I had a mid stage argument with myself about how to finish a stage without incurring "the wrath" after the first of a weird series of really bad double feed malfs. The talk and clearing took about 12-13 seconds, and I was only 8 seconds off a winning run.

Overall, I dropped 15 sec on #1, and roughly 12 talking to myself on #8. I had four (or more) stages with that same icky double feed at the worst times, but by then I was getting better at clearing them.

Not to whine about "what if's" but just the damage from #1 and #8 put me about 27 seconds back, and I was only 30 out of HOA ESP and 40 out of HOA for the match.

Turns out the "guessed at instead of tested load" was too light to reliably cycle the gun and it clearly cost me .......a "better" finish.

Lesson learned.

Had fun though, I'll do it again.

Edited March 13, 2007 by dirtypool40

[dirtypool40]

I posted this over in the "2007 Goals" thread, but I thought I would copy and paste it here for easier reference.

How about stating them in positive terms....

#1 I will clear up my head and my life, so I can get happy, and get back to where I enjoy shooting. It's been a long time, it will take some more time.... and I look forward to it.

#2 I'm going to get in the best shape of my life at 37 years old. Yes, even if I actually have to work out, or watch what I eat. Ask me at the nationals if I did it. Hell ask me about all of these... it will be interesting to see which ones I stuck with enough to realize.

#3 I'm going to become a "big match" shooter. I am going to learn how to "ramp up" or periodize and peak at the big ones. I'm going to have solid showings at the area matches, nationals and the WS quals as I am able to make them. The finishes will get better and better, until the nationals will be the best I've ever shot to that point. (How's that for positive attitude? wouldn't be neat if I could really do this?).

#4 I will shoot better through improved prep, focus, confidence and a CLEARER HEAD this year, especially in big matches. Performance isn't determined by what classification I carry, the classification is a by product or hard work, and proper execution. I'd rather have a solid real world, big match performance than a "G" card I couldn't back up.

#5 Right now I finish well, but this year I will learn how to start well. I'll learn more about me and what it takes (sleep, excersize, nutrition, dry fire?) to be just as solid that first stage as the last.

#6 I will pay more attention to stage plans and make sure mine is rock solid before I LAMR.

#7 I will become really solid at calling the last shot in an array before I blast off for the next one.

#8 No expectations, no placement, or classification goals. I don't care where I am classified or what place I come in, so long as I shoot well and have fun. (Kicking ass and taking names er, uh trophies, are by products of shooting well and having a blast!!)

2007 here I come!!!

Edited March 13, 2007 by dirtypool40

[XRe]

#2 I'm going to get in the best shape of my life at 37 years old.

I'm working on this one, myself!! Especially after seeing 300 and learning that my wife now has the hots for all 300 of 'em

(wouldn't be neat if I could really do this?).

What's this "if" stuff??? Just flat out do it!

#5 Right now I finish well, but this year I will learn how to start well. I'll learn more about me and what it takes (sleep, excersize, nutrition, dry fire?) to be just as solid that first stage as the last.

This is such a worthwhile thing to do.... Making the effort, and instilling the discipline that it takes will put you ahead of your competition before the match even begins. Aside from all of the immediate benefits that being hydrated, properly fed, and properly rested bring, you'll have the added confidence and spirit of knowing that you are serious about your goals and your reasons for being there. It'll change your whole attitude....

#7 I will become really solid at calling the last shot in an array before I blast off for the next one.

I've been working this one, myself... It was the last shot in the array that was getting me, too - at least on paper. I set mine slightly differently, though - become really solid on calling each and every shot....

#8 No expectations, no placement, or classification goals. I don't care where I am classified or what place I come in, so long as I shoot well and have fun.

+1!!! And by adopting that attitude - and just focusing on what you need to do... well... your finishes will improve, and you'll have a lot more fun while you're at it, too... at least, IME...

2007 here I come!!!

Do it, man! I'm rootin' for ya!