Those Darn Ninjas

Well, folks - those darn ninjas are at it again . . .

‘Ninjas’ Rob Pennsylvania Gas Station

A Pennsylvania robbery turned into a bad kung fu movie last weekend when two women in ninja attire robbed a gas station of lottery tickets, cigarettes and cash, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.

The two women walked into the Sunoco station early Saturday armed with a samurai sword and a dagger, respectively, the paper reported. They allegedly tied up a female clerk, grabbed the loot and fled. The robbery was captured on security video.

The swarthy 'ninjas' were dressed all in black except for white gloves. Police have made no arrests in the case. More.

Ninjas are well-known for their love of cigarettes and passion for the lottery. There was no mention of those cool shoes with the spikes on them that enable you to walk up walls, but at least one of them was carrying a samurai sword.

We can assume the unlucky samuari was probably the first victim as any ninja worth his salt would not carry such an obtrusive weapon.

Be on the lookout in Pittsburg prefecture for these nefarious villians.

Zombie War Weapons - On Sale Now!

Nothing says "Back Thee Off Flemish Dog" quite like a pole axe.

Although they haven't been in general use for a few hundred years (except by the Swiss Guards and SCA folks) they are still a great choice for the would-be zombie fighter. Not only can the keep the recently reanimated at bay, but they also offer the dual option of axe and big hammer to use on your undead foe. They sometimes even have a top mounted spike - yet another action possibility.

I just got the new Cold Steel Special Projects catalog and noticed that they are offering their version of the Pole Axe as a closeout item. The Special Projects catalog - although really cool and well laid-out - is notorious for having higher prices than one can find at discounters and gunshows. However - if something is in their closeout section, than it really is a great price and is often lower than you can find used items for at either of the above locations.

Their version features an axe blade and hammer head and comes complete with an ash pole (almost worth the price of the whole deal - almost) and langettes - which are the steel pieces on the side of the wooden pole, originally intended to protect the weapon and user from sword strikes (and similar).

The weapon is being offered at $29.99 (plus shipping), which is $70 less than their MSRP of $99.99. Most discounters were offering it for around $65, so this is definitely a great deal.

At that price you can afford to equip your whole family, clan, and/or zombie attack force. :)

9/11 - Six Years Later

Weapons of mass destruction, small boats packed with explosives and Islamic radicalization are the greatest terrorist threats facing the country, top U.S. security officials said Monday on the eve of the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

[Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff] said the threat of a USS Cole-type attack on U.S. ports - where a small boat packed with explosives detonates in a harbor - is one of his top concerns.

And while the department's goal is to keep nuclear weapons from entering the country, he said it also is focusing on how it would respond should a nuclear device get through and explode - particularly how to identify and track the nuclear materials. Chertoff also said the department is putting in place new screening regulations that would require providing information on flight crews and passengers before a private aircraft departs from overseas bound for the United States.

The radicalization of potential new terrorists, in the U.S. and abroad, is another growing concern, the intelligence officials said at the hearing on the nation's terrorism preparedness.

More.



Asia is not going to be civilized after the methods of the West. There is too much Asia and she is too old.
- Rudyard Kipling

Paintball this weekend at Miller Ranch -
Saturday, September 15th

We're playing paintball this Saturday at Miller Ranch. I think the schedule says Dripping Springs, but since our time is really limited at Miller Ranch, I'd like to play there as much as we can. Last time we played it was really freakin' hot, so we'll plan on gettng started around 9am and try to avoid some of the heat.

Let me know if you are planning on making it or coming out as a guest (gear is very limited). It should be a great game this weekend, we're having a lot of folks in from out of town.

Depending on how many folks show up, we'll probably run most of the games campaign-style. I also want to run some games with radios this weekend, so if you have one or more bring them out.

Into the Wild - The Movie

I read for the first time today about a film version of Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild that is due out later this year. I read the book a few years ago when I friend recommended it because I was "into that survival stuff."

It was a pretty intense read about a fresh-out-of-college kid who thought he was a sort of later-day Daniel Boone. He had a series of semi-misadventures where he got himself into some harrowing situations and by skill and luck managed to survive. He eventually ended up testing his mettle in Alaska and his luck ran out.

Nature always wins . . .

It's a great book and something I recommend to any armchair adventurer who grew up reading Hatchet and thinks they can hack it in the real wilderness. It creeped me out in the same way that Jack London's To Build A Fire creeped me out about being without a nice, warm fire in the out of doors.

It certainly changed my perspective on the whole idea of wilderness survival being anything but glamorous.

The famous bus scene. Creepy.

The real-life Chris McCandless also traveled initially with a lot of guns and really was pro on them - finally regretfully having to bury a few in the dessert to shed weight. The film is directed by anti-gun stalwart and Hollywood B-list loony Sean Penn, so I am sure this aspect of the book will be disregarded.

More info on the move here.