MacGyver

Oh, I’m so sorry to hear this.

I really like the fact that the fishing specific sling bags have a smaller 3-point strap that really locks things in when you’re moving - but unclip it and you can bring the whole rig around to your chest to get at whatever you need without taking the whole bag off. I think you don’t really realize how useful it is until you use it. I think some of the “tactical” bags miss on both of these points. They’re a marginally smaller bag with one strap. When you load them down they bounce around and are uncomfortable. And, you have to take them off to get at your stuff. They’re great for a “grab it quick and go” type bag - but they’re definitely limited.

Also, FWIW - the sling bag is kind of a specialized bag with a few applications that it really excels at. Fishing is one of those. They're big enough to hold gear to compliment fishing in the backcountry - and yet stay comfortable all day long. Don't sleep on the sling packs made by Simms, Orvis, and FishPond. I've run all three. I like all of them because they're big enough without being overwhelming - and they'll hold a water bottle too. Since you're in middle TN - I expect you could go down to FlySouth and put your hands on examples of all of them.

On the topic of the original - looking at that bag in both the waxed canvas and "tactical black" - the value just isn't there for $200. I appreciate the fact that they say they're sewn in the US - but even so - that's a lot for a a mediocre bag. Here are a couple similar alternatives - specifically in the sling bag size which is going to be functionally limited to about 20L https://www.wolftacticalusa.com/products/compact-edc-sling-bag-flash-sale?variant=44432930373732 https://www.511tactical.com/rush-moab-10.html If you're looking for something in canvas/leather - I really like these guys: https://olpr.com. They started in Ukraine - but are now in Mooresville, NC. I've ordered a handful of things from them and have been so pleased with the quality and price of all of it.

I’ve carried a Timbuk2 messenger bag as my daily bag for 18 years and it still is as good as new. They make a great product.

File this under yet another example that AI isn’t likely to take over the world just yet.

Nice old Parker. Built to be hunted, appreciated, and fought over when you’re gone.

Unpopular opinion as it would be bad business for the gun mags - and probably cut the postings on this forum by at least 50% - but if they had quit making new cartridges at 30-06 we’d all be fine.

If you get picked up with an auto sear locally - you can be pretty much guaranteed federal charges are coming. I fired a LEO Glock 31 years ago. You had to have a solid grip - but it was surprisingly controllable - especially in short bursts.

Nice.

A good maintenance regimen matters - but in terms of low maintenance in saltwater, I can’t say enough good things about Penn reels. The Penn Squall is level wind reel that is all metal - and low maintenance. If you prefer a spinning reel, if the Battle III was the last reel I could ever buy, I’d be good. I must have a half dozen or more in various sizes. They spend a lot of time in the surf - and generally just get sprayed off with fresh water at the end of the day. A deeper cleaning about once a season. If you’re looking for more of a value reel - I’ve got some old Penn Spinfishers that I’ve been using since the 90s. They’re loaded with good braid and I wouldn’t hesitate to fish them today.

I’d like to hope that would be the case. Apparently the owner is divesting of a lot of stuff he owns in the area. It would be a hard business model to run a boutique hotel - even a historic one - in a small town that people really only visit for a few months out of the year.

I expect we have some former scouts on here who did high adventure treks at Philmont out in the mountains of northern New Mexico. If you did, you likely toured the Grist Mill Museum in Cimarron to see the picture of Billy the Kid. And then you went to see the bullet holes in the tin ceiling in the old St. James hotel - started by Henry Lambert - purportedly Abraham Lincoln’s personal chef in the 1870’s. They announced their plans to close the doors this week: https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/this-historic-wild-west-era-hotel-is-closing-its-doors-in-new-mexico-heres-why/

Goodness. We’ll be so prayerful for her. And y’all. If this community can do anything at all to help y’all out please reach out.

It was apparently going to lock him into the same agent through his college career. His family said something to the effect of “why take a million now when you can get 100 million later.” I get it I guess. But man. You’re a high school sophomore. So many things still have to go right for you to make it to the pros. I think I would have advised my kid to bank the money now and invest it wisely.

My wife is a Bulldog and believes that if you’re good in life and you die, you may go to Vince Dooley’s house for Sunday lunch. She has great hope balanced by an expectation that they’ll let her down any day now. I was listening to a podcast this week on the TSSAA. I didn’t realize that when Lipscomb played Thompson Academy the other Friday night, Thompson’s 15 year old Sophomore quarterback had just tuned down a 7 figure NIL deal. That’s wild. Also, I had no idea we had so many Huskies up in here.

I did find it interesting - even if they’re coming from a different perspective from most of our members here. I thought the episode on perfect being the enemy of good and Melissa Alexander’s run against Gino Bulso was insightful.

How did the quilt originally get to the state museum?

If anyone is going to have it, it’ll be the state archives. They’ve got some really cool’s stuff - and they’re genuinely helpful.

It seems like Sunak really gambled and lost in this most recent round of elections. There’s a lot of buyers remorse on Brexit. That said, I wonder if the EU would even consider having them rejoin at this point? I honestly have no idea - but I kind of doubt it.

I do like that chainmail pattern on the grip.

I don't want to take away from any narratives - but y'all realize the UK has been under Conservative Party rule since 2010, right? If memory serves, starting with W's friend David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and up until a couple of weeks ago Rishi Sunak - they're all conservatives. edit to add: It's also probably worth noting how much the economy comes into play when you're talking about the UK. Really, the UK can be divided into London and the rest of the country. If you take London out of the mix - the per capita income in the UK is roughly on par with Mississippi's.

Wear eye protection… And maybe some gloves.

That wood is gorgeous.

John Rose is likely to care less about serving anyone next year when he starts running for governor.