Who's paying the bar bill?
It
occurs to us; this bar bill is going to be expensive
Or
Has
it really been 20 years??
As implied by the name of this blog, Pub
Crawling, as a team have been playing paintball together since 1993 (and
several of us have paintball careers that extend back ever farther) and we are
still trying to figure out who is responsible for paying the bill. Many of us
have paid close attention to the sport and its’ growth and metamorphosis over
the years. Though I do not intend to breathe life into those complicated
issues, I do hope to shed light onto the players we used to be (as well as a
quick recap of the end of 2012 and the beginning of our 20th year
together).
Unfortunately, the photo archives of Pub
Crawling only go back to the late 1990’s, though we are sure earlier proofs
exist. This photo shows the founding members of Pub Crawling (Cynical Chuck,
Maniac, and MJ) and a current teammate (Jelly). It’s hard to believe that this
is about 15 years ago.
As 2012 came to a close we wrapped up
our season at Paintball Charleston, in Charleston, South Carolina. This venue
and scenario producer (MPP games, run by Ben Torricelli and his great wife
Bonnie) has become a favorite of ours, and this game was as predicted: AWESOME.
With a great crowd and super field ownership, the good time is guaranteed.
Ending the season with a solid win is always a plus, and our side won the game
with a 700 point win! (Generals hint: to motivate your side for a scenario game
final battle, tell your troops you are losing and if the final battle is won by
you will have enough to win).
Here is a shot of us with a few friends
back in the days when the ‘uniform’ of Pub Crawling was evolving and each
player rigged up a custom look. Those days on the team were always good for a
laugh (in fact, it is still true), check out Maniac’s sweeeeeeet tactical vest.
This was also the time of ‘team xterra’, Chatty Matty and MJ both drove black
ones.
To begin the 2013 season, the team voted
to make a few decisions. We agreed to switch our season to an 8 game affair and
focus on: attending 4 games/fields as a ‘repeat’ option, and attend 4 new
fields/events. This was done to allow us to travel further and father as a
group, this is shown this year by our planned games in: Tennessee, Virginia,
New York, Maryland, New Hampshire, Indiana, Illinois, and South Carolina. This
schedule will also allow for the successful utilization of a ************,
which will be unveiled later this season.
We began our 2013 game play in Tennessee
at Bearclaw paintball in Fayetteville (south of Nashville). This field is 72
acres of fantastic play area. Well structured and staffed, the MPP games we
play there are so rich in missions and props that any serious scenario team
should head that way at least once (we recommend several times). During this
game, the dreaded “please switch sides” happened. Due to circumstances beyond
our control (or game director) the event began to sway heavily towards the side
we were playing for and for the overall balancing of the game we agreed to
switch sides and play for the other general. All of the players were informed of
this in advance and we insisted on trying to complete any missions we were
currently carrying out before moving sides. Once the switch was implemented we
dug in for a gun fight. And a gun fight we had! Over the next 24 hours we
fought and clawed our way back into the game and at the end of it all, when the
dust had settled, and the last chicken had been hatched; our ‘new’ side had
managed to win! And we were awarded a ‘sportsmanship’ award from both sides and
a ‘MVT’ from the winning general. What a good time!
Here is more proof of the passage of
time…Lemming has hair in the photo. As I reflect on the good times that have
been had, I’m reminded of a recent conversation with Yodeler, who said; “it’s
doubtful that when we’re 70, we’ll ever say ‘man, I wish we hadn’t’ve played
all that paintball”. You know, he’s right… I’m sure.
We just returned from an event in
Gloucester, Virginia at a new to us field. The Swamp is what it is called and
they are right, but not in a bad way. This is that rare scenario field, 138
acres, that is all FLAT. And that is great; big, wide, and flat. Though the game
was a bit small (player wise), it was also only their 2nd event and
it was clear that the ownership is committed to developing and fostering a
scenario scene in Eastern Virginia. We will definitely be back at this field!
Though we were on the losing side at this event, we did take home the ‘MVT’
award and Lemonade won a one on one duel to end the game and take home all the
final battle points. To boot, this field is located within 20 miles of Colonial
Williamsburg, which means; plenty of hotels, restaurants, and beer stores! This
photo is of Yodeler, Colonic, and MJ at The Swamp.
Well, this trip down Long Term and Short
Term Memory lane is over and the one thing I’m sure of is: some of my teammates
are getting old. No, what I meant was; I’m glad the ride isn’t over. Here is
the 20th anniversary schedule of Pub Crawling. Find us on Facebook,
follow us on Twitter @pubcrawlingPB and visit www.pubcrawling.org
Until we see you out there; the whisky
is old and the beer is cold. Plus, a bonus shot of Maniac and BabySitter,
playing the Pub Crawling Coozy Game. Good times, Good times.
MJ
2/23-24
Bearclaw, Tennessee, MPP game
4/06
Swamp (Saturday game), Virginia, Wulfenkow game
5/25-26
Albany Scenario Club, New York, field game
6/15-16
OXCC, Maryland, TSSOC game
7/21
OSG (Sunday game), New Hampshire, field game
8/10-11
Blast Camp, Indiana, Viper game
9/15
Fox Paintball (Sunday game), Illinois, field game
11/16-17
PBC, South Carolina, MPP game
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