June 22nd, 2009
I noted in a recent post that I have been studying various aspects of computer programming for the last several months heavily. While it is a fairly interesting topic, and an important one to me and to my family’s future, it can become a bit dry to say the least.
My reading list has not been updated in months! After a steady progress to start, there has been nothing for some time. I have not been able to read anything really enjoyable, or more properly stated, for leisure, at all. Learning new programming stuff is exciting and can be fun, but it is nothing like reading a nice novel, or historical text.
While perusing Craigslist, I found an interesting book collection, called “The Harvard Classics”. After some research on Wikipedia I learned that this is a collection of works designed to give one the equivalence of a “liberal education”. These books were compiled by the former President of Harvard, Charles W. Elliot in 1909. It was his thought that if one judiciously read the assorted works, if even for only “fifteen minutes a day”, the reader would come away with a worthwhile education, prepared for the upcoming century.
Having read quite a bit about this Five Foot Shelf, I found myself intrigued. It has its critics, one who decried the absence of Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud specifically. These critics don’t see it as having a properly modern perspective. It is not dark enough, and shows just a little too much hope for the future. Having read these kinds of criticisms, I decided to purchase the set.
I have read pretty much none of these works, and find the prospect of discovering the collected thought of humanity, through the eyes, of a late Victorian, American perspective to be exciting. I really don’t care to read Freud, Marx, or Nietzsche just now honestly. This collection has a very large sampling of some of the greatest works of all time, and becoming familiar with them, should take a decade or more.
Having decided to purchase the set, some research as to the value of the collection was conducted. After some back and forth, the seller agreed to part with the collection for $250. This appeared to be a very good deal. So I met up with the seller and her father at their church to complete the transaction.
After clearing some shelf space, and unloading and organizing the set, I was horrified to find that two volumes were missing! There has still been no response to my emails, and I doubt that there will be, which is unfortunate. The seller seemed like such a good person. Whether she was deceitful or not, seems to be no longer in doubt. With every passing day, her silence indicates, that she knew the volumes were missing.
This sour note started to spoil my joy for having made the purchase of course. Staring at the not quite five foot shelf, really irritated me. I am a completist at heart, and two missing volumes just would not do. Luckily I was able to find copies of the missing two, from the same printing, on eBay, and should have them in a week or so.
I have dedicated to read the set in order, and have already started the first volume, which starts with His Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin. So far it has been a surprisingly enjoyable read. His style is very agreeable, and I plan to complete reading this selection shortly.
I will create a listing of the collection, and will dutifully review each work, except for the individual poems, as I have with my other reading list. There are not to many, if any, correlations between the two lists, so I will be going back and forth between them for years to come no doubt. I will post a picture of the shelf tomorrow if possible.
Categories: Books |
Tags: classics, five foot shelf, nostalgia, reading list | No Comments
August 2nd, 2008
This gun is just flat out fun to shoot! I am a big fan of Henry’s rifles. They are a family-owned company that makes some good quality guns at pretty affordable prices. This octagon-barreled beauty was a gift from my dear fiancée for Christmas 2006. It was an accidental purchase. I asked for a lever action .22 Mag, and Wal Mart shipped this gun instead. She must have ordered it, as it costs about $200 more than their bottom of the line lever WMR gun.
She was so upset when she realized it was not the right gun Christmas morning. We discussed taking it back, and decided to. I spent the rest of the day looking at the gun and handling it. Man this little guy sure does point nice! The short stroke on the pump is a bit weird, but it sure is comfortable! That octagon barrel, nice sights, and pretty wood sure are neat! After fondling it all day, I decided to keep it. I am so glad I did. It is a joy to plink around with.
The gun is more accurate than I am. I am fairly certain that it would do some really nice groups at 100 yards or more with a scope on it. I will never put one on it though.
Henry rifles are not fine bespoke guns by any means. They are affordable reminders of our past history however. The company has captured the nostalgia of the old American west so many of us are infatuated with. You can get into a standard lever action .22 from them for less than $250. The action they have created is incredibly smooth for the price. This is not a Marlin Golden 39a, but it is in my opinion the next best thing. My pump WMR will not be the last gun I purchase from Henry.
The company’s customer service is second to none. Emails from the company president are not uncommon, and I hear he answers the phone quite a bit as well. They seem to go out of their way to make sure the customer is happy with their purchase.
Henry’s trifecta of good quality, good value, and good service make them a winner.
Manufacturer’s Website:
Henry Repeating Arms
Pics:
Links:
Specs:
Model: H003TM
Action Type: Pump
Caliber: .22 Magnum
Capacity: 12 rounds
Barrel Length: 20 1/2″
Length: 38 1/2″ Overall
Weight: 6 lbs.
Stock: American Walnut
Sights: Fully adjustable rear, beaded front
Receiver: Grooved for scope mount
Finish: Blued barrel and receiver
Categories: Guns |
Tags: guns i own, nostalgia, pump action, RKBA | No Comments
July 30th, 2008
My Marlin 1894 Cowboy, chambered in .45 Long Colt, was a gift from my wife last Christmas. It is an exceedingly beautiful rifle, that I will cherish forever. As of this writing, I have not shot it yet, but look forward to doing so in the near future.
The fit and finish of the rifle are excellent, and the action is tight and smooth. The gun points well. It has a good heft, while not being overly heavy, and the skinny forearm is perfect for my smaller hands.
The stock sites are very nice as well. They should allow for rather fine target acquisition. I will most likely have a tang peep sight installed in the future however.
Manufacturer’s Website:
Marlin Firearms
Pics:
Links:
Marlin Owners
Chuck Hawk’s Article
Kim du Toit’s Article
Specs:
Caliber: 45 Colt
Capacity: 10-shot tubular magazine
Action: Lever action with squared finger lever; side ejection; deeply blued metal surfaces; solid top receiver; hammer block safety.
Stock: American black walnut straight-grip stock; hard rubber butt plate; tough Mar-Shield® finish; blued steel fore-end cap.
Barrel: Tapered octagon with deep-cut Ballard-type rifling (6 grooves).
Twist Rate: 1:16″ r.h
Sights: Adjustable Marble semi-buckhorn rear, Marble carbine front sight. Solid top receiver tapped for scope mount; offset hammer spur (right or left hand) for scope use. Serial number is on left side of receiver instead of tang, allowing custom installation of a tang sight by a competent gunsmith.
Overall Length: 37.5″
Weight: 6.5 lbs.
Categories: Guns |
Tags: guns i own, lever action, nostalgia, RKBA | No Comments
