This is a scary read. Just two days after the Orlando massacre, this reporter, who walked into an Orlando gun shop as an every day bloke, was able to purchase, and WALK OUT OF THE SHOP, with an AR-15 in less than 40 minutes. Had it not been for the long wait for the background check, he could have left the shop sooner. Yep. The AR-15, a weapon, which the military call   the "perfect killing machine" can be purchased that quickly. So the video that you might have seen where the shop owner claims you have to wait 3 days.....? That's bull shit. What that shop owner failed to clarify was that a customer DOES have to wait 3 days to walk out with a small handgun. Why? Not sure. Even the reporter in the attached article couldn't be clear what Mateen's weapon fell under -leisure, hunting or defense. And, if you're not a-gasped already, apparently, the sale of the AR-15 has risen since Mateen's horrific attack this past week. A gun that can fire dozens, DOZENS of bullets in less than 10 seconds.

I read an article from someone pro gun who, I'll admit, seems very educated on guns and, because of this, I chose to "hear" what he had to say. He wanted to educate us dumb folk on the AR-15 and why it's so important to have. He talked about this "military-grade combat weapon" as ergonomic, rugged, accurate and reliably effective. He said he doesn't want to "shoot and miss".  He also said a weapon like the AR-15 is both an assault and defense weapon, which I agree with. Really, shouldn't all weapons  be considered both because, when you think about it, when using a weapon to defend yourself you're also using it to assault someone - your attacker, right? Oh, and he also said, in so many words, if it's good enough for the police to use, then why can't civilians own one too. Oh, well, ok then (you can't see me but this is the point where I'm rolling my eyes). He said he's not writing to try and change or minds about the AR-15 but he just wanted to educate us. But, after reading his article, although I do respect his knowledge and honesty, I still disagree that a civilian NEEDS (he used the word 'needs') to own a  WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION THAT CAN SPIT OUT DOZENS OF BULLETS WITHIN LESS THAN 10 SECONDS. Ok......well....unless you're being chased by a family of wild boar or......a bunch of CRAZIES running towards you, wielding weapons of mass destruction.

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_576059f3e4b0e4fe5143fd4d

I've got something to say. I don't rant like this often so bear with me:

As a concerned US citizen on our gun control issue, I've read posts from gun enthusiasts who are reminding us (the concerned ones) of the 2nd Amendment. Yeah, yeah, I get it. Yada yada yada. Let me be clear, though. I am not voicing against the 2nd Amendment. I do have respect for it.

The arrogance of gun enthusiasts who legally own guns think we feel THEY are the problem, and have to remind us that they've got it all under control. I'm sure there are some out there that feel gun owners are the problem but, for me, this has nothing to do with that (although, let me be VERY clear - I do NOT agree that the answer to these horrific acts, like the Orlando massacre, is that more people should own guns in order to protect themselves).

For me, it has to do with the SLOPPY control, or lack thereof, that the ATF has on the 2nd amendment and what type of gun is allowed in civilian hands, as well as how EASY it is for someone to get there hands on one. NO one should be allowed to own a semi-automatic weapon. There is NO logical reason to make this so. None. And, if you think there is, name one. I guarantee you, when this weapon was first advertised as an available toy for gun enthusiasts, the reaction was "ooh, cool! I gotta have one!" It's like when the Motorola Razor first came out. Everyone wanted one.

But this isn't a fancy phone I'm talking about. Stoner originally created the AR15 so that our soldiers had an advantage over the AK47 (Russia). The AR15 was made to be used by our military who risk their lives for our country. By the way, did you know they renamed it the M16? Something I had the chance to test when I visited the Cu chi Tunnels a couple years ago, and I can see why something like that was needed during the Vietnam War. Very scary to handle something like that. But, I digress. At some point, the AR15 was altered, to allow it into civilian hands. Another fancy toy for gun enthusiasts to play with. And gun shop owners certainly didn't have any issues putting it on their shelves. Why? The two top sellers right now are the semi-automatic pistol and.......the AR15. Taking those away from the greedy gun shop owners would be like taking a bone from a hungry wolf.

Gun activists constantly remind us that it's their "Constitutional right" to own a gun and how dare anyone try and take that away from them. I personally am not saying "ban all guns". Good God, no. Don't worry, we won't take your blanket away, Linus.

But, let's remember, our founding fathers wrote the Constitution knowing that with our ever changing nation, there will also be changes to our Constitution. They weren't stupid. And, they were right because, since it was written, it was amended over 25 times. An example, let's take the Prohibition era. Do you remember this? I'm happy to remind you. In 1919/1920, the 18th amendment was added to our Constitution, banning the production and sale of alcohol, after some activists decided it was causing too many problems in our society. It took them 13 years to realize this was a stupid idea when they discovered it only caused more problems, like the rise of organized crime. So, that's when the 21st amendment was added which canceled out the 18th amendment.

You see, we might have a Constitutional right to bear arms, but changes CAN be made to it, and SHOULD be made to it. We have to think sensibly about this. Both, the ATF and NRA just need to get off their high horses and admit they made a mistake in allowing weapons like the AR15 into civilian hands. There's a first time for everything. Let this be one of them. #ar15 #guncontrol #atf #stopthemadness

END RANT

I'M STILL HERE!

I haven't gone anywhere. Still here. Just sorting a few things out. More soon!

It's been much too long...

Wow… Has it really been since June 2010 since my last post?  Whoops.  Please stay tuned…. ox

Like Father, Like Son. GO ENGLAND!!

Gotta love my guys.... Though thousands of miles apart, both showing support for their soccer team during the World Cup. 

David in St Albans, Hertfordshire

And Pete here in Sydney, Australia.

Mother's Day Classic 2010

so.... we got up early this morning to do The Walk.

it was a great turn-out in Sydney

....and many were dressed for the part

the queue was extremely long where we stood for 25 minutes before it was our turn.

we were all smiles....

ok, well.... some of us....

walkers big and small...

yah!  8k's later.  although my legs are really sore, i look forward to doing this again. 

THIS IS FOR MY MOM, SALLY PRITCHETT.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

a must have

so…i’m in search of a fuzz shaver for sweaters. you know…one of those shavers that removes annoying, rolly polly, fuzzy balls that collect over time – something i’m not a fan of. i had a great one that i found for really cheap at walgreens pharmacy (in the u.s.) - $14.99 and worked like a charm - but, sadly, i discovered i left it behind. i found quite a few options on amazon.com but why pay for int'l shipping to oz? plus, it was difficult finding someone who would ship here, and since oz doesn’t have amazon, i started searching on aussie shopping sites and found….one. they call it……..

.
.
.

…wait for it…
.
.
.

the “scoparia ball trimmer”. yep. i like to call it “little miss piggy”, simply because...well... it’s a pink piggy fuzz shaver. lol…i know someone in chicago who would LOVE this. yeah.. you know who you are, D.

i couldn’t resist and am now waiting for it’s delivery. 
(by the way, scoparia is a plant that grows wild with pretty pink ball-like flowers, so you can get your minds out of the gutter now)

that's one ugly snuggie

first of all... the name alone is laughable, so to be seen in one...

especially if you're a guy... so sexy!

but now they come in designer colors....

oh, but my favorite........

creepy-alien-baby-protruding-from-body design

QUICK! what's that number again?  i must have one!

why i love autumn

Entertaining Family

David (Pete's dad) came for another visit. A photo of us in Melbourne at Church Street Enoteca - one of our favourite restaurants in Melbourne.

Pete planned a road trip for David to drive the Great Ocean Road and led him to believe he rented just a normal, everyday car. Little did he know! The look on his face was priceless!

We can never pass up an opportunity to visit the National Gallery of Victoria. And stay at our favourite place in Richmond. It's always good to see David.