Nine Mile Skid on a Ten Mile Ride

[JackStraw]

The subject of this thread is one of my favorite lyrics from a Dead tune called "He's Gone". I chose it because it kinda' sums up how I feel lately. LOTS of desire & ambition, but no time or $$ to do things, constantly having to put the brakes on something. I took time this past wknd to step back and look over my life, and realized I've got too many hobbies and not enough time to enjoy them all (sometimes none of them). Most of my time is spent enjoying my family and being involved in the things my kids do - which I dearly love & truly enjoy more than anything else. When I came to the following conclusion I took into account the time I had available for personal pursuits, investment & expenses in my hobbies, and family participation in those hobbies. In the immortal words of Bob Dylan in "Knockin' On Heaven's Door".......

"Mama, take this gun and put it far away,
I won't fire it anymore...."

Yup, you guessed it, I'm walking away from Airsoft, as well as some other hobbies, past times and pursuits (handguns, my annual tattoo trips, our hot tub, etc.). I'll still own some of these items and enjoy some of these pursuits, but not like I have in the past. As for my airsoft arsenal, I'm retaining my Benelli short shotty, Glock 18C, and the Sig my son won. All else is going up for sale, giving you folks first cracks at stuff and then expanding my postings to other sites.

If you take note of the number of skirmishes you've seen me at (um, that would be zero for most of you), as well as the one I cancelled, you should gain a better understanding of my situation. It's not that I don't like this hobby, hell I think it's a blast! I'm short on time these days, and I'll be damned if my family will pay the price for my "personal fun time". I will continue to support this hobby and will attend skirmishes if there's nothing else I have going that weekend and I don't have to spend a ton of time driving.

Does this hurt? Am I saddened? Well, it isn't fun, I can tell you that, but it is necessary and I know it will lead to a far more enjoyable and relaxed family life - and that's what counts at this time in my life. Trust me, some day you will all come to this realization in one form or another.

Also, this decision was NOT brought on by the cancellation of the event this weekend (Amishville). I was going to announce this decision at that event and hand out "For Sale" flyers. I'm sorry I missed the chance to meet a bunch of you, I was rather looking fwd to that. You guys are a ton of fun to hang out with online, even despite our occasional differences.

Please don't EVER forget what Hadoken does for airsoft thru his efforts with this forum. Try asking yourselves what you would do to play airsoft in MI without this forum. I will stay in touch and try to hook up with you folks when I'm downstate.

Also, I have $25 of raffle funds and 2 pistols for door prizes I've been holding onto. I'd like to send them to Hadoken (along with some raffle tix to make it happen). If it's OK with everyone here, rather than send the funds to Hadoken, I will send him a bunch of BB's with a value equal to $25 to be raffled off along with the pistols as door prizes at an upcoming event.

Well, that's about it. I'll be posting a bunch of stuff for sale in the Commerce area under a thread named Emptying The Armory some time in the next few days. Be advised, I take good care of my toys cuz I usually equip myself with nice things. Don't let that scare you, as I'll try to price things affordably (I want to sell 'em ASAP). If you do buy one of my items I can assure you you'll be pleased (heck, some of it was never used!).

You need not quake in fear any longer though ;D, as I'm about to become unarmed. I wish you all well. May you all experience accurate shots, reliable & "deadly" weapons, healthy days ahead and plenty of good times on the airsoft field of battle.

Best Regards - Mike

Edit - added link to "Emptying The Armory"

[SickPointe]

Awe Jack, I'm sorry to see you go. But you gotta do what you gotta do. Gerry would be proud .

[Minky]

This is a shocker Jack!

Like Sick said, you gotta do what you gotta do, and it sounds like you've put a lot of thought into this decision. I regret that we never got to meet face to face, but it was great to have come to know you via this forum. Thanks again for what you yourself have done for airsoft in MI. Having that raffle was great, and you also hooked me up with my skirmish goggles.

Hopefully you'll be able to make it to an event with your remaining guns and gear sometime in the near future. I think we'll be having another try for an event at Hado's place in Mio later this year...

[Hadoken]

Doh! I've kinda had a feeling you'll be doing something like this Mike, I just didn't expect it so soon.

It's too bad we never got a chance to fight the evils of Newman side by side. I'm sure though our paths will cross again someday or the joys of airsoft will give you that "must play now!" itch. You'll be back. ; )

It's been great having you here on our forums. I know you've helped me out numerous times with our gang of whippersnappers and helped me make a few difficult decisions. For all that I'm very grateful.

Mike, You'll be missed good Sir.

*salute*

[Newman]

I talked to ya, but I never got to shoot ya.

Maybe sometime, Mike, maybe sometime...

[JackStraw]

Thanks guys, I sincerely appreciate the kind words.

I just updated the post "Emptying The Armory" in the Commerce section. No prices, but the goods are all there.

[severa327]

We never met, but I understand completely. I have faced a simular situation in the past with the SCA. Real life comes first, and family is always before hobbies. My only advantage has been the fact that both my husband and I have simular hobbie interests and we don't have any children.

Good Luck to you and may your life go smoothly in the future.

--Severa

[Andy]

Too bad you have to go Jack. I never new ya and we all understand what your doing, GOOD LUCK IN WHAT EVER YOUR DOING!