This Saturday morning I got up, geared up, and took off before 930 to get to the paintball field. I have been following a local paintball store since my wife bought me a paintball marker and some other gear a couple of Christmas' ago. Periodically, the owner of JT Paintball will send out emails about games. This one was located on a great field near Eagle Mountain, Utah that is operated by Desert Edge. This is a great field, with a lot of room to play. I've been out there last year with 100+ people playing.
The field is located on a dirt road, past various farms. Its a typical Utah high desert area, with cedar brush and various other obstacles that make up some great hides to hunt the other team from. I even saw a couch out in the middle of the playing field. When we get rid of our couch, i may just bring it out there, since it'll add to the field of play, and make a great obstacle to shoot from.
There are two fields that Desert Edge plays in, and I have only been to one of them. I went to the other one first, thinking that it was where the game would be. The view was amazing, as it looked over saratoga springs, into lehi and the lake beyond. I could see my house. But no one else was there. I wondered around for a bit, enjoying he view, until i headed to the other field. Here, I
found a few folks, 10+, gearing up. After I geared up, we divided into teams and went out onto the field. I was one of 3 people that had played there before, so felt like i knew what was going on. I love playing here, because of all the trees and shrubs and built up obstacles. When using the trees, you can easily down the field, and see legs and bodies moving. If you sit still, and use the trees as cover, you may be able to sneak up on them. Its a great area, that allows you to move around in easily. I had some great shots, picked off some people, but was never the last on my team. I ended up getting shot each time i went onto the field. One was a great shot by the other guy. I had just hunted down a guy from the other team, and took him out well. All agreed it was a great shot. But afterwards, i was cocky and wondered away quickly, right into the waiting gunsights of of an enemy. Great shot. Another time, i had chased down 3 enemies, pushed them back with the help of a teammate. But when i went right, and he went left, he got distracted by another enemy, leaving the three to concentrate on me. I blew it, and ended up getting hit by a sniper guy in the trees, as i hunted 2 in a stand nearby. I never saw the guy in the tree, and he tagged me in the knee.
None of the shots were as hard as the week before during speedball. Each time i returned to the parking area, I could barely breath. Its a long walk back after getting shot, but even taking my time, i couldn't breath, as I had been exerting myself during the game so much. It felt great to run, jump, evade, shoot.
After the games (3-4), I packed up and headed home. Stopping by a gas station to treat myself with a Diet Sunkist and a Chocodile. I went home.
Once at home, we finally took down the Christmas lights. They usually spend quite a bit of time on our home, but it was time, and we had the afternoon. With all the family helping, we made quick work of it.
Afterwards, and since i had removed things in the garage to pack the Christmas lights, my dirtbikee was out... asking for a new handlebar to be put on. I started taking pieces off the old bars, making sure that i marked where things were, unlike last time. I slowly removed everything, and got the new bar put on. This time, i didnt attach it to the triple tree first, but attached the items first. Last time, i had a heck of a time with cables being too tight, having been put on incorrectly. I was slow and methodical and successful. I didnt get the grips or barkbusters put on, but did make good progress for having done it myself. I rarely do well with mechanical tasks, but did ok this time.
So, thats how I was able to combine paintball and motorcycling. I actually wish there was another way to combine them. Ive often thought it would be cool to get paintball geared up and ride quads. One paintballer on the back of the quad, one driver of the quad. We team up and play agains other similar groups. I would imagine there would be some severe injuries, but prior to that, i bet we'd have a blast acting out a real life Mario Kart.
I sure enjoy these hobbies, and am thankful for the time and abilities to participate in them whenever I can.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Random Things
Recently, on Facebook, I have been tagged for some Random notes from other people.
I avoided writing them down for a while, but finally got to them today. I wanted to keep a record of them here on my blog as well.
So, I'm simply reposting them here.
This one was difficult. Trying to come up with things that people may not know about. I am sure that some people will recognize some of them, but hope that the overall feeling is of newness.
The link is here on Facebook
And here is the contents of that post.
--------------------------------------------------
Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 4:00pm
I got tagged for this a few weeks ago, but put it off. Now, I guess should try to fill it out.
1. i do not have those little crescent half moons under my fingernails. None of my fingernails.
2. I have never seen another person not have them on their fingernails.
3. I have never eaten a hotdog from a gas station.
4. A goal in my life is to die without ever having a hotdog from a gas station.
5. I have never felt an earthquake, though i have lived in areas that have suffered earth quakes.
6. I killed my high school girlfriends cat, but never told her.
7. I love to play in the water, but am constantly afraid of what is in the water.
8. I just finished building an addition to our entertainment center. This is a project I have been trying to finish for 8+ years.
9. My home computer is surrounded by MDF.
10. My shoulder will click sometimes, since I tore my AC joint. Weirds me out.
11. The only time I really drank alcohol, was a 1/5th of vodka poured into the water tank of the motorhome so it would not freeze. Next day, i had i swig of it, and spit it out.
12. I can not tell the difference between Marijuana smoke and any other kind of cigarette smoke.
13. My sweet wife can tell the difference.
14. I was once (ok many times) party to tying up the next door neighbor girls to telephone poles, all under the guise of practicing our Boy Scout knots.
15. A movie i will always stop to watch is Tremors
16. I love to watch motorcycle racing with my wife and family. But do not like NASCAR.
17. I have had an MP3 player for many years, way before ipod existed.
18. I hate when animals poop in my yard (I don't have any animals) and the owners don't clean it up.
19. I collect coins and bills. Started while in Argentina serving a Mission for my Church.
20. My favorite treat is anything with chocolate and nuts. oh, and a Chocodile. And Apple Pie. Oh, and Reeses anything. Ok, I have lots of favorites.
21. Can still speak fluent Spanish, with an Argentine accent.
22. Love Baloo the bear.
23. I love blogging. I love reading others' blogs.
24. I have had over 600 hits from 33+ countries on my SQL Server Blog since starting it in November.
25. I hate driving.
--------------------------------------------------
I avoided writing them down for a while, but finally got to them today. I wanted to keep a record of them here on my blog as well.
So, I'm simply reposting them here.
This one was difficult. Trying to come up with things that people may not know about. I am sure that some people will recognize some of them, but hope that the overall feeling is of newness.
The link is here on Facebook
And here is the contents of that post.
--------------------------------------------------
Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 4:00pm
I got tagged for this a few weeks ago, but put it off. Now, I guess should try to fill it out.
1. i do not have those little crescent half moons under my fingernails. None of my fingernails.
2. I have never seen another person not have them on their fingernails.
3. I have never eaten a hotdog from a gas station.
4. A goal in my life is to die without ever having a hotdog from a gas station.
5. I have never felt an earthquake, though i have lived in areas that have suffered earth quakes.
6. I killed my high school girlfriends cat, but never told her.
7. I love to play in the water, but am constantly afraid of what is in the water.
8. I just finished building an addition to our entertainment center. This is a project I have been trying to finish for 8+ years.
9. My home computer is surrounded by MDF.
10. My shoulder will click sometimes, since I tore my AC joint. Weirds me out.
11. The only time I really drank alcohol, was a 1/5th of vodka poured into the water tank of the motorhome so it would not freeze. Next day, i had i swig of it, and spit it out.
12. I can not tell the difference between Marijuana smoke and any other kind of cigarette smoke.
13. My sweet wife can tell the difference.
14. I was once (ok many times) party to tying up the next door neighbor girls to telephone poles, all under the guise of practicing our Boy Scout knots.
15. A movie i will always stop to watch is Tremors
16. I love to watch motorcycle racing with my wife and family. But do not like NASCAR.
17. I have had an MP3 player for many years, way before ipod existed.
18. I hate when animals poop in my yard (I don't have any animals) and the owners don't clean it up.
19. I collect coins and bills. Started while in Argentina serving a Mission for my Church.
20. My favorite treat is anything with chocolate and nuts. oh, and a Chocodile. And Apple Pie. Oh, and Reeses anything. Ok, I have lots of favorites.
21. Can still speak fluent Spanish, with an Argentine accent.
22. Love Baloo the bear.
23. I love blogging. I love reading others' blogs.
24. I have had over 600 hits from 33+ countries on my SQL Server Blog since starting it in November.
25. I hate driving.
--------------------------------------------------
Saturday, January 24, 2009
AC Joint - Update 2009-01-24
Today we went over to Orem Rec again to finish watching the rball tourney and let the girls play a bit. The girls didnt play, but I got to ref some games and watch some great games. This got me thinking that even though I lost my second game in C division, I was happy that I was able to play. Just 162 days ago, I was out at 5 mile pass, suffering from a torn AC joint in my shoulder. I looked back just now at my blog and saw my 50 day update, having gotten back on the dirtbike and was riding again. So, 162 days from tearing it, I was able to compete at a descent level in rball tourney. Yeah Me.
Friday, January 23, 2009
How I spent my day off (2009-01-23) - woodworking
Earlier in the week I worked extra on Monday and Tuesday, enough to cover an entire day. So, Friday, I took the day off of work, having worked 40 hours in the previous 4 days. I was tired, so got to sleep in. However, when I was awake, I, as always, felt the push to get something done. I always feel this push.
I have been working on an entertainment center addition, but with the cold weather, i have been stymied with the staining process. Today was a great day of weather, and I actually worked in my shortsleeves, and was able to hear the heater shut off on its own many times during the day. I finished staining and steel wooling the entertainment center today, and finished up some touch up parts I had not known what to do with yet. I added backing to different portions of the project. I even spent quite a while trying to get the doors to work. I didnt come up with a definite solution yet, but am on the way to one, I hope. I did scope out the wood for the drawers, and actually put together part of one to test it out and learned a lot.
Some pictures are here, in my flickr site.
Also, while I was waiting and confused on direction, I made a couple clocks. One was for a friend of mine's Birthday gift. The wood had been previously cut out to size to accept a clock, so finishing it was relatively simple. I also converted an idea for a clock that I had seen at work into a wood version. Its a 3" block that balances. Its hard to describe, check out the pics.
After all, I spent quite a bit of time in the garage, working on a few different projects and made some great progress. I ended up going to Home Depot and picking up a new saw blade and some quick clamps with my christmas money.
It was a good day.
I have been working on an entertainment center addition, but with the cold weather, i have been stymied with the staining process. Today was a great day of weather, and I actually worked in my shortsleeves, and was able to hear the heater shut off on its own many times during the day. I finished staining and steel wooling the entertainment center today, and finished up some touch up parts I had not known what to do with yet. I added backing to different portions of the project. I even spent quite a while trying to get the doors to work. I didnt come up with a definite solution yet, but am on the way to one, I hope. I did scope out the wood for the drawers, and actually put together part of one to test it out and learned a lot.
Some pictures are here, in my flickr site.
Also, while I was waiting and confused on direction, I made a couple clocks. One was for a friend of mine's Birthday gift. The wood had been previously cut out to size to accept a clock, so finishing it was relatively simple. I also converted an idea for a clock that I had seen at work into a wood version. Its a 3" block that balances. Its hard to describe, check out the pics.
After all, I spent quite a bit of time in the garage, working on a few different projects and made some great progress. I ended up going to Home Depot and picking up a new saw blade and some quick clamps with my christmas money.
It was a good day.
2009 Orem Open - Racquetball tournament - game 2
Game two pitted me against a guy from the Orem League that I have never played well against. Rory. In the first game, I actually was up in points for a bit, which suprised me. But I soon lost the lead, and never gained it back. I did put up a fight though.
In the second game, I simply sucked. Nothing seemed to work. If I didnt skip the ball, I would end up placing it where he would dink shot it in the corner. So, it was soon over, and I had lost. Too bad.
But, the goal was to play after having injured my shoulder 4+ months prior. I played a lot better than we all figured I could. I had to ice up after the first match, but I didnt on the second game, and the next day my arm and shoulder were fine. So, my strengthening regiment had helped. My trips to the gym have helped. And my patience in waiting to play has helped.
Now, I need to continue on, building more and more, and practicing. More tourneys will come my way, and I hope to be ready.
Tomorrow, we will go to Orem Rec again, and watch our girls play some games with other kids their age. I hope they enjoy themselves and do well in their games.
In the second game, I simply sucked. Nothing seemed to work. If I didnt skip the ball, I would end up placing it where he would dink shot it in the corner. So, it was soon over, and I had lost. Too bad.
But, the goal was to play after having injured my shoulder 4+ months prior. I played a lot better than we all figured I could. I had to ice up after the first match, but I didnt on the second game, and the next day my arm and shoulder were fine. So, my strengthening regiment had helped. My trips to the gym have helped. And my patience in waiting to play has helped.
Now, I need to continue on, building more and more, and practicing. More tourneys will come my way, and I hope to be ready.
Tomorrow, we will go to Orem Rec again, and watch our girls play some games with other kids their age. I hope they enjoy themselves and do well in their games.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
2009 Orem Open - Racquetball tournament - game 1
This week is the Orem Open in Orem, Utah. The rec center is where we often play racquetball as a family and where I go during the days now on lunch break to play twice a week. So its familiar territory.
I signed up for this tournament, the first since separating my AC joint. I have not been playing as much racquetball as I did last year, due to the injury and changes in my schedule. I sure miss it. So this is my chance to test my body and endurance at a tournament level. I entered this tourney in a higher level than I was playing last year. So, I was a bit worried how the shoulder and arm would hold up.
To make matters worse, Monday at lunch I went to the gym to run on the elliptical, then Monday night I worked extra doing releases, and was tired. The next day, Tuesday, I played racquetball with a buddy of mine at lunch time, then went to a Racquetball League form 7pm until 830pm. After the league, I started backing up databases for an hour, then proceeded to work on a Billing Staged Run for work, until 2am in the morning. The next morning, Wednesday, we had a Company Kick Off event, that started early, at a distance from my home, so i had to go a bit earlier than normal to 'work'. I ended up working until 5pm that day, and ran home to eat some dinner and take a nap. I was so tired. I didn't see myself playing well at all after the last few days, and what was four 8 hour days of work already by Wednesday.
So, I'm tired. But jazzed about playing again. The nap was awesome, and actually helped incredibly. I showed up to the tourney, saw old friends from the rball community, caught up on what we've been doing. Soon, it was my turn to play. I got ready, and started warming up. I was able to use my free ipod nano I won from SQL Server Central.com as SQL PASS last November from Steve Jones. I warmed up and we started to play. My shoulder isn't in the best shape, but held up well, and I was able to bang out some great shots. I led the first game for my first 11 points, then gave up the lead, and kept the game close, until my opponent ended up winning me by a couple points. I was ecstatic. I had done so much better than expected.
The next game was on. I ended up running 11 points with my opponent not scoring at all. But i couldn't hold it, and gave up a few points, maybe 6 or 7 points, before winning the second game. Woohooo. I'm on a roll now.
The tie breaker was a game to 11 points, where the other 2 games are to 15 points. So, its nice to not have play as long on the tie-breaker, since I'm usually so tired by the third game. I started the tie-breaker strong, but as usual, made mistakes, and let a lot of points get away from me. I was able to nail down some solid serves, and even got quite a few aces. The last point, I could taste it, but ended up skipping my shot, giving my opponent a chance to loose. I was able to gain the serve back, and was excited. I stood up to hopefully get my last point, and pulled out one of my favorite serves. A Z drive serve with my forehand, from the left side of the court. The Z ends up in the back left behind me, and hopefully bounces oddly in the corner, preventing a return, if any. I aced this serve. Last serve of the game, and it was over. Woohoo.
So I won my 1st match in the Orem Open in C division. This is a huge accomplishment for me, and I treated myself to a chocodile from a gas station on the way home. My entire family came out and cheered me on. They always are such a great support to me, and help me and coach me and simply love me, no matter the outcome. I love to play this game, and am excited that I'm doing it again, even with this shoulder injury nagging at me. I am sitting here now typing this with an ice pack on my arm. Soon, I'll put it on my shoulder, and cool it down.
I play again tomorrow at 6pm. I'll post those results in a new post.
I signed up for this tournament, the first since separating my AC joint. I have not been playing as much racquetball as I did last year, due to the injury and changes in my schedule. I sure miss it. So this is my chance to test my body and endurance at a tournament level. I entered this tourney in a higher level than I was playing last year. So, I was a bit worried how the shoulder and arm would hold up.
To make matters worse, Monday at lunch I went to the gym to run on the elliptical, then Monday night I worked extra doing releases, and was tired. The next day, Tuesday, I played racquetball with a buddy of mine at lunch time, then went to a Racquetball League form 7pm until 830pm. After the league, I started backing up databases for an hour, then proceeded to work on a Billing Staged Run for work, until 2am in the morning. The next morning, Wednesday, we had a Company Kick Off event, that started early, at a distance from my home, so i had to go a bit earlier than normal to 'work'. I ended up working until 5pm that day, and ran home to eat some dinner and take a nap. I was so tired. I didn't see myself playing well at all after the last few days, and what was four 8 hour days of work already by Wednesday.
So, I'm tired. But jazzed about playing again. The nap was awesome, and actually helped incredibly. I showed up to the tourney, saw old friends from the rball community, caught up on what we've been doing. Soon, it was my turn to play. I got ready, and started warming up. I was able to use my free ipod nano I won from SQL Server Central.com as SQL PASS last November from Steve Jones. I warmed up and we started to play. My shoulder isn't in the best shape, but held up well, and I was able to bang out some great shots. I led the first game for my first 11 points, then gave up the lead, and kept the game close, until my opponent ended up winning me by a couple points. I was ecstatic. I had done so much better than expected.
The next game was on. I ended up running 11 points with my opponent not scoring at all. But i couldn't hold it, and gave up a few points, maybe 6 or 7 points, before winning the second game. Woohooo. I'm on a roll now.
The tie breaker was a game to 11 points, where the other 2 games are to 15 points. So, its nice to not have play as long on the tie-breaker, since I'm usually so tired by the third game. I started the tie-breaker strong, but as usual, made mistakes, and let a lot of points get away from me. I was able to nail down some solid serves, and even got quite a few aces. The last point, I could taste it, but ended up skipping my shot, giving my opponent a chance to loose. I was able to gain the serve back, and was excited. I stood up to hopefully get my last point, and pulled out one of my favorite serves. A Z drive serve with my forehand, from the left side of the court. The Z ends up in the back left behind me, and hopefully bounces oddly in the corner, preventing a return, if any. I aced this serve. Last serve of the game, and it was over. Woohoo.
So I won my 1st match in the Orem Open in C division. This is a huge accomplishment for me, and I treated myself to a chocodile from a gas station on the way home. My entire family came out and cheered me on. They always are such a great support to me, and help me and coach me and simply love me, no matter the outcome. I love to play this game, and am excited that I'm doing it again, even with this shoulder injury nagging at me. I am sitting here now typing this with an ice pack on my arm. Soon, I'll put it on my shoulder, and cool it down.
I play again tomorrow at 6pm. I'll post those results in a new post.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Words Words Words and Wordl
On my Work related blog, I recently posted a blog about using Wordl. This is a word jumble tool that lets you input a website, or a series of words. For work related stuff, I had the idea of doing some Wordl's about my resume, my blog, twitter, etc.
But over here, on my family blog and hobby blog, I wanted to do something a little more non careerish.
So, I did our family mission statement. Not 1, but 3 different views of the words that make up our family mission statement. I liked the results.
Then I posted a few other documents I had that were church related.
Here is the Wordl from 'The Articles of Faith'
Here is the Wordl from 'The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood'
Thanks to the internet, and the Guttenberg project, I was able to pull text versions of the Book of Mormon into Wordl and produce the following jumbles.
Book of Mormon Preface
Book of Mormon - 1 & 2 Nephi
Book of Mormon - Jacob
Book of Mormon - Words of Mormon
Book of Mormon - Mosiah
Book of Mormon - Alma
I would like to add more to this as I find ideas to do Wordl jumbles on.
Let me know ideas, if you have them, in the comments section and I will publish the results.
But over here, on my family blog and hobby blog, I wanted to do something a little more non careerish.
So, I did our family mission statement. Not 1, but 3 different views of the words that make up our family mission statement. I liked the results.
Then I posted a few other documents I had that were church related.
Here is the Wordl from 'The Articles of Faith'
Here is the Wordl from 'The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood'
Thanks to the internet, and the Guttenberg project, I was able to pull text versions of the Book of Mormon into Wordl and produce the following jumbles.
Book of Mormon Preface
Book of Mormon - 1 & 2 Nephi
Book of Mormon - Jacob
Book of Mormon - Words of Mormon
Book of Mormon - Mosiah
Book of Mormon - Alma
I would like to add more to this as I find ideas to do Wordl jumbles on.
Let me know ideas, if you have them, in the comments section and I will publish the results.
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