2021 Recap

2021 Recap

So, we’ve reached the end of 2021, and while perhaps not quite as disruptive as 2020 it was still pretty wild. But perhaps most importantly, in one very specific way, I was right about 2021. This was definitely The Year of NOT Shooting. Without wasting too much space here let’s jump right into how I did on my goals for this year:

1.  Find hobbies that aren’t shooting: Pass

Through 2021 I managed to rekindle interests in Golf (which I meant to post about, but I was never really happy with how it sounded), and fishing. Airsoft was also on the list, and although I bought all the kit, I haven’t actually gone and played again yet.

2. Shoot 6 Matches: Hard Fail

I did not fire a single round against a timer in 2021. Ammo costs through the first half of the year were a killer, and time constraints and to be honest a bit of apathy were my downfall in the second half. After so long away, the work I’ll have to put in just to get back to where I was in 2019 is daunting, and while I’m being honest, that’s a big reason why I haven’t tried too hard at getting back into it.

3. Lose Weight: Fail

I started off strong on this one, actually working out with a fitness instructor at my old job, but I lost motivation/discipline. So, I’m still out of shape, but getting back to more physical work might help with that a little this year.

4. Do More Prepping: Pass

This is another on I feel good about. Using Sunshine’s posts and Swift Silent Deadly’s “Food Prep for $20 a Paycheck” I have a stockpile I’m confident would keep both alive and comfortable through a week or so of power outage.Luckily (or annoyingly if you’re a real Floridian) we had a pretty quiet hurricane season in Florida this year so none of it was called on.

5. Take at least one Trip: Pass

I actually took two trips this year, one was to Venice in South-West Florida, where I spent a week bike riding, fishing, and relaxing at the beach. It was excellent. My second trip was to visit a friend from High School in New York City. That trip was also amazing, a really cool mix of touristy stuff and local spots my friend knew. I could still never live in New York, but it was fun to visit for a long weekend. 

6. Finish At Least One Firearm Project: Pass

Out of the two or three Projects I had in mind for this year, the one I got closest to finishing is my “Gucci Commando.” It is an 11.5” AR pistol and could be broadly described as a modernized Colt 733 (Hence the ‘Commando’). All of the basic components are assembled, and it performs really well. I decided against Cerakoting mainly on basis of cost, so instead gave it a very detailed rattle-can job. I’ll let you be the judge on the color combo/result. The only things I still have to add to it are a real weapon light (I’m thinking Cloud Defense OWL), an LMT EBCG if those are ever sold to us mere mortals again, and a Surefire Socom Suppressor. 

So overall a decent year, but I have bonus coverage for you dear reader. In addition to these goals I have also spent the last five months learning German from Duolingo (also inspired by Swift Silent Deadly) as well as leaving the hospitality industry hopefully for good. I’m looking forward to 2022 and I’ll be consolidating and posting my goals for the upcoming year soon.