Paintball! Round 2

Round 2. I want to make something clear. I was upset when I got home from paintball. I felt like I had wasted alot of money but it was due I believe to bad planning and things being rushed for understandable purposes. No one is really to blame, it was quite an undertaking and hindsight always allows us to see things clearer. Of the 6 people I had asked to come, all had a good time and looking back I think I would have enjoyed it quite a bit more with slightly better equipment.

I have been reading reviews on different markers, mainly the one I always wanted the t9 elite. I wish there was a website that realistically compared markers. What I actually want to know that I can not find in video or written form, is a comparison from a single shooter of the accuracy at a set distance. I want to know if I can realistically hit a target at 75 feet within a 5 inch spread. I am also wondering what the spread at distance that cheap ass 98 custom obtains.

The first match I played I thrice felt I could have gotten a kill if the gun I was firing had been accurate. I think those three hits alone would have done alot to increase my enjoyment. As the day went on I got more agressive, the second match at Eclipse castle I played harder, I stormed ahead quickly and I believe got a kill on someone in the window, and put some good pressure on sniper perches, if only the accuracy was there they would have been kills.

So what would it really take? Tons? A 500$ marker with another 150$ worth of crap and god knows how expensive fog-less mask. The problem is ... what if after all that I still don't like to play? Do I really have 100$ to throw away on paintball once a month? 30$ admission, 40$ paint 20$ in rentals. Then again I guess if I had that marker my paint cost would be extremely low for the day, firing 8 round clips, how much paint could I possibly use, right?

All in all I am considering going again next time and paying for the better marker to rent, however it is still a rental and something tells me there isnt the same love put into maintaining them.

Paintball!

This weekend was Sean's big paintball match up at Skirmish in PA, a total of 46 or so people. The day started with a fun ride up to PA, me and Cynthia riding with Dennis. We met up with about 20 or so others in Manhattan at Murphys store. Not much in terms of introductions took place, a quick run to the local store and we were off. I believe we ended up with a nice 6 car caravan, blocking traffic at one point as we were lining up in the middle lane on 23rd and 6th avenue, yes not the best place at all to have 6 cars at a halt. Antoine led the caravan and all together it was a pretty smooth ride up, some music, laughs and funny pictures.

Eventually with everyone in position we got our camo's, belt packs and paint. We then met our refs, a big black dude and a short white guy, very pushy the both of them, and the big one was not very useful. So useless I basically stopped playing early in the day and had little desire to continue. The first game began and it seems 4 members of our team were not present, happened to be the 4 that had custom markers, the very thing teams were balanced on. The match was a massacre I guess, partly because it seems like we had no coordination, our captain wasn't present, not that he did any leading anytime after that anyway. However I noticed that every match in which I had been hit, put the gun over my head and walked off the field, I was always hit a second time, just wonderful.

What I do wonder is ... are all paintballs guns that inaccurate? The 98 custom fired like crap. Ignoring other variables, it was a mess to see someone, feel you had a clean shot and not be able to hit them for a few reasons. The first and most important reason for missing, you can't sight the gun because of the lack of a remote line, the tank forces you to shoot from the hip. The second is the gun is just inaccurate, three shots, slight pause in between each, and 3 different hit locations. The final reason, which may have just been my luck, the gun I had would jam, the offset of the hopper when shooting sideways from cover stopped the balls from loading and it became a mess. I was firing sometimes while the gun was on safety, and sometimes while it was not =/

Anyway lots of walking, frustration at the gun, the mask fogging, not knowing anyone on my team ... I just felt like I wasted too much money and all I got was some nice pics of me and Cynthia in our camo gear on a tank. Oddly I may just go next time and rent a better gun to see if I enjoy it.

Six Degrees of Separation

So isn't it funny how we are all connected? Not sure if everyone is familiar with Six Degrees of Separation an old flick starring Will Smith. I don't want to blow the flick and what happens with it, but the basic premise is that everyone on the planet can be connected to anyone else through six degrees of separation, basically through 6 other connections. For example, even though I did not meet Cynthia until recently, I was actually connected to her through Dennis (best friend) and his then girlfriend Courtney who is Cynthia's cousin. Also through Natalie who I went to MS 51's with and is good friends to her. Its not a full six degrees, in the longest case it is only 2, Dennis and Courtney, but the point is made.

You know ... my explanation killed the whole point, which was that Courtney and Cynthia are cousins and that I knew other people at times in my life who knew her.

I think fate, and yes I know I am sounding like an idealist again - for that I thank you, was waiting for the right time for me and Cynthia to meet. I don't things would have been just right if some how we met when D and Courtney were going out, I still had a lot of growing up to do. At the time I was at 51's would have been even worse, I was too much of knucklehead then. If there was a greater power I think it timed things just right, I have loved and lost and most importantly, learned. Those lessons are what makes the difference, and I hope to put them to good use in making her happy.

*Ugh* I suck

So I dropped the ball for what I can say is the very first time, at least as far as I know, and it hurts. Somewhere inside around where I swallow I got a pain after receiving her text, it slowed my breath, and every time I did breathe, I felt something missing, something hurting. It hurt even more to know I made her worry, if Dennis didn't have his phone, I could have made it a long worry filled night, all because of my absentmindedness. I could barely even make it back to the house yesterday, I was falling asleep in the car while D was talking to me, perhaps I needed another splash of could water. When I got home I must have just fell out, I don't even remember going to sleep and I need to find you a new ringtone. Something that will wake me when you call, not just provide a familiar and sweet lullaby.

I was going to write about some interesting developments and fate, but something are more important to say.

Be better tomorrow then you were today ... and I will be for you.

How it's suppose to be

"I wanna be the one that you believe is sent from heaven" - Keyshia Cole

I was walking home listening to the above mentioned song and started to think, isn't this how it should be? I have had relationships where I have cared, deeply at that, but is that really enough? I mean after so many years shouldn't the person make you feel as though only the heavens could have produced a person so perfect to your heart?

I look at Cynthia sometimes and just stare, amazed at the person she is, amazed at how she makes me feel. I feel something when I look at her, like something that draws my heart in, something that makes me want to be even closer to her. Perhaps a touch of divinity is the only way to explain the person she is, and the euphoric feeling she gives me.

Busy

I spent Friday with Cynthia and her godson Manny. The original plan was a movie and some sushi, but morphed into Italian and no flick. Timing wasn't on our side and so we couldn't make the last showing of Mirrors. We went to a place called Aunt Suzie's which is near La Villa. The place looked small so I was a bit skeptical, but figured, you know, let me try something new. When we got in, the wait service was very quick and very courteous, I ordered this massive stuffed pork chop, something out of the Flintstones *pats tummy* yummy. For appetizers we had stuffed mushrooms and fried mozzarella, also yummy and it came out very quick. It was a good night and I got to meet her godson who is moving, and hopefully he had a good time before leaving. That night I met Cynthia's mother, she was very nice, and has a beautiful apartment. I was expecting to get grilled, but it was nothing of the sort.

Saturday I met up with Cynthia again and went to her friend Natalie's daughters birthday party. I met Cynthia's sister Lizette, and bumped into some people I remembered from 51's such as Natalie and James. I thought it might be a little awkward but everyone was really cool and made me feel relaxed. Her sister was nice, I was nervous about meeting her too, but all in all, Saturday was a good day. I also met one of the cutest babies, little Jordan, just adorable. I was a bit nervous about holding him, but I think someone putting there child into your arms kinda sets you at ease after a while. That night we finally got to see Mirrors also, we have been trying to get there for a week or so. The movie was pretty good, I was actually surprised how good it was. It's been ages since I seen a movie that made me jump, even the slightest.

Sunday I spent cleaning, and on Monday I added a new recipe to my repertoire. I now cook french toast, and pretty decently I will say so. I also hung out with Lizette and baby Jordan again. We went to Ikea for a little, and hung out at my house where Dennis got to meet her before he retired to his game. He left pretty early, it seems because a certain person was txt'ing him. He needs to give that phone back and cut the cord already, can't spend all your days in limbo. All in all it was a busy weekend and I am tapped, sleepy and broke lol