Expanding universe...

Chewie has a bigger ride...

When I got the iPad, it was initially for work purposes, but it was so much better for web-surfing than the Kindle Fire that once I had the Kindle app installed on the iPad, the Kindle Fire started getting left at home.

This created a problem, in that the 5.11 PUSH pack that I had bought specifically for toting the Kindle Fire was too small to easily hold the iPad. It fit, but barely. So I ended up getting a bigger Maxpedition Gearslinger to be my new tactical purse.

But the Gearslinger had more room in it! This meant that I could carry a DSLR in there, too! And a bigger flashlight for... well, I don't know, but a bigger flashlight! And I could finally get a LifeProof case for my iPad, which totally wouldn't fit in the smaller bag.

I'm digging the LifeProof, which appears to be waterproof, drop-proof, practically bomb-proof, and generally TamProof.

I am thinking, however, that a smaller dedicated camera bag that is nonetheless capable of holding a DSLR and an extra lens or two might be in order for trips to the zoo or cycling the Monon or what-have-you. I dunno... I'm open to thoughts and suggestions.

How do you say "Yeee-haw!" in Wookie?

In the latest episode of "Where's Chewie?" he reprises Slim Pickens' role from Dr. Strangelove.

"Nukleer combat, toe-to-toe with the Rooskies!"

Where's Chewie?

Work it, wookie! Make love to the camera!

Back from my roadtrip, now I'm off to the almost-a-dentist. More bloggery will be committed upon my return. In the interim, guess where the above photo of Chewie the Purse Wookie was snapped and win... er, the admiration of your peers or something.

Morning! (I think.)

When you're on Eastern time, it's easy to be an early riser on the west coast. It's harder to be a party animal, since you're hanging on your chinstrap by 9PM local, which is what I was doing last night.

I feel very much like a real gunwriter right now, having had lunch yesterday with Tom Gresham, Frank James, and Andrew Daun.

Where's Chewie?

Thirty floors over Portland, being wined & dined by Leatherman. (Which was cute and all. I didn't have the heart to tell them that there's no need to sell me; my purse already looks like a Leatherman catalog threw up in it.)

There I finally got to meet Iain Harrison and Shelley Rae; having spent the last couple years only about two degrees of Kevin Bacon away from them both, that was very enjoyable. Shelley informed me that Caleb, like Unc, had to punk out because work. Gracie from Packing Pretty was there, and probably lots of other people whose names I am totally forgetting because that's what I tend to do with names if I don't walk around with a pad and pen in my hand like a dork.

And now I've got to scrounge something in the way of food before we head out to the range...

Summertime In SoBro, 2012 Edition, Vol. II

The Monon Trail north of 54th Street is a pleasant, leafy green tunnel. Shady and with pavement better than any street for miles around. Fairly well-used this time of year, too. As I was putting the camera away from this shot, I got buzzed by a pack of lycra-clad puffing road bike riders.

Once into Broad Ripple proper, the trail crosses the canal. On the right of this picture is the Canal Bistro, where we've had a couple blogmeets. Directly ahead is the bridge from which the hippie plummeted.

Plump's Last Shot doesn't open 'til noon, and I was about fifteen minutes early, so I pedaled around and noticed the "OPEN" sign was lit at Fire By The Monon. Always scouting for new blogmeet locations, I figured I'd give it a try.

The special for the day was a grilled Reuben. Delish. That's homemade corned beef and a scratch dressing that was sort of a mustard/chili-infused Thousand Island sort of thing. Whatever, it was great. I used it on the sandwich and what was left over got slurped up with fries. Washed it all down with a Sun King Chaka Belgian amber ale. I've run into the guys from Sun King Brewery at MCF&G before.

After lunch, a stop at the local Kroger. That basket on the back of the Broad Ripple SUV pops off its bicycle Picatinny rail with the click of a button and can be carried into the store for your shopping. Also, it gives Chewie the Purse Wookie a good view.

Where's Chewie?

Chewie the Purse Wookie was at a blogmeet this past weekend:


The photo is borrowed from Brigid, who has several more at her excellent writeup. More blogmeet coverage can be found from OldNFO, my roomie, Mr.B, and Midwest Chick.

Also, I won a fabulous hat, comrades!
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Technical Difficulties: Please Stand By.

I am in search of the Vitamin I, as it feels like someone has inserted microscopic bottle jacks in all of my cranial sutures and is busily cranking the bones of my skull apart.

In the meantime, go see the picture of Chewie the Purse Wookie, last seen at Cadillac Ranch, now getting his wookie on and protesting federally-subsidized high-speed rail at Hobbytown, USA. He briefly considered boarding the running train, be we didn't want to get banished from the Woolworth's.