Stress Relief on the Rifle Range

My morning had been completely shitty today.  I was being told about IEPs that happened weeks ago which means that I did not get my job completed on those meetings, I had teachers complaining about how they were still new (after 4 - 6 months) and gee whiz, they were doing their best, but they have an IEP scheduled for this week and could I get to it......on and on and on.  It has gotten to the point that I expect that my school will continue to fail the audits even with the State looking over our shoulders.


I had been roaming around the house ranting and raving about the incredible level of stupid I was having to deal with from some co-workers, and Ken kept reminding me that our friend, Jeff, was on his way out to our place from Redondo Beach to go shooting with us.  I wasn't too excited because Jeff was bringing rifles which is not something I really wanted to do today, but by the time he arrived, I had completely had my fill of Stupid for the day, so I was very happy to go to the Range even if just to watch the guys shoot.  


As always, Ken and Jeff had a TON of gear, and it took them a while to get set up.  We had the range to ourselves when we first arrived, and we actually got to keep the range to ourselves until we were done.  

I loved watching the two of them prep and get ready.  Sadly, I was exhausted from my morning, so I sat down to rest.  Only I can fall asleep on a Rifle Range and not wake up when the shooting starts.  If I could just only do that when I'm at home with the girls!!

Ken convinced me to use his Mini-14 to shoot at the steel which was at 200 yards.  I had a hell of a time doing it the last time with the iron sites, but Ken's new scope was awesome, and I rocked it! I hit the large plate on the left every single time with no problem.  So, Ken challenged me to hit the small plates on the swinger stand.  The first magazine of 5, I managed 3 out of 5.  I was not happy about that, so I reloaded another 5, and I hit 4 times.  By that point, the challenge was on.  Ken kept trying with the Mini, but he couldn't hit the small swinger, so he pulled out the Savage.  When he finally hit twice in a row, he was done with it.  LOL  


Because I am rarely in the pictures, Ken made sure to get me shooting a bit.  I always hate the look of concentration on my face.  It just never looks right to me.  


The best part of the day came when Jeff wanted us to shoot his lever action.  He had some cartridges loaded way down, and I was doing really well with them even at 200 yards.  I was not brave enough to try the "slighter larger loads" that he had, and then it was Ken's turn to shoot.  Jeff and I were busy talking, and I - SADLY - had put my camera away.  Ken went through all of the smaller loads, and then he loaded up the "slightly hotter" ones.  Jeff and I heard the first shot and it was a rather large BOOM, and suddenly, Ken is faltering and he's not shooting anymore.


We look over, and Ken is obviously stunned, and his glasses were completely knocked off his face.  Because we love Ken so much, we start laughing uncontrollably!  Ken spent the rest of the night SWEARING that Jeff didn't tell him those rounds were going to be so hot which just made us laugh harder.  I kept telling Ken that you could hear the "Wink-Wink" when Jeff was saying they were just slightly hotter, but Ken remained firm and said that Jeff did not use the sarcastic font when speaking about them.  Luckily, Ken is a great sport, but Jeff was giggling in a very high pitch when we talked about it that night. 


It definitely turned into a great day! I was able to get relaxed even though I didn't shoot as much as the guys, but I loved hanging out with them and listening to the discussions and banter.  Now, if we could just find a way to get more of our shooting friends to gather at one time....