Not that it's a big deal, at least certainly not at this point, but I think a recent post of mine was interpreted the wrong way, so I'll do what I do best and get long-winded about it (HA HA).

No matter what shape my personal finances are in or how much free time I have, I prefer to play paintball with friends, as opposed to packing my gear & showing up anywhere to play with people I might have seen around, but don't know. And the friends I prefer to play with is the Riot team. I doubt that is really any different from you, especially if you subtract speedball and pump only play from the equation. And while the past 12 months have been the exception for me, due to my sister passing away and then I had surgery followed by physical therapy, I typically play paintball several times a year with friends not on our paintball team. It's all good. I am not a baby that's scared to go alone, but rather I prefer to roll with friends (& family), because that's what I enjoy most--thus I maximize my enjoyment to dollars spent ratio. I like to get the most for my money & actually put some thought in to it toward that end.

The reality though is that times right now are difficult and demand prudence. If you have the money to go to every paintball event anywhere around, well I say good for you and I'm truly happy for you. I rarely am in a situation where I feel as though I can afford to attend as many events as I like, anywhere I like. For example, we are on a 36 hour production work week right now and those of us in MGT had to take a pay cut. I also am making less money at this time from my side job as a property manager because one of my owners decided to sell rather than rent their home.

So, when it comes to big games, 1 day or 24 hour versions, I'd be rather stupid to attend at random, since I know in advance that attending one game means no money for a future game. For example, I might have the money to attend 2 straight big games, but then have zip left for the next game that comes up. And what if, of those 3 games, the 3rd one is the one I'd most like to attend? Well in order to avoid that, I've got to try & look ahead & do some figuring. This might sound stupid to you, but it strikes me as smart. In fact, it's what I believe I have witnessed others doing the entire time I've been involved with the team. There's only so much time & money, so people ration it out to the events most appealing to them.

Now as far as how many team members go to a game, I personally look for 5 minimal, but definitely prefer 6 or more. Remember now, I'm bringing 3, so we're not talking major numbers past my own involvement here. Still, recent experience has taught me that numbers alone don't necessarily do it. The last game I remember playing was at PBC, where we had at least 7 guys playing, either team members or guys that came to roll with us. Lacking Shrub's or Merliu's organizational skills, we didn't have the cohesiveness we usually do, which was mostly a direct result of one simple blunder, which was failing to camp together. It wasn't that none of us in attendance were leaders, I just think that none of us were used to even thinking about such details because we'd never had to. We all still had fun, but it could have been even better. I also realized that it could have been worse.

So yes, it concerns me whenever I plan on attending a game and Shrub or Merliu isn't going to be there. First, because they are used to taking care of the details and 2nd, because their attendance tends to motivate more members in to really trying hard to show up. Not they are the only ones that have an extra, positive effect. One example of several I could name is Doc. He is such go-getter that he raises my own expectations of myself.

So to finally get close to concluding, when I post that I'm trying to figure out if a game is worth my wild to attend, I'm just doing what most of you do to one extent or another too, I'm just being up front about it, because I don't know any way to find out what the participation level is before I spend the money.

Not going to a game due to a lack of team participation may not be a valid excuse for not going, but until I have so much money that I can attend any event, any where & at any time, what else can I do? How else can I make sure I spend my financial resources wisely?

I would appreciate your thoughts on this, so I can know if you understand where I'm coming from and so I can understand how you evaluate these issues, because I'm sure I'm not the only one who needs to watch their money.

It can be as simple as a reply saying "yeah, I understand what you're saying & I pretty much do something similar" or "yeah, I understand what you're saying, but this is how I look at that stuff..yada yada yada"

Thanks in advance

I will not step on your toes by suggesting ideas to make the game cheaper to play, you know how to do that yourself. i do pay some of Eric's way as any father would do, but there always has to be a limit. i make him buy his own paint and pay the enrty fee most of the time.
I know this time of year is hard for a child to raise money to play, but if that is what has to happen so that all of you can hit more games then maybe some side jobs are in order. Grass cutting is out now, but I am sure some people would pay to have gutters cleaned, garages, the list can go on & on.
You have to be the one who dictates your families involvement and sometimes the one with the responsibilities should reap the rewards. If they do not raise money to help out. go without them once and boast about the fun, maybe they will try and save up to get to the next one.
I camped out the last 2 games and that saved me 2 nights hotel bill, that's the paint I shot! Get the pump you have talked about, a case will last all weekend and you will appreciate the game more because you have to work a little more to get the kills.
i too would love a huge team turnout, but it is what it is and there is nothing I can do but boast about the games I attend so some of you can kick your own butts and wish you could have seen the Shakester in action as I was shot to hell and back.
We miss you and yours on the field, pinch them pennies and get out there again.

I guess it depends on the person and what type of load (huh-huh, I said “load”) they’re carrying. Sometimes I’m fighting to find time just to get my school work done by the end of the week, or clean my OWN gutters let alone someone else’s for extra $$. Hell, I’ve wanted to start a side business for a long time, but there is no way I could sustain it right now with my grown-up day job and being oncall all the time. Boasting is great, but for some it is not a lack of motivation, but just dealing with the other stuff they need to deal with first.

I have gone to a couple games on my own because others backed out last minute, and it certainly does suck NOT rolling with your friends. In such cases I’ve rolled with other groups and still managed to have a great time, but it is certainly not the same. I especially love the time in between or after the games when everyone gets to fellowship.

However I don’t recall ever detouring a game due to certain folks not attending or even the # of attendance from my group. If that were the case, I would have missed out on a lot of good times.

Backing shake's comments though, a pump is a great way to still get out on the field when the $$ is tight. If you spit a case of paint and have PLENTY for even a 24 hour scenario. The paint savings probably covers your room or gas expense alone.

I don't think of it as "not attending", I think of it as maybe chosing to attend another game where they'll be more fun & fellowship to be had. Really though, it's just came to the forefront due to money getting real tight.

As for pump, I want to do this, but I'm screwd if I do, screwed if I don't right now. Let's say I buy 3 pumps for an average of $150 each. Well, that gets close to, if not equal to, the cost of going to a game with my current equipment.

So I could make that purchase tomorrow of the pumps, but then I wouldn't have the money to go to PBC later this month.

My 2 cents really don't apply here because I'm so dependent on Shrub, Merilu and Sarah to help me out with the gun, air, etc. I wouldn't brave a game without one of you guys! Now camping is another story!
In regards to the other, I know each one of our financial, personal and work situations are different. We can only decide for ourselves what is managable. I wish we could all make it to the games together because I sincerely have a GREAT time with you guys.
I would be at this one if I wasn't having surgery. PBC has always been a good time! Hopefully, I can join up with RIOT at the next one.

Hope so,you and all those who have not been able to get out much this year. There are rumors guys and gals and if they are true I expect to see you in my neck of the woods next year or at least our sponsors field.
Need a stamp? He, he, he What?

oh brother..

If you're not the Shake, you must be a fake, or play with your snake, I got a head ache.
If you try and copy my techniques and visions, you are in dire need of mental help. i am a master in my own mind of special abilities and powers and kids should not try to do these things at home.
I once wrote a poem for the team
I thought it was nice as a dream
They all snubbed their noses
so I cut off their hoses
and their cars just sit there and steam!!!!

You thought I was going to be a dirty little cow, didn't you!!! I had my monthly bath and am squeeky inside and out!!! Wanna see?????

Shake stop while your ahead.....well, just stop! Those are some mad rhymes your throwing down. Shrub, he might need his own forum for those fly POehms! I understand if you need to block me from such.
Ace, I'll spare the details and thanks for asking. I'm good...in a little bit of limbo right now until lab work comes back after surgery. I'm tough as nails man and sorry to get off topic!

not hearing my rhyme could be concidered a crime

wow..so is this what happens when the kids go off into the military?

what? you're in the military now and didnt tell us?