Headed Home

Posted Sat May 16, 2009 in University

It’s been a week! I spent the week here in Lubbock, Texas, working with my colleagues on the research projects we have active, plus planning for proposals for a few more.

The week started hard, with us late into town because we didn’t make the miles over the last weekend. We rolled into town about 1000 Monday and totally forgot we had a 1000 appointment, thinking it was 1100. What an inauspicious beginning! We made a part of the appointment, though, and moved on.

Monday afternoon was the first set of meetings. We reviewed the state of the work, gave direction to our student help, and then broke.

I met with the second group, anticipating the next couple of days of intense intellectual activity. We started running a bunch of statistical analyses, displaying the results through the projector, and the free association began. We broke for supper and went to a favorite place, Orlando’s. The Mafia Queso is to die for and I think it’s the best queso I’ve ever had. It is one of the things I miss about Lubbock.

Tuesday and Wednesday went by quickly, with us presenting various components of our work, critiquing each other (can only be done well in a trusting, respectful environment), and giving direction so additional work can be done.

A bit of lagniappe was the tour of the new flume. It’s operational and has a working hydraulic model in-place. They are beginning the data collection phase of that work and it’s a true miracle it was pulled off. I’m proud of Ted for that accomplishment.

One of us left at noon on Wednesday — the remainder worked part of Wednesday afternoon, tidying up and making plans for the next assault.

We hit it again Thursday morning. Unfortunately, one of the notebooks died and the statistical analysis we need is on that machine. I’m hopeful that Apple will turn it around quickly so we can snag the code, form up the graphics, and include them in our next deliverable. Will is a super hacker and a talented statistician. He’s also directly responsible for my use of the R-project program for statistics work.

We broke about noon Thursday, dispersed, and regrouped for a 1530 range session. There is little 9mm ammunition to be found in Lubbock and I could find no CCI Mini-Mags for the .22LR conversion. Fortunately, Rick at Patriot Range had some (expensive) 9mm and .22 Velociter ammunition. It was an expensive afternoon, but the focus I find at the range was rejuvenating.

There is a Zen-like state on the range, at least for me. There is a link between me, the sidearm, the eyes, and the target. I shot the Glock 19, both with and without the conversion. Young Son and I took turns, swapping out targets. He’s coming along nicely and his groups will tighten up as he gains experience.

I ran the target out to ten yards and just worked on trigger control for awhile. I always shoot both hands (alternating with strong and weak running the trigger), then one-handed (strong and weak). I wasn’t working on speed; just working on sight picture, trigger control, follow-through, and recovery. The target above is the one I used the entire session. There were probably about 50 rounds of 9mm and another 50 of .22LR.

For my last string, I pulled the target back to five yards and ran the gun for a fire, recover/reset, and fire drill as the gun came back on target. It’s interesting to watch the pistol come into recoil, then return to the target. If you do it right, the sights line up back on the target as the gun recovers from recoil. It requires only a small adjustment to re-align the sights and begin the next press on the trigger. Really good shooters can do follow-up shots in a fraction of a second. They are so well-trained that it’s only a confirmation that the sights are in alignment and a quick trigger press from the reset.

I should push my times a bit and think I’ll set up a drill that requires me to fire five shots in 2.5 or 3 seconds, with combat accuracy. The shot-timer is an excellent tool for putting on some pressure.

Tired, but refreshed, we left the range and went to supper. It was good. I like Cattle Baron (another favorite place in Lubbock).

Friday was a wrap-up day. I woke really early and read through the materials I needed for my first meeting. That went well and we gave the student help good direction. I worked for a bit longer then left for another appointment. We met with an old friend and student for lunch and there is nothing like good Texas BBQ. We have some good places in Lubbock.

Friday afternoon was spent decompressing with my friends. We’re still planning for additional project work and have a new project (and I hope more) coming on-line this summer.

I’ll be on the road by the time this posts. Now I need some breakfast.