Shooting

On Saturday, I went shooting with Ryan. This is the second time in my whole life that I have gone. We both got memberships at the Hobble Creek shooting range in Mapleton that's only about a mile or two down the street. The cost was the low low annual fee of $8. Very family friendly. There were lots of little girls mostly, that were just playing and running around (not in the lanes of course) wearing protective ear wear. It was a little strange to see, but cute. I guess in Utah, it's a family culture thing.



First I shot with Ryan's trusty rifle with .22s. That was fun. Then I used a Ruger pistol which wasn't too bad but it had a red dot scope thingy on it that was unfun. That was hard to use and it was getting in the way. But it's a personal preference. Then I tried Ryan's Sig Sauer. I couldn't hit anything with that even if I was going for the ground. The recoil was intense for little me. Part of my problem is that I was anticipating the recoil (the part where the bullet comes out and the gun jerks back; at least it did in my case) so I would screw up my shot before I even took it, if that makes any sense. And then I tried shooting with a rifle I couldn't even lift. That one I really didn't like and it kept misfiring (every once in a while, you would pull the trigger and nothing would come out). So it was kind of a "pop goes the weasel" effect. Very uncool.

I found out that I am left eye dominant and that I can shoot with either hand. Although I can't actually close my right eye on my own. I can wink with my left eye but for some reason, I can't control the right winkage (I know that's not a word guys). So we just put tape over my right eye of my glasses and that worked very effectively. I guess I just need practice closing my eye. Maybe I should do that during my boring classes.



We were there for about three hours enjoying the outdoor range and beautiful breezy day. I have my very own shooting glasses and ear protection/head muffs. I feel kind of cool. But at the same time, I am conflicted. I have mixed feelings about guns. They're weapons and I don't know if I would ever like my own. I don't really see the need for me to have my own. I never want to have a Concealed Weapons Permit—where would I put one anyway? Skinny little me couldn't conceal anything on her hip. Maybe if I were pregnant or something. I dunno. Which I am not, by the way. Ryan says that they may bra holsters for women. But I don't think that's quite what I am interested in either...

I have fun going every once in a while for "recreational" purposes but I don't think I'd ever want to go hunting or kill something. It just seems a bit wasteful since I am fine with the beef I get at the stores. Maybe my opinion or tastes will change. I find myself taking pride in my skill, as beginner's luck as it may be. It's kind of fun to release any tensions you may have by taking a rifle outside and shooting at a log.

So that was my fun weekend. I had a good time with Ryan. It was fun. Let's do it again. Maybe we could have it be a family event—I know Beth likes such activities :) I know Grandma would be proud.

Starting out my day right

So I had one of my classes for the first time this morning--Educational Psychology. I was nervous because the book was expensive, heavy, and large. She also had a somewhat intense syllabus. So when Ryan dropped me off at 5 to 8 this morning, I was freaking out that she would be super strict and very upset if I was late. So I rushed there and I got into the room 10 seconds after the bell (actually, there is no bell that goes off at the McKay building...). So I was safe. As I neared the classroom, I was greeted by the sound that has been in every class I have had thus far in the semester--chatting. So I knew that because people were still talking, class hadn't started yet.

I walked into the classroom and saw stacks of paper on the first desk and two boxes of assorted Krispy Kreme donuts. I knew I was going to be okay.



I sat down and put my things on the floor. Then I got back up, collated the worksheets and then selected the donut of my choice--a cruller. Those type of donuts are the favorite of Ryan and myself. When I eventually got around to taking a bite, it wasn't the freshest of the fresh, but it was still pretty good. It had all of the points that counted at least. It was a donut, it was free, it coated my mouth with sugar, and it made me relax. It was a little crunchy but that's just extra character for a donut of its stature.

As much as the donut was delicious, the best part was still to come. Because I'm now a senior, my teachers have been a lot more easy going about due dates and such. For this class, I get to write down in a "contract" when I will hand assignments in. But if you want, you can change the contract throughout the semester if things get busy. All in all, I'd say it was a pretty productive morning.