Back to normal

Oh hi little kid!

I feel like things are getting back to normal with me because our big work event was finished on Wednesday. It went extremely well and my team received a lot of credit for the way it looked. Everyone worked really hard. Last week at this exact time I was just on my way home from Salt Lake City after set up and walk throughs, I’d worked pretty much day and night since before Christmas so now I’m determined to get my life balance back. 

I have to admit that Friday I played around a little. I worked for a few hours in the morning the decided that I wanted to get reacquainted with the sun. Last fall I had bought this AR-15 parts kit and got it all assembled, but hadn’t ever had time to see if it shoots. So I took an extended lunch down to Pelican Point south of Saratoga Springs to test it out. I decided to go light and only took the one gun, no targets or extra gear. I figured if it didn’t shoot, I’d just turn around and come home. I filled three 30 round mags and one 20 round mag. I didn’t even take targets. It was pretty muddy due to all the rain, but I found a pullout with plenty of random things left behind to shoot at. I had mounted a scope and gotten it laser sighted in at home. But half the battle with any new setup is getting it sighted in, meaning getting it to shoot where you think you’re aiming. It took me about two shots to see that it was really close, it may be shooting just a little low, but it’s close. So I started to shoot at various detritus and was picking things off pretty well. I zoomed my scope as far as it would go, which was like four power, and was seeing a bunch of orange sporting clays that previous shooters had left behind. I figured those have about a 5” diameter and were roughly 30 yards away. Some of them I smoked on the first shot and some the second, but I felt pretty confident after destroying a dozen or so in less than one magazine. I had one more mag left and found some oranges that had been rolling around in the back seat of my 4Runner since we went to Wyoming. I only rolled those about 15 or so yards out but they pretty much atomized with each shot. It was a super fun visceral release that felt really good after being stuck in my office for so many weeks on end. Next time I take that rifle out I’ll take some paper targets a get it sighted in perfectly. 

I also had to catch up on a bunch of other chores that I had neglected. I had a prescription waiting, my Toyota was a month late in getting it inspected and registered, I also got the broken handle on our toilet fixed. I also got back to the projector cabinet/frontier toilet. I got the lid sorted out, the holes drilled for the power cord, and even the base painted. I decided that I’m going to go with my favorite spray paint finish. I know, it sounds ghetto, but my method looks really nice. Here’s the formula: two coats of primer sanded with 220 grit between coats. Then I do two to three coats of the finish color rubbing it with fine steel wool between coats. It looks factory smooth after that. I may do a few coats of rubbing polyurethane as a finish, but I don’t think it’s necessary for something like this, it’s not like we’re going to be eating on it. I painted the base satin black, I’ll paint the back part the same color. I’m thinking a blue and gray theme on the rest to match our big table. I’m also considering designing a RiveraPlex logo to put on the front. I’ll send pictures when I finish it. 

I had a full Sunday today with Ward, church, ward mission, and finally stake mission training. I wasn’t in the mood for churchy duties, but we got through. 

I’m just downstairs watching football with Ben right now. Mom’s up either snuggling with Argeorqui or doing her nails, depending on who you ask. Jacob went to Avril’s birthday party but I’m getting the impression he’d rather watch the football games with us. 

Tomorrow morning mom is having her test for her surgery, I’m going with her so I’m taking the morning off. I’ll keep you updated on all of that. Your mother is extremely brave and confident, I’ll be the same for her. I’m so glad I get to work from home so I can take care of her during recovery.

Well my boy, I sure love you,

Pops