Yummies at Self Defense

FREE _ FREE _FREE

Pizza and Soft Drink

served after

Self Defense Class

at the

YWCA in Clawson

November 7, 2009

Bring the family, Bring your friends. Self Defense Techniques everyone should know in order to help protect themselves against a violent crime.

"Put Your Life First"

Wild West Academy

Full Auto Fun

"Man I am still seeing stars, just thrilled. Who would have ever imagined me, shooting an M16 - I was making calls all the way home....Told my nephew to just call me Aunti Ramboo. So what do I have to do to get a class 3 license
--Can't wait to do it again

In case you missed last weekends free self defense class, here is the new update of the next one.

November 7, 2009 - Same time - same place!

I understand it was a great turn out. Thanks to all who came. And, don't forget to keep coming back.

I couldn't go for Wild West Academy sponsored a hole at the 9Th annual Bill Knope memorial Gold Outing. Some lucky guy won a free CPL class. It was a great day.

I will be at this one for sure. My calendar is already marked.

Hope to see you there. For more details check out my website. www.wildwestglockgal20.com

Free Self Defense Class Reminder

Hey everyone...It's September - Mark your calendar for September 26 a Saturday...FREE SELF DEFENSE CLASS - you can find the info at my website. www.wildwestglockgal20.com / Remember this free class is Non Firearm for young and old a like in any shape, bring the family tell your friends - great for husband and wife team to go home and practice...CYA

Out For A Walk

Unaware - Aware - Alert - Alarm

Remember the days when we could go for a walk anytime of the day or night? Swinging our arms with not a care in the world and listening to our favorite music just bee bopping along. Back in the day when UNAWARE was OK. Not any more. Boy, I'm getting old, that was along time ago!

We need to take Unaware out of our vocabulary and Be AWARE at all times this day and age, no matter where one lives or how in shape one is. Today I don't walk alone, if you know what I mean? Today I need to be Aware of all my surroundings so sad to say, I don't listen to my favorite music anymore while taking a stroll or speed walking for exercise. Today I look, I use my eyes and see my surroundings.

I had an experience just this week where I became Alert. From being trained at Wild West Academy and practicing I knew how to handle myself. I was out walking and it was dark. I passed a parked car. Soon after, the car started to move slowly never passing me, with only the cruising lights and no head lights on. Just cruising real slow behind me. I wasn't feeling to comfortable.

I felt Alarm coming over me. I look and then looked again. Still cruising slow behind me. There were cars parked to the other side of me so I walked in that direction to get behind the engine block of those cars and so I was not out in the open. I bent down as to tie my shoe, still looking around me and put my hand on "Elliot" .....The driver I am sure did not see me posture as if I had a gun because I was on the other side of the cars. [Or maybe he did?] At that point he sped off and then turned the head lights on and off he went.

Ahhh...Elliot stayed in place...and off I went.

Grateful I am, that I have never had to use force. And grateful that I was aware of the situation and was able to handle myself in a calm way and mostly, to report nothing happened. I was prepared, just in case imminent death, sexual assault or grave bodily harm was to come to me.

So when you are out for your walk day or night alone or with someone...Always be AWARE of what is going on around you. Armed or Unarmed

Be Safe....................Oh by the way, who do you think Elliot is? ;-)

Classes at Wild West Academy Never Cease To Amaze Me

Man, what a great weekend! We had a great class on Saturday with all first time students, Who all new each other. [Family and Friends] I won't disclose their names, for that wouldn't be proper, but let me tell ya, what a great group.



When you think of a class room and tests it brings one back to their school days. Nose in book, reports to write, listening to the same teacher over and over for how many hours, with that "Voice", fighting to keep your eyes open. Anyone remember that? Geeze....I sure do. Let me tell you, it sure isn't like that at Wild West Academy CPL [Certified Pistol License] Class.



Giving students scenarios to think about, what if that happened or this was about to happen. What would you do, What could you do if a threat was happening to you....And then change the scenario around to where it would affect a loved one....There is no right or wrong..We all have to decide for ourselves. Just to quote one student,"I came in never expecting to leave with all I learned today". Another left with an even higher awareness then she came in with. [And Confident]



The awesome experience for me is that I see someone come in, woman or men who have none to very little experience. They are timid, shy and nervous...and I watch them through the range time and see their confidence build. They become more comfortable. It's great.



And then there was yesterday class on Sunday. Words cannot describe it. Yes it was just too cool. Another man a bit shy and one who had much experience. Even the fella who knew a lot and was shooting since he was about 6 and now is 39....said, "I know a lot about firearms, and never expected to learn so much more in this one class"


Come join us. I promise you won't be disappointed.

My own website - WOW can you believe it

OK guys, I now am sporting my own website...I can't get over this one. I did it myself too so give me a break on the set up. Although I have to say, not to shabby for a first time website builder.

Go check it out

www.wildwestglockgal20.com

Hmmm, ya OK, so the name is a little corny. I was trying to tie it into Mark's as close as I could and still make it individual. The cool thing is it is linked on his site [ www.wildwestacademy.com] and I have that linked on my site.

Now we just have to get Al hooked up. Who's Al, you ask?

He is our Gun Specialist. He can take down a gun and put it back together blind folded. I like in class when he uses mine to demonstrate on. I know for sure I have the cleanest gun around then.

The 3 of us make a great team!

OK-I OWN MY FIRST GUN, NOW WHAT...

Just because I had my CPL and now purchased my first gun there was a level of discomfort going on. I called my Instructor right away and told him of my experience. I wanted more encouragement and he was more than willing to help as usual. I met him on a Saturday to show me how to break down the gun and to guide me in carrying. I mean I just didn’t know what to do, or how to do it.

I first got lesson in breaking down the Glock 17, in order to clean it. After he showed me, I actually did it. Pretty simple actually. They say the Glock is the easiest gun to break down and clean. I now do it today with ease/

I was given a holster to try and it worked like a champ. It was quite comical. Ok so now I am all strapped up and ready to go What to I do, where do I go..OMG this was really strange and exciting at the same time. Mark just said, go about your business, you will get use to it. Go everywhere, store, work, even a bank..WOW, I just couldn't believe I was going to walk out into the society carrying a firearm.

I felt strange and a bit awkward getting in and out of a car at first. I’d say it was only a few days before I felt comfortable.

Today I am a full time carrier.......

The Purchase

OMG Another fear to walk through. I was afraid to go and buy a gun. FEAR this short word somehow touches every aspect of my life [100 forms of fear] Anyway - Ok So Dave suggested to ask Mark to go with me, or Jeff at work. Yeah, I think that is a good idea. I talked to both of them and both were more than willing to go with me. The more and more I talked to these guys, I realized I needed to walk through this on my own, that I had nothing to worry about. Heck, I've been shooting the Glock 17 for about 4 months and KNEW the gun, KNEW that it is what works for me. I had to remember that all I have spoken to had all their own opinions. Some agreed and some disagreed. I was shot [no pun intended] down for wanting a Glock and I met many who loved it. The point is, everyone has their opinion and there is no right or wrong. I needed to get what worked for me, not Joe, not the store clerk, not Jeff or even Mark.

Ok, one Friday I made the decision and called Dave from work. I told him I was going on my own to buy my gun. He again was concerned that I was going alone. Well that all turned out to be his fear. I let him have it and went through my own and off I went. When I walked in the door of the gun shop I immediately zeroed in a woman behind the counter. Thank you, God. I went to her and felt very comfortable. I told her what I wanted and she got it for me. She brought it out and demonstrated it, we filled out the paper work, and I paid for it and out the door I went. THAT SIMPLE. Having a CPL also made it very simple and quick.

I’ll tell ya one thing having a gun in my possession has done. Since that night I have been a more responsible cautious driver. Even though I have a CPL and am doing everything legal, I just don’t want to be pulled over by the police for any reason. Even talking on the phone while driving has taken a back seat.

My First Gun

After returning to Wild West Academy over and over and trying different guns to see what fit for me [Size, weight, what I could handle well]. I went back to the first original gun I borrowed in class. In class if one doesn't have a gun it was OK because there was plenty to try of Mark's. And not only that, I went to the gun range where one can rent guns and there I tried many others and got more practice.

I narrowed it down to a Glock 17, a Beretta 92 FS and Beretta P-Storm all three 9mm. Each of those 3 had a different weight, and size. Look wise I like the Beretta, it is a good looking gun. I had to ask myself what I wanted this for. Self Defense was the reason. Not target shooting. Not for looks or being cute or good looking. If ever I am in a situation I do not want to be fumbling for any safety, I want smooth and easy. The less things I need to mess with in a life or death situation the better, for me. So I decided on the Glock 17 for my first gun to carry.

Now to go out and get one.......

That Was Then, This Is Now - A Year Later

One year has come and gone. It has been an adventurous year indeed. Last Memorial Weekend [2008] was the first time I shot a gun not knowing a thing and just this past Memorial Weekend [2009] I was teaching someone who never held a gun. I was able to give back what was given to me.

Some more first too. Again, for the first time with Darrel, I shot a .22 rifle. And 1 out of 2 skeet shooting was so bad for the first time, with a .20 gage shotgun. OK, so the first once was luck and the second one I tried just to hard. What fun I had. I never shot at an outdoor range, that was a first as well. Up North under the blue sky ans sunshine.

Here I am having fun and being an Instructor at the same time. In the past year I have become so passionate about teaching self defense with a firearm. It is something I am good at. It is something that gives me great joy, to see someone come in knowing nothing and leaving with more then they ever expected. Just like I did my first day.

And when people come back and keep practicing, getting better, it is good to know that there is just another person out there prepared, for something I hope and we all hope that we never ever have to face.

Free Re-takes at Wild West Academy

Mark Cortis the instructor of Wild West Academy really encourages to follow up on the free re-takes. I was a bit nervous about doing that [that low self esteem again] but thought it would be a good idea. Even though I learned so much that one class in 8 hours, I myself didn't feel comfortable to go out and get a gun and carry it. I needed more experience.



I went once, twice, three times [a lady, oops sorry thought of that song] and around the 13th time I believe I broke the recored of coming back. Still always being encouraged to do so. I got better and better. I was able to try different guns as well and see what fit me best. The first gun I used ended up being the first gun I bought [Glock 17-9mm].



Through out all these times I became more and more comfortable and was looking forward to move on and go through with the CPL process. And through out all these times I ventured out and hit the ranges. All so many first and exciting experiences. Let me tell you all about it...

AR-15's ROCK

What else can I say? I had too much fun for my own good.

Way too Cool, I wanna do it again!

The Class

3 hours on the range and 5 hours in the class room. I was the only girl there. Darrel was absolutely right. I didn't have to have any fear of being around all the macho guys. I actually felt OK once I was in there. The Instructor was awesome, non-intimidating and made feel equal to all.

After the range class I felt more confident then ever. I left class knowing how to load shoot and unload a 9 mm Glock and Berretta 92 FS. I didn't know what a Glock was and thought a Berretta was a car. I never considered ever to carry a gun, until now.

The one mistake [I say that sarcastically, because it is no mistake] was the Instructor encouraged all of us to return for the free re-takes. Today, I do not see many doing this. I certainly did, and every Sunday to date give a take a few Sundays off I returned for more. To become more comfortable and get better. I highly recommend to take the free life long
re-takes.

Ahh now for the 5 hour long book class room, NOT. It was fast and even ran over 5 hours [I didn't want to end]. The book was there but we didn't read it. Marks life experiences and knowledge of the law was more informative then any book could have ever taught us. There was never a dull moment. We were given situations (What if) and great discussions took place. [Everyone has to determine their own threshold].

I left there with a greater awareness of the world around me, now considering the thought of getting my cpl [certified pistol license] and carrying a firearm.

Class starts in a half hour - Oh noooo

Thank God and program friends to walk me through the fear.



8:30 A.M Great Lakes Crossing/Bass Pro Shop parking lot. Trucks pulling in, guys stepping out, [Your Male Marine Type] and me. What the hell am I getting myself into, I asked myself.



Fear? You betch ya. Insecure/Low-Self Esteem, oh yeah! [I was scared to death and feeling very intimidated before I even walked in]. I knew zero about handling a firearm.



I called Patsy and Darrel. Just needed the support and reminder of , Yes I can do this. With Patsy's "girlfriend" words and Darrels Male point of view [about men showing woman how to use guns], I was able to take the next steps to walk through those doors. I never imagined that day I would be teaching woman and men what I went there to learn. Beyond my Wildest Dreams indeed.



Let me tell ya about the class....

Web Address

www.wildwestacademy.com

When and How It All Started

Memorial Week-end 2008 was when my interest in guns came alive

With the guys in one room and the woman in the other, I over heard Darrel talk about guns. I shouted out that I wanted to go shooting, he said lets go and that is where it started. He sat me down and taught me the first 3 safety rules of handling a gun.

1.] Always Keep the Gun pointed in a safe direction
2.] Always Keep Finger off Trigger until Ready to Shoot
3.] Always Keep the Gun Unloaded / Action Open when not in Use

Off to the woods we went. I shot the gun oh about 10 times and that is all it took, I was hooked.

Tuesday I looked at the NRA site looking for some kind of classes for beginners. I spotted one class that looked like what I needed but it didn’t start until September. If you are anything like me, that was just too long to wait. I scrolled down and found a really cool name http://www.wildwestacademy.com/ . Sunday was the class and I signed up. His [Mark Cortis] motto is Any Time Any Where.

To be continued…..

Introduction

Welcome to my world of finding firearms, getting through my fears and going through all the firsts. How it was and what is like now.