"Surrender!"

For the first time ever, I have a guest writer on the blog! The day after Thanksgiving was given over not to shopping, but to bonding. My mom, sisters and I spent the day together chatting and hugging - we're women, it's what we do - and the boys - erm, I mean, men! - went paintballing. Hubs agreed to write this post so I could share some photos.

Jess approached me a couple of days before our departure and informed me of a “rumor” that a paintballing expedition could be on tap for the day after Thanksgiving.  I had never been a participant to this kind of activity, but felt very much game if it came to pass.  Worst case scenario?  I would come back covered in paint splatters and a vow to never do such a thing again.

After it was discussed up in Fair Oaks, it was decided that we would most definitely be shooting each other as a celebration of the spirit of Thanksgiving.  As I had a heads up for the event, we had packed a selection of clothing that I could sacrifice to the paintball gods if worse came to worst.

So, that Friday, we set out for the stretch of Sacramento occupied by the company that would be hosting our entertainment for the day.  Ryan and Jess’ dad had the foresight to come in coveralls and packed protection for their more sensitive bits.  I began to wonder exactly how deep I was in if that kind of safety precaution was warranted.

 

After signing the standard release forms (“…in case of decapitation”?  What kinds of games are we going to be playing again?), we were issued our weapons and face protection.  A quick safety briefing later, and we were headed to war.

 

We got to play a variety of scenarios, ranging from 2 on 2 (The bros Ryan and Chad vs. myself and Steve, my FIL) to 4 on 3 against some others who arrived later in the day, to a rousing skirmish of defending the house structure on one of the fields.  I felt I had to use a bit more strategy in my actions, due to the fact that I could neither run nor totally bend down, and hitting the ground was pretty much right out.  My companions were capable of doing much more of that stuff, and we all seemed to get tagged around the same frequency.

Though we all have stories about some of the games played, I most definitely have to give Chad the award for “Kill of the Day”.  As we were playing at a beginner level of skill, we could offer our opponents the option of surrender instead of just shooting them in the back, if we managed to get in that position.  Well, Chad did manage such a feat, and the cry of “SURRENDER!” he gave our opponent practically made him jump out of his skin, and even surprised the referee of the game.  It was the last game of our day, and we were all low on ammunition, so he had to make every one of his shots count.

 

As a side note – it was a good choice on Ryan’s part to wear that cup.  :)

And so, with that, we called it a day and headed back to the house to show off all of our “wounds” and regale our better halves with the stories of our adventures for the day.  I cannot speak for the other 3, but I know I fell asleep quickly that night.

And I can attest to the fact that he slept soundly. I hope you enjoyed my guest blogger.

Namaste