The Year of Not Shooting: Halfway Mark

Well, we’re just about halfway through 2021 and things aren’t quite as bad as 2020. Apart from ammo, lumber, gas, certain kinds of produce and certain import liquors the global supply chain has pretty well adjusted/bounced back. Here in Florida things are pretty much back to 2019, apart from the signs on every door “recommending” masks. So, clarifying that I have almost no excuses for not following through on my goals for this year, let’s check in on them so far:

1. Find Hobbies that aren’t shooting: This is one I feel I’ve made a lot of progress on. I’ve played more golf in the last two months than in the previous 8 years. As I discussed in my post about it *here* Golf has more in common with competitive shooting than you might suspect. I haven’t actually gotten the chance to play airsoft yet this year, but I do have all the equipment purchased. I just need a gap in my schedule to actually get out to a field and play, and I should do that at least once by the end of this month. Fishing is the final one that I haven’t really put any effort into yet, but I’m planning to rectify that over the next two months.
2. Shoot Six Matches: This seemed like such a low bar when I set it at the beginning of the year, but halfway through 2021 I’ve shot 0 matches. It is hard to justify the expense of ammo knowing that there will be so much rust to shake off when I do. Maybe I’ll switch to IDPA for this year, lower round counts and a division where my Hi-Power can be competitive.
3. Lose Weight, But for Real: This is one I’ve made progress in as well. I’ll admit I’ve been a bit half hearted but I have lost some weight so far this year, and I’m working out at the gym at work three times a week, slowly working my way up to 5. I’ve also finally started riding my bike to work again, which should help burn some fat too.
4. Try to do more prepping: This is another on that I’ve slacked on. I have a few cases of water and an emergency supply of ammo, but in terms of shelf stable food and other supplies I woefully underprepared. Hurricane season starts this month, but doesn’t usually get bad until August or September so I have a little time to make additions.
5. Take at least one trip: I actually have two trips planned for this summer, one this month to Southwest Florida, and one in July to visit NYC. This one actually turned out to be easier than I thought it would be.
6. Finish at least one Firearm Project: This is another one that I’m very happy with how much progress I’ve made. Although my P-07 modernization project has been placed on the back burner (possibly indefinitely), my “Gucci Commando” has reached a point of very near completion. There are really only two parts left, and possibly a cerakote job for me to consider it to be in “finished” state (but is any AR build ever really done?). [Editor’s note: No, they never really are.]

So, midway point, some good news some bad news, but overall I’d say decent progress so far. Obviously, there’s still plenty to do before the end of the year, and there will posts here detailing developments on each front. See you guys soon.