a friend of a friend (well not really according to that friend) asked me if I could teach them how to shoot a high powered gun b/c she saw her "friend's" online videos and pictures of my last "lesson" with her (I'm not a certified instructor so I don't make too many claims to have taught anyone.)

I thought about this. I recollected my memories giving people tips on how to shoot guns and also the recent dialog on a local forum board on the subject matter on whether its inefficient to teach people how to shoot on a 22lr (low powered caliber) gun instead of a more respectable and powerful self defense caliber.

The responses were mostly driven by the idea that good form is the most important thing and not the caliber.  And while I can't disagree that form is important and definitely a huge stepping stone in developing shooting skills.   I wouldn't say it was the most important.  I dove deeper into understanding the progress of all my various friends who I've coached.  My most recent shooting buddy has gotten the benefit of a much more seasoned shooter coaching her as well as I've eliminated a lot of variables in teaching.  But she excelled much faster than everyone else by a large degree.  Even being at a mere 95lbs did not stop her from being able to shoot guns that make some grown men wince and lose their bearings.  And it just came to me. She respects the gun.  RESPECT.  I know this sounds odd talking about a gun.  But it is an important thing to note.  Success in life in any venture goes into the "respect" of the smaller tasks.  In this application, my friend had learned all the basics about stance, body mechanics, breathing, sight acquisition, and most importantly gun safety.  When she shoots, she's going thru a checklist in her head, not moving onto the next lesson until she is ready (I suppose I helped her develop each skill set with time and practice) but she took the diligence to listen and follow instructions, that is respect.  Respect for me, respect for the gun, respect for the rules.

then it got me to thinking about everything else in my life and giving the due effort to do it right b/c someone actually cares.

oh before I forget, this was all spurred b/c I believe that women are better practiced shooters than men b/c they learn that a gun is a scary destructive tool, submit to the rules, realize its merely a tool, and then w/o fear continue to respect the capabilities of the tool in their hand.

where as the man who is fascinated by the power of a gun.  They regard the gun as a wild bull to be tamed, or a magic scepter of power.  they never realize and humble themselves in earnest to their own pride to control hardened steel and explosions.

observations made today thru the human experience.

two individuals/visitors came into the store today.  one a police man, the other an elderly chinese man.  the police man was looking for a book on Seattle's chinatown, the elderly man looking for a gift for his grand kids.  When speaking to the po, we got into a discussion about the development of the neighborhood...or maybe I should say degredation.  The officer had patrolled the area for 4 years and had close lifelong ties with the neighborhood spanning back close to 25 years.  And he had mentioned how he had been on the anti-crime unit for a couple years and all they did was bust dealers, prostitutes, anything vice related happening on the street.  Now its more or less a game to let things "slide" b/c its just too difficult to process anyone thru the system.  Translation: It costs the city too much money.  The prisons are full.  The jails are full.  The courts are backlogged months and months.  The city is now housing and counseling homeless alcoholics in a multi-million dollar housing system b/c its too much of a paperwork hassle and costly procedure to book them and have them go thru the system repeateadly.  The city is also gathering evidence against dealers, arrest them, and then letting them off saying that if they don't stop dealing the evidence will be used against them in a court case.  The Seattle PD is becoming more and more a counseling service than a crime fighting unit.  A good thing? time will tell.

The elderly chinese man wandered around the store, picking up various items and with an amused chuckle commented on the novelty of each item.  I answered all the questions I could thru the language barrier.  And I could only help but notice the joyous experience he was having shopping.  I could only assume he was a local resident in the area.  From his out of place Seahawks beanie, threadbare jacket, and worn shoes, I was curious about the story of this man and his fascination with the toys. Was he just a senile old man?  Was he buying something to liven up his home? Or maybe he had grandkids? he indicated to the mouse finger puppets.  He spoke some indecipherable words I'm assuming were chinese.  I looked confused and puzzled at him. he asked "what are you chinese? Japanese?" I responded "Korean" He laughed a little...I'm still not sure what was so funny. and he asked "how much?"  I looked up the price for him, "$7".  He acknowledged me with an "oh" and put it aside.  He grabbed another finger puppet and asked "how much?".  I looked up the price and told him "$7.50".  He acknowledged me with an "oh" and put it aside.  This game continued on for about a couple more minutes.  He decided to get a baseball keychain, he pulls out his worn wallet and he has $12 dollars. He uses $2 to get the keychain.  After his purchase, he mentions to me, that he first thought the puppets were a dollar and he wanted to get them for his son's daughters.  He laughs and walks over to look at them again with a longing in his eyes. I know in his head, he's envisioning his grandkids being excited over mouse finger puppets.  Maybe one of the few joyous moments of his life. I also know he only has $10 left.  He mentions how if he would buy them if it was $10 for the two.  There's a bit of hope in those eyes.  Not a haggler, but more of a pleading.  I look up the margin on the puppets.  at $5 a piece, we'd make just enough to cover our wholesale cost.  I tell him he can have them both for $10.  I do the transaction, knowing the store might have made 40 cents on that transaction, but I feel bad, not because of the profit margin, or over the haggling, just the simple fact that man had spent what could have been the last few dollars to get a gift for his grand kids.  I really hope those kids love those finger puppets.