A Nurse with a Gun

Friday, May 22, 2009

Guns and Hammers

My long time readers will no doubt note a decrease in my writing frequency since I began to rediscover photography. I apologize for that. So often it seems that writing about guns is like writing about hammers. There is a myriad of variations, but guns pretty much all have the same purpose, to put a bullet on target. Of course, some guns are better at it than others, and like hammers, some guns are better suited at particular tasks than others. And like new fangled fiberglass handled hammers, every once in a while a new style of gun will come on the market that performs the same old task and some people will like the fiberglass handle, others will shout heresy and cling to wood.

The crux of the matter is that you can only write so much about hammers or guns until you start repeating yourself. If you are a wood and steel man, then you not only repeat yourself, but you start to sound like the neighbor's Basset hound incessantly howling at two in the morning.

I made a pawn shop run this afternoon, but there was really nothing of interest. If it isn't raining, I might go to the range tomorrow after cases. I would write about either, but who wants to read about what I didn't find at a pawn shop, or that I didn't make it to the range? So, maybe I'll just update. Ilsa's paw is healed. Yep, already. I guess, on the whole, I'm going through a slump of no inspiration towards writing, combined with the lure of photography. So, maybe inspiration will come tomorrow. Suggestions will be considered........

19 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

I, for one, enjoy reading whatever you feel like writing. If you don't have time or inspiration to blog everyday, I can certainly understand that as well.

No matter what, I'll keep checking in.

8:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You've been doing this much longer than I have, but I find that when I'm a light on inspiration, that I'm more sensitive to it. I mean, that sounds about as deep a thought as, "I get hot when I catch fire," but there it is.

Jim

8:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Read this book. Patriots by James Wesley Rawles. ISBN 978-1-56975-599-0 I promise you'll have something new to write about.
Brian

10:01 PM  
Blogger JoeKujo said...

I have been reading for a long time, and have always enjoyed your writing style Xavier. Don't bother writing about hammers, or guns, if you don't really want to. If your passion has moved on to photography and you write about guns instead because you think you have to, we will see it. In the lack of new posts and lower quality writing.

There are enough gun only bloggers out there that, if they were really trying, people can find all kinds of gun posts that they've never seen before. Or forums, or world.guns.ru

Basically I'm just dropping you a comment because I'm a big fan, and I will keep reading no matter what you choose to write about. We don't pay you, so as long as you don't retire on us (cough choke KIM ahem) I'll be happy.

Thanks!

10:06 PM  
Blogger the pistolero said...

The crux of the matter is that you can only write so much about hammers or guns until you start repeating yourself....

This is true, but then you have a gift for writing about guns and shooting, Xav. Just my humble opinion. Write about what interests you. I don't just blog about guns or politics either. Here lately my blog has turned into a music blog more than anything else, and guns & politics were what I started out with.

10:30 PM  
Blogger Daniel said...

Xavier,

The post of yours I have linked in other places were that of your look into criminals and how to avoid them. Since you are open to suggestions, a few more posts on that would be nice. Are there any updates on the Walmart incident or practices you have changed because of it? I have often seen some rather aggressive panhandlers in their parking lots.

Thanks for your posts on hammers.. err guns. There is still a lot of life in those old ones of steel and wood but, as you mentioned, we must remember they are only steel and wood and talking of them exclusively without talking about their purpose is like discussing the benefits of hammers with no mention of houses. I do find your posts tend to keep that perspective rather than just what is new or expensive-looking.

Glad your Little Darling has the character to receive such an award as she did.

10:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Some things have the touch of infinity to them, and though it seems that inspiration is as fleeting as the day, its recurrence is as consistent as the sun. Passion never dies, at times it dims, and even flickers, but a real passion never dies. This seems to describe you. Just be patient, inspiration returns to those worthy to proclaim the message it carries, and you are worthy indeed.

-Dan

1:48 AM  
Anonymous Dave H said...

Xav,
I don't always find the time to read your blog every day, so don't sweat it if a day goes by and you don't have anything to write about. Your blog is the only one I read on any consistent basis. Why? You seem to have a firm grasp of what's important in life regarding people, animals and firearms. I enjoy your observations of the world around you, regardless of the specific topic. I think your recent rediscovery of photography is interesting, especially your interest in capturing the essence of a person through portraits. Now if you start photographing bowls of fruit and whatnot, I might lose interest, but you don't seem the type to take an artisitc interest in still life unless there's some iron in the mix. I'm sure something (or someone) will turn up that sparks your interest, whether it be at a pawn shop, gun show, news about a stupid gun owner or a defender of life, a bike ride, a new piece of camera gear, something funny your dogs do, ... I guess my point is some of the things you feel are mundane or you've already written about and still things most of us enjoy reading. It's your take on things that make it interesting to me. Sometimes it's fun just to read what you've been doing. You're living the dream and probably don't even know it.
Dave

2:29 AM  
Anonymous Mr.Potato said...

How about: YAY! - guns in National Parks - bill passed. ?

6:15 AM  
Blogger David aka True Blue Sam said...

Don't let it weigh you down; you are inspiring lots of readers and we want you to keep blogging! Mom introduced a young mother to shooting at her local range this week, and one of her neighbors wants to go out and shoot pistols now. Your posts about new shooters have inspired her to help other women who want to shoot. She will be 78 in July.

7:46 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good blogging is tough, especially the kind of blogging you do which is mostly stuff you generate on your own.

Anybody can comment on current events and provide a link but fitting a barrel to an old .45? Tweaking a beat up camera lens till it turns smoothly? And the bicycles...and dogs?

Enjoy your holiday and that family of yours. No deadlines sir.

8:12 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Xavier,

Don't worry about repeating yourself, there will always be someone new to benefit from what you have to say.

Perhaps you could select a "Best Of" segment from the archives for those that missed it the first time.

You do important work here. Current events have given us more new gun owners, most with no background in firearms. Your blog is a measured, thoughtful response to all of the 'Keyboard Commandos' out there. It is a reminder of what responsible gun owners should aspire to (myself included).

But, if you're taking requests, I always enjoy it when you get a newbie out on the range.

Thanks for your hard work!

9:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

When you lose the inspiration it's best to just step away from it, clear your mind, and wait for it to come back.

Mike

11:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Xav! Since you've opened Pandora's Box regarding subjects to write about, I think you should devote some postings to your wife's curio and relic rifles. What was it that attracted her to them? Does she shoot them regularly or are they simply objets d'art? How does your amazing daughter relate to them? Etc.

1:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Xavier - I have enjoyed your blog for a long time. I am wringing out my Colt New Agent after my research, especially your blog, told me I needed one. Quite a pistol! Thank you for all you have posted. Write when inspired. Best, Bill

2:19 PM  
Blogger Z@X said...

"Xavier Thoughts" is what this place is about ... if Xavier is thinking guns, medicine, bikes, photography, family, or the blues, then that is what should be written.

Blogs are journals ... life is not just guns or roses. You do a great job keep it fresh and interesting.

6:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Xavier,

Write about whatever the hell you want! You write goodly enough, ;) and I'm happy to read it. But--

If you want to see a gun so ugly that Bubbafication could only improve it...I'll email it to you.

Antibubba

8:47 AM  
Anonymous Alex said...

I'd like to hear more about how socialized medicine would affect you.

2:51 PM  
Blogger New Jovian Thunderbolt said...

and what's wrong with repeating yourself? Good info gets to new eyes that wouldn't see it necessarily.

12:08 PM  

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