Tom’s Great Business Ideas

Let me talk about an old time cooking method brought back to life. I am sure you can remember walking into your grandmother’s house for that Sunday dinner get together and hearing this loud chiming noise or steam hissing away. This was here cooking that great pot roast or chicken in a pressure cooker. Well I love to cook and have brought this back to life in my house. In a fast past world we live in cooking is not on the list for having a lot of time for. The pressure cooker is the answer for most of the problems. This pot can be used for anything from soups, stews, to roast. It will cut your cooking time to minutes instead of hours. How about a pot roast with all the fixings in 45 minutes. Or a whole chicken in less than an hour. You can make a stew or a soup in 30 to 45 minutes. This is truly a great pot. The old folks really had the best ideas. The meats cooked in this pot will be some of the tenderness and favorable you can eat. The old unsafe pots of the early days are gone. The ones of today have safety features that make it simple and safe to use. It is very simple to convert old style recipes to use in this pot. So if you are looking for a quick an easy way of cooking this is it.

 I have found that there is a great deal of difference of ammo used in this sport. Most of the people are fair to the game and use mild to heavy loads. But when you see someone using the so called wimpy load it does take from the game. They seem to only be trying to win at any cost. When a full grown man is using a 32 caliber or 38 caliber gun with a half load just to beat the recoil it’s a far cry from the old west. I know that speed is the name of the game but do so in such a way that you take away all the facets of the game is just not fair. The directors are trying to control this with new rules but are being fought strong and hard from these gamers.

Even as a reloader I see that people are making ammo so weak that it barely makes it out of the barrels of their guns. When you can watch the bullet travel down range it is something a real cowboy would laugh at. The rules are already at a good state for speed of the bullet. If only theses gamers would try and stick to the rules and not be there only to win at all cost. They shoot at great speed to the time that even a miss will not effect their score.

But let me also state that these people are not the majority but the few that try to beat the real quality people of this game. I am a true believer in this game and its way of life. For one who hopes it never goes away I am there to play the game fair and honestly. I hope that all who see and play are there for the same.  

I have found that the people of sass are some of the best in the world. During my travels to shoots across the United States I have only meet people willing to help anyone in the game. These people go out of their way to ensure that anyone, young , old or handicapped have the chance to enjoy this sport. If a person’s equipment fails they are there to assist in repairs or the loan of their equipment. Everyone in the game is safety minded first to ensure that no one is hurt. I have yet to meet the individual in the this sport who will not go out of their way to help. The entering of this sport has shown me once again the good in people all over this country. Yes there are the gamers who only wish to win how ever possible. But this is true in anything in life. But the greatest majority of these people are there to have fun and enjoy a good time with other like minded folks. I will repeat it again if you want to have fun and be with the whole family try this sport out.

www.sassnet.com  

 One of the great things about being a member of the SASS organization is the fun of the clothing. Were else do you get to wear the clothing of the old days. Here you get to look like your old cowboy character. Wearing the old clothing or dressing like you favorite B western star is really a lot of fun. And the wife gets to wear that old Victorian dress and look really good. Some of the guys wear the old military uniforms. Than you have the old buckskin black powder shooters. This is the only place I know were this is rules of the game to look and act the part. Again this is were you to can have all the family fun you want to have.

 www.sassnet.com   

As I wrote in my last post that I retired from the military in 1987. Following this I left Key West , Fla. and moved my family to my wifes home town of Carthage , Tx. . From June of 1987 to September of 1988 I worked at a Scuba Diving Shop in Longview , Tx. as an Instructor in scuba diving. In September of 1988 I entered the police academy for the Shreveport, La. city police department. Upon completing the academy in December of 1988 I went to the patrol division were I worked the street in various locations. In 1990 I was assigned to the DWI task force were I stayed until March of 1991. Following this tour I was again assigned to the Patrol Division were I worked the streets of the city. In 2001 I was advance to Sargent and made a supervisor on the night shift patrol until my retirement in December of 2005. During my over 17 year career as a law enforcement officer in Shreveport I had the opportunity to meet many good people but also make many arrest of suspects in the criminal field of employment. I have seen the good and bad in many people but believe that most are really good only mislead in their ways. It appears to me that the liberal people of the United States today have led us to more and more of criminal activity. The judges are letting more felons walk the streets today than ever before. The old pay for your crime is only a past statement . The jailing of criminals does not seem to be a priority today. It seems that they say that we will just give everyone another chance. When criminals do go to jail its like a resort. They have to have so many hours of rest, TV, and workout time. The old make them work for what they get does not exist anymore. I know that I may seem hard but being a person that fought in a War that you called a conflict and than cleaning the streets of the worst of people has made me hard. I hope that the world does change but I don’t see it happening anytime soon. You are welcome to comment or ask me questions.

As I stated before the SASS foundation is one to the best that I have been associated with. The weapons used in these events are straight from the old west or reproductions of them used today. The shooter has many choices to pick from to meet the category and style of his shooting preference. These will range from black powder cap and ball to the smokeless cartridge of today. All the weapons used in SASS or chambered in calibers from the 1800’s. The use of modern calibers is prohibited. This helps to make all shooters on a equal level. Ammo is also regulated by it velocities. Also you must use only lead round nose or flat point bullets. No jacketed or hollow point allowed.

In these events you will use the single action revolver. This means that it cannot be shot by means of only pulling the trigger. You have to cock the hammer back to fire it. These style guns are hard to find in the original and if you do you would pay a very high price for them which would probably keep you from using them. There are many reproductions today by Uberti, USFA, EMF, Ruger and many others. The fun and action of wearing and using these style guns to actually shoot is a great pass of time. Just thinking of the old western movies you use to watch an act out as kid.

Now for the old west shotguns in use today. The shooter has a verity of choices to pick from. Some depend on the category you pick to shoot in. There is the Double Barrel that come as both with hammers an without hammers. You remember the old stage coach guard with the double barrel shotgun. Stogger and Rossi are examples of these. Than come the pump action 1997 Winchester . This is the weapon of my choice at this time. These you will find as originals but the prices have been going up. These weapons being over 100 years old with the right maintenance still preform well for the shooter. There are now reproductions of these on the market. Also back on the market as a reproduction is the lever action shotgun. This seems to fast becoming a choice for the older shooter.

As for the rifles the shooter again has many choices. The lever action 73 appears to be the choice for the fastest shooters. But you also have the choice of the Winchester 66 and the Marlin 1984 to name a few. I have even seen the Spencer an now the reproductions of the pump action rifle are on the market.

As for the single shot rifle. These are used in side matches during the long range shoots. It is a lot of fun to shoot these big buffalo guns of old. You not believe the ability of some of the old hands at shooting such a massive weapon. Some of these guns weigh upwards of 12 to 15 pounds an shoot 600 grain bullets a half mile. The true black powder shooter really can show his stuff in these events.

More on these items along with clothing and categories later on. Also info on people styles and actions of the sport. Again the place to look for a great time is .

www.sassnet.com

This is to let you know a little about me from a military point of view. I am a twenty year retired E-7 Chief Boatswains Mate from the United States Navy. That was from May 1967 to May 1987. I served aboard the USS Rupertus DD-851, USS Cook DE-1083, Security Group Naval Air Station Algeries, La.,USS Canopus AS-34, USS Simon Lake AS-33,USS Oklahoma City CG-5 , Service Craft Tugs Yokosuka, Japan, Service Craft Tugs US Naval Station Guam and Chief of Police US Naval Station Key West, Fla.

Following recruit training in San Diego , Calif. I was sent to the Pacific on the USS Rupertus and the USS Cook. This also put me in Viet Nam frim 1967 to 1973 . I was than assigned to the Security Group at the Naval Air Station in Algeries , La. were I also got married. From here I went to Rota , Spain aboard the submerine tenders Simon Lake and Canopus. This is were my daughter was born. From here I went to Yokosuka, Japan aboard the 7th Fleet Flag ship the Oklahoma City were I stayed until her decomissioning. I than moved to the base service craft division were I became a tug master. This is were my son was born. From here I was sent to the Island of Guam to again run tug boats. Following four great years here I than moved to Key West , Fla. were I was assigned as the Chief of the Police for the Naval Air Station Security Group. I also worked with the city and county Police Departments. In May of 1987 I was medically discharge from the Navy with 20 years good service. I than took my family to my wifes home town of Carthage , Tx. were we started a new life in the civilian world.

My twenty years took me around the world and gave me many a good experiences. I believe without the military I may have only been a bum not really sure. I only know that todays kids do not understand what it is to commit to something and have to work your way up. We give our kids too much. Not wanting them to want for what we did not have. This has lead to a very liberal world without sympathy for others. The military has always gone were they were sent without question. To do a job that know one wants to do. To be put in harms way without the encouragement of others or the respect they do so deserve. I just hope an pray that the world finds itself in peace and understanding soon.

Following my military career I became a police officer and have since retired from that job. I will post this experience in a latter post.

About two years ago I joined a society of really great individuals. It is the Single Action Shooting Society or just SASS. It has been one of the best experiences I have had as an individual and with my wife. The society is best known for it acceptance of all ranges of people. They cater to adults both young and old and the kids. They don’t down grade someone just because they haven’t shot a gun before or they have a handicap. The members take pride in their sport and are willing to help anyone with an interest. From what I have heard there motto is ; Be Safe, Be Safe and Have Fun.

In this sport you get to bring back the kid in all of us who loved the old west. This is done not only with the use of the weapons from the 1800’s but with the clothing. You lady’s will love this as you get to make or buy and wear the old 1800 Victorian clothing. Guys you get to dress like Jesse James, John Wayne and any other cowboy real or fictional. You also get to pick you Alias to who you want to be and it is yours. No one else gets to use that exact name. Mine is Tumblin Tom (sass #69099) a name given to me during my old rodeo days as a clown. As you can see by my number there are now over 70,000 members. Also this society is not only in the United States but all over the world. Such as Australia , Canada , and Europe.

As stated this is one of the finest organizations I have been a part of. I will be writing more later on the weapons and clothing used in this sport. If you really want to be part of a family sport and have fun to boot look them up at the following address.

www.sassnet.com

Now here is something the US needs to look at. I just got a new computer and to have speed like this would be the real pleasure of internet. I hope that he US can jump on the wagon and get some kind of connection to this satellite. But you know if they did they would price it out of the use for the everyday person. Just a hope for some real speed.

 Japan launched a rocket Saturday carrying a satellite that will test new technology that promises to deliver “super high-speed Internet” service to homes and businesses around the world.The rocket carrying the WINDS satellite — a joint project of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries — lifted off its pad at 5:55 p.m. (0855 GMT).

If the technology proves successful, subscribers with small dishes will connect to the Internet at speeds many times faster than what is now available over residential cable or DSL services.

The Associated Press said the satellite would offer speeds of up to 1.2 gigabytes per second.

The service initially would focus on the Asia-Pacific region close to Japan, a JAXA news release said.

“Among other uses, this will make possible great advances in telemedicine, which will bring high-quality medical treatment to remote areas, and in distance education, connecting students and teachers separated by great distances,” JAXA said.

The rocket was launched from Japan’s Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Tanegashima Space Center.

 As person that has been around the world while in the Navy it is good to read a good story about foreign. I found my travels with very interesting menu’s. I love cooking and hearing about different meals from the norm. These countries don’t have the luxury  foods of the US with meat being plentiful for them. They learn to get protein from ways we would never believe eating. You must remember that most foreign countries don’t have the obesity that the US has. But don’t be afraid of what you have not tried. They have been eating it for years. And most live longer lives than we do.

  CHING MAI, Thailand (AP) - I broke open my omelet and ant eggs spilled out. They were glistening white, the size of Rice Krispies. I sat up and took a breath. Could I stomach this?

Before I arrived in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai in search of insect cuisine, I envisioned a scene out of Fear Factor. Cages of chirping crickets. Piles of squirming worms. Instead, the bugs were presented in a most unthreatening way: on a tattered board advertising the daily specials: bee larvae wrapped in banana leaves and bamboo worms fried with salt.

The owner’s husband, Suwatchai Thipayanon, rushed over to greet me and led me to a tiny table covered in banana leaves. Cigarette smoke mingled with the smell of beer. A Thai love song wafted through the mostly empty establishment.

With only one other table to serve, the waiters gathered around and offered up bemused smiles when their foreign visitor insisted on ordering all the insects on the menu.

The sounds of crackling oil emerged from the kitchen and five plates were soon laid out in front of me. Decorated with chili peppers, tomatoes and lettuce, they were piled high with two types of blackened crickets, battered wasp larvae, bee larvae and bamboo worms.

It was all a bit intimidating. My pulse quickened. Eating bugs may be well accepted in Thailand and dozens of other countries, but not where I grew up in Golden Valley, Minnesota.

This was a thrill I would remember for a long time.

I chose a half-inch-long cricket to start and gobbled it down, spindly legs and all. To my surprise, it had a crunch consistent with shrimp or peanuts and a slight woodsy taste. Next up, the cake-like bee larvae. They tasted sweet and were as soft as marshmallows. I was on a roll. But then I came up against the wasp larvae, complete with bulging eyes. Their oily taste made me gag. I reached for a glass of water as my stomach tightened.

A glutton for punishment - or insects - I then headed to the family’s other restaurant across the busy roadway.

The regal-looking owner, Jitsophit Thipayanon, offered up an “I dare you” smile as she invited me to try her insect selection.

Jitsophit said she was the first in the family to open a restaurant, a decade ago, and the customers had clearly rewarded her. Tables were full of ogling couples and extended families. A Heineken girl made the rounds, serving up beer. Hawkers strolled through, offering garlands of lavender.

Waiters rushed in and out of the kitchen with herb salad, fish and vegetable soup and of course insects - mostly soups with ant eggs, which were in season.

The place had a lived-in feel, similar to a local bar in an American city. On the walls were covered photos of relatives, prominent Buddhist monks and Thailand’s royal family, as displayed in almost every Thai business. Signs advertising local beer competed for space with red and gold Buddhist prayer banners.

My order quickly arrived, and I found myself again surrounded by cooked bugs. I figured the worst would be the water bugs. Black and brown and almost two inches long with small claws, they smelled liked used socks.

I took one bite and swallowed hard. They had the consistency of leather and a taste that I imagine was akin to rotting leaves.

Jitsophit tried to be helpful. Perhaps if you ate them with a bit of hot sauce, she suggested. Or maybe with some sticky rice, a staple in northern Thailand.

“No thanks,” I said politely, and moved on to the omelet. With no sign of ant eggs, I thought maybe I had caught a break.

But when I pierced it with my fork, the eggs spilled out in such a rush that I thought they were alive. Waiting a moment to confirm they weren’t, I scooped a forkful into my mouth. Not bad, I thought. Crunchy and slightly sweet.