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 Life, Adventure, Family, Writing what else is there? Random thoughts. |
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WELCOME TO: GEMINI RISING   UPDATED INTRO 28 MAY 2024: Just a little about me. I've been married for 32 years this past NOV and currently live in Southern California, but I grew up in New Hampshire. I've got 2 boys who are young adults. I work as a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. I enjoy my job a lot. Still. If you can believe that. I love to write. Thankfully both of my boys achieved Eagle Scout. My Scouting days are over and I'm back to focusing on my writing. I like to get out in nature, drink coffee and watch football. Here's a little bio about my zodiac. GEMINI: Gemini, the sign of the Twins, is dual-natured, elusive, complex and contradictory. On the one hand it produces the virtue of versatility, and on the other the vices of two-facedness and flightiness. The sign is linked with Mercury, the planet of childhood and youth, and its subjects tend to have the graces and faults of the young. When they are good, they are very attractive; when they are bad they are more the worse for being the charmers they are. Like children they are lively, and happy, if circumstances are right for them, or egocentric, imaginative and restless. Their good qualities are attractive and come easily to them. They are affectionate, courteous, kind, generous, and thoughtful towards the poor and suffering - provided none of the activities resulting from expressing these traits interferes too greatly with their own lives and comforts. Geminians can be successful in many walks of life though their general characteristics tend to make them unreliable. They are often skilled manipulators of language, in speech and writing, and may be: debaters, diplomats (though in politics they are more interested in theory than practice), orators, preachers (brilliant rather than profound), teachers, authors, poets, journalists, or lawyers. This is me. I am a Gemini. Pure, Raw, passionate. The NEW focus of this blog is to share my adventures, travels, random thoughts, book reviews, thoughts, opinions, and writing adventures from actual writing, writing/editing tips, marketing, research. I'll get there. BLOG ACCOMPLISHMENTS: SEPTEMBER 2024: I participated in the
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Congrats on your Honorable Mention in Blog Week Birthday Bastion 2024](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/type-Nonfiction.gif) Big thanks to WakeUpAndLive   for hosting the contest! OCTOBER 2024: I participated in the
![Merit Badge in Halloween
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Congratulations on completing the 13 Poetic Days of Halloween.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Halloween-2026567.gif) Big Thanks to Lyn's a Witchy Woman  for hosting the contest!Find me at: WEBSITE: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor GOOD READS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart YOU TUBE CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/botrina?feature=mhee Previous GRATITIOUS Warning, that I decided to keep in case I post about something that might offend.  WARNING I intend to be open, honest, and forthright. No topic is off limits from religion to you name it, I'm going there. If you think you might be offended...back up now - this blog isn't for you. For those who "dare"  check out the "Gemini Rising..." 
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| In accordance with California law if you want to be a CCW holder, you need to take a 16 hour class. Personally speaking, I'm fine with it. I was introduced to guns when I was 18 in Basic Training. We had two weeks of intense training with an M16 Rifle. Also in basic, I had training with a 38 pistol. Throughout my Army career I've shot various guns to include a 45 caliber pistol, 9mm pistol, M203 grenade launcher, and an M60 machine gun. I "grew up" learning gun responsibility. How to take it apart, clean it, zero a weapon, fire a weapon, and I've never been afraid to not fire a gun. Getting my CCW in the current climate in the state of California is a smart thing to do and I'm always up for good training. My class was held in Piru, about 20 mins from me. I'd never been to this range, but it was well laid out . There were lots of firing bays which was nice. It was a like finding a hiding gem close to home. Fees were about standard, which, unfortunately were/are high in California. The first day was on a Saturday. We had four hours of law, which went by quickly. Our instructor was very knowledgeable and patient. We went over a lot of scenarios and applied the law to see if we were legal or not. We had to bring out own lunches because we were out there so after a quick sandwich lunch in my car it was time for the range. For LA county we need to fire 24 shots at 3 feet, 5 feet, and 7 feet to qualify with our gun so we did drills starting at 10 and 15 feet. It was fun to get out and shoot. The temp was in the 90's though, and sadly, bet 2 and 230 I was a heat victim. I had to sit out about an hour in the shade, drinking water and using a cloth to wet myself down to cool down. Once I was recovered, I was able to finish the drills. I did the class with 3 other guys. And on that first day, I was the only one with a headshot. The next day, Sunday we started at 8 am again. We did 3 hours of law and then watched a slideshow presentation regarding mental health which is mandatory. After another 30 min sandwich lunch (I ate canned chicken, pita, cuties, and chips both days) we were off to the range for more drills. I was fine this day. The temps were in the 80's and I brought more water to drink. I was also very good about staying in the shade when needed. We started the qualification shoot around 315 pm and it took about 45 minutes to finish. When it was over, we cleaned up, put our guns away and got our certificates. I uploaded my certificates to the Sheriff's website and I'm just waiting my final appointment to go down and get my permit. The website says it takes 6 weeks, but I suspect it will be closer to 8-12 weeks. I would definitely recommend my instructor and his business and I'd go back for more classes. I really appreciated his patience and his teaching style. I need to write him a testimonial when I find some time. Actually, I'm kind of amped to take more gun classes, but time is not my friend. Maybe when I retire. |
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