Pure Coolness

By John Gilstrap


I'm writing this blog post on Sunday, January 15 knowing that when you read it, I will be in the middle of a very, very cool day.  Actually, a warm day, I hope.  In Las Vegas, where I'll be signing books this morning at the 2012 SHOT Show.  According to the show's website, www.shotshow.org, "The Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) and Conference is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting and law enforcement industries.  It is the world's premier exposition of combined firearms, ammunition, law enforcement, cutlery, outdoor apparel, optics and related products and services."  Last year, over 50,000 people attended.


I was invited to the show months ago by the nice people at 5.11 Tactical, a well-respected manufacturer of tactical apparel--the very kind of geat that Jonathan Grave wears as he charges through my imagination.  In fact, in preparation for the show, 5.11 tactical sent me a carton of gear, including shirt, pants, jacket and the best pair of boots I've ever worn.  I'll be wearing the attire for the book signings and the press conference.


I've never enjoyed this kind of VIP treatment before, so I confess to being a little giddy.  Take a look at my official itinerary from yesterday:


6:30am -- Firearms instructor will pick you up at the hotel
7:00am -- arrive at range, setup/meet with range staff, gear check, etc.
7:00am-7:30am -- Orientation, area familiarization, safety briefing, etc.
8:00am-11:00am -- Firearms training
11:00am-12:00pm -- Knife training
12:00 -- depart back to hotel for lunch and classroom training
12:30-1:30 -- Prefense Technologies -- lecture, PowerPoint presentation, student interactive, etc.
1:30-2:15 -- Prep for author panel
2:30-3:30 -- Author Panel Press Conference, Venetian Murano Room 3306.



Really, how cool is that?  As I write this, I'm hoping that the knife training comes complete with either thick padding or fake knives.  You'll know the answer, I suppose, if you see a post here next week.


Tally ho!