IDPA Clinic

The Davao Agila Shooters Special Interest Group attended an IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) seminar and qualifying match last weekend.

During the seminar, which was conducted on June 21, the Agilas learned about laws pertaining to gun ownership, the basics of gun safety and what the IDPA is all about. The seminar ran for about two hours but the informal discussions continued with seminar facilitator Rey Tagle all the way to the wee hours of the evening.

Sunday afternoon was the qualifying match (held at the Gold Cup Firing Range at Laud) where shooters were classified to what division (type of firearm) and what level of expertise (based on time and where the targets were hit (or missed!)) they would belong. The classifier course included shooting silhouette targets (of differing heights) from different distances, using the strong and weak hands, moving forward and back to the targets, from behind a barricade and a barrel, reloading from a slide lock and doing tactical reloads.

Thanks to Jerome allowing us to conduct the seminar in his house, to Ferdie for catering the food and the beers and to Fred for organizing the exciting activity.

Novice shooter ready?

Isn't it a Pity

It must be the weather. I cannot seem to control my mind from wandering to thoughts far removed from motorcycles. For example: song lyrics!

Now, the typhoon responsible for the dreary weather the past few days is named Frank…which made me recall that when I was younger, I thought that Michael Franks was the master of dropping names and making references in popular songs e.g. Vivaldi and making love between harpsichords and lutes, lady being Coltrane baby being like Miles, Mr. Blue in a Cezanne landscape or as a floating lover in a Chagall painting etc.

But now that I have discovered the old standards, Mr. Franks would have to go down to Brazil again.

Isn’t it a Pity (Words: Ira Gershwin, Music: George Gershwin)

(Bridge 1:) Imagine all the lonely years we've wasted
You with the neighbors, I at silly labors –
What joys untasted,
You reading Heine, me somewhere in China.

Let's forget the past;
Let's both agree that I'm for you and you're for me
And it's such a pity we never, never met before.

(Bridge 2:) Imagine all the lonely year's we've wasted,
Fishing for salmon, losing at backgammon.
What joys untasted,
My nights were sour spent with Schopenhauer.

(The pirate in front SouthMall has the Stacey Kent CD which features this song..)

Welcome Dennis, Flor and Cloed!

The Davao Agila Riders are proud to formally accept Dennis, Flor and Cloed to its fold. The screening committee has determined that they are competent riders; the general membership has been convinced that they are friendly and trustworthy. And Doc Jan has released his considered opinion saying that the three are mentally balanced persons.

The three were formally inducted to the membership by the Honorable Mabel Sunga-Acosta last June 14, 2008 at Dad’s Bar (along Rizal Street).

Everybody had a grand time. And three fanatical members had the most fun, drinking and staying on until 4AM the next morning.

Laud Firing Range May 29 2008

The Shooters SIG (Special Interest Group) once again blasted the bejezzus out of cardboard silhouettes and the bullet-carved hillside at the Laud Firing range last May 29.

It seems that the IDPA clinic will finally be conducted this coming weekend.

Shooters to the firing line!

P.S. A potent mix of sloth and melancholy (and a determined stomach virus) connived to prevent this unfortunate individual from posting new entries to this blog the past few weeks. Let us see if things will pick up from here…