[life] Roadtrip

In 2 weeks, we are getting in our car, and driving off across the border. We are headed for Minnesota, home of several GWJ alumni, there to eat bbq, possibly catch a baseball game, and shoot guns.

Yes, we are going to shoot us some guns. Not just handguns, either. No, some heavy firepower is expected to make an appearance.

Now, as a Canadian, I have to say that it take a bit of effort to have this experience here in Canada. There are considerably less gunclubs, the guns themselves are harder to get at, and in general, it's not really one of those things that Canadians think about. To be honest, the first thought that pops into my head when I hear "gun" is, "United States." "Murder" is, at best, a close second.

Apparently, one of the illustrious Goodgers that domicile in the swell state of MN is a gun collector, an all-around great guy, and is eager to take our soft Canadian selves out to the gun range and show us what it's like to bear arms. And, I confess, I am eager to go. Shooting a gun is certainly not anything that I thought I'd ever do - I'm not the type to join the police force or the army or the ranks of the illegally entrepreneurial - but now that the prospect has been offered, I find that I really want to do it. It feels illicit, and dangerous, and kind of wild, like I might really really like it, steal one of the guns and make a high speed escape from the gun range in our sober black Jetta, and then, after several increasingly poignant conversations with my husband and the police, end it all in a Thelma-and-Louise styled leap from the edge of the Grand Canyon. "I don't know about you, but I can't go back. Somethin' in me has crossed over."

This will probably not happen.

The writer in me is the one who really is looking forward to it. As far as new experiences go, shooting a gun will probably be an eye opener. If only from the pain, as the kickback from whatever assault rifle they hand me dislocates my shoulder. But it will be interesting pain.