SHOOTING THE SURPLUS STUFF

American elections are irrelevant to those who get surplus ammunition and *stuff* from former Warsaw Pact countries—most specifically, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, and Russia. Individual politicians aren't terribly important. But with the current scuffle between the US and Russia regarding Ukraine, the run on ammunition that began in October of 2012 sure seems like it's going to get way, way worse for shooters of the surplus stuff.

The price of 7.62X54R ammunition was $0.21 per round as late as last Wednesday (3/12/14). The lowest available price-per-round this morning is $0.30, and the next best price is $0.45 (link) (if Cheaper Than Dirt shows up on top of the list, ignore the price—with those clowns, it's always unavailable). This is one of the downsides of shooting a surplus round—it's availability and price is subject to things like weather, wars, sanctions, and grandstanding in general.

For those who have purchased firearms and like to use them, this is an unfortunate thing. But for those who have never purchased a firearm in their life, it's no big deal ;-)

A NEW ANONYMITY

"I guess we look like everyone else now."

That's what my wife said as we drove to the grocery store. I was so focused on how easy it was to hear what she was saying that I barely grasped what she said. After a few long seconds, I agreed.

I'm new.

We had purchased a 2004 Lincoln LS earlier that day to replace a 25 year old car, which suddenly put us in a very common vintage vehicle. We're used to driving one of those old grandparent cars that are as square as the box that their parts came in. In one sense, nothing changed—we could blend in with the old car because it wasn't old enough to notice. Now we would blend in because everyone drives a ten year old car. To me—to both of us—it felt like a cheaper brand of anonymity.

THE DRIVEWAY SCENE GETS CHEEKY

Our cars have personalities. Sometimes they interact.




HI! I'M THE JEEP! I GET YOU FROM A TO B! DON'T YOU WANT TO GO FROM A TO B? YOU'RE AT A! I GET YOU TO B!

I'm Dolly.

I'm cold. And you're all boring. Every one of you.

Hey now. I can go places that you can't.

You mean when you're not broken? You spend more time on jack stands than tires.

DON'T YOU WANT TO GO FROM A TO B? LET'S GO TO B!

You sound like you're crying when you're starting. Does it really take 1000 revolutions to start that engine?

It does when it's a Chrysler engine. Boom!








Coming from a collection of parts that need to be fixed or repaired daily? Stay classy back there.








Classy--coming from a car that gets driven all of seven miles during the warmest months of the year.

You two aren't seriously arguing about reliability, are you?









I'M RELIABLE! I'LL ALWAYS GET YOU FROM A TO B!

WITH HANDLING THAT...geez, why am I yelling? With handling that will shake out everyone's dental fillings along the way!

WHAT'S HANDLING???

Yes, pickup--do tell! What is handling? This is rich.

Handling is what happens when one of you breaks: they drive me.

HAHAHAHAHA LET'S GO TO BEEEEEEEEEEEE!