Found a GT in Jacksonville....Finaly

[Guest carolynn2fem]

I know I am new to LP but not new to these kind of websites. I find one with lots of info and a fourm. I chat some on the fourm and find old and broken link on the resourse. Laura's has being better than that sofar I found a GT on Your list here and made a appointment but its not till aug 1st. that wait seems like it will be forever from now. I've never talked to anyone about this before but now I as ready.

I also know one of the first things that will come up is that I drink too much. She will tell me to quit. So yesterday I picked up a AA meeting list and am going tonight. I marked all the meetings that were listed GLBT I'm going to start there and hope I can find support. I'm not new to AA by any means so this could be a grand slam move.

[Guest CariadsCarrot]

Hi Carolynn, I'm glad you're finding Laura's good and that you found a GT on our list.

I know that having to wait so long for an appointment can feel like forever but it gives you a chance to make headway with AA in the meantime. I'm sure they will respect you for having made that step for yourself in readiness and it helps to show you are serious.

I wish you luck in both AA and your appointment when it comes.

Gabe

[Guest Jade T]

HI Carolynn,

I am glad to hear that you found a GT, and that you are going to AA to cut your drinking. I believe in the long term and possible short term, all these changes will be for the positive and your life will be so much better for it.

Hopefully I will see you at the GT soon!

Hugs,

Jade

[Guest carolynn2fem]

Thanks Gabe. Your proably right. its too early to tell

Jade. I'm running to something and not running from something. That makes a big differnce I got the feeling You are talking from experiance. and did You make a appiontment too?

and the meeting went well enough. it was small. and they are just getting reestablished in a new location. I'm even more interested in the one tomorrow night. we shall see how it goes.

[Guest Jade T]

Hi Carolynn,

I like the way you put the running to something . And yes, in a way I speak from experience about the drinking. At one point, I was a very heavy drinker to say the least. Due to some misunderstanding, my unit commander (when I was in the military) had the police come to my house one afternoon. They basically had to wade through beer cans and bottles to make it up my back porch when I didn't answer the front door due to being completely passed out from a heavy night and morning worth of drinking. I was essentially on a liquid diet for half the week.

I haven't made an appointment yet. I finally got an appointment for my initial screening by the VA outpatient hospital and I hope during that screening, they can refer me to a GT. I hope to see you there soon though =)

Regards,

Jade

[Guest carolynn2fem]

I see. have to go throu the va for the med insurance. Lisa does take tri care so that tells me she does governt insurance. I hope You can ask for her by name or get someone equaly qualified

the *running* comment is something I learned in AA the first time around there. some things just stick with Ya.

tonights meeting was a success in terms of my willingness to be there and me not drinking in two days but also a let down in the people I met. some of the people I met last night were there and many more. there is one person I met last night I am most drawn to sofar. she is a( L) not that there is a attraction but someone I feel I can trust.

Jade I think it is HUGH that You added Your Dad to Your List of freinds and supporters Love Carolynn

[Guest Mia J]

That is great that you are taking the steps to explore and continue on with both the GT and AA.

Sorry you have to wait so long to see your therapist but it will be worth it. When I first talked to mine I found it was a great relief to be able to talk to someone who fully understood where I was.

Mia

[Guest Jade T]

I see. have to go throu the va for the med insurance. Lisa does take tri care so that tells me she does governt insurance. I hope You can ask for her by name or get someone equaly qualified

the *running* comment is something I learned in AA the first time around there. some things just stick with Ya.

tonights meeting was a success in terms of my willingness to be there and me not drinking in two days but also a let down in the people I met. some of the people I met last night were there and many more. there is one person I met last night I am most drawn to sofar. she is a( L) not that there is a attraction but someone I feel I can trust.

Jade I think it is HUGH that You added Your Dad to Your List of freinds and supporters Love Carolynn

Thanks for the words about my father Carolynn . I am so grateful and happy that he supports me. And thank you for the information regarding the VA. I just got like a 15 page packet in the mail from the VA. No appointment time in it though . I hope I get the packet scheduling me for the orientation appointment time soon. It is very good that you met someone that you feel you can trust in AA.

This is off topic, but I noticed that you like to go trap shooting. There is a pretty nice gun range here in Jacksonville called "Gateway Rifle and Pistol Club" off of 103rd Street. They have the only trap shooting range that I know of in Jacksonville. I was a member there for years but I haven't been there in the recent years. Hmm.. it may be nice if we can go there sometime. Umm... after I change my driver's license and all that jazz. The idea of displaying my ID to possible religious zealots with weapons at a range in the middle of nowhere does not sound too appealing to me lol.

Hugs,

Jade

[Guest carolynn2fem]

Thanks for the words about my father Carolynn . I am so grateful and happy that he supports me. And thank you for the information regarding the VA. I just got like a 15 page packet in the mail from the VA. No appointment time in it though . I hope I get the packet scheduling me for the orientation appointment time soon. It is very good that you met someone that you feel you can trust in AA.

Thing will happen soon But I hate the wait. ugg

This is off topic, but I noticed that you like to go trap shooting. There is a pretty nice gun range here in Jacksonville called "Gateway Rifle and Pistol Club" off of 103rd Street. They have the only trap shooting range that I know of in Jacksonville. I was a member there for years but I haven't been there in the recent years. Hmm.. it may be nice if we can go there sometime. Umm... after I change my driver's license and all that jazz. The idea of displaying my ID to possible religious zealots with weapons at a range in the middle of nowhere does not sound too appealing to me lol.

Hugs,

Jade

actualy there is another place in jacksonville too. its Jacksonville trap and skeet club on the N. side. it is open to the public, and near by my house, If You still have a shoot gun Your in luck because the do have Ladies day shoots. There is a 1 time waiver Ya have to fill out but I dont remember them checking my id when I did. we could meet there sometime. I often kind myself shooting by myself.

[Guest Jade T]

actualy there is another place in jacksonville too. its Jacksonville trap and skeet club on the N. side. it is open to the public, and near by my house, If You still have a shoot gun Your in luck because the do have Ladies day shoots. There is a 1 time waiver Ya have to fill out but I dont remember them checking my id when I did. we could meet there sometime. I often kind myself shooting by myself.

Hi Carolyn,

That is wonderful news! I would love to go there one day and meet up with you . Unfortunately, I gave all my shotguns to friends under the guise of presents so they can have something to protect themselves; I no longer have any shotguns. However if you have one or two, I wouldn't mind providing the ammo and clays if we can share it . If not, I still have a few handguns and a rifle that needs to have its zero re-confirmed... its been about 2 years since I last reconfirmed it . Them not checking my ID makes me feel quite a bit safer and better about this range as well

Hugs,

Jade

[Guest carolynn2fem]

I think i have 6 shotguns. borrowing one would be no problem I'm guessing You mignt feel most comfortable with the 20 ga. pump. I normaly use a 12 ga. o/u. how it works is You pay per round and clays are included in that cost. round is a box of 25 shells. police/fireman/military shoot at member rates $5.85 non members is $7.00 ish. You can buy ammo there but ya can offten find it cheaper at sports athority/penis/walmart. I reload myown. if you go and buy just look for target rounds #9-7.5 shot. its the least expensive stuff.

reconfirm zero must be a army term. I need to go to gateway too. check my deer rifle and mount and set a scope on a muzzle loader.

The club is very laid back as long as the rules are followed. there is only 1 lady at the desk when Ya check in. You sign a one time wairer and sign the guest log, buy you tokens and go shooting. the only time I remember showing my id was when I said I was military and asked for the discount rate.

I was wondering about Your DL. does Your picture look very manish? being Vietamise proably works in you favor more often than i'd think. most american wouldnt know the differnce if your name was male or female.

[Guest Jade T]

HI Carolyn,

My picture looks very very mannish. When I took the picture to renew my license, I had short hair, a very dark tan from being out in the field all the time and dour look on my face from being in line for what seemed like hours while I was on leave. Unfortunately, my English name takes precedes my Vietnamese name on my DL as well as all legal documents. I was born in this country and my parents decided on a English name as my primary name. My middle name is my Vietnamese name and it doesn't do much good when people look at my picture and name on my DL >.<

Ah, reconfirming zero, it means to check the zero on a weapon that has already been zeroed. It is a good thing to do every now and then. Especially for weapons that will be used primarily for defense in home invasions. That is not the time to find out your weapon's zero is 50MOA off lol.

I think a 20gauge would be best for me now. I use to own two 12gauge shotguns and shoot nothing but 3"+ round with them and conduct all sorts of tactical shooting and moving drills without a problem. However, that was a lifetime ago pre-hormones and I was a full 40lbs of muscle heavier. I doubt I can maintain a proper shooting stance for long and continue to fire a 12gauge for long. However, I think I still have like 200 rounds of 12gauge 7 1/2 shot bird shot and about 50rds of 00 buckshot lying around the house somewhere. You are welcome to them if you want as I no longer have a need for them. I don't see myself buying a shotgun anytime soon. I have enough weapons for personal defense and I'd rather spend the extra money for ammo for my current weapon systems OR buy lots of make up and pretty clothes lol

Hugs,

Jade

[Guest carolynn2fem]

I'm with You on buying pretty clothes and make up Sure Ill take Your 12 ammo off Ya and buy some 20ga to replace it with. I have 4 12 ga.s like them better for home defense. little question about hitting the target miltiple times.

I had thought You were born in the states. I didnt know the status of Your first and middle name some people dont like there first name but go by there middle, but that doesnt work is your case. waiting at DMV causes many bad pictures so dont feel bad. I hope You get your paters soon

Love carolynn

[Guest Jade T]

Oh Carolyn,

I must of misconstrued my message somehow, I was born in the states lol. I am sorry for any confusion I caused >.<. Thanks for the wished though!!

Ah there is definitely a higher hit ratio with shotguns, but the length of the barrel makes it harder to navigate and maneuver in the close quarter battles typically encountered in home defense situations. I use a 7.5" M4 weapon system. Precision, accuracy, and power afforded by rifles combined with ease of movement provided by handguns. Not the best of either worlds, but the best for my needs. However, everyone has preferences for a defensive weapon and go about protecting ourselves in our own ways. But regardless of how or what we choose to do it with, some protection is better than no protection

Hugs,

Jade

[Guest carolynn2fem]

I understood You perfectly. No confusion no problem

home defense is a stagecoach. too short to use for trap and a 357 makes for a good back up. You talk of a zeroed wepon and I am envisioning a rifle with a scope. not sure if we are on the same page here.

Hugs Carolynn

[Guest Jade T]

Hehe no confusion on your part, but I was plenty of confused... must be my natural blonde inclinations surfacing again. But I reread your post like 50 times and I FINALLY understand what you mean lol. I feel so accomplished =).

Ah yes, I am talking about possibly reconfirming my rifle's zero. The total length of the rifle is about 27 inches, which makes it a midget even by carbine standards. Short as if not shorter than most sawed-off shotguns. But highly accurate in CQB and mid range with good power compared to a handgun. Plus I can attach a high powered Surefire, optical aiming devices, and other bells and whistles on the rails of the rifle. That is where the term weapon system really comes into play.

I run an EoTech Holographic sight on it. It has no magnification and displays a 65 MOA ring along with a 5 MOA aiming reticle for close range shooting or far range shooting. From 0-200 meters, I shoot more accurately and can acquire targets and engage much quicker than I would if using any type of scope. Further out, and then I will consider putting on a scope. But further than 200 meters, my rifle's barrel length makes it difficult to engage targets quickly anyways. Considering this is a self defense only weapon, I don't think I can justify shooting someone out at 200 plus meters as self defense anyways

Oh god how I can talk about weapons and firearms all day long hehe. If you haven't figured it out, I am into them to say the least. One of my old duties for my job was a tactics, shooting, and weapon system instructor lol. Anyways, time for me to stop writing about this before I get the bug and start researching more and more firearms and firearm accessories to purchase. Then I will definitely not have enough money to support my transition!

Hugs,

Jade

[KathrynJulia]

I know exactly what you mean Jade. I have all my reloading presses in my spare bedroom and haven't dared to set them up. Thankfully I have a small arsenal of ammunition loaded up for everything I own. Between moving into a new house and all of the repairs and accomadations, plus trying to lay in a new ward drobe, my shooting has been severely curtailed and probably will have to be so for a while.

My banker owns the local gun club and was trying to entice me to drop by and do some shooting. When he and I get together, my ammo supply takes a beating. Shooting trap and skeet from the hip is sure challenging, but that was how my banker and I and a couple other guys used to do it. Otherwise it took too long to wait for someone to miss. I've seen my banker guy hit over a 130 straight in skeet, shooting them from the hip only. No aiming. I got to 24 once and choked #%%&%&% on number 25 from the hip. It was the high house #25 and that is the easiest bird to hit and I missed. I never miss that bird ever. Go 24 straight and it's impossible to hit. that easy cripple.

When we moved to Columbia, I worked in the lab and started managing apartments on the side. Shooting was my only way to release the stress. I was on a corporate membership and I would shoot 10 to 12 rounds a week. Kathryn