Barrel mathematics…

Okay class, pay attention:
REGARDING ACCURACY

BAD PAINT + CHEAP (STOCK) BARREL = POOR ACCURACY
BAD PAINT + EXPENSIVE BARREL = POOR ACCURACY
GOOD PAINT + CHEAP (STOCK) BARREL = BETTER ACCURACY
GOOD PAINT + EXPENSIVE BARREL = BETTER ACCURACY
GOOD PAINT + SKILLED SHOOTER + (LUCK)2 = GOOD ACCURACY

REGARDING RANGE (DISTANCE)

300 FPS + 8 INCH BARREL = DISTANCE X
300 FPS + 36 INCH BARREL = SAME DISTANCE X**

**assuming variable A (air temperature), variable B (humidity), variable C (barometric pressure), variable D (paint diameter, weight, shell and fill consistency), variable E (barrel cleanliness) and variable F (wind) are identical.

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Lost another barrel sale…

"Hey, I want to buy a paintball SNIPER barrel."

"Why?"

"Because I want to be able to pick off players with one shot at great distances!"

"Sorry. There's no such thing!"

"Sure there is. It's right here in this magazine!"

"Then buy it from the magazine."

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Back again. So what?

I started writing here because I thought it might be therapeutic. A way to let off steam. A chance to get past some of the nonsense.

Thursday afternoon the phone rings...Ring. Ring."Good afternoon, T-Square Paintball."

"Hi, I need to make a reservation for a group to come out to play paintball on Saturday."

"Oh, I'm sorry ma'am but we are booked solid this Saturday."

"How about early in the morning?"

"Sorry, ma'am. But we are booked solid."

"Do you have any openings later in the afternoon?"

"No, ma'am."

"But I all ready invited everyone. It's a birthday party for my son!"

"Sorry, ma'am. Can we set you up for another weekend?"

"No you can not set me up for another weekend. You can check your calendar and find me a time for this Saturday!"

"Ok. Let me check.... Nope, nothing open this Saturday."

"What kind of stupid place are you running out there?"

CLICK!

Another happy customer......!

And then there's Saturday morning, 10:30, an hour and a half before we open. A lady and 6 kids are outside banging on the Pro-Shop door.

"Hello! HELLO! I brought some kids that want to play."

"Sorry, ma'am. We're not open yet."

"But we're here. Can they start early?"

"Ma'am we are not ready yet. My refs are still setting up the field and equipment."

"Still setting up? Well you need to get some competent workers."

(My field manager almost went over the counter after her!)

Another day in paradise!

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Just another day…

Can't seem to think of a "mean" or "grumpy" thing to mention regarding the last few weeks.

The ice storm shut us down (with payroll and end of month bills coming due) and straight line winds busted a couple of net poles and wrecked a couple of tarp shelters. Pipes froze, the tractor broke down and somehow a screw found it's way into the left rear tire of my truck. Caught a couple of kids in the parking lot shooting at (and hitting) a passing car. Another was caught busting his way through the sheetrock walls of our bathroom because he "thought" he had locked himself in. I let myself get all excited when I finally received a new and much needed high pressure fill station, only to find out the wrong one was sent. I sent it back and now it sets on my desk waiting for parts that might actually make it work.

And before anyone who has stumbled upon this site begins to think I'm whining (I'm well aware "things could always be worse") let me say - whining here is the point. It's my place to vent. The option to leave comments is turned off so you don't even get a chance to "Tisk!" Tisk!"

In the meantime I received a very warm and positive e-mail from a former T2 player (he has since moved away). It was filled with, "Now I know why you did this!" and "Now I know why you said that!" and it went on to validate many of my business philosophies and direction for T-Square Paintball. If only it had ended there. In the middle of the e-mail he suggested a modification to his marker that would have turned it into a BOMB and he wanted to know what I thought.

Now, I know he's not a trained airsmith and doesn't really know better. And I really was flattered that he would entrust the question to me (Lord knows I appreciated the rest of his e-mail) but, poor guy, he was the lucky dumb question number 567, lottery winner of the week and my response was rather short and, well... mean and grumpy!

For that I apologize, Jessie!

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