Mrs. Peel

Many psych drugs have bad side effects - nausea, cotton mouth, etc. - that's a big reason patients go off them - they feel like crap! Others just get lax, get forgetful, or convince themselves that they're "cured". And sadly, the worst mental illnesses are soooo difficult on family members and friends, those folks tend to get driven away, then you have no one left to help keep the ill person on-track with their meds. It's all terribly sad. And it's all been complicated by the well-intentioned "patient's rights" groups that sprang up after awful abuses were found in our state mental institutions. It is EXTREMELY difficult to get a mentally ill person institutionalized for any length of time. So they usually end up homeless on the street at some point, after having lost everything... and then moving from street to ER, to jail, back to the street... a round robin of misery. Do you know which 2 U.S. institutions house more mentally ill people than any others? LA county jail system and Richter's Island in NY. Yep, the top 2 are not mental hospitals, but jails. Isn't that awful? I was horrified by that. Though, in fairness, I'm not aware of ANY society that does a great job dealing with the mentally ill. It's just a very tough, intractable problem... no perfect solutions. As sad as this Pennington case sounds, so far, he's still got a roof over his head. That's something! (Though the missing doors and windows will be a problem come winter).

I know they don't go in the ear canal... but I thought they were supposed to fit in the little depression that LEADS to the ear canal? Because they fit into that part of my uncle's ear, but they won't fit into mine. Are we both wrong? Are they supposed to be floating over the lobe and the other raised areas?? I'm going to have to see if that website has a diagram! Nope, I just checked... the foam part IS supposed to fit into that area as I thought. They don't work for me - that part of my ear isn't large enough to accommodate the foam tips comfortably! Thanks though!

Hmmm... and why didn't my "@so-and-so" callouts work? Don't they usually show a highlighted type of link? Weird.

I'm having a lot of issues with my hearing protection. I have passive earmuffs, NRR 31, but I suspect I'm getting a lot of sound leakage because the foam cups are not conforming around my plastic eyeglass frames (the ear pieces are kind of thick). I also have sensitive ears, especially the left... if I wear the muffs only, I actually wince in pain if someone shoots a large caliber gun in the next port. That's not good, right? Soooo, I double up with foam plugs... but that causes other problems (like I'm not sure I'd hear "cease fire" if the RO screamed it directly in my face). Mucho problemos! The ones that @HighExposure and others have touted - Peltor Comtac and that MSA brand - even if I wanted to plunk down that kind of money, they don't have a "small adult/youth" size anyway. (I think that's a MUST for me as I've tried many "normal (guy) size" ear muffs and I'm swimming in them. I guess the women/youth market isn't large enough yet to merit coming out with smaller sizes in some of these products?) I also can't use those SensGard ones that @PizzaBob recommended - I tried someone's but the ear tip was too big to fit into my ears and they don't seem to come with the option of smaller ear tips (because, umm...yes... apparently I also have freakishly small ears to go with my freakishly small head... I know some you are tempted right now to chime in with cruel mockery, but please try to refrain, if you would be so kind. ). So, I think I need this: a good quality electronic earmuff in a "small adult/youth" size preferably with an option for gel inserts (to conform better to my glasses). That way I could wear foam plugs plus ear muffs yet not be deaf to range commands. Does that product even exist? If so, what brand would that be? THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Lord, I hate Facebook with a passion, LOL. I might not have a choice though... it seems a lot of the ranges and 2A groups, etc. seem to be more active on there than on their own websites. I might have to finally surrender to Facebook. Thanks for info!

I always loved Sam Shepard --- such a multi-talented guy with an innate sense of "cool" about him. So sorry to hear of his passing! http://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/celebrity/hollywood-and-broadway-react-to-sam-shepards-death/ar-AApaAP6?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp

From a quick visual survey, "no" I didn't see any space like that - they had kind of a well-furnished but "clean, unbusy" vibe. But I was also a bit nervous... I've never ventured to a range alone before... so I might have totally missed some posting area. Call them and ask. They're very friendly!

I went to TTC this morning for the first time. Wow, what a great experience! This is going to echo what some of the other posters have said! Pros: The place LOOKS gorgeous! Brand spankin' new - gleaming wood cabinets - sparkling restroom, etc. Ooooo... pretty-pretty! The attitude was great. When I said it was my first time there, magically the owner was at my elbow ushering me around. I mean, I'm impressed when I see an owner (working on a Saturday!) and attending to a task that other people might see as menial. It means "customer service" is coming from the top down. Every single person working there, without exception, was pleasant, helpful, smiling --- a far cry from another big commercial range in the area. I give them a BIG "thumbs up" on the customer service! To my newbie eyes anyway, they seem to have a decent rental list. I figured - what the heck, I'm here - so I rented the M&P Shield (loved it, btw). The range is nice and long. I suspect their hvac system is really good too (as they have touted on their website), because I wasn't getting the usual whiff of gun exhaust floating into my nose as so often happens on smaller ranges. So, yeah... that's nice - and hey, no doubt healthier! Cons: (minor suggestions really more than "cons") When I was leaving the range heading back into the store, employee "Melissa" reminded me that my driver's license was still at the rental window. Honestly, had she not done that I would have skipped right out of there (like a ditz, lol) w/out my license! What an inconvenience that would have been! If anyone from TTC is reading this: why not put an eye-level sign on that door leading out of the range ("Pls pick up your driver's license at the rental desk")? When things get busy, don't count on your employees to see every guest leaving. As I discussed briefly with the owner, the website is out of date. For instance, I've been checking the TTC website for a while because it once hinted at some ongoing women's shooting thing being planned. As it turns out, it's been happening already, but they never put it on the website! An up-to-date website is almost imperative these days to any consumer-facing business. (But if you really can't keep up with it, maybe you should move the "latest news" section to an interior page (it makes the website feel unnecessarily "dated" when it's almost August and right on the main page you only see ads for events that happened back in the spring). Just my opinion! Those last 2 points are seriously minor. To my mind, TTC has a great operation and I'm sure I'll return soon! If you're in the area and you haven't checked it out yet, I would encourage you to do so!

Yeah, ummm... hopefully, you've already realized that you've picked the wrong crowd for interior design advice. Whatever you do... for the love of god, don't hire @Handyman to design your bathroom! Google is your friend, just do some searches on "small bathroom designs" - you can probably figure this out yourself. You'll see similar themes - utilizing space in unusual ways (corner sinks, etc.), monochromatic colors to make the space feel larger, upscale materials to make it feel richer, smart use of mirrors, low-profile built-in storage, etc.) Or enlist an artistic friend to help you if you know design is not your thing. For me, designing a room is great fun, but if it's just not to your liking... Home Depot has an interior design service. They'll send a designer out to measure up the space and then come back to you with design options, material recommendations, even contractor recommendations. One stop shopping. Easy-peasy. And I seem to recall the service is either super-cheap or even free (because you're buying the materials through them).

Hmmm... that sounds pretty big to me. "Good reason" and NJ's "justifiable need" sound like 6 of one/half-dozen of the other. Tide turning? However, I would still rather see a slightly more pro-2A make-up of SCOTUS before any similar case goes forward. I may not have the same in-depth understanding of 2A rights and our court system as some on here appear to, but that's how I see it. Better to have as little "risk" as possible, even if we're kept waiting a bit longer.

Well... that is really a VERY sad commentary - from a cop's perspective - on the current state of affairs. If that is a typical reaction (and I can only assume it is), then not only are cops and their families dealing with an added level of strain, but there are also long-term implications re: the ability of police departments to attract good recruits. Some of these horrible events are bound to dissuade young people from going into police work. They'll either re-direct to other first responder jobs (EMT, firefighter, etc.) or they'll just go into different fields altogether. We all lose when the law enforcement talent pool shrinks. What a shame!

Well, you're REALLY a purist if you drive an hour+ to see it in IMAX. 70mm will be plenty enough clarity and scenery for moi. But, hey...go for it!

Ah, I did not know that! I will add that to my weekend "to do" list. He seemed to give a damn, spent time explaining the process, told me when to follow up with him (gave me his ext) in case I didn't have them by the date promised... really was thorough. Sounded like a guy trying to do his best despite the epically broken process he deals with.

Funny, I was thinking, "I should find out who his boss is and send a nice note." He really was nice.

I can't speak to historical accuracy... I'll leave that to you history buffs. But, as a film buff, I'm looking forward to seeing this. FYI, unusually, this film is being shown in 6 different film formats btw (in order to adapt it to a wide range of theaters including smaller, older ones, etc.) Seeing it in IMAX 70mm or regular 70mm is the way to go! FYI, 70mm used to be used years ago in Hollywood's heyday, but the cameras are unwieldy and expensive, so it fell out of favor. (Most modern directors have been using 35mm for some time now... but 70mm is making a comeback and director Nolan is a big fan of 70mm). It really does make a difference! It's not just hype. It's noticeably better clarity, you see the director's full artistic vision (the other formats require significant cropping both across the top and the bottom of the film), and you, the viewer, will just get to enjoy more sweeping, expansive scenery.. making it feel more "epic." You can pick your 70mm theater here: http://tickets.dunkirkmovie.com/ (there are plenty out there - most of the big chains have it). There's my 2 cents... for your viewing pleasure, my little forum pups!

Your post reminded me... that's the same guy that I dealt with in Trenton a few months back. He was very helpful, very informative... and nice guy who seems to be professional and well-intentioned. Sorry for your run around... but at least you may have a good ally now. Good luck!

That was interesting, thanks. To echo someone else's comment about Plainfield never rising again, ain't that the truth! That could be said for most of these cities and large towns that had riots though. I feel zero sympathy for rioters, less than zero for the activists that stir them up... but my heart breaks for the people who lost their businesses to looting or arson, the employees who worked at those businesses who end up unemployed, and the decent people who live in those areas who watch helplessly as their neighborhoods are destroyed by a bunch of young idiots with poor impulse control. When the local businesses close... life gets just a little harder for everyone who still lives there... and for those who were fortunate enough to be homeowners there, they watch their property values tank too. The short-term toll in lives and injuries are, of course, horrific... but the long-term consequences of burnt out areas that never recover are pretty bad too. Very sad. And sadder still to see some of that angst repeated so recently - Ferguson, Baltimore, etc.

If only... we don't all have that luxury! Happy for you though.

I must be a little slow on the uptake that it took me so long to figure this out, but... don't you think the NJSP are assuming a Democratic governor, like so many others on here? If that's so, they're probably NOT DOING A DAMN THING to improve the permitting process, because they think Christie's directive urging them to meet their 30-day processing requirement will soon get tossed right out the window. I just can't imagine it's on their priority list. And if Murphy does get in... I'm further guessing that 3 mos would soon be considered LIGHTNING-FAST for a permit. Who knows what additional fees, restrictions and other blockages might be added to the process by this nimrod? This leaves me with 3 thoughts: 1) everyone should fight Murphy in any way possible --- if you have time to spare, give it, and if you have no time but a few extra bucks, donate it 2) if he gets in despite best efforts, the only solution is the courts.. and that will take years 3) if there's 1 special firearm you really have your eye on, and have the money to get it, you should probably just buy it before November. It seems that prices have flattened or even dropped on some guns, so it's not like you'd be buying during a period of inflated prices. Anyone disagree? Because that's kind of my own plan and timeline right now.

Sending you a PM.

They're quite stunning, aren't they? I'm wearing mine again today! I can only hope it doesn't make me a target for a mugger. I'm sure they're in high demand.

Well, regardless of his excuse (wow, estrogen therapy? Who knew?)... it would seem appropriate for HE to nail down the details for some soon-to-occur celebratory "I Made LT" meetup, don't you think? HE? HE? Are you still there? What say you? I mean, there's no more "night shift" excuses, right? Perhaps it's time to morph into the expert party planner we all know you can be! Put all those leadership skills to good use. (Good Lord, Zeke's nudgery must be rubbing off on me -- I'm not sure I really like myself right now....). Oh, and Congrats!

If I didn't know better... I'd think you were a wee bit defensive there, Krdshrk! Had a great time, too --- nice meeting you all!

I hear you, but I think you know where I'm going with that statement. The opposite direction: don't hesitate to save your own life.

You see, this feedback (above) is GOOD. I have to develop a harder attitude. I know that. I'm asking questions now... but they need to develop into tough, uncompromising positions. Because, frankly, I believe that having a gun and being hesitant about it's use could be FAR WORSE than having no gun at all. Because if the intruder isn't armed, a person who hesitates and is then overpowered has just inadvertently ARMED his or her attacker. What sense does THAT make? None.