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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Late night rambling…

What kind of game would it be if Tiger Woods was given 600 tries to make a "hole in one" from every tee? How interesting would football be if we gave the quarterback 600 shots at completing a "Hail Mary" pass on the first down of every series? Who would want to watch a batter get 600 shots at hitting the ball over the fence each time at bat?

If a tennis racquet could be designed for Serena Williams that propelled the ball faster than the eye could follow should she be allowed to use it? If a cue stick were designed with a guidance system what effect do you think that would have on the game? And why do we stop boxers at one knock-out punch? Why not let him throw a couple extra just for good measure!

I apologize if my analogies read a bit obscure. It's late. You either get it, or you don't care!

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Yes, I’m still here…

A couple of weeks back I spent a bunch of money to fly to a "Paintball Field and Store Owners Conference". It sucked... the flight and the conference. At risk of sounding arrogant, I'd heard all the grumbling before - the high price of paint, the high price of field insurance, the ignorance of local, state and federal governments trying to enforce the sport of paintball out of business!

The worst of all, I suppose, was the vendors, all hawking products they were sure would make us lots of money while I saw nothing there that was actually aimed at promoting paintball as a fun, safe, family activity.

Just not a very inspiring trip, while back home a player smacked his head on the door of the fort on the Fort Field and scared the bejeezus out of everyone by bleeding like he ripped open a carotid! Scalp wounds bleed like crazy.

Followed by a similar head wound the very next week!

Half a dozen stitches total in one week's time where we had none in eight years! I consider accidents as situations that bear investigation and action but for the life of me I can't figure how either accident could have been avoided unless I start making players wear a full helmet!

Followed this weekend by 99 happy players and one that thought it was necessary to cuss out my daughter over a mistake that was made (and caught, and corrected) by a new employee at the check-out register.

There's not enough therapy in the world that can explain why I let one foul mouthed teenager ruin my mood rather than bask in the accomplishment of bringing a bit of fun into the lives of 99 others!

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Funny stuff…

If you know paintball and like a good laugh and are not checking out "The White Board" you are missing out on some good stuff. Click on the link (on the right) and treat yourself to a chuckle or two.

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