Monday, January 02, 2012

Irresolute.

I'm going to resolve to do better with my email. (I resolve this every year, and one of these times, it'll happen.)

I resolve to get to the range more often. I'm a thoroughly mediocre shooter because I don't "put in the reps", practicing the basic skills that make one a good shot, and that needs to stop. I renewed my membership at Marion County Fish & Game, and this year I'm going to make sure that it prorates out to less than $10/visit; there's no excuse for me not getting out there at least once a week.

Speaking of putting in the reps, I was talking with Farmer Frank at the blogmeet yesterday, and he made a comment that for a writer, blogging was very much like doing basic skills drills for a shooter; making a habit of taking a thought or idea, attaching words to it, ordering those words to convey what you want them to convey, and then putting it out there for the criticism of others (which is where it differs from just writing in a notebook.) I had never thought about it like that before.
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11 comments:

Carteach said...

On occasion, Mr. Frank does put forth a stunningly brilliant point, doesn't he?

8:13 AM, January 02, 2012
Tango Juliet said...

Good luck with the resolutions Tam.

I still don't buy the "mediocre shooter" bit though.

8:33 AM, January 02, 2012
Anonymous said...

Tam - [Farmer Frank] made a comment that for a writer, blogging was very much like doing basic skills drills for a shooter; making a habit of taking a thought or idea, attaching words to it, ordering those words to convey what you want them to convey, and then putting it out there for the criticism of others (which is where it differs from just writing in a notebook.) [emphasis original - dj505]

I think (hope?) that blogging and especially debating on blogs sharpens the mind. Attempting to understand the other fellow's argument, then developing a response, often with supporting facts and figures, is intellectually pleasing and hopefully will keep my mind sharp as I get... um... what was I talking about again? I forget...

:-)

All that being said, some arguments are not worth having, or some people are not worth arguing with.

Among the arguments to avoid (though they CAN be fun if one is feeling bloody-minded) are those where there cannot be a right answer because it's a matter of opinion. An example is the 1911 v Glock debate. "Which is better" is really a matter of personal opinion and intended use; there is no "right" answer. Which makes the arguments all the more vicious, actually...

Tango Juliet - I still don't buy the "mediocre shooter" bit though.

Ditto. "Mediocre" compared to whom? Annie Oakley?

9:18 AM, January 02, 2012
Bubblehead Les. said...

Heard from someone who was at Blogorado with you that your shooting skills are much higher than you give yourself credit for. He kept talking about how you were splitting targets edgewise. Wish I could even hit the Planet somedays. So don't put yourself down.

9:57 AM, January 02, 2012
Jay G said...

I'm with Les. Your name came up at the NE luncheon yesterday, and the praise was heaped high and deep upon your ability...

And this is coming from someone who one day aspires to becoming a mediocre shooter...

10:16 AM, January 02, 2012
Anonymous said...

I have a great system for checking email. If it contains words I skip it.

11:04 AM, January 02, 2012
Stingray said...

Tam, I like you but there's a point at which over-humility like "I'm a thoroughly mediocre shooter" requires a slap about the head or head analog. If nothing else you'd blast this pesky hangnail off my hand as a warning for trying it and I'd at least get that problem solved and prove my point at the same time.

What, you think I was kidding about just stuffing Indy in a box with airholes and a "Enjoy this new padawan" note? I just couldn't catch her.

12:27 PM, January 02, 2012
Jeff said...

I'm very anti-New years resolution but about a month and a half ago I made a resolution that I'd make it to the range at least once a week for the next year. (That's about $3 a trip!)

I've noticed a huge improvement. Gotta load up more mags to go out tomorrow, need to double check my new .45 "wilson" load before I put it into full on production with my 650.


As far as the Mediocre thing goes I'm pretty sure you're not that bad but I feel that I'm fairly mediocre as well when I can't hold ~200 rounds of 9mm and ~100 Rounds of 45 on an 8" shoot n see.

3:27 PM, January 02, 2012
Anonymous said...

Well, just in case you are interested, here is some fodder for another blog post: My resolution is to clean guns, reload, and restock ammo, and to that end I have created this
"Gunnie's Mnemonic Calendar"

Dates to remember:

1-7 .177 pellets, 17 Hornady calibers,
lube/wipe down all pellet guns and 17 cal rifles.
Shoot pellet guns inside to maintain skills, when nobody's home.
Try not to hit the water heater.
reload your empty brass on days that are cold, stormy, and quiet.

2-2 inventory and clean 22lr, 22wmr, 22 hornet, etc.

2-5 clean your Raven pocket 25 acp, but don't let anyone see you.
Also clean your 25-06, 257 Robert's...

2-23 Mini-14's, AR-15's, and check loaded magazines for corrosion.

3-2 clean your girlfriends 32 (but don't let your wife catch you).

3-5 to 3-8: 38, 357, 9mm, 380, 35 Remington ...

3-06 30-06 clean rifles and check ammo inventory

3-08 308 win/7.62x51 M-1A, FAL, HK-91... clean and inventory

3-30 30-30 rifle maintenance - stock up on ammo just before hunting season
(Unless you use something exotic, ammo-wise.)
(Wait, What? exotic 30-30?)

3-31 stock up on 3031? clean your 338?

4-1 41 magnum revolvers, if you are lucky enough.

4-4 44 magnum revolvers, stock up on components.

4-5 45's, stock up on ammo and components

4-10 410 shotguns - teach a kid to shoot trap? Shotgun Maintenance

4-16 416 Rigby, and any other african rifles you are lucky enough to own.

5-1 First range day of the year! black powder 50 cal, (outdoor ranges please!)
Cast 'em if you got'em. (if it's warm enough to work outside)

5-5 clean and stock up 5.56 (in case you missed 2-23)

6-5 range day! old milsurp rifles (like 6.5x55 Swedish).
and newfangled ones like 6.5 Grendel

7-1 7MM Mauser, magnum, ...

7-4 Happy independence day - stay independent.
No taxation without representation.
Live Free or Die.
By the way, if you reload, your ammo supply is more independent.

7-6 7.62 x whatever to help stay independant.

8-1 range day! sight in your hunting rifle early, avoid the rush.
Use up leftover ammunition from last year. 8mm Mauser?

9-11 range day! all your military caliber rifles and handguns
and in case you forgot to sight in your hunting rifle.
Keep an eye out for ammo sales, Stock up on hunting calibers.
Also Shot shells, buckshot, slugs, ...

10-1 check your stock of 10mm (and your 40 S&W cal?)

11-11 Order any weird/exotic european calibers that nobody stocks.
(It might get here in time for next year's hunting season.)
replenish reloading supplies - powder, primers, projectiles,
brass, dies, ...

11-20 Black Friday - stock up on batteries for your flashlights, sights, and
all other consumables. Replace batteries that are old so they don't
explode and ruin your good flashlight. If you aren't sure how old
the batteries are, replace them anyway. (Smoke Detector too)

12-16 to 12-20 Shotgun maintenance, cleaning, reloading.

12-25 Give a kid a pellet gun. Or teach him how not to shoot his eye out,
so you can give him one when he is old enough.

6:43 PM, January 02, 2012
J.R.Shirley said...

Snort! I misread

"there's no excuse for me not getting out there at least once a week".

I thought, Wow, that's a daring way to express it...

I hope to shoot more. In 2013.

6:31 AM, January 03, 2012
anieb said...

Its a suitable information to us and every one.As an end user think to get information that is totally available here .
40 cal ammo

2:06 PM, January 06, 2012

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